CWABS INC
424B5, 1997-02-26
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
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<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 21, 1997)
 
                                  CWABS, INC.
                                   DEPOSITOR
                                  $279,000,000
                    ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 1997-1
 DISTRIBUTIONS PAYABLE ON THE 25TH DAY OF EACH MONTH, COMMENCING IN MARCH 1997
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                           SELLER AND MASTER SERVICER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The  Asset-Backed Certificates,  Series 1997-1,  will consist  of the  Class A-1
Certificates (the 'Class  A-1 Certificates'),  the Class  A-2 Certificates  (the
'Class   A-2  Certificates'),  the  Class   A-3  Certificates  (the  'Class  A-3
Certificates'), the Class A-4 Certificates  (the 'Class A-4 Certificates'),  the
Class   A-5  Certificates  (the  'Class  A-5  Certificates')  and  the  Class  R
Certificates (the 'Residual Certificates'). Only the Class A-1 Certificates, the
Class A-2 Certificates, the Class  A-3 Certificates, the Class A-4  Certificates
and  the  Class  A-5  Certificates (together,  the  'Offered  Certificates') are
offered hereby. See  'Index of Defined  Terms' on page  S-63 of this  Prospectus
Supplement  and on page 95 of the Prospectus for the location of the definitions
of certain capitalized terms.
 
                                                  (cover continued on next page)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS  SHOULD  REVIEW  THE INFORMATION  SET  FORTH  UNDER  'RISK
FACTORS' ON PAGE S-12 HEREIN AND ON PAGE 14 IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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
   ASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE
     PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Offered Certificates will be  unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed  as
to  the payment of the Insured Payments (as defined herein) on each Distribution
Date pursuant  to the  terms  of two  irrevocable financial  guaranty  insurance
policies (collectively, the 'Certificate Insurance Policy') to be issued by
 
                                     [Logo]
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   ORIGINAL CLASS
               CERTIFICATE PRINCIPAL                                                     UNDERWRITING           PROCEEDS TO
                     BALANCE(1)          PASS-THROUGH RATE     PRICE TO PUBLIC(2)          DISCOUNT           DEPOSITOR(2)(3)
<S>                <C>                   <C>                  <C>                     <C>                   <C>
Class A-1...          $173,000,000                    (4)         100.000000%               0.225%              99.775000%
Class A-2...          $ 40,700,000                    (5)         100.000000%               0.175%              99.825000%
Class A-3...          $ 35,000,000               6.675%           100.000000%               0.225%              99.775000%
Class A-4...          $ 14,677,000               6.950%            99.968750%               0.250%              99.718750%
Class A-5...          $ 15,623,000               7.225%(6)         99.921875%               0.325%              99.596875%
Total.......          $279,000,000              N/A             $278,983,207.97          $626,692.25          $278,356,515.72
</TABLE>
 
(1) Subject to the permitted variance described herein.
 
(2) Plus  accrued interest,  if any, at  the respective  Pass-Through Rates from
    February 1, 1997 (or in the case of the Class A-1 Certificates and the Class
    A-2 Certificates from February 27, 1997).
 
(3) Before deduction  of  expenses payable  by  the Depositor  estimated  to  be
    $329,000.
 
(4) The  Class A-1 Certificates will bear interest during each Accrual Period at
    a per annum rate equal to the lesser  of (i) the sum of (a) One-Month  LIBOR
    (as defined herein) and (b) the applicable Class A-1 Pass-Through Margin (as
    defined  herein)  and (ii)  the Class  A-1 Available  Funds Cap  (as defined
    herein).
 
(5) The Class A-2 Certificates will bear interest during each Accrual Period  at
    a  per annum rate equal to the lesser  of (i) the sum of (a) One-Month LIBOR
    and (b) the Class A-2 Pass-Through  Margin (as defined herein) and (ii)  the
    Class A-2 Net Funds Cap (as defined herein).
 
(6) The  Pass-Through Rate on the Class A-5 Certificates will increase to 7.725%
    following the Optional Termination Date (as defined herein).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Offered Certificates are  offered subject to prior  sale and subject to  the
Underwriters'  right to reject orders  in whole or in  part. It is expected that
delivery of the Offered Certificates will be made in book-entry form only though
the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, CEDEL Bank, societe anonyme  and
the  Euroclear System on  or about February  27, 1997 (the  'Closing Date'). The
Offered Certificates will be offered in Europe and the United States of America.
 
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED            COUNTRYWIDE SECURITIES CORPORATION
 
February 24, 1997
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
(cover page continued)
 
     The Offered Certificates and  the Residual Certificates (collectively,  the
'Certificates')  will represent  the entire  beneficial ownership  interest in a
trust fund (the 'Trust Fund') to be created pursuant to a Pooling and  Servicing
Agreement,  dated as of February 27, 1997, among the Depositor, Countrywide Home
Loans, Inc., as master servicer and seller (referred to herein as 'Countrywide,'
the 'Master Servicer' or the 'Seller,' as applicable), and The Bank of New York,
as trustee (the 'Trustee'). The Trust Fund will consist of a pool (the 'Mortgage
Pool') of  conventional,  sub-prime  and prime  mortgage  loans  (the  'Mortgage
Loans')  secured by  first or  second liens  on one-  to four-family residential
properties and certain other assets described herein. The Mortgage Pool will  be
divided  into two separate groups of Mortgage Loans (each, a 'Loan Group'). Loan
Group 1 will consist  of adjustable-rate Mortgage Loans  (the 'Group 1  Mortgage
Loans')  secured by first  liens on one-  to four-family residential properties.
Substantially all of the Group 1  Mortgage Loans will be subject to  semi-annual
mortgage  rate  adjustments based  upon  changes in  the  average of  the London
interbank offered rates for six-month U.S. dollar deposits in the London  market
(the  'Mortgage Index'), as described herein. Loan Group 2 will consist of fixed
rate Mortgage Loans (the  'Group 2 Mortgage Loans')  secured by first or  second
liens  on one-  to four-family residential  properties. See  'The Mortgage Pool'
herein.
 
     THE YIELD TO  INVESTORS ON THE  OFFERED CERTIFICATES WILL  BE SENSITIVE  IN
VARYING  DEGREES  TO,  AMONG OTHER  THINGS,  THE  RATE AND  TIMING  OF PRINCIPAL
PAYMENTS (INCLUDING PREPAYMENTS) OF,  AND LOSSES ON, THE  MORTGAGE LOANS IN  THE
RELATED  LOAN  GROUP  AND, IN  CERTAIN  CIRCUMSTANCES,  THE RATE  AND  TIMING OF
PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS  (INCLUDING PREPAYMENTS)  OF, AND  LOSSES ON,  THE  MORTGAGES
LOANS  IN  THE  OTHER  LOAN GROUP.  THE  YIELD  TO INVESTORS  ON  THE  CLASS A-1
CERTIFICATES AND THE CLASS A-2 CERTIFICATES WILL ALSO BE SENSITIVE TO THE  LEVEL
OF THE LONDON INTERBANK OFFERED RATE FOR ONE-MONTH UNITED STATES DOLLAR DEPOSITS
('ONE-MONTH  LIBOR').  IN ADDITION,  THE  YIELD TO  INVESTORS  ON THE  CLASS A-1
CERTIFICATES WILL  BE SENSITIVE  TO THE  LEVEL  OF THE  MORTGAGE INDEX  AND  THE
ADDITIONAL  LIMITATIONS ON THE PASS-THROUGH RATE FOR THE CLASS A-1 CERTIFICATES,
AS DESCRIBED HEREIN. THE PASS-THROUGH RATE ON THE CLASS A-2 CERTIFICATES IS ALSO
SUBJECT TO  CERTAIN  LIMITATIONS,  AS  DESCRIBED HEREIN.  ALTHOUGH  ALL  OF  THE
MORTGAGE  LOANS IN LOAN  GROUP 1 BEAR  INTEREST AT ADJUSTABLE  RATES (ARMS), THE
INTEREST RATES ON THE MAJORITY OF THE ARMS  IN LOAN GROUP 1 WILL NOT ADJUST  FOR
TWO  YEARS  FOLLOWING ORIGINATION.  IN ADDITION,  THE YIELD  TO MATURITY  OF THE
OFFERED CERTIFICATES PURCHASED AT A DISCOUNT  OR PREMIUM WILL BE MORE  SENSITIVE
TO  THE RATE AND TIMING OF PAYMENTS THEREON. CERTIFICATEHOLDERS SHOULD CONSIDER,
IN THE CASE OF ANY OFFERED CERTIFICATE PURCHASED AT A DISCOUNT, THE RISK THAT  A
LOWER  THAN ANTICIPATED  RATE OF  PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS  COULD RESULT  IN AN ACTUAL
YIELD THAT IS LOWER THAN THE ANTICIPATED  YIELD AND, IN THE CASE OF ANY  OFFERED
CERTIFICATE PURCHASED AT A PREMIUM, THE RISK THAT A FASTER THAN ANTICIPATED RATE
OF  PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS COULD  RESULT IN AN  ACTUAL YIELD THAT  IS LOWER THAN THE
ANTICIPATED YIELD.  BECAUSE CERTAIN  OF THE  MORTGAGE LOANS  CONTAIN  PREPAYMENT
PENALTIES, THE RATE OF PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS MAY BE LESS THAN THE RATE OF PRINCIPAL
PAYMENTS  FOR  MORTGAGE  LOANS WHICH  DO  NOT CONTAIN  PREPAYMENT  PENALTIES. NO
REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE ANTICIPATED RATE OF PREPAYMENTS ON THE MORTGAGE
LOANS, THE AMOUNT AND TIMING OF LOSSES THEREON, THE LEVEL OF ONE-MONTH LIBOR  OR
THE  MORTGAGE  INDEX  OR  THE  RESULTING  YIELD  TO  MATURITY  OF  ANY  CLASS OF
CERTIFICATES.
 
     The Trust  Fund  is  subject  to optional  termination  under  the  limited
circumstances  described herein. Any such optional termination will result in an
early retirement of the  Certificates. Distributions to Certificateholders  will
be  made on the 25th  day of each month  or, if such 25th  day is not a Business
Day, on  the  first  Business  Day thereafter  (each,  a  'Distribution  Date'),
commencing in March 1997.
 
     Except  for certain representations and warranties relating to the Mortgage
Loans, Countrywide's obligations with respect to the Certificates are limited to
its  contractual  servicing  obligations.  The  Offered  Certificates   evidence
interests  in the Trust Fund  only and are payable  solely from amounts received
with respect  thereto, including  amounts payable  pursuant to  the  Certificate
Insurance Policy.
 
                            ------------------------
 
     THE  CERTIFICATES  DO NOT  REPRESENT AN  INTEREST IN  OR OBLIGATION  OF THE
DEPOSITOR, THE  SELLER,  THE  MASTER  SERVICER, THE  TRUSTEE  OR  ANY  OF  THEIR
RESPECTIVE  AFFILIATES.  NEITHER THE  CERTIFICATES  NOR THE  MORTGAGE  LOANS ARE
INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, THE DEPOSITOR, THE SELLER, THE
MASTER SERVICER, THE TRUSTEE OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR ANY  OTHER
PERSON  EXCEPT AS  DESCRIBED HEREIN. DISTRIBUTIONS  ON THE  CERTIFICATES WILL BE
PAYABLE SOLELY FROM THE ASSETS TRANSFERRED TO THE TRUST FUND FOR THE BENEFIT  OF
CERTIFICATEHOLDERS.
 
                                      S-2
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     An  election will be made to treat the Trust Fund as a real estate mortgage
investment conduit (the 'REMIC') for federal income tax purposes.
 
     The Offered Certificates will be entitled to the benefit of two irrevocable
financial guaranty insurance policies (collectively, the 'Certificate  Insurance
Policy')  to be issued by MBIA Insurance Corporation (the 'Certificate Insurer')
pursuant to which the Certificate  Insurer will unconditionally and  irrevocably
guarantee the payment of the Insured Payments (as defined herein) on the Offered
Certificates.  See 'Description of the  Certificates -- The Certificate Guaranty
Insurance Policy' herein.
 
     Prudential Securities Incorporated  and Countrywide Securities  Corporation
(each,  an  'Underwriter') intend  to  make a  secondary  market in  the Offered
Certificates but have no  obligation to do so.  There is currently no  secondary
market  for the Offered Certificates  and there can be  no assurance that such a
market will develop or, if it does  develop, that it will continue or that  such
market will provide sufficient liquidity to Certificateholders.
 
                            ------------------------
     This  Prospectus Supplement does not contain complete information about the
offering of the Offered Certificates. Additional information is contained in the
Prospectus dated February  21, 1997  (the 'Prospectus')  which accompanies  this
Prospectus  Supplement and  purchasers are  urged to  read both  this Prospectus
Supplement and the Prospectus in full. Sales of the Offered Certificates may not
be consummated unless the purchaser has received both this Prospectus Supplement
and the Prospectus.
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE CERTIFICATES AT
LEVELS ABOVE  THOSE WHICH  MIGHT  OTHERWISE PREVAIL  IN  THE OPEN  MARKET.  SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
     UNTIL NINETY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, ALL DEALERS
EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE OFFERED CERTIFICATES, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING
IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
PROSPECTUS.  THIS  IS IN  ADDITION TO  THE  OBLIGATION OF  DEALERS TO  DELIVER A
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE  PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING  AS UNDERWRITERS AND  WITH
RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
                                      S-3
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     In  addition  to the  documents described  under 'Incorporation  of Certain
Documents by Reference' in the Prospectus, the consolidated financial statements
of the Certificate  Insurer, a  wholly-owned subsidiary  of MBIA  Inc., and  its
subsidiaries  as of December  31, 1995 and  December 31, 1994  and for the three
years ended December 31,  1995, prepared in  accordance with generally  accepted
accounting  principles, included in the Annual Report  on Form 10-K of MBIA Inc.
for the year ended December 31,  1995 and the consolidated financial  statements
of  the Certificate  Insurer and  its and its  subsidiaries for  the nine months
ended September  30, 1996  and for  the periods  ending September  30, 1996  and
September  30, 1995, included in the Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q of MBIA Inc.
for the period ending September 30,  1996, are hereby incorporated by  reference
into  this Prospectus Supplement  and shall be  deemed to be  a part hereof. Any
statement contained  in a  document incorporated  by reference  herein shall  be
modified  or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus Supplement to the extent
that a statement contained  herein or in any  other subsequently filed  document
which  also  is incorporated  by reference  herein  modifies or  supersedes such
statement. Any statement so modified or  superseded shall not be deemed,  except
as  so  modified  or  superseded,  to  constitute  a  part  of  this  Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     All financial statements  of the Certificate  Insurer and its  subsidiaries
included in documents filed by MBIA Inc. pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subsequent to the date
of  this Prospectus Supplement and  prior to the termination  of the offering of
the Offered Certificates shall  be deemed to be  incorporated by reference  into
this  Prospectus Supplement and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of
filing such documents.
 
     The Depositor  hereby  undertakes that,  for  purposes of  determining  any
liability  under the  Securities Act  of 1933,  as amended,  each filing  of the
financial statements of the Certificate Insurer included in or as an exhibit  to
the documents of MBIA Inc. referred to above and filed pursuant to Section 13(a)
or  Section  15(d) of  the 1934  Act that  is incorporated  by reference  in the
Registration Statements of which this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus is a part shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
to the Offered  Certificates offered hereby,  and the offering  of such  Offered
Certificates  at that time shall be deemed  to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
 
     THE TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE TRUST FUND WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH
PERSON TO WHOM THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT  IS DELIVERED, ON THE WRITTEN OR  ORAL
REQUEST  OF SUCH PERSON, A COPY OF ANY OR ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO ABOVE
AND IN THE PROSPECTUS  UNDER 'INCORPORATION OF  CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY  REFERENCE'
THAT  HAVE  BEEN OR  MAY BE  INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE  IN THE  PROSPECTUS (NOT
INCLUDING EXHIBITS TO THE INFORMATION  THAT IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE  UNLESS
SUCH  EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY  INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE  INTO THE INFORMATION
THAT THE  PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES).  SUCH  REQUESTS SHOULD  BE DIRECTED  TO  THE
CORPORATE  TRUST OFFICE OF THE TRUSTEE AT 101 BARCLAY STREET, 12E, NEW YORK, NEW
YORK 10286,  TELEPHONE:  (212)  815-7162, FACSIMILE:  (212)  815-5309  OR  (212)
815-4135, ATTENTION: MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES.
 
                                      S-4

<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                                SUMMARY OF TERMS
 
     This  Summary of  Terms is  qualified in its  entirety by  reference to the
detailed information appearing  elsewhere in this  Prospectus Supplement and  in
the  accompanying Prospectus. Certain capitalized terms  used in this Summary of
Terms are defined elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement or in the  Prospectus.
See  'Index of Defined Terms' on page  S-63 of this Prospectus Supplement and on
page 95  of  the Prospectus  for  the location  of  the definitions  of  certain
capitalized terms.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Title of Certificates.....................  Asset-Backed   Certificates,  Series   1997-1  (the  'Certificates'),
                                            consisting  of  (i)  the  Class  A-1  Certificates  (the  'Class  A-1
                                            Certificates'),  (ii)  the  Class A-2  Certificates  (the  'Class A-2
                                            Certificates'), (iii)  the Class  A-3  Certificates (the  'Class  A-3
                                            Certificates'),  (iv)  the  Class A-4  Certificates  (the  'Class A-4
                                            Certificates'), (v)  the  Class  A-5  Certificates  (the  'Class  A-5
                                            Certificates')  and  (vi)  the Class  R  Certificates  (the 'Residual
                                            Certificates'). Only  the  Class  A-1  Certificates,  the  Class  A-2
                                            Certificates,  the Class A-3 Certificates, the Class A-4 Certificates
                                            and the Class A-5 Certificates (together, the 'Offered Certificates')
                                            are offered hereby.
                                            The Original  Class  Certificate  Principal Balance  of  the  Offered
                                            Certificates will be subject to a permitted variance of plus or minus
                                            10%.
Designations
  Loan Group 1............................  All Mortgage Loans in Loan Group 1.
  Loan Group 2............................  All Mortgage Loans in Loan Group 2.
  Loan Group..............................  Loan Group 1 or Loan Group 2, as the case may be.
  Group 1 Certificates....................  Class A-1 Certificates.
  Group 2 Certificates....................  Class   A-2   Certificates,   Class  A-3   Certificates,   Class  A-4
                                            Certificates and Class A-5 Certificates.
  Certificate Group.......................  'Certificate Group 1'  (consisting of  the Group  1 Certificates)  or
                                            'Certificate  Group 2' (consisting  of the Group  2 Certificates), as
                                            the case may be.
  Variable Rate Certificates..............  Class A-1 Certificates and Class A-2 Certificates.
  Fixed Rate Certificates.................  Class  A-3  Certificates,  Class  A-4  Certificates  and  Class   A-5
                                            Certificates.
The Depositor.............................  CWABS,  Inc.  (the 'Depositor'),  a  Delaware corporation  that  is a
                                            limited purpose finance subsidiary of Countrywide Credit  Industries,
                                            Inc.  and an  affiliate of the  Seller and Master  Servicer. See 'The
                                            Depositor' in the Prospectus.
Seller and Master Servicer................  Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. ('Countrywide'  or the 'Seller' and,  in
                                            its  capacity as master  servicer of the  Mortgage Loans, the 'Master
                                            Servicer'). See 'Servicing of Mortgage Loans -- The Master  Servicer'
                                            herein.  The Mortgage Loans were originated or acquired by the Seller
                                            in the normal course of its business.
Trustee...................................  The Bank of  New York,  a New York  banking corporation,  not in  its
                                            individual   capacity  but  solely  as   trustee  on  behalf  of  the
                                            Certificateholders and the Certificate Insurer (the 'Trustee').
Certificate Insurer.......................  MBIA  Insurance   Corporation   (the  'Certificate   Insurer').   See
                                            'Description   of  the  Certificates   --  The  Certificate  Guaranty
                                            Insurance Policy' herein.
Cut-off Date..............................  March 1, 1997.
Closing Date..............................  On or about February 27, 1997.
Description of Certificates
A. General................................  The Certificates will be issued  pursuant to a Pooling and  Servicing
                                            Agreement,  dated as of February 27, 1997 (the 'Pooling and Servicing
                                            Agreement'), among the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Seller and
                                            the Trustee.
                                            The Offered Certificates and the Residual Certificates will represent
                                            the entire beneficial ownership interest in a trust fund (the  'Trust
                                            Fund'),  which  will  consist  of a  pool  (the  'Mortgage  Pool') of
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-5
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            conventional mortgage loans secured by first liens and non-conforming
                                            mortgage loans  secured  by  second liens  (together,  the  'Mortgage
                                            Loans') on one- to four-family residential properties (the 'Mortgaged
                                            Properties')  and certain other assets described herein. The Mortgage
                                            Pool will  be divided  into  two separate  groups of  Mortgage  Loans
                                            (each,  a  'Loan  Group'). Loan  Group  1 will  consist  of sub-prime
                                            adjustable-rate Mortgage Loans (the 'Group 1 Mortgage Loans') secured
                                            by  first  liens  on  one-  to  four-family  residential  properties.
                                            Substantially  all of the  Group 1 Mortgage Loans  will be subject to
                                            semi-annual mortgage  rate  adjustments  based upon  changes  in  the
                                            average  of  the London  interbank offered  rates for  six-month U.S.
                                            dollar deposits  in  the London  market  (the 'Mortgage  Index'),  as
                                            described  herein. Loan Group 2  will consist of fixed-rate sub-prime
                                            first Mortgage Loans and  prime second Mortgage  Loans (the 'Group  2
                                            Mortgage   Loans')   secured   by   one-to   four-family  residential
                                            properties. The aggregate  unpaid principal  balance of  the Group  1
                                            Mortgage  Loans as of the  Cut-off Date is referred  to herein as the
                                            'Group 1 Cut-off  Date Principal Balance',  and the aggregate  unpaid
                                            principal  balance of  the Group 2  Mortgage Loans as  of the Cut-off
                                            Date is referred  to herein as  the 'Group 2  Cut-off Date  Principal
                                            Balance.' See 'The Mortgage Pool' herein.
B. Form of Certificates...................  The Offered Certificates will initially be issued in book-entry form.
                                            Persons  acquiring  beneficial  ownership  interests  in  the Offered
                                            Certificates ('Certificate Owners') may  elect to hold their  Offered
                                            Certificate  interests through The  Depository Trust Company ('DTC'),
                                            in the United States, or Cedel Bank, societe anonyme ('CEDEL') or the
                                            Euroclear System  ('Euroclear'),  in Europe.  Transfers  within  DTC,
                                            CEDEL  or Euroclear, as the  case may be, will  be in accordance with
                                            the usual rules and operating  procedures of the relevant system.  So
                                            long  as  the Offered  Certificates  are Book-Entry  Certificates (as
                                            defined herein), each class of such Certificates will be evidenced by
                                            one or  more  Certificates registered  in  the  name of  Cede  &  Co.
                                            ('Cede'),  as the nominee of DTC  or one of the relevant depositaries
                                            (collectively, the 'European  Depositaries'). Cross-market  transfers
                                            between  persons holding directly  or indirectly through  DTC, on the
                                            one hand, and counterparties  holding directly or indirectly  through
                                            CEDEL  or Euroclear,  on the other,  will be effected  in DTC through
                                            Citibank N.A. ('Citibank') or The Chase Manhattan Bank ('Chase'), the
                                            relevant depositaries of CEDEL or Euroclear, respectively, and each a
                                            participating  member   of  DTC.   The  interests   of  the   Offered
                                            Certificateholders will be represented by book entries on the records
                                            of  DTC and participating members  thereof. No Certificate Owner will
                                            be entitled  to receive  a definitive  certificate representing  such
                                            person's  interest, except in the  event that Definitive Certificates
                                            (as defined  herein)  are  issued  under  the  limited  circumstances
                                            described  under  'Description  of  the  Certificates  Book  -- Entry
                                            Certificates' herein. All references in this Prospectus Supplement to
                                            any Offered  Certificates reflect  the rights  of Certificate  Owners
                                            only   as  such  rights   may  be  exercised   through  DTC  and  its
                                            participating organizations for so long as such Offered  Certificates
                                            are  held  by DTC.  See  'Risk Factors  --  Book-Entry Certificates,'
                                            'Description of the Certificates  -- Book-Entry Certificates'  herein
                                            and 'Annex I' hereto.
C. Distributions..........................  Distributions  on the Offered  Certificates will be  made on the 25th
                                            day of each month or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the first
                                            Business  Day  thereafter,   commencing  in  March   1997  (each,   a
                                            'Distribution Date'). Distributions on each Distribution Date will be
                                            made  to Certificateholders of record as  of the close of business on
                                            the last day of  the month preceding the  month of such  Distribution
                                            Date  (each, a 'Record Date'), except  that the final distribution on
                                            the Offered Certificates will be made only upon
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-6
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            presentation and surrender of the Offered Certificates at the  office
                                            or  agency of the Trustee in New York, New York. Distributions on the
                                            Offered Certificates of a Certificate Group on each Distribution Date
                                            will be based on the Available  Funds for the related Loan Group  and
                                            will  be made in accordance with  the priorities described below. The
                                            rights of the  Residual Certificateholders  to receive  distributions
                                            with  respect to the Mortgage Loans  are subordinate to the rights of
                                            the Offered Certificateholders, to the extent described herein.
  1. Interest.............................  On each Distribution  Date, to  the extent  funds (including  Insured
                                            Payments) are available therefor, interest will be paid on each Class
                                            of  Offered  Certificates in  an  amount (the  'Interest Distribution
                                            Amount') equal to the sum of (i) interest accrued during the  related
                                            Accrual  Period (as  defined herein)  at the  applicable Pass-Through
                                            Rate (as defined herein) on  the related Class Certificate  Principal
                                            Balance  (as defined  herein), subject to  reduction in  the event of
                                            Prepayment Interest  Shortfalls (as  defined herein)  in the  related
                                            Loan Group, to the extent not covered by one-half of the related Loan
                                            Group's  share of the  Servicing Fee as  described herein, and Relief
                                            Act Shortfalls (as defined herein) in the related Loan Group and (ii)
                                            that portion of the related Carry-Forward Amount (as defined  herein)
                                            relating  to certain shortfalls in  interest. See 'Description of the
                                            Certificates -- Allocation of Available Funds' herein.
                                            With respect to each Distribution Date, the 'Accrual Period' for  the
                                            Class  A-1 Certificates  and the Class  A-2 Certificates  will be the
                                            period from and including the preceding Distribution Date (or, in the
                                            case of the first  Distribution Date, from the  Closing Date) to  and
                                            including  the  day  prior to  such  next Distribution  Date  and the
                                            Accrual  Period  for  the  Class  A-3  Certificates,  the  Class  A-4
                                            Certificates  and  the Class  A-5 Certificates  will be  the calendar
                                            month preceding the month of such Distribution Date.
                                            Interest on the Class A-1 Certificates and the Class A-2 Certificates
                                            will be calculated  on the  basis of a  360-day year  and the  actual
                                            number  of days elapsed in the applicable Accrual Period. Interest on
                                            the Class A-3 Certificates, the Class A-4 Certificates and the  Class
                                            A-5  Certificates will be  calculated on the basis  of a 360-day year
                                            consisting of twelve 30-day months.
  2. Principal............................  On each Distribution  Date, to  the extent  funds (including  Insured
                                            Payments) are available therefor after distributions of interest with
                                            respect  to  a  Certificate  Group, Holders  of  the  related Offered
                                            Certificates will be  entitled to receive,  as payment of  principal,
                                            the  difference between (a) the sum  (without duplication) of (i) all
                                            scheduled installments  of principal  on the  Mortgage Loans  in  the
                                            related  Loan Group due during the related Due Period and received by
                                            the Master Servicer on or before the  15th day of the month in  which
                                            such  Distribution Date  occurs (the  'Determination Date'),  and all
                                            unscheduled collections of principal on, and recoveries of  principal
                                            and  certain other amounts  with respect to,  such Mortgage Loans, as
                                            described in more detail herein, during the related Prepayment Period
                                            (excluding certain amounts received in respect of scheduled principal
                                            on such Mortgage Loans due after the related Due Date), together with
                                            all Advances  (as defined  herein) in  respect of  principal on  such
                                            Mortgage  Loans made by  the Master Servicer,  (ii) any Subordination
                                            Deficit  (as  defined   herein)  for  such   Certificate  Group   and
                                            Distribution  Date, (iii)  that portion  of any  Carry-Forward Amount
                                            that relates  to a  shortfall in  a distribution  of a  Subordination
                                            Deficit  for such Certificate Group, and  (iv) an amount necessary to
                                            increase  the  Subordinated  Amount  (as  defined  herein)  for  such
                                            Certificate  Group to  the Required  Subordinated Amount  (as defined
                                            herein)  for  such  Certificate  Group,  and  (b)  the  Subordination
                                            Reduction Amount (as defined herein) for such
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-7
 
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<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            Certificate   Group,  if  any,  for   such  Distribution  Date  (such
                                            difference,  the  'Group  Principal  Distribution  Amount'  for  such
                                            Certificate Group). See 'Description of the
                                            Certificates -- Allocation of Available Funds' herein.
Pass-Through Rate.........................  The Pass-Through Rate for the Class A-1 Certificates and a particular
                                            Distribution  Date will be equal to the  lesser of (i) the sum of (a)
                                            One-Month LIBOR and (b) the applicable Class A-1 Pass-Through  Margin
                                            and   (ii)  the  Class  A-1  Available  Funds  Cap.  The  'Class  A-1
                                            Pass-Through Margin' will  equal 0.20%  (20 basis  points) per  annum
                                            until  the first Accrual  Period after the  Optional Termination Date
                                            (as defined herein), at which time the Class A-1 Pass-Through  Margin
                                            will  equal 0.40% (40 basis points) per annum. As to any Distribution
                                            Date, the 'Class A-1 Available Funds  Cap' is a per annum rate  equal
                                            to  a fraction,  expressed as  a percentage,  the numerator  of which
                                            equals the  excess of  (i) the  sum of  (a) the  aggregate amount  of
                                            interest  due on the Group  1 Mortgage Loans on  the related Due Date
                                            (to the  extent  received  or advanced)  and  (b)  the  Subordination
                                            Reduction   Amount,  if  any,  for   Certificate  Group  1  and  such
                                            Distribution Date over (ii)  the sum of (a)  Loan Group 1's share  of
                                            the  Servicing  Fee (as  defined  herein) as  described  herein under
                                            'Servicing of  the  Mortgage  Loans  --  Servicing  Compensation  and
                                            Payment  of Expenses,' (b) Loan Group 1's share of the Premium Amount
                                            payable to  the Certificate  Insurer and  (c) the  Group 1  Available
                                            Funds Rate Adjustment for such Distribution Date, and the denominator
                                            of  which is equal to (1)  the Class Certificate Principal Balance of
                                            the Class A-1 Certificates for  such Distribution Date multiplied  by
                                            (2)  the actual number of days  elapsed in the related Accrual Period
                                            divided by 360. The 'Group 1 Available Funds Rate Adjustment' for any
                                            Distribution Date (a) prior to the thirteenth Distribution Date  will
                                            equal zero and (b) beginning on the thirteenth Distribution Date will
                                            be equal to the product of (x) one-twelfth of 0.50% (50 basis points)
                                            and (y) the Stated Principal Balance of the Group 1 Mortgage Loans on
                                            such   date.  The  initial  Pass-Through   Rate  for  the  Class  A-1
                                            Certificates will not  be established  until February  25, 1997,  the
                                            date  on which  One-Month LIBOR  for such  Distribution Date  will be
                                            determined. See 'Description  of the Certificates  -- Calculation  of
                                            One-Month  LIBOR' herein for an explanation of how One-Month LIBOR is
                                            determined. The  One-Month  LIBOR  value on  February  20,  1997  was
                                            approximately 5.375% per annum.
                                            If  on any Distribution Date, the Pass-Through Rate for the Class A-1
                                            Certificates is based on the  Class A-1 Available Funds Cap,  holders
                                            of  the Class A-1 Certificates will  be entitled to receive the Class
                                            A-1 Basis Risk Carryover Amount (as defined herein) to the extent  of
                                            funds   available  therefor  as  described  herein.  The  Certificate
                                            Insurance Policy  will not  cover  the payment  of, and  the  ratings
                                            assigned  to the Class A-1 Certificates do not address the likelihood
                                            of the payment of, any Class A-1 Basis Risk Carryover Amount.
                                            The Pass-Through Rate for the Class A-2 Certificates and a particular
                                            Distribution Date will be equal to the  lesser of (i) the sum of  (a)
                                            One-Month  LIBOR and (b)  the Class A-2  Pass-Through Margin and (ii)
                                            the Class A-2 Net Funds Cap. The 'Class A-2 Pass-Through Margin' will
                                            equal 0.08% (8 basis points) per annum. As to any Distribution  Date,
                                            the  'Class  A-2 Net  Funds Cap'  is a  per annum  rate equal  to the
                                            weighted average of the Mortgage Rates of the Mortgage Loans in  Loan
                                            Group  2  as of  such  Distribution Date  minus  the sum  of  (i) the
                                            Servicing Fee  Rate  as  described herein  under  'Servicing  of  the
                                            Mortgage Loans -- Servicing Compensation and Payment of Expenses' and
                                            (ii) the Premium Percentage.
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                                      S-8
 
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<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            The  portion of the Servicing  Fee allocable to a  Loan Group for any
                                            Distribution Date will be equal to the Servicing Fee Rate (as defined
                                            herein)  times  one-twelfth  the  Stated  Principal  Balance  of  the
                                            Mortgage Loans in such Loan Group as of the immediately preceding Due
                                            Date. The portion of the Premium Amount allocable to a Loan Group for
                                            any Distribution Date will be equal to the Premium Percentage (as set
                                            forth  in the  Insurance Agreement)  times one-twelfth  the aggregate
                                            Class Certificate  Principal  Balance  of  the  Certificates  in  the
                                            related  Certificate Group  on such  Distribution Date  before giving
                                            effect to distributions to be made thereon on such date.
                                            The Pass-Through Rate  for each  of the Class  A-3 Certificates,  the
                                            Class  A-4  Certificates  and  the  Class  A-5  Certificates  for any
                                            Distribution Date will be as set forth on the cover page hereof.
Credit Enhancement........................  The credit  enhancement  provided  for the  benefit  of  the  Offered
                                            Certificateholders  consists solely of  (a) any overcollateralization
                                            and crosscollateralization which utilize  the internal cash flows  of
                                            the  Trust Fund and (b) the  Certificate Insurance Policy (as defined
                                            below), in each case as described below.
                                            Overcollateralization. The allocation  provisions of  the Trust  Fund
                                            result  in a limited acceleration of principal of a Certificate Group
                                            relative to the  amortization of  the Mortgage Loans  in the  related
                                            Loan Group. The acceleration of principal achieved by the application
                                            of  certain excess interest  amounts to reduce  the Class Certificate
                                            Principal Balance  of  the  Certificates in  such  Certificate  Group
                                            results  in overcollateralization to the  extent the Stated Principal
                                            Balance (as defined herein) of the Mortgage Loans in the related Loan
                                            Group  exceeds  the  Class  Certificate  Principal  Balance  of  such
                                            Certificates.  Once the required level of overcollateralization for a
                                            Certificate Group is reached, and subject to the provisions described
                                            in the  next  paragraph,  further  application  of  the  acceleration
                                            feature  to such  Certificate Group  will cease,  unless necessary to
                                            maintain the required level of overcollateralization.
                                            The Pooling and Servicing Agreement provides that, subject to certain
                                            trigger tests,  the required  level  of overcollateralization  for  a
                                            Certificate  Group may  increase or  decrease over  time. An increase
                                            would result in a temporary period of accelerated amortization of the
                                            related   Certificates   to    increase   the    actual   level    of
                                            overcollateralization  for  such  Certificate Group  to  its required
                                            level; a decrease would result  in a temporary period of  decelerated
                                            amortization  of the related Certificates  to reduce the actual level
                                            of overcollateralization for such  Certificate Group to its  required
                                            level.  As a result  of the 'sequential  pay' feature of  the Group 2
                                            Certificates, any such  accelerated principal  distributions will  be
                                            paid  to the Class  of Group 2 Certificates  then entitled to receive
                                            distributions of principal. See  'Description of the Certificates  --
                                            Overcollateralization Provisions' herein.
                                            Crosscollateralization.  The Pooling and Servicing  Agreement provides
                                            for  crosscollateralization  through the application of certain excess
                                            amounts  generated by one Loan Group to fund  shortfalls  in Available
                                            Funds and the  required  level of  overcollateralization  in the other
                                            Loan   Group.    See    'Description    of   the    Certificates    --
                                            Crosscollateralization'    and   'Yield,   Prepayment   and   Maturity
                                            Considerations  --   Overcollateralization   Provisions'  herein.  The
                                            Certificate  Guaranty Insurance Policy. The Offered  Certificates will
                                            have  the  benefit  of  two  financial   guaranty  insurance  policies
                                            (collectively, the 'Certificate Insurance Policy') to be issued by the
                                            Certificate  Insurer.  Under the  Certificate  Insurance  Policy,  the
                                            Certificate  Insurer  will,  subject  to the terms of the  Certificate
                                            Insurance Policy,  pay the Trustee,  for the benefit of the Holders of
                                            the Offered Certificates,  as further described herein, an amount that
                                            will insure the payment of the sum of (i) on each Distribution Date,
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-9
 
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<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            the Interest Distribution Amount, (ii) on each Distribution Date, any
                                            Subordination  Deficit (as  defined herein) and  (iii) any Preference
                                            Amounts   (as    defined   below    under   'Description    of    the
                                            Certificates   --   The   Certificate   Guaranty   Insurance  Policy'
                                            herein)(such sum, the 'Insured Distribution Amount'). No payments  in
                                            respect  of principal  will be  made under  the Certificate Insurance
                                            Policy unless  a  Subordination Deficit  occurs.  The effect  of  the
                                            Certificate  Insurance Policy  is to  guaranty the  timely payment of
                                            interest on, and  ultimate payment  of the principal  amount of,  the
                                            Offered  Certificates. See  'Description of  the Certificates  -- The
                                            Certificate Guaranty Insurance Policy' herein.
Mortgage Rate.............................  As described herein  under 'The  Mortgage Pool --  General,' (i)  the
                                            Mortgage  Rate for  substantially all of  the Group  1 Mortgage Loans
                                            will be subject to adjustment semi-annually to equal the sum, rounded
                                            to the nearest 0.125%, of the applicable Mortgage Index value and the
                                            Gross Margin for such  Mortgage Loan, subject to  the effects of  any
                                            applicable  Periodic  Rate  Cap, Maximum  Mortgage  Rate  and Minimum
                                            Mortgage Rate (each as  defined herein) and (ii)  all of the Group  2
                                            Mortgage Loans will bear interest at fixed rates.
Mortgage Index............................  The  Mortgage Index  value applicable  to any  semi-annual Adjustment
                                            Date (as  defined  herein)  for  substantially all  of  the  Group  1
                                            Mortgage  Loans will be  the average of  the London interbank offered
                                            rates for six-month U.S. dollar deposits in the London market, as set
                                            forth in The Wall Street Journal, or, if the Mortgage Index ceases to
                                            be published in The  Wall Street Journal  or becomes unavailable  for
                                            any  reason, then the Mortgage Index shall be a new index selected by
                                            the Trustee, as holder of the related Mortgage Note, with the consent
                                            of the Certificate Insurer, based on comparable information, in  each
                                            case  as most recently announced  as of a date  45 days prior to such
                                            Adjustment Date. The Mortgage Index  value published on February  20,
                                            1997 was 5.5625%.
Servicing.................................  Countrywide  will serve as the Master  Servicer of the Mortgage Loans
                                            under the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement. The Master Servicer  will
                                            be  responsible  for the  servicing of  the  Mortgage Loans  and will
                                            receive from  interest  collected on  the  Mortgage Loans  a  monthly
                                            servicing  fee on  each Mortgage Loan  equal to  the Stated Principal
                                            Balance thereof multiplied by one-twelfth  of the Servicing Fee  Rate
                                            (such  product,  the  'Servicing Fee').  See  'Servicing  of Mortgage
                                            Loans -- Servicing Compensation and Payment of Expenses' herein.
                                            The Master Servicer is obligated  to make cash advances  ('Advances')
                                            with  respect to delinquent payments of  principal of and interest on
                                            any Mortgage Loan to the extent described herein. The Trustee will be
                                            obligated to make any  such Advance if the  Master Servicer fails  in
                                            its  obligation to do so,  to the extent provided  in the Pooling and
                                            Servicing Agreement. See  'Servicing of Mortgage  Loans --  Advances'
                                            herein.
Optional Termination......................  On  any Distribution Date on which  the Pool Stated Principal Balance
                                            (as defined herein) is less than or equal to 10% of the Cut-off  Date
                                            Pool Principal Balance (as defined herein) (the 'Optional Termination
                                            Date'),  the Master Servicer or the Certificate Insurer will have the
                                            option (but not the obligation)  to purchase, in whole, the  Mortgage
                                            Loans  and the REO Property (as defined herein), if any, remaining in
                                            the Trust  Fund  and  thereby  effect the  early  retirement  of  all
                                            Certificates.  See  'Description  of  the  Certificates  --  Optional
                                            Termination' herein.
Federal Income Tax Considerations.........  An election will be made  to treat the Trust  Fund as a 'real  estate
                                            mortgage  investment conduit'  (the 'REMIC')  for federal  income tax
                                            purposes.  The   Offered   Certificates  will   constitute   'regular
                                            interests' in the REMIC and the Residual Certificates will constitute
                                            the   sole  class   of  'residual   interests'  in   the  REMIC.  The
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-10
 
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<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            Offered Certificates may be issued  with original issue discount  for
                                            federal  income tax purposes. For  purposes of determining the amount
                                            and rate of accrual of  original issue discount and market  discount,
                                            the  Depositor  intends  to  assume  that  there  will  be  Principal
                                            Prepayments on the  Mortgage Loans  at a rate  equal to  100% of  the
                                            Prepayment Model (as defined herein). No representation is made as to
                                            whether  the Mortgage  Loans will  prepay at  that rate  or any other
                                            rate. See  'Federal  Income  Tax  Consequences'  herein  and  in  the
                                            Prospectus.
ERISA Considerations......................  The acquisition of an Offered Certificate by an employee benefit plan
                                            subject  to the Employee  Retirement Income Security  Act of 1974, as
                                            amended ('ERISA'), or a plan  or arrangement subject to Section  4975
                                            of  the  Code  (each  of  the foregoing,  a  'Plan')  could,  in some
                                            instances, result in a 'prohibited transaction' or other violation of
                                            the fiduciary  responsibility provisions  of ERISA  and Code  Section
                                            4975.  Certain exemptions from the prohibited transaction rules could
                                            be applicable to the acquisition of such Certificates. Subject to the
                                            considerations and conditions described under 'ERISA  Considerations'
                                            herein, it is expected that the Offered Certificates may be purchased
                                            by a Plan.
                                            Any  Plan  fiduciary  considering  whether  to  purchase  any Offered
                                            Certificates on  behalf of  a Plan  should consult  with its  counsel
                                            regarding  the applicability of the provisions of ERISA and the Code.
                                            See 'ERISA Considerations' herein and in the Prospectus.
Legal Investment..........................  The  Offered  Certificates  will  not  constitute  'mortgage  related
                                            securities' for purposes of the Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement
                                            Act  of  1984 ('SMMEA').  Accordingly,  many institutions  with legal
                                            authority to invest in comparably rated securities may not be legally
                                            authorized to invest in the Offered Certificates. Institutions  whose
                                            investment  activities  are subject  to  review by  federal  or state
                                            regulatory authorities  should  consult  with their  counsel  or  the
                                            applicable  authorities  to determine  whether  an investment  in the
                                            Offered Certificates  complies  with  applicable  guidelines,  policy
                                            statements or restrictions. See 'Legal Investment' in the Prospectus.
Ratings...................................  It  is a condition  of the issuance of  the Offered Certificates that
                                            they be rated AAA by Standard  & Poor's Ratings Services, a  division
                                            of  the  McGraw-Hill  Companies,  Inc. ('S&P'),  and  Aaa  by Moody's
                                            Investors Service,  Inc.  ('Moody's'  and,  together  with  S&P,  the
                                            'Rating  Agencies'). The security ratings of the Offered Certificates
                                            should be evaluated independently from similar ratings on other types
                                            of securities. 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  Rating Agencies. The Depositor  has not requested a
                                            rating of the Offered  Certificates by any  rating agency other  than
                                            the  Rating  Agencies;  there can  be  no assurance,  however,  as to
                                            whether any other  rating agency will  rate the Offered  Certificates
                                            or,  if it does, what  rating would be assigned  by such other rating
                                            agency. The  rating  assigned by  such  other rating  agency  to  the
                                            Offered  Certificates  could  be lower  than  the  respective ratings
                                            assigned by the Rating Agencies. See 'Ratings' herein.
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-11

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<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Investors  should  consider  the  following risks  in  connection  with the
purchase of the Offered Certificates.
 
     Consequences of  Owning Book-Entry  Certificates. Issuance  of the  Offered
Certificates  in  book-entry  form  may reduce  the  liquidity  of  such Offered
Certificates in the secondary trading market since investors may be unwilling to
purchase  Offered   Certificates  for   which   they  cannot   obtain   physical
certificates.  See 'Description of the  Certificates -- Book-Entry Certificates'
herein and 'Risk Factors -- Book-Entry Registration' in the Prospectus.
 
     Since transactions in the Offered Certificates can be effected only through
DTC, CEDEL, Euroclear,  participating organizations,  indirect participants  and
certain  banks,  the  ability  of  a  Certificate  Owner  to  pledge  a  Offered
Certificate to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC, CEDEL  or
Euroclear  system  may  be  limited  due  to  lack  of  a  physical  certificate
representing   the    Offered   Certificates.    See   'Description    of    the
Certificates  -- Book-Entry Certificates' herein and 'Risk Factors -- Book-Entry
Registration' in the Prospectus.
 
     Certificate  Owners  may  experience  some   delay  in  their  receipt   of
distributions  of interest and principal on  the Offered Certificates since such
distributions will be forwarded by the Trustee  to DTC and DTC will credit  such
distributions to the accounts of its Participants (as defined herein) which will
thereafter  credit them to the accounts of Certificate Owners either directly or
indirectly  through  indirect  participants.  Certificate  Owners  will  not  be
recognized as Offered Certificateholders as such term is used in the Pooling and
Servicing  Agreement, and Certificate  Owners will be  permitted to exercise the
rights of  Offered  Certificateholders  only  indirectly  through  DTC  and  its
Participants.  See 'Description of the  Certificates -- Book-Entry Certificates'
herein and 'Risk Factors -- Book-Entry Registration' in the Prospectus.
 
     Cash Flow  Considerations  and  Risks. Even  assuming  that  the  Mortgaged
Properties  provide adequate security for the Mortgage Loans, substantial delays
could be encountered in connection with  the liquidation of Mortgage Loans in  a
Loan  Group that are delinquent and resulting shortfalls in distributions to the
related Certificateholders could occur if the Certificate Insurer were unable to
perform  its  obligations  under  the  Certificate  Insurance  Policy.  Further,
liquidation expenses (such as legal fees, real estate taxes, and maintenance and
preservation  expenses) will  reduce the  security for  such Mortgage  Loans and
thereby reduce the proceeds  payable to the  related Certificateholders. In  the
event  any of the Mortgaged Properties fail to provide adequate security for the
related Mortgage Loans, such Certificateholders  could experience a loss if  the
Certificate Insurer were unable to perform its obligations under the Certificate
Insurance Policy.
 
     Overcollateralization  and Crosscollateralization Provisions. The operation
of the overcollateralization provisions of  the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement
will  affect  the  weighted  average  lives  of  the  Offered  Certificates  and
consequently the yields to maturity of  such Certificates. Unless and until  the
Subordinated  Amount equals the  Required Subordinated Amount  for a Certificate
Group, Net Monthly Excess Cashflow will be applied as distributions of principal
of the  Offered Certificates  in such  Certificate Group,  thereby reducing  the
weighted average lives thereof. The actual Subordinated Amount for a Certificate
Group  may change from  Distribution Date to  Distribution Date producing uneven
distributions of Net Monthly Excess Cash Flow.  There can be no assurance as  to
when  or whether the Subordinated Amount for  a Certificate Group will equal the
related Required Subordinated Amount.
 
     Net Monthly  Excess Cashflow  generally  is a  function  of the  excess  of
interest  collected or advanced on the Mortgage Loans over the interest required
to pay interest  on the Offered  Certificates, the premium  for the  Certificate
Insurance Policy and certain Trust Fund expenses. Mortgage Loans with higher Net
Mortgage Rates will contribute more interest to the Net Monthly Excess Cashflow.
Mortgage  Loans with higher  Net Mortgage Rates may  prepay faster than Mortgage
Loans with relatively lower Net Mortgage Rates in response to a given change  in
market  interest rates. Any such  disproportionate prepayments of Mortgage Loans
in a Loan Group with higher Net  Mortgage Rates may adversely affect the  amount
of  Net  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow available  to  make  accelerated  payments of
principal of the Offered Certificates in the related Certificate Group.
 
     In addition to the use of Net  Monthly Excess Cashflow for a Loan Group  to
pay  interest and principal on the related Certificate Group, Net Monthly Excess
Cashflow for a Loan Group will be available to pay interest and principal on the
other Certificate Group to the extent described herein under 'Description of the
Certificates -- Allocation of Available Funds'. Furthermore, in addition to  the
use  of Net Monthly Excess  Cashflow with respect to  a Loan Group to distribute
Subordination Increase Amounts on the related Certificate
 
                                      S-12
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
Group, Net Monthly Excess Cashflow will be available to distribute Subordination
Increase Amounts on the other Certificate Group to the extent described herein.
 
     As a result of the interaction of the foregoing factors, the effect of  the
overcollateralization  and  crosscollateralization  provisions  on  the weighted
average lives  of the  Offered  Certificates in  a  Certificate Group  may  vary
significantly over time and, in the case of the Group 2 Certificates, from class
to  class. See 'Yield, Prepayment and Maturity Considerations' herein and 'Yield
and Prepayment Considerations' in the Prospectus.
 
     Prepayment Considerations and Risks. The Trust Fund's prepayment experience
may be  affected  by a  wide  variety  of factors,  including  general  economic
conditions,  interest  rates,  the  availability  of  alternative  financing and
homeowner mobility. In addition, substantially all of the Mortgage Loans contain
due-on-sale  provisions  and  the  Master  Servicer  intends  to  enforce   such
provisions  unless (i)  such enforcement is  not permitted by  applicable law or
(ii) the  Master Servicer,  in a  manner consistent  with reasonable  commercial
practice,  permits the purchaser of the related Mortgaged Property to assume the
Mortgage Loan. To the extent permitted  by applicable law, such assumption  will
not  release the original  borrower from its obligation  under any such Mortgage
Loan.  See  'Yield,  Prepayment   and  Maturity  Considerations  --   Prepayment
Considerations   and   Risks'  herein   and  'Certain   Legal  Aspects   of  the
Loans -- Due-on-Sale  Clauses' in the  Prospectus for a  description of  certain
provisions  of  the Mortgage  Loans that  may  affect the  prepayment experience
thereof. The  yield  to  maturity  and weighted  average  life  of  the  Offered
Certificates  in a Certificate Group will be  affected primarily by the rate and
timing of  principal payments  (including prepayments)  of, and  losses on,  the
Mortgage Loans in the related Loan Group and, in certain circumstances, the rate
and  timing of principal payments (including prepayments) of, and losses on, the
Mortgage Loans in the other Loan Group. The yield to investors on the Class  A-1
Certificates  and the Class A-2 Certificates will also be sensitive to the level
of One-Month  LIBOR.  In addition,  the  yield to  investors  on the  Class  A-1
Certificates  will  be sensitive  to the  level  of the  Mortgage Index  and the
additional limitations on the Pass-Through Rate for the Class A-1  Certificates,
as described herein. The Pass-Through Rate on the Class A-2 Certificates is also
subject  to  certain  limitations,  as described  herein.  Although  all  of the
Mortgage Loans in Loan Group 1  bear interest at adjustable rates ('ARMs'),  the
interest rates on a majority of the ARMs will not adjust for two years following
origination.  In addition,  the yield  to maturity  of the  Offered Certificates
purchased at a discount or premium will be more sensitive to the rate and timing
of payments  thereon. Certificateholders  should consider,  in the  case of  any
Offered  Certificate  purchased  at  a  discount, the  risk  that  a  lower than
anticipated rate of principal payments could  result in an actual yield that  is
lower  than the anticipated  yield and, in  the case of  any Offered Certificate
purchased at  a  premium,  the risk  that  a  faster than  anticipated  rate  of
principal  payments  could result  in an  actual  yield that  is lower  than the
anticipated yield.  Because certain  of the  Mortgage Loans  contain  prepayment
penalties, the rate of principal payments may be less than the rate of principal
payments  for  mortgage  loans which  do  not contain  prepayment  penalties. No
representation is made as to the anticipated rate of prepayments on the Mortgage
Loans, the amount and timing of losses thereon, the level of One-Month LIBOR  or
the  Mortgage Index or the  resulting yield to maturity  of any Class of Offered
Certificates. Any reinvestment risks resulting from a faster or slower incidence
of payments on the Mortgage Loans will be borne entirely by the related  Offered
Certificateholders.  See 'Yield, Prepayment  and Maturity Considerations' herein
and 'Yield and Prepayment Considerations' in the Prospectus.
 
     Certificate Rating.  The rating  of the  Offered Certificates  will  depend
primarily on an assessment by the Rating Agencies of the Mortgage Loans and upon
the  claims-paying ability of the Certificate Insurer. Any reduction in a rating
assigned to  the claims-paying  ability  of the  Certificate Insurer  below  the
rating  initially given to the Offered Certificates may result in a reduction in
the rating of the Offered Certificates. The rating by the Rating Agencies of the
Offered Certificates  is not  a recommendation  to purchase,  hold or  sell  the
Offered  Certificates, inasmuch as such rating does not comment as to the market
price or suitability for a particular  investor. There is no assurance that  the
ratings  will remain in place  for any given period of  time or that the ratings
will not be lowered or withdrawn by the Rating Agencies. In general, the ratings
address credit  risk and  do  not address  the  likelihood of  prepayments.  The
ratings  of the Certificates do not address the possibility of the imposition of
United States withholding tax with respect to non-U.S. persons.
 
     Legal Considerations  -- Lien  Priority.  The Group  2 Mortgage  Loans  are
secured  predominantly  by second  mortgages. Mortgage  Loans secured  by second
mortgages are entitled  to proceeds  that remain from  the sale  of the  related
Mortgaged  Property after any  related senior mortgage  loan and prior statutory
liens have been satisfied. In the  event that such proceeds are insufficient  to
satisfy    such    loans    and    prior   liens    in    the    aggregate   and
 
                                      S-13
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
the  Certificate  Insurer  is  unable  to  perform  its  obligations  under  the
Certificate  Insurance Policy, the Holders of Group 2 Certificates will bear (i)
the risk of delay in distributions while a deficiency judgment, if any,  against
the  borrower is  sought and (ii)  the risk  of loss if  the deficiency judgment
cannot be obtained or is  not realized upon. See  'Certain Legal Aspects of  the
Loans' in the Prospectus.
 
     Bankruptcy  and  Insolvency  Risks. The  sale  of the  Mortgage  Loans from
Countrywide to the Depositor will  be treated as a  sale of the Mortgage  Loans.
However, in the event of an insolvency of Countrywide, the trustee in bankruptcy
of Countrywide may attempt to recharacterize the sale of the Mortgage Loans as a
borrowing  by Countrywide, secured by a pledge of the applicable Mortgage Loans.
If the  trustee in  bankruptcy decided  to challenge  such transfer,  delays  in
payments of the Offered Certificates and reductions in the amounts thereof could
occur.  The Depositor will  warrant in the Pooling  and Servicing Agreement that
the transfer of the  Mortgage Loans by it  to the Trust Fund  is either a  valid
transfer and assignment of such Mortgage Loans to the Trust Fund or the grant to
the Trust Fund of a security interest in such Mortgage Loans.
 
     In  the event  of a  bankruptcy or insolvency  of the  Master Servicer, the
bankruptcy trustee or receiver may have the power to prevent the Trustee or  the
Offered Certificateholders from appointing a successor Master Servicer.
 
     Geographic   Concentration.  As  of   the  Cut-off  Date,   not  more  than
approximately 17.0%  and  37.0%  (by  Cut-off Date  Principal  Balance)  of  the
Mortgaged  Properties relating to  Loan Group 1 and  Loan Group 2, respectively,
are expected to be located in the State of California. An overall decline in the
California residential real estate market  could adversely affect the values  of
the  Mortgaged Properties securing  such Mortgage Loans  such that the Principal
Balances of the related Mortgage Loans could  equal or exceed the value of  such
Mortgaged  Properties. As  the residential real  estate market  is influenced by
many factors, including the general condition of the economy and interest rates,
no assurances may be  given that the California  residential real estate  market
will  not  weaken.  If  the California  residential  real  estate  market should
experience an overall decline in property values after the dates of  origination
of  such Mortgage  Loans, the rates  of losses  on such Mortgage  Loans would be
expected to increase, and could increase substantially.
 
     Delinquent Mortgage Loans. The Trust Fund will include Mortgage Loans which
are 59 or fewer days delinquent as of the Cut-off Date. It is expected that  the
Cut-off  Date Principal Balance of  Group 1 Mortgage Loans  and Group 2 Mortgage
Loans which are between 30  days and 59 days delinquent  as of the Cut-off  Date
will  not exceed 1.0% and 1.0%, respectively.  If there are not sufficient funds
from  Available   Funds  for   a  Loan   Group,  or   overcollateralization   or
crosscollateralization  for the  related Certificate Group,  and the Certificate
Insurer fails to perform its obligations under the Certificate Insurance Policy,
the aggregate amount of principal returned to the related Certificateholders may
be less than the respective Class Certificate Principal Balances on the day  the
Certificates were issued.
 
     Mortgage  Loans with Balloon  Payments. Approximately 21%  (by Cut-off Date
Principal Balances) of the  Group 2 Mortgage Loans  are expected to be  'balloon
loans'  that provide  for the  payment of the  unamortized loan  balance of such
Mortgage Loan in a  single payment at maturity  ('Balloon Loans'). Such  Balloon
Loans  provide for equal monthly payments, consisting of principal and interest,
generally based on a 30-year amortization schedule, and a single payment of  the
remaining  balance of the Balloon Loan  15 years after origination. Amortization
of a Balloon Loan based  on a scheduled period that  is longer than the term  of
the  loan  results  in  a  remaining  principal  balance  at  maturity  that  is
substantially larger than the regular scheduled payments. The Depositor does not
have any  information regarding  the default  history or  prepayment history  of
payments  on Balloon Loans.  Because borrowers of Balloon  Loans are required to
make substantial single payments upon maturity, it is possible that the  default
risk associated with the Balloon Loans will be greater than that associated with
fully-amortizing Mortgage Loans.
 
     For   a  discussion   of  additional   risks  pertaining   to  the  Offered
Certificates, see 'Risk Factors' in the Prospectus.
 
                                      S-14
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                               THE MORTGAGE POOL
 
GENERAL
 
     The following discussion  applies to the  origination, sales and  servicing
practices  of  Countrywide in  effect  at the  time  of the  origination  of the
Mortgage Loans.
 
     Certain information  with respect  to  the Mortgage  Loans expected  to  be
included  in the Mortgage Pool is set forth below. A detailed description of the
Mortgage Loans actually delivered (the 'Detailed Description') will be available
to purchasers of the Certificates  at or before, and will  be filed on Form  8-K
with  the Securities and Exchange Commission within fifteen days after, delivery
of the Certificates. The Detailed Description will specify the aggregate of  the
Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans included in the Mortgage Pool as of the
Cut-off  Date (the 'Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance') and will also include,
among other things, the following information regarding such Mortgage Loans: the
outstanding Principal Balances of  such Mortgage Loans as  of the Cut-off  Date,
the  lien priorities of  such Mortgage Loans,  the Mortgage Rates  borne by such
Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date, the Combined Loan-to-Value Ratios of such
Mortgage Loans, the remaining term to scheduled maturity of such Mortgage Loans,
the type  of  properties  securing  such Mortgage  Loans  and  the  geographical
distribution  of such Mortgage  Loans by state,  in each case  as of the Cut-off
Date.
 
     It is expected that the Mortgage Pool will consist of Mortgage Loans with a
Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance  of approximately $279,000,000. The Group  1
Mortgage  Loans will provide for the amortization  of the amount financed over a
series of monthly  payments. The  Group 2 Mortgage  Loans will  provide for  the
amortization of the amount financed over a series of substantially equal monthly
payments.  All of  the Mortgage Loans  will provide  for payments due  as of the
first day of each month. The Mortgage Loans to be included in the Mortgage  Pool
will  have  been  originated  or  purchased  by  Countrywide  Home  Loans,  Inc.
('Countrywide') and will have been  originated substantially in accordance  with
Countrywide's underwriting criteria for sub-prime ('B&C') quality mortgage loans
described  herein  under '  -- Underwriting  Standards  -- B&C  Quality Mortgage
Loans' or substantially in  accordance with Countrywide's underwriting  criteria
for  closed end second  mortgage loans described herein  under ' -- Underwriting
Standards -- Closed  End Second  Mortgage Loans'. Sub-prime  mortgage loans  are
generally first mortgage loans made to borrowers with prior credit difficulties.
 
     At  origination, it is expected  that at least 72.0%  of the Mortgage Loans
had a stated term to  maturity of 30 years.  Scheduled monthly payments made  by
the  Mortgagors on the  Mortgage Loans ('Scheduled  Payments') either earlier or
later than the  scheduled due  dates thereof  will not  affect the  amortization
schedule or the relative application of such payments to principal and interest.
All  of the Mortgage Notes will provide for  a fifteen (15) day grace period for
monthly payments. Any Mortgage  Loan may be  prepaid in full or  in part at  any
time;  however, it is expected that at least 54.0% of the Group 1 Mortgage Loans
and 31.0% of the Group 2 Mortgage Loans provide for the payment by the  borrower
of  a prepayment charge in limited circumstances on full prepayments made within
five years from the date of execution of the related Mortgage Note. In  general,
the  Mortgage Note provides that  a prepayment charge will  apply if, during the
first five  years  from the  date  of origination  of  such Mortgage  Loan,  the
borrower prepays such Mortgage Loan in full. The amount of the prepayment charge
will  generally be equal to six months' advance interest calculated on the basis
of the rate in effect  at the time of such  prepayment on the amount prepaid  in
excess of 20% of the original balance of such Mortgage Loan.
 
     It  is expected that substantially  all of the Group  1 Mortgage Loans will
have a Mortgage Rate which is subject to semi-annual adjustment on the first day
of the  months  specified in  the  related Mortgage  Note  (each such  date,  an
'Adjustment  Date') to equal the sum, rounded  to the nearest 0.125%, of (i) the
average of the London interbank offered rates for six-month U.S. dollar deposits
in the London market, as set forth in The Wall Street Journal, or, if such  rate
ceases to be published in The Wall Street Journal or becomes unavailable for any
reason,  then based upon a  new index selected by the  Trustee, as holder of the
related Mortgage Note,  with the consent  of the Certificate  Insurer, based  on
comparable  information, in each case as most recently announced as of a date 45
days prior to  such Adjustment  Date (the 'Mortgage  Index'), and  (ii) a  fixed
percentage  amount specified in the related  Mortgage Note (the 'Gross Margin');
provided, however, that the Mortgage Rate will not increase or decrease by  more
than  1.50% on any  Adjustment Date (the 'Periodic  Rate Cap') for substantially
all of the Group 1 Mortgage Loans. It is expected that substantially all of  the
Group  1 Mortgage Loans will have been  originated with Mortgage Rates less than
the sum  of the  then applicable  Mortgage Index  values and  the related  Gross
Margins, rounded as described herein. It is expected that not more than 60.0% of
 
                                      S-15
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
the  Group 1 Mortgage  Loans will have  fixed Mortgage Rates  for 24 months (the
'2/28 Mortgage Loans') after origination thereof before becoming subject to  the
semi-annual adjustment described in the preceding sentences. It is expected that
substantially  all of the Group 1 Mortgage Loans will provide that over the life
of each such Mortgage Loan the Mortgage Rate  will in no event be more than  the
initial  Mortgage Rate plus 7.00% (the  'Maximum Mortgage Rate'). It is expected
that substantially all of  the Group 1  Mortgage Loans will  provide that in  no
event  will  the Mortgage  Rate for  each such  Mortgage Loan  be less  than the
initial Mortgage Rate (such rate,  the 'Minimum Mortgage Rate'). Effective  with
the  first payment due on a Group 1 Mortgage Loan, after each related Adjustment
Date, the  monthly  payment will  be  adjusted to  an  amount which  will  fully
amortize  the  outstanding  principal  balance of  the  Mortgage  Loan  over its
remaining term.
 
     The 'Loan-to-Value Ratio' of a Mortgage Loan is equal to (i) the  principal
balance  of such Mortgage Loan  at the date of  origination, divided by (ii) the
Collateral Value of the related Mortgaged Property. The 'Collateral Value' of  a
Mortgaged  Property  is  the lesser  of  (x)  the appraised  value  based  on an
appraisal made for Countrywide  by an independent fee  appraiser at the time  of
the  origination of the related  Mortgage Loan, and (y)  the sales price of such
Mortgaged Property at such time of origination. With respect to a Mortgage  Loan
the  proceeds of  which were  used to refinance  an existing  mortgage loan, the
Collateral Value is the appraised value of the Mortgaged Property based upon the
appraisal obtained at the  time of refinancing. No  assurance can be given  that
the  values of the  Mortgaged Properties have  remained or will  remain at their
levels as of the dates of origination of the related Mortgage Loans.
 
     It is expected that not  more than 1.0% of the  Group 1 Mortgage Loans  and
1.0%  of the Group 2 Mortgage Loans  will be contractually delinquent for thirty
or more days as of the Cut-off Date.
 
GROUP 1 MORTGAGE LOANS
 
     The following information sets forth in tabular format certain information,
as of the Cut-off Date, as to the Mortgage Loans expected to be included in Loan
Group 1.
 
                       GROUP 1 MORTGAGE LOAN STATISTICS*
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>
Number of Mortgage Loans........................................................   1,750
Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance.............................................   $173,000,000
Cut-off Date Principal Balance:
     Range......................................................................   $12,000 to $635,000
     Average....................................................................   $98,800
Months Remaining to Scheduled Maturity:
     Range......................................................................   179 to 360 months
     Weighted Average...........................................................   At least 357 months
Mortgage Rate:
     Range......................................................................   5.625% to 13.750%
     Weighted Average...........................................................   9.20%
Margins:
     Range......................................................................   4.50% to 9.25%
     Weighted Average...........................................................   6.10%
Maximum Mortgage Rate:
     Range......................................................................   12.625% to 20.750%
     Weighted Average...........................................................   16.20%
Weighted Average Loan-to-Value Ratio............................................   72.0%
     Loan-to-Value Ratio over 80%...............................................   No more than 11.0%
     Loan-to-Value Ratio over 90%...............................................   No more than 1.0%
Next Adjustment Date (other than 2/28 Mortgage Loans)
     Range......................................................................   2 to 6 months
     Weighted Average...........................................................   At least 3.9 months
Next Adjustment Date for 2/28 Mortgage Loans
     Range......................................................................   20 to 24 months
     Weighted Average...........................................................   At least 21.8 months
</TABLE>
 
                                                  (table continued on next page)
 
                                      S-16
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
(table continued from previous page)
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>
Purpose
     Purchase...................................................................   At least 29%
     Refinance..................................................................   No more than 71%
State Distribution of Mortgaged Properties:
     Located in California......................................................   No more than 17%
     Located in Michigan........................................................   No more than 8%
     Located in Colorado........................................................   No more than 6%
     Number of other States and District of Columbia (concentrations of 5.0% or
       less per State)..........................................................   47
Types of Mortgaged Properties:
     Single Family..............................................................   At least 81%
     Condominiums...............................................................   No more than 4%
     Planned Unit Developments (PUD)............................................   No more than 10%
     Two- to Four-Family........................................................   No more than 5%
Lien Priorities:
     First Lien.................................................................   All
     Second Lien................................................................   None
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
*  Approximate. Actual amounts and percentages may vary depending on the  actual
   Loan Group 1 Mortgage Loans included in the Mortgage Pool.
 
GROUP 2 MORTGAGE LOANS
 
     The following information sets forth in tabular format certain information,
as of the Cut-off Date, as to the Mortgage Loans expected to be included in Loan
Group 2.
 
                       GROUP 2 MORTGAGE LOAN STATISTICS*
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>
Number of Mortgage Loans........................................................   2,660
Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance.............................................   $106,000,000
Cut-off Date Principal Balance:
     Range......................................................................   $9,000 to $440,000
     Average....................................................................   $39,900
Months Remaining to Scheduled Maturity:
     Range......................................................................   171 to 360 months
     Weighted Average...........................................................   At least 231 months
Mortgage Rate:
     Range......................................................................   7.875% to 14.250%
     Weighted Average...........................................................   10.4%
Purpose
     Purchase...................................................................   At least 7.0%
     Refinance..................................................................   No more than 93.0%
State Distribution of Mortgaged Properties:
     Located in California......................................................   No more than 37.0%
     Located in Washington......................................................   No more than 7.0%
     Number of other States and District of Columbia (concentrations of 5.0% or
       less per State)..........................................................   48
Types of Mortgaged Properties:
     Single Family..............................................................   At least 85.0%
     Condominiums...............................................................   No more than 4.0%
     Planned Unit Developments (PUD)............................................   No more than 8.0%
     Two- to Four-Family........................................................   No more than 3.0%
Lien Priorities:
     First Lien.................................................................   At least 32.0%
          Weighted Average Loan-to-Value Ratio..................................   71.0%
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-17
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>
          Loan-to-Value Ratio over 80%..........................................   No more than 12.5%
          Loan-to-Value Ratio over 90%..........................................   No more than 0.0%
     Second Lien................................................................   No more than 68.0%
          Weighted Average Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio**.......................   86.0%
          Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio over 80%**...............................   No more than 72.0%
          Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio over 90%**...............................   No more than 17.0%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
*  Approximate.  Actual amounts and percentages may vary depending on the actual
   Loan Group 2 Mortgage Loans included in the Mortgage Pool.
 
** The Combined 'Loan-to-Value Ratio' of a Mortgage Loan is equal to (i) the sum
   of (a) the  principal balance of  such second  Mortgage Loan at  the date  of
   origination  and (b) the principal balance of the first mortgage loan and any
   mortgage loan of equal priority, divided by (ii) the Collateral Value of  the
   related Mortgaged Property. The 'Collateral Value' of a Mortgaged Property is
   the  lesser  of  (x) the  appraised  value  based on  an  appraisal  made for
   Countrywide by an independent fee appraiser at the time of the origination of
   the related Mortgage Loan, and (y) the sales price of such Mortgaged Property
   at such time of origination.
 
ASSIGNMENT OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS
 
     Pursuant to  the Pooling  and  Servicing Agreement,  the Depositor  on  the
Closing  Date will sell, transfer, assign, set over and otherwise convey without
recourse to the Trustee in trust  for the benefit of the Certificateholders  and
the Certificate Insurer all right, title and interest of the Depositor in and to
each  Mortgage Loan and all right, title and interest in and to all other assets
included in the Trust Fund, including all principal and interest received on  or
with  respect to the Mortgage  Loans on and after  the Cut-off Date exclusive of
principal due prior to the Cut-off Date.
 
     In connection with such transfer and assignment, the Depositor will deliver
on the  Closing  Date the  following  documents (collectively  constituting  the
'Trustee's Mortgage File') with respect to each Mortgage Loan:
 
          (i)  the  original  Mortgage  Note,  endorsed  by  Countrywide  or the
     originator of the Mortgage  Loan, without recourse  in the following  form:
     'Pay  to the order of                           without recourse,' with all
     intervening endorsements that show a complete chain of endorsement from the
     originator to Countrywide;
 
          (ii) the original recorded Mortgage;
 
          (iii) a duly executed assignment of  the Mortgage to 'The Bank of  New
     York,  a New  York banking  corporation, as  trustee under  the Pooling and
     Servicing  Agreement  dated   as  of  February   27,  1997,  CWABS,   Inc.,
     Asset-Backed  Certificates, Series 1997-1, without recourse'; in recordable
     form, as described in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement;
 
          (iv) the original recorded assignment  or assignments of the  Mortgage
     together with all interim recorded assignments of such Mortgage;
 
          (v)  the original or copies  of each assumption, modification, written
     assurance or substitution agreement, if any; and
 
          (vi) the original or duplicate original lender's title policy and  all
     riders  thereto or, in  the event such  original title policy  has not been
     received from the insurer, any one of an original title binder, an original
     preliminary title report or an original title commitment, or a copy thereof
     certified by the title company, with the original policy of title insurance
     to be delivered within one year of the Closing Date.
 
     Assignments of the Mortgage Loans to  the Trustee (or its nominee) will  be
recorded  in the appropriate public office  for real property records, except in
states (such as California) as  to which an opinion  of counsel is delivered  to
the  effect  that  such  recording  is not  required  to  protect  the Trustee's
interests in the Mortgage Loan against the claim of any subsequent transferee or
any successor to or creditor of the Depositor or the Seller. As to any  Mortgage
Loan, the recording requirement exception described in the preceding sentence is
applicable  only  so long  as the  related  Mortgage File  is maintained  in the
possession of the Trustee in one of the states to which such exception  applies.
In  the event any such  assignment is delivered to the  Trustee in blank and the
related Mortgage  File  is  released  by  the  Trustee  pursuant  to  applicable
provisions  of the Pooling  and Servicing Agreement,  the Trustee shall complete
such  assignment  as  provided  in   subparagraph  (iii)  above  prior  to   any
 
                                      S-18
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
such release. In the event such recording is required to protect the interest of
the Trustee in the Mortgage Loans, the Master Servicer is required to cause each
previously unrecorded assignment to be submitted for recording.
 
     The  Trustee will  review the  Mortgage Loan documents  on or  prior to the
Closing Date  and will  hold such  documents in  trust for  the benefit  of  the
Holders of the Certificates and the Certificate Insurer. After the Closing Date,
if any document is found to be missing or defective in any material respect, the
Trustee  is  required  to  notify  the  Master  Servicer,  Countrywide  and  the
Certificate Insurer in  writing. If  Countrywide cannot  or does  not cure  such
omission  or defect within  90 days of  its receipt of  notice from the Trustee,
Countrywide is required to repurchase the  related Mortgage Loan from the  Trust
Fund  at a price  (the 'Purchase Price')  equal to 100%  of the Stated Principal
Balance thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, at a rate equal to the
difference between  the Mortgage  Rate  and the  Servicing  Fee Rate  (the  'Net
Mortgage  Rate') (or, if  Countrywide is no  longer the Master  Servicer, at the
applicable Mortgage Rate) to the  first day of the  month in which the  Purchase
Price is to be distributed to holders of Certificates in the related Certificate
Group.  Rather than repurchase the Mortgage  Loan as provided above, Countrywide
may remove such Mortgage  Loan (a 'Deleted Mortgage  Loan') from the Trust  Fund
and  substitute in its place another Mortgage  Loan of like kind (a 'Replacement
Mortgage Loan'); however, such substitution  is only permitted within two  years
after  the Closing  Date, and may  not be made  unless an opinion  of counsel is
provided to the  effect that such  substitution would not  disqualify the  Trust
Fund  as a REMIC or  result in a prohibited transaction  tax under the Code. Any
Replacement Mortgage Loan  generally will,  on the date  of substitution,  among
other characteristics set forth in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, (i) have
a  Stated Principal  Balance, after  deduction of  the principal  portion of the
scheduled payment due in the  month of substitution, not  in excess of, and  not
less than 90% of, the Stated Principal Balance of the Deleted Mortgage Loan (the
amount  of  any shortfall  to  be deposited  by  Countrywide in  the Certificate
Account  not  later  than  the  succeeding  Determination  Date  and  held   for
distribution  to the holders of Certificates in the related Certificate Group on
the related Distribution Date), (ii) (a) in the case of Group 1 Mortgage  Loans,
(1) have a Maximum Mortgage Rate not more than 1% per annum higher or lower than
the  Maximum Mortgage  Rate of  the Deleted  Mortgage Loan,  (2) have  a Minimum
Mortgage Rate  not more  than 1%  per annum  higher or  lower than  the  Minimum
Mortgage Rate of the Deleted Mortgage Loan, (3) have the same Mortgage Index and
Periodic  Rate Cap as the Deleted Mortgage Loan and a Gross Margin not more than
1% per annum higher or lower than that of the Deleted Mortgage Loan and (4) have
the same  or higher  credit quality  characteristics than  that of  the  Deleted
Mortgage  Loan,  and (b)  in the  case of  Group  2 Mortgage  Loans, (1)  have a
Mortgage Rate not more  than 1% higher  or lower than the  Mortgage Rate of  the
Deleted  Mortgage Loan and (2) not be a Balloon Loan unless the Deleted Mortgage
Loan was a Balloon Loan, (iii) be accruing  interest at a rate not more than  1%
per  annum higher or lower  than that of the Deleted  Mortgage Loan, (iv) have a
Loan-to-Value Ratio no higher than that of the Deleted Mortgage Loan, (v) have a
remaining term to maturity  not greater than  (and not more  than one year  less
than)  that  of the  Deleted Mortgage  Loan, (vi)  (a)  in the  case of  Group 1
Mortgage Loans, not permit  conversion of the related  Mortgage Rate to a  fixed
Mortgage  Rate  and  (b) in  the  case of  Group  2 Mortgage  Loans,  not permit
conversion of the related  Mortgage Rate to an  adjustable Mortgage Rate,  (vii)
have  the same lien priority as the  Deleted Mortgage Loan, (viii) provide for a
prepayment charge  on terms  substantially similar  to those  of the  prepayment
charge, if any, of the Deleted Mortgage Loan, (ix) constitute the same occupancy
type   as  the  Deleted  Mortgage   Loan,  and  (x)  comply   with  all  of  the
representations and warranties set forth in the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement
as of the date of substitution. This cure, repurchase or substitution obligation
constitutes  the sole remedy available to the Certificateholders, the Trustee or
the Depositor  for  omission  of, or  a  material  defect in,  a  Mortgage  Loan
document.
 
UNDERWRITING STANDARDS
 
     B&C  Quality  Mortgage  Loans.  The  following  is  a  description  of  the
underwriting procedures customarily employed by Countrywide with respect to  B&C
quality  mortgage  loans. Countrywide  produces its  B&C quality  mortgage loans
through its  Consumer Markets  and  Wholesale Lending  Divisions. Prior  to  the
funding  of any B&C  quality mortgage loan,  Countrywide underwrites the related
mortgage loan  in  accordance with  the  underwriting standards  established  by
Countrywide.  The  mortgage loans  are underwritten  centrally by  a specialized
group of underwriters who  are familiar with the  unique characteristics of  B&C
quality mortgage loans. As a matter of policy, Countrywide does not purchase any
B&C quality mortgage loan that it has not itself underwritten.
 
                                      S-19
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     Countrywide's underwriting standards are primarily intended to evaluate the
value  and adequacy  of the  mortgaged property  as collateral  for the proposed
mortgage loan but also  take into consideration  the borrower's credit  standing
and  repayment ability. On a case by case basis, Countrywide may determine that,
based upon compensating factors, a prospective borrower not strictly  qualifying
under  the  underwriting risk  category guidelines  described below  warrants an
underwriting exception.  Compensating  factors  may  include  low  loan-to-value
ratio,  low  debt-to-income  ratio,  stable  employment  and  time  in  the same
residence. It  is expected  that  a significant  number  of the  Mortgage  Loans
underwritten   in  accordance  with  Countrywide's  B&C  quality  mortgage  loan
underwriting guidelines, will  have been originated  based on such  underwriting
exceptions.
 
     Each   prospective  borrower   completes  an   application  which  includes
information with respect to the applicant's assets, liabilities, income,  credit
history  and employment history, as well  as certain other personal information.
As part of its quality control process, Countrywide reverifies information  with
respect  to  the  foregoing  matters  that has  been  provided  by  the mortgage
brokerage company prior to funding a loan and periodically audits files based on
a random sample of closed loans. If the loan-to-value ratio is greater than 70%,
Countrywide generally  verifies  the  source  of  funds  for  the  down-payment;
Countrywide  does not verify the source of such funds if the loan-to-value ratio
is 70% or less. Countrywide requires an independent credit bureau report on  the
credit history of each applicant in order to evaluate the applicant's ability to
repay.  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,  bankruptcy,  repossession,  suits  or
judgments.
 
     After obtaining all applicable employment, credit and property information,
Countrywide uses a  debt-to-income ratio  to assist in  determining whether  the
prospective  borrower  has sufficient  monthly income  available to  support the
payments of principal  and interest on  the mortgage loan  in addition to  other
monthly  credit  obligations. The  'debt-to-income ratio'  is  the ratio  of the
borrower's total monthly payments  to the borrower's  gross monthly income.  The
maximum  monthly debt-to-income ratio varies  depending upon a borrower's credit
grade and documentation level (as described below) but does not generally exceed
55%. Variations in the monthly  debt-to-income ratios limit are permitted  based
on compensating factors.
 
     Countrywide's   underwriting  standards  are  applied  in  accordance  with
applicable federal and  state laws  and regulations and  require an  independent
appraisal of the mortgaged property which conforms to Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation   ('FHLMC')  and  Federal  National  Mortgage  Corporation  ('FNMA')
standards. Each appraisal includes a market data analysis based on recent  sales
of  comparable homes in the area and, where deemed appropriate, replacement cost
analysis based on the current cost of constructing a similar home and  generally
is  required to have  been made not earlier  than 180 days prior  to the date of
origination of the mortgage loan. Every  independent appraisal is reviewed by  a
Countrywide representative before the loan is funded, and an additional drive-by
appraisal  is generally performed in connection  with loan amounts over $350,000
with 80% or  higher loan-to-value ratios.  A drive-by appraisal  is an  exterior
examination  of the premises by the appraiser  to determine that the property is
in good condition.  In most  cases, properties that  are not  in good  condition
(including  properties requiring major deferred  maintenance) are not acceptable
as collateral for a B&C  loan. The maximum loan  amount varies depending upon  a
borrower's  credit grade and  documentation level but  does not generally exceed
$500,000. Variations  in  maximum loan  amount  limits are  permitted  based  on
compensating factors.
 
     Countrywide's underwriting standards permit loans with loan-to-value ratios
or  combined loan-to-value ratios (for second  mortgage loans) at origination of
up  to  90%  depending   on  the  program,  type   and  use  of  the   property,
creditworthiness of the borrower and debt-to-income ratio.
 
     Countrywide  requires title  insurance on  all B&C  quality mortgage loans.
Countrywide also requires that fire and extended coverage casualty insurance  be
maintained  on  the  mortgaged property  in  an  amount at  least  equal  to the
principal balance or the replacement  cost of the mortgaged property,  whichever
is less.
 
     Countrywide's  B&C mortgage loan underwriting  standards are less stringent
than the standards  generally acceptable to  FNMA and FHLMC  with regard to  the
borrower's  credit standing  and repayment  ability because  the standards focus
more on the  value of the  mortgaged property. Borrowers  who qualify  generally
have  payment histories and  debt-to-income ratios which  would not satisfy FNMA
and FHLMC underwriting  guidelines and  may have  a record  of major  derogatory
credit  items such as outstanding judgments or prior bankruptcies. Countrywide's
B&C mortgage  loan  underwriting  guidelines  establish  the  maximum  permitted
loan-to-value  ratio for each loan type based  upon these and other risk factors
with more risk factors resulting in lower loan-to-value ratios.
 
                                      S-20
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     Countrywide underwrites or originates  B&C quality mortgage loans  pursuant
to  alternative sets of underwriting criteria  under its Full Documentation Loan
Program (the 'Full Doc Program'), Simple Documentation Loan Program (the 'Simple
Doc Program')  and Stated  Income Loan  Program (the  'Stated Income  Program').
Under   each  of  the  underwriting  programs,  Countrywide  verifies  the  loan
applicant's  sources  of  income  (except  under  the  Stated  Income  Program),
calculates  the  amount  of  income  from  all  sources  indicated  on  the loan
application, reviews  the  credit  history  of  the  applicant,  calculates  the
debt-to-income ratio to determine the applicant's ability to repay the loan, and
reviews   the  appraisal   of  the   mortgaged  property   for  compliance  with
Countrywide's underwriting standards.
 
     The Simple  Doc Program  is an  alternative documentation  program  whereby
income  is verified using methods  other than those employed  by FNMA and FHLMC.
Under the Simple Doc Program, acceptable documentation of income consists of six
months' bank statements.  In the case  of self-employed individuals,  acceptable
alternative documentation consists of a profit and loss statement supported by a
record of bank statements. Maximum loan-to-value ratios and maximum loan amounts
are generally lower than those permitted under the Full Doc Program.
 
     Under  the  Stated Income  Program,  the borrower's  employment  and income
sources must be stated on the  borrower's application. The borrower's income  as
stated  must be reasonable for the  related occupation and such determination as
to reasonableness is subject to the loan underwriter's discretion. However,  the
borrower's  income as stated  on the application  is not independently verified.
Maximum loan-to-value ratios are generally lower than those permitted under  the
Full  Doc Program. Except  as otherwise stated above,  the same mortgage credit,
consumer credit and collateral related underwriting guidelines apply.
 
     Under the Full Doc,  Simple Doc, and Stated  Income Programs, various  risk
categories  are used to grade the likelihood that the mortgagor will satisfy the
repayment conditions of the mortgage  loan. These risk categories establish  the
maximum  permitted loan-to-value  ratio, debt-to-income  ratio and  loan amount,
given the  borrower's credit  history,  the occupancy  status of  the  mortgaged
property  and the type of mortgaged  property. In general, higher debt-to-income
ratios and  more  (or  more  recent)  major  derogatory  credit  items  such  as
outstanding  judgments or prior bankruptcies result in  a loan being graded in a
higher credit risk category.
 
     Closed End Second  Mortgage Loans. The  following is a  description of  the
underwriting  procedures  customarily employed  by  Countrywide with  respect to
closed end second mortgage loans. The underwriting process is intended to assess
the applicant's  credit  standing  and  repayment ability,  and  the  value  and
adequacy  of the  real property  security as  collateral for  the proposed loan.
Exceptions  to  Countrywide's   underwriting  guidelines  will   be  made   when
compensating factors are present. Such factors include the borrower's employment
stability,  credit  history,  disposable income,  demonstrated  savings ability,
equity in the related property and  the nature of the underlying first  mortgage
loan.
 
     Each  applicant  for  a closed  end  second  mortgage loan  is  required to
complete an application which lists the applicant's assets, liabilities, income,
credit and employment history and other demographic and personal information. If
information in the loan application demonstrates that there is sufficient income
and equity in the real property to  justify making a closed end second  mortgage
loan,  Countrywide will conduct a further credit investigation of the applicant.
This investigation includes obtaining and reviewing an independent credit bureau
report on  the  credit  history  of  the applicant  in  order  to  evaluate  the
applicant's  ability to repay. The  credit report typically contains information
relating to such  matters as credit  history with local  merchants and  lenders,
installment  and  revolving  debt  payments  and  any  record  of delinquencies,
defaults, bankruptcy, collateral repossessions, suits or judgments.
 
     Countrywide originates or acquires  mortgage loans pursuant to  alternative
sets  of underwriting criteria under  its Alternative Documentation Loan Program
(the 'Alternative  Documentation Program')  and its  Reduced Documentation  Loan
Program  (the  'Reduced Documentation  Program'). The  Alternative Documentation
Program permits a borrower to provide W-2 forms instead of tax returns  covering
the  most recent two years, permits bank  statements in lieu of verifications of
deposits and permits alternative methods  of employment verification. Under  the
Reduced  Documentation Program, relatively  more emphasis is  placed on property
underwriting  than  on  credit  underwriting  and  certain  credit  underwriting
documentation concerning income and employment verification therefore is waived.
Mortgage  loans underwritten under the Reduced Documentation Program are limited
to self-employed borrowers with credit histories that demonstrate an established
ability to repay indebtedness in a timely fashion.
 
                                      S-21
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     Full appraisals are generally performed  on all closed end second  mortgage
loans  which at origination had a  principal balance greater than $100,000. Such
appraisals are determined  on the basis  of a Countrywide-approved,  independent
third-party,  fee-based appraisal completed on forms  approved by FNMA or FHLMC.
For loans which had  at origination a  principal balance equal  to or less  than
$100,000,  a drive-by  evaluation is  generally completed  by a  state licensed,
independent third-party, professional appraiser on forms approved by either FNMA
or FHLMC. The drive-by evaluation is an exterior examination of the premises  by
the appraiser to determine that the property is in good condition. The appraisal
is  based on various factors, including the market value of comparable homes and
the cost of  replacing the improvement  and generally is  required to have  been
made  not earlier than 150 days prior to the date of origination of the Mortgage
Loan. The minimum and maximum loan amounts for closed end second mortgage  loans
are currently $10,000 and $500,000, respectively.
 
     After obtaining all applicable employment, credit and property information,
Countrywide  uses a  debt-to-income ratio to  assist in  determining whether the
prospective borrower  has sufficient  monthly income  available to  support  the
payments  on  the closed  end second  mortgage  loan in  addition to  any senior
mortgage loan  payments (including  any escrows  for property  taxes and  hazard
insurance  premiums) and  other monthly credit  obligations. The 'debt-to-income
ratio' is the  ratio of  the borrower's total  monthly payments  (assumed to  be
based  on the  applicable fully indexed  interest rate) to  the borrower's gross
monthly income. Based on  the foregoing, for  loans with Combined  Loan-to-Value
Ratios  of 90%  or less,  the maximum monthly  debt-to-income ratio  is 45%. For
loans with Combined Loan-to-Value Ratios  greater than 90%, the maximum  monthly
debt-to-income  ratio is generally 40%. Variations in the monthly debt-to-income
ratios limits are permitted based on compensating factors. Countrywide currently
offers closed  end second  mortgage loan  products that  allow maximum  Combined
Loan-to-Value Ratios of 70%, 80%, 90% and 100%.
 
     It  is generally Countrywide's policy to  require a title search or limited
coverage policy before it  makes a closed end  second mortgage loan for  amounts
less  than or equal to $100,000. In  addition, if the closed end second mortgage
loan has an original principal balance of $100,000 or more, Countrywide requires
that the borrower obtain an American Land Title Association ('ALTA') policy,  or
other  assurance of title  customary in the  relevant jurisdiction. In addition,
ALTA title policies are generally obtained  in situations where the property  is
on  leased land or  there has been a  change in title or  such closed end second
mortgage loan is in first lien position.
 
                                      S-22

<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                        SERVICING OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS
 
GENERAL
 
     The  Master Servicer will service the Mortgage Loans in accordance with the
terms set forth in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement. The Master Servicer  may
perform any of its obligations under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement through
one or more subservicers. Notwithstanding any such subservicing arrangement, the
Master  Servicer will  remain liable  for its  servicing duties  and obligations
under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement  as if the Master Servicer alone  were
servicing  the Mortgage Loans. As of the  Closing Date, the Master Servicer will
service the Mortgage Loans without subservicing arrangements.
 
THE MASTER SERVICER
 
     Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. ('Countrywide'), a New York corporation and  a
subsidiary  of  Countrywide  Credit Industries,  Inc.,  will act  as  the Master
Servicer of the Mortgage Loans pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement.
Countrywide  is engaged primarily in the mortgage banking business, and as such,
originates, purchases, sells and services mortgage loans. Countrywide originates
mortgage loans through a retail branch system and through mortgage loan  brokers
and  correspondents  nationwide.  Countrywide's mortgage  loans  are principally
first-lien, fixed or  adjustable rate  mortgage loans  secured by  single-family
residences.
 
     As  of December 31, 1996,  Countrywide provided servicing for approximately
$573 million and  $116 million in  B&C quality mortgages  and closed end  second
mortgage loans, respectively. As of December 31, 1996, Countrywide also provided
servicing  for prime quality mortgage loans  with an aggregate principal balance
of approximately $154 billion, substantially all of which are being serviced for
unaffiliated persons.
 
     The principal executive  offices of  Countrywide are located  at 155  North
Lake  Avenue,  Pasadena, California  91101-7139. Its  telephone number  is (818)
666-5205. Countrywide conducts operations from its headquarters in Pasadena  and
from offices throughout the nation.
 
LOAN SERVICING
 
     Countrywide  services substantially all of the mortgage loans it originates
or acquires. Countrywide has established standard policies for the servicing and
collection of mortgage. Servicing includes,  but is not limited to,  collecting,
aggregating  and remitting mortgage loan  payments, accounting for principal and
interest, holding escrow  (impound) funds  for payment of  taxes and  insurance,
making  inspections as required of the  mortgaged properties, preparation of tax
related information  in  connection  with the  mortgage  loans,  supervision  of
delinquent mortgage loans, loss mitigation efforts, foreclosure proceedings and,
if   applicable,  the   disposition  of  mortgaged   properties,  and  generally
administering the mortgage loans, for which it receives servicing fees.
 
     Billing statements with  respect to  mortgage loans are  mailed monthly  by
Countrywide.  The statement  details all  debits and  credits and  specifies the
payment due.  Notice of  changes in  the applicable  loan rate  are provided  by
Countrywide  to the mortgagor with such statements.  All payments are due by the
first day of the month.
 
COLLECTION PROCEDURES
 
     B&C Quality Mortgage Loans. When a mortgagor  fails to make a payment on  a
B&C  quality mortgage loan,  Countrywide attempts to cause  the deficiency to be
cured by corresponding with the mortgagor. In most cases, deficiencies are cured
promptly.  Pursuant  to  Countrywide's  B&C  servicing  procedures,  Countrywide
generally  mails to the mortgagor a notice of intent to foreclose after the loan
becomes 31 days past due (two payments due but not received) and, within 30 days
thereafter, if the loan remains delinquent, institutes appropriate legal  action
to   foreclose  on  the  mortgaged  property.  Foreclosure  proceedings  may  be
terminated  if  the  delinquency  is  cured.  Mortgage  loans  to  borrowers  in
bankruptcy  proceedings may  be restructured in  accordance with law  and with a
view to maximizing recovery of such loans, including any deficiencies.
 
     Once foreclosure is initiated by Countrywide, a foreclosure tracking system
is used to monitor  the progress of the  proceedings. The system includes  state
specific  parameters to monitor  whether proceedings are  progressing within the
time frame typical  for the state  in which the  mortgaged property is  located.
During the
 
                                      S-23
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
foreclosure proceeding, Countrywide determines the amount of the foreclosure bid
and whether to liquidate the mortgage loan.
 
     If  foreclosed, the mortgaged property is sold  at a public or private sale
and  may  be  purchased  by  Countrywide.  After  foreclosure,  Countrywide  may
liquidate  the mortgaged property and charge-off  the loan balance which was not
recovered through liquidation proceeds.
 
     Servicing and charge-off policies and collection practices with respect  to
B&C  quality mortgage loans may change over time in accordance with, among other
things, Countrywide's business judgment, changes in the servicing portfolio  and
applicable laws and regulations.
 
     Closed  End  Second  Mortgage  Loans. With  respect  to  closed  end second
mortgage loans, the general policy of Countrywide is to initiate foreclosure  in
the  underlying property (i) after  such loan is 60  days or more delinquent and
satisfactory arrangements cannot be made with the Mortgagor; or (ii) if a notice
of default on a senior lien is received by Countrywide. Foreclosure  proceedings
may  be terminated if the delinquency is cured. Closed end second mortgage loans
to borrowers in bankruptcy  proceedings may be  restructured in accordance  with
law  and  with  a view  to  maximizing  recovery of  such  loans,  including any
deficiencies.
 
     Once foreclosure is initiated by Countrywide, a foreclosure tracking system
is used to monitor  the progress of the  proceedings. The system includes  state
specific  parameters to monitor  whether proceedings are  progressing within the
time frame typical for the  state in which the  property is located. During  the
foreclosure proceeding, Countrywide determines the amount of the foreclosure bid
and whether to liquidate the loan.
 
     After  foreclosure, if the closed end second  mortgage loan is secured by a
first mortgage lien, Countrywide may liquidate the Mortgaged Property and charge
off the closed end second mortgage loan balance which was not recovered  through
liquidation  proceeds. If the  Mortgaged Property was subject  to a senior lien,
Countrywide will either directly manage the foreclosure sale of the property and
satisfy such lien at the time of  sale or take other action as deemed  necessary
to  protect  the interest  in  the Mortgaged  Property.  If in  the  judgment of
Countrywide, the  cost of  maintaining or  purchasing the  senior lien  position
exceeds  the economic benefit of such  action, Countrywide will generally charge
off the entire closed  end second mortgage  loan and may  seek a money  judgment
against the borrower where permitted by applicable state law.
 
     Servicing  and charge-off policies and collection practices with respect to
closed end second mortgage loans may change over time in accordance with,  among
other  things,  Countrywide's business  judgment, changes  in the  portfolio and
applicable laws and regulations.
 
FORECLOSURE AND DELINQUENCY EXPERIENCE
 
     B&C Quality Mortgage Loans. The following table summarizes the  delinquency
experience  of Countrywide's B&C quality mortgage loans as of December 31, 1996.
A B&C quality mortgage loan is  characterized as delinquent if the borrower  has
not  paid  the monthly  payment  due within  one month  of  the Due  Date. Since
Countrywide only began servicing B&C quality mortgage loans in August 1995,  the
delinquency  percentages  may  be affected  by  the  size and  relative  lack of
seasoning of  the  servicing portfolio  because  many  of such  loans  were  not
outstanding  long  enough  to  give  rise  to some  or  all  of  the  periods of
delinquency indicated in  the chart below.  Accordingly, the information  should
not  be considered as a basis for  assessing the likelihood, amount, or severity
of delinquency or losses on the applicable Mortgage Loans, and no assurances can
be given that the  delinquency experience presented in  the table below or  that
the  foreclosure experience presented  in the paragraph below  the table will be
indicative of such experience on such Mortgage Loans.
 
                                      S-24
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                  DELINQUENCY STATUS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996*
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           DOLLARS         PERCENT     UNITS     PERCENT
                                                       ---------------     -------     -----     -------
<S>                                                    <C>                 <C>         <C>       <C>
Current............................................    $542,881,464.70       94.73%     5613       94.82%
30-59 days.........................................      18,628,526.03        3.25       201        3.40
60-90 days.........................................       3,537,330.99        0.62        40        0.68
90+ days...........................................       1,506,145.23        0.26        14        0.24
Foreclosures.......................................       3,695,954.20        0.65        29        0.49
Delinquent Bankruptcy..............................       2,264,915.22        0.40        16        0.27
Current Bankruptcy.................................         491,886.57        0.09         6        0.10
                                                       ---------------     -------     -----     -------
     Total.........................................    $573,006,222.94      100.00%    5,919      100.00%
                                                       ---------------     -------     -----     -------
                                                       ---------------     -------     -----     -------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
*   Delinquencies are reported on a contractual basis.
 
     Historically, a  variety of  factors, including  the appreciation  of  real
estate  values, have limited the loss  and delinquency experience on B&C quality
mortgage loans.  There can  be no  assurance that  factors beyond  Countrywide's
control,  such as national or local economic  conditions or downturn in the real
estate markets  of its  lending areas,  will not  result in  increased rates  of
delinquencies and foreclosure losses in the future.
 
     Closed  End  Second  Mortgage  Loans. The  following  table  summarizes the
delinquency experience on  the dates  indicated, of closed  end second  mortgage
loans serviced by Countrywide. Since Countrywide only began servicing closed end
second  mortgage  loans  in  August 1995,  the  delinquency  percentages  may be
affected by the size and relative  lack of seasoning of the servicing  portfolio
because many of such loans were not outstanding long enough to give rise to some
or  all of the periods of delinquency indicated in the chart below. Accordingly,
the  information  should  not  be  considered  as  a  basis  for  assessing  the
likelihood,  amount  or  severity of  delinquency  or losses  on  the applicable
Mortgage Loans and no  assurances can be given  that the delinquency  experience
presented  in the tables  below or that the  foreclosure experience presented in
the paragraphs below the  tables will be indicative  of such experience on  such
Mortgage Loans:
 
                  DELINQUENCY STATUS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996*
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           DOLLARS         PERCENT     UNITS     PERCENT
                                                       ---------------     -------     -----     -------
<S>                                                    <C>                 <C>         <C>       <C>
Current............................................    $113,807,033.10       98.35%     3413       98.40%
30-59 days.........................................       1,746,973.10        1.51        47        1.36
60-90 days.........................................          48,700.21        0.04         2        0.06
90+ days...........................................          25,843.35        0.02         1        0.03
Foreclosures.......................................               0.00        0.00         0        0.00
Delinquent Bankruptcy..............................          25,395,56        0.02         1        0.03
Current Bankruptcy.................................          74,661.63        0.06         4        0.12
                                                       ---------------     -------     -----     -------
     Total.........................................    $115,728,606.95      100.00%    3,468      100.00%
                                                       ---------------     -------     -----     -------
                                                       ---------------     -------     -----     -------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
*  Delinquencies are reported on a contractual basis.
 
SERVICING COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
 
     The Master Servicer will be paid a monthly fee from interest collected with
respect  to each Mortgage Loan (as well  as from any liquidation proceeds from a
Liquidated Mortgage Loan that are applied to accrued and unpaid interest)  equal
to  one-twelfth  of  the  Stated Principal  Balance  thereof  multiplied  by the
Servicing Fee Rate (such product, the 'Servicing Fee'). The 'Servicing Fee Rate'
for each Mortgage Loan  will equal 0.50%  per annum. The  amount of the  monthly
Servicing  Fee is subject to adjustment  with respect to prepaid Mortgage Loans,
as described herein under  ' -- Adjustment to  Servicing Fee in Connection  with
Certain  Prepaid  Mortgage  Loans.'  The Master  Servicer  is  also  entitled to
receive, as additional  servicing compensation, amounts  in respect of  interest
paid  on  Principal Prepayments  (as defined  below) received  from the  2nd day
through the 15th day of a month ('Prepayment Interest Excess'), all late payment
fees, assumption fees, prepayment penalties and other
 
                                      S-25
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
similar charges and all reinvestment income earned on amounts on deposit in  the
Certificate  Account and Distribution Account.  The Master Servicer is obligated
to pay certain ongoing expenses associated with the Mortgage Loans and  incurred
by  the Trustee  in connection with  its responsibilities under  the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement.
 
ADJUSTMENT TO SERVICING FEE IN CONNECTION WITH CERTAIN PREPAID MORTGAGE LOANS
 
     When a  borrower  prepays all  or  a portion  of  a Mortgage  Loan  between
scheduled monthly payment dates ('Due Dates'), the borrower pays interest on the
amount prepaid only to the date of prepayment. Principal Prepayments (as defined
below) received from the 2nd day through the 15th day of a month are included in
the  related distribution on the 25th day  of the same month, and accordingly no
shortfall in interest otherwise distributable to Holders of Certificates of  the
related  Certificate Group  results. Conversely,  Principal Prepayments received
from the 16th day  of a month to  the first day of  the following month are  not
distributed  until  the 25th  day of  such following  month, and  accordingly an
interest shortfall (a 'Prepayment Interest Shortfall') would result. In order to
mitigate the effect of any such  shortfall in interest distributions to  Holders
of  Certificates  of the  related Certificate  Group  on any  Distribution Date,
one-half of the  amount of  the Servicing Fee  otherwise payable  to the  Master
Servicer  in respect  of the  related Loan  Group for  such month  shall, to the
extent of such shortfall, be deposited by the Master Servicer in the Certificate
Account for distribution to Holders  of Certificates of the related  Certificate
Group  on such Distribution  Date. However, any such  reduction in the Servicing
Fee will be made only to the  extent of one-half of the Servicing Fee  otherwise
payable  to the Master  Servicer with respect to  Scheduled Payments on Mortgage
Loans in the related Loan Group having  the Due Date to which such  Distribution
Date  relates. Any such deposit by the  Master Servicer will be reflected in the
distributions to Holders of Certificates  of the related Certificate Group  made
on  the Distribution  Date on which  the Principal Prepayment  received would be
distributed.
 
ADVANCES
 
     Subject to the  following limitations, on  the Business Day  prior to  each
Distribution  Date,  the Master  Servicer will  be required  to advance  its own
funds, or funds  in the  Certificate Account  that do  not constitute  Available
Funds  (as defined herein) for such Distribution Date, in an amount equal to the
aggregate of payments of principal and interest on the Mortgage Loans  (adjusted
to the applicable Net Mortgage Rate) that were due during the related Due Period
and  delinquent  on  the related  Determination  Date, together  with  an amount
equivalent to interest (adjusted to the applicable Net Mortgage Rate) deemed due
on each  Mortgage Loan  as to  which  the related  Mortgaged Property  has  been
acquired   by  the  Master  Servicer  through  foreclosure  or  deed-in-lieu  of
foreclosure in connection with a defaulted Mortgage Loan ('REO Property'),  such
latter  amount to be calculated after taking into account any rental income from
such Mortgaged Property  (any such advance,  an 'Advance', and  the date of  any
such Advance, as described herein, a 'Master Servicer Advance Date').
 
     Advances  are intended to maintain a regular flow of scheduled interest and
principal payments  on the  Offered  Certificates rather  than to  guarantee  or
insure  against losses. The  Master Servicer is obligated  to make Advances with
respect to delinquent payments of principal of or interest on each Mortgage Loan
(with such payments of  interest adjusted to the  related Net Mortgage Rate)  to
the  extent that such Advances are, in its judgment, reasonably recoverable from
future payments and collections or insurance payments or proceeds of liquidation
of the  related  Mortgage  Loan.  If  the  Master  Servicer  determines  on  any
Determination  Date to make an  Advance, such Advance will  be included with the
distribution to Holders of Certificates of the related Certificate Group on  the
related Distribution Date. Any failure by the Master Servicer to make an Advance
as  required under the Pooling and  Servicing Agreement will constitute an event
of default thereunder, in which case the Trustee, as successor master  servicer,
or  such other entity as may be  appointed as successor master servicer, will be
obligated to make any such Advance in  accordance with the terms of the  Pooling
and Servicing Agreement.
 
                                      S-26
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                        DESCRIPTION OF THE CERTIFICATES
 
GENERAL
 
     The Offered Certificates will be issued pursuant to a Pooling and Servicing
Agreement,   dated  as  of  February  27,   1997  (the  'Pooling  and  Servicing
Agreement'), among  the  Depositor, the  Master  Servicer, the  Seller  and  the
Trustee.  Set forth  below are  summaries of  the material  terms and provisions
pursuant to  which  the  Offered  Certificates will  be  issued.  The  following
summaries  are subject to, and are qualified  in their entirety by reference to,
the  provisions  of  the  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement.  When   particular
provisions or terms used in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement are referred to,
the  actual  provisions (including  definitions  of terms)  are  incorporated by
reference.
 
     The CWABS, Inc.  Asset-Backed Certificates, Series  1997-1 will consist  of
(i)  the Class A-1  Certificates (the 'Class A-1  Certificates'), (ii) the Class
A-2  Certificates  (the   'Class  A-2  Certificates'),   (iii)  the  Class   A-3
Certificates  (the 'Class  A-3 Certificates'),  (iv) the  Class A-4 Certificates
(the 'Class A-4 Certificates'), (v) the  Class A-5 Certificates (the 'Class  A-5
Certificates'   and,  together  with  the  Class  A-1  Certificates,  Class  A-2
Certificates, Class  A-3  Certificates  and  the  Class  A-4  Certificates,  the
'Offered  Certificates')  and  (vi)  the  Class  R  Certificates  (the 'Residual
Certificates'). The  Offered  Certificates  and the  Residual  Certificates  are
collectively  referred  to  herein  as  the  'Certificates.'  Only  the  Offered
Certificates are offered hereby.
 
     The Offered  Certificates  are  expected to  have  an  initial  Certificate
Principal  Balance  of approximately  $279,000,000  and will  evidence  a senior
beneficial ownership  interest  in  the Trust  Fund.  The  remaining  beneficial
ownership  interest  in  the  Trust  Fund  will  be  evidenced  by  the Residual
Certificates, which do not have a principal balance and will evidence a residual
interest in the  Trust Fund. The  rights of the  Residual Certificateholders  to
receive  distributions with respect to the Mortgage Loans will be subordinate to
the rights of the Offered Certificateholders, to the extent described herein.
 
     The Offered Certificates  will be  issued in book-entry  form as  described
below.  The Offered Certificates will be  issued in minimum dollar denominations
of $25,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The assumed final
maturity date of the Class A-1  Certificates is the Distribution Date  occurring
in  March 2027, which is the  Distribution Date immediately following the latest
scheduled maturity date of any Group 1 Mortgage Loan. The assumed final maturity
date of  the  Class A-5  Certificates  is  the Distribution  Date  occurring  in
February  2027, which is the Distribution  Date immediately following the latest
scheduled maturity date of any Group 2 Mortgage Loan. The assumed final maturity
date of the Class A-2 Certificates, the Class A-3 Certificates and the Class A-4
Certificates is the Distribution Date occurring in March 2009, February 2012 and
May 2021, respectively,  and has been  calculated on the  basis of the  'Assumed
Group  1 Mortgage Loan  Characteristics' and the 'Assumed  Group 2 Mortgage Loan
Characteristics'   set   forth   under    'Yield,   Prepayment   and    Maturity
Considerations  --  Weighted Average  Lives  of the  Offered  Certificates', the
assumption that there are  no prepayments on the  Mortgage Loans, no Net  Excess
Cashflow  is  used, and  the  Master Servicer  does  not exercise  its  right of
optional termination as described herein.
 
BOOK-ENTRY CERTIFICATES
 
     The Offered Certificates will  be book-entry Certificates (the  'Book-Entry
Certificates').  Persons acquiring beneficial ownership interests in the Offered
Certificates ('Certificate Owners') may elect to hold their Offered Certificates
through the Depository Trust Company ('DTC')  in the United States, or CEDEL  or
Euroclear  (in Europe) if  they are participants of  such systems, or indirectly
through organizations which  are participants  in such  systems. The  Book-Entry
Certificates  will  be  issued  in  one or  more  certificates  which  equal the
aggregate principal balance of  the Offered Certificates  and will initially  be
registered  in the name of  Cede & Co., the nominee  of DTC. CEDEL and Euroclear
will hold omnibus positions on  behalf of their participants through  customers'
securities  accounts  in CEDEL's  and Euroclear's  names on  the books  of their
respective depositaries which  in turn  will hold such  positions in  customers'
securities  accounts in  the depositaries' names  on the books  of DTC. Citibank
will act as depositary for CEDEL and Chase will act as depositary for  Euroclear
(in such capacities, individually the 'Relevant Depositary' and collectively the
'European  Depositaries'). Investors may  hold such beneficial  interests in the
Book-Entry Certificates in minimum denominations representing Class  Certificate
Principal  Balances  of  $25,000  and integral  multiples  of  $1,000  in excess
thereof. Except as described below, no person acquiring a Book-Entry Certificate
(each, a 'beneficial owner') will be entitled to receive a physical  certificate
representing  such Offered Certificate (a  'Definitive Certificate'). Unless and
until Definitive
 
                                      S-27
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
Certificates are issued, it  is anticipated that  the only Certificateholder  of
the  Offered Certificates  will be  Cede & Co.,  as nominee  of DTC. Certificate
Owners will not  be Certificateholders as  that term is  used in the  Agreement.
Certificate  Owners  are  only  permitted to  exercise  their  rights indirectly
through the  participating  organizations  that utilize  the  services  of  DTC,
including securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies and clearing
corporations and certain other organizations ('Participants') and DTC.
 
     The  beneficial  owner's  ownership  of a  Book-Entry  Certificate  will be
recorded on the records of the brokerage firm, bank, thrift institution or other
financial intermediary  (each, a  'Financial Intermediary')  that maintains  the
beneficial   owner's  account   for  such   purpose.  In   turn,  the  Financial
Intermediary's ownership of such Book-Entry Certificate will be recorded on  the
records  of DTC (or of a participating firm that acts as agent for the Financial
Intermediary, whose interest will in turn be recorded on the records of DTC,  if
the  beneficial owner's Financial  Intermediary is not a  DTC participant and on
the records of CEDEL or Euroclear, as appropriate).
 
     Certificate Owners  will receive  all distributions  of principal  of,  and
interest  on,  the Offered  Certificates from  the Trustee  through DTC  and DTC
participants. While the Offered Certificates  are outstanding (except under  the
circumstances  described  below), under  the  rules, regulations  and procedures
creating and affecting DTC and its operations (the 'Rules'), DTC is required  to
make  book-entry  transfers  among Participants  on  whose behalf  it  acts with
respect to the  Offered Certificates  and is  required to  receive and  transmit
distributions  of  principal  of,  and interest  on,  the  Offered Certificates.
Participants and organizations  which have  indirect access to  the DTC  system,
such  as  banks, brokers,  dealers  and trust  companies  that clear  through or
maintain a  custodial  relationship  with  a  Participant,  either  directly  or
indirectly ('Indirect Participants'), with whom Certificate Owners have accounts
with  respect to Offered Certificates are  similarly required to make book-entry
transfers and  receive  and  transmit  such distributions  on  behalf  of  their
respective Certificate Owners. Accordingly, although Certificate Owners will not
possess  certificates, the Rules provide a mechanism by which Certificate Owners
will receive distributions and will be able to transfer their interest.
 
     Certificate Owners will not receive or be entitled to receive  certificates
representing  their  respective interests  in  the Offered  Certificates, except
under the limited  circumstances described  below. Unless  and until  Definitive
Certificates  are  issued,  Certificate  Owners  who  are  not  Participants may
transfer  ownership  of  Offered  Certificates  only  through  Participants  and
Indirect Participants by instructing such Participants and Indirect Participants
to  transfer Offered Certificates,  by book-entry transfer,  through DTC for the
account of  the  purchasers  of  such Offered  Certificates,  which  account  is
maintained with their respective Participants. Under the Rules and in accordance
with  DTC's normal  procedures, transfers  of ownership  of Offered Certificates
will be executed through DTC and the accounts of the respective Participants  at
DTC  will  be debited  and credited.  Similarly,  the Participants  and Indirect
Participants will make debits or credits, as  the case may be, on their  records
on behalf of the selling and purchasing Certificate Owners.
 
     Because  of time zone differences, credits of securities received in CEDEL,
or Euroclear  as a  result of  a transaction  with a  Participant will  be  made
during,  subsequent securities settlement processing  and dated the business day
following, the DTC  settlement date. Such  credits or any  transactions in  such
securities,  settled during  such processing  will be  reported to  the relevant
Euroclear or CEDEL Participants on such business day. Cash received in CEDEL  or
Euroclear,  as a result of sales of securities by or through a CEDEL Participant
(as defined,  below)  or Euroclear  Participant  (as  defined below)  to  a  DTC
Participant,  will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be
available in  the  relevant CEDEL  or  Euroclear cash  account  only as  of  the
business  day following settlement  in DTC. For information  with respect to tax
documentation procedures,  relating to  the Offered  Certificates, see  'Federal
Income  Tax  Consequences --  Foreign Investors'  and  ' --  Backup Withholding'
herein   and   'Global,    Clearance,   Settlement    And   Tax    Documentation
Procedures  -- Certain  U.S. Federal  Income Tax  Documentation Requirements' in
Annex I hereto.
 
     Transfers between Participants  will occur  in accordance  with DTC  rules.
Transfers  between CEDEL Participants  and Euroclear Participants  will occur in
accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
 
     Cross-market transfers  between  persons  holding  directly  or  indirectly
through  DTC,  on  the  one  hand,  and  directly  or  indirectly  through CEDEL
Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in
accordance with  DTC rules  on  behalf of  the relevant  European  international
clearing   system  by  the  Relevant  Depositary;  however,  such  cross  market
transactions will  require delivery  of instructions  to the  relevant  European
international  clearing system by  the counterpart in  such system in accordance
with its rules and
 
                                      S-28
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
procedures and within  its established deadlines  (European time). The  relevant
European  international  clearing  system  will, if  the  transaction  meets its
settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the Relevant Depositary to take
action to  effect final  settlement on  its behalf  by delivering  or  receiving
securities  in DTC,  and making or  receiving payment in  accordance with normal
procedures for same day funds  settlement applicable to DTC. CEDEL  Participants
and Euroclear Participants may not deliver instructions directly to the European
Depositaries.
 
     DTC,  which is a New York-chartered limited purpose trust company, performs
services for its participants, some of which (and/or their representatives)  own
DTC.  In accordance with  its normal procedures,  DTC is expected  to record the
positions held by each DTC  participant in the Book-Entry Certificates,  whether
held  for  its own  account  or as  a nominee  for  another person.  In general,
beneficial ownership of Book-Entry  Certificates will be  subject to the  rules,
regulations  and procedures governing DTC and DTC participants as in effect from
time to time.
 
     CEDEL is  incorporated  under the  laws  of Luxembourg  as  a  professional
depository.  CEDEL holds securities for  its participating organizations ('CEDEL
Participants') and  facilitates  the  clearance  and  settlement  of  securities
transactions between CEDEL Participants through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts  of  CEDEL  Participants,  thereby eliminating  the  need  for physical
movement of certificates.  Transactions may  be settled in  CEDEL in  any of  28
currencies,  including  United  States  dollars.  CEDEL  provides  to  its CEDEL
Participants, among  other  things, services  for  safekeeping,  administration,
clearance  and settlement  of internationally  traded securities  and securities
lending and  borrowing.  CEDEL  interfaces  with  domestic  markets  in  several
countries.  As a professional depository, CEDEL  is subject to regulation by the
Luxembourg Monetary  Institute.  CEDEL  participants  are  recognized  financial
institutions  around the  world, including underwriters,  securities brokers and
dealers,  banks,  trust  companies,  clearing  corporations  and  certain  other
organizations.  Indirect access  to CEDEL is  also available to  others, such as
banks, brokers, dealers  and trust companies  that clear through  or maintain  a
custodial relationship with a CEDEL Participant, either directly or indirectly.
 
     Euroclear  was  created  in 1968  to  hold securities  for  participants of
Euroclear ('Euroclear  Participants')  and  to  clear  and  settle  transactions
between   Euroclear  Participants  through  simultaneous  electronic  book-entry
delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement  of
certificates  and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and
cash. Transactions may now be settled in any of 32 currencies, including  United
States  dollars. Euroclear includes various other services, including securities
lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several  countries
generally  similar  to  the  arrangements for  cross-market  transfers  with DTC
described above. Euroclear is operated by the Brussels, Belgium office of Morgan
Guaranty Trust Company of  New York (the  'Euroclear Operator'), under  contract
with  Euroclear Clearance Systems  S.C., a Belgian  cooperative corporation (the
'Cooperative'). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and  all
Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts
with  the Euroclear Operator,  not the Cooperative.  The Cooperative establishes
policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants
include banks  (including central  banks), securities  brokers and  dealers  and
other  professional financial  intermediaries. Indirect  access to  Euroclear is
also available  to  other firms  that  clear  through or  maintain  a  custodial
relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.
 
     The  Euroclear  Operator  is  the  Belgian branch  of  a  New  York banking
corporation which is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. As such, it is
regulated and examined by the Board  of Governors of the Federal Reserve  System
and  the  New York  State Banking  Department,  as well  as the  Belgian Banking
Commission.
 
     Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator
are governed by  the Terms  and Conditions Governing  Use of  Euroclear and  the
related  Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and applicable Belgian law
(collectively, the  'Terms and  Conditions'). The  Terms and  Conditions  govern
transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and
cash  from Euroclear,  and receipts  of payments  with respect  to securities in
Euroclear. All securities  in Euroclear  are held  on a  fungible basis  without
attribution  of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts.
The Euroclear Operator  acts under the  Terms and Conditions  only on behalf  of
Euroclear  Participants,  and  has no  record  of or  relationship  with persons
holding through Euroclear Participants.
 
     Distributions  on  the  Book-Entry  Certificates  will  be  made  on   each
Distribution  Date by the Trustee to DTC.  DTC will be responsible for crediting
the amount of such payments to  the accounts of the applicable DTC  participants
in  accordance  with  DTC's  normal procedures.  Each  DTC  participant  will be
responsible for
 
                                      S-29
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
disbursing such payments to the beneficial owners of the Book-Entry Certificates
that it  represents and  to each  Financial Intermediary  for which  it acts  as
agent. Each such Financial Intermediary will be responsible for disbursing funds
to the beneficial owners of the Book-Entry Certificates that it represents.
 
     Under a book-entry format, beneficial owners of the Book-Entry Certificates
may experience some delay in their receipt of payments, since such payments will
be  forwarded  by the  Trustee to  Cede. Distributions  with respect  to Offered
Certificates held  through CEDEL  or  Euroclear will  be  credited to  the  cash
accounts  of CEDEL Participants or Euroclear Participants in accordance with the
relevant system's rules and procedures, to  the extent received by the  Relevant
Depositary.  Such distributions will  be subject to  tax reporting in accordance
with relevant United States  tax laws and regulations.  See 'Federal Income  Tax
Consequences  -- Foreign Investors' and ' -- Backup Withholding' herein. Because
DTC can  only  act on  behalf  of Financial  Intermediaries,  the ability  of  a
beneficial  owner to pledge Book-Entry Certificates  to persons or entities that
do not  participate in  the  depository system,  or  otherwise take  actions  in
respect  of such  Book-Entry Certificates,  may be  limited due  to the  lack of
physical certificates for such Book-Entry Certificates. In addition, issuance of
the Book-Entry Certificates in book-entry form may reduce the liquidity of  such
Offered  Certificates in the secondary  market since certain potential investors
may be unwilling to purchase Offered  Certificates for which they cannot  obtain
physical certificates.
 
     Monthly  and  annual  reports on  the  Trust  Fund provided  by  the Master
Servicer to CEDE, as nominee of DTC, may be made available to beneficial  owners
upon  request, in accordance with the rules, regulations and procedures creating
and  affecting  DTC   or  the   Relevant  Depositary,  and   to  the   Financial
Intermediaries  to  whose  DTC  accounts  the  Book-Entry  Certificates  of such
beneficial owners are credited.
 
     DTC has  advised the  Depositor  and the  Trustee  that, unless  and  until
Definitive  Certificates are  issued, DTC will  take any action  permitted to be
taken by the holders of the Book-Entry Certificates under the Agreement only  at
the  direction of one or more Financial Intermediaries to whose DTC accounts the
Book-Entry Certificates are credited, to the extent that such actions are  taken
on  behalf of  Financial Intermediaries  whose holdings  include such Book-Entry
Certificates. CEDEL or the Euroclear Operator, as the case may be, will take any
other action permitted to be  taken by a Holder  of a Offered Certificate  under
the  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  on behalf  of  a  CEDEL  Participant or
Euroclear Participant only in accordance with its relevant rules and  procedures
and  subject to the ability of the Relevant Depositary to effect such actions on
its behalf through DTC. DTC  may take actions, at  the direction of the  related
Participants,  with  respect to  some Offered  Certificates which  conflict with
actions taken with respect to other Offered Certificates.
 
     Definitive  Certificates  will  be  issued  to  beneficial  owners  of  the
Book-Entry  Certificates, or their nominees, rather than to DTC, only if (a) DTC
or the Depositor advises the Trustee in  writing that DTC is no longer  willing,
qualified  or able  to discharge  properly its  responsibilities as  nominee and
depositary with respect to the Book-Entry Certificates and the Depositor or  the
Trustee is unable to locate a qualified successor, (b) the Depositor at its sole
option,  elects to terminate  a book-entry system  through DTC or  (c) after the
occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined herein), beneficial owners  having
not  less than  51% of the  Voting Rights  (as defined herein)  evidenced by the
Offered  Certificates  advise  the  Trustee   and  DTC  through  the   Financial
Intermediaries  and the DTC  participants in writing that  the continuation of a
book-entry system through DTC (or a successor thereto) is no longer in the  best
interests of beneficial owners.
 
     Upon  the  occurrence of  any of  the events  described in  the immediately
preceding paragraph,  the Trustee  will  be required  to notify  all  beneficial
owners  of the  occurrence of  such event  and the  availability through  DTC of
Definitive Certificates.  Upon surrender  by DTC  of the  global certificate  or
certificates  representing  the  Book-Entry  Certificates  and  instructions for
re-registration, the Trustee will issue Definitive Certificates, and  thereafter
the  Trustee  will  recognize the  holders  of such  Definitive  Certificates as
Holders of Offered Certificates under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.
 
     Although DTC, CEDEL and Euroclear  have agreed to the foregoing  procedures
in  order to  facilitate transfers  of Certificates  among participants  of DTC,
CEDEL and Euroclear,  they are  under no obligation  to perform  or continue  to
perform such procedures and such procedures may be discontinued at any time.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     General.  Distributions on the Certificates will  be made by the Trustee on
the 25th day of each month, or if such  day is not a Business Day, on the  first
Business    Day    thereafter,    commencing   in    March    1997    (each,   a
 
                                      S-30
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
'Distribution Date'),  to  the persons  in  whose names  such  Certificates  are
registered  at  the close  of business  on the  last Business  Day of  the month
preceding the month of such Distribution Date (the 'Record Date').
 
     Distributions on each Distribution Date will be made by check mailed to the
address of the person entitled thereto as it appears on the Certificate Register
or, in  the  case  of any  Certificateholder  that  holds 100%  of  a  Class  of
Certificates  or who  holds a  Class of  Certificates with  an aggregate initial
Class Certificate  Principal Balance  of  $1,000,000 or  more  and that  has  so
notified  the Trustee  in writing in  accordance with the  Pooling and Servicing
Agreement, by wire  transfer in immediately  available funds to  the account  of
such  Certificateholder  at  a  bank  or  other  depository  institution  having
appropriate  wire  transfer  facilities;  provided,  however,  that  the   final
distribution   in  retirement  of  the  Certificates  will  be  made  only  upon
presentation and surrender of such Certificates at the Corporate Trust Office of
the Trustee. On each Distribution Date,  a Holder of a Certificate will  receive
such Holder's Percentage Interest of the amounts required to be distributed with
respect  to  the applicable  Class  of Certificates.  The  'Percentage Interest'
evidenced by a  Certificate will equal  the percentage derived  by dividing  the
denomination   of  such  Certificate  by  the  aggregate  denominations  of  all
Certificates of the applicable Class.
 
DEPOSITS TO THE CERTIFICATE ACCOUNT
 
     The Trustee  shall  establish  and, initially,  maintain  an  account  (the
'Certificate  Account') on behalf of  the Certificateholders and the Certificate
Insurer. Within two Business Days after receipt, the Master Servicer shall remit
to the Trustee  (or, in  the event the  Certificate Account  is maintained  with
another  institution pursuant  to the Pooling  and Servicing  Agreement, to such
institution) for deposit into the Certificate Account the following payments and
collections received or made by it on or subsequent to the Cut-off Date (to  the
extent not applied in computing the Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance):
 
          (i)   all  payments  on  account  of  principal,  including  Principal
     Prepayments, on the Mortgage Loans;
 
          (ii) all payments on account of interest (other than interest accruing
     on the Mortgage Loans prior to the Cut-off Date) on the Mortgage Loans, net
     of the related Servicing Fee;
 
          (iii) all  proceeds of  any  insurance policies  (to the  extent  such
     proceeds  are not applied to the restoration of the property or released to
     the mortgagor in  accordance with  the Master  Servicer's normal  servicing
     procedures), other than proceeds that represent reimbursement of the Master
     Servicer's costs and expenses incurred in connection with presenting claims
     under  the related insurance policies ('Insurance Proceeds'), all other net
     proceeds received in connection with the partial or complete liquidation of
     Mortgage  Loans  (whether  through  trustee's  sale,  foreclosure  sale  or
     otherwise)  or in connection with any  condemnation or partial release of a
     Mortgaged Property, together with the net proceeds received with respect to
     any Mortgage Properties acquired by  the Master Servicer by foreclosure  or
     deed  in lieu  of foreclosure in  connection with  defaulted Mortgage Loans
     (other than  the  amount  of  such net  proceeds  representing  any  profit
     realized  by the Master Servicer in  connection with the disposition of any
     such  properties)   (together   with   Insurance   Proceeds,   'Liquidation
     Proceeds');
 
          (iv) all payments made by the Master Servicer in respect of Prepayment
     Interest Shortfalls;
 
          (v)  any amount  required to  be deposited  by the  Master Servicer in
     connection with  any  losses on  investment  of funds  in  the  Certificate
     Account;
 
          (vi)  any amounts required to be deposited by the Master Servicer with
     respect to any  deductible clause  in any blanket  hazard insurance  policy
     maintained  by the Master  Servicer in lieu of  requiring each mortgagor to
     maintain a primary hazard insurance policy;
 
          (vii)  all  amounts  required  to  be  deposited  in  connection  with
     shortfalls in the principal amount of Replacement Mortgage Loans; and
 
          (viii) all Advances.
 
WITHDRAWALS FROM THE CERTIFICATE ACCOUNT
 
     The  Master Servicer  (or the Depositor  or the Seller,  as applicable) may
from time to  time direct  the Trustee to  withdraw funds  from the  Certificate
Account prior to the close of business on the related Determination Date for the
following purposes:
 
                                      S-31
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
          (i)  to pay to the Master Servicer the Servicing Fee to the extent not
     previously paid to or withheld by the Master Servicer (subject to reduction
     as described above under 'Servicing of the Mortgage Loans -- Adjustment  to
     Servicing   Fee  in  Connection  with  Prepaid  Mortgage  Loans')  and,  as
     additional servicing compensation,  prepayment penalties, assumption  fees,
     late  payment charges, net earnings on or investment income with respect to
     funds in or credited to the  Certificate Account, the amount of  Prepayment
     Interest Excess for the related Prepayment Period and any Excess Proceeds;
 
          (ii)  to reimburse  the Master  Servicer for  Advances, such  right of
     reimbursement with respect  to any  Mortgage Loan pursuant  to this  clause
     (ii)  being limited to  amounts received that  represent late recoveries of
     payments of  principal and/or  interest on  the related  Mortgage Loan  (or
     Insurance  Proceeds  or  Liquidation Proceeds  with  respect  thereto) with
     respect to which such Advance was made;
 
          (iii) to reimburse  the Master  Servicer for  any Advances  previously
     made  that the  Master Servicer has  determined to  be nonrecoverable, such
     right of reimbursement with respect to  any Mortgage Loan pursuant to  this
     clause (iii) being limited to amounts received in respect of Mortgage Loans
     in the Loan Group with respect to which such Advance was made;
 
          (iv)  to  reimburse the  Master Servicer  from Insurance  Proceeds for
     expenses incurred  by  the  Master  Servicer and  covered  by  the  related
     insurance policies;
 
          (v)  to  pay the  Master  Servicer any  unpaid  Servicing Fees  and to
     reimburse it  for any  unreimbursed  ordinary and  necessary  out-of-pocket
     costs  and expenses incurred  by the Master Servicer  in the performance of
     its master servicing obligations, such  right of reimbursement pursuant  to
     this  clause  (v)  being  limited  to  amounts  received  representing late
     recoveries of  the payments  of  such costs  and expenses  (or  Liquidation
     Proceeds, purchase proceeds or repurchase proceeds with respect thereto);
 
          (vi)  to pay to the Seller or the Master Servicer, as applicable, with
     respect to each  Mortgage Loan  or mortgaged property  acquired in  respect
     thereof  that has been purchased by the  Seller or the Master Servicer from
     the Trust Fund pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, all amounts
     received thereon  and not  taken into  account in  determining the  related
     Stated Principal Balance of such repurchased Mortgage Loan;
 
          (vii)  to reimburse the  Seller, the Master  Servicer or the Depositor
     for  expenses  incurred  and  reimbursable  pursuant  to  the  Pooling  and
     Servicing  Agreement, such right  of reimbursement pursuant  to this clause
     (vii) being limited  to amounts  received in  respect of  the related  Loan
     Group;
 
          (viii) to withdraw any amount deposited in the Certificate Account and
     not required to be deposited therein; and
 
          (ix)  to clear and terminate  the Certificate Account upon termination
     of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.
 
     In addition, not later than 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time on each Master  Servicer
Advance Date, the Trustee shall withdraw from the Certificate Account the amount
of  Available  Funds for  each Loan  Group, to  the extent  on deposit,  and the
Trustee shall  deposit such  amount in  the Distribution  Account, as  described
below.
 
DEPOSITS TO THE DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT
 
     The  Trustee  shall  establish  and maintain  a  distribution  account (the
'Distribution Account') on behalf of the Certificateholders and the  Certificate
Insurer.  The Trustee shall, promptly upon  receipt, deposit in the Distribution
Account and retain  therein (i) the  aggregate amount withdrawn  by it from  the
Certificate  Account; (ii)  any amount  required to  be deposited  by the Master
Servicer  in  connection  with  any  losses  on  investment  of  funds  in   the
Distribution  Account; and  (iii) any  Insured Payment  made by  the Certificate
Insurer.
 
WITHDRAWALS FROM THE DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT
 
     The  Trustee  shall  withdraw  funds  from  the  Distribution  Account  for
distribution  to the Certificate Insurer and the Certificateholders as described
below under ' -- Allocation of Available  Funds' and may from time to time  make
withdrawals  from the Distribution Account (i) to pay to the Master Servicer, as
additional servicing compensation, earnings on or investment income with respect
to funds in or credited to the Distribution Account;(ii) to withdraw any  amount
deposited  in  the  Distribution  Account  and  not  required  to  be  deposited
 
                                      S-32
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
therein; and (iii)  to clear  and terminate  the Distribution  Account upon  the
termination of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.
 
ALLOCATION OF AVAILABLE FUNDS
 
     Distributions  to Holders of Certificates in each Certificate Group will be
made on each Distribution  Date. 'Available Funds' as  of any Distribution  Date
and  with respect to a Loan Group, is  the sum of the following amounts (without
duplication):
 
          (i) the  aggregate amount  on deposit  in the  Certificate Account  in
     respect  of such Loan Group as of  the close of business on the immediately
     preceding Determination Date;
 
          (ii) Advances  in respect  of such  Loan Group  for such  Distribution
     Date; and
 
          (iii)  any amounts deposited by the Master Servicer in the Certificate
     Account in respect  of Prepayment  Interest Shortfalls in  respect of  such
     Loan Group during the related Prepayment Period,
 
          less the sum of:
 
             (x)  the portion thereof representing (A) Principal Prepayments and
        Liquidation Proceeds received in  respect of such  Loan Group after  the
        last day of the related Prepayment Period and (B) all Scheduled Payments
        or  portions  thereof received  in  respect of  scheduled  principal and
        interest on  the  Mortgage  Loans  in such  Loan  Group  due  after  the
        preceding Due Date; and
 
             (y)  amounts relating to such Loan  Group permitted to be withdrawn
        from the Certificate Account pursuant to clauses (i)-(viii),  inclusive,
        under ' -- Withdrawals from the Certificate Account' above.
 
     On  each Distribution Date, the Trustee will withdraw from the Distribution
Account (a) the amount of any Insured  Payment and (b) all Available Funds  then
on deposit and will distribute the same as follows:
 
     A.  Group 1  Certificates. With  respect to  the Group  1 Certificates, the
Available Funds and Insured  Payment relating to such  Certificate Group in  the
following order of priority:
 
          (i)  to the  Certificate Insurer, Certificate  Group 1's  share of the
     Premium Amount (except during the  continuation of a payment default  under
     the Certificate Insurance Policy);
 
          (ii)  to  the Class  A-1 Certificateholders,  an  amount equal  to the
     Interest Distribution Amount for the Class A-1 Certificates;
 
          (iii) to  the Class  A-1 Certificateholders,  an amount  equal to  the
     related  Group Principal  Distribution Amount  (excluding any Subordination
     Increase Amounts included therein); and
 
          (iv) to  the Certificate  Insurer, the  portion of  the  Reimbursement
     Amount relating to Certificate Group 1.
 
     B.  Group 2  Certificates. With  respect to  the Group  2 Certificates, the
Available Funds and Insured  Payment relating to such  Certificate Group in  the
following order of priority:
 
          (i)  to the  Certificate Insurer, Certificate  Group 2's  share of the
     Premium Amount (except during the  continuation of a payment default  under
     the Certificate Insurance Policy);
 
          (ii)  to the Holders of the Group 2 Certificates, pro rata without any
     priority among  such  Certificates,  an  amount  equal  to  the  respective
     Interest Distribution Amounts for the classes of Group 2 Certificates;
 
          (iii)  sequentially, to the Holders of the Class A-2 Certificates, the
     Class A-3  Certificates,  the Class  A-4  Certificates and  the  Class  A-5
     Certificates, in that order, an amount equal to the related Group Principal
     Distribution  Amount (excluding any  Subordination Increase Amount included
     therein), until the respective Class Certificate Principal Balances thereof
     are reduced to zero; and
 
          (iv) to  the Certificate  Insurer, the  portion of  the  Reimbursement
     Amount relating to Certificate Group 2.
 
     C.   Crosscollateralization.  On  any  Distribution  Date,  to  the  extent
Available Funds and Insured Payments for a Certificate Group are insufficient to
make distributions  specified  above  pursuant to  (i)-(iv)  of  the  applicable
subclause,  the Available Funds for the  other Certificate Group remaining after
making the  distributions  required to  be  made  pursuant to  (i)-(iv)  of  the
applicable  subclause for such  Certificate Group, if  any, shall be distributed
 
                                      S-33
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
to the  extent of  such  insufficiency in  accordance  with the  priorities  for
distribution  set forth in the subclauses  above with respect to the Certificate
Group experiencing such insufficiency.
 
     D. Overcollateralization.  On any  Distribution Date,  to the  extent  that
there  are  Available  Funds  for a  Certificate  Group  remaining  after making
distributions required  to  be  made  pursuant to  (i)-(iv)  of  the  applicable
subclause  for such Certificate  Group and pursuant to  subclause C. above, such
amount shall  be applied  to  the Class  Certificate  Principal Balance  of  the
Certificates  in such Certificate  Group until the  Subordinated Amount for such
Certificate  Group  on  such  Distribution   Date  is  equal  to  the   Required
Subordinated  Amount  for  such  Certificate Group  on  such  Distribution Date.
Thereafter, any remaining Available  Funds for such  Certificate Group shall  be
applied  to the other Certificate Group to  the extent necessary to provide that
the Subordinated Amount  for the  other Certificate Group  on such  Distribution
Date  equals the related Required Subordinated Amount for such Certificate Group
and Distribution Date. Any distribution to the Group 2 Certificates pursuant  to
this subclause D will be made as provided in subclause B (iii) above.
 
     E.  Basis Risk Carryover Amount. After  making distributions referred to in
subclauses A, B,  C and D  above, the  Trustee shall make  distributions to  the
extent  of  the  Available  Funds  for  either  Loan  Group,  to  the  Class A-1
Certificateholders, the aggregate Class A-1 Basis Risk Carryover Amount.
 
     F. Residual Payment. As more fully  described in the Pooling and  Servicing
Agreement,  the remaining Available Funds for each  Loan Group, if any, for such
Distribution  Date  will  be  distributed   to  the  Holders  of  the   Residual
Certificates.
 
OVERCOLLATERALIZATION PROVISIONS
 
     Overcollateralization  Resulting from Cash Flow  Structure. The Pooling and
Servicing Agreement requires that,  on each Distribution  Date, the Net  Monthly
Excess  Cashflow, if  any, with  respect to  a Loan  Group is  to be  applied to
accelerate payment  of principal  on  the Offered  Certificates of  the  related
Certificate  Group until the  Subordinated Amount for  such Certificate Group is
equal to  the  Required  Subordinated  Amount for  such  Certificate  Group  and
Distribution  Date. This application of the  Net Monthly Excess Cashflow has the
effect of accelerating the amortization of the Offered Certificates relative  to
the  amortization  of the  related Mortgage  Loan Group,  and of  increasing the
Subordinated Amount for the related Certificate Group.
 
     The Pooling  and  Servicing Agreement  provides  that  in the  event  of  a
permitted reduction in the Required Subordinated Amount for a Certificate Group,
a  portion of  the amount  that would otherwise  be distributed  as principal to
Holders of the Offered Certificates of such Certificate Group on such date shall
instead be  distributed to  the Holders  of the  Residual Certificates  (to  the
extent  not  applied  to  the  other  Certificate  Group).  This  application of
principal has  the  effect of  decelerating  the amortization  of  such  Offered
Certificates  relative to the  amortization of the  related Mortgage Loan Group,
and of reducing the Subordinated Amount for the related Certificate Group.
 
     The Pooling  and Servicing  Agreement provides  that, on  any  Distribution
Date,  all unscheduled collections on account of  principal in respect of a Loan
Group (other than  any such amounts  applied to the  payment of a  Subordination
Reduction  Amount for the related Certificate Group) during the period beginning
on the opening of business on the 16th  day of the month preceding the month  in
which  the related Distribution Date occurs and  ending on the close of business
on the fifteenth day of  the month in which  such Distribution Date occurs  (the
'Prepayment  Period')  are  to be  distributed  to  the Holders  of  the Offered
Certificates of the related Certificate Group on such Distribution Date. If  any
Mortgage Loan in such Loan Group became a Liquidated Loan during such Prepayment
Period,  a Realized Loss could result.  The Pooling and Servicing Agreement does
not contain any provision that  requires the amount of  any Realized Loss to  be
distributed   to  the  Holders  of  the  Offered  Certificates  of  the  related
Certificate Group on the  Distribution Date immediately  following the event  of
loss;  i.e., the  Pooling and Servicing  Agreement does not  require the current
recovery of losses. However, the occurrence of a Realized Loss with respect to a
Loan Group  would reduce  the Subordinated  Amount for  the related  Certificate
Group,  which, to the extent that  such reduction caused the Subordinated Amount
for such Certificate Group to be less than the Required Subordinated Amount  for
such  Certificate Group and such Distribution Date, would require the payment of
a Subordination Increase Amount for such Certificate Group on such  Distribution
Date  (or, in  the event  of insufficient Available  Funds for  the related Loan
Group on such Distribution  Date, on subsequent  Distribution Dates, until  such
Subordinated Amount equaled the Required Subordinated Amount). The effect of the
foregoing   is   to   allocate   losses  to   the   Holders   of   the  Residual
 
                                      S-34
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
Certificates by  reducing,  or eliminating  entirely,  payments of  Net  Monthly
Excess  Cashflow and of Subordination Reduction  Amounts that such Holders would
otherwise receive. Investors  in the Offered  Certificates should realize  that,
under  extreme loss  or delinquency scenarios,  they may  temporarily receive no
distributions of principal.
 
     Overcollateralization and the Certificate Insurance Policy. The Pooling and
Servicing Agreement requires the Trustee to make a claim for an Insured  Payment
for  a Certificate Group  under the Certificate Insurance  Policy not later than
the second Business Day prior to any  Distribution Date as to which the  Trustee
has  determined that  an Available Funds  Shortfall with respect  to the related
Loan Group is likely to occur, for the purpose of applying the proceeds of  such
Insured Payment as a payment of Insured Distribution Amount for such Certificate
Group on such Distribution Date.
 
CROSSCOLLATERALIZATION
 
     In  addition to the use of Net Monthly  Excess Cashflow for a Loan Group to
pay interest and principal on the related Certificate Group, Net Monthly  Excess
Cashflow for a Loan Group will be available to pay interest and principal on the
other  Certificate  Group  to the  extent  described  under '  --  Allocation of
Available Funds'  above. Furthermore,  in addition  to the  use of  Net  Monthly
Excess  Cashflow  with  respect  to a  Loan  Group  to  distribute Subordination
Increase Amounts on the related  Certificate Group, Net Monthly Excess  Cashflow
will  be available  to distribute  Subordination Increase  Amounts on  the other
Certificate Group.
 
DEFINITIONS
 
     The 'Accrual Period'  for a Distribution  Date is  (a) in the  case of  the
Class  A-1 Certificates and the Class A-2 Certificates, the period commencing on
the Distribution Date occurring in the month immediately preceding the month  in
which  such Distribution  Date occurs  (or, in the  case of  the initial Accrual
Period, commencing  on the  Closing  Date) and  ending  on the  day  immediately
preceding  such  Distribution  Date,  and  (b) in  the  case  of  the  Class A-3
Certificates, the Class  A-4 Certificates  and the Class  A-5 Certificates,  the
calendar month preceding the month of such Distribution Date.
 
     The  'Available Funds  Shortfall' with  respect to a  Loan Group  as of any
Distribution Date is an  amount equal to the  excess of (i) the  sum of (a)  the
Interest  Distribution  Amount  for  the  related  Certificate  Group  for  such
Distribution Date and (b) the  Subordination Deficit for such Certificate  Group
over  (ii)  Available Funds  for such  Loan  Group (after  giving effect  to the
cross-collateralization provisions and  net of the  related Certificate  Group's
share  of the  Premium Amount)  for such  Distribution Date  (but not  less than
zero).
 
     The 'Carry-Forward Amount' for any Certificate Group as of any Distribution
Date equals  the sum  of  (i) the  amount,  if any,  by  which (a)  the  Insured
Distribution  Amount for  such Certificate  Group for  the immediately preceding
Distribution Date exceeded (b) the amount actually distributed to the Holders of
each class of Certificates in such  Certificate Group on such Distribution  Date
in  respect of such Insured  Distribution Amount (including, without limitation,
any related Insured Payments (as defined herein)) and (ii) 30 days' interest  on
the interest portion of the amount in clause (i) at (a) in the case of the Group
1  Certificates, the applicable Pass-Through Rate for such Distribution Date and
(b) in the  case of the  Group 2 Certificates,  at the weighted  average of  the
Pass-Through  Rates for the Class A-2  Certificates, the Class A-3 Certificates,
the Class A-4 Certificates and the Class A-5 Certificates.
 
     The 'Class A-1 Available Funds  Cap' as of any  Distribution Date is a  per
annum  rate equal  to a  fraction, expressed as  a percentage,  the numerator of
which is equal  to the  excess of (i)  the sum  of (a) the  aggregate amount  of
interest  due on  the Group  1 Mortgage Loans  on the  related Due  Date (to the
extent received or advanced) and (b) the Subordination Reduction Amount, if any,
for Certificate Group 1  and such Distribution  Date, over (ii)  the sum of  (a)
Loan  Group 1's  share of  the Servicing Fee,  (b) Loan  Group 1's  share of the
Premium Amount payable to the Certificate Insurer and (c) the Group 1  Available
Funds  Rate Adjustment for such Distribution  Date, and the denominator of which
is equal  to  (1) the  Class  Certificate Principal  Balance  of the  Class  A-1
Certificates  for such Distribution Date multiplied  by (2) the actual number of
days elapsed in the related Accrual Period divided by 360.
 
     The 'Class A-1 Basis Risk Carryover Amount' as of any Distribution Date  is
equal  to the sum of (A) if on  such Distribution Date the Pass-Through Rate for
the Class A-1 Certificates is based upon the Class A-1 Available Funds Cap,  the
excess  of (i) the amount of interest the Class A-1 Certificates would otherwise
be
 
                                      S-35
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
entitled to receive on such Distribution  Date had such rate been calculated  as
the  sum of One-Month LIBOR and the applicable Class A-1 Pass-Through Margin for
such Distribution Date, up to the Class  A-1 Weighted Maximum Rate Cap for  such
Distribution  Date over  (ii) the  amount of interest  payable on  the Class A-1
Certificates at the Class A-1 Available Funds Cap for such Distribution Date and
(B) the Class  A-1 Basis  Risk Carryover  Amount for  all previous  Distribution
Dates  not previously paid pursuant  to the ' --  Allocation of Available Funds'
above together with interest  thereon at a  rate equal to  the sum of  One-Month
LIBOR  and the  applicable Class A-1  Pass-Through Margin  for such Distribution
Date. The Certificate Insurance  Policy does not cover  the payment, nor do  the
ratings  assigned to  the Class A-1  Certificates address the  likelihood of the
payment, of any Class A-1 Basis Risk Carryover Amount.
 
     The 'Class A-1 Pass-Through Margin' will equal 0.20% (20 basis points)  per
annum  until the  first Accrual Period  after the Optional  Termination Date, at
which time the Class A-1 Pass-Through Margin will equal 0.40% (40 basis  points)
per annum.
 
     The  'Class A-1 Weighted Maximum  Rate Cap' as of  any Distribution Date is
equal to (i) the weighted average of  the Maximum Mortgage Rates on the Group  1
Mortgage Loans on such Distribution Date minus (ii) the sum of (a) the Servicing
Fee Rate and (b) the Premium Percentage.
 
     The  'Class A-2 Net Funds Cap' as of  any Distribution Date is equal to (i)
the weighted average of the Mortgage Rates on the Group 2 Mortgage Loans on such
Distribution Date minus  (ii) the  sum of  (a) the  Servicing Fee  Rate and  (b)
Premium Percentage.
 
     The  'Class A-2 Pass-Through Margin' will  equal 0.08% (8 basis points) per
annum.
 
     The  'Class  Certificate  Principal  Balance'  of  any  class  of   Offered
Certificates,  as  of  any  Distribution  Date,  will  be  equal  to  the  Class
Certificate Principal Balance thereof on  the Closing Date (the 'Original  Class
Certificate  Principal Balance') minus all distributions in respect of principal
allocated thereto on previous Distribution Dates.
 
     A 'Deficiency Amount' for a Certificate Group and Distribution Date is  the
Available Funds Shortfall for the related Loan Group for such Distribution Date.
 
     A  'Due  Period'  with  respect  to any  Distribution  Date  is  the period
beginning on the second day of  the calendar month preceding the calendar  month
in  which such Distribution Date occurs and ending  on the Due Date in the month
in which such Distribution Date occurs.
 
     'Excess Proceeds' with  respect to any  Liquidated Loan, is  the amount  by
which  Liquidation Proceeds  (as defined herein)  in respect  of such Liquidated
Loan exceeds the sum of (i) the Stated Principal Balance of such Liquidated Loan
as of the date  of such liquidation  and (ii) interest  at the related  Mortgage
Rate  from  the Due  Date as  to which  interest  was last  paid or  advanced to
Certificateholders up to  the Due Date  in the month  in which such  Liquidation
Proceeds  are required to be distributed on the Stated Principal Balance of such
Liquidated Loan outstanding during each Due Period as to which such interest was
not paid or advanced.
 
     The 'Excess Subordinated Amount' for  a Certificate Group and  Distribution
Date  is  the amount,  if any,  by which  (i) the  Subordinated Amount  for such
Certificate Group that would apply on  such Distribution Date after taking  into
account  all distributions to be made  on such Distribution Date (without giving
effect  to  any  reductions  in   such  Subordination  Amount  attributable   to
Subordination  Reduction Amounts for such Certificate Group on such Distribution
Date) exceeds (ii) the Required  Subordinated Amount for such Certificate  Group
and such Distribution Date.
 
     The  'Group 1 Available Funds Rate  Adjustment' as of any Distribution Date
(a) prior to the thirteenth Distribution Date will equal zero and (b)  beginning
on  the thirteenth  Distribution Date will  be equal  to the product  of (i) the
Group 1 Stated Principal Balance on such date and (ii) one-twelfth of 0.50%  (50
basis points).
 
     The  'Group Principal  Distribution Amount'  for any  Distribution Date and
Certificate Group equals the lesser of (a) the excess of (i) the sum, as of such
Distribution Date, of (A)  the Available Funds for  the related Loan Group  less
such  Certificate Group's share of the Premium Amount for such Distribution Date
and (B) any  Insured Payment relating  to such Certificate  Group over (ii)  the
related Interest Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date and (b) the sum,
without duplication, of (i) the portion of any related Carry-Forward Amount that
relates  to a shortfall in a distribution of a Subordination Deficit relating to
such Certificate  Group, (ii)  all scheduled  installments of  principal of  the
Mortgage  Loans due  during the  related Due  Period that  were received  by the
Master Servicer on or before the related  Determination Date or as to which  the
Master Servicer made an
 
                                      S-36
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
Advance  on  the  related  Master  Servicer  Advance  Date,  together  with  all
unscheduled recoveries of principal on the Mortgage Loans received by the Master
Servicer  during  the  related  Prepayment  Period  (excluding  certain  amounts
received  in respect of scheduled principal on  the Mortgage Loans due after the
related Due Date), in each case in respect of the related Loan Group, (iii)  the
Stated  Principal Balance of each  Mortgage Loan in the  related Loan Group that
either was purchased  or repurchased, as  the case  may be, by  the Seller,  the
Depositor  or the Master Servicer during the related Prepayment Period, (iv) any
Substitution Adjustment  Amounts  delivered by  the  Seller during  the  related
Prepayment  Period in connection with the  substitution of Mortgage Loans in the
related Loan  Group,  (v)  all  Liquidation Proceeds  collected  by  the  Master
Servicer  in respect  of the  related Loan  Group during  the related Prepayment
Period (to the extent such Liquidation Proceeds are related to principal),  (vi)
the  amount of  any Subordination  Deficit for  such Certificate  Group for such
Distribution Date, (vii) such Certificate Group's share of the proceeds received
by the Trustee of any termination of the Trust Fund (to the extent such proceeds
are related to principal)  and (viii) the amount  of any Subordination  Increase
Amount  for such Certificate Group for such  Distribution Date (to the extent of
any Net Excess  Monthly Cash Flow  available for such  purpose); minus (ix)  the
amount of any Subordination Reduction Amount for such Certificate Group for such
Distribution Date. In no event will the Group Principal Distribution Amount with
respect  to any  Certificate Group  and Distribution Date  be less  than zero or
greater than the then outstanding aggregate Class Certificate Principal  Balance
of the Certificates in such Certificate Group.
 
     The  'Insured Distribution Amount' for a Certificate Group and Distribution
Date is the  sum of  (i) on each  Distribution Date,  the Interest  Distribution
Amount  for such Certificate Group (ii) on each Distribution Date, the amount of
the Subordination Deficit  for such  Certificate Group,  if any,  and (iii)  any
Preference Amounts, in each case with respect to such Distribution Date.
 
     The   'Interest  Distribution   Amount'  for  any   Distribution  Date  and
Certificate Group equals the sum of (i) interest accrued for the related Accrual
Period on the Class Certificate Principal Balance of each class of  Certificates
in such Certificate Group at the applicable Pass-Through Rate, as reduced by the
sum of (a) Prepayment Interest Shortfalls in the related Loan Group, if any, for
such  Distribution Date to the extent not  covered by one-half of the applicable
portion of the Servicing Fee as described above under 'Servicing of the Mortgage
Loans -- Adjustment to Servicing Fee in Connection with Certain Prepaid Mortgage
Loans' and (b) shortfalls resulting from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief
Act of 1940 ('Relief Act  Shortfalls') in the related  Loan Group and (ii)  that
portion  of  the Carry-Forward  Amount  relating to  a  shortfall (other  than a
Prepayment Interest Shortfall or Relief Act  Shortfall) in a distribution of  an
Interest  Distribution Amount in respect of such Certificate Group. The Interest
Distribution Amount is calculated on the basis  of (a) in the case of the  Class
A-1  Certificates and the Class A-2 Certificates,  a 360-day year and the actual
number of days elapsed during the related Accrual Period and (b) in the case  of
the  Class  A-3  Certificates, the  Class  A-4  Certificates and  the  Class A-5
Certificates, a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
 
     The 'Loan Group Stated Principal Balance' of a Loan Group as of any date is
the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans in such Loan  Group
as of such date.
 
     The  'Net Monthly Excess Cashflow' for any Loan Group and Distribution Date
equals the amount, if any, by which (i) the Available Funds for such Loan  Group
and Distribution Date (less the related Certificate Group's share of the Premium
Amount  for such Distribution  Date) exceeds (ii)  the sum of  (a) the aggregate
Interest Distribution Amount  for such Certificate  Group and Distribution  Date
plus  the amount described  in clause (b)  of the definition  of Group Principal
Distribution Amount  for such  Certificate Group  (calculated for  this  purpose
without  regard to any Subordination Increase  Amount for such Certificate Group
or portion thereof included therein)  and (b) any Reimbursement Amount  relating
to such Certificate Group owed to the Certificate Insurer.
 
     The   'Pass-Through  Rate'  as  to  the  Class  A-1  Certificates  for  any
Distribution Date shall be the per annum rate equal to the lesser of (i) the sum
of (a)  One-Month LIBOR  (as defined  in '  -- Calculation  of One-Month  LIBOR'
below)  and (b) the applicable Class A-1  Pass-Through Margin and (ii) the Class
A-1 Available Funds Cap  for such Distribution Date.  The Pass-Through Rate  for
the  Class A-2 Certificates and a particular  Distribution Date will be equal to
the lesser of (i)  the sum of (a)  One-Month LIBOR and (b)  the Class A-2  Pass-
Through  Margin and (ii) the Class A-2  Net Funds Cap. The Pass-Through Rate for
the Class  A-3  Certificates, the  Class  A-4  Certificates and  the  Class  A-5
Certificates  for any Distribution Date  will be as set  forth on the cover page
hereof.
 
     The 'Premium Amount' allocable  to a Certificate Group  and payable to  the
Certificate  Insurer  on  any  Distribution  Date  (commencing  with  the second
Distribution   Date)   equals   one-twelfth   of   the   product   of   a    per
 
                                      S-37
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
annum  rate (the 'Premium Percentage') set  forth in the Insurance Agreement and
the aggregate  Class  Certificate  Principal  Balance  of  the  related  Offered
Certificates  for  such  Distribution  Date;  provided,  however,  that  for any
Distribution Date on  which a Certificate  Insurer Default has  occurred and  is
continuing, the Premium Amount will be equal to zero.
 
     A  'Principal  Prepayment' with  respect to  any  Distribution Date  is any
mortgagor payment or other recovery of  principal on a Mortgage Loan  (including
all proceeds allocable to principal of any Mortgage Loan or property acquired in
respect  thereof that  has been  repurchased by the  Seller or  purchased by the
Master Servicer) that is received  in advance of its  scheduled Due Date and  is
not  accompanied by an amount representing scheduled interest due on any date or
dates in any month or months subsequent to the month of prepayment.
 
     The 'Pool Stated Principal Balance' as of any date is the aggregate  Stated
Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans in all Loan Groups as of such date.
 
     A  'Realized Loss' (i) with respect to  any defaulted Mortgage Loan that is
finally liquidated (a 'Liquidated Loan') is the amount of loss realized equal to
the portion of the Stated  Principal Balance remaining unpaid after  application
of all amounts recovered (net of amounts reimbursable to the Master Servicer for
related  Advances, expenses and  Servicing Fees) towards  interest and principal
owing on such Liquidated  Loan and (ii) with  respect to certain Mortgage  Loans
the  principal balances or  the scheduled payments of  principal and interest of
which have been reduced in connection with bankruptcy proceedings, the amount of
such reduction.
 
     The 'Reimbursement Amount' for a  Certificate Group as of any  Distribution
Date  is the amount of  all Insured Payments relating  to such Certificate Group
made by the Certificate Insurer pursuant to the Certificate Insurance Policy and
certain other  amounts  owed  in  respect  of  such  Certificate  Group  to  the
Certificate  Insurer pursuant to the Insurance Agreement (together with interest
thereon at the Late  Payment Rate (as defined  in the Insurance Agreement)  that
have not been previously repaid as of such Distribution Date.
 
     The  'Required  Subordinated  Amount' for  a  Certificate Group  as  of any
Distribution Date will  initially equal a  percentage, calculable in  accordance
with the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and the Insurance Agreement dated as of
February  1, 1997 (the 'Insurance Agreement') among the Certificate Insurer, the
Depositor, Countrywide Home  Loans, Inc. and  the Trustee, of  the Cut-off  Date
Principal  Balance of the Mortgage Loans in  the related Loan Group. The Pooling
and Servicing  Agreement  and Insurance  Agreement  generally provide  that  the
Required Subordinated Amount for a Certificate Group may, over time, decrease or
increase, subject to certain floors, caps and triggers.
 
     The 'Stated Principal Balance' of any Mortgage Loan or related REO Property
equals  (i) as of the Cut-off Date and  each day thereafter to and including the
first Distribution Date, the Cut-off Date Principal Balance thereof, and (ii) as
of any Distribution Date  after the first Distribution  Date, such Cut-off  Date
Principal  Balance minus the sum  of (a) the principal  portion of the Scheduled
Payments due with respect to such Mortgage Loan or REO Property during each  Due
Period  ending prior to  the immediately preceding  Distribution Date which were
received by the Master Servicer as of the close of business on the Determination
Date related  to such  preceding  Distribution Date  or  with respect  to  which
Advances  were made on the Master Servicer  Advance Date prior to such preceding
Distribution Date, (b) all Principal  Prepayments with respect to such  Mortgage
Loan  or REO Property, and all Liquidation Proceeds to the extent applied by the
Master Servicer as recoveries of principal with respect to such Mortgage Loan or
REO Property, which  were received by  the Master  Servicer as of  the close  of
business  on the Determination Date related to such preceding Distribution Date,
and (c) any Realized  Loss with respect  thereto applied prior  to the close  of
business on the Determination Date relating to such preceding Distribution Date;
provided,  however, that the Stated Principal  Balance of any Mortgage Loan that
becomes a Liquidated Loan  will be zero  immediately following the  Distribution
Date  that follows the Prepayment  Period in which such  Mortgage Loan becomes a
Liquidated Loan.
 
     The 'Subordinated  Amount' for  a  Certificate Group  with respect  to  any
Distribution  Date is the amount (not less than  zero), if any, by which (i) the
related  Loan  Group  Stated   Principal  Balance  immediately  following   such
Distribution Date exceeds (ii) the aggregate Class Certificate Principal Balance
of  the related Certificates as of such Distribution Date after giving effect to
the payment  of the  Group Principal  Distribution Amount  for such  Certificate
Group on such Distribution Date.
 
     A 'Subordination Deficiency Amount' for a Certificate Group with respect to
any  Distribution Date is the amount, if any, by which the Required Subordinated
Amount   for    such    Certificate    Group    as    of    such    Distribution
 
                                      S-38
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
Date  exceeds  the Subordinated  Amount for  such Certificate  Group as  of such
Distribution Date  before  taking  into  account  the  payment  of  any  related
Subordination Increase Amounts on such Distribution Date.
 
     A  'Subordination  Deficit' for  a Certificate  Group  with respect  to any
Distribution Date  is the  amount, if  any,  by which  (i) the  aggregate  Class
Certificate   Principal  Balance  of   the  related  Certificates   as  of  such
Distribution Date, after  giving effect to  the payment of  the Group  Principal
Distribution Amount for such Certificate Group on such Distribution Date (except
for  any  payment to  be made  as  to principal  constituting a  related Insured
Payment),  exceeds  (ii)  the  related  Loan  Group  Stated  Principal   Balance
immediately following such Distribution Date.
 
     A  'Subordination Increase Amount' for a  Certificate Group with respect to
any Distribution Date is the lesser  of (a) the Subordination Deficiency  Amount
for  such  Certificate Group  as of  such Distribution  Date (after  taking into
account the payment of the related  Group Principal Distribution Amount on  such
Distribution  Date  (other  than  any  Subordination  Increase  Amount  for such
Certificate Group)) and (b)  the amount of Net  Monthly Excess Cashflow for  the
related Loan Group on such Distribution Date.
 
     The  'Subordination Reduction Amount' for  a Certificate Group with respect
to any Distribution Date equals the lesser of (i) the Excess Subordinated Amount
for such Certificate Group for such Distribution Date and (ii) the sum,  without
duplication,  of the amounts specified in  clauses (b)(ii) through (v) and (vii)
of the definition of 'Group Principal Distribution Amount' above.
 
     The 'Substitution Adjustment Amount' as of the date of substitution by  the
Seller  of one or more Replacement Mortgage Loans for one or more Mortgage Loans
that are removed  from a  Loan Group  equals the amount  (if any)  by which  the
aggregate  principal balance of such Replacement Mortgage Loans is less than the
aggregate Stated Principal Balance (after application of the scheduled principal
portion of the monthly payments  due in the month  of substitution) of all  such
removed Mortgage Loans.
 
CALCULATION OF ONE-MONTH LIBOR
 
     On  the  second  LIBOR  Business  Day  (as  defined  below)  preceding  the
commencement of each  Accrual Period  for the Variable  Rate Certificates  (each
such  date, an  'Interest Determination Date'),  the Trustee  will determine the
London interbank  offered  rate  for one-month  United  States  dollar  deposits
('One-Month  LIBOR') for such Accrual Period  for the Variable Rate Certificates
on the basis of the  offered rates of the  Reference Banks for one-month  United
States dollar deposits, as such rates appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page, as
of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Interest Determination Date. As used in this
section, 'LIBOR Business Day' means a day on which banks are open for dealing in
foreign  currency and exchange in London and New York City; 'Reuters Screen LIBO
Page' means the display designated as  page 'LIBO' on the Reuters Monitor  Money
Rates  Service (or such other page as may  replace the LIBO page on that service
for the purpose of  displaying London interbank offered  rates of major  banks);
and 'Reference Banks' means leading banks selected by the Trustee and engaged in
transactions in Eurodollar deposits in the international Eurocurrency market (i)
with an established place of business in London, (ii) whose quotations appear on
the  Reuters Screen  LIBO Page on  the Interest Determination  Date in question,
(iii)  which  have  been  designated  as  such  by  the  Trustee  and  (iv)  not
controlling,  controlled  by,  or  under  common  control  with,  the Depositor,
Countrywide or any successor Master Servicer.
 
     On each  Interest  Determination  Date, One-Month  LIBOR  for  the  related
Accrual  Period for  the Variable Rate  Certificates will be  established by the
Trustee as follows:
 
          (a) If on such Interest Determination Date two or more Reference Banks
     provide such offered  quotations, One-Month LIBOR  for the related  Accrual
     Period  shall be  the arithmetic mean  of such  offered quotations (rounded
     upwards if necessary to the nearest whole multiple of 0.03125%).
 
          (b) If on such  Interest Determination Date  fewer than two  Reference
     Banks  provide  such offered  quotations, One-Month  LIBOR for  the related
     Accrual Period shall be the higher of (x) One-Month LIBOR as determined  on
     the previous Interest Determination Date and (y) the Reserve Interest Rate.
     The  'Reserve Interest Rate' shall  be the rate per  annum that the Trustee
     determines to  be  either  (i)  the arithmetic  mean  (rounded  upwards  if
     necessary  to  the nearest  whole multiple  of  0.03125%) of  the one-month
     United States dollar lending  rates which New York  City banks selected  by
     the  Trustee are quoting on the relevant Interest Determination Date to the
     principal London offices of  leading banks in  the London interbank  market
     or,  in the event that  the Trustee can determine  no such arithmetic mean,
     (ii) the lowest one-month United States
 
                                      S-39
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     dollar lending rate which New York  City banks selected by the Trustee  are
     quoting on such Interest Determination Date to leading European banks.
 
     The establishment of One-Month LIBOR on each Interest Determination Date by
the Trustee and the Trustee's calculation of the rates of interest applicable to
the  Variable Rate  Certificates for  the related  Accrual Period  shall (in the
absence of manifest error) be final and binding.
 
REPORTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
 
     On  each   Distribution   Date,   the  Trustee   will   forward   to   each
Certificateholder,  the  Master  Servicer,  the  Depositor  and  the Certificate
Insurer a statement generally setting forth, among other information:
 
          (i) the amount of the related distribution to Holders of each Class of
     Offered Certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying (A) the
     aggregate amount of any Principal Prepayments included therein, and (B) the
     aggregate of all scheduled payments of principal included therein;
 
          (ii) the  amount of  such distribution  to Holders  of each  Class  of
     Offered Certificates allocable to interest;
 
          (iii)  the  amount  of any  Insured  Payment for  a  Certificate Group
     included  in   the   amounts  distributed   to   each  Class   of   Offered
     Certificateholders on such Distribution Date;
 
          (iv) the Carry-Forward Amount for each Certificate Group;
 
          (v)  the Class Certificate Principal Balance  of each Class of Offered
     Certificates after giving effect to  the distribution of principal on  such
     Distribution Date;
 
          (vi)  the  Pool Stated  Principal Balance  and  the Loan  Group Stated
     Principal Balance for each Loan Group for the following Distribution Date;
 
          (vii) the Required Subordinated Amount for each Certificate Group  and
     the  Subordinated Amount for each Certificate Group as of such Distribution
     Date;
 
          (viii) the related  amount of the  Servicing Fee for  each Loan  Group
     paid to or retained by the Master Servicer;
 
          (ix)  the Pass-Through  Rate for  the Class  A-1 Certificates  and the
     Class A-2 Certificates for such Distribution Date;
 
          (x) the  amount  of Advances  for  each  Loan Group  included  in  the
     distribution to the related Certificate Group on such Distribution Date;
 
          (xi)  the number and aggregate principal  amounts of Mortgage Loans in
     each Loan Group (A) delinquent (exclusive of Mortgage Loans in foreclosure)
     (1) 30 days, (2) 31 to 60 days, (3) 61 to 90 days and (4) 91 or more  days,
     and  (B) in foreclosure and delinquent (1) 30  days, (2) 31 to 60 days, (3)
     61 to 90 days  and (4) 91  or more days, in  each case as  of the close  of
     business  on the last day of the calendar month preceding such Distribution
     Date;
 
          (xii) with respect to  any Mortgage Loan that  became an REO  Property
     during  the  preceding calendar  month, the  loan number,  Stated Principal
     Balance and Loan Group of such Mortgage Loan as of the close of business on
     the Determination Date  preceding such  Distribution Date and  the date  of
     acquisition thereof;
 
          (xiii) the total number and principal balance of any REO Properties in
     each  Loan Group  as of  the close  of business  on the  Determination Date
     preceding such Distribution Date;
 
          (xiv) the aggregate Stated Principal  Balance of all Liquidated  Loans
     in  each  Loan Group  and  the aggregate  of  all Realized  Losses relating
     thereto;
 
          (xv) with respect to any Liquidated Loan, the loan number, Loan  Group
     Stated Principal Balance and Realized Losses relating thereto; and
 
          (xvi)  the  amount of  any  Subordination Deficiency  Amount  for each
     Certificate Group after giving effect  to the distribution of principal  on
     such Distribution Date.
 
     In  addition, within  a reasonable  period of  time after  the end  of each
calendar year, the Trustee will prepare and deliver to each Certificateholder of
record   during   the   previous   calendar   year   a   statement    containing
 
                                      S-40
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
information necessary to enable Certificateholders to prepare their tax returns.
Such  statements will not have been examined and reported upon by an independent
public accountant.
 
AMENDMENT
 
     The Pooling and Servicing  Agreement may be amended  by the Depositor,  the
Master   Servicer,  the  Seller   and  the  Trustee,   without  the  consent  of
Certificateholders but only with the consent of the Certificate Insurer, for any
of the purposes set forth under 'The Agreements -- Amendment' in the Prospectus.
In addition,  the  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  may  be  amended  by  the
Depositor,  the Master Servicer, the Seller and  the Trustee with the consent of
the Certificate Insurer and the Holders of a Majority in Interest of each  Class
of  Certificates affected thereby for the purpose of adding any provisions to or
changing in any manner or eliminating any  of the provisions of the Pooling  and
Servicing   Agreement  or  of  modifying  in   any  manner  the  rights  of  the
Certificateholders; provided, however, that no such amendment may (i) reduce  in
any  manner  the amount  of, or  delay the  timing of,  payments required  to be
distributed on  any  Certificate without  the  consent  of the  Holder  of  such
Certificate;  (ii) adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the
Holders of any  Class of Certificates  in a  manner other than  as described  in
clause  (i) above, without  the consent of  the Holders of  Certificates of such
Class evidencing, as  to such  Class, Percentage Interests  aggregating 66%;  or
(iii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of aggregate outstanding principal amounts
of  Certificates of each Class, the Holders  of which are required to consent to
any such amendment, without  the consent of the  Holders of all Certificates  of
such Class.
 
OPTIONAL TERMINATION
 
     The  Master  Servicer  will  have the  right  to  repurchase  all remaining
Mortgage Loans and  REO Properties in  the Trust Fund  and thereby effect  early
retirement of all the Certificates, subject to the Pool Stated Principal Balance
of  the Mortgage Loans and  REO Properties at the  time of repurchase being less
than or  equal to  10% of  Cut-off Date  Pool Principal  Balance (the  'Optional
Termination  Date'). Any such purchase of Mortgage Loans requires the consent of
the Certificate  Insurer  if  it would  result  in  a draw  on  the  Certificate
Insurance  Policy. In the event that the  Master Servicer does not exercise this
option and the Certificate Insurer did not refuse consenting to such option, the
Certificate Insurer will  have the option  to purchase, in  whole, the  Mortgage
Loans  and  REO Properties,  if any,  remaining in  the Trust  Fund on  any such
Distribution Date. In the event such option is exercised by the Master  Servicer
or  the Certificate Insurer, the repurchase will be made at a price equal to the
sum of (i) 100%  of the Stated  Principal Balance of  each Mortgage Loan  (other
than in respect of REO Property) plus accrued interest thereon at the applicable
Mortgage  Rate (or, if such  option is exercised by  the Master Servicer, at the
applicable Net Mortgage Rate), (ii) the appraised value of any REO Property  (up
to  the  Stated  Principal Balance  of  the  related Mortgage  Loan),  (iii) any
unreimbursed out-of-pocket  costs  and expenses  and  the principal  portion  of
Advances,  in  each  case previously  incurred  by  the Master  Servicer  in the
performance of  its servicing  obligations  and (iv)  all  amounts owed  to  the
Certificate Insurer. Proceeds from such repurchase will be included in Available
Funds  and will be distributed to  the Certificateholders. Any repurchase of the
Mortgage Loans and  REO Properties  will result in  an early  retirement of  the
Certificates.
 
OPTIONAL PURCHASE OF DEFAULTED LOANS
 
     As  to any Mortgage Loan which is delinquent in payment by 91 days or more,
the Master Servicer  may, at its  option, purchase such  Mortgage Loan from  the
Trust Fund at a price equal to 100% of the Stated Principal Balance thereof plus
accrued  interest  thereon at  the applicable  Net Mortgage  Rate from  the date
through which interest was last paid by the related mortgagor or advanced to the
first day of the month in which such amount is to be distributed.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; MASTER SERVICER TERMINATION TRIGGER EVENT
 
     Events of Default will consist of:  (i) any failure by the Master  Servicer
to  deposit in the Certificate Account  or the Distribution Account the required
amounts or remit to the Trustee any payment (including an Advance required to be
made under the  terms of the  Pooling and Servicing  Agreement) which  continues
unremedied  for five  Business Days after  written notice of  such failure shall
have been given to the Master  Servicer by the Trustee, the Certificate  Insurer
or  the Depositor, or to  the Master Servicer and the  Trustee by the Holders of
 
                                      S-41
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
Certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the Voting Rights evidenced by  the
Certificates;  (ii) any failure by the Master  Servicer to observe or perform in
any material respect any other of its covenants or agreements, or any breach  of
a  representation or warranty  made by the  Master Servicer, in  the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement, which continues unremedied for 60 days after the giving  of
written  notice  of such  failure to  the  Master Servicer  by the  Trustee, the
Certificate Insurer or the Depositor, or to the Master Servicer and the  Trustee
by the Holders of Certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the Voting Rights
evidenced  by  the  Certificates;  or (iii)  insolvency,  readjustment  of debt,
marshalling of  assets  and  liabilities or  similar  proceedings,  and  certain
actions  by or  on behalf  of the Master  Servicer indicating  its insolvency or
inability to pay its obligations. A 'Master Servicer Termination Trigger  Event'
will  occur if certain loss  or delinquency levels are  exceeded with respect to
the Mortgage Loans, as described in the  Insurance Agreement. As of any date  of
determination,  (i)  Holders of  the Offered  Certificates  will be  allocated a
percentage of  all  of  the Voting  Rights  equal  to 100%  minus  the  fraction
(expressed  as  a  percentage)  whose  numerator  is  the  sum  of  the Required
Subordinated  Amounts  for  each  Certificate  Group  on  such  date  and  whose
denominator  is the Pool Stated Principal Balance  on such date and (ii) Holders
of the  Residual Certificates  will in  the aggregate  be allocated  all of  the
remaining  Voting Rights. Voting Rights will be allocated among the Certificates
of each such class in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.
 
RIGHTS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT OR MASTER SERVICER TERMINATION TRIGGER EVENT
 
     So long as an  Event of Default under  the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement
remains unremedied, the Trustee shall, but only upon the receipt of instructions
from the Certificate Insurer or the Holders of Certificates having not less than
25%  of the Voting Rights evidenced by  the Certificates (with the prior written
consent of the Certificate Insurer), terminate all of the rights and obligations
of the Master Servicer under the Pooling  and Servicing Agreement and in and  to
the   Mortgage  Loans,  whereupon  the  Trustee  will  succeed  to  all  of  the
responsibilities and  duties  of  the  Master Servicer  under  the  Pooling  and
Servicing  Agreement, including  the obligation  to make  Advances. If  a Master
Servicer Termination  Trigger Event  occurs, the  Trustee shall,  but only  upon
receipt  of written instructions from the  Certificate Insurer, terminate all of
the rights  and  obligations  of  the Master  Servicer  under  the  Pooling  and
Servicing  Agreement  and in  and  to the  Mortgage  Loans as  described  in the
preceding sentence. No assurance can be given that termination of the rights and
obligations of the  Master Servicer  under the Pooling  and Servicing  Agreement
would  not adversely affect  the servicing of the  Mortgage Loans, including the
delinquency experience of the Mortgage Loans.
 
     No Certificateholder,  solely  by  virtue  of such  Holder's  status  as  a
Certificateholder, will have any right under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement
to  institute any proceeding with respect thereto, unless such Holder previously
has given to  the Trustee  written notice  of the  continuation of  an Event  of
Default  and unless the Holders of Certificates  having not less than 25% of the
Voting Rights evidenced  by the Certificates  have made written  request to  the
Trustee  to institute such proceeding in its  own name as Trustee thereunder and
have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity, the Certificate Insurer  shall
have  consented thereto and the Trustee for  60 days has neglected or refused to
institute any such proceeding.
 
THE TRUSTEE
 
     The Bank of New York  will be the Trustee  under the Pooling and  Servicing
Agreement.   The   Depositor  and   Countrywide   may  maintain   other  banking
relationships in  the ordinary  course  of business  with the  Trustee.  Offered
Certificates  may be  surrendered at the  Corporate Trust Office  of the Trustee
located at  101 Barclay  Street, 12  E., New  York, New  York 10286,  Attention:
Corporate  Trust Window or at such other  addresses as the Trustee may designate
from time to time.
 
THE CERTIFICATE GUARANTY INSURANCE POLICY
 
     The following information and  the information under  ' -- The  Certificate
Insurer'   herein  have  been  supplied   by  MBIA  Insurance  Corporation  (the
'Certificate  Insurer')  for  inclusion   in  this  Prospectus  Supplement.   No
representation is made by the Underwriters, the Seller, the Master Servicer, the
Depositor  or any of their affiliates as to the accuracy or completeness of such
information. Terms defined  herein are exclusive  to this section  and ' --  The
Certificate Insurer' herein.
 
                                      S-42
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     The Certificate Insurer, in consideration of the payment of the premium and
subject   to   the  terms   of   the  Certificate   Insurance   Policy,  thereby
unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to any Owner that an amount equal  to
each  full and complete Insured Payment will  be received by the Trustee, or its
successor, on behalf  of the Owners  from the Insurer,  for distribution by  the
Trustee  to  each  Owner of  each  Owner's  proportionate share  of  the Insured
Payment. The Certificate Insurer's  obligations under the Certificate  Insurance
Policy  with respect to a particular Insured  Payment shall be discharged to the
extent funds  equal  to the  applicable  Insured  Payment are  received  by  the
Trustee,  whether or not such funds are properly applied by the Trustee. Insured
Payments shall be made only at the  time set forth in the Certificate  Insurance
Policy,  and no  accelerated Insured  Payments shall  be made  regardless of any
acceleration of the  Offered Certificates,  unless such acceleration  is at  the
sole option of the Certificate Insurer.
 
     Notwithstanding  the foregoing paragraph,  the Certificate Insurance Policy
does not cover shortfalls, if any,  attributable to the liability of the  Trust,
the  REMIC or the Trustee for withholding  taxes, if any (including interest and
penalties in respect of any such liability).
 
     The Certificate Insurer will pay any  Insured Payment that is a  Preference
Amount  on the Business  Day following receipt  on a Business  Day by the Fiscal
Agent (as described below) of  (i) a certified copy  of the order requiring  the
return  of a preference payment, (ii) an  opinion of counsel satisfactory to the
Certificate Insurer that such order is final and not subject to appeal, (iii) an
assignment in such form  as is reasonably required  by the Certificate  Insurer,
irrevocably  assigning to the  Certificate Insurer all rights  and claims of the
Owner relating to or arising under the related Offered Certificates against  the
debtor  which made  such preference  payment or  otherwise with  respect to such
preference payment and (iv) appropriate instruments to effect the appointment of
the Certificate Insurer as agent for such Owner in any legal proceeding  related
to such preference payment, such instruments being in a form satisfactory to the
Certificate  Insurer, provided that  if such documents  are received after 12:00
noon New York City time on such Business Day, they will be deemed to be received
on the following Business Day. Such payments shall be disbursed to the  receiver
or  trustee  in bankruptcy  named in  the  final order  of the  court exercising
jurisdiction on behalf of the  Owner and not to  any Owner directly unless  such
Owner   has  returned  principal  or  interest   paid  on  the  related  Offered
Certificates to  such receiver  or trustee  in bankruptcy,  in which  case  such
payment shall be disbursed to such Owner.
 
     The  Certificate  Insurer  will  pay any  other  amount  payable  under the
Certificate Insurance Policy no  later than 12:00 noon,  New York City time,  on
the  later of the Distribution  Date on which the  related Deficiency Amount (as
defined below) is due or the second Business Day following receipt in New  York,
New  York on  a Business Day  by State Street  Bank and Trust  Company, N.A., as
Fiscal Agent for the Certificate Insurer or any successor fiscal agent appointed
by the  Certificate Insurer  (the  'Fiscal Agent')  of  a Notice  (as  described
below); provided that if such Notice is received after 12:00 noon, New York City
time,  on such Business Day,  it will be deemed to  be received on the following
Business Day. If any such Notice received  by the Fiscal Agent is not in  proper
form  or is otherwise insufficient  for the purpose of  making a claim under the
Certificate Insurance Policy it shall be deemed not to have been received by the
Fiscal Agent for purposes of this paragraph, and the Certificate Insurer or  the
Fiscal  Agent, as the case may be, shall  promptly so advise the Trustee and the
Trustee may submit an amended Notice.
 
     Insured Payments due  under the  Policy, unless  otherwise stated  therein,
will  be disbursed by the Fiscal Agent to the Trustee on behalf of the Owners by
wire transfer  of immediately  available  funds in  the  amount of  the  Insured
Payment  less, in respect of Insured Payments related to Preference Amounts, any
amount held  by the  Trustee for  payment of  such Insured  Payment and  legally
available therefor.
 
     The  Fiscal Agent  is the  agent of  the Certificate  Insurer only  and the
Fiscal Agent shall in no  event be liable to Owners  for any acts of the  Fiscal
Agent  or any  failure of  the Certificate  Insurer to  deposit, or  cause to be
deposited, sufficient funds to make payments due under the Certificate Insurance
Policy.
 
     As used in the Certificate Insurance Policy, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
 
     'Agreement' means the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, dated as of February
27, 1997  among CWABS,  Inc., as  Depositor, Countrywide  Home Loans,  Inc.,  as
Master  Servicer and as  Seller, and The  Bank of New  York, as Trustee, without
regard  to  any  amendent  or  supplement  thereto,  unless  such  amendment  or
supplement has been approved in writing by the Certificate Insurer.
 
          'Business  Day' means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day
     on which the Certificate Insurer or  banking institutions in New York  City
     or   in   the  city   in   which  the   corporate   trust  office   of  the
 
                                      S-43
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     Trustee under  the  Pooling  and Servicing  Agreement  or  the  Certificate
     Insurer is located are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to
     close.
 
          'Deficiency  Amount' means, with respect to  a Certificate Group as of
     any Distribution Date, the Available  Funds Shortfall for the related  Loan
     Group.
 
          'Insured   Payment'  means  (i)  as  of  any  Distribution  Date,  any
     Deficiency Amount and (ii) any Preference Amount.
 
          'Notice'  means  the  telephonic   or  telegraphic  notice,   promptly
     confirmed  in writing  by telecopy substantially  in the form  of Exhibit A
     attached to  the Certificate  Insurance Policy,  the original  of which  is
     subsequently  delivered by registered  or certified mail,  from the Trustee
     specifying the  Insured  Payment  which  shall be  due  and  owing  on  the
     applicable Distribution Date.
 
          'Owner'  means each  Holder (as defined  in the  Pooling and Servicing
     Agreement) of any Offered Certificate  who, on the applicable  Distribution
     Date,  is entitled under  the terms of the  Offered Certificates to payment
     thereunder.
 
          'Preference Amount'  means any  amount  previously distributed  to  an
     Owner on the related Offered Certificates that is recoverable and sought to
     be  recovered as a voidable preference  by a trustee in bankruptcy pursuant
     to the United States Bankruptcy Code  (11 U.S.C.), as amended from time  to
     time  in  accordance with  a final  nonappealable order  of a  court having
     competent jurisdiction.
 
     Capitalized  terms  used  in  the  Certificate  Insurance  Policy  and  not
otherwise  defined in the Certificate Insurance Policy shall have the respective
meanings set  forth  in  the Agreement  as  of  the date  of  execution  of  the
Certificate  Insurance Policy, without giving effect to any subsequent amendment
or modification to the Agreement unless such amendment or modification has  been
approved in writing by the Certificate Insurer.
 
     Any  notice under the Certificate Insurance Policy or service of process on
the Fiscal Agent may be made at the address listed below for the Fiscal Agent or
such other address as  the Certificate Insurer shall  specify in writing to  the
Trustee.
 
     The  notice address  of the  Fiscal Agent is  61 Broadway,  15th Floor, New
York, New York, 10006, Attention: Municipal Registrar and Paying Agency, or such
other address as the Fiscal Agent shall specify in writing to the Trustee.
 
     The Certificate Insurance Policy is being issued under and pursuant to  and
shall  be construed  under, the laws  of the  State of New  York, without giving
effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
 
     The insurance provided by the  Certificate Insurance Policy is not  covered
by  the Property/Casualty Insurance Security Fund specified in Article 76 of the
New York Insurance Law.
 
     The Certificate  Insurance Policy  is not  cancelable for  any reason.  The
premium  on the  Certificate Insurance Policy  is not refundable  for any reason
including payment, or provision being made for payment, prior to maturity of the
Offered Certificates.
 
THE CERTIFICATE INSURER
 
     The Certificate Insurer is the principal operating subsidiary of MBIA Inc.,
a New York Stock Exchange listed company. MBIA Inc. is not obligated to pay  the
debts  of or claims against the  Certificate Insurer. The Certificate Insurer is
domiciled in the State of New York and licensed to do business in and is subject
to regulations under the laws  of all 50 states,  the District of Columbia,  the
Commonwealth  of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth  of the Northern Mariana Islands,
the Virgin  Islands  of  the  United  States and  the  Territory  of  Guam.  The
Certificate Insurer has two European branches, one in the Republic of France and
the other in the Kingdom of Spain. New York has laws prescribing minimum capital
requirements,  limited classes  and concentrations of  investments and requiring
the approval of policy rates and forms.  State laws also regulate the amount  of
both  the aggregate  and individual  risks that may  be insured,  the payment of
dividends by the Certificate Insurer, changes in control and transactions  among
affiliates.  Additionally,  the  Certificate  Insurer  is  required  to maintain
contingency reserves  on its  liabilities  in certain  amounts and  for  certain
periods of time.
 
     The  consolidated financial statements of the Certificate Insurer, a wholly
owned subsidiary of MBIA Inc., and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995  and
December  31, 1994 and for the three  years ended December 31, 1995, prepared in
accordance with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  included  in  the
 
                                      S-44
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
Annual Report on Form 10-K of MBIA Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1995 and
the  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Certificate  Insurer  and its
subsidiaries for the nine  months ended September 30,  1996 and for the  periods
ending  September  30, 1996  and September  30, 1995  included in  the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q of MBIA Inc.  for the period ending September 30, 1996,  are
hereby  incorporated by reference  into this Prospectus  Supplement and shall be
deemed to be a part hereof.  Any statement contained in a document  incorporated
by  reference  herein  shall be  modified  or  superseded for  purposes  of this
Prospectus Supplement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in  any
other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated by reference herein
modifies  or supersedes such statement. Any  statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so  modified or superseded, to constitute a  part
of this Prospectus Supplement.
 
     All  financial statements of  the Certificate Insurer  and its subsidiaries
included in documents filed by MBIA Inc. pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subsequent to the date
of this Prospectus Supplement  and prior to the  termination of the offering  of
the  Offered Certificates shall  be deemed to be  incorporated by reference into
this Prospectus Supplement and to be a part hereof from the respective dates  of
filing such documents.
 
     The  tables below present selected financial information of the Certificate
Insurer determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices  prescribed
or  permitted by insurance regulatory authorities ('SAP') and generally accepted
accounting principles ('GAAP').
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                     SAP
                                                                   ---------------------------------------
                                                                   DECEMBER 31, 1995    SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                                   -----------------    ------------------
                                                                       (AUDITED)               (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                (IN MILLIONS)    
 <S>                                                                <C>                  <C>
Admitted Assets.................................................        $ 3,814               $4,348
Liabilities.....................................................          2,540                2,911
Capital and Surplus.............................................          1,274                1,437
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     GAAP
                                                                   ---------------------------------------
                                                                   DECEMBER 31, 1995    SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                                   -----------------    ------------------
                                                                       (AUDITED)               (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                (IN MILLIONS)    
<S>                                                                <C>                  <C>
Assets..........................................................        $ 4,463               $4,861
Liabilities.....................................................          1,937                2,161
Shareholder's Equity............................................          2,526                2,700
</TABLE>
 
     Copies of the financial statements of the Certificate Insurer  incorporated
by  reference  herein  and copies  of  the Certificate  Insurer's  1995 year-end
audited financial statements  prepared in accordance  with statutory  accounting
practices  are  available, without  charge,  from the  Certificate  Insurer. The
address of the Certificate Insurer is  113 King Street, Armonk, New York  10504.
The telephone number of the Certificate Insurer is (914) 273-4545.
 
     The Certificate Insurer does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy
or  completeness of this Prospectus Supplement  or any information or disclosure
contained herein, or omitted herefrom, other  than with respect to the  accuracy
of   the  information  regarding  the   Certificate  Insurance  Policy  and  the
Certificate  Insurer  set   forth  under   the  heading   'Description  of   the
Certificates -- The Certificate Guaranty Insurance Policy' herein. Additionally,
the   Certificate  Insurer   makes  no  representation   regarding  the  Offered
Certificates or the advisability of investing in the Offered Certificates.
 
     Moody's Investors  Service, Inc.  rates the  claims paying  ability of  the
Insurer 'Aaa.'
 
     Standard   &  Poor's  Ratings  Services,  a  division  of  The  McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc.,  rates the  claims paying  ability of  the Certificate  Insurer
'AAA.'
 
     Fitch  Investors  Service,  L.P. rates  the  claims paying  ability  of the
Certificate Insurer 'AAA.'
 
     Each rating of the Certificate  Insurer should be evaluated  independently.
The  ratings reflect  the respective rating  agency's current  assessment of the
creditworthiness of the Certificate Insurer and its ability to pay claims on its
policies of insurance.  Any further explanation  as to the  significance of  the
above ratings may be obtained only from the applicable rating agency.
 
                                      S-45
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     The  above ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold the Offered
Certificates, and such ratings may be  subject to revision or withdrawal at  any
time  by the rating agencies. Any downward  revision or withdrawal of any of the
above ratings may  have an adverse  effect on  the market price  of the  Offered
Certificates.  The Insurer  does not  guaranty the  market price  of the Offered
Certificates nor does it guaranty that  the ratings on the Offered  Certificates
will not be revised or withdrawn.
 
RIGHTS OF THE CERTIFICATE INSURER
 
     The  Pooling and Servicing Agreement provides that the Trustee is permitted
to distribute Insured Payments  only for purposes of  paying the Holders of  the
Offered  Certificates any Insured Distribution Amount for which a claim was made
to the Certificate Insurer.
 
     In the event an Insured Payment is made, the Certificate Insurer, until all
such Insured Payments have  been fully reimbursed, will  be entitled to  receive
the Reimbursement Amount.
 
     Provided no Certificate Insurer Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Certificate Insurer shall have the right to direct certain actions of the Master
Servicer and Trustee and shall control all Certificateholder consents, approvals
and directions under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.
 
     The  Certificate Insurance Policy does not  guarantee to the Holders of the
Offered Certificates any specified rate of Principal Prepayments.
 
                                      S-46

<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                 YIELD, PREPAYMENT AND MATURITY CONSIDERATIONS
 
GENERAL
 
     The  effective yields to  the holders of the  Class A-3 Certificates, Class
A-4 Certificates  and Class  A-5  Certificates will  be  lower than  the  yields
otherwise produced by the applicable rate at which interest is passed through to
such  holders  and  the  purchase price  of  such  Certificates  because monthly
distributions will not be  payable to such  holders until the  25th day (or,  if
such  day  is not  a  Business Day,  the following  Business  Day) of  the month
following the month  in which  interest accrues on  the Group  2 Mortgage  Loans
(without  any additional distribution of interest or earnings thereon in respect
of such delay).
 
     Each Accrual  Period for  the  Class A-1  Certificates  and the  Class  A-2
Certificates will consist of the actual number of days elapsed from the 25th day
of the month preceding the month of the applicable Distribution Date (or, in the
case of the first Accrual Period, from the Closing Date) through the 24th day of
the month of such Distribution Date.
 
INTEREST RATE FLUCTUATIONS
 
     The  yield to investors on the Class A-1 Certificates will be sensitive to,
among other things,  the level  of One-Month LIBOR,  the level  of the  Mortgage
Index  on each  Interest Determination  Date and  to the  additional limitations
specified herein affecting the Pass-Through Rate for the Class A-1 Certificates.
As described herein, the Pass-Through Rate for the Class A-1 Certificates may in
no event exceed the applicable Class A-1 Available Funds Cap, which depends,  in
large  part, on the Net  Mortgage Rates of the Group  1 Mortgage Loans in effect
during  the  preceding  calendar  month.  Disproportionate  principal   payments
(whether  resulting from full or partial  prepayments) on Group 1 Mortgage Loans
having Net Mortgage  Rates higher or  lower than the  Pass-Through Rate for  the
Class A-1 Certificates (as calculated solely pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of
the  definition of  'Pass-Through Rate' for  the Class  A-1 Certificates herein)
could therefore affect the yield on such Certificates. In particular, the  yield
to  maturity of the  Class A-1 Certificates  could be lower  than that otherwise
produced if disproportionate principal payments (including prepayments) are made
on Group 1  Mortgage Loans  having Net Mortgage  Rates that  exceed the  related
Pass-Through Rate. Although each of the Group 1 Mortgage Loans bears interest at
an  adjustable rate, the interest rate on a majority of such Mortgage Loans will
not adjust for two years, and thereafter, adjustments to such rate is subject to
a Periodic Rate Cap and a Maximum  Mortgage Rate. If the Mortgage Index  changes
substantially  between Adjustment Dates, the adjusted Mortgage Rate on a related
Mortgage Loan may not equal the Mortgage Index plus the related Gross Margin due
to the constraint of  such caps. In  such event, the  related Net Mortgage  Rate
will be less than would have been the case in the absence of such caps.
 
     The  yield to investors on the Class A-2 Certificates will be sensitive to,
among other  things,  the  level  of One-Month  LIBOR,  and  to  the  additional
limitations  specified herein affecting the Pass-Through  Rate for the Class A-2
Certificates. As  described herein,  the  Pass-Through Rate  for the  Class  A-2
Certificates  may in  no event  exceed the applicable  Class A-2  Net Funds Cap,
which depends, in large part, on the Net Mortgage Rates of the Group 2  Mortgage
Loans  in effect during the preceding calendar month. Disproportionate principal
payments (whether  resulting  from  full  or partial  prepayments)  on  Group  2
Mortgage  Loans having Net Mortgage Rates  higher or lower than the Pass-Through
Rate for the Class  A-2 Certificates (as calculated  solely pursuant to  clauses
(i)  and  (ii)  of the  definition  of  'Pass-Through Rate'  for  the  Class A-2
Certificates herein) could therefore affect  the yield on such Certificates.  In
particular,  the yield to maturity of the  Class A-2 Certificates could be lower
than that otherwise produced  if disproportionate principal payments  (including
prepayments)  are made on Group 2 Mortgage  Loans having Net Mortgage Rates that
exceed the related Pass-Through Rate.
 
     Although the Mortgage Rates on the  Group 1 Mortgage Loan also are  subject
to  adjustment, the  Mortgage Rates  adjust less  frequently than  the Class A-1
Pass-Through Rate and  adjust by  reference to  the Mortgage  Index. Changes  in
One-Month  LIBOR may not correlate  with changes in the  Mortgage Index and also
may not  correlate  with prevailing  interest  rates.  It is  possible  that  an
increased level of One-Month LIBOR could occur simultaneously with a lower level
of  prevailing  interest  rates which  would  be  expected to  result  in faster
prepayments, thereby  reducing  the  weighted  average life  of  the  Class  A-1
Certificates.  In addition, the Mortgage Rate applicable to the Group 1 Mortgage
Loans and any Adjustment  Date will be  based on the  Mortgage Index value  most
recently announced generally as of a date 45 days prior to such Adjustment Date.
Thus, if the
 
                                      S-47
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
Mortgage  Index value with respect to a Group  1 Mortgage Loan rises, the lag in
time before the  corresponding Mortgage  Rate increases will,  all other  things
being  equal, slow the upward  adjustment of the Class  A-1 Available Funds Cap.
See 'The Mortgage Pool' herein.
 
     Although the Pooling and  Servicing Agreement provides  a mechanism to  pay
any Class A-1 Basis Risk Carryover Amount, there is no assurance that funds will
be  available to pay such amount.  In addition, the Certificate Insurance Policy
will not  cover the  payment  of, and  the ratings  assigned  to the  Class  A-1
Certificates do not address the likelihood of the payment of, any such amount.
 
     The extent to which the yield to maturity of a Offered Certificate may vary
from  the anticipated yield will depend upon the degree to which it is purchased
at a discount or premium and, correspondingly, the degree to which the timing of
payments thereon is sensitive to prepayments, liquidations and purchases of  the
Mortgage Loans. In particular, in the case of a Offered Certificate purchased at
a  discount, an investor should consider the risk that a slower than anticipated
rate of principal payments, liquidations and purchases of the Mortgage Loans  in
the  related Loan Group could result in an actual yield to such investor that is
lower than the  anticipated yield and,  in the case  of any Offered  Certificate
purchased  at  a  premium, the  risk  that  a faster  than  anticipated  rate of
principal payments,  liquidations and  purchases of  such Mortgage  Loans  could
result  in an actual yield  to such investor that  is lower than the anticipated
yield.
 
DEFAULTS AND DELINQUENT PAYMENTS
 
     The yield to  maturity of  the Offered  Certificates will  be sensitive  to
defaults  and delinquent  payments on  the Mortgage Loans.  If a  purchaser of a
Offered Certificate calculates its anticipated yield based on an assumed rate of
default and amount of losses that is  lower than the default rate and amount  of
losses  actually incurred and  not covered by  the Certificate Insurance Policy,
its actual yield to maturity will be lower than that so calculated and could, in
the event of substantial losses, be negative. The timing of Realized Losses that
are not covered  by payments under  the Certificate Insurance  Policy will  also
affect  an investor's actual yield to maturity  even if the rate of defaults and
severity of such losses are consistent with an investor's expectations. Realized
Losses will reduce the Available Funds for the related Loan Group which, if  not
covered  by Net Monthly Excess Cashflow from the other Loan Group, will slow the
amortization of  the related  Offered Certificates.  A draw  on the  Certificate
Insurance Policy in respect of principal will not be made unless a Subordination
Deficit  exists.  Thus,  Holders of  the  Offered Certificates  may  not receive
reimbursement for Realized Losses in the month following the occurrence of  such
losses. However, such Holders are entitled to receive ultimate reimbursement for
Realized  Losses under the Certificate Insurance Policy. In general, the earlier
a loss occurs, the  greater is the  effect on an  investor's yield to  maturity.
There  can be no assurance as to the delinquency, foreclosure or loss experience
with respect to the Mortgage Loans. Because the Mortgage Loans are  underwritten
in  accordance with standards less stringent  than those generally acceptable to
FNMA and  FHLMC  with regard  to  a  borrower's credit  standing  and  repayment
ability,  the risk of delinquencies with respect to, and losses on, the Mortgage
Loans will be  greater than that  of mortgage loans  underwritten in  accordance
with FNMA and FHLMC standards.
 
PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS
 
     The  rates of principal payments on the Offered Certificates, the aggregate
amount of distributions on the Offered Certificates and the yield to maturity of
the Offered Certificates will  be related to, among  other things, the rate  and
timing of payments of principal on the Mortgage Loans in the related Loan Group.
The rate of principal payments on the Mortgage Loans will in turn be affected by
the  amortization schedules  of the  Mortgage Loans (which,  in the  case of the
Group 1 Mortgage Loans, will  change periodically to accommodate adjustments  to
the  Mortgage Rates) and by the rate of Principal Prepayments thereon (including
for this purpose, prepayments resulting from (i) refinancing, (ii)  liquidations
of  the Mortgage Loans  due to defaults, casualties  and condemnations and (iii)
repurchases by Countrywide or  the Master Servicer). The  Mortgage Loans may  be
prepaid by the mortgagors at any time; however, it is expected that no more than
54.0%  and 31.0% of  the Group 1 Mortgage  Loans and Group  2 Mortgage Loans (by
Loan Group Stated Principal Balance as of the Cut-off Date), respectively,  will
have  a prepayment charge which may be  applied to full prepayments by borrowers
during the first five  years after origination  under the limited  circumstances
described  above under 'The Mortgage Pool -- General.' Increases in the required
monthly  payments  on  the  Mortgage  Loans  in  excess  of  those  assumed   in
underwriting  such Mortgage Loans may result in  a default rate higher than that
which may
 
                                      S-48
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
have been experienced  had the Mortgage  Loans borne fixed  interest rates.  The
Mortgage Loans are subject to the 'due-on-sale' provisions included therein.
 
     Prepayments,  liquidations and  purchases of the  Mortgage Loans  in a Loan
Group (including any  optional purchase by  the Master Servicer  of a  defaulted
Mortgage  Loan or any purchase by the Master Servicer or the Certificate Insurer
of the  remaining  Mortgage  Loans  and  REO Property  in  such  Loan  Group  in
connection  with the  optional termination of  the Trust Fund)  will, subject to
certain  conditions,   result   in   distributions  to   the   related   Offered
Certificateholders of principal amounts that would otherwise be distributed over
the  remaining  terms  of the  Mortgage  Loans.  Since the  rate  of  payment of
principal on the Mortgage Loans  will depend on future  events and a variety  of
factors,  no assurance  can be given  as to such  rate or the  rate of Principal
Prepayments.
 
     The rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on pools of mortgage
loans may vary significantly  over time and  may be influenced  by a variety  of
economic, geographic, social and other factors, including changes in mortgagors'
housing  needs,  job  transfers,  unemployment,  mortgagors  net  equity  in the
mortgaged properties and servicing decisions. No  assurances can be given as  to
the  rate of prepayments  on the Mortgage  Loans in stable  or changing interest
rate environments.  In  general,  if  prevailing interest  rates  were  to  fall
significantly  below the Mortgage Rates on the Mortgage Loans in Loan Group 2 or
the Mortgage Rates on  the 2/28 Mortgage Loans  prior to their first  Adjustment
Dates,  such Mortgage Loans could be subject  to higher prepayment rates than if
prevailing interest rates were to remain at or above the Mortgage Rates on  such
Mortgage   Loans.  Conversely,  if  prevailing   interest  rates  were  to  rise
significantly, the rate  of prepayments on  the Mortgage Loans  in Loan Group  2
would generally be expected to decrease.
 
     All  of  the Group  1  Mortgage Loans  are  adjustable rate  mortgage loans
('ARMs'). The rate of principal prepayments with respect to ARMs has  fluctuated
in  recent years.  As is the  case with conventional  fixed-rate mortgage loans,
ARMs may be subject to  a greater rate of  principal prepayments in a  declining
interest  rate environment.  For example, if  prevailing interest  rates were to
fall significantly, ARMs  could be subject  to higher prepayment  rates than  if
prevailing  interest rates were  to remain constant  because the availability of
fixed-rate mortgage loans at competitive interest rates may encourage mortgagors
to refinance their ARMs to 'lock  in' lower fixed interest rates. The  existence
of  the applicable Periodic Rate  Cap and Maximum Mortgage  Rate also may affect
the likelihood of prepayments resulting from refinancings. In addition, the 2/28
Mortgage Loans may experience prepayments at  rates which differ from the  other
ARMs.  Finally, the delinquency and loss experience  of the ARMs may differ from
that on the fixed rate Mortgage Loans because the amount of the monthly payments
on the ARMs are subject to adjustment on each Adjustment Date. If such different
experience  were  to  occur,  the   prepayment  experience  on  the  Class   A-1
Certificates may differ from that on the other classes of Offered Certificates.
 
     The  timing of changes in the rate of prepayments on the Mortgage Loans may
significantly affect an investor's actual yield to maturity, even if the average
rate of  principal payments  is consistent  with an  investor's expectation.  In
general,  the  earlier a  prepayment  of principal  on  the Mortgage  Loans, the
greater the  effect  on  an investor's  yield  to  maturity. The  effect  on  an
investor's  yield of  principal payments occurring  at a rate  higher (or lower)
than the  rate  anticipated  by  the  investor  during  the  period  immediately
following  the  issuance of  the Offered  Certificates  may not  be offset  by a
subsequent like decrease (or increase) in the rate of principal payments.
 
OVERCOLLATERALIZATION PROVISIONS
 
     The operation of  the overcollateralization provisions  of the Pooling  and
Servicing  Agreement  will  affect the  weighted  average lives  of  the Offered
Certificates and  consequently  the yields  to  maturity of  such  Certificates.
Unless and until the Subordinated Amount equals the Required Subordinated Amount
for  a  Certificate  Group,  Net  Monthly Excess  Cashflow  will  be  applied as
distributions of  principal  of the  Offered  Certificates in  such  Certificate
Group,   thereby  reducing  the  weighted  average  lives  thereof.  The  actual
Subordinated Amount for a Certificate Group may change from Distribution Date to
Distribution Date  producing uneven  distributions of  Net Monthly  Excess  Cash
Flow.  There can be no  assurance as to when  or whether any Subordinated Amount
will equal the related Required Subordinated Amount.
 
     Net Monthly  Excess Cashflow  generally  is a  function  of the  excess  of
interest  collected or advanced on the Mortgage Loans over the interest required
to  pay   interest  on   the   Offered  Certificates,   the  premium   for   the
 
                                      S-49
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
Certificate  Insurance Policy  and certain  Trust Fund  expenses. Mortgage Loans
with higher Net Mortgage Rates will contribute more interest to the Net  Monthly
Excess Cashflow. Mortgage Loans with higher Net Mortgage Rates may prepay faster
than  Mortgage Loans with relatively  lower Net Mortgage Rates  in response to a
given change in market interest rates. Any such disproportionate prepayments  of
Mortgage  Loans in  a Loan  Group with higher  Net Mortgage  Rates may adversely
affect the amount of Net Monthly  Excess Cashflow available to make  accelerated
payments  of principal  of the Offered  Certificates in  the related Certificate
Group.
 
     As a result of the interaction of the foregoing factors, the effect of  the
overcollateralization  provisions on the  weighted average lives  of the Offered
Certificates in a Certificate Group may vary significantly over time and, in the
case of the Group 2 Certificates, from class to class.
 
LIMITATION ON ADJUSTMENTS
 
     Although each of the Mortgage  Loans in Loan Group  1 bears interest at  an
adjustable  Mortgage Rate, a majority of the  Mortgage Rates will not adjust for
two years.  In addition,  the adjustments  of  the Mortgage  Rate for  any  such
Mortgage  Loan will not exceed the Periodic Rate Cap, and the Mortgage Rate will
in no event exceed the Maximum Mortgage Rate for such Mortgage Loan,  regardless
of  the level  of interest  rates generally  or the  rate otherwise  produced by
adding the Index  and the Gross  Margin. In addition,  such adjustments will  be
subject  to rounding to the  nearest one-eighth of 1%.  Substantially all of the
ARMs  were  originated  at   rates  that  were  lower   than  the  sum  of   the
then-applicable Mortgage Index and the related Gross Margin. Such Mortgage Loans
are  more likely  to be  subject to  the applicable  Periodic Rate  Cap on their
first, and possibly subsequent, Adjustment Dates.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
     The Depositor intends  to file  certain additional yield  tables and  other
computational  materials  with  respect  to  one  or  more  Classes  of  Offered
Certificates with the Securities and Exchange Commission in a report on Form 8-K
to be dated February 24,  1997. Such tables and  materials were prepared by  the
Underwriters   at  the  request  of  certain  prospective  investors,  based  on
assumptions provided  by,  and  satisfying the  special  requirements  of,  such
prospective  investors. Such tables and assumptions  may be based on assumptions
that differ from the Structuring Assumptions. Accordingly, such tables and other
materials may not be relevant to  or appropriate for investors other than  those
specifically requesting them.
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIVES OF THE OFFERED CERTIFICATES
 
     The  following  information is  given solely  to  illustrate the  effect of
prepayments on  the  Mortgage  Loans  on  the  weighted  average  lives  of  the
Certificates  under  the  stated assumptions  and  is  not a  prediction  of the
prepayment rate that might actually be experienced by the Mortgage Loans.
 
     Weighted average life refers to the average amount of time from the date of
issuance of a security until each dollar  of principal of such security will  be
repaid  to the investor.  The weighted average life  of the Offered Certificates
will be affected primarily by the rate at which principal on the Mortgage  Loans
in  the related Loan Group is paid. Principal payments on the Mortgage Loans may
be in the form of scheduled  amortization or prepayments (for this purpose,  the
term  'prepayment' includes repayments and liquidations  due to default or other
dispositions of the Mortgage Loans). Prepayments on contracts may be measured by
a prepayment standard  or model. The  model used in  this Prospectus  Supplement
('Prepayment Model') is based on an assumed rate of prepayment each month of the
then  unpaid  principal balance  of  a pool  of  mortgage loans  similar  to the
Mortgage Loans. For  the Group 1  Mortgage Loans, 100%  of the Prepayment  Model
assumes  a conditional  prepayment rate  ('CPR') of 2.5%  per annum  of the then
unpaid principal balance of such mortgage loans  in the first month of the  life
of  the mortgage loans and an additional 2.5% per annum in each month thereafter
until the 10th month. Beginning in the  10th month and in each month  thereafter
during  the life  of the mortgage  loans, 100%  of the Prepayment  Model for the
Group 1 Mortgage Loans  assumes a CPR  of 25%. For the  Group 2 Mortgage  Loans,
100%  of the Prepayment Model assumes a CPR of 2.3% per annum of the then unpaid
principal balance of such mortgage loans in  the first month of the life of  the
mortgage  loans and an additional 2.3% per  annum in each month thereafter until
the 10th month. Beginning in the 10th month and in each month thereafter  during
the  life of the  mortgage loans, 100% of  the Prepayment Model  for the Group 2
Mortgage Loans assumes a CRP of 23% per annum.
 
                                      S-50
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     As used in  the following tables  '0% of the  Prepayment Model' assumes  no
prepayments  on the Mortgage  Loans; '100% of the  Prepayment Model' assumes the
Mortgage Loans  will prepay  at rates  equal  to 100%  of the  Prepayment  Model
assumed  prepayment rates; '175%  of the Prepayment  Model' assumes the Mortgage
Loans will  prepay  at rates  equal  to 175%  of  the Prepayment  Model  assumed
prepayment rates; '250% of the Prepayment Model' assumes the Mortgage Loans will
prepay  at rates equal to 250% of the Prepayment Model assumed prepayment rates;
and '350% of  the Prepayment Model'  assumes the Mortgage  Loans will prepay  at
rates equal to 350% of the Prepayment Model assumed prepayment rates.
 
     There is no assurance, however, that prepayments on the Mortgage Loans will
conform to any level of the Prepayment Model, and no representation is made that
the  Mortgage  Loans will  prepay at  the  prepayment rates  shown or  any other
prepayment rate. The rate  of principal payments on  pools of mortgage loans  is
influenced  by  a variety  of economic,  geographic,  social and  other factors,
including the level  of interest  rates. Other factors  affecting prepayment  of
mortgage  loans include  changes in obligors'  housing needs,  job transfers and
unemployment. In the case of mortgage  loans in general, if prevailing  interest
rates  fall significantly below  the interest rates on  such mortgage loans, the
mortgage loans  are likely  to be  subject to  higher prepayment  rates than  if
prevailing  interest rates remain at  or above the rates  borne by such mortgage
loans. Conversely, if prevailing interest rates rise above the interest on  such
mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to decrease.
 
     The  tables set forth below  assume that there are  no delinquencies on the
Mortgage Loans and that there will  be sufficient Available Funds to  distribute
interest  on the Certificates and the Group Principal Distribution Amount to the
Certificateholders then entitled thereto.
 
     The percentages and  weighted average  lives in the  following tables  were
determined  assuming that (i)  scheduled interest and  principal payments on the
Mortgage Loans are received in a timely  manner and prepayments are made at  the
indicated  percentages of the  Prepayment Model set forth  in the tables (except
that with  respect to  the  March 1997  Distribution  Date no  prepayments  were
received);  (ii)  the  Master  Servicer  does  exercise  its  right  of optional
termination described above; (iii)  the Mortgage Loans will,  as of the  Cut-off
Date,  have the characteristics set forth  below under 'Assumed Group 1 Mortgage
Loan Characteristics' and 'Assumed Group 2 Mortgage Loan Characteristics'; (iii)
a servicing fee of 0.50% per annum will be paid to the Master Servicer; (iv) the
closing date of the sale of the Offered Certificates is as set forth in 'Summary
of Terms'  herein; and  (v) with  respect to  the Group  1 Mortgage  Loans,  the
Mortgage Index is 5.6133% per annum. No representation is made that the Mortgage
Loans  will experience delinquencies  or losses at  the respective rates assumed
above or at any other rates.
 
                 ASSUMED GROUP 1 MORTGAGE LOAN CHARACTERISTICS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  INITIAL    ORIGINAL    REMAINING
                                    CURRENT        GROSS      TERM TO     TERM TO             MAXIMUM                NEXT RATE
                                   PRINCIPAL      MORTGAGE   MATURITY    MATURITY    GROSS     RATE     PERIODIC    ADJUSTMENT
AMORTIZATION METHODOLOGY            BALANCE         RATE     (MONTHS)    (MONTHS)    MARGIN     CAP     RATE CAP       DATE
- -------------------------------  --------------   --------   ---------   ---------   ------   -------   --------   -------------
 
<S>                              <C>              <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>
Level Pay......................  $25,638,328.83     8.722%      352         351      5.8180%  15.2220%   1.5000%        May 1997
Level Pay......................  $16,721,740.60     8.723%      358         358      5.9370%  15.2230%   1.5000%       June 1997
Level Pay......................  $27,559,600.00     8.528%      356         356      5.8820%  15.0280%   1.5000%       July 1997
Level Pay......................  $37,965,459.86     9.661%      360         359      6.3360%  16.1610%   1.5000%   November 1998
Level Pay......................  $34,259,277.50     9.835%      359         359      6.4100%  16.3350%   1.5000%   December 1998
Level Pay......................  $30,855,593.22     9.639%      360         360      6.1590%  16.1390%   1.5000%    January 1999
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                    RATE
                                 ADJUSTMENT
AMORTIZATION METHODOLOGY         FREQUENCY
- -------------------------------  ----------
<S>                              <C>
Level Pay......................   6 Months
Level Pay......................   6 Months
Level Pay......................   6 Months
Level Pay......................   6 Months
Level Pay......................   6 Months
Level Pay......................   6 Months
</TABLE>
 
                 ASSUMED GROUP 2 MORTGAGE LOAN CHARACTERISTICS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               ORIGINAL     REMAINING      ORIGINAL
                                                    CURRENT         GROSS       TERM TO      TERM TO     AMORTIZATION
                                                   PRINCIPAL       MORTGAGE    MATURITY     MATURITY         TERM
AMORTIZATION METHODOLOGY                            BALANCE          RATE      (MONTHS)     (MONTHS)       (MONTHS)
- ----------------------------------------------   --------------    --------    ---------    ---------    ------------
 
<S>                                              <C>               <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Level Pay.....................................   $47,405,375.49     10.447%       180          180            180
Level Pay.....................................   $ 4,755,868.05     10.081%       180          180            180
Balloon.......................................   $20,812,446.29     10.464%       180          180            360
Level Pay.....................................   $33,026,310.17     10.442%       360          360            360
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-51
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     Since the  tables were  prepared on  the basis  of the  assumptions in  the
preceding  paragraph, there are discrepancies between the characteristics of the
actual Mortgage Loans in each Loan Group and the characteristics of the mortgage
loans assumed in preparing the tables.  Any such discrepancy may have an  effect
upon the percentages of the Original Class Certificate Principal Balance for the
Offered  Certificates outstanding and weighted average  lives of such Classes of
Certificates set forth  in the tables.  In addition, since  the actual  Mortgage
Loans and the Trust Fund have characteristics which differ from those assumed in
preparing  the tables  set forth  below, the  distributions of  principal on the
Offered Certificates  may be  made earlier  or later  than as  indicated in  the
tables.
 
     It  is  not likely  that the  Mortgage  Loans will  prepay at  any constant
percentage of the Prepayment  Model to maturity or  that all the Mortgage  Loans
will  prepay  at the  same rate.  In  addition, the  diverse remaining  terms to
maturity of  the  Mortgage Loans  (which  include recently  originated  Mortgage
Loans)  could produce slower distributions of principal than as indicated in the
tables at the various percentages of the Prepayment Model specified even if  the
weighted average remaining term to maturity of the Mortgage Loans is the same as
the  weighted average remaining term to maturity of the Assumed Group 1 Mortgage
Loan Characteristics or the Assumed Group 2 Mortgage Loan Characteristics.
 
     Investors are urged  to make  their investment  decisions on  a basis  that
includes  their determination as to anticipated prepayment rates under a variety
of the assumptions discussed herein.
 
     Based on  the  foregoing assumptions,  the  following tables  indicate  the
percentage  of the Original  Class Certificate Principal  Balance of the Offered
Certificates that would  be outstanding  after each of  the dates  shown at  the
indicated  percentages of  the Prepayment  Model and  the corresponding weighted
average lives of such Classes of Certificates.
 
                                      S-52
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
  PERCENT OF THE INITIAL CLASS CERTIFICATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE OF THE CLASS A-1
               CERTIFICATES AT THE RESPECTIVE PERCENTAGES OF THE
                       PREPAYMENT MODEL SET FORTH BELOW:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              PREPAYMENTS (% OF PREPAYMENT MODEL)
                                                                              ------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION DATE                                                              0%     100%    175%    250%    300%
- -----------------                                                             ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
<S>                                                                           <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Initial Percentage.........................................................    100    100     100     100     100
February 1998..............................................................     97     81      68      54      44
February 1999..............................................................     96     59      37      19       9
February 2000..............................................................     96     44      21       0       0
February 2001..............................................................     95     33      12       0       0
February 2002..............................................................     95     24       0       0       0
February 2003..............................................................     94     18       0       0       0
February 2004..............................................................     93     14       0       0       0
February 2005..............................................................     92     10       0       0       0
February 2006..............................................................     91      0       0       0       0
February 2007..............................................................     90      0       0       0       0
February 2008..............................................................     89      0       0       0       0
February 2009..............................................................     87      0       0       0       0
February 2010..............................................................     86      0       0       0       0
February 2011..............................................................     84      0       0       0       0
February 2012..............................................................     82      0       0       0       0
February 2013..............................................................     80      0       0       0       0
February 2014..............................................................     77      0       0       0       0
February 2015..............................................................     74      0       0       0       0
February 2016..............................................................     71      0       0       0       0
February 2017..............................................................     68      0       0       0       0
February 2018..............................................................     63      0       0       0       0
February 2019..............................................................     59      0       0       0       0
February 2020..............................................................     54      0       0       0       0
February 2021..............................................................     48      0       0       0       0
February 2022..............................................................     42      0       0       0       0
February 2023..............................................................     35      0       0       0       0
February 2024..............................................................     27      0       0       0       0
February 2025..............................................................     18      0       0       0       0
February 2026..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2027..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2028..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
Weighted Average Life (years)(1)...........................................   21.4    3.3     1.9     1.3     1.1
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) The weighted average life of the Class A-1 Certificates is determined by (i)
    multiplying the amount of each principal distribution by the number of years
    from the  initial date  of issuance  of the  Class A-1  Certificates to  the
    related  Distribution Date, (ii) summing the  results and (iii) dividing the
    sum by the  initial Class  Certificate Principal  Balance of  the Class  A-1
    Certificates.
 
                                      S-53
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
  PERCENT OF THE INITIAL CLASS CERTIFICATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE OF THE CLASS A-2
               CERTIFICATES AT THE RESPECTIVE PERCENTAGES OF THE
                       PREPAYMENT MODEL SET FORTH BELOW:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              PREPAYMENTS (% OF PREPAYMENT MODEL)
                                                                              ------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION DATE                                                              0%     100%    175%    250%    300%
- -----------------                                                             ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
 
<S>                                                                           <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Initial Percentage.........................................................    100    100     100     100     100
February 1998..............................................................     85     49      20       0       0
February 1999..............................................................     80      0       0       0       0
February 2000..............................................................     75      0       0       0       0
February 2001..............................................................     69      0       0       0       0
February 2002..............................................................     62      0       0       0       0
February 2003..............................................................     55      0       0       0       0
February 2004..............................................................     47      0       0       0       0
February 2005..............................................................     37      0       0       0       0
February 2006..............................................................     27      0       0       0       0
February 2007..............................................................     16      0       0       0       0
February 2008..............................................................      4      0       0       0       0
February 2009..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2010..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2011..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2012..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2013..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2014..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2015..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2016..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2017..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2018..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2019..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2020..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2021..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2022..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2023..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2024..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2025..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2026..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2027..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2028..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
Weighted Average Life (years)(1)...........................................    6.1    1.1     0.8     0.6     0.6
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) The weighted average life of the Class A-2 Certificates is determined by (i)
    multiplying the amount of each principal distribution by the number of years
    from  the initial  date of  issuance of  the Class  A-2 Certificates  to the
    related Distribution Date, (ii) summing  the results and (iii) dividing  the
    sum  by the  initial Class  Certificate Principal  Balance of  the Class A-2
    Certificates.
 
                                      S-54
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
  PERCENT OF THE INITIAL CLASS CERTIFICATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE OF THE CLASS A-3
               CERTIFICATES AT THE RESPECTIVE PERCENTAGES OF THE
                       PREPAYMENT MODEL SET FORTH BELOW:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              PREPAYMENTS (% OF PREPAYMENT MODEL)
                                                                              ------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION DATE                                                              0%     100%    175%    250%    300%
- -----------------                                                             ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
<S>                                                                           <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Initial Percentage.........................................................    100    100     100     100     100
February 1998..............................................................    100    100     100      89      63
February 1999..............................................................    100     94      31       0       0
February 2000..............................................................    100     47       0       0       0
February 2001..............................................................    100     14       0       0       0
February 2002..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2003..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2004..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2005..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2006..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2007..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2008..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2009..............................................................     88      0       0       0       0
February 2010..............................................................     70      0       0       0       0
February 2011..............................................................     51      0       0       0       0
February 2012..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2013..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2014..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2015..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2016..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2017..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2018..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2019..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2020..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2021..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2022..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2023..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2024..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2025..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2026..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2027..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2028..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
Weighted Average Life (years)(1)...........................................   13.8    3.0     1.8     1.3     1.1
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) The weighted average life of the Class A-3 Certificates is determined by (i)
    multiplying the amount of each principal distribution by the number of years
    from the  initial date  of issuance  of the  Class A-3  Certificates to  the
    related  Distribution Date, (ii) summing the  results and (iii) dividing the
    sum by the  initial Class  Certificate Principal  Balance of  the Class  A-3
    Certificates.
 
                                      S-55
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
  PERCENT OF THE INITIAL CLASS CERTIFICATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE OF THE CLASS A-4
               CERTIFICATES AT THE RESPECTIVE PERCENTAGES OF THE
                       PREPAYMENT MODEL SET FORTH BELOW:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              PREPAYMENTS (% OF PREPAYMENT MODEL)
                                                                              ------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION DATE                                                              0%     100%    175%    250%    300%
- -----------------                                                             ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
<S>                                                                           <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Initial Percentage.........................................................    100    100     100     100     100
February 1998..............................................................    100    100     100     100     100
February 1999..............................................................    100    100     100      48       0
February 2000..............................................................    100    100      59       0       0
February 2001..............................................................    100    100       0       0       0
February 2002..............................................................    100     72       0       0       0
February 2003..............................................................    100     27       0       0       0
February 2004..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2005..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2006..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2007..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2008..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2009..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2010..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2011..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2012..............................................................     65      0       0       0       0
February 2013..............................................................     60      0       0       0       0
February 2014..............................................................     54      0       0       0       0
February 2015..............................................................     48      0       0       0       0
February 2016..............................................................     41      0       0       0       0
February 2017..............................................................     34      0       0       0       0
February 2018..............................................................     25      0       0       0       0
February 2019..............................................................     16      0       0       0       0
February 2020..............................................................      6      0       0       0       0
February 2021..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2022..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2023..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2024..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2025..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2026..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2027..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2028..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
Weighted Average Life (years)(1)...........................................   18.2    5.5     3.2     2.0     1.6
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) The weighted average life of the Class A-4 Certificates is determined by (i)
    multiplying the amount of each principal distribution by the number of years
    from  the initial  date of  issuance of  the Class  A-4 Certificates  to the
    related Distribution Date, (ii) summing  the results and (iii) dividing  the
    sum  by the  initial Class  Certificate Principal  Balance of  the Class A-4
    Certificates.
 
                                      S-56
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
  PERCENT OF THE INITIAL CLASS CERTIFICATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE OF THE CLASS A-5
               CERTIFICATES AT THE RESPECTIVE PERCENTAGES OF THE
                       PREPAYMENT MODEL SET FORTH BELOW:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              PREPAYMENTS (% OF PREPAYMENT MODEL)
                                                                              ------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION DATE                                                              0%     100%    175%    250%    300%
- -----------------                                                             ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
 
<S>                                                                           <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Initial Percentage.........................................................    100    100     100     100     100
February 1998..............................................................    100    100     100     100     100
February 1999..............................................................    100    100     100     100      81
February 2000..............................................................    100    100     100       0       0
February 2001..............................................................    100    100      91       0       0
February 2002..............................................................    100    100       0       0       0
February 2003..............................................................    100    100       0       0       0
February 2004..............................................................    100     93       0       0       0
February 2005..............................................................    100     69       0       0       0
February 2006..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2007..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2008..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2009..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2010..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2011..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2012..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2013..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2014..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2015..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2016..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2017..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2018..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2019..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2020..............................................................    100      0       0       0       0
February 2021..............................................................     95      0       0       0       0
February 2022..............................................................     83      0       0       0       0
February 2023..............................................................     69      0       0       0       0
February 2024..............................................................     55      0       0       0       0
February 2025..............................................................     38      0       0       0       0
February 2026..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2027..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
February 2028..............................................................      0      0       0       0       0
Weighted Average Life (years)(1)...........................................   27.0    8.0     4.4     2.8     2.2
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) The weighted average life of the Class A-5 Certificates is determined by (i)
    multiplying the amount of each principal distribution by the number of years
    from the  initial date  of issuance  of the  Class A-5  Certificates to  the
    related  Distribution Date, (ii) summing the  results and (iii) dividing the
    sum by the  initial Class  Certificate Principal  Balance of  the Class  A-5
    Certificates.
 
                                      S-57

<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The  Depositor  will apply  the net  proceeds  of the  sale of  the Offered
Certificates against the purchase price of the Mortgage Loans.
 
                        FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     An election will be made to treat the Trust Fund as a 'real estate mortgage
investment conduit' (a  'REMIC') for  federal income tax  purposes. The  Offered
Certificates  will constitute 'regular interests' in the REMICs and the Residual
Certificates will  constitute the  sole  class of  'residual interests'  in  the
REMIC.
 
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
 
     The  Offered Certificates  may be issued  with original  issue discount for
federal income tax purposes. For purposes of determining the amount and rate  of
accrual of original issue discount and market discount, the Depositor intends to
assume  that there will be prepayments on the  Mortgage Loans at a rate equal to
100% of  the Prepayment  Model. No  representation  is made  as to  whether  the
Mortgage  Loans  will  prepay  at  that rate  or  any  other  rate.  See 'Yield,
Prepayment  and  Maturity  Considerations'   herein  and  'Federal  Income   Tax
Consequences' in the Prospectus.
 
     The  Offered Certificates may be  treated as being issued  at a premium. In
such case, the  Offered Certificateholders may  elect under Section  171 of  the
Code  to amortize such premium under the constant yield method and to treat such
amortizable premium as an  offset to interest income  on the Certificates.  Such
election,  however,  applies  to all  the  Certificateholder's  debt instruments
acquired on or after the first taxable year in which the election is first made,
and should only be made after consulting with a tax adviser.
 
     If the  method  for computing  original  issue discount  described  in  the
Prospectus  results  in a  negative  amount for  any  period with  respect  to a
Certificateholder, such  Certificateholder  will  be permitted  to  offset  such
amounts   only  against  the  respective  future   income,  if  any,  from  such
Certificate. Although the tax treatment is uncertain, a Certificateholder may be
permitted to deduct a loss to the extent that such Holder's respective remaining
basis in such Certificate exceeds the maximum amount of future payments to which
such Holder  is  entitled, assuming  no  further Principal  Prepayments  of  the
Mortgage  Loans are received.  Although the matter  is not free  from doubt, any
such loss might be treated as a capital loss.
 
SPECIAL TAX ATTRIBUTES OF THE OFFERED CERTIFICATES
 
     As is described more fully under  'Federal Income Tax Consequences' in  the
Prospectus,  the  Offered Certificates  will  represent qualifying  assets under
Sections 856(c)(5)(A) and 7701(a)(19)(C)(v) of the Code, and net interest income
attributable to  the  Offered  Certificates will  be  'interest  on  obligations
secured   by  mortgages  on  real  property'   within  the  meaning  of  Section
856(c)(3)(B) of the Code, to the extent the assets of the Trust Fund are  assets
described  in such sections. The  Offered Certificates will represent qualifying
assets under Section  860G(a)(3) if acquired  by a REMIC  within the  prescribed
time periods of the Code.
 
PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS TAX AND OTHER TAXES
 
     The  Code imposes a tax  on REMICs equal to 100%  of the net income derived
from 'prohibited transactions' (the 'Prohibited Transactions Tax'). In  general,
subject  to  certain specified  exceptions, a  prohibited transaction  means the
disposition of a Mortgage Loan, the receipt of income from a source other than a
Mortgage  Loan  or   certain  other  permitted   investments,  the  receipt   of
compensation  for services, or  gain from the disposition  of an asset purchased
with the  payments  on  the  Mortgage Loans  for  temporary  investment  pending
distribution on the Certificates. It is not anticipated that the Trust Fund will
engage  in any  prohibited transactions in  which it would  recognize a material
amount of net income.
 
     In addition,  certain contributions  to  a trust  fund  that elects  to  be
treated as a REMIC made after the day on which such trust fund issues all of its
interests  could result in  the imposition of a  tax on the  trust fund equal to
100% of the  value of the  contributed property (the  'Contributions Tax').  The
Trust Fund will not accept contributions that would subject it to such tax.
 
                                      S-58
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     In  addition, a trust fund that elects to be treated as a REMIC may also be
subject to federal income tax at the highest corporate rate on 'net income  from
foreclosure  property,' determined by reference to  the rules applicable to real
estate investment trusts. 'Net income from foreclosure property' generally means
gain from the  sale of a  foreclosure property other  than qualifying rents  and
other  qualifying  income  for  a  real  estate  investment  trust.  It  is  not
anticipated that  the Trust  Fund  will recognize  net income  from  foreclosure
property subject to federal income tax.
 
     Where any Prohibited Transactions Tax, Contributions Tax, tax on net income
from  foreclosure property or state or local income or franchise tax that may be
imposed on the  REMIC arises out  of a breach  of the Master  Servicer's or  the
Trustee's  obligations,  as the  case may  be, under  the Pooling  and Servicing
Agreement and in respect of compliance  with then applicable law, such tax  will
be  borne by the Master Servicer or Trustee in either case out of its own funds.
In the event that either the Master Servicer or the Trustee, as the case may be,
fails to pay or is not required to pay any such tax as provided above, such  tax
will be paid by the Trust Fund first with amounts otherwise distributable to the
Holders  of Certificates  in the  manner provided  in the  Pooling and Servicing
Agreement. It is  not anticipated  that any material  state or  local income  or
franchise tax will be imposed on the Trust Fund.
 
     For  further information regarding  the federal income  tax consequences of
investing   in   the   Offered    Certificates,   see   'Federal   Income    Tax
Consequences -- REMIC Certificates' in the Prospectus.
 
                                  STATE TAXES
 
     The  Depositor makes no  representations regarding the  tax consequences of
purchase, ownership or  disposition of  the Offered Certificates  under the  tax
laws   of  any  state.  Investors  considering  an  investment  in  the  Offered
Certificates  should  consult  their  own   tax  advisors  regarding  such   tax
consequences.
 
     All  investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the federal,
state, local or foreign income tax  consequences of the purchase, ownership  and
disposition of the Offered Certificates.
 
                              ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
 
     Section  406 of  the Employee  Retirement Income  Security Act  of 1974, as
amended ('ERISA'), prohibits 'parties in  interest' with respect to an  employee
benefit  plan subject to ERISA and/or a plan or other arrangement subject to the
excise tax provisions  set forth under  Section 4975  of the Code  (each of  the
foregoing,  a 'Plan') from engaging in  certain transactions involving such Plan
and its assets  unless a statutory  or administrative exemption  applies to  the
transaction. Section 4975 of the Code imposes certain excise taxes on prohibited
transactions  involving plans described under that Section; ERISA authorizes the
imposition of civil  penalties for prohibited  transactions involving plans  not
covered  under Section 4975  of the Code.  Any Plan fiduciary  which proposes to
cause a Plan to acquire any of the Offered Certificates 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  Certificates.  See   'ERISA
Considerations' in the Prospectus.
 
     Certain  employee benefit  plans, including governmental  plans and certain
church plans, are not  subject to ERISA's  requirements. Accordingly, assets  of
such  plans may be  invested in the  Offered Certificates without  regard to the
ERISA considerations  described herein  and in  the Prospectus,  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
may  nonetheless be  subject to  the prohibited  transaction rules  set forth in
Section 503 of the Code.
 
     Except as noted above, investments by Plans are subject to ERISA's  general
fiduciary  requirements, including  the requirement  of investment  prudence and
diversification and  the  requirement  that  a Plan's  investments  be  made  in
accordance  with the documents governing the  Plan. A fiduciary which decides to
invest the assets of a Plan  in the Offered Certificates should consider,  among
other  factors,  the  extreme sensitivity  of  the  investments to  the  rate of
principal payments (including prepayments) on the Mortgage Loans.
 
     The  U.S.  Department  of  Labor  has  granted  to  Prudential   Securities
Incorporated  an  administrative  exemption  (Prohibited  Transaction  Exemption
90-32; Exemption  Application  No.  D-8145,  55 Fed.  Reg.  23147  (1990))  (the
'Exemption')  from certain of the prohibited  transaction rules of ERISA and the
related excise tax provisions of  Section 4975 of the  Code with respect to  the
initial purchase, the holding and the subsequent
 
                                      S-59
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
resale  by Plans of certificates in  pass-through trusts that consist of certain
receivables,  loans  and  other  obligations   that  meet  the  conditions   and
requirements  of the Exemption. The Exemption  applies to mortgage loans such as
the Mortgage Loans in the Trust Fund.
 
     Among the conditions that must be satisfied for the Exemption to apply  are
the following:
 
          (1)  the  acquisition  of  the  certificates by  a  Plan  is  on terms
     (including the price for the certificates)  that are at least as  favorable
     to  the  Plan as  they  would be  in an  arm's  length transaction  with an
     unrelated party;
 
          (2) the rights and interest evidenced by the certificates acquired  by
     the  Plan are  not subordinated  to the  rights and  interests evidenced by
     other certificates of the trust fund;
 
          (3) the certificates acquired  by the Plan have  received a rating  at
     the  time of  such acquisition  that is  one of  the three  highest generic
     rating categories from  Standard &  Poor's, a division  of the  McGraw-Hill
     Companies  ('S&P'),  Moody's Investors  Service,  Inc. ('Moody's'),  Duff &
     Phelps  Credit  Rating  Co.  ('DCR')  or  Fitch  Investors  Service,   L.P.
     ('Fitch');
 
          (4)  the trustee must not  be an affiliate of  any other member of the
     Restricted Group (as defined below);
 
          (5) the sum of all payments  made to and retained by the  underwriters
     in connection with the distribution of the certificates represents not more
     than  reasonable compensation for underwriting the certificates; the sum of
     all payments made to and retained by the seller pursuant to the  assignment
     of  the loans to  the trust fund  represents not more  than the fair market
     value of such loans; the  sum of all payments made  to and retained by  the
     servicer  and  any  other  servicer  represents  not  more  than reasonable
     compensation for such  person's services  under the  agreement pursuant  to
     which  the loans are pooled and  reimbursements of such person's reasonable
     expenses in connection therewith; and
 
          (6) the Plan investing in the certificates is an 'accredited investor'
     as defined in Rule 501(a)(1) of Regulation D of the Securities and Exchange
     Commission under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
          The trust fund must also meet the following requirements:
 
             (i) the corpus of the trust  fund must consist solely of assets  of
        the type that have been included in other investment pools;
 
             (ii)  certificates in  such other  investment pools  must have been
        rated in one  of the three  highest rating categories  of S&P,  Moody's,
        Fitch  or DCR for at  least one year prior  to the Plan's acquisition of
        certificates; and
 
             (iii) certificates evidencing  interests in  such other  investment
        pools  must have  been purchased  by investors  other than  Plans for at
        least one year prior to any Plan's acquisition of certificates.
 
     Moreover, the Exemption provides relief from certain  self-dealing/conflict
of  interest  prohibited transactions  that may  occur  when the  Plan fiduciary
causes a Plan to acquire certificates in  a trust as to which the fiduciary  (or
its affiliate) is an obligor on the receivables held in the trust provided that,
among  other requirements, (i) in the case  of an acquisition in connection with
the initial issuance of certificates, at least fifty percent (50%) of each class
of certificates in which Plans have invested is acquired by persons  independent
of  the Restricted Group; (ii)  such fiduciary (or its  affiliate) is an obligor
with respect  to five  percent (5%)  or less  of the  fair market  value of  the
obligations  contained in the trust; (iii) the Plan's investment in certificates
of  any  class  does  not  exceed  twenty-five  percent  (25%)  of  all  of  the
certificates  of that class outstanding at the time of the acquisition; and (iv)
immediately after the acquisition, no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the
assets of the Plan with respect to which such person is a fiduciary are invested
in certificates representing an interest in one or more trusts containing assets
sold or serviced  by the  same entity.  The Exemption  does not  apply to  Plans
sponsored  by either Underwriter, the Trustee,  the Master Servicer, any obligor
with respect to Mortgage Loans included in the Trust Fund constituting more than
five percent of the aggregate unamortized principal balance of the assets in the
Trust Fund, or any affiliate of such parties (the 'Restricted Group').
 
     It is expected that the Exemption will apply to the acquisition and holding
of the Offered Certificates  by Plans and that  all conditions of the  Exemption
other  than those within the control of  the investors will be met. In addition,
as of the date hereof, there is no single Mortgagor that is the obligor on  five
percent  (5%) of  the Mortgage  Loans included  in the  Trust Fund  by aggregate
unamortized principal balance of the assets of the Trust Fund.
 
                                      S-60
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     Prospective  Plan  investors  should  consult  with  their  legal  advisors
concerning  the impact  of ERISA  and the Code,  the applicability  of PTCE 83-1
described in the Prospectus and the Exemption, and the potential consequences in
their specific  circumstances, prior  to  making an  investment in  the  Offered
Certificates.  Moreover, each Plan fiduciary  should determine whether under the
general fiduciary  standards  of  investment prudence  and  diversification,  an
investment  in the Offered Certificates is appropriate for the Plan, taking into
account the overall  investment policy of  the Plan and  the composition of  the
Plan's investment portfolio.
 
                             METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement
between  the  Depositor,  Prudential  Securities  Incorporated  and  Countrywide
Securities Corporation (an affiliate of the Depositor, the Seller and the Master
Servicer  and,   together   with   Prudential   Securities   Incorporated,   the
'Underwriters'),  the Depositor has  agreed to sell  the Offered Certificates to
the Underwriters, and the Underwriters have respectively agreed to purchase from
the Depositor  the respective  initial Class  Certificate Principal  Balance  of
Offered Certificates from the Depositor set forth below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         CLASS CERTIFICATE    CLASS CERTIFICATE    CLASS CERTIFICATE    CLASS CERTIFICATE    CLASS CERTIFICATE
                         PRINCIPAL BALANCE    PRINCIPAL BALANCE    PRINCIPAL BALANCE    PRINCIPAL BALANCE    PRINCIPAL BALANCE
                           OF CLASS A-1         OF CLASS A-2         OF CLASS A-3         OF CLASS A-4         OF CLASS A-5
     UNDERWRITERS          CERTIFICATES         CERTIFICATES         CERTIFICATES         CERTIFICATES         CERTIFICATES
- ----------------------   -----------------    -----------------    -----------------    -----------------    -----------------
 <S>                      <C>                  <C>                  <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Prudential Securities
  Incorporated........     $  86,500,000         $20,350,000          $17,500,000          $ 7,338,500          $ 7,811,500
Countrywide Securities
  Corporation.........     $  86,500,000         $20,350,000          $17,500,000          $ 7,338,500          $ 7,811,500
                         -----------------    -----------------    -----------------    -----------------    -----------------
          Total.......     $ 173,000,000         $40,700,000          $35,000,000          $14,677,000          $15,623,000
                         -----------------    -----------------    -----------------    -----------------    -----------------
                         -----------------    -----------------    -----------------    -----------------    -----------------
</TABLE>
 
     The  Depositor has been advised that  the Underwriters propose initially to
offer the  Certificates  to  certain  dealers  at  such  price  less  a  selling
concession  not to  exceed the  percentage of  the Certificate  denomination set
forth below, and that the Underwriters may allow and such dealers may reallow  a
reallowance   discount  not  to   exceed  the  percentage   of  the  Certificate
denomination set forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        SELLING      REALLOWANCE
                        CLASS OF CERTIFICATE                           CONCESSION     DISCOUNT
                       ----------------------                          ----------    -----------
 
<S>                                                                    <C>           <C>
Class A-1 Certificates..............................................      0.135%        0.0675%
Class A-2 Certificates..............................................      0.100%        0.0500%
Class A-3 Certificates..............................................      0.135%        0.0675%
Class A-4 Certificates..............................................      0.150%        0.0750%
Class A-5 Certificates..............................................      0.195%        0.0975%
</TABLE>
 
     After  the  initial  public  offering,  the  public  offering  price,  such
concessions and such discounts may be changed.
 
     The  Depositor has been advised by each Underwriter that it intends to make
a market in the Offered Certificates, but neither Underwriter has any obligation
to do so.  There can be  no assurance that  a secondary market  for the  Offered
Certificates  will develop or, if it does develop, that it will continue or that
such market will provide sufficient liquidity to Certificateholders.
 
     The Depositor has  agreed to  indemnify the Underwriters  against, or  make
contributions   to  the  Underwriters  with  respect  to,  certain  liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity  of the  Certificates, including  certain federal  income  tax
consequences  with respect  thereto, will  be passed  upon for  the Depositor by
Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York.  Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, New  York,
New York, will pass upon certain legal matters on behalf of the Underwriters.
 
                                      S-61
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                                    RATINGS
 
     It  is a condition of the issuance of the Offered Certificates that they be
rated AAA and Aaa by S&P and Moody's, respectively (Moody's, together with  S&P,
the 'Rating Agencies').
 
     The  security  ratings  assigned  to  the  Offered  Certificates  should be
evaluated independently from  similar ratings  on other types  of securities.  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 Rating Agencies.  The
ratings  on  the Offered  Certificates  do not,  however,  constitute statements
regarding the likelihood or frequency of prepayments on the Mortgage Loans,  the
payment  of the Class A-1 Basis Risk  Carryover Amount or the anticipated yields
in light of prepayments.
 
     The ratings assigned by S&P  to mortgage pass-through certificates  address
the  likelihood of the receipt of all distributions on the mortgage loans by the
related  certificateholders  under  the   agreements  pursuant  to  which   such
certificates  are  issued.  S&P's  ratings take  into  consideration  the credit
quality of the related  mortgage pool, including  any credit support  providers,
structural  and legal aspects associated with  such certificates, and the extent
to which the payment stream on such  mortgage pool is adequate to make  payments
required  by  such  certificates. S&P's  ratings  on such  certificates  do not,
however, constitute  a  statement  regarding frequency  of  prepayments  on  the
related mortgage loans.
 
     The  ratings  assigned  by Moody's  to  mortgage  pass-through certificates
address the likelihood of the receipt by certificateholders of all distributions
to which  such  certificateholders are  entitled.  Moody's ratings  on  mortgage
pass-through  certificates do not represent any  assessment of the likelihood or
rate of principal prepayments. The ratings  do not address the possibility  that
certificateholders  might suffer a  lower than anticipated yield  as a result of
prepayments.
 
     The Depositor has not requested a rating of the Offered Certificates by any
rating agency other than S&P and Moody's. However, there can be no assurance  as
to  whether any other rating agency will rate the Offered Certificates or, if it
does, what ratings would  be assigned by such  other rating agency. The  ratings
assigned  by such other rating agency to the Offered Certificates could be lower
than the respective ratings assigned by the Rating Agencies.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of MBIA Insurance Corporation and its
subsidiaries as of December  31, 1995 and  December 31, 1994  and for the  three
years  in the period ended December 31,  1995, incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus  Supplement,  have  been  audited  by  Coopers  &  Lybrand,   L.L.P.,
independent   accountants,  as  set  forth  in  their  report  thereon  and  are
incorporated by reference herein  in reliance on the  authority of that firm  as
experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                      S-62

<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                             INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                         <C>
2/28 Mortgage Loans......................................................................................     S-16
Accrual Period...........................................................................................S-7, S-35
Adjustment Date..........................................................................................     S-15
Advance..................................................................................................     S-26
Advances.................................................................................................     S-10
Agreement................................................................................................     S-43
ALTA.....................................................................................................     S-22
Alternative Documentation Program........................................................................     S-21
ARMs...............................................................................................S-2, S-13, S-49
Available Funds..........................................................................................     S-33
Available Funds Shortfall................................................................................     S-35
B&C......................................................................................................     S-15
Beneficial owner.........................................................................................     S-27
Book-Entry Certificates..................................................................................     S-27
Business Day.............................................................................................     S-44
Carry-Forward Amount.....................................................................................     S-35
Cede.....................................................................................................      S-6
CEDEL....................................................................................................      S-6
CEDEL Participants.......................................................................................     S-29
Certificate Account......................................................................................     S-31
Certificate Group 1......................................................................................      S-5
Certificate Group 2......................................................................................      S-5
Certificate Insurance Policy.......................................................................Cover, S-3, S-9
Certificate Insurer.................................................................................S-3, S-5, S-42
Certificate Owners.......................................................................................S-6, S-27
Certificates........................................................................................S-2, S-5, S-27
Chase....................................................................................................      S-6
Citibank.................................................................................................      S-6
Class A-1 Available Funds Cap............................................................................S-8, S-35
Class A-1 Basis Risk Carryover Amount....................................................................     S-35
Class A-1 Certificates............................................................................Cover, S-5, S-27
Class A-1 Pass-Through Margin............................................................................S-8, S-36
Class A-1 Weighted Maximum Rate Cap...........................................................................S-36
Class A-2 Certificates............................................................................Cover, S-5, S-27
Class A-2 Pass-Through Margin............................................................................S-8, S-36
Class A-2 Net Funds Cap..................................................................................S-8, S-36
Class A-3 Certificates............................................................................Cover, S-5, S-27
Class A-4 Certificates............................................................................Cover, S-5, S-27
Class A-5 Certificates............................................................................Cover, S-5, S-27
Class Certificate Principal Balance......................................................................     S-36
Closing Date.............................................................................................    Cover
Collateral Value.........................................................................................     S-18
Contributions Tax........................................................................................     S-56
Cooperative..............................................................................................     S-29
Countrywide...................................................................................S-2, S-5, S-15, S-23
CPR......................................................................................................     S-50
Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance......................................................................     S-15
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-63
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                         <C>
DCR......................................................................................................     S-58
debt-to-income ratio....................................................................................S-22, S-34
Deficiency Amount.......................................................................................S-36, S-44
Definitive Certificate...................................................................................     S-27
Deleted Mortgage Loan....................................................................................     S-19
Depositor................................................................................................      S-5
Detailed Description.....................................................................................     S-15
Determination Date.......................................................................................      S-7
Distribution Account.....................................................................................     S-32
Distribution Date...................................................................................S-2, S-6, S-31
DTC......................................................................................................S-6, S-27
Due Dates................................................................................................     S-26
Due Period...............................................................................................     S-36
ERISA...................................................................................................S-11, S-57
Euroclear................................................................................................      S-6
Euroclear Operator.......................................................................................     S-29
Euroclear Participants...................................................................................     S-29
European Depositaries....................................................................................S-6, S-27
Excess Proceeds..........................................................................................     S-36
Excess Subordinated Amount...............................................................................     S-36
Exemption................................................................................................     S-57
FHLMC....................................................................................................     S-20
Financial Intermediary...................................................................................     S-28
Fiscal Agent.............................................................................................     S-43
Fitch....................................................................................................     S-58
FNMA.....................................................................................................     S-20
Full Doc Program.........................................................................................     S-21
GAAP.....................................................................................................     S-45
Gross Margin.............................................................................................     S-15
Group 1 Available Funds Rate Adjustment..................................................................S-8, S-36
Group 1 Cut-off Date Principal Balance...................................................................      S-6
Group 1 Mortgage Loans....................................................................................S-2, S-6
Group 2 Cut-off Date Principal Balance...................................................................      S-6
Group 2 Mortgage Loans....................................................................................S-2, S-6
Group Principal Distribution Amount......................................................................S-8, S-36
Indirect Participants....................................................................................     S-28
Insurance Agreement......................................................................................     S-38
Insurance Proceeds.......................................................................................     S-31
Insured Distribution Amount.............................................................................S-10, S-37
Insured Payment..........................................................................................     S-44
Interest Determination Date..............................................................................     S-39
Interest Distribution Amount.............................................................................S-7, S-50
LIBOR Business Day.......................................................................................     S-39
Liquidated Loan..........................................................................................     S-38
Liquidation Proceeds.....................................................................................     S-31
Loan Group................................................................................................S-2, S-6
Loan Group Stated Principal Balance......................................................................     S-37
Loan-to-Value Ratio......................................................................................     S-18
Master Servicer...........................................................................................S-2, S-5
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-64
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                         <C>
Master Servicer Advance Date.............................................................................     S-26
Master Servicer Termination Trigger Event................................................................     S-42
Maximum Mortgage Rate....................................................................................     S-16
Minimum Mortgage Rate....................................................................................     S-16
Moody's.................................................................................................S-11, S-58
Mortgage Index......................................................................................S-2, S-6, S-15
Mortgage Loans............................................................................................S-2, S-6
Mortgage Pool.............................................................................................S-2, S-5
mortgage related securities..............................................................................     S-11
Mortgaged Properties.....................................................................................      S-6
Net Monthly Excess Cashflow..............................................................................     S-37
Net Mortgage Rate........................................................................................     S-19
Notice...................................................................................................     S-44
Offered Certificates..............................................................................Cover, S-5, S-29
One-Month LIBOR..........................................................................................S-2, S-39
Optional Termination Date...............................................................................S-10, S-41
Original Class Certificate Principal Balance.............................................................     S-36
Owner....................................................................................................     S-44
Participants.............................................................................................     S-28
Pass-Through Rate.......................................................................................S-37, S-47
Percentage Interest......................................................................................     S-31
Periodic Rate Cap........................................................................................     S-15
Plan....................................................................................................S-11, S-57
Pool Stated Principal Balance............................................................................     S-38
Pooling and Servicing Agreement..........................................................................S-5, S-27
Preference Amount........................................................................................     S-44
Premium Amount...........................................................................................     S-38
Premium Percentage.......................................................................................     S-38
Prepayment Interest Excess...............................................................................     S-26
Prepayment Interest Shortfall............................................................................     S-26
Prepayment Model.........................................................................................     S-50
Prepayment Period........................................................................................     S-34
Principal Prepayment.....................................................................................     S-38
prohibited transaction...................................................................................     S-11
Prohibited Transactions Tax..............................................................................     S-56
Prospectus...............................................................................................      S-3
Purchase Price...........................................................................................     S-19
Rating Agencies.........................................................................................S-11, S-60
Realized Loss............................................................................................     S-38
Record Date..............................................................................................S-6, S-31
Reduced Documentation Program............................................................................     S-21
Reference Banks..........................................................................................     S-39
regular interests.......................................................................................S-10, S-56
Reimbursement Amount.....................................................................................     S-38
Relevant Depositary......................................................................................     S-27
Relief Act Shortfalls....................................................................................     S-37
REMIC..............................................................................................S-3, S-10, S-56
REO Property.............................................................................................     S-26
Replacement Mortgage Loan................................................................................     S-19
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-65
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                         <C>
Required Subordinated Amount.............................................................................     S-38
Reserve Interest Rate....................................................................................     S-39
Residual Certificates.............................................................................Cover, S-5, S-27
residual interests......................................................................................S-10, S-56
Restricted Group.........................................................................................     S-58
Reuters Screen LIBO Page.................................................................................     S-39
Rules....................................................................................................     S-28
S&P.....................................................................................................S-11, S-58
SAP......................................................................................................     S-45
Scheduled Payments.......................................................................................     S-15
Seller....................................................................................................S-2, S-5
Servicing Fee...........................................................................................S-10, S-25
Servicing Fee Rate.......................................................................................     S-25
Simple Doc Program.......................................................................................     S-21
SMMEA....................................................................................................     S-11
Stated Income Program....................................................................................     S-21
Stated Principal Balance.................................................................................     S-38
Subordinated Amount......................................................................................     S-38
Subordination Deficiency Amount..........................................................................     S-39
Subordination Deficit....................................................................................     S-39
Subordination Increase Amount............................................................................     S-39
Subordination Reduction Amount...........................................................................     S-39
Substitution Adjustment Amount...........................................................................     S-39
Terms and Conditions.....................................................................................     S-29
Trust Fund................................................................................................S-2, S-5
Trustee...................................................................................................S-2, S-5
Trustee's Mortgage File..................................................................................     S-18
Underwriter..............................................................................................      S-3
Underwriters.............................................................................................     S-59
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-66

<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                                                                         ANNEX I
 
         GLOBAL CLEARANCE, SETTLEMENT AND TAX DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES
 
     Except  in certain limited circumstances,  the globally offered CWABS, Inc.
Asset-Backed Certificates,  Series  1997-1  (the 'Global  Securities')  will  be
available  only in book-entry form. Investors  in the Global Securities may hold
such Global  Securities through  any of  The Depository  Trust Company  ('DTC'),
CEDEL  or  Euroclear. The  Global Securities  will be  tradeable as  home market
instruments in both the European  and U.S. domestic markets. Initial  settlement
and all secondary trades will settle in same-day funds.
 
     Secondary  market  trading  between  investors  holding  Global  Securities
through CEDEL and Euroclear will be conducted in the ordinary way in  accordance
with  their  normal  rules  and  operating  procedures  and  in  accordance with
conventional Eurobond practice (i.e., seven calendar day settlement).
 
     Secondary  market  trading  between  investors  holding  Global  Securities
through  DTC will be conducted according  to the rules and procedures applicable
to U.S. corporate debt obligations  and prior mortgage pass-through  certificate
issues.
 
     Secondary   cross-market  trading  between  CEDEL   or  Euroclear  and  DTC
Participants holding Certificates will be effected on a delivery-against-payment
basis through  the  respective Depositaries  of  CEDEL and  Euroclear  (in  such
capacity) and as DTC Participants.
 
     Non-U.S.  holders (as described below) of Global Securities will be subject
to U.S.  withholding taxes  unless such  holders meet  certain requirements  and
deliver  appropriate U.S. tax documents to the securities clearing organizations
or their participants.
 
INITIAL SETTLEMENT
 
     All Global Securities will be held in book-entry form by DTC in the name of
Cede & Co. as nominee of DTC. Investors' interests in the Global Securities will
be represented through financial institutions  acting on their behalf as  direct
and  indirect Participants in  DTC. As a  result, CEDEL and  Euroclear will hold
positions on behalf of their participants through their respective Depositaries,
which in turn will hold such positions in accounts as DTC Participants.
 
     Investors electing to hold their Global Securities through DTC will  follow
the  settlement practices applicable to  prior mortgage pass-through certificate
issues. Investor  securities  custody  accounts  will  be  credited  with  their
holdings against payment in same-day funds on the settlement date.
 
     Investors  electing  to  hold  their  Global  Securities  through  CEDEL or
Euroclear  accounts  will  follow   the  settlement  procedures  applicable   to
conventional  Eurobonds, except that there will  be no temporary global security
and no 'lock-up' or restricted period. Global Securities will be credited to the
securities custody accounts on the  settlement date against payment in  same-day
funds.
 
SECONDARY MARKET TRADING
 
     Since  the purchaser determines  the place of delivery,  it is important to
establish at  the time  of the  trade where  both the  purchaser's and  seller's
accounts  are located to ensure that settlement can be made on the desired value
date.
 
     Trading between  DTC Participants.  Secondary  market trading  between  DTC
Participants  will be settled using the  procedures applicable to prior mortgage
pass-through certificate issues in same-day funds.
 
     Trading between  CEDEL  and/or  Euroclear  Participants.  Secondary  market
trading  between CEDEL  Participants or  Euroclear Participants  will be settled
using the procedures applicable to conventional Eurobonds in same-day funds.
 
     Trading between DTC Seller  and CEDEL or  Euroclear Purchaser. When  Global
Securities  are to be transferred  from the account of  a DTC Participant to the
account of a CEDEL  Participant or a Euroclear  Participant, the purchaser  will
send instructions to CEDEL or Euroclear through a CEDEL Participant or Euroclear
Participant  at least one  business day prior to  settlement. CEDEL or Euroclear
will instruct the  respective Depositary,  as the case  may be,  to receive  the
Global  Securities against payment. Payment will include interest accrued on the
Global Securities  from  and including  the  last  coupon payment  date  to  and
 
                                      A-1
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
excluding the settlement date, on the basis of the actual number of days in such
accrual  period  and a  year assumed  to consist  of  360 days  or 365  days, as
applicable. For transactions  settling on the  31st of the  month, payment  will
include  interest accrued to and excluding the first day of the following month.
Payment will then be made by the respective Depositary of the DTC  Participant's
account  against delivery  of the Global  Securities. After  settlement has been
completed, the Global  Securities will  be credited to  the respective  clearing
system  and by the clearing system, in  accordance with its usual procedures, to
the CEDEL  Participant's  or  Euroclear Participant's  account.  The  securities
credit  will  appear the  next day  (European time)  and the  cash debt  will be
back-valued to, and the interest on the Global Securities will accrue from,  the
value  date (which would  be the preceding  day when settlement  occurred in New
York). If settlement  is not  completed on the  intended value  date (i.e.,  the
trade  fails), the CEDEL or Euroclear cash debt will be valued instead as of the
actual settlement date.
 
     CEDEL Participants and Euroclear Participants  will need to make  available
to the respective clearing systems the funds necessary to process same-day funds
settlement.  The  most direct  means of  doing  so is  to preposition  funds for
settlement, either from cash on hand or existing lines of credit, as they  would
for  any settlement  occurring within CEDEL  or Euroclear.  Under this approach,
they may  take  on  credit exposure  to  CEDEL  or Euroclear  until  the  Global
Securities are credited to their accounts one day later.
 
     As  an alternative, if CEDEL or Euroclear  has extended a line of credit to
them, CEDEL Participants or Euroclear Participants can elect not to  preposition
funds  and allow that credit line to be drawn upon the finance settlement. Under
this procedure, CEDEL Participants  or Euroclear Participants purchasing  Global
Securities  would incur overdraft charges for one day, assuming they cleared the
overdraft when the Global Securities  were credited to their accounts.  However,
interest  on the Global Securities would  accrue from the value date. Therefore,
in many cases the investment income on the Global Securities earned during  that
one-day  period may substantially reduce or  offset the amount of such overdraft
charges, although  this  result  will  depend on  each  CEDEL  Participant's  or
Euroclear Participant's particular cost of funds.
 
     Since  the settlement is  taking place during New  York business hours, DTC
Participants can employ their usual procedures for sending Global Securities  to
the  respective European  Depositary for  the benefit  of CEDEL  Participants or
Euroclear Participants. The sale proceeds will be available to the DTC seller on
the settlement date. Thus,  to the DTC  Participants a cross-market  transaction
will settle no differently than a trade between two DTC Participants.
 
     Trading  between CEDEL or  Euroclear Seller and DTC  Purchaser. Due to time
zone differences in their favor,  CEDEL Participants and Euroclear  Participants
may   employ  their  customary  procedures  for  transactions  in  which  Global
Securities are to be transferred by the respective clearing system, through  the
respective  Depositary, to a DTC Participant.  The seller will send instructions
to CEDEL or Euroclear  through a CEDEL Participant  or Euroclear Participant  at
least  one business day prior  to settlement. In these  cases CEDEL or Euroclear
will instruct the respective Depositary,  as appropriate, to deliver the  Global
Securities  to  the  DTC  Participant's account  against  payment.  Payment will
include interest accrued on  the Global Securities from  and including the  last
coupon  payment to and excluding the settlement  date on the basis of the actual
number of days in such accrual period and a year assumed to consist of 360  days
or  365 days, as applicable. For transactions settling on the 31st of the month,
payment will include  interest accrued  to and excluding  the first  day of  the
following  month. The payment will then be reflected in the account of the CEDEL
Participant or Euroclear Participant the following day, and receipt of the  cash
proceeds  in the CEDEL Participant's or Euroclear Participant's account would be
back-valued to the value date (which would be the preceding day, when settlement
occurred in New  York). Should  the CEDEL Participant  or Euroclear  Participant
have  a line of  credit with its respective  clearing system and  elect to be in
debt in  anticipation  of receipt  of  the sale  proceeds  in its  account,  the
back-valuation  will extinguish any overdraft incurred over that one-day period.
If settlement  is not  completed on  the intended  value date  (i.e., the  trade
fails),  receipt of  the cash proceeds  in the CEDEL  Participant's or Euroclear
Participant's account would instead be valued as of the actual settlement date.
 
     Finally, day traders that use CEDEL  or Euroclear and that purchase  Global
Securities from DTC Participants for delivery to CEDEL Participants or Euroclear
Participants  should note that these trades would automatically fail on the sale
side unless affirmative action were taken.  At least three techniques should  be
readily available to eliminate this potential problem:
 
          (a)  borrowing  through  CEDEL or  Euroclear  for one  day  (until the
     purchase side of  the day trade  is reflected in  their CEDEL or  Euroclear
     accounts) in accordance with the clearing system's customary procedures;
 
                                      A-2
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
          (b) borrowing the Global Securities in the U.S. from a DTC Participant
     no  later than  one day  prior to settlement,  which would  give the Global
     Securities sufficient  time to  be reflected  in their  CEDEL or  Euroclear
     account in order to settle the sale side of the trade; or
 
          (c) staggering the value dates for the buy and sell sides of the trade
     so  that the  value date for  the purchase  from the DTC  Participant is at
     least one day prior to the value date for the sale to the CEDEL Participant
     or Euroclear Participant.
 
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
 
     A beneficial owner of Global Securities holding securities through CEDEL or
Euroclear (or through DTC if the holder has an address outside the U.S.) will be
subject to the 30%  U.S. withholding tax that  generally applies to payments  of
interest  (including original issue discount) on  registered debt issued by U.S.
Persons, unless (i) each  clearing system, bank  or other financial  institution
that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business
in the chain of intermediaries between such beneficial owner and the U.S. entity
required to withhold tax complies with applicable certification requirements and
(ii)  such  beneficial owner  takes  one of  the  following steps  to  obtain an
exemption or reduced tax rate:
 
     Exemption for  non-U.S. Persons  (Form W-8).  Beneficial owners  of  Global
Securities  that are non-U.S.  Persons can obtain a  complete exemption from the
withholding tax by filing a signed Form W-8 (Certificate of Foreign Status).  If
the  information shown on Form W-8 changes, a  new Form W-8 must be filed within
30 days of such change.
 
     Exemption for  non-U.S. Persons  with  Effectively Connected  Income  (Form
4224).  A non-U.S. Person, including a non-U.S.  corporation or bank with a U.S.
branch, for which the interest income is effectively connected with its  conduct
of  a trade or business  in the United States, can  obtain an exemption from the
withholding tax by filing Form 4224 (Exemption from Withholding of Tax on Income
Effectively Connected with  the Conduct  of a Trade  or Business  in the  United
States).
 
     Exemption or Reduced Rate for non-U.S. Persons Resident in Treaty Countries
(Form  1001). Non-U.S. Persons that are Certificate Owners residing in a country
that has a tax treaty with the United States can obtain an exemption or  reduced
tax  rate  (depending  on the  treaty  terms)  by filing  Form  1001 (Ownership,
Exemption or  Reduced Rate  Certificate).  If the  treaty  provides only  for  a
reduced  rate, withholding  tax will  be imposed at  that rate  unless the filer
alternatively files Form W-8. Form 1001  may be filed by the Certificate  Owners
or his agent.
 
     Exemption  for U.S. Persons (Form W-9).  U.S. Persons can obtain a complete
exemption from  the withholding  tax by  filing Form  W-9 (Payer's  Request  for
Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification).
 
     U.S.  Federal Income  Tax Reporting Procedure.  The Certificate  Owner of a
Global Security or, in the case of a Form 1001 or a Form 4224 filer, his  agent,
files  by submitting the  appropriate form to  the person through  whom it holds
(the clearing agency, in the  case of persons holding  directly on the books  of
the  clearing agency). Form W-8  and Form 1001 are  effective for three calendar
years and Form 4224 is effective for one calendar year.
 
     The term  'U.S. Person'  means (i)  a  citizen or  resident of  the  United
States,  (ii) a corporation or partnership organized in or under the laws of the
United States or any political subdivision thereof or (iii) an estate the income
of which  is  includible  in  gross  income  for  United  States  tax  purposes,
regardless  of its source or a trust if a court within the United States is able
to exercise primary supervision  of the administration of  the trust and one  or
more  United States  fiduciaries have the  authority to  control all substantial
decisions of the  trust. This summary  does not  deal with all  aspects of  U.S.
Federal  income tax withholding that  may be relevant to  foreign holders of the
Global Securities. Investors are advised to  consult their own tax advisors  for
specific  tax  advice  concerning  their holding  and  disposing  of  the Global
Securities.
 
                                      A-3
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                      [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  CWABS, INC.
                                   Depositor
                                 $2,000,000,000
                               (Aggregate Amount)
                            Asset Backed Securities
                              (Issuable in Series)
                         ------------------------------
 
     This  Prospectus relates to the issuance  of Asset Backed Certificates (the
'Certificates') and  Asset Backed  Notes  (the 'Notes'  and, together  with  the
Certificates,  the 'Securities'), which may be sold  from time to time in one or
more series (each, a 'Series')  by CWABS, Inc. (the  'Depositor') or by a  Trust
Fund (as defined below) on terms determined at the time of sale and described in
this  Prospectus  and the  related Prospectus  Supplement.  The Securities  of a
Series will consist  of Certificates  which evidence beneficial  ownership of  a
trust  established by the Depositor (each, a 'Trust Fund'), and/or Notes secured
by the  assets  of  a  Trust  Fund.  As  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement,  the  Trust Fund  for a  Series of  Securities will  include certain
assets (the 'Trust Fund  Assets') which will consist  of the following types  of
single  family mortgage loans (the 'Loans'): (i) mortgage loans secured by first
and/or subordinate liens  on one-  to four-family  residential properties,  (ii)
closed-end  and/or revolving home equity loans (the 'Home Equity Loans') secured
by first and/or subordinate liens on one- to four-family residential  properties
and  (iii)  home improvement  installment  sale contracts  and  installment loan
agreements (the  'Home  Improvement Contracts')  that  are either  unsecured  or
secured  by  first  or  subordinate liens  on  one-  to  four-family residential
properties, or by  purchase money  security interests in  the home  improvements
financed  thereby  (the  'Home Improvements').  The  Trust Fund  Assets  will be
acquired by  the Depositor,  either directly  or indirectly,  from one  or  more
institutions  (each, a 'Seller'), which may  be affiliates of the Depositor, and
conveyed by the  Depositor to  the related  Trust Fund.  A Trust  Fund also  may
include  insurance policies,  surety bonds, cash  accounts, reinvestment income,
guaranties or  letters  of  credit  to  the  extent  described  in  the  related
Prospectus  Supplement.  See  'Index  of  Defined  Terms'  on  Page  95  of this
Prospectus for the location of the definitions of certain capitalized terms.
 
     Each Series of Securities will be issued in one or more classes. Each class
of Certificates of a  Series will evidence beneficial  ownership of a  specified
percentage  (which  may be  0%) or  portion  of future  interest payments  and a
specified percentage (which may be 0%)  or portion of future principal  payments
on  the related  Trust Fund  Assets. Each  class of  Notes of  a Series  will be
secured by the  related Trust Fund  Assets or,  if so specified  in the  related
Prospectus Supplement, a portion thereof. A Series of Securities may include one
or more classes that are senior in right of payment to one or more other classes
of  Securities of such Series. One or more classes of Securities of a Series may
be entitled to receive distributions  of principal, interest or any  combination
thereof prior to one or more other classes of Securities of such Series or after
the  occurrence of specified  events, in each  case as specified  in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                                  (cover continued on next page)
                         ------------------------------
 
     FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE
        SECURITIES, SEE THE INFORMATION UNDER 'RISK FACTORS' ON PAGE 14.
                         ------------------------------
 
     THE CERTIFICATES OF A GIVEN SERIES WILL REPRESENT BENEFICIAL INTERESTS  IN,
AND THE NOTES OF A GIVEN SERIES WILL REPRESENT OBLIGATIONS OF, THE RELATED TRUST
FUND  ONLY AND WILL NOT REPRESENT INTERESTS  IN OR OBLIGATIONS OF THE DEPOSITOR,
THE MASTER SERVICER, ANY SELLER OR ANY AFFILIATES THEREOF, EXCEPT TO THE  EXTENT
DESCRIBED  IN THE  RELATED PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.  THE SECURITIES  AND THE LOANS
WILL NOT BE INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY OR  INSTRUMENTALITY
OR  BY THE DEPOSITOR OR ANY  OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, EXCEPT  IN EACH CASE TO THE
EXTENT DESCRIBED IN THE RELATED PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
                         ------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
   EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR  HAS THE
     SECURITIES  AND   EXCHANGE   COMMISSION  OR   ANY   STATE   SECURITIES
       COMMISSION   PASSED  UPON   THE  ACCURACY  OR   ADEQUACY  OF  THIS
        PROSPECTUS   OR   THE   RELATED   PROSPECTUS   SUPPLEMENT.   ANY
             REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                         ------------------------------
 
     Prior  to issuance there will have been no market for the Securities of any
Series and there can be no assurance that a secondary market for any  Securities
will  develop,  or  if  it  does  develop,  that  it  will  continue  or provide
Securityholders with  a  sufficient  level  of  liquidity  of  investment.  This
Prospectus  may not  be used  to consummate  sales of  Securities of  any Series
unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.  Offers of the Securities may  be
made  through  one  or  more  different  methods,  including  offerings  through
underwriters, as more fully described under 'Method of Distribution' herein  and
in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
February 21, 1997
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
(continued from cover page)
 
     Distributions   to  Securityholders   will  be   made  monthly,  quarterly,
semi-annually or  at such  other intervals  and on  the dates  specified in  the
related  Prospectus Supplement. Distributions on the Securities of a Series will
be made from the related Trust Fund  Assets or proceeds thereof pledged for  the
benefit   of  the  Securityholders  as   specified  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     The related Prospectus Supplement will describe any insurance or  guarantee
provided  with respect  to the related  Series of  Securities including, without
limitation, any insurance or guarantee provided by the Department of Housing and
Urban Development,  the United  States Department  of Veterans'  Affairs or  any
private insurer or guarantor. The only obligations of the Depositor with respect
to  a  Series  of  Securities  will be  to  obtain  certain  representations and
warranties from each Seller and to assign to the Trustee for the related  Series
of  Securities the Depositor's  rights with respect  to such representations and
warranties. The  principal  obligations of  the  Master Servicer  named  in  the
related  Prospectus Supplement with respect to  the related Series of Securities
will  be  limited  to  obligations  pursuant  to  certain  representations   and
warranties   and  to  its  contractual   servicing  obligations,  including  any
obligation it may have to advance delinquent payments on the related Trust  Fund
Assets.
 
     The  yield on  each class of  Securities of  a Series will  be affected by,
among other things, the rate of payments of principal (including prepayments) on
the related Trust  Fund Assets and  the timing  of receipt of  such payments  as
described under 'Risk Factors -- Prepayment and Yield Considerations' and 'Yield
and  Prepayment Considerations' herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement.
A Trust  Fund  may be  subject  to  early termination  under  the  circumstances
described  under 'The Agreements -- Termination; Optional Termination herein and
in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     If specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement,  one or more  elections
may  be made  to treat  a Trust Fund  or specified  portions thereof  as a 'real
estate mortgage investment conduit' ('REMIC')  for federal income tax  purposes.
See 'Federal Income Tax Consequences.'
 
                                       2

<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     UNTIL  90 DAYS  AFTER THE DATE  OF EACH PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT, ALL DEALERS
EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE SECURITIES COVERED BY SUCH PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT,
WHETHER  OR NOT  PARTICIPATING IN THE  DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, MAY  BE REQUIRED TO
DELIVER SUCH PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THIS  PROSPECTUS. THIS IS IN ADDITION  TO
THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS AND PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT WHEN
ACTING   AS  UNDERWRITERS  AND  WITH  RESPECT  TO  THEIR  UNSOLD  ALLOTMENTS  OR
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
              PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K
 
     The Prospectus Supplement  or Current Report  on Form 8-K  relating to  the
Securities  of each Series to be offered hereunder will, among other things, set
forth with  respect  to  such  Securities, as  appropriate:  (i)  the  aggregate
principal  amount, interest rate  and authorized denominations  of each class of
such Series of  Securities; (ii)  information as  to the  assets comprising  the
Trust  Fund, including  the general  characteristics of  the related  Trust Fund
Assets included  therein  and, if  applicable,  the insurance  policies,  surety
bonds, guaranties, letters of credit or other instruments or agreements included
in the Trust Fund or otherwise, and the amount and source of any reserve account
or  other cash account; (iii)  the circumstances, if any,  under which the Trust
Fund may be subject to early termination; (iv) the circumstances, if any,  under
which the Notes of such Series are subject to redemption; (v) the method used to
calculate the amount of principal to be distributed or paid with respect to each
class  of Securities; (vi) the order of application of distributions or payments
to each of  the classes  within such Series,  whether sequential,  pro rata,  or
otherwise;  (vii) the  Distribution Dates  with respect  to such  Series; (viii)
additional information  with  respect to  the  method of  distribution  of  such
Securities;  (ix) whether one or more REMIC  elections will be made with respect
to the Trust Fund and, if so,  the designation of the regular interests and  the
residual  interests; (x) the aggregate original percentage ownership interest in
the Trust Fund to be  evidenced by each class  of Certificates; (xi) the  stated
maturity  of each  class of Notes  of such  Series; (xii) information  as to the
nature and extent of subordination with respect to any class of Securities  that
is subordinate in right of payment to any other class; and (xiii) information as
to the Seller, the Master Servicer and the Trustee.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The  Depositor has filed  with the Securities  and Exchange Commission (the
'Commission') a  Registration Statement  under the  Securities Act  of 1933,  as
amended,  with respect to the Securities. This Prospectus, which forms a part of
the Registration  Statement,  and the  Prospectus  Supplement relating  to  each
Series of Securities contain descriptions of the material terms of the documents
referred  to herein and therein,  but do not contain  all of the information set
forth in the Registration Statement pursuant to the Rules and Regulations of the
Commission. For  further information,  reference is  made to  such  Registration
Statement and the exhibits thereto. Such Registration Statement and exhibits can
be  inspected and copied at prescribed  rates at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at its Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth  Street,
N.W.,  Washington, D.C. 20549,  and at its Regional  Offices located as follows:
Midwest Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,  Illinois
60661;  and Northeast Regional Office, Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New
York,  New  York   10048.  The  Commission   also  maintains  a   Web  site   at
http://www.sec.gov  from which such  Registration Statement and  exhibits may be
obtained.
 
     No person  has been  authorized to  give  any information  or to  make  any
representation  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 Securities offered
hereby  and thereby nor an offer of the Securities 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.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     All documents subsequently filed by or on behalf of the Trust Fund referred
to in the  accompanying Prospectus  Supplement with the  Commission pursuant  to
Section  13(a), 13(c), 14  or 15(d) of  the Securities Exchange  Act of 1934, as
amended (the 'Exchange Act'), after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of any offering of the Securities issued by such Trust Fund shall be
deemed to be incorporated by
 
                                       3
 
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<PAGE>
reference in this Prospectus and to be  a part of this Prospectus from the  date
of  the  filing  of  such  documents.  Any  statement  contained  in  a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for all purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that
a statement contained herein (or  in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement)  or
in  any  other subsequently  filed document  which also  is or  is deemed  to be
incorporated  by  reference  modifies  or  replaces  such  statement.  Any  such
statement  so modified or superseded shall not  be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute  a part of this  Prospectus. Neither the  Depositor
nor  the Master  Servicer for  any Series  intends to  file with  the Commission
periodic reports with respect to the related Trust Fund following completion  of
the reporting period required by Rule 15d-1 or Regulation 15D under the Exchange
Act.
 
     The  Trustee  or  such other  entity  specified in  the  related Prospectus
Supplement on  behalf of  any Trust  Fund will  provide without  charge to  each
person  to whom this Prospectus is delivered,  on the written or oral request of
such person, a copy of any or all  of the documents referred to above that  have
been  or  may be  incorporated by  reference in  this Prospectus  (not including
exhibits to  the  information that  is  incorporated by  reference  unless  such
exhibits  are specifically incorporated  by reference into  the information that
this Prospectus incorporates). Such requests should be directed to the Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee or the address of such other entity specified in the
accompanying Prospectus  Supplement.  Included in  the  accompanying  Prospectus
Supplement  is the name, address, telephone number, and, if available, facsimile
number of the  office or contact  person at  the Corporate Trust  Office of  the
Trustee or such other entity.
 
                           REPORTS TO SECURITYHOLDERS
 
     Periodic  and annual reports concerning the related Trust Fund for a Series
of Securities will be forwarded  to Securityholders. However, such reports  will
neither  be examined  nor reported on  by an independent  public accountant. See
'Description of the Securities -- Reports to Securityholders'.
 
                                       4

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<PAGE>
                                SUMMARY OF TERMS
 
     This  summary is  qualified in  its entirety  by reference  to the detailed
information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus and in the related Prospectus
Supplement with respect to the Series  of Securities offered thereby and to  the
related  Agreement (as  such term  is defined below)  which will  be prepared in
connection  with  each  Series   of  Securities.  Unless  otherwise   specified,
capitalized  terms  used and  not  defined in  this  Summary of  Terms  have the
meanings given  to  them  in  this Prospectus  and  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement.  See 'Index of Defined Terms' on  page 95 of this Prospectus for the
location of the definitions of certain capitalized terms.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Title of Securities.......................  Asset Backed Certificates (the 'Certificates') and Asset Backed Notes
                                            (the 'Notes' and, together with the Certificates, the  'Securities'),
                                            which are issuable in Series.
Depositor.................................  CWABS, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Trustee...................................  The  trustee(s) (the 'Trustee') for each Series of Securities will be
                                            specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. See 'The  Agreements'
                                            herein for a description of the Trustee's rights and obligations.
Master Servicer...........................  The  entity  or  entities  named  as  Master  Servicer  (the  'Master
                                            Servicer') in  the related  Prospectus Supplement,  which may  be  an
                                            affiliate  of the Depositor.  See 'The Agreements  -- Certain Matters
                                            Regarding the Master Servicer and the Depositor'.
Trust Fund Assets.........................  Assets of the  Trust Fund  for a  Series of  Securities will  include
                                            certain  assets (the 'Trust  Fund Assets') which  will consist of the
                                            Loans, together with payments in  respect of such Trust Fund  Assets,
                                            as  specified in  the related Prospectus  Supplement. At  the time of
                                            issuance of the Securities  of the Series,  the Depositor will  cause
                                            the  Loans comprising  the related Trust  Fund to be  assigned to the
                                            Trustee, without  recourse. The  Loans will  be collected  in a  pool
                                            (each,  a 'Pool') as of the first day of the month of the issuance of
                                            the related Series of Securities or such other date specified in  the
                                            related Prospectus Supplement (the 'Cut-off Date'). Trust Fund Assets
                                            also  may include  insurance policies,  surety bonds,  cash accounts,
                                            reinvestment income, guaranties  or letters of  credit to the  extent
                                            described   in  the   related  Prospectus   Supplement.  See  'Credit
                                            Enhancement'. In addition,  if the related  Prospectus Supplement  so
                                            provides,  the related  Trust Fund Assets  will include  the funds on
                                            deposit in an account (a 'Pre-Funding Account') which will be used to
                                            purchase  additional  Loans  during  the  period  specified  in  such
                                            Prospectus Supplement. See 'The Agreements -- Pre-Funding Account'.
Loans.....................................  The  Loans will consist of (i) mortgage loans secured by first and/or
                                            subordinate liens on  one- to four-family  residential properties  or
                                            security   interests   in  shares   issued  by   cooperative  housing
                                            corporations (each, a  'Mortgage Loan'), (ii)  closed-end loans  (the
                                            'Closed-End  Loans') and/or  revolving home  equity loans  or certain
                                            balances thereof (the  'Revolving Credit Line  Loans', together  with
                                            the  Closed-End  Loans,  the  'Home Equity  Loans'),  and  (iii) home
                                            improvement  installment   sales  contracts   and  installment   loan
                                            agreements  (the 'Home  Improvement Contracts'). All  Loans will have
                                            been purchased  by  the  Depositor, either  directly  or  through  an
                                            affiliate, from one or more Sellers.
</TABLE>
 
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<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            As  specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement,  the Home Equity
                                            Loans will, and  the Home  Improvement Contracts may,  be secured  by
                                            mortgages  or deeds  of trust  or other  similar security instruments
                                            creating a lien on a Mortgaged Property, which may be subordinated to
                                            one or more senior liens on  the Mortgaged Property, as described  in
                                            the  related  Prospectus  Supplement.  As  specified  in  the related
                                            Prospectus Supplement, Home Improvement Contracts may be unsecured or
                                            secured by purchase money security interests in the Home Improvements
                                            financed thereby. The Mortgaged Properties and the Home  Improvements
                                            are collectively referred to herein as the 'Properties'.
Description of the Securities.............  Each  Security will represent a  beneficial ownership interest in, or
                                            be secured by the  assets of, a Trust  Fund created by the  Depositor
                                            pursuant to an Agreement among the Depositor, the Master Servicer and
                                            the  Trustee for the related Series. The Securities of any Series may
                                            be issued  in  one  or  more classes  as  specified  in  the  related
                                            Prospectus Supplement. A Series of Securities may include one or more
                                            classes  of senior Securities (collectively, the 'Senior Securities')
                                            and one or more classes of subordinate Securities (collectively,  the
                                            'Subordinated  Securities'). Certain Series  or classes of Securities
                                            may be  covered  by  insurance  policies or  other  forms  of  credit
                                            enhancement,  in each  case as  described under  'Credit Enhancement'
                                            herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement.
                                            One or more classes of Securities of each Series (i) may be  entitled
                                            to  receive  distributions  allocable  only  to  principal,  only  to
                                            interest or  to any  combination  thereof; (ii)  may be  entitled  to
                                            receive distributions only of prepayments of principal throughout the
                                            lives  of the  Securities or during  specified periods;  (iii) may be
                                            subordinated in  the  right  to receive  distributions  of  scheduled
                                            payments  of  principal, prepayments  of  principal, interest  or any
                                            combination thereof to  one or  more other classes  of Securities  of
                                            such  Series  throughout  the  lives  of  the  Securities  or  during
                                            specified periods; (iv) may be entitled to receive such distributions
                                            only  after  the  occurrence  of  events  specified  in  the  related
                                            Prospectus  Supplement; (v) may be  entitled to receive distributions
                                            in accordance  with  a  schedule  or  formula  or  on  the  basis  of
                                            collections  from  designated  portions  of  the  related  Trust Fund
                                            Assets; (vi) as to Securities entitled to distributions allocable  to
                                            interest,  may be entitled to  receive interest at a  fixed rate or a
                                            rate that is subject  to change from  time to time;  and (vii) as  to
                                            Securities  entitled to  distributions allocable to  interest, may be
                                            entitled to  distributions  allocable  to  interest  only  after  the
                                            occurrence  of events specified in  the related Prospectus Supplement
                                            and may accrue  interest until  such events  occur, in  each case  as
                                            specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement.  The  timing and
                                            amounts of such distributions may vary among classes or over time, as
                                            specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
Distributions on the Securities...........  Distributions  on  the  Securities  entitled  thereto  will  be  made
                                            monthly,  quarterly, semi-annually or at  such other intervals and on
                                            the dates specified  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement (each,  a
                                            'Distribution  Date') out of the payments  received in respect of the
</TABLE>
 
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<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            assets of the related Trust Fund or Funds or other assets pledged for
                                            the benefit of the Securities as described under 'Credit Enhancement'
                                            herein to the extent specified in the related Prospectus  Supplement.
                                            The  amount allocable  to payments of  principal and  interest on any
                                            Distribution Date  will be  determined as  specified in  the  related
                                            Prospectus  Supplement.  The Prospectus  Supplement  for a  Series of
                                            Securities will  describe  the method  for  allocating  distributions
                                            among  Securities  of different  classes as  well  as the  method for
                                            allocating distributions among Securities for any particular class.
                                            Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,  the
                                            aggregate  original  principal  balance of  the  Securities  will not
                                            exceed the aggregate distributions  allocable to principal that  such
                                            Securities  will be entitled to receive.  If specified in the related
                                            Prospectus Supplement, the Securities will have an aggregate original
                                            principal balance equal to the aggregate unpaid principal balance  of
                                            the  Trust Fund Assets as  of the related Cut-off  Date and will bear
                                            interest in the aggregate at a rate equal to the interest rate  borne
                                            by  the  underlying  Loans (the  'Loan  Rate') net  of  the aggregate
                                            servicing fees  and  any  other  amounts  specified  in  the  related
                                            Prospectus  Supplement  (the 'Pass-Through  Rate')  or at  such other
                                            interest rate as may be  specified in such Prospectus Supplement.  If
                                            specified   in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,  the  aggregate
                                            original principal balance  of the Securities  and interest rates  on
                                            the  classes of Securities will be  determined based on the cash flow
                                            on the Trust Fund Assets.
                                            The rate at which interest will be passed through or paid to  holders
                                            of each class of Securities entitled thereto may be a fixed rate or a
                                            rate  that is subject to  change from time to  time from the time and
                                            for the periods, in each case, as specified in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement. Any  such  rate  may be  calculated  on  a  loan-by-loan,
                                            weighted  average or notional amount in each case as described in the
                                            related Prospectus Supplement.
Credit Enhancement........................  The assets in a Trust Fund or  the Securities of one or more  classes
                                            in  the related Series may  have the benefit of  one or more types of
                                            credit enhancement as described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
                                            The protection against losses afforded by any such credit support may
                                            be  limited.  The   type,  characteristics  and   amount  of   credit
                                            enhancement  will be determined  based on the  characteristics of the
                                            Loans comprising the Trust Fund Assets and other factors and will  be
                                            established on the basis of requirements of each Rating Agency rating
                                            the Securities of such Series. See 'Credit Enhancement.'
A. Subordination..........................  A  Series of Securities may consist of  one or more classes of Senior
                                            Securities and one  or more classes  of Subordinated Securities.  The
                                            rights  of the holders of the  Subordinated Securities of a Series to
                                            receive distributions with respect to the assets in the related Trust
                                            Fund will be subordinated to such rights of the holders of the Senior
                                            Securities of the same Series to the extent described in the  related
                                            Prospectus  Supplement. This subordination is intended to enhance the
                                            likelihood   of    regular    receipt   by    holders    of    Senior
</TABLE>
 
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<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            Securities  of the full  amount of monthly  payments of principal and
                                            interest due them. The protection  afforded to the holders of  Senior
                                            Securities  of a Series by means of the subordination feature will be
                                            accomplished by  (i)  the  preferential  right  of  such  holders  to
                                            receive,  prior  to any  distribution being  made  in respect  of the
                                            related Subordinated  Securities,  the  amounts  of  interest  and/or
                                            principal  due  them  on  each Distribution  Date  out  of  the funds
                                            available for  distribution  on such  date  in the  related  Security
                                            Account  and,  to  the  extent described  in  the  related Prospectus
                                            Supplement,  by  the  right  of   such  holders  to  receive   future
                                            distributions  on the  assets in  the related  Trust Fund  that would
                                            otherwise  have  been   payable  to  the   holders  of   Subordinated
                                            Securities;  (ii) reducing the ownership  interest (if applicable) of
                                            the related  Subordinated  Securities;  or  (iii)  a  combination  of
                                            clauses (i) and (ii) above. If so specified in the related Prospectus
                                            Supplement,  subordination  may apply  only in  the event  of certain
                                            types of losses not covered by other forms of credit support, such as
                                            hazard losses not  covered by standard  hazard insurance policies  or
                                            losses  due to the  bankruptcy or fraud of  the borrower. The related
                                            Prospectus Supplement will  set forth  information concerning,  among
                                            other  things, the amount  of subordination of a  class or classes of
                                            Subordinated Securities in a Series, the circumstances in which  such
                                            subordination  will be applicable,  and the manner,  if any, in which
                                            the amount of subordination will decrease over time.
B. Reserve Account........................  One or more reserve accounts or other cash accounts (each, a 'Reserve
                                            Account') may  be  established  and maintained  for  each  Series  of
                                            Securities. The related Prospectus Supplement will specify whether or
                                            not such Reserve Accounts will be included in the corpus of the Trust
                                            Fund for such Series and will also specify the manner of funding such
                                            Reserve  Accounts and the  conditions under which  the amounts in any
                                            such Reserve Accounts will be  used to make distributions to  holders
                                            of  Securities of  a particular class  or released  from such Reserve
                                            Accounts.
C. Letter of Credit.......................  If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, credit  support
                                            may  be provided by one or more letters of credit. A letter of credit
                                            may provide limited protection against certain losses in addition  to
                                            or  in lieu  of other credit  support, such as  losses resulting from
                                            delinquent payments on the  Loans in the  related Trust Fund,  losses
                                            from  risks not covered by standard hazard insurance policies, losses
                                            due to bankruptcy of a borrower and application of certain provisions
                                            of the federal Bankruptcy Code, and losses due to denial of insurance
                                            coverage due  to  misrepresentations  made  in  connection  with  the
                                            origination  or sale of  a Loan. The  issuer of the  letter of credit
                                            (the 'L/C Bank') will be obligated  to honor demands with respect  to
                                            such  letter  of  credit,  to  the  extent  of  the  amount available
                                            thereunder to provide  funds under the  circumstances and subject  to
                                            such   conditions  as   are  specified  in   the  related  Prospectus
                                            Supplement. The liability of the L/C Bank under its letter of  credit
                                            will be reduced by the amount of unreimbursed payments thereunder.
                                            The  maximum liability of a L/C Bank  under its letter of credit will
                                            be  an  amount  equal  to  a  percentage  specified  in  the  related
</TABLE>
 
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<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            Prospectus  Supplement of the initial aggregate outstanding principal
                                            balance of the Loans in the related Trust Fund or one or more Classes
                                            of Securities  of  the related  Series  (the 'L/C  Percentage').  The
                                            maximum  amount available at  any time to  be paid under  a letter of
                                            credit will be determined in the manner specified therein and in  the
                                            related Prospectus Supplement.
D. Insurance Policies; Surety Bonds and
   Guarantees.............................  If  so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, credit support
                                            for a Series may be provided  by an insurance policy and/or a  surety
                                            bond  issued by  one or  more insurance  companies or  sureties. Such
                                            certificate guarantee insurance or surety bond will guarantee  timely
                                            distributions  of interest and/or full  distributions of principal on
                                            the basis of a  schedule of principal distributions  set forth in  or
                                            determined   in  the  manner  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus
                                            Supplement. If specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, one or
                                            more bankruptcy  bonds,  special  hazard  insurance  policies,  other
                                            insurance  or third-party guarantees may  be used to provide coverage
                                            for the  risks  of default  or  types of  losses  set forth  in  such
                                            Prospectus Supplement.
E. Over-Collateralization.................  If  so  provided  in  the  Prospectus  Supplement  for  a  Series  of
                                            Securities, a portion  of the interest  payment on each  Loan may  be
                                            applied  as  an additional  distribution in  respect of  principal to
                                            reduce the  principal  balance  of  a certain  class  or  classes  of
                                            Securities  and, thus, accelerate the rate of payment of principal on
                                            such class or classes of Securities.
F. Loan Pool Insurance Policy.............  A mortgage  pool insurance  policy or  policies may  be obtained  and
                                            maintained  for  Loans relating  to any  Series of  Securities, which
                                            shall be limited in scope, covering defaults on the related Loans  in
                                            an  initial amount equal  to a specified  percentage of the aggregate
                                            principal balance of all Loans included in the Pool as of the related
                                            Cut-off Date.
G. FHA Insurance..........................  If specified in the related  Prospectus Supplement, all or a  portion
                                            of  the Loans  in a Pool  may be  (i) insured by  the Federal Housing
                                            Administration (the 'FHA')  and/or (ii) partially  guaranteed by  the
                                            Department  of  Veterans'  Affairs  (the  'VA').  See  'Certain Legal
                                            Aspects of the Loans -- The Title I Program'.
H. Cross-Collateralization................  If specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement, separate  classes
                                            of  a Series of Securities may  evidence the beneficial ownership of,
                                            or be secured by, separate groups of assets included in a Trust Fund.
                                            In  such  case,  credit   support  may  be   provided  by  a   cross-
                                            collateralization  feature which requires  that distributions be made
                                            with respect to Securities evidencing a beneficial ownership interest
                                            in, or secured by, one or more asset groups prior to distributions to
                                            Subordinated Securities  evidencing a  beneficial ownership  interest
                                            in, or secured by, other asset groups within the same Trust Fund. See
                                            'Credit Enhancement -- Cross-Collateralization.'
                                            If  specified  in  the related  Prospectus  Supplement,  the coverage
                                            provided by one or more of the forms of credit enchancement described
                                            in this Prospectus  may apply  concurrently to two  or more  separate
                                            Trust  Funds. If  applicable, the related  Prospectus Supplement will
                                            identify the Trust Funds to which such credit
</TABLE>
 
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<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            enchancement relates  and the  manner of  determining the  amount  of
                                            coverage  provided to such Trust Funds thereby and of the application
                                            of  such  coverage  to  the  identified  Trust  Funds.  See   'Credit
                                            Enhancement -- Cross-Collateralization.'
Advances..................................  The  Master  Servicer  and, if  applicable,  each  mortgage servicing
                                            institution that services a  Loan in a Pool  on behalf of the  Master
                                            Servicer (each, a 'Sub-Servicer') may be obligated to advance amounts
                                            (each,  an  'Advance')  corresponding to  delinquent  interest and/or
                                            principal  payments  on  such  Loan   (including,  in  the  case   of
                                            Cooperative Loans, unpaid maintenance fees or other charges under the
                                            related  proprietary  lease)  until  the date,  as  specified  in the
                                            related Prospectus  Supplement,  following  the  date  on  which  the
                                            related Property is sold at a foreclosure sale or the related Loan is
                                            otherwise  liquidated. Any obligation to make Advances may be subject
                                            to limitations as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.  If
                                            so  specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement,  Advances may be
                                            drawn from a cash account available for such purpose as described  in
                                            such  Prospectus  Supplement. Advances  will  be reimbursable  to the
                                            extent described under  'Description of the  Securities --  Advances'
                                            herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement.
                                            In  the event  the Master  Servicer or  Sub-Servicer fails  to make a
                                            required Advance,  the  Trustee  may be  obligated  to  advance  such
                                            amounts  otherwise required to be advanced  by the Master Servicer or
                                            Sub-Servicer. See 'Description of the Securities -- Advances.'
Optional Termination......................  The Master Servicer or the party specified in the related  Prospectus
                                            Supplement, including the holder of the residual interest in a REMIC,
                                            may  have  the  option to  effect  early  retirement of  a  Series of
                                            Securities through the purchase of the Trust Fund Assets. The  Master
                                            Servicer  will  deposit  the proceeds  of  any such  purchase  in the
                                            Security  Account  for  each  Trust  Fund  as  described  under  'The
                                            Agreements  -- Payments on  Loans; Deposit to  Security Account.' Any
                                            such purchase of Trust Fund  Assets and property acquired in  respect
                                            of Trust Fund Assets evidenced by a Series of Securities will be made
                                            at  the  option of  the  Master Servicer,  such  other person  or, if
                                            applicable, such holder of  the REMIC residual  interest, at a  price
                                            specified  in the related Prospectus Supplement. The exercise of such
                                            right will effect early retirement of the Securities of that  Series,
                                            but  the  right of  the  Master Servicer,  such  other person  or, if
                                            applicable, such  holder  of  the  REMIC  residual  interest,  to  so
                                            purchase  is subject  to the principal  balance of  the related Trust
                                            Fund Assets being less than  the percentage specified in the  related
                                            Prospectus Supplement of the aggregate principal balance of the Trust
                                            Fund  Assets at  the Cut-off  Date for  the Series.  The foregoing is
                                            subject to  the provision  that  if a  REMIC  election is  made  with
                                            respect to a Trust Fund, any repurchase pursuant to clause (ii) above
                                            will be made only in connection with a 'qualified liquidation' of the
                                            REMIC within the meaning of Section 860F(g)(4) of the Code.
Legal Investment..........................  The  Prospectus Supplement for each series of Securities will specify
                                            which,  if  any,  of  the  classes  of  Securities  offered   thereby
                                            constitute   'mortgage  related  securities'   for  purposes  of  the
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
 
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<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement Act of 1984 ('SMMEA').  Classes
                                            of  Securities that qualify as  'mortgage related securities' will be
                                            legal investments for certain types of institutional investors to the
                                            extent provided  in  SMMEA,  subject,  in  any  case,  to  any  other
                                            regulations  which  may  govern  investments  by  such  institutional
                                            investors. Institutions whose  investment activities  are subject  to
                                            review  by  federal or  state authorities  should consult  with their
                                            counsel  or  the  applicable  authorities  to  determine  whether  an
                                            investment  in a particular class of  Securities (whether or not such
                                            class  constitutes  a  'mortgage  related  security')  complies  with
                                            applicable  guidelines, policy statements or restrictions. See 'Legal
                                            Investment.'
Federal Income Tax Consequences...........  The federal  income tax  consequences  to Securityholders  will  vary
                                            depending  on whether  one or  more elections  are made  to treat the
                                            Trust Fund  or  specified  portions  thereof as  a  REMIC  under  the
                                            provisions  of the  Internal Revenue  Code of  1986, as  amended (the
                                            'Code'). The Prospectus Supplement for each Series of Securities will
                                            specify whether such an election will be made.
                                            If  a  REMIC  election  is  made,  Securities  representing   regular
                                            interests in a REMIC will generally be taxable to holders in the same
                                            manner  as  evidences of  indebtedness  issued by  the  REMIC. Stated
                                            interest on such regular interests will be taxable as ordinary income
                                            and taken  into  account  using the  accrual  method  of  accounting,
                                            regardless  of  the holder's  normal accounting  method. If  no REMIC
                                            election is  made,  interest  (other  than  original  issue  discount
                                            ('OID')  on  Securities that  are  characterized as  indebtedness for
                                            federal income tax purposes will  be includible in income by  holders
                                            thereof in accordance with their usual method of accounting.
                                            Certain Classes of Securities may be issued with OID. A holder should
                                            be  aware  that the  Code  and the  Treasury  regulations promulgated
                                            thereunder do  not  adequately  address certain  issues  relevant  to
                                            prepayable securities, such as the Securities.
                                            Holders  that will be  required to report income  with respect to the
                                            related Securities under the accrual method of accounting will do  so
                                            without  giving  effect  to delays  and  reductions  in distributions
                                            attributable to  a  default  or  delinquency  on  the  Loans,  except
                                            possibly  to the extent that it  can be established that such amounts
                                            are uncollectible. As a result, the amount of income (including  OID)
                                            reported  by a holder of a Security in any period could significantly
                                            exceed the amount of cash distributed to such holder in that period.
                                            In the opinion of Brown & Wood LLP, if a REMIC election is made  with
                                            respect to a Series of Securities, then the arrangement by which such
                                            Securities  are issued will be  treated as a REMIC  as long as all of
                                            the provisions of the applicable Agreement are complied with and  the
                                            statutory  and regulatory requirements are satisfied. Securities will
                                            be designated as  'regular interests'  or 'residual  interests' in  a
                                            REMIC.  A REMIC will not be  subject to entity-level tax. Rather, the
                                            taxable income or net loss of a  REMIC will be taken into account  by
                                            the holders of residual interests. Such holders
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
 
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<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            will  report their proportionate  share of the  taxable income of the
                                            REMIC whether or not they  receive cash distributions from the  REMIC
                                            attributable  to such income. The portion of the REMIC taxable income
                                            consisting of 'excess  inclusions' may  not be  offset against  other
                                            deductions  or  losses of  the  holder, including  the  net operating
                                            losses.
                                            In the opinion  of Brown  & Wood  LLP, if  a REMIC  or a  partnership
                                            elections  not made with respect to  a Series of Securities, then the
                                            arrangement by which such Securities are issued will be classified as
                                            a grantor trust under Subpart E, Part  I of Subchapter J of the  Code
                                            and not as an association taxable as a corporation. If so provided in
                                            the  Prospectus Supplement for a Series,  there will be no separation
                                            of the  principal  and  interest  payments  on  the  Loans.  In  such
                                            circumstances,  the holder  will considered  to have  purchased a pro
                                            rata undivided interest in each of the Loans. In other cases, sale of
                                            the Securities will produce a separation in the ownership of all or a
                                            portion of  the principal  payments  from all  or  a portion  of  the
                                            interest payments on the Loans.
                                            In  the opinion  of Brown  & Wood LLP,  if a  partnership election is
                                            made, the  Trust Fund  will not  be treated  as an  association or  a
                                            publicly  traded partnership taxable as a  corporation as long as all
                                            of the provisions of the  applicable Agreement are complied with  and
                                            the statutory and regulatory requirements are satisfied. If Notes are
                                            issued by such Trust Fund, such Notes will be treated as indebtedness
                                            for  federal  income tax  purposes. The  holders of  the Certificates
                                            issued  by  such  Trust  Fund,  if  any,  will  agree  to  treat  the
                                            Certificates as equity interests in a partnership.
                                            The  Securities  will  be  treated  as  assets  described  in section
                                            7701(a)(19)(C) of the  Code and  as real estate  assets described  in
                                            section 856(c) of the Code.
                                            Generally, gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of Securities in
                                            the  amount equal to  the difference between  the amount realized and
                                            the seller's tax basis in the Securities sold.
                                            The material federal income tax consequences for investors associated
                                            with the purchase,  ownership and disposition  of the Securities  are
                                            set  forth  herein under  'Federal Income  -- Tax  Consequences'. The
                                            material federal  income tax  consequences for  investors  associated
                                            with  the purchase,  ownership and  disposition of  Securities of any
                                            particular Series will be set forth under the heading 'Federal Income
                                            Tax Consequences' in the related Prospectus Supplement. See  'Federal
                                            Income Tax Consequences'.
ERISA Considerations......................  A  fiduciary of any employee benefit plan or other retirement plan or
                                            arrangement subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
                                            1974, as amended ('ERISA'), or the Code should carefully review  with
                                            its  legal  advisors whether  the purchase  or holding  of Securities
                                            could  give  rise  to  a  transaction  prohibited  or  not  otherwise
                                            permissible  under  ERISA or  the  Code. See  'ERISA Considerations'.
                                            Certain classes  of  Securities may  not  be transferred  unless  the
                                            Trustee   and  the   Depositor  are   furnished  with   a  letter  of
                                            representation or  an opinion  of  counsel to  the effect  that  such
                                            transfer   will  not  result   in  a  violation   of  the  prohibited
</TABLE>
 
                                       12
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
                                            transaction provisions of ERISA and the Code and will not subject the
                                            Trustee,  the  Depositor  or   the  Master  Servicer  to   additional
                                            obligations.  See 'Description of  the Securities-General' and 'ERISA
                                            Considerations'.
Risk Factors..............................  For a discussion of  certain risks associated  with an investment  in
                                            the  Securities,  see 'Risk  Factors' on  page 14  herein and  in the
                                            related Prospectus Supplement.
</TABLE>
 
                                       13

<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Investors  should  consider the  following factors  in connection  with the
purchase of the Securities.
 
LIMITED LIQUIDITY
 
     There will be  no market  for the  Securities of  any Series  prior to  the
issuance  thereof, and there  can be no  assurance that a  secondary market will
develop or,  if it  does  develop, that  it  will provide  Securityholders  with
liquidity  of investment or will continue for the life of the Securities of such
Series.
 
LIMITED SOURCE OF PAYMENTS -- NO RECOURSE TO SELLERS, DEPOSITOR OR MASTER
SERVICER
 
     The Depositor does not  have, nor is it  expected to have, any  significant
assets.  Unless otherwise  specified in  the related  Prospectus Supplement, the
Securities of a  Series will  be payable  solely from  the Trust  Fund for  such
Securities and will not have any claim against or security interest in the Trust
Fund  for any other  Series. There will be  no recourse to  the Depositor or any
other person  for  any  failure  to receive  distributions  on  the  Securities.
Further,  at the times  set forth in the  related Prospectus Supplement, certain
Trust  Fund  Assets  and/or  any  balance  remaining  in  the  Security  Account
immediately  after making  all payments  due on  the Securities  of such Series,
after making  adequate  provision for  future  payments on  certain  classes  of
Securities  and  after  making  any  other  payments  specified  in  the related
Prospectus Supplement, may be  promptly released or  remitted to the  Depositor,
the  Master  Servicer,  any  credit enhancement  provider  or  any  other person
entitled thereto  and  will  no  longer be  available  for  making  payments  to
Securityholders.  Consequently, holders of  Securities of each  Series must rely
solely upon payments with respect to the Trust Fund Assets and the other  assets
constituting   the  Trust  Fund  for  a  Series  of  Securities,  including,  if
applicable, any amounts available  pursuant to any  credit enhancement for  such
Series,  for the payment of principal of  and interest on the Securities of such
Series.
 
     The Securities  will not  represent an  interest in  or obligation  of  the
Depositor,   the  Master  Servicer,  any  Seller  or  any  of  their  respective
affiliates. The only obligations, if any,  of the Depositor with respect to  the
Trust  Fund Assets or the  Securities of any Series  will be pursuant to certain
representations and warranties. The Depositor does not have, and is not expected
in the future to have, any significant assets with which to meet any  obligation
to repurchase Trust Fund Assets with respect to which there has been a breach of
any  representation or warranty. If, for example, the Depositor were required to
repurchase a Loan, its only  sources of funds to  make such repurchase would  be
from  funds obtained (i) from the  enforcement of a corresponding obligation, if
any, on the part of  the related Seller or originator  of such Loan, or (ii)  to
the extent provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, from a Reserve Account
or similar credit enhancement established to provide funds for such repurchases.
 
     The  only  obligations  of  the  Master  Servicer,  other  than  its master
servicing obligations, with respect to the  Trust Fund Assets or the  Securities
of  any Series will  be pursuant to certain  representations and warranties. The
Master Servicer may be  required to repurchase or  substitute for any Loan  with
respect  to which such representations and  warranties are breached. There is no
assurance, however, that the Master Servicer will have the financial ability  to
effect any such repurchase or substitution.
 
     The only obligations of any Seller with respect to Trust Fund Assets or the
Securities  of  any  Series  will be  pursuant  to  certain  representations and
warranties and certain document delivery requirements. A Seller may be  required
to   repurchase  or  substitute  for  any   Loan  with  respect  to  which  such
representations and warranties or  document delivery requirements are  breached.
There is no assurance, however, that such Seller will have the financial ability
to effect such repurchase or substitution.
 
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
 
     Although  credit enhancement is  intended to reduce  the risk of delinquent
payments or losses to holders of Securities entitled to the benefit thereof, the
amount of such credit enhancement will be  limited, as set forth in the  related
Prospectus  Supplement, and may  be subject to  periodic reduction in accordance
with a schedule  or formula or  otherwise decline, and  could be depleted  under
certain  circumstances prior  to the  payment in full  of the  related Series of
Securities, and as  a result Securityholders  of the related  Series may  suffer
losses.  Moreover, such credit enhancement may not cover all potential losses or
risks. For example, credit enhancement may or may not cover fraud or  negligence
by  a loan originator or other parties.  In addition, the Trustee will generally
be
 
                                       14
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
permitted to reduce,  terminate or  substitute all or  a portion  of the  credit
enhancement  for any Series of Securities, provided the applicable Rating Agency
indicates that the then-current rating of the Securities of such Series will not
be adversely affected. See 'Credit Enhancement'.
 
PREPAYMENT AND YIELD CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The timing of  principal payments  of the Securities  of a  Series will  be
affected  by a  number of  factors, including the  following: (i)  the extent of
prepayments (including for this  purpose prepayments resulting from  refinancing
or  liquidations of  the Loans  due to  defaults, casualties,  condemnations and
repurchases by the Depositor or the Master Servicer) of the Loans comprising the
Trust Fund,  which  prepayments  may  be influenced  by  a  variety  of  factors
including  general  economic conditions,  prevailing  interest rate  levels, the
availability of alternative financing and homeowner mobility, (ii) the manner of
allocating principal and/or payments among the classes of Securities of a Series
as specified in  the related Prospectus  Supplement, (iii) the  exercise by  the
party  entitled thereto of any  right of optional termination  and (iv) the rate
and timing of  payment defaults and  losses incurred with  respect to the  Trust
Fund Assets. The repurchase of Loans by the Depositor or the Master Servicer may
result  from repurchases of  Trust Fund Assets  due to material  breaches of the
Depositor's  or  the  Master  Servicer's  representations  and  warranties,   as
applicable.  The yields to maturity and weighted average lives of the Securities
will be affected primarily  by the rate  and timing of  prepayment of the  Loans
comprising  the  Trust Fund  Assets.  In addition,  the  yields to  maturity and
weighted average lives of the Securities will be affected by the distribution of
amounts remaining in any  Pre-Funding Account following the  end of the  related
Funding  Period.  Any  reinvestment  risks resulting  from  a  faster  or slower
incidence of prepayment of Loans held by a Trust Fund will be borne entirely  by
the  holders of  one or more  classes of  the related Series  of Securities. See
'Yield  and  Prepayment  Considerations'  and  'The  Agreements  --  Pre-Funding
Account.'
 
     Interest  payable on the Securities of a Series on a Distribution Date will
include all  interest  accrued  during  the  period  specified  in  the  related
Prospectus Supplement. In the event interest accrues over a period ending two or
more  days prior to a Distribution  Date, the effective yield to Securityholders
will be reduced from  the yield that would  otherwise be obtainable if  interest
payable  on the Securities were to  accrue through the day immediately preceding
each Distribution Date, and the effective yield (at par) to Securityholders will
be  less   than   the  indicated   coupon   rate.  See   'Description   of   the
Securities -- Distributions on Securities -- Distributions of Interest'.
 
BALLOON PAYMENTS
 
     Certain  of  the Loans  as of  the related  Cut-off Date  may not  be fully
amortizing over  their terms  to maturity  and, thus,  will require  substantial
principal payments (i.e., balloon payments) at their stated maturity. Loans with
balloon  payments involve  a greater  degree of  risk because  the ability  of a
borrower to make a balloon payment typically will depend upon its ability either
to timely refinance the loan or to timely sell the related Property. The ability
of a borrower to accomplish either of  these goals will be affected by a  number
of  factors, including the level of available mortgage rates at the time of sale
or refinancing, the  borrower's equity  in the related  Property, the  financial
condition  of  the borrower  and tax  laws. Losses  on such  Loans that  are not
otherwise  covered  by  the  credit  enhancement  described  in  the  applicable
Prospectus  Supplement will be  borne by the  holders of one  or more classes of
Securities of the related Series.
 
NATURE OF MORTGAGES
 
     Property Values.  There are several factors that could adversely affect the
value of Properties  such that  the outstanding  balance of  the related  Loans,
together with any senior financing on the Properties, if applicable, would equal
or  exceed the value of  the Properties. Among the  factors that could adversely
affect the value  of the Properties  are an overall  decline in the  residential
real estate market in the areas in which the Properties are located or a decline
in  the general condition of the Properties  as a result of failure of borrowers
to maintain  adequately the  Properties or  of natural  disasters that  are  not
necessarily covered by insurance, such as earthquakes and floods. In the case of
Home  Equity Loans, such decline could extinguish the value of the interest of a
junior mortgagee in the Property before having any effect on the interest of the
related senior  mortgagee.  If  such  a decline  occurs,  the  actual  rates  of
delinquencies, foreclosures and losses on all Loans could
 
                                       15
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
be  higher than those currently experienced  in the mortgage lending industry in
general. Losses  on such  Loans that  are not  otherwise covered  by the  credit
enhancement  described in the applicable Prospectus  Supplement will be borne by
the holder of one or more classes of Securities of the related Series.
 
     Delays Due  to Liquidation.    Even assuming  that the  Properties  provide
adequate  security for  the Loans,  substantial delays  could be  encountered in
connection with the liquidation of  defaulted Loans and corresponding delays  in
the  receipt of  related proceeds by  Securityholders could occur.  An action to
foreclose on a Property securing a Loan is regulated by state statutes and rules
and is subject to many of the delays and expenses of other lawsuits if  defenses
or  counterclaims are interposed, sometimes requiring several years to complete.
Furthermore, in some  states an action  to obtain a  deficiency judgment is  not
permitted  following a nonjudicial sale of a Property. In the event of a default
by a borrower, these restrictions, among other things, may impede the ability of
the Master  Servicer  to  foreclose  on  or  sell  the  Property  or  to  obtain
liquidation proceeds sufficient to repay all amounts due on the related Loan. In
addition,   the  Master  Servicer  will  be  entitled  to  deduct  from  related
liquidation proceeds all expenses reasonably  incurred in attempting to  recover
amounts  due on defaulted Loans and not yet repaid, including payments to senior
lienholders, legal  fees  and costs  of  legal  action, real  estate  taxes  and
maintenance and preservation expenses.
 
     Disproportionate Effect of Liquidation Expenses.  Liquidation expenses with
respect  to defaulted loans do not  vary directly with the outstanding principal
balance of the loan at the time of default. Therefore, assuming that a  servicer
took  the same steps in realizing upon a defaulted loan having a small remaining
principal balance as it  would in the  case of a defaulted  loan having a  large
remaining  principal balance, the amount  realized after expenses of liquidation
would be smaller  as a percentage  of the outstanding  principal balance of  the
small  loan  than would  be  the case  with the  defaulted  loan having  a large
remaining principal balance.
 
     Home Equity Loans; Junior  Liens.  Since the  mortgages and deeds of  trust
securing the Home Equity Loans will be primarily junior liens subordinate to the
rights  of  the mortgagee  under the  related senior  mortgage(s) or  deed(s) of
trust, the proceeds  from any  liquidation, insurance  or condemnation  proceeds
will be available to satisfy the outstanding balance of such junior lien only to
the  extent that  the claims  of such senior  mortgagees have  been satisfied in
full, including any related foreclosure  costs. In addition, a junior  mortgagee
may  not  foreclose  on  the  property  securing  a  junior  mortgage  unless it
forecloses subject to any senior mortgage, in which case it must either pay  the
entire  amount due on any senior mortgage  to the related senior mortgagee at or
prior to the foreclosure  sale or undertake the  obligation to make payments  on
any  such senior mortgage in  the event the mortgagor  is in default thereunder.
The Trust Fund will not have any source of funds to satisfy any senior mortgages
or make payments  due to any  senior mortgagees and  may therefore be  prevented
from foreclosing on the related property.
 
     Consumer  Protection  Laws.    Applicable  state  laws  generally  regulate
interest rates  and  other charges,  require  certain disclosures,  and  require
licensing  of  certain originators  and servicers  of  Loans. In  addition, most
states have other laws, public policy and general principles of equity  relating
to  the protection  of consumers, unfair  and deceptive  practices and practices
which may  apply to  the origination,  servicing and  collection of  the  Loans.
Depending  on the provisions  of the applicable  law and the  specific facts and
circumstances involved, violations  of these laws,  policies and principles  may
limit the ability of the Master Servicer to collect all or part of the principal
of  or interest on  the Loans, may entitle  the borrower to  a refund of amounts
previously paid and, in addition, could  subject the Master Servicer to  damages
and administrative sanctions. See 'Certain Legal Aspects of the Loans'.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS
 
     Real  property pledged as  security to a  lender may be  subject to certain
environmental risks.  Under  the laws  of  certain states,  contamination  of  a
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  the  lien of  an existing
mortgage against 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 of hazardous
substances  that require  remedy at  a property, if  agents or  employees of the
lender have  become sufficiently  involved in  the operations  of the  borrower,
regardless  of whether the environmental damage or  threat was caused by a prior
owner. Such costs could result in a loss  to the holders of one or more  classes
of   Securities   of   the   related   Series.   A   lender   also   risks  such
 
                                       16
 
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<PAGE>
liability on foreclosure of the related property. See 'Certain Legal Aspects  of
the Loans -- Environmental Risks'.
 
CERTAIN OTHER LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE LOANS
 
     Consumer  Protection Laws.  The Loans may  also be subject to federal laws,
including:
 
          (i) the  Federal Truth  in Lending  Act and  Regulation Z  promulgated
     thereunder,  which require  certain disclosures to  the borrowers regarding
     the terms of the Loans;
 
          (ii) the Equal  Credit Opportunity  Act and  Regulation B  promulgated
     thereunder, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, race, color,
     sex,   religion,  marital  status,  national   origin,  receipt  of  public
     assistance  or  the  exercise  of  any  right  under  the  Consumer  Credit
     Protection Act, in the extension of credit;
 
          (iii)  the  Fair Credit  Reporting Act,  which  regulates the  use and
     reporting of information related to the borrower's credit experience; and
 
          (iv) for Loans that were originated or closed after November 7,  1989,
     the  Home  Equity  Loan Consumer  Protection  Act of  1988,  which requires
     additional application disclosures, limits changes that may be made to  the
     loan  documents  without the  borrower's consent  and restricts  a lender's
     ability to declare a  default or to suspend  or reduce a borrower's  credit
     limit to certain enumerated events.
 
     The  Riegle  Act.   Certain mortgage  loans  may be  subject to  the Riegle
Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (the 'Riegle  Act')
which  incorporates the Home Ownership and  Equity Protection Act of 1994. These
provisions impose additional disclosure and other requirements on creditors with
respect to non-purchase money  mortgage loans with high  interest rates or  high
up-front fees and charges. The provisions of the Riegle Act apply on a mandatory
basis  to  all mortgage  loans originated  on  or after  October 1,  1995. These
provisions can impose specific statutory liabilities upon creditors who fail  to
comply  with their provisions  and may affect the  enforceability of the related
loans. In addition, any assignee of  the creditor would generally be subject  to
all  claims and  defenses that the  consumer could assert  against the creditor,
including, without limitation, the right to rescind the mortgage loan.
 
     Holder in  Due Course  Rules.   The  Home  Improvement Contracts  are  also
subject to the Preservation of Consumers' Claims and Defenses regulations of the
Federal  Trade  Commission  and other  similar  federal and  state  statutes and
regulations (collectively, the 'Holder in Due Course Rules'), which protect  the
homeowner from defective craftsmanship or incomplete work by a contractor. These
laws  permit  the obligor  to withhold  payment if  the work  does not  meet the
quality and durability standards agreed to by the homeowner and the  contractor.
The Holder in Due Course Rules have the effect of subjecting any assignee of the
seller  in a consumer  credit transaction to  all claims and  defenses which the
obligor in the credit  sale transaction could assert  against the seller of  the
goods.
 
     Violations  of  certain  provisions of  these  federal laws  may  limit the
ability of the Master  Servicer to collect  all or part of  the principal of  or
interest  on the Loans and  in addition could subject  the Trust Fund to damages
and administrative  enforcement. Losses  on such  Loans that  are not  otherwise
covered  by  the  credit  enhancement  described  in  the  applicable Prospectus
Supplement will be borne by the holders of one or more classes of Securities  of
the related Series. See 'Certain Legal Aspects of the Loans'.
 
RATING OF THE SECURITIES
 
     It  will be a  condition to the  issuance of a  class of Securities offered
hereby that they be rated  in one of the four  highest rating categories by  the
Rating  Agency identified in the related  Prospectus Supplement. Any such rating
would be based on, among other things, the adequacy of the value of the  related
Trust Fund Assets and any credit enhancement with respect to such class and will
represent  such Rating Agency's assessment solely of the likelihood that holders
of such class of Securities will receive payments to which such  Securityholders
are  entitled under  the related Agreement.  Such rating will  not constitute an
assessment of the  likelihood that  principal prepayments on  the related  Loans
will be made, the degree to which the rate of such prepayments might differ from
that  originally anticipated or the likelihood  of early optional termination of
the Series of Securities.  Such rating shall not  be deemed a recommendation  to
purchase,  hold or sell Securities, inasmuch as it does not address market price
or suitability  for a  particular investor.  Such rating  will not  address  the
possibility  that prepayment  at higher  or lower  rates than  anticipated by an
investor may cause such investor to
 
                                       17
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
experience a  lower than  anticipated yield  or that  an investor  purchasing  a
Security  at a significant  premium might fail to  recoup its initial investment
under certain prepayment scenarios.
 
     There is also no assurance that any  such rating will remain in effect  for
any  given period of time or that it may not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by
the Rating Agency in the future if  in its judgment circumstances in the  future
so  warrant. In addition to being lowered or withdrawn due to any erosion in the
adequacy of the value of  the Trust Fund Assets  or any credit enhancement  with
respect  to  a  Series of  Securities,  such  rating might  also  be  lowered or
withdrawn because of, among other reasons, an adverse change in the financial or
other condition of a credit  enhancement provider or a  change in the rating  of
such credit enhancement provider's long term debt.
 
     The amount, type and nature of credit enhancement, if any, established with
respect  to a class  of Securities will  be determined on  the basis of criteria
established by each Rating Agency rating  classes of such Series. Such  criteria
are  sometimes based upon an actuarial analysis of the behavior of similar loans
in a larger  group. Such  analysis is  often the  basis upon  which each  Rating
Agency determines the amount of credit enhancement required with respect to each
such  class. There can be  no assurance that the  historical data supporting any
such actuarial  analysis  will  accurately reflect  future  experience  nor  any
assurance  that the data derived  from a large pool  of similar loans accurately
predicts the delinquency, foreclosure or loss experience of any particular  pool
of  Loans. No  assurance can  be given  that the  values of  any Properties have
remained or will remain at their  levels on the respective dates of  origination
of  the related Loans. If the  residential real estate markets should experience
an overall  decline  in property  values  such that  the  outstanding  principal
balances  of the Loans in a particular Trust Fund and any secondary financing on
the related  Properties  become  equal to  or  greater  than the  value  of  the
Properties,  the rates of delinquencies, foreclosures and losses could be higher
than those  now  generally experienced  in  the mortgage  lending  industry.  In
addition, adverse economic conditions (which may or may not affect real property
values)  may affect  the timely payment  by mortgagors of  scheduled payments of
principal  and  interest   on  the   Loans  and,  accordingly,   the  rates   of
delinquencies,  foreclosures and losses  with respect to any  Trust Fund. To the
extent that such losses are not covered by credit enhancement, such losses  will
be  borne, at least in part, by the holders of one or more classes of Securities
of the related Series. See 'Rating'.
 
BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION
 
     If issued in book-entry form, such registration may reduce the liquidity of
the Securities in the secondary trading market since investors may be  unwilling
to purchase Securities for which they cannot obtain physical certificates. Since
transactions   in  book-entry  Securities  can  be  effected  only  through  the
Depository  Trust  Company   ('DTC'),  participating  organizations,   Financial
Intermediaries  and certain banks,  the ability of a  Securityholder to pledge a
book-entry Security to persons  or entities that do  not participate in the  DTC
system  may be limited due  to lack of a  physical certificate representing such
Securities. Securities Owners will not be recognized as Securityholders as  such
term  is used in the related Agreement, and Security Owners will be permitted to
exercise the  rights of  Securityholders  only indirectly  through DTC  and  its
Participants.
 
     In  addition, Securityholders may experience some delay in their receipt of
distributions  of  interest  and   principal  on  book-entry  Securities   since
distributions  are required to be  forwarded by the Trustee  to DTC and DTC will
then be required  to credit  such distributions  to the  accounts of  Depository
participants which thereafter will be required to credit them to the accounts of
Securityholders  either directly or indirectly through Financial Intermediaries.
See 'Description of the Securities -- Book-Entry Registration of Securities'.
 
PRE-FUNDING ACCOUNTS
 
     If so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, on the related Closing
Date the Depositor  will deposit  cash in  an amount  (the 'Pre-Funded  Amount')
specified  in  such  Prospectus  Supplement into  an  account  (the 'Pre-Funding
Account'). In no  event shall the  Pre-Funded Amount exceed  50% of the  initial
aggregate  principal  amount of  the Certificates  and/or  Notes of  the related
Series of  Securities. The  Pre-Funded Amount  will be  used to  purchase  Loans
('Subsequent  Loans') in a  period from the  related Closing Date  to a date not
more than one year after such  Closing Date (such period, the 'Funding  Period')
from  the Depositor (which, in turn, will acquire such Subsequent Loans from the
Seller  or  Sellers  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement).   The
Pre-Funding  Account will be maintained with  the Trustee for the related Series
of Securities and is designed solely to hold funds to be applied by such Trustee
during the  Funding  Period to  pay  to the  Depositor  the purchase  price  for
Subsequent  Loans.  Monies on  deposit in  the Pre-Funding  Account will  not be
available to
 
                                       18
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
cover losses on  or in  respect of  the related Loans.  To the  extent that  the
entire  Pre-Funded Amount  has not  been applied  to the  purchase of Subsequent
Loans by the end  of the related  Funding Period, any  amounts remaining in  the
Pre-Funding  Account  will  be  distributed  as  a  prepayment  of  principal to
Certificateholders and/or  Noteholders  on  the  Distribution  Date  immediately
following  the end  of the Funding  Period, in  the amounts and  pursuant to the
priorities set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. Any reinvestment risk
resulting from such prepayment will be borne  entirely by the holders of one  or
more classes of the related Series of Certificates.
 
BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY RISKS
 
     The  Seller and the Depositor  will treat the transfer  of the Loans by the
Seller to the Depositor as a sale for accounting purposes. The Depositor and the
Trust Fund will treat the transfer of Loans from the Depositor to the Trust Fund
as a sale for accounting purposes. As a  sale of the Loans by the Seller to  the
Depositor,  the Loans would  not be part  of the Seller's  bankruptcy estate and
would not be available to the Seller's  creditors. However, in the event of  the
insolvency  of  the Seller,  it is  possible  that the  bankruptcy trustee  or a
creditor of the Seller may attempt to recharacterize the sale of the Loans as  a
borrowing  by the Seller, secured by a pledge of the Loans. Similarly, as a sale
of the Loans by the Depositor to the Trust Fund, the Loans would not be part  of
the  Depositor's bankruptcy estate and would not be available to the Depositor's
creditors. However,  in the  event of  the insolvency  of the  Depositor, it  is
possible  that the bankruptcy trustee or a creditor of the Depositor may attempt
to recharacterize the sale of the Loans as a borrowing by the Depositor, secured
by a pledge of  the Loans. In  either case, this position,  if argued before  or
accepted  by  a court,  could  prevent timely  payments  of amounts  due  on the
Securities and result in a reduction of payments due on the Securities.
 
     In the event  of a  bankruptcy or insolvency  of the  Master Servicer,  the
bankruptcy  trustee or receiver may have the power to prevent the Trustee or the
Securityholders from appointing  a successor  Servicer. The  time period  during
which  cash collections may  be commingled with the  Master Servicer's own funds
prior to each  Distribution Date  will be  specified in  the related  Prospectus
Supplement.  In the event of  the insolvency of the  Master Servicer and if such
cash collections are  commingled with  the Master  Servicer's own  funds for  at
least ten days, the Trust Fund will likely not have a perfected interest in such
collections since such collections would not have been deposited in a segregated
account  within ten days after the collection thereof, and the inclusion thereof
in the bankruptcy estate of the Master Servicer may result in delays in  payment
and failure to pay amounts due on the Securities of the related Series.
 
     In  addition, 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 its
security. For example,  in a  proceeding under  the federal  Bankruptcy Code,  a
lender  may not foreclose on a mortgaged  property without the permission of the
bankruptcy court. The rehabilitation plan proposed by the debtor may provide, if
the mortgaged property  is not the  debtor's principal residence  and the  court
determines  that the value of the mortgaged  property is less than the principal
balance of the mortgage loan, for  the reduction of the secured indebtedness  to
the  value of the mortgaged  property as of the date  of the commencement of the
bankruptcy,  rendering  the  lender  a   general  unsecured  creditor  for   the
difference,  and also  may reduce the  monthly payments due  under such mortgage
loan, change  the  rate  of  interest and  alter  the  mortgage  loan  repayment
schedule.  The effect of any such proceedings under the federal Bankruptcy Code,
including but  not limited  to any  automatic stay,  could result  in delays  in
receiving  payments on the Loans underlying  a Series of Securities and possible
reductions in the aggregate amount of such payments.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF OWNING ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT SECURITIES.
 
     Debt Securities that are Compound Interest Securities will be, and  certain
of  the other Debt Securities may be,  issued with original discount for federal
income tax purposes.  A holder  of Debt  Securities issued  with original  issue
discount  will be required to include  original issue discount in ordinary gross
income for federal income tax purposes as  it accrues, in advance of receipt  of
the  cash attributable to such  income. Accrued but unpaid  interest on the Debt
Securities that are Compound  Interest Securities generally  will be treated  as
original   issue   discount  for   this   purpose.  See   'Federal   Income  Tax
Consequences  --  Taxation  of  Debt  Securities  --  Interest  and  Acquisition
Discount' and ' -- Market Discount' herein.
 
                                       19
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
VALUE OF TRUST FUND ASSETS
 
     There is no assurance that the market value of the Trust Fund Assets or any
other  assets  relating  to  a  Series  of  Securities  described  under 'Credit
Enhancement' herein will at any time be  equal to or greater than the  principal
amount  of the Securities of such Series then outstanding, plus accrued interest
thereon. Moreover, upon an event of default under the Agreement for a Series  of
Securities  and a sale  of the related Trust  Fund Assets or upon  a sale of the
assets of a  Trust Fund  for a  Series of  Securities, the  Trustee, the  Master
Servicer,  the credit enhancer, if any, and any other service provider specified
in the related Prospectus Supplement generally  will be entitled to receive  the
proceeds  of any such sale to the extent  of unpaid fees and other amounts owing
to  such  persons  under  the  related  Agreement  prior  to  distributions   to
Securityholders. Upon any such sale, the proceeds thereof may be insufficient to
pay in full the principal of and interest on the Securities of such Series.
 
                                 THE TRUST FUND
 
GENERAL
 
     The Securities of each Series will represent interests in the assets of the
related  Trust Fund, and the Notes of each  Series will be secured by the pledge
of the assets of the related Trust Fund. The Trust Fund for each Series will  be
held  by the Trustee for the benefit  of the related Securityholders. Each Trust
Fund will consist of  certain assets (the 'Trust  Fund Assets') consisting of  a
pool  (each, a 'Pool') comprised of Loans as specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, together with payments in respect of such Loans, as specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement.* The Pool will be created on the first day of the
month of the issuance  of the related  Series of Securities  or such other  date
specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement  (the  'Cut-off  Date'). The
Securities will be entitled to payment from the assets of the related Trust Fund
or Funds or  other assets  pledged for the  benefit of  the Securityholders,  as
specified  in  the related  Prospectus Supplement  and will  not be  entitled to
payments in respect of  the assets of  any other trust  fund established by  the
Depositor.
 
     The Trust Fund Assets will be acquired by the Depositor, either directly or
through  affiliates, from originators or sellers  which may be affiliates of the
Depositor (the 'Sellers'), and conveyed without recourse by the Depositor to the
related Trust Fund. Loans acquired by the Depositor will have been originated in
accordance  with  the   underwriting  criteria  specified   below  under   'Loan
Program  -- Underwriting  Standards' or  as otherwise  described in  the related
Prospectus Supplement. See 'Loan Program -- Underwriting Standards'.
 
     The Depositor  will cause  the Trust  Fund  Assets to  be assigned  to  the
Trustee  named  in the  related  Prospectus Supplement  for  the benefit  of the
holders of the Securities  of the related Series.  The Master Servicer named  in
the  related Prospectus  Supplement will service  the Trust  Fund Assets, either
directly or through other servicing institutions ('Sub-Servicers'), pursuant  to
a  Pooling and Servicing Agreement among  the Depositor, the Master Servicer and
the Trustee with  respect to a  Series consisting of  Certificates, or a  master
servicing  agreement (each, a 'Master  Servicing Agreement') between the Trustee
and the Master Servicer with respect to a Series consisting of Certificates  and
Notes,  and will receive  a fee for  such services. See  'Loan Program' and 'The
Agreements'. With respect  to Loans serviced  by the Master  Servicer through  a
Sub-Servicer,   the  Master  Servicer  will  remain  liable  for  its  servicing
obligations under the  related Agreement as  if the Master  Servicer alone  were
servicing such Loans.
 
     As  used herein, 'Agreement' means, with  respect to a Series consisting of
Certificates, the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, and with respect to a  Series
consisting of Certificates and Notes, the Trust Agreement, the Indenture and the
Master Servicing Agreement, as the context requires.
 
     If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Trust Fund relating
to  a Series of Securities may be a  business trust formed under the laws of the
state specified  in  the  related  Prospectus Supplement  pursuant  to  a  trust
agreement  (each, a 'Trust Agreement') between  the Depositor and the trustee of
such Trust Fund.
 
- ------------------------------
* Whenever the terms 'Pool', 'Certificates',  'Notes' and 'Securities' are  used
  in  this Prospectus, such  terms will be  deemed to apply,  unless the context
  indicates otherwise, to  one specific Pool  and the Securities  of one  Series
  including the Certificates representing certain undivided interests in, and/or
  Notes  secured by the assets  of, a single Trust  Fund consisting primarily of
  the Loans in such Pool. Similarly, the term 'Pass-Through Rate' will refer  to
  the  Pass-Through Rate borne by the  Certificates and the term 'interest rate'
  will refer to the interest rate borne by the Notes of one specific Series,  as
  applicable, and the term 'Trust Fund' will refer to one specific Trust Fund.
 
                                       20
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     With  respect to  each Trust  Fund, prior  to the  initial offering  of the
related Series of Securities, the Trust Fund will have no assets or liabilities.
No Trust Fund  is expected  to engage in  any activities  other than  acquiring,
managing  and  holding  of  the  related  Trust  Fund  Assets  and  other assets
contemplated herein specified and in  the related Prospectus Supplement and  the
proceeds  thereof,  issuing  Securities and  making  payments  and distributions
thereon and certain related  activities. No Trust Fund  is expected to have  any
source of capital other than its assets and any related credit enhancement.
 
     Unless  otherwise specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement, the only
obligations of the Depositor with respect to  a Series of Securities will be  to
obtain  certain representations and warranties from the Sellers and to assign to
the Trustee for such Series of Securities the Depositor's rights with respect to
such representations and warranties.  See 'The Agreements  -- Assignment of  the
Trust  Fund Assets'. The obligations of the  Master Servicer with respect to the
Loans will consist  principally of its  contractual servicing obligations  under
the  related Agreement (including  its obligation to  enforce the obligations of
the Sub-Servicers or  Sellers, or  both, as  more fully  described herein  under
'Loan   Program   --   Representations  by   Sellers;   Repurchases'   and  'The
Agreements -- Sub-Servicing By  Sellers' and ' --  Assignment of the Trust  Fund
Assets')  and its obligation, if any, to make certain cash advances in the event
of delinquencies in  payments on or  with respect  to the Loans  in the  amounts
described  herein  under  'Description  of  the  Securities  --  Advances'.  The
obligations  of  the  Master  Servicer  to  make  advances  may  be  subject  to
limitations,  to  the  extent  provided herein  and  in  the  related Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     The following is a brief description of the assets expected to be  included
in  the Trust Funds. If specific information respecting the Trust Fund Assets is
not known at  the time the  related Series of  Securities initially is  offered,
more  general information of the nature described  below will be provided in the
related Prospectus Supplement, and specific information  will be set forth in  a
report  on Form  8-K to  be filed  with the  Securities and  Exchange Commission
within fifteen days after the initial issuance of such Securities (the 'Detailed
Description'). A copy of the Agreement with respect to each Series of Securities
will be attached to  the Form 8-K  and will be available  for inspection at  the
corporate  trust  office  of the  Trustee  specified in  the  related Prospectus
Supplement. A schedule of the Loans relating to such Series will be attached  to
the Agreement delivered to the Trustee upon delivery of the Securities.
 
THE LOANS
 
     General.  Loans will consist of mortgage loans or deeds of trust secured by
first  or subordinated liens on one- to four-family residential properties, Home
Equity Loans or Home  Improvement Contracts. For  purposes hereof, 'Home  Equity
Loans'  includes 'Closed-End  Loans' and  'Revolving Credit  Line Loans'.  If so
specified, the  Loans  may  include cooperative  apartment  loans  ('Cooperative
Loans')  secured by security interests in  shares issued by private, non-profit,
cooperative housing corporations ('Cooperatives') and in the related proprietary
leases or  occupancy agreements  granting exclusive  rights to  occupy  specific
dwelling  units in such Cooperatives' buildings.  As more fully described in the
related Prospectus Supplement, the  Loans may be  'conventional' loans or  loans
that are insured or guaranteed by a governmental agency such as the FHA or VA.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, all of the
Loans  in a Pool will have monthly payments  due on the first day of each month.
The payment terms of the Loans to be included in a Trust Fund will be  described
in  the  related Prospectus  Supplement  and may  include  any of  the following
features (or combination  thereof), all  as described  below or  in the  related
Prospectus Supplement:
 
          (a)  Interest may be payable  at a fixed rate,  a rate adjustable from
     time to  time in  relation to  an index  (which will  be specified  in  the
     related  Prospectus Supplement), a rate that is  fixed for a period of time
     or under certain  circumstances and is  followed by an  adjustable rate,  a
     rate that otherwise varies from time to time, or a rate that is convertible
     from  an adjustable rate to a fixed rate. Changes to an adjustable rate may
     be subject  to periodic  limitations,  maximum rates,  minimum rates  or  a
     combination of such limitations. Accrued interest may be deferred and added
     to the principal of a Loan for such periods and under such circumstances as
     may  be specified in  the related Prospectus  Supplement. Loans may provide
     for the payment  of interest at  a rate lower  than the specified  interest
     rate  borne by such Loan (the 'Loan Rate')  for a period of time or for the
     life of the Loan, and the amount of any difference may be contributed  from
     funds supplied by the seller of the Property or another source.
 
          (b)  Principal may be payable  on a level debt  service basis to fully
     amortize the Loan  over its  term, may  be calculated  on the  basis of  an
     assumed  amortization  schedule  that  is  significantly  longer  than  the
 
                                       21
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     original term to maturity or on an interest rate that is different from the
     Loan Rate or may not be amortized  during all or a portion of the  original
     term.  Payment of all or a substantial  portion of the principal may be due
     on maturity ('balloon  payment'). Principal may  include interest that  has
     been deferred and added to the principal balance of the Loan.
 
          (c)  Monthly payments of  principal and interest may  be fixed for the
     life of the  Loan, may  increase over  a specified  period of  time or  may
     change  from  period  to  period.  Loans  may  include  limits  on periodic
     increases or decreases in  the amount of monthly  payments and may  include
     maximum or minimum amounts of monthly payments.
 
          (d) Prepayments of principal may be subject to a prepayment fee, which
     may  be fixed for the life of the Loan or may decline over time, and may be
     prohibited for  the life  of  the Loan  or  for certain  periods  ('lockout
     periods').  Certain Loans  may permit  prepayments after  expiration of the
     applicable lockout period and may require  the payment of a prepayment  fee
     in  connection with any such subsequent  prepayment. Other Loans may permit
     prepayments without payment of  a fee unless  the prepayment occurs  during
     specified  time periods. The Loans may  include 'due on sale' clauses which
     permit the mortgagee  to demand payment  of the entire  Loan in  connection
     with the sale or certain transfers of the related Property. Other Loans may
     be  assumable by persons meeting the then applicable underwriting standards
     of the related Seller.
 
     A Trust  Fund may  contain  certain Loans  ('Buydown Loans')  that  include
provisions  whereby a third  party partially subsidizes  the monthly payments of
the borrowers on such Loans during the early years of such Loans, the difference
to be made up from a fund (a 'Buydown Fund') contributed by such third party  at
the  time of origination of the Loan. A  Buydown Fund will be in an amount equal
either to  the discounted  value  or full  aggregate  amount of  future  payment
subsidies.  The underlying assumption of buydown plans is that the income of the
borrower will increase during the buydown period as a result of normal increases
in compensation and inflation,  so that the  borrower will be  able to meet  the
full  loan payments at  the end of the  buydown period. To  the extent that this
assumption as to increased income is not fulfilled, the possibility of  defaults
on  Buydown Loans is  increased. The related  Prospectus Supplement will contain
information with  respect to  any  Buydown Loan  concerning limitations  on  the
interest  rate  paid  by the  borrower  initially,  on annual  increases  in the
interest rate and on the length of the buydown period.
 
     The real property which  secures repayment of the  Loans is referred to  as
the  'Mortgaged Properties'. Home Improvement Contracts may, and the other Loans
will, be  secured by  mortgages or  deeds  of trust  or other  similar  security
instruments  creating a lien on a Mortgaged Property. In the case of Home Equity
Loans, such liens generally will be subordinated to one or more senior liens  on
the  related  Mortgaged  Properties  as  described  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement. As specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, Home  Improvement
Contracts  may be unsecured  or secured by purchase  money security interests in
the Home Improvements financed  thereby. The Mortgaged  Properties and the  Home
Improvements  are  collectively  referred  to herein  as  the  'Properties'. The
Properties relating to Loans will consist  of detached or semi-detached one-  to
four-family dwelling units, townhouses, rowhouses, individual condominium units,
individual  units in planned unit developments, and certain other dwelling units
('Single Family Properties').  Such Properties may  include vacation and  second
homes,  investment properties and leasehold interests.  In the case of leasehold
interests, the term of the leasehold  will exceed the scheduled maturity of  the
Loan  by  at  least  five  years,  unless  otherwise  specified  in  the related
Prospectus Supplement. The  Properties may be  located in any  one of the  fifty
states,  the District of Columbia,  Guam, Puerto Rico or  any other territory of
the United States.
 
     Loans with certain Loan-to-Value  Ratios and/or certain principal  balances
may  be  covered  wholly or  partially  by primary  mortgage  guaranty insurance
policies (each, a  'Primary Mortgage Insurance  Policy'). The existence,  extent
and duration of any such coverage will be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     The  aggregate principal  balance of Loans  secured by  Properties that are
owner-occupied will be  disclosed in the  related Prospectus Supplement.  Unless
otherwise  specified in the related Prospectus  Supplement, the sole basis for a
representation that a given percentage of the Loans is secured by Single  Family
Properties  that  are  owner-occupied  will  be  either  (i)  the  making  of  a
representation by  the borrower  at  origination of  the  Loan either  that  the
underlying  Property will be used  by the borrower for a  period of at least six
months every year or that the borrower intends to use the Property as a  primary
residence  or (ii) a finding that the  address of the underlying Property is the
borrower's mailing address.
 
                                       22
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     Home Equity  Loans.   As more  fully described  in the  related  Prospectus
Supplement,  interest on each Revolving Credit Line Loan, excluding introduction
rates offered from  time to  time during  promotional periods,  is computed  and
payable monthly on the average daily outstanding principal balance of such Loan.
Principal  amounts on a  Revolving Credit Line Loan  may be drawn  down (up to a
maximum amount as  set forth  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement) or  repaid
under each Revolving Credit Line Loan from time to time, but may be subject to a
minimum  periodic  payment.  Except  to  the  extent  provided  in  the  related
Prospectus Supplement,  the Trust  Fund will  not include  any amounts  borrowed
under  a Revolving Credit Line Loan after the Cut-off Date. The full amount of a
Closed-End Loan  is advanced  at the  inception  of the  Loan and  generally  is
repayable  in equal (or substantially equal)  installments of an amount to fully
amortize such Loan at its stated maturity. Except to the extent provided in  the
related  Prospectus  Supplement,  the  original  terms  to  stated  maturity  of
Closed-End Loans will not exceed 360 months. Under certain circumstances,  under
either  a Revolving Credit Line Loan or a Closed-End Loan, a borrower may choose
an interest only  payment option  and is  obligated to  pay only  the amount  of
interest  which accrues on the  Loan during the billing  cycle. An interest only
payment option may be available for a specified period before the borrower  must
begin  paying at least the minimum monthly  payment of a specified percentage of
the average outstanding balance of the Loan.
 
     Home Improvement  Contracts.    The  Trust Fund  Assets  for  a  Series  of
Securities  may  consist, in  whole or  in part,  of Home  Improvement Contracts
originated by a home improvement contractor,  a thrift or a commercial  mortgage
banker  in the ordinary  course of business. The  Home Improvements securing the
Home Improvement  Contracts may  include, but  are not  limited to,  replacement
windows,  house siding, new roofs, swimming pools, satellite dishes, kitchen and
bathroom remodeling goods and solar heating panels. As specified in the  related
Prospectus  Supplement, the Home Improvement  Contracts will either be unsecured
or secured  by  mortgages  on  Single  Family  Properties  which  are  generally
subordinate  to other  mortgages on  the same  Property, or  secured by purchase
money security interests in  the Home Improvements  financed thereby. Except  as
otherwise  specified in the related  Prospectus Supplement, the Home Improvement
Contracts will  be  fully  amortizing  and may  have  fixed  interest  rates  or
adjustable  interest rates and may provide  for other payment characteristics as
described  below  and  in  the   related  Prospectus  Supplement.  The   initial
Loan-to-Value  Ratio of  a Home Improvement  Contract is computed  in the manner
described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Additional  Information.     Each   Prospectus  Supplement   will   contain
information, as of the date of such Prospectus Supplement and to the extent then
specifically  known to the Depositor, with respect to the Loans contained in the
related Pool, including (i) the aggregate outstanding principal balance and  the
average  outstanding principal balance of the Loans as of the applicable Cut-off
Date, (ii)  the  type  of  property  securing  the  Loan  (e.g.,  single  family
residences,  individual units in condominium  apartment buildings, two- to four-
family dwelling  units, other  real property  or Home  Improvements), (iii)  the
original  terms to maturity of the Loans, (iv) the largest principal balance and
the smallest principal balance of any of the Loans, (v) the earliest origination
date and latest maturity date of any of the Loans, (vi) the Loan-to-Value Ratios
or Combined Loan-to-Value Ratios,  as applicable, of the  Loans, (vii) the  Loan
Rates  or annual percentage rates ('APR') or  range of Loan Rates or APR's borne
by the Loans, (viii) the maximum and minimum per annum Loan Rates, and (ix)  the
geographical location of the Loans. If specific information respecting the Loans
is  not known to the Depositor at  the time the related Securities are initially
offered, more general information of the nature described above will be provided
in the related Prospectus Supplement, and specific information will be set forth
in the Detailed Description.
 
     The 'Loan-to-Value Ratio'  of a  Loan at any  given time  is the  fraction,
expressed  as a  percentage, the  numerator of  which is  the original principal
balance of the related Loan and the denominator of which is the Collateral Value
of the related  Property. The 'Combined  Loan-to-Value Ratio' of  a Loan at  any
given  time is the ratio, expressed  as a percentage, of (i)  the sum of (a) the
original principal balance of the  Loan (or, in the  case of a Revolving  Credit
Line  Loan,  the  maximum  amount thereof  available)  and  (b)  the outstanding
principal balance at the date of origination of the Loan of any senior  mortgage
loan(s)  or, in  the case  of any open-ended  senior mortgage  loan, the maximum
available line of credit with respect  to such mortgage loan, regardless of  any
lesser  amount actually outstanding at  the date of origination  of the Loan, to
(ii) the Collateral Value of the related Property. The 'Collateral Value' of the
Property, other than with  respect to certain Loans  the proceeds of which  were
used  to refinance an existing mortgage loan  (each, a 'Refinance Loan'), is the
lesser of (a)  the appraised value  determined in an  appraisal obtained by  the
originator  at  origination  of such  Loan  and  (b) the  sales  price  for such
Property. In the case of Refinance Loans, the 'Collateral Value' of the  related
Property  is the appraised value thereof  determined in an appraisal obtained at
the time of refinancing.
 
                                       23
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     No assurance can be  given that values of  the Properties have remained  or
will remain at their levels on the dates of origination of the related Loans. If
the  residential  real estate  market should  experience  an overall  decline in
property values such that the sum  of the outstanding principal balances of  the
Loans  and any primary or secondary  financing on the Properties, as applicable,
in a  particular  Pool  become  equal  to or  greater  than  the  value  of  the
Properties,  the actual rates of delinquencies, foreclosures and losses could be
higher than those now generally experienced in the mortgage lending industry. In
addition, adverse economic conditions  and other factors (which  may or may  not
affect  real  property values)  may affect  the timely  payment by  borrowers of
scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Loans and, accordingly,  the
actual rates of delinquencies, foreclosures and losses with respect to any Pool.
To  the extent that such  losses are not covered  by subordination provisions or
alternative arrangements, such losses  will be borne, at  least in part, by  the
holders of the Securities of the related Series.
 
SUBSTITUTION OF TRUST FUND ASSETS
 
     Substitution  of  Trust  Fund Assets  will  be  permitted in  the  event of
breaches of representations and  warranties with respect  to any original  Trust
Fund  Asset or  in the event  the documentation  with respect to  any Trust Fund
Asset is determined  by the Trustee  to be incomplete.  The period during  which
such  substitution will be permitted generally  will be indicated in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to  be received from  the sale of  the Securities will  be
applied by the Depositor to the purchase of Trust Fund Assets or will be used by
the  Depositor for  general corporate  purposes. The  Depositor expects  to sell
Securities in Series from time to time,  but the timing and amount of  offerings
of  Securities will depend on a number of factors, including the volume of Trust
Fund Assets acquired by the  Depositor, prevailing interest rates,  availability
of funds and general market conditions.
 
                                 THE DEPOSITOR
 
     CWABS,  Inc., a Delaware corporation (the 'Depositor'), was incorporated in
August 1996 for the limited purpose of acquiring, owning and transferring  Trust
Fund  Assets  and  selling  interests  therein  or  bonds  secured  thereby. The
Depositor  is  a  limited  purpose  finance  subsidiary  of  Countrywide  Credit
Industries,  Inc., a Delaware corporation. The Depositor maintains its principal
office at 155 North Lake Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101-7139. Its  telephone
number is (818) 584-2212.
 
     Neither  the Depositor nor any of the Depositor's affiliates will insure or
guarantee distributions on the Securities of any Series.
 
                                  LOAN PROGRAM
 
     The Loans will  have been purchased  by the Depositor,  either directly  or
through  affiliates,  from Sellers.  Unless otherwise  specified in  the related
Prospectus Supplement, the  Loans so acquired  by the Depositor  will have  been
originated  in accordance with  the underwriting criteria  specified below under
'Underwriting Standards'.
 
UNDERWRITING STANDARDS
 
     Unless otherwise  specified  in  the related  Prospectus  Supplement,  each
Seller will represent and warrant that all Loans originated and/or sold by it to
the Depositor or one of its affiliates will have been underwritten in accordance
with  standards  consistent with  those utilized  by mortgage  lenders generally
during the period  of origination for  similar types  of loans. As  to any  Loan
insured  by the FHA or partially guaranteed by the VA, the Seller will represent
that it has complied  with underwriting policies  of the FHA or  the VA, as  the
case may be.
 
     Underwriting  standards are applied by or on behalf of a lender to evaluate
the borrower's credit standing and repayment ability, and the value and adequacy
of the  related  Property as  collateral.  In general,  a  prospective  borrower
applying  for a Loan is required to  fill out a detailed application designed to
provide to the underwriting officer pertinent credit information, including  the
principal  balance and payment  history with respect to  any senior mortgage, if
any, which, unless  otherwise specified  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement,
will  be  verified by  the related  Seller. As  part of  the description  of the
borrower's financial condition, the borrower generally is required to provide  a
current  list of assets and liabilities and  a statement of income and expenses,
as well as an authorization  to apply for a  credit report which summarizes  the
borrower's credit history with local merchants
 
                                       24
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
and  lenders  and  any  record  of  bankruptcy.  In  most  cases,  an employment
verification is obtained  from an independent  source (typically the  borrower's
employer)  which  verification  reports,  among  other  things,  the  length  of
employment with  that  organization and  the  borrower's current  salary.  If  a
prospective  borrower is self-employed,  the borrower may  be required to submit
copies of signed  tax returns. The  borrower may also  be required to  authorize
verification of deposits at financial institutions where the borrower has demand
or savings accounts.
 
     In  determining the adequacy of  the property to be  used as collateral, an
appraisal will generally be made of each property considered for financing.  The
appraiser  is generally required to inspect the  property, issue a report on its
condition and, if applicable, verify  construction, if new, has been  completed.
The  appraisal is based on  the market value of  comparable homes, the estimated
rental income  (if considered  applicable  by the  appraiser)  and the  cost  of
replacing  the home. 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.
 
     The  maximum loan amount will vary depending upon a borrower's credit grade
and loan program but will not generally exceed $1,000,000. Variations in maximum
loan amount limits will be permitted based on compensating factors. Compensating
factors may generally include, to the extent specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement,  low   loan-to-value  ratio,   low  debt-to-income   ratio,   stable
employment,  favorable credit  history and  the nature  of the  underlying first
mortgage loan, if applicable.
 
     Each Seller's  underwriting  standards  will generally  permit  loans  with
loan-to-value ratios at origination of up to 100% depending on the loan program,
type   and  use   of  the  property,   creditworthiness  of   the  borrower  and
debt-to-income ratio.  Loan-to-value ratios  are not  evaluated in  the case  of
Title I Loans.
 
     After obtaining all applicable employment, credit and property information,
the  related Seller  will use  a debt-to-income  ratio to  assist in determining
whether the  prospective borrower  has sufficient  monthly income  available  to
support  the payments of principal and interest on the mortgage loan in addition
to other monthly credit obligations. The 'debt-to-income ratio' is the ratio  of
the  borrower's total monthly  payments to the  borrower's gross monthly income.
The maximum monthly debt-to-income ratio  will vary depending upon a  borrower's
credit  grade and loan program but will  not generally exceed 55%. Variations in
the monthly debt-to-income ratio limit  will be permitted based on  compensating
factors to the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     In the case of a Loan secured by a leasehold interest in real property, the
title  to which is held by a third party lessor, the related Seller will, unless
otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, represent and warrant,
among other things, that the remaining term of the lease and any sublease is  at
least five years longer than the remaining term on the Loan.
 
     Certain  of the  types of Loans  that may be  included in a  Trust Fund are
recently developed  and  may involve  additional  uncertainties not  present  in
traditional  types of loans. For example, certain  of such Loans may provide for
escalating or  variable payments  by  the borrower.  These  types of  Loans  are
underwritten  on the basis of a judgment  that the borrowers have the ability to
make the monthly payments  required initially. In  some instances, a  borrower's
income  may not be sufficient to permit continued loan payments as such payments
increase. These types of Loans may also be underwritten primarily upon the basis
of Loan-to-Value Ratios or other favorable credit factors.
 
QUALIFICATIONS OF SELLERS
 
     Each Seller will be required to satisfy the following qualifications.  Each
Seller  must be an institution experienced in originating and servicing loans of
the type contained in the related Pool in accordance with accepted practices and
prudent guidelines, and must maintain  satisfactory facilities to originate  and
service  those loans. Each  Seller must be a  seller/servicer approved by either
the Federal  National Mortgage  Association ('FNMA')  or the  Federal Home  Loan
Mortgage  Corporation ('FHLMC'). Each Seller must be a mortgagee approved by the
FHA or an institution the deposit accounts  in which are insured by the  Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (the 'FDIC').
 
REPRESENTATIONS BY SELLERS; REPURCHASES
 
     Each Seller will have made representations and warranties in respect of the
Loans  sold by  such Seller  and evidenced  by all,  or a  part, of  a Series of
Securities. Such representations and warranties may include, among other things:
(i) that title insurance (or  in the case of  Properties located in areas  where
such policies are
 
                                       25
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
generally  not available, an  attorney's certificate of  title) and any required
hazard insurance policy were effective at origination of each Loan, other than a
Cooperative Loan, and that each policy  (or certificate of title as  applicable)
remained  in effect on the date of purchase of the Loan from the Seller by or on
behalf of the Depositor; (ii) that the  Seller had good title to each such  Loan
and  such Loan was subject  to no offsets, defenses,  counterclaims or rights of
rescission except to the extent that  any buydown agreement may forgive  certain
indebtedness of a borrower; (iii) that each Loan constituted a valid lien on, or
a  perfected security  interest with respect  to, the Property  (subject only to
permissible liens  disclosed,  if  applicable, title  insurance  exceptions,  if
applicable,  and certain other  exceptions described in  the Agreement) and that
the Property was  free from damage  and was in  acceptable condition; (iv)  that
there  were no delinquent tax or assessment liens against the Property; (v) that
no required  payment on  a Loan  was delinquent  more than  the number  of  days
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement; and (vi) that each Loan was made
in  compliance with, and  is enforceable under, all  applicable local, state and
federal laws and regulations in all material respects.
 
     If so specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement, the  representations
and  warranties of  a Seller in  respect of a  Loan will  be made not  as of the
Cut-off Date but  as of  the date  on which  such Seller  sold the  Loan to  the
Depositor  or one  of its  affiliates. Under  such circumstances,  a substantial
period of time may have  elapsed between the sale date  and the date of  initial
issuance  of the Series of Securities evidencing an interest in such Loan. Since
the representations and warranties  of a Seller do  not address events that  may
occur  following the sale  of a Loan  by such Seller,  its repurchase obligation
described below will not arise if  the relevant event that would otherwise  have
given rise to such an obligation with respect to a Loan occurs after the date of
sale  of such Loan by  such Seller to the  Depositor or its affiliates. However,
the Depositor will  not include any  Loan in the  Trust Fund for  any Series  of
Securities if anything has come to the Depositor's attention that would cause it
to  believe that  the representations  and warranties  of a  Seller will  not be
accurate and complete in all material respects in respect of such Loan as of the
date of initial  issuance of  the related Series  of Securities.  If the  Master
Servicer  is  also a  Seller of  Loans with  respect to  a particular  Series of
Securities, such representations will be in addition to the representations  and
warranties made by the Master Servicer in its capacity as a Master Servicer.
 
     The  Master Servicer or the Trustee, if  the Master Servicer is the Seller,
will promptly notify the relevant Seller of any breach of any representation  or
warranty  made by it in respect of a Loan which materially and adversely affects
the interests of the Securityholders in such Loan. Unless otherwise specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement, if such Seller cannot cure such breach within
90 days following notice from  the Master Servicer or  the Trustee, as the  case
may  be, then such Seller  will be obligated either  (i) to repurchase such Loan
from the Trust  Fund at  a price  (the 'Purchase Price')  equal to  100% of  the
unpaid  principal balance thereof as of the  date of the repurchase plus accrued
interest thereon to the first day of the month following the month of repurchase
at the  Loan Rate  (less any  Advances or  amount payable  as related  servicing
compensation  if the Seller is the Master  Servicer) or (ii) substitute for such
Loan a replacement  loan that satisfies  the criteria specified  in the  related
Prospectus Supplement. If a REMIC election is to be made with respect to a Trust
Fund,  unless  otherwise specified  in  the related  Prospectus  Supplement, the
Master Servicer or a holder of  the related residual certificate generally  will
be obligated to pay any prohibited transaction tax which may arise in connection
with  any such repurchase or  substitution and the Trustee  must have received a
satisfactory opinion of counsel  that such repurchase  or substitution will  not
cause  the Trust  Fund to lose  its status as  a REMIC or  otherwise subject the
Trust Fund to a prohibited transaction tax. The Master Servicer may be  entitled
to  reimbursement for any such payment from the assets of the related Trust Fund
or from any holder of the related residual certificate. See 'Description of  the
Securities  -- General'. Except in  those cases in which  the Master Servicer is
the Seller, the Master Servicer will be required under the applicable  Agreement
to enforce this obligation for the benefit of the Trustee and the holders of the
Securities,  following the practices it would  employ in its good faith business
judgment were  it  the owner  of  such  Loan. This  repurchase  or  substitution
obligation will constitute the sole remedy available to holders of Securities or
the Trustee for a breach of representation by a Seller.
 
     Neither  the Depositor nor the Master  Servicer (unless the Master Servicer
is the Seller) will be  obligated to purchase or substitute  a Loan if a  Seller
defaults  on its obligation to do so, and no assurance can be given that Sellers
will carry  out their  respective repurchase  or substitution  obligations  with
respect  to Loans. However, to the extent  that a breach of a representation and
warranty of a Seller may  also constitute a breach  of a representation made  by
the  Master Servicer, the Master Servicer  may have a repurchase or substitution
obligation as described below under 'The Agreements -- Assignment of Trust  Fund
Assets'.
 
                                       26

<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                         DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES
 
     Each  Series of Certificates will be issued pursuant to separate agreements
(each, a 'Pooling  and Servicing Agreement'  or a 'Trust  Agreement') among  the
Depositor,  the Master Servicer and the Trustee. A form of Pooling and Servicing
Agreement and Trust Agreement has been  filed as an exhibit to the  Registration
Statement  of which this Prospectus  forms a part. Each  Series of Notes will be
issued pursuant to an indenture (the 'Indenture') between the related Trust Fund
and the  entity named  in  the related  Prospectus  Supplement as  trustee  (the
'Trustee')  with respect to such Series, and  the related Loans will be serviced
by the  Master Servicer  pursuant to  a Master  Servicing Agreement.  A form  of
Indenture  and Master Servicing  Agreement has been  filed as an  exhibit to the
Registration Statement  of which  this  Prospectus forms  a  part. A  Series  of
Securities  may consist of both Notes and Certificates. Each Agreement, dated as
of the related Cut-off  Date, will be among  the Depositor, the Master  Servicer
and the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such Series.
The  provisions of  each Agreement  will vary depending  upon the  nature of the
Securities to be issued thereunder and the nature of the related Trust Fund. The
following are descriptions of the material  provisions which may appear in  each
Agreement.  The descriptions are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to,  all of  the provisions  of the  Agreement for  each Series  of
Securities  and the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Depositor will provide
a copy of the Agreement (without exhibits) relating to any Series without charge
upon written  request  of a  holder  of record  of  a Security  of  such  Series
addressed   to  CWABS,  Inc.,  155   North  Lake  Avenue,  Pasadena,  California
91101-7139, Attention: Secretary.
 
GENERAL
 
     Unless otherwise  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,  the
Securities of each Series will be issued in book-entry or fully registered form,
in  the authorized denominations specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
will, in  the  case of  Certificates,  evidence specified  beneficial  ownership
interests in, and in the case of Notes, be secured by, the assets of the related
Trust  Fund  created pursuant  to each  Agreement  and will  not be  entitled to
payments in respect of the assets  included in any other Trust Fund  established
by   the  Depositor.  Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement, the Securities will  not represent obligations  of the Depositor  or
any  affiliate  of the  Depositor. Certain  of  the Loans  may be  guaranteed or
insured as set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. Each Trust Fund  will
consist  of, to the extent provided in the related Agreement, (i) the Trust Fund
Assets, as from time to time are subject to the related Agreement (exclusive  of
any   amounts  specified   in  the  related   Prospectus  Supplement  ('Retained
Interest')), including  all payments  of interest  and principal  received  with
respect  to  the Loans  after the  Cut-off Date  (to the  extent not  applied in
computing the  principal balance  of such  Loans  as of  the Cut-off  Date  (the
'Cut-off  Date Principal Balance')); (ii)  such assets as from  time to time are
required to be  deposited in the  related Security Account,  as described  below
under 'The Agreements -- Payments on Loans; Deposits to Security Account'; (iii)
property  which  secured  a  Loan  and  which  is  acquired  on  behalf  of  the
Securityholders by  foreclosure or  deed in  lieu of  foreclosure and  (iv)  any
insurance  policies  or  other  forms  of  credit  enhancement  required  to  be
maintained pursuant to  the related Agreement.  If so specified  in the  related
Prospectus  Supplement,  a  Trust Fund  may  also  include one  or  more  of the
following: reinvestment income on payments received on the Trust Fund Assets,  a
Reserve  Account, a mortgage  pool insurance policy,  a special hazard insurance
policy, a  bankruptcy  bond, one  or  more letters  of  credit, a  surety  bond,
guaranties or similar instruments.
 
     Each Series of Securities will be issued in one or more classes. Each class
of  Certificates of a  Series will evidence beneficial  ownership of a specified
percentage (which  may be  0%) or  portion  of future  interest payments  and  a
specified  percentage (which may be 0%)  or portion of future principal payments
on, and each class of  Notes of a Series will  be secured by, the related  Trust
Fund  Assets. A Series  of Securities may  include one or  more classes that are
senior in right to payment  to one or more other  classes of Securities of  such
Series.  Certain Series  or classes  of Securities  may be  covered by insurance
policies, surety bonds  or other forms  of credit enhancement,  in each case  as
described  under  'Credit  Enhancement'  herein and  in  the  related Prospectus
Supplement. One or more  classes of Securities  of a Series  may be entitled  to
receive  distributions  of  principal,  interest  or  any  combination  thereof.
Distributions on one or more classes of a Series of Securities may be made prior
to one  or more  other classes,  after the  occurrence of  specified events,  in
accordance  with  a schedule  or formula  or  on the  basis of  collections from
designated portions of the related Trust Fund Assets, in each case as  specified
in   the  related  Prospectus  Supplement.  The   timing  and  amounts  of  such
distributions may vary among  classes or over time  as specified in the  related
Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                       27
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     Distributions of principal and interest (or, where applicable, of principal
only  or interest only) on the related Securities will be made by the Trustee on
each Distribution Date (i.e., monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or at such other
intervals  and  on  the  dates  as  are  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement) in proportion to the percentages specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement.  Distributions  will  be made  to  the  persons in  whose  names the
Securities are registered at the close of business on the dates specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement  (each, a  'Record Date').  Distributions will  be
made in the manner specified in the related Prospectus Supplement to the persons
entitled thereto at the address appearing in the register maintained for holders
of  Securities  (the 'Security  Register');  provided, however,  that  the final
distribution in retirement of the Securities will be made only upon presentation
and surrender of the Securities at the office or agency of the Trustee or  other
person specified in the notice to Securityholders of such final distribution.
 
     The  Securities  will  be  freely  transferable  and  exchangeable  at  the
Corporate Trust Office  of the Trustee  as set forth  in the related  Prospectus
Supplement.  No service charge will be made  for any registration of exchange or
transfer of Securities of any Series, but  the Trustee may require payment of  a
sum sufficient to cover any related tax or other governmental charge.
 
     Under  current  law  the purchase  and  holding  of a  class  of Securities
entitled only  to a  specified  percentage of  payments  of either  interest  or
principal  or a notional amount  of either interest or  principal on the related
Loans or a  class of  Securities entitled to  receive payments  of interest  and
principal  on  the Loans  only  after payments  to  other classes  or  after the
occurrence of certain specified events by  or on behalf of any employee  benefit
plan  or other retirement arrangement  (including individual retirement accounts
and annuities, Keogh plans and collective investment funds in which such  plans,
accounts  or arrangements  are invested) subject  to provisions of  ERISA or the
Code, may result in prohibited transactions, within the meaning of ERISA and the
Code. See  'ERISA Considerations'.  Unless otherwise  specified in  the  related
Prospectus  Supplement, the transfer of  Securities of such a  class will not be
registered unless  the transferee  (i) represents  that it  is not,  and is  not
purchasing  on behalf of, any such plan, account or arrangement or (ii) provides
an opinion of  counsel satisfactory to  the Trustee and  the Depositor that  the
purchase  of Securities of such a class by or on behalf of such plan, account or
arrangement is  permissible  under  applicable  law and  will  not  subject  the
Trustee,  the Master Servicer or the Depositor to any obligation or liability in
addition to those undertaken in the Agreements.
 
     As to each Series, an election may be made to treat the related Trust  Fund
or designated portions thereof as a 'real estate mortgage investment conduit' or
'REMIC'  as defined in the Code.  The related Prospectus Supplement will specify
whether a  REMIC election  is to  be made.  Alternatively, the  Agreement for  a
Series  may provide that a  REMIC election may be made  at the discretion of the
Depositor or the Master Servicer and may only be made if certain conditions  are
satisfied.  As to any  such Series, the  terms and provisions  applicable to the
making of  a  REMIC  election  will  be set  forth  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement.  If such an  election is made with  respect to a  Series, one of the
classes will be designated as evidencing the sole class of 'residual  interests'
in the related REMIC, as defined in the Code. All other classes of Securities in
such  a  Series will  constitute 'regular  interests' in  the related  REMIC, as
defined in the Code. As to each Series with respect to which a REMIC election is
to be made, the Master Servicer or a holder of the related residual  certificate
will  be  obligated  to  take  all actions  required  in  order  to  comply with
applicable laws and  regulations and  will be  obligated to  pay any  prohibited
transaction taxes. The Master Servicer, unless otherwise provided in the related
Prospectus  Supplement, will be  entitled to reimbursement  for any such payment
from the assets of  the Trust Fund  or from any holder  of the related  residual
certificate.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS ON SECURITIES
 
     General.  In general, the method of determining the amount of distributions
on  a particular Series of Securities will depend on the type of credit support,
if any, that is used with respect to such Series. See 'Credit Enhancement'.  Set
forth  below are descriptions of  various methods that may  be used to determine
the amount  of distributions  on  the Securities  of  a particular  Series.  The
Prospectus  Supplement for each Series of Securities will describe the method to
be used in  determining the amount  of distributions on  the Securities of  such
Series.
 
     Distributions allocable to principal and interest on the Securities will be
made  by the Trustee  out of, and  only to the  extent of, funds  in the related
Security Account, including any  funds transferred from  any Reserve Account  (a
'Reserve  Account'). As between  Securities of different  classes and as between
distributions  of  principal  (and,  if  applicable,  between  distributions  of
Principal  Prepayments, as defined  below, and scheduled  payments of principal)
and interest, distributions  made on any  Distribution Date will  be applied  as
specified in
 
                                       28
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
the  related Prospectus Supplement. The Prospectus Supplement will also describe
the method for allocating distributions among Securities of a particular class.
 
     Available Funds.   All distributions on  the Securities of  each Series  on
each Distribution Date will be made from the Available Funds described below, in
accordance  with the  terms described in  the related  Prospectus Supplement and
specified in the Agreement.  'Available Funds' for  each Distribution Date  will
generally  equal the amount on  deposit in the related  Security Account on such
Distribution Date (net of related fees and expenses payable by the related Trust
Fund) other  than  amounts  to  be  held  therein  for  distribution  on  future
Distribution Dates.
 
     Distributions of Interest.  Interest will accrue on the aggregate principal
balance  of  the Securities  (or, in  the  case of  Securities entitled  only to
distributions allocable  to interest,  the aggregate  notional amount)  of  each
class of Securities (the 'Class Security Balance') entitled to interest from the
date,  at the Pass-Through Rate or interest rate, as applicable (which in either
case may be  a fixed rate  or rate  adjustable as specified  in such  Prospectus
Supplement), and for the periods specified in such Prospectus Supplement. To the
extent funds are available therefor, interest accrued during each such specified
period  on each class of Securities entitled  to interest (other than a class of
Securities that  provides  for  interest  that accrues,  but  is  not  currently
payable, referred to hereafter as 'Accrual Securities') will be distributable on
the  Distribution Dates specified in the related Prospectus Supplement until the
aggregate Class  Security Balance  of  the Securities  of  such class  has  been
distributed in full or, in the case of Securities entitled only to distributions
allocable to interest, until the aggregate notional amount of such Securities is
reduced  to zero or for the period  of time designated in the related Prospectus
Supplement. The original Class Security Balance of each Security will equal  the
aggregate  distributions  allocable  to  principal  to  which  such  Security is
entitled. Distributions  allocable to  interest  on each  Security that  is  not
entitled to distributions allocable to principal will be calculated based on the
notional  amount of such  Security. The notional  amount of a  Security will not
evidence an interest in or  entitlement to distributions allocable to  principal
but  will  be  used solely  for  convenience  in expressing  the  calculation of
interest and for certain other purposes.
 
     Interest payable on the Securities of a Series on a Distribution Date  will
include  all  interest  accrued  during  the  period  specified  in  the related
Prospectus Supplement. In the event interest accrues over a period ending two or
more days prior to a Distribution  Date, the effective yield to  Securityholders
will  be reduced from the  yield that would otherwise  be obtainable if interest
payable on the  Security were to  accrue through the  day immediately  preceding
such Distribution Date, and the effective yield (at par) to Securityholders will
be less than the indicated coupon rate.
 
     With  respect  to any  class  of Accrual  Securities,  if specified  in the
related Prospectus Supplement, any interest that has accrued but is not paid  on
a  given Distribution Date will be added to the aggregate Class Security Balance
of such class of Securities on that Distribution Date. Distributions of interest
on any class of  Accrual Securities will commence  only after the occurrence  of
the  events specified  in such  Prospectus Supplement.  Prior to  such time, the
beneficial ownership interest  in the Trust  Fund or the  principal balance,  as
applicable,  of such class of Accrued  Securities, as reflected in the aggregate
Class Security Balance  of such class  of Accrual Securities,  will increase  on
each  Distribution Date by the amount of  interest that accrued on such class of
Accrual Securities during the preceding interest accrual period but that was not
required to be  distributed to such  class on such  Distribution Date. Any  such
class  of Accrual Securities will thereafter  accrue interest on its outstanding
Class Security Balance as so adjusted.
 
     Distributions of Principal.  The related Prospectus Supplement will specify
the method by which the amount of principal to be distributed on the  Securities
on each Distribution Date will be calculated and the manner in which such amount
will  be allocated among the classes  of Securities entitled to distributions of
principal. The  aggregate Class  Security  Balance of  any class  of  Securities
entitled  to distributions of principal generally will be the aggregate original
Class Security Balance of such class of Securities specified in such  Prospectus
Supplement,  reduced  by  all  distributions reported  to  the  holders  of such
Securities as allocable to principal and, (i) in the case of Accrual Securities,
unless otherwise specified  in the related  Prospectus Supplement, increased  by
all  interest accrued but not then  distributable on such Accrual Securities and
(ii) in  the  case of  adjustable  rate Securities,  subject  to the  effect  of
negative amortization, if applicable.
 
     If so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, one or more classes of
Securities  will be entitled to receive  all or a disproportionate percentage of
the payments of principal which are received from borrowers in advance of  their
scheduled  due dates and  are not accompanied  by amounts representing scheduled
interest due
 
                                       29
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
after the month of  such payments ('Principal  Prepayments') in the  percentages
and  under the  circumstances or  for the  periods specified  in such Prospectus
Supplement. Any  such  allocation of  Principal  Prepayments to  such  class  or
classes  of Securities will have the  effect of accelerating the amortization of
such Securities while increasing  the interests evidenced by  one or more  other
classes  of Securities in the Trust Fund.  Increasing the interests of the other
classes of Securities  relative to  that of  certain Securities  is intended  to
preserve   the  availability  of  the   subordination  provided  by  such  other
Securities. See 'Credit Enhancement -- Subordination'.
 
     Unscheduled  Distributions.    If  specified  in  the  related   Prospectus
Supplement,  the Securities will  be subject to  receipt of distributions before
the next scheduled Distribution Date under  the circumstances and in the  manner
described  below and in  such Prospectus Supplement.  If applicable, the Trustee
will be required to make  such unscheduled distributions on  the day and in  the
amount  specified in  the related Prospectus  Supplement if,  due to substantial
payments of  principal  (including  Principal Prepayments)  on  the  Trust  Fund
Assets,  the Trustee or the Master  Servicer determines that the funds available
or anticipated to be available from the Security Account and, if applicable, any
Reserve Account,  may be  insufficient  to make  required distributions  on  the
Securities  on such Distribution Date. Unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the amount of  any such unscheduled distribution that  is
allocable to principal will not exceed the amount that would otherwise have been
required  to  be  distributed  as  principal  on  the  Securities  on  the  next
Distribution  Date.  Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  related   Prospectus
Supplement,   the  unscheduled  distributions  will   include  interest  at  the
applicable Pass-Through Rate (if any) or interest rate (if any) on the amount of
the unscheduled distribution allocable  to principal for the  period and to  the
date specified in such Prospectus Supplement.
 
ADVANCES
 
     To  the extent  provided in the  related Prospectus  Supplement, the Master
Servicer will be required to advance  on or before each Distribution Date  (from
its  own funds, funds  advanced by Sub-Servicers  or funds held  in the Security
Account for future  distributions to the  holders of Securities  of the  related
Series),  an  amount  equal to  the  aggregate  of payments  of  interest and/or
principal that were delinquent on the  related Determination Date (as such  term
is  defined in the related  Prospectus Supplement) and were  not advanced by any
Sub-Servicer, subject to the Master Servicer's determination that such  advances
may  be recoverable  out of  late payments  by borrowers,  Liquidation Proceeds,
Insurance Proceeds or otherwise.  In the case of  Cooperative Loans, the  Master
Servicer  also may be required to advance  any unpaid maintenance fees and other
charges under  the  related  proprietary  leases as  specified  in  the  related
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     In making Advances, the Master Servicer will endeavor to maintain a regular
flow  of scheduled interest and principal payments to holders of the Securities,
rather than to guarantee or insure against  losses. If Advances are made by  the
Master Servicer from cash being held for future distribution to Securityholders,
the Master Servicer will replace such funds on or before any future Distribution
Date  to  the extent  that  funds in  the  applicable Security  Account  on such
Distribution Date would  be less than  the amount required  to be available  for
distributions  to  Securityholders  on  such  date.  Any  Master  Servicer funds
advanced will be reimbursable  to the Master Servicer  out of recoveries on  the
specific  Loans  with  respect to  which  such  Advances were  made  (e.g., late
payments  made  by  the  related  borrower,  any  related  Insurance   Proceeds,
Liquidation  Proceeds  or proceeds  of any  Loan purchased  by the  Depositor, a
Sub-Servicer or a  Seller pursuant to  the related Agreement).  Advances by  the
Master  Servicer (and any advances by  a Sub-Servicer) also will be reimbursable
to the Master Servicer  (or Sub-Servicer) from  cash otherwise distributable  to
Securityholders  (including the holders of Senior Securities) to the extent that
the Master Servicer determines  that any such Advances  previously made are  not
ultimately recoverable as described above. To the extent provided in the related
Prospectus  Supplement,  the  Master Servicer  also  will be  obligated  to make
Advances, to  the  extent recoverable  out  of Insurance  Proceeds,  Liquidation
Proceeds  or otherwise, in  respect of certain taxes  and insurance premiums not
paid by borrowers on a timely basis.  Funds so advanced are reimbursable to  the
Master   Servicer  to  the  extent  permitted  by  the  related  Agreement.  The
obligations of the Master Servicer to make  advances may be supported by a  cash
advance  reserve fund, a surety bond or  other arrangement of the type described
herein under 'Credit  Enhancement', in  each case  as described  in the  related
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Unless  otherwise specified  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement, in the
event the Master Servicer  or a Sub-Servicer fails  to make a required  Advance,
the  Trustee will be obligated to make such Advance in its capacity as successor
servicer. If  the Trustee  makes such  an Advance,  it will  be entitled  to  be
reimbursed for such Advance
 
                                       30
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
to  the  same extent  and degree  as the  Master Servicer  or a  Sub-Servicer is
entitled  to   be   reimbursed   for   Advances.   See   'Description   of   the
Securities -- Distributions on Securities'.
 
REPORTS TO SECURITYHOLDERS
 
     Prior  to or concurrently with each distribution on a Distribution Date the
Master Servicer or the Trustee will furnish to each Securityholder of record  of
the  related Series a statement setting forth,  to the extent applicable to such
Series of Securities, among other things:
 
<TABLE>
        <C>      <S>
            (i)  the amount  of such  distribution allocable  to principal,  separately identifying  the  aggregate
                 amount  of any Principal Prepayments and if so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, any
                 applicable prepayment penalties included therein;
           (ii)  the amount of such distribution allocable to interest;
          (iii)  the amount of any Advance;
           (iv)  the aggregate  amount  (a)  otherwise  allocable  to  the  Subordinated  Securityholders  on  such
                 Distribution  Date, and (b)  withdrawn from the Reserve  Account, if any, that  is included in the
                 amounts distributed to the Senior Securityholders;
            (v)  the outstanding principal balance  or notional amount  of each class of  the related Series  after
                 giving effect to the distribution of principal on such Distribution Date;
           (vi)  the percentage of principal payments on the Loans (excluding prepayments), if any, which each such
                 class will be entitled to receive on the following Distribution Date;
          (vii)  the  percentage of  Principal Prepayments  on the  Loans, if  any, which  each such  class will be
                 entitled to receive on the following Distribution Date;
         (viii)  the related amount of the servicing compensation  retained or withdrawn from the Security  Account
                 by the Master Servicer, and the amount of additional servicing compensation received by the Master
                 Servicer  attributable to penalties,  fees, excess Liquidation Proceeds  and other similar charges
                 and items;
           (ix)  the number  and aggregate  principal  balances of  Loans (A)  delinquent  (exclusive of  Loans  in
                 foreclosure)  (1) 1 to 30 days, (2) 31  to 60 days, (3) 61 to 90  days and (4) 91 or more days and
                 (B) in foreclosure and delinquent (1) 1 to 30 days, (2)  31 to 60 days, (3) 61 to 90 days and  (4)
                 91  or more days, as of the close of business on the last day of the calendar month preceding such
                 Distribution Date;
            (x)  the book value  of any real  estate acquired through  foreclosure or grant  of a deed  in lieu  of
                 foreclosure;
           (xi)  the  Pass-Through Rate  or interest rate,  as applicable,  if adjusted from  the date  of the last
                 statement, of any such class expected to be applicable to the next distribution to such class;
          (xii)  if applicable,  the amount  remaining in  any Reserve  Account at  the close  of business  on  the
                 Distribution Date;
         (xiii)  the  Pass-Through Rate or  interest rate, as  applicable, as of  the day prior  to the immediately
                 preceding Distribution Date; and
          (xiv)  any amounts remaining under letters of credit, pool policies or other forms of credit enhancement.
</TABLE>
 
     Where applicable, any amount set forth  above may be expressed as a  dollar
amount  per single Security of the relevant class having the Percentage Interest
specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement.  The report to  Securityholders
for  any Series of Securities  may include additional or  other information of a
similar nature to that specified above.
 
     In addition,  within a  reasonable period  of time  after the  end of  each
calendar   year,  the  Master  Servicer  or   the  Trustee  will  mail  to  each
Securityholder of record at any time during  such calendar year a report (a)  as
to  the aggregate of  amounts reported pursuant  to (i) and  (ii) above for such
calendar year or, in the event such person was a Securityholder of record during
a portion of such calendar year, for the applicable portion of such year and (b)
such other customary  information as may  be deemed necessary  or desirable  for
Securityholders to prepare their tax returns.
 
                                       31
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
CATEGORIES OF CLASSES OF SECURITIES
 
     The  Securities of any Series may be comprised of one or more classes. Such
classes, in  general,  fall  into  different  categories.  The  following  chart
identifies  and generally  defines certain of  the more  typical categories. The
Prospectus Supplement for a series of Securities may identify the classes  which
comprise such Series by reference to the following categories.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CATEGORIES OF CLASSES                                              DEFINITION
<S>                             <C>
                                                                 PRINCIPAL TYPES
Accretion Directed............  A  class  that  receives  principal  payments  from  the  accreted  interest from
                                specified Accrual classes. An Accretion Directed class also may receive principal
                                payments from principal paid on the underlying Trust Fund Assets for the  related
                                Series.
Component Securities..........  A  class  consisting of  'Components.'  The Components  of  a class  of Component
                                Securities may have different  principal and/or interest payment  characteristics
                                but  together constitute a single  class. Each Component of  a class of Component
                                Securities may be identified  as falling into  one or more  of the categories  in
                                this chart.
Notional Amount Securities....  A  class having no principal balance and bearing interest on the related notional
                                amount. The notional amount is used for purposes of the determination of interest
                                distributions.
Planned Principal Class (also
  sometimes referred to as
  'PACs').....................  A class that  is designed  to receive  principal payments  using a  predetermined
                                principal  balance schedule derived by assuming two constant prepayment rates for
                                the underlying  Trust Fund  Assets. These  two rates  are the  endpoints for  the
                                'structuring  range'  for  the  Planned Principal  Class.  The  Planned Principal
                                Classes in any Series of Securities  may be subdivided into different  categories
                                (e.g., Primary Planned Principal Classes, Secondary Planned Principal Classes and
                                so  forth) having different effective  structuring ranges and different principal
                                payment priorities. The  structuring range  for the  Secondary Planned  Principal
                                Categories of Classes Definition Class of a Series of Securities will be narrower
                                than that for the Primary Planned Principal Class of such Series.
Scheduled Principal Class.....  A  class that  is designed  to receive  principal payments  using a predetermined
                                principal balance schedule but is not designated as a Planned Principal Class  or
                                Targeted  Principal class. In may cases, the  schedule is derived by assuming two
                                constant prepayment rates for the underlying  Trust Fund Assets. These two  rates
                                are the endpoints for the 'structuring range' for the Scheduled Principal Class.
Sequential Pay................  Classes  that receive  principal payments in  a prescribed sequence,  that do not
                                have predetermined principal balance schedules  and that under all  circumstances
                                receive  payments of principal  continuously from the  first Distribution Date on
                                which they receive principal until they are retired. A single class that receives
                                principal payments  before or  after all  other  classes in  the same  Series  of
                                Securities may be identified as a Sequential Pay class.
Strip.........................  A  class  that  receives a  constant  proportion,  or 'strip,'  of  the principal
                                payments on the underlying Trust Fund Assets.
Support Class (also sometimes
  referred to as 'companion
  classes')...................  A class  that  receives principal  payments  on  any Distribution  Date  only  if
                                scheduled  payments  have  been  made  on  specified  Planned  Principal Classes,
                                Targeted Principal Classes and/or Scheduled Principal Classes.
</TABLE>
 
                                       32
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>
Targeted Principal Class (also
  sometimes referred to as
  'TACs').....................  A class that  is designed  to receive  principal payments  using a  predetermined
                                principal  balance schedule derived by assuming a single constant prepayment rate
                                for the underlying Trust Fund Assets.
 
                                                                 INTEREST TYPES
Fixed Rate....................  A class with an interest rate that is fixed throughout the life of the class.
Floating Rate.................  A class with an  interest rate that resets  periodically based upon a  designated
                                index and that varies directly with changes in such index.
Inverse Floating Rate.........  A  class with an interest  rate that resets periodically  based upon a designated
                                index and that varies inversely with changes in such index.
Variable Rate.................  A class  with an  interest rate  that resets  periodically and  is calculated  by
                                reference  to the  rate or  rates of interest  applicable to  specified assets or
                                instruments (e.g., the Loan Rates borne by the underlying Loans).
Interest Only.................  A class that receives some or all of the interest payments made on the underlying
                                Trust Fund Assets and little or no principal. Interest Only classes have either a
                                nominal principal  balance or  a  notional amount.  A nominal  principal  balance
                                represents  actual principal that will be paid on the class. It is referred to as
                                nominal since it is extremely small compared to other classes. A notional  amount
                                is  the amount used as a reference to  calculate the amount of interest due on an
                                Interest Only  class that  is not  entitled to  any distributions  in respect  of
                                principal.
Principal Only................  A class that does not bear interest and is entitled to receive only distributions
                                in respect of principal.
Partial Accrual...............  A  class that accretes a portion of the amount of accrued interest thereon, which
                                amount will be added to  the principal balance of  such class on each  applicable
                                Distribution  Date, with the remainder of such accrued interest to be distributed
                                currently as  interest  on  such  class. Such  accretion  may  continue  until  a
                                specified event has occurred or until such Partial Accrual class is retired.
Accrual.......................  A  class that accretes the amount  of accrued interest otherwise distributable on
                                such class, which amount will be added  as principal to the principal balance  of
                                such  class on  each applicable  Distribution Date.  Such accretion  may continue
                                until some specified event has occurred or until such Accrual class is retired.
</TABLE>
 
INDICES APPLICABLE TO FLOATING RATE AND INVERSE FLOATING RATE CLASSES
 
LIBOR
 
     Unless otherwise specified  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement, on  the
LIBOR  Determination Date  (as such  term is  defined in  the related Prospectus
Supplement) for each class of Securities of a Series as to which the  applicable
interest  rate is determined by reference to  an index denominated as LIBOR, the
Person designated  in  the  related Agreement  (the  'Calculation  Agent')  will
determine  LIBOR by  reference to  the quotations, as  set forth  on the Reuters
Screen LIBO Page (as defined in the International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.
Code of Standard Wording, Assumptions  and Provisions for Swaps, 1986  Edition),
offered by the principal London office of each of the designated reference banks
meeting  the  criteria  set  forth  below  (the  'Reference  Banks')  for making
one-month United States dollar deposits in leading banks in the London Interbank
market, as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such LIBOR Determination Date. In lieu
of relying on the quotations for those Reference Banks that appear at such  time
on  the Reuters Screen LIBO Page, the Calculation Agent will request each of the
Reference Banks to provide such offered quotations at such time.
 
     LIBOR  will  be  established  by  the  Calculation  Agent  on  each   LIBOR
Determination Date as follows:
 
                                       33
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
          (a)  If on  any LIBOR Determination  Date two or  more Reference Banks
     provide such offered quotations, LIBOR for the next Interest Accrual Period
     shall be the arithmetic mean of such offered quotations (rounded upwards if
     necessary to the nearest whole multiple of 1/32%).
 
          (b) If  on  any LIBOR  Determination  Date only  one  or none  of  the
     Reference  Banks  provides  such  offered quotations,  LIBOR  for  the next
     Interest Accrual Period (as such term is defined in the related  Prospectus
     Supplement)  shall be whichever is the higher of (i) LIBOR as determined on
     the previous LIBOR Determination  Date or (ii)  the Reserve Interest  Rate.
     The  'Reserve  Interest  Rate'  shall  be  the  rate  per  annum  which the
     Calculation Agent determines to be either (i) the arithmetic mean  (rounded
     upwards  if  necessary  to the  nearest  whole  multiple of  1/32%)  of the
     one-month United  States dollar  lending  rates that  New York  City  banks
     selected  by  the  Calculation Agent  are  quoting, on  the  relevant LIBOR
     Determination Date, to the principal London offices of at least two of  the
     Reference  Banks  to  which such  quotations  are,  in the  opinion  of the
     Calculation Agent being so made, or (ii) in the event that the  Calculation
     Agent  can determine no  such arithmetic mean,  the lowest one-month United
     States dollar  lending rate  which  New York  City  banks selected  by  the
     Calculation  Agent are quoting on such  LIBOR Determination Date to leading
     European banks.
 
          (c) If on any  LIBOR Determination Date for  a class specified in  the
     related  Prospectus Supplement,  the Calculation  Agent is  required but is
     unable to determine  the Reserve Interest  Rate in the  manner provided  in
     paragraph  (b) above, LIBOR  for the next Interest  Accrual Period shall be
     LIBOR as determined on the preceding  LIBOR Determination Date, or, in  the
     case of the first LIBOR Determination Date, LIBOR shall be deemed to be the
     per annum rate specified as such in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Each  Reference Bank (i) shall be a leading bank engaged in transactions in
Eurodollar deposits in  the international  Eurocurrency market;  (ii) shall  not
control,  be  controlled by,  or be  under common  control with  the Calculation
Agent; and (iii) shall have an established  place of business in London. If  any
such  Reference  Bank  should  be unwilling  or  unable  to act  as  such  or if
appointment of  any such  Reference  Bank is  terminated, another  leading  bank
meeting the criteria specified above will be appointed.
 
     The  establishment  of  LIBOR  on  each  LIBOR  Determination  Date  by the
Calculation Agent and its calculation of the rate of interest for the applicable
classes for  the  related Interest  Accrual  Period  shall (in  the  absence  of
manifest error) be final and binding.
 
COFI
 
     The  Eleventh District  Cost of  Funds Index  is designed  to represent the
monthly weighted  average cost  of funds  for savings  institutions in  Arizona,
California  and Nevada that are member institutions of the Eleventh Federal Home
Loan Bank  District (the  'Eleventh District').  The Eleventh  District Cost  of
Funds Index for a particular month reflects the interest costs paid on all types
of  funds held  by Eleventh  District member  institutions and  is calculated by
dividing the cost of  funds by the  average of the total  amount of those  funds
outstanding  at the end of that month and of the prior month and annualizing and
adjusting the result  to reflect  the actual number  of days  in the  particular
month.  If necessary, before these calculations  are made, the component figures
are adjusted  by the  Federal Home  Loan  Bank of  San Francisco  ('FHLBSF')  to
neutralize the effect of events such as member institutions leaving the Eleventh
District  or acquiring institutions outside  the Eleventh District. The Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Index is weighted to reflect the relative amount of  each
type  of funds held  at the end of  the relevant month.  The major components of
funds of Eleventh District member  institutions are: (i) savings deposits,  (ii)
time  deposits, (iii)  FHLBSF advances, (iv)  repurchase agreements  and (v) all
other borrowings. Because the component funds represent a variety of  maturities
whose  costs may  react in different  ways to changing  conditions, the Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Index does not necessarily reflect current market rates.
 
     A number of factors affect the performance of the Eleventh District Cost of
Funds Index, which may cause it to move in a manner different from indices  tied
to  specific  interest rates,  such as  United States  Treasury bills  or LIBOR.
Because the liabilities upon which the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Index  is
based  were issued  at various  times under  various market  conditions and with
various  maturities,  the  Eleventh  District  Cost  of  Funds  Index  may   not
necessarily  reflect the prevailing market interest  rates on new liabilities of
similar maturities. Moreover,  as stated  above, the Eleventh  District Cost  of
Funds  Index is  designed to  represent the average  cost of  funds for Eleventh
District savings institutions for the month prior  to the month in which it  its
due to be
 
                                       34
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
published.  Additionally,  the Eleventh  District Cost  of  Funds Index  may not
necessarily move in the  same direction as market  interest rates at all  times,
since as longer term deposits or borrowings mature and are renewed at prevailing
market  interest rates, the Eleventh District  Cost of Funds Index is influenced
by the differential between  the prior and  the new rates  on those deposits  or
borrowings. In addition, movements of the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Index,
as compared to other indices tied to specific interest rates, may be affected by
changes  instituted by the FHLBSF  in the method used  to calculate the Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Index.
 
     The FHLBSF  publishes the  Eleventh District  Cost of  Funds Index  in  its
monthly Information Bulletin. Any individual may request regular receipt by mail
of Information Bulletins by writing the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco,
P.O.  Box 7948,  600 California Street,  San Francisco, California  94120, or by
calling (415) 616-1000. The  Eleventh District Cost of  Funds Index may also  be
obtained by calling the FHLBSF at (415) 616-2600.
 
     The  FHLBSF  has  stated  in its  Information  Bulletin  that  the Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Index for a month 'will be announced on or near the  last
working  day'  of  the following  month  and  also has  stated  that  it 'cannot
guarantee the announcement'  of such index  on an  exact date. So  long as  such
index  for  a month  is  announced on  or  before the  tenth  day of  the second
following month, the interest rate for each  class of Securities of a Series  as
to  which the applicable  interest rate is  determined by reference  to an index
denominated as  COFI (each,  a  class of  'COFI  Securities') for  the  Interest
Accrual  Period commencing in such  second following month will  be based on the
Eleventh District  Cost  of Funds  Index  for  the second  preceding  month.  If
publication  is delayed beyond such tenth day,  such interest rate will be based
on the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Index for the third preceding month.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, if on  the
tenth  day of  the month in  which any  Interest Accrual Period  commences for a
class of COFI Securities the most  recently published Eleventh District Cost  of
Funds Index relates to a month prior to the third preceding month, the index for
such  current Interest Accrual  Period and for  each succeeding Interest Accrual
Period will, except as described in the next to last sentence of this paragraph,
be based on  the National  Monthly Median Cost  of Funds  Ratio to  SAIF-Insured
Institutions  (the 'National  Cost of Funds  Index') published by  the Office of
Thrift Supervision (the  'OTS') for  the third  preceding month  (or the  fourth
preceding  month if  the National  Cost of Funds  Index for  the third preceding
month has not been published on such  tenth day of an Interest Accrual  Period).
Information  on the National Cost of Funds  Index may be obtained by writing the
OTS at 1700 G  Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20552 or calling (202)  906-6677,
and  the current National Cost  of Funds Index may  be obtained by calling (202)
906-6988. If on any  such tenth day  of the month in  which an Interest  Accrual
Period  commences  the  most recently  published  National Cost  of  Funds Index
relates to a month prior to the fourth preceding month, the applicable index for
such Interest Accrual Period and each succeeding Interest Accrual Period will be
based on LIBOR, as  determined by the Calculation  Agent in accordance with  the
Agreement  relating to  such Series  of Securities. A  change of  index from the
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Index to  an alternative index will result in  a
change  in the index level, and, particularly if LIBOR is the alternative index,
could increase its volatility.
 
     The establishment of COFI by the  Calculation Agent and its calculation  of
the  rates  of interest  for  the applicable  classes  for the  related Interest
Accrual Period shall (in the absence of manifest error) be final and binding.
 
Treasury Index
 
     Unless otherwise specified  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement, on  the
Treasury  Index  Determination Date  (as  such term  is  defined in  the related
Prospectus Supplement) for each class of Securities of a Series as to which  the
applicable interest rate is determined by reference to an index denominated as a
Treasury  Index, the  Calculation Agent  will ascertain  the Treasury  Index for
Treasury securities of the maturity and for the period (or, if applicable, date)
specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement.  Unless otherwise specified  in
the  related Prospectus Supplement, the Treasury  Index for any period means the
average of the yield for each  business day during the period specified  therein
(and  for any  date means  the yield for  such date),  expressed as  a per annum
percentage rate,  on  (i) U.S  Treasury  securities adjusted  to  the  'constant
maturity'  (as further described below)  specified in such Prospectus Supplement
or (ii) if  no 'constant  maturity' is  so specified,  U.S. Treasury  securities
trading on the secondary market having the maturity specified in such Prospectus
Supplement,  in  each case  as published  by  the Federal  Reserve Board  in its
Statistical Release No. H.15(519). Statistical Release No.
 
                                       35
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
H.15(519) is published on Monday or Tuesday of each week and may be obtained  by
writing  or calling the Publications Department at the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve  System,  21st  and  C Streets,  Washington,  D.C.  20551  (202)
452-3244.  If the Calculation Agent has not yet received Statistical Release No.
H.15(519) for such  week, then  it will use  such Statistical  Release from  the
immediately preceding week.
 
     Yields  on U.S. Treasury securities at 'constant maturity' are derived from
the U.S. Treasury's daily yield curve. This curve, which relates the yield on  a
security  to its time to maturity, is based  on the closing market bid yields on
actively traded Treasury securities in the over-the-counter market. These market
yields are calculated  from composites  of quotations reported  by five  leading
U.S. Government securities dealers to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This
method provides a yield for a given maturity even if no security with that exact
maturity  is outstanding.  In the  event that  the Treasury  Index is  no longer
published, a  new index  based  upon comparable  data  and methodology  will  be
designated in accordance with the Agreement relating to the particular Series of
Securities. The Calculation Agent's determination of the Treasury Index, and its
calculation  of the rates of interest for the applicable classes for the related
Interest Accrual Period shall  (in the absence of  manifest error) be final  and
binding.
 
Prime Rate
 
     Unless  otherwise specified  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement, on the
Prime Rate Determination Date (as such term is defined in the related Prospectus
Supplement) for each class of Securities of a Series as to which the  applicable
interest  rate is determined by  reference to an index  denominated as the Prime
Rate, the  Calculation Agent  will  ascertain the  Prime  Rate for  the  related
Interest  Accrual Period. Unless  otherwise specified in  the related Prospectus
Supplement, the Prime  Rate for an  Interest Accrual Period  will be the  'Prime
Rate'  as published in the 'Money Rates'  section of The Wall Street Journal (or
if not so published,  the 'Prime Rate'  as published in  a newspaper of  general
circulation  selected by  the Calculation Agent  in its sole  discretion) on the
related Prime Rate Determination Date. If a prime rate range is given, then  the
average  of such  range will be  used. In  the event that  the Prime  Rate is no
longer published, a new index based upon comparable data and methodology will be
designated in accordance with the Agreement relating to the particular Series of
Securities. The  Calculation Agent's  determination of  the Prime  Rate and  its
calculation  of the  rates of interest  for the related  Interest Accrual Period
shall (in the absence of manifest error) be final and binding.
 
BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
 
     As described in the related Prospectus  Supplement, if not issued in  fully
registered  form,  each class  of Securities  will  be registered  as book-entry
certificates  (the  'Book-Entry   Securities').  Persons  acquiring   beneficial
ownership  interests  in  the  Securities ('Security  Owners')  will  hold their
Securities through the Depository Trust Company ('DTC') in the United States, or
CEDEL or Euroclear  (in Europe)  if they are  participants of  such systems,  or
indirectly  through organizations  which are  participants in  such systems. The
Book-Entry Securities will be issued in one or more certificates which equal the
aggregate principal balance of the  Securities and will initially be  registered
in  the name of  Cede & Co., the  nominee of DTC. CEDEL  and Euroclear will hold
omnibus positions on behalf of their participants through customers'  securities
accounts  in  CEDEL's and  Euroclear's names  on the  books of  their respective
depositaries which in  turn will  hold such positions  in customers'  securities
accounts  in the depositaries' names  on the books of  DTC. Citibank, N.A., will
act as depositary for CEDEL and The Chase Manhattan Bank will act as  depositary
for  Euroclear (in such  capacities, individually the  'Relevant Depositary' and
collectively the 'European Depositaries'). Except as described below, no  person
acquiring a Book-Entry Security (each, a 'beneficial owner') will be entitled to
receive  a  physical  certificate  representing  such  Security  (a  'Definitive
Security'). Unless and until Definitive Securities are issued, it is anticipated
that the only 'Securityholders' of the Securities will be Cede & Co., as nominee
of DTC. Security Owners are only  permitted to exercise their rights  indirectly
through Participants and DTC.
 
     The  beneficial owner's ownership of a Book-Entry Security will be recorded
on the  records  of  the  brokerage firm,  bank,  thrift  institution  or  other
financial  intermediary (each,  a 'Financial  Intermediary') that  maintains the
beneficial  owner's  account   for  such   purpose.  In   turn,  the   Financial
Intermediary's  ownership of  such Book-Entry Security  will be  recorded on the
records of DTC (or of a participating firm that acts as agent for the  Financial
Intermediary,  whose interest will in turn be recorded on the records of DTC, if
the beneficial
 
                                       36
 
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<PAGE>
owner's Financial Intermediary is not a  DTC participant, and on the records  of
CEDEL or Euroclear, as appropriate).
 
     Security  Owners  will  receive  all  distributions  of  principal  of, and
interest on, the Securities from the  Trustee through DTC and DTC  participants.
While  the Securities are outstanding  (except under the circumstances described
below), under the rules, regulations  and procedures creating and affecting  DTC
and  its operations (the 'Rules'), DTC  is required to make book-entry transfers
among Participants on whose behalf it acts with respect to the Securities and is
required to receive and transmit distributions of principal of, and interest on,
the Securities. Participants and indirect participants with whom Security Owners
have accounts  with  respect  to  Securities  are  similarly  required  to  make
book-entry  transfers and receive  and transmit such  distributions on behalf of
their respective Security Owners. Accordingly, although Security Owners will not
possess certificates, the  Rules provide  a mechanism by  which Security  Owners
will receive distributions and will be able to transfer their interest.
 
     Security  Owners will  not receive or  be entitled  to receive certificates
representing their  respective interests  in the  Securities, except  under  the
limited  circumstances described  below. Unless and  until Definitive Securities
are issued, Security Owners who are  not Participants may transfer ownership  of
Securities  only through  Participants and indirect  participants by instructing
such  Participants  and  indirect   participants  to  transfer  Securities,   by
book-entry  transfer,  through DTC  for the  account of  the purchasers  of such
Securities, which  account is  maintained  with their  respective  Participants.
Under  the Rules  and in accordance  with DTC's normal  procedures, transfers of
ownership of Securities  will be executed  through DTC and  the accounts of  the
respective  Participants at  DTC will  be debited  and credited.  Similarly, the
Participants and indirect participants will make debits or credits, as the  case
may  be,  on their  records on  behalf  of the  selling and  purchasing Security
Owners.
 
     Because of time zone differences,  credits of securities received in  CEDEL
or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a Participant will be made during
subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following
the  DTC settlement  date. Such credits  or any transactions  in such securities
settled during such  processing will be  reported to the  relevant Euroclear  or
CEDEL  Participants on such business day. Cash received in CEDEL or Euroclear as
a result of sales of  securities by or through  a CEDEL Participant (as  defined
herein)  or Euroclear Participant (as defined  herein) to a DTC Participant will
be received with value on the DTC  settlement date but will be available in  the
relevant  CEDEL or Euroclear cash account only  as of the business day following
settlement in DTC.
 
     Transfers between Participants  will occur  in accordance  with DTC  rules.
Transfers  between CEDEL Participants  and Euroclear Participants  will occur in
accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
 
     Cross-market transfers  between  persons  holding  directly  or  indirectly
through  DTC,  on  the  one  hand,  and  directly  or  indirectly  through CEDEL
Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in
accordance with  DTC rules  on  behalf of  the relevant  European  international
clearing   system  by  the  Relevant   Depositary;  however,  such  cross-market
transactions will  require delivery  of instructions  to the  relevant  European
international  clearing system by the counterparty  in such system in accordance
with its rules  and procedures  and within its  established deadlines  (European
time).  The  relevant  European  international  clearing  system  will,  if  the
transaction meets  its  settlement  requirements, deliver  instructions  to  the
Relevant  Depositary to take action to effect  final settlement on its behalf by
delivering or receiving securities  in DTC, and making  or receiving payment  in
accordance  with normal procedures  for same day  funds settlement applicable to
DTC. CEDEL Participants and Euroclear Participants may not deliver  instructions
directly to the European Depositaries.
 
     CEDEL  is  incorporated  under the  laws  of Luxembourg  as  a professional
depository. CEDEL holds securities  for its participating organizations  ('CEDEL
Participants')  and  facilitates  the  clearance  and  settlement  of securities
transactions between CEDEL Participants through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of  CEDEL  Participants,  thereby eliminating  the  need  for  physical
movement  of certificates.  Transactions may  be settled in  CEDEL in  any of 28
currencies, including  United  States  dollars.  CEDEL  provides  to  its  CEDEL
Participants,  among  other  things, services  for  safekeeping, administration,
clearance and  settlement of  internationally traded  securities and  securities
lending  and  borrowing.  CEDEL  interfaces  with  domestic  markets  in several
countries. As a professional depository, CEDEL  is subject to regulation by  the
Luxembourg  Monetary  Institute.  CEDEL  participants  are  recognized financial
institutions around the world, including underwriters,
 
                                       37
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
securities brokers and  dealers, banks, trust  companies, clearing  corporations
and  certain other organizations. Indirect access  to CEDEL is also available to
others, such as banks, brokers, dealers  and trust companies that clear  through
or  maintain a custodial relationship with  a CEDEL Participant, either directly
or indirectly.
 
     Euroclear was  created in  1968  to hold  securities for  its  participants
('Euroclear   Participants')  and  to  clear  and  settle  transactions  between
Euroclear  Participants  through  simultaneous  electronic  book-entry  delivery
against   payment,  thereby  eliminating  the  need  for  physical  movement  of
certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities  and
cash.  Transactions may  be settled  in any  of 32  currencies, including United
States dollars. Euroclear includes various other services, including  securities
lending  and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries
generally similar  to  the  arrangements for  cross-market  transfers  with  DTC
described above. Euroclear is operated by the Brussels, Belgium office of Morgan
Guaranty  Trust  Company  of  New  York  ('Morgan'  and  in  such  capacity, the
'Euroclear Operator'), under contract with  Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C.,  a
Belgian  cooperative corporation (the 'Belgian Cooperative'). All operations are
conducted by  Morgan,  and  all  Euroclear  securities  clearance  accounts  and
Euroclear  cash  accounts  are accounts  with  the Euroclear  Operator,  not the
Belgian Cooperative. The Belgian Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on
behalf  of  Euroclear   Participants.  Euroclear   Participants  include   banks
(including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional
financial  intermediaries.  Indirect access  to Euroclear  is also  available to
other firms  that clear  through or  maintain a  custodial relationship  with  a
Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.
 
     Morgan  is the Belgian branch of a  New York banking corporation which is a
member bank of the Federal Reserve System. As such, it is regulated and examined
by the Board of Governors of the  Federal Reserve System and the New York  State
Banking Department, as well as the Belgian Banking Commission.
 
     Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with Morgan are governed by
the  Terms and Conditions  Governing Use of Euroclear  and the related Operating
Procedures of the Euroclear System and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the
'Terms and Conditions'). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities
and cash within Euroclear,  withdrawals of securities  and cash from  Euroclear,
and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities
in  Euroclear  are held  on  a fungible  basis  without attribution  of specific
certificates to specific securities  clearance accounts. The Euroclear  Operator
acts  under the Terms  and Conditions only on  behalf of Euroclear Participants,
and has no  record of  or relationship  with persons  holding through  Euroclear
Participants.
 
     Under  a book-entry format, beneficial  owners of the Book-Entry Securities
may experience some delay in their receipt of payments, since such payments will
be forwarded by the Trustee to Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Distributions with
respect to Securities held  through CEDEL or Euroclear  will be credited to  the
cash accounts of CEDEL Participants or Euroclear Participants in accordance with
the  relevant  system's rules  and  procedures, to  the  extent received  by the
Relevant Depositary.  Such distributions  will be  subject to  tax reporting  in
accordance  with relevant United  States tax laws  and regulations. See 'Federal
Income Tax  Consequences -Tax  Treatment  of Foreign  Investors'  and '  --  Tax
Consequences  to Holders of the Notes -- Backup Withholding' herein. Because DTC
can only act on behalf of Financial Intermediaries, the ability of a  beneficial
owner  to  pledge  Book-Entry Securities  to  persons  or entities  that  do not
participate in the Depository system may be limited due to the lack of  physical
certificates  for such Book-Entry Securities. In addition, issuance of the Book-
Entry Securities in book-entry form may reduce the liquidity of such  Securities
in  the secondary market  since certain potential investors  may be unwilling to
purchase Securities for which they cannot obtain physical certificates.
 
     Monthly and annual reports on the Trust will be provided to Cede & Co.,  as
nominee  of DTC, and  may be made available  by Cede &  Co. to beneficial owners
upon request, in accordance with the rules, regulations and procedures  creating
and  affecting the Depository, and to  the Financial Intermediaries to whose DTC
accounts the Book-Entry Securities of such beneficial owners are credited.
 
     DTC has advised the  Trustee that, unless  and until Definitive  Securities
are issued, DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by the holders of the
Book-Entry  Securities under the  applicable Agreement only  at the direction of
one or  more  Financial Intermediaries  to  whose DTC  accounts  the  Book-Entry
Securities  are credited, to the extent that such actions are taken on behalf of
Financial Intermediaries  whose  holdings include  such  Book-Entry  Securities.
CEDEL  or the Euroclear Operator, as the case may be, will take any other action
permitted to be taken  by a Securityholder  under the Agreement  on behalf of  a
CEDEL  Participant or Euroclear Participant only in accordance with its relevant
rules  and   procedures   and  subject   to   the  ability   of   the   Relevant
 
                                       38
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
Depositary  to  effect such  actions on  its  behalf through  DTC. DTC  may take
actions, at the  direction of  the related  Participants, with  respect to  some
Securities which conflict with actions taken with respect to other Securities.
 
     Upon  the  occurrence of  any of  the events  described in  the immediately
preceding paragraph,  the Trustee  will  be required  to notify  all  beneficial
owners  of the  occurrence of  such event  and the  availability through  DTC of
Definitive Securities.  Upon  surrender by  DTC  of the  global  certificate  or
certificates   representing  the  Book-Entry  Securities  and  instructions  for
re-registration, the Trustee  will issue Definitive  Securities, and  thereafter
the  Trustee  will  recognize  the  holders  of  such  Definitive  Securities as
Securityholders under the applicable Agreement.
 
     Although DTC, CEDEL and Euroclear  have agreed to the foregoing  procedures
in  order to facilitate transfers of Securities among participants of DTC, CEDEL
and Euroclear, they are  under no obligation to  perform or continue to  perform
such procedures and such procedures may be discontinued at any time.
 
     None  of the Master  Servicer, the Depositor  or the Trustee  will have any
responsibility for any  aspect of the  records relating to  or payments made  on
account  of beneficial ownership interests of  the Book-Entry Securities held by
Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing  any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
 
                               CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
 
GENERAL
 
     Credit enhancement may be provided with respect to one or more classes of a
Series  of Securities or with  respect to the related  Trust Fund Assets. Credit
enhancement may be in the form of a limited financial guaranty policy issued  by
an  entity named in the related  Prospectus Supplement, the subordination of one
or more classes of the  Securities of such Series,  the establishment of one  or
more  Reserve Accounts, the  use of a cross-collateralization  feature, use of a
mortgage pool insurance  policy, FHA Insurance,  VA Guarantee, bankruptcy  bond,
special  hazard  insurance policy,  surety  bond, letter  of  credit, guaranteed
investment  contract,  overcollateralization,  or   another  method  of   credit
enhancement   contemplated  herein  and  described  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement, or any combination of  the foregoing. Unless otherwise specified  in
the   related  Prospectus  Supplement,  credit   enhancement  will  not  provide
protection against all  risks of loss  and will not  guarantee repayment of  the
entire principal balance of the Securities and interest thereon. If losses occur
which  exceed the amount covered by credit  enhancement or which are not covered
by the credit enhancement,  Securityholders will bear  their allocable share  of
any deficiencies.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
     If  so specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement, protection afforded
to holders of  one or more  classes of Securities  of a Series  by means of  the
subordination  feature may be accomplished by  the preferential right of holders
of one  or  more other  classes  of such  Series  (the 'Senior  Securities')  to
distributions in respect of scheduled principal, Principal Prepayments, interest
or  any combination thereof that otherwise would have been payable to holders of
Subordinated Securities under the circumstances  and to the extent specified  in
the  related  Prospectus  Supplement. Protection  may  also be  afforded  to the
holders of Senior Securities of a Series by: (i) reducing the ownership interest
(if applicable) of the  related Subordinated Securities;  (ii) a combination  of
the  immediately preceding sentence and clause  (i) above; or (iii) as otherwise
described in the related Prospectus Supplement.  If so specified in the  related
Prospectus  Supplement, delays in receipt of scheduled payments on the Loans and
losses on  defaulted  Loans  may  be  borne first  by  the  various  classes  of
Subordinated  Securities  and  thereafter  by  the  various  classes  of  Senior
Securities, in each case under the circumstances and subject to the  limitations
specified  in such Prospectus Supplement. The aggregate distributions in respect
of delinquent payments on the Loans over  the lives of the Securities or at  any
time,  the aggregate losses in respect of defaulted Loans which must be borne by
the Subordinated Securities  by virtue of  subordination and the  amount of  the
distributions  otherwise distributable to  the Subordinated Securityholders that
will be distributable to Senior Securityholders on any Distribution Date may  be
limited  as  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement.  If  aggregate
distributions in respect of delinquent payments on the Loans or aggregate losses
in respect of  such Loans  were to  exceed an  amount specified  in the  related
Prospectus  Supplement, holders of Senior  Securities would experience losses on
the Securities.
 
                                       39
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     In addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, if so specified in the  related
Prospectus  Supplement, all or any portion of distributions otherwise payable to
holders of  Subordinated Securities  on  any Distribution  Date may  instead  be
deposited  into one  or more  Reserve Accounts  established with  the Trustee or
distributed to holders of Senior Securities.  Such deposits may be made on  each
Distribution  Date, for  specified periods or  until the balance  in the Reserve
Account has reached a specified amount and, following payments from the  Reserve
Account  to holders of Senior Securities  or otherwise, thereafter to the extent
necessary to restore the balance in  the Reserve Account to required levels,  in
each  case as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. Amounts on deposit
in the Reserve  Account may be  released to  the holders of  certain classes  of
Securities at the times and under the circumstances specified in such Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     If  specified  in the  related  Prospectus Supplement,  various  classes of
Senior Securities and Subordinated Securities  may themselves be subordinate  in
their  right to  receive certain  distributions to  other classes  of Senior and
Subordinated  Securities,   respectively,  through   a   cross-collateralization
mechanism or otherwise.
 
     As  between  classes  of  Senior  Securities  and  as  between  classes  of
Subordinated Securities, distributions may be  allocated among such classes  (i)
in  the order  of their scheduled  final distribution dates,  (ii) in accordance
with a schedule or formula,  (iii) in relation to  the occurrence of events,  or
(iv)  otherwise, in each case as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
As between classes  of Subordinated  Securities, payments to  holders of  Senior
Securities  on account  of delinquencies or  losses and payments  to any Reserve
Account will be allocated as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
LETTER OF CREDIT
 
     The letter of credit, if any, with  respect to a Series of Securities  will
be  issued  by  the  bank  or financial  institution  specified  in  the related
Prospectus Supplement (the 'L/C Bank'). Under the letter of credit, the L/C Bank
will be obligated  to honor  drawings thereunder  in an  aggregate fixed  dollar
amount,  net  of  unreimbursed  payments  thereunder,  equal  to  the percentage
specified in  the  related  Prospectus Supplement  of  the  aggregate  principal
balance  of the Loans on the  related Cut-off Date or of  one or more Classes of
Securities (the 'L/C  Percentage'). If  so specified in  the related  Prospectus
Supplement,  the letter of credit may permit drawings in the event of losses not
covered by insurance policies  or other credit support,  such as losses  arising
from  damage not covered by standard hazard insurance policies, losses resulting
from the bankruptcy of a borrower  and the application of certain provisions  of
the  federal  Bankruptcy  Code, or  losses  resulting from  denial  of insurance
coverage due to misrepresentations in connection with the origination of a Loan.
The amount available under the letter of  credit will, in all cases, be  reduced
to  the extent of  the unreimbursed payments thereunder.  The obligations of the
L/C Bank under the letter of credit for each Series of Securities will expire at
the earlier of the  date specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement or  the
termination  of the  Trust Fund.  See 'The  Agreements --  Termination: Optional
Termination.' A copy of the letter of credit for a Series, if any, will be filed
with the Commission as an  exhibit to a Current Report  on Form 8-K to be  filed
within 15 days of issuance of the Securities of the related Series.
 
INSURANCE POLICIES, SURETY BONDS AND GUARANTIES
 
     If  so provided  in the Prospectus  Supplement for a  Series of Securities,
deficiencies in amounts otherwise payable on such Securities or certain  classes
thereof  will be covered  by insurance policies and/or  surety bonds provided by
one or more insurance  companies or sureties. Such  instruments may cover,  with
respect  to one  or more  classes of  Securities of  the related  series, timely
distributions of interest and/or full distributions of principal on the basis of
a schedule of principal distributions set  forth in or determined in the  manner
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. In addition, if specified in the
related  Prospectus Supplement, a Trust Fund  may also include bankruptcy bonds,
special hazard insurance policies, other insurance or guaranties for the purpose
of (i) maintaining  timely payments or  providing additional protection  against
losses  on the  assets included in  such Trust Fund,  (ii) paying administrative
expenses or (iii) establishing a minimum reinvestment rate on the payments  made
in  respect  of such  assets  or principal  payment  rate on  such  assets. Such
arrangements may include agreements under which Securityholders are entitled  to
receive amounts deposited in various accounts held by the Trustee upon the terms
specified  in such Prospectus  Supplement. A copy  of any such  instrument for a
series will be filed with  the Commission as an exhibit  to a Current Report  on
Form  8-K to  be filed  with the Commission  within 15  days of  issuance of the
Securities of the related series.
 
                                       40
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
OVER-COLLATERALIZATION
 
     If so provided in the Prospectus  Supplement for a Series of Securities,  a
portion  of the interest  payment on each  Loan may be  applied as an additional
distribution in  respect of  principal  to reduce  the  principal balance  of  a
certain class or classes of Securities and, thus, accelerate the rate of payment
of principal on such class or classes of Securities.
 
RESERVE ACCOUNTS
 
     If  specified  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement, credit  support with
respect to a  Series of  Securities will be  provided by  the establishment  and
maintenance  with the Trustee for such Series of Securities, in trust, of one or
more Reserve Accounts for  such Series. The  related Prospectus Supplement  will
specify  whether or not any such Reserve  Accounts will be included in the Trust
Fund for such Series.
 
     The Reserve Account for a Series will be funded (i) by the deposit  therein
of  cash, United States Treasury securities, instruments evidencing ownership of
principal or  interest  payments  thereon,  letters  of  credit,  demand  notes,
certificates  of  deposit  or  a combination  thereof  in  the  aggregate amount
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, (ii) by the deposit therein from
time to  time  of  certain  amounts, as  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus
Supplement  to which the Subordinate Securityholders, if any, would otherwise be
entitled or  (iii) in  such other  manner as  may be  specified in  the  related
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Any amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account and the proceeds of any other
instrument  upon maturity will be held in cash or will be invested in 'Permitted
Investments' which  may include  (i) obligations  of the  United States  or  any
agency  thereof,  provided such  obligations are  backed by  the full  faith and
credit of  the  United  States;  (ii)  general  obligations  of  or  obligations
guaranteed  by  any state  of  the United  States  or the  District  of Columbia
receiving the highest  long-term debt rating  of each Rating  Agency rating  the
related  Series of Securities,  or such lower  rating as will  not result in the
downgrading or withdrawal  of the ratings  then assigned to  such Securities  by
each  such  Rating Agency;  (iii) commercial  paper  issued by  Countrywide Home
Loans, Inc. or  any of its  affiliates; provided that  such commercial paper  is
rated  no lower than the rating  specified in the related Prospectus Supplement;
(iv) commercial or  finance company paper  which is then  receiving the  highest
commercial  or finance company paper rating of  each such Rating Agency, or such
lower rating as will not result in the downgrading or withdrawal of the  ratings
then assigned to such Securities by each such Rating Agency; (v) certificates of
deposit,  demand  or  time  deposits,  or  bankers'  acceptances  issued  by any
depository institution  or trust  company  incorporated under  the laws  of  the
United States or of any state thereof and subject to supervision and examination
by  federal and/or state banking authorities, provided that the commercial paper
and/or long term unsecured  debt obligations of  such depository institution  or
trust  company (or  in the  case of  the principal  depository institution  in a
holding company  system,  the  commercial  paper  or  long-term  unsecured  debt
obligations of such holding company, but only if Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
('Moody's')  is  not a  Rating Agency)  are then  rated one  of the  two highest
long-term and the highest short-term ratings of each such Rating Agency for such
securities, or  such lower  ratings as  will not  result in  the downgrading  or
withdrawal  of the rating  then assigned to  such Securities by  any such Rating
Agency; (vi) demand or  time deposits or certificates  of deposit issued by  any
bank  or trust company or  savings institution to the  extent that such deposits
are fully insured by the  FDIC; (vii) guaranteed reinvestment agreements  issued
by  any bank, insurance company or other  corporation containing, at the time of
the issuance of such agreements, such terms and conditions as will not result in
the downgrading or withdrawal of the rating then assigned to such Securities  by
any  such  Rating  Agency; (viii)  repurchase  obligations with  respect  to any
security described in clauses  (i) and (ii) above,  in either case entered  into
with  a depository institution or trust  company (acting as principal) described
in clause  (v)  above; (ix)  securities  (other than  stripped  bonds,  stripped
coupons  or instruments sold at  a purchase price in excess  of 115% of the face
amount thereof) bearing interest or sold at a discount issued by any corporation
incorporated under the laws of the United States or any state thereof which,  at
the  time of such investment, have one of the two highest ratings of each Rating
Agency (except if the Rating Agency is Moody's, such rating shall be the highest
commercial paper  rating of  Moody's for  any such  securities), or  such  lower
rating  as will not result  in the downgrading or  withdrawal of the rating then
assigned to such Securities by any such Rating Agency, as evidenced by a  signed
writing  delivered by each such Rating Agency; (x) interests in any money market
fund which  at  the date  of  acquisition of  the  interests in  such  fund  and
throughout  the  time such  interests  are held  in  such fund  has  the highest
applicable rating by each such  Rating Agency or such  lower rating as will  not
result  in  the  downgrading  or  withdrawal of  the  ratings  then  assigned to
 
                                       41
 
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<PAGE>
such Securities by  each such Rating  Agency; (xi) short  term investment  funds
sponsored  by  any trust  company or  national banking  association incorporated
under the laws of the  United States or any state  thereof which on the date  of
acquisition  has  been rated  by  each such  Rating  Agency in  their respective
highest applicable rating category  or such lower rating  as will not result  in
the downgrading or withdrawal of the ratings then assigned to such Securities by
each  such Rating  Agency; and (xii)  such other investments  having a specified
stated maturity and bearing  interest or sold at  a discount acceptable to  each
Rating  Agency as will not result in the downgrading or withdrawal of the rating
then assigned to such Securities  by any such Rating  Agency, as evidenced by  a
signed  writing  delivered by  each such  Rating Agency;  provided that  no such
instrument shall  be a  Permitted Investment  if such  instrument evidences  the
right  to  receive  interest  only  payments  with  respect  to  the obligations
underlying such instrument; and provided, further, that no investment  specified
in  clause (x)  or clause  (xi) above  shall be  a Permitted  Investment for any
Pre-Funding Account or any related Capitalized Interest Account. If a letter  of
credit is deposited with the Trustee, such letter of credit will be irrevocable.
Unless  otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, any instrument
deposited therein will  name the  Trustee, in its  capacity as  trustee for  the
holders  of  the Securities,  as beneficiary  and  will be  issued by  an entity
acceptable to  each Rating  Agency  that rates  the  Securities of  the  related
Series. Additional information with respect to such instruments deposited in the
Reserve Accounts will be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Any  amounts so deposited and payments  on instruments so deposited will be
available for  withdrawal  from the  Reserve  Account for  distribution  to  the
holders  of Securities of the related Series for the purposes, in the manner and
at the times specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
POOL INSURANCE POLICIES
 
     If  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,  a  separate  pool
insurance  policy ('Pool  Insurance Policy') will  be obtained for  the Pool and
issued by the insurer (the 'Pool Insurer') named in such Prospectus  Supplement.
Each  Pool Insurance  Policy will, subject  to the  limitations described below,
cover loss by reason  of default in payment  on Loans in the  Pool in an  amount
equal  to a percentage specified in  such Prospectus Supplement of the aggregate
principal balance of such Loans on the Cut-off Date which are not covered as  to
their  entire  outstanding  principal  balances  by  Primary  Mortgage Insurance
Policies. As more fully described below, the Master Servicer will present claims
thereunder to the Pool Insurer on behalf of itself, the Trustee and the  holders
of  the Securities of the related  Series. The Pool Insurance Policies, however,
are not blanket policies against loss, since claims thereunder may only be  made
respecting  particular  defaulted Loans  and only  upon satisfaction  of certain
conditions precedent described below. Unless otherwise specified in the  related
Prospectus  Supplement, the Pool Insurance Policies will not cover losses due to
a failure to pay or denial of a claim under a Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement, the  Pool
Insurance Policy will provide that no claims may be validly presented unless (i)
any  required Primary Mortgage  Insurance Policy is in  effect for the defaulted
Loan and  a  claim  thereunder  has been  submitted  and  settled;  (ii)  hazard
insurance  on the related Property has been  kept in force and real estate taxes
and other protection and  preservation expenses have been  paid; (iii) if  there
has  been physical loss or  damage to the Property, it  has been restored to its
physical condition (reasonable wear and tear  excepted) at the time of  issuance
of  the policy; and (iv) the insured has acquired good and merchantable title to
the 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 Loan at a price equal to the
principal  balance thereof plus accrued and unpaid  interest at the Loan Rate to
the date of such purchase and  certain expenses incurred by the Master  Servicer
on  behalf of the Trustee and Securityholders, or (b) to pay the amount by which
the sum of the principal balance of  the defaulted Loan plus accrued and  unpaid
interest  at  the  Loan  Rate to  the  date  of  payment of  the  claim  and the
aforementioned expenses exceeds the proceeds  received from an approved sale  of
the Property, in either case net of certain amounts paid or assumed to have been
paid  under  the  related Primary  Mortgage  Insurance Policy.  If  any Property
securing a defaulted  Loan is  damaged and proceeds,  if any,  from the  related
hazard  insurance policy or  the applicable special  hazard insurance policy are
insufficient to restore the damaged Property to a condition sufficient to permit
recovery under  the Pool  Insurance  Policy, the  Master  Servicer will  not  be
required  to expend  its own  funds to  restore the  damaged Property  unless it
determines  that   (i)  such   restoration  will   increase  the   proceeds   to
Securityholders    on    liquidation   of    the   Loan    after   reimbursement
 
                                       42
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
of the  Master  Servicer  for  its  expenses and  (ii)  such  expenses  will  be
recoverable  by it through proceeds  of the sale of  the Property or proceeds of
the related  Pool Insurance  Policy or  any related  Primary Mortgage  Insurance
Policy.
 
     Unless  otherwise specified in the  related Prospectus Supplement, the Pool
Insurance Policy will not insure  (and many Primary Mortgage Insurance  Policies
do 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 Loan,
including  misrepresentation by the borrower, the originator or persons involved
in the  origination  thereof,  or  (ii)  failure  to  construct  a  Property  in
accordance  with plans and specifications. A failure of coverage attributable to
one of the foregoing  events might result  in a breach  of the related  Seller's
representations  described  above, and,  in such  events might  give rise  to an
obligation on the part of  such Seller to repurchase  the defaulted Loan if  the
breach  cannot be cured by such Seller. No Pool Insurance Policy will cover (and
many Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies do not  cover) a claim in respect of  a
defaulted  Loan occurring when the servicer of such Loan, at the time of default
or thereafter, was not approved by the applicable insurer.
 
     Unless otherwise  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,  the
original  amount of  coverage under each  Pool Insurance Policy  will be reduced
over the life of the related Securities 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 will include
certain  expenses incurred by the Master Servicer as well as accrued interest on
delinquent Loans to the date of payment of the claim, unless otherwise specified
in the related Prospectus Supplement. Accordingly, if aggregate net claims  paid
under  any Pool Insurance Policy reach the original policy limit, coverage under
that Pool Insurance  Policy will  be exhausted and  any further  losses will  be
borne by the related Securityholders.
 
CROSS-COLLATERALIZATION
 
     If specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the beneficial ownership
of  separate  groups of  assets included  in a  Trust Fund  may be  evidenced by
separate classes  of the  related Series  of Securities.  In such  case,  credit
support may be provided by a cross-collateralization feature which requires that
distributions  be  made  with  respect  to  Securities  evidencing  a beneficial
ownership interest in, or secured by, one  or more asset groups within the  same
Trust  Fund  prior  to  distributions to  Subordinated  Securities  evidencing a
beneficial ownership interest in, or secured by, one or more other asset  groups
within  such  Trust Fund.  Cross-collateralization may  be  provided by  (i) the
allocation of certain excess  amounts generated by one  or more asset groups  to
one or more other asset groups within the same Trust Fund or (ii) the allocation
of  losses with respect to one  or more asset groups to  one or more other asset
groups within the same  Trust Fund. Such excess  amounts will be applied  and/or
such losses will be allocated to the class or classes of Subordinated Securities
of  the related Series then outstanding having the lowest rating assigned by any
Rating Agency or the lowest payment priority, in each case to the extent and  in
the manner more specifically described in the related Prospectus Supplement. The
Prospectus  Supplement  for a  Series  which includes  a cross-collateralization
feature  will   describe   the  manner   and   conditions  for   applying   such
cross-collateralization feature.
 
     If specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the coverage provided by
one  or more of the forms of credit enhancement described in this Prospectus may
apply concurrently  to two  or more  separate Trust  Funds. If  applicable,  the
related Prospectus Supplement will identify the Trust Funds to which such credit
enhancement  relates  and  the  manner of  determining  the  amount  of coverage
provided to such Trust Funds thereby and of the application of such coverage  to
the identified Trust Funds.
 
                                       43

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<PAGE>
                      YIELD AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The yields to maturity and weighted average lives of the Securities will be
affected primarily by the amount and timing of principal payments received on or
in  respect of  the Trust Fund  Assets included  in the related  Trust Fund. The
original terms to maturity of the Loans in a given Pool will vary depending upon
the type  of Loans  included therein.  Each Prospectus  Supplement will  contain
information  with respect to the type and maturities of the Loans in the related
Pool. The related Prospectus Supplement will specify the circumstances, if  any,
under  which  the related  Loans will  be subject  to prepayment  penalties. The
prepayment experience on the  Loans in a Pool  will affect the weighted  average
life of the related Series of Securities.
 
     The  rate of prepayment on the Loans cannot be predicted. Home equity loans
and home improvement contracts have  been originated in significant volume  only
during  the  past few  years  and the  Depositor is  not  aware of  any publicly
available studies  or  statistics on  the  rate  of prepayment  of  such  loans.
Generally,  home equity loans  and home improvement contracts  are not viewed by
borrowers as  permanent  financing. Accordingly,  such  Loans may  experience  a
higher  rate of prepayment  than traditional first mortgage  loans. On the other
hand, because  home  equity  loans  such as  the  Revolving  Credit  Line  Loans
generally   are  not  fully  amortizing,   the  absence  of  voluntary  borrower
prepayments could cause rates of principal  payments lower than, or similar  to,
those  of  traditional  fully-amortizing first  mortgage  loans.  The prepayment
experience of  the related  Trust Fund  may be  affected by  a wide  variety  of
factors, including general economic conditions, prevailing interest rate levels,
the  availability of alternative financing, homeowner mobility and the frequency
and amount of any future draws on any Revolving Credit Line Loans. Other factors
that might be expected to  affect the prepayment rate of  a pool of home  equity
mortgage  loans  or  home  improvement contracts  include  the  amounts  of, and
interest rates on, the  underlying senior mortgage loans,  and the use of  first
mortgage loans as long-term financing for home purchase and subordinate mortgage
loans  as  shorter-term  financing for  a  variety of  purposes,  including home
improvement, education  expenses  and purchases  of  consumer durables  such  as
automobiles.  Accordingly, such Loans may experience a higher rate of prepayment
than traditional fixed-rate mortgage loans. In addition, any future  limitations
on  the right of borrowers to deduct  interest payments on home equity loans for
federal income tax purposes may further increase the rate of prepayments of  the
Loans.  The enforcement of  a 'due-on-sale' provision  (as described below) will
have the same effect  as a prepayment  of the related  Loan. See 'Certain  Legal
Aspects  of the  Loans --  Due-on-Sale Clauses'.  The yield  to an  investor who
purchases Securities in the secondary market at a price other than par will vary
from the anticipated yield if  the rate of prepayment  on the Loans is  actually
different than the rate anticipated by such investor at the time such Securities
were purchased.
 
     Collections  on Revolving Credit  Line Loans may  vary because, among other
things, borrowers may (i) make payments during  any month as low as the  minimum
monthly  payment for such month or,  during the interest-only period for certain
Revolving Credit  Line  Loans and,  in  more limited  circumstances,  Closed-End
Loans,  with respect to which an interest-only payment option has been selected,
the interest and the fees  and charges for such month  or (ii) make payments  as
high  as the entire outstanding principal  balance plus accrued interest and the
fees and charges thereon.  It is possible  that borrowers may  fail to make  the
required  periodic payments. In addition, collections  on the Loans may vary due
to seasonal purchasing and the payment habits of borrowers.
 
     Unless otherwise  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,  all
conventional  Loans will contain due-on-sale provisions permitting the mortgagee
to accelerate the maturity  of the loan  upon sale or  certain transfers by  the
borrower  of the related Property.  Loans insured by the  FHA, and Single Family
Loans partially guaranteed by the VA, are assumable with the consent of the  FHA
and  the VA, respectively.  Thus, the rate  of prepayments on  such Loans may be
lower than that  of conventional  Loans bearing comparable  interest rates.  The
Master  Servicer generally  will enforce  any due-on-sale  or due-on-encumbrance
clause, to the extent it has knowledge of the conveyance or further  encumbrance
or  the proposed conveyance or proposed  further encumbrance of the Property and
reasonably believes that it is entitled to do so under applicable law; provided,
however, that the  Master Servicer  will not  take any  enforcement action  that
would  impair or  threaten to  impair any  recovery under  any related insurance
policy. See 'The Agreements -- Collection Procedures' and 'Certain Legal Aspects
of the Loans'  for a  description of certain  provisions of  each Agreement  and
certain  legal developments  that may  affect the  prepayment experience  on the
Loans.
 
     The rate of  prepayments with  respect to conventional  mortgage loans  has
fluctuated  significantly in recent years. In  general, if prevailing rates fall
significantly  below  the  Loan  Rates  borne  by  the  Loans,  such  Loans  are
 
                                       44
 
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<PAGE>
more likely to be subject to higher prepayment rates than if prevailing interest
rates  remain at  or above such  Loan Rates. Conversely,  if prevailing interest
rates rise appreciably above the Loan Rates  borne by the Loans, such Loans  are
more  likely  to experience  a lower  prepayment rate  than if  prevailing rates
remain at or below such Loan Rates. However, there can be no assurance that such
will be the case.
 
     When a full prepayment is made on a Loan, the borrower is charged  interest
on  the principal amount of the  Loan so prepaid only for  the number of days in
the month actually elapsed up to the  date of the prepayment, rather than for  a
full  month. The effect of  prepayments in full will be  to reduce the amount of
interest passed through or paid in the following month to holders of  Securities
because  interest on the principal amount of  any Loan so prepaid will generally
be paid only to the date of prepayment. Partial prepayments in a given month may
be applied to the outstanding principal balances of the Loans so prepaid on  the
first  day of the month of receipt or the month following receipt. In the latter
case, partial prepayments will not reduce the amount of interest passed  through
or  paid in  such month.  Unless otherwise  specified in  the related Prospectus
Supplement, neither full nor partial prepayments will be passed through or  paid
until the month following receipt.
 
     Even  assuming that the Properties provide adequate security for the Loans,
substantial delays could be  encountered in connection  with the liquidation  of
defaulted  Loans and corresponding delays in  the receipt of related proceeds by
Securityholders could occur.  An action to  foreclose on a  Property securing  a
Loan  is regulated  by state statutes  and rules and  is subject to  many of the
delays  and  expenses  of  other  lawsuits  if  defenses  or  counterclaims  are
interposed,  sometimes requiring several years to complete. Furthermore, in some
states an action to  obtain a deficiency judgment  is not permitted following  a
nonjudicial  sale of a property. In the event  of a default by a borrower, these
restrictions among other things, may impede  the ability of the Master  Servicer
to  foreclose  on  or  sell  the  Property  or  to  obtain  liquidation proceeds
sufficient to repay all amounts due on the related Loan. In addition, the Master
Servicer will  be  entitled to  deduct  from related  liquidation  proceeds  all
expenses  reasonably incurred in attempting to  recover amounts due on defaulted
Loans and not yet repaid, including  payments to senior lienholders, legal  fees
and  costs of legal  action, real estate taxes  and maintenance and preservation
expenses.
 
     Liquidation expenses with respect to  defaulted mortgage loans do not  vary
directly  with the  outstanding principal  balance of  the loan  at the  time of
default. Therefore, assuming that  a servicer took the  same steps in  realizing
upon  a defaulted mortgage loan having a small remaining principal balance as it
would in  the  case  of a  defaulted  mortgage  loan having  a  large  remaining
principal  balance, the amount  realized after expenses  of liquidation would be
smaller as a percentage of the remaining principal balance of the small mortgage
loan than would  be the case  with the  other defaulted mortgage  loan having  a
large remaining principal balance.
 
     Applicable  state laws generally regulate interest rates and other charges,
require certain disclosures,  and require licensing  of certain originators  and
servicers of Loans. In addition, most have other laws, public policy and general
principles  of  equity  relating  to the  protection  of  consumers,  unfair and
deceptive practices and practices which may apply to the origination,  servicing
and  collection of the Loans. Depending on  the provisions of the applicable law
and the specific  facts and  circumstances involved, violations  of these  laws,
policies  and principles may limit the ability of the Master Servicer to collect
all or  part of  the principal  of or  interest on  the Loans,  may entitle  the
borrower  to a refund of amounts previously paid and, in addition, could subject
the Master Servicer to damages and administrative sanctions.
 
     If the rate at which interest is  passed through or paid to the holders  of
Securities  of a Series is calculated  on a Loan-by-Loan basis, disproportionate
principal prepayments  among Loans  with different  Loan Rates  will affect  the
yield  on such Securities. In most cases, the effective yield to Securityholders
will be lower than the yield  otherwise produced by the applicable  Pass-Through
Rate  or interest rate and purchase price, because while interest will accrue on
each Loan from the  first day of  the month (unless  otherwise specified in  the
related  Prospectus Supplement), the  distribution of such  interest will not be
made earlier than the month following the month of accrual.
 
     Under certain  circumstances,  the  Master Servicer,  the  holders  of  the
residual  interests in a REMIC or any person specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement may have the option  to purchase the assets  of a Trust Fund  thereby
effecting  earlier  retirement of  the related  Series  of Securities.  See 'The
Agreements -- Termination; Optional Termination'.
 
                                       45
 
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<PAGE>
     The relative contribution of the  various factors affecting prepayment  may
vary  from time to time. There can be no  assurance as to the rate of payment of
principal of  the Trust  Fund  Assets at  any  time or  over  the lives  of  the
Securities.
 
     The  Prospectus Supplement relating to a  Series of Securities will discuss
in greater  detail the  effect of  the  rate and  timing of  principal  payments
(including prepayments), delinquencies and losses on the yield, weighted average
lives and maturities of such Securities.
 
                                 THE AGREEMENTS
 
     Set  forth  below  is a  description  of  the material  provisions  of each
Agreement which are not described elsewhere in this Prospectus. The  description
is  subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of
each Agreement. Where particular provisions or terms used in the Agreements  are
referred to, such provisions or terms are as specified in the Agreements.
 
ASSIGNMENT OF THE TRUST FUND ASSETS
 
     Assignment  of the Loans.  At the time  of issuance of  the Securities of a
Series, the Depositor will cause the Loans comprising the related Trust Fund  to
be  assigned to the  Trustee, without recourse, together  with all principal and
interest received by or on  behalf of the Depositor on  or with respect to  such
Loans after the Cut-off Date, other than principal and interest due on or before
the  Cut-off Date and other than any  Retained Interest specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement.  The Trustee  will,  concurrently with  such  assignment,
deliver  such Securities to the  Depositor in exchange for  the Loans. Each Loan
will be  identified  in  a schedule  appearing  as  an exhibit  to  the  related
Agreement.  Such  schedule  will  include  information  as  to  the  outstanding
principal balance of each  Loan after application of  payments due on or  before
the  Cut-off Date, as  well as information  regarding the Loan  Rate or APR, the
maturity of the Loan, the Loan-to-Value Ratios or Combined Loan-to-Value Ratios,
as applicable, at origination and certain other information.
 
     Unless otherwise  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,  the
Agreement  will  require that,  within the  time  period specified  therein, the
Depositor will also deliver or cause to  be delivered to the Trustee (or to  the
custodian hereinafter referred to) as to each Mortgage Loan or Home Equity Loan,
among  other things, (i) the mortgage note or contract endorsed without recourse
in blank or to  the order of the  Trustee, (ii) the mortgage,  deed of trust  or
similar  instrument (a 'Mortgage') with  evidence of recording indicated thereon
(except for any Mortgage not returned from the public recording office, in which
case the Depositor will deliver or cause to be delivered a copy of such Mortgage
together with a certificate that the original of such Mortgage was delivered  to
such  recording office),  (iii) an  assignment of  the Mortgage  to the Trustee,
which assignment  will  be  in  recordable  form  in  the  case  of  a  Mortgage
assignment,  and (iv) such other security documents, including those relating to
any senior  interests  in the  Property,  as may  be  specified in  the  related
Prospectus  Supplement or the  related Agreement. Unless  otherwise specified in
the related  Prospectus  Supplement,  the  Depositor  will  promptly  cause  the
assignments of the related Loans to be recorded in the appropriate public office
for  real property records, except in states in which, in the opinion of counsel
acceptable to  the  Trustee, such  recording  is  not required  to  protect  the
Trustee's  interest in such Loans against the claim of any subsequent transferee
or any successor  to or  creditor of  the Depositor  or the  originator of  such
Loans.
 
     With  respect to any  Loans that are Cooperative  Loans, the Depositor will
cause to  be delivered  to the  Trustee the  related original  cooperative  note
endorsed  without recourse in blank or to the order of the Trustee, the original
security  agreement,  the   proprietary  lease  or   occupancy  agreement,   the
recognition  agreement, an executed  financing agreement and  the relevant stock
certificate, related blank stock powers and any other document specified in  the
related  Prospectus  Supplement. The  Depositor will  cause to  be filed  in the
appropriate office  an  assignment  and a  financing  statement  evidencing  the
Trustee's security interest in each Cooperative Loan.
 
     Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement, the
Depositor will as  to each  Home Improvement Contract,  deliver or  cause to  be
delivered  to the Trustee  the original Home Improvement  Contract and copies of
documents and instruments related to  each Home Improvement Contract and,  other
than  in the case of unsecured Home Improvement Contracts, the security interest
in the Property securing such Home Improvement Contract. In order to give notice
of the right,  title and  interest of  Securityholders to  the Home  Improvement
Contracts,  the Depositor will cause a  UCC-1 financing statement to be executed
by the Depositor
 
                                       46
 
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<PAGE>
or the Seller identifying the Trustee  as the secured party and identifying  all
Home  Improvement  Contracts as  collateral. Unless  otherwise specified  in the
related Prospectus  Supplement,  the  Home Improvement  Contracts  will  not  be
stamped  or  otherwise  marked  to  reflect  their  assignment  to  the Trustee.
Therefore, if, through  negligence, fraud or  otherwise, a subsequent  purchaser
were  able to take physical possession of the Home Improvement Contracts without
notice  of  such  assignment,  the  interest  of  Securityholders  in  the  Home
Improvement  Contracts  could be  defeated. See  'Certain  Legal Aspects  of the
Loans -- The Home Improvement Contracts.'
 
     The Trustee (or  the custodian  hereinafter referred to)  will review  such
Loan  documents  within  the time  period  specified in  the  related Prospectus
Supplement after receipt thereof,  and the Trustee will  hold such documents  in
trust for the benefit of the related Securityholders. Unless otherwise specified
in  the  related Prospectus  Supplement, if  any  such document  is found  to be
missing or defective in  any material respect, the  Trustee (or such  custodian)
will  notify the Master Servicer and the Depositor, and the Master Servicer will
notify the related  Seller. If such  Seller cannot cure  the omission or  defect
within  the time  period specified  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement after
receipt of such notice, such Seller will be obligated to either (i) purchase the
related Loan from the Trust Fund at  the Purchase Price or (ii) if so  specified
in  the related Prospectus Supplement, remove such  Loan from the Trust Fund and
substitute in its place one or more other Loans that meets certain  requirements
set  forth therein. There  can be no  assurance that a  Seller will fulfill this
purchase or  substitution  obligation.  Although  the  Master  Servicer  may  be
obligated  to enforce such obligation to  the extent described above under 'Loan
Program -- Representations by Sellers; Repurchases', neither the Master Servicer
nor the Depositor  will be obligated  to purchase  or replace such  Loan if  the
Seller  defaults on its obligation, unless such breach also constitutes a breach
of the representations or warranties of the Master Servicer or the Depositor, as
the  case  may  be.  Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  related   Prospectus
Supplement, this obligation to cure, purchase or substitute constitutes the sole
remedy  available to the  Securityholders or the  Trustee for omission  of, or a
material defect in, a constituent document.
 
     The Trustee  will  be authorized  to  appoint  a custodian  pursuant  to  a
custodial  agreement to maintain possession of and, if applicable, to review the
documents relating to the Loans as agent of the Trustee.
 
     The Master  Servicer  will  make  certain  representations  and  warranties
regarding  its  authority  to  enter  into,  and  its  ability  to  perform  its
obligations under, the Agreement.  Upon a breach of  any such representation  of
the  Master Servicer which materially and adversely affects the interests of the
Securityholders in a Loan, the Master Servicer will be obligated either to  cure
the breach in all material respects or to purchase (at the Purchase Price) or if
so  specified in  the related  Prospectus Supplement,  replace the  Loan. Unless
otherwise specified in  the related  Prospectus Supplement,  this obligation  to
cure,  purchase  or  substitute constitutes  the  sole remedy  available  to the
Securityholders or the Trustee for such a breach of representation by the Master
Servicer.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, with respect to a Trust Fund  for
which a REMIC election is to be made, no purchase or substitution of a Loan will
be  made  if  such  purchase  or  substitution  would  result  in  a  prohibited
transaction tax under the Code.
 
     No Recourse to Sellers;  Depositor or Master  Servicer. As described  above
under  '  --  Assignment of  the  Loans,'  the Depositor  will  cause  the Loans
comprising the  related  Trust Fund  to  be  assigned to  the  Trustee,  without
recourse. However, each Seller will be obligated to repurchase or substitute for
any  Loan as to which certain representations and warranties are breached or for
failure to deliver certain documents relating  to the Loans as described  herein
under 'Assignment of the Loans' and 'Loan Program -- Representations by Sellers;
Repurchases.'  In  addition,  the  Master Servicer  and  the  Depositor  will be
obligated  to  purchase  or  substitute  for  any  Loan  as  to  which   certain
representations   and  warranties   are  breached  as   described  herein  under
' --  Assignment of  the Loans.'  These obligations  to purchase  or  substitute
constitute the sole remedy available to the Securityholders or the Trustee for a
breach of any such representation or failure to deliver a constituent document.
 
PAYMENTS ON LOANS; DEPOSITS TO SECURITY ACCOUNT
 
     The  Master Servicer will establish and maintain or cause to be established
and maintained with  respect to  the related Trust  Fund a  separate account  or
accounts  for the collection of payments on the related Trust Fund Assets in the
Trust Fund (the  'Security Account')  which, unless otherwise  specified in  the
related  Prospectus Supplement, must be either  (i) maintained with a depository
institution the debt obligations of which (or in the
 
                                       47
 
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case of a depository institution that  is the principal subsidiary of a  holding
company,  the obligations of which)  are rated in one  of the two highest rating
categories by  the Rating  Agency or  Rating  Agencies that  rated one  or  more
classes  of the related  Series of Securities,  (ii) an account  or accounts the
deposits in  which are  fully insured  by either  the Bank  Insurance Fund  (the
'BIF')  of the FDIC or  the Savings Association Insurance  Fund (as successor to
the Federal Savings and Loan  Insurance Corporation ('SAIF')), (iii) an  account
or  accounts the deposits in which are insured by the BIF or SAIF (to the limits
established by the  FDIC), and  the uninsured  deposits in  which are  otherwise
secured  such that, as  evidenced by an opinion  of counsel, the Securityholders
have a claim with respect  to the funds in the  Security Account or a  perfected
first priority security interest against any collateral securing such funds that
is  superior to the claims  of any other depositors  or general creditors of the
depository institution with which the Security Account is maintained, or (iv) an
account or accounts otherwise acceptable  to each Rating Agency. The  collateral
eligible  to  secure amounts  in the  Security Account  is limited  to Permitted
Investments. A Security Account may be maintained as an interest bearing account
or the funds held therein may  be invested pending each succeeding  Distribution
Date  in  Permitted  Investments.  Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the related
Prospectus Supplement, the Master Servicer or  its designee will be entitled  to
receive  any  such interest  or other  income  earned on  funds in  the Security
Account as  additional compensation  and will  be obligated  to deposit  in  the
Security  Account the amount  of any loss immediately  as realized. The Security
Account may  be  maintained  with  the Master  Servicer  or  with  a  depository
institution  that is an affiliate of the  Master Servicer, provided it meets the
standards set forth above.
 
     The Master Servicer will deposit or  cause to be deposited in the  Security
Account  for  each Trust  Fund, to  the extent  applicable and  unless otherwise
specified in the related  Prospectus Supplement and  provided in the  Agreement,
the following payments and collections received or advances made by or on behalf
of  it subsequent to the Cut-off Date (other  than payments due on or before the
Cut-off Date and exclusive of any amounts representing Retained Interest):
 
          (i)  all  payments  on  account  of  principal,  including   Principal
     Prepayments  and, if  specified in  the related  Prospectus Supplement, any
     applicable prepayment penalties, on the Loans;
 
          (ii) all  payments  on  account  of interest  on  the  Loans,  net  of
     applicable servicing compensation;
 
          (iii)  all proceeds (net  of unreimbursed payments  of property taxes,
     insurance premiums  and similar  items ('Insured  Expenses') incurred,  and
     unreimbursed  Advances made, by the Master  Servicer, if any) of the hazard
     insurance policies  and any  Primary Mortgage  Insurance Policies,  to  the
     extent  such proceeds are not applied to the restoration of the property or
     released to the Mortgagor in  accordance with the Master Servicer's  normal
     servicing  procedures  (collectively, 'Insurance  Proceeds') and  all other
     cash amounts  (net of  unreimbursed expenses  incurred in  connection  with
     liquidation   or  foreclosure  ('Liquidation  Expenses')  and  unreimbursed
     Advances made, by  the Master Servicer,  if any) received  and retained  in
     connection  with  the liquidation  of  defaulted Loans,  by  foreclosure or
     otherwise ('Liquidation Proceeds'), together with any net proceeds received
     on a monthly basis with respect to any properties acquired on behalf of the
     Securityholders by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure;
 
          (iv) all proceeds of any Loan or property in respect thereof purchased
     by the Master  Servicer, the  Depositor or  any Seller  as described  under
     'Loan    Program   --   Representations   by   Sellers;   Repurchases'   or
     ' -- Assignment of Trust  Fund Assets' above and  all proceeds of any  Loan
     repurchased  as  described under  '  -- Termination;  Optional Termination'
     below;
 
          (v) all payments required to be deposited in the Security Account with
     respect to any deductible clause in any blanket insurance policy  described
     under ' -- Hazard Insurance' below;
 
          (vi)  any amount  required to be  deposited by the  Master Servicer in
     connection with  losses realized  on  investments for  the benefit  of  the
     Master  Servicer of funds held  in the Security Account  and, to the extent
     specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, any payments required to be
     made  by  the  Master  Servicer  in  connection  with  prepayment  interest
     shortfalls; and
 
          (vii)  all  other amounts  required to  be  deposited in  the Security
     Account pursuant to the Agreement.
 
     The Master Servicer (or the Depositor, as applicable) may from time to time
direct the institution  that maintains  the Security Account  to withdraw  funds
from the Security Account for the following purposes:
 
                                       48
 
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<PAGE>
          (i)  to pay to the Master Servicer the servicing fees described in the
     related Prospectus  Supplement,  the  master  servicing  fees  (subject  to
     reduction)  and,  as  additional  servicing  compensation,  earnings  on or
     investment income with  respect to  funds in  the amounts  in the  Security
     Account credited thereto;
 
          (ii)  to reimburse  the Master  Servicer for  Advances, such  right of
     reimbursement with respect to  any Loan being  limited to amounts  received
     that  represent late recoveries of payments of principal and/or interest on
     such Loan  (or  Insurance Proceeds  or  Liquidation Proceeds  with  respect
     thereto) with respect to which such Advance was made;
 
          (iii)  to reimburse  the Master  Servicer for  any Advances previously
     made which the Master Servicer has determined to be nonrecoverable;
 
          (iv) to  reimburse the  Master Servicer  from Insurance  Proceeds  for
     expenses  incurred  by  the  Master Servicer  and  covered  by  the related
     insurance policies;
 
          (v) to reimburse the Master Servicer for unpaid master servicing  fees
     and  unreimbursed out-of-pocket costs  and expenses incurred  by the Master
     Servicer in the  performance of  its servicing obligations,  such right  of
     reimbursement   being  limited   to  amounts   received  representing  late
     recoveries of the payments for which such advances were made;
 
          (vi) to  pay to  the Master  Servicer, with  respect to  each Loan  or
     property  acquired in respect thereof that has been purchased by the Master
     Servicer pursuant to the  Agreement, all amounts  received thereon and  not
     taken into account in determining the principal balance of such repurchased
     Loan;
 
          (vii)  to reimburse the Master Servicer  or the Depositor for expenses
     incurred and reimbursable pursuant to the Agreement;
 
          (viii) to withdraw any  amount deposited in  the Security Account  and
     not required to be deposited therein; and
 
          (ix)  to clear and terminate the  Security Account upon termination of
     the Agreement.
 
     In  addition,  unless  otherwise   specified  in  the  related   Prospectus
Supplement,  on  or  prior  to  the  business  day  immediately  preceding  each
Distribution Date, the Master Servicer shall withdraw from the Security  Account
the  amount of  Available Funds,  to the  extent on  deposit, for  deposit in an
account maintained by the Trustee for the related Series of Securities.
 
PRE-FUNDING ACCOUNT
 
     If so provided in  the related Prospectus  Supplement, the Master  Servicer
will  establish and maintain a  Pre-Funding Account, in the  name of the related
Trustee on behalf of the related Securityholders, into which the Depositor  will
deposit  cash in an amount equal to the Pre-Funded Amount on the related Closing
Date. The  Pre-Funding Account  will  be maintained  with  the Trustee  for  the
related  Series of Securities and is designed solely to hold funds to be applied
by such Trustee during the Funding Period  to pay to the Depositor the  purchase
price  for Subsequent Loans.  Monies on deposit in  the Pre-Funding Account will
not be available  to cover losses  on or in  respect of the  related Loans.  The
Pre-Funded  Amount will not exceed 50% of the initial aggregate principal amount
of the Certificates and Notes of the related Series. The Pre-Funded Amount  will
be  used by the related Trustee to  purchase Subsequent Loans from the Depositor
from time to time during the Funding  Period. The Funding Period, if any, for  a
Trust  Fund will  begin on  the related Closing  Date and  will end  on the date
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, which in no event will be  later
than the date that is one year after the related Closing Date. Monies on deposit
in  the Pre-Funding Account  may be invested in  Permitted Investments under the
circumstances and in the manner described in the related Agreement. Earnings  on
investment  of  funds in  the  Pre-Funding Account  will  be deposited  into the
related Security Account  or such  other trust account  as is  specified in  the
related  Prospectus Supplement and  losses will be charged  against the funds on
deposit in the  Pre-Funding Account.  Any amounts remaining  in the  Pre-Funding
Account  at the  end of the  Funding Period  will be distributed  to the related
Securityholders in the manner and  priority specified in the related  Prospectus
Supplement, as a prepayment of principal of the related Securities.
 
     In  addition, if so  provided in the related  Prospectus Supplement, on the
related Closing Date the Depositor will deposit in an account (the  'Capitalized
Interest  Account') cash in such  amount as is necessary  to cover shortfalls in
interest on the  related Series  of Securities  that may  arise as  a result  of
utilization  of  the Pre-Funding  Account  as described  above.  The Capitalized
Interest   Account   shall   be   maintained   with   the   Trustee   for    the
 
                                       49
 
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<PAGE>
related Series of Securities and is designed solely to cover the above-mentioned
interest  shortfalls. Monies on deposit in the Capitalized Interest Account will
not be available to cover losses on or  in respect of the related Loans. To  the
extent that the entire amount on deposit in the Capitalized Interest Account has
not  been applied  to cover  short falls  in interest  on the  related Series of
Securities by  the end  of the  Funding  Period, any  amounts remaining  in  the
Capitalized Interest Account will be paid to the Depositor.
 
SUB-SERVICING BY SELLERS
 
     Each  Seller  of  a Loan  or  any other  servicing  entity may  act  as the
Sub-Servicer for  such Loan  pursuant to  an agreement  (each, a  'Sub-Servicing
Agreement'),  which will  not contain  any terms  inconsistent with  the related
Agreement. While each Sub-Servicing Agreement will be a contract solely  between
the  Master Servicer  and the  Sub-Servicer, the  Agreement pursuant  to which a
Series of Securities is issued will provide  that, if for any reason the  Master
Servicer  for such Series of Securities is  no longer the Master Servicer of the
related Loans, the Trustee or any  successor Master Servicer must recognize  the
Sub-Servicer's  rights  and  obligations  under  such  Sub-Servicing  Agreement.
Notwithstanding any such subservicing arrangement, unless otherwise provided  in
the  related Prospectus Supplement,  the Master Servicer  will remain liable for
its servicing duties and obligations under the Master Servicing Agreement as  if
the Master Servicer alone were servicing the Loans.
 
COLLECTION PROCEDURES
 
     The  Master Servicer, directly  or through one  or more Sub-Servicers, will
make reasonable efforts to collect all  payments called for under the Loans  and
will,  consistent with  each Agreement  and any  Pool Insurance  Policy, Primary
Mortgage Insurance  Policy,  FHA  Insurance, VA  Guaranty,  bankruptcy  bond  or
alternative  arrangements, follow  such collection  procedures as  are customary
with respect to  loans that  are comparable to  the Loans.  Consistent with  the
above, the Master Servicer may, in its discretion, (i) waive any assumption fee,
late  payment or other charge  in connection with a Loan  and (ii) to the extent
not inconsistent with  the coverage  of such Loan  by a  Pool Insurance  Policy,
Primary  Mortgage Insurance Policy, FHA  Insurance, VA Guaranty, bankruptcy bond
or alternative arrangements, if applicable,  arrange with a borrower a  schedule
for the liquidation of delinquencies running for no more than 125 days after the
applicable  due date  for each  payment. To  the extent  the Master  Servicer is
obligated to make  or cause  to be made  Advances, such  obligation will  remain
during any period of such an arrangement.
 
     In  any case in which property securing a Loan has been, or is about to be,
conveyed by the mortgagor or obligor, the Master Servicer will, to the extent it
has knowledge of such conveyance or proposed conveyance, exercise or cause to be
exercised its  rights  to  accelerate  the  maturity  of  such  Loan  under  any
due-on-sale  clause applicable thereto, but only  if the exercise of such rights
is permitted by applicable  law and will  not impair or  threaten to impair  any
recovery  under any Primary  Mortgage Insurance Policy.  If these conditions are
not met  or  if the  Master  Servicer reasonably  believes  it is  unable  under
applicable  law to enforce such due-on-sale clause or if such Loan is a mortgage
loan insured by the FHA or partially  guaranteed by the VA, the Master  Servicer
will  enter into  or cause  to be  entered 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 for repayment of the Loan
and,  to the  extent permitted by  applicable law, the  mortgagor remains liable
thereon. Any fee collected by or on  behalf of the Master Servicer for  entering
into  an assumption  agreement will be  retained by  or on behalf  of the Master
Servicer as additional servicing compensation. See 'Certain Legal Aspects of the
Loans -- Due-on-Sale Clauses'. In connection with any such assumption, the terms
of the related Loan may not be changed.
 
     With respect to Cooperative Loans, any prospective purchaser will generally
have to  obtain  the  approval  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  relevant
Cooperative  before purchasing the shares and acquiring rights under the related
proprietary lease  or occupancy  agreement. See  'Certain Legal  Aspects of  the
Loans'.  This approval is usually based on  the purchaser's income and net worth
and numerous other factors. Although  the Cooperative's approval is unlikely  to
be  unreasonably withheld or  delayed, the necessity  of acquiring such approval
could limit the number  of potential purchasers for  those shares and  otherwise
limit the Trust Fund's ability to sell and realize the value of those shares.
 
     In  general a 'tenant-stockholder' (as defined in Code Section 216(b)(2) of
a corporation that qualifies as  a 'cooperative housing corporation' within  the
meaning    of   Code   Section   216(b)(1)    is   allowed   a   deduction   for
 
                                       50
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
amounts paid or accrued within his taxable year to the corporation  representing
his  proportionate share  of certain interest  expenses and  certain real estate
taxes allowable as  a deduction  under Code  Section 216(a)  to the  corporation
under  Code Sections 163  and 164. In  order for a  corporation to qualify under
Code Section 216(b)(1) for its taxable year in which such items are allowable as
a deduction to the corporation, such Section requires, among other things,  that
at  least 80% of the gross income of the corporation be derived from its tenant-
stockholders  (as  defined  in  Code  Section  216(b)(2)).  By  virtue  of  this
requirement,  the status of a corporation for purposes of Code Section 216(b)(1)
must be  determined on  a  year-to-year basis.  Consequently,  there can  be  no
assurance that Cooperatives relating to the Cooperative Loans will qualify under
such Section for any particular year. In the event that such a Cooperative fails
to  qualify for  one or  more years,  the value  of the  collateral securing any
related Cooperative Loans could be  significantly impaired because no  deduction
would be allowable to tenant-stockholders under Code Section 216(a) with respect
to  those  years. In  view  of the  significance  of the  tax  benefits accorded
tenant-stockholders  of  a  corporation   that  qualifies  under  Code   Section
216(b)(1),  the likelihood  that such a  failure would be  permitted to continue
over a period of years appears remote.
 
HAZARD INSURANCE
 
     Except as otherwise  specified in  the related  Prospectus Supplement,  the
Master Servicer will require the mortgagor or obligor on each Loan to maintain a
hazard  insurance policy providing for no less than the coverage of the standard
form of fire insurance policy with  extended coverage customary for the type  of
Property  in the state in which such  Property is located. Such coverage will be
in an amount that is at least equal  to the lesser of (i) the maximum  insurable
value  of the  improvements securing such  Loan or  (ii) the greater  of (y) the
outstanding principal  balance of  the Loan  and  (z) an  amount such  that  the
proceeds  of such policy shall be sufficient to prevent the mortgagor and/or the
mortgagee from  becoming  a co-insurer.  All  amounts collected  by  the  Master
Servicer  under  any hazard  policy (except  for  amounts to  be applied  to the
restoration or repair of the Property or released to the mortgagor or obligor in
accordance with  the  Master Servicer's  normal  servicing procedures)  will  be
deposited in the related Security Account. In the event that the Master Servicer
maintains  a  blanket policy  insuring against  hazard losses  on all  the Loans
comprising part  of  a  Trust Fund,  it  will  conclusively be  deemed  to  have
satisfied  its obligation relating to the  maintenance of hazard insurance. Such
blanket policy  may  contain a  deductible  clause,  in which  case  the  Master
Servicer  will  be required  to  deposit from  its  own funds  into  the related
Security Account the  amounts 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 securing a Loan by  fire,
lightning,  explosion,  smoke,  windstorm  and  hail,  riot,  strike  and  civil
commotion, subject  to  the conditions  and  exclusions particularized  in  each
policy.  Although the policies relating to  the Loans may have been underwritten
by different insurers under  different state laws  in accordance with  different
applicable  forms and therefore may 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  mud  flows),
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.  If
the  Property securing a Loan is located in a federally designated special flood
area at the time of origination, the Master Servicer will require the  mortgagor
or obligor to obtain and maintain flood insurance.
 
     The  hazard  insurance  policies  covering  properties  securing  the Loans
typically contain a clause which in effect  requires the insured at all time  to
carry  insurance of a specified percentage  of a specified percentage (generally
80% to 90%) of the  full replacement value of the  insured property in order  to
recover  the full amount  of any partial  loss. If the  insured's coverage falls
below this specified percentage,  then the insurer's liability  in the event  of
partial  loss will not exceed the larger of (i) the actual cash value (generally
defined as  replacement  cost at  the  time and  place  of loss,  less  physical
depreciation)  of the improvements damaged or  destroyed 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  the Master  Servicer may cause  to be maintained  on the improvements
securing the Loans declines  as the principal  balances owing thereon  decrease,
and  since improved real estate generally has  appreciated in value over time in
the past, the effect of
 
                                       51
 
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<PAGE>
this requirement  in the  event of  partial loss  may be  that hazard  insurance
proceeds  will  be  insufficient  to  restore  fully  the  damaged  property. If
specified in  the  related Prospectus  Supplement,  a special  hazard  insurance
policy  will  be  obtained to  insure  against  certain of  the  uninsured risks
described above. See 'Credit Enhancement'.
 
     The Master  Servicer will  not  require that  a  standard hazard  or  flood
insurance  policy  be maintained  on the  cooperative  dwelling relating  to any
Cooperative  Loan.  Generally,  the   Cooperative  itself  is  responsible   for
maintenance  of hazard insurance  for the property owned  by the Cooperative and
the tenant-stockholders of  that Cooperative do  not maintain individual  hazard
insurance  policies. To the extent, however,  that a Cooperative and the related
borrower on a Cooperative Loan do not maintain such insurance or do not maintain
adequate coverage or any insurance proceeds  are not applied to the  restoration
of  damaged property, any damage to such borrower's cooperative dwelling or such
Cooperative's building could  significantly reduce the  value of the  collateral
securing  such  Cooperative  Loan to  the  extent  not covered  by  other credit
support.
 
     If the Property securing a defaulted Loan is damaged and proceeds, if  any,
from the related hazard insurance policy are insufficient to restore the damaged
Property, 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 Securityholders  on  liquidation of  the  Loan  after
reimbursement  of  the  Master Servicer  for  its  expenses and  (ii)  that such
expenses  will  be  recoverable  by  it  from  related  Insurance  Proceeds   or
Liquidation Proceeds.
 
     If  recovery on a defaulted Loan under  any related Insurance Policy is not
available for  the reasons  set forth  in  the preceding  paragraph, or  if  the
defaulted  Loan is not covered by an  Insurance Policy, the Master Servicer will
be obligated  to  follow or  cause  to be  followed  such normal  practices  and
procedures  as it  deems necessary  or advisable  to realize  upon the defaulted
Loan. If the proceeds of any liquidation of the Property securing the  defaulted
Loan  are less  than the  principal balance of  such Loan  plus interest accrued
thereon that is payable to Securityholders,  the Trust Fund will realize a  loss
in  the amount of such difference plus the aggregate of expenses incurred by the
Master Servicer in connection with  such proceedings and which are  reimbursable
under the Agreement. In the unlikely event that any such proceedings result in a
total  recovery  which is,  after reimbursement  to the  Master Servicer  of its
expenses, in excess of the principal balance of such Loan plus interest  accrued
thereon that is payable to Securityholders, the Master Servicer will be entitled
to  withdraw or retain from the Security Account amounts representing its normal
servicing compensation with respect to such Loan and, unless otherwise specified
in the related Prospectus Supplement,  amounts representing the balance of  such
excess,  exclusive of any amount required by  law to be forwarded to the related
borrower, as additional servicing compensation.
 
     If the Master Servicer or  its designee recovers Insurance Proceeds  which,
when  added to any  related Liquidation Proceeds and  after deduction of certain
expenses reimbursable to the  Master Servicer, exceed  the principal balance  of
such  Loan plus interest accrued thereon that is payable to Securityholders, the
Master Servicer will be entitled to withdraw or retain from the Security Account
amounts representing  its normal  servicing compensation  with respect  to  such
Loan.  In  the event  that the  Master Servicer  has expended  its own  funds to
restore the damaged Property and such  funds have not been reimbursed under  the
related  hazard  insurance policy,  it  will be  entitled  to withdraw  from the
Security Account out of  related Liquidation Proceeds  or Insurance Proceeds  an
amount  equal to such expenses incurred by it, in which event the Trust Fund may
realize a loss  up to  the amount so  charged. Since  Insurance Proceeds  cannot
exceed  deficiency claims and certain expenses  incurred by the Master Servicer,
no such payment or recovery  will result in a recovery  to the Trust Fund  which
exceeds  the  principal  balance of  the  defaulted Loan  together  with accrued
interest thereon. See 'Credit Enhancement'.
 
     The proceeds  from  any  liquidation of  a  Loan  will be  applied  in  the
following  order of  priority: first, to  reimburse the Master  Servicer for any
unreimbursed expenses incurred  by it to  restore the related  Property and  any
unreimbursed  servicing compensation payable to the Master Servicer with respect
to such Loan;  second, to  reimburse the  Master Servicer  for any  unreimbursed
Advances  with respect to such  Loan; third, to accrued  and unpaid interest (to
the extent no Advance has been made  for such amount) on such Loan; and  fourth,
as a recovery of principal of such Loan.
 
                                       52
 
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<PAGE>
REALIZATION UPON DEFAULTED LOANS
 
     Primary  Mortgage  Insurance  Policies.   If  so specified  in  the related
Prospectus Supplement,  the  Master  Servicer  will  maintain  or  cause  to  be
maintained,  as the case  may be, in  full force and  effect, a Primary Mortgage
Insurance Policy with regard to each  Loan for which such coverage is  required.
Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies reimburse certain losses sustained by reason
of  defaults in payments  by borrowers. The  Master Servicer will  not cancel or
refuse to renew any such Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy in effect at the time
of the initial issuance of a Series of Securities that is required to be kept in
force under the  applicable Agreement  unless the  replacement Primary  Mortgage
Insurance  Policy for such cancelled or  nonrenewed policy is maintained with an
insurer whose claims-paying ability is sufficient to maintain the current rating
of the classes of Securities of such Series that have been rated.
 
     FHA Insurance; VA Guaranties.   Loans designated in the related  Prospectus
Supplement  as insured by the FHA will be insured by the FHA as authorized under
the United States Housing Act  of 1937, as amended. In  addition to the Title  I
Program of the FHA, see 'Certain Legal Aspects of the Loans -- Title I Program',
certain  Loans will be insured under various FHA programs including the standard
FHA 203(b) program  to finance the  acquisition of one-  to four-family  housing
units  and  the  FHA  245 graduated  payment  mortgage  program.  These programs
generally limit the principal  amount and interest rates  of the mortgage  loans
insured.  Loans  insured by  FHA  generally require  a  minimum down  payment of
approximately 5% of the  original principal amount of  the loan. No  FHA-insured
Loans  relating to  a Series  may have  an interest  rate or  original principal
amount exceeding the applicable  FHA limits at the  time of origination of  such
loan.
 
     Loans  designated in the related Prospectus Supplement as guaranteed by the
VA will be partially  guaranteed by the VA  under the Serviceman's  Readjustment
Act  of 1944, as amended (a 'VA Guaranty'). The Serviceman's Readjustment Act of
1944, as amended, permits  a veteran (or  in certain instances  the spouse of  a
veteran)  to  obtain  a  mortgage  loan guaranty  by  the  VA  covering mortgage
financing of the  purchase of a  one- to four-family  dwelling unit at  interest
rates  permitted by the VA. The program has no mortgage loan limits, requires no
down payment from the purchaser and permits the guaranty of mortgage loans of up
to 30  years' duration.  However, no  Loan guaranteed  by the  VA will  have  an
original  principal amount greater  than five times the  partial VA guaranty for
such Loan.  The maximum  guaranty  that may  be  issued by  the  VA under  a  VA
guaranteed  mortgage  loan depends  upon the  original  principal amount  of the
mortgage loan, as further described in 38 United States Code Section 1803(a), as
amended.
 
SERVICING AND OTHER COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
 
     The principal servicing compensation to be  paid to the Master Servicer  in
respect of its master servicing activities for each Series of Securities 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  Loan,  and such  compensation  will  be retained  by  it  from
collections  of interest  on such  Loan in the  related Trust  Fund (the 'Master
Servicing Fee'). As compensation for its servicing duties, a Sub-Servicer or, if
there is no  Sub-Servicer, the  Master Servicer will  be entitled  to a  monthly
servicing  fee as described  in the related  Prospectus Supplement. In addition,
the  Master  Servicer  or  Sub-Servicer  will  retain  all  prepayment  charges,
assumption  fees  and  late  payment  charges,  to  the  extent  collected  from
borrowers, and any  benefit that may  accrue as  a result of  the investment  of
funds  in the  applicable Security  Account (unless  otherwise specified  in the
related Prospectus Supplement).
 
     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 related  Agreement, including,  without  limitation,
payment  of any fee or other amount payable in respect of any credit enhancement
arrangements, payment  of  the  fees  and  disbursements  of  the  Trustee,  any
custodian  appointed by  the Trustee, the  certificate registrar  and any paying
agent, and  payment  of  expenses  incurred  in  enforcing  the  obligations  of
Sub-Servicers and Sellers. The Master Servicer will be entitled to reimbursement
of  expenses incurred in enforcing the  obligations of Sub-Servicers and Sellers
under certain limited circumstances.
 
EVIDENCE AS TO COMPLIANCE
 
     Each Agreement will  provide that  on or before  a specified  date in  each
year,  a firm of independent public accountants  will furnish a statement to the
Trustee  to  the  effect  that,  on  the  basis  of  the  examination  by   such
 
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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 by or on behalf of the Master Servicer of mortgage loans or
private  asset  backed securities,  or  under pooling  and  servicing agreements
substantially similar  to  each  other (including  the  related  Agreement)  was
conducted  in  compliance  with  such  agreements  except  for  any  significant
exceptions or errors  in records that,  in the  opinion of the  firm, the  Audit
Program  for Mortgages  serviced for  FHLMC, or  the Uniform  Single Attestation
Program for  Mortgage  Bankers, it  is  required  to report.  In  rendering  its
statement  such firm may rely, as to matters relating to the direct servicing of
Loans by Sub-Servicers,  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 the related Sub-Servicer.
 
     Each  Agreement will also provide for delivery to the Trustee, on or before
a specified date in each year, of an annual statement signed by two officers  of
the  Master Servicer to  the effect that  the Master Servicer  has fulfilled its
obligations under the Agreement throughout the preceding year.
 
     Copies of the annual accountants'  statement and the statement of  officers
of  the Master Servicer may be obtained by Securityholders of the related Series
without charge upon written  request to the Master  Servicer at the address  set
forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
CERTAIN MATTERS REGARDING THE MASTER SERVICER AND THE DEPOSITOR
 
     The  Master Servicer under  each Pooling and  Servicing Agreement or Master
Servicing Agreement,  as applicable,  will be  named in  the related  Prospectus
Supplement.  The  entity serving  as Master  Servicer  may have  normal business
relationships with the Depositor or the Depositor's affiliates.
 
     Each Agreement will provide  that the Master Servicer  may not resign  from
its  obligations and duties under the Agreement except upon a determination that
its duties thereunder are no longer permissible under applicable law. The Master
Servicer may, however, be removed from  its obligations and duties as set  forth
in the Agreement. No such resignation will become effective until the Trustee or
a  successor servicer has  assumed the Master  Servicer's obligations and duties
under the Agreement.
 
     Each Agreement will further provide  that neither the Master Servicer,  the
Depositor  nor any director, officer, employee,  or agent of the Master Servicer
or the  Depositor will  be under  any liability  to the  related Trust  Fund  or
Securityholders  for any action taken  or for refraining from  the taking of any
action in  good faith  pursuant to  the Agreement,  or for  errors in  judgment;
provided,  however, that neither the Master Servicer, the Depositor nor any such
person will be protected against any liability which would otherwise be  imposed
by  reason  of  wilful  misfeasance,  bad  faith  or  gross  negligence  in  the
performance  of  duties  thereunder  or  by  reason  of  reckless  disregard  of
obligations  and duties thereunder. Each Agreement will further provide that the
Master Servicer, the Depositor and any  director, officer, employee or agent  of
the  Master Servicer or the Depositor will be entitled to indemnification by the
related Trust Fund  and will  be held harmless  against any  loss, liability  or
expense  incurred in connection with any  legal action relating to the Agreement
or the Securities,  other than  any loss, liability  or expense  related to  any
specific  Loan or  Loans (except any  such loss, liability  or expense otherwise
reimbursable pursuant  to the  Agreement)  and any  loss, liability  or  expense
incurred  by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance  of  duties  thereunder  or  by  reason  of  reckless  disregard  of
obligations and duties thereunder. In addition, each Agreement will provide that
neither  the Master Servicer nor  the Depositor will be  under any obligation to
appear in, prosecute or defend any legal  action which is not incidental to  its
respective  responsibilities under  the Agreement and  which in  its opinion may
involve it in  any expense or  liability. The Master  Servicer or the  Depositor
may,  however, in  its discretion  undertake any such  action which  it may deem
necessary or desirable with respect to  the Agreement and the rights and  duties
of  the parties thereto and the  interests of the Securityholders thereunder. In
such event,  the legal  expenses and  costs  of such  action and  any  liability
resulting  therefrom will be  expenses, costs and liabilities  of the Trust Fund
and the Master Servicer or the Depositor,  as the case may be, will be  entitled
to   be   reimbursed  therefor   out   of  funds   otherwise   distributable  to
Securityholders.
 
     Except as otherwise  specified in  the related  Prospectus Supplement,  any
person  into which  the Master  Servicer may be  merged or  consolidated, or any
person resulting from any merger or  consolidation to which the Master  Servicer
is  a party, or  any person succeeding  to the business  of the Master Servicer,
will be the successor
 
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of the  Master Servicer  under  each Agreement,  provided  that such  person  is
qualified  to sell mortgage loans  to, and service mortgage  loans on behalf of,
FNMA or FHLMC and further provided that such merger, consolidation or succession
does not adversely affect  the then current  rating or ratings  of the class  or
classes of Securities of such Series that have been rated.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT
 
     Pooling  and Servicing  Agreement; Master  Servicing Agreement.   Except as
otherwise specified  in the  related Prospectus  Supplement, Events  of  Default
under  each Agreement will consist of (i)  any failure by the Master Servicer to
distribute or  cause to  be  distributed to  Securityholders  of any  class  any
required  payment (other  than an Advance)  which continues  unremedied for five
days after the giving of written notice  of such failure to the Master  Servicer
by  the Trustee or the  Depositor, or to the  Master Servicer, the Depositor and
the Trustee by the holders of Securities of such class evidencing not less  than
25% of the total distributions allocated to such class ('Percentage Interests');
(ii) any failure by the Master Servicer to make an Advance as required under the
Agreement,  unless cured as  specified therein; (iii) any  failure by the Master
Servicer duly to observe  or perform in  any material respect  any of its  other
covenants  or agreements in the Agreement  which continues unremedied for thirty
days after the giving of written notice  of such failure to the Master  Servicer
by  the Trustee or the  Depositor, or to the  Master Servicer, the Depositor and
the Trustee by the holders of Securities  of any class evidencing not less  than
25%  of the  aggregate Percentage  Interests constituting  such class;  and (iv)
certain events of insolvency,  readjustment of debt,  marshalling of assets  and
liabilities  or similar proceeding  and certain actions  by or on  behalf of the
Master Servicer indicating  its insolvency, reorganization  or inability to  pay
its obligations.
 
     If  specified  in the  related  Prospectus Supplement,  the  Agreement will
permit the Trustee to  sell the Trust  Fund Assets and the  other assets of  the
Trust  Fund  described  under  'Credit Enhancement'  herein  in  the  event that
payments in respect thereto  are insufficient to make  payments required in  the
Agreement.   The  assets  of  the  Trust  Fund  will  be  sold  only  under  the
circumstances and in the manner specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, so long  as
an  Event of Default under an Agreement remains unremedied, the Depositor or the
Trustee may,  and  at  the direction  of  holders  of Securities  of  any  class
evidencing  not less than 25% of the aggregate Percentage Interests constituting
such class  and under  such other  circumstances  as may  be specified  in  such
Agreement,  the Trustee shall terminate all of the rights and obligations of the
Master Servicer under the Agreement  relating to such Trust  Fund and in and  to
the  related Trust Fund Assets, whereupon the Trustee will succeed to all of the
responsibilities, duties  and  liabilities  of the  Master  Servicer  under  the
Agreement,  including, if  specified in  the related  Prospectus Supplement, the
obligation to  make  Advances, and  will  be entitled  to  similar  compensation
arrangements. In the event that the Trustee is unwilling or unable so to act, it
may  appoint, or petition a court  of competent jurisdiction for the appointment
of, a  mortgage  loan  servicing  institution  with  a  net  worth  of  a  least
$10,000,000  to act  as successor  to the  Master Servicer  under the Agreement.
Pending such appointment, the Trustee is obligated to act in such capacity.  The
Trustee  and any such successor may agree  upon the servicing compensation to be
paid, which in  no event may  be greater  than the compensation  payable to  the
Master Servicer under the Agreement.
 
     Unless   otherwise  provided  in  the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,  no
Securityholder, solely by virtue  of such holder's  status as a  Securityholder,
will have any right under any Agreement to institute any proceeding with respect
to  such  Agreement, unless  such  holder previously  has  given to  the Trustee
written notice of default and unless the  holders of Securities of any class  of
such  Series evidencing not less than  25% of the aggregate Percentage Interests
constituting such class have made written request upon the Trustee to  institute
such  proceeding in its own  name as Trustee thereunder  and have offered to the
Trustee reasonable  indemnity, and  the Trustee  for 60  days has  neglected  or
refused to institute any such proceeding.
 
     Indenture.    Except  as  otherwise  specified  in  the  related Prospectus
Supplement, Events  of Default  under the  Indenture for  each Series  of  Notes
include:  (i) a default  in the payment of  any principal of  or interest on any
Note of such Series which continues unremedied for five days after the giving of
written notice of such default is  given as specified in the related  Prospectus
Supplement;  (ii) failure to perform in  any material respect any other covenant
of the Depositor or the Trust Fund in the Indenture which continues for a period
of thirty  (30)  days after  notice  thereof is  given  in accordance  with  the
procedures  described in the related Prospectus Supplement; (iii) certain events
of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or  liquidation of the Depositor or  the
 
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<PAGE>
Trust Fund; or (iv) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Notes of
that  Series including but  not limited to  certain defaults on  the part of the
issuer, if any, of a credit enhancement instrument supporting such Notes.
 
     If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes of any Series at the  time
outstanding  occurs and is  continuing, either the  Trustee or the  holders of a
majority of the then  aggregate outstanding amount of  the Notes of such  Series
may  declare  the principal  amount (or,  if the  Notes of  that Series  have an
interest rate of 0%, 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 Notes of such Series to be due and payable immediately. Such declaration
may,  under certain circumstances,  be rescinded and annulled  by the holders of
more than 50% of the Percentage Interests of the Notes of such Series.
 
     If, following an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Notes,  the
Notes  of such Series have been declared to be due and payable, the Trustee may,
in  its  discretion,  notwithstanding  such  acceleration,  elect  to   maintain
possession  of the collateral securing the Notes  of such Series and to continue
to apply distributions 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  Notes of such Series as they would
have become due  if there  had not  been such  a declaration.  In addition,  the
Trustee may not sell or otherwise liquidate the collateral securing the Notes of
a  Series following an Event of Default, other  than a default in the payment of
any principal or  interest on any  Note of such  Series for five  days or  more,
unless  (a) the holders of 100% of the Percentage Interests of the Notes 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 Notes  of such Series  at the date  of such sale  or (c) the
Trustee determines that such  collateral would not be  sufficient on an  ongoing
basis  to make all payments on such Notes as such payments would have become due
if such Notes had not been declared due and payable, and the Trustee obtains the
consent of the holders of  66 2/3% of the Percentage  Interests of the Notes  of
such Series.
 
     In  the event that the Trustee liquidates the collateral in connection with
an Event of Default involving a default for five days or more in the payment  of
principal  of or interest on the Notes  of a Series, the Indenture provides that
the 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 distribution to the Noteholders would be  less
than  would otherwise  be the  case. However,  the 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 Noteholders after the occurrence of such an Event of Default.
 
     Except as otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, in  the
event  the principal of  the Notes of a  Series is declared  due and payable, as
described above, the holders of any such Notes 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 which is unamortized.
 
     Subject  to the provisions of  the Indenture relating to  the duties of the
Trustee, in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing with  respect
to  a Series of Notes, the Trustee shall  be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers under the  Indenture at the request or direction of  any
of  the holders  of Notes  of such  Series, unless  such holders  offered to the
Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might  be incurred  by it in  complying with  such request  or
direction.   Subject  to   such  provisions  for   indemnification  and  certain
limitations contained in the  Indenture, the holders of  a majority of the  then
aggregate outstanding amount of the Notes of such Series shall have the right to
direct  the time, method and  place of conducting any  proceeding for any remedy
available to  the Trustee  or exercising  any trust  or power  conferred on  the
Trustee  with respect to the Notes of such Series, and the holders of a majority
of the then aggregate  outstanding amount of  the Notes of  such Series 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 Indenture that cannot be modified without the waiver or consent
of all the holders of the outstanding Notes of such Series affected thereby.
 
AMENDMENT
 
     Except  as otherwise specified  in the related  Prospectus Supplement, each
Agreement may be amended by the Depositor, the Master Servicer and the  Trustee,
without   the   consent   of   any  of   the   Securityholders,   (i)   to  cure
 
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<PAGE>
any ambiguity; (ii) to correct or supplement any provision therein which may  be
defective or inconsistent with any other provision therein; or (iii) to make any
other revisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Agreement
which  are  not inconsistent  with the  provisions  thereof, provided  that such
action will not adversely  affect in any material  respect the interests of  any
Securityholder.  An  amendment will  be deemed  not to  adversely affect  in any
material respect the interests of  the Securityholders if the person  requesting
such  amendment obtains a letter  from each Rating Agency  requested to rate the
class or classes of Securities of  such Series stating that such amendment  will
not  result  in the  downgrading or  withdrawal of  the respective  ratings then
assigned to such Securities. In addition, to the extent provided in the  related
Agreement,  an  Agreement may  be  amended without  the  consent of  any  of the
Securityholders,  to  change  the  manner  in  which  the  Security  Account  is
maintained,  provided that  any such change  does not adversely  affect the then
current rating on the class  or classes of Securities  of such Series that  have
been  rated. In addition,  if a REMIC election  is made with  respect to a Trust
Fund, the related Agreement may be amended to modify, eliminate or add to any of
its provisions to such extent as may be necessary to maintain the  qualification
of  the related Trust Fund as a REMIC, provided that the Trustee has received an
opinion of counsel to  the effect that  such action is  necessary or helpful  to
maintain  such  qualification.  Except  as otherwise  specified  in  the related
Prospectus Supplement, each Agreement may also be amended by the Depositor,  the
Master  Servicer and the Trustee  with consent of holders  of Securities of such
Series evidencing not  less than 66%  of the aggregate  Percentage Interests  of
each  class affected  thereby for  the purpose  of adding  any provisions  to or
changing in an manner or eliminating any  of the provisions of the Agreement  or
of  modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the related Securities;
provided, however,  that no  such amendment  may (i)  reduce in  any manner  the
amount  of or delay the timing of, payments received on Loans which are required
to be distributed  on any Security  without the  consent of the  holder of  such
Security, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities of any class the
holders  of which  are required  to consent  to any  such amendment  without the
consent of the holders of all Securities of such class covered by such Agreement
then outstanding. If a REMIC election is made with respect to a Trust Fund,  the
Trustee will not be entitled to consent to an amendment to the related Agreement
without  having first  received an  opinion of counsel  to the  effect that such
amendment will not cause such Trust Fund to fail to qualify as a REMIC.
 
TERMINATION; OPTIONAL TERMINATION
 
     Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement;  Trust  Agreement.    Unless  otherwise
specified  in the related Agreement, the obligations created by each Pooling and
Servicing Agreement  and Trust  Agreement  for each  Series of  Securities  will
terminate upon the payment to the related Securityholders of all amounts held in
the  Security Account or by the Master Servicer  and required to be paid to them
pursuant to such Agreement following  the later of (i)  the final payment of  or
other  liquidation of the last  of the Trust Fund  Assets subject thereto or the
disposition of all  property acquired upon  foreclosure of any  such Trust  Fund
Assets  remaining in the Trust Fund and (ii) the purchase by the Master Servicer
or, if  REMIC  treatment  has been  elected  and  if specified  in  the  related
Prospectus  Supplement, by the holder of the residual interest in the REMIC (see
'Federal Income Tax Consequences' below), from the related Trust Fund of all  of
the  remaining Trust Fund  Assets and all  property acquired in  respect of such
Trust Fund Assets.
 
     Unless otherwise specified by the  related Prospectus Supplement, any  such
purchase  of Trust Fund  Assets and property  acquired in respect  of Trust Fund
Assets evidenced by a  Series of Securities  will be made at  the option of  the
Master  Servicer, such other person or, if  applicable, such holder of the REMIC
residual interest, at a  price specified in  the related Prospectus  Supplement.
The  exercise of such  right will effect  early retirement of  the Securities of
that Series, but  the right of  the Master  Servicer, such other  person or,  if
applicable,  such  holder of  the  REMIC residual  interest,  to so  purchase is
subject to the  principal balance of  the related Trust  Fund Assets being  less
than  the  percentage  specified in  the  related Prospectus  Supplement  of the
aggregate principal balance of the Trust Fund Assets at the Cut-off Date for the
Series. The foregoing is subject  to the provision that  if a REMIC election  is
made  with respect to a Trust Fund, any repurchase pursuant to clause (ii) above
will be made  only in  connection with a  'qualified liquidation'  of the  REMIC
within the meaning of Section 860F(g)(4) of the Code.
 
     Indenture.   The Indenture will  be discharged with respect  to a Series of
Notes (except  with  respect  to  certain continuing  rights  specified  in  the
Indenture)  upon  the  delivery  to  the Trustee  for  cancellation  of  all the
 
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Notes of such Series or, with certain limitations, upon deposit with the Trustee
of funds sufficient for the payment in full of all of the Notes of such Series.
 
     In addition to such discharge with certain limitations, the Indenture  will
provide  that, if  so specified  with respect  to the  Notes of  any Series, the
related Trust Fund will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of
the Notes of such Series (except  for certain obligations relating to  temporary
Notes  and exchange of Notes,  to register the transfer  of or exchange Notes of
such Series,  to replace  stolen, lost  or mutilated  Notes of  such Series,  to
maintain  paying agencies  and to  hold monies  for payment  in trust)  upon the
deposit with the  Trustee, in trust,  of money and/or  direct obligations of  or
obligations guaranteed by the United States of America which through the payment
of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will
provide  money  in  an  amount  sufficient to  pay  the  principal  of  and each
installment of  interest on  the Notes  of  such Series  on the  last  scheduled
Distribution  Date for such Notes and any  installment of interest on such Notes
in accordance with the terms of the  Indenture and the Notes of such Series.  In
the  event of any such defeasance and discharge of Notes of such Series, holders
of Notes of such Series would be able  to look only to such money and/or  direct
obligations  for payment of principal and interest, if any, on their Notes until
maturity.
 
THE TRUSTEE
 
     The Trustee under each Agreement will be named in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. The commercial  bank or trust  company serving as  Trustee may  have
normal  banking relationships with the Depositor, the Master Servicer and any of
their respective affiliates.
 
                       CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE LOANS
 
     The following discussion contains summaries,  which are general in  nature,
of  certain legal matters relating to the  Loans. Because such legal aspects are
governed  primarily   by   applicable  state   law   (which  laws   may   differ
substantially),  the descriptions  do not,  except as  expressly provided below,
reflect the laws  of any  particular state,  nor to  encompass the  laws of  all
states  in which the  security for the  Loans is situated.  The descriptions are
qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable federal laws and  the
appropriate laws of the states in which Loans may be originated.
 
GENERAL
 
     The  Loans  for a  Series  may be  secured  by deeds  of  trust, mortgages,
security deeds or deeds to secure  debt, depending upon the prevailing  practice
in  the state  in which the  property subject to  the loan is  located. Deeds of
trust are used almost exclusively in California instead of mortgages. A mortgage
creates a lien upon the real property encumbered by the mortgage, which lien  is
generally  not prior to the lien for real estate taxes and assessments. Priority
between mortgages depends on their terms and generally on the order of recording
with a  state  or county  office.  There are  two  parties to  a  mortgage,  the
mortgagor,  who is  the borrower  and owner of  the mortgaged  property, and the
mortgagee, who  is the  lender.  Under the  mortgage instrument,  the  mortgagor
delivers  to the mortgagee a  note or bond and the  mortgage. Although a deed of
trust is similar to a mortgage, a deed of trust formally has three parties,  the
borrower-property  owner called the  trustor (similar to  a mortgagor), a lender
(similar to  a mortgagee)  called  the beneficiary,  and a  third-party  grantee
called  the trustee. Under  a deed of  trust, the borrower  grants the property,
irrevocably until the debt is paid, in trust, generally with a power of sale, to
the trustee to secure payment of the  obligation. A security deed and a deed  to
secure  debt are special types  of deeds which indicate  on their face that they
are granted to secure an underlying debt.  By executing a security deed or  deed
to  secure debt, the grantor  conveys title to, as  opposed to merely creating a
lien upon, the subject property to the grantee until such time as the underlying
debt is repaid. The trustee's authority  under a deed of trust, the  mortgagee's
authority  under a mortgage and the grantee's authority under a security deed or
deed to secure  debt are  governed by  law and, with  respect to  some deeds  of
trust, the directions of the beneficiary.
 
     Cooperatives.   Certain of Loans may  be Cooperative Loans. The Cooperative
owns all  the real  property that  comprises the  project, including  the  land,
separate  dwelling  units  and all  common  areas. The  Cooperative  is directly
responsible for project management  and, in most cases,  payment of real  estate
taxes  and hazard and liability insurance. If there is a blanket mortgage on the
Cooperative and/or underlying land, as  is generally the case, the  Cooperative,
as   project  mortgagor,  is   also  responsible  for   meeting  these  mortgage
obligations. A
 
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blanket mortgage is ordinarily  incurred by the  Cooperative in connection  with
the  construction  or  purchase  of the  Cooperative's  apartment  building. The
interest of the  occupant under  proprietary leases or  occupancy agreements  to
which  that Cooperative is a party are  generally subordinate to the interest of
the holder  of the  blanket mortgage  in that  building. If  the Cooperative  is
unable  to meet the payment obligations  arising under its blanket mortgage, the
mortgagee holding  the blanket  mortgage could  foreclose on  that mortgage  and
terminate  all  subordinate  proprietary  leases  and  occupancy  agreements. In
addition, the blanket  mortgage on a  Cooperative may provide  financing in  the
form  of a mortgage that  does not fully amortize  with a significant portion of
principal being due  in one lump  sum at  final maturity. The  inability of  the
Cooperative to refinance this mortgage and its consequent inability to make such
final  payment  could  lead  to  foreclosure  by  the  mortgagee  providing  the
financing. A foreclosure in either event  by the holder of the blanket  mortgage
could  eliminate or significantly  diminish the value of  any collateral held by
the lender  who financed  the purchase  by an  individual tenant-stockholder  of
Cooperative  shares or, in the case of a Trust Fund including Cooperative Loans,
the collateral securing the Cooperative Loans.
 
     The Cooperative is owned by  tenant-stockholders who, through ownership  of
stock, shares or membership certificates in the corporation, receive proprietary
leases  or occupancy agreements which confer exclusive rights to occupy specific
units. Generally,  a tenant-stockholder  of a  Cooperative must  make a  monthly
payment to the Cooperative representing such tenant-stockholder's pro rata share
of  the Cooperative's  payments for its  blanket mortgage,  real property taxes,
maintenance expenses  and  other  capital or  ordinary  expenses.  An  ownership
interest  in  a  Cooperative  and  accompanying  rights  is  financed  through a
Cooperative share loan evidenced by a promissory note and secured by a  security
interest  in the  occupancy agreement  or proprietary  lease and  in the related
Cooperative shares. The lender takes possession  of the share certificate and  a
counterpart  of the  proprietary lease or  occupancy agreement,  and a financing
statement  covering  the  proprietary  lease  or  occupancy  agreement  and  the
Cooperative  shares  is filed  in  the appropriate  state  and local  offices to
perfect the  lender's interest  in its  collateral. Subject  to the  limitations
discussed  below, upon default of the tenant-stockholder, the lender may sue for
judgment on  the promissory  note, dispose  of  the collateral  at a  public  or
private  sale or otherwise proceed  against the collateral or tenant-stockholder
as an individual as provided in  the security agreement covering the  assignment
of  the proprietary lease  or occupancy agreement and  the pledge of Cooperative
shares.
 
FORECLOSURE/REPOSSESSION
 
     Deed of Trust.  Foreclosure of a deed of trust is generally accomplished by
a non-judicial  sale under  a specific  provision  in the  deed of  trust  which
authorizes  the trustee to sell the property  at public auction upon any default
by the borrower under the terms of the note or deed of trust. In certain states,
such foreclosure  also may  be accomplished  by judicial  action in  the  manner
provided  for foreclosure of  mortgages. In addition  to any notice requirements
contained in a deed of trust, in  some states (such as California), the  trustee
must  record a notice of default and send a copy to the borrower-trustor, to any
person who has recorded a request for a copy of any notice of default and notice
of  sale,  to  any  successor  in  interest  to  the  borrower-trustor,  to  the
beneficiary  of any junior deed  of trust and to  certain other persons. In some
states (including California), the borrower-trustor  has the right to  reinstate
the  loan at any time following default until shortly before the trustee's sale.
In general, the borrower, or any other person having a junior encumbrance on the
real estate, may, during a  statutorily prescribed reinstatement period, cure  a
monetary  default by paying  the entire amount in  arrears plus other designated
costs and expenses incurred  in enforcing the  obligation. Generally, state  law
controls  the  amount of  foreclosure expenses  and costs,  including attorney's
fees, which may  be recovered by  a lender. After  the reinstatement period  has
expired without the default having been cured, the borrower or junior lienholder
no  longer has the right to reinstate the loan  and must pay the loan in full to
prevent the scheduled foreclosure sale. If  the deed of trust is not  reinstated
within  any applicable cure period, a notice of  sale must be posted in a public
place and,  in most  states  (including California),  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. In California, the
entire process from recording a notice of default to a non-judicial sale usually
takes four to five months.
 
     Mortgages.  Foreclosure of a mortgage is generally accomplished by judicial
action. The  action is  initiated by  the service  of legal  pleadings upon  all
parties  having an interest  in the real  property. Delays in  completion of the
foreclosure may  occasionally result  from  difficulties in  locating  necessary
parties. Judicial foreclosure
 
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proceedings  are often not contested by any of the parties. When the mortgagee's
right to foreclosure is  contested, the legal  proceedings necessary to  resolve
the  issue can be time consuming. After the completion of a judicial foreclosure
proceeding, the court generally issues a judgment of foreclosure and appoints  a
referee  or other  court officer to  conduct the  sale of the  property. In some
states, mortgages may also be foreclosed  by advertisement, pursuant to a  power
of sale provided in the mortgage.
 
     Although  foreclosure sales are typically public sales, frequently no third
party purchaser bids in excess of the lender's lien because of the difficulty of
determining  the  exact  status   of  title  to   the  property,  the   possible
deterioration   of  the  property  during  the  foreclosure  proceedings  and  a
requirement that the  purchaser pay  for the property  in cash  or by  cashier's
check. Thus the foreclosing lender often purchases the property from the trustee
or  referee for an  amount equal to  the principal amount  outstanding under the
loan, accrued and unpaid interest and the expenses of foreclosure in which event
the mortgagor's  debt will  be extinguished  or the  lender may  purchase for  a
lesser  amount  in order  to preserve  its right  against a  borrower to  seek a
deficiency judgment  in states  where such  judgment is  available.  Thereafter,
subject  to the  right of the  borrower in  some states to  remain in possession
during the redemption period,  the lender will assume  the burden 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 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. Any loss  may be reduced by the receipt  of
any mortgage guaranty insurance proceeds.
 
     Courts  have imposed  general equitable principles  upon foreclosure, which
are generally designed to mitigate the legal consequences to the borrower of the
borrower's defaults under the loan documents.  Some courts have been faced  with
the  issue of whether federal or  state constitutional provisions reflecting due
process concerns for  fair notice require  that borrowers under  deeds of  trust
receive  notice longer than that prescribed  by statute. For the mostpart, these
cases have upheld the notice provisions  as being reasonable or have found  that
the  sale by a trustee  under a deed of trust  does not involve sufficient state
action to afford constitutional protection to the borrower.
 
     When the beneficiary  under a junior  mortgage or deed  of trust cures  the
default  and  reinstates or  redeems by  paying  the full  amount of  the senior
mortgage or deed  of trust, the  amount paid by  the beneficiary so  to cure  or
redeem becomes a part of the indebtedness secured by the junior mortgage or deed
of trust. See 'Junior Mortgages; Rights of Senior Mortgagees' below.
 
     Cooperative  Loans.  The Cooperative shares owned by the tenant-stockholder
and pledged to the lender are, in  almost all cases, subject to restrictions  on
transfer  as set  forth in  the Cooperative's  certificate of  incorporation and
bylaws, as well  as the  proprietary lease or  occupancy agreement,  and may  be
cancelled  by the Cooperative for failure  by the tenant-stockholder to pay rent
or other  obligations  or charges  owed  by such  tenant-stockholder,  including
mechanics'  liens against  the cooperative  apartment building  incurred by such
tenant-stockholder. The  proprietary  lease  or  occupancy  agreement  generally
permits  the Cooperative to  terminate such lease  or agreement in  the event an
obligor fails  to make  payments or  defaults in  the performance  of  covenants
required  thereunder. Typically,  the lender  and the  Cooperative enter  into a
recognition agreement  which  establishes the  rights  and obligations  of  both
parties  in the event of a default  by the tenant-stockholder on its obligations
under  the  proprietary  lease  or   occupancy  agreement.  A  default  by   the
tenant-stockholder  under  the  proprietary lease  or  occupancy  agreement will
usually constitute a default under the security agreement between the lender and
the tenant-stockholder.
 
     The recognition agreement generally  provides that, in  the event that  the
tenant-stockholder  has  defaulted  under  the  proprietary  lease  or occupancy
agreement, the  Cooperative will  take  no action  to  terminate such  lease  or
agreement  until the lender  has been provided  with an opportunity  to cure the
default. The recognition  agreement typically provides  that if the  proprietary
lease  or occupancy agreement is terminated,  the Cooperative will recognize the
lender's lien  against proceeds  form  the sale  of the  Cooperative  apartment,
subject,  however, to the Cooperative's right to sums due under such proprietary
lease or occupancy agreement.  The total amount owed  to the Cooperative by  the
tenant-stockholder,  which  the lender  generally cannot  restrict and  does not
monitor, could  reduce  the  value  of  the  collateral  below  the  outstanding
principal  balance  of  the Cooperative  Loan  and accrued  and  unpaid interest
thereon.
 
     Recognition agreements also provide that in the event of a foreclosure on a
Cooperative Loan,  the  lender  must  obtain the  approval  or  consent  of  the
Cooperative   as  required   by  the   proprietary  lease   before  transferring
 
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the Cooperative shares or assigning the proprietary lease. Generally, the lender
is not limited in any rights it may have to dispossess the tenant-stockholders.
 
     In some states, foreclosure on the Cooperative shares is accomplished by  a
sale  in accordance with the  provisions of Article 9  of the Uniform Commercial
Code (the 'UCC') and the security agreement relating to those shares. Article  9
of  the UCC  requires that  a sale be  conducted in  a 'commercially reasonable'
manner. Whether  a  foreclosure  sale  has been  conducted  in  a  'commercially
reasonable'  manner  will  depend on  the  facts  in each  case.  In determining
commercial reasonableness, a court will look to the notice given the debtor  and
the  method, manner, time, place and terms of the foreclosure. Generally, a sale
conducted according to the  usual practice of  banks selling similar  collateral
will be considered reasonably conducted.
 
     Article 9 of the UCC provides that the proceeds of the sale will be applied
first  to  pay the  costs  and expenses  of  the sale  and  then to  satisfy the
indebtedness  secured  by  the  lender's  security  interest.  The   recognition
agreement,  however, generally provides that the lender's right to reimbursement
is subject  to the  right  of the  Cooperative to  receive  sums due  under  the
proprietary  lease or occupancy agreement. If  there are proceeds remaining, the
lender must account to the tenant-stockholder for the surplus. Conversely, if  a
portion  of the indebtedness remains unpaid, the tenant-stockholder is generally
responsible for  the  deficiency.  See 'Anti-Deficiency  Legislation  and  Other
Limitations on Lenders' below.
 
     In  the case of foreclosure on a building which was converted from a rental
building to a building  owned by a Cooperative  under a non-eviction plan,  some
states  require that a purchaser at a foreclosure sale take the property subject
to rent control and rent stabilization  laws which apply to certain tenants  who
elected  to  remain in  the  building but  who did  not  purchase shares  in the
Cooperative when the building was so converted.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS
 
     Real property pledged as security to a lender may be subject to  unforeseen
environmental  risks.  Under  the laws  of  certain states,  contamination  of a
property may give risks to a lien on  the property to assure the payment of  the
costs  of clean-up. In several states such a  lien has priority over the lien of
an existing  mortgage against  such  property. In  addition, under  the  federal
Comprehensive  Environmental Response,  Compensation and  Liability Act  of 1980
('CERCLA'), the United States Environmental Protection Agency ('EPA') may impose
a lien on property where EPA has incurred clean-up costs. However, a CERCLA lien
is subordinate to pre-existing, perfected security interests.
 
     Under the laws of some states, and  under CERCLA, it is conceivable that  a
secured  lender may be held liable as an  'owner' or 'operator' for the costs of
addressing  releases  or  threatened  releases  of  hazardous  substances  at  a
Property,  even though the environmental damage or  threat was caused by a prior
or current owner or operator. CERCLA imposes liability for such costs on any and
all 'responsible  parties,'  including  owners  or  operators.  However,  CERCLA
excludes from the definition of 'owner or operator' a secured creditor who holds
indicia  of ownership primarily  to protect its  security interest (the 'secured
creditor exclusion')  but  without  'participating in  the  management'  of  the
Property.  Thus,  if  a lender's  activities  begin  to encroach  on  the actual
management of  a  contaminated  facility  or  property,  the  lender  may  incur
liability  as  an  'owner or  operator'  under  CERCLA. Similarly,  if  a lender
forecloses and takes title  to a contaminated facility  or property, the  lender
may  incur CERCLA liability in various circumstances, including, but not limited
to, when it holds the facility  or property as an investment (including  leasing
the  facility or property to third party), or  fails to market the property in a
timely fashion.
 
     Whether actions taken  by a  lender would constitute  participation in  the
management  of a  mortgaged property, or  the business  of a borrower,  so as to
render the secured creditor exemption unavailable to a lender has been a  matter
of  judicial interpretation of the statutory  language, and court decisions have
been inconsistent.  In 1990,  the  Court of  Appeals  for the  Eleventh  Circuit
suggested  that  the  mere capacity  of  the  lender to  influence  a borrower's
decisions  regarding   disposal   of   hazardous   substances   was   sufficient
participation  in  the  management  of  the  borrower's  business  to  deny  the
protection of the secured creditor exemption to the lender.
 
     This ambiguity appears to have been resolved by the enactment of the  Asset
Conservation,  Lender Liability  and Deposit  Insurance Protection  Act of 1996,
which was signed into law  by President Clinton on  September 30, 1996. The  new
legislation  provides that  in order  to be deemed  to have  participated in the
management of a mortgaged  property, a lender must  actually participate in  the
operational  affairs  of  the property  or  the borrower.  The  legislation also
provides  that  participation  in  the  management  of  the  property  does  not
 
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include  'merely  having  the capacity  to  influence, or  unexercised  right to
control' operations. Rather, a  lender will lose the  protection of the  secured
creditor  exemption  only  if  it  exercises  decision-making  control  over the
borrower's  environmental  compliance  and  hazardous  substance  handling   and
disposal   practices,  or  assumes  day-to-day  management  of  all  operational
functions of the mortgaged property.
 
     If a lender is or becomes liable,  it can bring an action for  contribution
against any other 'responsible parties,' including a previous owner or operator,
who  created  the environmental  hazard, but  those persons  or entities  may be
bankrupt or otherwise  judgment proof. The  costs associated with  environmental
cleanup  may be substantial. It is conceivable  that such costs arising from the
circumstances set forth above would result in a loss to Certificateholders.
 
     CERCLA does  not apply  to  petroleum products,  and the  secured  creditor
exclusion  does not govern liability for  cleanup costs under federal laws other
than CERCLA, in particular Subtitle I  of the federal Resource Conservation  and
Recovery  Act  ('RCRA'),  which regulates  underground  petroleum  storage tanks
(except heating oil  tanks). The  EPA has adopted  a lender  liability rule  for
underground storage tanks under Subtitle I of RCRA. Under such rule, a holder of
a  security interest in an underground  storage tank or real property containing
an underground storage  tank is not  considered an operator  of the  underground
storage  tank as long as petroleum is not  added to, stored in or dispensed from
the tank.  In  addition, under  the  Asset Conservation,  Lender  Liability  and
Deposit  Insurance Protection Act  of 1996, the  protections accorded to lenders
under CERCLA  are  also  accorded  to  the  holders  of  security  interests  in
underground  storage  tanks. It  should be  noted,  however, that  liability for
cleanup of petroleum contamination may be  governed by state law, which may  not
provide for any specific protection for secured creditors.
 
     Except  as otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, at the
time the Loans were  originated, no environmental assessment  or a very  limited
environmental assessment of the Properties was conducted.
 
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  from the foreclosure  sale. In certain
other states (including California),  this right of  redemption applies only  to
sales   following  judicial  foreclosure,  and  not   to  sales  pursuant  to  a
non-judicial power of  sale. In  most states where  the right  of redemption  is
available,  statutory  redemption  may  occur upon  payment  of  the foreclosure
purchase price, accrued interest and taxes.  In other states, redemption may  be
authorized  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. The exercise of  a right of redemption
would  defeat  the  title  of  any  purchaser  from  the  lender  subsequent  to
foreclosure or sale under a deed of trust. Consequently, the practical effect of
the  redemption right is to force the lender  to retain the property and pay the
expenses of ownership until the redemption period has run. In some states, there
is no right to redeem property after a trustee's sale under a deed of trust.
 
ANTI-DEFICIENCY LEGISLATION; BANKRUPTCY LAWS; TAX LIENS
 
     Certain states have imposed statutory and judicial restrictions that  limit
the  remedies of  a beneficiary  under a deed  of trust  or a  mortgagee under a
mortgage. In some states, including California, statutes and case law limit  the
right  of the beneficiary  or mortgagee to obtain  a deficiency judgment against
borrowers financing the purchase  of their residence or  following sale under  a
deed of trust or certain other foreclosure proceedings. A deficiency judgment is
a  personal judgment against the borrower equal  in most cases to the difference
between the amount  due to  the lender  and the fair  market value  of the  real
property at the time of the foreclosure sale. As a result of these prohibitions,
it  is anticipated that in  most instances the Master  Servicer will utilize the
non-judicial foreclosure remedy and will  not seek deficiency judgments  against
defaulting borrowers.
 
     Some  state 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,
 
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when applicable, is that lenders will usually proceed first against the security
rather than bringing  a personal action  against the borrower.  In some  states,
exceptions to the anti-deficiency statutes are provided for in certain instances
where  the value of the lender's security has been impaired by acts or omissions
of the borrower, for example,  in the event of  waste of the property.  Finally,
other  statutory  provisions limit  any deficiency  judgment against  the former
borrower following a foreclosure sale to the excess of the outstanding debt over
the fair  market value  of the  property at  the time  of the  public sale.  The
purpose  of these statutes is generally to  prevent a beneficiary or a mortgagee
from obtaining a  large deficiency  judgment against  the former  borrower as  a
result of low or no bids at the foreclosure sale.
 
     Generally,  Article 9 of the UCC  governs foreclosure on Cooperative shares
and the  related proprietary  lease  or occupancy  agreement. Some  courts  have
interpreted  section 9-504 of the UCC to  prohibit a deficiency award unless the
creditor establishes that the sale  of the collateral (which,  in the case of  a
Cooperative  Loan,  would  be the  shares  of  the Cooperative  and  the related
proprietary lease  or  occupancy  agreement) was  conducted  in  a  commercially
reasonable manner.
 
     In  addition  to anti-deficiency  and  related legislation,  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  its  security.  For
example,  in a proceeding  under the federal  Bankruptcy Code, a  lender may not
foreclose on  a mortgaged  property  without the  permission of  the  bankruptcy
court.  The  rehabilitation plan  proposed  by the  debtor  may provide,  if the
mortgaged property  is  not  the  debtor's principal  residence  and  the  court
determines  that the value of the mortgaged  property is less than the principal
balance of the mortgage loan, for  the reduction of the secured indebtedness  to
the  value of the mortgaged  property as of the date  of the commencement of the
bankruptcy,  rendering  the  lender  a   general  unsecured  creditor  for   the
difference,  and also  may reduce the  monthly payments due  under such mortgage
loan, change  the  rate  of  interest and  alter  the  mortgage  loan  repayment
schedule.  The effect of any such proceedings under the federal Bankruptcy Code,
including but  not limited  to any  automatic stay,  could result  in delays  in
receiving  payments on the Loans underlying  a Series of Securities and possible
reductions in the aggregate amount of such payments.
 
     The federal tax laws provide priority to certain tax liens over the lien of
a mortgage or secured party.
 
DUE-ON-SALE CLAUSES
 
     Unless otherwise  specified  in  the related  Prospectus  Supplement,  each
conventional Loan will contain a due-on-sale clause which will generally provide
that  if the mortgagor or obligor sells,  transfers or conveys the Property, the
loan or contract  may be accelerated  by the mortgagee  or secured party.  Court
decisions  and legislative  actions have  placed substantial  restriction on the
right of  lenders to  enforce such  clauses in  many states.  For instance,  the
California  Supreme  Court in  August 1978  held  that due-on-sale  clauses were
generally unenforceable. However,  the Garn-St  Germain Depository  Institutions
Act of 1982 (the 'Garn-St Germain Act'), subject to certain exceptions, preempts
state  constitutional,  statutory and  case law  prohibiting the  enforcement of
due-on-sale clauses.  As a  result, due-on-sale  clauses have  become  generally
enforceable  except in those states whose legislatures exercised their authority
to regulate the enforceability  of such clauses with  respect to mortgage  loans
that were (i) originated or assumed during the 'window period' under the Garn-St
Germain  Act which ended in all cases not  later than October 15, 1982, and (ii)
originated by lenders  other than national  banks, federal savings  institutions
and  federal  credit  unions. FHLMC  has  taken  the position  in  its published
mortgage servicing  standards that,  out of  a total  of eleven  'window  period
states,'  five states (Arizona,  Michigan, Minnesota, New  Mexico and Utah) have
enacted statutes  extending,  on various  terms  and for  varying  periods,  the
prohibition  on  enforcement  of  due-on-sale clauses  with  respect  to certain
categories  of  window  period  loans.  Also,  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.
 
     As to loans secured by an owner-occupied residence, the Garn-St Germain Act
sets  forth nine specific instances in which  a mortgagee covered by the Act may
not exercise its  rights under  a due-on-sale clause,  notwithstanding the  fact
that  a transfer of the  property may have occurred.  The inability to enforce a
due-on-sale clause  may  result  in  transfer of  the  related  Property  to  an
uncreditworthy  person, which  could increase the  likelihood of  default or may
result in a  mortgage bearing  an interest rate  below the  current market  rate
being  assumed by  a new home  buyer, which may  affect the average  life of the
Loans and the number of Loans which may extend to maturity.
 
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     In addition, under federal bankruptcy  law, due-on-sale clauses may not  be
enforceable  in bankruptcy proceedings and  may, under certain circumstances, be
eliminated in any modified mortgage resulting from such bankruptcy proceeding.
 
ENFORCEABILITY OF PREPAYMENT AND LATE PAYMENT FEES
 
     Forms of notes, mortgages  and deeds of trust  used by lenders may  contain
provisions  obligating the  borrower to  pay a late  charge if  payments are not
timely made,  and in  some  circumstances may  provide  for prepayment  fees  or
penalties  if the obligation is paid prior to maturity. 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. Under certain state laws, prepayment charges may not be imposed
after a certain period of time following the origination of mortgage loans  with
respect  to  prepayments on  loans secured  by liens  encumbering owner-occupied
residential properties. Since many of the Properties will be owner-occupied,  it
is  anticipated that prepayment charges may not  be imposed with respect to many
of the Loans. The absence of  such a restraint on prepayment, particularly  with
respect  to  fixed  rate  Loans  having  higher  Loan  Rates,  may  increase the
likelihood of refinancing or other early retirement of such loans or  contracts.
Late  charges  and  prepayment  fees  are  typically  retained  by  servicers as
additional servicing compensation.
 
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. The  Office  of  Thrift
Supervision,  as successor to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, is authorized to
issue  rules   and  regulations   and  to   publish  interpretations   governing
implementation  of  Title  V.  The statute  authorized  the  states  to reimpose
interest rate limits by adopting, before April 1, 1983, a law or  constitutional
provision  which expressly  rejects an application  of the  federal law. Fifteen
states adopted such a law prior to the April 1, 1983 deadline. 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
and/or to limit discount points or other charges.
 
THE HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTS
 
     General.  The Home Improvement Contracts, other than those Home Improvement
Contracts that are unsecured or secured  by mortgages on real estate (such  Home
Improvement   Contracts  are  hereinafter   referred  to  in   this  section  as
'contracts')  generally  are  'chattel  paper'  or  constitute  'purchase  money
security interests' each as defined in the UCC. Pursuant to the UCC, the sale of
chattel  paper  is treated  in  a manner  similar  to perfection  of  a security
interest in  chattel paper.  Under  the related  Agreement, the  Depositor  will
transfer  physical possession  of the contracts  to the Trustee  or a designated
custodian or  may  retain possession  of  the  contracts as  custodian  for  the
Trustee.  In addition, the Depositor will make  an appropriate filing of a UCC-1
financing statement  in the  appropriate  states to,  among other  things,  give
notice  of  the  Trust  Fund's  ownership  of  the  contracts.  Unless otherwise
specified in  the  related Prospectus  Supplement,  the contracts  will  not  be
stamped  or otherwise marked  to reflect their assignment  from the Depositor to
the Trustee. Therefore, if through negligence, fraud or otherwise, a  subsequent
purchaser  were able to take physical possession of the contracts without notice
of such  assignment,  the  Trust  Fund's interest  in  the  contracts  could  be
defeated.
 
     Security Interests in Home Improvements.  The contracts that are secured by
the Home Improvements financed thereby grant to the originator of such contracts
a  purchase money security interest  in such Home Improvements  to secure all or
part of the  purchase price of  such Home Improvements  and related services.  A
financing  statement generally is not required to be filed to perfect a purchase
money  security  interest  in  consumer  goods.  Such  purchase  money  security
interests  are assignable. In general, a purchase money security interest grants
to the holder a security interest that has priority over a conflicting  security
interest in the same collateral and the proceeds of such collateral. However, to
the  extent that  the collateral subject  to a purchase  money security interest
becomes a fixture, in order for the related purchase money security interest  to
take  priority over a conflicting interest in the fixture, the holder's interest
in such Home Improvement must generally
 
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be perfected by a  timely fixture filing. In  general, a security interest  does
not  exist  under the  UCC in  ordinary building  material incorporated  into an
improvement on land.  Home Improvement  Contracts that  finance lumber,  bricks,
other types of ordinary building material or other goods that are deemed to lose
such  characterization  upon incorporation  of such  materials into  the related
property, will not be secured by a purchase money security interest in the  Home
Improvement being financed.
 
     Enforcement of Security Interest in Home Improvements.  So long as the Home
Improvement  has  not become  subject to  the  real estate  law, a  creditor can
repossess a  Home Improvement  securing a  contract by  voluntary surrender,  by
'self-help'  repossession that is 'peaceful' (i.e., without breach of the peace)
or, in the absence of voluntary  surrender and the ability to repossess  without
breach of the peace, by judicial process. The holder of a contract must give the
debtor  a number of days'  notice, which varies from 10  to 30 days depending on
the state,  prior to  commencement of  any repossession.  The UCC  and  consumer
protection  laws  in  most  states  place  restrictions  on  repossession sales,
including requiring prior notice to the debtor and commercial reasonableness  in
effecting  such a sale. The law in most  states also requires that the debtor be
given notice of any sale prior to resale of the unit that the debtor may  redeem
at or before such resale.
 
     Under  the laws applicable in most states, a creditor is entitled to obtain
a deficiency  judgment from  a debtor  for any  deficiency on  repossession  and
resale  of the property securing the  debtor's loan. However, some states impose
prohibitions or  limitations on  deficiency  judgments, and  in many  cases  the
defaulting borrower would have no assets with which to pay a judgment.
 
     Certain  other statutory provisions, including federal and state bankruptcy
and insolvency laws  and general equitable  principles, may limit  or delay  the
ability  of a lender to repossess and  resell collateral or enforce a deficiency
judgment.
 
     Consumer Protection Laws.  The so-called 'Holder-in-Due Course' rule of the
Federal Trade Commission is intended to defeat the ability of the transferor  of
a  consumer credit contract which is the seller  of goods which gave rise to the
transaction (and  certain  related  lenders  and  assignees)  to  transfer  such
contract  free of notice of claims by  the debtor thereunder. The effect of this
rule is to subject the  assignee of such a contract  to all claims and  defenses
which  the debtor could assert against the seller of goods. Liability under this
rule is limited to amounts paid under a contract; however, the obligor also  may
be able to assert the rule to set off remaining amounts due as a defense against
a  claim brought by the Trustee against such obligor. Numerous other federal and
state consumer protection laws impose requirements applicable to the origination
and lending pursuant to the contracts,  including the Truth in Lending Act,  the
Federal  Trade  Commission Act,  the Fair  Credit Billing  Act, the  Fair Credit
Reporting Act,  the  Equal Credit  Opportunity  Act, the  Fair  Debt  Collection
Practices Act and the Uniform Consumer Credit Code. In the case of some of these
laws,  the failure to comply with their provisions may affect the enforceability
of the related contract.
 
     Applicability of  Usury  Laws.   Title  V of  the  Depository  Institutions
Deregulation  and Monetary Control Act of 1980, as amended ('Title V'), provides
that, subject to  the following  conditions, state usury  limitations shall  not
apply  to any  contract which  is secured by  a first  lien on  certain kinds of
consumer  goods.  The  contracts  would  be  covered  if  they  satisfy  certain
conditions  governing, among  other things, 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 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.
 
INSTALLMENT CONTRACTS
 
     The  Loans may also consist of  installment contracts. Under an installment
contract ('Installment Contract')  the seller (hereinafter  referred to in  this
section  as the 'lender') retains legal title to the property and enters into an
agreement with the  purchaser hereinafter  referred to  in this  section as  the
'borrower')  for the payment of the purchase price, plus interest, over the term
of such contract. Only after full performance by the borrower of the contract is
the lender obligated to convey title to  the property to the purchaser. As  with
mortgage  or  deed  of  trust  financing, during  the  effective  period  of the
Installment Contract, the borrower is generally
 
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responsible for maintaining the property in  good condition and for paying  real
estate  taxes,  assessments and  hazard insurance  premiums associated  with the
property.
 
     The method  of enforcing  the rights  of the  lender under  an  Installment
Contract  varies on  a state-by-state basis  depending upon the  extent to which
state courts are  willing, or  able pursuant to  state statute,  to enforce  the
contract  strictly according  to its terms.  The terms  of Installment Contracts
generally provide that upon a default by the borrower, the borrower loses his or
her right to occupy  the property, the entire  indebtedness is accelerated,  and
the  buyer's equitable interest in the property is forfeited. The lender in such
a situation does not have to foreclose in order to obtain title to the property,
although in some  cases a quiet  title action is  in order if  the borrower  has
filed the Installment Contract in local land records and an ejectment action may
be  necessary to recover possession.  In a few states,  particularly in cases of
borrower default during the early years  of an Installment Contract, the  courts
will  permit ejectment of the  buyer and a forfeiture of  his or her interest in
the property.  However,  most  state legislatures  have  enacted  provisions  by
analogy  to mortgage law  protecting borrowers under  Installment Contracts from
the harsh  consequences  of  forfeiture.  Under such  statutes,  a  judicial  or
nonjudicial  foreclosure may  be required,  the lender  may be  required to give
notice of default and the borrower may be granted some grace period during which
the Installment Contract  may be  reinstated upon  full payment  of the  default
amount  and the borrower may have a post-foreclosure statutory redemption right.
In other  states,  courts in  equity  may  permit a  borrower  with  significant
investment  in the property under  an Installment Contract for  the sale of real
estate to share in the proceeds of  sale of the property after the  indebtedness
is   repaid  or  may   otherwise  refuse  to   enforce  the  forfeiture  clause.
Nevertheless,  generally  speaking,  the   lender's  procedures  for   obtaining
possession  and clear title under  an Installment Contract in  a given state are
simpler  and  less  time-consuming  and  costly  than  are  the  procedures  for
foreclosing  and obtaining  clear title  to a  property subject  to one  or more
liens.
 
SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' CIVIL RELIEF ACT
 
     Generally, under the terms of the  Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief  Act
of  1940, as amended (the 'Relief Act'),  a borrower who enters military service
after the origination  of such borrower's  Loan (including a  borrower who is  a
member  of  the National  Guard  or is  in  reserve status  at  the time  of the
origination of the Loan and is later  called to active duty) may not be  charged
interest  above an annual rate of 6% during the period of such borrower's active
duty status, unless a court orders otherwise upon application of the lender.  It
is  possible that  such interest  rate limitation could  have an  effect, for an
indeterminate period of time, on the  ability of the Master Servicer to  collect
full  amounts of interest on certain of  the Loans. Unless otherwise provided in
the  related  Prospectus  Supplement,  any  shortfall  in  interest  collections
resulting  from the  application of  the Relief  Act could  result in  losses to
Securityholders. The Relief Act also imposes limitations which would impair  the
ability  of the  Master Servicer  to foreclose  on an  affected Loan  during the
borrower's period of active  duty status. Moreover, the  Relief Act permits  the
extension  of a  Loan's maturity and  the re-adjustment of  its payment schedule
beyond the completion of military service. Thus,  in the event that such a  Loan
goes into default, there may be delays and losses occasioned by the inability to
realize upon the Property in a timely fashion.
 
JUNIOR MORTGAGES; RIGHTS OF SENIOR MORTGAGEES
 
     To  the extent that  the Loans comprising  the Trust Fund  for a Series are
secured by mortgages which are junior  to other mortgages held by other  lenders
or  institutional investors,  the rights  of the  Trust Fund  (and therefore the
Securityholders), as mortgagee under any  such junior mortgage, are  subordinate
to  those of any mortgagee  under any senior mortgage.  The senior mortgagee has
the right to receive hazard insurance and condemnation proceeds and to cause the
property securing the  Loan to be  sold upon default  of the mortgagor,  thereby
extinguishing thejunior mortgagee's lien unless the junior mortgagee asserts its
subordinate  interest in the  property in foreclosure  litigation and, possibly,
satisfies the  defaulted  senior mortgage.  A  junior mortgagee  may  satisfy  a
defaulted  senior loan in full and, in some states, may cure a default and bring
the senior loan  current, in  either event adding  the amounts  expended to  the
balance  due  on the  junior loan.  In most  states, absent  a provision  in the
mortgage or deed of  trust, no notice of  default is required to  be given to  a
junior mortgagee.
 
     The  standard  form  of the  mortgage  used by  most  institutional lenders
confers on the mortgagee the right both to receive all proceeds collected  under
any  hazard insurance policy and all awards made in connection with condemnation
proceedings, and to apply such proceeds  and awards to any indebtedness  secured
by the
 
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mortgage,  in such  order as  the mortgagee  may determine.  Thus, in  the event
improvements on the property are damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty,
or in  the  event  the property  is  taken  by condemnation,  the  mortgagee  or
beneficiary  under senior  mortgages will  have the  prior right  to collect any
insurance proceeds payable  under a  hazard insurance  policy and  any award  of
damages  in  connection with  the  condemnation and  to  apply the  same  to the
indebtedness secured by the senior mortgages.  Proceeds in excess of the  amount
of  senior  mortgage  indebtedness,  in  most  cases,  may  be  applied  to  the
indebtedness of a junior mortgage.
 
     Another provision sometimes found  in the form of  the mortgage or deed  of
trust  used  by  institutional lenders  obligates  the mortgagor  to  pay before
delinquency all  taxes  and assessments  on  the  property and,  when  due,  all
encumbrances,  charges  and liens  on  the property  which  appear prior  to the
mortgage or  deed  of trust,  to  provide and  maintain  fire insurance  on  the
property,  to maintain and repair  the property and not  to commit or permit any
waste thereof, and to appear in  and defend any action or proceeding  purporting
to affect the property or the rights of the mortgagee under the mortgage. Upon a
failure  of the mortgagor to perform any  of these obligations, the mortgagee is
given the right under certain mortgages to perform the obligation itself, at its
election, with the mortgagor  agreeing to reimburse the  mortgagee for any  sums
expended  by the mortgagee on  behalf of the mortgagor.  All sums so expended by
the mortgagee become part of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage.
 
     The form  of credit  line trust  deed or  mortgage generally  used by  most
institutional  lenders which make Revolving Credit Line Loans typically contains
a 'future advance' clause, which  provides, in essence, that additional  amounts
advanced  to or on behalf of the borrower by the beneficiary or lender are to be
secured by the  deed of trust  or mortgage.  Any amounts so  advanced after  the
Cut-off  Date with  respect to any  Mortgage will  not be included  in the Trust
Fund. The priority of the  lien securing any advance  made under the clause  may
depend  in most states  on whether the deed  of trust or  mortgage is called and
recorded as a  credit line  deed of  trust or  mortgage. If  the beneficiary  or
lender  advances additional amounts, the advance is entitled to receive the same
priority as  amounts  initially  advanced  under the  trust  deed  or  mortgage,
notwithstanding  the fact that there may be  junior trust deeds or mortgages and
other liens which intervene between the date  of recording of the trust deed  or
mortgage  and  the date  of  the future  advance,  and notwithstanding  that the
beneficiary or  lender had  actual knowledge  of such  intervening junior  trust
deeds  or mortgages and other liens at the  time of the advance. In most states,
the trust  deed or  mortgage lien  securing  mortgage loans  of the  type  which
includes  home  equity credit  lines applies  retroactively to  the date  of the
original recording of the trust deed or mortgage, provided that the total amount
of advances  under the  home equity  credit  line does  not exceed  the  maximum
specified  principal amount of the recorded trust deed or mortgage, except as to
advances made after receipt  by the lender  of a written notice  of lien from  a
judgment lien creditor of the trustor.
 
THE TITLE I PROGRAM
 
     General.   Certain  of the  Loans contained  in a  Trust Fund  may be loans
insured under  the FHA  Title I  Credit Insurance  program created  pursuant  to
Sections 1 and 2(a) of the National Housing Act of 1934 (the 'Title I Program').
Under  the  Title I  Program,  the FHA  is  authorized and  empowered  to insure
qualified lending institutions  against losses  on eligible loans.  The Title  I
Program  operates as a coinsurance program in which the FHA insures up to 90% of
certain losses  incurred on  an individual  insured loan,  including the  unpaid
principal  balance of the loan, but only to the extent of the insurance coverage
available in the lender's FHA insurance  coverage reserve account. The owner  of
the loan bears the uninsured loss on each loan.
 
     The  types of loans which  are eligible for insurance  by the FHA under the
Title I Program include property improvement loans ('Property Improvement Loans'
or 'Title I Loans'). A  Property Improvement Loan or Title  I Loan means a  loan
made to finance actions or items that substantially protect or improve the basic
livability  or  utility of  a property  and  includes single  family improvement
loans.
 
     There are two  basic methods  of lending  or originating  such loans  which
include  a 'direct loan' or a 'dealer loan'.  With respect to a direct loan, the
borrower makes application directly  to a lender without  any assistance from  a
dealer,  which application  may be  filled out  by the  borrower or  by a person
acting at the direction of the borrower  who does not have a financial  interest
in the loan transaction, and the lender may disburse the loan proceeds solely to
the  borrower or jointly to  the borrower and other  parties to the transaction.
With respect  to  a dealer  loan,  the dealer,  who  has a  direct  or  indirect
financial  interest in the  loan transaction, assists  the borrower in preparing
the loan application  or otherwise assists  the borrower in  obtaining the  loan
from  lender and the lender may distribute  proceeds solely to the dealer or the
borrower or jointly to the borrower and the dealer or
 
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other parties. With respect  to a dealer  Title I Loan, a  dealer may include  a
seller, a contractor or supplier of goods or services.
 
     Loans insured under the Title I Program are required to have fixed interest
rates  and,  generally,  provide  for  equal  installment  payments  due weekly,
biweekly, semi-monthly or monthly, except that  a loan may be payable  quarterly
or  semi-annually in order  to correspond with the  borrower's irregular flow of
income. The first  or last payments  (or both) may  vary in amount  but may  not
exceed 150% of the regular installment payment, and the first payment may be due
no  later than two  months from the  date of the  loan. The note  must contain a
provision permitting full or partial prepayment  of the loan. The interest  rate
may  be established by the lender and must be fixed for the term of the loan and
recited in the note. Interest  on an insured loan must  accrue from the date  of
the  loan and be calculated  according to the actuarial  method. The lender must
assure that  the  note  and all  other  documents  evidencing the  loan  are  in
compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
 
     Each  insured  lender  is  required to  use  prudent  lending  standards in
underwriting individual loans  and to satisfy  the applicable loan  underwriting
requirements  under the Title  I Program prior  to its approval  of the loan and
disbursement of loan proceeds. Generally, the lender must exercise prudence  and
diligence  to determine whether the borrower and  any co-maker is solvent and an
acceptable credit risk, with a reasonable  ability to make payments on the  loan
obligation.  The lender's credit  application and review  must determine whether
the borrower's income will be adequate to meet the periodic payments required by
the loan, as well as the borrower's other housing and recurring expenses,  which
determination  must  be made  in  accordance with  the  expense-to-income ratios
published by the Secretary of HUD.
 
     Under the  Title  I  Program,  the  FHA does  not  review  or  approve  for
qualification  for insurance the individual loans insured thereunder at the time
of approval by  the lending  institution (as is  typically the  case with  other
federal  loan  programs).  If, after  a  loan  has been  made  and  reported for
insurance  under  the  Title  I  Program,  the  lender  discovers  any  material
misstatement  of  fact  or that  the  loan  proceeds have  been  misused  by the
borrower, dealer or any other party, it  shall promptly report this to the  FHA.
In  such case, provided  that the validity of  any lien on  the property has not
been impaired, the insurance of the loan  under the Title I Program will not  be
affected  unless such material misstatements of  fact or misuse of loan proceeds
was caused by (or was knowingly sanctioned by) the lender or its employees.
 
     Requirements for Title I Loans.   The maximum principal amount for Title  I
Loans  must not exceed the  actual cost of the  project plus any applicable fees
and charges allowed under the Title I Program; provided that such maximum amount
does not exceed $25,000 (or the  current applicable amount) for a single  family
property improvement loan. Generally, the term of a Title I Loan may not be less
than  six months nor  greater than 20 years  and 32 days.  A borrower may obtain
multiple Title I Loans with respect  to multiple properties, and a borrower  may
obtain  more than one  Title I Loan with  respect to a  single property, in each
case as long as the total outstanding balance  of all Title I Loans in the  same
property  does not exceed the  maximum loan amount for the  type of Title I Loan
thereon having the highest permissible loan amount.
 
     Borrower eligibility for a Title I Loan requires that the borrower have  at
least  a one-half interest  in either fee  simple title to  the real property, a
lease thereof for a term expiring at least six months after the final maturityof
the Title I Loan or a recorded land installment contract for the purchase of the
real property, and that the borrower have equity in the property being  improved
at  least equal to  the amount of the  Title I Loan if  such loan amount exceeds
$15,000. Any Title I Loan in excess of $7,500 must be secured by a recorded lien
on the improved  property which  is evidenced  by a  mortgage or  deed of  trust
executed by the borrower and all other owners in fee simple.
 
     The  proceeds from  a Title  I Loan  may be  used only  to finance property
improvements which  substantially protect  or improve  the basic  livability  or
utility  of the property as disclosed in  the loan application. The Secretary of
HUD has published a list of items  and activities which cannot be financed  with
proceeds  from any Title I Loan  and from time to time  the Secretary of HUD may
amend such list  of items and  activities. With  respect to any  dealer Title  I
Loan,  before  the  lender may  disburse  funds,  the lender  must  have  in its
possession a  completion certificate  on  a HUD  approved  form, signed  by  the
borrower  and the dealer. With respect to any direct Title I Loan, the lender is
required to obtain, promptly upon completion  of the improvements but not  later
than  six months  after disbursement  of the  loan proceeds  with one  six month
extension if necessary, a  completion certificate, signed  by the borrower.  The
lender  is required to conduct  an on-site inspection on  any Title I Loan where
the principal obligation is $7,500 or more, and on any direct Title I Loan where
the borrower fails to submit a completion certificate.
 
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     FHA Insurance Coverage.  Under the  Title I Program the FHA establishes  an
insurance  coverage reserve  account for  each lender  which has  been granted a
Title I insurance contract. The amount of insurance coverage in this account  is
10%  of the amount disbursed, advanced or  expended by the lender in originating
or purchasing eligible  loans registered with  FHA for Title  I insurance,  with
certain  adjustments. The balance  in the insurance  coverage reserve account is
the maximum amount of insurance claims the  FHA is required to pay. Loans to  be
insured  under the Title I  Program will be registered  for insurance by the FHA
and the insurance coverage  attributable to such loans  will be included in  the
insurance  coverage  reserve account  for the  originating or  purchasing lender
following the receipt  and acknowledgment by  the FHA  of a loan  report on  the
prescribed  form pursuant to the  Title I regulations. The  FHA charges a fee of
0.50% per annum of the net proceeds (the original balance) of any eligible  loan
so  reported and acknowledged  for insurance by the  originating lender. The FHA
bills the lender  for the insurance  premium on each  insured loan annually,  on
approximately the anniversary date of the loan's origination. If an insured loan
is prepaid during the year, FHA will not refund or abate the insurance premium.
 
     Under  the  Title I  Program  the FHA  will  reduce the  insurance coverage
available in the lender's FHA insurance coverage reserve account with respect to
loans insured under the lender's contract of insurance by (i) the amount of  the
FHA  insurance claims  approved for payment  relating to such  insured loans and
(ii) the amount of insurance coverage attributable to insured loans sold by  the
lender,  and such insurance coverage may be reduced for any FHA insurance claims
rejected by the FHA. The balance of the lender's FHA insurance coverage  reserve
account  will be further adjusted  as required under Title I  or by the FHA, and
the insurance coverage  therein may  be earmarked with  respect to  each or  any
eligible  loans insured thereunder, if a  determination is made by the Secretary
of HUD that it is in its interest to do so. Originations and acquisitions of new
eligible loans will continue to  increase a lender's insurance coverage  reserve
account  balance  by  10%  of  the amount  disbursed,  advanced  or  expended in
originating or  acquiring  such  eligible  loans registered  with  the  FHA  for
insurance under the Title I Program. The Secretary of HUD may transfer insurance
coverage  between  insurance  coverage  reserve  accounts  with  earmarking with
respect to  a  particular  insured  loan  or  group  of  insured  loans  when  a
determination is made that it is in the Secretary's interest to do so.
 
     The  lender may transfer (except as  collateral in a bona fide transaction)
insured loans and loans reported for insurance only to another qualified  lender
under  a  valid  Title  I  contract of  insurance.  Unless  an  insured  loan is
transferred with recourse or with a  guaranty or repurchase agreement, the  FHA,
upon  receipt of written notification of the transfer of such loan in accordance
with the  Title I  regulations, will  transfer from  the transferor's  insurance
coverage  reserve account to the transferee's insurance coverage reserve account
an amount, if available, equal  to 10% of the actual  purchase price or the  net
unpaid  principal balance of  such loan (whichever is  less). However, under the
Title I Program not more than $5,000 in insurance coverage shall be  transferred
to or from a lender's insurance coverage reserve account during any October 1 to
September 30 period without the prior approval of the Secretary of HUD.
 
     Claims  Procedures Under Title I.  Under the Title I Program the lender may
accelerate an  insured loan  following a  default on  such loan  only after  the
lender  or its agent has contacted the  borrower in a face-to-face meeting or by
telephone to discuss the reasons  for the default and to  seek its cure. If  the
borrower  does not  cure the  default or  agree to  a modification  agreement or
repayment plan, the  lender will  notify the  borrower in  writing that,  unless
within  30 days the default is cured  or the borrower enters into a modification
agreement or  repayment plan,  the loan  will be  accelerated and  that, if  the
default  persists, the lender  will report the default  to an appropriate credit
agency. The lender may rescind the  acceleration of maturity after full  payment
is  due and  reinstate the loan  only if  the borrower brings  the loan current,
executes a modification agreement or agrees to an acceptable repayment plan.
 
     Following acceleration of maturity upon a secured Title I Loan, the  lender
may  either (a) proceed  against the property under  any security instrument, or
(b) make a claim under the lender's contract of insurance. If the lender chooses
to proceed against the property under a security instrument (or if it accepts  a
voluntary  conveyance  or surrender  of the  property), the  lender may  file an
insurance claim only with the prior approval of the Secretary of HUD.
 
     When a lender  files an  insurance claim  with the  FHA under  the Title  I
Program,  the FHA reviews the claim, the complete loan file and documentation of
the lender's  efforts to  obtain  recourse against  any  dealer who  has  agreed
thereto,  certification of  compliance with applicable  state and  local laws in
carrying out any foreclosure or repossession,  and evidence that the lender  has
properly filed proofs of claims, where the borrower
 
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is  bankrupt or deceased. Generally,  a claim for reimbursement  for loss on any
Title I Loan must be filed with the FHA no later than nine months after the date
of default  of such  loan. Concurrently  with filing  the insurance  claim,  the
lender shall assign to the United States of America the lender's entire interest
in  the loan note (or a judgment in lieu  of the note), in any security held and
in any  claim filed  in any  legal  proceedings. If,  at the  time the  note  is
assigned to the United States, the Secretary has reason to believe that the note
is not valid or enforceable against the borrower, the FHA may deny the claim and
reassign  the note to the lender. If  either such defect is discovered after the
FHA has paid  a claim, the  FHA may require  the lender to  repurchase the  paid
claim  and to accept a reassignment of the loan note. If the lender subsequently
obtains a valid and  enforceable judgment against the  borrower, the lender  may
resubmit  a new insurance claim with an  assignment of the judgment. The FHA may
contest any insurance claim and make a demand for repurchase of the loan at  any
time  up to two years from the date  the claim was certified for payment and may
do so thereafter in the event of  fraud or misrepresentation on the part of  the
lender.
 
     Under  the Title I  Program the amount  of an FHA  insurance claim payment,
when made, is  equal to  the Claimable  Amount, up  to the  amount of  insurance
coverage  in the lender's  insurance coverage reserve  account. For the purposes
hereof, the 'Claimable Amount' means an amount  equal to 90% of the sum of:  (a)
the  unpaid loan obligation  (net unpaid principal  and the uncollected interest
earned to  the date  of default)  with  adjustments thereto  if the  lender  has
proceeded  against property securing  such loan; (b) the  interest on the unpaid
amount of  the loan  obligation from  the date  of default  to the  date of  the
claim's  initial submission for payment plus 15 calendar days (but not to exceed
9 months from the date of default), calculated at the rate of 7% per annum;  (c)
the uncollected court costs; (d) the attorney's fees not to exceed $500; and (e)
the expenses for recording the assignment of the security to the United States.
 
CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS
 
     Numerous  federal  and state  consumer  protection laws  impose substantive
requirements upon mortgage lenders in connection with the origination, servicing
and enforcement of loans secured by Single Family Properties. These laws include
the federal Truth-in-Lending Act and  Regulation Z promulgated thereunder,  Real
Estate  Settlement Procedures Act and Regulation B promulgated thereunder, Equal
Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Billing  Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act  and
related  statutes and regulations. In particular, Regulation Z, requires certain
disclosures to the borrowers regarding the terms of the Loans; the Equal  Credit
Opportunity  Act and Regulation B promulgated thereunder prohibit discrimination
on the  basis of  age,  race, color,  sex,  religion, marital  status,  national
origin,  receipt of  public assistance  or the exercise  of any  right under the
Consumer Credit Protection  Act, in  the extension  of credit;  the Fair  Credit
Reporting  Act  regulates the  use and  reporting  of information  relatedto the
borrower's credit experience. Certain provisions  of these laws impose  specific
statutory  liabilities upon lenders  who fail to  comply therewith. In addition,
violations of such laws may limit the  ability of the Sellers to collect all  or
part  of the principal of or interest on the Loans and could subject the Sellers
and in some cases their assignees to damages and administrative enforcement.
 
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                        FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
GENERAL
 
     The  following is a summary of  the anticipated material federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership,  and disposition of the Securities  and
is  based on advice of  Brown & Wood LLP, special  counsel to the Depositor. The
summary is based upon  the provisions of the  Code, the regulations  promulgated
thereunder,  including, where applicable, proposed regulations, and the judicial
and administrative rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject
to change  or  possible  differing interpretations.  The  statutory  provisions,
regulations,  and  interpretations on  which  this interpretation  is  based are
subject to change, and such a change could apply retroactively.
 
     The summary does  not purport to  deal with all  aspects of federal  income
taxation  that  may affect  particular investors  in  light of  their individual
circumstances, nor with certain types of investors subject to special  treatment
under the federal income tax laws. This summary focuses primarily upon investors
who  will  hold Securities  as 'capital  assets'  (generally, property  held for
investment) within the  meaning of Section  1221 of  the Code, but  much of  the
discussion  is applicable to other investors  as well. Prospective Investors are
advised to consult their own tax  advisers concerning the federal, state,  local
and  any  other  tax  consequences  to  them  of  the  purchase,  ownership  and
disposition of the Securities.
 
     The federal  income tax  consequences  to Holders  will vary  depending  on
whether  (i) the Securities of a Series  are classified as indebtedness; (ii) an
election is made  to treat the  Trust Fund  relating to a  particular Series  of
Securities  as a  real estate  mortgage investment  conduit ('REMIC')  under the
Internal Revenue Code  of 1986, as  amended (the 'Code');  (iii) the  Securities
represent  an ownership interest  in some or  all of the  assets included in the
Trust Fund for a  Series; or (iv) an  election is made to  treat the Trust  Fund
relating to a particular Series of Certificates as a partnership. The Prospectus
Supplement for each Series of Securities will specify how the Securities will be
treated  for  federal  income tax  purposes  and  will discuss  whether  a REMIC
election, if any, will be made with respect to such Series. Prior to issuance of
each Series of Securities, the Depositor  shall file with the Commission a  Form
8-K  on behalf of the  related Trust Fund containing an  opinion of Brown & Wood
LLP with respect  to the validity  of the information  set forth under  'Federal
Income Tax Consequences' herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
TAXATION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     Status  as Real Property Loans. Except  to the extent otherwise provided in
the related  Prospectus Supplement,  Brown  & Wood  LLP  will have  advised  the
Depositor  that: (i) Securities held by a domestic building and loan association
will constitute 'loans... secured  by an interest in  real property' within  the
meaning  of Code Section  7701(a)(19)(C)(v); and (ii) Securities  held by a real
estate investment trust will constitute 'real estate assets' within the  meaning
of  Code  Section 856(c)(5)(A)  and interest  on  Securities will  be considered
'interest on obligations secured by mortgages  on real property or on  interests
in real property' within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(3)(B).
 
     The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, as part of the repeal of the
bad  debt reserve  method for thrift  institutions, repealed  the application of
Code Section 593(d) to any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1995.
 
     Interest  and   Acquisition  Discount.   Securities  representing   regular
interests  in a REMIC  ('Regular Interest Securities')  are generally taxable to
holders in the  same manner as  evidences of indebtedness  issued by the  REMIC.
Stated  interest on the Regular Interest  Securities will be taxable as ordinary
income and taken into account using the accrual method of accounting, regardless
of the Holder's normal  accounting method. Interest  (other than original  issue
discount)  on  Securities  (other  than Regular  Interest  Securities)  that are
characterized as indebtedness for federal income tax purposes will be includible
in income  by  holders  thereof  in  accordance  with  their  usual  methods  of
accounting. Securities characterized as debt for federal income tax purposes and
Regular  Interest  Securities will  be referred  to hereinafter  collectively as
'Debt Securities.'
 
     Debt Securities that are Compound Interest Securities will, and certain  of
the other Debt Securities may, be issued with 'original issue discount' ('OID').
The  following discussion is based in part  on the rules governing OID which are
set forth in Sections 1271-1275 of the Code and the Treasury regulations  issued
thereunder on
 
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February  2, 1994  (the 'OID Regulations').  A Holder should  be aware, however,
that the OID Regulations  do not adequately address  certain issues relevant  to
prepayable securities, such as the Debt Securities.
 
     In  general,  OID, if  any, will  equal the  difference between  the stated
redemption price at maturity of a Debt Security and its issue price. A holder of
a Debt  Security must  include such  OID in  gross income  as ordinary  interest
income  as it accrues under a method  taking into account an economic accrual of
the discount. In  general, OID  must be  included in  income in  advance of  the
receipt  of  the cash  representing that  income. The  amount of  OID on  a Debt
Security will be considered to  be zero if it is  less than a de minimis  amount
determined under the Code.
 
     The  issue  price  of  a  Debt  Security is  the  first  price  at  which a
substantial amount  of Debt  Securities of  that class  are sold  to the  public
(excluding  bond houses, brokers,  underwriters or wholesalers).  If less than a
substantial amount of a particular class of Debt Securities is sold for cash  on
or  prior to the  related Closing Date, the  issue price for  such class will be
treated as the fair market value of  such class on such Closing Date. The  issue
price  of  a Debt  Security also  includes the  amount paid  by an  initial Debt
Security holder for accrued interest that relates to a period prior to the issue
date of the Debt  Security. The stated  redemption price at  maturity of a  Debt
Security  includes  the  original principal  amount  of the  Debt  Security, but
generally will  not  include distributions  of  interest if  such  distributions
constitute 'qualified stated interest.'
 
     Under  the  OID  Regulations,  qualified  stated  interest  generally means
interest payable at a single fixed rate or qualified variable rate (as described
below) provided  that  such interest  payments  are unconditionally  payable  at
intervals  of one year or less during the  entire term of the Debt Security. The
OID Regulations state that interest payments are unconditionally payable only if
a late payment or nonpayment is expected to be penalized or reasonable  remedies
exist  to  compel  payment.  Certain Debt  Securities  may  provide  for default
remedies in the event of late payment or nonpayment of interest. The interest on
such Debt Securities  will be unconditionally  payable and constitute  qualified
stated  interest, not OID. However, absent clarification of the OID Regulations,
where Debt Securities do not provide for default remedies, the interest payments
will be included in the Debt Security's stated redemption price at maturity  and
taxed  as OID.  Interest is  payable at  a single  fixed rate  only if  the rate
appropriately takes into account  the length of  the interval between  payments.
Distributions  of interest  on Debt  Securities with  respect to  which deferred
interest will accrue, will not constitute qualified stated interest payments, in
which case  the stated  redemption price  at maturity  of such  Debt  Securities
includes  all distributions of interest as  well as principal thereon. Where the
interval between  the issue  date and  the  first Distribution  Date on  a  Debt
Security  is  either  longer or  shorter  than the  interval  between subsequent
Distribution Dates, all or  part of the  interest foregone, in  the case of  the
longer  interval, and all of the additional interest, in the case of the shorter
interval, will be included in the stated redemption price at maturity and tested
under the de minimis rule described below. In the case of a Debt Security with a
long first period which has non-de minimis OID, all stated interest in excess of
interest payable at the effective interest  rate for the long first period  will
be  included in the  stated redemption price  at maturity and  the Debt Security
will generally have OID. Holders of Debt Securities should consult their own tax
advisors to determine the issue price and stated redemption price at maturity of
a Debt Security.
 
     Under the de minimis rule, OID on a Debt Security will be considered to  be
zero  if such OID is less than 0.25%  of the stated redemption price at maturity
of the Debt  Security multiplied by  the weighted average  maturity of the  Debt
Security.  For this purpose, the weighted  average maturity of the Debt Security
is computed as the sum  of the amounts determined  by multiplying the number  of
full  years (i.e., rounding down  partial years) from the  issue date until each
distribution in reduction of stated redemption price at maturity is scheduled to
be made by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of each distribution
included in the stated redemption price at maturity of the Debt Security and the
denominator of which  is the  stated redemption price  at maturity  of the  Debt
Security.  Holders generally  must report de  minimis OID pro  rata as principal
payments are received, and such income will be capital gain if the Debt Security
is held as a capital asset. However, accrual method holders may elect to  accrue
all de minimis OID as well as market discount under a constant interest method.
 
     Debt  Securities may  provide for  interest based  on a  qualified variable
rate. Under the OID Regulations, interest  is treated as payable at a  qualified
variable rate and not as contingent interest if, generally, (i) such interest is
unconditionally  payable at  least annually,  (ii) the  issue price  of the debt
instrument does not exceed the total noncontingent principal payments and  (iii)
interest  is based  on a  'qualified floating rate,'  an 'objective  rate,' or a
combination of 'qualified floating rates' that  do not operate in a manner  that
significantly  accelerates or defers interest payments on such Debt Security. In
the case of Compound Interest Securities, certain Interest
 
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Weighted  Securities  (as  defined  herein),  and  certain  of  the  other  Debt
Securities,  none  of  the  payments under  the  instrument  will  be considered
qualified stated interest, and thus the aggregate amount of all payments will be
included in the stated redemption price.
 
     The Internal Revenue Services (the 'IRS') recently issued final regulations
(the 'Contingent Regulations') governing the  calculation of OID on  instruments
having  contingent interest payments. The Contingent Regulations specifically do
not apply for purposes  of calculating OID on  debt instruments subject to  Code
Section 1272(a)(6), such as the Debt Security. Additionally, the OID Regulations
do  not contain  provisions specifically  interpreting Code  Section 1272(a)(6).
Until the Treasury issues guidance to the contrary, the Trustee intends to  base
its  computation on Code Section 1272(a)(6) and the OID Regulations as described
in this Prospectus.  However, because  no regulatory  guidance currently  exists
under  Code Section 1272(a)(6), there can  be no assurance that such methodology
represents the correct manner of calculating OID.
 
     The holder of a Debt Security issued with OID must include in gross income,
for all days during its taxable year  on which it holds such Debt Security,  the
sum  of the 'daily portions' of such  original issue discount. The amount of OID
includible in income  by a holder  will be  computed by allocating  to each  day
during  a taxable year  a pro rata  portion of the  original issue discount that
accrued during the relevant accrual period. In the case of a Debt Security  that
is  not a Regular Interest Security and  the principal payments on which are not
subject to acceleration resulting from prepayments  on the Loans, the amount  of
OID includible in income of a Holder for an accrual period (generally the period
over  which interest accrues on  the debt instrument) will  equal the product of
the yield to maturity of the Debt  Security and the adjusted issue price of  the
Debt  Security,  reduced  by  any payments  of  qualified  stated  interest. The
adjusted issue price is the sum of  its issue price plus prior accruals or  OID,
reduced  by the total  payments made with  respect to such  Debt Security in all
prior periods, other than qualified stated interest payments.
 
     The amount  of  OID  to be  included  in  income  by a  holder  of  a  debt
instrument,  such as certain Classes of the  Debt Securities, that is subject to
acceleration  due  to  prepayments  on  other  debt  obligations  securing  such
instruments  (a 'Pay-Through Security'), is computed  by taking into account the
anticipated rate  of prepayments  assumed in  pricing the  debt instrument  (the
'Prepayment  Assumption'). The amount of OID  that will accrue during an accrual
period on a Pay-Through Security  is the excess (if any)  of the sum of (a)  the
present  value of all payments remaining to  be made on the Pay-Through Security
as of the close of  the accrual period and (b)  the payments during the  accrual
period  of amounts  included in the  stated redemption price  of the Pay-Through
Security, over  the adjusted  issue price  of the  Pay-Through Security  at  the
beginning  of the accrual period. The present value of the remaining payments is
to be  determined on  the basis  of three  factors: (i)  the original  yield  to
maturity  of the Pay-Through Security (determined on the basis of compounding at
the end of  each accrual  period and  properly adjusted  for the  length of  the
accrual  period), (ii) events which have occurred  before the end of the accrual
period and (iii)  the assumption  that the remaining  payments will  be made  in
accordance with the original Prepayment Assumption. The effect of this method is
to increase the portions of OID required to be included in income by a Holder to
take  into account prepayments with respect to  the Loans at a rate that exceeds
the Prepayment Assumption, and to decrease  (but not below zero for any  period)
the  portions of original issue discount required  to be included in income by a
Holder of a Pay-Through Security to  take into account prepayments with  respect
to  the Loans at a rate that  is slower than the Prepayment Assumption. Although
original issue discount will  be reported to  Holders of Pay-Through  Securities
based  on the Prepayment  Assumption, no representation is  made to Holders that
Loans will be prepaid at that rate or at any other rate.
 
     The Depositor may adjust the accrual of OID on a Class of Regular  Interest
Securities  (or other regular interests in a REMIC) in a manner that it believes
to be appropriate, to take account of realized losses on the Loans, although the
OID Regulations do not provide for such adjustments. If the IRS were to  require
that  OID be accrued without such adjustments, the  rate of accrual of OID for a
Class of Regular Interest Securities could increase.
 
     Certain classes of Regular Interest Securities may represent more than  one
class  of  REMIC regular  interests. Unless  otherwise  provided in  the related
Prospectus Supplement, the  Trustee intends,  based on the  OID Regulations,  to
calculate  OID on such  Securities as if,  solely for the  purposes of computing
OID, the separate regular interests were a single debt instrument.
 
     A subsequent holder of a Debt Security will also be required to include OID
in gross income,  but such  a holder  who purchases  such Debt  Security for  an
amount   that  exceeds   its  adjusted   issue  price   will  be   entitled  (as
 
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will an initial  holder who pays  more than  a Debt Security's  issue price)  to
offset such OID by comparable economic accruals of portions of such excess.
 
     Effects  of Defaults and Delinquencies.  Holders will be required to report
income with respect to  the related Securities under  an accrual method  without
giving  effect  to  delays and  reductions  in distributions  attributable  to a
default or delinquency on the Loans, except  possibly to the extent that it  can
be  established that such amounts are uncollectible.  As a result, the amount of
income (including OID) reported  by a holder  of such a  Security in any  period
could significantly exceed the amount of cash distributed to such holder in that
period.  The holder  will eventually be  allowed a  loss (or will  be allowed to
report a lesser amount  of income) to  the extent that  the aggregate amount  of
distributions  on the  Securities is  deducted as  a result  of a  Loan default.
However, the timing  and character of  such losses or  reductions in income  are
uncertain  and, accordingly, holders of Securities  should consult their own tax
advisors on this point.
 
     Interest Weighted Securities.  It is not clear how income should be accrued
with respect to Regular Interest  Securities or Stripped Securities (as  defined
under ' -- Tax Status as a Grantor Trust; General' herein) the payments on which
consist  solely or primarily of a specified  portion of the interest payments on
qualified mortgages  held  by the  REMIC  or on  Loans  underlying  Pass-Through
Securities  ('Interest  Weighted Securities').  The Issuer  intends to  take the
position that  all of  the income  derived from  an Interest  Weighted  Security
should  be treated as  OID and that the  amount and rate of  accrual of such OID
should be calculated by  treating the Interest Weighted  Security as a  Compound
Interest Security. However, in the case of Interest Weighted Securities that are
entitled  to some payments of principal and that are Regular Interest Securities
the Internal Revenue Service could assert  that income derived from an  Interest
Weighted  Security  should be  calculated  as if  the  Security were  a security
purchased at a premium equal to the excess of the price paid by such holder  for
such  Security over its stated principal amount,  if any. Under this approach, a
holder would be entitled to  amortize such premium only if  it has in effect  an
election  under  Section  171 of  the  Code  with respect  to  all  taxable debt
instruments held by such holder, as described below. Alternatively, the Internal
Revenue Service  could  assert that  an  Interest Weighted  Security  should  be
taxable  under the rules  governing bonds issued  with contingent payments. Such
treatment may be more  likely in the case  of Interest Weighted Securities  that
are  Stripped Securities as  described below. See  ' -- Tax  Status as a Grantor
Trust -- Discount or Premium on Pass-Through Securities.'
 
     Variable Rate Debt  Securities.   In the  case of  Debt Securities  bearing
interest  at a rate that varies directly,  according to a fixed formula, with an
objective index,  it  appears  that (i)  the  yield  to maturity  of  such  Debt
Securities  and (ii) in the case of Pay-Through Securities, the present value of
all payments remaining to be made on such Debt Securities, should be  calculated
as  if the interest  index remained at  its value as  of the issue  date of such
Securities. Because the proper method of adjusting accruals of OID on a variable
rate Debt Security is uncertain, holders of variable rate Debt Securities should
consult their  own tax  advisers  regarding the  appropriate treatment  of  such
Securities for federal income tax purposes.
 
     Market  Discount.  A purchaser  of a Security may  be subject to the market
discount rules of Sections 1276-1278 of the Code. A Holder that acquires a  Debt
Security  with more  than a  prescribed de  minimis amount  of 'market discount'
(generally, the excess  of the principal  amount of the  Debt Security over  the
purchaser's  purchase price) will be required to include accrued market discount
in income  as ordinary  income  in each  month, but  limited  to an  amount  not
exceeding  the principal  payments on the  Debt Security received  in that month
and, if the Securities are sold,  the gain realized. Such market discount  would
accrue  in  a manner  to be  provided  in Treasury  regulations but,  until such
regulations are issued, such market discount would in general accrue either  (i)
on  the basis of a constant yield (in the case of a Pay-Through Security, taking
into account a prepayment assumption) or (ii) in the ratio of (a) in the case of
Securities (or in the  case of a Pass-Through  Security (as defined herein),  as
set  forth below, the Loans underlying such Security) not originally issued with
original issue discount, stated interest payable in the relevant period to total
stated interest remaining to be  paid at the beginning of  the period or (b)  in
the case of Securities (or, in the case of a Pass-Through Security, as described
below,  the Loans underlying such Security) originally issued at a discount, OID
in the relevant period to total OID remaining to be paid.
 
     Section 1277 of the Code provides that, regardless of the origination  date
of  the Debt Security (or,  in the case of  a Pass-Through Security, the Loans),
the excess of interest paid or accrued  to purchase or carry a Security (or,  in
the  case of a Pass-Through Security,  as described below, the underlying Loans)
with market discount  over interest received  on such Security  is allowed as  a
current deduction only to the extent such excess
 
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<PAGE>
is  greater than  the market  discount that accrued  during the  taxable year in
which such interest expense  was incurred. In general,  the deferred portion  of
any interest expense will be deductible when such market discount is included in
income,  including upon the sale, disposition,  or repayment of the Security (or
in the case of a Pass-Through Security, an underlying Loan). A holder may  elect
to  include market  discount in  income currently as  it accrues,  on all market
discount obligations  acquired  by such  holder  during the  taxable  year  such
election  is made and thereafter, in which  case the interest deferral rule will
not apply.
 
     Premium.  A holder  who purchases a Debt  Security (other than an  Interest
Weighted  Security to  the extent  described above) at  a cost  greater than its
stated redemption  price  at maturity,  generally  will be  considered  to  have
purchased the Security at a premium, which it may elect to amortize as an offset
to  interest income on such Security (and not as a separate deduction item) on a
constant yield method.  Although no  regulations addressing  the computation  of
premium  accrual on securities  similar to the Securities  have been issued, the
legislative history of the 1986 Act indicates  that premium is to be accrued  in
the  same manner as market discount. Accordingly, it appears that the accrual of
premium on  a Class  of  Pay-Through Securities  will  be calculated  using  the
prepayment  assumption used in pricing such Class. If a holder makes an election
to amortize premium on a Debt Security, such election will apply to all  taxable
debt  instruments (including  all REMIC  regular interests  and all pass-through
certificates  representing  ownership   interests  in  a   trust  holding   debt
obligations)  held by the holder  at the beginning of  the taxable year in which
the election is made, and to all taxable debt instruments acquired thereafter by
such holder, and will be irrevocable without the consent of the IRS.  Purchasers
who pay a premium for the Securities should consult their tax advisers regarding
the election to amortize premium and the method to be employed.
 
     On June 27, 1996 the IRS issued proposed regulations (the 'Amortizable Bond
Premium  Regulations') dealing with amortizable  bond premium. These regulations
specifically do not apply to prepayable debt instruments subject to Code Section
1272(a)(6) such as  the Securities. Absent  further guidance from  the IRS,  the
Trustee  intends to account for amortizable bond premium in the manner described
above. Prospective  purchasers  of  the  Securities  should  consult  their  tax
advisors  regarding  the possible  application of  the Amortizable  Bond Premium
Regulations.
 
     Election to  Treat  All Interest  as  Original  Issue Discount.    The  OID
Regulations  permit a holder of a Debt Security 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  for  Debt  Securities
acquired  on or after  April 4, 1994. If  such an election were  to be made with
respect to a Debt Security with market discount, the holder of the Debt Security
would be deemed to have made an  election to include in income currently  market
discount  with respect to all other debt instruments having market discount that
such holder of the  Debt Security acquires  during the year  of the election  or
thereafter.  Similarly, a holder of a Debt Security that makes this election for
a Debt Security that  is acquired at a  premium will be deemed  to have made  an
election  to amortize bond  premium with respect to  all debt instruments having
amortizable bond premium  that such  holder owns  or acquires.  The election  to
accrue interest, discount and premium on a constant yield method with respect to
a Debt Security is irrevocable.
 
TAXATION OF THE REMIC AND ITS HOLDERS
 
     General.    In the  opinion of  Brown &  Wood LLP,  special counsel  to the
Depositor, if a REMIC election is made  with respect to a Series of  Securities,
then  the arrangement by which the Securities  of that Series are issued will be
treated as a REMIC as long as all of the provisions of the applicable  Agreement
are  complied with and the statutory  and regulatory requirements are satisfied.
Securities will be designated as 'Regular Interests' or 'Residual Interests'  in
a REMIC, as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Except  to the extent specified otherwise  in a Prospectus Supplement, if a
REMIC election is made  with respect to a  Series of Securities, (i)  Securities
held by a domestic building and loan association will constitute 'a regular or a
residual   interest   in  a   REMIC'  within   the   meaning  of   Code  Section
7701(a)(19)(C)(xi) (assuming that at least 95% of the REMIC's assets consist  of
cash,  government securities, 'loans  secured by an  interest in real property,'
and other types of  assets described in Code  Section 7701(a)(19)(C)); and  (ii)
Securities  held by a real estate  investment trust will constitute 'real estate
assets' within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(6)(B), and income with respect
to the  Securities  will  be  considered 'interest  on  obligations  secured  by
mortgages  on real property or on interests in real property' within the meaning
of Code Section 856(c)(3)(B) (assuming, for both purposes, that at least 95%  of
the  REMIC's assets  are qualifying  assets). If  less than  95% of  the REMIC's
 
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assets consist of assets described  in (i) or (ii)  above, then a Security  will
qualify  for the tax treatment described in (i), (ii) or (iii) in the proportion
that such REMIC assets are qualifying assets.
 
     The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, as part of the repeal of the
bad debt reserve  method for  thrift institutions, repealed  the application  of
Code Section 593(d) to any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1995.
 
REMIC EXPENSES; SINGLE CLASS REMICS
 
     As  a general  rule, all  of the  expenses of  a REMIC  will be  taken into
account by holders of the Residual Interest Securities. In the case of a 'single
class  REMIC,'  however,  the  expenses   will  be  allocated,  under   Treasury
regulations,  among  the  holders of  the  Regular Interest  Securities  and the
holders of the Residual Interest Securities (as defined herein) on a daily basis
in proportion to the relative amounts of income accruing to each Holder on  that
day. In the case of a holder of a Regular Interest Security who is an individual
or a 'pass-through interest holder' (including certain pass-through entities but
not  including real estate investment trusts),  such expenses will be deductible
only to  the  extent that  such  expenses, plus  other  'miscellaneous  itemized
deductions'  of the Holder, exceed 2% of such Holder's adjusted gross income. In
addition, for taxable  years beginning after  December 31, 1990,  the amount  of
itemized  deductions otherwise allowable for the  taxable year for an individual
whose adjusted gross income exceeds the applicable amount (which amount will  be
adjusted  for inflation for taxable years  beginning after 1990) will be reduced
by the  lesser of  (i)  3% of  the  excess of  adjusted  gross income  over  the
applicable  amount, or (ii)  80% of the amount  of itemized deductions otherwise
allowable for such taxable year. The reduction or disallowance of this deduction
may have a significant impact on the  yield of the Regular Interest Security  to
such  a Holder. In  general terms, a single  class REMIC is  one that either (i)
would qualify, under  existing Treasury regulations,  as a grantor  trust if  it
were  not a REMIC (treating  all interests as ownership  interests, even if they
would be classified as debt for federal income tax purposes) or (ii) is  similar
to  such a trust and which is  structured with the principal purpose of avoiding
the single  class  REMIC  rules.  Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  related
Prospectus Supplement, the expenses of the REMIC will be allocated to holders of
the related residual interest securities.
 
TAXATION OF THE REMIC
 
     General.   Although  a REMIC  is a separate  entity for  federal income tax
purposes, a REMIC  is not  generally subject  to entity-level  tax. Rather,  the
taxable  income or net loss of  a REMIC is taken into  account by the holders of
residual interests.  As described  above, the  regular interests  are  generally
taxable as debt of the REMIC.
 
     Calculation  of REMIC Income.  The taxable income or net loss of a REMIC is
determined under an accrual method  of accounting and in  the same manner as  in
the  case of  an individual, with  certain adjustments. In  general, the taxable
income or net loss will be the difference between (i) the gross income  produced
by the REMIC's assets, including stated interest and any original issue discount
or  market discount  on loans and  other assets, and  (ii) deductions, including
stated  interest  and  original  issue  discount  accrued  on  Regular  Interest
Securities,  amortization of  any premium with  respect to  Loans, and servicing
fees and other expenses of the REMIC.  A holder of a Residual Interest  Security
that  is an  individual or a  'pass-through interest  holder' (including certain
pass-through entities, but not including real estate investment trusts) will  be
unable  to deduct  servicing fees payable  on the loans  or other administrative
expenses of  the  REMIC for  a  given taxable  year,  to the  extent  that  such
expenses,  when  aggregated  with  such  holder's  other  miscellaneous itemized
deductions for that year,  do not exceed two  percent of such holder's  adjusted
gross income.
 
     For  purposes of computing its taxable income or net loss, the REMIC should
have an initial aggregate tax  basis in its assets  equal to the aggregate  fair
market  value of the regular interests and the residual interests on the Startup
Day (generally, the  day that the  interests are issued).  That aggregate  basis
will  be  allocated  among  the  assets of  the  REMIC  in  proportion  to their
respective fair market values.
 
     The OID provisions of the Code apply to loans of individuals originated  on
or  after  March 2,  1984, and  the  market discount  provisions apply  to loans
originated after  July 18,  1984.  Subject to  possible  application of  the  de
minimis  rules, the method of  accrual by the REMIC of  OID income on such loans
will be equivalent to the method  under which holders of Pay-Through  Securities
accrue  original issue  discount (i.e., under  the constant  yield method taking
into account  the Prepayment  Assumption).  The REMIC  will  deduct OID  on  the
Regular
 
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Interest  Securities in the same manner that the holders of the Regular Interest
Securities include such discount in income, but without regard to the de minimis
rules. See 'Taxation of Debt Securities'  above. However, a REMIC that  acquires
loans  at  a  market  discount  must  include  such  market  discount  in income
currently, as it accrues, on a constant interest basis.
 
     To the  extent that  the REMIC's  basis allocable  to loans  that it  holds
exceeds  their  principal amounts,  the  resulting premium,  if  attributable to
mortgages originated after September 27, 1985,  will be amortized over the  life
of the loans (taking into account the Prepayment Assumption) on a constant yield
method.  Although  the law  is somewhat  unclear  regarding recovery  of premium
attributable to loans  originated on or  before such date,  it is possible  that
such premium may be recovered in proportion to payments of loan principal.
 
     Prohibited  Transactions and Contributions Tax.   The REMIC will be subject
to a 100% tax  on any net  income derived from  a 'prohibited transaction.'  For
this  purpose, net  income will  be calculated  without taking  into account any
losses from  prohibited  transactions  or any  deductions  attributable  to  any
prohibited   transaction  that  resulted  in  a  loss.  In  general,  prohibited
transactions include:  (i) subject  to  limited exceptions,  the sale  or  other
disposition  of any qualified mortgage transferred to the REMIC; (ii) subject to
a limited exception, the  sale or other disposition  of a cash flow  investment;
(iii)  the receipt  of any income  from assets not  permitted to be  held by the
REMIC pursuant  to  the  Code;  or  (iv)  the  receipt  of  any  fees  or  other
compensation  for services rendered by the REMIC. It is anticipated that a REMIC
will not engage  in any prohibited  transactions in which  it would recognize  a
material amount of net income. In addition, subject to a number of exceptions, a
tax  is imposed at the rate of 100%  on amounts contributed to a REMIC after the
close of the  three-month period beginning  on the Startup  Day. The holders  of
Residual  Interest Securities will  generally be responsible  for the payment of
any such taxes imposed on the REMIC. To  the extent not paid by such holders  or
otherwise,  however, such taxes will  be paid out of the  Trust Fund and will be
allocated pro rata to all outstanding classes of Securities of such REMIC.
 
TAXATION OF HOLDERS OF RESIDUAL INTEREST SECURITIES
 
     The holder  of a  Security representing  a residual  interest (a  'Residual
Interest  Security') will take  into account the 'daily  portion' of the taxable
income or net loss of  the REMIC for each day  during the taxable year on  which
such holder held the Residual Interest Security. The daily portion is determined
by  allocating to each  day in any  calendar quarter its  ratable portion of the
taxable income or net loss of the REMIC for such quarter, and by allocating that
amount among the holders  (on such day) of  the Residual Interest Securities  in
proportion to their respective holdings on such day.
 
     The  holder of a  Residual Interest Security  must report its proportionate
share of  the taxable  income  of the  REMIC whether  or  not it  receives  cash
distributions  from the REMIC attributable to such income or loss. The reporting
of taxable income without corresponding distributions could occur, for  example,
in  certain REMIC  issues in which  the loans held  by the REMIC  were issued or
acquired at a discount, since mortgage prepayments cause recognition of discount
income, while the corresponding portion of the prepayment could be used in whole
or in part to make principal payments on REMIC Regular Interests issued  without
any  discount or at an insubstantial discount (if this occurs, it is likely that
cash distributions will exceed  taxable income in  later years). Taxable  income
may  also be greater in earlier years of certain REMIC issues as a result of the
fact that interest expense deductions, as a percentage of outstanding  principal
on REMIC Regular Interest Securities, will typically increase over time as lower
yielding Securities are paid, whereas interest income with respect to loans will
generally remain constant over time as a percentage of loan principal.
 
     In any event, because the holder of a residual interest is taxed on the net
income  of  the  REMIC, the  taxable  income  derived from  a  Residual Interest
Security in  a given  taxable  year will  not be  equal  to the  taxable  income
associated  with investment  in a corporate  bond or  stripped instrument having
similar cash flow  characteristics and  pretax yield.  Therefore, the  after-tax
yield  on the Residual Interest Security may be less than that of such a bond or
instrument.
 
     Limitation on Losses.  The amount of the REMIC's net loss that a holder may
take into account currently is limited to the holder's adjusted basis at the end
of the  calendar quarter  in  which such  loss arises.  A  holder's basis  in  a
Residual  Interest Security will  initially equal such  holder's purchase price,
and will subsequently be increased by  the amount of the REMIC's taxable  income
allocated  to the holder,  and decreased (but  not below zero)  by the amount of
distributions made  and the  amount of  the REMIC's  net loss  allocated to  the
holder. Any
 
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<PAGE>
disallowed  loss may be  carried forward indefinitely,  but may be  used only to
offset income of the REMIC generated by  the same REMIC. The ability of  holders
of  Residual  Interest  Securities  to  deduct  net  losses  may  be  subject to
additional limitations under the Code, as  to which such holders should  consult
their tax advisers.
 
     Distributions.   Distributions on a  Residual Interest Security (whether at
their scheduled times or as a  result of prepayments) will generally not  result
in  any additional  taxable income or  loss to  a holder of  a Residual Interest
Security. If the amount of such payment exceeds a holder's adjusted basis in the
Residual Interest Security, however, the holder will recognize gain (treated  as
gain  from the  sale of the  Residual Interest  Security) to the  extent of such
excess.
 
     Sale or Exchange.  A holder of a Residual Interest Security will  recognize
gain  or loss on the  sale or exchange of a  Residual Interest Security equal to
the difference, if any, between the  amount realized and such holder's  adjusted
basis  in the Residual Interest  Security at the time  of such sale or exchange.
Except to the extent  provided in regulations, which  have not yet been  issued,
any  loss upon disposition of a Residual Interest Security will be disallowed if
the selling holder acquires any residual interest in a REMIC or similar mortgage
pool within six months before or after such disposition.
 
     Excess Inclusions.  The portion of the REMIC taxable income of a holder  of
a  Residual Interest Security consisting of 'excess inclusion' income may not be
offset by other deductions  or losses, including net  operating losses, on  such
holder's  federal  income  tax return.  Further,  if  the holder  of  a Residual
Interest Security is an  organization subject to the  tax on unrelated  business
income  imposed by Code Section 511,  such holder's excess inclusion income will
be treated as  unrelated business taxable  income of such  holder. In  addition,
under  Treasury regulations yet to be issued, if a real estate investment trust,
a regulated investment  company, a  common trust fund,  or certain  cooperatives
were  to own  a Residual  Interest Security,  a portion  of dividends  (or other
distributions) paid by the real estate investment trust (or other entity)  would
be  treated as  excess inclusion income.  If a  Residual Security is  owned by a
foreign person excess inclusion income is subject to tax at a rate of 30%  which
may  not  be reduced  by treaty,  is  not eligible  for treatment  as 'portfolio
interest' and is subject to  certain additional limitations. See 'Tax  Treatment
of  Foreign  Investors.'  The Small  Business  Job  Protection Act  of  1996 has
eliminated  the  special  rule  permitting  Section  593  institutions  ('thrift
institutions')  to use  net operating losses  and other  allowable deductions to
offset their excess inclusion income from REMIC residual certificates that  have
'significant  value' within the meaning of  the REMIC Regulations, effective for
taxable years beginning after December 31, 1995, except with respect to residual
certificates continuously held by a thrift institution since November 1, 1995.
 
     In addition, the Small Business Job  Protection Act of 1996 provides  three
rules for determining the effect on excess inclusions on the alternative minimum
taxable  income of a residual holder.  First, alternative minimum taxable income
for such residual holder is determined  without regard to the special rule  that
taxable  income  cannot  be  less than  excess  inclusions.  Second,  a residual
holder's alternative minimum taxable income for  a tax year cannot be less  than
excess inclusions for the year. Third, the amount of any alternative minimum tax
net  operating loss  deductions must  be computed  without regard  to any excess
inclusions. These rules are effective for tax years beginning after December 31,
1986, unless a residual holder elects to have such rules apply only to tax years
beginning after August 20, 1996.
 
     The excess inclusion portion of a REMIC's income is generally equal to  the
excess,  if any, of REMIC taxable income for the quarterly period allocable to a
Residual Interest Security, over the daily accruals for such quarterly period of
(i) 120% of the long term applicable federal rate on the Startup Day  multiplied
by  (ii) the  adjusted issue  price of  such Residual  Interest Security  at the
beginning of  such quarterly  period. The  adjusted issue  price of  a  Residual
Interest  at the beginning of  each calendar quarter will  equal its issue price
(calculated in a manner analogous to the  determination of the issue price of  a
Regular  Interest), increased by  the aggregate of the  daily accruals for prior
calendar quarters, and  decreased (but  not below zero)  by the  amount of  loss
allocated  to a  holder and  the amount  of distributions  made on  the Residual
Interest Security before  the beginning  of the quarter.  The long-term  federal
rate, which is announced monthly by the Treasury Department, is an interest rate
that  is based on the average market yield of outstanding marketable obligations
of the United States  government having remaining maturities  in excess of  nine
years.
 
     Under  the  REMIC  Regulations,  in  certain  circumstances,  transfers  of
Residual Securities may be disregarded. See  ' -- Restrictions on Ownership  and
Transfer  of Residual  Interest Securities'  and '  -- Tax  Treatment of Foreign
Investors' below.
 
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<PAGE>
     Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Residual Interest Securities.  As
a condition to qualification as a REMIC, reasonable arrangements must be made to
prevent the  ownership  of  a  REMIC  residual  interest  by  any  'Disqualified
Organization.'  Disqualified Organizations include the  United States, any State
or political  subdivision thereof,  any  foreign government,  any  international
organization,  or any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, a rural
electric or  telephone cooperative  described in  Section 1381(a)(2)(C)  of  the
Code,  or any entity exempt from the tax imposed by Sections 1-1399 of the Code,
if such  entity  is  not  subject  to tax  on  its  unrelated  business  income.
Accordingly,  the  applicable  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  will prohibit
Disqualified  Organizations  from  owning  a  Residual  Interest  Security.   In
addition,  no transfer of a Residual  Interest Security will be permitted unless
the proposed  transferee  shall  have  furnished to  the  Trustee  an  affidavit
representing  and warranting that it is  neither a Disqualified Organization nor
an agent or nominee acting on behalf of a Disqualified Organization.
 
     If  a  Residual  Interest  Security   is  transferred  to  a   Disqualified
Organization  after March 31,  1988 (in violation of  the restrictions set forth
above), a substantial  tax will be  imposed on the  transferor of such  Residual
Interest  Security at the time  of the transfer. In  addition, if a Disqualified
Organization holds an  interest in a  pass-through entity after  March 31,  1988
(including,  among others, a  partnership, trust, real  estate investment trust,
regulated investment company,  or any person  holding as nominee),  that owns  a
Residual  Interest Security, the pass-through entity  will be required to pay an
annual tax on its allocable share of the excess inclusion income of the REMIC.
 
     Under  the  REMIC  Regulations,  if  a  Residual  Interest  Security  is  a
'noneconomic  residual interest,' as  described below, a  transfer of a Residual
Interest Security to a United States person will be disregarded for all  Federal
tax  purposes unless no  significant purpose of  the transfer was  to impede the
assessment or collection of tax. A Residual Interest Security is a  'noneconomic
residual  interest' unless, at the time of the transfer (i) the present value of
the expected future  distributions on  the Residual Interest  Security at  least
equals the product of the present value of the anticipated excess inclusions and
the  highest rate of tax for the year in which the transfer occurs, and (ii) the
transferor reasonably  expects that  the transferee  will receive  distributions
from the REMIC at or after the time at which the taxes accrue on the anticipated
excess  inclusions in an  amount sufficient to  satisfy the accrued  taxes. If a
transfer of a Residual Interest is  disregarded, the transferor would be  liable
for any Federal income tax imposed upon taxable income derived by the transferee
from the REMIC. The REMIC Regulations provide no guidance as to how to determine
if a significant purpose of a transfer is to impede the assessment or collection
of tax. A similar type of limitation exists with respect to certain transfers of
residual  interests by foreign  persons to United  States persons. See  ' -- Tax
Treatment of Foreign Investors.'
 
     Mark to Market Rules.  Prospective purchasers of a REMIC Residual  Interest
Security  should be  aware that the  IRS recently  released proposed regulations
(the 'Proposed Mark-to-Market Regulations') which provide that a REMIC  Residual
Interest Security acquired after January 3, 1995 cannot be marked-to-market. The
Proposed  Mark-to-Market  Regulations  replace the  temporary  regulations which
allowed a REMIC Residual Interest Security to be marked-to-market provided  that
it was not a negative value residual interest and did not have the same economic
effect  as a  negative value residual  interest. The IRS  could issue subsequent
regulations, which could apply retroactively, providing additional or  different
requirements  with  respect to  such deemed  negative value  residual interests.
Prospective purchasers  of a  REMIC Residual  Interest Security  should  consult
their   tax  advisors  regarding  the   possible  application  of  the  Proposed
Mark-to-Market Regulations.
 
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
 
     The REMIC's books must be maintained on a calendar year basis and the REMIC
must file an annual federal income tax return. The REMIC will also be subject to
the procedural and administrative rules of the Code applicable to  partnerships,
including  the determination of any adjustments to, among other things, items of
REMIC income,  gain,  loss,  deduction, or  credit,  by  the IRS  in  a  unified
administrative proceeding.
 
TAX STATUS AS A GRANTOR TRUST
 
     General.   As specified in the related  Prospectus Supplement if a REMIC or
partnership election is not made,  in the opinion of  Brown & Wood LLP,  special
counsel to the Depositor, the Trust Fund relating to a Series of Securities will
be  classified for federal income tax purposes  as a grantor trust under Subpart
E, Part I of  Subchapter J of the  Code and not as  an association taxable as  a
corporation (the Securities of such Series,
 
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'Pass-Through  Securities'). In some  Series there will be  no separation of the
principal and interest payments  on the Loans. In  such circumstances, a  Holder
will  be considered to have  purchased a pro rata  undivided interest in each of
the Loans. In other cases ('Stripped  Securities'), sale of the Securities  will
produce  a separation  in the  ownership of  all or  a portion  of the principal
payments from all or a portion of the interest payments on the Loans.
 
     Each Holder must report on its federal  income tax return its share of  the
gross  income derived from the Loans (not  reduced by the amount payable as fees
to the Trustee and the Servicer  and similar fees (collectively, the  'Servicing
Fee')),  at the same time and  in the same manner as  such items would have been
reported under the Holder's  tax accounting method had  it held its interest  in
the  Loans directly,  received directly its  share of the  amounts received with
respect to the Loans, and paid directly its share of the Servicing Fees. In  the
case of Pass-Through Securities other than Stripped Securities, such income will
consist  of a pro rata share of all of  the income derived from all of the Loans
and, in the case of Stripped Securities, such income will consist of a pro  rata
share  of the income derived from each stripped bond or stripped coupon in which
the Holder owns an interest. The holder of a Security will generally be entitled
to deduct such Servicing Fees  under Section 162 or Section  212 of the Code  to
the  extent that such Servicing Fees represent 'reasonable' compensation for the
services rendered by  the Trustee and  the Servicer (or  third parties that  are
compensated  for the  performance of  services). In  the case  of a noncorporate
holder, however, Servicing Fees (to  the extent not otherwise disallowed,  e.g.,
because  they exceed  reasonable compensation)  will be  deductible in computing
such holder's regular  tax liability  only to the  extent that  such fees,  when
added  to other miscellaneous  itemized deductions, exceed  2% of adjusted gross
income and  may not  be deductible  to  any extent  in computing  such  holder's
alternative  minimum  tax liability.  In addition,  for taxable  years beginning
after December 31, 1990, the  amount of itemized deductions otherwise  allowable
for  the taxable year for an individual  whose adjusted gross income exceeds the
applicable amount (which amount will be adjusted for inflation in taxable  years
beginning  after 1990) will be reduced by the  lesser of (i) 3% of the excess of
adjusted gross income over the  applicable amount or (ii)  80% of the amount  of
itemized deductions otherwise allowable for such taxable year.
 
     Discount  or  Premium on  Pass-Through Securities.   The  holder's purchase
price of  a  Pass-Through  Security  is  to be  allocated  among  the  Loans  in
proportion to their fair market values, determined as of the time of purchase of
the  Securities. In the  typical case, the  Trustee (to the  extent necessary to
fulfill its reporting obligations) will treat each Loan as having a fair  market
value  proportional to the share  of the aggregate principal  balances of all of
the Loans that it represents,  since the Securities, unless otherwise  specified
in  the related Prospectus  Supplement, will have  a relatively uniform interest
rate and other  common characteristics. To  the extent that  the portion of  the
purchase  price of a Pass-Through Security allocated  to a Loan (other than to a
right to receive any  accrued interest thereon  and any undistributed  principal
payments)  is less than or greater than  the portion of the principal balance of
the Loan allocable to the  Security, the interest in  the Loan allocable to  the
Pass-Through  Security will  be deemed  to have been  acquired at  a discount or
premium, respectively.
 
     The  treatment  of  any  discount  will  depend  on  whether  the  discount
represents OID or market discount. In the case of a Loan with OID in excess of a
prescribed de minimis amount or a Stripped Security, a holder of a Security will
be  required to report as interest income in  each taxable year its share of the
amount of OID that accrues during that  year in the manner described above.  OID
with  respect to a Loan could arise, for  example, by virtue of the financing of
points by the originator of the Loan, or by virtue of the charging of points  by
the  originator of  the Loan in  an amount  greater than a  statutory de minimis
exception, in circumstances under which the points are not currently  deductible
pursuant to applicable Code provisions. Any market discount or premium on a Loan
will  be includible in  income, generally in the  manner described above, except
that in the case of Pass-Through Securities, market discount is calculated  with
respect to the Loans underlying the Certificate, rather than with respect to the
Security. A Holder that acquires an interest in a Loan originated after July 18,
1984  with more  than a  de minimis  amount of  market discount  (generally, the
excess of  the principal  amount  of the  Loan  over the  purchaser's  allocable
purchase price) will be required to include accrued market discount in income in
the  manner  set forth  above.  See '  --  Taxation of  Debt  Securities; Market
Discount' and ' -- Premium' above.
 
     In the case of market discount  on a Pass-Through Security attributable  to
Loans  originated  on or  before July  18,  1984, the  holder generally  will be
required to allocate the portion  of such discount that  is allocable to a  loan
among  the principal payments on the Loan  and to include the discount allocable
to each principal payment in ordinary income at the time such principal  payment
is made. Such treatment would generally result in
 
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discount  being  included in  income at  a  slower rate  than discount  would be
required to be included  in income using the  method described in the  preceding
paragraph.
 
     Stripped  Securities.  A Stripped Security may represent a right to receive
only a portion of the  interest payments on the Loans,  a right to receive  only
principal  payments on the Loans, or a right to receive certain payments of both
interest and principal. Certain  Stripped Securities ('Ratio Strip  Securities')
may  represent a right to receive differing percentages of both the interest and
principal on each Loan. Pursuant to Section 1286 of the Code, the separation  of
ownership  of the right  to receive some or  all of the  interest payments on an
obligation from ownership of the right to  receive some or all of the  principal
payments  results in the creation of  'stripped bonds' with respect to principal
payments and 'stripped coupons' with respect to interest payments. Section  1286
of  the Code applies the  OID rules to stripped  bonds and stripped coupons. For
purposes of computing  original issue discount,  a stripped bond  or a  stripped
coupon  is treated as  a debt instrument  issued on the  date that such stripped
interest is purchased with  an issue price  equal to its  purchase price or,  if
more  than one stripped interest is purchased, the ratable share of the purchase
price allocable to such stripped interest.
 
     Servicing fees in excess of reasonable servicing fees ('excess  servicing')
will  be treated under the  stripped bond rules. If  the excess servicing fee is
less than 100 basis points (i.e., 1% interest on the Loan principal balance)  or
the  Securities  are initially  sold  with a  de  minimis discount  (assuming no
prepayment assumption is required), any  non-de minimis discount arising from  a
subsequent  transfer of the Securities should be treated as market discount. The
IRS appears to require that reasonable servicing fees be calculated on a Loan by
Loan basis, which could result in some  Loans being treated as having more  than
100 basis points of interest stripped off.
 
     The  Code.    OID  Regulations and  judicial  decisions  provide  no direct
guidance as to how the interest and  original issue discount rules are to  apply
to  Stripped  Securities and  other  Pass-Through Securities.  Under  the method
described above  for Pay-Through  Securities (the  'Cash Flow  Bond Method'),  a
prepayment  assumption is used  and periodic recalculations  are made which take
into account  with respect  to each  accrual period  the effect  of  prepayments
during such period. However, the 1986 Act does not, absent Treasury regulations,
appear  specifically to cover instruments such  as the Stripped Securities which
technically represent ownership interests in  the underlying Loans, rather  than
being  debt instruments 'secured  by' those loans.  Nevertheless, it is believed
that the Cash Flow Bond  Method is a reasonable  method of reporting income  for
such  Securities, and  it is expected  that OID  will be reported  on that basis
unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. In applying the
calculation to Pass-Through Securities, the  Trustee will treat all payments  to
be  received by a holder  with respect to the underlying  Loans as payments on a
single installment  obligation. The  IRS could,  however, assert  that  original
issue  discount  must  be  calculated  separately  for  each  Loan  underlying a
Security.
 
     Under certain circumstances, if the Loans prepay at a rate faster than  the
Prepayment  Assumption, the use  of the Cash  Flow Bond Method  may accelerate a
Holder's recognition of income. If, however,  the Loans prepay at a rate  slower
than the Prepayment Assumption, in some circumstances the use of this method may
decelerate a Holder's recognition of income.
 
     In  the case of a Stripped Security  that is an Interest Weighted Security,
the Trustee intends,  absent contrary  authority, to report  income to  Security
holders as OID, in the manner described above for Interest Weighted Securities.
 
     Possible  Alternative  Characterizations.    The  characterizations  of the
Stripped Securities described above are not the only possible interpretations of
the applicable Code provisions. Among other possibilities, the IRS could contend
that (i) in certain Series, each  non-Interest Weighted Security is composed  of
an   unstripped  undivided  ownership  interest  in  Loans  and  an  installment
obligation consisting  of stripped  principal  payments; (ii)  the  non-Interest
Weighted  Securities are  subject to  the contingent  payment provisions  of the
Contingent Regulations; or  (iii) each  Interest Weighted  Stripped Security  is
composed  of  an  unstripped  undivided  ownership  interest  in  Loans  and  an
installment obligation consisting of stripped interest payments.
 
     Given the variety of alternatives for treatment of the Stripped  Securities
and  the  different  federal  income  tax  consequences  that  result  from each
alternative, potential purchasers are  urged to consult  their own tax  advisers
regarding  the  proper  treatment  of  the  Securities  for  federal  income tax
purposes.
 
     Character as Qualifying Loans.  In  the case of Stripped Securities,  there
is  no specific legal authority existing  regarding whether the character of the
Securities,  for   federal  income   tax   purposes,  will   be  the   same   as
 
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the  Loans. The  IRS could take  the position  that the Loans'  character is not
carried over to  the Securities in  such circumstances. Pass-Through  Securities
will  be, and, although the  matter is not free  from doubt, Stripped Securities
should be considered  to represent 'real  estate assets' within  the meaning  of
Section  856(c)(6)(B) of  the Code  and 'loans  secured by  an interest  in real
property' within  the meaning  of  Section 7701(a)(19)(C)(v)  of the  Code;  and
interest income attributable to the Securities should be considered to represent
'interest  on obligations secured by mortgages  on real property or on interests
in real  property' within  the  meaning of  Section  856(c)(3)(B) of  the  Code.
Reserves  or funds underlying the Securities may cause a proportionate reduction
in the above-described qualifying status categories of Securities.
 
SALE OR EXCHANGE
 
     Subject to the discussion below with respect  to Trust Funds as to which  a
partnership  election is made, a Holder's tax basis in its Security is the price
such holder  pays for  a Security,  plus  amounts of  original issue  or  market
discount  included in  income and reduced  by any payments  received (other than
qualified stated  interest payments)  and any  amortized premium.  Gain or  loss
recognized  on a sale,  exchange, or redemption  of a Security,  measured by the
difference between the amount realized and the Security's basis as so  adjusted,
will  generally be capital gain or loss, assuming that the Security is held as a
capital asset. In  the case of  a Security held  by a bank,  thrift, or  similar
institution described in Section 582 of the Code, however, gain or loss realized
on  the  sale or  exchange of  a Regular  Interest Security  will be  taxable as
ordinary income or  loss. In addition,  gain from the  disposition of a  Regular
Interest  Security  that might  otherwise  be capital  gain  will be  treated as
ordinary income to  the extent of  the excess, if  any, of (i)  the amount  that
would  have been includible in the holder's  income if the yield on such Regular
Interest Security had  equaled 110%  of the applicable  federal rate  as of  the
beginning  of such holder's  holding period, over the  amount of ordinary income
actually recognized  by  the  holder  with  respect  to  such  Regular  Interest
Security.  For taxable years beginning after  December 31, 1993, the maximum tax
rate on ordinary income  for individual taxpayers is  39.6% and the maximum  tax
rate  on  long-term capital  gains  reported after  December  31, 1990  for such
taxpayers is 28%.  The maximum tax  rate on both  ordinary income and  long-term
capital gains of corporate taxpayers is 35%.
 
MISCELLANEOUS TAX ASPECTS
 
     Backup  Withholding.  Subject to the discussion below with respect to Trust
Funds as to which a partnership election is made, a Holder, other than a  holder
of  a REMIC Residual  Security, may, under certain  circumstances, be subject to
'backup withholding'  at a  rate of  31% with  respect to  distributions or  the
proceeds of a sale of certificates to or through brokers that represent interest
or original issue discount on the Securities. This withholding generally applies
if  the holder of a Security (i) fails  to furnish the Trustee with its taxpayer
identification number  ('TIN'); (ii)  furnishes the  Trustee an  incorrect  TIN;
(iii)  fails  to  report  properly  interest,  dividends  or  other  'reportable
payments' as defined in the Code; or (iv) under certain circumstances, fails  to
provide  the  Trustee  or  such  holder's  securities  broker  with  a certified
statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the TIN provided is its correct
number and  that  the  holder  is not  subject  to  backup  withholding.  Backup
withholding  will not apply,  however, with respect to  certain payments made to
Holders, including  payments  to  certain  exempt  recipients  (such  as  exempt
organizations)  and to certain  Nonresidents (as defined  below). Holders should
consult their tax advisers as to  their qualification for exemption from  backup
withholding and the procedure for obtaining the exemption.
 
     The  Trustee  will report  to  the Holders  and  to the  Servicer  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 Securities.
 
TAX TREATMENT OF FOREIGN INVESTORS
 
     Subject  to the discussion below with respect  to Trust Funds as to which a
partnership election is made,  under the Code,  unless interest (including  OID)
paid on a Security (other than a Residual Interest Security) is considered to be
'effectively  connected' with a trade or business conducted in the United States
by a nonresident  alien individual, foreign  partnership or foreign  corporation
('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 issuer, or (ii) the recipient
is a controlled foreign corporation
 
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to which the issuer 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.  Holders of  Pass-Through Securities  and Stripped  Securities,
including  Ratio Strip Securities, however, may be subject to withholding to the
extent that the Loans were originated on or before July 18, 1984.
 
     Interest and OID  of Holders  who are foreign  persons are  not subject  to
withholding  if they  are effectively  connected with  a United  States business
conducted by the Holder. They will, however, generally be subject to the regular
United States income tax.
 
     Payments to holders of Residual Interest Securities who are foreign persons
will generally be treated as interest for  purposes of the 30% (or lower  treaty
rate) United States withholding tax. Holders should assume that such income does
not  qualify  for exemption  from United  States  withholding tax  as 'portfolio
interest.' It is clear that, to the  extent that a payment represents a  portion
of  REMIC taxable income that constitutes excess inclusion income, a holder of a
Residual Interest  Security  will  not  be entitled  to  an  exemption  from  or
reduction  of  the 30%  (or  lower treaty  rate)  withholding tax  rule.  If the
payments are subject to  United States withholding tax,  they generally will  be
taken  into account for  withholding tax purposes only  when paid or distributed
(or when  the Residual  Interest  Security is  disposed  of). The  Treasury  has
statutory authority, however, to promulgate regulations which would require such
amounts  to be  taken into account  at an earlier  time in order  to prevent the
avoidance of tax. Such regulations could, for example, require withholding prior
to the distribution of cash in the case of Residual Interest Securities that  do
not  have significant value. Under the REMIC Regulations, if a Residual Interest
Security has tax avoidance potential, a transfer of a Residual Interest Security
to a Nonresident will  be disregarded for all  federal tax purposes. A  Residual
Interest  Security  has  tax avoidance  potential  unless,  at the  time  of the
transfer the transferor reasonably expects that the REMIC will distribute to the
transferee residual interest holder amounts that will equal at least 30% of each
excess inclusion, and that such amounts will be distributed at or after the time
at which  the excess  inclusions accrue  and not  later than  the calendar  year
following  the calendar year  of accrual. If a  Nonresident transfers a Residual
Interest Security to a United States person, and if the transfer has the  effect
of  allowing the transferor to avoid tax  on accrued excess inclusions, then the
transfer is disregarded and the transferor continues to be treated as the  owner
of the Residual Interest Security for purposes of the withholding tax provisions
of the Code. See ' -- Excess Inclusions.'
 
TAX CHARACTERIZATION OF THE TRUST FUND AS A PARTNERSHIP
 
     Brown  &  Wood LLP,  special  counsel to  the  Depositor, will  deliver its
opinion that a Trust Fund for which  a partnership election is made will not  be
an  association (or  publicly traded partnership)  taxable as  a corporation for
federal income tax purposes. This opinion  will be based on the assumption  that
the  terms of the Trust  Agreement and related documents  will be complied with,
and on  counsel's conclusions  that (1)  the Trust  Fund will  not have  certain
characteristics   necessary  for  a  business  trust  to  be  classified  as  an
association taxable as a  corporation and (2)  the nature of  the income of  the
Trust   Fund  will  exempt  it  from  the  rule  that  certain  publicly  traded
partnerships are taxable as corporations or  the issuance of the Securities  has
been  structured as a  private placement under  an IRS safe  harbor, so that the
Trust Fund will not be characterized as a publicly traded partnership taxable as
a corporation.
 
     If the Trust  Fund were  taxable as a  corporation for  federal income  tax
purposes, the Trust Fund would be subject to corporate income tax on its taxable
income.  The Trust Fund's taxable income  would include all its income, possibly
reduced by its  interest expense  on the Notes.  Any such  corporate income  tax
could  materially  reduce  cash available  to  make  payments on  the  Notes and
distributions on the  Certificates, and Certificateholders  could be liable  for
any such tax that is unpaid by the Trust Fund.
 
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HOLDERS OF THE NOTES
 
     Treatment of the Notes as Indebtedness.  The Trust Fund will agree, and the
Noteholders  will agree by their  purchase of Notes, to  treat the Notes as debt
for federal income tax purposes. Special  counsel to the Depositor will,  except
as otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, advise the Depositor
that the
 
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Notes will be classified as debt for federal income tax purposes. The discussion
below assumes this characterization of the Notes is correct.
 
     OID,  Indexed  Securities,  etc.   The  discussion below  assumes  that all
payments on the Notes are  denominated in U.S. dollars,  and that the Notes  are
not Indexed Securities or Strip Notes. Moreover, the discussion assumes that the
interest  formula for  the Notes  meets the  requirements for  'qualified stated
interest' under the OID regulations,  and that any OID  on the Notes (i.e.,  any
excess  of the principal  amount of the  Notes over their  issue price) does not
exceed a de minimis amount (i.e., 0.25% of their principal amount multiplied  by
the  number of full years included in their term), all within the meaning of the
OID regulations. If these conditions are not satisfied with respect to any given
series of Notes, additional tax considerations  with respect to such Notes  will
be disclosed in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Interest  Income on the Notes.   Based on the  above assumptions, except as
discussed in the following  paragraph, the Notes will  not be considered  issued
with  OID.  The stated  interest  thereon will  be  taxable to  a  Noteholder as
ordinary interest  income  when received  or  accrued in  accordance  with  such
Noteholder's  method of tax accounting. Under the OID regulations, a holder of a
Note issued with a de minimis amount of OID must include such OID in income,  on
a  pro rata basis,  as principal payments are  made on the  Note. It is believed
that any prepayment premium paid as a  result of a mandatory redemption will  be
taxable  as  contingent  interest  when  it  becomes  fixed  and unconditionally
payable. A purchaser who buys a Note for more or less than its principal  amount
will  generally be subject, respectively, to  the premium amortization or market
discount rules of the Code.
 
     A holder of a Note that has a fixed maturity date of not more than one year
from the issue date of such Note (a 'Short-Term Note') may be subject to special
rules. An accrual  basis holder of  a Short-Term Note  (and certain cash  method
holders,  including regulated investment companies, as set forth in Section 1281
of the Code) generally would be  required to report interest income as  interest
accrues  on a straight-line basis  over the term of  each interest period. Other
cash basis holders of a Short-Term Note would, in general, be required to report
interest  income  as  interest  is  paid  (or,  if  earlier,  upon  the  taxable
disposition  of  the  Short-Term  Note).  However,  a  cash  basis  holder  of a
Short-Term Note reporting interest income as it is paid may be required to defer
a portion of any interest expense otherwise deductible on indebtedness  incurred
to  purchase or carry the  Short-Term Note until the  taxable disposition of the
Short-Term Note. A cash basis taxpayer may elect under Section 1281 of the  Code
to  accrue interest income on all nongovernment  debt obligations with a term of
one year or  less, in  which case  the taxpayer  would include  interest on  the
Short-Term  Note  in income  as  it accrues,  but would  not  be subject  to the
interest expense deferral rule  referred to in  the preceding sentence.  Certain
special  rules apply if a Short-Term Note is purchased for more or less than its
principal amount.
 
     Sale or Other Disposition.  If a  Noteholder sells a Note, the holder  will
recognize  gain or loss in an amount  equal to the difference between the amount
realized on  the sale  and the  holder's adjusted  tax basis  in the  Note.  The
adjusted  tax basis of a Note to a particular Noteholder will equal the holder's
cost for the Note, increased by  any market discount, acquisition discount,  OID
and  gain previously included by  such Noteholder in income  with respect to the
Note and decreased by the amount  of bond premium (if any) previously  amortized
and  by the amount of principal  payments previously received by such Noteholder
with respect to such Note. Any such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if
the Note  was held  as a  capital asset,  except for  gain representing  accrued
interest  and accrued market discount not previously included in income. Capital
losses generally may be used only to offset capital gains.
 
     Foreign Holders.  Interest payments made  (or accrued) to a Noteholder  who
is a nonresident alien, foreign corporation or other non-United States person (a
'foreign  person')  generally  will  be  considered  'portfolio  interest',  and
generally  will  not  be  subject  to  United  States  federal  income  tax  and
withholding  tax, if the interest is  not effectively connected with the conduct
of a trade or business  within the United States by  the foreign person and  the
foreign  person (i) is not actually or constructively a '10 percent shareholder'
of the Trust Fund or  the Seller (including a holder  of 10% of the  outstanding
Certificates)  or a 'controlled  foreign corporation' with  respect to which the
Trust Fund or the Seller  is a 'related person' within  the meaning of the  Code
and (ii) provides the Owner Trustee or other person who is otherwise required to
withhold  U.S. tax with respect  to the Notes with  an appropriate statement (on
Form W-8 or a similar form), signed under penalties of perjury, certifying  that
the  beneficial owner of the Note is  a foreign person and providing the foreign
person's name  and address.  If a  Note is  held through  a securities  clearing
organization  or  certain  other  financial  institutions,  the  organization or
institution may provide the relevant signed statement to the withholding  agent;
 
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<PAGE>
in that case, however, the signed statement must be accompanied by a Form W-8 or
substitute  form provided  by the  foreign person  that owns  the Note.  If such
interest is not  portfolio interest, then  it will be  subject to United  States
federal  income and withholding tax  at a rate of  30 percent, unless reduced or
eliminated pursuant to an applicable tax treaty.
 
     Any capital  gain realized  on the  sale, redemption,  retirement or  other
taxable  disposition of a  Note by a  foreign person will  be exempt from United
States federal income and  withholding tax, provided that  (i) such gain is  not
effectively  connected with  the conduct  of a trade  or business  in the United
States by the  foreign person  and (ii)  in the  case of  an individual  foreign
person,  the foreign person is not present in  the United States for 183 days or
more in the taxable year.
 
     Backup Withholding.   Each holder of  a Note (other  than an exempt  holder
such   as  a   corporation,  tax-exempt  organization,   qualified  pension  and
profit-sharing trust,  individual retirement  account or  nonresident alien  who
provides  certification  as to  status  as a  nonresident)  will be  required to
provide, under penalties of perjury, a certificate containing the holder's name,
address, correct federal taxpayer identification number and a statement that the
holder is not subject to backup withholding. Should a nonexempt Noteholder  fail
to  provide  the required  certification,  the Trust  Fund  will be  required to
withhold 31 percent of the amount otherwise payable to the holder, and remit the
withheld amount to the IRS as a  credit against the holder's federal income  tax
liability.
 
     Possible  Alternative Treatments of the Notes.  If, contrary to the opinion
of special counsel  to the Company,  the IRS successfully  asserted that one  or
more  of the Notes did  not represent debt for  federal income tax purposes, the
Notes might be treated as equity interests in the Trust Fund. If so treated, the
Trust Fund  might be  taxable as  a corporation  with the  adverse  consequences
described  above (and the  taxable corporation would  not be able  to reduce its
taxable income by deductions  for interest expense  on Notes recharacterized  as
equity).  Alternatively, and most likely  in the view of  special counsel to the
Depositor, the Trust Fund might be treated as a publicly traded partnership that
would not be taxable as a  corporation because it would meet certain  qualifying
income  tests. Nonetheless, treatment of the Notes as equity interests in such a
publicly traded  partnership  could have  adverse  tax consequences  to  certain
holders.  For example, income to  certain tax-exempt entities (including pension
funds) would be 'unrelated business  taxable income', income to foreign  holders
generally  would  be  subject  to  U.S.  tax  and  U.S.  tax  return  filing and
withholding requirements, and  individual holders  might be  subject to  certain
limitations on their ability to deduct their share of the Trust Fund's expenses.
 
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HOLDERS OF THE CERTIFICATES
 
     Treatment  of the  Trust Fund  as a  Partnership.   The Trust  Fund and the
Master Servicer  will agree,  and  the Certificateholders  will agree  by  their
purchase  of Certificates, to treat the Trust Fund as a partnership for purposes
of federal and state  income tax, franchise  tax and any  other tax measured  in
whole  or in part by income, with the assets of the partnership being the assets
held  by  the   Trust  Fund,  the   partners  of  the   partnership  being   the
Certificateholders,  and the Notes  being debt of  the partnership. However, the
proper characterization  of  the  arrangement  involving  the  Trust  Fund,  the
Certificates,  the Notes, the Trust  Fund and the Servicer  is not clear because
there is no authority  on transactions closely  comparable to that  contemplated
herein.
 
     A  variety  of alternative  characterizations are  possible.   For example,
because the  Certificates  have certain  features  characteristic of  debt,  the
Certificates   might  be   considered  debt   of  the   Trust  Fund.   Any  such
characterization would  not result  in materially  adverse tax  consequences  to
Certificateholders  as  compared  to  the  consequences  from  treatment  of the
Certificates  as  equity  in  a  partnership,  described  below.  The  following
discussion  assumes  that  the  Certificates  represent  equity  interests  in a
partnership.
 
     Indexed Securities,  etc.    The  following  discussion  assumes  that  all
payments  on  the Certificates  are  denominated in  U.S.  dollars, none  of the
Certificates are Indexed Securities or Strip Certificates, and that a Series  of
Securities  includes a single class of Certificates. If these conditions are not
satisfied with  respect to  any  given Series  of Certificates,  additional  tax
considerations  with  respect  to such  Certificates  will be  disclosed  in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Partnership Taxation.  As a partnership, the Trust Fund will not be subject
to federal  income  tax. Rather,  each  Certificateholder will  be  required  to
separately  take into  account such holder's  allocated share  of income, gains,
losses, deductions and credits of the  Trust Fund. The Trust Fund's income  will
consist primarily of interest and finance charges earned on the Loans (including
appropriate adjustments for market discount, OID
 
                                       85
 
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<PAGE>
and  bond premium)  and any  gain upon collection  or disposition  of Loans. The
Trust Fund's deductions will consist primarily of interest accruing with respect
to the Notes, servicing and other fees, and losses or deductions upon collection
or disposition of Loans.
 
     The tax items of a partnership are allocable to the partners in  accordance
with  the Code,  Treasury regulations and  the partnership  agreement (here, the
Trust Agreement and  related documents).  The Trust Agreement  will provide,  in
general,  that the  Certificateholders will be  allocated taxable  income of the
Trust Fund for each month equal to the  sum of (i) the interest that accrues  on
the  Certificates  in  accordance with  their  terms for  such  month, including
interest accruing  at the  Pass-Through  Rate for  such  month and  interest  on
amounts  previously due  on the Certificates  but not yet  distributed; (ii) any
Trust Fund income attributable to discount on the Loans that corresponds to  any
excess  of the  principal amount  of the  Certificates over  their initial issue
price (iii) prepayment premium payable to the Certificateholders for such month;
and (iv) any other amounts of income payable to the Certificateholders for  such
month.  Such allocation will be reduced by any amortization by the Trust Fund of
premium on  Loans  that  corresponds  to  any  excess  of  the  issue  price  of
Certificates  over their principal  amount. All remaining  taxable income of the
Trust Fund will be allocated to  the Company. Based on the economic  arrangement
of  the  parties,  this approach  for  allocating  Trust Fund  income  should be
permissible under applicable Treasury regulations, although no assurance can  be
given  that the IRS would not require a greater amount of income to be allocated
to Certificateholders. Moreover, even under the foregoing method of  allocation,
Certificateholders may be allocated income equal to the entire Pass-Through Rate
plus  the other items described above even  though the Trust Fund might not have
sufficient cash to make  current cash distributions of  such amount. Thus,  cash
basis  holders will in effect be required to report income from the Certificates
on the accrual basis and Certificateholders may become liable for taxes on Trust
Fund income even if they have not received cash from the Trust Fund to pay  such
taxes.  In addition, because tax allocations and tax reporting will be done on a
uniform  basis  for  all   Certificateholders  but  Certificateholders  may   be
purchasing   Certificates   at  different   times   and  at   different  prices,
Certificateholders may be required to report on their tax returns taxable income
that is greater or less than the amount reported to them by the Trust Fund.
 
     All of  the taxable  income  allocated to  a  Certificateholder that  is  a
pension,  profit sharing  or employee  benefit plan  or other  tax-exempt entity
(including an individual retirement account) will constitute 'unrelated business
taxable income' generally taxable to such a holder under the Code.
 
     An individual taxpayer's  share of  expenses of the  Trust Fund  (including
fees  to the Servicer but not  interest expense) would be miscellaneous itemized
deductions. Such deductions might be disallowed to the individual in whole or in
part and might result  in such holder  being taxed on an  amount of income  that
exceeds  the amount of cash actually distributed to such holder over the life of
the Trust Fund.
 
     The Trust Fund intends to make all tax calculations relating to income  and
allocations  to Certificateholders  on an  aggregate basis.  If the  IRS were to
require that such calculations be made separately for each Loan, the Trust  Fund
might  be required  to incur  additional expense but  it is  believed that there
would not be a material adverse effect on Certificateholders.
 
     Discount and Premium.  It is believed  that the Loans were not issued  with
OID,  and, therefore, the  Trust Fund should  not have OID  income. However, the
purchase price paid by the Trust Fund for the Loans may be greater or less  than
the remaining principal balance of the Loans at the time of purchase. If so, the
Loan  will have been acquired at a premium  or discount, as the case may be. (As
indicated above,  the Trust  Fund will  make this  calculation on  an  aggregate
basis, but might be required to recompute it on a Loan by Loan basis.)
 
     If  the Trust Fund acquires the Loans  at a market discount or premium, the
Trust Fund will elect  to include any  such discount in  income currently as  it
accrues  over  the life  of  the Loans  or to  offset  any such  premium against
interest income  on the  Loans. As  indicated above,  a portion  of such  market
discount income or premium deduction may be allocated to Certificateholders.
 
     Section  708 Termination.   Under Section 708  of the Code,  the Trust Fund
will be deemed to terminate  for federal income tax purposes  if 50% or more  of
the capital and profits interests in the Trust Fund are sold or exchanged within
a  12-month  period.  If such  a  termination  occurs, the  Trust  Fund  will be
considered to distribute its assets to  the partners, who would then be  treated
as recontributing those assets to the Trust Fund as a new partnership. The Trust
Fund  will not comply with certain  technical requirements that might apply when
such a  constructive termination  occurs. As  a result,  the Trust  Fund may  be
subject to certain tax penalties and
 
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may   incur  additional  expenses  if  it  is  required  to  comply  with  those
requirements. Furthermore, the  Trust Fund might  not be able  to comply due  to
lack of data.
 
     Disposition  of  Certificates.   Generally, capital  gain  or loss  will be
recognized on  a sale  of Certificates  in  an amount  equal to  the  difference
between the amount realized and the seller's tax basis in the Certificates sold.
A  Certificateholder's  tax  basis in  a  Certificate will  generally  equal the
holder's cost increased by the holder's  share of Trust Fund income  (includible
in  income) and  decreased by  any distributions  received with  respect to such
Certificate. In addition, both the tax basis in the Certificates and the  amount
realized  on a  sale of a  Certificate would  include the holder's  share of the
Notes and other liabilities of the  Trust Fund. A holder acquiring  Certificates
at  different prices may be required to maintain a single aggregate adjusted tax
basis in such Certificates, and, upon sale  or other disposition of some of  the
Certificates, allocate a portion of such aggregate tax basis to the Certificates
sold  (rather  than maintaining  a separate  tax basis  in each  Certificate for
purposes of computing gain or loss on a sale of that Certificate).
 
     Any gain on the sale of a Certificate attributable to the holder's share of
unrecognized accrued market discount on the Loans would generally be treated  as
ordinary  income to  the holder  and would  give rise  to special  tax reporting
requirements. The Trust Fund does not expect to have any other assets that would
give rise to such special reporting  requirements. Thus, to avoid those  special
reporting  requirements, the Trust Fund will elect to include market discount in
income as it accrues.
 
     If a  Certificateholder is  required to  recognize an  aggregate amount  of
income  (not  including income  attributable  to disallowed  itemized deductions
described above) over the  life of the Certificates  that exceeds the  aggregate
cash distributions with respect thereto, such excess will generally give rise to
a capital loss upon the retirement of the Certificates.
 
     Allocations  Between Transferors  and Transferees.   In  general, the Trust
Fund's taxable income and  losses will be determined  monthly and the tax  items
for a particular calendar month will be apportioned among the Certificateholders
in  proportion to the principal  amount of Certificates owned  by them as of the
close of  the  last  day  of  such month.  As  a  result,  a  holder  purchasing
Certificates may be allocated tax items (which will affect its tax liability and
tax basis) attributable to periods before the actual transaction.
 
     The  use of  such a  monthly convention  may not  be permitted  by existing
regulations. If  a  monthly  convention  is not  allowed  (or  only  applies  to
transfers  of less than all of the partner's interest), taxable income or losses
of the Trust Fund might be  reallocated among the Certificateholders. The  Trust
Fund's  method of allocation between transferors  and transferees may be revised
to conform to a method permitted by future regulations.
 
     Section 754 Election.   In  the event  that a  Certificateholder sells  its
Certificates  at a profit  (loss), the purchasing  Certificateholder will have a
higher (lower) basis in the Certificates than the selling Certificateholder had.
The tax basis of the  Trust Fund's assets will not  be adjusted to reflect  that
higher  (or lower) basis  unless the Trust  Fund were to  file an election under
Section 754 of the Code. In order to avoid the administrative complexities  that
would be involved in keeping accurate accounting records, as well as potentially
onerous  information reporting requirements,  the Trust Fund  will not make such
election. As a result, Certificateholders might be allocated a greater or lesser
amount of  Trust  Fund income  than  would be  appropriate  based on  their  own
purchase price for Certificates.
 
     Administrative Matters.  The Owner Trustee is required to keep or have kept
complete and accurate books of the Trust Fund. Such books will be maintained for
financial  reporting and tax purposes on an accrual basis and the fiscal year of
the Trust Fund will be  the calendar year. The  Trustee will file a  partnership
information  return (IRS Form  1065) with the  IRS for each  taxable year of the
Trust Fund and will report each Certificateholder's allocable share of items  of
Trust  Fund income and expense to holders and the IRS on Schedule K-1. The Trust
Fund will provide the Schedule K-l information to nominees that fail to  provide
the  Trust Fund with the information statement described below and such nominees
will be required  to forward such  information to the  beneficial owners of  the
Certificates.  Generally, holders must file tax returns that are consistent with
the information return filed by the Trust Fund or be subject to penalties unless
the holder notifies the IRS of all such inconsistencies.
 
     Under Section 6031  of the Code,  any person that  holds Certificates as  a
nominee at any time during a calendar year is required to furnish the Trust Fund
with  a statement containing certain information  on the nominee, the beneficial
owners and the  Certificates so held.  Such information includes  (i) the  name,
address and
 
                                       87
 
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<PAGE>
taxpayer  identification number  of the nominee  and (ii) as  to each beneficial
owner (x)  the name,  address  and identification  number  of such  person,  (y)
whether  such person is a United States person, a tax-exempt entity or a foreign
government, an  international  organization,  or  any  wholly  owned  agency  or
instrumentality  of  either of  the foregoing,  and  (z) certain  information on
Certificates that were held, bought or sold on behalf of such person  throughout
the year. In addition, brokers and financial institutions that hold Certificates
through a nominee are required to furnish directly to the Trust Fund information
as  to  themselves  and  their  ownership  of  Certificates.  A  clearing agency
registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act is not required to furnish  any
such  information statement to the Trust Fund. The information referred to above
for any calendar  year must  be furnished  to the Trust  Fund on  or before  the
following  January 31. Nominees, brokers and financial institutions that fail to
provide the Trust Fund  with the information described  above may be subject  to
penalties.
 
     The  Depositor will be designated as the tax matters partner in the related
Trust  Agreement  and,  as  such,  will  be  responsible  for  representing  the
Certificateholders   in  any  dispute  with  the  IRS.  The  Code  provides  for
administrative examination  of  a  partnership  as if  the  partnership  were  a
separate  and  distinct  taxpayer.  Generally, the  statute  of  limitations for
partnership items does not expire before three years after the date on which the
partnership information return is filed. Any adverse determination following  an
audit  of the  return of  the Trust Fund  by the  appropriate taxing authorities
could result in  an adjustment of  the returns of  the Certificateholders,  and,
under   certain  circumstances,  a  Certificateholder   may  be  precluded  from
separately litigating a proposed adjustment to  the items of the Trust Fund.  An
adjustment  could also result  in an audit of  a Certificateholder's returns and
adjustments of items not related to the income and losses of the Trust Fund.
 
     Tax Consequences to Foreign  Certificateholders.  It  is not clear  whether
the  Trust Fund would be considered to be  engaged in a trade or business in the
United States for purposes of federal withholding taxes with respect to non-U.S.
persons because there is no clear authority dealing with that issue under  facts
substantially  similar to  those described herein.  Although it  is not expected
that the Trust Fund would be engaged in a trade or business in the United States
for such purposes,  the Trust Fund  will withhold as  if it were  so engaged  in
order  to protect the Trust Fund from possible adverse consequences of a failure
to withhold. The Trust Fund  expects to withhold on  the portion of its  taxable
income  that is allocable to foreign Certificateholders pursuant to Section 1446
of the Code, as  if such income  were effectively connected to  a U.S. trade  or
business,  at a rate of 35% for foreign holders that are taxable as corporations
and 39.6%  for  all  other  foreign holders.  Subsequent  adoption  of  Treasury
regulations  or the issuance of  other administrative pronouncements may require
the Trust Fund to change its  withholding procedures. In determining a  holder's
withholding status, the Trust Fund may rely on IRS Form W-8, IRS Form W-9 or the
holder's certification of nonforeign status signed under penalties of perjury.
 
     The  term 'U.S. Person' means a citizen or resident of the United States, a
corporation, partnership or other  entity created or organized  in or under  the
laws  of the United  States or any  political subdivision thereof,  or an estate
whose income is subject to U.S. federal  income tax regardless of its source  of
income,  or a  trust if  a court within  the United  States is  able to exercise
primary supervision of the  administration of the trust  and one or more  United
States  fiduciaries have the  authority to control  all substantial decisions of
the trust.
 
     Each foreign  holder  might  be  required to  file  a  U.S.  individual  or
corporate income tax return (including, in the case of a corporation, the branch
profits  tax) on its share of the  Trust Fund's income. Each foreign holder must
obtain a taxpayer identification number from  the IRS and submit that number  to
the Trust Fund on Form W-8 in order to assure appropriate crediting of the taxes
withheld.  A foreign holder generally  would be entitled to  file with the IRS a
claim for refund with  respect to taxes  withheld by the  Trust Fund taking  the
position that no taxes were due because the Trust Fund was not engaged in a U.S.
trade   or  business.  However,  interest  payments   made  (or  accrued)  to  a
Certificateholder  who  is  a  foreign  person  generally  will  be   considered
guaranteed payments to the extent such payments are determined without regard to
the  income  of  the  Trust  Fund.  If  these  interest  payments  are  properly
characterized as guaranteed payments, then  the interest will not be  considered
'portfolio  interest.' As a result, Certificateholders will be subject to United
States federal income tax and  withholding tax at a  rate of 30 percent,  unless
reduced  or eliminated pursuant to an applicable treaty. In such case, a foreign
holder would only be entitled to claim a refund for that portion of the taxes in
excess of  the taxes  that should  be withheld  with respect  to the  guaranteed
payments.
 
     Backup  Withholding.  Distributions  made on the  Certificates and proceeds
from the sale of the Certificates will be subject to a 'backup' withholding  tax
of   31%  if,   in  general,   the  Certificateholder   fails  to   comply  with
 
                                       88
 
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<PAGE>
certain identification  procedures, unless  the holder  is an  exempt  recipient
under applicable provisions of the Code.
 
                            STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     In  addition to the  federal income tax  consequences described in 'Federal
Income Tax  Consequences,' potential  investors should  consider the  state  and
local  income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of
the Securities. State and local income tax law may differ substantially from the
corresponding federal law, and this discussion does not purport to describe  any
aspect  of the income  tax laws of  any state or  locality. Therefore, potential
investors should consult  their own  tax advisors  with respect  to the  various
state and local tax consequences of an investment in the Securities.
 
                              ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The  following describes certain  considerations under ERISA  and the Code,
which apply only to Securities of a Series that are not divided into subclasses.
If Securities are divided into subclasses the related Prospectus Supplement will
contain information concerning  considerations relating  to ERISA  and the  Code
that are applicable to such Securities.
 
     ERISA  imposes 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 in
which such plans, accounts or arrangements are invested) (collectively  'Plans')
subject  to ERISA and on persons who are fiduciaries with respect to such Plans.
Generally, ERISA applies to investments made by Plans. Among other things, ERISA
requires that the  assets of Plans  be held in  trust and that  the trustee,  or
other  duly  authorized fiduciary,  have exclusive  authority and  discretion to
manage and control the assets of  such Plans. ERISA also imposes certain  duties
on  persons who are fiduciaries of Plans.  Under ERISA, any person who exercises
any authority or control respecting the management or disposition of the  assets
of  a Plan  is considered  to be a  fiduciary of  such Plan  (subject to certain
exceptions  not  here  relevant).  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  ERISA
Section  3(33)), are not  subject to ERISA  requirements. Accordingly, assets of
such  plans  may  be  invested  in  Securities  without  regard  to  the   ERISA
considerations   described  above  and  below,  subject  to  the  provisions  of
applicable state law. Any such plan which is qualified and exempt from  taxation
under  Code Sections  401(a) and 501(a),  however, is subject  to the prohibited
transaction rules set forth in Code Section 503.
 
     On November 13,  1986, the United  States Department of  Labor (the  'DOL')
issued  final  regulations concerning  the  definition of  what  constitutes the
assets of a  Plan. (Labor Reg.  Section 2510.3-101) Under  this regulation,  the
underlying assets and properties of corporations, partnerships and certain other
entities  in  which a  Plan makes  an  'equity' investment  could be  deemed for
purposes of ERISA to be assets  of the investing Plan in certain  circumstances.
However, the regulation provides that, generally, the assets of a corporation or
partnership  in which a Plan invests will not be deemed for purposes of ERISA to
be assets of such Plan if the equity interest acquired by the investing Plan  is
a  publicly-offered  security. A  publicly-offered security,  as defined  in the
Labor Reg.  Section  2510.3-101, is  a  security  that is  widely  held,  freely
transferable  and  registered  under the  Securities  Exchange Act  of  1934, as
amended.
 
     In addition to the imposition of general fiduciary standards of  investment
prudence  and  diversification, ERISA  prohibits a  broad range  of transactions
involving Plan  assets  and  persons  ('Parties  in  Interest')  having  certain
specified  relationships  to a  Plan and  imposes additional  prohibitions where
Parties in Interest are fiduciaries with respect to such Plan. Because the Loans
may be deemed Plan assets of each Plan that purchases Securities, an  investment
in  the  Securities by  a Plan  might  be a  prohibited transaction  under ERISA
Sections 406 and 407 and subject to an excise tax under Code Section 4975 unless
a statutory or administrative exemption applies.
 
     In Prohibited  Transaction  Exemption  83-1  ('PTE  83-1'),  which  amended
Prohibited  Transaction Exemption 81-7, the DOL exempted from ERISA's prohibited
transaction rules certain transactions relating to the operation of  residential
mortgage  pool investment trusts and the purchase, sale and holding of 'mortgage
pool pass-through certificates'  in the initial  issuance of such  certificates.
PTE  83-1  permits,  subject  to certain  conditions,  transactions  which might
otherwise be  prohibited between  Plans  and Parties  in Interest  with  respect
 
                                       89
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
to  those  Plans  related to  the  origination, maintenance  and  termination of
mortgage pools consisting of mortgage loans secured by first or second mortgages
or deeds of trust on single-family residential property, and the acquisition and
holding of  certain  mortgage  pool pass-through  certificates  representing  an
interest  in such mortgage pools by  Plans. If the general conditions (discussed
below) of  PTE 83-1  are satisfied,  investments by  a Plan  in Securities  that
represent  interests in a Pool consisting  of Loans ('Single Family Securities')
will be exempt from the prohibitions of ERISA Sections 406(a) and 407  (relating
generally  to transactions with Parties in  Interest who are not fiduciaries) if
the Plan purchases  the Single  Family Securities at  no more  than fair  market
value  and will be exempt from the  prohibitions of ERISA Sections 406(b)(1) and
(2) (relating generally to transactions  with fiduciaries) if, in addition,  the
purchase is approved by an independent fiduciary, no sales commission is paid to
the  pool sponsor, the Plan does not purchase more than 25% of all Single Family
Securities, and at least  50% of all Single  Family Securities are purchased  by
persons  independent of  the pool  sponsor or  pool trustee.  PTE 83-1  does not
provide  an  exemption  for   transactions  involving  Subordinate   Securities.
Accordingly,  unless otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, no
transfer of a Subordinate Security  or a Security which  is not a Single  Family
Security may be made to a Plan.
 
     The  discussion in this  and the next succeeding  paragraph applies only to
Single Family Securities. The Depositor believes that, for purposes of PTE 83-1,
the term  'mortgage  pass-through  certificate' would  include:  (i)  Securities
issued  in a Series  consisting of only  a single class  of Securities; and (ii)
Securities issued  in  a  Series in  which  there  is only  one  class  of  such
Securities;  provided that  the Securities  in the  case of  clause (i),  or the
Securities in the case of clause (ii), evidence the beneficial ownership of both
a specified  percentage of  future interest  payments (greater  than 0%)  and  a
specified  percentage  (greater than  0%) of  future  principal payments  on the
Loans. It  is  not  clear whether  a  class  of Securities  that  evidences  the
beneficial  ownership  in  a Trust  Fund  divided into  Loan  groups, beneficial
ownership of  a specified  percentage  of interest  payments only  or  principal
payments only, or a notional amount of either principal or interest payments, or
a  class of Securities entitled to receive payments of interest and principal on
the Loans  only after  payments to  other  classes or  after the  occurrence  of
certain  specified  events would  be a  'mortgage pass-through  certificate' for
purposes of PTE 83-1.
 
     PTE 83-1 sets forth  three general conditions which  must be satisfied  for
any transaction to be eligible for exemption: (i) the maintenance of a system of
insurance  or  other  protection  for the  pooled  mortgage  loans  and property
securing such loans, and for indemnifying Securityholders against reductions  in
pass-through  payments due to property damage or defaults in loan payments in an
amount not  less than  the greater  of one  percent of  the aggregate  principal
balance  of all covered  pooled mortgage loans  or the principal  balance of the
largest covered pooled mortgage loan; (ii)  the existence of a pool trustee  who
is not an affiliate of the pool sponsor; and (iii) a limitation on the amount of
the  payment retained by the pool sponsor,  together with other funds inuring to
its benefit, to not  more than adequate consideration  for selling the  mortgage
loans  plus reasonable compensation for services provided by the pool sponsor to
the Pool. The Depositor  believes that the first  general condition referred  to
above  will  be satisfied  with respect  to  the Securities  in a  Series issued
without a subordination feature, or the Securities only in a Series issued  with
a  subordination feature, provided  that the subordination  and Reserve Account,
subordination by shifting  of interests,  the pool  insurance or  other form  of
credit   enhancement   described   under  'Credit   Enhancement'   herein  (such
subordination, pool  insurance or  other form  of credit  enhancement being  the
system  of insurance or  other protection referred  to above) with  respect to a
Series of Securities is maintained in an amount not less than the greater of one
percent of the aggregate principal balance of the Loans or the principal balance
of the largest Loan. See 'Description of the Securities' herein. In the  absence
of  a ruling that the system of insurance  or other protection with respect to a
Series of Securities satisfies  the first general  condition referred to  above,
there  can be no assurance that these features will be so viewed by the DOL. The
Trustee will not be affiliated with the Depositor.
 
     Each Plan fiduciary who is responsible for making the investment  decisions
whether  to purchase or commit to purchase  and to hold Single Family Securities
must make  its own  determination as  to  whether the  first and  third  general
conditions,  and  the specific  conditions  described briefly  in  the preceding
paragraph, of PTE 83-1  have been satisfied,  or as to  the availability of  any
other  prohibited  transaction  exemptions.  Each  Plan  fiduciary  should  also
determine whether, under the general fiduciary standards of investment  prudence
and  diversification, an  investment in  the Securities  is appropriate  for the
Plan, taking into  account the  overall investment policy  of the  Plan and  the
composition of the Plan's investment portfolio.
 
                                       90
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     The  DOL  has  granted to  certain  underwriters  individual administrative
exemptions  (the  'Underwriter  Exemptions')  from  certain  of  the  prohibited
transaction rules of ERISA and the related excise tax provisions of Section 4975
of the Code with respect to the initial purchase, the holding and the subsequent
resale  by Plans of certificates in  pass-through trusts that consist of certain
receivables,  loans  and  other  obligations   that  meet  the  conditions   and
requirements of the Underwriter Exemptions.
 
     While  each  underwriter Exemption  is  an individual  exemption separately
granted to  a specific  underwriter, the  terms and  conditions which  generally
apply to the Underwriter Exemptions are substantially the following:
 
          (1)  the  acquisition  of  the  certificates by  a  Plan  is  on terms
     (including the price for the certificates)  that are at least as  favorable
     to  the  Plan as  they  would be  in  an arm's-length  transaction  with an
     unrelated party;
 
          (2) the rights and interest evidenced by the certificates acquired  by
     the  Plan are  not subordinated  to the  rights and  interests evidenced by
     other certificates of the trust fund;
 
          (3) the certificates required  by the Plan have  received a rating  at
     the  time of  such acquisition  that is  one of  the three  highest generic
     rating categories from Standard & Poor's  Ratings Group, a Division of  The
     McGraw-Hill Companies ('S&P'), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ('Moody's'),
     Duff  & Phelps Credit  Rating Co. ('DCR') or  Fitch Investors Service, Inc.
     ('Fitch');
 
          (4) the trustee must not  be an affiliate of  any other member of  the
     Restricted Group as defined below;
 
          (5)  the sum of all payments made  to and retained by the underwriters
     in connection with the distribution of the certificates represents not more
     than reasonable compensation for underwriting the certificates; the sum  of
     all  payments made to and retained by the seller pursuant to the assignment
     of the loans to  the trust fund  represents not more  than the fair  market
     value  of such loans; the  sum of all payments made  to and retained by the
     servicer and  any  other  servicer  represents  not  more  than  reasonable
     compensation  for such  person's services  under the  agreement pursuant to
     which the loans are pooled  and reimbursements of such person's  reasonable
     expenses in connection therewith; and
 
          (6) the Plan investing in the certificates is an 'accredited investor'
     as defined in Rule 501(a)(1) of Regulation D of the Securities and Exchange
     Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended.
 
     The trust fund must also meet the following requirements:
 
<TABLE>
        <C>     <S>
           (i)  the  corpus of the trust fund must  consist solely of assets of the  type that have been included in
                other investment pools;
          (ii)  certificates in such other investment pools must have been rated in one of the three highest  rating
                categories  of S&P, Moody's, Fitch or  DCR for at least one year  prior to the Plan's acquisition of
                certificates; and
         (iii)  certificates evidencing  interests  in such  other  investment pools  must  have been  purchased  by
                investors other than Plans for at least one year prior to any Plan's acquisition of certificates.
</TABLE>
 
     Moreover,  the Underwriter Exemptions generally provide relief from certain
self-dealing/conflict of interest  prohibited transactions that  may occur  when
the  Plan fiduciary causes a Plan to acquire certificates in a trust as to which
the fiduciary (or its affiliate)  is an obligor on  the receivables held in  the
trust provided that, among other requirements: (i) in the case of an acquisition
in  connection with the initial issuance of certificates, at least fifty percent
(50%) of each class of certificates in which Plans have invested is acquired  by
persons  independent  of  the  Restricted Group,  (ii)  such  fiduciary  (or its
affiliate) is an obligor with respect to  five percent (5%) or less of the  fair
market  value  of  the obligations  contained  in  the trust;  (iii)  the Plan's
investment in  certificates of  any class  does not  exceed twenty-five  percent
(25%)  of all of the  certificates of that class outstanding  at the time of the
acquisition;  and  (iv)  immediately  after   the  acquisition,  no  more   than
twenty-five  percent (25%) of the assets of  the Plan with respect to which such
person is a fiduciary  is invested in certificates  representing an interest  in
one  or more trusts containing  assets sold or serviced  by the same entity. The
Underwriter Exemptions  do not  apply  to Plans  sponsored  by the  Seller,  the
related  Underwriter, the Trustee, the Master Servicer, any insurer with respect
to the Loans,  any obligor  with respect  to Loans  included in  the Trust  Fund
constituting  more than five percent (5%) of the aggregate unamortized principal
balance of the assets in the Trust  Fund, or any affiliate of such parties  (the
'Restricted Group').
 
     The  Prospectus Supplement for each Series  of Securities will indicate the
classes of Securities, if any, offered thereby  as to which it is expected  that
an Underwriter Exemption will apply.
 
                                       91
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
     The  Underwriter  Exemption contains  several  requirements, some  of which
differ from those in  PTE 83-l. The Underwriter  Exemption contains an  expanded
definition of 'certificate' which includes an interest which entitles the holder
to  pass-through  payments of  principal,  interest and/or  other  payments. The
Underwriter Exemption contains an expanded  definition of 'trust' which  permits
the  trust corpus to consist of  secured consumer receivables. The definition of
'trust', however, does not include any  investment pool unless, inter alia,  (i)
the investment pool consists only of assets of the type which have been included
in  other investment pools, (ii) certificates evidencing interests in such other
investment pools have been purchased by investors other than Plans for at  least
one  year  prior  to the  Plan's  acquisition  of certificates  pursuant  to the
Underwriter Exemption, and  (iii) certificates  in such  other investment  pools
have  been rated in  one of the  three highest generic  rating categories of the
four credit rating  agencies noted below.  Generally, the Underwriter  Exemption
holds  that  the acquisition  of the  certificates by  a Plan  must be  on terms
(including the price for the certificates) that are at least as favorable to the
Plan as they would be  in an arm's length  transaction with an unrelated  party.
The  Underwriter Exemption requires  that the rights  and interests evidenced by
the certificates not be 'subordinated' to the rights and interests evidenced  by
other  certificates of the  same trust. The  Underwriter Exemption requires that
certificates acquired by  a Plan have  received a  rating at the  time of  their
acquisition  that is in  one of the  three highest generic  rating categories of
S&P, Moody's, Fitch or  DCR. The Underwriter Exemption  specifies that the  pool
trustee  must not be an  affiliate of the pool sponsor,  nor an affiliate of the
Underwriter, the  pool servicer,  any  obligor with  respect to  mortgage  loans
included  in  the trust  constituting more  than five  percent of  the aggregate
unamortized principal balance of  the assets in the  trust, or any affiliate  of
such  entities.  Finally, the  Underwriter  Exemption stipulates  that  any Plan
investing in the  certificates must be  an 'accredited investor'  as defined  in
Rule  501(a)(1) of Regulation D of  the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the Securities Act of 1933.
 
     Any Plan fiduciary which  proposes to cause a  Plan to purchase  Securities
should  consult with their counsel concerning the  impact of ERISA and the Code,
the applicability of PTE 83-1 and  the Underwriter Exemption, and the  potential
consequences  in their specific circumstances,  prior to making such investment.
Moreover, each  Plan  fiduciary  should  determine  whether  under  the  general
fiduciary standards of investment procedure and diversification an investment in
the  Securities is  appropriate for  the Plan,  taking into  account the overall
investment policy  of the  Plan and  the composition  of the  Plan's  investment
portfolio.
 
                                LEGAL INVESTMENT
 
     The Prospectus Supplement for each series of Securities will specify which,
if  any,  of  the classes  of  Securities offered  thereby  constitute 'mortgage
related securities' for  purposes of the  Secondary Mortgage Market  Enhancement
Act  of 1984 ('SMMEA'). Classes of  Securities that qualify as 'mortgage related
securities'  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
(including  the  District  of  Columbia   and  Puerto  Rico)  whose   authorized
investments  are  subject to  state  regulations to  the  same extent  as, under
applicable law, obligations issued by or guaranteed as to principal and interest
by the  United States  or any  such entities.  Under SMMEA,  if a  state  enacts
legislation  prior to October 4, 1991 specifically limiting the legal investment
authority of any such  entities with respect  to 'mortgage related  securities',
securities  will  constitute  legal  investments for  entities  subject  to such
legislation only to the extent provided therein. Approximately twenty-one states
adopted such legislation prior to the October 4, 1991 deadline. 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
securities,  or require the sale or other  disposition of securities, so long as
such contractual commitment was made or  such securities were 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  in Securities
without limitations as to  the percentage of  their assets represented  thereby,
federal  credit unions may  invest in mortgage  related securities, and national
banks may  purchase 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
authority may prescribe. In this connection, federal credit unions should review
the  National Credit Union  Administration ('NCUA') Letter  to Credit Unions No.
96, as modified by Letter to Credit Unions No. 108, which includes guidelines to
assist federal credit unions in making investment decisions for mortgage related
securities   and    the    NCUA's    regulation    'Investment    and    Deposit
 
                                       92
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
Activities'  (12  C.F.R. Part  703), which  sets  forth certain  restrictions on
investment by federal credit unions in mortgage related securities (in each case
whether or  not  the  class  of  Securities  under  consideration  for  purchase
constituted a 'mortgage related security').
 
     All  depository institutions  considering an  investment in  the Securities
(whether or  not  the  class  of Securities  under  consideration  for  purchase
constitutes  a 'mortgage related security')  should review the Federal Financial
Institutions  Examination  Council's   Supervisory  Policy   Statement  on   the
Securities  Activities (to  the extent  adopted by  their respective regulators)
(the 'Policy Statement')  setting forth,  in relevant  part, certain  securities
trading  and sales practices  deemed unsuitable for  an institution's investment
portfolio, and  guidelines  for  (and restrictions  on)  investing  in  mortgage
derivative   products,  including  'mortgage   related  securities',  which  are
'high-risk mortgage securities' as defined in the Policy Statement. According to
the Policy Statement,  such 'high-risk mortgage  securities' include  securities
such  as  Securities not  entitled to  distributions  allocated to  principal or
interest, or  Subordinated Securities.  Under the  Policy Statement,  it is  the
responsibility  of each depository  institution to determine,  prior to purchase
(and at stated intervals thereafter),  whether a particular mortgage  derivative
product  is  a  'high-risk  mortgage security',  and  whether  the  purchase (or
retention) of such a product would be consistent with the Policy Statement.
 
     The foregoing  does  not  take  into  consideration  the  applicability  of
statutes,   rules,  regulations,  orders   guidelines  or  agreements  generally
governing investments made by a particular investor, including, but not  limited
to  'prudent investor' provisions  which may restrict  or prohibit investment in
securities which are not 'interest bearing' or 'income paying'.
 
     There may  be  other restrictions  on  the ability  of  certain  investors,
including  depository institutions, either to purchase Securities or to purchase
Securities representing  more  than a  specified  percentage of  the  investor's
assets. Investors should consult their own legal advisors in determining whether
and  to  what  extent  the  Securities  constitute  legal  investments  for such
investors.
 
                             METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     Securities are  being offered  hereby in  Series from  time to  time  (each
Series  evidencing or  relating to  a separate  Trust Fund)  through any  of the
following methods:
 
          1. By negotiated firm commitment underwriting and public reoffering by
     underwriters;
 
          2. By agency placements through one or more placement agents primarily
     with institutional investors and dealers; and
 
          3.  By  placement  directly   by  the  Depositor  with   institutional
     investors.
 
     A  Prospectus  Supplement  will  be prepared  for  each  Series  which will
describe the method of offering  being used for that  Series and will set  forth
the  identity of  any underwriters  thereof and either  the price  at which such
Series is being offered, the nature and amount of any underwriting discounts  or
additional compensation to such underwriters and the proceeds of the offering to
the  Depositor, or the method by which  the price at which the underwriters will
sell the  Securities  will be  determined.  Each Prospectus  Supplement  for  an
underwritten  offering will also contain information regarding the nature of the
underwriters' obligations, any material  relationship between the Depositor  and
any  underwriter and, where appropriate,  information regarding any discounts or
concessions to be allowed or reallowed to dealers or others and any arrangements
to stabilize  the market  for  the Securities  so  offered. In  firm  commitment
underwritten  offerings, the underwriters  will be obligated  to purchase all of
the Securities of such Series if  any such Securities are purchased.  Securities
may  be acquired by  the underwriters for  their own accounts  and may be resold
from  time  to  time   in  one  or   more  transactions,  including   negotiated
transactions,  at a fixed public offering  price or at varying prices determined
at the time of sale.
 
     Underwriters and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into  with
the  Depositor  to  indemnification  by  the  Depositor  against  certain  civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or to contribution with  respect to payments which  such underwriters or  agents
may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
     If  a Series  is offered  other than  through underwriters,  the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto  will contain  information regarding  the nature  of
such  offering and any agreements  to be entered into  between the Depositor and
purchasers of Securities of such Series.
 
                                       93
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the  Securities of each  Series, including certain  federal
income  tax  consequences with  respect  thereto, will  be  passed upon  for the
Depositor by Brown & Wood LLP, One World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
 
                             FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     A new Trust Fund will be formed  with respect to each Series of  Securities
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  Securities.
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 the Securities of each Series  offered
hereby  and by the Prospectus Supplement that  they shall have been rated in one
of the four highest rating  categories by the nationally recognized  statistical
rating  agency or  agencies (each, a  'Rating Agency') specified  in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Any such rating would be based on, among other things, the adequacy of  the
value  of the Trust Fund Assets and  any credit enhancement with respect to such
class and will reflect such Rating Agency's assessment solely of the  likelihood
that  holders of a  class of Securities  of such class  will receive payments to
which such Securityholders are entitled under the related Agreement. Such rating
will not constitute an assessment  of the likelihood that principal  prepayments
on  the  related Loans  will  be made,  the  degree to  which  the rate  of such
prepayments might differ from that  originally anticipated or the likelihood  of
early  optional termination of the Series  of Securities. Such rating should not
be deemed a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell Securities, inasmuch as  it
does  not address  market price or  suitability for a  particular investor. Each
security rating should be evaluated independently of any other security  rating.
Such  rating will not address the possibility that prepayment at higher or lower
rates than anticipated by  an investor may cause  such investor to experience  a
lower  than anticipated  yield or  that an investor  purchasing a  Security at a
significant premium might fail  to recoup its  initial investment under  certain
prepayment scenarios.
 
     There  is also no assurance that any  such rating will remain in effect for
any given period of time or that it may not be lowered or withdrawn entirely  by
the  Rating Agency in the future if  in its judgment circumstances in the future
so warrant. In addition to being lowered or withdrawn due to any erosion in  the
adequacy  of the value of  the Trust Fund Assets  or any credit enhancement with
respect to a Series, such rating might also be lowered or withdrawn among  other
reasons,  because of an adverse change in  the financial or other condition of a
credit enhancement provider or a change in the rating of such credit enhancement
provider's long term debt.
 
     The amount, type and nature of credit enhancement, if any, established with
respect to a Series of  Securities will be determined  on the basis of  criteria
established  by each Rating Agency rating  classes of such Series. Such criteria
are sometimes based upon an actuarial analysis of the behavior of mortgage loans
in a larger  group. Such  analysis is  often the  basis upon  which each  Rating
Agency determines the amount of credit enhancement required with respect to each
such  class. There can be  no assurance that the  historical data supporting any
such actuarial  analysis  will  accurately reflect  future  experience  nor  any
assurance  that the data derived from a  large pool of mortgage loans accurately
predicts the delinquency, foreclosure or loss experience of any particular  pool
of  Loans. No assurance can be given that values of any Properties have remained
or will remain at  their levels on  the respective dates  of origination of  the
related  Loans.  If the  residential real  estate  markets should  experience an
overall decline in property values such that the outstanding principal  balances
of  the Loans  in a  particular Trust  Fund and  any secondary  financing on the
related Properties become equal to or greater than the value of the  Properties,
the  rates of delinquencies, foreclosures and  losses could be higher than those
now generally  experienced  in the  mortgage  lending industry.  In  additional,
adverse  economic conditions (which may or  may not affect real property values)
may affect the timely payment by  mortgagors of scheduled payments of  principal
and  interest  on  the  Loans  and,  accordingly,  the  rates  of delinquencies,
foreclosures and losses with respect to any Trust Fund. To the extent that  such
losses  are not  covered by  credit enhancement, such  losses will  be borne, at
least in part, by the  holders of one or more  classes of the Securities of  the
related Series.
 
                                       94

<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                             INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   TERM                        PAGE
- ------------------------------------------   ---------
<S>                                          <C>
Accretion Directed........................          32
Accrual...................................          33
Accrual Securities........................          29
Advance...................................          10
Agreement.................................          20
Amortizable Bond Premium Regulations......          75
APR.......................................          23
Available Funds...........................          29
Balloon payment...........................          22
Belgian Cooperative.......................          38
BIF.......................................          48
Book-Entry Securities.....................          36
Buydown Fund..............................          22
Buydown Loans.............................          22
Calculation Agent.........................          33
Cash Flow Bond Method.....................          81
CEDEL Participants........................          37
CERCLA....................................      16, 61
Certificates..............................    1, 5, 20
Capitalized Interest Account..............          49
Claimable Amount..........................          70
Class Security Balance....................          29
Closed-End Loans..........................           5
Code......................................      11, 71
COFI Securities...........................          35
Collateral Value..........................          23
Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio..............          23
Commission................................           3
Component Securities......................          32
Contingent Regulations....................          73
Cooperative Loans.........................          21
Cooperatives..............................          21
Cut-off Date..............................       5, 20
Cut-off Date Principal Balance............          27
DCR.......................................          91
Debt Securities...........................          71
Definitive Security.......................          36
Depositor.................................       1, 24
Detailed Description......................          21
Distribution Date.........................           6
DOL.......................................          89
DTC.......................................      18, 36
Eleventh District.........................          34
EPA.......................................          61
ERISA.....................................          12
Euroclear Operator........................          38
Euroclear Participants....................          38
European Depositaries.....................          36
Exchange Act..............................           3
FDIC......................................          25
FHA.......................................           9
 
<CAPTION>
                   TERM                        PAGE
- ------------------------------------------   ---------
<S>                                          <C>
FHLBSF....................................          34
FHLMC.....................................          25
Financial Intermediary....................          36
Fitch.....................................          91
Fixed Rate................................          33
Floating Rate.............................          33
FNMA......................................          25
Foreign person............................          84
Funding Period............................          18
Garn-St Germain Act.......................          63
Holder in Due Course Rules................          17
Home Equity Loans.........................        1, 5
Home Improvement Contracts................        1, 5
Home Improvements.........................           1
Indenture.................................          27
Installment Contract......................          65
Insurance Proceeds........................          48
Insured Expenses..........................          48
Interest Only.............................          33
Interest Weighted Securities..............          74
Inverse Floating Rate.....................          33
IRS.......................................          73
L/C Bank..................................       8, 40
L/C Percentage............................       9, 40
Liquidation Expenses......................          48
Liquidation Proceeds......................          48
Loan Rate.................................       7, 21
Loans.....................................           1
Loan-to-Value Ratio.......................          23
Lockout periods...........................          22
Master Servicer...........................           5
Master Servicing Agreement................          20
Master Servicing Fee......................          53
Moody's...................................      41, 91
Morgan....................................          38
Mortgage..................................          46
Mortgage Loan.............................           5
Mortgaged Properties......................          22
National Cost of Funds Index..............          35
NCUA......................................          92
Nonresidents..............................          82
Notes.....................................    1, 5, 20
Notional Amount Securities................          32
OID.......................................      11, 71
OID Regulations...........................          72
OTS.......................................          35
PACs......................................          32
Partial Accrual...........................          33
Parties in Interest.......................          89
Pass-Through Rate.........................       7, 20
Pass-Through Securities...................          80
Pay-Through Security......................          73
</TABLE>
 
                                       95
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   TERM                        PAGE
- ------------------------------------------   ---------
Percentage Interests......................          55
<S>                                          <C>
Permitted Investments.....................          41
Planned Principal Class...................          32
Plans.....................................          89
Policy Statement..........................          93
Pool......................................       5, 20
Pool Insurance Policy.....................          42
Pool Insurer..............................          42
Pooling and Servicing Agreement...........          27
Pre-Funded Amount.........................          18
Pre-Funding Account.......................       5, 18
Prepayment Assumption.....................          73
Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy.........          22
Prime Rate................................          36
Principal Only............................          33
Principal Prepayments.....................          30
Properties................................       6, 22
Property Improvement Loans................          67
Proposed Mark-to-Market Regulations.......          79
PTE 83-1..................................          89
Purchase Price............................          26
Rating Agency.............................          94
Ratio Strip Securities....................          81
RCRA......................................          62
Record Date...............................          28
Reference Banks...........................          33
Refinance Loan............................          23
Regular Interest Securities...............          71
Relevant Depositary.......................          36
Relief Act................................          66
REMIC.....................................       2, 71
Reserve Account...........................       8, 28
Reserve Interest Rate.....................          34
Residual Interest Security................          77
Restricted Group..........................          91
Retained Interest.........................          27
Revolving Credit Line Loans...............           5
Riegle Act................................          17
Rules.....................................          37
S&P.......................................          91
SAIF......................................          48
<CAPTION>
                   TERM                        PAGE
- ------------------------------------------   ---------
<S>                                          <C>
Scheduled Principal Class.................          32
Securities................................    1, 5, 20
Security Account..........................          47
Security Owners...........................          36
Security Register.........................          28
Securityholders...........................          36
Seller....................................           1
Sellers...................................          20
Senior Securities.........................       6, 39
Sequential Pay............................          32
Series....................................           1
Servicing Fee.............................          80
Short-Term Note...........................          84
Single Family Properties..................          22
Single Family Securities..................          90
SMMEA.....................................      11, 92
Strip.....................................          32
Stripped Securities.......................          80
Sub-Servicer..............................      10, 20
Sub-Servicing Agreement...................          50
Subordinated Securities...................           6
Subsequent Loans..........................          18
Support Class.............................          32
TACs......................................          33
Targeted Principal Class..................          33
Terms and Conditions......................          38
TIN.......................................          82
Title I Loans.............................          67
Title I Program...........................          67
Title V...................................      64, 65
Trust Agreement...........................      20, 27
Trust Fund................................       1, 20
Trust Fund Assets.........................    1, 5, 20
Trustee...................................       5, 27
UCC.......................................          61
Underwriter Exemptions....................          91
U.S. Person...............................          88
VA........................................           9
VA Guaranty...............................          53
Variable Rate.............................          33
</TABLE>
 
                                       96
 
<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
                      [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

<PAGE>
 

<PAGE>
________________________________________________________________________________
 
     NO  DEALER,  SALESMAN  OR OTHER  PERSON  HAS  BEEN AUTHORIZED  TO  GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR  TO MAKE  ANY REPRESENTATIONS  IN CONNECTION  WITH THIS  OFFERING
OTHER  THAN THOSE CONTAINED  IN THIS PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,  SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST  NOT
BE  RELIED UPON  AS HAVING BEEN  AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT AND THE
PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO  SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER  TO
BUY  ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN  ANY STATE TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT
IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH  OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN  SUCH STATE. THE DELIVERY  OF
THIS  PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE  PROSPECTUS AT ANY TIME  DOES NOT IMPLY THAT
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT
TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                         ------------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                              PAGE
                                                                                                                              ----
<S>                                                                                                                           <C>
                                                      PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Summary of Terms...........................................................................................................   S-5
Risk Factors...............................................................................................................   S-12
The Mortgage Pool..........................................................................................................   S-15
Servicing of the Mortgage Loans............................................................................................   S-23
Description of the Certificates............................................................................................   S-27
Yield, Prepayment and Maturity Considerations..............................................................................   S-47
Use of Proceeds............................................................................................................   S-58
Federal Income Tax Consequences............................................................................................   S-58
State Taxes................................................................................................................   S-59
ERISA Considerations.......................................................................................................   S-59
Method of Distribution.....................................................................................................   S-61
Legal Matters..............................................................................................................   S-61
Ratings....................................................................................................................   S-62
Experts....................................................................................................................   S-62
Index of Defined Terms.....................................................................................................   S-63
Annex I....................................................................................................................   A-1
                                                            PROSPECTUS
Prospectus Supplement or Current Report on Form 8-K........................................................................     3
Available Information......................................................................................................     3
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................................................................     3
Reports to Securityholders.................................................................................................     4
Summary of Terms...........................................................................................................     5
Risk Factors...............................................................................................................    14
The Trust Fund.............................................................................................................    20
Use of Proceeds............................................................................................................    24
The Depositor..............................................................................................................    24
Loan Program...............................................................................................................    24
Description of the Securities..............................................................................................    27
Credit Enhancement.........................................................................................................    39
Yield and Prepayment Considerations........................................................................................    44
The Agreements.............................................................................................................    46
Certain Legal Aspects of the Loans.........................................................................................    58
Federal Income Tax Consequences............................................................................................    71
State Tax Considerations...................................................................................................    89
ERISA Considerations.......................................................................................................    89
Legal Investment...........................................................................................................    92
Method of Distribution.....................................................................................................    93
Legal Matters..............................................................................................................    94
Financial Information......................................................................................................    94
Rating.....................................................................................................................    94
Index of Defined Terms.....................................................................................................    95
</TABLE>
 
                                  CWABS, INC.
                                   DEPOSITOR
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                           SELLER AND MASTER SERVICER
 
                             $173,000,000 CLASS A-1
                             $ 40,700,000 CLASS A-2
                             $ 35,000,000 CLASS A-3
                             $ 14,677,000 CLASS A-4
                             $ 15,623,000 CLASS A-5
                           ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES,
                                 SERIES 1997-1
 
                      ------------------------------------
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
                      ------------------------------------
 
                       PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
                       COUNTRYWIDE SECURITIES CORPORATION
 
                               February 24, 1997
 
________________________________________________________________________________
 
 


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