FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 1996-3
8-K, 1996-10-02
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Form 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
                               September 17, 1996

                    First Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                                                 APPLICATION
           New York                    33-99604-02                 PENDING
(State or Other Jurisdiction of      (Commission File         (I.R.S. Employer
        Incorporation)                   Number)             Identification No.)
                                  
                      c/o The Bank of New York
                          101 Barclay Street
                          New York, New York                       10286
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices)          (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (212) 815-2297

                                    No Change
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

Item 2.   Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

Description of the Certificates and the Mortgage Loans

     First Alliance Mortgage Company registered  issuances of up to $580,000,000
principal  amount of Mortgage  Loan Asset  Backed  Certificates  on a delayed or
continuous  basis  pursuant  to Rule 415 under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as
amended (the "Act"), by a Registration  Statement on Form S-3 (Registration File
No.  33-99604)  (as  amended,  the  "Registration  Statement").  Pursuant to the
Registration   Statement,   First  Alliance  Mortgage  Loan  Trust  1996-3  (the
"Registrant" or the "Trust") issued $70,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of
its   Mortgaged   Loan   Asset   Backed   Certificates,   Series   1996-3   (the
"Certificates"), on September 17, 1996. This Current Report on Form 8-K is being
filed to satisfy an undertaking to file copies of certain agreements executed in
connection with the issuance of the Certificates,  the forms of which were filed
as Exhibits to the Registration Statement.

     The Certificates were issued pursuant to a Pooling and Servicing  Agreement
(the "Pooling and Servicing Agreement") attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1, dated as
of September 1, 1996,  between First Alliance  Mortgage Company (the "Company"),
and in its capacity as servicer  (the  "Servicer")  and The Bank of New York, in
its  capacity as trustee  (the  "Trustee").  The  Certificates  consist of three
classes,  the Class A-1 and Class A-2 Certificates  (the "Class A Certificates")
and the Class R Certificates (the "Class R Certificates"  and, together with the
Class A Certificates,  the  "Certificates").  Only the Class A Certificates were
issued  pursuant  to the  Registration  Statement.  The  Certificates  initially
evidence, in the aggregate, 100% of the undivided beneficial ownership interests
in the Trust.

     The assets of the Trust initially will include two pools (each, a "Mortgage
Loan Group") of closed-end  mortgage  loans (the  "Mortgage  Loans")  secured by
mortgages or deeds of trust on one-to-four  family residential  properties.  The
Class A-1 Fixed Rate Group Certificates  represent undivided ownership interests
in a pool of fixed rate Mortgage  Loans secured by mortgages  that may be either
in a first or in a junior  lien  position.  The Class A-2  Variable  Rate  Group
Certificates  represent undivided ownership interests in a pool of variable rate
Mortgage Loans secured by mortgages in a first lien position.

     Interest  distributions  on the  Class  A  Certificates  are  based  on the
Certificate Principal Balance thereof and the then applicable  Pass-Through Rate
thereof. The Pass-Through Rate for the Class A-1 Certificates will be 7.625% per
annum. The Pass-Through Rate for the Class A-2 Certificates  adjusts monthly and
with respect to the first Payment Date will be 5.800% per annum.

     The  Class  A-1  Certificates   have  an  aggregate   principal  amount  of
$33,500,000.  The Class A-2 Certificates  have an aggregate  principal amount of
$36,500,000.

     As of the Closing Date,  the Mortgage Loans  possessed the  characteristics
described  in the  Prospectus  dated  September  10,  1996  and  the  Prospectus
Supplement dated September 10, 1996, filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) of the Act
on September 17, 1996.


<PAGE>

Item 7.   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

(a)  Not applicable

(b)  Not applicable

(c)  Exhibits:

     1.1  Underwriting  Agreement,  dated  September  10,  1996,  between  First
Alliance Mortgage Company and Prudential Securities Incorporated.

     4.1  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement,  dated as of  September  1,  1996,
among First Alliance Mortgage Company, as Company and Servicer,  and The Bank of
New York, as Trustee.

     8.1  Opinion of Arter & Hadden with respect to tax matters.

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                            By:   FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY, as
                                    Company

                                    By: /s/Brian Chisick
                                       --------------------
                                       Name: Brian Chisick
                                       Title: President

Dated:  October 1, 1996



                         FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY

                                       AND

                       PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                       FOR

                    FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 1996-3

                    MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES,

                 7.625% CLASS A-1 FIXED RATE GROUP CERTIFICATES
                   CLASS A-2 VARIABLE RATE GROUP CERTIFICATES


September 10, 1996


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 1

                                                              September 10, 1996

First Alliance Mortgage Company
17305 Von Karman Avenue
Irvine, California 92714

     First Alliance  Mortgage  Company (the  "Company" or the "Sponsor")  hereby
confirms its agreement to sell certain  mortgage loan asset backed  certificates
to Prudential  Securities  Incorporated (the  "Underwriter") as described herein
relating to the First  Alliance  Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3 (the  "Trust").  The
certificates, together with certain subordinate certificates to be issued by the
Trust, will evidence in the aggregate the entire beneficial  interest in a trust
estate (the "Trust  Estate")  consisting of two segregated  pools (the "Mortgage
Pools") of closed-end  mortgage  loans (the "Initial  Mortgage  Loans") and such
amounts as may be held by the Trustee in the Pre-Funding  Account  ("Pre-Funding
Account"), the Capitalized Interest Account (the "Capitalized Interest Account")
and any other accounts held by the Trustee for the Trust.  The Initial  Mortgage
Loans shall have, as of the close of business on September 1, 1996 (the "Cut-off
Date"), an aggregate  principal balance of $52,783,765.20.  The certificates are
to be issued under a pooling and  servicing  agreement  dated as of September 1,
1996  (the  "Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement"),  among  the  Company,  in its
individual  capacity and in its capacity as servicer  (the  "Servicer")  and The
Bank of New York,  in its  capacity as trustee (the  "Trustee").  On the Closing
Date, approximately  $17,300,000 will be deposited in the name of the Trustee in
the Pre-Funding  Account from the sale of the Certificates.  It is intended that
additional  Mortgage Loans satisfying the criteria  specified in the Pooling and
Servicing  Agreement (the "Subsequent  Mortgage Loans") will be purchased by the
Trust for  inclusion  in both Group I and Group II from the Company from time to
time on or before  September  30, 1996 from funds on deposit in the  Pre-Funding
Account  at the time of  execution  and  delivery  of each  Subsequent  Transfer
Agreement  ("Subsequent Transfer Agreement").  Funds in the Capitalized Interest
Account will be applied by the Trustee to cover  shortfalls  in interest  during
the Funding Period.

     On or prior to the date of issuance of the Certificates (as defined below),
the  Company  will  obtain two  certificate  guaranty  insurance  policies  (the
"Policies")  issued by MBIA Insurance  Corporation  (the  "Insurer")  which will
unconditionally and irrevocably  guarantee to the Trustee for the benefit of the
holders of the Class A-1 Certificates  and the Class A-2  Certificates  full and
complete  payment of all amounts payable on the Class A-1  Certificates  and the
Class A-2  Certificates.  All capitalized  terms used but not otherwise  defined
herein  have the  respective  meanings  set  forth in the  form of  Pooling  and
Servicing Agreement heretofore delivered to the Underwriter.

     1. Securities. The certificates will be issued in classes as follows: (i) a
senior class with respect to each  Mortgage  Loan Group  consisting of the Class
A-1 Fixed Rate Group  Certificates,  the "Class A-1 Certificates") and the Class
A-2  Variable  Rate  Group   Certificates  the  "Class  A-2   Certificates"  and

<PAGE>


First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 2


(collectively  with the Class A-1 Certificates,  the "Class A Certificates") and
(ii) a residual class (the "Class R Certificates"). The Class A Certificates and
the Class R Certificates are hereinafter referred to as the "Certificates."

     2.  Representations  and Warranties of the Company.  The Company represents
and warrants to, and covenants with, the Underwriter that:

     A. The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission  (the
"Commission"),  a  registration  statement  (No.  33-99604)  on Form S-3 for the
registration  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended  (the  "Act"),  of
Mortgage  Asset Backed  Certificates  (issuable in series),  which  registration
statement,   as  amended  at  the  date  hereof,  has  become  effective.   Such
registration  statement,  as  amended to the date of this  Agreement,  meets the
requirements set forth in Rule 415(a)(1)(vii)  under the Act and complies in all
other material  respects with such Rule.  The Company  proposes to file with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) under the Act a supplement dated September
10, 1996 to the prospectus dated September 10, 1996 relating to the Certificates
and  the  method  of  distribution   thereof  and  has  previously  advised  the
Underwriter of all further information (financial and other) with respect to the
Certificates to be set forth therein. Such registration statement, including the
exhibits  thereto,  as amended at the date  hereof,  is  hereinafter  called the
"Registration Statement";  such prospectus dated September 10, 1996, in the form
in which it will be filed with the Commission  pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)  under
the Act is hereinafter  called the "Basic  Prospectus";  such  supplement  dated
September  10,  1996 to the  Basic  Prospectus,  in the form in which it will be
filed with the Commission  pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) of the Act, is hereinafter
called the "Prospectus Supplement";  and the Basic Prospectus and the Prospectus
Supplement  together are hereinafter  called the  "Prospectus." The Company will
file with the Commission (i) promptly after receipt from the  Underwriter of any
computational  information  relating  to  the  Class  A  Certificates  as is not
contained  in  the  Prospectus  (the  "Computational   Materials")  a  Form  8-K
incorporating such  Computational  Materials and (ii) within fifteen days of the
issuance  of the  Certificates  a report  on Form  8-K  setting  forth  specific
information concerning the related Mortgage Loans (the "8-K").

     B. As of the date hereof, when the Registration Statement became effective,
when the Prospectus  Supplement is first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)  under
the Act, and at the Closing Date, (i) the Registration  Statement, as amended as
of any such time, and the Prospectus,  as amended or supplemented as of any such
time, will comply in all material  respects with the applicable  requirements of
the Act and the rules thereunder and (ii) the Registration Statement, as amended
as of any such time,  did not and will not  contain  any untrue  statement  of a
material  fact and did not and will not omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements  therein not misleading
and the Prospectus,  as amended or supplemented as of any such time, did not and
will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact and did not and will not
omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein,
in light of the  circumstances  under  which  they were  made,  not  misleading;
provided, however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to
the information  contained in or omitted from the Registration  Statement or the
Prospectus or any amendment  thereof or supplement  thereto in reliance upon and
in conformity with the information  furnished in writing to the Company by or on
behalf  of  the  Underwriter   specifically  for  use  in  connection  with  the
preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

     C. The Company is duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing
under  the  laws of the  State  of  California,  has full  power  and  authority
(corporate  and other) to own its  properties  and conduct  its  business as now
conducted by it, and as described in the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do
business in each  jurisdiction  in which it owns or leases real property (to the
extent such qualification is required by applicable law) or in which the conduct
of its business  requires such  qualification  except where the failure to be so
qualified does not involve (i) a material risk to, or a material  adverse effect

<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 3


on, the  business,  properties,  financial  position,  operations  or results of
operations of the Company or (ii) any risk  whatsoever as to the  enforceability
of any Mortgage Loan.

     D. There are no actions,  proceedings or investigations pending, or, to the
knowledge of the Company,  threatened,  before any court, governmental agency or
body or other  tribunal (i) asserting  the  invalidity  of this  Agreement,  the
Certificates,  the Insurance  Agreement,  the  Indemnification  Agreement  dated
September  10, 1996 (the  "Indemnification  Agreement")  among the Company,  the
Insurer and the  Underwriter  or of the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement,  (ii)
seeking to prevent the issuance of the  Certificates or the  consummation of any
of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement or any Subsequent Transfer Agreement, (iii) which may, individually or
in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect the performance by the Company
of its obligations  under, or the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement,
the Certificates, the Pooling and Servicing Agreement or any Subsequent Transfer
Agreement,  or (iv) which may affect adversely the federal income tax attributes
of the Certificates as described in the Prospectus.

     E. The  execution  and  delivery  by the  Company  of this  Agreement,  the
Indemnification Agreement, the Insurance Agreement and the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement, the issuance of the Certificates and the transfer and delivery of the
Mortgage  Loans to the Trustee by the Company are within the corporate  power of
the Company and have been, or will be, prior to the Closing Date duly authorized
by all necessary  corporate  action on the part of the Company and the execution
and delivery of such instruments,  the consummation of the transactions  therein
contemplated  and compliance  with the  provisions  thereof will not result in a
breach or  violation  of any of the terms and  provisions  of, or  constitute  a
default  under,  any statute or any agreement or instrument to which the Company
or any of its affiliates is a party or by which it or any of them is bound or to
which any of the  property of the Company or any of its  affiliates  is subject,
the Company's  charter or bylaws, or any order, rule or regulation of any court,
governmental  agency  or body or other  tribunal  having  jurisdiction  over the
Company,  any of its  affiliates  or any  of  its or  their  properties;  and no
consent,  approval,  authorization  or order of, or  filing  with,  any court or
governmental  agency or body or other tribunal is required for the  consummation
of  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  or the  Prospectus  in
connection with the issuance and sale of the  Certificates by the Company except
pursuant to the Act.  Neither the Company nor any of its  affiliates  is a party
to, bound by or in breach or violation  of any  indenture or other  agreement or
instrument,  or  subject  to or in  violation  of any  statute,  order,  rule or
regulation of any court,  governmental  agency or body or other tribunal  having
jurisdiction  over the Company or any of its  affiliates,  which  materially and
adversely affects, or may in the future materially and adversely affect, (i) the
ability  of the  Company  to  perform  its  obligations  under the  Pooling  and
Servicing   Agreement,    this   Agreement,   the   Insurance   Agreement,   the
Indemnification  Agreement  and any  Subsequent  Transfer  Agreement or (ii) the
business,  operations,  results  of  operations,   financial  position,  income,
properties or assets of the Company, taken as a whole.

     F. This Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement have been duly executed
and  delivered  by the Company,  and the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement,  the
Insurance  Agreement and any Subsequent Transfer Agreement will be duly executed
and  delivered by the Company,  and each  constitutes  and will  constitute  the
legal,  valid and binding  obligation of the Company  enforceable  in accordance
with their  respective  terms,  except as  enforceability  may be limited by (i)
bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, moratorium, reorganization or
other similar laws affecting the enforcement of the rights of creditors and (ii)
general principles of equity,  whether  enforcement is sought in a proceeding at
law or in equity.

     G.  The  Certificates   will  conform  in  all  material  respects  to  the
description  thereof  to be  contained  in the  Prospectus  and will be duly and
validly  authorized and, when duly and validly executed,  authenticated,  issued


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 4


and delivered in accordance with the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and sold to
the Underwriter as provided  herein,  will be validly issued and outstanding and
entitled to the benefits of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     H. At the Closing  Date,  the Initial  Mortgage  Loans will  conform in all
material respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus and the
representations  and  warranties  contained in this  Agreement  will be true and
correct in all material respects.  The representations and warranties set out in
the Pooling and Servicing Agreement are hereby made to the Underwriter as though
set  out  herein,  and at the  dates  specified  in the  Pooling  and  Servicing
Agreement,  and any Subsequent  Transfer  Agreement,  such  representations  and
warranties were or will be true and correct in all material respects.

     I. The transfer of the Initial  Mortgage  Loans to the Trust at the Closing
Date will be treated by the  Company  for  financial  accounting  and  reporting
purposes as a sale of assets and not as a pledge of assets to secure debt.

     J. The Company possesses all material  licenses,  certificates,  permits or
other  authorizations  issued  by the  appropriate  state,  federal  or  foreign
regulatory  agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by
it and as described in the Prospectus and there are no proceedings,  pending or,
to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened,  relating to the revocation or
modification  of any such license,  certificate,  permit or other  authorization
which singly or in the  aggregate,  if the subject of an  unfavorable  decision,
ruling  or  finding,   would  materially  and  adversely  affect  the  business,
operations,  results of  operations,  financial  position,  income,  property or
assets of the Company taken as a whole.

     K. Any taxes,  fees and other  governmental  charges in connection with the
execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement,   the  Insurance  Agreement,  the
Indemnification  Agreement,  and the  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  or the
execution and issuance of the Certificates have been or will be paid at or prior
to the Closing Date.

     L.  There has not been any  material  adverse  change,  or any  development
involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition,  financial or
otherwise,  or in the  earnings,  business or  operations  of the Company or its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from June 30, 1996 to the date hereof, except as
described or contemplated in the prospectus  dated July 25, 1996,  circulated in
connection  with an initial public offering of the Class A Common Stock of First
Alliance Corporation  ("FACO") pursuant to a Registration  Statement on Form S-1
filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission   (Commission  File  No.
333-3633),  and in  connection  with which the Company on July 31, 1996 became a
wholly owned subsidiary of FACO.

     M. This  Agreement and the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement will conform in
all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus.

     N. The  Company is not aware of (i) any request by the  Commission  for any
further  amendment of the  Registration  Statement or the  Prospectus or for any
additional  information,  (ii) the issuance by the  Commission of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the institution or
threatening of any proceeding  for that purpose or (iii) any  notification  with
respect to the suspension of the  qualification  of the Certificates for sale in
any  jurisdiction  or the  initiation or  threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose.

     O. Each  assignment  of Mortgages  required to be prepared  pursuant to the
Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  is based on forms  recently  utilized by the
Company  with  respect  to  mortgaged  properties  located  in  the  appropriate

<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 5


jurisdiction and used in the regular course of the Company's business.  Based on
the Company's experience with such matters it is reasonable to believe that upon
execution each such assignment will be in recordable form and will be sufficient
to effect the  assignment of the Mortgage to which it relates as provided in the
Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     P. The Company is current in all filings under the Securities  Exchange Act
and is eligible to use the Registration Statement.

     Any  certificate  signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the
Underwriter in connection with the sale of the  Certificates  hereunder shall be
deemed a  representation  and warranty as to the matters  covered thereby by the
Company  to each  person  to whom the  representations  and  warranties  in this
Section 2 are made.

     3. Agreements of the Underwriter.  The Underwriter  agrees with the Company
that upon the execution of this Agreement and  authorization  by the Underwriter
of the  release of the Class A  Certificates,  the  Underwriter  shall offer the
Class A  Certificates  for sale upon the terms and  conditions  set forth in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented.

     4.  Purchase,  Sale and Delivery of the  Certificates.  The Company  hereby
agrees,  subject  to the  terms  and  conditions  hereof,  to sell  the  Class A
Certificates to the Underwriter,  who, upon the basis of the representations and
warranties herein contained,  but subject to the conditions  hereinafter stated,
hereby agrees to purchase the entire  aggregate  principal amount of the Class A
Certificates. At the time of issuance of the Certificates,  the Initial Mortgage
Loans  will be sold by the  Company to the Trust  pursuant  to the  Pooling  and
Servicing  Agreement.  The  Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans will be purchased by the
Trust for inclusion in both Mortgage Loan Groups, from time to time on or before
September  30,  1996.  The  Company  will be  obligated,  under the  Pooling and
Servicing  Agreement,  to service the Mortgage Loans either  directly or through
sub-servicers.

     The  Class  A  Certificates  to be  purchased  by the  Underwriter  will be
delivered  by the  Company  to the  Underwriter  (which  delivery  shall be made
through the facilities of The Depository  Trust Company ("DTC")) against payment
of the purchase price therefor,  equal to $33,500,000 of the aggregate principal
amount of the Class A-1 Certificates and $36,500,000 of the aggregate  principal
amount of the Class A-2  Certificates,  plus  interest  accrued at the Class A-1
Asset-backed  Rate on the Class A-1 Certificates  from September 1, 1996 to, but
not including,  the settlement date, by a same day federal funds wire payable to
the order of the Company.  No accrued  interest will be payable on the Class A-2
Variable Rate Group  Certificates,  which shall be dated their date of delivery.
The  Underwriter's  fee  shall  be [35]  basis  points  of  each of the  Class A
Certificates.

     Settlement shall take place at the offices of Dewey Ballantine, 1301 Avenue
of the Americas,  New York, New York 10019 at 10:00 a.m. (E.S.T.),  on September
17, 1996, or at such other time  thereafter as the  Underwriter  and the Company
determine (such time being herein referred to as the "Closing Date").  The Class
A  Certificates  will be  prepared  in  definitive  form and in such  authorized
denominations  as the Underwriter may request,  registered in the name of Cede &
Co., as nominee of DTC.

     The Company  agrees to have the  Certificates  available for inspection and
review by the Underwriter in New York City not later than 9:00 a.m.  (P.S.T.) on
the business day prior to the Closing Date.

     5.  Covenants of the  Company.  The Company  covenants  and agrees with the
Underwriter that:


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 6


     A. The Company will  promptly  advise the  Underwriter  and its counsel (i)
when any amendment to the  Registration  Statement shall have become  effective,
(ii) of any request by the  Commission  for any  amendment  to the  Registration
Statement or the  Prospectus  or for any  additional  information,  (iii) of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration  Statement or the  institution or threatening of any proceeding for
that  purpose and (iv) of the receipt by the  Company of any  notification  with
respect to the suspension of the  qualification  of the Class A Certificates for
sale in any  jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
such  purpose.  The  Company  will not file any  amendment  to the  Registration
Statement or supplement to the Prospectus after the date hereof and prior to the
Closing  Date  for  the  Certificates  unless  the  Company  has  furnished  the
Underwriter  and its counsel  copies of such  amendment or supplement  for their
review  prior to  filing  and will not  file  any  such  proposed  amendment  or
supplement to which the Underwriter  reasonably  objects,  unless such filing is
required by law.  The Company  will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance
of any stop order suspending the  effectiveness  of the  Registration  Statement
and, if issued, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

     B. If, at any time during the period in which the Prospectus is required by
law to be  delivered,  any event occurs as a result of which the  Prospectus  as
then amended or  supplemented  would include any untrue  statement of a material
fact or omit to  state  any  material  fact  necessary  to make  the  statements
therein,  in the light of the  circumstances  under  which they were  made,  not
misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to
comply  with the Act or the  rules  under the Act,  the  Company  will  promptly
prepare and file with the Commission,  subject to Paragraph A of this Section 5,
an amendment or  supplement  that will correct such  statement or omission or an
amendment that will effect such  compliance and, if such amendment or supplement
is required to be contained in a  post-effective  amendment to the  Registration
Statement, will use its best efforts to cause such amendment of the Registration
Statement to be made effective as soon as possible.

     C. The Company will furnish to the  Underwriter,  without charge,  executed
copies of the Registration  Statement  (including exhibits thereto) and, so long
as delivery of a Prospectus  by the  Underwriter  or a dealer may be required by
the Act, as many copies of the Prospectus,  as amended or supplemented,  and any
amendments and supplements  thereto as the  Underwriter may reasonably  request.
The Company  will pay the expenses of printing (or  otherwise  reproducing)  all
offering documents relating to the offering of the Class A Certificates.

     D. As soon as practicable, but not later than sixteen months after the date
hereof,  the  Company  will  cause  the  Trust to make  generally  available  to
Certificate  Owners of the Trust an earnings  statement of the Trust  covering a
period  of at  least  12  months  beginning  after  the  effective  date  of the
Registration Statement which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
Act and, at the option of the Company, will satisfy the requirements of Rule 158
under the Act.

     E.  During a period  of 20  calendar  days  from the date as of which  this
Agreement  is  executed,  neither the Company nor any  affiliate  of the Company
will,  without the Underwriter's  prior written consent (which consent shall not
be  unreasonably  withheld),  enter into any agreement to offer or sell mortgage
loan asset-backed certificates backed by mortgage loans, except pursuant to this
Agreement.

     F. So long as any of the Class A Certificates are outstanding,  the Company
will cause to be delivered to the Underwriter  (i) all documents  required to be
distributed to  Certificate  Owners of the Trust and (ii) from time to time, any
other  information  concerning the Trust filed with any government or regulatory
authority that is otherwise publicly available.


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 7


     G. The Company, whether or not the transactions  contemplated hereunder are
consummated or this Agreement is terminated, will pay all expenses in connection
with the transactions  contemplated herein,  including,  but not limited to, the
expenses of printing (or otherwise  reproducing)  all documents  relating to the
offering,  the reasonable fees and  disbursements of its counsel and expenses of
the Underwriter incurred in connection with (i) the issuance and delivery of the
Certificates,  (ii)  preparation of all documents  specified in this  Agreement,
(iii) any fees and  expenses of the  Trustee,  the Insurer and any other  credit
support provider (including legal fees), accounting fees and disbursements,  and
(iv) any fees  charged  by  investment  rating  agencies  for rating the Class A
Certificates.

     H. The  Company  agrees  that,  so long as any of the Class A  Certificates
shall  be  outstanding,  it  will  deliver  or  cause  to be  delivered  to  the
Underwriter (i) the annual  statement as to compliance  delivered to the Trustee
pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement,  (ii) the annual statement of a
firm of independent public accountants  furnished to the Trustee pursuant to the
Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement as soon as such  statement is furnished to the
Company and (iii) any information required to be delivered by the Company or the
Servicer  to prepare  the report by the  Trustee  pursuant to Section 7.8 of the
form of Pooling and Servicing Agreement heretofore delivered to the Underwriter.

     I. The Company  will enter into the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement,  the
Insurance Agreement, and all related agreements on or prior to the Closing Date.

     J. The Company will endeavor to qualify the Class A  Certificates  for sale
to the  extent  necessary  under  any state  securities  or Blue Sky laws in any
jurisdictions  as may be reasonably  requested by the  Underwriter,  if any, and
will  pay  all  expenses  (including  fees  and  disbursements  of  counsel)  in
connection with such  qualification  and in connection with the determination of
the  eligibility  of the Class A Certificates  for investment  under the laws of
such jurisdictions as the Underwriter may reasonably designate, if any.

     6.  Conditions  of the  Underwriter's  Obligation.  The  obligation  of the
Underwriter to purchase and pay for the Class A Certificates  as provided herein
shall be subject to the  accuracy as of the date hereof and the Closing Date (as
if made at the  Closing  Date)  of the  representations  and  warranties  of the
Company  contained herein  (including those  representations  and warranties set
forth in the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement and incorporated  herein),  to the
accuracy of the  statements  of the  Company  made in any  certificate  or other
document  delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the
Company  of  its  obligations   hereunder,   and  to  the  following  additional
conditions:

     A. The Registration Statement shall have become effective no later than the
date hereof,  and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement  shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have
been instituted or threatened, and the Prospectus shall have been filed pursuant
to Rule 424(b).

     B. The Underwriter shall have received the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement
and  the  Class  A  Certificates  in  form  and  substance  satisfactory  to the
Underwriter,   duly  executed  by  all  signatories  required  pursuant  to  the
respective terms thereof.

          C.1. The Underwriter  shall have received the favorable opinion of the
     Vice  President  and General  Counsel to the  Company,  with respect to the
     following items, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 8


               (a) The Company has been duly  organized and is validly  existing
          as a  corporation  in good  standing  under  the laws of the  State of
          California, and is qualified to do business in each state necessary to
          enable it to perform its obligations as Servicer under the Pooling and
          Servicing Agreement. The Company has the requisite power and authority
          to execute and deliver,  engage in the  transactions  contemplated by,
          and perform and observe the conditions of, this Agreement, the Pooling
          and  Servicing  Agreement,  any  Subsequent  Transfer  Agreement,  the
          Insurance  Agreement  and  the  Indemnification  Agreement  among  the
          Company, the Insurer and the Underwriter.

               (b) This Agreement,  the Certificates,  the Pooling and Servicing
          Agreement,  the Insurance Agreement and the Indemnification  Agreement
          have been duly and validly  authorized,  executed and delivered by the
          Company, all requisite corporate action having been taken with respect
          thereto, and each (other than the Certificates) constitutes the valid,
          legal and binding  agreement  of the Company  enforceable  against the
          Company in accordance with its respective terms.

               (c) Neither the  transfer  of the Initial  Mortgage  Loans to the
          Trust,  the issuance or sale of the  Certificates  nor the  execution,
          delivery or  performance  by the Company of the Pooling and  Servicing
          Agreement,  this Agreement,  any Subsequent  Transfer  Agreement,  the
          Insurance Agreement or the Indemnification  Agreement (A) conflicts or
          will  conflict  with or  results  or will  result  in a breach  of, or
          constitutes  or will  constitute  a  default  under,  (i) any  term or
          provision of the articles of  incorporation  or bylaws of the Company;
          (ii)  any  term or  provision  of any  material  agreement,  contract,
          instrument or indenture,  to which the Company is a party or is bound;
          or (iii) any order, judgment,  writ, injunction or decree of any court
          or governmental  agency or body or other tribunal having  jurisdiction
          over the Company; or (B) results in, or will result in the creation or
          imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon the Trust Estate or
          upon the Certificates, except as otherwise contemplated by the Pooling
          and Servicing Agreement.

               (d)  The   endorsement   and  delivery  of  each  Note,  and  the
          preparation,  delivery and  recording of an  Assignment  in recordable
          form, with respect to each Mortgage (in the absence of the delivery of
          the  opinions  described in Section  3.5(b)(ii)(y)  of the Pooling and
          Servicing Agreement), as and in the manner contemplated by the Pooling
          and  Servicing  Agreement,  is  sufficient  fully to  transfer  to the
          Trustee for the benefit of the Owners all right, title and interest of
          the Company in the Note and Mortgage,  as noteholder  and mortgagee or
          assignee  thereof,  and will be  sufficient  to permit the  Trustee to
          avail itself of all protection  available under applicable law against
          the claims of any  present or future  creditors  of the Company and to
          prevent  any  other  sale,  transfer,   assignment,  pledge  or  other
          encumbrance   of  the  Mortgage   Loans  by  the  Company  from  being
          enforceable.

               (e) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, registration
          or filing with, or notice to, courts,  governmental  agency or body or
          other  tribunal is required under the laws of the State of California,
          for  the  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of the  Pooling  and
          Servicing  Agreement,  the Insurance  Agreement,  this Agreement,  the
          Indemnification  Agreement or the offer, issuance, sale or delivery of
          the  Certificates  or  the  consummation  of  any  other   transaction
          contemplated  thereby  by the  Company,  except  such  which have been
          obtained.

               (f) There are no actions,  proceedings or investigations  pending
          or, to such counsel's knowledge, threatened against the Company before
          any court, governmental agency or body or other tribunal (i) asserting


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 9


          the invalidity of the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement,  the Insurance
          Agreement,  this  Agreement,  the  Indemnification  Agreement  or  the
          Certificates, (ii) seeking to prevent the issuance of the Certificates
          or the  consummation  of any of the  transactions  contemplated by the
          Pooling and Servicing Agreement,  the Indemnification  Agreement,  the
          Insurance  Agreement or this Agreement or (iii) which would materially
          and adversely  affect the  performance  by the Company of  obligations
          under, or the validity or enforceability of, the Pooling and Servicing
          Agreement,  the  Certificates,   the  Indemnification  Agreement,  the
          Insurance Agreement or this Agreement.

               (g) To the best of such  counsel's  knowledge,  the  Registration
          Statement, the Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus do not contain
          any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omit to state a material
          fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the
          statements  therein not misleading  with respect to the statements set
          forth in the  Prospectus  under the caption  "Certain Legal Aspects of
          Mortgage Loans and Related Matters".

          2. The Underwriter  shall have received the favorable opinion of Arter
     & Hadden,  special  counsel to the Company,  dated the Closing Date, to the
     effect that:

               (a) The Certificates,  assuming due execution and  authentication
          by the Trustee,  and delivery  and payment  therefor  pursuant to this
          Agreement are validly issued and  outstanding  and are entitled to the
          benefits of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

               (b) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, registration
          or filing with, or notice to, any  governmental  authority or court is
          required  under federal laws or the laws of the State of New York, for
          the execution,  delivery and performance by the Company of the Pooling
          and Servicing  Agreement,  this  Agreement,  any  Subsequent  Transfer
          Agreement,  the Indemnification  Agreement, the Insurance Agreement or
          the  offer,  issue,  sale  or  delivery  of  the  Certificates  or the
          consummation  of any other  transaction  contemplated  thereby  by the
          Company, except such which have been obtained.

               (c) Neither the  transfer  of the Initial  Mortgage  Loans to the
          Trustee, the issuance or sale of the Certificates,  nor the execution,
          delivery or  performance  by the Company of the Pooling and  Servicing
          Agreement, the Insurance Agreement, any Subsequent Transfer Agreement,
          the Indemnification Agreement or this Agreement will (a) conflict with
          or result in a breach of, or  constitute a default under any law, rule
          or regulation of the State of New York or the federal  government,  or
          (b) to such counsel's  knowledge,  without independent  investigation,
          results in, or will result in, the creation or imposition of any lien,
          charge or encumbrance upon the Trust Estate or upon the  Certificates,
          except  as  otherwise   contemplated  by  the  Pooling  and  Servicing
          Agreement.

               (d)  Each  Subsequent  Transfer  Agreement  at  the  time  of its
          execution  and  delivery  will  be  sufficient  to  convey  all of the
          Company's right,  title and interest in the Subsequent  Mortgage Loans
          to the Trustee  and  following  the  consummation  of the  transaction
          contemplated by each Subsequent  Transfer  Agreement,  the transfer of
          the Subsequent  Mortgage Loans by the Company to the Trustee will be a
          sale thereof.

               (e) The Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Prospectus
          Supplement  (other than the  financial and  statistical  data included
          therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion),  as of the
          date on which the Registration Statement was declared effective and as

<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 10


          of the date hereof,  comply as to form in all material  respects  with
          the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations  thereunder,
          and such  counsel does not know of any  amendment to the  Registration
          Statement  required to be filed,  or of any  contracts,  indentures or
          other  documents of a character  required to be filed as an exhibit to
          the  Registration  Statement  or  required  to  be  described  in  the
          Registration  Statement,  the Prospectus or the Prospectus  Supplement
          which has not been filed or described as required.

               (f)  Neither  the  qualification  of the  Pooling  and  Servicing
          Agreement under the Trust  Indenture Act of 1939 nor the  registration
          of the Trust created by such Agreement  under the  Investment  Company
          Act of 1940 is presently required.

               (g) The statements in the Prospectus set forth under the captions
          "DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  SECURITIES"  and  "THE  POOLING  AND  SERVICING
          AGREEMENT" and the  statements in the Prospectus  Supplement set forth
          under the captions  "DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFERED CERTIFICATES" and "THE
          POOLING  AND  SERVICING  AGREEMENT,"  to the  extent  such  statements
          purport to summarize certain  provisions of the Certificates or of the
          Pooling and Servicing Agreement, are fair and accurate in all material
          respects.

               (h) Except as to any financial or  statistical  data contained in
          the Registration Statement, the statements set forth in the Prospectus
          under the  caption  "DESCRIPTION  OF CREDIT  ENHANCEMENT,"  and in the
          Prospectus  Supplement  under the caption "THE  CERTIFICATE  INSURANCE
          POLICIES AND THE CERTIFICATE INSURER," and any Computational Materials
          as to which no opinion  or belief  need be  expressed,  to the best of
          such counsel's knowledge,  the Registration Statement does not contain
          any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omit to state a material
          fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the
          statements therein not misleading.

               (i) Upon receipt by the Trustee of the related Notes, endorsed as
          described in the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement,  and the receipt by
          the Company of the purchase price for the Certificates and for so long
          as the Trustee maintains actual physical possession of such Notes, (i)
          the Trustee shall be vested with good and  indefeasible  title to, and
          shall be the sole  owner of, and shall  obtain  all  right,  title and
          interest of the Company in, each Mortgage Loan conveyed by the Company
          relating to Properties  located in California,  (ii) in the event that
          the  sale  of the  Mortgage  Loans  were  to be  recharacterized  as a
          financing  secured by the  Mortgage  Loans,  the  Trustee  has a first
          perfected  security  interest  in the  Mortgage  Loans  and  (iii) the
          recordation  of the  assignments  of the Mortgages is not required for
          the  Trustee  to obtain  such  rights,  as against  creditors  of, and
          purported transferees of, the Company.

               (j) To the best of the knowledge of such counsel,  the Commission
          has not issued  any stop order  suspending  the  effectiveness  of the
          Registration  Statement  or  any  order  directed  to  any  prospectus
          relating to the Certificates  (including the Prospectus),  and has not
          initiated or threatened any proceeding for that purpose.

     3. The  Underwriter  shall have received the  favorable  opinion of Arter &
Hadden,  special tax and  bankruptcy  counsel to the Company,  dated the Closing
Date, to the effect that:

               (a) Assuming the REMIC  election is made in  compliance  with the
          Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement,  (i) the Trust,  exclusive  of the
          Pre-Funding  Account and the Capitalized  Interest Account (as defined
          in the Prospectus  Supplement)  will qualify as a real estate mortgage

<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 11


          investment  conduit ("REMIC") (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code
          of 1986, as amended (the "Code")) for Federal  income tax purposes and
          (ii)  each  Class  of the  Offered  Certificates  (as  defined  in the
          Prospectus  Supplement) will be treated as "regular  interests" in the
          REMIC and the R Class will be treated as the sole "residual  interest"
          in the REMIC.

               (b) To  the  best  of  such  counsel's  knowledge,  there  are no
          actions,  proceedings or  investigations  pending that would adversely
          affect the Trust Estate (exclusive of the Pre-Funding  Account and the
          Capitalized  Interest  Account) as a real estate  mortgage  investment
          conduit ("REMIC") as such term is defined in the Code.

               (c) The statements  under the captions  "SUMMARY OF PROSPECTUS --
          CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX  CONSEQUENCES"  and "CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME
          TAX CONSEQUENCES" in the Prospectus and under the captions "SUMMARY --
          FEDERAL TAX ASPECTS" and "CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX  CONSEQUENCES" in
          the  Prospectus  Supplement  as they relate to federal tax matters are
          true and correct in all material respects.

               (d) As a consequence of the qualification of the Trust (exclusive
          of the Pre-Funding Account and the Capitalized  Interest Account) as a
          REMIC,  the Class A Certificates  will be treated as "qualifying  real
          property  loans"  under  Section  593(d) of the Code,  "regular  . . .
          interest(s) in a REMIC" under Section  7701(a)(19)(C)  of the Code and
          "real  estate  assets"  under  Section  856(c) of the Code in the same
          proportion  that the assets in the Trust consist of qualifying  assets
          under  such   Sections.   In  addition,   as  a  consequence   of  the
          qualification of the Trust  (exclusive of the Pre-Funding  Account and
          the Capitalized Interest Account) as a REMIC,  interest on the Class A
          Certificates  will be treated as "interest on  obligations  secured by
          mortgages on real  property"  under Section  856(c) of the Code to the
          extent  that such Class A  Certificates  are  treated as "real  estate
          assets" under Section 856(c) of the Code.

               (e) The  Trust  will not be  subject  to tax upon its  income  or
          assets by the taxing authority of New York State or New York City.

               (f) The Trust will not be subject to the California  state income
          tax.  While  REMICs  are  subject  to  the  California  state  minimum
          franchise tax imposed under Article 2, Section 23153 of the California
          Revenue and Taxation Code, such counsel does not express an opinion as
          to whether the Trust is subject to such tax.

               (g) A court would hold that the  conveyance by the Sponsor of all
          right, title and interest in the Mortgage Loans to the Trustee (except
          for the  Sponsor's  right,  title and  interest in the  principal  and
          interest due on such Mortgage  Loans on or prior to the Cut-Off Date),
          constitutes  a sale of the  Mortgage  Loans and not a borrowing by the
          Sponsor  secured by the pledge of the  Mortgage  Loans.  A court would
          find that, following such conveyance,  the Mortgage Loans and proceeds
          thereof  (net  of  payments  of  principal  and  interest  due on such
          Mortgage  Loans on or prior to the Cut-Off  Date) are not  property of
          the estate of the  Sponsor  within the  meaning of Section  541 of the
          Bankruptcy  Code, and,  further that the Trustee's rights with respect
          to the Mortgage Loans and the proceeds thereof would not subject it to
          the automatic stay  provisions of Section 362 of the Bankruptcy  Code.
          Since  the  conveyance  of the  Mortgage  Loans  (net of  payments  of
          scheduled  principal  due and  interest  accrued  on or  prior  to the
          Cut-Off  Date)  constitutes  a sale of said  Mortgage  Loans  then the
          payments thereunder (net of payments of scheduled principal due on and
          interest  accrued on or prior to the Cut-Off Date) are not property of


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 12


          the estate of the Sponsor and the  distributions  of such  payments by
          the  Trustee to the Owners of the  Certificates  are not  preferential
          payments  made  by,  for,  or on  behalf  of  the  Sponsor  under  the
          provisions of Section 547 of the Bankruptcy Code.

               (h) If a court  characterized  the transfer of the Mortgage Loans
          to the Trustee as a pledge of collateral  rather than an absolute sale
          or  assignment,  with respect to the Mortgage Loans and other property
          included in the Trust on the date  hereof,  to the extent  governed by
          the laws of the State of New York, a valid security  interest has been
          created  in favor  of the  Trustee,  which  security  interest  of the
          Trustee  will be  perfected  and  will  constitute  a first  perfected
          security  interest,  with respect to the  Sponsor's  right,  title and
          interest in and to the Notes, upon endorsement and delivery thereof to
          the Trustee.  With respect to the security  interest of the Trustee in
          the Notes, New York law would govern.

          4. The Underwriter  shall have received the favorable opinion of Dewey
     Ballantine,  special counsel to the Underwriter, dated the Closing Date, to
     the effect that:

               (a) The Certificates,  assuming due execution and  authentication
          by the Trustee,  and delivery  and payment  therefor  pursuant to this
          Agreement,  are validly issued and outstanding and are entitled to the
          benefits of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

               (b) No fact has come to such  counsel's  attention  which  causes
          them  to  believe  that  the  Prospectus  (other  than  the  financial
          statement and other financial and statistical data contained  therein,
          as to which such  counsel  need  express no  opinion),  as of the date
          thereof,  contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted
          to state a material fact necessary to make the statements  therein, in
          light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

               (c) Such other matters as the Underwriter may reasonably request.

     In rendering their opinions, the counsels described in this Paragraph C may
rely,  as to matters of fact, on  certificates  of  responsible  officers of the
Company, the Trustee and public officials. Such opinions may also assume the due
authorization,  execution and delivery of the instruments and documents referred
to therein by the parties thereto other than the Company.

     D. The  Underwriter  shall have  received a letter from  Deloitte & Touche,
dated on or before the Closing Date, in form and substance  satisfactory  to the
Underwriter  and  counsel  for the  Underwriter,  to the  effect  that they have
performed certain specified procedures requested by the Underwriter with respect
to the information  set forth in the Prospectus and certain matters  relating to
the Company.

     E. The Class A  Certificates  shall have been rated in the  highest  rating
category by Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc., and by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Service,  a division of The  McGraw-Hill  Companies,  and such ratings shall not
have been rescinded.  The Underwriter and counsel for the Underwriter shall have
received copies of any opinions of counsel supplied to the rating  organizations
relating  to any  matters  with  respect to the Class A  Certificates.  Any such
opinions  shall be dated the Closing Date and  addressed to the  Underwriter  or
accompanied  by  reliance  letters to the  Underwriter  or shall  state that the
Underwriter may rely upon them.

     F. The  Underwriter  shall have  received  from the Company a  certificate,
signed by the  president,  a senior vice  president  or a vice  president of the
Company,  dated  the  Closing  Date,  to the  effect  that  the  signer  of such


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 13


certificate has carefully examined the Registration  Statement,  the Pooling and
Servicing  Agreement  and this  Agreement  and  that,  to the best of his or her
knowledge based upon reasonable investigation:

          1.  the   representations  and  warranties  of  the  Company  in  this
     Agreement, and in the Indemnification Agreement, as of the Closing Date, in
     the Pooling and Servicing Agreement,  in the Insurance Agreement and in all
     related agreements,  as of the date specified in such agreements,  are true
     and  correct,  and the Company has  complied  with all the  agreements  and
     satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or
     prior to the Closing Date;

          2. there are no actions,  suits or proceedings pending, or to the best
     of such officer's  knowledge,  threatened  against or affecting the Company
     which if adversely determined,  individually or in the aggregate,  would be
     reasonably  likely to adversely affect the Company's  obligations under the
     Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the Insurance Agreement, this Agreement or
     under the  Indemnification  Agreement in any  material  way; and no merger,
     liquidation,  dissolution  or  bankruptcy  of the  Company  is  pending  or
     contemplated;

          3.  the  information  contained  in  the  Registration  Statement  and
     Prospectus  relating to the Company,  the Mortgage  Loans or the  servicing
     procedures of it or its affiliates or the  subservicer is true and accurate
     in all material  respects and nothing has come to his or her attention that
     would lead such  officer to believe  that the  Registration  Statement  and
     Prospectus  includes any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omits to
     state  a  material  fact  necessary  to make  the  statements  therein  not
     misleading;

          4. the  information  set  forth in the  Schedules  of  Mortgage  Loans
     required to be furnished pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement is
     true and correct in all material respects;

          5. there has been no amendment or other document  filed  affecting the
     articles of  incorporation  or bylaws of the Company  since August 1, 1996,
     and no such  amendment  has been  authorized.  No event has occurred  since
     September  12, 1996,  which has  affected the good  standing of the Company
     under the laws of the State of California;

          6.  there  has  not  occurred  any  material  adverse  change,  or any
     development  involving  a  prospective  material  adverse  change,  in  the
     condition,  financial  or  otherwise,  or  in  the  earnings,  business  or
     operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from June
     30, 1996,  except as described or contemplated in the prospectus dated July
     25, 1996,  circulated in connection  with an initial public offering of the
     Class A Common Stock of FACO pursuant to a  Registration  Statement on Form
     S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission  (Commission File No.
     333-3633), and in connection with which the Company on July 31, 1996 became
     a wholly owned subsidiary of FACO;

          7. on or prior to the Closing Date, there has been no downgrading, nor
     has any notice been given of (A) any intended or potential  downgrading  or
     (B) any review or possible  changes in rating,  the  direction of which has
     not been indicated,  in the rating,  if any, accorded the Company or in any
     rating  accorded any securities of the Company,  if any, by any "nationally
     recognized  statistical  rating  organization," as such term is defined for
     purposes of the Act; and

          8. each person who, as an officer or  representative  of the  Company,
     signed or signs the  Registration  Statement,  the  Pooling  and  Servicing
     Agreement,  this Agreement,  the Indemnification  Agreement,  the Insurance
     Agreement,  or any other document delivered pursuant hereto, on the date of
     such  execution,  or on the Closing Date, as the case may be, in connection
     with the transactions described in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the


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First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 14


     Indemnification  Agreement, the Insurance Agreement and this Agreement was,
     at the  respective  times of such signing and  delivery,  and is now,  duly
     elected  or   appointed,   qualified   and   acting  as  such   officer  or
     representative,  and the  signatures  of  such  persons  appearing  on such
     documents are their genuine signatures.

     The Company shall attach to such certificate a true and correct copy of its
certificate or articles of incorporation,  as appropriate,  and bylaws which are
in full force and effect on the date of such  certificate  and a certified  true
copy  of  the  resolutions  of  its  Board  of  Directors  with  respect  to the
transactions contemplated herein.

     G. The Underwriter  shall have received the favorable opinion of counsel to
the Trustee,  dated the Closing Date and in form and substance  satisfactory  to
the Underwriter, to the effect that:

          1. the  Trustee  is a  banking  corporation  duly  organized,  validly
     existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the State of New York and
     has the power and authority to enter into and to take all actions  required
     of it under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement;

          2. the  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,
     executed  and  delivered  by the  Trustee  and the  Pooling  and  Servicing
     Agreement  constitutes  the  legal,  valid and  binding  obligation  of the
     Trustee,  enforceable  against  the Trustee in  accordance  with its terms,
     except  as  enforceability  thereof  may  be  limited  by  (A)  bankruptcy,
     insolvency,  reorganization or other similar laws affecting the enforcement
     of creditors' rights generally,  as such laws would apply in the event of a
     bankruptcy,  insolvency or reorganization or similar  occurrence  affecting
     the Trustee,  and (B) general  principles  of equity  regardless of whether
     such enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity;

          3.  no  consent,  approval,  authorization  or  other  action  by  any
     governmental  agency or body or other  tribunal  is required on the part of
     the Trustee in  connection  with its  execution and delivery of the Pooling
     and Servicing Agreement or the performance of its obligations thereunder;

          4.  the  Certificates  have  been  duly  executed,  authenticated  and
     delivered by the Trustee;

          5. the  execution and delivery of, and  performance  by the Trustee of
     its obligations under, the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement do not conflict
     with or result in a violation of any statute or  regulation  applicable  to
     the  Trustee,  or the  articles  or bylaws of the  Trustee,  or to the best
     knowledge of such counsel,  any governmental  authority having jurisdiction
     over the  Trustee  or the  terms of any  indenture  or other  agreement  or
     instrument to which the Trustee is a party or by which it is bound; and

          6. in the event that the Servicer  defaults in its  obligation to make
     advances  under the Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement,  the Trustee or any
     affiliate of the Trustee,  is not prohibited by a provision of its Articles
     of  Incorporation  or Bylaws or by any  provision  of the banking and trust
     laws of the United  States of America or the State of New York, as the case
     may be (or any rule, regulation, decree or order thereunder), from assuming
     its obligation to make such advances.

     In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely, as to matters of fact, on
certificates  of  responsible  officers of the  Company,  the Trustee and public
officials.  Such opinion may also assume the due  authorization,  execution  and
delivery of the  instruments  and  documents  referred to therein by the parties
thereto other than the Trustee.

<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 15


     H. The  Underwriter  shall have  received  from the Trustee a  certificate,
signed by the President,  a senior vice president or an assistant vice president
of the Trustee,  dated the Closing  Date, to the effect that each person who, as
an officer or representative  of the Trustee,  signed or signs the Certificates,
the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement or any other  document  delivered  pursuant
hereto,  on the date  hereof or on the  Closing  Date,  in  connection  with the
transactions  described  in the  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  was, at the
respective  times of such  signing and  delivery,  and is now,  duly  elected or
appointed,  qualified  and  acting as such  officer or  representative,  and the
signatures  of such  persons  appearing  on such  documents  are  their  genuine
signatures.

     I. The Policies  relating to the Class A Certificates  shall have been duly
executed  and issued at or prior to the  Closing  Date and shall  conform in all
material respects to the description thereof in the Prospectus.

     J. The Underwriter  shall have received a favorable  opinion of Kutak Rock,
counsel  to the  Insurer,  dated  the  Closing  Date and in form  and  substance
satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriter, to the effect that:

          1. The Insurer is a stock insurance corporation, duly incorporated and
     validly  existing  under the laws of the State of New York.  The Insurer is
     validly  licensed  and  authorized  to issue the  Policies  and perform its
     obligations under the Policies in accordance with the terms thereof,  under
     the laws of the State of New York.

          2. The  execution  and  delivery by the Insurer of the  Policies,  the
     Insurance  Agreement  and the  Indemnification  Agreement  are  within  the
     corporate  power of the Insurer and have been  authorized  by all necessary
     corporate  action on the part of the Insurer;  the Policies  have been duly
     executed  and  are  the  valid  and  binding  obligations  of  the  Insurer
     enforceable in accordance  with their terms except that the  enforcement of
     the Policies  may be limited by laws  relating to  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
     reorganization,  moratorium,  receivership and other similar laws affecting
     creditors' rights generally and by general principles of equity.

          3. The Insurer is authorized to deliver the Insurance  Agreement,  and
     the  Indemnification   Agreement,  and  the  Insurance  Agreement  and  the
     Indemnification  Agreement  have been duly  executed  and are the valid and
     binding  obligations of the Insurer  enforceable  in accordance  with their
     terms  except  that the  enforcement  of the  Insurance  Agreement  and the
     Indemnification  Agreement may be limited by laws  relating to  bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, receivership and other similar laws
     affecting  creditors' rights generally and by general  principles of equity
     and  by  public  policy  considerations  relating  to  indemnification  for
     securities law violations.

          4. No  consent,  approval,  authorization  or  order  of any  state or
     federal court or governmental agency or body is required on the part of the
     Insurer,  the  lack  of  which  would  adversely  affect  the  validity  or
     enforceability of the Policies;  to the extent required by applicable legal
     requirements  that would adversely affect validity or enforceability of the
     Policies, the form of each Policy has been filed with, and approved by, all
     governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the Insurer in connection
     with such Policy.

          5. To the extent the Policies constitute securities within the meaning
     of Section 2(1) of the Act,  they are  securities  that are exempt from the
     registration requirements of the Act.


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 16


          6. The  information  set forth  under  the  caption  "THE  CERTIFICATE
     INSURANCE POLICIES AND THE CERTIFICATE INSURER" in the Prospectus forming a
     part of the  Registration  Statement Form S-3 (No.  33-99604)  filed by the
     Company with the Securities and Exchange  Commission and declared effective
     on June 7, 1996, insofar as such statements constitute a description of the
     Policies, accurately summarizes the Policies.

     In rendering this opinion, such counsel may rely, as to matters of fact, on
certificates of responsible  officers of the Company,  the Trustee,  the Insurer
and public officials.  Such opinion may assume the due authorization,  execution
and delivery of the instruments and documents referred to therein by the parties
thereto other than the Insurer.

     K. On or prior to the Closing Date, there has been no downgrading,  nor has
any notice been given of (A) any  intended or potential  downgrading  or (B) any
review or  possible  changes  in  rating,  the  direction  of which has not been
indicated, in the rating, if any, accorded the Company or in any rating accorded
any securities of the Company, if any, by any "nationally recognized statistical
rating organization," as such term is defined for purposes of the Act.

     L. On or prior to the  Closing  Date  there  shall  not have  occurred  any
downgrading,  nor  shall  any  notice  have been  given of (A) any  intended  or
potential  downgrading  or (B) any  review or  possible  change  in  rating  the
direction of which has not been indicated,  in the rating accorded the Insurer's
claims  paying  ability  by  any  "nationally   recognized   statistical  rating
organization," as such term is defined for purposes of the Act.

     M. There has not  occurred  any  change,  or any  development  involving  a
prospective  change,  in  the  condition,  financial  or  otherwise,  or in  the
earnings,  business or operations,  since June 30, 1996,  except as described or
contemplated  in the  prospectus  dated July 25, 1996,  circulated in connection
with an initial public  offering of the Class A Common Stock of FACO pursuant to
a  Registration  Statement  on Form S-1 filed with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission  (Commission  File No. 333- 3633),  and in connection  with which the
Company on July 31, 1996 became a wholly owned  subsidiary  of FACO,  of (A) the
Company,  its  subsidiaries  and  affiliates or (B) the Insurer,  that is in the
Underwriter's   judgment   material  and  adverse  and  that  makes  it  in  the
Underwriter's  judgment  impracticable to market the Class A Certificates on the
terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

     N. The  Underwriter  shall have  received  from the Insurer a  certificate,
signed by the  President,  a senior vice  president  or a vice  president of the
Insurer,  dated  the  Closing  Date,  to the  effect  that  the  signer  of such
certificate has carefully examined the Policies,  the Insurance  Agreement,  the
Indemnification Agreement and the related documents and that, to the best of his
or her knowledge based on reasonable investigation:

          1. each  person who as an officer or  representative  of the  Insurer,
     signed or signs the Policies, the Insurance Agreement,  the Indemnification
     Agreement or any other  document  delivered  pursuant  hereto,  on the date
     thereof,  or on the  Closing  Date,  in  connection  with the  transactions
     described in this Agreement  was, at the  respective  times of such signing
     and delivery,  and is now a duly authorized  representative  of the Insurer
     and is authorized to execute and deliver this certificate.

          2. The  financial  data  presented  in the table  set forth  under the
     heading "THE CERTIFICATE INSURANCE POLICIES AND THE CERTIFICATE INSURER" in
     the Prospectus  Supplement  presents  fairly the financial  position of the
     Insurer as of December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1996, respectively, and to the
     best of the  Insurer's  knowledge  since such date, no material and adverse


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 17


     change has occurred in the financial  position of the Insurer other than as
     set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.

          3. The audited financial  statements dated as of December 31, 1995 and
     the unaudited  financial  statements  dated as of June 30, 1996 included in
     Appendix B and Appendix C, respectively,  of the Prospectus  Supplement are
     true and accurate  copies of such  financial  statements as provided by the
     Insurer.

          4. The information  which relates to the Insurer or the Policies under
     the caption titled "THE CERTIFICATE  INSURANCE POLICIES AND THE CERTIFICATE
     INSURER" in the  Prospectus  Supplement is true and correct in all material
     respects.

          5. There are no actions, suits,  proceedings or investigations pending
     or, to the best of the Insurer's knowledge, threatened against it at law or
     in  equity  or  before  or by any  court,  governmental  agency,  board  or
     commission or any arbitrator which, if decided adversely,  would materially
     and adversely  affect its condition  (financial or otherwise) or operations
     or which would  materially and adversely  affect its ability to perform its
     obligations  under the  Policies  or the  Insurance  Agreement  dated as of
     September 1, 1996 (the  "Insurance  Agreement")  among the  Insurer,  First
     Alliance Mortgage Company, as Company,  First Alliance Mortgage Company, as
     Servicer, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.

          6. The  execution  and  delivery of the  Insurance  Agreement  and the
     Policies and the compliance with the terms and provisions  thereof will not
     conflict with,  result in a breach of, or constitute a default under any of
     the terms,  provisions or conditions of the Restated  Charter or By-Laws of
     the  Insurer or of any  agreement,  indenture  or  instrument  to which the
     Insurer is a party.

          7. The  issuance  of the  Policies  and the  execution,  delivery  and
     performance  of the Insurance  Agreement  have been duly  authorized by all
     necessary  corporate  proceedings.  No further  approvals or filings of any
     kind,  including,  without  limitation,  any further  approvals  or further
     filing with any governmental agency or other governmental authority, or any
     approval of the Insurer's board of directors or stockholders, are necessary
     for the Policies and the Insurance Agreement to constitute the legal, valid
     and binding obligations of the Insurer.

     The officer of the Insurer  certifying to items 2 and 3 shall be an officer
in charge of a principal financial function.

     The Insurer shall attach to such certificate a true and correct copy of its
certificate or articles of incorporation, as appropriate, and its bylaws, all of
which are in full force and effect on the date of such certificate.

     O. The  Underwriter  shall have  received  from Dewey  Ballantine,  special
counsel to the  Underwriter,  such opinion or opinions,  dated the Closing Date,
with respect to the issuance and sale of the  Certificates,  the  Prospectus and
such other related matters as the Underwriter shall reasonably require.

     P. The  Underwriter  and counsel for the  Underwriter  shall have  received
copies of any opinions of counsel to the Company or the Insurer  supplied to the
Trustee  relating to matters with respect to the  Certificates  or the Policies.
Any  such  opinions  shall be  dated  the  Closing  Date  and  addressed  to the
Underwriter or accompanied by reliance letters to the Underwriter or shall state
that the Underwriter may rely thereon.

<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 18


     Q.  The   Underwriter   shall  have  received  such  further   information,
certificates  and documents as the Underwriter may reasonably have requested not
fewer than three (3) full business days prior to the Closing Date.

     If any of the  conditions  specified  in this Section 6 shall not have been
fulfilled in all respects when and as provided in this Agreement, if the Company
is in breach of any  covenants or agreements  contained  herein or if any of the
opinions and  certificates  mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall
not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to
the  Underwriter  and  counsel  to  the  Underwriter,  this  Agreement  and  all
obligations  of the  Underwriter  hereunder,  may be canceled on, or at any time
prior to, the Closing Date by the Underwriter. Notice of such cancellation shall
be given to the Company in writing,  or by telephone  or telegraph  confirmed in
writing.

     7. Expenses. If the sale of the Class A Certificates provided for herein is
not  consummated  by reason  of a  default  by the  Company  in its  obligations
hereunder, then the Company will reimburse the Underwriter, upon demand, for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including, but not limited to, the reasonable
fees and expenses of Dewey  Ballantine)  that shall have been  incurred by it in
connection  with its  investigation  with  regard to the Company and the Class A
Certificates and the proposed purchase and sale of the Class A Certificates.

     8.  Indemnification and Contribution.  A. Regardless of whether any Class A
Certificates  are  sold,  the  Company  will  indemnify  and hold  harmless  the
Underwriter,  each of its respective  officers and directors and each person who
controls  the  Underwriter  within  the  meaning  of the  Act or the  Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934 (the "1934  Act"),  against  any and all  losses,  claims,
damages,  or  liabilities  (including the cost of any  investigation,  legal and
other expenses incurred in connection with any amounts paid in settlement of any
action, suit, proceeding or claim asserted), joint or several, to which they may
become  subject,  under the Act,  the 1934 Act or other  federal or state law or
regulation, at common law or otherwise,  insofar as such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained (i) in
the Registration  Statement,  or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading or (ii)
in the Basic Prospectus or the Prospectus Supplement or any amendment thereto or
supplement  thereto,  or arise out of or are based upon the  omission or alleged
omission  to state  therein a material  fact  necessary  to make the  statements
therein,  in  light  of the  circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not
misleading,  and will  reimburse  each such  indemnified  party for any legal or
other expenses  reasonably  incurred by it in connection with  investigating  or
defending  against such loss,  claim,  damage,  liability  or action;  provided,
however,  that the  Company  shall not be liable in any such case to the  extent
that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an
untrue  statement or alleged  untrue  statement or omission or alleged  omission
made  therein  in  reliance  upon and in  conformity  with  written  information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Underwriter specifically for use
in connection with the preparation thereof.

     B. Regardless of whether any Class A Certificates are sold, the Underwriter
will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its officers and directors
and each person,  if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act
or the 1934 Act against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they
or any of them become  subject  under the Act, the 1934 Act or other  federal or
state law or regulation,  at common law or otherwise,  to the same extent as the
foregoing indemnity,  insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect  thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue  statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (i) the Registration
Statement,  or any amendment thereof or supplement  thereto,  or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
necessary to make the  statements  therein not  misleading  or in (ii) the Basic

<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 19


Prospectus or the Prospectus  Supplement or any amendment  thereto or supplement
thereto,  or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged  omission to
state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to
the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged  omission was made therein in reliance upon and
in conformity with written information  furnished to the Company by or on behalf
of the  Underwriter  specifically  for  use in the  preparation  thereof  and so
acknowledged  in writing,  and will reimburse the Company for any legal or other
expenses  reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with investigating or
defending against such loss, claim, damage, liability or action.

     C. In case any proceeding (including any governmental  investigation) shall
be instituted  involving any person in respect of which  indemnity may be sought
pursuant  to  Paragraphs  A and B above  such  person  (hereinafter  called  the
indemnified  party) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity
may be sought  (hereinafter  called the indemnifying  party) in writing thereof;
but the  omission  to notify  the  indemnifying  party  shall not  relieve  such
indemnifying party from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under such Paragraph. The indemnifying party, upon request of the
indemnified  party,   shall  retain  counsel  reasonably   satisfactory  to  the
indemnified  party  to  represent  the  indemnified  party  and any  others  the
indemnifying  party may designate in such  proceeding and shall pay the fees and
disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding
any  indemnified  party shall have the right to retain its own counsel,  but the
fees and  expenses of such counsel  shall be at the expense of such  indemnified
party unless (i) the  indemnifying  party and the  indemnified  party shall have
mutually  agreed to the retention of such counsel,  or (ii) the named parties to
any  such  proceeding   (including  any  impleaded  parties)  include  both  the
indemnifying  party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties
by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential  differing
interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying  party shall not,
in  connection   with  any  proceeding  or  related   proceedings  in  the  same
jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm
for all such indemnified  parties,  and that all such fees and expenses shall be
reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by the
Underwriter  in the case of parties  indemnified  pursuant to Paragraph A and by
the  Company in the case of parties  indemnified  pursuant to  Paragraph  B. The
indemnifying  party  shall not be liable for any  settlement  of any  proceeding
effected  without its written  consent,  but if settled  with such consent or if
there is a final judgment for the plaintiff,  the  indemnifying  party agrees to
indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason
of such settlement or judgment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing  sentence,  if at
any time an  indemnified  party shall have  requested an  indemnifying  party to
reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated
above, the indemnifying  party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement
of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is
entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such  indemnifying  party of the
aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the
indemnified  party in  accordance  with such  request  prior to the date of such
settlement.  No indemnifying  party shall,  without the prior written consent of
the  indemnified  party,  effect any  settlement  of any  pending or  threatened
proceeding  in  respect of which any  indemnified  party is or could have been a
party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified  party,
unless such settlement  includes an  unconditional  release of such  indemnified
party  from  all  liability  on  claims  that  are the  subject  matter  of such
proceeding.

     D. If the indemnification  provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to
an indemnified  party in respect of any losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities
referred to herein,  then each indemnifying  party, in lieu of indemnifying such
indemnified  party,  shall  contribute  to the  amount  paid or  payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i)
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative  benefits  received
by the Company and the Underwriter  from the sale of the Certificates or (ii) if
the allocation  provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law,
in such  proportion  as is  appropriate  to reflect not only  relative  benefits
referred to in clause (i) above but also the  relative  fault of the Company and


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 20

of the  Underwriter in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted
in such losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities,  as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Company and the
Underwriter  shall be deemed to be in such proportion so that the Underwriter is
responsible for that portion  determined by multiplying the total amount of such
losses, claims, damages and liabilities,  including legal and other expenses, by
a fraction,  the  numerator of which is (x) the excess of the  Aggregate  Resale
Price of the Class A Certificates over the aggregate purchase price of the Class
A  Certificates  specified  in the third  paragraph  of this  Agreement  and the
denominator  of  which  is  (y)  the  Aggregate  Resale  Price  of the  Class  A
Certificates and the Company is responsible for the balance, provided,  however,
that no person  guilty of  fraudulent  misrepresentation  (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution  from any person who
was not  guilty  of  such  fraudulent  misrepresentation.  For  purposes  of the
immediately  preceding  sentence,  the  "Aggregate  Resale Price" of the Class A
Certificates at the time of any  determination  shall be the weighted average of
the purchase  prices (in each case  expressed as a percentage  of the  aggregate
principal  amount of the Class A Certificates  so purchased),  determined on the
basis of such  principal  amounts,  paid to the  Underwriter  by all  subsequent
purchasers  that purchased the Class A Certificates  on or prior to such date of
determination.  The relative fault of the Company and the  Underwriter  shall be
determined by reference  to, among other  things,  whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a  material  fact  relates  to  information  supplied  by the  Company or by the
Underwriter and the parties' relative intent,  knowledge,  access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

     E. The  Company  and the  Underwriter  agree  that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 were determined by pro rata
allocation  or by any other method of  allocation  that does not take account of
the  equitable  considerations  referred to in  Paragraph  D. The amount paid or
payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses,  claims,  damages and
liabilities  referred to in  Paragraph D shall be deemed to include,  subject to
the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such
action  or  claim.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  this  Section  8,  the
Underwriter  shall not be  required  to  contribute  any amount in excess of the
amount by which the  Aggregate  Resale  Price  exceeds the amount of any damages
that the  Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any untrue
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

     F. The Company and the Underwriter  each expressly  waive, and agree not to
assert,  any  defense  to  their  respective  indemnification  and  contribution
obligations  under this Section 8 which they might  otherwise  assert based upon
any  claim  that such  obligations  are  unenforceable  under  federal  or state
securities laws or by reasons of public policy.

     G. The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be in addition
to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the
same terms and conditions,  to each person, if any, who controls the Underwriter
within  the  meaning  of the Act or the 1934  Act;  and the  obligations  of the
Underwriter  under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability that the
Underwriter  may  otherwise  have and  shall  extend,  upon the same  terms  and
conditions,  to each  director of the Company and to each  person,  if any,  who
controls  the Company  within the meaning of the Act or the 1934 Act;  provided,
however,  that in no event  shall the Company or the  Underwriter  be liable for
double indemnification.

     9. Information Supplied by the Underwriter. The statements set forth in the
last paragraph on the front cover page of the Prospectus regarding market-making
and under the  heading  "Underwriting"  in the  Supplement  (to the extent  such
statements  relate  to  the   Underwriter),   together  with  the  Computational
Materials,  constitute the only information  furnished by the Underwriter to the
Company for the  purposes  of Sections  2(B) and 8(A)  hereof.  The  Underwriter
confirms that such statements (to such extent) are correct.


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 21


     10. Notices. All communications  hereunder shall be in writing and, if sent
to the Underwriter,  shall be mailed or delivered or telecopied and confirmed in
writing to the Underwriter at Prudential Securities  Incorporated,  One New York
Plaza,  New York, New York 10292,  Attention:  Shankar Lall; and, if sent to the
Company,  shall be mailed,  delivered or telegraphed and confirmed in writing to
the Company at the address set forth above, Attention: Executive Vice President.

     11. Survival. All representations,  warranties, covenants and agreements of
the Company contained herein or in agreements or certificates delivered pursuant
hereto, the agreements of the Underwriter and the Company contained in Section 8
hereof,  and the  representations,  warranties and agreements of the Underwriter
contained  in Section 3 hereof,  shall  remain  operative  and in full force and
effect regardless of any  investigation  made by or on behalf of the Underwriter
or any controlling persons, or any subsequent purchaser or the Company or any of
its officers,  directors or any controlling  persons, and shall survive delivery
of and  payment  for the  Certificates.  The  provisions  of Sections 5, 7 and 8
hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

     12.  Termination.  The  Underwriter  shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement by giving notice as  hereinafter  specified at any time at or prior to
the  Closing  Date  if (a)  trading  generally  shall  have  been  suspended  or
materially  limited  on or by,  as the  case may be,  any of the New York  Stock
Exchange,  the American Stock Exchange,  the National  Association of Securities
Dealers,  Inc.,  the Chicago  Board  Options  Exchange,  the Chicago  Mercantile
Exchange or the Chicago  Board of Trade,  (b) trading of any  securities  of the
Company  shall have been  suspended on any  exchange or in any  over-the-counter
market,  (c) a general  moratorium on commercial  banking  activities shall have
been declared by either federal or New York State  authorities,  (d) there shall
have  occurred  any  outbreak  or  escalation  of  hostilities  or any change in
financial  markets  or any  calamity  or  crisis  which,  in  the  Underwriter's
reasonable  judgment,  is material and  adverse,  and, in the case of any of the
events  specified in clauses (a) through (d), such event singly or together with
any  other  such  event  makes  it  in  the  Underwriter's  reasonable  judgment
impractical to market the Class A Certificates.  Any such  termination  shall be
without  liability of any other party except that the  provisions of Paragraph G
of Section 5 (except with respect to expenses of the Underwriter) and Sections 7
and 8 hereof  shall at all  times be  effective.  If the  Underwriter  elects to
terminate  this  Agreement as provided in this Section 12, the Company  shall be
notified  promptly  by the  Underwriter  by  telephone,  telegram  or  facsimile
transmission, in any case, confirmed by letter.

     13. Successors.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties  hereto and their  respective  successors  and  assigns  (which
successors and assigns do not include any person  purchasing a Certificate  from
the  Underwriter),  and the  officers  and  directors  and  controlling  persons
referred to in Section 8 hereof and their respective successors and assigns, and
no other persons will have any right or obligations hereunder.

     14.  Applicable  Law;  Venue.  This  Agreement  shall  be  governed  by and
construed in  accordance  with the internal  laws of the State of New York.  Any
action or proceeding  brought to enforce or arising out of any provision of this
Agreement  shall be  brought  only in a state or  federal  court  located in the
Borough of Manhattan,  New York City, New York, and the parties hereto expressly
consent to the  jurisdiction  of such  courts and agree to waive any  defense or
claim of forum non  conveniens  they may have with respect to any such action or
proceeding brought.

     15.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in  any  number  of
counterparts,  each of  which  shall  together  constitute  but one and the same
instrument.

<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 22


     16.  Amendments  and  Waivers.  This  Agreement  may be amended,  modified,
altered  or  terminated,  and any of its  provisions  waived,  only in a writing
signed on behalf of the parties hereto.


<PAGE>

First Alliance Mortgage Company
September 10, 1996
Page 23

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto hereby  execute this  Underwriting
Agreement, as of the day and year first above written.

                                    FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY

                                    By:_____________________________________

                                        Name:
                                        Title:

                                    PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:




                     {UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE}





                         POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT

                                   Relating to

                       FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST

                                     1996-3

                                      Among

                        FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY,

                                   as Company

                        FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY,

                                   as Servicer

                                       and

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK,

                                   as Trustee

                          Dated as of September 1, 1996


<PAGE>

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Not a Part of this Agreement)                            Page


                                    ARTICLE I
                      DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION....................   1
   1.1.   Definitions.......................................................   1
   1.2.   Use of Words and Phrases..........................................  26
   1.3.   Captions; Table of Contents.......................................  26
   1.4.   Opinions..........................................................  26
                                                                         
                                   ARTICLE II
              ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST...................  26
   2.1.   Establishment of the Trust........................................  26
   2.2.   Office............................................................  27
   2.3.   Purposes and Powers...............................................  27
   2.4.   Appointment of the Trustee; Declaration of Trust..................  27
   2.5.   Expenses of Trustee...............................................  27
   2.6.   Ownership of the Trust............................................  27
   2.7.   Situs of the Trust................................................  27
   2.8.   Miscellaneous REMIC Provisions....................................  27
                                                                            
                                   ARTICLE III
                    REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
                        OF THE COMPANY AND THE SERVICER;
                    COVENANT OF COMPANY TO CONVEY MORTGAGE LOANS............  28
   3.1.   Representations and Warranties of the Company.....................  28
   3.2.   Representations and Warranties of the Servicer....................  30
   3.3.   Representations and Warranties of the Company 
            with Respect to the Mortgage Loans..............................  33
   3.4.   Covenants of the Company to Take Certain Actions 
            with Rspect to the Mortgage Loans In Certain Situations.........  35
   3.5.   Conveyance of the Mortgage Loans..................................  36
   3.6.   Acceptance by Trustee; Certain Substitutions of 
            Mortgage Loans; Certification by Trustee........................  40
   3.7.   Cooperation Procedures............................................  41
   3.8.   Conveyance of the Subsequent Mortgage Loans.......................  42

                                   ARTICLE IV
                       ISSUANCE AND SALE OF CERTIFICATES....................  44
   4.1.   Issuance of Certificates..........................................  44
   4.2.   Sale of Certificates..............................................  44

                                    ARTICLE V
                       CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFER OF INTERESTS...............  44
   5.1.   Terms.............................................................  44
   5.2.   Forms.............................................................  45
   5.3.   Execution, Authentication and Delivery............................  45
   5.4.   Registration and Transfer of Certificates.........................  45
   5.5.   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.................  47
   5.6.   Persons Deemed Owners.............................................  47
   5.7.   Cancellation......................................................  48
   5.8.   Limitation on Transfer of Ownership Rights........................  48
   5.9.   Assignment of Rights..............................................  49


                                        i

<PAGE>

                                                                            Page

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                   COVENANTS................................  49
   6.1.   Distributions.....................................................  49
   6.2.   Money for Distributions to be Held in Trust; Withholding..........  49
   6.3.   Protection of Trust Estate........................................  50
   6.4.   Performance of Obligations........................................  50
   6.5.   Negative Covenants................................................  50
   6.6.   No Other Powers...................................................  51
   6.7.   Limitation of Suits...............................................  51
   6.8.   Unconditional Rights of Owners to Receive Distributions...........  52
   6.9.   Rights and Remedies Cumulative....................................  52
   6.10.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver......................................  52
   6.11.  Control by Owners.................................................  52
   6.12.  Access to Owners of Certificates' Names and Addresses.............  53
                                                                             
                                   ARTICLE VII
                       ACCOUNTS, DISBURSEMENTS AND RELEASES.................  53
   7.1.   Collection of Money...............................................  53
   7.2.   Establishment of Accounts.........................................  53
   7.3.   The Certificate Insurance Policies................................  53
   7.4    Pre-Funding Account and Capitalized Interest Account..............  55
   7.5.   Flow of Funds.....................................................  55
   7.6.   Investment of Accounts............................................  58
   7.7.   Eligible Investments..............................................  59
   7.8.   Reports by Trustee................................................  60
   7.9.   Additional Reports by Trustee.....................................  62
                                                                             
                                  ARTICLE VIII
                 SERVICING AND ADMINISTRATION OF MORTGAGE LOANS.............  63
   8.1.   Servicer and Sub-Servicers........................................  63
   8.2.   Collection of Certain Mortgage Loan Payments......................  64
   8.3.   Sub-Servicing Agreements Between Servicer and Sub-Servicers.......  64
   8.4.   Successor Sub-Servicers...........................................  65
   8.5.   Liability of Servicer.............................................  65
   8.6.   No Contractual Relationship Between Sub-Servicer 
            and Trustee or the Owners.......................................  65
   8.7.   Assumption or Termination of Sub-Servicing Agreement by Trustee...  65
   8.8.   Principal and Interest Account....................................  65
   8.9.   Delinquency Advances, Compensating Interest
            and Servicing Advances..........................................  67
   8.10.  Purchase of Mortgage Loans........................................  68
   8.11.  Maintenance of Insurance..........................................  68
   8.12.  Due-on-Sale Clauses; Assumption and Substitution Agreements.......  69
   8.13.  Realization Upon Defaulted Mortgage Loans.........................  69
   8.14.  Trustee to Cooperate; Release of Files............................  70
   8.15.  Servicing Compensation............................................  71
   8.16.  Annual Statement as to Compliance.................................  71
   8.17.  Annual Independent Certified Public Accountants' Reports..........  72
   8.18.  Access to Certain Documentation and Information 
            Regarding the Mortgage Loans....................................  72
                                                   

                                       ii

<PAGE>

                                                                            Page

   8.19.  Assignment of Agreement...........................................  72
   8.20.  Events of Servicing Termination...................................  72
   8.21.  Resignation of Servicer and Appointment of Successor..............  75
   8.22.  Waiver of Past Events of Servicing Termination....................  77
   8.23.  Inspections by Certificate Insurer; Errors and                    
            Omissions Insurance.............................................  78
   8.24.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or 
            Succession to Business of Servicer..............................  78
   8.25.  Notices of Material Events........................................  78
   8.26.  Monthly Servicing Report and Servicing Certificate................  79
   8.27.  Indemnification by the Company....................................  81
   8.28.  Indemnification by the Servicer...................................  81
                                                                             
                                   ARTICLE IX
                              TERMINATION OF TRUST..........................  82
   9.1.   Termination of Trust..............................................  82
   9.2.   Termination Upon Option of Servicer...............................  82
   9.3.   Termination Upon Loss of REMIC Status.............................  83
   9.4.   Disposition of Proceeds...........................................  84
   9.5.   Netting of Amounts................................................  84
                                                                            
                                    ARTICLE X
                                   THE TRUSTEE..............................  84
   10.1.  Certain Duties and Responsibilities...............................  84
   10.2.  Removal of Trustee for Cause......................................  87
   10.3.  Certain Rights of the Trustee.....................................  88
   10.4.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Certificates..........  89
   10.5.  May Hold Certificates.............................................  89
   10.6.  Money Held in Trust...............................................  89
   10.7.  No Lien for Fees..................................................  89
   10.8.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility...........................  89
   10.9.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.................  89
   10.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee....................  91
   10.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or                               
            Succession to Business of the Trustee...........................  91
   10.12. Reporting; Withholding............................................  91
   10.13. Liability of the Trustee..........................................  91
   10.14. Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee.....................  92
                                                                            
                                   ARTICLE XI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS.............................  93
   11.1.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions..............................  93
   11.2.  Form of Documents Delivered to the Trustee........................  93
   11.3.  Acts of Owners....................................................  94
   11.4.  Notices, etc. to Trustee..........................................  95
   11.5.  Notices and Reports to Owners; Waiver of Notices..................  95
   11.6.  Rules by Trustee and the Company..................................  95
   11.7.  Successors and Assigns............................................  95
   11.8.  Severability......................................................  95
   11.9.  Benefits of Agreement.............................................  95
   11.10. Legal Holidays....................................................  96
                                                                            

                                      iii

<PAGE>

   11.11. Governing Law.....................................................  96
   11.12. Counterparts......................................................  96
   11.13. Usury.............................................................  96
   11.14. Amendment.........................................................  96
   11.15. REMIC Status; Taxes...............................................  97
   11.16. Additional Limitation on Action and Imposition of Tax.............  98
   11.17. Appointment of Tax Matters Person.................................  99
   11.18. The Certificate Insurer...........................................  99
   11.19. Maintenance of Records............................................  99
   11.20. Notices...........................................................  99
                                                                            
EXHIBIT A-1     --    Form of Class A-1 Certificate
EXHIBIT A-2     --    Form of Class A-2 Certificate
EXHIBIT B       --    Mortgage Loan Schedule
EXHIBIT C       --    Form of Class R Certificate
EXHIBIT D       --    Form of Certificate Re: Mortgage Loans 
                         Prepaid in full After the Cut-Off Date
EXHIBIT E       --    Form of Initial Certification
EXHIBIT F       --    Form of Final Certification
EXHIBIT G       --    Form of Delivery Order
EXHIBIT H       --    Form of Class R Tax Matters Transfer Certificate
EXHIBIT I       --    Form of Notice for Certificate Insurance Policy
EXHIBIT J       --    Form of Monthly Report
EXHIBIT K       --    Form of Request for Release
EXHIBIT L       --    Form of Subsequent Transfer Agreement


                                       iv

<PAGE>

          POOLING AND SERVICING  AGREEMENT,  relating to FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE
LOAN TRUST 1996-3,  dated as of September 1, 1996,  by and among FIRST  ALLIANCE
MORTGAGE COMPANY, a California  corporation (the "Company"),  the Company in its
fiduciary  capacity as servicer of the Trust (the  "Servicer"),  and THE BANK OF
NEW YORK,  a New York  banking  corporation,  in its  capacity  as trustee  (the
"Trustee").

          WHEREAS,  the Company  wishes to establish a trust and two  subtrusts,
which provide for the allocation and sale of the  beneficial  interests  therein
and the maintenance and distribution of the trust estate;

          WHEREAS,  the Servicer has agreed to service the Mortgage Loans, which
constitute the principal assets of the trust estate;

          WHEREAS, all things necessary to make the Certificates,  when executed
and authenticated by the Trustee, valid instruments,  and to make this Agreement
a valid agreement, in accordance with their and its terms, have been done;

          WHEREAS,  The Bank of New York is willing to serve in the  capacity of
Trustee hereunder; and

          WHEREAS,  MBIA Insurance  Corporation (the  "Certificate  Insurer") is
intended  to be a third  party  beneficiary  of  this  Agreement  and is  hereby
recognized  by the  parties  hereto  to be a  third-party  beneficiary  of  this
Agreement.

          NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and the  mutual
agreements  herein contained,  the Company,  the Servicer and the Trustee hereby
agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                       DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

          Section  1.1.  Definitions.  For all purposes of this  Agreement,  the
following  terms shall have the  meanings  set forth  below,  unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise:

          "Account":  Any account  established in accordance with Section 7.2 or
8.8 hereof.

          "Addition Notice": With respect to the transfer of Subsequent Mortgage
Loans to the Trust for  inclusion in Group I or Group II pursuant to Section 3.8
hereof,  notice  given not less than three  Business  Days prior to the  related
Subsequent  Transfer Date of the Company's  designation  of Subsequent  Mortgage
Loans  to be sold to the  Trust  for  inclusion  in  Group I or Group II and the
aggregate  Loan Balance of such  Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans to be delivered for
inclusion in each such Group.

          "Agreement":  This  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement,  as it  may be
amended from time to time, and including the Exhibits hereto.

          "Appraised  Value": The appraised value of any Property based upon the
appraisal or other  valuation made at the time of the origination of the related
Mortgage  Loan,  or, in the case of a Mortgage  Loan  which is a purchase  money
mortgage,  the sales price of the Property at such time of origination,  if such
sales price is less than such appraised value.


                                       1
<PAGE>

          "Authorized  Officer":  With respect to any Person,  any person who is
authorized  to act for such Person in matters  relating to this  Agreement,  and
whose  action is binding  upon such Person and,  with respect to the Company and
the Servicer,  initially  including those  individuals whose names appear on the
lists of Authorized  Officers  delivered on the Startup Day, and with respect to
the Trustee, any Vice President,  Assistant Vice President,  Assistant Treasurer
or Assistant Secretary of the Trustee.

          "Available  Funds":  With  respect  to Group I, the Group I  Available
Funds and with respect to Group II, the Group II Available Funds.

          "Available  Funds  Shortfall":  Any of the  Group  I  Available  Funds
Shortfall or the Group II Available Funds Shortfall.

          "Balloon Loan":  Any Mortgage Loan which has an amortization  schedule
which extends  beyond its maturity date,  resulting in an unamortized  principal
balance due in a single payment at maturity.

          "Business Day": Any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
which commercial  banking  institutions in the States of New York and California
or in the city in which the Corporate  Trust Office is located are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to be closed.

          "Capitalized  Interest  Account":  The  Capitalized  Interest  Account
established  in  accordance  with Section  7.2(b)  hereof and  maintained by the
Trustee.

          "Certificate":  Any one of the  Class A  Certificates  or the  Class R
Certificates,  each  representing the interests and the rights described in this
Agreement.

          "Certificate   Account":   The  Certificate   Account  established  in
accordance  with Section 7.2(a) hereof and  maintained by the Trustee;  provided
that the funds in such account shall not be commingled with any other funds held
by the Trustee.

          "Certificate Insurance Policies": The Fixed Rate Certificate Insurance
Policy and the Variable Rate Certificate Insurance Policy.

          "Certificate  Insurer":  MBIA  Insurance  Corporation or any successor
thereto, as issuer of the Certificate Insurance Policies.

          "Certificate Principal Balance": As to the Class A-1 Certificates, the
Class A-1 Certificate  Principal  Balance and as to the Class A-2  Certificates,
the Class A-2  Certificate  Principal  Balance.  The Class R Certificates do not
have a "Certificate Principal Balance".

          "Class":  All of the  Class  A-1  Certificates,  all of the  Class A-2
Certificates or all of the Class R Certificates.

          "Class A  Certificate":  Any one of the Class A-1  Certificates or the
Class A-2 Certificates.

          "Class A  Distribution  Amount":  Any of the  Class  A-1  Distribution
Amount or the Class A-2 Distribution Amount.

          "Class A-1  Carry-Forward  Amount":  With respect to any Payment Date,
the sum of (i) the  amount,  if any,  by which (x) the  Class  A-1  Distribution
Amount as of the immediately  preceding  Payment Date exceeded (y) the amount of
the actual distribution made to the Owners of the Class A-1 Certificates on such


                                       2
<PAGE>

immediately  preceding  Payment Date and (ii) 30 days'  interest on the interest
portion of such amount at the Class A-1 Pass-Through Rate.

          "Class A-1  Certificate":  Any Certificate  designated as a "Class A-1
Certificate"  on  the  face  thereof,   in  the  form  of  Exhibit  A-1  hereto,
representing  the  right to  distributions  as set forth  herein.  The Class A-1
Certificates  shall be issued with an initial  aggregate  Certificate  Principal
Balance equal to the Original Certificate Principal Balance therefor.

          "Class  A-1  Certificate   Principal  Balance":  As  of  any  time  of
determination,  the  Original  Certificate  Principal  Balance  of the Class A-1
Certificates  less any amounts actually  distributed on account of the Class A-1
Principal  Distribution  Amount  pursuant to Section  7.5(d)(iv)(B)  hereof with
respect to principal thereon on all prior Payment Dates.

          "Class A-1 Certificate  Termination  Date":  The Payment Date on which
the Class A-1 Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero.

          "Class A-1 Current Interest":  With respect to interest accruing after
the Cut-Off Date and as of any Payment Date,  the  aggregate  amount of interest
accrued on the Class A-1 Certificate Principal Balance immediately prior to such
Payment  Date  during  the  related  Interest  Accrual  Period  at the Class A-1
Pass-Through Rate.

          "Class A-1 Distribution  Amount": The sum of (x) the Group I Principal
Distribution Amount payable to the Owners of the Class A-1 Certificates pursuant
to Section 7.5(d)(iv)(B) and (y) the Class A-1 Current Interest.

          "Class A-1 Pass-Through Rate": 7.625% per annum;  provided that on any
Payment Date after the Clean-Up Call Date, the Class A-1 Pass-Through Rate shall
be the lesser of (x) 8.375% and (y) the Group I Available Funds Cap.

          "Class A-2  Carry-Forward  Amount":  With respect to any Payment Date,
the sum of (i) the  amount,  if any,  by which (x) the  Class  A-2  Distribution
Amount as of the immediately  preceding  Payment Date exceeded (y) the amount of
the actual distribution made to the Owners of the Class A-2 Certificates on such
immediately  preceding  Payment Date and (ii) 30 days'  interest on the interest
portion of such amount at the Class A-2 Pass-Through Rate.

          "Class A-2  Certificate":  Any Certificate  designated as a "Class A-2
Certificate"  on  the  face  thereof,   in  the  form  of  Exhibit  A-2  hereto,
representing  the  right to  distributions  as set forth  herein.  The Class A-2
Certificates  shall be issued with an initial  aggregate  Certificate  Principal
Balance equal to the Original Certificate Principal Balance therefor.

          "Class  A-2  Certificate   Principal  Balance":  As  of  any  time  of
determination,  the  Original  Certificate  Principal  Balance  of the Class A-2
Certificates  less any amounts actually  distributed on account of the Class A-2
Principal  Distribution  Amount  pursuant to Section  7.5(d)(iv)(D)  hereof with
respect to principal thereon on all prior Payment Dates.

          "Class A-2 Certificate  Termination  Date":  The Payment Date on which
the Class A-2 Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero.

          "Class A-2 Current Interest":  With respect to interest accruing after
the Cut-Off Date and as of any Payment Date,  the  aggregate  amount of interest
accrued on the Class A-2 Certificate Principal Balance immediately prior to such

                                       3
<PAGE>

Payment  Date  during  the  related  Interest  Accrual  Period  at the Class A-2
Pass-Through Rate.

          "Class A-2 Distribution Amount": The sum of (x) the Group II Principal
Distribution Amount payable to the Owners of the Class A-2 Certificates pursuant
to Section 7.5(d)(iv)(D) hereof and (y) the Class A-2 Current Interest.

          "Class A-2 Formula  Pass-Through  Rate": The rate determined by clause
(x) of the definition of "Class A-2 Pass-Through Rate."

          "Class A-2 Pass-Through Rate": For the initial Payment Date, 5.80%. As
of any Payment Date thereafter, the lesser of (x) LIBOR plus, in the case of any
Payment Date on or prior to the Clean-Up Call Date,  0.32% per annum,  or in the
case of any  Payment  Date  thereafter,  0.64%  per  annum  and (y) the Group II
Available Funds Cap for such Payment Date.

          "Class R Certificate":  Any of those Certificates representing certain
residual  rights  to  distributions  from the  REMIC,  designated  as a "Class R
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit C hereto and evidencing
an interest  designated as the "residual  interest" in the Trust for purposes of
the REMIC Provisions.

          "Clean-Up Call Date": The date on which the outstanding aggregate Loan
Balance of the  Mortgage  Loans in the Trust has  declined to 10% or less of the
Maximum Collateral Amount.

          "Code":  The  Internal  Revenue  Code  of  1986,  as  amended  and any
successor statute.

          "Combined  Loan-to-Value  Ratio":  With respect to any First  Mortgage
Loan, the percentage equal to the Original  Principal Amount of the related Note
divided by the Appraised  Value of the related  Property and with respect to any
Second  Mortgage Loan the  percentage  equal to (a) the sum of (i) the remaining
principal  balance,  as of origination of the Second Mortgage Loan of the Senior
Lien  note(s)  relating  to such  Second  Mortgage  Loan and  (ii) the  Original
Principal  Amount of the Note  relating to such Second  Mortgage Loan divided by
(b) the Appraised Value of the related Property.

          "Compensating Interest": As defined in Section 8.9(b) hereof.

          "Corporate  Trust Office":  The principal office of the Trustee at 101
Barclay  Street,  12E,  New York,  New York  10286,  attention:  First  Alliance
Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3 or any other office of the Trustee designated as such
hereunder.

          "Coupon Rate": The rate of interest borne by each Note.

          "Current  Interest":  As of any Payment Date, the sum of the Class A-1
Current Interest,  and the Class A-2 Current Interest due on the related Payment
Date.

          "Curtailment":  With  respect  to a  Mortgage  Loan,  any  payment  of
principal  received  during a Remittance  Period as part of a payment that is in
excess of the amount of the monthly payment due for such  Remittance  Period and
which  is  not  a  Paid-in-Full  Mortgage  Loan,  nor  is  intended  to  cure  a
delinquency.

          "Cut-Off Date": September 1, 1996.

          "Delinquency Advance": As defined in Section 8.9(a) hereof.

                                       4
<PAGE>

          "Delinquent":  A Mortgage  Loan is  "Delinquent"  if any  payment  due
thereon  is not  made by the  close  of  business  on the day  such  payment  is
scheduled to be due. A Mortgage Loan is "30 days Delinquent" if such payment has
not been  received  by the  close of  business  on the  second  day of the month
immediately  succeeding  the month in which such payment was due.  Similarly for
"60 days Delinquent," "90 days Delinquent" and so on.

          "Delivery Order":  The delivery order in the form set forth as Exhibit
G hereto and delivered by the Company to the Trustee on the Startup Day pursuant
to Section 4.1 hereof.

          "Depository":  The Depository  Trust Company,  7 Hanover  Square,  New
York, New York 10004 and any successor Depository hereafter named.

          "Designated Depository Institution": With respect to the Principal and
Interest Account or the Certificate  Account,  an institution whose deposits are
insured by the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association  Insurance Fund of
the FDIC,  the  long-term  deposits  of which  shall be rated (x) A or better by
Standard  & Poor's  and (y) A2 or better by  Moody's  and in one of the  highest
short-term  rating  categories,  unless  otherwise  approved  in  writing by the
Certificate  Insurer and each of Moody's and Standard & Poor's, and which is any
of the following:  (i) a federal  savings and loan  association  duly organized,
validly  existing and in good standing under the federal  banking laws,  (ii) an
institution  duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good standing  under the
applicable banking laws of any state, (iii) a national banking  association duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the federal banking laws,
(iv) a  principal  subsidiary  of a bank  holding  company,  or (v)  approved in
writing by the Certificate  Insurer,  Moody's and Standard & Poor's and, in each
case acting or designated by the Servicer as the depository  institution for the
Principal and Interest Account; provided,  however, that any such institution or
association  shall have combined  capital,  surplus and undivided  profits of at
least $100,000,000.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Principal and Interest
Account  or the  Certificate  Account  may be held by (a) the  Trustee or (b) an
institution  otherwise meeting the preceding  requirements  except that the only
applicable rating  requirement shall be that the unsecured and  uncollateralized
debt  obligations  thereof  shall be rated  Baa3 or  better by  Moody's  if such
institution  has trust powers and the Principal and Interest  Account is held by
such institution in its trust capacity and not in its commercial capacity.

          "Determination Date": As to each Remittance Date, the 12th day of each
month, or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day.

          "Direct Participant" or "DTC Participant": Any broker-dealer,  bank or
other financial  institution for which the Depository holds Class A Certificates
from time to time as a securities depository.

          "Disqualified  Organization":  "Disqualified  Organization" shall have
the  meaning  set forth from time to time in the  definition  thereof at Section
860E(e)(5) of the Code (or any successor  statute thereto) and applicable to the
Trust.

          "Due Date": The first day of the month of the related Payment Date.

          "Due Period":  With respect to any Payment Date, the period commencing
on the second day of the month  preceding  the month of such  Payment  Date (or,
with respect to the first Due Period,  the day  following  the Cut-Off Date) and
ending on the related Due Date.

          "Eligible  Investments":  Those investments so designated  pursuant to
Section 7.7 hereof.

          "Event of  Default":  Any event  described  in  clauses  (a) or (b) of
Section 8.20 hereof.

                                       5
<PAGE>

          "Event of  Servicing  Termination":  Any event as described in Section
8.20 hereof.

          "Excess Subordinated  Amount": With respect to any Mortgage Loan Group
and Payment Date, the excess, if any, of (x) the Subordinated  Amount that would
apply to the related  Mortgage Loan Group on such Payment Date after taking into
account the payment of the related Class A Distribution  Amounts on such Payment
Date (except for any distributions of related Subordination Reduction Amounts on
such Payment Date) over (y) the related Specified  Subordinated  Amount for such
Payment Date.

          "FDIC":  The Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation,  or any successor
thereto.

          "FHLMC":  The  Federal  Home Loan  Mortgage  Corporation,  a corporate
instrumentality  of the United States  created  pursuant to the  Emergency  Home
Finance Act of 1970, as amended, or any successor thereof.

          "File": The documents delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.5
hereof  pertaining to a particular  Mortgage Loan and any  additional  documents
required to be added to the mortgage file pursuant to this Agreement.

          "Final  Certification":  The final certification in the form set forth
as Exhibit F hereto and  delivered by the Trustee to the Company  within 90 days
after the Startup Day pursuant to Section 3.6 hereof.

          "Final Determination": As defined in Section 9.3(a) hereof.

          "First  Mortgage  Loan":  A Mortgage  Loan which  constitutes  a first
priority mortgage lien with respect to any Property.

          "Fixed Rate Certificate  Insurance Policy":  The certificate  guaranty
insurance  policy  (number  22204)  dated  September  17,  1996  issued  by  the
Certificate  Insurer to the  Trustee  for the benefit of the Owners of the Class
A-1 Certificates.

          "FNMA":    The    Federal    National    Mortgage    Association,    a
federally-chartered  and privately-owned  corporation existing under the Federal
National Mortgage Association Charter Act, as amended, or any successor thereof.

          "Funding  Period":  With  respect to each of Group I and Group II, the
period  commencing on the Startup Day and ending on the earliest to occur of (i)
the date on which the amount on deposit in the Pre-Funding  Account with respect
to such Group  (exclusive of any  Pre-Funding  Account  Earnings with respect to
such Group) is less than  $100,000,  (ii) the date on which the  Servicer may be
removed pursuant to Section 8.20(a) or (b) hereof and (iii) September 30, 1996.

          "Group  I":  The pool of  Mortgage  Loans  identified  in the  related
Schedules of Mortgage  Loans as having been  assigned to Group I,  including any
Qualified  Replacement  Mortgages  delivered  in  replacement  thereof  and each
Subsequent Mortgage Loan delivered to the Trust for inclusion therein.

          "Group I Amortized Subordinated Amount Requirement": As of any date of
determination,  the product of (x) 2.40% and (y) the Group I Maximum  Collateral
Amount.

          "Group I Available Funds": As defined in Section 7.3(a)(i) hereof.

                                       6
<PAGE>

          "Group I Available  Funds  Cap":  The  weighted  average of the Coupon
Rates on the  Mortgage  Loans in Group I less the sum of the  rates at which (i)
the Group I  Servicing  Fee,  (ii) the Group I Trustee Fee and (iii) the Group I
Premium Amount are calculated.

          "Group  I   Available   Funds   Shortfall":   As  defined  in  Section
7.5(d)(ii)(A).

          "Group I Capitalized Interest Requirement": $31,176.48.

          "Group I Initial Specified Subordinated Amount": $0.00.

          "Group I Insured  Payment":  As defined in the Fixed Rate  Certificate
Insurance Policy.

          "Group I Interest  Remittance  Amount": As of any Remittance Date, the
sum,  without  duplication,  of (i)  all  scheduled  interest  collected  by the
Servicer  during the related Due Period,  with respect to the Mortgage  Loans in
Group I, (ii) all Delinquency Advances relating to interest made by the Servicer
on such  Remittance  Date with  respect  to Group I and  (iii) all  Compensating
Interest paid by the Servicer on such Remittance Date with respect to Group I.

          "Group I Maximum Collateral Amount": $33,500,000.

          "Group I Monthly  Remittance  Amount":  As of any Remittance Date, the
sum of (i) the Group I Interest  Remittance  Amount for such Remittance Date and
(ii) the Group I Principal Remittance Amount for such Remittance Date.

          "Group I Original Aggregate Loan Balance": The aggregate Loan Balances
of all  Initial  Mortgage  Loans  in  Group  I as of  the  Cut-Off  Date,  i.e.,
$26,220,736.51.

          "Group I Preference  Amount": As defined in the Fixed Rate Certificate
Insurance Policy.

          "Group I Premium  Amount":  As to any Payment Date  beginning with the
third  Payment  Date,  the  product  of  one-twelfth  of (x) the Group I Premium
Percentage and (y) the Class A-1 Certificate  Principal  Balance on such Payment
Date (before  taking into account any  distributions  of principal to be made to
the Owners of the Class A-1 Certificates on such Payment Date).

          "Group I Premium Percentage": As defined in the Insurance Agreement.

          "Group I Principal Distribution Amount": With respect to the Class A-1
Certificates  on  the  first  Payment  Date,  the  Group  I  Initial   Specified
Subordinated  Amount,  if any and for the first Payment Date and for any Payment
Date thereafter, the lesser of:

     (x)  the Group I Total  Available  Funds  plus any Group I Insured  Payment
          minus the Class A-1 Current Interest for such Payment Date; and

     (y)  the excess, if any, of (i) the sum, without duplication of:

               (a)  the Class A-1 Carry-Forward Amount,

               (b)  the principal  portion of all scheduled  monthly payments on
                    the Mortgage Loans in Group I due on or prior to the related
                    Due Date  during  the  related  Due  Period,  to the  extent
                    actually  received by the Trustee on or prior to the related
                    Remittance Date or to the extent advanced by the Servicer on
                    or prior to the related  Remittance Date and any Prepayments

                                       7
<PAGE>

                    made  by  the  respective   Mortgagors  during  the  related
                    Remittance Period,

               (c)  the  Loan  Balance  of each  Mortgage  Loan in  Group I that
                    either was  repurchased  by the Company or an  Originator or
                    purchased by the Servicer on the related Remittance Date, to
                    the extent  such Loan  Balance is  actually  received by the
                    Trustee on or prior to the related Remittance Date,

               (d)  any  Substitution  Amounts  delivered  by the  Company or an
                    Originator on the related Remittance Date in connection with
                    a substitution  of a Mortgage Loan in Group I (to the extent
                    such  Substitution  Amounts  relate  to  principal),  to the
                    extent such  Substitution  Amounts are actually  received by
                    the Trustee on or prior to the related Remittance Date,

               (e)  all  Net  Liquidation  Proceeds  actually  collected  by the
                    Servicer  with  respect  to the  Mortgage  Loans  in Group I
                    during the related Remittance Period (to the extent such Net
                    Liquidation  Proceeds  relate to  principal)  to the  extent
                    actually  received by the Trustee on or prior to the related
                    Remittance Date,

               (f)  the  amount of any Group I  Subordination  Deficit  for such
                    Payment Date,

               (g)  the proceeds  received by the Trustee of any  termination as
                    set forth in  Article  IX  hereof of Group I (to the  extent
                    such proceeds related to principal),

               (h)  any  moneys  released  from  the  Pre-Funding  Account  as a
                    prepayment of the Class A-1 Certificates on the Payment Date
                    which immediately follows the end of the Funding Period, and

               (i)  the amount of any Subordination Increase Amount with respect
                    to Group I for such Payment  Date,  to the extent of any Net
                    Monthly Excess Cashflow available for such purpose;

          over

          (ii)      the  amount  of  any  Subordination  Reduction  Amount  with
                    respect to Group I for such Payment Date.

          "Group I Principal  Remittance Amount": As of any Remittance Date, the
sum, without  duplication,  of (i) the scheduled principal actually collected by
the Servicer  with  respect to Mortgage  Loans in Group I during the related Due
Period, (ii) Prepayments  collected in the related Remittance Period,  (iii) the
Loan Balance of each such Mortgage  Loan in Group I that either was  repurchased
by an  Originator  or by the  Company  or  purchased  by the  Servicer  on  such
Remittance  Date, to the extent such Loan Balance was actually  deposited in the
Principal and Interest Account,  (iv) any Substitution  Amounts delivered by the
Company in connection  with a substitution of a Mortgage Loan in Group I, to the
extent such  Substitution  Amounts were actually  deposited in the Principal and
Interest  Account on such  Remittance  Date,  (v) all Net  Liquidation  Proceeds
actually  collected by the Servicer with respect to such Mortgage Loans in Group
I during the related Due Period (to the extent such Liquidation Proceeds related
to principal),  (vi) all Delinquency  Advances relating to principal made by the
Servicer on such  Remittance  Date with respect to Group and (vii) the amount of
any  investment  losses  required to be deposited by the Company or the Servicer
pursuant to Sections 7.6(e) or 8.8(b).

                                       8
<PAGE>

          "Group I Projected  Net Monthly  Excess  Cashflow":  As of any date of
calculation,  Net Monthly  Excess  Cashflow  relating to Group I (other than any
Subordination  Reduction  Amount included  therein),  as calculated  pursuant to
Section  7.5(d)(iii) hereof on the Payment Date immediately  preceding such date
of calculation.

          "Group I  Reimbursement  Amount":  As of any Payment Date,  the sum of
(x)(i) all Group I Insured Payments  previously  received by the Trustee and not
previously repaid to the Certificate  Insurer pursuant to Section  7.5(d)(ii)(C)
or Section  7.5(d)(ii)(D) hereof plus (ii) interest accrued on each such Group I
Insured Payment not previously  repaid  calculated at the Late Payment Rate from
the date the Trustee  received the related  Group I Insured  Payment to, but not
including,  such  Payment  Date and (y)(i) any amounts then due and owing to the
Certificate  Insurer relating to Group I under the Insurance Agreement plus (ii)
interest on such amounts at the Late Payment Rate. The Certificate Insurer shall
notify the Trustee  and the  Company of the amount of any Group I  Reimbursement
Amount.

          "Group I Servicing  Fee":  With  respect to Group I, as to any Payment
Date,  the  product  of (x)  one-twelfth  of 0.50%  and (y) the  aggregate  Loan
Balances of the  Mortgage  Loans in Group I as of the opening of business on the
first day of the related  Remittance  Period.  Such Servicing Fee is retained by
the Servicer pursuant to Sections 8.8(c)(i) and 8.15 hereof.

          "Group I  Specified  Subordinated  Amount":  Means (a) for any Payment
Date occurring during the period commencing on the Startup Day and ending on the
later of (i) the date upon  which  principal  equal to  one-half  of the Group I
Maximum  Collateral  Amount has been  received  and (ii) the 30th  Payment  Date
following the Startup Day, the greater of (A) the Group I Amortized Subordinated
Amount  Requirement  and (B) two (2) times the  excess  of (x)  one-half  of the
aggregate  Loan  Balances of all Mortgage  Loans in Group I which are 90 or more
days  Delinquent  (including  REO  Properties)  over (y) five  times the Group I
Projected Net Monthly  Excess  Cashflow as of such Payment Date; and (b) for any
Payment  Date  occurring  after the end of the period in clause  (a) above,  the
greatest  of (i) the  lesser of (A) the Group I  Amortized  Subordinated  Amount
Requirement  and (B) two (2)  times the Group I  Amortized  Subordinated  Amount
Requirement stated as a percentage of the Original Certificate Principal Balance
of the Class A-1 Certificates times the current Class A-1 Certificate  Principal
Balance,  (ii) two (2) times the excess of (A)  one-half of the  aggregate  Loan
Balances of all Mortgage  Loans in Group I which are 90 or more days  Delinquent
(including  REO  Properties)  over (B) three  times the  Group I  Projected  Net
Monthly  Excess  Cashflow as of such  Payment  Date and (iii) an amount equal to
0.50%  of  the   Group  I  Maximum   Collateral   Amount;   provided,   however,
notwithstanding  the  above,  in the event  that any Group I Insured  Payment or
Group  II  Insured  Payment  is  made by the  Certificate  Insurer,  the  amount
described  in this  clause  (b)  shall  remain  equal to the  Group I  Amortized
Subordinated Amount Requirement.

          "Group I Subordinated Amount": As of any Payment Date, the difference,
if any,  between (x) the sum of (i) the aggregate  Loan Balances of the Mortgage
Loans in  Group I as of the  close of  business  on the last day of the  related
Remittance  Period and (ii) any amount on deposit in the Pre-Funding  Account at
such time exclusive of any Pre-Funding  Account  Earnings related to Group I and
(y) the Class A-1 Certificate  Principal  Balance as of such Payment Date (after
taking into account the payment of the Class A-1 Distribution Amount (except for
any portion thereof related to an Insured Payment) on such Payment Date).

          "Group  I  Subordination  Deficit":  With  respect  to Group I and any
Payment  Date,  the  amount,  if any,  by which (x) the  Class  A-1  Certificate
Principal  Balance,  after  taking  into  account  the  payment  of the  Group I
Principal  Distribution  Amount on such  Payment  Date (except any payment to be
made as to principal from the proceeds of the Fixed Rate  Certificate  Insurance
Policy),  exceeds (y) the sum of (a) the aggregate Loan Balances of the Mortgage
Loans in Group I as of the close of  business on the last day of the related Due
Period  and (b) the  amount,  if any,  on  deposit  in the  Pre-Funding  Account
exclusive of any Pre-Funding Account Earnings related to Group I as of the close
of business on the last day of the related Remittance Period;  provided that for

                                       9
<PAGE>

the purpose of calculating Loan Balances to determine if a Subordination Deficit
exists,  the  aggregate  amount of the principal  component of all  unreimbursed
Delinquency Advances shall be deducted from the related actual Loan Balances.

          "Group I Total  Available  Funds":  As defined  in  Section  7.3(a)(i)
hereof.

          "Group I Total  Available  Funds  Shortfall":  As  defined  in Section
7.3(b) hereof.

          "Group I Total Monthly Excess Spread": With respect to Group I and any
Payment Date, the difference  between (i) the interest which is collected on the
Mortgage Loans in Group I during the related Remittance Period, less the Group I
Servicing  Fee  plus  the  interest  portion  of any  Delinquency  Advances  and
Compensating  Interest  paid by the  Servicer  with  respect to Group I for such
Remittance  Period  and (ii) the sum of (x) the  interest  due on the  Class A-1
Certificates  on such  Payment  Date and (y) the Group I Premium  Amount and the
Group I Trustee Fee, if any, for such Payment Date.

          "Group I Trustee Fee":  The amount  payable  monthly to the Trustee on
each  Payment  Date,  in an amount  equal to the product of (x)  one-twelfth  of
0.0145% and (y) the aggregate  Loan Balance of the Mortgage  Loans in Group I as
of the opening of business on the first day of the preceding Remittance Period.

          "Group  II":  The pool of  Mortgage  Loans  identified  in the related
Schedules of Mortgage  Loans as having been assigned to Group II,  including any
Qualified  Replacement  Mortgages  delivered  in  replacement  thereof  and each
Subsequent Mortgage Loan delivered to the Trust for inclusion therein.

          "Group II Amortized  Subordinated Amount Requirement":  As of any date
of  determination,  the  product  of (x)  2.30%  and (y) the  Group  II  Maximum
Collateral Amount.

          "Group II Available Funds": As defined in Section 7.3(a)(ii) hereof.

          "Group II Available  Funds Cap": As of any Payment Date,  the weighted
average of the Coupon  Rates on the  Mortgage  Loans in Group II less the sum of
(a) the rates of which (i) the Group II Servicing Fee, (ii) the Group II Trustee
Fee, (iii)  beginning on the third Payment Date, the Group II Premium Amount are
determined  and (b)  beginning  on the  seventh  Payment  Date,  0.50% per annum
expressed as a percentage of the Mortgage Loans in Group II.

          "Group II Available Funds Cap Carry-Forward  Amortization  Amount": As
of any Payment Date, any amount  distributed  from the Group II Available  Funds
Cap Carry-Forward Amount Account on such Payment Date pursuant to Section 7.5(e)
hereof.

          "Group II Available Funds Cap Carry-Forward Amount": As of any Payment
Date, the excess, if any, of (x) the sum of (i) the excess, if any, equal to (a)
the aggregate  amount of interest due on the Class A-2 Certificates on all prior
Payment Dates,  calculated at the Class A-2 Formula Pass-Through Rate applicable
to each such Payment Date over (b) the  aggregate  amount of interest due on the
Class A-2  Certificates on all prior Payment Dates,  calculated at the Class A-2
Pass-Through Rate applicable to each such Payment Date, (ii) the amount, if any,
described in clause (iii) hereof as of the  immediately  preceding  Payment Date
and (iii) the product of (a)  one-twelfth of the Class A-2 Formula  Pass-Through
Rate on such  Payment  Date and (b) the sum of the amounts  described in clauses
(i) and (ii) preceding over (y) all Group II Available  Funds Cap  Carry-Forward
Amortization Amounts actually funded on all prior Payment Dates.

          "Group II  Available  Funds Cap  Carry-Forward  Amount  Account":  The
Available Funds Cap Carry-Forward  Amount Account established in accordance with
Section 7.2 hereof and maintained by the Trustee.

                                       10
<PAGE>

          "Group  II  Available   Funds   Shortfall":   As  defined  in  Section
7.5(d)(ii)(A).

          "Group II Capitalized Interest Requirement": $27,446.74.

          "Group II Initial Specified Subordinated Amount": $0.00.

          "Group  II  Insured   Payment":   As  defined  in  the  Variable  Rate
Certificate Insurance Policy.

          "Group II Interest  Remittance Amount": As of any Remittance Date, the
sum,  without  duplication,  of (i)  all  scheduled  interest  collected  by the
Servicer  during the related Due Period with  respect to the  Mortgage  Loans in
Group  II,  (ii) all  Delinquency  Advances  relating  to  interest  made by the
Servicer  on such  Remittance  Date  with  respect  to Group  II,  and (iii) all
Compensating  Interest paid by the Servicer on such Remittance Date with respect
to Group II.

          "Group II Maximum Collateral Amount": $36,500,000.

          "Group II Monthly Remittance  Amount":  As of any Remittance Date, the
sum of (i) the Group II Interest  Remittance Amount for such Remittance Date and
(ii) the Group II Principal Remittance Amount for such Remittance Date.

          "Group  II  Original  Aggregate  Loan  Balance":  The  aggregate  Loan
Balances  of all  Mortgage  Loans  in  Group II as of the  Cut-Off  Date,  i.e.,
$26,563,028.69

          "Group  II  Preference  Amount":  As  defined  in  the  Variable  Rate
Certificate Insurance Policy.

          "Group II  Premium  Amount":  As to any  Payment  Date on or after the
third  Payment  Date,  the  product of  one-twelfth  of (x) the Group II Premium
Percentage and (y) the Class A-2 Certificate  Principal  Balance on such Payment
Date (before  taking into account any  distributions  of principal to be made to
the Owners of Class A-2 Certificates on such Payment Date).

          "Group II Premium Percentage": As defined in the Insurance Agreement.

          "Group II Principal  Distribution  Amount":  With respect to the Class
A-2  Certificates  on the first  Payment  Date,  the Group II Initial  Specified
Subordinated  Amount, if any, and for the first Payment Date and for any Payment
Date thereafter, the lesser of:

     (x)  the Group II Total  Available  Funds plus any Group II Insured Payment
          minus the Class A-2 Current Interest for such Payment Date; and

     (y)  the excess, if any, of (i) the sum, without any duplication of:

               (a)  the Class A-2 Carry-Forward Amount,

               (b)  the principal  portion of all scheduled  monthly payments on
                    the  Mortgage  Loans  in  Group  II due on or  prior  to the
                    related  Due Date  during the  related  Due  Period,  to the
                    extent  actually  received by the Trustee on or prior to the
                    related  Remittance  Date or to the extent  advanced  by the
                    Servicer on or prior to the related  Remittance Date and any
                    Prepayments  made by the  respective  Mortgagors  during the
                    related Remittance Period,

                                       11
<PAGE>

               (c)  the  Loan  Balance  of each  Mortgage  Loan in Group II that
                    either was  repurchased  by the Company or an  Originator or
                    purchased by the Servicer on the related Remittance Date, to
                    the extent  such Loan  Balance is  actually  received by the
                    Trustee, on or prior to the related Remittance Date,

               (d)  any  Substitution  Amounts  delivered  by the  Company or an
                    Originator on the related Remittance Date in connection with
                    a substitution of a Mortgage Loan in Group II (to the extent
                    such  Substitution  Amounts  relate  to  principal),  to the
                    extent such  Substitution  Amounts are actually  received by
                    the Trustee, on or prior to the related Remittance Date,

               (e)  all  Net  Liquidation  Proceeds  actually  collected  by the
                    Servicer  with  respect  to the  Mortgage  Loans in Group II
                    during the related Remittance Period (to the extent such Net
                    Liquidation  Proceeds  relate to  principal)  to the  extent
                    actually received by the Trustee, on or prior to the related
                    Remittance Date,

               (f)  the amount of any Group II  Subordination  Deficit  for such
                    Payment Date,

               (g)  the proceeds  received by the Trustee of any  termination as
                    set forth in  Article  IX hereto of Group II (to the  extent
                    such proceeds related to principal),

               (h)  any  moneys  released  from  the  Pre-Funding  Account  as a
                    prepayment of the Class A-2 Certificates on the Payment Date
                    which immediately follows the end of the Funding Period, and

               (i)  the amount of any Subordination Increase Amount with respect
                    to Group II for such Payment  Date, to the extent of any Net
                    Monthly Excess Cashflow available for such purpose;

          over

          (ii)      the  amount  of  any  Subordination  Reduction  Amount  with
                    respect to Group II for such Payment Date.

          "Group II Principal Remittance Amount": As of any Remittance Date, the
sum, without  duplication,  of (i) the scheduled principal actually collected by
the Servicer  with respect to Mortgage  Loans in Group II during the related Due
Period, (ii) the Prepayments  collected in the related Remittance Period,  (iii)
the  Loan  Balance  of each  such  Mortgage  Loan in Group  II that  either  was
repurchased  by an  Originator or by the Company or purchased by the Servicer on
such Remittance Date, to the extent such Loan Balance was actually  deposited in
the Principal and Interest Account,  (iv) any Substitution  Amounts delivered by
the Company in connection with a substitution of a Mortgage Loan in Group II, to
the extent such  Substitution  Amounts were actually  deposited in the Principal
and Interest Account on such Remittance  Date, (v) all Net Liquidation  Proceeds
actually  collected by the Servicer with respect to such Mortgage Loans in Group
II during  the  related  Due Period (to the  extent  such  Liquidation  Proceeds
related to principal),  (vi) all Delinquency Advances relating to principal made
by the Servicer on such  Remittance  Date with respect to Group II and (vii) the
amount of any investment  losses  required to be deposited by the Company or the
Servicer pursuant to Sections 7.6(e) and 8.8(b) hereof.

                                       12
<PAGE>

          "Group II Projected Net Monthly  Excess  Cashflow":  As of any date of
calculation,  Net Monthly Excess  Cashflow  relating to Group II (other than any
Subordination  Reduction  Amount included  therein),  as calculated  pursuant to
Section  7.5(d)(iii) hereof on the Payment Date immediately  preceding such date
of calculation.

          "Group II  Reimbursement  Amount":  As of any Payment Date, the sum of
(x)(i) all Group II Insured Payments  previously received by the Trustee and not
previously repaid to the Certificate Insurer pursuant to Sections  7.5(d)(ii)(C)
and  7.5(d)(ii)(D)  hereof  plus (ii)  interest  accrued  on each such  Group II
Insured Payment not previously  repaid  calculated at the Late Payment Rate from
the date the Trustee  received the related Group II Insured  Payment to, but not
including,  such  Payment  Date and (y)(i) any amounts then due and owing to the
Certificate Insurer relating to Group II under the Insurance Agreement plus (ii)
interest on such amounts at the Late Payment Rate. The Certificate Insurer shall
notify the Trustee  and the Company of the amount of any Group II  Reimbursement
Amount.

          "Group II Servicing  Fee": With respect to Group II, as to any Payment
Date,  the  product  of (x)  one-twelfth  of 0.50%  and (y) the  aggregate  Loan
Balances of the Mortgage  Loans in Group II as of the opening of business on the
first day of the related  Remittance  Period.  Such Servicing Fee is retained by
the Servicer pursuant to Sections 8.8(c)(i) and 8.15 hereof.

          "Group II Specified  Subordinated  Amount":  Means (a) for any Payment
Date occurring during the period commencing on the Startup Day and ending on the
later of (i) the date upon which  principal  equal to  one-half  of the Group II
Maximum  Collateral  Amount has been  received  and (ii) the 30th  Payment  Date
following   the  Startup  Day,  the  greater  of  (A)  the  Group  II  Amortized
Subordinated  Amount Requirement and (B) two times the excess of (x) one-half of
the aggregate  Loan  Balances of all Mortgage  Loans in Group II which are 90 or
more days Delinquent (including REO Properties) over (y) five times the Group II
Projected Net Monthly  Excess  Cashflow as of such Payment Date; and (b) for any
Payment  Date  occurring  after the end of the period in clause  (a) above,  the
greatest  of (i) the lesser of (A) the Group II  Amortized  Subordinated  Amount
Requirement  and (B) two (2) times the Group II  Amortized  Subordinated  Amount
Requirement stated as a percentage of the Original Certificate Principal Balance
of the Class A-2 Certificates times the current Class A-2 Certificate  Principal
Balance,  (ii) two (2) time the excess of (A)  one-half  of the  aggregate  Loan
Balances of all Mortgage Loans in Group II which are 90 or more days  Delinquent
(including  REO  Properties)  over (B) three  times the Group II  Projected  Net
Monthly  Excess  Cashflow as of such  Payment  Date and (iii) an amount equal to
0.50%  of  the  Group  II  Maximum   Collateral   Amount;   provided,   however,
notwithstanding  the  above,  in the event  that any Group I Insured  Payment or
Group II  Insured  Payment  is made by the  Certificate  Insurer,  the  Group II
Specified  Subordinated  Amount  shall  remain  equal to the Group II  Amortized
Subordinated Amount Requirement.

          "Group  II  Subordinated   Amount":   As  of  any  Payment  Date,  the
difference,  if any,  between (x) the sum of (i) the aggregate  Loan Balances of
the  Mortgage  Loans in Group II as of the close of  business on the last day of
the related  Remittance Period and (ii) any amount on deposit in the Pre-Funding
Account at such time exclusive of any Pre-Funding  Account  Earnings  related to
Group II and (y) the Class A-2 Certificate  Principal Balance as of such Payment
Date (after taking into account the payment of the Class A-2 Distribution Amount
(except for any portion thereof  related to an Insured  Payment) on such Payment
Date).

          "Group II  Subordination  Deficit":  With  respect to Group II and any
Payment  Date,  the  amount,  if any,  by which (x) the  Class  A-2  Certificate
Principal  Balance,  after  taking  into  account  the  payment  of the Group II
Principal  Distribution  Amount on such  Payment  Date (except any payment to be
made  as to  principal  from  the  proceeds  of the  Variable  Rate  Certificate
Insurance Policy), exceeds (y) the sum of (a) the aggregate Loan Balances of the
Mortgage  Loans in Group II as of the close of  business  on the last day of the
related  Due Period and (b) the amount,  if any,  on deposit in the  Pre-Funding
Account exclusive of any Pre-Funding  Account Earnings related to Group II as of
the close of business on the last day of the related Remittance Period; provided

                                       13
<PAGE>

that  for  the  purpose  of   calculating   Loan  Balances  to  determine  if  a
Subordination Deficit exists, the aggregate amount of the principal component of
all unreimbursed  Delinquency Advances shall be deducted from the related actual
Loan Balances.

          "Group II Total  Available  Funds":  As defined in Section  7.3(a)(ii)
hereof.

          "Group II Total  Available  Funds  Shortfall":  As  defined in Section
7.3(b) hereof.

          "Group II Total Monthly Excess  Spread":  With respect to Group II and
any Payment Date, the difference  between (i) the interest which is collected on
the Mortgage Loans in Group II during the related  Remittance  Period,  less the
Group II Servicing Fee for such Remittance  Period plus the interest  portion of
any  Delinquency  Advances and  Compensating  Interest paid by the Servicer with
respect  to  Group  II for such  Remittance  Period  and (ii) the sum of (x) the
interest  due on the Class A-2  Certificates  on such  Payment  Date and (y) the
Group II Premium Amount,  and the Group II Trustee Fee, if any, for such Payment
Date.

          "Group II Trustee Fee": The amount  payable  monthly to the Trustee on
each  Payment  Date,  in an amount  equal to the product of (x)  one-twelfth  of
0.0145% and (y) the  aggregate  Loan Balance of the Mortgage Loan in Group II as
of the opening of business on the first day of the related Remittance Period.

          "Highest Lawful Rate": As defined in Section 11.13.

          "Indemnification Agreement": The Indemnification Agreement dated as of
September  10,  1996,  among  the  Certificate  Insurer,  the  Company  and  the
Underwriter.

          "Indirect Participant":  Any financial institution for whom any Direct
Participant holds an interest in a Class A Certificate.

          "Initial  Certification":  The initial  certification  in the form set
forth as Exhibit E hereto and  delivered  by the  Trustee to the  Company on the
Startup Day pursuant to Section 3.6 hereof.

          "Initial  Mortgage  Loans":  The Mortgage  Loans to be conveyed to the
Trust by the Company on the Startup Day.

          "Initial  Premiums":  The initial premium  (covering three months) for
Group I and  Group II  payable  by the  Company  on  behalf  of the Trust to the
Certificate  Insurer in  consideration of the delivery to the Trustee of each of
the Certificate Insurance Policies.

          "Insurance  Agreement":  The Insurance Agreement dated as of September
1, 1996,  among the  Company,  the  Servicer,  the Trustee  and the  Certificate
Insurer, as it may be amended from time to time.

          "Insurance  Policy":  Any  hazard,  flood,  title or primary  mortgage
insurance policy relating to a Mortgage Loan.

          "Insured  Payment":  A Group I Insured  Payment  or a Group II Insured
Payment.

          "Interest Accrual Period":  With respect to the Class A-1 Certificates
and any Payment Date,  the calendar  month  immediately  preceding  such Payment
Date.  A "Calendar  Month"  shall be deemed to be 30 days.  With  respect to the
Class A-2  Certificates  and any  Payment  Date,  the period  commencing  on the
immediately  preceding  Payment Date (or in the case of the first  Payment Date,
the Startup Day) and ending on the day immediately preceding the current Payment
Date. All calculations of interest on the Class A-1 Certificates will be made on

                                       14
<PAGE>

the basis of a 360-day year assumed to consist of twelve  30-day  months and all
calculations of interest on the Class A-2 Certificates will be made on the basis
of the actual number of days elapsed in the related  Interest Accrual Period and
in a year of 360 days.

          "Interest  Determination  Date":  With respect to any Interest Accrual
Period for the Class A-2 Certificates,  the second London Business Day preceding
such Interest Accrual Period.

          "Late Payment Rate": For any Payment Date, the rate of interest, as it
is  publicly  announced  by State  Street  Bank and Trust  Company,  N.A. at its
principal  office in New York,  New York as its prime  rate (any  change in such
prime rate of interest to be  effective  on the date such change is announced by
State Street Bank and Trust Company,  N.A.) plus 3%. The Late Payment Rate shall
be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days  calculating the actual number of
days  elapsed.  In no event shall the Late  Payment Rate exceed the maximum rate
permissible under any applicable law limiting interest rates.

          "Latest  Termination  Date":  The  later to occur of (i) the Class A-1
Certificate  Termination  Date and (ii) the  Class A-2  Certificate  Termination
Date.

          "LIBOR": With respect to any Interest Accrual Period for the Class A-2
Certificates,  the  rate  determined  by the  Trustee  on the  related  Interest
Determination  Date on the basis of the offered rates of the Reference Banks for
one-month U.S. 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. On
each Interest  Determination Date, LIBOR for the related Interest Accrual Period
will be established by the Trustee as follows:

     (i)  If on such Interest  Determination  Date two or more  Reference  Banks
          provide  such  offered  quotations,  LIBOR  for the  related  Interest
          Accrual Period shall be the arithmetic mean of such offered quotations
          (rounded upwards if necessary to the nearest whole multiple of 1/16%).

     (ii) If on such Interest  Determination Date fewer than two Reference Banks
          provide  such  offered  quotations,  LIBOR  for the  related  Interest
          Accrual  Period shall be the higher of (i) LIBOR as  determined on the
          previous  Interest  Determination  Date and (ii) the Reserve  Interest
          Rate.

          "Liquidated  Loan": As defined in Section  8.13(b) hereof.  A Mortgage
Loan which is  purchased  from the Trust  pursuant to Section  3.4,  3.6 or 8.10
hereof is not a "Liquidated Loan".

          "Liquidation Expenses": Expenses which are incurred by the Servicer in
connection with the  liquidation of any defaulted  Mortgage Loan, such expenses,
including,  without  limitation,  legal fees and expenses,  and any unreimbursed
Servicing Advances expended by the Servicer pursuant to Sections 8.9(c) and 8.13
with respect to the related Mortgage Loan.

          "Liquidation  Proceeds":  With  respect to any  Liquidated  Loan,  any
amounts  (including  the  proceeds of any  Insurance  Policy)  recovered  by the
Servicer in connection with such  Liquidated  Loan,  whether  through  trustee's
sale, foreclosure sale or otherwise.

          "Loan  Balance":  With  respect to each  Initial  Mortgage  Loan,  the
principal  balance  thereof  on the  Cut-Off  Date,  and  with  respect  to each
Subsequent  Mortgage  Loan,  the  principal  balance  thereof  on  the  relevant
Subsequent  Cut-Off Date less, in either case, any related Principal  Remittance
Amounts  relating to such  Mortgage Loan  included in previous  related  Monthly
Remittance  Amounts  that were  received  by the  Servicer  or any  Sub-Servicer
whether or not delivered to the Trustee,  however, that the Loan Balance for any


                                       15
<PAGE>

Mortgage  Loan which has become a Liquidated  Loan shall be zero as of the first
day of the  Remittance  Period  following  the  Remittance  Period in which such
Mortgage Loan becomes a Liquidated Loan, and at all times thereafter.

          "Loan  Purchase  Price":  With respect to any Mortgage Loan  purchased
from the Trust on a Remittance Date pursuant to Section 3.4, 3.6 or 8.10 hereof,
an amount  equal to the Loan  Balance  of such  Mortgage  Loan as of the date of
purchase,  plus one month's  interest on the outstanding Loan Balance thereof as
of the beginning of the preceding  Remittance Period computed at the Coupon Rate
less the  Servicing  Fee  (expressed  as an  annual  percentage  rate),  if any,
together with, without  duplication,  the aggregate amount of (i) all delinquent
interest,  all Delinquency Advances and Servicing Advances theretofore made with
respect to such Mortgage Loan and not  subsequently  recovered  from the related
Mortgage  Loan and (ii) all  Delinquency  Advances  which  the  Servicer  or any
Sub-Servicer has theretofore failed to remit with respect to such Mortgage Loan.

          "London  Business  Day":  A day on which banks are open for dealing in
foreign currency and exchange in London and New York City.

          "Maximum Collateral Amount": $70,000,000.

          "Monthly  Exception  Report":  The  monthly  report  delivered  by the
Servicer  to the  Trustee  on  each  Determination  Date,  commencing  with  the
Determination Date in October 1996, pursuant to Section 8.8(d)(ii),  which shall
be on computer tape and printout.  Each Monthly Exception Report shall cover the
immediately  preceding  Remittance  Period  and shall  consist of (i) a computer
generated  activity  report of the Mortgage Loans setting forth the Loan Balance
of  Mortgage  Loans  as of  the  first  day of the  related  Remittance  Period,
scheduled payments due, Prepayments, Liquidated Loan balances, and the resulting
Loan Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of the last day of the related  Remittance
Period and (ii) separate  computer  generated  reports in computer format of (a)
payoffs, Curtailments, foreclosures and bankruptcies such reports to provide the
payment  details for each  Mortgage  Loan  covering  the  immediately  preceding
Remittance  Period and any  Prepayments  not  previously  reported  from a prior
Remittance  Period,  and (b)  Prepayments  and  delinquencies,  such  reports to
reflect the current status of each Mortgage Loan with payment  details as of the
last day of the related Remittance Period.

          "Monthly  Remittance  Amount":  With  respect  to Group I, the Group I
Monthly  Remittance  Amount  and with  respect to Group II, the Group II Monthly
Remittance Amount.

          "Monthly Servicing Report": As defined in Section 8.26.

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

          "Mortgage": The mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument creating a
first or second  lien on an  estate  in fee  simple  interest  in real  property
securing a Note.

          "Mortgage  Loans":  Such  of the  mortgage  loans  (including  Initial
Mortgage Loans and Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans)  transferred and assigned to the
Trust  pursuant to Section  3.5(a) and Section  3.8  hereof,  together  with any
Qualified  Replacement  Mortgages  substituted  therefor in accordance with this
Agreement,  as from  time to time are held as a part of the  Trust  Estate,  the
Mortgage Loans  originally so held being identified in the Schedules of Mortgage
Loans.  The term "Mortgage  Loan"  includes the terms "First  Mortgage Loan" and
"Second  Mortgage  Loan." The term  "Mortgage  Loan"  includes any Mortgage Loan
which is  Delinquent,  which  relates  to a  foreclosure  or which  relates to a
Property  which is REO  Property  prior to such  Property's  disposition  by the
Trust. Any mortgage loan which,  although intended by the parties hereto to have
been, and which  purportedly  was,  transferred and assigned to the Trust by the


                                       16
<PAGE>

Company,  in fact was not  transferred  and assigned to the Trust for any reason
whatsoever  shall  nevertheless be considered a "Mortgage Loan" for all purposes
of this Agreement.

          "Mortgage Loan Group":  Either Group I or Group II.  References herein
to the  related  Class of Class A  Certificates,  when  used with  respect  to a
Mortgage  Loan  Group,  shall  mean (A) in the case of  Group I, the  Class  A-1
Certificates and (B) in the case of Group II, the Class A-2 Certificates.

          "Mortgagor": The obligor on a Note.

          "Net Liquidation  Proceeds":  As to any Liquidated  Loan,  Liquidation
Proceeds net of,  without  duplication,  Liquidation  Expenses and  unreimbursed
Servicing  Advances,  unreimbursed  Delinquency  Advances and accrued and unpaid
Servicing Fees through the date of liquidation relating to such Liquidated Loan.
In no event shall Net  Liquidation  Proceeds with respect to any Liquidated Loan
be less than zero.

          "Net  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow":  As defined  in Section  7.5(d)(iii)
hereof.

          "Note":  The note or other  evidence of  indebtedness  evidencing  the
indebtedness of a Mortgagor under a Mortgage Loan.

          "Officer's  Certificate":  A  certificate  signed  by  any  Authorized
Officer of any Person delivering such certificate and delivered to the Trustee.

          "Operative Documents":  Collectively,  this Agreement, the Certificate
Insurance Policies, the Certificates,  the Insurance Agreement, the Underwriting
Agreement,  any  Sub-Servicing  Agreement,  the  Registration  Statement and the
Indemnification Agreement.

          "Original Aggregate Loan Balance":  The aggregate Loan Balances of all
Initial Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-Off Date, i.e., $52,753,765.20.

          "Original Certificate Principal Balance": As of the Startup Day and as
to each  Class of  Class A  Certificates,  the  original  Certificate  Principal
Balances thereof, as follows:

    Class A-1 Certificates             $33,500,000.
    Class A-2 Certificates             $36,500,000.

          The Class R Certificates do not have an Original Certificate Principal
Balance.

          "Original Group I Pre-Funded Amount": $7,279,263.49

          "Original Group II Pre-Funded Amount": $9,936,971.31

          "Original  Pre-Funded Amount": The amount deposited in the Pre-Funding
Account on the  Startup Day from the  proceeds of the sale of the  Certificates,
which amount is $17,216,234.80.

          "Original Principal Amount":  With respect to each Note, the principal
amount of such Note on the date of origination thereof.

          "Originator":  The  Company  and any  entity  from  which the  Company
acquires Mortgage Loans.

                                       17
<PAGE>

          "Outstanding":  With respect to all Certificates of a Class, as of any
date of determination,  all such Certificates theretofore executed and delivered
hereunder except:

               (i) Certificates theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered
     to the Trustee for cancellation;

               (ii)  Certificates  or portions  thereof for which full and final
     payment of money in the  necessary  amount has been  theretofore  deposited
     with the Trustee in trust for the Owners of such Certificates;

               (iii)  Certificates  in  exchange  for or in lieu of which  other
     Certificates  have been executed and delivered  pursuant to this Agreement,
     unless  proof  satisfactory  to the  Trustee  is  presented  that  any such
     Certificates are held by a bona fide purchaser; and

               (iv) Certificates alleged to have been destroyed,  lost or stolen
     for which  replacement  Certificates  have been issued as  provided  for in
     Section 5.5 hereof.

               (v)  Certificates  as to which  the  Trustee  has made the  final
     distribution  thereon,  whether or not such Certificates have been returned
     to the Trustee.

          "Overfunded Interest Amount": With respect to each Subsequent Transfer
Date,  the sum, if any, of (A) with respect to the Class A-1  Certificates,  the
product of (x) a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate Loan Balances
of the  Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans  related to Group I acquired by the Trust on
such Subsequent Transfer Date and the denominator of which is the Original Group
I  Pre-Funded  Amount and (y) the amount  related to Group I in the  Capitalized
Interest Account on such Subsequent  Transfer Date after taking into account any
transfers  described in Section  7.4(e) hereof and (B) with respect to the Class
A-2  Certificates  the product of (x) a fraction,  the numerator of which is the
aggregate  Loan Balances of the  Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans related to Group II
acquired by the Trust on such  Subsequent  Transfer Date and the  denominator of
which is the Original  Group II Pre-Funded  Amount and (y) the amount related to
Group II in the Capitalized  Interest  Account on such Subsequent  Transfer Date
after taking into account any transfers described in Section 7.4(e) hereof.

          "Owner":  The Person in whose name a Certificate  is registered in the
Register, to the extent described in Section 5.6.

          "Paid-in-Full  Mortgage  Loan":  With  respect to any Payment  Date, a
Mortgage Loan which has been paid in full during the related Remittance Period.

          "Pass-Through  Rate": As to the Class A-1 Certificates,  the Class A-1
Pass-Through  Rate  and  as  to  the  Class  A-2  Certificates,  the  Class  A-2
Pass-Through Rate.

          "Payment  Date":  Any date on which the  Trustee is  required  to make
distributions  to the Owners,  which shall be the 20th day of each month,  or if
such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding  Business Day, commencing in
the month following the Startup Day.

          "Percentage Interest": As to any Class A Certificate, that percentage,
expressed as a fraction,  the  numerator of which is the  Certificate  Principal
Balance set forth on such Certificate as of the Cut-Off Date and the denominator
of  which  is  the  Original  Certificate  Principal  Balance  of  all  Class  A
Certificates  of the same Class as of the  Cut-Off  Date;  and as to any Class R
Certificate, that Percentage Interest set forth on such Class R Certificate.

                                       18
<PAGE>

          "Person":  Any individual,  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,
association,   joint-stock  company,  trust,   unincorporated   organization  or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

          "Pool Cumulative Expected Losses": With respect to any period, the sum
of (i) all Realized Losses with respect to the Mortgage Loans experienced during
such period and (ii) the product of (A) 0.43 and (B) with respect to any date of
determination,  the sum of (x) 25% of the Loan  Balances of all  Mortgage  Loans
which are greater than 30 days Delinquent and less than 60 days Delinquent,  (y)
50% of the Loan  Balances of all  Mortgage  Loans which are greater than 60 days
Delinquent and less than 90 days  Delinquent,  and (z) 100% of the Loan Balances
of all Mortgage Loans which are greater than 90 days  Delinquent  (including REO
Properties).

          "Pool Cumulative Realized Losses": With respect to any period, the sum
of all Realized  Losses with respect to the Mortgage  Loans  experienced  during
such period.

          "Pool Delinquency  Rate": With respect to any Remittance  Period,  the
fraction,  expressed  as a  percentage,  equal  to (x) the  aggregate  principal
balances  of  all  Mortgage  Loans  90  or  more  days   Delinquent   (including
foreclosures  and REO Properties) as of the close of business on the last day of
such  Remittance  Period over (y) the Pool Principal  Balance as of the close of
business on the last day of such Remittance Period.

          "Pool  Principal  Balance":  The aggregate  principal  balances of the
Group I Mortgage Loans and the Group II Mortgage Loans.

          "Pool Rolling Three Month  Delinquency  Rate": As of any Payment Date,
the  fraction,  expressed  as a  percentage,  equal to the  average  of the Pool
Delinquency  Rates  for each of the  three  (or one and two,  in the case of the
first and second Payment Dates) immediately preceding Remittance Periods.

          "Preference  Amount":  Either of the Group I Preference  Amount or the
Group II Preference Amount.

          "Pre-Funded  Amount":  With  respect to any  Determination  Date,  the
amount remaining on deposit in the Pre-Funding Account.

          "Pre-Funding   Account":   The  Pre-Funding   Account  established  in
accordance with Section 7.2(b) hereof and maintained by the Trustee.

          "Pre-Funding  Account  Earnings":  With respect to the initial Payment
Date, the actual  investment  earnings earned during the period from the Startup
Day through  September 30  (inclusive)  on the  Pre-Funding  Account during such
period as calculated by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(e) hereof.

          "Premium  Amount":  As to any  Payment  Date  beginning  on the  third
Payment Date, the Group I Premium Amount and the Group II Premium Amount.

          "Premium  Percentage":  The Group I Premium Percentage or the Group II
Premium Percentage.

          "Prepaid  Installment":   With  respect  to  any  Mortgage  Loan,  any
installment of principal  thereof and interest  thereon received by the Servicer
prior to the scheduled due date for such installment,  intended by the Mortgagor

                                       19
<PAGE>

as an  early  payment  thereof  and not as a  Prepayment  with  respect  to such
Mortgage Loan.

          "Prepayment": A Curtailment or a Paid-in-Full Mortgage Loan.

          "Preservation   Expenses":   Expenditures  made  by  the  Servicer  in
connection  with a foreclosed  Mortgage Loan prior to the  liquidation  thereof,
including,  without  limitation,  expenditures  for real estate  property taxes,
hazard insurance premiums, property restoration or preservation.

          "Principal  and Interest  Account":  Collectively,  each principal and
interest account created by the Servicer  pursuant to Section 8.8(a) hereof,  or
pursuant to any Sub-Servicing Agreement.

          "Principal  Remittance Amount":  As applicable,  the Group I Principal
Remittance Amount or the Group II Principal Remittance Amount.

          "Prohibited  Transaction":  The meaning set forth from time to time in
the  definition  thereof at  Section  860F(a)(2)  of the Code (or any  successor
statute thereto) and applicable to the Trust.

          "Property": The underlying property securing a Mortgage Loan.

          "Prospectus": The Company's Prospectus dated September 10, 1996.

          "Prospectus Supplement": The First Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3
Prospectus Supplement dated September 10, 1996 to the Prospectus.

          "Qualified  Liquidation":  The  meaning set forth from time to time in
the  definition  thereof at  Section  860F(a)(4)  of the Code (or any  successor
statute thereto) and applicable to the Trust and the Trust Estate.

          "Qualified  Mortgage":  The meaning set forth from time to time in the
definition  thereof at Section  860G(a)(4) of the Code (or any successor statute
thereto) and applicable to the Trust and the Mortgage Loan Groups.

          "Qualified  Replacement  Mortgage":  A Mortgage Loan  substituted  for
another  pursuant to Section 3.4 or 3.6 hereof,  which (i) bears a fixed rate of
interest if the  Mortgage  Loan to be  substituted  for is in Group I or bears a
variable rate of interest if the Mortgage Loan to be substituted for is in Group
II, (ii) has a Coupon  Rate at least  equal to the Coupon  Rate of the  Mortgage
Loan being  replaced  (which,  in the case of a Mortgage Loan in Group II, shall
mean a Mortgage  Loan having the same  interest  rate index,  a margin over such
index and a maximum  interest  rate at least  equal to those  applicable  to the
Mortgage Loan being replaced),  (iii) is of the same or better property type and
the same or better occupancy status as the replaced Mortgage Loan, (iv) shall be
of the same or better credit  quality  classification  (determined in accordance
with the Originators' credit underwriting guidelines) as the Mortgage Loan being
replaced,  (v)  shall  mature  no later  than  November  1, 2026 for Group I and
November 1, 2026 for Group II, (vi) has a Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio as of the
Cut-Off  Date, no higher than the Combined  Loan-to-Value  Ratio of the replaced
Mortgage  Loan  at  such  time,  (vii)  has a Loan  Balance  as of  the  related
Replacement  Cut-Off Date equal to or less than the Loan Balance of the replaced
Mortgage Loan as of such Replacement Cut-Off Date, (viii) satisfies the criteria
set forth from time to time in the definition  thereof at Section  860G(a)(4) of
the Code (or any successor  statute thereto) and applicable to the Trust, all as
evidenced by an Officer's  Certificate  of the Company  delivered to the Trustee
and the Certificate Insurer prior to any such substitution,  (ix) is of the same
lien  status  or  better  lien  status  (x) is not  Delinquent,  (xi)  meets the
representations  and  warranties set out in Section 3.3 hereof and (xii) a valid
fixed rate Mortgage Loan, if the Mortgage Loan to be substituted for is in Group

                                       20
<PAGE>

I, and is a valid  variable  rate  Mortgage  Loan,  if the  Mortgage  Loan to be
substituted for is in Group II. In the event that one or more mortgage loans are
proposed to be  substituted  for one or more  mortgage  loans,  the  Certificate
Insurer may allow the foregoing  tests to be met on a weighted  average basis or
other aggregate basis acceptable to the Certificate  Insurer,  as evidenced by a
written  approval  delivered to the Trustee by the Certificate  Insurer,  except
that the  requirement  of clauses (vi) and (viii) hereof must be satisfied as to
each Qualified Replacement Mortgage.

          "Rating  Agencies":  Moody's and  Standard & Poor's or any  successors
thereto.

          "Realized  Loss":  As to any Liquidated  Loan, the amount,  if any, by
which the Loan Balance thereof as of the date of liquidation is in excess of Net
Liquidation Proceeds realized thereon.

          "Record  Date":  With respect to each Payment Date,  the last Business
Day of the calendar month immediately preceding the calendar month in which such
Payment Date occurs.

          "Reference Banks": Bankers Trust Company, Barclay's Bank PLC, The Bank
of  Tokyo  and  National  Westminster  Bank  PLC;  provided  that  if any of the
foregoing  banks are not suitable to serve as a Reference Bank, then any leading
banks  selected by the Trustee which are engaged in  transactions  in Eurodollar
deposits in the international  Eurocurrency market (i) with an established place
of  business  in London,  (ii) not  controlling,  under the  control of or under
common control with the Company or any affiliate thereof, (iii) whose quotations
appear on the Reuters  Screen LIBO Page on the relevant  Interest  Determination
Date and (iv) which have been designated as such by the Trustee.

          "Register":  The register maintained by the Trustee in accordance with
Section 5.4 hereof, in which the names of the Owners are set forth.

          "Registrar":  The Trustee, acting in its capacity as Trustee appointed
pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof,  or any duly  appointed  and eligible  successor
thereto.

          "Registration  Statement":  The  Registration  Statement  filed by the
Company with the  Securities and Exchange  Commission,  including all amendments
thereto and including the Prospectus and  Prospectus  Supplement  constituting a
part thereof.

          "Reimbursement  Amount": A Group I Reimbursement  Amount or a Group II
Reimbursement Amount.

          "REMIC":  A "real  estate  mortgage  investment  conduit"  within  the
meaning of Section 860D of the Code.

          "REMIC Provisions":  Provisions of the federal income tax law relating
to real estate  mortgage  investment  conduits,  which  appear at Sections  860A
through 860G of the Code, and related  provisions,  and  regulations and rulings
promulgated thereunder, as the foregoing may be in effect from time to time.

          "Remittance Date": Any date on which the Servicer is required to remit
moneys on deposit in the  Principal and Interest  Account to the Trustee,  which
shall be the day two Business Days prior to the related Payment Date, commencing
two days prior to the first Payment Date.

          "Remittance Period": The period (inclusive) beginning on the first day
of the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which a Remittance Date
occurs and ending on the last day of such immediately preceding calendar month.


                                       21
<PAGE>

          "REO   Property":   A  Property   acquired  by  the  Servicer  or  any
Sub-Servicer  on behalf of the Trust  through  foreclosure  or  deed-in-lieu  of
foreclosure in connection with a defaulted Mortgage Loan.

          "Replacement Cut-Off Date": With respect to any Qualified  Replacement
Mortgage,  the  first  day  of  the  calendar  month  in  which  such  Qualified
Replacement Mortgage is conveyed to the Trust.

          "Representation   Letter":   Letters  to,  or  agreements   with,  the
Depository  to  effectuate  a book  entry  system  with  respect  to the Class A
Certificates   registered  in  the  Register  under  the  nominee  name  of  the
Depository.

          "Request for  Release":  The request for release in the form set forth
as Exhibit K hereto.

          "Reserve  Interest Rate":  With respect to any Interest  Determination
Date,  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
1/16%) of the  one-month  U.S.  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 (ii) in the event that the Trustee can determine no such arithmetic mean, the
lowest  one-month U.S. dollar lending rate which New York City banks selected by
the Trustee are quoting on such Interest  Determination Date to leading European
banks.

          "Residual Net Monthly  Excess  Cashflow":  With respect to any Payment
Date, the aggregate Net Monthly Excess Cashflow,  if any, remaining with respect
to each of the  Mortgage  Loan  Groups  after  the  making  of all  applications
described in Sections 7.5(d)(i), 7.5(d)(ii), 7.5(d)(iii) and 7.5(d)(iv) hereof.

          "Responsible  Officer":  When used with  respect to the  Trustee,  any
officer  assigned  to the  corporate  trust  group (or any  successor  thereto),
including any vice  president,  assistant vice  president,  trust  officer,  any
assistant  secretary,  any assistant  treasurer,  any trust officer or any other
officer  of the  Trustee  customarily  performing  functions  similar  to  those
performed  by  any  of  the  above   designated   officers  and  having   direct
responsibility for the administration of this Agreement.

          "Schedules  of Mortgage  Loans":  The  Schedules  of  Mortgage  Loans,
separated by Mortgage  Loan Group,  with respect to the Mortgage  Loans  listing
each Initial  Mortgage  Loan in the related  Group to be conveyed on the Startup
Day and with  respect to  Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans  listing  each  Subsequent
Mortgage  Loan  conveyed to the Trust for inclusion in Group I or Group II as of
each Subsequent Transfer Date in accordance with Sections 3.5(a) and 3.8 hereof.
Such  Schedules  of Mortgage  Loans shall  identify  each  Mortgage  Loan by the
Servicer's  loan number and address  (including  the state) of the  Property and
shall  set  forth  as to each  Mortgage  Loan  the  lien  status,  the  Combined
Loan-to-Value  Ratio,  the Loan  Balance as of the  Cut-Off  Date or  Subsequent
Cut-Off  Date,  as the case may be, the Coupon Rate thereof (or, with respect to
Mortgage Loans in Group II, the index, the margin) the current scheduled monthly
payment of principal  and interest  and the  maturity of the related  Note,  the
property  type,  occupancy  status,  Appraised  Value and the  Originator of the
Mortgage Loan, all as delivered to the Trustee in physical and computer readable
form and delivered to the Certificate Insurer in physical form.

          "Second  Mortgage  Loan":  A Mortgage Loan which  constitutes a second
priority mortgage lien with respect to the related Property.

          "Securities Act": The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          "Senior Lien":  With respect to any Second Mortgage Loan, the mortgage
loan relating to the corresponding Property having a first priority lien.

                                       22
<PAGE>

          "Servicer": First Alliance Mortgage Company, a California corporation,
and its permitted successors and assigns.

          "Servicer Affiliate": A Person (i) controlling, controlled by or under
common  control  with the  Servicer  and  (ii)  which is  qualified  to  service
residential mortgage loans.

          "Servicing  Advance":  As defined in Section  8.9(c) and Section  8.13
hereof.

          "Servicing Certificate": A certificate completed by and executed by an
Authorized Officer of the Trustee as attached hereto in the form of Exhibit J.

          "Six Month LIBOR Loans":  Mortgage  Loans whose  interest rates adjust
semi-annually  based on the London  interbank  offered rate for six-month United
States Dollar  deposits in the London Market and as published in The Wall Street
Journal.

          "Specified Subordinated Amount": As applicable,  the Group I Specified
Subordinated Amount or the Group II Specified Subordinated Amount.

          "Standard & Poor's":  Standard & Poor's, a Division of The McGraw-Hill
Companies.

          "Startup Day": September 17, 1996.

          "Subordinated Amount": As applicable,  the Group I Subordinated Amount
or the Group II Subordinated Amount.

          "Subordination  Deficiency Amount":  With respect to any Mortgage Loan
Group and Payment Date,  the excess,  if any, of (i) the Specified  Subordinated
Amount  applicable  to such  Mortgage  Loan Group and Payment Date over (ii) the
Subordinated  Amount  applicable  to such  Mortgage  Loan Group and Payment Date
prior to taking into account the payment of any related  Subordination  Increase
Amounts on such Payment Date.

          "Subordination  Deficit":  As  applicable,  the Group I  Subordination
Deficit or the Group II Subordination Deficit.

          "Subordination  Increase  Amount":  With respect to any Mortgage  Loan
Group and Payment Date, the lesser of (i) the Subordination Deficiency Amount as
of such Payment Date (after taking into account the payment of the related Class
A  Distribution  Amount  on such  Payment  Date  (except  for any  Subordination
Increase  Amount)) and (ii) the aggregate  amount of Net Monthly Excess Cashflow
to be allocated to such Mortgage Loan Group pursuant to Sections  7.5(d)(iii)(A)
and 7.5(d)(iii)(B) on such Payment Date.

          "Subordination  Reduction  Amount":  With respect to any Mortgage Loan
Group  and  Payment  Date,  an  amount  equal to the  lesser  of (x) the  Excess
Subordinated  Amount for such  Mortgage  Loan Group and Payment Date and (y) the
Principal  Remittance  Amount with respect to such  Mortgage  Loan Group for the
related Remittance Period.

          "Subsequent  Cut-Off  Date":  The  beginning  of  business on the date
specified in a Subsequent  Transfer  Agreement with respect to those  Subsequent
Mortgage Loans which are  transferred  and assigned to the Trust pursuant to the
related Subsequent Transfer Agreement.

                                       23
<PAGE>

          "Subsequent  Mortgage Loans": The Mortgage Loans sold to the Trust for
inclusion in Group I or Group II pursuant to Section 3.8 hereof,  which shall be
listed on the  Schedules of Mortgage  Loans  attached to a  Subsequent  Transfer
Agreement.

          "Subsequent  Transfer  Agreement":  Each Subsequent Transfer Agreement
dated as of a Subsequent  Transfer  Date executed by the Trustee and the Company
substantially  in the form of  Exhibit L hereto,  by which  Subsequent  Mortgage
Loans are sold and assigned to the Trust.

          "Subsequent  Transfer Date":  The date so specified in each Subsequent
Transfer Agreement.

          "Sub-Servicer":  Any Person with whom the  Servicer has entered into a
Sub-Servicing  Agreement and who satisfies any requirements set forth in Section
8.3 hereof in respect of the qualification of a Sub-Servicer.

          "Sub-Servicing  Agreement":  The written contract between the Servicer
and any  Sub-Servicer  relating to servicing  and/or  administration  of certain
Mortgage Loans as permitted by Section 8.3.

          "Substitution   Amount":  In  connection  with  the  delivery  of  any
Qualified  Replacement  Mortgage,  if the outstanding  principal  amount of such
Qualified Replacement Mortgage as of the applicable  Replacement Cut-Off Date is
less than the Loan  Balance  of the  Mortgage  Loan  being  replaced  as of such
Replacement  Cut-Off  Date,  an amount equal to such  difference  together  with
accrued and unpaid interest on such amount  calculated at the Coupon Rate net of
the Servicing Fee of the Mortgage Loan being replaced.

          "Tax Matters  Person":  The Tax Matters Person  appointed  pursuant to
Section 11.17 hereof.

          "Termination Notice": As defined in Section 9.3(b) hereof.

          "Termination Price": As defined in Section 9.2(a) hereof.

          "Total  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow":  As defined in Section  7.5(d)(ii)
hereof.

          "Total  Monthly  Excess  Spread":  As  applicable,  the  Group I Total
Monthly Excess Spread or the Group II Total Monthly Excess Spread.

          "Trust":  First Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3, the trust created
under this Agreement.

          "Trust  Estate":   Collectively,  all  money,  instruments  and  other
property,  to the extent such money,  instruments and other property are subject
or intended to be held in trust,  and in the  subtrusts,  for the benefit of the
Owners, including all proceeds thereof,  including,  without limitation, (i) the
Mortgage Loans, (ii) such amounts, including Eligible Investments,  as from time
to time may be held in all Accounts (except as otherwise provided herein), (iii)
any Property, the ownership of which has been effected on behalf of the Trust as
a result of  foreclosure  or  acceptance  by the  Servicer  of a deed in lieu of
foreclosure  and that has not been withdrawn from the Trust,  (iv) any Insurance
Policies relating to the Mortgage Loans and any rights of the Company under such
Insurance Policies,  (v) Net Liquidation Proceeds with respect to any Liquidated
Loan, (vi) the Certificate  Insurance  Policies and (vii) the proceeds of any of
the above.

          "Trustee":  The Bank of New York  located on the date of  execution of
this Agreement at 101 Barclay Street,  12 East, New York, New York 10286, not in
its  individual  capacity but solely as Trustee  under this  Agreement,  and any
successor hereunder.

                                       24
<PAGE>

          "Trustee Fee": The fee payable monthly to the Trustee equal to the sum
of the Group I Trustee Fee and the Group II Trustee Fee.

          "Underwriter": Prudential Securities Incorporated.

          "Underwriting  Agreement":  The  Underwriting  Agreement  dated  as of
September 10, 1996 between the Underwriter and the Company.

          "Variable Rate Certificate Insurance Policy": The certificate guaranty
insurance  policy  (number  22005)  dated  September  17,  1996  issued  by  the
Certificate  Insurer to the  Trustee  for the benefit of the Owners of the Class
A-4 Certificates.

          Section   1.2.  Use  of  Words  and   Phrases.   "Herein",   "hereby",
"hereunder", "hereof", "hereinbefore",  "hereinafter" and other equivalent words
refer to this Agreement as a whole and not solely to the  particular  section of
this  Agreement  in which any such word is used.  The  definitions  set forth in
Section 1.1 hereof  include both the singular and the plural.  Whenever  used in
this Agreement,  any pronoun shall be deemed to include both singular and plural
and to cover all genders.

          Section 1.3. Captions;  Table of Contents. The captions or headings in
this Agreement and the Table of Contents are for convenience  only and in no way
define,  limit or  describe  the scope  and  intent  of any  provisions  of this
Agreement.

          Section 1.4.  Opinions.  Each  opinion  with respect to the  validity,
binding nature and  enforceability of documents or Certificates may be qualified
to the extent that the same may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization,  moratorium or other similar laws  affecting the  enforcement of
creditors'  rights  generally  and by  general  principles  of  equity  (whether
considered  in a proceeding or action in equity or at law) and may state that no
opinion is expressed on the availability of the remedy of specific  enforcement,
injunctive  relief or any other  equitable  remedy.  Any opinion  required to be
furnished  by any Person  hereunder  must be  delivered  by  counsel  upon whose
opinion the addressee of such opinion may reasonably  rely, and such opinion may
state that it is given in reasonable reliance upon an opinion of another, a copy
of which must be attached, concerning the laws of a foreign jurisdiction.

                                   ARTICLE II

                   ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST

          Section 2.1.  Establishment of the Trust. The parties hereto do hereby
create  and  establish,  pursuant  to the laws of the State of New York and this
Agreement, the Trust, which, for convenience,  shall be known as "First Alliance
Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3" and which shall contain two subtrusts.

          Section 2.2.  Office.  The office of the Trust shall be in care of the
Trustee,  at 101 Barclay Street, 12E, New York, New York 10286, or at such other
address as the Trustee may designate by notice to the Company, the Servicer, the
Owners and the Certificate Insurer.

          Section  2.3.  Purposes  and  Powers.  The  purpose of the Trust is to
engage in the following activities and only such activities: (i) the issuance of
the Certificates and the acquiring, owning and holding of Mortgage Loans and the
Trust  Estate in  connection  therewith;  (ii)  activities  that are  necessary,
suitable or convenient to accomplish the foregoing or are incidental  thereto or
connected therewith,  including the investment of moneys in accordance with this
Agreement; and (iii) such other activities as may be required in connection with
conservation  of the Trust  Estate and  distributions  to the Owners;  provided,
however,  that  nothing  contained  herein  shall permit the Trustee to take any
action which would result in the loss of REMIC status for the Trust.

                                       25
<PAGE>

                  Section 2.4. Appointment of the Trustee; Declaration of Trust.
The Company hereby  appoints the Trustee as trustee of the Trust effective as of
the Startup Day, to have all the rights, powers and duties set forth herein. The
Trustee  hereby  acknowledges  and  accepts  such  appointment,  represents  and
warrants its  eligibility as of the Startup Day to serve as Trustee  pursuant to
Section  10.8 hereof and  declares  that it will hold the Trust  Estate in trust
upon and  subject to the  conditions  set forth  herein  for the  benefit of the
Owners and the Certificate Insurer, as their interests may appear.

          Section 2.5. Expenses of Trustee. The expenses of the Trust, including
(i) any  portion of the  Trustee  Fee not paid  pursuant  to  Section  7.5(d)(i)
hereof,  (ii) any  reasonable  expenses  of the  Trustee,  and  (iii)  any other
expenses of the Trust that have been  reviewed  by the  Servicer,  which  review
shall not be  required in  connection  with the  enforcement  of a remedy by the
Trustee resulting from a default under this Agreement, shall be paid directly by
the Servicer.  The Servicer shall pay directly the reasonable  fees and expenses
of counsel to the Trustee.  The  reasonable  fees and expenses of the  Trustee's
counsel in connection with the review and delivery of this Agreement and related
documentation shall be paid by the Servicer on the Startup Day.

          Section 2.6.  Ownership of the Trust. On the Startup Day the ownership
interests in the Trust and the subtrusts  shall be  transferred  as set forth in
Section 4.2 hereof, such transfer to be evidenced by sale of the Certificates as
described  therein.  Thereafter,  transfer of any  ownership  interest  shall be
governed by Sections 5.4 and 5.8 hereof.

          Section 2.7.  Situs of the Trust.  It is the  intention of the parties
hereto  that the  Trust  constitute  a trust  under the laws of the State of New
York. The Trust will be created and  administered in, the State of New York. The
Trust's only office will be at the office of the Trustee as set forth in Section
2.2 hereof.

          Section 2.8. Miscellaneous REMIC Provisions. (a) The Trust (other than
the Pre-Funding Account and the Capitalized  Interest Account) shall elect to be
treated as a REMIC  under  Section  860D of the Code,  as  described  in Section
11.15.  Any   inconsistencies  or  ambiguities  in  this  Agreement  or  in  the
administration  of the Trust shall be resolved  in a manner that  preserves  the
validity of the  election of the Trust (other than the  Pre-Funding  Account and
the Capitalized Interest Account) to be treated as a REMIC.

          (b)  The  Class A  Certificates  are  hereby  designated  as  "regular
interests" in the REMIC and the Class R  Certificates  are hereby  designated as
the "residual interest" in the REMIC, as defined in Section 860G(a) of the Code.

          (c) The Startup Day is hereby  designated  as the "startup day" of the
REMIC within the meaning of Section 860G(a)(9) of the Code.

          (d) The final scheduled  Payment Date for any Class of Certificates is
hereby set to be the Payment  Date  succeeding  by one year the latest  maturity
date of any Mortgage Loan in the related Mortgage Loan Group, as follows:

                   Class                         Final Scheduled Payment Date
                   -----                         ----------------------------

          Class A-1 Certificates                 December 20, 2027

          Class A-2 Certificates                 December 20, 2027


                                       26
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE III

                    REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
                        OF THE COMPANY AND THE SERVICER;
                  COVENANT OF COMPANY TO CONVEY MORTGAGE LOANS

          Section  3.1.  Representations  and  Warranties  of the  Company.  The
Company  hereby  represents,   warrants  and  covenants  to  the  Trustee,   the
Certificate Insurer and to the Owners as of the Startup Day that:

          (a) The Company is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing and
     in good standing  under the laws of the State of California  and is in good
     standing as a foreign  corporation in each jurisdiction in which the nature
     of its  business,  or the  properties  owned or  leased  by it,  make  such
     qualification  necessary. The Company has all requisite corporate power and
     authority to own and operate its  properties,  to carry out its business as
     presently  conducted  and as proposed to be conducted and to enter into and
     discharge its  obligations  under this  Agreement  and the other  Operative
     Documents to which it is a party.

          (b) The  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement  and the  other
     Operative  Documents to which the Company is a party by the Company and its
     performance  and  compliance  with the terms of this  Agreement  and of the
     other Operative  Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized
     by all necessary  corporate  action on the part of the Company and will not
     violate the Company's  Articles of  Incorporation or Bylaws or constitute a
     default (or an event which,  with notice or lapse of time,  or both,  would
     constitute  a default)  under,  or result in the  breach  of, any  material
     contract,  agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party or
     by which the Company is bound, or violate any statute or any order, rule or
     regulation  of any  court,  governmental  agency or body or other  tribunal
     having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties.

          (c) This  Agreement  and the other  Operative  Documents  to which the
     Company is a party,  assuming due authorization,  execution and delivery by
     the other parties hereto and thereto,  each constitutes a valid,  legal and
     binding  obligation  of the Company,  enforceable  against it in accordance
     with the terms hereof and  thereof,  except as the  enforcement  hereof and
     thereof   may   be   limited   by   applicable   bankruptcy,    insolvency,
     reorganization,  moratorium  or other  similar  laws  affecting  creditors'
     rights generally and by general principles of equity (whether considered in
     a proceeding or action in equity or at law).

          (d) The Company is not in default  with respect to any order or decree
     of any court or any  order,  regulation  or demand of any  federal,  state,
     municipal or governmental  agency, which might have consequences that would
     materially and adversely  affect the condition  (financial or otherwise) or
     operations of the Company or its properties or might have consequences that
     would  materially and adversely  affect its performance  hereunder or under
     the other Operative Documents to which it is a party.

          (e) No action, suit, proceeding or investigation is pending or, to the
     best of the  Company's  knowledge,  threatened  against the Company  which,
     individually  or in the  aggregate,  might  have  consequences  that  would
     prohibit  the  Company  from  entering  into  this  Agreement  or any other
     Operative  Document  to which it is a party or that  would  materially  and
     adversely  affect the  condition  (financial or otherwise) or operations of
     the  Company  or its  properties  or might  have  consequences  that  would

                                       27
<PAGE>

     materially and adversely affect the validity or  enforceability of Mortgage
     Loans or the Company's  performance  hereunder or under the other Operative
     Documents to which it is a party.

          (f) No  certificate of an officer,  statement  furnished in writing or
     report  delivered  pursuant to the terms hereof by the Company contains any
     untrue  statement of a material  fact or omits to state any  material  fact
     necessary to make the certificate, statement or report not misleading.

          (g) The  statements  contained  in the  Registration  Statement  which
     describe  the  Company or matters or  activities  for which the  Company is
     responsible  in  accordance  with the  Operative  Documents  or  which  are
     attributed  to the Company  therein  are true and  correct in all  material
     respects,  and the  Registration  Statement  does not  contain  any  untrue
     statement of a material fact with respect to the Company or omit to state a
     material fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make
     the  statements   contained   therein  with  respect  to  the  Company  not
     misleading.  With  respect to matters  other than those  referred to in the
     immediately  preceding sentence, to the best of the Company's knowledge and
     belief, the Registration Statement does not contain any untrue statement of
     a material fact required to be stated therein or omit to state any material
     fact  required to be stated  therein or  necessary  to make the  statements
     contained therein not misleading.

          (h) All actions, approvals, consents, waivers, exemptions,  variances,
     franchises, orders, permits,  authorizations,  rights and licenses required
     to be taken, given or obtained, as the case may be, by or from any federal,
     state  or other  governmental  authority  or  agency  (other  than any such
     actions,  approvals,  etc.  under any state  securities  laws,  real estate
     syndication or "Blue Sky"  statutes,  as to which the Company makes no such
     representation or warranty),  that are necessary or advisable in connection
     with  the  purchase  and sale of the  Certificates  and the  execution  and
     delivery by the Company of the Operative  Documents to which it is a party,
     have been duly taken,  given or  obtained,  as the case may be, are in full
     force  and  effect on the  Startup  Day,  are not  subject  to any  pending
     proceedings or appeals  (administrative,  judicial or otherwise) and either
     the time within which any appeal  therefrom may be taken or review  thereof
     may be obtained has expired or no review  thereof may be obtained or appeal
     therefrom  taken,  and are adequate to authorize  the  consummation  of the
     transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  and  the  other  Operative
     Documents on the part of the Company and the  performance by the Company of
     its  obligations  under  this  Agreement  and such of the  other  Operative
     Documents to which it is a party.

          (i)  The  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  are  in the
     ordinary course of business of the Company.

          (j) The Company received fair consideration and reasonably  equivalent
     value in  exchange  for the sale of the  interests  in the  Mortgage  Loans
     evidenced by the Certificates.

          (k) The  Company  did not  sell  any  interest  in any  Mortgage  Loan
     evidenced by the Certificates  with any intent to hinder,  delay or defraud
     any of its creditors.

          (l) The  Company  is  solvent  and the  Company  will not be  rendered
     insolvent as a result of the sale of the Mortgage Loans to the Trust or the
     sale of the Certificates.

          (m) On the Startup  Day, the Trustee will have good title on behalf of
     the Trust to each Initial Mortgage Loan and such other items comprising the
     corpus of the Trust Estate free and clear of any lien.

          (n)  There has been no  material  adverse  change  in any  information
     submitted by the Company in writing to the Certificate Insurer.

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<PAGE>

          (o) To the best knowledge of the Company,  no event has occurred which
     would allow any purchaser of the Class A Certificates not to be required to
     purchase the Class A Certificates on the Startup Day.

          (p) To the best knowledge of the Company,  no document submitted by or
     on behalf of the Company to the Certificate  Insurer contains any untrue or
     misleading  statement of a material  fact or fails to state a material fact
     required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the statements
     therein not misleading.

          (q) To the best knowledge of the Company,  no material  adverse change
     affecting any security for the Class A  Certificates  has occurred prior to
     delivery of and payment for the Class A Certificates.

          (r) The  Company  is not in  default  under  any  agreement  involving
     financial  obligations  or  on  any  outstanding   obligation  which  would
     materially  adversely  impact the financial  condition or operations of the
     Company or legal documents associated with the transaction  contemplated in
     this Agreement.

          It is understood  and agreed that the  representations  and warranties
set forth in this Section 3.1 shall  survive  delivery of the Mortgage  Loans to
the Trustee.

          Section 3.2.  Representations  and  Warranties  of the  Servicer.  The
Servicer  hereby  represents,   warrants  and  covenants  to  the  Trustee,  the
Certificate Insurer and to the Owners as of the Startup Day that:

          (a) The Servicer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
     in good standing under the laws of the State of California. The Servicer is
     in compliance  with the laws of each state in which any Property is located
     to the extent  necessary to enable it to perform its obligations  hereunder
     and is in good standing as a foreign  corporation in each  jurisdiction  in
     which the nature of its business,  or the properties owned or leased by it,
     make such qualification necessary. The Servicer has all requisite corporate
     power and  authority  to own and operate its  properties,  to carry out its
     business as  presently  conducted  and as proposed to be  conducted  and to
     enter into and discharge its obligations under this Agreement and the other
     Operative  Documents to which it is a party.  The Servicer has equity of at
     least  $20,000,000,  as determined in accordance  with  generally  accepted
     accounting principles.

          (b) The execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by the Servicer and
     its  performance  and  compliance  with the terms of this Agreement and the
     other Operative  Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized
     by all necessary  corporate action on the part of the Servicer and will not
     violate the Servicer's  Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or constitute a
     default (or an event which,  with notice or lapse of time,  or both,  would
     constitute  a default)  under,  or result in the  breach  of, any  material
     contract, agreement or other instrument to which the Servicer is a party or
     by which the Servicer is bound or violate any statute or any order, rule or
     regulation  of any  court,  governmental  agency or body or other  tribunal
     having jurisdiction over the Servicer or any of its properties.

          (c) This  Agreement  and the other  Operative  Documents  to which the
     Servicer is a party, assuming due authorization,  execution and delivery by
     the other parties hereto and thereto,  each constitutes a valid,  legal and
     binding  obligation of the Servicer,  enforceable  against it in accordance
     with the terms hereof and  thereof,  except as the  enforcement  hereof and
     thereof   may   be   limited   by   applicable   bankruptcy,    insolvency,
     reorganization,  moratorium  or other  similar  laws  affecting  creditors'

                                       29
<PAGE>

     rights generally and by general principles of equity (whether considered in
     a proceeding or action in equity or at law).

          (d) The Servicer is not in default with respect to any order or decree
     of any court or any  order,  regulation  or demand of any  federal,  state,
     municipal or governmental  agency which might have  consequences that would
     materially and adversely  affect the condition  (financial or otherwise) or
     operations  of the Servicer or its  properties  or might have  consequences
     that would  materially and adversely  affect its  performance  hereunder or
     under the other Operative Documents to which the Servicer is a party.

          (e) No action, suit, proceeding or investigation is pending or, to the
     best of the Servicer's  knowledge,  threatened  against the Servicer which,
     individually  or in the  aggregate,  might  have  consequences  that  would
     prohibit its entering into this Agreement or any other  Operative  Document
     to which it is a party or that would  materially  and adversely  affect the
     condition  (financial  or  otherwise)  or operations of the Servicer or its
     properties or might have  consequences  that would materially and adversely
     affect the  validity or the  enforceability  of the  Mortgage  Loans or the
     Servicer's  performance hereunder or under the other Operative Documents to
     which the Servicer is a party.

          (f) No  certificate of an officer,  statement  furnished in writing or
     report delivered  pursuant to the terms hereof by the Servicer contains any
     untrue  statement of a material  fact or omits to state any  material  fact
     necessary to make the certificate, statement or report not misleading.

          (g) The  statements  contained  in the  Registration  Statement  which
     describe  the Servicer or matters or  activities  for which the Servicer is
     responsible  in  accordance  with the  Operative  Documents  or  which  are
     attributed  to the  Servicer  therein are true and correct in all  material
     respects,  and the  Registration  Statement  does not  contain  any  untrue
     statement of a material  fact with respect to the Servicer or omit to state
     a material  fact  required to be stated  therein or  necessary  to make the
     statements  contained  therein with respect to the Servicer not misleading.
     With  respect to matters  other than those  referred to in the  immediately
     preceding sentence, to the best of the Servicer's knowledge and belief, the
     Registration  Statement does not contain any untrue statement of a material
     fact or omit to state any material  fact  required to be stated  therein or
     necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.

          (h) All actions, approvals, consents, waivers, exemptions,  variances,
     franchises, orders, permits,  authorizations,  rights and licenses required
     to be taken, given or obtained, as the case may be, by or from any federal,
     state  or other  governmental  authority  or  agency  (other  than any such
     actions,  approvals,  etc.  under any state  securities  laws,  real estate
     syndication or "Blue Sky" statutes,  as to which the Servicer makes no such
     representation or warranty),  that are necessary or advisable in connection
     with the execution and delivery by the Servicer of the Operative  Documents
     to which it is a party,  have been duly taken,  given or  obtained,  as the
     case may be,  are in full  force  and  effect on the date  hereof,  are not
     subject to any pending proceedings or appeals (administrative,  judicial or
     otherwise)  and either the time within  which any appeal  therefrom  may be
     taken or review  thereof may be obtained  has expired or no review  thereof
     may be obtained or appeal  therefrom  taken,  and are adequate to authorize
     the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
     other  Operative  Documents on the part of the Servicer and the performance
     by the Servicer of its  obligations  under this  Agreement  and such of the
     other Operative Documents to which it is a party.

                                       30
<PAGE>

          (i) The collection  practices used by the Servicer with respect to the
     Mortgage Loans  directly  serviced by it have been, and are in all material
     respects,  legal,  proper,  prudent  and  customary  in the  mortgage  loan
     servicing business.

          (j)  The  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  are  in the
     ordinary course of business of the Servicer.

          (k) There are no Sub-Servicers as of the Startup Day.

          (l) The Servicer  covenants  that it will  terminate any  Sub-Servicer
     within ninety (90) days after being directed by the Certificate  Insurer to
     do so.

          (m)  There has been no  material  adverse  change  in any  information
     submitted by the Servicer in writing to the Certificate Insurer.

          (n) To the best knowledge of the Servicer, no event has occurred which
     would allow any purchaser of the Class A Certificates not to be required to
     purchase the Class A Certificates on the Startup Day.

          (o) To the best knowledge of the Servicer, no document submitted by or
     on behalf of the Servicer to the Certificate Insurer contains any untrue or
     misleading  statement of a material  fact or fails to state a material fact
     required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the statements
     therein not misleading.

          (p) To the best knowledge of the Servicer,  no material adverse change
     affecting any security for the Class A  Certificates  has occurred prior to
     delivery of and payment for the Class A Certificates.

          (q) The  Servicer  is not in  default  under any  agreement  involving
     financial  obligations  or  on  any  outstanding   obligation  which  would
     materially  and adversely  impact the financial  condition or operations of
     the  Servicer  or  legal   documents   associated   with  the   transaction
     contemplated in this Agreement.

          It is understood  and agreed that the  representations  and warranties
set forth in this Section 3.2 shall  survive  delivery of the Mortgage  Loans to
the Trustee.

          Upon discovery by any of the Originators,  the Servicer,  the Company,
any Sub-Servicer,  the Certificate  Insurer or the Trustee of a breach of any of
the  representations  and warranties set forth in this Section 3.2 or in Section
3.1 hereof which materially and adversely affects the interests of the Owners or
of the Certificate  Insurer,  without regard to any limitation set forth in such
representation  or warranty  concerning  the  knowledge of the party making such
representation or warranty as to the facts stated therein, the party discovering
such breach shall give prompt written notice to the other parties hereto and the
Certificate Insurer. Within 30 days of its discovery or its receipt of notice of
breach, the breaching party shall cure such breach in all material respects and,
if such  breaching  party is the  Servicer  and upon  the  Servicer's  continued
failure to cure such  breach,  the Servicer may be removed by the Trustee or the
Certificate Insurer pursuant to Section 8.20 hereof; provided,  however, that if
the Servicer can  demonstrate to the reasonable  satisfaction of the Certificate
Insurer that it is diligently pursuing remedial action, then the cure period may
be extended with the written approval of the Certificate Insurer.

                                       31
<PAGE>

          Section  3.3.  Representations  and  Warranties  of the  Company  with
Respect  to  the  Mortgage   Loans.   (a)  The  Company   makes  the   following
representations and warranties as to the Mortgage Loans on which the Certificate
Insurer   relies  in  issuing   the   Certificate   Insurance   Policies.   Such
representations  and warranties speak as of the Startup Day (with respect to the
Initial Mortgage Loans) and as of the respective  Subsequent Transfer Date (with
respect to the Subsequent Mortgage Loans) but shall survive the sale,  transfer,
and assignment of the related Mortgage Loans to the Trust:

               (i) The  information  with respect to each Initial  Mortgage Loan
     and Subsequent  Mortgage Loan set forth in the related Schedule of Mortgage
     Loans is true and  correct  as of the  Cut-Off  Date (or in the case of the
     Subsequent  Mortgage Loans, on the related  Subsequent  Transfer Date); the
     Group I Original Aggregate Loan Balance in the Trust as of the Cut-Off Date
     is $26,220,736.51  and the Group II Original  Aggregate Loan Balance in the
     Trust as of the CutOff Date is $26,563,028.69;

               (ii) All of the original or certified  documentation set forth in
     Section 3.5 (including all material documents related thereto) with respect
     to each Initial  Mortgage Loan has been or will be delivered to the Trustee
     on the Startup Day (or in the case of the Subsequent Mortgage Loans, on the
     related Subsequent Transfer Date) or as otherwise provided in Section 3.5;

               (iii) Each Mortgage  Loan is being  serviced by the Servicer or a
     Servicer Affiliate;

               (iv) The Note  related to each Initial  Mortgage  Loan in Group I
     bears a fixed  Coupon Rate of at least 8.49% per annum and the Note related
     to each Mortgage  Loan in Group II bears a current  Coupon Rate of at least
     7.250% per annum;

               (v) No more than 1.14% of the Mortgage Loans were 30 or more days
     Delinquent;

               (vi) As of the Startup  Day,  no more than 1.01% of the  Original
     Aggregate  Loan  Balance  of the  Initial  Mortgage  Loans  is  secured  by
     Properties located within any single zip code area;

               (vii) Each Mortgage Loan conforms, and all such Mortgage Loans in
     the aggregate conform, in all material respects, to the description thereof
     set forth in the Registration Statement;

               (viii) As of the Startup Day, no more than 4.97% and 3.93% of the
     Group I Original Aggregate Loan Balance and the Group II Original Aggregate
     Loan Balance,  respectively,  are secured by condominiums,  townhouses,  or
     planned unit developments;

               (ix) As of the  Startup  Day, no more than 2.84% and 3.76% of the
     Group I Original Aggregate Loan Balance and the Group II Original Aggregate
     Loan Balance, respectively, are secured by investor-owned Properties;

               (x)  The  credit  underwriting   guidelines  applicable  to  each
     Mortgage Loan conform in all material  respects to the description  thereof
     set forth in the Prospectus;

               (xi) No funds  provided to borrower  from a Second  Mortgage Loan
     originated  by the Company were  concurrently  used as a down payment for a
     First Mortgage Loan originated by the Company;

               (xii)  All of the  Notes  in Group I and  Group II are  actuarial
     loans;

                                       32
<PAGE>

               (xiii) No more than 0.76% of the Original Aggregate Loan Balance,
     is secured by Second Mortgage Loans;

               (xiv) As of the Cut-Off Date, 100% of the Mortgage Loans in Group
     II had interest rates which were not fully indexed;

               (xv) The gross  margin  range for Six Month LIBOR Loans is 4.490%
     to 9.680% and, the gross margin for all Six Month LIBOR Loans when added to
     the current index, creates the fully-indexed range;

               (xvi) No  Mortgage  Loan has a  remaining  term in  excess of 360
     months;

               (xvii)  With  respect  to each  Mortgage  Loan in Group II,  each
     Mortgagor's  debt-to-income ratio will qualify for the related Originator's
     underwriting  guidelines  for a  similar  credit  grade  borrower  when the
     related  Mortgage  Loan in  Group II is at a rate  equal to the  applicable
     initial Coupon Rate plus 2.0%;

               (xviii)  There is no  proceeding  pending or  threatened  for the
     total or partial  condemnation  of any Property.  No Property is damaged by
     waste, fire, earthquake or earth movement, windstorm, flood, other types of
     water  damage,  tornado,  or other  casualty so as to affect  adversely the
     value of such  Property as security for the  Mortgage  Loans or the use for
     which the premises were intended and each Property is in good repair;

               (xix) Each Mortgage  Loan complies in all material  respects with
     all  applicable  federal and state laws  including  without  limitation the
     Truth-in-Lending Act, as amended;

               (xx)  Each  Mortgage  Loan is  secured  by a  Property  having an
     appraised value of less than $750,000;

               (xxi)  The  first Due Date of each  Initial  Mortgage  Loan is no
     later than December 1, 1996;

               (xxii) On the Startup Day with respect to each  Initial  Mortgage
     Loan and on the  related  Subsequent  Transfer  Date with  respect  to each
     Subsequent Mortgage Loan, the Trustee will have good title on behalf of the
     Trust to each Mortgage Loan transferred on such date; and

               (xxiii) Each Mortgage Loan constitutes a qualified mortgage under
     Section   860G(a)(3)(A)  of  the  Code  and  Treasury  Regulations  Section
     1-860G-2(a)(1).

          (b) Upon the discovery by the Company,  the Servicer,  the Certificate
Insurer or the Trustee of a breach of any of the  representations and warranties
made herein in respect of any Mortgage  Loan,  without  regard to any limitation
set forth in such  representation  or warranty  concerning  the knowledge of the
Company  or  any  related  Originator  as to the  facts  stated  therein,  which
materially  and  adversely  affects  the  interests  of  the  Owners  or of  the
Certificate  Insurer in such  Mortgage  Loan the party  discovering  such breach
shall give prompt written notice to the other parties hereto and the Certificate
Insurer,  as their interests may appear.  The Servicer shall promptly notify the
related  Originator  of such breach and request that such  Originator  cure such
breach or take the actions  described in Section  3.4(b)  hereof within the time
periods  required  thereby,  and if such Originator does not cure such breach in
all material respects,  the Company shall cure such breach or take such actions.
Except as set forth in Section 3.4, the  obligations of the Company or Servicer,
as the case may be,  shall be  limited  to the  remedies  for cure set  forth in
Section  3.4 with  respect  to any  Mortgage  Loan as to which such a breach has
occurred  and is  continuing;  the  remedies  set  forth in  Section  3.4  shall

                                       33
<PAGE>

constitute the sole remedy with respect to such breach  available to the Owners,
the Trustee and the Certificate Insurer.

          The  Company  acknowledges  that a  breach  of any  representation  or
warranty  (x)  relating  to   marketability  of  title  sufficient  to  transfer
unencumbered  title to a Mortgage Loan and (y) relating to enforceability of the
Mortgage  Loan against the related  Mortgagor or Property is a priori the breach
of a  representation  or warranty which  "materially  and adversely  affects the
interests of the Owners or of the Certificate Insurer" in such Mortgage Loan.

          Section 3.4.  Covenants  of the Company to Take  Certain  Actions with
Respect to the Mortgage Loans In Certain  Situations.  (a) With the provisos and
limitations  as to remedies set forth in this Section 3.4, upon the discovery by
any  Originator,  the  Company,  the  Servicer,  the  Certificate  Insurer,  any
Sub-Servicer or the Trustee that the representations and warranties set forth in
Section  3.3 of this  Agreement  were untrue in any  material  respect as of the
Startup  Day  (or in  the  case  of the  Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans,  as of the
respective   Subsequent   Transfer   Date),   and  that   such   breach  of  the
representations and warranties materially and adversely affects the interests of
the Owners or of the  Certificate  Insurer,  the party  discovering  such breach
shall  give  prompt  written  notice  to the  other  parties  hereto  and to the
Certificate Insurer.

          (b) Upon the earliest to occur of the Company's discovery, its receipt
of  notice  of  breach  from any one of the  other  parties  hereto  or from the
Certificate  Insurer or such time as a breach of any representation and warranty
materially  and  adversely  affects  the  interests  of  the  Owners  or of  the
Certificate  Insurer  as set forth  above,  the  Company  hereby  covenants  and
warrants that it shall promptly cure such breach in all material  respects or it
shall (or shall  cause an  affiliate  of the  Company to or an  Originator  to),
subject to the further requirements of this paragraph,  on the second Remittance
Date next succeeding  such  discovery,  receipt of notice or such other time (i)
substitute  in lieu of each  Mortgage  Loan in the related  Mortgage  Loan Group
which has given rise to the  requirement  for action by the  Company a Qualified
Replacement  Mortgage and deliver the Substitution  Amount  applicable  thereto,
together with the  aggregate  amount of all  Delinquency  Advances and Servicing
Advances  theretofore  made with respect to such Mortgage  Loan, to the Servicer
for deposit in the Principal and Interest Account or (ii) purchase such Mortgage
Loan  from the  Trust at a  purchase  price  equal  to the Loan  Purchase  Price
thereof,  which purchase price shall be delivered to the Servicer for deposit in
the  Principal  and  Interest  Account.  In  connection  with any such  proposed
purchase  or  substitution,  the  Company,  at its  expense,  shall  cause to be
delivered  to the Trustee and to the  Certificate  Insurer an opinion of counsel
experienced in federal income tax matters stating whether or not such a proposed
purchase or substitution would constitute a Prohibited Transaction for the Trust
or would  jeopardize  the status of the Trust as a REMIC,  and the Company shall
only be required to take either such action to the extent such action  would not
constitute a Prohibited  Transaction  for the Trust or would not  jeopardize the
status  of the Trust as a REMIC.  Any  required  purchase  or  substitution,  if
delayed by the absence of such opinion shall  nonetheless occur upon the earlier
of (i) the  occurrence  of a default or  imminent  default  with  respect to the
Mortgage Loan or (ii) the delivery of such opinion.  It is understood and agreed
that the  obligation  of the Company to cure the defect,  or  substitute  for or
purchase any Mortgage Loan as to which a representation or warranty is untrue in
any material  respect and has not been remedied shall constitute the sole remedy
available to the Owners, the Trustee and the Certificate Insurer.

          (c) In the event that any Qualified  Replacement Mortgage is delivered
by an Originator or by the Company to the Trust  pursuant to this Section 3.4 or
Section 3.6 hereof, the related Originator and the Company shall be obligated to
take the actions  described  in Section  3.4(b) with  respect to such  Qualified
Replacement  Mortgage upon the discovery by any of the Owners, the Company,  the
Servicer,  the Certificate  Insurer, any Sub-Servicer or the Trustee that any of
the  representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.3 above are untrue in
any material respect on the date such Qualified Replacement Mortgage is conveyed
to the Trust such that the interests of the Owners or the Certificate Insurer in
the  related  Qualified   Replacement  Mortgage  are  materially  and  adversely
affected;  provided,  however,  that for the purposes of this subsection (c) the

                                       34
<PAGE>

representations  and  warranties in Section 3.3 above  referring to items "as of
the Cut-Off  Date" or "as of the  Startup  Day" shall be deemed to refer to such
items as of the date such  Qualified  Replacement  Mortgage  is  conveyed to the
Trust.

          (d) It is  understood  and agreed that the covenants set forth in this
Section 3.4 shall survive  delivery of the respective  Mortgage Loans (including
Qualified Replacement Mortgages) to the Trustee.

          (e)  The  Trustee  shall  have  no duty  to  conduct  any  affirmative
investigation  other than as specifically  set forth in this Agreement as to the
occurrence of any  condition  requiring the  repurchase or  substitution  of any
Mortgage Loan pursuant to this section or the  eligibility  of any Mortgage Loan
for purposes of this Agreement.

          Section  3.5.  Conveyance  of the  Mortgage  Loans.  (a) The  Company,
concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof, hereby transfers,  assigns,
sets over and otherwise conveys without recourse, to the Trustee for the benefit
of the Owners of the Certificates and the Certificate  Insurer, all right, title
and interest of the Company in and to each Initial  Mortgage  Loan listed on the
Schedules  of Mortgage  Loans  delivered  by the Company on the Startup Day, all
right,  title and  interest in and to  principal  and  interest due on each such
Initial  Mortgage  Loan after the Cut-Off Date (other than payments of principal
due and interest accrued on or before the Cut-Off Date) and all its right, title
and  interest in and to all  Insurance  Policies;  provided,  however,  that the
Company  reserves  and  retains  all its  right,  title and  interest  in and to
principal  (including  Prepayments)  collected and principal and interest due on
each Initial  Mortgage Loan on or prior to the Cut-Off Date. The transfer by the
Company of the Initial  Mortgage  Loans and the  Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans set
forth on the  Schedules  of Mortgage  Loans is  absolute  and is intended by the
Owners and all parties hereto to be treated as a sale by the Company.

          It is intended  that the sale,  transfer,  assignment  and  conveyance
herein contemplated constitute a sale of the Mortgage Loans conveying good title
thereto  free and clear of any liens and  encumbrances  from the  Company to the
Trust and that the  Mortgage  Loans not be part of the  Company's  estate in the
event of an  insolvency.  In the event that any such  conveyance or a conveyance
pursuant to Section 3.8 and any Subsequent  Transfer Agreement is deemed to be a
loan, the parties intend that the Company shall be deemed to have granted to the
Trustee a security  interest of first  priority in all of the  Company's  right,
title and interest in the Mortgage,  Note and the File,  and that this Agreement
shall constitute a security agreement under applicable law.

          In connection  with the sale,  transfer,  assignment,  and conveyance,
from the  Company to the  Trustee,  the Company  has filed,  in the  appropriate
office or offices in the States of  California  and New York, a UCC-1  financing
statement executed by the Company as debtor, naming the Trustee as secured party
and listing the Initial Mortgage Loans and the other property described above as
collateral,  and on or prior to each  Subsequent  Transfer Date the Company will
file in such offices a UCC-1 financing statement listing the Subsequent Mortgage
Loans so  transferred as collateral.  The  characterization  of the Company as a
debtor and the  Trustee as the secured  party in such  financing  statements  is
solely  for  protective  purposes  and  shall  in no way be  construed  as being
contrary to the intent of the parties that this transaction be treated as a sale
of the Company's entire right,  title and interest in the Mortgage Loans and the
related Files to the Trust.  In connection  with such filing,  the Company shall
cause to be filed all necessary  continuation  statements thereof and to take or
cause to be taken such  actions and execute such  documents as are  necessary to
perfect and protect the  Trustee's  and the Owners'  interests  in the  Mortgage
Loans and the related Files.

          (b) In  connection  with the transfer and  assignment  of the Mortgage
Loans, the Company agrees to:

                                       35
<PAGE>

               (i) cause to be delivered, on or prior to the Startup Day (except
     as otherwise  stated below) without  recourse to the Trustee on the Startup
     Day with  respect to each Initial  Mortgage  Loan listed on the Schedule of
     Mortgage  Loans or on each  Subsequent  Transfer  Date with respect to each
     Subsequent Mortgage Loan:

                    (a) the original Notes or certified copies thereof, endorsed
          without  recourse  by the  related  Originator,  "Pay to the  order of
          ______________________________, without recourse" or "Pay to the order
          of holder,  without recourse." In the event that the Mortgage Loan was
          acquired by the related  Originator in a merger,  the endorsement must
          be by the  "(related  Originator),  successor  by  merger  to (name of
          predecessor)"; and in the event that the Mortgage Loan was acquired or
          originated  by the  related  Originator  while  doing  business  under
          another name, the  endorsement  must be by the "(related  Originator),
          formerly known as (previous name)";

                    (b)  originals  of all  intervening  assignments,  showing a
          complete  chain  of  assignment   from   origination  to  the  related
          Originator,  if any, including warehousing assignments,  with evidence
          of recording  thereon (or, if an original  intervening  assignment has
          not been returned from the recording office, a certified copy thereof,
          the original to be delivered to the Trustee forthwith after return);

                    (c) originals of all assumption and modification agreements,
          if any (or, if an original  assumption and/or  modification  agreement
          has not been  returned  from the recording  office,  a certified  copy
          thereof,  the original to be delivered to the Trustee  forthwith after
          return);

                    (d)  either  (A) the  original  Mortgage  with  evidence  of
          recording thereon or a certified copy of the Mortgage as recorded,  or
          (B) if the  original  Mortgage  has not yet  been  returned  from  the
          recording  office,  a certified copy of the Mortgage,  together with a
          receipt from the recording office or from a title insurance company or
          a  certificate  of an  Authorized  Person  of the  related  Originator
          indicating that such Mortgage has been delivered for recording;

                    (e) the original  assignment  of Mortgage for each  Mortgage
          Loan  conveying the Mortgage to The Bank of New York as Trustee of the
          First Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3 which assignment shall be in
          form and  substance  acceptable  for  recording  in the state or other
          jurisdiction  where the mortgaged  property is located and,  within 75
          Business  Days  following  the Startup Day with respect to the Initial
          Mortgage Loans, or within 75 Business Days of each Subsequent Transfer
          Date  with  respect  to the  Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans,  a  recorded
          assignment of each such Mortgage;  provided that in the event that the
          Mortgage Loan was acquired by the related  Originator in a merger, the
          assignment of Mortgage must be by the "(related Originator), successor
          by  merger  to  (name  of  predecessor)";  and in the  event  that the
          Mortgage  Loan was acquired or  originated  by the related  Originator
          while doing  business  under another name,  the assignment of Mortgage
          must be by the  "(related  Originator),  formerly  known as  (previous
          name)"  (subject  to the  foregoing,  and  where  permitted  under the
          applicable laws of the  jurisdiction  where the mortgaged  property is
          located,   the   assignments  of  Mortgage  may  be  made  by  blanket
          assignments for Mortgage Loans covering mortgaged  properties situated
          within the same county or other permitted  governmental  subdivision);
          and

                    (f)  evidence  of  title   insurance  with  respect  to  the
          mortgaged property in the form of a binder or commitment.

                                       36
<PAGE>

               (ii) except with respect to Mortgage Loans covered by opinions of
     counsel  delivered in the manner set forth below  ("Assignment  Opinions"),
     cause,  as soon as possible but no more than 75 Business Days following the
     Startup  Day with  respect  to the  Initial  Mortgage  Loans,  or within 75
     Business  Days  of  each  Subsequent  Transfer  Date  with  respect  to the
     Subsequent Mortgage Loans, the Originators to deliver to the Trustee copies
     of all Mortgage assignments  submitted for recording,  together with a list
     of (x) all  Mortgages  for  which  no  Mortgage  assignment  has  yet  been
     submitted  for  recording  by the  related  Originator  (y) reasons why the
     related  Originator  has not yet submitted  such Mortgage  assignments  for
     recording;  provided,  however, that with respect to Mortgage Loans subject
     to  jurisdiction  in the states of California,  Colorado,  Illinois,  Ohio,
     Oregon, Pennsylvania,  Washington,  Georgia and Arizona an Originator shall
     not be  required  to record an  assignment  of a  Mortgage  if the  Company
     furnishes  to the Trustee  and the  Certificate  Insurer,  on or before the
     Startup  Day  with  respect  to the  Initial  Mortgage  Loans,  or on  each
     Subsequent  Transfer Date with respect to the Subsequent Mortgage Loans, at
     the Company's expense,  the Assignment  Opinions which opine that recording
     is not  necessary  to  perfect  the rights of the  Trustee  in the  related
     Mortgage (in form  satisfactory  to the  Certificate  Insurer,  Moody's and
     Standard & Poor's).  With respect to any Mortgage  assignment  set forth on
     the  aforementioned  list which has not been  submitted for recording for a
     reason other than a lack of original recording  information or with respect
     to Mortgages not covered by the Assignment Opinions, the Trustee shall make
     an immediate demand on the Company to cause such Mortgage assignments to be
     prepared and shall inform the Certificate  Insurer of the Company's failure
     to cause such Mortgage assignments to be prepared.  Thereafter, the Trustee
     shall  cooperate in executing  any  documents  prepared by the  Certificate
     Insurer and  submitted to the Trustee in  connection  with this  provision.
     Following  the  expiration  of the  75-Business  Day period  following  the
     Startup  Day with  respect  to the  Initial  Mortgage  Loans,  or within 75
     Business  Days  of  each  Subsequent  Transfer  Date  with  respect  to the
     Subsequent  Mortgage Loans and except with respect to Mortgages  covered by
     the Assignment Opinions,  the Company shall cause to be prepared a Mortgage
     assignment  for any Mortgage for which  original  recording  information is
     subsequently  received by the related Originator and shall promptly deliver
     a copy of such Mortgage assignment to the Trustee.

          All  recording   required  pursuant  to  this  Section  3.5  shall  be
accomplished   at  the   expense  of  the   Originators   or  of  the   Company.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3.5, in those
instances where the public recording office retains the original  Mortgage,  the
assignment of a Mortgage or the intervening assignments of the Mortgage after it
has been recorded, the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligations
hereunder  upon  delivery  to the  Trustee  of a copy  of  such  Mortgage,  such
assignment or assignments of Mortgage  certified by the public  recording office
to be a true copy of the recorded original thereof.

          Copies of all Mortgage  assignments  received by the Trustee  shall be
kept in the related File.

          (c) In the case of Initial  Mortgage  Loans which have been prepaid in
full on or after the Cut-Off Date and prior to the Startup Day, the Company,  in
lieu of the  foregoing,  will deliver  within 15 Business Days after the Startup
Day to the  Trustee a  certification  of an  Authorized  Officer in the form set
forth in Exhibit D.

          (d) The Company shall transfer,  assign, set over and otherwise convey
without recourse, to the Trustee all right, title and interest of the Company in
and to any Qualified  Replacement Mortgage delivered to the Trustee on behalf of
the Trust by the  Company  pursuant to Section 3.4 or Section 3.6 hereof and all
its right,  title and interest to principal  and interest due on such  Qualified
Replacement  Mortgage after the applicable  Replacement Cut-Off Date;  provided,
however, that the Company shall reserve and retain all right, title and interest

                                       37
<PAGE>

in and to payments of principal and interest due on such  Qualified  Replacement
Mortgage on and prior to the applicable Replacement Cut-Off Date.

          (e) As to each  Mortgage  Loan  released  from the Trust in connection
with the conveyance of a Qualified  Replacement  Mortgage therefor,  the Trustee
will transfer,  assign,  set over and otherwise convey without recourse,  on the
Company's  order,  all of its right,  title and interest in and to such released
Mortgage  Loan and all the Trust's  right,  title and interest to principal  and
interest due on such  released  Mortgage Loan after the  applicable  Replacement
Cut-Off  Date;  provided,  however,  that the Trust shall reserve and retain all
right,  title and interest in and to payments of  principal  and interest due on
such released Mortgage Loan on and prior to the applicable  Replacement  Cut-Off
Date.

          (f) In  connection  with any  transfer and  assignment  of a Qualified
Replacement  Mortgage to the Trustee on behalf of the Trust,  the Company agrees
to cause to be delivered to the Trustee the items described in Section 3.5(b) on
the  date  of such  transfer  and  assignment  or if a  later  delivery  time is
permitted by Section 3.5(b) then no later than such later delivery time.

          (g) As to each  Mortgage  Loan  released  from the Trust in connection
with the  conveyance  of a Qualified  Replacement  Mortgage  the  Trustee  shall
deliver on the date of conveyance of such Qualified Replacement Mortgage, and on
the order of the Company (i) the original Note, or the certified copy,  relating
thereto, endorsed without recourse, to the Company and (ii) such other documents
as constituted the File with respect thereto.

          (h) If a Mortgage  assignment is lost during the process of recording,
or is returned from the recorder's  office  unrecorded due to a defect  therein,
the Company  shall prepare a substitute  assignment or cure such defect,  as the
case may be, and thereafter cause each such assignment to be duly recorded.

          (i) The Company shall  reflect on its records that the Mortgage  Loans
have been sold to the Trust.

          Section 3.6. Acceptance by Trustee;  Certain Substitutions of Mortgage
Loans; Certification by Trustee.

          (a) The  Trustee  agrees to execute and  deliver to the  Company,  the
Servicer and the Certificate Insurer on the Startup Day an Initial Certification
in the form annexed  hereto as Exhibit E to the effect that, as to each Mortgage
Loan listed in the  Schedules of Mortgage  Loans  (other than any Mortgage  Loan
paid in full or any Mortgage Loan specifically  identified in such certification
as not  covered  by  such  certification),  (i)  all  documents  required  to be
delivered to it pursuant to this  Agreement  with respect to such  Mortgage Loan
are in its  possession,  (ii) such documents have been reviewed by it and appear
regular on their face and relate to such  Mortgage  Loan and (iii)  based on its
examination and only as to the foregoing documents, the information set forth on
the  Schedules  of  Mortgage  Loans as to loan  number  and  address  accurately
reflects  information  set forth in the File. The Trustee shall not be under any
duty or obligation to inspect,  review or examine said  documents,  instruments,
certificates or other papers to determine that the same are genuine, enforceable
or  appropriate  for the  represented  purpose or that they have  actually  been
recorded  or that they are other  than what they  purport  to be on their  face.
Within 90 days of the Startup Date (or,  with respect to any document  delivered
after  the  Startup  Day,  within 45 days of  receipt  and with  respect  to any
Subsequent Mortgage Loan or Qualified Replacement Mortgage, within 45 days after
the  assignment  thereof) the Trustee shall deliver to the Company,  Certificate
Insurer and the Servicer a Final  Certification  in the form  annexed  hereto as
Exhibit  F  evidencing  the  completeness  of the  Files,  with  any  applicable
exceptions noted thereon.

                                       38
<PAGE>

          (b) If in the  process  of  reviewing  the  Files  and  preparing  the
certifications  referred to above the Trustee  finds any  document or  documents
constituting  a part of a File  which  is not  properly  executed,  has not been
received  within the  specified  period or is unrelated  to the  Mortgage  Loans
identified  in the Schedules of Mortgage  Loans,  or that any Mortgage Loan does
not  conform as to loan  number and  address  as set forth in the  Schedules  of
Mortgage  Loans,   the  Trustee  shall  promptly  notify  the  Company  and  the
Certificate  Insurer.  The Company shall use reasonable efforts to cure any such
defect  within 60 days from the date on which the Company  was  notified of such
defect,  and if the Company does not cure such defect in all  material  respects
during such period, the Company will (or will cause the related Originator or an
affiliate  of the  Company  to) on  the  next  succeeding  Remittance  Date  (i)
substitute in lieu of such Mortgage  Loan a Qualified  Replacement  Mortgage and
deliver the Substitution  Amount applicable  thereto to the Servicer for deposit
in the Principal  and Interest  Account or (ii) purchase such Mortgage Loan at a
purchase price equal to the Loan Purchase  Price  thereof,  which purchase price
shall be delivered to the  Servicer  for deposit in the  Principal  and Interest
Account.  In connection  with any such  proposed  purchase or  substitution  the
Company shall cause at the Company's  expense to be delivered to the Trustee and
to the Certificate  Insurer an opinion of counsel  experienced in federal income
tax matters  stating  whether or not such a proposed  purchase  or  substitution
would constitute a Prohibited  Transaction for the Trust or would jeopardize the
status of the Trust as a REMIC,  and the Company  shall only be required to take
either such action to the extent such action  would not  constitute a Prohibited
Transaction  for the Trust or would not  jeopardize the status of the Trust as a
REMIC. Any required purchase or substitution,  if delayed by the absence of such
opinion  shall  nonetheless  occur upon the earlier of (i) the  occurrence  of a
default  or  imminent  default  with  respect to the  Mortgage  Loan or (ii) the
delivery of such opinion.

          Section  3.7.  Cooperation  Procedures.  (a)  The  Company  shall,  in
connection  with the  delivery  of each  Qualified  Replacement  Mortgage to the
Trustee,  provide the Trustee with the information set forth in the Schedules of
Mortgage Loans with respect to such Qualified Replacement Mortgage.

          (b) The Company, the Servicer and the Trustee covenant to provide each
other with all data and information required to be provided by them hereunder at
the times required hereunder,  and additionally covenant reasonably to cooperate
with each other in providing any additional  information required to be obtained
by any of them in connection with their respective duties hereunder.

          (c) The Servicer shall  maintain such accurate and complete  accounts,
records and computer systems  pertaining to each File as shall enable it and the
Trustee to comply with this Agreement.  In performing its  recordkeeping  duties
the Servicer shall act in accordance  with the servicing  standards set forth in
this Agreement.  The Servicer shall conduct, or cause to be conducted,  periodic
audits of its  accounts,  records and computer  systems as set forth in Sections
8.16 and 8.17 hereof.  The  Servicer  shall  promptly  report to the Trustee any
failure on its part to maintain its  accounts,  records and computer  systems as
herein provided and promptly take appropriate action to remedy any such failure.

          (d) The Company further confirms to the Trustee that it has caused the
portions of the electronic  ledger  relating to the Mortgage Loans to be clearly
and  unambiguously  marked to indicate that such Mortgage  Loans have been sold,
transferred,  assigned  and conveyed to the Trustee and  constitute  part of the
Trust Estate in  accordance  with the terms of the trust  created  hereunder and
that the Company will treat the transaction contemplated by such sale, transfer,
assignment and conveyance as a sale for accounting purposes.


                                       39
<PAGE>

          Section 3.8.  Conveyance of the Subsequent Mortgage Loans. (a) Subject
to the  satisfaction  of the  conditions set forth in Section 3.5 and paragraphs
(b), (c) and (d) below (based on the  Trustee's  review of such  conditions)  in
consideration  of the  Trustee's  delivery on the relevant  Subsequent  Transfer
Dates to or upon the order of the  Company of all or a portion of the balance of
funds in the Pre-Funding  Account,  the Company shall on any Subsequent Transfer
Date sell, transfer,  assign, set over and otherwise convey without recourse, to
the  Trustee,  all of the  Company's  right,  title and  interest in and to each
Subsequent Mortgage Loan listed on the related Schedule of Mortgage Loans (other
than any principal and interest payments due thereon on or prior to the relevant
Subsequent  Cut-Off  Date) which the Company is causing to be  delivered  to the
Trustee  herewith (and all  substitutions  therefor as provided by Sections 3.3,
3.4 and 3.6) together with the related  Subsequent  Mortgage Loan  documents and
the Company's interest in any Property which secured a Subsequent  Mortgage Loan
but which has been acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of  foreclosure,  and
all payments  thereon and proceeds of the conversion,  voluntary or involuntary,
of the foregoing and proceeds of all the foregoing (including, but not by way of
limitation,  all proceeds of any mortgage insurance,  hazard insurance and title
insurance  policy  relating to the  Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans,  cash proceeds,
accounts,  accounts  receivable,  notes,  drafts,  acceptances,  chattel  paper,
checks,  deposit  accounts,  rights to payment of any and every kind,  and other
forms of obligations and receivables which at any time constitute all or part of
or are included in the proceeds of any of the foregoing).

          The transfer by the Company of the Subsequent Mortgage Loans set forth
on the related  Schedule of Mortgage  Loans to the Trustee shall be absolute and
shall be intended  by the Owners and all parties  hereto to be treated as a sale
by the Company.  Any Subsequent Mortgage Loan so transferred will be included in
one and only one of either  Group I or Group II.  The amount  released  from the
Pre-Funding  Account  shall  be one  hundred  percent  (100%)  of the  aggregate
principal  balances of the Subsequent  Mortgage Loans so  transferred.  Upon the
transfer  by the  Company  of the  Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans  hereunder,  such
Subsequent Mortgage Loans (and all principal and interest due thereon subsequent
to the  Subsequent Cut Off Date) and all other rights and interests with respect
to such Subsequent Mortgage Loans transferred  pursuant to a Subsequent Transfer
Agreement  shall be deemed for all  purposes  hereunder  to be part of the Trust
Estate.  The  Company  hereby  covenants  and agrees to use its best  efforts to
ensure that a sufficient amount of Subsequent Mortgage Loans will be transferred
to the Trust during the Funding Period to reduce the  Pre-Funded  Amount to less
than $100,000 for each Group.

          (b) The  obligation  of the  Trustee  to accept  the  transfer  of the
Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans and the other  property and rights  related  thereto
described in paragraph (a) above is subject to the  satisfaction  of each of the
following conditions on or prior to the related Subsequent Transfer Date:

               (i)  the  Company   shall  have  provided  the  Trustee  and  the
     Certificate  Insurer  with an Addition  Notice and shall have  provided any
     information  reasonably  requested by any of the foregoing  with respect to
     the Subsequent Mortgage Loans;

               (ii) the  Company  shall  have  delivered  to the  Trustee a duly
     executed  Subsequent  Transfer  Agreement  (including  an acceptance by the
     Trustee)  in  substantially  the form of Exhibit L, which  shall  include a
     Schedule of Mortgage Loans,  listing the Subsequent  Mortgage Loans and any
     other exhibits listed thereon;

               (iii) the  Company  shall have  deposited  in the  Principal  and
     Interest  Account all  principal  collected  and interest due in respect of
     such Subsequent  Mortgage Loans on or after the related  Subsequent Cut Off
     Date;


                                       40
<PAGE>

               (iv) as of each  Subsequent  Transfer  Date,  the  Company is not
     insolvent,  nor will it be made insolvent by such transfer, nor is it aware
     of any pending insolvency;

               (v) the Funding Period shall not have ended;

               (vi) the  Company  shall have  delivered  to the  Trustee and the
     Certificate Insurer an Officer's Certificate confirming the satisfaction of
     each  condition  precedent  specified  in  items  (i)  through  (v) of this
     paragraph  (b)  and  paragraphs  (c)  and  (d)  below  and in  the  related
     Subsequent Transfer Agreement; and

               (vii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, the Rating
     Agencies and the  Certificate  Insurer  opinions of counsel with respect to
     the transfer of the Subsequent  Mortgage Loans substantially in the form of
     the  opinions  of counsel  delivered  to the  Certificate  Insurer  and the
     Trustee on the  Startup  Day with  respect to the  Initial  Mortgage  Loans
     (bankruptcy, corporate and tax).

          (c) The obligation of the Trust to purchase  Subsequent Mortgage Loans
for  addition  to  Group  I on a  Subsequent  Transfer  Date is  subject  to the
following requirements:  (i) such Subsequent Mortgage Loan may not be 30 or more
days  contractually  delinquent as of the related  Subsequent Cut Off Date; (ii)
the remaining term to maturity of such  Subsequent  Mortgage Loan may not exceed
30 years; (iii) such Subsequent Mortgage Loan will have a Combined Loan-to-Value
Ratio of not more than 80% and (iv)  following  the purchase of such  Subsequent
Mortgage  Loans by the Trust,  the  Mortgage  Loans  (including  the  Subsequent
Mortgage  Loans) in Group I (a) will have a weighted  average  Coupon Rate of at
least 8.35%; (b) will have a weighted average  Combined  Loan-to-Value  Ratio of
not more than 60.42%; (c) will have no Mortgage Loan with a principal balance in
excess of  $230,000  (other  than not more than 1.00% of the  Mortgage  Loans in
Group I which may have a principal  balance in excess  thereof) and will satisfy
the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.3 hereof. In addition,
the final pool of Mortgage  Loans in Group I shall conform to the guidelines set
forth in paragraph 29 of the "Commitment to Issue a Financial Guaranty Insurance
Policy dated  September  11, 1996" from the  Certificate  Insurer to the Company
relating to the Fixed Rate Certificate Insurance Policy.

          (d) The obligation of the Trust to purchase  Subsequent Mortgage Loans
for  addition  to Group  II on a  Subsequent  Transfer  Date is  subject  to the
following requirements:  (i) such Subsequent Mortgage Loan may not be 30 or more
days  contractually  delinquent as of the related  Subsequent Cut Off Date; (ii)
the remaining term to maturity of such  Subsequent  Mortgage Loan may not exceed
30 years; (iii) such Subsequent Mortgage Loan will have a Combined Loan to Value
Ratio of not more than 80%; and (iv)  following the purchase of such  Subsequent
Mortgage  Loans by the Trust,  the  Mortgage  Loans  (including  the  Subsequent
Mortgage Loans) in Group II (a) will have a weighted  average margin of at least
5.89%; (b) will have a weighted average Combined Loan to Value Ratio of not more
than  60.74%;  and (c) will have no Mortgage  Loan with a  principal  balance in
excess of $200,000 (other than not more than 2.5% of the Mortgage Loans in Group
II which may have a principal  balance in excess  thereof)  and (d) will satisfy
the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.3 hereof. In addition,
the final pool of Mortgage Loans in Group II shall conform to the guidelines set
forth in paragraph 29 of the "Commitment to Issue a Financial Guaranty Insurance
Policy  dated  September  11, 1996 from the  Certificate  Insurer to the Company
relating to the Variable Rate Certificate Insurance Policy.

          (e) In  connection  with  each  Subsequent  Transfer  Date  and on the
Payment Date  occurring in October 1996,  the Trustee shall  determine:  (i) the
amount and correct dispositions of the Group I and Group II Capitalized Interest
Requirements,  Overfunded Interest Amounts, Pre-Funding Account Earnings and the
Pre-Funded  Amount and (ii) any other  necessary  matters in connection with the
administration  of the  Pre-Funding  Account  and of  the  Capitalized  Interest
Account.  In the event that any amounts are  released as a result of an error in

                                       41
<PAGE>

calculation  to the Owners or the Company from the  Pre-Funding  Account or from
the Capitalized  Interest Account,  such Owners or the Company shall immediately
repay such amounts to the Trustee.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                        ISSUANCE AND SALE OF CERTIFICATES

          Section 4.1.  Issuance of  Certificates.  On the Startup Day, upon the
Trustee's receipt from the Company of an executed Delivery Order in the form set
forth as Exhibit G hereto,  the Trustee shall execute,  authenticate and deliver
the  Certificates  on behalf of the Trust in accordance  with the directions set
forth in such Delivery Order.

          Section 4.2. Sale of Certificates. At 10:00 a.m. New York City time on
the  Startup  Date,  at the  offices  of Dewey  Ballantine,  1301  Avenue of the
Americas,  New York,  New York,  the Company  will sell and convey the  Mortgage
Loans and the  money,  instruments  and other  property  related  thereto to the
Trustee,  and the  Trustee  will (i)  deliver  to the  Underwriter  the  Class A
Certificates with an aggregate  Percentage Interest in each Class equal to 100%,
registered  in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other names as the  Underwriter
shall direct,  against payment of the purchase price thereof by wire transfer of
immediately  available  funds to the  Trustee,  (ii)  deliver to First  Alliance
Residual Holding Company a Class R Certificate, with a Percentage Interest equal
to  99.99%,  and  (iii)  deliver  to the  Company a Class R  Certificate  with a
Percentage Interest equal to 0.01%. Upon the Trustee's receipt of the entire net
proceeds of the sale of the Class A Certificates  the Company shall instruct the
Trustee to: (a) deposit (i) an amount equal to the Original Pre-Funded Amount in
the  Pre-Funding  Account  and  (ii)  an  amount  equal  to  $58,623.22  in  the
Capitalized  Interest Account contributed by the Company out of such proceeds or
otherwise,  (b) pay any fees and expenses  identified by the Company and (c) pay
to the Company the balance after  deducting such amounts.  The Company shall pay
directly to the Certificate Insurer the Initial Premiums.

                                    ARTICLE V

                     CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

          Section 5.1. Terms. (a) The  Certificates are pass-through  securities
having the rights  described  therein  and  herein.  Notwithstanding  references
herein or  therein  with  respect  to the  Certificates  as to  "principal"  and
"interest"  no  debt  of  any  Person  is  represented   thereby,  nor  are  the
Certificates or the underlying  Notes  guaranteed by any Person (except that the
Notes may be recourse to the Mortgagors  thereof to the extent  permitted by law
and  except  for the  rights of the  Trustee  with  respect  to the  Certificate
Insurance  Policies).  Distributions on the Certificates are payable solely from
payments  received  on or with  respect to the  Mortgage  Loans  (other than the
Servicing  Fees),  moneys  in the  Principal  and  Interest  Account,  except as
otherwise provided herein, moneys in the Pre-Funding Account and the Capitalized
Interest  Account from earnings on moneys and the proceeds of property held as a
part of the Trust  Estate  and,  upon the  occurrence  of certain  events,  from
Insured Payments. Each Certificate entitles the Owner thereof to receive monthly
on each Payment Date, in order of priority of distributions with respect to such
Class of  Certificates a specified  portion of such payments with respect to the
Mortgage Loans in the related  Mortgage Loan Group and certain  related  Insured
Payments, pro rata in accordance with such Owner's Percentage Interest.

          (b) Each  Owner is  required,  and  hereby  agrees,  to  return to the
Trustee  at the  Corporate  Trust  Office  any  Certificate  prior to the  final
distribution due thereon.  Any such Certificate as to which the Trustee has made
the final  distribution  thereon shall be deemed canceled and shall no longer be
Outstanding for any purpose of this Agreement.

                                       42
<PAGE>

          Section  5.2.  Forms.  The  Class  A-1  Certificates,  the  Class  A-2
Certificates and the Class R Certificates  shall be in  substantially  the forms
set forth in Exhibits A-1, A-2 and C hereof, respectively, with such appropriate
insertions,  omissions,  substitutions  and other  variations as are required or
permitted by this  Agreement or as may in the  Company's  judgment be necessary,
appropriate or convenient to comply, or facilitate  compliance,  with applicable
laws, and may have such letters,  numbers or other marks of  identification  and
such legends or  endorsements  placed  thereon as may be required to comply with
the rules of any applicable securities laws or as may, consistently herewith, be
determined by the Authorized Officer of the Trustee executing such Certificates,
as evidenced by his execution thereof.

          Section 5.3. Execution,  Authentication and Delivery. Each Certificate
shall be executed on behalf of the Trust,  by the manual or facsimile  signature
of one of the Trustee's  Authorized  Officers and shall be  authenticated by the
manual or facsimile signature of one of the Trustee's Authorized Officers.

          Certificates  bearing the manual  signature of individuals who were at
any time the proper officers of the Trustee shall, upon proper authentication by
the Trustee,  bind the Trust,  notwithstanding  that such  individuals or any of
them have ceased to hold such  offices  prior to the  execution  and delivery of
such  Certificates or did not hold such offices at the date of authentication of
such Certificates.

          The  initial  Certificates  shall be dated as of the  Startup  Day and
delivered at the Closing to the parties specified in Section 4.2 hereof.

          No Certificate  shall be valid until executed and authenticated as set
forth above.

          Section  5.4.  Registration  and  Transfer  of  Certificates.  (a) The
Trustee,  as registrar,  shall cause to be kept a register (the  "Register")  in
which, subject to such reasonable  regulations as it may prescribe,  the Trustee
shall provide for the  registration  of  Certificates  and the  registration  of
transfer  of  Certificates.  The  Trustee  is hereby  appointed  registrar  (the
"Registrar")  for the  purpose of  registering  Certificates  and  transfers  of
Certificates as herein  provided.  The Owners and the Certificate  Insurer shall
have the right to inspect the Register  during  business  hours upon  reasonable
notice (but no less than 2 Business Days) and to obtain copies thereof.

          (b) Subject to the  provisions of Section 5.8 hereof,  upon  surrender
for registration of transfer of any Certificate at the office  designated as the
location of the Register,  the Trustee shall execute,  authenticate and deliver,
in the  name of the  designated  transferee  or  transferees,  one or  more  new
Certificates  of a like  Class  and in the  aggregate  principal  amount  of the
Certificate so surrendered.

          (c) At the option of any  Owner,  Certificates  of any Class  owned by
such Owner may be exchanged  for other  Certificates  authorized  of like Class,
tenor,   aggregate   original   principal   amount  and   bearing   numbers  not
contemporaneously   outstanding,  upon  surrender  of  the  Certificates  to  be
exchanged at the office designated as the location of the Register. Whenever any
Certificate  is  so  surrendered  for  exchange,   the  Trustee  shall  execute,
authenticate and deliver the Certificate or Certificates  which the Owner making
the exchange is entitled to receive.

          (d) All  Certificates  issued  upon any  registration  of  transfer or
exchange of Certificates shall be valid evidence of the same ownership interests
in the Trust and  entitled  to the same  benefits  under this  Agreement  as the
Certificates surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

          (e) Every  Certificate  presented or surrendered  for  registration of
transfer or exchange  shall be duly  endorsed,  or be  accompanied  by a written
instrument of transfer in form  satisfactory to the Trustee duly executed by the
Owner thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

                                       43
<PAGE>

          (f) No service  charge shall be made to an Owner for any  registration
of transfer or exchange of Certificates,  but the Trustee may require payment of
a sum  sufficient  to cover  any tax or other  governmental  charge  that may be
imposed  in  connection  with  any  registration  of  transfer  or  exchange  of
Certificates;  any other  expenses in connection  with such transfer or exchange
shall be an expense of the Trust.

          (g) It is intended that the Class A  Certificates  be registered so as
to participate in a global book-entry  system with the Depository,  as set forth
herein.  Each Class of Class A Certificates  shall, except as otherwise provided
in the next  paragraph,  be  initially  issued  in the  form of a  single  fully
registered  Class  A  Certificate  with a  denomination  equal  to the  Original
Certificate  Principal  Balance  of  such  Class.  Upon  initial  issuance,  the
ownership of each such Class A  Certificate  shall be registered in the Register
in the  name  of  Cede & Co.,  or any  successor  thereto,  as  nominee  for the
Depository.

          On the  Startup  Day,  no  Class A  Certificates  shall be  issued  in
denominations of less than $1,000 except for one Certificate of each Class which
may be in a denomination  of less than $1,000;  accordingly  the Trust shall not
issue tail certificates on the Startup Day.

          The  Company  and the  Trustee  are hereby  authorized  to execute and
deliver the Representation Letter with the Depository.

          With respect to Class A Certificates registered in the Register in the
name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depository,  the Company, the Servicer and
the Trustee  shall have no  responsibility  or  obligation to Direct or Indirect
Participants  or  beneficial  owners  for which  the  Depository  holds  Class A
Certificates from time to time as a Depository. Without limiting the immediately
preceding  sentence,  the Company,  the  Servicer and the Trustee  shall have no
responsibility  or obligation with respect to (i) the accuracy of the records of
the Depository,  Cede & Co., or any Direct or Indirect  Participant with respect
to the ownership interest in the Class A Certificates,  (ii) the delivery to any
Direct or Indirect  Participant  or any other  Person,  other than a  registered
Owner of a Class A  Certificate  as shown in the  Register,  of any notice  with
respect  to the Class A  Certificates  or (iii)  the  payment  to any  Direct or
Indirect  Participant  or any other Person,  other than a registered  Owner of a
Class A Certificate as shown in the Register,  of any amount with respect to any
distribution  of  principal or interest on the Class A  Certificates.  No Person
other than a registered  Owner of a Class A Certificate as shown in the Register
shall receive a certificate evidencing such Class A Certificate.

          Upon delivery by the  Depository  to the Trustee of written  notice to
the effect that the  Depository  has  determined  to substitute a new nominee in
place of Cede & Co.,  and subject to the  provisions  hereof with respect to the
payment of interest by the mailing of checks or drafts to the registered  Owners
of Class A Certificates appearing as registered Owners in the registration books
maintained  by the Trustee at the close of business on a Record  Date,  the name
"Cede  & Co."  in  this  Agreement  shall  refer  to  such  new  nominee  of the
Depository.

          (h) In the event that (i) the  Depository  or the Company  advises the
Trustee and the Certificate  Insurer in writing that the Depository is no longer
willing or able to  discharge  properly  its  responsibilities  as  nominee  and
depository  with  respect  to the Class A  Certificates  and the  Company or the
Trustee is unable to locate a  qualified  successor  or (ii) the  Company at its
sole option elects to terminate the book-entry  system  through the  Depository,
the Class A  Certificates  shall no longer be restricted to being  registered in
the  Register in the name of Cede & Co. (or a  successor  nominee) as nominee of
the  Depository.  At that  time,  the  Company  may  determine  that the Class A
Certificates  shall be registered in the name of and deposited  with a successor
depository  operating a global  book-entry  system,  as may be acceptable to the
Company and at the Company's  expense,  or such  depository's  agent or designee
but, if the Company does not select such alternative  global book-entry  system,
then the  Class A  Certificates  may be  registered  in  whatever  name or names
registered  Owners of Class A  Certificates  transferring  Class A  Certificates
shall designate, in accordance with the provisions hereof.

                                       44
<PAGE>

          (i)  Notwithstanding  any other  provision  of this  Agreement  to the
contrary, so long as any Class A Certificate is registered in the name of Cede &
Co., as nominee of the Depository, all distributions of principal or interest on
such  Class A  Certificates  and  all  notices  with  respect  to  such  Class A
Certificates  shall be made and given,  respectively,  in the manner provided in
the Representation Letter.

          Section 5.5. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. If (i)
any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Trustee, or the Trustee receives
evidence  to  its  satisfaction  of  the  destruction,  loss  or  theft  of  any
Certificate,  and (ii) in the case of any mutilated Certificate,  such mutilated
Certificate  shall first be surrendered  to the Trustee,  and in the case of any
destroyed,  lost or stolen  Certificate,  there shall be first  delivered to the
Trustee such security or indemnity as may be  reasonably  required by it to hold
the Trustee  harmless,  then,  in the absence of notice to the Trustee that such
Certificate  has been  acquired  by a bona fide  purchaser,  the  Trustee  shall
execute,  authenticate  and  deliver,  in  exchange  for or in lieu of any  such
mutilated,  destroyed,  lost or stolen  Certificate,  a new  Certificate of like
Class,   tenor  and   aggregate   principal   amount,   bearing  a  number   not
contemporaneously outstanding.

          Upon the  issuance  of any new  Certificate  under this  Section,  the
Trustee may require  the payment of a sum  sufficient  to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto;  any other expenses
in connection with such issuance shall be an expense of the Trust.

          Every new Certificate  issued pursuant to this Section in exchange for
or in  lieu  of any  mutilated,  destroyed,  lost or  stolen  Certificate  shall
constitute  evidence of a substitute interest in the Trust and shall be entitled
to all the benefits of this Agreement equally and  proportionately  with any and
all  other  Certificates  of the  same  Class  duly  issued  hereunder  and such
mutilated,  destroyed,  lost or  stolen  Certificate  shall not be valid for any
purpose.

          The  provisions of this Section are  exclusive and shall  preclude (to
the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement
or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificates.

          Section 5.6.  Persons Deemed Owners.  The Trustee and any agent of the
Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any  Certificate is registered as the
Owner of such  Certificate  for the  purpose  of  receiving  distributions  with
respect to such Certificate and for all other purposes  whatsoever,  and neither
the  Trustee  nor any agent of the  Trustee  shall be  affected by notice to the
contrary.

          Section  5.7.   Cancellation.   All   Certificates   surrendered   for
registration  of transfer or exchange  shall, if surrendered to any Person other
than the Trustee,  be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by
it. No  Certificate  shall be  authenticated  in lieu of or in exchange  for any
Certificate canceled as provided in this Section,  except as expressly permitted
by this  Agreement.  All  canceled  Certificates  may be held by the  Trustee in
accordance with its standard retention policy.

          Section 5.8.  Limitation on Transfer of Ownership Rights.  (a) No sale
or other transfer of any Class A Certificate  shall be made to the Company,  any
Originator  or any of  their  respective  affiliates.  Furthermore,  before  the
earlier of (i) the date on which the Funding Period expires and (ii) the date on
which the Department of Labor amends Prohibited  Transaction  Exemption 90-32 to
permit the use of pre-funding accounts thereunder,  no sale or other transfer of
record or beneficial  ownership of any Class A Certificate  shall be made to any
Person until such Person  delivers to the Trustee an opinion of counsel from the
prospective  transferee of such Certificate,  from the prospective transferee of
such Certificate,  acceptable to, and in form and substance  satisfactory to the
Company,  to the effect that such transferee is not a pension or benefit plan or
individual  retirement  arrangement  that is subject to the Employee  Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA") or to Section 4975 of the Code
or an entity whose  underlying  assets are deemed to be assets of such a plan or
arrangement by reason of such plan's or arrangement's  investment in the entity,

                                       45
<PAGE>

as  determined  under  U.S.  Department  of  Labor  Regulations  29  C.F.R.  ss.
2510.3-101 or otherwise (collectively, a "Plan").

          (b) No sale or other  transfer of record or beneficial  ownership of a
Class R Certificate (whether pursuant to a purchase, a transfer resulting from a
default  under a secured  lending  agreement  or  otherwise)  shall be made to a
Disqualified Organization or agent of a Disqualified Organization. The transfer,
sale or  other  disposition  of a Class R  Certificate  (whether  pursuant  to a
purchase,  a transfer resulting from a default under a secured lending agreement
or otherwise) to a Disqualified  Organization  shall be deemed to be of no legal
force or  effect  whatsoever  and such  transferee  shall not be deemed to be an
Owner for any purpose hereunder,  including,  but not limited to, the receipt of
distributions  on such Class R Certificate.  Furthermore,  in no event shall the
Trustee accept surrender for transfer, registration of transfer, or register the
transfer, of any Class R Certificate nor authenticate and make available any new
Class R  Certificate  unless the Trustee  has  received  an  affidavit  from the
proposed transferee that such transferee is not a Plan. Each holder of a Class R
Certificate, by his acceptance thereof, shall be deemed for all purposes to have
consented to the provisions of this Section 5.8(b).

          (c) No other sale or other transfer of record or beneficial  ownership
of a Class R  Certificate  shall be made unless such transfer is exempt from the
registration  requirements of the Securities Act, as amended, and any applicable
state  securities  laws or is made in accordance  with said Act and laws. In the
event such a transfer is to be made within three years from the Startup Day, (i)
the  Trustee  and the  Company  shall  require  a  written  opinion  of  counsel
acceptable  to and in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the  Company and the
Certificate  Insurer in the event that such  transfer may be made pursuant to an
exemption, describing the applicable exemption and the basis therefor, from said
Act and laws or is being made  pursuant to said Act and laws,  which  opinion of
counsel  shall  not be an  expense  of the  Trustee,  the  Trust  Estate  or the
Certificate  Insurer,  and (ii) the  Trustee  shall  require the  Transferee  to
execute  an  investment   letter   acceptable  to  and  in  form  and  substance
satisfactory  to the  Company  and the  Certificate  Insurer  certifying  to the
Trustee,  the  Certificate  Insurer and the Company the facts  surrounding  such
transfer,  which investment  letter shall not be an expense of the Trustee,  the
Trust Estate,  the  Certificate  Insurer or the Company.  The Owner of a Class R
Certificate  desiring to effect such transfer  shall,  and does hereby agree to,
indemnify  the  Trustee,  the  Certificate  Insurer and the Company  against any
liability  that may  result if the  transfer  is not so exempt or is not made in
accordance with such federal and state laws.

          Section  5.9.  Assignment  of Rights.  An Owner may pledge,  encumber,
hypothecate  or  assign  all or any part of its right to  receive  distributions
hereunder, but such pledge,  encumbrance,  hypothecation or assignment shall not
constitute  a  transfer  of an  ownership  interest  sufficient  to  render  the
transferee  an Owner of the Trust  without  compliance  with the  provisions  of
Section 5.4 and Section 5.8 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    COVENANTS

          Section 6.1.  Distributions.  On each Payment  Date,  the Trustee will
withdraw amounts from the Certificate  Account and make the  distributions  with
respect to the Certificates in accordance with the terms of the Certificates and
this  Agreement.  Such  distributions  shall be made (i) by check mailed on each
Payment Date or (ii) if requested by any Owner,  to such Owner by wire  transfer
to an account  within the United  States  designated no later than five Business
Days prior to the related  Record Date,  made on each Payment Date, in each case
to each Owner of record on the  immediately  preceding  Record  Date;  provided,
however,  that an Owner  of a Class A  Certificate  shall  only be  entitled  to
payment  by wire  transfer  if such  Owner  owns  Class  A  Certificates  in the
aggregate denomination of at least $5,000,000.

                                       46
<PAGE>

          Section 6.2. Money for Distributions to be Held in Trust; Withholding.
(a) All payments of amounts due and payable with respect to any Certificate that
are to be made from amounts  withdrawn from the Certificate  Account pursuant to
Section 7.5 hereof or from  Insured  Payments  shall be made by and on behalf of
the  Trustee,  and no amounts so  withdrawn  from the  Certificate  Account  for
payments of the  Certificates  and no Insured  Payment shall be paid over to the
Trustee except as provided in this Section.

          (b)  The  Trustee  on  behalf  of the  Trust  shall  comply  with  all
requirements of the Code and applicable  state and local law with respect to the
withholding  from any  distributions  made by it to any Owner of any  applicable
withholding  taxes imposed thereon and with respect to any applicable  reporting
requirements in connection therewith.

          (c) Any money  held by the  Trustee  in trust for the  payment  of any
amount due with respect to any Class A Certificate  and  remaining  unclaimed by
the Owner of such Class A  Certificate  for the  period  then  specified  in the
escheat  laws of the State of New York  after  such  amount  has  become due and
payable shall be discharged from such trust and be paid first to the Certificate
Insurer on account of any Reimbursement  Amounts and second to the Owners of the
Class  R  Certificates;  and  the  Owner  of  such  Class  A  Certificate  shall
thereafter,  as an  unsecured  general  creditor,  look only to the  Certificate
Insurer or the Owners of the Class R Certificates  for payment thereof (but only
to the extent of the amounts so paid to the Certificate Insurer or the Owners of
the Class R Certificates), and all liability of the Trustee with respect to such
trust money shall thereupon cease; provided,  however, that the Trustee,  before
being required to make any such payment, shall at the expense of the Trust cause
to be published once, in the eastern edition of The Wall Street Journal,  notice
that such money remains  unclaimed  and that,  after a date  specified  therein,
which  shall be not fewer  than 30 days from the date of such  publication,  any
unclaimed  balance of such money then remaining will be paid to the  Certificate
Insurer or the Owners of the Class R  Certificates.  The Trustee  shall,  at the
direction  of the Company,  also adopt and employ,  at the expense of the Trust,
any other  reasonable  means of notification of such payment  (including but not
limited to mailing  notice of such  payment to Owners whose right to or interest
in moneys due and payable but not claimed is  determinable  from the Register at
the last address of record for each such Owner).

          Section 6.3. Protection of Trust Estate. (a) The Trustee will hold the
Trust  Estate in trust for the  benefit of the Owners and,  upon  request of the
Certificate  Insurer,  or, with the consent of the Certificate  Insurer,  at the
request and expense of the  Company,  will from time to time execute and deliver
all such supplements and amendments  hereto pursuant to Section 11.14 hereof and
all instruments of further assurance and other  instruments,  and will take such
other action upon such request from the Company or the Certificate Insurer, to:

          (i) more  effectively  hold in trust all or any  portion  of the Trust
     Estate;

          (ii) perfect,  publish  notice of or protect the validity of any grant
     made or to be made by this Agreement;

          (iii) enforce any of the Mortgage Loans; or

          (iv)  preserve  and defend title to the Trust Estate and the rights of
     the Trustee, and the ownership interests of the Owners represented thereby,
     in such Trust Estate against the claims of all Persons and parties.

          The  Trustee  shall  send  copies  of any  request  received  from the
Certificate  Insurer or the Company to take any action  pursuant to this Section
6.3 to the other party.

                                       47
<PAGE>

          (b) The  Trustee  shall have the power to enforce,  shall  enforce the
obligations  of the  other  parties  to this  Agreement  and of the  Certificate
Insurer,  by action, suit or proceeding at law or equity and shall also have the
power to enjoin, by action or suit in equity,  any acts or occurrences which may
be unlawful or in violation of the rights of the Owners; provided, however, that
nothing in this  Section  shall  require  any action by the  Trustee  unless the
Trustee shall first (i) have been  furnished  indemnity  satisfactory  to it and
(ii) when required by this Agreement, have been requested to take such action by
a majority of the  Percentage  Interests  represented  by the affected  Class or
Classes of Class A Certificates  then Outstanding or, if there are no longer any
affected  Class  A  Certificates  then  outstanding,  by  such  majority  of the
Percentage Interests represented by the Class R Certificates.

          (c) The Trustee shall execute any instrument required pursuant to this
Section so long as such instrument does not conflict with this Agreement or with
the Trustee's fiduciary duties.

          Section 6.4. Performance of Obligations. The Trustee will not take any
action that would  release the Company or the  Certificate  Insurer  from any of
their  respective  covenants or  obligations  under any  instrument  or document
relating to the Trust  Estate or the  Certificates  or which would result in the
amendment, hypothecation,  subordination, termination or discharge of, or impair
the validity or  effectiveness  of, any such  instrument or document,  except as
expressly provided in this Agreement or such other instrument or document.

          The Trustee may contract with other Persons to assist it in performing
its duties hereunder.

          Section 6.5. Negative  Covenants.  The Trustee will not, to the extent
within the control of the Trustee, take any of the following actions:

          (i) sell, transfer,  exchange or otherwise dispose of any of the Trust
     Estate except as expressly permitted by this Agreement;

          (ii) claim any credit on or make any deduction from the  distributions
     payable in respect  of,  the  Certificates  (other  than  amounts  properly
     withheld from such payments under the Code) or assert any claim against any
     present or former  Owner by reason of the  payment  of any taxes  levied or
     assessed upon any of the Trust Estate;

          (iii)   incur,   assume  or  guaranty  on  behalf  of  the  Trust  any
     indebtedness of any Person except pursuant to this Agreement;

          (iv)  dissolve  or  liquidate  the  Trust  Estate in whole or in part,
     except pursuant to Article IX hereof; or

          (v) (A) impair the validity or  effectiveness  of this  Agreement,  or
     release any Person from any  covenants or  obligations  with respect to the
     Trust  or to  the  Certificates  under  this  Agreement,  except  as may be
     expressly  permitted  hereby  or (B)  create or  extend  any lien,  charge,
     adverse claim, security interest,  mortgage or other encumbrance to or upon
     the  Trust  Estate  or any part  thereof  or any  interest  therein  or the
     proceeds thereof.

          Section  6.6. No Other  Powers.  The  Trustee  will not, to the extent
within the control of the  Trustee,  permit the Trust to engage in any  business
activity or  transaction  other than those  activities  permitted by Section 2.3
hereof.

          Section  6.7.  Limitation  of Suits.  No Owner shall have any right to
institute any proceeding,  judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Agreement
or the  Certificate  Insurance  Policies or for the appointment of a receiver or
trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

                                       48
<PAGE>

     (1)  such Owner has previously  given written notice to the Company and the
          Trustee of such Owner's intention to institute such proceeding;

     (2)  the  Owners  of  not  less  than  25%  of  the  Percentage   Interests
          represented  by the  affected  Class or Classes of  Certificates  then
          Outstanding  or,  if  there  are  no  affected   Classes  of  Class  A
          Certificates  then  Outstanding,  by such percentage of the Percentage
          Interests  represented  by the Class R  Certificates  shall  have made
          written request to the Trustee to institute such proceeding in respect
          of such Event of Default;

     (3)  such Owner or Owners have offered to the Trustee indemnity against the
          costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such
          request;

     (4)  the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,  request and
          offer of indemnity has failed to institute such proceeding;

     (5)  as long as any Class A Certificates are  Outstanding,  the Certificate
          Insurer has consented in writing thereto; and

     (6)  no direction  inconsistent with such written request has been given to
          the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Certificate Insurer or by
          the Owners of a majority of the  Percentage  Interests  represented by
          the Class A Certificates or, if there are no Class A Certificates then
          Outstanding,  by such majority of the Percentage Interests represented
          by the Class R Certificates;

it being understood and intended that no one or more Owners shall have any right
in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing themselves of, any provision
of this Agreement to affect,  disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Owner
of the same Class or to obtain or to seek to obtain  priority or preference over
any other Owner of the same Class or to enforce any right under this  Agreement,
except in the manner  herein  provided and for the equal and ratable  benefit of
all the Owners of the same Class.

          In the event the Trustee shall  receive  conflicting  or  inconsistent
requests and indemnity from two or more groups of Owners, each representing less
than a majority of the applicable Class of Certificates, the Trustee in its sole
discretion  may determine what action,  if any, shall be taken,  notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement.

          Section 6.8.  Unconditional Rights of Owners to Receive Distributions.
Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  in  this  Agreement,  the  Owner  of any
Certificate  shall have the  right,  which is  absolute  and  unconditional,  to
receive  distributions to the extent provided herein and therein with respect to
such  Certificate  or  to  institute  suit  for  the  enforcement  of  any  such
distribution,  and such right shall not be impaired  without the consent of such
Owner.

          Section  6.9.  Rights and  Remedies  Cumulative.  Except as  otherwise
provided  herein,  no right or remedy herein  conferred  upon or reserved to the
Trustee, the Certificate Insurer or to the Owners is intended to be exclusive of
any other  right or  remedy,  and every  right and remedy  shall,  to the extent
permitted by law, be cumulative  and in addition to every other right and remedy
given  hereunder or now or hereafter  existing at law or in equity or otherwise.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the assertion or employment of any right or
remedy hereunder,  or otherwise,  shall not prevent the concurrent  assertion or
employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

          Section 6.10.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.  No delay of the Trustee,
the Certificate Insurer or any Owner of any Certificate to exercise any right or
remedy under this  Agreement to any Event of Default shall impair any such right

                                       49
<PAGE>

or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence
therein.  Every  right  and  remedy  given by this  Article  VI or by law to the
Trustee,  the  Certificate  Insurer or the Owners may be exercised  from time to
time, and as often as may be deemed expedient,  by the Trustee,  the Certificate
Insurer or the Owners, as the case may be.

          Section 6.11. Control by Owners. The Certificate Insurer or the Owners
of  a  majority  of  the  Percentage  Interests   represented  by  the  Class  A
Certificates  then  Outstanding,  with the  consent of the  Certificate  Insurer
(which may not be unreasonably withheld), or, if there are no longer any Class A
Certificates  then  Outstanding,  by such majority of the  Percentage  Interests
represented by the Class R Certificates  then  Outstanding,  with the consent of
the Certificate Insurer (which may not be unreasonably withheld), may direct the
time,  method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Trustee with respect to the  Certificates  or exercising  any trust or power
conferred on the Trustee with respect to the  Certificates  or the Trust Estate,
including,  but not limited to, those  powers set forth in Section 6.3,  Section
8.20 and Section 10.1 hereof, provided that:

     (1)  such  direction  shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with
          this Agreement;

     (2)  the Trustee shall have been provided with  indemnity  satisfactory  to
          it; and

     (3)  the Trustee may take any other  action  deemed  proper by the Trustee,
          which is not inconsistent with such direction; provided, however, that
          the Trustee need not take any action which it determines might involve
          it in  liability or may be unjustly  prejudicial  to the Owners not so
          directing.

          Section 6.12.  Access to Owners of Certificates'  Names and Addresses.
(a) If any Owner (for purposes of this Section 6.12, an "Applicant")  applies in
writing to the Trustee,  and such application  states that the Applicant desires
to  communicate  with  other  Owners  with  respect to their  rights  under this
Agreement  or  under  the  Certificates  and is  accompanied  by a  copy  of the
communication which such Applicant proposes to transmit, then the Trustee shall,
at the  expense  of such  Applicant,  within  ten (10)  Business  Days after the
receipt of such application,  furnish or cause to be furnished to such Applicant
a list of the names and  addresses of the Owners of record as of the most recent
Payment Date.

          (b) Every Owner,  by receiving and holding such list,  agrees with the
Trustee that the Trustee shall not be held  accountable  in any way by reason of
the  disclosure of any  information  as to the names and addresses of the Owners
hereunder, regardless of the source from which such information was derived.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                      ACCOUNTS, DISBURSEMENTS AND RELEASES

          Section  7.1.  Collection  of  Money.  Except as  otherwise  expressly
provided  herein,  the Trustee  may demand  payment or delivery of all money and
other  property  payable  to or  receivable  by the  Trustee  pursuant  to  this
Agreement,  including  (a) all payments due on the Mortgage  Loans in accordance
with the respective  terms and conditions of such Mortgage Loans and required to
be paid over to the  Trustee  by the  Servicer  or by any  Sub-Servicer  and (b)
Insured Payments. The Trustee shall hold all such money and property received by
it, other than pursuant to or as contemplated by Section 6.2(b) hereof,  as part
of the Trust Estate and shall apply it as provided in this Agreement.

          Section 7.2. Establishment of Accounts. (a) The Company shall cause to
be established, and the Trustee shall maintain, at the Corporate Trust Office, a
Certificate  Account and a Group II  Available  Funds Cap  Carry-Forward  Amount
Account,  each to be held by the Trustee so long as the Trustee  qualifies  as a

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Designated  Depository  Institution and if the Trustee does not so qualify, then
by any  Designated  Depository  Institution  in the  name of the  Trust  for the
benefit of the Owners of the Certificates and the Certificate  Insurer, as their
interests may appear.

          (b) The Company shall cause to be  established,  and the Trustee shall
maintain,  at the corporate trust office of the Trustee,  a Pre-Funding  Account
and a Capitalized  Interest Account to be held by the Trustee in the name of the
Trust for the  benefit of the  Owners of the  Certificates  and the  Certificate
Insurer, as their interests may appear.

          Section  7.3.  The  Certificate  Insurance  Policies.  (a)  (i) On the
Business Day prior to each Payment Date the Trustee shall determine with respect
to the  immediately  following  Payment  Date,  the  amount  on  deposit  in the
Certificate  Account on such Payment Date and available to be distributed to the
Owners on such Payment Date with respect to Group I (disregarding the sum of (x)
the amount of any Insured Payments and (y) the amount of any expected investment
earnings)  and equal to the sum of (A) such amount  excluding  the amount of any
Total Monthly Excess  Cashflow from Group I included in such amount plus (B) any
amount of Total  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow  from  either  Group to be applied on
account of Group I on such Payment Date to the Class A-1  Certificates  plus (C)
any  deposit to the  Certificate  Account  from the  Pre-Funding  Account or the
Capitalized Interest Account expected to be made with respect to Group I on such
Payment Date. The amount described in clause (A) of the preceding  sentence with
respect to each  Payment Date is the "Group I Available  Funds";  the sum of the
amounts  described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) of the  preceding  sentence  with
respect to each Payment Date is the "Group I Total Available Funds."

          (ii) On the Business Day prior to each Payment Date, the Trustee shall
determine with respect to the immediately  following Payment Date, the amount on
deposit in the  Certificate  Account on such  Payment  Date and  available to be
distributed  to the  Owners  on such  Payment  Date  with  respect  to  Group II
(disregarding  the sum of (x) the  amount of any  Insured  Payments  and (y) the
amount of any expected  investment  earnings),  and equal to the sum of (A) such
amount  excluding the amount of any Total Monthly Excess  Cashflow from Group II
included in such amount plus (B) any amounts of Total  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow
from either  Group to be applied on account of Group II on such  Payment Date to
the Class A-2 Certificates plus (C) any deposit to the Certificate  Account from
the Pre-Funding Account or the Capitalized  Interest Account expected to be made
with respect to Group II on such Payment  Date.  The amount  described in clause
(A) of the preceding sentence with respect to each Payment Date is the "Group II
Available  Funds";  the sum of the amounts described in clauses (A), (B) and (C)
of the  preceding  sentence  with  respect to each Payment Date is the "Group II
Total Available Funds".

          (b) If (i) the Class A-1 Current Interest for any Payment Date exceeds
the Group I Total Available Funds for such Payment Date after deducting  amounts
payable  therefrom,  if any,  for the  Group I  Premium  Amount  and the Group I
Trustee Fee due on such Payment Date and/or (ii) a Group I Subordination Deficit
exists for such  Payment  Date (any such event being a "Group I Total  Available
Funds Shortfall"),  the Trustee shall complete a Notice in the form of Exhibit A
to the Fixed Rate  Certificate  Insurance  Policy and submit  such notice to the
Certificate  Insurer no later than 12:00 noon New York City time on the Business
Day preceding  such Payment Date as a claim for an Insured  Payment in an amount
equal to such Group I Total Available  Funds  Shortfall.  Similarly,  if (i) the
Class A-2  Current  Interest  for any  Payment  Date  exceeds the Group II Total
Available Funds for such Payment Date after deducting amounts payable therefrom,
if any, for the Group II Premium Amount and the Group II Trustee Fee due on such
Payment  Date and/or  (ii) the Group II  Subordination  Deficit  exists for such
Payment  Date  (any  such  event  being  a  "Group  II  Total   Available  Funds
Shortfall"), the Trustee shall complete a Notice in the form of Exhibit A to the
Variable  Rate  Certificate  Insurance  Policy  and  submit  such  notice to the
Certificate  Insurer no later than 12:00 noon New York City time on the Business
Day preceding  such Payment Date as a claim for an Insured  Payment in an amount
equal to such Group II Total Available Funds Shortfall.

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<PAGE>

          (c) The  Certificate  Insurer  shall  forward to the  Trustee  Insured
Payments  no later  than  12:00  noon New York  City  time on the  Business  Day
preceding  the  Payment  Date or on such later  date  specified  in the  related
Certificate  Insurance  Policy.  Upon  receipt  of  Insured  Payments  from  the
Certificate  Insurer on behalf of Owners, the Trustee shall deposit such Insured
Payments in the Certificate  Account and shall distribute such Insured Payments,
or the proceeds thereof,  in accordance with Section 7.5(d)(iv) to the Owners of
the Class A Certificates of the related Class.

          (d) The Trustee shall (i) receive Insured Payments as attorney-in-fact
of each Owner of the Class A  Certificates  of the related  Class  receiving any
Insured  Payment from the  Certificate  Insurer and (ii)  disburse  such Insured
Payment  to  the  Owners  of  Offered  Certificates  as  set  forth  in  Section
7.5(d)(iv).  Insured  Payments  disbursed  by the  Trustee  from  proceeds  of a
Certificate  Insurance  Policy shall not be considered  payment by the Trust nor
shall such payments  discharge  the  obligation of the Trust with respect to the
related Class A Certificates,  and the Certificate  Insurer shall be entitled to
receive the related Reimbursement Amount pursuant to Sections  7.5(d)(ii)(C) and
7.5(d)(ii)(D)  hereof.  Each  Owner of Class A  Certificates  by its  acceptance
thereof  recognizes  that to the extent the  Certificate  Insurer  makes Insured
Payments,  either directly or indirectly (as by paying through the Trustee),  to
the Owners of such Class A Certificates the Certificate Insurer will be entitled
to receive the related  Reimbursement Amount pursuant to Sections  7.5(d)(ii)(C)
and 7.5(d)(ii)(D) hereof.

          Section 7.4 Pre-Funding  Account and Capitalized  Interest Account (a)
On the Startup  Day, the Company  will  deposit,  on behalf of the Owners of the
Class A  Certificates,  in the Pre-  Funding  Account  the  Original  Pre-Funded
Amount,  from the proceeds of the sale of the Class A Certificates  in an amount
equal  to the sum of (i)  the  Original  Group I  Pre-Funded  Amount,  from  the
proceeds of the sale of the Class A-1  Certificates  and (ii) the Original Group
II  Pre-Funded  Amount,  from  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  Class  A-2
Certificates.

          (b) On any  Subsequent  Transfer  Date, the Company shall instruct the
Trustee to withdraw from the Pre-Funding  Account an amount equal to 100% of the
aggregate  Loan Balances of the  Subsequent  Mortgage Loans sold to the Trust on
such  Subsequent  Transfer  Date and pay such amount to or upon the order of the
Company upon  satisfaction  of the  conditions set forth in Sections 3.5 and 3.8
hereof with respect to such transfer;  in connection with such  instructions the
Company shall additionally  inform the Trustee whether such Subsequent  Mortgage
Loans  are  being  transferred  to Group I or Group  II.  In no event  shall the
Company be permitted  to instruct  the Trustee to release  from the  Pre-Funding
Account to the Certificate  Account with respect to Subsequent Mortgage Loans to
be transferred to Group I an amount in excess of the Original Group I Pre-Funded
Amount or to release from the  Pre-Funding  Account to the  Certificate  Account
with  respect to  Subsequent  Mortgage  Loans to be  transferred  to Group II an
amount in excess of the Original Group II Pre-Funded Amount.

          (c) On the October 1996 Payment Date,  the Trustee shall withdraw from
the Pre-Funding Account the amount (exclusive of any related Pre-Funding Account
Earnings still on deposit therein)  remaining in the Pre-Funding  Account,  with
respect to a Group of Mortgage Loans and deposit such amount to the  Certificate
Account,  for  the  benefit  of the  Owners  of  the  related  Certificates,  as
applicable.

          (d) On the October 1996 Payment Date,  the Trustee shall transfer from
the Pre- Funding Account to the Capitalized  Interest  Account,  the Pre-Funding
Account Earnings, if any, applicable to such Payment Date.

          (e) On the October 1996 Payment Date the Trustee  shall  transfer from
the Capitalized Interest Account to the Certificate Account, (i) with respect to
Group I, the Group I Capitalized  Interest Requirement for such Payment Date and
(ii) with respect to Group II, the Group II Capitalized Interest Requirement for
such Payment Date.

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<PAGE>

          (f) On each Subsequent Transfer Date the Trustee shall distribute from
the Capitalized  Interest Account the Overfunded  Interest Amount (calculated by
the Trustee on the day prior to such  Subsequent  Transfer  Date) to the Company
and on the Payment Date in October  1996,  the Trustee  shall  distribute to the
Company any amounts  remaining in the Capitalized  Interest Account after taking
into account the  transfers on such Payment Date  described in clause (e) above.
Thereafter,  the Capitalized  Interest Account shall be closed. All amounts,  if
any,  remaining  in the  Capitalized  Interest  Account  on such  day  shall  be
transferred to the Company.

          Section  7.5.  Flow of Funds.  (a) The  Trustee  shall  deposit to the
Certificate  Account  with  respect to Group I,  without  duplication,  (i) upon
receipt,  any  Insured  Payments  relating  to  Group  I,  the  proceeds  of any
liquidation  of the assets of the Trust,  insofar as such assets relate to Group
I, the  Group I  Monthly  Remittance  Amount  remitted  by the  Servicer  or any
Sub-Servicer, together with any Substitution Amounts and any Loan Purchase Price
amounts  received  by the  Trustee  (each with  respect to Group I), (ii) on the
first  Payment  Date,  the  Group I  Capitalized  Interest  Requirement  and any
Pre-Funding  Account  Earnings  related  to  Group I to be  transferred  on such
Payment  Date  from the  Capitalized  Interest  Account  for the  Payment  Date,
pursuant  to  Section  7.4(e)  hereof  and  (iii)  the  amount,  if  any,  to be
transferred  on such  Payment  Date from the  Pre-Funding  Account  pursuant  to
Section 7.4(c) hereof.

          (b) The Trustee shall deposit to the Certificate  Account with respect
to Group  II,  without  duplication,  (i) upon  receipt,  any  Insured  Payments
relating  to Group II,  the  proceeds  of any  liquidation  of the assets of the
Trust,  insofar  as such  assets  relate  to Group  II,  the  Group  II  Monthly
Remittance  Amount remitted by the Servicer or any  Sub-Servicer,  together with
any  Substitution  Amounts and any Loan Purchase  Price amounts  received by the
Trustee (each with respect to Group II),  (ii) on the first  Payment  Date,  the
Group II Capitalized  Interest  Requirement and any Pre-Funding Account Earnings
related to Group II to be  transferred  on such Payment Date pursuant to Section
7.4(e) hereof and (iii) the amount,  if any, to be  transferred  on such Payment
Date from the Pre-Funding Account pursuant to Section 7.4(c) hereof.

          (c) [Reserved].

          (d) With respect to the Certificate Account, on each Payment Date, the
Trustee shall make the following  allocations,  disbursements  and transfers for
each Mortgage Loan Group from amounts  deposited therein pursuant to subsections
(a) and (b),  respectively  in the  following  order of priority,  and each such
allocation,  transfer and disbursement  shall be treated as having occurred only
after all preceding allocations, transfers and disbursements have occurred:

(i)    first,  on  each  Payment  Date  from  amounts  then  on  deposit  in the
       Certificate  Account  (A)  to  the  Trustee,  the  Trustee  Fee  and  (B)
       commencing on the third  Payment Date  following the Startup Day and each
       Payment Date thereafter, to the Certificate Insurer, from amounts then on
       deposit in the  Certificate  Account,  (x) from  amounts  then on deposit
       therein  with  respect  to Group I, the Group I Premium  Amount  for such
       Payment Date and (y) from amounts then on deposit therein with respect to
       Group II, the Group II Premium Amount for such Payment Date;

(ii)   second,  on each Payment Date, the Trustee shall allocate an amount equal
       to the sum of (x) the Total  Monthly  Excess  Spread with respect to such
       Mortgage Loan Group and Payment Date plus (y) any Subordination Reduction
       Amount with  respect to such  Mortgage  Loan Group and Payment Date (such
       sum being the  "Total  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow"  with  respect  to such
       Mortgage  Loan Group and Payment Date) with respect to each Mortgage Loan
       Group in the following order of priority:

       (A)    first,  such Total  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow with respect to each
              Group shall be  allocated  to the  payment of the related  Class A
              Distribution  Amount pursuant to clause (iv) below on such Payment

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<PAGE>

              Date with respect to the related  Mortgage Loan Group in an amount
              equal to the difference,  if any,  between (x) the related Class A
              Distribution Amount (calculated only with respect to clause (y) of
              the  definition  of the  related  Group I or  Group  II  Principal
              Distribution Amount and without any Subordination Increase Amount)
              for such Payment Date and (y) the Available  Funds with respect to
              such Mortgage Loan Group for such Payment Date (the amount of such
              difference  being  the  "Group I or the Group II  Available  Funds
              Shortfall" with respect to the related Mortgage Loan Group);

       (B)    second,  any portion of the Total  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow  with
              respect  to  such   Mortgage  Loan  Group   remaining   after  the
              application  described  in  clause  (A) above  shall be  allocated
              against any Available  Funds  Shortfall  with respect to the other
              Mortgage Loan Group and to the payment of the Class A Distribution
              Amount with respect to the other  Mortgage Loan Group  pursuant to
              clause (iv) below;

       (C)    third,  any  portion of the Total  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow  with
              respect  to  such   Mortgage  Loan  Group   remaining   after  the
              allocations  described  in  clauses  (A) and (B)  above  shall  be
              disbursed to the Certificate Insurer in respect of amounts owed on
              account of any  Reimbursement  Amount with  respect to the related
              Mortgage Loan Group; and

       (D)    fourth,  any portion of the Total  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow  with
              respect  to  such   Mortgage  Loan  Group   remaining   after  the
              allocations  described  in clauses (A), (B) and (C) above shall be
              paid to the  Certificate  Insurer in respect of any  Reimbursement
              Amount with respect to the other Mortgage Loan Group.

(iii)  third,  the amount,  if any, of the Total  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow with
       respect to a Mortgage  Loan Group on a Payment Date  remaining  after the
       allocations  described  in clause (ii) above is the "Net  Monthly  Excess
       Cashflow" with respect to such Mortgage Loan Group for such Payment Date;
       such Net Monthly  Excess  Cashflow is  required  to be  allocated  in the
       following order of priority:

       (A)    first, such Net Monthly Excess Cashflow shall be used to reduce to
              zero, through the allocation of a Subordination Increase Amount to
              the payment of the related Class A Distribution Amount pursuant to
              clause  (iv)  below,  any  Subordination  Deficiency  Amount  with
              respect to the  related  Mortgage  Loan  Group as of such  Payment
              Date;

       (B)    second,  the Net  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow  remaining  after  the
              application  described in clause (A) above shall be used to reduce
              to zero, through the allocation of a Subordination Increase Amount
              to the payment of the related Class A Distribution Amount pursuant
              to clause (iv) below, any  Subordination  Deficiency  Amounts with
              respect to the other Mortgage Loan Group;

       (C)    third, an amount equal to the lesser of (i) any portion of the Net
              Monthly Excess Cashflow remaining after the applications described
              in clauses  (A) and (B) above and (ii) the excess of (a) the Group
              II Available Funds Cap Carry-Forward  Amount for such Payment Date
              over (b) the  amount  then on  deposit  in the Group II  Available
              Funds Cap  Carry-Forward  Amount Account shall be allocated to the
              Group II Available Funds Cap Carry-Forward Amount Account.

       (D)    fourth,  any Net  Monthly  Excess  Cashflow  remaining  after  the
              applications  described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) above shall be
              paid to the Servicer to the extent of any unreimbursed Delinquency

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<PAGE>

              Advances,  unreimbursed  Servicing Advances and accrued and unpaid
              Servicing  Fees,  in each case as  certified to the Trustee by the
              Servicer to be owing to it as of such Payment Date;

(iv)   fourth, following the making by the Trustee of all allocations, transfers
       and disbursements  described above under Section 7.3 hereof and the prior
       clauses of this Section 7.5, from amounts  (including any related Insured
       Payment  which  shall  be  paid  only  to  the  Owners  of  the  Class  A
       Certificates) then on deposit in the Certificate  Account with respect to
       the related  Mortgage  Loan Group,  the Trustee  shall  distribute in the
       following order of priority:

       (A)    from the amounts then on deposit in the  Certificate  Account with
              respect to Group I, to the  Owners of the Class A-1  Certificates,
              the  Class  A-1  Current  Interest  thereon  until  the  Class A-1
              Certificate Termination Date;

       (B)    from the amounts then on deposit in the  Certificate  Account with
              respect to Group I, to the  Owners of the Class A-1  Certificates,
              the  Group I  Principal  Distribution  Amount  until the Class A-1
              Certificate Termination Date.

       (C)    from the amounts then on deposit in the  Certificate  Account with
              respect to Group II, to the Owners of the Class A-2  Certificates,
              the Class A-2  Current  Interest  until the Class A-2  Certificate
              Termination Date; and

       (D)    from the amounts then on deposit in the  Certificate  Account with
              respect to Group II, to the Owners of the Class A-2  Certificates,
              the Group II  Principal  Distribution  Amount  until the Class A-2
              Certificate Termination Date;

       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the amounts described in
       Section  7.5(d)(iv)(A)  and (C) shall be  distributed  prior to all other
       allocations, distributions and transfers described in Section 7.3 and 7.5
       hereof (other than the amount described in Section 7.5(d)(i)).

(v)    fifth, following the making by the Trustee of all allocations,  transfers
       and disbursements  described above under Section 7.3 hereof and the prior
       clauses  of  this  Section  7.5,  from  amounts  then on  deposit  in the
       Certificate  Account for both  Mortgage  Loan Groups,  the Trustee  shall
       distribute  to the Owners of the Class R  Certificates,  the Residual Net
       Monthly Excess Cashflow, if any, for such Payment Date.

          (e) On each Payment Date the Trustee shall distribute to the Owners of
the Class A-2 Certificates  the amount,  if any, then on deposit in the Group II
Available Funds Cap Carry-Forward Amount Account.

          (f)  Notwithstanding  clause  (d)(iv)  above,  the  aggregate  amounts
distributed  on  all  Payment  Dates  to  the  Owners  of the  related  Class  A
Certificates on account of principal  shall not exceed the Original  Certificate
Principal Balance for the related Class A Certificates.

          Section 7.6. Investment of Accounts. (a) So long as no event described
in Sections  8.20(a) or (b) hereof shall have  occurred and be  continuing,  and
consistent  with any  requirements of the Code, all or a portion of the Accounts
held by the Trustee shall be invested and  reinvested by the Trustee in the name
of the  Trustee for the benefit of the Owners and the  Certificate  Insurer,  as
their  interests may appear,  directed in writing by the Servicer on the Closing
Date and  from  time to time  thereafter,  in one or more  Eligible  Investments
bearing  interest  or sold at a  discount.  During the  continuance  of an event
described  in Sections  8.20(a) or (b) hereof and  following  any removal of the
Servicer,  the Certificate Insurer shall direct such investments.  No investment
in any Account  shall mature later than the second  Business Day  preceding  the
next Payment Date.

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<PAGE>

          (b) If any amounts are needed for  disbursement  from any Account held
by the Trustee and  sufficient  uninvested  funds are not available to make such
disbursement,  the Trustee shall cause to be sold or otherwise converted to cash
a sufficient  amount of the investments in such Account.  No investments will be
liquidated  prior to  maturity  unless  the  proceeds  thereof  are  needed  for
disbursement.

          (c) Subject to Section 10.1 hereof,  the Trustee  shall not in any way
be held liable by reason of any insufficiency in any Account held by the Trustee
resulting from any loss on any Eligible Investment included therein.

          (d) The Trustee  shall hold funds in the Accounts  held by the Trustee
uninvested upon the occurrence of either of the following events:

               (i) the Servicer or the Certificate  Insurer, as the case may be,
     shall have failed to give  investment  directions to the Trustee within ten
     days  after  receipt  of a written  request  for such  directions  from the
     Trustee; or

               (ii) the Servicer or the Certificate Insurer, as the case may be,
     shall have failed to give investment directions to the Trustee with respect
     to any  investment  by the  Trustee  that shall  mature  during the ten-day
     period described in clause (i).

          (e) For  purposes of  investment,  the  Trustee  shall  aggregate  all
amounts on deposit in each Account. All income or other gain from investments in
any Account shall be deposited in such Account  immediately on receipt,  and any
loss resulting from such investments  shall be charged to the Company,  and upon
request by the Trustee,  the Company  shall  reimburse the Trust Estate for such
losses.

          (f) Each  institution at which the  Certificate  Account is maintained
shall invest the funds therein in Eligible  Investments,  which shall mature not
later than the Business Day next preceding the related Payment Date (except that
if such Eligible  Investment is an obligation of the institution  that maintains
such  account,  then such Eligible  Investment  shall mature not later than such
Payment  Date) and, in each case,  shall not be sold or disposed of prior to its
maturity.  All  such  Eligible  Investments  shall  be made  in the  name of the
Trustee,  for the benefit of the Owners and the Certificate  Insurer. All income
and gain  (net of any  losses)  realized  from any such  investment  of funds on
deposit in the  Certificate  Account shall be for the benefit of the Servicer as
servicing  compensation  and shall be remitted to it monthly as provided herein.
The amount of any realized  losses in the  Certificate  Account  incurred in any
such account in respect of any such  investments  shall promptly be deposited by
the Servicer in the  Certificate  Account or paid to the Trustee as  applicable.
The Trustee in its fiduciary  capacity shall not be liable for the amount of any
loss  incurred in respect of any  investment or lack of investment of funds held
in the Certificate Account and made in accordance with this Section 7.6(f).

          (g) The Servicer shall give notice to the Trustee,  the Company,  each
Rating  Agency,  and the  Certificate  Insurer  of any  proposed  change  of the
location of the Certificate  Account not later than 30 days and not more than 45
days prior to any change thereof.

          Section  7.7.  Eligible   Investments.   The  following  are  Eligible
Investments:

          (a) Direct general obligations of the United States or the obligations
of any agency or instrumentality of the United States fully and  unconditionally
guaranteed,  the timely  payment or the  guarantee of which  constitutes  a full
faith and credit obligation of the United States.

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<PAGE>

          (b) Federal funds,  certificates of deposit, time and demand deposits,
and bankers'  acceptances (having original maturities of not more than 365 days)
of any domestic bank, the short-term  debt  obligations of which have been rated
A-1 or better by Standard & Poor's and P-1 by Moody's.

          (c)  Investment   agreements   approved  by  the  Certificate  Insurer
provided:

          1. The  agreement  is with a bank or  insurance  company  which has an
     unsecured, uninsured and unguaranteed obligation (or claims-paying ability)
     rated Aa2 or better by Moody's and AA or better by Standard & Poor's,

          2. Moneys  invested  thereunder may be withdrawn  without any penalty,
     premium or charge upon not more than one day's notice (provided such notice
     may be amended or canceled at any time prior to the withdrawal date),

          3. The agreement is not subordinated to any other  obligations of such
     insurance company or bank,

          4.  The  same  guaranteed  interest  rate  will be paid on any  future
     deposits made pursuant to such agreement, and

          5. The  Trustee  and the  Certificate  Insurer  receive  an opinion of
     counsel that such agreement is an enforceable  obligation of such insurance
     company or bank.

          (d) Commercial paper (having original  maturities of not more than 365
days) rated A-1 or better by Standard & Poor's and P-1 or better by Moody's.

          (e)  Investments in no load money market funds rated AAAm or AAAm-G by
Standard & Poor's and Aaa by Moody's.

          (f)  Investments  approved in writing by the  Certificate  Insurer and
acceptable to Moody's and Standard & Poor's.

provided that no instrument  described above is permitted to evidence either the
right to receive (a) only interest with respect to obligations  underlying  such
instrument or (b) both principal and interest  payments derived from obligations
underlying such instrument and the interest and principal  payments with respect
to such instrument  provided a yield to maturity at par greater than 120% of the
yield to maturity at par of the underlying obligations;  and provided,  further,
that no instrument described above may be purchased at a price greater than par.

          Section 7.8. Reports by Trustee.  (a) On each Payment Date the Trustee
shall  provide  to each  Owner,  the  Servicer,  the  Certificate  Insurer,  the
Underwriter,  the Company, Standard & Poor's and Moody's a written report (based
solely  upon the  information  contained  in the  Monthly  Servicing  Report) in
substantially  the form set  forth as  Exhibit  J hereto  with  respect  to each
Mortgage Loan Group,  as such form may be revised by the Trustee,  the Servicer,
Moody's and Standard & Poor's from time to time, but in every case setting forth
the information requested on Exhibit J hereto and the following information:

               (i) the amount of the  distribution  with  respect to the related
     Class of the Class A Certificates and the Class R Certificates;

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<PAGE>

               (ii) the amount of such  distributions  allocable  to  principal,
     separately  identifying the aggregate  amount of any Prepayments or Prepaid
     Installments  of  principal   included  therein,   any  Pre-Funded  Amounts
     distributed  as a  prepayment  (based  on a  Certificate  in  the  original
     principal  amount of $1,000) and separately  identifying any  Subordination
     Increase Amounts with respect to the related Mortgage Loan Group;

               (iii) the amount of such distributions allocable to interest;

               (iv) the Certificate  Principal Balance for each Class of Class A
     Certificates as of such Payment Date together with the principal  amount of
     such Class of Class A  Certificates  (based on a Certificate in an original
     principal  amount of $1,000)  then  outstanding,  in each case after giving
     effect to any payment of principal on such Payment Date;

               (v) the amount of any  Insured  Payment  included  in the amounts
     distributed with respect to the Class A Certificates on such Payment Date;

               (vi)  information  to the extent and in the form furnished by the
     Company  pursuant to Section  6049(d)(7)(C) of the Code and the regulations
     promulgated  thereunder  to assist the  Owners in  computing  their  market
     discount;

               (vii) the total of any Substitution Amounts and any Loan Purchase
     Price amounts included in such distribution;

               (viii)  the amount of any  Subordination  Reduction  Amount  with
     respect to each Mortgage Loan Group;

               (ix) the amounts, if any, of any Realized Losses in each Mortgage
     Loan Group for the related  Remittance  Period and the cumulative amount of
     Realized Losses in each Mortgage Loan Group since the Startup Day;

               (x) for the related  Remittance Period and cumulatively since the
     Startup Day,  the number and  aggregate  Loan Balance of Mortgage  Loans in
     each Group bought back by the Servicer or the Company  pursuant to Sections
     3.4, 3.6 and 8.10 (identified separately for each such section);

               (xi) the amount of any Group II Available Funds Cap Carry-Forward
     Amount;

               (xii) a number with respect to each Class (the "Pool  Factor" for
     such Class) computed by dividing the Certificate Principal Balance for such
     Class (after giving effect to any  distribution  of principal to be made on
     such Payment Date) by the Original  Certificate  Principal Balance for such
     Class on the Startup Day; and,

               (xiii) for Payment Dates during the Funding Period, the remaining
     Pre-Funded Amount.

          Items (i) through  (iii) above  shall,  with  respect to each Class of
Class A Certificates, be presented on the basis of a Certificate having a $1,000
denomination.  In addition,  by January 31 of each calendar  year  following any
year during which the Certificates are outstanding,  the Trustee shall furnish a
report to each Owner of record at any time during each  calendar  year as to the
aggregate of amounts  reported  pursuant to (i),  (ii) and (iii) with respect to
the Certificates for such calendar year.


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          (b) In addition,  on each Payment Date the Trustee will  distribute to
each Owner, the Certificate Insurer, the Underwriter, the Servicer, the Company,
Standard  & Poor's and  Moody's,  together  with the  information  described  in
Subsection  (a)  preceding,  the  following  information  with  respect  to each
Mortgage Loan Group as of the last day of the related Remittance  Period,  which
is hereby  required to be prepared by the Servicer and  furnished to the Trustee
for such purpose on or prior to the related Remittance Date:

               (i) the total  number of  Mortgage  Loans in each  Mortgage  Loan
     Group and the aggregate  Loan Balances  thereof,  together with the number,
     aggregate  principal  balances of such Mortgage Loans in such Mortgage Loan
     Group and the  percentage  (based on the  aggregate  Loan  Balances  of the
     Mortgage Loans in such Mortgage Loan Group) (a) 30-59 days Delinquent,  (b)
     60-89 days Delinquent and (c) 90 or more days Delinquent;

               (ii) the number and aggregate Loan Balances of all Mortgage Loans
     in each Mortgage  Loan Group and  percentage  (based on the aggregate  Loan
     Balances of the Mortgage  Loans in such Mortgage Loan Group) in foreclosure
     proceedings  (and whether any such Mortgage  Loans are also included in any
     of the statistics described in the foregoing clause (i));

               (iii) the number,  aggregate  Loan Balances of all Mortgage Loans
     in each Mortgage  Loan Group and  percentage  (based on the aggregate  Loan
     Balances of the Mortgage  Loans in such  Mortgage  Loan Group)  relating to
     Mortgagors in bankruptcy  proceedings  (and whether any such Mortgage Loans
     are also  included  in any of the  statistics  described  in the  foregoing
     clause (i));

               (iv) the number, aggregate Loan Balances of all Mortgage Loans in
     each  Mortgage  Loan  Group and  percentage  (based on the  aggregate  Loan
     Balances of the Mortgage Loans in such Mortgage Loan Group) relating to REO
     Properties (and whether any such Mortgage Loans are also included in any of
     the statistics described in the foregoing clause (i));

               (v)  the  aggregate  Loan  Balance  of all  Mortgage  Loans,  the
     aggregate  Loan  Balance  of the  Mortgage  Loans  in  each  Group  and the
     aggregate  Loan Balance of the Initial  Mortgage  Loans and the  Subsequent
     Mortgage  Loans in each  Group in each  case  after  giving  effect  to any
     payment of principal on such Payment Date; and

               (vi) the book value of any REO  Property  in each  Mortgage  Loan
     Group.

          (c) The  foregoing  reports  shall be sent to an Owner only insofar as
such Owner owns a Certificate with respect to the related Mortgage Loan Group.

          Section  7.9.  Additional  Reports by Trustee.  (a) The Trustee  shall
report  to the  Company,  the  Servicer,  Standard  &  Poor's,  Moody's  and the
Certificate  Insurer  with  respect  to the  amount  then  held in each  Account
(including  investment  earnings  accrued or  scheduled  to accrue)  held by the
Trustee and the identity of the investments  included  therein,  as the Company,
the Servicer or the Certificate Insurer may from time to time request.

          (b) Not later than 20 days after each Payment Date,  the Trustee shall
forward to the Company,  the Servicer and the  Certificate  Insurer a statement,
setting forth the status of the Certificate  Account as of the close of business
on the last  Business  Day of the related  Remittance  Period  showing,  for the
period covered by such statement, the aggregate of deposits into and withdrawals
from the Certificate Account.

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                                  ARTICLE VIII

                 SERVICING AND ADMINISTRATION OF MORTGAGE LOANS

          Section  8.1.  Servicer  and  Sub-Servicers.  (a) Acting  directly  or
through one or more  Sub-Servicers as provided in Section 8.3, the Servicer,  as
servicer,  shall service and administer  the Mortgage  Loans in accordance  with
this  Agreement  and with  reasonable  care,  and using that degree of skill and
attention that the Servicer exercises with respect to comparable  mortgage loans
that it services for itself or others,  and shall have full power and authority,
acting alone,  to do or cause to be done any and all things in  connection  with
such servicing and administration which it may deem necessary or desirable.

          (b) The duties of the Servicer shall include collecting and posting of
all payments,  responding  to inquiries of  Mortgagors  or by federal,  state or
local government  authorities with respect to the Mortgage Loans,  investigating
delinquencies,  reporting tax  information to Mortgagors in accordance  with its
customary  practices and  accounting  for  collections,  furnishing  monthly and
annual  statements  to  the  Trustee  with  respect  to  distributions,   paying
Compensating  Interest and making  Delinquency  Advances and Servicing  Advances
pursuant hereto. The Servicer shall follow its customary standards, policies and
procedures in performing its duties as Servicer.  The Servicer  shall  cooperate
with  the  Trustee  and  furnish  to  the  Trustee  with  reasonable  promptness
information  in its  possession as may be necessary or appropriate to enable the
Trustee to perform its tax reporting duties hereunder. The Trustee shall furnish
the  Servicer  with any powers of  attorney  and other  documents  necessary  or
appropriate to enable the Servicer to carry out its servicing and administrative
duties hereunder.

          (c) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Servicer (i)
shall  continue,  and is hereby  authorized  and  empowered by the  Trustee,  to
execute and deliver,  on behalf of itself,  the Owners and the Trustee or any of
them, any and all instruments of satisfaction or cancellation,  or of partial or
full release or discharge and all other comparable instruments,  with respect to
the Mortgage Loans and with respect to the related Properties;  (ii) may consent
to any modification of the terms of any Note not expressly  prohibited hereby if
the effect of any such  modification  (x) will not be to affect  materially  and
adversely the security afforded by the related  Property,  the timing of receipt
of any payments required hereby or the interests of the Certificate  Insurer and
(y) will not cause the Trust to fail to qualify as a REMIC.

          (d) The  parties  intend that the Trust  (other  than the  Pre-Funding
Account and the  Capitalized  Interest  Account)  shall  constitute and that the
affairs of Trust shall (other than the  Pre-Funding  Account and the Capitalized
Interest  Account)  shall  be  conducted  so as to  qualify  it as a  REMIC.  In
furtherance of such intention,  the Servicer  covenants and agrees that it shall
act as agent (and the Servicer is hereby appointed to act as agent) on behalf of
the  Trust  and that in such  capacity  it shall:  (i) use its best  efforts  to
conduct the affairs of the Trust at all times that any Class of Certificates are
outstanding so as to maintain the status of the Trust as a REMIC under the REMIC
Provisions;  (ii) not knowingly or intentionally take any action or omit to take
any action that would cause the  termination of the REMIC status of the Trust or
that would subject the Trust to tax and (iii)  exercise  reasonable  care not to
allow the Trust to receive  income  from the  performance  of  services  or from
assets not permitted under the REMIC Provisions to be held by a REMIC.

          (e) The Servicer may, and is hereby  authorized to, perform any of its
servicing  responsibilities with respect to all or certain of the Mortgage Loans
through  a  Sub-Servicer  as it may  from  time  to time  designate  but no such
designation  of a  Sub-Servicer  shall serve to release the Servicer from any of
its  obligations  under this  Agreement.  Such  Sub-Servicer  shall have all the
rights and powers of the Servicer with respect to such Mortgage Loans under this
Agreement.


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<PAGE>

          (f) Without  limiting the generality of the foregoing,  but subject to
Sections  8.13  and  8.14,  the  Servicer  in its own  name or in the  name of a
Sub-Servicer  may be authorized  and  empowered  pursuant to a power of attorney
executed  and  delivered  by the  Trustee to execute and  deliver,  on behalf of
itself,  the Owners and the Trustee or any of them, (i) any and all  instruments
of  satisfaction  or cancellation or of partial or full release or discharge and
all other  comparable  instruments  with respect to the Mortgage  Loans and with
respect to the Properties, (ii) to institute foreclosure proceedings or obtain a
deed in lieu of foreclosure so as to effect  ownership of any Property on behalf
of the Trustee and (iii) to hold title to any Property upon such  foreclosure or
deed in lieu of foreclosure on behalf of the Trustee;  provided,  however,  that
Section  8.14(a)  shall  constitute a power of attorney  from the Trustee to the
Servicer to execute an instrument  of  satisfaction  (or  assignment of mortgage
without  recourse)  with  respect  to any  Mortgage  Loan  paid in full (or with
respect to which  payment in full has been  escrowed).  Subject to Sections 8.13
and 8.14,  the Trustee shall execute a power of attorney to the Servicer and any
Sub-Servicer  and furnish them with any other  documents as the Servicer or such
Sub-Servicer   shall  reasonably   request  to  enable  the  Servicer  and  such
Sub-Servicer to carry out their respective  servicing and administrative  duties
hereunder.

          (g) The  Servicer  shall give  prompt  notice to the  Trustee  and the
Certificate  Insurer of any action,  of which the Servicer has actual knowledge,
to (i) assert a claim  against  the Trust or (ii) assert  jurisdiction  over the
Trust.

          (h) Servicing Advances incurred by the Servicer or any Sub-Servicer in
connection with the servicing of the Mortgage Loans  (including any penalties in
connection  with the payment of any taxes and  assessments  or other charges) on
any Property shall be recoverable  by the Servicer or such  Sub-Servicer  to the
extent described in Section 8.9(c) and in Section 7.5(d)(iii)(D) hereof.

          Section 8.2.  Collection of Certain  Mortgage Loan  Payments.  (a) The
Servicer  shall,  to the extent such  procedures  shall be consistent  with this
Agreement and the terms and  provisions  of any  applicable  Insurance  Policies
follow such  collection  procedures as it follows from time to time with respect
to mortgage loans in its servicing portfolio that are comparable to the Mortgage
Loans;  provided  that the  Servicer  shall  always at least  follow  collection
procedures that are consistent with or better than standard industry  practices.
Consistent with the foregoing,  the Servicer may in its discretion (i) waive any
assumption  fees,  late  payment  charges,   charges  for  checks  returned  for
insufficient  funds,  prepayment  fees,  if any,  or  other  fees  which  may be
collected in the  ordinary  course of servicing  the Mortgage  Loans,  (ii) if a
Mortgagor  is in  default or about to be in  default  because  of a  Mortgagor's
financial  condition,  arrange with the  Mortgagor a schedule for the payment of
delinquent  payments due on the related Mortgage Loan;  provided,  however,  the
Servicer shall not  reschedule the payment of delinquent  payments more than one
time in any twelve (12)  consecutive  months with  respect to any  Mortgagor  or
(iii) modify  payments of monthly  principal  and interest on any Mortgage  Loan
becoming  subject to the terms of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of
1940, as amended,  in accordance  with the  Servicer's  general  policies of the
comparable mortgage loans subject to such Act.

          (b) The  Servicer  shall  hold in  escrow  on  behalf  of the  related
Mortgagor all Prepaid Installments  received by it, and shall apply such Prepaid
Installments as directed by such Mortgagor and as set forth in the related Note.

          Section   8.3.   Sub-Servicing   Agreements   Between   Servicer   and
Sub-Servicers.  The Servicer  may enter into  Sub-Servicing  Agreements  for any
servicing and  administration  of Mortgage Loans with any  institution  which is
acceptable to the  Certificate  Insurer and which is in compliance with the laws
of each state  necessary  to enable it to  perform  its  obligations  under such
Sub-Servicing   Agreement   and  (x)  has  (i)  been   designated   an  approved
seller-servicer  by FHLMC or FNMA for  Mortgage  Loans and (ii) has equity of at
least $5,000,000, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles or (y) is a Servicer Affiliate. The Servicer shall give notice to the
Certificate  Insurer and the Trustee of the appointment of any  Sub-Servicer and

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<PAGE>

shall  furnish  to the  Certificate  Insurer  and  the  Trustee  a copy  of such
Sub-Servicing  Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, the Servicer shall be
deemed to have received  payments on Mortgage  Loans when any  Sub-Servicer  has
received such payments.  Any such  Sub-Servicing  Agreement  shall be consistent
with and not violate the provisions of this Agreement.

          Section 8.4. Successor  Sub-Servicers.  The Servicer may terminate any
Sub-Servicing  Agreement in  accordance  with the terms and  conditions  of such
Sub-Servicing  Agreement and either itself directly service the related Mortgage
Loans or enter into a Sub-Servicing Agreement with a successor Sub-Servicer that
qualifies under Section 8.3.

          Section 8.5. Liability of Servicer. The Servicer shall not be relieved
of its  obligations  under  this  Agreement  notwithstanding  any  Sub-Servicing
Agreement or any of the provisions of this  Agreement  relating to agreements or
arrangements  between the  Servicer and a  Sub-Servicer  or  otherwise,  and the
Servicer  shall be  obligated  to the same  extent  and under the same terms and
conditions as if it alone were servicing and  administering  the Mortgage Loans.
The Servicer  shall be entitled to enter into any agreement  with a Sub-Servicer
for  indemnification  of the Servicer by such Sub-Servicer and nothing contained
in such  Sub-Servicing  Agreement  shall  be  deemed  to limit  or  modify  this
Agreement.  The Trust shall not indemnify the Servicer for any losses due to the
Servicer's negligence.

          Section 8.6. No  Contractual  Relationship  Between  Sub-Servicer  and
Trustee or the Owners. Any Sub-Servicing Agreement and any other transactions or
services relating to the Mortgage Loans involving a Sub-Servicer shall be deemed
to be  between  the  Sub-Servicer  and the  Servicer  alone and the  Certificate
Insurer,  the Trustee  and the Owners  shall not be deemed  parties  thereto and
shall have no claims, rights, obligations, duties or liabilities with respect to
any Sub-Servicer except as set forth in Section 8.7.

          Section 8.7.  Assumption or Termination of Sub-Servicing  Agreement by
Trustee. In connection with the assumption of the  responsibilities,  duties and
liabilities and of the authority,  power and rights of the Servicer hereunder by
the  Trustee  pursuant to Section  8.20,  it is  understood  and agreed that the
Servicer's  rights and  obligations  under any  Sub-Servicing  Agreement then in
force  between the Servicer and a  Sub-Servicer  may be assumed or terminated by
the  Trustee at its option  without  the  payment of a fee  notwithstanding  any
contrary provision in any Sub-Servicing Agreement.

          The Servicer shall, upon reasonable request of the Trustee, but at the
expense of the  Servicer,  deliver to the assuming  party  documents and records
relating to each Sub-Servicing  Agreement and an accounting of amounts collected
and held by it and  otherwise  use its best  reasonable  efforts  to effect  the
orderly and efficient  transfer of the Sub-Servicing  Agreements to the assuming
party.

          Section 8.8. Principal and Interest Account.

          (a) The  Servicer  shall  establish  in the name of the  Trust for the
benefit  of the  Owners of the  Certificates  and the  Certificate  Insurer  and
maintain at one or more  Designated  Depository  Institutions  the Principal and
Interest Account. The funds held in the Principal and Interest Account shall not
be commingled with any other funds.

          Subject to  Subsection  (c) below,  the Servicer and any  Sub-Servicer
shall deposit all receipts  related to the Mortgage Loans into the Principal and
Interest  Account on a daily  basis (but no later  than the first  Business  Day
after receipt).

          Subject to Subsection (c) below, within one Business Day following the
Startup Day, the Company  and/or the Servicer  shall  deposit into the Principal
and Interest Account all receipts related to the related Mortgage Loans received
after the Cut-Off Date.

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<PAGE>

          (b) Any  investment  of funds in the  Principal  and Interest  Account
shall mature or be withdrawable at par on or prior to the immediately succeeding
Remittance  Date.  All funds in the Principal  and Interest  Account may only be
held (i)  uninvested,  up to the limits  insured by the FDIC or (ii) invested in
Eligible Investments.  The Principal and Interest Account shall be held in trust
in the name of the Trust and for the benefit of the Owners of the  Certificates.
Any  investment  earnings on funds held in the  Principal  and Interest  Account
shall be for the  account of the  Servicer  and may only be  withdrawn  from the
Principal and Interest Account by the Servicer on the second Business Day of the
month for the investment  earnings for the previous calendar month. The Servicer
shall withdraw from the Principal and Interest  Account held by the Trustee,  on
the second  Business  Day of the month,  investment  earnings  for the  previous
calendar  month.  The Servicer  shall  deposit into the  Principal  and Interest
Account the amount of all losses on  investment  of funds in the  Principal  and
Interest Account upon request from the Trustee. Any references herein to amounts
on deposit in the Principal  and Interest  Account shall refer to amounts net of
investment earnings.

          (c) The Servicer  shall deposit to the Principal and Interest  Account
all principal and interest  collections on the Mortgage Loans received after the
Cut-Off Date, including any Prepayments and Net Liquidation  Proceeds,  all Loan
Purchase Prices and  Substitution  Amounts received or paid by the Servicer with
respect to the  Mortgage  Loans,  other  recoveries  or  amounts  related to the
Mortgage Loans received by the Servicer,  Compensating  Interest and Delinquency
Advances together with any amounts which are reimbursable from the Principal and
Interest  Account but net of (i) the Servicing Fee with respect to each Mortgage
Loan and other  servicing  compensation  to the Servicer as permitted by Section
8.15 hereof, (ii) principal (including  Prepayments) due on the related Mortgage
Loans on or prior to the Cut-Off Date,  (iii)  interest  accruing on the related
Mortgage Loans on or prior to the Cut-Off Date and (iv) Net Liquidation Proceeds
to the extent  such Net  Liquidation  Proceeds  exceed  the Loan  Balance of the
related Mortgage Loan.

          (d) (i) The  Servicer  may make  withdrawals  from the  Principal  and
Interest Account only for the following purposes:

          (A)       to  effect  the  timely  remittance  to the  Trustee  of the
                    Monthly Remittance Amounts due on the Remittance Date;

          (B)       to reimburse  itself  pursuant to Section  8.9(a) hereof for
                    unrecovered Delinquency Advances and Servicing Advances;

          (C)       to withdraw investment earnings on amounts on deposit in the
                    Principal and Interest Account;

          (D)       to  withdraw   amounts  that  have  been  deposited  to  the
                    Principal and Interest Account in error; and

          (E)       to clear and terminate  the  Principal and Interest  Account
                    following the  termination  of the Trust Estate  pursuant to
                    Article IX hereof.

          (ii) On the  Determination  Date of each month,  commencing in October
1996 the Servicer shall send to the Trustee the Monthly Exception Report, in the
form of a computer tape, detailing the payments on the Mortgage Loans during the
prior  Remittance  Period and  certifying the amounts and purpose of withdrawals
permitted  pursuant to (d) above from the Principal and Interest  Account.  Such
tape shall contain the specified data, as described in Section 8.26 hereof,  and
shall be in the form and have the specifications as may be agreed to between the
Servicer, the Certificate Insurer and the Trustee from time to time.

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<PAGE>

          (iii) On each Remittance Date, commencing in October 1996 the Servicer
shall remit to the Trustee by wire transfer,  or otherwise make funds  available
in immediately  available funds for deposit to the Certificate  Account, (x) for
Group I, the  Group I  Interest  Remittance  Amount  and the  Group I  Principal
Remittance Amount and (y) for Group II, the Group II Interest  Remittance Amount
and the Group II Principal Remittance Amount.

          Section 8.9. Delinquency Advances, Compensating Interest and Servicing
Advances.  (a) The Servicer is required, not later than each Remittance Date, to
deposit into the  Principal  and Interest  Account an amount equal to the sum of
(i) the interest due (net of the Servicing Fees due) but not collected,  (ii) on
the  Remittance  Date in  October  1996,  interest  accrued  on each  Subsequent
Mortgage  Loan  transferred  to the Trust during the related Due Period from the
related Subsequent Cut Off Date to the last day of the related Remittance Period
and (iii) scheduled principal due, but not collected, with respect to Delinquent
Mortgage  Loans  during  the  related  Due Period but only if, in its good faith
business  judgment,  the  Servicer  reasonably  believes  that such  amount will
ultimately  be  recovered  from the  related  Mortgage  Loan.  Such  amounts are
"Delinquency Advances".

          The Servicer  shall be  permitted  to fund its payment of  Delinquency
Advances on any  Remittance  Date and to  reimburse  itself for any  Delinquency
Advances paid from the  Servicer's own funds,  from  collections on any Mortgage
Loan deposited to the Principal and Interest  Account  subsequent to the related
Due Period and shall  deposit  into the  Principal  and  Interest  Account  with
respect thereto (i) collections  from the Mortgagor whose  Delinquency gave rise
to the  shortfall  which  resulted  in such  Delinquency  Advance  and  (ii) Net
Liquidation  Proceeds  recovered on account of the related  Mortgage Loan to the
extent of the amount of aggregate  Delinquency  Advances related thereto. If not
thereto  recovered  from the related  Mortgagor  or the related Net  Liquidation
Proceeds,   Delinquency  Advances  shall  be  recoverable  pursuant  to  Section
7.5(d)(iii)(D).

          (b) On or prior to each Remittance Date, the Servicer shall deposit in
the Principal  and Interest  Account with respect to any  Paid-in-Full  Mortgage
Loan during the related Remittance Period out of its own funds without any right
of reimbursement therefor an amount equal to the difference between (x) 30 days'
interest at such Mortgage  Loan's  Coupon Rate (less the  Servicing  Fee) on the
Loan Balance of such Mortgage Loan as of the first day of the related Remittance
Period and (y) to the extent not  previously  advanced,  the interest  (less the
Servicing  Fee) paid by the  Mortgagor  with respect to the Mortgage Loan during
such  Remittance  Period (any such amount  paid by the  Servicer,  "Compensating
Interest").  The  Servicer  shall in no event be  required  to pay  Compensating
Interest  with  respect to any  Remittance  Period in an amount in excess of the
aggregate  Servicing  Fee received by the Servicer  with respect to all Mortgage
Loans for such  Remittance  Period.  Further,  the Servicer is not  obligated to
cover shortfalls in collections in interest due to Curtailments.

          (c) The  Servicer  will pay all  "out-of-pocket"  costs  and  expenses
incurred in the  performance of its servicing  obligations,  including,  but not
limited  to, the cost of (i)  Preservation  Expenses,  (ii) any  enforcement  or
judicial  proceedings,  including  foreclosures,  and (iii) the  management  and
liquidation of REO Property, but is only required to pay such costs and expenses
to the extent the Servicer  reasonably  believes  such costs and  expenses  will
increase Net Liquidation Proceeds on the related Mortgage Loan. Each such amount
so paid  will  constitute  a  "Servicing  Advance".  The  Servicer  may  recover
Servicing  Advances  (x) from the  Mortgagors  to the  extent  permitted  by the
Mortgage Loans,  from Liquidation  Proceeds realized upon the liquidation of the
related Mortgage Loan, and (y) as provided in Section  7.5(d)(iii)(D) hereof. In
no case may the Servicer recover Servicing  Advances from principal and interest
payments on any Mortgage Loan or from any amounts relating to any other Mortgage
Loan except as provided pursuant to Section 7.5(d)(iii)(D) hereof.

          Section 8.10. Purchase of Mortgage Loans. The Servicer may, but is not
obligated  to,  purchase  for its own account any  Mortgage  Loan which  becomes
Delinquent,  in whole or in part, as to four consecutive monthly installments or

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any Mortgage Loan as to which  enforcement  proceedings have been brought by the
Servicer  or by any  Sub-Servicer  pursuant  to Section  8.13.  Any such Loan so
purchased  shall be  purchased  by the  Servicer  not  later  than  the  related
Remittance  Date at a purchase  price equal to the Loan Purchase  Price thereof,
which purchase price shall be deposited in the Principal and Interest Account.

          Section 8.11.  Maintenance of Insurance.  (a) The Servicer shall cause
to be maintained  with respect to each Mortgage Loan a hazard  insurance  policy
with a  generally  acceptable  carrier  that  provides  for  fire  and  extended
coverage,  and which  provides  for a recovery by the  Servicer on behalf of the
Trust of insurance proceeds relating to such Mortgage Loan in an amount not less
than the least of (i) the  outstanding  principal  balance of the Mortgage Loan,
(ii)  the  minimum  amount  required  to  compensate  for  damage  or  loss on a
replacement cost basis and (iii) the full insurable value of the premises.

          (b) If the  Mortgage  Loan at the  time of  origination  relates  to a
Property in an area identified in the Federal Register by the Federal  Emergency
Management Agency as having special flood hazards, the Servicer will cause to be
maintained with respect  thereto a flood insurance  policy in a form meeting the
requirements of the current  guidelines of the Federal Insurance  Administration
with a generally  acceptable  carrier in an amount  representing  coverage,  and
which  provides  for a  recovery  by the  Servicer  on  behalf  of the  Trust of
insurance  proceeds relating to such Mortgage Loan of not less than the least of
(i) the  outstanding  principal  balance of the Mortgage Loan,  (ii) the minimum
amount required to compensate for damage or loss on a replacement cost basis and
(iii) the maximum amount of insurance that is available under the Flood Disaster
Protection  Act of  1973.  The  Servicer  shall  indemnify  the  Trust  and  the
Certificate  Insurer out of the  Servicer's  own funds for any loss to the Trust
and the Certificate  Insurer  resulting from the Servicer's  failure to maintain
the insurance required by this Section.

          (c) In the event that the Servicer shall obtain and maintain a blanket
policy insuring against fire,  flood and hazards of extended  coverage on all of
the Mortgage  Loans,  then, to the extent such policy names the Servicer as loss
payee and provides coverage in an amount equal to the aggregate unpaid principal
balance on the Mortgage Loans without  co-insurance and otherwise  complies with
the requirements of this Section 8.11, the Servicer shall be deemed conclusively
to have  satisfied  its  obligations  with respect to fire and hazard  insurance
coverage  under this  Section  8.11,  it being  understood  and agreed that such
blanket  policy may  contain a  deductible  clause,  in which case the  Servicer
shall,  in the event that there  shall not have been  maintained  on the related
Property a policy complying with the preceding  paragraphs of this Section 8.11,
and there shall have been a loss which would have been  covered by such  policy,
deposit in the Principal and Interest  Account from the Servicer's own funds the
difference,  if any,  between  the amount that would have been  payable  under a
policy  complying  with the  preceding  paragraphs  of this Section 8.11 and the
amount paid under such  blanket  policy.  Upon the request of the Trustee or the
Certificate  Insurer, the Servicer shall cause to be delivered to the Trustee or
the Certificate Insurer a certified true copy of such policy.

          Section  8.12.   Due-on-Sale  Clauses;   Assumption  and  Substitution
Agreements.  When  a  Property  has  been  or is  about  to be  conveyed  by the
Mortgagor, the Servicer shall, to the extent it has knowledge of such conveyance
or prospective conveyance, exercise its rights to accelerate the maturity of the
related  Mortgage Loan under any  "due-on-sale"  clause contained in the related
Mortgage or Note;  provided,  however,  that the Servicer shall not exercise any
such right if (i) the  "due-on-sale"  clause,  in the  reasonable  belief of the
Servicer,  is  not  enforceable  under  applicable  law  or  (ii)  the  Servicer
reasonably  believes that to permit an assumption of the Mortgage Loan would not
materially and adversely affect the interest of the Owners or of the Certificate
Insurer.  In such  event,  the  Servicer  shall  enter  into an  assumption  and
modification  agreement  with the  person to whom such  property  has been or is
about to be  conveyed,  pursuant to which such Person  becomes  liable under the
Note and,  unless  prohibited  by  applicable  law or the related  Mortgage Loan
documents,  the  Mortgagor  remains  liable  thereon.  If the  foregoing  is not
permitted  under  applicable  law,  the Servicer is  authorized  to enter into a
substitution  of liability  agreement  with such  person,  pursuant to which the
original  Mortgagor is released from liability and such person is substituted as
Mortgagor  and becomes  liable under the Note;  provided,  however,  that to the

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extent any such  substitution  of liability  agreement would be delivered by the
Servicer  outside of its usual  procedures  for  mortgage  loans held in its own
portfolio the Servicer shall,  prior to executing and delivering such agreement,
obtain the prior written consent of the Certificate  Insurer. The Mortgage Loan,
as assumed,  shall conform in all respects to the requirements,  representations
and warranties of this Agreement. The Servicer shall notify the Trustee that any
such  assumption or  substitution  agreement has been completed by forwarding to
the Trustee the original  copy of such  assumption  or  substitution  agreement,
which copy shall be added by the  Trustee to the related  File and which  shall,
for all  purposes,  be  considered a part of such File to the same extent as all
other documents and instruments  constituting a part thereof. The Servicer shall
be responsible for recording any such assumption or substitution agreements.  In
connection  with any such  assumption or  substitution  agreement,  the required
monthly  payment on the  related  Mortgage  Loan shall not be changed  but shall
remain as in effect  immediately  prior to the assumption or  substitution,  the
stated maturity or outstanding  principal amount of such Mortgage Loan shall not
be changed nor shall any required  monthly  payments of principal or interest be
deferred or forgiven.  Any fee collected by the Servicer or the Sub-Servicer for
consenting to any such conveyance or entering into an assumption or substitution
agreement  shall be retained by or paid to the Servicer as additional  servicing
compensation.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph or any other provision of this
Agreement,  the  Servicer  shall not be deemed to be in  default,  breach or any
other  violation of its  obligations  hereunder by reason of any assumption of a
Mortgage  Loan by operation of law or any  assumption  which the Servicer may be
restricted by law from preventing, for any reason whatsoever.

          Section 8.13.  Realization  Upon  Defaulted  Mortgage  Loans.  (a) The
Servicer shall  foreclose upon or otherwise  comparably  effect the ownership on
behalf of the Trust of  Properties  relating to defaulted  Mortgage  Loans as to
which no  satisfactory  arrangements  can be made for  collection  of Delinquent
payments and which the Servicer has not  purchased  pursuant to Section 8.10. In
connection  with  such  foreclosure  or other  conversion,  the  Servicer  shall
exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it hereunder,  and use the same
degree of care and skill in its  exercise  or use as  prudent  mortgage  lenders
would  exercise  or use  under the  circumstances  in the  conduct  of their own
affairs,  including,  but not  limited  to,  advancing  funds for the payment of
taxes,  amounts due with respect to Senior  Liens and  insurance  premiums.  Any
amounts so advanced shall constitute  "Servicing Advances" within the meaning of
Section 8.9(c) hereof. The Servicer shall sell any REO Property within 23 months
of its acquisition by the Trust, unless the Servicer obtains for the Trustee and
the Certificate  Insurer an opinion of counsel experienced in federal income tax
matters and reasonably  acceptable to the Certificate Insurer,  addressed to the
Trustee,  the  Certificate  Insurer  and the  Servicer,  to the effect  that the
holding by the Trust of such REO Property for any greater period will not result
in the imposition of taxes on "Prohibited  Transactions" of the Trust as defined
in  Section  860F of the Code or cause the Trust to fail to  qualify  as a REMIC
under the REMIC Provisions at any time that any Certificates are outstanding, in
which case the  Servicer  shall sell any REO Property by the end of any extended
period specified in any such opinion.

          Notwithstanding  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  provisions,  the
Servicer shall manage,  conserve,  protect and operate each REO Property for the
Owners  solely for the  purpose of its prompt  disposition  and sale in a manner
which  does not cause  such REO  Property  to fail to  qualify  as  "foreclosure
property" within the meaning of Section  860G(a)(8) of the Code or result in the
receipt  by the Trust of any  "income  from  non-permitted  assets"  within  the
meaning of Section 860F(a)(2)(B) of the Code or any "net income from foreclosure
property" which is subject to taxation under the REMIC  Provisions.  Pursuant to
its efforts to sell such REO  Property,  the  Servicer  shall  either  itself or
through an agent selected by the Servicer protect and conserve such REO Property
in the same manner and to such extent as is customary in the locality where such
REO Property is located and may,  incident to its conservation and protection of
the interests of the Owners, rent the same, or any part thereof, as the Servicer
deems to be in the best  interest of the Owners for the period prior to the sale
of such REO Property.  The Servicer shall take into account the existence of any

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hazardous  substances,  hazardous  wastes  or solid  wastes,  as such  terms are
defined in the Comprehensive  Environmental  Response Compensation and Liability
Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, or other federal, state
or local  environmental  legislation,  on a Property in  determining  whether to
foreclose upon or otherwise comparably convert the ownership of such Property.

                  (b)  The  Servicer  shall  determine,  with  respect  to  each
defaulted Mortgage Loan, when it has recovered,  whether through trustee's sale,
foreclosure  sale or  otherwise,  all  amounts it expects to recover  from or on
account of such  defaulted  Mortgage  Loan,  whereupon  such Mortgage Loan shall
become a "Liquidated Loan".

          Section  8.14.  Trustee to Cooperate;  Release of Files.  (a) Upon the
payment in full of any Mortgage Loan  (including  the repurchase of any Mortgage
Loan or any liquidation of such Mortgage Loan through  foreclosure or otherwise)
or the receipt by the  Servicer of a  notification  that payment in full will be
escrowed in a manner customary for such purposes,  the Servicer shall deliver to
the Trustee a Request for Release. Upon receipt of such Request for Release, the
Trustee shall  promptly  release the related File, in trust to (i) the Servicer,
(ii) an escrow agent or (iii) any employee, agent or attorney of the Trustee, in
each case  pending  its  release  by the  Servicer,  such  escrow  agent or such
employee,  agent or attorney of the  Trustee,  as the case may be. Upon any such
payment in full or the  receipt of such  notification  that such funds have been
placed in escrow,  the Servicer is authorized to give, as  attorney-in-fact  for
the Trustee and the  mortgagee  under the Mortgage  which  secured the Note,  an
instrument  of  satisfaction  (or  assignment  of  Mortgage  without   recourse)
regarding  the  Property   relating  to  such  Mortgage,   which  instrument  of
satisfaction or assignment, as the case may be, shall be delivered to the Person
or Persons  entitled  thereto  against  receipt  therefor of payment in full, it
being  understood  and agreed that no expense  incurred in connection  with such
instrument  of  satisfaction  or  assignment,  as the  case  may  be,  shall  be
chargeable to the Principal and Interest Account.  In lieu of executing any such
satisfaction  or  assignment,  as the case may be, the  Servicer may prepare and
submit  to the  Trustee a  satisfaction  (or  assignment  without  recourse,  if
requested by the Person or Persons  entitled  thereto) in form for  execution by
the Trustee with all requisite  information  completed by the Servicer;  in such
event,the Trustee shall execute and acknowledge such satisfaction or assignment,
as the case may be, and deliver the same with the related File, as aforesaid.

          (b)  From  time to time and as  appropriate  in the  servicing  of any
Mortgage Loan,  including,  without limitation,  foreclosure or other comparable
conversion  of a Mortgage  Loan or  collection  under any  applicable  Insurance
Policy,  the Trustee  shall  (except in the case of the  payment or  liquidation
pursuant  to  which  the  related  File is  released  to an  escrow  agent or an
employee,  agent or attorney of the  Trustee),  upon request of the Servicer and
delivery to the Trustee of a Request for  Release,  release the related  File to
the  Servicer  and shall  execute  such  documents  as shall be necessary to the
prosecution  of  any  such  proceedings,   including,   without  limitation,  an
assignment  without recourse of the related  Mortgage to the Servicer;  provided
that there shall not be released and unreturned at any one time more than 10% of
the  entire  number of Files.  The  Trustee  shall  complete  in the name of the
Trustee any endorsement in blank on any Note prior to releasing such Note to the
Servicer.  Such  receipt  shall  obligate the Servicer to return the File to the
Trustee  when the need  therefor  by the  Servicer no longer  exists  unless the
Mortgage Loan shall be liquidated in which case, upon receipt of the liquidation
information,  in physical or electronic  form,  the Request for Release shall be
released by the Trustee to the Servicer.

          (c) The  Servicer  shall  have the right to  approve  applications  of
Mortgagors for consent to (i) partial  releases of Mortgages,  (ii)  alterations
and (iii) removal, demolition or division of properties subject to Mortgages. No
application  for approval  shall be considered by the Servicer  unless:  (x) the
provisions  of the related Note and Mortgage have been  complied  with;  (y) the
Combined  Loan-to-Value Ratio (which may, for this purpose, be determined at the
time of any such action in a manner  reasonably  acceptable  to the  Certificate
Insurer) after any release does not exceed the Combined  Loan-to-Value  Ratio as
of the Cut-Off  Date or  Subsequent  Cut-Off  Date,  as the case may be, and the
Mortgagor's   debt-to-income  ratio  after  any  release  does  not  exceed  the
debt-to-income  ratio as of the CutOff Date or  Subsequent  Cut-Off Date, as the

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case may be, and in no event exceeds the maximum debt-to-income levels under the
related Originator's underwriting guidelines for a similar credit grade borrower
and (z) the lien  priority of the related  Mortgage is not  adversely  affected.
Upon  receipt by the Trustee of an Officer's  Certificate  executed on behalf of
the  Servicer  setting  forth the  action  proposed  to be taken in respect of a
particular  Mortgage  Loan and  certifying  that the  criteria  set forth in the
immediately  preceding  sentence have been satisfied,  the Trustee shall execute
and deliver to the Servicer  the consent or partial  release so requested by the
Servicer.  A proposed  form of consent or partial  release,  as the case may be,
shall accompany any Officer's  Certificate delivered by the Servicer pursuant to
this paragraph.

          (d) No costs associated with the procedures  described in this Section
8.14 shall be an expense of the Trust.

          Section  8.15.  Servicing   Compensation.   As  compensation  for  its
activities hereunder, the Servicer shall be entitled to retain the amount of the
Servicing  Fee  with  respect  to  each  Mortgage  Loan.   Additional  servicing
compensation in the form of prepayment charges, release fees, bad check charges,
assumption  fees,  late  payment  charges,   prepayment  penalties,   any  other
servicing-related fees, Net Liquidation Proceeds not required to be deposited in
the Principal and Interest  Account  pursuant to Section  8.8(c)(iv) and similar
items  shall,  to the extent  collected  from  Mortgagors,  be  retained  by the
Servicer.

          Section 8.16. Annual Statement as to Compliance.  (a) The Servicer, at
its own expense, will deliver to the Trustee, the Certificate Insurer,  Standard
& Poor's  and  Moody's,  on or before  the last day of  December  of each  year,
commencing in 1997, an Officer's Certificate stating, as to each signer thereof,
that (i) a review  of the  activities  of the  Servicer  during  such  preceding
calendar year and of  performance  under this Agreement has been made under such
officers' supervision and (ii) to the best of such officers' knowledge, based on
such review, the Servicer has fulfilled all its obligations under this Agreement
for such year,  or, if there has been a default in the  fulfillment  of all such
obligations,  specifying each such default known to such officers and the nature
and status  thereof  including  the steps being taken by the  Servicer to remedy
such defaults.

          (b)  The  Servicer  shall  deliver  to the  Trustee,  the  Certificate
Insurer,  the Owners and the Rating  Agencies,  promptly  after having  obtained
knowledge  thereof but in no event  later than five  Business  Days  thereafter,
written notice by means of an Officer's  Certificate of any event which with the
giving of notice or lapse of time,  or both,  would become an Event of Servicing
Termination.

          Section  8.17.  Annual  Independent   Certified  Public   Accountants'
Reports.  On or before the last day of March of each year,  commencing  in 1997,
the  Servicer,  at its own expense,  shall cause to be delivered to the Trustee,
the Certificate Insurer,  Standard & Poor's and Moody's a letter or letters of a
firm  of  independent,   nationally-  recognized  certified  public  accountants
reasonably  acceptable to the  Certificate  Insurer  stating that such firm has,
with respect to the Servicer's overall servicing operations during the preceding
calendar year,  examined such operations in accordance with the  requirements of
the Uniform  Single  Audit  Program  for  Mortgage  Bankers,  and in either case
stating such firm's conclusions relating thereto.

          Section  8.18.   Access  to  Certain   Documentation  and  Information
Regarding the Mortgage  Loans.  The Servicer  shall provide to the Trustee,  the
Certificate  Insurer,  the FDIC and the supervisory agents and examiners of each
of the  foregoing  access to the  documentation  regarding  the  Mortgage  Loans
required by applicable state and federal regulations, such access being afforded
without charge but only upon reasonable request and during normal business hours
at the offices of the Servicer designated by it.

          Upon any change in the format of the computer  tape  maintained by the
Servicer in respect of the Mortgage Loans,  the Servicer shall deliver a copy of
such computer  tape to the Trustee and in addition  shall provide a copy of such

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computer tape to the Trustee, and the Certificate Insurer at such other times as
the Trustee or the Certificate Insurer may reasonably request.

          Section 8.19. Assignment of Agreement. The Servicer may not assign its
obligations  under  this  Agreement,  in whole or in part,  unless it shall have
first obtained the written consent of the Trustee and the  Certificate  Insurer,
which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;  provided,  however, that
any assignee must meet the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 8.21(f)
hereof for a successor servicer. Notice of any such assignment shall be given by
the Servicer to the Trustee, the Certificate Insurer and the Rating Agencies.

          Section 8.20. Events of Servicing Termination.  (a) The Trustee or the
Certificate  Insurer (or the Owners  pursuant to Section 6.11 hereof) may remove
the Servicer  (including any successor  entity serving as the Servicer) upon the
occurrence of any of the following events:

               (i)  The  Servicer  shall  fail to  deliver  to the  Trustee  any
     proceeds or required payment,  which failure continues  unremedied for five
     Business Days  following  written  notice to an  Authorized  Officer of the
     Servicer from the Trustee or from any Owner;

               (ii)  The  Servicer  shall  (I)  apply  for  or  consent  to  the
     appointment  of a receiver,  trustee,  liquidator  or  custodian or similar
     entity with  respect to itself or its  property,  (II) admit in writing its
     inability  to pay its debts  generally  as they  become  due,  (III) make a
     general  assignment  for the benefit of  creditors,  (IV) be  adjudicated a
     bankrupt or  insolvent,  (V)  commence a  voluntary  case under the federal
     bankruptcy  laws of the  United  States  of  America  or  file a  voluntary
     petition or answer seeking reorganization, an arrangement with creditors or
     an order for relief or seeking to take  advantage of any  insolvency law or
     file an answer  admitting  the  material  allegations  of a petition  filed
     against it in any bankruptcy,  reorganization  or insolvency  proceeding or
     (VI)  take  corporate  action  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  any of the
     foregoing;

               (iii) If  without  the  application,  approval  or consent of the
     Servicer,  a  proceeding  shall be  instituted  in any  court of  competent
     jurisdiction,   under  any  law   relating   to   bankruptcy,   insolvency,
     reorganization or relief of debtors,  seeking in respect of the Servicer an
     order  for  relief  or  an  adjudication  in  bankruptcy,   reorganization,
     dissolution,  winding up,  liquidation,  a composition or arrangement  with
     creditors, a readjustment of debts, the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
     liquidator,  custodian or similar entity with respect to the Servicer or of
     all or any substantial part of its assets,  or other like relief in respect
     thereof under any bankruptcy or insolvency  law, and, if such proceeding is
     being contested by the Servicer in good faith, the same shall (A) result in
     the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or
     (B)  continue  undismissed  or  pending  and  unstayed  for any  period  of
     seventy-five (75) consecutive days;

               (iv) The  Servicer  shall fail to perform  any one or more of its
     obligations hereunder (other than the obligations set out in (i) above) and
     shall continue in default thereof for a period of sixty (60) days after the
     earlier of (x) notice by the  Trustee  or the  Certificate  Insurer of said
     failure or (y) actual  knowledge of an officer of the  Servicer;  provided,
     however,   that  if  the  Servicer  can   demonstrate   to  the  reasonable
     satisfaction  of the  Certificate  Insurer that it is  diligently  pursuing
     remedial  action,  then the cure  period may be  extended  with the written
     approval of the Certificate Insurer; or

               (v) The  Servicer  shall  fail to cure any  breach  of any of its
     representations  and warranties  set forth in Section 3.2 which  materially
     and adversely  affects the interests of the Owners or  Certificate  Insurer
     for a period of sixty (60) days after the  Servicer's  discovery or receipt
     of notice thereof; provided,  however, that if the Servicer can demonstrate

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     to the  reasonable  satisfaction  of the  Certificate  Insurer  that  it is
     diligently  pursuing remedial action,  then the cure period may be extended
     with the written approval of the Certificate Insurer.

          (b)  The  Certificate   Insurer  may  remove  the  Servicer  upon  the
occurrence of any of the following events:

               (i) a Group I Total Available Funds Shortfall or a Group II Total
     Available Funds Shortfall;  provided, however, that the Certificate Insurer
     shall have no right to remove  the  Servicer  under this  clause (i) if the
     Servicer can demonstrate to the reasonable  satisfaction of the Certificate
     Insurer that such event was due to circumstances  beyond the control of the
     Servicer;

               (ii) the failure by the Servicer to make any  required  Servicing
     Advance;

               (iii) the  failure by the  Servicer to perform any one or more of
     its obligations  hereunder,  which failure materially and adversely affects
     the  interests of the  Certificate  Insurer,  and the  continuance  of such
     failure  for a period  of 30 days or such  longer  period  as  agreed to in
     writing by the Certificate Insurer.

               (iv) the failure by the Servicer to make any required Delinquency
     Advance or to pay any Compensating Interest;

               (v)  if  on  any  Payment  Date  the  Pool  Rolling  Three  Month
     Delinquency Rate exceeds 7.0%;

               (vi) if on any Payment  Date  occurring in September of any year,
     commencing in September 1997, the aggregate Pool Cumulative Realized Losses
     over  the  prior  twelve  month  period  exceed  2.0% of the  average  Pool
     Principal  Balance as of the close of  business  on the last day of each of
     the twelve preceding Remittance Periods; or

               (vii)  (a) if on any of the  first  60  Payment  Dates  from  the
     Startup Day the aggregate  Pool  Cumulative  Expected  Losses for all prior
     Remittance  Periods since the Startup Day exceed 5.0% of the Pool Principal
     Balance as of the Cut-Off  Date and (b) if on any Payment  Date  thereafter
     the aggregate  Pool  Cumulative  Expected  Losses for all prior  Remittance
     Periods from the Startup Day exceed 6.5% of the Pool  Principal  Balance as
     of the Cut-Off Date, provided,  however,  with respect to clauses (v), (vi)
     and (vii), if the Servicer can  demonstrate to the reasonable  satisfaction
     of the  Certificate  Insurer  that any such event was due to  circumstances
     beyond the control of the  Servicer,  such event shall not be considered an
     event of termination of the Servicer.

Upon the Trustee's  determination that a required Delinquency Advance or payment
of Compensating Interest has not been made by the Servicer, the Trustee shall so
notify in writing an  Authorized  Officer of the  Servicer  and the  Certificate
Insurer as soon as is reasonably practical.

          (c) In the case of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of Subsection
(b) the Owners of Certificates evidencing not less than 33 1/3% of the aggregate
Class A  Certificate  Principal  Balance  (with the  consent of the  Certificate
Insurer)  by notice  then given in writing  to the  Servicer  (and a copy to the
Trustee) may terminate all of the rights and  obligations  of the Servicer under
this Agreement;  provided,  however, that the responsibilities and duties of the
initial  Servicer with respect to the  repurchase of Mortgage  Loans pursuant to
Section 3.4 shall not  terminate.  The  Trustee  shall mail a copy of any notice
given by it  hereunder  to the Rating  Agencies.  On or after the receipt by the
Servicer of such written  notice,  all authority and power of the Servicer under
this Agreement,  whether with respect to the  Certificates or the Mortgage Loans
or otherwise,  shall without further action pass to and be vested in the Trustee
(for this  purpose,  the term includes an affiliate  thereof) or such  successor

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Servicer as may be appointed hereunder, and, without limitation,  the Trustee is
hereby  authorized and empowered  (which authority and power are coupled with an
interest  and  are  irrevocable)  to  execute  and  deliver,  on  behalf  of the
predecessor  Servicer,  as attorney-in-fact or otherwise,  any and all documents
and other instruments and to do or accomplish all other acts or things necessary
or appropriate to effect the purposes of such notice or termination,  whether to
complete  the  transfer  and  endorsement  of the  Mortgage  Loans  and  related
documents or  otherwise.  The  predecessor  Servicer  shall  cooperate  with the
successor   Servicer  or  the  Trustee  in  effecting  the  termination  of  the
responsibilities  and rights of the  predecessor  Servicer  under this Agreement
including  the  transfer  to  the  successor  Servicer  or to  the  Trustee  for
administration  by it of all cash accounts that shall at the time be held by the
predecessor Servicer for deposit or shall thereafter be received with respect to
a Mortgage Loan. All reasonable costs and expenses  (including  attorneys' fees)
incurred in connection with transferring the Files to the successor Servicer and
amending this Agreement to reflect such succession as Servicer  pursuant to this
Section 8.20 shall be paid by the  predecessor  Servicer  upon  presentation  of
reasonable documentation of such costs and expenses.

          (d) If any event  described in subsections (a) or (b) above occurs and
is continuing, during the 30 day period following receipt of notice, the Trustee
and the Certificate  Insurer shall cooperate with each other to determine if the
occurrence  of such  event is more  likely  than not the  result  of the acts or
omissions  of the  Servicer or more likely than not the result of events  beyond
the control of the Servicer. If the Trustee and the Certificate Insurer conclude
that the event is the result of the latter,  the Servicer may not be terminated,
unless  and  until  some  other  event set  forth in  subsection  (a) or (b) has
occurred and is continuing.  If the Trustee and the Certificate Insurer conclude
that the  event  is the  result  of the  former,  the  Certificate  Insurer  may
terminate  the Servicer in accordance  with this Section,  and the Trustee shall
act as successor Servicer.

          If the Trustee and the Certificate Insurer cannot agree, and the basis
for such  disagreement is not arbitrary or unreasonable,  as to the cause of the
event, the decision of the Certificate Insurer shall control; provided, however,
that if the Certificate  Insurer decides to terminate the Servicer,  the Trustee
shall be  relieved of its  obligation  to assume the  servicing  or to appoint a
successor, which shall be the exclusive obligation of the Certificate Insurer.

          The  Certificate  Insurer agrees to use its best efforts to inform the
Trustee of any materially adverse information regarding the Servicer's servicing
activities that comes to the attention of the  Certificate  Insurer from time to
time.

          Section 8.21.  Resignation  of Servicer and  Appointment of Successor.
(a) Upon the  Servicer's  receipt of notice of  termination  pursuant to Section
8.20 or the Servicer's  resignation in accordance with the terms of this Section
8.21,  the  predecessor  Servicer  shall  continue to perform its  functions  as
Servicer under this Agreement,  in the case of termination,  only until the date
specified  in such  termination  notice  or, if no such date is  specified  in a
notice  of  termination,  until  receipt  of such  notice  and,  in the  case of
resignation,  until the earlier of (x) the date 45 days from the delivery to the
Certificate  Insurer and the Trustee of written notice of such  resignation  (or
written  confirmation  of such  notice)  in  accordance  with the  terms of this
Agreement  and (y) the date upon which the  predecessor  Servicer  shall  become
unable  to act as  Servicer,  as  specified  in the  notice of  resignation  and
accompanying  opinion  of  counsel.  All  collections  then  being  held  by the
predecessor  Servicer prior to its removal and any  collections  received by the
Servicer after removal or resignation shall be endorsed by it to the Trustee and
remitted directly and immediately to the Trustee or the successor  Servicer.  In
the event of the Servicer's  resignation or termination  hereunder,  the Trustee
shall appoint a successor  Servicer and the successor  Servicer shall accept its
appointment  by a written  assumption in form  acceptable to the Trustee and the
Certificate  Insurer,  with  copies to the  Certificate  Insurer  and the Rating
Agencies.  Pending  such  appointment,  the  Trustee  shall act as the  Servicer
hereunder.

          (b) The  Servicer  shall not resign  from the  obligations  and duties
hereby imposed on it, except (i) upon  determination  that its duties  hereunder
are no longer  permissible  under applicable law or are in material  conflict by

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reason of applicable law with any other  activities  carried on by it, the other
activities of the Servicer so causing such a conflict being of a type and nature
carried on by the  Servicer at the date of this  Agreement  or (ii) upon written
consent of the  Certificate  Insurer  and the  Trustee.  Any such  determination
permitting  the  resignation of the Servicer shall be evidenced by an opinion of
counsel  to  such  effect  which  shall  be  delivered  to the  Trustee  and the
Certificate Insurer.

          (c) No removal or resignation  of the Servicer shall become  effective
until the  Trustee or a successor  Servicer  shall have  assumed the  Servicer's
responsibilities and obligations in accordance with this Section.

          (d) Upon removal or  resignation  of the  Servicer,  the Servicer also
shall promptly  deliver or cause to be delivered to a successor  Servicer or the
Trustee all the books and records (including,  without limitation,  records kept
in electronic  form) that the Servicer has  maintained  for the Mortgage  Loans,
including all tax bills,  assessment notices,  insurance premium notices and all
other  documents  as  well as all  original  documents  then  in the  Servicer's
possession.

          (e)  Any  collections  received  by  the  Servicer  after  removal  or
resignation  shall be endorsed by it to the Trustee and  remitted  directly  and
immediately to the Trustee, or the successor Servicer.

          (f) Upon removal or resignation of the Servicer, the Trustee (x) shall
solicit  bids for a successor  Servicer as  described  below and (y) pending the
appointment of a successor  Servicer as a result of soliciting such bids,  shall
serve as Servicer. The Trustee shall, if it is unable to obtain a qualifying bid
and is  prevented by law from acting as  Servicer,  (I)  appoint,  or petition a
court of  competent  jurisdiction  to  appoint,  any  housing  and home  finance
institution, bank or mortgage servicing institution which has been designated as
an  approved  seller-servicer  by FNMA or FHLMC for  second  mortgage  loans and
having  equity  of not  less  than  $15,000,000  or such  lower  level as may be
acceptable to the Certificate Insurer as determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles as the successor to the Servicer hereunder in the
assumption of all or any part of the responsibilities,  duties or liabilities of
the Servicer  hereunder and (II) give notice thereof to the Certificate  Insurer
and Rating  Agencies.  The  compensation of any successor  Servicer  (including,
without  limitation,  the  Trustee) so  appointed  shall be the  Servicing  Fee,
together with the other servicing  compensation in the form of assumption  fees,
late  payment  charges  or  otherwise  as  provided  in  Sections  8.8 and 8.15;
provided,  however,  that if the Trustee  acts as successor  Servicer,  then the
former  Servicer  agrees to pay to the  Trustee  at such  time that the  Trustee
becomes such successor Servicer a set-up fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for
each  Mortgage  Loan then  included in the Trust  Estate.  The Trustee  shall be
obligated to serve as successor Servicer whether or not the fee described in the
preceding sentence is paid by the Company, but shall in any event be entitled to
receive, and to enforce payment of, such fee from the former Servicer.

          (g) In the event the  Trustee  solicits  bids as provided  above,  the
Trustee  shall  solicit,  by public  announcement,  bids from  housing  and home
finance  institutions,  banks and mortgage  servicing  institutions  meeting the
qualifications set forth above. Such public  announcement shall specify that the
successor  Servicer  shall be  entitled  to the  full  amount  of the  aggregate
Servicing  Fees as servicing  compensation,  together  with the other  servicing
compensation  in the form of assumption  fees, late payment charges or otherwise
as provided in Sections 8.8 and 8.15.  Within  thirty days after any such public
announcement,  the Trustee  shall  negotiate  and effect the sale,  transfer and
assignment  of  the  servicing  rights  and  responsibilities  hereunder  to the
qualified  party  submitting the highest  satisfactory  bid as to the price they
will pay to  obtain  such  servicing.  The  Trustee  shall  deduct  from any sum
received by the Trustee  from the  successor  to the Servicer in respect of such
sale,  transfer and assignment all costs and expenses of any public announcement
and  of  any  sale,   transfer  and  assignment  of  the  servicing  rights  and
responsibilities  hereunder.  After such  deductions,  the remainder of such sum
shall be paid by the Trustee to the Servicer at the time of such sale.

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          (h) The Trustee and such successor  shall take such action  consistent
with this  Agreement as shall be necessary to  effectuate  any such  succession,
including  the  notification  to all  Mortgagors of the transfer of servicing if
such  notification  is not done by the  Servicer as required by  subsection  (j)
below.  The  Servicer  agrees to  cooperate  with the Trustee and any  successor
Servicer   in   effecting   the   termination   of  the   Servicer's   servicing
responsibilities  and rights hereunder and shall promptly provide the Trustee or
such successor  Servicer,  as applicable,  all documents and records  reasonably
requested by it to enable it to assume the  Servicer's  functions  hereunder and
shall  promptly  also  transfer to the Trustee or such  successor  Servicer,  as
applicable,  all amounts  which then have been or should have been  deposited in
the  Principal  and  Interest  Account by the  Servicer or which are  thereafter
received with respect to the Mortgage  Loans.  Neither the Trustee nor any other
successor Servicer shall be held liable by reason of any failure to make, or any
delay in making, any distribution hereunder or any portion thereof caused by (i)
the  failure  of the  Servicer  to  deliver,  or any  delay in  delivery,  cash,
documents  or  records  to it or (ii)  restrictions  imposed  by any  regulatory
authority having jurisdiction over the Servicer.

          (i) The Trustee or any other  successor  Servicer,  upon  assuming the
duties of Servicer  hereunder,  shall immediately make all Delinquency  Advances
and pay all Compensating  Interest which the Servicer has theretofore  failed to
remit with respect to the Mortgage Loans; provided, however, that if the Trustee
is acting as  successor  Servicer,  the  Trustee  shall only be required to make
Delinquency  Advances  (including  the  Delinquency  Advances  described in this
clause  (i))  if,  in  the  Trustee's  reasonable  good  faith  judgment,   such
Delinquency Advances will ultimately be recoverable from the Mortgage Loans.

          (j) The Servicer  which is being  removed or is  resigning  shall give
notice to the  Mortgagors  and to the Rating  Agencies  of the  transfer  of the
servicing to the successor Servicer.

          (k) Upon appointment, the successor Servicer shall be the successor in
all  respects  to the  predecessor  Servicer  and  shall be  subject  to all the
responsibilities,  duties and liabilities of the predecessor Servicer including,
but not limited to, the  maintenance of the hazard  insurance  policy(ies),  the
fidelity  bond and an errors and omissions  policy  pursuant to Section 8.23 and
shall be entitled to the Monthly  Servicing Fee and all of the rights granted to
the  predecessor  Servicer by the terms and  provisions of this  Agreement.  The
appointment  of a  successor  Servicer  shall not  affect any  liability  of the
predecessor  Servicer  which may have arisen under this  Agreement  prior to its
termination as Servicer (including,  without limitation, any deductible under an
insurance  policy)  nor shall any  successor  Servicer be liable for any acts or
omissions of the predecessor  Servicer or for any breach by such Servicer of any
of its representations or warranties contained herein or in any related document
or agreement.

          (l) The Trustee shall give notice to the Certificate Insurer,  Moody's
and Standard & Poor's and the Owners of the occurrence of any event specified in
Section 8.20 of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge.

          Section 8.22. Waiver of Past Events of Servicing Termination.  Subject
to the rights of the Certificate  Insurer  pursuant to Section 8.20 to terminate
all of the rights and  obligations  of the Servicer  under this  Agreement,  the
Owners of at least 51% of the Class A  Certificate  Principal  Balance  may,  on
behalf of all Owners of  Certificates,  waive any default by the Servicer in the
performance of its obligations hereunder and its consequences,  except a default
in making any required  deposits to or payments  from the Principal and Interest
Account  in  accordance  with  this  Agreement.  Upon any such  waiver of a past
default,  such  default  shall  cease  to  exist,  and any  Event  of  Servicing
Termination  arising  therefrom  shall be deemed to have been remedied for every
purpose of this  Agreement.  No such waiver  shall extend to any  subsequent  or
other default or impair any right consequent thereon.


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          Section 8.23. Inspections by Certificate Insurer; Errors and Omissions
Insurance.  (a) At any  reasonable  time and from time to time  upon  reasonable
notice, the Certificate  Insurer,  the Trustee, or any agents or representatives
thereof  may  inspect  the  Servicer's  servicing  operations  and  discuss  the
servicing operations of the Servicer with any of its officers or directors.  The
costs and expenses incurred by the Servicer or its agents or  representatives in
connection  with  any  such  examinations  or  discussions  shall be paid by the
Servicer.

          (b) The Servicer agrees to maintain errors and omissions  coverage and
a fidelity  bond,  each at least to the extent  generally  maintained by prudent
mortgage loan servicers having servicing portfolios of a similar size.

          Section  8.24.  Merger,  Conversion,  Consolidation  or  Succession to
Business of Servicer.  Any corporation  into which the Servicer may be merged or
converted or with which it may be  consolidated,  or corporation  resulting from
any merger,  conversion or  consolidation to which the Servicer shall be a party
or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the business of the
Servicer shall be the successor of the Servicer hereunder, without the execution
or  filing  of any paper or any  further  act on the part of any of the  parties
hereto  provided that such  corporation  meets the  qualifications  set forth in
Section 8.21(f).

          Section  8.25.  Notices of Material  Events.  The Servicer  shall give
prompt notice to the Certificate  Insurer,  the Trustee,  Moody's and Standard &
Poor's of the occurrence of any of the following events:

          (a) Any  default  or any fact or event  which  results,  or which with
notice or the passage of time,  or both,  would  result in the  occurrence  of a
default by the  Company,  any  Originator  or the Servicer  under any  Operative
Document or would constitute a material breach of a representation,  warranty or
covenant under any Operative Document;

          (b)  The  submission  of any  claim  or the  initiation  of any  legal
process,  litigation or  administrative  or judicial  investigation  against the
Company  or the  Servicer  in any  federal,  state or local  court or before any
governmental  body or  agency  or  before  any  arbitration  board  or any  such
proceedings   threatened  by  any  governmental  agency,   which,  if  adversely
determined,  would have a material  adverse effect upon any the Company's or the
Servicer's ability to perform its obligations under any Operative Document;

          (c) The  commencement  of any proceedings by or against the Company or
the  Servicer  under any  applicable  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  liquidation,
insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or of any  proceeding
in which a receiver,  liquidator,  trustee or other similar  official shall have
been, or may be, appointed or requested for the Company or the Servicer; and

          (d) The receipt of notice from any agency or governmental  body having
authority  over the conduct of any of the Company's or the  Servicer's  business
that the Company or the  Servicer is to cease and desist,  or to  undertake  any
practice,  program,  procedure or policy employed by the Company or the Servicer
in the conduct of the business of any of them, and such cessation or undertaking
will  materially  and  adversely  affect  the  conduct of the  Company's  or the
Servicer's  business or its ability to perform under the Operative  Documents or
materially  and  adversely  affect the  financial  affairs of the Company or the
Servicer.


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          Section 8.26. Monthly Servicing Report and Servicing Certificate.  (a)
The Servicer shall, not later than the related  Determination  Date,  deliver to
the Trustee and the Certificate  Insurer a Monthly  Servicing Report relating to
the Group I Mortgage Loans and a Monthly  Servicing Report relating to the Group
II Mortgage Loans in computer readable format stating the following:

               (i) As to the related Due Period, the Interest  Remittance Amount
     (in  both  cases  specifying  the (a)  scheduled  interest  collected;  (b)
     Delinquency  Advances relating to interest;  and (c) Compensating  Interest
     paid) and the Principal Remittance Amount (in both cases specifying the (1)
     scheduled principal collected; (2) Delinquency Advance relating to Mortgage
     principal;  (3)  Prepayments;  (4) Loan Balance of Loans  repurchased;  (5)
     Substitution   Amounts;  and  (6)  Net  Liquidation  Proceeds  (related  to
     principal));

               (ii) With respect to the related Remittance Period, the Servicing
     Fee payable to the Servicer;

               (iii) With  respect to the  related  Remittance  Period,  the net
     scheduled  principal and interest  payments remitted by the Servicer to the
     Principal and Interest Account;

               (iv)  The  scheduled  principal  and  interest  payments  on  the
     Mortgage Loans that were not made by the related  Mortgagors as of the last
     day of the related Remittance Period;

               (v)  The  number  and  aggregate   Loan  Balances   (computed  in
     accordance  with the terms of the Mortgage Loans) and the percentage of the
     total number of Mortgage Loans and of the Loan Balance which they represent
     of Mortgage Loans  Delinquent,  if any, (i) 30-59 days, (ii) 60-89 days and
     (iii) 90 days or  more,  respectively,  as of the  last day of the  related
     Remittance Period;

               (vi) The number and aggregate Loan Balances of Mortgage Loans, if
     any, in  foreclosure  and the book value  (within the meaning of 12 Code of
     Federal Regulations Section 571.13 or any comparable provision) of any real
     estate  acquired  through  foreclosure  or deed  in  lieu  of  foreclosure,
     including  REO  Properties  as of the  last day of the  related  Remittance
     Period;

               (vii) The Loan Balances (immediately prior to being classified as
     Liquidated  Mortgage Loans) of Liquidated Mortgage Loans as of the last day
     of the related Remittance Period;

               (viii)   Liquidation   Proceeds   received   during  the  related
     Remittance Period;

               (ix) The amount of any  Liquidation  Expenses being deducted from
     Liquidation  Proceeds  or  otherwise  being  charged to the  Principal  and
     Interest Account with respect to such Determination Date;

               (x) Liquidation  Expenses incurred during the related  Remittance
     Period which are not being deducted from Liquidation  Proceeds or otherwise
     being charged to the  Principal  and Interest  Account with respect to such
     Determination Date;

               (xi) Net  Liquidation  Proceeds as of the last day of the related
     Remittance Period;

               (xii) Insurance  payments received from Insurance Policies during
     the related Remittance Period;

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               (xiii) The number of Mortgage  Loans and the aggregate  scheduled
     Loan Balances as of the last day of the Due Period  relating to the Payment
     Date;

               (xiv)  The Group I Total  Available  Funds and the Group II Total
     Available Funds for each Remittance Date;

               (xv) The number and  aggregate  Loan  Balances and Loan  Purchase
     Prices of  Mortgage  Loans  required  to be  repurchased  by the Company or
     purchased by the  Servicer as of the  Replacement  Cut-Off  Date  occurring
     during the Remittance Period preceding such Date;

               (xvi) The number and aggregate  Loan  Balances of Mortgage  Loans
     (at the time they became Defaulted  Mortgage Loans) which are being carried
     as REO Properties;

               (xvii)  The  amount  of  any  Delinquency  Advances  made  by the
     Servicer  during  the  related   Remittance  Period  and  any  unreimbursed
     Delinquency Advances as of such Payment Date;

               (xviii)  The  weighted  average  Coupon  Rates of the Group I and
     Group II Mortgage Loans, respectively;

               (xix) The Monthly Exception Report;

               (xx) The  amount of any  Substitution  Amounts  delivered  by the
     Company;

               (xxi) The number and aggregate  Loan Balances of Mortgage  Loans,
     if any, in bankruptcy  proceedings as of the last day of related Remittance
     Period;

               (xxii) The amount of  unreimbursed  Delinquency  Advances made by
     the Servicer;

               (xxiii)  The  amounts,  if any,  of the  Realized  Losses in each
     Mortgage Loan Group for the related  Remittance  Period and the  cumulative
     amount of  Realized  Losses in each  Mortgage  Loan Group since the Startup
     Date.

               (xxiv) The amount of unreimbursed  Servicing Advances made by the
     Servicer;

               (xxv) Unpaid Servicing Fees;

               (xxvi)  The  amount of  Compensating  Interest  to be paid by the
     Servicer during the related Remittance Period;

               (xxvii) The  weighted  average  net Coupon  Rate of the  Mortgage
     Loans;

               (xxviii) For the related Remittance Period and cumulatively since
     the Startup Day, the number and  aggregate  Loan Balance of Mortgage  Loans
     bought back by the Servicer or the Company pursuant to Section 3.4, 3.6 and
     8.10 hereof (identified separately for each such section).

               (xxix)  Any  other  information   reasonably   requested  by  the
     Certificate Insurer or the Trustee; and

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<PAGE>

               (xxx) The aggregate actual Loan Balance as of the last day of the
     Due Period relating to the Payment Date.

          (b) On each Payment Date, the Trustee shall provide to the Certificate
Insurer, the Underwriter,  the Company,  Standard & Poor's and Moody's a written
report in  substantially  the form set forth as Exhibit J hereto (the "Servicing
Certificate")  with  respect to each  Mortgage  Loan Group,  as such form may be
revised by the Trustee, the Servicer, Moody's and Standard & Poor's from time to
time, but in every case setting forth the information required under Section 7.8
hereof, based solely on information contained in the Monthly Servicing Report.

          Section 8.27.  Indemnification  by the Company.  The Company agrees to
indemnify and hold the Trustee,  the Certificate Insurer and each Owner harmless
against any and all claims, losses, penalties,  fines,  forfeitures,  legal fees
and related costs,  judgments,  and any other costs,  fees and expenses that the
Trustee, the Certificate Insurer and any Owner may sustain in any way related to
the failure of the Company to perform its duties under this  Agreement.  A party
against whom a claim is brought shall  immediately  notify the other parties and
the Rating  Agencies  if a claim is made by a third  party with  respect to this
Agreement,  and the Company  shall assume  (with the consent of the  Certificate
Insurer and the  Trustee)  the defense of any such claim and pay all expenses in
connection  therewith,  including  reasonable  counsel  fees,  and promptly pay,
discharge  and satisfy any judgment or decree  which may be entered  against the
Certificate  Insurer,  the Servicer,  the Company,  the Trustee  and/or Owner in
respect of such claim.

          Section 8.28.  Indemnification by the Servicer. The Servicer agrees to
indemnify and hold the Trustee,  the Certificate Insurer and each Owner harmless
against any and all claims, losses, penalties,  fines,  forfeitures,  legal fees
and related costs,  judgments,  and any other costs,  fees and expenses that the
Trustee, the Certificate Insurer and any Owner may sustain in any way related to
the failure of the Servicer to perform its duties and service the Mortgage Loans
in compliance with the terms of this Agreement.  A party against whom a claim is
brought shall immediately  notify the other parties and the Rating Agencies if a
claim is made by a third party with respect to this Agreement,  and the Servicer
shall assume (with the consent of the Trustee) the defense of any such claim and
pay all expenses in connection therewith, including reasonable counsel fees, and
promptly pay,  discharge and satisfy any judgment or decree which may be entered
against the  Certificate  Insurer,  the  Servicer,  the Trustee  and/or Owner in
respect of such claim.


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                                   ARTICLE IX

                              TERMINATION OF TRUST

          Section 9.1. Termination of Trust. The Trust created hereunder and all
obligations  created by this  Agreement  will terminate upon the earliest of (i)
the  payment to the Owners of all  Certificates  from  amounts  other than those
available  under the Certificate  Insurance  Policies of all amounts held by the
Trustee and required to be paid to such Owners  pursuant to this  Agreement upon
the later to occur of (a) the final payment or other liquidation (or any advance
made with respect  thereto) of the last Mortgage Loan in the Trust Estate or (b)
the  disposition  of all  property  acquired  in  respect of any  Mortgage  Loan
remaining in the Trust Estate, (ii) at any time when a Qualified  Liquidation of
both  Mortgage  Loan Groups  included  within the Trust is effected as described
below or (iii) as described in Section 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4 hereof ; provided,  that
the Trust created hereunder shall not terminate at any time that the Certificate
Principal  Balance of any Class of Class A Certificates is greater than zero. To
effect a termination of this Agreement pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Owners
of all Certificates then Outstanding shall (x) unanimously direct the Trustee on
behalf of the Trust to adopt a plan of complete  liquidation  for both  Mortgage
Loan Groups,  as contemplated by Section  860F(a)(4) of the Code and (y) provide
to the Trustee an opinion of counsel  experienced  in federal income tax matters
to the effect that such liquidation constitutes a Qualified Liquidation, and the
Trustee  either shall sell the Mortgage Loans and distribute the proceeds of the
liquidation of the Trust Estate,  or shall  distribute  equitably in kind all of
the assets of the Trust Estate to the remaining Owners of the Certificates based
on their interests in the Trust,  each in accordance with such plan, so that the
liquidation  or  distribution  of the  Trust  Estate,  the  distribution  of any
proceeds of the liquidation and the termination of this Agreement occur no later
than  the  close  of the 90th day  after  the  date of  adoption  of the plan of
liquidation and such  liquidation  qualifies as a Qualified  Liquidation.  In no
event,  however,  will the Trust created by this Agreement  continue  beyond the
expiration of  twenty-one  (21) years from the death of the last survivor of the
descendants  of Joseph P. Kennedy,  the late  Ambassador of the United States to
the United  Kingdom,  living on the date hereof.  The Trustee shall give written
notice of  termination of the Agreement to each Owner in the manner set forth in
Section 11.5 hereof.

          Section  9.2.  Termination  Upon  Option  of  Servicer.   (a)  On  any
Remittance Date on or after the Clean-Up Call Date, the Servicer acting directly
or through one or more  affiliates  may  determine to purchase and may cause the
purchase  from the Trust of all (but not fewer than all)  Mortgage  Loans in the
Trust  Estate  and all  property  theretofore  acquired  in  respect of any such
Mortgage Loan by  foreclosure,  deed in lieu of  foreclosure,  or otherwise then
remaining  in the Trust Estate at a price equal to the sum of (w) the greater of
(i) 100% of the aggregate Loan Balances of the related  Mortgage Loans as of the
Due Date which immediately follows the last day of the related Remittance Period
immediately  preceding the day of purchase minus the amount actually remitted by
the Servicer representing  collections of principal on the Mortgage Loans during
the  related  Remittance  Period and Due Period and (ii) the  greater of (A) the
fair market value of such Mortgage Loans (disregarding accrued interest) and (B)
the  aggregate  outstanding  Certificate  Principal  Balance,  (x)  one  month's
interest on the purchase  price  computed at the weighted  average  Pass-Through
Rate for the Class A Certificates, (y) the related Reimbursement Amount, if any,
as of such  Remittance  Date and (z) the  aggregate  amount  of any  Delinquency
Advances  and  Servicing  Advances  remaining  unreimbursed,  together  with any
accrued and unpaid Servicing Fees, as of such Remittance Date (such amount,  the
"Termination Price"). In connection with such purchase, the Servicer shall remit
to the Trustee all amounts then on deposit in the Principal and Interest Account
for deposit to the  Certificate  Account,  which deposit shall be deemed to have
occurred immediately preceding such purchase.

          (b) In connection  with any such purchase,  the Servicer shall provide
to the Trustee an opinion of counsel  experienced  in federal income tax matters
and  reasonably  acceptable to the  Certificate  Insurer to the effect that such
purchase constitutes a Qualified Liquidation of the Trust Estate.

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          (c) Promptly following any such purchase, the Trustee will release the
Files to the Servicer,  or otherwise  upon their order,  in a manner  similar to
that described in Section 8.14 hereof.

          (d) If the  Servicer  does not  exercise  its option  pursuant to this
Section 9.2 with respect to the Trust Estate,  then the Certificate  Insurer may
do so on the same terms.

          Section 9.3.  Termination  Upon Loss of REMIC Status.  (a) Following a
final  determination by the Internal Revenue Service, or by a court of competent
jurisdiction,  in either case from which no appeal is taken within the permitted
time for such appeal, or if any appeal is taken, following a final determination
of such appeal from which no further appeal can be taken, to the effect that the
Trust does not and will no longer qualify as a "REMIC"  pursuant to Section 860D
of the Code (the "Final Determination"),  at any time on or after the date which
is 30 calendar days  following  such Final  Determination,  (i) the  Certificate
Insurer or the Owners of a majority in Percentage  Interest  represented  by the
Class A  Certificates  then  Outstanding  with the  consent  of the  Certificate
Insurer  (which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld)  may  direct the
Trustee  on  behalf  of the Trust to adopt a plan of  complete  liquidation,  as
contemplated by Section 860F(a)(4) of the Code and (ii) the Certificate  Insurer
may notify the Trustee of the Certificate  Insurer's  determination  to purchase
from the Trust all (but not fewer than all)  Mortgage  Loans in the Trust Estate
and  all  property  theretofore  acquired  by  foreclosure,   deed  in  lieu  of
foreclosure,  or otherwise in respect of any Mortgage Loan then remaining in the
Trust Estate at a price equal to the Termination  Price. In connection with such
purchase, the Servicer shall remit to the Trustee all amounts then on deposit in
the Principal and Interest Account for deposit in the Certificate Account, which
deposit shall be deemed to have occurred immediately preceding such purchase.

          (b) Upon receipt of such direction from the Certificate  Insurer,  the
Trustee shall notify the holders of the Class R Certificates of such election to
liquidate  or  such  determination  to  purchase,   as  the  case  may  be  (the
"Termination Notice"). The Owner of a majority of the Percentage Interest of the
Class R Certificates  then Outstanding  may, on any Remittance  Date,  within 60
days from the date of receipt of the  Termination  Notice (the "Purchase  Option
Period"), at their option,  purchase from the Trust all (but not fewer than all)
Mortgage  Loans in the Trust Estate,  and all property  theretofore  acquired by
foreclosure,  deed  in lieu of  foreclosure,  or  otherwise  in  respect  of any
Mortgage  Loan then  remaining in the Trust Estate at a purchase  price equal to
the Termination Price.

          (c) If, during the Purchase  Option Period,  the Owners of the Class R
Certificates  have  not  exercised  the  option  described  in  the  immediately
preceding paragraph,  then upon the expiration of the Purchase Option Period (i)
in the  event  that  the  Certificate  Insurer  or the  Owners  of the  Class  A
Certificates, with the consent of the Certificate Insurer have given the Trustee
the  direction  described in clause  (a)(i)  above,  the Trustee  shall sell the
Mortgage  Loans and  distribute  the  proceeds of the  liquidation  of the Trust
Estate, each in accordance with the plan of complete liquidation,  such that, if
so directed,  the  liquidation  of the Trust  Estate,  the  distribution  of the
proceeds of such  liquidation  and the  termination of this  Agreement  occur no
later  than the close of the 60th  day,  or such  later  day as the  Certificate
Insurer  or the  Owners of the Class A  Certificates,  with the  consent  of the
Certificate  Insurer shall permit or direct in writing,  after the expiration of
the Purchase  Option Period and (ii) in the event that the  Certificate  Insurer
has given the  Trustee  notice of the  Certificate  Insurer's  determination  to
purchase the  Mortgage  Loans in the Trust  Estate  described in clause  (a)(ii)
preceding, the Certificate Insurer shall, on any Remittance Date within 60 days,
purchase all (but not fewer than all) Mortgage  Loans in the Trust  Estate,  and
all property theretofore acquired by foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure or
otherwise in respect of any Mortgage Loan then remaining in the Trust Estate. In
connection  with such  purchase,  the  Servicer  shall  remit to the Trustee all
amounts then on deposit in the Principal and Interest Account for deposit to the
Certificate Account,  which deposit shall be deemed to have occurred immediately
preceding such purchase.

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<PAGE>

          (d) Following a Final  Determination,  the Owners of a majority of the
Percentage  Interest of the Class R Certificates  then Outstanding may, at their
option on any  Remittance  Date and upon  delivery  to the Owners of the Class A
Certificates and the Certificate Insurer of an opinion of counsel experienced in
federal income tax matters acceptable to the Certificate Insurer selected by the
Owners  of  such  Class  R  Certificates   which  opinion  shall  be  reasonably
satisfactory  in form and substance to the  Certificate  Insurer,  to the effect
that the effect of the Final  Determination  is to  increase  substantially  the
probability  that the gross  income  of the Trust  will be  subject  to  federal
taxation, purchase from the Trust all (but not fewer than all) Mortgage Loans in
the Trust Estate, and all property theretofore acquired by foreclosure,  deed in
lieu of foreclosure, or otherwise in respect of any Mortgage Loan then remaining
in the Trust  Estate at a purchase  price  equal to the  Termination  Price.  In
connection  with such  purchase,  the  Servicer  shall  remit to the Trustee all
amounts then on deposit in the Principal and Interest Account for deposit to the
Certificate Account,  which deposit shall be deemed to have occurred immediately
preceding  such  purchase.  The foregoing  opinion shall be deemed  satisfactory
unless the Certificate  Insurer gives the Owners of a majority of the Percentage
Interest  of  the  Class  R  Certificates   notice  that  such  opinion  is  not
satisfactory within thirty days after receipt of such opinion.

          In  connection  with any such  purchase,  such Owners shall direct the
Trustee  to adopt a plan of  complete  liquidation  as  contemplated  by Section
860F(a)(4)  of the Code and shall  provide to the  Trustee an opinion of counsel
experienced  in federal  income tax  matters  to the effect  that such  purchase
constitutes a Qualified Liquidation.

          Section 9.4. Disposition of Proceeds.  The Trustee shall, upon receipt
thereof, deposit the proceeds of any liquidation of the Trust Estate pursuant to
this Article IX to the Certificate Account; provided,  however, that any amounts
representing Servicing Fees,  unreimbursed  Delinquency Advances or unreimbursed
Servicing  Advances  theretofore  funded by the Servicer from the Servicer's own
funds  shall be paid by the  Trustee to the  Servicer  from the  proceeds of the
Trust Estate.

          Section 9.5. Netting of Amounts.  If any Person paying the Termination
Price  would  receive a portion of the amount so paid,  such  Person may net any
such amount against the Termination Price otherwise payable.

                                    ARTICLE X

                                   THE TRUSTEE

          Section 10.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities. (a) The Trustee (i)
undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are  specifically  set
forth in this Agreement,  and no implied  covenants or obligations shall be read
into this Agreement  against the Trustee and (ii) in the absence of bad faith on
its part,  may  conclusively  rely,  as to the truth of the  statements  and the
correctness of the opinions  expressed  therein,  upon  certificates or opinions
furnished pursuant to and conforming to the requirements of this Agreement;  but
in the case of any such  certificates or opinions which by any provision  hereof
are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee,  shall be under a duty
to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements
of this Agreement.


          (b) Following the  termination  of the Servicer  hereunder and pending
the appointment of any other Person as successor Servicer, the Trustee (for this
purpose,  the term includes an affiliate thereof) is hereby obligated to perform
the duties of the Servicer hereunder and shall, for such period, have all of the
rights of the Servicer; it being expressly  understood,  however, by all parties
hereto, and the Owners, agree, prior to any termination of the Servicer pursuant
to Section 8.21, the Servicer shall perform such duties.  Specifically,  and not
in  limitation  of  the  foregoing,   the  Trustee  shall  upon  termination  or
resignation of the Servicer,  and pending the appointment of any other Person as

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successor Servicer,  have the power and duty during its performance as successor
Servicer:

          (i)       to collect Mortgage payments;

          (ii)      to foreclose on defaulted Mortgage Loans;

          (iii)     to enforce  due-on-sale clauses and to enter into assumption
                    and  substitution  agreements  as  permitted by Section 8.12
                    hereof;

          (iv)      to deliver  instruments of satisfaction  pursuant to Section
                    8.14 hereof;

          (v)       to make Delinquency  Advances and Servicing  Advances and to
                    pay Compensating Interest, and

          (vi)      to enforce the Mortgage Loans.

          (c) No provision of this  Agreement  shall be construed to relieve the
Trustee from liability for its own negligent  action,  its own negligent failure
to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

          (i)       this  subsection  shall not be construed to limit the effect
                    of subsection (a) of this Section;

          (ii)      the  Trustee  shall not be liable for any error of  judgment
                    made in good faith by an Authorized Officer, unless it shall
                    be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the
                    pertinent facts;

          (iii)     the Trustee  shall not be liable with  respect to any action
                    taken  or  omitted  to  be  taken  by it in  good  faith  in
                    accordance with the direction of the Certificate  Insurer or
                    of the Owners of a majority  in  Percentage  Interest of the
                    Certificates  of the  affected  Class  or  Classes  and  the
                    Certificate  Insurer relating to the time,  method and place
                    of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
                    Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the
                    Trustee, under this Agreement relating to such Certificates;

          (iv)      The Trustee  shall not be required to expend or risk its own
                    funds  or  otherwise  incur  financial   liability  for  the
                    performance  of any of its duties  hereunder or the exercise
                    of any of its rights or powers if there is reasonable ground
                    for  believing  that the repayment of such funds or adequate
                    indemnity  against such risk or liability is not  reasonably
                    assured to it, and none of the provisions  contained in this
                    Agreement shall in any event require the Trustee to perform,
                    or be responsible  for the manner of performance  of, any of
                    the obligations of the Servicer under this Agreement  except
                    during  such  time,  if any,  as the  Trustee  shall  be the
                    successor to, and be vested with the rights,  duties, powers
                    and privileges of, the Servicer in accordance with the terms
                    of this Agreement;

          (v)       Subject  to the  other  provisions  of  this  Agreement  and
                    without  limiting the  generality of this Section 10.1,  the
                    Trustee shall have no duty (A) to see any recording, filing,
                    or depositing of this Agreement or any agreement referred to
                    herein or any financing statement or continuation  statement
                    evidencing a security interest, or to see to the maintenance
                    of any such  recording  or  filing or  depositing  or to any
                    rerecording, refiling or redepositing of any thereof, (B) to

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<PAGE>

                    see to any  insurance (C) to see to the payment or discharge
                    of any tax, assessment,  or other governmental charge or any
                    lien or  encumbrance  of any kind  owing  with  respect  to,
                    assessed  or levied  against,  any part of the Trust  Estate
                    from funds  available  in the  Certificate  Account,  (D) to
                    confirm  or  verify   the   contents   of  any   reports  or
                    certificates  of  the  Servicer  delivered  to  the  Trustee
                    pursuant  to this  Agreement  believed  by the Trustee to be
                    genuine and to have been signed or  presented  by the proper
                    party or parties;

          (vi)      The  Trustee  shall  not  be  accountable  for  the  use  or
                    application of any funds paid to the Company or the Servicer
                    in  respect  of the  Mortgage  Loans or  withdrawn  from the
                    Principal and Interest Account or the Certificate Account by
                    the Company or the Servicer; and

          (vii)     The  Trustee  shall  not be  required  to take  notice or be
                    deemed to have notice or  knowledge of any default or any of
                    the events  described in Section  8.20 unless a  Responsible
                    Officer of the Trustee  shall have received  written  notice
                    thereof  or  a  Responsible  Officer  has  actual  knowledge
                    thereof.  In the  absence  of receipt  of such  notice,  the
                    Trustee  may  conclusively  assume  that no default or event
                    described in Section 8.20 has occurred.

          (d) Whether or not therein  expressly so provided,  every provision of
this  Agreement  relating  to the  conduct  or  affecting  the  liability  of or
affording  protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the  provisions of this
Section.

          (e) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Trustee to expend
or risk  its own  funds  or  otherwise  incur  any  financial  liability  in the
performance  of any of its duties  hereunder,  or in the  exercise of any of its
rights or  powers,  if it shall  have  reasonable  grounds  for  believing  that
repayment of such funds or adequate  indemnity against such risk or liability is
not reasonably assured to it.

          (f) The permissive right of the Trustee to take actions  enumerated in
this  Agreement  shall not be construed  as a duty and the Trustee  shall not be
answerable for other than its own negligence or willful misconduct.

          (g) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to institute any suit, or
to take any remedial  proceeding  under this Agreement,  or to take any steps in
the execution of the trusts hereby  created or in the  enforcement of any rights
and powers hereunder until it shall be indemnified to its  satisfaction  against
any and all costs  and  expenses,  outlays,  counsel  fees and other  reasonable
disbursements  and against all liability,  except liability which is adjudicated
to have resulted from its negligence or willful  misconduct,  in connection with
any action so taken.

          Section  10.2.  Removal of Trustee  for Cause.  (a) The Trustee may be
removed  pursuant  to  paragraph  (b) hereof upon the  occurrence  of any of the
following  events  (whatever  the reason for such event and  whether it shall be
voluntary or  involuntary  or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any
judgment,  decree or order of any court or any order,  rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body):

     (1)  the Trustee shall fail to distribute to the Owners entitled thereto on
          any Payment Date amounts  available for  distribution  received by the
          Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof; or

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<PAGE>

     (2)  the Trustee shall fail in the performance of, or breach,  any covenant
          or   agreement   of  the  Trustee  in  this   Agreement,   or  if  any
          representation or warranty of the Trustee made in this Agreement or in
          any  certificate  or other  writing  delivered  pursuant  hereto or in
          connection  herewith  shall  prove  to be  incorrect  in any  material
          respect as of the time when the same  shall  have been made,  and such
          failure or breach  shall  continue  or not be cured for a period of 30
          days after there shall have been given,  by  registered  or  certified
          mail, to the Trustee by the Company, the Certificate Insurer or by the
          Owners  of  at  least  25%  of  the  aggregate   Percentage  Interests
          represented by the Class A Certificates then Outstanding, or, if there
          are no  Class A  Certificates  then  Outstanding,  by such  Percentage
          Interests  represented by the Class R  Certificates,  a written notice
          specifying such failure or breach and requiring it to be remedied; or

     (3)  a decree or order of a court or agency or supervisory authority having
          jurisdiction  for the  appointment  of a  conservator  or  receiver or
          liquidator in any  insolvency,  readjustment  of debt,  marshalling of
          assets and liabilities or similar  proceedings,  or for the winding-up
          or  liquidation  of its affairs,  shall have been entered  against the
          Trustee,  and  such  decree  or order  shall  have  remained  in force
          undischarged or unstayed for a period of 75 days; or

     (4)  a conservator or receiver or liquidator or  sequestrator  or custodian
          of the  property  of  the  Trustee  is  appointed  in any  insolvency,
          readjustment of debt, marshalling of assets and liabilities or similar
          proceedings  of or  relating  to the  Trustee  or  relating  to all or
          substantially all of its property; or

     (5)  the Trustee shall become insolvent (however  insolvency is evidenced),
          generally  fail to pay its debts as they come due,  file or consent to
          the  filing  of  a  petition  to  take  advantage  of  any  applicable
          insolvency  or  reorganization  statute,  make an  assignment  for the
          benefit  of  its  creditors,   voluntarily   suspend  payment  of  its
          obligations  or take  corporate  action for the  purpose of any of the
          foregoing.

          The Company  shall give to Moody's and Standard & Poor's notice of the
occurrence of any such event of which the Company is aware.

          (b) If any event  described in Paragraph (a) occurs and is continuing,
then and in every such case (i) the  Certificate  Insurer or (ii) with the prior
written  consent (which shall not be  unreasonably  withheld) of the Certificate
Insurer  (x) the  Company  or (y) the  Owners of a  majority  of the  Percentage
Interests  represented  by the  Class A  Certificates  may,  whether  or not the
Trustee resigns pursuant to Section 10.9 hereof, immediately,  concurrently with
the giving of notice to the Trustee,  and without  delaying the 30 days required
for notice therein, appoint a successor Trustee pursuant to the terms of Section
10.9 hereof.

          Section  10.3.  Certain  Rights of the  Trustee.  Except as  otherwise
provided in Section 10.1 hereof:

          (a) the  Trustee  may  rely  and  shall  be  protected  in  acting  or
     refraining  from  acting  upon  any  resolution,   certificate,  statement,
     instrument,  opinion, report, notice, request,  direction,  consent, order,
     bond,  note or other paper or document  believed by it to be genuine and to
     have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

          (b) any request or direction of the Company,  the Certificate  Insurer
     or the  Owners  of any  Class of  Certificates  mentioned  herein  shall be
     sufficiently evidenced in writing;

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<PAGE>

          (c) whenever in the administration of this Agreement the Trustee shall
     deem it desirable that a matter be proved or  established  prior to taking,
     suffering  or omitting  any action  hereunder,  the Trustee  (unless  other
     evidence  be herein  specifically  prescribed)  may,  in the absence of bad
     faith on its part, rely upon an Officer's Certificate;

          (d) the Trustee may consult  with  counsel of its  selection,  and the
     written advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
     protection  in  respect  of any  action  taken,  suffered  or omitted by it
     hereunder in good faith and in reasonable reliance thereon;

          (e) the Trustee  shall be under no  obligation  to exercise any of the
     rights or powers vested in it by this Agreement at the request or direction
     of any of the Owners pursuant to this  Agreement,  unless such Owners shall
     have offered to the Trustee  reasonable  security or indemnity  against the
     costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance
     with such request or direction;

          (f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation  into the
     facts  or  matters  stated  in  any  resolution,   certificate,  statement,
     instrument,  opinion, report, notice, request,  direction,  consent, order,
     bond,  note or other paper or document,  but the Trustee in its  discretion
     may make such further inquiry or  investigation  into such facts or matters
     as it may  see  fit;  provided,  however,  that  if the  payment  within  a
     reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely
     to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion
     of the  Trustee,  not  reasonably  assured to the  Trustee by the  security
     afforded  to it by the terms of this  Agreement,  the  Trustee  may require
     reasonable indemnity against such cost, expense or liability as a condition
     to taking any such action. The reasonable expense of every such examination
     shall be paid by the Servicer  or, if paid by the Trustee,  shall be repaid
     by the Servicer upon demand by the Trustee from the Servicer's own funds;

          (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers  hereunder  or
     perform any duties  hereunder  either  directly or by or through  agents or
     attorneys,  and the Trustee shall not be responsible  for any misconduct or
     negligence on the part of any agent or attorney  appointed  and  supervised
     with due care by it hereunder;

          (h) the Trustee shall not be personally liable for any action it takes
     or  omits  to  take  in good  faith  which  it  reasonably  believes  to be
     authorized by the Authorized  Officer of any Person or within its rights or
     powers under this Agreement;

          (i)  the  right  of the  Trustee  to  perform  any  discretionary  act
     enumerated  in this  Agreement  shall not be construed  as a duty,  and the
     Trustee  shall not be answerable  for other than its  negligence or willful
     misconduct in the performance of such act; and

          (j) the  Trustee  shall not be  required to give any bond or surety in
     respect of the execution of the Trust Estate  created  hereby or the powers
     granted hereunder.

          Section   10.4.   Not   Responsible   for   Recitals  or  Issuance  of
Certificates.  The  recitals  and  representations  contained  herein and in the
Certificates,  except any such recitals relating to the Trustee,  shall be taken
as the statements of the Company,  and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for
their  correctness.  The Trustee makes no  representation  as to the validity or
sufficiency of this Agreement, of the Certificates, of the Mortgage Loans or any
document  relating  thereto  other than as to validity  and  sufficiency  of its
authentication of the Certificates.

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<PAGE>

          Section 10.5. May Hold  Certificates.  The Trustee or any agent of the
Trust, in its individual or any other  capacity,  may become an Owner or pledgee
of  Certificates  and may otherwise  deal with the Trust with the same rights it
would have if it were not Trustee or such agent.

          Section 10.6. Money Held in Trust.  Money held by the Trustee in trust
hereunder  need not be  segregated  from other trust funds  except to the extent
required  herein or required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for
interest on any money received by it hereunder  except as otherwise  agreed with
the  Company  and except to the  extent of income or other  gain on  investments
which  are  deposits  in or  certificates  of  deposit  of  the  Trustee  in its
commercial capacity and income or other gain actually received by the Trustee on
Eligible Investments.

          Section 10.7. No Lien for Fees.  The Trustee shall have no lien on the
Trust Estate for the payment of any fees and expenses.

          Section 10.8. Corporate Trustee Required;  Eligibility. There shall at
all times be a Trustee  hereunder  which shall be a corporation  or  association
organized and doing  business  under the laws of the United States of America or
of any State  authorized  under such laws to exercise  corporate  trust  powers,
having a  combined  capital  and  surplus of at least  $100,000,000,  subject to
supervision  or  examination  by the United  States of America or any such State
having a rating or ratings  acceptable to the  Certificate  Insurer and having a
long-term  deposit  rating of at least BBB from Standard & Poor's (or such lower
rating as may be acceptable to Standard & Poor's) and at least Baa2 from Moody's
(or  such  lower  rating  as may be  acceptable  to  Moody's).  If such  Trustee
publishes  reports of  condition  at least  annually,  pursuant to law or to the
requirements of the aforesaid  supervising or examining authority,  then for the
purposes of this Section,  the combined  capital and surplus of such corporation
or  association  shall be deemed to be its  combined  capital and surplus as set
forth in its most recent  report of condition so  published.  If at any time the
Trustee  shall cease to be eligible in  accordance  with the  provisions of this
Section,  it shall,  upon the  request of the  Company  with the  consent of the
Certificate Insurer (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or of the
Certificate  Insurer,  resign  immediately  in the  manner  and with the  effect
hereinafter specified in this Article X.

          Section 10.9. Resignation and Removal;  Appointment of Successor.  (a)
No  resignation  or removal of the  Trustee  and no  appointment  of a successor
trustee  pursuant to this Article X shall become  effective until the acceptance
of appointment by the successor trustee under Section 10.10 hereof.

          (b) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter  appointed,  may
resign at any time by giving written notice of resignation to the Company and by
mailing  notice of  resignation  by registered  mail,  postage  prepaid,  to the
Certificate Insurer and the Owners at their addresses appearing on the Register.
A copy of such  notice  shall be sent by the  resigning  Trustee to Moody's  and
Standard & Poor's.  Upon  receiving  notice of  resignation,  the Company  shall
promptly appoint a successor  trustee or trustees  reasonably  acceptable to the
Certificate Insurer evidenced by its written consent by written  instrument,  in
duplicate,  executed  on  behalf of the Trust by an  Authorized  Officer  of the
Company,  one copy of which  instrument  shall be  delivered  to the  Trustee so
resigning  and one copy to the  successor  trustee or trustees.  If no successor
trustee shall have been  appointed by the Company and have accepted  appointment
within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the Trustee shall
give  notice to the  Certificate  Insurer of such  failure  and the  Certificate
Insurer  shall have an  additional  30 days to appoint a successor  trustee.  If
after such time no successor has been  appointed and accepted then the resigning
trustee may petition any court of competent  jurisdiction for the appointment of
a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon,  after such notice, if any, as it
may deem proper, appoint a successor trustee.

          (c) If at any time  the  Trustee  shall  cease  to be  eligible  under
Section 10.8 hereof and shall fail to resign after written  request  therefor by
the  Company  or by the  Certificate  Insurer,  the  Certificate  Insurer or the
Company  with the  written  consent of the  Certificate  Insurer  may remove the
Trustee and appoint a successor  trustee by written  instrument,  in  duplicate,

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executed on behalf of the Trust by an  Authorized  Officer of the  Company,  one
copy of which  instrument  shall be  delivered to the Trustee so removed and one
copy to the successor trustee.

          (d) The Owners of a majority of the Percentage  Interests  represented
by the  Class A  Certificates,  or, if there  are no Class A  Certificates  then
Outstanding,  by such majority of the  Percentage  Interests  represented by the
Class R Certificates, may at any time remove the Trustee and appoint a successor
trustee by delivering to the Trustee to be removed,  to the successor trustee so
appointed,  to the Company and to the Certificate Insurer,  copies of the record
of the act taken by the Owners, as provided for in Section 11.3 hereof.

          (e) If the Trustee fails to perform its duties in accordance  with the
terms  of this  Agreement  or  becomes  ineligible  to  serve  as  Trustee,  the
Certificate  Insurer may remove the  Trustee and appoint a successor  trustee by
written  instrument,  in  triplicate,  signed by the  Certificate  Insurer  duly
authorized,  one  complete  set of which  instruments  shall be delivered to the
Company,  one complete set to the Trustee so removed and one complete set to the
successor Trustee so appointed.  If no successor is appointed,  then the removed
trustee may petition any court of competent  jurisdiction for the appointment of
a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon,  after such notice, if any, as it
may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

          (f) If the Trustee  shall  resign,  be removed or become  incapable of
acting,  or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Trustee for any cause,
the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. If within one year after
such resignation,  removal or incapability or the occurrence of such vacancy,  a
successor  Trustee  shall be appointed by act of the Owners of a majority of the
Percentage  Interests  represented by the Class A Certificates  then Outstanding
or, if there are no Class A Certificates then  Outstanding,  by such majority of
the Percentage Interest of the Class R Certificates delivered to the Company and
the retiring  Trustee,  the successor  Trustee so appointed shall forthwith upon
its acceptance of such  appointment  become the successor  Trustee and supersede
the successor  Trustee  appointed by the Company.  If no successor Trustee shall
have been so  appointed  by the  Company or the  Owners and shall have  accepted
appointment  in the manner  hereinafter  provided,  any Owner may,  on behalf of
himself  and all others  similarly  situated,  petition  any court of  competent
jurisdiction  for  the  appointment  of a  successor  Trustee.  Such  court  may
thereupon,  after such  notice,  if any,  as it may deem  proper and  prescribe,
appoint a successor Trustee.

          (g) The  Company  shall give  notice of any  removal of the Trustee by
mailing  notice  of such  event by  registered  mail,  postage  prepaid,  to the
Certificate Insurer and to the Owners as their names and addresses appear in the
Register.  Each notice shall include the name of the  successor  Trustee and the
address of its corporate trust office.

          Section 10.10.  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee.  Every
successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute,  acknowledge and deliver to
the  Company  on behalf of the  Trust,  to the  Certificate  Insurer  and to its
predecessor  Trustee an  instrument  accepting  such  appointment  hereunder and
stating  its  eligibility  to serve as  Trustee  hereunder,  and  thereupon  the
resignation  or removal of the  predecessor  Trustee shall become  effective and
such  successor  Trustee,  without any further act,  deed or  conveyance,  shall
become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts, duties and obligations of its
predecessor  hereunder;  but, on request of the Company, the Certificate Insurer
or the successor  Trustee,  such predecessor  Trustee shall, upon payment of its
charges  then unpaid,  execute and deliver an  instrument  transferring  to such
successor Trustee all of the rights, powers and trusts of the Trustee so ceasing
to act, and shall duly assign,  transfer and deliver to such  successor  Trustee
all property and money held by such  Trustee so ceasing to act  hereunder.  Upon
request of any such successor Trustee,  the Company on behalf of the Trust shall
execute  any and all  instruments  for more fully and  certainly  vesting in and
confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.

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<PAGE>

          Upon  acceptance of appointment by a successor  Trustee as provided in
this Section, the Company shall mail notice thereof by first-class mail, postage
prepaid,  to the Owners at their last addresses  appearing upon the Register and
to the  Certificate  Insurer.  The  Company  shall send a copy of such notice to
Moody's and Standard & Poor's.  If the Company  fails to mail such notice within
ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor
Trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Trust.

          No successor  Trustee shall accept its appointment  unless at the time
of such  acceptance  such  successor  shall be qualified and eligible under this
Article X.

          Section  10.11.  Merger,  Conversion,  Consolidation  or Succession to
Business of the Trustee.  Any corporation or association  into which the Trustee
may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, any corporation
or association  resulting from any merger,  conversion or consolidation to which
the Trustee shall be a party or any corporation or association succeeding to all
or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall be the
successor of the Trustee hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper
or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided,  however,
that such corporation or association  shall be otherwise  qualified and eligible
under  this  Article X. In case any  Certificates  have been  executed,  but not
delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or
consolidation  to  such  Trustee  may  adopt  such  execution  and  deliver  the
Certificates  so executed with the same effect as if such successor  Trustee had
itself executed such Certificates.

          Section  10.12.  Reporting;  Withholding.  The  Trustee  shall  timely
provide to the Owners the  Internal  Revenue  Service's  Form 1099 and any other
statement  required by  applicable  Treasury  regulations  as  determined by the
Company and shall  withhold,  as required by applicable law,  federal,  state or
local taxes, if any,  applicable to distributions  to the Owners,  including but
not  limited  to  backup  withholding  under  Section  3406 of the  Code and the
withholding tax on  distributions  to foreign  investors under Sections 1441 and
1442 of the Code.

          Section 10.13.  Liability of the Trustee.  The Trustee shall be liable
in  accordance  herewith  only to the  extent  of the  obligations  specifically
imposed upon and undertaken by the Trustee  herein.  Neither the Trustee nor any
of the  directors,  officers,  employees or agents of the Trustee shall be under
any liability on any Certificate or otherwise to any Account,  the Company,  the
Servicer or any Owner for any action taken or for refraining  from the taking of
any action in good faith pursuant to this Agreement,  or for errors in judgment;
provided, however, that this provision shall not protect the Trustee or any such
Person  against  any  liability  which would  otherwise  be imposed by reason of
negligent  action,  negligent  failure to act or bad faith in the performance of
duties or by reason of reckless  disregard of obligations and duties  hereunder.
Subject to the foregoing sentence, the Trustee shall not be liable for losses on
investments  of amounts in any Account  (except for any losses on obligations on
which the bank serving as Trustee is the obligor). In addition,  the Company and
Servicer  covenant  and  agree to  indemnify  the  Trustee  and the  Certificate
Insurer,  and when the Trustee is acting as Servicer,  the Servicer,  from,  and
hold it harmless against, any and all losses,  liabilities,  damages,  claims or
expenses (including legal fees and expenses) other than those resulting from the
negligence or bad faith of the Trustee.  The Trustee and the Certificate Insurer
and any  director,  officer,  employee  or agent  thereof  may rely and shall be
protected in acting or refraining from acting in good faith on any  certificate,
notice or other document of any kind prima facie properly executed and submitted
by  the  Authorized  Officer  of  any  Person  respecting  any  matters  arising
hereunder.  Provisions of this Section 10.13 shall  survive the  termination  of
this Agreement.

          Section  10.14.   Appointment  of  Co-Trustee  or  Separate   Trustee.
Notwithstanding  any other  provisions of this  Agreement,  at any time, for the
purpose of meeting any legal  requirements of any jurisdiction in which any part
of the Trust Estate or Property may at the time be located, the Servicer and the
Trustee  acting  jointly  shall have the power and shall execute and deliver all
instruments  to appoint  one or more  Persons  approved  by the  Trustee and the

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<PAGE>

Certificate  Insurer  to act as  co-Trustee  or  co-Trustees,  jointly  with the
Trustee,  of all or any part of the Trust Estate or separate Trustee or separate
Trustees of any part of the Trust  Estate and to vest in such Person or Persons,
in such  capacity  and for the  benefit of the  Owners,  such title to the Trust
Estate,  or any part  thereof,  and,  subject  to the other  provisions  of this
Section  10.14,  such  powers,  duties,  obligations,  rights  and trusts as the
Servicer and the Trustee may consider  necessary or  desirable.  If the Servicer
shall not have joined in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by it
of a request so to do, or in the case any event indicated in Sections 8.20(a) or
8.20(b) shall have occurred and be continuing,  the Trustee alone shall have the
power to make such  appointment  (with the  written  consent of the  Certificate
Insurer).  No co-Trustee or separate Trustee hereunder shall be required to meet
the terms of eligibility as a successor Trustee under Section 10.8 and no notice
to Owner of the  appointment  of any  co-Trustee  or separate  Trustee  shall be
required under Section 10.8.

          Every separate Trustee and co-Trustee  shall, to the extent permitted,
be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:

          (i) All rights,  powers,  duties and obligations  conferred or imposed
     upon the  Trustee  shall be  conferred  or imposed  upon and  exercised  or
     performed by the Trustee and such separate  Trustee or  co-Trustee  jointly
     (it being  understood  that such  separate  Trustee  or  co-Trustee  is not
     authorized  to act  separately  without the  Trustee  joining in such act),
     except to the extent  that under any law of any  jurisdiction  in which any
     particular act or acts are to be performed (whether as Trustee hereunder or
     as successor to the Servicer  hereunder),  the Trustee shall be incompetent
     or  unqualified  to perform  such act or acts,  in which event such rights,
     powers, duties and obligations (including the holding of title to the Trust
     Estate or any portion thereof in any such jurisdiction)  shall be exercised
     and performed singly by such separate Trustee or co-Trustee,  but solely at
     the direction of the Trustee;

          (ii) No co-Trustee hereunder shall be held personally liable by reason
     of any act or omission of any other co-Trustee hereunder; and

          (iii) The  Servicer  and the  Trustee  acting  jointly may at any time
     accept the resignation of or remove any separate Trustee or co-Trustee.

          Any notice,  request or other  writing  given to the Trustee  shall be
deemed to have been given to each of the then separate Trustees and co-Trustees,
as  effectively  as if given to each of them.  Every  instrument  appointing any
separate  Trustee or co-Trustee shall refer to this Agreement and the conditions
of this Section 10.14. Each separate Trustee and co-Trustee, upon its acceptance
of the trusts conferred,  shall be vested with the estates or property specified
in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately,
as may be provided  therein,  subject to all the  provisions of this  Agreement,
specifically including every provision of this Agreement relating to the conduct
of,  affecting  the liability of or affording  protection to the Trustee.  Every
such instrument  shall be filed with the Trustee and a copy thereof given to the
Servicer.

          Any separate  Trustee or co-Trustee  may, at any time,  constitute the
Trustee,  its agent or attorney-in-fact,  with full power and authority,  to the
extent not  prohibited  by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this
Agreement on its behalf and in its name.  If any separate  Trustee or co-Trustee
shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estates,
properties,  rights,  remedies  and trusts shall vest in and be exercised by the
Trustee,  to the extent  permitted by law,  without the  appointment of a new or
successor Trustee.

          The  Trustee  shall give to Moody's,  the Company and the  Certificate
Insurer notice of the appointment of any Co-Trustee or separate Trustee.

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<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

          Section  11.1.   Compliance   Certificates  and  Opinions.   Upon  any
application or request by the Company,  the Certificate Insurer or the Owners to
the  Trustee to take any  action  under any  provision  of this  Agreement,  the
Company,  the  Certificate  Insurer  or the  Owners,  as the case may be,  shall
furnish to the Trustee a certificate stating that all conditions  precedent,  if
any,  provided for in this Agreement  relating to the proposed  action have been
complied with,  except that in the case of any such application or request as to
which the furnishing of any documents is specifically  required by any provision
of this  Agreement  relating  to such  particular  application  or  request,  no
additional certificate need be furnished.

          Except as otherwise  specifically provided herein, each certificate or
opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant  provided for in
this Agreement shall include:

          (a) a statement  that each  individual  signing  such  certificate  or
     opinion has read such  covenant or  condition  and the  definitions  herein
     relating thereto;

          (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
     investigation  upon which the  statements  or  opinions  contained  in such
     certificate or opinion are based; and

          (c) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual,
     such condition or covenant has been complied with.

          Section 11.2. Form of Documents  Delivered to the Trustee. In any case
where several  matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion
of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified
by,  or  covered  by the  opinion  of,  only one such  Person or that they be so
certified  or covered by only one  document,  but one such Person may certify or
give an opinion  with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons
as to other  matters,  and any such  Person may certify or give an opinion as to
such matters in one or several documents.

          Any certificate of an Authorized  Officer of the Trustee may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an opinion of counsel,  unless such
Authorized  Officer  knows,  or in the exercise of reasonable  care should know,
that the opinion is erroneous.  Any such certificate of an Authorized Officer of
the  Trustee or any  opinion of counsel  may be based,  insofar as it relates to
factual matter upon a certificate or opinion of, or  representations  by, one or
more  Authorized  Officers of the Company or of the  Servicer,  stating that the
information  with respect to such factual  matters is in the  possession  of the
Company or of the Servicer,  unless such Authorized Officer or counsel knows, or
in the exercise of reasonable  care should know, that the certificate or opinion
or  representations  with respect to such matters are erroneous.  Any opinion of
counsel  may also be based,  insofar as it relates  to factual  matters,  upon a
certificate or opinion of, or  representations  by, an Authorized Officer of the
Trustee,  stating  that the  information  with respect to such matters is in the
possession  of the  Trustee,  unless such counsel  knows,  or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or  representations
with respect to such matters are erroneous.  Any opinion of counsel may be based
on the written opinion of other counsel,  in which event such opinion of counsel
shall be accompanied by a copy of such other counsel's opinion and shall include
a statement to the effect that such counsel  believes  that such counsel and the
Trustee may reasonably rely upon the opinion of such other counsel.

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<PAGE>

          Where any Person is  required  to make,  give or  execute  two or more
applications,  requests, consents,  certificates,  statements, opinions or other
instruments  under this Agreement,  they may, but need not, be consolidated  and
form one instrument.

          Section 11.3. Acts of Owners. (a) Any request, demand,  authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Agreement to
be given or taken by the Owners may be embodied in and  evidenced by one or more
instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Owners in person or by
an agent duly appointed in writing;  and, except as herein  otherwise  expressly
provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments
are delivered to the Trustee, and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the
Company.  Such instrument or instruments  (and the action  embodied  therein and
evidenced  thereby) are herein sometimes  referred to as the "act" of the Owners
signing  such  instrument  or  instruments.  Proof  of  execution  of  any  such
instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any
purpose of this  Agreement and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Trust,
if made in the manner provided in this Section.

          (b) The fact  and  date of the  execution  by any  Person  of any such
instrument  or  writing  may be proved  by the  affidavit  of a witness  of such
execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized
by law to take acknowledgments of deeds,  certifying that the individual signing
such instrument or writing  acknowledged to him the execution thereof.  Whenever
such execution is by an officer of a corporation or a member of a partnership on
behalf of such  corporation or partnership,  such certificate or affidavit shall
also constitute sufficient proof of his authority.

          (c) The ownership of Certificates shall be proved by the Register.

          (d) Any request, demand,  authorization,  direction,  notice, consent,
waiver or other action by the Owner of any  Certificate  shall bind the Owner of
every  Certificate  issued  upon the  registration  of  transfer  thereof  or in
exchange  therefor or in lieu thereof,  in respect of anything done,  omitted or
suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Trust in reliance thereon,  whether or
not notation of such action is made upon such Certificates.

          Section  11.4.  Notices,   etc.  to  Trustee.  Any  request,   demand,
authorization,  direction, notice, consent, waiver or act of the Owners or other
documents  provided or  permitted by this  Agreement  to be made upon,  given or
furnished to or filed with the Trustee by any Owner, the Certificate  Insurer or
by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose  hereunder if made,  given,
furnished  or filed in writing  to or with and  received  by the  Trustee at its
corporate trust office as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof.

          Section 11.5. Notices and Reports to Owners; Waiver of Notices.  Where
this Agreement  provides for notice to Owners of any event or the mailing of any
report to Owners,  such notice or report  shall be  sufficiently  given  (unless
otherwise herein expressly provided) if mailed,  first-class postage prepaid, to
each Owner  affected  by such  event or to whom such  report is  required  to be
mailed,  at the address of such Owner as it appears on the  Register,  not later
than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the
giving of such notice or the mailing of such report.  In any case where a notice
or report to Owners is mailed in the manner provided above,  neither the failure
to mail such  notice or report  nor any defect in any notice or report so mailed
to any  particular  Owner shall affect the  sufficiency of such notice or report
with  respect to other  Owners,  and any notice or report which is mailed in the
manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or
provided.

          Where this  Agreement  provides for notice in any manner,  such notice
may be waived in writing by any Person  entitled to receive such notice,  either
before or after the  event,  and such  waiver  shall be the  equivalent  of such
notice.  Waivers of notice by Owners shall be filed with the  Trustee,  but such
filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in
reliance upon such waiver.

                                       90
<PAGE>

          In case,  by reason of the  suspension  of regular  mail  service as a
result of a strike,  work stoppage or similar activity,  it shall be impractical
to mail  notice of any event to Owners  when such notice is required to be given
pursuant  to any  provision  of this  Agreement,  then any manner of giving such
notice  as  shall  be  satisfactory  to the  Trustee  shall  be  deemed  to be a
sufficient giving of such notice.

          Where this  Agreement  provides  for notice to any rating  agency that
rated any  Certificates,  failure to give such notice shall not affect any other
rights or obligations created hereunder.

          Section 11.6.  Rules by Trustee and the Company.  The Trustee may make
reasonable  rules for any meeting of Owners.  The  Company  may make  reasonable
rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

          Section 11.7.  Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in
this  Agreement  by any party  hereto  shall bind its  successors  and  assigns,
whether so expressed or not.

          Section 11.8. Severability. In case any provision in this Agreement or
in the Certificates  shall be invalid,  illegal or unenforceable,  the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining  provisions shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

          Section 11.9.  Benefits of Agreement.  Nothing in this Agreement or in
the Certificates, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the
Owners,  the  Certificate  Insurer and the parties  hereto and their  successors
hereunder,  any benefit or any legal or equitable  right,  remedy or claim under
this Agreement.

          Section  11.10.  Legal  Holidays.  In any case  where  the date of any
Remittance  Date, any Payment Date, any other date on which any  distribution to
any Owner is proposed to be paid or any date on which a notice is required to be
sent to any  Person  pursuant  to the  terms of this  Agreement  shall  not be a
Business Day, then  (notwithstanding  any other provision of the Certificates or
this Agreement) payment or mailing need not be made on such date but may be made
on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made or
mailed on the nominal  date of any such  Remittance  Date,  such Payment Date or
such other date for the payment of any  distribution to any Owner or the mailing
of such notice,  as the case may be, and no interest shall accrue for the period
from and after any such nominal  date,  provided such payment is made in full on
such next succeeding Business Day.

          Section  11.11.  Governing  Law.  In view of the fact that  Owners are
expected to reside in many  states and outside the United  States and the desire
to  establish  with  certainty  that  this  Agreement  will be  governed  by and
construed  and  interpreted  in  accordance  with  the law of a state  having  a
well-developed  body of commercial and financial law relevant to transactions of
the type  contemplated  herein,  this  Agreement and each  Certificate  shall be
construed in  accordance  with and governed by the laws of the State of New York
applicable to agreements made and to be performed therein.

          Section 11.12.  Counterparts.  This  instrument may be executed in any
number  of  counterparts,  each of which so  executed  shall be  deemed to be an
original,  but all such counterparts  shall together  constitute but one and the
same instrument.

          Section 11.13.  Usury.  The amount of interest  payable or paid on any
Certificate  under the terms of this  Agreement  shall be  limited  to an amount
which shall not exceed the maximum  nonusurious  rate of interest allowed by the
applicable  laws of the State of New York or any  applicable  law of the  United
States  permitting  a  higher  maximum   nonusurious  rate  that  preempts  such
applicable  New York laws,  which could lawfully be contracted  for,  charged or
received (the "Highest  Lawful  Rate").  In the event any payment of interest on
any Certificate  exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, the Trust stipulates that such
excess amount will be deemed to have been paid to the Owner of such  Certificate

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as a result of an error on the part of the Trustee acting on behalf of the Trust
and the Owner  receiving such excess payment shall  promptly,  upon discovery of
such  error or upon  notice  thereof  from the  Trustee  on behalf of the Trust,
refund the amount of such  excess  or, at the  option of such  Owner,  apply the
excess to the  payment  of  principal  of such  Certificate,  if any,  remaining
unpaid.  In addition,  all sums paid or agreed to be paid to the Trustee for the
benefit of Owners of Certificates for the use, forbearance or detention of money
shall,  to the extent  permitted  by  applicable  law, be  amortized,  prorated,
allocated and spread throughout the full term of such Certificates.

          Section  11.14.  Amendment.  (a)  The  Trustee,  the  Company  and the
Servicer,  may at any time and from time to time, with the prior approval of the
Certificate  Insurer  but  without the giving of notice to or the receipt of the
consent of the Owners, amend this Agreement for the purposes of (i) removing the
restriction  against the  transfer of a Class R  Certificate  to a  Disqualified
Organization  (as such term is defined in the Code) if accompanied by an opinion
of  counsel   experienced  in  federal  income  tax  matters  addressed  to  the
Certificate  Insurer and the Trustee that there is or will be no adverse  effect
as a result of such amendment,  (ii) complying with the requirements of the Code
including any amendments necessary to maintain REMIC status of the assets of the
Trust  treated  as a REMIC  hereunder,  (iii)  curing  any  ambiguity  and  (iv)
correcting  or  supplementing   any  provisions  of  this  Agreement  which  are
inconsistent  with any other provisions of this Agreement;  or (v) for any other
purpose, provided that in the case of clause (v), (A) prior to the effectiveness
of such amendment,  the Company delivers an opinion of counsel acceptable to the
Trustee and the  Certificate  Insurer  that such  amendment  will not  adversely
affect in any material  respect the  interest of the Owners and the  Certificate
Insurer  and (B)  delivers a letter from each Rating  Agency  stating  that such
amendment  will not result in a  withdrawal  or  reduction  of the rating of the
Class  A  Certificates  without  regard  to the  Certificate  Insurance  Policy.
Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary, no such amendment shall (a) change in
any manner the amount of, or delay the timing of, payments which are required to
be  distributed  to  any  Owner  without  the  consent  of  the  Owner  of  such
Certificate,  (b)  change  the  percentages  of  Percentage  Interest  which are
required to consent to any such amendments, without the consent of the Owners of
all  Certificates of the Class or Classes affected then outstanding or (c) which
affects in any  manner  the terms or  provisions  of the  Certificate  Insurance
Policy.

          (b) This  Agreement  may be amended from time to time by the Servicer,
the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the  Certificate  Insurer (which
consent  shall not be  withheld  if, in an opinion of counsel  addressed  to the
Trustee and the Certificate Insurer, failure to amend would adversely affect the
interests  of the Owners) and the Owners of 66 2/3% of the Class A  Certificates
for the  purpose  of adding  any  provisions  to or  changing  in any  manner or
eliminating  any of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  or of  modifying in any
manner the rights of the Owners; provided, however, that no such amendment shall
be made that no such  amendment  shall  reduce in any  manner  the amount of, or
delay the timing of,  payments  received on Mortgage Loans which are required to
be  distributed  on any  Certificate  without  the  consent of the Owner of such
Certificate  or reduce  the  percentage  for each  Class the Owners of which are
required to consent to any such  amendment  without the consent of the Owners of
100% of each Class of Certificates affected thereby.

          (c) Each proposed  amendment to this Agreement shall be accompanied by
an opinion of counsel  nationally  recognized in federal  income tax matters and
reasonably acceptable to the Certificate Insurer addressed to the Trustee and to
the  Certificate  Insurer to the effect that such amendment  would not adversely
affect  the  status of the Trust  (other  than the  Pre-Funding  Account  or the
Capitalized Interest Account) as a REMIC.

          (d) The Certificate Insurer, the Owners, Moody's and Standard & Poor's
shall be provided with copies of any amendments to this Agreement, together with
copies of any opinions or other documents or instruments  executed in connection
therewith.

                                       92
<PAGE>

          Section 11.15.  REMIC Status;  Taxes. (a) The Tax Matters Person shall
prepare and file or cause to be filed with the Internal  Revenue Service federal
tax or  information  returns  with  respect  to the Trust  and the  Certificates
containing  such  information  and at the  times  and in such  manner  as may be
required by the Code or  applicable  Treasury  regulations  and shall furnish to
Owners such  statements or information at the times and in such manner as may be
required  thereby.  For this purpose,  the Tax Matters Person may, but need not,
rely  on  any  proposed  regulations  of the  United  States  Department  of the
Treasury.  The Tax Matters Person shall indicate the election to treat the Trust
as a REMIC (which election shall apply to the taxable period ending December 31,
1996 and each calendar year thereafter) in such manner as the Code or applicable
Treasury regulations may prescribe. The Company, as Tax Matters Person appointed
pursuant to Section 11.17 hereof,  shall sign all tax information  returns filed
pursuant to this Section 11.15. The Tax Matters Person shall provide information
necessary  for the  computation  of tax  imposed  on the  transfer  of a Class R
Certificate  to  a  Disqualified  Organization,   an  agent  of  a  Disqualified
Organization  or a pass-through  entity in which a Disqualified  Organization is
the record  holder of an  interest.  The Tax Matters  Person  shall  provide the
Trustee with copies of any Federal tax or information  returns filed,  or caused
to be  filed,  by the Tax  Matters  Person  with  respect  to the  Trust  or the
Certificates.

          (b) The Tax Matters  Person shall timely file all reports  required to
be filed by the Trust with any federal,  state or local  governmental  authority
having  jurisdiction over the Trust,  including other reports that must be filed
with the Owners, such as the Internal Revenue Service's Form 1066 and Schedule Q
and the form required  under Section 6050K of the Code, if applicable to REMICs.
Furthermore,  the Tax Matters Person shall report to Owners,  if required,  with
respect to the  allocation  of  expenses  pursuant to Section 212 of the Code in
accordance  with the  specific  instructions  to the Tax  Matters  Person by the
Company with respect to such  allocation  of  expenses.  The Tax Matters  Person
shall collect any forms or reports from the Owners  determined by the Company to
be required under applicable federal, state and local tax laws.

          (c) The Tax  Matters  Person  shall  provide to the  Internal  Revenue
Service and to persons  described in Section  860E(e)(3) and (6) of the Code the
information     described    in    Proposed    Treasury    Regulation    Section
1.860D-1(b)(5)(ii),  or any successor regulation thereto.  Such information will
be provided in the manner  described  in Proposed  Treasury  Regulation  Section
1.860E(2)(a)(5), or any successor regulation thereto.

          (d) The Company  covenants  and agrees that within ten  Business  Days
after the Startup Day it shall provide to the Tax Matters Person any information
necessary  to  enable  the Tax  Matters  Person  to meet its  obligations  under
subsections (b) and (c) above.

          (e) The  Trustee,  the Company and the  Servicer  each  covenants  and
agrees for the benefit of the Owners and the Certificate  Insurer (i) to take no
action which would  result in the  termination  of "REMIC"  status for the Trust
(other than the Pre-Funding  Account or the Capitalized  Interest  Account) (ii)
not to engage  in any  "prohibited  transaction",  as such  term is  defined  in
Section 860F(a)(2) of the Code and (iii) not to engage in any other action which
may result in the imposition on the Trust of any other taxes under the Code.

          (f) The Trust shall,  for federal income tax purposes,  maintain books
on a calendar year basis and report income on an accrual basis.

          (g)  Except as  otherwise  permitted  by  Section  7.6(b)  hereof,  no
Eligible  Investment  shall be sold prior to its stated  maturity  (unless  sold
pursuant to a plan of liquidation in accordance with Article IX hereof).

                                       93
<PAGE>

          (h)  Neither  the  Company  nor  the  Trustee  shall  enter  into  any
arrangement  by which the Trustee will receive a fee or other  compensation  for
services rendered pursuant to this Agreement, which fee or other compensation is
paid  from the  Trust  Estate,  other  than as  expressly  contemplated  by this
Agreement.

          (i)  Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (g) and (h), the Trustee or
the Company may engage in any of the  transactions  prohibited  by such clauses,
provided that the Trustee shall have received an opinion of counsel  experienced
in federal  income tax  matters and  reasonably  acceptable  to the  Certificate
Insurer, which opinion shall not be at the expense of the Trustee, to the effect
that such transaction does not result in a tax imposed on the Trustee or cause a
termination  of  REMIC  status  for the  Trust;  provided,  however,  that  such
transaction is otherwise permitted under this Agreement.

          Section 11.16.  Additional Limitation on Action and Imposition of Tax.
(a) Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee
shall not, without having obtained an opinion of counsel  experienced in federal
income tax matters and reasonably  acceptable to the Certificate Insurer,  which
opinion  shall not be at the  expense of the  Trustee,  to the effect  that such
transaction does not result in a tax imposed on the Trust or cause a termination
of REMIC  status for the Trust,  (i) sell any assets in the Trust  Estate,  (ii)
accept any  contribution  of assets  after the Startup Day or (iii) agree to any
modification of this Agreement.

          (b) In the event that any tax is imposed on "prohibited  transactions"
of the Trust as defined in Section  860F(a)(2)  of the Code,  on the "net income
from  foreclosure  property" as defined in Section  860G(c) of the Code,  on any
contribution  to the Trust after the Startup Day pursuant to Section  860G(d) of
the Code or any other tax  (other  than any  minimum  tax  imposed  by  Sections
23151(a) or 23153(a) of the  California  Revenue and Taxation  Code) is imposed,
such tax shall be paid by (i) the Trustee,  if such tax arises out of or results
from a breach by the  Trustee of any of its  obligations  under this  Agreement,
(ii) the  Servicer,  if such tax arises  out of or results  from a breach by the
Servicer of any of its  obligations  under this Agreement or (iii) the Owners of
the Class R Certificates  in proportion to their  Percentage  Interests.  To the
extent such tax is  chargeable  against the Owners of the Class R  Certificates,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Trustee is hereby
authorized to retain from amounts  otherwise  distributable to the Owners of the
Class R  Certificates  on any Payment Date  sufficient  funds to  reimburse  the
Trustee for the payment of such tax (to the extent that the Trustee has not been
previously reimbursed or indemnified therefor). The Trustee agrees to first seek
indemnification  for any such tax payment from any  indemnifying  parties before
reimbursing  itself from amounts  otherwise  distributable  to the Owners of the
Class R Certificates.

          Section 11.17. Appointment of Tax Matters Person. A Tax Matters Person
will be  appointed  for the Trust  for all  purposes  of the Code,  and such Tax
Matters  Person will  perform,  or cause to be performed  through  agents,  such
duties  and take,  or cause to be taken,  such  actions  as are  required  to be
performed  or taken by the Tax Matters  Person  under the Code.  The Tax Matters
Person  for  the  Trust  shall  be the  Company  as  long  as it  owns a Class R
Certificate  or, if the Company does not own a Class R  Certificate,  may be any
other entity selected by the Company that owns a Class R Certificate.

          Section 11.18. The Certificate  Insurer.  The Certificate Insurer is a
third-party   beneficiary  of  this  Agreement.   Any  right  conferred  to  the
Certificate   Insurer  shall  be  suspended  during  any  period  in  which  the
Certificate  Insurer  is  in  default  in  its  payment  obligations  under  the
Certificate Insurance Policies.  During any period of suspension the Certificate
Insurer's  rights hereunder shall vest in the Owners of the Class A Certificates
and shall be  exercisable  by the  Owners of at least a majority  in  Percentage
Interest of the Class A Certificates then Outstanding. At such time as the Class
A Certificates are no longer Outstanding  hereunder and the Certificate  Insurer
has been reimbursed for all Insured Payments to which it is entitled  hereunder,
the Certificate Insurer's rights hereunder shall terminate.

                                       94
<PAGE>

          Section  11.19.  Maintenance  of  Records.  Each  Owner  of a  Class R
Certificate shall each  continuously  keep an original  executed  counterpart of
this Agreement in its official records.

          Section  11.20.  Notices.  All  notices  hereunder  shall  be given as
follows,  until any  superseding  instructions  are  given to all other  Persons
listed below:

    The Trustee:               The Bank of New York
    -----------                101 Barclay Street
                               New York, New York  10286
                               Attention:  First Alliance Mortgage
                                  Loan Trust, Series 1996-3
                               Tel:  (212) 815-2297
                               Fax:  (212) 815-5309

    The Company:               First Alliance Mortgage Company
    -----------                17305 Von Karman Avenue
                               Irvine, California  92714-6203
                               Attention:  Director, Secondary Marketing
                               Tel:  (714) 224-8357
                               Fax:  (714) 224-8366

    The Servicer:              First Alliance Mortgage Company
    ------------               17305 Von Karman Avenue
                               Irvine, California  92714-6203
                               Attention: Manager, Investor Reporting
                               Tel:  (714) 224-8357
                               Fax:  (714) 224-8366

    The Certificate
    Insurer:                   MBIA Insurance Corporation
    -------                    113 King Street
                               Armonk, New York  10504
                               Attention:  Insured Portfolio
                                  Management - SF (First Alliance 96-3)
                               Tel:  (914) 765-3111
                               Fax:  (914) 765-3919

    Moody's:                   Moody's Investors Service
    -------                    99 Church Street
                               New York, New York  10007
                               Attention: The Home Equity Monitoring Department

    Standard & Poor's:         Standard & Poor's, A Division of 
    ------------------            The McGraw-Hill Companies
                               26 Broadway
                               15th Floor
                               New York, New York  10004
                               Attention: Residential Mortgage
                                  Surveillance Dept.


                                       95
<PAGE>

     Underwriter:              Prudential Securities Incorporated
     ------------              One New York Plaza, 15th Floor
                               New York, New York  10292-2015
                               Attention:  Director, Mortgage Finance Group
                               Tel:  (212) 778-1000
                               Fax:  (212) 778-5099


                                       96
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Company,  the Servicer and the Trustee have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto
duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written.

                         FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY


                         By:____________________________________________
                            Name:_______________________________________
                            Title:______________________________________


                         FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY,
                           as Servicer

                         By:____________________________________________
                            Name:_______________________________________
                            Title:______________________________________


                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                           as Trustee

                         By:____________________________________________
                            Name:_______________________________________
                            Title:______________________________________


<PAGE>

                          CERTIFICATE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF CALIFORNIA           )
                              ) ss.:
COUNTY OF ORANGE              )

          On the ___  day of  September,  1996,  before  me,  a  Notary  Public,
personally appeared  ____________________,  personally known to me (or proved to
me on the  basis  of  satisfactory  evidence)  to be the  person  whose  name is
subscribed to the within  instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the
same in his authorized capacity, and that by his signature on the instrument the
person,  or the entity  upon  behalf of which the  person  acted,  executed  the
instrument.


           WITNESS my hand and official seal.

                                                                 [NOTARIAL SEAL]

- - --------------------------------
     Notary Public


<PAGE>

STATE OF NEW YORK                   )
                                    )  ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK                  )

          On the ____  day of  September,  1996,  before  me,  a Notary  Public,
personally appeared  ____________________,  personally known to me (or proved to
me on the  basis  of  satisfactory  evidence)  to be the  person  whose  name is
subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that she executed the
same in her authorized capacity, and that by her signature on the instrument the
person,  or the entity  upon  behalf of which the  person  acted,  executed  the
instrument.


           WITNESS my hand and official seal.

                                                                 [NOTARIAL SEAL]

- - --------------------------------
     Notary Public

<PAGE>

                    FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 1996-3
                     MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATE
                              CLASS A-1 CERTIFICATE
                         (7.625% Class A-1 Certificate)

              Representing Certain Interests Relating to a Pool of
               Mortgage Loans in Group I formed by First Alliance
                        Mortgage Company, and Serviced by

                         FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY
                                   as Servicer

     Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The
Depository  Trust Company,  a New York  corporation  ("DTC"),  to Issuer ("First
Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3") or its agent for registration of transfer,
exchange,  or payment,  and any certificate  issued is registered in the name of
Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative
of DTC (and any  payment  is made to Cede & Co.  or to such  other  entity as is
requested by an authorized  representative  of DTC),  ANY TRANSFER,  PLEDGE,  OR
OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch
as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

     This  certificate  does not represent an interest in, or an obligation  of,
nor are the  underlying  Mortgage Loans insured or guaranteed by, First Alliance
Mortgage  Company,  any Originator or any of their  subsidiaries and affiliates.
This certificate represents a fractional ownership interest in Group I described
herein, moneys in certain Accounts created pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement  and certain  other rights  relating  thereto and is payable only from
amounts  received by the Trustee (i) relating to the  Mortgage  Loans in Group I
held by the Trust and (ii)  pursuant  to the Fixed  Rate  Certificate  Insurance
Policy.

No.:  A-1-1                    September 17, 1996            31846L BE 5
                            ----------------------  ----------------------------
                                     Date                       CUSIP

         $33,500,000                                      December 20, 2027
- - ----------------------------                        ----------------------------
Certificate Principal Amount                               Final Scheduled
                                                             Payment Date

                                  Cede & Co.
                            ----------------------
                               Registered Owner


                                      A-1-1

<PAGE>

         The  registered  Owner  named  above  is  the  registered  Owner  of  a
fractional  interest in (i) a pool of fixed rate mortgage  loans (the  "Mortgage
Loans")  secured by first or second  mortgages  or deeds of trust  assigned to a
particular  mortgage  loan  group  ("Group  I")  which  will be  formed by First
Alliance  Mortgage  Company (the "Company" or, in its capacity as servicer,  the
"Servicer"),  a California  corporation,  and sold by the Company to The Bank of
New York, a New York banking  corporation,  as trustee (the "Trustee") on behalf
of First  Alliance  Mortgage  Loan Trust 1996-3 (the  "Trust")  pursuant to that
certain  Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  dated as of  September  1, 1996 (the
"Pooling and Servicing  Agreement")  by and among the Company,  the Servicer and
the Trustee, (ii) such amounts,  including Eligible Investments and the proceeds
of payments under the Fixed Rate Certificate  Insurance  Policy, as from time to
time may be held in the related  Accounts  (except as otherwise  provided in the
Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement),  each  created  pursuant to the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement,  (iii) any Property relating to the Mortgage Loans in Group
I, the  ownership  of which has been  effected  in the name of the  Servicer  on
behalf of the Trust as a result of  foreclosure or acceptance by the Servicer of
a deed in lieu of  foreclosure  and that has not been  withdrawn  from the Trust
Estate,  (iv) any Insurance  Policies  relating to the Mortgage Loans in Group I
and any rights of the Company in any Insurance Policies relating to the Mortgage
Loans in Group I, (v) Net Liquidation Proceeds relating to the Mortgage Loans in
Group I,  (vi) the  Fixed  Rate  Certificate  Insurance  Policy,  and  (vii) the
proceeds of any of the above.  Such Mortgage  Loans in Group I and other amounts
and property enumerated above are hereinafter referred to as "Group I."

     The Certificate Principal Amount set forth above is equal to the product of
(i) the  Percentage  Interest  represented  by this  Certificate  and  (ii)  the
aggregate Original  Certificate  Principal Balance of the Class A-1 Certificates
on September 17, 1996 (the "Startup  Date"),  which was  $33,500,000.  The Owner
hereof may receive  principal  payments on each  Payment  Date,  as  hereinafter
described,  which will fully amortize such Certificate Principal Amount over the
period from the date of initial delivery hereof to the final Payment Date of the
Class A-1 Certificates.  Therefore,  the actual outstanding  principal amount of
this Class A-1  Certificate,  on any date  subsequent  to October  21, 1996 (the
first Payment Date) will be less than the Certificate Principal Amount set forth
above.

     Upon receiving the final distribution  hereon, the Owner hereof is required
to send this  Certificate  to the Trustee.  The Pooling and Servicing  Agreement
provides that, in any event,  upon the making of the final  distribution  due on
this  Certificate,  this Certificate  shall be deemed cancelled for all purposes
under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     SOLELY FOR FEDERAL  INCOME TAX  PURPOSES,  THIS  CERTIFICATE  REPRESENTS AN
INTEREST IN A CLASS OF "REGULAR INTERESTS" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE INVESTMENT
CONDUIT" ("REMIC") AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTION 860G AND
860D OF THE INTERNAL  REVENUE CODE OF 1986,  AS AMENDED (THE  "CODE"),  ASSUMING
COMPLIANCE WITH THE REMIC PROVISIONS OF THE CODE.

     THIS CERTIFICATE IS A PASS-THROUGH  CERTIFICATE  ONLY AND,  NOTWITHSTANDING
REFERENCES  HEREIN  TO  PRINCIPAL  AND  INTEREST,  NO  DEBT  OF  ANY  PERSON  IS
REPRESENTED HEREBY.

     NEITHER THIS  CERTIFICATE NOR THE UNDERLYING  MORTGAGE LOANS ARE INSURED OR
GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE GOVERNMENT NATIONAL
MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.


                                      A-1-2

<PAGE>

     This  Certificate  is  one  of  a  Class  of  duly-authorized  Certificates
designated as First  Alliance  Mortgage  Loan Trust 1996-3,  Mortgage Loan Asset
Backed  Certificates,  Class A-1 Certificates (the "Class A-1 Certificates") and
issued under and subject to the terms,  provisions and conditions of the Pooling
and Servicing  Agreement,  to which Pooling and Servicing Agreement the Owner of
this Certificate by virtue of acceptance  hereof assents and by which such Owner
is bound.  Also issued under the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement are Class A-2
Certificates  and Class R Certificates;  all such  Certificates are collectively
referred to herein as the "Certificates."

     Terms  capitalized  herein and not otherwise  defined herein shall have the
respective meanings set forth in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     On the 20th day of each month,  or, if such day is not a Business Day, then
the next  succeeding  Business  Day  (each  such  day  being a  "Payment  Date")
commencing  October 21, 1996, the Owners of the Class A-1 Certificates as of the
close of business on the last  business  day of the calendar  month  immediately
preceding  the  calendar  month in which such  Payment  Date occurs (the "Record
Date") will be entitled to receive the Class A-1 Distribution Amount relating to
such Payment Date.  Distributions will be made in immediately available funds to
such Owners,  by wire transfer or  otherwise,  to the account of such Owner at a
domestic bank or other entity having appropriate  facilities  therefor,  if such
Owner has so notified the Trustee at least 5 business  days prior to the related
record date, or by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as
it appears on the Register.

     Each Owner of record of a Class A-1 Certificate will be entitled to receive
such Owner's Percentage  Interest in the amounts due on such Payment Date to the
Owners of the Class A-1 Certificates.

     Upon receipt of amounts under the Fixed Rate  Certificate  Insurance Policy
on  behalf  of the  Owners of the Class  A-1  Certificates,  the  Trustee  shall
distribute in accordance  with the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement such amounts
to the Owners of the Class A-1 Certificates.

     The Trustee is  required  to duly and  punctually  pay  distributions  with
respect to this  Certificate in accordance with the terms hereof and the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement.  Amounts properly withheld under the Code or applicable
to any Owner  shall be  considered  as having  been paid by the  Trustee to such
Owner for all purposes of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     The Mortgage Loans will be serviced by the Servicer pursuant to the Pooling
and  Servicing  Agreement.  The  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  permits the
Servicer  to enter  into  Sub-Servicing  Agreements  with  certain  institutions
eligible for appointment as Sub-Servicers  for the servicing and  administration
of certain Mortgage Loans. No appointment of any Sub-Servicer  shall release the
Servicer from any of its obligations under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     This Certificate does not represent a deposit or other obligation of, or an
interest in, nor are the  underlying  Mortgage  Loans insured or guaranteed  by,
First Alliance Mortgage Company, any Originator or any of their subsidiaries and
affiliates  and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation,   the  Government  National  Mortgage  Association,  or  any  other
governmental  agency. This Certificate is limited in right of payment to certain
collections and recoveries relating to the Mortgage Loans in Group I and amounts
on deposit in the  Accounts  (except as  otherwise  provided  in the Pooling and
Servicing  Agreement) and payments received by the Trustee pursuant to the Fixed
Rate  Certificate   Insurance  Policy,   all  as  more  specifically  set  forth
hereinabove and in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     No Owner  shall have any right to  institute  any  proceeding,  judicial or
otherwise,  with  respect to the Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement,  or for the
appointment of a receiver or trustee,  or for any other remedy under the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement except in compliance with the terms hereof.

 

                                      A-1-3

<PAGE>

     Notwithstanding   any  other   provisions  in  the  Pooling  and  Servicing
Agreement,  the Owner of any Certificate  shall have the right which is absolute
and unconditional to receive distributions to the extent provided in the Pooling
and Servicing  Agreement  with respect to such  Certificate or to institute suit
for the  enforcement  of any such  distribution,  and such  right  shall  not be
impaired without the consent of such Owner.

     The Pooling and Servicing  Agreement provides that the obligations  created
thereby will  terminate upon the earlier of (i) the payment to the Owners of all
Certificates  from  amounts  other than those  available  under the  Certificate
Insurance Policies of all amounts held by the Trustee and required to be paid to
such Owners  pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement  upon the later to
occur of (a) the final  payment or other  liquidation  (or any advance made with
respect  thereto)  of the last  Mortgage  Loan in the  Trust  Estate  or (b) the
disposition  of all property  acquired in respect of any Mortgage Loan remaining
in the  Trust  Estate or (ii) at any time when a  Qualified  Liquidation  of the
Trust Estate is effected pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     The Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  additionally  provides  that (i) the
Servicer or the Certificate Insurer may, at its option,  purchase from the Trust
all (but not fewer than all)  remaining  Mortgage  Loans and other property then
constituting the Trust Estate,  and thereby effect early retirement of the Class
A-1  Certificates,  on any Remittance Date when the aggregate  outstanding  Loan
Balances of the Mortgage Loans in the Trust Estate is 10% or less of the Maximum
Collateral  Amount  and  (ii)  under  certain  circumstances   relating  to  the
qualification  of the Trust as a REMIC under the Code the Mortgage  Loans may be
sold, thereby affecting the early retirement of the Class A-1 Certificates.

     The Trustee  shall give written  notice of  termination  of the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement to each Owner in the manner set forth therein.

     The Owners of a majority of the  Percentage  Interests  represented  by the
Class A Certificates,  upon compliance  with the  requirements  set forth in the
Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement,  have the  right,  with the  consent  of the
Certificate Insurer, to exercise any trust or power set forth in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement with respect to the Certificates or the Trust Estate.

     As provided in the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement and subject to certain
limitations  therein set forth and referred to on the face hereof,  the transfer
of this  Certificate  is  registrable  in the  Register  upon  surrender of this
Certificate  for  registration  of  transfer  at the  office  designated  as the
location of the Register,  and thereupon  one or more new  Certificates  of like
Class,  tenor and a like  Percentage  Interest will be issued to the  designated
transferee or transferees.

     The Trustee is required to furnish certain information on each Payment Date
to the Owner of this  Certificate,  as more fully  described  in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement.

     The Class A-1 Certificates are issuable only as registered  Certificates in
denominations of $1,000  certificate  principal amount and integral multiples of
$1,000.  As  provided  in the Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  and subject to
certain  limitations  therein set forth, Class A-1 Certificates are exchangeable
for new Class A-1 Certificates of authorized  denominations  evidencing the same
aggregate principal amount.

     The Trustee and any agent of the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name
this Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and neither
the Trustee or any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

                                                        

                                      A-1-4

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Trustee has caused  this  Certificate  to be duly
executed on behalf of the Trust.

                                           THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                           By:___________________________
                                            Name:________________________
                                            Title:_______________________

Trustee Authentication
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

By:___________________________
 Name:________________________
 Title:_______________________




                                      A-1-5

<PAGE>

                             STATEMENT OF INSURANCE

     MBIA Insurance  Corporation (the "Insurer") has issued a policy  containing
the following provisions, such Policy being on file at The Bank of New York, New
York, New York, as trustee (the "Trustee").

     The Insurer,  in consideration of the payment of the premium and subject to
the terms of the Certificate  Guaranty Insurance Policy (the "Policy"),  thereby
unconditionally and irrevocably  guarantees to any Owner (as defined below) that
an  amount  equal to each full and  complete  Group I  Insured  Payment  will be
received by the Trustee,  or its successor,  as trustee for the Owners on behalf
of the Owners from the Insurer, for distribution by the Trustee to each Owner of
each Owner's  proportionate share of the Group I Insured Payment.  The Insurer's
obligation under the Policy with respect to a particular Group I Insured Payment
shall be discharged to the extent funds equal to the Group I Insured Payment are
received by the Trustee,  whether or not such funds are properly  applied by the
Trustee.  Group I Insured  Payments  shall be made only at the time set forth in
the Policy, and no accelerated Group I Insured Payments shall be made regardless
of any acceleration of the Obligations,  unless such acceleration is at the sole
option of the Insurer. "Obligations" shall mean:

                                   $33,500,000
                    First Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3
                     Mortgage Loan Asset Backed Certificates
                                    Class A-1

     Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  paragraph,   the  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  Insurer  will  pay  any  Group  I  Insured  Payment  that is a Group I
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 such  Group I  Preference  Amount,  (ii) an  opinion  of  counsel
satisfactory  to the Insurer that such order is final and not subject to appeal,
(iii) an  assignment  in such form as is  reasonably  required  by the  Insurer,
irrevocably assigning to the Insurer all rights and claims of the Owner relating
to or  arising  under  the  Obligations  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 Insurer as agent for
such Owner in any legal  proceeding  related to such  preference  payment,  such
instruments being in a form  satisfactory to the 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
Obligations  to such  receiver  or  trustee  in  bankruptcy,  in which case such
payment shall be disbursed to such Owner.

     The Insurer  will pay any other  amount  payable  under the Policy no later
than 12:00 noon,  New York City time,  on the later of the Payment Date on which
the related  Group I  Distribution  Amount is due or the 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 Insurer,  or any  successor  fiscal agent
appointed by the 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 Policy,  it

                                                                            

                                      A-1-6


<PAGE>

shall be deemed not to have been  received by the Fiscal  Agent for  purposes of
this  paragraph,  and the Insurer or the Fiscal Agent, as the case may be, shall
promptly so advise the Trustee and the Trustee may submit an amended Notice.

     Group I Insured  Payments due under the Policy,  unless otherwise stated in
the Policy,  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
Group I Insured Payment less, in respect of Group I Insured  Payments related to
Group I  Preference  Amounts,  any amount held by the Trustee for the payment of
such Group I Insured Payment and legally available therefor.

     The Fiscal  Agent is the agent of the Insurer  only,  and the Fiscal  Agent
shall in no event be liable to the Owners  for any acts of the  Fiscal  Agent or
any  failure of the  Insurer to deposit,  or cause to be  deposited,  sufficient
funds to make payments due under the Policy.

     As used in the  Policy,  the  following  terms  shall  have  the  following
meanings:

     "Agreement" means the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of September
1, 1996 among  First  Alliance  Mortgage  Company,  as Company,  First  Alliance
Mortgage  Company,  as Servicer and Bank of New York, N.A., as Trustee,  without
regard to any  amendment or  supplement  thereto  unless the Insurer  shall have
consented in writing thereto.

     "Business  Day" means any day other than a  Saturday,  a Sunday or a day on
which  banking  institutions  in New  York  City  or in the  city in  which  the
corporate  trust  office of the  Trustee  under the  Agreement  is  located  are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

     "Group I Distribution Amount" means the Class A-1 Distribution Amount.

     "Group I Insured  Payment," with respect to the Class A-1  Certificates and
as to any Payment Date, will equal the sum of (i) the excess, if any, of (a) the
Class A-1 Current Interest over (b) the Group I Total Available Funds (after any
deduction for the Group I Premium Amount and the Group I Trustee Fee),  (ii) the
Group   I   Subordination   Deficit,   if  any   (after   applying   the   cross
collateralization provisions of Section 7.5(d)(ii)(A) and (B) of the Agreement),
and (iii) the Group I Preference Amount.

     "Group I Preference  Amount" means any amount previously  distributed to an
Owner on the  Class  A-1  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.

     "Notice" means the telephonic or telegraphic notice,  promptly confirmed in
writing by  telecopy  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit A  attached  to the
Policy,  the  original  of which is  subsequently  delivered  by  registered  or
certified  mail,  from the Trustee  specifying the Group I Insured Payment which
shall be due and owing on the applicable Payment Date.

     "Owner"  means each  Owner of a Class A-1  Certificate  (as  defined in the
Agreement)  who, on the applicable  Payment Date, is entitled under the terms of
the applicable Class A-1 Certificate to payment thereunder.

     Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined in the Policy shall
have  the  respective  meanings  set  forth in the  Agreement  as of the date of
execution of the Policy,  without giving effect to any  subsequent  amendment or
                                                             

                                      A-1-7


<PAGE>

modification  to the Agreement  unless such amendment or  modification  has been
approved in writing by the Insurer.

     Any notice  under the Policy or service of process on the Fiscal  Agent may
be made at the address  listed below for the Fiscal Agent of the Insurer or such
other address as the 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 to the Trustee in writing.

     The 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   Policy   is  not   covered   by  the
Property/Casualty  Insurance  Security  Fund  specified in Article 76 of the New
York Insurance Law.

     The Policy is not cancelable  for any reason.  The premium on the Policy is
not refundable for any reason,  including  payment,  or provision being made for
payment, prior to the maturity of the Obligations.

                  MBIA INSURANCE CORPORATION

                                                                          

                                      A-1-8


<PAGE>

                    FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 1996-3
                     MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATE
                              CLASS A-2 CERTIFICATE
                      (Variable Rate Class A-2 Certificate)

              Representing Certain Interests Relating to a Pool of
          Mortgage Loans in Group II formed by First Alliance Mortgage
                            Company, and Serviced by

                        FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY,
                                   as Servicer

     Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The
Depository  Trust Company,  a New York  corporation  ("DTC"),  to Issuer ("First
Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3") or its agent for registration of transfer,
exchange,  or payment,  and any certificate  issued is registered in the name of
Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative
of DTC (and any  payment  is made to Cede & Co.  or to such  other  entity as is
requested by an authorized  representative  of DTC),  ANY TRANSFER,  PLEDGE,  OR
OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch
as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

     This  certificate  does not represent an interest in, or an obligation  of,
nor are the  underlying  Mortgage Loans insured or guaranteed by, First Alliance
Mortgage  Company,  any Originator or any of their  subsidiaries and affiliates.
This  certificate  represents  a  fractional  ownership  interest  in  Group  II
described herein, moneys in certain Accounts created pursuant to the Pooling and
Servicing  Agreement  and certain other rights  relating  thereto and is payable
only from amounts  received by the Trustee (i) relating to the Mortgage Loans in
Group II held by the Trust and (ii)  pursuant to the Variable  Rate  Certificate
Insurance Policy.

No.:  A-2-1                    September 17, 1996             31846L BF 2
                            -------------------------  -------------------------
                                      Date                       CUSIP

        $36,500,000                                        December 20, 2027
- - ----------------------------                           -------------------------
Certificate Principal Amount                                Final Scheduled
                                                              Payment Date

                                   Cede & Co.
                            --------------------------
                                Registered Owner

                                                                            

                                      A-2-1

<PAGE>

     The registered  Owner named above is the  registered  Owner of a fractional
interest in (i) a pool of variable rate mortgage  loans (the  "Mortgage  Loans")
assigned to a particular  mortgage  loan group ("Group II") which will be formed
by First  Alliance  Mortgage  Company  (the  "Company"  or, in its  capacity  as
servicer, the "Servicer"), a California corporation,  and sold by the Company to
The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the "Trustee")
on behalf of First Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3 (the "Trust") pursuant to
that certain Pooling and Servicing  Agreement dated as of September 1, 1996 (the
"Pooling and Servicing  Agreement")  by and among the Company,  the Servicer and
the Trustee, (ii) such amounts,  including Eligible Investments and the proceeds
of payments under the Variable Rate Certificate  Insurance  Policy, as from time
to time may be held in the related Accounts (except as otherwise provided in the
Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement),  each  created  pursuant to the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement,  (iii) any Property relating to the Mortgage Loans in Group
II, the  ownership  of which has been  effected  in the name of the  Servicer on
behalf of the Trust as a result of  foreclosure or acceptance by the Servicer of
a deed in lieu of  foreclosure  and that has not been  withdrawn  from the Trust
Estate,  (iv) any Insurance  Policies relating to the Mortgage Loans in Group II
and any rights of the Company in any Insurance Policies relating to the Mortgage
Loans in Group II, (v) Net Liquidation  Proceeds  relating to the Mortgage Loans
in Group II, (vi) the Variable Rate proceeds of any of the above.  Such Mortgage
Loans  in  Group  II  and  other  amounts  and  property  enumerated  above  are
hereinafter referred to as "Group II."

     The Certificate Principal Amount set forth above is equal to the product of
(i) the  Percentage  Interest  represented  by this  Certificate  and  (ii)  the
aggregate Original  Certificate  Principal Balance of the Class A-2 Certificates
on September 17, 1996 (the "Startup  Date"),  which was  $36,500,000.  The Owner
hereof may receive  principal  payments on each  Payment  Date,  as  hereinafter
described,  which will fully amortize such Certificate Principal Amount over the
period from the date of initial delivery hereof to the final Payment Date of the
Class A-2 Certificates.  Therefore,  the actual outstanding  principal amount of
this Class A-2  Certificate,  on any date  subsequent  to October  21, 1996 (the
first Payment Date) will be less than the Certificate Principal Amount set forth
above.

     Upon receiving the final distribution  hereon, the Owner hereof is required
to send this  Certificate  to the Trustee.  The Pooling and Servicing  Agreement
provides that, in any event,  upon the making of the final  distribution  due on
this  Certificate,  this Certificate  shall be deemed cancelled for all purposes
under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     SOLELY FOR FEDERAL  INCOME TAX  PURPOSES,  THIS  CERTIFICATE  REPRESENTS AN
INTEREST IN A CLASS OF "REGULAR INTERESTS" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE INVESTMENT
CONDUIT" ("REMIC") AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTION 860G AND
860D OF THE INTERNAL  REVENUE CODE OF 1986,  AS AMENDED (THE  "CODE"),  ASSUMING
COMPLIANCE WITH THE REMIC PROVISIONS OF THE CODE.

     THIS CERTIFICATE IS A PASS-THROUGH  CERTIFICATE  ONLY AND,  NOTWITHSTANDING
REFERENCES  HEREIN  TO  PRINCIPAL  AND  INTEREST,  NO  DEBT  OF  ANY  PERSON  IS
REPRESENTED HEREBY.

     NEITHER THIS  CERTIFICATE NOR THE UNDERLYING  MORTGAGE LOANS ARE INSURED OR
GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE GOVERNMENT NATIONAL
MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.

     This  Certificate  is  one  of  a  Class  of  duly-authorized  Certificates
designated as First  Alliance  Mortgage  Loan Trust 1996-3,  Mortgage Loan Asset
Backed  Certificates,  Class A-2 Certificates (the "Class A-2 Certificates") and
                                                               

                                      A-2-2


<PAGE>

issued under and subject to the terms,  provisions and conditions of the Pooling
and Servicing  Agreement,  to which Pooling and Servicing Agreement the Owner of
this Certificate by virtue of acceptance  hereof assents and by which such Owner
is bound.  Also issued under the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement are Class A-1
Certificates  and Class R Certificates;  all such  Certificates are collectively
referred to herein as the "Certificates."

     Terms  capitalized  herein and not otherwise  defined herein shall have the
respective meanings set forth in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     On the 20th day of each month,  or, if such day is not a Business Day, then
the next  succeeding  Business  Day  (each  such  day  being a  "Payment  Date")
commencing  October 21, 1996, the Owners of the Class A-2 Certificates as of the
close of business on the last  business  day of the calendar  month  immediately
preceding  the  calendar  month in which such  Payment  Date occurs (the "Record
Date") will be entitled to receive the Class A-2 Distribution Amount relating to
such Payment Date.  Distributions will be made in immediately available funds to
such  Owners,  by wire  transfer or  otherwise,  to the account of an Owner at a
domestic bank or other entity having appropriate  facilities  therefor,  if such
Owner has so notified the Trustee at least 5 business  days prior to the related
record date, or by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as
it appears on the Register.

     Each Owner of record of a Class A-2 Certificate will be entitled to receive
such Owner's Percentage  Interest in the amounts due on such Payment Date to the
Owners of the Class A-2 Certificates.

     Upon  receipt of amounts  under the  Variable  Rate  Certificate  Insurance
Policy on behalf of the Owner of the Class A-2  Certificate,  the Trustee  shall
distribute in accordance  with the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement such amounts
to the Owners of the Class A-2 Certificates.

     The Trustee is  required  to duly and  punctually  pay  distributions  with
respect to this  Certificate in accordance with the terms hereof and the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement.  Amounts properly withheld under the Code or applicable
to any Owner  shall be  considered  as having  been paid by the  Trustee to such
Owner for all purposes of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     The Mortgage Loans will be serviced by the Servicer pursuant to the Pooling
and  Servicing  Agreement.  The  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  permits the
Servicer  to enter  into  Sub-Servicing  Agreements  with  certain  institutions
eligible for appointment as Sub-Servicers  for the servicing and  administration
of certain Mortgage Loans. No appointment of any Sub-Servicer  shall release the
Servicer from any of its obligations under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     This Certificate does not represent a deposit or other obligation of, or an
interest in, nor are the  underlying  Mortgage  Loans insured or guaranteed  by,
First Alliance Mortgage Company, any Originator or any of their subsidiaries and
affiliates  and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation,   the  Government  National  Mortgage  Association,  or  any  other
governmental  agency. This Certificate is limited in right of payment to certain
collections  and  recoveries  relating  to the  Mortgage  Loans  in Group II and
amounts on deposit in the Accounts (except as otherwise  provided in the Pooling
and Servicing  Agreement) and payments  received by the Trustee  pursuant to the
Variable Rate Certificate  Insurance Policy,  all as more specifically set forth
hereinabove and in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     No Owner  shall have any right to  institute  any  proceeding,  judicial or
otherwise,  with  respect to the Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement,  or for the
appointment of a receiver or trustee,  or for any other remedy under the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement except in compliance with the terms hereof.

                                                                    

                                      A-2-3


<PAGE>

     Notwithstanding   any  other   provisions  in  the  Pooling  and  Servicing
Agreement,  the Owner of any Certificate  shall have the right which is absolute
and unconditional to receive distributions to the extent provided in the Pooling
and Servicing  Agreement  with respect to such  Certificate or to institute suit
for the  enforcement  of any such  distribution,  and such  right  shall  not be
impaired without the consent of such Owner.

     The Pooling and Servicing  Agreement provides that the obligations  created
thereby will  terminate upon the earlier of (i) the payment to the Owners of all
Certificates  from  amounts  other than those  available  under the  Certificate
Insurance Policies of all amounts held by the Trustee and required to be paid to
such Owners  pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement  upon the later to
occur of (a) the final  payment or other  liquidation  (or any advance made with
respect  thereto)  of the last  Mortgage  Loan in the  Trust  Estate  or (b) the
disposition  of all property  acquired in respect of any Mortgage Loan remaining
in the  Trust  Estate or (ii) at any time when a  Qualified  Liquidation  of the
Trust Estate is effected pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     The Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  additionally  provides  that (i) the
Servicer or the Certificate Insurer may, at its option,  purchase from the Trust
all (but not fewer than all)  remaining  Mortgage  Loans and other property then
constituting the Trust Estate,  and thereby effect early retirement of the Class
A-2  Certificates,  on any Remittance Date when the aggregate  outstanding  Loan
Balances of the Mortgage Loans in the Trust Estate is 10% or less of the Maximum
Collateral  Amount  and  (ii)  under  certain  circumstances   relating  to  the
qualification  of the Trust as a REMIC under the Code the Mortgage  Loans may be
sold, thereby affecting the early retirement of the Class A-2 Certificates.

     The Trustee  shall give written  notice of  termination  of the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement to each Owner in the manner set forth therein.

     The Owners of a majority of the  Percentage  Interests  represented  by the
Class A Certificates,  upon compliance  with the  requirements  set forth in the
Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement,  have the  right,  with the  consent  of the
Certificate Insurer, to exercise any trust or power set forth in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement with respect to the Certificates or the Trust Estate.

     As provided in the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement and subject to certain
limitations  therein set forth and referred to on the face hereof,  the transfer
of this  Certificate  is  registrable  in the  Register  upon  surrender of this
Certificate  for  registration  of  transfer  at the  office  designated  as the
location of the Register,  and thereupon  one or more new  Certificates  of like
Class,  tenor and a like  Percentage  Interest will be issued to the  designated
transferee or transferees.

     The Trustee is required to furnish certain information on each Payment Date
to the Owner of this  Certificate,  as more fully  described  in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement.

     The Class A-2 Certificates are issuable only as registered  Certificates in
denominations of $1,000  certificate  principal amount and integral multiples of
$1,000.  As  provided  in the Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  and subject to
certain  limitations  therein set forth, Class A-2 Certificates are exchangeable
for new Class A-2 Certificates of authorized  denominations  evidencing the same
aggregate principal amount.

                  The  Trustee and any agent of the Trustee may treat the Person
in whose  name  this  Certificate  is  registered  as the owner  hereof  for all
purposes,  and neither the Trustee or any such agent shall be affected by notice
to the contrary.

                                                                         

                                      A-2-4

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Trustee has caused  this  Certificate  to be duly
executed on behalf of the Trust.

                                           THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                           By:___________________________
                                            Name:________________________
                                            Title:_______________________

Trustee Authentication
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

By:___________________________
 Name:________________________
 Title:_______________________

                                                                 

                                      A-2-5

<PAGE>

                             STATEMENT OF INSURANCE

     MBIA Insurance  Corporation (the "Insurer") has issued a policy  containing
the following provisions, such policy being on file at The Bank of New York, New
York, New York, as trustee (the "Trustee").

     The Insurer,  in consideration of the payment of the premium and subject to
the terms of the Certificate  Guaranty Insurance Policy (the "Policy"),  thereby
unconditionally and irrevocably  guarantees to any Owner (as defined below) that
an amount  equal to each full and  complete  Group II  Insured  Payment  will be
received by the Trustee or its successor,  as trustee for the Owners,  on behalf
of the Owners from the Insurer, for distribution by the Trustee to each Owner of
each Owner's  proportionate share of the Group II Insured Payment. The Insurer's
obligation  under the  Policy  with  respect  to a  particular  Group II Insured
Payment  shall be  discharged  to the extent funds equal to the Group II Insured
Payment are  received  by the  Trustee,  whether or not such funds are  properly
applied by the Trustee. Group II Insured Payments shall be made only at the time
set forth in the Policy,  and no accelerated  Group II Insured Payments shall be
made regardless of any acceleration of the Obligations, unless such acceleration
is at the sole option of the Insurer. "Obligations" shall mean:

                                   $36,500,000
                    First Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3
                     Mortgage Loan Asset Backed Certificates
                                    Class A-2

     Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  paragraph,   the  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  Insurer  will pay any  Group  II  Insured  Payment  that is a Group II
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 such  Group II  Preference  Amount,  (ii) an  opinion  of counsel
satisfactory  to the Insurer that such order is final and not subject to appeal,
(iii) an  assignment  in such form as is  reasonably  required  by the  Insurer,
irrevocably assigning to the Insurer all rights and claims of the Owner relating
to or  arising  under  the  Obligations  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 Insurer as agent for
such Owner in any legal  proceeding  related to such  preference  payment,  such
instruments being in a form  satisfactory to the 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
Obligations  to such  receiver  or  trustee  in  bankruptcy,  in which case such
payment shall be disbursed to such Owner.

     The Insurer  will pay any other  amount  payable  under the Policy no later
than 12:00 noon,  New York City time,  on the later of the Payment Date on which
the related  Group II  Distribution  Amount is due or the 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 Insurer,  or any  successor  fiscal agent
appointed by the 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 Policy,  it

                                                                           

                                      A-2-6


<PAGE>

shall be deemed not to have been  received by the Fiscal  Agent for  purposes of
this  paragraph,  and the Insurer or the Fiscal Agent, as the case may be, shall
promptly so advise the Trustee and the Trustee may submit an amended Notice.

     Group II Insured Payments due under the Policy,  unless otherwise stated in
the Policy,  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
Group II Insured Payment less, in respect of Group II Insured  Payments  related
to Group II Preference  Amounts,  any amount held by the Trustee for the payment
of such Group II Insured Payment and legally available therefor.

     The Fiscal  Agent is the agent of the  Insurer  only and the  Fiscal  Agent
shall in no event be liable to the Owners  for any acts of the  Fiscal  Agent or
any  failure of the  Insurer to deposit,  or cause to be  deposited,  sufficient
funds to make payments due under the policy.

     As used in the  Policy,  the  following  terms  shall  have  the  following
meanings:

     "Agreement" means the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of September
1, 1996 among  First  Alliance  Mortgage  Company,  as Company,  First  Alliance
Mortgage  Company,  as Servicer and Bank of New York,  N.A., as Trustee  without
regard to any  amendment or  supplement  thereto  unless the Insurer  shall have
consented in writing thereto.

     "Business  Day" means any day other than a  Saturday,  a Sunday or a day on
which  banking  institutions  in New  York  City  or in the  city in  which  the
corporate  trust  office of the  Trustee  under the  Agreement  is  located  are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

     "Group II Distribution Amount" means the Class A-2 Distribution Amount.

     "Group II Insured Payment," with respect to the Class A-2 Certificates, and
as to any Payment Date, will equal the sum of (i) the excess, if any, of (a) the
Class A-2 Current  Interest over (b) the Group II Total  Available  Funds (after
any  deduction  for the Group II Premium  Amount and the Group II Trustee  Fee),
(ii) the  Group II  Subordination  Deficit,  if any  (after  applying  the cross
collateralization provisions of Section 7.5(d)(ii)(A) and (B) of the Agreement),
and (iii) the Group II Preference Amount.

     "Group II Preference Amount" means any amount previously  distributed to an
Owner on the  Class  A-2  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.

     "Notice" means the telephonic or telegraphic notice,  promptly confirmed in
writing by  telecopy  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit A  attached  to the
Policy,  the  original  of which is  subsequently  delivered  by  registered  or
certified mail,  from the Trustee  specifying the Group II Insured Payment which
shall be due and owing on the applicable Payment Date.

     "Owner"  means each  Owner of a Class A-2  Certificate  (as  defined in the
Agreement)  who, on the applicable  Payment Date, is entitled under the terms of
the applicable Class A-2 Certificate to payment thereunder.

     Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined in the Policy shall
have  the  respective  meanings  set  forth in the  Agreement  as of the date of
execution of the Policy,  without giving effect to any  subsequent  amendment or
                                                                            

                                      A-2-7


<PAGE>

modification  to the Agreement  unless such amendment or  modification  has been
approved in writing by the Insurer.

     Any notice  under the Policy or service of process on the Fiscal  Agent may
be made at the address  listed below for the Fiscal Agent of the Insurer or such
other address as the 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 to the Trustee in writing.

     The 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   Policy   is  not   covered   by  the
Property/Casualty  Insurance  Security  Fund  specified in Article 76 of the New
York Insurance Law.

     The Policy is not cancelable  for any reason.  The premium on the Policy is
not refundable for any reason  including  payment,  or provision  being made for
payment, prior to the maturity of the Obligations.

                  MBIA INSURANCE CORPORATION

 

                                      A-2-8

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT C

     SOLELY FOR FEDERAL  INCOME TAX  PURPOSES,  THIS  CERTIFICATE  REPRESENTS AN
INTEREST IN THE ONLY "RESIDUAL  INTEREST" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE  INVESTMENT
CONDUIT" ("REMIC") AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTION 860G and
860D OF THE INTERNAL  REVENUE CODE OF 1986,  AS AMENDED (THE  "CODE"),  ASSUMING
COMPLIANCE WITH THE REMIC PROVISIONS OF THE CODE.

     THIS  CERTIFICATE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
AS AMENDED  (THE  "ACT").  ANY RESALE OR  TRANSFER OF THIS  CERTIFICATE  WITHOUT
REGISTRATION THEREOF UNDER THE ACT MAY BE MADE ONLY IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM
THE  REGISTRATION  REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS
OF SECTION 5.8 OF THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.

     TRANSFER  OF THIS CLASS R  CERTIFICATE  IS  RESTRICTED  AS SET FORTH IN THE
POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT.  NO TRANSFER OF THIS CLASS R CERTIFICATE MAY BE
MADE TO A "DISQUALIFIED  ORGANIZATION"  AS DEFINED IN SECTION  860E(e)(5) OF THE
CODE. SUCH TERM INCLUDES THE UNITED STATES,  ANY STATE OR POLITICAL  SUBDIVISION
THEREOF, ANY FOREIGN GOVERNMENT, ANY INTERNATIONAL  ORGANIZATION,  ANY AGENCY OR
INSTRUMENTALITY   OF  ANY  OF  THE   FOREGOING   (OTHER  THAN  CERTAIN   TAXABLE
INSTRUMENTALITIES),  ANY COOPERATIVE  ORGANIZATION FURNISHING ELECTRIC ENERGY OR
PROVIDING THEREOF SERVICE TO PERSONS IN RURAL AREAS, OR ANY ORGANIZATION  (OTHER
THAN A FARMERS'  COOPERATIVE) THAT IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNLESS SUCH
ORGANIZATION IS SUBJECT TO THE TAX ON UNRELATED  BUSINESS INCOME. NO TRANSFER OF
THIS CLASS R CERTIFICATE  WILL BE REGISTERED BY THE TRUSTEE  UNLESS THE PROPOSED
TRANSFEREE HAS DELIVERED AN AFFIDAVIT  AFFIRMING,  AMONG OTHER THINGS,  THAT THE
PROPOSED  TRANSFEREE  IS NOT A QUALIFIED  ORGANIZATION  AND IS NOT ACQUIRING THE
CLASS R CERTIFICATE  FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A DISQUALIFIED  ORGANIZATION.  A COPY OF
THE  FORM OF  AFFIDAVIT  REQUIRED  OF EACH  PROPOSED  TRANSFEREE  IS ON FILE AND
AVAILABLE FROM THE TRUSTEE.

     A TRANSFER IN VIOLATION OF THE APPLICABLE  RESTRICTIONS  MAY GIVE RISE TO A
SUBSTANTIAL  TAX UPON THE TRANSFEROR OR, IN CERTAIN CASES,  UPON AN AGENT ACTING
FOR THE  TRANSFEREE.  A PASS-THROUGH  ENTITY THAT HOLDS THIS CLASS R CERTIFICATE
AND THAT HAS A DISQUALIFIED  ORGANIZATION  AS A RECORD OWNER IN ANY TAXABLE YEAR
GENERALLY  WILL BE SUBJECT  TO A TAX FOR EACH SUCH YEAR EQUAL TO THE  PRODUCT OF
(A) THE  AMOUNT  OF  EXCESS  INCLUSIONS  WITH  RESPECT  TO THE  PORTION  OF THIS
CERTIFICATE  OWNED  THROUGH  SUCH  PASS-THROUGH   ENTITY  BY  SUCH  DISQUALIFIED
ORGANIZATION, AND (B) THE HIGHEST MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATE ON CORPORATIONS. FOR
PURPOSES OF THE PRECEDING  SENTENCE,  THE TERM  "PASS-THROUGH"  ENTITY  INCLUDES
REGULATED  INVESTMENT  COMPANIES,  REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT  TRUSTS,  COMMON TRUST
FUNDS, PARTNERSHIPS, TRUSTS, ESTATES, COOPERATIVES TO WHICH PART I OF SUBCHAPTER
1T OF THE CODE APPLIES AND, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN REGULATIONS, NOMINEES.

     NEITHER THIS  CERTIFICATE  NOR THE UNDERLYING HOME EQUITY LOANS ARE INSURED
OR GUARANTEED  BY THE FEDERAL  DEPOSIT  INSURANCE  CORPORATION,  THE  GOVERNMENT
NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.

<PAGE>

                    FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 1996-3
                     MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATE
                                     CLASS R

                Representing Certain Interests Relating to a Pool
               of Mortgage Loans Formed by First Alliance Mortgage
                             Company and Serviced by

                         FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY

     This  Certificate  does not represent an interest in, or an obligation  of,
nor are the  underlying  Mortgage Loans insured or guaranteed by, First Alliance
Mortgage  Company,  any Originator or any of their  subsidiaries and affiliates.
This  Certificate  represents a fractional  residual  ownership  interest in the
REMIC of the Trust described herein, moneys in certain Accounts created pursuant
to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and certain other rights relating thereto
and is payable only from amounts  received by the Trustee  relating to the Trust
Estate.

No:  R-1                                                Date: September 17, 1996

Percentage Interest:  99.99%                                   December 20, 2027
                                                                 Final Scheduled
                                                                    Payment Date

                     First Alliance Residual Holding Company
                                Registered Owner

     The registered  Owner named above is the  registered  Owner of a fractional
interest in (i) a pool of mortgage loans (the "Mortgage  Loans") formed by First
Alliance Mortgage Company (the "Company"), a California corporation, and sold by
the Company to The Bank of New York,  as trustee  (the  "Trustee")  on behalf of
First Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3 (the "Trust") pursuant to that certain
Pooling and Servicing  Agreement dated as of September 1, 1996 (the "Pooling and
Servicing  Agreement") by and among the Company,  the Company in its capacity as
servicer (the "Servicer") and the Trustee, (ii) such amount,  including Eligible
Investments,  as from time to time may be held in the Accounts  created pursuant
to the Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement,  (iii) any  Property  relating to the
Mortgage  Loans,  the  ownership  of which has been  effected in the name of the
Servicer on behalf of the Trust as a result of  foreclosure or acceptance by the
Servicer of a deed-in-lieu  of foreclosure  and that has not been withdrawn from
the Trust, (iv) Net Liquidation  Proceeds relating to the Mortgage Loans (v) any
Insurance  Policies relating to the Mortgage Loans and any rights of the Company
in any Insurance Policies relating to such Mortgage Loans and (vi) the rights of
the Company  against any  Originator  pursuant  to the related  Master  Transfer
Agreement and the proceeds of any of the above.  Such  Mortgage  Loans and other
amounts and property enumerated above are hereinafter  referred to as the "Trust
Estate".

     THIS CERTIFICATE IS A PASS-THROUGH  CERTIFICATE  ONLY AND,  NOTWITHSTANDING
REFERENCES  HEREIN  TO  PRINCIPAL  AND  INTEREST,  NO  DEBT  OF  ANY  PERSON  IS
REPRESENTED HEREBY.


                                       C-1

<PAGE>

     This  Certificate  is  one  of a  Class  of  duly  authorized  Certificates
designated as First  Alliance  Mortgage  Loan Trust 1996-3,  Mortgage Loan Asset
Backed  Certificates,  Class R  Certificates  (the "Class R  Certificates")  and
issued under and subject to the terms,  provisions and conditions of the Pooling
and Servicing  Agreement,  to which Pooling and Servicing Agreement the Owner of
this Certificate by virtue of acceptance  hereof assents and by which such Owner
is bound.

     Terms  capitalized  herein and not otherwise  defined herein shall have the
respective meanings set forth in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     On the 20th day of each month or, if such day is not a Business  Day,  then
the next  succeeding  Business  Day  (each  such day  being a  "Payment  Date"),
commencing  October  21,  1996,  to the  persons  in  whose  names  the  Class R
Certificates are registered at the close of business on the last business day of
the  calendar  month  immediately  preceding  the  calendar  month in which such
Payment Date occurs (the "Record  Date"),  the Trustee will  distribute  to each
Owner of the Class R Certificates such Owner's Percentage Interest multiplied by
any  amounts  then  available  to be  distributed  to the  Owners of the Class R
Certificates. Distributions will be made in immediately available funds, by wire
transfer or otherwise,  to the account of such Owner at a domestic bank or other
entity having appropriate facilities therefor, if such Owner has so notified the
Trustee at least 5 business  days prior to the related  record date, or by check
mailed to the  address  of the  person  entitled  thereto  as it  appears on the
Register.

     The  Pooling  and   Servicing   Agreement   provides   that  only   certain
miscellaneous  amounts  will  be  distributed  to  the  Owners  of the  Class  R
Certificates.

     Upon receiving the final distribution  hereon, the Owner hereof is required
to send this  Certificate  to the Trustee.  The Pooling and Servicing  Agreement
provides that, in any event,  upon the making of the final  distribution  due on
this  Certificate,  this Certificate  shall be deemed cancelled for all purposes
under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     The Trustee is  required  to duly and  punctually  pay  distributions  with
respect to this  Certificate in accordance with the terms hereof and the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement.  Amounts properly withheld under the Code or applicable
state or local law by any  Person  from a  distribution  to any  Owner  shall be
considered  as having been paid by the Trustee to such Owner for all purposes of
the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     The Mortgage Loans will be serviced by the Servicer pursuant to the Pooling
and  Servicing  Agreement.  The  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  permits the
Servicer  to enter  into  Sub-Servicing  Agreements  with  certain  institutions
eligible for appointment as Sub-Servicers  for the servicing and  administration
of certain Mortgage Loans. No appointment of any Sub-Servicer  shall release the
Servicer from any of its obligations under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     This Certificate does not represent a deposit or other obligation of, or an
interest in, nor are the underlying Mortgage Loans insured or guaranteed by, the
Company,  any Originator or any of their subsidiaries and affiliates and are not
insured  or  guaranteed  by  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation,  the
Government National Mortgage Association, or any other governmental agency. This
Certificate is limited in right of payment to certain collections and recoveries
relating to the Mortgage Loans, all as more  specifically set forth  hereinabove
and in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     No Owner  shall have the right to  institute  any  proceeding,  judicial or
otherwise,  with  respect to the Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement,  or for the
appointment of a receiver or trustee,  or for any other remedy under the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement except in compliance with the terms thereof.


                                       C-2

<PAGE>

     Notwithstanding   any  other   provisions  in  the  Pooling  and  Servicing
Agreement,  the Owner of any Certificate  shall have the right which is absolute
and unconditional to receive distributions to the extent provided in the Pooling
and Servicing  Agreement  with respect to such  Certificate or to institute suit
for the  enforcement  of any such  distribution,  and such  right  shall  not be
impaired without the consent of such Owner.

     The Pooling and Servicing  Agreement provides that the obligations  created
thereby will  terminate upon the earlier of (i) the payment to the Owners of all
Certificates  from  amounts  other than those  available  under the  Certificate
Insurance Policies of all amounts held by the Trustee and required to be paid to
such Owners  pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement  upon the later to
occur of (a) the final  payment or other  liquidation  (or any advance made with
respect  thereto)  of the last  Mortgage  Loan in the  Trust  Estate  or (b) the
disposition  of all property  acquired in respect of any Mortgage Loan remaining
in the Trust Estate or (ii) at any time when a Qualified  Liquidation of a Trust
Estate occurs pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     The Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  additionally  provides  that (i) the
Servicer or the Certificate Insurer may, at its option,  purchase from the Trust
all (but not fewer than all)  remaining  Mortgage  Loans and other property then
constituting the Trust Estate,  and thereby effect early retirement of the Class
R  Certificates,  on any  Remittance  Date when the aggregate  outstanding  Loan
Balances of the Mortgage Loans in the Trust Estate is 10% or less of the Maximum
Collateral  Amount  and  (ii)  under  certain  circumstances   relating  to  the
qualification  of the Trust as a REMIC under the Code the Mortgage  Loans may be
sold, thereby affecting the early retirement of the Class R Certificates.

     The Trustee  shall give written  notice of  termination  of the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement to each Owner in the manner set forth therein.

     As provided in the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement and subject to certain
limitations  therein set forth and referred to on the face hereof,  the transfer
of this  Certificate  is  registrable  in the  Register  upon  surrender of this
Certificate  for  registration  of  transfer  at the  office  designated  as the
location  of  the  Register  duly  endorsed  by,  or  accompanied  by a  written
instrument  of  transfer  in the form  required  by the  Pooling  and  Servicing
Agreement duly executed by, the Owner hereof or his attorney duly  authorized in
writing,  and thereupon one or more new Certificates of like Class,  tenor and a
like aggregate  fractional undivided interest in the Trust Estate will be issued
to the designated transferee or transferees.

     The Trustee is required to furnish certain information on each Payment Date
to the Owner of this  Certificate,  as more fully  described  in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement.

     The Class R Certificates are issuable only as registered  Certificates.  As
provided  in  the  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  and  subject  to  certain
limitations  therein set forth,  Class R Certificates  are  exchangeable for new
Class R  Certificates  evidencing  the same  Percentage  Interest as the Class R
Certificates exchanged.

     No service  charge  will be made for any such  registration  of transfer or
exchange,  but the Trustee may require  payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

     The Trustee and any agent of the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name
this Certificate is registered as the Owner hereof for all purposes, and neither
the  Trustee  or any such agent  shall be  affected  by notice to the  contrary,
except as may  otherwise be  specifically  provided in the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement with respect to the Certificate Insurer.


                                       C-3


<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Trustee has caused  this  Certificate  to be duly
executed on behalf of the Trust.


                                        THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee



                                        By:__________________________________
                                         Name:_______________________________
                                         Title:______________________________


Trustee's Authentication

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
 as Trustee

                                        By:__________________________________
                                         Name:_______________________________
                                         Title:______________________________
                                                       

                                       C-4


<PAGE>

     SOLELY FOR FEDERAL  INCOME TAX  PURPOSES,  THIS  CERTIFICATE  REPRESENTS AN
INTEREST IN THE ONLY "RESIDUAL  INTEREST" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE  INVESTMENT
CONDUIT" ("REMIC") AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTION 860G and
860D OF THE INTERNAL  REVENUE CODE OF 1986,  AS AMENDED (THE  "CODE"),  ASSUMING
COMPLIANCE WITH THE REMIC PROVISIONS OF THE CODE.

     THIS  CERTIFICATE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
AS AMENDED  (THE  "ACT").  ANY RESALE OR  TRANSFER OF THIS  CERTIFICATE  WITHOUT
REGISTRATION THEREOF UNDER THE ACT MAY BE MADE ONLY IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM
THE  REGISTRATION  REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS
OF SECTION 5.8 OF THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.

     TRANSFER  OF THIS CLASS R  CERTIFICATE  IS  RESTRICTED  AS SET FORTH IN THE
POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT.  NO TRANSFER OF THIS CLASS R CERTIFICATE MAY BE
MADE TO A "DISQUALIFIED  ORGANIZATION"  AS DEFINED IN SECTION  860E(e)(5) OF THE
CODE. SUCH TERM INCLUDES THE UNITED STATES,  ANY STATE OR POLITICAL  SUBDIVISION
THEREOF, ANY FOREIGN GOVERNMENT, ANY INTERNATIONAL  ORGANIZATION,  ANY AGENCY OR
INSTRUMENTALITY   OF  ANY  OF  THE   FOREGOING   (OTHER  THAN  CERTAIN   TAXABLE
INSTRUMENTALITIES),  ANY COOPERATIVE  ORGANIZATION FURNISHING ELECTRIC ENERGY OR
PROVIDING THEREOF SERVICE TO PERSONS IN RURAL AREAS, OR ANY ORGANIZATION  (OTHER
THAN A FARMERS'  COOPERATIVE) THAT IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNLESS SUCH
ORGANIZATION IS SUBJECT TO THE TAX ON UNRELATED  BUSINESS INCOME. NO TRANSFER OF
THIS CLASS R CERTIFICATE  WILL BE REGISTERED BY THE TRUSTEE  UNLESS THE PROPOSED
TRANSFEREE HAS DELIVERED AN AFFIDAVIT  AFFIRMING,  AMONG OTHER THINGS,  THAT THE
PROPOSED  TRANSFEREE  IS NOT A QUALIFIED  ORGANIZATION  AND IS NOT ACQUIRING THE
CLASS R CERTIFICATE  FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A DISQUALIFIED  ORGANIZATION.  A COPY OF
THE  FORM OF  AFFIDAVIT  REQUIRED  OF EACH  PROPOSED  TRANSFEREE  IS ON FILE AND
AVAILABLE FROM THE TRUSTEE.

     A TRANSFER IN VIOLATION OF THE APPLICABLE  RESTRICTIONS  MAY GIVE RISE TO A
SUBSTANTIAL  TAX UPON THE TRANSFEROR OR, IN CERTAIN CASES,  UPON AN AGENT ACTING
FOR THE  TRANSFEREE.  A PASS-THROUGH  ENTITY THAT HOLDS THIS CLASS R CERTIFICATE
AND THAT HAS A DISQUALIFIED  ORGANIZATION  AS A RECORD OWNER IN ANY TAXABLE YEAR
GENERALLY  WILL BE SUBJECT  TO A TAX FOR EACH SUCH YEAR EQUAL TO THE  PRODUCT OF
(A) THE  AMOUNT  OF  EXCESS  INCLUSIONS  WITH  RESPECT  TO THE  PORTION  OF THIS
CERTIFICATE  OWNED  THROUGH  SUCH  PASS-THROUGH   ENTITY  BY  SUCH  DISQUALIFIED
ORGANIZATION, AND (B) THE HIGHEST MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATE ON CORPORATIONS. FOR
PURPOSES OF THE PRECEDING  SENTENCE,  THE TERM  "PASS-THROUGH"  ENTITY  INCLUDES
REGULATED  INVESTMENT  COMPANIES,  REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT  TRUSTS,  COMMON TRUST
FUNDS, PARTNERSHIPS, TRUSTS, ESTATES, COOPERATIVES TO WHICH PART I OF SUBCHAPTER
1T OF THE CODE APPLIES AND, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN REGULATIONS, NOMINEES.

     NEITHER THIS  CERTIFICATE  NOR THE UNDERLYING HOME EQUITY LOANS ARE INSURED
OR GUARANTEED  BY THE FEDERAL  DEPOSIT  INSURANCE  CORPORATION,  THE  GOVERNMENT
NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.

                                                
                                      C-5

<PAGE>

                    FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 1996-3
                     MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATE
                                     CLASS R

                Representing Certain Interests Relating to a Pool
               of Mortgage Loans Formed by First Alliance Mortgage
                             Company and Serviced by

                         FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY

     This  Certificate  does not represent an interest in, or an obligation  of,
nor are the  underlying  Mortgage Loans insured or guaranteed by, First Alliance
Mortgage  Company,  any Originator or any of their  subsidiaries and affiliates.
This  Certificate  represents a fractional  residual  ownership  interest in the
REMIC of the Trust described herein, moneys in certain Accounts created pursuant
to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and certain other rights relating thereto
and is payable only from amounts  received by the Trustee  relating to the Trust
Estate.

No:  R-2                                                Date: September 17, 1996

Percentage Interest:  0.01%                                    December 20, 2027
                                                                 Final Scheduled
                                                                    Payment Date

                         First Alliance Mortgage Company
                                Registered Owner

     The registered  Owner named above is the  registered  Owner of a fractional
interest in (i) a pool of mortgage loans (the "Mortgage  Loans") formed by First
Alliance Mortgage Company (the "Company"), a California corporation, and sold by
the Company to The Bank of New York,  as trustee  (the  "Trustee")  on behalf of
First Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3 (the "Trust") pursuant to that certain
Pooling and Servicing  Agreement dated as of September 1, 1996 (the "Pooling and
Servicing  Agreement") by and among the Company,  the Company in its capacity as
servicer (the "Servicer") and the Trustee, (ii) such amount,  including Eligible
Investments,  as from time to time may be held in the Accounts  created pursuant
to the Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement,  (iii) any  Property  relating to the
Mortgage  Loans,  the  ownership  of which has been  effected in the name of the
Servicer on behalf of the Trust as a result of  foreclosure or acceptance by the
Servicer of a deed-in-lieu  of foreclosure  and that has not been withdrawn from
the Trust, (iv) Net Liquidation  Proceeds relating to the Mortgage Loans (v) any
Insurance  Policies relating to the Mortgage Loans and any rights of the Company
in any Insurance Policies relating to such Mortgage Loans and (vi) the rights of
the Company  against any  Originator  pursuant  to the related  Master  Transfer
Agreement and the proceeds of any of the above.  Such  Mortgage  Loans and other
amounts and property enumerated above are hereinafter  referred to as the "Trust
Estate".

     THIS CERTIFICATE IS A PASS-THROUGH  CERTIFICATE  ONLY AND,  NOTWITHSTANDING
REFERENCES  HEREIN  TO  PRINCIPAL  AND  INTEREST,  NO  DEBT  OF  ANY  PERSON  IS
REPRESENTED HEREBY.

                                                                         

                                       C-6


<PAGE>


     This  Certificate  is  one  of a  Class  of  duly  authorized  Certificates
designated as First  Alliance  Mortgage  Loan Trust 1996-3,  Mortgage Loan Asset
Backed  Certificates,  Class R  Certificates  (the "Class R  Certificates")  and
issued under and subject to the terms,  provisions and conditions of the Pooling
and Servicing  Agreement,  to which Pooling and Servicing Agreement the Owner of
this Certificate by virtue of acceptance  hereof assents and by which such Owner
is bound.

     Terms  capitalized  herein and not otherwise  defined herein shall have the
respective meanings set forth in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     On the 20th day of each month or, if such day is not a Business  Day,  then
the next  succeeding  Business  Day  (each  such day  being a  "Payment  Date"),
commencing  October  21,  1996,  to the  persons  in  whose  names  the  Class R
Certificates are registered at the close of business on the last business day of
the  calendar  month  immediately  preceding  the  calendar  month in which such
Payment Date occurs (the "Record  Date"),  the Trustee will  distribute  to each
Owner of the Class R Certificates such Owner's Percentage Interest multiplied by
any  amounts  then  available  to be  distributed  to the  Owners of the Class R
Certificates. Distributions will be made in immediately available funds, by wire
transfer or otherwise,  to the account of such Owner at a domestic bank or other
entity having appropriate facilities therefor, if such Owner has so notified the
Trustee at least 5 business  days prior to the related  record date, or by check
mailed to the  address  of the  person  entitled  thereto  as it  appears on the
Register.

     The  Pooling  and   Servicing   Agreement   provides   that  only   certain
miscellaneous  amounts  will  be  distributed  to  the  Owners  of the  Class  R
Certificates.

     Upon receiving the final distribution  hereon, the Owner hereof is required
to send this  Certificate  to the Trustee.  The Pooling and Servicing  Agreement
provides that, in any event,  upon the making of the final  distribution  due on
this  Certificate,  this Certificate  shall be deemed cancelled for all purposes
under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     The Trustee is  required  to duly and  punctually  pay  distributions  with
respect to this  Certificate in accordance with the terms hereof and the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement.  Amounts properly withheld under the Code or applicable
state or local law by any  Person  from a  distribution  to any  Owner  shall be
considered  as having been paid by the Trustee to such Owner for all purposes of
the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     The Mortgage Loans will be serviced by the Servicer pursuant to the Pooling
and  Servicing  Agreement.  The  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  permits the
Servicer  to enter  into  Sub-Servicing  Agreements  with  certain  institutions
eligible for appointment as Sub-Servicers  for the servicing and  administration
of certain Mortgage Loans. No appointment of any Sub-Servicer  shall release the
Servicer from any of its obligations under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     This Certificate does not represent a deposit or other obligation of, or an
interest in, nor are the underlying Mortgage Loans insured or guaranteed by, the
Company,  any Originator or any of their subsidiaries and affiliates and are not
insured  or  guaranteed  by  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation,  the
Government National Mortgage Association, or any other governmental agency. This
Certificate is limited in right of payment to certain collections and recoveries
relating to the Mortgage Loans, all as more  specifically set forth  hereinabove
and in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     No Owner  shall have the right to  institute  any  proceeding,  judicial or
otherwise,  with  respect to the Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement,  or for the
appointment of a receiver or trustee,  or for any other remedy under the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement except in compliance with the terms thereof.
                                                                          

                                      C-7

<PAGE>

     Notwithstanding   any  other   provisions  in  the  Pooling  and  Servicing
Agreement,  the Owner of any Certificate  shall have the right which is absolute
and unconditional to receive distributions to the extent provided in the Pooling
and Servicing  Agreement  with respect to such  Certificate or to institute suit
for the  enforcement  of any such  distribution,  and such  right  shall  not be
impaired without the consent of such Owner.

     The Pooling and Servicing  Agreement provides that the obligations  created
thereby will  terminate upon the earlier of (i) the payment to the Owners of all
Certificates  from  amounts  other than those  available  under the  Certificate
Insurance Policies of all amounts held by the Trustee and required to be paid to
such Owners  pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement  upon the later to
occur of (a) the final  payment or other  liquidation  (or any advance made with
respect  thereto)  of the last  Mortgage  Loan in the  Trust  Estate  or (b) the
disposition  of all property  acquired in respect of any Mortgage Loan remaining
in the Trust Estate or (ii) at any time when a Qualified  Liquidation of a Trust
Estate occurs pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

     The Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  additionally  provides  that (i) the
Servicer or the Certificate Insurer may, at its option,  purchase from the Trust
all (but not fewer than all)  remaining  Mortgage  Loans and other property then
constituting the Trust Estate,  and thereby effect early retirement of the Class
R  Certificates,  on any  Remittance  Date when the aggregate  outstanding  Loan
Balances of the Mortgage Loans in the Trust Estate is 10% or less of the Maximum
Collateral  Amount  and  (ii)  under  certain  circumstances   relating  to  the
qualification  of the Trust as a REMIC under the Code the Mortgage  Loans may be
sold, thereby affecting the early retirement of the Class R Certificates.

     The Trustee  shall give written  notice of  termination  of the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement to each Owner in the manner set forth therein.

     As provided in the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement and subject to certain
limitations  therein set forth and referred to on the face hereof,  the transfer
of this  Certificate  is  registrable  in the  Register  upon  surrender of this
Certificate  for  registration  of  transfer  at the  office  designated  as the
location  of  the  Register  duly  endorsed  by,  or  accompanied  by a  written
instrument  of  transfer  in the form  required  by the  Pooling  and  Servicing
Agreement duly executed by, the Owner hereof or his attorney duly  authorized in
writing,  and thereupon one or more new Certificates of like Class,  tenor and a
like aggregate  fractional undivided interest in the Trust Estate will be issued
to the designated transferee or transferees.

     The Trustee is required to furnish certain information on each Payment Date
to the Owner of this  Certificate,  as more fully  described  in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement.

     The Class R Certificates are issuable only as registered  Certificates.  As
provided  in  the  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  and  subject  to  certain
limitations  therein set forth,  Class R Certificates  are  exchangeable for new
Class R  Certificates  evidencing  the same  Percentage  Interest as the Class R
Certificates exchanged.

     No service  charge  will be made for any such  registration  of transfer or
exchange,  but the Trustee may require  payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

                  The  Trustee and any agent of the Trustee may treat the Person
in whose  name  this  Certificate  is  registered  as the Owner  hereof  for all
purposes,  and neither the Trustee or any such agent shall be affected by notice
to the contrary, except as may otherwise be specifically provided in the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement with respect to the Certificate Insurer.



                                       C-8


<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Trustee has caused  this  Certificate  to be duly
executed on behalf of the Trust.

                                        THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee



                                        By:__________________________________
                                         Name:_______________________________
                                         Title:______________________________


Trustee's Authentication

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
 as Trustee

                                        By:__________________________________
                                         Name:_______________________________
                                         Title:______________________________
                                                                     

                                       C-9


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                          CERTIFICATE RE: PREPAID LOANS

     I,  ______________,  ______________ of First Alliance  Mortgage Company,  a
California  corporation,  (the  "Company"),  hereby  certify  that  between  the
"Cut-Off  Date" (as defined in the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement  dated as of
September  1, 1996 among the  Company,  the Company in its  capacity as servicer
(the  "Servicer") and The Bank of New York, a New York banking  corporation,  in
its capacity as trustee (the  "Trustee"))  and the "Closing  Date" the following
schedule of "Mortgage Loans" have been prepaid in full.

Dated:

                                          By:___________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                          

                                       D-1


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT E

                              INITIAL CERTIFICATION

     WHEREAS,  the undersigned is an Authorized Officer of The Bank of New York,
a New  York  banking  corporation,  acting  in  its  capacity  as  trustee  (the
"Trustee") of a certain pool of mortgage loans (the "Pool") heretofore  conveyed
in  trust  to the  Trustee,  pursuant  to that  certain  Pooling  and  Servicing
Agreement dated as of September 1, 1996 (the "Pooling and Servicing  Agreement")
by and among First Alliance  Mortgage  Company,  a California  corporation  (the
"Company"),  the Company,  in its capacity as servicer (the  "Servicer") and the
Trustee;

     WHEREAS,  the Trustee is  required,  pursuant to Section 3.6 of the Pooling
and Servicing  Agreement,  to review the Files relating to the Pool on or before
the Startup Day; and

     WHEREAS,  Section 3.6 of the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement  requires the
Trustee to deliver this Initial  Certification  upon the satisfaction of certain
conditions set forth therein.

     NOW, THEREFORE,  the Trustee hereby certifies with respect to each Mortgage
Loan listed in the  Schedules of Mortgage  Loans  (other than any Mortgage  Loan
paid in full),  which is  attached  hereto,  that all  documents  required to be
delivered  to it  pursuant to the Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  are in its
possession,  such documents have been reviewed by it and appear regular on their
face and relate to such Mortgage Loan and based on its  examination  and only as
to the  foregoing  documents,  the  information  set forth on the  Schedules  of
Mortgage Loans as to loan number and address accurately reflects information set
forth in the File, except as attached thereto.

                                        THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

                                        By:_________________________

Dated:

[Attached Exception List]

                                        

                                       E-1


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT F

                               FINAL CERTIFICATION

     WHEREAS,  the undersigned is an Authorized Officer of the Bank of New York,
a New  York  banking  corporation,  acting  in  its  capacity  as  trustee  (the
"Trustee") of a certain pool of mortgage loans (the "Pool") heretofore  conveyed
in  trust  to the  Trustee,  pursuant  to that  certain  Pooling  and  Servicing
Agreement dated as of September 1, 1996 (the "Pooling and Servicing  Agreement")
by and among First Alliance  Mortgage  Company,  a California  corporation  (the
"Company"),  the Company,  in its capacity as servicer (the  "Servicer") and the
Trustee;

     WHEREAS,  the Trustee is  required,  pursuant to Section 3.6 of the Pooling
and  Servicing  Agreement,  to review the Files  relating  to the Pool  within a
specified period following the Startup Day and to notify the Company promptly of
any defects with respect to the Pool, and the Company is required to remedy such
defects or take  certain  other  action,  all as set forth in Section 3.6 of the
Pooling and Servicing Agreement; and

     WHEREAS,  Section 3.6 of the Pooling and Servicing  Agreement  requires the
Trustee to deliver this Final  Certification  upon the  satisfaction  of certain
conditions set forth therein.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  the Trustee hereby  certifies that it has determined that
all required  documents (or certified  copies of documents listed in Section 3.5
of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement) have been executed or received, and that
such  documents  relate to the  Mortgage  Loans  identified  in the  Schedule of
Mortgage Loans pursuant to Section 3.5(a) of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement
or, in the event that such  documents  have not been executed and received or do
not so  relate to such  Mortgage  Loans,  any  remedial  action  by the  Company
pursuant  to  Section  3.6 of the  Pooling  and  Servicing  Agreement  has  been
completed.  The Trustee makes no certification hereby,  however, with respect to
any intervening assignments or assumption and modification agreements.

                                          By:_________________________
                                          Title:______________________

Dated:




                                       F-1


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT G

                                 DELIVERY ORDER

                                                              September 17, 1996

The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, New York  10286

Attention:  First Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 1996-3.

Dear Sirs:

     Pursuant to Article IV of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement,  dated as of
September 1, 1996 (the  "Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement")  by and among First
Alliance  Mortgage  Company,  a  California  corporation  (the  "Company"),  the
Company, in its capacity as servicer (the "Servicer"), and The Bank of New York,
a New York banking corporation,  in its capacity as trustee (the "Trustee"), the
Company HEREBY CERTIFIES that all conditions  precedent to the issuance of First
Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3,  Class A and Class R (the  "Certificates"),
HAVE BEEN  SATISFIED and HEREBY  REQUESTS YOU TO  AUTHENTICATE  AND DELIVER said
Certificates,  and to  RELEASE  said  Certificates  to the  Owners  thereof,  or
otherwise upon their order.

                                      Very truly yours,

                                      FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY

                                      By:____________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:




                                       G-1


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT H

                FORM OF CLASS R TAX MATTERS TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

                                        AFFIDAVIT PURSUANT TO SECTION 860E(e) OF
                                        THE INTERNAL  REVENUE  CODE OF 1986,  AS
                                        AMENDED

STATE OF                   )
                           )  ss:
COUNTY OF        )

     [NAME OF OFFICER], being first duly sworn, deposes and says:

     1. That he is [Title of Officer] of [Name of Investor] (the "Investor"),  a
[savings  institution]  [corporation] duly organized and existing under the laws
of [the State of __________]  [the United  States],  on behalf of which he makes
this affidavit.

     2. That (i) the Investor is not a "disqualified  organization" and will not
be a "disqualified  organization" as of [date of transfer] (For this purpose,  a
"disqualified  organization"  means the United  States,  any state or  political
subdivision thereof, any foreign government, any international organization, any
agency or  instrumentality  of any of the foregoing  (other than certain taxable
instrumentalities),  any cooperative  organization furnishing electric energy or
providing  telephone  service  to persons in rural  areas,  or any  organization
(other  than a farmers'  cooperative)  that is exempt  from  federal  income tax
unless such  organization is subject to the tax on unrelated  business  income);
(ii)  it is not  acquiring  the  Class  R  Certificates  for  the  account  of a
disqualified organization; (iii) it consents to any amendment of the Pooling and
Servicing  Agreement that shall be deemed  necessary by the Trustee (upon advice
of counsel) to  constitute a reasonable  arrangement  to ensure that the Class R
Certificates  will  not  be  owned  directly  or  indirectly  by a  disqualified
organization;  and (iv) it will not transfer any such Class R Certificate unless
(a) it has received from the transferee an affidavit in  substantially  the same
form as this affidavit  containing these same four representations and (b) as of
the time of the transfer,  it does not have actual knowledge that such affidavit
is false.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Investor has caused this instrument to be executed
on its behalf, pursuant to authority of its Board of Directors, by its [Title of
Officer]  and  its  corporate  seal to be  hereunto  attached,  attested  by its
[Assistant] Secretary, this __ day of __________, ____.

                                        [NAME OF INVESTOR]

                                        By:___________________________
                                          [Name of Officer]
                                          [Title of Officer]

[Corporate Seal]

Attest:

                                          

                                       H-1

<PAGE>


- - ---------------------------
[Assistant] Secretary

     Personally  appeared before me the above-named [Name of Officer],  known or
proved to be the same person who executed the foregoing instrument and to be the
[Title of Officer] of the Investor,  and acknowledged to me that he executed the
same as his free act and deed and the free act and deed of the Investor.

     Subscribed and sworn before me this ____ day of _______, ____.



- - ---------------------------
NOTARY PUBLIC

COUNTY OF ________________

STATE OF _________________

     My commission expires the ____ day of _______________, ____.



                                       H-2


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT I

                                 FORM OF NOTICE

                    TO CERTIFICATE GUARANTY INSURANCE POLICY
                                     NUMBER:

                        NOTICE UNDER CERTIFICATE GUARANTY
                            INSURANCE POLICY NUMBER:

State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A.,
 as Fiscal Agent For MBIA Insurance Corporation
61 Broadway, 15th Floor
New York, New York  10006
Attention:  Municipal Registrar and
                    Paying Agency

MBIA Insurance Corporation
113 King Street
Armonk, NY  10504

     The    undersigned,     a    duly    authorized     officer    of    ______
________________________________,  as trustee (the "Trustee"),  hereby certifies
to State  Street Bank and Trust  Company,  N.A.  (the  "Fiscal  Agent") and MBIA
Insurance  Corporation (the "Insurer"),  with reference to Certificate  Guaranty
Insurance  Policy Number:  ____________  (the "Policy") issued by the Insurer in
respect of the $________  First  Alliance  Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3,  Mortgage
Loan Asset Backed Certificates, Class [A-1] [A-2] (the "Obligations"), that:

          (i) the  Trustee  is the  trustee  under  the  Pooling  and  Servicing
     Agreement  dated as of  September  1, 1996 (the  "Agreement")  among  First
     Alliance Mortgage Company, as Company,  First Alliance Mortgage Company, as
     Servicer and the Trustee, as trustee for the Owners;

          (ii) the  [Class  A-1]  [Class  A-2]  Current  Interest  for the Class
     [A-1][A-2]  Payment Date  occurring on  ________________  (the  "Applicable
     Payment Date") is $___________;

          (iii) the  Group  [I][II]  Subordination  Deficit  for the  Applicable
     Payment Date is $______________;

          (iv) the sum of Group [I][II] Total  Available  Funds  available under
     the  Agreement to pay the [Class A-1] [Class A-2] Current  Interest and the
     Group [I][II]  Subordination Deficit minus the Group [I][II] Premium Amount
     for the  Applicable  Payment  Date (the  "Adjusted  Available  Distribution
     Amount") is $_________;

          (v) the amount by which the sum of (ii) and (iii)  above  exceeds  the
     Adjusted Available  Distribution  Amount in (iv) above is $___________ (the
     "Group [I][II] Insured Payment");

          (vi) the Trustee is making a claim under and  pursuant to the terms of
     the Policy for the Insured  Payment to be applied to payments of the sum of
     (ii) and (iii) above for the Applicable Payment Date in accordance with the
     Agreement; and

                                                                       

                                       I-1


<PAGE>

          (vii) the Trustee  directs that payment of the Group  [I][II]  Insured
     Payment be made to the  following  account by bank wire transfer of federal
     or other  immediately  available  funds in accordance with the terms of the
     Policy: [CERTIFICATE ACCOUNT].

Any Person Who  Knowingly  And With Intent To Defraud Any  Insurance  Company Or
Other Person Files An Application For Insurance Or Statement Of Claim Containing
Any  Materially  False  Information,  Or Conceals For The Purpose Of Misleading,
Information Concerning Any Fact Material Thereto, Commits A Fraudulent Insurance
Act,  Which Is A Crime,  And Shall Be Subject To A Civil  Penalty  Not To Exceed
Five Thousand Dollars And The Stated Value Of The Claim For Each Such Violation.

     Any capitalized  term used in this Notice and not otherwise  defined herein
shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Policy.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Trustee has  executed and  delivered  this Notice
under the Policy as of the ___ day of ____________, ____.

                                           [TRUSTEE]

                                           By____________________________
                                           Title_________________________

                                           

                                       I-2

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT J

                                     Form of
                                 Monthly Report

                         First Alliance Mortgage Company
                     Mortgage Loan Asset Backed Certificates
                                  Series 1996-3

                                                                  

                                       J-1


<PAGE>

                           FORM OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE

To:  The Bank of New York
     101 Barclay Street
     New York, New York  10286

     Attn:  First Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 1996-3

                                      Date:

     In connection with the  administration of the mortgage loans held by you as
Trustee under a certain Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of September 1,
1996 and by and among  First  Alliance  Mortgage  Company,  the  Company  in its
capacity as servicer (the "Servicer"), and The Bank of New York, in its capacity
as Trustee (the "Agreement"), the Servicer hereby requests a release of the File
held by you as Trustee with respect to the following described Mortgage Loan for
the reason indicated below:

Mortgagor's Name:

Loan No.:

Reason for requesting file:

_______ 1.  Mortgage Loan paid in full.

                    (The Servicer hereby  certifies that all amounts received in
                    connection  with the loan have been or will be  credited  to
                    the Certificate  Account (whichever is applicable)  pursuant
                    to the Agreement.)

_______ 2.  Mortgage Loan  repurchased  pursuant to Section 3.3, 3.4,  3.6(b) or
            8.10(b) of the Agreement.

                    (The Servicer hereby  certifies that the Loan Purchase Price
                    has been or will be paid to the Certificate Account pursuant
                    to the Agreement.)

_______ 3.  Mortgage Loan substituted.

                    (The Servicer hereby certifies that a Qualified  Replacement
                    Mortgage has been or will be assigned  and  delivered to you
                    along with the related File pursuant to the Agreement.)

_______ 4.  The Mortgage Loan is being foreclosed.


_______ 5.  Other. (Describe)



                                       K-1

<PAGE>

     The  undersigned  acknowledges  that  the  above  File  will be held by the
undersigned  in  accordance  with the  provisions  of the  Agreement and will be
returned  to you,  except  if the  Mortgage  Loan  has  been  paid in  full,  or
repurchased or  substituted  for by a Qualified  Replacement  Mortgage (in which
case the File will be retained  by us  permanently)  and except if the  Mortgage
Loan is being foreclosed (in which case the File will be returned when no longer
required by us for such purpose).

     Capitalized  terms used herein shall have the meanings  ascribed to them in
the Agreement.

                               FIRST ALLIANCE MORTGAGE COMPANY

                               By__________________________
                                Name:_____________________
                                Title:____________________






                                       K-2



                               September 17, 1996

Prudential Securities Incorporated               First Alliance Mortgage Company
One New York Plaza, 15th Floor                   17305 Von Karman Avenue
New York, New York  10292                        Irvine, CA  92714
                                                
Standard & Poor's, a Division of                 MBIA Insurance Corporation
 The McGraw-Hill Companies                       113 King Street
25 Broadway                                      Armonk, New York 10504
New York, New York  10004                       
                                                
The Bank of New York                             Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
101 Barclay Street                               99 Church Street
New York, New York  10286                        New York, New York 10007
                                             
          Re:  First Alliance Mortgage Loan Trust 1996-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as special tax  counsel in  connection  with the  issuance of
certain  mortgage loan  asset-backed  certificates  denominated  First  Alliance
Mortgage Loan Trust  1996-3,  Mortgage Loan  Asset-Backed  Certificates,  Series
1996-3 (the "REMIC Certificates").

     As special tax counsel,  we have examined such  documents and records as we
deemed appropriate,  including the following:  (a) a prospectus  supplement with
respect to the REMIC  Certificates  dated  September  10, 1996 (the  "Prospectus
Supplement")  and the  accompanying  prospectus  with  respect to Mortgage  Loan
Asset-Backed  Securities dated September 10, 1996 (the "Prospectus"),  and (b) a
Pooling and Servicing  Agreement dated as of September 1, 1996 (the "Pooling and
Servicing  Agreement")  between First Alliance Mortgage Company,  as sponsor and
servicer and The Bank of New York, as trustee.

     Based upon the foregoing,  it is our opinion,  under the laws of the United
States,  New York and  California  in effect as of the date hereof and as of the
dates of the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement that:

     1. Assuming that REMIC election is made in compliance  with the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement, (i) the Trust, exclusive of the Pre-Funding Account and the
Capitalized  Interest  Account (as defined in the  Prospectus  Supplement)  will
qualify as a real estate mortgage  investment  conduit  ("REMIC") (as defined in
the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")) for Federal  income
tax purposes and (ii) each Class of the Offered  Certificates (as defined in the
Prospectus  Supplement) will be treated as "regular  interests" in the REMIC and
the R Class will be treated as the sole "residual interest" in the REMIC.

     2.  To the  best  of  such  counsel's  knowledge,  there  are  no  actions,
proceedings  or  investigations  pending that would  adversely  affect the Trust
Estate  (exclusive  of the  Pre-Funding  Account  and the  Capitalized  Interest
Account) as a REMIC.

     3. The  statements  under the  captions  "Summary of  Prospectus  - Certain
Federal Income Tax  Consequences"  and "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences"
in the  Prospectus,  and under the captions  "Summary - Federal Tax Aspects" and
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the Prospectus  Supplement are true
and correct as set forth therein.

<PAGE>

MBIA Insurance
 Corporation, et al.
September 17, 1996
Page 2

     4. The REMIC  "regular  interests"  will be  treated  as  "qualifying  real
property loans" under Section 593(d) of the Code, "regular  ...interests(s) in a
REMIC" under Section 7701(a) of the Code, and "real estate assets" under Section
856(c)  of the  Code  in the  same  proportion  that  the  assets  in the  Trust
(exclusive of the  Pre-Funding  Account and the  Capitalized  Interest  Account)
consist of qualifying  assets under such  sections.  In addition,  income on the
"regular  interests"  will be treated as  "interests on  obligations  secured by
mortgages on real  property"  under  Section  856(c) to the extent such "regular
interests" are treated as "real estate assets" under Section 856(c).

     5. The Trust  will not be  subject  to tax upon its income or assets by the
taxing authority of New York State or New York City.

     6.  The  Trust  will not be  subject  to the  California  state  income  or
franchise tax; provided, however, that no opinion is expressed as to whether the
Trust is subject to the  California  minimum tax imposed  under Section 23151 or
23153 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.

     We hereby  consent  to the  filing of this  opinion  as an  Exhibit  to the
Registration  Statement  and to the  reference  to this  firm in the  Prospectus
Supplement under the heading "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences."

     We bring  to your  attention  the  fact  that  our  legal  opinions  are an
expression of professional judgment and are not a guarantee of result. We do not
undertake to advise you of matters which may come to our attention subsequent to
the date hereof which may affect our legal opinions expressed herein.


                                      Very truly yours,




                                      /s/ Arter & Hadden
                                      Arter & Hadden




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