REALTRUST ASSET CORP
S-11/A, 1998-06-01
MORTGAGE BANKERS & LOAN CORRESPONDENTS
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 1, 1998
    
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-48653
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 3
    
                                       TO
 
                                   FORM S-11
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                          REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
      (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS GOVERNING INSTRUMENTS)
 
                    2855 EAST COTTONWOOD PARKWAY, SUITE 500
                           SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84121
             (ADDRESS OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                      JOHN D. FRY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                          REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
                    2855 EAST COTTONWOOD PARKWAY, SUITE 500
                           SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84121
                                 (801) 365-3000
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
           CHRISTOPHER A. WILSON, ESQ.                             PETER T. HEALY, ESQ.
        JEFFERS, WILSON, SHAFF & FALK, LLP                        O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
       18881 VON KARMAN AVENUE, SUITE 1400                          275 BATTERY STREET
             IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92612                        SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94111
            TELEPHONE: (714) 660-7700                           TELEPHONE : (415) 984-8700
            FACSIMILE: (714) 660-7799                           FACSIMILE: (415) 984-8701
</TABLE>
 
 APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE
                                    PUBLIC:
  AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
check the following box. [ ]
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=================================================================================================================================
     TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF       AMOUNT TO BE         PROPOSED MAXIMUM              PROPOSED MAXIMUM              AMOUNT OF
  SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED     REGISTERED(1)    OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE     AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE(2)     REGISTRATION FEE
<S>                               <C>             <C>                          <C>                             <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units...........................    4,600,000               $16.00                     $ 73,600,000                $21,712.00
Common Stock, par value $.001...    4,600,000                   (3)                              (3)                       (3)
Common Stock Purchase
  Warrants......................    4,600,000                   (3)                              (3)                       (3)
Representative's Warrants.......      138,000               $ 0.01                     $      1,380                $     0.41
Common Stock, par value $.001
  per share, issuable upon
  exercise of Common Stock
  Purchase Warrants(4)..........    4,600,000               $16.00                     $ 73,600,000                $21,712.00
Common Stock, par value $.001
  per share, issuable upon
  exercise of Representative's
  Warrants(4)...................      138,000               $16.00                     $  2,208,000                $   651.36
                                                                                       ------------                ----------
          Total.................                                                       $149,409,380                $44,075.77
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
(1) Assumes exercise of an over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters to
    purchase 600,000 Units.
    
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration
    fee pursuant to Rule 457(a).
(3) Included in the Units at no additional cost.
(4) This Registration Statement also covers any additional shares of Common
    Stock which may become issuable by virtue of the anti-dilution provisions of
    the Common Stock Purchase Warrants and Representative's Warrants. No
    additional registration fee is included for these shares.
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BE COME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALES OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO
REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
   
PROSPECTUS         SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 1, 1998
    
 
[RealTrust logo]
   
                                4,000,000 UNITS
    
                          REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
EACH UNIT TO CONSIST OF ONE SHARE OF COMMON STOCK AND ONE STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
 
     All of the units (the "Units") offered hereby are being sold by RealTrust
Asset Corporation, a newly formed Maryland corporation (the "Company"). Each
Unit consists of one share of Company common stock, par value $.001 per share
("Common Stock"), and one warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock (a
"Warrant"). The Warrants included with the Units will automatically detach from
the Common Stock six months after the closing of this offering (the "Offering").
See "Description of Capital Stock." Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to
purchase one share of Common Stock (a "Warrant Share"), subject to certain
anti-dilution adjustments. The Warrants will become exercisable six months after
the initial closing of this Offering and will remain exercisable until 5:00 p.m.
New York Time on the third anniversary of the date the Warrants first become
exercisable, at an exercise price equal to the Price to Public (as set forth
below). The Company will elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust
("REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and
generally will not be subject to federal taxation on its income to the extent
that it distributes its net income to its stockholders and maintains its
qualification as a REIT.
                            ------------------------
 
   
SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 19 FOR MATERIAL RISK FACTORS THAT SHOULD
BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS. THESE RISKS INCLUDE:
    
 
- - Adoption of the President's 1999 Budget Plan would prohibit a REIT from
  owning, by vote or value, more than 10% of the stock of a corporation and
  would require the Company to combine and/or fully divest itself of its
  interest in CMG Funding Corp., a Delaware corporation and a taxable subsidiary
  of the Company (the "Taxable Subsidiary"), and to make other significant
  changes in the Company's operations, which may reduce earnings and
  distributions.
 
- - The Company has no commitments to purchase specific assets and none of the
  anticipated net proceeds from the Offering have been allocated to specific
  investments. Inability to acquire or delays in investing the net proceeds from
  this Offering will reduce the Company's anticipated income and may have a
  material adverse effect on its results of operations. The Company will have
  broad discretion (i) in the allocation of the net proceeds, (ii) in the types
  and percentages of any type of Mortgage Assets included in its investment
  portfolio, and (iii) in changing its investment and operating policies and
  strategies without the consent of the stockholders. Such discretion creates
  uncertainty for stockholders and could adversely affect results of operations.
 
- - The Company intends to acquire most of its Subprime Mortgage Loans from the
  Taxable Subsidiary. There can be no assurance that the Taxable Subsidiary will
  originate and sell to the Company a sufficient quantity of Subprime Mortgage
  Loans, which may require the Company to acquire Subprime Mortgage Loans from
  third parties at a higher cost, thereby adversely affecting results of
  operations.
                                                        (continued on next page)
 
                            ------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED UPON
THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
                             IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>                           <C>                           <C>
====================================================================================================================
                                      PRICE TO                    UNDERWRITING                  PROCEEDS TO
                                       PUBLIC                     DISCOUNT(1)                    COMPANY(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Unit..................               $                             $                             $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)..................               $                             $                             $
====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
   
(1) Excludes value of the Warrants to be issued to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company,
    Incorporated (the "Representative"), to purchase 120,000 shares of Common
    Stock (138,000 shares of Common Stock if the Underwriters' over-allotment
    option is exercised) at an exercise price equal to the Price to Public (the
    "Representative's Warrants"). The Company and certain of its affiliates have
    agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including
    liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See
    "Underwriting."
    
 
(2) Before deducting expenses of the Offering payable by the Company, estimated
    to be $1,100,000.
 
   
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters an option exercisable within 30
    days after the date of this Prospectus to purchase up to 600,000 additional
    Units on the same terms and conditions set forth above to cover
    over-allotments, if any. If all such additional Units are purchased, the
    total Price to Public, Underwriting Discount and Proceeds to Company will be
    $          , $          and $          , respectively. See "Underwriting."
    
                            ------------------------
 
     The Securities are offered by the Underwriters subject to receipt and
acceptance by them, prior sale and the Underwriters' right to reject any order
in whole or in part and to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer without notice.
It is expected that delivery of certificates for the Securities will be made
through The Depository Trust Company, on or about                     , 1998.
                           STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY
                                  INCORPORATED
 
                    , 1998
<PAGE>   3
 
(continued from previous page)
 
   
- - The Taxable Subsidiary commenced operations in April, 1996 and has experienced
  losses of $1,774,311 and $1,305,866 for fiscal years ended December 31, 1997
  and 1996, respectively, and had an accumulated deficit of $1,494,072 as of
  December 31, 1997. The Company's management of an investment portfolio is a
  change from the historical operations of the Taxable Subsidiary. The Company
  will not control the operations of the Taxable Subsidiary. Management of the
  Company has no experience in managing a REIT, which could adversely affect the
  Company's results of operations.
    
 
- - Conflicts of interest arising from the relationships between the Company and
  each of ContiFinancial Corporation and the Founders may result in decisions
  regarding the Company and its operations, which may not be in the best
  interest of the other stockholders or the Company as a whole. The Taxable
  Subsidiary has agreed to sell 75% of its fixed rate Subprime Mortgage Loans to
  ContiFinancial Corporation at prices established by ContiFinancial Corporation
  (or pay a 40 basis point penalty on the principal shortfall). The Company has
  appointed ContiFinancial Corporation as exclusive placement agent for
  structured debt offerings at fees which may exceed those offered by third
  parties. Of the net proceeds of the Offering, $2.0 million will be used to
  repay the Taxable Subsidiary's working capital debt to ContiFinancial
  Corporation and $2.2 million will be paid to redeem the Company's preferred
  stock held by ContiFinancial Corporation.
 
   
- - The Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation own in the aggregate 19.7% of the
  Common Stock of the Company outstanding immediately after the closing of the
  Offering and could exert significant influence over the Company. The Founders
  will own approximately 66.7% of the voting stock of the Taxable Subsidiary and
  will control its operations. Investors in the Offering will not acquire an
  interest in any entity that controls the Taxable Subsidiary.
    
 
- - The Company intends to invest in Subprime Mortgage Loans, which are generally
  subject to higher delinquency and loss rates than Prime Mortgage Loans and no
  assurance can be given that the Company's underwriting criteria or methods
  will adequately protect the Company.
 
- - Subprime Mortgage Loans are subject to prepayment risks even during periods of
  stable or rising interest rates in that Subprime Mortgage Loan borrowers may
  be able to improve their credit ratings and refinance their Mortgage Loans to
  benefit from reduced interest rate costs.
 
- - The Company will face substantial competition for Subprime Mortgage Loans,
  which may adversely affect future performance and results of operations.
 
- - The Company may invest in Mortgage Loans with high loan-to-value ratios and
  subordinated Mortgage Securities, which are subject to greater loss and credit
  risks than senior or more adequately collateralized Mortgage Loans.
 
- - The Company intends to invest in Mortgage Securities, which may include
  interest-only and principal-only Mortgage Securities and non-investment grade
  Mortgage Securities, which may be subject to a greater risk of loss than
  investments in senior, investment-grade securities.
 
- - Sudden and significant increases in interest rates may adversely affect the
  Company's cost of short-term borrowings used to finance the purchase of
  long-term Mortgage Assets, and may thereby substantially reduce the Company's
  income or result in losses from operations.
 
- - Declining interest rates may increase prepayment rates and reduce net interest
  income.
 
- - The Company intends to use hedging strategies, including interest rate swaps
  and interest rate collars, caps or floors, which have significant transaction
  costs (and therefore will reduce the Company's overall returns on its
  investments) and may not be effective in mitigating interest rate and
  prepayment risks. The Company has no specific hedging policies and generally
  will have broad discretion in the types of hedging transactions it utilizes.
 
   
- - The Company intends to borrow against a substantial portion of the market
  value of its assets (up to approximately 92%) and to maintain a ratio of
  equity to total assets of approximately 8% to 15%; such leverage is likely to
  increase the volatility of income and asset value and may result in losses.
  The Company's governing instruments do not restrict management's ability to
  leverage the Company's assets.
    
 
- - Mortgage Loan prepayments may reduce the average lives of certain Mortgage
  Assets and thereby reduce the Company's operating income.
 
- - Defaults on Mortgage Loans held by the Company may reduce earnings and
  distributions or result in losses.
 
   
- - Purchasers of the Units will be subject to immediate and substantial dilution
  of $4.22 per share prior to exercise of the Warrants and Representative's
  Warrants or $2.31 per share assuming exercise of the Warrants and
  Representative's Warrants and may be subject to further and substantial
  dilution resulting from additional equity offerings in the future.
    
 
   
- - Failure to acquire, by June 30, 1998, assets having a value of approximately
  $325.0 million would preclude the Company from electing REIT status for 1998.
  Failure to elect or maintain REIT status will subject the Company to
  corporate-level tax and thereby reduce or eliminate earnings and the amount of
  cash available for distributions to shareholders.
    
<PAGE>   4
 
     See "Underwriting." For purposes of this Prospectus, the Units, the Common
Stock, the Warrants and the Warrant Shares are referred to collectively as the
"Securities" unless the context indicates otherwise.
 
     Prior to the closing of the Offering, there has been no public market for
the Securities. It is currently estimated that the Price to Public for the Units
will be between $14.00 and $16.00 per Unit. See "Underwriting" for information
relating to the factors considered in determining the Price to Public. The
Company intends to apply for quotation of the Units on the American Stock
Exchange under the symbol "RAC.U" The Company intends to apply for quotation of
the Common Stock and Warrants on the American Stock Exchange effective on the
date the Warrants automatically detach from the Common Stock under the symbols
"RAC" and "RAC.WS," respectively. There can be no guarantee that a public market
for the Securities will develop or be sustained.
 
                            ------------------------
 
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE UNITS. SUCH
TRANSACTIONS MAY INCLUDE STABILIZING BIDS AND PURCHASES IN THE OPEN MARKET,
OVER-ALLOTMENTS, SYNDICATE SHORT COVERING TRANSACTIONS AND PENALTY BIDS. FOR A
DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
<PAGE>   5
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY...............................     1
  The Company....................................     1
  Summary Risk Factors...........................     2
  Competitive Advantages.........................     7
  Management.....................................     8
  Business Strategies............................     8
    Marketing and Production Strategy............     8
    Underwriting and Quality Control.............    10
    Loan Sales for Cash..........................    10
    Mortgage Investment Portfolio................    10
    Structured Debt Instruments..................    12
    Capital Allocation Guidelines................    12
    Servicing Activities.........................    12
  Structure and Formation Transactions...........    13
    Structure of the Company.....................    13
    Formation Transactions and Post-Closing
      Transactions...............................    13
  Dividend Policy and Distributions..............    16
  The Offering...................................    16
  Conflicts of Interest and Related Party
    Transactions.................................    17
    ContiFinancial Corporation...................    17
    Capstone Investments, Inc. ..................    18
    Control of Taxable Subsidiary................    18
    Formation Transactions.......................    18
    Employment Agreements........................    18
 
RISK FACTORS.....................................    19
  General........................................    19
  President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted, Would
    Adversely Affect Results of Operations.......    19
  Operation of a New Enterprise Involves
    Uncertainty..................................    20
    Inability to Acquire or Delays in Acquiring
      Mortgage Assets Will Reduce Income to the
      Company....................................    20
    The Taxable Subsidiary May Not Provide
      Sufficient Subprime Mortgage Loans to the
      Company Which May Adversely Affect Results
      of Operations..............................    20
    Limited Operating History of the Company
      Creates Uncertainty About Future Results...    21
    The Management of an Investment Portfolio of
      Mortgage Assets is a Change in
      Operations.................................    21
    Lack of Experience Managing a REIT May
      Adversely Affect Operating Results.........    21
    Loss of Any Key Personnel May Adversely
      Affect Operations..........................    21
    Future Revisions in Investment and Operating
      Policies and Strategies by Board of
      Directors Creates Uncertainty..............    21
    Failure to Raise Additional Capital May
      Adversely Affect Future Growth and Results
      of Operations..............................    22
  Conflicts of Interest May Result in Decisions
    That Do Not Fully Reflect the Stockholders'
    Best Interest................................    22
    Conflicts of Interest With and Dependence
      Upon ContiFinancial Corporation May Not be
      in the Stockholders' Best Interest.........    22
    A Portion of the Net Proceeds From This
      Offering Will Be Used to Retire Debt to and
      Redeem Stock of ContiFinancial
      Corporation................................    23
    Investors Will Have No Voting Control of the
      Taxable Subsidiary.........................    23
    The Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation
      May Exert Influence Over the Company.......    23
  Investments in Subprime Mortgage Loans Involve
    Greater Risk of Loss.........................    23
    Higher Delinquency and Loss Rates on Subprime
      Mortgage Loans May Result in Losses........    23
    Subprime Mortgage Loans May Experience High
      Prepayment Rates Which Reduces Income From
      Operations.................................    24
    Competition in the Subprime Mortgage Lending
      Market May Have a Material Adverse Effect
      on Results of Operations...................    24
  Investments in High LTV Mortgage Loans and
    Subordinated Mortgage Securities Involve
    Greater Risks of Loss........................    25
    Defaults on High LTV Mortgage Loans May
      Result in Losses...........................    25
    Subordinated Classes of Mortgage Securities
      Are Subject to Greater Credit Risks Than
      Senior Classes.............................    25
  Interest Rate Fluctuations May Adversely Affect
    Operations and Net Interest Income...........    26
    Interest Rate Mismatches Between Mortgage
      Assets and Borrowings May Result in Reduced
      Income or Losses...........................    26
    Interest Rate Increases May Reduce Mortgage
      Loan Originations and Income...............    27
    Declining Interest Rates May Increase
      Prepayment Rates and Reduce Net Interest
      Income.....................................    27
    Hedging Transactions Limit Gains and May
      Increase Exposure to Losses................    27
    Interest-Only and Principal-Only Mortgage
      Securities Are Subject to Substantial
      Interest Rate and Prepayment Risks Which
      May Adversely Affect Results of
      Operations.................................    28
    The Company Has No Specific Hedging Policies
      and Failure to Appropriately Hedge May
      Adversely Affect Results of Operations.....    28
    Counterparty and Unenforceability Risk in
      Hedging Transactions May Result in
      Losses.....................................    28
    Basis Risk in Hedging Transactions May Result
      in Losses..................................    29
  Borrowing to Finance Investment Portfolio May
    Adversely Affect Results of Operations.......    29
    Leverage Increases Exposure to Loss..........    29
    Inability to Implement Leveraging Strategy
      May Reduce Income or Result in Losses......    30
    Inability to Renew or Replace Maturing
      Borrowings May Result in Losses............    30
    Decline in Market Value of Mortgage Asset May
      Limit the Company's Ability to Borrow or
      Result in Losses...........................    30
    Contingent and Residual Risks in Structured
      Debt Financings May Adversely Affect
      Results of Operations......................    31
    Unavailability of Structured Debt Financing
      May Adversely Affect Results of
      Operations.................................    31
    The Company Depends Upon Several Lenders to
      Finance Operations.........................    31
    Lender Bankruptcy May Result in Losses.......    32
  Risks Relating to Mortgage Lending
    Operations...................................    32
    Default on Mortgage Loans May Result in
      Losses.....................................    32
    Competition for Mortgage Loans from
      Independent Mortgage Brokers and
      Correspondents May Adversely Affect Results
      of Operations..............................    33
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       (i)
<PAGE>   6
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
    Commitments to Purchase Mortgage Assets
      Exposes the Company to Interest Rate
      Risk.......................................    33
    Payments to Brokers in Violation of RESPA May
      Result in Adverse Claims...................    33
    Lack of Geographic Diversification Exposes
      the Company to Greater Default Risk........    33
    Inadequate or Ineffective Servicing May
      Increase Delinquency and Default Rates.....    34
    Inability to Sell Mortgage Loans May
      Adversely Affect Results of Operations.....    34
    Legislation and Regulation May Subject the
      Company to Costs of Compliance and Adverse
      Claims For Noncompliance...................    34
    Mortgage Loans Secured By Properties With
      Environmental Problems May Result in
      Liability and Losses.......................    35
    Changes in Economic Conditions May Adversely
      Affect Results of Operations...............    36
  Factors Beyond Control of the Company May
    Affect Performance of the Investment
    Portfolio....................................    36
  Investors Will Incur Immediate and Substantial
    Economic Dilution............................    36
  Future Debt and Equity Offerings May Dilute
    Investors....................................    37
  Failure to Develop a Trading Market May Result
    in Depressed Common Stock Price..............    37
  Failure to Maintain REIT Status Would Have
    Adverse Tax Consequences.....................    37
  Failure to Qualify for Exemption from
    Investment Company Act May Adversely Affect
    the Company..................................    38
  Issuances of Preferred Stock May Adversely
    Affect the Value of Common Stock.............    38
  Restrictions on Ownership of Capital Stock
    Could Discourage a Change of Control.........    38
 
THE COMPANY......................................    40
 
USE OF PROCEEDS..................................    40
 
DIVIDEND POLICY AND DISTRIBUTIONS................    41
 
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN.......................    42
 
DILUTION.........................................    43
 
CAPITALIZATION...................................    44
REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
  PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA.......................    44
REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
  PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET (unaudited)............    45
REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
  PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
  (unaudited)....................................    46
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF REALTRUST ASSET
  CORPORATION AND CMG FUNDING CORP...............    47
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
  CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS............    48
  Overview.......................................    48
  Certain Accounting Policies and Procedures.....    48
  Results of Operations..........................    49
  Liquidity and Capital Resources................    50
  Inflation......................................    51
  Year 2000 Compliance...........................    51
 
BUSINESS.........................................    52
  General........................................    52
  Competitive Advantages.........................    53
  Overview of Subprime Mortgage Market...........    55
  Industry Developments..........................    56
  Mortgage Lending Business......................    57
  Marketing and Production Strategy..............    58
  Underwriting and Quality Control Strategies....    64
  Financing Loans Held for Sale and Investment
    Prior to Structured Debt Financing...........    68
  Information Management Systems.................    70
  Mortgage Investment Portfolio..................    71
  Retained Interests in Structured Debt
    Instruments..................................    72
  Capital and Liquidity Management...............    73
  Capital Allocation Guidelines..................    74
  Servicing Activities...........................    75
  Interest Rate Risk Management..................    77
  Credit Risk Management.........................    79
  Mortgage Loan Prepayments......................    80
  Future Changes in Operating, Investment and
    Accounting Policies..........................    81
 
MANAGEMENT.......................................    83
  Directors and Executive Officers...............    83
  Key Employees..................................    84
  Terms of Directors and Officers................    85
  Committees of the Board........................    86
  Compensation of Directors......................    86
  Compensation Committee Interlocks..............    86
  Executive Compensation.........................    86
  Stock Option Grants............................    92
  Individual Grants..............................    92
 
STRUCTURE AND FORMATION TRANSACTIONS.............    93
  Structure of the Company.......................    93
  RealTrust Asset Corporation....................    93
  The Taxable Subsidiary.........................    94
  Formation Transactions and Post-Closing
    Transactions.................................    94
 
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND RELATED PARTY
  TRANSACTIONS...................................    95
  ContiFinancial Corporation.....................    95
  Capstone Investments, Inc......................    97
  Control of Taxable Subsidiary..................    97
  Formation Transactions.........................    97
  Employment Agreements..........................    97
 
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS...........................    98
 
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK.....................    99
  General........................................    99
  Historical Capital Structure...................    99
  Common Stock...................................    99
  Preferred Stock................................    99
  Warrants and Options...........................   100
  Repurchase of Shares and Restriction on
    Transfer.....................................   103
  Limitation of Liability and Indemnification....   105
  Control Share Acquisitions.....................   106
  Business Acquisitions Statutes.................   107
  Transfer Agent and Registrar...................   107
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      (ii)
<PAGE>   7
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE..................   108
  General........................................   108
  Registration Rights............................   108
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS................   110
  General........................................   110
  Opinion of Counsel.............................   110
  Qualification as a REIT........................   111
  Taxation of the Company........................   114
  Taxation of Taxable Subsidiary.................   114
  Termination or Revocation of REIT Status.......   115
  Taxation of the Company's Stockholders.........   115
  Taxation of Tax-Exempt Entities................   116
  Foreign Investors..............................   117
  Recordkeeping Requirement......................   117
  Backup Withholding.............................   117
  Recent Legislative Proposals...................   118
  State and Local Taxes..........................   118
  ERISA Considerations...........................   118
 
UNDERWRITING.....................................   119
 
LEGAL MATTERS....................................   121
 
EXPERTS..........................................   121
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...........................   121
 
GLOSSARY.........................................   122
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS........   F-1
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      (iii)
<PAGE>   8
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
   
     The summary information below should be read in conjunction with, and is
qualified in its entirety by, the detailed information appearing elsewhere in
this Prospectus. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the definitive
meanings assigned to them in the text below and in the Glossary beginning at
page 122.
    
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     RealTrust Asset Corporation, a Maryland corporation formed on April 1, 1998
("RealTrust" or the "Company"), is a specialty finance company engaged in the
business of originating, purchasing, selling and servicing mortgage loans
secured (i) primarily by first mortgages on single-family residences ("First
Lien Mortgage Loans") and (ii) to a much lesser extent by second lien Mortgage
Loans ("Second Lien Mortgage Loans"; collectively with First Lien Mortgage
Loans, "Mortgage Loans"). RealTrust will own and manage a portfolio composed
primarily of First Lien Mortgage Loans that do not conform to one or more of the
underwriting criteria of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") and
Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"). Such Mortgage Loans are referred
to as "Subprime Mortgage Loans." RealTrust expects to acquire Subprime Mortgage
Loans primarily from CMG Funding Corp., a Delaware corporation and RealTrust's
taxable subsidiary (the "Taxable Subsidiary"). The Company has entered into a
Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with the Taxable
Subsidiary pursuant to which the Company has the right of first refusal on all
Mortgage Loans originated and acquired by the Taxable Subsidiary (except the 75%
of fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans required to be sold to ContiFinancial
Corporation).
 
     RealTrust intends to build a portfolio of primarily Subprime Mortgage Loans
and securities backed by Mortgage Loans ("Mortgage Securities"; together with
Mortgage Loans, "Mortgage Assets") financed with structured debt instruments and
reverse repurchase agreements. The portfolio is expected to generate net
interest income, which, upon election to be taxed as a real estate investment
trust ("REIT"), will not be taxed at the corporate level. RealTrust is now and
intends to remain self-advised and self-managed.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary has operated a mortgage lending business since
April, 1996 and currently originates Mortgage Loans through 14 wholesale and two
retail branch offices. The Taxable Subsidiary's mortgage lending operations
originate and purchase fixed and adjustable-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans, as
well as Mortgage Loans that conform to FHLMC or FNMA underwriting criteria
("Prime Mortgage Loans"). In addition, the Taxable Subsidiary has built a
correspondent lending operation that began purchasing Subprime Mortgage Loans in
the fourth quarter of 1997. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company
intends to purchase adjustable-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans originated or
acquired by the Taxable Subsidiary, as well as fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage
Loans not sold to ContiFinancial Corporation. However, the Company does not
intend to purchase Prime Mortgage Loans from the Taxable Subsidiary.
 
   
     The Taxable Subsidiary will sell its Prime Mortgage Loans and selected
Subprime Mortgage Loans to generate current income and cash flow to partially
fund the Company's mortgage lending operations. See "Business -- Industry
Developments." For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1998, the Taxable
Subsidiary had originated or purchased $60.5 million of Subprime Mortgage Loans,
including $2.8 million of Subprime Mortgage Loans purchased through its
correspondent operations, and originated $91.6 million of Prime Mortgage Loans.
RealTrust owns 100% of the preferred stock (representing 95% of the economic
interest) of the Taxable Subsidiary but does not control its operations. The
Founders own approximately 66.7% of the voting common stock of the Taxable
Subsidiary and, therefore, control its operations. See "Structure and Formation
Transactions."
    
 
     To date, the Taxable Subsidiary has sold all of its Subprime Mortgage Loan
production in whole loan sales for cash. From September 1, 1996 to March 31,
1998, the Taxable Subsidiary sold approximately $150.5 million of Subprime
Mortgage Loans, or approximately 54% of all Subprime Mortgage Loan sales during
such period, to ContiFinancial Corporation (with its affiliates ContiMortgage
Corporation, ContiTrade Services L.L.C., and ContiFinancial Services
Corporation, "ContiFinancial Corporation"). Subsequent to the closing of the
Offering, the Company, a newly-established entity, will commence building a
portfolio of Subprime Mortgage Loans and financed with structured debt. See
"Business -- Industry Developments" and
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   9
 
   
"Risk Factors -- Operation of a New Enterprise Involves Uncertainty." The
Taxable Subsidiary will continue to sell certain Mortgage Loans for cash,
primarily to the Company, but also to third party investors, including the sale
of 75% of its fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans to ContiFinancial Corporation.
See "Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Transactions."
    
 
   
     RealTrust will elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), beginning with the tax year ending December
31, 1998. Upon such election, RealTrust will generally not be subject to Federal
income tax to the extent that it distributes its earnings to its stockholders
and maintains its qualification as a REIT. The Taxable Subsidiary has been and
will continue to be taxed as a "C" corporation and, therefore, was subject to
tax on any earnings.
    
 
     The Company's principal business objectives are to increase earnings per
share, to increase cash available for distribution to stockholders and to
enhance stockholder value. The Company intends to accomplish these goals
primarily by capitalizing on the yields available from investing in Subprime
Mortgage Loans compared to Prime Mortgage Loans, and managing the risks of such
investments. The Company will derive income from two principal business
activities, as follows:
 
          (i) the management of an investment portfolio of Mortgage Assets which
     will generate net interest income based upon the difference between the
     interest earned on its Mortgage Assets and the interest paid on its
     borrowings used to acquire the Mortgage Assets; and
 
          (ii) the operation of the Taxable Subsidiary's mortgage origination
     business, which will generate income from its mortgage lending activities
     and will supply adjustable-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans for long-term
     investment through the proposed REIT structure which avoids Federal income
     tax at the corporate level.
 
     RealTrust will conduct the investment portfolio operations. Specifically,
RealTrust will determine which Mortgage Loans will be held for long-term
investment, will establish underwriting guidelines for the Mortgage Loans, will
arrange financing for the investment portfolio (including the issuance of
structured debt offerings), will administer the capital allocation guidelines
and other risk management policies, and will supervise the servicing operations
of third-party servicers.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary will conduct the mortgage lending operations. The
Taxable Subsidiary will establish and maintain the wholesale, retail and
correspondent channels of production, will perform all underwriting and quality
control processes, will sell all Mortgage Loans that RealTrust does not desire
to hold for long-term investment (either through whole loan sales or
securitizations) and will maintain all necessary state mortgage lending
licenses.
 
                              SUMMARY RISK FACTORS
 
   
     Each prospective purchaser of the Units offered hereby should review the
"Risk Factors" beginning on page 19 for a discussion of material risk factors
that should be considered before acquiring the Units, including the following:
    
 
     -  President's 1999 Budget Plan, if Enacted, Would Adversely Affect Results
        of Operations. Provisions of the President's 1999 Budget Plan would
        prohibit REITs from owning, by vote or value, more than 10% of the stock
        of any corporation. If enacted, the 1999 Budget Plan would cause the
        Company to either combine and/or divest itself of the Taxable Subsidiary
        and its mortgage lending operations and impair the Company's ability to
        qualify as a REIT for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998,
        subjecting the Company to federal taxation on its income, and thereby
        reducing or eliminating earnings and cash available for distributions,
        and may otherwise adversely affect the Company's operations.
 
     -  Inability to Acquire or Delays in Acquiring Mortgage Assets Will Reduce
        Income to the Company. The Company has not entered into any commitment
        to purchase Mortgage Assets. There can be no assurance that a sufficient
        quantity or quality of Mortgage Assets will be provided by the Taxable
        Subsidiary or otherwise available at all to the Company. The Company's
        results of operations also
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   10
 
        may be adversely affected during the period in which it is initially
        implementing its investment, leveraging and hedging strategies, at which
        time the Company will likely invest in short-term Mortgage Assets which
        generally provide a lower rate of return than long-term investments. The
        Company's inability to acquire quality long-term Mortgage Assets in a
        sufficient quantity will reduce the Company's income and may adversely
        affect its results of operations. In addition, management will have
        broad discretion in the allocation of the net proceeds of this Offering
        and in the type and percentages of Mortgage Assets included in its
        investment portfolio. Such discretion further creates uncertainty for
        stockholders and could result in losses to the Company.
 
     -  The Taxable Subsidiary May Not Provide Sufficient Subprime Mortgage
        Loans to RealTrust Which May Adversely Affect Results of Operations. The
        Company intends to acquire most of its Subprime Mortgage Loan Portfolio
        from the Taxable Subsidiary. If the Taxable Subsidiary is unable to
        supply a sufficient quantity of Subprime Mortgage Loans, whether as a
        result of its commitment to sell 75% of its fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage
        Loans to ContiFinancial Corporation or otherwise, the Company would be
        forced to acquire Subprime Mortgage Loans from third parties. Such
        Mortgage Loans may not be available or may be available only at higher
        costs, adversely affecting the Company's results of operations.
 
     -  Limited Operating History of the Company Creates Uncertainty About
        Future Results. RealTrust was organized on April 1, 1998 and the Taxable
        Subsidiary began its operations in April, 1996; as such, the Company has
        not developed an extensive earnings history. Since its inception, the
        Taxable Subsidiary has experienced net losses of $1,774,311 and
        $1,305,866 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996,
        respectively, and had an accumulated deficit of $1,494,072 as of
        December 31, 1997. Accordingly, there is substantial uncertainty
        regarding the Company's future performance and results of operations.
 
     -  The Management of an Investment Portfolio of Mortgage Assets is a Change
        in Operations. The Company's plans to invest in and manage a portfolio
        of Mortgage Assets represent a substantial departure from the Taxable
        Subsidiary's historic operations and the development of an entirely new
        business enterprise. The management of an investment portfolio requires
        the Company's involvement in activities in which the Company has not
        previously engaged, namely financing with structured debt information,
        hedging activities and the investment in Mortgage Securities. The
        Company's management may not have the experience in these particular
        activities necessary to successfully develop or manage such new and
        expanded business enterprise.
 
     -  Lack of Relevant Experience Managing a REIT May Adversely Affect
        Operating Results. The Company's management has had no prior experience
        in managing a REIT. The Company's results of operation and earnings will
        be adversely affected if the Company is unable to manage a REIT
        successfully in the manner described in this Prospectus or otherwise.
 
     -  Loss of Any Key Personnel May Adversely Affect Operations. The Company's
        operations depend in significant part upon the skills and experience of
        Messrs. John D. Fry, Terry L. Mott, John P. McMurray and Steven K.
        Passey. The loss of any such persons could have a material adverse
        effect on the Company's business. The Company's employment agreements
        with each of Messrs. John D. Fry, Terry L. Mott, John P. McMurray and
        Steven K. Passey, and the non-competition provisions thereof, are
        unlikely to be enforceable by the Company against the employees since
        state law and public policy generally prohibit forced employment and
        severely restrict the scope of non-competition provisions. As a result,
        there can be no assurance that such employees will remain with the
        Company and that they will not compete after termination.
 
     -  Future Revisions in Investment and Operating Policies and Strategies by
        Board of Directors Creates Uncertainty. The Board of Directors has
        established, but generally can waive and modify, the investment and
        operating policies and strategies of the Company. These policies and
        strategies do not limit the amount of capital which may be invested in
        any one type of Mortgage Asset. These changes may have a material
        adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and
        financial condition.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   11
 
   
     -  Conflicts of Interest May Result in Decisions That Do Not Fully Reflect
        the Stockholders' Best Interest. The Company is subject to various
        potential conflicts of interest arising from its relationship with
        ContiFinancial Corporation and the Founders. ContiFinancial Corporation
        may be in a position to exercise significant influence over the
        Company's operations in that it will beneficially own a substantial
        portion of the Company's Common Stock (6.6% after this Offering) and
        because of the Company's dependence on ContiFinancial Corporation for
        many financial and financial advisory services. The Company has
        appointed ContiFinancial Corporation as its exclusive placement agent
        for structured debt offerings at a fee which may be higher than those
        available from third parties. The Company is unable to quantify, with
        any degree of reasonable accuracy, the amount of fees which would be
        paid to ContiFinancial Corporation. Such fees depend on market
        conditions which cannot be predicted at this time. Further, such fees
        could be misleading if not placed in the context of the Company's
        earnings and distributions, which the Company is unable to reasonably
        calculate at this time. In addition, the Taxable Subsidiary has agreed
        to sell to ContiFinancial Corporation 75% of its fixed-rate Subprime
        Mortgage Loan production at prices established by ContiFinancial
        Corporation (or pay a 40 basis point penalty on the principal
        shortfall). In addition, $2.0 million of the proceeds from the Offering
        will be used to retire the Taxable Subsidiary's outstanding balance on a
        working capital line and $2.2 million of the proceeds will be used to
        redeem shares of preferred stock held by ContiFinancial Corporation. The
        Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation also control 100% of the voting
        stock of the Taxable Subsidiary. Investors in the Offering will not
        acquire an interest in any entity that controls the Taxable Subsidiary.
        The Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation will also collectively own
        approximately 19.7% of the Common Stock of the Company outstanding after
        the closing of the Offering and can collectively exert substantial
        influence on its operations. These relationships may create potential
        conflicts of interest which may result in decisions that do not fully
        reflect the best interest of the stockholders or the Company as a whole
        and may materially reduce the Company's earnings and distributions.
    
 
     -  Higher Delinquency and Loss Rates on Subprime Mortgage Loans May Result
        in Losses. Subprime Mortgage Loans are made to borrowers who do not
        qualify for Prime Mortgage Loans, generally as a result of past
        derogatory credit items. Thus, Subprime Mortgage Loans may result in
        increased delinquency rates and/or credit losses which could have an
        adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations.
 
     -  Subprime Mortgage Loans May Experience High Prepayment Rates Which
        Reduces Income From Operations. Prepayment rates on Subprime Mortgage
        Loans may increase even in periods of stable or rising interest rates
        since subprime borrowers may be able to improve their credit ratings and
        refinance the Mortgage Loan to reduce their interest rate. Rapid
        prepayments could reduce the Company's income from operations.
 
   
     -  Competition in the Subprime Mortgage Lending Market May Have a Material
        Adverse Effect on Results of Operations. The market for Subprime
        Mortgage Loans is highly competitive and dynamic. The Company faces
        competition from numerous institutions, including other mortgage REITs
        such as NovaStar Financial, Inc. and IMPAC Mortgage Holdings, Inc. As
        the Company expands into particular geographic markets, it will face
        increasing competition from larger lenders with substantially easier
        access to capital and other resources than the Company. Continued and
        increasing competition from new entrants into the market and the
        changing competitive environment may have a material adverse effect on
        the Company's financial condition and its future results of operation.
    
 
     -  Investments in High LTV Mortgage Loans and Subordinated Mortgage
        Securities Involve Greater Risks of Loss. The Company's current
        underwriting guidelines allow for the acquisition of Mortgage Loans with
        up to a 90% loan-to-value ratio ("LTV"), which creates a substantial
        risk that the Company will not be able to recover full amounts due on
        its Mortgage Loans in the event the borrower defaults and the Company
        forecloses and sells the underlying collateral. The Company's planned
        investments in other subordinated classes of debt are subject to similar
        risks of loss upon default, which could have a material adverse effect
        on the Company's business and results of operations.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   12
 
     -  Interest Rate Mismatches Between Mortgage Assets and Borrowings May
        Result in Reduced Income or Losses. Sudden and significant increases in
        interest rates may increase the cost of the Company's short-term
        borrowings more rapidly than the earnings on its long-term Mortgage
        Assets, and thereby may substantially reduce income from operations and
        adversely affect the Company's business and its results of operations.
        In addition, such interest rate increases may also reduce Mortgage Loan
        originations.
 
     -  Declining Interest Rates May Increase Prepayment Rates and Reduce Net
        Interest Income. In the event that prepayments on the Company's Mortgage
        Assets exceed expectations, the Company may (i) lose the opportunity to
        receive interest at the fully indexed rate, (ii) need to write-off
        capitalized premium amounts and (iii) be unable to acquire new or
        replacement Mortgage Assets with similar yields.
 
     -  Hedging Transactions Limit Gains and May Increase Exposure to Losses;
        Company Has No Specific Hedging Policies. The Company intends to
        purchase interest rate caps, swaps and other financial instruments such
        as interest-only Mortgage Securities ("IOs") and principal-only Mortgage
        Securities ("POs") to mitigate the risk of interest rate fluctuations.
        Hedging transactions involve costs which costs increase as the period
        covered by the hedge increases and which increase in periods of rising
        or volatile interest rates. The Company does not have specific hedging
        policies and no hedging policy can entirely eliminate interest rate
        risk. Failure to inappropriately hedge may affect the Company's results
        of operations. The value of IOs and POs are highly sensitive to
        fluctuations in prepayment and interest rates, which may adversely
        affect the Company's results of operations.
 
     -  Counterparty, Unenforceability and Basis Risks in Hedging Transactions
        May Result in Losses. The Company bears the risk that the counterparty
        in any hedging transaction will be unable to perform its obligations.
        Such risk could arise from insufficient documentation, insufficient
        capacity or authority of the counterparty or from the bankruptcy or
        insolvency of the counterparty. In addition, the Company will be subject
        to exposure to differences in price performance between the Company's
        Mortgage Assets and the hedges. Such risks may result in losses on
        hedging transactions.
 
   
     -  Leverage Increases Exposure to Loss. The Company expects to borrow
        against a substantial portion of the market value of its assets (up to
        approximately 92%, depending upon the nature of the underlying Mortgage
        Asset). The Company expects to maintain a ratio of equity to total
        assets of approximately 8% to 15%. Such ratio may change depending upon
        market conditions. The Company does not have any limits on the amount of
        indebtedness. Leverage increases the volatility of income and asset
        value. Failure to implement the Company's leveraging strategy may result
        in losses if the return on its Mortgage Assets is less than its
        borrowing cost and result in reduced profits if the optimal degree of
        leverage is not achieved.
    
 
     -  Inability to Renew or Replace Maturing Borrowings May Result in
        Losses. The Company relies on short-term borrowings to fund acquisitions
        of long-term Mortgage Assets. Any failure to obtain or renew adequate
        funding on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on the
        Company's operations. In such event, the Company could be required to
        sell Mortgage Assets under adverse market conditions and incur losses as
        a result.
 
     -  Defaults on Mortgage Loans May Result in Losses. In the event of a
        default on any Mortgage Loan held by the Company, the Company will bear
        the risk of loss of principal and the Mortgage Loan will cease to be
        eligible collateral for borrowings. To the extent any property
        collateralizing Mortgage Loans is contaminated by hazardous substances,
        the Company may bear the costs of cleanup which could result in losses.
 
     -  Lack of Geographic Diversification Exposes the Company to Greater
        Default Risk. The Mortgage Loans originated by the Taxable Subsidiary in
        the first quarter of 1998 were predominantly concentrated in the
        following states: Florida (32.92%), Utah (17.80%), California (14.04%),
        Georgia (9.43%) and Arizona (5.16%). Lack of geographic diversification
        may subject the Company to a greater default risk in the event of
        adverse economic, political, business developments and material hazards.
 
     -  Inadequate or Ineffective Servicing May Increase Delinquency and Default
        Rates. The Company will initially contract for servicing of its Mortgage
        Loans by third-party servicers. The Company is subject to risks
        associated with insufficient or untimely services which may result in
        increased delinquency
                                        5
<PAGE>   13
 
        and default rates. The Company has entered into a servicing agreement
        with Advanta which requires the payment of termination fees of $100 per
        Mortgage Loan serviced by Advanta at the time of termination. As the
        Company expects to assume responsibility for the servicing of the
        Mortgage Loans, the corresponding termination fee may increase costs and
        reduce the Company's net income from operations, if any.
 
     -  Legislation and Regulation May Subject the Company to Costs of
        Compliance and Claims for Noncompliance. The mortgage lending operations
        of the Taxable Subsidiary are subject to extensive state and federal
        laws, regulations, supervision and licensing. The Taxable Subsidiary
        incurs costs to comply with such laws and regulations and may be subject
        to regulatory or enforcement actions and private proceedings for
        non-compliance. The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act ("RESPA")
        prohibits certain yield spread premium payments to brokers. While the
        Taxable Subsidiary has adopted procedures to mitigate the risk of claims
        for violation of RESPA, the Taxable Subsidiary may be required to change
        its broker compensation program or be subject to adverse claims.
 
     -  Changes in Economic Conditions May Adversely Affect Results of
        Operations. The Company's business may be adversely affected by periods
        of economic slowdown or recession which may be accompanied by decreasing
        demand for consumer credit and declining real estate values. Declining
        real estate values decrease the demand for borrowings and increases the
        loan-to-value ratios of Mortgage Loans previously made by the Company,
        thereby impairing collateral coverage and increasing the possibility of
        a loss in the event of default. Depressed economic conditions also
        increase the risk of delinquencies, foreclosures and losses. Improving
        economic conditions, on the other hand, may increase prepayments and
        lead to further losses. As such, any substantial changes in economic
        conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
        results of operations.
 
   
     -  Purchasers Will Incur Immediate and Substantial Dilution. Purchasers of
        the Units offered hereby will be subject to immediate and substantial
        economic dilution of $4.22 per share (28.1%) prior to exercise of the
        Warrants and the Representative's Warrants or $2.31 per share (15.4%) if
        all of the Warrants and the Representative's Warrants are exercised, in
        the per share net tangible book value of the Common Stock components of
        such Units (assuming sale of all the Units offered hereby at $15.00 per
        Unit).
    
 
     -  Future Debt and Equity Offerings May Dilute Investors. In addition, the
        Company plans to increase its capital resources in the future through
        additional offerings of equity and debt securities. Accordingly,
        purchasers of the Units offered hereby can expect further and
        substantial dilution of their equity in the future.
 
     -  Failure to Develop a Trading Market May Result in Depressed Common Stock
        Price. There has not been a public market for the securities prior to
        this Offering and there can be no assurance that a trading market for
        the securities will develop immediately after the closing of the
        Offering or at all. The price of the Units have been determined by the
        Underwriters and may not reflect the fair value of the Units. As such,
        there can be no assurance that the price of the Units will not fall
        below the public offering price. Even if a public market for the
        Company's securities develops in the future, such market price may not
        reflect the Company's earnings performance and may be subject to
        substantial volatility as a result of fluctuations in interest rates and
        other factors.
 
   
     -  Consequences of Failure to Maintain REIT Status Would Have Adverse Tax
        Consequences. Failure to acquire, by June 30, 1998, assets having a
        value of approximately $325.0 million would preclude the Company from
        electing REIT status for 1998. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT
        in any taxable year, the Company may be subject to federal income tax as
        a regular, domestic corporation, thereby significantly reducing or
        eliminating the amount of cash available for distribution to its
        stockholders. Failure to qualify for REIT status may reduce or eliminate
        any advantage over non-REIT companies.
    
 
     -  Restrictions on Ownership of Capital Stock Could Discourage a Change of
        Control. The Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
        prohibit any person from owning more than 9.8% in value of the capital
        stock of the Company. Such a restriction on ownership may inhibit market
        activity and reduce or eliminate any premium that may otherwise have
        existed on the Securities.
                                        6
<PAGE>   14
 
                                 COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
 
     Management believes that the Company will be able to compete effectively
against its competitors (including certain "C" corporations and mortgage REITs,
see "Risk Factors -- Investments in Subprime Mortgage Loans Involve Greater Risk
of Loss -- Competition in the Subprime Mortgage Lending Market May Have a
Material Adverse Effect on Results of Operations" as a result of the following
factors:
 
     -  The Company's management team has previously built extensive mortgage
        banking operations which allows the Company to intensively manage the
        cost and quality of the Mortgage Loans held for investment.
 
     -  The Taxable Subsidiary's Mortgage Loan production franchise and the
        Company's investment portfolio will focus on Subprime Mortgage Loans.
 
     -  The use of structured debt instruments to finance Mortgage Assets held
        in the Company's investment portfolio is expected to mitigate interest
        rate risk.
 
     -  The Company's status as a REIT offers tax advantages by eliminating
        corporate level Federal income tax.
 
     -  The Company is self-advised and self-managed which limits potential
        conflicts of interest between the stockholders and management.
 
     -  The Taxable Subsidiary structure affords the Company the ability to sell
        Mortgage Loans for cash gains when management determines that such sales
        will provide favorable returns (see "Business -- Industry
        Developments").
 
   
     The Company is, however, subject to numerous risks and uncertainties with
respect to its operations. Such risks and uncertainties include the following.
The Company's management has never managed a REIT and lacks experience in
certain activities associated with managing an investment portfolio, including
the use of structured debt financing, certain hedging strategies and investing
in Mortgage Securities. REITs are subject to numerous asset, income and other
tests, the failure of which could result in loss of REIT status. Subprime
Mortgage Loans are subject to increased risks of delinquency and default which
could result in losses. The use of substantial leverage exposes the Company to
increased risk of loss. The Company has no established limits on the amount of
debt it may incur. The Company is subject to numerous potential conflicts of
interest with each of ContiFinancial Corporation and the Founders. The Founders
will own approximately 66.7% of the voting common stock of the Taxable
Subsidiary and, therefore, will control its operations. Provisions of the
President's 1999 Budget Plan would prohibit the Company from owning more than
10% of the Taxable Subsidiary's capital stock, requiring significant changes to
the currently intended manner of operations. For a description of these and
other risks associated with an investment in the Units, see "-- Summary Risk
Factors" above.
    
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   15
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
     The Company will be governed by a Board of Directors comprised of five
members, three of whom are not officers or employees of the Company or its
affiliates ("Independent Directors"). Day-to-day operations will be conducted by
the Company's executive officers. Although the Company's management does not
have experience managing or operating a REIT, management does have experience
managing taxable entities with similar operations including originating,
purchasing, underwriting, and securitizing Mortgage Loans as well as the
management of Mortgage Asset portfolios.
 
     The Company's two primary executive officers, Mr. John D. Fry and Mr. Terry
L. Mott, collectively have extensive experience in building and operating
mortgage banking operations in a variety of environments, including building
Mortgage Loan production and management teams and creating and implementing
policies, budgets and controls. Mr. Fry, Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB), formed
the Company in February, 1996 and has been the President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors since inception. Mr. Fry began
his mortgage banking career in 1966. From 1989 to 1994, Mr. Fry was Senior Vice
President of Wholesale Lending of ComUnity Lending, Inc., a mortgage bank
located in San Jose, California. From 1984 to 1989, Mr. Fry was Vice President
and Western Division Manager of Goldome Realty Credit Corp., a thrift located in
Buffalo, New York. See "Management."
 
     Mr. Mott has been the Executive Vice President of the Company primarily
responsible for Mortgage Loan production and a Director since inception. Mr.
Mott began his career in mortgage banking in 1977. From 1980 to 1988, Mr. Mott
was the regional Vice President at Fleet Mortgage Corp. where he developed and
managed the retail and wholesale mortgage loan production for the western United
States. From 1988 to 1994, Mr. Mott was Executive Vice President and served on
the executive committee for Medallion Mortgage Company. Mr. Mott left AccuBanc
Mortgage, the successor to Medallion Mortgage Company, in December, 1995, to
form the Company with Mr. Fry. See "Management."
 
     In contemplation of the Offering and the proposed business strategy of the
Company, the Company has hired additional executive management team members,
including Mr. John P. McMurray and Mr. Steven K. Passey. Mr. McMurray joined the
Company in February, 1998, as the Executive Vice President of Secondary
Marketing and Asset Liability Management. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
McMurray was the President of Keystroke Financial, Inc., a start-up internet
mortgage origination company. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. McMurray was Executive Vice
President and Director, Risk Management and Capital Markets for Crestar Mortgage
Corporation where he was responsible for interest rate and credit risk
management, as well as hedging, securitization and loan/securities trading
activities. From 1982 to 1995, Mr. McMurray served in various management
positions with BancPlus Mortgage Corp., most recently serving as the Senior Vice
President, Capital Markets. Mr. McMurray is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a
Certified Public Accountant. He received a Master of Science degree in Real
Estate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Masters of Business
Administration degree from the University of Texas, San Antonio and a Bachelor
of Science degree from Trinity University. Mr. Passey joined the Company in
October, 1997 as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Passey was employed by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP in the
financial services area for eight years, most recently as a manager responsible
for accounting and audit work for financial services companies. Mr. Passey is a
Certified Public Accountant. See "Management."
 
                              BUSINESS STRATEGIES
 
MARKETING AND PRODUCTION STRATEGY
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary acquires or will acquire Mortgage Loans from four
sources: (i) its wholesale channel through which Mortgage Loans are acquired
from a network of independent wholesale brokers, (ii) its correspondent channel
through which closed Mortgage Loans are purchased from other lenders, (iii) its
retail channel through which direct originations are obtained from its retail
branches, and (iv) to a lesser extent, its bulk acquisitions of Mortgage Loans
from other mortgage banks and financial institutions.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   16
 
     The wholesale channel, which originates Mortgage Loans through independent
wholesale brokers, accounted for $115.9 million, or 76.2%, of the Taxable
Subsidiary's Mortgage Loan production during the first quarter of 1998. Of the
wholesale channel Mortgage Loans originated during the first quarter of 1998,
$56.6 million, or 48.8%, were Subprime Mortgage Loans. As of March 31, 1998, the
wholesale channel originated Mortgage Loans through 14 branch offices located
nationwide. These offices are owned by the Taxable Subsidiary and are staffed
with the Taxable Subsidiary's employees, generally between one and 15 loan
officers, zero to five underwriters and two to 20 support personnel. The Taxable
Subsidiary's believes that the Taxable Subsidiary has been successful in
penetrating the broker market by providing prompt, consistent service, which
includes (i) response time efficiencies in the purchase process as a result of
decentralized underwriting, (ii) direct and frequent contact with brokers
through a trained sales force, (iii) competitive pricing, and (iv) a variety of
pricing programs and Mortgage Loan products. The Taxable Subsidiary intends to
initially increase wholesale Mortgage Loan production through expanded marketing
efforts by existing branches and to identify new areas of the United States
where it will establish additional wholesale branches. The Taxable Subsidiary
intends to continue to increase the percentage of Subprime Mortgage Loans
originated through its wholesale channel. The Taxable Subsidiary does not have
exclusive arrangements with any wholesale brokers who remain free to sell
Mortgage Loans to others.
 
     The correspondent lending channel acquires closed Subprime Mortgage Loans
through a national network of approved Mortgage Loan originators that fund and
close each Subprime Mortgage Loan using their own funds and subsequently sell
the Mortgage Loans to the Taxable Subsidiary. The correspondent lending channel
accounted for $2.8 million, or 1.8%, of the Taxable Subsidiary's Mortgage Loan
production during the first quarter of 1998, all of which were Subprime Mortgage
Loans. The goal of the correspondent lending channel is to increase the volume
of Subprime Mortgage Loan production while maintaining the comprehensive quality
control systems currently employed by the wholesale and retail channels of the
Taxable Subsidiary. Subprime Mortgage Loans will be purchased from mortgage
bankers, commercial bankers and savings and loans on a servicing released basis.
Each seller will maintain certain eligibility criteria such as net worth
requirements, Mortgage Loan origination experience and warehouse line
capability. In October, 1997, the Taxable Subsidiary entered into a letter
agreement with Nomura Asset Capital Corporation ("Nomura") to acquire from
Nomura Subprime Mortgage Loans and certain non-binding seller relationships
between Nomura and several sellers through which Nomura has actively purchased
Subprime Mortgage Loans since 1994. See "Business -- Marketing and Production
Strategy -- Correspondent Lending." Pursuant to the terms of the letter
agreement, the Taxable Subsidiary agreed to purchase certain Subprime Mortgage
Loans from Nomura and Nomura agreed to introduce to the Taxable Subsidiary
correspondents and sellers from whom Nomura formerly acquired Subprime Mortgage
Loans. The Taxable Subsidiary agreed to pay Nomura a fee of 25 basis points to
the extent that the Taxable Subsidiary purchases more than $90.0 million of
Subprime Mortgage Loans from such correspondents prior to June 30, 1998. The
Taxable Subsidiary does not expect to purchase any additional loans from such
correspondents until after June 30, 1998 and, therefore, does not expect to pay
any additional fees to Nomura under the agreement. Nomura also agreed to provide
a $100 million reverse repurchase facility. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and
Capital Resources." The Company views the assumption of the Nomura seller
relationships as a platform to build and develop the Subprime Mortgage Loans
necessary to implement the Company's Mortgage Asset portfolio strategy.
 
     The retail channel, which originates Mortgage Loans through the direct
solicitation of borrowers, accounted for $33.4 million, or 22.0%, of the Taxable
Subsidiary's Mortgage Loan production during the first quarter of 1998. Of the
Mortgage Loans originated through the retail channels during the first quarter
of 1998, $1.2 million, or 3.5%, were Subprime Mortgage Loans. As of March 31,
1998, the retail channel originated Mortgage Loans through two branch offices
located in Salt Lake City, Utah and Las Vegas, Nevada. Such offices are staffed
with five to 10 loan officers, one underwriter and five to seven support
personnel. The retail channel includes traditional marketing activities
conducted by retail loan officers, all of whom are commissioned employees of the
Taxable Subsidiary, who seek to identify potential borrowers through referral
sources and individual sales efforts, as well as high-volume targeted direct
mail and telephone solicitation. The Taxable Subsidiary intends to maintain
Prime Mortgage Loan production and to focus on increasing Subprime Mortgage Loan
production within its existing retail branch offices by staffing each retail
office with a
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   17
 
minimum of two Subprime Mortgage Loan officers who will utilize direct mail and
telephone solicitation methods to generate such Mortgage Loans.
 
   
     The Taxable Subsidiary may also acquire a portion of its Mortgage Asset
portfolio through occasional bulk acquisitions of Mortgage Asset pools ranging
in size from $2.0 million to $50.0 million. The Taxable Subsidiary has made bulk
acquisitions of Mortgage Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $65.9
million.
    
 
UNDERWRITING AND QUALITY CONTROL
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary underwrites all Mortgage Loans originated through
its retail and wholesale channels with a staff of in-house underwriters. The
Taxable Subsidiary staffs each office with senior underwriters with a minimum of
five years experience and trains each underwriter on the Taxable Subsidiary's
underwriting policies and procedures at the Taxable Subsidiary's headquarters in
Salt Lake City, Utah. The underwriters are permitted to staff retail or
wholesale offices after approval by the Chief Credit Officer, and are subject to
a 30-day probation, during which their work is closely scrutinized by the
Taxable Subsidiary. The Taxable Subsidiary has an extensive, systematized
quality control and audit plan currently in place to monitor the quality of the
Mortgage Loans originated and purchased, personnel and processes.
 
   
LOAN SALES FOR CASH
    
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary has historically followed a strategy of selling for
cash gains all of its Mortgage Loan originations and purchases through Mortgage
Loan sales in which the Taxable Subsidiary disposes of its entire economic
interest in the Mortgage Loans (including servicing rights) for a cash price
that represents a premium over the principal balance of the Mortgage Loans sold.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the Taxable Subsidiary sold $477.1
million of Mortgage Loans through whole Mortgage Loan sales transactions. The
Taxable Subsidiary did not sell any Mortgage Loans through securitization during
this period; however, substantially all of the Mortgage Loans sold during this
period were ultimately securitized by the purchasers thereof. Ultimately, the
Company plans to build an investment portfolio by retaining selected Subprime
Mortgage Loans. The Taxable Subsidiary, however, intends to continue to sell to
various Mortgage Loan investors for cash gains, all of its Prime Mortgage Loans,
all of its Second Lien Mortgage Loans and certain of its Subprime Mortgage
Loans. See "Business -- Industry Developments." The sale of these Mortgage Loans
is expected to generate current income and cash flow to partially fund the
Taxable Subsidiary's mortgage lending operations. See "Risk Factors -- Risks
Relating to Mortgage Lending Operations."
 
MORTGAGE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
 
     The Company will acquire and manage a portfolio of Mortgage Assets,
primarily composed of Subprime Mortgage Loans originated and purchased by the
Taxable Subsidiary and financed with structured debt instruments. As with a bank
or savings and loan association, the Company's portfolio of Mortgage Assets is
expected to generate net income to the extent that the yield on its Mortgage
Assets exceeds the overall cost of its borrowings. The Company will attempt to
construct a portfolio of Mortgage Assets which will provide a relatively
consistent level of net interest income through a variety of interest rate
environments. The Company intends to develop and manage this portfolio of
Mortgage Assets to maximize net interest income within prescribed risk
constraints.
 
     The Company's Mortgage Assets will be comprised of both whole Subprime
Mortgage Loans and Subprime Mortgage Securities. The Company anticipates that
such Mortgage Assets will be subject to numerous risks, primarily interest rate
risk, credit risk and prepayment risk, among others. The Company has established
policies to attempt to manage the risks relating to the use of substantial
leverage, interest rate risks, credit risks and prepayment risks associated with
its long-term investment in Mortgage Assets. The Board of Directors and
management have broad discretion to amend such policies without the consent of
the stockholders. See "Risk Factors -- Operation of a New Enterprise Involves
Uncertainty -- Future Revisions in Investment and Operating Policies and
Strategies by Board of Directors Creates Uncertainty."
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   18
 
     USE OF LEVERAGE
 
     The Company employs capital allocation guidelines to manage the risks
associated with the use of substantial leverage. See "Summary -- Capital
Allocation Guidelines."
 
     CREDIT RISK MANAGEMENT
 
     The Company attempts to manage credit risk through a number of policies and
strategies, including early intervention and aggressive collection servicing
techniques. See "Summary -- Servicing Activities." In addition, the Company
attempts to mitigate credit risk through its underwriting, appraisal and quality
control programs. To manage credit risk, the Company has adopted underwriting
guidelines wherein all Mortgage Loans are subjected to a detailed review by
Company underwriters. The underwriting guidelines determine maximum LTV ratios
that will be accepted (generally not in excess of 90%), which LTVs are expected
to provide sufficient protection in the event of default and foreclosure. In
addition, the Company requires appraisals by FIRREA-qualified appraisers to
determine the LTV. The Taxable Subsidiary purchases loans only from
Correspondents who meet minimum net worth requirements ($400,000), and each of
whom make extensive representations and warranties regarding Mortgage Loans sold
to the Taxable Subsidiary. Upon any breach of such representations or
warranties, the Correspondents are required to repurchase the corresponding
Mortgage Loan. Finally, the Taxable Subsidiary employs a quality assurance
program to monitor the performance of its underwriters as well as Correspondents
and brokers which sell Mortgage Loans to the Taxable Subsidiary. See
"Business -- Credit Risk Management."
 
     INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
 
     To manage interest rate risk, which arises primarily from potential
mismatches in the interest rate on the Company's borrowings and those on its
Mortgage Assets, the Company has adopted a number of policies. The Company will
attempt to structure its liabilities to have interest rate indices and
adjustment periods that correspond as closely as possible with the indices and
adjustment periods on its Mortgage Assets. The Company also intends to use
interest rate caps, swaps and similar instruments to limit, fix or partially
offset changes in interest rates on its borrowings. See "Business -- Interest
Rate Risk Management" and "Risk Factors -- Interest Rate Fluctuations May
Adversely Affect Operations and Net Interest Income." The Company will finance
its Mortgage Assets with CMOs which mitigate some interest rate risk. See
"Summary -- Structured Debt Financing." No interest rate management strategy can
completely insulate the Company from interest rate risks. Moreover, certain
provisions of the Code limit the hedging strategies of REITs. See "Risk
Factors -- Interest Rate Fluctuations May Adversely Affect Operations and Net
Interest Income -- Hedging Transactions Limit Gains and May Increase Exposure to
Losses."
 
     PREPAYMENT RISK MANAGEMENT
 
     Prepayments of Mortgage Loans prior to their maturity date generally
increase as interest rates decline. Subprime Mortgage Loans may be subject to
increased rates of prepayment in stable or rising interest rates if borrowers
are able to repair their credit ratings and refinance at lower rates. Prepayment
affects the Company in several ways. First, to the extent the Company pays a
premium over the outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loan, significant
unexpected expenses may be recognized upon prepayment. Second, since prepayments
tend to accelerate in declining interest rate environments, it may be difficult
to replace prepaid Mortgage Loans with Mortgage Loans offering similar yields.
Replacement Mortgage Loans may have low introductory rates that would reduce the
Company's earnings. The Company attempts to mitigate prepayment rates by
acquiring Mortgage Loans that carry prepayment penalties. During the first
quarter of 1998, 84.5% of the Taxable Subsidiary's Subprime Mortgage Loans had
prepayment fees. The Company also intends to structure into its CMO financing
with certain hedging instruments which may mitigate some prepayment risk. The
Company further intends to implement procedures for soliciting borrowers who are
expected to refinance and prepay. No policies or procedures can fully protect
the Company from prepayment risks. See "Risk Factors -- Interest Rate
Fluctuations May Adversely Affect Operations and Reduce Net Interest Income --
Declining Interest Rates May Increase Prepayment Rate and Reduce Net Interest
Income."
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   19
 
STRUCTURED DEBT INSTRUMENTS
 
     The Company intends to hold for long-term investment Subprime Mortgage
Loans originated or acquired by its mortgage lending operation and to finance
such Mortgage Loans with long-term financings through the issuance of structured
debt instruments, or collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"). Pursuant to
this approach, for accounting purposes, the Mortgage Loans collateralizing any
CMO remain on the balance sheet as assets and the debt obligations (i.e., CMOs)
appear as liabilities, if such obligations meet the requirements of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 125, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing
of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, to be accounted for as
financings. The Company's retained interest under this approach is reflected by
the excess of the assets over the related liabilities on its balance sheet. The
Company will recognize net interest income to the extent that the interest rate
on the Mortgage Loans collateralizing CMOs exceeds the interest payable to the
holders of the CMOs. Unlike other forms of securitization, CMOs are not
considered sales of the Mortgage Loans which result in immediate accounting
recognition of the expected stream of future income, referred to as "gain on
sale." Gain-on-sale securitizations result in income recognition in excess of
actual cash received. In the event that the actual income is less than expected
at the time of the gain-on-sale securitization, the issuer may be required to
restate income or take losses. The Company believes that CMO financing is
preferable because it reflects only actual net interest income and reduces the
risk of future earnings volatility.
 
CAPITAL ALLOCATION GUIDELINES
 
     The Company's goal is to maintain a balance between the under-utilization
of leverage, which may diminish returns to stockholders, and the
over-utilization of leverage, which could limit the Company's funding
alternatives during adverse market conditions. See "Risk Factors -- Borrowing to
Finance Investment Portfolio May Adversely Affect Results of
Operations -- Leverage Increases Exposure to Loss." Therefore, the Company has
adopted Capital Allocation Guidelines (the "CAG"). The primary factors
influencing the Company under circumstances of adverse market conditions are (i)
increases in interest rates, and (ii) increases in general market perception of
credit risk associated with residential Mortgage Loans. Interest rate increases
reduce the market value of the Company's Mortgage Assets and therefore reduce
the amount of available financing since financing is dependent on market values.
An increase in the perceived credit risk tends to increase the level of
over-collateralization required by rating agencies so that the Company can
obtain investment grade ratings on its senior classes of structured financings,
such as CMOs. Higher levels of over-collateralization reduce the quantity of
total financing prospectively available to the Company for a given quantity of
Mortgage Loans. The Company's CAG are designed for purposes of sustaining
liquidity and funding alternatives during each of these adverse market
conditions.
 
SERVICING ACTIVITIES
 
     Initially, the Company intends to engage a third-party servicer to service
all Mortgage Loans in the Company's investment portfolio while management
focuses on Mortgage Loan production, Mortgage Loan processing, asset/liability
management, administrative operations and securitization. Such a subservicing
agreement will allow the Company to take advantage of the experience of
Advanta's servicing staff, their computer and customer service systems and
collection procedure. Although there can be no assurances, the Company intends
to develop its own servicing capability in order to oversee the performance of
its Mortgage Loans more directly and to manage the servicing relationship with
its borrowers. The timing of this action will be based on the time required to
obtain the personnel and computer systems necessary to properly manage a
servicing department capable of servicing over $1.0 billion in Subprime Mortgage
Loans.
 
     The Company currently has a Loan Servicing Agreement with Advanta Mortgage
Corp. (the "Advanta Servicing Agreement"). Under the Advanta Servicing
Agreement, the Company is obligated to pay Advanta a monthly servicing fee on
the declining principal of each Mortgage Loan serviced and a set-up fee for each
Mortgage Loan delivered to Advanta for servicing. Upon termination by the
Company of this servicing agreement, the Company will be obligated to pay a
termination fee equal to $100 per Mortgage Loan then serviced by Advanta, and
will incur additional costs incident to such termination. See
"Business -- Servicing Activities." As of March 31, 1998, the Company had an
immaterial number and principal amount of
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   20
 
Mortgage Loans under the Advanta Servicing Agreement (five Mortgage Loans with a
principal balance of $0.4 million). The Company intends to select the servicer
offering the most favorable terms and highest quality services and believes the
Advanta Servicing Agreement will not, now or in the future, deter the Company
from selecting another servicer.
 
                      STRUCTURE AND FORMATION TRANSACTIONS
 
STRUCTURE OF THE COMPANY
 
     The Company will initially conduct its operations through at least two
entities as follows: (i) RealTrust Asset Corporation, a newly formed Maryland
corporation which will elect REIT status beginning with the taxable year ending
December 31, 1998 (for purposes of this discussion, sometimes referred to as
"RealTrust"), and (ii) CMG Funding Corp., a Delaware corporation which will not
elect REIT status (for purposes of this discussion, sometimes referred to as the
"Taxable Subsidiary"). This structure is designed primarily to permit RealTrust
to acquire the ownership of a substantial portion of the economic interest of
the Taxable Subsidiary while qualifying for REIT status. See "Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT -- Nature of Assets" and "Risk
Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted, Would Adversely Affect
Results of Operations."
 
                               [STRUCTURE CHART]
 
FORMATION TRANSACTIONS AND POST-CLOSING TRANSACTIONS
 
  FORMATION TRANSACTIONS
 
     Immediately prior to or upon the closing of this Offering, the following
transactions will be consummated (the "Formation Transactions"):
 
     -  As of April 15, 1998, the stockholders of the Taxable Subsidiary have
        contributed 95% of their capital stock of the Taxable Subsidiary to
        RealTrust in exchange for shares of capital stock issuable by RealTrust,
        including the Common Stock and preferred stock (the "Capital Stock");
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   21
 
   
     -  The capital stock of the Taxable Subsidiary will be recapitalized such
        that RealTrust will own 100% of the non-voting preferred stock
        representing 95% of the economic interest of the Taxable Subsidiary and
        the stockholders of the Taxable Subsidiary prior to this Offering (other
        than ContiFinancial Corporation, the "Founders") (66.7%) and
        ContiFinancial Corporation (33.3%), will own all of the common stock
        representing five percent of the economic interest of the Taxable
        Subsidiary (reflecting their respective ownership percentages of the
        Taxable Subsidiary's entire capital stock);
    
 
   
     -  The outstanding shares of preferred stock of RealTrust, owned by
        ContiFinancial Corporation, John Fry and Terry Mott, and all of the
        shares of Common Stock of RealTrust held by the Founders and
        ContiFinancial Corporation will be converted into an aggregate of
        984,370 shares of Common Stock of RealTrust, par value $.001 per share
        (the "Common Stock"); except the 410,581 shares of Class B Redeemable
        Preferred Stock owned by ContiFinancial Corporation which will be
        redeemed after the closing of this Offering (see "Conflicts of Interest
        and Related Party Transactions -- ContiFinancial Corporation" and "Use
        of Proceeds");
    
 
     -  The Company will amend its Articles of Incorporation to adopt provisions
        necessary for qualification as a REIT;
 
   
     -  The Company will sell 4,000,000 Units in the Offering (assuming no
        exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option); and
    
 
     -  The Company will grant the Representative's Warrants.
 
  POST-CLOSING TRANSACTIONS
 
     Following the closing of the Offering, the following transactions will be
consummated (the "Post-Closing Transactions"):
 
     -  The Company will elect to be taxed as a REIT;
 
     -  The Company will conduct certain aspects of its mortgage lending
        operations through the Taxable Subsidiary. The Company will own all of
        the shares of non-voting preferred stock of the Taxable Subsidiary,
        which shares shall represent 95% of the economic interest of the Taxable
        Subsidiary. See "Risk Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If
        Enacted, Would Adversely Affect Results of Operations";
 
   
     -  The Founders will own approximately 66.7% and ContiFinancial Corporation
        will own approximately 33.3% of the voting common stock of the Taxable
        Subsidiary, which shares shall represent five percent of the economic
        interest of the Taxable Subsidiary;
    
 
     -  The Company will redeem the 410,581 shares of Class B Redeemable
        Preferred Stock held by ContiFinancial Corporation for $2,000,000, plus
        dividends accrued since January 1, 1998, at the rate of 18% per annum;
        and
 
   
     -  In addition to the options to purchase 64,325 shares of Common Stock
        granted to officers, directors and employees under the 1996 Stock Option
        Plan, the Company will also grant to officers, directors and employees
        (including ContiFinancial Corporation) options to purchase an aggregate
        of 407,569 shares of Common Stock under the 1998 Stock Option Plan (See
        "Management -- Executive Compensation -- 1998 Stock Option Plan").
    
 
  CONSEQUENCES OF FORMATION TRANSACTIONS AND POST-CLOSING TRANSACTIONS
 
     The consummation of the Formation Transactions and the Post-Closing
Transactions will have the following consequences:
 
   
     -  The purchasers of Units in the Offering will own 80.3% of the
        outstanding shares of Common Stock (assuming no exercise of the
        Warrants, the Representative's Warrants, the over-allotment option or
        outstanding stock options) and will own all of these Warrants, except
        the Representative's Warrants;
    
 
   
     -  The Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation will collectively own 19.7%
        of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company (assuming no
        exercise of the Warrants, the Representative's Warrants, the
        over-allotment option or outstanding stock options);
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   22
 
   
     -  In addition to options granted to officers, directors and employees of
        the Company to purchase 64,325 shares of Common Stock at exercise prices
        ranging from $9.17 to $15.00 under the 1996 Stock Option Plan, officers,
        directors and employees of the Company (including ContiFinancial
        Corporation) will have options to purchase an aggregate of 407,569
        shares of Common Stock, subject to certain vesting provisions, at an
        exercise price equal to the Price to Public (See "Management --
        Executive Compensation -- 1998 Stock Option Plan);
    
 
     -  The Company will own all of the non-voting preferred stock of the
        Taxable Subsidiary, which shares will represent 95% of the economic
        interest of the Taxable Subsidiary; and
 
   
     -  The Founders will own 66.7% and ContiFinancial Corporation will own
        33.3% of the voting shares of common stock of the Taxable Subsidiary,
        which stock will collectively represent five percent of the economic
        value of the Taxable Subsidiary.
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   23
 
                       DIVIDEND POLICY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     As a REIT, the Company must distribute substantially all of its taxable
income to stockholders during each year. See "Dividend Policy and Distributions"
and "Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Qualification as a
REIT -- Distributions." The Company expects to declare four regular
distributions each year commencing with a pro rata distribution for the quarter
ending June, 1998. After the closing of this Offering, the Company intends to
adopt a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "DRP") that will allow stockholders to
have their distributions reinvested automatically in additional shares of Common
Stock. Upon adoption of the DRP, each stockholder will be notified in writing of
the procedure for enrolling in the DRP. See "Dividend Reinvestment Plan."
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>
Units Offered by the Company and Outstanding After This
  Offering(1)..........................................................    4,000,000
Common Stock to be Outstanding After the Offering(2)(3)................    4,984,370
Common Stock Purchase Warrants to be Outstanding After the
  Offering(4)..........................................................    4,000,000
Common Stock Options Outstanding After the Offering(5).................      471,894
Use of Proceeds............  Mortgage Asset acquisition................  $45,425,000
                             Redemption of ContiFinancial Corporation
                               Preferred Stock.........................    2,180,000
                             Repayment of ContiFinancial Corporation
                               Working Capital Debt....................    2,025,000
                             Repayment of Capstone Note................      850,000
                             Working Capital...........................    4,220,000
                                                                         -----------
                             Net Proceeds..............................  $54,700,000
                                                                         ===========
American Stock Exchange Symbol
  For the Units........................................................  RAC.U
  For the Common Stock(6)..............................................  RAC
  For the Warrants(6)..................................................  RAC.WS
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
(1) Assumes the Underwriters' over-allotment option to purchase up to 600,000
    additional Units is not exercised. Includes Units issuable upon exercise of
    the option granted to Capstone Investments, Inc. to convert all or any
    portion of a Convertible Secured Promissory Note into Units of the Company
    offered hereby at the Price to Public. See "Conflicts of Interest and
    Related Party Transactions -- Capstone Investments, Inc."
    
 
   
(2) Does not include (i) 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
    upon exercise of the Warrants which will be a part of the outstanding Units
    (4,600,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised), or (ii) 120,000
    shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of the
    Representative's Warrants (138,000 if the over-allotment option is
    exercised).
    
 
(3) Excludes the 410,581 shares of Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock owned by
    ContiFinancial Corporation which will be redeemed after the closing of the
    Offering. See "Conflicts of Interest and Related Party
    Transactions -- ContiFinancial Corporation."
 
(4) Exercisable at the Price to Public. Excludes the Representative's Warrants.
    The Warrants shall automatically detach from the Common Stock six months
    after the closing of the Offering. Also excludes warrants granted to
    ContiFinancial Corporation which terminate upon the closing of the Offering
    and excludes warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock at the Price
    to Public granted to Capstone Investments, Inc. See "Conflicts of Interest
    and Related Party Transactions -- ContiFinancial Corporation" and
    " -- Capstone Investments, Inc."
 
   
(5) Includes options to purchase 34,325 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
    price of $9.17 per share and options to purchase 30,000 shares at an
    exercise price of $15.00 per share granted to employees of the Company under
    the 1996 Stock Option Plan and options to purchase 407,569 shares of Common
    Stock at
    
                                       16
<PAGE>   24
 
an exercise price equal to the Price to Public granted to employees of the
Company under the 1998 Stock Option Plan. See "Management -- Executive
Compensation -- 1998 Stock Option Plan."
 
   
(6) The Common Stock and Warrants will not be separately listed and traded until
    the Warrants are automatically detached, six months after the closing of the
    Offering.
    
 
              CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
CONTIFINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary and the Company have entered into the following
transactions with ContiFinancial Corporation.
 
   
     Stock Ownership. Immediately prior to the closing of the Offering,
ContiFinancial Corporation will own 506,933 shares of Common Stock, 252,117
shares of Class A Convertible Preferred Stock and 410,581 shares of Class B
Redeemable Preferred Stock, which in the aggregate represents approximately
43.0% of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock (approximately 42.0% on a fully
diluted basis). Immediately prior to the closing of the Offering, each share of
Class A Convertible Preferred Stock, including those owned by ContiFinancial
Corporation, will be converted into one share of Common Stock. All of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock will be reverse split into an aggregate of
984,370 shares of Common Stock. As a result, immediately prior to the closing of
the Offering, ContiFinancial Corporation will own 327,730 shares of Common
Stock, representing 33.3% of the outstanding shares (32.2% on a fully diluted
basis, excluding the Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock to be redeemed upon
closing of the Offering). Upon closing of the Offering, the Company intends to
redeem the Class B Redeemable Preferred.
    
 
     The redemption price for all shares of the Class B Redeemable Preferred
Stock equals the original purchase price of $2,000,000, plus dividends accrued
from January 1, 1998 at the rate of 18% per annum, for a total redemption price
of $2,180,000, assuming redemption occurs on June 30, 1998. The Class B
Redeemable Preferred Stock is also entitled to a liquidation preference of
$2,000,000 plus accrued dividends. The Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock is not
convertible into Common Stock.
 
     Agreements to Sell Mortgage Loans. Upon the closing of the Offering until
December 31, 2001, the Taxable Subsidiary has agreed to sell to ContiFinancial
Corporation not less than 75% of the fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans
originated or acquired by the Taxable Subsidiary in each month. The purchase
price for such Subprime Mortgage Loans shall be the fair market value as
determined by the best published rate sheet at ContiMortgage Corporation, an
affiliate of ContiFinancial Corporation. In any month, the Taxable Subsidiary
may substitute adjustable-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans for up to 50% of the
amount required to be offered for sale to ContiFinancial Corporation. To the
extent that the Taxable Subsidiary offers to sell less than 75% of the monthly
fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage Loan production, the Taxable Subsidiary has agreed
to pay ContiFinancial Corporation a fee equal to 40 basis points multiplied by
the amount of the principal shortfall.
 
   
     Warehouse, Standby and Working Capital Financing Agreements. The Taxable
Subsidiary currently has a warehouse facility with ContiFinancial Corporation in
the principal amount of $50.0 million and a working capital facility in the
maximum principal amount of $2.0 million. As of March 31, 1998, the Taxable
Subsidiary had outstanding borrowings under such lines of $40.0 million and $2.0
million, respectively. The Company anticipates that, immediately after the
closing of this Offering, the Company will advance to the Taxable Subsidiary an
amount sufficient to repay all amounts borrowed under the working capital
facility. See "Use of Proceeds." The Taxable Subsidiary may continue to finance
the acquisition of Mortgage Loans under the warehouse facility. Although the
Taxable Subsidiary anticipates that it will be able to obtain financing on terms
more favorable than those provided by the warehouse facility after the closing
of the Offering, the Taxable Subsidiary believes that the warehouse facility is
currently on terms not less favorable to the Taxable Subsidiary than those
available from independent third parties in arm's-length transactions.
    
 
     Warrants to Purchase Capital Stock. The Taxable Subsidiary has granted to
ContiFinancial Corporation two warrants to purchase shares of common stock. If
the amount of principal and interest due under the working capital facility is
not repaid in full by January 1, 1999, the first warrant allows ContiFinancial
Corporation to purchase, for a nominal amount, shares of common stock
representing up to five percent of the
                                       17
<PAGE>   25
 
outstanding shares (on a fully diluted basis) of the Taxable Subsidiary. If the
Company repays in full the working capital facility, the warrant is not
exercisable and automatically terminates. The Company anticipates that the
working capital facility will be repaid upon closing of the Offering from the
net proceeds thereof. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary has also granted ContiFinancial Corporation a
warrant to purchase, for a nominal amount, shares of common stock representing
one percent of the outstanding shares (on a fully diluted basis) for each
quarter ending prior to the closing of the Offering in which the Taxable
Subsidiary does not attain at least 90% of its pre-tax net income target. Such
warrant automatically expires and may not be exercised by ContiFinancial
Corporation after the closing of the Offering. The Taxable Subsidiary has
established the pre-tax net income targets.
 
     Structured Debt Placement Agent/Underwriter. Until December, 2001, the
Company has appointed ContiFinancial Corporation as its exclusive placement
agent for structured debt offerings and other securitizations and has agreed to
pay to ContiFinancial Corporation a fee of 25 basis points of the principal
amount of any such structured debt public offering and 50 basis points of the
gross proceeds of any such structured debt private offering. These fees are
payable to ContiFinancial Corporation for financial advisory services to be
rendered pursuant to the Investment Banking Services Agreement and will not be
reduced by any fees payable or paid to others, including the underwriters, the
placement agent or to other agents or advisors, if any, in connection with any
structured debt offering. Such combined fees may exceed those available from a
single third party. See "Conflicts of Interest and Related Party
Transactions -- ContiFinancial Corporation" and "Risk Factors -- Conflicts of
Interest May Result in Decisions That Do Not Fully Reflect the Stockholders'
Best Interests."
 
CAPSTONE INVESTMENTS, INC.
 
     In March, 1998 and April, 1998, the Taxable Subsidiary borrowed an
aggregate $850,000 from Capstone Investments, Inc., a Nevada corporation,
evidenced by a Convertible Secured Promissory Note (the "Note") bearing simple
interest at 9% per annum. The Note matures upon the earlier of (i) January 1,
1999 or (ii) the closing of the Offering. Interest on the Note is payable
monthly and principal is payable upon maturity. Capstone Investments, Inc. has
the option to convert all or any portion of the Note into Units of the Company
offered hereby at the Price to Public. In addition, the Company has granted
Capstone Investments, Inc. warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock at
a price equal to the Price to Public. See "Conflicts of Interest and Related
Party Transactions -- Capstone Investments, Inc."
 
CONTROL OF TAXABLE SUBSIDIARY
 
     Although RealTrust will be entitled to 95% of the economic benefits of the
Taxable Subsidiary, it will not own any voting securities. All voting securities
will be owned by the Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation. As a result, the
Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation can conduct the affairs of the Taxable
Subsidiary in a manner that may not be in the best interests of the Stockholders
of RealTrust. See "Risk Factors -- Conflicts of Interest May Result in Decisions
That Do Not Fully Reflect the Stockholders' Best Interests."
 
FORMATION TRANSACTIONS
 
     The Formation Transactions that will occur on or prior to the closing of
the Offering will benefit the Founders of the Company. See "Structure and
Formation Transactions."
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs.
Fry, Mott, McMurray and Passey. Such employment agreements will provide for an
initial term of five years for Messrs. Fry and Mott and three years for Messrs.
McMurray and Passey, among other benefits. See "Management -- Executive
Compensation -- Employment Agreements."
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   26
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus, the
following material risk factors should be carefully considered in evaluating the
Company and its business before purchasing any of the Units offered hereby. This
Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which are indicated by the words
"may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "continue," "believe," "intend," and
similar expressions. Discussions containing such forward-looking statements may
be found in the material set forth under "Prospectus Summary," "Use of
Proceeds," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and "Business," as well as within the Prospectus
generally. Actual results may differ materially from those described in the
forward-looking statements as a result of the risks and uncertainties set forth
below and within the Prospectus generally.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company's mortgage lending operations conducted through CMG Funding
Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Taxable Subsidiary" or "CMG Funding Corp.")
and the proposed management of a portfolio of Mortgage Assets involve numerous
risk factors, many of which overlap. For example, the risks associated with
changes in interest rates affect the mortgage lending business (e.g., by
impacting the level of Mortgage Loan originations) as well as the Mortgage Asset
portfolio business (e.g., by impacting the value of the Mortgage Assets and the
prepayment rate and, hence, the rate of amortization of premium and discount).
In addition, both of the Company's lines of business are subject to risks
generally impacting the Company as a whole, such as loss of REIT status for tax
purposes. See "-- Failure to Maintain REIT Status Would Have Adverse Tax
Consequences."
 
     The reader is cautioned, however, that the risk factors must be read in
their entirety for a full understanding of the Company's risk profile. It should
be noted that many of the risk factors discussed below apply to both lines of
business in different ways which could have offsetting effects on the Company's
combined businesses.
 
PRESIDENT'S 1999 BUDGET PLAN, IF ENACTED, WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
 
     Certain provisions in the President's 1999 Budget Plan, if enacted, would
adversely affect both the Company's ability to conduct operations through the
Taxable Subsidiary and the Company's ability to qualify as a REIT for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1998. The President's 1999 Budget Plan, as presented to
Congress on February 2, 1998, contains several provisions which affect REITs.
One such provision, if enacted, could have a potentially adverse effect on the
way that the Company intends to operate its mortgage conduit operations. That
provision would prohibit a REIT from owning, by vote or value, more than 10% of
the stock of another corporation. The rules currently in place for REIT
compliance limit (i) a REIT to owning less than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of another corporation and (ii) the value of a REIT's ownership of
the securities of any one issuer to less than five percent of the value of the
REIT's assets. See "Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Qualification as a
REIT -- Nature of Assets." By limiting a REIT's ownership of the securities of
another corporation to 10% of the value of the issuing corporation, the
proposal, if enacted, would force the Company to divest itself of most of the
preferred stock of the Taxable Subsidiary that the Company currently owns or
terminate activities in the Taxable Subsidiary that would be prohibited
activities by a REIT, including, but not limited to, the origination of Mortgage
Loans for sale. In such an event the Company would not receive the dividends
that the Company expects to earn from the Taxable Subsidiary, which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's net earning (loss) after such
divestiture. See "Business -- Industry Developments" and "Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Recent Legislative Proposals." In addition, in the event the
Taxable Subsidiary could no longer engage in Mortgage Loan sales, the Taxable
Subsidiary would be unable to fulfill its contractual obligation to sell certain
fixed-rate Mortgage Loans to ContiFinancial Corporation. See "Certain
Transactions -- ContiFinancial Corporation." If the Taxable Subsidiary fails to
sell to ContiFinancial Corporation 75% of the Company's fixed-rate Mortgage Loan
production, the Taxable Subsidiary would have to pay ContiFinancial Corporation
a fee equal to 40 basis points multiplied by the principal amount of the
shortfall. Such payment may reduce the earnings and distributions of the
Company.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   27
 
     In addition, if the 1999 Budget Plan is adopted with a retroactive date of
application which is after the effective date of a quarterly REIT test date, the
Company would not be able to qualify as REIT for 1998. See "Business -- Industry
Developments." As a result, the Company would be taxed as a "C" corporation for
1998, and would be subject to corporate level tax on all of its net earnings. In
such an event, the anticipated dividends and distributions of the Company would
be materially reduced.
 
     Further, the 1999 Budget Plan, if adopted as proposed, would result in the
recognition by the Company of tax on the built-in gain on its assets. Under
current law, a "C" corporation may be acquired by or converted into a REIT on a
tax-free basis. If the REIT makes the appropriate election, the tax on the
built-in gain (the difference between (a) the purchase price for the "C"
corporation or the fair market value of the "C" corporation's stock and (b) the
adjusted tax basis of the "C" corporation's assets) would only be imposed if the
REIT disposed of an asset of the acquired corporation within 10 years after the
acquisition of the "C" corporation. The 1999 Budget Plan proposes to treat the
acquisition of a "C" corporation by a REIT as a taxable liquidation by the "C"
corporation to its shareholders followed by a deemed contribution of the "C"
corporation's assets to the REIT. Such treatment would result in corporate level
tax to the "C" corporation in the amount of the built-in gain on the "C"
corporation's assets followed by shareholder level tax to the extent that the
value of the assets deemed distributed from the "C" corporation to its
shareholders exceeds the shareholders' tax basis in their stock in the "C"
corporation. The 1999 Budget Plan proposes that such changes would first be
effective for years beginning after January 1, 1999.
 
     Adoption of the 1999 Budget Plan could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's operations and profitability. No assurance can be given that
future legislation, regulations, administrative interpretations or court
decisions will not significantly change the tax laws with respect to the
Company's qualification as a REIT or the federal income tax consequences of such
qualification, which may reduce or eliminate the Company's competitive advantage
over non-REIT competitors. See "Federal Income Tax Considerations --
Qualification as a REIT" and "Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Taxation of
the Company."
 
OPERATION OF A NEW ENTERPRISE INVOLVES UNCERTAINTY
 
 INABILITY TO ACQUIRE OR DELAYS IN ACQUIRING MORTGAGE ASSETS WILL REDUCE INCOME
 TO THE COMPANY
 
     As of the date of this Prospectus, the Company has not entered into
commitments to purchase any specific Mortgage Assets. The Company's income and
its ability to make distributions to its stockholders will depend upon its
ability to acquire investments on acceptable terms and at favorable spreads over
the Company's borrowing costs. The Company expects that a significant portion of
its portfolio of Mortgage Assets will be originated or otherwise made available
to it through the Taxable Subsidiary. See "-- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If
Effected, Would Adversely Affect Results of Operations." There can be no
assurance, however, that a sufficient quantity or quality of Mortgage Assets
will be provided by the Taxable Subsidiary or will be otherwise available to the
Company. The Company presently intends to fully invest the net proceeds of this
Offering in Mortgage Assets within 12 months after the closing of the Offering.
The Company's results of operations may be adversely affected during the period
in which the Company is initially implementing its investment, leveraging and
hedging strategies, because during this time the Company may be primarily
investing in short-term investments in Mortgage Securities which are expected to
provide a lower net return than the Company expects to achieve from its
long-term investments in Subprime Mortgage Loans. See "Use of Proceeds." To the
extent that the Company is unable to acquire and maintain a sufficient volume of
Subprime Mortgage Loans, the Company's income and, thus, the Company's ability
to make distributions to its stockholders, will be adversely affected.
 
  THE TAXABLE SUBSIDIARY MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT SUBPRIME MORTGAGE LOANS TO
THE COMPANY WHICH MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The Company intends to acquire most of its Subprime Mortgage Loan Portfolio
from the Taxable Subsidiary. If the Taxable Subsidiary is unable to supply a
sufficient quantity of Subprime Mortgage Loans, whether as a result of its
commitment to sell 75% of its fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans to
ContiFinancial Corporation or otherwise, the Company would be forced to acquire
Subprime Mortgage Loans
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   28
 
from third parties. Such Mortgage Loans may not be available or may be available
only at higher costs, adversely affecting the Company's results of operations.
 
 LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY OF THE COMPANY CREATES UNCERTAINTY ABOUT FUTURE
 RESULTS
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary began mortgage lending operations in April, 1996 and
RealTrust was formed on April 1, 1998. Accordingly, the Company has not yet
developed an extensive earnings history or experienced a wide variety of
interest rate or market conditions. Although the Taxable Subsidiary has grown
its Mortgage Loan origination volume significantly since the beginning of
operations, there can be no assurances that it will be able to successfully
operate its business as described in this Prospectus. Therefore, the Taxable
Subsidiary's historical operating performance may be of limited relevance in
predicting future performance.
 
     Further, the Taxable Subsidiary has experienced net losses of $1,774,311
and $1,305,866 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively, and had an accumulated deficit of $1,494,072 as of December 31,
1997.
 
 THE MANAGEMENT OF AN INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO OF MORTGAGE ASSETS IS A CHANGE IN
 OPERATIONS
 
     The Company's earnings will depend primarily upon management's ability to
acquire and manage a portfolio of Mortgage Assets, which is a new and unproven
business for the Company. The past experience of the officers and directors of
the Company may not be sufficient for the successful management of an investment
portfolio of Mortgage Assets. Specifically, management of an investment
portfolio entails certain activities not previously engaged in by the Company,
such as the issuance of structured debt financing, the purchase of Mortgage
Securities, the retention of subordinated classes of Mortgage Securities and
certain hedging activities. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to successfully develop or manage its new business
operations. The past performance of the Taxable Subsidiary may not be indicative
of future results.
 
 LACK OF EXPERIENCE MANAGING A REIT MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OPERATING RESULTS
 
     None of the officers or directors have managed a REIT. See
"Management -- Directors and Executive Officers." There can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to successfully manage a REIT in the manner described
in this Prospectus or in compliance with the Code. The Company's results of
operation and earnings will be adversely affected if the Company is unable to
manage a REIT successfully in the manner described in this Prospectus and in
compliance with the Code. See "-- Failure To Maintain REIT Status Would Have
Adverse Tax Consequences."
 
 LOSS OF ANY KEY PERSONNEL MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OPERATIONS
 
     The Company's operations will depend heavily upon the contributions of
Messrs. John D. Fry, Terry L. Mott, John McMurray and Steven K. Passey, each of
whom may be difficult to replace. There can be no assurance that they will
remain in the Company's employ. The loss of any of these individuals could have
a material adverse effect upon the Company's business and results of operations.
See "Management -- Executive Compensation -- Employment Agreements." The
Company's employment agreements with each of Messrs. Fry, Mott, McMurray and
Passey, and the non-competition provisions thereof, are unlikely to be
enforceable by the Company against the employees since state law and public
policy generally prohibit forced employment and severely restrict the scope of
non-competition provisions. As a result, there can be no assurance that such
employees will remain with the Company and that they will not compete after
termination.
 
 FUTURE REVISIONS IN INVESTMENT AND OPERATING POLICIES AND STRATEGIES BY BOARD
 OF DIRECTORS CREATES UNCERTAINTY
 
     Management has established the Company's investment and operating policies
and strategies as set forth in this Prospectus. However, these policies and
strategies may be modified or waived by the Board of Directors, subject in
certain cases to approval by a majority of the Independent Directors, without
stockholder
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   29
 
approval. Ultimately, these changes may have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations or financial condition.
 
 FAILURE TO RAISE ADDITIONAL CAPITAL MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT FUTURE GROWTH AND
 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
   
     To implement fully the Company's strategy to rapidly grow a portfolio of
Mortgage Assets, the Company will be required to raise capital in addition to
the capital raised in the Offering. Accordingly, the Company expects to increase
its capital resources by making additional offerings of equity and debt
securities, which may include classes of preferred stock, Common Stock,
commercial paper, medium-term notes, mortgage-backed obligations and senior or
subordinated debt. There can be no assurances that such additional capital
resources will be available on terms acceptable to the Company. Further, there
can be no assurance that the Company will successfully or economically raise the
capital required to implement its business plan. If the Company is unable to
raise sufficient capital or raise capital on favorable terms, the Company's
business, results of operation and financial condition may be materially
adversely affected.
    
 
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST MAY RESULT IN DECISIONS THAT DO NOT FULLY REFLECT THE
STOCKHOLDERS' BEST INTEREST
 
 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WITH AND DEPENDENCE UPON CONTIFINANCIAL CORPORATION MAY
 NOT BE IN THE STOCKHOLDERS' BEST INTEREST
 
   
     The Company is subject to various potential conflicts of interest arising
from its relationship with ContiFinancial Corporation. See "Conflicts of
Interest and Related Party Transactions." In summary, immediately prior to the
Offering, ContiFinancial Corporation (a) will beneficially own 32.2% (on a fully
diluted basis) of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company (excluding the
Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock to be redeemed upon closing of the Offering),
(b) will beneficially own all of the Class B Redeemable Preferred, (c) until
December, 2001, will have the right to purchase not less than 75% of the fixed
rate Subprime Mortgage Loans originated or acquired by the Taxable Subsidiary at
a price determined by the best published rates of ContiFinancial Corporation,
(d) will have lent the Taxable Subsidiary substantial funds under the warehouse
credit facility ($40.0 million at March 31, 1998), (e) may beneficially own
warrants to purchase additional shares of the Common Stock, and (f) will have
the right to be the Company's exclusive placement agent for all structured debt
offerings and other securitizations for a fee. See "Conflicts of Interest and
Related Party Transactions -- ContiFinancial Corporation."
    
 
     As a stockholder, ContiFinancial Corporation may be in a position to
exercise significant direct and indirect influence over the affairs of the
Company. Consequently, ContiFinancial Corporation may be able to influence the
election of certain members of the Board of Directors.
 
     In addition, in light of the Company's or the Taxable Subsidiary's
dependence upon ContiFinancial Corporation for many financial and financial
advisory services, the Company may act in a manner which does not fully reflect
the best interests of all of the Company's stockholders. For example, the
Taxable Subsidiary may elect to retain certain of its credit facilities with
ContiFinancial Corporation when credit facilities from others third parties may
be obtained at a lower cost. Moreover, if the fees payable to ContiFinancial
Corporation are higher than those required by other third parties, the Company's
earnings and distributions to stockholders may be materially reduced.
 
     Further, pursuant to an Investment Banking Services Agreement, until
December, 2001, the Company has appointed ContiFinancial Corporation as its
exclusive placement agent for structured debt offerings and other
securitizations and has agreed to pay a placement agent fee of 25 basis points
of the principal amount of any such structured debt on public offerings and 50
basis points of the gross proceeds of any such private offering. Such fees are
payable to ContiFinancial Corporation for financial advisory services to be
rendered and will not be reduced by any fees payable or paid to others,
including the underwriters, placement agent or to other agents or advisors, if
any, in connection with any structured debt offering. If the fees payable to
ContiFinancial Corporation are higher than those available from other third
parties, the Company's earnings and distributions may be materially reduced. See
"Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Transactions -- ContiFinancial
Corporation." The Company is unable to quantify, with any degree of reasonable
accuracy, the amount of fees which would be paid to ContiFinancial Corporation.
Such fees depend on market conditions which cannot be predicted at this time.
Further, such fees could be misleading if not placed in the context of
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   30
 
the Company's earnings and distributions, which the Company is unable to
accurately calculate at this time with any degree of certainty.
 
     In an effort to mitigate the foregoing potential conflicts of interest, the
Company has implemented policies and procedures which require, among other
things, that each decision that implicates a conflict of interest must be
approved by a majority of the Independent Directors. However, there can be no
assurance that the Company's policies or procedures will be successful in
eliminating the influence of such conflicts and, thus, the Company may take
courses of action which fail to fully represent the best interests of all
stockholders of the Company.
 
 A PORTION OF THE NET PROCEEDS FROM THIS OFFERING WILL BE USED TO RETIRE DEBT TO
 AND REDEEM STOCK OF CONTIFINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary has obtained a working capital credit facility from
ContiFinancial Corporation in the maximum principal amount of $2.0 million. See
"Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Transactions -- ContiFinancial
Corporation." Any outstanding principal balance and accrued interest under this
facility ($2.0 million as of March 31, 1998) is expected to be retired with a
portion of the net proceeds of the Offering. In addition, $2.2 million of the
net proceeds of the Offering will be used to redeem the outstanding shares of
Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock held by ContiFinancial Corporation (which was
issued in exchange for $2.0 million of working capital debt). Thus,
ContiFinancial Corporation will receive a portion of the net proceeds from the
Offering as repayment of debt.
 
  INVESTORS WILL HAVE NO VOTING CONTROL OF THE TAXABLE SUBSIDIARY
 
   
     The Company will own 95% of the economic value of the Taxable Subsidiary,
but will not own any voting securities. In fact, the Founders own 66.7% of the
voting common stock of the Taxable Subsidiary and, therefore, control its
operations. As a result, the Company will not control the management or
operations of the Taxable Subsidiary. Therefore, the Founders and ContiFinancial
Corporation, and not the Company, will own or control the voting stock of the
Taxable Subsidiary and, thus, may direct the business and operations of the
Taxable Subsidiary in a manner inconsistent with the best interests of the
Company and its stockholders.
    
 
 THE FOUNDERS AND CONTIFINANCIAL CORPORATION MAY EXERT INFLUENCE OVER THE
 COMPANY
 
   
     The Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation will beneficially own or have a
right to control approximately 19.7% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
of the Company (assuming no exercise of the Warrants, the Representative's
Warrants, the Underwriter's over-allotment option or options granted under the
1996 and 1998 Stock Option Plans). As stockholders, the Founders and
ContiFinancial Corporation could exert significant influence over corporate
actions requiring stockholder approval.
    
 
INVESTMENTS IN SUBPRIME MORTGAGE LOANS INVOLVE GREATER RISK OF LOSS
 
 HIGHER DELINQUENCY AND LOSS RATES ON SUBPRIME MORTGAGE LOANS MAY RESULT IN
 LOSSES
 
     A large portion of the Company's Mortgage Loans are made to borrowers who
do not qualify for Mortgage Loans from conventional Mortgage Loan lenders. For
the year ended December 31, 1997, approximately 2.73% and 0.57% of the Company's
Subprime Mortgage Loan purchases and originations were comprised of Mortgage
Loans made to borrowers graded "C" or "C-" respectively, the Company's two
lowest credit grade classifications. See "Business -- Underwriting and Quality
Control Strategies." No assurances can be given that the Company's underwriting
criteria or methods will afford adequate protection against the higher risks
associated with Mortgage Loans made to Subprime Mortgage Loan borrowers. The
failure of the Company to adequately address the risk of Subprime Mortgage Loan
lending would have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of
operations, financial condition or business prospects.
 
     Credit risks associated with Subprime Mortgage Loans may be relatively
greater than those associated with Prime Mortgage Loans. Certain of the
important differences between Subprime Mortgage Loans and Prime Mortgage Loans
include the applicable loan-to-value ratios ("LTV"), the credit and income
histories of the borrowers, the documentation required for approval of the
borrowers, the types of properties securing
                                       23
<PAGE>   31
 
the Mortgage Loans, Mortgage Loan sizes and the borrowers' occupancy status with
respect to the related mortgaged property. As a result of these and other
factors, the interest rates charged on Subprime Mortgage Loans are often higher
than those charged for Prime Mortgage Loans. The combination of different
underwriting criteria and higher rates of interest may lead to higher
delinquency rates and/or credit losses for Subprime Mortgage Loans as compared
to Prime Mortgage Loans and could have an adverse effect on the Company to the
extent that the Company invests in such Mortgage Loans or Mortgage Securities
secured by such Mortgage Loans.
 
 SUBPRIME MORTGAGE LOANS MAY EXPERIENCE HIGH PREPAYMENT RATES WHICH REDUCES
 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
 
     Rapid prepayments of Mortgage Loans in the Company's investment portfolio
adversely affects the Company's income and distributions to stockholders. See
"-- Interest Rate Fluctuations May Adversely Affect the Company's Investments
and Results of Operations -- Declining Interest Rates May Increase Prepayment
Rates and Reduce Net Interest Income." Since there is less information and
historical data than exists for Prime Mortgage Loans, there is uncertainty about
prepayment rates on Subprime Mortgage Loans.
 
     Prepayment rates on Subprime Mortgage Loans may increase even in periods
when interest rates are stable or rising since subprime borrowers may be able to
improve their credit ratings and refinance their Mortgage Loans to reduce the
interest rate. The Company intends to minimize the effect of rapid prepayment by
investing in Mortgage Loans with prepayment penalties. However, not all Subprime
Mortgage Loans will have prepayment penalties. Ultimately, increasing prepayment
rates could materially reduce income from operations.
 
 COMPETITION IN THE SUBPRIME MORTGAGE LENDING MARKET MAY HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE
 EFFECT ON RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
   
     As an originator and purchaser of Subprime Mortgage Loans, the Company will
face intense competition, primarily from commercial banks, savings and loans,
other independent mortgage lenders and certain other mortgage REITs and
specialty finance companies. Such competitors include other mortgage REITs,
including Novastar Financial, Inc., and IMPAC Mortgage Holdings, Inc. As the
Company expands into particular geographic markets across the nation, it will
face competition from lenders with established positions in these locations.
Many of the Company's competitors in the financial services business are
substantially larger and have more capital and other resources than the Company.
In addition, competition can take place on various other levels, including
convenience in obtaining a Mortgage Loan, service, marketing, origination
channels and pricing. Failure to be competitive on these levels could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
    
 
     Additionally, the Subprime Mortgage Loan market is currently undergoing
substantial changes. There are new entrants into the market, which is a changing
competitive environment. Furthermore, certain large national finance companies
and Prime Mortgage Loan originators have announced their intention to adapt
their Prime Mortgage Loan origination programs by allocating resources to the
origination of Subprime Mortgage Loans. Certain of these larger mortgage
companies and commercial banks have begun to offer products similar to those
offered by the Company and to target customers similar to those that the Company
targets. For example, FHLMC has announced its intention to make a secondary
marketplace for Subprime Mortgage Loans originated by certain financial
institutions. The entrance of these and other potential competitors into the
Company's markets could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's
results of operations and financial condition. In particular, the increasing
level of capital resources being devoted to Subprime Mortgage Loan lending may
increase the competition among lenders to originate or purchase Subprime
Mortgage Loans and result in either (i) reduced interest rates and, thus,
compressed spreads on such Mortgage Loans compared to present levels, which
would decrease potential profit margins, or (ii) revised underwriting standards
permitting higher loan-to-value ratios on properties securing Subprime Mortgage
Loans, which would increase the risk of loss in the event of default. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully in this
market environment and any failure in this regard could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   32
 
INVESTMENTS IN HIGH LTV MORTGAGE LOANS AND SUBORDINATED MORTGAGE SECURITIES
INVOLVE GREATER RISKS OF LOSS
 
   
 DEFAULTS ON HIGH LTV MORTGAGE LOANS MAY RESULT IN LOSSES
    
 
     The Company's current underwriting guidelines allow for the acquisition of
Mortgage Loans with up to a 90% loan-to-value ratio ("LTV"). See
"Business -- Underwriting and Quality Control Strategies." The higher the LTV,
the greater the risk that the Company may be unable to recover full amounts due
on its Mortgage Loans in the event the borrower defaults and the Company
forecloses and sells the underlying collateral. The failure of the Company to
adequately address the risk of high LTV Mortgage Loan products could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial
condition.
 
  SUBORDINATED CLASSES OF MORTGAGE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO GREATER CREDIT
  RISKS THAN SENIOR CLASSES
 
     The Company expects its investment portfolio to include Mortgage Securities
acquired from third parties, including "first loss" classes of subordinated
Mortgage Securities. A "first loss" class is the most subordinated class of
securities and is the first to bear the loss upon a default on the underlying
Mortgage Loans. Subordinated Mortgage Securities are subject to special risks
than more senior classes, including a substantially greater risk of loss of
principal and non-payment of interest. While the market value of most
subordinated interest classes tend to react less to fluctuations in interest
rate levels than more senior classes, the market values of subordinated Mortgage
Securities tend to be more sensitive to changes in economic conditions than more
senior classes. As a result of these and other factors, subordinated Mortgage
Securities generally are not actively traded, are more difficult to pledge as
collateral for borrowings and may not provide the holders thereof with
liquidity.
 
     Additionally, the yield to maturity on subordinated Mortgage Securities of
the type that the Company intends to acquire will be extremely sensitive to the
default and loss experience of the underlying mortgage pass-through securities
or pools of whole loans securing or backing a series of Mortgage Securities and
the timing of any such defaults or losses. Because the subordinated Mortgage
Securities of the type the Company intends to acquire generally have no credit
support, to the extent there are realized losses on the Mortgage Loans
collateralizing such classes, the Company may recover less than the full amount,
if any, of its initial investment in such subordinated Mortgage Securities.
 
     Further, the subordination of Mortgage Securities to more senior classes
may adversely affect the yield on such Mortgage Securities even if realized
losses are not ultimately allocated to such classes. On any payment date,
interest and principal are paid on the more senior classes before interest and
principal are paid with respect to the unrated or non-investment grade credit
support classes. Typically, interest deferred on these credit support classes is
payable on subsequent payment dates to the extent funds are available, but such
deferral may not itself bear interest. Such deferral of interest will affect
adversely the yield on the Mortgage Securities.
 
     Finally, the Mortgage Securities that the Company retains from its
structured debt financings may be subordinated Mortgage Securities that are not
supported by credit enhancements, are not investment grade and have limited
liquidity. To the extent third parties have been contracted to provide the
credit enhancement, the Company is dependent in part upon the creditworthiness
and the ability of the insurer to pay claims and the timeliness of reimbursement
in the event of a default on the underlying obligations. The insurance coverage
for various types of losses is limited in amount and, consequently, losses in
excess of the limitation would be borne by the Company. Credit enhancements on
non-investment grade Mortgage Securities are less likely to fully absorb the
losses from mortgage defaults which tend to be significantly higher for non-
investment grade Mortgage Securities as compared to investment grade Mortgage
Securities. Non-investment grade Mortgage Securities are also generally less
liquid than investment grade securities. Accordingly, to the extent that the
Company invests in non-investment grade securities, it will be subject to
greater credit and liquidity risks the consequences of which may result in
losses and adversely affect results of operations.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   33
 
INTEREST RATE FLUCTUATIONS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OPERATIONS AND NET INTEREST
INCOME
 
 INTEREST RATE MISMATCHES BETWEEN MORTGAGE ASSETS AND BORROWINGS MAY RESULT IN
 REDUCED INCOME OR LOSSES
 
     A substantial portion of all Mortgage Assets are expected to have
adjustable rates or are fixed initially, but have interest rate indices that
will adjust at some point in the future. Interest rates on the Company's
borrowings are, and generally will be, based on short-term indices. To the
extent any of the Company's Mortgage Assets are financed with borrowings bearing
interest based on, or varying with, an index different from that used for the
related Mortgage Assets, so-called "basis" interest rate risk will arise. In
such event, if the index used for the Mortgage Assets is a "lagging" index (such
as the 11th District Cost of Funds) that reflects market interest rate changes
on a delayed basis, and the rate borne by the related borrowings reflects market
rate changes more rapidly, the Company's net interest income will be adversely
affected in periods of increasing market interest rates.
 
     Additionally, the Company's adjustable-rate Mortgage Assets will be subject
to periodic rate adjustments which may be more or less frequent than the
increases or decreases in rates borne by the borrowings or financings utilized
by the Company. Accordingly, in a period of increasing interest rates, the
Company could experience a decrease in net interest income or a net loss because
the interest rates on borrowings could adjust faster than the interest rates on
the Company's adjustable-rate Mortgage Loans ("ARMs") or Mortgage Assets backed
by ARMs. Moreover. ARMs are typically subject to periodic and lifetime interest
rate caps which limit the amount an ARMs interest rate can change during any
given period. The Company's borrowings will not be subject to similar
restrictions. Hence, in a period of rapidly increasing interest rates, the
Company could also experience a decrease in net interest income or a net loss in
the absence of effective hedging because the interest rates on borrowings could
increase without limitation while the interest rates on the Company's ARMs and
Mortgage Assets backed by ARMs would be limited by caps. Furthermore, some ARMs
may be subject to periodic payment caps that result in some portion of the
interest accruing on the ARM being deferred and added to the principal
outstanding. This could result in receipt by the Company of less cash income on
its ARMs than the debt service that the Company is required to pay on the
related borrowings, which will not have such payment caps. The Company expects
that the net effect of these factors, all other factors being equal, will be to
lower the Company's net interest income or cause a net loss during periods of
rapidly rising market interest rates (but not necessarily in an environment of
gradually rising market interest rates), which could negatively impact the level
of dividend distributions and the market price of the Common Stock.
 
     The Company acquires the majority of its Mortgage Assets at a premium over
face amount. For financial reporting purposes, these premiums are amortized as
an adjustment to the yield of the acquired Mortgage Asset. During periods of
decreasing interest rates, borrowers are more likely to refinance Mortgage
Loans. As Mortgage Loans are prepaid, premiums may be amortized faster than
originally expected. Sudden declines in interest rates may increase prepayments,
which would cause a significant portion of premiums to be amortized, resulting
in a significant negative impact on net interest income or result in a net loss.
Although many of the Mortgage Loans originated by the Company have penalties for
prepayment, certain Mortgage Loans originated and Mortgage Loans acquired from
third-party correspondents may not have prepayment penalties, thereby increasing
the Company's exposure to prepayment risks.
 
     Changes in anticipated prepayment rates of Mortgage Assets could affect the
Company in several adverse ways. A portion of the ARMs acquired by the Company
will have been recently originated and will still bear initial interest rates
which are lower than their "fully-indexed" rates (the applicable index, plus a
margin). In the event that such an ARM is prepaid faster than anticipated, such
as prior to or soon after the time of adjustment to a fully-indexed rate, the
Company will have experienced an adverse effect on its net interest income
during the time it held such ARM (compared with holding a fully-indexed ARM) and
will have lost the opportunity to receive interest at the fully-indexed rate
over the expected life of the ARM. In addition, the faster than anticipated
prepayment of any Mortgage Asset that had been purchased at a premium by the
Company would generally result in a faster than anticipated write-off of any
remaining capitalized premium amount and consequent reduction of the Company's
net interest income by such amount.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   34
 
 INTEREST RATE INCREASES MAY REDUCE MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATIONS AND INCOME
 
     A substantial or sustained increase in interest rates could adversely
affect the ability of the Company to originate and purchase Mortgage Loans and
would reduce the interest rate differential between newly originated Mortgage
Loans and the pass-through rate on Mortgage Loans that are financed.
Historically, interest rate increases have resulted in a reduction in the level
of re-financed Mortgage Loan originations. In such event, the Company's
origination volume may significantly decrease, prohibiting the Company from
acquiring or originating sufficient new Mortgage Loans to replace those Mortgage
Loans that are prepaid. In periods of declining production, the Company may be
required to purchase Mortgage Assets in the secondary market at higher costs,
thereby reducing earnings and income.
 
  DECLINING INTEREST RATES MAY INCREASE PREPAYMENT RATES AND REDUCE NET INTEREST
INCOME
 
     Prepayment rates vary from time to time and may cause changes in the amount
of the Company's net interest income. Prepayments of ARMs and Mortgage Assets
backed by ARMs usually can be expected to increase when mortgage interest rates
fall below the then-current interest rates on such ARMs and decrease when
mortgage interest rates exceed the then-current interest rate on the ARMs,
although such effects are not predictable. Prepayment experience also may be
affected by the geographic location of the property securing the Mortgage Loans,
the assumability of the Mortgage Loans, conditions in the housing and financial
markets and general economic conditions. In addition, prepayments on certain
ARMs may be affected by the ability of the borrower to convert an ARM to a
fixed-rate Mortgage Loan and by conditions in the fixed-rate Mortgage Loan
market. If the interest rates on ARMs increase at a rate greater than the
interest rates on fixed-rate Mortgage Loans, prepayments on ARMs may tend to
increase. In periods of fluctuating interest rates, interest rates on ARMs may
exceed interest rates on fixed-rate Mortgage Loans, which may tend to cause
prepayments on ARMs to increase at a rate greater than anticipated. Mortgage
Securities backed by Mortgage Loans are often structured so that certain classes
are provided protection from prepayments for a period of time. However, in a
period of extremely rapid prepayments, during which earlier-paying classes may
be retired faster than expected, the protected classes may receive unscheduled
payments of principal earlier than expected and would have average lives that,
while longer than the average lives of the earlier-paying classes, would be
shorter than originally expected. The Company will seek to minimize prepayment
risk through a variety of means, including structuring a diversified portfolio
of Mortgage Assets with a variety of prepayment characteristics, originating and
investing in Mortgage Assets with prepayment prohibitions and penalties,
investing in certain Mortgage Security structures which have prepayment
protection, and balancing Mortgage Assets purchased at a premium with Mortgage
Assets purchased at a discount. In addition, the Company may in the future
purchase IOs as part of its hedging strategy. However, no strategy can
completely insulate the Company from prepayment risks arising from the effects
of interest rate changes.
 
 HEDGING TRANSACTIONS LIMIT GAINS AND MAY INCREASE EXPOSURE TO LOSSES
 
     The Company follows an asset/liability management strategy intended to
protect against interest rate changes and prepayments. See "Business
 -- Interest Rate Risk Management." Nevertheless, developing an effective
asset/liability management strategy is complex and no strategy can completely
insulate the Company from risks associated with interest rate changes and
prepayments. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company's hedging
activities will have the desired beneficial impact on the Company's results of
operations or financial condition. Hedging typically involves costs, including
transaction costs, which increase dramatically as the period covered by the
hedge increases and which also increase during periods of rising and volatile
interest rates. The Company may increase its hedging activity, and, thus,
increase its hedging costs, during such periods when interest rates are volatile
or rising and hedging costs have increased. Moreover, federal tax laws
applicable to REITs may substantially limit the Company's ability to engage in
certain asset/ liability management transactions. Such federal tax laws may
prevent the Company from effectively implementing particular hedging strategies
that the Company determines, absent such restrictions, would best insulate the
Company from the risks associated with changing interest rates and prepayments.
See "Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Taxation of the Company."
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   35
 
 INTEREST-ONLY AND PRINCIPAL-ONLY MORTGAGE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL
 INTEREST RATE AND PREPAYMENT RISKS WHICH MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT RESULTS OF
 OPERATIONS.
 
     The Company may invest a portion of its assets in interest-only Mortgage
Securities ("IOs") and principal-only Mortgage Securities ("POs"), which are
subject to substantial interest rate and related risks, in conjunction with its
other hedging activities. IOs represent investments in the interest payments
from a pool of Mortgage Loans, whereas POs represent investments in the
principal payments from a pool of Mortgage Loans. The returns from IOs and POs
are subject to significant prepayment risks. To the extent that the average
prepayment rate on a pool of Mortgage Loans is higher than expected, the IOs
issued on such pool will generate less interest income than IOs issued on pools
of Mortgage Loans with lower prepayment rates. As interest rates decline,
prepayment rates will generally increase and thereby reduce the stream of income
which can be generated through an investment in IOs. Conversely, POs benefit
from higher prepayment rates since the holders are entitled to receive such
prepayments. The present value of the cash flow generated from POs will
generally decline in the event that prepayments are slower than expected. In
addition, rising interest rates will negatively impact the present value of the
future cash flows from both IOs and POs. Accordingly, any such fluctuations in
interest rates or prepayment rates may reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of
hedging strategies using IOs and POs, and thereby may have an adverse effect on
the Company's results of operations.
 
 THE COMPANY HAS NO SPECIFIC HEDGING POLICIES AND FAILURE TO APPROPRIATELY HEDGE
 MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The Company intends to purchase interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and
other appropriate financial instruments to mitigate the risk of the interest
cost of its variable rate liabilities increasing at a faster rate than the
earnings on its Mortgage Assets during a period of rising rates. In this way,
the Company intends generally to hedge as much of the interest rate risk as
management determines is in the best interests of the Company given the cost of
such hedging transactions and the need to maintain the Company's status as a
REIT. In this regard, the amount of income the Company may earn from its hedging
is subject to limitation under the REIT provisions of the Code. The Company may
hedge the risk of its borrowing costs on its liabilities increasing faster than
its income, due to the effect of the periodic and lifetime caps on its Mortgage
Assets, through the acquisition of (i) Qualified REIT Assets, such as
interest-only REMIC regular interests, that function in a manner similar to
hedging instruments, (ii) Qualified Hedges, the income from which qualifies for
the 95% income test, but not the 75% income test for REIT qualification
purposes, and (iii) other hedging instruments, whose income qualifies for
neither the 95% income test nor the 75% income test. See "Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT -- Sources of Income." The latter form
of hedging may be accomplished through the Taxable Subsidiary. See
"Business -- Industry Developments," "Business -- Interest Rate Risk Management"
and "Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Taxation of the Company." The
Company's policies do not contain specific requirements as to the percentage or
amount of interest rate risks which the Company is required to hedge. The Board
of Directors will, from time to time, review the extent and effectiveness of
hedging transactions conducted by the Company. The Company may attempt to
increase its overall yield by saving the cost of acquiring and carrying hedging
instruments by not hedging certain periodic interest rate adjustments when the
Company determines, based on all relevant facts, that bearing such risk is
advisable and does not present an unacceptable risk. However, there can be no
assurance that the Company's estimation of the risks will be accurate and
failure to hedge appropriately may effect the Company's results of operations.
 
 COUNTERPARTY AND UNENFORCEABILITY RISK IN HEDGING TRANSACTIONS MAY RESULT IN
 LOSSES
 
     Hedging instruments are not always traded on regulated exchanges,
guaranteed by an exchange or its clearing house, or regulated by any U.S. or
foreign governmental authorities. Consequently, there are no requirements with
respect to record-keeping, financial responsibility or segregation of customer
funds and positions. Hedging transactions subject the Company to risks that the
counterparty will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations. Such risks
could result from insufficient documentation, insufficient capacity or authority
of a counterparty and unenforceability in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency.
If a hedging
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   36
 
transaction entered into by the Company was determined to be unenforceable, the
Company could incur unrecoverable losses from such transaction. The business
failure of a counterparty with which the Company has entered into a hedging
transaction will most likely result in a default. Default by a party with which
the Company has entered into a hedging transaction may result in the loss of
unrealized profits and force the Company to cover its resale commitments, if
any, at their then current market price. Although generally the Company will
seek to reserve for itself the right to terminate its hedging positions, it may
not always be possible to dispose of or close out a hedging position without the
consent of the counterparty, and the Company may not be able to enter into an
offsetting contract in order to cover its risk. There can be no assurance that a
liquid secondary market will exist for hedging instruments purchased or sold,
and the Company may be required to maintain a position until exercise or
expiration which could result in losses.
 
  BASIS RISK IN HEDGING TRANSACTIONS MAY RESULT IN LOSSES
 
     To the extent the Company utilizes a derivatives transaction to hedge
another position, such transaction will also subject the Company to basis or
correlation risk. Basis or correlation risk refers to the exposure of a
transaction or portfolio to the differences in the price performance of the
derivatives it contains and their hedges. If the Company enters into a
transaction in which an instrument and its hedge are not perfectly correlated,
changes in applicable indices or other price movements will result in a change
(which could include a loss) in the market value of the combined hedge position.
The Company does not have any policies limiting the amount of derivatives used
for hedging transactions which increases uncertainty for stockholders.
 
BORROWING TO FINANCE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
 
  LEVERAGE INCREASES EXPOSURE TO LOSS
 
   
     The Company's operations are expected be highly leveraged. The Company
expects to borrow against a substantial portion of the market value of its
assets (up to approximately 92%, depending upon the nature of the underlying
Mortgage Assets). The Company generally expects to maintain a ratio of equity
capital to book value of total assets of approximately 8% to 15%. The actual
ratio may be higher or lower from time to time depending upon market conditions
and other factors deemed relevant by management, subject to the review of the
Board of Directors. The Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws do not limit the amount of indebtedness the Company can incur, and
management will have the discretion to deviate from or change its indebtedness
policy at any time, without consent from or notice to the Company's
stockholders. See "-- Operations of a New Enterprise Involves
Uncertainty -- Future Revisions in Investment and Operating Policies and
Strategies by Board of Directors Creates Uncertainty." The Company intends to
finance its acquisition of Mortgage Assets through the net proceeds of the
Offering and by borrowing against or "leveraging" its investment portfolio. The
Company will leverage primarily with reverse repurchase agreements,
securitizations of its Mortgage Loans and secured and unsecured borrowings.
    
 
     Leverage increases the volatility in the Company's income and the value of
its investment portfolio of Mortgage Assets. The Company will leverage its
investment portfolio only when there is an expectation that it will enhance
returns; however, there can be no assurance that the Company's use of leverage
will prove to be beneficial or advantageous to the Company, relative to the
Company's risks. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to meet its debt service obligations. The Company's ability to meet its
debt service obligations will depend upon the Company's receipt of sufficient
income from its Mortgage Assets investment portfolio. In the event of a mismatch
in interest rates between the Company's borrowings and the yield on its Mortgage
Assets investment portfolio or other reductions in cash flow, including without
limitation reductions resulting from payment defaults on the Company's Mortgage
Assets, the Company may not have sufficient cash flow to meet its debt service
obligations.
 
     A substantial portion of the Company's borrowings are expected to be in the
form of securitizations and reverse repurchase agreements. If the value of the
Mortgage Assets pledged to secure such borrowings were to decline, the Company
would be required to post additional collateral in order to reduce the amount
borrowed or suffer forced sales of its collateral. If sales were made at prices
lower than the carrying value of the collateral, the Company would experience
additional losses. If the Company is forced to liquidate its Mortgage
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   37
 
Assets, there can be no assurance that it will be able to maintain compliance
with the REIT provisions of the Code regarding asset and source of income
requirements. See "-- Failure to Maintain REIT Status Would Have Adverse Tax
Consequences."
 
 INABILITY TO IMPLEMENT LEVERAGING STRATEGY MAY REDUCE INCOME OR RESULT IN
 LOSSES
 
     The Company employs a financing strategy to increase the size of its
Mortgage Asset portfolio by borrowing a substantial portion (which may vary
depending upon the mix of the Mortgage Assets in the Company's portfolio and the
application of the Company's Capital Allocation Guidelines with respect to such
mix of Mortgage Assets) of the market value of its Mortgage Assets. If the
returns on the Mortgage Assets purchased with borrowed funds fail to cover the
cost of its borrowings, the Company will experience net interest losses. In
addition, through increases in haircuts (i.e., the equity capital required by a
lender or purchaser to finance the Company's Mortgage Assets), decreases in the
market value of the Company's Mortgage Assets, increases in interest rate
volatility, availability of financing in the market, circumstances then
applicable in the lending market and other factors, the Company may not be able
to achieve the degree of leverage it believes to be optimal, which may cause the
Company to be less profitable than it might be otherwise.
 
 INABILITY TO RENEW OR REPLACE MATURING BORROWINGS MAY RESULT IN LOSSES
 
     The ability of the Company to achieve its investment objectives depends not
only on its ability to borrow money in sufficient amounts and on favorable
terms, but also on the Company's ability to renew or replace on a continuous
basis its maturing short-term borrowings. The Company's business strategy relies
on warehouse facilities and short-term reverse repurchase agreements to fund
Mortgage Loan originations and purchases. See "Business -- Capital and Liquidity
Management." In the event the Company is not able to renew or replace maturing
borrowings, the Company could be required to sell Mortgage Assets under adverse
market conditions and could incur losses as a result. See "Business -- Industry
Developments." In addition, in such event, the Company may be required to
terminate hedge positions, which could result in further costs to the Company.
An event or development such as a sharp rise in interest rates or increasing
market concern about the value or liquidity of a type or types of Mortgage
Assets in which the Company's Mortgage Loan portfolio is concentrated will
reduce the market value of the Mortgage Assets, which would likely cause lenders
to require additional collateral. At the same time, the market value of the
Mortgage Assets in which the Company's liquid capital is invested may have
decreased. A number of such factors in combination may cause difficulties for
the Company, including a possible liquidation of a major portion of the
Company's Mortgage Asset portfolio at disadvantageous prices with consequent
losses, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
solvency.
 
 DECLINE IN MARKET VALUE OF MORTGAGE ASSET MAY LIMIT THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO
 BORROW OR RESULT IN LOSSES
 
     A decline in the market value of the Company's portfolio of Mortgage Assets
may limit the Company's ability to borrow or result in lenders initiating margin
calls (i.e., requiring a pledge of cash or additional Mortgage Assets to
re-establish the ratio of the amount of the borrowing to the value of the
collateral). This remains true despite effective hedging against such
fluctuations because the hedging instruments may not be part of the collateral
securing the collateralized borrowings. Additionally, it may be difficult to
realize the full value of the hedging instrument when desired for liquidity
purposes due to the applicable REIT provisions of the Code. See "Federal Income
Tax Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT -- Sources of Income -- The 95%
Test." The Company could be required to sell Mortgage Assets under adverse
market conditions in order to maintain liquidity. See "Business -- Industry
Developments." Such sales may be effected by management when deemed by it to be
necessary in order to preserve the capital base of the Company. If these sales
were made at prices lower than the amortized cost of the Mortgage Assets, the
Company would experience additional losses. A default by the Company under its
collateralized borrowings could also result in a forced liquidation of
collateral, including any cross-collateralized assets, and resulting in a loss
equal to the difference between the value of the collateral and the amount
borrowed.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   38
 
 CONTINGENT AND RESIDUAL RISKS IN STRUCTURED DEBT FINANCINGS MAY ADVERSELY
 AFFECT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     In connection with any structured debt financings the Company may
undertake, the Company will be required to repurchase or substitute Mortgage
Loans in the event of a breach of representation or warranty made by the
Company. While the Company may have recourse to the sellers of Mortgage Loans it
purchases, there can be no assurance of the sellers' abilities to honor their
obligations to the Company. Likewise, in connection with any whole loan sales
made by the Company, the Company will enter into agreements with the purchaser
thereof, which generally will require the Company to repurchase or substitute
Mortgage Loans in the event of a breach of a representation or warranty made by
the Company to the Mortgage Loan purchaser, any misrepresentation during the
Mortgage Loan origination process or, in some cases, upon any fraud or default
on such Mortgage Loans. The remedies available to a purchaser of Mortgage Loans
from the Company may be generally broader than those available to the Company
against the sellers of such Mortgage Loans. If a purchaser enforces its remedies
against the Company, the Company may not be able to enforce on a cost-effective
basis whatever remedies the Company may have against its sellers. During the
period of time that the Mortgage Loans are held by the Company, the Company is
subject to the various business risks associated with the lending business,
including borrower default, foreclosure and the risk that a rapid increase in
interest rates would result in a decline in the value of Mortgage Loans held for
sale to potential purchasers. To the extent the Company maintains an interest in
structured debt financings backed by Mortgage Loans it acquires or originates,
the Company retains some degree of prepayment, credit, default and interest rate
risk.
 
     In addition, borrowers, purchasers of the Company's Mortgage Loans,
monoline insurance carriers and trustees in any structured debt financing
undertaken by the Company may make claims against the Company arising from (i)
alleged breaches of fiduciary obligations, misrepresentations, errors and
omissions of employees, officers and agents of the Company, including
appraisers, (ii) incomplete documentation, and (iii) failure by the Company to
comply with various laws and regulations applicable to its business. Any claims
asserted in the future may result in liabilities or legal expenses that could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial
conditions and business prospects.
 
 UNAVAILABILITY OF STRUCTURED DEBT FINANCING MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT RESULTS OF
 OPERATIONS
 
     The Company intends to pool and finance through structured debt financing a
substantial portion of the Mortgage Loans it acquires or originates. The Company
may be required in such financings to continue to bear some risk of loss on the
underlying Mortgage Loans. Adverse changes in the structured debt financing
market could impair the Company's ability to originate, acquire and finance
Mortgage Loans through financings on a favorable or timely basis. Any such
impairment could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's results of
operations or financial condition. In addition, in order to gain access to the
structured debt financing market, the Company may rely upon credit enhancements
provided by one or more monoline insurance carriers. Any substantial reductions
in the size or availability of the structured debt financing market for the
Company's Mortgage Loans, or the unwillingness of insurance companies to provide
credit enhancement for the Company's Mortgage Securities could have a material
adverse effect upon the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
 
  THE COMPANY DEPENDS UPON SEVERAL LENDERS TO FINANCE OPERATIONS
 
   
     The Company and the Taxable Subsidiary finance substantially all of the
Mortgage Loans which they originate or acquire through interim financing
facilities, including its warehouse credit line and reverse repurchase
agreements. See "Business -- Capital and Liquidity Management." In the case of
the Taxable Subsidiary, these borrowings historically have been repaid with the
proceeds received by the Company through Mortgage Loan sales. See
"-- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted Would Adversely Affect Results of
Operation." The Taxable Subsidiary is currently dependent upon ContiFinancial
Corporation and Nomura Asset Capital Corporation to provide the primary credit
facilities for its Mortgage Loan originations and acquisitions. For a
description of the terms of the Taxable Subsidiary's arrangements and agreements
with ContiFinancial Corporation and Nomura Asset Capital Corporation, see
"Business -- Marketing and Production Strategy -- Correspondent
Lending -- Initial Correspondent Platform" and "Conflicts of Interest and
Related Party Transactions -- ContiFinancial Corporation." Any failure to renew
or obtain adequate funding
    
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   39
 
under these financing arrangements, or any substantial reduction in the size of,
or pricing in, the market for the Taxable Subsidiary's Mortgage Loans, could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations. Furthermore, the
Company would not be able to hold a large volume of Mortgage Loans pending
structured debt financing, and, therefore, would have to curtail its Mortgage
Loan production or sell Mortgage Loans either through whole loan sales or
through smaller structured debt financing, potentially having a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations. Upon the sale of Mortgage Loans,
the Company would terminate the hedge positions associated with such Mortgage
Loans, which could result in further costs to the Company. A sharp rise in
interest rates or increasing market concern about the value or liquidity of a
type or types of Mortgage Assets being held by the Company will reduce the
market value of the Mortgage Assets, which may cause lenders to require
additional collateral. A number of such factors in combination may cause
difficulties for the Company, including a possible liquidation of a major
portion of the Company's Mortgage Assets at disadvantageous prices, which can
cause additional losses and could have a material adverse effect on the Company
and its solvency.
 
  LENDER BANKRUPTCY MAY RESULT IN LOSSES
 
     Additionally, in the event of a bankruptcy of the Company, certain reverse
repurchase agreements may qualify for special treatment under the Bankruptcy
Code, the effect of which is, among other things, to allow the creditors under
such agreements to avoid the automatic stay provisions of the Bankruptcy Code
and to liquidate the collateral under such agreements without delay. Conversely,
in the event of the bankruptcy of a party with whom the Company had a reverse
repurchase agreement, the Company might experience difficulty recovering the
collateral subject to such agreement if the agreement were repudiated by the
bankrupt lender and the Company's claim against the bankrupt lender for damages
resulting therefrom were to be treated simply as one of an unsecured creditor.
Should this occur, the Company's claims would be subject to significant delay
and recoveries, if and when received, and may be substantially less than the
damages actually suffered by the Company. Although the Company has, and intends
to continue to, enter into reverse repurchase agreements with several different
parties and has developed policies to reduce its exposure to such risks, no
assurance can be given that the Company will be able to avoid such third-party
risks.
 
RISKS RELATING TO MORTGAGE LENDING OPERATIONS
 
  DEFAULT ON MORTGAGE LOANS MAY RESULT IN LOSSES
 
     Prior to completing a structured debt financing with respect to any
Mortgage Assets, the Company generally does not intend to obtain credit
enhancements such as mortgage pool or special hazard insurance for its Mortgage
Loans, other than Federal Housing Association ("FHA") insurance, Veterans
Association ("VA") guarantees and private mortgage insurance, in each case
relating only to individual Mortgage Loans. Accordingly, during the time it
holds such Mortgage Loans for which third-party insurance is not obtained, the
Company will be subject to risks of borrower defaults, bankruptcies and special
hazard losses that are not covered by standard hazard insurance (including,
without limitation, those occurring from earthquakes or floods). In the event of
a default on any Mortgage Loan held by the Company, including, without
limitation, resulting from declining property values and worsening economic
conditions, among other factors, the Company would bear the risk of loss of
principal to the extent of any deficiency between the market value of the
underlying real property, plus any payments from an insurer or guarantor, and
the amount owing on the Mortgage Loan. Defaulted Mortgage Loans would also cease
to be eligible collateral for borrowings and would have to be financed by the
Company out of other funds until ultimately liquidated, resulting in increased
financing costs and reduced net income or a net loss.
 
     Many of the risks of holding Subprime Mortgage Loans and retaining, after
structured debt financing, a portion of the credit risk derived therefrom
reflect the risks of investing directly in the real estate securing the
underlying Mortgage Loans. This may be especially true in the case of a
relatively small or less diverse pool of Subprime Mortgage Loans. In the event
of a default on the underlying Mortgage Loan, the ultimate extent of the loss,
if any, may only be determined after a foreclosure of the Mortgage Loan
encumbering the property and, if the Company takes title to the property, upon
liquidation of the property. Factors such as title or the property's physical
condition (including environmental considerations) may make a third-party
unwilling to
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   40
 
purchase the property at a foreclosure sale or for a price sufficient to satisfy
the obligations with respect to the related Mortgage Loans. Foreclosure laws in
various states may protract the foreclosure process. In addition, the condition
of a property may deteriorate during the pendency of foreclosure proceedings.
Moreover, certain Mortgage Loan borrowers may become subject to bankruptcy
proceedings, preventing the Company from immediately liquidating the underlying
real property. In each of the foregoing cases, the amount and timing of amounts
due to the Company may be materially adversely affected.
 
 COMPETITION FOR MORTGAGE LOANS FROM INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE BROKERS AND
 CORRESPONDENTS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary depends upon independent Mortgage Loan brokers and
correspondent lenders for a portion of its originations and purchases of new
Mortgage Loans. The Taxable Subsidiary has not entered into any exclusive
arrangements with independent brokers or correspondent lenders, who thus remain
free to sell Mortgage Loans to others. The Taxable Subsidiary competes with many
other purchasers for the correspondents' business based on pricing, service,
loan fees, costs and other factors. The Taxable Subsidiary's competitors also
seek to establish relationships with brokers and correspondents. The Taxable
Subsidiary's future results may become more exposed to fluctuations in the
volume and cost of acquiring its Mortgage Loans resulting from, among other
things, competition from other prospective purchasers of such Mortgage Loans.
 
  COMMITMENTS TO PURCHASE MORTGAGE ASSETS EXPOSES THE COMPANY TO INTEREST RATE
RISK
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary may issue commitments obligating it to purchase a
specific aggregate principal amount of Mortgage Assets from time to time during
the commitment term. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Taxable Subsidiary
has not entered into any commitments to purchase specific Mortgage Assets but
may do so if management believes the offered price is favorable and such
commitment does not expose the Company to excessive risk. From the date the
price for the Mortgage Assets to be acquired by the Taxable Subsidiary is
determined and the date of delivery of such Mortgage Assets occurs, interest
rates on borrowings of the type to be used to finance the purchase of such
Mortgage Assets may rise. If the interest rates on the Mortgage Assets do not
rise by a corresponding amount and the Taxable Subsidiary's hedge, if any,
against the commitments does not perform as expected, the Taxable Subsidiary
will nonetheless be required to purchase such Mortgage Assets and such Mortgage
Assets may produce a lower than anticipated net earnings or a net loss, which
could have a material adverse effect upon the Taxable Subsidiary's results of
operations.
 
  PAYMENTS TO BROKERS IN VIOLATION OF RESPA MAY RESULT IN ADVERSE CLAIMS
 
     Class action lawsuits have been filed against a number of mortgage lenders
alleging that such lenders have violated the Federal Real Estate Settlement
Procedures Act ("RESPA") by making certain payments to independent brokers.
These lawsuits have generally been filed on behalf of a purported nationwide
class of borrowers and allege that payments made by a lender to a broker in
addition to payments made by the borrower to a broker are prohibited by RESPA,
and are therefore illegal. In Culpepper v. Inland Mortgage Corporation, U.S.
Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, 1998 U.S. App. LEXIS 274 (January 9,
1998), the Court of Appeals determined that the payment of yield spread premiums
was an illegal referral fee. The Taxable Subsidiary has adopted disclosure
requirements for brokers as suggested by the Mortgage Bankers Association. While
the Taxable Subsidiary has been advised that such disclosure may mitigate the
risk of claims, the Culpepper decision may require the Taxable Subsidiary to
change its broker compensation programs or subject it to material monetary
judgments or other penalties. Any such changes or penalties may have a material
adverse effect on the Taxable Subsidiary's results of operations, financial
condition or business prospects.
 
  LACK OF GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSIFICATION EXPOSES THE COMPANY TO GREATER DEFAULT RISK
 
     The Company seeks geographic diversification of the properties underlying
its Mortgage Assets and has originated Mortgage Loans in more than 25 states.
Nevertheless, properties underlying such Mortgage Assets may be located in the
same or a limited number of geographical regions. The loans originated by the
Taxable
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   41
 
Subsidiary in 1997 were predominantly concentrated in the following states:
Florida (23.0%), Utah (17.92%), Georgia (11.66%), California (11.33%), Colorado
(5.55%) and New York (5.02%). To the extent that properties underlying such
Mortgage Assets are located in the same geographical region, such Mortgage
Assets may be subject to a greater risk of default than other comparable,
geographically dispersed Mortgage Assets in the event of adverse economic,
political or business developments and natural hazard risks in such region and,
ultimately, the ability of property owners to make payments of principal and
interest on the underlying Mortgage Loans.
 
  INADEQUATE OR INEFFECTIVE SERVICING MAY INCREASE DELINQUENCY AND DEFAULT RATES
 
     Initially, the Company intends to contract for the servicing of all
Mortgage Loans it originates, purchases and holds to maturity with a third-party
mortgage servicer pursuant to an interim servicing agreement. See
"Business -- Servicing Activities." In addition, a third-party mortgage servicer
will subservice each structured debt financing of the Company's Mortgage Loans
pursuant to a related pooling and servicing agreement and a corresponding
subservicing agreement between the Company and the third-party servicer. As with
any external service provider, the Company is subject to risks associated with
insufficient or untimely services. Many of the Company's borrowers will require
notices and reminders to keep their Mortgage Loans current and to prevent
delinquencies and foreclosures. Any failure of the subservicer to adequately
service the Company's Mortgage Loans could cause a substantial increase in the
Company's delinquency or foreclosure rates, which could adversely effect the
Company's ability to access equity or debt capital resources. Ultimately,
inadequate or ineffective servicing could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations, financial condition and business prospects.
 
     Additionally, the Company has entered into a servicing agreement with
Advanta which requires the Company to pay certain termination or transfer
penalties, fees and costs in the event the Company terminates such servicing
agreement without cause or transfers the servicing of any Mortgage Loans
serviced thereunder to another servicer. The Company will be subject to a fee
equal to $100 per Mortgage Loan upon termination of the servicing agreement. The
payment of such a termination fee may reduce the Company's earnings and amounts
available for distribution to stockholders. See "Business -- Servicing
Activities -- Advanta Servicing Agreement."
 
 INABILITY TO SELL MORTGAGE LOANS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary plans to sell certain Mortgage Loans (primarily
fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans, Prime Mortgage Loans and Second Lien
Mortgage Loans) to secondary market purchasers. See "-- President's 1999 Budget
Plan, If Enacted, Would Adversely Affect Results of Operations" and
"Business -- Industry Developments." The Company's ability to manage its
Mortgage Loan portfolio according to its plan necessitates the existence of
purchasers for such Mortgage Loans. Any such difficulty may have a material
adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition or
business prospects.
 
 LEGISLATION AND REGULATION MAY SUBJECT THE COMPANY TO COSTS OF COMPLIANCE AND
 ADVERSE CLAIMS FOR NONCOMPLIANCE
 
     Members of Congress and government officials from time to time have
suggested the elimination of the mortgage interest deduction for federal income
tax purposes, either entirely or in part, based on borrower income, type of
Mortgage Loan or principal amount. Since many of the Taxable Subsidiary's
Mortgage Loans will be made to borrowers for the purpose of consolidating
consumer debt or financing other consumer needs, the competitive advantages of
tax-deductible interest, when compared with alternative sources of financing,
could be eliminated or seriously impaired by such government action.
Accordingly, the reduction or elimination of these tax benefits could have a
material adverse effect on the demand for the Mortgage Loans offered by the
Taxable Subsidiary.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary's business is subject to extensive regulation,
supervision and licensing by federal, state and local governmental authorities
and will be subject to various laws and judicial and administrative decisions
imposing requirements and restrictions on part or all of its operations.
Regulated matters include,
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   42
 
without limitation, Mortgage Loan origination marketing efforts, credit
application and underwriting activities, maximum finance and other charges,
disclosure to customers, certain rights of rescission on Mortgage Loans, closing
and servicing Mortgage Loans, collection and foreclosure procedures,
qualification and licensing requirements for doing business in various
jurisdictions and other trade practices. Mortgage Loan origination activities
are subject to the laws and regulations in each of the states in which those
activities are conducted. Activities as a lender are also subject to various
federal laws including the Truth in Lending Act ("TILA"), the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act of 1974, as amended ("ECOA"), the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act
("HMDA") and the Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting
Act. TILA and Regulation Z, issued under TILA, as amended, contain disclosure
requirements designed to provide consumers with uniform, understandable
information with respect to the terms and conditions of loans and credit
transactions in order to give them the ability to compare credit terms. TILA
also guarantees consumers a three-day right to cancel certain credit
transactions. TILA further imposes disclosure, underwriting and documentation
requirements on Mortgage Loans, known as "Section 32 loans," which are Mortgage
Loans with (i) total points and fees upon origination in excess of 8% of the
Mortgage Loan amount or (ii) an annual percentage rate of more than 10% higher
than comparably maturing United States Treasury securities. The Taxable
Subsidiary is also required to comply with the ECOA, which prohibits creditors
from discriminating against applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, age or
marital status. Regulation B interpreting ECOA restricts creditors from
obtaining certain types of information from loan applicants. It also requires
certain disclosures by the lender regarding consumer rights and requires lenders
to advise applicants of the reasons for any credit denial. In instances where
the applicant is denied credit or the rate or charge for a Mortgage Loan
increases as a result of information obtained from a consumer credit agency, the
Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, requires the lender to supply the
applicant with the name and address of the reporting agency.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary will also be subject to the RESPA and will be
required to file an annual report with the Department of Housing and Urban
Development ("HUD") pursuant to the HMDA. The Taxable Subsidiary will also be
subject to the rules and regulations of, and examinations by, GNMA, HUD and
state regulatory authorities with respect to originating, processing,
underwriting, selling and servicing Mortgage Loans. Failure to comply with these
requirements can lead to loss of approved status, termination or suspension of
servicing contracts without compensation to the servicer, demands for
indemnifications or Mortgage Loan repurchases, certain rights of rescission for
Mortgage Loans, class action lawsuits and administrative enforcement actions.
There can be no assurance that the Taxable Subsidiary will maintain compliance
with these requirements in the future without additional expenses, or that more
restrictive local, state or federal laws, rules and regulations will not be
adopted or that existing laws and regulations will not be interpreted in a more
restrictive manner, which would make compliance more difficult for the Taxable
Subsidiary.
 
     The laws and regulations described above are subject to legislative,
administrative and judicial interpretation, and certain of these laws and
regulations have been infrequently interpreted or only recently enacted.
Infrequent interpretations of these laws and regulations or an insignificant
number of interpretations of recently enacted regulations can result in
ambiguity with respect to permitted conduct under these laws and regulations.
Any ambiguity under the regulations to which the Taxable Subsidiary is subject
may lead to regulatory investigations or enforcement actions and private causes
of action, such as class action lawsuits, with respect to the Taxable
Subsidiary's compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. As a mortgage
lender, the Taxable Subsidiary will be subject to regulatory enforcement actions
and private causes of action from time to time with respect to its compliance
with applicable laws and regulations.
 
  MORTGAGE LOANS SECURED BY PROPERTIES WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS MAY RESULT IN
LIABILITY AND LOSSES
 
     Certain properties securing Mortgage Loans may be contaminated by hazardous
substances. As a result, the value of the real property may be diminished. In
the event that the Company is forced to foreclose on a defaulted Mortgage Loan
on such a property, the Company may be subject to environmental liabilities
regardless of whether the Company was responsible for the contamination. While
the Company intends to exercise due diligence to discover potential
environmental liabilities prior to the acquisition of any such
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   43
 
property through foreclosure, hazardous substances or wastes, contaminants,
pollutants or sources thereof (as defined by state and federal laws and
regulations) may be discovered on properties during the Company's ownership or
after a sale thereof to a third-party. If such hazardous substances are
discovered on a property, the Company may be required to remove those substances
or sources and clean-up the property. The Company may also be liable to tenants
and other users of neighboring properties. In addition, the Company may find it
difficult or impossible to sell the property prior to or following any such
clean-up. Any exposure to environmental liability could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
 
  CHANGES IN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The Company's business may be adversely affected by periods of economic
slowdown or recession which may be accompanied by decreased demand for consumer
credit and declining real estate values. Any material decline in real estate
values reduces the ability of borrowers to use home equity to support borrowings
and increases the LTVs of Mortgage Loans owned by the Company, thereby weakening
collateral coverage and increasing the possibility of a loss in the event of
default. Further, delinquencies, foreclosures and losses generally increase
during economic slowdowns or recessions. Because of the Company's focus on
borrowers who are unable or unwilling to obtain Mortgage Loans from conventional
mortgage sources, the actual rates of delinquencies, foreclosures and losses on
Subprime Mortgage Loans could be higher under adverse economic conditions than
those experienced in the conventional mortgage lending industry. Any sustained
period of such increased delinquencies, foreclosures and losses would adversely
affect the pricing of the Taxable Subsidiary's Mortgage Loan sales, the rate
paid to investors and the over-collateralization required on the Taxable
Subsidiary's long-term financing or whole loan sales. On the other hand, the
Company faces certain risks related to an improving economy, including, but not
limited to, the risk that during times of falling interest rates borrowers tend
to prepay their Mortgage Loans. See "-- Interest Rate Fluctuations May Adversely
Affect Operations and Net Interest Income -- Declining Interest Rates May
Increase Prepayment Rates and Reduce Net Interest Income."
 
FACTORS BEYOND CONTROL OF THE COMPANY MAY AFFECT PERFORMANCE OF THE INVESTMENT
PORTFOLIO
 
     Although the Company hedges certain aspects of its interest rate risk, the
results of the Company's Mortgage Assets portfolio operation is affected by
various factors, many of which are difficult to predict or are beyond the
control of the Company. The performance of the Company's Mortgage Assets
portfolio depends on, among other things, the level of net interest income
generated by the Company's Mortgage Assets, the market value of such Mortgage
Assets, credit losses on Mortgage Assets held and the supply of, and demand for,
such Mortgage Assets. The Company's net interest income varies primarily as a
result of changes in short-term interest rates, borrowing costs and prepayment
rates, the behavior of which involve various risks and uncertainties as set
forth below. Prepayment rates, interest rates, borrowing costs and credit losses
depend upon the nature and terms of the Mortgage Assets, the geographic location
of the properties securing the Mortgage Loans included in or underlying the
Mortgage Assets, conditions in financial markets, the fiscal and monetary
policies of the United States government and the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, international economic and financial conditions,
competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any
certainty. Because changes in interest rates may significantly affect the
Company's activities, the operating results of the Company depend, in large
part, upon the ability of the Company to effectively manage its interest rate
and prepayment risks while maintaining its status as a REIT. See "-- Interest
Rate Fluctuations May Adversely Affect Operations and Net Interest Income" and
"Borrowing to Finance Investment Portfolio May Adversely Affect Results of
Operations."
 
INVESTORS WILL INCUR IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIC DILUTION
 
     The Price to Public of the Units offered hereby is higher than the net
tangible book per share of the Common Stock. Because prior purchasers of Common
Stock paid less than the Price to Public, purchasers of the Units offered hereby
will be subject to immediate and substantial economic dilution in the net
tangible book value attributable to the Common Stock included as a component of
the Units purchased by them of
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   44
 
   
$4.22 per share (assuming the sale of 4,000,000 Units offered hereby at $15.00
per Unit) or $2.31 per share if the Warrants and the Representative's Warrants
are exercised.
    
 
FUTURE DEBT AND EQUITY OFFERINGS MAY DILUTE INVESTORS
 
     The Company expects in the future to increase its capital resources by
making additional offerings of equity and debt securities, including classes of
preferred stock, Common Stock, commercial paper, medium-term notes,
mortgage-backed obligations and senior or subordinated debt. See "-- Operation
of a New Enterprise Involves Uncertainty -- Failure to Raise Additional Capital
May Adversely Affect Future Growth and Results of Operations." All debt
securities and classes of preferred stock will be senior to the Common Stock in
the event of a liquidation of the Company. Additional equity offerings may
dilute the equity of stockholders of the Company or reduce the price of shares
of the Company's Common Stock, or both. The Company is unable to estimate the
amount, timing or nature of additional offerings as they will depend upon market
conditions and other factors.
 
FAILURE TO DEVELOP A TRADING MARKET MAY RESULT IN DEPRESSED COMMON STOCK PRICE
 
     There has not been a public market for the Securities prior to the
Offering. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a liquid trading market
for the Securities offered hereby will develop or, if developed, that the market
will be sustained. In the absence of a public trading market, an investor may be
unable to liquidate his investment in the Company. The Price to Public was
determined by the Company and the Underwriter. See "Underwriting." There can be
no assurance that the price of the Units in the public market after the closing
of the Offering will not be lower than the Price to Public. While there can be
no assurance that a market for the Company's Securities will develop, the
Company intends to apply for listing of the Units, the Common Stock and the
Warrants on the American Stock Exchange.
 
     If a public market for the Securities exists, it is likely that the market
price of the Securities will be influenced by any variation between the net
yield on the Company's Mortgage Assets and prevailing market interest rates.
However, earnings will not necessarily be greater in high interest rate
environments than in low interest rate environments. Moreover, in periods of
high interest rates, the net earnings of the Company, and, therefore, the
dividend yield on the Common Stock, may be less attractive compared with
alternative investments, which could negatively impact the price of the
Securities. If the anticipated or actual net yield on the Company's Mortgage
Assets declines or if prevailing market interest rates rise, thereby decreasing
the positive spread between the net yield on such investments and the cost of
the Company's borrowings, the market price of the Securities may be adversely
affected.
 
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN REIT STATUS WOULD HAVE ADVERSE TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     The Company intends, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998, and all
times thereafter, to operate so as to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax
purposes. In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT for federal income
tax purposes, the Company must satisfy certain tests with respect to the sources
of its income, the nature and diversification of its assets, the amount of its
distributions to stockholders and the ownership of its Capital Stock. See
"Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT -- Distributions."
If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and certain relief
provisions of the Code do not apply, the Company would be subject to federal
income tax as a regular, domestic corporation for four subsequent years, and its
stockholders would be subject to tax in the same manner as stockholders of such
a corporation. Distributions to stockholders in any year in which the Company
fails to qualify as a REIT, including the fiscal year 1998, would not be
deductible by the Company in computing its taxable income. As a result, the
Company could be subject to income tax liability, thereby significantly reducing
or eliminating the amount of cash available for distribution to its
stockholders. Further, the Company could also be disqualified from re-electing
REIT status for the four taxable years following the year during which it became
disqualified.
 
   
     One requirement to maintain REIT status is that the value of the securities
of any other corporation beneficially owned by the Company may not exceed five
percent of value of the Company's total assets. See "Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT -- Nature of Assets." In order to
comply with such requirement on June 30, 1998, the Company must acquire
approximately $325.0 million of assets by June 30, 1998. Failure to acquire
sufficient assets would preclude the Company from electing REIT status for 1998.
This asset test may be satisfied by acquiring U.S. treasury and other
securities.
    
                                       37
<PAGE>   45
 
FAILURE TO QUALIFY FOR EXEMPTION FROM INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT MAY ADVERSELY
AFFECT THE COMPANY
 
     The Company at all times intends to conduct its business so as not to
become regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). Accordingly, the Company does
not expect to be subject to the restrictive provisions of the Investment Company
Act. The Investment Company Act exempts entities that are "primarily engaged in
the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on
and interests in real estate" ("Qualifying Interests"). Under the current
interpretation of the staff of the Commission, in order to qualify for this
exemption, the Company must maintain at least 55% of its assets directly in
Mortgage Loans, qualifying Pass-Through Certificates and certain other
qualifying interests in real estate. In addition, unless certain Mortgage Assets
owned by the Company represent all the certificates representing economic
interests issued with respect to an underlying pool of Mortgage Loans, such
Mortgage Assets may be treated as securities separate from the underlying
Mortgage Loans and, thus, may not qualify as Qualifying Interests for purposes
of the 55% safe harbor. Therefore, the Company's ownership of certain Mortgage
Assets may be limited by the provisions of the Investment Company Act. If the
Company fails to qualify for exemption from registration as an investment
company, its ability to use leverage would be substantially reduced and it would
be unable to conduct its business as described herein. Any such failure to
qualify for such exemption could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
ISSUANCES OF PREFERRED STOCK MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE VALUE OF COMMON STOCK
 
     Subject to the limitations set forth in the Amended and Restated Articles
of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is authorized to reclassify any of the
unissued shares of authorized capital stock into a class or classes of preferred
stock. The issuance of additional preferred stock could have the effect of
making an attempt to gain control of the Company more difficult by means of a
merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. The additional preferred
stock, if issued, could have a preference on dividend payments over the Common
Stock which could affect the ability of the Company to make dividend
distributions to the holders of Common Stock. Further, the shares of preferred
stock may be entitled to preferential liquidation, voting and other rights which
could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Company's other
Securities.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP OF CAPITAL STOCK COULD DISCOURAGE A CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
     In order that the Company may meet the requirements for qualification as a
REIT at all times, the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation prohibit
any person from acquiring or holding, directly or indirectly, shares of Capital
Stock in excess of 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of
Capital Stock or in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever
is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
of the Company. For this purpose, the term "ownership" is defined in accordance
with REIT provisions of the Code and the constructive ownership provisions of
Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. Under
such rules, for example, certain types of entities such as widely-held
corporations may hold in excess of the 9.8% limit because shares held by such
entities are attributed to such entities' stockholders. Conversely, shares of
Capital Stock owned or deemed to be owned by a person who individually owns less
than 9.8% of the shares outstanding may nevertheless be in violation of the
ownership limitations set forth in the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation if, under certain circumstances, shares owned by others (such as
family members) are attributed to such individual. See "Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT -- Ownership of Stock." The Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation further prohibit (i) any person from
beneficially or constructively owning shares of Capital Stock that would result
in the Company being "closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code or
otherwise cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT, and (ii) any person
from transferring shares of Capital Stock if such transfer would result in
shares of Capital Stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons.
 
     Subject to certain limitations, the Board of Directors may increase or
decrease the ownership limitations. In addition, to the extent consistent with
the REIT provisions of the Code, the Board of Directors may waive the ownership
limitations for and at the request of certain purchasers in this Offering. The
provisions described above may inhibit market activity and the resulting
opportunity for the holders of the Company's Capital
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   46
 
Stock and Warrants to receive a premium for their Securities that might
otherwise exist in the absence of such provisions. Such provisions also may make
the Company an unsuitable investment vehicle for any person seeking to obtain
ownership of more than 9.8% of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock.
 
     In addition, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles and Bylaws
of the Company which stagger the Board of Directors into three classes, require
advance notification of stockholder proposals and require a supermajority vote
to remove directors may also have the effect of delaying, deterring or
preventing take over attempt thereby reducing the price of the Common Stock.
Further, the provisions of Maryland law which restrict business acquisitions by
certain beneficial owners of stock and owners of "control shares" also have the
effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a takeover attempt or change in
control that might be beneficial to stockholders or result in a premium over
their prevailing market prices. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Control
Share Acquisitions" and "-- Business Acquisitions Statutes" and "Management --
Terms of Directors and Officers."
 
     Further, the employment agreements with Messrs. Fry, Mott and McMurray
provide for severence payments of three times their respective and bonus
compensation upon termination following a "Change in Control," as defined
therein. Such provisions would result in minimum payments to Messrs. Fry, Mott
and McMurray of $750,000, $600,000 and $600,000, respectively, which may also
defer or prohibit takeover attempts.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   47
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     RealTrust Asset Corporation is a newly formed Maryland corporation
incorporated on April 1, 1998. The Taxable Subsidiary, CMG Funding Corp., was
organized in February, 1996 as a mortgage banking company and is located in Salt
Lake City, Utah. The Taxable Subsidiary now has 16 branch offices located in 13
states which originated or purchased approximately $507.4 million in
single-family residential Mortgage Loans during the calendar year ended December
31, 1997 and $152.1 million during the first quarter of 1998.
 
     The Company intends to avail itself of the federal income tax advantages of
electing REIT status for the tax year ending December 31, 1998, subject to the
discussion under "Business -- Industry Developments" and "Risk
Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted, Would Adversely Affect
Results of Operations." As a REIT, the Company must distribute to its
stockholders on a pro rata basis each year an amount equal to 95% of its taxable
income before deduction of dividends paid and excluding net capital gain, plus
(ii) 95% of the excess of the net income from foreclosure property over the tax
imposed on such income by the Code, less (iii) any "excess noncash income." See
"Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT." The Company
intends to make distributions to its stockholders in amounts sufficient to meet
these 95% distribution requirements. In any year in which the Company qualifies
as a REIT, it generally will not be subject to federal income tax on that
portion of its taxable income or net capital gain which is distributed to its
stockholders. See "Federal Income Tax Considerations."
 
     The Company will manage a portfolio of Mortgage Assets. In addition, the
Company conducts a mortgage lending business through the Taxable Subsidiary. See
"Business -- Industry Developments" and "Risk Factors -- President's 1999 Budget
Plan, If Enacted, Would Adversely Affect Results of Operations." The Company
owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of non-voting preferred stock of
the Taxable Subsidiary which entitles the Company to 95% of the economic value
of the Taxable Subsidiary. The Founders of the Company own all of the issued and
outstanding shares of voting common stock of the Taxable Subsidiary which
entitle them to voting control but only five percent of the economic value of
the Taxable Subsidiary. The Taxable Subsidiary will not be consolidated with the
Company for accounting purposes because the Company will not own any of the
Taxable Subsidiary's voting common stock and, thus, the Company will not control
the Taxable Subsidiary.
 
     As a REIT, the Company will be self-advised and self-managed. Management of
the Company conducts the day-to-day operations of the Company, subject to the
direction of the Board of Directors. The Company's offices are located at 2855
East Cottonwood Parkway, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121, and its
telephone number is (801) 365-3000.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
     The net proceeds of the Offering, assuming a Price to Public of $15.00 per
Unit, are estimated to be $54,700,000 ($63,070,000 if the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised). The net proceeds will be used to acquire a
portfolio of Mortgage Assets, to fund the origination and purchase of Mortgage
Loans through the Taxable Subsidiary's mortgage lending operation, to expand the
Mortgage Loan production capacity, to repay the outstanding balance on the
working capital credit facility from ContiFinancial Corporation ($2.0 million as
of March 31, 1998), to redeem shares of Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock held
by ContiFinancial Corporation ($2.2 million), to repay the Convertible Secured
Promissory Note to Capstone Investments, Inc. ($850,000), and for general
working capital and other corporate purposes. Any proceeds resulting from the
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option will be entirely used to
purchase Mortgage Assets which have not been identified. Pending the use of the
net proceeds of the Offering for such purposes, the net proceeds will be
invested in Mortgage Assets acquired in the secondary mortgage market. The
Company intends to increase its investment in Mortgage Assets by borrowing
against existing Mortgage Assets and using the loan proceeds to acquire
additional Mortgage Assets. The Company's borrowings generally will be secured
by the Mortgage Assets owned by the Company. Until the Company has fully
implemented this financing strategy and increased its Mortgage Asset investments
to the desired level, the net earnings on the Company's portfolio of Mortgage
Assets are expected to be lower than would be the case if the investment
strategy were fully implemented promptly after the closing of the Offering.
    
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   48
 
     The following table sets forth certain information concerning the estimated
use of the gross proceeds of the Offering:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PERCENTAGE OF
                                                              AMOUNT        TOTAL FUNDS
                                                            -----------    -------------
<S>                                                         <C>            <C>
Estimated Offering Expenses:
     Underwriting Discount(1).............................  $ 4,200,000          7.0%
     Offering Expenses(2).................................    1,100,000          1.9
Funding of Mortgage Loan Originations and Purchases of
  Mortgage Assets(3)......................................   45,425,000         75.7
Repayment of ContiFinancial Corporation's Working Capital
  Debt(4).................................................    2,025,000          3.4
Repayment of Capstone Note(5).............................      850,000          1.4
Redemption of Preferred Stock and Accrued Dividends(4)....    2,180,000          3.6
Working Capital and Other Corporate Purposes..............    4,220,000          7.0
                                                            -----------        -----
Gross Offering Proceeds(6)................................  $60,000,000        100.0%
                                                            ===========        =====
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
(1) The underwriting discount is seven percent, plus Representative's Warrants
    to acquire, at the Price to Public, a number of Warrant Shares equal to
    three percent of the number of Units sold (including those sold pursuant to
    the over-allotment option).
 
   
(2) This amount consists of estimated legal, accounting, printing and other
    expenses of the Offering, and organizational expenses, which have been or
    will be paid by the Company.
    
 
(3) See "Business."
 
(4) See "Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Transactions -- ContiFinancial
    Corporation."
 
(5) See "Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Transactions -- Capstone
    Investments, Inc."
 
(6) Assumes no exercise of the Underwriter's over-allotment option.
 
                       DIVIDEND POLICY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     Commencing with the 1998 fiscal year, the Company generally intends to
distribute substantially all of its taxable income each year (which does not
ordinarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP) to its
stockholders so as to comply with the REIT provisions of the Code. The Company
intends to make distributions quarterly. Any taxable income remaining after the
distribution of the final regular quarterly distribution each year will be
distributed together with the first regular quarterly dividend payment of the
following taxable year or in a special distribution distributed prior thereto.
The dividend policy is subject to revision at the discretion of the Board of
Directors. All distributions will be made by the Company at the discretion of
the Board of Directors and will depend on the taxable income of the Company, the
financial condition of the Company, maintenance of REIT status and such other
factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant. See "Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT -- Distributions."
 
     Distributions to stockholders will generally be subject to tax as ordinary
income, although a portion of such distributions may be designated by the
Company as capital gain or may constitute a tax-free return of capital. The
Company will annually furnish to each of its stockholders a statement setting
forth distributions paid during the preceding year and their characterization as
ordinary income, capital gains, or return of capital. For a discussion of the
Federal income tax treatment of distributions by the Company, see "Federal
Income Tax Considerations -- Taxation of the Company's Stockholders."
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   49
 
                           DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
 
     The Company will, after the closing of the Offering, adopt a dividend
reinvestment plan ("DRP") for stockholders who wish to reinvest their
distributions in additional shares of Common Stock. The DRP will be administered
by American Securities Transfer & Trust Incorporated which will maintain
records, prepare and send out statements to all participants, provide
safe-keeping for the shares purchased under the DRP and perform other duties
related to the DRP. Generally, under a DRP, dividends paid with respect to
shares of Capital Stock are automatically invested in additional shares of
Common Stock at a discount to the then current market price. Such discount will
be determined, from time to time, by the Board of Directors consistent with the
REIT provisions of the Code. The DRP will also allow each stockholder to make
additional investments in Common Stock by contributing cash to the DRP
administrator (up to a specified maximum). Upon adoption of the DRP, each
stockholder will be notified in writing of the procedure for enrolling in the
DRP.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   50
 
                                    DILUTION
 
   
     As of April 1, 1998, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the
Formation Transactions and Post-Closing Transactions, there were 984,370 shares
of the Company's Common Stock outstanding, having a net negative tangible book
value per share of approximately $0.98. Net tangible book value per share
represents the amount of the Company's total tangible assets less its total
liabilities, divided by the number of shares of its Capital Stock outstanding.
On a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Formation Transactions (other
than the issuance and sale of the Units offered hereby) and the Post-Closing
Transactions, the net negative tangible book value of the Company was $965,545
(the net negative book value of the CMG Funding Corp. capital stock being
contributed).
    
 
   
     After giving effect to the net proceeds from the sale of Units offered
hereby at the Price to Public of $15.00 per Unit, assuming no exercise of the
Underwriters' over-allotment option, the pro forma net tangible book value of
the Company as of April 1, 1998 would have been $53,734,455 or $10.78 per share.
This represents a dilution of $4.22 per share to new investors purchasing Units
at $15.00 per Unit. If the Warrants and the Representative's Warrants were
exercised, the pro forma net tangible book value of the Company as of April 1,
1998 would be $115,534,455 or $12.69 per share.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     PER SHARE
                                                                     ---------
<S>                                                        <C>       <C>
Price to Public per Unit.................................             $15.00
     Dilution attributable to underwriting discount and
       offering expenses.................................   (1.32)
     Dilution attributable to Formation Transactions and
       Post-Closing Transactions.........................   (2.90)
                                                           ------
                                                                       (4.22)
                                                                      ------
Book value per share after underwriting discount and
  offering expenses, Formation Transactions..............              10.78
                                                                      ======
     Accretion attributable to exercise of the Warrants
       and Representative's Warrants(1)..................    1.91
                                                           ------
Book value per share after accretion for Warrants and
  Representative's Warrants..............................             $12.69
                                                                      ======
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
   
(1) Exercise of the Warrants and the Representative's Warrants is entirely at
    the discretion of the holders of such Warrants and the Company cannot compel
    such holders to exercise. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the
    Warrant's or Representative's Warrants will ever be exercised or that the
    book value of the Company will increase.
    
 
   
     The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis as of April 1, 1998,
after giving effect to the Formation Transactions and Post-Closing Transactions,
the difference between the existing stockholders and the investors in the
Offering with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock (assuming no
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option, the Warrants or the
Representative's Warrants) purchased from the Company, the total consideration
paid and the average price per share:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      SHARES OF THE COMPANY      TOTAL CONSIDERATION
                                      ----------------------    ----------------------    AVERAGE PRICE
                                        NUMBER      PERCENT       AMOUNT       PERCENT      PER SHARE
                                      ----------    --------    -----------    -------    -------------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>         <C>            <C>        <C>
Existing stockholders...............    984,370       19.7%     $ 2,289,997(1)    3.7%       $ 2.33
New investors(2)....................  4,000,000       80.3       60,000,000      96.3         15.00
                                      ---------      -----      -----------     -----
     Total..........................  4,984,370      100.0%     $62,289,997     100.0%
                                      =========      =====      ===========     =====
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
(1) Reflects the capital contributions to CMG Funding Corp. by each of the
    Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation, and excludes the $2.0 million paid
    by ContiFinancial Corporation for its 410,581 shares of Class B Redeemable
    Preferred Stock, which will be redeemed after the closing of the Offering
    for the purchase price plus accrued dividends at 18% per annum, for a total
    price of $2.18 million, assuming redemption occurs on June 30, 1998.
    
 
(2) Assumes no exercise of the Warrants, the warrants granted to Capstone
    Investments, Inc., the Representative's Warrants or the Underwriters'
    over-allotment option.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   51
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The table below sets forth the capitalization of the Company, as of April
1, 1998 and as adjusted to reflect the issuance of the Units offered in the
Offering at a Price to Public of $15.00 per Unit and the application of the
estimated net proceeds therefrom as described under "Use of Proceeds."
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PRO FORMA
                                                              APRIL 1, 1998    --------------------------
                                                              -------------        AS             AS
                                                                 ACTUAL        ADJUSTED(1)    ADJUSTED(2)
                                                              -------------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>            <C>
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
     Class A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001
       per share; 1,263,472 shares authorized; no shares
       issued and outstanding; As adjusted: 5,000,000 shares
       authorized; no shares issued and outstanding.........     $   --        $       --     $        --
     Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.001;
       410,581 shares authorized; no shares issued and
       outstanding; As adjusted: 410,581 and no shares
       issued and outstanding, respectively.................         --               410              --
     Common Stock, par value $.001 per share; 2,810,455
       authorized; 66 shares issued and outstanding; As
       adjusted: 100,000,000 shares authorized; 984,370 and
       4,984,370 shares issued and outstanding,
       respectively.........................................        -0-               984           4,984
     Additional paid-in capital.............................      1,000         1,214,061      53,729,471
                                                                 ------        ----------     -----------
          Total Stockholders' Equity........................     $1,000        $1,215,455     $53,734,455
                                                                 ======        ==========     ===========
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
(1) Gives effect to the shares of RealTrust Capital Stock issued to Founders and
    ContiFinancial Corporation in the Formation Transactions. Total
    Stockholders' Equity reflects 95% of the stockholders' equity of CMG Funding
    Corp. as of March 31, 1998.
 
   
(2) Assumes the sale of 4,000,000 Units in the Offering and that none of the
    Underwriters' over-allotment option, the Warrants, the warrants granted to
    Capstone Investments, Inc. or the Representative's Warrants are exercised.
    After deducting the underwriting discount of seven percent and estimated
    offering expenses of $1,100,000 payable by the Company. Excludes all options
    granted to officers, directors and employees of the Company pursuant to the
    1996 Stock Option Plan and the 1998 Stock Option Plan. See
    "Management -- Executive Compensation -- 1996 Stock Option Plan" and
    "-- 1998 Stock Option Plan."
    
 
                          REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
 
                            PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
 
   
     The following pro forma balance sheet has been prepared based on the
historical audited April 1, 1998 balance sheet of RealTrust Asset Corporation.
The unaudited pro forma balance sheet gives effect to the formation
transactions, which will occur upon the effective date of the Offering. See
"Structure and Formation Transactions." Upon completion of the Formation
Transactions, RealTrust intends to invest substantially all of the net proceeds
of the Offering in Qualified REIT Assets, which Qualified REIT Assets will
comprise the investment portfolio. The investment portfolio is expected to
generate in excess of 95% of RealTrust's gross revenues. The balance of
RealTrust's gross revenues is expected to be generated from its equity
investment in CMG Funding Corp. The pro forma adjustments are based upon
currently available information and upon certain assumptions that management
believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. This pro forma information is
for illustrative purposes only and should not be viewed as a projection or
forecast of RealTrust's performance. The pro forma balance sheet does not
purport to represent RealTrust's actual financial position had such events
occurred on the aforementioned dates. Such pro forma information should be read
in conjunction with RealTrust's financial statements and the notes relating
hereto included elsewhere herein.
    
 
     RealTrust is a recently formed Maryland corporation, which will elect to be
taxed as a REIT. CMG Funding Corp. is a Delaware corporation, established in
1996. RealTrust will account for its investment in CMG Funding Corp. on the
equity method of accounting.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   52
 
                          REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
 
                            PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  AT APRIL 1, 1998
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            INCREASE       INCREASE
                                                              HISTORICAL   (DECREASE)     (DECREASE)        PRO FORMA
                                                              ----------   ----------     -----------      -----------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>            <C>              <C>
                           ASSETS
                                                                                           54,700,000(2)
                                                                                           (2,180,000)(3)
                                                                                           (2,875,000)(4)
Cash........................................................    $1,000                         (1,000)(5)  $49,645,000
Receivable due from CMG Funding Corp. ......................                                2,875,000(4)     2,875,000
Investment in CMG Funding Corp. ............................        --      1,214,455(1)                     1,214,455
                                                                ------     ----------     -----------      -----------
TOTAL ASSETS................................................    $1,000      1,214,455      52,519,000      $53,734,455
                                                                ======     ==========     ===========      ===========
 
                    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Class A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001;
  1,263,472 shares authorized, no shares outstanding; As
  adjusted: 1,263,472 and 5,000,000 shares authorized,
  852,891 and no shares outstanding,                                              853(1)
  respectively..............................................    $   --           (853)(6)                  $        --
Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.001; 410,581
  shares authorized, no shares outstanding; As adjusted:
  410,581 and no shares authorized; 410,581 and no shares
  outstanding, respectively.................................        --            410(1)         (410)(3)           --
Common Stock, par value $.001; 2,810,455 shares authorized;
  66 shares outstanding; As adjusted: 2,810,455 and 100,000,000 shares          1,547(1)        4,000(2)         4,984
  authorized; 66 and 4,984,370 shares outstanding,
    respectively............................................        --           (563)(6)
 
                                                                                           (2,179,590)(3)
                                                                            1,211,645(1)   54,696,000(2)
Additional paid-in capital..................................     1,000          1,416(6)       (1,000)(5)   53,729,471
                                                                ------     ----------     -----------      -----------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY..................................    $1,000      1,214,455      52,519,000      $53,734,455
                                                                ======     ==========     ===========      ===========
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
(1) Reflects 95% of the book value of CMG Funding Corp. as of March 31, 1998
    ($1,214,455) resulting from the CMG Funding Corp. stockholders' contribution
    of 95% of their capital stock of CMG Funding Corp. in exchange for shares of
    RealTrust Asset Corporation Capital Stock. RealTrust's investment will be
    reflected at cost (which is determined to be 95% of the net book value of
    CMG Funding Corp.). Even though RealTrust will generally have no right to
    control the affairs of CMG Funding Corp. because the preferred stock owned
    in CMG Funding Corp. is nonvoting, management believes that RealTrust has
    the ability to exert significant influence over CMG Funding Corp. and,
    therefore, the investment in CMG Funding Corp. will be accounted for on the
    equity method. Some of the factors considered in determining the use of the
    equity method of accounting were: (a) RealTrust will have the ability to
    exercise significant influence over CMG Funding Corp. through management,
    (b) substantially all of the economic benefit in CMG Funding Corp. will flow
    to RealTrust, (c) CMG Funding Corp. will perform it's activities primarily
    for RealTrust, (d) RealTrust and CMG Funding Corp. will have common board of
    director members and officers, (e) the views of RealTrust's management
    influence the operations of CMG Funding Corp., and (f) RealTrust will be
    able to obtain the financial information from CMG Funding Corp. that is
    needed to apply the equity method of accounting to its investment in CMG
    Funding Corp.
    
 
   
(2) Reflects the estimated net proceeds ($54,700,000) from the offering assuming
    no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option at an assumed public
    offering price of $15.00 per Unit.
    
 
(3) Reflects the redemption of ContiFinancial Corporation's 410,581 shares of
    Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock plus dividends accrued since January 1,
    1998 at the rate of 18% per annum. See "Conflicts of Interest and Related
    Party Transactions -- ContiFinancial Corporation."
 
(4) Reflects the repayment of the $2,000,000 working capital credit facility
    with ContiFinancial Corporation plus $25,000 in accrued interest and
    repayment of the $850,000 owed to Capstone Investments, Inc. See "Conflicts
    of Interest and Related Party Transactions." All amounts necessary to repay
    the obligations to ContiFinancial Corporation and Capstone Investments, Inc.
    are advanced to the Taxable Subsidiary and reflected as a receivable
    therefrom.
 
(5) Reflects the redemption of the original 66 shares of RealTrust at the close
    of the Offering, which were issued solely for the organization of RealTrust.
 
   
(6) Reflects the conversion of Class A Convertible Preferred Stock on a
    one-for-one basis into Common Stock. RealTrust Common Stock is reverse split
    at a ratio of approximately 0.4318 shares for 1 prior to the closing of the
    Offering.
    
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   53
 
                          REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
 
                       PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                                                1997(1)
                                                              ------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Equity in net loss of CMG Funding Corp. ....................  $(1,598,789)
                                                              -----------
Net loss....................................................  $(1,598,789)
                                                              ===========
Loss per share:(2)
  Basic.....................................................  $     (1.62)
                                                              ===========
  Diluted...................................................  $     (1.62)
                                                              ===========
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
(1)  Pro forma net loss represents 95% of CMG Funding Corp.'s net loss for the
     year ended December 31, 1997 ($1,774,311), reduced by interest expense on
     subordinated debt ($91,375), which debt was converted to Common Stock
     during 1997. The Company anticipates that the operations of the Taxable
     Subsidiary will continue to be the origination and sale of Mortgage Loans
     for cash and that the Taxable Subsidiary's results of operations may be
     material to the Company's financial statements.
 
   
(2)  Shares used in the calculation of loss per share reflect shares issued in
     the Formation Transactions of RealTrust (984,370 shares) and for this
     calculation are assumed to have been outstanding for the entire year of
     1997.
    
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   54
 
             SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
                             AND CMG FUNDING CORP.
 
REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
 
   
     RealTrust was organized and capitalized on April 1, 1998, with $1,000.
Operations have not commenced as of the date of this Prospectus. The balance
sheet of RealTrust, which has been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent
auditors, and the report thereon, are included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
RealTrust is not acquiring any of the operating assets of CMG Funding Corp.
However, RealTrust will acquire, in the Formation Transactions, all of the
preferred stock of CMG Funding Corp.
    
 
CMG FUNDING CORP.
 
     The following selected financial data are derived from the audited
financial statements of CMG Funding Corp. as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and
for the year ended December 31, 1997, and the period February 7, 1996 (date of
inception) to December 31, 1996, respectively, and from unaudited financial
information as of and for the three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997. Such
selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the audited financial
statements of CMG Funding Corp. as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for the
year ended December 31, 1997, and the period February 7, 1996 (date of
inception) to December 31, 1996, respectively, which financial statements have
been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent auditors, whose report
appears elsewhere in this Prospectus. In the opinion of management, the
unaudited information reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such financial
information for those periods. Results for the three months ended March 31, 1998
are not necessarily indicative of results for the year ending December 31, 1998.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  THREE MONTHS ENDED                                PERIOD FROM
                                                       MARCH 31,                                  FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                                               -------------------------      YEAR ENDED       (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO
                                                  1998          1997       DECEMBER 31, 1997     DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                               -----------   -----------   -----------------   ----------------------
                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                            <C>           <C>           <C>                 <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Revenues:
  Interest...................................  $ 1,731,480   $   218,321      $ 3,756,870           $   621,601
  Gain-on-sale of mortgage loans, net........    1,971,551       644,701        5,967,647               446,771
  Mortgage servicing fees....................        1,886        37,028           38,826                    --
  Other......................................      269,296            68          269,248                92,063
                                               -----------   -----------      -----------           -----------
          Total revenues.....................    3,974,213       900,118       10,032,591             1,160,435
                                               -----------   -----------      -----------           -----------
Expenses:
  Salaries and Employee Benefits.............    1,567,600       596,768        4,474,357               390,018
  General Operating..........................    1,316,603       606,731        4,313,236             1,285,156
  Interest...................................    1,133,174       400,558        2,965,685               731,519
  Other......................................       28,118        15,184           53,624                59,608
                                               -----------   -----------      -----------           -----------
          Total expenses.....................    4,045,495     1,619,241       11,806,902             2,466,301
                                               -----------   -----------      -----------           -----------
  Net loss...................................  $   (71,282)  $  (719,123)     $(1,774,311)          $(1,305,866)
                                               ===========   ===========      ===========           ===========
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents....................  $   968,954   $   617,925      $   708,962           $   272,308
Mortgage loans held for sale.................   53,306,731    16,504,558       54,451,067            24,147,713
Other assets.................................    3,525,317     1,292,441        3,707,274               938,031
                                               -----------   -----------      -----------           -----------
          Total assets.......................  $57,801,002   $18,414,924      $58,867,303           $25,358,052
                                               ===========   ===========      ===========           ===========
Warehouse and revolving working capital lines
  of credit..................................  $54,440,517   $16,762,751      $55,603,021           $23,996,471
Other liabilities............................    2,082,111     1,737,165        1,802,051             1,227,450
                                               -----------   -----------      -----------           -----------
          Total liabilities..................   56,522,628    18,499,916       57,405,072            25,223,921
Stockholders' equity.........................    1,278,374       (84,992)       1,462,231               134,131
                                               -----------   -----------      -----------           -----------
          Total liabilities and stockholders'
            equity...........................  $57,801,002   $18,414,924      $58,867,303           $25,358,052
                                               ===========   ===========      ===========           ===========
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   55
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
     As further discussed in other sections of this Prospectus, RealTrust is a
Maryland corporation formed on April 1, 1998 and has not conducted any
operations to date. As a result of the Formation Transaction, RealTrust will own
100% of the non-voting preferred stock of CMG Funding Corp. which entitles
RealTrust to receive 95% of any dividends paid by CMG Funding Corp. RealTrust
accounts for its ownership of CMG Funding Corp. using the equity method. The
following discussion of financial condition and results of operations relates to
the operations of CMG Funding Corp.
 
   
     CMG Funding Corp. has operated as a specialty finance company primarily
engaged in originating, purchasing, selling and servicing Prime Mortgage Loans
and Subprime Mortgage Loans. CMG Funding Corp. funded its first Mortgage Loans
in April, 1996. Prior to the closing of the Offering, the Taxable Subsidiary
generated revenue from the following activities: (i) Mortgage Loan origination
fees, (ii) cash gains from the sale of Mortgage Loans, (iii) servicing income,
and (iv) interest income from Mortgage Loans prior to their sale. The Taxable
Subsidiary has generated profits before expenses incurred in connection with the
Offering; however, prior to such time, the Taxable Subsidiary's monthly expenses
exceeded monthly revenue. Such expenses were primarily to support rapid
expansion of its wholesale and retail branch network, and included salaries and
benefits, general operating expenses and debt service, among other expenses.
Included in these expense categories are the cost of certain computer and other
equipment, the purchase and creation of software systems and customary office
costs which were expensed in the current period.
    
 
     After the closing of the Offering, the business focus of the Company will
be to generate income from the net interest earned on a portfolio of Mortgage
Assets. In undertaking this new business, the Company has five principal
strategies: (i) to continue to increase the Taxable Subsidiary's Mortgage Loan
originations through high levels of service to independent brokers and borrowers
in its wholesale and retail channels, (ii) to expand the Taxable Subsidiary's
correspondent mortgage lending activities, (iii) to convert from selling the
Taxable Subsidiary's entire Mortgage Loan production to building a portfolio of
Subprime Mortgage Loans, (iv) through the Taxable Subsidiary to sell certain
Mortgage Loans for cash gains (see "Business -- Industry Developments"), and (v)
to elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Code beginning with the tax year ending
December 31, 1998.
 
   
     Until December, 2001, CMG Funding Corp. is required to sell certain
Mortgage Loans to ContiFinancial Corporation. See "Conflicts of Interest and
Related Party Transactions -- ContiFinancial Corporation." All such sales are
sold servicing released in cash transactions. Since ContiFinancial Corporation
acquires the Mortgage Loans with all servicing rights, CMG Funding Corp. does
not pay any servicing fees; all such fees are paid out of the interest collected
on the Mortgage Loans by the owner thereof. RealTrust estimates that the amount
of Mortgage Loans to be sold to ContiFinancial Corporation will not materially
impair its ability to acquire a portfolio of Subprime Mortgage Loans because the
adjustable-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans (and remaining 25% of fixed-rate) will
be sufficient to acquire the intended portfolio. See "Risk Factors --
President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted, Would Adversely Affect Results of
Operations." There can be no assurance that the Company's strategies can be
successfully implemented or that such strategies will result in improved
revenues and earnings.
    
 
CERTAIN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
 
  TAXABLE INCOME AND GAAP INCOME
 
     Income calculated for tax purposes ("taxable income") differs from income
calculated according to generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP income")
for various reasons. Income from interest earned in Mortgage Loans differs for
purposes of taxable income and GAAP income because each uses a different method
to calculate the rate of amortization of the premium or discount when Mortgage
Assets are acquired at a price above or below the stated principal amount of the
Mortgage Loans. Credit losses differ for purposes of tax and GAAP methods of
accounting because GAAP requires the Company to take credit provisions in order
to build a credit allowance whereas only actual credit losses are deducted in
calculating taxable income.
                                       48
<PAGE>   56
 
General and administrative expenses differ due to differing treatment of
leasehold amortization and other items. However, interest expense is calculated
in the same manner for GAAP and tax purposes.
 
     These distinctions are important to the Company's stockholders since
distributions are based on taxable income. The Company generally will not pay
Federal taxes so long as it meets the REIT provisions of the Code and
distributes dividends to stockholders in an amount equal to its taxable income.
See "Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT."
 
  TAXABLE INCOME AND DIVIDENDS
 
     RealTrust intends to declare and pay distributions equal to its taxable
income over time. In general, the Company expects to declare a quarterly
distributions per share of Capital Stock which would result in the distribution
of most or all of the taxable income earned in that quarter. See "Dividend
Policy and Distributions" and "Risk Factors -- Operation of a New Enterprise
Involves Uncertainty -- Limited Operating History of the Company Creates
Uncertainty About Future Results" and "Federal Income Tax Considerations."
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
 
   
     Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 1998 was $(71,282) as
compared to a net loss of $(719,123) for the same period in 1997.
    
 
   
     Total revenues for the first three months of 1998 was $3,974,213, an
increase of 341.5% from total revenues of $900,118 for the first three months of
1997. Approximately 49% and 43% of the total revenue increase was attributable
to the increase in revenues generated by interest income and net gain-on-sale of
mortgage loans held for sale, respectively. The increase in interest income and
net gain-on-sale of mortgage loans held for sale is a result in the increase in
volume of Mortgage Loans mainly in Subprime Mortgage Loans. During the first
three months of 1998, Subprime Mortgage Loan production increased $46.0 million
or 316.6% from $14.5 million for the first three months of 1997 to $60.5 million
for the same period in 1998. Prime Mortgage Loan production increased $38.1
million or 71.4% from $53.4 million for the first three months of 1997 to $91.6
million for the first three months of 1998.
    
 
   
     Total expenses for the first three months of 1998 were $4,045,495 as
compared to $1,619,241 for the same period in 1997, an increase of $2,426,254,
or 149.8%. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $970,832 or 162.7% in the
first three months of 1998, as compared to the same period in 1997. The majority
of the increase in salaries and employee benefits related to normal merit
increases from 1997 to 1998, and an increase of 76 employees or 71.0% from 107
for the first quarter 1997 as compared to 183 for the same period in 1998, as a
result of four additional branches operating during the first three months of
1998 compared to 1997.
    
 
   
     General operating expense increased from $606,731 during the first three
months of 1997 to $1,316,603 during the first three months of 1998, a $709,872
increase. Approximately 20% of this increase was related to cost associated with
an increased number of branches in 1998 compared to 1997 (i.e. rent, telephone
office expense, etc.)
    
 
     Interest expense was $1,133,174 for the first three months of 1998 as
compared to $400,558 during the same period in 1997. The increase in interest
expense was a result of the increased usage of the warehouse and revolving
working capital lines of credit (average credit balance for the first three
months of 1998 and 1997 was $55.2 million and $20.4 million, respectively).
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 7, 1996 (DATE OF
INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
     For the year ended December 31, 1997, the net loss of CMG Funding Corp. was
$(1,774,311) as compared to $(1,305,866) for the period from February 7, 1996
(date of inception) to December 31, 1996.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   57
 
For the year ended December 31, 1997, revenues were $10,032,591 as compared to
$1,160,435 for the period from February 7, 1996 (date of inception) to December
31, 1996, an increase of 764.6% from total revenues. For the year ended December
31, 1997, net gain-on-sale of mortgage loans was $5,967,647 as compared to
$446,771 for the period from February 7, 1996 (date of inception) to December
31, 1996, an increase of 1,235.7%. For the year ended December 31, 1997,
interest income was $3,756,870 as compared to $621,601 for the period from
February 7, 1996 (date of inception) to December 31, 1996. Revenues, net
gain-on-sale of mortgage loans and interest income all increased as a result of
increased Mortgage Loan production with an emphasis on higher profit margin
Subprime Mortgage Loans as compared to Prime Mortgage Loans.
 
     Total expenses for the year ended December 31, 1997 was $11,806,902 as
compared to $2,466,301 for the period from February 7, 1996 (date of inception)
to December 31, 1996, an increase of $9,340,601 or 378.7%. Salaries and employee
benefits expenses increased by $4,084,339 or 1,047.2% for the year ended
December 1997 as compared to the period from February 7, 1996 (date of
inception) to December 31, 1996. General operating expenses increased from
$4,313,236 for the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to $1,285,156 for
the period from February 7, 1996 (date of inception) to December 31, 1996.
Salaries and benefits and general operating expenses increased as a result of
opening branches outside the Mountain West region and the accompanying corporate
support staff.
 
     For the year ended December 31, 1997, interest expense was $2,965,685 as
compared to $731,519 for the period from February 7, 1996 (date of inception) to
December 31, 1996. Interest expense increased as a result of increased warehouse
lines of credit and working capital borrowings required as a result of increased
Mortgage Loan production.
 
     As of December 31, 1997, mortgage loans held for sale amounted to
$54,451,067 as compared to $24,147,713 as of December 31, 1996. Mortgage loans
held for sale increased as a result of increased production.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
   
     Prior to July 31, 1997, CMG Funding Corp.'s principal need for capital
resulted from the expansion of its wholesale and retail branches and the need to
fund originations of Mortgage Loans. Such capital was provided by contributions
from the Founders and from the sale of preferred stock and subordinated debt to
ContiFinancial Corporation. CMG Funding Corp. has a limited amount of cash on
hand to fund operations. CMG Funding Corp. requires access to short-term
warehouse and credit facilities to fund the acquisition of Mortgage Loans. Sales
of Mortgage Loans provide cash to support the needs of CMG Funding Corp. pending
closing of the Offering. As of March 31, 1998, CMG Funding Corp. had borrowed
approximately $40.0 million under its warehouse facility and $2.0 million under
its working capital facility with ContiFinancial Corporation. As of December 31,
1997, ContiFinancial Corporation had converted $2.0 million of the working
capital facility into preferred stock.
    
 
     CMG Funding Corp. has financed, and until the closing of the Offering CMG
Funding Corp. will finance, the origination and acquisition of Mortgage Loans in
its mortgage lending operations through warehouse facilities and reverse
repurchase facilities from several banks and financial institutions. At March
31, 1998, CMG Funding Corp. had committed warehouse facilities and reverse
repurchase facilities of $150.0 million from ContiFinancial Corporation ($50.0
million) and Nomura Asset Capital Corporation ($100.0 million). Such warehouse
and reverse repurchase facilities expire on January 1, 1999 and June 30, 1998,
respectively, and are currently at various interest rates ranging from London
Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 1.1% to LIBOR plus 3.25%, depending on
the nature of the Mortgage Loans collateralizing the applicable borrowing. Both
agreements contain customary and usual negative covenants.
 
     In March, 1998 and April, 1998, the Taxable Subsidiary borrowed an
aggregate $850,000 from Capstone Investments, Inc., a Nevada corporation,
evidenced by a Convertible Secured Promissory Note (the "Note") bearing simple
interest at 9% per annum. The Note matures upon the earlier of (i) January 1,
1999 or (ii) the closing of the Offering. Interest on the Note is payable
monthly and principal is payable upon maturity. Capstone Investments, Inc. has
the option to convert all or any portion of the Note into Units of the Company
offered hereby at the Price to Public. In addition, the Company has granted
Capstone Investments, Inc.
                                       50
<PAGE>   58
 
warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock at a price equal to the Price
to Public. See "Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Transactions -- Capstone
Investments, Inc."
 
     RealTrust is dependent upon the closing of the Offering for the capital
necessary to fund the acquisition of, and long-term investment in, its Mortgage
Asset portfolio. RealTrust will also require additional warehouse and reverse
repurchase facilities and will need to arrange structured debt financing.
Management believes that such facilities are readily available from various
counterparties and has entered into negotiations for such facilities. No
commitments have been received to date. The Company will require additional
capital offerings to continue the proposed growth of the Mortgage Asset
portfolio. Additional capital may not be available on terms satisfactory to
management or at all. If so, the Company would be limited in achieving asset
growth beyond the Mortgage Assets acquired with the net proceeds of the
Offering. See "Risk Factors -- Operation of a New Enterprise Involves
Uncertainty -- Failure to Raise Additional Capital May Adversely Affect Future
Growth and Results of Operations."
 
     Neither RealTrust nor CMG Funding Corp. has made any commitments for
material capital expenditures and has no long-term debt obligations, except the
obligations (i) to repay ContiFinancial Corporation's working capital facility
before January 1, 1999, (ii) to redeem ContiFinancial Corporation's Class B
Preferred Stock and (iii) to repay Capstone's Convertible Secured Promissory
Note. See "Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Transactions." All of such
long-term obligations are expected to be repaid with the net proceeds of the
Offering.
 
INFLATION
 
     The financial statements and notes thereto presented herein have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP, which require the measurements of financial
position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without
considering the changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due
to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased costs of the
Company's operations. Unlike industrial companies, nearly all of the assets and
liabilities of the Company's operations are monetary in nature. As a result,
interest rates have a greater impact on the Company's performance than do the
effects of general levels of inflation. Inflation affects the Company's
operations, however, primarily through its effect on interest rates, which
normally increase during periods of high inflation and decrease during periods
of low inflation. During periods of increasing interest rates, demand for
Mortgage Loans and a borrower's ability to qualify for mortgage financing in a
transaction may be adversely affected.
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
     The Company will rely upon a significant number of computer software
programs and operating systems in conducting its operations, including software
purchased from third-party vendors and internally developed programs. To the
extent that these software applications contain source code that is unable to
correctly interpret the upcoming calendar year "2000," some level of
modification or even possible replacement of such source code or applications
will be necessary. The Company has received written confirmation from its
primary software vendors that their applications are Year 2000 compliant or will
be before December 31, 1998. Additionally, the Company is creating or revising
all internally developed software to be Year 2000 compliant. Given the
information known at this time, it is currently not anticipated that these "Year
2000" costs will have any material adverse impact on the Company's business,
financial condition or results of operations.
 
     The Company is, however, dependent on vendor compliance to some extent, for
example third party services. The Company is requiring its systems and software
vendors to represent that the services and products provided are, or will be,
Year 2000 compliant, and contemplate a program of testing compliance. Although
no assurances can be provided regarding compliance by third-party vendors, the
Company does not expect that noncompliance by any such vendors will have a
material adverse effect on the Company's operations. In the event of
noncompliance by any such vendor, the Company believes that alternative vendors
will be available to the Company.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   59
 
                                    BUSINESS
GENERAL
 
     RealTrust Asset Corporation, a Maryland corporation formed on April 1, 1998
("RealTrust" or the "Company"), is a specialty finance company engaged in the
business of originating, purchasing, selling and servicing mortgage loans
secured (i) primarily by first mortgages on single-family residences ("First
Lien Mortgage Loans") and (ii) to a much lesser extent by second lien Mortgage
Loans ("Second Lien Mortgage Loans"; collectively with First Lien Mortgage
Loans, "Mortgage Loans"). RealTrust will own and manage a portfolio composed
primarily of First Lien Mortgage Loans that do not conform to one or more of the
underwriting criteria of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") and
Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"). Such Mortgage Loans are referred
to as "Subprime Mortgage Loans." RealTrust expects to acquire Subprime Mortgage
Loans primarily from CMG Funding Corp., a Delaware corporation and RealTrust's
taxable subsidiary (the "Taxable Subsidiary"). The Company has entered into a
Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with the Taxable
Subsidiary pursuant to which the Company has the right of first refusal on all
Mortgage Loans originated and acquired by the Taxable Subsidiary (except the 75%
of fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans required to be sold to ContiFinancial
Corporation).
 
     RealTrust intends to build a portfolio of primarily Subprime Mortgage Loans
and securities backed by Mortgage Loans ("Mortgage Securities"; together with
Mortgage Loans, "Mortgage Assets") financed with structured debt instruments and
reverse repurchase agreements. The portfolio is expected to generate net
interest income, which, upon election to be taxed as a real estate investment
trust ("REIT"), will not be taxed at the corporate level. RealTrust is now and
intends to remain self-advised and self-managed.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary has operated a mortgage lending business since
April, 1996 and currently originates Mortgage Loans through 14 wholesale and two
retail branch offices. The Taxable Subsidiary's mortgage lending operations
originate and purchase fixed and adjustable-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans, as
well as Mortgage Loans that conform to FHLMC or FNMA underwriting criteria
("Prime Mortgage Loans"). In addition, the Taxable Subsidiary has built a
correspondent lending operation that began purchasing Subprime Mortgage Loans in
the fourth quarter of 1997. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company
intends to purchase adjustable-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans originated or
acquired by the Taxable Subsidiary, as well as fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage
Loans not sold to ContiFinancial Corporation. However, the Company does not
intend to purchase Prime Mortgage Loans from the Taxable Subsidiary.
 
   
     The Taxable Subsidiary will sell its Prime Mortgage Loans and selected
Subprime Mortgage Loans to generate current income and cash flow to partially
fund the Company's mortgage lending operations. See "Business -- Industry
Developments." For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1998, the Taxable
Subsidiary had originated or purchased $60.5 million of Subprime Mortgage Loans,
including $2.8 million of Subprime Mortgage Loans purchased through its
correspondent operations, and originated $91.6 million of Prime Mortgage Loans.
RealTrust owns 100% of the preferred stock (representing 95% of the economic
interest) of the Taxable Subsidiary but does not control its operations. The
Founders own approximately 66.7% of the voting common stock of the Taxable
Subsidiary and, therefore, control its operations. See "Structure and Formation
Transactions."
    
 
   
     To date, the Taxable Subsidiary has sold all of its Subprime Mortgage Loan
production in whole loan sales for cash. From September 1, 1996 to March 31,
1998, the Taxable Subsidiary sold approximately $150.5 million of Subprime
Mortgage Loans, or approximately 54% of all Subprime Mortgage Loan sales during
such period, to ContiFinancial Corporation (with its affiliates ContiMortgage
Corporation, ContiTrade Services L.L.C., and ContiFinancial Services
Corporation, "ContiFinancial Corporation"). Subsequent to the closing of the
Offering, the Company, a newly-established entity, will commence building a
portfolio of Subprime Mortgage Loans and financed with structured debt. See
"Business -- Industry Developments" and "Risk Factors -- Operation of a New
Enterprise Involves Uncertainty." The Taxable Subsidiary will continue to sell
certain Mortgage Loans for cash, primarily to the Company, but also to third
party investors, including the sale of 75% of its fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage
Loans to ContiFinancial Corporation. See "Conflicts of Interest and Related
Party Transactions."
    
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   60
 
   
     RealTrust will elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), beginning with the tax year ending December
31, 1998. Upon such election, RealTrust will generally not be subject to Federal
income tax to the extent that it distributes its earnings to its stockholders
and maintains its qualification as a REIT. The Taxable Subsidiary has been and
will continue to be taxed as a "C" corporation and, therefore, was subject to
tax on any earnings.
    
 
     The Company's principal business objectives are to increase earnings per
share, to increase cash available for distribution to stockholders and to
enhance stockholder value. The Company intends to accomplish these goals
primarily by capitalizing on the yields available from investing in Subprime
Mortgage Loans compared to Prime Mortgage Loans, and managing the risks of such
investments. The Company will derive income from two principal business
activities, as follows:
 
          (i) the management of an investment portfolio of Mortgage Assets which
     will generate net interest income based upon the difference between the
     interest earned on its Mortgage Assets and the interest paid on its
     borrowings used to acquire the Mortgage Assets; and
 
          (ii) the operation of the Taxable Subsidiary's mortgage origination
     business, which will generate income from its mortgage lending activities
     and will supply adjustable-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans for long-term
     investment through the proposed REIT structure which avoids Federal income
     tax at the corporate level.
 
     RealTrust will conduct the investment portfolio operations. Specifically,
RealTrust will determine which Mortgage Loans will be held for long-term
investment, will establish underwriting guidelines for the Mortgage Loans, will
arrange financing for the investment portfolio (including the issuance of
structured debt offerings), will administer the capital allocation guidelines
and other risk management policies, and will supervise the servicing operations
of third-party servicers.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary will conduct the mortgage lending operations. The
Taxable Subsidiary will establish and maintain the wholesale, retail and
correspondent channels of production, will perform all underwriting and quality
control processes, will sell all Mortgage Loans that RealTrust does not desire
to hold for long-term investment (either through whole loan sales or
securitizations) and will maintain all necessary state mortgage lending
licenses.
 
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
 
  EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT TEAM
 
     The Company's two primary executive officers, John D. Fry and Terry L.
Mott, collectively have extensive experience in building and operating mortgage
banking operations in a variety of environments, including building Mortgage
Loan production and management teams, and creating and implementing policies,
budgets and controls. Mr. Fry, CMB, formed the Company in February, 1996 and has
been the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since
inception. Mr. Mott has been the Executive Vice President of the Company
primarily responsible for Mortgage Loan production and a Director since
inception. Mr. Fry began his mortgage banking career in 1966. From 1984 to 1989,
Mr. Fry was the Vice President and Western Division Manager of Goldome Realty
Credit Corp., located in Buffalo, New York. From 1989 to 1994, served as the
Senior Vice President of Wholesale Lending of ComUnity Lending, Inc., in San
Jose, California. Mr. Mott began his career in mortgage banking in 1977. From
1980 to 1988, Mr. Mott was the regional Vice President at Fleet Mortgage Corp.
where he developed and managed the retail and wholesale production for the
western United States. From 1988 to 1994, Mr. Mott was the Executive Vice
President and served on the executive committee for Medallion Mortgage Company.
Mr. Mott left AccuBanc Mortgage, the successor to Medallion Mortgage Company, in
December, 1995 to form the Company with Mr. Fry.
 
     In contemplation of the Offering and the proposed business strategy of the
Company, the Company has hired additional executive management team members,
including John P. McMurray and Steven K. Passey. Mr. McMurray joined the Company
in February, 1998, as the Executive Vice President of Secondary Marketing and
Asset Liability Management. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. McMurray was the
President
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   61
 
of Keystroke Financial, Inc., a start-up internet mortgage origination company.
From 1995 to 1996, Mr. McMurray was the Executive Vice President and Director,
Risk Management and Capital Markets for Crestar Mortgage Corporation where he
was responsible for interest rate and credit risk management, as well as
hedging, securitization and loan/securities trading activities. From 1982 to
1995, Mr. McMurray served in various management positions with BancPlus Mortgage
Corp., most recently serving as the Senior Vice President, Capital Markets. Mr.
McMurray is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Certified Public Accountant. Mr.
McMurray received a Master of Science degree in Real Estate from Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, a Masters of Business Administration degree from the
University of Texas, San Antonio and a Bachelor of Science degree from Trinity
University. Mr. Passey joined the Company in October, 1997 as the Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Passey
was in the financial services area at KPMG Peat Marwick LLP for eight years,
most recently as a manager responsible for accounting and audit work for
financial companies. Mr. Passey is a Certified Public Accountant and received a
Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Utah.
 
  FOCUS ON SUBPRIME MORTGAGE LOANS
 
     The Company will to focus its Mortgage Asset portfolio on Subprime Mortgage
Loans. Subprime Mortgage Loans are generally secured by substantial equity in
the underlying property, but are made to borrowers who have impaired or limited
credit profiles or higher debt-to-income ratios than traditional mortgage
lenders allow. Subprime Mortgage Loan borrowers also include individuals who,
due to self-employment or other circumstances, have difficulty verifying their
income, and may be individuals who prefer the prompt and personalized service
provided by the Company. These types of borrowers are generally willing to pay
higher origination fees and interest rates than those charged by conventional
lending sources. One important consideration in underwriting Subprime Mortgage
Loans is the nature and value of the collateral securing the Mortgage Loans. The
Company believes that the amount of equity required in the real estate securing
the Mortgage Loans, together with the fact that a substantial majority of the
Mortgage Loans originated or purchased by the Company are secured by borrowers'
primary residences, reduces the risks inherent in Subprime lending. See "Risk
Factors -- Investments in Subprime Mortgage Loans Involve Greater Risk of Loss."
Subprime Mortgage Loans are generally associated with higher risks of
delinquency and foreclosure, and are more likely to result in losses due to
underwriting guidelines which permit an LTV ratio of up to 90%. See "Risk
Factors -- Investments in Subprime Mortgage Loans Involve Greater Risk of Loss."
 
  STRUCTURED DEBT INSTRUMENTS
 
     The Company intends to finance adjustable-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans held
in its investment portfolio through structured debt instruments, where the
emphasis is on earning net interest income over time. This leverage strategy
allows the Company to take full advantage of its REIT status. Moreover, the
Company's Mortgage Asset investment portfolio which will be financed with
structured debt instruments will allow it to produce income not subject to
Federal income tax at the corporate level. Thus, distributions to stockholders
will be generated from net interest income, rather than through fully taxable
gain-on-sale income in REMIC transactions. The accounting for gain-on-sale REMIC
transactions presents as current income the present value of expected future
cash flows from the Mortgage Loans sold. Actual income is subject to revision if
actual losses, interest rates and prepayment experience differ from the assumed
levels.
 
  ADVANTAGES OF REIT TAX STATUS
 
     As a REIT, the Company will generally pass through earnings to stockholders
without Federal income tax at the corporate level. Thus, the Company expects
higher net earnings available to holders of Capital Stock than traditional
mortgage lending institutions which are subject to Federal income tax.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   62
 
  CORPORATE GOVERNANCE WHICH LIMITS POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
 
   
     RealTrust and the Taxable Subsidiary will be a vertically integrated
organization, which is self-advised and self-managed. The Company is structured
to minimize the potential conflicts of interest between the mortgage lending
operation and the Mortgage Asset portfolio management operation. Such conflicts
can arise in REITs where the incentives and interests of management are
dependent on the size of the Mortgage Loan portfolio rather than on return on
equity or stockholder returns. Such conflicts are common in entities which are
externally advised and which have management contracts or structures where
management's compensation is not directly related to the Company's performance
or return to stockholders. The Company's primary management incentive programs
are dependent on return on equity (the incentive bonus plan, one-half of which
is paid in Common Stock of the Company and the other half of which is paid in
cash) and stock price appreciation (stock option plans). See
"Management -- Executive Compensation." However, the Company will be subject to
certain potential conflicts of interest because the voting control of the
Taxable Subsidiary is held by the Founders (who collectively own approximately
66.7% of the voting common stock) and other conflicts of interest arising from
transactions with ContiFinancial Corporation. See "Risk Factors -- Conflicts Of
Interest May Result in Decisions That Do Not Fully Reflect the Stockholders'
Best Interest."
    
 
     In an effort to mitigate the foregoing potential conflicts of interest, the
Company has implemented policies and procedures which require, among other
things, that each decision that implicates a potential conflict of interest must
be approved by a majority of the Independent Directors. However, there can be no
assurance that the Company's policies or procedures will be successful in
eliminating the influence of such conflicts and, thus, the Company may take
courses of action which fail to fully represent the best interests of all
stockholders of the Company.
 
   
  LOAN SALES FOR CASH GAINS
    
 
   
     The Company's wholesale, retail and correspondent channels originate and
purchase Prime and Subprime, fixed- and adjustable-rate Mortgage Loans. The
Company plans to build its Mortgage Asset portfolio primarily by retaining
selected Subprime Mortgage Loans originated and purchased by the Taxable
Subsidiary. The remaining Mortgage Loans will be sold for cash gains to various
mortgage investors. See "Business -- Industry Developments." The Taxable
Subsidiary expects to sell all of the Prime Mortgage Loans and certain of the
Subprime Mortgage Loans and Second Lien Mortgage Loans originated through its
wholesale and retail channels. The Taxable Subsidiary intends to sell its entire
economic interest in these Mortgage Loans and does not intend to hold residual
interests. The sale of these Mortgage Loans is expected to generate substantial
current income and cash flow to fund, in part, the mortgage lending operations.
See "Risk Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted, Would Adversely
Affect Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors -- Operation of a New Enterprise
Involves Uncertainty."
    
 
OVERVIEW OF SUBPRIME MORTGAGE MARKET
 
     According to Inside Mortgage Finance Publications, Inc., for the years 1995
through 1997, the residential Mortgage Loan market generated annual Mortgage
Loan volume in excess of $630.0 billion per year. The majority of these
originations (approximately 80% to 90%) were Prime Mortgage Loans. The remaining
balance of 10% to 20% (approximately $85.0 to $150.0 billion) of the
originations were Subprime Mortgage Loans.
 
     Based on its experience originating Subprime Mortgage Loans, the Company
believes there is strong national demand by borrowers for Subprime Mortgage
Loans. Across the country, many borrowers have suffered dislocation and
temporary unemployment, resulting in negative entries on their credit reports.
Erratic market and economic conditions and other factors have resulted in high
ratios of debts to assets and high levels of credit card and other installment
debt for these individuals. In addition, more borrowers are choosing to become
self-employed. The Company believes these circumstances create an attractive
market for Subprime Mortgage Loans.
 
     One of the significant differences between the Prime Mortgage Loan and the
Subprime Mortgage Loan markets has been the comparative dependence upon the
overall level of interest rates. Generally, the
                                       55
<PAGE>   63
 
Subprime Mortgage Loan market's historical performance has been less sensitive
to interest rate changes. This is evident by the growth in Subprime Mortgage
Loan originations from 1993 through 1995. While the Prime Mortgage Loan market
experienced a decline in originations of more than 40% during that period, due
primarily to an increase in interest rates, Mortgage Loan originations in the
Subprime Mortgage Loan market continued to grow at an annual rate of 10% to 15%
over the same three-year period.
 
   
     According to Inside Mortgage Finance Publications, Inc., the estimated size
of the Subprime Mortgage Loan originations in 1997 was approximately $124.5
billion. Historically, the Subprime Mortgage Loan market has been a highly
fragmented niche market dominated by local brokers with direct ties to investors
who owned and serviced Subprime Mortgage Loans. Although there have recently
been several new entrants into the Subprime Mortgage Loan business, the Company
believes the Subprime Mortgage Loan market is still highly fragmented, with no
single competitor having more than a 5.6% market share by volume for the
year-ended December 31, 1997. However, the Company does compete with other
mortgage REITs for Subprime Mortgage Loans, namely Novastar Financial, Inc. and
IMPAC Mortgage Holdings, Inc. The growth and profitability of the Subprime
Mortgage Loan market, the demise of numerous depository financial institutions
in the late 1980s which had served this market, and reduced profits and Mortgage
Loan volume at traditional financial institutions have together drawn new
participants and capital to the Subprime Mortgage Loan market. The Subprime
Mortgage Loan market requires more business judgment from underwriters in
evaluating borrowers with previous credit problems. Subprime Mortgage Loan
lending is also more capital intensive than the Prime Mortgage Loan market due
to the fact that the securitization function requires a higher level of credit
enhancement which must be provided by the issuer in the form of
over-collateralization or subordination.
    
 
     Based on its recent experience in the Subprime Mortgage Loan market, the
Company believes that the Subprime Mortgage Loan market will continue to grow,
due in part to the following reasons: (i) growth in the number of existing
homeowners with negative entries on their credit reports; (ii) growth in the
number of immigrants with limited credit histories who are in the prime home
buying ages of 25 to 34; (iii) growth in the number of self-employed individuals
who have sources of income which are inconsistent and difficult to document;
(iv) growth in consumer debt levels which are causing many borrowers to have
higher debt/income ratios; and (v) growth in consumer bankruptcy filings, which
cause borrowers to be classified as Subprime Mortgage Loan borrowers.
 
INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS
 
     The President's tax proposals contained in the 1999 Budget Plan released by
the Treasury Department on February 2, 1998 (the "1999 Budget Plan") include
several provisions that could adversely affect REITs. The 1999 Budget Plan has
been submitted to the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of
Representatives (the "Ways and Means Committee") for review, which held its
first hearing on February 25, 1998, but has not taken any action to date. See
"Risk Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted, Would Adversely
Affect Results of Operations."
 
     Several industry and trade organizations representing REITs and mortgage
bankers, including the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts and
The Mortgage Bankers Association have expressed their opposition to those
provisions of the 1999 Budget Plan which affect REITs. However, despite such
opposition, the 1999 Budget Plan may be adopted as proposed.
 
     In summary, the 1999 Budget Plan proposes to prohibit a REIT from owning,
by vote or value, more than 10% of the capital stock of any corporation. Such
proposal is intended to prevent REITs from conducting through a taxable
subsidiary any business which would be prohibited by the REIT itself. If
adopted, such proposal would require the Company to change the nature of its
ownership in the Taxable Subsidiary and the manner in which it conducts its
business.
 
     If adopted, the 1999 Budget Plan would require that RealTrust either (i)
acquire all of the capital stock of the Taxable Subsidiary and convert it into a
Qualified REIT Subsidiary, or (ii) divest itself of the preferred stock of the
Taxable Subsidiary. To convert the Taxable Subsidiary into a Qualified REIT
Subsidiary would require the Taxable Subsidiary to comply with all of the income
and assets tests for a REIT. While the active
                                       56
<PAGE>   64
 
origination of Mortgage Loans in itself does not violate any of the income or
assets tests for maintaining REIT status, the Service could attempt to treat the
income from frequent sales of Mortgage Loans as subject to the 100% tax on
income from prohibited transactions. Rather than pay the prohibited transaction
tax, the Company would likely curtail production of the Mortgage Loans it does
not intend to retain in its investment portfolio. See "Risk
Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted, Would Adversely Affect
Results of Operations."
 
MORTGAGE LENDING BUSINESS
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary originated its first Mortgage Loans in April, 1996.
Since its inception, the Taxable Subsidiary's Mortgage Loan origination volume
has increased significantly. The following table describes the Taxable
Subsidiary's Mortgage Loan production volume by quarter since the third quarter
of 1996:
 
                       QUARTERLY MORTGAGE LOAN PRODUCTION
                             (dollars in thousands)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      WHOLESALE              RETAIL         CORRESPONDENT         TOTAL
                                                  ------------------   ------------------   -------------   ------------------
                 QUARTER ENDED                     PRIME    SUBPRIME    PRIME    SUBPRIME     SUBPRIME       PRIME    SUBPRIME
                 -------------                    -------   --------   -------   --------     --------      -------   --------
<S>                                               <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>             <C>       <C>
March 31, 1998..................................  $59,331   $56,564    $32,223    $1,170       $ 2,778      $91,555   $ 60,512
December 31, 1997...............................   46,008    68,480     34,628     3,816        63,132       80,636    135,428(1)
September 30, 1997..............................   41,313    59,226     32,614     5,502             0       73,927     64,728
June 30, 1997...................................   25,716    27,439     26,811     4,784             0       52,527     32,223
March 31, 1997..................................   33,513    12,456     19,913     2,068             0       53,426     14,524
December 31, 1996...............................   43,277    14,687     22,055     1,918             0       65,332     16,605
September 30, 1996..............................   46,806     5,500     14,374       941             0       61,180      6,441
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Includes $63.1 million of Subprime Mortgage Loans originated through the
    correspondent channel, which production channel is expected to be fully
    reactivated only after closing of the Offering.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary has demonstrated its ability to successfully expand
its mortgage lending operations while implementing policies and controls. The
Taxable Subsidiary's accomplishments to date include:
 
     -  Operating a wholesale channel which, as of March 31, 1998, consisted of
        14 branch offices in 13 states that originated $146.6 million of Prime
        Mortgage Loans and $167.6 million of Subprime Mortgage Loans for the
        year ended December 31, 1997 ($59.3 million and $56.6 million,
        respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 1998);
 
     -  Developing and staffing a correspondent channel which produced $63.1
        million of Subprime Mortgage Loans for the fourth quarter of 1997 and
        $2.8 million of Subprime Mortgage Loans in the first quarter of 1998;
 
     -  Operating a retail channel which, as of March 31, 1998, consisted of two
        branch offices (Salt Lake City, Utah and Las Vegas, Nevada) that
        originated $114.0 million of Prime Mortgage Loans and $16.2 million of
        Subprime Mortgage Loans for the year ended December 31, 1997 ($32.2
        million and $1.2 million, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31,
        1998);
 
     -  Becoming licensed to conduct mortgage lending in 27 states;
 
     -  Preparing policies and procedures for underwriting, selling and
        brokering Mortgage Loans, quality control, and asset management;
 
     -  Obtaining $150.0 million in warehouse financing facilities from
        ContiFinancial Corporation and Nomura Asset Capital Corporation;
 
     -  Establishing Mortgage Loan sales relationships with Mortgage Loan
        investors;
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   65
 
     -  Creating its management information system to monitor and analyze
        operations and financial performance; and
 
     -  Establishing a servicing relationship as the Company builds its own
        servicing infrastructure.
 
MARKETING AND PRODUCTION STRATEGY
 
  GENERAL
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary acquires or will acquire Mortgage Loans from four
sources: (i) its wholesale channel, through which Mortgage Loans are acquired
from a network of independent wholesale brokers, (ii) its correspondent channel,
through which closed Mortgage Loans are purchased from other lenders, (iii) its
retail channel, through which direct originations are obtained from its retail
branches, and (iv) to a lesser extent, its bulk acquisitions of Mortgage Loans
from other mortgage banks and financial institutions.
 
  WHOLESALE CHANNEL
 
     The wholesale channel, which originates Mortgage Loans through independent
loan brokers, accounted for $115.9 million, or 76.2%, of the Taxable
Subsidiary's Mortgage Loan production during the first quarter of 1998. As of
March 31, 1998, the wholesale channel originated Mortgage Loans through 14
branch offices located in Atlanta, Boca Raton, Denver, Green Bay, Honolulu,
Kansas City, Las Vegas, Newport Beach, Phoenix, Portland, Richmond, Sacramento,
Salt Lake City and Spokane. Such offices are owned by the Taxable Subsidiary and
are staffed with Taxable Subsidiary employees, generally between one and 15 loan
officers, zero to five underwriters and two to 20 support personnel.
 
     Wholesale originations of Mortgage Loans involve a network of unaffiliated
mortgage brokers that will offer the Taxable Subsidiary's Mortgage Loan
products. Such mortgage brokers are generally unable or unwilling to acquire and
hold Mortgage Loans. Typically, either brokers do not have the capital necessary
to obtain warehousing facilities or they prefer or require the cash generated
from Mortgage Loan sales to sustain operations. The Taxable Subsidiary generally
acquires Mortgage Loans in the wholesale channel at a lower cost than
acquisitions of Mortgage Loans either through bulk purchases or purchases of
securities in the secondary mortgage market. During the 12 months preceding
March 31, 1998, the Taxable Subsidiary has purchased Mortgage Loans from more
than 600 mortgage brokers and banks on a non-exclusive basis.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary provides prompt, consistent service, which includes
(i) a quick response time in the Mortgage Loan purchase process as a result of
decentralized underwriting, (ii) direct and frequent contact with brokers
through a trained sales force, (iii) competitive pricing, and (iv) a variety of
pricing programs and Mortgage Loan products.
 
     One of the most important factor in attracting and retaining Mortgage Loan
originations from independent brokers is an efficient Mortgage Loan processing
system. The Taxable Subsidiary staffs each wholesale branch with an experienced
underwriter. By locating underwriters in branch offices, the Taxable Subsidiary
avoids delays resulting from the need to ship the Mortgage Loan applications to
a central processing site, as is frequently the case with the Taxable
Subsidiary's competitors. The Taxable Subsidiary can generally underwrite and
approve wholesale Mortgage Loan purchases within 24 hours after receipt of a
completed file.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary trains its loan officers, account executives and
branch managers in its Mortgage Loan products and processes. Such personnel then
maintain regular contact with independent brokers through scheduled sales visits
and telephone calls. Regular and frequent contact with high-volume producers
results in greater broker loyalty and more consistent production.
 
     The Company has a pricing model that takes into account changing market
conditions and is designed to allow the Company to purchase Mortgage Loans at
competitive prices that maintain adequate profit margins. After its election of
REIT status, the Company anticipates that it will offer more competitive pricing
relative to tax-paying competitors as a result of the elimination of Federal
income tax at the corporate level.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   66
 
     The following table sets forth selected information relating to the Taxable
Subsidiary's wholesale Mortgage Loan originations during the periods shown:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       MARCH 31,   DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,   JUNE 30,   MARCH 31,   DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                         1998          1997           1997          1997       1997          1996           1996
                       ---------   ------------   -------------   --------   ---------   ------------   -------------
<S>                    <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>
SUBPRIME:
Principal balance (in
  thousands).........   $56,564      $68,480         $59,226      $27,439     $12,456      $14,687         $ 5,500
Average principal
  balance per
  Mortgage Loan (in
  thousands).........   $   100      $   104         $   111      $   100     $   100      $    96         $    98
Principal Balance:
  Fixed-rate (in
     thousands)......   $13,255      $18,079         $23,421      $10,677     $ 6,124      $ 8,162         $ 2,124
  ARMs (in
     thousands)......   $43,309      $50,401         $35,805      $16,762     $ 6,332      $ 6,525         $ 3,376
Combined weighted
  average initial
  loan-to-value
  ratio..............     79.67%       80.41%          79.24%       77.26%      79.13%       78.19%          79.03%
Percent of First Lien
  Mortgage Loans.....     98.89%       99.11%          97.65%       97.24%      92.95%       94.04%          96.31%
Percent of Mortgage
  Loans with prepay
  protection.........     85.33%       93.07%          91.37%       79.24%      46.16%       37.18%          37.98%
Property securing
  Mortgage Loans:
  Owner occupied.....     91.48%       95.34%          96.55%       91.04%      99.36%       93.17%          97.51%
  Non-owner
     occupied........      8.52%        4.66%           3.45%        8.96%       0.64%        6.83%           2.49%
PRIME:
Principal Balance (in
  thousands).........   $59,331      $46,008         $41,313      $25,716     $33,513      $43,277         $46,806
</TABLE>
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary initially intends to increase wholesale Mortgage
Loan production through expanded marketing efforts by existing branches. Such
marketing efforts are intended to obtain greater percentages of production by
independent brokers who already sell to the Taxable Subsidiary. The Taxable
Subsidiary intends to continue to increase the percentage of Subprime Mortgage
Loans originated through its wholesale channel. The Company also intends to
identify new areas of the United States within which to establish wholesale
branches, if such areas are generating significant Subprime Mortgage Loan
production.
 
  CORRESPONDENT LENDING
 
     In addition to the wholesale and retail operations, the Taxable Subsdiary
has formed a correspondent lending channel which is specifically directed at the
acquisition of Subprime Mortgage Loans. The correspondent lending channel
acquires closed Subprime Mortgage Loans through a national network of approved
Mortgage Loan originators ("Correspondents") that fund and close each Subprime
Mortgage Loan using their own funds and, subsequently, sell the Mortgage Loans
to the Taxable Subsidiary.
 
     Correspondent Lending Objective. The goal of the correspondent lending
channel is to expand Subprime Mortgage Loan production while maintaining the
comprehensive quality control approach employed by the wholesale and retail
channels of the Taxable Subsidiary. Correspondents will originate Subprime
Mortgage Loans to underwriting guidelines prepared or approved by the credit
risk personnel of the Company and administered by the Taxable Subsidiary. In
addition, the correspondent lending channel provides approved
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   67
 
Correspondents with the Taxable Subsidiary's operational guidelines to control
pricing, delivery and funding of Subprime Mortgage Loans into the program.
 
     The correspondent lending channel will purchase Subprime Mortgage Loans
from mortgage bankers, commercial bankers and savings institutions on a
servicing released basis. Each Correspondent will maintain certain eligibility
criteria such as net worth requirements, an unqualified auditor opinion from a
nationally recognized or Taxable Subsidiary-approved accounting firm, mortgage
origination experience, quality control procedures and warehouse line
capability, among other requirements. Also, Correspondents make certain
representations and warranties with respect to, among other things, the Subprime
Mortgage Loans, the financial condition of the borrowers, the adequacy of
disclosure, first payment default and premium recapture.
 
     Sales and delivery of Subprime Mortgage Loans to the correspondent lending
channel will be conducted in two ways: (i) on a best efforts, loan-by-loan flow
basis and (ii) bulk purchases. For flow delivery, daily pricing is provided by
the secondary marketing department of the Taxable Subsidiary and the
Correspondent may lock in Mortgage Loan purchase prices through the toll free
commitment desk. Subprime Mortgage Loans identified for purchase by the Taxable
Subsidiary are either re-underwritten by the Taxable Subsidiary or by
independent contractors engaged by the Taxable Subsidiary, or subject to a
post-purchase quality control audit to assure guideline and documentation
conformity. This flow method of acquisition is a major target for the Taxable
Subsidiary primarily because of the lower cost of acquisition. Alternatively,
the Taxable Subsidiary intends to acquire Subprime Mortgage Loans from these and
other Correspondents in bulk purchases that range from $1.0 million to $50.0
million in principal amount. Depending on Mortgage Loan and pool
characteristics, such as weighted average coupon ("WAC"), weighted average
loan-to-value ("WLTV"), weighted average maturity ("WAM"), prepayment penalties
and pool size, the premiums paid for bulk purchase can range between 50 to 200
basis points above those paid on a flow basis. Despite the higher cost, bulk
acquisitions enable economies-of-scale and may provide the Taxable Subsidiary
with market arbitrage opportunities.
 
     Initial Correspondent Platform. In October, 1997, the Taxable Subsidiary
entered into a letter agreement with Nomura Asset Capital Corporation ("Nomura")
to acquire from Nomura Subprime Mortgage Loans and certain non-binding
Correspondent relationships between Nomura and several Correspondents through
which Nomura has actively purchased Subprime Mortgage Loans since 1994. Through
October, 1997, Nomura has purchased over $1.75 billion of Subprime Mortgage
Loans through its Subprime Mortgage Loan conduit operations. The letter
agreement required the Taxable Subsidiary to purchase certain Subprime Mortgage
Loans directly from Nomura, which Subprime Mortgage Loans the Taxable Subsidiary
acquired during the fourth quarter of 1997. The letter agreement also required
Nomura to introduce the Taxable Subsidiary to certain of the Correspondents
formerly selling Subprime Mortgage Loans to Nomura. Such relationships are not
contractually binding on the Correspondents, who remain free to sell to others.
However, the Taxable Subsidiary commenced purchasing Subprime Mortgage Loans
from many of such Correspondents in 1997. The Taxable Subsidiary acquired $2.8
million of Subprime Mortgage Loans through such Correspondents during the first
quarter of 1998.
 
   
     The Taxable Subsidiary pre-paid Nomura an initial fee of $225,000 which
represented a fee of 25 basis points for the first $90 million of Mortgage Loans
to be acquired from Nomura Correspondent relationships. To the extent that the
Taxable Subsidiary purchases more than $90.0 million of Subprime Mortgage Loans
from such Correspondents before June 30, 1998, the Taxable Subsidiary has agreed
to pay Nomura a fee equal to 25 basis points of the principal amount of such
purchases. The Company does not expect to acquire any additional Mortgage Loans
from such Correspondents until after June 30, 1998 and, therefore, no additional
fees will be paid to Nomura under this letter agreement. In connection
therewith, Nomura also provides to the Taxable Subsidiary a $100.0 million
reverse repurchase facility for a period of one year. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources." The Taxable Subsidiary has also
agreed to allow Nomura to participate as co-underwriter in any public offering
of securities backed by fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans financed through such
facility during the term of the financing facility.
    
 
                                       60
<PAGE>   68
 
   
     The Taxable Subsidiary views the assumption of the Nomura Correspondent
relationships and subsequent pipeline as a platform to build and develop the
correspondent production necessary to implement the Company's Mortgage Asset
portfolio strategy. The Taxable Subsidiary intends to expand the correspondent
lending channel by developing relationships with additional Correspondents who
can accumulate and sell pools of Mortgage Loans in sizes ranging from $500,000
to $5.0 million. The Taxable Subsidiary believes that such relationships can
provide attractive Subprime Mortgage Loans at prices that meet the Company's
business plan objectives. However, Given the capital intensive nature of
correspondent lending, the Taxable Subsidiary will not fully utilize its
correspondent lending operations until after the closing of the Offering.
    
 
     The following table sets forth selected information relating to the Taxable
Subsidiary's correspondent Mortgage Loan originations during the period shown:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
                                                       -------------------------
                                                       MARCH 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                         1998           1997
                                                       ---------    ------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>
SUBPRIME:
Principal balance (in thousands).....................   $ 2,778       $63,132
Average principal balance per Mortgage Loan (in
  thousands).........................................   $   139       $   114
Principal Balance:
  Fixed-rate (in thousands)..........................   $   589       $20,259
  ARMs (in thousands)................................   $ 2,189       $42,873
Combined weighted average initial LTV ratio..........     81.53%        76.78%
Percent of First Lien Mortgage Loans.................    100.00%        96.30%
Percent of Mortgage Loans with prepay protection.....     90.41%        22.80%
Property securing Mortgage Loans:
  Owner occupied.....................................     92.07%        96.04%
  Non-owner occupied.................................      7.93%         3.96%
PRIME:
Principal balance (in thousands).....................   $     0       $     0
</TABLE>
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary is preparing to manage the increased Subprime
Mortgage Loan volume that is anticipated to be generated by the correspondent
lending channel upon the closing of the Offering. The Taxable Subsidiary has
entered into contractual relationships with industry-recognized vendors who will
provide operational services to support the additional Mortgage Loan production.
The Taxable Subsidiary will contract with a third-party due diligence
underwriter and a bonded custodian for the review of legal documentation. The
Taxable Subsidiary will also contract with a third-party servicer to service the
increased volume of Mortgage Loans expected to be acquired through the
correspondent channel.
 
  RETAIL CHANNEL
 
     The retail channel, which originates primarily Prime Mortgage Loans through
the direct solicitation of borrowers, accounted for $33.4 million, or 22.0%, of
the Taxable Subsidiary's Mortgage Loan production during the first quarter of
1998. As of March 31, 1998, the retail channel originated Mortgage Loans through
branch offices located in Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Phoenix. Such offices
are staffed with five to 10 loan officers, one underwriter and five to seven
support personnel. The retail channel includes traditional marketing activities
conducted by retail loan officers, who seek to identify potential borrowers
through referral sources and individual sales efforts, as well as high-volume
targeted direct mail and telephone solicitation. By creating a direct
relationship with the borrower, retail lending generally creates a more
sustainable Mortgage Loan origination franchise and provides the Taxable
Subsidiary with greater control over the lending process. For Mortgage Loans
originated in the retail channel, the Taxable Subsidiary also receives the
origination fees paid by the borrower which offset the higher costs of retail
lending and may contribute to increased profitability. In addition, the Company
believes that the Taxable Subsidiary is able to maintain the highest quality
control over Mortgage Loans originated through its retail branches.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   69
 
     The following table sets forth selected information relating to the Taxable
Subsidiary's retail Mortgage Loan originations during the periods shown:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       MARCH 31,   DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,   JUNE 30,   MARCH 31,   DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                         1998          1997           1997          1997       1997          1996           1996
                       ---------   ------------   -------------   --------   ---------   ------------   -------------
<S>                    <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>
SUBPRIME:
Principal balance (in
  thousands).........   $ 1,170      $ 3,816         $ 5,502      $ 4,784     $ 2,068      $ 1,918         $   941
Average principal
  balance per
  Mortgage Loan (in
  thousands).........   $   117      $    89         $    79      $    71     $    52      $    68         $   157
Principal Balance:
  Fixed-rate (in
     thousands)......   $   122      $ 1,496         $ 2,490      $ 2,134     $ 1,447      $ 1,232         $   434
  ARMs (in
     thousands)......   $ 1,048      $ 2,320         $ 3,012      $ 2,650     $   621      $   686         $   507
Combined weighted
  average initial
  LTV................     70.46%       75.88%          74.44%       73.40%      73.17%       75.16%          73.75%
Percent of First Lien
  Mortgage Loans.....     89.59%       82.39%          79.02%       74.34%      62.66%       80.01%          89.58%
Percent of Mortgage
  Loans with prepay
  protection.........     30.05%       57.53%          64.09%       64.72%      30.05%       22.29%          10.12%
Property securing
  Mortgage Loans:
  Owner occupied.....     87.78%       95.34%          89.42%       98.44%     100.00%      100.00%         100.00%
  Non-owner
     occupied........     12.22%        4.78%          10.58%        1.56%       0.00%        0.00%           0.00%
PRIME:
Principal Balance (in
  thousands).........   $32,223      $34,628         $32,614      $26,811     $19,913      $22,055         $14,374
</TABLE>
 
     The Company believes that targeted direct mail and telephone campaigns
offer opportunities to increase Subprime Mortgage Loan originations within the
Taxable Subsidiary's existing retail branch offices. The Taxable Subsidiary
intends to staff each retail office with a minimum of two Subprime Mortgage Loan
officers who will utilize direct mail and telephone solicitation methods to
generate Subprime Mortgage Loans. The Taxable Subsidiary intends to focus on
growing production within its existing retail branch offices utilizing such
origination methods rather than opening new retail branch offices in the
immediate future.
 
  BULK PURCHASES
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary may initially acquire a portion of its Mortgage
Asset portfolio through bulk acquisitions due to the fact that this channel
generally allows the Taxable Subsidiary the opportunity to invest the net
proceeds of the Offering more quickly than the other channels. Bulk purchases of
Mortgage Loan pools ranging from $2.0 million to $50.0 million may be acquired
from large originators or from mortgage conduits. Bulk acquisitions of Mortgage
Loans will be conducted by the same personnel that manage the correspondent
channel. Although similar in process, the bulk acquisition process differs from
the correspondent channel in that Correspondents have generally established
regular selling relationships with the Taxable Subsidiary and may even have
Taxable Subsidiary underwriting personnel on the Correspondent's premises. Bulk
sellers have no such continuing relationship. This method of acquiring Mortgage
Loans provides the lowest profit margin to the Taxable Subsidiary. During
periods in which access to growth capital is limited, the Taxable Subsidiary
will tend to reduce its bulk purchases of Mortgage Loans in order to allow for
greater wholesale, retail and
 
                                       62
<PAGE>   70
 
   
correspondent volume to be acquired. Through March 31, 1998, the Taxable
Subsidiary has made bulk acquisitions in an aggregate amount of $65.9 million.
    
 
  MORTGAGE LOAN PRODUCTS
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary offers a broad variety of Mortgage Loan products
through its wholesale, retail and correspondent channels. Such products include
both Subprime Mortgage Loans for long-term investment by the Taxable Subsidiary
and Prime Mortgage Loans held for sale to investors. The Taxable Subsidiary's
Mortgage Loan products currently include:
 
     -  Six month LIBOR indexed ARMs;
 
     -  Two and three year LIBOR indexed ARMs;
 
     -  One, three, five and seven year CMT indexed ARMs;
 
     -  15, 20 and 30 year fixed-rate First and Second Lien Mortgage Loans;
 
     -  30 year amortizing balloon Mortgage Loans; and
 
     -  Jumbo fixed-rate and adjustable-rate Mortgage Loans.
 
  PRICING OF MORTGAGE LOANS
 
     The Company will set purchase prices for the Mortgage Loans it acquires
from the mortgage lending operations of the Taxable Subsidiary based on
prevailing market conditions. Different prices will be established for the
various types of Mortgage Loans, commitment periods and types of commitments
(mandatory or best efforts). The Taxable Subsidiary's standard pricing is based
on the anticipated price it will receive upon sale or financing of the Mortgage
Loans, the anticipated interest spread realized during the accumulation period,
the targeted profit margin and the anticipated issuance, credit enhancement and
ongoing administrative costs associated with such sale or financing.
Alternatively, such pricing may be based on the anticipated cost of financing
such Mortgage Loans to maturity plus the anticipated associated costs. The
Taxable Subsidiary is able to acquire Subprime Mortgage Loans at attractive
prices due to the high level of service delivered to Mortgage Loan brokers,
borrowers and Correspondents.
 
     Following the issuance of a specific pricing commitment, the Company will
be subject to the risk of interest rate fluctuations and will enter into hedging
transactions to diminish such risk. Hedging transactions may include mandatory
or optional forward sales of Mortgage Loans or Mortgage Securities, mandatory or
optional sales of futures and other financial futures transactions. The nature
and quantity of hedging transactions will be determined by the management of the
Company based on various factors, including market conditions and the expected
volume of Mortgage Loan purchases. See "-- Interest Rate Risk Management" and
"Risk Factors -- Interest Rate Fluctuations May Adversely Affect Operations and
Net Interest Income -- The Company Has No Specific Hedging Policies and Failure
to Appropriately Hedge May Adversely Affect Results of Operations" and
"-- Hedging Transactions Limit Gains and May Increase Exposure to Losses."
 
  STATE LICENSES
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary has applied for and is licensed to conduct mortgage
banking operations in 31 states (including certain states which do not have
formal licensing requirements or in which the Taxable Subsidiary is exempt from
registration): Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia,
Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana,
Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South
Carolina, South Dakota (wholesale only), Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia,
Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Registration is pending in Illinois and
Michigan.
 
                                       63
<PAGE>   71
 
UNDERWRITING AND QUALITY CONTROL STRATEGIES
 
  UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary has created a comprehensive underwriting manual for
use by its Correspondents as well as its internal staff. Generally, the
underwriting standards have been prepared in accordance with the financing
requirements of the rating agencies under the guidance of the Chief Credit
Officer. The Taxable Subsidiary's quality assurance guidelines provide for
various tests of the Mortgage Loans to be performed both before and after
purchase.
 
   
     The Taxable Subsidiary underwrites all Mortgage Loans originated through
its retail and wholesale channels with a staff of in-house underwriters. The
Taxable Subsidiary staffs most offices with a senior underwriter with a minimum
of five years experience. In larger offices, the Taxable Subsidiary may hire
junior underwriters with more limited experience to work directly with the
senior underwriters. Upon being hired by the Taxable Subsidiary, the underwriter
undergoes an intensive three day training of the Taxable Subsidiary's
underwriting policies and procedures at the Taxable Subsidiary's headquarters in
Salt Lake City. After the underwriter is trained to the satisfaction of the
Chief Credit Officer, the new underwriter is then placed at a retail or
wholesale office. New underwriters are subject to a 30-day probation, during
which their work is more closely scrutinized by the Taxable Subsidiary.
    
 
                                       64
<PAGE>   72
 
     The following is a general guideline of the eligibility criteria expected
to be adopted by the Taxable Subsidiary after the closing of the Offering:
 
                          UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES (1)
                           FIRST LIEN MORTGAGE LOANS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         A+ RISK (2)          A RISK           A- RISK            B RISK            C RISK           C- RISK
                       ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------  ----------------
<S>                    <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Existing mortgage      No 30-day late    Maximum one       Maximum two       Maximum three     Maximum four      Maximum of two
  history............  payments within   30-day late       30-day late       30-day late       30-day and two    90-day late
                       last 12 months;   payment and no    payments and no   payments and one  60-day late       payments and one
                       one 30-day late   60-day late       60-day late       60-day late       payments and      120-day late
                       payment in last   payments within   payments within   payment within    maximum of one    payment, there
                       24 months; must   last 12 months;   last 12 months;   last 12 months;   90-day late       may be a current
                       be current at     must be current   not required to   not required to   payment within    notice of
                       application       at application    be current at     be current at     last 12 months;   default; not
                       time.             time.             application       application       not required to   required to be
                                                           time.             time.             be current at     current at
                                                                                               application       application
                                                                                               time.             time.
Other credit(3)......  No open           No open           Minor derogatory  Prior defaults    Significant       Significant
                       collections       collection        items allowed;    acceptable; not   prior defaults    defaults
                       accounts or       accounts or       not more than     more than $1,500  acceptable;       acceptable; open
                       charge-offs       charge-offs.      $500 in open      in open           generally, not    charge-offs or
                       within last 12    Generally must    collection        collection        more than $2,500  collection
                       months.           be paid through   accounts or       accounts or       in open           amounts may
                                         funding not       charge-offs open  charge-offs open  collection        remain open
                                         exceeding $300.   after funding.    after funding.    accounts or       after funding.
                                                                                               charge-offs open
                                                                                               after funding.
Bankruptcy filings...  Generally, no     Chapter 7 must    Chapter 7 must    Generally, no     Generally, no     Bankruptcy,
                       bankruptcy or     have been         have been         bankruptcy or     bankruptcy or     notice of sale
                       notice of         discharged at     discharged at     notice of         notice of         filings, notice
                       default filings   least two years   least two years   default filings   default filings   of default
                       in last three     prior; Chapter    prior; Chapter    in last two       in last 18        filing or
                       years.            13 must have      13 must have      years. Chapter    months. One year  foreclosure
                                         been discharged   been discharged   13 allowed at     seasoning for     permitted on a
                                         at least one      at least one      least one year    Chapter 13 with   case by case
                                         year prior.       year prior.       prior with        reestablished     basis.
                                                                             reestablished     credit.           Generally, one
                                                                             credit.                             year seasoning
                                                                                                                 for Chapter 7
                                                                                                                 and notices of
                                                                                                                 default. No
                                                                                                                 seasoning for
                                                                                                                 Chapter 13 paid
                                                                                                                 at funding.
Debt service to        45%               50%               50% or less       50% or less       55% or less       60% or less
  income ratio.......
Maximum loan-
  to-value ratio: (4)
  Owner occupied:      95%               90%               90%               85%               80%               70%
  single family......
  Owner occupied:      90%               90%               90%               85%               80%               70%
  condo/two-to-four
  unit...............
  Non-owner            90%               85%               80%               75%               70%               65%
  occupied...........
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The letter grades applied to each risk classification reflect the Taxable
    Subsidiary's internal standards and do not necessarily correspond to the
    classifications used by other mortgage lenders. "LTV" means loan-to-value
    ratio. With respect to "A" through "C" credit grades, the combined LTV of
    all Mortgage Loans secured by any property is permitted to be up to 100%,
    with the first lien Mortgage Loan at the percentages indicated.
 
(2) On A+ product Private Mortgage Insurance ("PMI") is obtained on LTV's above
    90% with 30% coverage; and 25% coverage from 85.01 to 90%; no PMI is
    required for 85% LTV or less.
 
(3) Liens, judgments, collections and other garnishments not affecting title are
    not considered.
 
(4) The maximum LTV set forth in the table is for borrowers providing full
    documentation. The LTV is reduced five percent for stated and limited
    documentation and 10% for non-owner applications.
 
                                       65
<PAGE>   73
 
     The following table sets forth information concerning the Taxable
Subsidiary's principal balance of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate Mortgage Loan
originations by borrower risk classification for the periods shown:
 
            MORTGAGE LOAN PRODUCTION BY BORROWER RISK CLASSIFICATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               FOR THE         FOR THE
                                                                              YEAR ENDED    PERIOD ENDED
                                                  MARCH 31,    MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                    1998          1997           1997          1996(1)
                                                  ---------   ------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                               <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>
PRIME:
  Percent of total purchases and origination....    60.21%       78.63%         51.27%          86.68%
  Combined weighted average initial
     loan-to-value ratio........................    77.62%       79.53%         79.28%          79.34%
  Weighted average interest rate:
     Fixed-rate.................................     7.41%        8.13%          7.97%           8.32%
     ARMs.......................................     6.01%        6.74%          6.64%           6.94%
     Margin-ARMs................................     2.76%        2.75%          2.78%           1.00%
SUBPRIME:
"A"-Risk Grade:
  Percent of total purchases and origination....    26.95%       12.71%         29.36%           9.16%
  Combined weighted average initial
     loan-to-value ratio........................    80.46%       82.24%         80.12%          78.40%
  Weighted average interest rate:
     Fixed-rate.................................    10.46%       11.06%         10.54%          10.96%
     ARMs.......................................     9.74%        9.62%          9.90%           9.29%
     Margin-ARMs................................     5.90%        5.90%          6.25%           5.52%
"B" Risk Grade:
  Percent of total purchases and origination....     7.35%        6.32%          7.48%           2.95%
  Combined weighted average initial
     loan-to-value ratio........................    79.11%       75.14%         75.30%          78.19%
  Weighted average interest rate:
     Fixed-rate.................................    11.16%       10.95%         11.02%          11.19%
     ARMs.......................................    10.36%        9.87%         10.41%           9.74%
     Margin-ARMs................................     6.63%        6.48%          6.67%           6.32%
"C" Risk Grade:
  Percent of total purchases and origination....     3.01%        1.97%          2.73%           0.54%
  Combined weighted average initial
     loan-to-value ratio........................    74.48%       72.18%         71.20%          77.31%
  Weighted average interest rate:
     Fixed-rate.................................    12.32%       12.04%         11.55%          12.12%
     ARMs.......................................    11.14%       10.29%         11.14%          10.52%
     Margin-ARMs................................     6.85%        6.37%          6.94%           6.66%
"C"- Risk Grade:
  Percent of total purchases and origination....     0.32%        0.43%          0.57%           0.08%
  Combined weighted average initial
     loan-to-value ratio........................    66.24%       59.55%         62.54%          61.62%
  Weighted average interest rate:
     Fixed-rate.................................        0%       14.53%         13.16%          13.86%
     ARMs.......................................    12.28%       13.50%         12.06%            n/a
     Margin-ARMs................................     7.18%        8.88%          7.03%            n/a
Unclassified (2)................................     2.16%        0.00%          8.59%           0.59%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) For the period from February, 1996 (inception) to December 31, 1996.
(2) Includes certain Mortgage Loans which the Taxable Subsidiary sold to
    third-party investors without determining the credit classification.
 
  GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSIFICATION
 
     Although the Taxable Subsidiary does not have specific policies or targets
regarding geographic diversification of its Mortgage Loans, close attention will
be paid to geographic diversification in managing the
                                       66
<PAGE>   74
 
Taxable Subsidiary's credit risk. While there will initially be some geographic
concentration in Mortgage Loans originated though the correspondent acquisition
channel, over time the Taxable Subsidiary plans to diversify its credit risk by
selecting target markets through both the wholesale and correspondent channels.
The Taxable Subsidiary believes that one of the best tools for managing credit
risk is to diversify the markets in which the Taxable Subsidiary originates and
purchases Mortgage Loans.
 
     Currently, the Mortgage Loans originated by the Taxable Subsidiary are
geographically concentrated in Florida, Utah, Georgia and California. However,
as newly established retail and wholesale branches increase production,
geographic diversification will naturally occur. The following table sets forth
aggregate dollar amounts (in thousands) and the percentage of all Subprime
Mortgage Loans originated or purchased by the Taxable Subsidiary by state for
the periods shown:
 
               GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF SUBPRIME MORTGAGE LOANS
                             (Dollars in thousands)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          FOR THE         FOR THE
                                                                                         YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                                              MARCH 31,    MARCH 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                1998         1997           1997          1996(1)
                                                              ---------    ---------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>          <C>             <C>
Arizona.....................................................   $ 3,125      $   948       $  5,634        $   260
  Percent of total for period...............................      5.16%        6.53%          2.28%          1.13%
California..................................................     8,493          585         27,970              0
  Percent of total for period...............................     14.04%        4.03%         11.33%          0.00%
Colorado....................................................     1,892        2,158         13,695          2,817
  Percent of total for period...............................      3.13%       14.86%          5.55%         12.22%
Florida.....................................................    19,921            0         56,779              0
  Percent of total for period...............................     32.92%        0.00%         23.00%          0.00%
Georgia.....................................................     5,704            0         28,794              0
  Percent of total for period...............................      9.43%        0.00%         11.66%          0.00%
Hawaii......................................................     1,495            0          4,239              0
  Percent of total for period...............................      2.47%        0.00%          1.72%          0.00%
Idaho.......................................................       854          317          2,277            460
  Percent of total for period...............................      1.41%        2.18%          0.92%          2.00%
Illinois....................................................       144            0          5,750              0
  Percent of total for period...............................      0.24%        0.00%          2.33%          0.00%
Kansas......................................................       296           80          1,642              0
  Percent of total for period...............................      0.49%        0.55%          0.67%          0.00%
Massachusetts...............................................         0            0          2,213              0
  Percent of total for period...............................      0.00%        0.00%          0.90%          0.00%
Montana.....................................................         0          145          1,003            279
  Percent of total for period...............................      0.00%        1.00%          0.41%          1.21%
New York....................................................         0            0         12,393              0
  Percent of total for period...............................      0.00%        0.00%          5.02%          0.00
Nevada......................................................     1,735          791          8,904            759
  Percent of total for period...............................      2.87%        5.45%          3.61%          3.29%
Oregon......................................................     1,968          358          7,041             80
  Percent of total for period...............................      3.25%        2.46%          2.85%          0.35%
Utah........................................................    10,773        8,639         44,244         17,584
  Percent of total for period...............................     17.80%       59.48%         17.92%         76.30%
Virginia....................................................       458            0          2,159              0
  Percent of total for period...............................      0.76%        0.00%          0.87%          0.00%
Washington..................................................     1,146          308          5,946            709
  Percent of total for period...............................      1.89%        2.12%          2.41%          3.08%
Wisconsin...................................................       910            0          4,713              0
  Percent of total for period...............................      1.50%        0.00%          1.91%          0.00%
Other States Combined (10 states)...........................     1,596          195         11,507             98
  Percent of total for period...............................      2.64%        1.34%          4.66%          0.43%
                                                               -------      -------       --------        -------
        Total...............................................   $60,512      $14,524       $246,904        $23,046
                                                               =======      =======       ========        =======
</TABLE>
 
  COLLATERAL APPRAISAL
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary's underwriting standards are also intended to assess
the value of the mortgaged property and to evaluate the adequacy of such
property as collateral for the Mortgage Loan. All of the
 
                                       67
<PAGE>   75
 
Mortgage Loans originated by the Taxable Subsidiary's wholesale and retail
channels, and purchased by the Taxable Subsidiary through Correspondents will be
appraised by qualified independent appraisers. Such appraisers inspect and
appraise the subject property and verify that such property is in acceptable
condition. Following each appraisal, the appraiser prepares a report which
includes a market value analysis based on recent sales of comparable homes in
the area, and when deemed appropriate, replacement cost analysis based on the
current cost of constructing a similar home. The Taxable Subsidiary intends to
use only Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989
("FIRREA") licensed appraisers as part of its approval process. All appraisals
are required to conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal
Practice adopted by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation
and must be on forms acceptable to FNMA and FHLMC. It is anticipated that
substantially all Mortgage Loans purchased through Correspondents will be
subject to a second full appraisal or appraisal review prior to purchase by the
Taxable Subsidiary. The Taxable Subsidiary has a formal review process for all
appraisers, verifies licenses annually and conducts new appraisals under its
Quality Control Program.
 
  QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAM
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary has an extensive, systemized quality control and
audit plan currently in place. Each month, the Taxable Subsidiary randomly
selects 10% to 15% of all Mortgage Loans, including 10% from each branch and
product type (with at least one per month from each) to review. Representations
and information from each Mortgage Loan are verified against a checklist of over
60 items. Among such verifications are completeness of the Mortgage Loan
documents, additional scrutiny of the borrower's credit report, employment and
salary re-verifications (or tax return scrutiny if the borrower is
self-employed), closer scrutiny of the appraisal, general review of the legal
and closing documents, verification of the owner occupancy status (if
applicable) and a re-evaluation of the creditworthiness of the borrower. Each
discrepancy is given a grade based on its severity, from inadvertent,
non-impairing errors to a guideline violation requiring immediate action against
the borrower and the broker. Additionally, 10% of all Mortgage Loans selected
for review each month are further selected for closer scrutiny, including a new
appraisal and a new credit report ordered from different agencies. To date, all
quality control has been performed by the Taxable Subsidiary itself; however, it
may outsource some or all of these functions in the future. The Taxable
Subsidiary will not, however, outsource any pre-closing quality control.
 
  CORRESPONDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 
     Closed Mortgage Loans purchased by the Taxable Subsidiary will be
originated by various mortgage bankers and other mortgage lenders.
Correspondents are required to meet certain performance requirements established
by the Taxable Subsidiary before they are eligible to participate in the Taxable
Subsidiary's Correspondent program and must submit to periodic reviews by the
Taxable Subsidiary to ensure continued compliance with these requirements. The
Taxable Subsidiary's current criteria for Correspondent participation generally
include a tangible net worth of at least $400,000. In addition, Correspondents
are required to have comprehensive loan origination quality control procedures
and must be approved and in good standing with HUD, among other criteria. Each
Correspondent is expected to enter into an agreement that provides for recourse
by the Taxable Subsidiary against the Correspondent in the event of any material
breach of a representation or warranty made by the Correspondent with respect to
Mortgage Loans sold to the Taxable Subsidiary or any fraud or misrepresentation
during the Mortgage Loan origination process. There is no assurance that such
requirements will be applicable in the future.
 
FINANCING LOANS HELD FOR SALE AND INVESTMENT PRIOR TO STRUCTURED DEBT FINANCING
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary will finance its Mortgage Loan originations and
purchases through interim financing facilities such as bank warehouse credit
lines and reverse repurchase agreements. As of March 31, 1998, the Taxable
Subsidiary had committed warehouse lines and reverse repurchase facilities in
place totaling $150.0 million with Nomura Asset Capital Corporation and
ContiFinancial Corporation. A reverse repurchase agreement is a borrowing device
evidenced by an agreement to sell securities or other assets to a third-party
and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase them at a specified future date and
price, with the price
 
                                       68
<PAGE>   76
 
differential constituting interest on the borrowing. The Taxable Subsidiary is
currently in negotiations with dealer firms for additional reverse repurchase
facilities to fund production prior to long-term financing. However, no such
facility is in place.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary's Subprime Mortgage Loan lending operation will be a
capital intensive business. Depending on the type of Mortgage Loan product
originated, the production channel and the financing source, the amount of
capital required as a percentage of the balance of Mortgage Loans originated may
range from two percent to eight percent. See "-- Capital and Liquidity
Management -- Capital Allocation Guidelines." For illustration purposes only, a
hypothetical monthly Mortgage Loan volume of $25.0 million would equate to a
capital requirement of $500,000 to $1.75 million per month, respectively and a
hypothetical monthly volume of $50.0 million would equate to $1.0 to $3.5
million per month, respectively. Due to the capital intensive nature of this
business, the Company's Subprime Mortgage Loan lending will be operated through
the Taxable Subsidiary. Operating though the Taxable Subsidiary would give the
Company the flexibility to sell its Mortgage Loan production as whole loans or
in the form of pass-through Mortgage Securities in the event it encountered
restrictions in accessing the capital markets in order to fund its Subprime
Mortgage Loan lending operation. See " -- Industry Developments" and "Risk
Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted, Would Adversely Affect
Results of Operations." The Company intends to raise the required capital in
order to implement its preferred strategy of realizing the income from
adjustable Subprime Mortgage Loans through net interest income. The Company
intends to sell certain Mortgage Loans, which are expected to be Prime and
fixed-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans.
 
   
  LOAN SALES FOR CASH
    
 
   
     The Taxable Subsidiary has historically followed a strategy of selling for
cash all of its Mortgage Loan originations and purchases through Mortgage Loan
sales in which the Taxable Subsidiary disposes of its entire economic interest
in the Mortgage Loans (including servicing rights) for a cash price that
represents a premium over the principal balance of the Mortgage Loans sold. See
"-- Industry Developments" and "Risk Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If
Enacted, Would Adversely Affect Results of Operations." For the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997, the Taxable Subsidiary sold $477.1 million of Mortgage
Loans through whole Mortgage Loan sales transactions. The Taxable Subsidiary did
not sell any Mortgage Loans through securitization during this period; however,
substantially all of the Mortgage Loans sold during this period were ultimately
securitized by the purchasers thereof.
    
 
   
     The Company plans to build its Mortgage Asset investment portfolio by
retaining Subprime Mortgage Loans originated and purchased by its mortgage
operations. Prime Mortgage Loans, certain Subprime Mortgage Loans and Second
Lien Mortgage Loans originated and purchased by the Taxable Subsidiary, will,
however, be sold for cash to various mortgage investors. The sale of these
Mortgage Loans is expected to generate current income and cash flow to fund in
part the mortgage lending operations.
    
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary seeks to maximize its revenue on whole Mortgage Loan
sales by closely monitoring institutional purchasers' requirements and focusing
on originating or purchasing the types of Mortgage Loans that meet those
requirements and for which institutional purchasers tend to pay higher premiums.
 
     Whole Mortgage Loan sales are made on a non-recourse basis pursuant to a
purchase agreement containing customary representations and warranties by the
Taxable Subsidiary based upon the underwriting criteria applied by the Taxable
Subsidiary and the origination process. The Taxable Subsidiary, therefore, may
be required to repurchase or substitute Mortgage Loans in the event of a breach
of its representations and warranties. In addition, the Company sometimes
commits to repurchase or substitute a Mortgage Loan if a payment default occurs
within the first month following the date the Mortgage Loan is funded, unless
other arrangements are made between the Taxable Subsidiary and the purchaser.
The Taxable Subsidiary is also required in some cases to repurchase or
substitute a Mortgage Loan if the Mortgage Loan documentation is alleged to
contain fraudulent misrepresentations made by the borrower.
 
                                       69
<PAGE>   77
 
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary has established, and continues to enhance,
information gathering and reporting systems to monitor and analyze virtually
every aspect of the mortgage lending business. The Taxable Subsidiary employs a
combination of commercially available and internally developed software to
process and track each Mortgage Loan in the Taxable Subsidiary's system from
application to closing and sale.
 
     Management reviews Mortgage Loan production data on a daily basis. The
Taxable Subsidiary's systems provide management with detailed reports on all
material aspects of the business, including Mortgage Loan processing,
underwriting, funding, secondary marketing and accounting. Such reports include
Mortgage Loan production to date (i) by branch, (ii) by loan type, (iii) by
geographic location of the property, (iv) by pre-payment penalty, and (v) by
LTV.
 
     The Management Information Systems Department is structured into two teams:
Hardware/Software Support and Development. The Hardware/Software Support team
has built the client server network operating on a Windows NT platform. The
backbone of the Taxable Subsidiary information system is a wide area network
("WAN") employing high speed lines to each of its retail and wholesale branch
offices, with the exception of the Hawaii branch which connects to the WAN via
the internet. In addition, construction of a Taxable Subsidiary intranet site is
underway. The intranet site is expected to permit video-teleconferencing between
all Taxable Subsidiary sites, enabling face-to-face Company meetings and
on-going procedural training, and will enable the Taxable Subsidiary's
underwriting and other manual guidelines to be available on-line, with
instantaneous updates as management refines or changes any provision.
 
     The development team has focused on building a Microsoft-standard network
of software solutions. The Taxable Subsidiary's accounting system, Accuity,
built by State of the Art Software, allows management to generate a vast number
of reports focusing on: (i) costs of origination or acquisition of Mortgage
Loans; (ii) pricing and timing of secondary sales by investor, loan type and
other factors; (iii) funding and usage of warehouse lines; and (iv) monthly and
year-to-date accounting statements. The integration of the management
information system is ongoing and is expected to link all of the Mortgage Loan
production and processing to both treasury and secondary marketing functions,
permitting management to plan and better monitor Mortgage Loan fundings and
subsequent sales. The Taxable Subsidiary believes that the integration of its
information and accounting systems will offer efficiency and information
advantages over those of certain of its competitors.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary is dedicated to building and maintaining an
integrated, leading edge information environment. The Taxable Subsidiary has
been selected by several software providers as a beta-site for several
advancements in their current software systems. Both Interlinq, the manufacturer
of MortgageWare (the Taxable Subsidiary's loan processing, underwriting and
funding software) and State of the Art Software have requested the Taxable
Subsidiary's participation in an advisory capacity for current and future
development of certain of their products. One innovation which is currently in
testing will enable management to determine the status of any Mortgage Loan in
any branch in virtually real time.
 
     The fundamental integration of the Taxable Subsidiary's information systems
will enable the asset-liability manager to monitor and report on all Mortgage
Loans by asset class, age and credit rating, to relate such positions to the
Taxable Subsidiary's hedge positions at any given time, permitting management to
instantaneously determine a net value of assets and hedges. Sophisticated
analytics including option-adjusted spreads, price sensitivity, time-basis
change, residual cash flow analysis, and simulations will be performed on an
independent software model, utilizing the Taxable Subsidiary's asset and hedging
position data.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary maintains a secure computing environment. The file
server is located in a locked central room. All external data lines are
monitored for intrusive activity and internal access if granted by administrator
security clearance only. A routine onsite/offsite backup procedure is maintained
to enable rapid recovery in the event of a catastrophic event. Accounting
records are protected on a period-by-period basis, and are entered on
write-once, read-only compact discs which are stored in a protected off-site
location.
 
                                       70
<PAGE>   78
 
MORTGAGE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
 
     The Company will acquire and manage a portfolio of Mortgage Assets,
primarily comprised of Subprime Mortgage Loans originated and acquired by the
Taxable Subsidiary and financed with structured debt instruments. As with a bank
or savings and loan association, the Company's Mortgage Asset portfolio is
expected to generate net income to the extent that the yield on its Mortgage
Assets exceeds the overall cost of its borrowings. The Company will attempt to
construct a portfolio which will provide a relatively consistent level of net
interest income through a variety of interest rate environments. The Company
will acquire and manage this portfolio of Mortgage Assets to maximize net
interest income within prescribed risk constraints. See "Risk
Factors -- Interest Rate Fluctuations May Adversely Affect Operations and Net
Interest Income."
 
     The Company's strategy will be to earn a relatively attractive
risk-adjusted return on equity by originating and purchasing Subprime Mortgage
Loans for investment in the Mortgage Loan portfolio. Management's expectation is
that the highest long-term risk adjusted return on equity will be earned through
investing its capital in the residual class of long-term financings of Subprime
whole Mortgage Loans originated through its Mortgage Loan acquisition channels.
 
     The Company will not acquire residuals and has not and generally will not
acquire first loss subordinated bonds rated below BBB, or Mortgage Securities
rated below B. The Company could indirectly retain the subordinate class from
Mortgage Loans securitized by the Taxable Subsidiary. The Company may acquire
IOs or POs to assist in the hedging of prepayment or other risks. In addition,
as discussed above, the Company may create a variety of different types of
assets, including the types mentioned in this paragraph, through the normal
process of CMO financing of the Company's own Mortgage Assets. In no event will
the Company (exclusive of its Taxable Subsidiaries) acquire or retain any REMIC
residual interest that may give rise to excess inclusion income as defined under
Section 860E of the Code. Generally, excess inclusion income may be recognized
by the holder of a REMIC residual (or a residual from a taxable mortgage pool)
to the extent income from the residual exceed 120% of the long-term applicable
federal interest rate. Excess inclusion income may be taxed as unrelated
business taxable income to certain tax-exempt entities. Excess inclusion income
realized by the Taxable Subsidiary is not passed through to stockholders of the
Company. See "Risk Factors -- Interest Rate Fluctuations May Adversely Affect
Operations and Net Interest Income -- Hedging Transactions Limit Gains and May
Increase Exposure to Losses" and "Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Taxation
of Tax-Exempt Entities."
 
     The Company will review each Mortgage Asset to be acquired to assess its
expected return, credit and liquidity risk, financing costs, the quality of the
issuer and the expected prepayment rate. The Company has developed a financial
model to evaluate each potential Mortgage Asset's impact upon the Mortgage Loan
portfolio as a whole. The Company will regularly monitor its purchases of
Mortgage Assets and the income from such Mortgage Assets, including income from
its hedging strategies, so as to ensure at all times that it maintains
RealTrust's qualification as a REIT and RealTrust's exempt status under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). The
Company has engaged qualified accountants and tax experts to assist it in
developing appropriate accounting systems and testing procedures, and to conduct
quarterly compliance reviews designed to assist RealTrust in assuring compliance
with the REIT provisions of the Code and to ensure RealTrust's exempt status
under the Investment Company Act. See "Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT" and "Risk Factors -- Failure to
Qualify for Exemption from Investment Company Act May Adversely Affect the
Company."
 
  TYPES OF MORTGAGE ASSETS
 
     The Company's Mortgage Assets will be comprised of Mortgage Loans and
Mortgage Securities.
 
     Mortgage Loans. The Company expects to retain primarily Subprime Mortgage
Loans, all of which are secured by first mortgages or deeds of trust on
single-family (one-to-four-units) residences. A substantial portion of the
Subprime Mortgage Loans originated and purchased by the Company are expected to
meet the long-term investment requirements of the Company. Those Mortgage Loans
which the Company does not intend to hold to maturity will be offered for sale
by the Taxable Subsidiary to various investors, including national private
mortgage conduit programs in the secondary mortgage market. See
"Business -- Industry
                                       71
<PAGE>   79
 
   
Developments" and "Risk Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted,
Would Adversely Affect Results of Operations."
    
 
     Subprime single-family Mortgage Loans are single family Mortgage Loans that
do not qualify in one or more respects for purchase by FNMA or FHLMC. The
Company expects that a majority of the Subprime Mortgage Loans it purchases will
be Subprime because generally they vary in certain other respects from the
requirements of such programs including the requirements relating to
creditworthiness of the borrowers or they have original principal balances which
exceed the requirements for FHLMC or FNMA programs.
 
     The Company may invest a small portion of its assets in Prime Mortgage
Loans, including FHA Loans or VA Loans, which qualify for inclusion in a pool of
Mortgage Loans guaranteed by GNMA. Under current regulations, the maximum
principal balance allowed on conforming Mortgage Loans ranges from $227,150
($321,900 for Mortgage Loans secured by properties located in either Alaska or
Hawaii) for one-unit to $436,600 ($618,675 for Mortgage Loans secured by
properties located in either Alaska or Hawaii) for four-unit residential loans.
The Company may also retain Subprime Mortgage Loans.
 
     The Company expects to hold primarily ARMs. The interest rate on an ARM is
typically tied to an index (such as LIBOR or the interest rate on United States
Treasury Bills), and is adjustable periodically at various intervals, typically
from one month to one year. Such Mortgage Loans are typically subject to
lifetime interest rate caps and periodic interest rate and/or payment caps. The
Company anticipates that the majority of the Mortgage Loans will have lifetime
interest rate caps of six percent over the initial Mortgage Loan interest rate,
although some Mortgage Loans may have lifetime interest rate caps of as high as
seven percent or as low as five percent over such initial rate. The Company
expects the Mortgage Loans to have periodic interest rate caps of either one
percent every six months or two percent per year. Lifetime and periodic interest
rate caps are a function of market and competitive factors and are, therefore,
subject to change from the levels anticipated herein. A portion of the Subprime
Mortgage Loans may be fixed-rate Mortgage Loans.
 
     The Company may obtain credit enhancements such as mortgage pool or special
hazard insurance for its Mortgage Loans, in addition to private mortgage
insurance when specified by its underwriting criteria. Accordingly, during the
time it holds Mortgage Loans, the Company will be subject to risks of borrower
defaults, fraud and bankruptcies and special hazard losses that are not covered
by standard hazard insurance (such as those occurring from earthquakes or
floods). In the event of a default on any Mortgage Loan held by the Company, the
Company will bear the risk of loss of principal to the extent of any deficiency
between (i) the net proceeds from liquidation of the mortgage collateral and any
related insurance or guarantee and (ii) the principal amount of the Mortgage
Loan.
 
     Mortgage Securities. The Company plans to purchase Mortgage Securities in
the capital markets. These Mortgage Securities generally have a higher level of
liquidity than the Mortgage Loans to be acquired or originated and are expected
to provide a relatively stable flow of interest income with relatively low
levels of credit risk compared to such Mortgage Loans. The Mortgage Securities
to be acquired by the Company will be backed by a pool of ARMs. These Mortgage
Securities entitle the holder to receive a pass-through of principal and
interest payments on the underlying pool of Mortgage Loans and will be
guaranteed by the Federal government sponsored agencies or issued by certain
private institutions. Mortgage Securities issued by private institutions are
usually, but not always, rated by one of the major rating services. The Company
may, from time to time, invest in Mortgage Securities that are not investment
grade. See "Risk Factors -- Investments in High LTV Mortgage Loans and
Subordinated Mortgage Securities Involve Greater Risk of Loss." The Company may
also acquire IOs and POs in conjunction with its hedging activities. See "Risk
Factors -- Interest Rate Fluctuations May Adversely Affect Operations and Net
Interest Income -- Interest-Only and Principal-Only Mortgage Securities Are
Subject to Substantial Interest Rate and Prepayment Risks Which May Adversely
Affect Results of Operations." The Company does not intend to invest in any
unregistered Mortgage Securities.
 
RETAINED INTERESTS IN STRUCTURED DEBT INSTRUMENTS
 
     The Company intends to hold for long-term investment Subprime Mortgage
Loans produced by its mortgage lending operation and to finance such Subprime
Mortgage Loans with long-term financings through
                                       72
<PAGE>   80
 
the issuance of CMOs. Under this approach, for accounting purposes, the Mortgage
Loans collateralizing any CMO remain on the balance sheet as assets and the debt
obligations (i.e., CMOs) appear as liabilities. The Company's retained interest
under this approach is reflected by the excess of the assets over the related
liabilities on the balance sheet. The resulting stream of expected "spread"
income will be recognized over time through the proposed tax-advantaged REIT
structure. Other forms of financing may also be employed from time to time under
which a "sale" of interests in the Mortgage Loans will be reflected and gain or
loss reflected for accounting purposes at the time of sale. Under this form,
only the net retained interest in the securitized Mortgage Loans will remain on
the balance sheet. Such sales will be made through the Taxable Subsidiaries. See
"-- Interest Rate Risk Management."
 
     The Company expects that its retained interests in its long-term financing,
regardless of the form used, will be subordinated to the classes of securities
issued to investors in such securitizations with respect to losses of principal
and interest on the underlying Mortgage Loans. Accordingly, any such losses
incurred on the underlying Mortgage Loans will be applied first to reduce the
remaining amount of the Company's retained interest, until reduced to zero.
Thereafter, any further losses would be borne by the investors or the insurers
in such securitizations rather than the Company.
 
     The Company may also use financing as a tool to transfer some of the
interest rate risk of the Mortgage Loan collateral to the CMO bondholder and
credit risk to monoline bond insurers. Financing structures may include
floating-rate debt classes with life caps. The life cap structured in the bond
class pays down with the collateral, reducing the basis risk inherent in other
hedging strategies. The Company may pay a monoline bond insurer a monthly fee to
assume a portion of the credit risk in a pool of Mortgage Loans. The monoline
insurer would also require the issuer to retain a portion of the credit risk and
over-collateralize a particular pool of Mortgage Loans. The Company will
structure its financing so as to avoid the attribution of any excess inclusion
income to the Company's stockholders. See "Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Taxation of the Company's Stockholders."
 
     Proceeds from such financing will be available to support new Mortgage Loan
originations. The Company's CMOs are expected to reduce the Company's interest
rate risk on assets held for long-term investment. CMOs are permanent financing
and are not subject to a margin call if a rapid increase in rates would reduce
the value of the underlying mortgages. The Company plans to finance the retained
interests in its CMOs through a combination of equity and secured debt
financings, including reverse repurchase agreements.
 
     Neither the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation nor the Bylaws
of the Company impose any limitations on the Company's ability to incur
borrowings, either secured or unsecured. See "Risk Factors -- Borrowing to
Finance Investment Portfolio May Adversely Affect Results of Operations."
 
CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT
 
  CAPITAL ALLOCATION GUIDELINES
 
     The Company's goal is to maintain a balance between the under-utilization
of leverage, which may diminish returns to stockholders, and over-utilization of
leverage, which could limit the Company's funding alternatives during adverse
market conditions. Therefore, the Company has adopted Capital Allocation
Guidelines (the "CAG"). The Board will review the actual amount of leverage on a
quarterly basis for purposes of ensuring that the Company is in compliance with
the CAG. The CAG are intended to keep the Company leveraged as follows: (i) by
matching the amount of leverage with the current perceived risk of the Company's
assets, and (ii) by retaining excess capital to provide for market conditions
that may substantially alter or increase the market's general assessment of
perceived risk for those Mortgage Assets.
 
     The primary factors influencing the Company's liquidity under circumstances
of adverse market conditions are increases in interest rates and increases in
the general market perception of credit risk associated with residential
Mortgage Loans. Interest rate increases reduce the market value of the Company's
Mortgage Assets and, therefore, reduce the quantity of financing that is
dependent on market values. Any increase in the credit risk as perceived by
rating agencies tends to increase the quantity of over-collateralization
required by rating agencies to award various investment grade ratings to the
senior classes of structured
 
                                       73
<PAGE>   81
 
financings such as CMOs. Increased over-collateralization requirements reduce
the quantity of total financing prospectively available to the Company because
the excess collateral implied by the rate of over-collateralization required on
the CMO must be financed by the Company's equity rather than by the CMO.
 
     To estimate the quantity of capital required for such adverse
circumstances, management has simulated capital requirements under adverse
conditions whereby interest rates increased instantaneously by 200 basis points
and foreclosure frequencies increased by over 77% above those currently
estimated as required to support a AAA rating on the senior class of CMOs issued
by the Company. To estimate the amount of capital required to support assets
financed by repurchase agreements, management used an option-adjusted pricing
framework and a sophisticated mortgage prepayment and pricing model. To estimate
the amount of potential over-collateralization for CMOs, the Company employed a
general rule that determines the amount of over-collateralization based on the
potential loss severity per Mortgage Loan and the rate of foreclosure frequency.
In general, over-collateralization equals potential loss severity times
foreclosure frequency. Applying this general rule to future CMOs, the 4.5% rate
of over-collateralization equates to a potential loss severity of 40% with a
foreclosure frequency of 11.25% (i.e., 40% X 11.25% = 4.5%). The CAG are to be
structured to allow for a substantial increase in the foreclosure frequency to
20% providing the capability to continue CMO issuance under circumstances of a
required eight percent over-collateralization (i.e., 40% X 20% = 8%).
 
     The following table depicts CAG requirements by asset/liability combination
under currently expected financing requirements and under adverse market
conditions.
 
                         CAPITAL ALLOCATION GUIDELINES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 (a)          (b)
                                                                           INCREMENT     (c) = a+b
                                                                          REQUIRED BY      TOTAL
                                                              REQUIRED      ADVERSE         CAG
                ASSET/LIABILITY COMBINATION                   EQUITY(1)    MARKET(2)    REQUIRED(3)
                ---------------------------                   ---------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>           <C>
Subprime Mortgage Loans Financed by CMOs....................    4.50%        3.50%         8.00%
Subprime Mortgage Loans Financed by Reverse Repurchase
  Agreements................................................    5.00%        3.78%         8.78%
Mortgage Securities Financed by Reverse Repurchase
  Agreements................................................    3.00%        4.99%         7.99%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) "Required equity" is the expected amount of equity required by a typical
    financing alternative for the types of Mortgage Assets held by the Company.
    There is some variation in the equity requirements from time to time, and
    across the spectrum of specific negotiated terms. From the lender or debt
    investor's perspective, the required equity represents an incremental value
    secured by the financing agreement to which the lender or debt investor may
    immediately recognize through collateral liquidation to cover liquidation
    costs on the collateral should the debt obligor be unable to perform under
    the terms of the financing agreement.
 
(2) "Increment Required by Adverse Market" is the amount of excess capital
    retained by the Company for each type of asset/liability combination in the
    CAG for purposes of sustaining liquidity and funding alternatives during
    adverse market conditions. The stress test conditions are a 200 basis point
    increase in interest rates and an increase in foreclosure frequencies to
    20%.
 
(3) "Total CAG Required" is the sum of the amount of equity required in various
    forms of financing alternatives and the increment required to sustain these
    resources under adverse conditions.
 
     Implementation of the CAG. The Company will implement the CAG under a
two-dimensional framework that considers the net market value of the Mortgage
Asset portfolio equity and the potential total over-collateralization in terms
of Mortgage Loan principal balance that may be required under adverse
conditions. By sustaining the net excess market value required by the CAG, the
Company will possess the ongoing capacity to finance its Mortgage Assets. By
tracking requirements for structured financings, the Company will maintain an
updated expectation for the required equity component of prospective
transactions.
 
     Portfolio Financed with Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Each quarter the
Company marks to market its Mortgage Securities carried as available-for-sale.
This process is accomplished by obtaining market quotes
 
                                       74
<PAGE>   82
 
from third parties, including dealers that make markets in Mortgage Assets
similar in nature to the Company's and from mortgage banking concerns currently
engaged in the business of originating Mortgage Assets similar to those held by
the Company. Market values are then computed for the Company's assets using
those market quotes along with the Company's internally established assumptions
related to prepayments, losses, discount rates, and interest rate volatility.
The market value for all financing used by the Company, net of the market value
of hedges in place as of the valuation date, is then deducted from the current
market value of the Mortgage Assets. The remainder, which is the theoretical
market value of equity, is then compared to the weighted average amount required
by the CAG as of the date of market valuation and actual required equity as
established by the financing agreements then in place. If the theoretical market
value of equity is less than required by the CAG, management of the Company must
prepare a plan for presentation and approval by the Board of Directors to bring
capital to the required level.
 
     Portfolio Financed with CMOs. Each quarter the Company will solicit updates
on the required over-collateralization from dealers and rating agencies for the
various types of Mortgage Assets the Company holds and produces. Should the
required equity increase substantially, the Company will evaluate at that time
the necessity for increasing the total capital allocation required for the
Company's net asset/liability position in light of the historical performance of
transactions in place to date and other financing vehicles then available to the
Company.
 
SERVICING ACTIVITIES
 
     Mortgage servicing represents the contractual right to receive a portion of
the interest payments (typically 25 to 50 basis points) of a Mortgage Loan in
exchange for the performance of certain services, including collection,
foreclosure, recordkeeping, disbursement of principal and interest to the
investor and payment of taxes and insurance. Mortgage Loan servicing also
includes the loss mitigation activities of contacting delinquent borrowers and
supervising foreclosures and property disposition in the event of unremediated
defaults. The Company will acquire Subprime Mortgage Loans with the servicing
rights retained.
 
     Until the Company develops internal servicing capabilities, the Company
will rely upon third-party servicers. The Company has entered into a
subservicing agreement with Advanta pursuant to which Advanta will provide
subservicing for the Company while management focuses on Mortgage Loan
production, Mortgage Loan processing, asset/liability management, administrative
operations and securitization. The Company is also in discussions with other
third-party servicers and intends to select the servicer offering the most
favorable terms.
 
     Third party servicing will allow the Company to take advantage of the
experience of the servicer's staff, computer and customer service systems and
collection procedure. Eventually, the Company intends to develop its own
servicing capability in order to oversee the performance of its Mortgage Loans
more directly and to manage the servicing relationship with its borrowers. The
timing of this action will be based on the completion of construction of the
personnel and computer systems necessary to properly manage a servicing
department capable of servicing over $1.0 billion in Subprime Mortgage Loans.
While management expects that the income from its servicing activities will
exceed its cost of servicing, the primary reason for servicing Mortgage Loans on
which the Company has credit risk exposure is as a loss mitigation strategy.
 
  EARLY INTERVENTION, ASSET MANAGEMENT, AGGRESSIVE COLLECTION AND LOSS
MITIGATION TECHNIQUES
 
     The Company intends to emphasize the use of early intervention, asset
management, aggressive collection and loss mitigation techniques in its
servicing process to minimize losses on its whole loans and to preserve the
value of its residual interest in its CMO financings. The collections policy for
Subprime Mortgage Loans will be designed (i) to curtail payment problems by
establishing early customer contact to communicate payment expectations and by
maintaining frequent customer contact to emphasize the priority of Mortgage Loan
repayment and (ii) to identify payment problems sufficiently early to permit the
Company to quickly address delinquency problems and, when necessary, to act to
preserve equity in a pre-foreclosure property.
 
                                       75
<PAGE>   83
 
     With respect to Subprime Mortgage Loans, the Company will implement strict
servicing procedures. All mortgage payments are due on the first day of the
month. Late payment fees will accrue on the earliest day permitted by state law.
The late payment fees on Subprime Mortgage Loans will be the maximum allowable
under applicable state law. The subservicer will assign a counselor to each
borrower immediately upon closing of each Subprime Mortgage Loan who will alert
the borrowers of the Company's strict enforcement procedures and legal remedies
available upon nonpayment. The subservicer will generally mail payment coupons
as a monthly reminder to borrowers, enforce the late period and file notice of
default by the end of the grace period. See "-- Overview of Subprime Mortgage
Market."
 
  ADVANTA SERVICING AGREEMENT
 
     Although the Company may select another servicer after the closing of the
Offering, the Company had as of March 31, 1998 a servicing agreement with
Advanta (the "Advanta Servicing Agreement"). As of March 31, 1998, Advanta did
not service a material number or principal amount of Mortgage Loans (five
Mortgage Loans with an aggregate principal balance of $0.4 million). Under the
Advanta Servicing Agreement, the Company is obligated to pay Advanta a monthly
servicing fee on the declining principal balance of each Mortgage Loan serviced
and a set-up fee for each Mortgage Loan delivered to Advanta for servicing.
Advanta is required to pay all expenses related to the performance of its duties
under the Advanta Servicing Agreement. Further, Advanta is required to make
advances of taxes and required insurance premiums that are not collected from
borrowers with respect to any Mortgage Loan, only if it determines that such
advances are recoverable from the borrower, insurance proceeds or other sources
with respect to such Mortgage Loan. If such advances are made, Advanta generally
will be reimbursed prior to the Company receiving the remaining proceeds.
Advanta also will be entitled to reimbursement by the Company for expenses
incurred by it in connection with the liquidation of defaulted Mortgage Loans
and in connection with the restoration of mortgaged property. If claims are not
made or paid under applicable insurance policies or if coverage thereunder has
ceased, the Company will suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from
liquidation of the mortgaged property, after reimbursement of Advanta's expenses
in the sale, are less than the principal balance of the related Mortgage Loan.
 
     Advanta is entitled to retain any late payment charge and assumption fees
collected in connection with the Mortgage Loans. Advanta receives any benefit
derived from interest earned on collected principal and interest payments
between the date of collection and the date of remittance to the Company and
from interest earned on tax and insurance impound funds. Under the Advanta
Servicing Agreement, Advanta is generally required to remit all principal and
interest scheduled to be collected from borrowers during the prior monthly
reporting period generally no later than the eighteenth day of each month.
 
     Under the Advanta Servicing Agreement, if the Company terminates such
agreement without cause or transfers the servicing of any amount of the Mortgage
Loans serviced by Advanta to another servicer, the Company must pay Advanta
certain penalties, fees and costs, including a termination fee of $100 per
Mortgage Loan. Depending on the size of the Company's Mortgage Loan portfolio
serviced by Advanta, at any point in time, the termination or transfer penalties
that the Company will be obligated to pay Advanta may be substantial. As of
March 31, 1998, the termination fee pursuant to the Advanta Servicing Agreement
would have been immaterial and the Company does not anticipate that such
termination fee will, now or in the future, deter the Company from selecting
another servicer.
 
                                       76
<PAGE>   84
 
  DELINQUENCY AND DEFAULT DATA
 
     To date, the Taxable Subsidiary has sold its Mortgage Loans to investors
servicing-released. That is, the purchaser of the Mortgage Loan obtains all
rights to collect payments on the Mortgage Loan. As a result, the Taxable
Subsidiary does not maintain any delinquency or default data; however,
ContiFinancial Corporation, the largest purchaser of the Taxable Subsidiary's
Subprime Mortgage Loans, provides the Company with quarterly reports setting
forth the delinquency and default rates on Mortgage Loans purchased from the
Taxable Subsidiary. The following table sets forth the delinquency and default
information provided to the Taxable Subsidiary by ContiFinancial Corporation
from inception to February 28, 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           QUARTER                                      PERCENT OF
              OF                                        DELINQUENT
         ORIGINATION                                 MORTGAGE LOANS(1)
        --------------                               -----------------
<S>     <C>            <C>                           <C>
1996
        3rd Quarter                                         0.00%
        4th Quarter                                         4.77%
1997
        1st Quarter                                        11.24%
        2nd Quarter                                         4.84%
        3rd Quarter                                         6.07%
        4th Quarter                                         2.94%
1998
        1st Quarter (through February 28)                   0.00%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Determined on the basis of principal balance of delinquent Mortgage Loans
    compared to the aggregate principal balance of all Mortgage Loans purchased
    by ContiFinancial Corporation and still outstanding.
 
     Since July, 1996, ContiFinancial Corporation has charged-off one Mortgage
Loan acquired from the Taxable Subsidiary. Such charged-off loan resulted in a
loss of $9,896, or 9.83% of the principal balance of such Mortgage Loan.
 
     The delinquency and default data provided above is not compiled or verified
by the Taxable Subsidiary, and reflects only a portion of the Mortgage Loans
sold by the Taxable Subsidiary. Therefore, the Company cannot confirm the
accuracy of the data, which may not reflect the performance of Mortgage Loans
sold to other investors. Further, the low level of delinquencies of Mortgage
Loans originated in recent quarters is directly attributable to the nominal
amount of time such Mortgage Loans have been outstanding. The Taxable Subsidiary
and the Company expect that delinquency rates will increase as such Mortgage
Loans mature.
 
INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
 
     The Company is subject to interest rate risk to the extent that the
interest rates on the Company's liabilities (i.e., reverse repurchase agreements
and CMOs) reprice more frequently, or on a different basis, than the interest
rates on the Company's Mortgage Assets. To mitigate this risk, the Company will
follow a strict interest rate risk management program managed by the Company's
Asset/Liability Manager, who has extensive experience in mortgage banking and
interest rate risk management for other financial institutions prior to his
employment with the Company. The Company's interest rate risk management program
will be formulated with the intent to mitigate the potential adverse effects
resulting from interest rate adjustment limitations on its Mortgage Assets and
the differences between the interest rate adjustment indices and interest rate
adjustment periods of its Mortgage Assets and related borrowings.
 
     The Company's interest rate risk management program will encompass a number
of procedures. First, the Company will structure the liabilities of the Company
to have interest rate indices and adjustment periods that, on an aggregate
basis, correspond as closely as practicable to the interest rate adjustment
indices and interest rate adjustment periods of the Mortgage Assets. In
addition, the Company intends to structure its borrowing agreements to have a
range of different maturities (although substantially all will have maturities
of less than one year). As a result, the Company expects to be able to adjust
the average maturity of its
                                       77
<PAGE>   85
 
borrowings on an ongoing basis by changing the mix of maturities as borrowings
come due and are renewed. In this way, the Company will attempt to minimize any
differences between interest rate adjustment periods of Mortgage Assets and
related borrowings.
 
     The Company intends to use interest rate caps, interest rate swaps and
similar instruments to attempt to limit, fix or partially offset changes in
interest rates associated with its borrowings and changes in the value of its
Mortgage Assets. In a typical interest rate cap agreement, the cap purchaser
makes an initial lump sum cash payment to the cap seller in exchange for the
seller's promise to make cash payments to the purchaser on fixed dates during
the contract term if prevailing interest rates exceed the rate specified in the
contract. In this way, the Company intends generally to hedge as much of the
interest rate risk arising from lifetime rate caps on its Mortgage Assets and
from periodic rate and/or payment caps as the Company determines is in the best
interests of the stockholders of the Company, given the cost of such hedging
transactions and the need to maintain RealTrust's status as a REIT. See "Federal
Income Tax Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT -- Sources of Income." The
Company may also, to the extent consistent with its compliance with the REIT
provisions of the Code, buy and sell financial futures contracts, options and
trade forward contracts as a hedge against future interest rate changes;
however, the Company will not acquire such instruments unless the Company is
exempt from the registration requirements of the Commodities Exchange Act or
otherwise complies with the provisions of that Act.
 
     The Company also considers its use of CMOs as a component of its interest
rate management strategy. CMOs address two of the problems caused by rapid
changes (primarily increases) in interest rates, margin calls and the potential
for negative interest spread on a Mortgage Loan. A rapid increase in interest
rates may cause the value of the Company's collateral used to secure reverse
repurchase agreements to decline, thereby forcing a "margin call" in which the
Company would be required to pledge additional collateral in order to support
the reverse repurchase agreement. When the Company is fully leveraged, all of
its assets may be encumbered as part of different financing arrangements, and
the only response to a margin call will be to sell Mortgage Assets. Selling
Mortgage Assets during periods of rapidly increasing interest rates may result
in the Company receiving a lower purchase price than may otherwise be received.
CMOs do not allow the investor the right to exercise a margin call, and in
periods of rapidly rising rates, the financing remains in place.
 
     Another risk of rapidly rising interest rates is that the lifetime caps on
the Mortgage Loans are exceeded by the level of short-term rates (or the cost of
reverse repurchase agreements). To protect against this risk, the Company may
imbed an interest rate cap into the CMO structure which will approximately match
the interest rate cap on the underlying pool of Mortgage Assets. This structure
is not available to be imbedded within the Company's warehouse or reverse
repurchase agreements. While the purchase of a separate cap is available through
financial market intermediaries, the use of imbedding the cap in the CMO
structure may be preferred due to the fact that the Company is always evenly
matched within the Mortgage Assets of the CMO structure and, as Mortgage Assets
are paid down, the Company always retains a cap over the entire balance of the
Mortgage Assets.
 
     The Company believes that it can implement a cost-effective interest rate
risk management program to provide a level of protection against interest rate
risks. However, an effective hedging strategy is complex, and no hedging
strategy can completely insulate the Company from interest rate risks. Moreover,
as noted above, certain of the Federal income tax requirements limit the
Company's ability to fully hedge its interest rate risks. The Company intends to
monitor carefully, and may have to limit, its hedging strategies to assure that
it does not realize excessive hedging income or hold hedging Mortgage Assets
having excess value in relation to total Mortgage Assets, which would result in
the Company's disqualification as a REIT or, in the case of excess hedging
income, the payment of a penalty tax for failure to satisfy certain REIT income
tests under the Code, provided such failure was for reasonable cause. See
"Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT -- Sources of
Income." The Company may elect to conduct a portion of its interest rate risk
management operations through the Taxable Subsidiary. See "Risk
Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted, Would Adversely Affect
Results of Operations."
 
     In addition, hedging involves transaction and other costs, and such costs
increase as the level of protection and period covered by the hedging
transaction increases. Hedging transaction costs also increase in periods of
 
                                       78
<PAGE>   86
 
rising or extremely volatile interest rates. See "Risk Factors -- Interest Rate
Fluctuations May Adversely Affect Operations and Net Interest Income -- Hedging
Transactions Limit Gains and May Increase Exposure to Losses." Therefore,
management does not believe it will be cost effective to hedge all of its
adjustable-rate indebtedness and other interest rate risk. Further, certain
losses on hedging activities would be capital losses and would not be deductible
to offset ordinary income. In such a situation, the Company would have incurred
an economic loss of capital that would not be deductible to offset the ordinary
income from which dividends must be paid.
 
CREDIT RISK MANAGEMENT
 
     To limit its risk both of default and of loss on the sale of foreclosed
property, the Company has instituted the following policies as part of its
overall credit policy. These policies are currently being followed in the
origination of Mortgage Loans.
 
          Underwriting Policies. Initially, all Mortgage Loans submitted by
     correspondents and brokers will be fully underwritten or re-underwritten by
     the Taxable Subsidiary. All Mortgage Loans will be subject to a detailed
     review of the underwriting decision prior to purchase.
 
          LTV Limitations. The Company has determined maximum LTV ratios that
     will be accepted depending upon the credit rating and other risk factors
     assigned to the Mortgage Loans. (See "-- Underwriting and Quality Control
     Strategies.") These LTV ratios are expected to provide significant
     protection to the Company in the event of foreclosure, as well as provide
     the borrower with a strong incentive to protect the Mortgage Loan from
     being foreclosed.
 
          Appraisal Review Requirements. The Taxable Subsidiary intends to
     generally require a review appraisal for each Mortgage Loan prior to
     purchase. The Taxable Subsidiary intends to use only FIRREA qualified
     appraisals and must be on forms acceptable to FNMA and/or FHLMC as part of
     its approval process. Additionally, appraisals for Mortgage Loans being
     considered at the 90% LTV ratio and those Mortgage Loans randomly selected
     as part of quality control will be reviewed by designated underwriters. The
     Taxable Subsidiary intends to use only FIRREA qualified appraisers as part
     of its approval process. All appraisals are required by the Taxable
     Subsidiary to conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal
     Practice adopted by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal
     Foundation and must be on forms acceptable to FNMA and FHLMC.
 
          Repurchase Requirements. Mortgage Loans will be acquired through
     Correspondents who have entered into an agreement requiring repurchase of
     Mortgage Loans found to breach any of a comprehensive list of
     representations and warranties included in the applicable correspondent
     agreement. Such warranties include failure by the borrower to make the
     first payment, fraud in any of the Mortgage Loan documents, and errors in
     the processing or underwriting of the Mortgage Loan.
 
          Selection and Approval of Correspondents. Correspondents are subject
     to a thorough analysis, including checking of references and review of
     financial statements, before submission to an executive committee of the
     Taxable Subsidiary for approval. The Company will generally require its
     Correspondents to maintain a minimum net worth of $400,000 in order to
     ensure their ability to meet repurchase requirements.
 
          Pre-purchase Quality Assurance Program. The Taxable Subsidiary will
     continue to implement the thorough quality assurance procedures currently
     in use, which generally include verifications of Mortgage Assets and
     employment and obtaining an independent credit report prior to the purchase
     of the Mortgage Loans. The post-purchase quality control is administered by
     one full-time employee and one contract person focusing on quality control
     and assurance, who are under the oversight of the Chief Executive Officer.
     The Taxable Subsidiary intends to increase this staff as required by the
     level of origination volume.
 
     The Company will establish Mortgage Loan loss allowances on the balance
sheet in advance of anticipated losses. Such allowances are expected to be
sufficient to absorb losses from the sale of foreclosed properties, as well as
operating expenses related to delinquencies and foreclosures and carrying costs
of
                                       79
<PAGE>   87
 
Mortgage Loans in default. Management believes that actual losses will not be
commensurate with the delinquency rates, however, due to two factors: (i)
Subprime Mortgage Loan borrowers tend to be late on payments from time to time
without going to foreclosure, thus inflating the delinquency rates, and (ii) the
lower LTV ratios tend to result in reduced losses on the sale of foreclosed real
estate. Management believes its allowance for Mortgage Loan loss policies should
result in adequate coverage for losses while maintaining net yields, although
actual experience may be more or less than management's allowance.
 
MORTGAGE LOAN PREPAYMENTS
 
     Mortgage Loans are generally paid in full prior to the maturity date of the
note which is typically 30 years from the date of the note. Prepayment rates are
affected by several factors, the most important of which is the change in
prevailing interest rates. Mortgage Loans will typically be prepaid more rapidly
in periods of declining interest rates as borrowers refinance to reduce monthly
payments. In periods of increasing interest rates, Mortgage Loan prepayment
rates will generally decline. Another factor which affects prepayment rates,
although to a less significant degree, is the level of home sales activity,
which generally increases when home prices are rising. Prepayment rates may also
be affected by changes in the borrower's credit rating or circumstances
following origination. Borrowers with improving credit may elect to prepay the
Mortgage Loans to take advantage of the lower rates associated with their higher
credit grades, even in periods of stable or rising interest rates. Conversely,
borrowers with deteriorating credit may be unable to take advantage of declining
interest rates as a result of their deteriorating credit.
 
     Prepayments affect the Company in several ways. First, the amortization of
premiums or discounts related to the acquisition of the Mortgage Loans will be
affected by the speed of prepayment. Amortization of such premiums or discounts
is accounted for by the interest method by which the expense or income
recognition occurs on the basis of a fixed yield over the expected life of the
Mortgage Loan. The amortization of this premium or discount is included in the
interest income recognized each period. This method requires the use of
assumptions as to the timing of prepayments. Significant deviations in the
actual prepayment rate from the assumed rate may cause the Company to recognize
greater amortization expense for the period, and thereby reduce net interest
income. The Company's financial expectations assume a certain level of
prepayments. Actual prepayment speeds may accelerate to the point that the
return on equity earned from a given Mortgage Loan acquisition is less than
expected, and could even become negative. Second, prepayment of Mortgage Loans
will require that Mortgage Loans be acquired to replace those that have been
prepaid. The Mortgage Loans acquired may be at low introductory rates (i.e.,
"teaser rates") which may negatively impact the Company's earnings until the
rates on these Mortgage Loans reprice to the full margin over the respective
index (the "fully indexed" rate). Third, hedging instruments may have been
purchased to protect against interest rate changes related to Mortgage Loans
which may have prepaid more rapidly than anticipated, resulting in excess
coverage. Conversely, if the Mortgage Loans prepay more slowly than anticipated,
the Company may have less hedging coverage than planned, and may have to acquire
additional coverage. The Company's use of the CMO financing structure may have
these types of hedging instruments imbedded within them, and be structured in
order to better match the hedge and the Mortgage Loans. See "Risk Factors --
Interest Rate Fluctuations May Adversely Affect Operations and Net Interest
Income -- Hedging Transactions Limit Gains and May Increase Exposure to Losses."
 
     As an additional hedge against the risk of rapid prepayments, the Company
will offer ARM programs which carry a prepayment penalty. The borrower will be
required to pay a significantly higher starting interest rate and margin to
eliminate the prepayment penalty. Prepayment penalties are subject to market and
competitive factors and may, therefore, be subject to reduction or elimination.
State laws may also restrict the Company's ability to collect prepayment
penalties. As an additional protection against the negative financial impact of
Mortgage Loan prepayments, the Company intends to adopt as soon as practicable
after the closing of the Offering policies and guidelines for its servicing
operations that will attempt to focus on borrowers that have an incentive to
refinance. The Company expects to implement a program to recapture those
Mortgage Loans by soliciting these borrowers directly rather than losing them to
another mortgage lender. The negative impact of the amortization of the premium
on these Mortgage Loans is expected to be somewhat mitigated by the fact that
the refinancing of these Mortgage Loans will be at a price at or near par.
 
                                       80
<PAGE>   88
 
FUTURE CHANGES IN OPERATING, INVESTMENT AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
     The Board of Directors has established the investment, accounting and
operating policies and strategies set forth in this Prospectus. The Board of
Directors has the power to modify or waive such policies and strategies, such as
the mortgage investment policies, the leverage policies and the counterparty
credit policies, without the consent of stockholders, to the extent that the
Board Directors determine that such modification or waiver is in the best
interests of stockholders. However, if such modification or waiver relates to
the relationship of, or any transaction between, the Company and ContiFinancial
Corporation or any other Affiliated Person (as such term is defined in the
Glossary), the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors is also
required. Among other factors, developments in the market which affect the
operating policies and strategies mentioned herein or which change the Company's
assessment of the market may cause the Board of Directors to revise the
Company's policies and strategies.
 
                                       81
<PAGE>   89
 
                             [ORGANIZATIONAL CHART]
 
                                       82
<PAGE>   90
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The directors and executive officers of the Company and their positions are
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                NAME                              POSITIONS                      CLASS OF DIRECTOR
                ----                              ---------                      ------------------
        <S>                   <C>                                                <C>
        John D. Fry, CMB      Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer         III
        Terry L. Mott         Executive Vice President and Director                      II
        John P. McMurray,     Executive Vice President of Secondary Marketing
          CFA, CPA            and Asset Liability Management
        Steven K. Passey,     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
          CPA
        Carter E. Jones       Independent Director                                       II
        Jeff K. Thredgold*    Independent Director                                        I
        Daniel W. Campbell*   Independent Director                                        I
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
* To be appointed upon the closing of the Offering.
 
     Information regarding the business background and experience of the
Company's directors and executive officers follows:
 
     JOHN D. FRY, CMB, age 59, has been the President, Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board of the Company since inception in February, 1996.
During 1995, Mr. Fry commenced preparations for the organization of the Company.
From 1989 to 1994, Mr. Fry commenced the Subprime Mortgage Loan operations of
ComUnity Lending, Inc., a mortgage bank located in San Jose, California. From
1984 to 1989, Mr. Fry was Vice President and Western Division Manager of Goldome
Realty Credit Corp., a thrift in Buffalo, New York. Mr. Fry received the
"Certified Mortgage Banker" (CMB) designation from the Mortgage Bankers
Association of America in 1990 and his Bachelor of Science degree in Real Estate
Finance and Economics from Brigham Young University.
 
     TERRY L. MOTT, age 48, is the Executive Vice President of the Company and
serves on the Board of Directors. Mr. Mott joined Mr. Fry in December, 1995, to
form the Company. From 1988 to 1995, Mr. Mott was an Executive Vice President of
Medallion Mortgage Company. Upon the sale of Medallion Mortgage Company to
AccuBanc Mortgage in 1994, Mr. Mott became an Executive Vice President at
AccuBanc Mortgage, where he supervised both retail and wholesale branches. From
1980 to 1988, Mr. Mott was employed with Fleet Mortgage Corp. where he developed
and managed the retail and wholesale production for the western United States.
Mr. Mott began his career in mortgage banking in 1977.
 
     JOHN P. MCMURRAY, CFA, CPA, age 40, joined the Company in February, 1998,
as the Executive Vice President of Secondary Marketing and Asset Liability
Management. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. McMurray was the President of
Keystroke Financial, Inc., a start-up internet mortgage origination company.
From 1995 to 1996, Mr. McMurray was the Executive Vice President and Director,
Risk Management and Capital Markets for Crestar Mortgage Corporation where he
was responsible for interest rate and credit risk management, as well as
hedging, securitization and loan/securities trading activities. From 1982 to
1995, Mr. McMurray served in various management positions with BancPlus Mortgage
Corp., most recently serving as the Senior Vice President, Capital Markets. Mr.
McMurray is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Certified Public
Accountant (CPA). He received a Master of Science degree in real estate from
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Masters of Business Administration
degree from the University of Texas, San Antonio and a Bachelor of Science
degree from Trinity University.
 
     STEVEN K. PASSEY, CPA, age 36, is the Senior Vice President and the Chief
Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Passey joined the Company in October,
1997, after eight years with KPMG Peat Marwick LLP ("KPMG"). As a manager at
KPMG, Mr. Passey's responsibilities included managing audits within the
financial services area, including the mortgage banking industry. Mr. Passey
received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of
Utah and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
 
                                       83
<PAGE>   91
 
     CARTER E. JONES, age 55, is an Independent Director of the Company. Since
1990, Mr. Jones has been a Senior Vice President of EVEREN Securities, Inc.,
where he specializes in management of client assets. Mr. Jones has previously
served as a member of the Board of Directors and operating committee for EVEREN
Securities, Inc. From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Jones was Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive
Committee for Boettcher & Company in Denver.
 
     JEFF K. THREDGOLD, age 46, will become an Independent Director upon the
closing of the Offering. Mr. Thredgold is the President and Chief Executive
Officer of Thredgold Economic Associates, LLC, and Economic Consulting and
Professional Speaking Company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Thredgold's
career includes 23 years with KeyCorp, one of the nation's largest financial
services companies, with assets of nearly $70 billion, where he served as the
Senior Vice President and Chief Economist. Mr. Thredgold appears regularly on
CNBC-TV and CNN, and is quoted frequently in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today,
Investor's Business Daily, Fortune and Business Week. Mr. Thredgold is also a
monthly contributor for the national publication, Blue Chip Financial Forecasts
and writes a weekly economic and financial newsletter entitled The Tea Leaf.
 
   
     DANIEL W. CAMPBELL, age 43, will become an Independent Director upon the
closing of the Offering. Mr. Campbell is currently a Managing General Partner of
EsNet, Ltd., a limited partnership engaged in the business of owning, leasing,
managing and developing commercial properties and investing in companies with
high growth potential. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Campbell was the Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of WordPerfect Corporation. From 1979 to
1992, Mr. Campbell was an Associate and then Partner at Price Waterhouse, where
he serviced the worldwide accounting and consulting needs of multi-national
Fortune 500 companies.
    
 
KEY EMPLOYEES
 
     WAYNE A. MOLL, age 50, is Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer.
Mr. Moll has a diverse career experience in loan operations, credit management,
business development, underwriting, lending, loan sales, quality control,
appraising and personnel management. His background includes 30 years in the
lending industry, most recently as the Senior Vice President of Fairfield
Mortgage from 1995 through 1996. He was employed as the Vice President and
Regional Manager at Colonial Bancorp from 1994 to 1995, and as the Vice
President and Chief Underwriter at Medallion Mortgage Company from 1990 to 1994.
 
     VICTOR R. CALANDRA, age 38, is the Senior Vice President in charge of
Correspondent lending. Mr. Calandra has over 12 years experience in the mortgage
banking business. Mr. Calandra was formerly a Vice President for Nomura
Securities International ("Nomura") in the fixed income and structured finance
department. At Nomura, Mr. Calandra established nationwide correspondent
relationships with sellers to Nomura's conduit and was responsible for the
marketing and sale of securities and whole loans acquired through Nomura's home
equity loan conduit.
 
     PATRICK W. CROGHAN, age 38, is the Senior Vice President, Wholesale
Production for the eastern United States. His responsibilities include
recruiting, expanding and supervising wholesale branch operations for both Prime
and Subprime Mortgage Loan origination. Mr. Croghan has over 10 years of
experience in mortgage banking, all of which has been in loan production. Prior
to joining the Company, he was a Regional Vice President for AccuBanc Mortgage
and Medallion Mortgage.
 
   
     KENT G. BILLS, age 32, is the Senior Vice President, Wholesale Production
for the western United States and the Secretary of the Company. Mr. Bills was
previously a Vice President with Security National Mortgage Corporation from
1995 through 1996. Prior to joining Security National Mortgage Corporation, he
was a Vice President at ComUnity Lending, Inc. in charge of the Company's
wholesale lending operations from 1989 through 1995.
    
 
     WILLIAM J. REED, age 49, is the Senior Vice President, Information Systems.
Mr. Reed's primary responsibilities include managing the MIS department,
including software and hardware support for the Company's WAN and the
development of a company-wide integrated software network. Mr. Reed was
 
                                       84
<PAGE>   92
 
previously Senior Product Analyst at Interlinq Software, where he was the lead
designer for the MortgageWare Secondary Marketing System. Prior to that he was
the Vice President, Secondary Marketing at Commercial Center Bank, where he
established their correspondent purchase program, and the Executive Vice
President at Government Mortgage Corporation, where he established their
secondary marketing department. Mr. Reed has more than 14 years experience in
mortgage and mortgage-related industries.
 
     SHAUNA L. REIMANN, age 42, is the Senior Vice President in charge of Retail
Lending. Ms. Reimann has over 20 years of experience in all facets of loan
production and operations, including processing, shipping, warehousing,
underwriting, correspondent lenders and retail originations. She was elected
President of the Utah Mortgage Bankers Association in 1993 and has served on the
Board of Governors for seven years. Prior to joining the Company, she served as
Regional Vice President, Retail Production for AccuBanc and Medallion Mortgage
Companies.
 
TERMS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     After the Offering, the Company's Board of Directors will consist of five
persons (as such number may be changed by the Board of Directors from time to
time by resolution) and is divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class
II and Class III, with each class to be as nearly equal in number of directors
as possible. Mr. Fry is a Class III Director, Mr. Mott and Mr. Jones are Class
II Directors. Upon closing of this Offering, Mr. Thredgold and Mr. Campbell will
serve as Class I Directors. Class I, Class II and Class III directors will stand
for reelection at the annual meetings of stockholders held in 1999, 2000 and
2001, respectively. At each annual meeting, the successors to the class of
directors whose term expires at that time are to be elected to hold office for a
term of three years, and until their respective successors are elected and
qualified, so that the term of one class of directors expires at each such
annual meeting. The Company intends to maintain the composition of the Board of
Directors so that there will be no more than seven directors, with a majority of
Independent Directors at all times after the closing of the Offering, each of
whom shall serve on the Audit and/or Compensation Committees. In the case of any
vacancy on the Board of Directors, including a vacancy created by an increase in
the number of directors, the vacancy may be filled by election of the Board of
Directors or the stockholders, with the director so elected to serve until the
next annual meeting of stockholders (if elected by the Board of Directors) or
for the remainder of the term of the director being replaced (if elected by the
stockholders). Any newly-created directorships or decreases in directorships are
to be assigned by the Board of Directors so as to make all classes as nearly
equal in number as possible. Directors may be removed only for cause and then
only by vote of a majority of the combined voting power of stockholders entitled
to vote in the election for directors.
 
     The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation may be amended by the
vote of a majority of the combined voting power of stockholders, provided that
amendments to the article dealing with directors may only be amended if it is
advised by at least two-thirds of the Board of Directors and approved by vote of
at least two-thirds of the combined voting power of stockholders. The effect of
the foregoing and other provisions in the Company's Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation, which restrict stock ownership to 9.8% in value of
the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock or in excess of 9.8% of
the aggregate of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock, as well
as the control share and business acquisitions statutes under Maryland law, may
discourage takeover attempts and make attempts by stockholders to change
management more difficult. Prospective investors are encouraged to review the
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws in their entirety. See
"Description of Capital Stock -- Repurchase of Shares and Restrictions on
Transfer," "-- Control Share Acquisitions" and "-- Business Acquisitions
Statutes."
 
     The Bylaws of the Company provide that, except in the case of a vacancy, a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors will at all times be
Independent Directors. Independent Directors are defined as directors who are
not officers or employees of the Company or any affiliate or subsidiary of the
Company. Vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors among the Independent
Directors may be filled by a vote of a majority of the remaining directors,
including a majority of the remaining Independent Directors. Officers are
elected annually and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There
are no family relationships between the executive officers or directors.
                                       85
<PAGE>   93
 
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
 
  AUDIT COMMITTEE.
 
     The Company has established an Audit Committee composed of three
Independent Directors. The Audit Committee will make recommendations concerning
the engagement of independent auditors, review with the independent auditors the
plans and results of the audit engagement, approve professional services
provided by the independent auditors, review the independence of the independent
auditors, consider the range of audit and non-audit fees and review the adequacy
of the Company's internal accounting controls.
 
  COMPENSATION COMMITTEE.
 
     The Company has established a Compensation Committee composed of two
Independent Directors and John Fry, Chairman of the Board. The Compensation
Committee will determine the compensation of the Company's executive officers.
 
  OTHER COMMITTEES.
 
     The Board of Directors may establish other committees as deemed necessary
or appropriate from time to time, including, but not limited to, an Executive
Committee of the Board of Directors.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Company pays Independent Directors of the Company $10,000 per year plus
$500 for each meeting attended in person. Independent Directors of the Company
also receive automatic stock options pursuant to the Company's Stock Option
Plan. See "-- Executive Compensation -- 1998 Stock Option Plan -- Automatic
Grants to Independent Directors." In addition, each Independent Director will be
granted options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock at the Price to Public
upon the closing of the Offering. In addition, each Independent Director will
receive options to purchase 2,500 shares of Common Stock at the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the day after each annual meeting of stockholders.
All directors receive reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with meetings of the Board of Directors. No Director who
is an employee of the Company will receive separate compensation for services
rendered as a Director.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS
 
     No interlocking relationship exists between the Company's Board of
Directors or officers responsible for compensation decisions and the board of
directors or compensation committee of any other company, nor has any such
interlocking relationship existed in the past.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The objective of the Compensation Committee in constructing the
compensation packages of the Company is to align the interests of management as
closely as possible with those of the stockholders. This is accomplished by
basing a large percentage of senior management's compensation on the
profitability of the Company (measured by return on stockholders' equity or
"ROE") and the Common Stock price.
 
                                       86
<PAGE>   94
 
  BASE COMPENSATION
 
     The base compensation packages for Messrs. Fry, Mott, McMurray and Passey
for 1996 and 1997 has been and for 1998 will be as follows pursuant to the terms
of their employment agreements (described below), unless subsequently amended by
the Compensation Committee:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                                                                             ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                      ALL OTHER
                                                                                       AWARDS              PAYOUTS   COMPENSATION
                                          ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1)             ---------------------------   -------   ------------
                                 -----------------------------------------                   SECURITIES
                                                              OTHER ANNUAL    RESTRICTED     UNDERLYING     LTIP
  NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION    YEAR    SALARY    BONUS(2)   COMPENSATION   STOCK AWARDS   OPTIONS/SARS   PAYOUTS
  ---------------------------    ----   --------   --------   ------------   ------------   ------------   -------
<S>                              <C>    <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>       <C>
John D. Fry....................  1996   $ 32,500   $    -0-      $ -0-          $-0-         $    -0-       $-0-       $   -0-
  Chairman of the Board and      1997   $172,500   $    -0-      $ -0-           -0-              -0-        -0-           -0-
  Chief Executive Officer        1998   $250,000   $       (3)   $ -0-           -0-          126,874        -0-        12,000(4)
Terry L. Mott..................  1996   $ 16,000   $    -0-      $ -0-           -0-              -0-        -0-           -0-
  Executive Vice President and   1997   $138,997   $107,834      $ -0-           -0-              -0-        -0-           -0-
  Director                       1998   $200,000   $       (5)   $ -0-           -0-           39,537        -0-           -0-
John P. McMurray...............  1996   $    -0-   $    -0-      $ -0-           -0-              -0-        -0-           -0-
  Executive Vice President of    1997   $    -0-   $    -0-      $ -0-           -0-              -0-        -0-           -0-
  Secondary Marketing and        1998   $200,000   $ 75,000(6)   $ -0-           -0-           30,000        -0-           -0-
  Asset Liability Management
Steven K. Passey...............  1996   $    -0-   $    -0-      $ -0-           -0-              -0-        -0-           -0-
  Senior Vice President and      1997   $ 22,195   $    -0-      $ -0-           -0-            4,318        -0-           -0-
  Chief Financial Officer        1998   $120,000   $       (7)   $ -0-           -0-            5,000        -0-           -0-
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
(1) The base compensation packages for 1998 and thereafter will be as presented
    for the three- or five-year term of their employment agreements (described
    below), unless subsequently amended by the Compensation Committee.
 
(2) For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. For 1998 and beyond, subject to
    the Bonus Incentive Plan.
 
(3) Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Fry will receive 33% of the annual
    bonus payable under the Bonus Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Annual
    Bonus").
 
(4) Representing a monthly car allowance of $1,000.
 
(5) Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Mott will receive 20% of the
    Annual Bonus.
 
(6) For 1998, payable upon closing of the Offering. For 1999 and thereafter, Mr.
    McMurray will receive 20% of the Annual Bonus.
 
(7) Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Passey will receive 7% of the
    Annual Bonus.
 
  BONUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
 
     Upon closing of the Offering, a Bonus Incentive Compensation Plan will be
established for certain executive and key officers of the Company and its
subsidiaries. The annual bonus pursuant to the Bonus Incentive Compensation Plan
(the "Annual Bonus") will be paid one-half in cash and one-half in shares of
Common Stock, annually, following receipt of the audit for the related fiscal
year. This program will award bonuses annually to those officers out of a total
pool determined by stockholder ROE as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ROE(1) IN EXCESS OF BASE RATE(2) BY:   ANNUAL BONUS AS PERCENT OF AVERAGE NET WORTH(3) OUTSTANDING
- ------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>
Zero or less                                                       0%
Greater than 0% but less than 6%                     10% * (Actual ROE - Base Rate)
Greater than 6%                                        (10% * 6%) + 15% * (Actual
                                                         ROE - (Base Rate + 6%))
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) "ROE" is determined for the fiscal year by averaging the monthly ratios
    calculated each month by dividing (i) the Company's monthly Net Income
    (adjusted to an annual rate) by (ii) its Average Net Worth for such month.
    For such calculations, the "Net Income" of the Company means the net income
    or net loss of the Company determined according to GAAP, after deducting any
    dividends paid or
 
                                       87
<PAGE>   95
 
    payable with respect to preferred stock and before giving effect to the
    bonus incentive compensation or any valuation allowance adjustment to
    stockholders' equity. The definition "ROE" is used only for purposes of
    calculating the bonus incentive compensation payable pursuant to the Bonus
    Incentive Compensation Plan, and is not related to the actual distributions
    received by stockholders. The bonus payments will be made before any income
    distributions are made to stockholders.
 
(2) "Base Rate" is the average for each month of the 10-Year U.S. Treasury Rate,
    plus 4%.
 
(3) "Average Net Worth" for any month means the arithmetic average of the sum of
    (i) the net proceeds from all offerings of equity securities by the Company
    since formation including exercise of warrants and stock options and
    pursuant to the DRP (but excluding any offerings of preferred stock
    subsequent to the Offering), after deducting any underwriting discounts and
    commissions and other expenses and costs relating to the Offering, plus (ii)
    the Company's retained earnings (without taking into account any losses
    incurred in prior fiscal years, after deducting any amounts reflecting
    taxable income to be distributed as dividends and without giving effect to
    any valuation allowance adjustment to stockholders' equity) computed by
    taking the daily average of such values during such period.
 
     Of the amount so determined, one-half will be deemed contributed to the
total pool in cash and the other half deemed contributed to the total pool in
the form of shares of Common Stock, with the number of shares to be calculated
based on the average price per share during the preceding year. Pursuant to
their respective employment agreements, the Company has agreed to pay to Messrs.
Fry, Mott, McMurray and Passey an aggregate of 70% of the Annual Bonus. See
"-- Executive Compensation -- Base Compensation." The remaining Annual Bonus
will be distributed as determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation
Committee.
 
  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     The Company has entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Fry, Mott,
McMurray and Passey. The employment agreements with Mr. Fry and Mr. Mott provide
for a five-year term through December, 2002, and the employment agreements with
Mr. McMurray and Mr. Passey provide for a three-year term through December,
2000. Each of the employment agreements will be automatically extended for an
additional year at the end of the initial term and each annual renewal, unless
either party provides a prescribed prior written notice to the contrary. Each
employment agreement provides for the annual base salary set forth in the
compensation table above and for participation by the subject officer in the
Bonus Incentive Compensation Plan. Each employment agreement provides for the
subject officer to receive his annual base salary and bonus compensation to the
date of the termination of employment by reason of death, disability or
resignation and to receive base compensation to the date of the termination of
employment by reason of a termination of employment for cause, as defined in the
agreement. The employment agreements of Messrs. Fry, Mott and McMurray also
provide for Messrs. Fry, Mott and McMurray to receive, if Messrs. Fry, Mott and
McMurray are terminated without cause after a "Change in Control" of the Company
as such term is defined in the agreement, an amount, 50% payable immediately and
50% payable in monthly installments over the succeeding 12 months, equal to
three times their respective combined maximum base salary and actual bonus
compensation for the preceding year, subject in each case to a maximum amount of
one percent of the Company's book equity value (exclusive of valuation
adjustments) but in no case less than three times their respective base
compensation. In addition, all outstanding options granted to the subject
officer under the 1998 Stock Option Plan shall immediately vest. "Change of
Control" for purposes of the agreements would include a merger or consolidation
of the Company, a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
changes in the identity of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors
of the Company (other than due to the death, disability or age of a director) or
acquisitions of more than 25% of the combined voting power of the Company's
capital stock, subject to certain limitations. If the Company terminates any
officer's employment without cause, or, with respect to Mr. Fry, if he resigns
for "good reason," the officer receives a severance amount. The severance
amount, which varies from six-months' base salary to one-year's full base and
bonus compensation, is payable immediately, subject in each case to a maximum
amount of one percent of the Company's book value (exclusive of valuation
adjustments). If the officer resigns for any other
 
                                       88
<PAGE>   96
 
reason, there is no severance payment. Each of the officers is prohibited from
competing with the Company for a period of two years following any termination
of employment, except upon termination by the Company without cause.
 
     The employment agreements, and the non-competition provisions thereof, are
unlikely to be enforceable by the Company against the employees since state law
and public policy generally prohibit forced employment and severely restrict the
scope of non-competition provisions. As a result, there can be no assurance that
such employees will remain with the Company and that they will not compete after
termination.
 
  1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
   
     The Board of Directors adopted CMG Funding Corp.'s 1996 Stock Option Plan
(the "1996 Stock Option Plan") pursuant to which options to purchase an
aggregate of 226,905 shares of CMG Funding Corp.'s common stock (prior to the
reverse stock split described below) can be granted to officers, directors and
employees, and to consultants, vendors, customers and others expected to provide
significant services to CMG Funding Corp. or its subsidiaries. Upon closing of
the Offering, the Company will adopt CMG Funding Corp.'s 1996 Stock Option Plan
and will convert such options into options to purchase Company Common Stock. If
an option granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan expires or terminates, the
shares subject to any unexercised portion of that option will again become
available for the issuance of further options under the applicable plan. Options
may be granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan which are intended to qualify as
"incentive stock options" under Section 422 of the Code ("ISOs") or,
alternatively, as stock options which will not so qualify ("NQSOs"). The plans
will terminate on December 16, 2006, and no more options may be granted under
the 1996 Stock Option Plan once it has been terminated. The Board or a committee
designated by the Board is empowered to determine the terms and conditions of
each option granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan. However, the exercise
price of an ISO cannot be less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on
the date of grant (110% if granted to an employee who owns 10% or more of the
Common Stock), and the exercise price of an NQSO option cannot be less than 85%
of the fair market value on the date of grant. No option can have a term in
excess of ten years (five years if granted to an employee owning 10% or more of
the Common Stock), and no ISO can be granted to anyone other than a full-time
employee of the Company or its subsidiaries. As of the date hereof, options to
purchase 79,500 shares of CMG Funding Corp. common stock at an exercise price of
$3.96 per share have been granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan. Such options
will be reverse split and converted into options to purchase 34,324 shares of
Company Common Stock upon the closing of the Offering at an exercise price of
$9.17 per share. In addition, options to purchase 30,000 shares (post-split) at
an exercise price of $15.00 per share have been granted under the 1996 Stock
Option Plan.
    
 
  1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     General. The Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "1998 Stock Option
Plan") provides for the grant of ISOs and NQSOs.
 
     Purpose. The 1998 Stock Option Plan is intended to provide a means of
performance-based compensation in order to attract and retain qualified
personnel and to afford additional incentive to others to increase their efforts
in providing significant services to the Company.
 
     Administration. The 1998 Stock Option Plan will be administered by the
Compensation Committee, which shall be comprised of the two Independent
Directors and John D. Fry. Independent Directors are eligible to receive only
NQSOs pursuant to automatic grants of stock options discussed below.
 
     Options and Awards. Stock options granted under the 1998 Stock Option Plan
will become exercisable in accordance with the terms of grant made by the
Compensation Committee. Awards will be subject to the terms and restrictions of
the awards made by the Compensation Committee. Stock option and award recipients
shall enter into a written stock option agreement with the Company. The
Compensation Committee has discretionary authority to select participants from
among eligible persons and to determine at the time a stock option or award is
granted when and in what increments shares covered by the stock option or award
may be purchased or will vest and, in the case of options, whether it is
intended to be an ISO or a NQSO
                                       89
<PAGE>   97
 
provided, however, that certain restrictions applicable to ISOs are mandatory,
including a requirement that ISOs not be issued for less than 100% of the then
fair market value of the Common Stock (110% in the case of a grantee who holds
more than 10% of the outstanding Common Stock) and a maximum term of 10 years
(five years in the case of a grantee who holds more than 10% of the outstanding
Common Stock). Fair market value means as of any given date, with respect to any
stock option or award granted, at the discretion of the Board of Directors or
the Compensation Committee, (i) the closing sale price of the Common Stock on
such date as reported in the Western Edition of the Wall Street Journal or (ii)
the average of the closing price of the Common Stock on each day of which it was
traded over a period of up to 20 trading days immediately prior to such date, or
(iii) if the Common Stock is not publicly traded (e.g., prior to an initial
public offering), the fair market value of the Common Stock as otherwise
determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee in the good
faith exercise of its discretion.
 
     Vesting of Options and Awards. The Stock Options granted under the 1998
Stock Option Plan shall vest on the following terms. For each annual period over
a five-year period that the Company delivers a total return (stock price
appreciation, warrant value, appreciation and dividends) to investors in the
Offering equal to or exceeding 20%, one-third of the stock options will vest,
until all such stock options have vested. Alternatively, if at any time prior to
the end of the five-year period the total return to investors equals or exceeds
100%, all of the stock options will vest.
 
     For purposes of calculating the returns to such investors, the term "fiscal
period" will refer to each of five periods, the first commencing with the last
closing of the Offering and ending on December 31, 1999, and each succeeding
fiscal period extending for 12 months and ending on each December 31. The term
"return" for each fiscal period will mean the sum of (on a per share of Capital
Stock basis) (a) all cash dividends paid during (or declared with respect to)
such fiscal period per share of Common Stock, (b) any increase or decrease in
the price per share of Common Stock during such fiscal period, measured by using
the price per share of Capital Stock to investors in the Offering, and using the
average public trading price during the last 90 days of each succeeding fiscal
period for such succeeding periods, and (c) any increase or decrease in the
price per Warrant during such fiscal period, determined in the same manner as in
(b) above. For purposes of the fiscal period 20% return test, the total return
for a given period will be equal to the sum of (a), (b) and (c) will all be
measured from the beginning of the first fiscal period. The amount of that
"return" will then be measured as a percentage of the investors' investment in
the Units (on a per share of Capital Stock basis) without regard to timing of
receipt of dividends or timing of increases in per share or per Warrant prices.
 
     Automatic grants of stock options to the Independent Directors vest 25% on
the anniversary date in the year following the date of the grant and 25% on each
anniversary date thereafter.
 
     Eligible Persons. Officers and directors and employees of the Company and
other persons expected to provide significant services to the Company are
eligible to participate in the 1998 Stock Option Plan. ISOs may be granted to
the officers and key employees of the Company. NQSOs may be granted to the
directors, officers, key employees, agents and consultants of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries.
 
     Under current law, ISOs may not be granted to any director of the Company
who is not an employee, or to directors, officers and other employees of
entities unrelated to the Company. No options may be granted under the 1998
Stock Option Plan to any person who, assuming exercise of all options held by
such person, would own or be deemed to own more than 25% of the outstanding
shares of equity stock of the Company.
 
   
     Shares Subject to the Plan. Subject to anti-dilution provisions for stock
splits, stock dividends and similar events, the 1998 Stock Option Plan
authorizes the grant of stock options to purchase an aggregate of up to 407,569
shares of the Company's Common Stock. If an option granted under the 1998 Stock
Option Plan expires or terminates, the shares subject to any unexercised portion
of such Stock Option will again become available for the issuance of further
stock options under the 1998 Stock Option Plan. The maximum number of shares
covered by the 1998 Stock Option Plan will increase (from and after such time as
the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock exceeds the number of shares
outstanding after this Offering) to 10% of the Company's total outstanding
shares at any time.
    
 
                                       90
<PAGE>   98
 
     Term of the Plan. Unless previously terminated by the Board of Directors,
the 1998 Stock Option Plan will terminate on April 1, 2008, and no options may
be granted under the 1998 Stock Option Plan thereafter, but existing options
remain in effect until the options are exercised or terminated by their terms.
 
     Term of Options. Each stock option must terminate no more than ten years
from the date it is granted (or five years in the case of ISOs granted to an
employee who is deemed to own an excess of 10% of the combined voting power of
the Company's outstanding equity stock). Stock options may be granted on terms
providing for exercise either in whole or in part at any time or times during
their restrictive terms, or only in specified percentages at stated time periods
or intervals during the term of the stock option.
 
     Option Exercise. The exercise price of any stock option granted under the
1998 Stock Option Plan is payable in full in cash, or its equivalent as
determined by the Compensation Committee. The Company may make loans available
to option holders to exercise stock options evidenced by a promissory note
executed by the option holder and secured by a pledge of Common Stock with fair
value at least equal to the principal of the promissory note unless otherwise
determined by the Compensation Committee.
 
     Automatic Grants to Independent Directors. Each Independent Director of the
Company is automatically granted NQSOs to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock
upon becoming a director of the Company, and is also automatically granted NQSOs
to purchase 2,500 shares of Common Stock the day after each annual meeting of
stockholders upon re-election to or continuation on the Board. Such automatic
grants of stock options vest 25% on the anniversary date in the year following
the date of the grant and 25% on each anniversary date thereafter. The exercise
price for such automatic grants of stock options is the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date of grant, and is required to be paid in cash.
 
     Amendment and Termination of Stock Option Plan. The Board of Directors may,
without affecting any outstanding stock options, from time to time revise or
amend the 1998 Stock Option Plan, and may suspend or discontinue it at any time.
However, no such revision or amendment may, without stockholder approval,
increase the number of shares subject to the 1998 Stock Option Plan, modify the
class of participants eligible to receive options granted under the 1998 Stock
Option Plan or extend the maximum option term under the 1998 Stock Option Plan.
 
   
     Outstanding Options. Under the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan, options to
acquire 407,569 shares will be granted upon closing of the Offering. Of these
stock options, 15,000 will be granted to the three Independent Directors and
will vest 25% on the closing of this Offering and 25% on each anniversary of
such date thereafter. All stock options granted to employees and directors upon
closing of this Offering are exercisable at the Price to Public. The 1998 Stock
Option Plan provides that, in connection with any reorganization, merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, stock split or similar transaction, the
Compensation Committee shall appropriately adjust the number of shares of Common
Stock subject to outstanding Stock Options and the total number of shares for
which stock options may be granted under the Plan.
    
 
                                       91
<PAGE>   99
 
STOCK OPTION GRANTS
 
     The following table sets forth information concerning all stock options
granted during 1997 and to date in 1998 to each member of the Board of Directors
and Executive Officers.
 
                               INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
                                                                                                   AT
                                                                                         ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
                                                                                                  STOCK
                                                                                            APPRECIATION FOR
                                 PERCENT OF TOTAL OPTIONS   EXERCISE PLAN                      OPTION TERM
                                   GRANTED TO EMPLOYEES     OR BASE PICE               ---------------------------
        NAME            GRANT       DURING THE YEAR(1)        ($/SHARE)       DATE        5% ($)        10% ($)
        ----           -------   ------------------------   -------------   --------   ------------   ------------
<S>                    <C>       <C>                        <C>             <C>        <C>            <C>
John D. Fry..........  126,874             36.8%               $   (2)      04/01/98    $1,196,856     $3,033,067
Terry L. Mott........   39,537             11.5%               $   (2)      04/01/98    $  372,969     $  945,177
John P. McMurray.....   30,000*             8.7%               $15.00       04/01/98    $  283,003     $  717,184
Steven K. Passey.....    4,318*             1.3%               $ 9.17       10/27/97    $   24,904     $   63,112
                         5,000              1.4%               $   (2)      04/01/98    $   47,167     $  119,531
Carter E. Jones......    5,000              1.4%               $   (2)      04/01/98    $   47,167     $  119,531
Jeff K. Thredgold....    5,000              1.4%               $   (2)      04/01/98    $   47,167     $  119,531
Daniel W. Campbell...    5,000              1.4%               $   (2)      04/01/98    $   47,167     $  119,531
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 *  Granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan.
 
(1) Calculation of the percentages excludes Stock Options to purchase 126,667
    shares of the Company's Common Stock granted to ContiFinancial Corporation
    in April, 1998.
 
(2) Exercise price equals the Price to Public.
 
                                       92
<PAGE>   100
 
                      STRUCTURE AND FORMATION TRANSACTIONS
 
     The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by the description of
the potential effects of the 1999 Budget Plan set forth above under
"Business -- Industry Developments."
 
STRUCTURE OF THE COMPANY
 
     Initially, the Company will conduct its operations through at least two
entities, (i) RealTrust Asset Corporation, a newly-formed Maryland corporation
that will elect REIT status (for purposes of this discussion, sometimes referred
to as "RealTrust"), and (ii) CMG Funding Corp., a Delaware corporation, that
will not elect REIT status (for purposes of this discussion, sometimes referred
to as the "Taxable Subsidiary"). See "Business -- Industry Developments." The
structure is designed primarily to permit RealTrust to acquire the ownership of
95% of the economic interest of the Taxable Subsidiary (including the right to
95% of all dividend distributions) while qualifying for REIT status. See
"Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT -- Nature of
Assets."
 
REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
 
     RealTrust Asset Corporation will acquire a portfolio of Mortgage Assets
using the net proceeds of the Offering and the net proceeds of borrowings and
structured debt vehicles. It is anticipated that RealTrust's assets will consist
primarily of Mortgage Assets and the preferred stock of the Taxable Subsidiary.
 
     On April 15, 1998, the Founders contributed shares of CMG Funding Corp.
preferred stock and common stock for shares of Capital Stock of RealTrust, while
retaining a portion of their shares of the Taxable Subsidiary common stock. The
shares of the Taxable Subsidiary capital stock held by RealTrust were then
recapitalized into shares of non-voting preferred stock, such that RealTrust
owned all of the non-voting preferred stock of the Taxable Subsidiary
representing 95% of the economic interest. The shares of voting common stock of
the Taxable Subsidiary retained by the Founders represent five percent of the
economic interest. RealTrust will not control the Taxable Subsidiary.
Accordingly, the purchase of Units in the Offering will not own an interest in
any entity that control the Taxable Subsidiary. See "Risk Factors -- Conflicts
of Interest May Result in Decisions That Do Not Fully Reflect the Stockholders'
Best Interests -- Investors Will Have No Voting Control of the Taxable
Subsidiary."
 
     RealTrust will conduct the investment portfolio operations of the Company.
Specifically, RealTrust will determine which Mortgage Loans will be held for
long-term investment, will establish underwriting guidelines for the Mortgage
Loans, will arrange financing for the investment portfolio (including the
issuance of structured debt offerings), will administer the capital allocation
guidelines and other risk management policies, and will supervise the servicing
operations of third-party servicers.
 
     For 1998 and thereafter, RealTrust intends to qualify and elect to be taxed
as a REIT. As a REIT, RealTrust generally will not be taxed on its earnings to
the extent that such earnings are distributed as dividends to its stockholders.
See "Dividend Policy and Distributions" and "Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Taxation of the Company."
 
     RealTrust owns all of the preferred stock of the Taxable Subsidiary,
representing 95% of the economic interest thereof, but will generally have no
right to control the affairs of the Taxable Subsidiary (other than to approve
certain fundamental transactions such as mergers, consolidations, sales of all
or substantially all of the assets, and voluntary liquidation) because the
preferred stock is non-voting. Instead, the Founders and ContiFinancial
Corporation, as the holders of all of the common stock of the Taxable
Subsidiary, control the operations and affairs of the Taxable Subsidiary. See
"Risk Factors -- Conflicts of Interest May Result in Decisions That Do Not Fully
Reflect the Stockholders' Best Interests -- Conflicts of Interest with and
Dependence Upon ContiFinancial Corporation May Not Be in the Stockholders' Best
Interests." This ownership structure is required because, as a REIT, RealTrust
generally may not own more than 10% of the voting securities of any other
issuer. See "Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Qualification as a REIT --
Nature of Assets" and "Risk Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted,
Would Adversely Affect
 
                                       93
<PAGE>   101
 
Results of Operations." Accordingly, the purchasers of the Units in the Offering
will not own an interest in any entity that controls the Taxable Subsidiary.
 
THE TAXABLE SUBSIDIARY
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary is taxable as a "C" corporation. The Taxable
Subsidiary will not be making a REIT election. The Taxable Subsidiary will
perform those tasks and engage in those lines of business that would result in a
loss of REIT status or the imposition of taxation if RealTrust were to engage in
them. In particular, the Taxable Subsidiary will originate, sell and service
Mortgage Loans and will serve as a source of Mortgage Loans for RealTrust. See
"Risk Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If Enacted, Would Adversely
Affect Results of Operations."
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary will conduct the mortgage lending operations of the
Company. The Taxable Subsidiary will establish and maintain the wholesale,
retail and correspondent channels of production, will perform all underwriting
and quality control processes, will sell all Mortgage Loans that RealTrust does
not desire to hold for long-term investment (either through whole loan sales or
securitizations) and will maintain all necessary state mortgage lending
licenses.
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary will make dividend distributions to the extent
consistent with RealTrust's qualification as a REIT. For purposes of receiving
dividends, there is no difference between a share of the preferred stock of the
Taxable Subsidiary and a share of the common stock of the Taxable Subsidiary so
that the preferred stock of the Taxable Subsidiary will have no dividend rate or
preference over the common stock of the Taxable Subsidiary. Instead, dividend
distributions by the Taxable Subsidiary will be made in the same amount per
share of the preferred stock and common stock of the Taxable Subsidiary.
 
FORMATION TRANSACTIONS AND POST-CLOSING TRANSACTIONS
 
  FORMATION TRANSACTIONS
 
     Immediately prior to or upon the closing of this Offering, the following
transactions (the "Formation Transactions") will be consummated:
 
     -  As of April 15, 1998, the stockholders of the Taxable Subsidiary have
        contributed 95% of their capital stock of the Taxable Subsidiary to
        RealTrust in exchange for shares of RealTrust Capital Stock;
 
     -  The capital stock of the Taxable Subsidiary will be recapitalized such
        that RealTrust will own non-voting preferred stock representing 95% of
        the economic interest of the Taxable Subsidiary and the Founders and
        ContiFinancial Corporation will own common stock representing five
        percent of the economic interest of the Taxable Subsidiary (reflecting
        their respective percentage ownership of the Taxable Subsidiary's entire
        capital stock);
 
   
     -  The outstanding shares of preferred stock of RealTrust, owned by
        ContiFinancial Corporation, John Fry and Terry Mott, and all of the
        shares of Common Stock of RealTrust held by the Founders and
        ContiFinancial Corporation will be converted into an aggregate of
        984,370 shares of Common Stock of RealTrust, par value $.001 per share
        (the "Common Stock"); except the 410,581 shares of Class B Redeemable
        Preferred Stock owned by ContiFinancial Corporation which will be
        redeemed after the closing of the Offering (see "Conflicts of Interest
        and Related Party Transactions -- ContiFinancial Corporation" and "Use
        of Proceeds");
    
 
     -  The Company will amend its Articles of Incorporation to adopt provisions
        necessary for qualification as a REIT;
 
   
     -  The Company will sell 4,000,000 Units in this Offering (assuming no
        exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option); and
    
 
     -  The Company will grant the Representative's Warrants.
 
                                       94
<PAGE>   102
 
  POST-CLOSING TRANSACTIONS
 
     Following the closing of the Offering, the following transactions will be
consummated (the "Post-Closing Transactions"):
 
     -  The Company will elect to be taxed as a REIT;
 
     -  The Company will conduct certain aspects of its mortgage lending
        operations through the Taxable Subsidiary. The Company will own all of
        the shares of non-voting preferred stock of the Taxable Subsidiary,
        which shares shall represent 95% of the economic interest of the Taxable
        Subsidiary. See "Risk Factors -- President's 1999 Budget Plan, If
        Enacted, Would Adversely Affect Results of Operations";
 
   
     -  The Founders will own approximately 66.7% and ContiFinancial Corporation
        will own approximately 33.3% of the voting common stock of the Taxable
        Subsidiary, which shares shall represent five percent of the economic
        interest of the Taxable Subsidiary;
    
 
     -  The Company will redeem the 410,581 shares of Class B Redeemable
        Preferred Stock held by ContiFinancial Corporation for $2,000,000, plus
        dividends accrued since January 1, 1998, at the rate of 18% per annum;
        and
 
   
     -  In addition to the options to purchase 64,325 shares of Common Stock
        granted to officers, directors and employees under the 1996 Stock Option
        Plan, the Company will also grant to officers, directors and employees
        (including ContiFinancial Corporation) options to purchase an aggregate
        of 407,569 shares of Common Stock under the 1998 Stock Option Plan.
    
 
 CONSEQUENCES OF FORMATION TRANSACTIONS AND POST-CLOSING TRANSACTIONS
 
     The consummation of the Formation Transactions and the Post-Closing
Transactions will have the following consequences:
 
   
     -  The purchasers of Units in the Offering will own 80.3% of the
        outstanding shares of Common Stock (assuming no exercise of the
        Warrants, the Representative's Warrants, the over-allotment option or
        outstanding stock options) and will own all of the Warrants, except the
        Representative's Warrants;
    
 
   
     -  The Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation will collectively own 19.7%
        of the outstanding shares of Common Stock outstanding (assuming no
        exercise of the Warrants, the Representative's Warrants, the
        over-allotment option or outstanding stock options);
    
 
   
     -  In addition to options granted to officers, directors and employees of
        the Company to purchase 64,325 shares of Common Stock at exercise prices
        ranging from $9.17 to $15.00, officers, directors and employees of the
        Company and ContiFinancial Corporation will be granted options to
        purchase an aggregate of 407,569 shares of Common Stock, subject to
        certain vesting provisions, at an exercise price equal to the Price to
        Public;
    
 
     -  The Company will own all of the non-voting preferred stock of the
        Taxable Subsidiary, which shares will represent 95% of the economic
        interest of the Taxable Subsidiary; and
 
     -  The Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation will own all of the voting
        shares of common stock of the Taxable Subsidiary, which stock will
        represent five percent of the economic value and voting control of the
        Taxable Subsidiary.
 
              CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
CONTIFINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary and the Company have entered into the following
transactions with ContiFinancial Corporation:
 
   
     Stock Ownership. Immediately prior to the closing of the Offering,
ContiFinancial Corporation will own 506,933 shares of Common Stock, 252,117
shares of Class A Convertible Preferred Stock and 410,581 shares of Class B
Redeemable Preferred Stock, which in the aggregate represents approximately
43.0% of the
    
                                       95
<PAGE>   103
 
   
outstanding shares of Capital Stock (approximately 42.0% on a fully diluted
basis). Immediately prior to the closing of this Offering, each share of Class A
Convertible Preferred Stock, including those owned by ContiFinancial
Corporation, will be converted into one share of Common Stock. All of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock will be reverse split into an aggregate of
984,370 shares of Common Stock. As a result, immediately prior to the closing of
the Offering, ContiFinancial Corporation will own 327,730 shares of Common
Stock, representing 33.3% of the outstanding shares (32.2% on a fully diluted
basis). Upon closing of the Offering, the Company intends to redeem the Class B
Redeemable Preferred.
    
 
     The redemption price for all shares of the Class B Redeemable Preferred
Stock equals the original purchase price of $2,000,000, plus dividends accrued
from January 1, 1998 at the rate of 18% per annum, for a total redemption price
of $2,180,000, assuming redemption occurs on June 30, 1998. The Class B
Redeemable Preferred Stock is also entitled to a liquidation preference of
$2,000,000 plus accrued dividends. The Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock is not
convertible into Common Stock.
 
     Agreements to Sell Mortgage Loans. Upon the closing of the Offering until
December 31, 2001, the Taxable Subsidiary has agreed to sell to ContiFinancial
Corporation not less than 75% of the fixed rate Subprime Mortgage Loans
originated or acquired by the Taxable Subsidiary in each month. The purchase
price for such Subprime Mortgage Loans shall be the fair market value for such
Mortgage Loans as determined by the best published rate sheet at ContiMortgage
Corporation, an affiliate of ContiFinancial Corporation. In any month, the
Taxable Subsidiary may substitute adjustable-rate Subprime Mortgage Loans for up
to 50% of the amount required to be offered for sale to ContiFinancial
Corporation. To the extent that the Taxable Subsidiary offers to sell less than
75% of the monthly fixed rate Subprime Mortgage Loan production, the Taxable
Subsidiary has agreed to pay ContiFinancial Corporation a fee equal to 40 basis
points multiplied by the amount of the principal shortfall.
 
   
     Warehouse, Standby and Working Capital Financing Agreements. The Taxable
Subsidiary currently has a warehouse facility with ContiFinancial Corporation in
the principal amount of $50.0 million and a working capital facility in the
maximum principal amount of $2.0 million. As of March 31, 1998, the Taxable
Subsidiary had outstanding borrowings under such lines of $40.0 million and $2.0
million, respectively. The Company anticipates that, immediately after the
closing of this Offering, the Taxable Subsidiary will repay all amounts borrowed
under the working capital facility. See "Use of Proceeds." The Taxable
Subsidiary may continue to finance the acquisition of Mortgage Loans under the
warehouse facility. Although the Taxable Subsidiary anticipates that it will be
able to obtain financing on terms more favorable than those provided by the
warehouse facility after the closing of the Offering, the Taxable Subsidiary
believes that the warehouse facility is currently on terms not less favorable to
the Taxable Subsidiary than those available from independent third parties in
arm's-length transactions.
    
 
     Warrants to Purchase Capital Stock. The Taxable Subsidiary has granted to
ContiFinancial Corporation two warrants to purchase shares of common stock. If
the amount of principal and interest due under the working capital facility is
not repaid in full by January 1, 1999, the first warrant allows ContiFinancial
Corporation to purchase, for a nominal amount, shares of common stock
representing up to five percent of the outstanding shares (on a fully diluted
basis) of the Taxable Subsidiary. If the Taxable Subsidiary repays in full the
working capital facility, the warrant is not exercisable and automatically
terminates. The Taxable Subsidiary anticipates that the working capital facility
will be repaid upon closing of the Offering from the net proceeds thereof. See
"Use of Proceeds."
 
     The Taxable Subsidiary has also granted ContiFinancial Corporation a
warrant to purchase, for a nominal amount, shares of common stock representing
one percent of the outstanding shares (on a fully diluted basis) for each
quarter ending prior to the closing of the Offering in which the Taxable
Subsidiary does not attain at least 90% of its pre-tax net income target. Such
warrant automatically expires and may not be exercised by ContiFinancial
Corporation after the closing of this Offering. The Taxable Subsidiary has
established the pre-tax net income targets.
 
   
     Structured Debt Placement Agent/Underwriter. Until December, 2001, the
Company has appointed ContiFinancial Corporation as its exclusive placement
agent for structured debt offerings and other securitizations and has agreed to
pay to ContiFinancial Corporation a fee of 25 basis points of the principal
amount of
    
                                       96
<PAGE>   104
 
any such structured debt public offering and 50 basis points of the gross
proceeds of any such structured debt private offering. These fees are payable to
ContiFinancial Corporation for financial advisory services to be rendered
pursuant to an Investment Banking Services Agreement and will not be reduced by
any fees payable or paid to others, including the underwriters, the placement
agent or to other agents or advisors, if any, in connection with any structured
debt offering. Such combined fees may exceed those available from a single third
party. See "Risk Factors -- Conflicts of Interest, May Result in Decisions That
Do Not Fully Reflect the Stockholders' Best Interest."
 
CAPSTONE INVESTMENTS, INC.
 
   
     In March, 1998 and April, 1998, the Taxable Subsidiary borrowed an
aggregate of $850,000 from Capstone Investments, Inc., a Nevada corporation, the
sole shareholders of which are David and Sarah Ferradino, who are Founders. The
loan is evidenced by a Convertible Secured Promissory Note (the "Note") bearing
simple interest at 9% per annum and maturing upon the earlier of the following
to occur: (i) January 1, 1999, or (ii) the completion of the Offering. The Note
is secured by a pledge of Company Common Stock by certain of the Founders. Upon
completion of the Offering, Capstone Investments, Inc. will have the option to
convert all or any portion of the Note into a number of Units offered in the
Offering. The number of Units will be determined by dividing the amount to be
converted by the Price to Public. The Company also has granted Capstone warrants
to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The warrants have an
exercise price equal to the Price to Public and expire three years from their
grant date. The Company believes that the terms of the Note and warrants are no
less favorable to the Company than those available from an independent third
party in an arm's-length transaction.
    
 
CONTROL OF TAXABLE SUBSIDIARY
 
   
     Although RealTrust will be entitled to 95% of the economic benefits of the
Taxable Subsidiary, it will not own any voting securities. The Founders will own
66.7% of the voting securities of the Taxable Subsidiary. As a result, the
Founders can conduct the affairs of the Taxable Subsidiary in a manner that may
not be in the best interests of the stockholders of RealTrust. See "Risk
Factors -- Conflicts of Interest May Result in Decisions That Do Not Fully
Reflect the Stockholders' Best Interests."
    
 
FORMATION TRANSACTIONS
 
     The Formation Transactions that will occur on or prior to the closing of
the Offering will benefit the Founders of the Company. The Post-Closing
Transactions will occur on or after the closing of the Offering. See "Structure
and Formation Transactions."
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs.
Fry, Mott, McMurray and Passey. Such employment agreements will provide for an
initial term of five years for Messrs. Fry and Mott and three years for Messrs.
McMurray and Passey, among other benefits. See "Management -- Executive
Compensation -- Employment Agreements." During the term of the employment
agreements, each of such employees has agreed not to compete with the Company.
 
                                       97
<PAGE>   105
 
                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of April 1, 1998, adjusted to give
effect to the Formation Transactions, of: (i) each of the Company's directors
and executive officers, (ii) each person who beneficially owns more than five
percent of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, and (iii) all directors and
officers of the Company as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of
each named beneficial owner is the same as that of the Company's principal
executive office located at 2855 East Cottonwood Parkway, Suite 500, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84121.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    PERCENTAGE OF SHARES OF COMMON
                                         NUMBER OF SHARES              STOCK BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                          OF COMMON STOCK       ---------------------------------------
                NAME                   BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1)    BEFORE OFFERING    AFTER OFFERING(1)(2)
                ----                   ---------------------    ---------------    --------------------
<S>                                    <C>                      <C>                <C>
ContiFinancial Corporation(3)........         327,730                33.3%                 6.6%
  277 Park Avenue
  New York, NY 10172
John D. Fry..........................         298,392                30.3%                 6.0%
David and Sara Ferradino(4)..........          93,028                 7.9%                 1.9%
  1601 North Rancho Drive
  Las Vegas, NV 89106
Terry L. Mott........................          92,987                 9.4%                 1.9%
John P. McMurray(5)..................          30,000                 3.0%                    *
Steven K. Passey(6)..................           4,318                    *                    *
All executive officers and directors
  as.................................         425,697                41.8%                 8.5%
  a group (4 persons)
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 *   Less than one percent.
 
(1) Unless otherwise noted, the Company believes that each person named in the
    table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all Common Stock
    owned by it. A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities
    that can be acquired by such person within 60 days from the date of this
    Prospectus upon the exercise of warrants or options. Each beneficial owner's
    percentage ownership is determined by assuming that options or warrants that
    are held by such person (but not those held by any other person) and which
    are exercisable within 60 days from the date of this Prospectus have been
    exercised. None of the outstanding options to acquire Common Stock of the
    Company are exercisable within 60 days of this Prospectus.
 
(2) Assuming no exercise of outstanding Warrants or the Representative's
    Warrants.
 
   
(3) Excludes 410,581 shares of Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock which the
    Company intends to redeem upon the closing of the Offering. See "Conflicts
    of Interest and Related Party Transactions -- ContiFinancial Corporation."
    
 
(4) Includes warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable at a
    price per share equal to the Price to Public which are immediately
    exercisable. Excludes 56,667 Units in the Offering issuable upon conversion
    of the $850,000 convertible note Capstone Investments, Inc.
 
(5) Includes options to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable at
    $15.00 per share granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan which are
    immediately exercisable.
 
   
(6) Includes options to purchase 4,318 shares of Common Stock exercisable at
    $9.17 per share granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan which are
    immediately exercisable.
    
 
                                       98
<PAGE>   106
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
   
     Upon the closing of the Offering, the authorized capital stock of the
Company will consist of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 4,984,370
will be outstanding and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which will
be outstanding.
    
 
HISTORICAL CAPITAL STRUCTURE
 
   
     Prior to the closing of this Offering and the consummation of the Formation
Transactions (see "Structure and Formation Transactions"), the Company was
authorized to issue 4,484,508 shares of Common Stock, of which 1,546,983 were
outstanding, 1,263,472 shares of Class A Convertible Preferred Stock, of which
852,891 were outstanding and 410,581 shares of Class B Redeemable Preferred
Stock, all of which were outstanding. In addition, the Company had granted
options to purchase 79,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.96
per share and options to purchase 30,000 shares at an exercise of $15.00 per
share. As a result of the Formation Transactions, the outstanding shares of
Class A Convertible Preferred Stock will be converted on a one-for-one basis
into shares of Common Stock and such shares of Class A Convertible Preferred
Stock will be cancelled. The total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock,
excluding the options granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan, at such time
will be 2,399,874. The Common Stock will then be reverse split at a ratio of
approximately 0.4318 shares for 1 immediately prior to the closing. As a result
of such split, the number of shares owned by the Founders and ContiFinancial
Corporation, excluding shares issuable upon exercise of the options granted
under the 1996 Stock Option Plan and excluding the Class B Redeemable Preferred
Stock, after the Offering will be 984,370 shares. Immediately after the closing,
the Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock will be redeemed for $2,000,000, plus
accrued dividends.
    
 
     The following summary of the respective rights of the Common Stock and the
preferred stock is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company's
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  VOTING
 
     Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share of
record on each matter submitted to a vote of holders of Capital Stock of the
Company. The Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation do not
provide for cumulative voting and, accordingly, the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Capital Stock have the power to elect all directors to be
elected each year.
 
     Annual meetings of the stockholders of the Company will be held, and
special meetings may be called by any member of the Board of Directors, by the
President or generally by stockholders holding at least 20% of the outstanding
shares of Capital Stock entitled to be voted at the meeting. The Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company may be amended in accordance
with Maryland law, subject to certain limitations set forth in the Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation.
 
  DIVIDENDS; LIQUIDATION; OTHER RIGHTS
 
     The holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends
when, as, and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available therefor. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Company, the holders of Common Stock will share ratably in all assets of the
Company remaining after the payment of liabilities and after payment of the
liquidation preference of any shares or series of preferred stock that may be
issued. There are no preemptive or other subscription rights, conversion rights
or redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to shares of Common Stock.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company's Board of Directors is authorized by the charter to fix or
alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of any series of
preferred stock, including the dividend rights, original issue price,
 
                                       99
<PAGE>   107
 
conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences
and sinking fund terms thereof, and the number of shares of such series
subsequent to the issuance of shares of such series (but not below the number of
shares outstanding). As the terms of the preferred stock can be fixed by the
Board of Directors without shareholder action, the Board of Directors may issue
preferred stock with terms calculated to defeat a proposed takeover of the
Company or to make the removal of management more difficult. The Board of
Directors, without shareholder approval, could issue preferred stock with
dividend, voting, conversion and other rights which could adversely affect the
rights of the holders of Common Stock. The Company's Board of Directors
currently has no plans to issue shares of preferred stock in the Company. See
"Risk Factors -- Issuances of Preferred Stock May Adversely Affect the Value of
Common Stock."
 
WARRANTS AND OPTIONS
 
   
     Under the 1996 Stock Option Plan, the Company has granted options to
purchase an aggregate of 79,500 shares at an exercise price of $3.96 per share.
As a result of the reverse stock split described in "Structure and Formation
Transactions," such options will be converted into options to purchase a total
of 34,325 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $9.17 per share. In
addition, the Company has granted options to purchase 30,000 shares (post-split)
of Common Stock at an exercise price of $15.00 per share. All of such options
are immediately exercisable.
    
 
     Under the 1998 Stock Option Plan, the Company will issue options to
purchase a total of 407,569 shares of Common Stock at a price equal to the Price
to Public. None of such options are currently exercisable, and are subject to
the vesting provisions set forth in the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan. See
"Management -- Executive Compensation -- 1998 Stock Option Plan."
 
     Each Unit consists of one share of Common Stock and one Warrant. Prior to
automatic separation of the related Warrant, the Units will be represented by
the Common Stock, which will bear an endorsement representing beneficial
ownership of the related Warrants on deposit with the Warrant Agent (as defined
below) as custodian for the registered holders of the Common Stock. Prior to
automatic separation, transfer of a share of Common Stock to which the related
Warrant has not been exercised will also constitute transfer of a holder's
beneficial interest in the related Warrant. The Warrants to be issued to the
Representative will be evidenced by a Warrant Certificate at the time initially
issued. The Warrants are exercisable beginning six months following the closing
of this Offering and will remain exercisable until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the
third anniversary of the date the Warrants first become exercisable (the
"Expiration Date"), at an exercise price equal to the Price to Public per share.
At 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the Expiration Date the Warrants will become wholly
void and of no value.
 
   
     The Warrants will be issued pursuant to a warrant agreement (the "Warrant
Agreement") dated as of the date of this Prospectus between the Company and the
warrant agent (the "Warrant Agent"). The Company's stock transfer agent,
American Securities Transfer & Trust Incorporated, will initially act as Warrant
Agent. The following summary of certain provisions of the Warrant Agreement does
not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Warrant Agreement including the definitions therein of certain terms used below.
A copy of the proposed form of Warrant Agreement is available from the Company
upon request and is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus is a part. See "Additional Information."
    
 
     Each Warrant, when exercised, will entitle the holder thereof to receive
one share (subject to certain adjustments) of Common Stock at an exercise price
equal to the Price to Public (the "Exercise Price").
 
     Initial delivery of the Securities from the Company to the Underwriters is
expected to occur through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC"). See "-- Book Entry Issuance" below. Thereafter, a beneficial
owner of such book-entry Securities (a "Beneficial Owner") will be entitled to
receive physical delivery of certificates representing its Securities only in
accordance with procedures established among DTC and its Direct and Indirect
Participants (as defined below), and in accordance with procedures, if any,
established between the Beneficial Owner and the Direct or Indirect Participant
through which the Beneficial Owner holds an interest in the Securities.
 
                                       100
<PAGE>   108
 
     The Warrants, held in certificated form, may be exercised by surrendering
to the Warrant Agent the definitive Warrant Certificate evidencing such
Warrants, with the accompanying form of election to purchase properly completed
and executed, together with payment of the exercise price which initially equals
the Price to Public, subject to adjustment (the "Exercise Price").
 
     Warrants held in book-entry form may be exercised only in accordance with
procedures established among DTC and its Direct and Indirect Participants.
Pursuant thereto, a Beneficial Owner wishing to exercise a Warrant shall give
notice, through its Participant, to the Warrant Agent, and shall effect delivery
of the Warrant by causing the Direct Participant to transfer the Participant's
interest in the Warrant, on DTC's records, to the Warrant Agent. The requirement
for physical delivery of the Warrant Certificate in connection with the exercise
thereof will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the Warrant are
transferred by Direct Participants on DTC's records and followed by a book-entry
credit of the tendered Warrant to the Warrant Agent's account.
 
     Payment of the Exercise Price may be made (a) in the form of cash or by
certified or official bank check payable to the order of the Company, or (b) by
surrendering additional Warrants or shares of Common Stock for cancellation to
the extent the Company may lawfully accept shares of Common Stock, with the
value of such shares of Common Stock for such purpose to equal the average
trading price of the Common Stock during the 10 trading days preceding the date
surrendered and the value of the Warrants to equal the difference between the
value of a share of Common Stock and the Exercise Price, or (c) pursuant to such
other payment procedures as may be established by the Warrant Agent from time to
time in accordance with the Warrant Agreement. Upon surrender of the Warrant
Certificate and payment of the Exercise Price and any other applicable amounts,
the Warrant Agent will deliver or cause to be delivered, to or upon the written
order of such holder or its DTC Participant, stock certificates or DTC
book-entry positions representing the number of whole shares of Common Stock or
other securities or property to which such holder is entitled. If less than all
of the Warrants evidenced by a Warrant Certificate are to be exercised, a new
Warrant Certificate will be issued for the remaining number of Warrants.
 
   
     Both (a) the initial sale of the Warrants, and (b) the issuance of the
underlying shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrants, have been
registered by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant
to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The Company
intends to apply to have the Warrants approved for listing on the American Stock
Exchange. If a market for the Warrants develops, a Warrant holder may choose to
sell the Warrants instead of exercising them. There can be no assurance that the
American Stock Exchange, or any other market, will list the Warrants or that a
market for the Warrants will develop or continue.
    
 
     No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued upon exercise of the
Warrants. The holders of the Warrants have no right to vote on matters submitted
to the stockholders of the Company and have no right to receive dividends. The
holders of the Warrants not yet exercised are not entitled to share in the
assets of the Company in the event of liquidation, dissolution or the winding up
of the affairs of the Company.
 
     Additionally, in March, 1998, the Company granted warrants to purchase
50,000 shares of Common Stock to Capstone Investments, Inc. ("Capstone"), in
connection with Capstone's $850,000 loan to the Company. See "Use of Proceeds"
and "Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Transactions -- Capstone
Investments, Inc."
 
     The Company has also agreed to issue, to the Representative, Warrants to
purchase shares of Common Stock equal to three percent of the Units sold in this
Offering at an exercise price equal to the Price to Public.
 
  ADJUSTMENTS
 
     The Exercise Price of the Warrants will be appropriately adjusted if the
Company (i) pays a dividend or makes a distribution on its Common Stock in
shares of its Common Stock; (ii) subdivides its outstanding shares of Common
Stock into a greater number of shares, (iii) combines its outstanding shares of
Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, (iv) issues by reclassification of
its Common Stock any shares of its
 
                                       101
<PAGE>   109
 
Capital Stock, or (v) issues shares of Capital Stock at a price below the
greater of (a) the Price to Public or (b) fair market value, provided that this
clause (v) shall not apply to firm underwriting offerings.
 
     In case of certain consolidations or mergers of the Company, or the
liquidation of the Company or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company to another corporation, each Warrant will thereafter be deemed
exercised for the right to receive the kind and amount of shares of stock or
other securities or property to which such holder would have been entitled as a
result of such consolidation, merger or sale had the Warrants been exercised
immediately prior thereto, less the Exercise Price.
 
  BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE -- THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
 
     The Depository Trust Company will act as securities depository for a
portion of the Securities. One or more fully registered Common Stock
certificates representing such Securities will be registered in the name of DTC
or its nominee. Upon the detachment of the related Warrants, one or more Warrant
Certificates will be issued in the name of DTC or its nominee.
 
     DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking
Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a
member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC
holds securities that its participants ("Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC
also facilitates the settlement among Participants of securities transactions,
such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic
computerized book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating
the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations, and certain other organization ("Direct Participants"). DTC is
owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange,
the American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as
securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or
indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to DTC and its
Participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
     Upon issuance of a Warrant Certificate in the name of DTC or its nominee,
DTC will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the number of
Warrants represented by such Warrant Certificate to the accounts of institutions
that have accounts with DTC. Ownership of beneficial interests in such a Warrant
Certificate will be limited to Participants or persons that may hold interests
through Participants. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of such
Warrant ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and
Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written
confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but Beneficial Owners are expected to
receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as
periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participants
through which the Beneficial Owners purchased Warrants. Transfers of ownership
interests in the Warrants are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of
Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners.
 
     DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of such Warrants;
DTC's records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose
accounts such Warrants are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial
Owners. The Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their
holdings on behalf of their customers. So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the
owner of such Warrant Certificate, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will
be considered the sole owner and holder of record of the Warrants represented by
such Warrant Certificate for all purposes.
 
     Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as
may be in effect from time to time.
 
     The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable but the
Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy of
 
                                       102
<PAGE>   110
 
such information. In addition, the Company has no responsibility for the
performance by DTC or its Participants of their respective obligations as
described hereunder or under the rules and procedures governing their respective
operations.
 
REPURCHASE OF SHARES AND RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER
 
     Two of the requirements for qualification for the tax benefits accorded by
the REIT provisions of the Code are that for all taxable years of the REIT after
the first taxable year for which its REIT election is made (1) during the last
half of each such taxable year not more than 50% in value of the outstanding
shares may be owned directly or indirectly by five or fewer individuals (the
"50%/5 stockholder test") and (2) there must be at least 100 stockholders on 335
days of each such taxable year of 12 months and during a proportionate part
during any such shorter taxable year.
 
     In order that the Company may meet these requirements at all times, the
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation prohibit any person from
acquiring or holding, directly or indirectly, shares of Capital Stock in excess
of 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock or
in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more
restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company. For this purpose, the term "ownership" is defined in accordance with
the REIT provisions of the Code and the constructive ownership provisions of
Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code.
 
     For purposes of the 50%/5 stockholder test, the constructive ownership
provisions applicable under Section 544 of the Code attribute ownership of
securities owned by a corporation, partnership, estate or trust proportionately
to its stockholders, partners or beneficiaries, attribute ownership of
securities owned by family members and partners to other members of the same
family, treat securities with respect to which a person has an option to
purchase as actually owned by that person, and set forth rules as to when
securities constructively owned by a person are considered to be actually owned
for the application of such attribution provisions (i.e., "reattribution").
Thus, for purposes of determining whether a person holds shares of Capital Stock
in violation of the ownership limitations set forth in the Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation, many types of entities may own directly more than the
9.8% limit because such entities' shares are attributed to its individual
stockholders. On the other hand, a person will be treated as owning not only
shares of Capital Stock actually or beneficially owned, but also any shares of
Capital Stock attributed to such person under the attribution rules described
above. Accordingly, under certain circumstances, shares of Capital Stock owned
by a person who individually owns less than 9.8% of the shares outstanding may
nevertheless be in violation of the ownership limitations set forth in the
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. Ownership of shares of the
Company's Capital Stock through such attribution is generally referred to as
constructive ownership. The 100 stockholder test is determined by actual, and
not constructive, ownership.
 
     Notwithstanding any of the foregoing ownership limits, no holder may own or
acquire, either directly or constructively under the applicable attribution
rules of the Code, any shares of any class of the Company's Capital Stock if
such ownership or acquisition (i) would cause more than 50% in value of the
Company's outstanding stock to be owned, either directly or constructively under
the applicable attribution rules of the Code, by five or fewer individuals (as
defined in the Code to include certain tax-exempt entities, other than, in
general, qualified domestic pension funds), (ii) would result in the Company's
Capital Stock being beneficially owned by less than 100 persons (determined
without reference to any rules of attribution), or (iii) would otherwise result
in the Company failing to qualify as a REIT.
 
     The Board of Directors may, subject to the receipt of certain
representations and a ruling from the Service or an opinion of counsel
satisfactory to it, waive the ownership restrictions with respect to a holder if
such waiver will not jeopardize the Company's status as a REIT. In addition,
under the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, certain parties will
not be subject to the stock ownership limit in the event such parties (i)
deliver to the Company either a ruling from the Service or an opinion from
counsel satisfactory to the Company that such ownership will result in no
individual (as defined in the Code) beneficially or constructively owning in
excess of 9.8% of the outstanding common stock and (ii) represent to the Company
that it does not and will not own more than a 9.8% interest in any tenant of the
Company.
 
                                       103
<PAGE>   111
 
     If any stockholder purports to transfer Capital Stock to a person and
either the transfer would result in the Company failing to qualify as a REIT or
such transfer would cause the transferee to hold capital stock in excess of an
applicable ownership restriction, the purported transfer shall be null and void,
the intended transferee will acquire no rights or economic interest in the
capital stock and the stockholder will be deemed to have transferred the capital
stock to the Company in exchange for Excess Stock of the same class or classes
as were purportedly transferred, which Excess Stock will be deemed to be held by
the Company as trustee of a trust for the exclusive benefit of the person or
persons to whom the shares can be transferred without violating the ownership
restrictions. In addition, if any person owns, either directly or constructively
under the applicable attribution rules of the Code, shares of Capital Stock in
excess of an applicable ownership restriction, such person will be deemed to
have exchanged the shares of Capital Stock that cause the applicable ownership
restriction to be exceeded for an equal number of shares of Excess Stock of the
appropriate class, which will be deemed to be held by the Company as trustee of
a trust for the exclusive benefit of the person or persons to whom the shares
can be transferred without violating the ownership restrictions. A person who
holds or transfers shares such that shares of capital stock shall have been
deemed to be exchanged for Excess Stock will not be entitled to vote the Excess
Stock and will not be entitled to receive any dividends or distributions (any
dividend or distribution paid on shares of capital stock prior to the discovery
by the Company that such shares have been exchanged for Excess Shares shall be
repaid to the Company upon demand, and any dividend or distribution declared but
unpaid shall be rescinded). Such person shall have the right to designate a
transferee of such Excess Stock so long as consideration received for
designating such transferee does not exceed a price (the "Limitation Price")
that is equal to the lesser of (i) in the case of a deemed exchange for Excess
Stock resulting from a transfer, the price paid for such shares in the transfer
or, in the case of a deemed exchange for Excess Stock resulting from some other
event, the fair market value on the date of the deemed exchange, of the shares
deemed exchanged, or (ii) the fair market value of the shares for which such
Excess Stock will be deemed to be exchanged on the date of the designation of
the transferee (or, in the case of a purchase by the Company, on the date the
Company accepts the offer to sell). The shares of Excess Stock so transferred
will automatically be deemed reexchanged for the appropriate shares of capital
stock. In addition, the Company will have the right to purchase the Excess Stock
for a period of 90 days at a price equal to the Limitation Price.
 
     If the foregoing transfer restrictions are determined to be void or invalid
by virtue of any legal decisions, statute, rule or regulation, then the intended
transferee of any Excess Stock may be deemed, at the option of the Company, to
have acted as an agent on behalf of the Company in acquiring such Excess Stock
and to hold such Excess Stock on behalf of the Company.
 
     The Amended & Restated Articles of Incorporation further provide that if
any transfer of shares of Capital Stock occurs which, if effective, would result
in any person beneficially or constructively owning shares of Capital Stock in
excess or in violation of the above transfer or ownership limitations, then that
number of shares of Capital Stock the beneficial or constructive ownership of
which otherwise would cause such person to violate such limitations (rounded to
the nearest whole shares) shall be automatically transferred to a trustee (the
"Trustee") as trustee of a trust (the "Trust") for the exclusive benefit of one
or more charitable beneficiaries (the "Charitable Beneficiary"), and the
intended transferee shall not acquire any rights in such shares. Shares held by
the Trustee shall be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock. The
intended transferee shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares
held in the Trust, shall have no rights to dividends, and shall not possess any
rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Trust. The
Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other
distributions with respect to shares held in the Trust, which rights shall be
exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend
or other distribution paid to the intended transferee prior to the discovery by
the Company that shares of Common Stock have been transferred to the Trustee
shall be paid with respect to such shares to the Trustee by the intended
transferee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but
unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. The Board of Directors may, in
their discretion, waive these requirements on owning shares in excess of the
ownership limitations.
 
     Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Company that shares of Capital
Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee shall sell the shares held
in the Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose
 
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<PAGE>   112
 
ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in
the Charter. Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the
shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of
the sale to the intended transferee and to the Charitable Beneficiary as
follows. The intended transferee shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid
by the intended transferee for the shares or, if the intended transferee did not
give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be
held in the Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such
transaction), the market price (as defined in the Company's Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation) of the shares on the day of the event causing the
shares to be held in the Trust and (2) the price per share received by the
Trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. Any
net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the intended transferee
shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. In addition, shares of
Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered
for sale to the Company, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the
lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such
transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at
the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the
Company, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Company shall have the right
to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold shares held in the Trust. Upon
such a sale to the Company, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the
shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of
the sale to the intended transferee.
 
     All certificates representing shares of Capital Stock will bear a legend
referring to the restrictions described above.
 
     Every owner of more than five percent (or such lower percentage as required
by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of all classes or series
of the Company's stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, is
required to give written notice to the Company stating the name and address of
such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of stock of the
Company beneficially owned and a description of the manner in which such shares
are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Company such additional
information as the Company may request in order to determine the effect, if any,
of such beneficial ownership on the Company's status as a REIT and to ensure
compliance with the ownership limitations.
 
     Subject to certain limitations, the Board of Directors may increase or
decrease the ownership limitations. In addition, to the extent consistent with
the REIT provisions of the Code, the Board of Directors may waive the ownership
limitations for and at the request of certain purchasers in this Offering or
subsequent purchasers.
 
     The provisions described above may inhibit market activity and the
resulting opportunity for the holders of the Company's Capital Stock and
Warrants to receive a premium for their shares or Warrants that might otherwise
exist in the absence of such provisions. Such provisions also may make the
Company an unsuitable investment vehicle for any person seeking to obtain
ownership of more than 9.8% of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
     The Maryland GCL permits the charter of a Maryland corporation to include a
provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the
corporation and its stockholder for money damages, except to the extent that (i)
it is proved that the person actually received an improper benefit or profit in
money, property or services, or (ii) a judgment or other final adjudication
adverse to the person is entered in a proceeding based on a finding that the
person's action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate
dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the
proceeding. The Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation contain
such a provision, which eliminates the liability of a director or officer to the
Company or its stockholders for money damages to the fullest extent permitted by
Maryland law.
 
     Additionally, the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
provide for indemnification of its officers and directors to the fullest extent
permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the "Maryland GCL"). The
Maryland GCL also permits the Company to indemnify and advance expenses to any
person who served a predecessor of the Company in any of the capacities
described above and to any employee or agent of the Company or a predecessor of
the Company.
                                       105
<PAGE>   113
 
     Unless the corporation's charter provides otherwise, the Maryland GCL
requires a corporation to indemnify a director or officer who has been
successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to
which he is made a party by reason of his service in that capacity. The Maryland
GCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and
officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and
reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding
to which they may be made a party by reason their service in those or other
capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director
or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was
committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate
dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal
benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal
proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act
or omission was unlawful. However, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for
an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation. In
addition, the Maryland GCL requires the Company, as a condition to advancing
expenses, to obtain (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his
good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for
indemnification by the Company as authorized by the bylaws and (b) a written
undertaking by or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the
Company if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was
not met. A corporation may not indemnify a director unless the proposed
indemnification has been authorized for a specific proceeding pursuant to a
determination by the board of directors, special counsel (as may be appointed
for such purpose) or the stockholders that indemnification is permissible
because the director satisfied the requisite standard of conduct. Unless
otherwise provided by a corporation's charter, bylaws or board resolution
consistent with law, a corporation may not indemnify an officer or any other
person unless the proposed indemnification has been authorized for a specific
proceeding pursuant to a determination by the board of directors, special
counsel (as may be appointed for such purpose) or the stockholders that
indemnification is permissible because the officer or such other person
satisfied the requisite standard of conduct. The Company expects to enter into
indemnification agreements with its officers and directors which will provide
for the indemnification of such officers and directors to the fullest extent
permitted under Maryland law.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been
informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is
therefore unenforceable.
 
CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITIONS
 
     The Maryland GCL provides that "control shares" of a Maryland corporation
acquired in a "control share acquisition"have no voting rights except to the
extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the
matter, excluding shares of stock owned by the acquiror or by officers or
directors who are employees of the corporation. "Control shares" are voting
shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by
such a person, would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing
directors within one of the following ranges of voting power: (i) one-fifth or
more but less than one third, (ii) one-third or more but less than a majority,
or (iii) a majority or more of all voting power. "Control shares" do not include
shares of stock the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of
having owned stockholder approval. A "control share acquisition" means, subject
to certain exceptions, the acquisition of, ownership of, or the power to direct
the exercise of voting power with respect to, control shares.
 
     A person who has made or proposes to make a "control share acquisition,"
upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay
expenses), may compel the Board of Directors to call a special meeting of
stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights
of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself
present the question at any stockholders' meeting. If voting rights are not
approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring
person statement as permitted by the statute, then, subject to certain
conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem any or all of the
"control shares" (except those for which voting rights have previously been
approved) for fair value determined, without regard to absence of voting rights,
as of the date of the last control share acquisition or of any meeting of
stockholders at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not
 
                                       106
<PAGE>   114
 
approved. If voting rights for "control shares" are approved at a stockholders
meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares
entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair
value of the stock, as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights, may not
be less than the highest price per share paid in the control share acquisition,
and certain limitations and restrictions otherwise applicable to the exercise of
dissenters rights do not apply in the context of "control share acquisitions."
 
     The "control share acquisition" statute does not apply to stock acquired in
a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the
transaction, or to acquisitions approved or exempted by a provision of the
articles of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation adopted prior to the
acquisition of the shares. The Company has adopted a provision in its Bylaws
that exempts the Company's shares of Capital Stock from application of the
control share acquisition statute. No assurance can be given, however, that such
Bylaw provision may not be removed at any time by amendment of the Bylaws.
 
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS STATUTES
 
     Under the Maryland GCL, certain "business combinations" (including a
merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in certain circumstances, an asset
transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a
Maryland corporation and any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of
the voting power of the corporations shares or an affiliate of the corporation
which, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was
the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding
voting stock of the corporation (an "Interested Stockholder") or an affiliate
thereof are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the
Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder. Thereafter, any such
business combination must be recommended by the board of directors of such
corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (a) 80% of the
votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares of the
corporation and (b) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of
outstanding voting shares of the corporation other than shares held by the
Interested Stockholder with whom the business combination is to be effected,
unless, among other things, the corporation's stockholders receive a minimum
price (as defined in the Maryland GCL) for their shares and the consideration is
received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the Interested
Stockholder for its shares. These provisions of Maryland law do not apply,
however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by the board of
directors of the corporation prior to the time that the Interested Stockholder
becomes an Interested Stockholder. No assurance can be given that such provision
will not be amended or eliminated at any point in the future with respect to
business combinations not involving a purchaser of Units.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
     American Securities Transfer & Trust Incorporated will initially act as
transfer agent and registrar with respect to the Common Stock.
 
                                       107
<PAGE>   115
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
GENERAL
 
   
     Upon the closing of the Offering, the Company will have outstanding
4,984,370 shares of Common Stock (assuming the over-allotment option is not
exercised), 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for the Warrants
(4,600,000 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised) and 120,000 shares
of Common Stock (135,000 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised)
reserved for the Representative's Warrants. The Units issued in the Offering
will be freely tradable immediately after the Offering, and the Warrants and
Common Stock issued in the Offering will be freely tradable six months after the
Offering, in each case by persons other than "affiliates" of the Company without
restriction under the Securities Act, subject to the limitations on ownership
set forth in the charter. See "Description of Capital Stock." The Common Stock
to be owned by the Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation (collectively, the
"Restricted Stock"), will be "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule
144 promulgated under the Securities Act ("Rule 144") and may not be sold except
pursuant to registration under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption
from registration, including exemptions contained in Rule 144. As described
below under "Registration Rights," the Company has granted certain holders
registration rights with respect to their Common Stock. See "-- Registration
Rights."
    
 
     In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, if one year has elapsed
since the later of the date of acquisition of Restricted Stock from the Company
or any "affiliate" of the Company, as that term is defined under the Securities
Act, the acquirer or subsequent holder thereof is entitled to sell within any
three-month period a number of shares of Common Stock that does not exceed the
greater of one percent of the then outstanding Common Stock or the average
weekly trading volume of the Common Stock during the four calendar weeks
preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the Commission.
Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions,
public information requirements and notice requirements. After one year has
elapsed since the date of acquisition of Restricted Stock from the Company or
from any "affiliate" of the Company, and the acquirer or subsequent holder
thereof is deemed not to have been an "affiliate" of the Company at any time
during the 90 days preceding a sale, such person would be entitled to sell such
shares in the public market under Rule 144(k) without regard to the volume
limitation, manner of sale, public information or notice requirements.
 
   
     Prior to the date of this Prospectus, there has been no public market for
the Units. Trading of the Units on the American Stock Exchange is expected to
commence effective upon the closing of the Offering. Sales of substantial
amounts of Common Stock or Warrants (including shares issued upon the exercise
of stock options), or the perception that such sales occur, could adversely
affect prevailing market prices of the Units, the Common Stock and Warrants. See
"Risk Factors -- Failure to Develop a Trading Market May Result in Depressed
Common Stock Price."
    
 
   
     The Company has reserved for issuance an aggregate of 64,325 shares of
Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of the stock options granted under the
1996 Stock Option Plan. All of such options have vested and are immediately
exercisable. The Company has reserved for issuance an aggregate of 407,569
shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the exercise of Stock Options to
be granted under the 1998 Stock Option Plan. All stock options granted pursuant
to the 1998 Stock Option Plan will be contingent, with vesting based upon the
financial performance of the Company and such other criteria as the Compensation
Committee determines to be appropriate. See "Management -- Executive
Compensation -- 1998 Stock Option Plan."
    
 
     For a description of certain restrictions on transfers of Common Stock held
by the Founders, see "Underwriting."
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
   
     Pursuant to a registration rights agreement, the Company has granted the
Founders certain additional registration rights. Under such agreement, the
Founders may request, on any two occasions on or after one year after the
closing of the Offering, that the Company file a shelf registration on Form S-3
with respect to
    
 
                                       108
<PAGE>   116
 
the number of registrable shares requested by the Founders, with the Company
paying all registration expenses in connection with the first such shelf
registration and the Founders paying all registration expenses for the second
such shelf registration. In addition, in the event the Company proposes to
register any of its Securities under the Securities Act, whether for its own
account or otherwise, the Founders are entitled to notice of such registration
and are entitled to include their registrable shares, subject to certain
conditions and limitations.
 
     Pursuant to a registration rights agreement, the Company has granted
ContiFinancial Corporation certain registration rights. Under such agreement,
ContiFinancial Corporation may request, on any three occasions after the
Offering that the Company register such shares as ContiFinancial Corporation may
request, provided that such shares amount to at least five percent of the
Company's Common Stock then outstanding and that such request comes at least one
year after the effective date of a registration statement filed by the Company
covering a firm commitment underwritten public offering in which ContiFinancial
Corporation shall have been entitled to join. In addition, in the event the
Company proposes to register any of its Securities under the Securities Act,
whether for its own account or otherwise, ContiFinancial Corporation shall be
entitled to notice of such registration shall be entitled to include their
registrable shares, subject to certain conditions and limitations.
 
                                       109
<PAGE>   117
 
                       FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SUMMARIZES THE MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSIDERATIONS THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO A PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OF UNITS. THIS
DISCUSSION IS BASED ON CURRENT LAW. THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE
OF ALL POSSIBLE TAX CONSIDERATIONS. IT DOES NOT GIVE A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF
ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX CONSIDERATIONS, NOR DOES IT DISCUSS ALL OF THE
ASPECTS OF FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO A PROSPECTIVE
INVESTOR IN LIGHT OF SUCH INVESTOR'S PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OR TO CERTAIN
TYPES OF INVESTORS (INCLUDING INSURANCE COMPANIES, CERTAIN TAX-EXEMPT ENTITIES,
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, BROKER/DEALERS, FOREIGN CORPORATIONS AND PERSONS WHO ARE
NOT CITIZENS OR RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES) SUBJECT TO SPECIAL TREATMENT
UNDER FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS.
 
     EACH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OF UNITS IS URGED TO CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN
TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF THE PURCHASE,
OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF UNITS, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND
OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF SUCH PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND SALE AND THE POTENTIAL
CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Code provides special tax treatment for organizations that qualify and
elect to be taxed as REITs. The discussion below summarizes the material
provisions applicable to the Company as a REIT for federal income tax purposes
and to its stockholders in connection with their ownership of shares of stock of
the Company. However, it is impractical to set forth in this Prospectus all
aspects of federal, state, local and foreign tax law that may have tax
consequences with respect to an investor's purchase of Units. The discussion of
various aspects of federal taxation contained herein is based on the Code,
administrative regulations, judicial decisions, administrative rulings and
practice, all of which are subject to change. In brief, if certain detailed
conditions imposed by the Code are met, entities that invest primarily in real
estate assets, including Mortgage Loans, and that otherwise would be taxed as
corporations, with certain limited exceptions, are not taxed at the corporate
level on their taxable income that is currently distributed to their
stockholders. This treatment eliminates most of the "double taxation" (at the
corporate level and then again at the stockholder level when the income is
distributed) that typically results from the use of corporate investment
vehicles. A qualifying REIT, however, may be subject to certain excise and other
taxes, as well as normal corporate tax, on Taxable Income that is not currently
distributed to its stockholders. See "-- Taxation of the Company."
 
     The Company intends to elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Code
commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 1998.
 
OPINION OF COUNSEL
 
     Jeffers, Wilson, Shaff & Falk, LLP, counsel to the Company ("Counsel"), has
advised the Company in connection with the Offering of Units and the Company's
election to be taxed as a REIT. Based on existing law and certain factual
representations made to Counsel by the Company and assuming that the Company
operates in the manner described in this Prospectus, in the opinion of Counsel,
commencing with the Company's taxable year ending December 31, 1998, RealTrust
has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a
REIT under the Code and the Company's proposed method of operation described in
this Prospectus and as represented by the Company to Counsel will enable
RealTrust to qualify as a REIT. The Company's organization and proposed method
of operation described in this Prospectus is the same in all material respects
as represented to Counsel. However, whether RealTrust will in fact so qualify
will depend on actual operating results and compliance with the various tests
for qualification as a REIT relating to its income, assets, distributions,
ownership and certain administrative matters, the results of which may not be
reviewed by Counsel. Moreover, certain aspects of RealTrust's method of
operations have not been considered by the courts or the Service. There can be
no assurance that the courts or the Service will agree with this opinion. In
addition, qualification as a REIT depends on future transactions and events that
cannot be known
                                       110
<PAGE>   118
 
at this time. Accordingly, Counsel is unable to opine whether RealTrust will in
fact qualify as a REIT under the Code in all events. In the opinion of Counsel,
the section of the Prospectus entitled "Federal Income Tax Considerations"
identifies and fairly summarizes the federal income tax considerations that are
likely to be material to a holder of the Units and to the extent such summaries
involve matters of law, such statements of law are correct under the Code.
Counsel's opinions are based on various assumptions and on the factual
representations of RealTrust concerning its business and assets. Accordingly, no
assurance can be given that the actual results of RealTrust's operation for any
one taxable year will satisfy such requirements. See "-- Termination or
Revocation of REIT Status."
 
     The opinions of Counsel are based upon existing law including the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, existing Treasury Regulations, Revenue
Rulings, Revenue Procedures, proposed regulations and case law, all of which is
subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Moreover, relevant laws
or other legal authorities may change in a manner that could adversely affect
RealTrust or its stockholders.
 
     In the event that RealTrust does not qualify as a REIT in any year, it will
be subject to federal income tax as a domestic corporation and its stockholders
will be taxed in the same manner as stockholders of ordinary corporations. To
the extent that RealTrust would, as a consequence, be subject to potentially
significant tax liabilities, the amount of earnings and cash available for
distribution to its stockholders would be reduced. See "-- Termination or
Revocation of REIT Status."
 
QUALIFICATION AS A REIT
 
     To qualify for tax treatment as a REIT under the Code, the Company must
meet certain tests which are described immediately below.
 
  OWNERSHIP OF STOCK
 
     The Company's shares of stock must be transferable and, for all taxable
years after the first taxable year for which a REIT election is made, must be
held by a minimum of 100 persons for at least 335 days of a 12 month year (or a
proportionate part of a short tax year), and at all times during the second half
of each taxable year, no more than 50% in value of the shares of any class of
the stock of the Company may be owned directly or indirectly by five or fewer
individuals. In determining whether the Company's shares are held by five or
fewer individuals, the attribution rules of Section 544 of the Code (as modified
by the REIT provisions of the Code) apply. For a description of these
attribution rules, see "Description of Capital Stock." Failure of the Company to
comply with such test may be waived if the failure was unintentional and the
Company otherwise complied with the requirements for monitoring stockholders.
See "-- Recordkeeping Requirement." The Company's Amended and Restated Articles
of Incorporation impose certain transfer restrictions to avoid more than 50% by
value of any class of the Company's stock being held by five or fewer
individuals (directly or constructively) at any time during the last half of any
taxable year. Such transfer restrictions will not cause the stock not to be
treated as "transferable" for purposes of qualification as a REIT. The Company
intends to satisfy both the 100 stockholder and 50%/5 stockholder individual
ownership limitations described above for as long as it seeks qualification as a
REIT. See "Description of Capital Stock." Even if the Company were to
inadvertently violate one of the stock ownership tests, the Company would not
lose its status as a REIT for tax purposes provided the Company exercised
reasonable diligence in attempting to comply with these requirements. The
Company uses the calendar year as its taxable year for income tax purposes.
 
  NATURE OF ASSETS
 
     On the last day of each calendar quarter at least 75% of the value of the
Company's assets must consist of Qualified REIT Assets, government securities,
cash and cash items (the "75% of assets test"). The Company expects that
substantially all of its assets, other than the preferred stock of the Company's
Taxable Subsidiary, will be "Qualified REIT Assets" or "Qualified Hedges."
Qualified REIT Assets include interests in real property, interests in Mortgage
Loans secured by real property and interests in REMICs. Qualified Hedges are
discussed under "-- Sources of Income -- The 95% Test" below.
 
     On the last day of each calendar quarter, of the investments in securities
not included in the 75% of assets test, the value of any one issuer's equity and
debt securities may not exceed five percent by value of the Company's total
assets and the Company may not own more than 10% of any one issuer's outstanding
voting
                                       111
<PAGE>   119
 
securities. See "Business -- Industry Developments." Pursuant to its compliance
guidelines, the Company intends to monitor closely (on not less than a quarterly
basis) the purchase and holding of the Company's assets in order to comply with
the above assets tests. In particular, as of the end of each calendar quarter
the Company intends to limit and diversify its ownership of securities of any
Taxable Subsidiary of the Company, hedging contracts and other mortgage
securities that do not constitute Qualified REIT Assets to less than 25%, in the
aggregate, by value of its portfolio, to less than five percent by value as to
any single issuer, including the stock of any Taxable Subsidiary of the Company,
and to less than 10% of the voting stock of any single issuer (collectively the
"25% of assets limits"). If such limits are ever exceeded, the Company intends
to take appropriate remedial action to dispose of such excess assets within the
30 day period after the end of the calendar quarter, as permitted under the
Code. In order to help maintain compliance with the requirement that it limit
the value of the securities of any issuer to less than five percent of the value
of the Company's assets, the Company expects to obtain an appraisal report from
a qualified independent business appraiser, to ensure that the value of the
assets contributed to the Taxable Subsidiary is less than five percent of the
gross value of the Company's assets.
 
     When purchasing mortgage-related securities, the Company may rely on
opinions of counsel for the issuer or sponsor of such securities given in
connection with the offering of such securities, or statements made in related
offering documents, for purposes of determining whether and to what extent those
securities (and the income therefrom) constitute Qualified REIT Assets (and
income) for purposes of the 75% of assets test (and the source of income tests
discussed below). If the Company invests in a partnership, the Company will be
treated as receiving its share of the income and loss of the partnership and
owning a proportionate share of the assets of the partnership and any income
from the partnership will retain the character that it had in the hands of the
partnership.
 
  SOURCES OF INCOME
 
     The Company must meet two separate income-based tests for each year in
order to qualify as a REIT.
 
     1. The 75% Test. At least 75% of the Company's gross income (the "75% of
income test") for the taxable year must be derived from the following sources
among others: (i) interest (other than interest based in whole or in part on the
income or profits of any person) on obligations secured by mortgages on real
property or on interests in real property, (ii) gains from the sale or other
disposition of interests in real property and real estate mortgages, other than
gain from property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course
of the Company's business ("dealer property"), (iii) income from the operation,
and gain from the sale, of property acquired at or in lieu of a foreclosure of
the mortgage secured by such property or as a result of a default under a lease
of such property ("foreclosure property"), (iv) income received as consideration
for entering into agreements to make loans secured by real property or to
purchase or lease real property (including interests in real property and
interests in mortgages on real property) (for example, commitment fees), (v)
rents from real property, and (vi) income attributable to stock or debt
instruments acquired with the proceeds from the sale of stock or certain debt
obligations ("new capital") of the Company received during the one-year period
beginning on the day such proceeds were received ("qualified temporary
investment income"). The investments that the Company intends to make (as
described under "Business -- Mortgage Investment Portfolio") will give rise
primarily to mortgage interest qualifying under the 75% of income test.
 
     2. The 95% Test. In addition to deriving 75% of its gross income from the
sources listed above, at least an additional 20% of the Company's gross income
for the taxable year must be derived from those sources, or from dividends,
interest or gains from the sale or disposition of stock or other securities that
are not dealer property (the "95% of income test"). Income attributable to
assets other than Qualified REIT Assets, such as income from or gain on the
disposition of Qualified Hedges, that the Company holds, dividends on non-REIT
stock (including any dividends from the Taxable Subsidiary), interest on any
other obligations not secured by real property, and gains from the sale or
disposition of stock or other securities that are not Qualified REIT Assets or
Qualified Hedges will constitute qualified income for purposes of the 95% of
income test only, and will not be qualified income for purposes of the 75% of
income test. Income from mortgage servicing, loan guarantee fees (or other
contracts under which the Company would earn fees for performing services) and
hedging (other than from Qualified REIT Assets) will not qualify for either the
95% or 75% of income tests.
                                       112
<PAGE>   120
 
Income from Qualified Hedges (including gain on the sale of Qualified Hedges)
qualifies for the 95% of income test. The Code defines a Qualified Hedge as a
swap, cap or similar financial instrument entered into by a REIT to reduce
interest rate risks with respect to debt that the REIT incurred to acquire or
carry real estate assets, such as Mortgage Loans. The Company intends to
severely limit its acquisition of any assets or investments the income from
which does not qualify for purposes of the 95% of income test. Moreover, in
order to help ensure compliance with the 95% of income test and the 75% of
income test, the Company intends to limit substantially all of the assets that
it acquires (other than the shares of the preferred stock of any Taxable
Subsidiary and Qualified Hedges) to Qualified REIT Assets. The policy of the
Company to maintain REIT status may limit the type of assets, including hedging
contracts, that the Company otherwise might acquire.
 
     For purposes of determining whether the Company complies with the 75% of
income test and the 95% of income test detailed above, gross income does not
include gross income from "prohibited transactions." A "prohibited transaction"
is one involving a sale of dealer property, other than foreclosure property. Net
income from "prohibited transactions" is subject to a 100% tax. See "-- Taxation
of the Company."
 
     The Company intends to maintain its REIT status by carefully monitoring its
income, including income from hedging transactions, futures contracts and sales
of Mortgage Assets to comply with the 75% of income test and the 95% of income
test. See "-- Taxation of the Company" for a discussion of the potential tax
cost of the Company's selling certain Mortgage Assets on a regular basis. In
order to help insure its compliance with the REIT requirements of the Code, the
Company has adopted guidelines the effect of which will be to limit the
Company's ability to earn certain types of income, including income from
hedging, other than hedging income from Qualified REIT Assets and from Qualified
Hedges. See "Business -- Interest Rate Risk Management."
 
     If the Company fails to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% of income
tests for any year, it may face either (a) assuming such failure was for
reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and a schedule is submitted to the
Service setting forth the nature and amount of each item of the Company's gross
income qualifying under the 75% or 95% income tests, a 100% tax on the greater
of the amounts of income by which it failed to comply with the 75% test of
income or the 95% of income test, reduced by estimated related expenses or (b)
loss of REIT status. There can be no assurance that the Company will always be
able to maintain compliance with the gross income tests for REIT qualification
despite the Company's periodic monitoring procedures. Moreover, there is no
assurance that the relief provisions for a failure to satisfy either the 95% or
the 75% of income tests will be available in any particular circumstance.
 
  DISTRIBUTIONS
 
   
     The Company must distribute to its stockholders on a pro rata basis each
year an amount equal to (i) 95% of its Taxable Income before deduction of
dividends paid and excluding net capital gain, plus (ii) 95% of the excess of
the net income from foreclosure property over the tax imposed on such income by
the Code, less (iii) any "excess noncash income" (the "95% distribution test").
See "Dividend Policy and Distributions." The Company intends to make
distributions to its stockholders in amounts sufficient to meet this 95%
distribution requirement. Such distributions must be made in the taxable year to
which they relate, or during January of the subsequent taxable year when
declared during the last quarter of such taxable year and payable to
shareholders of record on a specified date during such quarter, or, if declared
before the timely filing of the Company's tax return for such year and paid not
later than the first regular dividend payment after such declaration, in the
following taxable year. A nondeductible excise tax, equal to four percent of the
excess of such required distributions over the amounts actually distributed will
be imposed on the Company for each calendar year to the extent that the sum of
the dividends paid during the year (or declared during the last quarter of the
year and paid during January of the succeeding year) and any tax imposed on the
REIT taxable income or capital gains of the Company is less than the sum of (i)
85% of the Company's "ordinary income," (ii) 95% of the Company's capital gain
net income, and (iii) income not distributed in earlier years.
    
 
     If the Company fails to meet the 95% distribution test as a result of an
adjustment to the Company's tax returns by the Service, the Company by following
certain requirements set forth in the Code, may pay a deficiency dividend within
a specified period which will be permitted as a deduction in the taxable year to
 
                                       113
<PAGE>   121
 
which the adjustment is made. The Company would be liable for interest based on
the amount of the deficiency dividend. A deficiency dividend is not permitted if
the deficiency is due to fraud with intent to evade tax or to a willful failure
to file timely tax returns.
 
TAXATION OF THE COMPANY
 
     In any year in which the Company qualifies as a REIT, it generally will not
be subject to federal income tax on that portion of its taxable income or net
capital gain which is distributed to its stockholders. The Company will,
however, be subject to tax at normal corporate rates upon any net income or net
capital gain not distributed. The Company intends to distribute substantially
all of its taxable income to its stockholders on a pro rata basis in each year.
See "Dividend Policy and Distributions." If the Company recognizes net income at
a time when its cash receipts from Mortgage Assets are subject to the claims of
creditors, such as counterparties on reverse repurchase agreements, the Company
may be compelled to borrow to distribute dividends and avoid the imposition of
corporate level tax.
 
     In addition, the Company will also be subject to a tax of 100% of net
income from any prohibited transaction and will be subject to a 100% tax on the
greater of the amount by which it fails either the 75% or 95% of income tests,
reduced by approximated expenses, if the failure to satisfy such tests is due to
reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if certain other requirements are
met. The Company may be subject to the alternative minimum tax on certain items
of tax preference.
 
     If the Company acquires any real property as a result of foreclosure, or by
a deed in lieu of foreclosure, the Company may elect to treat such real property
as "foreclosure property." Net income from the sale of foreclosure property is
taxable at the maximum federal corporate rate, currently 35%. Income from
foreclosure property will not be subject to the 100% tax on prohibited
transactions. The Company will determine whether to treat such real property as
foreclosure property on the tax return for the fiscal year in which such
property is acquired.
 
     The Company will finance Mortgage Loans and sell such Mortgage Loans
through one or more Taxable Subsidiaries. However, if the Company itself were to
sell such Mortgage Assets on a regular basis, there is a substantial risk that
they would be deemed "dealer property" and that all of the profits from such
sales would be subject to tax at the rate of 100% as income from prohibited
transactions. The Taxable Subsidiary will not be subject to this 100% tax on
income from prohibited transactions, which is only applicable to REITs, rather,
it will be subject to tax on such income at regular corporate rates. See
"Business -- Industry Developments" for a discussion of the possible effect of a
recent proposal, if enacted, on such proposed activities of the Company.
 
     The Company will also be subject to the nondeductible four percent excise
tax discussed above if it fails to make timely dividend distributions for each
calendar year. See "-- Qualification as a REIT -- Distributions." The Company
intends to declare its fourth regular annual dividend during the final quarter
of the year and to make such dividend distribution no later than thirty-one (31)
days after the end of the year in order to avoid imposition of the excise tax.
Such a distribution would be taxed to the stockholders in the year that the
distribution was declared, not in the year paid. Imposition of the excise tax on
the Company would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to the
Company's stockholders.
 
TAXATION OF TAXABLE SUBSIDIARY
 
     The Company may cause the creation and sale of Mortgage Assets or conduct
certain hedging activities through one or more Taxable Subsidiaries. The Company
and one or more persons or entities will own all of the capital stock of such
Taxable Subsidiary. In order to ensure that the Company will not violate the
prohibition on ownership of more than 10% of the voting stock of a single issuer
and the prohibition on investing more than five percent of the value of its
assets in the stock or securities of a single issuer, the Company will own only
shares of nonvoting preferred stock of the Taxable Subsidiary and will not own
any of the Taxable Subsidiary's common stock. The Company will monitor the value
of its investment in the Taxable Subsidiary on a quarterly basis to limit the
risk of violating any of the tests that comprise the 25% of assets limits. In
addition, the dividends that the Taxable Subsidiary pays to the Company will not
qualify as income from Qualified REIT Assets for purposes of the 75% of income
test, and in all events would have to be limited,
 
                                       114
<PAGE>   122
 
along with the Company's other interest, dividends, gains on the sale of
securities, hedging income, and other income not derived from Qualified REIT
Assets to less than 25 percent of the Company's gross revenues in each year.
Before the Company forms any such Taxable Subsidiary, the Company intends to
obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the formation and contemplated
operation of such a corporation will not cause the Company to fail the REIT
asset and income tests. See "-- Qualification as a REIT -- Nature of Assets" and
"-- Qualification as a REIT -- Sources of Income." The Taxable Subsidiary will
not elect REIT status, will be subject to income taxation on its net earnings
and will generally be able to distribute only its net after-tax earnings to its
stockholders, including the Company, as dividend distributions. If the Taxable
Subsidiary creates a taxable mortgage pool, such pool itself will constitute a
separate taxable subsidiary of the Taxable Subsidiary. The Taxable Subsidiary
would be unable to offset the income derived from such a taxable mortgage pool
with losses derived from any other activities.
 
TERMINATION OR REVOCATION OF REIT STATUS
 
     The Company's election to be treated as a REIT will be terminated
automatically (i) if the Company fails to meet the requirements described above
or (ii) if the President's 1999 Budget Plan is adopted, as presently proposed.
See "Risk Factors." In that event, the Company will not be eligible again to
elect REIT status until the fifth taxable year which begins after the year for
which the Company's election was terminated unless all of the following relief
provisions apply: (i) the Company did not willfully fail to file a timely return
with respect to the termination taxable year, (ii) inclusion of incorrect
information in such return was not due to fraud with intent to evade tax, and
(iii) the Company establishes that failure to meet requirements was due to
reasonable cause and not willful neglect. The Company may also voluntarily
revoke its election, although it has no intention of doing so, in which event
the Company will be prohibited, without exception, from electing REIT status for
the year to which the revocation relates and the following four taxable years.
 
     If the Company fails to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year,
and the relief provisions do not apply, the Company would be subject to tax
(including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at
regular corporate rates. Distributions to stockholders of the Company with
respect to any year in which the Company fails to qualify as a REIT would not be
deductible by the Company nor would they be required to be made. Failure to
qualify as a REIT would result in the Company's reduction of amounts available
for distribution to its stockholders in order to pay the resulting taxes. If,
after forfeiting REIT status, the Company later qualifies and elects to be taxed
as a REIT again, the Company could face significant adverse tax consequences.
 
TAXATION OF THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS
 
  GENERAL
 
     For any taxable year in which the Company is treated as a REIT for federal
income tax purposes, amounts distributed by the Company to its stockholders out
of current or accumulated earnings and profits will be includible by the
stockholders as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes unless properly
designated by the Company as capital gain dividends. In the latter case, the
distributions will be taxable to the stockholders as long-term capital gains.
 
     Additionally, the Company may elect to retain and pay taxes on all or a
portion of its net long-term capital gains for any taxable year, in which case,
the stockholders would include in their income as long-term capital gains their
proportionate share of such undistributed capital gains. The stockholders would
be treated as having paid their proportionate share of any taxes paid by the
Company on any undistributed capital gains, which proportionate amounts would be
credited or refunded to the stockholders.
 
     Distributions of the Company will not be eligible for the dividends
received deduction for corporations. Stockholders may not deduct any net
operating losses or capital losses of the Company.
 
     Any loss on the sale or exchange of shares of the stock of the Company held
by a stockholder for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital
loss to the extent of any capital gain dividend received, or undistributed
capital gains treated as received, on the stock held by such stockholders.
 
     If the Company makes distributions to its stockholders in excess of its
current and accumulated earnings and profits, those distributions will be
considered first a tax-free return of capital, reducing the tax basis of a
 
                                       115
<PAGE>   123
 
stockholder's shares until the tax basis is zero. Such distributions in excess
of the tax basis will be taxable as gain realized from the sale of the Company's
shares.
 
     The Company (exclusive of its Taxable Subsidiary) does not expect to
acquire or retain residual interests issued by REMICs. Such residual interests,
if acquired by a REIT, would generate excess inclusion income. Excess inclusion
income cannot be offset by net operating losses of a stockholder. If the
stockholder is a Tax-Exempt Entity, the excess inclusion income is fully taxable
as UBTI. If allocated to a foreign stockholder, the excess inclusion income is
subject to Federal income tax withholding without reduction pursuant to any
otherwise applicable tax treaty. Excess inclusion income realized by a Taxable
Subsidiary is not passed through to stockholders of the Company. Potential
investors, and in particular Tax Exempt Entities, are urged to consult with
their tax advisors concerning this issue.
 
     The Company intends to finance the acquisition of Mortgage Assets by
entering into reverse repurchase agreements, which are essentially loans secured
by the Company's Mortgage Assets. The Company expects to enter into master
repurchase agreements with secured lenders known as "counterparties." Typically,
such master repurchase agreements have cross-collateralization provisions that
afford the counterparty the right to foreclose on the Mortgage Assets pledged as
collateral. If the Service were to successfully take the position that the
cross-collateralization provisions of the master repurchase agreements result in
the Company having issued debt instruments (the reverse repurchase agreements)
with differing maturity dates secured by a pool of Mortgage Loans, a portion of
the Company's income could be characterized as "excess inclusion income."
Counsel has advised the Company that it is more likely than not that the
cross-collateralization provisions of the master repurchase agreements will not
cause the Company to realize excess inclusion income. Nevertheless, in the
absence of any definitive authority on this issue, Counsel cannot give complete
assurance.
 
     The Company will notify stockholders after the close of the Company's
taxable year as to the portions of the distributions which constitute ordinary
income, return of capital and capital gain. Dividends and distributions declared
in the last quarter of any year payable to stockholders of record on a specified
date in such month will be deemed to have been received by the stockholders and
paid by the Company on December 31 of the record year, provided that such
dividends are paid before February 1 of the following year.
 
  WARRANTS
 
     Upon the exercise of a Warrant, a holder will not recognize gain or loss
and will have a tax basis in the Common Stock received equal to the tax basis in
such holder's Warrant plus the exercise price thereof. The holding period for
the Common Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant will begin on
the day following the date of exercise and will not include the period that the
holder held the Warrant.
 
     Upon a sale or other disposition of a Warrant, a holder will recognize
capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount
realized and the holder's tax basis in the Warrant. Such a gain or loss will be
long-term if the holding period is more than one year. In the event that a
Warrant lapses unexercised, a holder will recognize a capital loss in an amount
equal to his tax basis in the Warrant. Such loss will be long-term if the
Warrant has been held for more than one year.
 
  ADJUSTMENTS TO EXERCISE PRICE OF THE WARRANTS
 
     Adjustments in the Exercise Price (or the failure to make such adjustments)
pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the Warrants or otherwise may result
in constructive distributions to the holder of Warrants that could, under
certain circumstances, be taxable to them as dividends pursuant to Section 305
of the Code. If such a constructive distribution were to occur, a holder of
Warrants could be required to recognize ordinary income for tax purposes without
receiving a corresponding distribution of cash.
 
TAXATION OF TAX-EXEMPT ENTITIES
 
     In general, a Tax-Exempt Entity that is a stockholder of the Company is not
subject to tax on distributions. The Service has ruled that amounts distributed
by a REIT to an exempt employees' pension trust do not constitute UBTI and thus
should be nontaxable to such a Tax-Exempt Entity. Based on that ruling, but
subject to the discussion of excess inclusion income set forth under the heading
"Taxation of the Company's Stockholders," Counsel is of the opinion that
indebtedness incurred by the Company in connection
 
                                       116
<PAGE>   124
 
with the acquisition of real estate assets such as Mortgage Loans will not cause
dividends of the Company paid to a stockholder that is a Tax-Exempt Entity to be
UBTI, provided that the Tax-Exempt Entity has not financed the acquisition of
its stock with "acquisition indebtedness" within the meaning of the Code. Under
certain conditions, if a tax-exempt employee pension or profit sharing trust
were to acquire more than 10% of the Company's stock, a portion of the dividends
on such stock could be treated as UBTI.
 
     For social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental
unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt
from federal income taxation under Code Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and
(c)(20), respectively, income from an investment in the Company, including gain
realized on the sale of such an investment, will constitute UBTI unless the
organization is able to properly deduct amounts set aside or placed in reserve
for certain purposes so as to offset the UBTI generated by its investment in the
Company. Such entities should review Code Section 512(a)(3) and should consult
their own tax advisors concerning these "set aside" and reserve requirements.
 
FOREIGN INVESTORS
 
     The preceding discussion does not address the federal income tax
consequences to foreign investors (non-resident aliens and foreign corporations
as defined in the Code) of an investment in the Company. In general, foreign
investors will be subject to special withholding tax requirements on income and
capital gains distributions attributable to their ownership of the Company's
stock. Foreign investors in the Company should consult their own tax advisors
concerning the federal income tax consequences to them of a purchase of shares
of the Company's stock including the federal income tax treatment of
dispositions of interests in, and the receipt of distributions from, REITs by
foreign investors. In addition, federal income taxes must be withheld on certain
distributions by a REIT to foreign investors unless reduced or eliminated by an
income tax treaty between the United States and the foreign investor's country.
A foreign investor eligible for reduction or elimination of withholding must
file an appropriate form with the Company in order to claim such treatment.
 
RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENT
 
     A REIT is required to maintain records regarding the actual and
constructive ownership of its shares, and other information, and within 30 days
after the end of its taxable year, to demand statements from persons owning
above a specified level of the REIT's shares (e.g., if the Company has over 200
but fewer than 2,000 stockholders of record, from persons holding one percent or
more of the Company's outstanding shares of stock and if the Company has 200 or
fewer stockholders of record, from persons holding 1/2% or more of the stock)
regarding their ownership of shares. The Company must maintain, as part of the
Company's records, a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with
this demand. Stockholders who fail or refuse to comply with the demand must
submit a statement with their tax returns setting forth their actual stock
ownership and other information. The Company intends to maintain the records and
demand statements as required by these regulations.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
     The Code imposes a modified form of "backup withholding" for payments of
interest and dividends. This withholding applies only if a stockholder, among
other things, (i) fails to furnish the Company with a properly certified
taxpayer identification number, (ii) furnishes the Company with an incorrect
taxpayer identification number, (iii) fails properly to report interest or
dividends from any source, or (iv) under certain circumstances fails to provide
the Company or the stockholder's securities broker with a certified statements,
under penalty of perjury, that he or she is not subject to backup withholding.
 
     The backup withholding rate is 31% of "reportable payments," which include
the Company's dividends. Stockholders should consult their tax advisors as to
the procedure for insuring that Company distributions to them will not be
subject to backup withholding.
 
     The Company will report to its stockholders and the Service the amount of
dividends paid during each calendar year and the amount of tax withheld, if any.
 
                                       117
<PAGE>   125
 
RECENT LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS
 
     The President's 1999 Budget Plan, as presented to Congress on February 2,
1998, contains several provisions which affect REITs. One such provision, if
enacted, could have a potential adverse effect on the way that the Company
intends to operate its mortgage conduit operations. That provision would
prohibit the ownership by a REIT of more than 10% the stock of another
corporation, by vote or value. The rules currently in place for qualification as
a REIT limit (i) a REIT to owning less than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of another corporation and (ii) the value of a REIT's ownership of
the securities of any one issuer to less than five percent of the value of the
REIT's assets. (See "Qualification as a REIT -- Nature of Assets" above). By
limiting a REIT's ownership of the securities of another corporation to 10% of
the value of the issuing corporation, the proposal, if enacted, could cause the
Company to have to divest itself of most of the preferred stock of the Taxable
Subsidiary that the Company currently owns. In such an event the Company would
not receive the dividends that the Company expects to earn from the Taxable
Subsidiary, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's net
profits after such divestiture. If that proposal is enacted in substantially the
form proposed, the Company would originate and acquire only those Mortgage Loans
that it intends to retain for investment. See "Business -- Industry
Developments" for a more detailed discussion of the budget proposal.
 
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
 
     State and local tax laws may not correspond to the federal income tax
principles discussed in this section. Accordingly, prospective stockholders
should consult their tax advisers concerning the state and local tax
consequences of an investment in the Company's stock.
 
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
 
     In considering an investment in the Common Stock of the Company, a
fiduciary of a profit-sharing, pension stock bonus plan, or individual
retirement account, including a plan for self-employed individuals and their
employees or any other employee benefit plan subject to prohibited transaction
provisions of the Code or the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA (an
"ERISA Plan") should consider (a) whether the ownership of Common Stock is in
accordance with the documents and instruments governing such ERISA Plan, (b)
whether the ownership of Common Stock is consistent with the fiduciary's
responsibilities and satisfies the requirements of Part 4 of Subtitle B of Title
I of ERISA (where applicable) and, in particular, the diversification, prudence
and liquidity requirements of Section 404 of ERISA, (c) ERISA's prohibitions in
improper delegation of control over, or responsibility for, "plan assets" and
ERISA's imposition of co-fiduciary liability on a fiduciary who participates in,
permits (by action or inaction) the occurrence of, or fails to remedy a known
breach of duty by another fiduciary, and (d) the need to value the assets of the
ERISA Plan annually.
 
     In regard to the "plan assets" issue noted in clause (c) above, Counsel is
of the opinion that, effective as of the date of the closing of this Offering
and the listing of the shares of Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange,
and based on certain representations of the Company, the Common Stock should
qualify as a "publicly-offered security," and, therefore, the acquisition of
such Common Stock by ERISA Plans should not cause the Company's assets to be
treated as assets of such investing ERISA Plans for purposes of the fiduciary
responsibility provisions of ERISA or the prohibited transaction provisions of
the Code. Fiduciaries of ERISA Plans and IRA's should consult with and rely upon
their own advisors in evaluating the consequences under the fiduciary provisions
of ERISA and the Code of an investment in Common Stock in light of their own
circumstances.
 
                                       118
<PAGE>   126
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Under the terms of and subject to the conditions contained in the
underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") between the Company and
the Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), for whom Stifel, Nicolaus &
Company, Incorporated is acting as representative (the "Representative"), the
Underwriters have severally agreed to purchase from the Company and the Company
has agreed to sell to the Underwriters severally the respective number of Units
set forth opposite its name below:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NUMBER OF UNITS
                                                                   TO BE
                        UNDERWRITER                              PURCHASED
                        -----------                           ---------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated....................
 
          Total.............................................     4,000,000
                                                                 =========
</TABLE>
    
 
     In the Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriters have severally agreed,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all of the
Units being sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement (other than those
covered by the over-allotment option described below). In the event of a default
by any Underwriter, the Underwriting Agreement provides that, in certain
circumstances, the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting Underwriters may be
increased or the Underwriting Agreement may be terminated.
 
     The Company has been advised by the Representative that the Underwriters
propose to offer the Units in part to the public at the Price to Public set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, and in part to certain securities
dealers (who may include Underwriters) at such price less a concession not in
excess of $     per Unit, and that the Underwriters and such dealers may reallow
to certain dealers, a discount not in excess of $     per Unit. After
commencement of the public offering, the Price to Public, concessions to
selected dealers and the discount to other dealers may be changed by the
Representatives.
 
   
     The Company has granted an option to the Underwriters, exercisable during
the 30-day period after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase, at the Price
to Public less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus, up to 600,000 additional Units. The Underwriters may exercise such
option only to cover over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the
Offering of the Units offered hereby. To the extent the Underwriters exercise
such option, each of the Underwriters will become obligated, subject to certain
conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of such option Units
as it was obligated to purchase pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.
    
 
     The Company and certain of its affiliates have agreed to indemnify the
Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Federal securities laws, or to contribute to payments which the Underwriters may
be required to make in respect thereof. Insofar as indemnification for
liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to officers,
directors or persons controlling the Company, the Company has been informed that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
 
     The Company, the Founders and ContiFinancial Corporation have agreed with
the Underwriters that, for a period of one year following the closing of the
Offering, they will not offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of
any shares of Common Stock or rights to acquire such shares without the prior
written consent of the Representatives. See "Shares Eligible For Future Sale."
 
   
     The Company has agreed to grant to the Representative warrants to purchase
120,000 (138,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised) shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price equal to the Price to Public of the Units (the
"Representative's Warrants"). The Representative's Warrants are exercisable for
a period of three years beginning six months after the initial closing of the
Offering. The Representative's Warrants and, if exercised, the underlying
securities, may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for
a
    
 
                                       119
<PAGE>   127
 
period of one year following the effective date of the Offering except to any
officer or partner of a Representative or by operation of law. The
Representative's Warrants contain anti-dilution provisions providing for
appropriate adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. See "Description
of Capital Stock."
 
     The Representative has informed the Company that it does not expect the
Underwriters to confirm sales of Units offered by this Prospectus to any
accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
 
     The Company intends to apply for listing of the Units, the Warrants and the
Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange. See "Prospectus Summary -- The
Offering."
 
     Prior to the closing of the Offering, there has been no public market for
the Units. Accordingly, the Price to Public for the Units has been determined by
negotiations between the Company and the Representative. Among the factors which
were considered in determining the Price to Public were the Company's future
prospects, the experience of its management, the economic condition of the
financial services industry in general, the general condition of the equity
securities market, the demand for similar securities of companies considered
comparable to the Company and other relevant factors.
 
     The Price to Public set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus should
not be considered an indication of the actual value of the Units. Such price is
subject to change as a result of market conditions and other factors and no
assurance can be given that the Units can be resold at the Price to Public of
the Units after the closing of this Offering.
 
     Until the distribution of the Units is completed, rules of the Commission
may limit the ability of the Underwriters and certain selling group members to
bid for and purchase the Units. As an exception to these rules, the
Representative is permitted to engage in certain transactions that stabilize the
prices of the Units. Such transactions consist of bids or purchases for the
purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of such securities. If the
Underwriters create a short position in the Units in connection with this
Offering, i.e., if they sell a greater number of Units than is set forth in the
cover page of this Prospectus, then the Lead Underwriters may reduce that short
position by purchasing Units in the open market. The Representative may also
elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of the
over-allotment option described herein. The Representative may also impose a
penalty bid on certain Underwriters and selling group members. This means that
if the Representative purchases Units in the open market to reduce the
Underwriters' short position or to stabilize the price of the Units, it may
reclaim the amount of the selling concession from the Underwriters and selling
group members who sold those securities as part of the Offering. In general,
purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short
position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might be in
the absence of such purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have
an effect on the price of a security to the extent that it were to discourage
resales of the security. These transactions may be effected on the American
Stock Exchange or otherwise. Neither the Company nor any of the Underwriters
makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any
effect that the transactions described above may have on the prices of the
Units. In addition, neither the Company nor any of the Underwriters makes any
representation that the Representative will engage in such transactions, or that
such transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
 
                                       120
<PAGE>   128
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
   
     The validity of the Securities offered hereby and certain tax matters will
be passed on by Jeffers, Wilson, Shaff & Falk, LLP, Irvine, California.
Christopher A. Wilson, Esq. and Michael E. Shaff, Esq., partners of Jeffers,
Wilson, Shaff & Falk, LLP, have been granted options to purchase 2,159 and 863
shares of Common Stock, respectively. Certain legal matters will be passed upon
for the Underwriters by O'Melveny & Myers LLP, San Francisco, California.
    
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The balance sheet of RealTrust Asset Corporation as of April 1, 1998 and
financial statements of CMG Funding Corp. (formerly Continental Mortgage Group,
L.C.) as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for the year ended December 31, 1997
and the period from February 7, 1996 (date of inception) to December 31, 1996,
have been included herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the
reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants
appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, a
Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Units offered
hereby. Copies of the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto are on
file at the offices of the Commission in Washington, D.C. and may be obtained at
rates prescribed by the Commission upon request to the Commission and inspected,
without charge, at the offices of the Commission. Prior to the Offering, the
Company has not been required to file reports under the Exchange Act. However,
following the closing of this Offering, the Company will be required to file
reports and other information with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.
Such reports and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices at Northwestern
Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street (Suite 1400), Chicago, Illinois 60661 and
7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can also
be obtained from the Commission at prescribed rates through its Public Reference
Section at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission
maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy, information statements and
other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission. The Web site is located at http://www.sec.gov. Statements contained
in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any contract or other
document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance
reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in
all respect by such reference.
 
                                       121
<PAGE>   129
 
                                    GLOSSARY
 
     As used in this Prospectus, the capitalized and other terms listed below
have the meanings indicated.
 
     "Affiliated Person" means of any entity: (i) any person directly or
indirectly owning, controlling, or holding with the power to vote, five percent
or more of the outstanding securities of such entity; (ii) any person five
percent or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or
indirectly owned, controlled, or held with power to vote, by such entity; (iii)
any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common
control with, such entity; or (iv) any officer, director or employee of such
entity or any person set forth in (i), (ii) or (iii) above. Any person who owns
beneficially, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, more
than twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting securities of any entity shall be
presumed to control such entity. Any person who does not so own more than
twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting securities of any entity shall be
presumed not to control such entity. A natural person shall be presumed not to
be a controlled entity.
 
     "Agency" means FNMA, FHLMC or GNMA.
 
     "Agency Certificates" means pass-through certificates guaranteed by FNMA,
FHLMC or GNMA.
 
     "ARM" means a Mortgage Loan (including any Mortgage Loan underlying a
Mortgage Security) that features adjustments of the underlying interest rate at
predetermined times based on an agreed margin to an established index. An ARM is
usually subject to periodic interest rate and/or payment caps and a lifetime
interest rate cap.
 
     "Beneficial Owner" means any actual purchaser of a Warrant.
 
     "CAG" means Capital Allocation Guidelines.
 
     "Capital Stock" means the shares of capital stock issuable by the Company
under its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, and includes Common
Stock and preferred stock.
 
     "Capstone" means Capstone Investments, Inc., a Nevada corporation.
 
     "Charitable Beneficiary" means one or more charitable beneficiaries for the
exclusive benefit of which Capital Stock is transferred, where absent such
transfer the intended transferee of such Capital Stock would beneficially or
constructively own more than a 9.8% interest in any tenant of the Company.
 
     "CMO" or "Collateralized Mortgage Obligations" means adjustable or
short-term fixed-rate debt obligations (bonds) that are collateralized by
Mortgage Loans and issued by private institutions or issued or guaranteed by
GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC.
 
     "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
     "Commitments" means commitments issued by the Company which will obligate
the Company to purchase Mortgage Assets from the holders of the commitment for a
specified period of time, in a specified aggregate principal amount and at a
specified price.
 
     "Common Stock" means one share of the Company common stock, par value
$.001.
 
     "Company" means RealTrust Asset Corporation, a Maryland corporation, and
includes any subsidiaries thereof when the context otherwise requires.
 
     "ContiFinancial Corporation" means ContiFinancial Corporation and each of
its affiliates, including ContiMortgage Corporation, ContiTrade Services L.L.C.,
and ContiFinancial Services Corporation.
 
     "Direct Participant" means Participants which are securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations.
 
     "DRP" means a Dividend Reinvestment Plan the Company intends to adopt
following this Offering.
 
     "DTC" means the Depository Trust Company.
 
     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
                                       122
<PAGE>   130
 
     "ERISA Plan" or "Plan" means a pension, profit-sharing, retirement or other
employee benefit plan which is subject to ERISA.
 
   
     "Excess inclusion income" means income recognized by the holder of a REMIC
residual (or a residual from a taxable mortgage pool) which exceeds 120% of the
long-term applicable Federal interest rate.
    
 
     "Excess Shares" means the number of shares of Capital Stock of the Company
held by any person or group of persons in excess of 9.8% of the outstanding
shares.
 
     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
     "Exercise Price" means the price equal to the Price to Public.
 
     "Expiration Date" means the date and time after which the Warrants are no
longer exercisable or 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the third anniversary of the
date the Warrants first become exercisable.
 
     "FHA" means the United States Federal Housing Administration.
 
     "FHLMC" means the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
 
     "First Lien Mortgage Loans" means Mortgage Loans secured by first mortgages
or deeds of trust.
 
     "FNMA" means the Federal National Mortgage Association.
 
     "Formation Transaction" means the transactions and actions to be taken by
the Company prior to this Offering.
 
     "Founders" means the stockholders of the Taxable Subsidiary prior to this
Offering, excluding ContiFinancial Corporation. The Founders are John D. Fry,
Terry L. Mott, William J. Reed, Shauna L. Reimann, Patrick W. Craghan, David and
Sara Ferradino, Kent G. Bills and Brenda Colson.
 
     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles.
 
     "GNMA" means the Government National Mortgage Association.
 
     "HUD" means the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
 
     "Independent Directors" means a director of the Company who is not an
officer or employee of the Company or any affiliate or subsidiary of the
Company.
 
     "Indirect Participants" means Participants which are securities brokers and
dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly.
 
     "Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
 
     "IOs" means interest only Mortgage Securities.
 
     "IRAs" means Individual Retirement Accounts.
 
     "ISOs" means qualified incentive stock options granted under the Stock
Option Plan which meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
 
     "Keogh Plans" means H.R. 10 Plans.
 
     "LIBOR" means London Inter-Bank Offered Rate.
 
     "Limitation Price" means the price for which any holder of Excess Stock may
designate a transferee of such Excess Stock, which price is equal to the lesser
of (i) in the case of a deemed exchange for Excess Stock resulting from a
transfer, the price paid for such shares in the transfer or, in the case of a
deemed exchange for Excess Stock resulting from some other event, the fair
market value on the date of the deemed exchange, of the shares deemed exchanged,
or (ii) the fair market value of the shares for which such Excess Stock will be
deemed to be exchanged on the date of the designation of the transferee (or, in
the case of a purchase by the Company, on the date the Company accepts the offer
to sell).
 
                                       123
<PAGE>   131
 
     "LTV" means loan-to-value ratio which is the percentage obtained by
dividing the principal amount of a loan by the lower of the sales price or
appraised value of the mortgaged property when the loan is originated.
 
     "Maryland GCL" means the Maryland General Corporation Law as in effect on
the date hereof, or as subsequently amended and revised.
 
     "Mortgage Assets" means (i) Mortgage Loans and (ii) Mortgage Securities.
 
     "Mortgage Loans" means mortgage loans which are secured by mortgages or
deeds of trust on single-family (one to four unit) residences, and includes
Subprime Mortgage Loans and Prime Mortgage Loans.
 
     "Mortgage Securities" means CMOs and securities (or interests therein)
which are Qualified REIT Assets evidencing undivided ownership interests in a
pool of Mortgage Loans, the holders of which receive a "pass-through" of the
principal and interest paid in connection with the underlying Mortgage Loans in
accordance with the holders' respective, undivided interests in the pool.
 
     "Ownership Limit" means 9.8% of the outstanding shares of each class of
stock, as may be increased or reduced by the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
     "Participants" means participants in the DTC.
 
     "POs" means principal only Mortgage Securities.
 
     "Post-closing Transactions" means the transaction and actions to be taken
by the Company subsequent to this Offering.
 
     "Prime Mortgage Loans" means Mortgage Loans that either comply with
requirements for inclusion in credit support programs sponsored by FHLMC or FNMA
or are FHA or VA Loans, all of which are secured by first mortgages or deeds of
trust on single-family (one to four units) residences.
 
     "Purchase Agreement" means the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement between the
Company and the Taxable Subsidiary.
 
     "Qualified Hedge" means a hedging contract that has each of the following
attributes: (a) a financial instrument; (b) entered into by the Company to hedge
any variable rate indebtedness of the Company incurred or to be incurred to
acquire or carry real estate assets; (c) the Company will not treat as a
Qualified Hedge any hedging instrument acquired to hedge an asset of the
Company; and (d) the Company will only treat as a Qualified Hedge a hedging
instrument acquired to hedge a variable rate indebtedness secured by a variable
rate asset that itself is subject to periodic or lifetime interest rate caps, or
a variable rate indebtedness that is subject to a different interest rate index
from that of the Company's asset securing such variable rate indebtedness.
 
     "Qualified REIT Assets" means pass-through certificates, Mortgage Loans,
Agency Certificates and other assets of the type described in Code Section
856(c)(5)(B).
 
     "Qualified REIT Subsidiary" means a corporation whose stock is entirely
owned by the REIT. The income and assets of a Qualified REIT Subsidiary are
treated as those of the Company for tax purposes.
 
     "Qualifying Interests" means "mortgages and other liens on and interests in
real estate," as defined in Section 3(c)(5)(C) under the Investment Company Act.
 
     "RealTrust" means RealTrust Asset Corporation, a newly formed Maryland
corporation.
 
     "REIT" means Real Estate Investment Trust as defined under Section 856 of
the Code.
 
     "REMIC" means Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit as defined under
Section 860D of the Code.
 
     "Representative" means Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated.
 
   
     "Representative's Warrants" means the Warrants to purchase 120,000 shares
of Common Stock (138,000 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised)
granted to the Representative.
    
 
                                       124
<PAGE>   132
 
     "Reverse Repurchase Agreement" means a borrowing device evidenced by an
agreement to sell securities or other assets to a third-party and a simultaneous
agreement to repurchase them at a specified future date and price, the price
difference constituting the interest on the borrowing.
 
     "Second Lien Mortgage Loans" means Mortgage Loans secured by second
mortgages or deeds of trust.
 
     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
     "Strategic Alliance" means the certain strategic alliance between the
Company and ContiFinancial Corporation.
 
     "Subordinated Mortgage Securities" means a class of Mortgage Securities
that is subordinated to one or more of classes of Mortgage Securities, all of
which classes share the same collateral.
 
     "Subprime Mortgage Loans" means Mortgage Loans that do not conform to one
or more underwriting criteria of FHLMC and FNMA (other than the mortgage loan
limits) for participation in one or more of such agencies' mortgage loan
programs, and may also exceed the maximum loan limits
 
     "Tax-Exempt Entity" means a qualified pension, profit-sharing or other
employee retirement benefit plan, Keogh Plans, bank commingled trust funds for
such plans, IRAs and other similar entities intended to be exempt from Federal
income taxation.
 
     "Taxable Income" means for any year the taxable income of the Company for
such year (excluding any net income derived either from property held primarily
for sale to customers or from foreclosure property) subject to certain
adjustments provided in Section 857 of the Code.
 
     "Taxable Subsidiary" means CMG Funding Corp., a Delaware corporation.
 
     "UBTI" means "unrelated trade or business income" as defined in Section 512
of the Code.
 
     "Unit" means one share of Common Stock and one Warrant.
 
     "Warrant" means a warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at the
Price to Public, and included in the Unit.
 
     "Warrant Agent" means the warrant agent named in the Warrant Agreement,
which initially shall be the American Securities Transfer & Trust Incorporated.
 
     "Warrant Agreement" means the warrant agreement pursuant to which the
Warrants will be issued.
 
     "Warrant Share" means a Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock.
 
                                       125
<PAGE>   133
 
                   TABLE OF CONTENTS TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
Independent Auditors' Report................................   F-2
  Balance Sheet as of April 1, 1998.........................   F-3
  Note to Balance Sheet.....................................   F-4
CMG FUNDING CORP.
Independent Auditors' Report................................   F-5
Financial Statements as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and
  for the year ended December 31, 1997 and the period from
  February 7, 1996 (date of inception) to December 31, 1996:
  Balance Sheets............................................   F-6
  Statements of Operations..................................   F-7
  Statements of Stockholders' Equity........................   F-8
  Statements of Cash Flows..................................   F-9
  Notes to Financial Statements.............................  F-10
Unaudited Financial Statements as of March 31, 1998 and for
  the three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997:
  Balance Sheet (unaudited).................................  F-20
  Statements of Operations (unaudited)......................  F-21
  Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)......................  F-22
  Note to Financial Statements..............................  F-23
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   134
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
To The Board of Directors
RealTrust Asset Corporation
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of RealTrust Asset
Corporation as of April 1, 1998 (date of inception). This financial statement is
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.
 
     We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material
misstatement. An audit of a balance sheet includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheet. An audit
of a balance sheet also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit of the balance sheet
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of RealTrust Asset Corporation as of
April 1, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Salt Lake City, Utah
May 4, 1998
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   135
 
                          REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
 
                                 APRIL 1, 1998
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
Cash........................................................    $1,000
                                                                ======
 
                         STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Class A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001;
  1,263,472 shares authorized;
  no shares issued and outstanding..........................    $   --
Class B Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $.001; 410,581
  shares authorized;
  no shares issued and outstanding..........................        --
Common Stock, par value $.001; 2,810,455 shares authorized;
  66 shares issued and outstanding..........................        --
Additional paid-in capital..................................     1,000
                                                                ------
                                                                $1,000
                                                                ======
</TABLE>
 
                 See accompanying note to balance sheet at F-4.
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   136
 
                          REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
 
                             NOTE TO BALANCE SHEET
 
                                 APRIL 1, 1998
 
BUSINESS DESCRIPTION
 
     RealTrust Asset Corporation (the "Company") was incorporated in the state
of Maryland on April 1, 1998. The Company's business activities will consist of
(i) investing in Mortgage Loans acquired from CMG Funding Corp. and independent
mortgage brokers and banks; (ii) investing in Mortgage Securities, and (iii)
owning preferred stock investment in CMG Funding Corp., which it will account
for on the equity basis of accounting. The Company will operate in a manner that
permits it to elect, and intends to elect, REIT status for Federal income tax
purposes. The Company intends to distribute at least 95% or more of its taxable
income to its holders of Common Stock on a quarterly basis each year so as to
comply with the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
   
     In connection with its formation, the Company has filed a registration
statement for the sale of 4,000,000 units. Each unit consists of one share of
Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, and one Common Stock Purchase Warrant.
There has been no public market for the Units and the Company has not yet
commenced operations. Upon the closing of the Offering of the Units, the Company
will use substantially all of the net proceeds of the Offering to provide
funding for investing in Mortgage Loans and Mortgage Securities.
    
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   137
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
CMG Funding Corp.:
 
   
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of CMG Funding Corp.
(formerly Continental Mortgage Group L.C.) as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and
the related statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for
the year ended December 31, 1997 and the period from February 7, 1996 (date of
inception) to December 31, 1996. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
    
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of CMG Funding Corp. as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for the year ended December 31, 1997 and the period from February 7, 1996 (date
of inception) to December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Salt Lake City, Utah
March 10, 1998
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   138
 
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
 
                                     ASSETS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1997           1996
                                                              -----------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Cash and cash equivalents...................................  $   708,962        272,308
Mortgage loans held for sale................................   54,451,067     24,147,713
Receivables.................................................    1,379,878        120,731
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment, net.....................    1,325,969        500,570
Other real estate owned.....................................           --        147,740
Deposits....................................................       86,549         56,762
Restricted cash.............................................       56,478         90,009
Organization costs, net of accumulated amortization of
  $6,824 at December 31, 1997 and $2,573 at December 31,
  1996......................................................       38,669         16,105
Prepaid expense.............................................      500,174          6,114
Other assets................................................      319,557             --
                                                              -----------    -----------
                                                              $58,867,303     25,358,052
                                                              ===========    ===========
 
                          LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable............................................  $   377,110        207,442
Accrued interest and other liabilities......................      796,376        536,026
Warehouse and revolving working capital lines of credit.....   55,603,021     23,996,471
Notes payable...............................................      188,690        250,000
Obligations under capital leases............................      366,687        233,982
Dividends payable...........................................       73,188             --
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total liabilities.................................   57,405,072     25,223,921
Stockholders' equity:
  Class A convertible preferred stock, $.001 par value,
     1,268,950 shares authorized, 1,263,472 issued, and
     outstanding............................................        1,263             --
  Common stock, $.001 par value, 2,609,407 shares
     authorized, 1,546,983 issued, and outstanding..........        1,547             --
  Additional paid-in capital................................    2,953,493             --
  Members' capital..........................................           --      1,439,997
  Accumulated deficit.......................................   (1,494,072)    (1,305,866)
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total stockholders' equity........................    1,462,231        134,131
                                                              -----------    -----------
                                                              $58,867,303     25,358,052
                                                              ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
    
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   139
 
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1997           1996
                                                              -----------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Revenues:
  Interest..................................................  $ 3,756,870        621,601
  Gain-on-sale of mortgage loans, net.......................    5,967,647        446,771
  Mortgage servicing fees...................................       38,826             --
  Other.....................................................      269,248         92,063
                                                              -----------    -----------
                                                               10,032,591      1,160,435
                                                              -----------    -----------
Expenses:
  Salaries and employee benefits............................    4,474,357        390,018
  General operating.........................................    4,313,236      1,285,156
  Interest..................................................    2,965,685        731,519
  Other.....................................................       53,624         59,608
                                                              -----------    -----------
                                                               11,806,902      2,466,301
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Net loss..........................................  $(1,774,311)    (1,305,866)
                                                              ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   140
 
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                       STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                CLASS A
                              CONVERTIBLE             ADDITIONAL                                  TOTAL
                               PREFERRED    COMMON     PAID-IN      MEMBERS'    ACCUMULATED   STOCKHOLDERS'
                                 STOCK       STOCK     CAPITAL      CAPITAL       DEFICIT        EQUITY
                              -----------   -------   ----------   ----------   -----------   -------------
<S>                           <C>           <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Balances at February 7, 1996
  (date of inception).......    $   --          --            --           --            --             --
Members' capital
  contribution..............        --          --            --    1,562,664            --      1,562,664
Members' withdrawals........        --          --            --     (122,667)           --       (122,667)
Net loss....................        --          --            --           --    (1,305,866)    (1,305,866)
                                ------       -----    ----------   ----------   -----------    -----------
Balances at December
  31,1996...................        --          --            --    1,439,997    (1,305,866)       134,131
Transfer of Continental
  Mortgage Group L.C.
  accumulated deficit at
  March 7, 1997 (see note
  1)........................        --          --    (1,833,694)          --     1,833,694             --
Conversions of members'
  capital to Class A
  convertible preferred
  stock (600,774 shares) and
  common stock (1,000,100
  shares)...................       601       1,000     1,438,396   (1,439,997)           --             --
Issuance of Class A
  convertible preferred
  stock (252,117 shares)....       252          --       499,748           --            --        500,000
Conversion of subordinated
  debt to common stock
  (546,883 shares)..........        --         547       849,453           --            --        850,000
Conversion of $2,000,000
  revolving working capital
  line of credit to Class A
  convertible preferred
  stock (410,581 shares)....       410          --     1,999,590           --            --      2,000,000
Cumulative dividend -- Class
  A convertible preferred
  stock.....................        --          --            --           --      (247,589)      (247,589)
Net loss....................        --          --            --           --    (1,774,311)    (1,774,311)
                                ------       -----    ----------   ----------   -----------    -----------
Balances at December 31,
  1997......................    $1,263       1,547     2,953,493           --    (1,494,072)     1,462,231
                                ======       =====    ==========   ==========   ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   141
 
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1997            1996
                                                              -------------   -------------
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss..................................................  $  (1,774,311)     (1,305,866)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
    operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization...........................        248,395          54,283
    Proceeds from mortgage loans held for sale..............    462,824,615     148,300,974
    Increase in mortgage loans held for sale................   (487,160,322)   (172,174,656)
    Gain on sales of mortgage loans, net....................     (5,967,647)       (446,771)
    Write-down of other real estate owned...................             --          25,000
    Gain on sale of other real estate owned.................         (8,874)             --
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Increase in receivables..............................     (1,259,147)       (120,731)
       Increase in deposits.................................        (29,787)        (56,762)
       Decrease (increase) in restricted cash...............         33,531         (90,009)
       Increase in organization costs.......................        (42,310)        (18,678)
       Increase in prepaid expense..........................       (494,060)         (6,114)
       Increase in other assets.............................       (319,557)             --
       Increase in accounts payable.........................        169,668         207,442
       Increase in accrued interest and other liabilities...        260,350         536,026
                                                              -------------   -------------
         Net cash used in operating activities..............    (33,519,456)    (25,095,862)
                                                              -------------   -------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchase of furniture, fixtures, and equipment............       (784,762)       (256,858)
  Proceeds from sale of land held for investment............             --         177,734
  Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned.............        156,614              --
                                                              -------------   -------------
         Net cash used in investing activities..............       (628,148)        (79,124)
                                                              -------------   -------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from warehouse and revolving working capital
    lines of credit, net....................................     33,606,550      23,996,471
  Proceeds from notes payable...............................        200,000         250,000
  Payments on notes payable.................................       (261,310)        (65,000)
  Payments on obligations under capital leases..............       (136,581)        (48,726)
  Proceeds from subordinated debt...........................        850,000              --
  Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock.................        500,000              --
  Members' capital contributions, net of withdrawals........             --       1,314,549
  Dividends paid............................................       (174,401)             --
                                                              -------------   -------------
         Net cash provided by financing activities..........     34,584,258      25,447,294
                                                              -------------   -------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents...................        436,654         272,308
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period........        272,308              --
                                                              -------------   -------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period..................  $     708,962         272,308
                                                              =============   =============
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Interest paid...............................................  $   2,599,437         599,020
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH ACTIVITIES
Transfer from mortgage loans held for sale to other real
  estate owned..............................................  $          --         172,740
Land contributed by member, net of note payable in amount of
  $65,000...................................................             --         112,734
Office machinery and equipment contributed by member........             --          12,714
Capital lease obligations incurred for furniture, fixture,
  and equipment.............................................        269,286         282,708
Conversion of members capital to preferred, common stock,
  and additional paid-in capital............................      1,439,997              --
Conversion of subordinated debt to common stock and
  additional paid-in capital................................        850,000              --
Conversion of revolving working capital line of credit to
  Class A convertible preferred stock and additional paid-in
  capital...................................................      2,000,000              --
Dividends payable on cumulative Class A convertible
  preferred stock...........................................         73,188              --
</TABLE>
    
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   142
 
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(1) DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
     CMG Funding Corp. (the Company) was incorporated on December 12, 1996,
under the laws of the State of Delaware and began operations on March 7, 1997.
Prior to this, the Company was organized on February 7, 1996, in the State of
Utah as a limited liability company and operated as Continental Mortgage Group.
The Company is engaged in mortgage banking activities located throughout the
United States.
 
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  (a) Basis of Financial Statement Presentation
 
     The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles. In preparing the financial statements,
management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet
and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  (b) Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid
investments with original maturities of three months or less. The carrying
amount of cash equivalents approximates their value.
 
     The Company has cash in a financial institution which is insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $100,000 per institution. As
of December 31, 1997, the Company had amounts on deposit with the financial
institution in excess of FDIC limits. The Company limits its risk by placing its
cash in a high quality financial institution.
 
     At December 31, 1997 and 1996, restricted cash includes $56,478 and
$90,009, respectively, representing cash restricted for the purpose of warehouse
loan fundings.
 
  (c) Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
 
     Mortgage loans held for sale are valued at the lower of cost or estimated
market value as determined by outstanding commitments from investors or current
investor yield requirements calculated on a loan-by-loan basis. Mortgage loans
held for sale include loan premiums of $1,322,339 and $242,553 at December 31,
1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
     The Company has limited its exposure to credit losses on its mortgage loans
held for sale by performing an in-depth due diligence on every loan originated
and purchased. The due diligence encompasses the borrowers credit, the
enforceability of the documents, and the value of the mortgage property. The
Company has not experienced any credit losses to date.
 
  (d) Loan Origination Fees and Related Costs
 
     Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are
deferred, and the net fee or cost is recognized in income using the interest
method over the contractual life of the loans, adjusted for estimated
prepayments based on the Company's historical prepayment experience. The net
deferred loan fee or cost is used in calculating the Company's gain or loss when
the related loans are sold to investors.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   143
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
  (e) Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment
 
     Furniture, fixtures, and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and
amortization are computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated
useful lives of the related assets. Useful lives range from five to seven years,
with the exception of leasehold improvements which are amortized over the lease
term or estimated useful life, whichever is less. Software is amortized over a
three-year life.
 
     Furniture and equipment under capital lease is stated at the present value
of minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease. Depreciation under
capital leases is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful life of the underlying asset.
 
  (f) Organization Costs
 
     Organization costs associated with the organization of the Company are
amortized on a straight-line basis over five years.
 
  (g) Gain/Loss on Sale of Mortgage Loans
 
     When loans are sold, a gain or loss is recognized to the extent that the
sales proceeds exceed or are less than the net book value of the loans. Net
deferred loan fees or costs are included in calculating gains and losses from
sales on loans.
 
  (h) Mortgage Servicing Fees
 
     Mortgage servicing fees represent the fees earned for servicing mortgage
loans under servicing agreements with the Federal National Mortgage Association
(FNMA). The fees are based on a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income
when received.
 
  (i) Income Taxes
 
   
     Prior to March 7, 1997, the Company was a limited liability company under
the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, the Company paid no
federal or state income taxes, and the elements of income or loss were
includable in the individual members' income tax returns.
    
 
   
     Upon the merger of CMG Funding Corp. into Continental Mortgage Group L.C.,
with CMG Funding Corp., a "C" Corporation, the survivor, the Company became
subject to income taxes which are recognized using the asset and liability
method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and deferred
tax liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets
and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit
carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are measured
using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in
which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The
effect on deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities of a change in tax
rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment
date.
    
 
  (j) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
     On March 7, 1997, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (Statement) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which
permits entities to recognize as expense over the vesting period, the fair value
of all stock-based awards on the date of the grant. Alternatively, Statement No.
123 also allows entities to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No.
25 and provide pro forma
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   144
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
earnings (loss) and pro forma earnings (loss) per share disclosure for employee
stock option grants made in 1995 and future years as if the fair-value-based
method defined in Statement No. 123 had been applied. The Company has elected to
apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide the pro forma disclosure
provisions of Statement No. 123.
 
     Statement No. 125, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial
Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, as amended by Statement No. 127, is
effective for all transfers and servicing of financial assets and
extinguishments of liabilities occurring after December 31, 1996, except for
secured borrowings and collateral, repurchase agreements, dollar rolls,
securities lending, and similar transactions, which transfers will be effective
for transactions occurring after December 31, 1996. This statement provides
accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial
assets and extinguishments of liabilities based on consistent application of
financial-components approach that focuses on control. It distinguishes
transfers of financial assets that are sales from transfers that are secured
borrowings. Under the financial-components approach, after a transfer of
financial assets, an entity recognizes all financial and servicing assets it
controls and liabilities it has incurred and derecognizes financial assets it no
longer controls and liabilities that have been extinguished. Many of these
assets and liabilities are components of financial assets that existed prior to
the transfer. If a transfer does not meet the criteria for a sale, the transfer
is accounted for as a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral.
 
  (k) Financial Statement Presentation
 
     The Company prepares its financial statements using an unclassified balance
sheet presentation as is customary in the mortgage banking industry. A
classified balance sheet presentation would have aggregated current assets,
current liabilities, and net working capital (deficit) as follows as of December
31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997           1996
                                                             -----------    ----------
<S>                                                          <C>            <C>
Current assets.............................................  $57,040,081    24,636,875
Current liabilities........................................   55,227,715    24,901,914
                                                             -----------    ----------
Net working capital (deficit)..............................  $ 1,812,366      (265,039)
                                                             ===========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
  (l) Reclassification
 
     Certain balances in 1996 have been reclassified to conform to the 1997
presentation
 
(3) RECEIVABLES
 
     Receivables as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1997          1996
                                                              ----------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Mortgage payments...........................................  $  831,547        40,721
Accrued interest............................................     463,720        71,616
Investor bonus..............................................      79,134            --
Other receivables...........................................       5,477         8,394
                                                              ----------    ----------
                                                              $1,379,878       120,731
                                                              ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   145
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(4) FURNITURE, FIXTURES, AND EQUIPMENT
 
     Furniture, fixtures, and equipment at December 31, 1997 and 1996, consist
of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    USEFUL LIVES       1997         1996
                                                    ------------    -----------    -------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>            <C>
Furniture and fixtures............................    7 years       $   323,105    146,836
Office machinery and equipment....................  5 - 7 years         438,544    112,989
Computers.........................................    5 years           514,957    186,591
Software..........................................    3 years           265,912     92,396
Leasehold improvements............................  2 - 5 years          63,809     13,468
                                                                    -----------    -------
                                                                      1,606,327    552,280
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization....                      280,358     51,710
                                                                    -----------    -------
                                                                    $ 1,325,969    500,570
                                                                    ===========    =======
</TABLE>
 
(5) WAREHOUSE AND REVOLVING WORKING CAPITAL LINES OF CREDIT
 
     The Company had the following lines of credit for the periods ending
December 31, 1997 and 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1997          1996
                                                               -----------   ----------
<S>                                                            <C>           <C>
2,000,000 revolving working capital line of credit with a
  finance company, maturing in January of 1999, with
  interest on outstanding balance accruing at LIBOR plus
  4.5% to 8.5%, secured by general assets (note 15).........   $ 1,785,225      200,000
7,000,000 warehousing line of credit with a finance company,
  maturing in June of 1997, with interest on outstanding
  balance accruing at the bank's prime rate plus 0.25%,
  payable monthly, secured by loans and servicing rights in
  loans warehoused..........................................            --    6,888,713
12,000,000 warehousing line of credit with a financial
  institution, matures in July of 1997, with interest
  accruing on outstanding balance ranging from LIBOR plus
  2.15% to 2.75%, payable monthly, secured by loans
  warehoused and associated servicing rights................            --   10,248,546
4,000,000 warehousing line of credit with a financial
  institution, maturing in April of 1997, with interest on
  outstanding balance accruing at the bank's prime rate plus
  0.50%, payable monthly, secured by loans warehoused and
  associated servicing rights...............................            --    2,590,759
50,000,000 warehousing line of credit with a finance
  company, maturing in January of 1999, with interest on
  outstanding balance accruing at LIBOR plus 2.25%, payable
  monthly, secured by loans warehoused and associated
  servicing rights (note 15)................................    31,692,828    4,068,453
10,000,000 warehousing line of credit with a financial
  institution, maturing in May of 1998, with interest
  accruing on outstanding balance ranging from LIBOR plus 2%
  to 3%, payable monthly, secured by loans warehoused and
  associated servicing rights...............................        57,362           --
100,000,000 reverse repurchase agreement with a finance
  company, maturing in October of 1998, with interest on
  outstanding balance ranging from LIBOR plus 1.10% to
  3.25%.....................................................    22,067,606           --
                                                               -----------   ----------
          Total warehouse and revolving working capital
            lines of credit.................................   $55,603,021   23,996,471
                                                               ===========   ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   146
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
     The average interest rates pertaining to outstanding short-term borrowings
at December 31, 1997 and 1996, was 7.91 percent and 8.38 percent, respectively.
 
     Effective November 24, 1997, the $2 million revolving line of credit was
renewed and amended to provide $4 million of revolving credit, maturing August
1, 1998. In connection therewith the Company issued a common stock warrant to
the finance company (note 15). The terms of the warrant provided that it could
only be exercised if the Company did not repay in full, the outstanding balance
on the line of credit. If exercised, the warrant entitled the finance company to
purchase for one dollar a number of shares equivalent to a maximum of 13 percent
of the Company's equity on a fully-diluted basis.
 
     Effective December 31, 1997, the finance company converted $2 million of
the $4 million revolving line of credit for 410,581 shares of Class A
convertible preferred stock. Further, the revolving line of credit was renewed
and amended to provide a $2 million revolving credit, maturing January 1, 1999.
 
     In connection with the above noted conversion, the Company granted to the
finance company two warrants to purchase shares of common stock. The first
warrant allows the finance company to purchase, for a nominal amount, up to five
percent of the Company's outstanding common shares (on a fully-diluted basis) if
all principal and interest due under the revolving line of credit is not repaid
on or prior to January 1, 1999. This warrant, if it becomes exercisable, will
remain exercisable for a period of ten years. The second warrant entitles the
finance company to purchase, for a nominal amount, one percent of the Company's
outstanding stock (on a fully-diluted basis) for each calendar quarter during
1998 in which, the Company fails to attain at least 90 percent of a pretax
income target described in the agreement. Entitlements under this warrant may be
exercised prior to the earlier of repayment or January 1, 1999.
 
     Additionally, the warrant issued to the finance company in November 1997
was canceled upon the granting of the two warrants described above.
 
     The Company's warehousing and revolving working capital line of credit
agreements referred to above contain both financial and nonfinancial covenants.
As of December 31, 1997, the Company, with the exception of the $10 million
warehouse line of credit, was in compliance with all covenants under the credit
agreements.
 
(6)  NOTES PAYABLE
 
     Notes payable consisted of the following at December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997       1996
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Note payable to a related party, unsecured, with interest on
  outstanding balance accruing at 12.0%, paid quarterly,
  principal due on December 31, 2000........................  $150,000         --
Note payable to a financial institution, maturing March
  2000, with interest on outstanding balance accruing at
  11.5%, payable monthly, secured by furniture and
  equipment.................................................    38,690         --
Note payable to a financial institution, at a fixed rate of
  10.25%, due February 1997.................................        --    250,000
                                                              --------   --------
                                                              $188,690    250,000
                                                              ========   ========
</TABLE>
 
(7)  SUBORDINATED DEBT
 
     On December 17, 1996, the Company entered into a subordinated debt
agreement with a finance company that permitted the Company to borrow $850,000
at 15 percent interest if certain origination volumes
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   147
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
were met as described in the agreement; otherwise, the interest rate was 18
percent. The subordinated debt was originally convertible into 429,293 shares of
convertible preferred stock, at the option of the finance company, for a
conversion price of $1.98 per share.
 
     Effective, November 24, 1997, the Company and the finance company modified
the agreement providing for a conversion privilege to common stock. In
accordance with such modifications, the finance company exercised its conversion
privilege by converting the subordinated debt into 546,883 shares of common
stock.
 
(8)  CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The Company's convertible preferred stock entitles the stockholder to
receive a dividend at the annual rate of 18 percent of the original issue price,
of $1.98 per share. The dividends are cumulative and are payable quarterly, in
arrears on the last day of each quarter end. The dividends accrue whether or not
the Company has earnings, funds are legally available for payment, and dividends
are declared. In addition, each share is convertible to common stock at any time
subsequent to issuance, at the option of the stockholder, as determined by
dividing the original issue price by the conversion price defined in the
Certification of Incorporation of the Company.
 
     During December 1996, the Company adopted a stock option plan (the Plan),
which provides for grants of incentive and nonqualified stock options. Under
this Plan, the Company has granted nonqualified stock options to officers,
directors, and other key individuals providing significant services to the
Company. The number of shares, terms, and exercise periods are determined by the
Board of Directors on an option-by-option basis. All options granted have a
ten-year exercise period and vest over a three-year period. An aggregate of
226,905 shares have been authorized for issuance under this plan. None of the
options outstanding as of December 31, 1997 are exercisable.
 
     A summary of the activity for the year ended December 31, 1997 under this
Plan follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
                                                              SHARES     EXERCISE PRICE
                                                              ------    ----------------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
Outstanding at beginning of period..........................      --         $  --
Granted.....................................................  97,000          3.96
                                                              ------         -----
Outstanding at end of period................................  97,000         $3.96
                                                              ======         =====
Weighted-average:
  Fair value of options granted during the period...........  $ 0.68
  Remaining contractual life................................    8.96years
</TABLE>
 
     The Company accounts for the Plan according to APB 25, under which
compensation cost will be recognized over the expected life of the options for
the difference between the exercise price and the related fair value. Inasmuch
as the Company's Board of Directors and management believes, the exercise price
to reflect the fair value of the options at date of grant, no compensation cost
was recorded for the year ended December 31, 1997. Had compensation cost for the
Plan been determined consistent with Statement No. 123, the Company's December
31, 1997 net loss would have been increased as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Net loss:
  As reported...............................................  $1,774,311
  Pro forma.................................................   1,786,661
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   148
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
     The effect that calculating compensation cost for stock-based compensation
under Statement No. 123 has on the pro forma net loss as presented above may not
be representative of the effects on reported net earnings or losses for future
years.
 
     The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
an option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: risk
free interest rate of six percent; expected dividend yields of zero percent; and
expected lives of three years.
 
     Subsequent to December 31, 1997, the Company canceled 27,500 options to
employees and a director to acquire shares of common stock at an exercise price
of $3.96.
 
(9) LOAN SERVICING
 
     For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company was servicing
approximately eight loans, owned by investors, aggregating $993,384. In
connection with its loan administration activities, the Company makes certain
payments of property taxes, insurance premiums, and guaranteed payments in
advance of collecting them from specific mortgagors.
 
(10) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
     The Company has a qualified 401(k) retirement plan for all employees who
have completed three months of service and have attained the age of 21.
Participants are able to contribute, on a pre-tax basis, up to 15 percent of
their earnings to the plan. Employer matching contributions are discretionary,
to be set prior to the end of the plan year, computed quarterly, and allocated
based on the ratio of the participants' compensation to total participants'
compensation.
 
(11) INCOME TAXES
 
     As discussed in note 2, the Company became subject to income taxes
following the merger on March 7, 1997. There is no income tax subsequent to that
date due to operating losses. The difference between the expected tax benefit
and the actual benefit is primarily attributable to the effect of net operating
losses being offset by the Company's valuation allowance.
 
     The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31,
1997, are presented below:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Deferred tax asset:
  Net operating loss carryforwards..........................  $472,150
  Mark to market adjustment.................................     8,750
  Other.....................................................     4,000
                                                              --------
          Total gross deferred tax assets...................   484,900
Deferred tax liabilities -- furniture, fixtures, and
  equipment due to differences in depreciation..............    40,000
                                                              --------
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance...........   444,900
Less valuation allowance....................................   444,900
                                                              --------
          Net deferred tax asset............................  $     --
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
     Subsequently recognized tax benefits relating to the valuation allowance
for deferred tax assets will be allocated as an income tax benefit to be
reported in the statements of operations. At December 31, 1997, the
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   149
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
Company had tax net operating losses approximately of $1,269,000, which can be
carried forward to reduce federal income taxes.
 
(12) LEASES
 
     The Company is obligated under operating leases for furniture, equipment,
and office space. In addition, the Company leases certain office equipment under
agreements that are recorded as capital leases. Future minimum lease payments
under noncancelable operating leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in
excess of one year) and minimum capital lease payments as of December 31, 1997,
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              CAPITAL     OPERATING
                                                               LEASES       LEASES
                                                              --------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Period ending December 31:
  1998......................................................  $216,835    $  763,387
  1999......................................................   160,310       705,032
  2000......................................................    48,544       627,884
  2001......................................................     5,701       595,820
  2002......................................................     2,315       155,272
                                                              --------    ----------
          Total minimum lease payments......................   433,705    $2,847,395
                                                                          ==========
Less amount representing interest...........................    67,018
                                                              --------
          Present value of net minimum lease payments.......  $366,687
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
     Furniture and equipment held under capital leases and the related
accumulated amortization at December 31, 1997, is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Furniture and fixtures......................................  $111,114
Office machinery and equipment..............................   363,416
Computers...................................................    68,093
                                                              --------
                                                               542,623
Less accumulated amortization...............................   109,586
                                                              --------
                                                              $433,037
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
     Rental expense under operating leases was $648,314 and $277,377 for the
year ending December 31, 1997 and the period from February 7, 1996 (date of
inception) to December 31, 1996, respectively.
 
(13) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
     The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial
instruments is made using amounts that have been determined using available
market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However,
considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop the
estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not
necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market
exchange. The use of the different market assumptions or estimation
methodologies could have a material impact on the estimated fair value amounts.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   150
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
     The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     DECEMBER 31, 1997          DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                  ------------------------   -----------------------
                                                   CARRYING     ESTIMATED     CARRYING    ESTIMATED
                                                    AMOUNT      FAIR VALUE     AMOUNT     FAIR VALUE
                                                  -----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
Financial assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.....................  $   708,962      708,962      272,308     272,308
  Mortgage loans held for sale..................   54,451,067   56,127,600   24,147,713   24,402,600
  Receivables...................................    1,379,878    1,379,878      120,731     120,731
  Deposits......................................       86,549       86,549       56,762      56,762
  Restricted cash...............................       56,478       56,478       90,009      90,009
 
Financial liabilities:
  Accounts payable..............................  $   377,110      377,110      207,442     207,442
  Accrued interest and other liabilities........      796,376      796,376      536,026     536,026
  Warehouse and revolving working capital lines
     of credit..................................   55,603,021   55,603,021   23,996,471   23,996,471
  Notes payable.................................      188,690      188,690      250,000     250,000
</TABLE>
 
     The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash and cash
equivalents, receivables, deposits, restricted cash, accounts payable, accrued
interest, and other liabilities approximate fair value because of the immediate
or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of
mortgage loans held for sale is estimated based on quoted marked prices from
dealers and brokers for similar types of mortgage loans. The warehouse and
revolving working capital lines of credit are variable-rate debt which reprice
with the change in market rates, as such, their carrying amounts are deemed to
approximate fair value.
 
(14) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the
ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate
disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
 
(15) CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
 
     A significant portion of loans originated and purchased, and held for sale
are single family residence mortgage loans.
 
     For the year ended December 31, 1997, mortgage loans purchased and
originated by the Company were geographically concentrated in Utah, Florida,
Georgia, and California. The Company has no other significant concentration of
credit risk. The Company manages its credit risk through diversification of
markets in which the Company originates and purchases mortgage loans.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   151
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 7, 1996
                    (DATE OF INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
(16) RELATED PARTY
 
     One of the Company's holders of 662,698 shares Class A convertible
preferred stock and 546,883 shares common stock is a finance company from which
the Company has borrowings as follows as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively (notes 5 and 7):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1997           1996
                                             -----------    ----------
<S>                                          <C>            <C>
Warehouse line of credit...................  $31,692,828    $4,068,453
                                             ===========    ==========
Revolving working capital line of credit...  $ 1,785,225    $  200,000
                                             ===========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
     The Company is obligated to offer to sell to the finance company 75 percent
of the principal balance of all subprime mortgage loan monthly production by the
Company for 1997 and 1996, 50 percent in 1998, and 25 percent thereafter until
2000. For the periods ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company sold, under
this agreement, loan production in the amounts of $98,042,000 and $16,140,000,
respectively.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   152
 
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
   
                                  (UNAUDITED)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              MARCH 31, 1998
                                                              --------------
<S>                                                           <C>
                           ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents...................................   $   968,954
Mortgage loans held for sale................................    53,306,731
Receivables.................................................     1,143,520
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment, net.....................     1,308,996
Deposits....................................................        92,466
Restricted Cash.............................................        49,573
Organization costs, net of accumulated amortization of
  $9,099 March 31, 1998 and $6,824 at December 31, 1997.....        36,394
Prepaid expense.............................................       380,564
Other assets................................................       513,804
                                                               -----------
     Total assets...........................................   $57,801,002
                                                               ===========
            LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
 
Accounts payable............................................   $   274,909
Accrued interest and other liabilities......................       746,872
Warehouse and revolving working capital lines of credit.....    54,440,517
Notes payable...............................................       534,866
Obligations under capital leases............................       339,701
Dividends payable...........................................       185,763
                                                               -----------
     Total liabilities......................................    56,522,628
 
Stockholders' Equity
 
Class A Convertible Preferred Stock, $.001 par value,
  1,268,950 shares authorized; 1,263,472 issued and
  outstanding...............................................         1,263
Common Stock, $.001 par value, 2,609,407 shares authorized;
  1,546,983 issued and outstanding..........................         1,547
Additional paid-in capital..................................     2,953,493
Accumulated deficit.........................................    (1,677,929)
                                                               -----------
     Total stockholders' equity.............................     1,278,374
                                                               -----------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.............   $57,801,002
                                                               ===========
</TABLE>
    
 
   
See accompanying note to financial statements.
    
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   153
 
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
   
                                  (UNAUDITED)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                FOR THE THREE MONTHS
                                                                  ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                              ------------------------
                                                                 1998          1997
                                                              ----------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Revenues:
  Interest..................................................  $1,731,480       218,321
  Gain-on-sale of mortgage loans, net.......................   1,971,551       644,701
  Mortgage servicing fees...................................       1,886        37,028
  Other.....................................................     269,296            68
                                                              ----------    ----------
                                                               3,974,213       900,118
                                                              ----------    ----------
Expenses:
  Salaries and employee benefits............................   1,567,600       596,768
  General operating.........................................   1,316,603       606,731
  Interest..................................................   1,133,174       400,558
  Other.....................................................      28,118        15,184
                                                              ----------    ----------
                                                               4,045,495     1,619,241
                                                              ----------    ----------
Net loss....................................................  $  (71,282)     (719,123)
                                                              ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
    
 
   
See accompanying note to financial statements.
    
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   154
 
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
   
                                  (UNAUDITED)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 FOR THE THREE MONTHS
                                                                   ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                              --------------------------
                                                                 1998           1997
                                                              -----------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss..................................................  $   (71,282)      (719,123)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
     operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization..........................       84,806         20,834
     Net decrease in mortgage loans held for sale...........    3,115,887      8,287,856
     Gain on sales of mortgage loans held for sale, net.....   (1,971,551)      (644,701)
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Decrease (increase) in receivables...................      236,358       (197,017)
       Decrease (increase) in deposits......................       (5,917)         6,000
       Decrease in restricted cash..........................        6,905         56,607
       Increase in organization costs.......................           --        (23,447)
       Decrease in prepaid expense..........................      119,610          1,807
       Increase in other assets.............................     (194,247)            --
       Increase (decrease) in accounts payable..............      (49,504)        39,370
       Decrease in accrued interest and other liabilities...     (102,201)      (205,286)
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Net cash provided by operating activities.........    1,168,864      6,622,900
                                                              -----------    -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchase of furniture, fixtures, and equipment............      (65,558)      (101,180)
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Net cash used in investing activities.............      (65,558)      (101,180)
                                                              -----------    -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from warehouse and revolving working capital
     lines of credit, net...................................   (1,162,504)    (7,233,720)
  Proceeds from issuance of notes payable...................      350,000             --
  Payments on notes payable.................................       (3,824)      (250,000)
  Payments on obligations under capital leases..............      (26,986)       (42,383)
  Proceeds from subordinated debt...........................           --        850,000
  Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock.................           --        500,000
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Net cash used in financing activities.............     (843,314)    (6,176,103)
                                                              -----------    -----------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents...................      259,992        345,617
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period....      708,962        272,308
                                                              -----------    -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period..............  $   968,954        617,925
                                                              ===========    ===========
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
  Cash paid for interest....................................  $ 1,167,836        361,784
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH ACTIVITIES
Capital lease obligations incurred for furniture, fixture,
  and equipment.............................................  $        --        118,013
Conversion of members capital to preferred, common stock,
  and additional paid-in capital............................           --      1,438,396
Transfer of Continental Mortgage Group L.C. accumulated
  deficit to additional paid-in capital.....................           --      1,833,694
</TABLE>
    
 
   
See accompanying note to financial statements.
    
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   155
 
                               CMG FUNDING CORP.
                   (FORMERLY CONTINENTAL MORTGAGE GROUP L.C.)
 
                          NOTE TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   
                                  (UNAUDITED)
    
 
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     The unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information.
 
     Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes
required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial
statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal
recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been
included.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>   156
 
======================================================
 
   
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary....................     1
Risk Factors..........................    19
The Company...........................    40
Use of Proceeds.......................    40
Dividend Policy and Distributions.....    41
Dividend Reinvestment Plan............    42
Dilution..............................    43
Capitalization........................    44
Selected Financial Data of RealTrust
  Asset Corporation and CMG Funding
  Corp. ..............................    47
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................    48
Business..............................    52
Management............................    83
Structure and Formation
  Transactions........................    93
Conflicts of Interest and Related
  Party Transactions..................    95
Principal Stockholders................    98
Description of Capital Stock..........    99
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......   108
Federal Income Tax Considerations.....   110
Underwriting..........................   119
Legal Matters.........................   121
Experts...............................   121
Additional Information................   121
Glossary..............................   122
Table of Contents to Financial
  Statements..........................   F-1
- --------------------------------------------
  NO DEALER, SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR OTHER
PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN
THOSE CONTAIN IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF
GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AND
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE
UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN
THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE
HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT
TO ITS DATE. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY
SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED
SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY
SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN
WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS
UNLAWFUL.
 
  UNTIL           , 1998, ALL DEALERS
EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE UNITS, WHETHER
OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISTRIBUTION,
MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.
THIS DELIVERY REQUIREMENT IS IN ADDITION TO
THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A
PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND
WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
============================================
</TABLE>
    
 
======================================================
 
                                [RealTrust logo]
 
   
                                4,000,000 UNITS
    
 
                                REALTRUST ASSET
                                  CORPORATION
 
                            CONSISTING OF ONE SHARE
                              OF COMMON STOCK AND
                               ONE STOCK PURCHASE
                                    WARRANT
                            ------------------------
 
                                   Prospectus
   
                                 June    , 1998
    
                            ------------------------
                           STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY
                                  INCORPORATED
======================================================
<PAGE>   157
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 30. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
 
     Not applicable.
 
ITEM 31. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the Registrant in connection
with the sale of Common Stock being registered. All amounts are estimates except
the SEC registration fee and the American Stock Exchange ("AMEX") filing fee.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 AMOUNT
                                                                  TO BE
                                                                  PAID
                                                                 ------
<S>                                                           <C>
SEC Registration Fee........................................  $   55,094.71
AMEX filing fee.............................................  $   50,000.00
NASD filing fee.............................................  $    8,000.00
Printing and engraving expenses.............................  $  150,000.00
Legal fees and expenses.....................................  $  300,000.00
Accounting fees and expenses................................  $  300,000.00
Blue Sky fees and expenses..................................  $   50,000.00
Transfer agent and custodian fee............................  $    5,000.00
Miscellaneous...............................................  $  181,902.29
                                                              -------------
          Total.............................................  $1,100,000.00
                                                              =============
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
* To be filed by amendment
 
     All amounts estimated except for Securities and Exchange Commission
registration fee.
 
ITEM 32. SALES TO SPECIAL PARTIES.
 
     See Item 33 for description of securities of the Company issued to
affiliates of the Company for cash and other consideration.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   158
 
ITEM 33. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
 
  Issuance to CMG Funding Shareholders
 
     On April 15, 1998, the shareholders of the Taxable Subsidiary contributed
certain shares of the Taxable Subsidiary capital stock to RealTrust in exchange
for the issuance of identical classes and number of RealTrust shares. This
issuance was contemplated as part of the Formation Transaction, and is described
in the Prospectus. Set forth below are the names of each stockholder of the
Taxable Subsidiary receiving shares and the number of shares (after giving
effect to the stock split anticipated to occur immediately prior to the
closing).
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           NO. OF
               RECIPIENT                             RELATIONSHIP TO COMPANY               SHARES
               ---------                             -----------------------               -------
<S>                                       <C>                                              <C>
John D. Fry.............................  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & President    298,392
Terry L. Mott...........................  Executive Vice President & Director               92,987
Patrick Croghan.........................  Vice President                                    72,478
Shauna Reimann..........................  Vice President                                    72,478
William Reed............................  Vice President                                    48,319
David and Sara Ferradino................  None -- accredited investor                       14,479
Brenda Colson...........................  Employee                                          14,479
Kent Bills..............................  Secretary                                         43,028
ContiFinancial Corporation..............  None -- accredited investor                      327,730
                                                                                           410,581*
</TABLE>
    
 
* Shares of the Company's Class B Preferred Stock, which are expected to be
  redeemed after the closing of this Offering.
 
     All of such shares were issued pursuant to exemptions from registration
provided by Section 4(2) and Rule 506 of Regulation D. The sale was made to nine
persons, most of whom are accredited investors either as a result of their
financial status and degree of sophistication or as a result of their position
as an officer or director of the Registrant. The consideration paid in all cases
was the capital stock of the Taxable Subsidiary.
 
Issuance to Capstone Investments, Inc.
 
   
     On March 18, 1998, RealTrust issued to Capstone Investments, Inc., a
corporation controlled by stockholders David and Sara Ferradino, a Convertible
Secured Promissory Note in the principal amount of $850,000 and warrants to
purchase 50,000 shares of Registrant's Common Stock at an exercise price equal
to the Price to Public in this offering. The Note is convertible into Units to
be issued in the Offering at a conversion price equal to the Price to Public.
The consideration paid was $850,000 of cash, without any discount or
commissions. The issuance was exempt from registration pursuant to the
exemptions provided by Section 4(2) and Rule 505 of Regulation D. The Registrant
believes that the one investor is accredited under Rule 501.
    
 
ITEM 34. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     Maryland GCL provides that a Maryland corporation may indemnify any person
who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or employee benefit plan
("director"), that is made a party to any proceeding by reason of service in
that capacity unless it is established that the act or omission of the director
was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in
bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; or the director
actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services;
or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director had reasonable cause to
believe that the act or omission was unlawful. Indemnification may be against
judgments, penalties, fines, settlements, and reasonable expenses actually
incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding, but if the
proceeding was won by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may
not be made in respect of any proceeding in which the director shall be adjudged
to be liable to the corporation. Such
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   159
 
indemnification may not be made unless authorized for a specific proceeding
after a determination has been made, in a manner prescribed by law, that
indemnification is permissible in the circumstances because the director has met
the applicable standard of conduct. The director must be indemnified for
expenses, however, if he has been successful in the defense of the proceeding or
as otherwise ordered by a court. The law also prescribes the circumstances under
which a corporation may advance expenses to, or obtain insurance or similar
coverage for directors.
 
     The Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide for
indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company and eliminate the
liability of a director or officer to the Company or its stockholders for money
damages to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law.
 
ITEM 35. TREATMENT OF PROCEEDS FROM STOCK BEING REGISTERED.
 
     Not applicable.
 
ITEM 36. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
 
     (a) Financial Statements
 
     (b) Exhibits
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION
- -------                            -----------
<C>        <S>
 ** 1.1    Underwriting Agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company,
           Incorporated.
 ** 3.1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation.
  * 3.2    Bylaws.
  * 4.1    Specimen Stock Certificate for Common Stock of RealTrust
           Asset Corporation.
  * 4.2    Warrant Agreement.
  * 4.3    1996 Stock Option Plan of CMG Funding Corp.
 ** 4.4    Form of 1996 Stock Option Agreement.
  * 4.5    1998 Stock Option Plan of RealTrust Asset Corporation.
 ** 4.6    Form of 1998 Stock Option Agreement.
 ** 4.7    Form of Registration Rights Agreement.
  * 4.8    Warrant Agreement No. 2 with ContiFinancial Corporation.
  * 4.9    Warrant Agreement No. 3 with ContiFinancial Corporation.
  * 4.10   Warrant Agreement with Capstone Investments, Inc.
  * 4.11   Convertible Secured Note in favor of Capstone Investments,
           Inc.
  * 4.12   Contribution Agreement with stockholders of CMG Funding
           Corp. and RealTrust Asset Corporation.
  * 4.13   Bonus Incentive Plan of RealTrust Asset Corporation.
  * 5.1    Opinion of Jeffers, Wilson, Shaff & Falk, LLP regarding
           legality of Securities.
  * 8.1    Opinion of Jeffers, Wilson, Shaff & Falk, LLP regarding
           certain tax matters.
  *10.1    Employment Agreement with John D. Fry.
  *10.2    Employment Agreement with Terry L. Mott.
  *10.3    Employment Agreement with John P. McMurray.
  *10.4    Employment Agreement with Steven K. Passey.
  *10.5    Investment Banking Service Agreement with ContiFinancial
           Corporation, as amended.
  *10.6    Loan Servicing Agreement with Advanta Mortgage Corp USA for
           CMG Funding Corp., as amended.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   160
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION
- -------                            -----------
<C>        <S>
  *10.7    Loan Servicing Agreement with Nomura Asset Capital
           Corporation for CMG Funding Corp.
  *10.8    Purchase and Sale Agreement between ContiTrade Services LLC
           and CMG Funding Corp., as amended.
  *10.9    Master Repurchase Agreement Governing Purchase and Sales of
           Mortgage Loans with Nomura Asset Capital Corporation.
  *10.10   Standby and Working Capital Agreement between ContiTrade
           Services LLC and CMG Funding Corp., as amended.
  *10.11   Conversion Letter No. 1 from ContiFinancial Corporation.
  *10.12   Conversion Letter No. 2 from ContiFinancial Corporation.
  *10.13   Registration Rights Agreement with ContiFinancial
           Corporation.
  *10.14   Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement between RealTrust Asset
           Corporation and CMG Funding Corp.
  *21.1    List of subsidiaries.
  *23.1    Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit (5.1).
***23.2    Consents of independent auditors.
  *23.3    Consents of Independent Directors.
   24.1    Power of Attorney (included in signature page).
  *27.1    Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
  * Previously Filed.
 
   
 ** To be filed by amendment.
    
 
   
*** Filed herewith.
    
 
ITEM 37. UNDERTAKINGS
 
     A. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
             (i) To include any Prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933;
 
             (ii) To reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date to the Registration Statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in the Registration Statement; and
 
             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement
        or any material change to such information in the Registration
        Statement;
 
          Provided, however, that paragraphs A(1)(i) and A(1)(ii) do not apply
     if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
     those paragraphs is contained in the periodic reports filed by the
     Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
     of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   161
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.
 
     B. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   162
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-11 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the 1st day of June, 1998.
    
 
                                          REALTRUST ASSET CORPORATION
 
                                          By:        /s/ JOHN D. FRY
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            John D. Fry
                                            Chief Executive Officer
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints John D. Fry and Terry L. Mott, and each of them,
his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him and in his name, and in any and all capacities, to
sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the
Registration Statement to which this power of attorney is attached, as well as
any registration statement (or amendment thereto) relating to one or more of the
offerings covered hereby filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same and all exhibits to
them and other documents to be filed in connection with them, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities as Directors and Officers of RealTrust Asset Corporation on the date
indicated.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                      TITLE                    DATE
                      ---------                                      -----                    ----
<C>                                                    <C>                                <S>
 
                   /s/ JOHN D. FRY                         Chairman, Chief Executive      June 1, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------        Officer and President
                     John D. Fry
 
                /s/ STEVEN K. PASSEY                        Chief Financial Officer       June 1, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------            and Treasurer
                  Steven K. Passey                      (principal accounting officer)
 
                  /s/ TERRY L. MOTT                                Director               June 1, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    Terry L. Mott
 
                 /s/ CARTER E. JONES                               Director               June 1, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Carter E. Jones
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>   163
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          SEQUENTIALLY
 EXHIBIT                                                                    NUMBERED
 NUMBER                             DESCRIPTION                               PAGE
 -------                            -----------                           ------------
<C>         <S>                                                           <C>
  ** 1.1    Underwriting Agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company,
            Incorporated.
  ** 3.1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation.
   * 3.2    Bylaws.
   * 4.1    Specimen Stock Certificate for Common Stock of RealTrust
            Asset Corporation.
   * 4.2    Warrant Agreement.
   * 4.3    1996 Stock Option Plan of CMG Funding Corp.
  ** 4.4    Form of 1996 Stock Option Agreement.
   * 4.5    1998 Stock Option Plan of RealTrust Asset Corporation.
  ** 4.6    Form of 1998 Stock Option Agreement.
  ** 4.7    Form of Registration Rights Agreement.
   * 4.8    Warrant Agreement No. 2 with ContiFinancial Corporation.
   * 4.9    Warrant Agreement No. 3 with ContiFinancial Corporation.
   * 4.10   Warrant Agreement with Capstone Investments, Inc.
   * 4.11   Convertible Secured Note in favor of Capstone Investments,
            Inc.
   * 4.12   Contribution Agreement with stockholders of CMG Funding
            Corp. and RealTrust Asset Corporation.
   * 4.13   Bonus Incentive Plan of RealTrust Asset Corporation.
   * 5.1    Opinion of Jeffers, Wilson, Shaff & Falk, LLP regarding
            legality of Securities.
   * 8.1    Opinion of Jeffers, Wilson, Shaff & Falk, LLP regarding
            certain tax matters.
   *10.1    Employment Agreement with John D. Fry.
   *10.2    Employment Agreement with Terry L. Mott.
   *10.3    Employment Agreement with John P. McMurray.
   *10.4    Employment Agreement with Steven K. Passey.
   *10.5    Investment Banking Service Agreement with ContiFinancial
            Corporation, as amended.
   *10.6    Loan Servicing Agreement with Advanta Mortgage Corp USA for
            CMG Funding Corp., as amended.
   *10.7    Loan Servicing Agreement with Nomura Asset Capital
            Corporation for CMG Funding Corp.
   *10.8    Purchase and Sale Agreement between ContiTrade Services LLC
            and CMG Funding Corp., as amended.
   *10.9    Master Repurchase Agreement Governing Purchase and Sales of
            Mortgage Loans with Nomura Asset Capital Corporation.
   *10.10   Standby and Working Capital Agreement between ContiTrade
            Services LLC and CMG Funding Corp., as amended.
   *10.11   Conversion Letter No. 1 from ContiFinancial Corporation.
   *10.12   Conversion Letter No. 2 from ContiFinancial Corporation.
   *10.13   Registration Rights Agreement with ContiFinancial
            Corporation.
   *10.14   Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement between RealTrust Asset
            Corporation and CMG Funding Corp.
   *21.1    List of subsidiaries.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   164
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          SEQUENTIALLY
 EXHIBIT                                                                    NUMBERED
 NUMBER                             DESCRIPTION                               PAGE
 -------                            -----------                           ------------
<C>         <S>                                                           <C>
   *23.1    Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit (5.1).
 ***23.2    Consents of independent auditors.
   *23.3    Consents of Independent Directors.
    24.1    Power of Attorney (included in signature page).
   *27.1    Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
  * Previously Filed.
 
 ** To be filed by amendment.
 
   
*** Filed herewith.
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Board of Directors
RealTrust Asset Corporation

We consent to the use of our report included herein and to the reference to our
firm under the headings "Experts" and "Selected Financial Data of Real Trust
Asset Corporation and CMG Funding Corp." in the prospectus.


                                                           KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


Salt Lake City, Utah
June 1, 1998





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