AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE HOLDINGS INC
8-K, 2000-01-12
MORTGAGE BANKERS & LOAN CORRESPONDENTS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                       ----------------------------------


                                   FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                        PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
                                     OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): 12/29/99


                     American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    Delaware
                 ----------------------------------------------
                 (State of other jurisdiction of incorporation)


       000-27081                                                 13-4066303
- ------------------------                                     -------------------
(Commission File Number)                                      (I.R.S. Employer
                                                             Identification No.)


           12 East 49th Street
           New York, NY                                                 10017
- -----------------------------------------                             ----------
(Address of principal executive officers)                             (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 755-8600


                                      N/A
         -------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


                            Exhibit Index on Page 6

<PAGE>

ITEM 2.   ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

     Effective with the filing of the documents required by law on December 30,
1999 with the Secretary of State of the State of California, American Home
Mortgage Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), acquired Marina
Mortgage Company, Inc., a California corporation ("Marina"), pursuant to an
Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated as of December 29,
1999, among the Company, Marina, American Home Mortgage Sub I, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("Merger Sub"), and John
A. Johnston, Ronald Bergum, Michael Ronald Moore, Stanley M. Bergum, Steven
Michael Somerman, Daniel Joseph Manginelli, III, Lanceworth Camillo Powell,
Darius Dean Livian and John Knox Carnahan (the "Shareholders"). Pursuant to the
Merger Agreement, Merger Sub was merged with and into Marina (the "Merger"), the
separate corporate existence of Merger Sub ceased, and Marina continued as the
surviving corporation and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. A
copy of the Merger Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit 2.1 and is
incorporated herein by reference.

     In consideration of the Merger, the Shareholders received an aggregate of
approximately 775,000 shares of the common stock, $.01 par value, of the Company
("Company Common Stock") and $2,500,000 to be paid in cash over the period of
five years. In addition, the Shareholders may also receive additional
consideration based on the future results of the financial performance of the
Marina business.

     Prior to the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company entered into a
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 29, 1999 (the "Stock Purchase
Agreement"), among the Company and five minority shareholders of Marina,
pursuant to which the Company acquired the interests in Marina of such minority
shareholders of Marina in exchange for notes in the aggregate amount of
$284,725.45 to be paid over a period of two years. A copy of the Stock Purchase
Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.5 and is incorporated herein by
reference.

     Also, in connection with the Merger the Company entered into employment
agreements with (i) Mr. John A. Johnston, who will serve as Chief Executive
Officer of Marina and will receive an annual compensation of $150,000 plus a
semi-annual bonus in the total amount of $24,100 and (ii) Mr. Ronald Bergum, who
will serve as President of Marina and will receive an annual compensation of
$150,000 plus a semi-annual bonus in the total amount $50,900. The term of these
employment agreements is five years from the date of the Merger. Both Messrs.
Johnston and Bergum also executed non-competition agreements with the Company.

     The source of consideration for each portion of the acquisition price of
Marina will be the working capital of the Company. The amount of consideration
was determined through negotiations between the Company and Marina and was based
on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, earnings and revenue,
the value of goodwill and the nature of the mortgage industry.

     Based in Irvine, California, Marina is a full service retail lender. Marina
originates and purchases mortgage loans for sale in the secondary mortgage
market. It operates 14 branch offices in California and Arizona and employs
approximately 235 full time employees, including 104 sales personnel. Marina is
licensed, exempt or otherwise qualified to originate loans in 32 states, and has
pending applications for qualification in many of the remaining states. Its
business includes its Internet division, Consumer First Mortgage. It is expected
that with Marina's Internet call center, the Company's MortgageSelect business
will be able to service its West Coast customers more effectively.

     This Form 8-K contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by
the safe harbors created thereby. The words "believe," "will be able," or
similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such
statements involve risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company's
operations and business environment that could render actual outcomes and
results materially different than predicted. The Company's forward-looking
statements are based on assumptions about many factors, including, but not
limited to, general volatility of the capital markets; changes in the real
estate market, interest rates or the general economy of the markets in which the
Company operates; economic, technological or regulatory changes affecting the
use of the Internet and changes in government regulations that are applicable to
the Company's regulated brokerage and property management businesses. These and
other factors are more fully discussed in the Company's prospectus filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of its Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-82409). While the Company believes that its
assumptions are reasonable at the time forward-looking statements were made, it
cautions that it is impossible to predict the actual outcome of numerous factors
and, therefore, readers should not place undue reliance on such statements.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the
Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements in light of new
information or future events.

<PAGE>

ITEM 7.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

      (a)   Financial Statements of Business Acquired

            The audited balance sheet of Marina and its subsidiary as of
            December 31, 1998 and 1997 and the related consolidated statements
            of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the years then ended
            appear as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are
            incorporated herein by reference.

            The financial statements to be included in this Item for the year
            ended December 31, 1999 shall be filed by amendment to this Current
            Report on Form 8-K no later than sixty (60) days after the date that
            this Form 8-K must be filed.

      (b)   Pro Forma Financial Information

            The pro forma financial information required in response to this
            Item shall be filed by amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K
            no later than sixty (60) days after the date that this Form 8-K must
            be filed.

      (c)   Exhibits

EXHIBIT NUMBER                DESCRIPTION
- --------------                -----------

      2.1                     Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December
                              29, 1999, by and among American Home Mortgage
                              Holdings, Inc., American Home Mortgage Sub I,
                              Inc., Marina Mortgage Company, Inc., and the
                              Stockholders of Marina Mortgage Company, Inc.
                              listed on the signature pages thereto.

      10.1                    Employment Agreement, dated December 29, 1999,
                              between John A. Johnston and American Home
                              Mortgage Holdings, Inc.

      10.2                    Employment Agreement, dated December 29, 1999,
                              between Ronald Bergum and American Home Mortgage
                              Holdings, Inc.

      10.3                    Non-Competition Agreement, dated December 29,
                              1999, between John A. Johnston and American Home
                              Mortgage Holdings, Inc.

      10.4                    Non-Competition Agreement, dated December 29,
                              1999, between Ronald Bergum and American Home
                              Mortgage Holdings, Inc.

      10.5                    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated December 29, 1999,
                              between American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc. and
                              the Stockholders of Marina Mortgage Company, Inc.
                              listed on the signature pages thereto.

      23.1                    Consent of Forman, Richter & Rubin, independent
                              public accountants.

      99.1                    Press release of the Registrant dated December 30,
                              1999.

      99.2                    Marina Mortgage Company, Inc. and subsidiary
                              audited financial statements for the years ended
                              December 31, 1998 and 1997.


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------

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


                                       AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC.


Date:  January 11, 2000                By:  /s/ Michael Strauss
                                            -------------------------------
                                            Michael Strauss


<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT INDEX
                                   -------------


EXHIBIT NUMBER                      DESCRIPTION
- --------------                      -----------

      2.1         Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
                  December 29, 1999, by and among American Home
                  Mortgage Holdings, Inc., American Home Mortgage
                  Sub I, Inc., Marina Mortgage Company, Inc., and
                  the Stockholders of Marina Mortgage Company,
                  Inc. listed on the signature pages thereto.

      10.1        Employment Agreement, dated December 29, 1999,
                  between John A. Johnston and American Home
                  Mortgage Holdings, Inc.

      10.2        Employment Agreement, dated December 29, 1999,
                  between Ronald Bergum and American Home
                  Mortgage Holdings, Inc.

      10.3        Non-Competition Agreement, dated December 29,
                  1999, between John A. Johnston and American
                  Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.

      10.4        Non-Competition Agreement, dated December 29,
                  1999, between Ronald Bergum and American Home
                  Mortgage Holdings, Inc.

      10.5        Stock Purchase Agreement, dated December 29,
                  1999, between American Home Mortgage Holdings,
                  Inc. and the Stockholders of Marina Mortgage
                  Company, Inc. listed on the signature pages
                  thereto.

      23.1        Consent of Forman, Richter & Rubin, independent
                  public accountants.

      99.1        Press release of the Registrant dated December 30,
                  1999.

      99.2        Marina Mortgage Company, Inc. and subsidiary
                  audited financial statements for the years ended
                  December 31, 1998 and 1997.





                                                                  EXECUTION COPY


                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER




                                  BY AND AMONG




                     AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC.,


                       AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE SUB I, INC.,



                         MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC.,
                                       AND

                THE STOCKHOLDERS OF MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC.
                      LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO




                          DATED AS OF DECEMBER 29, 1999

<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

1.1   Defined Terms............................................................1


                                   ARTICLE II

                                   THE MERGER

2.1   The Merger...............................................................7
2.2   Effective Time...........................................................8
2.3   Closing..................................................................8
2.4   Conversion of Capital Stock; Purchase Price..............................8
2.5   Exchange of Certificates................................................11
2.6   Delivery of Merger Consideration and Dispute Resolution.................12
2.7   Withholding from Merger Consideration...................................13
2.8   Share Issuance Limitation...............................................13


                                   ARTICLE III

               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

3.1   Shares..................................................................13
3.2   Authorization...........................................................13
3.3   Investment Purposes.....................................................14
3.4   Accredited Investor.....................................................14
3.5   Exemption...............................................................14
3.6   Due Diligence...........................................................14
3.7   Exclusivity of Preparation..............................................14
3.8   No Advertisement........................................................15
3.9   Accuracy of Representations.............................................15


                                   ARTICLE IV

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
                         AND THE PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

4.1   Organization of the Company.............................................15
4.2   Capital Stock...........................................................15
4.3   Subsidiaries............................................................16
4.4   Authorization...........................................................16
4.5   Financial Statements....................................................16
4.6   Absence of Certain Changes..............................................17
4.7   Title to Assets.........................................................19
4.8   Condition and Sufficiency of Assets.....................................19
4.9   Contracts...............................................................19
4.10  No Conflict or Violation................................................21
4.11  Consents and Approvals..................................................22
4.12  Litigation..............................................................22
4.13  Compliance with Law; Permits and Licenses...............................22
4.14  Intellectual Property...................................................22
4.15  ERISA...................................................................23
4.16  Taxes...................................................................24
4.17  Environmental Laws and Regulations......................................27
4.18  Labor Matters...........................................................28
4.19  Insurance...............................................................28
4.20  No Undisclosed Liabilities..............................................29
4.21  Affiliated Transactions.................................................29
4.22  Interests in Clients, Suppliers.........................................29
4.23  Brokers.................................................................29
4.24  Year 2000 Compliance....................................................29
4.25  Loans; Investments......................................................30
4.26  Allowance for Possible Loan Losses......................................33
4.27  Accuracy of Representations.............................................33
4.28  Disclosure..............................................................33


                                    ARTICLE V

             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER AND SUB

5.1   Organization of Purchaser and Sub.......................................33
5.2   Authorization...........................................................33
5.3   No Conflict or Violation................................................34
5.4   Validity of Issuance of Common Stock....................................34
5.5   SEC Filings; Financial Statements.......................................34
5.6   Consents and Approvals..................................................34
5.7   Litigation..............................................................35
5.8   Acquisition for Investment..............................................35
5.9   Brokers.................................................................35


                                   ARTICLE VI

                   ACTIONS BY THE PURCHASER, THE STOCKHOLDERS
                      AND THE COMPANY PRIOR TO THE CLOSING

6.1   Conduct of Business.....................................................35
6.2   Certain Restrictions on the Company.....................................35
6.3   Access to Information...................................................37
6.4   Regulatory and Other Authorizations.....................................37
6.5   Insurance...............................................................38
6.6   Further Action..........................................................38
6.7   Exclusivity.............................................................38


                                   ARTICLE VII

                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

7.1   Conditions to Obligations of the Purchaser..............................39
7.2   Conditions to Obligations of the Company and the Stockholders...........41


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                CERTAIN ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

8.1   Restrictive Legend......................................................42
8.2   No Transfer.............................................................42
8.3   Board of Directors......................................................42
8.4   Tax Return Filings......................................................42
8.5   Piggyback Registration..................................................44


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

9.1   Survival of Representations and Warranties..............................45
9.2   Indemnification by the Purchaser........................................45
9.3   Indemnification by the Principal Stockholders...........................46
9.4   Tax Indemnification.....................................................48


                                    ARTICLE X

                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT

10.1  Methods of Termination..................................................49
10.2  Procedure Upon Termination..............................................49
10.3  Effect of Termination...................................................49


                                   ARTICLE XI

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

11.1  Specific Performance....................................................50
11.2  Assignment..............................................................50
11.3  Notices.................................................................50
11.4  Choice of Law...........................................................51
11.5  Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers................................51
11.6  Counterparts............................................................52
11.7  Invalidity..............................................................52
11.8  Headings................................................................52
11.9  Expenses................................................................52
11.10 Publicity...............................................................52





<PAGE>




SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

Schedules:

Schedule 2.1(c)   -     Directors
Schedule 4.3      -     Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.6      -     Certain Changes
Schedule 4.7(a)   -     Title to Assets
Schedule 4.7(b)   -     Title to Assets
Schedule 4.9      -     Contracts
Schedule 4.10     -     No Conflict or Violation
Schedule 4.11     -     Consents and Approvals
Schedule 4.12     -     Litigation
Schedule 4.13     -     Permits
Schedule 4.14     -     Intellectual Property
Schedule 4.15     -     ERISA
Schedule 4.16     -     Taxes
Schedule 4.19     -     Insurance
Schedule 4.21     -     Affiliated Transactions
Schedule 4.22     -     Clients, Suppliers
Schedule 4.25     -     Loans

Exhibits:

Exhibit 2.4(c)    -     Formula
Exhibit 2.4(d)    -     Formula
Exhibit 2.4(f)    -     Formula
Exhibit 4.20      -     Balance Sheet
Exhibit 7.1(d)    -     Legal Opinion
Exhibit 7.1(e)    -     Form of Employment Agreement
Exhibit 7.1(f)    -     Form of Non-Competition Agreement


<PAGE>








            THIS  AGREEMENT  AND PLAN OF MERGER,  dated as of December  29, 1999
(together with all schedules and exhibits hereto,  the  "Agreement"),  is by and
among  American  Home  Mortgage  Holdings,  Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation  (the
"Purchaser"),  American Home Mortgage Sub I, Inc., a Delaware  corporation and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser ("Sub"), Marina Mortgage Company, Inc.,
a California  corporation (the  "Company"),  and the stockholders of the Company
listed on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the "Stockholders").

                                    RECITALS


            WHEREAS, the Stockholders own 33,563 shares (the "Shares") of common
stock,  no par value,  of the  Company,  constituting  substantially  all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company (the "Stock");


            WHEREAS,  Messrs.  Ronald Bergum and John Johnston own 26,989 shares
of Stock and are the  Stockholders  who  effectively  control the  Company  (the
"Principal  Stockholders")  and agree,  among other things,  to vote in favor of
this Agreement and the Merger (as defined below);


            WHEREAS,  the Boards of Directors of each of the Purchaser,  Sub and
the  Company  have  approved,  and  deem it fair to,  advisable  and in the best
interests of their respective stockholders to consummate, the acquisition of the
Company by the  Purchaser  and Sub upon the terms and subject to the  conditions
set forth herein;


            WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of the Company has determined  that
the  consideration  to be paid  for the  Shares  and the  Merger  is fair to the
holders of the Shares and has resolved to  recommend  that the holders of Shares
tender their Shares and approve and adopt this Agreement and the Merger upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and


            WHEREAS, the Company, the Purchaser, Sub and the Stockholders desire
to  make  certain  representations,  warranties,  covenants  and  agreements  in
connection with the Merger;


            NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  mutual  covenants  and
promises contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

            1.1  Defined  Terms.  Capitalized  words  and  phrases  used and not
otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the following meanings:

            "Actions" is defined in Section 4.12.

            "Adjusted Initial  Consideration" shall mean the amount by which the
Initial Consideration shall be adjusted as provided in Article II.

            "Affiliate" means a Person that directly,  or indirectly through one
or more  intermediaries,  controls,  is controlled by or is under common control
with the Person specified.  For purposes of this definition,  the term "control"
of a Person means the possession,  direct or indirect,  of the power to (i) vote
50% or more of the voting  securities of such Person or (ii) direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person,  whether by contract or
otherwise,  and the terms and phrases "controlling",  "controlled by" and "under
common control with" have correlative meanings.

            "Agreement" is defined in the preamble.

            "Assets" is defined in Section 4.7.

            "Audited Balance Sheet Date" is defined in Section 4.6.

            "Balance Sheet" is defined in Section 4.5.

            "Benefit Plan" means any employment,  consulting, severance or other
similar contract,  arrangement or policy, and any plan,  arrangement (written or
oral),  program,  agreement  or  commitment  providing  for  insurance  coverage
(including any  self-insured  arrangements),  workers  compensation,  disability
benefits,   supplemental  unemployment  benefits,  material  vacation  benefits,
retirement  benefits,  life, health,  disability or accident benefits (including
without limitation any "voluntary employees' beneficiary association" as defined
in section  501(c)(9) of the Code) providing for the same or other benefits,  or
for  deferred  compensation,  profit  sharing,  bonuses,  stock  options,  stock
appreciation  rights,  stock purchases or awards and any other form of incentive
compensation or post-retirement insurance,  compensation or benefits,  including
any "employee  welfare benefit plan" as defined in section 3(1) of ERISA and any
"employee  pension  benefit plan" as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA,  which is
entered into,  maintained,  contributed  to or required to be  contributed to or
with respect to which any liability is borne, as the case may be, by the Company
or an ERISA  Affiliate,  or under which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate could
incur any material  liability,  and which covers any employee or former employee
of the Company or an ERISA Affiliate whether or not subject to ERISA.

            "Book Value" means the excess of total assets over total liabilities
reflected on the Closing Balance Sheet.

            "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday,  Sunday or other
day on which  commercial  banks in New York,  New York and the State of Delaware
are authorized or required by law to close.

            "Cash  Income"  has the  meaning  set  forth  in  Exhibit 2.4(c).

            "Closing" is defined in Section 2.3.

            "Closing Date" means the date on which the Closing  occurs  pursuant
to Section 2.3.

            "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
to time.

            "Common  Stock"  means shares of common  stock,  par value $0.01 per
share, of the Purchaser.

            "Company" is defined in the preamble.

            "Contracts"   means   all   agreements,    contracts,   commitments,
undertakings,  instruments,  indentures,  licenses and  franchises  to which the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party, an obligor or a beneficiary.

            "Division Net Income" has the meaning set forth in Exhibit 2.4(d).

            "Encumbrance"  means  any  claim,  lien,  pledge,   option,  charge,
easement,  security interest,  right-of-way,  restriction,  encumbrance or other
similar right of a third party.

            "Environmental  Claim" means any and all administrative,  regulatory
or judicial actions, suits, demands,  claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or
violations, investigations or proceedings arising under any Environmental Law or
any permit issued under any such  Environmental  Law (the  "Designated  Claims")
including, without limitation, (i) any and all Designated Claims by governmental
or regulatory authorities for enforcement,  cleanup, removal, response, remedial
or other actions or damages  pursuant to any applicable  Environmental  Law, and
(ii)  any  and  all  Designated  Claims  by any  third  party  seeking  damages,
contribution,  indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief
resulting from  Hazardous  Materials or arising from alleged injury or threat of
injury to health, safety or the environment.

            "Environmental  Law" means any currently existing federal,  state or
local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, legally binding guideline
or policy or rule of  common or civil law of the  United  States or of any other
jurisdiction  in which the Company or any  Subsidiary  owns any real property or
conducts operations relating to the environment,  occupational safety and health
or  Hazardous  Materials  and  any  judicial  or  administrative  interpretation
thereof,  including  any judicial or  administrative  order,  consent  decree or
judgment.

            "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

            "Exchange  Act"  means  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  as
amended.

            "Fair Market  Value" means the last trade price of a share of Common
Stock as  reported  on the Nasdaq for any period  specified  in this  Agreement;
provided,  if such share is not listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq,  as
reported on the  principal  national  security  exchange or quotation  system on
which such share is quoted or listed or admitted  to trading,  or, if not quoted
or  listed or  admitted  to  trading  on any  national  securities  exchange  or
quotation  system,  the closing bid price of such share on the  over-the-counter
market  on the day in  question  as  reported  by  Bloomberg,  LP,  or a similar
generally accepted reporting service, as the case may be.

            "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting  principles  consistently
applied.

            "Governmental  Body" means any  federal,  state,  local,  foreign or
other governmental  agency,  instrumentality,  commission,  authority,  board or
body.

            "Group Net Income" has the meaning set forth in Exhibit 2.4(f).

            "Hazardous  Materials"  means  all  infectious,  toxic or  hazardous
pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, substances, materials or wastes of whatever
kind or nature,  whether  liquid,  solid or gaseous,  defined or included in the
definition of "hazardous substances", "hazardous wastes", "hazardous materials",
"chemical  substances",   "toxic  substances",   "contaminants",   "pollutants",
"dangerous  substances" or "dangerous  waste" or words of similar import, in any
language,  under any applicable  Environmental Law. Hazardous Materials include,
without limitation, petroleum products, heavy metals, asbestos and PCBs.

            "HSR Act" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976, as amended.

            "Initial  Consideration"  shall be determined as provided in Section
2.4(b).

            "Intellectual  Property"  means all of the following which are owned
by,  issued  to  or  licensed  to or  used  by  each  of  the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries,  together with all income, royalties,  damages and payments due or
payable in respect  thereof as of the  Closing or  thereafter;  patents,  patent
applications and inventions and any reissue, continuation, continuation-in-part,
division, extension or reexamination thereof;  trademarks,  service marks, trade
dress,  logos,  trade names and  corporate  names,  together  with all  goodwill
associated  therewith;  copyrights;  and  all  registrations,  applications  and
renewals for any of the foregoing;  trade secrets,  know-how,  confidential  and
proprietary  information,  customer and supplier lists and related  information;
all  other  proprietary  rights  and  computer  software   (including,   without
limitation, data, source codes and user and system documentation).

            "Investor" means any Person who has acquired or hereinafter acquires
a Loan from the Company or any Subsidiary.

            "Investor Requirements" means any outstanding contractual, legal and
regulatory  obligation  of the  Company  or  any  Subsidiary  to  any  Investor,
including but not limited to, the representations, warranties and covenants made
by the Company or any Subsidiary to any Investor.

            "Knowledge"  means actual knowledge after  reasonable  investigation
and  knowledge  and  information  that are or should be available to a Person by
virtue of such Person's position. With respect to the Company,  "knowledge" will
be deemed to include the actual  knowledge after  reasonable  investigation  and
knowledge and information that are or should be available to its directors,  the
Principal  Stockholders and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company by virtue
of such Persons' positions.

            "Leased Real Property" is defined in Section 4.7.

            "Leases" is defined in Section 4.7.

            "Loan" means any loan or lease at any time held, serviced or sold by
the Company or any  Subsidiary to the extent that the Company or any  Subsidiary
could have any liability, obligation or duties with respect thereto.

            "Loan Documents" means the note, mortgage,  deed of trust,  security
agreement,  or other instrument  securing the note and the related documents for
each Loan.

            "Loans Held for Sale" means all Loans currently held and hereinafter
acquired  or  originated  by the  Company  or any  Subsidiary  where  beneficial
ownership has not been transferred to an Investor.

            "Material Adverse Effect" means (i) with respect to the Company,  an
adverse  effect on the ability of the  Company to  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  and an adverse  effect that is material to the
business, Assets,  liabilities,  condition (financial or otherwise),  results of
operations, prospects of the Company's business, or properties of the Company or
any of its  Subsidiaries  and (ii) with  respect  to the  Purchaser,  an adverse
effect  on  the  ability  of  the  Purchaser  to  consummate  the   transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  and an adverse  effect that is material to the
business, assets, liabilities,  conditions (financial or otherwise),  results of
operations,  prospects of the Purchaser's business, or property of the Purchaser
or any of its subsidiaries.

            "Merger Consideration" is defined in Section 2.4.

            "Mortgage Loan" means a Loan secured by a mortgage.

            "Nasdaq" means the Nasdaq National Market.

            "Organizational  Documents" means (i) the articles or certificate of
incorporation and the bylaws of a corporation; the partnership agreement and any
statement of partnership of a general partnership; (iii) the limited partnership
agreement and the certificate of limited  partnership of a limited  partnership;
(iv) any charter or similar  document  adopted or filed in  connection  with the
creation,  formation,  or organization of a Person; and (v) any amendment of any
of the foregoing.

            "PBGC" is defined in Section 4.15.

            "Permitted Encumbrances" means (i) statutory liens for current taxes
or other governmental  charges not yet due and payable or the amount or validity
of which is being  contested  in good faith by  appropriate  proceedings  by the
Company  and its  Subsidiaries  and for  which  appropriate  reserves  have been
established  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting   principles,
consistently  applied and are set forth on the Balance  Sheet or incurred in the
ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past  practices;  (ii) mechanics,
carriers,  workers, repairers and similar statutory liens arising or incurred in
the ordinary  course of business for amounts which are not  delinquent and which
are not,  individually or in the aggregate,  material to the Company's business;
(iii) zoning,  entitlement,  building and other land use regulations  imposed by
governmental  agencies having  jurisdiction over the real property which are not
violated  by the  current  use and  operation  of the  real  property;  and (iv)
covenants,  conditions,  restrictions,  easements and other  similar  matters of
record  affecting title to the real property which do not materially  impair the
occupancy or use of the real property for the purposes for which it is currently
used and proposed to be used in connection  with the business of the Company and
its Subsidiaries.

            "Person" means an individual, a partnership,  a limited partnership,
a limited  liability  company,  a joint  venture,  a  corporation,  a trust,  an
unincorporated  organization,  a  division  or  operating  group  of  any of the
foregoing, a government or any department or agency thereof or any other entity.

            "Post-Closing  Tax Period" shall mean any taxable period (or portion
thereof) that begins after the Closing Date.

            "Portfolio  Loan"  means all Loans  currently  owned or  hereinafter
owned for investment by the Company or any Subsidiary.

            "Pre-Closing  Tax Period" shall mean any taxable  period (or portion
thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date.

            "Purchaser" is defined in the preamble.

            "Regulations" is defined in Section 4.13.

            "Release" means active or passive disposing, discharging, injecting,
spilling,  leaking, leaching,  dumping, emitting,  pouring, escaping,  emptying,
seeping,  placing  and the  like,  into or upon any  land or  water  or air,  or
otherwise entering into the environment.

            "Representative" means any officer, director, principal, employee or
other authorized representative of a Person.

            "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

            "Securities  Act"  means the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended.

            "Serviced Loans" means all Loans currently and hereinafter  serviced
by the Company or any Subsidiary for its own account or for others.

            "Servicing   Requirements"   means  prudent  practice  and  industry
standards together with any contractual,  legal or regulatory  obligation of the
Company or any Subsidiary  relating to the Serviced Loans or any Loan previously
serviced by the Company or any Subsidiary.

            "Stock" is defined in the recitals.

            "Subsidiaries"  means each  corporation  or other Person as to which
the Company directly or indirectly  (including  through one or more Subsidiaries
or any of the stockholders,  directors or officers of the Company) owns at least
10% of the outstanding shares of stock or other ownership interests.

            "Tax"  or  "Taxes"  means  all  income,  gross  receipts,   profits,
intangibles, sales, excise, ad valorem, bulk transfer, use, payroll, employment,
franchise, profits, property or other taxes, fees, stamp taxes, imposts, duties,
assessments,  levies or similar charges of any kind whatsoever  (whether payable
directly or by  withholding),  together  with any  interest  and any  penalties,
additions to tax or  additional  amounts  imposed by any taxing  authority  with
respect  thereto and shall  include any  liability  for such amounts as a result
either of being a member of a  combined,  consolidated,  unitary  or  affiliated
group or of a contractual obligation to indemnify any Person.

            "Tax Return" means any return,  filing,  questionnaire,  information
return or other document  required to be filed,  including  without  limitation,
requests for  extensions  of time,  filings made with  estimated  tax  payments,
claims for refund and amended returns that may be filed, for any period with any
taxing  authority  (whether  domestic  or foreign)  in  connection  with any Tax
(whether or not a payment is required to be made with respect to such filing).

            "Taxing  Authority"  shall  mean  any  domestic,  foreign,  federal,
national, state, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision,
agency,   commission  or  authority  thereof,  or  any  quasi-governmental  body
exercising tax regulatory authority.

            "Trading  Day"  means  any  day  on  which  purchase  and  sales  of
securities  authorized for quotation on Nasdaq are reported thereto and on which
no event that  results  in a material  suspension  or  limitation  of trading of
Common Stock on Nasdaq has occurred; provided, if such security is not listed or
admitted  to  trading on the  Nasdaq,  as  reported  on the  principal  national
security exchange or quotation system on which such security is quoted or listed
or admitted  to  trading,  or, if not quoted or listed or admitted to trading on
any national  securities  exchange or quotation system, the closing bid price of
such security on the over-the-counter  market on the day in question as reported
by Bloomberg, LP, or a similar generally accepted reporting service, as the case
may be.

            "Twelve Month Period" shall mean either the period  commencing  with
the  first  day of the  month  immediately  succeeding  the  Closing  Date  (the
"Starting  Date") and ending on December 31, 2000,  or the period  commencing on
January 1, 2001 and ending on December 31, 2001.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   THE MERGER

            2.1 The Merger.  (a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
this Agreement,  and in accordance with the laws of the State of California,  at
the Effective Time (as defined in Section 2.2 hereof), the Company and Sub shall
consummate  a merger  (the  "Merger")  pursuant to which (x) Sub shall be merged
with and into the  Company and the  separate  corporate  existence  of Sub shall
thereupon  cease and (y) the Company shall be the surviving  corporation  in the
Merger (sometimes  hereinafter  referred to as the "Surviving  Corporation") and
shall continue to be governed by the laws of the State of California.

            (b)  Pursuant  to  the  Merger,  at  the  Effective  Time,  (x)  the
certificate of incorporation of the Company,  as in effect  immediately prior to
the Effective Time,  shall be the certificate of  incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation,  and (y) the by-laws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior
to the Effective Time, shall be the by-laws of the Surviving  Corporation,  each
until thereafter changed or amended as under applicable law.

            (c) The directors of the Surviving Corporation at the Effective Time
shall be such  persons as set forth on Schedule  2.1(c)  until their  respective
successors  are duly  elected  and  qualified  or  until  their  earlier  death,
resignation   or  removal  in  accordance   with  the  Surviving   Corporation's
certificate  of  incorporation  and  by-laws.  The  officers  of  the  Surviving
Corporation at the Effective Time shall be the initial officers of the Surviving
Corporation,  except that Mr. Michael Strauss shall be the Chairman of the Board
of the Surviving Corporation,  Mr. John A. Johnston shall be the Chief Executive
Officer  of the  Surviving  Corporation,  and Mr.  Ronald  Bergum  shall  be the
President of the Surviving  Corporation  until the respective  successors of the
officers  are  duly  elected  and  qualified  or  until  their  earlier   death,
resignation   or  removal  in  accordance   with  the  Surviving   Corporation's
certificate of incorporation and by-laws.

            (d) The Merger shall have the effects  specified  in the  applicable
provisions of the laws of the State of California.

            2.2  Effective  Time.  Subject to the terms and  conditions  of this
Agreement, the Purchaser, Sub and the Company will cause a certificate of merger
or, if  applicable,  a certificate of ownership and merger (as  applicable,  the
"Agreement  of Merger") to be executed  and filed on the date of the Closing (as
defined in Section 2.3) (or on such other date as the  Purchaser and the Company
may agree) with the Secretary of State of the State of California and, following
such  filing,  with the  Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as provided
under the laws of the State of California and the State of Delaware.  The Merger
shall  become  effective  on the date on which the  Agreement of Merger has been
duly filed with the  Secretary of State of the State of California or such other
time as is agreed upon by the parties and  specified in the Agreement of Merger,
and such time is hereinafter  referred to as the "Effective Time". The filing of
the  Agreement  of  Merger  shall  be  made as soon  as  practicable  after  the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Merger set forth herein.

            2.3 Closing.  The closing of the Merger (the  "Closing")  shall take
place at 10:00 a.m., local time, on a date to be specified by the parties, which
shall be no later than the second  Business Day after  satisfaction or waiver of
all of the conditions set forth in Article VII hereof (the "Closing  Date"),  at
the offices of  Cadwalader,  Wickersham & Taft,  100 Maiden Lane,  New York, New
York, 10038, unless another date or place is agreed to in writing by the parties
hereto.

            2.4  Conversion  of  Capital  Stock;  Purchase  Price.  (a)  At  the
Effective  Time,  by virtue of the Merger and  without any action on the part of
the holders of any Shares or any shares of capital stock of Sub:

               (i) Each issued and outstanding  share of common stock, par value
      $.01 per share,  of Sub shall be converted  into and become 360 fully paid
      and  nonassessable  shares of common stock, no par value, of the Surviving
      Corporation.

               (ii) All Shares that are owned by the  Company or any  Subsidiary
      of the Company  (other than by any employee  benefit  plan) and any Shares
      owned by the  Purchaser,  Sub or any  subsidiary  of the  Purchaser or Sub
      (other than shares owned by any employee  benefit plan of the Purchaser or
      any subsidiary of the Purchaser)  shall be cancelled and retired and shall
      cease  to  exist  and no  consideration  shall be  delivered  in  exchange
      therefor.

               (iii) Each issued and outstanding  Share (other than Shares to be
      cancelled in accordance  with this Section and any  Dissenting  Shares (as
      defined  in  Section  1300  of the  California  Corporations  Code))  (the
      "Converted  Shares")  shall be  converted  into the right to  receive  the
      number of shares of Common Stock and cash, as provided below, equal to the
      sum of the Initial  Consideration,  as adjusted, the First Earnout (as set
      forth below), Second Earnout (as set forth below), Additional Earnouts (as
      set  forth  below)  and  the  Cash  Consideration  (as  set  forth  below)
      (collectively,  the  "Merger  Consideration").  All such  Shares,  when so
      converted,  shall no longer be  outstanding  and  shall  automatically  be
      cancelled  and  retired  and shall  cease to exist,  and each  holder of a
      certificate  representing  any such Shares  shall cease to have any rights
      with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration
      therefor upon the surrender of such certificate in accordance with Section
      2.5, without interest.

            (b) The Initial  Consideration  shall be determined  and adjusted as
follows:

               (i) The  Initial  Consideration  shall be a number  of  shares of
      Common Stock equal to the result obtained by dividing $4,850,144.50 by the
      Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the last Trading Day  immediately
      preceding  the  Closing  Date and  dividing  that  result by the number of
      Converted Shares.

               (ii) As promptly as practicable,  but in any event not later than
      one hundred twenty (120) days after the Closing Date, the Purchaser  shall
      cause to be prepared and delivered to the  Stockholders a balance sheet of
      the Company as of the Closing Date (the "Closing  Balance  Sheet"),  which
      shall be audited by Deloitte & Touche,  certified public accountants,  and
      certified  by such  firm to have been  prepared  in  accordance  with GAAP
      applied on a basis  consistent with the preparation of the Audited Balance
      Sheet.

               (iii) If $2,700,000 exceeds the Book Value on the Closing Balance
      Sheet  and the  Closing  Date is on or before  December  31,  1999,  or if
      $2,500,000  exceeds  the Book Value at the Closing  Balance  Sheet and the
      Closing Date is on or after  January 1, 2000 but before  February 1, 2000,
      the  Stockholders  shall return to the Purchaser  such number of shares of
      Common  Stock as is equal to such excess  divided by the Fair Market Value
      of Common Stock at the last Trading Day immediately  preceding the Closing
      Date.

               (iv) The  determination  of the  Adjusted  Initial  Consideration
      shall be subject to the dispute resolution mechanisms set forth in Section
      2.6.

               (v) The  return of shares of  Common  Stock as  provided  in this
      Section  shall be made  within  ten (10)  Business  Days  after  the final
      determination of the Adjusted Initial Consideration.

            (c) The First  Earnout  will be  payable  if the Cash  Income of the
Company as  determined  in  accordance  with the formula as set forth on Exhibit
2.4(c) for the eight month period after the Starting  Date is greater than zero.
The First  Earnout  shall be a number of  shares  of Common  Stock  equal to the
result  obtained by dividing  $970,028.90 by the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock  determined as of the average of the twenty (20) Trading Days  immediately
following  the eight month  period after the Starting  Date,  and dividing  that
result by the number of Converted Shares.

            (d) The Second Earnout will be payable if the Division Net Income of
the Company for a Twelve Month Period (but only one Twelve Month Period)  equals
or exceeds  $400,000 as determined  in accordance  with the formula set forth on
Exhibit  2.4(d).  The Second Earnout shall be a number of shares of Common Stock
equal to the result obtained by dividing $970,028.90 by the Fair Market Value of
the Common  Stock  determined  as of the  average of twenty  (20)  Trading  Days
immediately  following a Twelve Month Period in which Division Net Income equals
or exceeds $400,000, and dividing that result by the number of Converted Shares.

            (e) The Cash  Consideration  (rounded to the nearest  whole  number)
shall be payable on February  15, May 15,  August 15 and  November 15 of each of
the calendar years of 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 in an amount in cash equal
to $3.613;  provided,  however,  that each such  amount  shall be paid solely in
shares  of Common  Stock  based on the Fair  Market  Value of the  Common  Stock
determined  as of the average of the twenty (20)  Trading Days ending on the day
immediately  preceding the  distribution day as set forth in this Section 2.4(e)
if the total  aggregate  payments in cash as of the time of such  payment  under
this  Agreement,  after giving  effect to such payment plus  $284,725.45,  would
equal 20% or more of the Merger Consideration if such payment were made in cash.

            (f) In addition,  for the calendar years of 2001,  2002,  2003, 2004
and 2005, on the later of May 10 of the calendar year immediately  following the
applicable  calendar year or the tenth Business Day after the  determination  as
provided in Section 2.6, an  Additional  Earnout to be  determined in accordance
with the formula set forth on Exhibit  2.4(f)  hereto shall be paid in an amount
equal to 32.01% of the Group Net Income for the applicable  calendar year, or in
the event the Group Net Income for such calendar  year is more than  $2,000,000,
32.01% of the Group Net Income up to the amount of $2,000,000  and 38.80% of the
Group Net Income over $2,000,000.  The Additional  Earnout in each year shall be
equal to the result obtained by dividing the foregoing amount by the Fair Market
Value of the Common  Stock  determined  as of the  average  of the  twenty  (20)
Trading Days immediately following the last day of the applicable calendar year,
and dividing that result by the number of Converted Shares;  provided,  however,
that if either John A. Johnston or Ronald Bergum is terminated  without  "Cause"
or resigns  with "Good  Reason"  as such terms are  defined in their  Employment
Agreements,  the  form  of  which  is  attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  7.1(e)  (a
"Liquidated Damage Event"), the Additional Earnout shall equal:

               (i)      if  the  Liquidated  Damage  Event  occurs  in
      year 2001, $2,000,000;

               (ii)     if  the  Liquidated  Damage  Event  occurs  in
      year 2002, $2,000,000;

               (iii) if the  Liquidated  Damage Event  occurs in year 2003,  (a)
      125% of the calculated  amount of the Additional  Earnout amount for 2002,
      plus (b) 125% of the amount  calculated in (a) above, plus (c) 125% of the
      amount calculated in (b) above;

               (iv) if the Liquidated Damage Event occurs in year 2004, (a) 125%
      of the calculated  amount of the Additional  Earnout amount for 2003, plus
      (b) 125% of the amount calculated in (a) above; or

               (v) if the Liquidated  Damage Event occurs in year 2005,  125% of
      the calculated amount of the Additional Earnout amount for 2004.

The applicable amount of liquidated  damages shall be divided by the Fair Market
Value of the Common  Stock  determined  as of the average of twenty (20) Trading
Days  immediately  following  the last day of the  applicable  calendar year and
dividing  that  result by the number of  Converted  Shares.  The  payment of the
amount of  liquidated  damages shall be made at the time that such payment would
have been made if a Liquidated Damage Event had not occurred.

            (g) No scrip or fractional  share  certificate for Common Stock will
be issued as part of the Merger  Consideration,  and an  outstanding  fractional
share interest will not entitle the owner thereof to vote, to receive  dividends
or any rights of a stockholder of the Purchaser with respect to such  fractional
share  interest.  The  Purchaser  will,  in lieu of issuing a  fractional  share
certificate,  pay to the holder of a fractional share interest the value of such
interest as determined  based on the applicable  Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock with  respect to any  distribution  of shares of Common  Stock as provided
above in this Section.

            2.5 Exchange of Certificates.  (a) As soon as reasonably practicable
after the Effective  Time, the Purchaser  shall cause each holder of record of a
certificate  or  certificates  which  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time
represented  outstanding Shares (the  "Certificates") to convert the Shares into
the right to receive the Initial Consideration.  Upon surrender of a Certificate
for cancellation to the Purchaser, and such other documents as may reasonably be
required by the Purchaser,  the Purchaser  shall cause shares of Common Stock to
be  delivered  to the  holder  of  such  Certificate,  and  the  Certificate  so
surrendered  shall  forthwith  be  cancelled.  In the event of a surrender  of a
Certificate representing Shares which are not registered in the transfer records
of the  Company  under the name of the  Person  surrendering  such  Certificate,
payment  may be made to a  Person  other  than  the  Person  in  whose  name the
Certificate so surrendered is registered if such  Certificate  shall be properly
endorsed or otherwise  be in proper form for transfer and the Person  requesting
such payment shall pay any transfer or other Taxes required by reason of payment
to a Person other than the registered holder of such Certificate or establish to
the  satisfaction  of the  Purchaser  that  such  Tax  has  been  paid or is not
applicable.  Until  surrendered  as  contemplated  by  this  Section  2.5,  each
Certificate  shall be deemed at any time after the  Effective  Time to represent
only the right to receive upon such  surrender the Initial  Consideration  which
the holder  thereof  has the right to  receive  in  respect of such  Certificate
pursuant to the provisions of this Article II. No interest shall be paid or will
accrue on the Initial  Consideration payable to holders of Certificates pursuant
to the provisions of this Article II.

            (b) At the Effective  Time,  the stock transfer books of the Company
shall be  closed  and  thereafter  there  shall be no  further  registration  of
transfers  of the  Shares  on the  records  of the  Company.  From and after the
Effective Time, the holders of Certificates  evidencing  ownership of the Shares
outstanding  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time shall  cease to have any
rights with respect to such Shares,  except as otherwise  provided for herein or
by applicable law. If, after the Effective Time,  Certificates  are presented to
the Surviving  Corporation for any reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged
as provided in this Article II.

            (c) If any  Certificate  shall have been lost,  stolen or destroyed,
upon the  making  of an  affidavit  of that  fact by the  Person  claiming  such
Certificate  to be lost,  stolen or destroyed  and, if required by the Surviving
Corporation,  the posting by such Person of a bond in such reasonable  amount as
the Surviving  Corporation may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be
made against it with respect to such  Certificate,  the  Purchaser  shall pay in
exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration
pursuant to this Agreement.

            2.6 Delivery of Merger Consideration and Dispute Resolution. For the
purpose of this Article II, any determination  required to be made shall be made
by the Purchaser who shall deliver a certificate to the  Stockholders as part of
the Merger  Consideration or on or before the date one hundred twenty (120) days
after the end of the  applicable  period  specifying  the  applicable  financial
results of the Company for the relevant period and the resulting amount, if any,
owed by the Purchaser to the Stockholders, along with detailed back-up financial
information  utilized  by  the  Purchaser  in  making  its  determination.  Such
determination  by the  Purchaser  shall be  deemed  final and  binding  upon the
parties  unless  within  thirty  (30)  days  after   delivery   thereof  to  the
Stockholders,  written notice is given by the  Stockholders  of their  objection
setting forth in  reasonable  detail the basis for the  objection.  If notice of
objection is given,  the  Stockholders  and the Purchaser will consult with each
other with respect to the objection.  If applicable,  the amount in dispute will
be adjusted  immediately  to reflect  any amount that is not in dispute.  If the
Stockholders  and the Purchaser are unable to reach agreement  within the thirty
(30) days after the notice of  objection  has been given,  the  dispute  will be
referred for resolution to a nationally  recognized accounting firm that has not
had a business relationship with either the Stockholders and their Affiliates or
the Purchaser and its  Affiliates  during the period of three years prior to the
Closing  (the  "Dispute  Accountants"),  as promptly as  practicable;  provided,
however,  that if the  Stockholders  and  the  Purchaser  are  unable  to  reach
agreement  with respect to the Dispute  Accountants,  the  Stockholders  and the
Purchaser shall refer the dispute to the American  Arbitration  Association that
shall appoint the Dispute  Accountants as promptly as  practicable.  The Dispute
Accountants  will address and resolve only those items in dispute as  identified
by the  Stockholders  and the Purchaser at the time of  engagement.  The Dispute
Accountants will make a determination as to each of the items in dispute,  which
determination will be (A) in writing,  (B) furnished to each of the Stockholders
and the  Purchaser  as promptly as  practicable  after the items in dispute have
been  referred  to the Dispute  Accountants,  (C) made in  accordance  with this
Agreement,  and (D) conclusive and binding on the parties.  The Stockholders and
the Purchaser  will use reasonable  efforts to cause the Dispute  Accountants to
render  their  decision as soon as  reasonably  practicable,  including  without
limitation by promptly  complying  with all  reasonable  requests by the Dispute
Accountants  for  information,  books,  records and similar items.  The fees and
costs  of the  Dispute  Accountants  will  be  borne  by the  Purchaser  and the
Stockholders in the same proportion as the disputed amount is allocated  between
the  parties.  All  payments  in cash and  delivery  of shares  of Common  Stock
required  to be made  pursuant  to this  Article  II  shall be made  within  ten
Business Days after the amount of the applicable  payment is finally  determined
in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.6.

            2.7  Withholding  from Merger  Consideration.  The  Purchaser  shall
deduct and withhold from the Merger Consideration  otherwise payable pursuant to
this  Agreement  any amount  required by law to be withheld from a change in the
federal,  state,  local  or  foreign  tax  laws  requiring  withholding  on  the
obligations of the Purchaser.  The  Stockholders  shall promptly  provide,  upon
request from the  Purchaser,  any  documentation  required for the  reduction or
elimination  of  withholding  Taxes on  payments  of the  Merger  Consideration,
including but not limited to, IRS Form W-9.

            2.8 Share Issuance  Limitation.  Notwithstanding any other provision
contained  herein,  the total  number  of  shares  of Common  Stock to be issued
pursuant  to this  Agreement  shall not equal or exceed  20% of the  outstanding
shares of Common Stock as of the date of such issuance in  accordance  with Rule
4460 of the  NASD  Manual  unless  prior  to such  issuance,  if  required,  the
Purchaser has obtained the approval of its  stockholders to issue such shares or
an appropriate waiver has been obtained from Nasdaq.  With respect to any amount
that would  otherwise have been payable in Common Stock but for the  restriction
contained in the preceding  sentence,  at the election of each Stockholder,  (i)
such amount that is payable at such time shall be paid by the Parent in cash; or
(ii) the number of shares of Common  Stock that would have been  issued  will be
reserved for  issuance by the  Purchaser  and issued as promptly as  practicable
upon obtaining the appropriate  stockholder approval or Nasdaq waiver, which the
Purchaser  agrees to use its best  efforts to obtain  promptly;  or (iii) to the
extent  permitted  by  applicable  law and NASD rules,  in lieu of the number of
shares of Common Stock that would have been issued,  the  Purchaser  shall issue
shares of Non-Voting  Common Stock containing the same economic  benefits of the
Common Stock but without voting rights.

                                   ARTICLE III

               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

            Each of the  Stockholders,  including  the  Principal  Stockholders,
hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser and Sub as follows:

            3.1 Shares.  The Shares are owned  beneficially and of record by the
Stockholders,  free and clear of any and all  Encumbrances;  provided,  however,
that for purposes of this Section only each Stockholder  represents and warrants
only with respect to the Shares that are being owned by such Stockholder.

            3.2  Authorization.  Each of the  Stockholders  has full  power  and
authority to execute and deliver this  Agreement and to perform its  obligations
hereunder  and has taken all  action  necessary  to  execute  and  deliver  this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions  contemplated hereby and to perform
its or his  obligations  hereunder.  This  Agreement  and the  Merger  have been
properly  approved by each of the  Stockholders.  This  Agreement  has been duly
executed and delivered by the Stockholders  and,  assuming the due execution and
delivery  of this  Agreement  by the  Purchaser,  is a legal,  valid and binding
obligation  of  the  Stockholders,   enforceable  against  the  Stockholders  in
accordance  with its terms,  except that (i) such  enforcement may be subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,  moratorium or other similar laws now or
hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally, and (ii) the remedy
of specific  performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable  relief may
be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which
any proceeding therefor may be brought; provided,  however, that for purposes of
this Section only each Stockholder  represents and warrants only with respect to
the authority of such Stockholder.

            3.3 Investment Purposes.  Each of the Stockholders is purchasing the
shares of Common Stock for its own account, for investment purposes only and not
with a view  towards  or in  connection  with the  public  sale or  distribution
thereof in violation of the Securities Act.

            3.4 Accredited  Investor.  Each of the Stockholders  represents with
respect to itself that such  Stockholder is (i) an "accredited  investor" within
the  meaning  of  Rule  501 of  Regulation  D under  the  Securities  Act,  (ii)
experienced in making  investments of the kind  contemplated  by this Agreement,
(iii) capable, by reason of its business and financial experience, of evaluating
the relative merits and risks of an investment in Common Stock, and (iv) able to
afford the loss of its investment in Common Stock. Each of the Stockholders also
represents with respect to itself that such Stockholder has been advised to seek
the advice of tax counsel and  accountants in connection  with the  negotiation,
execution and delivery of this Agreement and has not relied on the advice of the
Company or its counsel  with  respect to any of the tax issues  relating  to, or
arising in connection with, this Agreement or transactions contemplated hereby.

            3.5 Exemption.  Each of the Stockholders understands that the shares
of Common  Stocks are being  offered and sold by the Purchaser in reliance on an
exemption  from  the  registration   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  and
equivalent  state  securities  and "blue sky" laws,  and that the  Purchaser  is
relying upon the accuracy of, and Stockholders'  compliance with,  Stockholders'
representations,  warranties  and  covenants  set  forth  in this  Agreement  to
determine the  availability of such exemption and the eligibility of each of the
Stockholders  to purchase the shares of Common Stock.  Each of the  Stockholders
understands  that the shares of Common Stock to be acquired by such  Stockholder
have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange  Commission
or any state securities commission.

            3.6 Due  Diligence.  Each of the  Stockholders  has been  given  the
opportunity  for a reasonable time prior to the date hereof to ask questions of,
and receive  answers from, the Purchaser or its  Representatives  concerning the
Purchaser  and the  Common  Stock,  and has been  given  the  opportunity  for a
reasonable time prior to the date hereof to obtain such  additional  information
necessary  to verify the accuracy of the  information  which was provided to the
extent  the  Purchaser  possesses  such  information  or can  acquire it without
unreasonable effort or expense.

            3.7 Exclusivity of  Preparation.  No  representations  or warranties
have been made to the Stockholders by the Purchaser,  or any  Representative  of
the Purchaser, other than the representations of the Purchaser contained herein,
and in acquiring the Common  Stock,  the  Stockholders  are not relying upon any
representations other than those contained herein.

            3.8 No Advertisement.  Neither of the Stockholders is purchasing the
Common Stock as a result of or subsequent to any advertisement,  article, notice
or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media or
broadcast over television or radio,  any seminar or meeting or any  solicitation
of a subscription by a person or entity not previously known to the Stockholders
in connection with investments in securities generally.

            3.9 Accuracy of Representations.  No representation or warranty made
by the Stockholders in this Agreement or any document or statement delivered, or
to be delivered,  by or on behalf of the  Stockholders  pursuant hereto contains
or, as of the Closing Date, will contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or  omits  or,  as of the  Closing  Date,  will  omit to state a  material  fact
necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
                         AND THE PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

            Except  as  otherwise  specifically  provided  herein,  each  of the
Company and the Principal  Stockholders  jointly and severally hereby represents
and warrants to the Purchaser and Sub as follows:

            4.1  Organization  of the  Company.  The Company is duly  organized,
validly  existing and in good  standing as a  corporation  under the laws of the
State of California  and has full  corporate  power and authority to conduct its
business as it is presently being conducted. The Company is duly qualified to do
business  and in good  standing as a foreign  corporation  in each  jurisdiction
where the nature of its business or its ownership or use of property  makes such
qualification necessary, except where the failure to so qualify would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

            4.2  Capital  Stock.  The  authorized  capital  stock of the Company
consists of 200,000 shares of common stock, no par value, of which 34,600 shares
of common  stock are issued and  outstanding,  and 155,000  shares of  preferred
stock,  no par  value,  of which no shares  of  preferred  stock  are  issued or
outstanding.  All  shares  of  capital  stock  of the  Company  have  been  duly
authorized and validly issued,  and are fully paid and  non-assessable,  and the
Shares are owned beneficially and of record by the Stockholders,  free and clear
of any and all  Encumbrances;  provided,  however,  that  for  purposes  of this
sentence  only each  Principal  Stockholder  represents  and warrants  only with
respect to the Shares that are being owned by such Principal Stockholder.  There
are no subscriptions,  options, warrants, calls, commitments,  preemptive rights
or other rights of any kind  outstanding for the purchase of, nor any securities
convertible  or  exchangeable  for, nor any plans or agreements of any character
providing for the purchase,  issuance,  or sale of, any equity  interests of the
Company.  There are no restrictions upon the voting or transfer of any shares of
the Stock pursuant to the Company's Organizational Documents or any agreement or
other instrument to which any of the Company or the Principal  Stockholders is a
party or by which any of the Company or the Principal Stockholders is bound. The
Purchaser  has acquired  all shares of common stock of the Company  owned by all
stockholders of the Company,  other than the Stockholders.  Upon consummation of
the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  the Purchaser will own the
Stock, free and clear of any and all Encumbrances.

            4.3  Subsidiaries.  Schedule  4.3 sets forth a complete and accurate
list of all of the Subsidiaries.  Schedule 4.3 also contains the jurisdiction of
incorporation  or formation of each of the  Subsidiaries,  each  jurisdiction in
which each Subsidiary is qualified or otherwise  authorized to do business,  the
number of shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary  issued and outstanding and
the  percentage  ownership  interest  of the  Company  in each  Subsidiary.  All
outstanding  shares  of  capital  stock  of  the  Subsidiaries  have  been  duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.  Each share
of the  stock  is  free  and  clear  of  any  Encumbrances,  including,  without
limitation,  any agreement,  understanding  or restriction  affecting the voting
rights or other incidents of record or beneficial  ownership  pertaining to such
shares.  There are no  subscriptions,  options,  warrants,  calls,  commitments,
preemptive  rights or other rights of any kind  outstanding for the purchase of,
nor any  securities  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for,  nor any  plans or
agreements of any character providing for the purchase, issuance or sale of, any
equity interests of any of the Subsidiaries.  Schedule 4.3 sets forth a complete
and accurate list of all agreements and other instruments  pursuant to which the
Company or any Subsidiary is obligated or required,  under any circumstance,  to
make contributions to the capital of any Subsidiary. Each of the Subsidiaries is
a corporation,  a partnership  or a limited  liability  company duly  organized,
validly  existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization,  with full  corporate,  partnership or limited  liability  company
power to conduct its business as it is  presently  being  conducted  and to own,
lease and use its  properties  and assets,  and is duly qualified to do business
and in good  standing  as a  foreign  corporation  in each of the  jurisdictions
listed in Schedule 4.3, which are the only jurisdictions where, by virtue of its
businesses  carried on or  properties  owned or used,  it is  required  to be so
qualified.

            4.4   Authorization.   Each  of  the  Company   and  the   Principal
Stockholders  has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and to perform its or his,  as the case may be,  obligations  hereunder  and has
taken all  action  necessary  to  execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and to
consummate the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and to perform its or his, as
the case may be,  obligations  hereunder.  This Agreement has been duly executed
and delivered by the Company and the Principal  Stockholders  and,  assuming the
due  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by the  Purchaser  and Sub, is a
legal,   valid  and  binding   obligation  of  the  Company  and  the  Principal
Stockholders,  enforceable against the Company and the Principal Stockholders in
accordance  with its terms,  except that (i) such  enforcement may be subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,  moratorium or other similar laws now or
hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally, and (ii) the remedy
of specific  performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable  relief may
be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which
any proceeding therefor may be brought; provided,  however, that for purposes of
this Section only each Principal  Stockholder  represents and warrants only with
respect to the authority of such Principal Stockholder.

            4.5 Financial Statements. The Company has delivered to the Purchaser
(i) audited  balance sheets of the Company and the  Subsidiaries  as at December
31,  1996,  December  31, 1997 and  December  31,  1998 and the related  audited
statements of income,  changes in  stockholders'  equity,  and cash flow for the
year then ended,  including in each case the notes thereto (the "Audited Balance
Sheet"),  and (ii) unaudited  consolidated  balance sheet of the Company and the
Subsidiaries   as  at  October  31,  1999  and  the  statements  of  income  and
stockholders'  equity and cash  flows for the  nine-month  period  ended on such
date, prepared by the Company  (collectively,  "Balance Sheet").  Such financial
statements and notes fairly  present the financial  condition and the results of
operations,  changes in stockholders'  equity,  and cash flow of the Company and
the  Subsidiaries as at the respective  dates of and for the periods referred to
in  such  financial  statements,  all  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles consistently applied.

            4.6 Absence of Certain  Changes.  (a) Except as provided in Schedule
4.6  hereto  and  except as  expressly  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  since
December  31,  1998 (the  "Audited  Balance  Sheet  Date") the  Company  and the
Subsidiaries  have conducted  their  businesses in the ordinary and usual course
consistent with their business practices during 1998 and neither the Company nor
any of the Subsidiaries has:

               (i)  experienced  any  changes  in  any  relationship   with  its
      suppliers, customers, distributors, brokers, lessors or others, other than
      changes in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice;

               (ii) sold,  leased,  transferred,  or assigned any of its assets,
      tangible or intangible,  other than for fair consideration in the ordinary
      course of business, consistent with past practice;

               (iii) entered into any agreement, contract, lease, or license (or
      series of related  agreements,  contracts,  leases or licenses)  involving
      more than  $50,000  individually  to which it is a party or by which it is
      bound nor modified the terms of any such  existing  contract or agreement,
      other  than in the  ordinary  course  of  business  consistent  with  past
      practice;

               (iv)   engaged  in  any   activity   that  has  resulted  in  any
      acceleration  or  delay  of  the  collection  of  its  accounts  or  notes
      receivable or any delay in the payment of its accounts  payables,  in each
      case other than in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past
      practice;

               (v) (nor has any other party) accelerated,  terminated,  modified
      or canceled any permit or agreement,  contract, lease or license involving
      more than  $50,000  individually  to which it is a party or by which it is
      bound, other than in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past
      practice;

               (vi)  suffered  any damage,  destruction  or loss of any asset or
      property,  whether or not covered by  insurance,  other than such  damage,
      destruction  or loss which could not,  individually  or in the  aggregate,
      reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

               (vii)  adopted,   modified,  amended  or  terminated  any  bonus,
      profit-sharing, incentive, severance, or other similar plan (including any
      benefit  plan),  contract,  or  commitment  for the  benefit of any of its
      directors or officers at the branch  manager level or above,  or otherwise
      made any change in the  employment  terms  (including  any increase in the
      base  compensation)  for any of its  officers  and  employees  with annual
      salaries in excess of $100,000;

               (viii) made any capital  expenditure or any other  investment (or
      series of  related  investments)  in excess of  $50,000  other than in the
      ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

               (ix) issued any note,  bond,  or other debt  security or created,
      incurred,  assumed,  or guaranteed  any  indebtedness  involving more than
      $50,000  individually,  other than  under  mortgage  warehouse  or similar
      financing arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

               (x) canceled, compromised, waived, or released any right or claim
      (or  series of related  rights  and  claims)  either  involving  more than
      $50,000 or outside the ordinary  course of business,  consistent with past
      practice;

               (xi)     made  or   authorized   any   change   in  its
      Organizational Documents;

               (xii)  issued,  sold or otherwise  disposed of any of its capital
      stock or  granted,  modified  or  amended  any  options,  warrants,  stock
      appreciation rights, or other rights to purchase or obtain (including upon
      conversion, exchange, or exercise) any of its capital stock or participate
      in any change in the value thereof;

               (xiii)  made  or  been  subject  to  change  in  its   accounting
      practices,  procedures  or  methods or in its cash  management  practices,
      other than changes  resulting  from changes in GAAP as applied to mortgage
      banking industry;

               (xiv) entered into or become party to any agreement,  arrangement
      or  transaction  with any of its  Affiliates  or any of  their  respective
      directors,   officers  at  the  branch  manager  level  or   stockholders,
      including,  without limitation, any (x) loan or advance funds, or made any
      other  payments,  to any  of  its  directors,  officers,  stockholders  or
      Affiliates,  (y) creation or discharge of any intercompany account,  other
      than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,  or
      (z) any  payment  or  declaration  of any  dividend,  redemption  or other
      distribution with respect to their respective capital stock;

               (xv)  experienced  any changes with  respect to its  Intellectual
      Property, other than such changes which, individually or in the aggregate,
      could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

               (xvi)  experienced  any  reduction  in the  amount  or  scope  of
      coverage of insurance  now carried by them other than such changes  which,
      individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have
      a Material Adverse Effect;

               (xvii)  settled any  dispute  relating  to any  liability  of the
      Company or any Subsidiary for Taxes; or

               (xviii) committed to do any of the foregoing.

            (b)  Except  as  provided  in  Schedule  4.6  hereto  and  except as
expressly  contemplated by this Agreement,  since the Audited Balance Sheet Date
the Company has not declared, set aside or paid any dividends or made, or agreed
to make, any other payments  (whether in cash,  stock or property) in respect of
its capital stock.

            4.7 Title to Assets.  Except as set forth on  Schedule  4.7(a),  the
Company and the Subsidiaries own no real property.  Schedule 4.7(b) sets forth a
list of all of the leases and subleases (the  "Leases") and a true,  correct and
complete legal  description of each leased and subleased parcel of real property
in which the Company or any Subsidiary has a leasehold or subleasehold  interest
(the "Leased Real Property").  The Company and the  Subsidiaries  have valid and
subsisting  leasehold  interests  in the  Leased  Real  Property,  and title to,
leaseholds or licenses in, or valid rights to use, all other  property and other
assets, tangible or intangible of the Company and its Subsidiaries that are used
or useful in the operation of their  respective  businesses  (collectively,  the
"Assets") free and clear of any Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances.

            4.8 Condition and Sufficiency of Assets.  The Assets  constitute all
of the  assets  necessary  to  conduct  the  business  of the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries  as presently  conducted.  To the  Knowledge  of the  Company,  the
current use or  occupancy  of the Leased Real  Property  does not violate in any
respect  any  instrument  of record or  agreement  affecting  such  Leased  Real
Property or any covenant, condition,  restriction,  easement, agreement or order
of any governmental  authority having  jurisdiction  over any of the Leased Real
Property.  The machinery,  equipment,  vehicles,  furniture,  fixtures and other
similar  tangible assets included among the Assets are free from defects (patent
and latent),  have been maintained in accordance with normal industry  practice,
are in good  condition  and repair  (ordinary  wear and tear  excepted)  and are
suitable for the purposes for which they are  presently  used and for which they
are proposed to be used.

            4.9   Contracts.  (a)  Schedule  4.9  contains  a complete
and accurate list of each of the following Contracts:

               (i) agreements or  instruments  imposing an Encumbrance on any of
      the Assets, other than those constituting Permitted Encumbrances;

               (ii) Contracts  relating to indebtedness,  liability for borrowed
      money or the deferred purchase price of property (excluding trade payables
      in the ordinary  course of business) or any guarantee or other  contingent
      liability  in  respect of any  indebtedness  or  obligation  of any Person
      (other than the  endorsement of negotiable  instruments  for collection in
      the ordinary course of business);

               (iii) except with respect to Loans made in the ordinary course of
      the  Company's  mortgage  banking  business,  Loans  or  advances  to,  or
      investments  in, any Person,  any Contracts  relating to the making of any
      such loans,  advances or investments or any Contracts  involving a sharing
      of profits;

               (iv) Contracts that contain  restrictions with respect to payment
      of dividends or any other  distribution in respect of the capital stock of
      the Company or any Subsidiary;

               (v) any letters of credit or similar arrangements relating to the
      Company or any Subsidiary;

               (vi) any employment  agreements  with any employee of the Company
      or any  Subsidiary  or other  person on a full-time  or  consulting  basis
      providing for an annual compensation in excess of $50,000 or providing for
      the payment of any cash or other compensation upon the sale of the Company
      or any Subsidiary;

               (vii) any  management,  consulting  or  advisory  agreements,  or
      severance plans or arrangements  for any present or former employee of the
      Company or any Subsidiary;

               (viii) any non-disclosure  agreements and non-compete  agreements
      binding present and former employees of the Company or any Subsidiary;

               (ix) any agreement  under which the Company or any  Subsidiary is
      lessee of or holds or operates any real property or any personal  property
      for which the annual rental exceeds $25,000;

               (x) any  agreement  under which the Company or any  Subsidiary is
      lessor of or permits any third party to hold or operate any property, real
      or personal, for which the annual rental exceeds $25,000;

               (xi) any  agreement  or group of related  agreements  between the
      Company or any  Subsidiary  and the same party for the sale or purchase of
      products or services under which the undelivered  balance of such products
      and  services  has a price in excess of  $50,000,  except for Loans in the
      ordinary course of the Company's mortgage banking business;

               (xii) any other agreement or group of related  agreements between
      the Company or any Subsidiary and the same party  continuing over a period
      of more than six months from the date or dates thereof,  not terminable by
      it on 30 days' or less  notice  without  penalty and  involving  more than
      $50,000;

               (xiii) any agreement  relating to the  acquisition or divestiture
      of the  capital  stock or equity  securities,  assets or  business  of any
      Person, the Company or any Subsidiary involving consideration in excess of
      $50,000  or  pursuant  to which  the  Company  or any  Subsidiary  has any
      liability, contingent or otherwise;

               (xiv)  any  powers  of  attorney  granted  by or on behalf of the
      Company or any Subsidiary (including those granted to customs brokers) and
      other  agency  agreements  but  excluding  powers of  attorney  granted to
      Investors,  warehouse lenders and custodians in the ordinary course of the
      Company's mortgage banking business;

               (xv) any  agreement,  other than  agreements  entered into in the
      ordinary course of the Company's mortgage banking business, which prevents
      the Company or any Subsidiary from disclosing confidential  information or
      which  prohibits  the Company or any  Subsidiary  from freely  engaging in
      business anywhere in the world;

               (xvi) any sales distribution agreements, franchise agreements and
      advertising agreements relating to the Company or any Subsidiary;

               (xvii) any warranty,  guaranty or other similar  undertaking with
      respect  to a  contractual  performance  extended  by the  Company  or any
      Subsidiary,  other than in the ordinary  course of the Company's  mortgage
      banking business;

               (xviii)  any  agreement  pursuant  to which  the  Company  or any
      Subsidiary  has agreed to defend,  indemnify  or hold  harmless  any other
      Person other than in the ordinary course of the Company's mortgage banking
      business;

               (xix)  any  agreement  pursuant  to  which  the  Company  or  any
      Subsidiary has agreed to settle any liability for Taxes;

               (xx)  any  agreement   pursuant  to  which  the  Company  or  any
      Subsidiary  has agreed to shift or allocate the  liability of the Company,
      any Subsidiary or any other Person for Taxes; and

               (xxi)  any  other  agreement  material  to  the  Company  or  any
      Subsidiary.

            (b) The Company has  delivered to the  Purchaser a true and complete
copy of each  written  arrangement  listed on Schedule  4.9, as amended to date.
With  respect to each written  arrangement  so listed in clauses (i) through (v)
below,  to the extent  that it could  reasonably  be expected to have a Material
Adverse  Effect on the Company and the  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole:  (i) the
written  arrangement is in full force and effect and is valid and enforceable in
accordance  with its terms;  (ii) neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary  is in
breach or default thereof;  (iii) no event has occurred which,  with notice,  or
lapse of time or both,  would  constitute  a breach or  default  thereof  by the
Company or any Subsidiary or constitute a breach or default thereof by any other
party  thereto  (iv) no  event  has  occurred  that  would  permit  termination,
modification,  or  acceleration  thereof  by any other  party  thereto;  and (v)
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has repudiated and no other party thereto
has repudiated or acted in a manner inconsistent with any provision thereof. The
Contracts constitute all of the contracts necessary to conduct all operations of
the  Company  as they  are  currently  conducted  except  where  the lack of the
Contracts  would not be reasonably  expected to have Material  Adverse Effect on
the Company and the Subsidiaries  taken as a whole.  Neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary is a party to any verbal contract,  agreement,  or other  arrangement
which,  if reduced to written  form,  would be required to be listed on Schedule
4.9 under the terms of this Section 4.9.

            4.10 No Conflict or Violation.  Except as provided in Schedule 4.10,
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will result in (a) a violation of or a conflict
with  any  provision  of the  Organizational  Documents  of the  Company  or any
Subsidiary,  (b) a  breach  of, a  default  under,  or a right  of  termination,
cancellation,  acceleration  or payment  with respect to, or the creation of any
Encumbrance  upon,  any of the assets or properties of the Company or any of the
Stockholders  pursuant to, any Contract to which the Company,  any Subsidiary or
any of the  Stockholders  is a party or is  subject or by which any asset of the
Company,  any of the  Subsidiaries or any of the Stockholders is bound, or (c) a
violation by the Company,  any  Subsidiary or the  Stockholders  of any statute,
rule, regulation,  ordinance, code, order, judgment, writ, injunction, decree or
award,  except where any such matter could not be reasonably  expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

            4.11 Consents and Approvals. Except as provided in Schedule 4.11, no
consent,  approval,  authorization  or  other  action  by,  or  filing  with  or
notification to, any  governmental or regulatory  authority or other third party
is required to be made or obtained by the Company or any of the  Stockholders on
or prior to the Closing  Date in  connection  with the  execution,  delivery and
performance  of  this  Agreement  and  the   consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement,  except  where the failure to take such action
could  not be  reasonably  expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect on the
Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

            4.12 Litigation.  Except as provided in Schedule 4.12 hereto,  there
is no action, order, writ, injunction,  judgment or decree outstanding, or suit,
litigation, proceeding, labor dispute (other than routine uncontested claims for
benefits  under any benefit plans for any  officers,  employees or agents of the
Company or the  Subsidiaries),  arbitration,  investigation  or reported  claim,
pending or, to the  Knowledge of the Company and the  Stockholders,  threatened,
before any court, governmental entity or arbitrator  (collectively,  "Actions"),
relating to (i) the  Company or any  Subsidiary,  (ii) any  Benefit  Plan or any
fiduciary or administrator  thereof,  (iii) the Assets, or (iv) the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Neither the Company, any of its Subsidiaries nor
the  Stockholders  is subject to any order,  decree or  judgment  entered in any
Action.

            4.13 Compliance with Law;  Permits and Licenses.  Except as provided
in Schedule 4.13, each of the Company,  its  Subsidiaries  and their  respective
predecessors   has  complied  and  is  in  compliance  with  all  laws,   rules,
regulations,  codes, and plans, and all injunctions,  judgments, orders, decrees
or  rulings  of  every   court  and   Governmental   Body   (collectively,   the
"Regulations"),  in each  case,  as  applicable  to such  Person,  its assets or
operations and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notice of any
unremedied  violation of any Regulation.  Schedule 4.13 sets forth a list of all
governmental or regulatory licenses,  permits and authorizations  (collectively,
"Permits") held by any of the Company or any Subsidiary. All such Permits are in
full force and effect.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.13, the Permits listed
on Schedule 4.13  comprise all Permits  necessary for conduct of the business of
the Company and its  Subsidiaries as currently  conducted and in accordance with
the  intended  conduct of the  Company's  business,  except where the absence of
Permits could not be reasonably  expected to have a Material  Adverse  Effect on
the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

            4.14 Intellectual  Property. (a) Schedule 4.14 sets forth a complete
and correct list and description (including expiration dates) of all trade names
and  unregistered  trademarks used by any of the Company and its Subsidiaries in
connection with their respective businesses.

            (b) The Company is not infringing upon or in conflict with any right
of any  other  Person  with  respect  to any  Intellectual  Property.  Except as
disclosed  on  Schedule  4.14,  (i) no claims  have been  asserted by any Person
contesting the validity,  enforceability,  use or ownership of any  Intellectual
Property, and the Company has no Knowledge of any basis for such claim, and (ii)
the Company has no  Knowledge of any  infringement  or  misappropriation  of the
Intellectual Property by any third party.

            4.15 ERISA.  (a) Schedule 4.15 lists each Employee Benefit Plan that
the  Company,  any of its  Subsidiaries  or any ERISA  Affiliate  (as defined in
Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code) maintains, or to which any of the Company and
its  Subsidiaries  contributes or is required to contribute,  or under which any
employee or former employee receives or is entitled to receive benefits.

               (i) Each such  Employee  Benefit  Plan (and each  related  trust,
      insurance  contract,  or fund)  complies in form and in  operation  in all
      respects with the applicable  requirements  of ERISA,  the Code, and other
      applicable laws.

               (ii) All required  reports and descriptions  (including,  without
      limitation,  Form 5500 Annual Reports,  Summary Annual Reports,  PBGC-1's,
      and   Summary   Plan   Descriptions)   have  been  filed  or   distributed
      appropriately  with  respect  to each  such  Employee  Benefit  Plan.  The
      requirements  of Part 6 of  Subtitle  B of  Title I of  ERISA  and of Code
      Section  4980B have been met with  respect to each such  Employee  Benefit
      Plan  which is an  Employee  Welfare  Benefit  Plan (as  defined  in ERISA
      Section 3(1)).

               (iii) All contributions (including all employer contributions and
      employee salary reduction  contributions)  which are due have been paid to
      each such Employee  Benefit Plan which is an Employee Pension Benefit Plan
      (as defined in ERISA  Section 3(2)) and all  contributions  for any period
      ending on or before the Closing  Date which are not yet due have been paid
      to each such Employee  Pension  Benefit Plan or accrued in accordance with
      the past custom and  practice of the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries.  All
      premiums or other payments for all periods ending on or before the Closing
      Date have been paid with respect to each such Employee  Benefit Plan which
      is an Employee Welfare Benefit Plan.

               (iv) Each such Employee Benefit Plan which is an Employee Pension
      Benefit  Plan meets the  requirements  of a  "qualified  plan"  under Code
      Section  401(a) and has received,  within the last five years, a favorable
      determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service.

               (v) The market value of assets under each such  Employee  Benefit
      Plan  which  is  an  Employee   Pension   Benefit  Plan  (other  than  any
      Multi-employer Plan (as defined in ERISA Section 3(37))) equals or exceeds
      the  present  value of all vested  and  nonvested  liabilities  thereunder
      determined  in  accordance  with  Pension  Benefit  Guarantee  Corporation
      ("PBGC")  methods,  factors,  and  assumptions  applicable  to an Employee
      Pension Benefit Plan terminating on the date for determination.

               (vi) The  Company  has  delivered  to the  Purchaser  correct and
      complete copies of the plan documents and summary plan  descriptions,  the
      most  recent  determination  letter  received  from the  Internal  Revenue
      Service,  the most recent Form 5500 Annual  Report,  and all related trust
      agreements,  insurance  contracts,  and  other  funding  agreements  which
      implement each such Employee Benefit Plan.

            (b) With  respect  to each  Employee  Benefit  Plan  that any of the
Company, its Subsidiaries,  and the Controlled Group of Corporations (as defined
in Section  1563 of the Code) which  includes  the Company and its  Subsidiaries
maintains or ever has maintained or to which any of them  contributes,  ever has
contributed, or ever has been required to contribute:

               (i) No such  Employee  Benefit Plan which is an Employee  Pension
      Benefit Plan (other than any  Multi-employer  Plan) has been completely or
      partially terminated or been the subject of a Reportable Event (as defined
      in ERISA Section  4043)) as to which notices would be required to be filed
      with the PBGC.  No  proceeding  by the PBGC to terminate any such Employee
      Pension  Benefit  Plan  (other  than  any  Multi-employer  Plan)  has been
      instituted or threatened.

               (ii) There have been no  Prohibited  Transactions  (as defined in
      ERISA  Section 406 and Section  4975 of the Code) with respect to any such
      Employee  Benefit Plan.  No Fiduciary (as defined in ERISA Section  3(21))
      has any Liability for breach of fiduciary duty or any other failure to act
      or comply in  connection  with the  administration  or  investment  of the
      assets of any such Employee  Benefit Plan.  No action,  suit,  proceeding,
      hearing,  or  investigation  with  respect  to the  administration  or the
      investment  of the assets of any such  Employee  Benefit  Plan (other than
      routine  claims  for  benefits)  is  pending or  threatened.  Neither  the
      Company,  the Subsidiaries nor their directors and officers (and employees
      with  responsibility  for employee  benefits matters) has any Knowledge of
      any  Basis  for  any  such   action,   suit,   proceeding,   hearing,   or
      investigation.

               (iii) None of the Company and its Subsidiaries has incurred,  and
      none of their  directors and officers (and employees  with  responsibility
      for  employee  benefits  matters) has any reason to expect that any of the
      Company and its Subsidiaries  will incur; any Liability to the PBGC (other
      than  PBGC  premium  payments)  or  otherwise  under  Title  IV  of  ERISA
      (including any withdrawal Liability) or under the Code with respect to any
      such Employee Benefit Plan which is an Employee Pension Benefit Plan.

               (iv) None of the Company, its Subsidiaries, and the other members
      of the Controlled Group of Corporations  that includes the Company and its
      Subsidiaries  contributes  to, ever has  contributed  to, or ever has been
      required to  contribute  to any  Multi-employer  Plan or has any Liability
      (including withdrawal Liability) under any Multi-employer Plan.

               (v) None of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  maintains  or ever
      has  maintained or  contributes,  ever has  contributed,  or ever has been
      required to  contribute  to any Employee  Welfare  Benefit Plan  providing
      medical,  health,  or life  insurance or other  welfare-type  benefits for
      current or future retired or terminated employees, their spouses, or their
      dependents,  other  than as  listed  in  Schedule  4.15  and  which  is in
      compliance with Code Section 4980B.

            4.16 Taxes.  (a) Except as set forth in Schedule  4.16,  each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries has duly filed, or caused to be filed, or will file
or cause to be filed, on a timely basis all Tax Returns  required to be filed on
or before the Closing  Date by or on behalf of the Company or its  Subsidiaries.
All such Tax Returns are true,  correct and complete in all  material  respects.
None  of  the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  is the  beneficiary  of any
extension of time within which to file any Tax Return. No power of attorney with
respect to Taxes has been  executed or filed with any Taxing  Authority by or on
behalf  of the  Company  or any  Subsidiary.  No claim has ever been made by any
authority in a jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary does not file
Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by that  jurisdiction.  The
Company and its Subsidiaries have timely paid, or will timely pay on or prior to
the Closing Date, all Taxes shown on returns to be due by or with respect to the
income, assets or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries for all periods
through the Closing Date or has made adequate  provision for such Taxes by a tax
accrual or tax  reserve  (determined  in  accordance  with GAAP) on the  Closing
Balance Sheet. All Taxes owed by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (whether
or not shown on any Tax Return),  including any  deficiency  resulting  from any
audit or examination relating to Taxes by any Taxing Authority, have been paid.

            (b) There are no liens for Taxes upon the  assets of the  Company or
of any of its  Subsidiaries  except  liens  for  current  Taxes  not yet due and
payable or liens  imposed for a nonpayment  of Taxes which are  currently  being
contested in good faith by the Company or a Subsidiary  as set forth on Schedule
4.16 and for which adequate  reserves have been  maintained on the Balance Sheet
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

            (c) There are no liens for Taxes upon the  Assets of the  Company or
of any of its  Subsidiaries  except  liens  for  current  Taxes  not yet due and
payable or liens  imposed for a nonpayment  of Taxes which are  currently  being
contested in good faith by the Company or a Subsidiary  as set forth on Schedule
4.16 and for which adequate reserves have been maintained on the Closing Balance
Sheet in accordance with GAAP.

            (d) Schedule  4.16 sets forth (i) each taxable year or other taxable
period  of the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  for  which  an  audit  or  other
examination  of  Taxes  of  the  Company  or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries  by the
appropriate  tax  authorities  of any nation,  state or locality is currently in
progress  together with the names of the respective tax  authorities  conducting
(or scheduled to conduct)  such audit or  examination  and a description  of the
subject matter of such audits or examinations, (ii) the most recent taxable year
or other  taxable  period for which an audit or other  examination  relating  to
federal  income  taxes of the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  has been  finally
completed and the disposition of such audits or examinations,  (iii) the taxable
years or other taxable  periods of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  which will
not be subject to the normally  applicable  statute of  limitations by reason of
the existence of circumstances  that would cause any such statute of limitations
for applicable Taxes to be extended, (iv) the amount of any proposed adjustments
(and  the  principal  reason  therefor)  relating  to any  Tax  Returns  for Tax
liability  of the  Company  or its  Subsidiaries  which  have been  proposed  or
assessed  by any taxing  authority  and (v) a list of all  written or  unwritten
notices  received by the Company or its  Subsidiaries,  or any  affiliate of the
foregoing,  from any taxing  authority  relating to any issue which could affect
the Tax liability of the Company or its  Subsidiaries,  which issue has not been
finally  determined  and which,  if  determined  adversely to the Company or its
Subsidiaries,  could result in a Tax liability. No issues relating to Taxes were
raised by the relevant  Taxing  Authority in any completed  audit or examination
that can reasonably be expected to recur in a later taxable period.

            (e)  Neither  the  Company  nor  any of its  Subsidiaries  has  been
included in any "consolidated",  "unitary" or "combined" Tax Return provided for
under the law of the United  States,  any foreign  jurisdiction  or any state or
locality  with respect to Taxes for any taxable  period for which the statute of
limitations has not expired (other than a federal consolidated income Tax Return
with respect to which the Company is the common parent).

            (f) All Taxes  which the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  is (or
was)  required  by law to  withhold  or  collect  have  been  duly  withheld  or
collected,  and all  such  Taxes  have  been  timely  paid  over  to the  proper
authorities to the extent due and payable.

            (g) There are no Tax sharing, allocation, indemnification or similar
agreements or arrangements in effect as between the Company,  the  Subsidiaries,
or any  predecessor  or  affiliate  thereof  and any other party under which the
Purchaser,  the Company or any of its Subsidiaries could be liable for any Taxes
or other claims of any party after the Closing Date.

            (h) The Company is not a party to any  agreement  that would require
it to make any payment that would constitute an "excess  parachute  payment" for
purposes  of  Sections  280G and 4999 of the Code.  Neither  the Company nor any
Subsidiary has made any payment the deduction for which could be denied, in part
or in whole,  pursuant to Section  162(m) of the Code.  No  acceleration  of the
vesting  schedule for any property  that is  substantially  unvested  within the
meaning of the Treasury  Regulations  under Section 83 of the Code will occur in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

            (i) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has applied for,
been  granted,  or agreed to any  accounting  method change for which it will be
required to take into account any  adjustment  under  Section 481 of the Code or
any similar  provision of the Code or the  corresponding tax laws of any nation,
state or  locality.  Neither  the Company  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  will be
required  to include  in a taxable  period  ending  after the  Closing  Date any
material amount of taxable income  attributable to income that accrued,  but was
not recognized,  in a Pre-Closing Tax Period, as a result of an adjustment under
Section 481 of the Code, the  installment  method of  accounting,  the long-term
contract  method of accounting,  the cash method of  accounting,  any comparable
provision of state, local or foreign Tax law, or for any other reason.

            (j) No  indebtedness  of  the  Company  or  any of its  Subsidiaries
consists of "corporate  acquisition  indebtedness" within the meaning of Section
279 of the Code.

            (k) Neither the Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries has applied for
and not yet received a ruling or determination from a taxing authority regarding
a past or prospective transaction of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

            (l) No election  under  Section  341(f) of the Code has been made or
shall be made  prior to the  Closing  Date to treat  the  Company  or any of its
Subsidiaries  as a consenting  corporation  within the meaning of Section 341 of
the Code.

            (m) The Company has delivered to the Purchaser  correct and complete
copies of (i) all federal,  state and foreign income,  franchise and similar Tax
Returns, examination reports, and statements of deficiencies assessed against or
agreed  to  by  the  Company  or  any   Subsidiary   since  the  date  of  their
incorporation,   (ii)  all  private  letter  rulings,   revenue  agent  reports,
information  document  requests,  notices of  proposed  deficiencies,  protests,
petitions, closing agreements,  settlement agreements,  pending ruling requests,
and (iii) any similar documents  submitted by, received by or agreed to by or on
behalf of the Company or any  Subsidiary,  for all taxable periods for which the
statute of limitation has not yet expired.

            (n) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has constituted  either a
"distributing  corporation" or a "controlled corporation" (within the meaning of
Section  355(a)(1)(A)  of the Code) in a  distribution  of stock  qualifying for
tax-free  treatment under Section 355 of the Code (i) within the two year period
ending on the date of this  Agreement or (ii) which could  otherwise  constitute
part of a "plan" or "series  of related  transactions"  (within  the  meaning of
Section  355(e)  of the  Code)  in  conjunction  with  the  purchase  of  Shares
contemplated by this Agreement.

            (o) Schedule 4.16 sets forth each state, county, local, municipal or
foreign  jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary files, or is or has
been  required  to file,  a Tax  Return  relating  to state  and  local  income,
franchise,  license, excise, net worth, property or sales and use taxes or is or
has been  liable  for any  Taxes on a  "nexus"  basis at any time for a  taxable
period for which the relevant statutes of limitation have not expired.

            (p) The Company is not a United States real property holding company
within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code.

            (q)  None of the  Stockholders  is a  "foreign  person"  within  the
meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.

            (r) The Company has authorized access to the Purchaser copies of the
work papers of the outside  auditors  of the Company and the  Subsidiaries  with
respect to the  components  of the accrual for deferred  Taxes  reflected on the
Balance Sheet under the captions  "Deferred  income taxes" and "Deferred  income
taxes current portion."

            (s) Neither the  Company  nor any of the  Subsidiaries  has ever (i)
made  an  election  under  Section  1362  of  the  Code  to be  treated  as an S
corporation  for federal  income tax  purposes  or (ii) made a similar  election
under any comparable provision of any state, local or foreign tax law.

            (t) Each of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  has  disclosed on its
federal income Tax Returns all positions taken therein that could give rise to a
penalty for a  substantial  understatement  of federal  income  Tax,  within the
meaning of Section 6662 of the Code.

            4.17  Environmental  Laws and Regulations.  (a) Except in accordance
with  applicable   Environmental  Laws  and  so  as  not  to  give  rise  to  an
Environmental  Claim (x)  Hazardous  Materials  have not been  generated,  used,
treated or stored on,  transported  to or from, or Released on, at or from,  any
past or present  facilities,  properties  or  operations  of the  Company or its
Subsidiaries  or of any of their  respective  predecessors or Affiliates and (y)
Hazardous Materials have not been disposed of on any past or present facilities,
properties or operations of the Company or its  Subsidiaries  or of any of their
respective predecessors or Affiliates;

               (i) to the Company's Knowledge,  the Company and its Subsidiaries
      and all of their  facilities,  properties and operations are in compliance
      with all applicable Environmental Laws and the requirements of any Permits
      issued under such Environmental Laws; and

               (ii)  to  the  Company's  Knowledge,  there  are  no  pending  or
      threatened Environmental Claims against the Company or any Subsidiaries or
      any past or present facilities, properties or operations of the Company or
      its Subsidiaries or of any of their respective predecessors or Affiliates.

            4.18 Labor Matters.  (a) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a
party to any  collective  bargaining  agreement  or other labor  union  contract
applicable to persons employed by them.

            (b) (i) The Company and each of its  Subsidiaries  is in  compliance
with all  federal,  state  and  other  applicable  laws,  domestic  or  foreign,
respecting  employment  and  employment  practices,   terms  and  conditions  of
employment,  wages and hours,  immigration,  the payment of social  security and
similar taxes, occupational safety and health and plant closing, and has not and
is not  engaged in any unfair  labor  practice;  (ii) no unfair  labor  practice
complaint  against the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries is pending before the
National  Labor  Relations  Board;  (iii)  there  is no labor  strike,  dispute,
slowdown or stoppage  actually  pending or  threatened  against or involving the
Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries;  (iv) no  representation  question  exists
respecting  the  employees  of the  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries;  (v) no
grievance  which  might have an adverse  effect  upon the  Company or any of its
Subsidiaries  or  the  conduct  of  their  respective   businesses   exists,  no
arbitration  proceeding  arising  out  of or  under  any  collective  bargaining
agreement  is  pending  and no claim  therefor  has been  asserted;  and (vi) no
collective  bargaining agreement is currently being negotiated by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries.

            4.19  Insurance.  The Company has  delivered to the Purchaser a true
and complete  copy of, and Schedule  4.19 sets forth the  following  information
with respect to, each insurance policy (including  policies providing  property,
casualty,  liability,  and  workers'  compensation  coverage and bond and surety
arrangements)  to which the Company or any  Subsidiary has been a party, a named
insured,  or otherwise the  beneficiary  of coverage at any time within the past
four years:

               (i) the name of the insurer,  the name of the  policyholder,  and
      the name of each covered insured; and

               (ii) the policy number and the period of coverage.

            Except as set forth in Schedule  4.19,  with respect to each current
insurance  policy:  (A) the policy is in full force and  effect;  (B) the policy
will  continue to be in full force and effect on identical  terms  following the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby;  (C) neither the Company
nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Knowledge of the Company,  any other party to the
policy is in  breach or  default  (including  with  respect  to the  payment  of
premiums or the giving of notices,  and, to the  Knowledge  of the  Company,  no
event has occurred  which,  with notice or the lapse of time,  would  constitute
such a breach or default, or permit termination,  modification, or acceleration,
under the policy;  and (D) no party to the policy has  repudiated  any provision
thereof.  Except as provided in Schedule 4.19, the Company and the  Subsidiaries
have been  covered  during the past  four-year  period by insurance in scope and
amount  customary  and  reasonable  for the  businesses  in which it has engaged
during such period.  Schedule  4.19  describes any  self-insurance  arrangements
affecting the Company or any Subsidiary.

            4.20 No  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  To the Knowledge of the Company,
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries  has any claims,  liabilities or
indebtedness,  contingent or otherwise,  except as set forth or reflected on the
Balance  Sheet  attached  hereto as Exhibit 4.20 or referred to in the footnotes
thereto,  other than liabilities  incurred subsequent to the date of the Balance
Sheet in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past practice (none of
which  results  from,  arises  out of,  relates  to, is in the nature of, or was
caused by any breach of contract,  breach of warranty,  tort,  infringement,  or
violation of law or arising out of any action, suit or legal,  administrative or
arbitration  proceeding or investigation  before or by any  Governmental  Body).
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default in respect of the terms and
conditions of any indebtedness or obligation.

            4.21  Affiliated  Transactions.  Except for salaries paid or expense
advances  made to officers in the ordinary  course of business and  reflected on
the Balance Sheet or set forth on Schedule 4.21,  neither the Company nor any of
the Subsidiaries has (i) any outstanding loan which has not been repaid to, (ii)
sold,  purchased,  transferred or leased any properties or assets to or from, or
(iii)  entered into or continued any  agreement,  arrangement  or  understanding
(written or otherwise) with, any of its officers, directors, stockholders or any
"affiliate"  or  "associate"(  as such terms are defined in the Exchange Act) of
any such Persons (other than the Company or the Subsidiaries).

            4.22 Interests in Clients, Suppliers. Except as provided in Schedule
4.22  hereto,  neither the Company nor any officer or director of the Company or
any of  the  Company's  Subsidiaries  possesses,  directly  or  indirectly,  any
financial interest in, or is a director, officer or employee of, any entity that
is a  client,  vendor,  supplier,  customer,  lessor,  lessee or  competitor  or
potential  competitor  of the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries.  Ownership of
securities of a company whose  securities are registered  under the Exchange Act
of 1% or less of any  class  of such  securities  shall  not be  deemed  to be a
financial interest for purposes of this Section 4.22.

            4.23  Brokers.  The  Stockholders  have  not  employed,  and are not
subject to any valid claim of, any broker, finder, investment banker, consultant
or other  intermediary in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement who will be entitled to a fee or  commission  in connection  with such
transactions.  The Stockholders are solely  responsible for any payment,  fee or
commission that may be due to Stockholders' advisors, if any, in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby.

            4.24 Year 2000  Compliance.  The Company has reviewed its  products,
business  and  operations  that  could be  adversely  affected  by the risk that
computer  applications used by the Company and the Subsidiaries may be unable to
recognize and properly perform date-sensitive functions involving dates prior to
and after December 31, 1999 (the "Year 2000 Problem").  The Company believes its
internal  information  and  business  systems  will be able to perform  properly
date-sensitive  functions  for all dates  before and after  January 1, 2000.  In
addition, the Company is currently surveying those vendors,  suppliers and other
third parties  (collectively,  the "Outside Parties") with which the Company and
the  Subsidiaries  do business and whose failure to adequately  address the Year
2000 Problem could  reasonably be expected to adversely  affect the business and
operations of the Company and the  Subsidiaries.  Based upon the  aforementioned
internal  review  and  surveys  of the  Outside  Parties  as of the date of this
Agreement,  the Year 2000  Problem has not  resulted  in, and is not  reasonably
expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

            4.25 Loans; Investments.  With respect to each item set forth below,
to the Knowledge of the Company, except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 4.25,
each  Loan  reflected  as an  asset on the  Audited  Balance  Sheet  dated as of
December 31, 1998 is evidenced by appropriate and sufficient  documentation  and
constitutes  the  legal,  valid and  binding  obligation  of the  obligor  named
therein,  enforceable  in  accordance  with  its  terms,  except  that  (i) such
enforcement may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect  relating to creditors'  rights
generally,  and (ii) the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other
forms of  equitable  relief  may be  subject to  equitable  defenses  and to the
discretion  of the court  before which any  proceeding  therefor may be brought.
Except as set forth in  Schedule  4.25,  all such Loans are,  and at the Closing
will be, free and clear of any Encumbrances.

            (a)  All  guarantees  of  indebtedness  owed to the  Company  or any
Subsidiary,   including  but  not  limited  to  those  of  the  Federal  Housing
Administration,  the Small Business Administration,  and other state and federal
agencies,  are valid and  enforceable,  except that (i) such  enforcement may be
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or other similar
laws now or hereafter in effect  relating to creditors'  rights  generally,  and
(ii) the  remedy of  specific  performance  and  injunctive  and other  forms of
equitable  relief may be subject to equitable  defenses and to the discretion of
the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

            (b) All interest rate swaps,  caps, floors and option agreements and
other  interest rate risk  management  arrangements  to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is a party or by which any of their properties or assets may be bound
were entered into in the ordinary  course of business  and, in  accordance  with
then-customary  practice  and  applicable  rules,  regulations  and  policies of
regulatory  authorities  and  with  counterparties  believed  to be  financially
responsible at the time and are legal, valid and binding  obligations and are in
full force and effect.  The Company or any Subsidiary have duly performed in all
material respects all of their respective  obligations  thereunder to the extent
that such  obligations  to  perform  have  accrued,  and  there are no  material
breaches,  violations  or defaults or  allegations  or assertions of such by any
party thereunder.  None of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement would
permit (i) a  counterparty  under any interest rate swap,  cap, floor and option
agreement or any other interest rate risk management agreement or (ii) any party
to  any  mortgage  backed  security   financing   arrangement,   to  accelerate,
discontinue, terminate, or otherwise modify any such agreement or arrangement or
would  require the Company or any  Subsidiary to recognize any gain or loss with
respect to such arrangement.

            (c) The Loan  Documents  for each Loan have been duly  executed  and
recorded,  or are in the  process of being  recorded,  and are in due and proper
form, and the information  contained therein was true,  accurate and complete in
all material respects at the time such Loan documents were executed. The Company
has at all times  maintained  the Loan  Documents  in all  material  respects in
accordance with Investor  Requirements,  Servicing Requirements and otherwise in
accordance   with  all  legal  and  regulatory   requirements   and  contractual
obligations.

            (d) All  outstanding  Loans  sold  by  Company  or the  Subsidiaries
complied in all material  respects  with  Investor  Requirements  on the date of
sale.

            (e) The Company and any of the  Subsidiaries  have at all times been
and are in compliance in all material  respects with the Servicing  Requirements
relating to the Serviced Loans and Loans previously serviced by any of them.

            (f)  Neither  the  Company  nor  any  Subsidiary  has  any  advances
outstanding  with  respect  to any Loan,  except  for  advances  made  under the
Servicing Requirements.

            (g)  Neither  the  Company  nor any  Subsidiary  is in default  with
respect to any of its obligations under any Loan.

            (h) Neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary  is in  violation in any
material  respect of any  applicable  federal,  state,  or local  law,  statute,
ordinance,  rule,  regulation,  order or guideline  pertaining to the Loans, its
origination or production  practices,  or otherwise  relating to its purchase or
sale of Loans or its lending business, including but not limited to, real estate
settlement  procedures,  fair  credit  reporting,  and every  other  prohibition
against  unlawful   discrimination  or  governing   consumer  credit,  and  also
including,  without limitation,  the Consumer Credit Reporting Act, Equal Credit
Opportunity  Act of 1975 and  Regulation B, Fair Credit  Reporting Act, Truth in
Lending  Law,  in  particular,  Regulation  Z as  amended,  the  Flood  Disaster
Protection Act of 1973, and state consumer credit codes and laws.

            (i) All Loans  securitized in a pool sponsored by the Company or its
Affiliates,  at the time of inclusion  in the pool,  and at the time of any pool
certification  or any  recertification,  met all applicable  guidelines for such
pool. All pools relating to Loans that require certification have been initially
certified,  finally  certified and/or  recertified in accordance with applicable
guidelines. The principal balance outstanding and owing on the Serviced Loans in
each pool  equals or exceeds  the  amount  owing to the  corresponding  security
holder of such pool.

            (j)  The  Company  is  a  Fannie  Mae  and   Freddie  Mac   approved
seller/servicer  in good standing.  The Company has not received notice from any
governmental,  quasi-governmental  or private  agency of  pending or  threatened
actions or  investigations  which would question the status of the Company as an
approved lender,  seller/servicer or issuer of securities. No event has occurred
which,  with the passage of time or the giving of notice,  or both, would result
in the  loss  by  the  Company  of  its  qualification  as an  approved  lender,
seller/servicer  or  issuer or of the  Company  as a  contractor  or as a person
otherwise    permitted   to   transact    business   with   any    governmental,
quasi-governmental or private agency.

            (k) The terms of each Loan have not been impaired,  waived,  altered
or modified in any material respect from the date of its origination except by a
written instrument, which written instrument has been recorded if recordation is
necessary to protect the  interests of the owner  thereof.  The substance of any
such waiver, alteration or modification has been communicated to and approved in
writing by: (i) the relevant  Investor,  to the extent  required by the relevant
Investor Requirements; and (ii) the title insurer, to the extent required by the
relevant policies, and its terms are reflected in the Loan Documents.  Except as
authorized by the applicable  Investor,  where the Investor's  authorization  is
required,  neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has: (i) subordinated the lien
of any Mortgage Loan to any other  mortgage or lien or given any other  mortgage
or lien equal  priority  with the lien of a mortgage  loan; or (ii) executed any
instrument of release,  cancellation or satisfaction  with, in whole or in part,
respect to any Mortgage Loan.

            (l) As of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is
subject to any repurchase obligation under any Loan.

            (m) All escrows required to be maintained by the Company pursuant to
the terms of the  Mortgage  Loans  have been  maintained  by the  Company or any
Subsidiary and, all prior servicers, in all material respects in accordance with
all applicable legal rules and Investor  Requirements and in accordance with the
mortgage  servicing  agreements  and the Loan  Documents  related  thereto.  The
Company nor Subsidiaries have credited to the account of mortgagors all interest
required to be paid on any escrow account. All escrow,  custodial,  and suspense
accounts related to the owned Mortgage Loans held by the Company are held in the
Company's or Subsidiary's name or in the Investor's name. With respect to escrow
deposits and payments which are required to be collected,  all such payments are
in the  possession  of, or under the control of, the Company or Subsidiary or an
authorized  subservicer,  and there exist no material deficiencies in connection
therewith for which customary  arrangements for repayment  thereof have not been
made.  No escrow  deposits or other  charges or payments  have been  capitalized
under any mortgage or the related mortgage note.

            (n)  Neither the Company nor any  Subsidiary  has  received  written
notice of a servicing default of the Company or any Subsidiary for any Loan, and
each Loan serviced by the Company or any Subsidiary  has been properly  serviced
and accounted for in all material  respects in  accordance  with the  applicable
Servicing  Requirements.  To the extent that any applicable legal requirement in
any jurisdiction or any Investor Requirement requires the payment of interest on
escrow  accounts  with  respect to any  particular  Loan and the  Company or any
Subsidiary  services  such Loans,  all such  interest has been  properly paid or
arrangements for such payment has been made. All amounts payable in respect of a
Loan, or the property  covered by a mortgage which the Company or any Subsidiary
is responsible  for paying,  directly or on behalf of a mortgagor,  have, in all
material respects,  been paid prior to becoming delinquent.  All pools for which
the Company or any Subsidiary is  responsible  are in compliance in all material
respects  with  all  applicable  Investor   Requirements,   procedures,   rules,
regulations and guidelines.

            (o) Schedule 4.25  contains a  description  of each Loan serviced by
the Company or owned by the Company which, as of the date hereof,  has a balance
over $1 million and a prepayment penalty less than 5% of the principal amount.

            (p)  No   facts   currently   exist   with   respect   to   existing
securitizations  heretofore  undertaken  by the Company that would be reasonably
likely to  materially  and  adversely  affect the  ability of the Company or any
Subsidiary to continue to do  securitizations  in the future in accordance  with
existing practices.

            (q) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary  has any Portfolio  Loan.
All Loans held by the Company or any Subsidiary are Loans Held for Sale.

            4.26 Allowance for Possible Loan Losses.  The allowance for possible
loan losses  shown on the  Audited  Balance  Sheet as of  December  31, 1998 was
adequate  in all  respects to provide for  possible or specific  losses,  net of
recoveries  relating to loans previously charged off, on loans outstanding,  and
contained an additional amount of unallocated  reserves for unanticipated future
losses at a level considered  adequate under the standards applied by applicable
federal regulatory authorities and based upon GAAP applicable to the Company and
any Subsidiary.

            4.27 Accuracy of Representations. No representation or warranty made
by the Company or the Principal  Stockholders  in this Agreement or any document
or statement  delivered,  or to be delivered,  by or on behalf of the Company or
the Principal  Stockholders pursuant hereto contains or, as of the Closing Date,
will  contain  any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omits or, as of the
Closing  Date,  will  omit to  state  a  material  fact  necessary  to make  the
statements contained herein or therein not misleading.

            4.28  Disclosure.  No  statement  of fact made by the Company or the
Principal  Stockholders  in this  Agreement  contains any untrue  statement of a
material fact or omits to state any material fact  necessary to make  statements
contained  herein or therein not misleading.  There is no material fact peculiar
to the Company, any Subsidiary or the Principal  Stockholders which has not been
disclosed to the Purchaser.

                                    ARTICLE V

             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER AND SUB

            Each of the Purchaser and Sub hereby  represents and warrants to the
Company and the Stockholders as follows:

            5.1 Organization of Purchaser and Sub. Each of the Purchaser and Sub
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware  and has full  corporate  power and  authority  to
conduct its business as it is presently  being  conducted and to own,  lease and
use its properties and assets.

            5.2 Authorization.  Each of the Purchaser and Sub has full power and
authority to execute and deliver this  Agreement and to perform its  obligations
hereunder  and has taken all  action  necessary  to  execute  and  deliver  this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions  contemplated hereby and to perform
its obligations  hereunder.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by the  Purchaser  and Sub and,  assuming the due execution and delivery of this
Agreement  by the Company and the  Stockholders,  is a legal,  valid and binding
obligation of each of the Purchaser and Sub , enforceable  against the Purchaser
and Sub in accordance  with its terms,  except that (i) such  enforcement may be
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or other similar
laws now or hereafter in effect  relating to creditors'  rights  generally,  and
(ii) the  remedy of  specific  performance  and  injunctive  and other  forms of
equitable  relief may be subject to equitable  defenses and to the discretion of
the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

            5.3 No Conflict or Violation.  Neither the execution and delivery of
this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will
result  in  (a)  a  violation  of  or a  conflict  with  any  provision  of  the
Organizational Documents of the Purchaser and Sub, (b) a breach of, or a default
under,  or a right to  accelerate  with respect to, any term or provision of any
contract,  commitment  or other  obligation  to which the  Purchaser or Sub is a
party or is subject,  or (c) a violation by the Purchaser or Sub of any statute,
rule, regulation,  ordinance, code, order, judgment, writ, injunction, decree or
award.

            5.4 Validity of Issuance of Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock
to be delivered to the  Stockholders  as provided  herein are or will be validly
issued and outstanding,  fully paid and  non-assessable,  and not subject to any
preemptive rights, rights of first refusal, tag-along rights, draft-along rights
or other similar rights.

            5.5 SEC Filings;  Financial Statements.  (a) The Purchaser has filed
all forms, reports and documents required to be filed with the SEC since October
1, 1999, and has made available to the Company and the Stockholders, in the form
filed with the SEC,  together with any  amendments  thereto,  all of its reports
filed with the SEC (collectively,  the "SEC Reports").  The SEC Reports (i) were
prepared substantially in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act
or the  Exchange  Act,  as the  case  may be,  and  the  rules  and  regulations
promulgated  under each of such  respective  acts,  and (ii) did not at the time
they were filed contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the
statements  therein,  in the light of the  circumstances  under  which they were
made, not misleading.

            (b) The  financial  statements,  including  all  related  notes  and
schedules,  contained in the SEC Reports (or incorporated by reference  therein)
fairly present the  consolidated  financial  position of the Purchaser as at the
respective  dates  thereof and the results of  operations  and cash flows of the
Purchaser  for the  periods  indicated  in  accordance  with GAAP  applied  on a
consistent  basis  throughout  the  periods  involved  (except  for  changes  in
accounting principles disclosed in the notes thereto) and subject in the case of
interim financial statements to normal year-end adjustments.

            5.6 Consents and Approvals. No consent,  approval,  authorization or
other  action  by,  or filing  with or  notification  to,  any  governmental  or
regulatory  authority or other third party is required to be made or obtained by
the  Purchaser  or Sub on or prior to the Closing  Date in  connection  with the
execution,  delivery and  performance of this Agreement and the  consummation of
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  except  where  failure to obtain  such
consent,  approval,   authorization  or  action,  or  to  make  such  filing  or
notification would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

            5.7  Litigation.   There  is  no  material  action,   order,   writ,
injunction,  judgment or decree outstanding,  or suit,  litigation,  proceeding,
labor  dispute  (other than routine  uncontested  claims for benefits  under any
benefit  plans for any  officers,  employees or agents of the Purchaser or Sub),
arbitration,  investigation  or reported claim,  pending or, to the Knowledge of
the  Purchaser and Sub,  threatened,  before any court,  governmental  entity or
arbitrator  which seeks to delay or prevent the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or would, if successful,  have a Material Adverse
Effect.

            5.8 Acquisition for Investment. The Purchaser is acquiring the Stock
to be purchased by it pursuant to this Agreement  solely for its own account and
not with a view to any  distribution or other  disposition of such shares or any
part thereof, or interest therein, except in accordance with the Securities Act.

            5.9  Brokers.  Neither the  Purchaser  nor Sub has  employed,  or is
subject to any valid claim of, any broker, finder, investment banker, consultant
or other  intermediary in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement who will be entitled to a fee or  commission  in connection  with such
transactions.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                   ACTIONS BY THE PURCHASER, THE STOCKHOLDERS
                      AND THE COMPANY PRIOR TO THE CLOSING

            6.1 Conduct of  Business.  From the date hereof  through the Closing
Date,  the  Company  covenants  and  agrees  that it  shall,  and the  Principal
Stockholders  covenant  and agree that they shall cause the Company to,  conduct
its business  only in the ordinary  course and in a manner  consistent  with the
current practice of the Company and the Subsidiaries.

            6.2 Certain Restrictions on the Company. Except for the transactions
with the Purchaser, from the date hereof through the Closing Date, the Principal
Stockholders  shall cause the Company  not to, and the  Company  shall not,  and
shall cause each  Subsidiary not to,  without the prior written  approval of the
Purchaser:

            (a)  except in the  ordinary  course of  business,  sell,  assign or
transfer  any asset of the  Company or any  Subsidiary,  which has a fair market
value in excess  of  $10,000  or which,  when  aggregated  with all other  sales
pursuant to this Section 6.2 causes the aggregate  value of such sales to exceed
$10,000;

            (b) mortgage,  pledge or otherwise  encumber any material  assets of
the Company or any Subsidiary except in the ordinary course of business;

            (c) incur any  indebtedness for borrowed money,  assume,  guarantee,
endorse or otherwise  become  responsible for obligations of any other Person or
make any  loans or  advances  to any  Person  except in the  ordinary  course of
business;

            (d)  issue  or  commit  to  issue  any  shares  of  capital   stock,
obligations  or other  securities  of the  Company  or any  Subsidiaries  or any
securities convertible into or exchangeable for such capital stock,  obligations
or other  securities  or any  warrants,  options or rights to  subscribe  for or
purchase any capital stock or obligations or any other securities of the Company
or any Subsidiaries or any securities  convertible into or exchangeable for such
capital stock, obligations or other securities;

            (e) terminate,  cancel or amend any insurance coverage maintained by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any assets of the Company
or any Subsidiary which is not replaced by a substantially  comparable amount of
insurance coverage;

            (f)  amend  or  authorize  any   amendment  to  its   Organizational
Documents;

            (g) declare, set aside or pay any dividends or distributions or make
any other  payments  (whether  in cash,  stock or  property)  in  respect of any
capital  stock  of the  Company  or  any  Subsidiary,  or  redeem,  directly  or
indirectly,  purchase  or  otherwise  acquire  any of the  capital  stock of the
Company or any Subsidiary or effect a split or  combination  with respect to any
shares of such capital stock;

            (h) pay (other than in the ordinary  course of business,  consistent
with past practice) or increase any bonuses,  salaries, or other compensation of
any  director,  officer or employee or enter into any  employment,  severance or
similar agreement with any director, officer or employee;

            (i)  adopt  or  increase  any  profit   sharing,   bonus,   deferred
compensation,  savings, insurance, pension, retirement or other employee benefit
plan (including,  without limitation, any Benefit Plan) for or with any of their
employees;

            (j) enter into,  modify,  amend,  cancel or  terminate  any material
Contract,  other than in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past
practice;

            (k) cancel or waive any claim or right,  which  individually  or, in
the aggregate, is material;

            (l) make any capital  expenditure in excess of $50,000  individually
or $100,000 in the aggregate;

            (m) repay any indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries, other
than in the ordinary  course of business,  or make any  voluntary  prepayment or
redemption in respect of any indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

            (n) delay or defer any  expenses  (including  capital  expenditures,
liabilities or obligations  of any kind  whatsoever),  or accelerate any income,
revenue, payment or similar item, other than in the ordinary course of business;

            (o)  terminate  any Benefit  Plan that is  intended to be  qualified
under  Section  401(a) of the Code or any  related  trust  intended to be exempt
under Section 501(a) of the Code;

            (p) do any  other  act  which  would  cause  any  representation  or
warranty of the Company in this Agreement to be or become untrue in any material
respect;

            (q) make or change any Tax  election,  enter into any  agreement for
the allocation or sharing of any Taxes,  change an annual Tax accounting period,
adopt or change any Tax accounting  method,  file any amended Tax Return,  enter
into any closing  agreement,  settle any Tax claim or assessment,  surrender any
right to claim a refund  of Taxes,  consent  to any  extension  or waiver of the
statute of limitations  period  applicable to any Tax claim or assessment,  take
any action or omit to take any action, if any such action or omission would have
the effect of increasing  the Tax liability with respect to the business for any
Post-Closing Tax Period;

            (r) made any  payment  or  entered  into any  contract  which  would
require it to make a payment  (i) that  would  constitute  an "excess  parachute
payment"  for  purposes  of  Sections  280G  and 4999 of the  Code,  or (ii) the
deduction  for which would be denied,  in part or in whole,  pursuant to Section
162(m) of the Code; or

            (s) commit to do any of the foregoing.

            6.3 Access to  Information.  (a) From the date  hereof  through  the
Closing Date, the  Stockholders,  the Company and the  Subsidiaries  and each of
their   officers,   employees,   auditors  and  agents  shall   furnish  to  the
Representatives  of the Purchaser  such  financial and operating  data and other
information  regarding  the Company and the  Subsidiaries,  as the Purchaser may
from time to time reasonably request; provided,  however, that such review shall
not affect the representations and warranties made by the Principal Stockholders
and the Company in this  Agreement or the remedies of the Purchaser for breaches
of the Company's or the Principal Stockholders' representations and warranties.

            (b) Until the Closing  Date,  each party shall  promptly  inform the
other in writing of any material  variance or breach discovered by such party in
the  representations  and warranties or covenants of such party pursuant to this
Agreement;  provided  that  failure by any party  hereunder  to give such notice
shall not affect the  obligations  of the other party or the rights and remedies
of the party  failing  to give  notice,  unless  the other  party is  materially
prejudiced by such failure.

            (c) From time to time prior to the  Closing  Date and upon  becoming
aware of any such matter,  condition or  occurrence,  each party shall  promptly
inform the other in writing of any matter,  condition or  occurrence  which,  if
existing or occurring at the date of this Agreement, would have been required to
be set forth or described in a Schedule being  delivered  concurrently  with the
execution of this Agreement.  No such disclosure by either party shall be deemed
to modify or supplement  the Schedules or cure any breach of any  representation
or warranty made in this Agreement by such party.

            6.4  Regulatory and Other  Authorizations.  (a) From the date hereof
through the Closing,  each of the  Principal  Stockholders,  the Company and the
Purchaser  will use its best  efforts  to obtain all  authorizations,  consents,
orders and  approvals of all federal,  state and foreign  regulatory  bodies and
officials that may be or become necessary for the performance of its obligations
pursuant  to this  Agreement  and will  cooperate  fully with the other party in
promptly  seeking  to  obtain  all such  authorizations,  consents,  orders  and
approvals.  Neither the Company,  the Principal  Stockholders  nor the Purchaser
will take any  action  that  will have the  effect  of  delaying,  impairing  or
impeding the receipt of any required approval.

            (b) If in order to properly prepare  documents  required to be filed
with governmental authorities (including any filings which may be required under
the HSR Act) or its  financial  statements,  it is  necessary  that  either  the
Company,  the  Principal   Stockholders  or  the  Purchaser  be  furnished  with
additional  information  relating to the Company or the  Subsidiaries,  and such
information  is in the  possession of the other party,  such party agrees to use
its best efforts to furnish such  information  in a timely  manner to such other
party.

            6.5 Insurance.  Through the Closing Date, the Principal Stockholders
shall cause the Company to, and the Company and the Subsidiaries shall, maintain
insurance  policies  providing  insurance  coverage  for  the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries of the kinds, in the amounts and against the risks substantially as
are presently provided pursuant to the policies set forth on Schedule 4.19.

            6.6 Further Action.  Each of the Company,  the  Stockholders and the
Purchaser  shall  execute such  documents and other papers and take such further
actions as may be reasonably required or desirable to carry out the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
this Agreement, each of the parties shall use its best efforts to take, or cause
to be  taken,  all  actions  and to do, or cause to be done,  all  other  things
necessary,  proper or advisable to consummate  and make effective as promptly as
practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

            6.7  Exclusivity.  Between  the date  hereof  and the  Closing,  the
Stockholders,  the Company,  the Subsidiaries  and their  respective  directors,
officers,  employees and agents shall deal  exclusively  with the Purchaser with
respect to the sale of Stock; will not directly or indirectly solicit, initiate,
encourage,  continue  or respond to any  inquiries,  proposals,  discussions  or
negotiations  for an  investment  in the  Company  or any  business  combination
involving  the  Company or its assets with any person,  firm or  corporation  or
other entity or group other than the Purchaser or provide any  information to or
otherwise  cooperate in any way with any other person,  firm or  corporation  or
other  entity  or group for any  purpose  inconsistent  with the  intent of this
Agreement. Any such inquiries, proposals, discussions or negotiations heretofore
being conducted shall immediately be terminated.  The Stockholders,  the Company
and the  Subsidiaries  shall promptly  inform the Purchaser in writing as to the
nature  of  and  parties  to  any  such  inquiries,  proposals,  discussions  or
negotiations and any further  inquiries and proposals.  Each of the Stockholders
and  the  Company  hereby  represents  that  neither  he,  it  nor  any  of  the
Subsidiaries  or Affiliates is a party to or bound by any agreement with respect
to a possible merger,  combination,  sale or other disposition of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, or any interest therein other than this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

            7.1 Conditions to Obligations of the Purchaser.  The  obligations of
the Purchaser to consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement
shall be subject to the  fulfillment or waiver,  at or prior to the Closing,  of
each of the following conditions:

            (a) Representations and Warranties;  Covenants.  The representations
and warranties of the Stockholders  and the Company  contained in this Agreement
shall be true and correct as of the  Closing,  with the same force and effect as
if made on and as of the Closing Date (excluding any qualifications thereto that
relate solely to the  representations and warranties made as of the date of this
Agreement),  and all the  covenants  contained in this  Agreement to be complied
with by the  Stockholders  and the Company on or before the  Closing  Date shall
have been complied with in all material  respects,  and the Purchaser shall have
received  a  certificate  of each of the  Stockholders  and the  Company to such
effect signed by each  Stockholder or a duly authorized  officer of the Company,
as the case may be;

            (b) HSR Act. Any waiting period (and any extension thereof), if any,
under the HSR Act  which  may be  applicable  to the  transactions  contemplated
hereby shall have expired or been terminated;

            (c) No Prohibition.  There shall not exist any temporary restraining
order,  preliminary or permanent injunction,  final judgment,  law or regulation
prohibiting the consummation of this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated
hereby,  or, to the knowledge of any party, any pending or threatened  action by
any governmental  authority or private party  prohibiting or seeking to prohibit
the consummation of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby;

            (d) Legal  Opinion.  The  Purchaser  shall have  received from King,
Purtich,  Holmes,  Paterno &  Berliner,  LLP,  counsel  to the  Company  and the
Stockholders,  a legal opinion  addressed to the Purchaser and dated the Closing
Date, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit 7.1(d);

            (e) Employment  Agreements.  The Principal  Stockholders  shall have
entered into employment  agreements with the Company,  in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit 7.1(e);

            (f)  Non-Competition  Agreements.  The Principal  Stockholders shall
have entered into non-competition  agreements with the Company, in substantially
the form attached as Exhibit 7.1(f);

            (g) Due  Diligence.  The  Purchaser  shall  have  completed  the due
diligence investigation of the Company, the results of which shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Purchaser;

            (h) Financial Conditions of the Company. The financial conditions of
the Company at the Closing Date shall not be materially adverse changed from the
financial conditions as set forth on the Balance Sheet;

            (i) Regulatory Consents and Approvals.  All consents,  approvals and
actions of,  filings  with and notices to any  Governmental  Body  necessary  to
permit (i) the parties hereto to perform their obligations under this Agreement,
(ii)  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  or (iii)  permit  the
Purchaser  to operate the  business  and  operations  of the  Company  after the
Closing, shall have been duly obtained, made or given and shall be in full force
and effect,  and all  terminations  or expirations of waiting periods imposed by
any  Governmental  Body  necessary  for  the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  or to permit  the  Purchaser  to  operate  the
business and  operations of the Company after the Closing,  shall have occurred,
except where failure to obtain such consents, approvals and actions could not be
reasonably  expected  to have a Material  Adverse  Effect on the Company and the
Purchaser;

            (j)  Approval.  This  Agreement,  the  Merger  and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby shall have been approved by all of the  stockholders of the
Company, including the Principal Stockholders;

            (k)  Subsidiaries.  The Purchaser shall have entered into agreements
with the  Stockholders,  officers,  directors or  Affiliates of the Company with
respect to the acquisition of the Subsidiaries in form and substance  reasonably
satisfactory to the Purchaser;

            (l) Resignations. The Purchaser shall have received the resignations
of the officers and directors of the Company and the Subsidiaries;

            (m) Cash and Cash Equivalent.  If the Closing Date shall occur on or
prior to December 31, 1999, the cash and cash  equivalents of the Company on the
Closing  Date shall be not less than  $500,000,  and if the  Closing  Date shall
occur after  December 31, 1999 and prior to January 31, 2000,  the cash and cash
equivalents  of the Company on the Closing Date shall be not less than $200,000,
and the Purchaser  shall have received a  certificate  from the Chief  Financial
officer of the Company to that effect;

            (n)  Acquisition  of Stock.  The  Purchaser  shall have acquired the
shares of common stock of the Company  from each of Patrick  John Huber,  Emilio
Nunez,  Robert  Charles  Boehnlein,  Allen  Charles  Scarpetti and Charles Marco
DeMarti prior to the date hereof;

            (o)  No  Dissenting  Stockholders.  There  shall  be  no  dissenting
stockholders of the Company;

            (p) Agreement with Stockholders. All Stockholders shall have entered
into this Agreement; and

            (q)  Additional  Documents.  The Purchaser  shall have received such
additional documents,  certificates,  payments, assignments, transfers and other
deliveries as it or its counsel may  reasonably  request and as are customary to
effect a closing of the matters herein contemplated.

            7.2 Conditions to  Obligations of the Company and the  Stockholders.
The  obligations  of  the  Company  and  the   Stockholders  to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment
or waiver, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:

            (a) Representations and Warranties;  Covenants.  The representations
and warranties of the Purchaser  contained in this  Agreement  shall be true and
correct as of the  Closing,  with the same force and effect as if made on and as
of the Closing Date (excluding any qualifications  thereto that relate solely to
the representations  and warranties made as of the date of this Agreement),  and
all the  covenants  and other  obligations  contained  in this  Agreement  to be
complied  with by the  Purchaser  on or before the Closing  Date shall have been
complied  with in all material  respects,  and the Company shall have received a
certificate of the Purchaser to such effect signed by a duly authorized  officer
thereof;

            (b) HSR Act. Any waiting period (and any extension thereof), if any,
under the HSR Act applicable to the transactions  contemplated hereby shall have
expired or been terminated;

            (c) No Prohibition.  There shall not exist any temporary restraining
order,  preliminary or permanent injunction,  final judgment,  law or regulation
prohibiting the consummation of this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated
hereby,  or, to the knowledge of any party, any pending or threatened  action by
any governmental  authority or private party  prohibiting or seeking to prohibit
the consummation of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby;

            (d) Employment  Agreements.  The Principal  Stockholders  shall have
entered into employment  agreements with the Company,  in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit 7.1(e);

            (e)  Non-Competition  Agreements.  The Principal  Stockholders shall
have entered into non-competition  agreements with the Company, in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7.1(f);

            (f) Regulatory Consents and Approvals.  All consents,  approvals and
actions of,  filings  with and notices to any  Governmental  Body  necessary  to
permit the parties hereto to perform their  obligations under this Agreement and
to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall  have  been  duly
obtained,  made  or  given  and  shall  be in full  force  and  effect,  and all
terminations or expirations of waiting periods imposed by any Governmental  Body
necessary  for  the  consummation  of  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
Agreement, including under the HSR Act, shall have occurred; and

            (g)  Acquisition  of Stock.  The  Purchaser  shall have acquired the
shares of common stock of the Company  from each of Patrick  John Huber,  Emilio
Nunez,  Robert  Charles  Boehnlein,  Allen  Charles  Scarpetti and Charles Marco
DeMarti prior to the date hereof;

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                CERTAIN ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

            8.1 Restrictive  Legend.  Each  Stockholder  acknowledges and agrees
that, upon issuance pursuant to this Agreement, the shares of Common Stock shall
have  endorsed  thereon  a legend in  substantially  the  following  form (and a
stop-transfer order may be placed against transfer of the shares of Common Stock
until such legend has been removed):

            "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
            REGISTERED  UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
            (THE  "SECURITIES  ACT"),  OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
            STATE,  AND ARE BEING  OFFERED  AND SOLD  PURSUANT TO AN
            EXEMPTION  FROM  THE  REGISTRATION  REQUIREMENTS  OF THE
            SECURITIES  ACT AND SUCH LAWS.  THESE  SHARES MAY NOT BE
            SOLD,  TRANSFERRED OR PLEDGED  EARLIER THAN DECEMBER 29,
            2001, AS PROVIDED IN THAT CERTAIN  AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF
            MERGER DATED AS OF DECEMBER  29, 1999 (THE  "AGREEMENT")
            BY AND AMONG THE  COMPANY  AND  CERTAIN  OTHER  PERSONS;
            PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  THAT IN ANY EVENT NOT MORE THAN 50%
            OF SUCH  SHARES  MAY BE  SOLD,  TRANSFERRED  OR  PLEDGED
            DURING ANY YEAR SINCE  DECEMBER  29, 2001. A COPY OF THE
            AGREEMENT IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY."

            8.2 No Transfer.  Each of the  Stockholders  agrees that it will not
resell,  pledge,  assign,  transfer or otherwise dispose of the shares of Common
Stock until the expiration of the two-year period after the Closing Date whether
or not such  shares  are  registered  under  the  Securities  Act and  under the
securities act of any State; provided,  however, that in any event not more than
50% of such shares may be sold,  pledged,  assigned,  transferred  or  otherwise
disposed  during any year after the  expiration of the  aforementioned  two-year
period after the Closing Date.

            8.3 Board of Directors.  Promptly  after the Closing,  the Purchaser
shall cause its Board of Directors to be expanded by one  additional  member and
shall  cause to elect to the Board of  Directors  one person  designated  by the
Stockholders and reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser.

            8.4 Tax Return Filings.  (a) The Purchaser shall, or shall cause the
Company and the  Subsidiaries  to,  timely  prepare  and file with the  relevant
Taxing  Authorities all Tax Returns of the Company and the  Subsidiaries the due
date for filing of which,  determined taking into account  extensions,  is after
the Closing Date.  The  Stockholders  shall,  or shall cause the Company and the
Subsidiaries  to, timely prepare and file with the relevant  Taxing  Authorities
all  Tax  Returns  for  any  taxable  periods  of  the  Company  or  any  of the
Subsidiaries  the due date for filing of which,  determined  taking into account
extensions,  is on or before  the  Closing  Date;  provided,  however,  that the
Company shall furnish the Purchaser  with a copy of such Tax Returns at least 60
days before such  returns are due,  and no such Tax Returns  shall be filed with
any Taxing Authority  without the Purchaser's  written consent.  Any Tax Returns
described in the preceding sentence shall be prepared on a basis consistent with
the past practices of the Company and the Subsidiaries and in a manner that does
not  distort  taxable  income  (e.g.,   by  deferring   income  or  accelerating
deductions).  The Stockholders shall reimburse the Purchaser (in accordance with
Section  9.4) for any amount  owed by the  Stockholders  pursuant to Section 9.4
with respect to the taxable periods covered by such Tax Returns. All Tax Returns
for a taxable period including the Closing Date shall be filed on the basis that
the  relevant  taxable  period  ended as of the close of business on the Closing
Date, unless the relevant Taxing Authority will not accept such a Tax Return.

            (b) In the case of any taxable  period that  includes  (but does not
end  on)  the  Closing  Date (a  "Straddle  Period"):  (i)  real,  personal  and
intangible property Taxes ("Property Taxes") of the Company and its Subsidiaries
for the  Pre-Closing  Tax Period shall equal the Property  Taxes for such Period
multiplied  by a fraction,  the  numerator of which is the number of days during
the Straddle  Period that are in the  Pre-Closing Tax Period and the denominator
of which is the number of days in the Straddle Period; and (ii) the Taxes of the
Company  (other than  Property  Taxes) for the  Pre-Closing  Tax Period shall be
computed as if the entire  Straddle  Period ended as of the close of business on
the Closing Date.

            (c) The Stockholders, the Company and the Purchaser shall reasonably
cooperate,  and shall cause their respective  affiliates,  officers,  employees,
agents,  auditors and representatives  reasonably to cooperate, in preparing and
filing all Tax Returns, including maintaining and making available to each other
all records  necessary in connection  with Taxes,  and in resolving all disputes
and audits with respect to all taxable periods relating to Taxes,  including all
Tax Claims (as defined below).

            (d) (i) If a claim shall be made by any Taxing Authority,  which, if
successful, might result in an indemnity payment to any Purchaser Tax Indemnitee
(as defined below)  pursuant to Section 9.4, the Purchaser shall promptly notify
Stockholders in writing of such claim (a "Tax Claim"). Failure to give notice of
a Tax  Claim to the  Stockholders  within  a  sufficient  period  of time and in
reasonably  sufficient detail to allow Stockholders to effectively  contest such
Tax Claim shall affect the  liability of the  Stockholders  to any Purchaser Tax
Indemnitee  only to the extent that the  Stockholders'  position is actually and
materially prejudiced as a result thereof.

               (ii) The  Stockholders  shall  control all  proceedings  taken in
connection  with any Tax Claim  relating  solely to Taxes of the Company and any
Subsidiary  for a  Pre-Closing  Tax  Period,  and  may  make  all  decisions  in
connection with such Tax Claim. The Stockholders and the Purchaser shall jointly
control all  proceedings  taken in connection with any Tax Claim relating solely
to Taxes of the Company and any  Subsidiary for a Straddle  Period,  and neither
party shall settle any such Tax Claim  without the written  consent of the other
party. The Purchaser shall control all proceedings with respect to all other Tax
Claims.

            8.5   Piggyback Registration.

            (a) If the  Purchaser  proposes to register any of its Common Stock,
either for its own account or for the account of any Person, but not including a
registration  relating to (i) employee  stock option or purchase  plans,  (ii) a
transaction  pursuant to Rule 145 under the Securities Act, or (iii)  securities
of any investor in the  Purchaser (a  "Piggyback  Registration"),  the Purchaser
will:

            (X) promptly give written notice thereof to the Stockholders; and

            (Y) use its best efforts to include in such  Piggyback  Registration
      and in any underwriting involved therein up to all of the shares of Common
      Stock  of  the  Stockholders  (the  "Registrable  Securities")  which  the
      Stockholders  request in writing  to be so  included  within 15 days after
      receipt of such written notice from the Purchaser.

            (b) The Stockholders  shall pay, and shall reimburse each Holder for
paying,  any  expenses  incurred in  connection  with a  Piggyback  Registration
requested  pursuant  to  this  Section,   including,   without  limitation,  all
registration,  qualification,  printing  and  accounting  fees  and all fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Purchaser.

            (c) If the registration of which the Purchaser gives notice is for a
registered  public offering  involving an  underwriting,  the Purchaser shall so
advise the  Stockholders  as a part of the written notice given pursuant to this
Section, and the right of the Stockholders to include Registrable  Securities in
such registration  shall be conditioned upon the Stockholders'  participation in
such underwriting and the entry of the participating Stockholders (together with
the Purchaser  and other  holders  distributing  their  securities  through such
underwriting)  into  an  underwriting  agreement  in  customary  form  with  the
underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Purchaser.

            (d)  (i)  If  the  underwriter  of the  registered  public  offering
referred to in this Section shall advise the Purchaser in writing that marketing
factors  require a limitation of the amount of  securities  to be  underwritten,
securities shall be included in such offering in the following priority:  first,
the Common  Stock  proposed  to be  registered  by the  Purchaser;  second,  the
Registrable  Securities  requested  to  be  included  in  such  registration  by
requesting  Stockholders  pursuant to this Section, pro rata on the basis of the
number of such  securities  requested to be included by such  Stockholders;  and
third,  other  securities  for the account of Persons  other than  Stockholders,
allocated  among such Persons in accordance  with the  priorities  then existing
among the Purchaser and such Persons.  Any securities  excluded  pursuant to the
provisions of this Section shall be withdrawn  from and shall not be included in
such Piggyback Registration.

            (e) The Purchaser,  in its sole and absolute  discretion,  may enter
into  agreements  granting  Persons  other  than the  Stockholders  the right to
include  any  securities  issued or  issuable  to such  Persons  in a  Piggyback
Registration  prior  to the  inclusion  of  the  Registrable  Securities  of the
Stockholders.

            (f) Nothing  contained  herein  shall  prohibit the  Purchaser  from
determining,  at any time, not to file a registration statement or, if filed, to
withdraw  such  registration  or terminate or abandon the  registration  related
thereto.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

            9.1 Survival of Representations and Warranties.  The representations
and  warranties  set forth in Articles IV and V shall survive for a period of 18
months  after the  Closing,  except that those  representations  and  warranties
contained  in Sections  4.1,  4.2,  4.3,  4.4,  5.1,  5.2 and 5.4 shall  survive
indefinitely, the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.16 shall
survive for the statute of limitations  plus any extension  thereof with respect
to the applicable tax return, and the representations  and warranties  contained
in Section 4.17 shall survive for a period of three years after the Closing.

            9.2  Indemnification  by the  Purchaser.  (a) The Purchaser  agrees,
subject to the other terms and  conditions of this  Agreement,  to indemnify the
Stockholders  against, and hold them harmless from, all losses,  claims,  fines,
penalties,  amounts  paid  in  settlement,   liabilities,   costs  and  expenses
(including,  without  limitation,  reasonable  attorney  and expert fees) of and
damages to the  Stockholders  related to or arising out of the breach of (i) any
representation or warranty of the Purchaser  contained herein (without regard to
any  "materiality",  "Material  Adverse  Effect",  "substantial  compliance"  or
similar exception or qualifier), or (ii) any breach of any covenant or agreement
of the Purchaser herein.

            (b) No claim may be made against the Purchaser  for  indemnification
pursuant  to Section  9.2(a)(i)  unless the  aggregate  of all  liabilities  and
damages of the Stockholders (exclusive of legal fees incurred in connection with
pursuing such claim) with respect to Section  9.2(a)(i) along with all liability
of the Purchaser to the  Stockholders  shall in the aggregate  exceed  $100,000;
provided,  however,  that under no circumstances  shall the Purchaser  liability
under  Section  9.2(a)(i)  exceed (i) the amount  equal to 100% of the  Purchase
Price with respect to the breach of all representations and warranties set forth
in Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.4 and (ii) $500,000 with respect to the breach of all
other representations and warranties set forth in Article V.

            (c) The  Stockholders  agree to give the  Purchaser  prompt  written
notice of any claim, assertion,  event or proceeding by or in respect of a third
party of which they have  Knowledge  concerning  any  liability  or damage as to
which it may request indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that no delay
on the part of any  Stockholders  in notifying the  Purchaser  shall relieve the
Purchaser from any liability or obligation  hereunder unless (and then solely to
the extent  that) the  Purchaser  can  demonstrate  that it was  damaged by such
delay.  The Purchaser will not consent to the entry of any judgment with respect
to the matter,  or enter into any settlement  which does not include a provision
whereby the plaintiff or claimant in the matter releases the  Stockholders  from
all  liability  with  respect  thereto,  without  the  written  consent  of  the
Stockholders.  The Purchaser shall have the right to direct,  at its own expense
and through  counsel of its own choosing,  the defense or settlement of any such
claim or proceeding;  the Stockholders  may participate in such defense,  but in
such case the expenses of the  Stockholders  shall be paid by the  Stockholders;
provided,  however, that if the Stockholders deliver to the Purchaser an opinion
of counsel  to the  effect  that there  exists an actual  conflict  of  interest
between the Purchaser and the  Stockholders  with respect to such claim, or such
claim or liability  involves the  possibility of criminal  sanctions or criminal
liability to the Stockholders, the Stockholders shall be entitled to participate
in the defense of such claim or liability at the expense of the  Purchaser.  The
Stockholders  shall  provide  the  Purchaser  with  access to their  records and
personnel  relating to any such claim,  assertion,  event or  proceeding  during
normal  business  hours  and  shall  otherwise  cooperate  with  and  aid at the
Purchaser's request the Purchaser in the defense or settlement thereof,  and the
Purchaser  shall  reimburse the  Stockholders  for all reasonable  out-of-pocket
expenses in connection therewith.  If the Purchaser elects to direct the defense
of any such claim or proceeding, the Stockholders shall not pay, or permit to be
paid,  any part of any claim or demand  arising  from  such  asserted  liability
unless the Purchaser consents in writing to such payment (such consent not to be
unreasonably  withheld or delayed) or unless the Purchaser,  subject to the last
sentence of this Section  9.2(c),  withdraws  from the defense of such  asserted
liability or unless a final  judgment from which no appeal may be taken by or on
behalf of the Purchaser is entered against the  Stockholders for such liability.
If the  Purchaser  shall fail to assume the  defense of such claim in the manner
provided above, or if, after  commencing or undertaking any such defense,  fails
to prosecute or withdraws  from such defense,  the  Stockholders  shall have the
right to undertake the defense or settlement  thereof,  and the Stockholders may
defend against,  or enter into any settlement with respect to, the matter in any
manner it reasonably  may deem  appropriate  without  prejudice to the Purchaser
Indemnitee's right to indemnity from the Purchaser hereunder.

            9.3 Indemnification by the Principal  Stockholders.  (a) Each of the
Principal  Stockholders,  jointly and  severally,  agrees,  subject to the other
terms  and  conditions  of this  Agreement,  to  indemnify  the  Purchaser  (and
Purchaser's directors,  officers,  employees,  controlling persons,  Affiliates,
successors and assigns (collectively, the "Purchaser Indemnitees")) against, and
hold it  harmless  on an  after-Tax  basis  from,  all  losses,  claims,  fines,
penalties,  amounts  paid  in  settlement,   liabilities,   costs  and  expenses
(including,  without  limitation,  reasonable  attorney  and expert fees) of and
damages to the Purchaser, but excluding any anticipated lost profits, related to
or arising out of (i) the breach of any representation or warranty made by or on
behalf of the Company and each of the Principal  Stockholders  in this Agreement
(without regard to any  "materiality",  "Material Adverse Effect",  "substantial
compliance"  or  similar  exception  or  qualifier),  or (ii) the  breach of any
covenant,  agreement or undertaking made by or on behalf of the Company and each
of the Principal Stockholders in this Agreement.

            (b) No claim may be made  against  the  Principal  Stockholders  for
indemnification  pursuant  to  Section  9.3(a)(i)  unless the  aggregate  of all
liabilities  and damages  (exclusive of legal fees  incurred in connection  with
pursuing  such claim) of the  Purchaser  with respect to Section  9.3(a)(i)  and
liability to the Purchaser  pursuant to the other Contracts or guaranties  shall
exceed  $100,000;  provided,  however,  that  under no  circumstances  shall the
Principal  Stockholders liability under 9.3(b)(i) exceed (i) the amount equal to
100% of the Purchase Price with respect to the breach of all representations and
warranties  set  forth  in  Sections  4.1,  4.2,  4.3,  4.4,  4.5,  4.6(a)(vii),
4.5(a)(xi),  4.6(a)(xii),   4.6(a)(xiii),  4.6(a)(xiv)  and  4.6(a)(xviii)  with
respect  to  any  actions  under  the  aforementioned  4.6(a)(vii),  4.6(a)(xi),
4.6(a)(xii),  4.6(a)(xiii) and 4.6(a)(xiv),  4.12, 4.16(a), 4.16(b), 4.20, 4.21,
4.22 and 4.23, in the aggregate, and (ii) $500,000 with respect to the breach of
all  other  representations  and  warranties  set  forth in  Article  IV, in the
aggregate; and provided, further, that the Principal Stockholders shall have the
right to (i) use the  consideration  due to them under Sections 2.2(c),  2.2(d),
2.2(e)  and  2.2(f) in order to offset  their  liabilities,  if any,  under this
Section and (ii) satisfy  their  obligations  under this Section by returning to
the Purchaser the shares of Common Stock received by them as provided in Section
2.2 valued at the Fair Market  Price of such shares of Common Stock for a thirty
day period prior to their  return to the  Purchaser.  In no event the  aggregate
indemnification under Section 9.3 and Section 9.4 shall exceed the amount of the
Purchase Price.

            (c) The Purchaser agrees to give the Principal  Stockholders  prompt
written notice of any claim, assertion,  event or proceeding by or in respect of
a third party of which it has Knowledge concerning any liability or damage as to
which it may request indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that no delay
on the part of any Purchaser Indemnitee in notifying the Principal  Stockholders
shall  relieve the  Principal  Stockholders  from any  liability  or  obligation
hereunder unless (and then solely to the extent that) the Principal Stockholders
can demonstrate that they were damaged by such delay. The Principal Stockholders
will not consent to the entry of any  judgment  with  respect to the matter,  or
enter  into any  settlement  which  does not  include a  provision  whereby  the
plaintiff or claimant in the matter  releases the Purchaser  Indemnitee from all
liability  with respect  thereto,  without the written  consent of the Purchaser
Indemnitee.  The Principal Stockholders shall have the right to direct, at their
own expense and through counsel of its own choosing (reasonably  satisfactory to
the  Purchaser  Indemnitee),  the  defense  or  settlement  of any such claim or
proceeding;  the Purchaser  Indemnitee may  participate in such defense,  but in
such  case  the  expenses  of the  Purchaser  Indemnitee  shall  be  paid by the
Purchaser  Indemnitee;  provided,  however,  that  if the  Purchaser  Indemnitee
delivers to the Principal  Stockholders an opinion of counsel to the effect that
there exists an actual conflict of interest among the Principal Stockholders and
the Purchaser  Indemnitee with respect to such claim, or such claim or liability
involves the  possibility  of criminal  sanctions  or criminal  liability to the
Purchaser Indemnitee,  the Purchaser Indemnitee shall be entitled to participate
in the  defense  of such claim or  liability  at the  expense  of the  Principal
Stockholders. The Purchaser shall provide the Principal Stockholders with access
to its records and  personnel  relating to any such claim,  assertion,  event or
proceeding  during normal business hours and shall otherwise  cooperate with and
aid at the Principal  Stockholders'  request the Principal  Stockholders  in the
defense or settlement  thereof,  and the Principal  Stockholders shall reimburse
the  Purchaser  for all its  reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses  in  connection
therewith. If the Principal Stockholders elect to direct the defense of any such
claim or proceeding, the Purchaser shall not pay, or permit to be paid, any part
of any claim or demand arising from such asserted liability unless the Principal
Stockholders  consent  in  writing  to  such  payment  (such  consent  not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed) or unless the Principal Stockholders,  subject
to the last sentence of this Section  9.3(c),  withdraw from the defense of such
asserted  liability or unless a final judgment from which no appeal may be taken
by or on behalf of the Principal  Stockholders  is entered against the Purchaser
for such  liability.  If the  Principal  Stockholders  shall  fail to assume the
defense of such claim in the manner provided  above, or if, after  commencing or
undertaking any such defense, fails to prosecute or withdraws from such defense,
the  Purchaser  shall have the right to  undertake  the  defense  or  settlement
thereof,  and the Purchaser  Indemnitee  may defend  against,  or enter into any
settlement  with  respect  to, the matter in any manner it  reasonably  may deem
appropriate  without prejudice to the Purchaser  Indemnitee's right to indemnity
from the Principal Stockholders hereunder.

            9.4 Tax  Indemnification.  (a)  From  and  after  the  Closing,  the
Stockholders  shall be  liable  for,  and shall  indemnify  the  Purchaser,  its
affiliates  and  each  of  their  respective  officers,  directors,   employees,
stockholders,  agents and  representatives  (the  "Purchaser  Tax  Indemnities")
against and hold them harmless on an after-Tax  basis from (i) all liability for
Taxes of the  Stockholders,  the Company and any Subsidiary  with respect to any
Pre-Closing  Tax Periods paid by the Company or the Purchaser  after the Closing
Date and not accrued on the Closing Balance Sheet,  (ii) all liability for Taxes
of  the  Stockholders  arising  (directly  or  indirectly)  as a  result  of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby, paid by the Company or any Subsidiary or the
Purchaser,  (iii) any breach of any  representation  or  warranty  contained  in
Section  4.16  resulting  in any loss,  claim,  fine,  penalty,  amounts paid in
settlement,  liabilities,  costs or expenses to the Company or any Subsidiary or
the Purchaser,  and (iv) all liability for reasonable legal fees and expenses of
the Company or any Subsidiary or the Purchaser  attributable  to any item in the
foregoing clauses.

            (b) The  indemnity  obligation  under this  Agreement  in respect of
Taxes for a  Straddle  Period  shall  initially  be  effected  by payment to the
Purchaser by the  Stockholders  of the excess of (i) such Taxes  relating to the
Pre-Closing  Tax Period over (ii) the amount of such Taxes paid by the  Company,
the  Subsidiaries and the Stockholders or any of their affiliates on or prior to
the  Closing  Date plus the amount of any such  Taxes  which  were  accrued  and
reflected on the Closing Balance Sheet.  Such excess  initially shall be paid to
the  Purchaser  no later  than 10 days prior to the date on which the Tax Return
with respect to the final  liability for such Taxes is required to be filed.  If
the  aggregate  amount of such  Taxes  paid or  accrued  by the  Company  or the
Subsidiaries  prior  to the  Closing,  and by the  Stockholders  or any of their
affiliates  at any time,  is  exceeded  by the amount  payable  pursuant  to the
preceding  sentence,  the Stockholders  shall pay to the Purchaser the amount of
such  excess  within 10 days  after the Tax  Return  with  respect  to the final
liability  for such  Taxes is  required  to be filed.  The  payments  to be made
pursuant  to this  Section  9.4  with  respect  to a  Straddle  Period  shall be
appropriately  adjusted to reflect any final determination  (which shall include
the  execution of Form 870AD or successor  form,  or similar  state or local Tax
form) with respect to Straddle Period Taxes.

            (c) Any indemnity  payment to be made under this Section 9.4,  other
than an indemnity  payment  described in the  immediately  preceding  paragraph,
shall be paid within 10 days after the  indemnified  party makes written  demand
upon the indemnifying party, but in no case earlier than ten business days prior
to the date on which the relevant  Taxes are required to be paid to the relevant
Taxing Authority (including as estimated Tax payments).

            (d) Any refund or credit of Taxes of the  Company or any  Subsidiary
for any  taxable  period  ending on or before the Closing  Date or any  Straddle
Period  shall be for the account of the  Company;  provided,  however,  any such
refund or credit  will reduce any amount for which the  Stockholders  are liable
pursuant  to this  Section,  to the  extend  such  Taxes  were paid prior to the
Closing Date or accrued on the Closing Balance Sheet, and are not related to the
carryback  by the Company of any net  operating  loss,  capital  loss or similar
items  incurred  after the  Closing  Date.  Any refund or credit of Taxes of the
Company or any  Subsidiary  for any  Post-Closing  Tax  Period  shall be for the
account of the Company.  Each party  shall,  or shall cause its  affiliates  to,
forward to any other party  entitled  under this Section 9.4(d) to any refund or
credit of Taxes any such refund  within 10 days after such refund is received or
reimburse  such other party for any such credit  within 10 days after the credit
is allowed or applied against any other Tax liability;  provided,  however, that
any such  amounts  shall be net of any Tax cost or  benefit  to the payor  party
attributable to the receipt of such refund and/or the payment of such amounts to
the payee party.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the control of the prosecution
of a claim for refund of Taxes paid pursuant to a deficiency assessed subsequent
to the Closing Date as a result of an audit shall be governed by the  provisions
of Section 8.4(d)(ii).

            (e) In the event of any  conflict  between  the  provisions  of this
Section 9.4 and other Sections of this Agreement  regarding the  indemnification
of any loss for Taxes,  the  provisions of this Section 9.4, and not those other
Sections, shall be controlling.

                                    ARTICLE X

                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT

            10.1 Methods of Termination.  The transactions  contemplated  herein
may be terminated and/or abandoned at any time prior to the Closing:

            (a)   by mutual  written  consent of the Purchaser and the
Principal Stockholders;

            (b) by the Purchaser or the Principal Stockholders if either of them
has materially breached any representation,  warranty,  or covenant contained in
this Agreement;

            (c) by the Purchaser or the Principal  Stockholders in the event any
court or  governmental  agency of  competent  jurisdiction  shall have issued an
order,  decree or ruling or taken any other  action  restraining,  enjoining  or
otherwise  prohibiting  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and such  order,
decree or ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable;

            (d) by the  Purchaser or the Principal  Stockholders  if the Closing
has not occurred on January 31, 2000;  provided,  that neither the Purchaser nor
the  Principal  Stockholders  shall be  entitled  to  terminate  this  Agreement
pursuant to this Section  10.1(d) if such Person's  breach of this Agreement has
prevented the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

            10.2 Procedure  Upon  Termination.  In the event of termination  and
abandonment by the Purchaser or by the Principal Stockholders, or both, pursuant
to Section 10.1,  written  notice  thereof shall be given to the other party and
the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  shall be terminated  and/or
abandoned,   without  further  action  by  the  parties.   If  the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  are  terminated  and/or  abandoned as provided
herein each party hereto will  redeliver  all  documents,  work papers and other
material  (and  all  copies   thereof)  of  the  other  party  relating  to  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  whether  so  obtained  before  or after the
execution hereof, to the party furnishing the same.

            10.3 Effect of Termination.  In the event of the termination of this
Agreement  pursuant to Section 10.1, this Agreement shall thereafter become void
and have no effect,  and no party hereto shall have any  liability or obligation
to any other party hereto in respect of this Agreement,  including any liability
for lost  profits  and  consequential  damages,  except that the  provisions  of
Article  XI  (Miscellaneous)  and  this  Section  10.3  shall  survive  any such
termination;  provided,  however,  that no  party  shall  be  released  from any
liability  hereunder  if this  Agreement  is  terminated  and  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby abandoned by reason of (i) willful failure of such party to
perform its  obligations  hereunder or (ii) any  misrepresentation  made by such
party of any matter set forth herein.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

            11.1 Specific  Performance.  It is expressly  understood  and agreed
that the material breach of any covenant contained in this Agreement will result
in  irreparable  injury to the other party and that  therefore  such other party
shall be entitled to specific performance thereof.

            11.2  Assignment.  Neither this  Agreement  nor any of the rights or
obligations  hereunder  may be assigned  by the Company or any of the  Principal
Stockholders without the prior written consent of the Purchaser.  Subject to the
foregoing,  this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective  successors and assigns, and no other Person
shall have any right, benefit or obligation hereunder.

            11.3 Notices. Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice, request,
instruction  or other  document to be given  hereunder by any party to the other
parties  shall be in  writing  and  delivered  in  person  or by  courier  or by
facsimile  transmission  as follows (or at such address or  facsimile  number of
which notice shall have been duly given in accordance with this Section 11.3):

            If to the Company:  Marina Mortgage Company, Inc.
                                15635 Alton Parkway, Suite 450
                                Irvine, CA  92618
                                Telephone:  (949) 753-8900
                                Facsimile:  (949) 753-7424
                                Attention:  John A. Johnston

            With a copy to:     King, Purtich, Holmes, Paterno & Berliner, LLP
                                1900 Avenue of the Stars
                                Los Angeles, CA 90067-4506
                                Telephone:  (310) 282-8989
                                Facsimile:  (310) 282-8903
                                Attention:  Keith T. Holmes, Esq.

            If to Stockholders: Marina Mortgage Company, Inc.
                                15635 Alton Parkway, Suite 450
                                Irvine, CA  92618
                                Telephone:  (949) 753-8900
                                Facsimile:  (949) 753-7424
                                Attention:  c/o Richard Silver

            With a copy to:     King, Purtich, Holmes, Paterno & Berliner, LLP
                                1900 Avenue of the Stars
                                Los Angeles, CA 90067-4506
                                Telephone:  (310) 282-8989
                                Facsimile:  (310) 282-8903
                                Attention:  Keith T. Holmes, Esq.

            If to Purchaser:    American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.
                                12 East 49th Street
                                New York, NY  10017
                                Telephone:  (212) 755-8600
                                Facsimile:  (212) 377-3269
                                Attention: Michael Strauss

            With a copy to:     Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
                                100 Maiden Lane
                                New York, NY 10038
                                Telephone:  (212) 504-6000
                                Facsimile:  (212) 504-6666
                                Attention:  Louis J. Bevilacqua, Esq.

or to such other place and with such other copies as either party may  designate
as to itself  by  written  notice to the  others.  Any  failure  by any party to
deliver  copies of any notice shall not, in itself,  affect the validity of such
notice if otherwise properly made to the other party.

            11.4 CHOICE OF LAW. THIS AGREEMENT  SHALL BE CONSTRUED,  INTERPRETED
AND THE RIGHTS OF THE  PARTIES  DETERMINED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

            11.5  Entire  Agreement;  Amendments  and  Waivers.  This  Agreement
constitutes  the entire  agreement  among the parties  pertaining to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings,  negotiations
and  discussions,  whether  oral or  written,  of the  parties.  No  supplement,
modification  or waiver of this Agreement  shall be binding  unless  executed in
writing by all parties.  No waiver of any of the  provisions  of this  Agreement
shall be deemed or shall  constitute  a waiver  of any  other  provision  hereof
(whether or not similar),  nor shall such waiver  constitute a continuing waiver
unless otherwise expressly provided.

            11.6  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed in two or more
counterparts,  each of  which  shall be  deemed  an  original,  but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

            11.7 Invalidity. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained  in this  Agreement  or in any other  instrument  referred  to herein,
shall,  for any reason,  be held to be invalid,  illegal or unenforceable in any
respect,  such invalidity,  illegality or unenforceability  shall not affect any
other provision of this Agreement or any other such instrument.

            11.8 Headings.  The headings of the Articles and Sections herein are
inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or
to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

            11.9  Expenses.  The  Stockholders  and the  Purchaser  will each be
liable for his or its own costs and  expenses  incurred in  connection  with the
negotiation, preparation, execution or performance of this Agreement.

            11.10  Publicity.  The  parties  agree to notify each other prior to
issuing  any  press  release  or  making  any  public  statement  regarding  the
transactions contemplated hereby, and will attempt to obtain the approval of the
other  party  prior to making  such  release  or  statement,  including  without
limitation,  any  press  release  issued by  either  or both of the  parties  in
connection with the Closing, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.





                [Remainder of the page intentionally left blank].



<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.



                                       AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC.



                                       By:  /s/ Michael Strauss
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:   Michael Strauss
                                           Title:  President and CEO




                                       AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE SUB I, INC.



                                       By:  /s/ Michael Strauss
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:   Michael Strauss
                                           Title:  President and Chief
                                                    Executive Officer



                                       MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC.



                                       By:  /s/  John A. Johnston
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           Name:  John A. Johnston
                                           Title: Chief Executive Officer



                                            /s/  John A. Johnston
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           John A. Johnston



                                            /s/  Ronald Bergum
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           Ronald Bergum



                                            /s/  Michael Ronald Moore
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           Michael Ronald Moore



                                            /s/  Stanley M. Bergum
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           Stanley M. Bergum



                                            /s/  Steven Michael Somerman
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           Steven Michael Somerman



                                            /s/  Daniel Joseph Manginelli, III
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           Daniel Joseph Manginelli, III



                                            /s/  Lanceworth Camillo Powell
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           Lanceworth Camillo Powell



                                            /s/  Darius Dean Livian
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           Darius Dean Livian



                                            /s/  John Knox Carnahan
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           John Knox Carnahan


<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 2.1(C)


                                    DIRECTORS


The Directors are as follows:

                  Michael Strauss
                  John A. Johnston
                  Ronald Bergum
                  James P. O'Reilly
                  Robert E. Burke





<PAGE>



                                 EXHIBIT 2.4(C)


CASH INCOME FOR ANY PERIOD WILL EQUAL:

      DIVISION NET INCOME for the applicable period as determined in accordance
      with EXHIBIT 2.4(D), less any increase in DIVISION REPORTING GROUP
      non-cash assets (except for saleable loans held for sale).
































* For purposes of this formula, unless otherwise indicated, all amounts shall be
determined in accordance with GAAP.




<PAGE>



                                 EXHIBIT 2.4(D)


DIVISION NET INCOME FOR ANY PERIOD WILL EQUAL:

DIVISION LOAN PRODUCTION REVENUES

less:   DIRECT LOAN PRODUCTION COSTS

less:   OPERATING COSTS

plus:   ALLOCABLE SECONDARY MARKETING GAINS

less:   ALLOCABLE SECONDARY MARKETING LOSSES

plus:   ALLOCABLE NET INTEREST INCOME AND PRODUCTION BONUSES

less:   ALLOCABLE CORPORATE OVERHEAD

less:   $500,000 PER YEAR (OR A PRO RATA PORTION FOR A SHORTER PERIOD)

all as more fully defined and set forth below.



DIVISION LOAN PRODUCTION REVENUES shall be determined for any measurement period
by adding 1) the product of the difference between the APPLICABLE  AMERICAN HOME
MORTGAGE  REFERENCE  PRICE and 100,  expressed as a negative  percentage  if the
resulting  number is less than 0 and as a positive  percentage if greater than 0
times the loan  principal  amount for each loan funded or brokered,  at the time
such loan is funded or the loan is closed with respect to brokered loans, by the
DIVISION  REPORTING GROUP during such measurement  period;  2) all applicable up
front lender fees charged to the borrower and other parties related to such loan
(such  as  loan  origination  fees,   discount  points,  loan  processing  fees,
underwriting   fees,  loan  document  fees,   wire  fees,  tax  service,   flood
certification, inspections, and similar costs and expenses); 3) fees earned from
brokering  loans to outside  companies;  4) fees  earned  from  in-house  escrow
operations;  and 5) other ancillary income  generated from outside  sources;  in
each case with respect to the DIVISION REPORTING GROUP.

The  APPLICABLE  AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE  REFERENCE  PRICE for any loan
shall be:

 (i) with  respect to 30 year jumbo loans and loans  eligible for FHA, VA, FNMA,
FHLMC and/or other  applicable  state or federal  agency  programs,  the highest
price quoted by any one of the REFERENCE BANKS for best efforts delivery for the
applicable program and a delivery window not less than, but closest to, the lock
in period granted by the  Purchaser's  secondary  marketing desk at the time the
loan is locked.

 (ii) with  respect to all loans not subject to (i) above,  the actual price the
buyer of the loan  would  have  paid at the  time the loan was  locked  with the
Purchaser's secondary marketing desk.

For purposes of this Agreement,  the DIVISION  REPORTING GROUP shall include all
employees of the Purchaser after the Merger reporting  directly or indirectly to
John A.  Johnston  and/or  Ronald  Bergum and, to the extent that  neither  such
person is  employed by the  Purchaser,  such  employees  of the  Purchaser  that
reported directly or indirectly to either such person immediately prior to their
termination of employment with the Purchaser.

The  REFERENCE  BANKS  (unless  otherwise  changed  by the  Purchaser's  Pricing
Committee)  include:  Chase Manhattan  Mortgage,  Norwest  Funding,  Countrywide
Credit Corp., Citicorp Mortgage and Fleet Mortgage.

Less: DIRECT LOAN PRODUCTION COSTS:

            For all loans  funded or brokered by the  DIVISION  REPORTING  GROUP
            during any measurement period:

            Direct loan production costs associated with originating and selling
            a loan and all expenses that are incurred by the DIVISION  REPORTING
            GROUP,  such as  commissions,  fees paid to mortgage  brokers,  loan
            processing,  automated underwriting fees, credit and appraisal fees,
            and other costs associated with each loan funded by that group.

Less: OPERATING COSTS:

            The DIVISION  REPORTING  GROUP  operating,  costs,  both current and
            deferred,  will include  expenses  relating  directly to the cost of
            operating the DIVISION  REPORTING  GROUP but will exclude all direct
            loan production  costs.  Such operating costs will include salaries,
            employee  benefits,  income taxes  (federal and state),  FICA,  SDI,
            occupancy,  communications,  actual  loss from REOs and  repurchases
            charged against reserves,  indemnification,  postage, auto expenses,
            entertainment, advertising, pagers, cell phones, and other operating
            costs directly related to the DIVISION REPORTING GROUP'S operations,
            facilities and or employees.

Plus: ALLOCABLE SECONDARY MARKETING GAINS (LESS SECONDARY MARKETING
LOSSES):

            ALLOCABLE   SECONDARY  MARKETING  GAINS  (LESS  SECONDARY  MARKETING
            LOSSES) for all loans funded by the DIVISION  REPORTING GROUP, which
            were sold during an annual  measurement  period, are to be allocated
            as follows:

                  ALLOCABLE  SECONDARY MARKETING GAINS (LESS SECONDARY MARKETING
                  LOSSES)  shall be  determined  as the sales  proceeds  for all
                  loans sold by the Purchaser, less the Applicable American Home
                  Mortgage  Reference  Price value  (principal  balance of loans
                  sold times the  Applicable  American Home  Mortgage  Reference
                  Prices at which such loans  were  locked),  plus gains or less
                  losses on  related  hedge  instruments,  less fees  charged by
                  investors and secondary  marketing  officer  bonuses,  without
                  further  adjustment  pursuant to the  Statement  of  Financial
                  Accounting Standard No. 91.

                  ALLOCABLE  SECONDARY MARKETING GAINS (LESS SECONDARY MARKETING
                  LOSSES) are to be allocated to the  DIVISION  REPORTING  GROUP
                  based on the number of loans funded by the DIVISION  REPORTING
                  GROUP as compared to the total loans funded by the  Purchaser,
                  expressed as a percentage .

Plus: ALLOCABLE NET INTEREST INCOME AND PRODUCTION BONUSES:

            ALLOCABLE NET INTEREST  INCOME AND PRODUCTION  BONUSES for
            the  DIVISION  REPORTING  GROUP  are  to be  allocated  as
            follows:

                  ALLOCABLE NET INTEREST INCOME AND PRODUCTION  BONUSES shall be
                  determined based upon interest income earned on mortgage loans
                  receivable  less all interest  expense  incurred from carrying
                  loan  positions,  plus all  production  bonuses  earned by the
                  Purchaser.

                  ALLOCABLE NET INTEREST INCOME AND PRODUCTION  BONUSES shall be
                  allocated to the DIVISION  REPORTING GROUP based on the number
                  of loans funded by the DIVISION REPORTING GROUP as compared to
                  the  total  loans  funded  by the  Purchaser,  expressed  as a
                  percentage.

Less: ALLOCABLE CORPORATE OVERHEAD:

                  ALLOCABLE  CORPORATE  OVERHEAD of the Purchaser  shall include
                  all corporate costs  recognized in accordance with GAAP during
                  an  annual  measurement  period  which  are  not  specifically
                  incurred  as a  result  of  the  operations  of  the  DIVISION
                  REPORTING GROUP or any other  production unit of the Purchaser
                  or allocated  pursuant to the above  calculation  under "Plus:
                  ALLOCABLE  SECONDARY MARKETING GAINS (LESS SECONDARY MARKETING
                  LOSSES)" or the above calculation  under "Plus:  ALLOCABLE NET
                  INTEREST INCOME AND PRODUCTION BONUSES."

                  ALLOCABLE   CORPORATE  OVERHEAD  of  the  Purchaser  shall  be
                  allocated to the DIVISION  REPORTING GROUP based on the number
                  of loans funded or brokered by the DIVISION REPORTING GROUP as
                  compared  to  the  total  loans  funded  or  brokered  by  the
                  Purchaser, expressed as a percentage, multiplied by the number
                  of loans sold that were  produced  by the  DIVISION  REPORTING
                  GROUP.

                  ALLOCABLE  CORPORATE OVERHEAD of the Purchaser will not exceed
                  $245 per loan.

Less: $500,000 PER YEAR (OR A PRO RATA PORTION FOR A SHORTER PERIOD)


* For purposes of this formula, unless otherwise indicated, all amounts shall be
determined in accordance with GAAP.


<PAGE>


                                 EXHIBIT 2.4(F)


GROUP NET INCOME FOR ANY PERIOD WILL EQUAL:

GROUP LOAN PRODUCTION REVENUES

less:   DIRECT LOAN PRODUCTION COSTS

less:   OPERATING COSTS

plus:   ALLOCABLE SECONDARY MARKETING GAINS

less:   ALLOCABLE SECONDARY MARKETING LOSSES

plus:   ALLOCABLE NET INTEREST INCOME AND PRODUCTION BONUSES

less:   ALLOCABLE CORPORATE OVERHEAD

less:   $500,000 PER YEAR (OR A PRO RATA PORTION FOR A SHORTER PERIOD)

all as more fully defined and set forth below.



GROUP LOAN PRODUCTION REVENUES shall be determined for any measurement period by
adding 1) the product of (i) the difference between the APPLICABLE AMERICAN HOME
MORTGAGE  REFERENCE  PRICE and 100,  expressed as a negative  percentage  if the
resulting  number is less than 0 and as a positive  percentage if greater than 0
multiplied by (ii) the principal amount for each loan funded or brokered, at the
time such loan is funded or the loan is closed with  respect to brokered  loans,
by the REPORTING  GROUP during such  measurement  period;  2) all  applicable up
front lender fees charged to the borrower and other parties related to such loan
(such  as  loan  origination  fees,   discount  points,  loan  processing  fees,
underwriting   fees,  loan  document  fees,   wire  fees,  tax  service,   flood
certification, inspections, and similar costs and expenses); 3) fees earned from
brokering  loans to outside  companies;  4) fees  earned  from  in-house  escrow
operations;  and 5) other ancillary income  generated from outside  sources;  in
each case with respect to the Reporting Group.

The APPLICABLE AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE REFERENCE PRICE for any loan shall be:

(i) with  respect to 30 year jumbo loans and loans  eligible  for FHA, VA, FNMA,
FHLMC and/or other  applicable  state or federal  agency  programs,  the highest
price quoted by any one of the REFERENCE BANKS for best efforts delivery for the
applicable program and a delivery window not less than, but closest to, the lock
in period granted by the  Purchaser's  secondary  marketing desk at the time the
loan is locked.

(ii) with  respect to all loans not subject to (i) above,  the actual  price the
buyer of the loan  would  have  paid at the  time the loan was  locked  with the
Purchaser's secondary marketing desk.

For purposes of this Agreement,  the REPORTING GROUP shall include all employees
of the Purchaser after the Merger reporting  directly or indirectly to both John
A.  Johnston  and Ronald  Bergum (or to the extent that either such person is no
longer  employed  by the  Purchaser  as a  result  of  death  or  disability  as
determined pursuant to such person's employment agreement with the Purchaser, in
such case, then to either John A. Johnston or Ronald Bergum).

The  REFERENCE  BANKS  (unless  otherwise  changed  by the  Purchaser's  Pricing
Committee)  include:  Chase Manhattan  Mortgage,  Norwest  Funding,  Countrywide
Credit Corp., Citicorp Mortgage and Fleet Mortgage.

Less: DIRECT LOAN PRODUCTION COSTS:

            For all loans funded or brokered by the  REPORTING  GROUP during any
            measurement period:

            Direct loan production costs associated with originating and selling
            a loan and all expenses  that are incurred by the  REPORTING  GROUP,
            such as commissions, fees paid to mortgage brokers, loan processing,
            automated  underwriting  fees,  credit and appraisal fees, and other
            costs associated with each loan funded by that group.

Less: OPERATING COSTS:

            The REPORTING GROUP operating costs will include  expenses  relating
            directly  to the cost of  operating  the  REPORTING  GROUP  but will
            exclude all direct loan production  costs. Such operating costs will
            include  salaries,  employee  benefits,  income  taxes  (federal and
            state),   both  current  and   deferred,   FICA,   SDI,   occupancy,
            communications,  actual  loss  from  REOs  and  repurchases  charged
            against   reserves,   indemnification,   postage,   auto   expenses,
            entertainment, advertising, pagers, cell phones, and other operating
            costs  directly  related  to  the  REPORTING   GROUP'S   operations,
            facilities and or employees.

Plus: ALLOCABLE SECONDARY MARKETING GAINS (LESS SECONDARY MARKETING LOSSES):

            ALLOCABLE   SECONDARY  MARKETING  GAINS  (LESS  SECONDARY  MARKETING
            LOSSES) for all loans funded by the REPORTING GROUP, which were sold
            during an annual measurement period, are to be allocated as follows:

                  ALLOCABLE  SECONDARY MARKETING GAINS (LESS SECONDARY MARKETING
                  LOSSES)  shall be  determined  as the sales  proceeds  for all
                  loans sold by the Purchaser, less the Applicable American Home
                  Mortgage  Reference  Price value  (principal  balance of loans
                  sold times the  Applicable  American Home  Mortgage  reference
                  prices at which such loans  were  locked),  plus gains or less
                  losses on  related  hedge  instruments,  less fees  charged by
                  investors  and secondary  marketing  officer  bonuses  without
                  further  adjustment  pursuant to the  Statement  of  Financial
                  Accounting Standard No. 91.

                  ALLOCABLE  SECONDARY MARKETING GAINS (LESS SECONDARY MARKETING
                  LOSSES) are to be  allocated to the  REPORTING  GROUP based on
                  the  number  of  loans  funded  by the  REPORTING  GROUP or as
                  compared to the total loans funded by the Purchaser, expressed
                  as a percentage.

Plus: ALLOCABLE NET INTEREST INCOME AND PRODUCTION BONUSES

            ALLOCABLE  NET  INTEREST  INCOME  AND  PRODUCTION  BONUSES  for  the
            REPORTING GROUP are to be allocated as follows:

                  ALLOCABLE NET INTEREST INCOME AND PRODUCTION  BONUSES shall be
                  determined based upon interest income earned on mortgage loans
                  receivable  less all interest  expense  incurred from carrying
                  loan  positions,  plus all  production  bonuses  earned by the
                  Purchaser.

                  ALLOCABLE NET INTEREST INCOME AND PRODUCTION  BONUSES shall be
                  allocated to the REPORTING  GROUP based on the number of loans
                  funded by the  REPORTING  GROUP as compared to the total loans
                  funded by the Purchaser, expressed as a percentage.

Less: ALLOCABLE CORPORATE OVERHEAD

                  ALLOCABLE  CORPORATE  OVERHEAD of the Purchaser  shall include
                  all corporate costs  recognized in accordance with GAAP during
                  an  annual  measurement  period  which  are  not  specifically
                  incurred as a result of the operations of the REPORTING  GROUP
                  or any other  production  unit of the  Purchaser  or allocated
                  pursuant to "Plus:  ALLOCABLE  SECONDARY MARKETING GAINS (LESS
                  SECONDARY  MARKETING  LOSSES)" or the above  calulation  under
                  "Plus: ALLOCABLE NET INTEREST INCOME AND PRODUCTION BONUSES."

                  ALLOCABLE   CORPORATE  OVERHEAD  of  the  Purchaser  shall  be
                  allocated to the REPORTING  GROUP based on the number of loans
                  funded or brokered by the  Reporting  Group as compared to the
                  total loans funded or brokered by the Purchaser,  expressed as
                  a percentage, multiplied by the number of loans sold that were
                  produced by the REPORTING GROUP.

                  ALLOCABLE  CORPORATE OVERHEAD of the Purchaser will not exceed
                  $245 per loan.

Less: $500,000 PER YEAR (OR A PRO RATA PORTION FOR A SHORTER PERIOD)

* For purposes of this formula, unless otherwise indicated, all amounts shall be
determined in accordance with GAAP.





                                 EXHIBIT 7.1(E)

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

          This  Employment  Agreement,  dated  as of  December  29,  1999  (this
"Agreement"),  is by and  between  American  Home  Mortgage  Holdings,  Inc.,  a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and John Johnston (the "Executive").

          WHEREAS,  the Company  wishes to assure  itself of the services of the
Executive,  and the  Executive  desires to be employed by the Company,  upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

          NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

          1.   Definitions.   Unless  defined   elsewhere  in  this   Agreement,
capitalized  terms  contained  herein  shall  have  the  meanings  set  forth or
incorporated by reference in Section 17.

          2.  Employment.  The Company agrees to employ the  Executive,  and the
Executive hereby accepts such employment by the Company and/or any subsidiary of
the  Company,  during the term set forth in Section 3 and on the other terms and
conditions of this Agreement.

          3.  Term.

          (a) The term of this Agreement shall commence as of the closing of the
transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as
of the date hereof,  by and among the  Company,  American  Home  Mortgage Sub I,
Inc., Marina Mortgage Company,  Inc. (the  "Subsidiary") and the stockholders of
the Subsidiary  listed on the signature pages thereto (the "Merger  Agreement"),
and,  subject to Section 3(b),  shall  terminate at the close of business on the
fifth anniversary of that date.

          (b) The term of this  Agreement  set forth in  Section  3(a)  shall be
extended  or further  extended,  as the case may be,  without  any action by the
Company or the  Executive,  on the fifth  anniversary  of the date hereof and on
each subsequent  anniversary of the date hereof, for an additional period of one
year,  until either party gives written  notice to the other party in advance of
any anniversary of the date hereof,  in the manner set forth in Section 14, that
the term in effect  when such  notice is given is not to be  extended or further
extended, as the case may be, beyond the year following the next anniversary. If
the Executive  shall  continue in the full-time  employment of the Company after
the term of this  Agreement,  such  continued  employment  shall be at will, and
otherwise subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

          4. Position, Duties and Responsibilities, Rights.

          (a) During the term of this  Agreement,  the Executive shall serve as,
and be elected to and hold the  office and title of Chief  Executive  Officer of
the  Subsidiary  or a similar  division of the Company.  As such,  the Executive
shall  report only to the  Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and
the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Subsidiary or a similar  division
of the Company,  and shall have all of the powers and duties usually incident to
the office of Chief Executive Officer of the Subsidiary or a similar division of
the Company,  and shall have powers to perform such other reasonable  additional
duties as may from time to time be  lawfully  assigned to the  Executive  by the
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, the Subsidiary and the Boards
of Directors.

          (b) During the term of this Agreement,  the Executive agrees to devote
substantially all the Executive's time, efforts and skills to the affairs of the
Company  during the  Company's  normal  business  hours,  except for  vacations,
illness  and  incapacity,  but  nothing in this  Agreement  shall  preclude  the
Executive  from  devoting  reasonable  periods  to (i)  manage  the  Executive's
personal  investments,  (ii)  participate in professional,  educational,  public
interest,  charitable,  civic  or  community  activities,  including  activities
sponsored by trade organizations,  and (iii) serve as a director or member of an
advisory committee of any corporation not in competition with the Company or any
of its  subsidiaries,  or as an officer,  trustee or director of any charitable,
EDUCATIONAL,  PHILANTHROPIC,  CIVIC, SOCIAL OR INDUSTRY  ORGANIZATIONS,  OR AS A
SPEAKER  OR  ARBITRATOR;   PROVIDED,   HOWEVER,  that  the  performance  of  the
Executive's  duties  or  responsibilities  in any of such  capacities  does  not
materially  interfere with the regular performance of the Executive's duties and
responsibilities hereunder.

          5. Place of Performance. In connection with the Executive's employment
by the  Company,  the  Executive  shall be based at the  Subsidiary's  principal
executive  offices,  and shall not be required to be absent  therefrom on travel
status or otherwise  for more than a  reasonable  time each year as necessary or
appropriate for the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder.

          6. Compensation.

          (a)  During  the term of this  Agreement,  the  Company  shall pay the
Executive,  and the Executive  agrees to accept a base salary at the rate of not
less than $150,000.00 per year (the annual base salary as increased from time to
time  during the term of this  Agreement  being  hereinafter  referred to as the
"Base Salary"). The Base Salary shall be paid in installments no less frequently
than monthly.  Any increase in Base Salary or other compensation shall not limit
or reduce any other obligation of the Company hereunder, and once established at
an increased  specified  rate, the Executive's  Base Salary  hereunder shall not
thereafter be reduced.

          (b) On June 30 and December 31 of each  calendar  year during the term
of this Agreement,  the Executive shall be entitled to semi-annual bonus payment
at the  discretion of the of the Board of Directors of the Company in the amount
of not less than $24,100 per annum.

          (c) During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled
to (i) perquisites, including, without limitation, an office and secretarial and
clerical staff, and (ii) fringe benefits,  including, without limitation, health
insurance,  in each case at least equal to, and on the same terms and conditions
as, those attached to the Executive's office on the date hereof, as the same may
be improved from time to time during the term of this  Agreement,  as well as to
reimbursement,   upon  proper  accounting,   of  all  reasonable   expenses  and
disbursements incurred by the Executive in the course of the Executive's duties.

          (d) The Executive,  the Executive's dependents and beneficiaries shall
be entitled to all benefits and service  credit for benefits  during the term of
this Agreement to which senior officers of the Company and their  dependents and
beneficiaries  are  entitled as the result of the  employment  of such  officers
during  the term of this  Agreement  under  the  terms  of  employee  plans  and
practices of the Company and its subsidiaries,  including,  without  limitation,
any pension plans, profit sharing plans, any non-qualified deferred compensation
plans and related  "rabbi"  trusts,  the Company's  life  insurance  plans,  its
disability  benefit  plans,  its  vacation  and holiday pay plans,  its medical,
dental and welfare plans,  and other present or successor plans and practices of
the Company and its subsidiaries for which senior officers, their dependents and
beneficiaries  are eligible,  and to all payments and other  benefits  under any
such plan or practice  subsequent  to the term of this  Agreement as a result of
participation in such plan or practice during the term of this Agreement.

          7.  Termination of Employment.

          (a) The term of this Agreement  shall  terminate upon the death of the
Executive.

          (b) The Company may terminate the  Executive's  employment  during the
term of this Agreement for Cause as provided in Section  7(b)(i) or in the event
of Disability as provided in Section 7(b)(ii).

              (i)  This  Agreement shall be  considered  terminated  for "Cause"
     only:

                   (A)  if the  Executive  willfully  and  repeatedly  fails  to
          substantially perform the Executive's duties hereunder,  other than by
          reason of a Disability;

                   (B) if the Executive is grossly negligent or engages in gross
          misconduct in the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder;

                   (C)  if  the  Executive   knowingly  engages  in  an  act  of
          dishonesty that is materially financially  detrimental to the Company,
          an act of fraud or embezzlement,  or any conduct resulting in a felony
          conviction;

                   (D)  if  the  Executive   violates  the   provisions  of  the
          Non-Competition  Agreement of even date hereof  between the  Executive
          and the Company (the "Non-Competition Agreement") in substantially the
          form of Exhibit A hereof

     and,  in the  case of each  of  clauses  (A),  (B) (C) and (D)  above,  the
     applicable conditions set forth in Section 7(e) are satisfied.

               Anything in this Section  7(b) to the  contrary  notwithstanding,
     the Executive's  employment  shall in no event be considered  terminated by
     the Company for Cause if  termination  takes place (I) as the result of bad
     judgment  or  negligence  on the part of the  Executive  other  than  gross
     negligence or willful or reckless misconduct,  (II) for any act or omission
     in  respect  of  which a  determination  could  properly  be made  that the
     Executive  met  the   applicable   standard  of  conduct   prescribed   for
     indemnification  or  reimbursement  or payment of expenses of an officer or
     director under the Bylaws or Certificate of Incorporation of the Company or
     the  Subsidiary  or the laws of the State of Delaware or the  directors' or
     officers' liability insurance of the Company or the Subsidiary in each case
     as in effect at the time of such act or omission, (III) as the result of an
     act or omission which occurred more than three calendar months prior to the
     Executive's  having  been  given  Notice  of  Termination  for  such act or
     omission  unless the  commission  of such act or such  omission  was not or
     could not reasonably have been, at the time of such commission or omission,
     known to a member of the Boards of Directors (other than the Executive), in
     which case more than three calendar  months from the date the commission of
     such act or such omission was or could reasonably have been so known,  (IV)
     as the result of a continuing  course of action which  commenced and was or
     could  reasonably  have been known to a member of the  Boards of  Directors
     (other than the Executive)  more than three calendar months prior to Notice
     of  Termination  having  been  given to the  Executive  for such  course of
     action,  or (V) because of an act or omission  believed by the Executive in
     good  faith to have  been in,  or not  opposed  to,  the  interests  of the
     Company.

               (ii) The term  "Disability"  as used in this  Agreement  means an
     accident or physical or mental  illness which  prevents the Executive  from
     substantially   performing  the  Executive's   duties   hereunder  for  six
     consecutive months. The term of this Agreement shall end as of the close of
     business on the last day of such six month period but without  prejudice to
     any  payments  due to the  Executive  in respect of  disability  under this
     Agreement  or any  plan or  practice  of the  Company.  The  amount  of any
     payments  payable  under Section 6(a) during such six month period shall be
     reduced by any payments to which the Executive may be entitled for the same
     period  because of  disability  under any  disability  or  pension  plan or
     arrangement of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof.

          (c) The Executive may terminate the Executive's  employment during the
term of this Agreement for Good Reason.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  "Good
Reason" shall mean (i) a reduction of the  Executive's  rate of  compensation or
any other  failure by the Company to comply with  Section 6, (ii) failure by the
Company to comply  with  Section 5, (iii)  failure by the  Company to obtain the
assumption of, and the agreement to perform,  this Agreement by any successor as
contemplated  in  Section  11(a),  (iv)  material  breach by the  Company of its
obligations under the Merger Agreement,  or (v) such reduction  described in the
foregoing  clause (i) or failure or breach  described in the  foregoing  clauses
(ii),  (iii),  or (iv) as the case may be,  is not cured  within  30 days  after
receipt by the Company of written  notice  from the  Executive  describing  such
event.

          (d)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary set forth  herein,  the
Company shall have the right to terminate  the  Executive's  employment  for any
reason  other  than  Cause at any  time,  subject  to the  consequences  of such
termination as set forth in Section 8.

          (e) In no event  shall  the  Company  be  entitled  to  terminate  the
Executive's  employment  during the term of this Agreement for Cause pursuant to
Section 7(b),  unless and until all of the following  take place,  provided that
Sections  7(e)(i)  through  (iii) shall not apply to any  termination  for Cause
pursuant to Section 7(b)(i)(C):

               (i) the  Secretary  of the Company  gives  written  notice to the
     Executive (the "Warning  Notice") setting forth (A) the specific  provision
     of this  Agreement that the Executive is alleged to have failed to satisfy,
     (B) the acts or omissions alleged to constitute such failure,  (C) the date
     on which the Executive  shall be given a reasonable  opportunity  to appear
     before and be heard by the Board of Directors of the Company concerning the
     allegations,  which  date  shall be not less  than 30 nor more than 90 days
     after the Executive's  receipt of the Warning  Notice,  and (D) the loss of
     rights  under  this   Agreement  that  shall  occur  unless  the  Executive
     diligently and in good faith takes  reasonable steps to remedy such failure
     within 30 days after the Executive's receipt of the Warning Notice;

              (ii) the Executive does not diligently and in good faith take  all
     reasonable   steps  to  remedy  such  failure  within  30  days  after  the
     Executive's receipt of the Warning Notice; and

             (iii) the Executive  is given  a reasonable  opportunity  to appear
     before and be heard by the Board of Directors  concerning the  allegations,
     in accordance with the Warning Notice.

          (f) Any termination by the Company  pursuant to Section 7(b) or by the
Executive  pursuant to Section 7(c) shall be communicated by a written Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice
of  Termination"  shall mean a notice which  indicates the specific  termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon and sets forth in reasonable  detail the
facts and  circumstances  claimed  to  provide a basis  for  termination  of the
Executive's employment under the provisions so indicated.

          (g) "Date of Termination" shall mean (i) if the Executive's employment
is terminated by the Executive's  death, the date of the Executive's death, (ii)
if the Executive's  employment is terminated  pursuant to Section  7(b)(ii),  30
days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive shall not
have returned to the performance of the Executive's  duties on a full-time basis
during  such  30 day  period),  and  (iii)  if  the  Executive's  employment  is
terminated  for any other reason,  the date on which a Notice of  Termination is
given.

          8. Compensation on Termination.  The parties recognize and agree that,
if the Company  terminates the  Executive's  employment  during the term of this
Agreement  other than pursuant to Section  7(b), or if the Executive  terminates
the  Executive's  employment  during the term of this  Agreement for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 7(c), the actual damages to the Executive would be difficult
if not impossible to ascertain and agree that the Executive's  sole remedy shall
be a right  to  receive  amounts  determined  and  paid in  accordance  with the
provisions  of this Section 8. The  Executive  shall not be required to mitigate
the  amount of any  payment  provided  for in this  Section 8 by  seeking  other
employment or otherwise,  nor shall any compensation  earned by the Executive in
other  employment or otherwise  reduce the amount of any payment provided for in
this Section 8.

          (a) If the Company shall terminate the Executive's  employment  during
the term of this  Agreement  other  than  pursuant  to Section  7(b),  or if the
Executive  shall terminate the  Executive's  employment  during the term of this
Agreement for Good Reason  pursuant to Section  7(c),  then, as severance pay or
liquidated damages or both:

               (i) the Company  shall pay the Executive a lump sum payment equal
     to the  Executive's  full Base Salary  times three at the rate in effect at
     the time Notice of  Termination  is given,  together with any other amounts
     payable to the  Executive  under Section 6 for periods prior to the Date of
     Termination; and

               (ii) the Company shall make any payments, if and when, due to the
     Executive under the Merger Agreement.

          (b)  Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary,  if the Company
shall  terminate the  Executive's  employment  during the term of this Agreement
other  than  pursuant  to  Section  7(b),  the  Executive  shall be  subject  to
restrictions set forth in the Non-Competition Agreement until the earlier of two
years from the Date of  Termination  or the  expiration  of the  Non-Competition
Period,  unless  grounds  exist at such time that would permit the  Executive to
terminate his  employment  for Good Reason under Section 7(c), in which case the
Executive  shall  only be  subject to the  restrictions  in the  Non-Competition
Agreement  until the earlier of nine months from the Date of  Termination or the
expiration of the Non-Competition Period.

          (c) Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary, if the Executive
shall terminate the Executive's employment during the term of this Agreement for
Good  Reason  pursuant  to  Section  7(c),  the  Executive  shall be  subject to
restrictions  set forth in the  Non-Competition  Agreement  until the earlier of
nine  months  from  the  Date  of   Termination   or  the   expiration   of  the
Non-Competition Period.

          (d) If the Executive's  employment  terminates  under any circumstance
that does not entitle the Executive to payments under Section 8(a)  (including a
termination by reason of the death or Disability of the Executive,  or by reason
of the Company or the  Executive  electing  not to extend or further  extend the
term of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3(b)), the Executive shall (i) not be
entitled to receive any compensation  under Section 6 accruing after the Date of
Termination,  or any payment  under Section  2.4(f) of the Merger  Agreement and
(ii) be subject to the restrictions set forth in the  Non-Competition  Agreement
until  the  expiration  of  the  Non-Competition   Period  (as  defined  in  the
Non-Competition  Agreement);  provided,  however,  that if the  termination is a
result of the death or  Disability  of the  Executive,  the  Executive  shall be
entitled to payments  under the Merger  Agreement as if the Executive were still
in the employ of the Company.

          9.  Indemnification.  The Company shall indemnify the Executive to the
fullest  extent  permitted  by the  General  Corporation  Law of  the  State  of
Delaware, as amended from time to time.

          10. Successors; Binding Agreement.

          (a)  The  Company  will  require  any  successor  (whether  direct  or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially  all of the  business  and/or  assets of the Company to  expressly
assume and agree to perform this  Agreement in the same manner and to the extent
that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken
place; provided, however, that  no such agreement with a successor shall release
the Company without the  Executive's  express  written  consent.  Failure of the
Company  to  obtain  such  agreement  prior  to the  effectiveness  of any  such
succession  shall be a breach of this  Agreement and shall entitle the Executive
to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the
Executive  would be entitled to hereunder  if the  Executive's  employment  were
terminated by the Company  other than pursuant to Section 7(b),  except that for
purposes of  implementing  the foregoing,  the date on which any such succession
becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination.

          (b) If the Executive  should die while any amounts are due and payable
to the Executive hereunder,  all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein,
shall be paid in accordance  with the terms of the Agreement to the  Executive's
devisees,  legatee,  or other designee or, if there be no such designee,  to the
Executive's estate.

          (c) Except as to  withholding  of any tax under the laws of the United
States  or any  state or  locality,  neither  this  Agreement  nor any  right or
interest hereunder nor any amount payable at any time hereunder shall be subject
in any manner to alienation, sale, transfer,  assignment, pledge, attachment, or
other  legal  process,  or  encumbrance  of any  kind  by the  Executive  or the
beneficiaries of the Executive or by legal representatives without the Company's
prior written  consent,  nor shall there be any right of set-off or counterclaim
in  respect  of any  debts or  liabilities  of the  Executive,  the  Executive's
beneficiaries or legal  representatives  against any right or interest hereunder
or any amount  payable at any time  hereunder to the  Executive,  the Executives
Beneficiaries or legal representatives;  provided, however, that nothing in this
Section 11 shall  preclude the  Executive  from  designating  a  beneficiary  to
receive  any  benefit   payable  on  the   Executive's   death,   or  the  legal
representatives  of the Executive  from  assigning  any rights  hereunder to the
Person or Persons  entitled  thereto under the  Executive's  will or, in case of
intestacy, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto under the laws of intestacy
applicable to the Executive's estate.

          11.  Parties.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to
the  benefit  of  the  Company  and  the  Executive,   the  Executive's   heirs,
beneficiaries and legal representatives.

          12. Entire Agreement; Amendment.

          (a) This Agreement  contains the entire  understanding  of the parties
with  respect to the  subject  matter  hereof and  supersedes  any and all other
agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

          (b) Any  amendment of this  Agreement  shall not be binding  unless in
writing  and signed by both (i) an  officer  or  director  of the  Company  duly
authorized to do so and (ii) the Executive.

          13. Enforceability.  In the event that any provision of this Agreement
is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms and conditions
of this Agreement shall be unaffected and shall remain in full force and effect,
and any such determination of invalidity or enforceability  shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

          14.  Notices.  All notices which may be necessary or proper for either
the Company or the  Executive to give to the other shall be in writing and shall
be  sent  by  hand  delivery,  registered  or  certified  mail,  return  receipt
requested, overnight courier or facsimile, if to the Executive, to him at Marina
Mortgage  Company,  Inc.,  15635 Alton  Parkway,  Suite 450,  Irvine,  CA 92618,
Attention: John Johnston, Facsimile: 949-753-7424, with a copy to King, Purtich,
Holmes,  Paterno & Berliner,  LLP,  1900 Avenue of the Stars,  Los  Angeles,  CA
90067-4506,  Attention: Keith T. Homes, Esq., Facsimile: 310-282-8903 and, if to
the Company,  to it at its principal  executive  offices at 12 East 49th Street,
New York, NY 10017, Attention: Human Resources Officer, Facsimile: 212-546-6834,
with a copy to  Cadwalader,  Wickersham & Taft,  100 Maiden Lane,  New York, New
York 10038,  Attention:  Louis Bevilacqua,  Esq., Facsimile:  212-504-6666,  and
shall be deemed  given when sent,  provided  that any Notice of  Termination  or
other  notice  given  pursuant  to  Section  7 shall be deemed  given  only when
received.  Either party may by like notice to the other party change the address
at which the Executive or it is to receive notices hereunder.

          15. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT IS EXECUTED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND BE ENFORCEABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT  GIVING EFFECT TO THE  PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS
THEREOF.

          16.  Effective Date.  This  Agreement  shall  become  effective  upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

          17.  Definitions.  The  following  terms,  when  capitalized  in  this
Agreement,  shall have the  meanings set forth or  incorporated  by reference in
this Section 17.

          (a) "Base Salary" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

          (b) "Board of Directors"  means the Board of Directors of the Company,
as constituted from time to time.

          (c) "Cause" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b)(i).

          (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          (e) "Company" means American Home Mortgage Holdings,  Inc., a Delaware
corporation,  and any successors to its business  and/or assets,  which executes
and  delivers an  agreement  provided  for in Section  11(a) or which  otherwise
becomes bound by all the terms and  conditions of this Agreement by operation of
law.

          (f) "Date of Termination"  shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7(g).

          (g) "Disability" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b)(ii).

          (h) "Exchange  Act" means  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
amended.

          (i) "Fair  Market  Value"  means Fair  Market  Value as defined in the
Stock Incentive Plan.

          (j) "Good Reason" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(c).

          (k) "Notice  of  Termination"  shall  have  the  meaning  set forth in
section 7(f).

          (l) "Person" means any individual,  corporation,  partnership, limited
liability company, limited duration company, trust or other entity of any nature
whatsoever.

                (REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)


<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed as of the date first written above.


                                           American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.



                                           By:  /s/   Michael Strauss
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:  Michael Strauss
                                           Title:  President and CEO



                                                /s/ John Johnston
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                  John Johnston




                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

          This  Employment  Agreement,  dated  as of  December  29,  1999  (this
"Agreement"),  is by and  between  American  Home  Mortgage  Holdings,  Inc.,  a
Delaware corporation having (the "Company"), and Ron Bergum (the "Executive").


          Whereas the  Company  wishes to assure  itself of the  services of the
Executive,  and the  Executive  desires to be employed by the Company,  upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.


          NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

          1.   Definitions.   Unless  defined   elsewhere  in  this   Agreement,
capitalized  terms  contained  herein  shall  have  the  meanings  set  forth or
incorporated by reference in Section 17.

          2.  Employment.  The Company agrees to employ the  Executive,  and the
Executive hereby accepts such employment by the Company and/or any subsidiary of
the  Company,  during the term set forth in Section 3 and on the other terms and
conditions of this Agreement.

          3. Term.

          (a) The term of this Agreement shall commence as of the closing of the
transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as
of the date hereof,  by and among the  Company,  American  Home  Mortgage Sub I,
Inc., Marina Mortgage Company,  Inc. (the  "Subsidiary") and the stockholders of
the Subsidiary  listed on the signature pages thereto (the "Merger  Agreement"),
and,  subject to Section 3(b),  shall  terminate at the close of business on the
fifth anniversary of that date.

          (b) The term of this  Agreement  set forth in  Section  3(a)  shall be
extended  or further  extended,  as the case may be,  without  any action by the
Company or the  Executive,  on the fifth  anniversary  of the date hereof and on
each subsequent  anniversary of the date hereof, for an additional period of one
year,  until either party gives written  notice to the other party in advance of
any anniversary of the date hereof,  in the manner set forth in Section 14, that
the term in effect  when such  notice is given is not to be  extended or further
extended, as the case may be, beyond the year following the next anniversary. If
the Executive  shall  continue in the full-time  employment of the Company after
the term of this  Agreement,  such  continued  employment  shall be at will, and
otherwise subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

          4. Position, Duties and Responsibilities, Rights.

          (a) During the term of this  Agreement,  the Executive shall serve as,
and be elected to and hold the office and title of President  of the  Subsidiary
or a similar  division of the Company.  As such, the Executive shall report only
to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Subsidiary or a
similar  division of the Company and the Boards of  Directors of the Company and
the Subsidiary or a similar  division of the Company,  and shall have all of the
powers and duties usually  incident to the office of President of the Subsidiary
or a similar  division of the  Company,  and shall have  powers to perform  such
other reasonable additional duties as may from time to time be lawfully assigned
to the  Executive  by the  Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and
the Subsidiary and the Boards of Directors.

          (b) During the term of this Agreement,  the Executive agrees to devote
substantially all the Executive's time, efforts and skills to the affairs of the
Company  during the  Company's  normal  business  hours,  except for  vacations,
illness  and  incapacity,  but  nothing in this  Agreement  shall  preclude  the
Executive  from  devoting  reasonable  periods  to (i)  manage  the  Executive's
personal  investments,  (ii)  participate in professional,  educational,  public
interest,  charitable,  civic  or  community  activities,  including  activities
sponsored by trade organizations,  and (iii) serve as a director or member of an
advisory committee of any corporation not in competition with the Company or any
of its  subsidiaries,  or as an officer,  trustee or director of any charitable,
educational,  philanthropic,  civic, social or industry  organizations,  or as a
speaker  or  arbitrator;   provided,   however,  that  the  performance  of  the
Executive's  duties  or  responsibilities  in any of such  capacities  does  not
materially  interfere with the regular performance of the Executive's duties and
responsibilities hereunder.

          5. Place of Performance. In connection with the Executive's employment
by the  Company,  the  Executive  shall be based at the  Subsidiary's  principal
executive  offices,  and shall not be required to be absent  therefrom on travel
status or otherwise  for more than a  reasonable  time each year as necessary or
appropriate for the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder.

          6. Compensation.

          (a)  During  the term of this  Agreement,  the  Company  shall pay the
Executive,  and the Executive  agrees to accept a base salary at the rate of not
less than $150,000.00 per year (the annual base salary as increased from time to
time  during the term of this  Agreement  being  hereinafter  referred to as the
"Base Salary"). The Base Salary shall be paid in installments no less frequently
than monthly.  Any increase in Base Salary or other compensation shall not limit
or reduce any other obligation of the Company hereunder, and once established at
an increased  specified  rate, the Executive's  Base Salary  hereunder shall not
thereafter be reduced.

          (b) On June 30 and December 31 of each  calendar  year during the term
of this Agreement,  the Executive shall be entitled to semi-annual bonus payment
at the  discretion  of the Board of Directors of the Company in the total amount
of not less than $50,900 per annum.

          (c) During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled
to (i) perquisites, including, without limitation, an office and secretarial and
clerical staff, and (ii) fringe benefits,  including, without limitation, health
insurance,  in each case at least equal to, benefits attributed to executives in
similar  positions  of the  Company  as well as to  reimbursement,  upon  proper
accounting,  of  all  reasonable  expenses  and  disbursements  incurred  by the
Executive in the course of the Executive's duties.

          (d) The Executive,  the Executive's dependents and beneficiaries shall
be entitled to all benefits and service  credit for benefits  during the term of
this Agreement to which senior officers of the Company and their  dependents and
beneficiaries  are  entitled as the result of the  employment  of such  officers
during  the term of this  Agreement  under  the  terms  of  employee  plans  and
practices of the Company and its subsidiaries,  including,  without  limitation,
any pension plans, profit sharing plans, any non-qualified deferred compensation
plans and related  "rabbi"  trusts,  the Company's  life  insurance  plans,  its
disability  benefit  plans,  its  vacation  and holiday pay plans,  its medical,
dental and welfare plans,  and other present or successor plans and practices of
the Company and its subsidiaries for which senior officers, their dependents and
beneficiaries  are eligible,  and to all payments and other  benefits  under any
such plan or practice  subsequent  to the term of this  Agreement as a result of
participation in such plan or practice during the term of this Agreement.

          7. Termination of Employment.

          (a) The term of this Agreement  shall  terminate upon the death of the
Executive.

          (b) The Company may terminate the  Executive's  employment  during the
term of this Agreement for Cause as provided in Section  7(b)(i) or in the event
of Disability as provided in Section 7(b)(ii).

              (i) This  Agreement  shall be  considered  terminated  for "Cause"
     only:

                  (A)  if  the  Executive  willfully  and  repeatedly  fails  to
          substantially perform the Executive's duties hereunder,  other than by
          reason of a Disability;

                  (B) if the  Executive  is  grossly  negligent  or  engages  in
          misconduct in the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder;

                  (C)  if  the  Executive   knowingly   engages  in  an  act  of
          dishonesty, an act of fraud or embezzlement,  or any conduct resulting
          in a felony indictment;

                  (D)  if  the   Executive   violates  the   provisions  of  the
          Non-Competition  Agreement of even date hereof  between the  Executive
          and the Company (the "Non-Competition Agreement") in substantially the
          form of Exhibit A hereof.

     and,  in the case of each of  clauses  (A),  (B),  (C) and (D)  above,  the
     applicable conditions set forth in Section 7(e) are satisfied.

          Anything in this  Section 7(b) to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  the
     Executive's  employment  shall in no event be considered  terminated by the
     Company  for Cause if  termination  takes  place  (I) as the  result of bad
     judgment  or  negligence  on the part of the  Executive  other  than  gross
     negligence or willful or reckless misconduct,  (II) for any act or omission
     in  respect  of  which a  determination  could  properly  be made  that the
     Executive  met  the   applicable   standard  of  conduct   prescribed   for
     indemnification  or  reimbursement  or payment of expenses of an officer or
     director under the Bylaws or Certificate of Incorporation of the Company or
     the  Subsidiary  or the laws of the State of Delaware or the  directors' or
     officers' liability insurance of the Company or the Subsidiary in each case
     as in effect at the time of such act or omission, (III) as the result of an
     act or omission which occurred more than three calendar months prior to the
     Executive's  having  been  given  Notice  of  Termination  for  such act or
     omission  unless the  commission  of such act or such  omission  was not or
     could not reasonably have been, at the time of such commission or omission,
     known to a member of the Boards of Directors  (other than the  Executive) ,
     in which case more than three calendar  months from the date the commission
     of such act or such  omission was or could  reasonably  have been so known,
     (IV) as the result of a continuing course of action which commenced and was
     or could  reasonably have been known to a member of the Boards of Directors
     (other than the Executive)  more than three calendar months prior to Notice
     of  Termination  having  been  given to the  Executive  for such  course of
     action,  or (V) because of an act or omission  believed by the Executive in
     good  faith to have  been in,  or not  opposed  to,  the  interests  of the
     Company.

              (ii)  The term  "Disability"  as used in this  Agreement  means an
     accident or physical or mental  illness which  prevents the Executive  from
     substantially   performing  the  Executive's   duties   hereunder  for  six
     consecutive months. The term of this Agreement shall end as of the close of
     business on the last day of such six month period but without  prejudice to
     any  payments  due to the  Executive  in respect of  disability  under this
     Agreement  or any  plan or  practice  of the  Company.  The  amount  of any
     payments  payable  under Section 6(a) during such six month period shall be
     reduced by any payments to which the Executive may be entitled for the same
     period  because of  disability  under any  disability  or  pension  plan or
     arrangement of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof.

          (c) The Executive may terminate the Executive's  employment during the
term of this Agreement for Good Reason.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  "Good
Reason" shall mean (i) a reduction of the  Executive's  rate of  compensation or
any other  failure by the Company to comply with  Section 6, (ii) failure by the
Company to comply  with  Section 5, (iii)  failure by the  Company to obtain the
assumption of, and the agreement to perform,  this Agreement by any successor as
contemplated in Section 11(a), or (iv) such reduction described in the foregoing
clause (i) or failure  described in the foregoing  clauses (ii) or (iii), as the
case may be, is not cured within 30 days after receipt by the Company of written
notice from the Executive describing such event.

          (d)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary set forth  herein,  the
Company shall have the right to terminate  the  Executive's  employment  for any
reason  other  than  Cause at any  time,  subject  to the  consequences  of such
termination as set forth in Section 8.

          (e) In no event  shall  the  Company  be  entitled  to  terminate  the
Executive's  employment  during the term of this Agreement for Cause pursuant to
Section 7(b),  unless and until all of the following  take place,  provided that
Sections  7(e)(i)  through  (iii) shall not apply to any  termination  for Cause
pursuant to Section 7(b)(i)(C):

              (i) the  Secretary  of the  Company  gives  written  notice to the
     Executive (the "Warning  Notice") setting forth (A) the specific  provision
     of this  Agreement that the Executive is alleged to have failed to satisfy,
     (B) the acts or omissions alleged to constitute such failure,  (C) the date
     on which the Executive  shall be given a reasonable  opportunity  to appear
     before and be heard by the Board of Directors of the Company concerning the
     allegations,  which  date  shall be not less  than 30 nor more than 90 days
     after the Executive's  receipt of the Warning  Notice,  and (D) the loss of
     rights  under  this   Agreement  that  shall  occur  unless  the  Executive
     diligently and in good faith takes  reasonable steps to remedy such failure
     within 30 days after the Executive's receipt of the Warning Notice;

              (ii) the Executive  does not diligently and in good faith take all
     reasonable   steps  to  remedy  such  failure  within  30  days  after  the
     Executive's receipt of the Warning Notice; and

              (iii) the  Executive is given a reasonable  opportunity  to appear
     before and be heard by the Board of Directors  concerning the  allegations,
     in accordance with the Warning Notice.

          (f) Any termination by the Company  pursuant to Section 7(b) or by the
Executive  pursuant to Section 7(c) shall be communicated by a written Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice
of  Termination"  shall mean a notice which  indicates the specific  termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon and sets forth in reasonable  detail the
facts and  circumstances  claimed  to  provide a basis  for  termination  of the
Executive's employment under the provisions so indicated.

          (g) "Date of Termination" shall mean (i) if the Executive's employment
is terminated by the Executive's  death, the date of the Executive's death, (ii)
if the Executive's  employment is terminated  pursuant to Section  7(b)(ii),  30
days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive shall not
have returned to the performance of the Executive's  duties on a full-time basis
during  such  30 day  period),  and  (iii)  if  the  Executive's  employment  is
terminated  for any other reason,  the date on which a Notice of  Termination is
given.

          8. Compensation on Termination.  The parties recognize and agree that,
if the Company  terminates the  Executive's  employment  during the term of this
Agreement  other than pursuant to Section  7(b), or if the Executive  terminates
the  Executive's  employment  during the term of this  Agreement for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 7(c), the actual damages to the Executive would be difficult
if not impossible to ascertain and agree that the Executive's  sole remedy shall
be a right  to  receive  amounts  determined  and  paid in  accordance  with the
provisions  of this Section 8. The  Executive  shall not be required to mitigate
the  amount of any  payment  provided  for in this  Section 8 by  seeking  other
employment or otherwise,  nor shall any compensation  earned by the Executive in
other  employment or otherwise  reduce the amount of any payment provided for in
this Section 8.

          (a) If the Company shall terminate the Executive's  employment  during
the term of this  Agreement  other  than  pursuant  to Section  7(b),  or if the
Executive  shall terminate the  Executive's  employment  during the term of this
Agreement for Good Reason  pursuant to Section  7(c),  then, as severance pay or
liquidated damages or both:

              (i) the Company  shall pay the  Executive a lump sum payment equal
     to the  Executive's  full Base Salary  times three at the rate in effect at
     the time Notice of  Termination  is given,  together with any other amounts
     payable to the  Executive  under Section 6 for periods prior to the Date of
     Termination; and

              (ii) the Company shall make any payments,  if and when, due to the
     Executive under the Merger Agreement.

          (b)  Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary,  if the Company
shall  terminate the  Executive's  employment  during the term of this Agreement
other  than  pursuant  to  Section  7(b),  the  Executive  shall be  subject  to
restrictions  set  forth in the  Non-Competition  Agreement  for a period of two
years from the Date of Termination.

          (c) Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary, if the Executive
shall terminate the Executive's employment during the term of this Agreement for
Good  Reason  pursuant  to  Section  7(c),  the  Executive  shall be  subject to
restrictions  set forth in the  Non-Competition  Agreement  for a period of nine
months from the Date of Termination.

          (d) If the Executive's  employment  terminates  under any circumstance
that does not entitle the Executive to payments under Section 8(a)  (including a
termination by reason of the death or Disability of the Executive,  or by reason
of the Company or the  Executive  electing  not to extend or further  extend the
term of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3(b)), the Executive shall (i) not be
entitled to receive any compensation  under Section 6 accruing after the Date of
Termination,  or any payment  under Section  2.4(f) of the Merger  Agreement and
(ii) be subject to the restrictions set forth in the  Non-Competition  Agreement
until  the  expiration  of  the  Non-Competition   Period  (as  defined  in  the
Non-Competition  Agreement);  provided,  however,  that if the  termination is a
result of the death or  Disability  of the  Executive,  the  Executive  shall be
entitled to payments  under the Merger  Agreement as if the Executive were still
in the employ of the Company.

          9.  Indemnification.  The Company shall indemnify the Executive to the
fullest  extent  permitted  by the  General  Corporation  Law of  the  State  of
Delaware, as amended from time to time.

          10. Successors; Binding Agreement.

          (a)  The  Company  will  require  any  successor  (whether  direct  or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially  all of the  business  and/or  assets of the Company to  expressly
assume and agree to perform this  Agreement in the same manner and to the extent
that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken
place; provided,  however, that no such agreement with a successor shall release
the Company without the  Executive's  express  written  consent.  Failure of the
Company  to  obtain  such  agreement  prior  to the  effectiveness  of any  such
succession  shall be a breach of this  Agreement and shall entitle the Executive
to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the
Executive  would be entitled to hereunder  if the  Executive's  employment  were
terminated by the Company  other than pursuant to Section 7(b),  except that for
purposes of  implementing  the foregoing,  the date on which any such succession
becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination.

          (b) If the Executive  should die while any amounts are due and payable
to the Executive hereunder,  all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein,
shall be paid in accordance  with the terms of the Agreement to the  Executive's
devisees,  legatee,  or other designee or, if there be no such designee,  to the
Executive's estate.

          (c) Except as to  withholding  of any tax under the laws of the United
States  or any  state or  locality,  neither  this  Agreement  nor any  right or
interest hereunder nor any amount payable at any time hereunder shall be subject
in any manner to alienation, sale, transfer,  assignment, pledge, attachment, or
other  legal  process,  or  encumbrance  of any  kind  by the  Executive  or the
beneficiaries of the Executive or by legal representatives without the Company's
prior written  consent,  nor shall there be any right of set-off or counterclaim
in  respect  of any  debts or  liabilities  of the  Executive,  the  Executive's
beneficiaries or legal  representatives  against any right or interest hereunder
or any amount  payable at any time  hereunder to the  Executive,  the Executives
beneficiaries or legal representatives;  provided, however, that nothing in this
Section 10 shall  preclude the  Executive  from  designating  a  beneficiary  to
receive  any  benefit   payable  on  the   Executive's   death,   or  the  legal
representatives  of the Executive  from  assigning  any rights  hereunder to the
Person or Persons  entitled  thereto under the  Executive's  will or, in case of
intestacy, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto under the laws of intestacy
applicable to the Executive's estate.

          11.  Parties.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to
the  benefit  of  the  Company  and  the  Executive,   the  Executive's   heirs,
beneficiaries and legal representatives.

          12. Entire Agreement; Amendment.

          (a) This Agreement  contains the entire  understanding  of the parties
with  respect to the  subject  matter  hereof and  supersedes  any and all other
agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

          (b) Any  amendment of this  Agreement  shall not be binding  unless in
writing  and signed by both (i) an  officer  or  director  of the  Company  duly
authorized to do so and (ii) the Executive.

          13. Enforceability.  In the event that any provision of this Agreement
is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms and conditions
of this Agreement shall be unaffected and shall remain in full force and effect,
and any such determination of invalidity or enforceability  shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

          14.  Notices.  All notices which may be necessary or proper for either
the Company or the  Executive to give to the other shall be in writing and shall
be  sent  by  hand  delivery,  registered  or  certified  mail,  return  receipt
requested, overnight courier or facsimile, if to the Executive, to him at Marina
Mortgage  Company,  Inc.,  15635 Alton  Parkway,  Suite 450,  Irvine,  CA 92618,
Attention: Ron Bergum,  Facsimile:  949-753-7424,  with a copy to King, Purtich,
Holmes,  Paterno & Berliner,  LLP,  1900 Avenue of the Stars,  Los  Angeles,  CA
90067-4506, Attention: Keith T. Holmes, Esq., Facsimile: 310-282-8903 and, if to
the Company,  to it at its principal  executive  offices at 12 East 49th Street,
New York, NY 10017, Attention: Human Resources Officer, Facsimile: 212-546-6834,
with a copy to  Cadwalader,  Wickersham & Taft,  100 Maiden Lane,  New York, New
York 10038,  Attention:  Louis Bevilacqua,  Esq., Facsimile:  212-504-6666,  and
shall be deemed  given when sent,  provided  that any Notice of  Termination  or
other  notice  given  pursuant  to  Section  7 shall be deemed  given  only when
received.  Either party may by like notice to the other party change the address
at which the Executive or it is to receive notices hereunder.

          15. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT IS EXECUTED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND BE ENFORCEABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT  GIVING EFFECT TO THE  PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS
THEREOF.

          16.  Effective  Date.  This  Agreement  shall  become  effective  upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

          17.  Definitions.  The  following  terms,  when  capitalized  in  this
Agreement,  shall have the  meanings set forth or  incorporated  by reference in
this Section 17.

          (a) "Base Salary" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

          (b) "Board of Directors"  means the Board of Directors of the Company,
as constituted from time to time.

          (c) "Cause" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7(b)(i).

          (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

          (e) "Company" means American Home Mortgage Holdings,  Inc., a Delaware
corporation,  and any successors to its business  and/or assets,  which executes
and  delivers an  agreement  provided  for in Section  11(a) or which  otherwise
becomes bound by all the terms and  conditions of this Agreement by operation of
law.

          (f) "Date of Termination"  shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7(g).

          (g) "Disability" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(b)(ii).

          (h)  "Exchange  Act" means the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
amended.

          (i) "Fair  Market  Value"  means Fair  Market  Value as defined in the
Stock Incentive Plan.

          (j) "Good Reason" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(c).

          (k)  "Non-Competition  Period"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in
Section 10(a).

          (l)  "Notice  of  Termination"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in
section 7(f).

          (m) "Person" means any individual,  corporation,  partnership, limited
liability company, limited duration company, trust or other entity of any nature
whatsoever.

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<PAGE>


          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed as of the date first written above.


                                           American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.



                                           By:  /s/  Michael Strauss
                                              ----------------------------------
                                               Name:  Michael Strauss
                                               Title: President and CEO



                                               /s/  Ron Bergum
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                  Ron Bergum





                                 EXHIBIT 7.1(F)

                            NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

          This  Non-Competition  Agreement,  dated as of December 29, 1999 (this
"Agreement"),  is by and  between  American  Home  Mortgage  Holdings,  Inc.,  a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and John Johnston (the "Executive").


          WHEREAS the Company and the  Executive are the parties to that certain
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company,
Marina Mortgage  Company,  Inc. (the  "Subsidiary")  and the stockholders of the
Subsidiary   listed  on  the  signature   pages  thereto  (the  "Stock  Purchase
Agreement"); and


          WHEREAS,  the parties hereto have entered into that certain Employment
Agreement of even date hereof (the "Employment Agreement").


          NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  mutual  covenants  herein
contained  and  other  good and  valuable  consideration,  the  Company  and the
Executive hereby agree as follows:

          1.   Definitions.   Unless  defined   elsewhere  in  this   Agreement,
capitalized  terms  contained  herein  shall  have  the  meanings  set  forth or
incorporated by reference in Section 17 of the Employment Agreement.

          2. Non-competition; Non-solicitation.

          (a) In  consideration of the Stock Purchase  Agreement,  the Executive
agrees that for the period ending on the fifth anniversary of the Stock Purchase
Agreement or for such longer  period of time if the Executive is employed by the
Company  in  accordance  with  Section  3(b) of the  Employment  Agreement  (the
"Non-Competition  Period"),  the  Executive  will not,  directly  or  indirectly
(whether  as a sole  proprietor,  partner or  venturer,  stockholder,  director,
officer, employee,  consultant or in any other capacity as principal or agent or
through any Person, subsidiary or employee acting as nominee or agent):

               (i) conduct or engage in or be interested  in or associated  with
     any Person which conducts or engages in the AHM Business  within the United
     States;

               (ii) take  any  action,   directly  or  indirectly,  to  finance,
     guarantee or provide any other material assistance to any Person engaged in
     the AHM Business;

               (iii)  solicit,  contact  or  accept  business  of any  client or
     counterparty  whom the Company  served or conducted  business with or whose
     name became known to the  Executive as a potential  client or  counterparty
     while in the employ of the Company or during the Non-Competition Period; or

               (iv) influence  or  attempt  to  influence any  Person  that is a
     contracting  party with the Company at any time during the  Non-Competition
     Period to terminate any written or oral agreement with the Company.

          For purposes of this Agreement, the term "AHM Business" shall mean the
residential  mortgage  lending or  residential  mortgage  brokerage  business as
conducted  by the  Company  and any  business  involving  the supply of services
substantially  similar to  services  provided  by the Company at the time of the
termination of the Executive's employment.

          (b) The Executive  shall not,  whether for the Executive's own account
or in conjunction with or on behalf of any other Person,  solicit or entice away
from the  Company  any  officer,  employee  or  customer  of the  Company or the
Subsidiary  during  the term of the  Non-Competition  Period nor  engage,  hire,
employ, or induce the employment of any such Person whether or not such officer,
employee  or  customer  would  commit a breach of  contract by reason of leaving
service or transferring business.

          (c) The restrictive provisions hereof shall not prohibit the Executive
from (i) having an equity  interest in the  securities of any entity  engaged in
the AHM Business or any business  with respect to which the  Executive  obtained
confidential or proprietary data or information,  which entity's  securities are
listed on a  nationally-recognized  securities  exchange or quotation  system or
traded in the over-the-counter market, to the extent that such interest does not
exceed 5% of the  outstanding  equity  interests of such entity or (ii) with the
prior written consent of the Company,  serving as a director or other advisor to
any other Person.

          (d) The Executive agrees that the covenants  contained in this Section
are reasonable covenants under the circumstances,  and further agrees that if in
the  opinion  of a  court  of  competent  jurisdiction,  such  restraint  is not
reasonable in any respect,  such court shall have the right, power and authority
to excise or modify such provision or provisions of these  covenants which as to
such court shall appear not reasonable  and to enforce the remainder  thereof as
so amended.

          (e)  Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary,  if the Company
shall  terminate the  Executive's  employment  during the term of the Employment
Agreement other than pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Employment  Agreement,  the
Executive shall be subject to restrictions set forth in this Agreement until the
earlier  of two  years  from  the  Date  of  Termination  or  expiration  of the
Non-Competition  Period, unless grounds exist at such time that would permit the
Executive to terminate his  employment for Good Reason under Section 7(c) of the
Employment  Agreement,  in which case the Executive shall only be subject to the
restrictions in this Agreement until the earlier of nine months from the Date of
Termination or the expiration of the Non-Competition Period.

          (f) Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary, if the Executive
shall  terminate the  Executive's  employment  during the term of the Employment
Agreement for Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Employment  Agreement,
the Executive shall be subject to restrictions set forth in this Agreement until
the earlier of nine months from the Date of Termination or the expiration of the
Non-Competition Period.

          (g)   Notwithstanding   anything  herein  to  the  contrary,   if  the
Executive's  employment  terminates under any circumstance that does not entitle
the  Executive  to  payments  under  Section  8(a) of the  Employment  Agreement
(including a termination  by reason of the death or Disability of the Executive,
or by reason of the Company or the  Executive  electing not to extend or further
extend the term of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3(b)), the Executive shall
be subject to the  restrictions set forth in this Agreement until the expiration
of the Non-Competition Period.

          3. Notices.  All notices,  requests,  demands and other communications
which are  required  to be or may be given  under this  Agreement  to any of the
other  parties  shall be in writing  and shall be deemed to have been duly given
when (a) delivered in person, the day following dispatch by an overnight courier
service  (such as  Federal  Express  or UPS,  etc.)  or (b) five (5) days  after
dispatch by certified or registered first class mail,  postage  prepaid,  return
receipt requested, to the party to whom the same is so given or made:

          If to the Company,
          addressed to:                   American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.
                                          12 East 49th Street
                                          New York, New York  100017
                                          Telephone:  (212) 755-8600
                                          Facsimile:  (212) 546-6834
                                          Attn:  Human Resources Officer

          If to the Executive,
          addressed to:                   Marina Mortgage Company, Inc.
                                          15635 Alton Parkway, Suite 450
                                          Irvine, CA  92618
                                          Telephone:  (949) 753-8900
                                          Facsimile:  (949) 753-7244
                                          Attention:  John Johnston

          4. Amendments.  This Agreement cannot be altered or otherwise  amended
except pursuant to an instrument in writing signed by each of the parties.

          5.  Assignment.  Neither  this  Agreement  nor  any of the  rights  or
obligations  hereunder  may be assigned by any party  without the prior  written
consent of the other  parties,  provided  the  Company  may assign or  otherwise
transfer this  Agreement to any  succeeding  entity  without  limitation,  which
entity shall assume all rights and obligations hereunder.

          6. Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  contains the entire  agreement
between  the  parties  with  respect  to the  matters  contemplated  herein  and
supersede  all  previous   written  or  oral   negotiations,   commitments   and
understandings.

          7.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in  two or  more
counterparts,  each of  which  shall  be  deemed  an  original  and all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          8.  Headings.  All headings are inserted for  convenience of reference
only and shall not affect the meaning or  interpretation  of any such provisions
or of this Agreement, taken as an entirety.

          9.  Severability.  If, and to the extent  that any court of  competent
jurisdiction  holds any provision (or any part thereof) of this  Agreement to be
invalid or  unenforceable,  such holding  shall in no way affect the validity or
enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement,  but shall be confined in its
operation  to the  jurisdiction  in  which  made and to the  provisions  of this
Agreement directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have
been rendered.

          10. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT IS EXECUTED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND BE ENFORCEABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT  GIVING EFFECT TO THE  PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS
THEREOF.

<PAGE>


          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed as of the date first written above.


                                           American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.



                                           By:  /s/  Michael Strauss
                                              ----------------------------------
                                               Name:  Michael Strauss
                                               Title: President and CEO



                                                /s/  John Johnston
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                   John Johnston





                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                            NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

          This  Non-Competition  Agreement,  dated as of December 29, 1999 (this
"Agreement"),  is by and  between  American  Home  Mortgage  Holdings,  Inc.,  a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Ron Bergum (the "Executive").

          WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive are the parties to that certain
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company,
Marina Mortgage  Company,  Inc. (the  "Subsidiary")  and the stockholders of the
Subsidiary   listed  on  the  signature   pages  thereto  (the  "Stock  Purchase
Agreement"); and

          WHEREAS,  the parties hereto have entered into that certain Employment
Agreement of even date hereof (the "Employment Agreement").

          NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  mutual  covenants  herein
contained  and  other  good and  valuable  consideration,  the  Company  and the
Executive hereby agree as follows:

          1.   Definitions.   Unless  defined   elsewhere  in  this   Agreement,
capitalized  terms  contained  herein  shall  have  the  meanings  set  forth or
incorporated by reference in Section 17 of the Employment Agreement.

          2. Non-competition; Non-solicitation.

          (a) In  consideration of the Stock Purchase  Agreement,  the Executive
agrees that for the period ending on the fifth anniversary of the Stock Purchase
Agreement or for such longer  period of time if the Executive is employed by the
Company  in  accordance  with  Section  3(b) of the  Employment  Agreement  (the
"Non-Competition  Period"),  the  Executive  will not,  directly  or  indirectly
(whether  as a sole  proprietor,  partner or  venturer,  stockholder,  director,
officer, employee,  consultant or in any other capacity as principal or agent or
through any Person, subsidiary or employee acting as nominee or agent):

               (i) conduct or engage in or be interested  in or associated  with
     any Person which conducts or engages in the AHM Business  within the United
     States;

              (ii) take  any   action, directly  or   indirectly,   to  finance,
     guarantee or provide any other material assistance to any Person engaged in
     the AHM Business;

             (iii) solicit,  contact  or  accept  business  of   any  client  or
     counterparty  whom  the Company  served or conducted business with or whose
     name  became known to  the Executive  as a potential client or counterparty
     while in the employ of the Company or during the Non-Competition Period; or

              (iv) influence  or  attempt  to  influence  any  Person  that is a
     contracting party with  the Company at any  time during the Non-Competition
     Period to terminate any written or oral agreement with the Company.

          For purposes of this Agreement, the term "AHM Business" shall mean the
residential  mortgage  lending or  residential  mortgage  brokerage  business as
conducted  by the  Company  and any  business  involving  the supply of services
substantially  similar to  services  provided  by the Company at the time of the
termination of the Executive's employment.

          (b) The Executive  shall not,  whether for the Executive's own account
or in conjunction with or on behalf of any other Person,  solicit or entice away
from the  Company  any  officer,  employee  or  customer  of the  Company or the
Subsidiary  during the term  hereof or the  Non-Competition  Period nor  engage,
hire,  employ,  or induce the  employment of any such Person whether or not such
officer,  employee  or customer  would  commit a breach of contract by reason of
leaving service or transferring business.

          (c) The restrictive provisions hereof shall not prohibit the Executive
from (i) having an equity  interest in the  securities of any entity  engaged in
the AHM Business or any business  with respect to which the  Executive  obtained
confidential or proprietary data or information,  which entity's  securities are
listed on a  nationally-recognized  securities  exchange or quotation  system or
traded in the over-the-counter market, to the extent that such interest does not
exceed 5% of the  outstanding  equity  interests of such entity or (ii) with the
prior written consent of the Company,  serving as a director or other advisor to
any other Person.

          (d) The Executive agrees that the covenants  contained in this Section
are reasonable covenants under the circumstances,  and further agrees that if in
the  opinion  of a  court  of  competent  jurisdiction,  such  restraint  is not
reasonable in any respect,  such court shall have the right, power and authority
to excise or modify such provision or provisions of these  covenants which as to
such court shall appear not reasonable  and to enforce the remainder  thereof as
so amended.

          (e)  Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary,  if the Company
shall  terminate the  Executive's  employment  during the term of the Employment
Agreement other than pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Employment  Agreement,  the
Executive  shall be subject to  restrictions  set forth in this  Agreement for a
period of two years from the Date of Termination.

          (f) Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary, if the Executive
shall  terminate the  Executive's  employment  during the term of the Employment
Agreement for Good Reason pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Employment  Agreement,
the Executive shall be subject to restrictions set forth in this Agreement for a
period of nine months from the Date of Termination.

          (g)   Notwithstanding   anything  herein  to  the  contrary,   if  the
Executive's  employment  terminates under any circumstance that does not entitle
the  Executive  to  payments  under  Section  8(a) of the  Employment  Agreement
(including a termination  by reason of the death or Disability of the Executive,
or by reason of the Company or the  Executive  electing not to extend or further
extend the term of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3(b)), the Executive shall
be subject to the  restrictions set forth in this Agreement until the expiration
of the Non-Competition Period.

          3. Notices.  All notices,  requests,  demands and other communications
which are  required  to be or may be given  under this  Agreement  to any of the
other  parties  shall be in writing  and shall be deemed to have been duly given
when (a) delivered in person, the day following dispatch by an overnight courier
service  (such as  Federal  Express  or UPS,  etc.)  or (b) five (5) days  after
dispatch by certified or registered first class mail,  postage  prepaid,  return
receipt requested, to the party to whom the same is so given or made:

          If to the Company,
          addressed to:           American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.
                                  12 East 49th Street
                                  New York, New York  100017
                                  Telephone:  (212) 755-8600
                                  Facsimile:  (212) 546-6834
                                  Attn:  Human Resources Officer

          If to the Executive,
          addressed to:            Marina Mortgage Company, Inc.
                                   15635 Alton Parkway, Suite 450
                                   Irvine, CA  92618
                                   Telephone:  (949) 753-8900
                                   Facsimile:  (949) 753-7424
                                   Attention:  Ron Bergum

          4. Amendments.  This Agreement cannot be altered or otherwise  amended
except pursuant to an instrument in writing signed by each of the parties.

          5.  Assignment.  Neither  this  Agreement  nor  any of the  rights  or
obligations  hereunder  may be assigned by any party  without the prior  written
consent of the other  parties,  provided  the  Company  may assign or  otherwise
transfer this  Agreement to any  succeeding  entity  without  limitation,  which
entity shall assume all rights and obligations hereunder.

          6. Entire Agreement.  This  Agreement  contains the entire  agreement
between  the  parties  with  respect  to the  matters  contemplated  herein  and
supersede  all  previous   written  or  oral   negotiations,   commitments   and
understandings.

          7.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in  two or  more
counterparts,  each of  which  shall  be  deemed  an  original  and all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          8.  Headings.  All headings are inserted for  convenience of reference
only and shall not affect the meaning or  interpretation  of any such provisions
or of this Agreement, taken as an entirety.

          9.  Severability.  If, and to the extent  that any court of  competent
jurisdiction  holds any provision (or any part thereof) of this  Agreement to be
invalid or  unenforceable,  such holding  shall in no way affect the validity or
enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement,  but shall be confined in its
operation  to the  jurisdiction  in  which  made and to the  provisions  of this
Agreement directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have
been rendered.

          10. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT IS EXECUTED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND BE ENFORCEABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT  GIVING EFFECT TO THE  PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS
THEREOF.

          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed as of the date first written above.

                                           American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.

                                           By:  /s/  Michael Strauss
                                              ----------------------------------
                                               Name:  Michael Strauss
                                               Title: President and CEO


                                               /s/   Ron Bergum
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                     Ron Bergum





                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                  BY AND AMONG

                      AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC.

                                       AND

                               THE STOCKHOLDERS OF

                          MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC.

                      LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO

                             DATED DECEMBER 29, 1999

<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01   Defined Terms...................................................1


                                   ARTICLE II

                           PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES

Section 2.01   Transfer of Stock...............................................2
Section 2.02   Purchase Price Paid by the Purchaser............................2


                                   ARTICLE III

                                     CLOSING

Section 3.01   Closing.........................................................3
Section 3.02   The Stockholders' Deliveries at the Closing.....................3
Section 3.03   Purchaser's Deliveries at the Closing...........................3


                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                               OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

Section 4.01   Authorization of each of the Stockholders.......................3
Section 4.02   Ownership Of Stock..............................................3
Section 4.03   No Conflict or Violation........................................3
Section 4.04   Consents and Approvals..........................................4
Section 4.05   Brokers.........................................................4
Section 4.06   Investment Purposes.............................................4
Section 4.07   Exemption.......................................................4
Section 4.08   Due Diligence...................................................4
Section 4.09   Exclusivity of Preparation......................................5
Section 4.10   No Advertisement................................................5
Section 4.11   Accuracy of Representations.....................................5

                                    ARTICLE V

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER

Section 5.01   Organization of the Purchaser...................................5
Section 5.02   Authorization...................................................5
Section 5.03   No Conflict or Violation........................................6
Section 5.04   Consents and Approvals..........................................6
Section 5.05   Compliance with Law.............................................6
Section 5.06   Brokers.........................................................6
Section 5.07   Accuracy of Representations.....................................6

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                CERTAIN COVENANTS

Section 6.01   Best Efforts....................................................7
Section 6.02   Further Assurances..............................................7
Section 6.03   Confidentiality.................................................7

                                   ARTICLE VII

                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

Section 7.01   Conditions to Obligations of the Purchaser......................7
Section 7.02   Conditions to Obligations of the Stockholder....................8

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT

Section 8.01   Methods of Termination..........................................9
Section 8.02   Procedure Upon Termination......................................9
Section 8.03   Effect of Termination...........................................9

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.01   Specific Performance............................................9
Section 9.02   Assignment......................................................9
Section 9.03   Notices........................................................10
Section 9.04   Choice of Law..................................................10
Section 9.05   Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers.......................10
Section 9.06   Counterparts...................................................11
Section 9.07   Invalidity.....................................................11
Section 9.08   Headings.......................................................11
Section 9.09   Expenses.......................................................11

EXHIBIT

Exhibit 3.3 -  Form of Promissory Note

<PAGE>


          THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT,  dated December 29, 1999 (together with
exhibits and schedules hereto,  the "Agreement"),  is by and among American Home
Mortgage Holdings,  Inc., a corporation  organized and existing under the law of
the State of Delaware (the "Purchaser"), and the stockholders of Marina Mortgage
Company,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  listed  on the  signature  pages  hereto  (the
"Stockholders").

                                    RECITALS

          WHEREAS,  the Stockholders own in the aggregate 1,037 shares of common
stock, no par value (the "Shares"), of the Company; and

          WHEREAS,   the  Purchaser   desires  to  purchase  from  each  of  the
Stockholders,  and each of the Stockholders  desires to sell and transfer to the
Purchaser,  the  Shares  upon the terms and  subject to the  conditions  of this
Agreement.

          NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises
contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

          Section 1.01 Defined Terms. Capitalized words and phrases used and not
otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the following meanings:

          "Affiliate" means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or
more intermediaries,  controls, is controlled by or is under common control with
the Person specified.  For purposes of this definition,  the term "control" of a
Person means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to (i) vote 50% or
more of the  voting  securities  of such  Person  or (ii)  direct  or cause  the
direction of the management and policies of such Person,  whether by contract or
otherwise,  and the terms and phrases "controlling",  "controlled by" and "under
common control with" have correlative meanings.

          "Agreement" is defined in the preamble.

          "Business  Day" means any day other than a  Saturday,  Sunday or other
day on which  commercial  banks in New York,  New York and the State of Delaware
are authorized or required by law to close.

          "Closing" is defined in Section 3.1.

          "Closing Date" means the date on which the Closing occurs  pursuant to
Section 3.1.

          "Contracts"    means   all   agreements,    contracts,    commitments,
undertakings, instruments, indentures, licenses, authorizations, concessions and
franchises to which any person is a party, an obligator or a beneficiary.

          "Encumbrance" means any claim, lien, pledge, option, charge, easement,
security interest, right-of-way, restriction, encumbrance or other similar right
of a third party.

          "Governmental Body" means any federal,  state, local, foreign or other
governmental agency, instrumentality, commission, authority, board or body.

          "Note" is defined in Section 3.3.

          "Organizational  Documents"  means (i) the articles or  certificate of
incorporation  and the bylaws of a corporation;  (ii) the partnership  agreement
and any statement of  partnership  of a general  partnership;  (iii) the limited
partnership  agreement and the  certificate of limited  partnership of a limited
partnership; (iv) any charter or similar document adopted or filed in connection
with the creation, formation, or organization of a Person; and (v) any amendment
of any of the foregoing.

          "Person" means an individual, a partnership,  a limited partnership, a
limited  liability  company,  a  joint  venture,  a  corporation,  a  trust,  an
unincorporated  organization,  a  division  or  operating  group  of  any of the
foregoing, a government or any department or agency thereof or any other entity.

          "Representative" means any officer, director,  principal,  employee or
other authorized representative of a Person.

          "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                                   ARTICLE II

                           PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES

          Section 2.01 Transfer of Stock. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this  Agreement,  on the  Closing  Date,  each of the  Stockholders  shall sell,
transfer,  assign and convey to the Purchaser,  and the Purchaser shall purchase
and acquire  from each of the  Stockholders,  all of the Shares owned by each of
the Stockholders.

          Section  2.02  Purchase  Price Paid by the  Purchaser.  Subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, on the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall
pay or  cause  to be paid to each of the  Stockholders  a  purchase  price in an
amount equal to $274.5664 multiplied by the number of Shares owned and delivered
by such Stockholder (the "Purchase Price").

                                   ARTICLE III

                                     CLOSING

          Section 3.01 Closing.  Unless the parties  otherwise agree in writing,
the closing of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement (the "Closing")
shall take place promptly following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions
set forth in Article VII hereof  (such date,  the "Closing  Date").  The Closing
shall be held at 9:00 a.m.  local  time on the  Closing  Date at the  offices of
Cadwalader,  Wickersham & Taft,  100 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038 or at
such other place as may be determined by the parties.

          Section  3.02 The  Stockholders'  Deliveries  at the  Closing.  At the
Closing,  each of the Stockholders shall deliver,  or cause to be delivered,  to
the  Purchaser or his nominee (i)  certificate(s)  evidencing  Shares,  free and
clear of any Encumbrances of any nature whatsoever,  with all necessary transfer
tax and other revenue stamps (acquired at the Stockholders' expense) affixed and
canceled,   and  (ii)  any  other  agreements,   documents  and  instruments  as
contemplated by this Agreement.

          Section 3.03  Purchaser's  Deliveries at the Closing.  At the Closing,
the  Purchaser  shall  deliver,  or  cause  to be  delivered,  to  each  of  the
Stockholders  (i) the promissory note in the form of Exhibit 3.3 (the "Note") in
the principal amount equal to the Purchase Price, and (ii) any other agreements,
documents and instruments contemplated by this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                               OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

          Each  of  the  Stockholders  hereby  represents  and  warrants  to the
Purchaser as follows:

          Section 4.01  Authorization of each of the  Stockholders.  Each of the
Stockholders  has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and to perform his or her,  as the case may be,  obligations  hereunder  and has
taken all  action  necessary  to  execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and to
consummate the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and to perform his or her, as
the case may be,  obligations  hereunder.  This Agreement has been duly executed
and delivered by each of the  Stockholders  and,  assuming the due execution and
delivery  of this  Agreement  by the  Purchaser,  is a legal,  valid and binding
obligation  of  each  of  the  Stockholders,  enforceable  against  each  of the
Stockholders  in accordance  with its terms subject to  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to
or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

          Section 4.02  Ownership Of Stock.  Each of the  Stockholders  owns the
Shares of record and  beneficially,  free and clear of any  Encumbrances  of any
nature whatsoever.

          Section  4.03  No Conflict or  Violation. Neither  the  execution  and
delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby  will  result  in (a) a  breach  of,  a  default  under,  or a  right  of
termination,  cancellation,  acceleration  or payment  with  respect  to, or the
creation  of any  Encumbrance  upon,  any of the  assets  or  properties  of the
Stockholders  pursuant to, any Contract to which the  Stockholders is a party or
is  subject  or by which  any  asset of the  Stockholders  is bound  other  than
breaches, defaults, rights of termination, cancellation, acceleration or payment
or Encumbrances  which could not reasonably be expected to have  individually or
in the aggregate a material adverse effect on the ability of the Stockholders to
consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  or (b) a violation  by the
Stockholders of any statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, order, judgment,
writ, injunction, decree or award.

          Section  4.04   Consents   and   Approvals.   No  consent,   approval,
authorization  or other  action  by,  or filing  with or  notification  to,  any
governmental or regulatory authority or other third party is required to be made
or obtained by the  Stockholders  on or prior to the Closing Date in  connection
with  the  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of  this  Agreement  and  the
consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  except where
failure to obtain such consent,  approval,  authorization or action,  or to make
such  filing  or  notification,  would not  interfere  with the  ability  of the
Stockholders to consummate the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and
individually  and in the  aggregate  could not  reasonably be expected to have a
material  adverse  effect on the ability of the  Stockholders  to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.

          Section 4.05 Brokers.  Neither of  the Stockholders has  employed, and
is not subject to any valid  claim of, any broker,  finder,  investment  banker,
consultant  or  other   intermediary   in  connection   with  the   transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  who will be entitled to a fee or commission in
connection  with  such   transactions.   Each  of  the  Stockholders  is  solely
responsible for any payment,  fee or commission that may be due to each advisor,
if any, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

          Section  4.06  Investment  Purposes.   Each  of  the  Stockholders  is
purchasing the Notes for its own account,  for investment  purposes only and not
with a view  towards  or in  connection  with the  public  sale or  distribution
thereof in violation of the Securities Act.

          Section 4.07 Exemption.  Each of the Stockholders understands that the
Notes are being  offered and sold by the  Purchaser  in reliance on an exemption
from the  registration  requirements of the Securities Act and equivalent  state
securities  and "blue  sky" laws,  and that the  Purchaser  is relying  upon the
accuracy of, and Stockholders' compliance with,  Stockholders'  representations,
warranties   and  covenants  set  forth  in  this  Agreement  to  determine  the
availability of such exemption and the  eligibility of each of the  Stockholders
to purchase the Notes. Each of the Stockholders understands that the Notes to be
acquired  by such  Stockholder  have not been  approved  or  disapproved  by the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission.

          Section 4.08 Due Diligence. Each of the Stockholders has been provided
by the Purchaser with the  Purchaser's  filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on Form S-1 and the most recent  quarterly report of the Purchaser on
Form 10-Q. Each of the Stockholders has been given the opportunity  prior to the
date hereof to ask questions of, and receive  answers from, the Purchaser or its
Representatives concerning the Purchaser and the Notes. Each of the Stockholders
acknowledges  that such  Stockholder  has been  consulted  by legal  counsel  in
connection with the negotiation,  execution and delivery of this Agreement. Each
of the  Stockholders  represents that such  Stockholder has been advised to seek
the advice of tax  counsel  and  accountants  in  connection  with  negotiation,
execution and delivery of this Agreement and has not relied on the advice of the
Company or its counsel  with  respect to any of the tax issues  relating  to, or
arising in connection with, this Agreement or transactions contemplated hereby.

          Section  4.09  Exclusivity  of  Preparation.   No  representations  or
warranties  have  been  made  to  the  Stockholders  by  the  Purchaser,  or any
Representative of the Purchaser, other than the representations of the Purchaser
contained herein,  and, in acquiring the Notes, the Stockholders are not relying
upon any representations or warranties other than those contained herein.

          Section  4.10  No  Advertisement.   Neither  of  the  Stockholders  is
purchasing the Notes as a result of or subsequent to any advertisement, article,
notice or other communication  published in any newspaper,  magazine, or similar
media or  broadcast  over  television  or radio,  any  seminar or meeting or any
solicitation of a subscription by a person or entity not previously known to the
Stockholders in connection with investments in securities generally.

          Section  4.11  Accuracy  of  Representations.   No  representation  or
warranty made by the Stockholders in this Agreement or any document or statement
delivered,  or to be  delivered,  by or on  behalf  of each of the  Stockholders
pursuant  hereto  contains or, as of the Closing  Date,  will contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits or, as of the Closing  Date,  will omit to
state a material  fact  necessary  to make the  statements  contained  herein or
therein not misleading.

                                    ARTICLE V

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER

          The  Purchaser   hereby   represents  and  warrants  to  each  of  the
Stockholders as follows:

          Section 5.01  Organization  of the  Purchaser.  The  Purchaser is duly
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware and has full  corporate  power and authority to conduct its business as
it is presently  being  conducted and to own,  lease and use its  properties and
assets.

          Section 5.02 Authorization. The Purchaser has full corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this  Agreement and to perform its  obligations
hereunder  and has taken all  action  necessary  to  execute  and  deliver  this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions  contemplated hereby and to perform
its obligations  hereunder.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by the Purchaser and,  assuming the due execution and delivery of this Agreement
by each of the  Stockholders,  is a legal,  valid and binding  obligation of the
Purchaser,  enforceable  against the  Purchaser  in  accordance  with its terms,
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium and similar laws
of general  applicability  relating  to or  affecting  creditors'  rights and to
general equity principles.

          Section  5.03 No Conflict or  Violation.  Neither  the  execution  and
delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will result in (a) a violation of or a conflict with any provision of the
Organizational  Documents of the Purchaser, (b) a breach of, a default under, or
a right of termination,  cancellation,  acceleration or payment with respect to,
or the creation of any Encumbrance  upon, any of the assets or properties of the
Purchaser  pursuant  to, any  Contract to which the  Purchaser  is a party or is
subject or by which any asset of the  Purchaser  is bound  other than  breaches,
defaults,  rights of  termination,  cancellation,  acceleration  or  payment  or
Encumbrances  which could not reasonably be expected to have  individually or in
the aggregate a material  adverse effect on the business or financial  condition
of the Purchaser or on the transactions  contemplated hereby, or (c) a violation
by Company of any statute, rule, regulation,  ordinance,  code, order, judgment,
writ, injunction, decree or award.

          Section  5.04   Consents   and   Approvals.   No  consent,   approval,
authorization  or other  action  by,  or filing  with or  notification  to,  any
governmental or regulatory authority or other third party is required to be made
or obtained by the Purchaser on or prior to the Closing Date in connection  with
the execution,  delivery and performance of this Agreement and the  consummation
of the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  except where failure to
obtain such consent,  approval,  authorization or action, or to make such filing
or  notification,  would not  interfere  with the  ability of the  Purchaser  to
consummate the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and individually and
in the aggregate  could not  reasonably  be expected to have a material  adverse
effect  on the  business  or  financial  condition  of the  Purchaser  or on the
transactions contemplated hereby.

          Section 5.05 Compliance with Law. The Purchaser has complied and is in
compliance  with  all  laws,  rules,  regulations,  codes,  and  plans,  and all
injunctions,   judgments,   orders,  decrees  or  rulings  of  every  court  and
Governmental  Body  (the  "Regulations")  and has  not  received  notice  of any
unremedied  violation of any Regulation,  except in each case for such instances
of  non-compliance  or violation as could not  reasonably  be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the business or financial  condition of the Purchaser
or on the transactions contemplated hereby.

          Section 5.06  Brokers.  The  Purchaser  has not  employed,  and is not
subject to any valid claim of, any broker, finder, investment banker, consultant
or other  intermediary in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement who will be entitled to a fee or  commission  in connection  with such
transactions.  The  Purchaser  is solely  responsible  for any  payment,  fee or
commission  that may be due to each  advisor,  if any,  in  connection  with the
transactions contemplated hereby.

          Section  5.07  Accuracy  of  Representations.   No  representation  or
warranty  made by the  Purchaser in this  Agreement or any document or statement
delivered,  or to be delivered, by or on behalf of the Purchaser pursuant hereto
contains  or, as of the Closing  Date,  will  contain any untrue  statement of a
material fact or omits or, as of the Closing Date, will omit to state a material
fact  necessary  to  make  the  statements   contained  herein  or  therein  not
misleading.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                CERTAIN COVENANTS

          Section 6.01 Best Efforts.  The parties  hereto will cooperate and use
their  mutual best  efforts to fulfill  the  conditions  precedent  to the other
party's  obligations  hereunder,  including  but not  limited  to,  securing  as
promptly as  practicable  any consents,  approvals,  waivers and  authorizations
required in connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and further
including taking all reasonable steps to consummate the Closing.

          Section 6.02 Further  Assurances.  At any time after the Closing Date,
the parties shall promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver any other assurances
or documents  reasonably  requested  by other  parties and  necessary  for other
parties to satisfy their respective obligations hereunder or obtain the benefits
contemplated hereby.

          Section 6.03  Confidentiality.  Each of the Stockholders hereby agrees
that it shall keep all  information  relating to the  Company and the  Purchaser
(including any such information  received prior to the date hereof) confidential
except  information  which (i) becomes known to such party from a source,  other
than the  Company  and the  Purchaser,  their  respective  directors,  officers,
employees, Representatives or outside advisors, which source is not obligated to
the  Company or the  Purchaser  to keep such  information  confidential  or (ii)
becomes generally available to the public through no breach of this Agreement by
any party  hereto.  Each of the  Stockholders  also agrees that such  non-public
information  will not be used by it or their  Representatives  either to compete
with the Company or the Purchaser or to conduct itself in a manner  inconsistent
with the antitrust laws of the United States or any state.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  the Stockholders may disclose non-public  information if required to
do so by a  court  of  competent  jurisdiction  or by any  governmental  agency;
provided,  however,  that prompt notice of such required  disclosure be given to
the Purchaser  prior to the making of such  disclosure so that the Purchaser may
seek a  protective  order or other  appropriate  remedy.  In the event that such
protective  order or other remedy is not obtained,  the party hereto required to
disclose the non-public  information  will disclose only that portion which such
party is advised by opinion of counsel is legally  required to be disclosed  and
will  request  that  confidential  treatment  be  accorded  such  portion of the
non-public information.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

          Section  7.01   Conditions  to  Obligations  of  the  Purchaser.   The
obligations of the Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement  shall be subject  to the  fulfillment  or waiver,  at or prior to the
Closing, of each of the following conditions:

          (a) Representations and Warranties; Covenants. The representations and
warranties of each of the Stockholders contained in this Agreement shall be true
and correct as of the Closing,  with the same force and effect as if made on and
as of the Closing Date, and all the covenants  contained in this Agreement to be
complied with by each of the  Stockholders,  on or before the Closing Date shall
have been complied with in all material  respects,  and the Purchaser shall have
received a certificate of each of the Stockholders to such effect;

          (b) No  Prohibition.  There shall not exist any temporary  restraining
order,  preliminary or permanent injunction,  final judgment,  law or regulation
prohibiting the consummation of this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated
hereby,  or, to the knowledge of any party, any pending or threatened  action by
any  Governmental  Body or private party  prohibiting or seeking to prohibit the
consummation of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby;

          (c) Stock Option Agreements.  Each Stockholder shall have entered into
a Non-Qualified  Stock Option Grant Agreement with the Purchaser; and

          (d)  Additional  Documents.  The  Purchaser  shall have  received such
additional documents,  certificates,  payments, assignments, transfers and other
deliveries as he or his counsel may  reasonably  request and as are customary to
effect a closing of the matters herein contemplated.

          Section  7.02  Conditions  to  Obligations  of  the  Stockholder.  The
obligations of the  Stockholder to consummate the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment or waiver, at or prior to the
Closing, of each of the following conditions:

          (a) Representations and Warranties; Covenants. The representations and
warranties  of the  Purchaser  contained  in this  Agreement  shall  be true and
correct as of the  Closing,  with the same force and effect as if made on and as
of the Closing Date,  and all the covenants and other  obligations  contained in
this  Agreement  to be complied  with by the  Purchaser on or before the Closing
Date shall have been complied with in all material respects;

          (b) No  Prohibition.  There shall not exist any temporary  restraining
order,  preliminary or permanent injunction,  final judgment,  law or regulation
prohibiting the consummation of this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated
hereby,  or, to the knowledge of any party, any pending or threatened  action by
any governmental  authority or private party  prohibiting or seeking to prohibit
the consummation of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby;

          (c) Stock Option Agreements.  Each Stockholder shall have entered into
a Non-Qualified  Stock Option Grant Agreement with the Purchaser; and

          (d) Additional  Documents.  The Stockholders  shall have received such
additional documents,  certificates,  payments, assignments, transfers and other
deliveries as his or her counsel may reasonably  request and as are customary to
effect a closing of the matters herein contemplated.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                           TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT

          Section 8.01 Methods of  Termination.  The  transactions  contemplated
herein may be terminated and/or abandoned at any time prior to the Closing:

          (a) by mutual written consent of the Purchaser and the Stockholders;

          (b) by the Purchaser or the  Stockholders  if any party has materially
breached any representation,  warranty, or covenant contained in this Agreement;
or

          (c) by the  Purchaser  or the  Stockholders  in the event any court or
governmental agency of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an order, decree
or  ruling  or taken  any  other  action  restraining,  enjoining  or  otherwise
prohibiting  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and such  order,  decree or
ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable.

          Section 8.02 Procedure Upon  Termination.  In the event of termination
and abandonment by the Purchaser or the  Stockholders,  pursuant to Section 8.1,
written  notice  thereof shall be given to the other party and the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement  shall be terminated  and/or  abandoned,  without
further  action  by  the  parties.  If the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
Agreement are terminated and/or abandoned as provided herein,  each party hereto
will  redeliver all  documents,  work papers and other  material (and all copies
thereof) of the other party relating to the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,
whether  so  obtained  before  or  after  the  execution  hereof,  to the  party
furnishing the same.

          Section 8.03 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of
this Agreement  pursuant to Section 8.1, this Agreement shall thereafter  become
void and have no  effect,  and no  party  hereto  shall  have any  liability  or
obligation to any other party hereto in respect of this  Agreement,  except that
the provisions of Article IX  (Miscellaneous)  and Section 8.3 shall survive any
such termination;  provided,  however,  that no party shall be released from any
liability  hereunder  if this  Agreement  is  terminated  and  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby abandoned by reason of (i) willful failure of such party to
perform its  obligations  hereunder or (ii) any  misrepresentation  made by such
party of any matter set forth herein.


<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

          Section 9.01  Specific  Performance.  It is expressly  understood  and
agreed that the material breach of any covenant contained in this Agreement will
result in  irreparable  injury to the other party and that  therefore such other
party shall be entitled to specific performance thereof.

          Section 9.02 Assignment.  No party to this Agreement may assign any of
its rights or obligation under this Agreement  without the prior written consent
of each other party hereto; provided, however, that the Purchaser may assign its
rights hereunder to any subsidiary of the Purchaser or Affiliate. Subject to the
foregoing,  this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective  successors and assigns, and no other Person
shall have any right, benefit or obligation hereunder.

          Section 9.03 Notices.  Unless otherwise  provided herein,  any notice,
request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party to the
other  parties  shall be in writing and  delivered in person or by courier or by
facsimile  transmission  as follows (or at such address or  facsimile  number of
which notice shall have been duly given in accordance with this Section 9.3):

                     If to the Purchaser:  American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.
                                           12 East 49th Street
                                           New York, NY 10017
                                           Facsimile: (212) 377-3269
                                           Attention: Michael Strauss

                          With a copy to:  Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
                                           100 Maiden Lane
                                           New York, NY 10038
                                           Facsimile: (212) 504-6666
                                           Attention: Louis J. Bevilacqua, Esq.

                  If to the Stockholders:  Marina Mortgage Company, Inc.
                                           15635 Alton Parkway, Suite 450
                                           Irvine, CA 92618
                                           Facsimile: (949) 753-7424
                                           Attention: c/o Richard Silver

                          With a copy to:  Babcock & Cappelli
                                           30131 Town Center Dr., #290
                                           Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
                                           Facsimile: (949)249-5709
                                           Attention:  Michael Cappelli, Esq.

or to such other place and with such other copies as either party may  designate
as to itself  by  written  notice to the  others.  Any  failure  by any party to
deliver  copies of any notice shall not, in itself,  affect the validity of such
notice if otherwise properly made to the other party.

          SECTION 9.04  CHOICE OF LAW.  THIS  AGREEMENT  SHALL  BE  CONSTRUED,
INTERPRETED AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS
OF THE  STATE OF NEW YORK,  WITHOUT  REGARD TO THE  CONFLICT  OF LAW  PRINCIPLES
THEREOF.

          Section 9.05  Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement
constitutes  the entire  agreement  among the parties  pertaining to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings,  negotiations
and  discussions,  whether  oral or  written,  of the  parties.  No  supplement,
modification  or waiver of this Agreement  shall be binding  unless  executed in
writing by all parties.  No waiver of any of the  provisions  of this  Agreement
shall be deemed or shall  constitute  a waiver  of any  other  provision  hereof
(whether or not similar),  nor shall such waiver  constitute a continuing waiver
unless otherwise expressly provided.

          Section 9.06  Counterparts.  This  Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original,  but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          Section  9.07  Invalidity.  In the  event  that any one or more of the
provisions  contained in this Agreement or in any other  instrument  referred to
herein,  shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid,  illegal or unenforceable
in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect
any other provision of this Agreement or any other such instrument.

          Section  9.08  Headings.  The  headings of the  Articles  and Sections
herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be
part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

          Section 9.09  Expenses.  Each of the parties hereto will be liable for
its own  costs  and  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with  the  negotiation,
preparation, execution or performance of this Agreement.

                [Remainder of the page intentionally left blank].

<PAGE>


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

                                   AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE
                                   HOLDINGS, INC.

                                   By:  /s/  Michael Strauss
                                      ----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Michael Strauss
                                       Title: President and CEO



                                      PATRICK JOHN HUBER

                                      /s/  Patrick John Huber
                                      ----------------------------------



                                      EMILIO NUNEZ

                                      /s/  Emilio Nunez
                                      ----------------------------------



                                      ROBERT CHARLES BOEHNLEIN

                                      /s/ Robert Charles Boehnlein
                                      ----------------------------------



                                      ALLEN CHARLES SCARPETTI

                                      /s/  Allen Charles Scarpetti
                                      ----------------------------------



                                      CHARLES MARIO DEMARTI

                                      /s/  Charles Mario DeMarti
                                      ----------------------------------



                      [FORMAN, RICHTER & RUBIN LETTERHEAD]


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
                          ----------------------------





        We consent to the use of our reports dated March 17, 1999, with respect
to the consolidated financial statements of Marina Mortgage Company, Inc. and
Subsidiary that are made a part of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

                                        /s/ FORMAN, RICHTER & RUBIN

                                        FORMAN, RICHTER & RUBIN
                                        AN ACCOUNTANCY CORPORATION

COVINA, CALIFORNIA
JANUARY 12, 2000





AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE IN MERGER AGREEMENT WITH MARINA
MORTGAGE CO. INC.

NEW YORK, December 30, 1999 -- American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:
AHMH - News), a leading online mortgage banker, today announced the merger with
Marina Mortgage Co. Inc. Marina Mortgage shareholders will receive 753,420
shares of American Home Holdings common stock and $2.5 million in cash over five
years. They also may receive additional consideration based on the financial
performance of the Marina business. The Company expects the merger with Marina
Mortgage Co. Inc. to be accretive to 2000 earnings and increase its loan
production 40 percent.

Based in Irvine, California, Marina Mortgage Co. Inc. is a significant retail
lender in important West Coast markets. It operates 14 branch offices in
California and Arizona and employs approximately 235 full time staff, including
104 sales personnel. Its business includes its Internet division, Consumer First
Mortgage. Marina was listed on Inc. Magazine's 1999 roster of "Fastest Growing
Privately Held Companies in America."

As a result of the merger, American Home Mortgage:

         --    Gains a fully operational  Internet call center on the West Coast
               to better fulfill the excess demand of its e-commerce partners;

         --    Increases its expected mortgage originations 40% and establishes
               itself as a significant independent lender in the California
               marketplace;

         --    Gains  economies  of  scale,  while  accomplishing  its  goal  of
               diversifying the geographic mix of its business.

Michael Strauss, Chairman, President and CEO, stated, "We believe the merger
with Marina Mortgage is an important opportunity for our company. Our
organizations share similar corporate cultures and philosophies. With Marina's
Internet call center, our MortgageSelect business will be able to service its
West Coast customers more effectively. MortgageSelect will also gain the
capability to fulfill the demand from our growing list of e-commerce partners
and from the growth in Internet mortgage lending." Mr. Strauss continued, "We
expect Marina's branch business will enhance our profitability by substantially
increasing our revenue and enabling us to realize economies of scale. I am proud
that Marina is one of the most respected and highly thought of lenders in the
community it serves."

John Johnston, Marina Mortgage's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "American Home
Mortgage is a perfect partner for our company. As a result of this merger, we
will have the financial and operational resources to enhance the growth of our
business. We will also be able to leverage American Home's technology
investment. Our Internet unit will work hand in hand with MortgageSelect.com's
national customer base while our branches will benefit from new and
better-priced products." Ron Bergum, Marina Mortgage's President, added, "Marina
and American Home share a common vision. We are committed to reaching customers
through our branch network and over the Internet and delivering excellent loan
products and services to those customers. Our combined resources better position
us to fulfill this mission."

American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc., (http://www.mortgageselect.com), based in
New York City, is one of the nation's leading mortgage banking firms. The
company was founded in 1988. MortgageSelect.com is the Internet direct
subsidiary of American Home Mortgage and is the only online mortgage bank
offering a multi-lender product selection directly to consumers.

This news release contains statements about future events and expectations,
which are "forward-looking statements." Any statement in this release that is
not a statement of historical fact may be deemed to be a forward-looking
statement. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the company's actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Specific factors that might cause such a difference include, but are
not limited to: the potential fluctuations in the company's operating results;
the company's potential need for additional capital, the direction of interest
rates and their subsequent effect on the company's business, federal and state
regulation of mortgage banking; the company's competition; the company's ability
to attract and retain skilled personnel; and those risks and uncertainties
discussed in filings made by the company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including those risks and uncertainties contained under the heading
"Risk Factors" in the company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.






                         MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC.
                                 AND SUBSIDIARY

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

                           December 31, 1998 and 1997

<PAGE>


                         MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC.
                                 AND SUBSIDIARY


                                    CONTENTS
                                    --------

                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----

Independent Auditors' Report                                               1

Consolidated Financial Statements

  Balance Sheet                                                            2

  Income and Retained Earnings                                             3

  Cash Flows                                                             4 - 5

  Notes                                                                  6 - 11

Additional Information

  Independent Auditors' Report on Additional Information                  12

  Statement of Income                                                   13 - 14

Auditors' Statement on Scope of Examination                               15


<PAGE>

                      [FORMAN, RICHTER & RUBIN LETTERHEAD]


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
                          ----------------------------

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC.
 AND SUBSIDIARY

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY,
INC., AND SUBSIDIARY, as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related
consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the
years then ended. 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 have conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatements. 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 MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC.,
AND SUBSIDIARY as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.



                                        /s/ FORMAN, RICHTER & RUBIN

                                        FORMAN, RICHTER & RUBIN
                                        AN ACCOUNTANCY CORPORATION

COVINA, CALIFORNIA
MARCH 17, 1999

<PAGE>


                 MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

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

                           DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

                                     ASSETS
                                     ------

                                                     (SEE NOTE 1)
                                                 1998            1997
                                                 ----            ----

Cash (Note 5)                                $ 1,949,802     $ 1,295,529
Mortgage loans held for sale (Note 3)
 net of allowance for REO losses of
 $450,000 in 1998 and $120,000 in 1997        37,384,201      41,362,221
Accounts receivable                              752,218         134,351
Advances                                         150,225         105,245
Prepaid expenses and deposits                    853,503         284,449
Fixed assets (Notes 1, 2 and 4)                1,057,226         703,048
                                             -----------     -----------

     TOTAL ASSETS                            $42,147,175     $43,884,843
                                             ===========     ===========

                                  LIABILITIES
                                  -----------
Accounts payable and accrued expenses        $ 2,544,522     $ 1,769,467
Warehouse lines of credit (Note 3)            35,858,560      38,949,355
Mortgage payable (Note 4)                         69,890          71,378
Deferred income                                  158,018         380,829
Impounds                                         264,783         167,043
Income taxes - currently payable                 115,585         132,602
                                             -----------     -----------

     TOTAL LIABILITIES                        39,011,358      41,470,674
                                             ===========     ===========

                              STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                              --------------------
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTED
Common stock, no par value, authorized
200,000 shares, issued and outstanding
 34,600 shares                                   180,000         180,000
Additional paid in capital                       914,681         914,681
Retained earnings                              2,041,136       1,319,488
                                             -----------     -----------

     TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                3,135,817       2,414,169
                                             -----------     -----------

     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
       EQUITY                                $42,147,175     $43,884,843
                                             ===========     ===========


                 THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS STATEMENT.

                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>


                 MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY

             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS

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

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

                                                           (SEE NOTE 1)
                                                       1998            1997
                                                       ----            ----

REVENUE
  Interest income                                 $  4,251,579    $  2,024,689
  Interest expense                                   3,963,345       1,945,499
                                                  ------------    ------------
     Net interest margin                               288,234          79,190

  Provision for loss REO losses                        330,000         105,000
                                                  ------------    ------------
     Net interest margin after provision for
     loss REO losses                                   (41,766)        (25,810)

  Loan origination fees                              1,162,110       1,440,602
  Gain on sale of mortgages, securities
     and others                                     10,111,714       6,840,361
  Service release premium                            7,681,218       3,930,782
  Appraisal, credit, document and
     miscellaneous fees, net                          (157,470)         96,599
                                                  ------------    ------------

     TOTAL REVENUES                                 18,755,806      12,282,534
                                                  ------------    ------------

EXPENSES
  Salaries, commissions and employee benefits       11,886,945       7,146,187
  Selling                                              870,751         694,866
  Occupancy                                          1,031,478         684,659
  General and administrative expenses                3,711,943       2,784,901
                                                  ------------    ------------

     TOTAL EXPENSES                                 17,501,117      11,310,613
                                                  ------------    ------------

     INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                      1,254,689         971,921

INCOME TAXES (NOTE 7)                                  533,041         397,710
                                                  ------------    ------------

     NET INCOME                                        721,648         574,211

RETAINED EARNINGS, beginning of year                 1,319,488         745,277
                                                  ------------    ------------

     TOTAL RETAINED EARNINGS                      $  2,041,136    $  1,319,488
                                                  ============    ============


                 THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS STATEMENT.

                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>


                 MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

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

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

                                                           (SEE NOTE 1)
                                                        1998           1997
                                                        ----           ----

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income                                         $    721,648   $    574,211
Adjustments to reconcile net income
  to net cash from operations:
     Depreciation and amortization                      334,255        258,183
     Provision for REO losses                           330,000        105,000
     (Increase) decrease in mortgage loans
       held for sale                                  3,648,020    (25,439,972)
     (Increase) in accounts receivable                 (617,867)      (120,966)
     (Increase) in advances                             (44,980)       (72,377)
     (Increase) in prepaid expenses
       and deposits                                    (569,054)      (126,787)
     Increase in accounts payable and
       accrued expenses                                 775,055      1,264,518
     Increase (decrease) in warehouse lines
       of credit                                     (3,090,795)    24,179,762
     (Decrease) in mortgage payable                      (1,488)          (426)
     Increase (decrease) in deferred income            (222,811)       362,259
     Increase (decrease) in impounds                     97,740        (49,585)
     Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable        (17,017)       146,497
                                                   ------------   ------------

          NET CASH PROVIDED BY
            OPERATING ACTIVITIES                   $  1,342,706   $  1,080,317
                                                   ============   ============


                 THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS STATEMENT.

                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>


                 MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY

                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONT.)

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

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

                                                   (SEE NOTE 1)
                                              1998             1997
                                              ----             ----

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Purchase of fixed assets                $  (688,433)     $  (482,408)
  Proceeds from second trust deeds                 --          199,529
                                          -----------      -----------

     CASH (USED) BY
     INVESTING ACTIVITIES                    (688,433)        (282,879)
                                          -----------      -----------

     NET INCREASE IN CASH                     654,273          797,438

Cash balance, - beginning of the year       1,295,529          498,091
                                          -----------      -----------

     CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENT,
     END OF YEAR                          $ 1,949,802      $ 1,295,529
                                          ===========      ===========

               SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

Cash paid during the years for:

  Interest                                $ 4,024,898      $ 1,727,649
  Income taxes                            $   549,615      $   251,213


                 THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS STATEMENT.

                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>


                  MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

 1.  ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
     ------------------------------------------------

     MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND MARINA INSURANCE SERVICES, INC., a
     wholly owned subsidiary, are California Corporations formed September 22,
     1987 and February 19, 1997, respectively. MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., is
     engaged in origination, marketing and servicing of mortgage loans. The
     Company is approved by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development,
     FANNIE MAE, FREDDIE MAC and various other investors as a seller/servicer of
     mortgage loans. MARINA INSURANCE SERVICES, INC., was organized for the
     purpose of engaging in soliciting life and disability insurance policies.
     This wholly owned subsidiary has been dormant since its inception.

     The Company conducts their business primarily in the general area of
     California and has authorization to conduct business in various other
     states.

     THE SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES FOLLOWED BY THE COMPANY ARE SUMMARIZED
     BELOW:

     DEPRECIATION OF FIXED ASSETS - Depreciation of office furniture and
     equipment is computed by the accelerated and straight-line methods over
     useful lives of 3 - 7 years. Depreciation of leasehold improvements is
     computed by the straight-line method over useful lives of 7 years.
     Depreciation of rental property is computed by the straight-line method
     over useful lives of 27.5 years.

     CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENT - For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the
     Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an initial
     maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalent.

     GAIN ON SALE OF MORTGAGES - The Company has realized gains and losses from
     changing financial conditions (principally fluctuating interest rates)
     between the dates of loan origination and sale. Gains are recognized at the
     time of sale of the subject loan to the investor and losses are recognized
     as anticipated, based on prevailing interest rates and investor commitments
     to purchase such loans.

     MORTGAGE LOANS HELD FOR SALE - Mortgage loans held for sale are stated at
     the lower of cost or market determined on an aggregate basis.

     Nonrefundable fees and direct costs associated with the origination of
     mortgage loans are deferred and recognized when the loans are sold.


                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>


                  MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997


 1.  ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT.)
     -------------------------------------------------------

     COMMITMENT FEES - The Company paid and received certain commitment fees
     during the period to guarantee the funding of mortgage loans. Such fees are
     deferred and recognized as the loans are funded or when the commitment
     expires.

     USE OF ESTIMATES - Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing
     financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
     principles. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of
     assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities
     and the reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could vary from the
     estimates that were utilized in preparing the financial statements.

2.  FIXED ASSETS
    ------------

                                                    1998               1997
    Fixed assets consist of the following:          ----               ----
      COST
         Office furniture & equipment           $ 2,009,799         $ 1,346,497
         Leasehold Improvements                      25,131                  --
         Rental Property                            100,500             100,500
                                                -----------          ----------
                  TOTAL COST                      2,135,430           1,446,997

       Accumulated depreciation                   1,078,204             743,949
                                                -----------          ----------

                  NET FIXED ASSETS              $ 1,057,226             703,048
                                                -----------          ----------

The depreciation policies followed by the Company are described in Note (1).

The rental property secures a trust deed further described in Note (4).


                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>


                  MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997


3.  WAREHOUSE LINES OF CREDIT
    -------------------------

    As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company has two lines of credit with
    financial institutions, secured by mortgage loans held for sale.

    The first line of credit permits the Company to borrow a maximum of
    $30,000,000 and $20,000,000 at December 31,1998 and 1997, respectively at
    FED plus 1.75%. Interest is due monthly. As of December 31, 1998 and 1997,
    there was $25,446,594 and $17,441,565 outstanding, respectively. The Company
    is required to maintain the following financial conditions: Minimum tangible
    net worth of $2,400,000, and current ratio to be at least 1.1 to 1 and
    leverage ratio not to exceed 20.0 to 1.0.

    The second line of credit permits the Company to borrow a maximum of
    $25,000,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, at a rate of
    commercial paper plus 2%. Interest is payable monthly. As of December 31,
    1998 and 1997 there was $10,411,966 and $21,507,790 outstanding. The Company
    is required to maintain the following financial conditions: Minimum tangible
    net worth $1,500,000; and Leverage ratio 17:1.

4.  MORTGAGE PAYABLE
    ----------------

    Mortgage payable, secured by real estate investments, (rented property), due
    in monthly installments of $419 for principal and interest payable at a
    variable interest rate.


                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>


                  MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997


5.  LEASE COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
    -----------------------------------

    The following is a schedule of future minimum least payments (for leases
    with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year) as of December 31,
    1998:

           1999                                       $   611,582
           2000                                           448,755
           2001                                           234,514
           2002                                           728,671
           2003                                            12,122
                                                      -----------
               TOTAL                                  $ 2,035,644
                                                      ===========


    The Company is responsible for taxes, maintenance, and insurance. Total rent
    expense under leases with a term in excess of one month was $990,994 and
    $646,680 in 1998 and 1997 respectively. The Company has an option to renew
    an office lease upon expiration at fair market value.

    As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company has deposits in a bank, which
    exceeded the FDIC insured limit of $100,000.

    The Company is subject to various claims and legal proceedings arising out
    of the normal course of business, none of which, in the opinion of
    management, is expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial
    position.

6.  COMPENSATED ABSENCES
    --------------------

    The Company provides paid time off to employees depending on length of
    service and other factors. The Company's is to accrue the cost of such
    compensated absences. As of December 31, 1998 and 1997 accrued paid time off
    was $152,010 and $103,221, respectively, which is included as a component of
    accounts payable and accrued expenses.


                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>


                  MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997



7.  INCOME TAXES
    ------------

    The provision for income taxes consist of the following:

                                               1998             1997
                                               ----             ----

            Federal                        $  394,707        $  310,370
            State - net of $-0- and $9,814
             Los Angeles Revitalization
            Zone tax credit                   130,944            87,340
            Other states                        7,390                 -
                                             --------         ---------

              TOTAL INCOME TAXES            $ 533,041           397,710
                                            =========         =========

8.  PROFIT SHARING PLAN
    -------------------

    The Company has a 401(k) profit-sharing plan covering substantially all of
    its full-time employees. Payments under a contributory plan are administered
    by an independent trustee for the benefit of participating employees. In
    addition, the Company can contribute to the employees 401(k) plan a maximum
    of the employee contribution. Employers' contributions for the years ended
    December 31, 1998 and 1997 were $97,000 and $80,000, respectively.

9.  LOAN SERVICING
    --------------

    Mortgage loans serviced aggregated approximately $226,551 and $543,184 at
    December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

    These loans are serviced by an independent contractor pursuant to a loan
    sub-servicing agreement between the independent contractor and the Company.
    The independent contractor was audited by other auditors on all loans they
    service. The Company complied with all the requirements of the Uniform
    Single Audit Program for Mortgage Bankers.

    Escrow funds are held in trust for mortgages at various financial
    institutions and are not included in the accompanying balance sheet.

    At December 31, 1998 and 1997 the Company has errors and omissions insurance
    coverage in the amount of $3,000,000.


                                      - 10 -

<PAGE>


                  MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

10.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT RISK
     -------------------------

     The Company is obligated to repurchase mortgage loans if an investor
     determines that a borrower, or the property, did not meet certain financial
     criteria that have been preestablished for each type of loan. Management
     intends to resell these loans at a discount. However, if a repurchased loan
     is or becomes non-performing the Company would have the right to foreclose
     and resell the property.

11.  IMPACT OF YEAR 2000 (UNAUDITED)
     -------------------------------

     During 1998, the Company addressed the potential problem that could impact
     users of automated information systems. Many computer systems process
     transactions based on the last two digits of the year of transactions,
     rather than all four digits. These computer systems may not operate
     properly when the last two digits of the year become "00," as will occur on
     January 1, 2000. The problem could affect a wide variety of automated
     systems, such as mainframe applications, personal computers, communications
     systems, environmental systems, and other information systems.

     The Company identified areas of operations critical to the delivery of its
     products and services and has made necessary changes to its computer
     equipment and software. The majority of the programs/applications used in
     the Company's operations are purchased from outside vendors. The vendors
     providing the software are responsible for maintenance of the systems and
     modifications to enable uninterrupted usage after December 31, 1999. The
     Company implemented a program to test all systems during 1998, and
     anticipates that it will be fully compliant prior to December 31, 1999.
     Furthermore, the Company has identified potential problems by performing an
     inventory of all software applications and is in process of obtaining
     certification of compliance from third parties, and testing all of the
     impacted applications. Contingency plans, if any are needed, will be
     developed during o 1999 to address potential problems that are identified.
     The Company's plan includes reviewing any potential risks associated with
     the loan and investment portfolios due to the Year 2000 issue and be fully
     complaint before the end of the year.

     Based on currently available information, management does not anticipate
     that the costs to address the Year 2000 issues will have a materially
     adverse impact on the Company's financial condition or results of
     operations.


                                      - 11 -
<PAGE>


                      [FORMAN, RICHTER & RUBIN LETTERHEAD]


             INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT ON ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
             ------------------------------------------------------


TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY


Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The information that follows on pages
13 - 14 is presented for the purposes of additional analysis and is not a
required part of the basic financial statements. Such information has been
subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial
statements and, in our opinion, the information is fairly stated in all material
respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.


                                        /s/ FORMAN, RICHTER & RUBIN

                                        FORMAN, RICHTER & RUBIN
                                        AN ACCOUNTANCY CORPORATION

MARCH 17, 1999
COVINA, CALIFORNIA

<PAGE>


                 MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY

           ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

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

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997


                               OPERATING EXPENSES
                               ------------------


                                         1998                 1997
                                         ----                 ----

PAYROLL
   Salaries and commissions          $10,517,225          $ 6,286,522
   Payroll taxes                       1,176,852              806,737
   Employee welfare                      192,868               52,928
                                     -----------          -----------

      TOTAL PAYROLL                   11,886,945            7,146,187
                                     -----------          -----------

SELLING
   Advertising                           683,025              556,646
   Auto                                  150,893               92,230
   Meetings and seminars                  36,833               45,990
                                     -----------          -----------

      TOTAL SELLING                      870,751              694,866
                                     -----------          -----------

OCCUPANCY
   Rent                                  990,994              646,680
   Repairs                                17,335               16,975
   Storage                                12,599                8,616
   Utilities                              10,550               12,388
                                     -----------          -----------

      TOTAL OCCUPANCY                $ 1,031,478          $   684,659
                                     ===========          ===========



           SEE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT ON ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>


                 MARINA MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., AND SUBSIDIARY

           ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

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

                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997


                                           1998                 1997
                                           ----                 ----

OTHER EXPENSES
  Computer supplies                    $    96,305          $    26,853
  Contributions                                650                  713
  Depreciation                             334,255              258,183
  Dues and subscriptions                    27,733               62,734
  Entertainment and promotion               64,055               27,076
  Equipment rent                           211,407              156,291
  Equipment repairs                         53,955               33,160
  Insurance - health                       328,570              279,888
  Insurance - other                        103,713               69,391
  Office supplies                          410,345              312,175
  Other                                         --               15,174
  Outside services                         163,676               88,759
  Postage and delivery                     581,432              430,692
  Printing                                 173,370              210,536
  Professional fees                         74,037               34,356
  Profit sharing                            97,000               80,000
  Rental expense, net                          606                2,702
  REO expenses                               5,748               10,008
  Taxes and licenses                        63,669               43,748
  Telephone and pagers                     793,499              611,687
  Travel                                   127,918               30,775
                                       -----------          -----------

     TOTAL OTHER EXPENSES                3,711,943            2,784,901
                                       -----------          -----------

     TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES          $17,501,117          $11,310,613
                                       ===========          ===========


           SEE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT ON ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>


                  AUDITORS' STATEMENT ON SCOPE OF EXAMINATION


The scope of our examination included all generally accepted auditing procedures
considered by us to be necessary in relation to our evaluation of internal
control. Information as to scope, with respect to certain items as required by
various agencies and investors, is provided as follows:

CASH AND ESCROW FUND
- --------------------

All of the Company's operating bank accounts were satisfactorily reconciled with
the account records maintained by the Company. All such bank accounts were
confirmed directly by banks, and detail was compared with "cut-off" statements
of a date subsequent to that of the latest available statements as of our audit.

MORTGAGE LOANS HELD FOR SALE
- ----------------------------

Details of mortgage loans held for sale were reconciled with controls and
individually matched with liabilities as confirmed by respective banks.

GENERAL
- -------

All other recorded assets and liabilities were determined by generally accepted
accounting principles, and tests were made to determine the nature and extent of
any material unrecorded or over-recorded items. Any such items have been
adjusted in the accompanying statements and are being recorded in the books of
account.

Income and expense accounts were reviewed and the general propriety of
classification were determined. The Company's accounts follow classification
recommended by Mortgage Bankers' Association of America.

LOAN SERVICING
- --------------

The Company services loans aggregating approximately $226,551 and $543,184 at
December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. These loans were serviced under sub
servicing agreements between independent contractors and the Company. We
conducted tests in all areas of loan servicing. The audits were conducted in
accordance with the requirements of the Uniform Single Audit Program for
Mortgage Bankers. Our opinion concludes that the Company complied with all
requirements.


                                     - 15 -




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