GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORP
8-K, 1997-01-13
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
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<PAGE>
 
                      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):  December 27, 1996



                       GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                     as originator of Home Improvement and
                         Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




          Delaware                  33-64183                 41-1859796
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction      (Commission               (IRS employer
     of incorporation)            file number)           identification No.)



1100 Landmark Towers, 345 St. Peter Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota  55102-1639
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Address of principal executive offices)


    Registrant's telephone number, including area code:     (612) 293-3400
                                                          -------------------


 
                                                          
                                Not Applicable
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
<PAGE>
 
Item 1.   Changes in Control of Registrant.

          Not applicable.

Item 2.   Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

          Not applicable.

Item 3.   Bankruptcy or Receivership.

          Not applicable.

Item 4.   Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.

          Not applicable.

Item 5.   Other Events.

          On December 27, 1996, the Registrant sold approximately $478,000,000
          of Certificates for Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans, Series
          1996-F (the "Certificates"), evidencing beneficial ownership
          interests in Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F (the
          "Trust").  The Trust property consists primarily of a pool of home
          improvement contracts and promissory notes (the "Contracts"),
          including the right to receive payments due on the Home Improvement
          Contracts on and after December 1, 1996 (or the date of origination
          thereof, if later) and payments received on the Home Equity Contracts
          on and after the Cut-off Date.

Item 6.   Resignations of Registrant's Directors.

          Not applicable.

Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

          (a)  Financial statements of businesses acquired.

               Not applicable.

          (b)  Pro forma financial information.

               Not applicable.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          (c)  Exhibits.

               The following is filed herewith.  The exhibit numbers correspond
               with Item 601(b) of Regulation S-K.



               Exhibit No.     Description
               -----------     -----------

                   4.1         Pooling and Servicing Agreement between Green
                               Tree Financial Corporation, as Seller and
                               Servicer, and First Trust National Association,
                               as Trustee, dated as of December 1, 1996 (without
                               Exhibits O-1, O-2 and P) creating a trust
                               entitled Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan
                               Trust 1996-F.


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

                                       GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                                          as originator of Home Improvement
                                          and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F


                                       By:
                                          ---------------------------------
                                          Joel H. Gottesman
                                          Senior Vice President, General Counsel
                                          and Secretary

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS



Exhibit Number                                                  Page
- --------------                                                  ----

4.1       Pooling and Servicing Agreement between Green 
          Tree Financial Corporation, as Seller and Servicer, 
          and First Trust National Association, as Trustee, 
          dated as of December 1, 1996 (without Exhibits O-1, 
          O-2 and P) creating a trust entitled Home Improvement 
          and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F.

                                       4

<PAGE>

                                                                       CONFORMED
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Certificates for Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans
                                 Series 1996-F



                        POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT

                                    between

                       GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                              Seller and Servicer

                                      and

                       FIRST TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
             not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee
                                      of

              HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 1996-F

                         Dated as of December 1, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  Definitions
<S>                                                                             <C>
Section 1.01.   General......................................................    1-1
Section 1.02.   Specific Terms...............................................    1-1

                                  ARTICLE II
                 Establishment of Trust; Transfer of Contracts

Section 2.01.   Closing......................................................    2-1
Section 2.02.   Conditions to the Closing....................................    2-2
Section 2.03.   Acceptance by Trustee........................................    2-3
Section 2.04.   REMIC Provisions.............................................    2-3

                                  ARTICLE III
                        Representations and Warranties

Section 3.01.   Representations and Warranties Regarding the
                    Company..................................................    3-1
Section 3.02.   Representations and Warranties Regarding Each
                    Contract.................................................    3-2
Section 3.03.   Representations and Warranties Regarding the
                    Contracts in the Aggregate...............................    3-5
Section 3.04.   Representations and Warranties Regarding the
                    Contract Files...........................................    3-6
Section 3.05.   Repurchases of, or Substitutions for, Contracts for Breach of
                Representations and Warranties...............................    3-6
Section 3.06.   No Repurchase Under Certain Circumstances....................    3-7

                                  ARTICLE IV
          Perfection of Transfer and Protection of Security Interests

Section 4.01.   Transfer of Contracts........................................    4-1
Section 4.02.   Costs and Expenses...........................................    4-1

                                   ARTICLE V
                            Servicing of Contracts

Section 5.01.   Responsibility for Contract Administration...................    5-1
Section 5.02.   Standard of Care.............................................    5-1
Section 5.03.   Records......................................................    5-1
Section 5.04.   Inspection...................................................    5-1
Section 5.05.   Certificate Account..........................................    5-2
Section 5.06.   Enforcement..................................................    5-4
Section 5.07.   Trustee to Cooperate.........................................    5-6
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 

Section 5.08.     Costs and Expenses....................................    5-7
Section 5.09.     Maintenance of Insurance..............................    5-7
Section 5.10.     Merger or Consolidation of Servicer...................    5-8
 
                                  ARTICLE VI
                            Reports and Tax Matters
 
Section 6.01.     Monthly Reports.......................................    6-1
Section 6.02.     Officer's Certificate.................................    6-1
Section 6.03.     Other Data............................................    6-2
Section 6.04.     Annual Report of Accountants..........................    6-2
Section 6.05.     Statements to Certificateholders and the Class C
                       Certificateholder................................    6-2
Section 6.06.     Payment of Taxes......................................   6-10
 
                                  ARTICLE VII
                               Service Transfer
 
Section 7.01.     Events of Termination.................................    7-1
Section 7.02.     Transfer..............................................    7-2
Section 7.03.     Trustee to Act; Appointment of Successor..............    7-2
Section 7.04.     Notification to Certificateholders and the Class C
                       Certificateholder................................    7-3
Section 7.05.     Effect of Transfer....................................    7-3
Section 7.06.     Transfer of Certificate Account.......................    7-4
                                                   
                                 ARTICLE VIII
                                   Payments
                                                   
Section 8.01.     Monthly Payments......................................    8-1
Section 8.02.     Advances..............................................    8-2
Section 8.03.     Limited Guaranties....................................    8-2
Section 8.04.     Permitted Withdrawals from the Certificate
                      Account; Payments.................................    8-3
Section 8.05.     Reassignment of Repurchased Contracts.................    8-7
Section 8.06.     Servicer's Purchase Option............................    8-8
Section 8.07.     Excess Proceeds Account...............................   8-16
                                                   
                                  ARTICLE IX
                 The Certificates and the Class C Certificate
                                                   
Section 9.01.     The Certificates and the Class C Certificate..........    9-1
Section 9.02.     Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Certificates
                       and the Class C Certificate......................    9-2
Section 9.03.     No Charge; Disposition of Void Certificates
                       or Class C Certificate...........................    9-5


                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
Section 9.04.    Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates
                     or Class C Certificate............................    9-6
Section 9.05.    Persons Deemed Owners.................................    9-6
Section 9.06.    Access to List of Certificateholders' and Class C
                     Certificateholders' Names and Addresses...........    9-6
Section 9.07.    Authenticating Agents.................................    9-7
 
                                   ARTICLE X
                                  Indemnities
 
Section 10.01.   Real Estate...........................................   10-1
Section 10.02.   Liabilities to Obligors...............................   10-1
Section 10.03.   Tax Indemnification...................................   10-1
Section 10.04.   Servicer's Indemnities................................   10-1
Section 10.05.   Operation of Indemnities..............................   10-2
Section 10.06.   REMIC Tax Matters.....................................   10-2
 
                                  ARTICLE XI
                                  The Trustee
 
Section 11.01.   Duties of Trustee.....................................   11-1
Section 11.02.   Certain Matters Affecting the Trustee.................   11-2
Section 11.03.   Trustee Not Liable for Certificates,
                     the Class C Certificate or Contracts..............   11-3
Section 11.04.   Trustee May Own Certificates..........................   11-3
Section 11.05.   Rights of Certificateholders to Direct Trustee and to
                     Waive Events of Termination.......................   11-4
Section 11.06.   The Servicer to Pay Trustee's Fees and Expenses.......   11-4
Section 11.07.   Eligibility Requirements for Trustee..................   11-5
Section 11.08.   Resignation or Removal of Trustee.....................   11-5
Section 11.09.   Successor Trustee.....................................   11-6
Section 11.10.   Merger or Consolidation of Trustee....................   11-7
Section 11.11.   Tax Returns...........................................   11-7
Section 11.12.   Obligor Claims........................................   11-7
Section 11.13.   Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee.........   11-8
Section 11.14.   Certain Matters Relating to FHA Insurance.............   11-9
Section 11.15.   The Trustee and First Bank System, Inc................   11-9
Section 11.16    Trustee Advances......................................  11-10
 
                                  ARTICLE XII
                                 Miscellaneous
 
Section 12.01.   Servicer Not to Resign; Delegation of Servicing Duties   12-1
Section 12.02.   Company Not to Engage in Certain Transactions with
                    Respect to the Trust...............................   12-1
Section 12.03.   Maintenance of Office or Agency.......................   12-1


                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
Section 12.04.  Termination...........................................   12-1
Section 12.05.  Acts of Certificateholders and the Class C
                  Certificateholder...................................   12-4
Section 12.06.  Calculations..........................................   12-5
Section 12.07.  Assignment or Delegation by Company...................   12-5
Section 12.08.  Amendment.............................................   12-5
Section 12.09.  Notices...............................................   12-7
Section 12.10.  Merger and Integration................................   12-8
Section 12.11.  Headings..............................................   12-8
Section 12.12.  Governing Law.........................................   12-8


Testimonium...........................................................   12-9



Exhibit A.      Form of Class HI: A Certificate.......................    A-1
Exhibit B.      Form of Class HI: M Certificate.......................    B-1
Exhibit C.      Form of Class HI: B Certificate.......................    C-1
Exhibit D.      Form of Class HE: A Certificate.......................    D-1
Exhibit E.      Form of Class HE: M Certificate.......................    E-1
Exhibit F.      Form of Class HE: B Certificate.......................    F-1
Exhibit G.      Form of Assignment....................................    G-1
Exhibit H.      Certificate of Officer................................    H-1
Exhibit I.      Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Company............    I-1
Exhibit J.      Form of Trustee's Acknowledgement.....................    J-1
Exhibit K.      Certificate of Servicing Officer......................    K-1
Exhibit L.      Form of Class C Certificate...........................    L-1
Exhibit M-1.    Certificate Regarding Repurchased Contracts...........  M-1-1
Exhibit M-2.    Form of Certificate Regarding Substituted Contracts...  M-2-1
Exhibit N.      Form of Representation Letter.........................    N-1
Exhibit O-1.    List of Home Improvement Contracts....................    O-1
Exhibit O-2.    List of Home Equity Contracts.........................    O-2
Exhibit P.      List of FHA-Insured Contracts.........................    P-1
Exhibit Q.      Monthly Report........................................    Q-1


                                     -iv-
<PAGE>
 
     AGREEMENT, dated as of December 1, 1996, between Green Tree Financial
Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, as Seller and Servicer (the "Company"), and First Trust National
Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the
laws of the United States, not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee
(the "Trustee") of Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F (the
"Trust").
 
     WHEREAS, in the regular course of its business, the Company purchases,
originates and services home improvement contracts and promissory notes, which
contracts and notes provide for installment payments by or on behalf of the
purchaser of the home improvements and grant mortgages, deeds of trust or
security deeds on the real estate that is the subject of a home improvement;
 
     WHEREAS, in the regular course of its business, the Company purchases,
originates and services home equity loans, which loans provide for installment
payments by or on behalf of the borrower and grant mortgages, deeds of trust or
security deeds on certain real estate securing such loans;
 
     WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee have agreed to establish the Trust;
 
     WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee wish to set forth the terms and
conditions pursuant to which the Trust, on behalf of the "Certificateholders"
and the "Class C Certificateholder," as hereinafter defined, will acquire the
"Contracts," as hereinafter defined, and the Company will manage and service the
Contracts;
 
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
hereinafter set forth, the Company and the Trustee agree as provided herein:
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

     SECTION 1.01.  General.

     For the purpose of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Article
include the plural as well as the singular, the words "herein," "hereof" and
"hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole
and not to any particular article, section or other subdivision, and Section
references refer to Sections of the Agreement.
 
     SECTION 1.02.  Specific Terms.
 
     "Advance" means, with respect to any Payment Date, the amounts, if any,
deposited by the Servicer or the Trustee, as applicable, in the Certificate
Account for such Payment Date pursuant to Section 8.02.
 
     "Advance Payment" means any payment by an Obligor in advance of the Due
Period in which it would be due under such Contract and which payment is not a
Principal Prepayment.
 
     "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person controlling or
controlled by or under common control with such specified Person.  For the
purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified
Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person,
directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" or "controlled" have meanings
correlative to the foregoing.
 
     "Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance" means the sum of the Sub-Pool HI
Certificate Principal Balance and the Sub-Pool HE Certificate Principal Balance.
 
     "Agreement" means this Pooling and Servicing Agreement.
 
     "Amount Held for Future Distribution" means, as to any Payment Date, (1)
with respect to the Home Improvement Contracts, the total of the amounts held in
the Certificate Account in respect of the Home Improvement Contracts on the last
day of the preceding Due Period on account of Advance Payments on the Home
Improvement Contracts in respect of such Due Period and (2) with respect to the
Home Equity Contracts, the total of the amounts held in the Certificate Account
in respect of the Home Equity Contracts on the last day of the preceding Due
Period on account of Advance Payments on the Home Equity Contracts in respect of
such Due Period.


                                      1-1
<PAGE>
 
     "Applicants" has the meaning assigned in Section 9.06.
 
     "Authenticating Agent" means any authenticating agent appointed pursuant to
Section 9.07.

     "Balloon Loan" means a Home Equity Contract that provides for the payment
of the unamortized principal balance of such Contract in a single payment at the
maturity of such Contract that is greater than the preceding monthly payment.
 
     "Book-Entry Certificate" means any Certificate registered in the name of
the Depository or its nominee, ownership of which is reflected on the books of
the Depository or on the books of a person maintaining an account with such
Depository (directly or as an indirect participant in accordance with the rules
of such Depository).
 
     "Business Day" means any day other than (a) a Saturday or a Sunday, or (b)
another day on which banking institutions in the city in which the Person taking
action hereunder are authorized or obligated by law, executive order, or
governmental decree to be closed.
 
     "Certificate" means a Sub-Pool HI Certificate or a Sub-Pool HE Certificate.
 
     "Certificate Account" means a separate trust account created and maintained
pursuant to Section 5.05 in the name of the Trust in an Eligible Institution.
 
     "Certificate Owner" means the person who is the beneficial owner of a Book-
Entry Certificate or, if Definitive Certificates have been issued,
Certificateholders.
 
     "Certificate Register" means the register maintained pursuant to Section
9.02.
 
     "Certificate Registrar" or "Registrar" means the registrar appointed
pursuant to Section 9.02.

     "Certificateholder" or "Holder" means the person in whose name a
Certificate is registered on the Certificate Register, except that, solely for
the purposes of giving any consent, waiver, request or demand pursuant to this
Agreement, any Certificate registered in the name of the Company or any
Affiliate shall be deemed not to be outstanding and the Percentage Interest
evidenced thereby shall not be taken into account in determining whether the
requisite Percentage Interest necessary to effect any such consent, request,
waiver or demand has been obtained; provided, however, that, solely for the
purpose of determining whether the Trustee is entitled to rely upon any such
consent, waiver, request or demand, only Certificates which the Trustee knows to
be so owned shall be so disregarded.
 

                                      1-2
<PAGE>
 
     "Class," "Class HI: A," "Class HI: M," "Class HI: B," "Class HE: A," "Class
HE: M," "Class HE: B," or "Class C" means pertaining to Class HI: A
Certificates, Class HI: M Certificates, Class HI: B Certificates, Class HE: A
Certificates, Class HE: M Certificates, Class HE: B Certificates, and/or the
Class C Certificate, as the case may be.

     "Class C Certificate" means a certificate for Home Improvement and Home
Equity Loans, Series 1996-F, bearing the designation Class C, executed and
delivered by the Trustee substantially in the form of Exhibit L, and evidencing
an interest designated as a "residual interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.

     "Class C Certificateholder" means the person in whose name a Class C
Certificate is registered on the Certificate Register.

     "Class C Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, the amounts,
if any, distributable in respect of the Class C Certificate pursuant to Sections
8.04(b) and (d).
 
     "Class HE: A Certificates" means the Class HE: A-1, Class HE: A-2, Class
HE:  A-3, Class HE: A-4 and Class HE: A-5 Certificates, collectively.
 
     "Class HE: A Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, the lesser
of (a) the Sub-Pool HE Amount Available and (b) the Class HE: A Formula
Distribution Amount; provided that, after the Fifth Cross-over date, the Class
HE: A Distribution Amount shall be zero.
 
     "Class HE: A Formula Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, an
amount equal to the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to the first Payment
Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but excluding January 15,
1997) at (1) the Class HE: A-1 Pass-Through Rate on the Class HE: A-1 Principal
Balance, (2) the Class HE: A-2 Pass-Through Rate on the Class HE: A-2 Principal
Balance, (3) the Class HE: A-3 Pass-Through Rate on the Class HE: A-3 Principal
Balance, (4) the Class HE: A-4 Pass-Through Rate on the Class HE: A-4 Principal
Balance, and (5) the Class HE: A-5 Pass-Through Rate on the Class HE: A-5
Principal Balance, in each case to be calculated immediately prior to such
Payment Date on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve thirty-day months, (b) the
aggregate of the Unpaid Class HE: A Interest Shortfalls, if any, with respect to
each Class of Class HE: A Certificates, and (c)(i) if there is no Class HE: A
Liquidation Loss Principal Amount as to such Payment Date, the Sub-Pool HE
Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount, or
(ii) if there is a Class HE: A Liquidation Loss Principal Amount as to such
Payment Date, the amount determined in accordance with Section 8.04(d)(3)(i);
provided, however, that the aggregate of all amounts distributed for all Payment
Dates pursuant to clause (c) shall not exceed the sum of the Original Class HE:
A-l Principal Balance, the Original Class HE: A-2 Principal Balance, the
Original Class HE: A-3 Principal Balance, the Original Class HE: A-4 Principal
Balance and the Original Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance.
 
                                      1-3
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HE: A Formula Interest Distribution Amount" means, as to each Class
of Class HE: A Certificates and any Payment Date, the sum of (a) the amount
specified in clause (a)(1), (2), (3),  (4) or (5), as appropriate, of the
definition of the term "Class HE: A Formula Distribution Amount" and (2) the
Unpaid Class HE: A Interest Shortfall, if any, with respect to such Class.

     "Class HE: A Interest Shortfall" means, as to each Class of Class HE: A
Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if any, by which the Class HE: A
Formula Interest Distribution Amount for such Class exceeds the amount
distributed to Holders of such Class on such Payment Date pursuant to
Section 8.04(d)(2).

     "Class HE: A Liquidation Loss Principal Amount" means, as to any Payment
Date, the amount, if any, by which the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-
Pool HE is less than the Class HE: A Principal Balance.

     "Class HE: A Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of
the Class HE: A-1 Principal Balance, the Class HE: A-2 Principal Balance, the
Class HE: A-3 Principal Balance, the Class HE: A-4 Principal Balance and the
Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance.
 
     "Class HE: A-1 Certificate" means any one of the Class HE: A-1 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit D and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.
 
     "Class HE: A-1 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, that
portion of the Class HE: A Distribution Amount to be distributed to the Class
HE: A-1 Certificateholders pursuant to Section 8.04(d) on such Payment Date.
 
     "Class HE: A-1 Pass-Through Rate" means 6.10% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Class HE: A-1 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HE: A-1 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HE: A-1 Certificates in respect of principal.
 
     "Class HE: A-2 Certificate" means any one of the Class HE: A-2 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit D and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.
 
     "Class HE: A-2 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, that
portion of the Class HE: A Distribution Amount to be distributed to the Class
HE: A-2 Certificateholders pursuant to Section 8.04(d) on such Payment Date.
 
                                      1-4
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HE: A-2 Pass-Through Rate" means 6.50% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Class HE: A-2 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HE: A-2 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HE: A-2 Certificates in respect of principal.

     "Class HE: A-3 Certificate" means any one of the Class HE: A-3 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit D and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.
 
     "Class HE: A-3 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, that
portion of the Class HE: A Distribution Amount to be distributed to the Class
HE: A-3 Certificateholders pursuant to Section 8.04(d) on such Payment Date.
 
     "Class HE: A-3 Pass-Through Rate" means 6.90% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Class HE: A-3 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HE: A-3 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HE: A-3 Certificates in respect of principal.
 
     "Class HE: A-4 Certificate" means any one of the Class HE: A-4 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit D and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.
 
     "Class HE: A-4 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, that
portion of the Class HE: A Distribution Amount to be distributed to the Class
HE: A-4 Certificateholders pursuant to Section 8.04(d) on such Payment Date.
 
     "Class HE: A-4 Pass-Through Rate" means 7.30% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Class HE: A-4 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HE: A-4 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HE: A-4 Certificates in respect of principal.
 
     "Class HE: A-5 Certificate" means any one of the Class HE: A-5 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit D and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.
 
                                      1-5
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HE: A-5 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, that
portion of the Class HE: A Distribution Amount to be distributed to the Class
HE: A-5 Certificateholders pursuant to Section 8.04(d) on such Payment Date.
 
     "Class HE: A-5 Lockout Percentage" means, as to any Payment Date occurring
during the periods set forth below, the percentage designated as such as
follows:

          Period (dates inclusive)         Class HE: A-5 Lockout Percentage
          ------------------------         --------------------------------
     January 1997 through December 1999                   0%
     January 2000 through December 2001                  45%
     January 2002 through December 2002                  80%
     January 2003 through December 2003                 100%
     January 2004 and thereafter                        300%
 
     "Class HE: A-5 Lockout Remittance Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, an
amount equal to the lesser of:

          (a) the product of (1) the Class HE: A-5 Lockout Percentage, and (2)
     the product of (A) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Class HE: A-5
     Principal Balance immediately preceding such Payment Date and the
     denominator of which is the Class HE: A Principal Balance immediately
     preceding such Payment Date, and (B) the Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage of
     the Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount for such Payment
     Date, and

          (b) the Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance immediately preceding such
     Payment Date.
 
     "Class HE: A-5 Pass-Through Rate" means 6.85% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HE: A-5 Certificates in respect of principal.
 
     "Class HE: B Certificates" means the Class HE: B-1 and Class HE: B-2
Certificates, collectively.

     "Class HE: B Cross-over date" means the earlier of:
 
          (a) the Seventh Cross-over date, and

          (b) the first Payment Date on or after the Payment Date occurring in
     January 2000 on which the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the
     numerator of which is the Class HE: B Principal Balance as of such Payment
     Date and the denominator of which is the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance
     of Sub-Pool

                                      1-6
<PAGE>
 
    HE as of the immediately preceding Payment Date, is equal to or greater than
    10.0%.

     "Class HE: B Percentage" means 100% minus the Sub-Pool HE Senior
Percentage.

     "Class HE: B Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of
the Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance and the Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance.
 
     "Class HE: B Principal Balance Test" means, to be considered "satisfied"
for any Payment Date, that the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the
numerator of which is the Class HE: B Principal Balance as of such Payment Date
and the denominator of which is the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool
HE as of the immediately preceding Payment Date, is equal to or greater than
10.0%.
 
     "Class HE: B Principal Distribution Test" means, as to any Payment Date,
each of the Sub-Pool HE Average Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test, the Sub-Pool
HE Average Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test, the Sub-Pool HE Cumulative
Realized Losses Test, the Class HE: B Principal Balance Test and the Sub-Pool HE
Current Realized Losses Test.

     "Class HE: B-1 Certificate" means any one of the Class HE: B-1 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit F and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.
 
     "Class HE: B-1 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, the
lesser of (a) the Sub-Pool HE Amount Available less the sum of the Class HE: A
Distribution Amount, the Class HE: M-1 Distribution Amount and the Class HE: M-2
Distribution Amount, and (b) the Class HE: B-1 Formula Distribution Amount;
provided that after the Eighth Cross-over date the Class HE: B-1 Distribution
Amount shall be zero.
 
     "Class HE: B-1 Formula Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
an amount equal to the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to the first
Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but excluding
January 15, 1997) at the Class HE: B-1 Pass-Through Rate on the excess of the
Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance over the Class HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss
Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to such Payment Date on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, (b) any Unpaid Class HE: B-1
Interest Shortfall, and (c) if such Payment Date is on or prior to the Eighth
Cross-over date, the Class HE: B Percentage of the Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal
Distribution Amount; provided, however, that on the Seventh Cross-over date, the
balance of any amounts that would have been distributable on such date pursuant
to clause (c) of the definition of the term "Class HE: M-2 Formula Distribution
Amount" (assuming a sufficient Sub-Pool HE Amount Available) but for the
operation of the second proviso in such 

                                      1-7
<PAGE>
 
definition shall instead be included in clause (c) of this definition; and
provided, further, that the aggregate of all amounts distributed pursuant to
clause (c) of this definition shall not exceed the Original Class HE: B-1
Principal Balance.
 
     "Class HE: B-1 Formula Interest Distribution Amount" means, as to any
Payment Date, the sum of (a) the amount specified in clause (a) of the
definition of the term "Class HE: B-1 Formula Distribution Amount" and (b) the
Unpaid Class HE: B-1 Interest Shortfall, if any.
 
     "Class HE: B-1 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount"
means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to
the first Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but
excluding January 15, 1997) at the Class HE: B-1 Pass-Through Rate on the Class
HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to
such Payment Date on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and
(b) the Unpaid Class HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall, if any.

     "Class HE: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
the amount, if any, by which (a) the Class HE: B-1 Formula Interest Distribution
Amount exceeds (b) the amount available for distribution to the Class HE: B-1
Certificateholders pursuant to Sections 8.04(d)(6)(i) and (ii) on such Payment
Date.
 
     "Class HE: B-1 Interest Shortfall" means, as to any Payment Date, the
amount, if any,  by which (a) the Class HE: B-1 Formula Interest Distribution
Amount exceeds (b) the sum of (1) the amount distributed to Class HE: B-1
Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Sections 8.04(d)(6)(i) and
(ii), and (2) the amount distributed to Class HE: B-1 Certificateholders on such
Payment Date pursuant to Section 8.04(e).

     "Class HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall" means, as to any
Payment Date, the amount, if any, by which (a) the Class HE: B-1 Formula
Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount exceeds (b) the amount distributed
to Class HE: B-1 Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Section
8.04(d)(8)(iii).

     "Class HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount" means, as to any Payment
Date, the lesser of (a) the excess, if any, of the Sub-Pool HE Aggregate
Liquidation Loss Principal Amount over the Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance, and
(b) the Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance.

     "Class HE: B-1 Pass-Through Rate" means 7.60% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HE: B-1 Certificates in respect of principal.

                                      1-8
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HE: B-2 Certificate" means any one of the Class HE: B-2 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit F and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.

     "Class HE: B-2 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, the
lesser of (a) the Class HE: B-2 Remaining Sub-Pool HE Amount Available, and
(b) the Class HE: B-2 Formula Distribution Amount.

     "Class HE: B-2 Formula Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
an amount equal to the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to the first
Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but excluding
January 15, 1997) at the Class HE: B-2 Pass-Through Rate on the excess of the
Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance over the Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss
Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to such Payment Date on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, (b) any Unpaid Class HE: B-2
Interest Shortfall, and (c) if such Payment Date is after the Eighth Cross-over
date, the Class HE: B Percentage of the Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal
Distribution Amount; provided, however, that on the Eighth Cross-over date, the
balance of any amounts that would have been distributable on such date pursuant
to clause (c) of the definition of the term "Class HE: B-1 Formula Distribution
Amount" (assuming a sufficient Sub-Pool HE Amount Available) but for the
operation of the second proviso in such definition shall instead be included in
clause (c) of this definition; and provided, further, that the aggregate of all
amounts distributed pursuant to clause (c) of this definition shall not exceed
the Original Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance.

     "Class HE: B-2 Formula Interest Distribution Amount" means, as to any
Payment Date, the sum of (a) the amount specified in clause (a) of the
definition of the term "Class HE: B-2 Formula Distribution Amount" and (b) the
Unpaid Class HE: B-2 Interest Shortfall, if any.

     "Class HE: B-2 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount"
means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to
the first Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but
excluding January 15, 1997) at the Class HE: B-2 Pass-Through Rate on the Class
HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to
such Payment Date on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and
(b) the Unpaid Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall, if any.

     "Class HE: B-2 Guarantee Fee" means, as of any Payment Date, the lesser of
(a) one-twelfth of the product of 3.00% and the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance
for Home Equity Contracts for the immediately preceding Payment Date, or (b),
the Sub-Pool HE Amount Available less the amounts payable under Sections
8.04(d)(1)-(13).

     "Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment" means, as to any Payment Date, the amount,
if any, by which (a) the sum of the Class HE: B-2 Total Formula 


                                      1-9
<PAGE>
 
Distribution Amount and the Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount
exceeds (b) the Class HE: B-2 Total Distribution Amount. "Class H E: B-2
Interest Shortfall" means, as to any Payment Date, the

     "Class HE: B-2 Interest Shortfall" means, as to any payment Date, the 
amount, if any, by which (a) the Class HE: B-2 Formula Interest Distribution 
Amount exceeds (b) the sum of the amount distributed to Class HE: B-2 
Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Sections 8.04(d)(7)(i) and 
any Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment.

     "Class HE: B-2 Limited Guaranty" means the limited guaranty of the Company
provided pursuant to Section 8.03(b).

     "Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall" means, as to any
Payment Date, the amount, if any, by which the Class HE: B-2 Formula Liquidation
Loss Interest Distribution Amount exceeds (a) the sum of (1) the Class HE: B-2
Total Formula Distribution Amount and (2) the Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss
Principal Amount less (b) the sum of (1) the Class HE: B-2 Total Distribution
Amount, (2) any Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment and (3) any Class HE: B-2
Interest Shortfall.

     "Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount" means, as to any Payment
Date, the lesser of the Sub-Pool HE Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal Amount
and the Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance.

     "Class HE: B-2 Pass-Through Rate" means 8.00% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     "Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HE: B-2 Certificates in respect of principal.

     "Class HE: B-2 Total Formula Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment
Date, the sum of the Class HE: B-2 Formula Distribution Amount and the Class HE:
B-2 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount.

     "Class HE: B-2 Total Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
the sum of the Class HE: B-2 Distribution Amount and amounts distributed on such
Payment Date pursuant to Section 8.04(d)(8)(iv).

     "Class HE: M Certificates" means the Class HE: M-1 and Class HE: M-2
Certificates, collectively.

     "Class HE: M Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of
the Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance and the Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance.

     "Class HE: M-1 Certificate" means any one of the Class HE: M-1 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar 


                                     1-10
<PAGE>
 
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.

     "Class HE: M-1 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, the
lesser of (a) the Sub-Pool HE Amount Available less the Class HE: A Distribution
Amount and (b) the Class HE: M-1 Formula Distribution Amount; provided that
after the Sixth Cross-over date the Class HE: M-1 Distribution Amount shall be
zero.

     "Class HE: M-1 Formula Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
an amount equal to the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to the first
Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but excluding
January 15, 1997) at the Class HE: M-1 Pass-Through Rate on the excess of the
Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance over the Class HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss
Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to such Payment Date on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, (b) any Unpaid Class HE: M-1
Interest Shortfall and (c) if such Payment Date is after the Fifth Cross-over
date, but on or prior to the Sixth Cross-over date, the Sub-Pool HE Senior
Percentage of the Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount; provided,
however, that on the Fifth Cross-over date, the balance of any amounts that
would have been distributable on such date pursuant to clause (c) of the
definition of the term "Class HE: A Formula Distribution Amount" (assuming a
sufficient Sub-Pool HE Amount Available) but for the operation of the proviso in
such definition shall instead be included in clause (c) of this definition; and
provided, further, that the aggregate of all amounts distributed for all Payment
Dates pursuant to clause (c) of this definition shall not exceed the Original
Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance.

     "Class HE: M-1 Formula Interest Distribution Amount" means, as to any
Payment Date, the sum of (a) the amount specified in clause (a) of the
definition of the term "Class HE: M-1 Formula Distribution Amount" and (b) the
Unpaid Class HE: M-1 Interest Shortfall, if any.

     "Class HE: M-1 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount"
means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to
the first Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but
excluding January 15, 1997) at the Class HE: M-1 Pass-Through Rate on the Class
HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to
such Payment Date on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and
(b) the Unpaid Class HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall, if any.

     "Class HE: M-1 Interest Deficiency Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
the amount, if any, by which (a) the Class HE: M-1 Formula Interest Distribution
Amount exceeds (b) the amount available for distribution to the Class HE: M-1
Certificateholders pursuant to Sections 8.04(d)(4)(i) and (ii) on such Payment
Date.

     "Class HE: M-1 Interest Shortfall" means, as to any Payment Date, the
amount, if any,  by which (a) the Class HE: M-1 Formula Interest Distribution


                                     1-11
<PAGE>
 
Amount exceeds (b) the sum of (1) the amount distributed to Class HE: M-1
Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Sections 8.04(d)(4)(i) and
(ii), and (2) the amount distributed to Class HE: M-1 Certificateholders on such
Payment Date pursuant to Section 8.04(e).

     "Class HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall" means, as to any
Payment Date, the amount, if any, by which (a) the Class HE: M-1 Formula
Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount exceeds (b) any amount distributed
to Class HE: M-1 Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Section
8.04(d)(8)(i).

     "Class HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount" means, as of any Payment
Date, the lesser of (a) the excess, if any, of the Sub-Pool HE Aggregate
Liquidation Loss Principal Amount over the aggregate of the Class HE: M-2
Principal Balance and the Class HE: B Principal Balance, and (b) the Class HE:
M-1 Principal Balance.

     "Class HE: M-1 Pass-Through Rate" means 7.70% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     "Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HE: M-1 Certificates in respect of principal.

     "Class HE: M-2 Certificate" means any one of the Class HE: M-2 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.

     "Class HE: M-2 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, the
lesser of (a) the Sub-Pool HE Amount Available less the Class HE: A Distribution
Amount and the Class HE: M-1 Distribution Amount and (b) the Class HE: M-2
Formula Distribution Amount; provided that after the Seventh Cross-over date the
Class HE: M-2 Distribution Amount shall be zero.

     "Class HE: M-2 Formula Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
an amount equal to the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to the first
Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but excluding
January 15, 1997) at the Class HE: M-2 Pass-Through Rate on the excess of the
Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance over the Class HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss
Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to such Payment Date on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, (b) any Unpaid Class HE: M-2
Interest Shortfall and (c) if such Payment Date is after the Sixth Cross-over
date, but on or prior to the Seventh Cross-over date, the Sub-Pool HE Senior
Percentage of the Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount; provided,
however, that on the Sixth Cross-over date, the balance of any amounts that
would have been distributable on such date pursuant to clause (c) of the
definition of the term "Class 


                                     1-12
<PAGE>
 
HE: M-1 Formula Distribution Amount" (assuming a sufficient Sub-Pool HE Amount
Available) but for the operation of the proviso in such definition shall instead
be included in clause (c) of this definition; and provided, further, that the
aggregate of all amounts distributed for all Payment Dates pursuant to clause
(c) of this definition shall not exceed the Original Class HE: M-2 Principal
Balance.

     "Class HE: M-2 Formula Interest Distribution Amount" means, as to any
Payment Date, the sum of (a) the amount specified in clause (a) of the
definition of the term "Class HE: M-2 Formula Distribution Amount" and (b) the
Unpaid Class HE: M-2 Interest Shortfall, if any.

     "Class HE: M-2 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount"
means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to
the first Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but
excluding January 15, 1997) at the Class HE: M-2 Pass-Through Rate on the Class
HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to
such Payment Date on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and
(b) the Unpaid Class HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall, if any.

     "Class HE: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
the amount, if any, by which (a) the Class HE: M-2 Formula Interest Distribution
Amount exceeds (b) the amount available for distribution to the Class HE: M-2
Certificateholders pursuant to Sections 8.04(d)(5)(i) and (ii) on such Payment
Date.

     "Class HE: M-2 Interest Shortfall" means, as to any Payment Date, the
amount, if any,  by which (a) the Class HE: M-2 Formula Interest Distribution
Amount, exceeds (b) the sum of (1) the amount distributed to Class HE: M-2
Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Sections 8.04(d)(5)(i) and
(ii), and (2) the amount distributed to Class HE: M-2 Certificateholders on such
Payment Date pursuant to Section 8.04(e).

     "Class HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall" means, as to any
Payment Date, the amount, if any, by which the Class HE: M-2 Formula Liquidation
Loss Interest Distribution Amount exceeds any amount distributed to Class HE: M-
2 Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Section 8.04(d)(8)(iv).

     "Class HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount" means the lesser of (a)
the excess, if any, of the Sub-Pool HE Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal
Amount over the Class HE: B Principal Balance, and (b) the Class HE: M-2
Principal Balance.

     "Class HE: M-2 Pass-Through Rate" means 7.95% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HE: M-2 Certificates in respect of principal.

                                     1-13
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HI: A Certificates" means the Class HI: A-1, Class HI: A-2, and
Class HI: A-3 Certificates, collectively.
 
     "Class HI: A Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, the lesser
of (a) the Sub-Pool HI Amount Available and (b) the Class HI: A Formula
Distribution Amount; provided that, after the Third Cross-over date, the Class
HI: A Distribution Amount shall be zero.
 
     "Class HI: A Formula Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, an
amount equal to the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to the first Payment
Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but excluding January 15,
1997) at (1) the Class HI: A-1 Pass-Through Rate on the Class HI: A-1 Principal
Balance, (2) the Class HI: A-2 Pass-Through Rate on the Class HI: A-2 Principal
Balance, and (3) the Class HI: A-3 Pass-Through Rate on the Class HI: A-3
Principal Balance, in each case to be calculated immediately prior to such
Payment Date on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve thirty-day months, (b) the
aggregate of the Unpaid Class HI: A Interest Shortfalls, if any, with respect to
each Class of Class HI: A Certificates, and (c)(i) if there is no Class HI: A
Liquidation Loss Principal Amount as to such Payment Date, the Sub-Pool HI
Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal Distribution Amount, or
(ii) if there is a Class HI: A Liquidation Loss Principal Amount as to such
Payment Date, the amount determined in accordance with Section 8.04(b)(3)(i);
provided, however, that the aggregate of all amounts distributed for all Payment
Dates pursuant to clause (c) shall not exceed the sum of the Original Class HI:
A-l Principal Balance, the Original Class HI: A-2 Principal Balance and the
Original Class HI: A-3 Principal Balance.
 
     "Class HI: A Formula Interest Distribution Amount" means, as to each Class
of Class HI: A Certificates and any Payment Date, the sum of (a) the amount
specified in clause (a)(1), (2) or (3), as appropriate, of the definition of the
term "Class HI: A Formula Distribution Amount" and (2) the Unpaid Class HI: A
Interest Shortfall, if any, with respect to such Class.

     "Class HI: A Interest Shortfall" means, as to each Class of Class HI: A
Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if any, by which the Class HI: A
Formula Interest Distribution Amount for such Class exceeds the amount
distributed to Holders of such Class on such Payment Date pursuant to
Section 8.04(b)(2).

     "Class HI: A Liquidation Loss Principal Amount" means, as to any Payment
Date, the amount, if any, by which the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-
Pool HI is less than the Class HI: A Principal Balance.

     "Class HI: A Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of
the Class HI: A-1 Principal Balance, the Class HI: A-2 Principal Balance and the
Class HI: A-3 Principal Balance.

                                     1-14
 
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HI: A-1 Certificate" means any one of the Class HI: A-1 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.
 
     "Class HI: A-1 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, that
portion of the Class HI: A Distribution Amount to be distributed to the Class
HI: A-1 Certificateholders pursuant to Section 8.04(b) on such Payment Date.
 
     "Class HI: A-1 Pass-Through Rate" means 6.10% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Class HI: A-1 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HI: A-1 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HI: A-1 Certificates in respect of principal.
 
     "Class HI: A-2 Certificate" means any one of the Class HI: A-2 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.
 
     "Class HI: A-2 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, that
portion of the Class HI: A Distribution Amount to be distributed to the Class
HI: A-2 Certificateholders pursuant to Section 8.04(b) on such Payment Date.
 
     "Class HI: A-2 Pass-Through Rate" means 6.40% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Class HI: A-2 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HI: A-2 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HI: A-2 Certificates in respect of principal.
 
     "Class HI: A-3 Certificate" means any one of the Class HI: A-3 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.
 
     "Class HI: A-3 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, that
portion of the Class HI: A Distribution Amount to be distributed to the Class
HI: A-3 Certificateholders pursuant to Section 8.04(b) on such Payment Date.
 
     "Class HI: A-3 Pass-Through Rate" means 6.75% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

                                     1-15
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HI: A-3 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HI: A-3 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HI: A-3 Certificates in respect of principal.
 
     "Class HI: B Certificates" means the Class HI: B-1 and Class HI: B-2
Certificates, collectively.

     "Class HI: B Cross-over date"  means the earlier of:
 
  (a)  the Fifth Cross-over date, and

  (b) the first Payment Date on or after the Payment Date occurring in January
2000 on which the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is
the Class HI: B Principal Balance as of such Payment Date and the denominator of
which is the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI as of the
immediately preceding Payment Date, is equal to or greater than 14.0%.

     "Class HI: B Percentage" means 100% minus the Sub-Pool HI Senior
Percentage.

     "Class HI: B Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of
the Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance and the Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance.
 
     "Class HI: B Principal Balance Test" means, to be considered "satisfied"
for any Payment Date, that the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the
numerator of which is the Class HI: B Principal Balance as of such Payment Date
and the denominator of which is the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool
HI as of the immediately preceding Payment Date, is equal to or greater than
14.0%.
 
     "Class HI: B Principal Distribution Test" means, as to any Payment Date,
each of the Sub-Pool HI Average Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test, the Sub-Pool
HI Average Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test, the Sub-Pool HI Cumulative
Realized Losses Test, the Class HI: B Principal Balance Test and the Sub-Pool HI
Current Realized Losses Test.

     "Class HI: B-1 Certificate" means any one of the Class HI: B-1 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit C and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.
 
     "Class HI: B-1 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, the
lesser of (a) the Sub-Pool HI Amount Available less the sum of the Class HI: A
Distribution Amount, the Class HI: M-1 Distribution Amount and the Class HI: M-2
Distribution Amount, and (b) the Class HI: B-1 Formula Distribution Amount;
provided that after the Sixth Cross-over date the Class HI: B-1 Distribution
Amount shall be zero.


                                     1-16
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HI: B-1 Formula Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
an amount equal to the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to the first
Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but excluding
January 15, 1997) at the Class HI: B-1 Pass-Through Rate on the excess of the
Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance over the Class HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss
Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to such Payment Date on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, (b) any Unpaid Class HI: B-1
Interest Shortfall, and (c) if such Payment Date is on or prior to the Sixth
Cross-over date, the Class HI: B Percentage of the Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal
Distribution Amount; provided, however, that on the Fifth Cross-over date, the
balance of any amounts that would have been distributable on such date pursuant
to clause (c) of the definition of the term "Class HI: M-2 Formula Distribution
Amount" (assuming a sufficient Sub-Pool HI Amount Available) but for the
operation of the second proviso in such definition shall instead be included in
clause (c) of this definition; and provided, further, that the aggregate of all
amounts distributed pursuant to clause (c) of this definition shall not exceed
the Original Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance.
 
     "Class HI: B-1 Formula Interest Distribution Amount" means, as to any
Payment Date, the sum of (a) the amount specified in clause (a) of the
definition of the term "Class HI: B-1 Formula Distribution Amount" and (b) the
Unpaid Class HI: B-1 Interest Shortfall, if any.
 
     "Class HI: B-1 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount"
means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to
the first Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but
excluding January 15, 1997) at the Class HI: B-1 Pass-Through Rate on the Class
HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to
such Payment Date on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and
(b) the Unpaid Class HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall, if any.

     "Class HI: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
the amount, if any, by which (a) the Class HI: B-1 Formula Interest Distribution
Amount exceeds (b) the amount available for distribution to the Class HI: B-1
Certificateholders pursuant to Sections 8.04(b)(6)(i) and (ii) on such Payment
Date.
 
     "Class HI: B-1 Interest Shortfall" means, as to any Payment Date, the
amount, if any,  by which (a) the Class HI: B-1 Formula Interest Distribution
Amount exceeds (b) the sum of (1) the amount distributed to Class HI: B-1
Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Sections 8.04(b)(6)(i) and
(ii), and (2) the amount distributed to Class HI: B-1 Certificateholders on such
Payment Date pursuant to Section 8.04(c).

     "Class HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall" means, as to any
Payment Date, the amount, if any, by which (a) the Class HI: B-1 Formula
Liquidation Loss 

                                     1-17
<PAGE>
 
Interest Distribution Amount exceeds (b) the amount distributed to Class HI: B-1
Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Section 8.04(b)(8)(iii).

     "Class HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount" means, as to any Payment
Date, the lesser of (a) the excess, if any, of the Sub-Pool HI Aggregate
Liquidation Loss Principal Amount over the Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance, and
(b) the Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance.

     "Class HI: B-1 Pass-Through Rate" means 7.25% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HI: B-1 Certificates in respect of principal.

     "Class HI: B-2 Certificate" means any one of the Class HI: B-2 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit C and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.

     "Class HI: B-2 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, the
lesser of (a) the Class HI: B-2 Remaining Sub-Pool HI Amount Available, and (b)
the Class HI: B-2 Formula Distribution Amount.

     "Class HI: B-2 Formula Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
an amount equal to the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to the first
Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but excluding
January 15, 1997) at the Class HI: B-2 Pass-Through Rate on the excess of the
Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance over the Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss
Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to such Payment Date on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, (b) any Unpaid Class HI: B-2
Interest Shortfall, and (c) if such Payment Date is after the Sixth Cross-over
date, the Class HI: B Percentage of the Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal
Distribution Amount; provided, however, that on the Sixth Cross-over date, the
balance of any amounts that would have been distributable on such date pursuant
to clause (c) of the definition of the term "Class HI: B-1 Formula Distribution
Amount" (assuming a sufficient Sub-Pool HI Amount Available) but for the
operation of the second proviso in such definition shall instead be included in
clause (c) of this definition; and provided, further, that the aggregate of all
amounts distributed pursuant to clause (c) of this definition shall not exceed
the Original Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance.

     "Class HI: B-2 Formula Interest Distribution Amount" means, as to any
Payment Date, the sum of (a) the amount specified in clause (a) of the
definition of the term "Class HI: B-2 Formula Distribution Amount" and (b) the
Unpaid Class HI: B-2 Interest Shortfall, if any.

                                     1-18
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HI: B-2 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount"
means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to
the first Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but
excluding January 15, 1997) at the Class HI: B-2 Pass-Through Rate on the Class
HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to
such Payment Date on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and
(b) t-e Unpaid Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall, if any.

     "Class HI: B-2 Guarantee Fee" means, as of any Payment Date, the lesser of
(a) one-twelfth of the product of 3.00% and the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance
for Home Improvement Contracts for the immediately preceding Payment Date, or
(b) the Sub-Pool HI Amount Available less the amounts payable under Sections
8.04(b)(1)-(14).

     "Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment" means, as to any Payment Date, the amount,
if any, by which (a) the sum of the Class HI: B-2 Total Formula Distribution
Amount and the Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount exceeds (b) the
Class HI: B-2 Total Distribution Amount.

     "Class HI: B-2 Interest Shortfall" means, as to any Payment Date, the
amount, if any, by which (a) the Class HI: B-2 Formula Interest Distribution
Amount exceeds (b) the sum of the amount distributed to Class HI: B-2
Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Sections 8.04(b)(7)(i) and
(ii) and any Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment.

     "Class HI: B-2 Limited Guaranty" means the limited guaranty of the Company
provided pursuant to Section 8.03(a).

     "Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall" means, as to any
Payment Date, the amount, if any, by which the Class HI: B-2 Formula Liquidation
Loss Interest Distribution Amount exceeds (a) the sum of (1) the Class HI: B-2
Total Formula Distribution Amount and (2) the Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss
Principal Amount less (b) the sum of (1) the Class HI: B-2 Total Distribution
Amount, (2) any Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment and (3) any Class HI: B-2
Interest Shortfall.

     "Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount" means, as to any Payment
Date, the lesser of the Sub-Pool HI Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal Amount
and the Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance.

     "Class HI: B-2 Pass-Through Rate" means 7.70% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     "Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HI: B-2 Certificates in respect of principal.

                                     1-19
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HI: B-2 Total Formula Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment
Date, the sum of the Class HI: B-2 Formula Distribution Amount and the Class HI:
B-2 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount.

     "Class HI: B-2 Total Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
the sum of the Class HI: B-2 Distribution Amount and amounts distributed on such
Payment Date pursuant to Section 8.04(b)(8)(iv).

     "Class HI: M Certificates" means the Class HI: M-1 and Class HI: M-2
Certificates, collectively.

     "Class HI: M Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of
the Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance and the Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance.

     "Class HI: M-1 Certificate" means any one of the Class HI: M-1 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.

     "Class HI: M-1 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, the
lesser of (a) the Sub-Pool HI Amount Available less the Class HI: A Distribution
Amount and (b) the Class HI: M-1 Formula Distribution Amount; provided that
after the Fourth Cross-over date the Class HI: M-1 Distribution Amount shall be
zero.

     "Class HI: M-1 Formula Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
an amount equal to the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to the first
Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but excluding
January 15, 1997) at the Class HI: M-1 Pass-Through Rate on the excess of the
Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance over the Class HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss
Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to such Payment Date on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, (b) any Unpaid Class HI: M-1
Interest Shortfall and (c) if such Payment Date is after the Third Cross-over
date, but on or prior to the Fourth Cross-over date, the Sub-Pool HI Senior
Percentage of the Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal Distribution Amount; provided,
however, that on the Third Cross-over date, the balance of any amounts that
would have been distributable on such date pursuant to clause (c) of the
definition of the term "Class HI: A Formula Distribution Amount" (assuming a
sufficient Sub-Pool HI Amount Available) but for the operation of the proviso in
such definition shall instead be included in clause (c) of this definition; and
provided, further, that the aggregate of all amounts distributed for all Payment
Dates pursuant to clause (c) of this definition shall not exceed the Original
Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance.

     "Class HI: M-1 Formula Interest Distribution Amount" means, as to any
Payment Date, the sum of (a) the amount specified in clause (a) of the
definition of the term "Class HI: M-1 Formula Distribution Amount" and (b) the
Unpaid Class HI: M-1 Interest Shortfall, if any.

                                     1-20
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HI: M-1 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount"
means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to
the first Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but
excluding January 15, 1997) at the Class HI: M-1 Pass-Through Rate on the Class
HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to
such Payment Date on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and
(b) the Unpaid Class HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall, if any.

     "Class HI: M-1 Interest Deficiency Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
the amount, if any, by which (a) the Class HI: M-1 Formula Interest Distribution
Amount exceeds (b) the amount available for distribution to the Class HI: M-1
Certificateholders pursuant to Sections 8.04(b)(4)(i) and (ii) on such Payment
Date.

     "Class HI: M-1 Interest Shortfall" means, as to any Payment Date, the
amount, if any,  by which (a) the Class HI: M-1 Formula Interest Distribution
Amount exceeds (b) the sum of (1) the amount distributed to Class HI: M-1
Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Sections 8.04(b)(4)(i) and
(ii), and (2) the amount distributed to Class HI: M-1 Certificateholders on such
Payment Date pursuant to Section 8.04(c).

     "Class HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall" means, as to any
Payment Date, the amount, if any, by which (a) the Class HI: M-1 Formula
Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount exceeds (b) any amount distributed
to Class HI: M-1 Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Section
8.04(b)(8)(i).

     "Class HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount" means, as of any Payment
Date, the lesser of (a) the excess, if any, of the Sub-Pool HI Aggregate
Liquidation Loss Principal Amount over the aggregate of the Class HI: M-2
Principal Balance and the Class HI: B Principal Balance, and (b) the Class HI:
M-1 Principal Balance.

     "Class HI: M-1 Pass-Through Rate" means 7.30% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     "Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HI: M-1 Certificates in respect of principal.

     "Class HI: M-2 Certificate" means any one of the Class HI: M-2 Certificates
executed and delivered by the Trustee and authenticated by the Certificate
Registrar substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B and evidencing an
interest designated as a "regular interest" in the Trust for purposes of the
REMIC Provisions.

     "Class HI: M-2 Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date, the
lesser of (a) the Sub-Pool HI Amount Available less the Class HI: A Distribution
Amount and the Class HI: M-1 Distribution Amount and (b) the Class HI: M-2
Formula Distribution Amount; provided that after the Fifth Cross-over date the
Class HI: M-2 Distribution Amount shall be zero.

                                     1-21
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HI: M-2 Formula Distribution Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
an amount equal to the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to the first
Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but excluding
January 15, 1997) at the Class HI: M-2 Pass-Through Rate on the excess of the
Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance over the Class HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss
Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to such Payment Date on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, (b) any Unpaid Class HI: M-2
Interest Shortfall and (c) if such Payment Date is after the Fourth Cross-over
date, but on or prior to the Fifth Cross-over date, the Sub-Pool HI Senior
Percentage of the Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal Distribution Amount; provided,
however, that on the Fourth Cross-over date, the balance of any amounts that
would have been distributable on such date pursuant to clause (c) of the
definition of the term "Class HI: M-1 Formula Distribution Amount" (assuming a
sufficient Sub-Pool HI Amount Available) but for the operation of the proviso in
such definition shall instead be included in clause (c) of this definition; and
provided, further, that the aggregate of all amounts distributed for all Payment
Dates pursuant to clause (c) of this definition shall not exceed the Original
Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance.

     "Class HI: M-2 Formula Interest Distribution Amount" means, as to any
Payment Date, the sum of (a) the amount specified in clause (a) of the
definition of the term "Class HI: M-2 Formula Distribution Amount" and (b) the
Unpaid Class HI: M-2 Interest Shortfall, if any.

     "Class HI: M-2 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount"
means, as to any Payment Date, the sum of (a) one month's interest (or, as to
the first Payment Date, interest from and including the Closing Date to but
excluding January 15, 1997) at the Class HI: M-2 Pass-Through Rate on the Class
HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount, to be calculated immediately prior to
such Payment Date on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and
(b) the Unpaid Class HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall, if any.

     "Class HI: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount" means, as to any Payment Date,
the amount, if any, by which (a) the Class HI: M-2 Formula Interest Distribution
Amount exceeds (b) the amount available for distribution to the Class HI: M-2
Certificateholders pursuant to Sections 8.04(b)(5)(i) and (ii) on such Payment
Date.

     "Class HI: M-2 Interest Shortfall" means, as to any Payment Date, the
amount, if any,  by which (a) the Class HI: M-2 Formula Interest Distribution
Amount, exceeds (b) the sum of (1) the amount distributed to Class HI: M-2
Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Sections 8.04(b)(5)(i) and
(ii), and (2) the amount distributed to Class HI: M-2 Certificateholders on such
Payment Date pursuant to Section 8.04(c).

     "Class HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall" means, as to any
Payment Date, the amount, if any, by which the Class HI: M-2 Formula Liquidation
Loss Interest Distribution Amount exceeds any amount distributed to Class HI: M-
2 Certificateholders on such Payment Date pursuant to Section 8.04(b)(8)(iv).

                                     1-22
<PAGE>
 
     "Class HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount" means the lesser of
(a) the excess, if any, of the Sub-Pool HI Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal
Amount over the Class HI: B Principal Balance, and (b) the Class HI: M-2
Principal Balance.

     "Class HI: M-2 Pass-Through Rate" means 7.60% per annum, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance" means, as to any Payment Date, the
Original Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance less all amounts previously distributed
to Holders of Class HI: M-2 Certificates in respect of principal.

     "Class Principal Balance" means any of the Class HI: A-1, Class HI: A-2,
Class HI: A-3, Class HI: M-1, Class HI: M-2, Class HI: B-1, Class HI: B-2, Class
HE: A-1, Class HE: A-2, Class HE: A-3, Class HE: A-4, Class HE: A-5, Class HE:
M-1, Class HE: M-2, Class HE: B-1 or Class HE: B-2 Principal Balances.
 
     "Closing Date" means December 27, 1996.

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

     "Computer Tape" means the computer tape generated by the Company which
provides information relating to the Contracts and which was used by the Company
in selecting the Contracts, and includes the master file and the history file.

     "Contract File" means, as to each Contract, (a) the original copy of the
Contract which is comprised of the related contract and/or promissory note, (b)
the original or a copy of the mortgage, deed of trust or security deed or
similar evidence of a lien on the related improved property and evidence of due
recording of such mortgage, deed of trust or security deed, if available, (c) if
such Contract was originated by a contractor rather than the Company, the
original or a copy of an assignment of the mortgage, deed of trust or security
deed by the contractor to the Company and (d) a sale control document.

     "Contract Interest Rate" means, as to any Contract, the annual rate of
interest specified in the Contract.

     "Contracts" means, collectively, the Home Improvement Contracts and the
Home Equity Contracts.

     "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at any
particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered,
which office at the date of the execution of this Agreement is located at the
address set forth in Section 12.09.

     "Counsel for the Company" means Dorsey & Whitney LLP, or other legal
counsel for the Company.

                                     1-23
<PAGE>
 
     "Custodian" means at any time an Eligible Institution, or a financial
institution organized under the laws of the United States or any State, which is
not an Affiliate of the Company, which is subject to supervision and examination
by Federal or State authorities and whose commercial paper or unsecured long-
term debt (or, in the case of a member of a bank holding company system, the
commercial paper or unsecured long-term debt of such bank holding company) has
been rated A-1 by S&P and F-1 by Fitch in the case of commercial paper, or BBB+
or higher by both S&P and Fitch in the case of unsecured long-term debt, as is
acting at such time as Custodian of the Contract Files pursuant to Section 4.01.

     "Cut-off Date" means December 1, 1996 (or the date of origination of the
Contract, if later).

     "Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance"  means, with respect to all Contracts
or the Contracts comprising a given Sub-Pool, the aggregate of the Cut-off Date
Principal Balances of all Contracts or the Contracts comprising such Sub-Pool,
as the case may be.

     "Cut-off Date Principal Balance" means, (i) as to any Home Improvement
Contract, the unpaid principal balance thereof at the Cut-off Date after giving
effect to all installments of principal due prior thereto, and (ii) as to any
Home Equity Contract, the unpaid principal balance thereof after giving effect
to all installments of principal received prior thereto.

     "Defaulted Contract" means a Contract with respect to which the Servicer
commenced foreclosure proceedings, made a sale of such Contract to a third party
for foreclosure or enforcement, or, in the case of an FHA-Insured Contract,
submitted a claim to FHA, or as to which there was a Delinquent Payment 180 or
more days past due.

     "Definitive Certificates" has the meaning assigned in Section 9.02(e).

     "Delinquent Payment" means, as to any Contract, with respect to any Due
Period, any payment or portion of a payment that was originally scheduled to be
made during such Due Period under such Contract (after giving effect to any
reduction in the principal amount deemed owed on such Contract by the Obligor,
as described in Section 6.01(a)(ii)) and was not received or applied during such
Due Period and deposited in the Certificate Account, whether or not any payment
extension has been granted by the Servicer; provided, however, that with respect
to any Liquidated Contract, the payment scheduled to be made in the Due Period
in which such Contract became a Liquidated Contract shall not be deemed a
Delinquent Payment.

     "Depository" means the initial Depository, The Depository Trust Company,
the nominee of which is Cede & Co., as the registered Holder of (i) one Class
HI: A-1 Certificate evidencing $47,346.000 in Original Class HI: A-1 Principal
Balance, (ii) one Class HI: A-2 Certificate evidencing $18,561,000 in Original
Class HI: A-2 Principal Balance, (iii) one Class HI: A-3 Certificate evidencing
$34,092,000 in Original Class 


                                     1-24
<PAGE>
 
HI: A-3 Principal Balance, (iv) one Class HI: M-1 Certificate evidencing
$10,000,000 Original Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance, (v) one Class HI: M-2
Certificate evidencing $6,250,000 in Original Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance,
(vi) one Class HI: B-1 Certificate evidencing $5,938,000 in Original Class HI:
B-1 Principal Balance, (vii) one Class HI: B-2 Certificate evidencing $2,813,000
in Original Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance, (viii) one Class HE: A-1
Certificate evidencing $122,410,000 in Original Class HE: A-1 Principal Balance,
(ix) one Class HE: A-2 Certificate evidencing $84,500,000 in Original Class HE:
A-2 Principal Balance, (x) one Class HE: A-3 Certificate evidencing $33,502,000
in Original Class HE: A-3 Principal Balance, (xi) one Class HE: A-4 Certificate
evidencing $24,631,000 in Original Class HE: A-4 Principal Balance, (xii) one
Class HE: A-5 Certificate evidencing $38,537,000 in Original Class HE: A-5
Principal Balance, (xiii) one Class HE: M-1 Certificate evidencing $19,415,000
Original Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance, (xiv) one Class HE: M-2 Certificate
evidencing $12,355,000 in Original Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance, (xv) one
Class HE: B-1 Certificate evidencing $12,355,000 in Original Class HE: B-1
Principal Balance, and (xvi) one Class HE: B-2 Certificate evidencing $5,295,000
in Original Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance and any permitted successor
depository. The Depository shall at all times be a "clearing corporation" as
defined in Section 8-102(3) of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New
York.

     "Depository Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank or other financial
institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Depository effects
book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Depository.

     "Determination Date" means the second Business Day preceding each Payment
Date during the term of this Agreement.

     "Due Period" means a calendar month during the term of this Agreement.

     "Eighth Cross-over date" means with respect to the Sub-Pool HE
Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance
(after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the Class HE: B-1
Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero.

     "Electronic Ledger" means the electronic master record of conditional sales
contracts and promissory notes of the Company.

     "Eligible Account" means, at any time, an account which is any of the
following: (i) an account maintained with an Eligible Institution; (ii) an
account or accounts the deposits in which are fully insured by either the Bank
Insurance Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund of the FDIC; (iii) a
trust account (which shall be a "segregated trust account") maintained with the
corporate trust department of a federal or state chartered depository
institution or trust company with trust powers and acting in its fiduciary
capacity for the benefit of the Trustee hereunder, which depository institution
or trust company shall have capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000; or
(iv) an account that will not cause S&P or Fitch to downgrade or withdraw its
then-current rating assigned to the Certificates, as evidenced in writing by S&P
and Fitch.

                                     1-25
<PAGE>
 
     "Eligible Institution" means any depository institution (which may be the
Trustee or an Affiliate of the Trustee) organized under the laws of the United
States or any State, the deposits of which are insured to the full extent
permitted by law by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which is subject
to supervision and examination by Federal or State authorities and whose short-
term deposits have been rated A-1 by S&P and F-1 by Fitch (if rated by Fitch) or
whose unsecured long-term debt has been rated in one of the two highest rating
categories by both S&P and Fitch (if rated by Fitch).

     "Eligible Investments" has the meaning assigned in Section 5.05(b).

     "Eligible Servicer" means the Trustee or a Person qualified to act as
servicer of the Contracts under applicable Federal and State laws and
regulations, which is a Title I approved lender under FHA regulations and which
services not less than an aggregate of $100,000,000 in outstanding principal
amount of FHA-insured home improvement contracts and promissory notes,
manufactured housing conditional sales contracts and installment loan agreements
and home equity loans.

     "Eligible Substitute Contract" means, as to any Replaced Contract for which
such Eligible Substitute Contract is being substituted pursuant to Section
3.05(b), a Contract that (a) as of the date of its substitution, satisfies all
of the representations and warranties (which, except when expressly stated to be
as of origination, shall be deemed to be determined as of the date of its
substitution rather than as of the Cut-off Date or the Closing Date) in Section
3.02 and does not cause any of the representations and warranties in Section
3.03, after giving effect to such substitution, to be incorrect, (b) after
giving effect to the scheduled payment due in the month of such substitution,
has a Scheduled Principal Balance that is not greater than the Scheduled
Principal Balance of such Replaced Contract, (c) has a Contract Rate that is at
least equal to the Contract Rate of such Replaced Contract and (d) has a
remaining term to scheduled maturity that is not greater than the remaining term
to scheduled maturity of the Replaced Contract.

     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

     "Errors and Omissions Protection Policy" means the employee errors and
omissions policy maintained by the Servicer or any similar replacement policy
covering errors and omissions by the Servicer's employees, and meeting the
requirements of Section 5.09, all as such policy relates to Contracts comprising
a portion of the corpus of the Trust.

     "Event of Termination" has the meaning assigned in Section 7.01.

     "Excess Proceeds" means (1) with respect to the Sub-Pool HI Certificates,
an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the Original Sub-Pool HI
Certificate Principal Balance over (b) the Cut-Off Date Pool Principal Balance
for Sub-Pool HI, and (2) with respect to the Sub-Pool HE Certificates, an amount
equal to the excess, if 


                                     1-26
<PAGE>
 
any, of (a) the Original Sub-Pool HE Certificate Principal Balance over (b) the
Cut-Off Date Pool Principal Balance for Sub-Pool HE.

     "Excess Proceeds Account" means a separate trust account created and
maintained pursuant to Section 8.07 in the name of the Trust in an Eligible
Institution.

     "FHA" means the Federal Housing Administration, or any successor thereto.
     
     "FHA Insurance" means the credit insurance provided by FHA pursuant to
Title I of the National Housing Act, as evidenced by the Company's Contract of
Insurance.

     "FHA-Insured Contracts" means those Home Improvement Contracts that have
been or are being reported to FHA as eligible for FHA Insurance, a list of which
is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit P.

     "FHA Regulations" means the regulations promulgated by HUD relating to
Title I home improvement loans, currently found at 24 C.F.R. (S)201.

     "Fidelity Bond" means the fidelity bond maintained by the Servicer or any
similar replacement bond, meeting the requirements of Section 5.09, as such bond
relates to Contracts comprising a portion of the corpus of the Trust.

     "Fifth Cross-over date" means (1) with respect to the Sub-Pool HI
Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance
(after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the Class HI: M-2
Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero, and (2) with respect to
the Sub-Pool HE Certificates, the later to occur of (a) the Fourth Cross-over
date or (b) the Payment Date on which the Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance (after
giving effect to the distributions of principal on the Class HE: A-5
Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero.

     "Final Payment Date" means the Payment Date on which the final distribution
in respect of Certificates will be made pursuant to Section 12.04.

     "First Cross-over date" means (1) with respect to the Sub-Pool HI
Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HI: A-1 Principal Balance
(after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the Class HI: A-1
Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero, and (2) with respect to
the Sub-Pool HE Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HE: A-1
Principal Balance (after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the
Class HE: A-1 Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero.

     "Fitch" means Fitch Investors Service, L.P., or any successor thereto;
provided that, if Fitch no longer has a rating outstanding on any Class of the
Certificates, then references herein to "Fitch" shall be deemed to refer to the
NRSRO then rating any Class of the Certificates (or, if more than one such NRSRO
is then rating any Class of the Certificates, to such NRSRO as may be designated
by the Servicer), and 

                                     1-27
<PAGE>
 
references herein to ratings by or requirements of Fitch shall be deemed to have
the equivalent meanings with respect to ratings by or requirements of such
NRSRO.

     "Fourth Cross-over date" means (1) with respect to the Sub-Pool HI
Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance
(after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the Class HI: M-1
Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero, and (2) with respect to
the Sub-Pool HE Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HE: A-4
Principal Balance (after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the
Class HE: A-4 Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero.

     "GNMA" means the Government National Mortgage Association, or any successor
thereto.

     "Home Equity Contracts" means the home equity loans described in the List
of Contracts attached hereto as Exhibit O-2 and constituting part of the corpus
of the Trust, which Home Equity Contracts are to be assigned and conveyed by the
Company to the Trust, and includes, without limitation, all related mortgages,
deeds of trust and security deeds and any and all rights to receive payments
which are received pursuant thereto on or after the Cut-off Date, but excluding
any rights to receive payments which are received pursuant thereto prior to the
Cut-off Date.

     "Home Improvement Contracts" means the home improvement contracts and
promissory notes described in the List of Contracts attached hereto as Exhibit
O-1 and constituting part of the corpus of the Trust, which Home Improvement
Contracts are to be assigned and conveyed by the Company to the Trust, and
includes, without limitation, all related mortgages, deeds of trust and security
deeds and any and all rights to receive payments which are due pursuant thereto
on or after the Cut-off Date, but excluding any rights to receive payments which
are received pursuant thereto prior to the Cut-off Date.

     "HUD" means the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development,
or any successor thereto.

     "Independent" means, when used with respect to any specified Person, any
Person who (i) is in fact independent of the Company and the Servicer, (ii) does
not have any direct financial interest or any material indirect financial
interest in the Company or the Servicer or in an Affiliate of either, and (iii)
is not connected with the Company or the Servicer as an officer, employee,
promoter, underwriter, trustee, partner, director or person performing similar
functions.  Whenever it is provided herein that any Independent Person's opinion
or certificate shall be furnished to the Trustee, such opinion or certificate
shall state that the signatory has read this definition and is Independent
within the meaning set forth herein.

     "Initial HE Contracts" means certain Home Equity Contracts, all of which
were originated before December 2, 1996, the aggregate Cut-off Date Principal
Balance of which is approximately $332,712,528.39.

                                     1-28
<PAGE>
 
     "Initial HI Contracts" means certain Home Improvement Contracts, all of
which were originated before December 2, 1996, the aggregate Cut-off Date
Principal Balance of which is approximately $104,281,957.42.

     "Liquidated Contract" means with respect to any Due Period, either

          (1) a Defaulted Contract as to which (a) the Servicer has received
     from the Obligor, or a third party purchaser of the Contract, all amounts
     which the Servicer reasonably and in good faith expects to recover from or
     on account of such Contract, or (b) in the case of an FHA-Insured Contract,
     either (i) FHA has paid the claim or (ii) the Servicer has determined in
     good faith that FHA will not pay the claim, or
 
          (2) a Contract (a) upon which all or a portion of the first payment of
     interest due by the Obligor was added to principal, and (b) on which the
     Obligor failed to pay the full amount of principal due on the Contract, as
     computed by the Servicer;

provided, however, that any Contract which the Company is obligated to
repurchase pursuant to Section 3.05, and did so repurchase or substitute
therefor an Eligible Substitute Contract in accordance with Section 3.05, shall
be deemed not to be a Liquidated Contract; and provided further, that with
respect to Due Periods beginning on or after December 1, 2021 (in the case of a
Home Improvement Contract) or December 1, 2021 (in the case of a Home Equity
Contract), a Liquidated Contract also means any Contract as to which the
Servicer has commenced foreclosure proceedings, made a sale of the Contract to a
third party for foreclosure or enforcement, or, in the case of an FHA-Insured
Contract, submitted a claim to FHA.

     "Liquidation Expenses" means out-of-pocket expenses (exclusive of any
overhead expenses) which are incurred by the Servicer in connection with the
liquidation of any defaulted Contract, including, without limitation, legal fees
and expenses, and any related and unreimbursed expenditures for property taxes,
property preservation or restoration of the property to marketable condition.

     "Liquidation Proceeds" means cash (including insurance proceeds) received
in connection with the liquidation of defaulted Contracts, whether through
repossession, foreclosure sale or otherwise.

     "List of Contracts" means the list identifying each Contract constituting
part of the corpus of the Trust, which list (a) identifies each Contract and (b)
sets forth as to each Contract (i) the Cut-off Date Principal Balance, (ii) the
amount of monthly payments due from the Obligor, (iii) the Contract Interest
Rate and (iv) the maturity date, and which is attached to this Agreement as
Exhibit O-1, in the case of the Home Improvement Contracts, or Exhibit O-2, in
the case of the Home Equity Contracts.

     "Monthly Report" has the meaning assigned in Section 6.01.

                                     1-29
<PAGE>
 
     "Monthly Servicing Fee" means, as of any Payment Date, (1) with respect to
the Home Improvement Contracts, one-twelfth of the product of .75% and the Pool
Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI with respect to the preceding Payment
Date, and (2) with respect to the Home Equity Contracts, one-twelfth of the
product of .75% and the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE with
respect to the preceding Payment Date.

     "Net Liquidation Loss" means, as to a Liquidated Contract, the difference
between (a) the Repurchase Price of such Contract, and (b) the Net Liquidation
Proceeds with respect to such Liquidated Contract, where such difference is a
positive number.

     "Net Liquidation Proceeds" means, as to a Liquidated Contract, the proceeds
received, or, for Contracts which become Liquidated Contracts pursuant to the
last proviso in the definition of "Liquidated Contract," the estimated proceeds
to be received, as of the last day of the Due Period in which such Contract
became a Liquidated Contract, from the Obligor, from a third party purchaser of
the Contract, under FHA Insurance, under insurance other than FHA insurance, or
otherwise, net of Liquidation Expenses.

     "NRSRO" means any nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

     "Obligor" means the person who owes payments under a Contract.

     "Officer's Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the
Board, President or any Vice President of the Company and delivered to the
Trustee.

     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may, except as
expressly provided herein, be salaried counsel for the Company or the Servicer,
as applicable, acceptable to the Trustee and the Company.

     "Original Class HE: A-1 Principal Balance" means $122,410,000.

     "Original Class HE: A-2 Principal Balance" means $84,500,000.
 
     "Original Class HE: A-3 Principal Balance" means $33,502,000.
     
     "Original Class HE: A-4 Principal Balance" means $24,631,000.
     
     "Original Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance" means $38,537,000.
     
     "Original Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance" means $12,355,000.
     
     "Original Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance" means $5,295,000.
     
     "Original Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance" means $19,415,000.
     
     "Original Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance" means $12,355,000.

                                     1-30
     
<PAGE>
 
     "Original Class HI: A-1 Principal Balance" means $47,346,000.
     
     "Original Class HI: A-2 Principal Balance" means $18,561,000.
     
     "Original Class HI: A-3 Principal Balance" means $34,092,000.
     
     "Original Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance" means $5,938,000.
     
     "Original Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance" means $2,813,000.
     
     "Original Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance" means $10,000,000.
     
     "Original Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance" means $6,250,000.
     
     "Original Series 1996-F Certificate Principal Balance" means $478,000,000.
     
     "Original Sub-Pool HE Certificate Principal Balance" means $353,000,000.

     "Original Sub-Pool HI Certificate Principal Balance" means $125,000,000.

     "Partial Principal Prepayment" means (a) any Principal Prepayment other
than a Principal Prepayment in Full and (b) any cash amount deposited in the
Certificate Account pursuant to the proviso in Section 3.05(a) or pursuant to
Section 3.05(b).

     "Paying Agent" has the meaning assigned in Section 8.01(c).

     "Payment Date" means the fifteenth day of each calendar month during the
term of this Agreement, or if such day is not a Business Day, the next
succeeding Business Day, commencing January 15, 1997.

     "Percentage Interest" means, as to any Certificate or the Class C
Certificate, the percentage interest evidenced thereby in distributions made on
the related Class, such percentage interest being equal to: (i) as to any
Certificate, the percentage (carried to eight places) obtained from dividing the
denomination of such Certificate by (a) in the case of a Class HI: A-1
Certificate, the Original Class HI: A-1 Principal Balance, (b) in the case of a
Class HI: A-2 Certificate, the Original Class HI: A-2 Principal Balance, (c) in
the case of a Class HI: A-3 Certificate, the Original Class HI: A-3 Principal
Balance, (d) in the case of a Class HI: M-1 Certificate, the Original Class HI:
M-1 Principal Balance, (e) in the case of a Class HI: M-2 Certificate, the
Original Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance, (f) in the case of a Class HI: B-1
Certificate, the Original Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance, (g) in the case of a
Class HI: B-2 Certificate, the Original Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance, (h) in
the case of a Class HE: A-1 Certificate, the Original Class HE: A-1 Principal
Balance, (i) in the case of a Class HE: A-2 Certificate, the Original Class HE:
A-2 Principal Balance, (j) in the case of a Class HE: A-3 Certificate, the
Original Class HE: A-3 Principal Balance, (k) in the case of a Class HE: A-4
Certificate, the Original Class HE: A-4 Principal Balance, (l) in the case of a
Class HE: A-5 Certificate, the Original Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance, (m) in
the 

                                     1-31
<PAGE>
 
case of a Class HE: M-1 Certificate, the Original Class HE: M-1 Principal
Balance, (n) in the case of a Class HE: M-2 Certificate, the Original Class HE:
M-2 Principal Balance, (o) in the case of a Class HE: B-1 Certificate, the
Original Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance, and (p) in the case of a Class HE: B-2
Certificate, the Original Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance; and (ii) as to any
Class C Certificate, the percentage specified on the face of such Certificate.
The aggregate Percentage Interests for each Class of Certificates and the Class
C Certificate shall equal 100%.

     "Permitted Transferee" means, in the case of a transfer of the Class C
Certificate, a Person that is not a Plan or a Disqualified Organization, except
as permitted by Sections 9.02(b)(2) and (3), respectively.

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association, joint stock company, trust (including any beneficiary thereof),
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.

     "Plan" has the meaning assigned in Section 9.02(b)(2).

     "Pool Scheduled Principal Balance" means, with respect to all Contracts or
the Contracts comprising a given Sub-Pool, as of any Payment Date, the aggregate
Scheduled Principal Balance of all Contracts or the Contracts comprising such
Sub-Pool, as the case may be, that were outstanding during the immediately
preceding Due Period.

     "Principal Prepayment" means a payment or other recovery of principal on a
Contract (exclusive of Liquidation Proceeds) which is received in advance of its
scheduled due date and applied upon receipt (or, in the case of a partial
prepayment, upon the next scheduled payment date on such Contract) to reduce the
outstanding principal amount due on such Contract prior to the date or dates on
which such principal amount is due.

     "Principal Prepayment in Full" means any Principal Prepayment of the entire
principal balance of a Contract.

     "Record Date" means, with respect to any Payment Date, the Business Day
immediately preceding such Payment Date.

     "REMIC" means a "real estate mortgage investment conduit" as defined in
Section 860D of the Code.

     "REMIC Provisions" means the provisions of the federal income tax law
relating to REMICs, which appear at Sections 860A through 860G of the Code, and
related provisions and any temporary, proposed or final regulations promulgated
thereunder, as the foregoing may be in effect from time to time.

     "Replaced Contract" has the meaning assigned in Section 3.05(b).

                                     1-32
<PAGE>
 
     "Repurchase Price" means, with respect to a Contract to be repurchased
pursuant to Section 3.05 or which becomes a Liquidated Contract, an amount equal
to (a) the remaining principal amount outstanding on such Contract (without
giving effect to any Advances paid by the Servicer or the Trustee, as
applicable, with respect to such Contract pursuant to Section 8.02), plus (b)
interest at the Weighted Average Pass-Through Rate on such Contract from the end
of the Due Period with respect to which the Obligor last made a scheduled
payment (without giving effect to any Advances paid by the Servicer or the
Trustee, as applicable, with respect to such Contract pursuant to Section 8.02)
through the date of such repurchase or liquidation.

     "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Trustee, the chairman and
any vice chairman of the board of directors, the president, the chairman and
vice chairman of any executive committee of the board of directors, every vice
president, assistant vice president, the secretary, every assistant secretary,
cashier or any assistant cashier, controller or assistant controller, the
treasurer, every assistant treasurer, every trust officer, assistant trust
officer and every other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by persons who at the time shall
be such officers, respectively, or to whom a corporate trust matter is referred
because of knowledge of, familiarity with, and authority to act with respect to
a particular matter.

     "S&P" means Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc., or any successor thereto; provided that, if S&P no longer has a rating
outstanding on any Class of the Certificates, then references herein to "S&P"
shall be deemed to refer to the NRSRO then rating any Class of the Certificates
(or, if more than one such NRSRO is then rating any Class of the Certificates,
to such NRSRO as may be designated by the Servicer), and references herein to
ratings by or requirements of S&P shall be deemed to have the equivalent
meanings with respect to ratings by or requirements of such NRSRO.

     "Scheduled Principal Balance" means, with respect to any Contract and any
Payment Date or the Cut-off Date, the principal balance of such Contract as of
the due date in the Due Period immediately preceding such Payment Date or as of
the due date immediately preceding the Cut-off Date (or as of the Cut-off Date
if the Cut-off Date is the date of origination of such Contract), as the case
may be, as specified in the amortization schedule at the time relating thereto
(before any adjustment to such amortization schedule by reason of any bankruptcy
of an Obligor or similar proceeding or any moratorium or similar waiver or grace
period) after giving effect to any previous partial Principal Prepayments and to
the payment of principal due on such due date and irrespective of any
delinquency in payment by, or extension granted to, the related Obligor;
provided that the Scheduled Principal Balance of any Home Equity Contract as of
the Cut-off Date shall give effect to payments of principal received prior to
the Cut-off Date.

                                     1-33
<PAGE>
 
     "Second Cross-over date" means (1) with respect to the Sub-Pool HI
Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HI: A-2 Principal Balance
(after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the Class HI: A-2
Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero, and (2) with respect to
the Sub-Pool HE Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HE: A-2
Principal Balance (after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the
Class HE: A-2 Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero.

     "Service Transfer" has the meaning assigned in Section 7.02.

     "Servicer" means the Company until any Service Transfer hereunder and
thereafter means the new servicer appointed pursuant to Article VII.

     "Servicing Officer" means any officer of the Servicer involved in, or
responsible for, the administration and servicing of Contracts whose name
appears on a list of servicing officers appearing in an Officer's Certificate
furnished to the Trustee by the Company, as the same may be amended from time to
time.

     "Seventh Cross-over date" means with respect to the Sub-Pool HE
Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance
(after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the Class HE: M-2
Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero.

     "Sixth Cross-over date" means (1) with respect to the Sub-Pool HI
Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance
(after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the Class HI: B-1
Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero, and (2) with respect to
the Sub-Pool HE Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HE: M-1
Principal Balance (after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the
Class HE: M-1 Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero.

     "Sub-Pool" means Sub-Pool HI or Sub-Pool HE.

     "Sub-Pool HE" means the sub-pool comprised of the Home Equity Contracts.

     "Sub-Pool HE Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal Amount" means, as of any
Payment Date, the excess, if any, of (a) the Sub-Pool HE Certificate Principal
Balance as of the preceding Payment Date (after giving effect to distributions
of principal thereon) over (b) the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool
HE for such preceding Payment Date.
 
     "Sub-Pool HE Amount Available" means, as to any Payment Date, an amount
equal to: (a) the sum of (1) the amount on deposit in the Certificate Account in
respect of the Home Equity Contracts as of the close of business on the last day
of the preceding Due Period, (2) that portion of the Sub-Pool HI Amount
Available (determined without regard to clause (a)(2) of the definition thereof)
remaining

                                     1-34
<PAGE>
 
after payment of the amounts provided for in clauses (1) through (8) of Section
8.04(b), and (3) as to the Payment Date occurring in January 1997, that portion,
if any, of the balance on deposit in the Excess Proceeds Account attributable to
Excess Proceeds with respect to the Sub-Pool HE Certificates and any investment
earnings allocable thereto in accordance with Section 8.07; reduced by (b) the
sum as of the close of business on the Business Day preceding such Payment Date
of (1) the Amount Held for Future Distribution in respect of the Home Equity
Contracts, (2) amounts permitted to be withdrawn by the Trustee from the
Certificate Account in respect of the Home Equity Contracts pursuant to clauses
(ii) through (v) of Section 8.04(a), and (3) the amount, if any, withdrawn by
the Trustee from the Certificate Account pursuant to Section 8.04(e) with
respect to the immediately preceding Payment Date.
 
     "Sub-Pool HE Average Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test" means, to be
considered "satisfied" for any Payment Date, that the arithmetic average of the
Sub-Pool HE Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratios for such Payment Date and for the two
immediately preceding Payment Dates is less than or equal to 2.5%.
 
     "Sub-Pool HE Average Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test" means, to be
considered "satisfied" for any Payment Date, that the arithmetic average of the
Sub-Pool HE Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratios for such Payment Date and for the two
immediately preceding Payment Dates is less than or equal to 5%.

     "Sub-Pool HE Certificate" means a Certificate for Home Improvement and Home
Equity Loans, Series 1996-F, Class HE: A-1, Class HE: A-2, Class HE: A-3, Class
HE: A-4, Class HE: A-5, Class HE: M-1, Class HE: M-2, Class HE: B-1 or Class HE:
B-2, executed and delivered by the Trustee substantially in the form of Exhibit
A, B, or C, as applicable, but does not include the Class C Certificate.

     "Sub-Pool HE Certificate Principal Balance" means the sum of the Class HE:
A-1, Class HE: A-2, Class HE: A-3, Class HE: A-4, Class HE: A-5, Class HE: M-1,
Class HE: M-2, Class HE: B-1 and Class HE: B-2 Principal Balances.

     "Sub-Pool HE Cumulative Realized Loss Ratio" means, for any Payment Date, a
fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the Sub-Pool HE
Cumulative Realized Losses for that Payment Date, and the denominator of which
is the Cut-Off Date Pool Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE.

     "Sub-Pool HE Cumulative Realized Losses" means, as to any Payment Date, the
sum of the Sub-Pool HE Realized Losses for that Payment Date and each preceding
Payment Date since the Cut-off Date.

     "Sub-Pool HE Cumulative Realized Losses Test" means, to be considered
"satisfied" for any Payment Date, that the Sub-Pool HE Cumulative Realized Loss
Ratio as of such Payment Date is less than or equal to 7.5%.

                                     1-35
<PAGE>
 
     "Sub-Pool HE Current Realized Loss Ratio" means, as to any Payment Date, a
fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate 
Sub-Pool HE Realized Losses for such Payment Date and each of the two
immediately preceding Payment Dates, multiplied by four, and the denominator of
which is the arithmetic average of the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-
Pool HE as of the third preceding Payment Date and the Pool Scheduled Principal
Balance of Sub-Pool HE as of such Payment Date.

     "Sub-Pool HE Current Realized Losses Test" means, to be considered
"satisfied" for any Payment Date, that the Sub-Pool HE Current Realized Loss
Ratio for such Payment Date is less than or equal to 2%.

     "Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount" means, as to any
Payment Date, the sum of:

          (a) all scheduled payments of principal due on each outstanding Home
     Equity Contract during the prior Due Period as specified in the
     amortization schedule at the time applicable thereto (after adjustments for
     previous Partial Principal Prepayments but before any adjustment to such
     amortization schedule by reason of any bankruptcy of an Obligor or similar
     proceeding or any moratorium or similar waiver or grace period); plus

          (b) all Partial Principal Prepayments applied and all Principal
     Prepayments in Full received during the prior Due Period with respect to
     the Home Equity Contracts; plus

          (c) the aggregate Scheduled Principal Balance of all Home Equity
     Contracts that became Liquidated Contracts during the prior Due Period;
     plus

          (d) the aggregate Scheduled Principal Balance of all Home Equity
     Contracts repurchased during the prior Due Period pursuant to Section
     3.05(a) or, in the event of a substitution of a Home Equity Contract in
     accordance with Section 3.05(b), any amount required to be deposited by the
     Company in the Certificate Account pursuant to Section 3.05(b)(vi);

          (e) any amount described in clauses (a) through (d) above that was not
     previously distributed because of an insufficient amount of funds available
     in the Certificate Account if (1) the Payment Date occurs on or after the
     Payment Date on which the Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance has been reduced
     to zero, or (2) such amount was not covered by a Class HE: B-2 Guaranty
     Payment and corresponding reduction in the Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance;
     plus

          (f) with respect to the Payment Date in January 1997, an amount equal
     to that portion of the balance of the Excess Proceeds Account attributable

                                     1-36
<PAGE>
 
     to Excess Proceeds with respect to the Sub-Pool HE Certificates and any
     investment earnings allocable thereto in accordance with Section 8.07.

     "Sub-Pool HE Pool Factor" means, at any time, the percentage derived from a
fraction, the numerator of which is the Sub-Pool HE Certificate Principal
Balance at such time and the denominator of which is the Original Sub-Pool HE
Certificate Principal Balance.

     "Sub-Pool HE Realized Losses" means, as to any Payment Date, the aggregate
Net Liquidation Losses for all Home Equity Contracts that became Liquidated
Contracts during the immediately preceding Due Period.

     "Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage" means, with respect to the Sub-Pool HE
Certificates:
 
          (a) as to any Payment Date prior to the Class HE: B Cross-over date,
     100%;

          (b) as to any Payment Date on or after the Class HE: B Cross-over date
     but on or prior to the Seventh Cross-over date, and on which any Class HE:
     B Principal Distribution Test is not satisfied, 100%;

          (c) as to any Payment Date on or after the Class HE: B Cross-over date
     but on or prior to the Seventh Cross-over date, and on which each Class HE:
     B Principal Distribution Test is satisfied, a fraction, expressed as a
     percentage, the numerator of which is the sum of the Class HE: A Principal
     Balance and the Class HE: M Principal Balance as of such Payment Date, and
     the denominator of which is the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-
     Pool HE as of the immediately preceding Payment Date; and

          (d) as to any Payment Date after the Seventh Cross-over date, 0%.

     "Sub-Pool HE Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio" means, as to any Payment Date, a
fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate of
the outstanding balances of all Home Equity Contracts that were delinquent 60
days or more as of the end of the prior Due Period (including Home Equity
Contracts in respect of which the related real estate has been foreclosed upon
but is still in inventory), and the denominator of which is the Pool Scheduled
Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE as of such Payment Date.

     "Sub-Pool HE Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio" means, as to any Payment Date, a
fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate of
the outstanding balances of all Home Equity Contracts that were delinquent 30
days or more as of the end of the prior Due Period (including Home Equity
Contracts in respect of which the related real estate has been foreclosed upon
but is still in                                     

                                     1-37
<PAGE>

inventory), and the denominator of which is the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance
of Sub-Pool HE as of such Payment Date.

     "Sub-Pool HI" means the sub-pool comprised of the Home Improvement
Contracts.

     "Sub-Pool HI Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal Amount" means, as of any
Payment Date, the excess, if any, of (a) the Sub-Pool HI Certificate Principal
Balance as of the preceding Payment Date (after giving effect to distributions
of principal thereon) over (b) the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool
HI for such preceding Payment Date.
 
     "Sub-Pool HI Amount Available" means, as to any Payment Date, an amount
equal to: (a) the sum of (1) the amount on deposit in the Certificate Account in
respect of the Home Improvement Contracts as of the close of business on the
last day of the preceding Due Period, (2) that portion of the Sub-Pool HE Amount
Available (determined without regard to clause (a)(2) of the definition thereof)
remaining after payment of the amounts provided for in clauses (1) through (8)
of Section 8.04(d), and (3) as to the Payment Date occurring in January 1997,
that portion, if any, of the balance on deposit in the Excess Proceeds Account
attributable to Excess Proceeds with respect to the Sub-Pool HI Certificates and
any investment earnings allocable thereto in accordance with Section 8.07;
reduced by (b) the sum as of the close of business on the Business Day preceding
such Payment Date of (1) the Amount Held for Future Distribution in respect of
the Home Improvement Contracts, (2) amounts permitted to be withdrawn by the
Trustee from the Certificate Account in respect of the Home Improvement
Contracts pursuant to clauses (ii) through (v) of Section 8.04(a), and (3) the
amount, if any, withdrawn by the Trustee from the Certificate Account pursuant
to Section 8.04(c) with respect to the immediately preceding Payment Date.
 
     "Sub-Pool HI Average Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test" means, to be
considered "satisfied" for any Payment Date, that the arithmetic average of the
Sub-Pool HI Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratios for such Payment Date and for the two
immediately preceding Payment Dates is less than or equal to 2.5%.
 
     "Sub-Pool HI Average Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test" means, to be
considered "satisfied" for any Payment Date, that the arithmetic average of the
Sub-Pool HI Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratios for such Payment Date and for the two
immediately preceding Payment Dates is less than or equal to 5%.
 
     "Sub-Pool HI Certificate" means a Certificate for Home Improvement and Home
Equity Loans, Series 1996-F, Class HI: A-1, Class HI: A-2, Class HI: A-3, Class
HI: M-1, Class HI: M-2, Class HI: B-1 or Class HI: B-2, executed and delivered
by the Trustee substantially in the form of Exhibit A, B, or C, as applicable,
but does not include the Class C Certificate.

                                     1-38
<PAGE>
 
     "Sub-Pool HI Certificate Principal Balance" means the sum of the Class HI:
A-1, Class HI: A-2, Class HI: A-3, Class HI: M-1, Class HI: M-2, Class HI: B-1
and Class HI: B-2 Principal Balances.

     "Sub-Pool HI Cumulative Realized Loss Ratio" means, for any Payment Date, a
fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the Sub-Pool HI
Cumulative Realized Losses for that Payment Date, and the denominator of which
is the Cut-Off Date Pool Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI.

     "Sub-Pool HI Cumulative Realized Losses" means, as to any Payment Date, the
sum of the Sub-Pool HI Realized Losses for that Payment Date and each preceding
Payment Date since the Cut-off Date.

     "Sub-Pool HI Cumulative Realized Losses Test" means, to be considered
"satisfied" for any Payment Date, that the Sub-Pool HI Cumulative Realized Loss
Ratio as of such Payment Date is less than or equal to 10%.

     "Sub-Pool HI Current Realized Loss Ratio" means, as to any Payment Date, a
fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate
Sub-Pool HI Realized Losses for such Payment Date and each of the two
immediately preceding Payment Dates, multiplied by four, and the denominator of
which is the arithmetic average of the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-
Pool HI as of the third preceding Payment Date and the Pool Scheduled Principal
Balance of Sub-Pool HI as of such Payment Date.

     "Sub-Pool HI Current Realized Losses Test" means, to be considered
"satisfied" for any Payment Date, that the Sub-Pool HI Current Realized Loss
Ratio for such Payment Date is less than or equal to 2.5%.

     "Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal Distribution Amount" means, as to any
Payment Date, the sum of:

          (a) all scheduled payments of principal due on each outstanding Home
     Improvement Contract during the prior Due Period as specified in the
     amortization schedule at the time applicable thereto (after adjustments for
     previous Partial Principal Prepayments but before any adjustment to such
     amortization schedule by reason of any bankruptcy of an Obligor or similar
     proceeding or any moratorium or similar waiver or grace period); plus

          (b) all Partial Principal Prepayments applied and all Principal
     Prepayments in Full received during the prior Due Period with respect to
     the Home Improvement Contracts; plus

          (c) the aggregate Scheduled Principal Balance of all Home Improvement
     Contracts that became Liquidated Contracts during the prior Due Period;
     plus

                                     1-39
<PAGE>
 
          (d) the aggregate Scheduled Principal Balance of all Home Improvement
     Contracts repurchased during the prior Due Period pursuant to Section
     3.05(a) or, in the event of a substitution of a Home Improvement Contract
     in accordance with Section 3.05(b), any amount required to be deposited by
     the Company in the Certificate Account pursuant to Section 3.05(b)(vi);

          (e) any amount described in clauses (a) through (d) above that was not
     previously distributed (including from amounts described in clause (f)
     below) because of an insufficient amount of funds available in the
     Certificate Account if (1) the Payment Date occurs on or after the Payment
     Date on which the Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance has been reduced to zero,
     or (2) such amount was not covered by a Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment and
     corresponding reduction in the Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance; plus

          (f) with respect to the Payment Date in January 1997, an amount equal
     to that portion of the balance of the Excess Proceeds Account attributable
     to Excess Proceeds with respect to the Sub-Pool HI Certificates and any
     investment earnings allocable thereto in accordance with Section 8.07.

     "Sub-Pool HI Pool Factor" means, at any time, the percentage derived from a
fraction, the numerator of which is the Sub-Pool HI Certificate Principal
Balance at such time and the denominator of which is the Original Sub-Pool HI
Certificate Principal Balance.

     "Sub-Pool HI Realized Losses" means, as to any Payment Date, the aggregate
Net Liquidation Losses for all Home Improvement Contracts that became Liquidated
Contracts during the immediately preceding Due Period.

     "Sub-Pool HI Senior Percentage" means, with respect to the Sub-Pool HI
Certificates:
 
          (a) as to any Payment Date prior to the Class HI: B Cross-over date,
     100%;

          (b) as to any Payment Date on or after the Class HI: B Ccross-over
     date but on or prior to the Fifth Cross-over date, and on which any Class
     HI: B Principal Distribution Test is not satisfied, 100%;

          (c) as to any Payment Date on or after the Class HI: B Cross-over date
     but on or prior to the Fifth Cross-over date, and on which each Class HI: B
     Principal Distribution Test is satisfied, a fraction, expressed as a
     percentage, the numerator of which is the sum of the Class HI: A Principal
     Balance and the Class HI: M Principal Balance as of such Payment Date, and
     the denominator of which is the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-
     Pool HI as of the immediately preceding Payment Date; and

                                     1-40
<PAGE>
 
          (d) as to any Payment Date after the Fifth Cross-over date, 0%.

     "Sub-Pool HI Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio" means, as to any Payment Date, a
fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate of
the outstanding balances of all Home Improvement Contracts that were delinquent
60 days or more as of the end of the prior Due Period (including Home
Improvement Contracts in respect of which the related real estate has been
foreclosed upon but is still in inventory), and the denominator of which is the
Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI as of such Payment Date.

     "Sub-Pool HI Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio" means, as to any Payment Date, a
fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate of
the outstanding balances of all Home Improvement Contracts that were delinquent
30 days or more as of the end of the prior Due Period (including Home
Improvement Contracts in respect of which the related real estate has been
foreclosed upon but is still in inventory), and the denominator of which is the
Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI as of such Payment Date.

     "Subsequent HE Contracts" means all Home Equity Contracts that are not
Initial HE Contracts.

     "Subsequent HI Contracts" means all Home Improvement Contracts that are not
Initial HI Contracts.

     "Third Cross-over date" means (1) with respect to the Sub-Pool HI
Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HI: A-3 Principal Balance
(after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the Class HI: A-3
Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero, and (2) with respect to
the Sub-Pool HE Certificates, the Payment Date on which the Class HE: A-3
Principal Balance (after giving effect to the distributions of principal on the
Class HE: A-3 Certificates on such Payment Date) is reduced to zero.

     "Trust" means the trust created by this Agreement, the corpus of which
consists of (i) all the rights, benefits and obligations arising from and in
connection with the Contracts, including all interest and principal received on
or with respect to the Contracts (other than principal and interest due on the
Home Improvement Contracts before the Cut-off Date, and other than principal and
interest received on the Home Equity Contracts before the Cut-off Date), (ii)
all rights under FHA Insurance in respect of each FHA-Insured Contract, (iii)
all rights under any hazard, flood or other individual insurance policy on the
real estate securing a Contract for the benefit of the creditor of such
Contract, (iv) all rights under the Errors and Omissions Protection Policy and
the Fidelity Bond as such policy and bond relate to the Contracts, (v) all
documents contained in the Contract Files, (vi) all proceeds and products of the
foregoing, (vii) the Class HI: B-2 Limited Guaranty and the Class HE: B-2
Limited Guaranty, (viii) the remittances, deposits and payments made into 

                                     1-41
<PAGE>
 
the Certificate Account and amounts in the Certificate Account (including all
proceeds of investments thereof), and (ix) the Excess Proceeds Account.

     "Trustee Advance" has the meaning assigned in Section 11.16.

     "Underwriters" means Lehman Brothers Inc. and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc..

     "Unpaid Class HE: A Interest Shortfall"  means, as to each Class of Class
HE: A Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if any, of the Class HE: A
Interest Shortfall applicable to such Class for the prior Payment Date, plus one
month's interest thereon (to the extent payment thereof is legally permissible)
at the related Pass-Through Rate, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months.

     "Unpaid Class HE: B-1 Interest Shortfall"  means, with respect to the Class
HE: B-1 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if any, of the Class HE:
B-1 Interest Shortfall for the prior Payment Date, plus one month's interest
thereon (to the extent payment thereof is legally permissible) at the Class HE:
B-1 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

     "Unpaid Class HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall" means, with
respect to the Class HE: B-1 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if
any, of the Class HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall for the prior
Payment Date, plus one month's interest thereon (to the extent payment thereof
is legally permissible) at the Class HE: B-1 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     "Unpaid Class HE: B-2 Interest Shortfall"  means, with respect to the Class
HE: B-2 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if any, of the Class HE:
B-2 Interest Shortfall for the prior Payment Date, plus one month's interest
thereon (to the extent payment thereof is legally permissible) at the Class HE:
B-2 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

     "Unpaid Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall"  means, with
respect to the Class HE: B-2 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if
any, of the Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall for the prior
Payment Date, plus one month's interest thereon (to the extent payment thereof
is legally permissible) at the Class HE: B-2 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     "Unpaid Class HE: M-1 Interest Shortfall"  means, with respect to the Class
HE: M-1 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if any, of the Class HE:
M-1 Interest Shortfall for the prior Payment Date, plus one month's interest
thereon (to the extent payment thereof is legally permissible) at the Class HE:
M-1 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

                                     1-42
<PAGE>
 
     "Unpaid Class HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall"  means, with
respect to the Class HE: M-1 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if
any, of the Class HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall for the prior
Payment Date, plus one month's interest thereon (to the extent payment thereof
is legally permissible) at the Class HE: M-1 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Unpaid Class HE: M-2 Interest Shortfall"  means, with respect to the Class
HE: M-2 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if any, of the Class HE:
M-2 Interest Shortfall for the prior Payment Date, plus one month's interest
thereon (to the extent payment thereof is legally permissible) at the Class HE:
M-2 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

     "Unpaid Class HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall"  means, with
respect to the Class HE: M-2 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if
any, of the Class HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall for the prior
Payment Date, plus one month's interest thereon (to the extent payment thereof
is legally permissible) at the Class HE: M-2 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     "Unpaid Class HI: A Interest Shortfall"  means, as to each Class of Class
HI: A Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if any, of the Class HI: A
Interest Shortfall applicable to such Class for the prior Payment Date, plus one
month's interest thereon (to the extent payment thereof is legally permissible)
at the related Pass-Through Rate, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months.

     "Unpaid Class HI: B-1 Interest Shortfall"  means, with respect to the Class
HI: B-1 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if any, of the Class HI:
B-1 Interest Shortfall for the prior Payment Date, plus one month's interest
thereon (to the extent payment thereof is legally permissible) at the Class HI:
B-1 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

     "Unpaid Class HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall"  means, with
respect to the Class HI: B-1 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if
any, of the Class HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall for the prior
Payment Date, plus one month's interest thereon (to the extent payment thereof
is legally permissible) at the Class HI: B-1 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     "Unpaid Class HI: B-2 Interest Shortfall"  means, with respect to the Class
HI: B-2 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if any, of the Class HI:
B-2 Interest Shortfall for the prior Payment Date, plus one month's interest
thereon (to the extent payment thereof is legally permissible) at the Class HI:
B-2 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

                                     1-43
<PAGE>
 
     "Unpaid Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall"  means, with
respect to the Class HI: B-2 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if
any, of the Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall for the prior
Payment Date, plus one month's interest thereon (to the extent payment thereof
is legally permissible) at the Class HI: B-2 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     "Unpaid Class HI: M-1 Interest Shortfall"  means, with respect to the Class
HI: M-1 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if any, of the Class HI:
M-1 Interest Shortfall for the prior Payment Date, plus one month's interest
thereon (to the extent payment thereof is legally permissible) at the Class HI:
M-1 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

     "Unpaid Class HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall" means, with
respect to the Class HI: M-1 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if
any, of the Class HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall for the prior
Payment Date, plus one month's interest thereon (to the extent payment thereof
is legally permissible) at the Class HI: M-1 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
     "Unpaid Class HI: M-2 Interest Shortfall"  means, with respect to the Class
HI: M-2 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if any, of the Class HI:
M-2 Interest Shortfall for the prior Payment Date, plus one month's interest
thereon (to the extent payment thereof is legally permissible) at the Class HI:
M-2 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

     "Unpaid Class HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall"  means, with
respect to the Class HI: M-2 Certificates and any Payment Date, the amount, if
any, of the Class HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall for the prior
Payment Date, plus one month's interest thereon (to the extent payment thereof
is legally permissible) at the Class HI: M-2 Pass-Through Rate, computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     "Weighted Average Pass-Through Rate" means, as to any Payment Date,
(a) with respect to any Home Improvement Contract, the weighted average
(expressed as a percentage and rounded to four decimal places) of the Class HI:
A-1, A-2, A-3, M-1, M-2, B-1 and B-2 Pass-Through Rates, weighted on the basis
of the respective Class HI: A-1, A-2, A-3, M-1, M-2, B-1 and B-2 Principal
Balance immediately prior to such Payment Date, and (b) with respect to any Home
Equity Contract, the weighted average (expressed as a percentage and rounded to
four decimal places) of the Class HE: A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, M-1, M-2, B-1 and
B-2 Pass-Through Rates, weighted on the basis of the respective Class HE: A-1,
A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, M-1, M-2, B-1 and B-2 Principal Balance immediately prior to
such Payment Date.

                                     1-44
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE II

                 ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUST; TRANSFER OF CONTRACTS
                 ---------------------------------------------

     SECTION 2.01.  Closing.
                    ------- 
 
     a.   There is hereby created, by the Company as settlor, a separate trust
which shall be known as Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F.  By
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company has agreed that it
will elect or will cause an election to be made to treat the pool of assets
comprising the Trust, excluding the Excess Proceeds Account, as a REMIC. The
Trust shall be administered pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement for the
benefit of the Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder.

     b.   The Company hereby transfers, assigns, sets over and otherwise conveys
to the Trustee on behalf of the Trust, by execution of an assignment
substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto, (i) all the right, title and
interest of the Company in and to the Contracts, including all payments received
by the Company on or with respect to the Home Improvement Contracts (other than
payments due on the Contracts before the Cut-off Date, and other than payments
received on the Home Equity Contracts before the Cut-off Date), (ii) all rights
the Company may have against the originating contractor or lender with respect
to Contracts originated by a contractor or lender other than the Company, (iii)
all rights under FHA Insurance as such insurance relates to the FHA-Insured
Contracts, (iv) all rights under hazard insurance, if applicable, on the
properties described in the Contracts and, as to FHA-Insured Contracts secured
by properties located in special flood areas designated by HUD, all rights under
flood insurance policies as such insurance relates to the Contracts, (v) all
rights under the Errors and Omissions Protection Policy and the Fidelity Bond as
such policy and bond relate to the Contracts, (vi) all documents contained in
the Contract Files, (vii) all rights under any title insurance policies, if
applicable, on any of the properties securing Home Equity Contracts and
(viii) all proceeds and products of the foregoing.

     c.   Although the parties intend that the conveyance of the Company's
right, title and interest in and to the Contracts pursuant to this Agreement
shall constitute a purchase and sale and not a loan, if such conveyances are
deemed to be a loan, the parties intend that the rights and obligations of the
parties to such loan shall be established pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.  If the conveyance is deemed to be a loan, the parties further intend
and agree that the Company shall be deemed to have granted to the Trustee, and
the Company does hereby grant to the Trustee, a perfected first-priority
security interest in the items designated in Section 2.01(b)(i) through
2.01(b)(vi) above, and that this Agreement shall constitute a security agreement
under applicable law.  If the trust created by this Agreement terminates prior
to the satisfaction of the claims of any Person under any Certificate, or the
Class C Certificate, the security interest created hereby shall continue in full

                                      2-1
<PAGE>
 
force and effect and the Trustee shall be deemed to be the collateral agent for
the benefit of such Person.

     SECTION 2.02.  Conditions to the Closing.
                    ------------------------- 
 
     On or before the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be
delivered the following documents to the Trustee:

          a.   The List of Contracts, certified by the Chairman of the Board,
     President or any Vice President of the Company.

          b.   A certificate of an officer of the Company substantially in the
     form of Exhibit H hereto.

          c.   An Opinion of Counsel for the Company substantially in the form
     of Exhibit I hereto.

          d.   A letter from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP or another nationally
     recognized accounting firm, stating that such firm has reviewed the
     Contracts on a statistical sampling basis and, based on such sampling,
     concluding that the Contracts conform in all material respects to the List
     of Contracts, to a confidence level of 97.5%, with an error rate not in
     excess of 1.8%, specifying those Contracts which do not so conform.

          e.   Copies of resolutions of the board of directors of the Company or
     of the executive committee of the board of directors of the Company
     approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
     transactions contemplated hereunder, certified in each case by the
     secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company.

          f.   Officially certified recent evidence of due incorporation and
     good standing of the Company under the laws of the State of Delaware.

          g.   An Officer's Certificate listing the Servicer's Servicing
     Officers.

          h.   Evidence of continued coverage of the Company under the Errors
     and Omissions Protection Policy.

          i.   Evidence of deposit in the Certificate Account of all funds
     received with respect to the Contracts from the Cut-off Date to the Closing
     Date, other than amounts due before the Cut-off Date, together with an
     Officer's Certificate to the effect that such amount is correct.

          j.   An Officer's Certificate confirming that the Company's internal
     audit department has reviewed the original or a copy of each Contract and
     each Contract File, that each Contract and Contract File conforms in all

                                      
                                      2-2
<PAGE>
 
     material respects with the List of Contracts and that each Contract File is
     complete.

          k.   Assignments in recordable form to the Trustee of the mortgages,
     deeds of trust and security deeds relating to the Contracts.

          l.   Evidence of deposit by the Company in the Excess Proceeds Account
     of an amount equal to the sum of the Excess Proceeds with to respect both
     the Sub-Pool HI Certificates and the Sub-Pool HE Certificates.

     SECTION 2.03.  Acceptance by Trustee.
                    ----------------------

     a.   On the Closing Date, if the conditions set forth in Section 2.02 have
been satisfied, the Trustee shall deliver a certificate to the Company
substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto acknowledging conveyance of the
Contracts and Contract Files to the Trustee and declaring that the Trustee,
directly or through a Custodian, will hold all Contracts that have been
delivered in trust, upon the trusts herein set forth, for the use and benefit of
all Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder, and shall issue, to or
upon the order of the Company, the Certificates and the Class C Certificate
representing, in the aggregate, ownership of the entire beneficial interest in
the Trust.

     b.   The Trustee or a Custodian shall review each Contract File, as
described in Exhibit J, within 60 days of the Closing Date or the receipt by it
of the Contract File, whichever is later.  If, in its review of the Contract
Files as described in Exhibit J, the Trustee or a Custodian discovers a breach
of the representations or warranties set forth in Sections 3.02, 3.03 or 3.04 of
this Agreement, or in the Officer's Certificate delivered pursuant to Section
2.02(j) of this Agreement, the Trustee or Custodian, as the case may be, shall
notify the Company and the Company shall cure such breach or repurchase or
replace such Contract pursuant to Section 3.05.

     SECTION 2.04.  REMIC Provisions.
                    -----------------
     a.   The Company, as Servicer, and the Class C Certificateholder, by
acceptance thereof, each agrees that, in accordance with the requirements of
Section 860D(b)(1) of the Code, the federal tax return of the Trust for its
first taxable year shall provide that the Trust elects to be treated as a REMIC
for such taxable year and all subsequent taxable years, and the Trustee shall
sign such return.  In furtherance of the foregoing, the Trustee (at the
direction of the Company or the Servicer), the Company and the Servicer shall
take, or refrain from taking, all such action as is necessary to maintain the
status of the Trust as a REMIC under the REMIC Provisions of the Code,
including, but not limited to, the taking of such action as is necessary to cure
any inadvertent termination of REMIC status.

     b.   The Certificates are being issued in fifteen classes and are hereby
designated by the Company as constituting the "regular interests" in the Trust
for 

                                      2-3
<PAGE>
 
purposes of Section 860G(a)(1) of the Code.  The following terms of the
Certificates are irrevocably established as of the Closing Date:  the Class HI:
A-1 Pass-Through Rate is 6.10% per annum, the Class HI: A-2 Pass-Through Rate is
6.40% per annum, the Class HI: A-3 Pass-Through Rate is 6.75% per annum, the
Class HI: M-1 Pass-Through Rate is 7.30% per annum, the Class HI: M-2 Pass-
Through Rate is 7.60% per annum, the Class HI: B-1 Pass-Through Rate is 7.25%
per annum,  the Class HI: B-2 Pass-Through Rate is7.70% per annum, the Class HE:
A-1 Pass-Through Rate is 6.10% per annum, the Class HE: A-2 Pass-Through Rate is
6.50% per annum, the Class HE: A-3 Pass-Through Rate is 6.90% per annum, the
Class HE: A-4 Pass-Through Rate is 7.30% per annum, the Class HE: A-5 Pass-
Through Rate is 6.85% per annum, the Class HE: M-1 Pass-Through Rate is 7.70%
per annum, the Class HE: M-2 Pass-Through Rate is 7.95% per annum, the Class HE:
B-1 Pass-Through Rate is 7.60% per annum, the Class HE: B-2 Pass-Through Rate is
8.00% per annum, the initial aggregate principal balance of the Class HI: A-1
Certificates is $47,346,000, the initial aggregate principal balance of the
Class HI: A-2 Certificates is $18,561,000, the initial aggregate principal
balance of the Class HI: A-3 Certificates is $34,092,000, the initial aggregate
principal balance of the Class HI: M-1 Certificates is $10,000,000, the initial
aggregate principal balance of the Class HI: M-2 Certificates is $6,250,000, the
initial aggregate principal balance of the Class HI: B-1 Certificates is
$5,938,000, the initial aggregate principal balance of the Class HI: B-2
Certificates is $2,813,000, the initial aggregate principal balance of the Class
HE: A-1 Certificates is $122,410,000, the initial aggregate principal balance of
the Class HE: A-2 Certificates is $84,500,000, the initial aggregate principal
balance of the Class HE: A-3 Certificates is $33,502,000, the initial aggregate
principal balance of the Class HE: A-4 Certificates is $24,631,000, the initial
aggregate principal balance of the Class HE: A-5 Certificates is $38,537,000,
the initial aggregate principal balance of the Class HE: M-1 Certificates is
$19,415,000, the initial aggregate principal balance of the Class HE: M-2
Certificates is $12,355,000, the initial aggregate principal balance of the
Class HE: B-1 Certificates is $12,355,000, the initial aggregate principal
balance of the Class HE: B-2 Certificates is $5,295,000, and the latest possible
maturity date with respect to the Sub-Pool HI Certificates is in November 15,
2028 and, with respect to the Sub-Pool HE Certificates, is in January 15, 2029
(calculated using a prepayment assumption of 0% and assuming no defaults or
delinquencies on the Contracts).  The Class C Certificate is being issued in a
single class and is hereby designated by the Company as constituting the sole
class of "residual interests" in the Trust for purposes of Section 860G(a)(2) of
the Code.

     c.   The Closing Date, which is the day on which the Trust will issue all
of its regular and residual interests, is hereby designated as the "startup day"
of the REMIC constituted by the Trust within the meaning of Section 860G(a)(9)
of the Code.

     d.   After the Closing Date, neither the Trustee, the Company nor any
Servicer shall (i) accept any contribution of assets to the Trust, (ii) dispose
of any portion of the Trust other than as provided in Sections 3.05, 3.06 and
8.06, (iii) engage in any "prohibited transaction," as defined in Sections
860F(a)(2) and (5) of 

                                      2-4
<PAGE>
 
the Code, (iv) accept any contribution after the Closing Date that is subject to
the tax imposed by Section 860G(d) of the Code or (v) engage in any activity or
enter into any agreement that would result in the receipt by the Trust of any
"net income from foreclosure property" as defined in Section 860G(c)(2) of the
Code, unless, prior to any such action set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (iii),
(iv) or (v), the Trustee shall have received an unqualified Opinion of Counsel,
which opinion shall not be an expense of the Trust, stating that such action
will not, directly or indirectly, (A) adversely affect the status of the Trust
as a REMIC or the status of the Certificates as "regular interests" therein or
of the Class C Certificate as the sole class of "residual interests" therein,
(B) affect the distributions payable hereunder to the Certificateholders or the
Class C Certificateholder or (C) result in the imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon the Trust.

     e.   Upon the acquisition of any real property (including interests in real
property), or any personal property incident thereto, in connection with the
default of a Contract, the Servicer and the Trustee (at the direction of the
Servicer) shall take, or cause to be taken, such action as is necessary to sell
or otherwise dispose of such property within such period as is then required by
the Code in order for such property to qualify as "foreclosure property" within
the meaning of Section 860G(a)(8) of the Code, unless the Servicer and the
Trustee receive an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holding by the
Trust of such property subsequent to the period then permitted by the Code will
not result in the imposition of any taxes on "prohibited transactions" of the
Trust, as defined in Section 860F of the Code, or cause the Trust to fail to
qualify as a REMIC at any time that the Certificates or Class C Certificate are
outstanding.  The Servicer shall manage, conserve, protect and operate such real
property, or any personal property incident thereto, so that such property will
not fail to qualify as "foreclosure property," as defined in Section 860G(a)(8)
of the Code, and that the management, conservation, protection and operation of
such property will not result in the receipt by the Trust of any "income from
nonpermitted assets," within the meaning of Section 860F(a)(2)(B) of the Code.

                                      2-5
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE III

                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                        ------------------------------

     The Company makes the following representations and warranties, effective
as of the Closing Date, on which the Trustee will rely in accepting the
Contracts in trust and issuing the Certificates and the Class C Certificate on
behalf of the Trust. The repurchase or substitution and indemnification
obligations of the Company set forth in Section 3.05 constitute the sole
remedies available to the Trust, the Certificateholders or the Class C
Certificateholder for a breach of a representation or warranty of the Company
set forth in Section 3.02, 3.03 or 3.04 of this Agreement or in the Officer's
Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(j) of this Agreement.

     SECTION 3.01.  Representations and Warranties Regarding the Company.
                    -----------------------------------------------------

     The Company represents and warrants to the Certificateholders and the Class
C Certificateholder that:
 
          a.   Organization and Good Standing.  The Company is a corporation
     duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
     jurisdiction of its organization and has the corporate power to own its
     assets and to transact the business in which it is currently engaged.  The
     Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in
     good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of the business
     transacted by it or properties owned or leased by it requires such
     qualification and in which the failure so to qualify would have a material
     adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, or condition (financial
     or other) of the Company.

          b.   Authorization; Binding Obligations.  The Company has the power
     and authority to make, execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and all
     of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, and to create the
     Trust and cause it to make, execute, deliver and perform its obligations
     under this Agreement and has taken all necessary corporate action to
     authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and to
     cause the Trust to be created.  When executed and delivered, this Agreement
     will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company
     enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement of such
     terms may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting
     the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by the availability of
     equitable remedies.

          c.   No Consent Required.  The Company is not required to obtain the
     consent of any other party or any consent, license, approval or
     authorization from, or registration or declaration with, any governmental
     authority, bureau or agency in connection with the execution, delivery,
     performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement.

                                      3-1
<PAGE>
 
          d.   No Violations.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
     Agreement by the Company will not violate any provision of any existing law
     or regulation or any order or decree of any court or the Certificate of
     Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, or constitute a material breach of
     any mortgage, indenture, contract or other agreement to which the Company
     is a party or by which the Company may be bound.

          e.   Litigation.  No litigation or administrative proceeding of or
     before any court, tribunal or governmental body is currently pending, or to
     the knowledge of the Company threatened, against the Company or any of its
     properties or with respect to this Agreement, the Certificates or the Class
     C Certificate which, if adversely determined, would in the opinion of the
     Company have a material adverse effect on the transactions contemplated by
     this Agreement.

          f.   Licensing.  The Company is duly licensed in each state in which
     Contracts were originated to the extent the Company is required to be
     licensed by applicable law in connection with the origination and servicing
     of the Contracts.

     SECTION 3.02.  Representations and Warranties Regarding Each Contract.
                    ------------------------------------------------------ 

     The Company represents and warrants to the Certificateholders and the Class
C Certificateholder as to each Contract:

          a.   List of Contracts.  The information set forth in the List of
     Contracts is true and correct as of its date.

          b.   Payments.  As of the Cut-off Date, the most recent scheduled
     payment due under the Contract was made by or on behalf of the Obligor or
     was not delinquent for more than 59 days.

          c.   Costs Paid and No Waivers.  The terms of the Contract have not
     been waived, altered or modified in any respect, except by instruments or
     documents identified in the Contract File.  All costs, fees and expenses
     incurred in making, closing and perfecting the lien of the Contract have
     been paid.  The subject real property has not been released from the lien
     of such Contract.

          d.   Binding Obligation.  The Contract is the legal, valid and binding
     obligation of the Obligor thereunder and is enforceable in accordance with
     its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by laws affecting
     the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.

          e.   No Defenses.  The Contract is not subject to any right of
     rescission, setoff, counterclaim or defense, including the defense of
     usury, and 

                                      3-2
<PAGE>
 
     the operation of any of the terms of the Contract or the exercise of any
     right thereunder will not render the Contract unenforceable in whole or in
     part or subject to any right of rescission, setoff, counterclaim or
     defense, including the defense of usury, and no such right of rescission,
     setoff, counterclaim or defense has been asserted with respect thereto.

          f.   Insurance Coverage.  The Company has been named as an additional
     insured party under any hazard insurance on the property described in the
     Contract, to the extent required by the Company's underwriting guidelines.
     If the property described in the Contract is located in a special flood
     area designated by HUD, the property is covered by a flood insurance policy
     of the nature and, if such Contract is an FHA-Insured Contract, in the
     amount required by the FHA Regulations.

          g.   FHA Insurance.  If the Contract is an FHA-Insured Contract, such
     Contract was originated in compliance with FHA Regulations and is insured,
     without setoff, surcharge or defense, by FHA Insurance.  Following the
     assignment of such FHA-Insured Contract to the Trustee, the Trustee on
     behalf of the Trust will be entitled to the full benefits of the FHA
     Insurance.

          h.   Lawful Assignment.  The Contract was not originated in and is not
     subject to the laws of any jurisdiction whose laws would make the transfer
     of the Contract under this Agreement or pursuant to transfers of the
     Certificates or Class C Certificate unlawful or render the Contract
     unenforceable.  The Company has duly executed a valid blanket assignment of
     the Contracts transferred to the Trust, and has transferred all its right,
     title and interest in such Contracts, including all rights the Company may
     have against the originating contractor or lender with respect to Contracts
     originated by a contractor or lender rather than the Company, to the Trust.
     The blanket assignment, any and all documents executed by the Company
     pursuant to Section 2.01(b) hereof, and this Agreement each constitute the
     legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in
     accordance with their respective terms.

          i.   Compliance with Law.  At the date of origination of the Contract,
     all requirements of any federal and state laws, rules and regulations
     applicable to the Contract, including, without limitation, usury and truth
     in lending laws and (if such Contract is an FHA-Insured Contract) the FHA
     Regulations have been complied with, and the Company shall for at least the
     period of this Agreement, maintain in its possession, available for the
     Trustee's inspection, and shall deliver to the Trustee upon demand,
     evidence of compliance with all such requirements.

          j.   Contract in Force.  The Contract has not been satisfied or
     subordinated in whole or in part or rescinded, and the real estate securing

                                      3-3
<PAGE>
 
     such Contract has not been released from the lien of such Contract in whole
     or in part.

          k.   Valid Lien.   The Contract has been duly executed and delivered
     by the Obligor, and the lien created thereby has been duly recorded, or has
     been delivered to the appropriate governmental authority for recording and
     will be duly recorded within 180 days, and constitutes a valid and
     perfected first, second, third or fourth priority lien on the real estate
     described in such Contract.

          l.   Capacity of Parties.  The signature(s) of the Obligor(s) on the
     Contract are genuine and all parties to the Contract had full legal
     capacity to execute the Contract.

          m.   Good Title.  The Company is the sole owner of the Contract and,
     if such Contract is an FHA-Insured Contract, because the Trustee is a
     lender approved by HUD to originate and purchase Title I loans under a
     valid Title I contract of insurance, has the authority to sell, transfer
     and assign such Contract to the Trust under the terms of this Agreement.
     There has been no assignment, sale or hypothecation of the Contract by the
     Company except the usual past hypothecation of the Contract in connection
     with the Company's normal banking transactions in the conduct of its
     business, which hypothecation terminates upon sale of the Contract to the
     Trust.  The Company has good and marketable title to the Contract, free and
     clear of any encumbrance, equity, loan, pledge, charge, claim, lien or
     encumbrance of any type and has full right to transfer the Contract to the
     Trust.

          n.   No Defaults.  As of the Cut-off Date, there was no default,
     breach, violation or event permitting acceleration existing under the
     Contract and no event which, with notice and the expiration of any grace or
     cure period, would constitute such a default, breach, violation or event
     permitting acceleration under such Contract (except payment delinquencies
     permitted by clause (b) above).  The Company has not waived any such
     default, breach, violation or event permitting acceleration except payment
     delinquencies permitted by clause (b) above.

          o.   Equal Installments.  The Contract has a fixed Contract Interest
     Rate and provides for monthly payments (except, in the case of a Balloon
     Loan, for the final monthly payment of such loan) which fully amortize the
     loan over its term.

          p.   Enforceability.  Each Contract contains customary and enforceable
     provisions so as to render the rights and remedies of the holder thereof
     adequate for the realization against the collateral of the benefits of the
     lien provided thereby.


                                      3-4
<PAGE>
 
          q.   One Original.  There is only one original executed Contract,
     which Contract has been delivered to the Trustee or its Custodian on or
     before the Closing Date.

          r.   Genuine Documents.  All documents submitted are genuine, and all
     other representations as to each Contract, including the List of Contracts
     delivered to the Trustee, are true and correct.  Any copies of documents
     provided by the Company are accurate and complete (except that, with
     respect to each Contract that was originated by a contractor or lender
     rather than the Company, the Company makes such representation and warranty
     only to the best of the Company's knowledge).

          s.   Origination.  Each Home Improvement Contract was originated by a
     home improvement contractor in the ordinary course of such contractor's
     business or was originated by the Company directly.  Each Home Equity
     Contract was originated by a home equity lender in the ordinary course of
     such lender's business or was originated by the Company directly.

          t.   Underwriting Guidelines.  Each Contract was originated or
     purchased in accordance with the Company's then-current underwriting
     guidelines.

          u.   Good Repair.  The property described in the Contract is, to the
     best of the Company's knowledge, free of damage and in good repair.

          v.   Qualified Mortgage.  The Contract represents a "qualified
     mortgage" within the meaning of Section 860G(a)(3) of the Code.  The
     Company represents and warrants that, either as of the date or origination
     (or, in the case of a non-default modification, the modification date) or
     the Closing Date, the fair market value of the property securing each
     Contract was not less than 80% of the "adjusted issue price" (within the
     meaning of the REMIC Provisions) of such Contract.

     SECTION 3.03.  Representations and Warranties Regarding the Contracts in
the Aggregate.

     The Company represents and warrants to the Certificateholders and the Class
C Certificateholder that:

          a.   Amounts.  The Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI,
     plus the Excess Proceeds, if any, with respect to the Sub-Pool HI
     Certificates, equals at least the Original Sub-Pool HI Certificate
     Principal Balance and the Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance of Sub-Pool
     HE, plus the Excess Proceeds, if any, with respect to the Sub-Pool HE
     Certificates, equals at least the Original Sub-Pool HE Certificate
     Principal Balance.  The aggregate of the Cut-off Date Principal Balances of
     the Initial HI Contracts equals 


                                      3-5
<PAGE>
 
     $104,281,957.42, and the aggregate of the Cut-off Date Principal Balances
     of the Initial HE Contracts equals $332,712,528.39.

          b.   Characteristics.  The Home Improvement Contracts have the
     following characteristics: (i) 100% of the Home Improvement Contracts are
     secured by a mortgage, deed of trust or security deed on the related real
     estate; (ii) no Home Improvement Contract has a remaining maturity of more
     than 359 months; (iii) the final scheduled payment date on the Initial HI
     Contract with the latest maturity is in October 2026; (iv) the final
     scheduled payment date on the Subsequent HI Contract with the latest
     maturity is December 2026; (v) no Initial HI Contract was originated before
     October 1993; (vi) no Subsequent HI Contract was originated before January
     1993; (vii) no Initial HI Contract has a Contract Interest Rate less than
     5.99%; and (viii) no Subsequent HI contract has a Contract Interest Rate
     less than 5.99%.

          The Home Equity Contracts have the following characteristics: (i) 100%
     of the Home Equity Contracts are secured by a mortgage, deed of trust or
     security deed on the related real estate; (ii) no Home Equity Contract has
     a remaining maturity of more than 360 months; (iii) the final scheduled
     payment date on the Initial HE Contract with the latest maturity is in
     December 2026; (iv) the final scheduled payment date on the Subsequent HE
     Contract with the latest maturity is January 2027; (v) no Initial HE
     Contract was originated before March 1995; (vi) no Subsequent HE Contract
     was originated before September 1995; (vii) no Initial HE Contract has a
     Contract Interest Rate less than 8.25%; and (viii) no Subsequent HE
     contract has a Contract Interest Rate less than 9.05%.

          c.   Geographic Concentrations.  By Cut-off Date Principal Balance,
     17.53% of the Initial Home Improvement Contracts are secured by property
     located in California, 5.47% in Michigan, 8.10% in New Jersey, 8.00% in New
     York and 6.54% in Oregon.  No other state represents more than 5% of the
     Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI.  No more than 1% of the
     Home Improvement Contracts by Cut-off Date Principal Balance are secured by
     property located in an area with the same five-digit zip code.

          By Cut-off Date Principal Balance, 5.77% of the Initial Home Equity
     Contracts are secured by property located in Alabama, 9.85% in Georgia,
     8.50% in Florida, 6.61% in South Carolina, 5.20% in Maryland, 7.42% in
     Ohio, 5.45% in Pennsylvania, 7.86% in Illinois, 5.77% in Missouri and
     11.88% in North Carolina.  No other state represents more than 5% of the
     Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE.  No more than 1% of the
     Home Equity Contracts by Cut-off Date Principal Balance are secured by
     property located in an area with the same five-digit zip code.

          d.   Marking Records.  By the Closing Date, the Company has caused the
     portions of the Electronic Ledger relating to the Contracts to be clearly
     and 

                                      3-6
<PAGE>
 
     unambiguously marked to indicate that such Contracts constitute part of
     the Trust and are owned by the Trust in accordance with the terms of the
     Trust created hereunder.

          e.   No Adverse Selection.  No adverse selection procedures have been
          employed in selecting the Contracts.

          f.   Contractor/Lender Concentration.  No more than 16.99% of the Home
     Improvement Contracts and no more than 10% of the Home Equity Contracts, by
     Cut-off Date Principal Balance, were originated by any one contractor or
     lender (other than the Company).

     SECTION 3.04.  Representations and Warranties Regarding the Contract Files.

     The Company represents and warrants to the Certificateholders and the Class
C Certificateholder that:

          a.   Possession.  Immediately prior to the Closing Date, the Company
     will have possession of each original Contract and the related Contract
     File, and there are and there will be no custodial agreements or servicing
     contracts in effect materially and adversely affecting the rights of the
     Company to make, or cause to be made, any delivery required hereunder.

          b.   Bulk Transfer Laws.  The transfer, assignment and conveyance of
     the Contracts and the Contract Files by the Company pursuant to this
     Agreement is not subject to the bulk transfer or any similar statutory
     provisions in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

     SECTION 3.05.  Repurchases of Contracts for Breach of Representations and
Warranties.

     a.   Subject to Section 3.06, the Company shall repurchase a Contract, at
its Repurchase Price, not later than 90 days after the day on which the Company,
the Servicer or the Trustee first discovers or should have discovered a breach
of a representation or warranty of the Company set forth in Sections 3.02, 3.03
or 3.04 of this Agreement or in the Officer's Certificate delivered pursuant to
Section 2.02(j) of this Agreement that materially adversely affects the Trust's,
the Certificateholders' or the Class C Certificateholder's interest in such
Contract and which breach has not been cured; provided, however, that (i) in the
event that a party other than the Company first becomes aware of such breach,
such discovering party shall notify the Company in writing within 5 Business
Days of the date of such discovery and (ii) with respect to any Contract
incorrectly described on the List of Contracts with respect to Cut-off Date
Principal Balance, which the Company would otherwise be required to repurchase
pursuant to this Section, the Company may, in lieu of repurchasing such
Contract, deposit in the Certificate Account within 90 days from the date of
such discovery cash in an amount sufficient to cure such deficiency or

                                      3-7
<PAGE>
 
discrepancy. Any such cash so deposited shall be distributed to
Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder on the immediately
following Payment Date as a collection of principal or interest on such
Contract, according to the nature of the deficiency or discrepancy.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the obligation of the
Company under this Section shall not terminate upon a Service Transfer pursuant
to Article VII.

     b.   On or prior to the date that is the second anniversary of the Closing
Date, the Company may, at its election, substitute an Eligible Substitute
Contract for a Contract that it is obligated to repurchase pursuant to Section
3.05(a) (such Contract being referred to as the "Replaced Contract") upon
satisfaction of the following conditions:

          (i)    the Company shall have conveyed to the Trustee the Contract to
     be substituted for the Replaced Contract and the Contract File related to
     such Contract and the Company shall have marked the Electronic Ledger
     indicating that such Contract constitutes part of the Trust;

          (ii)   the Contract to be substituted is an Eligible Substitute
     Contract and the Company delivers an Officers' Certificate, substantially
     in the form of Exhibit M-2 hereto, to the Trustee certifying that such
     Contract is an Eligible Substitute Contract;

          (iii)  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee evidence of
     filing of a UCC-1 financing statement executed by the Company as debtor,
     naming the Trustee as secured party and filed in Minnesota, listing such
     Contract to be substituted as collateral;

          (iv)   the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an executed
     assignment to the Trustee on behalf of the Trust in recordable form for the
     mortgage securing such Contract to be substituted;

          (v)    the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
     Counsel (a) to the effect that the substitution of such Contract for such
     Replaced Contract will not cause the Trust to fail to qualify as a REMIC at
     any time under then applicable REMIC Provisions or cause any "prohibited
     transaction" that will result in the imposition of a tax under such REMIC
     Provisions and (b) to the effect of paragraph 9 of Exhibit I hereto; and

          (vi)   if the Scheduled Principal Balance of such Replaced Contract is
     greater than the Scheduled Principal Balance of the Contract to be
     substituted, the Company shall have deposited in the Certificate Account
     the amount of such excess and shall have included in the Officers'
     Certificate required by clause (ii) above a certification that such deposit
     has been made.

                                      3-8
<PAGE>
 
     Upon satisfaction of such conditions, the Trustee shall add such Contract
to be substituted to, and delete such Replaced Contract from, the List of
Contracts.  Such substitution shall be effected prior to the first Determination
Date that occurs more than 90 days after the Company becomes aware, or should
have become aware, or receives written notice from the Trustee, of the breach
referred to in Section 3.05(a).  Promptly after any such substitution of a
Contract, the Company shall give written notice of such substitution to S&P and
Fitch.

     c.   If the Company is required to repurchase a Contract under Section
3.05(a) or has elected to substitute an Eligible Substitute Contract for a
Contract under Section 3.05(b), and if the reason for such repurchase or
substitution is that the Company has failed to deliver to the Trustee the
Contract File for the Contract to be repurchased or substituted for (except in
the case of a failure to deliver evidence of the lien on the related improved
property and evidence of due recording of such mortgage, deed of trust or
security deed, if available), then, notwithstanding the time periods set out in
Sections 3.05(a) and 3.05(b), the Company shall either (i) repurchase such
Contract, at its respective Repurchase Price, within 30 days of the Closing
Date, or (ii) substitute an Eligible Substitute Contract for the Contract within
90 days of the Closing Date.

     d.   The Company shall defend and indemnify the Trustee, the
Certificateholders, and the Class C Certificateholder against all costs,
expenses, losses, damages, claims and liabilities, including reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel, which may be asserted against or incurred by any of them as
a result of any third-party action arising out of any breach of any such
representation and warranty.

     SECTION 3.06.  No Repurchase Under Certain Circumstances.

     Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no
repurchase or substitution pursuant to Section 3.05 shall be made unless the
Company (at its own expense) obtains for the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
addressed to the Trustee that any such repurchase or substitution would not,
under the REMIC Provisions, (i) cause the Trust to fail to qualify as a REMIC
while any regular interest in the REMIC is outstanding, (ii) result in a tax on
prohibited transactions within the meaning of Section 860F(a)(2) of the Code or
(iii) constitute a contribution after the startup day subject to tax under
Section 860G(d) of the Code.  The Company diligently shall attempt to obtain
such Opinion of Counsel.  In the case of a repurchase or deposit pursuant to
Section 3.05(a) or 3.05(b), the Company shall, notwithstanding the absence of
such opinion as to the imposition of any tax as the result of such purchase or
deposit, the Company shall repurchase such Contract or make such deposit and
shall guarantee the payment of such tax by paying to the Trustee the amount of
such tax not later than five Business Days before such tax shall be due and
payable to the extent that amounts previously paid over to and then held by the
Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06 hereof are insufficient to pay such tax and all
other taxes chargeable under Section 6.06.  Pursuant to Section 6.06, the
Servicer is hereby directed to withhold, and shall withhold and pay over to the

                                      3-9
<PAGE>
 
Trustee, an amount sufficient to pay such tax and any other taxes imposed on
"prohibited transactions" under Section 860F(a)(i) of the Code or imposed on
"contributions after startup date" under Section 860G(d) of the Code from
amounts otherwise distributable to the Class C Certificateholder.  The Servicer
shall give notice to the Trustee at the time of such repurchase of the amounts
due from the Company pursuant to the guarantee of the Company described above
and give notice as to who should receive such payment.

     The Trustee shall have no obligation to pay any such amounts pursuant to
this Section other than from moneys provided to it by the Company or from moneys
held in the funds and accounts created under this Agreement.  The Trustee shall
be deemed conclusively to have complied with this Section if it follows the
directions of the Company.

     In the event any tax that is guaranteed by the Company pursuant to this
Section 3.06 is refunded to the Trust or otherwise is determined not to be
payable, the Company shall be repaid the amount of such refund or that portion
of any guarantee payment made by the Company that is not applied to the payment
of such tax.

                                     3-10
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE IV

          PERFECTION OF TRANSFER AND PROTECTION OF SECURITY INTERESTS
          -----------------------------------------------------------

     SECTION 4.01.  Transfer of Contracts.

     a.   On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver the
Contract Files to the Trustee.  The Trustee shall maintain the Contract Files at
its office or with a duly appointed Custodian, who shall act as the agent of the
Trustee on behalf of the Certificateholders.  The Trustee may release a Contract
File to the Servicer pursuant to Section 5.07.  The Company has filed a form
UCC-1 financing statement regarding the sale of the Contracts to the Trustee,
and shall file continuation statements in respect of such UCC-1 financing
statement as if such financing statement were necessary to perfect such sale.
The Company shall take any other actions necessary to maintain the perfection of
the sale of the Contracts to the Trustee.

     b.   If at any time during the term of this Agreement the Company does not
have a long-term senior debt rating of BBB+ or higher from both S&P and Fitch
(if rated by Fitch), (i) the Company shall within 30 days execute and deliver to
the Trustee (if it has not previously done so) endorsements of each Home
Improvement Contract and assignments in recordable form of each mortgage, deed
of trust or security deed securing a Home Improvement Contract, and (ii) the
Trustee, at the Company's expense, shall within 60 days file in the appropriate
recording offices the assignments to the Trustee on behalf of the Trust of each
mortgage, deed of trust or security deed securing a Home Improvement Contract.

     c.   If at any time during the term of this Agreement the Company does not
have a long-term senior debt rating of A- or higher from both S&P and Fitch (if
rated by Fitch), (i) the Company shall within 30 days execute and deliver to the
Trustee (if it has not previously done so) endorsements of each Home Equity
Contract and assignments in recordable form of each mortgage, deed of trust or
security deed securing a Home Equity Contract, and (ii) the Trustee, at the
Company's expense, shall within 60 days file in the appropriate recording
offices the assignments to the Trustee on behalf of the Trust of each mortgage,
deed of trust or security deed securing a Home Equity Contract; provided,
however, that such execution and filing of the assignments with respect to the
Home Equity Contracts shall not be required if the Trustee receives written
confirmation from both S&P and Fitch that the ratings of the Certificates would
not be reduced or withdrawn by the failure to execute and file such assignments.

                                      4-1
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 4.02.  Costs and Expenses.

     The Servicer agrees to pay all reasonable costs and disbursements in
connection with the vesting (including the perfection and the maintenance of
perfection, as against all third parties) in the Trust of all right, title and
interest in and to the Contracts (including, without limitation, the mortgage or
deed of trust on the related real estate granted thereby).

                                      4-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V

                            SERVICING OF CONTRACTS
                            ----------------------

     SECTION 5.01.  Responsibility for Contract Administration.

     The Servicer will have the sole obligation to manage, administer, service
and make collections on the Contracts and perform or cause to be performed all
contractual and customary undertakings of the holder of the Contracts to the
Obligor.  The Company, if it is the Servicer, may delegate some or all of its
servicing duties to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, for so long as
such subsidiary remains, directly or indirectly, a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Company. Notwithstanding any such delegation the Company shall retain all of
the rights and obligations of the Servicer hereunder.  The Trustee, at the
request of a Servicing Officer, shall furnish the Servicer with any powers of
attorney or other documents necessary or appropriate to enable the Servicer to
carry out its servicing and administrative duties hereunder.  The Company is
hereby appointed the Servicer until such time as any Service Transfer shall be
effected under Article VII.

     SECTION 5.02.  Standard of Care.

     In managing, administering, servicing and making collections on the
Contracts pursuant to this Agreement, the Servicer will exercise that degree of
skill and care required by FHA (in the case of FHA-Insured Contracts) and
otherwise consistent with the highest degree of skill and care that the Servicer
exercises with respect to similar contracts (including manufactured housing
contracts) serviced by the Servicer; provided, however, that such degree of
skill and care shall be at least as favorable as the degree of skill and care
generally applied by prudent servicers of home improvement contracts and home
equity loans for prudent institutional investors.

     SECTION 5.03.  Records.

     The Servicer shall, during the period it is servicer hereunder, maintain
such books of account and other records as will enable the Trustee to determine
the status of each Contract.

     SECTION 5.04.  Inspection.

     a.   At all times during the term hereof, the Servicer shall afford the
Trustee and its authorized agents reasonable access during normal business hours
to the Servicer's records relating to the Contracts, which have not previously
been provided to the Trust, and will cause its personnel to assist in any
examination of such records by the Trustee.  The examination referred to in this
Section will be conducted in a manner which does not unreasonably interfere with
the Servicer's normal operations or customer or employee relations.  Without
otherwise limiting 

                                      5-1
<PAGE>
 
the scope of the examination the Trustee may make, the Trustee may, using
generally accepted audit procedures, verify the status of each Contract and
review the Electronic Ledger and records relating thereto for conformity to
Monthly Reports prepared pursuant to Article VI and compliance with the
standards represented to exist as to each Contract in this Agreement.

     b.   At all times during the term hereof, the Servicer shall keep available
a copy of the List of Contracts at its principal executive office for inspection
by Certificateholders.

     c.   A Certificateholder holding Certificates representing in the aggregate
at least 5% of the Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance shall have the rights
of inspection afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 5.04.

     SECTION 5.05.  Certificate Account.

     a.   On or before the Closing Date, the Company shall establish the
Certificate Account on behalf of the Trust, which shall be an Eligible Account.
The Servicer shall pay into the Certificate Account, as promptly as practicable
(not later than the next Business Day) following receipt thereof, all amounts
received with respect to the Contracts, including all proceeds of FHA Insurance
claims received by the Servicer, other than extension fees and assumption fees,
which fees shall be retained by the Servicer as compensation for servicing the
Contracts, and other than Liquidation Expenses permitted by Section 5.08.  The
Trustee shall pay into the Certificate Account as promptly as practicable all
proceeds of FHA Insurance claims with respect to FHA-Insured Contracts received
by the Trustee.  All amounts paid into the Certificate Account under this
Agreement shall be held in trust for the Trustee, the Certificateholders and the
Class C Certificateholder until payment of any such amounts is authorized under
this Agreement.  Only the Trustee may withdraw funds from the Certificate
Account.

     b.   If the Servicer so directs, the institution maintaining the
Certificate Account shall, in the name of the Trustee in its capacity as such,
invest the amounts in the Certificate Account in Eligible Investments that
mature not later than one Business Day prior to the next succeeding Payment
Date.  Any investment of funds in the Certificate Account shall be made in
Eligible Investments held by a financial institution in accordance with the
following requirements:  (1) all Eligible Investments shall be held in an
account with such financial institution in the name of the Trustee, and the
agreement governing such account shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Minnesota, (2) with respect to securities held in such account, such securities
shall be  (i) certificated securities (as such term is used in N.Y. U.C.C. (S)
8-313(d)(i)), securities deemed to be certificated securities under applicable
regulations of the United States government, or uncertificated securities issued
by an issuer organized under the laws of the State of New York or the State of
Delaware, (ii) either (A) in the possession of such institution, (B) in the
possession of a clearing corporation (as such term is used in Minn. Stat. (S)
336.8-313(g)) in the 

                                      5-2
<PAGE>
 
State of New York, registered in the name of such clearing corporation or its
nominee, not endorsed for collection or surrender or any other purpose not
involving transfer, not containing any evidence of a right or interest
inconsistent with the Trustee's security interest therein, and held by such
clearing corporation in an account of such institution, (C) held in an account
of such institution with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or the Federal
Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, or (D) in the case of uncertificated securities,
issued in the name of such institution, and (iii) identified, by book entry or
otherwise, as held for the account of, or pledged to, the Trustee on the records
of such institution, and such institution shall have sent the Trustee a
confirmation thereof, and (3) with respect to repurchase obligations held in
such account, such repurchase obligations shall be identified by such
institution, by book entry or otherwise, as held for the account of, or pledged
to, the Trustee on the records of such institution, and the related securities
shall be held in accordance with the requirements of clause (2) above. Once such
funds are invested, such institution shall not change the investment of such
funds. All income and gain from such investments shall be added to the
Certificate Account and distributed on such Payment Date pursuant to Sections
8.04(b) and (d). Losses, if any, realized on amounts in the Certificate Account
invested pursuant to this paragraph shall first be credited against
undistributed investment earnings on amounts in the Certificate Account invested
pursuant to this paragraph, and shall thereafter be deemed to reduce the amount
on deposit in the Certificate Account and otherwise available for distribution
to Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder pursuant to Section
8.01. The Company, the Servicer and the Trustee shall in no way be liable for
losses on amounts invested in accordance with the provisions hereof. Funds in
the Certificate Account not so invested must be insured to the extent permitted
by law by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. "Eligible Investments" are
any of the following:

          (i)  direct obligations of, and obligations fully guaranteed by, the
     United States of America, or any agency or instrumentality of the United
     States of America the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and
     credit of the United States of America;

          (ii) (A) demand and time deposits in, certificates of deposit of,
     bankers' acceptances issued by, or federal funds sold by any depository
     institution or trust company (including the Trustee or any Affiliate of the
     Trustee, acting in its commercial capacity) incorporated under the laws of
     the United States of America or any state thereof and subject to
     supervision and examination by federal and/or state authorities, so long
     as, at the time of such investment or contractual commitment providing for
     such investment, the commercial paper or other short-term debt obligations
     of such depository institution or trust company are rated at least at least
     A-1 by S&P and F-1 by Fitch (if rated by Fitch) and (B) any other demand or
     time deposit or certificate of deposit which is fully insured by the
     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

                                      5-3
<PAGE>
 
          (iii)  shares of an investment company registered under the
     Investment Company Act of 1940, whose shares are registered under the
     Securities Act of 1933 and have a rating of AAA by both S&P and Fitch, and
     whose only investments are in securities described in clauses (i) and (ii)
     above;

          (iv)   repurchase obligations with respect to (A) any security
     described in clause (i) above or (B) any other security issued or
     guaranteed by an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America,
     in either case entered into with a depository institution or trust company
     (acting as principal) described in clause (ii)(A) above;

          (v)    securities bearing interest or sold at a discount issued by any
     corporation incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or
     any State thereof which have a credit rating of at least AA from both S&P
     and Fitch (if rated by Fitch) at the time of such investment; provided,
     however, that securities issued by any particular corporation will not be
     Eligible Investments to the extent that investment therein will cause the
     then outstanding principal amount of securities issued by such corporation
     and held as part of the corpus of the Trust to exceed 10% of amounts held
     in the Certificate Account; and

          (vi)   commercial paper having a rating of at least A-1+ from S&P and
     at least F-1+ from Fitch (if rated by Fitch) at the time of such
     investment.

     The Trustee may trade with itself or an Affiliate in the purchase or sale
of such Eligible Investments.

     c.   If at any time the Trustee receives notice (from S&P, Fitch, the
Servicer or otherwise) that the Certificate Account has ceased to be an Eligible
Account, the Trustee shall, as soon as practicable but in no event later than
five Business Days of the Trustee's receipt of such notice, transfer the
Certificate Account and all funds and Eligible Investments therein to an
Eligible Account.  Following any such transfer, the Trustee shall notify S&P,
Fitch and the Servicer of the location of the Certificate Account.

     SECTION 5.06.  Enforcement.

     a.   The Servicer shall, consistent with customary servicing procedures,
act with respect to the Contracts in such manner as will maximize the receipt of
principal and interest on such Contracts and Liquidation Proceeds with respect
to Liquidated Contracts.  The Company shall pay all FHA Insurance premiums
required by FHA Regulations in respect of FHA-Insured Contracts; if the Company
is no longer the Servicer and fails to pay such FHA Insurance premiums, the
successor Servicer shall pay such premiums and shall be entitled to
reimbursement therefor in accordance with Section 8.04.  The Servicer shall
comply with FHA 

                                      5-4
<PAGE>
 
Regulations in servicing FHA-Insured Contracts so that the related FHA Insurance
remains in full force and effect, except for good-faith disputes relating to FHA
Regulations or such FHA Insurance.

     b.   In accordance with the standard of care specified in Paragraph 5.02,
the Servicer may, in its own name, if possible, or as agent for the Trust,
commence proceedings for the foreclosure of any subject real estate, and may
(with respect to an FHA-Insured Contract) submit a claim to FHA in lieu of
commencing foreclosure proceedings, or may take such other steps that in the
Servicer's reasonable judgment will maximize Liquidation Proceeds with respect
to the Contract, including, for example, the sale of the Contract to a third
party for foreclosure or enforcement and, in the case of any default on a
related prior mortgage loan, the advancing of funds to correct such default and
the advancing of funds to pay off a related prior mortgage loan, which advances
are Liquidation Expenses that will be reimbursed to the Servicer out of related
Liquidation Proceeds before the related Net Liquidation Proceeds are paid to
Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder.  The Servicer shall also
deposit in the Certificate Account any Net Liquidation Proceeds received in
connection with any Contract which became a Liquidated Contract in a prior Due
Period.

     c.   The Servicer may sue to enforce or collect upon Contracts, in its own
name, if possible, or as agent for the Trust.  If the Servicer elects to
commence a legal proceeding to enforce a Contract, the act of commencement shall
be deemed to be an automatic assignment of the Contract to the Servicer for
purposes of collection only. If, however, in any enforcement suit or legal
proceeding it is held that the Servicer may not enforce a Contract on the ground
that it is not a real party in interest or a holder entitled to enforce the
Contract, the Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall, at the Servicer's expense,
take such steps as the Servicer deems necessary to enforce the Contract,
including bringing suit in its name or the names of the Certificateholders and
the Class C Certificateholder.

     d.   The Servicer may grant to the Obligor on any Contract any rebate,
refund or adjustment out of the Certificate Account that the Servicer in good
faith believes is required because of prepayment in full of the Contract.  The
Servicer will not permit any rescission or cancellation of any Contract.

     e.   The Servicer shall enforce any due-on-sale clause in a Contract if
such enforcement is called for under its then current servicing policies for
obligations similar to the Contracts, provided that such enforcement is
permitted by applicable law and will not adversely affect any applicable
insurance policy.  If an assumption of a Contract is permitted by the Servicer,
upon conveyance of the related property the Servicer shall use its best efforts
to obtain an assumption agreement in connection therewith.

     f.   If, following the termination of the Trust pursuant to Section 12.04,
HUD demands reimbursement of an FHA Insurance claim paid on an FHA-Insured

                                      5-5
<PAGE>
 
Contract prior to the termination of the Trust, the Servicer agrees that it will
not seek to recover any such amount from the Trustee or the Certificateholders.

     g.   Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Servicer shall not agree to the modification or waiver of any provision of a
Contract at a time when such Contract is not in default or such default is not
reasonably foreseeable, if such modification or waiver would both (i) be treated
as a taxable exchange under Section 1001 of the Code or any proposed, temporary
or final Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) cause the Trust to
fail to qualify as a REMIC or cause the imposition of any tax on "prohibited
transactions" or "contributions after the startup date" under the REMIC
Provisions.

     SECTION 5.07.  Trustee to Cooperate.

     a.   Upon payment in full on any Contract, the Servicer will notify the
Trustee and the Company (if the Company is not the Servicer) on the next
succeeding Payment Date by certification of a Servicing Officer (which
certification shall include a statement to the effect that all amounts received
in connection with such payments which are required to be deposited in the
Certificate Account pursuant to Section 5.05 have been so deposited) and shall
request delivery of the Contract and Contract File to the Servicer.  Upon
receipt of such delivery and request, the Trustee shall promptly release or
cause to be released such Contract and Contract File to the Servicer.  Upon
receipt of such Contract and Contract File, each of the Company (if different
from the Servicer) and the Servicer is authorized to execute an instrument in
satisfaction of such Contract and to do such other acts and execute such other
documents as the Servicer deems necessary to discharge the Obligor thereunder
and eliminate any lien on the related real estate.  The Servicer shall determine
when a Contract has been paid in full; provided that, to the extent that
insufficient payments are received on a Contract credited by the Servicer as
prepaid or paid in full and satisfied, the shortfall shall be paid by the
Servicer out of its own funds, without any right of reimbursement therefor
(except from additional amounts recovered from the related Obligor or otherwise
in respect of such Contract), and deposited in the Certificate Account.

     b.   If the Servicer elects to submit a claim to FHA under the FHA
Insurance in respect of an FHA-Insured Contract and payment is received from
FHA, the Servicer shall notify the Trustee and the Company (if the Company is
not the Servicer) on the next succeeding Payment Date by certification of a
Servicing Officer (which certification shall include a statement to the effect
that all amounts received in connection with such payments which are required to
be deposited in the Certificate Account pursuant to Section 5.05 have been so
deposited) and shall request delivery of the Contract and Contract File to the
Servicer.  Upon receipt of such delivery and request, the Trustee shall promptly
release or cause to be released such Contract and Contract File to the Servicer.

                                      5-6
<PAGE>
 
     c.   From time to time as appropriate for servicing, foreclosing, and
making a claim for FHA Insurance coverage in connection with an FHA-Insured
Contract, the Trustee shall, upon written request of a Servicing Officer and
delivery to the Trustee of a receipt signed by such Servicing Officer, cause the
original Contract and the related Contract File to be released to the Servicer
and shall execute such documents as the Servicer shall deem necessary to the
prosecution of any such proceedings. Upon request of a Servicing Officer, the
Trustee shall perform such other acts as reasonably requested by the Servicer
and otherwise cooperate with the Servicer in enforcement of the
Certificateholders' rights and remedies with respect to Contracts.

     d.   The Servicer's receipt of a Contract and/or Contract File shall
obligate the Servicer to return the original Contract and the related Contract
File to the Trustee when its need by the Servicer has ceased unless the Contract
shall be liquidated or repurchased or replaced as described in Section 3.05 or
8.06.

     SECTION 5.08.  Costs and Expenses.

     Except as provided in Sections 8.04(b) and (d) for the reimbursement of
Advances, all costs and expenses incurred by the Servicer in carrying out its
duties hereunder (including payment of FHA Insurance premiums, payment of the
Trustee's fees pursuant to Section 11.06, fees and expenses of accountants and
payments of all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement of
Contracts (including enforcement of Contracts and foreclosures upon real estate
securing any such Contracts) and all other fees and expenses not expressly
stated hereunder to be for the account of the Trust) shall be paid by the
Servicer and the Servicer shall not (except as otherwise provided in Section
8.04(b)(10) or Section 8.04(d)(10), as applicable) be entitled to reimbursement
hereunder, except that the Servicer shall be reimbursed out of the Liquidation
Proceeds of a Liquidated Contract (including FHA Insurance proceeds) for
customary out-of-pocket Liquidation Expenses incurred by it.  The Servicer shall
not incur such Liquidation Expenses unless it determines in its good faith
business judgment that incurring such expenses will increase the Net Liquidation
Proceeds on the related Contract.  The Servicer's out-of-pocket Liquidation
Expenses in connection with the submission of a claim to FHA currently do not
exceed $100 per Contract.

     SECTION 5.09.  Maintenance of Insurance.

     The Servicer shall at all times keep in force a policy or policies of
insurance covering errors and omissions for failure to maintain insurance as
required by this Agreement, and a fidelity bond.  Such policy or policies and
such fidelity bond shall be in such form and amount as is generally customary
among persons who service a portfolio of home improvement contracts and home
equity loans having an aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000 or more, and
which are generally regarded as servicers acceptable to institutional investors.
The Servicer shall cause to be maintained with respect to any real property
securing an FHA-Insured Contract 

                                      5-7
<PAGE>
 
such hazard insurance and flood insurance as may be required by the FHA
Regulations, it being understood that at the Closing Date hazard insurance was
not required to be maintained under the FHA Regulations. The Servicer shall
cause to be maintained with respect to the real property securing a conventional
Contract hazard insurance (excluding flood insurance coverage) if such
conventional Contract is secured by a first priority mortgage, deed of trust or
security deed or the initial principal balance of such conventional Contract
exceeds $30,000.

     SECTION 5.10.  Merger or Consolidation of Servicer.

     Any Person into which the Servicer may be merged or converted or with which
it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which the Servicer shall be a party shall be the successor of
the Servicer hereunder, provided such Person shall be an Eligible Servicer,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.  The
Servicer shall promptly notify S&P and Fitch in the event it is a party to any
merger, conversion or consolidation.

                                      5-8
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VI

                            REPORTS AND TAX MATTERS
                            -----------------------

     SECTION 6.01.  Monthly Reports.

     a.   No later than one Business Day following each Determination Date, the
Servicer shall deliver to the Trustee, S&P and Fitch a Monthly Report,
substantially in the form of Exhibit Q hereto.

     b.   If the applicable Monthly Report indicates that there is a Class HI:
M-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, a Class HI: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount
and/or a Class HI: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, the Servicer shall promptly
notify the Trustee, by telephone, of the aggregate amount of such Class HI: M-1
Interest Deficiency Amount, Class HI: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount and Class
HI: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount. The Trustee must promptly determine the
total amount of funds in the Certificate Account in respect of the Home
Improvement Contracts on the Determination Date (or the most recent date
practicable), and promptly notify the Servicer, by telephone, of such amount.
If the Servicer determines that the total amount of funds in the Certificate
Account so reported by the Trustee (after giving effect to the withdrawal of the
Sub-Pool HI Amount Available and any Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment for the
related Payment Date) will be sufficient to pay in full any Class HI: M-1
Interest Deficiency Amount, Class HI: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount and Class
HI: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, the Servicer shall so indicate on the
Monthly Report.  If the Servicer determines that the total amount of funds in
the Certificate Account so reported by the Trustee (after giving effect to the
withdrawal of the Sub-Pool HI Amount Available and any Class HI: B-2 Guaranty
Payment for the related Payment Date) will not be sufficient to pay in full any
Class HI: M-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, Class HI: M-2 Interest Deficiency
Amount and Class HI: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, the Servicer shall promptly
notify the Trustee, by telephone, of the remaining deficiency.  On the day two
Business Days prior to the related Payment Date, the Trustee shall determine the
total amount of funds in the Certificate Account available to pay such remaining
deficiency in accordance with Section 8.04(c) and shall promptly notify the
Servicer of such amount.  If the total amount of funds in the Certificate
Account available in accordance with Section 8.04(c) is not sufficient to pay
the remaining deficiency, the Trustee shall promptly notify the Servicer, and
shall reflect such deficiency in the reports delivered to Certificateholders
pursuant to Section 6.05.

     c.   If the applicable Monthly Report indicates that there is a Class HE:
M-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, a Class HE: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount
and/or a Class HE: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, the Servicer shall promptly
notify the Trustee, by telephone, of the aggregate amount of such Class HE: M-1
Interest Deficiency Amount, Class HE: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount and Class
HE: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount. The Trustee must promptly determine the
total amount of funds in the Certificate Account in respect of the Home Equity
Contracts 

                                      6-1
<PAGE>
 
on the Determination Date (or the most recent date practicable), and promptly
notify the Servicer, by telephone, of such amount. If the Servicer determines
that the total amount of funds in the Certificate Account so reported by the
Trustee (after giving effect to the withdrawal of the Sub-Pool HE Amount
Available and any Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment for the related Payment Date)
will be sufficient to pay in full any Class HE: M-1 Interest Deficiency Amount,
Class HE: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount and Class HE: B-1 Interest Deficiency
Amount, the Servicer shall so indicate on the Monthly Report. If the Servicer
determines that the total amount of funds in the Certificate Account so reported
by the Trustee (after giving effect to the withdrawal of the Sub-Pool HE Amount
Available and any Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment for the related Payment Date)
will not be sufficient to pay in full any Class HE: M-1 Interest Deficiency
Amount, Class HE: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount and Class HE: B-1 Interest
Deficiency Amount, the Servicer shall promptly notify the Trustee, by telephone,
of the remaining deficiency. On the day two Business Days prior to the related
Payment Date, the Trustee shall determine the total amount of funds in the
Certificate Account available to pay such remaining deficiency in accordance
with Section 8.04(e) and shall promptly notify the Servicer of such amount. If
the total amount of funds in the Certificate Account available in accordance
with Section 8.04(e) is not sufficient to pay the remaining deficiency, the
Trustee shall promptly notify the Servicer, and shall reflect such deficiency in
the reports delivered to Certificateholders pursuant to Section 6.05.

     SECTION 6.02.  Officer's Certificate.

     Each Monthly Report pursuant to Section 6.01 shall be accompanied by a
certificate of a Servicing Officer substantially in the form of Exhibit K,
certifying the accuracy of the Monthly Report and that no Event of Termination
or event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of
Termination has occurred, or if such event has occurred and is continuing,
specifying the event and its status.

     SECTION 6.03.  Other Data.

     In addition, the Company and (if different from the Company) the Servicer
shall, on request of the Trustee, S&P or Fitch, furnish the Trustee, S&P and/or
Fitch such underlying data as may be reasonably requested.

     SECTION 6.04.  Annual Report of Accountants.

     On or before May 1 of each year, commencing May 1, 1998, the Servicer at
its expense shall cause a firm of independent public accountants which is a
member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to issue to the
Servicer a report that such firm has examined selected documents, records and
management's assertions relating to loans serviced by the Servicer and stating
that, on the basis of such examination, such servicing has been conducted in
compliance with the minimum servicing standards identified in the Mortgage
Bankers Association of 

                                      6-2
<PAGE>
 
America's Uniform Single Attestation Program for Mortgage Bankers, or any
successor uniform program, except for such significant exceptions or errors in
records that, in the opinion of such firm, generally accepted attestation
standards requires it to report.

     SECTION 6.05.  Statements to Certificateholders and the Class C
Certificateholder.

     a.   The Servicer shall prepare and furnish to the Trustee the statements
specified below relating to the Class HI: A Certificates, the Class HI: M
Certificates, the Class HI: B Certificates, the Class HE: A Certificates, the
Class HE: M Certificates and the Class HE: B Certificates on or before the third
Business Day next preceding each Payment Date.

     b.   Concurrently with each distribution to Certificateholders, the Trustee
shall, so long as it has received the Monthly Report from the Servicer, forward
or cause to be forwarded by mail to each Holder of a Class HI: A Certificate and
(if the Company is not the Servicer) the Company a statement setting forth the
following:

          (i)    the amount of such distribution to Holders of each Class of 
     Class HI: A Certificates allocable to interest, separately identifying any
     Unpaid Class HI: A Interest Shortfall included in such distribution and any
     remaining Unpaid Class HI: A Interest Shortfall after giving effect to such
     distribution;
 
          (ii)   the amount of such distribution to Holders of each Class of 
     Class HI: A Certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying the
     aggregate amount of any Principal Prepayments included therein;

          (iii)  the amount, if any, by which the Class HI: A Formula
     Distribution Amount for such Payment Date exceeds the Class HI: A
     Distribution Amount for such Payment Date;
 
          (iv)   the Class HI: A-1 Principal Balance, the Class HI: A-2 
     Principal Balance, and the Class HI: A-3 Principal Balance after giving
     effect to the distribution of principal on such Payment Date;

          (v)    the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI for such
     Payment Date;
 
          (vi)   the Sub-Pool HI Senior Percentage for such Payment Date;
 
          (vii)  the Sub-Pool HI Pool Factor;

          (viii) the number and aggregate principal balances of Home
     Improvement Contracts delinquent (a) 31-59 days and (b) 60 or more days;

                                      6-3
<PAGE>
 
          (ix)   the Class HI: B Principal Balance Test (as set forth in Exhibit
     Q hereto);

          (x)    the Class HI: B Principal Distribution Test (as set forth in
     Exhibit Q hereto);

          (xi)   the Class HI: M-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, if any, for such
     Payment Date;

          (xii)  the Class HI: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount, if any, for such 
     Payment Date;

          (xiii) the Class HI: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, if any, for
     such Payment Date;

          (xiv)  the number of Liquidated Home Improvement Contracts,
     identifying such Contracts and the Net Liquidation Loss on such Contracts;

          (xv)   the aggregate number and principal amount of FHA-Insured
     Contracts on which either (i) the Servicer has submitted a claim for FHA
     Insurance, HUD rejected such claim and the Servicer has determined not to
     resubmit such claim, or (ii) the Servicer has determined not to submit a
     claim for FHA Insurance because such claim would not be paid by HUD; and

          (xvi)  the amount in the Company's FHA Insurance reserve available
     to pay FHA Insurance claims on the FHA-Insured Contracts.

          The Trustee and the Servicer shall, if any Certificateholder, Class C
Certificateholder or Underwriter inquires by telephone, provide the information
contained in the most recent Monthly Report.

          In the case of information furnished pursuant to clauses (i) through
(iv) above, the amounts shall be expressed as a dollar amount per Class HI: A
Certificate with a 1% Percentage Interest or per $1,000 denomination of Class
HI: A Certificate.

          Within 75 days after the end of each calendar year, the Certificate
Registrar shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each Person who at any time
during the calendar year was the Holder of a Class HI: A Certificate a statement
containing the information with respect to interest accrued and principal paid
on its Class HI: A Certificates during such calendar year.  Such obligation of
the Certificate Registrar shall be deemed to have been satisfied to the extent
that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the Certificate
Registrar pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to time in
force.

                                      6-4
<PAGE>
 
          c.   On each Payment Date, the Trustee shall forward or cause to be
forwarded by mail to each Holder of a Class HI: M-1 Certificate a copy of the
monthly statement forwarded to the Holders of Class HI: A Certificates on such
Payment Date.  The Servicer shall also furnish to the Trustee, which shall
forward such information to the Class HI: M-1 Certificateholders as part of
their monthly statement, the following information:

          (i)    the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HI: M-1
     Certificates allocable to interest, separately identifying any Unpaid Class
     HI: M-1 Interest Shortfall included in such distribution and any remaining
     Unpaid Class HI: M-1 Interest Shortfall after giving effect to such
     distribution;

          (ii)   the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HI: M-1
     Certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying the aggregate
     amount of any Principal Prepayments included therein;

          (iii)  the amount, if any, by which the Class HI: M-1 Formula
     Distribution Amount for such Payment Date exceeds the Sub-Pool HI Amount
     Available less the Class HI: A Distribution Amount for such Payment Date;

          (iv)   the Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance after giving effect to the
     distribution of principal on such Payment Date;

          (v)    the Unpaid Class HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall 
     after giving effect to any distribution on such Payment Date pursuant to
     Section 8.04(b)(8)(i);

          (vi)   the Sub-Pool HI Senior Percentage for such Payment Date;

          (vii)  the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI for such
     Payment Date;

          (viii) the Sub-Pool HI Pool Factor;

          (ix)   the number and aggregate principal balances of Home Improvement
     Contracts delinquent (a) 30-59 days and (b) 60 or more days;

          (x)    the Class HI: B Principal Balance Test (as set forth in Exhibit
     Q hereto);

          (xi)   the Class HI: B Principal Distribution Test (as set forth in
     Exhibit Q hereto);

          (xii)  the number of Liquidated Home Improvement Contracts,
     identifying such Contracts and the Net Liquidation Loss on such Contracts;

                                      6-5
<PAGE>
 
          (xiii) the aggregate number and principal amount of FHA-Insured
     Contracts on which either (i) the Servicer has submitted a claim for FHA
     Insurance, HUD rejected such claim and the Servicer has determined not to
     resubmit such claim, or (ii) the Servicer has determined not to submit a
     claim for FHA Insurance because such claim would not be paid by HUD; and

          (xiv) the amount in the Company's FHA Insurance reserve available
     to pay FHA Insurance claims on the FHA-Insured Contracts.

     In the case of the information in clauses (i) through (iv) above, the
amounts shall be expressed as a dollar amount per Class HI: M-1 Certificate with
a 1% Percentage Interest or per $1,000 denomination of Class HI: M-1
Certificate.

     Within 75 days after the end of each calendar year, the Certificate
Registrar shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each Person who at any time
during the calendar year was the Holder of a Class HI: M-1 Certificate a
statement containing the applicable distribution information provided pursuant
to this Section aggregated for such calendar year or applicable portion thereof
during which such Person was the Holder of a Class HI: M-1 Certificate.  Such
obligation of the Certificate Registrar shall be deemed to have been satisfied
to the extent that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the
Certificate Registrar pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to
time in force.

     d.   On each Payment Date, the Trustee shall forward or cause to be
forwarded by mail to each Holder of a Class HI: M-2 Certificate a copy of the
monthly statements forwarded to the Holders of Class HI: A and Class HI: M-1
Certificates on such Payment Date.  The Servicer shall also furnish to the
Trustee, which shall forward such information to the Class HI: M-2
Certificateholders as part of their monthly statement, the following
information:

          (i)   the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HI: M-2
     Certificates allocable to interest, separately identifying any Unpaid Class
     HI: M-2 Interest Shortfall included in such distribution and any remaining
     Unpaid Class HI: M-2 Interest Shortfall after giving effect to such
     distribution;

          (ii)  the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HI: M-2
     Certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying the aggregate
     amount of any Principal Prepayments included therein;

          (iii) the amount, if any, by which the Class HI: M-2 Formula
     Distribution Amount for such Payment Date exceeds the Sub-Pool HI Amount
     Available less the sum of the Class HI: A Distribution Amount and the Class
     HI: M-1 Distribution Amount for such Payment Date;

          (iv)  the Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance after giving effect to the
     distribution of principal on such Payment Date;

                                      6-6
<PAGE>
 
          (v)    the Unpaid Class HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall,
     after giving effect to any distribution on such Payment Date pursuant to
     Section 8.04(b)(8)(ii);

          (vi)   the Sub-Pool HI Senior Percentage for such Payment Date;

          (vii)  the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI for such
     Payment Date;

          (viii) the Sub-Pool HI Pool Factor;

          (ix)   the number and aggregate principal balances of Home Improvement
     Contracts delinquent (a) 30-59 days and (b) 60 or more days;

          (x)    the Class HI: B Principal Balance Test (as set forth in Exhibit
     Q hereto);

          (xi)   the Class HI: B Principal Distribution Test (as set forth in
     Exhibit Q hereto);

          (xii)  the number of Liquidated Home Improvement Contracts,
     identifying such Contracts and the Net Liquidation Loss on such Contracts;

          (xiii) the aggregate number and principal amount of FHA-Insured
     Contracts on which either (i) the Servicer has submitted a claim for FHA
     Insurance, HUD rejected such claim and the Servicer has determined not to
     resubmit such claim, or (ii) the Servicer has determined not to submit a
     claim for FHA Insurance because such claim would not be paid by HUD; and

          (xiv)  the amount in the Company's FHA Insurance reserve available
     to pay FHA Insurance claims on the FHA-Insured Contracts.

     In the case of the information in clauses (i) through (iv) above, the
amounts shall be expressed as a dollar amount per Class HI: M-2 Certificate with
a 1% Percentage Interest or per $1,000 denomination of Class HI: M-2
Certificate.

     Within 75 days after the end of each calendar year, the Certificate
Registrar shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each Person who at any time
during the calendar year was the Holder of a Class HI: M-2 Certificate a
statement containing the applicable distribution information provided pursuant
to this Section aggregated for such calendar year or applicable portion thereof
during which such Person was the Holder of a Class HI: M-2 Certificate.  Such
obligation of the Certificate Registrar shall be deemed to have been satisfied
to the extent that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the
Certificate Registrar pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to
time in force.

                                      6-7
<PAGE>
 
     e.    On each Payment Date, the Trustee shall forward or cause to be
forwarded by mail to each Holder of a Class HI: B-1 Certificate a copy of the
monthly statements forwarded to the Holders of Class HI: A and Class HI: M
Certificates on such Payment Date.  The Servicer shall also furnish to the
Trustee, which shall forward such information to the Class HI: B-1
Certificateholders as part of their monthly statement, the following
information:

          (i)    the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HI: B-1
     Certificates allocable to interest, separately identifying any Unpaid Class
     HI: B-1 Interest Shortfall included in such distribution and any remaining
     Unpaid Class HI: B-1 Interest Shortfall after giving effect to such
     distribution;

          (ii)   the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HI: B-1
     Certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying the aggregate
     amount of any Principal Prepayments included therein;

          (iii)  the amount, if any, by which the Class HI: B-1 Formula
     Distribution Amount for such Payment Date exceeds the Sub-Pool HI Amount
     Available less the sum of the Class HI: A Distribution Amount, the Class
     HI: M-1 Distribution Amount and the Class HI: M-2 Distribution Amount for
     such Payment Date;

          (iv)   the Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance after giving effect to the
     distribution of principal on such Payment Date;

          (v)    the Unpaid Class HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall,
     after giving effect to any distribution on such Payment Date pursuant to
     Section 8.04(b)(8)(iii);

          (vi)   the Class HI: B Percentage for such Payment Date;

          (vii)  the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI for such
     Payment Date;

          (viii) the Sub-Pool HI Pool Factor;

          (ix)   the number and aggregate principal balances of Home Improvement
     Contracts delinquent (a) 30-59 days and (b) 60 or more days;

          (x)    the Class HI: B Principal Balance Test (as set forth in Exhibit
     Q hereto);

          (xi)   the Class HI: B Principal Distribution Test (as set forth in
     Exhibit Q hereto);

                                      6-8
<PAGE>
 
          (xii)  the number of Liquidated Home Improvement Contracts,
     identifying such Contracts and the Net Liquidation Loss on such Contracts;

          (xiii) the aggregate number and principal amount of FHA-Insured
     Contracts on which either (i) the Servicer has submitted a claim for FHA
     Insurance, HUD rejected such claim and the Servicer has determined not to
     resubmit such claim, or (ii) the Servicer has determined not to submit a
     claim for FHA Insurance because such claim would not be paid by HUD; and

          (xiv)  the amount in the Company's FHA Insurance reserve available
     to pay FHA Insurance claims on the FHA-Insured Contracts.

     In the case of the information in clauses (i) through (iv) above, the
amounts shall be expressed as a dollar amount per Class HI: B-1 Certificate with
a 1% Percentage Interest or per $1,000 denomination of Class HI: B-1
Certificate.

     Within 75 days after the end of each calendar year, the Certificate
Registrar shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each Person who at any time
during the calendar year was the Holder of a Class HI: B-1 Certificate a
statement containing the applicable distribution information provided pursuant
to this Section aggregated for such calendar year or applicable portion thereof
during which such Person was the Holder of a Class HI: B-1 Certificate.  Such
obligation of the Certificate Registrar shall be deemed to have been satisfied
to the extent that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the
Certificate Registrar pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to
time  in force.

     f.  On each Payment Date, the Trustee shall forward or cause to be
forwarded by mail to each Holder of a Class HI: B-2 Certificate a copy of the
monthly statements forwarded to the Holders of Class HI: A, Class HI: M and
Class HI: B-1 Certificates on such Payment Date.  The Servicer shall also
furnish to the Trustee, which shall forward such information to the Class HI: 
B-2 Certificateholders as part of their monthly statement, the following
information:

          (i)   the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HI: B-2
     Certificates allocable to interest, separately identifying any Unpaid Class
     HI: B-2 Interest Shortfall included in such distribution and any remaining
     Unpaid Class HI: B-2 Interest Shortfall after giving effect to such
     distribution;

          (ii)  the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HI: B-2
     Certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying the aggregate
     amount of any Principal Prepayments included therein;

          (iii) the amount, if any, by which the sum of the Class HI: B-2
     Formula Distribution Amount and the Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss
     Principal Amount, if any, for such Payment Date exceeds the Class HI: B-2
     Distribution Amount for such Payment Date;

                                      6-9
<PAGE>
 
          (iv)   the Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance after giving effect to the
     distribution of principal on such Payment Date;

          (v)    the Unpaid Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall,
     after giving effect to any distribution on such Payment Date pursuant to
     Section 8.04(b)(8)(iv);

          (vi)   the Class HI: B Percentage for such Payment Date;

          (vii)  the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI for such
     Payment Date;

          (viii) the Sub-Pool HI Pool Factor;

          (ix)   the Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount, if any, 
     for such Payment Date;

          (x)    the Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment, if any, for such Payment 
     Date;

          (xi)   the number and aggregate principal balances of Home Improvement
     Contracts delinquent (a) 30-59 days and (b) 60 days or more;

          (xii)  the Class HI: B Principal Balance Test (as set forth in
     Exhibit Q hereto);

          (xiii) the Class HI: B Principal Distribution Tests (as set forth in 
     Exhibit Q hereto);

          (xiv)  the number of Liquidated Home Improvement Contracts,
     identifying such Contracts and the Net Liquidation loss on such Contracts;

          (xv)   the aggregate number and principal amount of FHA-Insured
     Contracts on which either (i) the Servicer has submitted a claim for FHA
     Insurance, HUD rejected such claim and the Servicer has determined not to
     resubmit such claim, or (ii) the Servicer has determined not to submit a
     claim for FHA Insurance because such claim would not be paid by HUD; and

          (xvi)  the amount in the Company's FHA Insurance reserve available
     to pay FHA Insurance claims on the FHA-Insured Contracts.

     In the case of the information in clauses (i) through (iv) and (ix) above,
the amounts shall be expressed as a dollar amount per Class HI: B-2 Certificate
with a 1% Percentage Interest or per $1,000 denomination of Class HI: B-2
Certificate.

                                     6-10
<PAGE>
 
     Within 75 days after the end of each calendar year, the Certificate
Registrar shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each Person who at any time
during the calendar year was the Holder of a Class HI: B-2 Certificate a
statement containing the applicable distribution information provided pursuant
to this Section aggregated for such calendar year or applicable portion thereof
during which such Person was the Holder of a Class HI: B-2 Certificate.  Such
obligation of the Certificate Registrar shall be deemed to have been satisfied
to the extent that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the
Certificate Registrar pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to
time in force.

     g.   Concurrently with each distribution to Certificateholders, the Trustee
shall, so long as it has received the Monthly Report from the Servicer, forward
or cause to be forwarded by mail to each Holder of a Class HE: A Certificate and
(if the Company is not the Servicer) the Company a statement setting forth the
following:

          (i)    the amount of such distribution to Holders of each Class of 
     Class HE: A Certificates allocable to interest, separately identifying any
     Unpaid Class HE: A Interest Shortfall included in such distribution and any
     remaining Unpaid Class HE: A Interest Shortfall after giving effect to such
     distribution;
 
          (ii)   the amount of such distribution to Holders of each Class of 
     Class HE: A Certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying (A)
     the aggregate amount of any Principal Prepayments included therein, and (B)
     that portion of any such distribution to Class HE: A-5 Certificateholders
     constituting Class HE: A-5 Lockout Remittance Amount;
 
          (iii)  the amount, if any, by which the Class HE: A Formula
     Distribution Amount for such Payment Date exceeds the Class HE: A
     Distribution Amount for such Payment Date;
 
          (iv)   the Class HE: A-1 Principal Balance, the Class HE: A-2 
     Principal Balance, the Class HE: A-3 Principal Balance, the Class HE: A-4
     Principal Balance and the Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance after giving
     effect to the distribution of principal on such Payment Date;
 
          (v)    the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE for such
     Payment Date;
 
          (vi)   the Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage and the Class HE: A-5 Lockout
     Percentage for such Payment Date;
 
          (vii)  the Sub-Pool HE Pool Factor;

          (viii) the number and aggregate principal balances of Home Equity
     Contracts delinquent (a) 30-59 days and (b) 60 or more days;

                                     6-11
<PAGE>
 
          (ix)   the Class HE: B Principal Balance Test (as set forth in Exhibit
     Q hereto)

          (x)    the Class HE: B Principal Distribution Test (as set forth in
     Exhibit Q hereto);

          (xi)   the Class HE: M-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, if any, for such
     Payment Date;

          (xii)  the Class HE: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount, if any, for such 
     Payment Date;

          (xiii) the Class HE: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, if any, for
     such Payment Date; and

          (xiv)  the number of Liquidated Home Equity Contracts, identifying
     such Contracts and the Net Liquidation Loss on such Contracts.

     The Trustee and the Servicer shall, if any Certificateholder, Class C
Certificateholder or Underwriter inquires by telephone, provide the information
contained in the most recent Monthly Report.

     In the case of information furnished pursuant to clauses (i) through (iv)
above, the amounts shall be expressed as a dollar amount per Class HE: A
Certificate with a 1% Percentage Interest or per $1,000 denomination of Class
HE: A Certificate.

     Within 75 days after the end of each calendar year, the Certificate
Registrar shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each Person who at any time
during the calendar year was the Holder of a Class HE: A Certificate a statement
containing the information with respect to interest accrued and principal paid
on its Class HE: A Certificates during such calendar year.  Such obligation of
the Certificate Registrar shall be deemed to have been satisfied to the extent
that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the Certificate
Registrar pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to time in
force.

     h.   On each Payment Date, the Trustee shall forward or cause to be
forwarded by mail to each Holder of a Class HE: M-1 Certificate a copy of the
monthly statement forwarded to the Holders of Class HE: A Certificates on such
Payment Date.  The Servicer shall also furnish to the Trustee, which shall
forward such information to the Class HE: M-1 Certificateholders as part of
their monthly statement, the following information:

          (i)    the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HE: M-1
     Certificates allocable to interest, separately identifying any Unpaid Class
     HE: M-1 Interest Shortfall included in such distribution and any remaining
     Unpaid Class HE: M-1 Interest Shortfall after giving effect to such
     distribution;

                                     6-12
<PAGE>
 
          (ii)   the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HE: M-1
     Certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying the aggregate
     amount of any Principal Prepayments included therein;

          (iii)  the amount, if any, by which the Class HE: M-1 Formula
     Distribution Amount for such Payment Date exceeds the Sub-Pool HE Amount
     Available less the Class HE: A Distribution Amount for such Payment Date;

          (iv)   the Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance after giving effect to the
     distribution of principal on such Payment Date;

          (v)    the Unpaid Class HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall 
     after giving effect to any distribution on such Payment Date pursuant to
     Section 8.04(d)(8)(i);

          (vi)   the Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage for such Payment Date;

          (vii)  the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE for such
     Payment Date;

          (viii) the Sub-Pool HE Pool Factor;

          (ix)   the number and aggregate principal balances of Home Equity
     Contracts delinquent (a) 30-59 days and (b) 60 or more days;

          (x)    the Class HE: B Principal Balance Test (as set forth in Exhibit
     Q hereto);

          (xi)   the Class HE: B Principal Distribution Test (as set forth in
     Exhibit Q hereto); and

          (xii)  the number of Liquidated Home Equity Contracts, identifying
     such Contracts and the Net Liquidation Loss on such Contracts.

     In the case of the information in clauses (i) through (iv) above, the
amounts shall be expressed as a dollar amount per Class HE: M-1 Certificate with
a 1% Percentage Interest or per $1,000 denomination of Class HE: M-1
Certificate.

     Within 75 days after the end of each calendar year, the Certificate
Registrar shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each Person who at any time
during the calendar year was the Holder of a Class HE: M-1 Certificate a
statement containing the applicable distribution information provided pursuant
to this Section aggregated for such calendar year or applicable portion thereof
during which such Person was the Holder of a Class HE: M-1 Certificate.  Such
obligation of the Certificate Registrar shall be deemed to have been satisfied
to the extent that 

                                     6-13
<PAGE>
 
substantially comparable information shall be provided by the Certificate
Registrar pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to time in
force.

     i.   On each Payment Date, the Trustee shall forward or cause to be
forwarded by mail to each Holder of a Class HE: M-2 Certificate a copy of the
monthly statements forwarded to the Holders of Class HE: A and Class HE: M-1
Certificates on such Payment Date.  The Servicer shall also furnish to the
Trustee, which shall forward such information to the Class HE: M-2
Certificateholders as part of their monthly statement, the following
information:

          (i)    the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HE: M-2
     Certificates allocable to interest, separately identifying any Unpaid Class
     HE: M-2 Interest Shortfall included in such distribution and any remaining
     Unpaid Class HE: M-2 Interest Shortfall after giving effect to such
     distribution;

          (ii)   the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HE: M-2
     Certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying the aggregate
     amount of any Principal Prepayments included therein;

          (iii)  the amount, if any, by which the Class HE: M-2 Formula
     Distribution Amount for such Payment Date exceeds the Sub-Pool HE Amount
     Available less the sum of the Class HE: A Distribution Amount and the Class
     HE: M-1 Distribution Amount for such Payment Date;

          (iv)   the Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance after giving effect to the
     distribution of principal on such Payment Date;

          (v)    the Unpaid Class HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall,
     after giving effect to any distribution on such Payment Date pursuant to
     Section 8.04(d)(8)(ii);

          (vi)   the Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage for such Payment Date;

          (vii)  the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE for such
     Payment Date;

          (viii) the Sub-Pool HE Pool Factor;

          (ix)   the number and aggregate principal balances of Home Equity
     Contracts delinquent (a) 30-59 days and (b) 60 or more days;

          (x)    the Class HE: B Principal Balance Test (as set forth in Exhibit
     Q hereto);

          (xi)   the Class HE: B Principal Distribution Test (as set forth in
     Exhibit Q hereto); and

                                     6-14
<PAGE>
 
          (xii)  the number of Liquidated Home Equity Contracts, identifying
     such Contracts and the Net Liquidation Loss on such Contracts.

     In the case of the information in clauses (i) through (iv) above, the
amounts shall be expressed as a dollar amount per Class HE: M-2 Certificate with
a 1% Percentage Interest or per $1,000 denomination of Class HE: M-2
Certificate.

     Within 75 days after the end of each calendar year, the Certificate
Registrar shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each Person who at any time
during the calendar year was the Holder of a Class HE: M-2 Certificate a
statement containing the applicable distribution information provided pursuant
to this Section aggregated for such calendar year or applicable portion thereof
during which such Person was the Holder of a Class HE: M-2 Certificate.  Such
obligation of the Certificate Registrar shall be deemed to have been satisfied
to the extent that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the
Certificate Registrar pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to
time in force.

     j.     On each Payment Date, the Trustee shall forward or cause to be
forwarded by mail to each Holder of a Class HE: B-1 Certificate a copy of the
monthly statements forwarded to the Holders of Class HE: A and Class HE: M
Certificates on such Payment Date.  The Servicer shall also furnish to the
Trustee, which shall forward such information to the Class HE: B-1
Certificateholders as part of their monthly statement, the following
information:

          (i)   the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HE: B-1
     Certificates allocable to interest, separately identifying any Unpaid Class
     HE: B-1 Interest Shortfall included in such distribution and any remaining
     Unpaid Class HE: B-1 Interest Shortfall after giving effect to such
     distribution;

          (ii)  the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HE: B-1
     Certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying the aggregate
     amount of any Principal Prepayments included therein;

          (iii) the amount, if any, by which the Class HE: B-1 Formula
     Distribution Amount for such Payment Date exceeds the Sub-Pool HE Amount
     Available less the sum of the Class HE: A Distribution Amount, the Class
     HE: M-1 Distribution Amount and the Class HE: M-2 Distribution Amount for
     such Payment Date;

          (iv)  the Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance after giving effect to the
     distribution of principal on such Payment Date;

          (v)   the Unpaid Class HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall,
     after giving effect to any distribution on such Payment Date pursuant to
     Section 8.04(d)(8)(iii);

                                     6-15
<PAGE>
 
          (vi)   the Class HE: B Percentage for such Payment Date;

          (vii)  the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE for such
     Payment Date;

          (viii) the Sub-Pool HE Pool Factor;

          (ix)   the number and aggregate principal balances of Home Equity
     Contracts delinquent (a) 30-59 days and (b) 60 or more days;

          (x)    the Class HE: B Principal Balance Test (as set forth in Exhibit
     Q hereto);

          (xi)   the Class HE: B Principal Distribution Test (as set forth in
     Exhibit Q hereto); and

          (xii)  the number of Liquidated Home Equity Contracts, identifying
     such Contracts and the Net Liquidation Loss on such Contracts.

     In the case of the information in clauses (i) through (iv) above, the
amounts shall be expressed as a dollar amount per Class HE: B-1 Certificate with
a 1% Percentage Interest or per $1,000 denomination of Class HE: B-1
Certificate.

     Within 75 days after the end of each calendar year, the Certificate
Registrar shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each Person who at any time
during the calendar year was the Holder of a Class HE: B-1 Certificate a
statement containing the applicable distribution information provided pursuant
to this Section aggregated for such calendar year or applicable portion thereof
during which such Person was the Holder of a Class HE: B-1 Certificate.  Such
obligation of the Certificate Registrar shall be deemed to have been satisfied
to the extent that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the
Certificate Registrar pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to
time in force.

     k.   On each Payment Date, the Trustee shall forward or cause to be
forwarded by mail to each Holder of a Class HE: B-2 Certificate a copy of the
monthly statements forwarded to the Holders of Class HE: A, Class HE: M and
Class HE: B-1 Certificates on such Payment Date.  The Servicer shall also
furnish to the Trustee, which shall forward such information to the Class HE: 
B-2 Certificateholders as part of their monthly statement, the following
information:

          (i)   the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HE: B-2
     Certificates allocable to interest, separately identifying any Unpaid Class
     HE: B-2 Interest Shortfall included in such distribution and any remaining
     Unpaid Class HE: B-2 Interest Shortfall after giving effect to such
     distribution;

                                     6-16
<PAGE>
 
          (ii)   the amount of such distribution to Holders of Class HE: B-2
     Certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying the aggregate
     amount of any Principal Prepayments included therein;

          (iii)  the amount, if any, by which the sum of the Class HE: B-2
     Formula Distribution Amount and the Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss
     Principal Amount, if any, for such Payment Date exceeds the Class HE: B-2
     Distribution Amount for such Payment Date;

          (iv)   the Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance after giving effect to the
     distribution of principal on such Payment Date;

          (v)    the Unpaid Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall,
     after giving effect to any distribution on such Payment Date pursuant to
     Section 8.04(d)(8)(iv);

          (vi)   the Class HE: B Percentage for such Payment Date;

          (vii)  the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE for such
     Payment Date;

          (viii) the Sub-Pool HE Pool Factor;

          (ix)   the Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount, if any, 
     for such Payment Date;

          (x)    the Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment, if any, for such Payment 
     Date;

          (xi)   the number and aggregate principal balances of Home Equity
     Contracts delinquent (a) 30-59 days and (b) 60 days or more;

          (xii)  the Class HE: B Principal Balance Test (as set forth in
     Exhibit Q hereto);

          (xiii) the Class HE: B Principal Distribution Tests (as set forth
     in Exhibit Q hereto); and

          (xiv)  the number of Liquidated Home Equity Contracts, identifying
     such Contracts and the Net Liquidation Loss on such Contracts.

     In the case of the information in clauses (i) through (iv) and (ix) above,
the amounts shall be expressed as a dollar amount per Class HE: B-2 Certificate
with a 1% Percentage Interest or per $1,000 denomination of Class HE: B-2
Certificate.

                                     6-17
<PAGE>
 
     Within 75 days after the end of each calendar year, the Certificate
Registrar shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each Person who at any time
during the calendar year was the Holder of a Class HE: B-2 Certificate a
statement containing the applicable distribution information provided pursuant
to this Section aggregated for such calendar year or applicable portion thereof
during which such Person was the Holder of a Class HE: B-2 Certificate.  Such
obligation of the Certificate Registrar shall be deemed to have been satisfied
to the extent that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the
Certificate Registrar pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to
time in force.

     l.   Copies of all reports and statements provided to the Trustee for the
Certificateholders shall also be provided to S&P, Fitch and the Class C
Certificateholder.

     SECTION 6.06.  Payment of Taxes.

     The Servicer shall be responsible for and agrees to prepare, make and file
all federal, state, local or other tax returns, information statements and other
returns and documents of every kind and nature whatsoever required to be made or
filed by or on behalf of the Trust pursuant to the Code and other applicable tax
laws and regulations.  Each such return, statement and document shall, to the
extent required by the Code or other applicable law and at the request of the
Servicer, be signed on behalf of the Trust by the Trustee.  The Trustee shall
have no responsibility whatsoever for the accuracy or completeness of any such
return, statement or document.  The Servicer agrees to indemnify the Trustee and
hold it harmless for, from, against and in respect to any and all liability,
loss, damage and expense which may be incurred by the Trustee based upon or as a
result of the Trustee's execution of any and all such tax returns, statements
and documents.  The Servicer, if and for so long as it is a Class C
Certificateholder, shall be designated the "tax matters person" on behalf of the
Trust in the same manner as a partnership may designate a "tax matters partner,"
as such term is defined in Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code.  To the extent
permitted by the REMIC Provisions, any subsequent holder of the Class C
Certificate, by acceptance thereof, irrevocably designates and appoints the
Servicer as its agent to perform the responsibilities of the "tax matters
person" on behalf of the Trust if, and during such time as, the Servicer is not
the holder of the Class C Certificate.  The Servicer may, at its expense, retain
such outside assistance as it deems necessary in the performance of its
obligations under this paragraph.  The Servicer shall provide to the Internal
Revenue Service the name, title, address and telephone number of the person who
will serve as the representative of the REMIC.

     Each of the Holders of the Certificates or the Class C Certificate, by
acceptance thereof, agrees to file tax returns consistent with and in accordance
with any elections, decisions or other reports made or filed with regard to
federal, state or local taxes on behalf of the Trust.  The Servicer, as tax
matters person or as agent for the tax matters person, shall represent the Trust
in connection with all examinations of the Trust's affairs by tax authorities,
including resulting 

                                     6-18
<PAGE>
 
administrative and judicial proceedings. Each of the holders of the Certificates
and Class C Certificate, by acceptance thereof, agrees to cooperate with the
Servicer in such matters and to do or refrain from doing any or all things
reasonably required by the Servicer to conduct such proceedings, provided that
no such action shall be required by the Servicer of any Certificateholder that
would entail unnecessary or unreasonable expenses for such Certificateholder in
the performance of such action.

     The Class C Certificateholder shall pay, on behalf of the Trust, any
foreign, federal, state or local income, property, excise, sales, receipts or
any other similar or related taxes or charges which may be imposed upon the
Trust as a REMIC or otherwise and shall, to the extent provided in Section
10.06, be entitled to be reimbursed out of the Certificate Account or, if such
tax or charge results from a failure by the Trustee, the Company or any Servicer
to comply with the provisions of Section 2.04 or 3.06, the Trustee, the Company
or such Servicer, as the case may be, shall indemnify the Class C
Certificateholder for the payment of any such tax or charge.  The Trustee shall
be entitled to withhold from amounts otherwise distributable to the Class C
Certificateholder any taxes or charges payable by the Class C Certificateholder
hereunder.

     In the event the Class C Certificate is transferred to a "disqualified
organization," within the meaning of Section 860E(e)(5) of the Code, pursuant to
Section 860D(a)(6)(B) of the Code the Company shall provide to the Internal
Revenue Service and the persons specified in Sections 860(E)(e)(3) and (6) of
the Code all information necessary for the application of Section 860E(e) and
any other applicable provision of the Code with respect to the transfer of the
Class C Certificate to such a disqualified organization including, without
limitation, a computation showing the present value of the total anticipated
excess inclusions with respect to such Class C Certificate for periods after the
transfer as defined in the REMIC Provisions.  In addition, to the extent
required by the REMIC Provisions, the Company shall, upon the written request of
persons designated in Section 860E(e)(3) of the Code, furnish to such requesting
party and the Internal Revenue Service information sufficient to compute the
present value of anticipated excess inclusions within 60 days of the receipt of
such written request.

                                     6-19
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VII

                               SERVICE TRANSFER
                               ----------------

     SECTION 7.01.  Events of Termination.

     "Event of Termination" means the occurrence of any of the following:

          a.   Any failure by the Servicer to make any payment or deposit
     required to be made hereunder (including an Advance) and the continuance of
     such failure for a period of four Business Days;

          b.   Failure on the Servicer's part to observe or perform in any
     material respect any covenant or agreement in this Agreement (other than a
     covenant or agreement which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt
     with) which continues unremedied for 30 days;

          c.   Any assignment by the Servicer of its duties or rights hereunder
     except as specifically permitted hereunder, or any attempt to make such an
     assignment;

          d.   A court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have entered a
     decree or order for relief in respect of the Servicer in an involuntary
     case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now
     or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
     custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Servicer, as
     the case may be, or for any substantial liquidation of its affairs;
 
          e.   The Servicer shall have commenced a voluntary case under any
     applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
     effect, or shall have consented to the entry of an order for relief in an
     involuntary case under any such law, or shall have consented to the
     appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
     trustee, custodian or sequestrator (or other similar official) of the
     Servicer or for any substantial part of its property, or shall have made
     any general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or shall have
     failed to, or admitted in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they
     become due, or shall have taken any corporate action in furtherance of the
     foregoing;

          f.   The failure of the Servicer to be an Eligible Servicer; or

          g.   If the Company is the Servicer, the Company's servicing rights
     under its master seller-servicer agreement with GNMA are terminated by
     GNMA.

                                      7-1
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 7.02.  Transfer.

     a.   If an Event of Termination has occurred and is continuing, either the
Trustee or Certificateholders, in the aggregate, representing 25% or more of the
Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance, by notice in writing to the Servicer
(and to the Trustee if given by the Certificateholders) may terminate all (but
not less than all) of the Servicer's management, administrative, servicing and
collection functions (such termination being herein called a "Service
Transfer").  On receipt of such notice (or, if later, on a date designated
therein), all authority and power of the Servicer under this Agreement, whether
with respect to the Contracts, the Contract Files or otherwise (except with
respect to the Certificate Account, the transfer of which shall be governed by
Section 7.06), shall pass to and be vested in the Trustee pursuant to and under
this Section 7.02; and, without limitation, the Trustee is authorized and
empowered to execute and deliver on behalf of the Servicer, as attorney-in-fact
or otherwise, any and all documents and other instruments, and to do any and all
acts or things necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of such notice of
termination.  The Trustee shall cause all assignments of mortgages, deeds of
trust or security deeds securing the Contracts to be duly recorded.  If the
Servicer was the lender of record for purposes of the FHA Insurance relating to
FHA-Insured Contracts, the Trustee shall notify HUD of such termination and
shall request that HUD transfer the FHA Insurance reserves allocable to such
FHA-Insured Contracts to the successor Servicer; provided, however, that if the
Trustee is the successor Servicer, the Trustee shall request such transfer of
reserves if and to the extent it is legally able to do so, and the Trustee shall
use its best efforts to obtain any approvals that may be required for the
Trustee to receive such transfer of reserves.  Each of the Company and the
Servicer agrees to cooperate with the Trustee in effecting the termination of
the responsibilities and rights of the Servicer hereunder, including, without
limitation, the transfer to the Trustee for administration by it of all cash
amounts which shall at the time be held by the Servicer for deposit, or have
been deposited by the Servicer, in the Certificate Account, or for its own
account in connection with its services hereafter or thereafter received with
respect to the Contracts, and the transfer of all rights under FHA Insurance
relating to FHA-Insured Contracts.  The Servicer shall transfer to the new
servicer (i) the Servicer's records relating to the Contracts in such electronic
form as the new servicer may reasonably request and (ii) any Contract Files in
the Servicer's possession.

     SECTION  7.03.  Trustee to Act; Appointment of Successor.

     On and after the time the Servicer receives a notice of termination
pursuant to Section 7.02, the Trustee shall be the successor in all respects to
the Servicer in its capacity as servicer under this Agreement and the
transactions set forth or provided for herein and shall be subject to all the
responsibilities, duties and liabilities relating thereto placed on the Servicer
by the terms and provisions hereof, and the Servicer shall be relieved of such
responsibilities, duties and liabilities arising after such Service Transfer;
provided, however, that (i) the Trustee will not assume any 


                                      7-2
<PAGE>
 
obligations of the Company pursuant to Section 3.05, and (ii) the Trustee shall
not be liable for any acts or omissions of the Servicer occurring prior to such
Service Transfer or for any breach by the Servicer of any of its obligations
contained herein or in any related document or agreement.  As compensation
therefor, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive reasonable compensation out
of the Monthly Servicing Fee.  Notwithstanding the above, the Trustee may, if it
shall be unwilling so to act, or shall, if it is legally unable so to act,
appoint, or petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint, an Eligible
Servicer as the successor to the Servicer hereunder in the assumption of all or
any part of the responsibilities, duties or liabilities of the Servicer
hereunder.  Pending appointment of a successor to the Servicer hereunder, unless
the Trustee is prohibited by law from so acting, the Trustee shall act in such
capacity as hereinabove provided. In connection with such appointment and
assumption, the Trustee may make such arrangements for the compensation of such
successor out of payments on Contracts as it and such successor shall agree;
provided, however, that no such monthly compensation shall, without the written
consent of 100% of the Certificateholders, exceed the Monthly Servicing Fee.  
The Trustee and such successor shall take such action, consistent with this
Agreement, as shall be necessary to effectuate any such succession.

     SECTION 7.04.  Notification to Certificateholders and the Class C
Certificateholder.

     a.   Promptly following the occurrence of any Event of Termination, the
Servicer shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee, to S&P, to Fitch, to
the Certificateholders and to the Class C Certificateholder at their respective
addresses appearing on the Certificate Register.

     b.   Within 10 days following any termination or appointment of a successor
to the Servicer pursuant to this Article VII, the Trustee shall give written
notice thereof to S&P, to Fitch and to Certificateholders and the Class C
Certificateholder at their respective addresses appearing on the Certificate
Register.

     SECTION 7.05.  Effect of Transfer.
 
     a.   After the Service Transfer, the Trustee or new Servicer shall notify
Obligors to make payments directly to the new Servicer that are due under the
Contracts after the effective date of the Service Transfer.

     b.   After the Service Transfer, the replaced Servicer shall have no
further obligations with respect to the management, administration, servicing or
collection of the Contracts and the new Servicer shall have all of such
obligations, except that the replaced Servicer will transmit or cause to be
transmitted directly to the new Servicer for its own account, promptly on
receipt and in the same form in which received, any amounts (properly endorsed
where required for the new Servicer to 


                                      7-3
<PAGE>
 
collect them) received as payments upon or otherwise in connection with the
Contracts.

     c.   A Service Transfer shall not affect the rights and duties of the
parties hereunder (including but not limited to the indemnities of the Servicer
and the Company pursuant to Article X and Sections 3.05, 11.06 and 11.12(f))
other than those relating to the management, administration, servicing or
collection of the Contracts after the Service Transfer.

     SECTION 7.06.  Transfer of Certificate Account.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.02, if the Certificate Account
shall be maintained with the Servicer and an Event of Termination shall occur
and be continuing, the Servicer shall, after five days' written notice from the
Trustee, or in any event within ten days after the occurrence of the Event of
Termination, establish a new account or accounts in trust for the
Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder conforming with the
requirements of this Agreement at the corporate trust department of the Trustee
or with an institution other than the Servicer and promptly cause the Trustee to
transfer all funds in the Certificate Account to such new account, which shall
thereafter be deemed the Certificate Account for the purposes hereof.


                                      7-4
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE VIII

                                   PAYMENTS
                                   --------

     SECTION 8.01.  Monthly Payments.

     a.   Subject to the terms of this Article VIII, each holder of a
Certificate or Class C Certificate as of a Record Date shall be paid on the next
succeeding Payment Date by check mailed to such Certificateholder or Class C
Certificateholder at the address for such Certificateholder or Class C
Certificateholder appearing on the Certificate Register (or, if such
Certificateholder holds Certificates of a Class with an aggregate Percentage
Interest of at least 5% of such Class and so requests, by wire transfer pursuant
to instructions delivered to the Trustee at least 10 days prior to such Payment
Date), the sum equal to such Certificateholder's or Class C Certificateholder's
Percentage Interest of the Class HI: A-1 Distribution Amount, the Class HI: A-2
Distribution Amount, the Class HI: A-3 Distribution Amount, the Class HI: M-1
Distribution Amount plus any amounts distributable pursuant to Sections
8.04(b)(8)(i) and 8.04(c), the Class HI: M-2 Distribution Amount plus any
amounts distributable pursuant to Sections 8.04(b)(8)(ii) and 8.04(c), the Class
HI: B-1 Distribution Amount plus any amounts distributable pursuant to Sections
8.04(b)(8)(iii) and 8.04(c), the Class HI: B-2 Distribution Amount plus any
amounts distributable pursuant to Section 8.04(b)(8)(iv), any Class HI: B-2
Guaranty Payment, the Class HE: A-1 Distribution Amount, the Class HE: A-2
Distribution Amount, the Class HE: A-3 Distribution Amount, the Class HE: A-4
Distribution Amount, the Class HE: A-5 Distribution Amount, the Class HE: M-1
Distribution Amount plus any amounts distributable pursuant to Sections
8.04(d)(8)(i) and 8.04(e), the Class HE: M-2 Distribution Amount plus any
amounts distributable pursuant to Sections 8.04(d)(8)(ii) and 8.04(e), the Class
HE: B-1 Distribution Amount plus any amounts distributable pursuant to Sections
8.04(d)(8)(iii) and 8.04(e), the Class HE: B-2 Distribution Amount plus any
amounts distributable pursuant to Section 8.04(d)(8)(iv), any Class HE: B-2
Guaranty Payment or the Class C Distribution Amount, as applicable.  Final
payment of any Certificate or the Class C Certificate shall be made only upon
presentation of such Certificate or the Class C Certificate at the office or
agency of the Paying Agent.

     b.   Each distribution with respect to a Book-Entry Certificate shall be
paid to the Depository, which shall credit the amount of such distribution to
the accounts of its Depository Participants in accordance with its normal
procedures.  Each Depository Participant shall be responsible for disbursing
such distribution to the Certificate Owners that it represents and to each
indirect participating brokerage firm (a "brokerage firm" or "indirect
participating firm") for which it acts as agent.  Each brokerage firm shall be
responsible for disbursing funds to the Certificate Owners that it represents.
All such credits and disbursements with respect to a Book-Entry Certificate are
to be made by the Depository and the Depository Participants in accordance with
the provisions of the Book-Entry Certificates.  Neither the Trustee, the
Certificate Registrar nor the Company shall have any 


                                      8-1
<PAGE>
 
responsibility therefor except as otherwise provided by applicable law.  To the
extent applicable and not contrary to the rules of the Depository, the Trustee
shall comply with the provisions of the form of the Certificates as set forth in
Exhibits A through C hereto, and the Class C Certificate as set forth in Exhibit
L hereto.

     c.   The Trustee shall either act as the paying agent or appoint an
Eligible Institution to be the paying agent (in either such case, the "Paying
Agent") to make the payments to the Certificateholders and the Class C
Certificateholder required hereunder.  The Trustee's corporate trust operations
department, with an office at 180 East 5th Street, Third Floor, St. Paul,
Minnesota 55101, Attention: Kathi Mohammadzadah, shall initially act as Paying
Agent.  The Trustee shall require the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee)
to agree in writing that all amounts held by the Paying Agent for payment
hereunder will be held in trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders and
the Class C Certificateholder and that it will notify the Trustee of any failure
by the Servicer to make funds available to the Paying Agent for the payment of
amounts due on the Certificates and the Class C Certificate.

     SECTION 8.02.  Advances.

     a.   Not later than one Business Day following the Determination Date, the
Servicer shall advance all Delinquent Payments for the immediately preceding Due
Period by depositing the aggregate amount of such Delinquent Payments in the
Certificate Account; provided, however, that the Servicer shall be obligated to
advance Delinquent Payments only to the extent that the Servicer, in its sole
discretion, expects to be able to recover such advances from funds subsequently
available therefor in the Certificate Account in accordance with Section 8.04(b)
or Section 8.04(d), as applicable.  If the Servicer fails to advance all
Delinquent Payments required under this Section 8.02, the Trustee shall be
obligated to advance such Delinquent Payments pursuant to Section 11.16.

     b.   The Servicer shall be entitled to reimbursement of an Advance from
subsequent funds available therefor in the Certificate Account in accordance
with Section 8.04(b) or Section 8.04(d), as applicable.

     SECTION 8.03.  Limited Guaranties.

     a.   Class HI: B-2 Limited Guaranty

          1.   No later than the third Business Day prior to each Payment Date,
the Servicer (if other than the Company) shall notify the Company of the amount
of the Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment (if any) for such Payment Date.  Not later
than the Business Day preceding each Payment Date, the Company shall deposit the
Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment, if any, for such Payment Date into the
Certificate Account.  Any Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment shall be distributable
to Class HI: B-2 Certificateholders pursuant to Section 8.01.


                                      8-2
<PAGE>
 
          2.   The obligations of the Company under this Section 8.03(a) shall
not terminate upon or otherwise be affected by a Service Transfer pursuant to
Article VII of this Agreement.

          3.   The obligation of the Company to provide the Class HI: B-2
Limited Guaranty under this Agreement shall terminate on the Final Payment Date.

          4.   The obligation of the Company to make the Class HI: B-2 Guaranty
Payments described in subsection (1) above shall be unconditional and
irrevocable.  The Company acknowledges that its obligation to make the Class HI:
B-2 Guaranty Payments described in subsection (1) above shall be deemed a
guaranty by the Company of indebtedness of the Trust for money borrowed from the
Class HI: B-2 Certificateholders.

          5.   If the Company fails to make a Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment in
whole or in part, the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee, and the Trustee
shall promptly notify S&P and Fitch.

          6.   In consideration of providing the Class HI: B-2 Limited Guaranty,
the Company shall be entitled to the Class HI: B-2 Guarantee Fee payable in
accordance with Section 8.04(b)(15).

     b.   Class HE: B-2 Limited Guaranty

          1.   No later than the third Business Day prior to each Payment Date,
the Servicer (if other than the Company) shall notify the Company of the amount
of the Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment (if any) for such Payment Date.  Not later
than the Business Day preceding each Payment Date, the Company shall deposit the
Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment, if any, for such Payment Date into the
Certificate Account.  Any Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment shall be distributable
to Class HE: B-2 Certificateholders pursuant to Section 8.01.

          2.   The obligations of the Company under this Section 8.03(b) shall
not terminate upon or otherwise be affected by a Service Transfer pursuant to
Article VII of this Agreement.

          3.   The obligation of the Company to provide the Class HE: B-2
Limited Guaranty under this Agreement shall terminate on the Final Payment Date.

          4.   The obligation of the Company to make the Class HE: B-2 Guaranty
Payments described in subsection (1) above shall be unconditional and
irrevocable.  The Company acknowledges that its obligation to make the Class HE:
B-2 Guaranty Payments described in subsection (1) above shall be deemed a
guaranty 

                                      8-3
<PAGE>
 
by the Company of indebtedness of the Trust for money borrowed from the Class
HE: B-2 Certificateholders.

          5.   If the Company fails to make a Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment in
whole or in part, the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee, and the Trustee
shall promptly notify S&P and Fitch.

          6.   In consideration of providing the Class HE: B-2 Limited Guaranty,
the Company shall be entitled to the Class HE: B-2 Guarantee Fee payable in
accordance with Section 8.04(d)(14).

     SECTION 8.04.  Permitted Withdrawals from the Certificate Account;
Payments.

     a.   The Trustee shall, from time to time as provided herein, make
withdrawals from the Certificate Account of amounts deposited in said account
pursuant to Section 5.05 that are attributable to the Contracts for the
following purposes:

          (i)    to make payments in the amounts and in the manner provided for
     in Sections 8.04(b) and 8.04(d);

          (ii)   to pay to the Company with respect to each Contract or property
     acquired in respect thereof that has been repurchased or replaced pursuant
     to Section 3.05, all amounts received thereon and not required to be
     distributed to Certificateholders as of the date on which the related
     Scheduled Principal Balance or Repurchase Price is determined;

          (iii)  to reimburse the Servicer out of Liquidation Proceeds for
     Liquidation Expenses incurred by it and not otherwise reimbursed, to the
     extent such reimbursement is permitted pursuant to Section 5.08;

          (iv)   to withdraw any amount deposited in the Certificate Account
     that was not required to be deposited therein; or

          (v)    to make any rebates or adjustments deemed necessary by the
     Servicer pursuant to Section 5.06(d).

     Since, in connection with withdrawals pursuant to clause (iii), the
Company's entitlement thereto is limited to collections or other recoveries on
the related Contract, the Servicer shall keep and maintain separate accounting,
on a Contract by Contract basis, for the purpose of justifying any withdrawal
from the Certificate Account pursuant to such clause.


                                      8-4
<PAGE>
 
     b.   On each Payment Date, the Trustee shall apply the Sub-Pool HI Amount
Available (as determined on the immediately preceding Determination Date) in the
Certificate Account to make payment in the following order of priority:

          1.   if neither the Company nor a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company is the Servicer, to pay, with respect to the Home Improvement Contracts,
the Monthly Servicing Fee and any other compensation owed to the Servicer
pursuant to Section 7.03;
 
          2.   to pay the Class HI: A Formula Interest Distribution Amount as
follows (and in the following order of priority):

          (i)    the amount in clause (a)(1) of the definition of Class HI: A
     Formula Distribution Amount to the Class HI: A-1 Certificateholders; the
     amount in clause (a)(2) of the definition of Class HI: A Formula
     Distribution Amount to the Class HI: A-2 Certificateholders; the amount in
     clause (a)(3) of the definition of Class HI: A Formula Distribution Amount
     to the Class HI: A-3 Certificateholders; or, if the Sub-Pool HI Amount
     Available is less than the amount necessary to pay all Class HI: A Formula
     Interest Distribution Amounts, pro rata to each Class of Class HI: A
     Certificates in accordance with their respective entitlements to interest;
     and

          (ii)   to each Class of Class HI: A Certificates the amount, if any,
     of the Unpaid Class HI: A Interest Shortfall of such Class, or, if the
     remaining Sub-Pool HI Amount Available is less than the amount necessary to
     pay all Unpaid Class HI: A Interest Shortfalls, pro rata to each Class of
     Class HI: A Certificates based on the Unpaid Class HI: A Interest Shortfall
     of each such Class;

          3.   after payment of the amounts specified in clauses (1) and (2)
above, to pay principal in respect of the Class HI: A Certificates as follows:

          (i)    if there is a Class HI: A Liquidation Loss Principal Amount as
     to such Payment Date, the remaining Sub-Pool HI Amount Available, pro rata
     to each Class of Class HI: A Certificates based on the Class Principal
     Balance of each Class (but in no event shall such amount exceed the Class
     Principal Balance of any such Class); and
 
          (ii)   if there is no Class HI: A Liquidation Loss Principal Amount as
     to such Payment Date:

               (A) if such Payment Date is on or prior to the First Cross-over
          date, the Sub-Pool HI Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool HI Formula
          Principal Distribution Amount to the Class HI: A-1 Certificateholders,
          but in no event more than is necessary to reduce the Class HI: A-1
          Principal Balance to zero;

                                      8-5
<PAGE>
 
               (B) if such Payment Date is on or after the First Cross-over
          date, but on or prior to the Second Cross-over date, the Sub-Pool HI
          Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal Distribution
          Amount to the Class HI: A-2 Certificateholders (reduced, if such
          Payment Date is on the First Cross-over date, by that portion of the
          Sub-Pool HI Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal
          Distribution Amount to be distributed to the Class HI: A-1
          Certificateholders on such date in accordance with clause (A) above),
          but in no event more than is necessary to reduce the Class HI: A-2
          Principal Balance to zero; and
 
               (C) if such Payment Date is on or after the Second Cross-over
          date, but on or prior to the Third Cross-over date, the Sub-Pool HI
          Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal Distribution
          Amount to the Class HI: A-3 Certificateholders (reduced, if such
          Payment Date is on the Second Cross-over date, by that portion of the
          Sub-Pool HI Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal
          Distribution Amount to be distributed to the Class HI: A-2
          Certificateholders on such date in accordance with clause (B) above),
          but in no event more than is necessary to reduce the Class HI: A-3
          Principal Balance to zero.

          4.   after payment of the amounts specified in clauses (1) through (3)
above, to the Class HI: M-1 Certificateholders as follows (and in the following
order of priority):

          (i)    the amount in clause (a) of the definition of Class HI: M-1
     Formula Distribution Amount;

          (ii)   any Unpaid Class HI: M-1 Interest Shortfall; and

          (iii)  the amount in clause (c) of the definition of Class HI: M-1
     Formula Distribution Amount;

          5.   after payment of the amounts specified in clauses (1) through (4)
above, to the Class HI: M-2 Certificateholders as follows (and in the following
order of priority):
 
          (i)    the amount in clause (a) of the definition of Class HI: M-2
     Formula Distribution Amount;

          (ii)   any Unpaid Class HI: M-2 Interest Shortfall; and

          (iii)  the amount in clause (c) of the definition of Class HI: M-2
     Formula Distribution Amount;


                                      8-6
<PAGE>
 
          6.   after payment of the amounts specified in clauses (1) through (5)
above, to the Class HI: B-1 Certificateholders as follows (and in the following
order of priority):

          (i)    the amount in clause (a) of the definition of Class HI: B-1
     Formula Distribution Amount;

          (ii)   any Unpaid Class HI: B-1 Interest Shortfall; and

          (iii)  the amount in clause (c) of the definition of Class HI: B-1
     Formula Distribution Amount;

          7.   after payment of the amounts specified in clauses (1) through (6)
above, to the Class HI: B-2 Certificateholders as follows (and in the following
order of priority):

          (i)    the amount in clause (a) of the definition of Class HI: B-2
     Formula Distribution Amount;
 
          (ii)   any Unpaid Class HI: B-2 Interest Shortfall; and

          (iii)  the amount in clause (c) of the definition of Class HI: B-2
     Formula Distribution Amount;
 
          8.   after payment of the amounts specified in clauses (1) through (7)
above, to the Class HI: M and Class HI: B Certificateholders as follows (and in
the following order of priority):

          (i)    to the Class HI: M-1 Certificateholders, first an amount equal
     to the amount specified in clause (a) of the definition of the term "Class
     HI: M-1 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount" and then to
     any Unpaid Class HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall;

          (ii)   to the Class HI: M-2 Certificateholders, first an amount equal
     to the amount specified in clause (a) of the definition of the term "Class
     HI: M-2 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount" and then to
     any Unpaid Class HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall;

          (iii)  to the Class HI: B-1 Certificateholders, first an amount equal
     to the amount specified in clause (a) of the definition of the term "Class
     HI: B-1 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount" and then to
     any Unpaid Class HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall; and

          (iv)   to the Class HI: B-2 Certificateholders, first an amount equal
     to the amount specified in clause (a) of the definition of the term "Class
     HI: B-2

                                      8-7
<PAGE>
 
     Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount" and then to any
     Unpaid Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall.
     
          9.   if the Sub-Pool HE Amount Available for such Payment Date
(determined without regard to clause (a)(2) of the definition thereof) is less
than the amounts provided for in clauses (1) through (8) of Section 8.04(d), to
add the amount of such deficiency (or the remaining Sub-Pool HI Amount
Available, if less) to the Sub-Pool HE Amount Available.

          10.  if the Company or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company is the
Servicer, to pay the Servicer the Monthly Servicing Fee with respect to the Home
Improvement Contracts;

          11.  to reimburse the Trustee or any successor Servicer for any
payments of FHA Insurance premiums in respect of FHA-Insured Contracts not paid
by the Company and for which the Trustee or such successor Servicer has not been
reimbursed by the Company;

          12.  to reimburse the Servicer or the Trustee, as applicable, for any
unreimbursed Advances made with respect to the Home Improvement Contracts in
respect of current or prior Payment Dates;

          13.  to reimburse the Class C Certificateholder for expenses incurred
by and reimbursable to it pursuant to Section 10.06;

          14.  to reimburse the Company for any prior unreimbursed Class HI: B-2
Guaranty Payments;

          15.  to pay the Class HI: B-2 Guarantee Fee to the Company; and

          16.  to pay the remainder, if any, of the Sub-Pool HI Amount Available
     to the Class C Certificateholder.

     c.   If the applicable Monthly Report indicates a Class HI: M-1 Interest
Deficiency Amount, a Class HI: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount and/or a Class HI:
B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount for such Payment Date, the Trustee shall,
provided that there is no Class HI: A Interest Shortfall for such Payment Date,
withdraw from the Certificate Account (to the extent of funds on deposit therein
in respect of Home Improvement Contracts two Business Days prior to such Payment
Date, after taking into account the distribution of the Sub-Pool HI Amount
Available pursuant to Section 8.04(b) and any Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment to
be distributed on such Payment Date) an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the
excess of such funds, after giving effect to any payment required as of the next
succeeding Payment Date under Section 8.04(b)(1), over the amount payable to
Class HI: A Certificateholders on the next succeeding Payment Date under clauses
(a) and (b) of the definition of Class HI: A Formula Distribution Amount and
(ii) the sum of the Class HI: M-1 Interest 

                                      8-8
<PAGE>
 
Deficiency Amount, the Class HI: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount and the Class
HI: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, and distribute such amount, first, to the
Class HI: M-1 Certificateholders up to the amount of any Class HI: M-1 Interest
Deficiency Amount, then to the Class HI: M-2 Certificateholders up to the amount
of any Class HI: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount, and then to the Class HI: B-1
Certificateholders up to the amount of any Class HI: B-1 Interest Deficiency
Amount.

     d.   On each Payment Date, the Trustee shall apply the Sub-Pool HE Amount
Available (as determined on the immediately preceding Determination Date) in the
Certificate Account to make payment in the following order of priority:

          1.   if neither the Company nor a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company is the Servicer, to pay, with respect to the Home Equity Contracts, the
Monthly Servicing Fee and any other compensation owed to the Servicer pursuant
to Section 7.03;
 
          2.   to pay the Class HE: A Formula Interest Distribution Amount as
follows (and in the following order of priority):

          (i)    the amount in clause (a)(1) of the definition of Class HE: A
     Formula Distribution Amount to the Class HE: A-1 Certificateholders; the
     amount in clause (a)(2) of the definition of Class HE: A Formula
     Distribution Amount to the Class HE: A-2 Certificateholders; the amount in
     clause (a)(3) of the definition of Class HE: A Formula Distribution Amount
     to the Class HE: A-3 Certificateholders; the amount in clause (a)(4) of the
     definition of Class HE: A Formula Distribution Amount to the Class HE: A-4
     Certificateholders; and the amount in clause (a)(5) of the definition of
     Class HE: A Formula Distribution Amount to the Class HE: A-5
     Certificateholders; or, if the Sub-Pool HE Amount Available is less than
     the amount necessary to pay all Class HE: A Formula Interest Distribution
     Amounts, pro rata to each Class of Class HE: A Certificates in accordance
     with their respective entitlements to interest; and

          (ii)   to each Class of Class HE: A Certificates the amount, if any,
     of the Unpaid Class HE: A Interest Shortfall of such Class or, if the
     remaining Sub-Pool HE Amount Available is less than the amount necessary to
     pay all Unpaid Class HE: A Interest Shortfalls, pro rata to each Class of
     Class HE: A Certificates based on the Unpaid Class HE: A Interest Shortfall
     of each such Class;

          3.   after payment of the amounts specified in clauses (1) and (2)
above, to pay principal in respect of the Class HE: A Certificates as follows:

          (i)    if there is a Class HE: A Liquidation Loss Principal Amount as
     to such Payment Date, the remaining Sub-Pool HE Amount Available, pro rata
     to each Class of Class HE: A Certificates based on the Class Principal
     Balance of

                                      8-9
<PAGE>
 
     each Class (but in no event shall such amount exceed the Class Principal
     Balance of any such Class); and
 
          (ii) if there is no Class HE: A Liquidation Loss Principal Amount as
     to such Payment Date, the remaining Sub-Pool HE Amount Available up to the
     Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal
     Distribution Amount as follows:

               (A) if such Payment Date is on or prior to the Fourth Cross-over
          date, as follows (provided that if, as to such Payment Date, the
          remaining Sub-Pool HE Amount Available is less than the Sub-Pool HE
          Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution
          Amount, the amounts to be distributed pursuant to the following
          clauses (I) and (II) shall be allocated pro rata based upon the
          respective portions of the Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage of the Sub-
          Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount that would have been
          distributed pursuant to such clauses had the remaining Sub-Pool HE
          Amount Available been sufficient therefor):

                   (I)  that portion, if any, of the Sub-Pool HE Senior
               Percentage of the Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution
               Amount equal to the Class HE: A-5 Lockout Remittance Amount to
               the Class HE: A-5 Certificateholders; and

                   (II) the remainder of the Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage of
               the Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount, after
               taking into account any Class HE: A-5 Lockout Remittance Amount,
               as follows:

                        (a) if such Payment Date is on or prior to the First
                   Cross-over date, to the Class HE: A-1 Certificateholders, but
                   in no event more than is necessary to reduce the Class HE: A-
                   1 Principal Balance to zero;

                        (b) if such Payment Date is on or after the First Cross-
                   over date, but on or prior to the Second Cross-over date, to
                   the Class HE: A-2 Certificateholders (reduced, if such
                   Payment Date is on the First Cross-over date, by that portion
                   of the Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool HE
                   Formula Principal Distribution Amount to be distributed to
                   the Class HE: A-1 Certificateholders on such date in
                   accordance with clause (a) above), but in no event more than
                   is necessary to reduce the Class HE: A-2 Principal Balance to
                   zero;
 

                                     8-10
<PAGE>
 
                         (c) if such Payment Date is on or after the Second
                    Cross-over date, but on or prior to the Third Cross-over
                    date, to the Class HE: A-3 Certificateholders (reduced, if
                    such Payment Date is on the Second Cross-over date, by that
                    portion of the Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool
                    HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount to be distributed
                    to the Class HE: A-2 Certificateholders on such date in
                    accordance with clause (b) above), but in no event more than
                    is necessary to reduce the Class HE: A-3 Principal Balance
                    to zero;

                        (d) if such Payment Date is on or after the Third Cross-
                    over date, but on or prior to the Fourth Cross-over date, to
                    the Class HE: A-4 Certificateholders (reduced, if such
                    Payment Date is on the Third Cross-over date, by that
                    portion of the Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool
                    HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount to be distributed
                    to the Class HE: A-3 Certificateholders on such date in
                    accordance with clause (c) above), but in no event more than
                    is necessary to reduce the Class HE: A-4 Principal Balance
                    to zero; and

                        (e) if such Payment Date is on or after the Fourth 
                    Cross-over date, but on or prior to the Fifth Cross-over 
                    date, to the Class HE: A-5 Certificateholders (reduced, if 
                    such Payment Date is on the Fourth Cross-over date, by that
                    portion of the Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage of the Sub-Pool
                    HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount to be distributed
                    to the Class HE: A-4 Certificateholders on such date in
                    accordance with clause (d) above), but in no event more than
                    is necessary (after taking into account any distribution to
                    the Class HE: A-5 Certificateholders pursuant to clause (I)
                    above) to reduce the Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance to
                    zero; and

                (B) if such Payment Date is after the Fourth Cross-over date, to
           the Class HE: A-5 Certificateholders, but in no event more than is
           necessary to reduce the Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance to zero.

           4.   after payment of the amounts specified in clauses (1) through
(3) above, to the Class HE: M-1 Certificateholders as follows (and in the
following order of priority):

           (i)  the amount in clause (a) of the definition of Class HE: M-1
     Formula Distribution Amount;


                                     8-11
<PAGE>
 
          (ii)   any Unpaid Class HE: M-1 Interest Shortfall; and

          (iii)  the amount in clause (c) of the definition of Class HE: M-1
     Formula Distribution Amount;

          5.     after payment of the amounts specified in clauses (1) through
(4) above, to the Class HE: M-2 Certificateholders as follows (and in the
following order of priority):

          (i)    the amount in clause (a) of the definition of Class HE: M-2
     Formula Distribution Amount;

          (ii)   any Unpaid Class HE: M-2 Interest Shortfall; and

          (iii)  the amount in clause (c) of the definition of Class HE: M-2
     Formula Distribution Amount;

          6.     after payment of the amounts specified in clauses (1) through
(5) above, to the Class HE: B-1 Certificateholders as follows (and in the
following order of priority):

          (i)    the amount in clause (a) of the definition of Class HE: B-1
     Formula Distribution Amount;

          (ii)   any Unpaid Class HE: B-1 Interest Shortfall; and

          (iii)  the amount in clause (c) of the definition of Class HE: B-1
     Formula Distribution Amount;

          7.     after payment of the amounts specified in clauses (1) through
(6) above, to the Class HE: B-2 Certificateholders as follows (and in the
following order of priority):

          (i)    the amount in clause (a) of the definition of Class HE: B-2
     Formula Distribution Amount;
 
          (ii)   any Unpaid Class HE: B-2 Interest Shortfall; and

          (iii)  the amount in clause (c) of the definition of Class HE: B-2
     Formula Distribution Amount;
 
          8.     after payment of the amounts specified in clauses (1) through
(7) above, to the Class HE: M and Class HE: B Certificateholders as follows (and
in the following order of priority):


                                     8-12
<PAGE>
 
          (i)   to the Class HE: M-1 Certificateholders, first an amount equal
     to the amount specified in clause (a) of the definition of the term "Class
     HE: M-1 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount" and then to
     any Unpaid Class HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall;

          (ii)  to the Class HE: M-2 Certificateholders, first an amount equal
     to the amount specified in clause (a) of the definition of the term "Class
     HE: M-2 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount" and then to
     any Unpaid Class HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall;

          (iii) to the Class HE: B-1 Certificateholders, first an amount equal
     to the amount specified in clause (a) of the definition of the term "Class
     HE: B-1 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount" and then to
     any Unpaid Class HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall; and

          (iv)  to the Class HE: B-2 Certificateholders, first an amount equal
     to the amount specified in clause (a) of the definition of the term "Class
     HE: B-2 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount" and then to
     any Unpaid Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Interest Shortfall.

          9.    if the Sub-Pool HI Amount Available for such Payment Date
(determined without regarding to clause (a)(2) of the definition thereof) is
less than the amounts provided for in clauses (1) through (8) of Section
8.04(b), to add the amount of such deficiency (or the remaining Sub-Pool HE
Amount Available, if less) to the Sub-Pool HI Amount Available.

          10.   if the Company or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company is
the Servicer, to pay the Servicer the Monthly Servicing Fee with respect to the
Home Equity Contracts;

          11.   to reimburse the Servicer or the Trustee, as applicable, for any
unreimbursed Advances made with respect to the Home Equity Contracts in respect
of current or prior Payment Dates;

          12.   to reimburse the Class C Certificateholder for expenses incurred
by and reimbursable to it pursuant to Section 10.06;

          13.   to reimburse the Company for any prior unreimbursed Class HE: B-
2 Guaranty Payments;

          14.   to pay the Class HE: B-2 Guarantee Fee to the Company; and

          15.   to pay the remainder, if any, of the Sub-Pool HE Amount
     Available to the Class C Certificateholder.


                                     8-13
<PAGE>
 
     e.   If the applicable Monthly Report indicates a Class HE: M-1 Interest
Deficiency Amount, a Class HE: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount and/or a Class HE:
B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount for such Payment Date, the Trustee shall,
provided that there is no Class HE: A Interest Shortfall for such Payment Date,
withdraw from the Certificate Account (to the extent of funds on deposit therein
in respect of Home Equity Contracts two Business Days prior to such Payment
Date, after taking into account the distribution of the Sub-Pool HE Amount
Available pursuant to Section 8.04(d) and any Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment to
be distributed on such Payment Date) an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the
excess of such funds, after giving effect to any payment required as of the next
succeeding Payment Date under Section 8.04(d)(1), over the amount payable to
Class HE: A Certificateholders on the next succeeding Payment Date under clauses
(a) and (b) of the definition of Class HE: A Formula Distribution Amount and
(ii) the sum of the Class HE: M-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, the Class HE: M-2
Interest Deficiency Amount and the Class HE: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, and
distribute such amount, first, to the Class HE: M-1 Certificateholders up to the
amount of any Class HE: M-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, then to the Class HE: M-
2 Certificateholders up to the amount of any Class HE: M-2 Interest Deficiency
Amount, and then to the Class HE: B-1 Certificateholders up to the amount of any
Class HE: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount.

     f.   If the Trustee shall not have received the applicable Monthly Report
by any Payment Date, the Trustee shall, in accordance with Sections 8.04(b) and
(d), distribute all funds then in the Certificate Account to Certificateholders
and the Class C Certificateholders, to the extent of such funds, on such Payment
Date.

     SECTION 8.05.  Reassignment of Repurchased and Replaced Contracts.
                    -------------------------------------------------- 

     Upon receipt by the Trust, by deposit in the Certificate Account, of the
Repurchase Price under Section 3.05(a), or upon receipt by the Trust of an
Eligible Substitute Contract under Section 3.05(b) and receipt by the Trust, by
deposit in the Certificate Account, any additional amount under Section
3.05(b)(vii), and upon receipt of a certificate of a Servicing Officer in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit M-1 or M-2, as applicable, the Trustee shall
convey and assign to the Company all of the Certificateholders' and the Class C
Certificateholder's right, title and interest in the repurchased Contract or
Replace Contract without recourse, representation or warranty, except as to the
absence of liens, charges or encumbrances created by or arising as a result of
actions of the Trustee.  Upon such deposit of the Repurchase Price or receipt of
such Eligible Substitute Contract and related deposit of any additional amount
under Section 3.05(b)(vii), the Servicer shall be deemed to have released any
claims to such Contract as a result of Advances with respect to such Contract.


                                     8-14
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 8.06.  Servicer's Purchase Option.

     a.   The Servicer shall, subject to subsection (b) hereof, have the option
to purchase all of the Contracts and all property acquired in respect of any
Contract remaining in the Trust at a price equal to the greatest of:

          A.   the sum of (x) 100% of the principal balance of each Contract
     (other than any Contract as to which title to the underlying property has
     been acquired and whose fair market value is included pursuant to clause
     (y) below), together with accrued and unpaid interest on each such Contract
     at the Weighted Average Pass-Through Rate, plus (y) the fair market value
     of such acquired property (as reasonably determined by the Servicer as of
     the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the date of such
     purchase),

          B.   the aggregate fair market value (as reasonably determined by the
     Servicer as of the close of business on such third Business Day) of all of
     the assets of the Trust, and

          C.   the Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance as of the date of
     such purchase (less any amounts on deposit in the Certificate Account on
     such purchase date and representing payments of principal in respect of the
     Contracts) plus an amount necessary to pay the Class HI: A Formula Interest
     Distribution Amount, the Class HI: M-1 Formula Interest Distribution
     Amount, the Class HI: M-1 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution
     Amount, the Class HI: M-2 Formula Interest Distribution Amount, the Class
     HI: M-2 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount, the Class
     HI: B-1 Formula Interest Distribution Amount, the Class HI: B-1 Formula
     Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount, the Class HI: B-2 Formula
     Interest Distribution Amount, the Class HI: B-2 Formula Liquidation Loss
     Interest Distribution Amount,  the Class HE: A Formula Interest
     Distribution Amount, the Class HE: M-1 Formula Interest Distribution
     Amount, the Class HE: M-1 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution
     Amount, the Class HE: M-2 Formula Interest Distribution Amount, the Class
     HE: M-2 Formula Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount, the Class
     HE: B-1 Formula Interest Distribution Amount, the Class HE: B-1 Formula
     Liquidation Loss Interest Distribution Amount, the Class HE: B-2 Formula
     Interest Distribution Amount and the Class HE: B-2 Formula Liquidation Loss
     Interest Distribution Amount due on the Payment Date occurring in the
     calendar month following such purchase date (less any amounts on deposit in
     the Certificate Account on such purchase date and representing payments of
     interest in respect of the Contracts at the Weighted Average Pass-Through
     Rate).

     b.   The purchase by the Servicer of all of the Contracts pursuant to this
Section 8.06 shall be conditioned upon (1) the Pool Scheduled Principal Balance
of all Contracts, at the time of any such purchase, aggregating less than 10% of
the 

                                     8-15
<PAGE>
 
Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance of all Contracts, (2) such purchase
constituting a plan of complete liquidation in accordance with Section 860F of
the Code, and (3) the Servicer having provided the Trustee and the Depository
(if any) with at least 30 days' written notice.  If such option is exercised,
the Servicer shall provide to the Trustee (at the Servicer's expense) the
certification required by Section 12.04, which certificate shall constitute a
plan of complete liquidation within the meaning of Section 860F of the Code, and
the Trustee shall promptly sign such certification and release to the Servicer
the Contract Files pertaining to the Contracts being purchased.

     SECTION 8.07.  Excess Proceeds Account.

     a.   On or before the Closing Date, the Trustee shall establish the Excess
Proceeds Account on behalf of the Trust with an Eligible Institution, and shall
deposit therein an amount equal to the Excess Proceeds received from the Company
pursuant to Section 2.02(l).  The Excess Proceeds Account shall be entitled
"First Trust National Association as Trustee for the benefit of Sub-Pool HI and
Sub-Pool HE Certificateholders, Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust
1996-F."  On the Payment Date occurring in January 1997, the Trustee shall
withdraw the amount on deposit in the Excess Proceeds Account (including any
investment earnings thereon, which will be allocated between the Sub-Pool HI
Certificates and the Sub-Pool HE Certificates pro rata based upon the Excess
Proceeds attributable to each), and shall deposit such funds in the Certificate
Account for distribution on such Payment Date in accordance with Section 8.04.
After such date no further amounts shall be deposited in or withdrawn from the
Excess Proceeds Account.

     b.   The Excess Proceeds Account shall be part of the Trust but not part of
the REMIC.  The Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall be the legal owner of the
Excess Proceeds Account.  Green Tree Finance Corp.--Two shall be the beneficial
owner of the Excess Proceeds Account, subject to the foregoing power of the
Trustee to transfer amounts in the Excess Proceeds Account to the Certificate
Account.  Funds in the Excess Proceeds Account shall, at the direction of the
Servicer, be invested in Eligible Investments that mature no later than the
Business Day prior to the Payment Date occurring in January 1997.  All amounts
earned on deposits in the Excess Proceeds Account shall be taxable to Green Tree
Finance Corp.--Two.

                                     8-16
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE IX

                 THE CERTIFICATES AND THE CLASS C CERTIFICATE
                 --------------------------------------------

     SECTION 9.01.  The Certificates and Class C Certificate.
                    ---------------------------------------- 

     The Class HI: A, the Class HI: M-1, the Class HI: M-2, the Class HI: B-1,
the Class HI: B-2, the Class HE: A, the Class HE: M-1, the Class HE: M-2, the
Class HE: B-1, the Class HE: B-2 and the Class C Certificates shall be
substantially in the forms set forth in Exhibits A, B, C, D, E, F and L, as
applicable, and shall, on original issue, be executed by the Trustee on behalf
of the Trust to or upon the order of the Company.  The Certificates shall be
evidenced by (i) one or more Class HI: A-1 Certificates representing $47,346,000
in Original Class HI: A-1 Principal Balance, (ii) one or more Class HI: A-2
Certificates representing $18,561,000 in Original Class HI: A-2 Principal
Balance, (iii) one or more Class HI: A-3 Certificates representing $34,092,000
in Original Class HI: A-3 Principal Balance, (iv) one or more Class HI: M-1
Certificates representing $10,000,000 in Original Class HI: M-1 Principal
Balance, (v) one or more Class HI: M-2 Certificates representing $6,250,000 in
Original Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance, (vi) one or more Class HI: B-1
Certificates representing $5,938,000 in Original Class HI: B-1 Principal
Balance, (vii) one or more Class HI: B-2 Certificates representing $2,813,000 in
Original Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance, (viii) one or more Class HE: A-1
Certificates representing $122,410,000 in Original Class HE: A-1 Principal
Balance, (ix) one or more Class HE: A-2 Certificates representing $84,500,000 in
Original Class HE: A-2 Principal Balance, (x) one or more Class HE: A-3
Certificates representing $33,502,000 in Original Class HE: A-3 Principal
Balance, (xi) one or more Class HE: A-4 Certificates representing $24,631,000 in
Original Class HE: A-4 Principal Balance, (xii) one or more Class HE: A-5
Certificates representing $38,537,000 in Original Class HE: A-5 Principal
Balance, (xiii) one or more Class HE: M-1 Certificates representing $19,415,000
in Original Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance, (xiv) one or more Class HE: M-2
Certificates representing $12,355,000 in Original Class HE: M-2 Principal
Balance, (xv) one or more Class HE: B-1 Certificates representing $12,355,000 in
Original Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance, and (xvi) one or more Class HE: B-2
Certificates representing $5,295,000 in Original Class HE: B-2 Principal
Balance, beneficial ownership of such Classes of Certificates to be held through
Book-Entry Certificates in minimum dollar denominations of $1,000.  The Class C
Certificate shall be evidenced by a single Class C Certificate issued on the
Closing Date to the Company and shall represent 100% of the Percentage Interest
of Class C.

     The Certificates and the Class C Certificate shall be executed by manual
signature on behalf of the Trustee by a duly authorized Responsible Officer or
authorized signatory.  Certificates or the Class C Certificate bearing the
signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the
Trustee shall bind the Trustee, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of
them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the execution and delivery of
such Certificate or Class C Certificate, or did not hold such offices at the
date of such Certificates or Class C 

                                      9-1
<PAGE>
 
Certificate. No Certificate or Class C Certificate shall be entitled to any
benefit under this Agreement, or be valid for any purpose, unless such
Certificate or Class C Certificate has been executed by manual signature in
accordance with this Section, and such signature upon any Certificate or Class C
Certificate shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such
Certificate or Class C Certificate has been duly executed and delivered
hereunder. All Certificates and the Class C Certificate shall be dated the date
of their execution, except for those Certificates and the Class C Certificate
executed on the Closing Date, which shall be dated the Closing Date.

     SECTION 9.02.  Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Certificates and
the Class C Certificate.

     a.   The Trustee shall keep at the office or agency to be maintained in
accordance with Section 12.02 a "Certificate Register" in which the Trustee
shall provide for the registration of Certificates and the Class C Certificate
and of transfers and exchanges of Certificates and the Class C Certificate as
herein provided.  The Trustee initially appoints itself to be the "Certificate
Registrar" and transfer agent for the purpose of registering Certificates and
the Class C Certificate and transfers and exchanges of Certificates and the
Class C Certificate as provided herein.  The Trustee will give prompt written
notice to Certificateholders, the Class C Certificateholder and the Servicer of
any change in the Certificate Registrar.

     b.   (1)  Subject to clauses (2) and (3) below, no transfer of a Class C
Certificate shall be made by the Company or any other Person unless such
transfer is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of
1933 (the "Act"), as amended, and any applicable state securities laws or is
made in accordance with the Act and laws.  In the event that any such transfer
is to be made, (A) the Company may require a written Opinion of Counsel
acceptable to and in form and substance satisfactory to the Company that such
transfer may be made pursuant to an exemption, describing the applicable
exemption and the basis therefor, from the Act and laws or is being made
pursuant to the Act and laws, which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense
of the Trustee or the Company, and (B) the Trustee shall require the transferee
to execute an investment letter substantially in the form of Exhibit N attached
hereto, which investment letter shall not be an expense of the Trustee or the
Company.  The Class C Certificateholder desiring to effect such transfer shall,
and does hereby agree to, indemnify the Trustee, the Company and the Certificate
Registrar against any liability that may result if the transfer is not so exempt
or is not made in accordance with such federal and state laws.

          (2) No transfer of a Class HI: M-1, Class HI: M-2, Class HI: B-1,
Class HI: B-2 Certificate, Class HE: M-1, Class HE: M-2, Class HE: B-1 or Class
HE: B-2 Certificate or the Class C Certificate or any interest therein shall be
made to any employee benefit plan, trust or account that is subject to ERISA, or
that is described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code (each, a "Plan"), unless the
prospective transferee of a Certificate or interest therein provides the
Servicer and the Trustee with a certification of facts and, at its own expense,
an Opinion of Counsel which establish 

                                      9-2
<PAGE>
 
to the satisfaction of the Servicer and the Trustee that such transfer will not
result in a violation of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or
cause the Servicer, the Company or the Trustee to be deemed a fiduciary of such
Plan or result in the imposition of an excise tax under Section 4975 of the
Code. Unless such opinion is delivered, each person acquiring such a Certificate
will be deemed to represent to the Trustee, the Company and the Servicer that
such person is neither a Plan, nor acting on behalf of a Plan, subject to ERISA
or to Section 4975 of the Code.

          (3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (A)
neither the Class C Certificate, nor any interest therein, shall be transferred,
sold or otherwise disposed of to a "disqualified organization," within the
meaning of Section 860E(e)(5) of the Code (a "Disqualified Organization"),
including, but not limited to, (i) the United States, a state or political
subdivision thereof, a foreign government, an international organization or an
agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, (ii) an organization (other
than a cooperative described in Section 521 of the Code) which is exempt from
the taxes imposed by Chapter 1 of the Code and not subject to the tax imposed on
unrelated business income by Section 511 of the Code, or (iii) a cooperative
described in Section 1381(a)(2)(C) of the Code, and (B) prior to any
registration of any transfer, sale or other disposition of the Class C
Certificate, the proposed transferee shall deliver to the Trustee, under
penalties of perjury, an affidavit that such transferee is not a Disqualified
Organization, with respect to which the Trustee shall have no actual knowledge
that such affidavit is false, and the transferor and the proposed transferee
shall each deliver for the Trustee an affidavit with respect to any other
information reasonably required by the Trustee pursuant to the REMIC Provisions,
including, without limitation, information regarding the transfer of noneconomic
residual interests and transfers of any residual interest to or by a foreign
person; provided, however, that, upon the delivery to the Trustee of an Opinion
of Counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee and rendered by
Independent counsel, to the effect that the beneficial ownership of the Class C
Certificate by any Disqualified Organization will not result in the imposition
of federal income tax upon the Trust or any Certificateholder or any other
person or otherwise adversely affect the status of the Trust as a REMIC, the
foregoing prohibition on transfers, sales and other dispositions, as well as the
foregoing requirement to deliver a certificate prior to any registration
thereof, shall, with respect to such Disqualified Organization, terminate.
Notwithstanding any transfer, sale or other disposition of the Class C
Certificate, or any interest therein, to a Disqualified Organization or the
registration thereof in the Certificate Register, such transfer, sale or other
disposition and any registration thereof, unless accompanied by the Opinion of
Counsel described in the preceding sentence, shall be deemed to be void and of
no legal force or effect whatsoever and such Disqualified Organization shall be
deemed to not be the Class C Certificateholder for any purpose hereunder,
including, but not limited to, the receipt of distributions on the Class C
Certificate, and shall be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in the Class C
Certificate.  Each Class C Certificateholder, by his acceptance thereof, shall
be deemed for all purposes to have consented to the provisions of this Section
9.02(b)(3).

                                      9-3
<PAGE>
 
          (4) Any transfer, sale or other disposition not in compliance with the
provisions of this Section 9.02(b) shall be deemed to be void and of no legal
force or effect whatsoever and such transferee shall be deemed to not be the
Certificateholder or Class C Certificateholder, as applicable, for any purpose
hereunder, including, but not limited to, the receipt of distributions on the
Certificate or Class C Certificate, and shall be deemed to have no interest
whatsoever in the Certificate or Class C Certificate.

          (5) The Trustee shall give notice to S&P and Fitch promptly following
any transfer, sale or other disposition of the Class C Certificate.

     c.   At the option of a Certificateholder or the Class C Certificateholder,
Certificates and the Class C Certificate may be exchanged for other Certificates
or Class C Certificate of authorized denominations of a like aggregate original
denomination, upon surrender of such Certificates or the Class C Certificate to
be exchanged at such office.  Whenever any Certificates or the Class C
Certificate are so surrendered for exchange, the Trustee shall execute and
deliver the Certificates or Class C Certificate which the Certificateholder or
Class C Certificateholder making the exchange is entitled to receive.  Every
Certificate or Class C Certificate presented or surrendered for transfer or
exchange shall be duly endorsed by, or shall be accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Certificate
Registrar duly executed by the holder thereof or his or her attorney duly
authorized in writing.

     d.   Except as provided in paragraph (e) below, the Book-Entry Certificates
shall at all times remain registered in the name of the Depository or its
nominee and at all times:  (i) registration of the Certificates may not be
transferred by the Trustee except to another Depository; (ii) the Depository
shall maintain book-entry records with respect to the Certificate Owners and
with respect to ownership and transfers of such Certificates; (iii) ownership
and transfers of registration of the Certificates on the books of the Depository
shall be governed by applicable rules established by the Depository; (iv) the
Depository may collect its usual and customary fees, charges and expenses from
its Depository Participants; (v) the Trustee shall deal with the Depository,
Depository Participants and indirect participating firms as representatives of
the Certificate Owners of the Certificates for purposes of exercising the rights
of Holders under this Agreement, and requests and directions for and votes of
such representatives shall not be deemed to be inconsistent if they are made
with respect to different Certificate Owners; and (vi) the Trustee may rely and
shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository
with respect to its Depository Participants and furnished by the Depository
Participants with respect to indirect participating firms and persons shown on
the books of such indirect participating firms as direct or indirect Certificate
Owners.

     All transfers by Certificate Owners of Book-Entry Certificates shall be
made in accordance with the procedures established by the Depository Participant
or 

                                      9-4
<PAGE>
 
brokerage firm representing such Certificate Owner. Each Depository Participant
shall only transfer Book-Entry Certificates of Certificate Owners it represents
or of brokerage firms for which it acts as agent in accordance with the
Depository's normal procedures.

     e.   If (x)(i) the Company or the Depository advises the Trustee in writing
that the Depository is no longer willing or able properly to discharge its
responsibilities as Depository and (ii) the Trustee or the Company is unable to
locate a qualified successor or (y) the Company at its sole option advises the
Trustee in writing that it elects to terminate the book-entry system through the
Depository, the Trustee shall notify all Certificate Owners, through the
Depository, of the occurrence of any such event and of the availability of
definitive, fully registered Certificates (the "Definitive Certificates") to
Certificate Owners requesting the same.  Upon surrender to the Trustee of the
Certificates by the Depository, accompanied by registration instructions from
the Depository for registration, the Trustee shall issue the Definitive
Certificates.  Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay
in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be
protected in relying on, such instructions.  Upon the issuance of Definitive
Certificates all references herein to obligations imposed upon or to be
performed by the Depository shall be deemed to be imposed upon and performed by
the Trustee, to the extent applicable with respect to such Definitive
Certificates and the Trustee shall recognize the Holders of the Definitive
Certificates as Certificateholders hereunder.

     f.   On or prior to the Closing Date, there shall be delivered to the
Depository one Class HI: A-1 Certificate, one Class HI: A-2 Certificate, one
Class HI: A-3 Certificate, one Class HI: M-1 Certificate, one Class HI: M-2
Certificate, one Class HI: B-1 Certificate, one Class HI: B-2 Certificate, one
Class HE: A-1 Certificate, one Class HE: A-2 Certificate, one Class HE: A-3
Certificate, one Class HE: A-4 Certificate, one Class HE: A-5 Certificate, one
Class HE: M-1 Certificate, one Class HE: M-2 Certificate, one Class HE: B-1
Certificate and one Class HE: B-2 Certificate each in registered form registered
in the name of the Depository's nominee, Cede & Co., the total face amount of
which represents 100% of the Original Class HI: A-1 Principal Balance, the
Original Class HI: A-2 Principal Balance, the Original Class HI: A-3 Principal
Balance, the Original Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance, the Original Class HI: M-
2 Principal Balance, the Original Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance, the Original
Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance, the Original Class HE: A-1 Principal Balance,
the Original Class HE: A-2 Principal Balance, the Original Class HE: A-3
Principal Balance, the Original Class HE: A-4 Principal Balance, the Original
Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance, the Original Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance,
the Original Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance, the Original Class HE: B-1
Principal Balance and the Original Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance,
respectively.  Each such Certificate registered in the name of the Depositary's
nominee shall bear the following legend:

     "Unless this Certificate is presented by an authorized representative of
The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC") to the Trustee or
its 

                                      9-5
<PAGE>
 
agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate
issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as
requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to
Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein."

     SECTION 9.03.  No Charge; Disposition of Void Certificates or Class C
Certificate.

     No service charge shall be made to a Certificateholder or Class C
Certificateholder for any transfer or exchange of Certificates or the Class C
Certificate, but the Certificate Registrar may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection with any transfer or exchange of Certificates or the Class C
Certificate.  All Certificates or the Class C Certificate surrendered for
transfer and exchange shall be disposed of in a manner approved by the Trustee.

     SECTION 9.04.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates or Class C
Certificate.

     If (a) any mutilated Certificate or Class C Certificate is surrendered to
the Certificate Registrar, or the Certificate Registrar receives evidence to its
satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate or Class C
Certificate, and (b) there is delivered to the Certificate Registrar and the
Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by each to save it
harmless, then in the absence of notice to the Certificate Registrar or the
Trustee that such Certificate or Class C Certificate has been acquired by a bona
fide purchaser, the Trustee shall execute and deliver, in exchange for or in
lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate or Class C
Certificate, a new Certificate or Class C Certificate of like tenor and original
denomination.  Upon the issuance of any new Certificate or Class C Certificate
under this Section 9.04, the Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation
thereto and any other expenses connected therewith.  Any duplicate Certificate
or Class C Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 9.04 shall constitute
complete and indefeasible evidence of ownership of the Percentage Interest, as
if originally issued, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Certificate or Class C Certificate shall be found at any time.

     SECTION 9.05.  Persons Deemed Owners.

     Prior to due presentation of a Certificate or Class C Certificate for
registration of transfer, the Servicer, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying
Agent and the Certificate Registrar may treat the person in whose name any
Certificate or Class C Certificate is registered as the owner of such
Certificate or Class C Certificate for the 

                                      9-6
<PAGE>
 
purpose of receiving remittances pursuant to Section 8.01 and for all other
purposes whatsoever, and none of the Servicer, the Company, the Trustee, the
Certificate Registrar, the Paying Agent or any agent of the Servicer, the
Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Certificate Registrar shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.

     SECTION 9.06.  Access to List of Certificateholders' and Class C
Certificateholder's Names and Addresses.

     The Certificate Registrar will furnish to the Trustee and the Servicer,
within five days after receipt by the Certificate Registrar of a request
therefor from the Trustee in writing, a list, in such form as the Trustee may
reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Certificateholders and the
Class C Certificateholder as of the most recent Record Date.  If Holders of
Certificates representing, in the aggregate, 25% or more of the Aggregate
Certificate Principal Balance apply in writing to the Trustee (hereinafter
referred to as "Applicants"), and such application states that the Applicants
desire to communicate with other Certificateholders or the Class C
Certificateholder with respect to their rights under this Agreement or under the
Certificates or the Class C Certificate and is accompanied by a copy of the
communication which such Applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall,
within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, afford such
Applicants access during normal business hours to the most recent list of
Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder held by the Trustee.  If
such list is as of a date more than 90 days prior to the date of receipt of such
Applicants' request, the Trustee shall promptly request from the Certificate
Registrar a current list as provided above, and shall afford such Applicants
access to such list promptly upon receipt.  Every Certificateholder and the
Class C Certificateholder, by receiving and holding a Certificate or the Class C
Certificate, agrees with the Certificate Registrar and the Trustee that none of
the Company, the Certificate Registrar or the Trustee shall be held accountable
by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and
addresses of the Certificateholders or the Class C Certificateholder hereunder,
regardless of the source from which such information was derived.

     SECTION 9.07.  Authenticating Agents.

     The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents with power to act
on its behalf and subject to its direction in the execution and delivery of the
Certificates or the Class C Certificate.  For all purposes of this Agreement,
the execution and delivery of Certificates or the Class C Certificate by the
Authenticating Agent pursuant to this Section shall be deemed to be the
execution and delivery of Certificates or the Class C Certificate "by the
Trustee."

                                      9-7
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE X

                                  INDEMNITIES
                                  -----------

     SECTION 10.01.  Real Estate.
                     
     The Company will defend and indemnify the Trust, the Trustee (including the
Custodian and any other agents of the Trustee) and the Certificateholders and
the Class C Certificateholder against any and all costs, expenses, losses,
damages, claims and liabilities, including reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel and expenses of litigation arising out of or resulting from the use or
ownership of any real estate related to a Contract by the Company or the
Servicer or any Affiliate of either.  Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, the obligation of the Company under this Section shall not
terminate upon a Service Transfer pursuant to Article VII, except that the
obligation of the Company under this Section shall not relate to the actions of
any subsequent Servicer after a Service Transfer.

     SECTION 10.02.  Liabilities to Obligors.

     No obligation or liability to any Obligor under any of the Contracts is
intended to be assumed by the Trust, the Certificateholders or the Class C
Certificateholder under or as a result of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby and, to the maximum extent permitted and valid under
mandatory provisions of law, the Trust, the Certificateholders and the Class C
Certificateholder expressly disclaim such assumption.

     SECTION 10.03.  Tax Indemnification.

     The Company agrees to pay, and to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the
Trust, the Trustee (including the Custodian and any other agents of the
Trustee), the Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder from, any
taxes which may at any time be asserted with respect to, and as of the date of,
the transfer of the Contracts to the Trust, including, without limitation, any
sales, gross receipts, general corporation, personal property, privilege or
license taxes (but not including any federal, state or other taxes arising out
of the creation of the Trust and the issuance of the Certificates and the Class
C Certificate) and costs, expenses and reasonable counsel fees in defending
against the same, whether arising by reason of the acts to be performed by the
Company, the Servicer or the Trustee under this Agreement or imposed against the
Trust, a Certificateholder, the Class C Certificateholder or otherwise.

     SECTION 10.04.  Servicer's Indemnities.

     The Servicer shall defend and indemnify the Trust, the Trustee (including
the Custodian and any other agents of the Trustee), the Certificateholders and
the 

                                     10-1
<PAGE>
 
Class C Certificateholder against any and all costs, expenses, losses,
damages, claims and liabilities, including any failure to comply with FHA
Regulations in enforcing an FHA-Insured Contract, including reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel and expenses of litigation, in respect of any action taken
or omitted to be taken by the Servicer with respect to any Contract.  This
indemnity shall survive any Service Transfer (but the original Servicer's
obligations under this Section 10.04 shall not relate to any actions of any
subsequent Servicer after a Service Transfer) and any payment of the amount
owing under, or any repurchase by the Company of, any such Contract.

     SECTION 10.05.  Operation of Indemnities.

     Indemnification under this Article shall include, without limitation,
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and expenses of litigation.  If the
Company or the Servicer has made any indemnity payments to the Trustee pursuant
to this Article and the Trustee thereafter collects any of such amounts from
others, the Trust will repay such amounts collected to the Company or the
Servicer, as the case may be, without interest.

     SECTION 10.06.  REMIC Tax Matters.
 
     If the Class C Certificateholder, pursuant to Section 6.06, pays any taxes
or charges imposed upon the Trust as a REMIC or otherwise, such taxes or
charges, except to the extent set forth in the following proviso, shall be
expenses and costs of the Trust and the Class C Certificateholder shall be
entitled to be reimbursed therefor out of the Certificate Account as provided in
Section 8.04; provided, however, that any such taxes or charges shall not be
expenses or costs of the Trust, nor will the Class C Certificateholder be
entitled to reimbursement therefor out of the Certificate Account, if and to the
extent that such taxes or charges resulted from a failure by the Company, the
Trustee or any Servicer to comply with the provisions of Section 2.04.

                                     10-2
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE XI

                                  THE TRUSTEE
                                  -----------

     SECTION 11.01.  Duties of Trustee.

     The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Termination and after
the curing of all Events of Termination which may have occurred, undertakes to
perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this
Agreement.  If an Event of Termination has occurred (which has not been cured),
the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this
Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a
prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his
own affairs.

     The Trustee, upon receipt of all resolutions, certificates, statements,
opinions, reports, documents, orders or other instruments furnished to the
Trustee which are specifically required to be furnished pursuant to any
provision of this Agreement, shall examine them to determine whether they
conform as to form to the requirements of this Agreement.

     Subject to Section 11.03, no provision of this Agreement shall be construed
to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act or its own misconduct; provided, however, that:

          a.   Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Termination, and after the
     curing of all such Events of Termination which may have occurred, the
     duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the
     express provisions of this Agreement, the Trustee shall not be liable
     except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are
     specifically set forth in this Agreement, no implied covenants or
     obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Trustee and, in
     the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may
     conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
     the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished
     to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Agreement;

          b.   The Trustee shall not be liable for an error of judgment made in
     good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless it shall be
     proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

          c.   The Trustee shall not be personally liable with respect to any
     action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
     accordance with the direction of the Certificateholders representing, in
     the aggregate, 25% or more of the Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance
     relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
     remedy available to 

                                     11-1
<PAGE>
 
     the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred
     upon the Trustee, under this Agreement;

          d.   The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any event
     referred to in Section 7.01 unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at
     the Corporate Trust Office obtains actual knowledge of such event or the
     Trustee receives written notice of such event from the Servicer or the
     Certificateholders representing, in the aggregate, 25% or more of the
     Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance; and

          e.   The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
     refraining from taking any action in reliance on the advice of the Servicer
     in all matters with respect to FHA Insurance.  The Trustee shall not be
     liable for any actions taken by the Servicer with respect to FHA Insurance,
     including but not limited to the maintenance of such insurance and the
     submission of claims to FHA.

     None of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall in any event
require the Trustee to perform, or be responsible for the manner of performance
of, any of the obligations of the Company or the Servicer under this Agreement,
except during such time, if any, as the Trustee shall be the successor to, and
be vested with the rights, duties, powers and privileges of, the Servicer in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  The Trustee shall not be required
to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its
rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment
of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.

     SECTION 11.02.  Certain Matters Affecting the Trustee.

     Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.01:

          a.   The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
     refraining from acting upon any resolution, Officer's Certificate,
     certificate of a Servicing Officer, certificate of auditors or any other
     certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
     consent, order, appraisal, bond or other paper or document believed by it
     to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or
     parties;

          b.   The Trustee may consult with counsel and any opinion of any
     counsel for the Company or the Servicer shall be full and complete
     authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or
     omitted by the Trustee hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such
     Opinion of Counsel;

                                     11-2
<PAGE>
 
          c.   The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
     rights or powers vested in it by this Agreement, or to institute, conduct
     or defend any litigation hereunder or in relation hereto, at the request,
     order or direction of any of the Certificateholders, pursuant to the
     provisions of this Agreement, unless such Certificateholders shall have
     offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs,
     expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;
     provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall relieve the Trustee
     of the obligations, upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination (which
     has not been cured), to exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it
     by this Agreement, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their
     exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in
     the conduct of his own affairs;

          d.   Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Termination and after the
     curing of all Events of Termination which may have occurred, the Trustee
     shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters
     stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
     report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond or other paper or
     document, unless requested in writing so to do by Certificateholders
     representing, in the aggregate, 25% or more of the Aggregate Certificate
     Principal Balance; provided, however, that if the payment within a
     reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely
     to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion
     of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security
     afforded to it by the terms of this Agreement, the Trustee may require
     reasonable indemnity against such cost, expense or liability as a condition
     to so proceeding.  The reasonable expense of every such examination shall
     be paid by the Servicer or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be reimbursed by
     the Servicer upon demand; and

          e.   The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
     perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
     attorneys or a custodian and shall not be liable for any acts or omissions
     of such agents, attorneys or custodians if appointed by it with due care
     hereunder.

     SECTION 11.03.  Trustee Not Liable for Certificates, the Class C
Certificate or Contracts.

     The Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the recitals
contained herein, in the Certificates or in the Class C Certificate (other than
the Trustee's execution thereof).  The Trustee makes no representations as to
the validity or sufficiency of this Agreement, of the Certificates or of the
Class C Certificate (other than its execution thereof) or of any Contract,
Contract File or related document.  The Trustee shall not be accountable for the
use or application by the Servicer or the Company of funds paid to the Company
in consideration of 

                                     11-3
<PAGE>
 
conveyance of the Contracts to the Trust by the Company or
deposited in or withdrawn from the Certificate Account by the Servicer.

     SECTION 11.04.  Trustee May Own Certificates.

     The Trustee in its individual or other capacity may become the owner or
pledgee of Certificates representing less than all the beneficial interest in
the Trust with the same rights as it would have if it were not Trustee.

     SECTION 11.05.  Rights of Certificateholders to Direct Trustee and to Waive
Events of Termination.

     Holders of Certificates representing, in the aggregate, 25% or more of the
Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance shall have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided,
however, that, subject to Section 11.01, the Trustee shall have the right to
decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel
determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken, or if the
Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the
Trustee, determine that the proceedings so directed would be illegal or involve
it in personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to the rights of
Certificateholders not parties to such direction; and provided further that
nothing in this Agreement shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any
action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such
direction by the Certificateholders.  Holders of the Certificates representing,
in the aggregate, 51% or more of the Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance may
on behalf of Certificateholders waive any past Event of Termination hereunder
and its consequences, except a default in respect of a covenant or provision
hereof which under Section 12.08 cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of all Certificateholders, and upon any such waiver, such Event of
Termination shall cease to exist and shall be deemed to have been cured for
every purpose of this Agreement; but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other Event of Termination or impair any right consequent thereon.

     SECTION 11.06.  The Servicer to Pay Trustee's Fees and Expenses.

     The Servicer agrees:

          a.   to pay to the Trustee reasonable compensation for all services
     rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any
     provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express
     trust);

          b.   except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
     Trustee, to the extent requested by the Trustee, for all reasonable
     expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in
     accordance 

                                     11-4
<PAGE>
 
     with any provision of this Agreement (including the reasonable
     compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel),
     except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to
     its negligence or bad faith; and

          c.   to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against,
     any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on
     its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
     administration of this trust and its duties hereunder, including the costs
     and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in
     connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
     hereunder.

     The covenants in this Section 11.06 shall be for the benefit of the Trustee
in its capacities as Trustee, Paying Agent and Certificate Registrar hereunder,
and shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

     SECTION 11.07.  Eligibility Requirements for Trustee.
     
     The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a financial institution
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or
any State, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and a
Title I approved lender pursuant to FHA Regulations, and shall have a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 or shall be a member of a bank
holding system the aggregate combined capital and surplus of which is
$50,000,000, provided that the Trustee's separate capital and surplus shall at
all times be at least the amount required by Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.  If such Person publishes reports of
condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of a
supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 11.07,
the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its
combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition
so published. In addition, the Trustee (or, if the Trustee is First Trust
National Association, the parent company of First Trust National Association)
shall at all times have a long-term deposit rating from S&P of at least BBB or
as shall be otherwise acceptable to S&P and have a long-term deposit rating from
Fitch of at least BBB or as shall be otherwise acceptable to Fitch. In case at
any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 11.06, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the
manner and with the effect specified in Section 11.08.

     SECTION 11.08.  Resignation or Removal of Trustee.
     
     The Trustee may at any time resign and be discharged from the trusts hereby
created by giving written notice thereof to the Servicer and the Company.  Upon
receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a
successor Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which
instrument shall be delivered to each of the Servicer and the Company and one

                                     11-5
<PAGE>
 
copy to the successor Trustee.  If no successor Trustee shall have been so
appointed and shall have accepted appointment within 30 days after the giving of
such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

     If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with
the provisions of Section 11.07 and shall fail to resign after written request
therefor by the Company, or if at any time the Trustee shall be legally unable
to act, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the
Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take
charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose
of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then the Company may remove the
Trustee.  If the Company shall have removed the Trustee under the authority of
the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall promptly appoint a
successor Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which
instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the
successor trustee.

     Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor
Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 11.08 shall not become
effective until acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee as provided
in Section 11.09.

     SECTION 11.09.  Successor Trustee.

     Any successor Trustee appointed as provided in Section 11.08 shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Servicer, the Company and to its predecessor
Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the
resignation or removal of the predecessor Trustee shall become effective and
such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall
become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its
predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee.  The
predecessor Trustee shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the successor
Trustee the Contracts and the Contract Files and any related documents and
statements held by it hereunder; and, if the Contracts are then held by a
Custodian pursuant to a custodial agreement, the predecessor Trustee and the
Custodian shall amend such custodial agreement to make the successor Trustee the
successor to the predecessor Trustee thereunder; and the Servicer, the Company
and the predecessor Trustee shall execute and deliver such instruments and do
such other things as may reasonably be required for fully and certainly vesting
and confirming in the successor Trustee all such rights, powers, duties and
obligations.  If the predecessor Trustee is then the lender of record for
purposes of FHA Insurance (due to an Event of Termination), the predecessor
Trustee shall submit a report to FHA describing the transfer of the FHA-Insured
Contracts without recourse, in such form as is then required under FHA
Regulations to cause HUD to transfer to the successor Trustee the FHA insurance
reserves applicable to the FHA-Insured Contracts.

                                     11-6
<PAGE>
 
     No successor Trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section
11.09 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be
eligible under the provisions of Section 11.07.

     Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee as provided in this
Section 11.09, the Servicer shall cause notice of the succession of such Trustee
hereunder to be mailed to S&P, to Fitch and to each Certificateholder and the
Class C Certificateholder at their addresses as shown in the Certificate
Register.  If the Servicer fails to mail such notice within ten days after
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee shall
cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Servicer.

     SECTION 11.10.  Merger or Consolidation of Trustee.
 
     Any Person into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which
it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to
the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the
Trustee hereunder, provided such Person shall be eligible under the provisions
of Section 11.07, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding.  The Trustee shall promptly notify S&P and Fitch in the event
it is a party to any merger, conversion or consolidation.

     SECTION 11.11.  Tax Returns.

     Upon the Servicer's request, the Trustee will furnish the Servicer with all
such information as the Servicer may reasonably require in connection with
preparing all tax returns of the Trust and the Trustee shall execute such
returns.

     SECTION 11.12.  Obligor Claims.

     In connection with any offset defenses, or affirmative claims for recovery,
asserted in legal actions brought by Obligors under one or more Contracts based
upon provisions therein complying with, or upon other rights or remedies arising
from, any legal requirements applicable to the Contracts, including, without
limitation, the Federal Trade Commission's Trade Regulation Rule Concerning
Preservation of Consumers' Claims and Defenses (16 C.F.R. (S) 433) as amended
from time to time:

          a.   The Trustee is not, and shall not be deemed to be, either in any
     individual capacity, as trustee hereunder or otherwise, a creditor, or a
     joint venturer with or an Affiliate of, or acting in concert or cooperation
     with, any seller of home improvements, in the arrangement, origination or
     making of Contracts.  The Trustee is the holder of the Contracts only as
     trustee on behalf 

                                     11-7
<PAGE>
 
     of the Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder, and not as a
     principal or in any individual or personal capacity;

          b.   The Trustee shall not be personally liable for or obligated to
     pay Obligors any affirmative claims asserted thereby, or responsible to
     Certificateholders or the Class C Certificateholder for any offset defense
     amounts applied against Contract payments, pursuant to such legal actions;

          c.   The Trustee will pay, solely from available Trust monies,
     affirmative claims for recovery by Obligors only pursuant to final judicial
     orders or judgments, or judicially approved settlement agreements,
     resulting from such legal actions;

          d.   The Trustee will comply with judicial orders and judgments which
     require its actions or cooperation in connection with Obligors' legal
     actions to recover affirmative claims against Certificateholders and the
     Class C Certificateholder;

          e.   The Trustee will cooperate with and assist Certificateholders and
     the Class C Certificateholder in their defense of legal actions by Obligors
     to recover affirmative claims if such cooperation and assistance is not
     contrary to the interests of the Trustee as a party to such legal actions
     and if the Trustee is satisfactorily indemnified for all liability, costs
     and expenses arising therefrom; and

          f.   The Company hereby agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend
     the Trustee, Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder from and
     against any and all liability, loss, costs and expenses of the Trustee,
     Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder resulting from any
     affirmative claims for recovery asserted or collected by Obligors under the
     Contracts.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
     obligation of the Company under this Section 11.12(f) shall not terminate
     upon a Service Transfer pursuant to Article VII.

     SECTION 11.13.  Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee.

     Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, at any time, for the purpose
of meeting any legal requirements of any jurisdiction having authority over the
Trust, the Contracts or the Obligors, the Company and Trustee acting jointly
shall have the power and shall execute and deliver all instruments to appoint
one or more Persons approved by the Trustee to act as co-trustee or co-trustees,
jointly with the Trustee, or separate trustee or separate trustees, of all or
any part of the Trust, and to vest in such Person or Persons, in such capacity,
such title to the Trust, or any part thereof, and, subject to the other
provisions of this Section 11.13, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and
trusts as the Company and the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable.  If
the Company shall not have joined in such appointment 

                                     11-8
<PAGE>
 
within 15 days after the receipt by it of a request to do so, or in case an
Event of Termination shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee alone
shall have the power to make such appointment. No co-trustee or separate trustee
hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a successor
trustee under Section 11.07 hereunder and no notice to Certificateholders or the
Class C Certificateholder of the appointment of co-trustee(s) or separate
trustee(s) shall be required under Section 11.09 hereof.

     In the case of any appointment of a co-trustee or separate trustee pursuant
to this Section 11.13 all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or
imposed upon the Trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or
performed by the Trustee and such co-trustee or separate trustee jointly, except
to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act
or acts are to be performed (whether as Trustee hereunder or as successor to the
Servicer hereunder), the Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform
such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations
(including the holding of title to the Trust or any portion thereof in any such
jurisdiction) shall be exercised and performed by such co-trustee or separate
trustee at the direction of the Trustee.

     Any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be deemed
to have been given to each of the then co-trustees and separate trustees, as
effectively as if given to each of them.  Every instrument appointing any co-
trustee or separate trustee shall refer to this Agreement and the conditions of
this Article XI.  Each co-trustee and separate trustee, upon its acceptance of
the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in
its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately, as
may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Agreement,
specifically including every provision of this Agreement relating to the conduct
of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee.  Every
such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee.

     Any co-trustee or separate trustee may, at any time, constitute the
Trustee, its agent or attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority, to the
extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this
Agreement on its behalf and in its name.  If any co-trustee or separate trustee
shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estates,
properties, rights, remedies and trusts shall vest in and be exercised by the
Trustee, to the extent permitted by law, without the appointment of a new or
successor trustee.

     SECTION 11.14.  Certain Matters Relating to FHA Insurance.

     a.   In the event the Company and the successor Servicer, if any, shall
fail to pay all FHA Insurance premiums with respect to the FHA-Insured Contracts
required by FHA Regulations, the Trustee shall pay such FHA Insurance premiums
and shall be entitled to reimbursement for such amounts pursuant to Section
8.04(b)(9).


                                     11-9
<PAGE>
 
     b.   If, following the termination of the Trust pursuant to Section 12.04,
HUD demands reimbursement from the Trustee of an FHA Insurance claim paid on an
FHA-Insured Contract prior to the termination of the Trust, the Trustee agrees
that it will not seek to recover any such amount from any Person other than the
Servicer that submitted such claim.

     SECTION 11.15.  Trustee and First Bank System, Inc.

     In the event the Trustee ceases to be a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of
First Bank System, Inc., the Trustee shall promptly notify S&P and Fitch.

     SECTION 11.16  Trustee Advances.
                    ---------------- 
     a.   If the Servicer fails to deposit into the Certificate Account Advances
as required by Section 8.02, then the Trustee shall, subject to the provisions
of paragraph (b) below, from its own funds, deposit into the Certificate Account
the amount not so deposited by the Servicer on or before the Business Day
preceding the related Payment Date (a "Trustee Advance").

     b.   The Trustee shall not be required to make any Trustee Advance if and
to the extent that it determines in good faith that the funds, if advanced,
would not be recoverable by it from subsequent amounts available in the
Certificate Account in accordance with Section 8.04(b) or Section 8.04(d), as
applicable.

     c.   The Trustee shall be entitled to reimbursement of a Trustee Advance
from funds subsequently available therefor in the Certificate Account in
accordance with Section 8.04(b) or Section 8.04(d), as applicable.

                                     11-10
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE XII

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 12.01.  Servicer Not to Resign; Delegation of Servicing Duties.

     The Servicer shall not resign from the obligations and duties hereby
imposed on it except upon determination that the performance of its duties
hereunder is no longer permissible under applicable law.  Any such determination
permitting the resignation of the Servicer shall be evidenced by an Opinion of
Counsel for the Servicer to such effect delivered to the Trustee.  No such
resignation shall become effective until the Trustee or a successor servicer
shall have assumed the responsibilities and obligations of the Servicer in
accordance with Section 7.03.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company, if it is the Servicer, may
delegate some or all of its servicing duties to a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company, for so long as said subsidiary remains, directly or indirectly, a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  Notwithstanding any such delegation,
the Company shall retain all of the rights and obligations of the Servicer
hereunder.

     SECTION 12.02.  Company Not to Engage in Certain Transactions with Respect
to the Trust.

     The Company shall not:

          a.   Provide credit to any Certificateholder for the purpose of
     enabling such Certificateholder to purchase Certificates;

          b.   Purchase any Certificates in an agency or trustee capacity; or

          c.   Loan any money to the Trust.
 
     SECTION 12.03.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.

     The Trustee will maintain in Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota, an office
or agency where Certificates or the Class C Certificate may be surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon
the Trustee in respect of the Certificates, the Class C Certificate and this
Agreement may be served.  On the date hereof the Trustee's office for such
purposes is located at 180 East 5th Street, Second Floor, St. Paul, Minnesota
55101.  The Trustee will give prompt written notice to the Company, the
Servicer, the Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder of any change
in the location of the Certificate Register or any such office or agency.


                                     12-1
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 12.04. Termination.

     a.   The Trust created hereby and the respective obligations and
responsibilities of the Company, the Servicer and the Trustee created hereby
(other than the responsibility of the Trustee to make any final distributions to
Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder as set forth below) shall
terminate on the earlier of (a) the Payment Date on which the principal balance
of all of the Contracts is reduced to zero; or (b) the Payment Date occurring in
the month following the Servicer's purchase of the Contracts pursuant to Section
8.06; provided, that in no event shall the trust created hereby continue beyond
the expiration of 21 years from the death of the last survivor of the
descendants of Joseph P. Kennedy, the late Ambassador of the United States to
the Court of St. James, living on the date hereof, and provided, further, that
the Servicer's and the Company's representations and warranties and indemnities
by the Company and the Servicer shall survive termination.

     b.   Notice of any termination, specifying the Final Payment Date (which
shall be a date that would otherwise be a Payment Date) upon which all
Certificateholders or the Class C Certificateholder may surrender their
Certificates or the Class C Certificate to the Servicer for payment of the final
distribution and cancellation, shall be given promptly by the Trustee (upon
direction by the Servicer ten days prior to the date such notice is to be
mailed) by letter to S&P, to Fitch and to Certificateholders and the Class C
Certificateholder mailed no later than the fifth Business Day of the month of
the Final Payment Date specifying (1) the Final Payment Date upon which final
payment on the Certificates and the Class C Certificate will be made upon
presentation and surrender of Certificates and the Class C Certificate at the
office or agency of the Servicer therein designated; (2) the amount of any such
final payment; and (3) that the Record Date otherwise applicable to such Payment
Date is not applicable, payments being made only upon presentation and surrender
of the Certificates and the Class C Certificate at the office or agency of the
Servicer therein specified.  Any notice of purchase of Contracts by the Servicer
pursuant to Section 8.06 shall constitute the adoption by the Trustee on behalf
of the Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder of a plan of
complete liquidation within the meaning of Section 860F of the Code on the date
such notice is given when signed by the Trustee.  Each such notice shall, to the
extent required by the REMIC Provisions or other applicable law, be signed on
behalf of the Trust by the Trustee.  The Trustee shall give such notice to the
Certificate Registrar at the time such notice is given to the Certificateholders
and the Class C Certificateholder.  In the event such notice is given in
connection with the Servicer's election to purchase the Contracts, the Servicer
shall deposit in the Certificate Account on the Final Payment Date in
immediately available funds an amount equal to the above-described purchase
price and upon such deposit Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder
will be entitled to the amount of such purchase price but not amounts in excess
thereof, all as provided herein.  Upon certification to the Trustee by a
Servicing Officer following such final deposit, the Trustee shall promptly
release to the Servicer the Contract Files for the 

                                     12-2
<PAGE>
 
remaining Contracts, and the Trustee shall execute all assignments, endorsements
and other instruments necessary to effectuate such transfer.

     c.   Upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates and the Class C
Certificate, the Trustee shall cause to be distributed from the Certificate
Account, in the following order of priority, to Certificateholders and the Class
C Certificateholder on the final Payment Date in proportion to their respective
Percentage Interests: (1) to the extent the Sub-Pool HI Amount Available is
sufficient therefor, an amount equal to (i) as to Class HI: A Certificates, the
Class HI: A-1 Principal Balance, the Class HI: A-2 Principal Balance, and the
Class HI: A-3 Principal Balance, together with any Unpaid Class HI: A Interest
Shortfall and one month's interest at the Class HI: A-1 Pass-through Rate, the
Class HI: A-2 Pass-through Rate and the Class HI: A-3 Pass-through Rate on the
Class HI: A-l Principal Balance, the Class HI: A-2 Principal Balance and the
Class HI: A-3 Principal Balance, respectively, (ii) as to Class HI: M-1
Certificates, the Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance, together with any Unpaid
Class HI: M-1 Interest Shortfall and one month's interest at the Class HI: M-1
Pass-through Rate on the Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance, (iii) as to Class HI:
M-2 Certificates, the Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance, together with any Unpaid
Class HI: M-2 Interest Shortfall and one month's interest at the Class HI: M-2
Pass-through Rate on the Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance, (iv) as to Class HI:
B-1 Certificates, the Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance, together with any Unpaid
Class HI: B-1 Interest Shortfall and one month's interest at the Class HI: B-1
Pass-through Rate on the Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance, (v) as to Class HI: B-
2 Certificates, the Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance, together with any Unpaid
Class HI: B-2 Interest Shortfall and one month's interest at the Class HI: B-2
Pass-through Rate on the Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance, and (vi) as to the
Class HI: M and Class HI: B Certificates, the amounts specified in Section
8.04(b)(8), in the order specified therein; (2) to the extent the Sub-Pool HE
Amount Available is sufficient therefor, an amount equal to (i) as to Class HE:
A Certificates, the Class HE: A-1 Principal Balance, the Class HE: A-2 Principal
Balance, the Class HE: A-3 Principal Balance, the Class HE: A-4 Principal
Balance and the Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance, together with any Unpaid Class
HE: A Interest Shortfall and one month's interest at the Class HE: A-1 Pass-
through Rate, the Class HE: A-2 Pass-through Rate, the Class HE: A-3 Pass-
through Rate, the Class HE: A-4 Pass-Through Rate and the Class HE: A-5 Pass-
Through Rate on the Class HE: A-l Principal Balance, the Class HE: A-2 Principal
Balance, the Class HE: A-3 Principal Balance, the Class HE: A-4 Principal
Balance and the Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance, respectively, (ii) as to Class
HE: M-1 Certificates, the Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance, together with any
Unpaid Class HE: M-1 Interest Shortfall and one month's interest at the Class
HE: M-1 Pass-through Rate on the Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance, (iii) as to
Class HE: M-2 Certificates, the Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance, together with
any Unpaid Class HE: M-2 Interest Shortfall and one month's interest at the
Class HE: M-2 Pass-through Rate on the Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance, (iv) as
to Class HE: B-1 Certificates, the Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance, together
with any Unpaid Class HE: B-1 Interest Shortfall and one month's interest at the
Class HE: B-1 Pass-through Rate on the Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance, (v) as
to Class HE: B-2 Certificates, the Class HE: B-2 Principal 

                                     12-3
<PAGE>
 
Balance, together with any Unpaid Class HE: B-2 Interest Shortfall and one
month's interest at the Class HE: B-2 Pass-through Rate on the Class HE: B-2
Principal Balance, (vi) as to the Class HE: M and Class HE: B Certificates, the
amounts specified in Section 8.04(d)(8), in the order specified therein; and (3)
as to the Class C Certificate, the amount which remains on deposit in the
Certificate Account (other than amounts retained to meet claims) after
application pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) above; provided that, any Class HI:
B-2 Guaranty Payment deposited in the Certificate Account shall be distributed
only to the Class HI: B-2 Certificateholders and any Class HE: B-2 Guaranty
Payment deposited in the Certificate Account shall be distributed only to the
Class HE: B-2 Certificateholders. The distribution on the Final Payment Date
pursuant to this Section 12.04 shall be in lieu of the distribution otherwise
required to be made on such Payment Date in respect of each Class of
Certificates and the Class C Certificate.

     d.   In the event that all of the Certificateholders and the Class C
Certificateholder do not surrender their Certificates and the Class C
Certificate for cancellation within three months after the time specified in the
above-mentioned written notice, the Company shall give a second written notice
to the remaining Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder to
surrender their Certificates and the Class C Certificate for cancellation and
receive the final distribution with respect thereto.  If within three months
after the second notice all the Certificates and the Class C Certificate shall
not have been surrendered for cancellation, the Company shall transfer to itself
all amounts remaining on deposit in the Certificate Account, to hold in trust
for Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder who have not
surrendered their Certificates or the Class C Certificate, as the case may be,
for cancellation, together with the final record list of Certificateholders and
the Class C Certificateholder, and the Company shall take appropriate steps, or
may appoint an agent to take appropriate steps, to contact the remaining
Certificateholders concerning surrender of their Certificates and to contact the
Class C Certificateholder concerning its surrender of its Class C Certificate,
and the cost thereof shall be paid out of the funds and other assets which
remain in trust hereunder.

     SECTION 12.05.  Acts of Certificateholders and the Class C
Certificateholder.

     a.   Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, whenever
Certificateholder approval, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver,
or other action is required hereunder, such approval, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be deemed to have been given or
taken on behalf of, and shall be binding upon, all Certificateholders if agreed
to by Holders of Certificates representing, in the aggregate, 51% or more of the
Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance.

     b.   Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided by this Agreement to be given or taken by
Certificateholders or the Class C Certificateholder may be embodied in and

                                     12-4
<PAGE>
 
evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by
such Certificateholders or the Class C Certificateholder in person or by agent
duly appointed in writing; and except as herein otherwise expressly provided,
such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are
delivered to the Trustee and, where required, to the Servicer.  Proof of
execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall
be sufficient for any purpose of this Agreement and (subject to Section 11.01)
conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Servicer and the Company if made in the
manner provided in this Section.

     c.   The fact and date of the execution by any Certificateholder or the
Class C Certificateholder of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any
reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

     d.   The ownership of Certificates and the Class C Certificate shall be
proved by the Certificate Register.

     e.   Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other act by a Certificateholder or the Class C Certificateholder shall bind
every holder of every Certificate or the Class C Certificate, as applicable,
issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in
lieu thereof, in respect of anything done, or omitted to be done by the Trustee,
the Servicer or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such
action is made upon such Certificates or Class C Certificate.

     f.   The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred
to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.

     SECTION 12.06.  Calculations.

     Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all interest rate and basis
point calculations under this Agreement will be made on the basis of a 360-day
year and twelve 30-day months and will be carried out to at least three decimal
places.

     SECTION 12.07.  Assignment or Delegation by Company.

     Except as specifically authorized hereunder, and except for its obligations
as Servicer which are dealt with under Article V and Article VII, the Company
may not convey and assign or delegate any of its rights or obligations hereunder
absent the prior written consent of Holders of Certificates representing, in the
aggregate, 66-2/3% or more of the Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance, and
any attempt to do so without such consent shall be void.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company may not delegate its obligations under Section 8.03
hereof absent (a) the prior written consent of Holders of Certificates
representing, in the aggregate, 66-2/3% or more of the Aggregate Certificate
Principal Balance, and the prior written confirmation of S&P and Fitch that the
rating of the Certificates will not be lowered 

                                     12-5
<PAGE>
 
or withdrawn following such delegation, or (b) the prior written consent of all
of the Certificateholders, and any attempt to do so without such consent shall
be void.

     SECTION 12.08.  Amendment.

     a.   This Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Company, the
Servicer and the Trustee, without the consent of any of the Certificateholders
or  the Class C Certificateholder, to correct manifest error, to cure any
ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provisions herein which may be
inconsistent with any other provisions herein, as the case may be, to make such
changes as are necessary to maintain the status of the Trust as a "real estate
mortgage investment conduit" under the REMIC Provisions of the Code or to
otherwise effectuate the benefits of such status to the Trust, the
Certificateholders or the Class C Certificateholder, including, without
limitation, to implement any provision permitted by law that would enable a
REMIC to avoid the imposition of any tax, or to make any other provisions with
respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement that shall not be
inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that such
action shall not, as evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel for the Servicer,
adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any Certificateholder.

     b.   This Agreement may also be amended by agreement of the Trustee, the
Servicer and the Company at any time without the consent of the
Certificateholders or the Class C Certificateholder to effect the transfer of
FHA Insurance reserves to another entity in compliance with revisions to FHA
Regulations, provided that prior to any such amendment S&P and Fitch have each
confirmed in writing that the rating of the Certificates will not be lowered or
withdrawn following such amendment.

     c.   This Agreement may also be amended from time to time by the Servicer,
the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of Holders of Certificates
representing, in the aggregate, 66-2/3% or more of the Aggregate Certificate
Principal Balance, for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in
any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Agreement or of
modifying in any manner the rights of such Certificateholders; provided,
however, that no such amendment shall (a) reduce in any manner the amount of, or
delay the timing of, collections of payments on the Contracts or distributions
which are required to be made on any Certificate, (b) reduce the aforesaid
percentage required to consent to any such amendment, without the consent of the
holders of all Certificates then outstanding, (c) result in the disqualification
of the Trust as a REMIC under the Code, (d) adversely affect the status of the
Trust as a REMIC or the status of the Certificates as "regular interests"
therein or (e) cause any tax (other than any tax imposed on "net income from
foreclosure property" under Section 860G(c)(1) of the Code that would be imposed
without regard to such amendment) to be imposed on the Trust, including, without
limitation, any tax imposed on "prohibited transactions" under Section
860F(a)(1) of the Code or on "contributions after the startup date" under

                                     12-6
<PAGE>
 
Section 860G(d)(1) of the Code.  This Agreement may not be amended without the
consent of the Class C Certificateholder, for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
this Agreement which would modify in any manner the rights of the Class C
Certificateholder.

     d.   This Agreement shall not be amended under this Section without the
consent of 100% of the Certificateholders and the Class C Certificateholder if
such amendment would result in the disqualification of the Trust as a REMIC
under the Code.

     e.   Concurrently with the solicitation of any consent pursuant to this
Section 12.08, the Trustee shall furnish written notification to S&P and Fitch.
Promptly after the execution of any amendment or consent pursuant to this
Section 12.08, the Trustee shall furnish written notification of the substance
of such amendment to S&P, Fitch, each Certificateholder and the Class C
Certificateholder.

     f.   It shall not be necessary for the consent of Certificateholders and
the Class C Certificateholder under this Section 12.08 to approve the particular
form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall
approve the substance thereof.  The manner of obtaining such consents and of
evidencing the authorization of the execution thereof by Certificateholders and
the Class C Certificateholder shall be subject to such reasonable requirements
as the Trustee may prescribe.

     g.   The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such
amendment which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under
this Agreement or otherwise.

     h.   In connection with any amendment pursuant to this Section, the Trustee
shall be entitled to receive an Opinion of Counsel to the Servicer to the effect
that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Agreement.

     i.   Upon the execution of any amendment or consent pursuant to this
Section 12.08, this Agreement shall be modified in accordance therewith, and
such amendment or consent shall form a part of this Agreement for all purposes,
and every Certificateholder or the Class C Certificateholder hereunder shall be
bound thereby.

     j.   In the absence of the consent described in subsection (d) of this
Section, in connection with any amendment pursuant to this Section, the Trustee
shall have received an unqualified Opinion of Counsel, the expense of which
shall not be an expense of the Trust, stating that any such amendment (i) will
not adversely affect the status of the Trust as a REMIC or the status of the
Certificates as "regular interests" therein, and (ii) will not cause any tax
(other than any tax imposed on "net income from foreclosure property" under
Section 860G(c)(1) of the Code that would be imposed without regard to such
amendment) to be imposed on the Trust, 

                                     12-7
<PAGE>
 
including, without limitation, any tax imposed on "prohibited transactions"
under Section 860F(a)(1) of the Code or on "contributions after the startup
date" under Section 860G(d)(1) of the Code.

     SECTION 12.09.  Notices.

     All communications and notices pursuant hereto to the Servicer, the
Company, the Trustee, S&P and Fitch shall be in writing and delivered or mailed
to it at the appropriate following address:

     If to the Company or the Servicer:

          Green Tree Financial Corporation
          1100 Landmark Towers
          345 St. Peter Street
          St. Paul, Minnesota 55102-1639
          Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
          Telecopier Number:  (612) 293-5746

     If to the Trustee:

          First Trust National Association
          Corporate Trust Department
          180 East 5th Street
          Second Floor
          St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
          Attention:  Tammy Schultz-Fugh
          Telecopier Number:  (612) 244-0089

     If to S&P:

          Standard & Poor's
          25 Broadway
          New York, NY  10004
          Attention:  _____________________________________

     If to Fitch:
 
          Fitch Investors Service, L.P.
          One State Street Plaza
          New York, NY  10004
          Attention:  _____________________________________

or at such other address as the party may designate by notice to the other
parties hereto, which notice shall be effective when received.

                                     12-8
<PAGE>
 
     All communications and notices pursuant hereto to a Certificateholder or
the Class C Certificateholder shall be in writing and delivered or mailed at the
address shown in the Certificate Register.

     SECTION 12.10.  Merger and Integration.

     Except as specifically stated otherwise herein, this Agreement sets forth
the entire understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof,
and all prior understandings, written or oral, are superseded by this Agreement.
This Agreement may not be modified, amended, waived or supplemented except as
provided herein.

     SECTION 12.11.  Headings.

     The headings herein are for purposes of reference only and shall not
otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision hereof.

     SECTION 12.12.  Governing Law.

     This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Minnesota.

                                     12-9
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized this 27th day of
December, 1996.

                                       GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                                       By: /s/ Scott T. Young
                                           ---------------------------------
                                               Scott T. Young
                                               Vice President and Controller



Attest:

 
/s/ Joel H. Gottesman
- -----------------------------------
Joel H. Gottesman
Senior Vice President and Secretary



                                       FIRST TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                                          not in its individual capacity 
                                          but solely as Trustee


                                       By /s/ Tamara Schulz-Fugh
                                          ---------------------------------
                                          Its 
                                             -----------------------------
 
Attest:

 
By /s/ Lynn M. Steiner
   -------------------------------
   Its
      ----------------------------
<PAGE>
 
STATE OF MINNESOTA  )
                    ) ss.
COUNTY OF RAMSEY    )


          The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 27th day of
December, 1996, by Scott T. Young, of Green Tree Financial Corporation, a
Delaware corporation, on behalf of the corporation.

                                       /s/ Deborah A. Cluck
                                       -------------------------------
                                       Notary Public
Deborah A. Cluck
Notary Public-Minnesota
Hennepin County
My Comm. Expires Jan. 31, 2000



STATE OF MINNESOTA  )
                    ) ss.
COUNTY OF RAMSEY   )


          The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 27th day of
December, 1996, by Tamara Schulz-Fugh, of First Trust National Association, a
national banking association, on behalf of the national banking association.


                                       /s/ S. Dignam
                                       ------------------------------
                                       Notary Public

S. Dignam
Notary Public-Minnesota
Ramsey County
My Commision Expires Jan 31, 2000
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------

                        FORM OF CLASS HI: A CERTIFICATE
                        -------------------------------


     SOLELY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES, THIS CERTIFICATE IS A "REGULAR
INTEREST" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CONDUIT" AS THOSE TERMS ARE
DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTIONS 860G AND 860D OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

Class HI: A-[1][2][3]                  No.
(Senior)

Cut-off Date:                          Pass-Through Rate:  ___%
December 1, 1996:                                  Denomination:  
$________


First Payment Date:                    Aggregate Denomination of
January 15, 1997                       All Class HI: A-[1][2][3]
                                       Certificates:  $__________
                                        
Servicer:                              Payment Date After Latest
Green Tree Financial Corporation       Due Date:  __________
                                       (or if such day is not a      
                                       Business Day, then the next
                                       succeeding Business Day)

                                       CUSIP:  _______


                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
            CERTIFICATE FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY LOANS
                 SERIES 1996-F, CLASS HI: A-[1][2][3] (SENIOR)
                 ---------------------------------------------


     THIS CERTIFICATE DOES NOT REPRESENT AN OBLIGATION OF OR AN INTEREST IN
GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION OR ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT
SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT.
 
     This certifies that ____________________ is the registered owner of the
undivided Percentage Interest represented by the original principal amount set
forth above in the Certificates for Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans,
Series 1996-F, Class HI: A-[1][2][3] issued by Home Improvement and Home Equity
Loan Trust 1996-F (the "Trust"), which includes among its assets two sub-pools,
one of which is comprised of home improvement loan contracts and promissory
notes (the "Home Improvement Contracts") and the other of which is comprised of
home equity loans  (the "Home Equity Contracts" and, together with the Home
Improvement Contracts, collectively the "Contracts") (including, without
limitation, all mortgages, deeds of trust and security deeds relating to such
Contracts and any and all rights to receive payments due on the Home Improvement
Contracts on and after December 1, 1996 (or the date of origination thereof, if
later) (the "Cut-off Date") and payments received on the Home Equity Contracts
on and after the Cut-off Date).  The Trust has been created pursuant to a
Pooling and Servicing Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated as of December 1, 1996,
between Green Tree Financial Corporation, as Seller and Servicer (the
"Company"), and First Trust National Association as Trustee of the Trust (the
"Trustee").  This Certificate is one of the Certificates described in the
Agreement and is issued pursuant and subject to the Agreement.  By acceptance of
this Certificate the holder assents to and becomes bound by the Agreement.  To
the extent not defined herein, all capitalized terms have the meanings assigned
to such terms in the Agreement.

     The Agreement contemplates, subject to its terms, payment on the fifteenth
day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day)
(the "Payment Date") of each calendar month commencing January 15, 1997, so long
as the Agreement has not been terminated, by check (or, if such
Certificateholder holds Class HI: A-[1][2][3] Certificates with an aggregate
Percentage Interest of at least 5% of the Class HI: A-[1][2][3] Certificates and
so desires, by wire transfer pursuant to instructions delivered to the Trustee
at least 10 days prior to such Payment Date) to the registered Certificateholder
at the address appearing on the Certificate Register as of the Business Day
immediately preceding such Payment Date, in an amount equal to the
Certificateholder's Percentage Interest of the Class HI: A-[1][2][3]
Distribution Amount for such Payment Date.  Distributions of interest and
principal on the Class HI: A-[1][2][3] Certificates will be made primarily from
amounts available in respect of the Home Improvement Contracts.  The final
scheduled Payment Date of this Certificate is ______________________ or the next
succeeding Business Day if such ______________________ is not a Business Day.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
     The Certificateholder, by its acceptance of this Certificate, agrees that
it will look solely to the funds in the Certificate Account to the extent
available for distribution to the Certificateholder as provided in the Agreement
for payment hereunder and that the Trustee in its individual capacity is not
personally liable to the Certificateholder for any amounts payable under this
Certificate or the Agreement or, except as expressly provided in the Agreement,
subject to any liability under the Agreement.  By acceptance of this
Certificate, the Certificateholder agrees to disclosure of his, her or its name
and address to other Certificateholders under the conditions specified in the
Agreement.

     This Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and reference
is made to the Agreement for information with respect to the interests, rights,
benefits, obligations, proceeds and duties evidenced hereby and the rights,
duties and immunities of the Trustee.  Copies of the Agreement and all
amendments thereto will be provided to any Certificateholder free of charge upon
a written request to the Trustee.

     As provided in the Agreement and subject to the limitations set forth
therein, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the Certificate
Register of the Certificate Registrar upon surrender of this Certificate for
registration of transfer at the office or agency maintained by the Trustee in
Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota, accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Certificate Registrar duly
executed by the holder hereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing,
and thereupon one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate
Percentage Interest will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

     [Unless this Certificate is presented by an authorized representative of
The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC") to the Trustee or
its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate
issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as
requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to
Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

     The Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the
Certificate Registrar and any agent of the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee,
the Paying Agent or the Certificate Registrar may treat the person in whose name
this Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and neither
the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Certificate
Registrar nor any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

                                      A-3
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F has
caused this Certificate to be duly executed by the manual signature of a duly
authorized officer of the Trustee.

Dated: December _______, 1996         HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME
                                      EQUITY LOAN TRUST 1996-F


                                  By: FIRST TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                  By: _____________________
                                      Authorized Officer

                                      A-4
<PAGE>
 
     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers
unto ______________________________ the within Certificate for Home Improvement
and Home Equity Loans, Series 1996-F, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and
appoint ______________________________ Attorney to transfer the said certificate
on the Certificate Register maintained by the Trustee, with full power of
substitution in the premises.

Dated:__________________    By:______________________
                               Signature

                                      A-5
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT B
                                   ---------

                        FORM OF CLASS HI: M CERTIFICATE
                        -------------------------------


     SOLELY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES, THIS CERTIFICATE IS A "REGULAR
INTEREST" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CONDUIT" AS THOSE TERMS ARE
DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTIONS 860G AND 860D OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.
 
     THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBORDINATED IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO THE CLASS HI: A
CERTIFICATES [AND CLASS HI: M-1 CERTIFICATES] AS DESCRIBED IN THE POOLING AND
SERVICING AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.
 
Class HI: M-[1][2]                       No.
(Subordinate)                            
                                         
Cut-off Date:                            Pass-Through Rate:  ___%
December 1, 1996                                     Denomination:  
$________                                
                                         
                                         
First Payment Date:                      Aggregate Denomination of
January 15, 1997                         all Class HI: M-[1][2] Certificates:
                                         $________
                                          
Servicer:                                Payment Date After Latest
Green Tree Financial Corporation         Due Date:  _________________________
                                         (or if such day is not a
                                         Business Day, then the next
                                         succeeding Business Day)

                                         CUSIP:   ________

                                      B-1
<PAGE>
 
            CERTIFICATE FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY LOANS
                SERIES 1996-F, CLASS HI: M-[1][2] (SUBORDINATE)
                -----------------------------------------------


     THIS CERTIFICATE DOES NOT REPRESENT AN OBLIGATION OF OR AN INTEREST IN
GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION OR ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT
SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT.
 
     This certifies that ____________________ is the registered owner of the
undivided Percentage Interest represented by the original principal amount set
forth above in the Certificates for Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans,
Series 1996-F, Class HI: M-[1][2] issued by Home Improvement and Home Equity
Loan Trust 1996-F (the "Trust"), which includes among its assets two sub-pools,
one of which is comprised of home improvement loan contracts and promissory
notes (the "Home Improvement Contracts") and the other of which is comprised of
home equity loans  (the "Home Equity Contracts" and, together with the Home
Improvement Contracts, collectively the "Contracts") (including, without
limitation, all mortgages, deeds of trust and security deeds relating to such
Contracts and any and all rights to receive payments due on the Home Improvement
Contracts on and after December 1, 1996 (or the date of origination thereof, if
later) (the "Cut-off Date") and payments received on the Home Equity Contracts
on and after the Cut-off Date). The Trust has been created pursuant to a Pooling
and Servicing Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated as of December 1, 1996, between
Green Tree Financial Corporation, as Seller and Servicer (the "Company"), and
First Trust National Association as Trustee of the Trust (the "Trustee").  This
Certificate is one of the Certificates described in the Agreement and is issued
pursuant and subject to the Agreement.  By acceptance of this Certificate the
holder assents to and becomes bound by the Agreement.  To the extent not defined
herein, all capitalized terms have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Agreement.
 
     The Agreement contemplates, subject to its terms, payment on the fifteenth
day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day)
(the "Payment Date") of each calendar month commencing January 15, 1997, so long
as the Agreement has not been terminated, by check (or, if such
Certificateholder holds  Class HI: M-[1][2] Certificates with an aggregate
Percentage Interest of at least 5% of the Class HI: M-[1][2] Certificates and so
desires, by wire transfer pursuant to instructions delivered to the Trustee at
least 10 days prior to such Payment Date) to the registered Certificateholder at
the address appearing on the Certificate Register as of the Business Day
immediately preceding such Payment Date, in an amount equal to the
Certificateholder's Percentage Interest of the Class HI: M-[1][2] Distribution
Amount (plus the Class HI: M-[1][2] Interest Deficiency Amount, if any) for such
Payment Date.  Distributions of interest and principal on the Class HI: M-[1][2]
Certificates will be made primarily from amounts available in respect of the
Home Improvement Contracts. The final scheduled Payment Date of this Certificate
is ______________________ or the next succeeding Business Day if such
______________________ is not a Business Day.
 

                                      B-2
<PAGE>
 
     The Certificateholder, by its acceptance of this Certificate, agrees that
it will look solely to the funds in the Certificate Account to the extent
available for distribution to the Certificateholder as provided in the
Agreement, for payment hereunder and that the Trustee in its individual capacity
is not personally liable to the Certificateholder for any amounts payable under
this Certificate or the Agreement or, except as expressly provided in the
Agreement, subject to any liability under the Agreement.  By acceptance of this
Certificate, the Certificateholder agrees to disclosure of his, her or its name
and address to other Certificateholders under the conditions specified in the
Agreement.
 
     No transfer of this Certificate or any interest herein by, on behalf of or
with plan assets of any employee benefit plan, trust or account that is subject
to the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
or that is described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code (each, a "Plan") will be
registered unless the transferee, at its expense, delivers to the Trustee and
the Servicer an opinion of counsel (satisfactory to the Trustee and the
Servicer) that such transfer will not result in a violation of Section 406 of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or cause the Servicer, the Company or the
Trustee to be deemed to be a fiduciary of such Plan or result in the imposition
of an excise tax under Section 4975 of the Code.    Unless such opinion is
delivered, each person acquiring this Certificate will be deemed to represent to
the Trustee, the Company and the Servicer that such person is neither a Plan,
nor acting on behalf of a Plan, subject to ERISA or to Section 4975 of the Code.

     This Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and reference
is made to the Agreement for information with respect to the interests, rights,
benefits, obligations, proceeds and duties evidenced hereby and the rights,
duties and immunities of the Trustee.  Copies of the Agreement and all
amendments thereto will be provided to any Certificateholder free of charge upon
a written request to the Trustee.

     As provided in the Agreement and subject to the limitations set forth
therein, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the Certificate
Register of the Certificate Registrar upon surrender of this Certificate for
registration of transfer at the office or agency maintained by the Trustee in
Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota, accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Certificate Registrar duly
executed by the holder hereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing,
and thereupon one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate
Percentage Interest will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

     [Unless this Certificate is presented by an authorized representative of
The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC") to the Trustee or
its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate
issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as
requested by an 

                                      B-3
<PAGE>
 
authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to
such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON
IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an
interest herein.]

     The Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the
Certificate Registrar and any agent of the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee,
the Paying Agent or the Certificate Registrar may treat the person in whose name
this Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and neither
the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Certificate
Registrar nor any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

                                      B-4
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F has
caused this Certificate to be duly executed by the manual signature of a duly
authorized officer of the Trustee.

Dated: December ___, 1996              HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY
                                           LOAN TRUST 1996-F


                                       By: FIRST TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                       By:
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Authorized Officer


                                      B-5
<PAGE>
 
     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers
unto ______________________________ the within Certificate for Home Improvement
and Home Equity Loans, Series 1996-F, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and
appoint ______________________________ Attorney to transfer the said certificate
on the Certificate Register maintained by the Trustee, with full power of
substitution in the premises.

Dated:                                 By:
                                          ---------------------------
                                             Signature


                                      B-6
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT C
                                   ---------

                        FORM OF CLASS HI: B CERTIFICATE
                        -------------------------------


     SOLELY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES, THIS CERTIFICATE IS A "REGULAR
INTEREST" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CONDUIT" AS THOSE TERMS ARE
DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTIONS 860G AND 860D OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

     THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBORDINATED IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO THE CLASS HI: A
CERTIFICATES, THE CLASS HI: M CERTIFICATES [AND THE CLASS HI: B-1 CERTIFICATES]
AS DESCRIBED IN THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.

Class HI: B-[1][2]                       No.
(Subordinate)

Cut-off Date:                            Pass-Through Rate:  ___%
December 1, 1996                         Denomination: $________

First Payment Date:                      Aggregate Denomination of
January 15, 1997                         all Class HI: B-[1][2] Certificates:
                                         $________

Servicer:                                Payment Date After Latest
Green Tree Financial Corporation         Due Date:  ________
                                         (or if such day is not a
                                         Business Day, then the next
                                         succeeding Business Day)

                                         CUSIP:   ________


                                      C-1
<PAGE>
 
            CERTIFICATES FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY LOANS
                SERIES 1996-F, CLASS HI: B-[1][2] (SUBORDINATE)
                -----------------------------------------------


     THIS CERTIFICATE DOES NOT REPRESENT AN OBLIGATION OF OR AN INTEREST IN
GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION OR ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT
SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT.

     This certifies that ____________________ is the registered owner of the
undivided Percentage Interest represented by the original principal amount set
forth above in the Certificates for Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans,
Series 1996-F, Class HI: B-[1][2], issued by Home Improvement and Home Equity
Loan Trust 1996-F (the "Trust"), which includes among its assets two sub-pools,
one of which is comprised of home improvement loan contracts and promissory
notes (the "Home Improvement Contracts") and the other of which is comprised of
home equity loans (the "Home Equity Contracts" and, together with the Home
Improvement Contracts, collectively the "Contracts") (including, without
limitation, all mortgages, deeds of trust and security deeds relating to such
Contracts and any and all rights to receive payments due on the Home Improvement
Contracts on and after December 1, 1996 (or the date of origination thereof, if
later) (the "Cut-off Date") and payments received on the Home Equity Contracts
on and after the Cut-off Date) and the Class HI: B-2 Limited Guaranty.  The
Trust has been created pursuant to a Pooling and Servicing Agreement (the
"Agreement"), dated as of December 1, 1996, between Green Tree Financial
Corporation, as Seller and Servicer (the "Company"), and First Trust National
Association as Trustee of the Trust (the "Trustee").  This Certificate is one of
the Certificates described in the Agreement and is issued pursuant and subject
to the Agreement. By acceptance of this Certificate the holder assents to and
becomes bound by the Agreement.  To the extent not defined herein, all
capitalized terms have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement.

     The Agreement contemplates, subject to its terms, payment on the fifteenth
day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day)
(the "Payment Date") of each calendar month commencing January 15, 1997, so long
as the Agreement has not been terminated, by check (or, if such
Certificateholder holds Class HI: B-[1][2] Certificates with an aggregate
Percentage Interest of at least 5% of the Class HI: B-[1][2] Certificates and so
desires, by wire transfer pursuant to instructions delivered to the Trustee at
least 10 days prior to such Payment Date) to the registered Certificateholder at
the address appearing on the Certificate Register as of the Business Day
immediately preceding such Payment Date, in an amount equal to the
Certificateholder's Percentage Interest of the Class HI: B-[1][2] Distribution
Amount [(plus the Class HI: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, if any)][and any
Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment] for such Payment Date.  Distributions of
interest and principal on the Class HI: B-[1][2] Certificates will be made
primarily from amounts available in respect of the Home Improvement Contracts.
The final scheduled

                                      C-2
<PAGE>
 
Payment Date of this Certificate is _________ or the next succeeding Business
Day if such _________ is not a Business Day.

     The Certificateholder, by its acceptance of this Certificate, agrees that
it will look solely to the funds in the Certificate Account [and the Class HI:
B-2 Limited Guaranty of the Company], to the extent available for distribution
to the Certificateholder as provided in the Agreement, for payment hereunder and
that the Trustee in its individual capacity is not personally liable to the
Certificateholder for any amounts payable under this Certificate or the
Agreement or, except as expressly provided in the Agreement, subject to any
liability under the Agreement.  By acceptance of this Certificate, the
Certificateholder agrees to disclosure of his, her or its name and address to
other Certificateholders under the conditions specified in the Agreement.

     No transfer of this Certificate or any interest herein by, on behalf of or
with plan assets of any employee benefit plan, trust or account that is subject
to the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
or that is described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code (each, a "Plan") will be
registered unless the transferee, at its expense, delivers to the Trustee and
the Servicer an opinion of counsel (satisfactory to the Trustee and the
Servicer) that such transfer will not result in a violation of Section 406 of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or cause the Servicer, the Company or the
Trustee to be deemed to be a fiduciary of such Plan or result in the imposition
of an excise tax under Section 4975 of the Code.  Unless such opinion is
delivered, each person acquiring this Certificate will be deemed to represent to
the Trustee, the Company and the Servicer that such person is neither a Plan,
nor acting on behalf of a Plan, subject to ERISA or to Section 4975 of the Code.

     This Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and reference
is made to the Agreement for information with respect to the interests, rights,
benefits, obligations, proceeds and duties evidenced hereby and the rights,
duties and immunities of the Trustee.  Copies of the Agreement and all
amendments thereto will be provided to any Certificateholder free of charge upon
a written request to the Trustee.

     As provided in the Agreement and subject to the limitations set forth
therein, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the Certificate
Register of the Certificate Registrar upon surrender of this Certificate for
registration of transfer at the office or agency maintained by the Trustee in
Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota, accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Certificate Registrar duly
executed by the holder thereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in
writing, and thereupon one or more new Certificates evidencing the same
aggregate Percentage Interest will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees.


                                      C-3
<PAGE>
 
     [Unless this Certificate is presented by an authorized representative of
The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC") to the Trustee or
its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate
issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as
requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to
Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

     The Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the
Certificate Registrar and any agent of the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee,
the Paying Agent or the Certificate Registrar may treat the person in whose name
this Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and neither
the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Certificate
Registrar nor any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.


                                      C-4
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F has
caused this Certificate to be duly executed by the manual signature of a duly
authorized officer of the Trustee.

Dated:  December _______, 1996  HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY
                                  LOAN TRUST 1996-F
 

                            By: FIRST TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                            By: --------------------------------
                                Authorized Officer


                                      C-5
<PAGE>
 
     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers
unto ______________________________ the within Certificate for Home Improvement
and Home Equity Loans, Series 1996-F, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and
appoint ______________________________ Attorney to transfer the said certificate
on the Certificate Register maintained by the Trustee, with full power of
substitution in the premises.

Dated:                          By:
                                   -------------------------------
                                      Signature


                                      C-6
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT D
                                   ---------

                        FORM OF CLASS HE: A CERTIFICATE
                        -------------------------------


     SOLELY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES, THIS CERTIFICATE IS A "REGULAR
INTEREST" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CONDUIT" AS THOSE TERMS ARE
DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTIONS 860G AND 860D OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

Class HE: A-[1][2][3][4][5]                        No.
(Senior)

Cut-off Date:                            Pass-Through Rate:  ___%
December 1, 1996:                        Denomination:  $________


First Payment Date:                      Aggregate Denomination of
January 15, 1997                         All Class HE: A-[1][2][3][4][5]
                                         Certificates:  $__________
 
Servicer:                                Payment Date After Latest
Green Tree Financial Corporation         Due Date:  __________
                                         (or if such day is not a
                                         Business Day, then the next
                                         succeeding Business Day)
 
                                         CUSIP:   ________


                                      D-1
<PAGE>
 
            CERTIFICATE FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY LOANS
              SERIES 1996-F, CLASS HE: A-[1][2][3][4][5] (SENIOR)
              ---------------------------------------------------


     THIS CERTIFICATE DOES NOT REPRESENT AN OBLIGATION OF OR AN INTEREST IN
GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION OR ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT
SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT.
 
     This certifies that ____________________ is the registered owner of the
undivided Percentage Interest represented by the original principal amount set
forth above in the Certificates for Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans,
Series 1996-F, Class HE: A-[1][2][3][4][5] issued by Home Improvement and Home
Equity Loan Trust 1996-F (the "Trust"), which includes among its assets two sub-
pools, one of which is comprised of home improvement loan contracts and
promissory notes (the "Home Improvement Contracts") and the other of which is
comprised of home equity loans (the "Home Equity Contracts" and, together with
the Home Improvement Contracts, collectively the "Contracts") (including,
without limitation, all mortgages, deeds of trust and security deeds relating to
such Contracts and any and all rights to receive payments due on the Home
Improvement Contracts on and after December 1, 1996 (or the date of origination
thereof, if later) (the "Cut-off Date") and payments received on the Home Equity
Contracts on and after the Cut-off Date).  The Trust has been created pursuant
to a Pooling and Servicing Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated as of December 1,
1996, between Green Tree Financial Corporation, as Seller and Servicer (the
"Company"), and First Trust National Association as Trustee of the Trust (the
"Trustee").  This Certificate is one of the Certificates described in the
Agreement and is issued pursuant and subject to the Agreement.  By acceptance of
this Certificate the holder assents to and becomes bound by the Agreement.  To
the extent not defined herein, all capitalized terms have the meanings assigned
to such terms in the Agreement.

     The Agreement contemplates, subject to its terms, payment on the fifteenth
day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day)
(the "Payment Date") of each calendar month commencing January 15, 1997, so long
as the Agreement has not been terminated, by check (or, if such
Certificateholder holds Class HE: A-[1][2][3][4][5] Certificates with an
aggregate Percentage Interest of at least 5% of the Class HE: A-[1][2][3][4][5]
Certificates and so desires, by wire transfer pursuant to instructions delivered
to the Trustee at least 10 days prior to such Payment Date) to the registered
Certificateholder at the address appearing on the Certificate Register as of the
Business Day immediately preceding such Payment Date, in an amount equal to the
Certificateholder's Percentage Interest of the Class HE: A-[1][2][3][4][5]
Distribution Amount for such Payment Date.  Distributions of interest and
principal on the Class HE: A-[1][2][3][4][5] Certificates will be made primarily
from amounts available in respect of the Home Equity Contracts.  The final
scheduled Payment Date of this Certificate is ____________ or the next
succeeding Business Day if such ____________ is not a Business Day.


                                      D-2
<PAGE>
 
     The Certificateholder, by its acceptance of this Certificate, agrees that
it will look solely to the funds in the Certificate Account to the extent
available for distribution to the Certificateholder as provided in the Agreement
for payment hereunder and that the Trustee in its individual capacity is not
personally liable to the Certificateholder for any amounts payable under this
Certificate or the Agreement or, except as expressly provided in the Agreement,
subject to any liability under the Agreement.  By acceptance of this
Certificate, the Certificateholder agrees to disclosure of his, her or its name
and address to other Certificateholders under the conditions specified in the
Agreement.

     This Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and reference
is made to the Agreement for information with respect to the interests, rights,
benefits, obligations, proceeds and duties evidenced hereby and the rights,
duties and immunities of the Trustee.  Copies of the Agreement and all
amendments thereto will be provided to any Certificateholder free of charge upon
a written request to the Trustee.

     As provided in the Agreement and subject to the limitations set forth
therein, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the Certificate
Register of the Certificate Registrar upon surrender of this Certificate for
registration of transfer at the office or agency maintained by the Trustee in
Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota, accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Certificate Registrar duly
executed by the holder hereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing,
and thereupon one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate
Percentage Interest will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

     [Unless this Certificate is presented by an authorized representative of
The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC") to the Trustee or
its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate
issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as
requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to
Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

     The Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the
Certificate Registrar and any agent of the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee,
the Paying Agent or the Certificate Registrar may treat the person in whose name
this Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and neither
the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Certificate
Registrar nor any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.


                                      D-3
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F has
caused this Certificate to be duly executed by the manual signature of a duly
authorized officer of the Trustee.

Dated:  December _______, 1996         HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY
                                         LOAN TRUST 1996-F
 

                                       By: FIRST TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                       By: --------------------------------
                                           Authorized Officer


                                      D-4
<PAGE>
 
     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers
unto ______________________________ the within Certificate for Home Improvement
and Home Equity Loans, Series 1996-F, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and
appoint ______________________________ Attorney to transfer the said certificate
on the Certificate Register maintained by the Trustee, with full power of
substitution in the premises.

Dated:                          By:
                                   ----------------------------------
                                        Signature


                                      D-5
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT E

                        FORM OF CLASS HE: M CERTIFICATE
                        -------------------------------


     SOLELY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES, THIS CERTIFICATE IS A "REGULAR
INTEREST" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CONDUIT" AS THOSE TERMS ARE
DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTIONS 860G AND 860D OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.
 
     THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBORDINATED IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO THE CLASS HE: A
CERTIFICATES [AND CLASS HE: M-1 CERTIFICATES] AS DESCRIBED IN THE POOLING AND
SERVICING AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
<S>                                               <C>  
Class HE: M-[1][2]                                 No.
(Subordinate)

Cut-off Date:                                      Pass-Through Rate:  ___%
December 1, 1996                                   Denomination:   $________

First Payment Date:                                Aggregate Denomination of
January 15, 1997                                   all Class HE: M-[1][2] Certificates:
                                                   $________
           
Servicer:                                          Payment Date After Latest
Green Tree Financial Corporation                   Due Date:  _______________
                                                   (or if such day is not a Business
                                                   Day, then the next succeeding
                                                   Business Day)
 
                                                   CUSIP:   ________
</TABLE> 


                                      E-1

<PAGE>
 
            CERTIFICATE FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY LOANS
                SERIES 1996-F, CLASS HE: M-[1][2] (SUBORDINATE)
                -----------------------------------------------


     THIS CERTIFICATE DOES NOT REPRESENT AN OBLIGATION OF OR AN INTEREST IN
GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION OR ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT
SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT.
 
     This certifies that ____________________ is the registered owner of the
undivided Percentage Interest represented by the original principal amount set
forth above in the Certificates for Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans,
Series 1996-F, Class HE: M-[1][2] issued by Home Improvement and Home Equity
Loan Trust 1996-F (the "Trust"), which includes among its assets two sub-pools,
one of which is comprised of home improvement loan contracts and promissory
notes (the "Home Improvement Contracts") and the other of which is comprised of
home equity loans  (the "Home Equity Contracts" and, together with the Home
Improvement Contracts, collectively the "Contracts") (including, without
limitation, all mortgages, deeds of trust and security deeds relating to such
Contracts and any and all rights to receive payments due on the Home Improvement
Contracts on and after December 1, 1996 (or the date of origination thereof, if
later) (the "Cut-off Date") and payments received on the Home Equity Contracts
on and after the Cut-off Date). The Trust has been created pursuant to a Pooling
and Servicing Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated as of December 1, 1996, between
Green Tree Financial Corporation, as Seller and Servicer (the "Company"), and
First Trust National Association as Trustee of the Trust (the "Trustee").  This
Certificate is one of the Certificates described in the Agreement and is issued
pursuant and subject to the Agreement.  By acceptance of this Certificate the
holder assents to and becomes bound by the Agreement.  To the extent not defined
herein, all capitalized terms have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Agreement.
 
     The Agreement contemplates, subject to its terms, payment on the fifteenth
day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day)
(the "Payment Date") of each calendar month commencing January 15, 1997, so long
as the Agreement has not been terminated, by check (or, if such
Certificateholder holds  Class HE: M-[1][2] Certificates with an aggregate
Percentage Interest of at least 5% of the Class HE: M-[1][2] Certificates and so
desires, by wire transfer pursuant to instructions delivered to the Trustee at
least 10 days prior to such Payment Date) to the registered Certificateholder at
the address appearing on the Certificate Register as of the Business Day
immediately preceding such Payment Date, in an amount equal to the
Certificateholder's Percentage Interest of the Class HE: M-[1][2] Distribution
Amount (plus the Class HE: M-[1][2] Interest Deficiency Amount, if any) for such
Payment Date.  Distributions of interest and principal on the Class HE: M-[1][2]
Certificates will be made primarily from amounts available in respect of the
Home Equity Contracts. The final scheduled Payment Date of this Certificate is
___________________________ or the next succeeding Business Day if such
___________________________ is not a Business Day.


                                      E-2
 
<PAGE>
 
     The Certificateholder, by its acceptance of this Certificate, agrees that
it will look solely to the funds in the Certificate Account to the extent
available for distribution to the Certificateholder as provided in the
Agreement, for payment hereunder and that the Trustee in its individual capacity
is not personally liable to the Certificateholder for any amounts payable under
this Certificate or the Agreement or, except as expressly provided in the
Agreement, subject to any liability under the Agreement.  By acceptance of this
Certificate, the Certificateholder agrees to disclosure of his, her or its name
and address to other Certificateholders under the conditions specified in the
Agreement.
 
     No transfer of this Certificate or any interest herein by, on behalf of or
with plan assets of any employee benefit plan, trust or account that is subject
to the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
or that is described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code (each, a "Plan") will be
registered unless the transferee, at its expense, delivers to the Trustee and
the Servicer an opinion of counsel (satisfactory to the Trustee and the
Servicer) that such transfer will not result in a violation of Section 406 of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or cause the Servicer, the Company or the
Trustee to be deemed to be a fiduciary of such Plan or result in the imposition
of an excise tax under Section 4975 of the Code.    Unless such opinion is
delivered, each person acquiring this Certificate will be deemed to represent to
the Trustee, the Company and the Servicer that such person is neither a Plan,
nor acting on behalf of a Plan, subject to ERISA or to Section 4975 of the Code.

     This Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and reference
is made to the Agreement for information with respect to the interests, rights,
benefits, obligations, proceeds and duties evidenced hereby and the rights,
duties and immunities of the Trustee.  Copies of the Agreement and all
amendments thereto will be provided to any Certificateholder free of charge upon
a written request to the Trustee.

     As provided in the Agreement and subject to the limitations set forth
therein, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the Certificate
Register of the Certificate Registrar upon surrender of this Certificate for
registration of transfer at the office or agency maintained by the Trustee in
Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota, accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Certificate Registrar duly
executed by the holder hereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing,
and thereupon one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate
Percentage Interest will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

     [Unless this Certificate is presented by an authorized representative of
The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC") to the Trustee or
its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate
issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as
requested by an 

                                      E-3
<PAGE>
 
authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to
Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

     The Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the
Certificate Registrar and any agent of the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee,
the Paying Agent or the Certificate Registrar may treat the person in whose name
this Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and neither
the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Certificate
Registrar nor any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.


                                      E-4
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F has
caused this Certificate to be duly executed by the manual signature of a duly
authorized officer of the Trustee.

Dated:  December _______, 1996         HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY
                                          LOAN TRUST 1996-F
 

                                       By: FIRST TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                       By:
                                          ---------------------------------
                                          Authorized Officer


                                      E-5
<PAGE>
 
     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers
unto ______________________________ the within Certificate for Home Improvement
and Home Equity Loans, Series 1996-F, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and
appoint ______________________________ Attorney to transfer the said certificate
on the Certificate Register maintained by the Trustee, with full power of
substitution in the premises.

Dated:                          By:--------------------------------------
                                      Signature


                                      E-6
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT F

                        FORM OF CLASS HE: B CERTIFICATE
                        -------------------------------


     SOLELY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES, THIS CERTIFICATE IS A "REGULAR
INTEREST" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CONDUIT" AS THOSE TERMS ARE
DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTIONS 860G AND 860D OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

     THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBORDINATED IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO THE CLASS HE: A,
THE CLASS HE: M CERTIFICATES [AND THE CLASS HE: B-1 CERTIFICATES] AS DESCRIBED
IN THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
<S>                                                      <C> 
Class HE: B-[1][2]                                        No.
(Subordinate)

Cut-off Date:                                      Pass-Through Rate:  ___%
December 1, 1996                                   Denomination:   $________

First Payment Date:                                Aggregate Denomination of
January 15, 1997                                   all Class HE: B-[1][2] Certificates:
                                                   $________
 
Servicer:                                          Payment Date After Latest
Green Tree Financial Corporation                   Due Date:  ________
                                                   (or if such day is not a Business
                                                   Day, then the next succeeding
                                                   Business Day)
 
                                                   CUSIP:   ________


</TABLE> 
                                      F-1



<PAGE>
 
            CERTIFICATES FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY LOANS
                SERIES 1996-F, CLASS HE: B-[1][2] (SUBORDINATE)
                -----------------------------------------------


     THIS CERTIFICATE DOES NOT REPRESENT AN OBLIGATION OF OR AN INTEREST IN
GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION OR ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT
SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT.

     This certifies that ____________________ is the registered owner of the
undivided Percentage Interest represented by the original principal amount set
forth above in the Certificates for Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans,
Series 1996-F, Class HE: B-[1][2], issued by Home Improvement and Home Equity
Loan Trust 1996-F (the "Trust"), which includes among its assets two sub-pools,
one of which is comprised of home improvement loan contracts and promissory
notes (the "Home Improvement Contracts") and the other of which is comprised of
home equity loans  (the "Home Equity Contracts" and, together with the Home
Improvement Contracts, collectively the "Contracts") (including, without
limitation, all mortgages, deeds of trust and security deeds relating to such
Contracts and any and all rights to receive payments due on the Home Improvement
Contracts on and after December 1, 1996 (or the date of origination thereof, if
later) (the "Cut-off Date") and payments received on the Home Equity Contracts
on and after the Cut-off Date) and the Class HE: B-2 Limited Guaranty. The Trust
has been created pursuant to a Pooling and Servicing Agreement (the
"Agreement"), dated as of December 1, 1996, between Green Tree Financial
Corporation, as Seller and Servicer (the "Company"), and First Trust National
Association as Trustee of the Trust (the "Trustee").  This Certificate is one of
the Certificates described in the Agreement and is issued pursuant and subject
to the Agreement.  By acceptance of this Certificate the holder assents to and
becomes bound by the Agreement.  To the extent not defined herein, all
capitalized terms have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement.

     The Agreement contemplates, subject to its terms, payment on the fifteenth
day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day)
(the "Payment Date") of each calendar month commencing January 15, 1997, so long
as the Agreement has not been terminated, by check (or, if such
Certificateholder holds  Class HE: B-[1][2] Certificates with an aggregate
Percentage Interest of at least 5% of the Class HE: B-[1][2] Certificates and so
desires, by wire transfer pursuant to instructions delivered to the Trustee at
least 10 days prior to such Payment Date) to the registered Certificateholder at
the address appearing on the Certificate Register as of the Business Day
immediately preceding such Payment Date, in an amount equal to the
Certificateholder's Percentage Interest of the Class HE: B-[1][2] Distribution
Amount [(plus the Class HE: B-1 Interest Deficiency Amount, if any)][and any
Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment] for such Payment Date.  Distributions of
interest and principal on the Class HE: B-[1][2] Certificates will be made
primarily from amounts available in respect of the Home Equity Contracts.  The
final scheduled Payment 


                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
Date of this Certificate is ___________________________ or the next succeeding
Business Day if such ___________________________ is not a Business Day.

     The Certificateholder, by its acceptance of this Certificate, agrees that
it will look solely to the funds in the Certificate Account [and the Class HE:
B-2 Limited Guaranty of the Company], to the extent available for distribution
to the Certificateholder as provided in the Agreement, for payment hereunder and
that the Trustee in its individual capacity is not personally liable to the
Certificateholder for any amounts payable under this Certificate or the
Agreement or, except as expressly provided in the Agreement, subject to any
liability under the Agreement.  By acceptance of this Certificate, the
Certificateholder agrees to disclosure of his, her or its name and address to
other Certificateholders under the conditions specified in the Agreement.

     No transfer of this Certificate or any interest herein by, on behalf of or
with plan assets of any employee benefit plan, trust or account that is subject
to the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
or that is described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code (each, a "Plan") will be
registered unless the transferee, at its expense, delivers to the Trustee and
the Servicer an opinion of counsel (satisfactory to the Trustee and the
Servicer) that such transfer will not result in a violation of Section 406 of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or cause the Servicer, the Company or the
Trustee to be deemed to be a fiduciary of such Plan or result in the imposition
of an excise tax under Section 4975 of the Code.    Unless such opinion is
delivered, each person acquiring this Certificate will be deemed to represent to
the Trustee, the Company and the Servicer that such person is neither a Plan,
nor acting on behalf of a Plan, subject to ERISA or to Section 4975 of the Code.

     This Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and reference
is made to the Agreement for information with respect to the interests, rights,
benefits, obligations, proceeds and duties evidenced hereby and the rights,
duties and immunities of the Trustee.  Copies of the Agreement and all
amendments thereto will be provided to any Certificateholder free of charge upon
a written request to the Trustee.

     As provided in the Agreement and subject to the limitations set forth
therein, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the Certificate
Register of the Certificate Registrar upon surrender of this Certificate for
registration of transfer at the office or agency maintained by the Trustee in
Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota, accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Certificate Registrar duly
executed by the holder thereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in
writing, and thereupon one or more new Certificates evidencing the same
aggregate Percentage Interest will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees.


                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
     [Unless this Certificate is presented by an authorized representative of
The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC") to the Trustee or
its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate
issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as
requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to
Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

     The Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the
Certificate Registrar and any agent of the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee,
the Paying Agent or the Certificate Registrar may treat the person in whose name
this Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and neither
the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Certificate
Registrar nor any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.


                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F has
caused this Certificate to be duly executed by the manual signature of a duly
authorized officer of the Trustee.

Dated:  December _______, 1996        HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY

                                      LOAN TRUST 1996-F
 

                            By: FIRST TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                            By:---------------------------------
                                Authorized Officer


                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers
unto ______________________________ the within Certificate for Home Improvement
and Home Equity Loans, Series 1996-F, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and
appoint ______________________________ Attorney to transfer the said certificate
on the Certificate Register maintained by the Trustee, with full power of
substitution in the premises.

Dated:                          By:---------------------------------------------
                                      Signature


                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT G
                                   ---------

                              FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

     In accordance with the Pooling and Servicing Agreement (the "Agreement")
dated as of December 1, 1996, between the undersigned and First Trust National
Association as Trustee (the "Trustee"), the undersigned does hereby transfer,
convey and assign, set over and otherwise convey, without recourse, to Home
Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F, created by the Agreement, to be
held in trust as provided in the Agreement, (i) all right, title and interest in
the home improvement contracts and home equity loans (including, without
limitation, all related mortgages and deeds of trust and any and all rights to
receive payments which are due pursuant to the Home Improvement Contracts on or
after December 1, 1996 but excluding any rights to receive payments which were
due pursuant to the Home Improvement Contracts prior to December 1, 1996, and
any and all rights to receive payments received pursuant to the Home Equity
Contracts on or after December 1, 1996 but excluding any payments received
pursuant to the Home Equity Contracts prior to December 1, 1996) identified in
the List of Contracts delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(a) of the Agreement,
(ii) all rights under FHA Insurance as such insurance relates to the Contracts,
(iii) all rights under hazard insurance on the properties described in the
Contracts and, as to Contracts pertaining to properties located in special flood
areas designated by HUD, all rights under flood insurance policies as such
insurance relates to the Contracts, (iv) all rights under the Errors and
Omissions Protection Policy (as defined in Section 1.02 of the Agreement), (v)
all documents contained in the Contract Files (as defined in Section 1.02 of the
Agreement), and (vi) all proceeds and products of the foregoing.

     This Assignment is made pursuant to and upon the representation and
warranties on the part of the undersigned contained in Article III of the
Agreement and no others.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Assignment to be duly
executed this _______ day December, 1996.

                            GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 

[Seal]                      By:-------------------------------------------------
                               [Name]
                               [Title]


                                      G-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT H
                                   ---------

                       GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                            CERTIFICATE OF OFFICER

     The undersigned certifies that he is a [title] of Green Tree Financial
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and that as such he is duly
authorized to execute and deliver this certificate on behalf of the Company in
connection with the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of December 1, 1996
(the "Agreement") between the Company and First Trust National Association as
Trustee (all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the
respective meanings specified in the Agreement), and further certifies that:

     (i) attached hereto as Exhibit I is a true and correct copy of the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, together with all amendments
thereto as in effect on the date hereof;

     (ii) attached hereto as Exhibit II is a true and correct copy of the Bylaws
of the Company, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof;

     (iii)     the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
Sections 3.01 and 3.04 of the Agreement are true and correct on and as of the
date hereof and, to the best of his knowledge, the representations and
warranties of the Company contained in Sections 3.02 and 3.03 of the Agreement
are true and correct on and as of the date hereof;

     (iv) no event with respect to the Company has occurred and is continuing
which would constitute an Event of Termination or an event that with notice or
lapse of time or both would become an Event of Termination under the Agreement;
and

     (v) each of the agreements and conditions of the Company to be performed on
or before the date hereof pursuant to the Agreement have been performed in all
material respects.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have affixed hereunto my signature this __ day of
________ 1996.

                            ----------------------------------------------------
                            [Name]
                            [Title]


                                      H-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT I
                                   ---------

                  FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY

     The opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP shall be to the effect that
(capitalized terms have the meanings set forth in the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement):
 
     1.   The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with corporate power
to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement (including the Class HI: B-2 Limited Guaranty and the Class HE: B-2
Limited Guaranty contained therein), the Certificates and the Class C
Certificate.
 
     2.   The Pooling and Servicing Agreement (including the Class HI: B-2
Limited Guaranty and the Class HE: B-2 Limited Guaranty contained therein) has
been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action, duly executed and
delivered by the Company, and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of
the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms.  The Certificates have
been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action and, when duly and
validly executed by the Trustee in accordance with the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement, will be validly issued and outstanding and entitled to the benefits
of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.
 
     3.   No consent, approval, authorization or order of any state or federal
court or governmental agency or body is required to be obtained by the Company
for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement, except such as may be required under blue sky laws under
any jurisdiction in connection with the offering of the Certificates by the
Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.
 
     4.   The Pooling and Servicing Agreement is not required to be qualified
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as now in effect, and the Trust is not
required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company
Act of 1940.
 
     5.   Neither the transfer of the Contracts to the Trustee acting on behalf
of the Trust, nor the assignment of the Company's lien on the related real
estate which is the subject of a home improvement loan or a home equity loan,
nor the issuance or sale of the Certificates and the Class C Certificate, nor
the execution and delivery of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, nor the
consummation of any other of the transactions contemplated in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement, nor the fulfillment of the terms of the Certificates, the
Class C Certificate or the Pooling and Servicing Agreement by the Company will
conflict with, or result in a breach, violation or acceleration of, or
constitute a default under, any term or provision of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company or of any indenture or other agreement or
instrument known to us to which the Company is 


                                      I-1
<PAGE>
 
a party or by which it is bound, or result in a violation of, or contravene the
terms of any statute, order or regulation, applicable to the Company, of any
court, regulatory body, administrative agency or governmental body having
jurisdiction over it.

    6.   There are no actions or proceedings pending or, to the best of our
knowledge, actions, proceedings or investigations pending or overtly threatened
against the Company before any court, administrative agency or other tribunal
(A) asserting the invalidity of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the
Certificates, the Class C Certificate, the hazard or flood insurance policies
applicable to any Contracts or the Errors and Omissions Protection Policy, (B)
seeking to prevent the issuance of the Certificates or the Class C Certificate
or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement, (C) which is likely materially and adversely to affect the
performance by the Company of its obligations under, or the validity or
enforceability of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the Certificates or the
Class C Certificate, or (D) seeking adversely to affect the federal income tax
attributes of the Certificates or the Class C Certificate described in the
Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement under the heading "Certain Federal
Income Tax Consequences."
 
     7.   The transfer of the Contracts to the Trust in accordance with Section
2.01 of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement would not be avoidable as a
preferential transfer under Section 547 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11
U.S.C. (S) 547), as in effect on the date hereof, in the event that the Company
became a debtor under the United States Bankruptcy Code.
 
     8.   Pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement the Company has
transferred to the Trustee acting on behalf of the Trust all of the Company's
right, title and interest in the Contracts, free and clear of any and all other
assignments, encumbrances, options, rights, claims, liens or security interests
(except tax or possessory liens) that may affect the right of the Trustee in and
to such Contracts, and has delivered the Contract Files to the Trustee or its
custodian.  No filing or other action, other than the filing of a financing
statement on Form UCC-1 with the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota
identifying the Contracts as collateral and naming the Company as debtor and the
Trust as secured party, and the filing of continuation statements as required by
Section 4.02 of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, is necessary to perfect as
against third parties the assignment of the Contracts by the Company to the
Trust.  We have separately provided you with our opinion concerning whether such
assignment could be recharacterized as a pledge rather than a sale in the event
the Company became a debtor under the United States Bankruptcy Code.  However,
in the event such assignment were characterized as a pledge securing a loan from
the Certificateholders to the Company, it is our opinion that the Trustee would
be deemed to have a valid and perfected security interest in the Contracts and
the proceeds thereof, which security interest would be prior to any other
security interest that may be perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code as in
effect in the State of Minnesota and over any "lien creditor" (as defined in
Minn. Stat. (S)336.9-301(3)) who becomes such after the Closing Date,



                                      I-2
<PAGE>
 
except that a subsequent purchaser of any Contract who gives new value and
takes possession thereof in the ordinary course of his business would have
priority over the Trustee's security interest in such Contract, if such
purchaser acts without knowledge that such Contract was subject to a security
interest. We have assumed for the purposes of this opinion that during the term
of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement the Trustee, or its custodian, shall
maintain possession of the Contract Files for the purpose of perfecting the
assignment to the Trustee of the Contracts. We express no opinion with respect
to the enforceability of any individual Contract or the existence of any claims,
rights or other matters in favor of any Obligor or the owner of any financed
home improvement.

    9.   In reliance upon certain representations and warranties set forth in
the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and assuming that the Company and the
Trustee comply with the requirements of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement,
including the filing of a proper election, as of the date hereof the Trust
created pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement will qualify as a REMIC.
Further, the Certificates will evidence ownership of the "regular interests" and
the Class C Certificate will evidence ownership of the single class of "residual
interest" in such REMIC.  For Minnesota income tax purposes, and subject to the
foregoing assumptions, and the provisions of Minnesota law as of the date
hereof, such Trust will not be subject to tax and the income of such Trust will
be taxable to the holders of interests therein, all in accordance with the
provisions of the Code concerning REMICs as amended through March 22, 1996.
Moreover, ownership of a Certificate will not be a factor in determining whether
such owner is subject to Minnesota income taxes.  Therefore, if the owner of a
Certificate is not otherwise subject to Minnesota income or franchise taxes in
the State of Minnesota, such owner will not become subject to such Minnesota
taxes solely by virtue of owning a Certificate.
 
     10.  The transfer of the Contracts and the proceeds thereof by the Company
to the Trustee on the date hereof pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement would not be avoidable as a fraudulent transfer under the Uniform
Fraudulent Transfer Act as in effect in Minnesota on the date hereof (Minn.
Stat. (S)(S) 513.41 through 513.51), nor, should the Company become a debtor
under the United States Bankruptcy Code, as a fraudulent transfer under Section
548 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. (S) 548) as in effect on the
date hereof.


                                      I-3
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT J
                                   ---------

                       FORM OF TRUSTEE'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT

     First Trust National Association, national banking association organized
under the laws of the United States, acting as trustee (the "Trustee") of Home
Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F (the "Trust") created pursuant to
the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of December 1, 1996 between Green
Tree Financial Corporation and the Trustee (the "Agreement") (all capitalized
terms used herein without definition having the respective meanings specified in
the Agreement) acknowledges, pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Agreement, that the
Trustee has received the following:  (i) all right, title and interest in the
home improvement  contracts and home equity loans (including, without
limitation, all mortgages, deeds of trust and security deeds relating to the
Contracts and any and all rights to receive payments which are due pursuant to
the Home Improvement Contracts on or after December 1, 1996 but excluding any
rights to receive payments which were due pursuant to the Home Improvement
Contracts prior to December 1, 1996, and any and all rights to receive payments
received pursuant to the Home Equity Contracts on or after December 1, 1996 but
excluding any payments received pursuant to the Home Equity Contracts prior to
December 1, 1996) identified in the List of Contracts delivered pursuant to
Section 2.02 of the Agreement, (ii) all rights under FHA Insurance as such
insurance relates to the FHA-Insured Contracts, (iii) all rights under hazard,
flood or other individual insurance on the properties described in the Contracts
and, as to Contracts pertaining to properties located in special flood areas
designated by HUD, all rights under flood insurance policies as such insurance
relates to the Contracts, (iv) all rights under the Errors and Omissions
Protection Policy, as such policy relates to the Contracts, (v) all documents
contained in the Contract Files (as defined in Section 1.02 of the Agreement),
(vi) the Class HI: B-2 Limited Guaranty and the Class HE: B-2 Limited Guaranty,
and (vii) all proceeds and products of the foregoing; and declares that,
directly or through a Custodian, it will hold all Contract Files that have been
delivered in trust, upon the trusts set forth in the Agreement for the use and
benefit of all Certificateholders and the holder of the Class C Certificate.
The Trustee acknowledges that it has conducted a cursory review of the Contract
Files and hereby confirms that except as noted on the document exception listing
attached hereto, each Contract File contained (a) an original contract or
promissory note, (b) with respect to each Contract, an original or a copy of the
mortgage or deed of trust or similar evidence of a lien on the related improved
real estate, (c) in the case of Contracts originated by a contractor, an
original or a copy of an assignment of the mortgage, deed of trust or security
deed by the contractor to Green Tree, and (d) a sale control document.  The
Trustee has not otherwise reviewed the Contracts and Contract Files for
compliance with the terms of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.


                                      J-1
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, _______________________________________________, as
Trustee, has caused this acknowledgment to be executed by its duly authorized
officer and its corporate seal affixed hereto as of this _____ day of December,
1996.

                            FIRST TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                            as Trustee
 


[Seal]                      By:
                               ---------------------------------------------
                               [Name]
                               [Title]




                                      J-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT K
                                   ---------

                       GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                       CERTIFICATE OF SERVICING OFFICER

     The undersigned certifies that he is a [title] of Green Tree Financial
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and that as such he is duly
authorized to execute and deliver this certificate on behalf of the Company
pursuant to Section 6.02 of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement (the
"Agreement") dated as of December 1, 1996 between the Company and First Trust
National Association, as Trustee of Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust
1996-F (all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the
respective meanings specified in the Agreement), and further certifies that:
 
     1.   The Monthly Report for the period from _____________ to ____________
attached to this certificate is complete and accurate in accordance with the
requirements of Sections 6.01 and 6.02 of the Agreement; and
 
     2.   As of the date hereof, no Event of Termination or event that with
notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Termination has
occurred.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have affixed hereunto my signature this __ day of
December, 1996.

                            GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 

                            By:_____________________________________
                                [Name]
                                [Title]

                                      K-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT L
                                   ---------

                          FORM OF CLASS C CERTIFICATE
                          ---------------------------


     THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBORDINATED IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO THE CLASS HI: A
CERTIFICATES, THE CLASS HI: M-1 CERTIFICATES, THE CLASS HI: M-2 CERTIFICATES,
THE CLASS HI: B-1 CERTIFICATES, THE CLASS HI: B-2 CERTIFICATES, THE CLASS HE: A
CERTIFICATES, THE CLASS HE: M-1 CERTIFICATES, THE CLASS HE: M-2 CERTIFICATES,
THE CLASS HE: B-1 CERTIFICATES AND THE CLASS HE: B-2 CERTIFICATES AS DESCRIBED
IN THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.
 
     THIS CERTIFICATE HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY
NOT BE RESOLD OR TRANSFERRED UNLESS IT IS REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SUCH ACT AND
LAWS OR IS SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN TRANSACTIONS WHICH ARE EXEMPT FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND UNDER APPLICABLE STATE LAW AND IS TRANSFERRED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 9.02 OF THE POOLING AND SERVICING
AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.
 
     SOLELY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES, THIS CERTIFICATE IS A
"RESIDUAL INTEREST" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CONDUIT" AS THOSE
TERMS ARE DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTIONS 860G and 860D OF THE INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE.  THIS CERTIFICATE MAY ONLY BE TRANSFERRED TO A PERMITTED
TRANSFEREE (AS DEFINED IN THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT REFERRED TO
HEREIN); ANY SUCH TRANSFER MUST ALSO SATISFY THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION
9.02 OF SUCH POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT.

                                      L-1
<PAGE>
 
Class C                                  No.
(Subordinate)

Cut-off Date:                            Percentage Interest:
December 1, 1996

First Payment Date:
January 15, 1997


            CERTIFICATE FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY LOANS
                                 SERIES 1996-F

Original Series 1996-F Certificate Principal Balance of the Trust: $________

     This certifies that ___________________________________________________ is
the registered owner of the Residual Interest represented by this Certificate,
and entitled to certain distributions out of Home Improvement and Home Equity
Loan Trust 1996-F (the "Trust"), which includes among its assets two sub-pools,
one of which is comprised of home improvement loan contracts and promissory
notes (the "Home Improvement Contracts") and the other of which is comprised of
home equity loans  (the "Home Equity Contracts" and, together with the Home
Improvement Contracts, collectively the "Contracts") (including, without
limitation, all mortgages, deeds of trust and security deeds relating to such
Contracts and any and all rights to receive payments due on the Home Improvement
Contracts on and after December 1, 1996 (or the date of origination thereof, if
later) (the "Cut-off Date") and payments received on the Home Equity Contracts
on and after the Cut-off Date).  The Trust has been created pursuant to a
Pooling and Servicing Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated as of December 1, 1996,
between Green Tree Financial Corporation, as Seller and Servicer (the
"Company"), and First Trust National Association, as Trustee of the Trust (the
"Trustee").  This Class C Certificate is described in the Agreement and is
issued pursuant and subject to the Agreement.  By acceptance of this Class C
Certificate the holder assents to and becomes bound by the Agreement.  To the
extent not defined herein, all capitalized terms have the meanings assigned to
such terms in the Agreement.
 
     The Agreement contemplates, subject to its terms, payment on the fifteenth
day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day)
(the "Payment Date") of each calendar month commencing January 15, 1997, so long
as the Agreement has not been terminated, by check to the registered Class C
Certificateholder at the address appearing on the Certificate Register as of the
Business Day immediately preceding such Payment Date, in an amount equal to (1)
the difference between (A) the Sub-Pool HI Amount Available, and (B) the sum of
(i) the Class HI: A Distribution Amount, (ii) the Class HI: M-1 Distribution
Amount, (iii) the Class HI: M-2 Distribution Amount, (iv) the Class HI: B-1
Distribution Amount, (v) the Class HI: B-2 Distribution Amount, (vi) the Monthly
Servicing Fee 

                                      L-2
<PAGE>
 
with respect to the Home Improvement Contracts, (vii) amounts to reimburse the
Trustee or any successor Servicer for any payments of FHA Insurance premiums not
paid by the Company, as Servicer, and for which the Trustee or such successor
Servicer has not been reimbursed by the Company, (viii) amounts to reimburse the
Servicer or the Trustee, as applicable, for prior Advances with respect to the
Home Improvement Contracts, and (ix) amounts necessary to reimburse the Company
for any previous unreimbursed Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payments, and (2) the
difference between (A) the Sub-Pool HE Amount Available, and (B) the sum of (i)
the Class HE: A Distribution Amount, (ii) the Class HE: M-1 Distribution Amount,
(iii) the Class HI: M-2 Distribution Amount, (iv) the Class HE: B-1 Distribution
Amount, (v) the Class HE: B-2 Distribution Amount, (vi) the Monthly Servicing
Fee with respect to the Home Equity Contracts, (vii) amounts to reimburse the
Servicer or the Trustee, as applicable, for prior Advances with respect to the
Home Equity Contracts, and (viii) amounts necessary to reimburse the Company for
any previous unreimbursed Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payments. The final scheduled
Payment Date of this Class C Certificate is ______________________ or the next
succeeding Business Day if such ______________________ is not a Business Day.
 
     The Class C Certificateholder, by its acceptance of this Certificate,
agrees that it will look solely to the funds in the Certificate Account to the
extent available for distribution to the Class C Certificateholder as provided
in the Agreement for payment hereunder and that the Trustee in its individual
capacity is not personally liable to the Class C Certificateholder for any
amounts payable under this Certificate or the Agreement or, except as expressly
provided in the Agreement, subject to any liability under the Agreement.  By
acceptance of this Certificate, the Class C Certificateholder agrees to
disclosure of his, her or its name and address to other Certificateholders under
the conditions specified in the Agreement.
 
     No transfer of this Certificate or any interest herein by, on behalf of or
with plan assets of any employee benefit plan, trust or account that is subject
to the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
or that is described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code (each, a "Plan") will be
registered unless the transferee, at its expense, delivers to the Trustee and
the Servicer an opinion of counsel (satisfactory to the Trustee and the
Servicer) that such transfer will not result in a violation of Section 406 of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or cause the Servicer, the Company or the
Trustee to be deemed to be a fiduciary of such Plan or result in the imposition
of an excise tax under Section 4975 of the Code.    Unless such opinion is
delivered, each person acquiring this Certificate will be deemed to represent to
the Trustee, the Company and the Servicer that such person is neither a Plan,
nor acting on behalf of a Plan, subject to ERISA or to Section 4975 of the Code.
 
     This Class C Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and
reference is made to the Agreement for information with respect to the
interests, rights, benefits, obligations, proceeds and duties evidenced hereby
and the rights, duties and immunities of the Trustee.  Copies of the Agreement
and all 

                                      L-3
<PAGE>
 
amendments thereto will be provided to any Class C Certificateholder free of
charge upon a written request to the Trustee.
 
     As provided in the Agreement and subject to the limitations set forth
therein, the transfer of this Class C Certificate is registrable in the
Certificate Register of the Certificate Registrar upon surrender of this Class C
Certificate for registration of transfer at the office or agency maintained by
the Trustee in Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota, accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Certificate
Registrar duly executed by the holder thereof or his or her attorney duly
authorized in writing, and thereupon a new Class C Certificate evidencing the
same Class C Certificate will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees.

     The Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the
Certificate Registrar and any agent of the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee,
the Paying Agent or the Certificate Registrar may treat the person in whose name
this Class C Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and
neither the Company, the Servicer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the
Certificate Registrar nor any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the
contrary.
 
     The holder of this Class C Certificate, by acceptance hereof, agrees that,
in accordance with the requirements of Section 860D(b)(1) of the Code, the
federal tax return of the Trust for its first taxable year shall provide that
the Trust elects to be treated as a "real estate mortgage investment conduit" (a
"REMIC") under the Code for such taxable year and all subsequent taxable years.
The Certificates shall be "regular interests" in the REMIC and the Class C
Certificate shall be the "residual interest" in the REMIC.  In addition, the
holder of this Class C Certificate, by acceptance hereof, (i) agrees to file tax
returns consistent with and in accordance with any elections, decisions or other
reports made or filed with regard to federal, state or local taxes on behalf of
the Trust, and (ii) agrees to cooperate with the Company in connection with
examinations of the Trust's affairs by tax authorities, including administrative
and judicial proceedings, and (iii) makes the additional agreements,
designations and appointments, and undertakes the responsibilities, set forth in
Section 6.06 of the Agreement.

                                      L-4
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust 1996-F has
caused this Certificate to be duly executed by the manual signature of a duly
authorized officer of the Trustee.

Dated:  December _______, 1996        HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY
                                      LOAN TRUST 1996-F
 

                                  By: FIRST TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                  By:___________________________________
                                     Authorized Officer

                                      L-5
<PAGE>
 
     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers
unto ______________________________ the within Certificate for Home Improvement
and Home Equity Loans, Series 1996-F, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and
appoint ______________________________ Attorney to transfer the said certificate
on the Certificate Register maintained by the Trustee, with full power of
substitution in the premises.

Dated:                       By:_________________________________________
                                Signature


                                      L-6
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT M-1
                                  -----------

                       GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                  CERTIFICATE REGARDING REPURCHASED CONTRACTS

     The undersigned certifies that he is a [title] of Green Tree Financial
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and that as such he is duly
authorized to execute and deliver this certificate on behalf of the Company
pursuant to Sections 3.05 and 8.05 of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement (the
"Agreement") dated as of December 1, 1996 between the Company and First Trust
National Association, as Trustee of Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan Trust
1996-F (all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the
respective meanings specified in the Agreement), and further certifies that:
 
     1.   The Contracts on the attached schedule are to be repurchased by the
Company on the date hereof pursuant to Section 3.05 of the Agreement.
 
     2.   Upon deposit of the Repurchase Price for such Contracts, such
Contracts may, pursuant to Section 8.05 of the Agreement, be assigned by the
Trustee to the Company.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have affixed hereunto my signature this ___ day of
December, 1996.

                            GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 

                            By:________________________________
                               [Name]
                               [Title]


                                     M-1-1
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT M-2
                                  -----------

                       GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                  CERTIFICATE REGARDING REPURCHASED CONTRACTS

     The undersigned certifies that he is a [title] of Green Tree Financial
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and that as such he is duly
authorized to execute and deliver this certificate on behalf of the Company
pursuant to Sections 3.05(b) and 8.05 of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement
(the "Agreement") dated as of December 1, 1996 between the Company and First
Trust National Association, as Trustee of Home Improvement and Home Equity Loan
Trust 1996-F (all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the
respective meanings specified in the Agreement), and further certifies that:

     1.   The Contract and Contract File for each such Eligible Substitute
Contract [are being held by the Company, as Servicer] [have been delivered to
_____________________________________, the successor Servicer].

     2.   The Contracts on the attached schedule are to be substituted on the
date hereof pursuant to Section 3.05(b) of the Agreement and each such Contract
is an Eligible Substitute Contract [description, as to each Contract, as to how
it satisfies the definition of "Eligible Substitute Contract"].

     3.   The UCC-1 financing statements in respect of the Contracts to be
substituted, in the form required by Section 3.05 (b)(iii) of the Agreement,
have been filed with the appropriate offices.

     4.   The Company has delivered to the Trustee an executed assignment to the
Trustee on behalf of the Trust in recordable form for each mortgage securing
such Eligible Substitute Contracts.

     [5.  There has been deposited in the Certificate Account the amounts listed
on the schedule attached hereto as the amount by which the Scheduled Principal
Balance of each Replaced Contract exceeds the Scheduled Principal Balance of
each Contract being substituted therefor.]

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have affixed hereunto my signature this ___ day of
December, 1996.

                            GREEN TREE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 

                            By:________________________________
                                [Name]
                                [Title]


                                     M-2-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT N
                                   ---------

                         FORM OF REPRESENTATION LETTER
                         -----------------------------


First Trust National Association
180 East Fifth Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101

Green Tree Financial Corporation
1100 Landmark Towers
345 St. Peter Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55102-1639

     RE:  Certificates for Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans,
          Series 1996-F, Class C
 
     The undersigned purchaser (the "Purchaser") understands that the purchase
of the above-referenced certificates (the "Certificates") may be made only by
institutions which are "Accredited Investors" under Regulation D, as promulgated
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), which includes
banks, savings and loan associations, registered brokers and dealers, insurance
companies, investment companies, and organizations described in Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corporations, business trusts and
partnerships, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Certificates
offered, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000.  The undersigned represents
on behalf of the Purchaser that the Purchaser is an "Accredited Investor" within
the meaning of such definition.  The Purchaser is urged to review carefully the
responses, representations and warranties it is making herein.
 
Representations and Warranties
- ------------------------------

     The Purchaser makes the following representations and warranties in order
to permit the Trustee, Green Tree Financial Corporation, and _____________ to
determine its suitability as a purchaser of Certificates and to determine that
the exemption from registration relied upon by Green Tree Financial Corporation
under Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act is available to it.
 
     1.   The Purchaser understands that the Certificates have not been and will
not be registered under the 1933 Act and may be resold (which resale is not
currently contemplated) only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the
1933 Act or if an exemption from registration is available, that Green Tree
Financial Corporation is not required to register the Certificates and that any
transfer must comply with Section 9.02 of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement
relating to the Certificates.
 

                                      N-1
<PAGE>
 
     2.   The Purchaser will comply with all applicable federal and state
securities laws in connection with any subsequent resale of the Certificates.
 
     3.   The Purchaser is a sophisticated institutional investor and has
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and is capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Certificates and is
able to bear the economic risk of such investment.  The Purchaser has reviewed
the Prospectus Supplement dated December 18, 1996, to the Prospectus dated
December 18, 1996 (the "Prospectus") with respect to the Certificates, and has
been given such information concerning the Certificates, the underlying
installment sale contracts and Green Tree Financial Corporation as it has
requested.
 
     4.   The Purchaser is acquiring the Certificates as principal for its own
account (or for the account of one or more other institutional investors for
which it is acting as duly authorized fiduciary or agent) for the purpose of
investment and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any
distribution thereof, subject nevertheless to any requirement of law that the
disposition of the Purchaser's property shall at all times be and remain within
its control.
 
     5.   The Purchaser does not qualify as (i) an employee benefit plan (a
"Plan") as defined in section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), whether or not it is subject to the
provisions of Title I of ERISA, (ii) a plan described in section 4975(e)(1) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (also a "Plan"), or (iii) an entity whose
underlying assets are deemed to be assets of a Plan by reason of such Plan's
investment in the entity (as determined under Department of Labor Regulations,
29 C.F.R. (S)2510.3-101 (1990)).
 
     6.   The Purchaser understands that such Certificate will bear a legend
substantially as set forth in the form of Certificate included in the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement.
 
     7.   The Purchaser, as holder of the Class C Certificate, acknowledges (i)
it may incur tax liabilities in excess of any cash flows generated by the
interest and (ii) it intends to pay the taxes associated with holding the Class
C Certificate as they become due.
 
     8.   The Purchaser agrees that it will obtain from any purchaser of the
Certificates from it the same representations, warranties and agreements
contained in the foregoing paragraphs 1 through 7 and in this paragraph 8.
 
     The representations and warranties contained herein shall be binding upon
the heirs, executors, administrators and other successors of the undersigned.
If there is more than one signatory hereto, the obligations, representations,
warranties and agreements of the undersigned are made jointly and severally.
 

                                      N-2
<PAGE>
 
     Executed at _________________,____________, this __ day of ___________.

                            Purchaser's Name (Print)
 
                            By:_________________________________
                                Signature

                                Its:____________________________


                            Address of Purchaser
 
 
                            Purchaser's Taxpayer
                            Identification Number


                                      N-3
<PAGE>
 

                                  EXHIBIT O-1
                                  -----------


                      LIST OF HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTS




                               [To Be Supplied]





                                      O-1
<PAGE>
 

                                  EXHIBIT O-2
                                  -----------


                         LIST OF HOME EQUITY CONTRACTS




                               [To Be Supplied]





                                      O-2
<PAGE>
 

                                   EXHIBIT P
                                   ---------


                         LIST OF FHA-INSURED CONTRACTS




                               [To Be Supplied]





                                      P-1
<PAGE>
 

                                [TO BE REVISED]

                                   EXHIBIT Q
                                   ---------


                            FORM OF MONTHLY REPORT
                            ----------------------

            CERTIFICATES FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT AND HOME EQUITY LOANS
                                 SERIES 1996-F


Distribution Date:  
                   ---------


Class HI: A Certificates
- ------------------------

1(a) Sub-Pool HI Amount Available (including Monthly       
     Servicing Fee)                                                      _______
                                                                               
(b)  Class HI: M-1 Interest Deficiency Amount (if
     any), Class HI: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount
     (if any) and Class HI: B-1 Interest Deficiency
     Amount (if any) withdrawn for prior                                   
     Payment Date                                                        _______
                                                                         
(c)  Sub-Pool HI Amount Available after giving effect to
     withdrawal of any Class HI: M-1 Interest
     Deficiency Amount, Class HI: M-2 Interest
     Deficiency Amount and Class HI: B-1
     Interest Deficiency Amount for prior
     Payment Date                                                        _______
 
Interest
 
2.   Aggregate interest
     (a)  Class HI: A-1 Pass-through Rate (6.10%)                        _______
     (b)  Class HI: A-l Interest                                         _______
     (c)  Class HI: A-2 Pass-through Rate (6.40%)                        _______
     (d)  Class HI: A-2 Interest                                         _______
     (e)  Class HI: A-3 Pass-through Rate (6.75%)                        _______
     (f)  Class HI: A-3 Interest                                         _______

3.   Amount applied to Unpaid Class HI: A Interest Shortfall             _______
          
4.   Remaining Unpaid Class HI: A Interest Shortfall                     _______


                                      Q-1
<PAGE>
 
Principal
 
5.   Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal Distribution Amount:        _______
     (a)  Scheduled principal                                  _______
     (b)  Principal Prepayments                                _______
     (c)  Liquidated Contracts                                 _______
     (d)  Repurchases                                          _______
     (e)  Previously undistributed (a)-(d) amounts             _______
      
6.   Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI           _______
      
7.   Sub-Pool HI Senior Percentage for such
     Payment Date                                              _______
                                                               
8.   Class HI: A principal distribution: 
     (a)  Class HI: A-1                                        _______
     (b)  Class HI: A-2                                        _______
     (c)  Class HI: A-3                                        _______
      
9.   (a)  Class HI: A-1 Principal Balance                      _______
     (b)  Class HI: A-2 Principal Balance                      _______
     (c)  Class HI: A-3 Principal Balance                      _______
     
Class HI: M-1 Certificates
- --------------------------

10.  Sub-Pool HI Amount Available less the Class HI: A
     Distribution Amount (including
     Monthly Servicing Fee)                                    ______


Interest on Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance less
Class HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount

11.  Current interest
     (a) Class HI: M-1 Pass-through Rate (7.30%)
     (b) Class HI: M-1 Interest                                _______
 
12.  Amount applied to Unpaid Class HI: M-1
     Interest Shortfall                                        _______
                         
13.  Amount applied to Class HI: M-1 Interest
     Deficiency Amount                                         _______
 
14.  Remaining unpaid Class HI: M-1 Interest
     Deficiency Amount                                         _______
                       
15.  Remaining Unpaid Class HI: M-1                            

                                      Q-2
<PAGE>
 
     Interest Shortfall                                        _______
 
Principal
 
16.  Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal Distribution Amount:        _______
     (a)  Scheduled principal                                  _______
     (b)  Principal Prepayments                                _______
     (c)  Liquidated Contracts                                 _______
     (d)  Repurchases                                          _______
     (e)  Previously undistributed (a) - (d) amounts           _______
 
17.  Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI           _______
 
18.  Sub-Pool HI Senior Percentage for such
     Payment Date                                              _______
 
19.  Class HI: M-1 principal distribution                      _______
 
20.  Class HI: M-1 Principal Balance                           _______
 
Interest on Liquidation Loss Principal Amount
 
21.  Sub-Pool HI Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal Amount   _______
 
22.  Class HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount           _______
 
23.  Interest at Class HI: M-1 Pass-Through Rate on:
 
     (a)  Class HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount      _______
     (b)  Unpaid Class HI: M-1 Liquidation Loss
          Interest Shortfall                                   _______
 
24.  Amount applied to such interest                           _______

25.  Liquidation Loss interest remaining unpaid                _______

Class HI: M-2 Certificates
- --------------------------

26.  Sub-Pool HI Amount Available less the Class HI: A
     Distribution Amount and Class HI: M-1
     Distribution Amount (including
     Monthly Servicing Fee)                                    _______

                                     Q-3 
<PAGE>
 
Interest on Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance less
Class HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount

27.  Current interest
     (a)  Class HI: M-2 Pass-through Rate (7.60%)
     (b)  Class HI: M-2 Interest                               _______
 
28.  Amount applied to Unpaid Class HI: M-2
     Interest Shortfall                                        _______
 
29.  Amount applied to Class HI: M-2 Interest
     Deficiency Amount                                         _______
 
30.  Remaining unpaid Class HI: M-2 Interest
     Deficiency Amount                                         _______
 
31.  Remaining Unpaid Class HI: M-2
     Interest Shortfall                                        _______
 
Principal
 
32.  Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal Distribution Amount:        _______
     (a)  Scheduled principal                                  _______
     (b)  Principal Prepayments                                _______
     (c)  Liquidated Contracts                                 _______
     (d)  Repurchases                                          _______
     (e)  Previously undistributed (a) - (d) amounts           _______
 
33.  Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI           _______
 
34.  Sub-Pool HI Senior Percentage for such
     Payment Date                                              _______
 
35.  Class HI: M-2 principal distribution                      _______
 
36. Class HI: M-2 Principal Balance                            _______
 
Interest on Liquidation Loss Principal Amount
 
37.  Sub-Pool HI Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal Amount   _______
 
38.  Class HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount           _______

                                      Q-4
<PAGE>
 
39.  Interest at Class HI: M-2 Pass-Through Rate on:
 
     (a)  Class HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount               _______
     (b)  Unpaid Class HI: M-2 Liquidation Loss
          Interest Shortfall                                            _______
 
40.  Amount applied to such interest                                    _______
 
41.  Liquidation Loss interest remaining unpaid                         _______

Class HI: B Principal Distribution Tests (tests must be 
satisfied on and after the Payment Date occurring in January 2000)

42.  Sub-Pool HI Average Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test

     (a)  Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio for
          current Payment Date                                          _______
     (b)  Sub-Pool HI Average Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test
          (arithmetic average of ratios for this
          month and two preceding months;
          may not exceed 2.5%)                                          _______
                                                                
43.  Sub-Pool HI Average Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test

     (a)  Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio for
          current Payment Date                                          _______
     (b)  Sub-Pool HI Average Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio
          Test (arithmetic average of ratios
          for this month and two preceding
          months; may not exceed 5%)                                    _______

44.  Sub-Pool HI Cumulative Realized Losses Test

          Cumulative Realized Losses
          for current Payment Date
          (as a percentage of Cut-off Date
          Pool Principal Balance may not
          exceed 10.0%)                                                 _______

45.  Sub-Pool HI Current Realized Losses Test

     (a)  Current Realized Losses
          for current Payment Date                                      _______
     (b)  Current Realized Loss Ratio (total
          Realized Losses for most recent
          three months, multiplied by 4,

                                      Q-5
<PAGE>
 
          divided by arithmetic
          average of Pool Scheduled Principal
          Balances for third preceding
          Remittance and for current Remittance
          Date; may not exceed 2.5%)                           _______

46.  Class HI: B Principal Balance Test

          Class HI: B Principal Balance (before
          any distributions on current
          Payment Date) divided by Pool
          Scheduled Principal Balance for
          prior Payment Date (must equal
          or exceed 14.0%                                      _______

Class HI: B-1 Certificates
- --------------------------

47.  Sub-Pool HI Amount Available less the Class HI: A
     Distribution Amount and Class HI: M
     Distribution Amount (including
     Monthly Servicing Fee)                                    _______

Interest on Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance less
Class HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount

48.  Class HI: B-1 Pass-through Rate (7.25%)                   _______

49.  Current interest                                          _______
 
50.  Amount applied to Unpaid
     Class HI: B-1 Interest Shortfall                          _______
 
51.  Amount applied to Class HI: B-1 Interest
     Deficiency Amount                                         _______
 
52.  Remaining unpaid Class HI: B-1 Interest
     Deficiency Amount                                         _______
 
53.  Remaining Unpaid Class HI: B-1
     Interest Shortfall                                        _______

                                      Q-6
<PAGE>
 
Principal
 
54.  Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal Distribution Amount:               __________
      
     (a)  Scheduled principal                                         __________
     (b)  Principal Prepayments                                       __________
     (c)  Liquidated Contracts                                        __________
     (d)  Repurchases                                                 __________
     (e)  Previously undistributed (a) - (d) amounts                  __________
 
55.  Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI                  __________
                                             
56.  Class HI: B Percentage for such Payment                          __________
                                             
57.  Class HI: B Percentage of Formula Principal
     Distribution Amount                                              __________
                                             
58.  Class HI: B Principal Balance                                    __________
                                             
59.  Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance                                  __________
                                             
Interest on Liquidation Loss Principal Amount                         __________
 
60.  Sub-Pool HI Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal Amount          __________
                                                               
61.  Class HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount                  __________
 
62.  Interest at Class HI: B-1 Pass-Through Rate on:                  __________
 
     (a)  Class HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount             __________
                                                              
     (b)  Unpaid Class HI: B-1 Liquidation Loss                       
          Interest Shortfall                                          __________
                                                 
63.  Amount applied to such interest                                  __________
                                                 
64.  Liquidation Loss interest remaining unpaid                       __________
                                                 
Class HI: B-2 Certificates                                            
- --------------------------                       
                                                 
65.  Remaining Sub-Pool HI Amount Available                           __________
                                                 
Interest on Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance less
Liquidation Loss Principal Amount
 
66.  Class HI: B-2 Pass-through Rate (7.70%)
 
                                      Q-7
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>  <C>                                                     <C> 
67.  Current interest                                        ________________


68.  Amount applied to Unpaid Class
     B-2 Interest Shortfall                                  ________________


69.  Remaining Unpaid Class HI: B-2
     Interest Shortfall                                      ________________

Principal

70.  Sub-Pool HI Formula Principal Distribution Amount:      ________________

     (a)  Scheduled principal                                ________________

     (b)  Principal Prepayments                              ________________

     (c)  Liquidated Contracts                               ________________

     (d)  Repurchases                                        ________________

     (e)  Previously undistributed (a) - (d) amounts         ________________


71.  Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HI         ________________


72.  HI: B Percentage for such                               ________________
     Payment Date


73.  Class HI: B Percentage of Formula
     Principal Distribution Amount                           ________________


74.  Current principal (Class HI: B Percentage of Formula
     Principal Distribution Amount less
     Class HI: B-1 Principal Balance)                        ________________


75.  Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal
     Amount                                                  ________________


76.  Class HI: B-2 Guaranty Payment                          ________________


77.  Class HI: B-2 Principal Balance                         ________________


Interest on Liquidation Loss Principal Amount

78.  Sub-Pool HI Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal Amount ________________


79.  Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount         ________________


80.  Interest at Class HI: B-2 Pass-Through Rate on:

     (a)  Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount    ________________
     (b)  Unpaid Class HI: B-2 Liquidation Loss
</TABLE>


                                      Q-8
<PAGE>
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
                  Interest Shortfall                        _______________
<S>  <C>                                                    <C> 
81.  Amount applied to such interest                        _______________
 
82.  Liquidation Loss interest remaining unpaid             _______________
 
Class HI: A,  Class HI: M and Class HI: B Certificates
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
83.  Sub-Pool HI Pool Factor                                 ________________
 
84.  Contracts Delinquent:
     30 - 59 days                                            ________________
 
     60 or more days                                         ________________
 
85.  Principal Balance of Defaulted Contracts                ________________
 
86.  Number of Liquidated Contracts and
     Net Liquidated Loss                                     ________________
 
87.  Number of Loans Remaining                               ________________
 
88.  Number and Principal Balance of Contracts
     with FHA claims finally rejected, or no FHA
     claim was submitted because FHA Insurance
     was unavailable                                         ________________
 
89.  FHA Insurance reserve amount                            ________________
 
90.  Amount received from FHA Insurance                      ________________
 
Company and Class C Certificates
- --------------------------------
 
91.  Monthly Servicing Fee                                   ________________
 
92.  Class HI: B-2 Guarantee Fee                             _________________
 
93.  Class C Residual Payment                                ________________
 
Class HE: A Certificates
- ------------------------

1(a) Sub-Pool HE Amount Available (including Monthly         ________________
     Servicing Fee)
 
(b)  Class HE: M-1 Interest Deficiency Amount (if

</TABLE>

                                      Q-9
<PAGE>
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
<S>  <C>                                                     <C> 
     any), Class HE: M-2 Interest Deficiency Amount
     (if any) and Class HE: B-1 Interest Deficiency
     Amount (if any) withdrawn for prior
     Payment Date                                            ________________

(c)  Sub-Pool HE Amount Available after giving effect to
     withdrawal of any Class HE: M-1 Interest 
     Deficiency Amount, Class HE: M-2 Interest
     Deficiency Amount and Class HE: B-1
     Interest Deficiency Amount for prior
     Payment Date                                           _________________
 
Interest
 
2.   Aggregate interest
     (a)  Class HE: A-1 Pass-through Rate (6.10%)            ________________
     (b)  Class HE: A-l Interest                             ________________
     (c)  Class HE: A-2 Pass-through Rate (6.50%)            ________________
     (d)  Class HE: A-2 Interest                             ________________
     (e)  Class HE: A-3 Pass-through Rate (6.90%)            ________________
     (f)  Class HE: A-3 Interest                             ________________
     (g)  Class HE: A-4 Pass-through Rate (7.30%)            ________________
     (h)  Class HE: A-4 Interest                             ________________
     (i)  Class HE: A-5 Pass-through Rate (6.85%)            ________________
     (j)  Class HE: A-5 Interest
 
3.   Amount applied to Unpaid Class HE: A Interest Shortfall ________________
 
4.   Remaining Unpaid Class HE: A Interest Shortfall         ________________
 
Principal
 
5.   Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount:      ________________
     (a)  Scheduled principal                                ________________
     (b)  Principal Prepayments                              ________________
     (c)  Liquidated Contracts                               ________________      
     (d)  Repurchases                                        ________________
     (e)  Previously undistributed (a)-(d) amounts           ________________
                                                                                                
6.   Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE          _______________
                                                                                                      
7.   Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage for such
     Payment Date                                            ________________
                                                                                                      
8.   Class HE: A-5 Lockout Percentage for such
     Payment Date                                            ________________

</TABLE> 


                                     Q-10

<PAGE>
 
9.   Class HE: A principal distribution:
     (a)  Class HE: A-5 Lockout Remittance Amount               ________________

     (b)  Balance of Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage of Sub-Pool
          HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount:
          (i)    Class HE: A-1                                  ________________
          (ii)   Class HE: A-2                                  ________________
          (iii)  Class HE: A-3                                  ________________
          (iv)   Class HE: A-4                                  ________________
          (v)    Class HE: A-5                                  ________________
 
10.  (a)  Class HE: A-1 Principal Balance                       ________________
     (b)  Class HE: A-2 Principal Balance                       ________________
     (c)  Class HE: A-3 Principal Balance                       ________________
     (d)  Class HE: A-4 Principal Balance                       ________________
     (e)  Class HE: A-5 Principal Balance                       ________________
 
Class HE: M-1 Certificates
- --------------------------

11.  Sub-Pool HE Amount Available less the Class HE: A
     Distribution Amount (including
     Monthly Servicing Fee)                                      _______________

Interest on Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance less
Class HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount

12.  Current interest
     (a)  Class HE: M-1 Pass-through Rate (7.70%)
     (b)  Class HE: M-1 Interest                                ________________
 
13.  Amount applied to Unpaid Class HE: M-1
     Interest Shortfall                                         ________________
                                                                 
14.  Amount applied to Class HE: M-1 Interest
     Deficiency Amount                                          ________________
                                                              
15.  Remaining unpaid Class HE: M-1 Interest
     Deficiency Amount                                          ________________

16.  Remaining Unpaid Class HE: M-1
     Interest Shortfall                                         ________________
      
Principal
                                     Q-11 
<PAGE>
 
17.  Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount:         ________________
     (a)  Scheduled principal                                   ________________
     (b)  Principal Prepayments                                 ________________
     (c)  Liquidated Contracts                                  ________________
     (d)  Repurchases                                           ________________
     (e)  Previously undistributed (a) - (d) amounts            ________________
           
18.  Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE            ________________
      
19.  Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage for such
     Payment Date                                               ________________

20.  Class HE: M-1 principal distribution                       ________________
      
21.  Class HE: M-1 Principal Balance                            ________________
      
Interest on Liquidation Loss Principal Amount
 
22.  Sub-Pool HE Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal Amount    ________________
      
23.  Class HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount            ________________
      
24.  Interest at Class HE: M-1 Pass-Through Rate on:
 
     (a)  Class HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount       ________________
     (b)  Unpaid Class HE: M-1 Liquidation Loss
          Interest Shortfall                                    ________________

25.  Amount applied to such interest                            ________________
     
26.  Liquidation Loss interest remaining unpaid                 ________________

Class HE: M-2 Certificates
- --------------------------

27.  Sub-Pool HE Amount Available less the Class HE: A
     Distribution Amount and Class HE: M-1
     Distribution Amount (including
     Monthly Servicing Fee)                                     ________________

Interest on Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance less
Class HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount

28.  Current interest
     (a)  Class HE: M-2 Pass-through Rate (7.95%)
     (b)  Class HE: M-2 Interest                                ________________

                                     Q-12
<PAGE>
 
29.  Amount applied to Unpaid Class HE: M-2
     Interest Shortfall                                               __________

30.  Amount applied to Class HE: M-2 Interest
     Deficiency Amount                                                __________
 
31.  Remaining unpaid Class HE: M-2 Interest
     Deficiency Amount                                                __________
 
32.  Remaining Unpaid Class HE: M-2
     Interest Shortfall                                               __________
 
Principal
 
33.  Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount:               __________
                                                             
     (a)  Scheduled principal                                         __________
     (b)  Principal Prepayments                                       __________
     (c)  Liquidated Contracts                                        __________
     (d)  Repurchases                                                 __________
     (e)  Previously undistributed (a) - (d) amounts                  __________
                                                             
34.  Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE                  __________
                                                             
35.  Sub-Pool HE Senior Percentage for such                    
     Payment Date                                                     __________
                                                             
36.  Class HE: M-2 principal distribution                             __________
                                                             
37.  Class HE: M-2 Principal Balance                                  __________
                                                             
Interest on Liquidation Loss Principal Amount                
                                                             
38.  Sub-Pool HE Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal Amount          __________
                                                             
39.  Class HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount                  __________
                                                             
40.  Interest at Class HE: M-2 Pass-Through Rate on:                  __________
                                                             
     (a)  Class HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount             __________
     (b)  Unpaid Class HE: M-2 Liquidation Loss
          Interest Shortfall                                          __________
 
41.  Amount applied to such interest                                  __________
 
42.  Liquidation Loss interest remaining unpaid                       __________


                                     Q-13
<PAGE>
 
Class HE: B Principal Distribution Tests (tests must be satisfied on and after
the Payment Date occurring in January 2000)

43.  Sub-Pool HE Average Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test

     (a)  Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio for
          current Payment Date                                        __________
     (b)  Sub-Pool HE Average Sixty-Day Delinquency          
          Ratio Test (arithmetic average of ratios for this  
          month and two preceding months;                    
          may not exceed 2.5%)                                        __________
                                                       
                                                             
44.  Sub-Pool HE Average Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio Test   
                                                             
     (a)  Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio for                   
          current Payment Date                                        __________
     (b)  Sub-Pool HE Average Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio   
          Test (arithmetic average of ratios                 
          for this month and two preceding                   
          months; may not exceed 5%)                                  __________
                                                    
                                                             
45.  Sub-Pool HE Cumulative Realized Losses Test             
                                                             
          Cumulative Realized Losses                         
          for current Payment Date                           
          (as a percentage of Cut-off Date                   
          Pool Principal Balance may not                     
          exceed 7.5%)                                                __________
                                                             
                                                             
46.  Sub-Pool HE Current Realized Losses Test                
                                                             
     (a)  Current Realized Losses                            
          for current Payment Date                                    __________
     (b)  Current Realized Loss Ratio (total                 
          Realized Losses for most recent                    
          three months, multiplied by 4,                     
          divided by arithmetic                              
          average of Pool Scheduled Principal                
          Balances for third preceding                       
          Remittance and for current Remittance              
          Date; may not exceed 2.0%)                                  __________
                                                  

47.  Class HE: B Principal Balance Test

          Class HE: B Principal Balance (before
          any distributions on current


                                     Q-14
<PAGE>
 
          Payment Date) divided by Pool
          Scheduled Principal Balance for
          prior Payment Date (must equal
          or exceed 10.0%                                      _______

Class HE: B-1 Certificates
- --------------------------

48.  Sub-Pool HE Amount Available less the Class HE: A
     Distribution Amount and Class HE: M
     Distribution Amount (including
     Monthly Servicing Fee)                                    _______

Interest on Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance less
Class HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount

49.  Class HE: B-1 Pass-through Rate (7.60%)                   _______

50.  Current interest                                          _______
 
51.  Amount applied to Unpaid
     Class HE: B-1 Interest Shortfall                          _______
 
52.  Amount applied to Class HE: B-1 Interest
     Deficiency Amount                                         _______
 
53.  Remaining unpaid Class HE: B-1 Interest
     Deficiency Amount                                         _______
 
54.  Remaining Unpaid Class HE: B-1
     Interest Shortfall                                        _______
 
Principal
 
55.  Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount:        _______
 
     (a)  Scheduled principal                                  _______
     (b)  Principal Prepayments                                _______
     (c)  Liquidated Contracts                                 _______
     (d)  Repurchases                                          _______
     (e)  Previously undistributed (a) - (d) amounts           _______
 
56.  Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE           _______
 
57.  Class HE: B Percentage for such
     Payment Date                                              _______

                                     Q-15
<PAGE>
 
58.  Class HE: B Percentage of Formula
     Principal Distribution Amount                             _______
 
59.  Class HE: B Principal Balance                             _______
 
60.  Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance                           _______
 
Interest on Liquidation Loss Principal Amount
 
61.  Sub-Pool HE Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal Amount   _______
 
62.  Class HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount           _______
 
63.  Interest at Class HE: B-1 Pass-Through Rate on:

     (a)  Class HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount      _______
     (b)  Unpaid Class HE: B-1 Liquidation Loss
          Interest Shortfall                                   _______
                                                                  
64.  Amount applied to such interest                           _______
 
65.  Liquidation Loss interest remaining unpaid                _______
 
Class HE: B-2 Certificates
- --------------------------
 
66.  Remaining Sub-Pool HE Amount Available                    _______
 
Interest on Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance less
Liquidation Loss Principal Amount
 
67.  Class HE: B-2 Pass-through Rate (8.00%)
 
68.  Current interest                                          _______
 
69.  Amount applied to Unpaid Class
     B-2 Interest Shortfall                                    _______
 
70.  Remaining Unpaid Class HE: B-2
     Interest Shortfall                                        _______
 
Principal
 
71.  Sub-Pool HE Formula Principal Distribution Amount:        _______
     (a)  Scheduled principal                                  _______
     (b)  Principal Prepayments                                _______
     (c)  Liquidated Contracts                                 _______

                                     Q-16
<PAGE>
 
     (d)  Repurchases                                          _______
     (e)  Previously undistributed (a) - (d) amounts           _______
 
72.  Pool Scheduled Principal Balance of Sub-Pool HE           _______

73.  Class HE: B Percentage for such
     Payment Date                                              _______
 
74.  Class HE: B Percentage of Formula
     Principal Distribution Amount                             _______
 
75.  Current principal (Class HE: B Percentage of Formula
     Principal Distribution Amount less
     Class HE: B-1 Principal Balance)                          _______

76.  Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal
     Amount                                                    _______
 
77.  Class HE: B-2 Guaranty Payment                            _______
 
78.  Class HE: B-2 Principal Balance                           _______
 
Interest on Liquidation Loss Principal Amount
 
79.  Sub-Pool HE Aggregate Liquidation Loss Principal Amount   _______
 
80.  Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount           _______

81.  Interest at Class HE: B-2 Pass-Through Rate on:

     (a)  Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss Principal Amount      _______
     (b)  Unpaid Class HE: B-2 Liquidation Loss
          Interest Shortfall                                   _______
 
82.  Amount applied to such interest                           _______
 
83.  Liquidation Loss interest remaining unpaid                _______
 
Class HE: A,  Class HE: M and Class HE: B Certificates
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
84.  Sub-Pool HE Pool Factor                                   _______
 
85.  Contracts Delinquent:                                     _______
     30-59 days
                                     Q-17 
<PAGE>
 
     60 or more days                                           _______
 
86.  Principal Balance of Defaulted Contracts                  _______
 
87.  Number of Liquidated Contracts and
     Net Liquidated Loss                                       _______
 
88.  Number of Loans Remaining                                 _______
 
89.  Number and Principal Balance of Contracts
     with FHA claims finally rejected, or no FHA
     claim was submitted because FHA Insurance
     was unavailable                                           _______
 
90.  FHA Insurance reserve amount                              _______
 
91.  Amount received from FHA Insurance                        _______
 
Class C Certificates
- --------------------
 
92.  Monthly Servicing Fee                                     _______
 
93.  Class HE: B-2 Guarantee Fee                               _______
 
94.  Class C Residual Payment                                  _______



Please contact the Bondholder Relations Department of First Trust National
Association at (612) 224-0444 with any questions regarding this Statement or
your Distribution.

                                     Q-18


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