<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
AAMES CAPITAL CORPORATION AAMES CAPITAL ACCEPTANCE CORP.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CALIFORNIA 95-4438859 DELAWARE 95-4619902
(STATE OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION (STATE OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION
INCORPORATION) NO.) INCORPORATION) NO.)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
350 SOUTH GRAND AVENUE 350 SOUTH GRAND AVENUE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071
213/210-5000 213/210-5270
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE
OFFICES) OFFICES)
BARBARA S. POLSKY, ESQ. BARBARA S. POLSKY, ESQ.
AAMES CAPITAL CORPORATION AAMES CAPITAL ACCEPTANCE CORP.
350 SOUTH GRAND AVENUE 350 SOUTH GRAND AVENUE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071
213/210-5000 213/210-5000
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
</TABLE>
COPIES TO:
JAMES A. BLALOCK III, ESQ.
ANDREWS & KURTH L.L.P.
1701 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
SUITE 200
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006
------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. [ ]______
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]______
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=======================================================================================================================
PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
AMOUNT TO BE AGGREGATE OFFERING AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF SHARES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PRICE PER UNIT(1) PRICE(1) REGISTRATION FEE
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Asset-Backed Certificates and
Bonds.............................. $1,000,000 100% $1,000,000 $295.00
(Each Issuable in Series)
=======================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee.
------------------------
THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
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<PAGE> 2
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
Registration Statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor
may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the Registration Statement
becomes effective. This Prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or
the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these
securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws
of any such State.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
PROSPECTUS
DATED ____________ ____, 1998
$1,000,000
ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES AND BONDS
(EACH ISSUABLE IN SERIES)
AAMES CAPITAL CORPORATION
AAMES CAPITAL ACCEPTANCE CORP.
(INCLUDING CERTAIN LIMITED PURPOSE ENTITIES FORMED
BY AAMES CAPITAL ACCEPTANCE CORP. FROM TIME TO TIME IN
CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF SERIES OF ASSET-BACKED BONDS)
This Prospectus relates to Asset-Backed Certificates (the "Certificates")
and Asset-Backed Bonds (the "Bonds" and, together with the Certificates, the
"Securities"), each issuable in series (each, a "Series"), that may be sold from
time to time by Aames Capital Corporation ("ACC"), Aames Capital Acceptance
Corp. ("ACAC") or a special purpose entity formed in connection with a Series of
Certificates or Bonds (together with ACC and ACAC, the "Transferors") on terms
determined at the time of sale and described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. As specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Securities of
each Series will be either Certificates that will evidence a beneficial
undivided interest in assets deposited in a trust fund (each, a "Trust") by a
Transferor pursuant to a Pooling and Servicing Agreement (each, a "Pooling and
Servicing Agreement") to be entered into among the related Transferor, ACC, as
servicer (the "Servicer"), and the trustee specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement (the "Trustee"), or Bonds that will be secured by a trust estate
(each, a "Trust Estate") comprised of assets pledged to the related Trustee by
either ACAC or a separate entity formed by ACAC solely for the purpose of
issuing the Bonds of the related Series (either such entity, as applicable, the
"Bond Issuer") pursuant to an Indenture (each, an "Indenture") to be entered
into at the date the related Series of Bonds is issued.
(continued on next page)
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD REVIEW THE INFORMATION APPEARING HEREIN
UNDER THE CAPTION "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 19 BEFORE PURCHASING ANY
SECURITIES.
BONDS OF A SERIES WILL CONSTITUTE NON-RECOURSE OBLIGATIONS OF THE RELATED
BOND ISSUER. CERTIFICATES OF A SERIES WILL EVIDENCE INTERESTS ONLY IN THE
RELATED TRUST. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN AND IN THE RELATED
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE SECURITIES WILL NOT REPRESENT AN INTEREST IN OR
OBLIGATION OF THE SERVICER, ANY ORIGINATOR, THE TRUSTEE OR ANY OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES. NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR THE UNDERLYING MORTGAGE LOANS
WILL BE GUARANTEED OR INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR
ENTITY, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE RELATED PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE RELATED PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR ENDORSED
THE MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE SALES OF SECURITIES OF ANY
SERIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY THE RELATED PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
<PAGE> 3
(continued from previous page)
The primary assets of each Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, will
consist of one or more pools (each, a "Mortgage Pool") of mortgage loans
(collectively, the "Mortgage Loans") secured by first or junior liens on one- to
four-family residential properties. The Mortgage Loans will be acquired by the
related Transferor, either directly or indirectly, from one or more affiliated
or unaffiliated entities (the "Originators"). A Trust or Trust Estate, as
applicable, may include, in addition to the Mortgage Loans, if specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, (i) funds on deposit in one or more prefunding
accounts and/or capitalized interest accounts and (ii) financial guaranty
insurance policies, cash accounts, letters of credit, limited guaranty insurance
policies, third party guarantees or other forms of credit enhancement, to the
extent described in the related Prospectus Supplement. Amounts on deposit in a
prefunding account for any Series will be applied for the acquisition of
additional Mortgage Loans during the related funding period specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement in the manner specified therein.
Each Series of Certificates will be issued in one or more classes (each, a
"Class"). Each Class of Certificates will evidence a beneficial interest of a
specified percentage (which may be 0%) or portion of future interest payments
and a specified percentage (which may be 0%) or portion of future principal
payments on the Mortgage Loans in the related Trust. A Series of Certificates
may include one or more senior Classes that receive certain preferential
treatment with respect to one or more other Classes of Certificates of such
Series. One or more Classes of Certificates of a Series may be entitled to
receive distributions of principal, interest or any combination thereof prior to
one or more other Classes of Certificates of such Series or after the occurrence
of specified events, or may be required to absorb one or more types of losses
prior to one or more other Classes of Certificates, in each case as specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement. Each Series of Bonds will be issued in a
single Class.
Distributions or payments, as applicable, to holders of Securities
("Securityholders") will be made on certain dates specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement (each, a "Distribution Date," with respect to
Certificates, or a "Payment Date," with respect to Bonds), which may occur at
monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or at such other intervals as are specified
therein.
Bonds of a Series will constitute non-recourse obligations of the related
Bond Issuer. Certificates of a Series will evidence interests only in the
related Trust. Except as otherwise set forth herein and in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the Securities will not represent an obligation of or
interest in the Servicer, any Originator or any of their respective affiliates
or any other person. Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, the obligations of a Transferor with respect to a Series of
Securities will be limited to those arising in respect of certain
representations and warranties on the Mortgage Loans. The principal obligations
of the Servicer with respect to the related Series of Securities will be limited
to obligations pursuant to certain representations and warranties and to its
contractual servicing obligations under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement,
with respect to Certificates, or a servicing agreement (each, a "Servicing
Agreement") to be entered into among ACC, as Servicer, the related Bond Issuer
and the Trustee, with respect to Bonds, including any obligation it may have to
advance delinquent payments on the Mortgage Loans in the related Trust or Trust
Estate, as applicable.
THE YIELD ON THE SECURITIES OF A GIVEN SERIES MAY BE AFFECTED BY, AMONG
OTHER THINGS, THE RATE OF PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL (INCLUDING PREPAYMENTS) OF THE
MORTGAGE LOANS IN THE RELATED TRUST OR TRUST ESTATE, AS APPLICABLE, AND THE
TIMING OF RECEIPT OF SUCH PAYMENTS AS DESCRIBED HEREIN AND IN THE RELATED
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. A TRUST MAY BE SUBJECT TO EARLY TERMINATION UNDER THE
CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED HEREIN AND IN THE RELATED PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. THE
BONDS OF ANY SERIES MAY BE SUBJECT TO OPTIONAL REDEMPTION UNDER THE
CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED HEREIN AND IN THE RELATED PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. SEE
"RISK FACTORS -- YIELD, MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS" AND "MATURITY,
PREPAYMENT AND YIELD CONSIDERATIONS" HEREIN.
If specified in a Prospectus Supplement relating to a Series of
Certificates, one or more elections may be made to treat each Trust or specified
portions thereof as a "real estate mortgage investment conduit" ("REMIC") for
federal income tax purposes.
Offers of the Securities may be made through one or more different methods,
including offerings through underwriters as more fully described under "Method
of Distribution" herein and under "Underwriting" in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Prior to issuance, there will have been no market for the Securities
of any
2
<PAGE> 4
Series, and there can be no assurance that a secondary market for the Securities
will develop or, if it does develop, that it will continue.
UNTIL 90 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF EACH PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, ALL DEALERS
EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE SECURITIES COVERED BY SUCH PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT,
WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, MAY BE REQUIRED TO
DELIVER SUCH PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO
THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS AND PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT WHEN
ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
3
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
The Prospectus Supplement relating to a Series of Securities to be offered
hereunder, among other things, will set forth with respect to such Series of
Securities: (i) a description of such Securities; (ii) the rate of interest, the
"Certificate Rate" or "Bond Rate" or other applicable rate (or the manner of
determining such rate) and authorized denominations of such Securities; (iii)
certain information concerning the Mortgage Loans and financial guaranty
insurance policies, cash accounts, letters of credit, limited guaranty insurance
policies, third party guarantees or other forms of credit enhancement, if any,
relating to one or more Mortgage Pools or all or part of the related Securities;
(iv) in the case of Certificates, the specified interest of each Class of
Certificates in, and manner and priority of, the distributions on the Mortgage
Loans; (v) in the case of Certificates, information as to the nature and extent
of subordination with respect to such Certificates, if any; (vi) the
Distribution Dates or Payment Dates, as applicable; (vii) the amount, if any,
deposited in the related Prefunding Account, the length of the related Funding
Period or the Revolving Period and the criteria for determining which additional
Mortgage Loans may become assets of the related Trust or Trust Estate, as
applicable; (viii) in the case of Certificates, the circumstances, if any, under
which the related Trust may be subject to early termination; (ix) in the case of
Bonds, the circumstances, if any, under which such Bonds may be subject to
redemption; (x) in the case of Certificates, whether a REMIC election will be
made and the designation of the regular and residual interest therein; and (xi)
additional information with respect to the plan of distribution of such
Securities.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Transferors have filed a Registration Statement under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") with respect to the Securities. The Registration
Statement and amendments thereof and the exhibits thereto may be inspected at
the Public Reference Room of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices at Seven World
Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048, and Citicorp Center, 500
West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such
materials can also be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
Electronic filings made through the Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and
Retrieval System are publicly available through the Commission's Web Site
(http://www.sec.gov).
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representation regarding the Series of Securities referred to in the
accompanying Prospectus Supplement other than those contained or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus and such Prospectus Supplement with respect to such
Series and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be
relied upon. This Prospectus and the accompanying Prospectus Supplement do not
constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities
other than the Securities offered hereby and thereby nor an offer of the
Securities to any person in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer
would be unlawful. The delivery of this Prospectus at any time does not imply
that information herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
All documents filed with the Commission relating to the Trust or Trust
Estate, as applicable, referred to in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement
pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), after the date of this Prospectus and
prior to the termination of any offering of the related Securities or relating
to the terms or collateral with respect to such offering shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be part of this Prospectus
from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein (or in the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement) or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference modifies or replaces such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
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<PAGE> 6
The Trustee or Transferor with respect to any Series of Securities will
provide without charge to each person to whom this Prospectus is delivered, on
the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the
documents referred to above that may be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus (not including exhibits to the information that is incorporated by
reference unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into
the information that this Prospectus incorporates). Such requests should be
directed to the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee specified in the
accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
Except as otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, no
information that relates to any Series of Securities other than the Series
referred to in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
REPORTS TO SECURITYHOLDERS
Monthly and annual reports concerning any Securities and the related assets
included in the Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, will be sent by the
Trustee to all related Securityholders. See "Description of the
Securities -- Reports to Securityholders" herein. If the Securities of a Series
are to be issued in book-entry form, such reports will be sent to the
Securityholder of record, and beneficial owners of such Securities will have to
rely on the procedures described herein under "Description of the
Securities -- Form of Securities -- Book-Entry Registration" to obtain such
reports.
5
<PAGE> 7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SUMMARY................................... 8
RISK FACTORS.............................. 19
Limited Liquidity....................... 19
Limited Assets; Limited Obligations..... 19
Nature of the Security for Mortgage
Loans................................ 19
Risks Associated with Prepayment of the
Mortgage Loans....................... 22
Environmental Statutes Affecting
Security Interests................... 23
Risks Associated With Certain
Origination Fees..................... 23
Legal Considerations.................... 23
Yield, Maturity and Prepayment
Considerations....................... 24
Limitations on Interest Payments and
Foreclosures......................... 26
Security Rating......................... 26
Book-Entry Registration................. 26
Funds Available for Redemptions at the
Request of Bondholders............... 27
THE TRUSTS AND TRUST ESTATES.............. 27
The Mortgage Loans -- General........... 28
Negative Amortization................... 30
Forward Commitments; Prefunding
Accounts; Capitalized Interest
Accounts............................. 30
USE OF PROCEEDS........................... 31
AAMES CAPITAL CORPORATION................. 31
AAMES CAPITAL ACCEPTANCE CORP............. 31
THE SERVICER.............................. 32
General................................. 32
Mortgage Loan Delinquency and
Foreclosure Experience............... 32
THE ORIGINATORS........................... 33
Underwriting Guidelines................. 33
Representations by Originators and the
Transferors.......................... 34
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES............. 35
General................................. 36
Form of Securities...................... 36
Distributions and Payments on
Securities........................... 38
Revolving Period and Amortization
Period; Transferor Interest.......... 41
Reports to Securityholders.............. 41
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT........................ 43
Subordination........................... 43
Overcollateralization Feature........... 44
Reserve Accounts........................ 44
Financial Guaranty Insurance Policies... 45
Mortgage Pool Insurance Policies........ 45
Special Hazard Insurance Policies....... 46
Bankruptcy Bonds........................ 46
Cross Support........................... 46
Other Insurance, Guarantees and Similar
Instruments or Agreements............ 47
Maintenance of Credit Enhancement....... 47
MATURITY, PREPAYMENT AND YIELD
CONSIDERATIONS.......................... 48
THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT....... 50
Assignment of Mortgage Loans............ 50
Payments on the Mortgage Loans.......... 53
Investment of Accounts.................. 53
Permitted Investments................... 54
Monthly Advances and Compensating
Interest............................. 54
Realization upon Defaulted Mortgage
Loans................................ 55
General Servicing Procedures............ 56
Sub-Servicers........................... 56
Servicing and Other Compensation and
Payment of Expenses.................. 56
Maintenance of Hazard Insurance......... 57
Enforcement of Due-on-Sale Clauses...... 57
Voting.................................. 58
Amendments.............................. 58
Certificate Events of Default........... 59
Rights upon Certificate Events of
Default.............................. 59
Termination; Optional Termination....... 60
Evidence as to Compliance............... 60
Indemnification of Officers and
Directors of the Transferors......... 60
The Trustee............................. 61
THE INDENTURE............................. 61
General................................. 61
Modification of Indenture............... 62
Bond Events of Default.................. 62
Rights upon Bond Events of Default...... 63
List of Bondholders..................... 63
Annual Compliance Statement............. 64
Trustee's Annual Report................. 64
Satisfaction and Discharge of
Indenture............................ 64
Redemption of Bonds..................... 64
Reports by Trustee to Bondholders....... 64
Limitation on Suits..................... 64
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE MORTGAGE
LOANS AND RELATED MATTERS............... 64
Nature of the Mortgage Loans............ 65
Foreclosure/Repossession................ 65
Rights of Redemption.................... 66
Certain Provisions of California Deeds
of Trust............................. 66
Anti-deficiency Legislation and Other
Limitations on Lenders............... 67
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
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Enforceability of Due-on-Sale Clauses... 68
Prepayment Charges...................... 68
Applicability of Usury Laws............. 68
Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief
Act.................................. 69
Environmental Considerations............ 69
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES... 70
Taxation of Certificates................ 70
General................................. 70
Taxation of Debt Certificates (Including
Regular Certificates)................ 70
Taxation of Certificates as to Which a
REMIC Election Has Been Made......... 76
Taxation of the REMIC and its Holders... 76
REMIC Expenses; Single Class REMICs..... 77
Taxation of the REMIC................... 77
Taxation of Holders of Residual
Certificates......................... 79
Administrative Matters.................. 81
Tax Status as a Grantor Trust........... 81
Tax Characterization of the Trust as a
Partnership; Tax Consequences to
Holders
of the Certificates Issued By a
Partnership.......................... 84
Certain Certificates Treated as
Indebtedness......................... 88
Taxation of Bonds....................... 90
Miscellaneous Tax Aspects............... 90
Tax Treatment of Foreign Investors...... 91
STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS.................. 92
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS...................... 92
Plan Asset Regulations.................. 93
Prohibited Transaction Class
Exemption............................ 93
LEGAL INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS........... 95
SMMEA................................... 95
FFIEC Policy Statement.................. 95
General................................. 95
METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION.................... 96
LEGAL MATTERS............................. 96
FINANCIAL INFORMATION..................... 96
RATING.................................... 97
INDEX OF PRINCIPAL TERMS.................. 98
</TABLE>
7
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SUMMARY
This Summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed
information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus and in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Reference is made to the Index of Principal Terms for the location
in this Prospectus of the definitions of certain capitalized terms not otherwise
defined in this Summary.
Securities Offered......... Up to $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
Asset-Backed Certificates (the "Certificates") and
Asset-Backed Bonds (the "Bonds" and, together with
the Certificates, the "Securities"), issuable in
series (each, a "Series").
The Transferors............ Aames Capital Corporation, a California corporation
("ACC"), and a wholly owned subsidiary of Aames
Financial Corporation ("AFC"), Aames Capital
Acceptance Corp., a Delaware corporation ("ACAC")
and a wholly owned limited purpose finance
subsidiary of AFC or a special purpose entity
formed in connection with a Series of Certificates
or Bonds (together with ACC and ACAC, the
"Transferors"). The principal offices of ACAC and
ACC are located in Los Angeles, California. See
"Aames Capital Corporation" and "Aames Capital
Acceptance Corp." herein.
The Servicer............... ACC, as Servicer (the "Servicer"). See "The Pooling
and Servicing Agreement -- General Servicing
Procedures" herein.
Sub-Servicers.............. The Servicer may appoint one or more mortgage
servicing institutions (each, a "Sub-Servicer") to
service and administer the Mortgage Loans in a
Mortgage Pool if so indicated in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
The Trustee................ The trustee (the "Trustee") for each Series of
Securities will be specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
The Securities............. Each Series of Certificates will be issued at the
direction of the related Transferor by a separate
trust fund (each, a "Trust"), created pursuant to
an agreement (each, a "Pooling and Servicing
Agreement") among the related Transferor, the
Servicer and the Trustee. Each Certificate will
represent an interest of the type described in the
related Prospectus Supplement in the assets of the
related Trust. The Certificates of any Series may
be issued in one or more classes (each, a "Class"),
as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
A Series of Certificates may include one or more
Classes of senior Certificates (collectively, the
"Senior Certificates") that receive certain
preferential treatment specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement with respect to one or more
Classes of subordinate Certificates (collectively,
the "Subordinated Certificates"). Holders of
Certificates are referred to herein as
"Certificateholders."
Each Series of Bonds will be non-recourse
obligations of either ACAC or a separate entity
(which may be organized as a trust, partnership,
limited liability company or corporation) formed by
ACAC solely for the purpose of issuing the Bonds of
the related Series (either such entity, as
applicable, the "Bond Issuer"). The Bond Issuer
will be identified and described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to a Series of Bonds and will
not have, nor be expected in the future to have,
any significant assets available for payments on
such Series of Bonds, other than the assets
included in the related Trust Estate.
Each Series of Bonds will be issued pursuant to an
indenture (each, an "Indenture") between the
related Bond Issuer and the related Trustee,
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<PAGE> 10
and the assets included in the trust estate (each,
a "Trust Estate") pledged to secure such Series
will be the sole source of payments on the Bonds.
The Bonds of any Series will be issuable in a
single class. Holders of Bonds are referred to
herein as "Bondholders" and, together with
Certificateholders, as "Securityholders."
The assets of each Trust or Trust Estate, as
applicable, will consist primarily of the Mortgage
Loans. Certain Series of Securities may be covered
by a Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy, a
Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy, a Special Hazard
Insurance Policy, a Bankruptcy Bond or other
insurance policies, cash accounts, letters of
credit, limited guaranty insurance policies, third
party guarantees or other forms of credit
enhancement, as described herein and in the related
Prospectus Supplement. See "Credit Enhancement"
herein.
Each Class of Certificates within a Series will
evidence the interests specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, which may (i) include the
right to receive distributions allocable only to
principal, only to interest or to any combination
thereof; (ii) include the right to receive
distributions only of prepayments of principal
throughout the lives of the Certificates or during
specified periods; (iii) be subordinated in the
right to receive distributions of scheduled
payments of principal, prepayments of principal,
interest or any combination thereof to one or more
other Classes of Certificates of such Series
throughout the lives of the Certificates or during
specified periods or may be subordinated with
respect to certain losses or delinquencies; (iv)
include the right to receive such distributions
only after the occurrence of events specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement; (v) include the
right to receive distributions in accordance with a
schedule or formula or on the basis of collections
from designated portions of the assets in the
related Trust; (vi) include, as to Certificates
entitled to distributions allocable to interest,
the right to receive interest at a fixed rate or an
adjustable rate; and (vii) include, as to
Certificates entitled to distributions allocable to
interest, the right to distributions allocable to
interest only after the occurrence of events
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement and,
in each case, may accrue interest until such events
occur, as specified in such Prospectus Supplement.
The timing and amount of such distributions may
vary among Classes as specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the Securities will be
issuable in fully registered form, in the minimum
denominations set forth in such Prospectus
Supplement. See "Description of the Securities"
herein.
The Mortgage Loans......... The primary assets of each Trust or Trust Estate,
as applicable, will consist of one or more pools
(each, a "Mortgage Pool") of first and junior lien
mortgage loans or deeds of trust (the "Mortgage
Loans"), including any note or other instrument of
indebtedness (each, a "Mortgage Note").
The Mortgage Pool for a given Series of Securities
will be transferred pursuant to the related Pooling
and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as
applicable. The Mortgage Loans will be secured by
one- to four-family residential properties,
including townhouses, condominiums and
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manufactured housing (which is permanently affixed
to and treated as real property under local law),
but excluding cooperatives and mobile homes. To the
extent provided in the related Prospectus
Supplement, additional Mortgage Loans may be
periodically added as assets of the related Trust
or Trust Estate, as applicable, or may be removed
from time to time if certain asset tests are met,
all as described in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
The Mortgage Loans will not be insured or
guaranteed by any governmental agency.
The Mortgage Loans to be included in any Mortgage
Pool will be described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. The Mortgage Loans will have interest
payable thereon at (i) fixed rates specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, (ii) adjustable
rates computed as specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement or (iii) graduated or other
variable rates described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, each Mortgage Loan
will require monthly payment of principal and
interest. Scheduled payments of principal on any
Mortgage Loan may be computed (i) on a level debt
service basis that will result in full amortization
over the stated term of such Mortgage Loan, (ii) in
the case of a Balloon Loan, on the basis of an
assumed amortization schedule that is significantly
longer than the original term of maturity of such
Mortgage Loan and will require payment of a
substantial amount of principal at the stated
maturity specified in the related Mortgage Note or
(iii) on such other basis as is specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
If so specified in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to a Series of Certificates, the Mortgage
Pool may be divided into two or more groups based
on certain characteristics of the related Mortgage
Loans (such as type or amount of Mortgage Rate,
remaining term to maturity or type of Mortgaged
Property) and amounts received, collected or
recovered in respect of any such group will be the
primary source from which distributions on certain
Classes of Certificates will be derived.
The property securing a Mortgage Loan (each, a
"Mortgaged Property") may be located in any one of
the fifty states or the District of Columbia.
Unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, all of the Mortgage Loans
will be covered by Standard Hazard Insurance
Policies insuring against certain losses due to
fire and other causes.
The Prospectus Supplement for each Series of
Securities will specify with respect to all
Mortgage Loans included in each related Mortgage
Pool, among other things, (i) the aggregate
outstanding principal balance and the average
outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loans
in such Mortgage Pool as of the date specified in
the Prospectus Supplement (the "Cut-off Date"),
(ii) the largest principal balance of any of the
Mortgage Loans, (iii) the types of Mortgaged
Properties securing the Mortgage Loans, (iv) the
original terms to maturity of the Mortgage Loans,
(v) the weighted average term to maturity of the
Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date and the range
of the terms to maturity, (vi) the ranges of the
Combined Loan-to-Value Ratios at origination, (vii)
the weighted average Mortgage Rate and ranges of
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Mortgage Rates borne by the Mortgage Loans and
(viii) the geographic distribution of the Mortgaged
Properties on a state-by-state basis.
Revolving Period and
Amortization Period;
Transferor Interest........ If the Prospectus Supplement relating to a Series
of Certificates so provides, there may be a period
commencing on the date of issuance of a Class or
Classes of such Certificates and ending on the date
set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement (the
"Revolving Period") during which no principal
payments will be made to one or more Classes of
Certificates of the related Series as are
identified in such Prospectus Supplement. All
collections of principal otherwise allocated to
such Class or Classes of Certificates may be (i)
utilized by the Trust during such period to acquire
additional Mortgage Loans that satisfy the criteria
described in the related Prospectus Supplement,
(ii) held in an account and invested in Eligible
Investments for later distribution to
Certificateholders, (iii) applied to those Class or
Classes of Certificates, if any, of the same or
different Series as specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement as then are in amortization
or (iv) otherwise applied as specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
An "Amortization Period" is the period, if any,
specified as such in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to a Series of Certificates during which
an amount of principal is payable to holders of one
or more Classes of such Series of Certificates. If
so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
during an Amortization Period all or a portion of
principal collections on the Mortgage Loans may be
applied as specified above for a Revolving Period
and, to the extent not so applied, will be
distributed to the Class or Classes of Certificates
of the same or different Series as specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement as then being
entitled to payments of principal. In addition, if
so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
amounts deposited in certain accounts for the
benefit of one or more Classes of Certificates may
be released from time to time or on a specified
date and applied as a payment of principal on such
Class or Classes of Certificates. The related
Prospectus Supplement will set forth the
circumstances that will result in the commencement
of an Amortization Period.
Each Trust that has a Revolving Period may also
issue to the related Transferor a certificate
evidencing an undivided beneficial interest (the
"Transferor Interest") in the Trust not represented
by the other Certificates issued by such Trust. As
further described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to a Series of Certificates, the value of
such Transferor Interest will fluctuate as the
amount of the assets of the Trust fluctuates and
the outstanding amount of the Certificates of the
related Series of Certificates is reduced.
Forward Commitments;
Prefunding Accounts and
Capitalized
Interest Accounts.......... If so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, the related Pooling and Servicing
Agreement or Indenture, as applicable, may contain
provisions pursuant to which the related Transferor
will agree to transfer additional Mortgage Loans
into the related Mortgage Pool for a specified
period of time (the "Funding Period") following the
date on which the related Securities are issued
(such provisions being referred to herein as a
"Forward Commitment"). Any Forward Commitment will
require that
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any Mortgage Loans so transferred conform to the
requirements specified in the related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable. If
a Forward Commitment is to be utilized, unless
otherwise specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, a deposit will be made to a segregated
account (each, a "Prefunding Account") in an amount
equal to all or a portion of the proceeds received
by the related Transferor in connection with the
sale of the Securities of the related Series (such
amount, the "Prefunding Amount"). Subsequently, the
additional Mortgage Loans will be conveyed by the
related Transferor to the related Trust in exchange
for cash from the related Prefunding Account in one
or more transfers. The related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable,
will require that, if any of the Prefunding Amount
is not applied to acquire additional Mortgage Loans
by the end of the Funding Period, then any amounts
remaining on deposit in the Prefunding Account will
be released from the Prefunding Account and
distributed or paid, as applicable, in reduction of
the principal balance of the related Securities as
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
If a Prefunding Account is established, a
segregated account (each, a "Capitalized Interest
Account") may also be established for the related
Series. On the closing date for such Series, all or
a portion of the proceeds received by the related
Transferor in connection with the sale of the
Securities of the related Series may be deposited
in the Capitalized Interest Account and used to
fund the excess, if any, of (x) the sum of (i) the
amount of interest accrued on the Securities of
such Series specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement and, (ii) if specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, certain fees or expenses
during the Funding Period such as Trustee fees and
credit enhancement fees, over (y) the amount of
interest available therefor from the Mortgage Loans
included in the original Mortgage Pool. If so
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
amounts on deposit in the Capitalized Interest
Account may be released to the related Transferor
prior to the end of the Funding Period subject to
the satisfaction of certain tests specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement. Any amounts on
deposit in the Capitalized Interest Account at the
end of the Funding Period that are not necessary
for such purposes will be distributed to the person
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
Credit Enhancement......... The Mortgage Loans included in a Trust or Trust
Estate, as applicable, the Securities of the
related Series or, in the case of Certificates, one
or more Classes of Certificates of the related
Series may have the benefit of one or more types of
credit enhancement, as described in the related
Prospectus Supplement. The protection against
losses afforded by any such credit support will be
limited. Such credit enhancement may include one or
more of the following types or another type of
credit enhancement as specified in the Prospectus
Supplement:
A. Subordinated
Certificates............ In the case of a Series of Certificates, the rights
of the holders of any Subordinated Certificates of
such Series to receive distributions with respect
to the related Trust will be subordinated to the
rights of the holders of the Senior Certificates of
the same Series to receive distributions to the
extent described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. This subordination is intended to
enhance the likelihood of regular receipt by
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holders of Senior Certificates of the full amount
of payments which such holders would be entitled to
receive if there had been no losses; however, there
can be no assurance that the Senior Certificates
will receive the full amount of payments to which
they are entitled as a result of such subordination
or the existence of the Reserve Accounts described
below. The protection afforded to the holders of
Senior Certificates through subordination may be
accomplished by the preferential right of such
Certificateholders to receive, prior to any
distribution being made in respect of the related
Subordinated Certificates, the amounts of principal
and interest due to them on each Distribution Date
out of the funds available for distribution on such
date in the related Certificate Account to the
extent described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. The protection afforded to the holders
of Senior Certificates through subordination also
may be accomplished by allocating certain types of
losses or delinquencies to the related Subordinated
Certificates to the extent described in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
If so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, a Subordinated Class of Certificates
may be senior to other Classes of Certificates with
respect to the right to receive certain types of
payments or with respect to allocation of certain
losses or delinquencies. If so specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, subordination may
apply only in the event of certain types of losses
not covered by other forms of credit enhancement,
such as hazard losses not covered by Standard
Hazard Insurance Policies or losses due to the
bankruptcy of the borrower under a Mortgage Loan
(the "Mortgagor") not covered by a Bankruptcy Bond.
The related Prospectus Supplement will set forth
information concerning the amount of subordination
of a Class or Classes of Subordinated Certificates
in a Series, the circumstances in which such
subordination will be applicable and the manner, if
any, in which the amount of subordination will
decrease over time.
B. Reserve Account......... If so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, one or more reserve or spread accounts
(each, a "Reserve Account") may be established and
maintained, in whole or in part, by the deposit
therein of distributions allocable to the holders
of the Securities of the related Series or, in the
case of Certificates, specified Classes of the
Certificates of the related Series for a specified
time or until a specified level is reached. The
related Prospectus Supplement will set forth
information concerning the manner of funding any
Reserve Account and the conditions under which
amounts in any such Reserve Account will be used to
make distributions or payments to holders of such
Securities or released to holders of Securities,
the Servicer, the related Transferor or another
entity, as applicable.
C. Financial Guaranty
Insurance Policy........ If so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, a financial guaranty insurance policy
or policies (each, a "Financial Guaranty Insurance
Policy") may be obtained and maintained for
Securities of the related Series or, in the case of
Certificates, specified Classes of the Certificates
of the related Series. A Financial Guaranty
Insurance Policy generally will unconditionally and
irrevocably guarantee that the full amount of
principal and interest distributable or payable, as
applicable, to Securityholders on any Distribution
Date or Payment Date, as applicable, as
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well as any other amounts specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement (the "Insured Amount"), will
be available for distribution or payment, as
applicable, to Securityholders on such date. The
terms of any such Financial Guaranty Insurance
Policy will be described in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
D. Mortgage Pool
Insurance Policy........ If so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, a mortgage pool insurance policy or
policies (each, a "Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy")
may be obtained and maintained for all or certain
of the Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Pool,
limited in scope, covering losses on the related
Mortgage Loans up to a maximum amount. The terms of
any such Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy will be
described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
E. Special Hazard
Insurance Policy........ If so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, certain physical risks with respect to
the related Mortgaged Properties that would not
otherwise be insured against by Standard Hazard
Insurance Policies may be covered by a special
hazard insurance policy or policies (each, a
"Special Hazard Insurance Policy"). Each Special
Hazard Insurance Policy will be limited in scope
and will cover losses up to a maximum amount. The
terms of any such Special Hazard Insurance Policy
will be described in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
F. Bankruptcy Bond......... If so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, a mortgagor bankruptcy bond or bonds
(each, a "Bankruptcy Bond") may be obtained to
cover certain losses resulting from a reduction by
a bankruptcy court of scheduled payments of
principal or interest on a Mortgage Loan or a
reduction by such court of the principal amount of
a Mortgage Loan. The level of coverage and other
terms of each Bankruptcy Bond will be specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement.
G. Cross Support........... If so specified in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to a Series of Certificates, the interests
of separate Trusts or separate groups of assets in
a single Trust may be evidenced by separate Classes
of the related Series of Certificates. In such
case, credit support may be provided by a
cross-support feature which requires that
distributions be made with respect to certain
Certificates evidencing interests in one or more
Trusts or asset groups prior to distributions to
other Certificates evidencing interests in other
Trusts or asset groups. If specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the coverage provided by one
or more other forms of credit support, such as
Reserve Accounts or Financial Guaranty Insurance
Policies, may apply concurrently to two or more
separate Trusts, without priority among such
Trusts, until the credit support is exhausted. If
applicable, the Prospectus Supplement will identify
the Trusts or asset groups to which such credit
support relates and the manner of determining the
amount of the coverage provided thereby and of the
application of such coverage to the identified
Trusts or asset groups.
H. Other Credit
Enhancement............. Other credit enhancement arrangements, including,
but not limited to, letters of credit or third
party guarantees, may be used to provide coverage
for certain risks of losses on the Mortgage Loans
in a given Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable.
These arrangements may be in
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addition to or in lieu of any forms of credit
support described in this Prospectus. The related
Prospectus Supplement will describe any such
arrangements, including information as to the
extent of coverage and any conditions thereto or
limitations thereon. Any such arrangement must be
acceptable to each nationally recognized
statistical rating agency that is engaged by the
related Transferor to provide a rating for any
Securities of the related Series (each, a "Rating
Agency").
Advances................... Unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the Servicer and, if
applicable, each Sub-Servicer, will be obligated
each month (or at such other intervals specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement) to advance
amounts corresponding to all or a portion of
delinquent interest payments on such Mortgage Loan
until the date on which the related Mortgaged
Property is sold at a foreclosure sale or the
related Mortgage Loan is otherwise liquidated or
charged off. See "The Pooling and Servicing
Agreement -- Monthly Advances and Compensating
Interest" herein.
Compensating Interest...... Unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, with respect to each
Mortgage Loan as to which a prepayment is received,
that becomes a Liquidated Mortgage Loan or is
otherwise charged-off during the Collection Period
related to a Distribution Date or Payment Date, as
applicable, the Servicer will be required with
respect to such date to remit to the Trustee, from
amounts otherwise payable to the Servicer as
servicing compensation, an amount generally
representing the excess of 30 days of interest on
the principal balance of such Mortgage Loan prior
to such prepayment, liquidation or charge-off over
the amount of interest actually received on the
related Mortgage Loan during the applicable
Collection Period. See "The Pooling and Servicing
Agreement -- Monthly Advances and Compensating
Interest" herein.
Optional Termination with
Respect to Certificates.... The related Transferor, the Servicer or certain
other entities specified in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to a Series of Certificates may
have the option to effect early retirement of such
Series of Certificates by acquiring the Mortgage
Loans in the Trust, subject to the aggregate
principal balance of the related Mortgage Loans
being less than the percentage specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement of the aggregate
principal balance of the Mortgage Loans at the
Cut-off Date for the related Series. Typically, the
related Transferor, the Servicer or such other
entity will cause the retirement of a Series of
Certificates when servicing of the then remaining
amount of Mortgage Loans becomes inefficient. See
"The Pooling and Servicing
Agreement -- Termination; Optional Termination"
herein.
Redemption of Bonds........ To the extent provided in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to a Series of Bonds, the Bonds of any
Series may be (i) redeemed at the request of
holders of such Bonds; (ii) redeemed at the option
of the related Bond Issuer or another party
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement; or
(iii) subject to special redemption under certain
circumstances. The circumstances and terms under
which the Bonds of a given Series may be redeemed
will be described in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
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Certain Federal Income
Tax Consequences........... Investors are advised to consult their tax advisors
and to review "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences" herein and in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
I. Certificates
A. REMIC................ If an election is to be made to treat the Trust for
a Series of Certificates as a REMIC for federal
income tax purposes, the related Prospectus
Supplement will specify which Class or Classes
thereof will be designated as regular interests in
the REMIC ("Regular Certificates") and which Class
of Certificates will be designated as the residual
interest in the REMIC ("Residual Certificates"). To
the extent provided herein and in the related
Prospectus Supplement, Certificates representing an
interest in the REMIC will be considered "real
estate assets" for purposes of Section 856(c)(4)(A)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), and assets described in Section
7701(a)(19)(C)(v) of the Code.
For federal income tax purposes, Regular
Certificates generally will be treated as debt
obligations of the Trust with payment terms
equivalent to the terms of such Certificates.
Holders of Regular Certificates will be required to
report income with respect to such Certificates
under an accrual method, regardless of their normal
tax accounting method. Original issue discount, if
any, on Regular Certificates will be includable in
the income of the Certificateholders thereof as it
accrues, in advance of receipt of the cash
attributable thereto, which rate of accrual will be
determined based on a reasonable assumed prepayment
rate. The Residual Certificates generally will not
be treated as evidences of indebtedness for federal
income tax purposes, but instead, as representing
rights to the taxable income or net loss of the
REMIC.
B. Grantor Trust........... If so specified in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to a Series of Certificates, the Trust for
a Series of Certificates will be classified as a
grantor trust for federal income tax purposes and
not as an association taxable as a corporation.
Holders of Certificates of such Series will be
treated for such purposes, subject to the possible
application of the stripped bond rules, as owners
of undivided interests in the related Mortgage
Loans and generally will be required to report as
income their pro rata share of the entire gross
income (including amounts paid as reasonable
servicing compensation) from the Mortgage Loans and
will be entitled, subject to certain limitations,
to deduct their pro rata share of expenses of the
Trust.
To the extent provided herein and in the related
Prospectus Supplement, Certificates of such Series
will represent "real estate assets" for purposes of
Section 856(c)(4)(A) of the Code and
"loans . . . secured by an interest in real
property" within the meaning of Section
7701(a)(19)(C)(v) of the Code.
C. Certificates
Treated as Debt......... If so specified in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to a Series of Certificates, a Trust may
issue Certificates that will be characterized as
indebtedness for federal income tax purposes of the
related Transferor secured by the related Mortgage
Loans. Each investor in an interest in the
Certificates of the related Series, by acceptance
of its interest therein,
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will agree to treat such Certificates as debt for
federal, state and local income and franchise tax
purposes.
II. Bonds.................. For federal income tax purposes, Bonds generally
will be treated as debt obligations of the related
Bond Issuer. Holders of Bonds will not be required
to report income with respect to such Bonds under
an accrual method, unless the Bondholders otherwise
use the accrual method. Bonds will not represent
"real estate assets" for purposes of Section
856(c)(4)(A) of the Code and "loans . . . secured
by an interest in real property" within the meaning
of Section 7701(a)(19)(C)(v) of the Code.
ERISA Considerations....... Fiduciaries of employee benefit plans subject to
Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), should consider
the ERISA fiduciary standards before authorizing an
investment by a plan in a Series of Securities. In
addition, fiduciaries of employee benefit plans
subject to Title I of ERISA, as well as certain
plans not subject to ERISA but which are subject to
Section 4975 of the Code, such as individual
retirement accounts and Keogh plans covering only a
sole proprietor or partners (collectively,
"Plan(s)"), should consult with their legal counsel
to determine whether an investment in a Series of
Securities will cause the Mortgage Loans included
in the related Mortgage Pool to be considered plan
assets pursuant to the plan asset regulations set
forth in 29 C.F.R. Section 2510.3-101 (the "Plan
Asset Regulations"), thereby subjecting the Plan to
the prohibited transaction rules with respect to
the Mortgage Loans and the Trustee or the Servicer
to the fiduciary investment standards of ERISA and
the excise tax provisions of Section 4975 of the
Code, and to determine whether a prohibited
transaction exemption granted by the Department of
Labor is applicable to the purchase, sale, transfer
or holding of a Series of Securities. See "ERISA
Considerations" herein.
Rating..................... At the date of issuance, the Securities offered
pursuant to the related Prospectus Supplement will
be rated in one of the four highest rating
categories by one or more Rating Agencies. See
"Rating" herein.
Legal Investment........... Unless otherwise indicated in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the Securities of any Series
will not constitute "mortgage related securities"
for purposes of the Secondary Mortgage Market
Enhancement Act of 1984 ("SMMEA") and, if so, will
not be legal investments for certain types of
institutional investors under SMMEA. Institutions
whose investment activities are subject to legal
investment laws and regulations or to review by
certain regulatory authorities may be subject to
additional restrictions on investment in Securities
of the related Series. Any such institution should
consult its own legal advisors in determining
whether and the extent to which a Series of
Securities constitutes legal investments for such
investors. See "Legal Investment Considerations"
herein.
Registration of
Securities................. Unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the Securities will be
issued as physical securities ("Definitive
Securities") in fully registered form in the
denominations specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement. The Securities may be represented,
however, by a single certificate or bond, as
applicable, registered in the name of Cede & Co.
("Cede"), as nominee of The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC"), or another nominee if so specified
in the related Prospectus
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Supplement. In such case, the beneficial owners
thereof will not be entitled to receive Definitive
Securities representing their respective interests,
except in certain circumstances described in the
related Prospectus Supplement. See "Description of
the Securities -- Form of Securities -- Book-Entry
Registration" herein.
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RISK FACTORS
LIMITED LIQUIDITY
Prior to issuance, there will have been no market for the Securities of any
Series. There can be no assurance that a secondary market for the Securities
will develop or, if a secondary market does develop, that it will provide
Securityholders with liquidity of investment or that it will continue for the
lives of the Securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the related Prospectus
Supplement, the Securities will not constitute "mortgage related securities"
under SMMEA, and certain investors may be subject to legal restrictions that
preclude their purchase of any such non-SMMEA Certificates. In addition, with
respect to a given Series of Certificates, certain Classes of Certificates may
be restricted as to transferability to certain entities if so specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement. Any restrictions on the purchase or
transferability of the Securities of a given Series may have a negative effect
on the development of a secondary market in such Securities.
LIMITED ASSETS; LIMITED OBLIGATIONS
Proceeds of the assets of any Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable,
including the Mortgage Loans, any Reserve Account and any Financial Guaranty
Insurance Policy or other form of credit enhancement, will be the sole source of
funds for the required distributions or payments, as applicable, on the
Securities of the related Series and there will be no recourse to the related
Transferor or any other entity in the event that such proceeds are insufficient
or otherwise unavailable to make any such required distributions or payments, as
applicable, on such Securities. The Certificates of any Series will represent
beneficial interests in the related Trust only. The Bonds of any Series will be
non-recourse obligations of the related Bond Issuer, and the assets of the
related Trust Estate will be the sole source of payments on the Bonds. The
Securities will not represent an interest in or obligation of the Servicer, any
Originator, the Trustee, any Sub-Servicer or any other person. Neither the
Securities nor the Mortgage Loans will be insured or guaranteed by any
governmental agency or instrumentality. Except as otherwise specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, neither the Securities nor the underlying
Mortgage Loans will be guaranteed or insured by the related Transferor, the
Servicer, the related Originators, the Trustee, any Sub-Servicer or any of their
respective affiliates. The only obligations of the foregoing entities with
respect to the Securities or the Mortgage Loans will be the obligations (if any)
of the related Transferor pursuant to certain limited representations and
warranties made with respect to the Mortgage Loans, and the servicing
obligations of the Servicer and any Sub-Servicer under the related Agreement
(including their respective limited obligations to make certain advances in the
event of delinquencies on the Mortgage Loans, but only to the extent deemed
recoverable). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and as specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, certain types of credit enhancement, such as a Financial
Guaranty Insurance Policy or a letter of credit, may constitute a full recourse
obligation of the provider of such credit enhancement.
NATURE OF THE SECURITY FOR MORTGAGE LOANS
Risks Associated with Any Decline in Value of Mortgaged Properties. An
overall decline in the market value of residential real estate, the general
condition of a Mortgaged Property or other factors, including acts of nature
such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes or earthquakes, could adversely affect the
values of the Mortgaged Properties such that the outstanding balances of the
Mortgage Loans, together with any other liens on the Mortgaged Properties, equal
or exceed the value of the Mortgaged Properties. Such a decline could, in
certain circumstances, result in the interest in the Mortgaged Property held by
the related Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, being extinguished. In
addition, certain areas of the country may from time to time experience
significant declines in real estate values. The related Transferor will not be
able to quantify the impact of any such declines in the value of any Mortgaged
Properties or predict whether, to what extent or how long such declines may
continue. Because certain Mortgage Loans may have been underwritten pursuant to
standards that rely primarily on the value of the related Mortgaged Properties
rather than the creditworthiness of the borrowers under such Mortgage Loans
(each, a "Mortgagor"), the actual rates of delinquencies, foreclosures and
losses on such Mortgage Loans, particularly in periods during which the value of
the related
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Mortgaged Properties has declined, could be higher than those historically
experienced by the mortgage lending industry in general.
Risks Associated with Junior Liens. Certain of the Mortgage Loans will be
home equity loans secured by junior liens (each, a "Junior Loan") subordinate to
the rights of the mortgagees under the related senior mortgages (each, a "Senior
Lien"). As a result, the proceeds from any liquidation, insurance or
condemnation proceedings will be available to satisfy the principal balance of a
Junior Loan only to the extent that the claims, if any, of each such Senior Lien
are satisfied in full, including any related foreclosure costs. In addition, a
junior mortgagee may not foreclose on the Mortgaged Property securing the
related Junior Loan unless it forecloses subject to the related Senior Lien, in
which case it must either pay the entire amount of each Senior Lien to the
applicable mortgagee at or prior to the foreclosure sale or undertake the
obligation to make payments on each Senior Lien in the event of a default
thereunder. Generally, a servicer will satisfy each such Senior Lien at or prior
to the foreclosure sale only to the extent it determines that any amounts so
paid will be recoverable from future payments and collections on the Junior Loan
or otherwise. No Trust or Trust Estate will have any source of funds to satisfy
any such Senior Lien or make payments due under any Senior Lien. See "Certain
Legal Aspects of the Mortgage Loans and Related Matters
-- Foreclosure/Repossession" herein.
Risks Associated with Balloon Loans. Certain of the Mortgage Loans may
constitute "Balloon Loans." Balloon Loans are loans originated with a term to
stated maturity that is shorter than the period on which the corresponding
amortization schedule is based. As a result, upon the maturity of a Balloon
Loan, the Mortgagor will be required to make a "balloon payment" which will be
significantly larger than the previous monthly payments due on such Balloon
Loan. The ability of such Mortgagor to repay a Balloon Loan at maturity
frequently will depend on such Mortgagor's ability to refinance the Mortgage
Loan. The ability of a Mortgagor to refinance such a Mortgage Loan will be
affected by a number of factors, including the prevailing level of mortgage
rates at the time, the value of the related Mortgaged Property, the Mortgagor's
equity in the related Mortgaged Property, the financial condition of the
Mortgagor, the tax laws and general economic conditions at the time.
Although a low interest rate environment may facilitate the refinancing of
a Balloon Loan, the receipt and reinvestment by Securityholders of the proceeds
in such an environment may produce a lower return than that previously received
in respect of the related Mortgage Loan. Conversely, a high interest rate
environment may make it more difficult for the Mortgagor to accomplish a
refinancing and may result in delinquencies or defaults. None of the related
Transferor, the Servicer, the Originators, the Trustee or any other entity will
be obligated to provide funds to refinance any Balloon Loan.
Risks Associated with Bankruptcy of the Mortgagor. General economic
conditions and other factors (which may not affect real property values) have an
impact on the ability of Mortgagors to repay Mortgage Loans. Loss of earnings,
illness, divorce and other similar factors may lead to an increase in
delinquencies, defaults and bankruptcy filings by Mortgagors. In the event of
personal bankruptcy of a Mortgagor, a bankruptcy court may suspend or reduce the
payments of principal and interest to be paid with respect to the related
Mortgage Loan or permanently reduce the principal balance of such Mortgage Loan,
thus either delaying or permanently limiting the amount ultimately received by
the related Trust or Trust Estate in respect of such Mortgage Loan. Moreover, if
a bankruptcy court were to prevent the Trustee for the related Trust or Trust
Estate, as applicable, or the related Servicer from causing a transfer of the
related Mortgaged Property in connection with a foreclosure or similar
proceeding, any remaining balance on the related Mortgage Loan may not be
recoverable and the related Trust or Trust Estate may experience a loss to the
extent of any such remaining balance.
Risks Associated with Defaulted Mortgage Loans. Even assuming that the
Mortgaged Properties provide adequate security for the Mortgage Loans,
substantial delays could be encountered in connection with the liquidation of
defaulted Mortgage Loans and corresponding delays in the distribution or payment
of related proceeds to the related Securityholders could occur. An action to
foreclose on a Mortgaged Property securing a Mortgage Loan is regulated by state
statutes and rules and is subject to many of the same delays and expenses as
other lawsuits if defenses or counterclaims are interposed, sometimes requiring
several years to
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complete. Furthermore, in some states an action to obtain a deficiency judgment
is not permitted following a nonjudicial sale of a Mortgaged Property. In the
event of a default by a Mortgagor, these restrictions, among other things, may
impede the ability of the Servicer or any Sub-Servicer to foreclose on or sell
the Mortgaged Property or to obtain Liquidation Proceeds (net of expenses)
sufficient to repay all amounts due on the related Mortgage Loan. The Servicer
or any Sub-Servicer will be entitled to deduct from Liquidation Proceeds all
expenses reasonably incurred in attempting to recover amounts due on the related
Liquidated Mortgage Loan and not yet repaid, including unreimbursed Monthly
Advances and Servicing Advances, payments to prior lienholders, legal fees and
costs of legal action, real estate taxes, and maintenance and preservation
expenses. In the event that any of the Mortgaged Properties fail to provide
adequate security for the related Mortgage Loans, and the credit enhancement for
the related Series is not available to cover resulting shortfalls,
Securityholders could experience a loss on their investment.
Liquidation expenses with respect to defaulted Mortgage Loans do not vary
directly with the outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loans at the
time of default. Therefore, assuming that the Servicer or any Sub-Servicer took
the same steps in realizing upon a defaulted Mortgage Loan having a small
remaining principal balance as it would in the case of a defaulted Mortgage Loan
having a larger principal balance, the amount realized after expenses of
liquidation would be smaller as a percentage of the outstanding principal
balance of the smaller Mortgage Loan than would be the case with a larger
Mortgage Loan. Because the average outstanding principal balances of Mortgage
Loans that are Junior Loans generally are smaller relative to the average
outstanding principal balances of Mortgage Loans that are first mortgage loans,
realizations net of liquidation expenses on defaulted Mortgage Loans that are
Junior Loans may also be smaller as a percentage of the principal amount of such
Mortgage Loans than would be the case if such mortgage loans were secured by
first mortgages.
Risks Associated with Acquiring Additional Mortgage Loans. If a Pooling and
Servicing Agreement or Indenture provides for a Prefunding Account and the
principal balance of additional Mortgage Loans delivered by the related
Transferor during the related Funding Period is less than the Prefunding Amount,
the holders of the Securities of the related Series may receive a prepayment of
principal as and to the extent described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
In addition, if so specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a Series
of Certificates, an Amortization Period may result from the failure of the
related Transferor to assign additional Mortgage Loans to the related Trust
during the Revolving Period, thereby resulting in a prepayment of the related
Certificates. Any such principal prepayment may adversely affect the yield to
maturity of the related Securities. Because prevailing interest rates are
subject to fluctuation, there can be no assurance that investors will be able to
reinvest such a prepayment at yields equaling or exceeding the yields on the
related Securities. It is possible that the yield on any such reinvestment will
be lower, and may be significantly lower, than the yield on the related
Securities.
Each additional Mortgage Loan must satisfy the eligibility criteria
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement and related Pooling and Servicing
Agreement or Indenture, as applicable. Such eligibility criteria will be
determined in consultation with each Rating Agency (and/or any credit
enhancement provider for the related Series) prior to the issuance of such
Series and are designed to ensure that if such additional Mortgage Loans were
included as part of the initial Mortgage Loans, the credit quality thereof would
be consistent with the initial rating of the Securities of such Series. At the
time additional Mortgage Loans are transferred for inclusion in the related
Mortgage Pool, the related Transferor will certify that all conditions precedent
to the transfer of such additional Mortgage Loans, including the satisfaction of
specific eligibility criteria, have been satisfied. It is a condition to the
transfer of any additional Mortgage Loans by the related Transferor for
inclusion in the related Mortgage Pool that each Rating Agency, after receiving
prior notice of any such proposed transfer, shall not have advised the related
Transferor or the Trustee or any credit enhancement provider for the related
Series that the conveyance of such additional Mortgage Loans will result in a
qualification, modification or withdrawal of its then current rating of the
Securities of such Series. Following the transfer of additional Mortgage Loans
for inclusion in the related Mortgage Pool, the aggregate characteristics of the
Mortgage Loans then held in the related Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable,
may vary from those included in the original Mortgage Pool. As a result, the
additional Mortgage Loans may adversely
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affect the performance of the related Securities. See "The Trusts and Trust
Estates -- Forward Commitments; Prefunding Accounts; Capitalized Interest
Accounts" herein.
The ability of any Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, to invest in
additional Mortgage Loans during the related Funding Period and, in the case of
a Series of Certificates, any Revolving Period, will be dependent upon the
ability of the related Transferor to acquire Mortgage Loans that satisfy the
prerequisites to transfer for inclusion in the related Mortgage Pool specified
in the related Prospectus Supplement. The ability of the related Transferor to
acquire such Mortgage Loans will be affected by a variety of social and economic
factors, including the prevailing level of market interest rates, unemployment
levels and consumer perceptions of general economic conditions.
Risks Associated with Non-Owner Occupied Properties. Certain of the
Mortgaged Properties relating to Mortgage Loans may not be owner occupied. It is
possible that the rates of delinquencies, foreclosures and losses on Mortgage
Loans secured by non-owner occupied properties could be higher than such rates
on Mortgage Loans secured by the primary residence of the borrower.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PREPAYMENT OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS
All of the Mortgage Loans may be prepaid in full or in part at any time,
generally upon the payment to the Servicer of a prepayment charge. The rate of
prepayments of the Mortgage Loans cannot be predicted and may be affected by a
wide variety of economic, social and other factors, including state and federal
income tax policies, interest rates, the availability of alternative financing
and homeowner mobility. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the level of
prepayments that the Trust or the Trust Estate will experience. A number of
factors suggest that the prepayment behavior of the Mortgage Pool may be
significantly different from that of a pool of conventional first lien
residential mortgage loans with equivalent interest rates and maturities. One
such factor is that the principal balance of the average Mortgage Loan is
smaller than that of the average conventional first lien mortgage loan. A
smaller principal balance may be easier for a borrower to prepay than a larger
balance and, therefore, a higher prepayment rate may result for the Mortgage
Pool than for a pool of conventional first lien mortgage loans, irrespective of
the relative average interest rates and the general interest rate environment.
In addition, in order to refinance a first lien mortgage loan, the borrower must
generally repay any junior mortgage loans. However, a small principal balance
may make refinancing a Mortgage Loan at a lower interest rate less attractive to
the borrower as the perceived impact to the borrower of lower interest rates on
the size of the monthly payment may not be significant. Other factors that might
be expected to affect the prepayment rate of the Mortgage Pool include general
economic conditions, possible future changes affecting the deductibility for
federal income tax purposes of interest payments on mortgage loans, the amounts
of and interest rates on the underlying senior mortgage loans and the tendency
of borrowers to use first lien mortgage loans as long-term financing for home
purchase and junior mortgage loans as shorter-term financing for a variety of
purposes, including home improvement, education expenses, debt consolidation and
purchases of consumer durables such as automobiles. Accordingly, the Mortgage
Loans may experience higher rates of prepayment than traditional first lien
mortgage loans. See "Maturity, Prepayment and Yield Considerations".
Prepayments may result from voluntary early payments by borrowers
(including payments in connection with refinancing of any related senior
mortgage loans), sales of Mortgaged Properties subject to "due-on-sale" clauses
as to which the Servicer exercises its rights thereunder and liquidations due to
default, as well as the receipt of proceeds from hazard, credit life and
disability insurance policies. In addition, repurchases or purchases of Mortgage
Loans in a Mortgage Loan Group required or permitted to be made by the Sponsor,
the Servicer and, under certain limited circumstances, as applicable, the
Certificate Insurer under the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or
Servicing Agreement will have the same effect on Securityholders as a prepayment
of the related Mortgage Loans. Prepayments and such repurchases and purchases
will accelerate the receipt of distributions of monthly principal on the
Certificates or the Bonds, as applicable. See "The Pooling and Servicing
Agreement -- Assignment of Mortgage Loans" and "-- Termination; Optional
Termination" and "Certain Legal Aspects of the Mortgage Loans and Related
Matters -- Enforceability of Due-on-Sale Clauses" herein. The Servicer's
practice of soliciting refinancings from existing borrowers under loans
originated by Affiliated Originators may have the effect of increasing the rate
of prepayment, due to
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refinancings, on the Mortgage Loans. See "Origination and Servicing of the
Mortgage Loans -- Servicing of the Mortgage Loans" herein.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATUTES AFFECTING SECURITY INTERESTS
A substantial portion of the Mortgage Loans are secured by Mortgaged
Properties located in states that may impose a statutory lien for associated
costs on property that is the subject of a clean-up action by the state on
account of hazardous wastes or hazardous substances released or disposed of on
the property. Such a lien generally will have priority over all subsequent liens
on the property, although in some states, including California, it will not have
priority over prior recorded liens, including the lien of a mortgage. In
addition, under federal environmental statutes and under the laws of many
states, including California, a secured party that takes a deed in lieu of
foreclosure, acquires a mortgaged property at a foreclosure sale or, prior to
foreclosure, has been involved in decisions or actions that may lead to
contamination of a property, may be liable for the costs of cleaning up a
contaminated site. These costs, which could be substantial, could be a liability
of the Trust or the Trust Estate, as applicable, and any such liability may
ultimately be borne by the Securityholders of the related Series of Securities.
This potential exposure will be minimized to some extent because under the terms
of the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement, Indenture or Servicing
Agreement, as applicable, the related Trustee and Servicer will not be
authorized to take any action that may be deemed participation in the management
of a contaminated Mortgaged Property. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Mortgage
Loans and Related Matters -- Environmental Considerations" herein. Any such
liens or costs imposed in connection with a clean-up action by the state may
impede the ability of the Servicer to foreclose on or sell the related Mortgaged
Property or to obtain Net Liquidation Proceeds sufficient to repay all amounts
due on the related Mortgage Loan. Any resulting losses will be covered by funds
made available through operation of the overcollateralization or
cross-collateralization features described herein.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CERTAIN ORIGINATION FEES
Fees earned on the origination of loans, placement of related insurance and
other services provided by the Sponsor and Affiliated Originators are often paid
by the borrower out of related loan proceeds. From time to time, in the ordinary
course of their businesses, originators of home equity loans have been named in
legal actions brought by mortgagors challenging the amount or method of imposing
or disclosing such fees. To date, no such action has been decided against the
Sponsor or any Affiliated Originator. If such an action against any Originator
with respect to any Mortgage Loan were successful, a court might require that
the principal balances of the related Mortgage Loans be reduced by the amount of
contested fees or charges. Any such reductions could result in substantial
Realized Losses during one or more Collection Periods, potentially requiring
accelerated distributions in reduction of the Principal Balances of Bonds or
Certificates.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
State and Federal Regulations. Applicable state laws generally regulate
interest rates and other charges, require certain disclosures and require
licensing of the Originators, the Servicer and any Sub-Servicer. In addition,
most states have other laws, public policies and general principles of equity
relating to the protection of consumers, unfair and deceptive practices and
practices which may apply to the origination, servicing and collection of the
Mortgage Loans. In California, for example, a mortgage lender is subject to the
California Fair Debt Collection Practices Act which regulates practices used to
effect collection on consumer loans. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Mortgage
Loans and Related Matters" herein.
The Mortgage Loans may also be subject to federal laws, including: (i) the
Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z promulgated thereunder, which require
certain disclosures to the borrowers regarding the terms of the Mortgage Loans;
(ii) the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B promulgated thereunder,
which prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion,
marital status, national origin, receipt of public assistance or the exercise of
any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act, in the extension of credit;
(iii) the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Regulation X promulgated
thereunder, which require certain disclosures to borrowers regarding the
settlement and servicing of the Mortgage Loans; (iv) the Fair Credit Reporting
Act, which regulates the use and reporting of information
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related to the borrower's credit experience; and (v) the Federal Trade
Commission Preservation of Consumer's Claims and Defenses Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part
433, regarding the preservation of a consumer's rights.
The federal Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, as amended
(the "Relief Act"), may affect the ability of the Servicer to collect full
amounts of interest on certain Mortgage Loans and could interfere with the
ability of the Servicer to foreclose on certain properties. See "Certain Legal
Aspects of the Mortgage Loans and Related Matters -- Soldiers' and Sailors'
Civil Relief Act" herein.
It is possible that some of the Mortgage Loans will be subject to the
Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (the "Riegle
Act") which incorporates the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994.
The Riegle Act amended the Truth in Lending Act, which in turn led to certain
additional provisions being added to Regulation Z, the implementing regulation
of the Truth in Lending Act. These provisions impose additional disclosure and
other requirements on creditors with respect to non-purchase money mortgage
loans with high interest rates or high up-front fees and charges. In general,
mortgage loans within the purview of the Riegle Act have annual percentage rates
over 10% greater than the yield on Treasury Securities of comparable maturity
and/or fees and points which exceed the greater of 8% of the total loan amount
or $400. The provisions of the Riegle Act apply on a mandatory basis to all
mortgage loans originated on or after October 1, 1995. The provisions can impose
specific statutory liabilities upon creditors who fail to comply with their
provisions and may affect the enforceability of the related loans. In addition,
any assignee of the creditor would generally be subject to all claims and
defenses that the consumer could assert against the creditor, including, without
limitation, the right to rescind the mortgage loan.
Depending on the provisions of the applicable law and the specific facts
and circumstances involved, violations of these laws, policies and principles
may limit the ability of the Servicer, or any Sub-Servicer, to collect all or
part of the principal of or interest on the Mortgage Loans, may entitle the
borrower to a refund of amounts previously paid and, in addition, could subject
the Servicer, or any Sub-Servicer, to damages and administrative sanctions. If
the Servicer, or any Sub-Servicer, is unable to collect all or part of the
principal or interest on any Mortgage Loans because of a violation of the
aforementioned laws, public policies or general principles of equity,
distributions or payments to Securityholders of realized proceeds of the assets
in the related Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, may be delayed, or such
proceeds may not be sufficient to repay all amounts owed to Securityholders.
Furthermore, depending upon whether damages and sanctions are assessed against
the Servicer or an Originator, such violations may have a material impact upon
the financial ability of the Servicer to continue to act in such capacity or the
ability of a Transferor to withdraw or replace Mortgage Loans if such violation
breaches a representation or warranty contained in the related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable.
YIELD, MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The yield to maturity of the Securities of any Series will be affected by
the amount and timing of principal payments on the related Mortgage Loans, the
manner of allocation of available funds and/or losses to such Securities, the
interest rates or amounts of interest payable on such Securities and the
purchase price paid for such Securities. In the case of a Series of Certificates
issued in Classes, the interaction of the foregoing factors may have different
effects on, and create different risks for, such Classes, and the effects and/or
risks for any one Class may vary over the life of such Class. The related
Prospectus Supplement may include additional prepayment considerations with
respect to the Securities of the related Series. Investors should carefully
consider the different consequences of such risks as may be described in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Mortgage Loans may be prepaid in full or in part at any time; however, a
prepayment penalty or premium may still be imposed in connection therewith. The
rate of prepayments of the Mortgage Loans cannot be predicted and may be
affected by a wide variety of economic, social and other factors, including
prevailing interest rates, the availability of alternative financing and
homeowner mobility. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the level of
prepayments that may be experienced on Mortgage Loans included in any Mortgage
Pool.
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Although published statistical data regarding the effects of interest rates
on prepayment rates for Mortgage Loans of the type typically made or acquired by
the Originators is limited, a number of factors suggest that the prepayment
behavior of a pool including Mortgage Loans may be significantly different from
that of a pool composed entirely of conforming, non-conforming, "jumbo" or
government-insured (i.e., "traditional") first mortgage loans with equivalent
interest rates and maturities. One such factor is the smaller average principal
balance of Mortgage Loans that may result in a higher prepayment rate than that
of a traditional first mortgage loan with a larger average balance, regardless
of the interest rate environment. A small principal balance, however, also may
make refinancing Mortgage Loans at a lower interest rate less attractive to the
borrower relative to refinancing a larger balance first mortgage loan, as the
perceived impact to the borrower of lower interest rates on the amount of the
monthly payment for a Mortgage Loan may be less than for a traditional first
mortgage loan with a larger balance. Other factors that might be expected to
affect the prepayment rate of a pool of Mortgage Loans include the amounts of,
and interest rates on, the underlying Senior Liens, if any, and the use of first
mortgage loans as long-term financing for home purchase and home equity loans as
shorter-term financing for a variety of purposes, including home improvement,
education expenses and purchases of consumer durables such as automobiles.
Accordingly, Mortgage Loans may experience a higher rate of prepayments than
traditional first mortgage loans. In addition, any future limitations on the
deductibility of interest payments on the Mortgage Loans for federal income tax
purposes may further increase the rate of prepayments on the Mortgage Loans.
In addition, certain of the Mortgage Loans comprising the Mortgage Pool may
have adjustable Mortgage Interest Rates ("ARM Loans"). As is the case with
conventional fixed-rate mortgage loans, ARM Loans may be subject to a greater
rate of principal prepayments in a declining interest rate environment. For
example, if prevailing interest rates fall appreciably, ARM Loans could be
subject to higher prepayment rates than if prevailing interest rates remain
constant because the availability of fixed-rate mortgage loans at competitive
interest rates may encourage mortgagors to refinance their ARM Loans to "lock
in" a lower fixed interest rate. Conversely, if prevailing interest rates rise
appreciably, ARM Loans may prepay at lower rates than if prevailing interest
rates remain at or below those in effect at the time such ARM Loans were
originated. There can be no certainty as to the rate of prepayments on the ARM
Loans in stable or changing interest rate environments. See "Maturity,
Prepayment and Yield Considerations" herein.
Prepayments may result from voluntary early payments by borrowers
(including payments in connection with refinancings of any related Senior
Liens), sales of Mortgaged Properties subject to due-on-sale provisions and
liquidations due to default, as well as the receipt of proceeds from physical
damage, credit life and disability insurance policies. In addition, withdrawals
or reacquisitions of Mortgage Loans from a Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable,
required to be made under the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or
Indenture will have the same effect on the Securityholders as a prepayment of
such Mortgage Loans. Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, all of the Mortgage Loans contain due-on-sale provisions, and the
Servicer will be required to enforce such provisions unless (i) such enforcement
would materially increase the risk of default or delinquency on, or materially
decrease the security for, such Mortgage Loan or (ii) such enforcement is not
permitted by applicable law, in which case the Servicer is authorized to permit
the purchaser of the related Mortgaged Property to assume the Mortgage Loan.
Additionally, should any Originator solicit refinancings from existing
borrowers, the rate of prepayments on the Mortgage Loans may increase due to any
resulting refinancings.
Prepayments on the Mortgage Loans for a Series generally will result in a
faster rate of distributions or payments, as applicable, of principal on the
Securities. Thus, the prepayment experience of the Mortgage Loans will affect
the average life and yield to investors and the extent to which the Securities
of any Series are paid prior to the final scheduled Distribution Date or Payment
Date, as applicable, therefor. A Series of Certificates may include Classes
which pay "interest only" or are entitled to receive a disproportionately high
level of interest distributions compared to the amount of principal to which
such Classes are entitled (each, an "Interest Weighted Class") or Classes which
pay "principal only" or are entitled to receive a disproportionately high level
of principal distributions compared to the amount of interest to which such
Classes are entitled (each, a "Principal Weighted Class"). A Series of
Certificates may include an Interest Weighted Class offered at a significant
premium or a Principal Weighted Class offered at a substantial discount. Yields
on
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such Classes will be extremely sensitive to prepayments on the Mortgage Loans
for such Series. In general if the Securities of any Series, including
Certificates that represent an Interest Weighted Class, are purchased at a
premium and principal payments on the Mortgage Loans occur at a rate faster than
anticipated at the time of purchase, the investor's actual yield to maturity
could be significantly lower than that assumed at the time of purchase. Where
the amount of interest allocated with respect to an Interest Weighted Class of
Certificates is extremely disproportionate to principal, the related
Certificateholder could, under some such prepayment scenarios, fail to recoup
its original investment. Conversely, if the Securities of any Series, including
Certificates that represent a Principal Weighted Class, are purchased at a
discount and principal payments on the Mortgage Loans occur at a rate slower
than assumed at the time of purchase, the investor's actual yield to maturity
could be significantly lower than that originally anticipated. See "Maturity,
Prepayment and Yield Considerations" herein.
Any rating assigned to the Securities by a Rating Agency will reflect only
such Rating Agency's assessment of the likelihood that timely distributions or
payments, as applicable, will be made with respect to such Securities in
accordance with the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as
applicable. Such rating will not constitute an assessment of the likelihood that
principal prepayments on the Mortgage Loans will be made by Mortgagors or of the
degree to which the rate of such prepayments might differ from that originally
anticipated. As a result, such rating will not address the possibility that
prepayment rates higher or lower than anticipated by an investor may cause such
investor to experience a lower than anticipated yield, or that an investor
purchasing an Interest Weighted Class of Certificates at a significant premium
might fail to recoup its initial investment.
Collections on the Mortgage Loans may vary due to the level of incidence of
delinquent payments and of prepayments. Collections on the Mortgage Loans may
also vary due to seasonal purchasing and payment habits of Mortgagors.
LIMITATIONS ON INTEREST PAYMENTS AND FORECLOSURES
Generally, under the terms of the Relief Act or similar state legislation,
a mortgagor who enters military service after the origination of the related
mortgage loan (including a mortgagor who is a member of the National Guard or is
in reserve status at the time of the origination of the mortgage loan and is
later called to active duty) may not be charged interest (including fees and
charges) above an annual rate of 6% during the period of such mortgagor's active
duty status, unless a court orders otherwise upon application of the lender. It
is possible that such action could affect, for an indeterminate period of time,
the ability of the Servicer to collect full amounts of interest on certain of
the Mortgage Loans. In addition, the Relief Act imposes limitations which would
impair the ability of the Servicer to foreclose on an affected Mortgage Loan
during the Mortgagor's period of active duty status. Thus, in the event that
such a Mortgage Loan goes into default, there may be delays and losses
occasioned by the inability to realize upon the Mortgaged Property in a timely
fashion.
SECURITY RATING
Depending on the structure of the related transaction, the ratings assigned
to the Securities of a given Series the credit of which is enhanced through
external means, such as a letter of credit, Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy,
Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy, Special Hazard Insurance Policy or Bankruptcy
Bond, may depend primarily on the creditworthiness of the provider of such
external credit enhancement device. Any reduction or withdrawal of the rating
assigned to the claims-paying ability of the credit enhancement provider below
the rating initially given to such Securities would likely result in a reduction
in the rating of such Securities and, in such event, the market price of such
Securities could be adversely affected. See "Rating" herein.
BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION
Effect on Liquidity. If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
the Securities may initially be registered in book-entry form. Issuance of the
Securities in book-entry form may reduce the liquidity of such
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<PAGE> 28
Securities in the secondary market because investors may be unwilling to
purchase Securities for which they cannot obtain physical certificates.
Difficulty in Pledging. Because transactions in Securities, in most cases,
will be able to be effected only through Participants, Indirect Participants and
certain banks, the ability of a Securityholder to pledge Securities to persons
or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise to take
actions in respect of such Securities, may be impaired because physical
certificates representing the Securities will not generally be available.
Potential Delays in Receipt of Distributions or Payments. Securityholders
may experience some delay in their receipt of distributions or payments, as
applicable, of interest on and principal of the Securities because distributions
may be required to be forwarded by the related Trustee to DTC and, in such a
case, DTC will be required to credit such distributions or payments, as
applicable, to the accounts of its Participants which thereafter will be
required to credit them to the accounts of the applicable Securityholders either
directly or indirectly through Indirect Participants. See "Description of the
Securities -- Form of Securities -- Book-Entry Registration" herein.
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR REDEMPTIONS AT THE REQUEST OF BONDHOLDERS
With respect to any Series of Bonds for which the related Prospectus
Supplement provides for redemptions of such Bonds at the request of Bondholders,
there can be no assurance that amounts available for such redemptions for such
Bonds will be sufficient to permit such Bonds to be redeemed within a reasonable
time after redemption is requested, for reasons including the following:
(i) Scheduled principal payments on the related Mortgage Loans
generally will be minimal in the early years and will increase in the later
years of such Mortgage Loans. As a result, funds available to be applied to
redemptions at the request of Bondholders, may be expected to be limited in
the early years and to increase during the later years of each Series.
Accordingly, the availability of funds for redemptions of Bonds of any
Series at the request of Bondholders will depend largely upon the rates of
prepayment of the related Mortgage Loans.
(ii) Prepayments of principal on Mortgage Loans are less likely to
occur during periods of higher interest rates when it is more likely that
requests for redemption by Bondholders will be made. During periods in
which prevailing interest rates are higher than the interest rate paid on
Bonds that may be redeemed at the request of Bondholders, greater numbers
of such Bonds are expected to be tendered for redemption in order to take
advantage of the higher interest rates payable on other investments then
available. During such periods, there will likely also be a reduction in
the rate of prepayments on the related Mortgage Loans, thus limiting the
funds available to satisfy requested redemption by Bondholders.
(iii) As specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, certain
Bondholders, such as personal representatives of deceased Bondholders, may
have certain priorities as to redemption at the request of Bondholders.
THE TRUSTS AND TRUST ESTATES
The Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, for any Series of Securities will
include a Mortgage Pool that may consist of Mortgage Loans together with
payments in respect thereof and certain other accounts, obligations or
agreements, in each case as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the sole
source of distributions or payments, as applicable, in respect of the Securities
will be the assets included in the related Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable.
The Securities will not be entitled to payments in respect of any other assets
included in any other Trust or Trust Estate established by the related
Transferor or any of its affiliates.
The following is a brief description of the Mortgage Loans expected to be
included in the Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, relating to a given Series
of Securities. The related Prospectus Supplement will set forth
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<PAGE> 29
detailed information respecting the Mortgage Loans proposed to be included in
the related Mortgage Pool. Information regarding the actual composition of the
Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Pool will be set forth in a report on
Form 8-K to be filed with the Commission within 15 days after the earlier of the
completion of such Mortgage Pool and the end of the Prefunding Period (the
"Detailed Description"). A schedule of the Mortgage Loans relating to such
Series will be attached to the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or
Indenture, as applicable, delivered in connection with the issuance of the
Securities.
If so specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a Series of
Certificates, the Mortgage Pool may be divided into two or more groups based on
certain characteristics of the related Mortgage Loans (such as type or amount of
Mortgage Rate, remaining term to maturity or type of Mortgaged Property) and
amounts received, collected or recovered in respect of any such group will be
the primary source from which distributions on certain Classes of Certificates
will be derived.
THE MORTGAGE LOANS -- GENERAL
The real properties (including condominiums and townhouses) which secure
repayment of the Mortgage Loans (the "Mortgaged Properties") may be located in
any one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia. Unless otherwise
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, all of the Mortgage Loans will
be covered by standard hazard insurance policies ("Standard Hazard Insurance
Policies"). The existence and extent of any such coverage will be described in
the related Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the Mortgage Loans will not be insured or guaranteed by
any governmental agency or covered wholly or partially by primary mortgage
insurance policies.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, all of the
Mortgage Loans in a Mortgage Pool will provide for payments to be made monthly
on due dates occurring throughout the month.
The Mortgage Loans to be included in any Mortgage Pool will be described in
the related Prospectus Supplement. The Mortgage Loans will have interest payable
thereon at (i) fixed rates specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, (ii)
adjustable rates computed as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement or
(iii) graduated or other variable rates described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
each Mortgage Loan will require monthly payment of principal and interest.
Scheduled payments of principal on any Mortgage Loan may be computed (i) on a
level debt service basis that will result in full amortization over the stated
term of such Mortgage Loan, (ii) in the case of a Balloon Loan, on the basis of
an assumed amortization schedule that is significantly longer than the original
term to maturity of such Mortgage Loan and will require payment of a substantial
amount of principal at the stated maturity specified in the related Mortgage
Note or (iii) on such other basis as is specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
Certain of the Mortgage Loans may have been originated pursuant to
underwriting standards that rely primarily on the value and adequacy of the
Mortgaged Property as collateral and, to a much lesser extent, on the
creditworthiness of the related Mortgagor. Accordingly, the rates of
delinquencies, foreclosures and losses on such Mortgage Loans, particularly in
periods during which the value of the related Mortgaged Properties has declined,
may be higher than those historically experienced by the mortgage lending
industry in general. See "The Originators -- Underwriting Guidelines" herein.
Prepayments of principal may be subject to a prepayment fee, which may be
fixed for the life of the Mortgage Loan or may decline over time, and may be
prohibited for the life of the Mortgage Loan or for certain periods ("lockout
periods"). Certain Mortgage Loans may permit prepayments after expiration of the
applicable lockout period and may require the payment of a prepayment fee in
connection with any such subsequent prepayment. Other Mortgage Loans may permit
prepayments without payment of a fee unless the prepayment occurs during
specified time periods. The Mortgage Loans may include due-on-sale clauses which
permit the mortgagee to demand payment of the entire Mortgage Loan in connection
with the sale or certain transfers of the related Mortgaged Property. Other
Mortgage Loans may be assumable by persons meeting the then applicable
underwriting standards of the applicable Originator.
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The Prospectus Supplement for each Series of Securities will contain
information, as of the date of such Prospectus Supplement and to the extent then
specifically known to the related Transferor, with respect to the Mortgage Loans
contained in the related Mortgage Pool, including (i) the aggregate outstanding
principal balance and the average outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage
Loans as of the applicable Cut-off Date, (ii) the largest principal balance and
the smallest principal balance of any of the Mortgage Loans, (iii) the types of
Mortgaged Properties securing the Mortgage Loans, (iv) the original terms to
maturity of the Mortgage Loans, (v) the weighted average term to maturity of the
Mortgage Loans as of the related Cut-off Date and the range of the terms to
maturity, (vi) the ranges of Combined Loan-to-Value Ratios at origination, (vii)
the weighted average Mortgage Rate and ranges of Mortgage Rates borne by the
Mortgage Loans and (viii) the geographical distribution of the Mortgaged
Properties on a state-by-state basis. If specific information respecting the
Mortgaged Loans is not known to the related Transferor at the time the related
Securities are initially offered, more general information of the nature
described above will be provided in the related Prospectus Supplement and
specific information will be set forth in the Detailed Description.
The "Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio" of a Mortgage Loan at any given time is
the ratio, expressed as a percentage, determined by dividing (x) the sum of the
original principal balance of such Mortgage Loan, plus the current principal
balance of any Senior Lien on the related Mortgaged Property, by (y) the
Appraised Value of such Mortgaged Property. "Appraised Value" is the appraised
value of a Mortgaged Property based upon the lesser of (i) the appraisal or
valuation made either at the time of the origination of the related Mortgaged
Loan or, in certain cases with respect to Mortgage Loans acquired directly or
indirectly by the related Transferor from an Unaffiliated Originator, at or
immediately prior to the date of acquisition of the related Mortgage Loan, and
(ii) in the case where there is no Senior Lien to the Mortgage Loan and such
Mortgage represents a purchase money instrument, the sales price of the related
Mortgaged Property at the time of the origination of the related Mortgage Loan.
No assurance can be given that values of the Mortgaged Properties have
remained or will remain at their levels on the dates of origination of the
related Mortgage Loans. If the residential real estate market should experience
an overall decline in property values such that the outstanding principal
balances of the Mortgage Loans (plus any additional financing by other lenders
secured by the same Mortgaged Properties) in a particular Mortgage Pool become
equal to or greater than the value of such Mortgaged Properties or if the
general condition of a Mortgaged Property declines, the actual rates of
delinquencies, foreclosures and losses on the related Mortgage Loans could be
higher than those now generally experienced in the mortgage lending industry.
Any overall decline in the market value of residential real estate, the general
condition of the Mortgaged Properties or other factors could adversely affect
the values of the Mortgaged Properties such that the outstanding principal
balance of such Mortgage Loans, together with any additional liens on the
Mortgaged Properties, equal or exceed the value of such Mortgaged Properties and
give rise to the consequences discussed in the preceding sentence.
Each Series of Bonds will be secured by the assets included in the related
Trust Estate that will have been pledged to the related Trustee by the related
Bond Issuer, and each Series of Certificates will represent a beneficial
interest in the assets included in the related Trust that will have been
transferred to the related Trustee by the related Transferor. The Servicer will
service the Mortgage Loans either directly, or through the Sub-Servicers,
pursuant to the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or Servicing Agreement,
as applicable, and will receive a fee for such services. See "The Pooling and
Servicing Agreement -- General Servicing Procedures" herein. With respect to
Mortgage Loans serviced through a Sub-Servicer, the Servicer will remain liable
for its servicing obligations under the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement
or Servicing Agreement, as applicable, as if the Servicer alone were servicing
such Mortgage Loans.
The obligations of the Servicer with respect to the Mortgage Loans will
consist principally of its contractual servicing obligations, including its
obligations to make Servicing Advances and to enforce the obligations of the
Sub-Servicers, under the related Agreement, and its obligation to make certain
Monthly Advances in the event of delinquencies in payments on or with respect to
the Mortgage Loans in the amounts described under "The Pooling and Servicing
Agreement -- Monthly Advances and Compensating Interest" herein. The obligations
of the Servicer to make Monthly Advances may be subject to limitations, to the
extent provided herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement.
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NEGATIVE AMORTIZATION
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Mortgage Pool may
include Mortgage Loans that provide for the temporary or permanent deferral of
all or any portion of one or more specified Monthly Payments in respect of
interest either for an initial period from the origination date of such Mortgage
Loans or during the term of such Mortgage Loans. The provisions governing such
deferred payments of interest may provide that such deferral will result in a
decrease in the rate of amortization of such Mortgage Loan such that in any
month in which interest is so deferred, the interest due during that period (the
"Deferred Interest") would be added to the principal balance of the related
Mortgage Loan ("Negative Amortization"). Each such Mortgage Loan will provide
that all Deferred Interest will bear interest at the Mortgage Loan rate until
paid. Negative Amortization may affect the overall rate of amortization of the
Mortgage Loan and in the aggregate may effect the payment and prepayment
experience of the related Mortgage Pool.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS; PREFUNDING ACCOUNTS; CAPITALIZED INTEREST ACCOUNTS
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the related Pooling
and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable, may contain provisions
permitting Forward Commitments pursuant to which the related Transferor will
agree to transfer additional Mortgage Loans into the related Mortgage Pool
during the Funding Period following the date on which the related Securities are
issued. The Forward Commitment may permit the transfer to the related Trust or
Trust Estate, as applicable, of additional Mortgage Loans that have not
completed the origination process by the date on which the Securities are to be
delivered to the Securityholders (the "Closing Date") or were otherwise not
available to be delivered by the related Transferor on such Closing Date. If a
Forward Commitment is to be utilized, unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, a deposit will be made to a Prefunding Account in an
amount equal to all or a portion of the proceeds received in connection with the
sale of the Securities of the related Series (such amount, the "Prefunding
Amount"). Subsequently, additional Mortgage Loans will be conveyed by the
related Transferor for inclusion in the related Mortgage Pool in exchange for
cash from the related Prefunding Account in one or more transfers. The related
Pooling and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable, will require that,
if any portion of the Prefunding Amount is not applied to acquire additional
Mortgage Loans by the end of the Funding Period, any amounts remaining will be
released from the Prefunding Account and distributed or paid, as applicable, in
reduction of the principal balance of the related Securities as specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
Each additional Mortgage Loan must satisfy the eligibility criteria
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement and related Pooling and Servicing
Agreement or Indenture, as applicable. Such eligibility criteria will be
determined in consultation with each Rating Agency (and/or any credit
enhancement provider for the related Series) prior to the issuance of such
Series and are designed to ensure that if such additional Mortgage Loans were
included as part of the initial Mortgage Pool, the credit quality thereof would
be consistent with the initial rating of the Securities of such Series. At the
time additional Mortgage Loans are transferred for inclusion in the related
Mortgage Pool, the related Transferor will certify that all conditions precedent
to the transfer of such additional Mortgage Loans, including the satisfaction of
specific eligibility criteria, have been satisfied. It is a condition to the
transfer of any additional Mortgage Loans by the related Transferor for
inclusion in the related Mortgage Pool that each Rating Agency, after receiving
prior notice of such proposed transfer, shall not have advised the related
Transferor or the Trustee or any credit enhancement provider for the related
Series that the conveyance of such additional Mortgage Loans will result in a
qualification, modification or withdrawal of its then current rating of any
Securities of such Series. Following the transfer of additional Mortgage Loans
to the related Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, the aggregate
characteristics of the Mortgage Loans then held in such Trust or Trust Estate
may vary from those included in the original Mortgage Pool. As a result, the
additional Mortgage Loans may adversely affect the performance of the related
Securities.
If a Prefunding Account is established, a Capitalized Interest Account may
also be established for the related Series. On the Closing Date for such Series,
all or a portion of the proceeds received by the related Transferor in
connection with the sale of the Securities of the related Series may be
deposited in the Capitalized Interest Account and used to fund the excess, if
any, of the sum of (i) the amount of interest
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accrued on the Securities of such Series specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement and (ii) if specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, certain
fees or expenses during the Funding Period such as Trustee fees and credit
enhancement fees, over the amount of interest available therefor from the
Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Pool. If so specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, amounts on deposit in the Capitalized Interest Account
may be released to the related Transferor prior to the end of the Funding Period
subject to the satisfaction of certain tests specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Any amounts on deposit in the Capitalized Interest Account at the
end of the Funding Period that are not necessary for such purposes will be
distributed to the person specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Each Transferor intends to use the net proceeds to be received from the
sale of the Securities of each Series to acquire the Mortgage Loans to be
deposited in the related Mortgage Pool, to establish any Reserve Account,
Prefunding Account or Capitalized Interest Account and to pay other expenses
connected with the pooling of Mortgage Loans and the issuance of Securities. Any
amounts remaining after such payments may be used for general corporate
purposes. The timing and amount of offerings of Securities by each Transferor
will be influenced by a number of factors, including volume of Mortgage Loans
acquired by such Transferor from time to time, prevailing interest rates,
availability of funds and general market conditions.
AAMES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Aames Capital Corporation ("ACC") was incorporated in the State of
California on August 13, 1993 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aames
Financial Corporation ("AFC"). ACC is primarily engaged in acquiring, owning,
transferring and servicing Mortgage Loans. ACC maintains its principal offices
at 350 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90071 and its telephone
number is (213) 210-5000. ACC will only act as Transferor in connection with the
issuance of Certificates and will not act in such capacity in connection with
the issuance of any Series of Bonds. Neither ACC nor any of its affiliates will
insure or guarantee distributions on the Securities of any Series.
AAMES CAPITAL ACCEPTANCE CORP.
Aames Capital Acceptance Corp. ("ACAC") was incorporated under the laws of
the State of Delaware on February 4, 1997 and is a wholly owned limited purpose
finance subsidiary of AFC. ACAC's principal office is located at 350 South Grand
Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90071 and its telephone number is (213)
210-5270. ACAC was organized for the sole purpose of facilitating transactions
of the type described herein and in connection therewith purchasing, holding,
owning and transferring all right, title and interest in Mortgage Loans and any
activities incidental to and necessary or convenient for the accomplishment of
such purpose. ACAC does not have, and is not expected in the future to have, any
significant assets.
ACAC may act as the Bond Issuer or may sell or assign its beneficial
ownership interest in any Mortgage Pool, in whole or in part, to another entity
formed by ACAC solely for the purpose of acting as the Bond Issuer for a given
Series of Bonds at or prior to the time of the issuance of such Bonds. Each
Series of Bonds will be non-recourse obligations of the related Bond Issuer.
ACAC's Certificate of Incorporation places substantial restrictions on the
operations and management of ACAC such that a voluntary or involuntary
application with respect thereto for relief under the United States Bankruptcy
Code or similar state laws is unlikely. Neither ACAC nor any of its affiliates
will insure or guarantee distributions on the Securities of any Series.
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THE SERVICER
GENERAL
ACC will act as servicer (in such capacity, the "Servicer") with respect to
the Mortgage Loans included in the Mortgage Pool for any Series of Securities.
MORTGAGE LOAN DELINQUENCY AND FORECLOSURE EXPERIENCE
The following table sets forth delinquency and foreclosure experience of
home equity loans originated or purchased by the Servicer or Affiliated
Originators and included in the servicing portfolio of the Servicer or its
affiliates for the periods indicated, except that the information with respect
to losses on foreclosed loans does not include any mortgage loans not sold by
the Servicer in connection with a securitization even if serviced and foreclosed
upon during the indicated period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEARS ENDED JUNE 30
-----------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------- ------- -------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Percentage of dollar amount of delinquent loans to loans
serviced
(period end)(1)(2)(3)(4)
One Month................................................. 3.8% 4.3% 4.9%
Two Months................................................ 1.3% 1.9% 1.8%
Three or More Months:
Not foreclosed(5)...................................... 9.0% 8.1% 8.0%
Foreclosed(6).......................................... 1.5% 1.0% 1.0%
------- ------- -------
Total.................................................. 15.6% 15.3% 15.7%
======= ======= =======
Percentage of dollar amount of loans foreclosed during
period to loans serviced (period end)(2)(4)............... 2.0% 1.5% 1.1%
Number of loans foreclosed(7)............................... 1,125 560 221
Principal amount of foreclosed loans(7)..................... $84,613 $48,029 $14,349
Net losses on liquidations(8)............................... $26,488 $ 5,470 $ 931
One-time charge against loan loss reserves(9)............... 6,000 -- --
Percentage of losses to average servicing
portfolio(4)(10).......................................... .72% .24% .09%
Liquidation loss reserve(1)................................. $50,262 $43,586 $10,300
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Delinquent loans are loans for which more than one payment is past due.
(2) The delinquency and foreclosure percentages are calculated on the basis of
the total dollar amount of mortgage loans originated or purchased by the
Servicer and, in each case, serviced by the Servicer and any subservicers
as of the end of the periods indicated. Percentages for fiscal year 1996
have not been restated to include delinquencies of loans originated by One
Stop Mortgage, Inc., which was acquired by AFC in August 1996. The Servicer
believes any such adjustment would not be material.
(3) At June 30, 1998, the dollar volume of loans delinquent more than 90 days
in ACC's 12 REMIC trusts formed in November 1992, December 1992 and June
1993 and during the period from December 1994 to December 1996 exceeded the
permitted limit in the related pooling and servicing agreements. Seven of
those trusts plus one additional trust exceeded certain loss limits.
(4) The servicing portfolio used in percentage calculations includes $82
million of loans subserviced by the Servicer on an interim basis at June
30, 1998.
(5) Represents loans that are in foreclosure but as to which foreclosure
proceedings have not concluded.
(6) Represents properties acquired following a foreclosure sale and still
serviced by the Servicer.
(7) The increase in the number of loans foreclosed and principal amount of
loans foreclosed in 1997 and 1998 relative to 1996 is due to the larger and
more seasoned servicing portfolio.
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(8) Represents losses net of gains on foreclosed properties sold during the
periods indicated excluding the one-time charge referred to in footnote (9)
below.
(9) Represents a one-time reversal of $6.0 million to the loss reserve recorded
in March 1998 resulting from ACC's delay in recording information
transferred from a third party servicer regarding loan payoffs. The amount
was not sufficiently material to require adjustment of previously reported
receivables or the reserve.
(10) Does not include the one-time charge referred to in footnote (9) above.
(11) Represents period end reserves for future liquidation losses.
The Servicer's servicing portfolio has grown over the periods presented.
However, because foreclosures and losses typically occur months or years after a
loan is originated, data relating to delinquencies, foreclosures and losses as a
percentage of the current portfolio can understate the risk of future
delinquencies, losses or foreclosures.
There is no assurance that the delinquency, foreclosure and loss experience
with respect to any of the Mortgage Loans or with respect to any Mortgage Pool
will be comparable to the experience reflected above for home equity mortgage
loans originated or purchased and serviced by affiliates of the Servicer.
Because certain Mortgage Loans may have been underwritten pursuant to standards
that rely primarily on the value of the related Mortgaged Properties rather than
the creditworthiness of the related Mortgagors, the actual rates of
delinquencies, foreclosures and losses on such Mortgage Loans, particularly in
periods during which the value of the related Mortgaged Properties has declined,
could be higher than those historically experienced by the mortgage lending
industry in general. To the extent the Aames Guidelines permit higher initial
Combined Loan-to-Value Ratios than those that have been required historically,
or to the extent Mortgage Pools contain a larger percentage of higher credit
grade loans than have historically been the case, losses realized on
foreclosures of the related Mortgaged Properties may be higher than the
experience reflected above for home equity mortgage loans originated or
purchased and serviced by affiliates of the Servicer. In addition, the rate of
delinquencies, foreclosures and losses with respect to the Mortgage Loans will
also be affected by, among other things, interest rate fluctuations and general
and regional economic conditions. See "Risk Factors -- Nature of the Security
for Mortgage Loans" herein.
THE ORIGINATORS
Each Transferor may acquire Mortgage Loans originated by one or more
subsidiaries of AFC ("Affiliated Originators"). In addition, each Transferor may
directly, or indirectly through one of the Affiliated Originators, acquire
Mortgage Loans originated by entities unaffiliated with AFC ("Unaffiliated
Originators") (together with Affiliated Originators, the "Originators").
UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES
All Mortgage Loans originated by Affiliated Originators will be
underwritten in accordance with standard guidelines (the "Aames Guidelines")
developed by the Servicer and the related Affiliated Originator for customary
application in the Affiliated Originator's loan origination activities, as
described below. Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, Mortgage Loans originated by Unaffiliated Originators are
reunderwritten in accordance with the applicable Aames Guidelines. In connection
with certain purchases of Mortgage Loans from Unaffiliated Originators, ACC may
decide, after evaluating a number of factors, including ACC's previous
experiences with a particular seller, the size of the loan portfolio and other
relevant information to complete such purchase without re-underwriting the
entire loan portfolio. In such cases, ACC will re-underwrite a statistically
significant sample of the loans in that portfolio to confirm compliance with the
Aames Guidelines.
The Aames Guidelines generally are applied to evaluate the value and
adequacy of the Mortgaged Property as collateral and to evaluate the Mortgagor's
credit standing and repayment ability. In determining the adequacy of the
Mortgaged Property as collateral, the related Originator obtains an appraisal of
each property considered for financing. The appraiser is required to inspect the
property and verify that it is in
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<PAGE> 35
acceptable condition and that construction, if new, has been completed. The
appraisal is based on the market value of comparable homes and is conducted
substantially in accordance with mortgage banking industry appraisal standards.
In connection with the related Transferor's reunderwriting of the Mortgage Loans
originated by Unaffiliated Originators, such Transferor will have reviewed the
appraisal values for all of the Mortgaged Properties securing such Mortgage
Loans; however, such Transferor generally will not reappraise any such Mortgage
Loans. There can be no assurance that if such Mortgage Loans were reappraised by
the related Transferor in accordance with the applicable Aames' Guidelines that
the appraised value of such Mortgaged Properties would not be lower than the
appraised value determined at origination by or on behalf of the related
Unaffiliated Originators.
In general, a prospective borrower applying for a Mortgage Loan is required
to fill out a detailed application designed to provide the Originator pertinent
information. As part of the description of the borrower's financial condition,
the borrower generally is required to provide a current list of assets and
liabilities and a statement of income and expenses, as well as an authorization
to apply for a credit report that summarizes the borrower's credit history. The
Originator obtains credit information from credit reporting agencies. In many
cases, the credit information obtained will include major derogatory credit
items such as credit write-offs, outstanding judgments and prior bankruptcies.
The Originator generally verifies the borrower's employment but in many cases
does not verify the borrower's income.
Once all the signed loan documents, including the promissory note and a
security instrument (i.e., mortgage, deed of trust or security deed), and all
applicable employment, credit and property information are received, a
determination is made as to whether to make the loan. The primary (but not the
only) factor considered by the Originator in making this determination is the
Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio of the related Mortgaged Property, taking into
account any existing Senior Liens and the principal amount of the loan made with
respect to the related Mortgaged Property. Generally, a Mortgaged Property with
a lower Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio provides greater security than a Mortgaged
Property with a higher Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio.
After expiration of any three business day rescission period that is
required by the federal Truth in Lending Act and the security instrument is
ready for recordation, the loan is fully funded. Repayment of principal and
interest is generally scheduled to begin approximately one month after funding
and, in many cases, the Originator, solely at the direction of the related
borrower, will withhold out of the related loan proceeds at origination the
first monthly payment to become due on such loan. The Aames Guidelines generally
require title insurance coverage issued at origination by an approved title
insurance company issuing an a standard form title insurance policy. Such title
policy is required to be in an amount at least equal to the original principal
amount of the related Mortgage Loan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in circumstances deemed appropriate by the
Servicer and/or ACC, certain of the Aames Guidelines may be modified or waived
with respect to some or all of the Mortgage Loans included in the Mortgage Pool
for a Series of Securities.
REPRESENTATIONS BY ORIGINATORS AND THE TRANSFERORS
Generally, an Unaffiliated Originator will make certain representations and
warranties with respect to the Mortgage Loans, as specified below, when the
Mortgage Loans are sold by such Unaffiliated Originator to the related
Transferor or an affiliate thereof. The related Transferor will make comparable
representations and warranties with respect to the Mortgage Loans being
transferred pursuant to the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or
Indenture, as applicable.
Such representations and warranties generally include, among other things,
that (A) at the time of the sale by the Originator of each Mortgage Loan and,
(B) at the time of the conveyance by such Transferor of each Mortgage Loan into
the related Mortgage Pool: (i) the information with respect to each Mortgage
Loan set forth in the Loan Schedule and delivered upon conveyance of the
Mortgage Loan is true and correct as of the related Cut-off Date; (ii) the
proceeds of each Mortgage Loan have been fully disbursed (subject to any escrow
for repairs) and there are no obligations to make further disbursements with
respect to any Mortgage Loan; (iii) each Mortgaged Property is improved by a
single (one- to four-) family residential dwelling, which
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may include a condominium, townhouse or manufactured home which is permanently
affixed to and treated as real property under local law; (iv) each Mortgage Loan
had, at the time of origination, either an attorney's certification of title or
a title search or title policy; (v) as of the related Cut-off Date, each
Mortgage Loan is secured by a valid and subsisting lien of record on the
Mortgaged Property having the priority indicated on the related Loan Schedule
and subject in all cases to exceptions to title set forth in the title insurance
policy, if any, with respect to the related Mortgage Loan; (vi) each Originator
held good and indefeasible title to, and was the sole owner of, each Mortgage
Loan conveyed by such Originator; and (vii) each Mortgage Loan was originated in
accordance with law and is the valid, legal and binding obligation of the
related Mortgagor, subject to certain limitations.
Unless otherwise described in the related Prospectus Supplement, all of the
representations and warranties of an Unaffiliated Originator in respect of a
Mortgage Loan will be made as of the date on which such Unaffiliated Originator
sells the Mortgage Loan, and all of the representations and warranties of the
related Transferor in respect of a Mortgage Loan will be made as of the date
such Transferor conveys such Mortgage Loan into the related Mortgage Pool. The
date as of which such representations and warranties are made thus may be a date
prior to the date of the issuance of the related Series of the Securities. A
substantial period of time may elapse between the date as of which the
representations and warranties are made and the date the related Series of
Securities is issued. However, the related Transferor will not include any
Mortgage Loan in the Mortgage Pool for any Series of Securities if anything has
come to such Transferor's attention that would cause it to believe that such
representations and warranties will not be accurate and complete in all material
respects in respect of such Mortgage Loan as of the date of initial issuance of
the related Series of Securities.
Upon a breach of a representation and/or warranty with respect to a
Mortgage Loan made by the related Transferor under the related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable, which occurs after conveyance
of the related Mortgage Loan to a Mortgage Pool, such Transferor may be required
to withdraw such Mortgage Loan from such Mortgage Pool or remove such Mortgage
Loan from the Mortgage Pool and convey a substantially similar mortgage loan to
the Mortgage Pool in substitution therefor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES
Each Series of Certificates will be issued in one or more classes (each, a
"Class") pursuant to an agreement (each, a "Pooling and Servicing Agreement")
dated as of the related Cut-off Date among the related Transferor, the Servicer
and the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Certificates
("Certificateholders") of such Series. Each Series of Bonds will be issued in a
single class pursuant to an indenture (each, an "Indenture") dated as of the
related Cut-off Date between the related Bond Issuer and the Trustee for the
benefit of the holders of the Bonds ("Bondholders" and, together with
Certificateholders, "Securityholders") of such Series. The provisions of each
Pooling and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable, will vary depending
upon the nature of the Securities to be issued thereunder and the nature of the
related Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable. A representative form of Pooling
and Servicing Agreement and Indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The following
summaries describe the material provisions relating to the Securities which may
appear in any related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as
applicable. The Prospectus Supplement for a Series of Securities will describe
any material provision of the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or
Indenture, as applicable, relating to such Series that materially differs from
the description thereof contained in this Prospectus. The summaries do not
purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to, all of the provisions of the definitive Pooling and Servicing
Agreement or Indenture, as applicable, for each Series of Securities and the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. A copy of the definitive Pooling and Servicing
Agreement or Indenture, as applicable (each without exhibits), relating to any
Series of Securities will be provided to Securityholders, without charge, upon
written request to the related Transferor addressed to it at: 350 South Grand
Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90071, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
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GENERAL
The Certificates of a given Series will evidence undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the related Trust specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement. The Bonds of a given Series will represent non-recourse obligations
of the related Bond Issuer, secured by the assets in the related Trust Estate,
and the proceeds of such assets will be the sole source of payments on such
Bonds. The Securities of a given Series may be covered by or entitled to the
benefits of a Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy, a Mortgage Pool Insurance
Policy, a Special Hazard Insurance Policy, a Bankruptcy Bond or other insurance
policies, cash accounts, letters of credit, limited guaranty insurance policies,
third party guarantees or other forms of credit enhancement, in each case as
described herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement. A Series of
Certificates may include one or more Classes of senior certificates that receive
certain preferential treatment (collectively, "Senior Certificates") with
respect to one or more subordinated Classes (collectively, "Subordinated
Classes") of Certificates of such Series. Distributions on one or more Classes
of a Series of Certificates may be made: (a) prior to one or more other Classes,
(b) after the occurrence of specified events, (c) in accordance with a schedule
or formula, (d) on the basis of collections from designated portions of the
Mortgage Loans in the related Trust or (e) on a different basis, in each case as
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. The timing and amounts of such
distributions may vary among such Classes or over time as specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
distributions or payments, as applicable, on Securities will be made only from
the assets of the related Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, and the
Securities will not represent interests in or obligations of the related
Transferor, the Servicer, the Trustee, any Originator or any other person. The
assets of each Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, will consist of one or more
of the following, to the extent set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement:
(a) the Mortgage Loans that from time to time are subject to the related Pooling
and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable; (b) the assets of the Trust
or the Trust Estate that from time to time are required by the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable, to be deposited in the
Certificate Account or Bond Account, as applicable, the Collection Account and
any other accounts (collectively, the "Accounts") established pursuant to the
related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable, or to be
invested in Permitted Investments; (c) property and any proceeds thereof
acquired by foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure or a comparable conversion
of the Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Pool; (d) any Financial Guaranty
Insurance Policy; (e) any Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy; (f) any Special Hazard
Insurance Policy; (g) any Bankruptcy Bond; (h) any funds on deposit from time to
time in any Reserve Account; and (i) all rights under any other insurance
policies, guarantees, surety bonds, letters of credit or other credit
enhancement covering any Securities, any Mortgage Loan in the related Mortgage
Pool or any related Mortgaged Property required pursuant to the related Pooling
and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable.
FORM OF SECURITIES
General. Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the
Securities of each Series will be issued as physical certificates ("Definitive
Securities") in fully registered form only in the denominations specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement. Definitive Securities, if issued, will be
transferable and exchangeable at the corporate trust office of the Trustee or,
at the election of the Trustee, the office of a registrar for the Securities
appointed by the Trustee, in either case as named in the related Prospectus
Supplement. No service charge will be incurred for any registration of exchange
or transfer, but the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge. If provided in the related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable, a certificate administrator may
perform certain duties in connection with the administration of the Securities.
Book-Entry Registration. If so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, the Securities may initially be registered in the name of Cede & Co.
("Cede"), the nominee of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). DTC is a limited
purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a
member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered
pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the
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Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its participating
organizations ("Participants") and facilitate the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions between Participants through electronic book-entry
changes in their accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust
companies and clearing corporations and may include certain other organizations.
Indirect access to the DTC system also is available to others such as brokers,
dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect
Participant").
Under a book-entry format, Securityholders that are not Participants or
Indirect Participants but desire to purchase, sell or otherwise transfer
ownership of Securities registered in the name of Cede, as nominee of DTC, may
do so only through Participants and Indirect Participants. In addition, such
Securityholders will receive all distributions or payments, as applicable, of
principal of and interest on the Securities from the Trustee through DTC and its
Participants. Under a book-entry format, Securityholders will receive payments
after the related Distribution Date or Payment Date, as applicable, because,
while payments are required to be forwarded to Cede, as nominee for DTC, on each
such date, DTC will forward such payments to its Participants which thereafter
will be required to forward them to Indirect Participants or Securityholders.
Under a book-entry format, it is anticipated that the only Securityholder will
be Cede, as nominee of DTC, and that the beneficial holders of Securities will
not be recognized by the Trustee as Securityholders under the related Pooling
and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable. The beneficial holders of
such Securities will only be permitted to exercise the rights of Securityholders
under the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable,
indirectly through DTC and its Participants who in turn will exercise their
rights through DTC.
Under the rules, regulations and procedures creating and affecting DTC and
its operations, DTC is required to make book-entry transfers among Participants
on whose behalf it acts with respect to the Securities and is required to
receive and transmit payments of principal of and interest on the Securities.
Participants and Indirect Participants with which Securityholders have accounts
with respect to the Securities similarly are required to make book-entry
transfers and receive and transmit such payments on behalf of such
Securityholders. Accordingly, although Securityholders will not possess physical
securities, such rules, regulations and procedures provide a mechanism by which
Securityholders will receive distributions or payments, as applicable, and will
be able to transfer their interests.
Securityholders who are not Participants may transfer ownership of
Securities only through Participants by instructing such Participants to
transfer Securities, by book-entry transfer, through DTC for the account of the
purchasers of such Securities, which account is maintained with their respective
Participants. Under the rules and in accordance with DTC's normal procedures,
transfers of ownership of Securities will be executed through DTC and the
accounts of the respective Participants at DTC will be debited and credited.
Similarly, the respective Participants will make debits or credits, as the case
may be, on their records on behalf of the selling and purchasing
Securityholders.
Because DTC can only act on behalf of Participants, who in turn act on
behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a
Securityholder to pledge Securities to persons or entities that do not
participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such
Securities, may be limited due to the lack of a physical certificate for such
Securities.
DTC in general advises that it will take any action permitted to be taken
by a Securityholder under a Pooling and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as
applicable only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account
the Securities are credited. Additionally, DTC in general advises that it will
take such actions with respect to specified percentages of the Securityholders
only at the direction of and on behalf of Participants whose holdings include
current principal amounts of outstanding Securities that satisfy such specified
percentages. DTC may take conflicting actions with respect to other current
principal amounts of outstanding Securities to the extent that such actions are
taken on behalf of Participants whose holdings include such current principal
amounts of outstanding Securities.
Any Securities initially registered in the name of Cede, as nominee of DTC,
will be issued in fully registered form as Definitive Securities to
Securityholders or their nominees, rather than to DTC or its
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nominee only under the events specified in the related Pooling and Servicing
Agreement or Indenture, as applicable, as described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in the related
Pooling and Servicing Agreement and Prospectus Supplement, DTC will be required
to notify all Participants of the availability through DTC of Definitive
Securities. Upon surrender by DTC of the physical securities representing the
Securities and instruction for re-registration, the Trustee will issue the
Securities in the form of Definitive Securities, and thereafter the Trustee will
recognize the holders of such Definitive Securities as Securityholders.
Thereafter, payments of principal of and interest on the Securities will be made
by the Trustee directly to Securityholders in accordance with the procedures set
forth herein and in the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as
applicable. The final distribution or payment, as applicable, of any Security
(whether Definitive Securities or Securities registered in the name of Cede),
however, will be made only upon presentation and surrender of such Securities on
the final Distribution Date or Payment Date, as applicable, at such office or
agency as is specified in the notice of final payment to Securityholders.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND PAYMENTS ON SECURITIES
General. Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
distributions of principal and interest (or, if applicable, of principal only or
interest only) on the related Certificates, or payments of principal and
interest on the related Bonds, as applicable, will be made by the Trustee on
each Distribution Date specified in the related Prospectus Supplement (each, a
"Distribution Date") or Payment Date specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement (each, a "Payment Date"), respectively, in the amounts specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement. Distributions or payments, as applicable,
will be made to the persons in whose names the Securities are registered at the
close of business on the record dates specified in the Prospectus Supplement.
Distributions or payments, as applicable, will be made by check mailed to the
persons entitled thereto at the address appearing in the register maintained for
Securityholders (the "Security Register") or, to the extent described in the
related Prospectus Supplement, by wire transfer or by such other means as are
described therein, except that the final distribution or payment, as applicable,
in retirement of the Securities will be made only upon presentation and
surrender of the Securities at the office or agency of the Trustee or other
person specified in the final distribution notice to Securityholders.
With respect to a given Series of Certificates, each Class of Certificates
within such Series will evidence the interests specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, which may include, among other things, (i) the right to
receive distributions allocable only to principal, only to interest or to any
combination thereof; (ii) the right to receive distributions only of prepayments
of principal throughout the lives of the Certificates or during specified
periods; (iii) interests that are subordinated in their right to receive
distributions of scheduled payments of principal, prepayments of principal,
interest or any combination thereof to one or more other Classes of Certificates
of such Series throughout the lives of the Certificates or during specified
periods or interests that are subordinated with respect to certain losses or
delinquencies; (iv) the right to receive distributions only after the occurrence
of events specified in the related Prospectus Supplement; (v) the right to
receive distributions in accordance with a schedule or formula or on the basis
of collections from designated portions of the assets in the related Trust; (vi)
as to Certificates entitled to distributions allocable to interest, the right to
receive interest at a fixed rate or an adjustable rate; (vii) as to Certificates
entitled to distributions allocable to interest, the right to such distributions
allocable to interest only after the occurrence of events specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement; and (viii) as to Certificates entitled to
distributions allocable to interest only after the occurrence of certain events,
the accrual but deferment of payment of interest until such events occur, in
each case as specified in such Prospectus Supplement.
In general, the method of determining the amount of distributions or
payments, as applicable, on a particular Series of Securities will depend on the
type of credit support, if any, that is used with respect to such Series. See
"Credit Enhancement" herein. Set forth below is a general description of certain
methods that may be used to determine the amount of distributions or payments,
as applicable, on the Securities of a particular Series. The Prospectus
Supplement for each Series of Securities will describe the method to be used in
determining the amount of distributions or payments, as applicable, on the
Securities of such Series.
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Distributions or payments, as applicable, allocable to principal and
interest on the Securities of a Series will be made by the Trustee out of, and
only to the extent of, funds in a segregated account established and maintained
by the Trustee for the deposits of such amounts (the "Certificate Account," with
respect to Certificates, and the "Bond Account," with respect to Bonds). The
Certificate Account or Bond Account, as applicable, may include funds
transferred from any Reserve Account, any Prefunding Account and funds received
as a result of any other form of credit enhancement. As between Certificates of
different Classes and as between distributions of interest and principal and, if
applicable, between distributions of prepayments of principal and scheduled
payments of principal, distributions made on any Distribution Date will be
applied as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise
specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of
Certificates, distributions or payments, as applicable, on the Certificates of
any Class of a Series will be made pro rata to all related Certificateholders of
that Class.
Available Funds. All distributions or payments, as applicable, on the
Securities of each Series on any Distribution Date or Payment Date, as
applicable, will be made from the funds available for distribution or payment,
as applicable, on such Distribution Date or Payment Date, as applicable, as
described below ("Available Funds"), in accordance with the terms described in
the related Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, Available Funds for each Distribution Date or Payment
Date, as applicable, will equal the sum of the following amounts:
(i) the aggregate of all previously undistributed payments on account
of principal (including principal prepayments, if any, and prepayment
penalties, if so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement) and
interest on the Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Pool, received by
the Servicer during the related collection period (the "Collection Period")
except:
(a) all payments which were due before the Cut-off Date;
(b) amounts received on particular Mortgage Loans as late payments
of principal or interest and, unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, other amounts required to be paid by the
Mortgagors which are to be retained by the Servicer (including any
Sub-Servicer) as additional compensation;
(c) amounts representing reimbursement, to the extent permitted as
described under "The Pooling and Servicing Agreement -- Monthly Advances
and Compensating Interest" and "-- Servicing and Other Compensation and
Payment of Expenses," for advances made by the Servicer or any
Sub-Servicers that were deposited into the Certificate Account or Bond
Account, as applicable, and amounts representing reimbursement for
certain other losses and expenses incurred by the Servicer or any
Sub-Servicer as permitted under the related Pooling and Servicing
Agreement or Servicing Agreement, as applicable;
(d) that portion of each collection of interest on a particular
Mortgage Loan in such Mortgage Pool representing servicing compensation
payable to the Servicer that is to be retained from such collection or
is permitted to be retained from related Insurance Proceeds, Liquidation
Proceeds or proceeds of Mortgage Loans withdrawn from the Mortgage Pool
pursuant to the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or Servicing
Agreement, as applicable; and
(e) Trustee fees and other expenses or fees payable out of the
related Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, as specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement;
(ii) all amounts received and retained, if any, in connection with the
liquidation of defaulted Mortgage Loans ("Liquidation Proceeds"), net of
unreimbursed liquidation expenses and insured expenses incurred and
unreimbursed advances made by the Servicer or any Sub-Servicer ("Net
Liquidation Proceeds"), including all proceeds (net of unreimbursed
Servicing Advances) of title insurance, hazard insurance and primary
mortgage insurance, if any ("Insurance Proceeds"), all Principal
Prepayments, all proceeds received in connection with the condemnation of a
Mortgaged Property or the release of part of a Mortgaged Property and all
proceeds of any Mortgage Loan acquired by the related Transferor or any
other entity pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the Indenture
or the Servicing Agreement;
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(iii) the amount of any Monthly Advance or Compensating Interest
Payment made by the Servicer or any Sub-Servicer, as deposited by such in
the Certificate Account or Bond Account, as applicable; and
(iv) if applicable, amounts withdrawn from a Reserve Account or a
Prefunding Account or received in connection with other credit enhancement.
Distributions and Payments of Interest. Unless otherwise specified in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of Certificates, each Class of
Certificates may bear interest at a different rate, which may be fixed or
adjustable (the "Certificate Rate"). All of the Bonds of a given Series will
bear interest at the same rate, which may be fixed or adjustable (the "Bond
Rate"). Interest will accrue on the Security Principal Balance (or, in the case
of a Class of Certificates entitled only to distributions allocable to interest,
the aggregate notional principal balance) of Securities entitled to interest, at
the Certificate Rate or Bond Rate, as applicable, and for the periods specified
in the Prospectus Supplement. To the extent funds are available therefor,
interest accrued during each such specified period on Securities entitled to
interest (other than a Class of Certificates that provides for interest that
accrues, but is not currently payable, referred to hereafter as "Accrual
Certificates") will be distributable or payable on the Distribution Dates or
Payment Dates, as applicable, specified in the Prospectus Supplement until the
aggregate Security Principal Balance of the related Securities has been
distributed or paid in full or, in the case of a Class of Certificates entitled
only to distributions allocable to interest, until the aggregate notional
principal balance of such Certificates is reduced to zero or for the period of
time designated in the Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a given
Series of Certificates, distributions allocable to interest on each Certificate
of such Series that is not entitled to distributions allocable to principal will
be calculated based on the notional principal balance of such Certificate. The
notional principal balance of a Certificate will not evidence an interest in or
entitlement to distributions allocable to principal but will be used solely for
convenience in expressing the calculation of interest and for certain other
purposes.
With respect to any Class of Accrual Certificates, if specified in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of Certificates, any interest
that has accrued but is not paid on a given Distribution Date will be added to
the aggregate Security Principal Balance of such Class of Certificates on that
Distribution Date. Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, distributions of interest on each Class of Accrual Certificates will
commence only after the occurrence of the events specified in such Prospectus
Supplement. Prior to such time, the beneficial interest of such Class of Accrual
Certificates in the Trust, as reflected in the aggregate Security Principal
Balance of such Class of Accrual Certificates, will increase on each
Distribution Date by the amount of interest that accrued on such Class during
the preceding interest accrual period but that was not required to be
distributed to such Class on such Distribution Date. Any such Class of Accrual
Certificates will thereafter accrue interest on its outstanding Security
Principal Balance as so adjusted.
Distributions and Payments of Principal. Unless otherwise specified in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of Certificates, the aggregate
principal balance amount of any Class of Certificates entitled to distributions
of principal will be the aggregate original Security Principal Balance of such
Class of Certificates specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, less all
amounts previously distributed to such Certificates as allocable to principal.
The aggregate principal balance amount of the Bonds of any Series will be the
aggregate original Security Principal Balance of such Bonds specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, less all amounts previously paid on such Bonds as
allocable to principal. In the case of Accrual Certificates, unless otherwise
specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of
Certificates, the original Security Principal Balance will be increased by all
interest accrued but not then distributable on such Accrual Certificates. The
Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of Certificates will specify
the method by which the amount of principal payments on the Certificates will be
calculated and the manner in which such amount will be allocated among the
Classes of Certificates entitled to distributions of principal. As used herein,
the term "Security Principal Balance" at any time means the principal balance of
the related Securities determined as described above.
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The Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of Certificates may
provide that one or more Classes of Senior Certificates will be entitled to
receive all or a disproportionate percentage of any principal payments made by a
Mortgagor which are received in advance of their scheduled due dates and are not
accompanied by amounts representing scheduled interest due after the month of
such payments ("Principal Prepayments") in the percentages and under the
circumstances or for the periods specified in the Prospectus Supplement. Any
such allocation of Principal Prepayments to such Class or Classes of
Certificates will have the effect of accelerating the amortization of such
Senior Certificates while increasing the interests evidenced by Subordinated
Certificates in the Trust. Increasing the interests of Subordinated Certificates
relative to that of the Senior Certificates is intended to preserve the
availability of the subordination provided by the Subordinated Certificates. See
"Credit Enhancement -- Subordination" herein. The timing and amounts of
distributions allocable to interest and principal and, if applicable, Principal
Prepayments and scheduled payments of principal, to be made on any Distribution
Date may vary among Classes over time, or otherwise, as specified in the
Prospectus Supplement.
REVOLVING PERIOD AND AMORTIZATION PERIOD; TRANSFEROR INTEREST
If the Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of Certificates so
provides, there may be a period commencing on the date of issuance of a Class or
Classes of Certificates of a Series and ending on the date set forth in the
related Prospectus Supplement (the "Revolving Period") during which no principal
payments will be made to one or more Classes of Certificates of the related
Series as are identified in such Prospectus Supplement. All collections of
principal otherwise allocated to such Class or Classes of Certificates may be
(i) utilized by the Trust during such period to acquire additional Mortgage
Loans that satisfy the criteria described in the related Prospectus Supplement,
(ii) held in an account and invested in Eligible Investments for later
distribution to Certificateholders, (iii) applied to those Class or Classes of
Certificates, if any, of the same Series as specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement as then are in amortization or (iv) otherwise applied as specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement.
An "Amortization Period" is the period, if any, specified as such in the
related Prospectus Supplement during which an amount of principal is payable to
holders of one or more Classes of a Series of Certificates. If so specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement, during an Amortization Period all or a
portion of principal collections on the Mortgage Loans may be applied as
specified above for a Revolving Period and, to the extent not so applied, will
be distributed to the Class or Classes of Certificates of the same or different
Series as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement as then being entitled
to payments of principal. In addition, if so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, amounts deposited in certain accounts for the benefit of one or more
Classes of Certificates may be released from time to time or on a specified date
and applied as a payment of principal on such Classes of Certificates. The
related Prospectus Supplement will set forth the circumstances that will result
in the commencement of an Amortization Period.
Each Trust that has a Revolving Period may also issue to the related
Transferor a certificate evidencing a Transferor Interest in the Trust not
represented by the other Certificates issued by such Trust. As further described
in the related Prospectus Supplement, the value of such Transferor Interest will
fluctuate as the amount of the assets of the Trust fluctuates and the
outstanding amount of the Certificates of the related Series of Certificates is
reduced.
REPORTS TO SECURITYHOLDERS
Except as otherwise set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement, on or
before each Distribution Date or Payment Date, as applicable, each
Securityholder of record of the related Series of Securities will be entitled to
receive a statement setting forth, to the extent applicable to such Series, the
following information with respect to the distribution for such Distribution
Date or Payment Date, as applicable.
(i) the amount of such distribution or payment, as applicable,
allocable to principal, separately identifying the aggregate amount of any
Principal Prepayments and, if so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, any prepayment penalties included therein;
(ii) the amount of such distribution or payment, as applicable,
allocable to interest;
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(iii) the amounts of (a) any overdue accrued interest included in such
distribution or payment, as applicable, (b) any remaining overdue accrued
interest with respect to such Securities or (c) any current shortfall in
amounts to be distributed or paid, as applicable, as accrued interest to
holders of such Securities;
(iv) the amounts of (a) any overdue payments of scheduled principal
included in such distribution, (b) any remaining overdue principal amounts
with respect to such Securities, (c) any current shortfall in receipt of
scheduled principal payments on the related Mortgage Loans or (d) any
realized losses or Liquidation Proceeds to be allocated as reductions in
the outstanding principal balances of such Securities;
(v) if applicable with respect to a given Series of Certificates, the
aggregate amount (a) otherwise allocable to the Subordinated
Certificateholders on such Distribution Date and (b) withdrawn from a
Reserve Account, if any, that is included in the amounts distributed with
respect to Senior Certificates;
(vi) the total amount of the Insured Amount included in the amount
distributed on such Distribution Date or Payment Date, as applicable;
(vii) the Pool Balance and the Pool Factor of the Mortgage Loans after
giving effect to the distribution or payment, as applicable, on the
Distribution Date or Payment Date, as applicable;
(viii) if applicable with respect to a given Series of Certificates,
the percentage of principal payments on the Mortgage Loans, if any, which
each Class will be entitled to receive on the following Distribution Date;
(ix) unless the Certificate Rate or Bond Rate, as applicable, is a
fixed rate, the related Certificate Rate or Bond Rate applicable to the
distribution on the Distribution Date or Payment Date, as applicable;
(x) the number and aggregate principal balance of Mortgage Loans in
the related Mortgage Pool contractually delinquent (a) one month, (b) two
months and (c) three or more months as of the end of the related Collection
Period;
(xi) the number and aggregate principal balance of all Mortgage Loans
in foreclosure or other similar proceedings, and the book value of any real
estate acquired through foreclosure or grant of a deed in lieu of
foreclosure;
(xii) if applicable, the amount remaining in any Reserve Account or
the amount remaining of any other credit support, after giving effect to
the distribution or payment, as applicable, on the Distribution Date or
Payment Date, as applicable;
(xiii) if applicable, during the Funding Period, the remaining
Prefunding Amount and the portion of the Prefunding Amount used to acquire
additional Mortgage Loans since the preceding Distribution Date or Payment
Date as applicable;
(xiv) if applicable, during the Funding Period, the amount remaining
in the Capitalized Interest Account; and
(xv) the amount of Monthly Advances, Servicing Advances and/or
Compensating Interest Payments, if any, made since the preceding
Distribution Date or Payment Date, as applicable.
Where applicable, any amount set forth above may be expressed as a dollar
amount of the related Securities having the denomination or interest specified
either in the related Prospectus Supplement or in the report to Securityholders.
The report to Securityholders for any Series of Securities may include
additional or other information of a similar nature to that specified above.
The "Pool Balance" means the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the
Mortgage Loans as of the related Distribution Date or Payment Date, as
applicable, and the "Pool Factor" is the percentage obtained by dividing the
Pool Balance as of such Distribution Date or Payment Date, as applicable, by the
Cut-off Date Pool Balance.
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In addition, within a reasonable period of time after the end of each
calendar year, the Servicer or the Trustee will mail to each person who was a
Securityholder of record at any time during such calendar year (a) a report as
to the aggregate of amounts reported pursuant to (i) and (ii) above for such
calendar year or, in the event such person was a Securityholder of record during
a portion of such calendar year, for the applicable portion of such year and (b)
such other customary information as may be deemed necessary or desirable for
Securityholders to prepare their tax returns.
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
Credit enhancement may be provided with respect to a Series of Securities
or with respect to the Mortgage Loans included in the related Trust or Trust
Estate, as applicable. Credit enhancement may be in the form of (i) in the case
of a given Series of Certificates, the subordination of one or more Classes of
the Certificates of such Series, (ii) the use of a Financial Guaranty Insurance
Policy, a Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy, a Special Hazard Insurance Policy, a
Bankruptcy Bond, a Reserve Account or other insurance policies, cash accounts,
letters of credit, limited guaranty insurance policies, third party guarantees
or other forms of credit enhancement described in the related Prospectus
Supplement, or in the case of a given Series of Certificates, the use of a
cross-support feature, or (iii) any combination of the foregoing. The protection
against losses afforded by any credit enhancement will be limited and will not
guarantee repayment of the entire principal balance of the Securities and
interest thereon. If losses occur that exceed the maximum amount covered by the
credit enhancement or that are not covered by the credit enhancement,
Securityholders will bear their allocable share of such deficiency. If a form of
credit enhancement applies to several Classes of Certificates of a given Series,
and if principal payments of certain Classes will be distributed prior to such
distributions to other Classes, the Classes which receive distributions at a
later time are more likely to bear any losses which exceed the amount covered by
credit enhancement.
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, coverage under any
credit enhancement may be canceled or reduced by the related Transferor without
the consent of Securityholders, if such cancellation or reduction would not
adversely affect the rating or ratings of the related Securities.
SUBORDINATION
If so specified in a Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of
Certificates, scheduled principal, Principal Prepayments, interest or any
combination thereof that otherwise would have been distributable to one or more
Classes of Subordinated Certificates of such Series will instead be distributed
to holders of one or more Classes of Senior Certificates, under the
circumstances and to the extent specified in such Prospectus Supplement. If
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the holders of Senior
Certificates will receive the amounts of principal and interest due to them on
each Distribution Date out of the funds available for distribution on such date
in the related Certificate Account prior to any such distribution being made to
holders of the related Subordinated Certificates, in each case under the
circumstances and subject to the limitations specified in such Prospectus
Supplement. The protection afforded to the holders of Senior Certificates
through subordination also may be accomplished by first allocating certain types
of losses or delinquencies to the related Subordinated Certificates, to the
extent described in the related Prospectus Supplement. If aggregate losses and
delinquencies in respect of such Mortgage Loans were to exceed the total amounts
otherwise available for distribution to holders of Subordinated Certificates or,
if applicable, were to exceed the specified maximum amount, holders of Senior
Certificates would experience losses on such Certificates.
If so specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of
Certificates, the same Class of Certificates may be Senior Certificates with
respect to the right to receive certain types of payments or with respect to the
allocation of certain types of losses or delinquencies and Subordinated
Certificates with respect to the right to receive other types of payments or
with respect to the allocation of certain types of losses or delinquencies. If
specified in the Prospectus Supplement, various Classes of Senior Certificates
and Subordinated Certificates may themselves be subordinate in their right to
receive certain distributions to other Classes of Senior and Subordinated
Certificates, respectively, through a cross-support mechanism or
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otherwise. As between Classes of Senior Certificates and as between Classes of
Subordinated Certificates, distributions may be allocated among such Classes (i)
in the order of their scheduled final distribution dates, (ii) in accordance
with a schedule or formula, (iii) in relation to the occurrence of certain
events or (iv) otherwise, in each case as specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
The related Prospectus Supplement will set forth information concerning the
amount of subordination of a Class or Classes of Subordinated Certificates in a
Series, the circumstances in which such subordination will be applicable, the
manner, if any, in which the amount of subordination will decrease over time,
the manner of funding any Reserve Account and the conditions under which amounts
in any such Reserve Account will be used to make distributions to Senior
Certificateholders or released to Subordinated Certificateholders from the
related Trust.
OVERCOLLATERALIZATION FEATURE
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, credit enchancement
may include overcollateralization resulting from (i) the application of excess
cash on specified Distribution Dates to the reduction of the principal balances
of the Certificates and/or Bonds, as applicable, so that over time the
outstanding principal balance of the related Mortgage Loans will exceed the
aggregate of the principal balances of the Certificates and/or Bonds, as
applicable, or (ii) collateral securing the Mortgage Loans having a value at the
Closing Date in excess of the aggregate of the principal balances of the
Certificates and/or Bonds, as applicable (any such feature, an
"Overcollateralization Feature"). Any Overcollateralization Feature will be
described more fully in the related Prospectus Supplement.
RESERVE ACCOUNTS
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, cash, U.S. Treasury
securities, instruments evidencing ownership of principal or interest payments
thereon, demand notes, certificates of deposit or a combination thereof in the
aggregate amount specified in such Prospectus Supplement may be deposited by the
related Transferor, the Servicer or the Originators, as applicable, on the date
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement in one or more reserve accounts
(each, a "Reserve Account") established as part of the related Trust or Trust
Estate, as applicable. In addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, if so
specified in a Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of Certificates,
all or any portion of amounts otherwise distributable on any Distribution Date
to holders of Subordinated Certificates may instead be deposited into a Reserve
Account. Such deposits may be made on the date specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, which may include each Distribution Date for specified
periods or until the balance in the Reserve Account has reached a specified
amount. See " -- Subordination" above.
The cash and other assets in a Reserve Account will be used to enhance the
likelihood of timely payment of principal of, and interest on, or, if so
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, to provide additional protection
against losses in respect of, the assets in the related Trust or Trust Estate,
as applicable, to pay the expenses of the Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable,
or for such other purposes specified in such Prospectus Supplement. Any cash in
a Reserve Account and the proceeds upon maturity or liquidation of any other
asset or instrument therein will be invested, to the extent acceptable to the
applicable Rating Agency, in Permitted Investments, including obligations of the
United States and certain agencies thereof, certificates of deposit, certain
commercial paper, time deposits and bankers acceptances sold by eligible
commercial banks, certain repurchase agreements of United States government
securities with eligible commercial banks and certain other instruments
acceptable to the applicable Rating Agency. Unless otherwise specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, any asset or instrument deposited in any Reserve
Account will name the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee for the
Securityholders, as beneficiary and will be issued by an entity acceptable to
the applicable Rating Agency.
Any amounts on deposit in a Reserve Account will be available for
withdrawal from such Reserve Account for distribution or payment, as applicable,
to holders of Securities or release to holders of Securities, the related
Transferor, the Servicer, the Originators or another entity for the purposes, in
the manner and at the times specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
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FINANCIAL GUARANTY INSURANCE POLICIES
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a financial guaranty
insurance policy or policies (each, a "Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy") may
be obtained and maintained for the Securities of a given Series. The provider of
any Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy (a "Securities Insurer") will be
described in the related Prospectus Supplement. A copy of any such Financial
Guaranty Insurance Policy will be attached as an exhibit to the related Pooling
and Servicing Agreement or Indenture, as applicable.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a
Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy will unconditionally and irrevocably
guarantee to Securityholders that a certain amount will be available for
distribution or payment, as applicable, to Securityholders on a related
Distribution Date or Payment Date, as applicable (the "Insured Amount"). The
Insured Amount will equal the full amount of principal and interest
distributable as of any Distribution Date or due and payable as of any Payment
Date, as applicable, to Securityholders under the related Pooling and Servicing
Agreement or Indenture, as applicable, plus any other amounts specified therein
or in the related Prospectus Supplement.
The specific terms of any Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy will be
described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
Subject to the terms of the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement or
Indenture, as applicable, a Securities Insurer may be subrogated to the rights
of Securityholders to receive payments under the Securities to the extent of any
payments by such Securities Insurer under the related Financial Guaranty
Insurance Policy that were not previously reimbursed. However, any such
subrogation rights of a Securities Insurer may not result in a reduction of the
amount otherwise distributable on any Distribution Date or due and payable on
any Payment Date, as applicable, to holders of the Securities covered by such
Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy.
MORTGAGE POOL INSURANCE POLICIES
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a mortgage pool
insurance policy or policies (each, a "Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy") issued
by the insurer (the "Mortgage Pool Insurer") named in such Prospectus Supplement
will be obtained and maintained for all or certain of the Mortgage Loans. A
Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy will, subject to the limitations described below,
cover losses on the related Mortgage Loans up to a maximum amount specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement. A Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy, however, is
not a blanket policy against loss, as claims thereunder may be made only
respecting losses on certain Mortgage Loans and only upon satisfaction of
certain conditions precedent described below. Unless otherwise specified in a
related Prospectus Supplement, a Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy will not cover
losses due to a failure to pay or denial of a claim under a primary mortgage
insurance policy.
A Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy generally will not insure (and many
primary mortgage insurance policies do not insure) against loss sustained by
reason of a default arising from, among other things, (i) fraud or negligence in
the origination or servicing of a Mortgage Loan, including misrepresentation by
the Mortgagor, the Originator or persons involved in the origination thereof, or
(ii) failure to construct a Mortgaged Property in accordance with plans and
specifications. If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, an
endorsement to a Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy, a bond or other credit support
may cover fraud in connection with the origination of Mortgage Loans. If so
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a failure of coverage
attributable to an event specified in clause (i) or (ii) above might result in a
breach of the related Transferor's representations and, in such event, might
give rise to an obligation on the part of the related Transferor to withdraw the
defaulted Mortgage Loan from the Mortgage Pool if the breach cannot be cured by
the such Transferor. No Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy will cover losses in
respect of a defaulted Mortgage Loan occurring when the Servicer of such
Mortgage Loan, at the time of default or thereafter, was not approved by the
applicable Mortgage Pool Insurer.
The original amount of coverage under a Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy will
be reduced over the life of the related Securities by the aggregate dollar
amount of claims paid by the Servicer less the aggregate of the net amounts
realized by the Mortgage Pool Insurer upon disposition of all foreclosed
properties. The amount
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of claims paid will include certain expenses incurred by the Servicer, as well
as accrued interest on delinquent Mortgage Loans to the date of payment of the
claim. Accordingly, if aggregate net claims paid under a Mortgage Pool Insurance
Policy reach the maximum amount, coverage under the Mortgage Pool Insurance
Policy will be exhausted and any further losses will be borne by the related
Securityholders.
The terms of any Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy will be described in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
SPECIAL HAZARD INSURANCE POLICIES
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a special hazard
insurance policy or policies (each, a "Special Hazard Insurance Policy") will be
obtained for the related Mortgage Pool and will be issued by the insurer (the
"Special Hazard Insurer") named in such Prospectus Supplement. Each Special
Hazard Insurance Policy, subject to limitations described below, will protect
the related Securityholders from (i) loss by reason of damage to Mortgaged
Properties caused by certain hazards (including earthquakes and, to a limited
extent, tidal waves and related water damage) not insured against under the
standard form of hazard insurance policy for the respective states in which the
Mortgaged Properties are located or under a flood insurance policy if the
Mortgaged Property is not located in a federally designated flood area, and (ii)
loss caused by reason of the application of the coinsurance clause contained in
a hazard insurance policy. See "The Pooling and Servicing
Agreement -- Maintenance of Hazard Insurance" herein. A Special Hazard Insurance
Policy will not cover losses occasioned by war, civil insurrection, certain
governmental action, errors in design, faulty workmanship or materials (except
under certain circumstances), nuclear reaction, flood (if the Mortgaged Property
is located in a federally designated flood area), chemical contamination and
certain other risks. The amount of coverage under any Special Hazard Insurance
Policy will be specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. A Special Hazard
Insurance Policy will provide that no claim may be paid unless hazard and, if
applicable, flood insurance on the related Mortgaged Property securing the
Mortgage Loan has been kept in force and other protection and preservation
expenses have been paid.
The terms of any Special Hazard Insurance Policy will be described in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, because
each Special Hazard Insurance Policy will be designed to permit full recovery
under the Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy in circumstances in which such
recoveries would otherwise be unavailable because property has been damaged by a
cause not insured against by a standard hazard policy and thus would not be
restored, each Pooling and Servicing Agreement and Servicing Agreement will
provide that, if the related Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy shall have been
terminated or been exhausted through payment of claims, the Servicer will be
under no further obligation to maintain such Special Hazard Insurance Policy.
BANKRUPTCY BONDS
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a bankruptcy bond or
bonds (each, a "Bankruptcy Bond") for proceedings under the United States
Bankruptcy Code will be issued by an insurer named in such Prospectus
Supplement. A Bankruptcy Bond will cover certain losses resulting from a
reduction by a bankruptcy court of scheduled payments of principal and interest
on a Mortgage Loan or a reduction by such court of the principal amount of a
Mortgage Loan and will cover certain unpaid interest on the amount of such a
principal reduction from the date of the filing of a bankruptcy petition. The
level of coverage and other terms of a Bankruptcy Bond will be set forth in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
CROSS SUPPORT
If so specified in a Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of
Certificates, the beneficial interests of separate Trusts or separate groups of
assets in a single Trust may be evidenced by separate Classes of the
Certificates of such Series. In such case, credit support may be provided by a
cross-support feature which requires that distributions be made with respect to
Certificates evidencing a beneficial interest in other
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asset groups within the same Trust. The Prospectus Supplement for a Series of
Certificates which includes a cross-support feature will describe the manner and
conditions for applying such cross-support feature.
If so specified in a Prospectus Supplement relating to a given Series of
Certificates, the coverage provided by one or more other forms of credit
enhancement, such as Financial Guaranty Insurance Policies or Reserve Accounts,
may apply concurrently to two or more separate Trusts, without priority among
such Trusts, until the credit support is exhausted. If applicable, the
Prospectus Supplement will identify the Trusts to which such credit enhancement
relates and the manner of determining the amount of the coverage provided
thereby and the application of such coverage to the identified Trusts or asset
groups.
OTHER INSURANCE, GUARANTEES AND SIMILAR INSTRUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Trust or Trust
Estate, as applicable, may include, in addition to or in lieu of some or all of
the foregoing, letters of credit, third party guarantees and other arrangements
for maintaining timely payments or providing additional protection against
losses on the assets included in such Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable,
paying administrative expenses or accomplishing such other purpose. The related
Prospectus Supplement will describe any such arrangements, including information
as to the extent of coverage and any conditions or limitations thereto. The
related Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, may include a guaranteed
investment contract or reinvestment agreement pursuant to which funds held in
one or more accounts will be invested at a specified rate. Any such arrangement
must be acceptable to each Rating Agency named in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
MAINTENANCE OF CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
To the extent that the related Prospectus Supplement expressly provides for
credit enhancement and maintenance arrangements, the following paragraphs shall
apply.
If a form of credit enhancement has been obtained for a Series of
Securities, the related Transferor or the Servicer will be obligated to exercise
its reasonable efforts to keep or cause to be kept such form of credit support
in full force and effect throughout the term of the related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement, Indenture or Servicing Agreement, as applicable, unless
coverage thereunder has been exhausted through payment of claims or otherwise,
or substitution therefor is made as described below.
In lieu of the obligation to maintain a particular form of credit
enhancement, the related Transferor or the Servicer may obtain a substitute or
alternate form of credit enhancement. If the related Transferor obtains such a
substitute form of credit enhancement, such form of credit enhancement will be
maintained and kept in full force and effect as provided herein. Prior to its
obtaining any substitute or alternate form of credit enhancement, the related
Transferor or the Servicer will obtain written confirmation from each applicable
Rating Agency that the substitution or alternate form of credit enhancement for
the existing credit enhancement will not adversely affect the then current
ratings assigned to such Securities by each applicable Rating Agency.
The Servicer will provide the Trustee information required for the Trustee
to draw under a Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy or any letter of credit,
will present claims to any Mortgage Pool Insurer, any Special Hazard Insurer and
to any provider of a Bankruptcy Bond, and will take such reasonable steps as are
necessary to permit recovery under such Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy,
letter of credit, Bankruptcy Bond, Special Hazard Insurance Policy, Mortgage
Pool Insurance Policy or other applicable forms of credit enhancement.
Additionally, the Servicer will present such claims and take such steps as are
reasonably necessary to provide for the performance by another party of its
obligations to withdraw Mortgage Loans from the related Mortgage Pool pursuant
to the terms of the related Agreement or Indenture, as applicable. All
collections by the Servicer under any Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy or any
Bankruptcy Bond and, where the related property has not been restored, any
Special Hazard Insurance Policy, are to be deposited initially in the Collection
Account and ultimately in the Certificate Account or Bond Account, as
applicable, subject to withdrawal. Unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, all draws under any Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy
or letter of credit will be deposited directly in the Certificate Account or
Bond Account, as applicable.
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If any property securing a defaulted Mortgage Loan is damaged and proceeds,
if any, from the related hazard insurance policy or any applicable Special
Hazard Insurance Policy are insufficient to restore the damaged property to a
condition sufficient to permit recovery under any applicable form of credit
enhancement, the Servicer is not required to expend its own funds to restore the
damaged property unless it determines (i) that such restoration will increase
the proceeds to Securityholders on liquidation of the Mortgage Loan after
reimbursement to the Servicer for its expenses and (ii) that such expenses will
be recoverable out of related Liquidation Proceeds or Insurance Proceeds. If
recovery under any applicable form of credit enhancement is not available
because the Servicer has been unable to make the above determinations or has
made such determinations incorrectly or recovery is not available for any other
reason, the Servicer is nevertheless obligated to follow such normal practices
and procedures (subject to the preceding sentence) as it deems necessary or
advisable to realize upon the defaulted Mortgage Loan and in the event such
determination has been incorrectly made, is entitled to reimbursement of its
expenses in connection with such restoration.
MATURITY, PREPAYMENT AND YIELD CONSIDERATIONS
The yields to maturity of the Securities will be affected by the amount and
timing of principal payments on or in respect of the Mortgage Loans included in
the related Mortgage Pools, the allocation of available funds to the Securities,
the Certificate Rate for various Classes of a Series of Certificates or the Bond
Rate for various Series of Bonds, as applicable, and the purchase price paid for
the Securities.
The original terms to maturity of the Mortgage Loans in a given Mortgage
Pool will vary depending upon the type of Mortgage Loans included therein. Each
Prospectus Supplement will contain information with respect to the type and
maturities of the Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Pool. Unless otherwise
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, Mortgage Loans may be prepaid
without penalty in full or in part at any time, although a prepayment fee or
penalty may be imposed in connection therewith.
The rate of prepayments with respect to mortgage loans has fluctuated
significantly in recent years. In general, if prevailing rates fall appreciably
below the Mortgage Rates borne by the Mortgage Loans, such Mortgage Loans are
likely to be subject to higher prepayment rates than if prevailing interest
rates remain at or above such Mortgage Rates. Conversely, if prevailing interest
rates rise appreciably above the Mortgage Rates borne by the Mortgage Loans,
such Mortgage Loans are likely to experience a lower prepayment rate than if
prevailing rates remain at or below such Mortgage Rates. However, there can be
no assurance that such will be the case.
Prepayments are influenced by a variety of economic, geographical, social,
tax, legal and additional factors. The rate of prepayments on Mortgage Loans may
be affected by changes in a Mortgagor's housing needs, job transfers,
unemployment, Mortgagor's net equity in the related Mortgaged Property, the
enforcement of due-on-sale clauses and other servicing decisions. Adjustable
rate mortgage loans, bi-weekly mortgage loans, graduated payment mortgage loans,
growing equity mortgage loans, reverse mortgage loans, buy-down mortgage loans
and mortgage loans with other characteristics may experience a rate of principal
prepayments which is different from that of fixed rate, monthly pay, fully
amortizing mortgage loans.
Generally, mortgage loans secured by junior liens have smaller average
principal balances than senior or first mortgage loans and are not viewed by
borrowers as permanent financing. Accordingly, such mortgage loans may
experience a higher rate of prepayment than mortgage loans which represent first
liens. In addition, any future limitations on the right of borrowers to deduct
interest payments on second mortgage loans for federal income tax purposes may
result in a higher rate of prepayment of such mortgage loans. The obligation of
the Servicer to enforce due-on-sale provisions of the mortgage loans may also
increase prepayments. The prepayment experience of the Mortgage Pools may be
affected by a wide variety of factors, including general and local economic
conditions, mortgage market interest rates, the availability of alternative
financing and homeowner mobility.
Unless otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, all of the
Mortgage Loans will contain due-on-sale provisions permitting the mortgagee to
accelerate the maturity of the Mortgage Loan upon sale or
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certain transfers by the Mortgagor of the underlying Mortgaged Property. Unless
otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Servicer generally
will enforce any due-on-sale or due-on-encumbrance clause, to the extent it has
knowledge of the conveyance or further encumbrance or the proposed conveyance or
proposed further encumbrance of the Mortgaged Property and reasonably believes
that it is entitled to do so under applicable law; provided, however, that the
Servicer will not take any enforcement action that would materially increase the
risk of default or delinquency on, or materially decrease the security for, such
Mortgage Loan. See "The Pooling and Servicing Agreement -- Enforcement of
Due-on-Sale Clauses" herein.
The weighted average lives of Securities will also be affected by the
amount and timing of delinquencies and defaults on the Mortgage Loans and the
liquidations of defaulted Mortgage Loans. Delinquencies and defaults will
generally slow the rate of payment of principal to the Securityholders. However,
this effect will be offset to the extent that lump sum recoveries on defaulted
Mortgage Loans and foreclosed Mortgaged Properties result in principal payments
on the Mortgage Loans that are faster than otherwise scheduled.
When a full prepayment occurs on a Mortgage Loan, the Mortgagor will be
charged interest on the principal amount of the Mortgage Loan so prepaid only
for the number of days in the month actually elapsed up to the date of the
prepayment rather than for a full month. Interest shortfalls also could result
from the application of the Relief Act, as described under "Certain Legal
Aspects of the Mortgage Loans and Related Matters -- Soldiers' and Sailors'
Civil Relief Act" herein. Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, in the event that less than 30 days' interest is collected on a
Mortgage Loan during a Collection Period, the Servicer or any Sub-Servicer, if
applicable, will be obligated to make a Compensating Interest Payment with
respect thereto, but only to the extent of the aggregate Servicing Fee for the
related Distribution Date or Payment Date, as applicable. To the extent such
shortfalls exceed the amount of the Compensating Interest Payment that the
Servicer or any Sub-Servicer is obligated to pay, the yield on the Securities
could be adversely affected. Partial prepayments in a given month may be applied
to the outstanding principal balances of the Mortgage Loans so prepaid on the
first day of the month of receipt or the month following receipt. In the latter
case, partial prepayments will not reduce the amount of interest passed through
in such month.
Under certain circumstances, the related Transferor, the Servicer or
certain other entities specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a
Series of Certificates may have the option to acquire the Mortgage Loans and
other assets of a Trust, thereby effecting early retirement of the related
Series of Certificates, subject to the principal balance of the related Mortgage
Loans being less than the percentage specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement of the aggregate principal balance of the Mortgage Loans at the
Cut-off Date for the related Series. Typically, the related Transferor, the
Servicer or such other entity will cause the retirement of a Series of
Certificates at the point at which servicing of the remaining relatively small
pool of Mortgage Loans becomes inefficient. See "The Pooling and Servicing
Agreement -- Termination; Optional Termination" herein. Under certain
circumstances, a Series of Bonds may be (i) redeemed at the request of holders
of such Bonds; (ii) redeemed at the option of the related Bond Issuer or another
party specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Series of Bonds;
or (iii) subject to special redemption under certain circumstances. The
circumstances and terms under which the Bonds of a Series may be redeemed will
be described in the related Prospectus Supplement. See "The
Indenture -- Redemption of Bonds" herein.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
effective yield to Securityholders will be slightly lower than the yield
otherwise produced by the applicable Certificate Rate or Bond Rate and purchase
price, because while interest generally will accrue on the Securities from the
first day of each month, the distribution or payment, as applicable, of such
interest will not be made earlier than a specified date in the month following
the month of accrual.
With respect to Mortgage Loans that provide for Negative Amortization, the
related mortgagor has the option to defer payments of interest for periods
specified in such Mortgage Loan. In the aggregate, deferral of interest may
result in reduced collections during one or more Collection Periods, although
collections in future Collection Periods may be relatively greater because (i)
interest not paid during such period will be added to the principal balance of
the related Mortgage Loan to be repaid over time and (ii) such Deferred Interest
will bear interest at the interest rate specified in the Mortgage Loan each
month until paid, increasing the aggregate amount of interest to be paid by the
related mortgagor over time. In the aggregate, Negative
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Amortization of Mortgage Loans may have the effect of reducing the overall
payment and repayment rate experience of a Mortgage Pool.
The timing of payments on the Mortgage Loans may significantly affect an
investor's yield. In general, the earlier a prepayment of principal on the
Mortgage Loans, the greater will be the effect on an investor's yield to
maturity. As a result, the effect on an investor's yield of principal
prepayments occurring at a rate faster (or slower) than the rate anticipated by
the investor during the period immediately following the issuance of the
Securities will not be offset by a subsequent like reduction (or increase) in
the rate of principal payments.
The Prospectus Supplement relating to a Series of Securities may discuss in
greater detail the effect of the rate and timing of principal payments
(including prepayments) on the yield, weighted average lives and maturities of
such Securities, including the effect of prepayments and allocation of realized
losses on the Mortgage Loans as they relate to specific Classes of Certificates.
Factors other than those identified herein and in the related Prospectus
Supplement could significantly affect principal prepayments at any time and over
the lives of the Securities. The relative combination of the various factors
affecting prepayment may also vary from time to time. There can be no assurance
as to the rate of payment of principal of the Mortgage Loans at any time or over
the lives of the Securities.
THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT
Set forth below is a summary of the material provisions of each Pooling and
Servicing Agreement that are not described elsewhere in this Prospectus. The
summary does not purport to describe all provisions of each Pooling and
Servicing Agreement, and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the provisions of each Pooling and Servicing Agreement. Where
provisions or terms used in a particular Pooling and Servicing Agreement are
different than as described herein, a description of such provisions or terms
will be included in the related Prospectus Supplement.
The Mortgage Loans to be included in a Mortgage Pool for a Series of Bonds
will be assigned to the Trustee pursuant to provisions included in the related
Indenture that are substantially the same as, and the obligations of ACAC, as
Transferor (or the related Bond Issuer, if a different entity, to the extent
described in the related Prospectus Supplement), and the Trustee with respect to
the Mortgage Loans so conveyed will be substantially similar to, those described
under "-- Assignment of Mortgage Loans" below. In addition, the Mortgage Loans
included in a Mortgage Pool for a Series of Bonds will be serviced pursuant to
the terms of a Servicing Agreement and any such Servicing Agreement will contain
provisions governing the servicing of such Mortgage Loans that are substantially
similar to the provisions included in each Pooling and Servicing Agreement
relating to servicing and collection procedures with respect to the related
Mortgage Loans as described below. See "The Indenture -- General" herein.
ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE LOANS
Assignment of the Mortgage Loans. At the Closing Date for a Series of
Certificates, the related Transferor will cause the Mortgage Loans that will
comprise the related Trust to be assigned to the Trustee, without recourse,
together with all principal and interest received by or on behalf of the related
Transferor on or with respect to such Mortgage Loans on or after the Cut-off
Date, other than principal and interest due before the Cut-off Date. The Trustee
will, concurrently with such assignment, deliver the Certificates to the related
Transferor in exchange for the Mortgage Loans.
Each Mortgage Loan assigned to the Trustee will be identified in a schedule
appearing as an exhibit to the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement (a "Loan
Schedule"). The Loan Schedule will include information as to the outstanding
principal balance of each Mortgage Loan after application of payments due on the
Cut-off Date, as well as information regarding the Mortgage Rate, the maturity
date of the Mortgage Loan, the Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio at origination and
certain other information.
In connection with the assignment, the related Transferor will be required
to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee certain specified items
(collectively, with respect to each Mortgage Loan, the
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"Mortgage File"). Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement each Mortgage File will be required to include:
(a) the original Mortgage Note, with all intervening endorsements
sufficient to show a complete chain of endorsement to the related
Transferor, endorsed by the related Transferor, without recourse, to the
order of the Trustee;
(b) the original Mortgage with evidence of recording indicated
thereon;
(c) the original executed assignment of the Mortgage in recordable
form;
(d) originals of all assumption, modification and substitution
agreements, if any, in those instances where the terms or provisions of a
Mortgage or Mortgage Note have been modified or such Mortgage or Mortgage
Note has been assumed;
(e) originals of all intervening mortgage assignments with evidence of
recording indicated thereon sufficient to show a complete chain of
assignment from the originator of the Mortgage Loan to the related
Transferor; and
(f) the original lender's title insurance policy issued on the date of
the origination of such Mortgage Loan.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
related Transferor will promptly cause the assignments of the related Mortgage
Loans to be recorded in the appropriate public office for real property records,
except in states in which, in the opinion of counsel acceptable to the Trustee,
such recording is not required to protect the Trustee's interest in such loans
against the claim of any subsequent transferee or any successor to or creditor
of the related Transferor or the Originator of such Mortgage Loans.
If the related Transferor cannot deliver the original Mortgage or mortgage
assignment with evidence of recording thereon on the Closing Date solely because
of a delay caused by the public recording office where such original Mortgage or
mortgage assignment has been delivered for recordation, such Transferor shall
deliver to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate, with a photocopy of such
Mortgage attached thereto, stating that such original Mortgage or mortgage
assignment has been delivered to the appropriate public recording official for
recordation. The related Transferor shall promptly deliver to the Trustee such
original Mortgage or mortgage assignment with evidence of recording indicated
thereon upon receipt thereof from the public recording official. If the related
Transferor within six months from the Closing Date shall not have received such
original Mortgage or mortgage assignment from the public recording official, it
shall obtain, and deliver to the Trustee within eight months from the Closing
Date, a copy of such original Mortgage or mortgage assignment certified by such
public recording official to be a true and complete copy of such original
Mortgage or mortgage assignment as recorded by such public recording office.
The Trustee will be authorized to appoint a custodian pursuant to a
custodial agreement to maintain possession of and, if applicable, to review the
documents relating to the Mortgage Loans as agent of the Trustee.
Review of the Mortgage File. The Trustee will agree, for the benefit of the
Certificateholders, to review each Mortgage File and the specified items
delivered by or on behalf of the related Transferor within 45 days after the
Closing Date, to determine if the documents described in clauses (a) through (f)
above have been executed and received, and that such documents relate to the
Mortgage Loans in the Loan Schedule. The Trustee is under no duty or obligation
to inspect, review or examine any such documents, instruments, certificates or
other papers to determine that they are genuine, enforceable or appropriate for
the represented purpose or that they are other than what they purport to be on
their face, nor is the Trustee under any duty to determine independently whether
there are any intervening assignments or assumption or modification agreements
with respect to any Mortgage Loan.
If within such 45-day period the Trustee finds that any document
constituting a part of a Mortgage File is not properly executed, has not been
received or is unrelated to the Mortgage Loans identified in the related Loan
Schedule, or that any Mortgage Loan does not conform in a material respect to
the description thereof
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as set forth in the related Loan Schedule, the Trustee will be required to
promptly notify the related Transferor of any defect. Such Transferor will use
reasonable efforts to remedy a material defect in a document constituting part
of a Mortgage File within 60 days after the Trustee's notice. Thereafter, the
Trustee shall also certify that it has received all of the documents referred to
in clauses (a) through (f) and that all corrections or curative actions required
to be taken by the related Transferor within the 60-day period have been
completed or effected, or that the related Mortgage Loans will be withdrawn or
substituted, as specified below.
Withdrawal or Substitution of Mortgage Loans. Unless otherwise specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement, if, within 60 days after the Trustee's notice
of defect, the related Transferor has not remedied the defect and the defect
materially and adversely affects the interest of the Certificateholders in the
related Mortgage Loan, such Transferor will be required to, prior to the next
Distribution Date, at its option, (i) substitute in lieu of such Mortgage Loan
another Mortgage Loan of like kind (a "Qualified Replacement Mortgage Loan") or
(ii) withdraw such Mortgage Loan from the related Mortgage Property by paying an
amount equal to its Principal Balance together with one month's interest at the
Mortgage Rate, less any payments received during the related Collection Period
("Loan Withdrawal Amount").
If as provided above, the related Transferor, rather than withdrawing the
Mortgage Loan, removes a Mortgage Loan (a "Deleted Mortgage Loan") from the
related Trust and substitutes in its place a Qualified Replacement Mortgage
Loan, such substitution must be effected within 90 days of the date of the
initial issuance of the Certificates of a Series with respect to which no REMIC
election is made. With respect to a Trust for which a REMIC election is to be
made, except as otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, such
substitution of a defective Mortgage Loan must be effected within two years of
the date of the initial issuance of the Certificates, and may not be made if
such substitution would cause the Trust to not qualify as a REMIC or result in a
prohibited transaction tax under the Code. Except as otherwise provided in the
related Prospectus Supplement, any Qualified Replacement Mortgage Loan generally
will, on the date of substitution, (i) have an outstanding principal balance,
after deduction of all scheduled payments due in the month of substitution, not
in excess of and not substantially less than the outstanding principal balance
of the Deleted Mortgage Loan (the amount of any shortfall to be paid by or at
the direction of the related Transferor to the related Trust in the month of
substitution for distribution to the Certificateholders as a reduction of
principal), (ii) have a Mortgage Rate neither one percentage point or more less
than nor one percentage point or more greater than the Mortgage Rate of the
Deleted Mortgage Loan as of the date of substitution, (iii) have a remaining
term to maturity neither one year or more earlier than nor one year or more
later than that of the Deleted Mortgage Loan and (iv) comply with all of the
representations and warranties set forth in the related Pooling and Servicing
Agreement as of the date of substitution. The related Pooling and Servicing
Agreement may include additional provisions relating to meeting the foregoing
requirements on an aggregate basis where a number of substitutions occur
contemporaneously.
Additionally, unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, the related Transferor will have made representations and warranties
in respect of the Mortgage Loans assigned by such Transferor and evidenced by a
Series of Certificates. Such representations and warranties generally include,
among other things: (i) that title insurance (or in the case of Mortgaged
Properties located in areas where such policies are generally not available, an
attorney's certificate of title) was in effect on the Closing Date; (ii) that
such Transferor had title to each such Mortgage Loan and such Mortgage Loan was
subject to no offsets, defenses or counterclaims; (iii) that each Mortgage Loan
constituted a valid first or junior lien on the Mortgaged Property (subject only
to permissible title insurance exceptions, if applicable, and certain other
exceptions described in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement) and that the
Mortgaged Property was free from damage and was in acceptable condition; (iv)
that there were no delinquent tax or assessment liens against the Mortgaged
Property; (v) that no required payment on a Mortgage Loan was more than thirty
days delinquent as of the related Cut-off Date; and (vi) that each Mortgage Loan
was made in compliance with, and, subject to certain limitations, is enforceable
under, all applicable state and federal laws and regulations in all material
respects. Upon the discovery by the related Transferor or the Trustee that the
representations in the applicable Pooling and Servicing Agreement are untrue in
any material respect as of the dates specified therein, with the result that the
interests of the Certificateholders in the related Mortgage Loan are materially
and adversely affected, the party discovering such breach is required to give
prompt written notice to the other parties. Upon
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the earliest to occur of the related Transferor's discovery, its receipt of
notice of breach from any of the other parties or such time as a situation
resulting from a representation which is untrue and materially and adversely
affects the interests of the Certificateholders, such Transferor is required
promptly to cure such breach in all material respects or such Transferor will
(or will cause the applicable Originator to) on the Distribution Date next
succeeding such discovery, receipt of notice or such other time, withdraw, or
provide a Qualified Replacement Mortgage Loan, as set forth above. The
obligation of the related Transferor so to cure, substitute or withdraw any
Mortgage Loan as to which breach has not been remedied constitutes the sole
remedy available to the Certificateholders or the Trustee respecting such
breach.
Any agreements pursuant to which the related Transferor acquires certain
Mortgage Loans to be deposited in a Trust will contain representations and
obligations of the related Originators that are similar to those described in
the preceding paragraph. The related Transferor may enforce any obligations of
the related Originators in connection with its efforts to cure any breach of a
representation pursuant to the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement. See "The
Originators -- Representations by Originators and the Transferors" herein.
PAYMENTS ON THE MORTGAGE LOANS
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Pooling and Servicing Agreement will require the Servicer to establish and
maintain one or more accounts (each, a "Collection Account") at one or more
institutions meeting the requirements set forth in the related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement. Pursuant to the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement,
the Servicer will be required to deposit all collections (other than amounts
escrowed for taxes and insurance) related to the Mortgage Loans into the
Collection Account no later than the second business day after receipt. All
funds in the Collection Accounts will be required to be invested in instruments
designated as Permitted Investments. Any investment earnings on funds held in
the Collection Accounts are for the benefit of the Servicer.
The Servicer may make withdrawals from the Collection Account only for the
following purposes: (a) to make deposits into the Certificate Account as set
forth below; (b) to pay itself any monthly Servicing Fees; (c) to make any
Servicing Advance or to reimburse itself for any Servicing Advance or Monthly
Advance previously made; (d) to withdraw amounts that have been deposited to the
Collection Account in error; and (e) to clear and terminate the Collection
Account.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, not later
than the third day prior to any Distribution Date (the "Deposit Date"), the
Servicer will be required to wire transfer to the Trustee for deposit in the
Certificate Account the sum (without duplication) of all amounts on deposit in
the Collection Account that constitute any portion of Available Funds for the
related Distribution Date. See "Description of Securities -- Distributions and
Payments on Securities -- Available Funds" herein.
INVESTMENT OF ACCOUNTS
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, all or a
portion of any Account, including the Collection Account, may be invested and
reinvested in one or more Permitted Investments bearing interest or sold at a
discount. The Trustee or any affiliate thereof may be the obligor on any
investment in any Account which otherwise qualifies as a Permitted Investment.
No investment in the Collection Account may mature later than the Deposit Date
next succeeding the date of investment.
The Trustee will not in any way be held liable by reason of any
insufficiency in any Account resulting from any loss on any Permitted Investment
included therein.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, all income
or other gain from investments in any Account will be held in such Account for
the benefit of the Servicer and will be subject to withdrawal from time to time
as permitted by the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement. Any loss resulting
from such investments will be for the account of the Servicer. The Servicer will
be required to deposit the amount of any such loss immediately upon the
realization of such loss to the extent such loss is not offset by other income
or gain from investments in such Account and then available for such
application.
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PERMITTED INVESTMENTS
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, each
Pooling and Servicing Agreement will define "Permitted Investments" generally as
follows:
(a) Direct general obligations of the United States or the obligations
of any agency or instrumentality of the United States, the timely payment
or the guarantee of which constitutes a full faith and credit obligation of
the United States.
(b) Federal Housing Administration debentures, but excluding any such
securities whose terms do not provide for payment of a fixed dollar amount
upon maturity or call for redemption.
(c) Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation senior debt obligations,
but excluding any such securities whose terms do not provide for payment of
a fixed dollar amount upon maturity or call for redemption.
(d) Federal National Mortgage Association senior debt obligations, but
excluding any such securities whose terms do not provide for payment of a
fixed dollar amount upon maturity or call for redemption.
(e) Federal funds, certificates of deposit, time and demand deposits,
and bankers' acceptances (having original maturities of not more than 365
days) of any domestic bank or trust company, the short-term debt
obligations of which have been assigned a minimum rating specified in the
related Pooling and Servicing Agreement by the applicable Rating Agency.
(f) Deposits of any bank or savings and loan association which has
combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least $50,000,000
which deposits are not in excess of the applicable limits insured by the
Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, provided that the long-term deposits
of such bank or savings and loan association are assigned a minimum rating
specified in the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement by the applicable
Rating Agency.
(g) Commercial paper (having original maturities of not more than 180
days) assigned a minimum rating specified in the related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement by the applicable Rating Agency.
(h) Investments in money market funds assigned a minimum rating
specified in the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement by the applicable
Rating Agency.
(i) Other investments acceptable to the applicable Rating Agency.
No instrument described above is permitted to evidence either the right to
receive (a) only interest with respect to obligations underlying such instrument
or (b) both principal and interest payments derived from obligations underlying
such instrument and the interest and principal payments with respect to such
instrument provided a yield to maturity at par greater than 120% of the yield to
maturity at par of the underlying obligations, and no instrument described above
may be purchased at a price greater than par if such instrument may be prepaid
or called at a price less than its purchase price prior to stated maturity.
MONTHLY ADVANCES AND COMPENSATING INTEREST
In order to maintain a regular flow of scheduled interest to
Certificateholders (rather than to guarantee or insure against losses), unless
otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, each Pooling and
Servicing Agreement will require that, on each Distribution Date, the Servicer
or any Sub-Servicer deposit in the Collection Account an amount of its own funds
(a "Monthly Advance"). Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, a "Monthly Advance" will be equal to the sum of the interest
portions of the aggregate amount of monthly payments (net of the Servicing Fee)
due on the Mortgage Loans during the related Collection Period, but delinquent
as of the close of business on the last day of the related Collection Period,
plus, with respect to each Mortgaged Property which was acquired in foreclosure
or similar action (each, an "REO Property") during or prior to the related
Collection Period and as to which final sale did not occur during the related
Collection Period, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of interest on the
outstanding
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principal balance of the Mortgage Loan relating to such REO Property for the
related Collection Period at the related Mortgage Rate (net of the Servicing
Fee) over the net income from the REO Property transferred to the Certificate
Account for such Distribution Date.
The Servicer or any Sub-Servicer, if applicable, may recover Monthly
Advances, if not recovered from the Mortgagor on whose behalf such Monthly
Advance was made, from late collections on the related Mortgage Loans, including
Liquidation Proceeds, insurance proceeds and such other amounts as may be
collected by the Servicer from the Mortgagor or otherwise relating to the
Mortgage Loan. To the extent the Servicer, in its good faith business judgment,
determines that any Monthly Advance will not be ultimately recoverable from late
collections, insurance proceeds, Liquidation Proceeds on the related Mortgage
Loans or otherwise, the Servicer may reimburse itself or a Sub-Servicer, if
applicable, on the next Distribution Date from Available Funds remaining in the
Certificate Account after making required payments on such Distribution Date.
With respect to each Mortgage Loan as to which a prepayment is received,
that becomes a Liquidated Mortgage Loan or is otherwise charged-off during the
Collection Period related to a Distribution Date, unless otherwise specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement, the Servicer will be required with respect to
such Distribution Date to remit to the Trustee, from amounts otherwise payable
to the Servicer as the Servicing Fee, an amount generally representing the
excess of interest on the principal balance of such Mortgage Loan prior to such
prepayment, liquidation or charge-off over the amount of interest actually
received on the related Mortgage Loan during the applicable Collection Period
(each such amount, a "Compensating Interest Payment"). The Servicer will not be
entitled to be reimbursed from collections on the Mortgage Loans or any assets
of the Trust for any Compensating Interest Payments made. If the Servicing Fee
in respect of such Collection Period is insufficient to make the entire required
Compensating Interest Payment, the resulting shortfall will reduce the amount of
interest payable to the Certificateholders on such Distribution Date and such
reduction will not be recoverable thereafter.
REALIZATION UPON DEFAULTED MORTGAGE LOANS
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Servicer is required to foreclose upon or otherwise comparably effect the
ownership in the name of the Servicer, on behalf of the Trustee, of Mortgaged
Properties relating to defaulted Mortgage Loans as to which no satisfactory
arrangements can be made for collection of delinquent payments and which the
related Transferor or the Servicer has not reacquired pursuant to the option
described below, unless the Servicer reasonably believes that Liquidation
Proceeds with respect to such Mortgage Loan would not be increased as a result
of such foreclosure or other action, in which case the Mortgage Loan will be
charged off and will be liquidated (a "Liquidated Mortgage Loan"). In connection
with such foreclosure or other conversion, the Servicer is required to exercise
or use foreclosure procedures with the same degree of care and skill as it would
ordinarily exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of its own
affairs. Any amounts advanced in connection with such foreclosure or other
action will constitute Servicing Advances.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, if a REMIC
election has been made, the Servicer will be required to sell REO Property
within two years of its acquisition by the Trustee, unless an opinion of counsel
experienced in federal income tax matters, addressed to the Trustee, the related
Transferor and the Servicer is obtained to the effect that the holding by the
Trust of such REO Property for a greater specified period will not result in the
imposition of taxes on "prohibited transactions" of the Trust as defined in
Section 860F of the Code or cause the Trust to fail to qualify as a REMIC.
In servicing the Mortgage Loans, the Servicer is required to determine,
with respect to each defaulted Mortgage Loan, when it has recovered, whether
through trustee's sale, foreclosure sale or otherwise, all amounts, if any, it
expects to recover from or on account of such defaulted Mortgage Loan, whereupon
such Mortgage Loan shall become a Liquidated Mortgage Loan.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
related Transferor or the Servicer may have the right and the option under the
related Pooling and Servicing Agreement, but not the obligation, to reacquire
for its own account any Mortgage Loan which becomes delinquent, in whole or in
part, as to three
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consecutive monthly installments or any Mortgage Loan as to which enforcement
proceedings have been brought by the Servicer subject to certain limitations set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement. Any such Mortgage Loan so reacquired will be
withdrawn from the related Mortgage Pool on a Deposit Date at the Loan
Withdrawal Amount thereof.
GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES
The Servicer will service the Mortgage Loans, either directly or through
Sub-Servicers, in accordance with the provisions of each related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement and the policies and procedures customarily employed by the
Servicer in servicing other comparable mortgage loans. Servicing includes, but
is not limited to, post-origination loan processing, customer service,
remittance handling, collections and liquidations.
The Servicer, in its own name or in the name of any Sub-Servicer, will be
authorized and empowered pursuant to the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement
(i) to execute and deliver any and all instruments of satisfaction or
cancellation or of partial or full release or discharge and all other comparable
instruments with respect to the Mortgage Loans and with respect to the Mortgaged
Properties, (ii) to institute foreclosure proceedings or obtain a deed in lieu
of foreclosure so as to effect ownership of any Mortgaged Property in its own
name on behalf of the Trustee and (iii) to hold title in its own name to any
Mortgaged Property upon such foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure on
behalf of the Trustee.
During a foreclosure, any expenses incurred by the Servicer are added to
the amount owed by the Mortgagor, as permitted by applicable law. Upon
completion of the foreclosure, the property is sold to an outside bidder, or
passes to the mortgagee, in which case the Servicer will proceed to liquidate
the asset. Servicing and charge-off policies and collection practices may change
over time in accordance with the Servicer's business judgment, changes in its
real estate loan portfolio and applicable laws and regulations.
SUB-SERVICERS
The Servicer will be permitted under the related Pooling and Servicing
Agreement to enter into sub-servicing arrangements with certain mortgage
servicing institutions meeting the requirements of such Pooling and Servicing
Agreement (each, a "Sub-Servicer") to service the Mortgage Loans in a Mortgage
Pool. Any such sub-servicing arrangements will not relieve the Servicer of any
liability associated with servicing the Mortgage Loans. Compensation for the
services of the Sub-Servicer with respect to the Mortgage Loans will be paid by
the Servicer. Beginning in November 1996, the Servicer began to expand the
number of states in which it services loans directly. The Servicer now services
directly substantially all loans it has originated or purchased. See
"-- Servicing and Other Compensation and Payment of Expenses" below.
SERVICING AND OTHER COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, as
compensation for its servicing activities under a Pooling and Servicing
Agreement, the Servicer will be entitled to retain the amount of the Servicing
Fee (as defined in the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement) with respect to
each Mortgage Loan. Additional servicing compensation in the form of prepayment
charges, release fees, bad check charges, assumption fees, extension fees, late
payment charges and any other servicing-related fees, Net Liquidation Proceeds
not required to be deposited in the Collection Account and similar items may, to
the extent collected from Mortgagors, be retained by the Servicer.
The Servicer will be required to pay all reasonable and customary
"out-of-pocket" costs and expenses incurred in the performance of its servicing
obligations, including, but not limited to, the cost of (i) the preservation,
restoration and protection of the Mortgaged Properties, (ii) any enforcement or
judicial proceedings, including foreclosures and (iii) the management and
liquidation of Mortgaged Properties acquired in satisfaction of the related
Mortgage Loans. Such expenditures (each, a "Servicing Advance") may include
costs of collection efforts, reappraisals, forced placement of hazard insurance
if a borrower allows his hazard policy to lapse, legal fees in connection with
foreclosure actions, advancing payments due under any Senior Lien, if any,
advancing delinquent property taxes, and upkeep and maintenance of the Mortgaged
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Property if it is acquired through foreclosure and similar types of expenses.
The Servicer will be obligated to make the Servicing Advances incurred in the
performance of its servicing obligations. Unless otherwise specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, the Servicer will be entitled to recover
Servicing Advances, if not theretofore recovered from the Mortgagor on whose
behalf such Servicing Advance was made, from late collections on the related
Mortgage Loans, including Liquidation Proceeds, insurance proceeds and such
other amounts. Servicing Advances will be reimbursable to the Servicer from the
sources described above out of the funds on deposit in the Collection Account.
The Servicer is not required to make any Servicing Advance that it determines
would be nonrecoverable.
In addition, a Sub-Servicer may be entitled to a monthly servicing fee in a
minimum amount set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. The Sub-Servicer
may also be entitled to collect and retain, as part of its servicing
compensation, any late charges or prepayment penalties provided in the Mortgage
Note or related instruments. The Sub-Servicer will be reimbursed by the Servicer
for certain expenditures that it makes, generally to the same extent that the
Servicer would be reimbursed for such expenditures under the related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement. Compensation for the services of the Sub-Servicer shall be
paid by the Servicer as a general corporate obligation of the Servicer.
MAINTENANCE OF HAZARD INSURANCE
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Servicer will be required to cause to be maintained fire and hazard insurance
with extended coverage customary in the area where each Mortgaged Property is
located in an amount which is at least equal to the least of (i) the outstanding
principal balance owing on the Mortgage Loan and the related Senior Lien, if
any, (ii) the full insurable value of the related Mortgaged Property and (iii)
the minimum amount required to compensate for damage or loss on a replacement
cost basis. Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, if
the Mortgaged Property is in an area identified in the Federal Register by the
Flood Emergency Management Agency as having special flood hazards, the Servicer
will be required to cause to be purchased a flood insurance policy with a
generally acceptable insurance carrier, in an amount representing coverage not
less than the least of (a) the outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage
Loan and the Senior Lien, if any, (b) the minimum amount required to compensate
for damages or loss on a replacement cost basis or (c) the maximum amount of
insurance available under the National Flood Protection Act of 1973, as amended,
provided that such flood insurance is available. The Servicer will also be
required to maintain fire, hazard and, if applicable, flood insurance on each
REO Property in the respective amounts described above, as well as liability
insurance, in each case to the extent such insurance is available. Any amounts
collected by the Servicer under any such policies (other than amounts to be
applied to the restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property, or to be
released to the Mortgagor in accordance with customary mortgage servicing
procedures) are required to be deposited by the Servicer in the Collection
Account.
In the event that the Servicer obtains and maintains a blanket policy
insuring against fire and hazards of extended coverage on all of the Mortgage
Loans, then, to the extent such policy names the Trustee as loss payee and
provides coverage in an amount equal to the aggregate unpaid principal balances
of the Mortgage Loans without co-insurance, and otherwise complies with the
requirements of the preceding paragraph, the Servicer will be deemed
conclusively to have satisfied its obligations with respect to fire and hazard
insurance coverage. If such blanket policy contains a deductible clause, the
Servicer will be required to pay to the Trustee the difference between the
amount that would have been payable under a policy described in the preceding
paragraph and the amount paid under the blanket policy.
ENFORCEMENT OF DUE-ON-SALE CLAUSES
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, when a
Mortgaged Property has been or is about to be voluntarily conveyed by the
Mortgagor, the Servicer, on behalf of the Trustee, in performing its servicing
functions, to the extent it has knowledge of such conveyance or prospective
conveyance, will be required to enforce the rights of the Trustee as the
mortgagee of record to accelerate the maturity of the related Mortgage Loan
under any due-on-sale clause contained in the related Mortgage or Mortgage Note;
provided, however, that the Servicer will not be required to exercise any such
right if the due-on-sale clause, in
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the reasonable belief of the Servicer, is not enforceable under applicable law
or if such enforcement would materially increase the risk of default or
delinquency on, or materially decrease the security for, such Mortgage Loan. In
such event, the Servicer will attempt to enter into an assumption and
modification agreement with the person to whom such property has been or is
about to be conveyed, pursuant to which such person becomes liable under the
Mortgage Note and, to the extent permitted by applicable law or the mortgage
documents, the Mortgagor remains liable thereon. The Servicer also will be
authorized to enter into a substitution of liability agreement with such person,
pursuant to which the original Mortgagor is released from liability and such
person is substituted as Mortgagor and becomes liable under the Mortgage Note.
The Servicer will not enter into an assumption agreement unless permitted by
applicable law and unless such assumption agreement would not materially
increase the risk of default or delinquency on, or materially decrease the
security for, such Mortgage Loan.
VOTING
Unless otherwise specified in the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement,
with respect to any provisions of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement providing
for the action, consent or approval of the holders of all Certificates
evidencing specified "Voting Interests" in the Trust, the holders of any Class
of Certificates will collectively be entitled to the then-applicable percentage
of such Class of Certificates of the aggregate Voting Interests represented by
all Certificates. Each Certificateholder of a Class will have a Voting Interest
equal to the product of the Voting Interest to which such Class is collectively
entitled and the Certificateholder's Percentage Interest (as such term is
defined in the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement) in such Class. With
respect to any provisions of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement providing for
action, consent or approval of a specified Class or Classes of Certificates,
each Certificateholder of such specified Class will have a Voting Interest in
such Class equal to such Certificateholder's Percentage Interest in such Class.
Any Certificate registered in the name of the related Transferor or any
affiliate thereof will be deemed not to be outstanding and the Percentage
Interest evidenced thereby shall not be taken into account in determining
whether the requisite amount of Percentage Interests necessary to take any such
action, or effect any such consent, has been obtained.
AMENDMENTS
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, at any
time and from time to time, without the consent of the Certificateholders, the
Trustee, the related Transferor and the Servicer may amend the related Pooling
and Servicing Agreement for the purposes of (a) curing any ambiguity or
correcting or supplementing any provision of such agreement that may be
inconsistent with any other provision of such agreement, (b) if a REMIC election
has been made and if accompanied by an approving opinion of counsel experienced
in federal income tax matters, removing the restriction against the transfer of
a Residual Certificate to a Disqualified Organization (as such term is defined
in the Code) or (c) complying with the requirements of the Code; provided,
however, that such action shall not, as evidenced by an opinion of counsel
delivered to the Trustee, materially and adversely affect the interests of any
Certificateholder.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
related Pooling and Servicing Agreement may also be amended by the Trustee, the
related Transferor and the Servicer, at any time and from time to time, with the
prior written approval of not less than a majority of the Percentage Interests
represented by each affected Class of Certificates then outstanding, for the
purpose of adding any provisions or changing in any manner or eliminating any of
the provisions thereof or of modifying in any manner the rights of the
Certificateholders thereunder; provided, however, that no such amendment shall
(a) change in any manner the amount of, or delay the timing of, payments which
are required to be distributed to any Certificateholder without the consent of
such Certificateholder or (b) change the aforesaid percentages of Percentage
Interests which are required to consent to any such amendments, without the
consent of the Certificateholders of all Certificates of the Class or Classes
affected then outstanding. If a REMIC election has been made with respect to the
related Trust, any such amendment must be accompanied by an opinion of tax
counsel as to REMIC matters.
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The Trustee will be required to furnish a copy of any such amendment to
each Certificateholder in the manner set forth in the related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement.
CERTIFICATE EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, events of
default with respect to Certificates (each, a "Certificate Event of Default")
under a Pooling and Servicing Agreement will consist of (a) any failure by the
Servicer to make a Monthly Advance as required; (b) any failure by the Servicer
to deposit in the Collection Account or Certificate Account any amount (other
than an amount representing a Monthly Advance) required to be so deposited under
the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement, which failure continues unremedied
for one Business Day after the giving of written notice of such failure to the
Servicer by the Trustee or to the Servicer and the Trustee by Certificateholders
evidencing Voting Interests represented by all Certificates aggregating not less
than 51%; (c) any failure by the Servicer to duly observe or perform in any
material respect any other of its covenants or agreements in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement which materially and adversely affects the rights of
Certificateholders and continues unremedied for 30 days after the giving of
written notice of such failure to the Servicer by the Trustee or the
Certificateholders evidencing Voting Interests represented by all Certificates
aggregating not less than 51%; (d) certain events of insolvency, readjustment of
debt, marshaling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings regarding the
Servicer and certain actions by the Servicer indicating its insolvency or
inability to pay its obligations; (e) the occurrence of delinquencies and/or
losses in respect of the Mortgage Loans in excess of levels, and for periods of
time, as specified in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement; and (f) if the
related Transferor and the Servicer are the same entity (i.e., ACC), any failure
of the Transferor to duly observe or perform in any material respect any of its
covenants or agreements in the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement that
materially and adversely affects the rights of Certificateholders and continues
unremedied for 30 days after the giving of a written notice of such failure to
such Transferor by the Trustee or to the Servicer and the Trustee by
Certificateholders evidencing Voting Interests represented by all Certificates
aggregating not less than 51%.
RIGHTS UPON CERTIFICATE EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, upon the
occurrence of a Certificate Event of Default, Certificateholders evidencing
Voting Interests represented by all Certificates aggregating not less than 51%
or the Trustee may terminate all of the rights and obligations of the Servicer
under the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement, whereupon the Trustee will
succeed to all the responsibilities, duties and liabilities of the Servicer
under the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement and will be entitled to such
compensation as the Servicer would have been entitled to thereunder. In the
event that the Trustee would be obligated to succeed the Servicer but is
unwilling or legally unable to act, it may appoint, or petition a court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of, any established housing and home
finance institution or any institution that regularly services home equity loans
that is currently servicing a home equity loan portfolio that has all licenses,
permits and approvals required by applicable law and a net worth of at least
$10,000,000 to act as successor to the Servicer under the related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement, provided that the appointment of any such successor
Servicer will not result in the qualification, reduction or withdrawal of the
rating assigned to the Certificates by any applicable Rating Agency. Pending
appointment of a successor Servicer, unless the Trustee is prohibited by law
from so acting, the Trustee shall be obligated to act as Servicer. The Trustee
and such successor Servicer may agree upon the servicing compensation to be
paid, which in no event may be greater than the compensation described above.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, no
Certificateholder, solely by virtue of its status as a Certificateholder, will
have any right under the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement to institute
any action, suit or proceeding with respect to the related Pooling and Servicing
Agreement unless such Certificateholder previously has given to the Trustee
written notice of default and unless Certificateholders evidencing Voting
Interests represented by all Certificates aggregating not less than 51% have
made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or
proceeding in its own name as Trustee thereunder and have offered to the Trustee
reasonable indemnity for costs, expenses and liabilities to be
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incurred, and the Trustee for 60 days has neglected or refused to institute any
such action, suit or proceeding. However, the Trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the related
Pooling and Servicing Agreement or to institute, conduct or defend any
litigation thereunder or in relation thereto at the request, order or direction
of any of the Certificateholders, unless such Certificateholders have offered to
the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby.
TERMINATION; OPTIONAL TERMINATION
Unless otherwise specified in the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement,
the obligations created by each Pooling and Servicing Agreement for each Series
of Certificates will terminate upon the payment to the related
Certificateholders of all amounts held in any Accounts or by the Servicer, and
required to be paid to them pursuant to such Pooling and Servicing Agreement
following the later of (i) the final payment or other liquidation of the last of
the Mortgage Loans subject thereto or the disposition of all property acquired
upon foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure of any such Mortgage Loans
remaining in the Trust and (ii) the acquiring by the related Transferor, the
Servicer or other entity specified in the related Prospectus Supplement
including, if REMIC treatment has been elected, the holder of the residual
interest in the REMIC (see "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" below),
from the related Trust of all of the remaining Mortgage Loans and all property
acquired in respect of such Mortgage Loans. Unless otherwise specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, any such acquisition of Mortgage Loans and
property acquired in respect of Mortgage Loans evidenced by a Series of
Certificates will be made at the option of the related Transferor, the Servicer
or other entity at a price, and in accordance with the procedures, specified in
the Prospectus Supplement. The exercise of such right will effect early
retirement of the Certificates of that Series, but the right of the related
Transferor, the Servicer or other entity to so acquire is subject to the
principal balance of the related Mortgage Loans being less than the percentage
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement of the aggregate principal
balance of such Mortgage Loans at the Cut-off Date for the Series. The foregoing
is subject to the provisions that if a REMIC election is made with respect to a
Trust, any reacquisition pursuant to clause (ii) above will be made only in
connection with a "qualified liquidation" of the REMIC within the meaning of
Section 860F(g)(4) of the Code.
EVIDENCE AS TO COMPLIANCE
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, each
Pooling and Servicing Agreement will provide that on or before a specified date
in each year, a firm of independent public accountants will furnish a statement
to the Trustee to the effect that on the basis of certain procedures
substantially in conformance with the Uniform Single Audit Program for Mortgage
Bankers (to the extent the procedures are applicable to the servicing
obligations set forth in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement), the servicing by
or on behalf of the Servicer of the related Mortgage Loans, under agreements
substantially similar to each other (including the related Pooling and Servicing
Agreement) was conducted in compliance with such agreements and such procedures
have disclosed no exceptions or errors in records relating to the Mortgage Loans
subject to the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement which, in the opinion of
such firm, are material, except for such exceptions as will be referred to in
the report. Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
each Pooling and Servicing Agreement will provide that the Servicer will be
required to deliver to the Trustee, on or before a specified date in each year,
an annual statement signed by an officer of the Servicer to the effect that the
Servicer has fulfilled its material obligations under the related Pooling and
Servicing Agreement throughout the preceding year.
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE TRANSFERORS
The related Pooling and Servicing Agreement will provide that neither the
related Transferor nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall
have any liability to the related Trust created thereunder or to any of the
Certificateholders, except with respect to liabilities resulting from willful
malfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or from the reckless disregard of
obligations or duties arising under the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement.
The related Pooling and Servicing Agreement will further provide that, with the
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exceptions stated above, the related Transferor and its directors, officers,
employees and agents are entitled to be indemnified and held harmless by the
related Trust against any loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with
legal actions relating to such Pooling and Servicing Agreement or the
Certificates.
THE TRUSTEE
Each Prospectus Supplement will name the Trustee under the related Pooling
and Servicing Agreement. The Pooling and Servicing Agreement will provide that
the Trustee may resign at any time, upon notice to the related Transferor, the
Servicer and any Rating Agency, in which event such Transferor will be obligated
to appoint a successor Trustee. The related Transferor may remove the Trustee if
the Trustee ceases to be eligible to continue as such under the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement or if the Trustee becomes insolvent. Any resignation or
removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will not become
effective until acceptance of the appointment by the successor Trustee. Each
Pooling and Servicing Agreement will provide that the Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement at the request or direction of any of the
Certificateholders, unless such Certificateholders shall have offered to the
Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or
direction. The Trustee may execute any of the rights or powers granted by the
Pooling and Servicing Agreement or perform any duties thereunder either directly
or by or through agents or attorneys, and the Trustee is responsible for any
misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed and
supervised with due care by it thereunder. Pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement, the Trustee is not liable for any action it takes or omits to take in
good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized by an authorized
officer of any person or within its rights or powers under the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement. The Trustee and any director, officer, employee or agent of
the Trustee may rely and will be protected in acting or refraining from acting
in good faith in reliance on any certificate, notice or other document of any
kind prima facie properly executed and submitted by the authorized officer of
any person respecting any matters arising under the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement.
THE INDENTURE
GENERAL
Each Series of Bonds will be issued pursuant to an Indenture to be entered
into between the related Bond Issuer and the related Trustee. The Mortgage Loans
to be included in the related Mortgage Pool will be assigned to the Trustee
pursuant to provisions included in the related Indenture that are substantially
the same as, and the obligations of ACAC, as Transferor (or the related Bond
Issuer, if a different entity, to the extent described in the related Prospectus
Supplement), and the Trustee with respect to the Mortgage Loans so conveyed will
be substantially similar to, those described under "The Pooling and Servicing
Agreement -- Assignment of Mortgage Loans" herein. In addition, the Mortgage
Loans included in the Mortgage Pool for any Series of Bonds will be serviced by
the Servicer pursuant to the terms of a Servicing Agreement to be entered into
among the Bond Issuer, ACC, as Servicer, and the related Trustee, which will
contain provisions substantially similar to the servicing and collection
provisions included in each Pooling and Servicing Agreement and described under
"The Pooling and Servicing Agreement" herein. Where provisions or terms used in
a particular Indenture or Servicing Agreement differ from those provided herein,
a description of such provisions or terms will be included in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
The following summaries describe certain provisions of the Indenture not
described elsewhere in this Prospectus. Where particular provisions or terms
used in the Indenture are referred to, the actual provisions (including
definitions of terms) are incorporated by reference as part of such summaries.
The description set forth below is subject to modification in the Prospectus
Supplement for a Series of Bonds to describe the terms and provisions of the
particular Indenture relating to such Series of Bonds.
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MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE
With the consent of the holders of not less than 51% of the then aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Bonds of any Series issued under an
Indenture, the related Trustee and the related Bond Issuer may execute a
supplemental indenture to add provisions to, or change in any manner or
eliminate any provisions of, the Indenture with respect to such Series or modify
(except as provided below) in any manner the rights of the holders of such
Bonds.
Without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Bond of such Series
affected thereby, however, no supplemental indenture shall (a) change the final
Payment Date of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Bond of
such Series or reduce the principal amount thereof, the Bond Rate specified
thereon (except as provided in the related Indenture with respect to Bonds that
have an adjustable Bond Rate), the redemption price with respect thereto or the
earliest date on which any Bonds of such Series may be redeemed at the option of
the related Bond Issuer, or change any place of payment where, or the coin or
currency in which, any Bond of such Series or any interest thereon is payable,
or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of certain provisions
of the Indenture regarding payment, (b) reduce the percentage of the aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Bonds of such Series, the consent of the
holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent
of the holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain
provisions of the Indenture or of certain defaults thereunder and their
consequences as provided for in the Indenture, (c) modify the provisions of the
Indenture specifying the circumstances under which such a supplemental indenture
may not change the provisions of the Indenture without the consent of the
holders of each outstanding Bond of such Series affected thereby, or the
provisions of the Indenture with respect to certain remedies available in a Bond
Event of Default (as described below), except to increase any percentage
specified therein or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture
cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding Bond affected thereby, (d) modify or alter the provisions of the
Indenture regarding the voting of Bonds held by the related Bond Issuer or an
affiliate of the related Bond Issuer, (e) permit the creation of any lien
ranking prior to or on the parity with the lien of the Indenture with respect to
any part of the property subject to a lien under the Indenture or terminate the
lien of the Indenture on any property at any time subject thereto or deprive the
holder of any Bond of such Series of the security afforded by the lien of the
Indenture, or (f) modify any of the provisions of the Indenture in such manner
as to affect the rights of the holders of Bonds of such Series to the benefits
of any provisions for the redemption at the request of holders of Bonds of such
Series contained therein.
The related Bond Issuer and the respective Trustee may also enter into
supplemental indentures, without obtaining the consent of Bondholders of such
Series, to cure ambiguities or make minor corrections, to provide for the
issuance of Bonds in bearer or registered form or for the conversion of any
outstanding Bonds to or from bearer form and to do such other things as would
not adversely affect the interests of the Bondholders of such Series.
BOND EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a given
Series of Bonds, a "Bond Event of Default" with respect to any Series of Bonds
will be defined in the respective Indenture under which such Bonds are issued
as: (a) unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement for such Series,
a default in the payment of interest on any Bond of such Series when and as due
and such failure continues for a period of two days; (b) a failure to pay the
Bonds of such Series in full on or before the date specified as the Final
Maturity Date in the related Prospectus Supplement; (c) a default in the
observance of certain negative covenants in the Indenture or in the observance
of certain covenants relating to redemptions of Bonds of such Series; (d) a
default in the observance of any other covenant of the Indenture, and the
continuation of any such default for a specified period after notice to the
related Bond Issuer by the Trustee or to the related Bond Issuer and the Trustee
by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Bonds of such Series
then outstanding; (e) any representation or warranty made by the related Bond
Issuer in the Indenture or in any certificate delivered pursuant thereto having
been incorrect in a material respect as of the time made, and the circumstance
in respect of which such representation or warranty is incorrect not having been
cured within a
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specified period after notice thereof is given to the related Bond Issuer by the
Trustee or by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Bonds of
such Series then outstanding; or (f) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or reorganization of the related Bond Issuer.
RIGHTS UPON BOND EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a given
Series of Bonds, in case a Bond Event of Default should occur and be continuing
with respect to a Series of Bonds, the Trustee may, and on request of holders of
not less than 51% in principal amount of the Bonds of such Series then
outstanding shall, declare the principal of such Series of Bonds to be due and
payable. Such declaration may under certain circumstances be rescinded by the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the Bonds of such Series then
outstanding.
If, following a Bond Event of Default, a Series of Bonds has been declared
to be due and payable, the Trustee may, in its discretion (provided that the
holders of the Bonds of such Series have not directed the Trustee to sell the
assets included in the related Trust Estate), refrain from selling such assets
and continue to apply all amounts received on such assets to payments due on the
Bonds of such Series in accordance with their terms, notwithstanding the
acceleration of the maturity of such Bonds. The Trustee, however, must sell the
assets included in the related Trust Estate for such Series if collections in
respect of such assets are determined to be insufficient to make all scheduled
payments on Bonds of such Series, in which case payments will be made on the
Bonds in the same manner as described in the next sentence with regard to
instances in which such assets are sold. In addition, upon a Bond Event of
Default the Trustee may, in its discretion (provided that, unless the Bond Event
of Default relates to a default in payment of principal or interest, the Trustee
must receive the consent of the holders of all outstanding Bonds of such Series,
and certain other conditions must be met), sell the assets included in the
related Trust Estate for such Series, in which event the Bonds of such Series
will be payable pro rata out of the collections on, or the proceeds from the
sale of, such assets and any overdue installments of interest on the Bonds will,
to the extent permitted by applicable law, bear interest at the highest stated
interest rate borne by any Bond of such Series.
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee, in case a Bond Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the
Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights and powers
under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Bondholders,
unless such Bondholders have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or
indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which
might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction. Subject to
such provisions for indemnification and certain limitations contained in the
Indenture, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Bonds of a Series shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of
conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Bonds of such
Series; and the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Bonds of a
Series then outstanding may, in certain cases, waive any default with respect
thereto, except a default in the payment of principal or interest or a default
in respect of a covenant or provision of the Indenture that cannot be modified
without the waiver or consent of the holder of each outstanding Bond affected
thereby.
LIST OF BONDHOLDERS
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a given
Series of Bonds, three or more holders of the Bonds of any Series (each of whom
has owned a Bond of such Series for at least six months) may, by written request
to the Trustee, obtain access to the list of all Bondholders of such Series
maintained by the Trustee for the purpose of communicating with other such
Bondholders with respect to their rights under the Indenture. The Trustee may
elect not to afford the requesting Bondholders access to the list of Bondholders
if it agrees to mail the desired communication or proxy, on behalf of the
requesting Bondholders, to all Bondholders.
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ANNUAL COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
The related Bond Issuer will be required to file annually with the Trustee
a written statement as to the fulfillment of its obligations under the
Indenture.
TRUSTEE'S ANNUAL REPORT
The Trustee will be required to mail each year to all Bondholders a brief
report relating to its eligibility and qualifications to continue as the Trustee
under the Indenture, any amounts advanced by it under the Indenture, the amount,
interest rate and maturity date of certain indebtedness owing by the related
Bond Issuer to it in the Trustee's individual capacity, the property and funds
physically held by the Trustee as such, any release, or release and
substitution, of property subject to the lien of the Indenture that has not been
previously reported, any additional Series of Bonds not previously reported and
any action taken by it which materially affects the Bonds and which has not been
previously reported.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
The Indenture will be discharged with respect to the assets securing the
Bonds of a Series upon the delivery to the Trustee for cancellation of all of
the Bonds of such Series or, with certain limitations, upon deposit with the
Trustee of funds sufficient for the payment in full of all of the Bonds of such
Series.
REDEMPTION OF BONDS
To the extent provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Bonds of
any Series may be (i) redeemed at the request of holders of such Bonds; (ii)
redeemed at the option of the related Bond Issuer or another party specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement; or (iii) subject to special redemption under
certain circumstances. The circumstances and terms under which the Bonds of a
Series may be redeemed will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO BONDHOLDERS
On each Payment Date, the Trustee will send a report to each Bondholder
setting forth, among other things, the amount of such payment representing
interest, the amount thereof, if any, representing principal and the outstanding
principal amount of an individual Bond after giving effect to the payments made
on such Payment Date.
LIMITATION ON SUITS
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a given
Series of Bonds, no Bondholder of any Series will have any right to institute
any proceedings with respect to the Indenture unless (1) such holder has
previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Bond Event of
Default with respect to such Series; (2) the holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the Bonds of such Series then outstanding have made written
request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Bond Event of
Default in its own name as Trustee; (3) such holders have offered to the Trustee
reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and
liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request; (4) for a specified
period after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity the
Trustee has failed to institute any such proceedings; and (5) no direction
inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such
period by the holders of not less than 51% in principal amount of the Bonds of
such Series then outstanding.
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS AND RELATED MATTERS
The following discussion contains summaries, which are general in nature,
of material legal matters relating to the Mortgage Loans. Because such legal
aspects are governed primarily by applicable state law (which laws may differ
substantially), the summaries do not purport to be complete or to encompass the
laws
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of all states in which Mortgaged Properties are situated. The summaries are
qualified in their entirety by reference to the appropriate laws of the states
in which Mortgage Loans may be originated.
NATURE OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS
The Mortgage Loans will be secured by mortgages, deeds of trust, security
deeds or deeds to secure debt, depending upon the prevailing practice in the
state in which the Mortgaged Property is located. In California, for example,
Mortgage Loans are secured by deeds of trust. In other states, a mortgage
creates a lien upon the real property encumbered by the mortgage, which lien is
generally not prior to the lien for real estate taxes and assessments and other
charges under governmental police powers. Priority between mortgages depends on
their terms and generally on the order of recording in the appropriate state or
county office. There are two parties to a mortgage: the mortgagor, who is the
borrower and owner of the mortgaged property, and the mortgagee, who is the
lender. The mortgagor delivers to the mortgagee a note or bond and the mortgage.
Although a deed of trust is similar to a mortgage, a deed of trust has three
parties: the borrower property owner called the trustor (similar to a
mortgagor), the lender (similar to a mortgagee) called the beneficiary, and a
third-party grantee called the trustee. Under a deed of trust, the borrower
grants the property, irrevocably until the debt is paid, in trust, generally
with a power of sale, to the trustee to secure payment of the borrower's
obligation to the lender. A security deed and a deed to secure debt are special
types of deeds that indicate on their face that they are granted to secure an
underlying debt. By executing a security deed or deed to secure debt, the
grantor conveys title to, as opposed to merely creating a lien upon, the subject
property to the grantee until such time as the underlying debt is repaid. The
mortgagee's authority under a mortgage, the trustee's authority under a deed of
trust and the grantee's authority under a security deed or deed to secure debt
are governed by law and, with respect to some deeds of trust, the directions of
the beneficiary.
Certain of the Mortgage Loans may be loans secured by condominium units.
The condominium building may be a multi-unit building or buildings, or a group
of buildings whether or not attached to each other, located on property subject
to condominium ownership. Condominium ownership is a form of ownership of a real
property wherein each owner is entitled to the exclusive ownership and
possession of his or her individual condominium unit and also owns a
proportionate undivided interest in all parts of the condominium building (other
than the individual condominium units) and all areas or facilities, if any, for
the common use of the condominium units. The condominium unit owners appoint or
elect the condominium association to govern the affairs of the condominium.
FORECLOSURE/REPOSSESSION
Foreclosure of a deed of trust is generally accomplished by a non-judicial
sale under a specific provision in the deed of trust which authorizes the
trustee to sell the property at public auction upon any default by the borrower
under the terms of the note or deed of trust. In addition to this non-judicial
remedy, a deed of trust may be judicially foreclosed. In addition to any notice
requirements contained in a deed of trust, in some states the trustee must
record a notice of default and send a copy to the borrower-trustor, to any
person who has recorded a request for a copy of any notice of default and notice
of sale, to any successor-in-interest to the borrower-trustor, to the
beneficiary of any junior deed of trust and to certain other persons. Before
such non-judicial sale takes place, typically a notice of sale must be posted in
a public place and published during a specific period of time in one or more
newspapers, posted on the property and sent to parties having an interest of
record in the property.
Foreclosure of a mortgage is generally accomplished by judicial action.
Generally, the action is initiated by the service of legal pleadings upon all
parties having an interest in the real property. Delays in completion of the
foreclosure may occasionally result from difficulties in locating necessary
parties. When the mortgagee's right to foreclosure is contested, the legal
proceedings necessary to resolve the issue can be time-consuming. After the
completion of a judicial foreclosure proceeding, the court generally issues a
judgment of foreclosure and appoints a referee or other court officer to conduct
the sale of the property.
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In some states, the borrower under a mortgage or a deed of trust will have
the right to reinstate the loan at any time following default until shortly
before the foreclosure sale. In such states, the borrower, or any other person
having a junior encumbrance on the real estate, may, during a statutorily
prescribed reinstatement period, cure a monetary default by paying the entire
amount in arrears plus other designated costs and expenses incurred in enforcing
the obligation. Generally, state law controls the amount of foreclosure expenses
and costs, including attorney's fees, which may be recovered by a lender. After
the reinstatement period has expired without the default having been cured, the
borrower or junior lienholder no longer has the right to reinstate the loan and
must pay the loan in full to prevent the scheduled foreclosure sale. If the
mortgage or deed of trust is not reinstated, a notice of sale must be posted in
a public place and, in most states, published for a specific period of time in
one or more newspapers. In addition, some state laws require that a copy of the
notice of sale be posted on the property and sent to all parties having an
interest in the real property.
Although foreclosure sales are typically public sales, frequently no
third-party purchaser bids in excess of the lender's lien because of the
difficulty of determining the exact status of title to the property, the
possible deterioration of the property during the foreclosure proceedings and a
requirement that the purchaser pay for the property in cash or by cashier's
check. Thus, the foreclosing lender often purchases the property from the
trustee or referee for an amount equal to the principal amount outstanding under
the loan, accrued and unpaid interest and the expenses of foreclosure.
Thereafter, the lender will assume the burden of ownership, including obtaining
hazard insurance and making such repairs at its own expense as are necessary to
render the property suitable for sale. The lender will commonly obtain the
services of a real estate broker and pay the broker's commission in connection
with the sale of the property. Depending upon market conditions, the ultimate
proceeds of the sale of the property may not equal the lender's investment in
the property, in which event the lender may be entitled to a deficiency judgment
in certain states. Any loss may be reduced by the receipt of any mortgage
insurance proceeds.
Courts have imposed general equitable principles upon foreclosure, which
are generally designed to mitigate the legal consequences to the borrower of the
borrower's defaults under the loan documents. Some courts have been faced with
the issue of whether federal or state constitutional provisions reflecting due
process concerns for fair notice require that borrowers under deeds of trust
receive notice earlier than that prescribed by statute. For the most part, these
cases have upheld the notice provisions as being reasonable or have found that
the sale by a trustee under a deed of trust does not involve sufficient state
action to afford constitutional protection to the borrower.
RIGHTS OF REDEMPTION
In some states, after sale pursuant to a deed of trust or foreclosure of a
mortgage, the borrower and foreclosed junior lienholders are given a statutory
period in which to redeem the property from the foreclosure sale. In some
states, redemption may occur only upon payment of the entire principal balance
of the loan, accrued interest and expenses of foreclosure. In other states,
redemption may be authorized if the former borrower pays only a portion of the
sums due. The effect of a statutory right of redemption would defeat the title
of any purchaser from the lender subsequent to foreclosure or sale under a deed
of trust. Consequently, the practical effect of the redemption right is to force
the lender to retain the property and pay the expenses of ownership until the
redemption period has run. In some states, such as California, there is no right
to reclaim property after a trustee's sale under a deed of trust.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA DEEDS OF TRUST
Most institutional lenders in California, including the Affiliated
Originators originating loans secured by real property in California, use a form
of deed of trust that confers on the beneficiary the right both to receive all
proceeds collected under any hazard insurance policy and all awards made in
connection with any condemnation proceedings, and to apply such proceeds and
awards made in connection with any condemnation proceedings to any indebtedness
secured by the deed of trust, in such order as the beneficiary may determine;
provided, however, that the beneficiary is prohibited (under California law)
from applying insurance and condemnation proceeds to the indebtedness secured by
the deed of trust unless the beneficiary's security has been impaired by the
casualty or condemnation, and, if such security has been impaired, permits
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such proceeds to be so applied only to the extent of such impairment. Thus, in
the event improvements on the property are damaged or destroyed by fire or other
casualty, or in the event the property is taken by condemnation, and, as a
result thereof, the beneficiary's security is impaired, the beneficiary may
apply any award received in respect of such damages or in connection with such
condemnation to the indebtedness secured by the first deed of trust. Proceeds in
excess of the amount of indebtedness secured by a first deed of trust will, in
most cases, be applied to the indebtedness of a junior deed of trust.
Another provision typically found in the forms of deed of trust used by
most institutional lenders in California obligates the trustor to pay before
delinquency all taxes and assessments on the property and, when due, all
encumbrances, charges and liens on the property which are senior to the deed of
trust, to provide and maintain fire and hazard insurance on the property, to
maintain and repair the property and not to commit or permit any waste thereof,
and to appear in and defend any action or proceeding purporting to affect the
property or the rights of the beneficiary under the deed of trust. Upon a
failure of the trustor to perform any of these obligations, the beneficiary is
given the right under the deed of trust to perform the obligation itself, at its
election, with the trustor agreeing to reimburse the beneficiary for any sums
expended by the beneficiary on behalf of the trustor. All sums so expended by
the beneficiary become part of the indebtedness secured by the deed of trust.
ANTI-DEFICIENCY LEGISLATION AND OTHER LIMITATIONS ON LENDERS
Certain states, including California, have adopted statutory prohibitions
restricting the right of the beneficiary or mortgagee to obtain a deficiency
judgment against borrowers financing the purchase of their residence or
following sale under a deed of trust or certain other foreclosure proceedings. A
deficiency judgment is a personal judgment against the borrower equal in most
cases to the difference between the amount due to the lender and the net amount
received by the lender at the foreclosure sale. As a result of these
prohibitions, it is anticipated that in many instances the Servicer will not
seek deficiency judgments against defaulting Mortgagors.
In addition to laws limiting or prohibiting deficiency judgments, numerous
other federal and state statutory provisions, including the federal bankruptcy
laws and state laws affording relief to debtors, may interfere with or affect
the ability of the secured mortgage lender to realize upon collateral or enforce
a deficiency judgment. For example, with respect to federal bankruptcy law, a
court with federal bankruptcy jurisdiction may permit a debtor through his or
her Chapter 11 or Chapter 13 rehabilitative plan to cure a monetary default in
respect of a mortgage loan on the debtor's residence by paying arrearages within
a reasonable time period and reinstating the original mortgage loan payment
schedule even though the lender accelerated the mortgage loan and final judgment
of foreclosure had been entered in state court (provided no sale of the
residence had yet occurred) prior to the filing of the debtor's petition. Some
courts with federal bankruptcy jurisdiction have approved plans, based on the
particular facts of the reorganization case, that effected the curing of a
mortgage loan default by paying arrearages over a number of years.
Courts with federal bankruptcy jurisdiction also have indicated that the
terms of a mortgage loan secured by property of the debtor may be modified.
These courts have allowed modifications that include reducing the amount of each
monthly payment, changing the rate of interest, altering the repayment schedule,
forgiving all or a portion of the debt and reducing the lender's security
interest to the value of the residence, thus leaving the lender a general
unsecured creditor for the difference between the value of the residence and the
outstanding balance of the loan.
California courts have imposed general equitable principles upon judicial
foreclosure. These equitable principles are generally designed to relieve the
borrower from the legal effect of the borrower's default under the related loan
documents. Examples of judicial remedies that have been fashioned include
judicial requirements that the lender undertake affirmative and expensive
actions to determine the causes for the borrower's default and the likelihood
that the borrower will be able to reinstate the loan. In some cases, California
courts have required that lenders reinstate loans or recast payment schedules in
order to accommodate borrowers who are suffering from temporary financial
disabilities. In other cases, such courts have limited the right of the lender
to foreclose if the default under the loan is not monetary, such as the
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borrower's failure to adequately maintain the property or the borrower's
execution of a second deed of trust affecting the property.
Federal and local real estate tax laws provide priority to certain tax
liens over the lien of a mortgage or secured party. Numerous federal and state
consumer protection laws impose substantive requirements upon mortgage lenders
in connection with the origination, servicing and enforcement of such loans.
These laws include the federal Truth in Lending Act, Real Estate Settlement
Procedures Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Billing Act, Fair
Credit Reporting Act and related statutes and regulations. These federal and
state laws impose specific statutory liabilities upon lenders who fail to comply
with the provisions of the law. In some cases, this liability may affect
assignees of the loans.
It is possible that some of the Mortgage Loans will be subject to the
Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (the "Riegle
Act") which incorporates the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994.
The Riegle Act adds certain additional provisions to Regulation Z, the
implementing regulation of the Truth-in-Lending Act. These provisions impose
additional disclosure and other requirements on creditors with respect to
nonpurchase money mortgage loans with high interest rates or high up-front fees
and charges. In general, mortgage loans within the purview of the Riegle Act
have annual percentage rates over 10% greater than the yield on Treasury
Securities of comparable maturity and/or fees and points which exceed the
greater of 8% of the total loan amount or $400. The provisions of the Riegle Act
apply on a mandatory basis to all mortgage loans originated on or after October
1, 1995. The provisions can impose specific statutory liabilities upon creditors
who fail to comply with their provisions and may affect the enforceability of
the related loans. In addition, any assignee of the creditor would generally be
subject to all claims and defenses that the consumer could assert against the
creditor, including, without limitation, the right to rescind the mortgage loan.
ENFORCEABILITY OF DUE-ON-SALE CLAUSES
Unless otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, each
Mortgage Loan will contain a due-on-sale clause which will generally provide
that if the Mortgagor sells, or voluntarily transfers or conveys the Mortgaged
Property, the Mortgage Loan may be accelerated by the mortgagee. The Garn-St.
Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 (the "Garn-St. Germain Act"),
subject to certain exceptions, preempts state constitutional, statutory and case
law prohibiting the enforcement of due-on-sale clauses. As to loans secured by
an owner-occupied residence, the Garn-St. Germain Act sets forth nine specific
instances in which a mortgagee covered by such Act may not exercise its rights
under a due-on-sale clause, notwithstanding the fact that a transfer of the
property may have occurred. The inability to enforce a due-on-sale clause may
result in transfer of the related Mortgaged Property to an uncreditworthy
person, which could increase the likelihood of default.
PREPAYMENT CHARGES
Under certain state laws, prepayment charges may not be imposed at all or
after a certain period of time following origination of the mortgage loans with
respect to prepayments on mortgage loans secured by liens encumbering
owner-occupied residential properties. Because many of the Mortgaged Properties
will be owner-occupied, it is anticipated that prepayment charges may not be
imposed with respect to many of the Mortgage Loans. The absence of such a
restraint on prepayment may increase the likelihood of refinancing or other
early retirement of such Mortgage Loans.
APPLICABILITY OF USURY LAWS
Title V of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control
Act of 1980, enacted in March 1980 ("Title V"), provides that state usury
limitations shall not apply to certain types of residential first mortgage loans
originated by certain lenders after March 31, 1980. The Office of Thrift
Supervision, as successor to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, is authorized to
issue rules and regulations and to publish interpretations governing
implementation of Title V. The statute authorized the states to reimpose
interest rate limits by adopting, before April 1, 1983, a law or constitutional
provision which expressly rejects an application
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of the federal law. In addition, even where Title V is not so rejected, any
state is authorized by the law to adopt a provision limiting discount points or
other charges on mortgage loans covered by Title V. Certain states have taken
action to reimpose interest rate limits and/or to limit discount points or other
charges.
SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' CIVIL RELIEF ACT
Generally, under the terms of the Relief Act, a Mortgagor who enters
military service after the origination of the related Mortgage Loan (including a
Mortgagor who is a member of the National Guard or is in reserve status at the
time of the origination of the Mortgage Loan and is later called to active duty)
may not be charged interest above an annual rate of 6% during the period of such
borrower's active duty status, unless a court orders otherwise upon application
of the lender. It is possible that such interest rate limitation could have an
effect, for an indeterminate period of time, on the ability of the Servicer to
collect full amounts of interest on certain of the Mortgage Loans. Unless
otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, any shortfall in
interest collections resulting from the application of the Relief Act could
result in losses to Securityholders. In addition, the Relief Act imposes
limitations which would impair the ability of the Servicer to foreclose on an
affected Mortgage Loan during the Mortgagor's period of active duty status.
Thus, in the event that such a Mortgage Loan goes into default, there may be
delays and losses occasioned by the inability to realize upon the Mortgaged
Property in a timely fashion.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
Real property pledged as security to a lender may be subject to unforeseen
environmental risks. Under the laws of certain states, contamination of a
property may give rise to a lien on the property to assure the payment of the
costs of clean-up. In several states such a lien has priority over the lien of
an existing mortgage against such property. In addition, under the federal
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980
("CERCLA"), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") may
impose a lien on property where the EPA has incurred cleanup costs. However, a
CERCLA lien is subordinate to pre-existing, perfected security interests.
Under the laws of some states, and under CERCLA, it is conceivable that a
lender may be held liable, as an "owner" or "operator," for costs of addressing
releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances at a Mortgaged Property,
regardless of whether or not the environmental damage or threat was caused by a
prior owner or operator. CERCLA imposes liability on any and all "responsible
parties" (which term includes, among others, the property owner and operator)
for the cost of clean-up of releases of hazardous substances. However, CERCLA
excludes from the definition of "owner or operator" secured creditors who hold
indicia of ownership for the purpose of protecting their security interest, but
"without participating in the management of the facility."
Court decisions, such as United States v. Fleet Factors, 901 F.2d 1550
(11th Cir. 1990), cert. denied, 498 US 1049 (1991) (CERCLA liability may be
imposed on a secured lender if it has the ability to participate in management),
and Kelley v. EPA, 15 F.3d 1100 (DC Cir. 1994) cert. denied sub nom, Kelley v.
Am. Bankers Ass'n., 115 S. Ct. 900 (1995) (invalidated the Lender Liability Rule
issued by the EPA in 1992) created considerable uncertainty about the scope and
availability of the secured lender's exemption from liability. In September
1996, however, Congress passed the Asset Conservation, Lender Liability, and
Deposit Insurance Protection Act of 1996 to address this uncertainty in federal
law. This statute adopted EPA's Lender Liability Rule into law and, among other
things, clarified the exemption by defining more clearly the circumstances under
which a lender will be deemed to have participated in management. Similar
legislation has been enacted in some states. In the jurisdictions in which such
enactments are in effect, the environmental liability risks associated with
protecting a security interest in property have been reduced, although not
completely eliminated.
The costs associated with environmental clean-up may be substantial. If the
related Trustee or Servicer is deemed to have participated in management of a
contaminated property that is part of the Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable,
it is likely that remedial costs would become a liability of that Trust or Trust
Estate, as applicable, and in certain circumstances, of the Trustee. Such an
occurrence could occasion a loss to
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Securityholders. If a lender is or becomes liable, it can bring an action for
contribution against any other "responsible parties," including a previous owner
or operator, who created the environmental hazard, but those persons or entities
may be bankrupt or otherwise judgment proof.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, at the
time the Mortgage Loans were originated, no environmental assessment or a very
limited environmental assessment of the Mortgaged Properties was conducted.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following summary of certain of the anticipated material federal income
tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Securities is
based on the advice of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P., counsel to the Transferors. This
summary is based on laws, regulations, including the real estate mortgage
investment conduit ("REMIC") regulations promulgated by the Treasury Department
on December 23, 1992 (the "REMIC Regulations"), rulings and decisions now in
effect or (with respect to regulations) proposed, all of which are subject to
change either prospectively or retroactively. This summary does not address the
federal income tax consequences of an investment in Securities applicable to all
categories of investors, some of which (for example, banks and insurance
companies) may be subject to special rules. Prospective investors should consult
their tax advisors regarding the federal, state, local and any other tax
consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Securities.
I. TAXATION OF CERTIFICATES
A. GENERAL
The federal income tax consequences to Certificateholders will vary
depending on whether (i) the Certificates of a Series are classified as
indebtedness for federal income tax purposes; (ii) an election is made to treat
the Trust (or certain assets of the Trust) relating to a particular Series of
Certificates as a REMIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"); (iii) the Certificates represent an ownership interest for federal
income tax purposes in some or all of the assets included in the Trust for a
Series; or (iv) for federal income tax purposes the Trust relating to a
particular Series of Certificates is classified as a partnership. The Prospectus
Supplement for each Series of Certificates will specify how the Certificates
will be treated for federal income tax purposes and will specify whether a REMIC
election will be made with respect to such Series.
B. TAXATION OF DEBT CERTIFICATES (INCLUDING REGULAR CERTIFICATES)
Interest and Acquisition Discount. Certificates representing regular
interests in a REMIC ("Regular Certificates") are generally taxable to holders
in the same manner as evidences of indebtedness issued by the REMIC. Stated
interest on the Regular Certificates will be taxable as ordinary income and
taken into account using the accrual method of accounting, regardless of the
holder's normal accounting method. Interest (other than original issue discount)
on Certificates (other than Regular Certificates) that are characterized as
indebtedness for federal income tax purposes will be includable in income by
holders thereof in accordance with their usual methods of accounting. Non-REMIC
Certificates characterized as debt for federal income tax purposes and Regular
Certificates will be referred to hereinafter collectively as "Debt
Certificates." For non-REMIC Certificates treated as debt for federal income tax
purposes, see also "Certain Certificates Treated as Indebtedness" herein.
Debt Certificates that are Accrual Certificates will, and certain of the
other Debt Certificates may, be issued with "original issue discount" ("OID").
The following discussion is based in part on the rules governing OID that are
set forth in Sections 1271-1275 of the Code and the Treasury Department
regulations issued thereunder on January 27, 1994, as amended on June 11, 1996
(the "OID Regulations"). A Certificateholder should be aware, however, that the
OID Regulations do not adequately address certain issues relevant to prepayable
securities, such as the Debt Certificates.
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In general, OID, if any, will equal the excess of the stated redemption
price at maturity of a Debt Certificate over its issue price. A holder of a Debt
Certificate must include such OID in gross income as ordinary interest income as
it accrues under a prescribed method which takes into account an economic
accrual of the discount. In general, OID must be included in income in advance
of the receipt of the cash representing that income. The amount of OID on a Debt
Certificate will be considered to be zero if it is less than a de minimis amount
as determined under the Code.
The issue price of a Debt Certificate is the first price at which a
substantial amount of Debt Certificates of that class are sold to the public
(excluding bond houses, brokers, underwriters or wholesalers). If less than a
substantial amount of a particular class of Debt Certificates is sold for cash
on or prior to the Closing Date, the issue price for such class will be treated
as the fair market value of such class on the Closing Date. The stated
redemption price at maturity of a Debt Certificate includes the original
principal amount of the Debt Certificate, but generally will not include
distributions of interest if such distributions constitute "qualified stated
interest."
Under the OID Regulations, interest payments will not be qualified stated
interest unless the interest payments are "unconditionally payable." The OID
Regulations state that interest is unconditionally payable if late payment of
interest (other than late payment that occurs within a reasonable grace period)
or nonpayment of interest is expected to be penalized or reasonable remedies
exist to compel payment. The meaning of "penalized" under the OID regulations is
unclear particularly in the case of obligations based on other debt obligations.
Interest payments on Debt Certificates that do not have reasonable remedies to
compel timely payment of interest may not be qualified stated interest, and such
Debt Certificates may have OID.
Certain Debt Certificates will provide for distributions of interest based
on a period that is the same length as the interval between Distribution Dates
but ends prior to each Distribution Date. Any interest that accrues prior to the
Closing Date may be treated under the OID Regulations either (i) as part of the
issue price and the stated redemption price at maturity of the Debt Certificates
or (ii) as not included in the issue price or stated redemption price. Because
interest on the Debt Certificates must in any event be accounted for under an
accrual method, applying either analysis would result in only a slight
difference in the timing of the inclusion of income of the yield on the Debt
Certificates. Nevertheless, the OID Regulations provide a special application of
the de minimis rule for debt instruments with long first accrual periods where
the interest payable for the first period is at a rate which is effectively less
than that which applies in all other periods. In such cases, for the sole
purpose of determining whether original issue discount is de minimis, the OID
Regulations provide that the stated redemption price is equal to the
instrument's issue price plus the greater of the amount of foregone interest or
the excess (if any) of the instrument's stated principal amount over its issue
price.
Under the de minimis rule, OID on a Debt Certificate will be considered to
be zero if such OID is less than 0.25% of the stated redemption price at
maturity of the Debt Certificate multiplied by the weighted average maturity of
the Debt Certificate. For this purpose, the weighted average maturity of the
Debt Certificate is computed as the sum of the amounts determined by multiplying
the number of full years (i.e., rounding down partial years) from the issue date
until each distribution in reduction of stated redemption price at maturity is
scheduled to be made by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of each
distribution included in the stated redemption price at maturity of the Debt
Certificate and the denominator of which is the stated redemption price at
maturity of the Debt Certificate. Holders generally must report de minimis OID
pro rata as principal payments are received, and such income will be capital
gain if the Debt Certificate is held as a capital asset. However, holders may
elect to accrue all de minimis OID as well as market discount under a constant
interest method. See "-- Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue
Discount" herein.
The holder of a Debt Certificate issued with OID must include in gross
income, for all days during its taxable year on which it holds such Debt
Certificate, the sum of the "daily portions" of such OID. The amount of OID
includable in income by a holder will be computed by allocating to each day
during a taxable year a pro rata portion of the OID that accrued during the
relevant accrual period. In the case of a Debt Certificate that is not a Regular
Certificate and the principal payments on which are not subject to
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acceleration resulting from prepayments on the Mortgage Loans, the amount of OID
includable in income of a holder for an accrual period (generally the period
over which interest accrues on the debt instrument) will equal the product of
the yield to maturity of the Debt Certificate and the adjusted issue price of
the Debt Certificate, reduced by any payments of qualified stated interest. The
adjusted issue price is the sum of its issue price plus prior accruals of OID,
reduced by the total payments made with respect to such Debt Certificate in all
prior periods, other than qualified stated interest payments.
The amount of OID to be included in income by a holder of a debt
instrument, such as certain Classes of the Debt Certificates, that is subject to
acceleration due to prepayments on other debt obligations securing such
instruments (a "Pay-Through Certificate") is computed by taking into account the
anticipated rate of prepayments assumed in pricing the debt instrument (the
"Prepayment Assumption"). The amount of OID that will accrue during an accrual
period on a Pay-Through Certificate is the excess (if any) of the sum of (a) the
present value of all payments remaining to be made on the Pay-Through
Certificate as of the close of the accrual period and (b) the payments during
the accrual period of amounts included in the stated redemption price of the
Pay-Through Certificate, over the adjusted issue price of the Pay-Through
Certificate at the beginning of the accrual period. The present value of the
remaining payments is to be determined on the basis of three factors: (i) the
original yield to maturity of the Pay-Through Certificate (determined on the
basis of compounding at the end of each accrual period and properly adjusted for
the length of the accrual period), (ii) events which have occurred before the
end of the accrual period and (iii) the assumption that the remaining payments
will be made in accordance with the original Prepayment Assumption. The effect
of this method is to increase the portions of OID required to be included in
income by a holder of a Pay-Through Certificate to take into account prepayments
with respect to the Mortgage Loans at a rate that exceeds the Prepayment
Assumption, and to decrease (but not below zero for any period) the portions of
OID required to be included in income by a holder of a Pay-Through Certificate
to take into account prepayments with respect to the Mortgage Loans at a rate
that is slower than the Prepayment Assumption. Although OID will be reported to
holders of Pay-Through Certificates based on the Prepayment Assumption, no
representation is made to such holders that Mortgage Loans will be prepaid at
that rate or at any other rate.
Certain classes of Regular Certificates may represent more than one class
of REMIC regular interests. Unless the applicable Prospectus Supplement
specifies otherwise, the Trustee intends, based on the OID Regulations, to
calculate OID on such Certificates as if, solely for the purposes of computing
OID, the separate regular interests were a single debt instrument.
A subsequent holder of a Debt Certificate will also be required to include
OID in gross income, but such a holder who purchases such Debt Certificate for
an amount that exceeds its adjusted issue price will be entitled (as will an
initial holder who pays more than a Debt Certificate's issue price) to offset
such OID by comparable economic accruals of portions of such excess.
Effects of Defaults and Delinquencies. Holders will be required to report
income with respect to the related Certificates under an accrual method without
giving effect to delays and reductions in distributions attributable to a
default or delinquency on the Mortgage Loans, except possibly to the extent that
it can be established that such amounts are uncollectible. As a result, the
amount of income (including OID) reported by a holder of such a Certificate in
any period could significantly exceed the amount of cash distributed to such
holder in that period. The holder will eventually be allowed a loss (or will be
allowed to report a lesser amount of income) to the extent that the aggregate
amount of distributions on the Certificates is reduced as a result of a Mortgage
Loan default. However, the timing and character of such losses or reductions in
income are uncertain and, accordingly, holders should consult their own tax
advisors on this point.
Interest-Only Debt Certificates. The Trust intends to report income from
interest-only classes of Debt Certificates to the IRS and to holders of
interest-only Debt Certificates based on the assumption that the stated
redemption price at maturity is equal to the sum of all payments determined
under the applicable prepayment assumption. As a result, such interest-only Debt
Certificates will be treated as having original issue discount.
Variable Rate Debt Certificates. Under the OID Regulations, Debt
Certificates paying interest at a variable rate (a "Variable Rate Debt
Certificate") are subject to special rules. A Variable Rate Debt
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Certificate will qualify as a "variable rate debt instrument" if (i) its issue
price does not exceed the total noncontingent principal payments due under the
Variable Rate Debt Certificate by more than a specified de minimis amount, (ii)
it provides for stated interest, paid or compounded at least annually, at (a)
one or more qualified floating rates, (b) a single fixed rate and one or more
qualified floating rates, (c) a single objective rate or (d) a single fixed rate
and a single objective rate that is a qualified inverse floating rate, and (iii)
it provides that each qualified floating or objective rate is set at a current
value of that rate (one occurring in the interval beginning three months before
and ending one year after the rate is first in effect on the Variable Rate Debt
Certificate).
A "qualified floating rate" is any variable rate where variations in the
value of such rate can reasonably be expected to measure contemporaneous
variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency in which the
Variable Rate Debt Certificate is denominated. A multiple of a qualified
floating rate will generally not itself constitute a qualified floating rate for
purposes of the OID Regulations. However, a variable rate equal to (i) the
product of a qualified floating rate and a fixed multiple that is greater than
zero but not more than 1.35 or (ii) the product of a qualified floating rate and
a fixed multiple that is greater than zero but not more than 1.35, increased or
decreased by a fixed rate will constitute a qualified floating rate for purposes
of the OID Regulations. In addition, under the OID Regulations, two or more
qualified floating rates that can reasonably be expected to have approximately
the same values throughout the term of the Variable Rate Debt Certificate will
be treated as a single qualified floating rate (a "Presumed Single Qualified
Floating Rate"). Two or more qualified floating rates with values within 25
basis points of each other as determined on the Variable Rate Debt Certificate's
issue date will be conclusively presumed to be a Presumed Single Qualified
Floating Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a variable rate that would
otherwise constitute a qualified floating rate but which is subject to one or
more restrictions such as a cap or floor will not be a qualified floating rate
for purposes of the OID Regulations unless the restriction is fixed throughout
the term of the Variable Rate Debt Certificate or the restriction will not
significantly affect the yield of the Variable Rate Debt Certificate.
An "objective rate" is a rate that is not itself a qualified floating rate
but that is determined using a single fixed formula and which is based upon (i)
one or more qualified floating rates, (ii) one or more rates where each rate
would be a qualified floating rate for a debt instrument denominated in a
currency other than the currency in which the Variable Rate Debt Certificate is
denominated, (iii) either the yield or changes in the price of one or more items
of actively traded personal property or (iv) a combination of rates described in
(i), (ii) and (iii). The OID Regulations also provide that other variable rates
may be treated as objective rates if so designated by the IRS in the future.
Despite the foregoing, a variable rate of interest on a Variable Rate Debt
Certificate will not constitute an objective rate if it is reasonably expected
that the average value of such rate during the first half of the Variable Rate
Debt Certificate's term will be either significantly less than or significantly
greater than the average value of the rate during the final half of the Variable
Rate Debt Certificate's term. An objective rate will qualify as a "qualified
inverse floating rate" if such rate is equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified
floating rate, and variations in the rate can reasonably be expected to reflect
inversely contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds. The
OID Regulations also provide that if a Variable Rate Debt Certificate provides
for stated interest at a fixed rate for an initial period of less than one year
followed by a variable rate that is either a qualified floating rate or an
objective rate and if the variable rate on the Variable Rate Debt Certificate's
issue date is intended to approximate the fixed rate, then the fixed rate and
the variable rate together will constitute either a single qualified floating
rate or objective rate, as the case may be (a "Presumed Single Variable Rate").
If the value of the variable rate and the initial fixed rate are within 25 basis
points of each other as determined on the Variable Rate Debt Certificate's issue
date, the variable rate will be conclusively presumed to approximate the fixed
rate.
For Variable Rate Debt Certificates that qualify as a "variable rate debt
instrument" under the OID Regulations and provide for interest at either a
single qualified floating rate, a single objective rate, a Presumed Single
Qualified Floating Rate or a Presumed Single Variable Rate throughout the term
(a "Single Variable Rate Debt Certificate"), original issue discount is computed
as described above based on the following: (i) stated interest on the Single
Variable Rate Debt Certificate which is unconditionally payable in cash or
property (other than debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually will
constitute qualified stated interest and (ii) by assuming that the variable rate
on the Single Variable Debt Certificate is a fixed rate equal to:
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(a) in the case of a Single Variable Rate Debt Certificate with a qualified
floating rate or a qualified inverse floating rate, the value of, as of the
issue date, the qualified floating rate or the qualified inverse floating rate
or (b) in the case of a Single Variable Rate Debt Certificate with an objective
rate (other than a qualified inverse floating rate), a fixed rate which reflects
the reasonably expected yield for such Single Variable Debt Certificate.
In general, any Variable Rate Debt Certificate other than a Single Variable
Rate Debt Certificate (a "Multiple Variable Rate Debt Certificate") that
qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" will be converted into an
"equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument for purposes of determining the amount
and accrual of original issue discount and qualified stated interest on the
Multiple Variable Rate Debt Certificate. The OID Regulations generally require
that such a Multiple Variable Rate Debt Certificate be converted into an
"equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument by substituting any qualified floating
rate or qualified inverse floating rate provided for under the terms of the
Multiple Variable Rate Debt Certificate with a fixed rate equal to the value of
the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, as the case may
be, as of the Multiple Variable Rate Debt Certificate's issue date. Any
objective rate (other than a qualified inverse floating rate) provided for under
the terms of the Multiple Variable Rate Debt Certificate is converted into a
fixed rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the Multiple
Variable Rate Debt Certificate. In the case of a Multiple Variable Rate Debt
Certificate that qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" and provides for
stated interest at a fixed rate in addition to either one or more qualified
floating rates or a qualified inverse floating rate, the fixed rate is initially
converted into a qualified floating rate (or a qualified inverse floating rate,
if the Multiple Variable Rate Debt Certificate provides for a qualified inverse
floating rate). Under such circumstances, the qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate that replaces the fixed rate must be such that
the fair market value of the Multiple Variable Rate Debt Certificate as of the
Multiple Variable Rate Debt Certificate's issue date is approximately the same
as the fair market value of an otherwise identical debt instrument that provides
for either the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate rather
than the fixed rate. Subsequent to converting the fixed rate into either a
qualified floating rate or a qualified inverse floating rate, the Multiple
Variable Rate Debt Certificate is then converted into an "equivalent" fixed rate
debt instrument in the manner described above.
Once the Multiple Variable Rate Debt Certificate is converted into an
"equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument pursuant to the foregoing rules, the
amount of original issue discount and qualified stated interest, if any, are
determined for the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument by applying the
original issue discount rules to the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument in
the manner described above. A holder of the Multiple Variable Rate Debt
Certificate will account for such original issue discount and qualified stated
interest as if the holder held the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument. Each
accrual period appropriate adjustments will be made to the amount of qualified
stated interest or original issue discount assumed to have been accrued or paid
with respect to the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument in the event that
such amounts differ from the accrual amount of interest accrued or paid on the
Multiple Variable Rate Debt Certificate during the accrual period.
The OID Regulations do not clearly address the treatment of a Variable Rate
Debt Certificate that is based on a weighted average of the interest rates on
underlying Mortgage Loans. Under the OID Regulations, interest payments on such
a Variable Rate Debt Certificate may be characterized as qualified stated
interest which is includable in income in a manner similar to that described in
the previous paragraph. However, it is also possible that interest payments on
such a Variable Rate Debt Certificate would be treated as contingent interest
(possibly includable in income when the payments become fixed) or in some other
manner.
If a Variable Rate Debt Certificate does not qualify as a "variable rate
debt instrument" under the OID Regulations, then the Variable Rate Debt
Certificate would be treated as a contingent payment debt obligation. It is not
clear under current law how a Variable Rate Debt Certificate would be taxed if
such Debt Certificate were treated as a contingent payment debt obligation.
Market Discount. A purchaser of a Certificate may be subject to the market
discount rules of Sections 1276-1278 of the Code. A holder that acquires a Debt
Certificate with more than a prescribed de minimis amount of "market discount"
(generally, the excess of the principal amount of the Debt Certificate
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over the purchaser's purchase price) will be required to include accrued market
discount in income as ordinary income in each month, but limited to an amount
not exceeding the principal payments on the Debt Certificate received in that
month and, if the Certificates are sold, the gain realized. Such market discount
would accrue in a manner to be provided in Treasury Department regulations but,
until such regulations are issued, such market discount would in general accrue
either (i) on the basis of a constant yield (in the case of a Pay-Through
Certificate, taking into account a prepayment assumption) or (ii) in the ratio
of (a) in the case of Certificates (or in the case of a Pass-Through
Certificate, as set forth below, the Mortgage Loans underlying such Certificate)
not originally issued with original issue discount, stated interest payable in
the relevant period to total stated interest remaining to be paid at the
beginning of the period or (b) in the case of Certificates (or, in the case of a
Pass-Through Certificate, as described below, the Mortgage Loans underlying such
Certificate) originally issued at a discount, OID in the relevant period to
total OID remaining to be paid.
Section 1277 of the Code provides that, regardless of the origination date
of the Debt Certificate (or, in the case of a Pass-Through Certificate, the
Mortgage Loans), the excess of interest paid or accrued to purchase or carry a
Certificate (or, in the case of a Pass-Through Certificate, as described below,
the underlying Mortgage Loans) with market discount over interest received on
such Certificate is allowed as a current deduction only to the extent such
excess is greater than the market discount that accrued during the taxable year
in which such interest expense was incurred. In general, the deferred portion of
any interest expense will be deductible when such market discount is included in
income, including upon the sale, disposition, or repayment of the Certificate
(or in the case of a Pass-Through Certificate, an underlying Mortgage Loan). A
holder may elect to include market discount in income currently as it accrues,
on all market discount obligations acquired by such holder during the taxable
year such election is made and thereafter, in which case the interest deferral
rule will not apply. If such an election were made with respect to a Debt
Certificate with market discount, the Certificateholder would be deemed to have
made an election to include currently market discount in income with respect to
all other debt instruments having market discount that such Certificateholder
acquires during the taxable year of the election or thereafter and possibly
previously acquired instruments. Similarly, a Certificateholder that made this
election for a Certificate that is acquired at a premium would be deemed to have
made an election to amortize bond premium with respect to all debt instruments
having amortizable bond premium that such Certificateholder owns or acquires.
See "-- Premium" and "-- Election to Treat all Interest as Original Issue
Discount" below. Each of these elections to accrue interest, discount and
premium with respect to a Certificate on a constant yield method or as interest
would be irrevocable.
Premium. A holder who purchases a Debt Certificate at a cost greater than
its stated redemption price at maturity generally will be considered to have
purchased the Certificate at a premium, which it may elect to amortize as an
offset to interest income on such Certificate (and not as a separate deduction
item) on a constant yield method. Although no regulations addressing the
computation of premium accrual on securities similar to the Certificates have
been issued, the legislative history of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (the "1986
Act") indicates that premium is to be accrued in the same manner as market
discount. Accordingly, it appears that the accrual of premium on a Class of
Pay-Through Certificates will be calculated using the prepayment assumption used
in pricing such Class. If a holder makes an election to amortize premium on a
Debt Certificate, such election will apply to all taxable debt instruments
(including all REMIC regular interests and all pass-through certificates
representing ownership interests in a trust holding debt obligations) held by
the holder at the beginning of the taxable year in which the election is made,
and to all taxable debt instruments acquired thereafter by such holder, and will
be irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. Purchasers who pay a premium for
the Certificates should consult their tax advisors regarding the election to
amortize premium and the method to be employed.
Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount. The OID
Regulations permit a holder of a Debt Certificate to elect to accrue all
interest, discount (including de minimis market or OID) and premium in income as
interest, based on a constant yield method for Debt Certificates acquired on or
after April 4, 1994. If such an election were to be made with respect to a Debt
Certificate with market discount, the holder of the Debt Certificate would be
deemed to have made an election to include in income currently market discount
with respect to all other debt instruments having market discount that such
holder of the Debt
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Certificate acquires during the year of the election or thereafter. Similarly, a
holder of a Debt Certificate that makes this election for a Debt Certificate
that is acquired at a premium will be deemed to have made an election to
amortize bond premium with respect to all debt instruments having amortizable
bond premium that such holder owns or acquires. The election to accrue interest,
discount and premium on a constant yield method with respect to a Debt
Certificate is irrevocable except with the approval of the IRS.
Sale or Exchange. A holder's adjusted tax basis in its Debt Certificate is
the price such holder pays for a Debt Certificate, plus amounts of OID or market
discount included in income and reduced by any payments received (other than
qualified stated interest payments) and any amortized premium. Except as
described in "-- Interest and Acquisition Discount" and "-- Market Discount,"
gain or loss recognized on a sale, exchange, or redemption of a Debt
Certificate, measured by the difference between the amount realized and the Debt
Certificate's basis as so adjusted, will generally be capital gain or loss,
assuming that the Debt Certificate is held as a capital asset. In the case of a
Debt Certificate held by a bank, thrift or similar institution described in
Section 582 of the Code, however, gain or loss realized on the sale or exchange
of a Debt Certificate will be taxable as ordinary income or loss. Gain from the
disposition of a Debt Certificate that might otherwise be capital gain will be
treated as ordinary income (i) if a Debt Certificate is held as part of a
"conversion transaction" as defined in Code Section 1258(c), up to the amount of
interest that would have accrued on the Debt Certificateholder's net investment
in the conversion transaction at 120% of the appropriate applicable Federal rate
under Code Section 1274(d) in effect at the time the taxpayer entered into the
transaction minus any amount previously treated as ordinary income with respect
to any prior disposition of property that was held as part of such transaction,
(ii) in the case of a non-corporate taxpayer, to the extent such taxpayer has
made an election under Code Section 163(d)(4) to have net capital gains taxed as
investment income at ordinary income rates, or (iii) in the case of a Regular
Certificate to the extent that such gain does not exceed the excess, if any, of
(a) the amount that would have been includable in the gross income of the holder
if his yield on such Regular Certificate were 110% of the applicable Federal
rate under Code Section 1274(d) as of the date of purchase, over (b) the amount
of income actually includable in the gross income of such holder with respect to
the Regular Certificate. Although the legislative history to the 1986 Act
indicates that the portion of the gain from disposition of a Regular Certificate
that will be recharacterized as ordinary income under clause (iii) is limited to
the amount of OID (if any) on the Regular Certificate that was not previously
includable in income, the applicable Code provision contains no such limitation.
C. TAXATION OF CERTIFICATES AS TO WHICH A REMIC ELECTION HAS BEEN MADE
1. TAXATION OF THE REMIC AND ITS HOLDERS
General. In the opinion of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P., if a REMIC election is
made with respect to a Series of Certificates, then the arrangement by which the
Certificates of that Series are issued will be treated as a REMIC as long as all
of the provisions of the applicable Pooling and Servicing Agreement are complied
with and the statutory and regulatory requirements are satisfied. Certificates
will be designated as "Regular Interests" or "Residual Interests" in a REMIC, as
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
Status of Regular Certificates as Real Property Loans. Regular Certificates
and Certificates representing a residual interest in a REMIC (both types of
securities collectively referred to as "REMIC Certificates") will be "real
estate assets" for purposes of Section 856(c)(4)(A) of the Code and assets
described in Section 7701(a)(19)(C)(v) of the Code (assets qualifying under one
or more of those sections, applying each section separately, "qualifying
assets") to the extent that the REMIC's assets are qualifying assets. Moreover,
if at least 95% of the REMIC's assets are qualifying assets, then 100% of the
REMIC Certificates will be qualifying assets. Similarly, income on the REMIC
Certificates will be treated as "interest on obligations secured by mortgages on
real property" within the meaning of Section 856(c)(3)(B) of the Code, subject
to the limitations of the preceding two sentences. In addition to Mortgage
Loans, the REMIC's assets will include payments on Mortgage Loans held pending
distribution to holders of REMIC Certificates, amounts in reserve accounts (if
any), other credit enhancements (if any) and possibly buydown funds ("Buydown
Funds"). The Mortgage Loans generally will be qualifying assets under all three
of the foregoing sections of the Code. However, Mortgage Loans that are not
secured by residential real property or real property used primarily for church
purposes may not constitute qualifying assets under Sec-
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tion 7701(a)(19)(C)(v) of the Code. In addition, to the extent that the
principal amount of a Mortgage Loan exceeds the value of the property securing
the Mortgage Loan, it is unclear and Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. is unable to opine
whether the Mortgage Loans will be qualifying assets. The REMIC Regulations
treat credit enhancements as part of the mortgage or pool of mortgages to which
they relate, and therefore credit enhancements generally should be qualifying
assets. Regulations issued in conjunction with the REMIC Regulations provide
that amounts paid on Mortgage Loans and held pending distribution to holders of
Regular Certificates ("cash flow investments") will be treated as qualifying
assets. It is unclear whether reserve funds or Buydown Funds would also
constitute qualifying assets under any of those provisions.
2. REMIC EXPENSES; SINGLE CLASS REMICS
As a general rule, all of the expenses of a REMIC will be taken into
account by holders of the Residual Certificates. In the case of a "single class
REMIC," however, the expenses will be allocated, under Treasury Department
regulations, among the holders of the Regular Certificates and the holders of
the Residual Certificates on a daily basis in proportion to the relative amounts
of income accruing to each holder on that day. In the case of a holder of a
Regular Certificate who is an individual or a "pass-through interest holder"
(including certain pass-through entities but not including real estate
investment trusts), such expenses will be deductible only to the extent that
such expenses, plus other "miscellaneous itemized deductions" of the holder,
exceed 2% of such holder's adjusted gross income and such holder may not be able
to deduct such fees and expenses to any extent in computing such holder's
alternative minimum tax liability. In addition, Section 68 of the Code provides
that the amount of itemized deductions otherwise allowable for the taxable year
for an individual whose adjusted gross income exceeds a specified amount will be
reduced by the lesser of (i) 3% of the excess of adjusted gross income over the
applicable amount, or (ii) 80% of the amount of itemized deductions otherwise
allowable for such taxable year. The reduction or disallowance of this deduction
may have a significant impact on the yield of the Regular Certificate to such a
holder. In general terms, a single class REMIC is one that either (i) would
qualify, under existing Treasury Department regulations, as a grantor trust if
it were not a REMIC (treating all interests as ownership interests, even if they
would be classified as debt for federal income tax purposes) or (ii) is similar
to such a trust and which is structured with the principal purpose of avoiding
the single class REMIC rules. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, the expenses of the REMIC will be allocated to holders of
the related Residual Certificates.
3. TAXATION OF THE REMIC
General. Although a REMIC is a separate entity for federal income tax
purposes, a REMIC is not generally subject to entity-level tax. Rather, the
taxable income or net loss of a REMIC is taken into account by the holders of
residual interests. As described above, the regular interests are generally
taxable as debt of the REMIC.
Tiered REMIC Structures. For certain Series of Certificates, two or more
separate elections may be made to treat designated portions of the related Trust
as REMICs ("Tiered REMICs") for federal income tax purposes. Upon the issuance
of any such Series of Certificates, counsel to the Transferors will deliver its
opinion generally to the effect that, assuming compliance with all provisions of
the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the Tiered REMICs will each qualify
as a REMIC and the REMIC Certificates issued by the Tiered REMICs, respectively,
will be considered to evidence ownership of Regular Certificates or Residual
Certificates in the related REMIC within the meaning of the REMIC Provisions.
Solely for purposes of determining whether the REMIC Certificates will be
"real estate assets" within the meaning of Section 856(c)(4)(A) of the Code, and
"loans . . . secured by an interest in real property" under Section
7701(a)(19)(C)(v) of the Code, and whether the income on such Certificates is
interest described in Section 856(c)(3)(B) of the Code, the Tiered REMICs will
be treated as one REMIC.
Calculation of REMIC Income. The taxable income or net loss of a REMIC is
determined under an accrual method of accounting and in the same manner as in
the case of an individual, with certain adjustments. In general, the taxable
income or net loss will be the difference between (i) the gross income
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produced by the REMIC's assets, including stated interest and any original issue
discount or market discount on loans and other assets, and (ii) deductions,
including stated interest and original issue discount accrued on Regular
Interest Certificates, amortization of any premium with respect to Mortgage
Loans, and servicing fees and other expenses of the REMIC. A holder of a
Residual Interest Certificate that is an individual or a "pass-through interest
holder" (including certain pass-through entities, but not including real estate
investment trusts) will be unable to deduct servicing fees payable on the
Mortgage Loans or other administrative expenses of the REMIC for a given taxable
year, to the extent that such expenses, when aggregated with such holder's other
miscellaneous itemized deductions for that year, do not exceed 2% of such
holder's adjusted gross income and such holder may not be able to deduct such
fees and expenses to any extent in computing such holder's alternative minimum
tax liability.
For purposes of computing its taxable income or net loss, the REMIC should
have an initial aggregate tax basis in its assets equal to the aggregate fair
market value of the regular interests and the residual interests on the "Startup
Day" (generally, the day that the interests are issued). Such aggregate basis
will be allocated among the assets of the REMIC in proportion to their
respective fair market values.
The OID provisions of the Code apply to loans of individuals originated on
or after March 2, 1984, and the market discount provisions apply to loans.
Subject to possible application of the de minimis rules, the method of accrual
by the REMIC of OID income on such loans will be equivalent to the method under
which holders of Pay-Through Certificates accrue original issue discount (i.e.,
under the constant yield method taking into account the Prepayment Assumption).
The REMIC will deduct OID on the Regular Certificates in the same manner that
the holders of the Regular Certificates include such discount in income, but
without regard to the de minimis rules. See "-- Taxation of Debt Certificates
(Including Regular Certificates)" above. However, a REMIC that acquires loans at
a market discount must include such market discount in income currently, as it
accrues, on a constant yield basis.
To the extent that the REMIC's basis allocable to loans that it holds
exceeds their principal amounts, the resulting premium, if attributable to
mortgages originated after September 27, 1985, will be amortized over the life
of the loans (presumably taking into account the Prepayment Assumption) on a
constant yield method. Although the law is somewhat unclear regarding recovery
of premium attributable to loans originated on or before such date, it is
possible that such premium may be recovered in proportion to payments of loan
principal.
Prohibited Transactions and Other Possible Taxes. The REMIC will be subject
to a 100% tax on any net income derived from a "prohibited transaction." For
this purpose, net income will be calculated without taking into account any
losses from prohibited transactions or any deductions attributable to any
prohibited transaction that resulted in a loss. In general, prohibited
transactions include: (i) subject to limited exceptions, the sale or other
disposition of any qualified mortgage transferred to the REMIC; (ii) subject to
a limited exception, the sale or other disposition of a cash flow investment;
(iii) the receipt of any income from assets not permitted to be held by the
REMIC pursuant to the Code; or (iv) the receipt of any fees or other
compensation for services rendered by the REMIC. It is anticipated that a REMIC
will not engage in any prohibited transactions in which it would recognize a
material amount of net income. In addition, subject to a number of exceptions, a
tax is imposed at the rate of 100% on amounts contributed to a REMIC after the
Startup Day. The holders of Residual Certificates will generally be responsible
for the payment of any such taxes imposed on the REMIC. To the extent not paid
by such holders or otherwise, however, such taxes will be paid out of the Trust
and will be allocated pro rata to all outstanding Classes of Certificates of
such REMIC.
REMICs also are subject to federal income tax at the highest corporate rate
on "net income from foreclosure property," determined by reference to the rules
applicable to real estate investment trusts. "Net income from foreclosure
property" generally means gain from the sale of foreclosure property that is
inventory property, and gross income from foreclosure property other than
qualifying rents and other qualifying income for a real estate investment trust.
Unless otherwise disclosed in the related Prospectus Supplement, it is not
anticipated that any REMIC will recognize "net income from foreclosure property"
subject to federal income tax.
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4. TAXATION OF HOLDERS OF RESIDUAL CERTIFICATES
The holder of a Certificate representing a residual interest (a "Residual
Interest Certificate") will take into account the "daily portion" of the taxable
income or net loss of the REMIC for each day during the taxable year on which
such holder held the Residual Interest Certificate. The daily portion is
determined by allocating to each day in any calendar quarter its ratable portion
of the taxable income or net loss of the REMIC for such quarter, and by
allocating that amount among the holders (on such day) of the Residual
Certificates in proportion to their respective holdings on such day.
The holder of a Residual Interest Certificate must report its proportionate
share of the taxable income of the REMIC whether or not it receives cash
distributions from the REMIC attributable to such income or loss. The reporting
of taxable income without corresponding distributions could occur, for example,
in certain REMIC issues in which the Mortgage Loans held by the REMIC were
issued or acquired at a discount, since mortgage prepayments cause recognition
of discount income, while the corresponding portion of the prepayment could be
used in whole or in part to make principal payments on REMIC Regular Interests
issued without any discount or at an insubstantial discount. (If this occurs, it
is likely that cash distributions will exceed taxable income in later years.)
Taxable income may also be greater in earlier years of certain REMIC issues as a
result of the fact that interest expense deductions, as a percentage of
outstanding principal on REMIC Regular Certificates, will typically increase
over time as lower yielding Certificates are paid, whereas interest income with
respect to loans will generally remain constant over time as a percentage of
loan principal.
In any event, because the holder of a residual interest is taxed on the net
income of the REMIC, the taxable income derived from a Residual Interest
Certificate in a given taxable year will not be equal to the taxable income
associated with investment in a corporate bond or stripped instrument having
similar cash flow characteristics and pretax yield. Therefore, the after-tax
yield on the Residual Interest Certificate may be less than that of such a bond
or instrument.
Limitation on Losses. The amount of the REMIC's net loss that a holder may
take into account currently is limited to the holder's adjusted basis at the end
of the calendar quarter in which such loss arises. A holder's basis in a
Residual Interest Certificate will initially equal such holder's purchase price,
and will subsequently be increased by the amount of the REMIC's taxable income
allocated to the holder, and decreased (but not below zero) by the amount of
distributions made and the amount of the REMIC's net loss allocated to the
holder. Any disallowed loss may be carried forward indefinitely, but may be used
only to offset income of the REMIC generated by the same REMIC. The ability of
holders of Residual Certificates to deduct net losses may be subject to
additional limitations under the Code, as to which such holders should consult
their tax advisors.
Distributions. Distributions on a Residual Interest Certificate (whether at
their scheduled times or as a result of prepayments) will generally not result
in any additional taxable income or loss to a holder of a Residual Interest
Certificate. If the amount of such payment exceeds a holder's adjusted basis in
the Residual Interest Certificate, however, the holder will recognize gain
(treated as gain from the sale of the Residual Interest Certificate) to the
extent of such excess.
Sale or Exchange. A holder of a Residual Interest Certificate will
recognize gain or loss on the sale or exchange of a Residual Interest
Certificate equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized and
such holder's adjusted basis in the Residual Interest Certificate at the time of
such sale or exchange. Except to the extent provided in regulations, which have
not yet been issued, any loss upon disposition of a Residual Interest
Certificate will be disallowed if the selling holder acquires any residual
interest in a REMIC or similar mortgage pool within six months before or after
such disposition.
Excess Inclusions. The portion of the REMIC taxable income of a holder of a
Residual Interest Certificate consisting of "excess inclusion" income may not be
offset by other deductions or losses, including net operating losses, on such
holder's federal income tax return. Further, if the holder of a Residual
Interest Certificate is an organization subject to the tax on unrelated business
income imposed by Code Section 511, such holder's excess inclusion income will
be treated as unrelated business taxable income of such holder. In addition,
under Treasury Department regulations yet to be issued, if a real estate
investment trust, a regulated
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investment company, a common trust fund, or certain cooperatives were to own a
Residual Interest Certificate, a portion of dividends (or other distributions)
paid by the real estate investment trust (or other entity) would be treated as
excess inclusion income. If a Residual Interest Certificate is owned by a
foreign person, excess inclusion income is subject to tax at a rate of 30% which
may not be reduced by treaty, is not eligible for treatment as "portfolio
interest" and is subject to certain additional limitations. See "Tax Treatment
of Foreign Investors" herein.
The excess inclusion portion of a REMIC's income is generally equal to the
excess, if any, of REMIC taxable income for the quarterly period allocable to a
Residual Interest Certificate, over the daily accruals for such quarterly period
of (i) 120% of the long-term applicable federal rate on the Startup Day
multiplied by (ii) the adjusted issue price of such Residual Interest
Certificate at the beginning of such quarterly period. The adjusted issue price
of a Residual Interest Certificate at the beginning of each calendar quarter
will equal its issue price (calculated in a manner analogous to the
determination of the issue price of a Regular Certificate), increased by the
aggregate of the daily accruals for prior calendar quarters, and decreased (but
not below zero) by the amount of loss allocated to a holder and the amount of
distributions made on the Residual Interest Certificate before the beginning of
the quarter. The long-term federal rate, which is announced monthly by the
Treasury Department, is an interest rate that is based on the average market
yield of outstanding marketable obligations of the United States government
having remaining maturities in excess of nine years.
The Small Business Job Protection Act ("SBJPA") of 1996 has eliminated the
special rule permitting Section 593 institutions ("thrift institutions") to use
net operating losses and other allowable deductions to offset their excess
inclusion income from Residual Interest Certificates that have "significant
value" within the meaning of the REMIC Regulations, effective for taxable years
beginning after December 31, 1995, except with respect to Residual Interest
Certificates continuously held by thrift institutions since November 1, 1995.
In addition, the SBJPA of 1996 provides three rules for determining the
effect of excess inclusions on the alternative minimum taxable income of a
holder of a Residual Interest Certificate. First, alternative minimum taxable
income cannot be less than excess inclusions. Second, the alternative minimum
taxable income of a holder of a Residual Interest Certificate for a taxable year
cannot be less than the excess inclusions for the year. Third, the amount of any
alternative minimum tax net operating loss deduction must be computed without
regard to any excess inclusions. These rules are effective for taxable years
beginning after December 31, 1986, unless a holder of a Residual Interest
Certificate elects to have such rules apply only to taxable years beginning
after August 20, 1996.
Under the REMIC Regulations, in certain circumstances, transfers of
Residual Certificates may be disregarded. See "-- Restrictions on Ownership and
Transfer of Residual Certificates" and "-- Tax Treatment of Foreign Investors"
below.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Residual Interest
Certificates. As a condition to qualification as a REMIC, reasonable
arrangements must be made to prevent the ownership of a REMIC residual interest
by any "Disqualified Organization." Disqualified Organizations include the
United States, any State or political subdivision thereof, any foreign
government, any international organization, or any agency or instrumentality of
any of the foregoing, a rural electric or telephone cooperative described in
Section 1381(a)(2)(C) of the Code, or any entity exempt from the tax imposed by
Sections 1-1399 of the Code, if such entity is not subject to tax on its
unrelated business income. Accordingly, the applicable Pooling and Servicing
Agreement will prohibit Disqualified Organizations from owning a Residual
Interest Certificate. In addition, no transfer of a Residual Interest
Certificate will be permitted unless the proposed transferee shall have
furnished to the Trustee an affidavit representing and warranting that it is
neither a Disqualified Organization nor an agent or nominee acting on behalf of
a Disqualified Organization.
If a Residual Interest Certificate is transferred to a Disqualified
Organization (in violation of the restrictions set forth above), a substantial
tax will be imposed on the transferor of such Residual Interest Certificate at
the time of the transfer. In addition, if a Disqualified Organization holds an
interest in a pass-through entity (including, among others, a partnership,
trust, real estate investment trust, regulated investment company, or any person
holding as nominee an interest in a pass-through entity) that owns a
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Residual Interest Certificate, the pass-through entity will be required to pay
an annual tax on its allocable share of the excess inclusion income of the
REMIC.
The REMIC Regulations provide that a transfer of a "noneconomic residual
interest" will be disregarded for all federal income tax purposes unless
impeding the assessment or collection of tax was not a significant purpose of
the transfer. A residual interest will be treated as a "noneconomic residual
interest" unless, at the time of the transfer (i) the present value of the
expected future distributions on the residual interest at least equals the
product of (x) the present value of all anticipated excess inclusions with
respect to the residual interest and (y) the highest corporate tax rate,
currently 35%, and (ii) the transferor reasonably expects that for each
anticipated excess inclusion, the transferee will receive distributions from the
REMIC, at or after the time at which taxes on such excess inclusion accrue,
sufficient to pay the taxes thereon. A significant purpose to impede the
assessment or collection of tax exists if the transferor, at the time of the
transfer, either knew or should have known (had "improper knowledge") that the
transferee would be unwilling or unable to pay taxes due on its share of the
taxable income of the REMIC. A transferor will be presumed not to have improper
knowledge if (i) the transferor conducts, at the time of the transfer, a
reasonable investigation of the financial condition of the transferee and, as a
result of the investigation, the transferor finds that the transferee has
historically paid its debts as they came due and finds no significant evidence
to indicate that the transferee will not continue to pay its debts as they come
due in the future, and (ii) the transferee represents to the transferor that (a)
the transferee understands that it might incur tax liabilities in excess of any
cash received with respect to the residual interest and (b) the transferee
intends to pay the taxes associated with owning the residual interest as they
come due. A different formulation of this rule applies to transfers of Residual
Interest Certificate by or to foreign transferees. See "Tax Treatment to Foreign
Investors" herein.
Mark to Market Rules. Any REMIC Residual Interest acquired after January 3,
1995 cannot be marked to market by securities dealers, regardless of the value
of such REMIC residual interest.
5. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
The REMIC's books must be maintained on a calendar year basis and the REMIC
must file an annual federal income tax return. The REMIC will also be subject to
the procedural and administrative rules of the Code applicable to partnerships,
including the determination of any adjustments to, among other things, items of
REMIC income, gain, loss, deduction or credit, by the IRS in a unified
administrative proceeding.
D. TAX STATUS AS A GRANTOR TRUST
General. As specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, if a REMIC or
partnership election is not made and the Certificates are not treated as debt
for federal income tax purposes, an opinion of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. will be
obtained that the Trust relating to a Series of Certificates will be classified
for federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust under Subpart E, Part I of
Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Code and not as an association
taxable as a corporation (the Certificates of such Series, "Pass-Through
Certificates"). Accordingly, each holder of a Pass-Through Certificate is
treated for federal income tax purposes as the owner of an undivided interest in
the Mortgage Loans included in the Trust. As further described below, each
holder of a Pass-Through Certificate therefore must report on its federal income
tax return the gross income from the portion of the Mortgage Loans that is
allocable to such Pass-Through Certificate and may deduct the portion of the
expenses incurred or accrued by the Trust that is allocable to such Pass-Through
Certificate, at the same time and to the same extent as such items would be
reported by such holder if it had purchased and held directly such interest in
the Mortgage Loans and received or accrued directly its share of the payments on
the Mortgage Loans and incurred or accrued directly its share of expenses
incurred or accrued by the Trust when those amounts are received, incurred or
accrued by the Trust.
A holder of a Pass-Through Certificate that is an individual, estate, or
trust will be allowed deductions for such expenses only to the extent that the
sum of those expenses and the holder's other miscellaneous itemized deductions
exceeds 2% of such holder's adjusted gross income. Moreover, a holder of a
Pass-Through Certificate that is not a corporation cannot deduct such expenses
for purposes of the alternative minimum tax (if applicable). Such deductions
will include servicing, guarantee and administrative fees paid to the servicer
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of the Mortgage Loans. As a result, the Trust will report additional taxable
income to holders of Pass-Through Certificates in an amount equal to their
allocable share of such deductions, and individuals, estates, or trusts holding
Pass-Through Certificates may have taxable income in excess of the cash
received.
Status of the Pass-Through Certificates as Real Property Loans. The
Pass-Through Certificates will be "real estate assets" for purposes of Section
856(c)(4)(A) of the Code and "loans . . . secured by an interest in real
property" within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(19)(C)(v) of the Code (assets
qualifying under one or more of those sections, applying each section
separately, "qualifying assets") to the extent that the Trust's assets are
qualifying assets. The Pass-Through Certificates may not be qualifying assets
under any of the foregoing sections of the Code to the extent that the Trust's
assets include Buydown Funds, reserve funds, or payments on mortgages held
pending distribution to Certificateholders. Further, the Pass-Through
Certificates may not be "real estate assets" to the extent Mortgage Loans held
by the trust are not secured by real property, and may not be "loans . . .
secured by an interest in real property" to the extent Mortgage Loans held by
the trust are not secured by residential real property or real property used
primarily for church purposes. In addition, to the extent that the principal
amount of a Mortgage Loan exceeds the value of the property securing the
Mortgage Loan, it is unclear and Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. is unable to opine
whether the Mortgage Loans will be qualifying assets.
Taxation of Pass-Through Certificates Under Stripped Bond Rules. The
federal income tax treatment of the Pass-Through Certificates will depend on
whether they are subject to the rules of Section 1286 of the Code (the "stripped
bond rules"). The Pass-Through Certificates will be subject to those rules if
stripped interest-only Certificates are issued. In addition, whether or not
stripped interest-only Certificates are issued, the IRS may contend that the
stripped bond rules apply on the ground that the Servicer's servicing fee, or
other amounts, if any, paid to (or retained by) the Servicer or its affiliates,
as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, represent greater than an
arm's length consideration for servicing the Mortgage Loans and should be
characterized for federal income tax purposes as an ownership interest in the
Mortgage Loans. The IRS has concluded in Revenue Ruling 91-46 that a retained
interest in excess of reasonable compensation for servicing is treated as a
"stripped coupon" under the rules of Code Section 1286.
If interest retained for the Servicer's servicing fee or other interest is
treated as a "stripped coupon," the Pass-Through Certificates will be subject to
the OID rules and/or the market discount rules. A holder of a Pass-Through
Certificate generally will account for any discount on the Pass-Through
Certificate that is attributable to a Mortgage Loan that is secured by real
property as market discount rather than OID if either (i) the amount of OID
attributable to such Mortgage Loan was treated as zero under the OID de minimis
rule when such Mortgage Loan was stripped or (ii) no more than 100 basis points
(including any amount of servicing in excess of reasonable servicing) is
stripped off from such Mortgage Loan. If neither of the above exceptions
applies, the OID rules will apply to such discount. Discount attributable to an
unsecured Mortgage Loan will not be eligible for treatment as market discount,
and it is unclear whether discount attributable to a stripped Mortgage Loan the
principal amount of which exceeds the value of real property securing the
Mortgage Loan will be eligible for treatment as market discount.
If the OID rules apply, the holder of a Pass-Through Certificate (whether a
cash or accrual method taxpayer) will be required to report interest income from
the Pass-Through Certificate in each taxable year equal to the income that
accrues on the Pass-Through Certificate in that year calculated under a constant
yield method based on the yield of the Pass-Through Certificate (or, possibly,
the yield of each Mortgage Loan underlying such Pass-Through Certificate) to
such holder. Such yield would be computed at the rate (assuming monthly
compounding) that, if used in discounting the holder's share of the payments on
the Mortgage Loans, would cause the present value of those payments to equal the
price at which the holder purchased the Pass-Through Certificate. With respect
to certain categories, of debt instruments, Section 1272(a)(6) of the Code
requires that OID be accrued based on a prepayment assumption determined in a
manner prescribed by forthcoming regulations. It is unclear whether such
regulations would apply this rule to the Pass-Through Certificates, whether
Section 1272(a)(6) might apply to the Pass-Through Certificates in the absence
of such regulations, or whether the IRS could require use of a reasonable
prepayment assumption based on other tax law principles, and Andrews & Kurth
L.L.P. is unable to opine with respect to this issue. If required to report
interest income on the Pass-Through Certificates to the IRS under the stripped
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bond rules, it is anticipated that the Trustee will calculate the yield of the
Pass-Through Certificates based on a representative initial offering price of
the Pass-Through Certificates and a reasonable assumed rate of prepayment of the
Mortgage Loans (although such yield may differ from the yield to any particular
holder that would be used in calculating the interest income of such holder).
The Prospectus Supplement for each series of Pass-Through Certificates will
describe the prepayment assumption that will be used for this purpose, but no
representation is made that the Mortgage Loans will prepay at that rate or at
any other rate.
Assuming that holders are not taxed as directly owning the Mortgage Loans,
in the case of a Pass-Through Certificate acquired at a price equal to the
principal amount of the Mortgage Loans allocable to the Pass-Through
Certificate, the use of a reasonable prepayment assumption would not have any
significant effect on the yield used in calculating accruals of interest income.
In the case, however, of a Pass-Through Certificate acquired at a discount or
premium (that is, at a price less than or greater than such principal amount,
respectively), the use of a reasonable prepayment assumption would increase or
decrease such yield, and thus accelerate or decelerate the reporting of interest
income, respectively.
If a Mortgage Loan is prepaid in full, the holder of a Pass-Through
Certificate acquired at a discount or premium generally will recognize ordinary
income or loss equal to the difference between the portion of the prepaid
principal amount of the Mortgage Loan that is allocable to the Pass-Through
Certificate and the portion of the adjusted basis of the Pass-Through
Certificate (see "Sales of Pass-Through Certificates" below) that is allocable
to the Mortgage Loan. The method of allocating such basis among the Mortgage
Loans may differ depending on whether a reasonable prepayment assumption is used
in calculating the yield of the Pass-Through Certificates for purposes of
accruing OID. It is not clear whether any other adjustments would be required to
reflect differences between the prepayment rate that was assumed in calculating
yield and the actual rate of prepayments.
Pass-Through Certificates of certain series ("Variable Rate Pass-Through
Certificates") may provide for a Pass-Through Rate based on the weighted average
of the interest rates of the Mortgage Loans held by the Trust, which interest
rates may be fixed or variable. In the case of a Variable Rate Pass-Through
Certificate that is subject to the OID rules, the daily portions of OID
generally will be calculated under the principles discussed in "-- Taxation of
Debt Certificates (Including Regular Certificates) -- Variable Rate Debt
Certificates" herein.
Taxation of Pass-Through Certificates If Stripped Bond Rules Do Not
Apply. If the stripped bond rules do not apply to a Pass-Through Certificate,
then the holder will be required to include in income its share of the interest
payments on the Mortgage Loans in accordance with its tax accounting method. In
addition, if the holder purchased the Pass-Through Certificate at a discount or
premium, the holder will be required to account for such discount or premium in
the manner described below. The treatment of any discount will depend on whether
the discount is OID as defined in the Code and, in the case of discount other
than OID, whether such other discount exceeds a de minimis amount. In the case
of OID, the holder (whether a cash or accrual method taxpayer) will be required
to report as additional interest income in each month the portion of such
discount that accrues in that month, calculated based on a constant yield
method. In general it is not anticipated that the amount of OID to be accrued in
each month, if any, will be significant relative to the interest paid currently
on the Mortgage Loans. However, OID could arise with respect to a Mortgage Loan
that provides for interest at a rate equal to the sum of an index of market
interest rates and a fixed number ("ARM"). The OID for ARMs generally will be
determined under the principles discussed in "-- Taxation of Debt Certificates
(Including Regular Certificates) -- Variable Rate Debt Certificates" herein.
If discount other than OID exceeds a de minimis amount (described below),
the holder will also generally be required to include in income in each month
the amount of such discount accrued through such month and not previously
included in income, but limited, with respect to the portion of such discount
allocable to any Mortgage Loan, to the amount of principal on such Mortgage Loan
received by the Trust in that month. Because the Mortgage Loans will provide for
monthly principal payments, such discount may be required to be included in
income at a rate that is not significantly slower than the rate at which such
discount accrues (and therefore at a rate not significantly slower than the rate
at which such discount would be included in income if it were OID). The holder
may elect to accrue such discount under a constant yield
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method based on the yield of the Pass-Through Certificate to such holder (or
possibly based on the yields of each Mortgage Loan). In the absence of such an
election, it may be necessary to accrue such discount under a more rapid
straight-line method. Under the de minimis rule, market discount with respect to
a Pass-Through Certificate will be considered to be zero if it is less than the
product of (i) 0.25% of the principal amount of the Mortgage Loans allocable to
the Pass-Through Certificate and (ii) the weighted average life (in complete
years) of the Mortgage Loans remaining at the time of purchase of the
Pass-Through Certificate.
If a holder purchases a Pass-Through Certificate at a premium, such holder
may elect under Section 171 of the Code to amortize the portion of such premium
that is allocable to a Mortgage Loan under a constant yield method based on the
yield of the Mortgage Loan to such holder, provided that such Mortgage Loan was
originated after September 27, 1985. Premium allocable to a Mortgage Loan
originated on or before that date should be allocated among the principal
payments on the Mortgage Loan and allowed as an ordinary deduction as principal
payments are made or, perhaps, upon termination.
It is not clear whether the foregoing adjustments for discount or premium
would be made based on the scheduled payments on the Mortgage Loans or taking
account of a reasonable prepayment assumption, and Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. is
unable to opine on this issue.
If a Mortgage Loan is prepaid in full, the holder of a Pass-Through
Certificate acquired at a discount or premium will recognize ordinary income or
loss equal to the difference between the portion of the prepaid principal amount
of the Mortgage Loan that is allocable to the Pass-Through Certificate and the
portion of the adjusted basis of the Pass-Through Certificate (see "-- Tax
Characterization of the Trust as a Partnership; Tax Consequences To Holders of
the Certificates Issued by a Partnership -- Disposition of Certificates" below)
that is allocable to the Mortgage Loan. The method of allocating such basis
among the Mortgage Loans may differ depending on whether a reasonable prepayment
assumption is used in calculating the yield of the Pass-Through Certificates for
purposes of accruing OID. Other adjustments might be required to reflect
differences between the prepayment rate that was assumed in accounting for
discount or premium and the actual rate of prepayments.
E. TAX CHARACTERIZATION OF THE TRUST AS A PARTNERSHIP; TAX CONSEQUENCES TO
HOLDERS OF THE CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY A PARTNERSHIP
Tax Characterization of the Trust as a Partnership. Andrews & Kurth L.L.P.
will deliver its opinion that a Trust which is intended to be a partnership for
federal income tax purposes will not be an association (or publicly traded
partnership) taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. This
opinion will be based on the assumption that the terms of the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement and related documents will be complied with, and on
counsel's conclusions that (i) the Trust will not be classified as an
association taxable as a corporation and (ii) the nature of the income of the
Trust will exempt it from the rule that certain publicly traded partnerships are
taxable as corporations or the issuance of the Certificates has been structured
as a private placement under an IRS safe harbor, so that the Trust will not be
characterized as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation.
If the Trust were taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes,
the Trust would be subject to corporate income tax on its taxable income. The
Trust's taxable income would include all its income. Any such corporate income
tax could materially reduce cash available to make distributions on the
Certificates, and Certificateholders could be liable for any such tax that is
unpaid by the Trust. In additions, a distributions to the Certificateholders
would be taxable as dividends.
Treatment of the Trust as a Partnership. In the case of a Trust intended to
qualify as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, the Trust and the
related Transferor will agree, and the Certificateholders will agree by their
purchase of Certificates, to treat the Trust as a partnership for purposes of
federal and state income tax, franchise tax and any other tax measured in whole
or in part by income, with the assets of the partnership being the assets held
by the Trust and the partners of the partnership being the Certificateholders.
However, the proper characterization of the arrangement involving the Trust, the
Certificates and the Servicer is not clear because there is no authority on
transactions closely comparable to that contemplated herein.
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A variety of alternative characterizations are possible. For example,
because the Certificates have certain features characteristic of debt, the
Certificates might be considered debt of the Trust. Any such characterization
would not result in materially adverse tax consequences to Certificateholders as
compared to the consequences from treatment of the Certificates as equity in a
partnership, described below. The following discussion assumes that the
Certificates represent equity interests in a partnership.
Indexed Certificates, etc. The following discussion assumes that all
payments on the Certificates are denominated in U.S. dollars, none of the
Certificates have interest rates which would qualify as contingent interest
under the OID regulations, and that a Series of Certificates includes a single
Class of Certificates. If these conditions are not satisfied with respect to any
given Series of Certificates, additional tax considerations with respect to such
Certificates will be disclosed in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Partnership Taxation. As a partnership, the Trust will not be subject to
federal income tax. Rather, each Certificateholder will be required to
separately take into account such Certificateholder's allocated share of income,
gains, losses, deductions and credits of the Trust. The Trust's income will
consist primarily of interest and finance charges earned on the Mortgage Loans
(including appropriate adjustments for market discount, OID and bond premium)
and any gain upon collection or disposition of Mortgage Loans. The Trust's
deductions will consist primarily of servicing and other fees, and losses or
deductions upon collection or disposition of Mortgage Loans.
The tax items of a partnership are allocable to the partners in accordance
with the Code, Treasury Department regulations and the partnership agreement
(here, the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and related documents). The Pooling
and Servicing Agreement will provide, in general, that the Certificateholders
will be allocated taxable income of the Trust for each month equal to the sum of
(i) the interest that accrues on the Certificates in accordance with their terms
for such month, including interest accruing at the Pass Through Rate for such
month and interest on amounts previously due on the Certificates but not yet
distributed; (ii) any Trust income attributable to discount on the Mortgage
Loans that corresponds to any excess of the principal amount of the Certificates
over their initial issue price; (iii) prepayment premium payable to the
Certificateholders for such month; and (iv) any other amounts of income payable
to the Certificateholders for such month. Such allocation will be reduced by any
amortization by the Trust of premium on Mortgage Loans that corresponds to any
excess of the issue price of Certificates over their principal amount. All
remaining taxable income of the Trust will be allocated to the related
Transferor. Based on the economic arrangement of the parties, this approach for
allocating Trust income should be permissible under applicable Treasury
Department regulations, although no assurance can be given that the IRS would
not require a greater amount of income to be allocated to Certificateholders.
Moreover, even under the foregoing method of allocation, Certificateholders may
be allocated income equal to the entire Pass-Through Rate plus the other items
described above even though the Trust might not have sufficient cash to make
current cash distributions of such amount. Thus, cash basis holders will in
effect be required to report income from the Certificates on the accrual basis
and Certificateholders may become liable for taxes on Trust income even if they
have not received cash from the Trust to pay such taxes. In addition, because
tax allocations and tax reporting will be done on a uniform basis for all
Certificateholders but Certificateholders may be purchasing Certificates at
different times and at different prices, Certificateholders may be required to
report on their tax returns taxable income that is greater or less than the
amount reported to them by the Trust.
An individual taxpayer's share of expenses of the Trust (including fees to
the Servicer but not interest expense) would be miscellaneous itemized
deductions. Such deductions might be disallowed to the individual in whole or in
part and might result in such holder being taxed on an amount of income that
exceeds the amount of cash actually distributed to such holder over the life of
the Trust.
The Trust intends to make all tax calculations relating to income and
allocations to Certificateholders on an aggregate basis. If the IRS were to
require that such calculations be made separately for each Mortgage Loan, the
Trust might be required to incur additional expense, but it is believed that
there would not be a material adverse effect on Certificateholders.
Discount and Premium. It is believed that the Mortgage Loans were not
issued with OID and, therefore, the Trust should not have OID income. However,
the purchase price paid by the Trust for the Mortgage
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Loans may be greater or less than the remaining principal balance of the
Mortgage Loans at the time of purchase. If so, the Mortgage Loan will have been
acquired at a premium or discount, as the case may be. (As indicated above, the
Trust will make this calculation on an aggregate basis, but might be required to
recompute it on a Mortgage Loan by Mortgage Loan basis.)
If the Trust acquires the Mortgage Loans at a market discount or premium,
the Trust will elect to include any such discount in income currently as it
accrues over the life of the Mortgage Loans or to offset any such premium
against interest income on the Mortgage Loans. As indicated above, a portion of
such market discount income or premium deduction may be allocated to
Certificateholders.
Section 708 Termination. Under Section 708 of the Code, the Trust will be
deemed to terminate for federal income tax purposes if 50% or more of the
capital and profits interests in the Trust are sold or exchanged within a
12-month period. If such a termination occurs, the Trust will be considered to
contribute its assets to a new partnership, and the Trust (as part of the
termination) would be treated as distributing the newly-created partnership
interests to the partners in liquidation. The Trust will not comply with certain
technical requirements that might apply when such a constructive termination
occurs. As a result, the Trust may be subject to certain tax penalties and may
incur additional expenses if it is required to comply with those requirements.
Furthermore, the Trust might not be able to comply due to lack of data.
Disposition of Certificates. Generally, capital gain or loss will be
recognized on a sale of Certificates in an amount equal to the difference
between the amount realized and the seller's tax basis in the Certificates sold.
A Certificateholder's adjusted tax basis in a Certificate will generally equal
the Certificateholder's cost increased by the Certificateholder's share of Trust
income (includable in income) and decreased by any distributions received with
respect to such Certificate. In addition, both the adjusted tax basis in the
Certificates and the amount realized on a sale of a Certificate would include
the Certificateholder's share of liabilities of the Trust. A holder acquiring
Certificates at different prices may be required to maintain a single aggregate
adjusted tax basis in such Certificates, and, upon sale or other disposition of
some of the Certificates, allocate a portion of such aggregate adjusted tax
basis to the Certificates sold (rather than maintaining a separate adjusted tax
basis in each Certificate for purposes of computing gain or loss on a sale of
that Certificate).
Any gain on the sale of a Certificate attributable to the holder's share of
unrecognized accrued market discount on the Mortgage Loans would generally be
treated as ordinary income to the holder and would give rise to special tax
reporting requirements. The Trust does not expect to have any other assets that
would give rise to such special reporting requirements. Thus, to avoid those
special reporting requirements, the Trust will elect to include market discount
in income as it accrues.
If a Certificateholder is required to recognize an aggregate amount of
income (not including income attributable to disallowed itemized deductions
described above) over the life of the Certificates that exceeds the aggregate
cash distributions with respect thereto, such excess will generally give rise to
a capital loss upon the retirement of the Certificates.
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees. In general, the Trust's
taxable income and losses will be determined monthly and the tax items for a
particular calendar month will be apportioned among the Certificateholders in
proportion to the principal amount of Certificates owned by them as of the close
of the last day of such month. As a result, a holder purchasing Certificates may
be allocated tax items (which will affect its tax liability and tax basis)
attributable to periods before the actual transaction.
The use of such a monthly convention may not be permitted by existing
regulations. If a monthly convention is not allowed (or only applies to
transfers of less than all of the partner's interest), taxable income or losses
of the Trust might be reallocated among the Certificateholders. The Trust's
method of allocation between transferors and transferees may be revised to
conform to a method permitted by future regulations.
Section 754 Election. In the event that a Certificateholder sells its
Certificates at a profit (loss), the purchasing Certificateholder will have a
higher (lower) basis in the Certificates than the selling Certificateholder had.
The tax basis of the Trust's assets would not be adjusted to reflect that higher
(or lower) basis unless the Trust were to file an election under Section 754 of
the Code. In order to avoid the administrative
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complexities that would be involved in keeping accurate accounting records, as
well as potentially onerous information reporting requirements, the Trust
currently does not intend to make such election. As a result, Certificateholders
might be allocated a greater or lesser amount of Trust income than would be
appropriate based on their own purchase price for Certificates.
Administrative Matters. The Trustee is required to keep or have kept
complete and accurate books of the Trust. Such books will be maintained for
financial reporting and tax purposes on an accrual basis and the fiscal year of
the Trust will be the calendar year. The Trustee will file a partnership
information return (IRS Form 1065) with the IRS for each taxable year of the
Trust and will report each Certificateholder's allocable share of items of Trust
income and expense to Certificateholders and the IRS on Schedule K-1. The Trust
will provide the Schedule K-I information to nominees that fail to provide the
Trust with the information statement described below and such nominees will be
required to forward such information to the beneficial owners of the
Certificates. Generally, holders must file tax returns that are consistent with
the information return filed by the Trust or be subject to penalties unless the
holder notifies the IRS of all such inconsistencies.
Under Section 6031 of the Code, any person that holds Certificates as a
nominee at any time during a calendar year is required to furnish the Trust with
a statement containing certain information on the nominee, the beneficial owners
and the Certificates so held. Such information includes (i) the name, address
and taxpayer identification number of the nominee and (ii) as to each beneficial
owner (x) the name, address and identification number of such person, (y)
whether such person is a United States person, a tax-exempt entity or a foreign
government, an international organization, or any wholly owned agency or
instrumentality of either of the foregoing, and (z) certain information on
Certificates that were held, bought or sold on behalf of such person throughout
the year. In addition, brokers and financial institutions that hold Certificates
through a nominee are required to furnish directly to the Trust information as
to themselves and their ownership of Certificates. A clearing agency registered
under Section 17A of the Exchange Act is not required to furnish any such
information statement to the Trust. The information referred to above for any
calendar year must be furnished to the Trust on or before the following January
31. Nominees, brokers and financial institutions that fail to provide the Trust
with the information described above may be subject to penalties.
The related Transferor will be designated as the tax matters partner in the
related Pooling and Servicing Agreement and, as such, will be responsible for
representing the Certificateholders in any dispute with the IRS. The Code
provides for administrative examination of a partnership as if the partnership
were a separate and distinct taxpayer. Generally, the statute of limitations for
partnership items does not expire before three years after the date on which the
partnership information return is filed. Any adverse determination following an
audit of the return of the Trust by the appropriate taxing authorities could
result in an adjustment of the returns of the Certificateholders, and, under
certain circumstances, a Certificateholder may be precluded from separately
litigating a proposed adjustment to the items of the Trust. An adjustment could
also result in an audit of a Certificateholder's returns and adjustments of
items not related to the income and losses of the Trust.
Tax Consequences to Foreign Certificateholders. It is not clear whether the
Trust would be considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the United
States for purposes of federal withholding taxes with respect to non-U.S.
persons because them is no clear authority dealing with that issue under facts
substantially similar to those described herein. Although it is not expected
that the Trust would be engaged in a trade or business in the United States for
such purposes, the Trust will withhold as if it were so engaged. In order to
protect the Trust from possible adverse consequences of a failure to withhold.
The Trust expects to withhold on the portion of its taxable income that is
allocable to foreign Certificateholders pursuant to Section 1446 of the Code, as
if such income were effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business, at a rate
of 35% for foreign holders that are taxable as corporations and 39.6% for all
other foreign holders. Subsequent adoption of Treasury Department regulations or
the issuance of other administrative pronouncements may require the Trust to
change its withholding procedures.
Each foreign holder might be required to file a U.S. individual or
corporate income tax return (including, in the case of a corporation, the branch
profits tax) on its share of the Trust's income. Each foreign holder must obtain
a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to the
Trust on Form W-8
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in order to assure appropriate crediting of the taxes withheld. A foreign holder
generally would be entitled to file with the IRS a claim for refund with respect
to taxes withheld by the Trust taking the position that no taxes were due
because the Trust was not engaged in a U.S. trade or business. However, interest
payments made (or accrued) to a Certificateholder who is a foreign person
generally will be considered guaranteed payments to the extent such payments are
determined without regard to the income of the Trust. If these interest payments
are properly characterized as guaranteed payments, then the interest probably
will not be considered "portfolio interest." As a result, Certificateholders
will be subject to United States federal income tax and withholding tax at a
rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated pursuant to an applicable treaty. In
such case, a foreign holder would only be entitled to claim a refund for that
portion of the taxes, if any, in excess of the taxes that should be withheld
with respect to the guaranteed payments.
Backup Withholding. Distributions made on the Certificates and proceeds
from the sale of the Certificates will be subject to a "backup" withholding tax
of 31% if, in general, the Certificateholder fails to comply with certain
identification procedures, unless the holder is an exempt recipient under
applicable provisions of the Code.
F. CERTAIN CERTIFICATES TREATED AS INDEBTEDNESS
Upon the issuance of Certificates which are intended to be treated as
indebtedness for federal income tax purposes, Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. will opine
that based upon its analysis of the factors discussed below, the Certificates
will be characterized as indebtedness for federal income tax purposes of the
related Transferor that is secured by the Mortgage Loans. Opinions of counsel
are not binding on the IRS, however, and there can be no assurance that the IRS
could not successfully challenge this conclusion.
The related Transferor will express in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement
its intent that the Certificates be indebtedness secured by the Mortgage Loans
for federal, state and local income or franchise tax purposes. The related
Transferor, by entering into the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, has agreed and
each Certificateholder, by the acceptance of a Certificate, will agree to treat
the Certificates as indebtedness for federal, state and local income or
franchise tax purposes. However, because different criteria are used to
determine the non-tax accounting characterization of the transactions
contemplated by the Pooling and Servicing Agreements, the Transferors expect to
treat such transactions, for financial accounting purposes, as a transfer of an
ownership interest in the Mortgage Loans and not as a debt obligation.
A basic premise of federal income tax law is that the economic substance of
a transaction generally determines the tax consequences. The form of a
transaction, while a relevant factor, is not conclusive evidence of its economic
substance. In appropriate circumstances, the courts have allowed taxpayers, as
well as the IRS, to treat a transaction in accordance with its economic
substance, as determined under federal income tax law, notwithstanding that the
participants characterize the transaction differently for non-tax purposes. In
some instances, however, courts have held that a taxpayer is bound by the
particular form it has chosen for a transaction, even if the substance of the
transaction does not accord with its form. Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. believes that
the rationale of those cases will not apply to the issuance of the Certificates.
The determination of whether the economic substance of a transfer of an
interest in property is a sale or a loan secured by the transferred property
depends on numerous factors that indicate whether the transferor has
relinquished (and the transferee has obtained) substantial incidents of
ownership in the property. Among the primary factors considered are whether the
transferee has obtained the opportunity for gain if the property increases in
value and has assumed the risk of loss if the property decreases in value. Based
upon its analysis of such factors, Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. will conclude that the
Certificateholders do not own or have an equity interest in the Mortgage Loans
for federal income tax purposes. As a result, Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. will opine
that the Certificates will properly be characterized for federal income tax
purposes as indebtedness. Contrary characterizations that could be asserted by
the IRS are described under "-- Possible Characterization of the Transaction as
a Partnership or as an Association Taxable as a Corporation" below. In this
regard, it should be noted that the IRS has recently issued a notice stating
that, upon examination, it will scrutinize instruments treated as debt for
federal income tax purposes but as equity for regulatory, rating agency or
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financial accounting purposes to determine if their purported status as debt for
federal income tax purposes is appropriate.
Certificateholders as the holders of debt instruments for federal tax
purposes will be taxed in the manner described above in "-- Taxation of Debt
Certificates (Including Regular Certificates)" for Debt Certificates that are
not Regular Certificates.
Possible Characterization of the Transaction as a Partnership or as
Association Taxable as a Corporation. As stated above, the opinion of Andrews &
Kurth L.L.P. with respect to the Certificates will not be binding on the courts
or the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the characterization of the
Certificates as debt would prevail. It is possible that the IRS would assert
that, for purposes of the Code, the transaction described herein constitutes a
transfer of the Mortgage Loans (or an interest therein) to the
Certificateholders and that the proper classification of the legal relationship
between the related Transferor and the Certificateholders resulting from the
transaction is that of a partnership, a publicly traded partnership taxed as a
corporation, or an association taxable as a corporation. Because it is
anticipated that Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. will advise that the Certificates will
be treated as indebtedness for federal income tax purposes, the Transferors
generally will not attempt to comply with the federal income tax reporting
requirements that would apply if Certificates were treated as interests in a
partnership, a publicly traded partnership or a corporation.
If a partnership were deemed to be created between the related Transferor
and the Certificateholders, the partnership itself would not be subject to
federal income tax (unless it were to be characterized as a publicly traded
partnership taxable as a corporation); rather, the partners of such partnership,
including the Certificateholders, would be taxed individually on their
respective distributive shares of the partnership's income, gain, loss,
deductions and credits. The amount and timing of items of income and deduction
of a Certificateholder would differ to the degree the Certificates were held to
constitute partnership interests, rather than indebtedness. Moreover, an
individual's share of expenses of the partnership would be miscellaneous
itemized deductions that, in the aggregate, are allowed as deductions only to
the extent they exceed 2% of the individual's adjusted gross income, and would
be subject to reduction under Section 68 of the Code if the individual's
adjusted gross income exceeded certain limits. As a result, the individual might
be taxed on a greater amount of income than would be the case if the
Certificates were treated as a debt instrument.
If it were determined that the transaction created an entity classified as
an association or as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation, the
Trust would be subject to federal income tax at corporate income tax rates on
the income it derives from the Mortgage Loans, which would reduce the amounts
available for distribution to the Certificateholders. Such classification may
also have adverse state and local tax consequences that would reduce amounts
available for distribution to Certificateholders. Moreover, distributions on the
Certificates would most likely not be deductible in computing the entity's
taxable income, and cash distributions to the Certificateholders generally would
be treated as dividends for tax purposes to the extent of such entity's earnings
and profits.
Foreign Investors. If the IRS were to contend successfully that the
Certificates are interests in a partnership and if such partnership were
considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the United States, the
partnership would be subject to a withholding tax on income allocable to a
foreign investor, and such holder would be credited for his or her share of the
withholding tax paid by the Partnership. In such case, the holder generally
would be subject to United States federal income tax at regular federal income
tax rates, and possibly a branch profits tax in the case of a corporate holder.
Alternatively, although there may be arguments to the contrary, if such a
partnership is not considered to be engaged in a trade or business within the
United States and if income with respect to the Certificates is not otherwise
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States by the foreign investor, the foreign investor would be subject to United
States federal income tax and withholding at a rate of 30% (unless reduced by an
applicable tax treaty) on the holder's distributive share of the partnership's
interest income.
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If the Trust were taxable as a corporation, distributions to foreign
investors, to the extent treated as dividends, would generally be subject to
withholding at the rate of 30%, unless such rate were reduced or eliminated by
an applicable income tax treaty.
II. TAXATION OF BONDS
With respect to each Series of Bonds, no regulations, published rulings, or
judicial decisions exist that discuss the characterization for federal income
tax purposes of securities with terms substantially the same as the Bonds.
However, Andrews & Kurth L.L.P., counsel to the Transferors, will deliver their
opinion that the Bonds will be treated for federal income tax purposes as
indebtedness, and not as an ownership interest in the Mortgage Loans, or as an
equity interest in the related Bond Issuer or in a separate association taxable
as a corporation. The following summary of the anticipated federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Bonds, to the extent
it relates to matters of law or legal conclusions with respect thereto, is based
on such opinion. Such statements do not purport to furnish information in the
level of detail or with the attention to an investor's specific tax
circumstances that would be provided by an investor's own tax advisor.
Accordingly, each investor is advised to consult its own tax advisors with
regard to the tax consequences to it of investing in Bonds.
For federal income tax purposes, (i) Bonds held by a thrift institution
taxed as a domestic building and loan association will not constitute
"loans . . . secured by an interest in real property" within the meaning of Code
Section 7701(a)(19)(C)(v); (ii) interest on Bonds held by a real estate
investment trust will not be treated as "interest on obligations secured by
mortgages on real property or on interests in real property" within the meaning
of Code Section 856(c)(3)(B); (iii) Bonds held by a real estate investment trust
will not constitute "real estate assets" or "Government securities" within the
meaning of Code Section 856(c)(4)(A); and (iv) Bonds held by a regulated
investment company will not constitute "Government securities" within the
meaning of Code Section 851(b)(3)(A)(i).
Bonds will be subject to the same rules of taxation as Debt Certificates,
as described above under the heading "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences -- Taxation of Certificates -- Taxation of Debt Certificates
(Including Regular Certificates)," except that income reportable on Bonds is not
required to be reported under the accrual method unless the Bondholder otherwise
uses the accrual method.
In the case of a Bond subject to the request of a holder for redemption (a
"Retail Bond"), the yield to maturity of such Bond will be determined based upon
the anticipated payment characteristics of the Bonds under the related
Prepayment Assumption. In general, the OID accruing on each Retail Bond in a
full accrual period would be its allocable share of the OID with respect to the
entire Series, determined as described in "-- Taxation of Certificates --
Taxation of Debt Certificates (Including Regular Certificates) -- Interest and
Acquisition Discount" herein. However, in the case of a payment of the entire
principal amount of any Retail Bond (or portion thereof), (a) the remaining
unaccrued OID allocable to such Bond (or to such portion) will accrue at the
time of such payment and (b) the accrual of OID allocable to each remaining
Bond of such Series (or the remaining principal amount of a Retail Bond after a
payment in reduction of a portion of its principal amount has been received)
will be adjusted by reducing the present value of the remaining payments on
such Series and the adjusted issue price of such Series to the extent
attributable to the portion of the principal amount thereof that was paid.
III. MISCELLANEOUS TAX ASPECTS
Backup Withholding. A holder, other than a holder of a Residual Interest
Certificate, may, under certain circumstances, be subject to "backup
withholding" at a rate of 31% with respect to distributions or the proceeds of a
sale of Securities to or through brokers that represent interest or original
issue discount on the Securities. This withholding generally applies if the
holder of a Security (i) fails to furnish the Trustee with its taxpayer
identification number ("TIN"); (ii) furnishes the Trustee an incorrect TIN;
(iii) fails to report properly interest, dividends or other "reportable
payments" as defined in the Code; or (iv) under certain circumstances, fails to
provide the Trustee or such holder's securities broker with a certified
statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the TIN provided is its correct
number and that the holder is not subject to
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backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply, however, with respect to
certain payments made to holders, including payments to certain exempt
recipients (such as exempt organizations) and to certain Foreign Investors
(defined below). Holders should consult their tax advisors as to their
qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for
obtaining the exemption.
The Trustee will report to the holders and to the Servicer for each
calendar year the amount of any "reportable payments" during such year and the
amount of tax withheld, if any, with respect to payments on the Securities.
IV. TAX TREATMENT OF FOREIGN INVESTORS
Subject to the discussion below with respect to Trusts that are treated as
partnerships for federal income tax purposes and with respect to Certificates
treated as debt for federal income tax purposes, unless interest (including OID)
paid on a Security (other than a Residual Interest Certificate) is considered to
be "effectively connected" with a trade or business conducted in the United
States by a Foreign Investor, such interest will normally qualify as portfolio
interest (except where (i) the recipient is a holder, directly or by
attribution, of 10% or more of the capital or profits interest in the issuer, or
(ii) the recipient is a controlled foreign corporation to which the issuer is a
related person) and will be exempt from federal income tax. See "-- Tax
Consequences to Holders of the Certificates Issued by a Partnership -- Tax
Consequences to Foreign Certificateholders" and "-- Certain Certificates Treated
as Indebtedness -- Foreign Investors" herein. For purposes of this summary, the
term "United States holder" means a holder who is a citizen or resident of the
United States, a corporation or partnership including an entity treated as a
corporation or partnership for United States tax purposes or other entity
created or organized under the laws of the United States or any political
subdivision thereof, an estate whose income is includable in gross income for
United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its source, or a trust
if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision
over the administration of the trust, and (ii) one or more United States persons
have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. The term
"Foreign Investor" means a holder who is for United Stated federal income tax
purposes, a nonresident alien individual, a foreign corporation, a foreign
partnership or a foreign estate or trust. Upon receipt of appropriate ownership
statements, the issuer normally will be relieved of obligations to withhold tax
from such interest payments. These provisions supersede the generally applicable
provisions of United States law that would otherwise require the issuer to
withhold at a 30% rate (unless such rate were reduced or eliminated by an
applicable tax treaty) on, among other things, interest and other fixed or
determinable, annual or periodic income paid to Foreign Investors. Holders of
Pass-Through Certificates however, may be subject to withholding to the extent
that the Mortgage Loans were originated on or before July 18, 1984.
Interest and OID of holders who are foreign persons are not subject to
withholding if they are effectively connected with a United States business
conducted by the holder and timely provide an IRS Form 4224. They will, however,
generally be subject to the regular United States income tax.
Payments to holders of Residual Certificates who are foreign persons will
generally be treated as interest for purposes of the 30% (or lower treaty rate)
United States withholding tax. Holders should assume that such income does not
qualify for exemption from United States withholding tax as "portfolio
interest." It is clear that, to the extent that a payment represents a portion
of REMIC taxable income that constitutes excess inclusion income, a holder of a
Residual Interest Certificate will not be entitled to an exemption from or
reduction of the 30% (or lower treaty rate) United States withholding tax. If
the payments are subject to United States withholding tax, they generally will
be taken into account for withholding tax purposes only when paid or distributed
(or when the Residual Interest Certificate is disposed of). The Treasury
Department has statutory authority, however, to promulgate regulations which
would require such amounts to be taken into account at an earlier time in order
to prevent the avoidance of tax. Such regulations could, for example, require
withholding prior to the distribution of cash in the case of Residual
Certificates that do not have significant value. Under the REMIC Regulations, if
a Residual Interest Certificate has tax avoidance potential, a transfer of a
Residual Interest Certificate to a Foreign Investor will be disregarded for all
federal tax purposes. A Residual Interest Certificate has tax avoidance
potential unless, at the time of the transfer, the
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transferor reasonably expects that the REMIC will distribute to the transferee
residual interest holder amounts that will equal at least 30% of each excess
inclusion, and that such amounts will be distributed at or after the time at
which the excess inclusions accrue and not later than the calendar year
following the calendar year of accrual. If a Foreign Investor transfers a
Residual Interest Certificate to a United States person, and if the transfer has
the effect of allowing the transferor to avoid tax on accrued excess inclusions,
then the transfer is disregarded and the transferor continues to be treated as
the owner of the Residual Interest Certificate for purposes of the withholding
tax provisions of the Code. See "Taxation of Holders of Residual Interest
Securities -- Excess Inclusions" herein.
Subject to the discussion in the previous paragraph, any capital gain
realized on the sale, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a
Security by a foreign person will be exempt from United States federal income
and withholding tax, provided that (i) such gain is not effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by the foreign
person and (ii) in the case of an individual foreign person, the foreign person
is not present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year.
Final regulations dealing with withholding tax on income paid to foreign
persons and related matters (the "New Withholding Regulations") were issued by
the Treasury Department on October 6, 1997. The New Withholding Regulations will
generally be effective for payments made after December 31, 1999, subject to
certain transition rules. Foreign Investors are strongly urged to consult their
own tax advisors with respect to the New Withholding Regulations.
STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS
In addition to the federal income tax consequences described herein under
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences," potential investors should consider
the state income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition
of the Securities. State and local income tax law may differ substantially from
the corresponding federal law, and this discussion does not purport to describe
any aspect of the income tax laws of any state or locality. Therefore, potential
investors should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the various tax
consequences of investments in the Securities.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
imposes certain fiduciary and prohibited transaction restrictions on employee
pension and welfare benefit plans subject to ERISA ("ERISA Plans"). Section 4975
of the Code imposes essentially the same prohibited transaction restrictions on
tax-qualified retirement plans described in Section 401(a) of the Code
("Qualified Retirement Plans") and on Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs")
described in Section 408 of the Code (collectively, "Tax-Favored Plans"). ERISA
Plans and Tax-Favored Plans are collectively referred to herein as "Plans."
Certain employee benefit plans, such as governmental plans (as defined in
Section 3(32) of ERISA) and certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of
ERISA), are not subject to the ERISA requirements discussed herein. Accordingly,
assets of such plans may be invested in Securities without regard to the ERISA
considerations described below, subject to the provisions of applicable federal
and state law. Any such church or governmental plan that is a Qualified
Retirement Plan and exempt from taxation under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the
Code, however, is subject to the prohibited transaction rules set forth in
Section 503 of the Code.
Section 404 of ERISA imposes general fiduciary requirements, including
those of investment prudence and diversification and the requirement that the
investments of ERISA Plans be made in accordance with the documents governing
the ERISA Plan. In addition, Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code
prohibit a broad range of transactions involving Plan assets and persons
("Parties in Interest" under ERISA or "Disqualified Persons" under the Code) who
have certain specified relations to the Plans, unless a statutory or
administrative exemption is available. Certain Parties in Interest (or
Disqualified Persons) that participate in a prohibited transaction may be
subject to a penalty (or an excise tax) imposed pursuant to Section 502(i) of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, unless a statutory or administrative
exemption is available.
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PLAN ASSET REGULATIONS
A Plan's investment in the Securities may cause the Mortgage Loans included
in a Mortgage Pool to be deemed Plan assets. The U.S. Department of Labor (the
"DOL") has promulgated regulations (the "DOL Regulations") describing whether or
not a Plan's assets will be deemed to include an interest in the underlying
assets of an entity (such as a Trust), for purposes of applying the general
fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA and the prohibited transaction
provisions of ERISA and the Code, when a Plan acquires an "equity interest"
(such as a Certificate) in such entity. Because of the factual nature of certain
of the rules set forth in the DOL Regulations, an investing Plan's assets either
may be deemed to include an interest in the underlying assets included in a
Trust or Trust Estate, as applicable, or a Transferor (or a Bond Issuer, if
applicable) or may be deemed merely to include its interest in the Securities.
Bonds treated as indebtedness under applicable local law and that have no
substantial equity features do not constitute equity interests.
The prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of ERISA and Section
4975 of the Code may apply to a Trust or a Transferor (or a Bond Issuer, if
applicable) and cause the related Transferor (or a Bond Issuer, if applicable),
the Servicer, any Sub-Servicer, the Trustee, the obligor under any credit
enhancement mechanism or certain affiliates thereof, to be considered or become
Parties in Interest or Disqualified Persons with respect to an investing Plan.
If so, the acquisition or holding of Securities by or on behalf of the investing
Plan could also give rise to a prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code,
unless some statutory or administrative exemption is available. Securities
acquired by a Plan would be assets of that Plan. Special caution should be
exercised before the assets of a Plan are used to acquire a Security in such
circumstances, especially if, with respect to such assets, the related
Transferor (or a Bond Issuer, if applicable), the Servicer, any Sub-Servicer,
the Trustee, the obligor under any credit enhancement mechanism or an affiliate
thereof either (i) has investment discretion with respect to the investment of
Plan assets; or (ii) has authority or responsibility to give (or regularly
gives) investment advice with respect to Plan assets for a fee pursuant to an
agreement or understanding that such advice will serve as a primary basis for
investment decisions with respect to such assets.
Any person who has discretionary authority or control respecting the
management or disposition of Plan assets, and any person who provides investment
advice with respect to such assets for a fee (in the manner described above), is
a fiduciary of the investing Plan. If the Mortgage Loans were to constitute Plan
assets then any party exercising management or discretionary control regarding
those assets may be deemed to be a Plan "fiduciary," and thus subject to the
fiduciary requirements of ERISA and the prohibited transaction provisions of
ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code with respect to the investing Plan. In
addition, if the Mortgage Loans were to constitute Plan assets, then the
acquisition or holding of Securities by a Plan, as well as the operation of the
Trust or a Transferor (or a Bond Issuer, if applicable) issuing Bonds, may
constitute or involve a prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code.
PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION
The DOL has issued an administrative exemption, Prohibited Transaction
Class Exemption 83-1 ("PTCE 83-1"), which, under certain conditions, exempts
from the application of the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and
Section 4975 of the Code transactions involving a Plan in connection with the
operation of a "mortgage pool" and the purchase, sale and holding of "mortgage
pool pass-through certificates." A "mortgage pool" is defined as an investment
pool, consisting solely of interest-bearing obligations secured by first or
second mortgages or deeds of trust on single-family residential property,
property acquired in foreclosure and undistributed cash. A "mortgage pool
pass-through certificate" is defined as a certificate which represents a
beneficial undivided interest in a mortgage pool which entitles the holder to
pass-through payments of principal and interest from the mortgage loans.
For the exemption to apply, PTCE 83-1 requires that (i) the related
Transferor and the Trustee maintain a system of insurance or other protection
for the Mortgage Loans and the property securing such Mortgage Loans, and for
indemnifying holders of Certificates against reductions in pass-through payments
due to defaults in loan payments or property damage in an amount at least equal
to the greater of 1% of the aggregate principal balance of the Mortgage Loans,
or 1% of the principal balance of the largest covered pooled
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Mortgage Loan, (ii) the Trustee may not be an affiliate of the related
Transferor; and (iii) the payments made to and retained by the related
Transferor in connection with the Trust, together with all funds inuring to its
benefit for administering the Trust, represent no more than "adequate
consideration" for assigning the Mortgage Loans, plus reasonable compensation
for services provided to the Trust.
In addition, PTCE 83-1 exempts the initial sale of Certificates to a Plan
with respect to which the related Transferor, the Servicer, the Trustee or the
Securities Insurer, if any, is a party in interest if the Plan does not pay more
than fair market value for such Certificates and the rights and interests
evidenced by such Certificates are not subordinated to the rights and interests
evidenced by other Certificates of the same pool. PTCE 83-1 also exempts from
the prohibited transaction rules transactions in connection with the servicing
and operation of the Mortgage Pool, provided that any payments made to the
related Transferor in connection with the servicing of the Trust are made in
accordance with a binding agreement, copies of which must be made available to
prospective investors.
In the case of any Plan with respect to which the Servicer, the related
Transferor, the Trustee or a Securities Insurer, if any, is a fiduciary, PTCE
83-1 will only apply if, in addition to the other requirements: (i) the initial
sale, exchange or transfer of Certificates is expressly approved by an
independent fiduciary who has authority to manage and control those plan assets
being invested in Certificates; (ii) the Plan pays no more for the Certificates
than would be paid in an arm's length transaction; (iii) no investment
management, advisory or underwriting fee, sales commission, or similar
compensation is paid to the Servicer with regard to the sale, exchange or
transfer of Certificates to the Plan; (iv) the total value of the Certificates
purchased by such Plan does not exceed 25% of the amount issued; and (v) at
least 50% of the aggregate amount of Certificates is acquired by persons
independent of the related Transferor, the Trustee, the Servicer, and the
Securities Insurer, if any.
Before purchasing Certificates, a fiduciary of a Plan should confirm that
the Trust is a "mortgage pool," that the Certificates constitute "mortgage pool
pass-through certificates," and that the conditions set forth in PTCE 83-1 would
be satisfied. In addition to making its own determination as to the availability
of the exemptive relief provided in PTCE 83-1, the Plan fiduciary should
consider the availability of any other prohibited transaction exemptions. The
Plan fiduciary also should consider its general fiduciary obligations under
ERISA in determining whether to purchase any Certificates on behalf of a Plan.
In addition to PTCE 83-1, the DOL has granted to certain underwriters
and/or placement agents individual prohibited transaction exemptions, commonly
referred to as the Underwriter Exemptions, PTE 97-34, which may be applicable to
avoid certain of the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA with respect to the
initial purchase, the holding and the subsequent resale in the secondary market
by Plans of pass-through certificates representing a beneficial undivided
interest in the assets of a trust that consist of certain receivables, loans and
other obligations that meet the conditions and requirements of the exemption
which may be applicable to the Certificates.
One or more other prohibited transaction exemptions issued by the DOL may
be available to a Plan investing in Securities, depending in part upon the type
of Plan fiduciary making the decision to acquire Securities and the
circumstances under which such decision is made, including but not limited to
PTCE 84-14, regarding investments effected by "qualified plan asset managers,"
PTCE 90-1, regarding investments by insurance company pooled separate accounts,
PTCE 91-38, regarding investments by bank collective investment funds, PTCE
95-60, regarding investments by insurance company general accounts and PTCE
96-23, regarding investments effected by "in-house asset managers." However,
even if the conditions specified in one or more of these other exemptions are
met, the scope of the relief provided might or might not cover all acts which
might be construed as prohibited transactions.
Any Plan fiduciary considering the purchase of a Security should consult
with its counsel with respect to the potential applicability of ERISA and the
Code to such investment. Moreover, each Plan fiduciary should determine whether,
under the general fiduciary standards of investment prudence and
diversification, an investment in the Securities is appropriate for the Plan,
taking into account the overall investment policy of the Plan and the
composition of the Plan's investment portfolio. Special caution should be
exercised before a Plan purchases a Security in such circumstances.
94
<PAGE> 96
LEGAL INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
SMMEA
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Securities will not constitute "mortgage related securities" for purposes of
SMMEA. Accordingly, many institutions with legal authority to invest in
comparably rated securities based on first mortgage loans or deeds of trust may
not be legally authorized to invest in the Securities. No representation is made
herein as to whether the Securities will constitute legal investments for any
entity under any applicable statute, law, rule, regulation or order. Prospective
purchasers are urged to consult with their counsel concerning the status of the
Securities as legal investments for such purchasers prior to investing in any
Securities of a given Series.
FFIEC POLICY STATEMENT
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Comptroller of the Currency and the Office of Thrift
Supervision have adopted the Federal Financial Institutions Examination
Council's Supervisory Policy Statement on Certificates Activities (the "Policy
Statement"). Although the National Credit Union Administration has not yet
adopted the Policy Statement, it has adopted other regulations affecting
mortgage-backed securities and is expected to consider adoption of the Policy
Statement. The Policy Statement, among other things, places responsibility on a
depository institution to develop and monitor appropriate policies and
strategies regarding the investment, sale and trading of securities and
restricts an institution's ability to engage in certain types of transactions.
The Policy Statement provides that a depository institution must ascertain
and document prior to purchase and no less frequently than annually thereafter
that a non-high-risk mortgage security held for investment remains outside the
high-risk category. If an institution is unable to make these determinations
through internal analysis, it must use information derived from a source that is
independent of the party from whom the product is being purchased. The
institution is responsible for ensuring that the assumptions underlying the
analysis and resulting calculations are reasonable. Reliance on analyses and
documentation from a securities dealer or other outside party without internal
analyses by the institution is unacceptable.
A "high-risk mortgage security" is not suitable as an investment portfolio
holding for a depository institution. A high-risk mortgage security must be
reported in the trading account at market value or as an asset held for sale at
the lower of cost or market value and generally may only be acquired to reduce
an institution's interest rate risk. However, an institution with strong capital
and earnings and adequate liquidity that has a closely supervised trading
department is not precluded from acquiring high-risk mortgage securities for
trading purposes.
The Policy Statement and any applicable modifications or supplements
thereto should be reviewed prior to the purchase of any Securities by a
depository institution. The summary of the Policy Statement contained herein
does not purport to be complete and should not be relied upon for purposes of
making any regulatory determinations. In addition, any regulator may adopt
modifications or supplements to the Policy Statement or additional restrictions
on the purchase of mortgage-backed or other securities. Investors are urged to
consult their own legal advisors prior to making any determinations with respect
to the Policy Statement or other regulatory requirements.
GENERAL
There may be other restrictions on the ability of certain investors,
including depository institutions, either to purchase Securities, to purchase
Securities representing more than a specified percentage of the investor's
assets, or to purchase certain types of Certificates, such as residual interests
or stripped mortgage-backed securities. Investors should consult their own legal
advisors in determining whether and to what extent the Securities of a given
Series constitute legal investments for such investors and comply with any other
applicable requirements.
95
<PAGE> 97
METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION
The Securities offered hereby and by the Prospectus Supplement will be
offered in Series, either directly by the related Transferor or through one or
more underwriters or underwriting syndicates ("Underwriters"). The Prospectus
Supplement for each Series will set forth the terms of the offering of the
Securities of such Series, including the name or names of the Underwriters, the
proceeds to the related Transferor (in the case of a Series of Certificates) or
to the related Bond Issuer (in the case of a Series of Bonds), and either the
initial public offering price, the discounts and commissions to the Underwriters
and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed to certain dealers, or the
method by which the price at which the Underwriters will sell the Securities
will be determined.
The Securities may be acquired by Underwriters for their own account and
may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including
negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices
determined at the time of sale. It is anticipated that the underwriting
agreement pertaining to the sale of any Series of Securities will provide that
the obligations of any Underwriters will be subject to certain conditions
precedent, and such Underwriters will be severally obligated to purchase all of
a Series of Securities described in the related Prospectus Supplement, if they
are purchased and that in limited circumstances the related Transferor will
indemnify any Underwriters against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or will contribute to payments any
Underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
If Securities of a Series are offered other than through Underwriters, the
related Prospectus Supplement will contain information regarding the nature of
such offering and any agreements to be entered into between the seller and
purchasers of Securities of such Series.
The Transferors anticipate that the Securities will be sold primarily to
institutional investors. Purchasers of Securities, including dealers, may,
depending on the facts and circumstances of such purchases, be deemed to be
"underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in
connection with reoffers and sales by them of Securities. Securityholders should
consult with their legal advisors in this regard prior to any such reoffer or
sale.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters relating to the issuance of the Securities of each
Series, including certain federal income tax consequences with respect thereto,
will be passed upon by Andrews & Kurth L.L.P., Washington, D.C.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Transferors have determined that their financial statements are not
material to the offering made hereby.
A new Trust will be formed to hold the Mortgage Loans in connection with
each Series of Certificates. Each such Trust will have no assets or obligations
prior to the issuance of the Certificates and will not engage in any activities
other than those described herein. Accordingly, no financial statements with
respect to such Trusts will be included in this Prospectus or any Prospectus
Supplement.
Although the Bonds of any Series will represent obligations of the related
Bond Issuer, such obligations will be non-recourse and the proceeds of the
assets included in the related Trust Estate will be the sole source of payments
on the Bonds of such Series. The Bond Issuer for any Series of Bonds (whether it
is ACAC or a trust, partnership, limited liability company or corporation formed
by ACAC solely for the purpose of issuing the Bonds of such Series) will not
have, nor be expected in the future to have, any significant assets available
for payments on such Series of Bonds other than the assets included in the
related Trust Estate. Accordingly, the investment characteristics of a Series of
Bonds will be determined by the assets included in the related Trust Estate and
will not be affected by the identity of the obligor with respect to such Series
of Bonds. Accordingly, no capitalization information or any historical or pro
forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges or
96
<PAGE> 98
any other financial information with respect to ACAC or any trust, partnership,
limited liability company or corporation formed for the purpose of issuing a
Series of Bonds has been or will be included herein or in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
RATING
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, it is a
condition to the issuance of the Securities of each Series offered hereby that
they shall have been rated in one of the four highest rating categories by the
nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement (each, a "Rating Agency").
Ratings on asset-backed securities address the likelihood of receipt by the
related securityholders of all distributions on the underlying mortgage loans.
These ratings address the structural, legal and issuer-related aspects
associated with such securities, the nature of the underlying mortgage loans and
the credit quality of the guarantor, if any. Ratings on asset-backed securities
do not represent any assessment of the likelihood of principal prepayments by
mortgagors or of the degree by which such prepayments might differ from those
originally anticipated. As a result, the related the related securityholders
might suffer a lower than anticipated yield, and, in addition, holders of
stripped securities in extreme cases might fail to recoup their underlying
investments.
A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities
and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating
organization. Each security rating should be evaluated independently of any
other security rating.
97
<PAGE> 99
INDEX OF PRINCIPAL TERMS
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the following capitalized terms
shall have the meanings set forth on the pages indicated below:
1933 Act...................................................................4, 96
Aames Guidelines..............................................................33
ACAC....................................................................1, 8, 31
ACC.....................................................................1, 8, 31
Accounts......................................................................36
Accrual Certificates..........................................................40
AFC........................................................................8, 31
Affiliated Originators........................................................33
Amortization Period.......................................................11, 41
Appraised Value...............................................................29
ARM...........................................................................83
ARM Loans.....................................................................25
Available Funds...............................................................39
Balloon Loans.................................................................20
Balloon payment...............................................................20
Bankruptcy Bond...........................................................14, 46
Bond Account..................................................................38
Bond Event of Default.........................................................62
Bondholders................................................................9, 35
Bond Issuer.................................................................1, 8
Bond Rate.....................................................................40
Bonds.......................................................................1, 8
Buydown Funds.................................................................76
Capitalized Interest Account..................................................12
Cash flow investments.........................................................77
Cede......................................................................18, 36
CERCLA........................................................................69
Certificate Account...........................................................38
Certificate Event of Default..................................................59
Certificate Rate..............................................................40
Certificateholders.........................................................8, 35
Certificates................................................................1, 8
Class...................................................................2, 8, 35
Closing Date..................................................................30
Code......................................................................16, 70
Collection Account............................................................53
Collection Period.............................................................39
Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio..................................................29
Commission.....................................................................4
Compensating Interest Payment.................................................55
Cut-off Date..................................................................10
Debt Certificates.............................................................70
Deferred Interest.............................................................30
Definitive Securities.....................................................17, 36
Deleted Mortgage Loan.........................................................52
Deposit Date..................................................................53
Detailed Description..........................................................28
Disqualified Organization.....................................................80
Disqualified Persons..........................................................92
Distribution Date..........................................................2, 38
DOL...........................................................................93
DOL Regulations...............................................................93
DTC.......................................................................18, 36
EPA...........................................................................69
ERISA.....................................................................17, 92
ERISA Plans...................................................................92
Exchange Act...................................................................4
Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy.......................................13, 44
Foreign Investors.............................................................91
Forward Commitment............................................................11
Funding Period................................................................11
Garn-St. Germain Act..........................................................68
Indenture...............................................................1, 8, 35
Indirect Participant..........................................................36
Insurance Proceeds............................................................39
Insured Amount............................................................14, 45
Interest Weighted Class.......................................................25
IRAs..........................................................................92
Junior Loan...................................................................20
Liquidated Mortgage Loan......................................................55
Liquidation Proceeds..........................................................39
Loan Schedule.................................................................50
Loan Withdrawal Amount........................................................52
Lockout periods...............................................................28
Monthly Advance...............................................................54
Mortgage File.................................................................50
Mortgage Loans..............................................................2, 9
Mortgage Note..............................................................9, 38
Mortgage Pool..............................................................9, 17
Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy............................................14, 45
Mortgage Pool Insurer.........................................................45
Mortgaged Property........................................................10, 26
Mortgaged Properties..........................................................28
Mortgagor.................................................................13, 19
Multiple Variable Rate Debt Certificate.......................................74
Negative Amortization.........................................................30
Net Liquidation Proceeds......................................................39
OID...........................................................................70
OID Regulations...............................................................70
Objective Rate................................................................73
Originators................................................................2, 33
Overcollateralization Feature.................................................44
Participants..................................................................36
Parties in Interest...........................................................92
Pass-Through Certificates.....................................................81
Payment Date...........................................................2, 36, 38
Pay-Through Certificate.......................................................72
Permitted Investments.........................................................53
98
<PAGE> 100
Plan Asset Regulations........................................................17
Plan(s)...................................................................17, 92
Policy Statement..............................................................95
Pool Balance..................................................................42
Pool Factor...................................................................42
Pooling and Servicing Agreement............................................8, 35
Prefunding Account............................................................12
Prefunding Amount.........................................................12, 30
Prepayment Assumption.........................................................72
Presumed Single Qualified Floating Rate.......................................73
Presumed Single Variable Rate.................................................75
Principal Prepayments.........................................................40
Principal Weighted Class......................................................25
PTCE 83-1.....................................................................93
Qualified floating rate.......................................................73
Qualified inverse floating rate...............................................73
Qualified Replacement Mortgage Loan...........................................52
Qualified Retirement Plans....................................................92
Rating Agency.............................................................15, 97
Regular Certificates......................................................16, 70
Relief Act....................................................................24
REMIC......................................................................2, 70
REMIC Certificates............................................................76
REMIC Regulations.............................................................70
REO Property..................................................................54
Reserve Account...........................................................13, 44
Residual Certificates.....................................................16, 29
Residual Interest Certificate.................................................79
Retail Bond...................................................................90
Revolving Period..........................................................11, 41
Riegle Act................................................................24, 68
SBJPA.........................................................................80
Securities..................................................................1, 8
Securities Insurer............................................................44
Security Register.............................................................38
Securityholders.........................................................2, 9, 35
Security Principal Balance....................................................40
Senior Certificates........................................................8, 36
Senior Lien...................................................................20
Series......................................................................1, 8
Servicer................................................................1, 8, 32
Servicing Advance.............................................................56
Servicing Agreement............................................................2
Single Variable Rate Debt Certificate.........................................73
SMMEA.........................................................................17
Special Hazard Insurance Policy...........................................14, 46
Special Hazard Insurer........................................................46
Standard Hazard Insurance Policies............................................28
Startup Day...................................................................78
Sub-Servicer...................................................................8
Subordinated Classes..........................................................36
Subordinated Certificates......................................................8
Tax-Favored Plans.............................................................92
Thrift institutions...........................................................80
Tiered REMICS.................................................................77
Title V.......................................................................68
Transferor(s)...............................................................1, 8
Transferor Interest...........................................................11
Trust.......................................................................1, 8
Trust Estate................................................................1, 8
Trustee.....................................................................1, 8
Unaffiliated Originators......................................................33
Underwriters..................................................................96
Variable Rate Debt Certificate................................................72
Variable Rate Debt Instrument.................................................72
Variable Rate Pass-Through Certificates.......................................83
99
<PAGE> 101
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses expected to be
incurred by the Registrants in connection with the issuance and distribution of
the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions:*
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SEC Registration Fee........................................ $ 295.00
Trustee's Fees and Expenses (including counsel fees)........ 200,000.00
Printing and Engraving Costs................................ 250,000.00
Legal Fees and Expenses..................................... 500,000.00
Blue Sky and Legal Investment Fees and Expenses............. 75,000.00
Accounting Fees and Expenses................................ 200,000.00
Rating Agency Fees.......................................... 300,000.00
Miscellaneous............................................... 100,000.00
-------------
TOTAL.................................................. $1,625,295.00
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Provided for each series of securities on the cover page of the related
Prospectus Supplement.
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Aames Capital Corporation's Articles of Incorporation eliminate the
liability of the directors of the corporation to the fullest extent permitted by
California law and provide for indemnification of the officers and directors in
excess of that expressly provided by and to the full extent permitted under
California law. Aames Capital Acceptance Corp.'s Certificate of Incorporation
eliminates the liability of the directors of the corporation to the fullest
extent permitted by Delaware law and provides for indemnification of the
officers and directors in excess of that expressly provided by and to the full
extent permitted under Delaware law.
Each Pooling and Servicing Agreement will provide that neither the related
Registrant nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall have
any liability to the Trust created thereunder or to any of the
Certificateholders, except with respect to liabilities resulting from willful
malfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or from the reckless disregard of
obligations or duties arising under the related Pooling and Servicing Agreement.
Each such Pooling and Servicing Agreement will further provide that, with the
exceptions stated above, the related Registrant and its directors, officers,
employees and agents are entitled to be indemnified and held harmless by said
Trust against any loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with legal
actions relating to such Pooling and Servicing Agreement or the Certificates.
Each Indenture will provide that neither the related Registrant nor any of
its directors, officers, employees or agents shall have any liability to the
Trust created thereunder or to any of the Bondholders, except with respect to
liabilities resulting from willful malfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or
from the reckless disregard of obligations or duties arising under the related
Indenture. Each such Indenture will further provide that, with the exceptions
stated above, the related Registrant and its directors, officers, employees and
agents are entitled to be indemnified and held harmless by said Trust against
any loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with legal actions
relating to such Indenture or the Bonds.
The form of Underwriting Agreement incorporated by reference as Exhibit 1.1
to this Registration Statement provides, under certain circumstances, for
indemnification of the related Registrant and other persons.
II-1
<PAGE> 102
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ----------- -----------
<C> <S>
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement (REMIC)**
1.2 Form of Underwriting Agreement (debt for tax)**
4.1 Form of Pooling and Servicing Agreement**
4.2 Form of Indenture**
5.1 Opinion of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. as to legality of the
Certificates*
5.2 Opinion of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. as to legality of the
Bonds*
8.1 Opinion of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. as to tax matters*
23.1 Consent of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. (included in Exhibits 5.1,
5.2 and 8.1)*
24.1 Powers of Attorney (included on pages II-4 and II-5 of this
Registration Statement)
25.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of
Trustee****
99.1 Form of Prospectus Supplement (Pass-Through Certificates)***
99.2 Form of Prospectus Supplement (Owner Trust)***
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Filed herewith.
** Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registrants' Registration Statement on Form S-3
(File No. 333-46893) filed on April 16, 1998.
*** Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrants'
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-46893) filed on February
25, 1998.
**** To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with
the offering of applicable securities.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
A. Each undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act");
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in
the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in this Registration Statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (i) and (ii) above do not apply if this
Registration Statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment to those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
Registrants pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-2
<PAGE> 103
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
B. Each undersigned Registrant undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Act, each filing of such Registrant's annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of each Registrant as
specified in Item 15 above or otherwise, Registrants have been advised that in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by the Registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrants in the successful defense of
any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, each
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of such Registrant's counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
II-3
<PAGE> 104
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
each Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 (notwithstanding the fact
that a security rating pursuant to Transaction Requirement B.5. has not yet been
obtained, which security rating requirement, in the reasonable belief of each
Registrant, will be met by the time of any sale) and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Los Angeles, State of California, on September
30, 1998.
AAMES CAPITAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ CARY H. THOMPSON
--------------------------------------
Name: Cary H. Thompson
Title: Chief Executive Officer and
Director
AAMES CAPITAL ACCEPTANCE CORP.
By: /s/ CARY H. THOMPSON
--------------------------------------
Name: Cary H. Thompson
Title: Chief Executive Officer and
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Cary H. Thompson and David A. Sklar and each of
them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, acting together or
alone, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for them and in
their name, place and stead, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration
Statement (including any pre-effective or post-effective amendment), and to file
the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, acting together or alone, full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be
done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, acting together or alone, or other substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ CARY H. THOMPSON Chief Executive Officer September 30, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive
Cary H. Thompson Officer) and Director of
Aames Capital Corporation
/s/ DAVID A. SKLAR Executive Vice September 30, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------- President -- Finance,
David A. Sklar Chief Financial and
Accounting Officer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer) and
Director of Aames Capital
Corporation
/s/ BARBARA S. POLSKY Executive Vice President, September 30, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------- General Counsel and
Barbara S. Polsky Director of Aames Capital
Corporation
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE> 105
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Cary H. Thompson and David A. Sklar and each of
them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, acting together or
alone, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for them and in
their name, place and stead, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration
Statement (including any pre-effective or post-effective amendment), and to file
the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, acting together or alone, full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be
done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, acting together or alone, or other substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ CARY H. THOMPSON President and Chief September 30, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------- Executive Officer
Cary H. Thompson (Principal Executive
Officer) of Aames Capital
Acceptance Corp.
/s/ DAVID A. SKLAR Executive Vice September 30, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------- President -- Finance,
David A. Sklar Chief Financial and
Accounting Officer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer) and
Director of Aames Capital
Acceptance Corp.
/s/ MARK E. ELBAUM Director of Aames Capital September 30, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------- Acceptance Corp.
Mark E. Elbaum
/s/ DONALD J. PUGLISI Director of Aames Capital September 30, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------- Acceptance Corp.
Donald J. Puglisi
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE> 106
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBIT
- ------- -------
<C> <S>
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement (REMIC)**
1.2 Form of Underwriting Agreement (debt for tax)**
4.1 Form of Pooling and Servicing Agreement**
4.2 Form of Indenture**
5.1 Opinion of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. as to legality of the
Certificates*
5.2 Opinion of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. as to legality of the
Bonds*
8.1 Opinion of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. as to tax matters*
23.1 Consent of Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. (included in Exhibits 5.1,
5.2 and 8.1)*
24.1 Powers of Attorney (included on pages II-4 and II-5 of this
Registration Statement)
25.1 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of
Trustee****
99.1 Form of Prospectus Supplement (Pass-Through Certificates)***
99.2 Form of Prospectus Supplement (Owner Trust)***
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Filed herewith.
** Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registrants' Registration Statement on Form S-3
(File No. 333-46893) filed on April 16, 1998.
*** Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrants'
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-46893) filed on February
25, 1998.
**** To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference or in connection with
the offering of the applicable securities.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.1
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
OTHER OFFICES:
HOUSTON ANDREWS & KURTH L.L.P.
DALLAS A REGISTERED LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
LOS ANGELES ATTORNEYS
NEW YORK 1701 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W. TELEPHONE: (202) 662-2700
THE WOODLANDS SUITE 200 TELECOPIER: (202) 662-2739
LONDON WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006-5805 TELEX: 79-1208
</TABLE>
September 30, 1998
Aames Capital Corporation
Aames Capital Acceptance Corp.
350 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90071
Re: Aames Capital Corporation and Aames Capital Acceptance Corp.
Registration Statement on Form S-3
------------------------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Aames Capital Corporation, a California
corporation ("ACC"), and Aames Capital Acceptance Corp., a Delaware corporation
("ACAC"), in connection with the authorization and proposed issuance from time
to time after the date hereof in one or more series (each, a "Series") of up to
$1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of asset-backed certificates (the
"Certificates") to be offered pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3
(such registration statement, the "Registration Statement") relating to the
Certificates. The Registration Statement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
As set forth in the Registration Statement, each Series of Certificates will be
issued under and pursuant to the conditions of a separate pooling and servicing
agreement (each, a "Pooling and Servicing Agreement") among either ACC or ACAC,
as applicable, as transferor (the "Transferor" for such Series), ACC, as
servicer (in such capacity, the "Servicer"), and a trustee to be identified in
the prospectus supplement for such Series of Certificates (the "Trustee" for
such Series).
We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified
to our satisfaction, of the organizational documents of ACC and ACAC, the form
of Pooling and Servicing Agreement incorporated by reference as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement, the forms of Certificates included in such form of
Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the prospectus (the "Prospectus") and the forms
of prospectus supplements incorporated by reference as exhibits to the
Registration Statement, and such other records, documents and statutes as we
have deemed necessary for the purpose of rendering this opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. When a Pooling and Servicing Agreement for a Series of
Certificates has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action on the
part of the related Transferor and has been duly executed and delivered by such
Transferor, the Servicer, the Trustee and any other party thereto for such
Series, such Pooling and Servicing Agreement will constitute a legal, valid and
binding agreement of
<PAGE> 2
Aames Capital Corporation
Aames Capital Acceptance Corp.
September 30, 1998
Page 2
such Transferor, enforceable against such Transferor, in accordance with its
terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, receivership, moratorium or other
similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or (b) general
principles of equity or public policy, regardless of whether such enforceability
is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
2. When a Series of Certificates has been duly authorized by all
necessary action on the part of the related Transferor, duly executed and
authenticated by the Trustee for such Series in accordance with the terms of the
related Pooling and Servicing Agreement, and issued and delivered against
payment therefor as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Certificates
of such Series will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable,
and the holders thereof will be entitled to the benefits of the related Pooling
and Servicing Agreement.
In rendering the foregoing opinions, we express no opinion as to the
laws of any jurisdiction other than the General Corporate Law of the State of
Delaware, the laws of the State of California (excluding choice of law
principles therein) and the federal laws of the United States of America.
We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the heading
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus, without implying or admitting that we are
"experts" within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the
Commission issued thereunder, with respect to any part of the Registration
Statement, including this Exhibit 5.1.
Sincerely,
/s/ ANDREWS & KURTH L.L.P.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.2
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
OTHER OFFICES:
HOUSTON ANDREWS & KURTH L.L.P.
DALLAS A REGISTERED LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
LOS ANGELES ATTORNEYS
NEW YORK 1701 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W. TELEPHONE: (202) 662-2700
THE WOODLANDS SUITE 200 TELECOPIER: (202) 662-2739
LONDON WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006-5805 TELEX: 79-1208
</TABLE>
September 30, 1998
Aames Capital Corporation
Aames Capital Acceptance Corp.
350 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90071
Re: Aames Capital Corporation and Aames Capital Acceptance Corp.
Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Aames Capital Corporation, a California
corporation ("ACC"), and Aames Capital Acceptance Corp., a Delaware corporation
("ACAC"), in connection with the authorization and proposed issuance from time
to time after the date hereof in one or more series (each, a "Series") of up to
$1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of asset-backed bonds (the "Bonds") to be
offered pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (such registration
statement, the "Registration Statement") relating to the Bonds. The Registration
Statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. As set forth in the
Registration Statement, each Series of Bonds will be issued under and pursuant
to the conditions of an indenture (an "Indenture") between ACC or ACAC, as
applicable, as transferor (the "Transferor" for such Series), or a trust,
partnership, limited liability company or corporation formed by ACC or ACAC
solely for the purpose of issuing the related Series of Bonds (the Transferor or
any such entity, as applicable, the "Bond Issuer") and a trustee to be
identified in the prospectus supplement for such Series of Bonds (the "Trustee"
for such Series).
We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified
to our satisfaction, of the organizational documents of ACC and ACAC, the form
of Indenture incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, the form of Bonds included in such form of Indenture, the prospectus
(the "Prospectus") and the forms of prospectus supplements incorporated by
reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement, and such other records,
documents and statutes as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of rendering
this opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. When an Indenture for a Series of Bonds has been duly and validly
authorized by all necessary action on the part of the related Bond Issuer and
has been duly executed and delivered by the related Bond Issuer and the Trustee
and any other party thereto for such Series, such Indenture will constitute a
legal, valid and binding agreement of the related Bond Issuer, enforceable
against the related Bond Issuer, in accordance with its terms, except as
enforcement thereof may be limited by
<PAGE> 2
Aames Capital Corporation
Aames Capital Acceptance Corp.
September 30, 1998
Page 2
(a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, receivership,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally or (b) general principles of equity or public policy, regardless of
whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
2. When a Series of Bonds has been duly authorized by all necessary
action on the part of the related Bond Issuer, duly executed and authenticated
by the Trustee for such Series in accordance with the terms of the related
Indenture, and issued and delivered against payment therefor as contemplated in
the Registration Statement, the Bonds of such Series will be valid and binding
non- recourse obligations of the related Bond Issuer, enforceable against the
related Bond Issuer, in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement
thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
liquidation, receivership, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or
affecting creditors' rights generally or (b) general principles of equity or
public policy, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law.
In rendering the foregoing opinions, we express no opinion as to the
laws of any jurisdiction other than the General Corporate Law of the State of
Delaware, the laws of the State of California (excluding choice of law
principles therein) and the federal laws of the United States of America.
We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as Exhibit 5.2 to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the heading
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus, without implying or admitting that we are
"experts" within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the
Commission issued thereunder, with respect to any part of the Registration
Statement, including this Exhibit 5.2.
Sincerely,
/s/ ANDREWS & KURTH L.L.P.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 8.1
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
OTHER OFFICES:
HOUSTON ANDREWS & KURTH L.L.P.
DALLAS A REGISTERED LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP
LOS ANGELES ATTORNEYS
NEW YORK 1701 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W. TELEPHONE: (202) 662-2700
THE WOODLANDS SUITE 200 TELECOPIER: (202) 662-2739
LONDON WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006-5805 TELEX: 79-1208
</TABLE>
September 30, 1998
Aames Capital Corporation
Aames Capital Acceptance Corp.
350 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90071
Re: Aames Capital Corporation and Aames Capital Acceptance Corp.
Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Aames Capital Corporation ("ACC"), a
California corporation, and Aames Capital Acceptance Corp., a Delaware
corporation ("ACAC" and, together with ACC, the "Transferors"), in connection
with the authorization and proposed issuance from time to time after the date
hereof in one or more series (each, a "Series") of up to $1,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of asset-backed certificates (the "Certificates") and
asset-backed bonds (the "Bonds" and, together with the Certificates, the
"Securities") to be offered pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3
(such registration statement, the "Registration Statement") relating to the
Securities. The Registration Statement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
As set forth in the Registration Statement, each Series of Certificates will be
issued under and pursuant to the conditions of a separate pooling and servicing
agreement (each, a "Pooling and Servicing Agreement") among one of the
Transferors, as transferor, Aames Capital Corporation, as servicer (in such
capacity, the "Servicer"), and a trustee to be identified in the prospectus
supplement for such Series of Certificates (the "Trustee" for such Series of
Certificates); each Series of Bonds will be issued under and pursuant to the
conditions of an indenture (each, an "Indenture") between ACAC or a trust,
partnership, limited liability company or corporation formed by ACAC solely for
the purpose of issuing the related Series of Bonds (ACAC or any such entity, as
applicable, the "Bond Issuer") and a trustee to be identified in the prospectus
supplement for such Series of Bonds (the "Trustee" for such Series of Bonds).
We have examined the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement
(the "Prospectus") and such other documents, records and instruments as we have
deemed necessary for the purpose of this opinion.
In arriving at the opinion expressed below, we have assumed that each
Pooling and Servicing Agreement and each Indenture will be duly authorized by
all necessary corporate action on the part of the related Transferor or Bond
Issuer, as applicable, the related Trustee, the Servicer, as applicable, and any
other party thereto for the related Series of Certificates or Bonds and will be
duly executed and delivered
<PAGE> 2
Aames Capital Corporation
Aames Capital Acceptance Corp.
September 30, 1998
Page 2
by the related Transferor or Bond Issuer, as applicable, the related Trustee,
the Servicer, as applicable, and any other party thereto substantially in the
form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, that the Certificates or
the Bonds of each Series will be duly executed and delivered substantially in
the forms contemplated by the Pooling and Servicing Agreement or the Indenture,
as applicable, and that the Certificates or the Bonds will be sold in the manner
described in the Registration Statement.
Based upon such examination and the qualifications set forth herein and
in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that the description of federal
income tax consequences appearing under the captions "Summary - Certain Federal
Income Tax Consequences" and "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the
Prospectus accurately describes the material federal income tax consequences to
holders of the Securities.
The opinion herein is based upon our interpretations of current law,
including court authority and existing final and temporary treasury regulations,
which are subject to change both prospectively and retroactively, and upon the
facts and assumptions discussed herein. This opinion letter is limited to the
matters set forth herein, and no opinions are intended to be implied or may be
inferred beyond those expressly stated herein. Our opinion is rendered as of the
date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or supplement this opinion or
any matter related to this opinion to reflect any change of fact, circumstances
or law after the date hereof. In addition, our opinion is based on the
assumption that the matter, if litigated, will be properly presented to the
applicable court. Furthermore, our opinion is not binding on the Internal
Revenue Service or a court. Our opinion represents merely our best legal
judgment on the matters presented; others may disagree with our conclusion.
There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not take a
contrary position or that a court would agree with our opinion if litigated. In
the event any one of the statements, representations or assumptions we have
relied upon to issue this opinion is incorrect, our opinion might be adversely
affected and may not be relied upon.
We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as Exhibit 8.1 to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the captions
"Summary - Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" and "Certain Federal Income
Tax Consequences" in the Prospectus, without implying or admitting that we are
"experts" within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the
Commission issued thereunder, with respect to any part of the Registration
Statement, including this Exhibit 8.1.
Sincerely,
/s/ ANDREWS & KURTH L.L.P.
