Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
File Number 333-50285
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated April 29, 1998)
$294,952,000
(APPROXIMATE)
MERIT SECURITIES CORPORATION
COLLATERALIZED BONDS, SERIES 12-1
Principal and interest are payable on or about the 28th day of each month,
beginning April 1999.
The offered bonds will be non-recourse. The principal collateral for the
offered bonds, which are listed below, and $17,148,000 principal amount of
class 1-B bonds, which are not offered hereby, will be approximately
$336,967,468 in aggregate unpaid principal balance (as of February 1, 1999) of
manufactured housing installment sales contracts having a weighted average
remaining term to stated maturity of approximately 311 months.
The bonds will be treated as debt instruments for federal income tax purposes.
MERIT is a "qualified REIT subsidiary" and will not make a REMIC election. See
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" on page S-25.
CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE 6 OF THE PROSPECTUS AND
ON PAGE S-3.
---------------
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED THE BONDS OR DETERMINED THAT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
OR THE PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. 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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Original Principal Class Interest Weighted Average Life Ratings Stated Maturity CUSIP
Amount(1) Rate(2) at Pricing Speed(3) Moody's/Fitch(4) Date(5) Number
-------------------- ---------------- ----------------------- ------------------ ----------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class 1-A1 ..... $ 71,000,000 6.16% 1.0/1.0 years Aaa/AAA July 28, 2033 589962 CK 3
Class 1-A2 ..... $ 40,750,000 6.19% 2.5/2.5 years Aaa/AAA July 28, 2033 589962 CL 1
Class 1-A3 ..... $128,327,000 6.45% 4.6/7.6 years Aaa/AAA July 28, 2033 589962 CM 9
Class 1-M1 ..... $ 30,867,000 6.88% 5.0/9.6 years Aa2/AA July 28, 2033 589962 CN 7
Class 1-M2 ..... $ 24,008,000 7.35% 5.0/8.6 years A2/A July 28, 2033 589962 CP 2
================ ============ ==== ======================= === ================= =============
</TABLE>
(1) Plus or minus 5% depending on the collateral actually pledged to secure the
bonds. The class 1-A1, class 1-A2, class 1-A3 and class 1-M1 bonds will be
"mortgage related securities" for SMMEA purposes. See "Legal Investment
Considerations" in the Prospectus. All classes of bonds are "ERISA
eligible". See "ERISA CONSIDERATIONS" on page S-27.
(2) After the first optional redemption date, the class interest rates will
increase by the following amounts per annum: class 1-A1, class 1-A2 and
class 1-A3 bonds, 0.50%; class 1-M1 bonds, 0.75%; class 1-M2 bonds, 1.00%.
(3) At the pricing speed to the first optional redemption date/maturity date.
See "MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS" on page S-20.
(4) See "RATINGS" on page S-26.
(5) Determined as described under "MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS" on
page S-20.
---------------
The underwriter for the offered bonds will be Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc.
The underwriter will offer the offered bonds from time to time to the public in
negotiated transactions or otherwise at varying prices to be determined at the
time of sale. MERIT expects to deliver the offered bonds to the underwriter
only in book-entry form through the book-entry facilities of The Depository
Trust Company, CEDEL and Euroclear on or about March 29, 1999.
GREENWICH CAPITAL MARKETS
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is March 29, 1999
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
PAGE
TERMS OF THE BONDS AND THE COLLATERAL....S-1
RISK FACTORS.............................S-3
DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS.................S-5
General...............................S-5
Book-Entry Bonds......................S-5
The Trustee...........................S-7
Payments of Principal and Interest....S-7
Collateralization Fund................S-8
Definitions...........................S-8
Issuance of Additional
Subordinated Bonds..................S-11
Events of Default....................S-12
Losses...............................S-13
Stated Maturity Dates................S-13
Redemption...........................S-13
SECURITY FOR THE BONDS..................S-13
The Collateral.......................S-13
The Contracts........................S-13
Selected Contract Data...............S-14
Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure.......S-16
Additional Information...............S-16
Substitution of Contracts............S-16
SERVICING OF THE COLLATERAL.............S-17
General..............................S-17
Advances.............................S-18
Forbearance and Modification
Agreements.........................S-19
Events of Default....................S-19
Servicing and Other Compensation
and Expenses.......................S-19
Special Servicer.....................S-19
MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS..S-20
Weighted Average Life of the Bonds...S-20
Factors Affecting Prepayments on the
Contracts.........................S-20
Modeling Assumptions.................S-21
YIELD CONSIDERATIONS....................S-24
General..............................S-24
Subordination........................S-25
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES.S-25
USE OF PROCEEDS.........................S-26
UNDERWRITING............................S-26
LEGAL MATTERS...........................S-26
RATINGS.................................S-26
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS....................S-27
ANNEX I..................................I-1
SUMMARY
THE ISSUER. MERIT Securities Corporation is a limited purpose
financing company.
THE BONDS. The bonds are non-recourse obligations of MERIT payable only from
payments received with respect to the collateral and do not represent the
obligation of any other entity, nor has any other entity guaranteed payments on
the bonds.
COLLATERAL. The collateral consists principally of manufactured housing
installment sales contracts which MERIT acquired from an affiliate.
TRUSTEE AND CUSTODIAN. Chase Bank of Texas, National Association, will act as
trustee and custodian.
INTEREST PAYMENTS. The trustee will pay interest on the bonds monthly, in order
of seniority.
PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS. The trustee will make principal payments on the bonds
monthly, generally in order of seniority.
SURPLUS. The trustee will release any amounts remaining in the collateral
proceeds account after monthly payments on the bonds to MERIT.
LOSSES. MERIT will incur losses on the collateral if there are defaults and
resulting losses upon disposition of the manufactured homes. Losses will be
borne initially by MERIT to the extent that the collateral value exceeds the
principal balance of the bonds and thereafter by the bonds in reverse order of
seniority.
----------------------------------
This summary provides a very broad overview of the bonds; it does not, however,
contain the specific information you will need to consider in making a decision
whether to invest in the bonds. If you are considering an investment in the
bonds, you should next review the section "Terms of the Bonds and the
Collateral" on page S-1. Before making a final investment decision, you should
review:
o this prospectus supplement -- for more detailed information on the bonds
and the collateral.
o the prospectus -- for general information, some of which may not apply
to the collateral.
MERIT has included "forward-looking statements" in this Prospectus Supplement.
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 defines "forward looking statements"
to include statements containing projections of various financial items. Such
statements are qualified by important factors discussed in connection therewith
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements.
<PAGE>
TERMS OF THE BONDS AND THE COLLATERAL
This term sheet provides an overview. It does not contain all the information
that you need to consider in making your investment decision. To understand the
terms of the bonds and the characteristics of the manufactured housing
installment sales contracts and the additional collateral for the bonds, read
carefully the entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
THE BONDS
PAYMENT DATES
The 28th day of each month (or, if not a business day, then the next business
day).
INTEREST
CLASS INTEREST RATES. The class interest rates per annum for the offered bonds
are set forth on the cover page.
COMPUTATION. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting
of twelve 30-day months.
ACCRUAL PERIOD. Interest is payable on each payment
date for the period commencing on the 1st day of the preceding month through the
last day of such month.
PRINCIPAL
On each payment date, the trustee will apply the PRINCIPAL PAYMENT AMOUNT,
derived generally from principal payments on the manufactured housing
installment sales contracts, to pay principal to the bonds.
See "DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS -- Payments of Principal and Interest" on page
S-7.
REDEMPTION
MERIT may, at its option, redeem a class or classes of the bonds
in whole, but not in part:
o On any payment date on or after the earlier of (1) the payment date in
March 2004, or (2) the payment date on which, after taking into account
payments of principal to be made on such payment date, the aggregate
outstanding principal balance of the bonds is less than 35% of the initial
aggregate principal balance of the bonds.
o At any time upon a determination by MERIT, based upon an opinion of
counsel, that a substantial risk exists that such bonds will not be treated
for federal income tax purposes as evidences of indebtedness. The
redemption price will be 100% of the aggregate outstanding principal
balance of the bonds redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
See "DESCRIPTION OF THE
BONDS -- Redemption" on page S-13 and "DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDs -- Redemption"
in the Prospectus.
DENOMINATIONS
MERIT will issue the bonds in book-entry form
in minimum denominations of $100,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof. See "DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS -- Book-Entry Bonds" on page S-5
and "DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS -- Book-Entry Procedures" in the Prospectus.
THE COLLATERAL
The collateral for the bonds is approximately $336,967,468 principal amount of
manufactured housing installment sales contracts (as of February 1, 1999).
A. CONTRACTS
WHENEVER THERE IS A REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO A PERCENTAGE OF,
OR TO THE CHARACTERISTICS OF, THE CONTRACTS, THE CALCULATIONS ARE APPROXIMATE
AND ARE BASED ON THE UNPAID PRINCIPAL BALANCES OF THE CONTRACTS AS OF FEBRUARY
1, 1999.
Aggregate unpaid principal balances: $ 336,967,468
Average unpaid principal balance: $ 44,732
Range of unpaid principal balances: $880 to $197,497
Weighted average loan-to-value ratio: 86.37%
Range of interest rates: 5.75% to 13.00%
Weighted average interest rate: 8.47%
Weighted average remaining
amortization term: 311 months
Range of remaining amortization
terms: 48 to 360 months
Weighted average administrative
cost rate
(including the servicing fee): 1.02%
ADMINISTRATIVE COST RATE
The administrative cost rate per annum with respect to each contract equals the
sum of (1) the servicing fee rates (if Dynex Services is no longer the Servicer)
and master servicing fee rates, (2) the rate used to calculate certain other
administrative expenses, if any, applicable to such contract and (3) the fees of
any special servicer.
B. COLLATERAL PROCEEDS ACCOUNT
The servicer of the contracts must remit collections and advances on the
contracts monthly to the master servicer, who in turn must remit collections and
advances to the collateral proceeds account held by the trustee. The trustee
will apply collections and advances to the payment of interest and principal due
on the bonds and certain administrative fees and expenses. After making required
payments on each payment date, the trustee will release any remaining interest
to MERIT. See "SECURITY FOR THE BONDS -- Collateral Proceeds Account" in the
Prospectus.
C. CREDIT ENHANCEMENT; SUBORDINATION
Credit enhancement for the class 1-A1, class 1-A2 and class 1-A3 bonds will be
provided through (1) limited overcollateralization, I.E., the pledge of
collateral having a principal amount in excess of the original principal balance
of the bonds and the deposit of other assets in the collateralization fund as
described below, (2) the excess of interest received on the collateral over
interest paid on the bonds on any payment date and (3) the subordination of the
class 1-M1, class 1-M2 and class 1-B bonds. Credit enhancement for the class
1-M1, class 1-M2 and class 1-B bonds will be provided through (1) the limited
overcollateralization and excess interest described above and (2) in the case of
the class 1-M1 bonds, the subordination of the class 1-M2 and class 1-B bonds
and, in the case of the class 1-M2 bonds, the subordination of the class 1-B
bonds.
On the closing date, MERIT will deposit in the collateralization fund, as
additional security for the bonds, other assets (consisting of (1) other
manufactured housing installment sales contracts, some of which are delinquent,
with an expected principal balance as of February 1, 1999, equal to
approximately $11,671,711 and (2) cash or cash equivalents in an amount equal to
approximately $711,000). MERIT may substitute eligible investments (as defined
in the indenture) for the assets initially deposited in the collateralization
fund. MERIT will not have any other obligation to make deposits to the
collateralization fund. For purposes of calculating the value of the fund, the
assets on deposit which are not eligible investments will be deemed to have a
balance equal to 45.32% of their principal balances. On that basis, the initial
balance in this fund is deemed to be approximately $6,000,000 as of February 1,
1999.
The principal amount of the collateral and the initial deposit in the
collateralization fund are expected to exceed the principal amount of the bonds
by 9.00%. The actual percentage may be lower or higher depending on the final
requirements of the rating agencies.
See "DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS -- Collateralization Fund" on page S-8.
D. LOSSES
Losses with respect to the contracts will be borne, by virtue of the payment
priorities described herein, first by cash and cash equivalents on deposit in
the collateralization fund attributable to principal, second, by any interest
received on the contracts in excess of interest required to be paid on the bonds
on any payment date, third, by interest earnings on the collateralization fund,
fourth, by a reduction in the excess of the aggregate unpaid principal balance
of the collateral over the principal balance of the bonds and fifth, by the
class 1-B, class 1-M2 and class 1-M1 bonds (in that order) before any losses
will be borne by the class 1-A1, class 1-A2 and class 1-A3 bonds. Losses will be
borne by the class 1-A1, class 1-A2 and class 1-A3 bonds pro rata based on their
outstanding principal balance.
SERVICERS AND MASTER SERVICER
Dynex Services, an affiliate of MERIT, services all the contracts; Chase
Manhattan Mortgage Corporation is back-up servicer for the contracts.
Dynex Capital, Inc., an affiliate of MERIT, serves as master servicer and
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, serves as stand-by master
servicer.
The servicer (and the back-up servicer) will be entitled to a servicing fee and
the master servicer (and the stand-by master servicer) will be entitled to a
master servicing fee from interest collected on the contracts.
ADVANCES
On or before each payment date, the servicer must (subject to the limitations
provided in its servicing agreement) make a cash advance with respect to any
delinquent contract in an amount equal to the sum of (1) the scheduled payment
(the interest portion only in the case of simple interest contracts and, in any
case, without deduction for the servicing fee so long as Dynex Services is the
servicer of the contracts), (2) amounts for the payment of assessments,
insurance premiums and property protection expenses and (3) amounts to cover
expenses relating to foreclosure and liquidation. The master servicer and the
trustee (in that order) must make any required advance if it has not otherwise
been made. Norwest, as stand-by master servicer, will not be obligated to pay
any advances. In addition, neither the master servicer nor the trustee must make
any advance if it has determined in its good faith business judgment that such
advance would not be recoverable from proceeds of the collateral. See "SERVICING
OF THE COLLATERAL" in the Prospectus.
<PAGE>
Risk Factors
Prospective bondholders should consider the following factors (as well as the
factors set forth under "Risk Factors" in the Prospectus) in connection with a
purchase of the bonds.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
You May Have Manufactured housing generally depreciates in value. If it does, the
Losses on Your market values of the manufactured homes could be less than the contracts
Bonds if the that they secure. This may cause more defaults and may increase the amount
Losses and of loss following default. In such event, MERIT may not be able to recover
Delinquencies the full amount owed, which may result in a loss on your bonds. See "Risk
on Contracts Factors -- Manufactured Housing Loans" in the Prospectus for a discussion of
Exceed Certain other risk factors relating to manufactured housing contracts.
Levels
Subordination Under the cash flow mechanics of the indenture:
mechanics place o the class 1-M1 bonds will receive payments only after required
risk of loss on payments are made to the class 1-A1, class 1-A2 and class 1-A3 bonds;
the class 1-M1, and
class 1-M2 and o the class 1-M2 bonds will receive payments only after required
class 1-B bonds payments are made to the class 1-A1, class 1-A2, class 1-A3 and the
class 1-M1 bonds.
If the trustee does not have sufficient funds to pay interest to all
classes of bonds, the shortfall will be borne by the bonds in reverse order
of seniority.
If the trustee disposes of a contract at a loss, the aggregate principal
balances of the bonds may exceed the aggregate unpaid principal balances of
the contracts.
You should fully consider the subordination risks associated with an
investment in the class 1-M1 or class 1-M2 bonds, including the possibility
that you may not fully recover your initial investment as a result of
losses on the contracts.
Uncertain Unlike standard corporate bonds, principal payments on the bonds are not
timing of fixed and will be determined by, among other things:
principal o the timing and amount of principal payments (including prepayments,
payments may defaults, liquidations and repurchases) on the contracts, which are
result in subject to a variety of economic, geographic, legal, tax, and social
reinvestment factors primarily because the contracts are generally prepayable by the
risk borrowers at any time; and
o the principal payment structure (including redemption provisions)
of the bonds.
Faster prepayment rates, which are generally associated with a declining
interest rate environment, will reduce the weighted average life of the
bonds. If there is a significant decline in prevailing interest rates, the
price of a bond that is trading at or above par will not increase to the
same extent as the price of a standard corporate bond with a comparable
interest rate. Furthermore, bondholders will be unable to achieve
comparable yields on the available investment alternatives in such reduced
interest rate environment. Conversely, slower prepayment rates, which are
generally associated with an increasing interest rate environment, will
increase the weighted average life of the bonds and decrease the funds
available to a bondholder to reinvest in higher yielding investment
alternatives.
See "Maturity and Prepayment Considerations" on page S-20 and "Yield
Considerations" on page S-24. See also "Yield Considerations" and "Risk
Factors -- Average Life and Yield Considerations" in the Prospectus.
Termination of The initial term of the servicing agreement with Dynex Services expires
Servicer June 30, 1999. This agreement may be renewed for subsequent quarterly
terms by the trustee, but only if the trustee receives a letter from Fitch
IBCA, Inc., in its capacity as one of the rating agencies, confirming that
such renewal will not result in a downgrading of its rating of any of the
bonds. If the servicing agreement with Dynex Services is terminated, it is
likely that delinquencies on the contracts will increase temporarily
possibly resulting in increased losses, until the back-up servicer has
completed the logistical processes necessary to render it fully capable of
servicing the contracts effectively. See "Servicing of the Collateral --
Terms of Servicing and Master Servicing Arrangements."
Financial Based upon certain disputes regarding the value of collateral securing
Developments of approximately $149 million of funding provided to AutoBond, Dynex expects
Dynex to incur an impairment charge of between $15 million and $22 million. See
"Servicing of the Collateral -- Recent Events Regarding Dynex."
Bonds are The bonds will be non-recourse obligations of MERIT. The bondholders will
non-recourse have no rights or claims against MERIT directly for the payment of
principal of and interest on the bonds and may look only to the collateral
pledged to the trustee as security for the bonds to satisfy MERIT's
obligations to make interest and principal payments on the bonds. No other
person has guaranteed or insured the bonds. The bonds will be particularly
sensitive to the loss experience of the collateral.
Each bondholder will be deemed, by acceptance of its bond, to have agreed
not to file or cause a filing against MERIT of an involuntary petition
under any bankruptcy or receivership law for a period of one year and one
day following the payment in full of the bonds and any other bonds of MERIT
and to treat its bonds as debt instruments for purposes of federal and
state income tax, franchise tax and any other tax measured in whole or in
part by income.
See "Yield Considerations -- Subordination" on page S-25.
Insolvency of MERIT believes that the transfer of the collateral by Issuer Holding Corp.,
the seller an affiliate of MERIT, to MERIT constitutes an absolute and unconditional
could cause sale. Nevertheless, in the event of the bankruptcy of Issuer Holding
payment delays Corp., a trustee in bankruptcy, or Issuer Holding Corp. itself as
debtor-in-possession, could attempt to recharacterize the sale as a
borrowing secured by a pledge of that collateral. Such an attempt, even if
unsuccessful, could result in delays in payments on the bonds.
Furthermore, if such an attempt were successful, the trustee in bankruptcy,
or Issuer Holding Corp. itself as debtor-in-possession, could elect to
accelerate payment of the bonds and liquidate the collateral, with the
holders of the bonds entitled to no more than the then outstanding
principal balance, if any, of such bonds together with interest at the
applicable class interest rate to the date of payment. In the event of an
acceleration of the bonds, the holders of the bonds would lose the right to
future distributions of interest and might suffer reinvestment losses in a
lower interest rate environment.
Delinquencies Approximately 0.68% of the contracts were delinquent by one or more
may indicate scheduled payments as of February 1, 1999. The inclusion of delinquent
risk of future contracts may affect the rate of defaults on the collateral for the bonds
losses and result in increased losses on the collateral. Defaults will result in
principal prepayments on the bonds, may result in losses on the bonds and
may affect the yield on the bonds. See "Security for the Bonds --The
Contracts" on page S-13.
Geographic The contracts are secured by properties located in Texas (17%) and North
concentration Carolina (15%), Michigan (11%), South Carolina (10%) and Georgia (9%).
may increase Consequently, prepayments and losses on the contracts and resulting
risk of loss payments and potential losses on the bonds may be affected significantly by
changes in the housing markets and the regional economy of, and by the
occurrence of natural disasters in, those states.
No secondary There is currently no secondary market for the bonds. The underwriter
market may intends to establish a market in the bonds but is not obligated to do so.
develop for the There is no assurance that any such market, if established, will continue
bonds or that any investor will be able to sell any of the bonds at a price equal
to or greater than the price at which they were purchased.
Computer risks The master servicer and the servicer have each taken action intended to
associated with assure that its computer systems are "year 2000 compliant". See "Security
Year 2000 for the Bonds -- Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure" on page S-16.
Nevertheless, if its computer systems or the computer systems of other
financial intermediaries are not "year 2000 compliant" MERIT could
experience disruptions in collecting payments on the contracts and in
making payments on the bonds. See "Description of the Bonds -- Book-Entry
Bonds -- DTC Year 2000 Compliance" on page S-5.
</TABLE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS
GENERAL
The following summary of the provisions of the Bonds and the Indenture does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the provisions of the Prospectus and the Indenture. Reference is
made to the Prospectus for important information in addition to that set forth
herein regarding the terms and conditions of the Bonds.
The Bonds will be non-recourse obligations of MERIT. See "RISK FACTORS -- Bonds
are non-recourse" on page S-4.
The majority of the capitalized terms used in the balance of this Prospectus
Supplement are defined under "--Definitions", on page S-8 and "-- SECURITY FOR
THE BONds -- The Collateral" on page S-13.
BOOK-ENTRY BONDS
GENERAL. The Bonds will be Book-Entry Bonds, which will be represented by one or
more certificates registered in the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC"), and beneficial interests therein will be held by investors
through the book-entry facilities of DTC, as described herein, in minimum
denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof,
except that, for each Class of Bonds, one Bond may be issued in a different
denomination. MERIT has been informed by DTC that its nominee will be Cede & Co.
("Cede"). Accordingly, Cede is expected to be the holder of record of the
Book-Entry Bonds. No person acquiring a Book-Entry Bond (each, a "beneficial
owner") will be entitled to receive a physical certificate representing such
Bond. A beneficial owner's interest in a Bond will be evidenced by appropriate
entries on the books and records of one or more financial intermediaries
(including a DTC Participant). Payments on Book-Entry Bonds will be effected by
credits to accounts maintained on the books and records of such financial
intermediaries for the benefit of the beneficial owners. See "DESCRIPTION OF THE
BONDS -- Book-Entry Procedures" in the Prospectus.
DTC YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE. DTC management is aware that some computer
applications, systems, and the like for processing data ("Systems") that are
dependent upon calendar dates, including dates before, on, and after January 1,
2000, may encounter "Year 2000 problems". DTC has informed its Participants and
other members of the financial community (the "Industry") that it has developed
and is implementing a program so that its Systems, as the same relate to the
timely payment of distributions (including principal and income payments) to
securityholders, book-entry deliveries, and settlement of trades within DTC
("DTC Services"), continue to function appropriately. This program includes a
technical assessment and a remediation plan, each of which is complete.
Additionally, DTC's plan includes a testing phase, which is expected to be
completed within appropriate time frames.
However, DTC's ability to perform properly its services is also dependent upon
other parties, including, but not limited to, issuers and their agents, as well
as third party vendors from whom DTC licenses software and hardware, and third
party vendors on whom DTC relies for information or the provision of services,
including telecommunication and electrical utility service providers, among
others. DTC has informed the Industry that it is contacting (and will continue
to contact) third party vendors from whom DTC acquires services to: (i) impress
upon them the importance of such services being Year 2000 compliant; and (ii)
determine the extent of their efforts for Year 2000 remediation (and, as
appropriate, testing) of their services. In addition, DTC is in the process of
developing such contingency plans as it deems appropriate.
HOLDING THROUGH DTC, CEDEL, EUROCLEAR OR THEIR PARTICIPANTS. Beneficial owners
may elect to hold their Book-Entry Bonds directly through DTC in the United
States, or CEDEL or Euroclear (in Europe) if they are participants of such
systems ("Participants"), or indirectly through organizations which are
Participants. CEDEL and Euroclear will hold omnibus positions on behalf of their
Participants through customers' securities accounts in CEDEL's and Euroclear's
names on the books of their respective depositories which in turn will hold such
positions in customers' securities accounts in the depositories' names on the
books of DTC. Citibank will act as depository for CEDEL and Chase will act as
depository for Euroclear (in such capacities, individually the "Relevant
Depository" and collectively the "European Depositories").
Because of time zone differences, credits of securities received in CEDEL or
Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a Participant will be made during
subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following
the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such securities
settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or
CEDEL Participants on such business day. Cash received in CEDEL or Euroclear as
a result of sales of securities by or through a CEDEL Participant (as defined
below) or Euroclear Participant (as defined below) to a DTC Participant will be
received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the
relevant CEDEL or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following
settlements in the DTC. For information with respect to tax documentation
procedures relating to the Bonds, see "CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
- -- Backup Withholding with respect to Bonds" in the Prospectus and "Global
Clearance, Settlement and Tax Documentation Procedures -- Certain U.S. Federal
Income Tax Documentation Requirements" in Annex I hereto.
TRANSFERS. Transfers between Participants will occur in accordance with DTC
rules. Transfers between CEDEL Participants and Euroclear Participants will
occur in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through
DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through CEDEL Participants or
Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in accordance with
DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by
the Relevant Depository; however, such cross-market transactions will require
delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system
by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures
and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European
international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement
requirements, deliver instructions to the Relevant Depository to take action to
effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities in
DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for
same day funds settlement applicable to DTC. CEDEL Participants and Euroclear
Participants may not deliver instructions directly to the European Depositories.
CEDEL. CEDEL is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional
depository. CEDEL holds securities for its participant organizations ("CEDEL
Participants") and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between CEDEL Participants through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of CEDEL Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical
movement of certificates. Transactions may be settled in CEDEL in any of 28
currencies, including United States dollars. CEDEL provides to its CEDEL
Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration,
clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities
lending and borrowing. CEDEL interfaces with domestic markets in several
countries. As a professional depository, CEDEL is subject to regulation by the
Luxembourg Monetary Institute. CEDEL Participants are recognized financial
institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. Indirect access to CEDEL is also available to others, such as
banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with a CEDEL Participant, either directly or indirectly.
EUROCLEAR. Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of
Euroclear ("Euroclear Participants") and to clear and settle transactions
between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry
delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and
cash. Transactions may now be settled in any of 32 currencies, including United
States dollars. Euroclear includes various other services, including securities
lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries
generally similar to the arrangements for cross-market transfers with DTC
described above. Euroclear is operated by Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York, Brussels Office (the "Euroclear Operator"), under contract with Euroclear
Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the "Cooperative").
All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear
Securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the
Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for
Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include
banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other
professional financial intermediaries. Indirect access to Euroclear is also
available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship
with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.
The Euroclear Operator is an office of a New York trust company which is a
member bank of the Federal Reserve System. As such, it is regulated and examined
by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the New York State
Banking Department, as well as the Belgian Banking Commission.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are
governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related
Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and applicable Belgian law
(collectively, the "Terms and Conditions"). The Terms and Conditions govern
transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and
cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in
Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without
attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts.
The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of
Euroclear Participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons
holding through Euroclear Participants.
FUTURE CHANGES IN PROCEDURES. Although DTC, CEDEL and Euroclear have agreed to
the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of Bonds among
Participants of DTC, CEDEL and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to
perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be
discontinued at any time.
THE TRUSTEE
Chase Bank of Texas, National Association, will act as Trustee for the Bonds. As
of the date of this Prospectus Supplement, the mailing address of the Trustee's
corporate trust office is 600 Travis, 10th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, and its
telephone number is (713) 216-4181.
PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST
PAYMENT DATES
The Payment Dates for the Bonds will be the 28th day of each month (or, if such
day is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day), commencing
April 1999. For accounting purposes, the Payment Date will be deemed to occur on
the 28th day of the month without regard to whether such day is a Business Day.
INTEREST PAYMENTS
Interest on each Class of Bonds will be determined based on a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months. The interest payable on any Class on any Payment Date will
be the interest accrued on the respective outstanding principal balance at the
respective Class Interest Rate during the applicable Accrual Period.
Interest payments allocated to a Class of Bonds on any Payment Date will be paid
to the Holders of the Bonds of such Class PRO RATA in the proportion that the
outstanding principal balance of each Bond of such Class bears to the aggregate
outstanding principal balance of all Bonds of such Class.
On each Payment Date, the Interest Payment Amount will be applied in the
following order of priority:
First, to pay Current Interest and any Interest Carryover Amount with
respect to the Class 1-A1, Class 1-A2 and Class 1-A3 Bonds PRO RATA
(based on the amounts of Current Interest and any Interest Carryover
Amount for the Class 1-A1, Class 1-A2 and Class 1-A3 Bonds,
respectively);
Second, to pay Current Interest and any Interest Carryover Amount with
respect to the Class 1-M1 Bonds;
Third, to pay Current Interest and any Interest Carryover Amount with
respect to the Class 1-M2 Bonds;
Fourth, to pay Current Interest and any Interest Carryover Amount with
respect to the Class 1-B Bonds;
Fifth, so long as Dynex Services is the Servicer, to pay the Servicing
Fees with respect to the Contracts;
Sixth, to be included in the Principal Payment Amount to the extent
required by the definition thereof; and
Seventh,any remainder to be released to MERIT, after which it will no
longer serve as security for the Bonds.
PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS
Principal payments allocated to a Class of Bonds on any Payment Date will be
paid to the Holders of the Bonds of such Class PRO RATA in the proportion that
the outstanding principal balance of each Bond of such Class bears to the
aggregate outstanding principal balance of all Bonds of such Class.
On each Payment Date, the Principal Payment Amount will be applied as follows:
First, to pay the Senior Principal Payment Amount to the Class 1-A1, Class
1-A2 and Class 1-A3 Bonds until paid in full, sequentially in that order so
that no such payment will be made to the Class 1-A2 or Class 1-A3 Bonds
until the Class 1-A1 Bonds are paid in full and no such payment will be
made to the Class 1-A3 Bonds until the Class 1-A2 Bonds are paid in full;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, on any Payment Date on which the aggregate
principal balance of the Class 1-A1, Class 1-A2 and Class 1-A3 Bonds is
equal to or greater than the aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance of the
Contracts, the Senior Principal Payment Amount will be paid PRO RATA to the
Class 1-A1, Class 1-A2 and Class 1-A3 Bonds (based on principal balances);
Second, to pay the Class 1-M1 Principal Payment Amount to the Class 1-M1 Bonds
until paid in full; Third, to pay the Class 1-M2 Principal Payment Amount to the
Class 1-M2 Bonds until paid in full;
Fourth, to pay the Class 1-B Principal Payment Amount to the Class 1-B Bonds
until paid in full; and
Fifth, the Overcollateralization Payment Amount, to be applied as follows:
(a) to pay principal of the Class 1-B Bonds until paid in full;
(b) to pay principal of the Class 1-M2 Bonds until paid in
full;
(c) to pay principal of the Class 1-M1 Bonds until paid in
full; and
(d) to pay principal of the, Class 1-A1, Class 1-A2 and Class
1-A3 Bonds, sequentially, in that order, in each case
until paid in full.
COLLATERALIZATION FUND
On the Closing Date, MERIT will establish a fund (the "Collateralization Fund")
with the Trustee and deposit therein, as additional security for the Bonds,
other assets selected by MERIT, consisting of (1) manufactured housing
installment sales contracts with a principal balance equal to approximately
$11,671,711 at the Statistical Cut-off Date and (2) cash or cash equivalents in
an amount equal to approximately $711,000. For purposes of calculating the
balance on deposit in the Collateralization Fund, the balance of the contracts
initially deposited is deemed to be 45.32% of their outstanding principal
balance. On that basis, the balance initially deposited in the collateralization
fund is deemed to be approximately $6,000,000 as of the Statistical Cut-off
Date. MERIT may substitute Eligible Investments for the assets initially
deposited in the Collateralization Fund. MERIT will not have any other
obligation to make deposits to the Collateralization Fund.
On each Payment Date, the Trustee is required, based on written information
provided to the Trustee by the Master Servicer prior to each Payment Date: (a)
to apply interest earnings on the Collateralization Fund (i) first, to pay
interest on the Bonds if the portion of Available Funds attributable to interest
is less than Current Interest and any Interest Carryover Amount on all Classes
of the Bonds and (ii) second, to increase the Principal Payment Amount to the
extent required by the definition thereof; (b) to apply any principal payments
received with respect to the assets on deposit to the Collateralization Fund to
increase the Principal Payment Amount to the extent required by the definition
thereof; and (c) to release from the Collateralization Fund any interest
earnings on assets on deposit in the Collateralization Fund not required to be
applied as set forth in clause (a) above. Once released from the
Collateralization Fund, such amount will not be available to make payments on
the Bonds.
DEFINITIONS
"Available Funds": On each Payment Date, (a) payments of the principal and
interest (at the Net Rate) received in respect of the Contracts during the
related Due Period and deposited in the Collateral Proceeds Account less (b) any
reimbursement for Advances and, from and after the occurrence of an Event of
Default, all sums due under the Indenture to the Trustee associated with the
disposition of all or a portion of the Trust Estate or the exercise of any of
the other remedies set forth in the Indenture.
"Bonds": The Offered Bonds shown on the cover page and the Class 1-B Bonds.
"Class 1-B Percentage" With respect to any Payment Date: (a) zero, if the Senior
Principal Balance, the Class 1-M1 Principal Balance and the Class 1-M-2
Principal Balance have not yet been reduced to zero after application of
principal on the current Payment Date and the Class 1-B Principal Payment Test
is not satisfied or (b) otherwise, a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the
numerator of which is the Class 1-B Principal Balance as of such Payment Date,
and the denominator of which is the sum of: (i) the Senior Principal Balance,
(ii) the Class 1-M1 Principal Balance, (iii) the Class 1-M2 Principal Balance,
(iv) the Class 1-B Principal Balance and (v) if the Overcollateralization Test
is satisfied, the Overcollateralization Amount, otherwise zero.
"Class 1-B Principal Payment Amount": The product of the Principal Payment
Amount and the Class 1-B Percentage.
"Class 1-B Principal Payment Test": With respect to any Payment Date, the Class
1-B Principal Payment Test will be satisfied if each of the following tests is
satisfied: (i) the Payment Date occurs during or after April 2004, (ii) a
Trigger Event is not in effect, (iii) the sum of the Class 1-B Principal
Balance, the Overcollateralization Amount and the Collateralization Fund Balance
divided by the sum of the Contract Balance and the Collateralization Fund
Balance as of the immediately preceding Payment Date must be equal to or greater
than 24.50% and (iv) the Class 1-M2 Principal Payment Test is satisfied.
"Class 1-M1 Percentage": With respect to any Payment Date: (a) zero, if the
Senior Principal Balance has not yet been reduced to zero after application of
principal on the current Payment Date and the Class 1-M1 Principal Payment Test
is not satisfied or (b) otherwise, a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the
numerator of which is the Class 1-M1 Principal Balance and the denominator of
which is the sum of: (i) the Senior Principal Balance, (ii) the Class 1-M1
Principal Balance, (iii) if the Class 1-M2 Principal Payment Test is satisfied,
the Class 1-M2 Principal Balance, otherwise zero, (iv) if the Class 1-B
Principal Payment Test is satisfied, the Class 1-B Principal Balance, otherwise
zero, and (v) if the Overcollateralization Test is satisfied, the
Overcollateralization Amount, otherwise zero.
"Class 1-M1 Principal Payment Amount": The product of the Principal Payment
Amount and the Class 1-M1 Percentage.
"Class 1-M1 Principal Payment Test": With respect to any Payment Date, the Class
1-M1 Principal Payment Test will be satisfied if each of the following tests is
satisfied: (i) the Payment Date occurs during or after April 2004, (ii) a
Trigger Event is not in effect and (iii) the sum of the Class 1-M1 Principal
Balance, the Class 1-M2 Principal Balance, the Class 1-B Principal Balance, the
Overcollateralization Amount and the Collateralization Fund Balance divided by
the sum of the Contract Balance and the Collateralization Fund Balance as of the
immediately preceding Payment Date must be equal to or greater than 52.50%.
"Class 1-M2 Percentage": With respect to any Payment Date: (a) zero, if the
Senior Principal Balance and the Class 1-M1 Principal Balance have not yet been
reduced to zero after application of principal on the current Payment Date and
the Class 1-M2 Principal Payment Test is not satisfied or (b) otherwise, a
fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the Class 1-M2
Principal Balance and the denominator of which is the sum of: (i) the Senior
Principal Balance, (ii) the Class 1-M1 Principal Balance, (iii) the Class 1-M2
Principal Balance, (iv) if the Class 1-B Principal Payment Test is satisfied,
the Class 1-B Principal Balance, otherwise zero, and (v) if the
Overcollateralization Test is satisfied, the Overcollateralization Amount,
otherwise zero.
"Class 1-M2 Principal Payment Amount": The product of the Principal Payment
Amount and the Class 1-M2 Percentage.
"Class 1-M2 Principal Payment Test": With respect to any Payment Date, the Class
1-M2 Principal Payment Test will be satisfied if each of the following tests is
satisfied: (i) the Payment Date occurs during or after April 2004, (ii) a
Trigger Event is not in effect, (iii) the sum of the Class 1-M2 Principal
Balance, the Class 1-B Principal Balance, the Overcollateralization Amount and
the Collateralization Fund Balance divided by the sum of the Contract Balance
and the Collateralization Fund Balance as of the immediately preceding Payment
Date must be equal to or greater than 36.75% and (iv) the Class 1-M1 Principal
Payment Test is satisfied.
"Class Interest Rate": With respect to each Payment Date and any Class of the
Offered Bonds, the Class Interest Rate per annum will initially equal the per
annum rate shown in the table on the cover page and, if MERIT does not exercise
its option to redeem any Class of the Bonds on the First Optional Redemption
Date, the per annum rate will thereafter be increased as set forth in note 2 on
the cover page.
"Closing Date": On or about March 29, 1999.
"Collateralization Fund Balance": With respect to each Payment Date, the sum of
(a) 45.32% of the unpaid principal balance of the assets in the
Collateralization Fund other than Eligible Investments and (b) the principal
balance of Eligible Investments held in the Collateralization Fund (including
the cash or cash equivalents initially deposited in this Fund as long as they
remain on deposit therein).
"Contract Balance": With respect to each Payment Date, the aggregate Unpaid
Principal Balances of the Contracts.
"Cumulative Losses": With respect to any Payment Date, the sum of the Losses for
that Payment Date and each preceding Payment Date since the Cut-off Date.
"Cumulative Losses Test": With respect to any Payment Date, the Cumulative
Losses Test will be satisfied:
(i) if such Payment Date is before April 1, 2004, the Cumulative Losses
as of such Payment Date are less than or equal to 7.00% of the Initial Contract
Balance;
(ii) if such Payment Date occurs between April 1, 2004, and March 31,
2005, the Cumulative Losses as of such Payment Date are less than or equal to
8.00% of the Initial Contract Balance; and
(iii) if such Payment Date occurs on or after April 1, 2005, the
Cumulative Losses as of such Payment Date are less than or equal to 9.00% of the
Initial Contract Balance.
"Current Interest": With respect to each Class of Bonds and each Payment Date,
the sum of (i) the interest accrued at the applicable Class Interest Rate for
the applicable Accrual Period on the outstanding principal balance of such
Class, (ii) the excess of (A) interest accrued at the applicable Class Interest
Rate with respect to prior Payment Dates over (B) the amount actually paid to
such Class with respect to interest on such prior Payment Dates and (iii)
interest on such excess at the applicable Class Interest Rate for such Accrual
Period less (iv) the Interest Carryover Amount for such Class.
"Current Losses Test": With respect to any Payment Date, the aggregate Losses
with respect to such Payment Date and the two preceding Payment Dates are less
than or equal to 2.75% of the arithmetic average of the Contract Balance for the
third preceding Payment Date and the current Payment Date.
"Cut-off Date": March 1, 1999.
"Initial Collateralization Fund Balance": The Collateralization Fund Balance as
of the Cut-off Date.
"Initial Contract Balance": The Contract Balance as of the Cut-off Date.
"Interest Carryover Amount": With respect to each Class of Bonds and each
Payment Date, the sum of (i) the product of (x) the outstanding principal
balance of such Class and (y) one-twelfth of the excess of (A) the Class
Interest Rate for such Class over (B) the weighted average (by principal
balance) of the Net Rates on the Contracts, with respect to such Payment Date
and (ii) any such product remaining unpaid with respect to prior Payment Dates,
together with interest thereon at the applicable Class Interest Rate.
"Interest Payment Amount": On each Payment Date, the sum of (i) the portion of
Available Funds attributable to interest on the Contracts and (ii) any interest
earnings on the Collateralization Fund to the extent required to be used to pay
Current Interest and any Interest Carryover Amount on the Bonds.
"Net Rate": The interest rate on a Contract less the Administrative Cost Rate;
provided that, so long as Dynex Services is the Servicer, the Administrative
Cost Rate shall not include the Servicing Fee Rate.
"Overcollateralization Amount": With respect to each Payment Date, the excess
of (a) the Contract Balance over (b) the sum of the Senior Principal Balance,
the Class 1-M1 Principal Balance, the Class 1-M2 Principal Balance and the Class
1-B Principal Balance.
"Overcollateralization Percentage": With respect to any Payment Date: (a) zero,
if the Senior Principal Balance, the Class 1-M1 Principal Balance, the Class
1-M2 Principal Balance and the Class 1-B Principal Balance have not yet been
reduced to zero after application of principal on the Current Payment Date and
the Overcollateralization Test is not satisfied or (b) otherwise, a fraction,
expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the Overcollateralization
Amount as of such Payment Date and the denominator of which is the sum of: (i)
the Senior Principal Balance, (ii) the Class 1-M1 Principal Balance, (iii) the
Class 1-M2 Principal Balance, (iv) the Class 1-B Principal Balance, and (v) the
Overcollateralization Amount.
"Overcollateralization Principal Payment Amount": The product of the Principal
Payment Amount and the Overcollateralization Percentage.
"Overcollateralization Test": With respect to any Payment Date: the
Overcollateralization Test will be satisfied if each of the following tests is
satisfied: (i) the Payment Date occurs during or after April 2004, (ii) a
Trigger Event is not in effect, (iii) the sum of the Overcollateralization
Amount and the Collateralization Fund Balance divided by the sum of the Contract
Balance and the Collateralization Fund Balance as of the immediately preceding
Payment Date must be equal to or greater than 15.75%, (iv) the
Overcollateralization Amount is not less than 2.00% of the Initial Contract
Balance, and (v) the Class 1-B Principal Payment Test is satisfied.
"Prepayment Period" With respect to each Payment Date, the period commencing on
the twenty-first day of the month preceding the month in which the Payment Date
is deemed to occur and ending on the twentieth day of the month in which the
Payment Date is deemed to occur, except that the first Prepayment Period shall
begin on the Cut-off Date and end on April 20, 1999.
"Principal Balance": With respect to any Payment Date and any Class of Bonds or
the Senior Bonds, the outstanding principal balance of such Class or the Senior
Bonds, as the case may be. "Principal Payment Amount": On each Payment Date, the
sum of (i) the portion of Available Funds attributable to principal received
with respect to the Contracts, (ii) an amount equal to any Losses incurred with
respect to the Contracts during the related Prepayment Period to the extent any
of the following amounts are available, to be drawn in the following order: (A)
cash and cash equivalents in the Collateralization Fund attributable to
principal ("Reserve Principal"), (B) the balance of the Interest Payment Amount
(after providing for interest then due on the Bonds) ("Excess Interest") and (C)
any interest earnings on assets in the Collateralization Fund ("Reserve
Interest") and (iii) the amount necessary to be paid as principal on the Bonds
in order to ensure that the Subordination Balance will be at least equal to the
Target Subordination Balance after payment of current Losses pursuant to clause
(ii) above, to the extent any Excess Interest or Reserve Interest remains, to be
drawn first, from Excess Interest and, second, from Reserve Interest.
"Senior Bonds": The Class 1-A1, Class 1-A2 and Class 1-A3 Bonds.
"Senior Percentage": With respect to any Payment Date: a fraction, expressed as
a percentage, the numerator of which is the Senior Principal Balance and the
denominator of which is the sum of: (i) the Senior Principal Balance, (ii) if
the Class 1-M1 Principal Payment Test is satisfied, the Class 1-M1 Principal
Balance, otherwise zero, (iii) if the Class 1-M2 Principal Payment Test is
satisfied, the Class 1-M2 Principal Balance, otherwise zero, (iv) if the Class
1-B Principal Payment Test is satisfied, the Class 1-B Principal Balance,
otherwise zero, and (v) if the Overcollateralization Test is satisfied, the
Overcollateralization Amount, otherwise zero.
"Senior Principal Payment Amount": The product of the Principal Payment Amount
and the Senior Percentage.
"Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio": With respect to any Payment Date, a fraction,
expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate of the
outstanding balances of all Contracts that were 60 days delinquent or more as of
the end of the related Due Period (including Contracts in respect of which the
related Manufactured Homes have been repossessed but are still in inventory) and
the denominator of which is the Contract Balance.
"Subordination Balance": The sum of (A) the Overcollateralization Amount and (B)
the Collateralization Fund Balance.
"Target Subordination Balance": For any Payment Date prior to the Payment Date
occurring in April 2004, 9.00% of the sum of (A) the Initial Contract Balance
and (B) the Initial Collateralization Fund Balance. For any Payment Date on or
after the Payment Date occurring in April 2004, the lesser of (i) 9.00% of the
sum of (A) the Initial Contract Balance and (B) the Initial Collateralization
Fund Balance and (ii) 15.75% of the sum of (A) the Contract Balance and (B) the
Collateralization Fund Balance.
"Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio": With respect to any Payment Date, a fraction,
expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate of the
outstanding balances of all Contracts that were 30 days delinquent or more as of
the end of the related Due Period (including Contracts in respect of which the
related Manufactured Homes have been repossessed but are still in inventory) and
the denominator of which is the Contract Balance.
"Trigger Event": With respect to any Payment Date during or after April 2004, a
Trigger Event exists if (i) the Cumulative Losses Test is not satisfied, (ii)
the Current Losses Test is not satisfied, (iii) the Thirty-Day Delinquency Ratio
exceeds 7.00% or (iv) the Sixty-Day Delinquency Ratio exceeds 5.00%.
The actual percentages set forth in the definitions may be lower or higher
depending on the final requirements of the Rating Agencies.
ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL SUBORDINATED BONDS
Without the consent of the Bondholders, MERIT may issue additional bonds secured
by the collateral for the Bonds to the extent such additional bonds are fully
subordinated to the Bonds (including the Class 1-M1, Class 1-M2 and Class 1-B
Bonds) or may pledge its interest in the Contracts, subject to the indebtedness
evidenced by the Bonds (including Class 1-M1, Class 1-M2 and Class 1-B Bonds),
to secure bonds of other series. Any such issuance of additional bonds will be
conditioned upon confirmation from the Rating Agencies of the then current
ratings on the Bonds (including the Class 1-M1, Class 1-M2 and Class 1-B Bonds).
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An Event of Default means any one of the following events (whatever the reason
for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be
effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any
court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental
body):
(i) on any Payment Date, default in the payment of Current Interest on any
Senior Bond when the same shall become due and payable (or, after the
Senior Bonds have been paid in full, the Class of Bonds then outstanding
with the highest seniority) which Default shall continue for a period of
five days; or
(ii) on the Stated Maturity Date of any Class of Bonds, default in the
payment in full of the outstanding principal balance of any such Class of
Bonds; or
(iii)default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or
warranty of MERIT in the Indenture and continuance of such default or
breach for a period of 60 days after there shall have been given, by
registered or certified mail, to MERIT by the Trustee or by the Holders of
at least 66 2/3% in then outstanding principal balance of the Senior Bonds
(or, after the Senior Bonds have been paid in full, the Class of Bonds then
outstanding with the highest seniority), a written notice specifying such
default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such
notice is a "Notice of Default" under the Indenture; or
(iv) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the
premises adjudging MERIT bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly
filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition of or in respect of MERIT under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or
any other applicable federal or state law, or appointing a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, or sequestrator (or other similar official) of MERIT
or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or
liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order
unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(v) the institution by MERIT of proceedings to be adjudicated as bankrupt
or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or
answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under the Federal
Bankruptcy Code or any other similar applicable federal or state law, or
the consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment
of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or sequestrator (or other
similar official) of MERIT or of any substantial part of its property, or
the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the
admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as
they become due, or the taking of corporate action by MERIT in furtherance
of any such action.
Upon the occurrence of a default with respect to any Class of Bonds (without
regard to the passage of time or giving of notice, or both) and the continuance
of such default for 60 days, the Trustee is required to resign as trustee for
any Class of Bonds which is subordinate to the outstanding Class of Bonds with
the highest seniority. MERIT is required in such circumstances to appoint one or
more separate trustees for the Holders of such Classes of Bonds; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that, if MERIT fails to appoint such separate trustees within 15 days
thereafter, the Trustee shall immediately petition a court of competent
jurisdiction to appoint such separate trustees.
Each Bondholder shall be deemed to have agreed, by its acceptance of its Bond,
not to file, or join in filing, any petition in bankruptcy or commence any
similar proceeding in respect of MERIT for a period of one year and one day
following the payment in full of the Bonds and any other bonds of MERIT and to
treat its Bonds as debt instruments for purposes of federal and state income
tax, franchise tax and any other tax measured in whole or in part by income.
Upon certain Events of Default, the Holders of the Bonds shall have the remedies
described in the Indenture. See "THE INDENTURE -- Default" in the Prospectus
with respect to the rights of the Bondholders. Funds collected by the Trustee
following an Event of Default will be applied in the order specified above under
"-- Payments of Principal and Interest" on page S-7.
ACCORDINGLY, SO LONG AS THE SENIOR BONDS (AND AFTER THE SENIOR BONDS HAVE BEEN
PAID IN FULL, THE CLASS 1-M1 BONDS; AND AFTER THE CLASS 1-M1 BONDS HAVE BEEN
PAID IN FULL, THE CLASS 1-M2 BONDS) ARE OUTSTANDING, THE FAILURE TO PAY INTEREST
ON OR PRINCIPAL OF ALL CLASSES OF BONDS SUBORDINATE THERETO PRIOR TO THE STATED
MATURITY DATE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE AN EVENT OF DEFAULT.
LOSSES
Losses with respect to the Contracts will be borne, by virtue of the payment
priorities described herein, first, by the cash and cash equivalents on deposit
in the Collateralization Fund attributable to principal, second, by any interest
received on the Contracts in excess of interest required to be paid on the Bonds
on any Payment Date, third, by any interest earnings on assets on deposit in the
Collateralization Fund, fourth, by a reduction of the excess of the aggregate
unpaid principal balance of the collateral over the principal balance of the
Bonds and, fifth, by the Class 1-B, Class 1-M2 and Class 1-M1 Bonds (in that
order) before any losses will be borne by the Class 1-A1, Class 1-A2 and Class
1-A3 Bonds. Losses will be borne by the Class 1-A1, Class 1-A2 and Class 1-A3
Bonds pro rata based on their outstanding principal balance.
STATED MATURITY DATES
The Stated Maturity Dates for the Bonds are set forth on the cover page hereof
and represent the dates on which the Bonds are payable in full. The Stated
Maturity Dates for the Bonds have been calculated in accordance with the
assumptions set forth under "MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS" on page
S-20.
REDEMPTION
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION. MERIT may, at its option, redeem a Class or Classes of the
Bonds in whole, but not in part, on any Payment Date on or after the earlier of
(i) the Payment Date in March 2004 or (ii) the Payment Date on which, after
taking into account payments of principal to be made on such Payment Date, the
aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Bonds is less than 35% of the
aggregate principal balance of the Bonds on the Closing Date (the "First
Optional Redemption Date").
REDEMPTION FOR TAX REASONS. In addition, MERIT may redeem a Class or Classes of
the Bonds in whole, but not in part, at any time upon a determination by MERIT,
based upon an opinion of counsel, that a substantial risk exists that the Bonds
of the Class to be redeemed will not be treated for federal income tax purposes
as evidences of indebtedness.
REDEMPTION PRICE. Any such redemption will be paid in cash at a price equal to
100% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Class of Bonds so
redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest for the applicable Accrual Period. At
the option of MERIT, an optional redemption of a Class of Bonds may be effected
without retiring such Class of Bonds so that MERIT or a designee has the ability
to own or resell such Class of Bonds. See "DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS --
Redemption" in the Prospectus.
Any redemption of a Class of Bonds may have an adverse effect on the yield of
such Class, because such redemption would have the same effect on such Class as
a prepayment in full of the Contracts. See "YIELD CONSIDERATIONS" on page S-24.
SECURITY FOR THE BONDS
THE COLLATERAL
The collateral for the Bonds will consist of manufactured housing installment
sales contracts (the "Contracts"). In addition, the Bonds will be secured by the
initial deposit in the Collateralization Fund.
THE CONTRACTS
The Contracts include both Adjustable Rate Contracts, which provide for
adjustments in their interest rates as described below, and Level Payment
Contracts, which have fixed annual percentage rates and provide for level
monthly payments over their term sufficient to amortize the principal balance in
full. 17.35% of the Contracts provide for allocation of payments according to
the "actuarial" method (each, an "Actuarial Contract") and the balance provide
for allocation of payments according to the simple interest method (each, a
"Simple Interest Contract").
The portion of each monthly payment for any Actuarial Contract allocable to
principal will be equal to the total amount thereof less the portion allocable
to interest. In each month, the portion allocable to interest is a precomputed
amount equal to one month's interest on the principal balance determined by
reducing the initial principal balance by the principal portion of all monthly
payments that were due in prior months (whether or not timely made) and all
prior partial principal prepayments. Thus, each payment allocated to a scheduled
monthly payment of an Actuarial Contract will be applied to interest and
principal in accordance with such allocation whether such monthly payment is
received in advance of or subsequent to the date it is due. All payments
received on an Actuarial Contract (other than prepayments in full or in part)
will be applied when received to current and any previously unpaid monthly
payments in the order they were due.
Payments on a Simple Interest Contract will be applied first to interest accrued
through the date immediately preceding the date of receipt of payment and then
to unpaid principal. Accordingly, if an obligor pays an installment less than
one month after the previous payment, the portion of the payment allocable to
interest will be less than if the payment had been made when due, the portion of
the payment applied to reduce the principal balance will be correspondingly
greater, and the principal balance will be amortized more rapidly than
scheduled. Conversely, if an obligor pays an installment more than one month
after the previous payment, the portion of the payment allocable to interest for
the payment period will be greater than if the payment had been made when due,
the portion of the payment applied to reduce the principal balance will be
correspondingly less, and the principal balance will be amortized more slowly
than scheduled, in which case a larger portion of the principal balance may be
due on the final scheduled payment date.
Whenever reference is made herein to a percentage of the Contracts or to the
characteristics of the Contracts, the calculation is approximate and is based on
the Unpaid Principal Balances of the Contracts as of the February 1, 1999 (the
"Statistical Cut-off Date").
All the Contracts will have an original term to maturity of not more than 30
years. At the Statistical Cut-off Date, weighted average remaining term to
stated maturity of the Contracts is 311 months, of which 1.87% are Adjustable
Rate Contracts and 98.13% are Level Payment Contracts.
As specified in the related Contract, the interest rate on each Adjustable Rate
Contract will adjust on each Interest Adjustment Date applicable thereto to a
rate that is calculated in accordance with the average of LIBOR for six-month
Eurodollar deposits in the London market based on quotations of major banks as
published either by Fannie Mae or THE WALL STREET JOURNAL (the "Six-Month LIBOR
Index") and a fixed percentage (the "Gross Margin"), subject to, in most cases,
(i) a maximum periodic increase or decrease of 1% per annum (a "Periodic Rate
Cap") and (ii) any minimum and maximum lifetime interest rate. Adjustments are
subject to Periodic Rate Caps, and minimum and maximum lifetime interest rates,
and, accordingly, the interest rate on any such Adjustable Rate Contract, as
adjusted on any Interest Adjustment Date, may not equal the sum of the Six-Month
LIBOR Index and the applicable Gross Margin.
As of the Statistical Cut-Off Date with respect to the Contracts, (i) the
interest rates range from 5.75% to 13.00%, with a weighted average interest rate
of 8.47% . For the Adjustable Rate Contracts, (i) the average Gross Margin is
5.80%, (ii) the maximum lifetime interest rates range from 12.50% to 16.50%,
with a weighted average maximum lifetime interest rate of 14.61% and (iii) the
minimum lifetime interest rates range from 7.50% to 11.50%, with a weighted
average minimum lifetime interest rate of 9.60%. In no case will the minimum
lifetime interest rate of an Adjustable Rate Contract be less than the Gross
Margin of such Contract.
Delinquencies with respect to the Contracts as of the Statistical Cut-Off Date
are as follows:
31 TO 60 61 TO 90 TOTAL
DAYS DAYS
0.55% 0.13% 0.68%
MERIT excluded from the collateral for the Bonds loans having an aggregate
unpaid principal balance as of the Statistical Cut-off Date of $1,568,833, which
were non-performing or constituted real estate owned. If these loans had been
included in the collateral for the Bonds, the delinquency percentages set forth
above with respect to the Contracts would have been higher.
SELECTED CONTRACT DATA
The Contracts and related properties securing the Contracts have the
characteristics set forth in the following tables as of the Statistical Cut-off
Date. The actual Cut-off Date for the Contracts will be March 1, 1999, one month
later than the Statistical Cut-off Date. The characteristics of the Contracts
actually pledged to secure the Bonds may vary from the information set forth
herein due to a number of factors, including prepayments, delinquencies and
losses with respect to the Contracts from the Statistical Cut-off Date to the
Closing Date. Asterisks (*) in the following tables indicate values between 0.0%
and 0.5%. Whenever reference is made in the tables to a percentage of the
Contracts, such percentage is based on the aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance of
the Contracts as of the Statistical Cut-off Date. Percentages may not sum to
100% due to rounding.
SELECTED DATA FOR CONTRACTS
<PAGE>
1) CURRENT UNPAID PRINCIPAL BALANCE
CURRENT UNPAID PRINCIPAL
BALANCE ($) UNPAID PRINCIPAL BALANCE(%)
1 - 20,000 2
20,001 - 30,000 10
30,001 - 40,000 18
40,001 - 50,000 18
50,001 - 60,000 19
60,001 - 70,000 13
70,001 - 80,000 7
80,001 - 90,000 5
90,001 - 100,000 3
100,001 - 110,000 2
110,001 - 120,000 1
120,001 - 130,000 1
130,001 - 200,000 1
----
Totals: 100
The average Unpaid Principal Balance is $44,732 ,the maximum Unpaid Principal
Balance is $197,497 and the minimum Unpaid Principal Balance is $880.
2) REMAINING TERM TO STATED MATURITY
REMAINING TERM UNPAID PRINCIPAL BALANCE(%)
(MONTHS)
1 - 200 11
201 - 320 19
321 - 330 1
331 - 340 12
341 - 350 2
351 - 355 14
356 - 360 41
---
Totals: 100
The weighted average remaining term to stated maturity is 311 months.
3) ORIGINAL LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIO(1)
ORIGINAL LTV RATIO(%) UNPAID PRINCIPAL BALANCE(%)
50.00 and below 1
50.01 - 55.00 1
55.01 - 60.00 1
60.01 - 65.00 1
65.01 - 70.00 2
70.01 - 75.00 3
75.01 - 80.00 10
80.01 - 85.00 16
85.01 - 90.00 34
90.01 - 95.00 28
95.01 - 100.00 2
----
Totals: 100
(1) The Loan-to-Value Ratio of a Contract is equal to the ratio (expressed as a
percentage) of the original amount financed and the fair market value of the
property at the time of origination. The fair market value of the manufactured
homes is the total amount of the related contract plus any cash downpayment and
the value of any trade-in and in the case of a land-secured Contract, the value
of the land securing the Contract as appraised by an independent appraiser. The
weighted average original loan-to-value ratio is 86.37% .
4) CURRENT INTEREST
CURRENT INTEREST RATES(%) UNPAID PRINCIPAL BALANCE(%)
5.750 - 5.999 3
6.000 - 6.249 *
6.250 - 6.499 4
6.500 - 6.749 5
6.750 - 6.999 11
7.000 - 7.249 2
7.250 - 7.499 6
7.500 - 7.749 6
7.750 - 7.999 10
8.000 - 8.249 1
8.250 - 8.499 4
8.500 - 8.749 4
8.750 - 8.999 10
9.000 - 9.249 1
9.250 - 9.499 4
9.500 - 9.749 5
9.750 - 9.999 8
10.000 - 10.249 1
10.250 - 10.499 3
10.500 - 10.749 3
10.750 - 10.999 5
11.000 - 11.249 1
11.250 - 11.499 2
11.500 - 11.749 1
11.750 - 11.999 2
12.000 - 12.249 *
12.250 - 12.499 *
12.500 - 12.749 *
12.750 - 12.999 *
13.000 - 13.249 *
-----
Totals: 100
The weighted average current interest rate per annum is 8.47%.
5) STATE DISTRIBUTION OF PROPERTIES
STATE UNPAID PRINCIPAL BALANCE(%)
Texas 17
North Carolina 15
Michigan 11
South Carolina 10
Georgia 9
Kentucky 4
Arkansas 4
Tennessee 4
Virginia 3
West Virginia 3
Ohio 3
Washington 3
Oregon 3
Florida 3
Arizona 2
Oklahoma 1
Mississippi 1
Idaho 1
Alabama 1
Indiana 1
New York 1
Others 2
Totals: 100
Others include: California, Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland,
Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont.
<PAGE>
YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE
The Master Servicer and the Servicer each is preparing its computer systems and
computer-driven equipment and devices for the year 2000. Virtually every
computer operation could be affected in some way by the rollover of the
two-digit year value from 99 to 00. Systems that do not properly recognize
date-sensitive information when the year changes to 2000 could fail or generate
erroneous data. The year 2000 problem could affect traditional information
systems and embedded systems. It could also affect software or computer
applications that use, store, transmit or receive information involving dates.
The objective of the Master Servicer and the Servicer is to be year 2000
compliant. "Year 2000 compliant" means that critical systems, devices,
applications and business relationships have been evaluated and are expected to
be suitable for continued use into and beyond the year 2000. To that end, they
have evaluated their critical systems, devices, applications and business
relationships to determine the extent to which they are in fact "year 2000
compliant.
The Master Servicer and the Servicer each expects to have its systems and
applications capable of processing, on and after January 1, 2000, date and
date-related data consistent with the functionality of such systems and
applications and without a material adverse effect upon its performance of
services.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The description in this Prospectus Supplement of the Contracts is calculated as
of the close of business on the Statistical Cut-off Date. Contracts may be
removed prior to closing as a result of incomplete documentation or
non-compliance with representations and warranties, if MERIT deems such removal
necessary or appropriate, and MERIT may substitute other Contracts subject to
certain terms and conditions. Neither the substitution of Contracts nor the
addition of Contracts not included originally are expected to cause material
variances from the information set forth herein.
A current report on Form 8-K will be available to purchasers of the Bonds and
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, together with the
Indenture, within fifteen days after the initial issuance of the Bonds and will
provide additional information with respect to the Contracts. Also, MERIT
intends to file certain additional yield tables and other computational
materials with the Commission in a report on Form 8-K. Such tables and materials
were prepared by the Underwriter at the request of certain prospective
investors. Such tables and assumptions may be based on assumptions that differ
from the Modeling Assumptions; see "MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS" on
page S-20. Accordingly, such tables and other materials may not be relevant to
or appropriate for investors other than those specifically requesting them.
The Master Servicer will make available on an ongoing basis current information
relating to the Collateral, including (i) Contract delinquencies of 30 days, 60
days and 90 days or over, (ii) Contracts in foreclosure, (iii) REO, (iv) Losses
on the Contracts, (v) the remaining Overcollateralization Amount, and (vi)
modifications made to Contracts.
SUBSTITUTION OF CONTRACTS
In certain circumstances, a new contract (a "Substitute Contract") may be
pledged in substitution for a defaulted Contract or Repo Property to the extent
that the Master Servicer has determined, in its reasonable business judgment,
that the present value of any potential Loss on such defaulted Contract or Repo
Property will be reduced through the substitution of a Substitute Contract for
such defaulted Contract or Repo Property, and provided that such Substitute
Contract (i) is secured by the property that secures such defaulted Contract or
by such Repo Property, (ii) has a interest rate that is not less than the then
current market rate for a loan having similar characteristics (PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that a Substitute Contract may have a interest rate less than the then
current market rate so long as the aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance of all
such Substitute Contracts on their respective dates of substitution does not
exceed 1.00% of the initial aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance of the
Contracts), (iii) has a maturity date that is not later than nine months prior
to the Stated Maturity Date of the Bonds. The Contracts following the addition
of any Substitute Contract must satisfy the following criteria: (i) the weighted
average interest rate must not be less than 8.47%; (ii) the weighted average
original loan-to-value ratio must not be greater than 86.37%; (iii) not less
than 77.40% of the aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance must be secured by
double-wide manufactured homes; and (v) at least 17.35% of the aggregate Unpaid
Principal Balance must consist of land-secured Contracts. Furthermore, as a
result of any substitution, any Class of Bonds may not receive a lower rating
than the rating assigned at the initial issuance of such Class of Bonds. The
amount, if any, by which the Unpaid Principal Balance of such defaulted Contract
or Repo Property exceeds the Unpaid Principal Balance of the Substitute Contract
would constitute a Loss on such Contract or Repo Property. Upon the pledge of a
Substitute Contract, the Trustee will release such defaulted Contract or the
Repo Property from the lien of the Indenture. See "SECURITY FOR THE BONDS --
Substitution of Collateral" in the Prospectus.
In addition, MERIT may pledge to the Trustee a Contract in substitution for such
a Contract initially pledged (an "Original Contract") to secure the Bonds in the
event of a breach of a representation or warranty with respect to such Original
Contract or in the case of defective or incomplete documentation with respect to
such Original Contract which materially and adversely affects the value of such
Original Contract. It is anticipated that any substitution for an Original
Contract will not materially change the characteristics of the Contracts as set
forth above.
SERVICING OF THE COLLATERAL
GENERAL
MASTER SERVICER -- DYNEX. Dynex has been engaged to act as Master Servicer and
will initially be performing all master servicing and bond administration
duties. As of December 31, 1998, Dynex acted as master servicer for
approximately 26,000 loans with an aggregate principal balance of approximately
$4.1 billion. See "DYNEX CAPITAL, INC." in the Prospectus.
RECENT EVENTS REGARDING DYNEX. In connection with arrangements with AutoBond
Acceptance Corporation, Dynex committed to purchase monthly up to $25 million of
funding notes of an AutoBond bankruptcy-remote subsidiary secured by automobile
retail installment contracts. At March 15, 1999, the funding notes had an
outstanding balance of approximately $149 million and a weighted average
interest rate of approximately 7.8%. The underlying contracts had an outstanding
balance of approximately $145 million and a weighted average interest rate of
19.8%. The funding notes receive all the proceeds (less servicing fees) on the
contracts until paid in full. As a result of due diligence reviews recently
conducted by third party consultants on behalf of Dynex, Dynex concluded that
AutoBond was not in compliance with its agreements with Dynex. These included,
among other items, AutoBond's failure to follow required underwriting standards
in accordance with the agreements. Dynex has ceased purchasing funding notes
from the AutoBond subsidiary and notified AutoBond that it is in default under
the servicing agreement and is terminated as servicer of the contracts. AutoBond
has denied that it is in default and has refused to surrender files in its
possession relating to the servicing of the collateral. AutoBond has filed a
lawsuit against Dynex in the state court for Travis County, Texas, alleging that
Dynex breached its contract when Dynex refused to purchase additional funding
notes. The rating agencies that provide ratings on Dynex's unsecured debt and
preferred stock have lowered their respective ratings based, in part, over the
uncertainties of Dynex's dispute with AutoBond.
Based upon the third party consultant due diligence reviews and the resulting
uncertainties over the value of the collateral securing Dynex's $149 million in
funding notes, Dynex expects to incur an impairment charge of between $15
million and $22 million (or 10% to 15% of the principal balance of the funding
notes). Dynex is working with its accountants to determine whether the charge,
if taken against its earnings, must be a revision to its previously announced
1998 earnings of approximately $37 million or to its earnings for the first
quarter of 1999. There can be no assurance that additional impairment charges
will not be necessary in the future.
STAND-BY MASTER SERVICER -- NORWEST. Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
Association, has agreed to be the Stand-by Master Servicer of the Contracts; if
Dynex is no longer acting as Master Servicer, Norwest will assume the bond
administration duties (but not the master servicing duties) of the Master
Servicer. The principal executive offices of Norwest are located at Sixth Street
and Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Norwest performs its master
servicing and bond administrator activities principally at 11000 Broken Land
Parkway, Columbia, Maryland. Norwest is engaged in the business of master
servicing, on behalf of third party investors, residential single family
mortgage loans secured by properties located in all 50 states and the District
of Columbia. As of December 31, 1998, Norwest was master servicing more than
570,000 mortgage loans representing an aggregate outstanding principal balance
of approximately $67 billion.
SERVICER -- DYNEX SERVICES. Dynex Services, a division of Dynex Financial, Inc.,
an affiliate of MERIT, has been retained on a quarterly basis as the Servicer of
the Contracts. Dynex Services commenced its servicing operations in November
1996. Dynex Financial, Inc. services all of the manufactured housing contracts
it originates or purchases from its servicing operation located in Fort Worth,
Texas. The following sets forth the delinquency experience related to
manufactured housing contracts serviced through Dynex Services for fiscal years
ending 1997 and 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------
1997 1998
----------------- ----------------
(Dollars in Thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding Dollars of Serviced Assets (1).................. $286,873 $708,620
Delinquent Dollars (2):
30 - 59 days...................................................... $4,704 $7,515
60 - 89 days................................................... $977 $2,020
90 days or more................................................ $1,360 $2,347
Total Dollars Delinquent.......................................... $7,041 $11,882
Delinquency as a Percentage of Serviced Assets (3).......... 2.45% 1.68%
Percentage of Serviced Assets Repossessed/Foreclosed..... .33% .73%
Net Loss Percentage (4).......................................... .21% .54%
</TABLE>
- -------------------
(1) Excludes contracts already in repossession/foreclosure.
(2) The period of delinquency is based on the number of days payments are
contractually past due (assuming 30-day months). Consequently, a contract
due on the first day of a month is not 30 days delinquent until the first
day of the following month.
(3) By outstanding dollars as of period end.
(4) The calculation of net loss percentage includes unpaid interest accrued
through the date of liquidation and all repossession liquidation expenses
and is based on the principal balance of contracts being serviced as of
period end including contracts already in repossession/foreclosure.
BACK-UP SERVICER -- CHASE MANHATTAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION. Chase Manhattan
Mortgage Corporation has been retained as the back-up Servicer for the Contracts
and will become the Servicer if Dynex Services ceases to be the Servicer.
TERMS OF SERVICING AND MASTER SERVICING ARRANGEMENTS -- Dynex's engagement as
Master Servicer and Dynex Services' engagement as Servicer are on a quarterly
basis with initial terms ending June 30, 1999. These engagements may be renewed
for subsequent quarterly terms by the Trustee; provided that the Trustee shall
not renew either such engagement unless it receives a letter from Fitch IBCA,
Inc., in its capacity as one of the Rating Agencies, prior to any quarterly
renewal date, confirming that such renewal will not result in a downgrading of
its rating of any of the Bonds. If the servicing agreement with Dynex Services
is terminated, it is likely that delinquencies on the Contracts will increase
temporarily, possible resulting in increased losses on the contracts, until the
back-up Servicer has completed the logistical processes required to render it
fully capable of servicing the Contracts effectively.
If Fitch IBCA, Inc. confirms that there will be no adverse effect on
its then ratings of the Bonds, the requirement of quarterly renewals of the
Servicing and Master Servicing Agreements will be removed.
ADVANCES
On or before each Payment Date, the Servicer will be obligated (subject to the
limitations provided in its servicing agreement) to make a cash advance (an
"Advance") with respect to any delinquent loan in an amount equal to the sum of
(i) the scheduled payment (the interest portion only in the case of Simple
Interest Contracts and, in any case, without deduction of the Servicing Fee so
long as Dynex Services is the Servicer), (ii) amounts for the payment of
assessments, insurance premiums and property protection expenses and (iii)
amounts to cover expenses relating to foreclosure and liquidation. Dynex (but
not Norwest) as Master Servicer will be obligated to make any required advance
if the Servicer fails to make such advance. The Trustee will be obligated to
make any required Advance if the Master Servicer fails to do so. Nevertheless,
none of them is required to make any Advance if it has determined in its good
faith business judgment that such advance would not be recoverable. See
"SERVICING OF THE COLLATERAL" in the Prospectus.
FORBEARANCE AND MODIFICATION AGREEMENTS
To the extent set forth in the related Servicing Agreement, the Servicer may,
with the approval of the Master Servicer in most cases, enter into a forbearance
or modification agreement with the borrower under a Contract, provided that such
Servicer and, if required, the Master Servicer have determined in their good
faith business judgment that granting such forbearance or modification will
maximize recovery to the Trust Estate on a present value basis. The interests of
the Master Servicer in determining whether to enter into a forbearance or
modification agreement (or in establishing the terms of any such forbearance or
modification agreement) may conflict with the interests of Bondholders.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Dynex will generally have the right to terminate the Servicer in the event of a
breach by such Servicer of any of its obligations thereunder. In the event of
such termination, Dynex generally assumes certain of such Servicer's servicing
obligations, including the obligation to make Advances (limited as provided
herein under "--Advances"), until such time as a successor servicer is
appointed. If Dynex is unable to act as servicer, Dynex will generally appoint
or petition a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a suitable
loan servicing institution to act as successor servicer under such Servicing
Agreement. Pending such appointment, Dynex will be obligated to service the
Contracts subject to the same limitations as apply to the Master Servicer's
obligation to fulfill the servicing responsibility of a terminated servicer. Any
successor servicer, including Dynex, will be entitled generally to compensation
arrangements similar to, and not in excess of, those provided to the terminated
Servicer. If Norwest becomes the Master Servicer, it is anticipated that Chase
Manhattan Mortgage Corporation will become the Servicer.
SERVICING AND OTHER COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES
The primary compensation payable to the Servicer is the monthly servicing fee
(the "Servicing Fee", which fee is expressed as one-twelfth of a fixed
percentage per annum (the "Servicing Fee Rate") multiplied by the Unpaid
Principal Balance of each Contract on the first day of the Due Period preceding
each Payment Date. So long as Dynex Services is the Servicer of the Contracts,
Dynex Services will remit the monthly payments on the Contracts without
retaining the Servicing Fee and the Trustee will pay such Servicing Fee to Dynex
Services to the extent of the Interest Payment Amount available after having
paid interest on the Bonds. In addition to the Servicing Fees, late payment
fees, loan assumption fees and conversion fees with respect to the Contracts,
and any interest or other income earned on collections with respect to the
Contracts pending remittance to the Master Servicer will be paid to or retained
by the Servicer as additional servicing compensation. The Servicer is obligated
to pay certain insurance premiums and certain ongoing expenses associated with
the related Contracts and incurred by the Servicer in connection with its
responsibilities under the Servicing Agreement. The Master Servicing Fee will be
equal to 0.02% per annum on the aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance of the
Contracts.
SPECIAL SERVICER
A Special Servicer acceptable to the Rating Agencies may be appointed to
undertake some of or all the Servicer's obligations with respect to Contracts
that are in default. The Special Servicer, if any, may be entitled to various
fees, including, but not limited to, (i) a special servicing fee expressed as a
fixed percentage of the remaining Unpaid Principal Balance of each specially
serviced Contract, (ii) a performance fee applicable to each liquidated Contract
based upon the Liquidation Proceeds of such Contract, or both. See "SERVICING OF
THE COLLATERAL -- Special Servicing Agreement" in the Prospectus.
MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The Stated Maturity Date for each Class of the Bonds was calculated by adding
approximately four years to the last scheduled payment date on the Contracts
originally pledged to the Bonds.
Because the rate of payment (including payments attributable to prepayments,
defaults, liquidations, and repurchases) of principal on the Contracts may
exceed the scheduled rate of payments, and could exceed such scheduled rate by a
substantial amount, the actual final payment of principal of the Bonds may be
earlier, and could be substantially earlier, than the Stated Maturity Date of
such Class.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE OF THE BONDS
Weighted average life refers to the average amount of time that will elapse from
the date of delivery of a bond until each dollar of principal of such bond will
be repaid to the investor. The weighted average life of the Bonds will be
influenced by the rate at which principal of the Contracts is paid, which may be
in the form of scheduled amortization or prepayments (for this purpose, the term
"prepayment" includes payments resulting from refinancings, liquidations of the
Contracts due to defaults, casualties, indemnifications and purchases by or on
behalf of MERIT or the Servicer, as the case may be).
Prepayments on loans are commonly measured relative to a prepayment standard or
model. The prepayment assumption model used in this Prospectus Supplement, the
Manufactured Housing Prepayment Model ("MHP"), is based on an assumed rate of
prepayment each month of the then unpaid principal balance of a pool of new
manufactured housing installment sales contracts. A prepayment assumption of
100% MHP assumes constant prepayment rates of 3.7% per annum of the then unpaid
principal balance of such Contracts in the first month of the life of the
contracts and an additional 0.1% per annum in each month thereafter until the
24th month. Beginning in the 24th month and in each month thereafter during the
life of all the contracts, 100% MHP assumes a constant prepayment rate of 6.0%
per annum each month.
As used in the following tables "200% MHP" assumes the Contracts will prepay at
rates equal to twice 100% of the MHP assumed prepayment rates; "300% MHP"
assumes the Contracts will prepay at rates equal to three times 100% of the MHP
prepayment rates, and so forth.
FACTORS AFFECTING PREPAYMENTS ON THE CONTRACTS
The rate of payments (including prepayments) on a pool of manufactured housing
installment sale contracts is influenced by a variety of economic, geographic,
social, tax, legal and other factors. If prevailing interest rates fall
significantly below the then current interest rates on the Contracts or
significantly below the maximum lifetime interest rates on the Adjustable Rate
Contracts, the rate of prepayments on such Contracts would be expected to
increase. Conversely, if prevailing rates rise significantly above the then
current interest rates on the Contracts or significantly above the maximum
lifetime interest rates on the Adjustable Rate Contracts, the rate of
prepayments would be expected to decrease. Other factors affecting prepayment of
Contracts include changes in borrowers' housing needs, job transfers,
unemployment, borrowers' net equity in the related properties and servicing
decisions, as well as Contract terms and the type of collateral securing a
Contract. See "SECURITY FOR THE BONDS -- Selected Contract Data" on page S-14.
The Contracts may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time by the borrowers.
NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN AS TO THE RATE OF PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS OR PREPAYMENTS ON
THE CONTRACTS.
Of the Contracts, 1.87% were Adjustable Rate Contracts as of the Statistical
Cut-Off Date. MERIT is not aware of any publicly available statistics relating
to the principal prepayment experience of adjustable rate manufactured housing
installment sales contracts loans over an extended period of time, and MERIT's
experience with respect to adjustable rate contracts is insufficient to draw any
conclusions with respect to the expected prepayment rates on the Adjustable Rate
Contracts. Defaults on Adjustable Rate Contracts leading to foreclosure and the
ultimate liquidation of the related properties may occur with greater frequency
in their early years, although little data is available with respect to the rate
of default on Adjustable Rate Contracts. Increases in the required monthly
payments on the Adjustable Rate Contracts may result in a default rate higher
than that on contracts with fixed interest rates. MERIT, at its option, may
purchase, on any Payment Date, any Contract that is delinquent in payment by 90
days or more. Any such purchase must be made at a price equal to the outstanding
principal balance of the related Contract plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon at its interest rate through the Payment Date following the date of
purchase. See "YIELD CONSIDERATIONS" and "MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT
CONSIDERATIONS" in the Prospectus. Furthermore, MERIT will have the option to
pledge to the Trustee a Substitute Contract in substitution for a defaulted
Contract or REO, as more particularly described in "SECURITY FOR THE BONDS --
Substitution of Contracts" on page S-16. The weighted average life of the Bonds
may increase to the extent that MERIT exercises its option to pledge Substitute
Contracts to the Trustee for defaulted Contracts or Repo Property, because such
substitution will be effected in lieu of foreclosure and disposition of the
related properties or Repo Property and the payment of Liquidation Proceeds to
Holders of the Bonds. See "YIELD CONSIDERATIONS" on page S-24.
The interest rates on the Adjustable Rate Contracts will adjust periodically
(although not on the same dates), generally based on the current Six-Month LIBOR
Index as applicable (which may not rise and fall consistently with prevailing
interest rates or other adjustable rate residential loans based on other
indices), plus the Gross Margins for the Adjustable Rate Contracts (which may be
different from the current margins on other adjustable rate residential loans).
As a result, the interest rates on the Adjustable Rate Contracts at any time may
not equal the prevailing rates for similar adjustable rate residential loans,
and the rate of prepayment may be lower or higher than would otherwise be
anticipated. See "RISK FACTORS -- Uncertain Timing of Principal" on page S-3.
MODELING ASSUMPTIONS
The following assumptions (the "Modeling Assumptions") have been used in
preparing the principal decrement tables on the following pages (the "DEC
Tables"). It has been assumed that the Adjustable Rate Contracts consist of one
assumed Adjustable Rate Contract and that the Level Payment Contracts consist of
two assumed Level Payment Contracts, each with the characteristics set forth in
the following tables as of the Statistical Cut-off Date:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(2/1/99) Current
Contract Current Gross Total Current Gross Original Current Periodic Next Reset
Type Balance Index WAC Rate Fees Net WAC Margin WAM WAM Cap Date
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fixed Rate $157,114,632.24 N/A 9.8446% 0.020% 9.8246% N/A 297 287 N/A N/A
Fixed Rate $173,558,301.99 N/A 7.1908% 0.020% 7.1708% N/A 337 333 N/A N/A
Six-Month
Adjustable Rate $ 6,294,533.94 LIBOR 9.6041% 0.020% 9.5841% 5.800% 345 329 1.00% 10/1/00
</TABLE>
It has been further assumed that:
(i) all scheduled payments on the assumed Contracts are
received timely on the payment date for each Contract, commencing
March 1, 1999, and prepayments on such Contracts are received on the
last day of each month beginning February 28, 1999, and include 30
days of interest thereon;
(ii) there are no defaults or shortfalls on the assumed
Contracts;
(iii) the assumed Contracts prepay monthly at the specified
constant percentages of MHP;
(iv) the Closing Date for the Bonds is February 26, 1999;
(v) payments are made to the Bondholders on the 28th day of
each month, commencing in March 1999;
(vi) the initial principal amount of each Class of Bonds is
as set forth on the cover hereof;
(vii) there is no optional redemption of the Bonds (except
with respect to the line entitled "Weighted Average Life with
Redemption" which assumes an early redemption on the earlier of (1)
February 28, 2004, or (2) the Payment Date on which, after taking
into account payments of principal to be made on such Payment Date,
the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Bonds is less than
35% of the initial aggregate principal balance of the Bonds) and no
increase in the Class Interest Rates of the Bonds as a result of
MERIT's failure to redeem the Bonds when it is permitted to do so;
(viii) there are no prepayment fees or penalties;
(ix) there are no interest shortfalls resulting in an
Interest Carryover Amount; and
(x) the initial deposit into the Collateralization Fund
consists of manufactured housing installment sales contracts with an
unpaid principal balance of $13,240,543.66 as of February 1, 1999.
If the Bonds are redeemed when MERIT has the option to do so, the weighted
average life of the Bonds will be shorter than the weighted average life set
forth on the line entitled "Weighted Average Life Without Redemption", and,
using the Modeling Assumptions, the weighted average life of the Bonds would be
as set forth on the line entitled "Weighted Average Life With Redemption." See
"DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS -- Redemption" on page S-13.
There will be discrepancies between the Contracts actually included in the
Collateral and the Modeling Assumptions. Any discrepancy may have an effect upon
the percentages of initial principal amount (and weighted average lives) set
forth in the DEC Tables. To the extent that the Contracts actually included in
the Collateral have characteristics that differ from the Modeling Assumptions,
the Bonds are likely to have weighted average lives that are shorter or longer
than indicated by such tables. Other things being equal, to the extent that cash
is used to redeem Bonds because Contracts are not delivered together with all
the required documentation or Contracts are repurchased, the Bonds will have
shorter weighted average lives than indicated by the DEC Tables, which will
adversely affect the yield of such Bonds to the extent that they are purchased
at a premium.
Also, the Modeling Assumptions assumed that the Statistical Cut-off Date of
February 1, 1999 was the Cut-off Date, and that the initial payment date for the
Bonds is March 28, 1999. The actual Cut-off Date is March 1, 1999. There is no
assurance that prepayment of the Contracts will conform to any of the
percentages of MHP described in the DEC Tables. Among other things, the DEC
Tables assume that the Contracts prepay at the indicated percentage rates of
MHP, notwithstanding the fact that such Contracts may vary substantially as to
geographic concentration of properties, interest rate and prepayment terms.
Variations in actual prepayment experience for the Contracts will increase or
decrease the percentages of initial principal balance (and weighted average
lives) shown in the DEC Tables.
The DEC Tables indicate the projected weighted average life of each Class of the
Bonds and set forth the percentage of the initial balance of the Bonds that
would be outstanding after each of the dates shown at various percentages of MHP
as indicated below. See "MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS" in the
Prospectus.
The Weighted Average Life values included in the following DEC Tables have been
determined by (a) multiplying the amount of each principal payment by the number
of years from the date of delivery of the Bonds to the related Payment Date, (b)
summing the results and (c) dividing the sum by the total principal to be paid
on the applicable Class of Bonds. Asterisks(*) in the following tables indicate
values between 0.0% and 0.5%.
PERCENTAGE OF ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
<PAGE>
February 28 Class 1-A1 Bonds Scenario
-------------------------------------------------
75% 125% 175% 200% 250% 300% 350%
--- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Initial Percent 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2000 77 66 54 48 37 25 13
2001 52 28 5 0 0 0 0
2002 27 0 0 0 0 0 0
2003 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
2004 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2005 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2006 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2010 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2014 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2015 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2026 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2027 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2028 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2029 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Weighted Average
Life 2.1 1.5 1.1 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.6
Without
Redemption1
With Redemption2 2.1 1.5 1.1 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.6
February 28 Class 1-A2 Bonds Scenario
-------------------------------------------------
75% 125% 175% 200% 250% 300% 350%
--- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Initial Percent 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2000 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2001 100 100 100 89 51 14 0
2002 100 88 31 5 0 0 0
2003 100 31 0 0 0 0 0
2004 66 0 0 0 0 0 0
2005 27 0 0 0 0 0 0
2006 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2010 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2014 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2015 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2026 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2027 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2028 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2029 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Weighted Average
Life 5.5 3.7 2.8 2.5 2.1 1.8 1.5
Without
Redemption1
With Redemption2 4.9 3.7 2.8 2.5 2.1 1.8 1.5
<PAGE>
February 28 Class 1-A3 Bonds Scenario
-------------------------------------------------
75% 125% 175% 200% 250% 300% 350%
--- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Initial Percent 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2000 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2001 100 100 100 100 100 100 93
2002 100 100 100 100 85 70 56
2003 100 100 88 78 59 42 27
2004 100 93 68 57 37 19 4
2005 100 77 60 49 31 15 3
2006 97 69 53 43 26 12 2
2007 85 62 46 37 21 10 2
2008 74 56 40 31 18 8 1
2009 69 50 35 27 15 6 1
2010 64 45 30 23 12 5 0
2011 59 40 26 19 10 * 0
2012 54 36 22 16 5 0 0
2013 49 31 19 13 * 0 0
2014 44 28 15 7 0 0 0
2015 40 24 9 3 0 0 0
2016 35 21 5 0 0 0 0
2017 31 16 * 0 0 0 0
2018 27 10 0 0 0 0 0
2019 22 5 0 0 0 0 0
2020 18 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 9 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2026 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2027 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2028 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2029 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Weighted Average
Life 14.3 11.2 8.7 7.6 5.8 4.4 3.4
Without
Redemption1
With Redemption2 5.0 5.0 4.8 4.6 4.2 3.7 3.2
Class 1-M1 Bonds Scenario
February 28
-------------------------------------------------
75% 125% 175% 200% 250% 300% 350%
--- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Initial Percent 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2000 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2001 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2002 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2003 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2004 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2005 100 100 88 86 83 80 78
2006 100 93 77 74 69 65 60
2007 100 84 67 64 58 52 46
2008 100 76 59 55 48 41 31
2009 93 68 51 47 39 23 5
2010 86 61 44 40 21 2 0
2011 79 54 38 26 3 0 0
2012 72 48 23 9 0 0 0
2013 66 43 7 0 0 0 0
2014 60 37 0 0 0 0 0
2015 54 21 0 0 0 0 0
2016 48 7 0 0 0 0 0
2017 42 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 32 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2026 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2027 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2028 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2029 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Weighted Average
Life 16.0 12.5 10.1 9.6 8.8 8.2 7.7
Without
Redemption1
With Redemption2 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 4.7 4.0
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------
1 In years, assuming no redemption of the Bonds.
2 In years, assuming the Bonds are redeemed on the earliest possible Payment
Date using the Modeling Assumptions.
<PAGE>
Class 1-M2 Bonds Scenario
February 28
-------------------------------------------------
75% 125% 175% 200% 250% 300% 350%
--- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Initial Percent 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2000 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2001 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2002 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2003 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2004 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2005 100 100 88 86 83 80 78
2006 100 93 77 74 69 65 60
2007 100 84 67 64 55 39 24
2008 100 76 58 47 28 10 0
2009 93 68 37 26 5 0 0
2010 86 61 18 6 0 0 0
2011 79 46 2 0 0 0 0
2012 72 29 0 0 0 0 0
2013 66 14 0 0 0 0 0
2014 60 0 0 0 0 0 0
2015 44 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016 27 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017 11 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2026 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2027 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2028 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2029 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Weighted Average
Life 14.9 11.3 9.0 8.6 7.9 7.5 7.1
Without
Redemption1
With Redemption2 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 4.7 4.0
Class 1-B Bonds Scenario
February 28
-------------------------------------------------
75% 125% 175% 200% 250% 300% 350%
--- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Initial Percent 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2000 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2001 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2002 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2003 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2004 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
2005 100 100 70 67 59 52 45
2006 100 82 44 37 25 13 2
2007 100 61 20 12 0 0 0
2008 100 40 0 0 0 0 0
2009 82 22 0 0 0 0 0
2010 65 4 0 0 0 0 0
2011 49 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012 32 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013 17 0 0 0 0 0 0
2014 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
2015 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2026 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2027 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2028 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2029 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Weighted Average
Life 12.0 8.6 6.9 6.7 6.4 6.1 6.0
Without
Redemption1
With Redemption2 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 4.7 4.0
<PAGE>
- ---------------------------
1 In years, assuming no redemption of the Bonds.
2 In years, assuming the Bonds are redeemed on the earliest possible Payment
Date using the Modeling Assumptions.
The DEC Tables have been prepared based on the Modeling Assumptions (including
the assumptions regarding the characteristics and performance of the Contracts
which may differ from the actual characteristics and performance thereof) and
should be read in conjunction with the Modeling Assumptions.
YIELD CONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL
The yield to maturity of, and the aggregate amount of payments on, the Bonds
will be related to the rate and timing of principal payments on the Contracts,
which will be affected by the amortization schedules of the Contracts and the
rate of principal prepayments thereon (including for this purpose payments
resulting from refinancings, liquidations of the Contracts due to default,
casualties and condemnations and repurchases). An optional redemption of a Class
of Bonds will have the same effect as a prepayment in full of the Contracts with
respect to such Class. No assurance can be given as to the rate of principal
payments or prepayments on the Contracts.
The timing of changes in the rate of prepayments on the Contracts may
significantly affect an investor's actual yield to maturity, even if the average
rate of principal payments experienced over time is consistent with an
investor's expectation. In general, the earlier a prepayment of principal of a
Contract, the greater will be the effect on the investor's yield to maturity. As
a result, the effect on an investor's yield of principal prepayments occurring
at a rate higher (or lower) than the rate anticipated by the investor during the
period immediately following the issuance of the Bonds would not be fully offset
by a subsequent like reduction (or increase) in the rate of principal
prepayments.
If the purchaser of a Bond offered at a discount from its Parity Price
calculates the anticipated yield to maturity of such Bond based on an assumed
rate of payment of principal that is faster than that actually received on the
Contracts, the actual yield to maturity will be lower than that so calculated.
Conversely, if the purchaser of a Bond offered at a premium over its Parity
Price calculates the anticipated yield to maturity of such Bond based on an
assumed rate of payment of principal that is slower than that actually received
on the Contracts, the actual yield to maturity will be lower than that so
calculated.
Because the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the Contracts
may significantly affect the weighted average life and other characteristics of
the Bonds, prospective investors are urged to consider their own estimates as to
the anticipated rate of future prepayments on the Contracts and the suitability
of the Bonds to their investment objectives. For factors affecting principal
prepayments on the Contracts, see "MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS" on
page S-20.
In certain circumstances a Substitute Contract may be pledged to the Trustee in
substitution for a defaulted Contract or Repo Property, as more particularly
described in "SECURITY FOR THE BONDS -- Substitution of Contracts" on page S-16.
The amount, if any, by which the Unpaid Principal Balance of the defaulted
Contract or Repo Property exceeds the Unpaid Principal Balance of the Substitute
Contract would constitute a Loss on such Contract or Repo Property. Furthermore,
to the extent that any Substitute Contract has payment terms that differ from
the original Contract such difference in payment terms will affect the yield to
maturity of investors in the Bonds. MERIT's ability to pledge Substitute
Contracts may result in an increase in the weighted average life of the Bonds,
because such substitution would be effected in lieu of a foreclosure and
disposition of the related properties or REO and the resulting payment of
Liquidation Proceeds to Holders of the Bonds.
A higher than expected rate of default could produce payment delays and could
lead to foreclosures. A foreclosure may produce proceeds upon sale that are less
than the Unpaid Principal Balance of such Contract plus interest accrued thereon
and the expenses of sale. Such a shortfall upon foreclosure would result in a
Loss on such Contract.
SUBORDINATION
On each Payment Date, the holders of any higher ranking Class of Bonds will have
a preferential right to receive amounts of interest and generally, principal
before any payments are made on any Class of Bonds subordinate to such Class. As
a result, the Class 1-B, Class 1-M2 and Class 1-M1 Bonds will be more sensitive
to the rate of delinquencies and defaults on the Contracts than the Senior Bonds
.
Losses with respect to the Contracts will be borne, by virtue of the payment
priorities described herein, first, by the cash and cash equivalents on deposit
in the Collateralization Fund attributable to principal, second, by any interest
received on the Contracts in excess of interest required to be paid on the Bonds
on any Payment Date, third, by any interest earnings on assets on deposit in the
Collateralization Fund, fourth, by a reduction of the excess of the aggregate
unpaid principal balance of the collateral over the principal balance of the
Bonds, and, fifth, by the Class 1-B, Class 1-M2 and Class 1-M1 Bonds (in that
order) before any losses will be borne by the Class 1-A1, Class 1-A2 and Class
1-A3 Bonds. Losses will be borne by the Class 1-A1, Class 1-A2 and Class 1-A3
Bonds pro rata based on their outstanding principal balance.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Based on the facts as they currently exist, in the opinion of Arter & Hadden
LLP, the Bonds will be taxable debt obligations under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and interest paid or accrued thereon,
including any original issue discount, will be taxable to Bondholders. See
"CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS" in the Prospectus. No election will
be made to treat MERIT, the Contracts or the arrangement by which the Bonds are
issued as a real estate mortgage investment conduit or financial asset
securitization investment trust. Interest income (including original issue
discount and market discount) will accrue on the Bonds as described in "CERTAIN
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES" in the Prospectus. The Bonds may be issued with
original issue discount for federal income tax purposes. See "CERTAIN FEDERAL
INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES -- Original Issue Discount" in the Prospectus. In
determining the rate of accrual of original issue discount, amortization of bond
premium or market discount, if any, on the Bonds, Bondholders should use a
prepayment assumption of 200% MHP (as described under "MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT
CONSIDERATIONS -- Modeling Assumptions" on page S-21). No representation,
however, is made herein as to the rate at which prepayments on the Contracts
actually will occur.
Bonds owned by domestic building and loan associations and other thrift
institutions will not be considered "loans secured by an interest in real
property" or "qualifying real property loans." Bonds owned by a REIT will not be
treated as "real estate assets" nor will interest on the Bonds be considered
"interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property." By acceptance
of its Bond, each Bondholder will be deemed to have agreed to treat its Bonds as
debt instruments for purposes of federal and state income tax, franchise tax and
any other tax measured in whole or in part by income.
USE OF PROCEEDS
MERIT will retain from the proceeds from the sale of the Bonds an issuance fee
that will be used to cover its expenses and to compensate it for facilitating
the issuance of the Bonds. The proceeds from the sale of the Bonds net of the
issuance fee will be used by MERIT to purchase the Collateral from Issuer
Holding Corp.
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement
dated as of the date hereof (the "Underwriting Agreement") between Greenwich
Capital Markets, Inc. (the "Underwriter"), Issuer Holding Corp. and MERIT, MERIT
has agreed to sell to the Underwriter, and the Underwriter has agreed to
purchase from MERIT, the Bonds other than the Class 1-B Bonds (the "Offered
Bonds").
The distribution of the Offered Bonds will be effected from time to time in one
or more negotiated transactions, or otherwise, at varying prices to be
determined, in each case, at the time of sale. The Underwriter may effect such
transactions by selling Offered Bonds to or through dealers, and such dealers
may receive from the Underwriter, for whom they act as agent, compensation in
the form of underwriting discounts, concessions or commissions. The Underwriter
and any dealers that participate with the Underwriter in the distribution of the
Offered Bonds may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts, commissions
or concessions received by them, and any profit on the resale of the Offered
Bonds purchased by them, may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").
The Underwriting Agreement provides that MERIT and Issuer Holding Corp. will
indemnify the Underwriter against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Act to the extent and under the circumstances set forth
therein.
Some of the Contracts may have been the subject of financing provided by
affiliates of the Underwriter. The Underwriter will purchase the Class 1-B Bonds
for resale in one or more private transactions.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters relating to the Bonds will be passed upon for MERIT by
Arter & Hadden LLP, and certain legal matters relating to the Bonds will be
passed upon for the Underwriter by Hunton & Williams, Richmond, Virginia, which
also performs certain legal services for MERIT and its affiliates on other
matters.
RATINGS
It is a condition to the issuance of the Bonds that the Offered Bonds be rated
as set forth on the cover page.
The ratings assigned to asset-backed bonds take into consideration the credit
quality of the related pool of assets, including any credit enhancement,
structural and legal aspects associated with such bonds and the extent to which
the payment stream on the related assets is adequate to make payments required
on such bonds. Ratings on such bonds do not, however, constitute a statement
regarding frequency of prepayments on the related loans. As a result, the
ratings do not address the possibility that the holders of the Bonds might
suffer a lower than anticipated yield. The ratings of the Bonds by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc., do not address the Interest Carryover Amount.
A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold Bonds and may be
subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning Rating Agency. In
the event that a rating initially assigned to the Bonds is subsequently lowered
for any reason, no person or entity is obligated to provide any additional
support or credit enhancement with respect to the Bonds. Each security rating
should be evaluated independently of any other security rating.
MERIT has not requested a rating on the Bonds by any rating agency other than
Moody's Investors Services, Inc., and Fitch IBCA, Inc. (collectively, the
"Rating Agencies"). Nevertheless, there can be no assurance as to whether any
other rating agency will nonetheless issue a rating and, if it does, what such
rating would be. A rating assigned to the Bonds by a rating agency that has not
been requested by MERIT to do so may be lower than the rating assigned by the
Rating Agencies pursuant to MERIT's request.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Fiduciaries of employee benefit plans and certain other retirement plans and
arrangements, including individual retirement accounts and annuities, Keogh
plans, and collective investment funds in which such plans, accounts, annuities
or arrangements are invested, that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), or corresponding provisions of the
Code (any of the foregoing a "Plan"), persons acting on behalf of a Plan, or
persons using the assets of a Plan ("Plan Investors"), should carefully review
with their legal advisors whether the purchase or holding of the Bonds could
give rise to a transaction that is prohibited under ERISA or the Code or cause
the Collateral securing the Bonds to be treated as "plan assets" for purposes of
regulations of the Department of Labor set forth in 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-101 (the
"Plan Asset Regulations"). Prospective investors should be aware that, although
certain exceptions from the application of the prohibited transaction rules and
the Plan Asset Regulations exist, there can be no assurance that any such
exception will apply with respect to the acquisition of a Bond. See "ERISA
CONSIDERATIONS" in the Prospectus.
If the Bonds are treated as equity for purposes of ERISA, the purchaser of a
Bond could be treated as having acquired a direct interest in the Collateral
securing the Bonds. In that event, the purchase, holding, or resale of the Bonds
could result in a transaction that is prohibited under ERISA or the Code.
Furthermore, regardless of whether the Bonds are treated as equity for purposes
of ERISA, the acquisition or holding of the Bonds by or on behalf of a Plan
could still be considered to give rise to a prohibited transaction if MERIT, the
Trustee, any Master Servicer, any Servicer or any of their respective affiliates
is or becomes a party in interest or a disqualified person with respect to such
Plan. Nevertheless, one or more alternative exemptions may be available with
respect to certain prohibited transaction rules of ERISA that might apply in
connection with the initial purchase, holding and resale of the Bonds, depending
in part upon the type of Plan fiduciary making the decision to acquire Bonds and
the circumstances under which such decision is made. Those exemptions include,
but are not limited to: (i) Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE")
95-60, regarding investments by insurance company general accounts; (ii) PTCE
91-38, regarding investments by bank collective investment funds; (iii) PTCE
90-1, regarding investments by insurance company pooled separate accounts; (iv)
PTCE 84-14, regarding transactions negotiated by qualified professional asset
managers; or (v) PTCE 96-23, regarding transactions negotiated by in-house asset
managers. Before purchasing Bonds, a Plan subject to the fiduciary
responsibility provisions of ERISA or described in Section 4975(e)(1) (and not
exempt under Section 4975(g)) of the Code should consult with its counsel to
determine whether the conditions of any exemption would be met. A purchaser of a
Bond should be aware, however, that even if the conditions specified in one or
more exemptions are met, the scope of the relief provided by an exemption might
not cover all acts that might be construed as prohibited transactions. See
"ERISA CONSIDERATIONS" in the Prospectus.
MERIT believes that the Bonds will be treated as debt obligations without
significant equity features for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations.
Accordingly, a Plan that acquires a Bond should not be treated as having
acquired a direct interest in the assets of MERIT. Nevertheless, there can be no
complete assurance that the Bonds will be treated as debt obligations without
significant equity features for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations.
<PAGE>
ANNEX I
GLOBAL CLEARANCE, SETTLEMENT AND TAX DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES
Except in certain limited circumstances, the globally offered Collateralized
Bonds, Series 12-1 (the "Global Securities") will be available only in
book-entry form. Investors in the Global Securities may hold such Global
Securities through any of DTC, CEDEL or Euroclear. The Global Securities will be
tradable as home market instruments in both the European and U.S. domestic
markets. Initial settlement and all secondary trades will settle in same-day
funds.
Secondary market trading between investors through CEDEL and Euroclear
will be conducted in the ordinary way in accordance with the normal rules and
operating procedures of CEDEL and Euroclear and in accordance with conventional
eurobond practice (I.E., seven calendar day settlement).
Secondary market trading between investors through DTC will be conducted
according to DTC's rules and procedures applicable to U.S. corporate debt
obligations.
Secondary cross-market trading between CEDEL or Euroclear and DTC Participants
holding Bonds will be effected on a delivery-against-payment basis through the
respective Depositories of CEDEL and Euroclear (in such capacity) and as DTC
Participants.
Non-U.S. holders (as described below) of Global Securities will be subject to
U.S. withholding taxes unless such holders meet certain requirements and deliver
appropriate U.S. tax documents to the securities clearing organizations or their
participants.
INITIAL SETTLEMENT
All Global Securities will be held in book-entry form by DTC in the name of Cede
& Co. as nominee of DTC. Investors' interests in the Global Securities will be
represented through financial institutions acting on their behalf as direct and
indirect Participants in DTC. As a result, CEDEL and Euroclear will hold
positions on behalf of their participants through their Relevant Depository
which in turn will hold such positions in their accounts as DTC Participants.
Investors electing to hold their Global Securities through DTC will follow DTC
settlement practices. Investor securities custody accounts will be credited with
their holdings against payment in same-day funds on the settlement date.
Investors electing to hold their Global Securities through CEDEL or Euroclear
accounts will follow the settlement procedures applicable to conventional
eurobonds, except that there will be no temporary global security and no
"lock-up" or restricted period. Global Securities will be credited to the
securities custody accounts on the settlement date against payment in same-day
funds.
SECONDARY MARKET TRADING
Since the purchaser determines the place of delivery, it is important to
establish at the time of the trade where both the purchaser's and seller's
accounts are located to ensure that settlement can be made on the desired value
date.
Trading between DTC Participants. Secondary market trading between DTC
Participants will be settled using the procedures applicable to prior
asset-backed certificates issues in same-day funds.
Trading between CEDEL and/or Euroclear Participants. Secondary market trading
between CEDEL Participants or Euroclear Participants will be settled using the
procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in same-day funds.
Trading between DTC, Seller and CEDEL or Euroclear Participants. When Global
Securities are to be transferred from the account of a DTC Participant to the
account of a CEDEL Participant or a Euroclear Participant, the purchaser will
send instructions to CEDEL or Euroclear through a CEDEL Participant or Euroclear
Participant at least one business day prior to settlement. CEDEL or Euroclear
will instruct the Relevant Depository, as the case may be, to receive the Global
Securities against payment. Payment will include interest accrued on the Global
Securities from and including the last coupon payment date to and excluding the
settlement date, on the basis of the actual number of days in such accrual
period and a year assumed to consist of 360 days or a 360-day year of twelve 30
day months as applicable to the related class of Global Securities. For
transactions settling on the 31st of the month, payment will include interest
accrued to and excluding the first day of the following month. Payment will then
be made by the Relevant Depository to the DTC Participant's account against
delivery of the Global Securities. After settlement has been completed, the
Global Securities will be credited to the respective clearing system and by the
clearing system, in accordance with its usual procedures, to the CEDEL
Participant's or Euroclear Participant's account. The securities credit will
appear the next day (European time) and the cash debt will be back-valued to,
and the interest on the Global Securities will accrue from, the value date
(which would be the preceding day when settlement occurred in New York). If
settlement is not completed on the intended value date (I.E., the trade fails),
the CEDEL or Euroclear cash debt will be valued instead as of the actual
settlement date.
CEDEL Participants and Euroclear Participants will need to make available to the
respective clearing systems the funds necessary to process same-day funds
settlement. The most direct means of doing so is to preposition funds for
settlement, either from cash on hand or existing lines of credit, as they would
for any settlement occurring within CEDEL or Euroclear. Under this approach,
they may take on credit exposure to CEDEL or Euroclear until the Global
Securities are credited to their account one day later.
As an alternative, if CEDEL or Euroclear has extended a line of credit to them,
CEDEL Participants or Euroclear Participants can elect not to preposition funds
and allow that credit line to be drawn upon to finance settlement. Under this
procedure, CEDEL Participants or Euroclear Participants purchasing Global
Securities would incur overdraft charges for one day, assuming they cleared the
overdraft when the Global Securities were credited to their accounts. However,
interest on the Global Securities would accrue from the value date. Therefore,
in many cases the investment income on the Global Securities earned during that
one-day period may substantially reduce or offset the amount of such overdraft
charges, although the result will depend on each CEDEL Participant's or
Euroclear Participant's particular cost of funds.
Since the settlement is taking place during New York business hours, DTC
Participants can employ their usual procedures for crediting Global Securities
to the respective European Depository for the benefit of CEDEL Participants or
Euroclear Participants. The sale proceeds will be available to the DTC seller on
the settlement date. Thus, to the DTC Participants a cross-market transaction
will settle no differently than a trade between two DTC Participants.
Trading between CEDEL or Euroclear Seller and DTC Purchaser. Due to time zone
differences in their favor, CEDEL Participants and Euroclear Participants may
employ their customary procedures for transactions in which Global Securities
are to be transferred by the respective clearing system, through the respective
Depository, to a DTC Participant. The seller will send instructions to CEDEL or
Euroclear through a CEDEL Participant or Euroclear Participant at least one
business day prior to settlement. In these cases CEDEL or Euroclear will
instruct the respective Depository, as appropriate, to credit the Global
Securities to the DTC Participant's account against payment. Payment will
include interest accrued on the Global Securities from and including the last
coupon payment to and excluding the settlement date on the basis of the actual
number of days in such accrual period and a year assumed to consist of 360 days
or a 360-day year of twelve 30 day months as applicable to the related class of
Global Securities. For transactions settling on the 31st of the month, payment
will include interest accrued to and excluding the first day of the following
month. The payment will then be reflected in the account of CEDEL Participant or
Euroclear Participant the following day, and receipt of the cash proceeds in the
CEDEL Participant's or Euroclear Participant's account would be back-valued to
the value date (which would be the preceding day, when settlement occurred in
New York). Should the CEDEL Participant or Euroclear Participant have a line of
credit with its respective clearing system and elect to be in debt in
anticipation of receipt of the sale proceeds in its account, the back-valuation
will extinguish any overdraft incurred over that one-day period. If settlement
is not completed on the intended value date (I.E., the trade fails), receipt of
the cash proceeds in the CEDEL Participant's or Euroclear Participant's account
would instead be valued as of the actual settlement date.
Finally, day traders that use CEDEL or Euroclear and that purchase Global
Securities from DTC Participants for delivery to CEDEL Participants or Euroclear
Participants should note that these trades would automatically fail on the sale
side unless affirmative action is taken. At least three techniques should be
readily available to eliminate this potential problem:
(a) borrowing through CEDEL or Euroclear for one day (until the
purchase side of the trade is reflected in their CEDEL or Euroclear accounts) in
accordance with the clearing system's customary procedures;
(b) borrowing the Global Securities in the U.S. from a DTC
Participant no later than one day prior to settlement, which would give the
Global Securities sufficient time to be reflected in their CEDEL or Euroclear
account in order to settle the sale side of the trade; or
(c) staggering the value dates for the buy and sell sides of the
trade so that the value date for the purchase from the DTC Participant is at
least one day prior to the value date for the sale to the CEDEL Participant or
Euroclear Participant.
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
A beneficial owner of Global Securities holding securities through CEDEL or
Euroclear (or through DTC if the holder has an address outside the U.S.) will be
subject to the 30% U.S. withholding tax that generally applies to payments of
interest (including original issue discount) on registered debt issued by U.S.
Persons (as defined below), unless (i) each clearing system, bank or other
financial institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of
its trade or business in the chain of intermediaries between such beneficial
owner and the U.S. entity required to withhold tax complies with applicable
certification requirements and (ii) such beneficial owner takes one of the
following steps to obtain an exemption or reduced tax rate:
Exemption for Non-U.S. Persons (Form W-8). Beneficial owners of Global
Securities that are Non-U.S. Persons (as defined below) can obtain a complete
exemption from the withholding tax by filing a signed Form W-8 (Certificate of
Foreign Status). If the information shown on Form W-8 changes, a new Form W-8
must be filed within 30 days of such change.
Exemption for Non-U.S. Persons with effectively connected income (Form 4224). A
Non-U.S. Person (as defined below), including a non-U.S. corporation or bank
with a U.S. branch, for which the interest income is effectively connected with
its conduct of a trade or business in the United States, can obtain an exemption
from the withholding tax by filing Form 4224 (Exemption from Withholding of Tax
on Income Effectively Connected with the Conduct of a Trade or Business in the
United States).
Exemption or reduced rate for Non-U.S. Persons resident in treaty countries
(Form 1001). Non-U.S. Persons residing in a country that has a tax treaty with
the United States can obtain an exemption or reduced tax rate (depending on the
treaty terms) by filing Form 1001 (Holdership, Exemption or Reduced Rate
Certificate). If the treaty provides only for a reduced rate, withholding tax
will be imposed at that rate unless the filer alternatively files Form W-8. Form
1001 may be filed by Certificate Holders or their agent.
Exemption for U.S. Persons (Form W-9). U.S. Persons can obtain a complete
exemption from the withholding tax by filing Form W-9 (Payer's Request for
Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification).
U.S. Federal Income Tax Reporting Procedure. The Holder of a Global Security or,
in the case of a Form 1001 or a Form 4224 filer, his agent, files by submitting
the appropriate form to the person through whom it holds the security (the
clearing agency, in the case of persons holding directly on the books of the
clearing agency). Form W-8 and Form 1001 are effective for three calendar years
and Form 4224 is effective for one calendar year.
The term "U.S. Person" means (i) a citizen or resident of the United States,
(ii) a domestic corporation or partnership, (iii) an estate that is subject to
U.S. federal income tax regardless of the source of its income or (iv) a trust
if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over
the administration of such trust and one or more United States persons have the
authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust. The term "Non-U.S.
Person" means any person who is not a U.S. Person. This summary does not deal
with all aspects of U.S. Federal income tax withholding that may be relevant to
foreign holders of the Global Securities. Final regulations dealing with
withholding tax on income paid to foreign persons, backup withholding and
related matters (the "New Withholding Regulations") have been issued by the
Treasury Department. The New Withholding Regulations generally attempt to unify
certification requirements and modify reliance standards. The New Withholding
Regulations generally are effective for payments made after December 31, 1999,
subject to certain transition rules.
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS FOR SPECIFIC
TAX ADVICE CONCERNING THE NEW WITHHOLDING REGULATIONS AND THE HOLDING AND
DISPOSING OF THE BOOK-ENTRY BONDS.
<PAGE>
MERIT Securities Corporation
Collateralized Bonds
(Issuable in Series)
MERIT Securities Corporation (the "Issuer") may sell from time to time
under this Prospectus and related Prospectus Supplements various series (each, a
"Series") of its Collateralized Bonds (the "Bonds"). Capitalized terms not
otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Glossary.
Each Series of Bonds will be secured by collateral (the "Collateral")
consisting of one or more of the following: (a) one- to four-family, residential
mortgage loans ("Mortgage Loans"), which may include Second Lien Mortgage Loans,
Mortgage Loans that are past due or non-performing as of the Cut-off Date and
REO Properties, and other assets evidencing interests in mortgage loans
(together with the Mortgage Loans, the "Mortgage Collateral"), (b) mortgage
loans secured by model homes leased to homebuilders ("Model Home Loans"), (c)
manufactured housing installment sales contracts ("Manufactured Home Loans") and
(d) installment sales contracts secured by heating, air conditioning and other
facilities installed in one- to four-family residential properties ("Consumer
Finance Loans"). A Series of Bonds may also be secured by certain debt service
funds, Reserve Funds, Insurance Policies, Servicing Agreements, Master Servicing
Agreements, Additional Collateral and other credit enhancement as specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement (together with the Collateral, the "Trust
Estate"). Each item of the Collateral for a Series of Bonds may be referred to
herein as a "Loan."
The Loans will have been originated by one or more Affiliates of the
Issuer, by various financial institutions, and by other entities engaged
generally in the business of originating or servicing residential mortgage loans
or installment sales contracts for manufactured housing and certain facilities
installed in residential properties. The Collateral may include fixed rate or
adjustable rate loans, as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. See
"Security for the Bonds -- The Collateral" herein. The Mortgage Loans and
Manufactured Home Loans may be underwritten in accordance with underwriting
standards for "non-conforming credits," which include mortgagors whose
creditworthiness and repayment ability do not satisfy FNMA or FHLMC underwriting
guidelines. Mortgage Loans and Manufactured Home Loans underwritten pursuant to
underwriting standards for "non-conforming credits" will be likely to experience
rates of Delinquency and Foreclosure that are higher, and may be substantially
higher, than mortgage loans originated in accordance with FNMA or FHLMC
underwriting guidelines. As a result, Losses on such Loans may be higher than
losses on mortgage loans or installment sales contracts originated in accordance
with such guidelines. See "Risk Factors -- Credit Considerations -- Mortgage
Loans -- Underwriting Standards and Potential Delinquencies" herein. The
Collateral securing a Series will be serviced by one or more Servicers that are
subject to supervision by Dynex Capital, Inc. ("Dynex"), as Master Servicer. The
Master Servicer's and each Servicer's obligations will be limited to its
contractual, supervisory or servicing obligations. Unless otherwise specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement, each Servicer and the Master Servicer will be
obligated under certain circumstances to make Advances. See "Servicing of the
Collateral" herein.
The Prospectus Supplement or Supplements relating to a Series of Bonds
will set forth, among other things, the following information if applicable to
the Series: (i) the Class or Classes of Bonds and authorized denominations of
each Class of Bonds; (ii) the aggregate principal amount, Class Interest Rate
(or method of determining the Class Interest Rate), Payment Dates and Stated
Maturity Date for each Class of Bonds; (iii) the order of application of
principal and interest payments to one or more Classes of Bonds of the Series,
which may differ as to timing, sequential order, priority of payment or amount
of payments of principal or interest or both; (iv) certain information as to the
nature of the Collateral and any other assets securing such Series; (v) the
redemption features pertaining to the Series; (vi) additional information with
respect to the form of any credit enhancement securing one or more Classes of
Bonds; and (vii) additional information with respect to the plan of distribution
of Bonds of each Class. See "Description of the Bonds" herein.
Bonds of a Series will be characterized for federal income tax purposes
as debt instruments. No election will be made to treat any Series of Bonds and
the related Collateral as a real estate mortgage investment conduit (a "REMIC")
or a financial asset securitization investment trust ("FASIT") for federal
income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" herein.
It is intended that the Bonds of a Series will be payable from the
Collateral pledged to secure the Bonds of that Series or other Series sold from
time to time under this Prospectus. The Issuer has no significant assets other
than those pledged as security for the Bonds. There will be no recourse to the
Issuer. Except as otherwise provided in a related Prospectus Supplement, neither
the Collateral nor the Bonds will be guaranteed or insured by any governmental
agency or any other party.
Under certain circumstances, the Issuer may pledge Additional
Collateral to the Trustee and issue Additional Bonds of a Series. Any pledge of
Additional Collateral and issuance of Additional Bonds may affect the timing and
amount of payments on any outstanding Bonds of that Series and an investor's
yield on any such outstanding Bonds. See "Security for the Bonds -- Pledge of
Additional Collateral and Issuance of Additional Bonds" herein.
See "Risk Factors" on page 6 for a discussion of certain risk factors
that should be considered before purchasing Bonds of a Series.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Retain this Prospectus for future reference. This Prospectus may not be
used to consummate sales offered hereby unless accompanied by a related
Prospectus Supplement.
The date of this Prospectus is April 29, 1998
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY..................................1
RISK FACTORS........................................6
Credit Considerations............................6
Limited Obligations.............................12
Limited Liquidity...............................12
Bankruptcy or Insolvency of the Issuer..........12
Bankruptcy or Insolvency of IHC or a
Participant...................................12
Deficiency on Sale of Collateral................13
Modification and Substitution of Collateral.....13
Pledge of Additional Collateral.................13
Average Life and Yield Considerations...........14
Limited Nature of Ratings.......................14
Insurance and Credit Support Limitations........14
Lender Regulations..............................15
Limitations on Subordination....................15
Original Issue Discount.........................15
Legal Investment Considerations.................15
Consolidated Tax Return.........................15
DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS...........................16
General.........................................16
Book-Entry Procedures...........................16
Payments of Principal and Interest..............17
Redemption......................................19
MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS.............19
YIELD CONSIDERATIONS...............................19
SECURITY FOR THE BONDS.............................20
General.........................................20
The Collateral..................................20
The Mortgage Collateral.........................20
The Model Home Loans............................23
The Manufactured Home Loans.....................23
The Consumer Finance Loans......................24
Substitution of Collateral......................25
Pledge of Additional Collateral and Issuance
of Additional Bonds...........................25
Master Servicer Custodial Account...............26
Collateral Proceeds Account.....................26
Reserve Fund or Accounts........................27
Other Funds or Accounts.........................27
Investment of Funds.............................27
Insurance on the Collateral.....................27
Credit Enhancement..............................29
Bond Insurance and Surety Bonds.................30
ORIGINATION OF THE COLLATERAL......................30
Mortgage Loans and Manufactured Home
Loans.........................................30
Model Home Loans................................32
Consumer Finance Loans..........................32
Representations and Warranties..................32
SERVICING OF THE COLLATERAL........................33
General.........................................33
Payments on Collateral..........................34
Advances........................................34
Collection and Other Servicing Procedures.......35
Defaulted Collateral............................35
Maintenance of Insurance Policies; Claims
Thereunder and Other Realization Upon
Defaulted Collateral..........................36
Evidence as to Servicing Compliance.............36
Events of Default and Remedies..................37
Master Servicing Agreement......................37
Special Servicing Agreement.....................37
THE INDENTURE......................................38
General.........................................38
Modification of Indenture.......................38
Events of Default...............................39
Authentication and Delivery of Bonds............40
List of Bondholders.............................40
Annual Compliance Statement.....................41
Reports to Bondholders..........................41
Trustee's Annual Report.........................41
Trustee.........................................41
Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture.....41
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE COLLATERAL............42
Mortgage Loans and Model Home Loans.............42
Manufactured Home Loans.........................46
Consumer Finance Loans..........................50
Consumer Protection Laws........................52
Environmental Considerations....................52
Enforceability of Certain Provisions............53
THE ISSUER.........................................53
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES............54
General.........................................54
Original Issue Discount.........................55
Variable Rate Bonds.............................59
Anti-Abuse Rule.................................61
Interest Weighted Bonds and Non-VRDI Bonds......61
Market Discount.................................61
Amortizable Premium.............................62
Gain or Loss on Disposition.....................63
Miscellaneous Tax Aspects.......................63
STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS...........................64
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS...............................64
LEGAL INVESTMENT...................................65
USE OF PROCEEDS....................................66
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION...............................66
LEGAL MATTERS......................................67
FINANCIAL INFORMATION..............................67
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.............................67
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY
REFERENCE........................................67
REPORTS TO BONDHOLDERS.............................67
GLOSSARY...........................................68
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus and by reference to
the information with respect to each Series of Bonds contained in the related
Prospectus Supplement and Indenture to be prepared and delivered in connection
with the offering of Bonds of such Series.
Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein will have the
respective meanings assigned to them in the "Glossary."
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Issuer..................................... MERIT Securities Corporation, a wholly-owned, limited-purpose
financing subsidiary of Issuer Holding Corp. ("IHC"), which is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Dynex Capital, Inc. ("Dynex"), formerly
Resource Mortgage Capital, Inc. Neither IHC nor Dynex has
guaranteed, or is otherwise obligated with respect to, the Bonds of
any Series. See "The Issuer" herein.
Title of Bonds............................. Collateralized Bonds (the "Bonds"), issuable in Series, all as more
fully described in the related Prospectus Supplement. The Bonds may
be issued from time to time in Series pursuant to an indenture (the
"Original Indenture") between the Issuer and Texas Commerce Bank
National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee") (or such other
Trustee as may be specified in the related Prospectus Supplement), as
supplemented by an indenture supplement for each Series (a "Series
Supplement") (the Original Indenture as so supplemented, the
"Indenture").
Interest Payments.......................... The Bonds of each Class of a Series will bear interest on their
outstanding principal amounts at the rate specified, or determined as
specified, in the related Prospectus Supplement (the "Class Interest
Rate"). Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, interest on each Class of Bonds will be paid periodically
on the dates specified in the related Prospectus Supplement (each, a
"Payment Date"). Each payment of interest will include all interest
either accrued through the Accounting Date immediately preceding the
Payment Date on which it is made or to another date indicated in the
related Prospectus Supplement. See "Description of the Bonds --
Payments of Principal and Interest" and "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences."
Principal Payments......................... To the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
payments on the Collateral securing a Series, together with
withdrawals from various debt service funds and Reserve Funds, if
any, will be available to pay principal of and interest on the Bonds
of a Series. The related Prospectus Supplement may specify that the
payments received on the Collateral will be distributed (i) so as to
prioritize certain Classes of Bonds of a Series, (ii)
disproportionately among the various Classes of Bonds or (iii) to
secure one or more Series sold pursuant to this Prospectus. On each
Payment Date for a Series, provided funds are available therefor,
principal will be paid on the Bonds in an amount equal to the
Principal Distribution Amount or such other amount as may be
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Principal
Distribution Amount on any Payment Date will equal the amount by
which (i) the aggregate Collateral Value of the Collateral securing
the Series as of the preceding Payment Date (or, with respect to the
first Payment Date, as of the related Cut-off Date) exceeds (ii) the
aggregate Collateral Value of the Collateral securing the Series as
of the current Payment Date. See "Description of the Bonds --
Payments of Principal and Interest."
Redemption at Option of
Issuer.................................. To the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, any
Class of Bonds may be subject to redemption at the option of the
Issuer prior to its Stated Maturity Date. See "Description of the
Bonds -- Redemption."
Security for the
Bonds................................... Each Series of Bonds will be secured by a Trust Estate that consists
primarily of Mortgage Collateral and that may also include, to the
extent indicated below, one or more of the following types of
Collateral other than Mortgage Collateral. The Trust Estate for each
Series of Bonds will be more specifically described in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
A. Collateral........................ Mortgage Collateral: The Bonds of each Series will be secured in
part by (i) fixed or adjustable rate, conventional mortgage loans
secured by mortgages or deeds of trust on single family (one- to
four-family) attached or detached residential property ("Mortgage
Loans"), which may include Second Lien Mortgage Loans and Mortgage
Loans that are past due or non-performing as of the Cut-off Date, and
related REO Properties and (ii) other assets evidencing interests in
mortgage loans. Mortgage Loans and such other assets are referred to
herein collectively as "Mortgage Collateral."
Model Home Loans: The Bonds of a Series may be secured in part by
fixed or adjustable rate, conventional mortgage loans (the "Model
Home Loans") made by the Participant or its Affiliate and, in each
case, secured by a single family (one- to four-family) attached or
detached residential property that the Borrower will lease to a
homebuilder for use as a model home. Manufactured Home Loans: The Bonds
of a Series may be secured in part by fixed or adjustable rate,
conventional manufactured housing installment sales contracts (the
"Manufactured Home Loans"), each of which will be secured by a new or
used Manufactured Home, or by a Manufactured Home that has been
transferred from a previous owner to a new Borrower, and may also be
secured by a lien on a parcel of real estate.
Consumer Finance Loans: The Bonds of a Series may be secured in part by
fixed or adjustable rate, conventional facility installment sales
contracts (the "Consumer Finance Loans"), each of which will be secured
by residential heating or air conditioning facilities, insulation
facilities or other such facilities and related materials that will be
installed in single family (one- to four-family) attached or detached
residential property. The Mortgage Collateral, any Model Home Loans, any
Manufactured Home Loans and any Consumer Finance Loans securing a Series
of Bonds are herein referred to collectively as "Collateral." The
Collateral securing the Bonds of a Series will have an aggregate
Collateral Value initially equal to at least the original aggregate
principal amount of such Bonds. Assuming no Losses, scheduled payments
of principal of and interest on the Collateral with respect to a Series
(together with payments from the Reserve Funds for such Series) net of
applicable servicing, master servicing, administration and guarantee
fees and insurance premiums, if any, all as specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, are intended to be sufficient to make the
required payments of interest on the Bonds of the Series and to pay the
principal of each Class of Bonds not later than its Stated Maturity
Date. See "Security for the Bonds."
B. Collateral Proceeds
Account................................All distributions (net of servicing and master servicing fees and
other credit enhancement and administrative costs described herein)
on the Collateral will be remitted to the Collateral Proceeds Account
for the Bonds and will be available for application to the payment of
principal of and interest on the Bonds on the related Payment Date to
the extent specified in the Prospectus Supplement. See "Security for
the Bonds -- Collateral Proceeds Account" and " -- Master Servicer
Custodial Account."
C. Insurance Policies..................... If specified in the Prospectus Supplement for a Series of Bonds, the
Issuer may pledge to the Trustee payments due under certain mortgage
insurance, hazard insurance and other policies, if any (collectively,
"Insurance Policies"), including (a) mortgage Insurance Policies
consisting of (i) Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies that will
insure (subject to their provisions and certain limitations) Mortgage
Loans and Model Home Loans against all or a portion of any loss
sustained by reason of nonpayments by the Borrowers, (ii) one or more
Pool Insurance Policies providing coverage in amounts described in
the related Prospectus Supplement or (iii) a combination of Primary
Mortgage Insurance and Pool Insurance Policies, (b) Standard Hazard
Insurance Policies insuring Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Homes
against losses due to various causes, including fire and windstorm,
(c) Special Hazard Insurance Policies insuring Mortgage Premises and
Manufactured Homes against certain losses that are not covered by the
Standard Hazard Insurance Policies (including earthquakes, landslides
and mudflows) in an amount specified in the related prospectus
Supplement and (d) Flood Insurance against losses to Mortgaged
Premises or Manufactured Homes located in certain flood areas.
D. Reserve Funds.......................... If specified in the Prospectus Supplement for a Series, the Issuer
will deposit cash, securities, certificates of deposit, letters of
credit or other instruments or documents acceptable to the Rating
Agencies for such Series in one or more Reserve Funds that may be
used by the Trustee to make any required payments of principal or
interest on Classes of Bonds of the Series to the extent that funds
are not otherwise available. The amount of any deposit to the
Reserve Fund will be specified in the Prospectus Supplement for the
Series. The Issuer will have certain rights on any Payment Date to
cause the Trustee to release funds to the Issuer from the Reserve
Fund provided that such funds are not needed on that Payment Date to
make a required payment of principal or interest on the Bonds. See
"Security for the Bonds-- Reserve Fund or Accounts."
E. Credit Enhancement..................... If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement for a Series, in
addition to, or in lieu of, a Reserve Fund or Insurance Policies, the
Trust Estate may include one or any combination of a letter of
credit, guarantees, pledge of additional collateral by an institution
acceptable to the Rating Agencies or other forms of credit
enhancement to provide full or partial coverage for certain defaults
and losses relating to the Collateral.
F. Bond Insurance......................... To the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement for a
Series, a financial guaranty insurance policy may be acquired with
respect to one or more Classes of Bonds. Such policy may be acquired
for the purposes of guaranteeing timely payment of interest and
timely or ultimate payment of principal on certain Classes of Bonds.
G. Surplus Amounts........................ To the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, amounts
in the Collateral Proceeds Account in excess of the amount required
to pay principal of and interest on the Bonds of a Series and
certain expenses will be "Surplus." All or a portion of the Surplus
may be (i) distributed to the Issuer and released from the lien of
the Indenture or (ii) applied to cover Losses for the Series or other
Series on each Payment Date.
Servicing.................................. The Collateral securing a Series will be serviced by one or more
servicers specified in the related Prospectus Supplement (each, a
"Servicer"). Each Servicer must be approved, and will be supervised,
by the Master Servicer. Each Servicer of Model Home Loans,
Manufactured Home Loans or Consumer Finance Loans will perform the
servicing in a manner consistent with the applicable Servicing
Agreement and the servicing standards and practices that prudent
lending institutions follow with respect to loans of the same type as
the Model Home Loans, Manufactured Home Loans and Consumer Finance
Loans. Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, each Servicer will be obligated under a Servicing
Agreement (i) to perform customary servicing functions and (ii) to
make limited advances of funds (each, an "Advance") to cover certain
payments not made by a Borrower to the extent the Advance is deemed
by the Master Servicer to be recoverable out of future payments on
the Loan by the Borrower, Insurance Proceeds, Liquidation Proceeds or
as otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement. Any
Servicer may delegate duties under its Servicing Agreement to a
Sub-Servicer, which may be either an Affiliate of the Servicer or an
unrelated third party. The Issuer will assign to the Trustee its
rights under each Servicing Agreement as security for the Bonds of
the Series. See "Servicing of the Collateral -- General."
Master Servicer............................ Except as otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement, Dynex will
act as Master Servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer") with
respect to all the Collateral pursuant to a Master Servicing
Agreement between the Master Servicer and the Issuer. The Master
Servicer will administer and supervise the performance of the
Servicers under the Servicing Agreements and will be obligated to
perform the servicing obligations of a terminated servicer or appoint a
successor servicer. In addition, the Master Servicer will provide
certain reports to the Trustee regarding the Collateral, provide
certain administrative functions with respect to the Bonds and,
unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, make
limited Advances. However, the Master Servicer will not be obligated to
make an Advance that it deems to be a Non-Recoverable Advance. The
Issuer will assign to the Trustee its rights to enforce the
obligations of the Master Servicer under the Master Servicing
Agreement as security for the Bonds of the Series. See "Servicing of
the Collateral -- Master Servicing Agreement."
Special Servicer........................... If specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Master
Servicer may appoint a special servicer (the "Special Servicer") to
service, and to make certain decisions and take certain actions with
respect to, delinquent or defaulted Collateral pledged as security
for a Series. See "Servicing of Collateral -- Special Servicing
Agreement."
Certain Federal Income
Tax Consequences........................ Based on the facts as they exist on the Closing Date, the Bonds, when
beneficially owned by someone other than the Participant or one of
its qualified real estate investment trust ("REIT") subsidiaries (as
defined in section 856(i) of the Code), will constitute debt
instruments for federal income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal
Income Tax Consequences" herein.
Yield Considerations....................... The Prospectus Supplement for a Series may specify certain yield
considerations for Bondholders of Discount Bonds or Premium Bonds. A
higher rate of principal payments on the Collateral than was
anticipated when pricing the Bonds of a particular Class is likely to
have an adverse effect on the yield of any Class of Bonds ("Premium
Bonds") that has a purchase price greater than the price at which the
yield to maturity of such Class is equal to its coupon, after giving
effect to any payment delay (its "Parity Price"). A lower rate of
principal payments on the Collateral than anticipated is likely to
have an adverse effect on the yield of any Class of Bonds that has a
purchase price less than its Parity Price ("Discount Bonds"). It is
possible under certain circumstances that Bondholders of Premium
Bonds not only will suffer a lower than anticipated yield but, in
extreme cases, will fail to recoup fully their initial investments.
Use of Proceeds............................ The Issuer will use the net
proceeds from the sale of each Series for one or more of the following
purposes: (i) to purchase the related Collateral, (ii) to repay
indebtedness, if any, that has been incurred to obtain funds to
acquire the Collateral, (iii) to establish any Reserve Funds
described in the related Prospectus Supplement and (iv) to pay
costs of structuring and issuing the Bonds. See "Use of Proceeds."
Legal Investment........................... The Bonds of any Class
offered by the related Prospectus Supplement may constitute
"mortgage related securities" under the Secondary Mortgage Market
Enhancement Act of 1984 ("SMMEA") so long as they are secured by first
liens on residential real property, including Manufactured Homes,
and are rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at
least one of the Rating Agencies identified in such Prospectus
Supplement. Any such securities would be "legal investments"
for certain types of institutional investors to the extent
provided in SMMEA, subject to state laws overriding SMMEA.
Institutions whose investment activities are subject to review by
federal or state regulatory authorities should consult with their
counsel or the applicable authorities to determine whether an
investment in such Class of Bonds complies with applicable
guidelines, policy statements or restrictions. See "Legal
Investment."
ERISA Considerations....................... A fiduciary of an employee benefit plan and certain other retirement
plans and arrangements, including individual retirement accounts and
annuities, Keogh plans, and collective investment funds and separate
accounts in which such plans, accounts, annuities or arrangements are
invested, which is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), or Section 4975 of the Code (each
such entity, a "Plan") should carefully review with its legal
advisors whether the purchase or holding of Bonds could give rise to
a transaction that is prohibited or is not otherwise permissible
either under ERISA or under Section 4975 of the Code. Investors are
advised to consult their counsel and to review "ERISA Considerations"
herein. As specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, Plans may
be prohibited from acquiring certain Classes of Bonds.
Rating..................................... Each Class of Bonds
offered by means of this Prospectus and the related Prospectus
Supplement will initially be rated in one of the four highest rating
categories by one or more Rating Agencies identified in the
Prospectus Supplement. Such ratings are subject to review and possible
revision from time to time.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
Investors should consider, among other things, the following factors in
connection with an investment in the Bonds.
The Issuer is expected to have no significant assets other than the
Collateral. For that reason, prospective purchasers of the Bonds of a Series
must rely primarily upon payments of principal of and interest on the
Collateral, the security therefor and sources of credit enhancement identified
in the related Prospectus Supplement to provide for payments on the Bonds.
Credit Considerations
Mortgage Loans
General. A Mortgage Loan typically is made based upon a determination
of the Borrower's ability to make Monthly Payments on his Mortgage Loan and upon
the value of the Mortgaged Premises secured thereby. The ability of a Borrower
to make Monthly Payments will be dependent on the availability of jobs and
general economic conditions. The value of an investment in Bonds of a Series may
be adversely affected by a decline in real estate values. If the residential
real estate market in the area of one or more of the Mortgaged Premises should
experience an overall decline in property values, the actual rate of
Delinquencies, Foreclosures and Losses could be higher than those now generally
experienced in the mortgage lending industry. In addition, to the extent that
the Mortgage Loans are underwritten pursuant to underwriting guidelines that are
less stringent than the underwriting guidelines of FNMA and FHLMC with respect
to the Borrower's creditworthiness and repayment ability, the rates of
Delinquencies and Foreclosures experienced on the Mortgage Loans are likely to
be substantially higher than those experienced by mortgage loans underwritten in
accordance with FNMA and FHLMC underwriting guidelines. As a result, Losses on
the Mortgage Loans may be higher than those on mortgage loans originated in
accordance with such guidelines. See "-- Underwriting Standards and Potential
Delinquencies." To the extent that such losses are not covered by applicable
Insurance Policies, if any, or by any credit enhancement as described in the
related Prospectus Supplement, Holders of the Bonds of a Series will bear all
risk of Loss resulting from default by Borrowers and will have to look primarily
to the value of the Mortgaged Premises for recovery of the outstanding principal
and unpaid interest of the defaulted Mortgage Loans. As described in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the risk of Loss associated with such Mortgage Loans may
be allocated disproportionately among the Classes of Bonds that comprise a
Series to the extent that such losses are not covered by applicable Insurance
Policies, Additional Collateral or other credit enhancement. Such Losses could
result in an Event of Default. See "The Indenture -- Events of Default."
As further described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Balloon
Payment Mortgage Loans include Mortgage Loans that provide for amortization of
the principal amount over a certain period (for example, 30 years), although all
remaining principal is due at the end of a shorter period (for example, 15
years). The final balloon payment on such a Balloon Payment Mortgage Loan will
be treated as a prepayment of that Mortgage Loan. The ability of a Borrower to
make the final "balloon" payment may be dependent upon the Borrower's ability to
refinance the Balloon Payment Mortgage Loan or sell the related Mortgaged
Premises for an amount equal to or greater than the Unpaid Principal Balance of
the Mortgage Loan. Under certain circumstances (for example, in a rising
interest rate environment), a Borrower may be unable to secure refinancing for
such Mortgage Loan or to sell the related Mortgaged Premises. Accordingly,
Balloon Payment Mortgage Loans may be subject to a higher risk of Delinquency,
Foreclosure and Loss than certain other types of mortgage loans. To the extent
Losses on such Mortgage Loans exceed levels of available credit enhancement, the
holders of the Bonds of the related Series may experience a loss. In addition,
to the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, Losses on the
Mortgage Loans in excess of available credit enhancement may result in an Event
of Default under the Indenture. See "The Indenture -- Events of Default."
In addition, Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans may be underwritten on the
basis of an assessment that the Borrower will have the ability to make payments
in higher amounts in later years and, in the case of certain Adjustable Rate
Mortgage Loans, after relatively short periods of time. Accordingly, defaults on
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans leading to Foreclosure and the ultimate
Liquidation of the related Mortgaged Premises may occur with greater frequency
in the early years of such Mortgage Loans, although little data is available
with respect to the rate of default on such loans. Increases in the required
monthly payments on such Mortgage Loans may result in a default rate that is
higher than that for fixed rate or Level Payment Mortgage Loans. A higher
default rate may result in an increase in Losses on the Mortgage Loans. To the
extent that Losses on the Mortgage Loans exceed levels of available credit
enhancement, the holders of the Bonds of the related Series may experience a
loss. In addition, to the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
Losses on the Mortgage Loans in excess of available credit enhancement may
result in an Event of Default under the Indenture. See "The Indenture -- Events
of Default."
As specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, in order to maximize
recoveries on defaulted Mortgage Loans, the Master Servicer will have
considerable flexibility under the Master Servicing Agreement to extend and
modify the terms of Mortgage Loans that are in default or as to which a payment
default is reasonably foreseeable, including, in particular, Balloon Payment
Mortgage Loans. In addition, the Master Servicer may receive a workout fee based
on receipts from or proceeds of such Mortgage Loans. While the Master Servicer
generally will be required to determine that any such extension or modification
is likely to produce a greater recovery on a present value basis than
Liquidation, there can be no assurance that such flexibility with respect to
extensions or modifications or payment of a workout fee to the Master Servicer
will increase the present value of receipts from or proceeds of Mortgage Loans
that are in default or as to which a default is reasonably foreseeable. To the
extent Losses on such Mortgage Loans exceed levels of available credit
enhancement, the holders of the Bonds of the related Series may experience a
loss. In addition, to the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
Losses on the Mortgage Loans in excess of available credit enhancement may
result in an Event of Default under the Indenture. See "The Indenture -- Events
of Default."
REO Properties and Delinquent and Non-Performing Mortgage Loans. As set
forth in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Collateral for a particular
Series may include, as of the Cut-off Date, REO Properties or Mortgage Loans
that are Delinquent or are non-performing. If so specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, management of the REO Properties or servicing of such
Mortgage Loans may be transferred to a Special Servicer. Credit enhancement
provided with respect to a particular Series may not cover all Losses related to
REO Properties or to Delinquent or non-performing Mortgage Loans. Investors
should consider the risk that the inclusion of REO Properties or Delinquent or
non-performing Mortgage Loans in a Series may affect the rate of defaults and
prepayments on such Mortgage Collateral and the yield on the Bonds of the
Series. See "Security for the Bonds -- The Collateral."
Second Lien Mortgage Loans. An overall decline in the residential real
estate market could adversely affect the value of the property securing a Second
Lien Mortgage Loan such that the outstanding principal balance of the Second
Lien Mortgage Loan, together with any senior financing thereon, exceeds the
value of the Mortgaged Premises. Because a Mortgage Loan secured by a second
lien is subordinate to the rights of the first lien, such a decline would
adversely affect the position of the related Trust Estate as a junior lienholder
before having such an effect on the position of the related senior lien. A rise
in prevailing interest rates over a period of time, the general condition of a
Mortgaged Premises and other factors may also have the effect of reducing the
value of the Mortgaged Premises from its level at the time the Second Lien
Mortgage Loan was originated. As a result, the ratio of the Unpaid Principal
Balance of the Mortgage Loan to the value of the Mortgaged Premises may exceed
the ratio in effect at the time the Mortgage Loan was originated. Such an
increase may reduce the likelihood that, in the event of a default by the
Borrower, Liquidation Proceeds or other proceeds will be sufficient to satisfy
the Second Lien Mortgage Loan after satisfaction of any senior lien and the
payment of any Liquidation expenses.
Even assuming that the Mortgaged Premises provide adequate security for
the Second Lien Mortgage Loans, substantial delay could be encountered in
connection with the Liquidation of defaulted Mortgage Loans with corresponding
delays in the receipt of related proceeds available for payment to Bondholders,
thereby reducing the security for the Second Lien Mortgage Loans. In the event
that any Mortgaged Premises fail to provide adequate security for the related
Second Lien Mortgage Loans and any related credit enhancement has been
exhausted, Bondholders would experience a loss.
Liquidation expenses with respect to defaulted Mortgage Loans are not
likely to vary directly with the outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage
Loans at the time of default. Therefore, assuming that a Servicer or Special
Servicer took the same steps in realizing upon defaulted Second Lien Mortgage
Loans having small outstanding principal balances and upon defaulted Mortgage
Loans having larger outstanding principal balances, the amount realized after
expenses of Liquidation would be smaller as a percentage of the outstanding
principal balance of the smaller Mortgage Loans. Because the average outstanding
principal balances of the Second Lien Mortgage Loans in a Trust Estate may be
relatively small, realizations net of Liquidation expenses may also be
relatively small as percentages of the Unpaid Principal Balances of the Second
Lien Mortgage Loans.
Underwriting Standards and Potential Delinquencies. Mortgage Loans
originated under underwriting standards less stringent than the underwriting
guidelines of FNMA or FHLMC generally will bear higher rates of interest than
mortgage loans that are originated in accordance with FNMA and FHLMC
underwriting guidelines. The Mortgage Loans generally will be underwritten in
accordance with the underwriting standards described for Mortgage Loans under
"Origination of the Collateral -- Mortgage Loans and Manufactured Home Loans,"
which are intended to provide for the origination of single family mortgage
loans for non-conforming credits. A mortgage loan made to a "non-conforming
credit" means a mortgage loan that is ineligible for purchase by FNMA or FHLMC
due to borrower credit characteristics that do not meet FNMA or FHLMC
underwriting guidelines, including a loan made to a borrower whose
creditworthiness and repayment ability do not satisfy such FNMA or FHLMC
underwriting guidelines or a borrower who may have a record of major derogatory
credit items, such as default on a prior mortgage loan, credit write-offs,
outstanding judgments and prior bankruptcies. Accordingly, the Mortgage Loans
are likely to experience rates of Delinquency and Foreclosure that are higher,
and may be substantially higher, than Mortgage Loans originated in accordance
with FNMA or FHLMC underwriting guidelines. As a result, Losses on the Mortgage
Loans are likely to be higher than Losses on Mortgage Loans originated in
accordance with such guidelines.
Under the underwriting standards applicable to the Mortgage Loans, the
primary considerations in underwriting a Mortgage Loan, other than the
creditworthiness of the Borrower, are the value of the Mortgaged Premises and
the adequacy of such property as collateral in relation to the amount of the
Mortgage Loan. Because Delinquencies and Foreclosures are likely to be more
frequent for Mortgage Loans originated under underwriting standards for
non-conforming credits than for mortgage loans originated in accordance with
FNMA or FHLMC underwriting guidelines, changes in the values of the related
Mortgage Premises may have a greater effect on the Loss experience of the
Mortgage Loans than on mortgage loans originated in accordance with FNMA or
FHLMC underwriting guidelines. No assurance can be given that the values of
Mortgaged Premises have remained or will remain at the levels in effect on the
dates of origination of the related Mortgage Loans. If the values of the
Mortgaged Premises decline after the dates of origination of the Mortgage Loans,
the rate of Losses on the Mortgage Loans may increase, and such increase may be
substantial.
Model Home Loans
As further described in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Model Home
Loan is a mortgage loan made by the Participant or its Affiliate and secured by
Mortgaged Premises that are leased by the Borrower to a homebuilder for use as a
model home. The leases typically have a term shorter than that of the related
Model Home Loan. Because the Borrower of a Model Home Loan will have no
significant assets other than the Mortgaged Premises and the related lease
payments, the Borrower's ability to make payments of principal and interest on a
Model Home Loan will depend substantially on its receipt of lease payments from
the homebuilder and on its ability to sell the Mortgaged Premises. Thus, the
value of an investment in the Bonds of a Series secured by Model Home Loans
could suffer an adverse effect as a result of a decline in real estate values in
areas where one or more of the related Mortgaged Premises are located. Such a
decline might simultaneously affect adversely the homebuilder's ability to make
the required lease payments (and payments of required taxes, insurance,
utilities and maintenance) and the Borrower's ability to sell the Mortgaged
Premises at a price sufficient to pay the Unpaid Principal Balance and interest
on the Model Home Loan. Such a decline might also adversely affect the
Borrower's ability to sell the Mortgaged Premises even if the homebuilder
successfully fulfills its lease obligation. Accordingly, Model Home Loans may be
subject to a higher risk of Delinquency and Loss than certain other types of
mortgage loans.
In addition, although there are accepted industry standards for
underwriting mortgage loans generally, there are no such standards for
evaluating mortgage loans such as the Model Home Loans. Accordingly, the
Participant has developed its own guidelines for determining the
creditworthiness of homebuilders. There can be no assurance that the
creditworthiness standards applied by the Participant in determining the
eligibility of homebuilders for this program will not result in a greater rate
of Delinquencies than anticipated.
Homebuilder leases securing Model Home Loans that serve as security for
a Series of Bonds may require the homebuilder to make lease payments that are
adjusted from month-to-month based on current interest rates. Homebuilders may
be more likely to default on this type of lease obligation than they would be on
level-payment lease obligations, particularly as their lease obligations
increase. Default by a homebuilder on its lease obligations would render the
Borrower unable to make required Monthly Payments on the related Model Home
Loan.
To the extent that Losses on the Model Home Loans exceed the available
credit enhancement, the Holders of the Bonds of a Series secured by Model Home
Loans would experience a loss.
Manufactured Home Loans
General. A Manufactured Home Loan typically is made based upon a
determination of the Borrower's ability to make Monthly Payments on the
Manufactured Home Loan and upon an investment analysis of the related
Manufactured Home designed to determine the permissible Loan size. The ability
of a Borrower to make Monthly Payments will be dependent on the availability of
jobs and general economic conditions. When a Borrower does default on a
Manufactured Home Loan, realization is generally accomplished through
repossession and resale of the related Manufactured Home. Manufactured homes
generally decline in value over time, which may not necessarily be the case with
respect to mortgaged premises securing mortgage loans, and so the Losses
incurred upon repossession and resale of or Foreclosure on Manufactured Homes
securing Manufactured Home Loans generally may be expected to be more severe
than the Losses that would be incurred upon Foreclosure on Mortgaged Premises
securing first lien Mortgage Loans (in each case, measured as a percentage of
the Unpaid Principal Balance of the related Loan). In addition, experience with
delinquencies and repossessions under manufactured housing installment sale
contracts indicates that recovery experience decreases with downturns in
regional or economic conditions. Thus, if economic conditions decline in areas
where Manufactured Homes are located, the actual rates of Delinquencies,
repossessions and Foreclosures with respect to the Manufactured Home Loans are
likely to increase, and, accordingly, Losses on the Manufactured Home Loans are
likely to increase, perhaps substantially.
To the extent that Losses are not covered by applicable Insurance
Policies, Additional Collateral or other credit enhancement as described in the
related Prospectus Supplement, Holders of the Bonds of a Series will bear all
risk of Loss resulting from default by Borrowers of Manufactured Home Loans, and
this risk of Loss may be allocated disproportionately among the Classes of Bonds
that comprise a Series . Such Losses could result in an Event of Default. See
"The Indenture -- Events of Default."
In addition, adjustable rate Manufactured Home Loans may be
underwritten on the basis of an assessment that the Borrower will have the
ability to make payments in higher amounts after a relatively short time.
Accordingly, defaults on adjustable rate Manufactured Home Loans leading to
repossession and resale (or Foreclosure, in the case of related Real Property)
may occur with greater frequency in the early years of such Loans, although
little data is available with respect to the rate of default on such loans.
Losses on Manufactured Home Loans that exceed levels of available credit
enhancement could result in an Event of Default under the Indenture. See "The
Indenture -- Events of Default."
Underwriting Standards and Potential Delinquencies. Manufactured Home
Loans are originated in accordance with credit underwriting standards that are
customary in the industry. These standards generally are more lenient than those
applied to borrowers under many conventional residential first lien mortgage
loans. Accordingly, the Manufactured Home Loans are likely to experience rates
of Delinquency and Foreclosure that are higher, and may be substantially higher,
than mortgage loans originated in accordance with such other underwriting
standards. As a result, losses on the Mortgage Loans are likely to be higher
than losses on mortgage loans originated in accordance with such guidelines.
Under the underwriting standards applicable to the Manufactured Home
Loans, the primary considerations in underwriting a Manufactured Home Loan,
other than the creditworthiness of the Borrower, are the results of an
investment analysis of the Manufactured Home, which is used to determine the
allowable Loan size, and the adequacy of such property as collateral in relation
to the amount of the Manufactured Home Loan. Because Delinquencies and
Foreclosures are likely to be more frequent for Manufactured Home Loans than for
Mortgage Loans originated in accordance with more stringent underwriting
guidelines, decreases in the values of the related Manufactured Homes are likely
to have a greater effect on the Loss experience of such Manufactured Home Loans
than decreases in the values of Mortgaged Premises would be expected to have on
the Loss experience of such Mortgage Loans. It is unlikely that the values of
the Manufactured Homes securing Manufactured Home Loans have remained or will
remain at the levels in effect on the dates of origination of the related
Manufactured Home Loans. If the values of the Manufactured Homes decline after
the dates of origination of the Manufactured Home Loans, the rate of Losses on
the Manufactured Home Loans may increase, and the increases may be substantial.
Security Interests in Manufactured Homes. Each Manufactured Home Loan
is secured by a security interest in a Manufactured Home. Perfection of security
interests in Manufactured Homes is subject to a number of state laws, including,
in some states, the Uniform Commercial Code (the "UCC") as adopted in such
states and, in other states, such states' motor vehicle titling statutes. In
some states, perfection of security interests in Manufactured Homes is governed
both by the applicable UCC and by motor vehicle titling statutes. The steps
necessary to perfect a security interest in a Manufactured Home will vary from
state to state. Because of the expense and administrative inconvenience
involved, the Participant will not amend any certificate of title to change the
lienholder specified therein or take any other steps to effect re-registration
of any Manufactured Home with the appropriate state motor vehicle authority. In
addition, the Participant will not deliver any certificate of title, note
thereon the Issuer's interest or file any UCC-3 financing statements or other
instruments evidencing the transfer to the Issuer of the security interest in
any Manufactured Home. In some states, in the absence of such an amendment to
the certificate of title or such a filing under the applicable UCC, it is
unclear whether the transfer of the security interest created by a Manufactured
Home Loan in the underlying Manufactured Home will be effective or whether the
security interest in the Manufactured Home will be perfected. In addition, in
the absence of notation of the interest in a Manufactured Home on the related
certificate of title, re-registration of the Manufactured Home with the
appropriate state motor vehicle authority, delivery of the certificate of title
or filing of an appropriate transfer instrument under the applicable UCC, it is
unclear whether the assignment to the Issuer of the security interest created by
a Manufactured Home Loan in the underlying Manufactured Home will be effective
against creditors of the Participant or a trustee in bankruptcy of the
Participant. The Issuer will make certain warranties relating to the validity,
perfection and priority of the security interest created by each Manufactured
Home Loan in the underlying Manufactured Home in favor of the Manufactured Home
Loan's originator. A breach of any such warranty that materially and adversely
affects the Trust's interest in any Manufactured Home Loan would create an
obligation on the part of the Participant to repurchase or substitute for the
Manufactured Home Loan unless the breach is cured within 90 days after the
Issuer's discovery of or receipt of notice of the breach.
Conveyance of Manufactured Home Loans. A case (Octagon Gas Systems,
Inc. v. Rimmer, 995 F.2d 948 (10th Cir.), cert. denied 114 S.Ct 554 (1993))
decided by the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit contains
language to the effect that accounts sold by a debtor under Article 9 of the UCC
would remain property of the debtor's bankruptcy estate. Although the
Manufactured Home Loans constitute chattel paper under the UCC rather than
accounts, sales of chattel paper are similarly governed by Article 9 of the UCC.
If, following a bankruptcy of the Participant, a court were to apply the
reasoning of the Tenth Circuit to chattel paper, then delays or reductions in
payments of collections on or in respect of the Manufactured Home Loans could
occur. To the extent the security for any Series of Bonds offered hereunder
contains a material concentration of Manufactured Home Loans secured by
Manufactured Homes located within the Tenth Circuit's jurisdiction, the related
Prospectus Supplement will disclose this concentration and will further describe
the impact the decision could have upon such Series.
Consumer Finance Loans
General. A Consumer Finance Loan typically is made based upon a
determination of the Borrower's ability to make Monthly Payments on the Consumer
Finance Loan and upon the purchase price of the related Facilities and the costs
of installing the Facilities in a single family residential property. The
ability of a Borrower to make Monthly Payments will be dependent on the
availability of jobs and general economic conditions. Where a Borrower defaults
on a Consumer Finance Loan, realization is generally accomplished through
repossession and resale of the related Facilities. Facilities generally decline
in value over time, and so the Losses incurred upon repossession and resale of
Facilities securing Consumer Finance Loans generally may be expected to be more
severe than the Losses that would be incurred upon Foreclosure on Mortgaged
Premises securing Mortgage Loans (in each case, measured as a percentage of the
Unpaid Principal Balance of the related Loan). In addition, experience with
delinquencies and repossessions under manufactured housing installment sale
contracts indicates that recovery experience decreases with downturns in
regional or economic conditions, and such downturns are likely to have the same
effect on installment sales contracts like the Consumer Finance Loans. Thus, if
economic conditions decline in areas where Facilities are located, the actual
rates of Delinquencies, repossessions and Foreclosures are likely to increase,
and Losses on the Consumer Finance Loans are likely to increase, perhaps
substantially.
Security Interests in Facilities. Each Consumer Finance Loan is secured
by a security interest in Facilities. Perfection of security interests in
Facilities is subject to state laws, including the Uniform Commercial Code (the
"UCC") as adopted in such states. Because of the expense and administrative
inconvenience involved, neither the Issuer nor the Participant will file any
UCC-3 financing statements or other instruments evidencing the pledge to the
Trustee of the Issuer's security interest in any Facilities. In some states, in
the absence of the filing of an appropriate transfer instrument under the
applicable UCC, it is unclear whether the assignment to the Trustee of the
security interest created by a Consumer Finance Loan in the underlying
Facilities will be effective against creditors of the Participant or Issuer or a
trustee in bankruptcy of the Participant or the Issuer. Unless the related
Prospectus Supplement otherwise provides, the Issuer will make certain
warranties relating to the validity, perfection and priority of the security
interest created by each Consumer Finance Loan in the underlying Facilities in
favor of the Consumer Finance Loan's originator. A breach of any such warranty
that materially and adversely affects the Trust's interest in any Consumer
Finance Loan would create an obligation on the part of the Participant to
repurchase or substitute for the Consumer Finance Loan unless the breach is
cured within 90 days after the Issuer's discovery of or receipt of notice of the
breach.
Conveyance of Consumer Finance Loans. A case (Octagon Gas Systems, Inc.
v. Rimmer, 995 F.2d 948 (10th Cir.), cert. denied 114 S.Ct 554 (1993)) decided
by the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit contains language to
the effect that accounts sold by a debtor under Article 9 of the UCC would
remain property of the debtor's bankruptcy estate. Although the Consumer Finance
Loans constitute chattel paper under the UCC rather than accounts, sales of
chattel paper are similarly governed by Article 9 of the UCC. If, following a
bankruptcy of the Participant, a court were to apply the reasoning of the Tenth
Circuit to chattel paper, then delays or reductions in payments of collections
on or in respect of the Consumer Finance Loans could occur. To the extent the
security for any Series of Bonds offered hereunder contains a material
concentration of Consumer Finance Loans secured by Facilities located within the
Tenth Circuit's jurisdiction, the related Prospectus Supplement will disclose
this concentration and will further describe the impact the decision could have
upon such Series.
Enforcement of Security Interests. Facilities consist of "goods" that
on installation in a single family residential property may become "fixtures."
Goods become fixtures when they become so related to particular real estate that
an interest arises in them under the applicable real estate law. In order to
perfect a security interest in the goods, the Participant will make a "fixture
filing", unless applicable state law makes such a filing inadvisable, and will
also file a financing statement as though the goods were personal property under
the applicable UCC. Generally, a perfected security interest in Facilities
installed in an existing home will, with one exception, have priority over the
conflicting interest of an encumbrancer of the real estate, including a first
lien mortgagee. The exception is that a perfected security interest in fixtures
will not take priority over a construction mortgage recorded before goods become
fixtures if the goods become fixtures before completion of construction.
If the goods constitute fixtures and the Trustee's security interest in
the goods has priority over all other encumbrancers of the affected real estate,
the Servicer may on default remove and repossess the goods (not including
related "ordinary building materials"), provided that the Servicer can do so
peacefully. In addition, the Servicer must reimburse any encumbrancer who is not
the debtor for the cost of repair of any physical damage resulting from the
removal of fixtures, and the person entitled to reimbursement may refuse
permission to remove any fixtures unless the Servicer gives adequate security
for the cost of repair obligation. If the Trustee's security interest in the
goods does not have priority over all other owners and encumbrancers of the
affected real estate, for example because a construction mortgage has priority,
the Servicer may not remove the goods under any circumstances in the case of a
defaulted Consumer Finance Loan.
The value of Facilities is likely to decrease over time. In addition,
each Consumer Finance Loan will be made in an amount equal to the cost of
installation as well as the purchase price of the goods. If the goods are
fixtures, then to the extent that the balance of the Consumer Finance Loan
reflects sums spent for installation or the purchase of ordinary building
materials, the Servicer may be unable to recover a sum adequate to pay off the
Consumer Finance Loan, even if it can resell the removed goods for their fair
value. Thus, the net proceeds of any resale upon default is likely to be
inadequate to pay off the Unpaid Principal Balance plus accrued and unpaid
interest on the related Consumer Finance Loan. Seeking a judgment against the
debtor for the deficiency is seldom economically feasible, and, for that reason,
the Servicer is unlikely to do so.
Moreover, given that the Consumer Finance Loans involve relatively
small amounts, the Servicer, even with a perfected, first priority security
interest, may determine in many cases that the cost of removal of goods,
particularly if an obligation to pay cost of repairs exists, exceeds the net
proceeds that could be expected from a sale and, as a result, may decline to
remove the goods. If the Servicer either declines or is not permitted to remove
the goods, the UCC provisions dealing with fixtures do not indicate how the
Servicer is to proceed. It is not clear under applicable state law whether the
Trustee would be permitted to share in the proceeds of a Foreclosure proceeding
brought by an encumbrancer of the real estate. If the Trustee's security
interest in the goods was not a first priority security interest, there would be
little likelihood in any event that any Foreclosure proceeds would remain after
payment of expenses and satisfaction of the senior encumbrances. The Servicer
might have the right to reduce the Trustee's claim to judgment and proceed
against the debtor's assets. For the same reasons that the Servicer would be
unlikely to seek a deficiency judgment in the event of a repossession and
resale, however, a legal proceeding against the debtor frequently would not be
economically feasible. Thus, in the event of default on a Consumer Finance Loan,
the likelihood that the Trustee Estate will suffer a Loss on the Consumer
Finance Loan will be high.
Losses on the Consumer Finance Loans may reduce the amounts available
for payment on the related Bonds.
Limited Obligations
The Bonds of a Series are obligations of the Issuer only, and Holders
of Bonds of a Series may look only to the assets pledged to the Trustee for that
Series. The Bonds will not represent an interest in or any obligation of Dynex,
IHC or any Affiliate of Dynex or IHC, the Underwriter or any Affiliate of the
Underwriter, the Master Servicer or any Servicer. The Bonds will not be
guaranteed by any government agency or instrumentality, Dynex, IHC or any
Affiliate of Dynex or IHC, the Underwriter or any Affiliate of an Underwriter,
the Master Servicer or any Servicer.
Limited Liquidity
There can be no assurance that a secondary market for the Bonds of any
Series will develop or, if it does develop, that it will provide Bondholders of
such Series with liquidity of investment or will remain for the term of such
Series of Bonds. In addition, if such a market does develop and continue, the
market value of the Bonds of each Series may fluctuate with changes in
prevailing rates of interest and other factors. Consequently, the sale of Bonds
by a Bondholder in any secondary market that may develop may be at a discount
from their purchase price. Except as otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, Bondholders will have no optional redemption rights.
Bankruptcy or Insolvency of the Issuer
The bankruptcy or insolvency of the Issuer could adversely affect
payments on the Bonds. For this reason, the Issuer was formed as a
limited-purpose financing subsidiary of IHS. See "The Issuer." Notwithstanding
its limited purpose, in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency of the Issuer,
the automatic stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (the
"Bankruptcy Code") could prevent enforcement of the obligations of the Issuer,
including its obligations under the Bonds and the Indenture, or actions against
any of the Issuer's property, including the related Collateral, prior to
modification of the stay. In addition, the trustee in bankruptcy for the Issuer
may be able to accelerate payment of the Bonds and liquidate the Collateral. In
the event the principal of the Bonds is declared due and payable, the
Bondholders would lose the right to future payments of interest and might suffer
reinvestment loss in a lower interest rate environment and (i) in the case of
Premium Bonds, may fail to recover fully their initial investments, and (ii) in
the case of Discount Bonds, may be entitled, under applicable provisions of the
Bankruptcy Code, to receive no more than an amount equal to the unpaid principal
amount thereof less unamortized original issue discount ("Accreted Value").
There is no assurance as to how such Accreted Value would be determined if such
event occurred.
Bankruptcy or Insolvency of IHC or a Participant
The Issuer believes that each transfer of Collateral from IHC to the
Issuer will constitute an absolute and unconditional sale. However, in the event
of the bankruptcy of IHC or the Participant, a trustee in bankruptcy could
attempt to recharacterize the sale of the Collateral as a borrowing secured by a
pledge of the Collateral. Such an attempt, even if unsuccessful, could result in
delays in distributions on the Bonds. If such an attempt were successful, the
trustee in bankruptcy could elect to accelerate payment of the Bonds and
liquidate the Collateral, with the holders of the Bonds entitled to no more than
the then outstanding principal amount of such Bonds together with interest at
the applicable Class Interest Rate to the date of payment. In the event the
principal of the Bonds is declared due and payable, the Bondholders of the Bonds
would lose the right to future payments of interest and might suffer
reinvestment loss in a lower interest rate environment and (i) in the case of
Premium Bonds, may fail to recover fully their initial investments, and (ii) in
the case of Discount Bonds, may be entitled, under applicable provisions of the
Bankruptcy Code, to receive no more than an amount equal to the Accreted Value.
There is no assurance as to how such Accreted Value would be determined if such
event occurred.
Deficiency on Sale of Collateral
In the event of an acceleration of the payment of the Bonds following
an Event of Default for a Series, if the assets securing the Bonds of such
Series were to be sold, there can be no assurance that the proceeds of any such
sale would be sufficient to pay in full the outstanding principal amount of the
related Bonds and interest payments due thereon. The market value of the assets
generally will fluctuate with changes in prevailing rates of interest.
Consequently, the Collateral and any Eligible Investments in which the funds
deposited in the Collateral Proceeds Account and any Reserve Funds for a Series
may be invested may be liquidated at a discount, in which case the proceeds of
liquidation might be less than the aggregate outstanding principal amount and
interest payable on the Bonds of that Series. Unless otherwise specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, except under limited circumstances, the Holders
of Subordinated Bonds will have no independent ability to declare a default or
force the sale of the Collateral even if an Event of Default has occurred. See
"The Indenture -- Events of Default" herein.
Modification and Substitution of Collateral
If an item of Collateral is in material default or a payment default is
imminent, the related Servicer, with the consent of the Master Servicer, may
enter into a forbearance or modification agreement with the Borrower. The terms
of any such forbearance or modification agreement may affect the amount and
timing of principal and interest payments on the item of Collateral and,
consequently, may affect the amount and timing of payments on one or more
Classes of the related Series of Bonds. For example, a modification agreement
that results in a lower Loan Rate would lower the Class Interest Rate of any
related Class of Bonds that accrues interest at a rate based on the weighted
average Net Loan Rate of the related Collateral. See "Servicing of the
Collateral -- Defaulted Collateral."
In addition, under certain circumstances, the Issuer may substitute new
Collateral ("Substitute Collateral") for defaulted Collateral. See "Security for
the Bonds -- Substitution of Collateral." The terms of each item of Substitute
Collateral may differ from those of the item of Collateral for which it is
substituted. In particular, the Loan Rate of the item of Substitute Collateral
may be less than that of the item of Collateral for which it is substituted and,
indeed, may be less than the then current market interest rate for loans or
other applicable assets with similar characteristics. The substitution of an
item of Substitute Collateral with a Loan Rate less than that of the item of
Collateral for which it is substituted will reduce the Class Interest Rate of
any related Class of Bonds with a Class Interest Rate based on the Loan Rates or
Net Loan Rates of the related Collateral. Furthermore, any Bondholder that would
be entitled to receive payments based on the Collateral Value of a defaulted
item of Collateral, REO or Repo Property upon Liquidation of the defaulted item
of Collateral may prefer that the defaulted item of Collateral be Liquidated
rather than replaced with an item of Substitute Collateral, particularly if the
item of Substitute Collateral has a Loan Rate less than the then current market
interest rate for loans or other applicable assets with similar characteristics.
See "Security for the Bonds -- Substitution of Collateral."
As a condition to any modification or forbearance related to any item
of Collateral or to the substitution of an item of Substitute Collateral, the
Master Servicer is required to determine, in its reasonable business judgment,
that such modification, forbearance or substitution will maximize the recovery
on such item of Collateral on a present value basis. However, the interests of
the Issuer and the Master Servicer, which is an Affiliate of the Issuer, may
conflict with those of the Bondholders in determining whether to enter into a
modification or forbearance agreement or to substitute an item of Substitute
Collateral (or in establishing the terms of any such modification or forbearance
agreement or the terms of such item of Substitute Collateral).
Pledge of Additional Collateral
Subject to certain conditions set forth herein and in the Prospectus
Supplement for a Series, the Issuer may pledge additional mortgage loans,
mortgage-backed certificates, model home loans, manufactured housing installment
sales contracts or facilities installment sales contracts ("Additional
Collateral") to the Trustee and issue Additional Bonds of that Series within one
year of the date of initial issuance of the Bonds of such Series. Although the
pledge of any Additional Collateral will not result in any change in the Class
Interest Rate, Stated Maturity Date or Payment Dates of any outstanding Bonds of
such Series, the pledge of Additional Collateral may result in a variance of
plus or minus 0.05 years in the weighted average life of any outstanding Class
of Bonds of such Series at the prepayment rate assumed for the pricing of the
initial issuance of the Class, and the characteristics of the Collateral may
vary within the parameters specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
the initial issuance of the Bonds of such Series. Furthermore, no assurance can
be given that any pledge of Additional Collateral and issuance of Additional
Bonds would not affect the timing or amount of payments received by Holders of
the outstanding Bonds of that Series. Provided that the conditions described in
the Prospectus Supplement for the outstanding Bonds are satisfied, the pledge of
Additional Collateral and the issuance of Additional Bonds will not be subject
to the prior consent of the Holders of the outstanding Bonds of such Series. See
"Security for the Bonds -- Pledge of Additional Collateral and Issuance of
Additional Bonds" herein.
Average Life and Yield Considerations
The rate of payment of principal on the Collateral will affect the
average life of each Class of Bonds. The Collateral may have provisions that
provide for the payment of a premium in connection with a voluntary or
involuntary principal prepayment thereof. In addition, the rate of payment of
principal, including prepayments, on the Collateral may be influenced by a
variety of economic, geographic, social, tax, legal and other factors, including
the difference between the interest rates on the Collateral and prevailing
interest rates for similar loans. In general, if the Collateral is not subject
to prepayment penalties and if prevailing interest rates for similar loans fall
below the interest rates on the Collateral, the rate of principal prepayments
would be expected to increase, especially if the Collateral carries fixed rates
of interest. If prevailing interest rates for similar loans rise above the
interest rates on the Collateral, the rate of principal prepayments would be
expected to decrease. See "Yield Considerations" herein.
Yields realized by Bondholders of Discount Bonds or Premium Bonds may
be extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including for this
purpose, modifications, substitutions, scheduled principal payments, payments
resulting from refinancings, Liquidations due to defaults, casualties,
condemnations and repurchase by the seller of the Collateral securing such
Series). In general, yields on Premium Bonds will be adversely affected by
higher than anticipated rates of principal payments on the Collateral and
enhanced by lower than anticipated rates. Yields on Discount Bonds are likely to
be enhanced by higher than expected rates of principal payments and adversely
affected by lower than expected rates. In certain circumstances, Holders of
certain Classes of Bonds could fail to fully recover their initial investment.
Limited Nature of Ratings
Each Class of Bonds of a Series offered hereby and by means of the
related Prospectus Supplement will be, when issued, rated in one of the four
highest rating categories by one or more Rating Agencies identified in such
Prospectus Supplement. Any such rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or
hold Bonds and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the Rating
Agency issuing the rating. An investor may obtain further details with respect
to any rating on the Bonds from the Rating Agency issuing the rating. In
addition, any such rating will be based, among other things, on the credit
quality of the Collateral and will represent only an assessment of the
likelihood of receipt by Bondholders of payments with respect to underlying
Collateral. A rating will not represent any assessment of the likelihood that
prepayment experience may differ from prepayment assumptions and, accordingly,
will not represent any assessment of the possibility that Holders of Premium
Bonds may, under circumstances of high principal prepayments on the Collateral,
fail fully to recover their initial investment. Credit ratings assigned to
Classes of Bonds having a disproportionate entitlement to principal or interest
payments on the Collateral specifically do not address the effect on the yield
to the Bondholder should the rate of principal payments be substantially
different than that assumed by the Bondholder when the Class of Bonds was
purchased. In addition, the ratings assigned to Subordinated Classes of Bonds
may be more subject to change than the ratings assigned to other kinds of
securities. A rating also will not assess the ability of the Participant or
other party to perform its obligation, if any, to repurchase Converted Loans.
Insurance and Credit Support Limitations
The Insurance Policies, if any, on the Collateral or the obligation to
deliver Additional Collateral, if any, with respect to a Series will not cover
all contingencies and will cover certain contingencies only to a limited extent.
See "Security for the Bonds -- Insurance on the Collateral" and "-- Pool
Insurance." The amount, type and nature of Insurance Policies, subordination,
letters of credit and other credit support, if any, required with respect to a
Series will be determined on the basis of actuarial criteria established by each
Rating Agency rating the Series. This actuarial analysis is the basis upon which
each Rating Agency determines required amounts and types of Pool Insurance,
Special Hazard Insurance, Reserve Funds, overcollateralization or other credit
support. There can be no assurance that the historical data supporting an
actuarial analysis will accurately reflect future experience or any assurance
that the data derived from a large pool of housing-related loans will accurately
predict the Delinquency, Foreclosure or Loss experience of any particular pool
of Collateral.
Lender Regulations
Numerous federal and state consumer protection laws impose requirements
on lending under mortgage loans or retail installment sales contracts such as
those included in the Collateral, and the failure by the lender or seller of
goods to comply with such requirements could give rise to liabilities on the
part of the lender's assignees to the Borrowers for amounts due under such
mortgage loans or contracts or to a Borrower's right of set-off against claims
by such assignees as a result of the lender's or seller's noncompliance. To the
extent these laws affect the Collateral, these laws would apply to the Trustee
as assignee of the Collateral. The Issuer will warrant that the origination of
each item of Collateral complied with all requirements of law and that there
exists no right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim or defense in favor of the
Borrower under any item of Collateral and that each item of Collateral is
enforceable against the related Borrower in accordance with its terms, subject
to applicable bankruptcy and similar laws, laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and general principles of equity. A breach of any such warranty that
materially and adversely affects the Trustee's interest in any Loan would create
an obligation on the part of the Issuer to repurchase or substitute for the item
of Collateral unless the breach is cured within 90 days after the Issuer's
discovery of the breach or after notice of the breach is provided to the Issuer.
If the credit support provided by any Subordinated Bonds, insurance or other
credit enhancement is exhausted, application of these consumer protection laws
could limit the ability of the Bondholders to realize upon Mortgaged Premises,
Manufactured Homes, Real Property or Facilities securing defaulted items of
Collateral or could limit the amount collected on a defaulted Loan to less than
the amount due thereunder. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Collateral --
Manufactured Home Loans -- Enforcement of Security Interests in Manufactured
Homes" and "-- Consumer Protection Laws" herein and "Certain Legal Aspects of
the Collateral -- Mortgage Loans and Model Home Loans -- Anti-Deficiency
Legislation and Other Limitations on Lenders" herein.
Limitations on Subordination
With respect to Bonds of a Series that includes a Subordinated Class,
while the subordination feature is intended to enhance the likelihood of timely
payment of principal and interest to Holders of Senior Bonds, the available
subordination may be limited, as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
In addition, with respect to Bonds of a Series supported by a Reserve Fund, the
Reserve Fund could be depleted under certain circumstances. In either case,
shortfalls could result for both the Senior Bonds and the Subordinated Bonds of
such Series. Prospective purchasers of a Class of Bonds should carefully review
the credit risks associated with the Class resulting from its subordination or
from the timing of the distributions intended to be made on the Class.
Original Issue Discount
Discount Bonds generally will be treated as issued with original issue
discount for federal income tax purposes. In addition, certain classes of
Premium Bonds may be treated by the Trustee as issued with original issue
discount. The Trustee will report original issue discount with respect to such
Discount and Premium Bonds on an accrual basis, which may be prior to the
receipt of cash associated with such income. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences" herein.
Legal Investment Considerations
No representation or warranty is made concerning whether the Bonds of
any Series are legal investments under any federal or state law, regulation,
rule or order of any court. Any Class of a Series of Bonds (a) that is (i)
secured by Second Lien Mortgage Loans or (ii) secured by Consumer Finance Loans
or (b) that is not rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least
one nationally recognized statistical rating organization will not constitute
"mortgage related securities" within the meaning of SMMEA. Prospective investors
are advised to consult their counsel as to qualification of any Class of a
Series of Bonds as legal investments under any such laws, regulations, rules and
orders.
Consolidated Tax Return
If the Issuer were to fail to be treated for federal income tax
purposes as a "qualified REIT subsidiary" by reason of Dynex's failure to
continue to qualify as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for federal
income tax purposes or for any other reason, the net income of the Issuer would
be subject to corporate income tax and the Issuer would not be permitted to be
included on a consolidated income tax return of another corporate entity. No
assurance can be given with regard to the future qualification of the Issuer as
a qualified REIT subsidiary or of Dynex as a REIT for federal income tax
purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences -- General."
DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS
General
The Bonds will be issued in Series, pursuant to an Indenture between
the Issuer and a Trustee, as specified in the Prospectus Supplement. The Bonds
within a Series will be issued by Class or Classes, pursuant to the Indenture. A
Series of Bonds will consist of one or more Classes of Bonds. The Prospectus
Supplement and the Series Supplement for a Series of Bonds will specify with
respect to each Class the type of Bond, the specific designation of the Class,
the Stated Maturity Date, the aggregate principal amount, the Payment Dates, the
Class Interest Rate (or method of determining such rate), any redemption
features and other related terms.
The Bonds of each Series will be secured by the Collateral, the
Collateral Proceeds Account and, to the extent specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the Reserve Funds (and any other funds or accounts
pledged to secure the Series), the Insurance Policies, the Bond Insurance, the
Surplus (prior to its disbursement to the Issuer), other credit enhancement, the
Servicing Agreements and the Master Servicing Agreement for such Series. See
"The Indenture" and "Security for the Bonds." The following summaries describe
certain provisions of the Bonds. The summaries do not purport to be complete and
are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the
provisions of the Indenture and the Series Supplement relating to the applicable
Series of Bonds. When particular provisions or terms used in the Indenture are
referred to, the actual provisions (including definitions of terms) are
incorporated by reference. A copy of the form of Indenture (including all
supplements thereto to date) has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. A copy of the Indenture
supplement for a Series (the "Series Supplement") will be filed with the
Commission as an Exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the
Commission within 15 days after issuance of Bonds of the related Series.
The Indenture does not limit the amount of Bonds that can be issued
thereunder and provides that Bonds may be issued up to the aggregate principal
amount authorized from time to time by the Issuer. The Indenture provides that
Additional Bonds may be issued for any outstanding Class of Bonds or Series up
to the aggregate principal amount authorized from time to time by the Issuer,
subject to the provisions of the related Series Supplement or supplements
thereto.
The Bonds of each Series will be issued in fully-registered
certificated or book-entry form in the authorized denominations specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement. The Bonds of each Series that are issued in
certificated form may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate trust office
of the Trustee without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or
other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Unless otherwise
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Trustee will make payments
of principal of and interest on the Bonds of a Series that are issued in
certificated form (i) by checks mailed to registered Bondholders at their
addresses appearing on the books and records of the Issuer or (ii) by wire
transfer of immediately available funds upon timely request to the Trustee in
writing by any Bondholder of Bonds having an initial principal amount of at
least $1,000,000 or such other amount as may be specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement except that the final payments in retirement of each Class
of Bonds of a Series issued in certificated form will be made only upon
presentation and surrender of such Bonds at the office or agency of the Issuer
maintained for that purpose. The Trustee will make such payments with respect to
Bonds in book-entry form as set forth below.
Book-Entry Procedures
The Prospectus Supplement for a Series may specify that certain Classes
of the Bonds will initially be issued in book-entry form ("Book-Entry Bonds") in
the authorized denominations specified therein. Each such Class of Bonds will be
represented by one or more certificates registered in the name of the nominee of
the depository, which is expected to be The Depository Trust Company ("DTC" and,
together with any successor or other depository selected by the Issuer, the
"Depository"). The Depository or its nominee will be registered as the record
holder of the Bonds in the Bond Register. No person acquiring a Book-Entry Bond
(a "beneficial owner") will be entitled to receive a certificate representing
such Bond.
The beneficial owner's ownership of a Book-Entry Bond will be recorded
on the records of the brokerage firm, bank, thrift institution or other
financial intermediary (each, a "Financial Intermediary") that maintains such
beneficial owner's account for such purpose. In turn, the Financial
Intermediary's ownership of such Book-Entry Bond will be recorded on the records
of the Depository (either directly or through one or more Financial
Intermediaries). Therefore, the beneficial owner must rely on the foregoing
procedures to evidence its beneficial ownership of a Book-Entry Bond, and
beneficial ownership of a Book-Entry Bond may only be transferred by compliance
with the procedures of such Financial Intermediaries and Depository
participants.
DTC, which is a New York-chartered limited-purpose trust company,
performs services for its participants, some of whom (and/or their
representatives) own DTC. In accordance with its normal procedures, DTC is
expected to record the positions held by each DTC participant in the Book-Entry
Bonds, whether held for its own account or as a nominee for another person. In
general, beneficial ownership of Book-Entry Bonds will be subject to the rules,
regulations and procedures governing the Depository and Depository participants
as in effect from time to time.
Payment of principal of and interest on the Book-Entry Bonds will be
made on each Payment Date to the Depository. The Depository will be responsible
for crediting the amount of such distributions to the accounts of the applicable
Depository participants in accordance with the Depository's normal procedures.
Each Depository participant will be responsible for disbursing such payments to
the beneficial owners of the Book-Entry Bonds that it represents and to each
Financial Intermediary for which it acts as agent. Each such Financial
Intermediary will be responsible for disbursing funds to the beneficial owners
of the Book-Entry Bonds that it represents. As a result of the foregoing
procedures, beneficial owners of the Book-Entry Bonds may experience some delay
in their receipt of payments.
Because transactions in Book-Entry Bonds can be effected only through
the Depository, participating organizations, indirect participants and certain
banks, the ability of a beneficial owner of a Book-Entry Bond to pledge such
Bond to persons or entities that do not participate in the Depository, or
otherwise to take actions in respect of such Bond, may be limited due to the
lack of a physical certificate representing such Bond. Issuance of Book-Entry
Bonds may reduce the liquidity of such Bonds in the secondary trading market
because investors may be unwilling to purchase Book-Entry Bonds for which they
cannot obtain physical certificates.
The Book-Entry Bonds will be issued in fully-registered, certificated
form to beneficial owners of Book-Entry Bonds or their nominees, rather than to
the Depository or its nominee, only if (i) the Issuer advises the Trustee in
writing that the Depository is no longer willing or able to discharge properly
its responsibilities as depository with respect to the Book-Entry Bonds and the
Issuer is unable to locate a qualified successor within 30 days or (ii) the
Issuer, at its option, elects to terminate the book-entry system through the
Depository. Upon the occurrence of either event described in the preceding
sentence, the Trustee is required to notify the Depository, which in turn will
notify all beneficial owners of Book-Entry Bonds through Depository
participants, of the availability of certificated Bonds. Upon surrender by the
Depository of the certificates representing the Book-Entry Bonds and receipt of
instructions for re-registration, the Trustee will reissue the Book-Entry Bonds
as certificated Bonds to the beneficial owners of Book-Entry Bonds.
Neither the Issuer, the Master Servicer nor the Trustee will have any
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payment made on account
of beneficial ownership interests of the Book-Entry Bonds held by the
Depository, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
such beneficial ownership interests.
Payments of Principal and Interest
To the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, payments
on the Collateral securing a Series, including prepayments, together with
withdrawals from various debt service and Reserve Funds, will be available to
pay principal of and interest on the Bonds of a Series.
On each Payment Date for a Series, principal will be paid on the Bonds
in an amount equal to the Principal Distribution Amount or such other amount as
may be specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Principal Distribution
Amount on any Payment Date will equal the amount by which (i) the aggregate
Collateral Value of the Collateral securing the Series as of the preceding
Payment Date (or, with respect to the first Payment Date, as of the Cut-off Date
for the Series) exceeds (ii) the aggregate Collateral Value of the Collateral
securing the Series as of the current Payment Date. Unless otherwise specified
in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Collateral Value of any Collateral
securing a Series will generally equal (i) the Scheduled Principal Balance of
the Collateral or (ii) as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Scheduled Principal Balance of the Collateral multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the Net Rate of the Collateral and the denominator of
which is the Collateral Value Discount Rate.
The Prospectus Supplement will specify (i) the order in which payments
of principal (including prepayments) on the Collateral will be applied to pay
principal of different Classes of Bonds of a Series and (ii) the percentage
interest in payments of principal (including prepayments) on the Collateral or
pools of Collateral for each Class of Bonds within a Series if such payments are
unequally allocated among the Classes of Bonds within a Series. Unless otherwise
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, all payments of principal of a
particular Class of Bonds will be applied on a pro rata basis.
The Stated Maturity Date for the Bonds of each Class will be the date
by which all Bonds of the Class are scheduled to be fully paid. The Stated
Maturity Date of a Class of Bonds may be determined by reference to the maturity
date of the Collateral pledged to the related Series with the latest stated
final Due Date or on the basis of the assumptions set forth in the related
Prospectus Supplement. All or a portion of the payments on the Collateral
securing a Series will be used to amortize Bonds of the Series, as described in
the related Prospectus Supplement. It is expected that each Class of Bonds will
be fully paid in advance of its Stated Maturity Date from payments, including
prepayments, on the Collateral. The rate of principal payments on the Collateral
securing a Series will depend on the characteristics of the Collateral, as well
as on the level of interest rates prevailing from time to time and other
economic factors. No assurance can be given as to the actual prepayment
experience of the Collateral. See "Maturity and Prepayment Considerations" and
"Yield Considerations" herein.
Each Class of Bonds will bear interest from the date and at the rate
per annum (the "Class Interest Rate") specified, or determined as specified, in
the related Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
consisting of 12 months of 30 days each. Interest on a Class of Bonds consisting
of Current Interest Bonds will be payable on the Payment Dates specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement. Each such payment of interest will include all
interest either accrued to the Accounting Date immediately preceding the Payment
Date on which it is made or to another date specified in such Prospectus
Supplement. Unless interest is accrued to the Payment Date, the effective yield
to the Bondholder will be reduced to a level below the yield that would apply if
interest were accrued to the Payment Date. If specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, any Class of Bonds may bear interest at a variable rate.
For any variable rate Class of Bonds, the related Prospectus Supplement will set
forth the manner for determining the variable interest rate and the interest
rate change interval. The variable interest rate for a Class of Bonds will not
exceed a maximum rate specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, and the
payments due on the Collateral securing the related Series or Class of Bonds
will be in amounts (taking into account Reserve Funds and other funds and any
redemption rights and obligations) determined to be adequate to pay interest on
such Class of Bonds at the specified maximum interest rate.
If specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, (i) a Class of Bonds
may be a Principal Only Class comprised solely of Principal Only Bonds, which
will not bear interest, and (ii) a Class of Bonds may be a High Coupon Class
comprised solely of High Coupon Bonds, which will receive only relatively small
payments of principal. If specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a
Class of Bonds may be an Accretion Class, which is comprised solely of Accretion
Bonds on which interest will accrue but will not be paid ("Deferred Interest")
until each Class of Bonds of the Series, if any, with an earlier priority of
payment has been paid in full or as otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement. Deferred Interest will be added to the principal of each
Class of Accretion Bonds on each Accounting Date until all Classes of Bonds that
have an earlier payment priority are paid in full, and, thereafter, interest
will be paid on the Compound Value of the Accretion Bonds. The Compound Value of
a Class of Accretion Bonds will equal the original principal amount of such
Class, plus Deferred Interest through the Accounting Date preceding the
determination date, less any principal payments made on such Class of Bonds.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
payments on the Collateral pledged to a particular Series and not used to pay
principal or interest on the Bonds will be treated as Surplus. To the extent
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement for a Series, all or a portion of
the Surplus on any Payment Date may be applied to cover Losses or interest
shortfalls associated with a Series or any Series sold pursuant to this
Prospectus, or the Surplus may be distributed to the Issuer. Any Surplus
distributed to the Issuer will not be available for payment of principal or
interest on the Bonds.
Redemption
To the extent provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Bonds
of any Class may be subject to redemption at the option of the Issuer prior to
their Stated Maturity Date. Notice of such redemption must be given by the
Issuer or by the Trustee as provided in the related Prospectus Supplement. The
redemption price for any Bond (or portion thereof) so redeemed will be the
percentage of the unpaid principal amount of such Bond specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, together with accrued interest thereon to the date
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, or such other price as may be
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The actual maturity date and average life of a Class of Bonds will be
determined by, among other things, (i) the prepayment experience on the
Collateral, (ii) the frequency and scope of any forbearance or modification
relating to defaulted Collateral and (iii) the optional redemption provisions of
a Series of Bonds.
The rate of principal payments on Collateral will be affected by the
amortization schedules of the Collateral and by the rate of principal
prepayments thereon (including for this purpose payments resulting from
refinancings, Liquidations due to defaults, casualties and condemnations). No
assurance can be given as to the rate of principal payments or prepayments on
the Collateral. In general, however, if prevailing interest rates fall
significantly below the interest rates on the Collateral and the Collateral may
be voluntarily prepaid in accordance with the applicable terms, the Collateral
would likely be subject to a higher rate of principal prepayments than if
prevailing rates remain at or above the rates borne by the Collateral.
The Servicer, with the approval of the Master Servicer in most cases,
is authorized pursuant to the Servicing Agreement to modify the payment terms of
a defaulted Loan. If the Master Servicer appoints a Special Servicer, the
Special Servicer would be authorized to make such modifications or
substitutions. Any such modification or substitution would likely provide for a
slower principal amortization schedule than was required under the original
terms of the Loan (including an extension of the final Due Date) and therefore
would have an effect on the average life of a Class of Bonds opposite to the
effect that a prepayment of a Loan would have. To the extent one or more Loans
is in default on its revised final Due Date and the respective Servicer is
unable to liquidate timely the defaulted Loan, the Issuer may fail to pay one or
more Classes of the Bonds in full by their Stated Maturity Date. See "Servicing
of the Collateral -- Master Servicing Agreement" and " -- Special Servicing
Agreement" herein.
The Prospectus Supplement for a Series of Bonds may contain a table
setting forth percentages of the original principal amount of each Class of
Bonds of such Series anticipated to be outstanding after each of the dates shown
in the table. It is unlikely that the prepayment experience of the Collateral
for any Series will conform to any of the percentages of the prepayment
assumption model described in any table set forth in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
YIELD CONSIDERATIONS
Payments of interest on the Bonds generally will include interest
accrued through the Accounting Date for the applicable Payment Date. Because
payments to the Bondholders generally will not be made until the Payment Date
following the Accounting Date, the effective yield to the Bondholders of the
Bonds will be lower than the yield otherwise produced by the applicable Class
Interest Rate and purchase price for the Bond.
The yield to maturity of any Bond will be affected by the rate and
timing of payments of principal of the Collateral and, to a lesser extent, the
frequency and scope of any modifications or substitutions of Loans. If the
purchaser of a Bond offered at a discount from its Parity Price calculates the
anticipated yield to maturity of the Bond based on an assumed rate of payment of
principal that is faster than that actually received on the Collateral, the
actual yield to maturity will be lower than the calculated yield. If the
purchaser of a Bond offered at a premium over its Parity Price calculates the
anticipated yield to maturity of the Bond based on an assumed rate of payment of
principal that is slower than that actually received on the Collateral, the
actual yield to maturity will be lower than the calculated yield.
The timing of changes in the rate of payment of principal on the
Collateral may significantly affect an investor's actual yield to maturity, even
if the average rate of principal payments experienced over time is consistent
with an investor's expectation. In general, the earlier a payment of principal
on an item of Collateral, the greater will be the effect on the investor's yield
to maturity. As a result, the effect on an investor's yield of principal
payments occurring at a rate higher (or lower) than the rate anticipated by the
investor during the period immediately following the issuance of the Bonds would
not be fully offset by a subsequent commensurate reduction (or increase) in the
rate of principal payments at a later date. Because the rate of principal
payments (including prepayments) on the Collateral may significantly affect the
weighted average life and other characteristics of any Class of Bonds,
prospective investors are urged to consider their own estimates as to the
anticipated rate of future payments of principal on the Collateral and the
suitability of the Class of Bonds to their investment objectives. For factors
affecting principal payments on Loans, including the impact of modifications and
substitutions of Collateral, see "Maturity and Prepayment Considerations" above.
Investors should consider the risk that rapid rates of prepayment on
the Collateral, and therefore of principal payments on the Bonds, may coincide
with periods of low prevailing interest rates. During such periods, the
effective interest rates on securities in which an investor may choose to
reinvest amounts received as principal payments on a Bond may be lower than the
applicable Class Interest Rate. Slow rates of prepayments on the Collateral, and
therefore of principal payments on the various Classes of Bonds, may coincide
with periods of high prevailing interest rates. During such periods, the amount
of principal payments available to an investor for reinvestment at such high
prevailing interest rates may be relatively low.
SECURITY FOR THE BONDS
General
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, each
Series will be secured by the pledge to the Trustee of a Trust Estate consisting
of (i) Collateral, together with the payments thereon, having an aggregate
initial Collateral Value at least equal to 100% of the original principal amount
of the Bonds of such Series and any REO Property or Repo Property acquired in
respect of such Collateral through Foreclosure or repossession, (ii) the
Collateral Proceeds Account for such Series, (iii) to the extent applicable,
Reserve Funds and other funds and accounts for such Series, (iv) to the extent
applicable, the Issuer's rights to Additional Collateral, (v) all payments that
may become due under Insurance Policies, if any, (vi) the Issuer's rights under
the Servicing Agreements and the Master Servicing Agreement with respect to such
Series and (vii) to the extent applicable, an interest rate agreement with a
third party. Scheduled payments of principal of and interest on the Collateral
securing a Series of Bonds (including payments from the Reserve Fund, if
applicable), net of applicable servicing fees, master servicing fees, trustee
fees, guarantee fees and insurance premiums, if any, for the Series, are
intended to be sufficient to make the required payments of interest on the Bonds
of the Series and to pay the entire principal amount of each Class of Bonds of
the Series not later than the Stated Maturity Date of the Class of Bonds. Except
as otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Trust Estate
(other than certain credit enhancement items) will secure only one Series of
Bonds.
The Collateral
The Prospectus Supplement for a Series will describe in general the
type of Collateral that will secure the Series. The Collateral will be composed
primarily of Mortgage Collateral and may also include, to the extent indicated
below, Model Home Loans, Manufactured Home Loans, Consumer Finance Loans or
certain other assets evidencing interests in or related to loans secured by
residential property.
The Mortgage Collateral
General
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Mortgage Collateral securing a Series will consist of Mortgage Loans. Generally,
Mortgage Loans will be secured by first liens on single family (one-family or
two- to four-family) attached or detached residential property. If specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement, the Collateral securing a Series of Bonds may
include Mortgage Collateral consisting of Second Lien Mortgage Loans, REO
Properties and Mortgage Loans that are past due or non-performing. Because
Mortgage Loans secured by second liens are subordinate to the rights of the
senior lienholders, the position of the Trust Estate, and in turn the
Bondholders, could be more adversely affected by a reduction in value of the
Mortgaged Premises than would the position of a senior lienholder. In addition,
in the event of a default by the related Borrower, liquidation or other proceeds
may be insufficient to satisfy the Second Lien Mortgage Loan after satisfaction
of the senior lien and the payment of any liquidation expenses. In addition,
including REO Properties or non-performing Mortgage Loans in the Trust Estate
for a Series of Bonds may increase the rate of defaults and prepayments on the
Collateral and, in turn, adversely affect the yield on the Bonds of the related
Series. Regular monthly installments of principal of and interest on each
Mortgage Loan ("Monthly Payments") paid by the Borrower will be collected by the
Servicer or Master Servicer and ultimately remitted to the Trustee.
Except as provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, each Mortgage
Loan securing a Series will have been originated by a savings and loan
association, savings bank, commercial bank, credit union, insurance company or
similar institution that is supervised and examined by a federal or state
authority or by a mortgagee approved by HUD (each, an "Originator"). The
Mortgaged Premises securing Mortgage Loans may consist of (i) detached homes,
(ii) attached homes (units having a common wall), (iii) units located in
condominiums, (iv) manufactured homes and (v) other types of homes or units set
forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. The Mortgage Loans securing a Series
of Bonds may be secured by Mortgaged Premises that (i) are owner-occupied, (ii)
are owned by investors or (iii) serve as second residences or vacation homes.
The Mortgage Loans securing a Series may provide for the payment of
interest and full repayment of principal in level Monthly Payments with a fixed
rate of interest computed on the declining principal balance of the Mortgage
Loan ("Level Payment Mortgage Loans"); may provide for periodic adjustments to
the rate of interest on such Mortgage Loans ("Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans")
to equal the sum (which may be rounded) of a Gross Margin and an Index, all as
described in the related Prospectus Supplement; may include Mortgage Loans on
which only interest is payable until maturity as well as Mortgage Loans that
provide for the amortization of principal over a certain period, although all
remaining principal is due at the end of a shorter period ("Balloon Payment
Mortgage Loans"); may include Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans that provide for
negative amortization or accelerated amortization resulting from delays in or
limitations on the payment adjustments necessary to amortize fully the
outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loan at its then applicable Note
Rate over its remaining term; and may include such other types of mortgage loans
as are described in the related Prospectus Supplement. Balloon Payment Mortgage
Loans also may be Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans.
As further described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Balloon
Payment Mortgage Loans include Mortgage Loans that provide for amortization of
the principal amount over a certain period (for example, 30 years), although all
remaining principal is due at the end of a shorter period (for example, 15
years). The final balloon payment on a Balloon Payment Mortgage Loan will be
treated as a prepayment of that Mortgage Loan. The ability of a Borrower to make
the final "balloon" payment may be dependent upon the Borrower's ability to
refinance the Balloon Payment Mortgage Loan or sell the related Mortgaged
Premises for an amount equal to or greater than the Unpaid Principal Balance of
the Mortgage Loan. Under certain circumstances (for example, in a rising
interest rate environment), a Borrower may be unable to secure refinancing for
such loan or to sell the related Mortgaged Premises. Accordingly, Balloon
Payment Mortgage Loans may be subject to a higher risk of Delinquency,
Foreclosure and Loss than certain other types of mortgage loans.
In addition, Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans may be underwritten on the
basis of an assessment that the Borrower will have the ability to make payments
in higher amounts in later years and, in the case of certain Adjustable Rate
Mortgage Loans, after relatively short periods of time. Accordingly, defaults on
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans leading to Foreclosure and the ultimate
Liquidation of the related Mortgaged Premises may occur with greater frequency
in the early years of such Loans, although little data is available with respect
to the rate of default on such loans. Increases in the required monthly payments
on such loans may result in a default rate that is higher than that for fixed
rate Mortgage Loans.
As specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Security
Instrument securing a Mortgage Loan may contain a "due-on-sale" clause
permitting acceleration of the maturity of the related Mortgage Loan if the
Borrower transfers its interest in the Mortgaged Premises. Unless otherwise
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Servicing Agreement will
require the Servicers to enforce "due-on-sale" clauses. See "Certain Legal
Aspects of the Collateral -- Mortgage Loans and Model Home Loans -- Due-on-Sale
Provisions" herein.
The Prospectus Supplement applicable to a Series of Bonds will include
among other things information, as of the applicable Cut-off Date, as to (i) the
aggregate principal balance of the Mortgage Loans, (ii) the range of remaining
terms to stated maturity or weighted average remaining term to stated maturity
of the Mortgage Loans, (iii) the current Scheduled Principal Balance of the
largest Mortgage Loan and the average outstanding Scheduled Principal Balance of
the Mortgage Loans, (iv) the weighted average Note Rate or range of Note Rates
borne by the Mortgage Loans, (v) the range of original loan-to-value ratios or
the weighted average loan-to-value ratio of the Mortgage Loans and (vi) the
geographic distribution of the Mortgaged Premises.
Second Liens
Certain of the Mortgage Loans securing a Series of Bonds may be Second
Lien Mortgage Loans, and the related first lien mortgage loans ("First Liens")
may not be included in the Collateral. The primary risk to holders of Second
Lien Mortgage Loans is the possibility that adequate funds will not be received
in connection with a Foreclosure of the related First Lien to satisfy fully both
the First Lien and the Second Lien Mortgage Loan. In the event that a holder of
the First Lien forecloses on a Mortgaged Premises, the proceeds of the
Foreclosure or similar sale will be applied first to the payment of court costs
and fees in connection with the Foreclosure, second to real estate taxes, third
in satisfaction of all principal, interest and prepayment or acceleration
penalties, if any, and fourth any other sums due and owing to the holder of the
First Lien. The claims of the holder of the First Lien will be satisfied in full
out of proceeds of the Liquidation of the Mortgage Loan, if such proceeds are
sufficient, before the Trust Estate as holder of the second lien receives any
payments in respect of the Mortgage Loan. If the Servicer were to foreclose on
any Second Lien Mortgage Loan, it would do so subject to any related First Lien.
In order for the debt related to the Mortgage Loan to be paid in full at such
sale, a bidder at the Foreclosure sale of such Mortgage Loan would have to bid
an amount sufficient to pay off all sums due under the Mortgage Loan and the
First Lien or purchase the Mortgaged Premises subject to the First Lien. In the
event that such proceeds from a Foreclosure or similar sale of the related
Mortgaged Premises are insufficient to satisfy both Mortgage Loans in the
aggregate, the Trust Estate, as the holder of the second lien, and, accordingly,
Holders of the Bonds bear (i) the risk of delay in distributions while a
deficiency judgment against the Borrower is obtained and (ii) the risk of Loss
if the deficiency judgment is not realized upon. Moreover, deficiency judgments
may not be available in certain jurisdictions. In addition, a mortgagee may not
foreclose on the property securing a Second Lien Mortgage Loan unless it
forecloses subject to the First Lien.
Even assuming that the Mortgaged Premises provide adequate security for
the Second Lien Mortgage Loans, substantial delays could be encountered in
connection with the Liquidation of defaulted Mortgage Loans, with corresponding
delays in the receipt of related proceeds by Bondholders. An action to foreclose
on a Mortgaged Premises securing a Mortgage Loan is regulated by state statutes
and rules, is subject to many of the delays and expenses of other lawsuits if
defenses or counterclaims are interposed and may require several years to
complete. Furthermore, in some states an action to obtain a deficiency judgment
is not permitted following a nonjudicial sale of a Mortgaged Premises. In the
event of a default by a Borrower, these restrictions, among other things, may
impede the ability of the Servicer to foreclose on or sell the Mortgaged
Premises or to obtain Liquidation Proceeds sufficient to repay all amounts due
on the related Mortgage Loan. In addition, the Servicer generally will be
entitled to deduct from related Liquidation Proceeds all expenses reasonably
incurred in attempting to recover amounts due on defaulted Mortgage Loans and
not yet repaid, including payments to senior lienholders, legal fees and costs
of legal action, real estate taxes and maintenance and preservation expenses.
Liquidation expenses with respect to defaulted Second Lien Mortgage
Loans will not vary directly with the Unpaid Principal Balances of the Loans at
the time of default. Therefore, assuming that a Servicer took the same steps in
realizing upon a defaulted Second Lien Mortgage Loan having a small remaining
Unpaid Principal Balance as it would in the case of a defaulted mortgage loan
having a large remaining principal balance, the amount realized after expenses
of Liquidation would be smaller as a percentage of the Unpaid Principal Balance
of the defaulted Second Lien Mortgage Loan than it would be the case with the
defaulted mortgage loan having a large Unpaid Principal Balance. Because the
average outstanding principal balance of the Second Lien Mortgage Loans
generally is smaller relative to the size of the average outstanding principal
balance of the loans in a typical pool of conventional, first priority mortgage
loans, Liquidation Proceeds may also be smaller as a percentage of the Unpaid
Principal Balance of a Second Lien Mortgage Loan than would be the case for a
typical conventional, first lien mortgage loan.
Repurchase of Converted Mortgage Loans
If so specified in the Prospectus Supplement for a Series, the related
Series may be secured by Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans the Note Rates of which
are convertible from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate at the option of the
Borrower upon the fulfillment of certain conditions. Except as otherwise
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Participant may at its
option repurchase any such Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan as to which the
conversion option has been exercised at a purchase price equal to the Unpaid
Principal Balance of the Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, plus 30 days of interest
thereon at the applicable Note Rate. The purchase price will be treated as a
prepayment of the Mortgage Loan. Until a Converted Mortgage Loan is purchased or
sold as described above, it will remain in the Trust Estate with a fixed Note
Rate.
Other Mortgage Collateral
A Series of Bonds may also be secured by other Mortgage Collateral
consisting of conventional mortgage pass-through certificates or collateralized
mortgage obligations as more fully described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Such other Mortgage Collateral must be in form and substance
satisfactory to each Rating Agency rating that Series of Bonds.
The Model Home Loans
Each Model Home Loan securing a Series of Bonds will be secured by a
first lien on a single family (oneto four- family) attached or detached
residential property that is used as a model home. The Borrower, which may be an
Affiliate of the Participant, will use the proceeds of the Model Home Loan to
purchase the related Mortgaged Premises from a homebuilder and will then lease
the property back to the homebuilder, who will use it as a model home. The
homebuilder will agree pursuant to the lease agreement to pay all taxes,
insurance premiums, utility costs and maintenance costs, and to make lease
payments to the Borrower, during the term of the lease.
The Borrower is required to make interest payments during the life of a
Model Home Loan either at a fixed annual rate, an adjustable annual rate based
on a short-term Index or a combination of the two. Adjustable interest rates may
not be subject to a cap. The lease payments will be designed to enable the
Borrower to make Monthly Payments on the Model Home Loan during the period of
the lease. Typical lease terms for the leases will be shorter than the maturity
of the related Model Home Loans, which will usually have a shorter maturity than
conventional, first lien mortgage loans. Generally, the lessee will be permitted
to extend the lease on a month-to-month basis and may terminate at any time upon
notice to the Borrower and sale of the related Mortgaged Premises on the
Borrower's behalf.
If the Loan Rate applicable to the Model Home Loan and the lease
payments required by the lease agreement between the Borrower and the
homebuilder are adjustable and not subject to a cap, the rate of Delinquencies
on the lease agreement, and thus the default rate on the Model Home Loans, may
increase, particularly if the Loan Rates and required lease payments increase.
The Borrower may have no assets other than the Mortgaged Premises and
the lease payments received from lessees of the Mortgaged Premises. In that
event, its ability to make Monthly Payments on a Model Home Loan after the term
of the related lease expires, or in the event that the homebuilder defaults on
its lease, will depend on the ability of the Borrower to sell the related
Mortgaged Premises for an amount equal to or greater than the Unpaid Principal
Balance of the Model Home Loan.
The Prospectus Supplement applicable to a series of Bonds secured by
Model Home Loans will include for such Loans the information described herein
under "Security for the Bonds -- The Mortgage Collateral -- General."
The Manufactured Home Loans
General
Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement for a Series,
the Issuer will acquire the underlying Manufactured Home Loans from a
Participant that will have originated the Manufactured Home Loans or purchased
them from other originators. Specific information respecting the Manufactured
Home Loans included as security for a particular Series of Bonds will be
provided in the related Prospectus Supplement and, to the extent such
information is not fully provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, in a
Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within fifteen days after the initial issuance of such Bonds. A copy
of the Indenture with respect to each Series of Bonds will be attached to the
related Current Report on Form 8-K and will be available for inspection at the
corporate trust office of the Trustee (the location of which will be specified
in the related Prospectus Supplement).
For each Series of Bonds, the Issuer will cause the Manufactured Home
Loans included as security for the related Series to be assigned to the Trustee
named in the related Prospectus Supplement (the "Trustee").
The Manufactured Home Loans securing a Series of Bonds will consist of
conventional manufactured housing installment sales contracts. Each Manufactured
Home Loan will be secured by a Manufactured Home, and some Manufactured Home
Loans may also be secured by a lien on a parcel of real estate ("Real
Property"). Each Manufactured Home Loan will be fully amortizing and, unless
otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement for a Series, will bear
interest at a fixed or adjustable Loan Rate. Unless otherwise provided in the
related Prospectus Supplement, the Manufactured Home Loans will have terms of
from 7 to 30 years. Each Manufactured Home Loan will be assumable, subject to
underwriting in accordance with standards customary in the industry.
The Issuer will represent that the Manufactured Homes securing the
Manufactured Home Loans consist of manufactured homes within the meaning of
Title 42 of the United States Code, Section 5402(6), which defines a
"manufactured home" as "a structure, transportable in one or more sections,
which in the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width or forty body
feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is three hundred twenty or
more square feet, and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be
used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the
required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and
electrical systems contained therein; except that such term shall include any
structure which meets all the requirements of [this] paragraph except the size
requirements and with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily files a
certification required by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and
complies with the standards established under [Chapter 70 under Title 42 of the
United States Code]."
With respect to the Manufactured Home Loans expected to secure a Series
of Bonds, the related Prospectus Supplement will specify, to the extent known
(i) the aggregate principal balance of the Manufactured Home Loans, (ii) the
range of remaining terms to maturity or weighted average remaining term to
maturity of the Manufactured Home Loans, (iii) the current Scheduled Principal
Balance of the largest Manufactured Home Loan and the average Unpaid Principal
Balance of the Manufactured Home Loans, (iv) the weighted average Loan Rate or
the range of Loan Rates borne by the Manufactured Home Loans and (v) the
geographic distribution of the Manufactured Homes.
Types of Manufactured Home Loans
Manufactured Home Loans may be subject to various types of payment
provisions. In addition to other types of Manufactured Home Loans described in
the related Prospectus Supplement, the Manufactured Home Loans securing a Series
may consist of (1) "Level Payment Loans," which may provide for the payment of
interest and full repayment of principal in level Monthly Payments with a fixed
rate of interest computed on their declining principal balances; (2) "Life Floor
Adjustable Rate Loans," which may provide for fixed Loan Rates for a period of
years, followed by periodic adjustments that cause their Loan Rates to equal the
sum of a Gross Margin and an Index, subject to Periodic Rate Caps, a Maximum
Rate and a lifetime floor equal to the initial fixed Loan Rate; and (3)
"Convertible Loans," which are Life Floor Adjustable Rate Loans subject to
provisions pursuant to which, subject to certain limitations, the related
Borrowers may exercise an option to convert the adjustable Loan Rate to a fixed
Loan Rate.
Repurchase of Converted Manufactured Home Loans
If so specified in the Prospectus Supplement for a Series, the related
Series may be secured by Manufactured Home Loans the Loan Rates of which are
convertible from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate at the option of the
Borrower upon the fulfillment of certain conditions. Except as otherwise
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Participant may at its
option repurchase any adjustable rate Manufactured Home Loan as to which the
conversion option has been exercised at a purchase price equal to the Unpaid
Principal Balance of the Loan, plus 30 days of interest thereon at the
applicable Loan Rate. The purchase price will be treated as a prepayment of the
Manufactured Home Loan. Until a Converted Manufactured Home Loan is purchased as
described above, it will remain in the Trust Estate with a fixed Loan Rate.
The Consumer Finance Loans
The Issuer will acquire the underlying Consumer Finance Loans from the
Participant, which will have originated the Consumer Finance Loans or acquired
them from other originators. Specific information respecting the Consumer
Finance Loans included as security for a particular Series of Bonds will be
provided in the related Prospectus Supplement and, to the extent such
information is not fully provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, in a
Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within fifteen days after the initial issuance of such Bonds. A copy
of the Indenture with respect to each Series of Bonds will be attached to the
related Current Report on Form 8-K and will be available for inspection at the
corporate trust office of the Trustee (the location of which will be specified
in the related Prospectus Supplement).
For each Series of Bonds to be secured by Consumer Finance Loans, the
Issuer will cause the Loans to be assigned to the Trustee.
The Consumer Finance Loans securing a Series of Bonds will consist of
conventional, installment sales contracts. Each Consumer Finance Loan will be
secured by the related Facilities, will be fully amortizing and will bear
interest at a fixed or adjustable Loan Rate. Unless otherwise provided in the
related Prospectus Supplement, the Consumer Finance Loans will have terms based
on the useful lives of the related Facilities, which will typically be 5 to 15
years, and will generally range in original principal amount from $2,500 to
$25,000. The originator of a Consumer Finance Loan will perfect the security
interest in the related Facilities by making a "fixture filing," unless such a
filing is inadvisable under applicable state law, and will file a financing
statement treating the Facilities as personal property, under the provisions of
the UCC of the state where the related single family residential property is
located. Each Consumer Finance Loan will be assumable, subject to underwriting
in accordance with underwriting standards that are customary in the industry.
With respect to the Consumer Finance Loans expected to secure a Series
of Bonds, the related Prospectus Supplement will specify, to the extent known,
(i) the aggregate principal balance of the Consumer Finance Loans, (ii) the
range of remaining terms to maturity or weighted average remaining term to
maturity of the Consumer Finance Loans, (iii) the current Scheduled Principal
Balance of the largest Consumer Finance Loan and the average Unpaid Principal
Balance of the Consumer Finance Loans, (iv) the weighted average Loan Rate or
the range of Loan Rates borne by the Consumer Finance Loans and (v) the
geographic distribution of the related Facilities.
Substitution of Collateral
Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement for a Series and
subject to the limitations set forth below, the Issuer at any time may deliver
to the Trustee other items of Collateral in substitution for any one or more
items of Collateral pledged as security for the Series. The Issuer will have the
option to pledge to the Trustee, in substitution for a defaulted item of
Collateral, a new item of Collateral ("Substitute Collateral"), to the extent
that the Master Servicer has determined, in its reasonable business judgment,
that the present value of any potential Loss on the defaulted item of Collateral
will be reduced through the substitution of Substitute Collateral for the
defaulted item of Collateral, and provided that the Substitute Collateral (i) is
secured by the collateral that secures the defaulted item of Collateral, (ii)
has either (A) an initial principal balance equal to or less than the Scheduled
Principal Balance of the defaulted item of Collateral for which it is
substituted or (B) a loan-to-value ratio, in the case of a Mortgage Loan, of not
more than 100%, based upon a current appraisal of the Mortgaged Premises, and
(iii) has a maturity date that is not later than the Stated Maturity Date of the
related Series of Bonds. The amount, if any, by which the Collateral Value of
the defaulted item of Collateral exceeds the Collateral Value of the Substitute
Collateral would constitute a Loss on the item of Collateral. Upon the pledge of
Substitute Collateral, the Trustee will release the defaulted item of Collateral
from the lien of the Indenture.
In addition, unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement,
the Issuer may pledge to the Trustee items of Collateral in substitution for
items of Collateral initially pledged (each, an "Original Loan") as security for
a Series of Bonds in the event of a breach of a representation or warranty by
the seller of the Original Loan or in the case of defective or incomplete
documentation with respect to the Original Loan. Any substitute items of
Collateral will have an interest rate within one percentage point in excess of
the Loan Rate of the Original Loan for which it is substituted, a principal
balance or value at least equal to the principal balance or value of the
Original Loan for which it is substituted and a maturity within 180 days of the
maturity of the Original Loan for which it is substituted. As more particularly
set forth in the Indenture, a substitute Loan must have characteristics
substantially similar to those of the Original Loan for which it is substituted.
Pledge of Additional Collateral and Issuance of Additional Bonds
To the extent specified in the Prospectus Supplement for a Series, the
Issuer may pledge additional mortgage loans, mortgage certificates, model home
loans or manufactured home or facility installment sales contracts ("Additional
Collateral") to the Trustee and issue additional Bonds ("Additional Bonds") of
that Series within one year of the date of initial issuance of the Bonds of such
Series. Such Additional Bonds may represent additional Bonds of one or more
outstanding Classes of Bonds or may represent one or more new Classes of Bonds
of such Series. Any such Additional Bonds will be issued pursuant to a
Prospectus Supplement, which will describe the characteristics of the Additional
Collateral and the material terms of the Additional Bonds. Any pledge of
Additional Collateral and issuance of Additional Bonds will be subject to
satisfaction of the following conditions: (a) each Rating Agency rating any
outstanding Class of Bonds of the related Series will confirm that the pledge of
Additional Collateral and other additional Collateral, if any, and the
corresponding issuance of Additional Bonds will not result in the downgrading of
the credit rating of any outstanding Class of Bonds of such Series, (b) the
pledge of Additional Collateral will not affect the Class Interest Rate, Stated
Maturity Date or Payment Dates of any outstanding Bonds of such Series, (c) the
weighted average life of each outstanding Class of Bonds calculated at the
prepayment rate assumed for the pricing of the initial issuance of such Class of
Bonds will not vary by more than plus or minus 0.05 years from the weighted
average life disclosed in the Prospectus Supplement for the initial issuance of
the Bonds of such Series, and (d) the characteristics of the Additional
Collateral and the Collateral as augmented by the Additional Collateral will
conform to the parameters for Additional Collateral disclosed in the Prospectus
Supplement for the initial issuance of Bonds of such Series. However, there can
be no assurance that any pledge of Additional Collateral and issuance of
Additional Bonds would not affect the timing or amount of payments received by
Holders of the outstanding Bonds of that Series. Provided that the conditions
described in the Prospectus Supplement for the outstanding Bonds are satisfied,
the pledge of Additional Collateral and the issuance of Additional Bonds will
not be subject to the prior consent of the Holders of the outstanding Bonds of
such Series.
Master Servicer Custodial Account
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement for a Series,
each Servicing Agreement will require an amount representing the Servicer
Remittance to be remitted by each Servicer on the Remittance Date to the Master
Servicer Custodial Account established by the Master Servicer at a depository
institution whose senior debt obligations are then rated in the security rating
category required to support the then applicable rating assigned to that Series.
See "Servicing of the Collateral -- Payments on Collateral" herein.
Collateral Proceeds Account
The Collateral Proceeds Account will be an account established by the
Trustee for the benefit of Bondholders. The Collateral Proceeds Account will be
an account or accounts that are either (i) maintained with a depository
institution whose senior debt obligations are then rated in the security rating
category required to support the then applicable rating assigned to that Series,
or (ii) trust accounts.
On or before each Master Servicer Remittance Date, the Master Servicer
will transfer from the Master Servicer Custodial Account to the Collateral
Proceeds Account the proceeds of the Collateral that are distributable to the
Bondholders. The proceeds of the Collateral deposited into the Collateral
Proceeds Account generally will consist of the sum of (i) the aggregate Servicer
Remittance relating to the Collateral securing a Series, less the master
servicing fee, and (ii) any Advances to be made by the Master Servicer or
Special Servicer, if any. On each Payment Date, the Trustee will withdraw from
the Collateral Proceeds Account and pay to the Bondholders, to the extent of the
available funds on deposit therein, all amounts required to be paid on the Bonds
of such Series on that date. The interposition of the Master Servicer between
the Servicers and the Trustee provides for the accumulation of collections from
the various Servicers outside of a trust account, thereby avoiding the
likelihood that multiple Servicers will make demands on the Trustee for the
payment of servicing fees or the reimbursement of Advances from amounts on
deposit in the Collateral Proceeds Account. The master servicing fee is payable
to the Master Servicer in part due to its performance as an intermediary between
the various Servicers and the Trustee.
Funds in the Collateral Proceeds Account may be invested and, if
invested, shall be invested in the name of the Trustee (in its capacity as such)
in Eligible Investments that mature not later than the Business Day preceding
each Payment Date (except that, if such Eligible Investment is an obligation of
the Trustee, then such Eligible Investment may mature not later than such
Payment Date) and will not be sold or disposed of prior to its maturity. All
income realized from any such investments will accrue to the benefit of the
Master Servicer as additional compensation and may be withdrawn by the Master
Servicer from time to time. However, no withdrawals from the Collateral Proceeds
Account will be permitted if such withdrawals would cause a deficiency in
amounts payable to Bondholders.
Reserve Fund or Accounts
If stated in the Prospectus Supplement for a Series, the Issuer will
deposit cash, certificates of deposit or letters of credit in one or more
Reserve Funds or accounts, which may be used by the Trustee to make any required
payments of principal or interest on the Bonds of the Series to the extent that
funds are not otherwise available. The Series Supplement may limit the pledge of
any Reserve Fund to certain Classes of Bonds. The Issuer may have certain rights
on any Payment Date to cause the Trustee to make withdrawals from the Reserve
Fund for a Series and to pay such amounts in accordance with the instructions of
the Issuer as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement to the extent that
such funds are no longer required to be maintained for the Bondholders.
Other Funds or Accounts
The Bonds of a Series may also be secured by certain other funds and
accounts for the purpose of, among other things, (i) making required payments of
principal or interest on the Bonds of the Series to the extent funds are not
otherwise available, (ii) paying certain administrative, insurance and similar
costs and (iii) accumulating funds that are credited to the Issuer's account
pending their distribution to the Issuer. To the extent such funds and accounts
are material, they will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
Investment of Funds
Funds deposited in or remitted to the Collateral Proceeds Account, any
Reserve Fund and any other funds and accounts held under the Indenture for a
Series will be invested by the Trustee, and amounts in the Master Servicer
Custodial Account will be invested by the Master Servicer, in certain eligible
investments ("Eligible Investments") as specified in the Indenture or Indenture
Supplement for the related Series.
Insurance on the Collateral
Each Mortgage Loan securing a Series of Bonds generally will be covered
by Title Insurance, a Standard Hazard Insurance Policy and, if so specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement, a Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy
(collectively, the "Mortgage Insurance Policies"). Each Model Home Loan securing
a Series generally will be covered by Title Insurance and a Standard Hazard
Insurance Policy. Each Manufactured Home Loan securing a Series of Bonds
generally will be covered by a Standard Hazard Insurance Policy. In addition,
the related Prospectus may specify that the Mortgage Loans, Model Home Loans or
Manufactured Home Loans securing a Series of Bonds will be covered by a Special
Hazard Insurance Policy. To the extent provided in the related Prospectus
Supplement, in lieu of certain Insurance Policies, Additional Collateral (or
instruments secured by Additional Collateral) may be pledged to the Trustee to
secure the timely payment of principal of and interest on the Collateral and/or
the Bonds.
The Issuer may obtain a Pool Insurance Policy to cover Losses (subject
to the limitations described below) incurred by reason of default by the
Borrowers on the Mortgage Loans or the Manufactured Home Loans securing a Series
that are not covered by any Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy or exceed the
coverage provided by any applicable Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy. The terms
of the Master Servicing Agreement with respect to a Series will require the
Master Servicer to maintain the Pool Insurance Policies, if any, for the Series
and to present or cause the Servicers to present claims thereunder to the
related insurer on behalf of the Issuer, the Trustee and the holders of Bonds of
such Series.
The amount of the Pool Insurance Policy (or Policies) for a Series, if
any, will be specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. A Pool Insurance
Policy for a Series, however, will not be a blanket policy against loss, because
claims thereunder may only be made for particular defaulted Loans and only upon
satisfaction of certain conditions precedent as described below.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Pool Insurance Policy for a Series will provide that as a condition precedent to
the payment of any claim the insured will be required (a) to advance hazard
insurance premiums on the Mortgaged Premises securing the defaulted Mortgage
Loan or the Manufactured Home securing the defaulted Manufactured Home Loan; (b)
to advance, as necessary and approved in advance by the related insurer, (1)
real estate property taxes, (2) all expenses required to preserve and repair the
Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Home, or to protect the Mortgaged Premises or
Manufactured Home from waste, so that the Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured
Home is in at least as good a condition as existed on the date upon which
coverage under the Pool Insurance Policy with respect to such Mortgaged Premises
or Manufactured Home first became effective, ordinary wear and tear excepted,
(3) property sales expenses, (4) any outstanding liens on the Mortgaged Premises
or Manufactured Home, and (5) foreclosure costs including court costs and
reasonable attorneys' fees; and (c) if there has been physical loss or damage to
the Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Home, to restore the Mortgaged Premises
or Manufactured Home to its condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) as of
the issue date of the Pool Insurance Policy. It also will be a condition
precedent to the payment of any claim relating to a Mortgage Loan under the Pool
Insurance Policy that the insured maintain a Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy
that is acceptable to the Pool Insurer on all Mortgage Loans covered by the Pool
Insurance Policy that have loan-to-value ratios at the time of origination in
excess of 80%. Assuming satisfaction of these conditions, the Pool Insurer will
pay to the insured the amount of the loss, which will generally be: (a) the
amount of the unpaid principal balance of the Mortgage Loan or Manufactured Home
Loan immediately prior to the Approved Sale of the related Mortgaged Premises or
Manufactured Home; (b) the amount of the accumulated unpaid interest on such
Mortgage Loan or Manufactured Home Loan to the date of claim settlement at the
contractual rate of interest; and (c) reimbursable amounts advanced by the
insured as described above, less certain payments (including the proceeds of any
prior Approved Sale and any Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies). The Pool
Insurance Policy may not reimburse the insured for attorneys' fees on a
foreclosed Mortgage Loan in excess of 3% of the unpaid balance of principal and
interest of that Mortgage Loan. As a result, legal expenses in excess of such
reimbursement limitation may be charged as a loss on the related Bonds. An
Approved Sale is (1) a sale of the Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Home
acquired by the insured because of a default by the Borrower to which sale the
Pool Insurer has given prior approval, (2) a pre-foreclosure, Foreclosure or
trustee's sale of the Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Home at a price
exceeding the minimum amount specified by the Pool Insurer, (3) the acquisition
of the Mortgaged Premises under the Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy by the
related Mortgage Insurer, or (4) the acquisition of the Mortgaged Premises or
Manufactured Home by the Pool Insurer. If the Pool Insurer elects to take title
to the Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Home, the insured must, as a condition
precedent to the payment of any such Loss, provide the Pool Insurer with good
and merchantable title to the related Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Home.
If any property securing a defaulted Mortgage Loan or Manufactured Home is
damaged and the proceeds, if any, from the related Standard Hazard Insurance
Policy or the applicable Special Hazard Insurance Policy are insufficient to
restore the damaged property to a condition sufficient to permit recovery under
the Pool Insurance Policy, the Servicer or the Master Servicer of the related
Mortgage Loan or Manufactured Home Loan will not be required to expend its own
funds to restore the damaged Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Home unless it
determines and the Master Servicer agrees (A) that such restoration will
increase the proceeds to the Trust Estate on Liquidation of the Mortgage Loan or
Manufactured Home Loan after reimbursement of the Servicer or the Master
Servicer for its expenses and (B) that such expenses will be recoverable by it
through Liquidation Proceeds or Insurance Proceeds.
The Pool Insurance Policies will generally not insure (and many Primary
Mortgage Insurance Policies may 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 or Manufactured Home Loan, including
misrepresentation by the Borrower or the Originator, (ii) failure to construct
Mortgaged Premises or a Manufactured Home in accordance with plans and
specifications, and (iii) a claim in respect of a defaulted Mortgage Loan
occurring when the Servicer of the Mortgage Loan, at the time of default or
thereafter, was not approved by the Mortgage Insurer. A failure of coverage
attributable to one of the foregoing events might result in a breach of the
Participant's representations and warranties described under "Origination of the
Collateral -Representations and Warranties" herein and, in such event, subject
to the limitations described therein, might give rise to an obligation on the
part of the Participant to purchase the defaulted Mortgage Loan or Manufactured
Home Loan if the breach cannot be cured. See "Origination of the Collateral --
Representations and Warranties" herein. In addition, if a terminated Servicer
has failed to comply with its obligation under the Servicing Agreement to
purchase a Mortgage Loan or Manufactured Home Loan upon which coverage under a
Pool Insurance Policy has been denied on the grounds of fraud, dishonesty or
misrepresentation (or if the Servicer has no such obligation), the Participant
may be obligated to purchase the Mortgage Loan or Manufactured Home Loan. See
"Servicing of the Collateral -- Maintenance of Insurance Policies; Claims
Thereunder and Other Realization Upon Defaulted Collateral" herein.
The original amount of coverage under any Pool Insurance Policy
securing a Series will be reduced over the life of the Bonds of such Series by
the aggregate dollar amount of claims paid less the aggregate of the net amount
realized by the Pool Insurer upon disposition of all foreclosed Mortgaged
Premises or Manufactured Homes covered thereby. The amount of claims paid
includes certain expenses incurred by the Servicer or the Master Servicer of the
defaulted Mortgage Loan or Manufactured Home Loan, as well as accrued interest
on delinquent Mortgage Loans or Manufactured Home Loans to the date of payment
of the claim. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Collateral -- Mortgage Loans and
Model Home Loans -- Foreclosure" herein. The net amounts realized by the Pool
Insurer will depend primarily on the market value of the Mortgaged Premises or
Manufactured Home securing the defaulted Mortgage Loan or Manufactured Home
Loan. The market value of the Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Home will be
determined by a variety of economic, geographic, social, environmental and other
factors and may be affected by matters that were unknown and could not
reasonably be anticipated at the time the original Loan was made.
If aggregate net claims paid under a Pool Insurance Policy reach the
original policy limit, coverage under the Pool Insurance Policy will lapse and
any further Losses may affect adversely distributions to Holders of Bonds of
such Series. In addition, unless the Servicer or Master Servicer could determine
that an Advance in respect of a delinquent Mortgage Loan or Manufactured Home
Loan would be recoverable by it from the proceeds of the Liquidation of such
Mortgage Loan or Manufactured Home Loan or otherwise, neither the Servicer nor
the Master Servicer would be obligated to make an Advance respecting any such
Delinquency since the Advance would not be ultimately recoverable by it from
either the Pool Insurance Policy or any other related source. See "Servicing of
the Collateral -- Advances." The original amount of coverage under the Pool
Insurance Policy securing a Series may also be reduced or canceled to the extent
each Rating Agency rating the Series confirms that such reduction will not
result in the lowering of the rating of the Bonds of such Series.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Pool
Insurance Policy may insure against Losses on the Mortgage Loans or Manufactured
Homes securing other Series of Securities or that secure other mortgage-backed
securities or collateralized mortgage or manufactured housing contract
obligations issued by the Issuer or one of its Affiliates, provided, however,
that, at the time of the extension, such extension of coverage (and
corresponding assignment of the Pool Insurance Policy) to any other Series or
such other Bonds does not result in the lowering by any Rating Agency rating a
Series offered hereby of the rating of any Bonds of such Series.
Credit Enhancement
Credit enhancements acceptable to each Rating Agency may be used to
provide for coverage of certain risks of default or losses on the Collateral.
Any such credit enhancement will be described in detail in the related
Prospectus Supplement. Such credit enhancements may be limited to one or more
Classes of Bonds and may include, but will not necessarily be limited to, any of
the following:
(i) Subordination in right of payment of one or more Classes to
the right of other Classes to receive payments, subject to
such conditions and limitations as may be described in the
related Prospectus Supplement;
(ii) Pledge of additional collateral and any cash flow thereon by
any institution acceptable to each Rating Agency, which the
Trustee may sell or draw upon in the event amounts received as
payments on the Collateral are insufficient to make required
payments on one or more Classes of Bonds. Such pledge of
additional collateral may be limited in amount and subject to
conditions, as described in the related Prospectus Supplement;
(iii) Limited guarantees against losses arising from defaults on the
Collateral, or against failure to make payments of principal
of and interest on the Bonds. Such guarantees may be limited
to a specified maximum dollar amount or may be subject to
limitations having similar effect;
(iv) Letters of credit issued by banks acceptable to each Rating
Agency, under which the Trustee may draw funds in the event
amounts received as payments on the Collateral are
insufficient to make required payments on a Class or Classes
of Bonds. Such letters of credit may be limited in amount and
subject to conditions, as described in the related Prospectus
Supplement;
(v) Reserve Funds created by the deposit of assets at the time of
the issuance of the Bonds or by the accumulation of funds
generated by the Collateral, upon which the Trustee may draw
in the event amounts received as payments on the Collateral
are insufficient to make required payments on a Class or
Classes of Bonds or by a combination of the foregoing. The
amounts held in such Reserve Funds will be invested in
Eligible Investments;
(vi) Insurance policies issued by insurers acceptable to each
Rating Agency that provide for payment to the Trustee or the
Servicer upon the occurrence of certain casualty events at the
Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Homes. Such insurance
policies may be limited in amount and subject to conditions,
as described above; and
(vii) Combinations of the foregoing.
Except as otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, each Series
of Bonds will be secured by the Collateral for that Series and related property.
The related Prospectus Supplement may specify that payments received on such
Collateral be paid (i) so as to prioritize, with respect to right of payment,
certain Classes of Bonds within a Series or (ii) disproportionately among the
Classes of Bonds.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, in the
event of Delinquencies in payments of principal or interest on the Collateral,
the applicable Servicer and the Master Servicer (or the Special Servicer, if
any) will advance cash in the amounts described herein. Neither any Servicer,
the Master Servicer nor any Special Servicer will be obligated to make an
Advance that it (or, in the case of the Servicer, the Master Servicer)
reasonably believes to be a Non-Recoverable Advance. See "Servicing of the
Collateral -Advances" herein.
There can be no assurance that real estate values will remain at
present levels in the areas in which the Mortgaged Premises, Manufactured Homes,
Real Property or Facilities will be located. If the real estate market relating
to Loans in a particular pool should experience an overall decline in property
values, the actual rates of Delinquencies, Foreclosures and Losses could be
significantly higher than those now generally experienced in the housing lending
industry. To the extent that Losses are not covered by applicable credit
enhancements described in the related Prospectus Supplement, they will be borne
by Bondholders of the Series secured by such pool as specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
With respect to any Series that includes Adjustable Rate Loans, there
may be a higher likelihood of defaults and Losses on such Loans during periods
of higher prevailing interest rates. With respect to any Series that includes
one or more Subordinated Classes of Bonds, Losses generally will be borne first
by the Issuer, to the extent of any Surplus, and then, to the extent of the
subordination in right of payment of the Subordinated Classes, by the
Bondholders of the Subordinated Classes, as specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
Bond Insurance and Surety Bonds
If so provided in the Prospectus Supplement for a Series of Bonds,
deficiencies in amounts otherwise payable on the Bonds or certain Classes
thereof will be covered by Bond Insurance and/or surety bonds provided by one or
more insurance companies or sureties. Such instruments may cover, with respect
to one or more Classes of Bonds, timely payments of interest and full payments
of principal on the basis of a schedule of principal payments set forth in or
determined in the manner specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. A copy
of any such instrument for a Series will be filed with the Commission as an
exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the Commission within
15 days of issuance of the Bonds of the related Series.
ORIGINATION OF THE COLLATERAL
Mortgage Loans and Manufactured Home Loans
Each Mortgage Loan securing a Series of Bonds will be originated by a
savings and loan association, savings bank, commercial bank, credit union, or
similar institution that is supervised and examined by a federal or state
authority, or by a mortgagee approved by HUD. Each Manufactured Home Loan will
be originated by the Participant or acquired by the Participant from the
originator. In originating a Mortgage Loan or a Manufactured Home Loan, the loan
originator (the "Originator") will follow either (a) its own credit approval
process, to the extent that such process conforms to underwriting standards
generally acceptable to FNMA or FHLMC, or (b) the Participant's various credit,
appraisal and underwriting standards and guidelines. The Prospectus Supplement
for a Series of Bonds will disclose the percentage of Mortgage Loans or
Manufactured Home Loans included in the Collateral that are originated using the
Participant's underwriting guidelines and those originated using the
Originator's stricter underwriting guidelines. As discussed further in the
related Prospectus Supplement, the Participant's underwriting guidelines for
Mortgage Loans are less stringent than those applied by FNMA or FHLMC, primarily
in that the Participant's guidelines generally permit the Borrower to have a
higher debt-to-income ratio and a larger number of derogatory credit items than
do the guidelines of FNMA or FHLMC. The Participant will also apply the same
underwriting standards for Manufactured Home Loans, with one exception: in
underwriting a Mortgage Loan, the Participant has an appraisal, described below,
performed on the Mortgaged Premises, while in evaluating a Manufactured Home
Loan, it performs an investment analysis based principally on the invoice cost,
in the case of a new manufactured home, and a national appraisal guide used to
determine retail values, in the case of a used manufactured home.
Both the FNMA and FHLMC underwriting standards and the Participant's
underwriting standards are applied in a manner intended to comply with
applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The purpose of applying these
standards is to evaluate each prospective Borrower's credit standing and
repayment ability and the value and adequacy of the related Mortgaged Premises
as collateral.
The mortgage loans and manufactured housing installment sales contracts
originated under the Participant's underwriting standards generally are based on
loan application packages submitted by mortgage brokerage companies,
manufactured home dealers or consumers for underwriting review, approval and
funding by the Participant or an Affiliate of the Participant. Originators who
apply their own, stricter underwriting standards review a similar loan
application package in their decision whether to approve and fund the loans or
contracts. In general, a prospective Borrower is required to complete a detailed
application designed to provide pertinent credit information. The prospective
Borrower generally is required to provide a statement of income as well as an
authorization for a credit report that summarizes the Borrower's credit history
with merchants and lenders as well as any suits, judgments or bankruptcies that
are of public record. The Borrower may also be required to authorize
verification of deposits at financial institutions where the Borrower has demand
or savings accounts.
In determining the adequacy of the collateral for a Mortgage Loan, an
appraisal is made of each Mortgaged Premises considered for financing by a
qualified independent appraiser approved by FNMA, FHLMC, the Participant or an
Affiliate of the Participant. The appraiser is required to inspect the property
and verify that it is in good repair and that construction, if new, has been
completed. The appraisal is based on the market value of comparable homes and,
if considered applicable by the appraiser, the estimated rental income of the
property and a replacement cost analysis based on the current cost of
constructing a similar home. All appraisals are required to conform to FNMA or
FHLMC appraisal standards then in effect.
In assessing a possible Manufactured Home Loan, the Participant
determines the amount that it is willing to lend based not on an appraisal but
on an investment analysis based on the invoice price of the Manufactured Home
plus accessories, freight, taxes, insurance and other costs. The use of an
investment analysis in the underwriting of manufactured housing installment
sales contracts is customary in the financing of manufacturing housing. If the
Manufactured Home Loan is also to be secured by Real Property, the Participant
may have the Real Property appraised in the same manner as Mortgaged Premises
are appraised.
Once all applicable employment, credit and property information is
received, a determination generally is made as to whether the prospective
Borrower has sufficient monthly income available (i) to meet the Borrower's
monthly obligations on the proposed mortgage loan or contract (generally
determined on the basis of the monthly payments due in the year of origination)
and other expenses related to the Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Home (such
as property tax and hazard insurance) and (ii) to meet monthly housing expenses
and other financial obligations and monthly living expenses. The underwriting
standards applied, particularly with respect to the level of income and debt
disclosure on the application and verification, may be varied in appropriate
cases where factors such as low loan-to-value ratios or other favorable
compensating factors exist.
A prospective Borrower applying for a loan pursuant to the full
documentation program is required to provide, in addition to the above, a
statement of income, expenses and liabilities (existing or prior). An employment
verification is obtained from an independent source (typically the prospective
Borrower's employer), which verification generally reports the length of
employment with that organization, the prospective Borrower's current salary and
whether it is expected that the prospective Borrower will continue such
employment in the future. If a prospective Borrower is self-employed, the
Borrower may be required to submit copies of signed tax returns. For other than
self-employed Borrowers, income verification may be accomplished by W-2 forms or
pay stubs that indicate year to date earnings.
Under the limited documentation program, emphasis is placed both on the
value and adequacy of the Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Home as collateral
and on credit underwriting, although certain credit underwriting documentation
concerning income and employment verification is waived. The maximum permitted
loan-to-value ratios for loans originated under such program are generally lower
than those permitted for similar loans originated pursuant to the full
documentation program.
Model Home Loans
Each Model Home Loan will be originated by a mortgagee approved by HUD.
In originating such Loans, the Originator will follow its own credit approval
process. That process utilizes standards for Loan diversification by home
builder and by geographic area in which the model home is located. The
Originator will review the operating practices and financial condition of each
home builder that applies for participation. The Originator will also have the
related model home appraised in conformance with FNMA or FHLMC appraisal
standards then in effect.
Consumer Finance Loans
Each Consumer Finance Loan securing a Series of Bonds will be
originated by the Participant or acquired by the Participant from the
Originator. The Originator will require that an authorized contractor install
the Facilities in the related single family residential property. The Originator
will require a completed loan application from each potential borrower and will
examine the application and base credit decisions primarily on Fair Isaac
("FICO") credit scores. A FICO score represents a numerical weighing of a
borrower's credit characteristics that permits lenders to determine the credit
risk that a borrower presents and the likelihood that a Loan will be repaid.
FICO scores are empirically derived from historical credit data. These
scores estimate, on a relative basis, which loans are most likely to default in
the future. A FICO score is generated through the statistical analysis of a
number of credit-related characteristics or variables. Common characteristics
include number of credit lines (trade lines), payment history, past
delinquencies, severity of delinquencies, current levels of indebtedness, types
of credit and length of credit history. Attributes are the specific values of
each characteristic. A scoreboard (the model) is created with weights or points
assigned to each attribute. Weights are developed by optimizing the combination
of weight values for each characteristic that were most predictive for a
specific data set. An individual applicant's credit score is derived by adding
together the attribute weights for that applicant.
Representations and Warranties
The Issuer generally will acquire Loans from the Participant. The
Participant may act as a Servicer of Loans securing a Series or an unrelated
entity may act as Servicer. The Participant will make certain representations
and warranties with respect to Loans in the agreement by which the Participant
transfers its interest in the Loans to the Issuer. Except as otherwise noted in
the Prospectus Supplement for a Series, the Participant will represent and
warrant, among other things, as follows: (i) that each Loan has been originated
in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations; (ii) that each
Insurance Policy is the valid and binding obligation of the Insurer; and (iii)
that, in the case of each Mortgaged Premises and Manufactured Home, each
Security Instrument constitutes a good and valid first or, if applicable, second
lien on the collateral securing the Loan; and (iv) that the Borrower holds good
and marketable title to the collateral securing the Loan. Except as otherwise
noted in the Prospectus Supplement for a Series, the Participant is required to
submit to the Trustee with each Mortgage Loan a mortgagee title insurance
policy, title insurance binder, preliminary title report, or satisfactory
evidence of title insurance. If a preliminary title report is delivered
initially, the Participant is required to deliver a final title insurance policy
or satisfactory evidence of the existence of such a policy.
In the event the Participant breaches a representation or warranty with
respect to a Loan or if any principal document executed by the Borrower relating
to a Loan is found to be defective in any material respect and the breaching
party cannot cure such breach of defect within the number of days specified in
the applicable agreement, the Trustee may require the breaching party to
purchase the Loan upon deposit with the Trustee of funds equal to the then
Unpaid Principal Balance of the Loan plus accrued interest thereon at the Loan
Rate through the end of the month in which the purchase occurs. In the event of
a breach by the Participant of a representation or warranty with respect to a
Loan or the delivery by the Participant to the Trustee of a materially defective
document with respect to a Loan, the Participant may under certain
circumstances, in lieu of repurchasing the Loan, substitute a Loan having
characteristics substantially similar to those of the defective Loan. See
"Security for the Bonds -- Substitution of Collateral" herein. The Participant's
obligation to purchase a Loan will not be guaranteed by the Issuer or any other
party, unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
SERVICING OF THE COLLATERAL
General
For the Collateral securing each Series, various Servicers, which may
include Dynex or an Affiliate, will provide certain customary servicing
functions pursuant to servicing agreements ("Servicing Agreements"), which will
be pledged to the Trustee to secure the related Bonds. The Servicers will be
entitled to withhold their servicing fees and certain other fees and charges
from payments on the Collateral they service. If so specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, a Special Servicer may be appointed. The related
Prospectus Supplement will describe the duties and obligations of the Special
Servicer, if any. A Special Servicer will be entitled to a special servicing
fee.
Each Servicer of one- to four-family Mortgage Loans and Model Home
Loans generally will be approved or will utilize a Sub-Servicer that is approved
by the Master Servicer. In determining whether to approve a Servicer, the Master
Servicer will review the credit of the Servicer and, if necessary for the
approval of the Servicer, the Sub-Servicer, including capitalization ratios,
liquidity, profitability and other similar items that indicate financial ability
to perform its obligations. In addition, the Master Servicer's mortgage
servicing personnel will review the Servicer's and any Sub-Servicer's servicing
records and evaluate the ability of the Servicer and Sub-Servicer to comply with
required servicing procedures. The Master Servicer will continue to monitor on a
regular basis the financial position and servicing performance of the Servicer
and, to the extent the Servicer does not meet the foregoing requirements, any
Sub-Servicer.
Each Servicer or Sub-Servicer (subject to the general supervision of
the Servicer) of Collateral other than Mortgage Loans and Model Home Loans must
be approved by the Master Servicer and will perform all services and duties
specified in the related Servicing Agreement consistently with the servicing
standards and practices of prudent lending institutions with respect to
installment sales contracts of the same types as the Manufactured Home Loans and
Consumer Finance Loans in those jurisdictions where the Manufactured Homes and
Facilities are located or as otherwise specified in the related Servicing
Agreement.
The duties to be performed by the Servicers with respect to Collateral
securing a Series will include calculation, collection and remittance of
principal and interest payments, administration of mortgage escrow accounts, as
applicable, collection of insurance claims, Foreclosure procedures and, if
necessary, the advance of funds to the extent certain payments are not made by
the Borrowers and are recoverable from late payments by the Borrower,
Liquidations Proceeds or Insurance Proceeds. Each Servicer also will provide
such accounting and reporting services as are necessary to enable the Master
Servicer to provide required information to the Issuer and the Trustee with
respect to the Collateral securing such Series. Each Servicer is entitled to (i)
a periodic servicing fee equal to a specified percentage of the outstanding
principal balance of each Loan serviced by the Servicer and (ii) certain other
fees, including but not limited to, late payments, conversion or modification
fees and assumption fees, as applicable. With the consent of the Master
Servicer, certain servicing obligations of a Servicer may be delegated to a
Sub-Servicer approved by the Master Servicer, provided, however, that the
Servicer remains fully responsible and liable for all its obligations under the
Servicing Agreement.
Unless otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Master Servicer will (i) administer and supervise the performance of the
Servicers of the Collateral for each Series of their duties and responsibilities
under the Servicing Agreements; (ii) maintain any insurance policies (other than
property specific Insurance Policies) providing coverage for Losses on the
Collateral for the Series; (iii) calculate amounts payable to Bondholders on
each Payment Date; (iv) prepare periodic reports to the Trustee or the
Bondholders with respect to the foregoing matters; (v) prepare federal and state
tax and information returns; and (vi) prepare reports, if any, required under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, the Master
Servicer will receive, review and evaluate all reports, information and other
data provided by each Servicer for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of
the Servicing Agreements, monitoring each Servicer's servicing activities,
reconciling the results of such monitoring with information provided by the
Servicer and making corrective adjustments to records of the Servicer and Master
Servicer, as appropriate.
The Master Servicer will be entitled to receive a portion of the
interest payments remitted on the Collateral securing the Series to cover its
fees as Master Servicer. The Master Servicer or the Trustee may terminate a
Servicer who has failed to comply with its covenants or breached a
representation contained in the Servicing Agreement. Upon termination of a
Servicer by the Master Servicer, the Master Servicer will assume certain
servicing obligations of the terminated Servicer or, at its option, appoint a
substitute Servicer acceptable to the Trustee to assume the servicing
obligations of the terminated Servicer.
Forms of Servicing Agreements have been filed as exhibits to, or
incorporated by reference in, the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus forms a part. The Issuer's rights under each Servicing Agreement with
respect to a Series will be assigned to the Trustee as security for such Series.
The descriptions contained herein do not purport to be complete and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to the form of Servicing Agreement.
Payments on Collateral
Pursuant to the Servicing Agreements with respect to a Series, each
Servicer will be required to establish and maintain one or more separate,
insured (to the available limits) custodial accounts (collectively, the
"Custodial P&I Account") into which the Servicer will be required to deposit on
a daily basis payments of principal and interest received with respect to the
Collateral. To the extent deposits in each Custodial P&I Account are required to
be insured by the FDIC, if at any time the sums in any Custodial P&I Account
exceed the limits of insurance on such account, the Servicer will be required
within one Business Day to withdraw such excess funds from such account and
remit such amounts (i) to a "Servicer Custodial Account," which shall be a
custodial account maintained at a separate institution designated by the Master
Servicer or (ii) to the Master Servicer for deposit in either the Collateral
Proceeds Account for such Series or the Master Servicer Custodial Account. The
amounts deposited pursuant to (i) and (ii) above will be invested in Eligible
Investments.
The Servicing Agreements will require each Servicer, not later than the
Remittance Date, to remit to the Master Servicer Custodial Account amounts
representing Monthly Payments on the Collateral securing a Series received or
advanced by the Servicer that were due during the related Due Period, principal
prepayments, Insurance Proceeds and Liquidation Proceeds received during the
applicable Prepayment Period (as specified in the Indenture for such Series),
with interest to the last day of the calendar month occurring in such Prepayment
Period (subject to certain limitations), and proceeds from the repurchase of
Converted Mortgage Loans, if any, less applicable servicing fees and amounts
representing reimbursement of Advances made by the Servicer. On or before the
related Master Servicer Remittance Date, the Master Servicer will withdraw its
master servicing fees from the Master Servicer Custodial Account and remit to
the Collateral Proceeds Account those amounts allocable to the Bonds for such
Payment Date. In addition, there will be deposited in the Collateral Proceeds
Account for a Series of Bonds any P&I Advances made by the Master Servicer or
the Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Master Servicing Agreement or Indenture
to the extent such amounts were not deposited in the Master Servicer Custodial
Account or received and applied by the Servicer.
Prior to each Payment Date for a Series, the Master Servicer will
furnish to the Trustee and to the Issuer a statement setting forth certain
information with respect to the Collateral securing such Series.
Advances
Unless otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Servicing Agreements with respect to a Series will require each Servicer to
advance funds to cover, to the extent that such amounts are deemed to be
recoverable from any subsequent payments on the Collateral securing such Series,
(i) delinquent payments of principal of and interest on the Collateral and (ii)
delinquent payments of taxes, insurance premiums and other escrowed items. If a
Servicer defaults, the Master Servicer or the Trustee may, if so provided in the
Master Servicing Agreement or Indenture, respectively, be required to make
Advances to the extent necessary to make required payments on certain Bonds,
provided that the party deems the amounts to be recoverable.
As specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Advance
obligation of the Trustee, the Servicers and the Master Servicer may be further
limited to an amount specified (i) in the Indenture, the Servicing Agreement or
the Master Servicing Agreement or (ii) by a Rating Agency rating the Bonds. Any
required Advances by the Servicers, the Master Servicer or the Trustee, as the
case may be, must be deposited into the applicable Custodial P&I Account or
Master Servicer Custodial Account or into the Collateral Proceeds Account and
will be due not later than the Payment Date to which such delinquent payment
relates. Amounts to be advanced by the Servicers, the Master Servicer or the
Trustee, as the case may be, will be reimbursable out of future payments on the
Collateral, Insurance Proceeds or Liquidation Proceeds of the Collateral for
which such amounts were advanced. If an Advance made by a Servicer, the Master
Servicer or the Trustee later proves to be unrecoverable, the Servicer, the
Master Servicer or the Trustee, as the case may be, will be entitled to
reimbursement from funds in the Collateral Proceeds Account prior to the
distribution of payments to the Bondholders.
Any Advances made by the Servicers, the Master Servicer or the Trustee
with respect to Collateral securing any Series will be intended to enable the
Issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest on the Bonds of the
Series and will be due not later than the Payment Date on which such payments
are scheduled to be made. However, none of the Trustee, the Master Servicer or
any Servicer will insure or guarantee any Series or any Collateral securing any
Series, and their obligations to advance for delinquent payments will be limited
to the extent that such Advances, in the judgment of the Master Servicer or the
Trustee, will be recoverable out of future payments on the Collateral, or
Insurance Proceeds or Liquidation Proceeds of the Collateral, for which the
amounts were advanced.
Collection and Other Servicing Procedures
The Servicing Agreements with respect to a Series will require each
Servicer to make reasonable efforts to collect all payments called for with
respect to the Collateral securing the Series and under the applicable Insurance
Policies with respect to each such Loan and, consistent with the Servicing
Agreement, to follow with respect to Mortgage Loans such collection procedures
as it normally would follow with respect to mortgage loans serviced for FNMA.
The servicing of Manufactured Home Loans and Consumer Finance Loans is
generally similar to the servicing of Mortgage Loans, except that, in general,
servicers of the Manufactured Home Loans and Consumer Finance Loans will place
greater emphasis on making prompt telephone contact with delinquent Borrowers
than is generally customary in the case of the servicing of Mortgage Loans.
The Security Instrument used in originating a Mortgage Loan may, at the
lender's option, contain a "due-on-sale" clause. See "Certain Legal Aspects of
the Collateral -- Mortgage Loans and Model Home Loans -Due-On-Sale Provisions"
herein. The Servicing Agreements will require the Servicers of Mortgage Loans to
use reasonable efforts to enforce a "due-on-sale" clause with respect to any
Security Instrument containing such a clause provided that the coverage of any
applicable Insurance Policy will not be adversely affected thereby. In any case
in which a Mortgaged Premises has been or is about to be conveyed by the
Borrower and the "due-on-sale" clause has not been enforced or the Note related
to any Loan is by its terms assumable, the Servicer will be authorized to take
or enter into an assumption agreement with the person to whom such property has
been or is about to be conveyed, if such person meets certain loan underwriting
criteria, including the criteria necessary to maintain the coverage provided by
the applicable Insurance Policies or if otherwise required by law. In the event
that the Servicer enters into an assumption agreement in connection with the
conveyance of collateral securing a Loan, the Servicer will release the original
Borrower from liability upon the Loan and substitute the new Borrower as obligor
thereon. In no event can the assumption agreement permit a decrease in the
applicable interest rate or an increase in the term of the Loan. Fees collected
for entering into an assumption agreement will be retained by the Servicer of
the related Loan.
Defaulted Collateral
With respect to any item of Collateral on which a material default has
occurred or a payment default is imminent, the Servicer may, with the approval
of the Master Servicer in most cases, negotiate a forbearance or modification
agreement with the Borrower. A "forbearance" consists of a temporary reduction
in the Monthly Payment that a Borrower is required to make with respect to a
Loan, provided that the payment of principal and interest is only deferred and
not forgiven. A "modification" consists of a permanent reduction in the Monthly
Payment that a Borrower is required to make with respect to a Loan, and may
result in a Realized Loss on the Loan. A Loan modification may involve a
reduction in the Loan Rate of the Loan, its Unpaid Principal Balance or both. A
forbearance or modification of a Loan only will be permitted if the Servicer
and, if required, the Master Servicer have determined that in their good faith
business judgment granting the forbearance or modification will maximize the
recovery on the Loan to the Trust Estate on a present value basis. In
determining whether to grant a forbearance or a modification, the Servicer and,
if required, the Master Servicer will take into account the willingness of the
Borrower to perform on the Loan, the general condition of the collateral for the
Loan and the likely proceeds from the Foreclosure and Liquidation of a Mortgaged
Premises or the repossession and Liquidation of a Manufactured Home or
Facilities.
Except as otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Issuer
will be entitled to purchase any Loan that has a payment that is 90 days past
due upon payment to the Trustee of the Unpaid Principal Balance of the Loan plus
accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the Payment Date following the date
of purchase.
The Servicers will not exercise any discretion with respect to changes
in any of the terms of any Loan (including but not limited to the Loan Rate,
whether the term of the Loan is extended for a further period and the specific
provisions applicable to such an extension) or the disposition of REO Property
or Repo Property without the consent of the Master Servicer.
Maintenance of Insurance Policies; Claims Thereunder and
Other Realization Upon Defaulted Collateral
The Servicing Agreements require each Servicer to maintain in full
force and effect, as long as coverage is required under the Servicing Agreement,
Standard Hazard Insurance, Flood Insurance, in certain areas, and, with respect
to Mortgage Loans, any Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy relating to a Loan that
it services.
If any collateral securing a defaulted Loan is damaged and the
proceeds, if any, from the related Standard Hazard Insurance Policy and any
Flood Insurance Policy are insufficient to restore the damaged property to the
condition that will permit recovery under the related Insurance Policy, the
Servicer will not be required to expend its own funds to restore the damaged
collateral unless it determines that it can recover the expenses from
Liquidation Proceeds or Insurance Proceeds. Each Servicing Agreement and the
Master Servicing Agreement with respect to a Series will require the Servicer or
the Master Servicer, as the case may be, to present claims to the insurer under
any Insurance Policy applicable to the Collateral securing the Series and to
take the reasonable steps necessary to permit recovery under the Insurance
Policy with respect to defaulted Loans or losses on the collateral securing such
Loans.
If recovery under the applicable Insurance Policy is not available, the
Servicer or the Master Servicer nevertheless will be obligated to follow
standard practice and procedures to realize upon defaulted Collateral. See
"Certain Legal Aspects of the Collateral -- Environmental Considerations"
herein. In this regard, the Servicer or Master Servicer will sell the Loan
collateral pursuant to Foreclosure or trustee's sale or, in the event a
deficiency judgment is available against the Borrower or other Person, proceed
to seek recovery of the deficiency against the appropriate person. To the extent
that the proceeds of any Liquidation proceeding are less than the Collateral
Value of the defaulted Collateral, there will be a reduction in the value of the
Collateral for the related Series, and the holders of Bonds of the Series may
not receive full principal of and interest on their Bonds.
The Master Servicer with respect to a Series may be required to
maintain any Special Hazard Insurance Policy and any Pool Insurance Policy for
the Series in full force and effect throughout the term of the Master Servicing
Agreement, subject to payment of the applicable premiums by the Trustee. The
Master Servicer will be required to notify the Trustee to pay the premiums for
any Special Hazard Insurance Policy and any Pool Insurance Policy for a Series
on a timely basis. Any premiums may be payable on a monthly basis in advance or
pursuant to any other payment schedule acceptable to the applicable insurer. In
the event that a Special Hazard Insurance Policy or Pool Insurance Policy for a
Series is canceled or terminated for any reason (other than the exhaustion of
total policy coverage), the Master Servicer will be obligated to obtain from
another insurer a comparable replacement policy with a total coverage that is
equal to the then existing coverage (or the lesser amount if the Master Servicer
confirms in writing with the Rating Agencies rating the Bonds that the lesser
amount will not impair the rating on the Bonds) of the Special Hazard Insurance
Policy or Pool Insurance Policy or other form of substitute credit enhancement
as the Rating Agencies rating the Bonds confirm in writing will not impair the
ratings on the Bonds. However, if the cost of any replacement policy or bond is
greater than the cost of the policy or bond that has been terminated, the amount
of the coverage either will be reduced to a level such that the applicable
premium will not exceed the cost of the premium for the policy or bond that was
terminated or the Master Servicer may secure such replacement policy or other
credit enhancement at increased cost, so long as the increase in cost will not
adversely affect amounts available to make payments of principal or interest on
the Bonds.
Evidence as to Servicing Compliance
Within 120 days of the end of each of its fiscal years each Servicer
must provide the Master Servicer with a copy of its audited financial statements
for the year. In addition, the Servicer will be required to deliver an officer's
certificate to the effect that it has fulfilled its obligations under the
applicable Servicing Agreement during the preceding fiscal year or identifying
any ways in which it has failed to fulfill its obligations during the fiscal
year and the steps that have been taken to correct such failure. The Master
Servicer will be required promptly to make available to the Trustee any
compliance reporting that it receives from a Servicer.
Each year the Master Servicer will review each Servicer's performance
under its Servicing Agreement and the status of any fidelity bond and errors and
omissions policy required to be maintained by the Servicer under the Servicing
Agreement.
Events of Default and Remedies
Events of default under a Servicing Agreement in respect of a Series of
Bonds will consist of (i) any failure by the Servicer to remit to the Master
Servicer Custodial Account any payment required to be made by a Servicer under
the terms of the Servicing Agreement that is not remedied within at least one
Business Day; (ii) any failure on the part of a Servicer to observe or perform
in any material respect any other of its covenants or agreements contained in
the Servicing Agreement that continues unremedied for a specified period after
the giving of written notice to the Servicer by the Master Servicer; (iii)
certain events of insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets and
liabilities or similar proceedings regarding a Servicer; or (iv) certain actions
by or on behalf of the Servicer indicating its insolvency or inability to pay
its obligations.
The Master Servicer will have the right pursuant to the Servicing
Agreement to terminate a Servicer upon the occurrence of an event of default by
the Servicer involving any of its obligations under the Servicing Agreement. In
the event of such termination, the Master Servicer will appoint a substitute
Servicer (which may be the Master Servicer) acceptable to the Master Servicer.
Any successor servicer, including the Master Servicer or the Trustee, will be
entitled to compensation arrangements similar to those provided to the Servicer.
Master Servicing Agreement
Except as otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
Dynex will act as the master servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer")
of the Collateral pursuant to the terms of the Master Servicing Agreement
between Dynex and the Issuer. Pursuant to the Master Servicing Agreement, the
Master Servicer (i) will supervise the servicing of the Collateral by the
Servicers, (ii) will instruct, among other things, each Servicer as to the
proper actions to be taken with respect to defaulted Collateral, (iii) will be
responsible for providing general administrative services with respect to the
Bonds, and (iv) will make Advances to the limited extent described herein. The
Master Servicer may engage various independent contractors to perform certain of
its responsibilities, provided, however, that the Master Servicer will remain
fully responsible and liable for all its obligations under the Master Servicing
Agreement (other than those specifically undertaken by a Special Servicer). The
Master Servicer will be entitled to a monthly master servicing fee applicable to
each Loan expressed as a fixed percentage of the remaining Scheduled Principal
Balance of the Loan as of the first day of the immediately preceding Due Period.
It is anticipated that the master servicing fee will range between 0.020% and
0.050% per annum of the Scheduled Principal Balance of the Collateral, depending
upon the structure of the related transaction. The related Prospectus Supplement
will specify the actual amount of the master servicing fee. The Issuer will
assign its rights to enforce the obligations of the Master Servicer under that
agreement to the Trustee as security for the Bonds.
The form of Master Servicing Agreement pursuant to which the Master
Servicer will master service the Collateral will be filed or incorporated by
reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
is a part. The summaries of the obligations of the Master Servicer contained
herein do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their
entirety by reference to, the Master Servicing Agreement.
Special Servicing Agreement
The Master Servicer may appoint a Special Servicer to undertake certain
responsibilities of the Servicer with respect to certain defaulted Collateral
securing a Series. The Special Servicer may engage various independent
contractors to perform certain of its responsibilities, provided, however, that
the Special Servicer remains fully responsible and liable for all its
obligations under the special servicing agreement (the "Special Servicing
Agreement"). As may be further specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a
Special Servicer may be entitled to various fees, including, but not limited to,
(i) a monthly engagement fee applicable to each Loan, expressed as a fixed
percentage of the Scheduled Principal Balance of the Loan as of the first day of
the immediately preceding Due Period, (ii) a special servicing fee expressed as
a fixed percentage of the remaining Scheduled Principal Balance of each
specially serviced Loan, or (iii) a performance fee applicable to each
liquidated Loan based upon the Liquidation Proceeds.
THE INDENTURE
The following summaries describe certain provisions of the Indenture.
When 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.
General
The Indenture does not limit the amount of Bonds that can be issued
thereunder and provides that Bonds of any Series may be issued thereunder up to
the aggregate principal amount that may be authorized from time to time by the
Issuer. The Indenture provides that additional Bonds may be issued for any
outstanding Class or Series up to the aggregate principal amount authorized from
time to time by the Issuer, subject to the provisions of the related Series
Supplement or supplements thereto.
The Bonds of each Series will be issued in fully-registered
certificated or book-entry form in the authorized denominations for each Class
of Bonds specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. The Bonds of each
Series in certificated form may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate
trust office of the Trustee without the payment of any service charge, other
than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Trustee
will make payments of principal of and interest on the Bonds of a Series in
certificated form by checks mailed to registered Bondholders of the Bonds at
their addresses appearing on the books and records of the Issuer, except that
the final payments in retirement of each Class of Bonds of a Series in
certificated form will be made only upon presentation and surrender of such
Bonds at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose. If
provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, upon receipt of written
instructions and the payment of any required charge or fee, payments on certain
Bonds of a Series may be made to certain Bondholders of such Bonds by the
Trustee by wire transfer of immediately available funds. Payment and transfer
procedures for Bonds in book-entry form will be as specified herein in
"Description of the Bonds -- Book-Entry Procedures" herein and in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
Modification of Indenture
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
principal balance of the outstanding Bonds of each Series to be affected or, if
fewer than all Classes of a Series would be affected, of each Class to be
affected, the Trustee and the Issuer may execute a supplemental indenture to add
provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate provisions of, the Indenture
relating to such Series, or to such Class or Classes, or modify in any manner
the rights of the Holders of the Bonds of such Series, or of such Class or
Classes. If any such supplemental indenture would adversely affect the Holders
of any Senior Bonds or of any Subordinated Bonds, then approval of Holders of a
majority in principal balance of such outstanding Senior Bonds or of such
outstanding Subordinated Bonds, as the case may be, would also be required.
Without the consent of the Bondholders of each outstanding Bond
affected, however, no supplemental indenture may (i) change the Stated Maturity
Date of the principal of, or timing of any installment of principal or interest
on, any Bond, reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest thereon or the
redemption price thereof or the time for redemption with respect thereto, change
the provisions relating to the application of proceeds of the Trust Estate to
the payment of principal on the Bonds, change any place where, or the currency
in which, any Bond or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to
institute suit for payment on or after the maturity thereof or, in the case of
redemption, on or after the redemption date, (ii) reduce the percentage in
principal amount of Bonds of the affected Series whose Holders must consent to
any supplemental indenture or to any waiver of compliance with certain
provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder or their
consequences, (iii) impair or adversely affect the Collateral securing a Series,
(iv) permit the creation of any lien ranking prior to or on a par with the lien
of the Indenture with respect to any part of the Trust Estate or terminate the
lien of the Indenture on any part of the Trust Estate or on any property at any
time subject to the Indenture or deprive the Holder of the security afforded by
the lien of the Indenture, (v) change the definition of default under the
Indenture, or reduce the percentage of Bondholders of Bonds of any Series whose
consent is required to direct the Trustee to liquidate the Collateral for such
Series, (vi) change any condition precedent for the redemption of any Series of
Bonds or (vii) modify any of the provisions of the Indenture with respect to
supplemental indentures except to increase the percentage of outstanding Bonds
whose consent is required for any such action or to provide that certain other
provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of
the Bondholders of each outstanding Bond of a Class affected thereby. The
issuance of additional Bonds in accordance with the provisions and limitations
contained in a Series Supplement relating to outstanding Bonds will be deemed
not to have changed the timing of any installment of principal of or interest on
any outstanding Class of Bonds issued under such Series Supplement for purposes
of requiring Bondholder consent pursuant to clause (i) above.
The Issuer and the Trustee, upon advice of counsel, also may enter into
supplemental indentures, without obtaining the consent of Bondholders, for the
purpose of, among other things, (i) setting forth the terms of and security for
any previously unissued Series, (ii) adding to the covenants of the Issuer or
the Trustee for the benefit of the Bondholders, and (iii) curing ambiguities, or
correcting or supplementing any defective, ineffective or inconsistent provision
or amending any other provision with respect to matters or questions relating to
the Indenture, provided the interests of the Bondholders would not be materially
adversely affected. For purposes of clause (iii) above, among other things, a
supplemental indenture will be conclusively deemed not to adversely affect a
particular Series if (i) the Trustee receives a letter or other writing from
each Rating Agency rating the Class or Series to the effect that execution of
the supplemental indenture will not result in any change in the current rating
assigned by that Rating Agency to the Class or Series and (ii) the supplemental
indenture effects no change in principal priority schedules, interest rates,
redemption prices, substitution of Collateral, Payment Dates, record dates,
Accounting Dates, terms of optional or mandatory redemption, application of
Surplus to the payment of a Series or other payment terms established by the
Series Supplement for the Series.
Events of Default
An event of default ("Event of Default") with respect to a Series or
Class of Bonds will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
Generally, an Event of Default with respect to the Senior Bonds of a Series
(and, so long as 91 days have passed during which no Senior Bond has been
outstanding, a Class of the Subordinated Bonds of a Series) is (i) failure to
pay required interest and principal when any related available credit
enhancement amount has been reduced to zero, (ii) failure to pay principal in
full prior to the Stated Maturity Date for such Bonds and (iii) default in the
performance of certain covenants in the Indenture and the continuation of such
default for 60 days after notice to the Issuer by the Trustee or to the Trustee
and the Issuer by the Bondholders of at least 25% in principal amount of such
Bonds. Certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership
of the Issuer constitute an Event of Default for all Bonds of a Series.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, (i) a
breach of a representation, warranty or covenant in the Servicing Agreement or
Master Servicing Agreement will not constitute an Event of Default under the
Indenture and (ii) an Event of Default with respect to one Series will not
constitute an Event of Default with respect to any other Series.
Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default that is, or with
notice or the lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with
respect to the Bonds, the Trustee is required under the Indenture to transmit
notice of such default, if known to the Trustee, to all Bondholders, unless such
default shall have been cured or waived, or the Trustee determines in good faith
that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Bondholders.
If an Event of Default with respect to the Senior Bonds of a Series
occurs and is continuing, the Bondholders of not less than 25% in principal
balance of the outstanding Senior Bonds of such Series may declare the principal
of all the Bonds of such Series to be immediately due and payable, by a notice
in writing to the Issuer and to the Trustee. If an Event of Default with respect
to the Subordinated Bonds of a Series occurs and is continuing, the Bondholders
of not less than 25% in principal balance of the outstanding Subordinated Bonds
(and of the outstanding Senior Bonds, if any) of such Series may declare the
principal of all the Bonds of such Series to be immediately due and payable, by
a notice in writing to the Issuer and to the Trustee. Any such declaration may
be rescinded by the Bondholders of not less than a majority in principal balance
of the outstanding Bonds that were entitled to vote on the declaration.
Following any such declaration that is not rescinded, the Trustee shall sell the
Collateral as described in the Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing and no Bonds of the Series have been declared due and payable,
or any such declaration and its consequences has been rescinded, the Trustee
may, and on the direction of a majority in principal balance of the outstanding
Senior Bonds (or, if no Senior Bonds are outstanding, Subordinated Bonds) shall
give notice to the Issuer of its election to preserve the Trust Estate, collect
the proceeds thereof and make and apply all payments in respect of the Bonds in
accordance with the Indenture.
Proceeds from the liquidation of the Collateral for a Series of Bonds
will be applied, after all required payments and reimbursements to the Trustee,
Servicer, Master Servicer and Special Servicer, in the order set forth in the
Series Supplement and related Prospectus Supplement for such Series of Bonds.
Declaration of acceleration and liquidation of the Collateral pursuant to the
foregoing procedures shall be the sole remedy for the Bondholders upon an Event
of Default. In the event that a Series of Bonds is declared due and payable, as
described above, and the Collateral securing the Bonds is sold, the net proceeds
from such sale may be insufficient to pay the full unpaid amount of principal of
and interest due on each outstanding Class of Bonds of such Series. Furthermore,
in the event that the principal of the Bonds of a Series is declared due and
payable, as described above, and the Collateral securing such Series is sold,
the Bondholders of any Discount Bonds may be entitled to receive no more than an
amount equal to the unpaid principal amount thereof less the unamortized
original issue discount. No assurance can be given about how the amount of the
original issue discount that has not been amortized will be determined.
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of
the Trustee in case an Event of Default will occur and be continuing, the
Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers
under the Indenture at the request or direction of any Bondholders of the Bonds
of a Series, unless such Bondholders will have offered to the Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity. Subject to such provisions for indemnification and
certain limitations contained in the Indenture, Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Senior Bonds (or the most senior of any
Subordinated Bonds if no Senior Bonds are outstanding) of a Series will have the
right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on
the Trustee with respect to the Bonds of such Series; and the Bondholders of the
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Senior Bonds (or the
Subordinated Bonds if no Senior Bonds are outstanding) of a Series may, in
certain cases, waive any default with respect to such Series.
No Bondholder of any of the Bonds of a Series will have the right to
institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, unless (i) such
Bondholder previously has given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of
Default, (ii) the Bondholders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding Senior Bonds (or the Subordinate Bonds if no Senior Bonds are
outstanding) of the same Series have made written request upon the Trustee to
institute such proceedings in its own name as Trustee and have offered the
Trustee reasonable indemnity, (iii) the Trustee has for 60 days failed to
institute any such proceeding, and (iv) no direction inconsistent with such
written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Senior Bonds (or
the Subordinated Bonds if no Senior Bonds are outstanding) of a Series.
Except as otherwise provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, at
such time as an Event of Default for a Series is declared and so long as Senior
Bonds of such Series remain outstanding, the Trustee will cease to act on behalf
of the Holders of Subordinated Bonds and will thereafter act only on behalf of
the Holders of the Senior Classes of Bonds. The Issuer is required in such
circumstances to appoint a separate trustee for the Holders of the Subordinated
Bonds. Such trustee may seek to act in a manner adverse to the Holders of the
Senior Bonds, and such action may result in a delay in disposition of the Trust
Estate or the exercise of other remedies and, consequently, a delay in payment
to the Holders of the Senior Bonds. Should the Issuer fail to appoint a separate
trustee within 60 days after such Event of Default, the Trustee will petition a
court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a separate trustee.
Authentication and Delivery of Bonds
The Issuer may from time to time deliver Bonds executed by it to the
Trustee and request that the Trustee authenticate such Bonds. Upon the receipt
of such Bonds and such request, and subject to the Issuer's compliance with
certain conditions specified in the Indenture, the Trustee will authenticate and
deliver such Bonds as the Issuer may direct.
List of Bondholders
Three or more Bondholders of the Bonds of a 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 Bonds of the same
Series or of all Bonds, as specified in the request, maintained by the Trustee
for the purpose of communicating with other 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 such
Bondholders.
Annual Compliance Statement
The Issuer will be required to file annually with the Trustee a written
statement as to fulfillment of its obligations under the Indenture.
Reports to Bondholders
On or before each Payment Date for a Series, the Trustee will transmit
by mail to each Bondholder of such Series a report with respect to the principal
balance of the Bonds of such Series held by such Bondholder as of the
immediately preceding Payment Date and the amount of principal, interest and
premium, if any, paid with respect to the Bonds of such Series held by such
Bondholder since the immediately preceding Payment Date. Such report also will
include information regarding the levels of Delinquencies and Losses on the
Collateral, losses with respect to each related Class of Bonds, and the amount
of servicing and master servicing fees paid with respect to the Collateral in
the related Collateral Pool for the applicable Payment Date.
Trustee's Annual Report
The Trustee under present law is required to mail each year to all
registered Bondholders of Bonds of a Series a brief report with respect to any
of the following events that may have occurred within the previous year (but if
no such event has occurred, no report is required): any change in 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 Issuer to it in the Trustee's
individual capacity, any change in the property and funds relating to such
Series physically held by the Trustee as such, any additional issue of Bonds of
such Series not previously reported, any change in the release or release and
substitution of any property relating to such Series subject to the lien of the
Indenture, and any action taken by it that materially affects the Bonds or the
Trust Estate for such Series and that has not been previously reported. In any
event, the Trustee will make such information available to all Bondholders on an
annual basis.
Trustee
The Trustee for each Series of Bonds will be specified in the
respective Prospectus Supplement. The commercial bank or trust company serving
as Trustee may have normal banking relationships with the Issuer or any of its
Affiliates.
The Trustee may resign at any time, in which event the Issuer will be
obligated to appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuer may remove the Trustee and
appoint a successor Trustee if the Trustee ceases to be eligible to act as
Trustee under the Indenture or if the Trustee becomes insolvent or otherwise
incapable of acting with respect to any Series of Bonds. The Issuer may also
remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee for any Series of Bonds at
any time provided that the Issuer receives confirmation that the appointment of
the successor Trustee will not result in the lowering of the rating of that
Series of Bonds. The Trustee with respect to a Series of Bonds may also be
removed at any time by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Bonds of such Series then outstanding.
Any resignation and removal of the Trustee, and the appointment of a
successor Trustee, will not become effective until acceptance of such
appointment by the successor Trustee. The Trustee, and any successor Trustee,
each will have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, or will
be a member of a bank holding system, the aggregate combined capital and surplus
of which is at least $50,000,000, provided that the Trustee's and any such
successor Trustee's separate capital and surplus shall at all times be at least
the amount specified in Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and
that the Trustee and such successor Trustee will be subject to supervision or
examination by federal or state authorities and will have an office in the
United States.
Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture
The Indenture will be discharged as to a Series upon the cancellation
of all the Bonds of such Series or, with certain limitations, upon deposit with
the Trustee of funds sufficient for the payment or redemption thereof.
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE COLLATERAL
The following discussion contains summaries of certain legal aspects of
mortgage loans, such as the Mortgage Loans and the Model Home Loans, and
installment sales contracts, such as the Manufactured Home Loans and the
Consumer Finance Loans, that are general in nature. Because such legal aspects
are governed by applicable state law (which laws may differ substantially), the
summaries do not purport to be complete, to reflect the laws of any particular
state or to encompass the laws of all states in which the collateral for the
Loans is situated. The summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to
the applicable federal and state laws governing the Collateral.
Mortgage Loans and Model Home Loans
General
Mortgage Loans and Model Home Loans as described herein are distinct
from Land Secured Loans (which are discussed below under "-- Manufactured Home
Loans -- Foreclosure under Real Property Laws"). A Mortgage Loan or Model Home
Loan is secured by Mortgage Premises on which a single family, (one- to
four-family) attached or detached residential structure is located, whereas a
Land Secured Loan is secured primarily by a Manufactured Home and is secured
only secondarily by Real Property.
The Mortgage Loans and Model Home Loans will be secured by Security
Instruments consisting of either mortgages, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt
or security deeds, depending upon the prevailing practice in the state in which
the underlying Mortgaged Premises are located. The filing of a mortgage, deed of
trust, deed to secure debt or security deed creates a lien or title interest
upon the real property covered by such instrument and represents the security
for the repayment of an obligation that is customarily evidenced by a promissory
note. It is not prior to the lien for real estate taxes and assessments or other
charges imposed under governmental police powers. Priority with respect to such
instruments depends on their terms, on the knowledge of the parties to the
instrument and generally on the order of recording with the applicable state,
county or municipal office. There are two parties to a mortgage: the mortgagor,
who is the borrower/owner or the land trustee (as described below), and the
mortgagee, who is the lender. Under the mortgage instrument, the mortgagor
delivers to the mortgagee a note or bond and the mortgage. In the case of a land
trust, there are three parties because title to the property is held by a land
trustee under a land trust agreement of which the borrower/owner is the
beneficiary. At origination of a mortgage loan, the borrower executes a separate
undertaking to make payments on the mortgage note. A deed of trust transaction
normally has three parties, the trustor, who is the borrower/owner, the
beneficiary, who is the lender, and the trustee, a third-party grantee. Under a
deed of trust, the trustor 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 obligation. The mortgagee's authority under a mortgage and the trustee's
authority under a deed of trust are governed by the law of the state in which
the real property is located, the express provisions of the mortgage or deed of
trust, and, in some cases in deed of trust transactions, the directions of the
beneficiary.
Foreclosure
Foreclosure of a deed of trust is generally accomplished by a
non-judicial trustee's sale under a specific provision in the deed of trust that
authorizes the trustee to sell the property upon any default by the borrower
under the terms of the note or deed of trust. In some states, the trustee must
record a notice of default and send a copy to the borrower-trustor and to any
person who has recorded a request for a copy of a notice of default and notice
of sale. In addition, the trustee in some states must provide notice to any
other individual having an interest in the real property, including any second
lienholders. The trustor, borrower or any person having a junior encumbrance on
the real estate may, during a reinstatement period, cure the default by paying
the entire amount in arrears plus the costs and expenses incurred in enforcing
the obligation. Generally, state law controls the amount of foreclosure expenses
and costs, including attorney's fees, that may be recovered by a lender. If the
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, recorded and sent to all parties having an
interest in the real property.
An action to foreclose a mortgage generally is accomplished by judicial
action to recover the mortgage debt by enforcing the mortgagee's rights under
the mortgage. It is regulated by statutes and rules and subject throughout to
the court's equitable powers. Generally, a mortgagor is bound by the terms of
the mortgage note and the mortgage as made and cannot be relieved from his
default if the mortgagee has exercised his rights in a commercially reasonable
manner. However, because a foreclosure action historically was equitable in
nature, the court may exercise equitable powers to relieve a mortgagor of a
default and deny the mortgage foreclosure on proof that either the mortgagor's
default was neither willful nor in bad faith or the mortgagee's action
established a waiver, fraud, bad faith, or oppressive or unconscionable conduct
such as to warrant a court of equity to refuse affirmative relief to the
mortgagee. Under certain circumstances a court of equity may relieve the
mortgagor from an entirely technical default where such default was not willful.
A foreclosure action is subject to most of the delays and expenses of
other lawsuits if defenses or counterclaims are interposed, sometimes requiring
up to several years to complete. Moreover, a noncollusive, regularly conducted
foreclosure sale may be challenged as a fraudulent conveyance, regardless of the
parties' intent, if a court determines that the sale was for less than fair
consideration and such sale occurred while the mortgagor was insolvent and
within one year (or within the state statute of limitations if the trustee in
bankruptcy elects to proceed under state fraudulent conveyance law) of the
filing of bankruptcy. Similarly a suit against the debtor on the mortgage note
may take several years and, generally, is a remedy alternative to foreclosure,
the mortgagee being precluded from pursuing both at the same time.
In case of foreclosure under either a mortgage or a deed of trust, the
sale by the referee or other designated officer or by the trustee is a public
sale. However, because of the difficulty potential third party purchasers at the
sale have in determining the exact status of title and because the physical
condition of the property may have deteriorated during the foreclosure
proceedings, it is uncommon for a third party to purchase the property at a
foreclosure sale. Rather, it is common for the lender to purchase the property
from the trustee or referee for an amount which may be equal to the principal
amount of the mortgage or deed of trust plus accrued and unpaid interest and the
expenses of foreclosure, in which event the mortgagor's debt will be
extinguished or the lender may purchase for a lesser amount in order to preserve
its right against a borrower to seek a deficiency judgment in states where such
a judgment is available. Thereafter, the lender will assume the burdens of
ownership, including obtaining casualty insurance, paying taxes 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. Any loss may be
reduced by the receipt of any insurance proceeds.
Second Mortgages
Some of the Mortgage Loans may be secured by second mortgages or deeds
of trust, which are junior to first mortgages or deeds of trust held by other
lenders. The rights of the holders of a junior mortgage or a junior deed of
trust are subordinate in lien and in payment to those of the holder of the
senior mortgage or deed of trust, including the prior rights of the senior
mortgagee or beneficiary to receive and apply hazard insurance and condemnation
proceeds and, upon default of the mortgagor, to cause a foreclosure on the
property. Upon completion of the foreclosure proceedings by the holder of the
senior mortgage or the sale pursuant to the deed of trust, the junior
mortgagee's or junior beneficiary's lien will be extinguished unless the second
lienholder satisfies the defaulted senior loan or asserts its subordinate
interest in a property in foreclosure proceedings.
Furthermore, the terms of the second mortgage or deed of trust are
subordinate to the terms of the first mortgage or deed of trust. In the event of
a conflict between the terms of the first mortgage or deed of trust and the
second mortgage or deed of trust, the terms of the first mortgage or deed of
trust will govern. Upon a failure of the mortgagor or trustor to perform any of
its obligations, the senior mortgagee or beneficiary, subject to the terms of
the senior mortgage or deed of trust, may have the right to perform the
obligation itself. Generally, all sums so expended by the mortgagee or
beneficiary become part of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage or deed of
trust. To the extent a first mortgagee expends such sums, such sums will
generally have priority over all sums due under the second mortgage.
Equity Rights of Redemption
The purposes of a foreclosure action are to enable the mortgagee to
realize upon its security and to bar the mortgagor, and all persons who have an
interest in the property that is subordinate to the foreclosing mortgagee, from
their "equity of redemption."
The doctrine of equity of redemption provides that, until the property
covered by a mortgage has been sold in accordance with a properly conducted
foreclosure and foreclosure sale, those having an interest that is subordinate
to that of the foreclosing mortgagee have an equity of redemption and may redeem
the property by paying the entire debt with interest. In addition, in some
states, when a foreclosure action has been commenced, the redeeming party must
pay certain costs of such action. Those having an equity of redemption must be
made parties and duly summoned to the foreclosure action in order for their
equity of redemption to be barred.
Statutory Rights of Redemption
In some states, after sale pursuant to a deed of trust or foreclosure
of a mortgage, the trustor or mortgagor and foreclosed second lienor are given a
statutory period in which to redeem the property from the foreclosure sale. The
right of redemption should be distinguished from the equity of redemption, which
is a nonstatutory right that must be exercised prior to 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 is to diminish
the ability of the lender to sell the foreclosed property. The 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
a right of redemption is to force the lender to retain the property and pay the
expenses of ownership until the redemption period has run. In some states, there
is no right to redeem property after a trustee's sale under a deed of trust.
Due-on-Sale Provisions
The Mortgage Loans may contain due-on-sale clauses, which permit the
lender to accelerate the maturity of the Mortgage Loan if the Borrower sells,
transfers or conveys the related Mortgaged Premises in violation of the
restrictions with respect thereto set forth in the applicable Security
Instrument. The enforceability of these clauses has been the subject of
legislation or litigation in many states. Some jurisdictions automatically
enforce such clauses, while others require a showing of reasonableness and hold,
on a case-by-case basis, that a "due-on-sale" clause may be invoked only where a
sale threatens the legitimate security interest of the lender.
The Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 purports to
preempt state laws that prohibit the enforcement of "due-on-sale" provisions in
certain loans made after October 15, 1982. The Servicer may thus be able to
accelerate the Mortgage Loans that contain a "due-on-sale" provision, upon
transfer of an interest in the related Mortgaged Premises, regardless of its
ability to demonstrate that a sale threatens its legitimate security interest.
Subordinate Financing
When the mortgagor encumbers mortgaged property with one or more second
liens, the senior lender is subjected to additional risk. First, the mortgagor
may have difficulty servicing and repaying multiple loans. In addition, if the
junior loan permits recourse to the mortgagor (as junior loans often do) and the
senior loan does not, a mortgagor may be more likely to repay sums due on the
junior loan than those on the senior loan. Second, acts of the senior lender
that prejudice the junior lender or impair the junior lender's security may
create a superior equity in favor of the junior lender. For example, if the
mortgagor and the senior lender agree to an increase in the principal amount of
or the interest rate payable on the senior loan, the senior lender may lose its
priority to the extent an existing junior lender is harmed or the mortgagor is
additionally burdened. Third, if the mortgagor defaults on the senior loan
and/or any junior loan or loans, the existence of junior loans and actions taken
by junior lenders can impair the security available to the senior lender and can
interfere with or delay the taking of action by the senior lender. Moreover, the
bankruptcy of a junior lender may operate to stay foreclosure or similar
proceedings by the senior lender.
Equitable Limitations on Remedies
In connection with lenders' attempts to realize upon their security,
courts have invoked general equitable principles. The equitable principles are
generally designed to relieve the borrower from the legal effect of his defaults
under the 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,
courts have substituted their judgment for the lender's judgment and have
required that lenders reinstate loans or recast payment schedules in order to
accommodate borrowers who are experiencing temporary financial disability. In
other cases, courts have limited the right of a lender to realize upon his
security if the default under the security agreement is not monetary, such as
the borrower's failure to adequately maintain the property or the borrower's
execution of secondary financing affecting the property. Finally, some courts
have been faced with the issue of whether or not federal or state constitutional
provisions reflecting due process concerns for adequate notice require that
borrowers under security agreements receive notices in addition to the
statutorily prescribed minimums. For the most part, these cases have upheld the
notice provisions as being reasonable or have found that, in cases involving the
sale by a trustee under a deed of trust or by a mortgagee under a mortgage
having a power of sale, there is insufficient state action to afford
constitutional protections to the borrower.
Anti-Deficiency Legislation and Other Limitations on Lenders
Certain states have imposed statutory restrictions that limit the
remedies of a beneficiary under a deed of trust or a mortgagee under a mortgage.
In some states, statutes limit the right of the beneficiary or mortgagee to
obtain a deficiency judgment against the borrower following foreclosure or sale
under a deed of trust. A deficiency judgment is a personal judgment against the
former borrower equal in most cases to the difference between the amounts due to
the lender and the greater of the net amount realized upon the foreclosure sale
and the market value of the Mortgaged Premises.
Statutory provisions may limit any deficiency judgment against the
former borrower following a foreclosure sale to the excess of the outstanding
debt over the fair market value of the Mortgaged Premises at the time of such
sale. The purpose of these statutes is to prevent a beneficiary or a mortgagee
from obtaining a large deficiency judgment against the former borrower as a
result of receiving low or no bids at the foreclosure sale.
Some state statutes may require the beneficiary or mortgagee to exhaust
the security afforded under a deed of trust or mortgage by foreclosure in an
attempt to satisfy the full debt before bringing a personal action against the
borrower. In other states, the lender has the option of bringing a personal
action against the borrower on the debt without first exhausting such security;
however, in some of these states, the lender, following judgment in such
personal action, may be deemed to have elected a remedy and may be precluded
from exercising remedies with respect to the security. Consequently, the
practical effect of the election requirement, when applicable, is that lenders
will usually proceed first against the security rather than bringing a personal
action against the borrower.
In some states, exceptions to the anti-deficiency statutes are provided
for in certain instances where the value of the lender's security has been
impaired by acts or omissions of the Borrower, for example, in the event of
waste of the Mortgaged Premises.
In addition to anti-deficiency and related legislation, numerous
federal and state statutory provisions, including the federal bankruptcy laws,
the federal Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Relief Act"), and state laws affording relief to debtors, may interfere with or
affect the ability of a secured mortgage lender to realize upon its security.
For example, in certain proceedings under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, when a
court determines that the value of a home is less than the principal balance of
the loan, the court may prevent a lender from foreclosing on the home and, as
part of the rehabilitation plan, reduce the amount of the secured indebtedness
to the value of the home as its exists at the time of the proceeding, leaving
the lender as a general unsecured creditor for the difference between that value
and the amount of outstanding indebtedness. A bankruptcy court may grant the
debtor a reasonable time to cure a payment default and, in the case of a
mortgage loan not secured by the debtor's principal residence, also may reduce
the periodic payments due under such mortgage loan, change the rate of interest
and alter the mortgage loan repayment schedule. Certain court decisions have
applied such relief to claims secured by the debtor's principal residence. If a
court relieves a Borrower's obligation to repay amounts otherwise due on a
Mortgage Loan, the Servicer will not be required to advance such amounts, and
any loss in respect thereof may reduce the amounts available to be paid to the
holders of the Bonds.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, provides priority to
certain tax liens over the lien of the mortgage or deed of trust. Other federal
and state laws provide priority to certain tax and other liens over the lien of
the mortgage or deed of trust. Numerous federal and some state consumer
protection laws impose substantive requirements upon mortgage lenders in
connection with the origination, servicing and the enforcement of mortgage
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 laws and state laws impose specific statutory liabilities upon lenders
who originate or service mortgage loans and who fail to comply with the
provisions of the law. In some cases, this liability may affect assignees of the
mortgage loans.
Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940
Under the terms of the Relief Act, an obligor who enters military
service after the origination of such obligor's Mortgage Loan (including an
obligor who is a member of the National Guard or who 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 a specified annual rate during the period of
such obligor's active duty status, unless a court orders otherwise upon
application of the lender. It is possible that such action 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. Any shortfall in
interest collections resulting from the application of the Relief Act, to the
extent not covered by the subordination of a Class of Subordinated Bonds, could
result in losses of Bondholders. In addition, the Relief Act imposes limitations
that would impair the ability of the Servicer to foreclose on an affected
Mortgage Loan during the obligor'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 liquidate the related Mortgaged Premises
in a timely fashion.
Applicability of Usury Laws
Title V of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary
Control Act of 1980, as amended ("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 statute authorized any
state to reimpose limitations on interest rates and finance charges by adopting
a law or constitutional provision that expressly rejects application of the
federal law before April 1, 1983. Fifteen states adopted such a law prior to the
April 1, 1983 deadline. In addition, even where the Title V was not so rejected,
any state is authorized by the law to adopt a provision limiting discount points
or other charges on loans covered by Title V.
Manufactured Home Loans
General
As a result of the pledge of the Manufactured Home Loans underlying a
Series to the related Trustee, the Trustee will succeed to all the rights
(including the right to receive payments on the Manufactured Home Loans) of the
obligees under the Manufactured Home Loans. Each Manufactured Home Loan
evidences both (1) the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loan evidenced
thereby and (2) the grant of a security interest in the related Manufactured
Home to secure repayment of the Loan. Certain aspects of both features of the
Manufactured Home Loans are described more fully below.
The Manufactured Home Loans generally are "chattel paper" as defined in
the Uniform Commercial Code (the "UCC") in effect in the states in which the
Manufactured Homes initially were located. Under the Servicing Agreement, the
Servicer will retain possession of the Manufactured Home Loans as custodian for
the Trustee. Because the Servicer is not relinquishing possession of the
Manufactured Home Loans, the Participant or the Issuer will file a UCC-1
financing statement in the appropriate recording offices as necessary to perfect
the Trustee's interest in the Manufactured Home Loans. Notwithstanding such
filings, if, through negligence, fraud or otherwise, a subsequent purchaser from
the Participant or from a predecessor owner of a Manufactured Home Loan were
able to take physical possession of the Manufactured Home Loan without notice of
the pledge of the Manufactured Home Loans to the Trustee, the Trustee's interest
in the Manufactured Home Loans could be subordinated to the interest of such
purchaser. To provide a measure of protection against this possibility, within
ten days after the Closing Date, unless otherwise specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the Manufactured Home Loans will be stamped or marked
otherwise to reflect their pledge by the Issuer to the Trustee.
Security Interests in the Manufactured Homes
The Manufactured Homes securing the Manufactured Home Loans may be
located in any of or all the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The manner
in which liens on Manufactured Homes are "perfected" is governed by applicable
state law. In many states ("Title States"), a lien on a manufactured home may be
"perfected" under applicable motor vehicle titling statutes by notation of the
secured party's lien on the related certificate of title or by delivery of
certain required documents and payment of a fee to the state motor vehicle
authority to re-register the home, depending upon applicable state law. In some
states ("UCC States"), perfection of a lien on a manufactured home is
accomplished pursuant to the provisions of the applicable UCC by filing UCC-3
financing statements or other appropriate transfer instruments with all
appropriate UCC filing offices. Some states are both Title States and UCC
States. Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, because
of the expense and administrative inconvenience involved, the Participant will
not amend any certificate of title to change the lienholder specified therein,
deliver any documents or pay fees to re-register any Manufactured Home, or file
any UCC transfer instruments, and the Participant will not deliver any
certificate of title or note thereon the Issuer's interest. In some states,
simple assignment of the security interest created by a Manufactured Home Loan
in the related Manufactured Home constitutes an effective conveyance of such
security interest without amendment of any lien noted on the related certificate
of title, re-registration of the underlying home or filing of any statement
under the applicable UCC, and the assignee succeeds to the seller's rights as
the secured party as to such Manufactured Home. In other states, however, the
law is unclear whether a security interest in a Manufactured Home is effectively
assigned in the absence of an amendment to a certificate of title,
re-registration of the underlying home, or the filing of an appropriate UCC
transfer instrument, as appropriate under the applicable state law. In such
event, the assignment of the security interest created by a Manufactured Home
Loan in the related Manufactured Home may not be effective against creditors of
the Participant in bankruptcy of the Participant.
In recent years, manufactured homes have become increasingly large and
often are attached to their sites, without appearing to be readily mobile.
Perhaps in response to these trends, courts in many states have held that
manufactured homes, under certain circumstances, are subject to real estate
title and recording laws. As a result, a security interest created by an
installment sales contract in a manufactured home located in such a state could
be rendered subordinate to the interests of other parties claiming an interest
in the home under applicable state real estate law. In order to perfect a
security interest in a manufactured home under real estate laws, the holder of
the security interest must file either a real estate mortgage, deed of trust,
deed to secure debt or security deed, as appropriate under the real estate laws
of the state in which the related home is located (any of the foregoing, a
"Mortgage") or a "fixture filing" under the provisions of the applicable UCC.
These filings must be made in the real estate records office of the jurisdiction
in which the home is located. The Participant will not be required to make
fixture filings or to file Mortgages with respect to any of the Manufactured
Homes (except in the case of Land Secured Loans, as described below).
Consequently, if a Manufactured Home is deemed subject to real estate title or
recording laws because the owner attaches it to its site or otherwise, the
Issuer's interest therein may be subordinated to the interests of others that
may claim an interest therein under applicable real estate laws.
The Issuer's security interest in a Manufactured Home would be
subordinate to, among others, subsequent purchasers for value of the
Manufactured Home and holders of perfected security interests therein, in either
case without notice of the Issuer's adverse interest in such Manufactured Home.
In the absence of fraud, forgery or affixation of the Manufactured Home to its
site by the Manufactured Home owner, or administrative error by state recording
officials, the notation of the lien on the related certificate of title or
delivery of the required documents and fees necessary to register the home or
the public filing of appropriate transfer instruments reflecting the lien of the
Participant, in each case as required under applicable state law, will be
sufficient to protect the Bondholders against the rights of subsequent
purchasers of a Manufactured Home or subsequent lenders who take a security
interest in the Manufactured Home.
Certain of the Manufactured Home Loans ("Land Secured Loans") will be
secured by real estate as well as a Manufactured Home. The Issuer will cause the
liens created by the Land Secured Loans on the related real estate to be
assigned to the Trustee. The Manufactured Home Loan file for each Land Secured
Loan will be required to include an original or a certified copy of the recorded
Mortgage relating to the Land Secured Loan, together with originals or certified
copies of a chain of recorded assignments of the Mortgage sufficient to reflect
the Participant as the record holder of the Mortgage and the lien it evidences
on the related real estate. Assignments in recordable form for such Mortgages
naming the Trustee as assignee will not be prepared by the Servicer or the
Issuer. However, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee a power of attorney
entitling the Trustee to prepare, execute and record such assignments of
Mortgages, in the event that recordation thereof becomes necessary to enable the
Servicer to foreclose on the related real property.
Under the laws of most states, in the event that a manufactured home is
moved to a state other than the state in which it initially is registered, any
perfected security interest in the manufactured home would continue
automatically for four months after relocation, during which time the security
interest must be re-perfected in the new state in order to remain perfected
after the four-month period. Generally, a security interest in such a
manufactured home may be re-perfected after the expiration of the four-month
period, but, for the period between the end of the four-month period and the
date of re-perfection, the security interest would be unperfected.
If a Manufactured Home is moved to a UCC State, an appropriate UCC
financing statement generally would have to be filed in such state within the
four-month period after the move in order for the Participant's security
interest in the Manufactured Home to remain perfected continuously. If a
Manufactured Home is moved to a Title State, re-perfection of a security
interest in such home generally would be accomplished by registering the
Manufactured Home with the Title State's motor vehicle authority. In the
ordinary course of servicing its portfolio of manufactured housing installment
sales contracts, the Servicer takes steps to re-perfect its security interests
in the related manufactured homes upon its receipt of notice of registration of
a home in a new state (which it should receive by virtue of the notation of its
lien on the original certificate of title, if the home is moved from a Title
State to a Title State) or of information from a related borrower as to
relocation of such home. In some Title States, the certificate of title to a
Manufactured Home (which is required to be in the Servicer's possession) must be
surrendered before the home can be re-registered; in such states a Borrower
could not re-register a Manufactured Home to a transferee without the Servicer's
assistance. In other Title States, when a Borrower under a Manufactured Home
Loan sells the related Manufactured Home (if it is located in a Title State both
before and after the sale), the Participant should at least receive notice of
any attempted re-registration thereof because its lien is noted on the related
certificate of the title and accordingly it should have the opportunity to
require satisfaction of the related Manufactured Home Loan before releasing its
lien on the home. If the motor vehicle authority of a Title State to which a
Manufactured Home is relocated or in which a Manufactured Home is located when
it is transferred registers the Manufactured Home in the name of the owner
thereof or the owner's transferee without noting the Participant's lien on the
related certificate of title, whether because (1) such state did not require the
owner to surrender the certificate of tile issued prior to the transfer or
issued by the Title State from which the home was moved or failed to notify the
Participant of re-registration and failed to note the Participant's lien on the
new certificate of title issued upon re-registration or (2) the Manufactured
Home was moved from a state that is not a Title State, re-registration could
defeat the perfection of the Participant's lien in the Manufactured Home. In
addition, re-registration of a Manufactured Home (whether due to a transfer or
relocation thereof) in a state, such as a UCC State, that does not require a
certificate of title for registration of a Manufactured Home, could defeat
perfection of the Participant's lien thereon.
If the Participant and the Servicer are not the same entity, the
Participant will be required to report to the Servicer any notice it receives of
any re-registration of a Manufactured Home. Under the related Servicing
Agreement, the Servicer is obligated to take all necessary steps, at its own
expense, to maintain perfection of the Trustee's security interests in the
Manufactured Homes, to the extent it received notice of relocation, sale or
re-registration thereof. However, the Servicer has no independent obligation to
monitor the status of the Participant's lien on any Manufactured Home.
Under the laws of most states, liens for repairs performed on a
manufactured home and for property taxes on a manufactured home take priority
even over a prior perfected security interest. Such liens could arise at any
time during the term of a Manufactured Home Loan. No notice will be given to the
Trustee or Bondholders in the event such a lien arises.
Enforcement of Security Interests in Manufactured Homes
The Servicer, on behalf of the Trustee, to the extent required by the
related Servicing Agreement, may take action to enforce the security interest
with respect to Manufactured Home Loans in default by repossession and resale of
the Manufactured Homes securing the defaulted Manufactured Home Loans. So long
as the manufactured home has not become subject to the real estate laws of a
state, a creditor is entitled, in most states, to repossess a manufactured home
through the voluntary surrender thereof, by "self-help" repossession that is
"peaceful" (i.e., not including any breach of the peace) or, if the creditor is
unable to repossess through either of the foregoing means, by judicial process.
The holder of a Manufactured Home Loan must give the debtor a number of days'
notice, which varies depending on the state (usually ranging from 10 to 30 days
depending on applicable state law), prior to commencement of any repossession
action. The UCC and consumer protection laws in most states place restrictions
on repossession sales; among other things, such laws require prior notice to the
debtor and commercial reasonableness in effecting such a sale. The law in most
states also requires that the debtor be given notice prior to any resale of a
repossessed home so that the debtor may redeem the home at or before such
resale. In the event of repossession and resale of a Manufactured Home, the
Trustee would be entitled to receive the net proceeds of the resale up to the
amount of the Unpaid Principal Balance of the related Manufactured Home Loan
plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon at the related Loan Rate.
Under applicable laws of most states, a creditor is entitled to obtain
a judgment against a debtor for any deficiency remaining after repossession and
resale of the manufactured home securing such debtor's loan. However, obtaining
and collecting deficiency judgments is seldom economically feasible and, for
that reason, the Participant generally has not attempted to obtain deficiency
judgments. In addition, some states impose prohibitions or limitations on
deficiency judgments, and certain other statutory provisions, including federal
and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws and general equitable principles, the
Relief Act and state laws affording relief to debtors, may interfere with or
affect the ability of a secured lender to repossess and resell collateral or to
enforce a deficiency judgment. For example, in certain proceedings under the
Federal Bankruptcy Code, when a court determines that the value of a home is
less than the principal balance of the loan it secures, the court may prevent a
lender from repossessing or foreclosing on the home, and, as part of the
debtor's rehabilitation plan, reduce the amount of the secured indebtedness to
the value of the home as it exists at the time of the proceeding, leaving the
lender as a general unsecured creditor for the difference between that value and
the amount of outstanding indebtedness. A bankruptcy court may grant the debtor
a reasonable time to cure a payment default, and in the case of a manufactured
housing installment sale contract not secured by the debtor's principal
residence, also may reduce the monthly payments due under such contract, change
the rate of interest and alter the repayment schedule. Certain court decisions
have applied such relief to claims secured by the debtor's principal residence.
If a court relieves a Borrower's obligation to repay all or any portion of the
amounts otherwise due on a Manufactured Home Loan, the Servicer will not be
required to advance such amounts, and any loss in respect thereof may reduce
amounts available for payment on the related Bonds.
Under the terms of the federal Relief Act, a Borrower who enters
military service after the origination of such Borrower's Manufactured Home Loan
(including a Borrower who is a member of the National Guard or who is in reserve
status at the time of the origination of the Manufactured Home Loan and is later
called to active duty) may not be charged interest above a specified annual rate
during the period of the Borrower's active duty status, unless a court orders
otherwise upon application of the lender. It is possible that such action 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 Manufactured Home
Loans. Any shortfall in interest collections resulting from the application of
the Relief Act, to the extent not covered by the subordination of a Class of
Subordinated Bonds, could result in losses to Bondholders. In addition, the
Relief Act imposes limitations that would impair the ability of the Servicer to
repossess or foreclose on the Manufactured Home securing an affected
Manufactured Home Loan during the Borrower's period of active duty status. Thus,
in the event that such a Manufactured Home Loan goes into default, there may be
delays and losses occasioned by the inability to liquidate the related
Manufactured Home in a timely fashion.
Foreclosure under Real Property Laws
If a Manufactured Home has become attached to real estate to a degree
such that the home would be treated as real property under the laws of the state
in which it is located, it may not be legally permissible for the Servicer to
repossess the home under the provisions of the UCC or other applicable personal
property laws. If so, the Servicer could obtain possession of the home only
pursuant to real estate mortgage foreclosure laws. See "-- Mortgage Loans and
Model Home Loans -- Foreclosure" above. In addition, in order to realize upon
the Real Property securing any Land Secured Loan, the Servicer must proceed
under applicable state real estate mortgage foreclosure laws. The requirements
that the Servicer must meet in order to foreclose on the Real Property securing
a Land Secured Loan, and the restrictions on such foreclosure, are identical to
the requirements and restrictions that would apply to foreclosure of any
Mortgage Loan. For a description of such foreclosure, see "-- Mortgage Loans and
Model Home Loans" above. Mortgage foreclosure generally is accomplished through
judicial action, rather than by private action as permitted under personal
property laws, and real estate laws generally impose stricter notice
requirements and require public sale of the collateral. In addition, real estate
mortgage foreclosure is usually far more time-consuming and expensive than
repossession under personal property laws, and applicable real estate law
generally affords debtors many more protections than are provided under personal
property laws. Rights of redemption under real estate laws generally are more
favorable to debtors than they are under personal property laws, and in many
states antideficiency judgment legislation will be applicable in the real estate
foreclosure context even if it would not apply to repossessions under personal
property laws. If real estate laws apply to a Manufactured Home, to the extent
the Participant has not perfected its security interest in a Manufactured Home
under applicable real estate laws, the Participant's security interest in the
Manufactured Home would be subordinate to a lien on the home recorded pursuant
to applicable real estate laws.
Applicability of Usury Laws
Title V of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary
Control Act of 1980, as amended ("Title V"), provides, subject to certain
conditions described in the next sentence, that state usury limitations shall
not apply to any loan that is secured by a first lien on certain kinds of
manufactured housing. The Manufactured Home Loans would be covered under Title V
if they satisfy certain conditions governing, among other things, the terms of
any prepayments, late charges and deferral fees and requiring 30 days' prior
notice before the institution of any action leading to repossession of or
foreclosure with respect to the related manufactured home.
Title V authorized any state to reimpose limitations on interest rates
and finance charges by adopting a law or constitutional provision that expressly
rejects application of the federal law before April 1, 1983. Fifteen states
adopted such a law prior to the April 1, 1983 deadline. In addition, even where
the Title V was not so rejected, any state is authorized by the law to adopt a
provision limiting discount points or other charges on loans covered by Title V.
Consumer Finance Loans
General
As a result of the pledge of the Consumer Finance Loans underlying a
Series to the related Trustee, the Trustee will succeed to all the rights
(including the right to receive payments on the Consumer Finance Loans) of the
obligees under the Consumer Finance Loans. Each Consumer Finance Loan evidences
both (1) the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loan evidenced thereby, and
(2) the grant of a security interest in the related Facilities to secure
repayment of the Consumer Finance Loan. Certain aspects of both features of the
Consumer Finance Loans are described more fully below.
The Consumer Finance Loans generally are "chattel paper" as defined in
the Uniform Commercial Code (the "UCC") in effect in the states in which the
Facilities are located. Under the Servicing Agreement, the Servicer will retain
possession of the chattel paper evidencing the Consumer Finance Loans as
custodian for the Trustee. Because the Servicer is not relinquishing possession
of the Consumer Finance Loans, the Servicer will file a UCC-1 financing
statement in the appropriate recording offices as necessary to perfect the
Trustee's interest in the Consumer Finance Loans. Notwithstanding such filings,
if, through negligence, fraud or otherwise, a subsequent purchaser from the
Participant or from a predecessor owner of the chattel paper evidencing the
Consumer Finance Loans were able to take physical possession of the Consumer
Finance Loans without notice of the pledge of the Consumer Finance Loans to the
Trustee, the Trustee's interest in the Consumer Finance Loans could be
subordinated to the interest of such purchaser. To provide a measure of
protection against this possibility, within ten days after the Closing Date,
unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the documents
evidencing the Consumer Finance Loans will be stamped or marked otherwise to
reflect their pledge by the Issuer to the Trustee.
Security Interests in the Facilities
The Facilities securing the Consumer Finance Loans may be located in
single family residential properties in any of or all the 50 states and the
District of Columbia. The manner in which security interests in Facilities are
"perfected" is governed by applicable state law. Generally, a security interest
in Facilities may be perfected by filing UCC financing statements or other
required transfer documents with appropriate offices. In connection with a
Series of Bonds secured by Consumer Finance Loans, the Participant will cause
the security interests created by the Consumer Finance Loans to be assigned to
the Issuer and, in turn, assigned to the Trustee. Unless otherwise specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement, however, because of the expense and
administrative inconvenience involved, neither the Participant nor the Issuer
will file any UCC transfer documents reflecting the assignment to the Trustee.
Generally, under the UCC, simple assignment of the security instrument created
by the Consumer Finance Loan constitutes an effective conveyance of the security
instrument without the filing of any statement under the UCC. In some states,
however, the law is unclear as to whether a security interest is effectively
assigned in the absence of filing an appropriate UCC transfer instrument. In
such a state, the assignment of the security interest created by a Consumer
Finance Loan in the related Facilities may not be effective against creditors of
the Participant or the Issuer or a trustee in bankruptcy of the Participant or
Issuer.
The Trustee's security interest in Facilities would be subordinate to,
among others, subsequent purchasers for value of the Facilities and holders of
perfected security interests therein, in either case without notice of the
Trustee's adverse interest in the Facilities. In the absence of fraud or
forgery, or administrative error by state recording officials, the public filing
of appropriate transfer instruments reflecting the lien of the Participant, in
each case as required under applicable state law, will be sufficient to protect
the Bondholders against the rights of subsequent purchasers of Facilities or
subsequent lenders who take a security interest in the Facilities from anyone
other than the Participant because they will be on notice of the interest in the
Facilities held by the Participant.
The Facilities consist of equipment, facilities and materials (referred
to as "goods" in this discussion) that will be installed in existing, single
family residential properties, and the goods may become "fixtures." Generally,
goods become fixtures under the UCC when they become so related to particular
real estate that an interest arises in them under the real estate law of the
applicable state. In order to perfect a security interest in goods (the UCC
provides that no security interest may exist in "ordinary building materials"
incorporated into an improvement to real estate), the Participant will make a
"fixture filing" under the applicable UCC, unless such a filing is inadvisable
under applicable state law. The Participant will also perfect a security
interest in the goods as personal property in the customary manner required by
the applicable UCC. With respect to a Series of Bonds secured by Consumer
Finance Loans, the Participant will assign its security interest in the related
goods to the Issuer, which will pledge them to the Trustee.
In most states, with respect to the installation of goods that become
fixtures in an existing single family residential property, a perfected security
interest in the goods will, with one exception, have priority over the
conflicting interest of an encumbrancer of the real estate, including the
mortgagee under a first lien mortgage secured by the related real estate, if (i)
the security interest was created in connection with the purchase of the goods,
(ii) the interest of the encumbrancer arises before the goods become fixtures,
(iii) the security interest is perfected by the fixture filing before the goods
become fixtures or within a specified time thereafter and (iv) the debtor has an
interest of record in or possession of the real estate. The exception is that a
perfected security interest in fixtures will not take priority over a
construction mortgage recorded before the goods become fixtures if the goods
become fixtures before completion of construction. In a very small minority of
states, a perfected security interest in goods that are or are to become
fixtures will not have priority over the conflicting interest of an encumbrancer
whose security interest in the related single family residential property was
perfected before the perfection of the security interest in the fixtures.
Under the laws of most states, liens for repairs performed on a home
and for property taxes on a home take priority even over a prior perfected
security interest. Such liens could arise at any time during the term of a
Consumer Finance Loan. No notice will be given to the Trustee or Bondholders in
the event such a lien arises.
Enforcement of Security Interests
The Servicer, on behalf of the Trustee, to the extent required by the
related Servicing Agreement, may take action to enforce the Trustee's security
interest with respect to Consumer Finance Loans in default.
If the goods securing a defaulted Consumer Finance Loan have not become
fixtures under applicable state law, the Servicer may remove and repossess the
goods subject to the requirements with respect to "peaceful repossession,"
notice to the debtor of repossession and resale and rights of redemption in the
debtor discussed herein under "Certain Legal Aspects of the Collateral --
Manufactured Home Loans -- Enforcement of Security Interests."
If the goods constitute fixtures and the Trustee's security interest in
the related goods has priority over all other encumbrancers of the affected
single family residential property, on default the Servicer may remove and
repossess the goods (not including the related "ordinary building materials"),
subject to the requirements described in the preceding paragraph. In addition,
the Servicer must reimburse any encumbrancer who is not the debtor for the cost
of repair of any physical damage to the dwelling resulting from the removal of
fixtures, and the person entitled to reimbursement may refuse permission to
remove any fixtures unless the Servicer gives adequate security for the cost of
repair obligation.
If the Trustee's security interest in the goods does not have priority
over all other owners and encumbrancers of the affected real estate, for example
because a construction mortgage has priority, the Servicer may not remove the
goods under any circumstances in the case of a defaulted Consumer Finance Loan.
Each Consumer Finance Loan will be made in an amount equal to the cost
of the purchase and installation of the goods, which amount will include the
cost of labor and may include "ordinary building materials" that cannot be
repossessed. In addition, the value of Facilities, to a greater extent than
Mortgaged Premises, is likely to decrease over time. Either or both of these
factors could cause the net proceeds of any resale on default to be inadequate
to pay off the Unpaid Principal Balance plus accrued and unpaid interest on the
related Consumer Finance Loan. Under applicable laws of most states, the
Servicer might be able to seek a judgment against the debtor for the deficiency,
but obtaining such judgments is seldom economically feasible, and, for that
reason, the Servicer is unlikely to pursue this course of action. In addition,
certain legal prohibitions or restrictions on deficiency judgments and other
laws affording protections to debtors, discussed above under "-- Manufactured
Home Loans -- Enforcement of Security Interests," may apply in the case of
Consumer Finance Loans.
Given that the Consumer Finance Loans involve relatively small amounts,
even with a perfected, first priority security interest, the Servicer is likely
to determine in many cases that the cost of removal of goods, particularly if an
obligation to pay cost of repairs exists, exceeds the net proceeds that could be
expected from a sale and, as a result, decline to remove the goods. If the
Servicer either declines or is not permitted to remove the goods, the UCC
provisions dealing with fixtures do not indicate how the Servicer is to proceed.
It is not clear whether under applicable state law the Trustee would be able to
share in the proceeds of a Foreclosure proceeding brought by an encumbrancer of
the real estate. If the Trustee's security interest in the goods is not a first
priority security interest, there may be little likelihood that any Foreclosure
proceeds would remain after payment of expenses and satisfaction of the senior
encumbrances. The Servicer may have the right to reduce the Trustee's claim to
judgment and proceed against the debtor's assets. For the same reasons that the
Servicer would be unlikely to seek a deficiency judgment in the event of a
repossession and resale, however, a legal proceeding against the debtor
frequently will not be economically feasible.
Consumer Protection Laws
The so-called "Holder-in-Due-Course" rule of the Federal Trade
Commission is intended to prevent a seller of goods pursuant to a consumer
credit contract (and certain related lenders and assignees) from transferring
the contract free of claims by the debtor thereunder against the seller. The
effect of this rule is to subject the assignee of a consumer credit contract to
all claims and defenses that the debtor could have asserted against the seller
under the contract. Assignee liability under this rule (which would be
applicable to the Trust, as pledgee of the Manufactured Home Loans or Consumer
Finance Loan) is limited to amounts paid by the debtor under the pledged Loan;
however, a borrower also may assert the rule to set off remaining amounts due
under such a Loan as a defense against a claim brought by the assignee of the
Loan against the borrower. Numerous other federal and state consumer protection
laws impose requirements applicable to the origination and lending in connection
with one or more types of the Collateral, including the Truth in Lending Act,
the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty A Federal Trade
Commission Improvement Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Uniform Consumer
Credit Code. The failure of the originator of Collateral to have complied with
the provisions of some of these laws may result in liability of the related
Trust to the Borrower thereunder or in a reduction of the amount payable under
the Collateral. However, the Participant (a) will be required to represent and
warrant that each item of Collateral it sells to the Issuer complied, at the
time of its origination, with all requirements of law and (b) will be required
to make certain representations and warranties as to each item of Collateral
concerning the validity, existence, perfection and priority of its security
interest in each underlying item of Collateral as of the related Cut-off Date. A
breach of any such representation or warranty that materially and adversely
affects a Trustee's interest in any item of Collateral would create an
obligation on the part of the Participant to use its best efforts to cure the
breach to the satisfaction of the Trustee or to repurchase the item of
Collateral. Nevertheless, this requirement may not eliminate the Trustee's
liability to a Borrower.
Environmental Considerations
Under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and
Liability Act, as amended, a secured party that takes a deed in lieu of
foreclosure, purchases Mortgaged Premises or Real Property at a foreclosure sale
or operates Mortgaged Premises or Real Property may become liable in certain
circumstances for the costs of remedial action ("Cleanup Costs") if hazardous
wastes or hazardous substances have been released or disposed of on the
Mortgaged Premises or Real Property. Such Cleanup Costs may be substantial. It
is possible that such Cleanup Costs could subject the Collateral to a lien and
reduce the amounts otherwise available to pay to the holders of the Bonds if
Mortgaged Premises or Real Property securing a Mortgage Loan were acquired by
the Trustee through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure and if such
Cleanup Costs were incurred. Moreover, some states impose a lien for any Cleanup
Costs incurred by that State on the Mortgaged Premises that are subject of such
Cleanup Costs (a "Superlien"). All subsequent liens on such Mortgaged Premises
(but not prior recorded liens) are subordinated to such Superlien. The security
interest of the Trustee in Mortgaged Premises subject to such a Superlien could
be adversely affected.
No representations or warranties are made by the Participant or Issuer
as to the absence or effect of hazardous wastes or hazardous substances on any
of the Mortgaged Premises. In addition, the Servicers have not made any
representations or warranties or assumed any liability with respect to the
absence or effect of hazardous wastes or hazardous substances on any Mortgaged
Premises or any casualty resulting from the presence or effect of hazardous
wastes or hazardous substances and any loss or liability resulting from the
presence or effect of such hazardous wastes or hazardous substances will reduce
the amounts otherwise available to pay to the holders of the Bonds.
The Servicers are not permitted to foreclose on any Mortgaged Premises
without the approval of the Master Servicer. The Master Servicer is not
permitted to approve foreclosure on any property that it knows or has reason to
know is contaminated with or affected by hazardous wastes or hazardous
substances. The Master Servicer is required to inquire of any Servicer
requesting approval of Foreclosure whether the property proposed to be
foreclosed upon is so contaminated. If a Servicer does not foreclose on Mortgage
Premises, the amounts otherwise available to pay to the holders of the Bonds may
be reduced. A Servicer will not be liable to the holders of the Bonds if it
fails to foreclose on Mortgaged Premises that it reasonably believes may be so
contaminated or affected, even if such Mortgaged Premises are, in fact, not so
contaminated or affected. Similarly, a Servicer will not be liable to the
Bondholders if, based on its reasonable belief that no such contamination or
effect exists, the Servicer forecloses on Mortgaged Premises and takes title to
such Mortgaged Premises, and thereafter such Mortgaged Premises are determined
to be so contaminated or affected.
Enforceability of Certain Provisions
The standard forms of mortgage, deed of trust, Manufactured Home Loan,
Consumer Finance Loan or Note used by the originators of Loans may contain
provisions obligating the Borrower to pay a late charge if payments are not
timely made and in some circumstances may provide for prepayment fees or
penalties if the obligation is paid prior to maturity. In certain states, there
are or may be specific limitations upon late charges that a lender may collect
from a borrower for delinquent payments. Certain states also limit the amounts
that a lender may collect from a borrower as an additional charge if the loan is
prepaid. Under each Series Supplement, late charges and prepayment fees on the
related Collateral (to the extent permitted by law and not waived by the
Servicer) will be retained by the Servicer as additional servicing compensation.
THE ISSUER
The Issuer was incorporated in Virginia on August 19, 1994. It is a
wholly-owned, limited-purpose financing subsidiary of IHC and an indirect
subsidiary of Dynex Capital, Inc., formerly named Resource Mortgage Capital,
Inc. The Issuer's principal office is located at 10900 Nuckols Road, Glen Allen,
Virginia 23060, telephone (804) 217-5800. The Issuer exists solely for the
purpose of facilitating the financing and sale of loans involving residential
housing, such as the Mortgage Loans, Model Home Loans, Manufactured Home Loans
and Consumer Finance Loans. It does not intend to engage in any business or
investment activities other than issuing and selling securities secured
primarily by loans involving residential housing, and taking certain action with
respect thereto. Dynex and IHC have agreed not to file a petition in bankruptcy
with respect to the Issuer. The Issuer's Articles of Incorporation, which have
been filed as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
forms a part, limit the Issuer's business to the foregoing and place certain
other restrictions on the Issuer's activities.
Under the Indenture, the Issuer is responsible for certain
administrative and accounting matters relating to the outstanding Bonds. It is
intended that Dynex will perform these services on behalf of the Issuer and will
be paid a fee for its services relating to the administration of a Series.
IHC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dynex. IHC exists solely for the
purpose of holding the stock of one or more entities that issue securities.
Dynex is a self-managed real estate investment trust that purchases and
securitizes loans associated primarily with residential (including multifamily)
properties and invests in securities backed by such loans. Dynex was
incorporated in Virginia in December 1987. Dynex's principal office is located
at 10900 Nuckols Road, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060, telephone (804) 217-5800.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
General
The following summary of the anticipated material federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Bonds is based on
advice provided to the Issuer by Arter & Hadden. With respect to each Series of
Bonds, counsel to the Issuer will be identified in the related Prospectus
Supplement. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the related
Prospectus Supplement. The summary is based upon the provisions of the Code, the
regulations promulgated thereunder, and the judicial and administrative rulings
and decisions now in effect or (with respect to regulations) proposed, all of
which are subject to change or possible differing interpretations. The statutory
provisions, regulations, and interpretations on which this summary is based are
subject to change, and such a change could apply retroactively.
The summary does not purport to deal with all aspects of federal income
taxation that may affect particular investors in light of their individual
circumstances, nor with certain categories of investors subject to special
treatment under the federal income tax laws. This summary focuses primarily upon
investors who will hold Bonds as "capital assets," (generally, property held for
investment) within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, but much of the
discussion is applicable to other investors as well. The summary does not
purport to address the anticipated state income tax consequences to investors of
owning and disposing of the Bonds. Consequently, potential purchasers of Bonds
are advised to consult their own tax advisors concerning the federal, state or
local tax consequences to them of the purchase, holding, and disposition of the
Bonds.
No election will be made to treat any Series of Bonds as a real estate
mortgage investment conduit ("REMIC") or a financial asset securitization
investment trust ("FASIT"). There are no regulations, published rulings or
judicial decisions involving the characterization for federal income tax
purposes of securities with terms substantially the same as the Bonds. With
respect to each Series of Bonds, however, counsel to the Issuer will advise the
Issuer that, based upon the facts as they exist at the time the opinion is
issued (which may precede the issuance of certain Classes of Bonds for federal
income tax purposes), in the firm's opinion the Bonds will be treated for
federal income tax purposes as indebtedness of the Issuer, and not as an
ownership interest in the Collateral, or an equity interest in the Issuer or in
a separate association taxable as a corporation. That opinion will be based on
existing law, but there can be no assurance that the law will not change or that
contrary positions will not be taken by the Internal Revenue Service (the
"Service").
Taxable mortgage pool ("TMP") rules treat certain arrangements that
securitize real estate mortgages as taxable corporations. An entity will be
characterized as a TMP if (i) substantially all its assets are debt obligations
and more than 50 percent of such debt obligations consist of real estate
mortgages or interests therein, (ii) the entity is the obligor under debt
obligations with two or more maturities, and (iii) payments on the debt
obligations referred to in (ii) bear a relationship to payments on the debt
obligations referred to in (i). Furthermore, a group of assets held by an entity
can be treated as a separate TMP if the assets are expected to produce
significant cash flow that will support one or more of the entity's issues of
debt obligation.
It is likely that the Issuer or the portion of the Issuer relating to
the ownership of the Mortgage Collateral and the issuance of the Bonds will
satisfy the foregoing requirements and will be treated as a TMP. Such
characterization would require that the Issuer be treated as a "separate"
corporation and not includible with any other corporation, therefore subjecting
the Issuer to corporate income tax. Because, however, the Issuer is also a
"qualified REIT subsidiary" (as defined in Section 856(i)(2) of the Code) of
Dynex, which itself is a REIT, characterization of the Issuer as a TMP will
result only in the shareholders of Dynex being required to include in income, as
"excess inclusion" income, some of or all their allocable share of the Issuer's
net income that would be excess inclusion income, if any, if the Issuer were
treated as a REMIC. Such characterization will not result in entity-level,
corporate income taxation with respect to the Issuer. If the Issuer were to fail
to continue to be treated as a qualified REIT subsidiary by reason of Dynex's
failure to continue to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes or for
any other reason, the net income of the Issuer would be subject to corporate
income tax and the Issuer would not be permitted to be included on a
consolidated income tax return of another corporate entity. No assurance can be
given with regard to the prospective qualification of the Issuer as a qualified
REIT subsidiary or of Dynex as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
In addition, if the Service were to make and prevail upon the
contention that a Class of Bonds did not constitute indebtedness for federal
income tax purposes, such Bonds could be treated as equity interests in an
association taxable as a corporation, which would result in the imposition of a
federal income tax at the entity level. The imposition of such a tax could
result in a delay or shortfall in payments on the Bonds. The Issuer may redeem a
Class or Classes of Bonds at any time upon a determination by the Issuer, based
upon an opinion of counsel, that a substantial risk exists that the Bonds of the
Class to be redeemed will not be treated for federal income tax purposes as
evidences of indebtedness. Such redemption could occur when a Bondholder could
not reinvest the proceeds at an interest rate at least equal to the applicable
Class Interest Rate.
Because, in counsel's opinion, the Bonds will be treated as evidences
of indebtedness for federal income tax purposes and not as ownership interests
in the Collateral, Bondholders should be aware that (i) Bonds held by a mutual
savings bank or domestic building and loan association will not represent
interests in "qualifying real property loans" within the meaning of Code Section
593(d)(1); (ii) Bonds held by 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); (iii) Bonds held by a REIT will not
constitute "real estate assets" or "government securities" within the meaning of
Code Section 856(c)(5)(A); and (iv) income derived from the Bonds will not be
considered "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).
Bonds held by a regulated investment company (a "RIC") will not constitute
"government securities" within the meaning of section 851 (b)(4)(A)(i) of the
Code.
Payments received by Bondholders on the Bonds generally should be
accorded the same tax treatment under the Code as payments received on other
taxable corporate bonds. Except as described below for Bonds issued with
original issue discount, market discount, or premium, interest paid or accrued
on a Bond will be treated as ordinary income to the Bondholder and a principal
payment on a Bond will be treated as a return of capital to the extent that the
Bondholder's basis in the Bond is allocable to that payment. In general,
interest paid to Bondholders who report their income on the cash receipts and
disbursements method should be taxable to them when received. Interest earned by
Bondholders who report their income on the accrual method will be taxable when
accrued, regardless of when it is actually received. The Trustee will report
annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to Bondholders of record with
respect to interest paid or accrued, market discount, and original issue
discount, if any, accrued on the Bonds.
One or more Classes of Bonds may be subordinated to one or more other
Classes of Bonds of the same Series. In general, such subordination should not
affect the federal income tax treatment of either the Subordinated or the Senior
Bonds. Employee benefit plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), should consult their tax advisors before
purchasing any Subordinated Bond. See "ERISA Considerations" herein and in the
Prospectus Supplement.
Original Issue Discount
General
Discount Bonds, Accretion Bonds, and certain other Classes of Bonds
will be issued with "original issue discount" within the meaning of Section
1273(a) of the Code. In general such original issue discount will equal the
difference between the "stated redemption price at maturity" of the Bond
(generally, its principal amount) and its issue price. Original issue discount
is treated as ordinary interest income, and Holders of Bonds with original issue
discount generally must include the amount of original issue discount in income
in advance of the receipt of the cash to which it relates.
The amount of original issue discount required to be included in a
Bondholder's income in any taxable year will be computed in accordance with
Section 1272(a)(6) of the Code, which provides rules for the accrual of original
issue discount under a constant yield method for certain debt instruments, such
as the Bonds, that are subject to prepayment by reason of prepayments of
underlying obligations. Under Section 1272(a)(6), the amount and rate of accrual
of original issue discount on a Bond generally is to be calculated based on (i)
a single constant yield to maturity and (ii) the Mortgage Collateral prepayment
rate and the reinvestment rate on amounts held pending distribution that were
assumed in pricing the Bond (the "Pricing Prepayment Assumptions"). No
regulatory guidance currently exists under Code Section 1272(a)(6). Accordingly,
until the Treasury issues guidance to the contrary, the Master Servicer or other
person responsible for computing the amount of original issue discount to be
reported to a Bondholder each taxable year (the "Tax Administrator"), except as
otherwise provided herein, expects to base its computations on Code Section
1272(a)(6) and final regulations governing the accrual of original issue
discount on debt instruments that do not address directly the treatment of
instruments that are subject to Code Section 1272(a)(6) (the "OID Regulations").
However, there can be no assurance that such methodology, which is described
below, represents the correct manner of calculating original issue discount on
the Bonds. The Tax Administrator intends to account for income on certain Bonds
that provide for one or more contingent payments as described in " -- Interest
Weighted Bonds and Non-VRDI Bonds" herein.
The amount of original issue discount on a Bond equals the excess, if
any, of the Bond's "stated redemption price at maturity" over its "issue price."
Under the OID Regulations, a debt instrument's stated redemption price at
maturity is the sum of all payments provided by the instrument other than
"qualified stated interest" ( "Deemed Principal Payments"). Qualified stated
interest, in general, is stated interest that is unconditionally payable in cash
or property (other than debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually at (i)
a single fixed rate or (ii) a variable rate that meets certain requirements set
out in the OID Regulations. See " -- Variable Rate Bonds." The OID Regulations
state that interest is unconditionally payable only if a late payment or
nonpayment is expected to be penalized or reasonable remedies exist to compel
payment. Thus, in the case of any Bond providing for such stated interest other
than an Accretion Bond, the stated redemption price at maturity generally will
equal the total amount of all Deemed Principal Payments due on that Bond.
Because an Accretion Bond generally does not require unconditional payments of
interest at least annually, the stated redemption price at maturity of such a
Bond will equal the aggregate of all payments due, whether designated as
principal, accrued interest, or current interest. The issue price of a Bond
generally will equal the initial price at which a substantial amount of such
Bonds is sold to the public.
Under a de minimis rule, a Bond will be considered to have no original
issue discount if the amount of original issue discount is less than 0.25% of
the Bond's stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the weighted
average maturity ("WAM") of the Bond. For that purpose, the WAM of a Bond is the
sum of the amounts obtained by multiplying the amount of each Deemed Principal
Payment by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of complete years
from the Bond's issue date until the payment is made, and the denominator of
which is the Bond's stated redemption price at maturity. Although no Treasury
regulations have been issued under the relevant provisions of the 1986 Act, it
is expected that the WAM of a Bond will be computed using the Pricing Prepayment
Assumptions. A Bondholder will include de minimis original issue discount in
income on a pro rata basis as stated principal payments on the Bond are received
or, if earlier, upon disposition of the Bond, unless the Bondholder makes an
"All OID Election" (as defined below).
Bonds of certain Series may bear interest under terms that provide for
a teaser rate period, interest holiday, or other period during which the rate of
interest payable on the Bonds is lower than the rate payable during the
remainder of the life of the Bonds ("Teaser Bonds"). The OID Regulations provide
a more expansive test under which a Teaser Bond may be considered to have a de
minimis amount of original issue discount even though the amount of the original
issue discount on the Bond would be more than de minimis as determined under the
regular test. The expanded test applies to a Teaser Bond only if the stated
interest on such Bond would be qualified stated interest but for the fact that
during one or more accrual periods its interest rate is below the rate
applicable for the remainder of its term. Under the expanded test, the amount of
original issue discount on a Teaser Bond that is measured against the de minimis
amount of original issue discount allowable on the Bond is the greater of (i)
the excess of the stated principal amount of the Bond over its issue price
("True Discount") and (ii) the amount of interest that would be necessary to be
payable on the Bond in order for all stated interest to be qualified stated
interest (the "Additional Interest Amount").
The holder of a Bond generally must include in gross income the sum,
for all days during his taxable year on which he holds the Bond, of the "daily
portions" of the original issue discount on such Bond. In the case of an
original holder of a Bond, the daily portions of original issue discount with
respect to such Bond generally will be determined by allocating to each day in
any accrual period the Bond's ratable portion of the excess, if any, of (i) the
sum of (a) the present value of all payments under the Bond yet to be received
as of the close of such period and (b) the amount of any Deemed Principal
Payments received on the Bond during such period over (ii) the Bond's "adjusted
issue price" at the beginning of such period. The present value of payments yet
to be received on a Bond is computed by using the Pricing Prepayment Assumptions
and the Bond's original yield to maturity (adjusted to take into account the
length of the particular accrual period), and taking into account Deemed
Principal Payments actually received on the Bond prior to the close of the
accrual period. The adjusted issue price of a Bond at the beginning of the first
accrual period is its issue price. The adjusted issue price at the beginning of
each subsequent period is the adjusted issue price of the Bond at the beginning
of the preceding period increased by the amount of original issue discount
allocable to that period and decreased by the amount of any Deemed Principal
Payments received during that period. Thus, an increased (or decreased) rate of
prepayments received with respect to a Bond will be accompanied by a
correspondingly increased (or decreased) rate of recognition of original issue
discount by the holder of such Bond.
The yield to maturity of a Bond is calculated based on (i) the Pricing
Prepayment Assumptions and (ii) any contingencies not already taken into account
under the Pricing Prepayment Assumptions that, considering all the facts and
circumstances as of the issue date, are more likely than not to occur.
Contingencies, such as the exercise of "mandatory redemptions", that are taken
into account by the parties in pricing the Bond typically will be subsumed in
the Pricing Prepayment Assumptions and thus will be reflected in the Bond's
yield to maturity. The Tax Administrator's determination of whether a
contingency relating to a Class of Bonds is more likely than not to occur is
binding on each holder of a Bond of such Class unless the holder explicitly
discloses on its federal income tax return that its determination of the yield
and maturity of the Bond is different from that of the Tax Administrator.
In many cases, Bonds will be subject to optional redemption before
their stated maturity dates. Under the OID Regulations, the Issuer will be
presumed to exercise its option to redeem for purposes of computing the accrual
of original issue discount if, and only if, by using the optional redemption
date as the maturity date and the optional redemption price as the stated
redemption price at maturity, the yield to maturity of the Bonds is lower than
it would be if the Bonds were not redeemed early. If the Issuer is presumed to
exercise its option to redeem the Bonds, original issue discount on such Bonds
will be calculated as if the redemption date were the maturity date and the
optional redemption price were the stated redemption price at maturity. In cases
in which all the Bonds of a particular Series are issued at par or at a
discount, the Issuer will not be presumed to exercise its option to redeem the
Bonds because a redemption by the Issuer would not lower the yield to maturity
of the Bonds. If, however, some Bonds of a particular Series are issued at a
premium, the Issuer may be able to lower the yield to maturity of the Bonds by
exercising its redemption option. In determining whether the Issuer will be
presumed to exercise its option to redeem Bonds when one or more Classes of the
Bonds is issued at a premium, the Tax Administrator will take into account all
Classes of Bonds that are subject to the optional redemption to the extent that
they are expected to remain outstanding as of the optional redemption date,
based on the Pricing Prepayment Assumptions. If, determined on a combined
weighted average basis, the Bonds of such Classes were issued at a premium, the
Tax Administrator will presume that the Issuer will exercise its option.
However, the OID Regulations are unclear as to how the redemption presumption
rules should apply to instruments such as the Bonds, and there can be no
assurance that the Service will agree with the Tax Administrator's position.
The OID Regulations provide that a Bondholder generally may make an
election (an "All OID Election") to include in gross income all stated interest,
original issue discount, de minimis original issue discount, market discount (as
described below under " -- Market Discount"), and de minimis market discount
that accrues on the Bond (as reduced by any amortizable premium, as described
below under "Amortizable Premium," or acquisition premium, as described below)
under the constant yield method used to account for original issue discount. To
make an All OID Election, the holder of the Bond must attach a statement to its
timely filed federal income tax return for the taxable year in which the holder
acquired the Bond. The statement must identify the instruments to which the
election applies. An All OID Election is irrevocable unless the holder obtains
the consent of the Service. If an All OID Election is made for a debt instrument
with market discount, the holder is deemed to have made an election to include
in income currently the market discount on all the holder's other debt
instruments with market discount, as described in " -- Market Discount" below.
In addition, if an All OID Election is made for a debt instrument with
amortizable premium, the holder is deemed to have made an election to amortize
the premium on all the holder's other debt instruments with amortizable premium
under the constant yield method. See " -Amortizable Premium." Bondholders should
be aware that the law is unclear as to whether an All OID Election is effective
for a Bond that is subject to the contingent payment rules. See " -- Interest
Weighted Bonds and Non-VRDI Bonds."
A Bond having original issue discount may be acquired in a transaction
subsequent to its issuance for more than its adjusted issue price. If the
subsequent holder's adjusted basis in such a Bond, immediately after its
acquisition, exceeds the sum of all Deemed Principal Payments to be received on
the Bond after the acquisition date, the Bond will no longer have original issue
discount, and the holder may be entitled to reduce the amount of interest income
recognized on the Bond by the amount of amortizable premium. See "Amortizable
Premium." If the subsequent holder's adjusted basis in the Bond immediately
after the acquisition exceeds the adjusted issue price of the Bond, but is less
than or equal to the sum of the Deemed Principal Payments to be received under
the Bond after the acquisition date, the amount of original issue discount on
the Bond will be reduced by a fraction, the numerator of which is the excess of
the Bond's adjusted basis immediately after its acquisition over the adjusted
issue price of the Bond and the denominator of which is the excess of the sum of
all Deemed Principal Payments to be received on the Bond after the acquisition
date over the adjusted issue price of the Bond. For that purpose, the adjusted
basis of a Bond generally is reduced by the amount of any qualified stated
interest that is accrued but unpaid as of the acquisition date. Alternatively,
the subsequent purchaser of a Bond having original issue discount may make an
All OID Election with respect to the Bond.
If the interval between the issue date of a Current Interest Bond and
the first Distribution Date (the "First Distribution Period") contains more days
than the number of days of stated interest that are payable on the first
Distribution Date, the effective interest rate received by the Bondholder during
the first Distribution Period will be less than the Bond's stated interest rate
making such Bond a Teaser Bond. If the amount of original issue discount on the
Bond measured under the expanded de minimis test exceeds the de minimis amount
of original issue discount allowable on the Bond, the amount by which the stated
interest on the Bond exceeds the interest that would be payable on the Bond at
the effective rate of interest for the First Distribution Period (the
"Nonqualified Interest Amount") would be treated as part of the Bond's stated
redemption price at maturity. Accordingly, the holder of a Teaser Bond may be
required to recognize ordinary income arising from original issue discount
attributable to the First Distribution Period in addition to any qualified
stated interest that accrues in that period.
Similarly, if the First Distribution Period is shorter than the
interval between subsequent Distribution Dates, the effective rate of interest
payable on a Bond during the First Distribution Period will be higher than the
stated rate of interest if a Bondholder receives interest on the first
Distribution Date based on a full accrual period. Unless the "Pre-Issuance
Accrued Interest Rule" described below applies, such Bond (a "Rate Bubble Bond")
would be issued with original issue discount unless the amount of original issue
discount is de minimis. The amount of original issue discount on a Rate Bubble
Bond attributable to the First Distribution Period would be the amount by which
the interest payment due on the first Distribution Date exceeds the amount that
would have been payable had the effective rate for that Period been equal to the
stated interest rate. However, under the Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest Rule, if
(i) a portion of the initial purchase price of a Rate Bubble Bond is allocable
to interest that has accrued under the terms of the Bond prior to its issue date
("Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest") and (ii) the Bond provides for a payment of
stated interest on the first payment date within one year of the issue date that
equals or exceeds the amount of the Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest, the Bond's
issue price may be computed by subtracting from the issue price the amount of
Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest. If the Bondholder opts to apply the Pre-Issuance
Accrued Interest Rule, the portion of the interest received on the first
Distribution Date equal to the Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest would be treated as
a return of such interest and would not be treated as a payment on the Bond.
Thus, where the Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest Rule applies, a Rate Bubble Bond
will not have original issue discount attributable to the First Distribution
Period, provided that the increased effective interest rate for that Period is
attributable solely to Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest, as typically will be the
case. The Tax Administrator intends to apply the Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest
Rule to each Rate Bubble Bond for which it is available if the Bond `s stated
interest otherwise would be qualified stated interest. If, however, the First
Distribution Period of a Rate Bubble Bond is longer than subsequent Distribution
Periods, the application of the Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest Rule typically
will not prevent disqualification of the Bond's stated interest because its
effective interest rate during the First Distribution Period typically will be
less than its stated interest rate. Thus, a Bond with a long First Distribution
Period typically will be a Teaser Bond, as discussed above. The Pre-Issuance
Accrued Interest Rule will not apply to any amount paid at issuance for such a
Teaser Bond that is normally allocable to interest accrued under the terms of
such Bond before its issue date. All amounts paid for such a Teaser Bond at
issuance, regardless of how designated, will be included in the issue price of
such Bond for federal income tax accounting purposes.
It is not entirely clear how income should be accrued with respect to
Bonds, the payments on which consist entirely or primarily of a specified
nonvarying portion of the interest payable on one or more Mortgage Loans
("Interest Weighted Bonds"). Unless and until the Service provides contrary
administrative guidance on the income tax treatment of an Interest Weighted
Bond, the Tax Administrator will take the position that an Interest Weighted
Bond does not bear qualified stated interest, and will account for the income
thereon as described in " -- Interest Weighted Bonds and Non-VRDI Bonds" herein.
Some Interest Weighted Bonds may provide for a relatively small amount of
principal and for interest that can be expressed as qualified stated interest at
a very high fixed rate with respect to that principal ("Superpremium Bonds").
Superpremium Bonds technically are issued with amortizable premium. However,
because of their close similarity to other Interest Weighted Bonds it appears
more appropriate to account for Superpremium Bonds in the same manner as for
other Interest Weighted Bonds. Consequently, in the absence of further
administrative guidance, the Tax Administrator intends to account for
Superpremium Bonds in the same manner as other Interest Weighted Bonds. However,
there can be no assurance that the Service will not assert a position contrary
to that taken by the Tax Administrator, and, therefore, holders of Superpremium
Bonds should consider making a protective election to amortize premium on such
Bonds.
In view of the complexities and current uncertainties as to the manner
of inclusion in income of original issue discount on the Bonds, each investor
should consult his own tax advisor to determine the appropriate amount and
method of inclusion in income of original issue discount on the Bonds for
federal income tax purposes.
Variable Rate Bonds
A Bond may pay interest at a variable rate (a "Variable Rate Bond"). A
Variable Rate Bond that qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" as that
term is defined in the OID Regulations (a "VRDI") will be governed by the rules
applicable to VRDIs in the OID Regulations, which are described below. A
Variable Rate Bond qualifies as a VRDI under the OID Regulations if (i) the Bond
is not issued at a premium to its noncontingent principal amount in excess of
the lesser of (a) .015 multiplied by the product of such noncontingent principal
amount and the WAM (as that term is defined above in the discussion of the de
minimis rule) of the Bond or (b) 15 percent of such noncontingent principal
amount (an "Excess Premium"); (ii) stated interest on the Bond compounds or is
payable unconditionally 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) the qualified floating
rate or the objective rate in effect during an accrual period is set at a
current value of that rate (i.e., the value of the rate on any day occurring
during the interval that begins three months prior to the first day on which
that value is in effect under the Bond and ends one year following that day).
However, if the Variable Rate Bond provides for any contingent payments (which
do not include qualified stated interest), the Tax Administrator intends to
account for the income thereon as described in " -- Interest Weighted Bonds and
Non-VRDI Bonds" herein.
Under the OID Regulations, a rate is a qualified floating rate if
variations in the rate reasonably can be expected to measure contemporaneous
variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency in which the debt
instrument is denominated. A qualified floating rate may measure contemporaneous
variations in borrowing costs for the issuer of the debt instrument or for
issuers in general. A multiple of a qualified floating rate is considered a
qualified floating rate only if the rate is equal to either (a) the product of a
qualified floating rate and a fixed multiple that is greater than 0.65 but not
more than 1.35 or (b) the product of a qualified floating rate and a fixed
multiple that is greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35, increased or
decreased by a fixed rate. If a Bond provides for two or more qualified floating
rates that reasonably can be expected to have approximately the same values
throughout the term of the Bond, the qualified floating rates together will
constitute a single qualified floating rate. Two or more qualified floating
rates conclusively will be presumed to have approximately the same values
throughout the term of a Bond, if the values of all such rates on the issue date
of the Bond are within 25 basis points of each other.
A variable rate will be considered a qualified floating rate if it is
subject to a restriction or restrictions on the maximum stated interest rate (a
"Cap"), a restriction or restrictions on the minimum stated interest rate (a
"Floor"), a restriction or restrictions on the amount of increase or decrease in
the stated interest rate (a "Governor"), or other similar restriction only if:
(a) the Cap, Floor, or Governor is fixed throughout the term of the related Bond
or (b) the Cap, Floor, Governor, or similar restriction is not reasonably
expected, as of the issue date, to cause the yield on the Bond to be
significantly less or significantly more than the expected yield on the Bond
determined without such Cap, Floor, Governor, or similar restriction, as the
case may be. Although the OID Regulations are unclear, it appears that a VRDI,
the principal rate on which is subject to a Cap, Floor, or Governor that itself
is a qualified floating rate, bears interest at an objective rate.
Under the OID Regulations, an objective rate is a rate (other than a
qualified floating rate) that (i) is determined using a single fixed formula,
(ii) is based on objective financial or economic information, and (iii) is not
based on information that either is within the control of the issuer (or a
related party) or is unique to the circumstances of the issuer (or related
party), such as dividends, profits, or the value of the issuer's (or related
party's) stock. That definition would include a rate that is based on changes in
a general inflation index. In addition, a rate would not fail to be an objective
rate merely because it is based on the credit quality of the issuer.
Under the OID Regulations if interest on a Variable Rate Bond is stated
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 for
a subsequent period, and the value of the variable rate on the issue date is
intended to approximate the fixed rate, the fixed rate and the variable rate
together constitute a single qualified floating rate or objective rate. A
variable rate conclusively will be presumed to approximate an initial fixed rate
if the value of the variable rate on the issue date does not differ from the
value of the fixed rate by more than 25 basis points.
Under the OID Regulations, all interest payable on a Variable Rate Bond
that qualifies as a VRDI and provides for stated interest unconditionally
payable in cash or property at least annually at a single qualified floating
rate or a single objective rate (a "Single Rate VRDI Bond") is treated as
qualified stated interest. The amount and accrual of OID on a Single Rate VRDI
Bond is determined, in general, by converting such Bond into a hypothetical
fixed rate bond and applying the rules applicable to fixed rate bonds described
under "Original Issue Discount" above to such hypothetical fixed rate bond.
Qualified stated interest or original issue discount allocable to an accrual
period with respect to a Single Rate VRDI Bond also must be increased (or
decreased) if the interest actually accrued or paid during such accrual period
exceeds (or is less than) the interest assumed to be accrued or paid during such
accrual period under the related hypothetical fixed rate bond.
Except as provided below, the amount and accrual of OID on a Variable
Rate Bond that qualifies as a VRDI but is not a Single Rate VRDI Bond (a
"Multiple Rate VRDI Bond") is determined by converting such Bond into a
hypothetical equivalent fixed rate bond that has terms that are identical to
those provided under the Multiple Rate VRDI Bond, except that such hypothetical
equivalent fixed rate bond will provide for fixed rate substitutes in lieu of
the qualified floating rates or objective rates provided for under the Multiple
Rate VRDI Bond. A Multiple Rate VRDI Bond that provides for a qualified floating
rate or rates or a qualified inverse floating rate is converted to a
hypothetical equivalent fixed rate bond by assuming that each qualified floating
rate or the qualified inverse floating rate will remain at its value as of the
issue date. A Multiple Rate VRDI Bond that provides for an objective rate or
rates is converted to a hypothetical equivalent fixed rate bond by assuming that
each objective rate will equal a fixed rate that reflects the yield that
reasonably is expected for the Multiple Rate VRDI Bond. Qualified stated
interest or original issue discount allocable to an accrual period with respect
to a Multiple Rate VRDI Bond must be increased (or decreased) if the interest
actually accrued or paid during such accrual period exceeds (or is less than)
the interest assumed to be accrued or paid during such accrual period under the
hypothetical equivalent fixed rate bond.
Under the OID Regulations, the amount and accrual of OID on a Multiple
Rate VRDI Bond that provides for stated interest at either one or more qualified
floating rates or at a qualified inverse floating rate and in addition provides
for stated interest at a single fixed rate (other than an initial fixed rate
that is intended to approximate the subsequent variable rate) is determined
using the method described above for all other Multiple Rate VRDI Bonds except
that prior to its conversion to a hypothetical equivalent fixed rate bond, such
Multiple Rate VRDI Bond is treated as if it provided for a qualified floating
rate (or a qualified inverse floating rate), rather than the fixed rate. The
qualified floating rate (or qualified inverse floating rate) replacing the fixed
rate must be such that the fair market value of the Multiple Rate VRDI Bond as
of its issue date would be approximately the same as the fair market value of an
otherwise identical debt instrument that provides for the qualified floating
rate (or qualified inverse floating rate), rather than the fixed rate.
Bonds of certain Series may provide for interest based on a weighted
average of the interest rates on some of or all the Mortgage Loans securing such
Bonds ("Weighted Average Bonds"). Under the OID Regulations, it appears that
Weighted Average Bonds secured by Mortgage Loans that are exclusively ARM Loans
bear interest at an "objective rate" provided the ARM Loans themselves bear
interest at qualified floating rates. However, under the OID Regulations,
Weighted Average Bonds secured by Mortgage Loans that do not bear interest at
qualified floating rates ("Non-Objective Weighted Average Bonds" or "NOWA
Bonds") do not bear interest at an objective or a qualified floating rate and,
consequently, do not qualify as VRDIs. Accordingly, unless and until the Service
provides contrary administrative guidance on the income tax treatment of NOWA
Bonds, the Tax Administrator intends to treat such Bonds as debt obligations
that provide for one or more contingent payments, and will account for the
income thereon as described in " -- Interest Weighted Bonds and Non-VRDI Bonds"
herein.
Bonds of certain Series may provide for the payment of interest at a
rate determined as the difference between two interest rate parameters, one of
which is a variable rate and the other of which is a fixed rate or a different
variable rate ("Inverse Floater Bonds"). Under the OID Regulations, Inverse
Floater Bonds generally bear interest at objective rates because their rates
either constitute "qualified inverse floating rates" under those Regulations or,
although not qualified floating rates themselves, are based on one or more
qualified floating rates. Consequently, if such Bonds are not issued at an
Excess Premium and their interest rates otherwise meet the test for qualified
stated interest, the income on such Bonds will be accounted for under the rules
applicable to VRDIs described above. However, an Inverse Floater Bond may have
an interest rate parameter equal to the weighted average of the interest rates
on some of or all the underlying Mortgage Loans in a case where one or more of
those rates is a fixed rate or otherwise may not qualify as a VRDI. Unless and
until the Service provides contrary administrative guidance on the income tax
treatment of such Inverse Floater Bonds, the Tax Administrator intends to treat
such Bonds as debt obligations that provide for one or more contingent payments,
and will account for the income thereon as described in " -- Interest Weighted
Bonds and Non-VRDI Bonds" herein.
Anti-Abuse Rule
Concerned that taxpayers might be able to structure debt instruments or
transactions, or to apply the bright-line or mechanical rules of the OID
Regulations in a way that produces unreasonable tax results, the Treasury issued
regulations containing an anti-abuse rule. Those regulations provide that if a
principal purpose in structuring a debt instrument, engaging in a transaction,
or applying the OID Regulations is to achieve a result that is unreasonable in
light of the purposes of the applicable statutes, the Service can apply or
depart from the OID Regulations as necessary or appropriate to achieve a
reasonable result. A result is not considered unreasonable under regulations,
however, in the absence of a substantial effect on the present value of a
taxpayer's tax liability.
Interest Weighted Bonds and Non-VRDI Bonds
The treatment of a NOWA Bond, a Variable Rate Bond that is issued at an
Excess Premium, or any other Variable Rate Bond that does not qualify as a VRDI
(each a "Non-VRDI Bond") or an Interest Weighted Bond is unclear under current
law. The OID Regulations are ambiguous as to whether interest payments (other
than qualified stated interest) on a Non-VRDI Bond or an Interest Weighted Bond
are considered to be contingent payments subject to special original issue
discount rules described in the next paragraph or whether such payments should
be treated as Deemed Principal Payments subject to the regular original issue
discount rules described in "Original Issue Discount" above. Moreover, to the
extent that the contingent payment rules are applicable, their impact on
instruments that are subject to Section 1272(a)(6) of the Code is unclear.
The OID Regulations contain provisions (the "Contingent Payment
Regulations") that address the federal income tax treatment of debt obligations
with one or more contingent payments ("Contingent Payment Obligations"). Under
the Contingent Payment Regulations, any variable rate debt instrument that is
not a VRDI is classified as a Contingent Payment Obligation. However, the
Contingent Payment Regulations, by their terms, do not apply to debt instruments
that are subject to Section 1272(a)(6) of the Code. In the absence of further
guidance, the Tax Administrator will account for Non-VRDI Bonds, Interest
Weighted Bonds, and any other Bonds that are Contingent Payment Obligations in
accordance with Code Section 1272(a)(6). Income will be accrued on such Bonds
based on a constant yield that is derived from a projected payment schedule as
of the Closing Date. The projected payment schedule will take into account the
Pricing Payment Assumptions and the interest payments that are expected to be
made based on the value of any relevant indices on the issue date. To the extent
that actual payments differ from projected payments for a particular taxable
year, appropriate adjustments to interest income and expense accruals will be
made for that year. In the case of a Weighted Average Bond, the projected
payment schedule will be derived based on the assumption that the principal
balances of the Mortgage Loans that collateralize the Bond pay down pro rata.
The method described in the foregoing paragraph for accounting for
Interest Weighted Bonds, Non-VRDI Bonds, and any other Bonds that are Contingent
Payment Obligations is consistent with Code section 1272(a)(6) and the
legislative history thereto. Because of the uncertainty with respect to the
treatment of such Bonds under the OID Regulations, however, there can be no
assurance that the Service will not assert successfully that a method less
favorable to Bondholders will apply. In view of the complexities and the current
uncertainties as to income inclusions with respect to Non-VRDI Bonds, Interest
Weighted Bonds and other Bonds that are Contingent Payment Obligations, each
investor should consult his own tax advisor to determine the appropriate amount
and method of income inclusion on such Bonds for federal income tax purposes.
Market Discount
A subsequent purchaser of a Bond at a discount from its outstanding
principal amount (or, in the case of a Bond having original issue discount, its
"adjustable issue price") will acquire such Bond with market discount. The
purchaser generally will be required to recognize the market discount (in
addition to any original issue discount remaining with respect to the Bond) as
ordinary income. A person who purchases a Bond at a price lower than the Bond's
outstanding principal amount but higher than its adjusted issue price does not
acquire the Bond with market discount, but will be required to report original
issue discount, appropriately adjusted to reflect the excess of the price paid
over the adjusted issue price. See "Original Issue Discount." A Bond will not be
considered to have market discount if the amount of such market discount is de
minimis, i.e., less than the product of (i) 0.25% of the remaining principal
amount (or, in the case of a Bond having original issue discount, the adjusted
issue price of such Bond), multiplied by (ii) the WAM of the Bond (determined as
for original issue discount) remaining after the date of purchase. Regardless of
whether the subsequent purchaser of a Bond with more than a de minimis amount of
market discount is a cash-basis or accrual-basis taxpayer, market discount
generally will be taken into income as principal payments (including, in the
case of a Bond having original issue discount, any Deemed Principal Payments)
are received, in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the amount of the
principal payment received or (ii) the amount of market discount that has
"accrued" (as described below), but that has not yet been included in income.
The purchaser may make a special election, which generally applies to all market
discount instruments held or acquired by the purchaser in the taxable year of
election or thereafter, to recognize market discount currently on an uncapped
accrual basis (the "Current Recognition Election"). In addition, the purchaser
may make an All OID Election with respect to a Bond purchased with market
discount. See " -- Original Issue Discount."
Until the Treasury promulgates applicable regulations, the purchaser of
a Bond with market discount generally may elect to accrue the market discount
either: (i) on the basis of a constant interest rate; (ii) in the case of a Bond
not issued with original issue discount, in the ratio of stated interest payable
in the relevant period to the total stated interest remaining to be paid from
the beginning of such period; or (iii) in the case of a Bond issued with
original issue discount, in the ratio of original issue discount accrued for the
relevant period to the total remaining original issue discount at the beginning
of such period. Regardless of which computation method is elected, the Pricing
Prepayment Assumptions must be used to calculate the accrual of market discount.
A Bondholder who has acquired any Bond with market discount generally
will be required to treat a portion of any gain on a sale or exchange of the
Bond as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount accrued to the date
of disposition under one of the foregoing methods, less any accrued market
discount previously reported as ordinary income as partial principal payments
were received. Moreover, such Bondholder generally must defer interest
deductions attributable to any indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or
carry the Bond to the extent they exceed income on the Bond. Any such deferred
interest expense, in general, is allowed as a deduction not later than the year
in which the related market discount income is recognized. If a Bondholder makes
a Current Recognition Election or an All OID Election, the interest deferral
rule will not apply. Under the Contingent Payment Regulations, a secondary
market purchaser of a Non-VRDI Bond or an Interest Weighted Bond at discount
generally would continue to accrue interest and determine adjustments on such
Bond based on the original projected payment schedule devised by the issuer of
such Bond. See " -- Original Issue Discount -- Interest Weighted Bonds and
Non-VRDI Bonds" herein. The holder of such a Bond would be required, however, to
allocate the difference between the adjusted issue price of the Bond and its
basis in the Bond as positive adjustments to the accruals or projected payments
on the Bond over the remaining term of the Bond in a manner that is reasonable
(e.g., based on a constant yield to maturity).
Treasury regulations implementing the market discount rules have not
yet been issued, and uncertainty exists with respect to many aspects of those
rules. For example, the treatment of a Bond subject to redemption at the option
of the Issuer that is acquired at a market discount is unclear. It appears
likely, however, that the market discount rules applicable in such a case would
be similar to the rules pertaining to original issue discount. Due to the
substantial lack of regulatory guidance with respect to the market discount
rules, it is unclear how those rules will affect any secondary market that
develops for a given Class of Bonds. Prospective investors should consult their
own tax advisors regarding the application of the market discount rules to the
Bonds.
Amortizable Premium
A purchaser of a Bond who purchases the Bond at a premium over the
total of its Deemed Principal Payments may elect to amortize such premium under
a constant yield method that reflects compounding based on the interval between
payments on the Bonds. The legislative history of 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 Bond will be calculated using the
Pricing Prepayment Assumptions. Under the Code, except as otherwise provided in
Treasury regulations, amortized premium generally would be treated as an offset
to interest income on a Bond and not as a separate deduction item. If a holder
makes an election to amortize premium on a Bond, such election will apply to all
taxable debt instruments (including all Bonds) 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 Service. Purchasers who pay a premium for the Bonds
should consult their tax advisors regarding the election to amortize premium and
the method to be employed.
Amortizable premium on a Bond that is subject to redemption at the
option of the Seller generally must be amortized as if the optional redemption
price and date were the Bond's principal amount and maturity date if doing so
would result in a smaller amount of premium amortization during the period
ending with the optional redemption date. Thus, a Bondholder would not be able
to amortize any premium on a Bond that is subject to optional redemption at a
price equal to or greater than the Bondholder's acquisition price unless and
until the redemption option expires. In cases where premium must be amortized on
the basis of the price and date of an optional redemption, the Bond will be
treated as having matured on the redemption date for the redemption price and
then having been reissued on that date for that price. Any premium remaining on
the Bond at the time of the deemed reissuance will be amortized on the basis of
(i) the original principal amount and maturity date or (ii) the price and date
of any succeeding optional redemption, under the principles described above.
Under the Contingent Payment Regulations, a secondary market purchaser
of a Non-VRDI Bond or an Interest Weighted Bond at a premium generally would
continue to accrue interest and determine adjustments on such Bond based on the
original projected payment schedule devised by the issuer of such Bond. See " --
Original Issue Discount -- Interest Weighted Bonds and Non-VRDI Bonds" herein.
The holder of such a Bond would allocate the difference between its basis in the
Bond and the adjusted issue price of the Bond as negative adjustments to the
accruals or projected payments on the Bond over the remaining term of the Bond
in a manner that is reasonable (e.g., based on a constant yield to maturity).
Gain or Loss on Disposition
If a Bond is sold, the Bondholder will recognize gain or loss equal to
the difference between the amount realized on the sale and his adjusted basis in
the Bond. The adjusted basis of a Bond generally will equal the cost of the Bond
to the Bondholder, increased by any original issue discount or market discount
previously includible in the Bondholder's gross income with respect to the Bond
and reduced by the portion of the basis of the Bond allocable to payments on the
Bond (other than qualified stated interest) previously received by the
Bondholder and by any amortized premium. Similarly, a Bondholder who receives a
scheduled or prepaid principal payment with respect to a Bond will recognize
gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of the payment and the
allocable portion of his adjusted basis in the Bond. Except to the extent that
the market discount rules apply and except as provided below, any gain or loss
on the sale or other disposition of a Bond generally will be capital gain or
loss. The net capital gain of individual Bondholders are subject to varying
rates depending upon the holding period for the Bonds.
A portion of any gain from the sale of a Bond that might otherwise be
capital gain may be treated as ordinary income to the extent that such Bond is
held as part of a "conversion transaction" within the meaning of Selection 1258
of the Code. A conversion transaction generally is one in which the taxpayer has
taken two or more positions in Bonds or similar property that reduce or
eliminate market risk, if substantially all the taxpayer's return is
attributable to the time value of the taxpayer's net investment in such
transaction. The amount of gain realized in a conversion transaction that is
recharacterized as ordinary income generally will not exceed the amount of
interest that would have accrued on the taxpayer's net investment at 120% of the
appropriate "applicable federal rate" (which rate is computed and published
monthly by the Service) at the time the taxpayer entered into the conversion
transaction, subject to appropriate reduction for prior inclusion of interest
and other ordinary income from the transaction.
Miscellaneous Tax Aspects
Backup Withholding. A Bond may, under certain circumstances, be subject
to "backup withholding" at the rate of 31% with respect to "reportable
payments," which include interest payments and principal payments to the extent
of accrued original issue discount as well as distributions of proceeds from a
sale of Bonds. This withholding generally applies if the Bondholder of a Bond
(i) fails to furnish the Trustee with its taxpayer identification number
("TIN"); (ii) furnishes the Trustee or the Issuer 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 the Issuer or such Bondholder's securities broker with a certified statement,
signed under penalty of perjury, that the TIN is its correct number and that the
Bondholder is not subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding will not
apply, however, with respect to certain payments made to Bondholders, including
payments to certain exempt recipients (such as exempt organizations) and to
certain Nonresidents (as defined below) complying with requisite certification
procedures. Bondholders 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 Bondholders and to the Internal Revenue
Service 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
Bonds within a reasonable time after the end of each calendar year.
Foreign Bondholders. Under the Code, interest and original issue
discount income (including accrued interest or original issue discount
recognized on sale or exchange) paid or accrued with respect to Bonds held by
Bondholders who are nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign
partnerships or certain foreign estates and trusts ("Nonresidents") or
Bondholders holding on behalf of a Nonresident generally will be treated as
"portfolio interest" and therefore will not be subject to any United States tax
provided that (i) such interest is not effectively connected with a trade or
business in the United States of the Bondholder and (ii) the Issuer (or other
person who would otherwise be required to withhold tax from such payments) is
provided with an appropriate statement that the beneficial owner of a Bond is a
Nonresident. Interest (including original issue discount) paid on Bonds to
Bondholders who are foreign persons will not be subject to withholding if such
interest is effectively connected with a United States business conducted by the
Bondholder. Such interest (including original issue discount) will, however,
generally be subject to the regular United States income tax.
DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX RULES APPLICABLE TO
BONDHOLDERS AND THE CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY THAT EXISTS WITH RESPECT TO MANY
ASPECTS OF THOSE RULES, POTENTIAL INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISORS REGARDING THE TAX TREATMENT OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP, AND
DISPOSITION OF THE BONDS.
STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS
In addition to the federal income tax consequences described in
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences," potential investors should consider
the state income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition
of the Bonds. State 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. Therefore, potential investors
should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the various state tax
consequences of an investment in the Bonds.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA"), imposes certain requirements on those pension, profit sharing, and
other employee benefit plans to which it applies ("Plans") and on those persons
who are fiduciaries or parties in "interest" with respect to such Plans. In
considering an investment of the assets of a Plan in Bond, a fiduciary should
consider, among other things, (i) the purposes, requirements, and liquidity
needs of such Plan; (ii) the definition of Plan assets under ERISA and the
applicable U.S. Department of Labor ("DOL") regulations; (iii) whether the
investment satisfies the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of
ERISA; (iv) whether such an investment is appropriate for the Plan and prudent,
considering the nature of the investment and the fact that no market in which
such fiduciary can sell or otherwise dispose of Offered Bonds is expected to
arise. The prudence of a particular investment must be determined by the
responsible fiduciary (usually the trustee or investment manager) with respect
to each Plan taking into account all the facts and circumstances of the
investment.
Sections 406 and 407 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit
certain transactions that involve (i) a Plan and any party in interest under
ERISA or "disqualified person" under the Code with respect to the Plan and (ii)
Plan assets. A violation of those prohibited transaction rules may generate
other disqualified persons. Consequently, a Plan contemplating an investment in
the Bonds should consider whether the Issuer, any other person associated with
the issuance and administration of the Bonds, or any Affiliate of the foregoing
is or might become a party in interest or a disqualified person with respect to
the Plan. In addition, a Plan should consider whether other persons who are
parties in interest or disqualified persons might acquire ownership rights in
the Issuer or its assets by virtue of the "Look-Through Rule" described below,
or otherwise. In either case, the acquisition or holding of Bonds by or on
behalf of the Plan could be considered to give rise to an indirect prohibited
transaction under ERISA and the Code in the nature of an extension of credit by
the Plan. Conversely, if a party in interest or disqualified person with respect
to a Plan acquires or holds Bonds while the Plan is deemed to own ownership
rights in the Issuer or its assets by virtue of the "Look-Through Rule"
described below, an indirect prohibited transaction also could arise. However,
certain exemptions to the prohibited transaction rules could be applicable to
the situations described in this paragraph, depending on the type and
circumstances of the Plan fiduciary making the decision to acquire the Bond
(including a Bond recharacterized as an ownership interest in the Issuer or its
assets). Those exemptions potentially include Prohibited Transaction Class
Exemption ("PTCE") 90-1, regarding investments by insurance company pooled
separate accounts, PTCE 91-38, regarding investments by bank collective
investment funds, and PTCE 84-14, regarding transactions effected by a
"qualified professional asset manager."
If a Plan were deemed to have acquired indirectly ownership rights in
the Issuer or its assets, certain transactions involving the operations of the
Issuer might be deemed to be prohibited transactions under ERISA and the Code.
Regulations of the DOL set forth in 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-101 (the "Plan Asset
Regulations") define "plan assets" to include not only securities held by a Plan
but also the underlying assets of the Issuer of any equity securities (the
"Look-Through Rule") unless one or more exceptions specified in the regulations
are satisfied. The Plan Asset Regulations define an equity security as a
security other than a security that is treated as debt for state law purposes
and that has no substantial equity features. Consequently, to the extent a Class
of Bonds is treated as debt for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations, the
Look-through Rule should not apply to a Plan's purchase or holding of Bonds of
that Class. If a Class of Bonds is treated as equity for those purposes (a
"Recharacterized Class"), however, the Look-Through Rule would apply unless one
or more exceptions specified in the Plan Asset Regulations is satisfied.
Under the Plan Asset Regulations, two exceptions might be available to
a Recharacterized Class of Bonds. The first (the "Publicly Offered Exception")
is available to a Recharacterized Class of Bonds that is registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, freely transferable, and held by
more than 100 unrelated investors. The second is available if, immediately after
the most recent acquisition of a Bond of a Recharacterized Class, benefit plan
investors (which include government plans and individual retirement accounts) do
not own 25% or more of the value of any Class of Recharacterized Bonds (the
"Insignificant Participation Exception"). Prospective Plan investors should be
aware that even if the Look-Through Rule does not apply to a Recharacterized
Class as a result of the applicability of the Publicly Offered Exception or the
Insignificant Participation Exception, the purchase of Bonds of such Class
nonetheless could constitute a prohibited transaction if the Underwriter and
certain of its Affiliates were considered parties in interest or disqualified
persons, such as where the Underwriter is a fiduciary or other service provider
for a Plan. PTCE 75-1 generally exempts purchases by a Plan from an underwriter
who is a party in interest or disqualified person, if, among other things, the
underwriter is not acting as a fiduciary for the Plan in such circumstances.
Such a Plan considering the purchase of Bonds should exercise caution with
respect to such purchase and consult with its counsel regarding the availability
of relief under PTCE 75-1.
Due to the complexity of the rules and penalties under ERISA and the
Code applicable to Plans, potential Plan investors should consult their advisors
and counsel regarding (i) the characterization of each Class of Bonds as debt or
equity for ERISA purposes and (ii) the application of the Publicly Offered
Exception, the Insignificant Participation Exception or other available
exemptions from the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA and the Code.
Potential investors also should be aware that ERISA requires that the assets of
a Plan be valued at their fair market value as of the close of the plan year and
that the Issuer does not plan to provide any valuations to Bondholders.
LEGAL INVESTMENT
As set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement, one or more Classes
of Offered Bonds of any Series may constitute "mortgage related securities" for
purposes of the Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement Act of 1984 ("SMMEA") so
long as they are secured by first liens on residential properties and are rated
in one of the two highest rating categories by at least one nationally
recognized statistical rating organization and, as such, will be legal
investments for persons, trusts, corporations, partnerships, associations,
business trusts and business entities (including, but not limited to,
state-chartered savings banks, commercial banks, savings and loan associations
and insurance companies, as well as trustees and state government employee
retirement systems) created pursuant to or existing, under the laws of the
United States or of any State (including the District of Columbia and Puerto
Rico) whose authorized investments are subject to State regulation to the same
extent that under applicable law, obligations issued by or guaranteed as to
principal and interest by the United States or any agency or instrumentality
thereof constitute legal investments for such entities. Bonds of a Series that
are secured by second liens on residential properties will not be treated as
"mortgage related securities" under SMMEA, regardless of the rating assigned
such Bonds.
Under SMMEA, if a State enacted legislation prior to October 4, 1991
specifically limiting the legal investment authority of any such entities with
respect to "mortgage related securities," the Bonds will constitute legal
investments for entities subject to such legislation only to the extent provided
in such legislation. Several states have enacted legislation overriding SMMEA.
SMMEA provides, however, that in no event will the enactment of any
such legislation affect the validity of any contractual commitment to purchase,
hold or invest in any securities, or require the sale or other disposition of
any securities, so long as such contractual commitment was made or such
securities acquired prior to the enactment of such legislation.
SMMEA also amended the legal investment authority of federally
chartered depository institutions as follows: federal savings and loan
associations and federal savings banks may invest in, sell or otherwise deal
with mortgage related securities without limitations as to the percentage of
their assets represented thereby; federal credit unions may invest in mortgage
related securities, and national banks may purchase mortgage related securities
for their own account without regard to the limitations generally applicable to
investment securities set forth in 12 U.S.C. Section 24 (Seventh), subject in
each case to such regulations as the applicable federal regulatory authority may
prescribe. Bonds that do not constitute "mortgage related securities" under
SMMEA will require registration, qualification or an exemption under applicable
state securities laws and may not be "legal investments" to the same extent as
"mortgage related securities" under SMMEA.
There may be restrictions on the ability of certain investors,
including depository institutions, either to purchase certain types of the Bonds
or to purchase Bonds representing more than a specified percentage of the
investor's assets. Investors should consult their own legal advisors in
determining whether and to what extent the Bonds constitute legal investments
for such investors.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Issuer will apply all or substantially all the net proceeds from
the sale of each Series offered hereby and by the related Prospectus Supplement
to purchase the Mortgage Loans, to repay indebtedness that has been incurred to
obtain funds to acquire the Mortgage Loans, to establish the Reserve Fund, if
any, for the Series and to pay costs of structuring and issuing the Bonds.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Issuer may sell the Bonds offered hereby either directly or through
one or more underwriters or underwriting syndicates or through designated
agents. The Issuer also may sell the Bonds initially to an Affiliate, and such
Affiliate may sell the Bonds, from time to time, either directly or through one
or more underwriters, underwriting syndicates or through designated agents. The
Bonds of a Series may be acquired by underwriters for their own account and may
be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, at a fixed public
offering price or prices, which may change, or at varying prices determined at
the time of sale. The Issuer also may authorize, from time to time, underwriters
acting as agents to offer and sell the Bonds upon the terms and conditions set
forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.
The related Prospectus Supplement or Supplements for each Series will
set forth the terms of the offering of such Series and of each Class of Bonds
within such Series, including the name or names of the underwriters, the
proceeds to and their use by the Issuer, 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 Bonds will be determined. If Bonds
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 Issuer and purchasers of Bonds of
such Series.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements
entered into with the Issuer, to indemnification against and contribution toward
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933. Certain of the underwriters and their Affiliates may engage in
transactions with, and perform services for, the Issuer or its Affiliates.
The place and time of delivery for the Bonds of a Series in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the Bonds offered hereby will
be passed upon for the Issuer by Arter & Hadden LLP, Washington, D.C., or
counsel to the Issuer identified in the Prospectus Supplement and for the
underwriters by the firm specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Neither Dynex nor IHC is obligated with respect to the Bonds.
Accordingly, the Issuer has determined that neither the financial statements of
Dynex nor those of IHC are material to the offering made hereby. Any prospective
purchaser who desires to review financial information concerning the Issuer,
however, will be provided with a copy of the most recent financial statements of
the Issuer upon request.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Issuer has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, with respect to the Bonds. This Prospectus, which is a part of the
Registration Statement, omits certain information contained in the Registration
Statement pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission. The
Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto can be inspected and copied at
the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at certain of its Regional Offices
located as follows: Chicago Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511; and New York Regional Office, 7 World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can also be obtained
from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a Web site
(http://www.sec.gov) containing reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Commission. The statements contained in this Prospectus concerning the contents
of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete.
Although such statements disclose all material provisions of such contract or
other document, where such contract or other document is an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, reference is made to such exhibit for a full statement
of the provisions thereof.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
All documents filed by the Issuer pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the Bonds hereunder
shall be deemed to be incorporated into and made a part of this Prospectus from
the date of filing of such documents.
The Issuer hereby undertakes to provide a copy of any and all
information that has been incorporated by reference into the Registration
Statement (not including exhibits to the information so incorporated by
reference unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into
the information that the Registration Statements incorporate) upon written or
oral request of any person, without charge to such person, provided that such
request is made to MERIT Securities Corporation, 10900 Nuckols Road, Glen Allen,
Virginia 23060, telephone: (804) 217-5800.
REPORTS TO BONDHOLDERS
The Issuer will cause to be provided to Bondholders the monthly
remittance reports concerning the Trust Estate securing the Bonds and the annual
reports concerning the Issuer. See "The Indenture -- Reports to Bondholders"
herein.
<PAGE>
GLOSSARY
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein are defined
below, in some cases in abbreviated fashion. The Indenture, the Master Servicing
Agreement, the Prospectus Supplement or the Servicing Agreement may contain a
more complete definition of certain of the terms defined herein, and reference
should be made to the Indenture, the Master Servicing Agreement, the Prospectus
Supplement and the Servicing Agreement for a more complete definition of all
such terms.
"Accounting Date" means with respect to each Payment Date the last day
of the month preceding the month in which such Payment Date occurs or such other
date as may be specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
"Accretion Class" or "Accretion Bonds" means a Class of Bonds comprised
of Bonds upon which interest is accrued and added to the principal thereof
periodically, but which is not entitled to payments of principal or interest
until a specified date or specified Classes of the same Series have been paid in
full.
"Additional Collateral" means any Loan added to the Trust Estate for a
Series of Bonds (other than a Substitute Loan) after the initial closing for the
Series of Bonds.
"Adjustable Rate Loan" means an adjustable rate Loan, the Loan Rate of
which is subject to periodic adjustment in accordance with the terms of the
related Note or Contract.
"Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan" means a Mortgage Loan that is an
Adjustable Rate Loan.
"Advance" means, as to any Loan, any P&I Advance, T&I Advance or
Property Protection Advance made by a Servicer or a Special Servicer or, upon
the default by a Servicer on its obligation to make such an Advance, by the
Master Servicer or such other party as may be specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
"Affiliate" means any person or entity controlling, controlled by or
under common control with a specified entity. "Control" means the power to
direct the management and policies of a person or entity, directly or
indirectly, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise. "Controlling" and "Controlled" will have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
"Approved Sale" means, as to any Loan, (i) a sale of the related
Mortgaged Premises, Manufactured Home, Real Property or Facilities acquired by
the Insured because of a default by the Borrower if the related Pool Insurer has
given prior approval to such sale, (ii) a Foreclosure or trustee's sale of the
related Mortgaged Premises, Manufactured Home, Real Property or Facilities at a
price exceeding the maximum amount specified by the Pool Insurer, (ii) the
acquisition of the Mortgaged Premises under any related Primary Mortgage
Insurance Policy by the related Mortgage Insurer and (iv) the acquisition of the
related Mortgaged Premises, Manufactured Home, Real Property or Facilities by
the Pool Insurer.
"Balloon Payment Mortgage Loan" means a Mortgage Loan or Model Home
Loan that does not require any scheduled amortization of principal prior to its
scheduled maturity or the principal of which is amortized over a longer period
that the Loan's scheduled term to maturity.
"Bond Insurance" means, unless otherwise provided in the related
Prospectus Supplement, insurance guaranteeing timely or ultimate payment of
principal and interest on certain Classes of Bonds.
"Bond Register" means the register in which the Issuer shall provide
for the registration of Bonds of a Series and for the registration of transfers
of Bonds of the Series in certificated form.
"Bonds" means the Issuer's Collateralized Bonds issued pursuant to the
Indenture.
"Bondholder" or "Holder" means the person in whose name a Bond is
registered in the Bond Register for the related Series.
"Book-Entry Bonds" means a Class or Classes of Bonds that are initially
issued in book-entry form through a depository.
"Borrower" means the individual or individuals obligated to repay a
Loan. (In the case of a Mortgage Loan or Model Home Loan the Borrower may be the
beneficiary or beneficiaries of an Illinois land trust if the Mortgaged Premises
or Model Home is located in Illinois.)
"Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other
day on which commercial banking institutions in the city in which the corporate
trust office of the Trustee is then located, or in the city or cities in which
the offices of the Master Servicer are then located, are authorized or obligated
by law or executive order to be closed.
"Class" means any class of the Bonds of a Series, as specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
"Class Interest Rate" means with respect to any Class of Bonds the
annual rate, which may be a variable rate, at which interest accrues on the
Bonds of the Class, as specified, or determined as specified, in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
"Closing Date" means the date, which shall be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement, on which a Series of Bonds is issued.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Collateral" means the Mortgage Loans, other Mortgage Collateral, Model
Home Loans, Manufactured Home Loans and Consumer Finance Loans pledged to secure
a Series.
"Collateral Proceeds Account" means the account created and maintained
by the Trustee for each Series of Bonds.
"Collateral Value" unless otherwise defined in the related Prospectus
Supplement, means, with respect to any item of Collateral, an amount generally
equal to (i) the Scheduled Principal Balance of the item of Collateral (or of
the related Loan in the case of REO Property or Repo Property) or (ii) as
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Scheduled Principal Balance
of such item of Collateral multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is
the Net Rate of the Loan and the denominator of which is the Collateral Value
Discount Rate.
"Collateral Value Discount Rate" means the percentage rate that,
multiplied by the required payments on the Collateral securing a Series of
Bonds, will assure the availability of sufficient funds to pay on the Bonds.
"Compound Value" means, as to a Class of Accretion Bonds, (a) with
respect to any date prior to the first Payment Date, the original principal
amount of the Class and (b) with respect to any determination date thereafter,
the original principal amount of the Class, plus all interest accrued and added
to the principal amount thereof through the Accounting Date immediately
preceding the determination date, less all previous payments of principal of the
Class. The principal amount of any Accretion Bond at any time will be equal to
its Compound Value.
"Condemnation Award" means all awards, payments, proceeds or damages
received pursuant to any action or proceeding relating to any condemnation or
other taking, whether direct or indirect, of a Mortgaged Premises or for
conveyances in lieu of condemnation.
"Consumer Finance Loan" means an installment sales contract for the
sale and installation of heating or air-conditioning facilities, insulation
facilities or similar facilities, and in each case related equipment and
materials, installed in single family (one- to four-family) attached or detached
residential housing, and any security interest in any facilities, equipment and
materials purchased with the proceeds of the contract.
"Contract" means, with respect to a Manufactured Home Loan or a
Consumer Finance Loan, the installment sales contract for the sale of the
related Manufactured Home or Facilities.
"Converted Loan" means a Loan that, pursuant to the terms of the
related Note or Contract, has converted from an adjustable Loan Rate to a fixed
Loan Rate or from one fixed Loan Rate to a lower fixed Loan Rate.
"Converted Mortgage Loan" means a Converted Loan that is a Mortgage
Loan.
"Current Interest Bond" means a Bond other than an Accretion Bond or a
Principal Only Bond.
"Custodial P&I Account" means the account established by each Servicer
into which the Servicer deposits collections of principal and interest on the
Loans.
"Cut-off Date" means, with respect to a Series, the date specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement and used as a basis for identifying the
payments of principal of and interest due on the Loans that are for the benefit
of the Bondholders.
"Delinquency" means that all or part of the Borrower's Monthly Payment
is not paid on or before the related Due Date.
"Discount Bonds" means Bonds that have a purchase price lower than the
Parity Price.
"Due Date" means with respect to a Loan the day of each month on which
the Borrower's Monthly Payment is due as stated in the related Note or Contract.
"Due Period" means with respect to any Payment Date for a Mortgage
Loan, the period commencing on the second day of the calendar month preceding
the calendar month in which the Payment Date occurs and continuing through the
first day of the calendar month in which the Payment Date occurs. "Due Period"
means for any Loan other than a Mortgage a period that will be described in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
"Dynex" means Dynex Capital, Inc., a Virginia corporation.
"Eligible Investments" means those investments permitted under the
Indenture and acceptable to the Rating Agencies.
"Event of Default" means an event of default under the Indenture.
"Facilities" means the facilities, equipment and materials purchased
and installed in a single family (one- to four-family) attached or detached
residential property with the proceeds of a Consumer Finance Loan.
"FHLMC" means Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
"Flood Insurance" means insurance against flood damage to the
collateral underlying a Loan, required for such collateral located in "flood
hazard" areas identified by the Secretary of HUD or the Director of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
"Flood Insurance Policy" means an Insurance Policy that provides Flood
Insurance.
"FNMA" means FNMA.
"Foreclosure" means a proceeding pursuant to which a Security
Instrument is satisfied or released by foreclosure (whether by power of sale or
judicial proceeding), deed in lieu of foreclosure or other comparable means.
"Garn-St. Germain Act" means the Garn-St. Germain Depository
Institutions Act of 1982, as amended.
"Gross Margin" means, with respect to any Adjustable Rate Loan, the
fixed percentage per annum specified in the related Note or Contract, that is
added to the applicable Index on each related Interest Adjustment Date to
determine the new Loan Rate for the Adjustable Rate Loan.
"High Coupon Class" or "High Coupon Bonds" means a Class of Bonds that
pays only nominal principal and has a disproportionately high interest rate.
"HUD" means the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
"IHC" means Issuer Holding Corp., a Virginia corporation.
"Indenture" means the indenture between the Issuer and the Trustee,
pursuant to which a Series of Bonds is issued, as such indenture may be
supplemented or amended from time to time by a Series Supplement.
"Index" means, with respect to any Adjustable Rate Loan, the index
specified in the related Note or Contract that is added to the Gross Margin on
each related Interest Adjustment Date to determine the new Note Rate or Loan
Rate for the Adjustable Rate Loan.
"Insurance Policy" means any insurance policy covering Collateral,
including Primary Mortgage Insurance, Pool Insurance, Standard Hazard Insurance,
Special Hazard Insurance, Flood Insurance and Title Insurance.
"Insurance Proceeds" means proceeds payable from an Insurance Policy.
"Insured" means, with respect to a Series, the Issuer or the related
Trustee, each as assignee of the Issuer or the Participant.
"Interest Adjustment Date" means, with respect to each Adjustable Rate
Loan, the date on which the related Loan Rate changes in accordance with the
terms of the related Note or Contract.
"Issuer" means MERIT Securities Corporation, a Virginia corporation.
"Land Secured Loan" means a Manufactured Home Loan secured at
origination by a Manufactured Home and a parcel of real estate.
"Level Payment Loan" means a Loan the terms of which provide for
regular, level payments of principal and interest throughout its entire term.
"Level Payment Mortgage Loan" means a Mortgage Loan that is a Level
Payment Loan.
"Liquidation" means (i) application of a payment to Collateral that
results in the release of the lien of the Security Instrument on the Collateral,
whether through Foreclosure, condemnation, prepayment in full or otherwise or,
with respect to REO Property or Repo Property, an REO Disposition or Repo
Disposition or (ii) the sale of any defaulted Loan.
"Liquidation Proceeds" means the amount received by the Servicer or
Special Servicer in connection with any Liquidation of a Loan.
"Loan" means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, an item of Mortgage
Collateral, a Model Home Loan, a Manufactured Home Loan or a Consumer Finance
Loan, as the context may require, that constitutes part of the Collateral for
the Series.
"Loan Rate" means, with respect to an item of Collateral, the interest
rate payable by the Borrower or other obligor according to the terms of the
Collateral.
"Loss" means and includes for any Prepayment Period (i) any Realized
Loss on a defaulted item of Collateral and (ii) any reduction by a bankruptcy
court of either the Unpaid Principal Balance or the Loan Rate of an item of
Collateral subject to a bankruptcy proceeding.
"Manufactured Home" means a unit of manufactured housing, including all
accessions thereto, securing the indebtedness of the Borrower under the related
Manufactured Home Loan.
"Manufactured Home Loan" means a manufactured home installment sales
contract, and any security interest in a Manufactured Home purchased with the
proceeds of the contract, and includes a Land Secured Loan.
"Master Servicer" means Dynex or the entity specified in the Prospectus
Supplement for a Series that will administer and supervise the performance by
the Servicers of their duties and responsibilities under Servicing Agreements in
respect to Loans securing a related Series.
"Master Servicer Custodial Account" means a trust account established
by the Master Servicer into which the Servicer remits by wire transfer the
Servicer Remittance in respect of the Loans.
"Master Servicer Remittance Date" means the date specified in the
Master Servicing Agreement by which the Master Servicer must remit funds in the
Master Servicer Custodial Account to the Collateral Proceeds Account for a
Series.
"Master Servicing Agreement" means, with respect to a Series of Bonds,
the master servicing agreement between the Issuer and the Master Servicer, as
amended and supplemented.
"Maximum Rate" means, with respect to an Adjustable Rate Loan, the
maximum lifetime Loan Rate payable on the Loan.
"Model Home" means the Mortgaged Premises securing a Model Home Loan.
"Model Home Loan" means a mortgage loan that is (i) secured by a single
family (one- to four-family), attached or detached, residential property used as
a model home and (ii) pledged to the Trustee as an item of Collateral for a
Series of Bonds.
"Monthly Payment" means with respect to any Loan, the total monthly
payment due in the applicable month under the terms of the related Note or
Contract.
"Mortgage Collateral" means Mortgage Loans, related REO Property and
certain other assets evidencing interests in mortgage loans, including without
limitation mortgage-backed certificates, pledged to secure a Series.
"Mortgage Insurer" means any insurance company or other entity that
provides a Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy.
"Mortgage Loan" means a mortgage loan secured by a single family (one-
to four-family), attached or detached residential property and evidenced by a
Note and Security Instrument that the Issuer has pledged to the Trustee as
Collateral for a Series of Bonds.
"Mortgaged Premises" means land and improvements thereon subject to the
lien of a Security Instrument in connection with a Mortgage Loan or a Model Home
Loan.
"Net Rate" means, with respect to any Loan, the Note Rate or Loan Rate
thereon minus applicable servicing and administration fees, expressed as a
percentage of the applicable Loan.
"Non-Recoverable Advance" means any Advance previously made or proposed
to be made with respect to a Loan by the Servicer (or the Special Servicer or
Master Servicer) pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement that, in the good
faith judgment of the Servicer (or the Special Servicer or Master Servicer) will
not or, in the case of a proposed Advance, would not, be ultimately recoverable
by the Servicer (or the Special Servicer or Master Servicer) from future
collections with respect to the Loan (including collections of or from Insurance
Proceeds, Additional Collateral or Liquidation Proceeds relating to the Loan).
"Note" means a manually executed written instrument, delivered in
connection with a Mortgage Loan or Model Home Loan, evidencing the Borrower's
promise to repay a stated sum of money, plus interest, to the noteholder by a
specific date according to a schedule of principal and interest payments.
"Note Rate" means, with respect to a Mortgage Loan or Model Home Loan,
the interest rate payable by the Borrower according to the terms of the related
Note.
"Offered Bonds" means the Bonds actually offered pursuant to a
Prospectus Supplement appended to this Prospectus.
"Originator" means with respect to a Loan, the person that
originates it.
"Parity Price" is the price at which a Class has a yield to maturity
equal to its coupon, after giving effect to any payment delay.
"Participant" means IHC or an Affiliate thereof.
"Payment Date" means, as to a Series, a date specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement for payment on the Bonds of such Series.
"Periodic Rate Cap" means, with respect to any Adjustable Rate Loan,
the limit on the percentage increase or decrease that may be made in the related
Loan Rate on any Interest Adjustment Date.
"Person" means an individual corporation, partnership, joint venture,
limited liability company, joint stock company, trust (including any beneficiary
thereof), unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.
"P&I Advance" means an advance of principal and interest (net of
servicing fees) by the Servicer or the Special Servicer (or, upon a default by
the Servicer or Special Servicer, by the Master Servicer or by another party
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement) on a Loan subject to a
Delinquency.
"Pool Insurer" means any insurance company or other person that
provides a Pool Insurance Policy for a Series.
"Pool Insurance" means insurance covering (subject to certain
limitations) losses, to the extent not covered by a Primary Mortgage Insurance
Policy, incurred with respect to a Loan by reason of the default of the related
Borrower.
"Pool Insurance Policy" mean an Insurance Policy that provides Pool
Insurance.
"Premium Bonds" means a Class comprised of Bonds that have a purchase
price greater than the related Parity Price.
"Prepayment Period" means with respect to a Loan, as to any Payment
Date, the time period used to identify prepayments or other unscheduled payments
of principal or interest received with respect to the Loan that will be used to
pay Bondholders on that Payment Date.
"Primary Mortgage Insurance" means insurance covering a Mortgage Loan
against loss of the insured portion of the Unpaid Principal Balance of the
Mortgage Loan together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
"Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy" means an Insurance Policy that provides
Primary Mortgage Insurance.
"Principal Distribution Amount" means, unless otherwise specified in
the Prospectus Supplement, with respect to any Payment Date for a Series of
Bonds, the amount, if any, by which (i) the aggregate Collateral Value, as of
the immediately preceding Payment Date (or, with respect to the first Payment
Date, as of the Cut-off Date), of the Collateral securing the Series exceeds
(ii) the aggregate Collateral Value of the Collateral securing the Series as of
the current Payment Date.
"Principal Only Class" or "Principal Only Bonds" means a Class of Bonds
that does not pay or accrue interest.
"Principal Prepayment" means, with respect to any Loan securing a
Series, a payment of principal on such Loan in excess of the scheduled principal
payments.
"Property Protection Advance" means an Advance made by a Servicer or
the Special Servicer in connection with the protection of the collateral
underlying a loan, including, without limitation, expenses related to
Foreclosure proceedings and Servicing Fees.
"Rating Agency" means, for any Class of Bonds, any nationally
recognized statistical rating agency, or its successor, that on the Closing Date
rated the Class at the request of the Issuer. If such agency or a successor is
no longer in existence, "Rating Agency" will be a nationally recognized
statistical rating agency, or other comparable Person, designated by the Issuer,
notice of which designation will be given to the Trustee and the Master
Servicer. References herein to any rating category of a Rating Agency will mean
such rating category without regard to any plus or minus or numerical
designation.
"Real Property" means a parcel of real estate securing a Land Secured
Loan.
"Realized Loss" means (a) with respect to each defaulted Loan (or in
the case of any REO Property or Repo Property, the related Loan) as to which a
Liquidation has been made, an amount equal to (i) the sum of (A) the Unpaid
Principal Balance of the Loan as of the date of such Liquidation, (B) interest
at the applicable Note Rate or Loan Rate, from the date through which interest
was last paid through the end of the calendar month in which the Liquidation
occurred, on the Unpaid Principal Balance of such Loan outstanding during each
Due Period in which accrued interest was not paid, (C) any Property Protection
Advances and Advances for taxes, assessments and comparable items and insurance
premiums, as required by the Servicing Agreement, the Master Servicing Agreement
or the Special Servicing Agreement and (D) any other expenses (including any
servicing related fees) related to the modification of the Loan, minus (ii) the
product of (A) the ratio of the Monthly Payment (net of the dollar equivalent of
all ongoing servicing related fees on the first Due Date) on the modified Loan
divided by the Monthly Payment (net of the dollar equivalent of all servicing
related fees on such Due Date) on the prior Loan, and (B) the Unpaid Principal
Balance of the modified Loan.
"Remittance Date" means, the date specified in the related Servicing
Agreement by which the funds in the Custodial P&I Account must be remitted to
the Master Servicer Custodial Account, which in no case will be later in any
month than the Master Servicer Remittance Date.
"Repo Disposition" means the receipt by the related Servicer in
connection with a Repo Property of Insurance Proceeds, Condemnation Awards and
other payments and recoveries that the Servicer recovers from the sale or other
final disposition thereof.
"Repo Property" means a Manufactured Home or Facilities (and any
related Real Property) acquired by a Servicer on behalf of the Trustee pursuant
to a repossession, Foreclosure or other similar proceeding in respect of a
related Loan.
"REO" or "REO Property" means Mortgaged Premises acquired by the
Servicer or Special Service on behalf of the Trusty by Foreclosure or by
deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.
"REO Disposition" means the receipt by the Servicer in connection with
an REO of Insurance Proceeds, Condemnation Awards and other payments and
recoveries that the Servicer recovers from the sale or other final disposition
thereof.
"Reserve Fund" means, unless otherwise provided in the related
Prospectus Supplement, any fund in a Trust Estate other than the Collateral
Proceeds Account.
"Scheduled Principal Balance" means, with respect to each Loan, REO
Property or Repo Property as of a determination date, the scheduled principal
balance of the Loan (or of the related Loan, in the case of a REO Property or
Repo Property) as of the Cut-off Date, increased by the amount of negative
amortization, if any, with respect thereto, and reduced by (a) the principal
portion of all Monthly Payments due on or before such determination date,
whether paid by the Borrower or advanced by a Servicer or other party, (b) all
amounts allocable to unscheduled principal payments received on or before the
last day of the Prepayment Period preceding such date of determination, and (c)
without duplication, any Realized Loss with respect thereto.
"Second Lien Mortgage Loan" means a Mortgage Loan secured by a second
mortgage or deed of trust on Mortgaged Premises.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Security Instrument" means a written instrument creating a valid lien
on the collateral for a Loan, including any riders thereto. A Security
Instrument may be in a form of a mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt,
security deed or security agreement.
"Senior Bonds" or "Senior Class" means any Class of Bonds of a Series,
designated as such in the Prospectus Supplement, that is entitled to
preferential priority rights, as to a Subordinated Class of Bonds, to payment of
principal and interest from the proceeds of the collateral securing such Series.
"Series" means the Bonds issued pursuant to a Series Supplement.
"Series Supplement" means an indenture that is supplemental to the
Indenture and that authorizes a particular Series.
"Servicer Remittance" means a Servicer's aggregate payment due each
month to the Master Servicer Custodial Account for Loans that have been pledged
as security for a Series of Bonds, which payment, unless otherwise specified in
the Prospectus Supplement for a Series of Bonds, is equal to (A) the sum of the
following:
(i) all payments of principal and interest with respect to the
Collateral (including net Liquidation Proceeds and Insurance
Proceeds) collected during the related Due Period and
deposited in the Custodial P&I Account;
(ii) any Advance by the Servicer that represents principal of or
interest on a defaulted item of Collateral with respect to
such Payment Date;
(iii) any Monthly Payments due during, but collected prior to, the
related Due Period; and
(iv) any fees relating to late charges, assumption fees, prepayment
premiums and similar charges and fees (but not default
interest);
less (B) the sum of the following:
(i) all amounts due the Servicer as the servicing fee,
including late charges, assumption fees, prepayment
premiums and similar charges and fees (but not
default interest);
(ii) any Monthly Payments collected but due on a date
subsequent to the related Due Period; and
(iii) all amounts required to reimburse the Servicer for
Non-Recoverable Advances.
"Servicer" means an entity identified in the related Prospectus
Supplement that will perform servicing functions with respect to Collateral
included in the Trust Estate for a Series.
"Servicing Agreement" means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, each
servicing agreement, as amended and supplemented, pursuant to which the related
servicer of Collateral has agreed to perform all duties incident to the
servicing of the Collateral.
"Special Hazard Insurance" means, with respect to a Series of Bonds,
insurance covering (a) loss to Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Homes
underlying defaulted Loans caused by reason of certain hazards not covered by
Standard Hazard Insurance on such Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Homes and
(b) loss from partial damage to such Mortgaged Premises or Manufactured Homes
caused by reason of application of the co-insurance clause contained in the
related Standard Hazard Insurance Policies.
"Special Hazard Insurance Policy" means an Insurance Policy that
provides Special Hazard Insurance.
"Special Hazard Insurer" means, with respect to a Series, the issuer of
the Special Hazard Insurance Policy named in the related Series Supplement, or
any successor thereto, or the named Insurer in any replacement policy obtained
by the Master Servicer for the Series.
"Special Servicer" means an entity, as may be specified in the
Prospectus Supplement for a Series, that will service delinquent or defaulted
Loans, REO Property or Repo Property pledged as security for a Series pursuant
to the terms of a Special Servicing Agreement between the entity and the
Servicer or Master Servicer.
"Standard Hazard Insurance" means, with respect to a Loan, insurance
against physical damage to, or the destruction of, the related Mortgaged
Premises or Manufactured Home caused by fire, lightning, explosion, smoke,
windstorm, hail, riot, strike or civil commotion.
"Standard Hazard Insurance Policy" means an Insurance Policy, issued by
a company authorized to issue such a policy in the state in which the collateral
for the related Loan is located, that provides Standard Hazard Insurance.
"Stated Maturity Date" means, with respect to any Class of Bonds of a
Series, the date specified in the Bonds as the fixed date on which the final
installment of the principal of each Bond is due and payable.
"Subordinated Bonds" or "Subordinated Class" means any Class of Bonds
of a Series as to which the right to receive payment of principal and interest
from the proceeds of the Collateral securing the Series is subordinate to the
priority rights of Bondholders of a Senior Class of Bonds of such Series to the
extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
"Substitute Collateral" means an item of Collateral pledged to the
Trustee to secure a Series of Bonds in substitution for an item of defective
Collateral.
"Substitute Loan" means a Loan pledged to secure a Series of Bonds in
substitution for a defaulted Loan, REO Property or Repo Property securing a
Series of Bonds.
"Surplus" means an amount in the Collateral Proceeds Account in excess
of the amount required to pay principal of and interest on the Bonds of a Series
and certain expenses.
"T&I Advance" means an Advance by the Servicer or Special Servicer of
escrow amounts for tax and insurance payments with respect to any Loan subject
to a Delinquency.
"Title Insurance" means the insurance provided by a Title Insurance
Policy.
"Title Insurance Policy" means an American Land Title Association
(ALTA) mortgage loan title policy form 1970, or other form of Title Insurance
Policy acceptable to the Issuer, including all riders and endorsements thereto.
"Trustee" means the bank, trust company or other fiduciary named in the
Prospectus Supplement for a Series of Bonds as the trustee under the Indenture
pursuant to which the Series is issued.
"Trust Estate" means, with respect to each Series of Bonds, all right,
title and interest pledged or assigned to the Trustee for the Series pursuant to
the Series Supplement in and to benefits occurring to the Issuer from the
Collateral and from any debt service fund, Reserve Fund, Insurance Policy,
Servicing Agreement, Master Servicing Agreement, Additional Collateral and other
credit enhancement that constitutes security for the Series of Bonds.
"UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code.
"UCC State" means a state in which a lien on a Manufactured Home is
"perfected," pursuant to the provisions of the applicable UCC, by filing UCC-3
financing statements or other appropriate transfer instruments with all
appropriate UCC filing offices.
"Underwriter" means any firm that underwrites a Series of Bonds.
"Unpaid Principal Balance" means with respect to any Loan, the
outstanding principal balance payable by the Borrower under the terms of the
Note or Contract.
<PAGE>
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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference
in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not
authorized anyone to provide you with different information.
We are not offering the Bonds in any state where the offer is not permitted.
We do not claim the accuracy of the information in this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus as of any date other than the dates stated on
their cover pages.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
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<S> <C>
Prospectus Supplement
Terms of the Bonds and the Collateral ................... S-1
Risk Factors ............................................ S-3
Description of the Bonds ................................ S-5
Security for the Bonds .................................. S-13
Servicing of the Collateral ............................. S-17
Maturity and Prepayment Considerations .................. S-20
Yield Considerations .................................... S-24
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences ................. S-25
Use of Proceeds ......................................... S-26
Underwriting ............................................ S-26
Legal Matters ........................................... S-26
Ratings ................................................. S-26
ERISA Considerations .................................... S-27
ANNEX I ................................................. I-1
Page
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Prospectus
Prospectus Summary ...................................... 1
Risk Factors ............................................ 6
Description of the Bonds ................................ 16
Maturity and Prepayment Considerations .................. 19
Yield Considerations .................................... 19
Security for the Bonds .................................. 20
Origination of the Collateral ........................... 30
Servicing of the Collateral ............................. 33
The Indenture ........................................... 38
Certain Legal Aspects of the Collateral ................. 42
The Issuer .............................................. 53
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences ................. 54
State Tax Considerations ................................ 64
ERISA Considerations .................................... 64
Legal Investment ........................................ 65
Use of Proceeds ......................................... 66
Plan of Distribution .................................... 66
Legal Matters ........................................... 67
Financial Information ................................... 67
Additional Information .................................. 67
Incorporation of Certain Documents By Reference ......... 67
Reports to Bondholders .................................. 67
Glossary ................................................ 68
</TABLE>
Dealers will deliver a prospectus supplement and prospectus when acting as
underwriters of the Bonds and with respect to their unsold allotments or
subscriptions. In addition, all dealers selling the Bonds will deliver a
prospectus supplement and prospectus until 40 days after the date of the
prospectus supplement.
$294,952,000
(APPROXIMATE)
MERIT SECURITIES
CORPORATION
COLLATERALIZED BONDS, SERIES 12-1
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
March 29, 1999
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[GREENWICH LOGO]
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