AS FILED WITH THEAs filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2001
                                                                        --
                                                  Registration No. 333-63456
                                                                   ---------



                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1998.
                                                
                                                   
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-52335     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON,Washington, D.C. 20549
                                ---------------
                                
                             AMENDMENT NO.Amendment No. 1
                                      TOto
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     Under The Securities Act ofUNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                ---------------


                         IMPAC MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                                ---------------

                                                20371 IRVINE AVENUE
                                            SANTA ANA HEIGHTS, CA 92707
              MARYLAND                             (714) 556-0122                      33-0675505
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE     (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)   NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANTS' IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
                                            PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
JOSEPH(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its charter) Maryland 33-0675505 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification Number) 1401 Dove Street Newport Beach, California 92660 (949) 475-3600 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices) Joseph R. TOMKINSON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IMPAC MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC. 20371 IRVINE AVENUE SANTA ANA HEIGHTS,Tomkinson Chief Executive Officer Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. 1401 Dove Street Newport Beach, California 92660 (949) 475-3600 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) Copies to: Thomas J. Poletti, Esq. Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP 10100 Santa Monica Blvd., 7/th/ Floor Los Angeles, CA 92707 (714) 556-0122 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) COPIES TO: THOMAS J. POLETTI, ESQ. KATHERINE J. BLAIR, ESQ. DAVID M. TAMMAN, ESQ. FRESHMAN, MARANTZ, ORLANSKI, COOPER & KLEIN 9100 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, 8TH FLOOR BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA 90212 TELEPHONE90067 Telephone: (310) 273-1870 --------------- APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: FROM TIME TO TIME AFTER THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.552-5000 Facsimile: (310) 552-5001 Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement. If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:box. [_] If any of the securities being registered on the Formthis form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: [X]box. [x] If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:offering. [_] If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:offering. [_] If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box:box. [_] CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSED PROPOSED MAXIMUM TITLECALCULATION OF EACH CLASS OF MAXIMUM AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF SECURITIES TO BE AMOUNT TO OFFERING PRICE OFFERING REGISTRATION REGISTERED BE REGISTERED PER SECURITY(1) PRICE(1) FEE(2)(3) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FEE ================================================================================ =========================== Title of each class of Proposed maximum Proposed maximum securities to be Amount to be offering price per aggregate Amount of registered Registered unit offering price (1) registration fee - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------- Common Stock, $.01$0.01 par value per share........ 1,990,147 $16.63 $33,096,145 $9,763.86*2,118,644 $6.68 $14,152,541.00 $3,538.14* par share ================================================================================ ===========================
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant toin accordance with Rule 457(c), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and based on the average of the high and low salessale prices of the Common Stockcommon stock reported as of June 14, 2001. * A filing fee of in the amount of $3,538.14 was previously paid. The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on May 8, 1998such date or dates as reported onmay be necessary to delay its effective date until the American Stock Exchange. (2) Pursuant to Rule 429 underRegistrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act 94,936 shares of Common Stock are being carried forward from the Registrant's Registration Statement No. 333-38517. Accordingly,1933, as amended, or until the registration fee of $754 associated withstatement shall become effective on such securities was previously paid on October 23, 1997 upondate as the filing ofCommission, acting pursuant to said Registration Statement. (3) Paid by wire transfer to the Securities and Exchange Commission's account at Mellon Bank. * Previously Paid. --------------- THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SUCH SECTION 8(A)Section 8(a), MAY DETERMINE. PURSUANT TO RULE 429 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THE PROSPECTUS WHICH IS A PART OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT IS A COMBINED PROSPECTUS RELATING ALSO TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-38517. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------may determine. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A+The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may + +REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE+not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the + +SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY+Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an + +OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT+offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these + +BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR + +THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE + +SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE + +UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF + +ANY SUCH STATE.+securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 1998 PROSPECTUS [LOGO OFSubject to completion, dated July 31, 2001 2,118,644 Shares IMPAC MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC.] DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND COMMON STOCK PURCHASE PLAN The Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan") of Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") (formerly, Imperial Credit Mortgage Holdings, Inc.) provides holders of record and beneficial owners of shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock") with a simple and convenient method of investing cash dividends in additional shares of stock at a current 3% discount (subject to change) from the market price (as determined in accordance with the Plan),This prospectus relates to the extent shares are acquired directly from the Company. If the shares are acquired in open market transactions by the Plan Administrator (as defined in Question 4), the discount will not be available. Common Stock may also be purchased directly from the Company on a monthly basis with optional cash payments made by participants in the Plan at a current 1% discount (subject to change) from the market price (as determined in accordance with the Plan). Each of the discounts is subject to change (but will not vary from the range of 0% to 5%)offer and sale from time to time or discontinuance at the Company's discretion afterby Impac Funding Corporation, Inc., a reviewCalifornia corporation, (the "selling stockholder"), of current market conditions, the levelup to 2,118,644 shares of participation in the Plan and the Company's current and projected capital needs. PARTICIPANTS MAY ASCERTAIN THE APPLICABLE DISCOUNT RATE BY CONTACTING THE COMPANY'S INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT AT (714) 438- 2100. Brokers and nominees may reinvest dividends and make optional cash payments on behalf of beneficial owners. Those holders of Common Stock who do not participate in the Planour common stock. The selling stockholder will receive cash dividends, as declared, inall of the usual manner. To enroll inproceeds from the Plan, simply completesale of the enclosed Authorization Form and return it in the envelope provided. Enrollment in the Plan is entirely voluntary and participants in the Plan may terminate their participation atcommon stock, less any time. A broker, bankdiscounts, commissions or other nomineecompensation that it may reinvest dividends and make optional cash paymentspay to the underwriters, broker-dealers or other selling agents effecting the sales. We will pay all the costs of registering the common shares under this prospectus. Our common stock is traded on behalf of beneficial owners. See Questions 6, 7 and 8. Stockholders who are presently enrolled in the existing Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment andAmerican Stock Purchase Plan will continue to be enrolled inExchange under the Plan unless they notifysymbol "IMH." On June 18, 2001, the Company otherwise. The Plan amends and restates in its entiretylast reported sale price for the existing Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment andcommon stock on the American Stock Purchase Plan. A participant in the Plan may obtain additional shares of Common Stock by (i) reinvesting dividends on all or partExchange was $6.78 per share. ------------- Your purchase of the sharescommon stock involves a high degree of Common Stock held byrisk. See "Risk Factors" beginning at page 1. ------------- Neither the participant, (ii) making optional cash paymentsSecurities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of not less than $50 and upthese securities offered or sold under this prospectus, nor have these organizations determined that this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to $10,000 per month, whether or not dividends on shares held by the participant are being reinvested, and (iii) making optional cash payments in excess of $10,000 per month with the permission of the Company whether or not dividends on shares held by the participant are being reinvested. (Continued on next page) 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.contrary is a criminal offense. ------------- The date of this Prospectusprospectus is , 19982001. (Continued from previous page) Optional cash payments in excess of $10,000 may be made only pursuant to an accepted request for waiver. It is expected that a portion of the shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan will be issued pursuant to such waivers. The price to be paid for shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan in excess of $10,000 pursuant to the optional cash payment feature of the Plan will be a price reflecting a discount of 0% to 5% (the "Waiver Discount") (see Question 18) from the applicable Market Price (as defined in Question 13). As of the date of this Prospectus, under the Plan, the price per share purchased in excess of $10,000 will be at a 2.25% discount and shares may be purchased either directly from the CompanyWe have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or on the open market. There is no pre-established maximum limit applicable to optional cash payments that may be made pursuant to accepted requests for waiver. Optional cash payments that do not exceed $10,000 and the reinvestment of dividends in additional shares of Common Stock will not be subject to the Waiver Discount. Participants in the Plan may request that any or all of their shares held in Plan accounts be sold by the Plan Administrator. See Question 28. To the extent that shares of Common Stock issued hereunder are authorized but previously unissued shares rather than shares acquired in the open market, the Plan will raise additional capital for the Company. The Company currently intends to issue such shares and, therefore, the Plan is expected to raise capital for the Company. Each month a portion of the shares available for issuance under the Plan may be purchased by owners of shares (including brokers or dealers) who, in connection with any resales of such shares, may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). See "Plan of Distribution." These sales will be effected through the Company's ability to waive limits applicable to the amounts which participants may invest pursuant to the Plan's optional cash payment feature. From time to time, financial intermediaries, including brokers and dealers, may engage in positioning transactions in order to benefit from the discount from market price of the Common Stock acquired through the reinvestment of dividends under the Plan. Such transactions may cause fluctuations in the trading volume of the Common Stock. Financial intermediaries which engage in positioning transactions may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act. See "Plan of Distribution." This Prospectus relates to 2,085,083 shares of Common Stock offered hereby and registered for sale under the Plan. Participants should retain this Prospectus for future reference. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction to anyother person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than thoserepresent anything not contained in this Prospectus in connection with the offering made hereby, and if given or made, such information or representationsprospectus. You must not be relied uponrely on any unauthorized information. This prospectus does not offer to sell or seek an offer to buy any shares in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful. The information contained in this prospectus is correct only as having been authorized byof the Company. Neitherdate of this prospectus, regardless of the time of the delivery of this Prospectus norprospectus or any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that information herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS AVAILABLE INFORMATION....................................................... 4 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE............................. 4 IMPAC MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC................................................ 5 SUMMARY OF PLAN............................................................. 5 THE PLAN.................................................................... 7 PURPOSE..................................................................... 7 OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPANTS........................................... 7 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES................................................ 8 ADMINISTRATION.............................................................. 9 PARTICIPATION............................................................... 9 PURCHASE AND PRICES OF SHARES............................................... 14 DIVIDENDS ON FRACTIONS...................................................... 20 CERTIFICATES FOR COMMON SHARES.............................................. 20 WITHDRAWALS AND TERMINATION................................................. 20 OTHER INFORMATION........................................................... 21 DIVIDENDS................................................................... 26 USE OF PROCEEDS............................................................. 26 PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION........................................................ 26 LEGAL OPINION............................................................... 27 EXPERTS..................................................................... 27 INDEMNIFICATION............................................................. 27 GLOSSARY.................................................................... 28 SCHEDULE A.................................................................. 30
3 AVAILABLE INFORMATION The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")shares. Certain information contained in this prospectus and in accordance therewith, files periodicthe reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxyincorporated herein constitute forward-looking statements and other information concerning the Company can be inspected and copied, at prescribed rates, at the public reference facilities of the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the following regional offices of the Commission: New York (Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048), and Chicago (Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661- 2511), and copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The address of the site is http://www.sec.gov. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company also may be inspected at the offices of the American Stock Exchange where the Company's Common Stock is listed. This Prospectus does not contain all information set forth in the Registration Statement and Exhibits thereto which the Company has filed with the Commission under the Securities Act and to which reference is hereby made. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus: (1) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 1997; (2) the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1998; (3) the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 1998; (4) the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on January 16, 1998 and on Form 8-K/A filed on February 17, 1998; (5) the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on February 9, 1998, and on Form 8-K/A filed on February 11, 1998; (6) the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 1998; (7) the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on June 3, 1998 and (8) the section of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-11, filed with the Commission on October 25, 19961933 and as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed with the Commission on November 4, 1996, entitled "Description of Securities." All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequentof 1934. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology including, but not limited to, "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "should," "anticipate," "estimate," or "believe" or comparable terminology. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Purchasers of our common shares should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Prospectus and prior to the terminationprospectus. Table of the offering of the securities offered hereby shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to beContents
Page ---- Summary............................................................. i Risk Factors........................................................ 1 Use of Proceeds..................................................... 15 Selling Security Holder and Plan of Distribution.................... 15 Description of Capital Stock........................................ 16 Material Federal Income Tax Consequences............................ 18 Legal Matters....................................................... 26 Experts............................................................. 26 Where You Can Find More Information................................. 27
SUMMARY We are a part hereof from the date of filing such documents. Any statement contained inmortgage real estate investment trust, commonly known as a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute part of this Prospectus. Any person receiving a copy of this Prospectus may obtain without charge, upon request, a copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference herein, except for the exhibits to such documents. Written requests should be addressed to Investor Relations, Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc., 20371 Irvine Avenue, Santa Ana Heights, California 92707. Telephone requests may be directed to Investor Relations at (714) 438-2100. 4 IMPAC MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC. Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. is a specialty finance companyREIT, which, together with itsour subsidiaries and related companies, primarily operates three businesses: (1) the Long-Term Investment Operations,our long-term investment operations, (2) the Conduit Operations,our mortgage operations, and (3) the Warehouse Lending Operations. The Long-Term Investment Operationsour warehouse lending operations. Our long-term investment operations invests primarily in non-conforming residential mortgage loans and securities backed by such loans. The Conduit OperationsOur mortgage operations purchases or originates and sells orand securitizes primarily non-conforming residential mortgage loans. Non-conforming residential mortgage loans are residential mortgages that generally do not qualify for purchase by government-sponsored agencies such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Warehouse Lending OperationsFederal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Our warehouse lending operations provides warehouse and repurchase financing to originators of mortgage loans. The Company is organizedWe have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust ("REIT")REIT for federal income tax purposes, which generally allows itus to pass through qualified income to stockholders without payment of federal income tax at the corporate level. On February 21, 2001 and March 30, 2001, the selling shareholder purchased a total of 400,000 shares of our Series C 10.5% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock from LBP, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: LBPI.OB). The Company'sshares offered under this prospectus were issued pursuant to the conversion of the preferred stock. Our principal executive officeoffices are located at1401 Dove Street, Newport Beach, California, 92660. Our telephone number is located(949) 475-3600. In this prospectus, the terms "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc., a Maryland corporation. The term "IFC" or "selling stockholder" refers to Impac Funding Corporation, a California corporation. Unless the context otherwise indicates, "common stock" refers to the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. i RISK FACTORS An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider the following factors carefully before deciding to purchase shares of our common stock. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Inability to Generate Liquidity May Adversely Affect Our Operations If we cannot generate sufficient liquidity, we will be unable to continue our operations, grow our asset base and pay dividends. We have traditionally derived our liquidity from three sources: . financing facilities provided to us by others to acquire mortgage assets; . whole loan sales and securitizations of acquired mortgage loans; and . our issuance of equity securities. However, we cannot assure you that any of these alternatives will be available to us, or if available, that we will be able to negotiate favorable terms. If we cannot raise cash by selling debt and equity securities, we may be forced to sell our assets at 20371 Irvine Avenue, Santa Ana Heights, California 92707. SUMMARY OF PLANunfavorable prices or discontinue various business activities. Our inability to access the capital markets could have a negative impact on our earnings and ability to pay dividends. Margin Calls on Financing Facilities May Adversely Affect Our Operations Prior to the fourth quarter of 1998, we generally had no difficulty in obtaining favorable financing facilities or in selling acquired mortgage loans. However, during the fourth quarter of 1998 the mortgage industry experienced substantial turmoil as a result of a lack of liquidity in the secondary markets. At that time, investors expressed unwillingness to purchase interests in securitizations due in part to: . higher than expected credit losses on many companies' securitization interests, and . the widening of returns expected by institutional investors on securitization interests over the prevailing Treasury rate. As a result, many mortgage loan originators, including our company, were unable to access the securitization market on favorable terms, which resulted in some companies declaring bankruptcy. Originators, like our company, were required to sell loans on a whole loan basis and liquidate holdings of mortgage-backed securities to repay financing facilities. However, the large amount of loans available for sale on a whole loan basis affected the pricing offered for these loans which in turn reduced the value of the collateral underlying the financing facilities. Therefore, many providers of financing facilities initiated margin calls. Margin calls resulted when our lenders evaluated the market value of the collateral securing our financing facilities and required us to provide them with additional equity or collateral to secure our borrowings. Our financing facilities were short-term borrowings and due to the turmoil in the mortgage industry during the latter part of 1998 many traditional providers of financing facilities were unwilling to provide facilities on favorable terms, or at all. If we cannot renew or replace maturing borrowings, we may have to sell, on a whole loan basis, the loans securing these facilities which, depending upon market conditions, may result in substantial losses. 1 Dependence on Securitizations for Liquidity We rely significantly upon securitizations to generate cash proceeds to repay borrowings and to create credit availability. Any reduction in our ability to complete securitizations may require us to utilize other sources of financing, which may be on less than favorable terms. In addition, gains on sales from our securitizations represent a significant portion of our earnings. Several factors could affect our ability to complete securitizations of our mortgages, including: . conditions in the securities markets; . credit quality of the mortgage loans originated or purchased by our mortgage operations; . volume of our mortgage loan originations and purchases; and . ability to obtain credit enhancement. If we are unable to profitably securitize a significant number of our mortgage loans in a particular financial reporting period, then it could result in lower income or a loss for that period. As a result of turmoil in the securitization market during the latter part of 1998, many mortgage lenders, including our company, were required to sell mortgage loans on a whole loan basis under adverse market conditions in order to generate liquidity. Many of these sales were made at prices lower than our carrying value of the mortgage loans and we experienced losses. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to profitably securitize or sell our loans on a whole loan basis, or at all. Gains on sales from our securitizations have historically represented a substantial portion of our earnings. Our ability to complete securitizations is dependent upon general conditions in the securities and secondary markets and the credit quality of the mortgage loans. In addition, delays in closing sales of our loans increases our risk by increasing the warehousing period for the loans, further exposing our company to credit risk. The Plan provides ownersmarket for first loss risk securities, which are securities that take the first loss when mortgages are not paid by the borrowers, is generally limited. In connections with our securitizations, we will endeavor to sell all securities subjecting us to a first loss risk. If we cannot sell these securities, then we may be required to hold them for an extended period, subjecting us to a first loss risk. We May Not Pay Dividends to Stockholders REIT provisions of Common Stock with a convenientthe Internal Revenue Code require us to distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our taxable income. These provisions restrict our ability to retain earnings and attractive method of investing cash dividends (in some cases,renew capital for our business activities. We may decide at a future time not to be treated as a REIT, which would cause us to be taxed at the corporate level and to cease paying regular dividends. Also, to date a portion of our dividends to stockholders consisted of distributions by our mortgage operations subsidiary to our long-term investment operations entity. However, our mortgage operations was not, and is not, required under the REIT provisions to make these distributions. Since we are trying to retain earnings for future growth, we may not cause our mortgage operations subsidiary to make these distributions in the future. This would materially affect the amount of dividends, if any, paid by us to our stockholders. 2 Our Borrowings and Substantial Leverage May Cause Losses Risks of Use of Collateralized Mortgage Obligations To grow our investment portfolio, we borrow a substantial portion of the market value of substantially all of our investments in mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities. We currently prefer to use collateralized mortgage obligations as financing vehicles to increase our leverage, since mortgage loans held for collateralized mortgage obligation collateral are retained for investment rather than sold in a secondary market transaction. Retaining mortgage loans as collateralized mortgage obligation collateral exposes our operations to greater credit losses than the use of securitization techniques that are treated as sales. In creating a collateralized mortgage obligation, we make a cash equity investment to fund collateral in excess of the amount of the securities issued. If we experience credit losses on the pool of loans subject to the collateralized mortgage obligation greater than we expected, the value of our equity investment decreases and we would have to adjust the value of the investment in our financial statements. Cost of Borrowings May Exceed Return on Assets The cost of borrowings under our financing facilities corresponds to a referenced interest rate plus or minus a margin. The margin varies depending on factors such as the nature and liquidity of the underlying collateral and the availability of financing in the market. We will experience net interest losses if the returns on our assets financed with borrowed funds fail to cover the cost of our borrowings. Default Risks Under Financing Facilities If we default under our collateralized borrowings, our lenders could force us to liquidate the collateral. If the value of the collateral is less than the amount borrowed, we could be required to pay the difference in cash. If we were to declare bankruptcy, some of our reverse repurchase agreements may obtain special treatment and our creditors would then be allowed to liquidate the collateral without any delay. On the other hand, if a lender with whom we have a reverse repurchase agreement declares bankruptcy, we might experience difficulty repurchasing our collateral, or enforcing our claim for damages, and it is possible that our claim could be repudiated and we could be treated as an unsecured creditor. If this occurs, our claims would be subject to significant delay and we may receive substantially less than our actual damages. Risk of Lack of Return of Investment on Liquidation We have pledged a substantial portion of our assets to secure the repayment of collateralized mortgage obligations issued in securitizations, our financing facilities or other borrowings. We will also pledge substantially all of our current and future mortgage loans to secure borrowings pending their securitization or sale. The cash flows we receive from our investments that have not yet been distributed, pledged or used to acquire mortgage loans or other investments may be the only unpledged assets available to our unsecured creditors and you if our company were liquidated. Interest Rate Fluctuations May Adversely Affect Our Operating Results Our operations, each as a mortgage loan originator and warehouse lender, may be adversely affected by rising and falling interest rates. Higher interest rates may discourage potential borrowers from refinancing mortgages, borrowing to purchase homes or seeking second mortgages. This may decrease the amount of mortgages available to be acquired by our mortgage operations and decrease the demand for warehouse financing 3 provided by our warehouse lending operations to originators of mortgage loans. If short-term interest rates exceed long-term interest rates, there is a higher risk of increased loan prepayments, as borrowers may seek to refinance their mortgage loans at lower long-term interest rates. Increased loan prepayments could lead to a reduction in the number of loans we service, the fees we receive for loan servicing and our loan servicing income. We are subject to the risk of rising mortgage interest rates between the time we commit to purchase mortgages at a fixed price and the time we sell or securitize those mortgages. An increase in interest rates will generally result in a decrease in the market value of mortgages that we have committed to purchase at a fixed price, but have not yet sold or securitized. Risks of Repricing of Assets and Liabilities Our principal source of revenue is net interest income or net interest spread, which is the difference between the interest we earn on our interest earning assets and the interest we pay on our interest bearing liabilities. The rates we pay on our borrowings are independent of the rates we earn on our assets and may be subject to more frequent periodic rate adjustments. Therefore, we could experience a decrease in net interest income or a net interest loss because the interest rates on our borrowings could increase faster than the interest rates on our assets. If our net interest spread becomes negative, we will be paying more interest on our borrowings than we will be earning on our assets and we will be exposed to a risk of loss. Additionally, the rates paid on our borrowings and the rates received on our assets may be based upon different indices (i.e., LIBOR, U.S. Treasuries, etc.). If the index used to determine the rate on our borrowings increases faster than the index used to determine the rate on our assets, we will experience a declining net interest spread which will have a negative impact on our profitability and may result in losses. Risks of Adjustable Rate Mortgages A significant portion of the mortgage assets held by our long-term investment operations are adjustable rate mortgages or bear interest based upon short-term interest rate indices. We generally fund these mortgage assets with borrowings. To the extent that there is a difference between the interest rate index used to determine the interest rate on our adjustable rate mortgage assets and the interest rate index used to determine the borrowing rate for our related financing, our business may be negatively impacted. Interest Rate Caps Adjustable rate mortgages typically have interest rate caps, which limit interest rates charged to the borrower during any given period. Our borrowings are not subject to similar restrictions. In a period of rapidly increasing interest rates, the interest rates we pay on our borrowings could increase without limitation, while the interest rates we earn on our adjustable rate mortgage assets would be capped. If this occurs, our net earnings could be significantly reduced or we could suffer a net interest loss. Payment Caps Some of our adjustable rate mortgages may be subject to payment caps meaning some portion of the interest accruing on the mortgage is deferred and added to the principal outstanding. Our borrowings do not have similar provisions. This could cause us to receive less cash on our adjustable rate assets than the interest due on our related borrowings. Also, the increased principal amount outstanding as a result of interest deferral may result in a higher rate of defaults on these loans. 4 Our Quarterly Operating Results May Fluctuate Our results of operations, and more specifically our earnings, may significantly fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on several factors, including: . changes in the amount of loans we originate; . between our cost of funds on borrowings and the average interest rates earned on our loans; . inability to complete or decisions not to complete significant bulk whole loan sales or securitizations in a particular quarter; and . generally affecting the mortgage loan industry. A delay in closing a particular mortgage loan sale or securitization would also increase our exposure to interest rate fluctuations by lengthening the period during which our variable rate borrowings under our warehouse facilities are outstanding. If we were unable to sell a sufficient number of mortgage loans at a premium during a particular reporting period, our revenues for that period would decline, which could have a material adverse affect on our operations. As a result, our stock price could also fluctuate. Our Share Prices Have Been and May Continue to be Volatile Historically, the market price of our common stock has been volatile. During 2000, our stock reached a high of $4.38 and a low of $1.83. On June 1, 2001, the closing sale price was $5.75. The market price of our common stock is likely to continue to be highly volatile and could be significantly affected by factors including: . availability of liquidity in the securitization market; . loan sale pricing; . calls by warehouse lenders or changes in warehouse lending rates; . unanticipated fluctuations in our operating results; . prepayments on mortgages; . valuations of securitization related assets; . cost of funds; and . general market conditions. In addition, significant price and volume fluctuations in the stock market have particularly affected the market prices for the common stocks of mortgage REIT companies such as ours. These broad market fluctuations have adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect the market price of our common stock. If our results of operations fail to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors in a future quarter, the market price of our common stock could also be materially adversely affected. Prepayments of Mortgage Loans May Adversely Affect Our Operations Mortgage prepayments generally increase when fixed mortgage interest rates fall below the then-current interest rates on outstanding adjustable rate mortgage loans. Prepayments on mortgage loans are also affected by the terms and credit grades of the loans and general economic conditions. Most of our adjustable rate mortgages and those backing mortgage-backed securities are originated within six months of the time we purchased the 5 mortgages and generally bear initial interest rates which are lower than their "fully-indexed" amount (the applicable index plus the margin). If we acquire these mortgages at a premium and they are prepaid prior to or soon after the time of adjustment to a fully-indexed rate, we would not have received interest at the fully-indexed rate during such period. This means we would lose the opportunity to earn interest at that rate over the expected life of the mortgage. Also, if prepayments on our adjustable rate mortgage loans increase when interest rates are declining, our net interest income may decrease if we cannot reinvest the prepayments in mortgage assets bearing comparable rates. We generally acquire mortgages on a "servicing released" basis, meaning we acquire both the mortgages and the rights to service them. This strategy requires us to pay a higher purchase price or premium for the mortgages. If our mortgage loans that we acquired at a premium prepay faster than originally projected, generally accepted accounting principles require us to write down the remaining capitalized premium amounts at a faster speed than was originally projected, which would decrease our future interest income. Value of Our Portfolio of Mortgage-Backed Securities May be Adversely Affected We invest in mortgage-backed securities known as "interest-only," "principal- only," residual interest and subordinated securities. These securities are generally created through our own securitizations. Investments in residual interest and subordinated securities are much riskier than investments in senior mortgage-backed securities because these subordinated securities bear all credit losses prior to the related senior securities. On a percentage basis, the risk associated with holding residual interest and subordinated securities is greater than holding the underlying mortgage loans directly due to the concentration of losses in the subordinated securities. We estimate future cash flows from these securities and value them utilizing assumptions based in part on projected discount rates, mortgage loan prepayments and credit losses. If our actual experience differs from our assumptions we would be required to reduce the Market Price (as definedvalue of these securities. The market for our asset-backed securities is extremely limited and we cannot assure you that we could sell these securities at their reported value, or at any value or that we could recoup our initial investment. We also bear the risk of loss on any mortgage-backed securities we purchase in Question 13)the secondary mortgage market. If third parties have been contracted to insure against these types of losses, we would be dependent in part upon the creditworthiness and without paymentclaims paying ability of the insurer and the timeliness of reimbursement in the event of a default on the underlying obligations. The insurance coverage for various types of losses is limited, and we bear the risk of any brokerage commission or service charge), and investing optional cash paymentslosses in additional shares of Common Stock. See Question 22 regarding brokerage commissions. Asexcess of the datelimitation or outside of the insurance coverage. In addition, we may not obtain our anticipated yield or we may incur losses if the credit support available within certain mortgage-backed securities is inadequate due to unanticipated levels of losses, or due to difficulties experienced by the credit support provider. Delays or difficulties encountered in servicing mortgage-backed securities may cause greater losses and, therefore, greater resort to credit support than was originally anticipated, and may cause a rating agency to downgrade certain classes of our securities. We Undertake Additional Risks by Acquiring and Investing in Mortgage Loans Risk of Failure to Obtain Credit Enhancements We do not obtain credit enhancements such as mortgage pool or special hazard insurance for all of our mortgage loans and investments. Borrowers may obtain private mortgage insurance, but we only require this Prospectus,insurance in limited circumstances. During the pricetime we hold mortgage loans for investment, we are subject to be paid for shares6 risks of Common Stock purchased underborrower defaults and bankruptcies and special hazard losses that are not covered by standard hazard insurance. If a borrower defaults on a mortgage loan that we hold, we bear the Plan will be a price reflecting (i) a discountrisk of 3% (subject to change) from the Market Price for the reinvestmentloss of cash dividendsprincipal to the extent sharesthere is any deficiency between the value of the related mortgaged property and the amount owing on the mortgage loan. In addition, since defaulted mortgage loans are purchased directlynot considered eligible collateral under our borrowing arrangements, we bear the risk of being required to own these loans without the use of borrowed funds until they are ultimately liquidated. Greater Risks from Non-Conforming Mortgage Loans Non-conforming residential mortgage loans are residential mortgages that do not qualify for purchase by government sponsored agencies such as the Company, (ii) no discount (subjectFederal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Our operations may be negatively affected due to change) from theour investments in non- conforming loans or securities evidencing interests in such loans. Credit risks associated with non-conforming mortgage loans are greater than conforming mortgage loans. The interest rates we charge on non-conforming loans are often higher than those charged for conforming loans. The purchase market priceof non- conforming loans has typically provided for higher interest rates in order to compensate for the reinvestment of cash dividends or the investment of optional cash payments,lower liquidity. Due to the extent shares are purchasedlower level of liquidity in the non-conforming loan market, we may realize higher returns upon securitization of loans than would be realized upon securitization of conforming loans. However, lower levels of liquidity may cause us to hold loans or other mortgage-related assets supported by these loans. By doing this, we assume the potential risk of increased delinquency rates and/or credit losses as well as interest rate risk. Additionally, the combination of different underwriting criteria and higher rates of interest leads to greater risk including higher prepayment rates and higher delinquency rates and/or credit losses. Second Mortgages Entail Greater Risks Our security interest in the property securing second mortgages is subordinated to the interest of the first mortgage holder. If the value of the property is equal to or less than the amount needed to repay the borrower's obligation to the first mortgage holder upon foreclosure, all or a portion of our second mortgage loan will not be repaid. Geographic Concentration of Mortgage Loans Has Higher Risks We do not set limitations on the open market, (iii) a 0% to 5% discount, which is currently at 1%, (subject to change) from the Market Price for the investmentpercentage of optional cash paymentsour mortgage asset portfolio composed of up to $10,000,properties located in any one area (whether by state, zip code or other geographic measure). Concentration in any one area increases our exposure to the extent purchased directly from the Company,economic and (iv)natural hazard risks associated with that area. We estimate that a discount of 0% to 5% (the "Waiver Discount") from the Market Price for the investment of optional cash payments that exceed $10,000. Eachhigh concentration of the discounts is subjectloans included in securitizations in which we hold subordinated interests are secured by properties in California. Certain parts of California have experienced an economic downturn in past years and have suffered the effects of certain natural hazards. Potential Losses Related to change (but will not vary from the range of 0% to 5%) from time to time or discontinuance at the Company's discretion after a review of current market conditions, the level of participation in the Plan and the Company's current and projected capital needs. PARTICIPANTS MAY ASCERTAIN THE APPLICABLE DISCOUNT RATE BY CONTACTING THE COMPANY'S INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT AT (714) 438-2100. In addition, Participants are currently responsible for their share of brokerage commissions incurredRecourse Obligations Mortgage-backed securities issued in connection with our securitizations have been non-recourse to us, except in the case of a breach of standard representations and warranties made by us when the loans are securitized. While we have recourse against the sellers of mortgage loans, we cannot assure you that they will honor their obligations. We also engaged in bulk whole loan sales pursuant to agreements that provide for recourse by the purchaser against us. In some cases, the remedies available to a purchaser of mortgage loans from us are broader than those available to us against those who sell us these loans. If a purchaser exercises its rights against us, we may not always be able to enforce whatever remedies we may have against our sellers. 7 We Undertake Additional Risks in Providing Warehouse Financing As a warehouse lender, we lend money to mortgage bankers on a secured basis and we are subject to the risks associated with lending to mortgage banks, including the risks of fraud, borrower default and bankruptcy, any of which could result in credit losses for us. Our claims as a secured lender in a bankruptcy proceeding may be subject to adjustment and delay. Value of our Mortgage Servicing Rights is Subject to Adjustment When we purchase loans that include the associated servicing rights, the allocated cost of sharesthe servicing rights is reflected on our financial statements as mortgage servicing rights. To determine the fair value of these servicing rights, we use assumptions to estimate future net servicing income including projected discount rates, mortgage loan prepayments and credit losses. If actual prepayments or defaults with respect to loans serviced occur more quickly than we originally assumed, we would have to reduce the carrying value of our mortgage servicing rights. We do not know if our assumptions will prove correct. Our Operating Results Will be Affected by the Results of Our Hedging Activities To offset the risks associated with our mortgage operations, we enter into transactions designed to hedge our interest rate risks. To offset the risks associated with our long-term investment operations, we attempt to match the interest rate sensitivities of our adjustable rate mortgage assets held for investment with the associated financing liabilities. Our management determines the nature and quantity of the hedging transactions based on various factors, including market conditions and the expected volume of mortgage loan purchases. We do not limit management's use of certain instruments in such hedging transactions. While the Company believes that it is properly hedging its interest rate risk, the accounting for such hedging activities do not generally qualify for hedge accounting under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and FAS 133. The effect of the Company's hedging strategy may result in some volatility in its quarterly earnings as interest rates go up or down. The volatility in earning is a result of the Company marking to market its hedges but not being allowed to mark to market the underlying loans related to the hedges in place. While the Company believes it is properly hedging its interest rate risk, we cannot assure you that our hedging transactions will offset our risks of losses. Reduction in Demand for Residential Mortgage Loans and Our Non-Conforming Loan Products May Adversely Affect Our Operations The availability of sufficient mortgage loans meeting our criteria is dependent in part upon the size and level of activity in the residential real estate lending market and, in particular, the demand for non-conforming mortgage loans, which is affected by: . interest rates; . national economic conditions; . residential property values; and . regulatory and tax developments. If our mortgage loan purchases decrease, we will have: . decreased economies of scale; . higher origination costs per loan; 8 . reduced fee income; . smaller gains on the open market. However,sale of non-conforming mortgage loans; and . an insufficient volume of loans to effect securitizations which requires us to accumulate loans over a longer period. Our Delinquency Ratios and Our Performance May be Adversely Affected by the BoardPerformance of DirectorsParties Who Sub-Service our Loans We contract with third-party sub-servicers for the sub-servicing of all our loans, including those in our securitizations, and our operations are subject to risks associated with inadequate or untimely servicing. Poor performance by a sub-servicer may result in greater than expected delinquencies and losses on our loans. A substantial increase in our delinquency or foreclosure rate could adversely affect our ability to access the capital and secondary markets for our financing needs. Also, with respect to loans subject to a securitization, greater delinquencies would adversely impact the value of any interest-only, principal-only and subordinated securities we hold in connection with that securitization. In a securitization, relevant agreements permit us to be terminated as servicer under specific conditions described in these agreements, such as the failure of a sub-servicer to perform certain functions within specific time periods. If, as a result of a sub-servicer's failure to perform adequately, we were terminated as servicer of a securitization, the value of any servicing rights held by us would be adversely affected. Intense Competition for Mortgage Loans May Adversely Affect Our Operations We compete in purchasing non-conforming mortgage loans and issuing mortgage- backed securities with: . other mortgage conduit programs; . investment banking firms; . savings and loan associations; . banks; . thrift and loan associations; . finance companies; . mortgage bankers; . insurance companies; . other lenders; and . other entities purchasing mortgage assets. Consolidation in the future determinemortgage banking industry may adversely affect us by reducing the number of current sellers to our mortgage operations and our potential customer base. As a result, we may have to purchase a larger percentage of mortgage loans from a smaller number of customers, which could cause us to have to pay higher premiums for loans. 9 If We Fail to Maintain Our REIT Status We May be Subject to Taxation as a Regular Corporation Consequences if We Fail to Qualify as a REIT We believe that we have operated and intend to continue to operate in a manner that enables us to meet the Company will pay such brokerage commissions on behalf of Participants if, based on the advice ofrequirements for qualification as a REIT for Federal income tax counsel orpurposes. We have not requested, and do not plan to request, a favorable ruling from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), it determines that the Company's payment of such expenses will not jeopardize the Company's statuswe qualify as a REIT. Participants electingMoreover, no assurance can be given that legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions will not significantly change the tax laws with respect to invest optional cash paymentsqualification as a REIT or the federal income tax consequences of such qualification. Our continued qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational and stockholder ownership requirements on a continuing basis. If we fail to qualify as a REIT, we would not be allowed a deduction for distributions to stockholders in additional shares of Common Stock arecomputing our taxable income and would be subject to a minimum per month purchase limit of $50 and a maximum per month purchase limit of $10,000 (subject to waiver). See Question 18. Optional cash payments in excess of $10,000 may be made only upon acceptance by the Company of a completed Request for Waiver form from a Participant. See Question 18. Each month,Federal income tax at least five business days prior to each record date (as defined in Question 19), the Company will establish the Waiver Discount (as defined in Question 18), applicable to optional cash payments that exceed $10,000. The Waiver Discount, which may vary each month, will be established in the Company's sole discretion after a review of 5 current market conditions, the level of participation in the Plan and the Company's current and projected capital needs. Optional cash payments that do not exceed $10,000 and the reinvestment of dividends in additional shares of Common Stock will notregular corporate rates. We also could be subject to the Waiver Discount. Optional cash paymentsFederal alternative minimum tax. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we could not elect to be taxed as a REIT for four taxable years following the year during which we were disqualified. Therefore, if we lose our REIT status, the funds available for distribution to you would be reduced substantially for each of less than $50 and that portionthe years involved. Effect of any optional cash payment which exceeds the maximum monthly purchase limit of $10,000, unless such limit has been waived,Distribution Requirements As a REIT, we are subject to returnannual distribution requirements, which limit the amount of cash we have available for other business purposes, including amounts to fund our growth. Other Tax Liabilities Even if we qualify as a REIT, we may be subject to certain Federal, state, and local taxes on our income, property and operations that could reduce operating cash flow. Recent Developments The Tax Relief Extension Act of 1999 was enacted and it contains several tax provisions regarding REITs. It includes a provision, which reduces the annual distribution requirement for REIT taxable income from 95% to 90%. It also changes the 10% voting securities test under current law to a 10% vote or value test. Thus, subject to certain exceptions, a REIT will no longer be allowed to own more than 10% of the vote or value of the outstanding securities of any issuer, other than a qualified REIT subsidiary or another REIT. One exception to this new test, which is also an exception to the Participant without interest. Participants may request that5% asset test under current law, allows a REIT to own any or all sharesof the securities of a taxable REIT subsidiary. A taxable REIT subsidiary can perform non-customary services as well as engage in non-real estate activities. A taxable REIT subsidiary will be taxed as a regular C corporation but will be subject to earnings stripping limitations on the deductibility of interest paid to its REIT. In addition, the REIT will be subject to a 100% excise tax to the extent any transaction between the taxable REIT subsidiary and the REIT is not conducted on an arm's length basis. Securities of a taxable REIT subsidiary will constitute non-real-estate assets for purposes of determining whether at least 75% of a REIT's assets consist of real estate assets. In addition, no more that 20% of a REIT's total assets can consist of securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries. These new tax provisions became effective January 1, 2001. In addition, grandfather protection is provided with respect to the 10% value test for securities of a corporation held by a REIT on July 12, 1999, but such protection ceases to apply after the corporation engages in a substantial new line of business or acquires 10 any substantial asset and also ceases to apply after the acquisition of additional securities of the corporation by the REIT after July 12, 1999. Because we currently own more than 10% of the value of IFC, we have made an election to have IFC become a taxable REIT subsidiary as of January 1, 2001. Potential Characterization of Distributions or Gain on Sale as Unrelated Business Taxable Income to Tax-Exempt Investors If (1) all or a portion of our assets are subject to the rules relating to taxable mortgage pools, (2) we are a "pension-held REIT," (3) a tax-exempt stockholder has incurred debt to purchase or hold our common stock, or (4) the residual REMIC interests we buy generate "excess inclusion income," then a portion of the distributions to and, in the Plancase of a stockholder described in (3), gains realized on the sale of common stock by, such tax-exempt stockholder may be soldsubject to Federal income tax as unrelated business taxable income under the Internal Revenue Code. Classification as a Taxable Mortgage Pool Could Subject Us to Increased Taxation If we have borrowings with two or more maturities and, (1) those borrowings are secured by mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities and, (2) the payments made on the borrowings are related to the payments received on the underlying assets, then the borrowings and the pool of mortgage loans or mortgage backed securities to which such borrowings relate may be classified as a taxable mortgage pool under the Internal Revenue Code. If any part of our company were to be treated as a taxable mortgage pool, then our REIT status would not be impaired, but a portion of the taxable income we recognize may, under regulations to be issued by the Plan AdministratorTreasury Department, be characterized as "excess inclusion" income and allocated among our stockholders to the extent of and generally in proportion to the distributions we make to each stockholder. Any excess inclusion income would: . not be allowed to be offset by a stockholder's net operating losses; . be subject to a tax as unrelated business income if a stockholder were a tax-exempt stockholder; . be subject to the application of federal income tax withholding at the maximum rate (without reduction for any otherwise applicable income tax treaty) with respect to amounts allocable to foreign stockholders; and . be taxable (at the highest corporate tax rate) to us, rather than to our stockholders, to the extent the excess inclusion income relates to stock held by disqualified organizations (generally, tax-exempt companies not subject to tax on behalfunrelated business income, including governmental organizations). Based on advice of such Participants. See Question 28.our tax counsel, we take the position that our existing financing arrangements do not create a taxable mortgage pool. However, the IRS may successfully maintain that our financing arrangements do qualify as a taxable mortgage pool. In addition, we may enter into arrangements creating excess inclusion income in the future. Our Operations May be Adversely Affected if We are Subject to the availabilityInvestment Company Act We intend to conduct our business at all times so as not to become regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. The Investment Company Act exempts entities that are primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate. 11 In order to qualify for this exemption we must maintain at least 55% of our assets directly in mortgage loans, qualifying pass-through certificates and certain other qualifying interests in real estate. Our ownership of certain mortgage assets may be limited by the provisions of the Investment Company Act. If the Securities and Exchange Commission adopts a contrary interpretation with respect to these securities or otherwise believes we do not satisfy the above exception, we could be required to restructure our activities or sell certain of our assets. To insure that we continue to qualify for the exemption we may be required at times to adopt less efficient methods of financing certain of our mortgage assets and we may be precluded from acquiring certain types of higher-yielding mortgage assets. The net effect of these factors will be to lower at times our net interest income. If we fail to qualify for exemption from registration as an investment company, our ability to use leverage would be substantially reduced, and we would not be able to conduct our business as described. Our business will be materially and adversely affected if we fail to qualify for this exemption. Future Revisions in Policies and Strategies at the Discretion of Our Board of Directors May be Affected Without Stockholder Consent Our board of directors, including a majority of our unaffiliated directors, has established our investment and operating policies and strategies. We may: . invest in the securities of other REITs for the purpose of exercising control; . issue securities in exchange for property; and . repurchase or otherwise reacquire our shares or other securities in the future. In October 1998, we adopted a repurchase plan to repurchase up to $5.0 million of our common stock in the open market. In 1999, the board of directors approved common stock repurchases up to an additional $5.0 million, or a total of $10.0 million. During 1999, we repurchased 2.0 million shares of our common stock for $9.9 million. During 2000, we adopted a repurchase plan to repurchase up to $3.0 million of our common stock in the open market. As of December 31, 2000, we had repurchased 991,000 shares for $2.3 million. We may also underwrite the securities of other issuers, although we have no present intention to do so. Any of the policies, strategies and activities may be modified or waived by our board of directors, subject in certain cases to approval by a majority of our unaffiliated directors, without stockholder consent. Effect of Future Offerings May Adversely Affect Market Price of Our Securities We may elect to increase our capital resources by making additional private or public offerings of securities in the future. We do not know: . the actual or perceived effect of these offerings; . the timing of these offerings; . the dilution of the book value or earnings per share of our securities then outstanding; and . the effect on the market price of our securities then outstanding. Risk Relating to Common Stock registeredThe sale or the proposed sale of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market could materially adversely affect the market price of our common stock or other outstanding securities. 12 Maryland Business Combination Statute The Maryland General Corporation Law establishes special requirements for issuance under"business combinations" between a Maryland corporation and "interested stockholders" unless exemptions are applicable. An interested stockholder is any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the Plan, there is no total maximum or minimum numbervoting power of shares that can be issued pursuantour then- outstanding voting stock. Among other things, the law prohibits for a period of five years a merger and other similar transactions between our company and an interested stockholder unless the board of directors approved the transaction prior to the reinvestmentparty becoming an interested stockholder. The five- year period runs from the most recent date on which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder. The law also requires a supermajority stockholder vote for such transactions after the end of dividendsthe five-year period. This means that the transaction must be approved by at least: . 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares, . 66% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom the business combination is to be effected. The business combination statute could have the effect of discouraging offers to acquire us and of increasing the difficulty of consummating any such offers, even if our acquisition would be in our stockholders' best interests. Maryland Control Share Acquisition Statute Maryland law provides that "control shares" of a Maryland corporation acquired in a "control share acquisition" have no pre- established maximum limit appliesvoting rights except to optional cash paymentsthe extent approved by a stockholder vote. Two-thirds of the shares eligible to vote must vote in favor of granting the "control shares" voting rights. "Control shares" are shares of stock that, taken together with all other shares of stock the acquirer previously acquired, would entitle the acquirer to exercise at least 10% of the voting power in electing directors. Control shares do not include shares of stock the acquiring person is entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A "control share acquisition" means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions. If a person who has made (or proposes to make) a control share acquisition satisfies certain conditions (including agreeing to pay expenses), he may compel our board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be made pursuantheld within 50 days to Requestsconsider the voting rights of the shares. If such a person makes no request for Waiver. See Question 2. Asa meeting, we have the option to present the question at any stockholders' meeting. If voting rights are not approved at a meeting of stockholders then we may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value. We will determine the fair value of the shares, without regard to voting rights, as of the date of either: . the Prospectus, 2,085,083last control share acquisition, or . the meeting where stockholders considered and did not approve voting rights of the control shares. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders' meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares of Commonstock entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. This means that you would be able to force us to redeem your stock for fair value. Under Maryland law, the fair value may not be less than the highest price per share paid in the control share acquisition. Furthermore, certain limitations otherwise applicable to the exercise of dissenters' rights would not apply in the context of a control share acquisition. The control share acquisition statute would not apply to shares acquired in a merger, 13 consolidation or share exchange if we were a party to the transaction. The control share acquisition statute could have the effect of discouraging offers to acquire us and of increasing the difficulty of consummating any such offers, even if our acquisition would be in our stockholders' best interests. Possible Adverse Consequences of Limits on Ownership of Shares Our charter limits ownership of our capital stock by any single stockholder to 9.5% of our outstanding shares. Our charter also prohibits anyone from buying shares if the purchase would result in us losing our REIT status. This could happen if a share transaction results in fewer than 100 persons owning all of our shares or in five or fewer persons, applying certain broad attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code, owning more than 50% (by value) of our shares. If you or anyone else acquires shares in excess of the ownership limit or in violation of the ownership requirements of the Internal Revenue Code for REITs, we: . will consider the transfer to be null and void; . will not reflect the transaction on our books; . may institute legal action to enjoin the transaction; . will not pay dividends or other distributions with respect to those shares; . will not recognize any voting rights for those shares; . will consider the shares held in trust for the benefit of our Company; and . will either direct the affected person to sell the shares and turn over any profit to us, or . we will redeem the shares. If we redeem the shares, it will be at a price equal to the lesser of: (a) the price paid by the transferee of the shares, or (b) the average of the last reported sales prices on the American Stock Exchange on the ten trading days immediately preceding the date fixed for redemption by our board of directors. An individual who acquires shares that violate the above rules bears the risk that (1) he may lose control over the power to dispose of his shares, (2) he may not recognize profit from the sale of his shares if the market price of the shares increases and (3) he may be required to recognize a loss from the sale of his shares if the market price decreases. Limitations on Acquisition and Change in Control Ownership Limit The 9.5% ownership limit discussed above may have beenthe effect of precluding acquisition of control of our company by a third party without consent of our board of directors. 14 USE OF PROCEEDS We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of common shares pursuant to this prospectus. SELLING SECURITY HOLDER AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION All of the common stock registered and are available for sale under this prospectus is owned by the Plan. The Company expects to grant Requests for Waiver to financial intermediaries, including brokers and dealers, and other Participants in the future. Grants of Requests for Waiver will be made in the sole discretionselling stockholder. All of the Company based on a variety of factors, which may include:shares offered in this prospectus were acquired from LBP, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: LBPI.OB). The following table sets forth the Company's current and projected capital needs, the alternatives available to the Company to meet those needs, prevailing market prices for Common Stock, general economic and market conditions, expected aberrations in the price or trading volumename of the Common Stock, the potential disruption of the price of the Common Stock by a financial intermediary,selling stockholder, the number of shares of common stock which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the selling stockholder and the maximum number of shares which may be offered by the selling stockholder. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Name of Shares of Number of Shares of Common selling stock Common Stock heldShares of Stock Beneficially holder Beneficially Common Stock Owned After Owned Prior to Being Offered Offering Offering ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Impac 2,118,644 2,118,644 0 Funding Corporation, Inc. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- IMH owns 100% of the non-voting preferred stock of, and 99% of the economic interest in, IFC. Joseph R. Tomkinson, IMH's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and IFC's Chief Executive Officer and a director is an owner of one-third of the common stock of IFC. William S. Ashmore, IMH's President, Chief Operating Officer and a director and IFC's President and a director is an owner of one-third of the common stock of IFC. Richard J. Johnson, IMH's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and a director of IFC, is an owner of one- third of the common stock of IFC. The selling stockholder may sell the common stock: . directly to purchasers; . to or through underwriters; . through dealers, agents or institutional investors; or . through a combination of such methods. Regardless of the method used to sell the common stock, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will disclose: . the identity of any underwriters, dealers, agents or investors who purchase the common stock; . the material terms of the distribution, including the number of shares sold and the consideration paid; . the amount of any compensation, discounts or commissions to be received by the Participant submittingunderwriters, dealers or agents; . the waiver request, the past actionsterms of a Participantany indemnification provisions, including indemnification from liabilities under the Plan,federal securities laws; and . the aggregate amountnature of optional cash payments for which such waivers have been submittedany transaction by an underwriter, dealer or agent during the offering that is intended to stabilize or maintain the market price of our common stock. The selling stockholder and any underwriters, broker/dealers or agents that participate in the administrative constraints associated with granting such waivers. If such Requests for Waiver are granted, a portiondistribution of the shares available for issuance under the Plan will be purchased by Participants (including brokers or dealers) who, in connection with any resales of such shares may be deemed to be underwriters"underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act. See "Plan15 DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK The following is a brief description of Distribution.the material terms of the securities to be registered. This description is not complete and is subject and qualified by reference to Maryland law and our charter and Bylaws, copies of which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and are incorporated by reference herein. Please see "Where You Can Find More Information." ToGeneral Our authorized stock consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. Our stockholder meetings are held annually. Pursuant to our charter, we reserve the extent that Requests for Waiver are granted, itright to amend any provision of our charter upon the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Common Stock Each share of our common stock is expected that a greater numberentitled to participate equally in dividends when authorized by our board of sharesdirectors and in the distribution of our assets upon liquidation. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote, subject to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on transfer of stock, and will be issued under the optional cash payment featurefully paid and nonassessable upon issuance. Shares of the Plan as opposed to the dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan. Financial intermediaries may purchase a significant portion of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the optional cash payment feature of the Plan. The Company does notcommon stock have any formalno preference, conversion, exchange, redemption, appraisal, preemptive or informal understanding with any such organizations and, therefore, the extent of such financial intermediaries' participation under the Plan cannot be estimated at this time. Participants that are financial intermediaries that acquire shares of Common Stock under the Plan with a view to distribution of such shares or that offer or sell Shares for the Company in connection with the Plancumulative voting rights. Our authorized stock may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act. From time to time, financial intermediaries, including brokersincreased and dealers, may engage in positioning transactions in order to benefit from the discount from the Market Price of the shares of Common Stock acquired through the reinvestment of dividends under the Plan. Such transactions may cause fluctuations in the trading volume of the Common Stock. Financial intermediaries which engage in positioning transactions may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Plan is intended for the benefit of investors in the Company and not for individuals or investors who engage in transactions which may cause aberrations in the price or trading volume of the Common Stock. 6 THE PLAN The current Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") on October 21, 1997 (the "Previous Plan"). The Previous Plan was amended and restated on April 28, 1998, including but not limited to authorizing the issuance of additional shares thereunder. Because the Company currently expects to continue the Plan indefinitely, it expects to authorize for issuance and register under the Securities Act additional sharesaltered from time to time as necessary for purposes of the Plan. The following questions and answers explain and constitute the Plan. Stockholders who do not participate in the Plan will receive cashmanner prescribed by Maryland law upon the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter authorizes our board of directors to reclassify any unissued shares of common stock in one or more classes or series of stock. Preferred Stock Our charter authorizes our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock and to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of preferred stock into one or more classes or series of stock. The preferred stock may be issued from time to time with such designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption as declared, and paid inshall be determined by the usual manner. A person participating in the Previous Plan will be enrolled automatically in the Plan, unless the person gives written noticeboard of directors for each class or series of stock subject to the contrary. See Question 11. PURPOSE 1. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN? The primary purposeprovisions of the Planour charter regarding restrictions on transfer of stock. Preferred stock is to provide eligible holders of shares of Common Stock of the Company with a convenient and simple method of increasing their investment in the Company by investing cash dividends in additional shares of Common Stock without payment of any brokerage commission or service charge and at a discount from the Market Price (as defined in Question 13), to the extent shares are purchased directly from the Company, and by investing optional cash payments in additional shares of Common Stock at a discount from the Market Price (and without payment of any brokerage commission or service charge, to the extent shares are purchased directly from the Company). See Question 5 for a description of the holders who are eligible to participate in the Plan. The Plan may also be used by the Company to raise additional capital through the sale each month of a portion of the shares available for issuance under the Plan to owners of shares (including brokerspossible future financings or dealers) who, in connection with any resales of such shares, may be deemed to be underwriters. These sales will be effected through the Company's ability to waive limitations applicable to the amounts which Participants (as defined in Question 2) may invest pursuant to the Plan's optional cash payment feature. See Question 18 for information concerning limitations applicable to optional cash paymentsacquisitions and certain of the factors considered by the Company in granting waivers. To the extent shares are purchased from the Company under the Plan, it will receive additional funds for general corporate purposes. The Planpurposes without further stockholder authorization, unless such authorization is intended forrequired by applicable law or the benefit of investors in the Company and not for individuals or investors who engage in transactions which may cause aberrations in the price or trading volume of Common Stock. From time to time, financial intermediaries may engage in positioning transactions in order to benefit from the discount from the Market Pricerules of the sharesprincipal national securities exchange on which such stock is listed or admitted to trading. Repurchase of Common Stock acquired through the reinvestmentShares and Restrictions on Transfer Pursuant to our charter, if certain proposed transfers of dividends under the Plan. Such transactions may cause fluctuations in the trading volume of the Common Stock. The Company reserves the right to modify, suspendcommon stock or terminate participation in the Plan by otherwise eligible holders of Common Stock in order to eliminate practices which are not consistent with the purposes of the Plan. OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPANTS 2. WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO ENROLLED PARTICIPANTS? Dividend Reinvestment Eligible holders of Common Stock who wish to participate in the Plan (each a "Participant") may elect to have cash dividends paid on all or a portion of their shares of Common Stock automatically reinvested in 7 additional shares of Common Stock. Cash dividends are paid on the Common Stock when and as authorized and declared by the Company's Board of Directors. Subject to the availability of shares of Common Stock registered for issuance under the Plan, there is no minimum limitation on the amount of dividends a Participant may reinvest under the dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan. Optional Cash Payments Each month, Participants may also elect to invest optional cash payments in additional shares of Common Stock, subject to a minimum per month purchase limit of $50 and a maximum per month purchase limit of $10,000, subject to waiver. See Question 18 for information concerning limitations applicable to optional cash payments and the availability of waivers with respect to such limitations. Participants may make optional cash payments each month even if dividends on their shares of Common Stock are not being reinvested and whether or not a dividend has been declared. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES 3. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE PLAN? Advantages: (a) The Plan provides Participants with the opportunity to reinvest cash dividends paid on all or a portion of their shares of Common Stock in additional shares of Common Stock without payment of any brokerage commission or service charge and, as of the date of this Prospectus, at a 3% discount from the Market Price (subject to change), to the extent shares are purchased directly from the Company. (b) The Plan provides Participants with the opportunity to make monthly investments of optional cash payments, subject to minimum and maximum amounts, for the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock at, as of the date of this Prospectus, a 1% discount from the Market Price (subject to change) (and without payment of any brokerage commission or service charge, to the extent shares are purchased directly from the Company). (c) Subject to the availability of shares of Common Stock registered for issuance under the Plan, all cash dividends paid on Participants' shares can be fully invested in additional shares of Common Stock because the Plan permits fractional shares to be credited to Plan accounts. Dividends on such fractional shares, as well as on whole shares, will also be reinvested in additional shares which will be credited to Plan accounts. (d) The Plan Administrator, at no charge to Participants, provides for the safekeeping of stock certificates for shares credited to each Plan account. (e) Periodic statements reflecting all current activity, including share purchases and latest Plan account balance, simplify Participants' record keeping. See Question 23 for information concerning reports to Participants. Disadvantages: (a) No interest will be paid by the Company or the Plan Administrator on dividends or optional cash payments held pending reinvestment or investment. See Question 12. (b) With respect to optional cash payments, the actual number of shares to be issued to a Participant's Plan account will not be determined until the end of the relevant Pricing Period. Therefore, during the Pricing Period Participants will not know the actual number of shares they have purchased. 8 (c) Even if a Discount from the Market Price is in effect during the Pricing Period, the Market Price, as so discounted, may exceed the price at which shares of the Common Stock are trading on the Investment Date (as defined in Question 12) when the shares are issued or thereafter. (d) Because optional cash payments must be received by the Plan Administrator prior to the related Pricing Period, such payments may be exposed to changes in market conditions for a longer period of time than in the case of typical secondary market transactions. In addition, optional cash payments once received by the Plan Administrator will not be returned to Participants unless a written or telephonic request is directed to the Plan Administrator at least two business days prior to the commencement of the Pricing Period with respect to which optional cash payments have been delivered by such Participant. See Questions 19 and 21. (e) Resales of shares of Common Stock credited to a Participant's account under the Plan will involve a brokerage commission and any applicable stock transfer taxes on the resales. See Questions 22 and 28. ADMINISTRATION 4. WHO ADMINISTERS THE PLAN? The Company has retained Boston Equiserve, L.P. as plan administrator (the "Plan Administrator"), to administer the Plan, keep records, send statements of account activity to each Participant and perform other duties relating to the Plan. See Question 23 for information concerning reports to Participants. Shares purchased under the Plan and held by the Plan Administrator will be registered in the Plan Administrator's name or the name of its nominee for the benefit of the Participants. In the eventevents occur that the Plan Administrator resigns or otherwise ceases to act as plan administrator, the Company will appoint a new plan administrator to administer the Plan. The Plan Administrator also acts as dividend disbursing agent, transfer agent and registrar for the Company's Common Stock. PARTICIPATION For purposes of this section, responses will generally be based upon the method by which the stockholder holds his or her shares of Common Stock. Generally, stockholders are either Record Owners or Beneficial Owners. A Record Owner is a stockholder who owns shares of Common Stock in his or her own name. A Beneficial Owner is a stockholder who beneficially owns shares of Common Stock that are registeredresult in a name other than his or her own name (for example, theperson owning shares are held in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee). A Record Owner may participate directly in the Plan, whereas a Beneficial Owner will have to either become a Record Owner by having one or more shares transferred into his or her own name or coordinate his or her participation in the Plan through the broker, bank or other nominee in whose name the Beneficial Owner's shares are held. If a Beneficial Owner who desires to become a Participant encounters any difficulties in coordinating his or her participation in the Plan with his or her broker, bank or other nominee, he or she should call the Company's Investor Relations department at (714) 438-2100. 5. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE? All Record Owners or Beneficial Owners of at least one share of Common Stock are eligible to participate in the Plan. A Record Owner may participate directly in the Plan. A Beneficial Owner must either become a 9 Record Owner by having one or more shares transferred into his or her own name or arrange with the broker, bank or other nominee who is the record holder to participate on his or her behalf. See Question 6. To facilitate participation by Beneficial Owners, the Company has made arrangements with the Plan Administrator to reinvest dividends, on a per dividend basis, and accept optional cash payments under the Plan by record holders such as brokers, banks and other nominees, on behalf of Beneficial Owners. See Question 6. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Company reserves the right to exclude from participation in the Plan, at any time, persons or entities who attempt to circumvent the Plan's standard $10,000 per month maximum by accumulating accounts over which they have control or any other persons or entities, as determined in the sole discretion of the Company. See Question 1. Furthermore, the Company may terminate, by written notice, at any time any Participant's individual participation in the Plan if such participation would be in violation of the restrictions contained in the Charter or Bylaws of the Company. Because the Company expects to continue to qualify as a REIT, the Charter contains restrictions on the transfer of stock which are intended to assist the Company in complying with these requirements. The Ownership Limit (as defined in the Charter) prohibits any person, subject to certain specified exceptions, from owning, actually or constructively, shares of stock in excess of 9.5% (in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive) of the outstanding shares of stock. The constructiveour ownership rules are complex,limits and, may cause shares of stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be constructively owned by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.5% of the shares of stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, shares of stock) by an individual or entity, could nevertheless cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of 9.5% of the outstanding shares of stock and thus violate the Ownership Limit, or such other limit as provided in the Charter or as otherwise permitted by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, but in no event will be required to, exempt a person from the Ownership Limit if it determines that such person's ownership of shares of stock will not jeopardize the Company's status as a REIT. As a condition of such waiver, the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the IRS or opinion of counsel satisfactory to it and undertakings or representations from the applicant with respect to the Company's status as a REIT. Pursuant to the Charter, if any purported transfer of stock or any other event would otherwise result in any person owning shares of stock in excess of the Ownership Limit or otherwise cause the Company toconsequently, we fail to qualify as a REIT, then that number of shares of stock actually or constructively owned by that person in violation of the actual or constructive ownership of which otherwise would cause such person to violate such restrictions (rounded to the nearest whole share)limits will be automatically transferred to a trustee as trustee of a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and thebeneficiaries. The intended transferee will not acquire any rights in suchthe shares. 6. HOW DOES AN ELIGIBLE STOCKHOLDER PARTICIPATE? Stockholders who are presently enrolledShares held by the trustee will constitute issued and outstanding shares of stock. The trustee will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares held in the existing Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. Dividend Reinvestmenttrust, which rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares of stock have been transferred to the trustee will be paid to the trustee upon demand and any dividend or other 16 distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any dividends or distributions paid to the trustee will be held in trust for the charitable beneficiary. Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that such shares have been transferred to the trustee, the trustee will have the authority (at the trustee's sole discretion) (1) to rescind as void any vote cast by an intended transferee prior to our discovery that such shares have been transferred to the trustee and (2) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares of stock have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will sell the shares held in the trust to a person designated by the trustee whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership restrictions set forth in our charter. Upon such sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the intended transferee and to the charitable beneficiary as follows: the intended transferee will receive the lesser of . the price paid by the intended transferee for the shares or, if the intended did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust, the market price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and . the price per share received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the trust. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the intended transferee will be immediately paid to the charitable beneficiary. In addition, shares of stock held in trust will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of . the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of such devise or gift) and . the market price on the date we, or our designee, accept such offer. We will have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares held in the trust. If the shares are sold to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the intended transferee. Market price is defined in our charter as the closing price for shares on a particular date. The closing price on any date shall mean the last sale price for such shares, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, for such shares, in either case as reported on the American Stock Purchase PlanExchange or the principal national securities exchange on which shares are listed or admitted to trading. All certificates representing shares of common stock bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above. Every owner of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as required by the Internal Revenue Code of all classes or series of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, is required to give us written notice stating . the name and address of such owner . the number of shares of each class and series of our stock beneficially owned and . a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each owner shall provide us any additional information that we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limit. 17 MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES Based on various assumptions and factual representations made by us regarding our operations, in the opinion of McKee Nelson LLP, our tax counsel, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 1995, we have been and will continue to be enrolledorganized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and our method of operating has enabled us, and our proposed method of operating in the Planfuture will enable us, to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. Our qualification as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet the various requirements imposed under the Code through our actual operations. McKee Nelson LLP will not review our operations, and no assurance can be given that our actual operations will meet the requirements imposed under the Code. The opinion of McKee Nelson LLP is not binding on the IRS or any court. The opinion of McKee Nelson LLP is based upon existing law, Treasury regulations, currently published administrative positions of the IRS, and judicial decisions, all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. The provisions of the Code pertaining to REITs are highly technical and complex. Under the Code, if certain requirements are met in a taxable year, a REIT generally will not be subject to federal income tax with respect to income that it distributes to its shareholders. If we fail to qualify during any taxable year as a REIT, unless they notifycertain relief provisions are available, we will be subject to tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate rates, which could have a material adverse effect upon our stockholders. The following discussion summarizes the Company otherwise. The Plan amendsmaterial United States federal income tax consequences that relate to our qualification and restatestaxation as a REIT and that flow from an investment in its entiretyour stock. No assurance can be given that the existing Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. Stockholders who are not participants inconclusions set out below, if challenged by the Plan and who do not want to become participants need do nothing and will continue to receive their cash dividend, if and when declared,IRS, would be sustained by a court. This discussion deals only with stock that is held as usual. 10 Record Owners Record Owners may join the Plan by completing and signing the Authorization Form included with the Plan and returning ita capital asset, which generally means property that is held for investment. In addition, except to the Plan Administrator. A postage-paid envelope is provided forextent discussed below, this purpose. If sharessummary does not address tax consequences applicable to you if you are registeredsubject to special tax rules. For instance, the discussion does not address tax consequences applicable to the following categories of stockholders: . dealers or traders in securities; . financial institutions; . insurance companies; . stockholders that hold our stock as a hedge, part of a straddle, conversion transaction or other arrangement involving more than one name (e.g., joint tenants, trustees), all registered holders of such shares must signposition; . stockholders whose functional currency is not the Authorization Form exactlyUnited States dollar; or . stockholders that are tax-exempt organizations or foreign taxpayers. The discussion set out below is intended only as their names appear on the account registration. Authorization Forms may be obtained at any time by written request to: Boston Equiserve, L.P. Dividend Reinvestment Unit P.O. Box 8040 Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8040 Telephone: (781) 575-3120 Beneficial Owners Beneficial Owners who wish to participate in the Dividend Reinvestment featurea summary of the Plan must contact their broker, bank,material United States federal income tax consequences of our treatment as a REIT and of an investment in our stock. Taxpayers and preparers of tax returns (including returns filed by any partnership or other nominee. Brokers, Banks or other nominees whose shares are held byarrangement) should be aware that under Treasury regulations a major depository institution should then contactprovider of advice on specific issues of law is not considered an income tax return preparer unless the advice is (i) given with respect to events that institutionhave occurred at the time the advice is rendered and is not given with respect to participatethe consequences of contemplated actions, and (ii) is directly relevant to the determination of an entry on a tax return. Accordingly, we urge you to consult your own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an investment in our stock, including the Dividend Reinvestment featureapplication to your particular situation of the Plan on behalf of the Beneficial Owner. Beneficial Owners who wish to participate in the Optional Cash Payment feature of the Plan must contact their broker, bank or other nominee who should complete a Broker and Nominee Form for the Beneficial Owner. The Beneficial Owner must also complete an Authorization Form. Both forms must be completed and submitted together to the Plan Administrator with an optional cash payment to take advantage of the Optional Cash Payment feature. See Question 8 for a discussion of the Broker and Nominee Form (the "B&N Form"). See also Question 17. Incomplete Forms If a Record Owner or a Beneficial Owner submits a properly executed Authorization Form without electing an investment option, such Authorization Form will be deemed to indicate the intention of such Record Owner or Beneficial Owner, as the case may be, to apply all cash dividends and optional cash payments, if applicable, toward the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock. See Question 7 for investment options. 7. WHAT DOES THE AUTHORIZATION FORM PROVIDE? The Authorization Form appoints the Plan Administrator as agent for the Participant and directs the Company to pay to the Plan Administrator each Participant's cash dividends on all or a specified number of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant on the applicable record date ("Participating Shares"),tax matters discussed below, as well as on all whole and fractional sharesthe application of Common Stock credited to a Participant's Plan account ("Plan Shares").state, local or foreign tax laws. The Authorization Form directs the Plan Administrator to purchasestatements of United States tax law set out below are based on the Investment Date (as defined18 laws in Question 12) additional shares of Common Stock with such dividendsforce and optional cash payments, if any, made by the Participant. See Question 8 for a discussion of the B&N Form which is required to be used by a broker, bank or other nominee for optional cash payments of a Beneficial Owner. The Authorization Form also directs the Plan Administrator to reinvest automatically all subsequent dividends on Plan Shares. Dividends will continue to be reinvested on the number of Participating Shares and on all Plan Shares until the Participant specifies otherwise by contacting the Plan Administrator, in writing, withdraws from the Plan (see Questions 27 and 28), or the Plan is terminated. See Question 6 for additional information about the Authorization Form. 11 The Authorization Form provides for the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock through the following investment options: (1) If "Full Dividend Reinvestment" is elected, the Plan Administrator will apply all cash dividends on all shares of Common Stock then or subsequently registered in the Participant's name, and all cash dividends on all Plan Shares, together with any optional cash payments, toward the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock. (2) If "Partial Dividend Reinvestment" is elected, the Plan Administrator will apply all cash dividends on only the number of Participating Shares registered in the Participant's name and specified on the Authorization Form and all cash dividends on all Plan Shares, together with any optional cash payments, toward the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock. (3) If "Optional Cash Payments Only" is elected, the Participant will continue to receive cash dividends on shares of Common Stock registered in that Participant's name in the usual manner. However, the Plan Administrator will apply all cash dividends on all Plan Shares, together with any optional cash payments received from the Participant, toward the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock. See Question 8 for a discussion of the B&N Form which is required to be used by a broker, bank or other nominee for optional cash payments of a Beneficial Owner. Each Participant may select any one of these three options. In each case, dividends will be reinvested on all Participating Shares and on all Plan Shares held in the Plan account, including dividends on shares of Common Stock purchased with any optional cash payments, until a Participant specifies otherwise by contacting the Plan Administrator, in writing, or withdraws from the Plan altogether (see Questions 27 and 28), or until the Plan is terminated. If a Participant would prefer to receive cash payments of dividends paid on Plan Shares rather than reinvest such dividends, those shares must be withdrawn from the Plan by written notification to the Plan Administrator. See Questions 27 and 28 regarding withdrawal of Plan Shares. Participants may change their investment options at any time by requesting a new Authorization Form and returning it to the Plan Administrator at the address set forth in Question 38. See Question 12 for the effective date for any change in investment options. 8. WHAT DOES THE B&N FORM PROVIDE? The B&N Form provides the only means by which a broker, bank or other nominee holding shares of a Beneficial Owner may invest optional cash payments on behalf of such Beneficial Owner. A B&N Form must be delivered to the Plan Administrator each time such broker, bank or other nominee transmits optional cash payments on behalf of a Beneficial Owner. The Beneficial Owner must also complete an Authorization Form. The B&N Form must be executed by the broker, bank or other nominee for the Beneficial Owner. A broker, bank or other nominee holding shares for a Beneficial Owner in the name of a major securities depository may also participate in the Plan through the Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). Currently, only the dividend reinvestment option is available through DTC. B&N Forms will be furnished at any time upon request to the Plan Administrator at: Boston EquiServe, L.P. Dividend Reinvestment Unit P.O. Box 8040 Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8040 Telephone: (781) 575-3120 A B&N FORM COMPLETED BY THE BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE FOR A BENEFICIAL OWNER MUST BE SUBMITTED ALONG WITH AN AUTHORIZATION FORM COMPLETED BY THE BENEFICIAL OWNER. SEE QUESTIONS 6 AND 7. 12 THE B & N FORM AND APPROPRIATE INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR NOT LATER THAN THE APPLICABLE RECORD DATE OR THE OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENT WILL NOT BE INVESTED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT DATE. 9. IS PARTIAL PARTICIPATION POSSIBLE UNDER THE PLAN? Yes. Record Owners or the broker, bank or other nominee for Beneficial Owners may designate on the Authorization Form a number of shares for which dividends are to be reinvested. Dividends will thereafter be reinvested only on the number of shares specified, and the Record Owner or Beneficial Owner, as the case may be, will continue to receive cash dividends on the remainder of the shares. 10. WHEN MAY AN ELIGIBLE STOCKHOLDER JOIN THE PLAN? A Record Owner or a Beneficial Owner may join the Plan at any time. Once in the Plan, a Participant remains in the Plan until he or she withdraws from the Plan, the Company terminates his or her participation in the Plan or the Company terminates the Plan. See Question 28 regarding withdrawal from the Plan. 11. WILL A STOCKHOLDER PRESENTLY ENROLLED IN THE PREVIOUS PLAN CONTINUE TO BE ENROLLED IN THE PLAN? Yes. A stockholder enrolled in the Previous Plan will continue to be enrolled in the Plan in accordance with the investment option chosen under the Previous Plan, provided he or she is an eligible stockholder as set forth in Question 5, and thus entitled to participate in the Plan. If an eligible stockholder enrolled in the Previous Plan does not wish to participate in the Plan, he or she should withdraw from the Plan in the manner described in Questions 27 and 28. If an eligible stockholder wishes to change the nature of his or her participation from that in the Previous Plan, he or she should return an Authorization Form as described in Question 6. If an eligible stockholder enrolled in the Previous Plan does not wish to withdraw or change the nature of his or her participation, he or she will continue to be enrolled in the Plan and the nature of his or her investment option will remain the same under the Plan. 12. WHEN WILL DIVIDENDS BE REINVESTED AND/OR OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS BE INVESTED? When shares are purchased from the Company, such purchases will be made on the "Investment Date" in each month. The Investment Date with respect to Common Stock acquired directly from the Company and relating to a dividend reinvestment will be the dividend payment date declared by the Board of Directors (unless such date is not a business day in which case it is the first business day immediately thereafter) or, in the case of open market purchases, no later than thirty business days following the dividend payment date. The Investment Date with respect to Common Stock acquired directly from the Company and relating to an optional cash payment will generally be on or about the twenty-ninth day of each month or, in the case of open market purchases, no later than thirty business days following the related Investment Date. In no event, however, will the Investment Date relating to dividend reinvestments be less than ten days from the Investment Date relating to optional cash payments. When open market purchases are made by the Plan Administrator, such purchases may be made on any securities exchange where the shares are traded, in the over-the-counter market or by negotiated transactions, and may be subject to such terms with respect to price, delivery and other matters as agreed to by the Plan Administrator. Neither the Company nor any Participant shall have any authorization or power to direct the time 13 or price at which shares will be purchased or the selection of the broker or dealer through or from whom purchases are to be made by the Plan Administrator. However, when open market purchases are made by the Plan Administrator, the Plan Administrator shall use its best efforts to purchase the shares at the lowest possible price. If the Authorization Form is received prior to the record date for a dividend payment, the election to reinvest dividends will begin with that dividend payment. If the Authorization Form is received on or after any such record date, reinvestment of dividends will begin on the dividend payment date following the next record date if the Participant is still a stockholder of record. Record dates for payment of dividends normally precede payment dates by approximately two to three weeks. See Question 18 for information concerning limitations on the minimum and maximum amounts of optional cash payments that may be made each month and Question 19 for information as to when optional cash payments must be received to be invested on each Investment Date. Shares will be allocated and credited to Participants' accounts as follows: (1) shares purchased from the Company will be allocated and credited on the appropriate Investment Date; and (2) shares purchased in market transactions will be allocated and credited as of the date on which the Plan Administrator completes the purchases of the aggregate number of shares to be purchased on behalf of all Participants with dividends to be reinvested or optional cash payments, as the case may be, during the month. NO INTEREST WILL BE PAID ON CASH DIVIDENDS OR OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS PENDING INVESTMENT OR REINVESTMENT UNDER THE TERMS OF THE PLAN. SINCE NO INTEREST IS PAID ON CASH HELD BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, IT NORMALLY WILL BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A PARTICIPANT TO DEFER OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS UNTIL SHORTLY BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PRICING PERIOD. PURCHASE AND PRICES OF SHARES 13. WHAT WILL BE THE PRICE TO PARTICIPANTS OF SHARES PURCHASED UNDER THE PLAN? Dividend Reinvestment With respect to reinvested dividends, the price per share of Common Stock acquired directly from the Company will be,interpretation as of the date of this Prospectus, 97% (subjectprospectus, and are subject to change)changes occurring after that date. REIT Qualification Requirements The following is a brief summary of the average of the high and low sales prices, computed to three decimal places, of the Common Stock on the AMEX on the Investment Date (as defined in Question 12), or if no trading occurs in the Common Stock on the Investment Date, the average of the high and low sales prices for the first trading day immediately preceding the Investment Date for which trades are reported. No discount will be available for dividends reinvested in Common Stock acquired in open market purchases. See Question 16. The price per share of Common Stock acquired through open market purchases with reinvested dividends will be the weighted average of the actual prices paid, computed to three decimal places, for all of the Common Stock purchasedmaterial technical requirements imposed by the Plan Administrator with all Participants' reinvested dividends forCode that we must satisfy on an ongoing basis to qualify, and remain qualified, as a REIT. Stock Ownership Requirements We must meet the related quarter. Additionally, each Participant willfollowing stock ownership requirements: (1) our capital stock must be charged a pro rata portion of any brokerage commissions or other fees or charges paidtransferable; (2) our capital stock must be held by the Plan Administrator in connection with such open market purchases. (If a Participant 14 desires to opt out of the dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan when the Common Stock relating to dividend reinvestments will be purchased in the open market, a Participant must notify the Plan Administrator no later than the record date for the related dividend payment date. For information as to the source of the Common Stock to be purchased under the Plan see Question 16.) Optional Cash Payments With respect to optional cash payments that do not exceed $10,000 (see Question 18 for a discussion of the discount applicable to optional cash payments in excess of $10,000), the price per share of Common Stock acquired directly from the Company will be, as of the date of this Prospectus, 99% (subject to change) of the average of the high and low sales prices, computed to three decimal places, of the Common Stock as reported on the AMEX for the three Trading Days immediately preceding the relevant Investment Date (as defined in Question 12 above) or, if no trading occurs in the Common Stock on one or more of such Trading Days, for the three Trading Days immediately preceding the Investment Date for which trades are reported. A "Trading Day" means a day on which trades in the Common Stock are reported on the AMEX. With respect to all optional cash payments, regardless of the amount being invested, the period encompassing the three Trading Days which relate to an Investment Date constitutes the relevant "Pricing Period." The price per share of Common Stock acquired through open market purchases with optional cash payments will be 100% (subject to change) of the weighted average of the actual prices paid, computed to three decimal places, for all of the Common Stock purchased by the Plan Administrator with all Participants' optional cash payments for the related month. Market Price All references in the Plan to the "Market Price" when it relates to dividend reinvestments which will be reinvested in Common Stock acquired directly from the Company shall mean the average of the high and low sales prices, computed to three decimal places, of the Common Stock on the AMEX on the Investment Date, or if no trading occurs in the Common Stock on the Investment Date, the average of the high and low sales prices for the first trading day immediately preceding the Investment Date for which trades are reported. With respect to dividend reinvestments which will be reinvested in Common Stock purchased in the open market, "Market Price" shall mean the weighted average of the actual prices paid, computed to three decimal places, for all of the Common Stock purchased by the Plan Administrator with all Participants' reinvested dividends for the related quarter. All references in the Plan to the "Market Price" for optional cash payments which will be invested in Common Stock acquired directly from the Company shall mean the average of the high and low sales prices, computed to three decimal places, of the Common Stock as reported on the AMEX during the Pricing Period (as defined above). With respect to optional cash payments which will be reinvested in Common Stock purchased in the open market, "Market Price" shall mean the weighted average of the actual prices paid, computed to three decimal places, for all of the Common Stock purchased by the Plan Administrator with all Participants' optional cash payments for the related month. 14. WHAT ARE THE RECORD DATES AND INVESTMENT DATES FOR DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT? For the reinvestment of dividends, the "Record Date" is the record date declared by the Board of Directors for such dividend. Likewise, the dividend payment date declared by the Board of Directors constitutes the Investment Date applicable to the reinvestment of such dividend with respect to Common Stock acquired directly from the Company, except that if any such date is not a business day, the first business day immediately 15 following such date shall be the Investment Date. The Investment Date with respect to Common Stock purchased in open market transactions will be no later than thirty business days following the dividend payment date. Dividends will be reinvested on the Investment Date using the applicable Market Price (as defined in Question 13). Generally, record dates for quarterly dividends on the Common Stock will precede the dividend payment dates by approximately two to three weeks. Please refer to Question 19 for a discussion of the Record Dates and Investment Dates applicable to optional cash payments. 15. HOW WILL THE NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASED FOR A PARTICIPANT BE DETERMINED? A Participant's account in the Plan will be credited with the number of shares, including fractions computed to three decimal places, equal to the total amount to be invested on behalf of such Participant divided by the purchase price per share as calculated pursuant to the methods described in Question 13, as applicable. The total amount to be invested will depend on the amount of any dividends paid on the number of Participating Shares and Plan Shares in such Participant's Plan account and available for investment on the related Investment Date, or the amount of any optional cash payments made by such Participant and available for investment on the related Investment Date. Subject to the availability of shares of Common Stock registered for issuance under the Plan, there is no total maximum number of shares available for issuance pursuant to the reinvestment of dividends. 16. WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF COMMON STOCK PURCHASED UNDER THE PLAN? Plan Shares will be purchased either directly from the Company, in which event such shares will be authorized but unissued shares, or on the open market, at the option of the Company, after a review of current market conditions and the Company's current and projected capital needs. The Company will determine the source of the Common Stock to be purchased under the Plan at least three business100 persons during at least 335 days prior to the relevant Record Date, and will notify the Plan Administrator of the same. Neither the Company nor the Plan Administrator shall be required to provide any written notice to Participants as to the source of the Common Stock to be purchased under the Plan, but current information regarding the source of the Common Stock may be obtained by contacting the Company's Investor Relations at (714) 438-2100. 17. HOW DOES THE OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENT FEATURE OF THE PLAN WORK? All Record Holders and Beneficial Owners who have timely submitted signed Authorization Forms indicating their intention to participate in this feature of the Plan are eligible to make optional cash payments during any month, whether or not a dividend is declared. A broker, bank or other nominee which holds shares on behalf of a Beneficial Owner must also complete the B&N Form. See Question 8. Optional cash payments must be accompanied by an Authorization Form andtaxable year of 12 months (or during a B&N Form, if applicable. Each month the Plan Administrator will apply any optional cash payment received from a Participant no later than one business day prior to the commencement of that month's Pricing Period (as defined in Question 13) to the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock for the account of the Participant on the following Investment Date (as defined in Question 12). As of the date of this Prospectus, the discount from the Market Price applicable to optional cash payments will be 1% (subject to change) of the Market Price (as defined in Question 13). Refer to Question 18 for a discussion of the possible limitations on the purchase price applicable to the purchase of shares made with optional cash payments. 16 18. WHAT LIMITATIONS APPLY TO OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS? Optional Cash Payments up to $10,000 Each optional cash payment is subject to a minimum per month purchase limit of $50 and a maximum per month purchase limit of $10,000. For purposes of these limitations, all Plan accounts under the common control or managementproportionate part of a Participant will be aggregated. Generally, optional cash paymentstaxable year of less than $5012 months); and that portion of any optional cash payment which exceeds the maximum monthly purchase limit of $10,000, unless such limit has been waived by the Company, will be promptly returned to Participants without interest at the end(3) no more than 50% of the relevant Pricing Period. Requests for Waiver Participants may make optional cash paymentsvalue of up to $10,000 each month without the prior approval of the Company. Optional cash payments in excess of $10,000our capital stock may be madeowned, directly or indirectly, by a Participant only upon acceptance by the Company of a completed Request for Waiver form from such Participant. There is no pre- established maximum limit applicable to optional cash payments that may be made pursuant to accepted Requests for Waiver. A Request for Waiver form must be received and accepted by the Company each month no later than three business days prior to the Record Date (as defined in Question 19) for the applicable Investment Date. Request for Waiver forms will be furnishedfive or fewer individuals at any time upon request toduring the Plan Administrator at the address or telephone number specified in Question 38. Participants interested in obtaining further information about a Request for Waiver should contact the Company's Investor Relations Department at (714) 438-2100. The Company expects to grant Requests for Waiver to financial intermediaries, including brokers and dealers, and other Participants in the future. Waivers will be considered on the basis of a variety of factors, which may include the Company's current and projected capital needs, the alternatives available to the Company to meet those needs, prevailing market prices for Common Stock and other Company securities, general economic and market conditions, expected aberrations in the price or trading volumelast half of the Common Stock,taxable year. In applying this test, the potential disruptionCode treats some entities as individuals. Tax-exempt entities, other than private foundations and certain unemployment compensation trusts, are generally not treated as individuals for these purposes. The requirements of the price of the Common Stock by a financial intermediary, the number of shares of Common Stock held by the Participant submitting the waiver request, the past actions of a Participant under the Plan, the aggregate amount of optional cash payments for which such waivers have been submitteditems (2) and the administrative constraints associated with granting such waivers. Grants of waivers will be made in the absolute discretion of the Company. PARTICIPANTS IN THE PLAN ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENT FEATURE OF THE PLAN AT ANY TIME. OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS NEED NOT BE IN THE SAME AMOUNT EACH MONTH. The Waiver Discount Each month, at least five business days prior to the applicable Record Date (as defined in Question 19), the Company will establish the discount from the Market Price applicable to optional cash payments made pursuant to Requests for Waiver and will notify the Plan Administrator of the same. Such discount (the "Waiver Discount") will be between 0% and 5% of the Market Price and may vary each month, but once established will apply uniformly to all optional cash payments made pursuant to Requests for Waiver during that month. The Waiver Discount will be established in the Company's sole discretion after advice from counsel, a review of current market conditions, the level of participation in the Plan, and the Company's current and projected capital needs. The Waiver Discount applies only to optional cash payments made pursuant to Requests for Waiver and 17 does not apply to other optional cash payments. NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR SHALL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ANY WRITTEN NOTICE TO PARTICIPANTS AS TO THE WAIVER DISCOUNT, BUT CURRENT INFORMATION REGARDING THE WAIVER DISCOUNT APPLICABLE TO THE NEXT INVESTMENT DATE MAY BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING THE COMPANY'S INVESTOR RELATIONS AT (714) 438-2100. Setting a Waiver Discount applicable to the next Investment Date shall not affect the setting of a Waiver Discount for any subsequent Investment Date. The Waiver Discount feature discussed(3) above applies only to optional cash payments made pursuant to Requests for Waiver and doesdid not apply to the reinvestmentfirst taxable year for which we made an election to be taxed as a REIT. However, these stock ownership requirements must be satisfied in each subsequent taxable year. Our charter imposes restrictions on the transfer of dividends. Shares acquiredour shares to help us meet the stock ownership requirements. In addition, Treasury regulations require us to demand from optionalthe record holders of designated percentages of our capital stock, annual written statements disclosing actual and constructive ownership of our stock. The same regulations require us to maintain permanent records showing the information we have received regarding actual and constructive stock ownership and a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with our demand. Asset Requirements We generally must meet the following asset requirements at the close of each quarter of each taxable year: (a) at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be "qualified REIT real estate assets" (described below), government securities, cash payments in excessand cash items; (b) no more than 25% of $10,000 that are granted pursuant to a Request for Waiverthe value of our total assets may be acquired either directly fromsecurities other than securities in the Company or through open market purchases. See Question 13 for a description75% asset class (for example, government securities and certain mortgage-backed securities); (c) no more than 20% of the price per sharevalue of our total assets may be securities of one or more Taxable REIT subsidiaries (described below); and (d) except for securities in each case. ONLY OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS MADE PURSUANT TO REQUESTS FOR WAIVER WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WAIVER DISCOUNT. ALL OTHER OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE ATthe 75% asset class, securities in a Taxable REIT subsidiary or "qualified REIT subsidiary," and certain partnership interests and debt obligations-- (1) no more than 5% of the value of our total assets may be securities of any one issuer, (2) we may not hold securities that possess more than 10% percent of the total voting power of the outstanding securities of any one issuer, and (3) we may not hold securities that have a value of more than 10 percent of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. 19 "Qualified REIT real estate assets" means assets of the type described in section 856(c)(5)(B) of the Code, and generally include (among other assets) interests in mortgages on real property and certain mortgage-backed securities, and shares in other REITs. A 1% (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) DISCOUNT FROM THE MARKET PRICE, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY WAIVER DISCOUNT. 19. WHAT ARE THE RECORD DATES AND INVESTMENT DATES FOR OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS? Optional cash payments"Taxable REIT subsidiary" is a corporation that may earn income that would not be qualifying income if earned directly by the REIT. A REIT may hold up to 100% of the stock in a Taxable REIT subsidiary. Both the subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a Taxable REIT subsidiary by jointly filing a Form 8875 with the IRS. A Taxable REIT subsidiary will be invested every monthpay tax at the corporate rates on any income it earns. Moreover, the related Investment Date. The "Record Date" for optional cash payments is two business days priorCode contains rules to ensure contractual arrangements between a Taxable REIT subsidiary and the parent REIT are at arm's length. We have, together with IFC, filed an election to have IFC treated as our Taxable REIT subsidiary as of January 1, 2001. If we fail to meet any of the asset tests as of the close of a calendar quarter due to the related Pricing Period andacquisition of securities or other assets, the "Investment Date" is generally on or about the twenty-ninth day of each month or, in the case of open market purchases, no later than thirty business daysCode allows us a 30-day period following the Investment Date. In no event, however, will the Investment Date relating to optional cash payments be less than ten days from the Investment Date relating to dividend reinvestments. Optional cash payments received by the Plan Administrator, and such funds that have cleared at least one business day prior to the commencement of a Pricing Period will be applied to the purchase of shares of Common Stock on the Investment Date which relates to that Pricing Period. Generally, optional cash payments received on or after the commencement of a Pricing Period will be held by the Plan Administrator pending investment on the next Investment Date. No interest will be paid by the Company or the Plan Administrator on optional cash payments held pending investment. For a schedule of expected Record Dates and Investment Dates in 1998, see Schedule A. 20. WHEN MUST OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS BE RECEIVED BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR? Each month the Plan Administrator will apply any optional cash payment for which good funds are timely received to the purchase of shares of Common Stock for the accountclose of the Participant on the next Investment Date. See Question 19. In order for fundscalendar quarter to be invested on the next Investment Date, the Plan Administrator must have received a check, money order or wire transfer by the end of the business day immediately preceding the ensuing Pricing Period and such check, money order or wire transfer must have cleared on or before the end of the business day immediately preceding such ensuing Pricing Period. For optional cash payments less than $10,000, wire transfers may be used only if approved verbally in advance by the Plan Administrator. However, optional cash payments in excess of $10,000, made pursuant to accepted Requests for Waiver, must be made by wire transfer. Wire transfer instructions may be obtained by contacting the Company's Investor Relations at (714) 438-2100. Checks and money orders are accepted subject to timely collection as good funds and verification ofcome into compliance with the termsasset tests. If we do cure a failure within the 30-day period, we will be treated as having satisfied the asset tests at the close of the Plan. Checks or money orders shouldcalendar quarter. Gross Income Requirements We generally must meet the following gross income requirements for each taxable year: (a) at least 75% of our gross income must be made payable to Boston Equiserve--Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. DRIP. Checks returned for any reason will not be resubmitted for collection. 18 If the Plan Administrator does not receive a payment because of insufficient funds or incorrect draft information, the requested purchase will be deemed void, and the Plan Administrator will immediately remove any shares purchased in anticipation of receiving such fundsderived from the Participant's account. Ifreal estate sources specified in section 856(c)(3) of the net proceedsCode, including interest income and gain from the disposition of qualified REIT real estate assets, and "qualified temporary investment income" (generally, income we earn from investing new capital, provided we received that income within one year of acquiring such new capital); and (b) at least 95% of our gross income for each taxable year must be derived from sources of income specified in section 856(c)(2) of the Code, which includes the types of gross income described just above, as well as dividends, interest, and gains from the sale of such shares are insufficientstock or other financial instruments (including interest rate swap and cap agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments entered into to satisfy the balance of uncollected amounts, the Plan Administrator may sell additional shares from the Participant's account necessary to satisfy the uncollected amount. In addition, an "insufficient funds" fee of $25 will be charged. The Plan Administrator may place a hold on the Participant's account until the "insufficient funds" fee is received, or may sell shares from the Participant's account to satisfy any uncollected amounts. NO INTEREST WILL BE PAID BY THE COMPANY OR THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR ON OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS HELD PENDING INVESTMENT. SINCE NO INTEREST IS PAID ON CASH HELD BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, IT NORMALLY WILL BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A PARTICIPANT TO DEFER OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS UNTIL SHORTLY BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PRICING PERIOD. In order for payments to be invested on the Investment Date, in addition to the receipt of good funds by the end of the business day immediately preceding the commencement of a Pricing Period, the Plan Administrator must be in receipt of an Authorization Form or a B&N Form, as appropriate, as of the same date. See Questions 6 and 8. 21. MAY OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS BE RETURNED? Upon telephone or written request to the Plan Administrator received at least two business days prior to the commencement of the Pricing Periodreduce interest rate risk with respect to which optional cash payments have been delivereddebt incurred or to be incurred to acquire or carry qualified REIT real estate assets) not held for sale in the ordinary course of business. Distribution Requirements We generally must distribute dividends (other than capital gain dividends) to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to (1) the sum of (a) 90% of our REIT taxable income (computed without regard to the Plan Administrator,dividends paid deduction and net capital gains) and (b) 90% of the net income (after tax, if any) from foreclosure property, minus (2) the sum of certain items of non-cash income. In addition, if we were to recognize "Built in Gain" (as defined below) on disposition of any assets acquired from a "C" corporation in a transaction in which Built in Gain was not recognized (for instance, assets acquired in a statutory merger), we would be required to distribute at least 90% of the Built in Gain recognized net of the tax we would pay on such optional cash payments will be returned togain. Built in Gain is the Participant as soon as practicable. Requests received less than two business days prior to such date will not be returned but instead will be invested onexcess of (a) the next related Investment Date. Also, each optional cash payment, to the extent that it does not either conform to the limitations described in Question 19 or clear withinfair market value of an asset (measured at the time limit describedof acquisition) over (b) the basis of the asset (measured at the time of acquisition). We do not hold any assets having Built in QuestionGain. We are not required to distribute our net capital gains. Rather than distribute them, we may elect to retain and pay the federal income tax on them, in which case our stockholders will (1) include their proportionate share of the undistributed net capital gains in income, (2) receive a credit for their share of the federal income tax we pay and (3) increase the bases in their stock by the difference between their share of the capital gain and their share of the credit. 20 Failure to Qualify If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and the relief provisions provided in the Code do not apply, we will be subject to returnfederal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income in that taxable year and all subsequent taxable years at the regular corporate income tax rates. We will not be allowed to deduct distributions to shareholders in these years, nor will the Code require us to make distributions. Further, unless entitled to the Participantrelief provisions of the Code, we also will be barred from re-electing REIT status for the four taxable years following the year in which we fail to qualify. It is not possible to state in what circumstances we would be entitled to any statutory relief. We intend to monitor on an ongoing basis our compliance with the REIT requirements described above. To maintain our REIT status, we will be required to limit the types of assets that we might otherwise acquire, or hold some assets at times when we might otherwise have determined that the sale or other disposition of these assets would have been more prudent. Taxation as soona REIT In any year in which we qualify as practicable. 22. ARE THERE ANY EXPENSES TO PARTICIPANTS IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR PARTICIPATION UNDER THE PLAN? Participantsa REIT, we generally will havenot be subject to pay brokerage feesfederal income tax on that portion of our REIT taxable income or commissionscapital gain that we distribute to our stockholders. We will, however, be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate income tax rates on shares of Common Stock purchased with reinvested dividends and optional cash paymentsany undistributed taxable income or capital gain. Notwithstanding our qualification as a REIT, we may also be subject to tax in the following other circumstances: . If we fail to satisfy either the 75% or the 95% gross income test, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we meet other requirements, we generally will be subject to a 100% tax on the open market, which sums are, asgreater of the dateamount by which we fail either the 75% or the 95% gross income test multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. . We will be subject to a tax of this Prospectus,100% on net income derived from any "prohibited transaction" which is, in general, a sale or other disposition of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. . If we have (1) net income from the sale or other disposition of foreclosure property that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or (2) other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property, it will be subject to federal income tax at the highest corporate income tax rate. . If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year and (3) any amount of undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income from preceding taxable years, we will be subject to a 4% federal excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the amounts actually distributed during the taxable year. . If we acquire a Built in Gain asset from a C corporation in a transaction in which the basis of the asset is determined by reference to the basis of the asset in the hands of the C corporation and we recognize Built 21 in Gain upon a disposition of such asset occurring within 10 years of its acquisition, then we will be subject to federal tax to the extent of any Built in Gain at the highest corporate income tax rate. . We may also be subject to the corporate alternative minimum tax, as well as other taxes in situations not expectedpresently contemplated. Taxation of Stockholders Unless you are a tax-exempt entity, distributions that we make to exceed $.15 peryou, including constructive distributions, generally will be subject to tax as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined for federal income tax purposes. If the amount we distribute to you exceeds your allocable share (subjectof current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a return of capital to change) andthe extent of your adjusted basis in your stock, which will reduce your basis in your stock but will not be first deducted before determiningsubject to tax. To the numberextent the amount we distribute to you exceeds both your allocable share of sharescurrent and accumulated earnings and profits and your adjusted basis, this excess amount will be treated as a gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. Distributions to our corporate stockholders, whether characterized as ordinary income or as capital gain, are not eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction. Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends generally will be taxable in your hands as long-term capital gains, to the extent such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year. In the event that we realize a loss for the taxable year, you will not be permitted to deduct any share of that loss. Further, if we, or a portion of our assets, were to be purchased. However,treated as a taxable mortgage pool, any excess inclusion income that is allocated to you could not be offset by any losses or other deductions you may have. Future Treasury regulations may require you to take into account, for purposes of computing your individual alternative minimum tax liability, some of our tax preference items. Dividends that we declare during the Boardlast quarter of Directorsa calendar year and actually pay to you during January of the following taxable year, generally are treated as if we had paid, and you had received them on December 31 of the calendar year and not on the date actually paid. In addition, we may elect to treat other dividends distributed after the close of the taxable year as having been paid during the taxable year, so long as they meet the requirements described in the future determineCode, but you will be treated as having received these dividends in the taxable year in which the distribution is actually made. If you sell or otherwise dispose of our stock, you will generally recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and your adjusted basis in the stock, which gain or loss will be long-term if the stock is held for more than one year. Any loss recognized on the sale or exchange of stock held for six months or less generally will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of (1) any long-term capital gain dividends you receive with respect to the stock and (2) your proportionate share of any long-term capital gains that we retain (see the Companydiscussion under the caption Distribution Requirements). If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any year, distributions we make to you will pay such brokerage fees or commissions. The Plan Administratorbe taxable in the same manner discussed above, except that: . we will effect open market purchasesnot be allowed to designate any distributions as capital gain dividends; . distributions (to the extent they are made out of our current and sales of sharesaccumulated earnings and profits) will be eligible for the Plan through itselfcorporate dividends received deduction; . the excess inclusion income rules will not apply to the stockholders; and it. you will not receive any share of our tax preference items. 22 In this event, however, we could be subject to substantial federal income tax liability as a commissionC corporation, and the amount of earnings and cash available for effecting such transactions. Participantsdistribution to you and other stockholders could be significantly reduced or eliminated. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding For each calendar year, we will incurreport to our domestic stockholders and to the IRS the amount of distributions that we pay, and the amount of tax (if any) that we withhold on these distributions. Under the backup withholding rules, you may be subject to backup withholding tax at a rate of 31% with respect to distributions paid unless you: . are a corporation or come within another exempt category and demonstrate this fact when required; or . provide a taxpayer identification number, certify as to no brokerage commissions or service charges in connectionloss of exemption from backup withholding tax and otherwise comply with the reinvestment of dividends and optional cash purchases when shares of Common Stock are acquired directly from the Company. The Company will pay all other costs of administrationapplicable requirements of the Plan. However, Participants that request thatbackup withholding tax rules. A domestic stockholder may satisfy this requirement by providing us an appropriately prepared Form W-9. If you do not provide us with your correct taxpayer identification number, then you may also be subject to penalties imposed by the Plan Administrator sell allIRS. Backup withholding tax is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding tax rules will be refunded or any portion of their shares (see Question 28) must pay any related brokerage commissions and applicable stock transfer taxes. 19 23. WHAT KIND OF REPORTS WILL BE SENT TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE PLAN? Each Participant in the Plan will receive a statement of his or her account following each purchase of additional shares. These statements are Participants' continuing record of the cost of their purchases and should be retained forcredited against your United States federal income tax purposes. In addition, Participants will receive copies of other communications sent to holders ofliability, provided you furnish the Common Stock, including the Company's annual report to its Stockholders, the notice of annual meeting and proxy statement in connection with its annual meeting of Stockholders and Internal Revenue Servicerequired information for reporting dividends paid. DIVIDENDS ON FRACTIONS 24. WILL PARTICIPANTS BE CREDITED WITH DIVIDENDS ON FRACTIONS OF SHARES? Yes. CERTIFICATES FOR COMMON SHARES 25. WILL CERTIFICATES BE ISSUED FOR SHARES PURCHASED? No. Common Stock purchased for Participants will be held in the name of the Plan Administrator or its nominee. No certificates will be issued to Participants for shares in the Plan unless a Participant submits a written request to the Plan Administrator or until participation in the Plan is terminated. At any time,IRS. Taxation of Tax-Exempt Entities The discussion under this heading only applies to you if you are a Participant may request the Plan Administrator to send a certificate for some or all of the whole shares credited to a Participant's account. This request should be mailedtax- exempt entity. Subject to the Plan Administrator atdiscussion below regarding a pension-held REIT, distributions received from us or gain realized on the address set forth in the answer to Question 38. Any remaining whole shares and any fractionssale of shares will remain credited to the Plan account. Certificates for fractional sharesour stock will not be issuedtaxable as unrelated business taxable income (UBTI), provided that: . you have not incurred indebtedness to purchase or hold our stock; . you do not otherwise use our stock in trade or business unrelated to your exempt purpose; and . we, consistent with our present intent, do not hold a residual interest in a REMIC that gives rise to excess inclusion income as defined under any circumstances. 26. IN WHOSE NAME WILL CERTIFICATES BE REGISTERED WHEN ISSUED? Each Plan account is maintained insection 860E of the name in which the related Participant's certificates were registered at the time of enrollment in the Plan. Stock certificates for whole shares purchased under the Plan will be similarly registered when issued upon a Participant's request.Code. If a Participant is a Beneficial Owner, such request should be placed through such Participant's banker, broker or other nominee. See Question 6. A Participant who wishes to pledge shares credited to such Participant's Plan account must first withdraw such shares from the account. WITHDRAWALS AND TERMINATION 27. WHEN MAY PARTICIPANTS WITHDRAW FROM THE PLAN? Participants may withdraw from the Plan with respect to all or a portion of the shares held in his or her account in the Plan at any time. If the requestour assets were to withdraw is received prior tobe treated as a dividend record date set by the Board of Directors for determining stockholders of record entitled to receivetaxable mortgage pool, however, a dividend, the request will be processed on the day following receipt of the request by the Plan Administrator. If the request to withdraw is received by the Plan Administrator on or after a dividend record date, but before payment date, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may either pay such dividend in cash or 20 reinvest it in shares for the Participant's account. The request for withdrawal will then be processed as promptly as possible following such dividend payment date. All dividends subsequent to such dividend payment date or Investment Date will be paid in cash unless a stockholder re-enrolls in the Plan, which may be done at any time. Any optional cash payments which have been sent to the Plan Administrator prior to a request for withdrawal will also be invested on the next Investment Date unless a Participant expressly requests return of that payment in the request for withdrawal, and the request for withdrawal is received by the Plan Administrator at least two business days prior to the commencement of the Pricing Period. 28. HOW DOES A PARTICIPANT WITHDRAW FROM THE PLAN? A Participant who wishes to withdraw from the Plan with respect to all or asubstantial portion of the sharesdividends you receive may be subject to tax as UBTI. In addition, a substantial portion of the dividends you receive may constitute UBTI if we are treated as a "pension-held REIT" and you are a "qualified pension trust" that holds more than 10% by value of our stock at any time during a taxable year. For these purposes, a "qualified pension trust" is any pension or other retirement trust that satisfies the requirements imposed under section 401(a) of the Code. We will be treated as a "pension-held REIT" if (1) we would not be a REIT if we had to treat stock held in hisa qualified pension trust as owned by the trust (instead of as owned by the trust's multiple beneficiaries) and (2) (a) at least one qualified pension trust holds more than 25% of our stock by value, or her account(b) one or more qualified pension trusts (each owning more than 10% of our stock by value) hold in the Plan must notifyaggregate more than 50% of our stock by value. Assuming compliance with the Plan Administrator in writing at its addressownership limit provisions set forth in the answerour articles of incorporation, it is unlikely that pension plans will accumulate sufficient stock to Question 38. Uponcause us to be treated as a Participant's withdrawal from the Plan or terminationpension-held REIT. 23 If you qualify for exemption under sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17), and (c)(20) of the PlanCode, then distributions received by you may also constitute UBTI. We urge you to consult your tax advisors concerning the Company, certificates forapplicable set aside and reserve requirements. United States Federal Income Tax Considerations Applicable to Foreign Stockholders The discussion under this heading only applies to you if you are not a U.S. person (hereafter, "foreign stockholder"). A U.S. person is a person who is: . a citizen or resident of the appropriate number of whole shares credited to hisUnited States; . a corporation, partnership, or her accountother entity created or organized in the United States or under the Plan will be issued. A cash payment will be made for any fraction of a share. Upon withdrawal from the Plan, a Participant may also request in writing that the Plan Administrator sell all or partlaws of the shares creditedUnited States or of any political subdivision thereof; . an estate whose income is includible in gross income for United States Federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or . a trust, if (1) a court within the United States is able to his or her account inexercise primary supervision over the Plan. The Plan Administrator will sell the shares as requested within ten business days after processing the request for withdrawal. The Participant will receive the proceedsadministration of the sale, less any brokerage feestrust and one or commissions and any applicable stock transfer taxes, generally within five business daysmore U.S. persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the sale. 29. ARE THERE ANY AUTOMATIC TERMINATION PROVISIONS? Participationtrust, or (2) the trust was in the Plan will be terminated if the Plan Administrator receives written notice of the death or adjudicated incompetency of a Participant, together with satisfactory supporting documentation of the appointment of a legal representative, at least five business days before the next Record Date for purchases made through the reinvestment of dividends or optional cash payments, as applicable. In the event written notice of death or adjudicated incompetency and such supporting documentation is received by the Plan Administrator less than five business days before the next Record Date for purchases made through the reinvestment of dividends or optional cash payments, as applicable, shares will be purchased for the Participant with the related cash dividend or optional cash payment and participation in the Plan will not terminate until after such dividend or payment has been reinvested. Thereafter, no additional purchase of shares will be made for the Participant's account and the Participant's shares and any cash dividends paid thereon will be forwarded to such Participant's legal representative. OTHER INFORMATION 30. WHAT HAPPENS IF A PARTICIPANT SELLS OR TRANSFERS ALL OF THE SHARES REGISTERED IN THE PARTICIPANT'S NAME? If a Participant disposes of all shares registered in his or her name, and is not shownexistence on August 26, 1996, was treated as a Record Owner on a dividend record date, the Participant may be terminated from the Plan as ofdomestic trust prior to such date, and such terminationhas made an election to continue to be treated as though a withdrawal notice had been received prior to the record date. 31. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE COMPANY DECLARES A DIVIDEND PAYABLE IN SHARES OR DECLARES A STOCK SPLIT? Any dividend payable in shares and any additional shares distributed by the Company in connection with a stock split in respect of shares credited to a Participant's Plan account will be added to that account. Stock 21 dividends or split shares which are attributable to shares registered in a Participant's own name and not in his or her Plan account will be mailed directly to the Participant as in the case of stockholders not participating in the Plan. 32. HOW WILL SHARES HELD BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR BE VOTED AT MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS? If the Participant is a Record Owner, the Participant will receive a proxy card covering both directly held shares and shares held in the Plan. If the Participant is a Beneficial Owner, the Participant will receive a proxy covering shares held in the Plan through his or her broker, bank or other nominee. If a proxy is returned properly signed and marked for voting, all the shares covered by the proxy will be voted as marked. If a proxy is returned properly signed but no voting instructions are given, all of the Participant's shares will be voted in accordance with recommendations of the Board of Directors of the Company, unless applicable laws require otherwise. If the proxy is not returned, or if it is returned unexecuted or improperly executed, shares registered in a Participant's name may be voted only by the Participant inU.S. person. 33. WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR UNDER THE PLAN? The Company and the Plan Administrator will not be liable in administering the Plan for any act done in good faith or required by applicable law or for any good faith omission to act including, without limitation, any claim of liability arising out of failure to terminate a Participant's account upon his or her death, with respect to the prices at which shares are purchased and/or the times when such purchases are made or with respect to any fluctuation in the market value before or after purchase or sale of shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in the Plan limits the Company's liability with respect to alleged violations of federal securities laws. The Company and the Plan Administrator shall be entitled to rely on completed forms and the proof of due authority to participate in the Plan, without further responsibility of investigation or inquiry. 34. MAY THE PLAN BE CHANGED OR DISCONTINUED? Yes. The Company may suspend, terminate, or amend the Plan at any time. Notice will be sent to Participants of any suspension or termination, or of any amendment that alters the Plan terms and conditions, as soon as practicable after such action by the Company. The Company may substitute another administrator or agent in place of the Plan Administrator at any time; Participants will be promptly informed of any such substitution. Any questions of interpretation arising under the Plan will be determined by the Company and any such determination will be final. 35. WHAT ARE THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN? The following summary of certain federal income tax considerations regarding the Plan is based on current law, is for general information only, and is not tax advice. This discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to particular investors in light of their personal investment circumstances, or to certain types of investors subject to special treatment under the federal income tax laws, including, without limitation, life insurance companies, certain financial institutions, dealers in securities or currencies, stockholders 22 holding Common Stock as part ofis only a conversion transaction, as part of a hedge or hedging transaction, or as a position in a straddle for tax purposes, tax- exempt organizations, or foreign corporations, foreign partnerships or persons who are not citizens or residentsbrief summary of the United States. In addition, the summary belowStates federal tax consequences that apply to you, which are highly complex, and does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may apply to you and your particular situation. We urge you to consult your tax advisors regarding the effectUnited States federal tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of our stock, as well as any tax consequences that may arise under the laws of any foreign, state, local or other tax laws that may be applicabletaxing jurisdiction. Distributions Except for distributions attributable to prospective Participants. EACH PROSPECTIVE PARTICIPANT IS ADVISED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER THAT MAY RESULT FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE PLAN AND DISPOSING OF SHARES ACQUIRED PURSUANT TO THE PLAN, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH PARTICIPATION AND DISPOSITION AND OF POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS. Dividend Reinvestment. Dividends paid with respect to Common Stock that a Participant reinvests in Common Stock that is acquired directlygain from the Companydisposition of real property interests or distributions designated as capital gains dividends, distributions you receive from us generally will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having been received by the Participant in the form of a taxable stock distribution. In that case, an amount equalsubject, to the fair market value onextent of our earnings and profits, to federal withholding tax at the daterate of purchase30%, unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty or unless the distributions are treated as effectively connected with your United States trade or business. If you wish to claim the benefits of the Common Stock acquired directly from the Companyan applicable tax treaty, you may need to satisfy certification and other requirements, such as providing Form W-8BEN. If you wish to claim distributions are effectively connected with your United States trade or business, you may need to satisfy certification and other requirements such as providing Form W-8ECI. Distributions you receive that are in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated as a dividendtax-free return of capital to the extent the Company has current or accumulated earnings and profits for federal income tax purposes. For federal income tax purposes, the Company intends to take the position that the fair market value of the shares acquired directly from the Company with reinvested dividends under the Plan will be equal to the average of the high and low sale prices of shares on the related Investment Date. Alternatively, dividends paid with respect to Common Stock that a Participant reinvestsyour adjusted basis in Common Stock through purchases byyour stock. If the Plan Administrator in the open market will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having been received by the Participant in the form of a taxable cash distribution. The amount of the cash distribution plus thealso exceeds your adjusted basis, this excess amount of any discount, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of your stock as described below. If we cannot determine at the time we make a dividend todistribution whether the extent the Company has current or accumulateddistribution will exceed our earnings and profits, forthe distribution will be subject to withholding at the same rate as dividends. These withheld amounts, however, will be refundable or creditable against your United States federal tax liability if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our earnings and profits. If you receive a dividend that is treated as being effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States, the dividend will be subject to the United States federal income tax purposes.on net income that applies to United States persons generally, and may be subject to the branch profits tax if you are a corporation. 24 Distributions in excessthat we make to you and designate as capital gains dividends, other than those attributable to the disposition of the Company's current and accumulated earnings and profitsa United States real property interest, generally will not be subject to United States federal income taxation, unless: . your investment in our stock is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States; or . you are a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year, and other requirements are met. Distributions that are attributable to a Participantdisposition of United States real property interests are subject to income and withholding taxes pursuant to the extentForeign Investment in Real Property Act of 1980 (FIRPTA), and may also be subject to branch profits tax if you are a corporation that such distributionsis not entitled to treaty relief or exemption. However, because we do not exceedexpect to hold assets that would be treated as United States real property interests as defined by FIRPTA, the adjusted basisFIRPTA provisions should not apply to investment in our stock. Gain on Disposition You generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on gain recognized on a sale or other disposition of our stock unless: . the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States; . you are a nonresident alien individual who holds our stock as a capital asset and are present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year and other requirements are met; or . you are subject to tax under the FIRPTA rules discussed below. Gain that is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States will be subject to the United States federal income tax on net income that applies to United States persons generally and may be subject to the branch profits tax if you are a corporation. However, these effectively connected gains will generally not be subject to withholding. We urge you to consult applicable treaties, which may provide for different rules. Under FIRPTA, you may be subject to tax on gain recognized from a sale or other disposition of your stock if we were to both (1) hold United States real property interests and (2) fail to qualify as a domestically controlled REIT. A REIT qualifies as a domestically-controlled REIT as long as less than 50% in value of its shares of beneficial interest are held by foreign persons at all times during the shorter of (1) the previous five years and (2) the period in which the REIT is in existence. As mentioned above, we do not expect to hold any United States real property interests. Furthermore, we will likely qualify as a domestically controlled REIT, although no assurances can be provided because our shares are publicly traded. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax The information reporting and backup withholding tax requirements (discussed above) will generally not apply to foreign holders in the case of distributions treated as (1) dividends subject to the 30% (or lower treaty rate) withholding tax (discussed above), or (2) capital gain dividends. Also, as a general matter, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to the payment of proceeds from shares sold by or through a foreign office of a foreign broker. However, in some cases (for example, a sale of shares through the foreign office of a U.S. broker), information reporting is required unless the foreign holder certifies under penalty of 25 perjury that it is a foreign holder, or otherwise establishes an exemption. A foreign stockholder may satisfy this requirement by using an appropriately prepared Form W-8 BEN. Federal Estate Taxes In general, if an individual who is not a citizen or resident (as defined in the Code) of the Participant's shares. ToUnited States owns (or is treated as owning) our stock at the extentdate of death, such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a Participant's shares, theystock will be included in income as capital gain. In addition, in the event that the Company designates a part or all of the amount so distributed as a capital gain dividend, such distributions will be taxable to the Participant as gain (to the extent that they do not exceed the Company's actual net capital gainindividual's estate for the taxable year) from the sale or disposition of a capital asset (provided that the shares have been held as a capital asset). Depending upon the period of time that the Company held the assets to which such gains were attributable,United States Federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable treaty provides otherwise. State and upon certain designations, if any, whichLocal Taxes We and our stockholders may be made by the Company, such gains will be taxable to non-corporate Participants at a rate of either 20%, 25% or 28%. Participants that are corporations may, however, be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Participants' statements of account will show the fair market value on the date of purchase of the Common Stock purchased with reinvested dividends, and a Form 1099-DIV mailed to Participants at year-end will show total dividend income, the amount of any return of capital distribution and the amount of any capital gain dividend. The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has ruled in private letter rulings that brokerage commissions paid by a corporation with respect to open market purchases on behalf of participants in a dividend reinvestment plan were to be treated as constructive distributions to such participants. Such constructive distributions were subject to income taxstate or local taxation in the same manner as distributionsvarious jurisdictions, including those in which we or they transact business or reside. The state and includible in the Participants' cost basis of the shares purchased. Accordingly, in the event the Board of Directors determines that the Company will pay brokerage 23 commissions with respect to any open market purchases made by the Plan Administrator, the Company intends to take the position that Participants received their proportionate amount of such commissions as additional distributions. While the matter is not free from doubt, the Company intends to take the position that administrative expenses of the Plan paid by the Company are not constructive distributions to Participants. The tax basis of newly issued Common Stock purchased directly from the Company for a Participant under the Plan by reinvestment of dividends will be equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the relevant Investment Date. The tax basis of Common Stock purchased in the open market pursuant to the dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan will be equal to the amount paid for such shares, plus the amount of any income recognized by the Participant upon such purchase as a result of any discount or the Company's payment of the Participant's share of brokerage commissions, if any. The holding period of Common Stock acquired under the Plan will begin on the day following the Investment Date. A Participant in the Plan will not realize any taxable income when the Participant receives certificates for whole shares of Common Stock credited to the Participant's account, either upon a Participant's request for such certificates or upon withdrawal from or termination of the Plan. However, a Participant will recognize gain or loss when whole shares of Common Stock or rights applicable to Common Stock acquired under the Plan are sold or exchanged. A Participant will also recognize gain or loss when the Participant receives a cash payment for a fractional share of Common Stock credited to the Participant's account upon withdrawal from or termination of the Plan. The amount of such gain or loss will be the difference between (i) the amount received for the Participant's shares or fractional shares of Common Stock or rights applicable to Common Stock and (ii) the tax basis thereof. Optional Cash Purchases. To the extent the Company offers Common Stock at a discount from the fair market value of such shares on the Investment Date, or pays brokerage commissions with respect to the purchase of such shares, pursuant to the optional cash purchase feature of the Plan, thelocal tax treatment of such activities is unclear. The Company presently intendsthat applies to take the position that any such discount or payment of brokerage commissions doesus and our stockholders may not constitute a distribution from the Company to Participants in the optional cash payment feature of the Plan. However, it is possible that Participants will be treated as having received a distribution from the Company upon the purchase of Common Stock with an optional cash payment, in an amount equalconform to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares on the Investment Date over the amount of the optional cash payment, plus the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Company, if any. The Company may take this position in future reports to Participants or the I.R.S. Participants are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any such actions. Shares acquired under the optional cash payment feature of the Plan will have a tax basis equal to the amount of the optional cash payment plus the income, if any, recognized by the Participant upon such acquisition. Participants will recognize gain or loss when shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to optional cash purchases are sold or exchanged. The amount of such gain or loss will be the difference between the amount received for the Participant's shares and the tax basis thereof. 36. HOW ARE INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING PROVISIONS APPLIED TO STOCKHOLDERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN? If a Participant fails to provide certain federal income tax certifications in the manner required by law, dividends on shares of Common Stock, proceeds from the sale of fractional shares and proceeds from the sale of shares held for a Participant's account will be subject to federal income tax withholding at the rate of 31%. If withholding is required for any reason, the appropriate amount of tax will be withheld. Certain stockholders (including most corporations) are, however, exempt from the above withholding requirements. 24 Participants which are foreign stockholders are urgedconsequences discussed above. Consequently, we urge you to consult theiryour own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax consequences to them of participation in the Plan. In general, if a Participant is a foreign stockholder, the appropriate amount will be withheld and the balance in shares will be credited to such Participant's account. 37. WHO BEARS THE RISK OF MARKET FLUCTUATIONS IN THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK? A Participant's investment in shares held in the Plan account is no different from his or her investment in directly held shares. The Participant bears the risk of any loss and enjoys the benefits of any gain from market price changes with respect to such shares. 38. WHO SHOULD BE CONTACTED WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PLAN? All correspondence regarding the Plan should be directed to: BOSTON EQUISERVE, L.P. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT UNIT P.O. BOX 8040 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02266-8040 TELEPHONE: (781) 575-3120 Please mention Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. and this Plan in all correspondence. 39. HOW IS THE PLAN INTERPRETED? Any question of interpretation arising under the Plan will be determined by the Company and any such determination will be final. The Company may adopt rules and regulations to facilitate the administration of the Plan. The terms and conditions of the Plan and its operation will be governed by the laws of the State of California. 40. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE PLAN? Plan Shares are subject to escheat to the state in which the Participant resides in the event that such shares are deemed, under such state's laws, to have been abandoned by the Participant. Participants, therefore, should notify the Plan Administrator promptly in writing of any change of address. Account statements and other communications to Participants will be addressed to them at the last address of record provided by Participants to the Plan Administrator. Participants will have no right to draw checks or drafts against their Plan accounts or to instruct the Plan Administrator with respect to any shares of Common Stock or cash held by the Plan Administrator except as expressly provided herein. 25 DIVIDENDS The Company has paid dividends since its incorporation. In order to accommodate the provisions of this Plan, the Company anticipates that dividends will be payable on or about the fifteenth business day of January, April, July and October. However, the actual dates may vary and will be determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors. USE OF PROCEEDS The Company does not know either the number of shares of Common Stock that will be ultimately sold pursuant to the Plan or the prices at which such shares will be sold. However, the Company proposes to use the net proceeds from the sale of newly issued shares of Common Stock for general corporate purposes. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION Except to the extent the Plan Administrator purchases Common Stock in open market transactions, the Common Stock acquired under the Plan will be sold directly by the Company through the Plan. The Company may sell Common Stock to owners of shares (including brokers or dealers) who, in connection with any resales of such shares, may be deemed to be underwriters. Such shares, including shares acquired pursuant to waivers granted with respect to the optional cash payment feature of the Plan, may be resold in market transactions (including coverage of short positions) on any national securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock trade or in privately negotiated transactions. The Common Stock is currently listed on the American Stock Exchange. Under certain circumstances, it is expected that a portion of the shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan will be issued pursuant to such waivers. The difference between the price such owners pay to the Company for shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, after deduction of the applicable discount from the Market Price, if any, and the price at which such shares are resold, may be deemed to constitute underwriting commissions received by such owners in connection with such transactions. Subject to the availability of shares of Common Stock registered for issuance under the Plan, there is no total maximum number of shares that can be issued pursuant to the reinvestment of dividends. From time to time, financial intermediaries may engage in positioning transactions in order to benefit from the discount from the Market Price of Common Stock acquired through the reinvestment of dividends under the Plan. Except with respect to open market purchases of Common Stock, the Company will pay any and all brokerage commissions and related expenses incurred in connection with purchases of Common Stock under the Plan. Upon withdrawal by a Participant from the Plan by the sale of Common Stock held under the Plan, the Participant will receive the proceeds of such sale less any related brokerage commissions and any applicable transfer taxes. Common Stock may not be available under the Plan in all states. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any Common Stock or other securities in any state or any other jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction. 26 laws. LEGAL OPINIONMATTERS The validity of the securitiesissuance of the shares offered hereby has beenin this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, CooperKirkpatrick & Klein, Beverly Hills, California, counsel to the CompanyLockhart LLP, Los Angeles, California. Certain legal matters described under "Material Federal Income Tax Consequences" and certain legal matters with respect to Maryland law will be passed upon for us by Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll,McKee Nelson LLP, Baltimore, Maryland.Washington, D.C. EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements of Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. and of Impac Funding Corporation incorporatedCorp. as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, and for each of the years in the Prospectusthree-year period ending December 31, 2000, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent auditors, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. 26 WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document it files at the Securities and Exchange Commission's public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission maintains an Internet site that contains our reports, proxy and information statements and other information at http://www.sec.gov. The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" the Company'sinformation it files with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below. We also incorporate by reference any future filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This prospectus is part of a registration statement that Impac Mortgage Holdings has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. . Impac Mortgage Holding's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, as amended, 1997 have been so incorporated by reference therein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent auditors, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. INDEMNIFICATION The Company's Charter contains a provision which limits the liability of its directors and officers to the Company and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. The Company's Charter and Bylaws also provide that the Company shall indemnify directors and officers under certain circumstances for liabilities and expenses incurred by reason of their actions in such capacities. In addition, the Company maintains an insurance policy that indemnifies directors and officers against certain liabilities. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in said Act and is therefore unenforceable. 27 GLOSSARY "AMEX" means the American Stock Exchange. "Beneficial Owners" means stockholders who beneficially own shares of Common Stock that are registered in a name other than their own (for example, in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee). "B&N Form" means a Broker and Nominee form. "business day" means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday on which the AMEX is closed or a day on which the Plan Administrator is authorized or obligated by law to close. "Commission" means2000 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. "Common Stock" meansCommission on March 30, 2001. . Impac Mortgage Holdings's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the common stock, $.01 par value, ofquarter ended March 31, 2001 filed with the Company. "Company" meansSecurities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2001. . Impac Mortgage Holding's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 1, 2001, March 30, 2001, March 5, 2001 and January 19, 2001. . Impac Mortgage Holdings Inc. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. "IRS" means Internal Revenue Service. "Investment Date" means, with respect to Common Stock acquired directly from the Company andDefinitive Proxy Statement dated June 1, 2001 relating to the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 24, 2001. You may request a dividend reinvestment, the dividend payment date declaredcopy of these filings, at no cost, by the Board of Directors (unless such date is not a business day in which case it is the first business day immediately thereafter) or, in the case of open market purchases, no later than thirty business days following the dividend payment date; and with respect to Common Stock acquired directly from the Company and relating to an optional cash payment, generally on or about the twenty-ninth day of each month; or, in the case of open market purchases, no later than thirty business days following the Investment Date. In no event, however, will the Investment Date relating to dividend reinvestments be less than ten days from the Investment Date relating to optional cash payments. "Market Price" means, with respect to Common Stock acquired directly from the Company and relating to a dividend reinvestment, the average of the high and low sales prices, computed to three decimal places, of the Common Stock on the AMEX on the Investment Date, or if no trading occurs in the Common Stock on the Investment Date, the average of the high and low sales prices for the first trading day immediately preceding the Investment Date for which trades are reported. With respect to dividend reinvestments which will be reinvested in Common Stock purchased in the open market, "Market Price" shall mean the weighted average of the actual prices paid, computed to three decimal places, for all of the Common Stock purchased by the Plan Administrator with all Participants' reinvested dividends for the related quarter. With respect to Common Stock acquired directly from the Company and relating to optional cash payments, "Market Price" shall mean the average of the high and low sales prices, computed to three decimal places, of the Common Stock as reported on the AMEX during the Pricing Period. With respect to optional cash payments which will be reinvested in Common Stock purchased in the open market, "Market Price" shall mean the weighted average of the actual prices paid, computed to three decimal places, for all of the Common Stock purchased by the Plan Administrator with all Participants' optional cash payments for the related month. "Participant" means an eligible holder of Common Stock who wishes to participate in the Plan. 28 "Participating Shares" means shares of Common Stock owned by a Participant on the applicable record date as to which such Participant has directed the Company to pay the related cash dividends to the Plan Administrator. "Plan" means the Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan which amended and restated the Previous Plan. "Plan Administrator" means a plan administrator that administers the Plan, keeps records, sends statements of account to each Participant and performs other duties related to the Plan. Boston Equiserve, L.P. currently serves as Plan Administrator of the Plan. "Plan Shares" means all whole and fractional shares of Common Stock credited to a Participant's Plan account. "Previous Plan" means the Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan as approved by the Company's Board of Directors on October 21, 1997. "Pricing Period" means the period encompassing the three Trading Days preceding the relevant optional cash payment Investment Date. "REIT" means real estate investment trust. "Record Date" means, with respect to reinvestments of dividends, the record date declared by the Board of Directors for such dividend; and with respect to optional cash payments, two business days prior to the commencement of the Pricing Period. "Record Owners" means stockholders who own shares of Common Stock in their own names. "Requests for Waiver" means a written request from a Participant to make optional cash payments in excess of $10,000. "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. "Trading Day" means a day on which trades in the Common Stock are reported on the AMEX. "Waiver Discount" means the discount from the Market Price applicable to optional cash payments made pursuant to Requests for Waiver. Such discount will vary between 0% and 5% of the Market Price and may vary each month. 29 SCHEDULE A OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS The following table sets forth the applicable dates for optional cash payments for 1998. The Company will typically set these dates two months before the end of each year and they will be available fromwriting our Investor Relations Department us at (714) 438- 2100 on the 1st of December of each year.
WAIVER DISCOUNT OPTIONAL CASH PRICING PERIOD INVESTMENT SET DATE RECORD DATE PAYMENT DUE DATE COMMENCE DATE DATE --------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ September 15, 1998 September 22, 1998 September 23, 1998 September 24, 1998 September 29, 1998 October 15, 1998 October 22, 1998 October 23, 1998 October 26, 1998 October 29, 1998 November 12, 1998 November 19, 1998 November 20, 1998 November 23, 1998 November 30, 1998 December 14, 1998 December 21, 1998 December 22, 1998 December 23, 1998 December 29, 1998 January 15, 1999 January 22, 1999 January 25, 1999 January 26, 1999 January 29, 1999 February 11, 1999 February 18, 1999 February 22, 1999 February 23, 1999 February 26, 1999 March 12, 1999 March 19, 1999 March 23, 1999 March 24, 1999 March 29, 1999 April 14, 1999 April 21, 1999 April 23, 1999 April 26, 1999 April 29, 1999 May 13, 1999 May 20, 1999 May 24, 1999 May 25, 1999 May 28, 1999 June 14, 1999 June 21, 1999 June 23, 1999 June 24, 1999 June 29, 1999 July 14, 1999 July 21, 1999 July 23, 1999 July 26, 1999 July 29, 1999 August 13, 1999 August 20, 1999 August 24, 1999 August 25, 1999 August 30, 1999 September 14, 1999 September 21, 1999 September 23, 1999 September 24, 1999 September 29, 1999 October 14, 1999 October 21, 1999 October 25, 1999 October 26, 1999 October 29, 1999 November 11, 1999 November 18, 1999 November 22, 1999 November 23, 1999 November 29, 1999 December 13, 1999 December 20, 1999 December 22, 1999 December 23, 1999 December 29, 1999
SUMMARY DATE INFORMATION . The Investment Date is, with respect to Common Stock acquired directly from the Company and relating to a dividend reinvestment, the dividend payment date declaredfollowing address: 1401 Dove Street, Suite 100, Newport Beach, CA 92660, or by the Board of Directors (unless such date is not a business day in which case it is the first business day immediately thereafter) or, in the case of open market purchases, no later than thirty business days following the dividend payment date; and with respect to Common Stock acquired directly from the Company and relating to an optional cash payment, generally on or about the twenty-ninth day of each month; or, in the case of open market purchases, no later than the thirty business days following the Investment Date. In no event, however, will the Investment Date relating to dividend reinvestments be less than ten days from the Investment Date relating to optional cash payments. . The Pricing Period for optional cash payments which are invested in Common Stock acquired directly from the Company is the three Trading Days preceding the relevant Investment Date. . Optional cash payments must be received by the Plan Administrator by the end of the business day immediately preceding the commencement of the relevant Pricing Period. . The Record Date for dividends is set by the Board of Directors. The Record Date for optional cash payments is two business days prior to the related Pricing Period. . The Waiver Discount is set five business days prior to the applicable Record Date. 30calling (949) 475-3700. 27 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS ITEMItem 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION: Registration fee................................................... $ 9,763.86 Printing expenses.................................................. $37,500.00* Accounting fees and expenses....................................... $ 3,000.00* Legal fees and expenses............................................ $20,000.00* Blue sky fees and expenses......................................... $ 1,500.00* Miscellaneous expenses............................................. $ 3,236.14* ---------- TOTAL............................................................ $75,000.00 ==========
- -------- *Estimated ITEMOther Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by the Registrant in connection with the sale of the common stock being registered hereby, other than underwriting commissions and discounts, all of which are estimated except for the Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees. Item Amount ---- ------ Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee 3,539 Printing and engraving expenses 10,000 Legal fees and expenses 20,000 Accounting fees and expenses 10,000 Miscellaneous expenses 7,500 --------------- Total $51,039.00 =============== Item 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.Indemnification of Directors and Officers. The Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, ("MGCL") permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. The Charter of the CompanyRegistrant's charter contains such a provision which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. The Charter of the CompanyRegistrant's charter authorizes it, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to obligate itself to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (1) any present or former Directordirector or officer or (2) any individual who, while a Directordirector of the CompanyRegistrant and at theour request, of the Company, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee of such corporation, real estate investment trust partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his status as a present or former Directordirector or officer of the Company. The Bylaws of the CompanyRegistrant. Our bylaws obligate it,us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (1) any present or former Directordirector or officer who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his service in that capacity or (2) any individual who, while a Directordirector of the CompanyRegistrant and at theour request, of the Company, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee of such corporation, real estate investment trust partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is II-1 made a party to the proceeding by reason of his service in that capacity. The Chartercharter and Bylawsbylaws of the Registrant also permit the Companyit to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of the CompanyRegistrant in any of the capacities described above and to any employeeof our employees or agent of the Companyagents or a predecessor of the Company.Registrant. The MGCLMaryland General Corporation Law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the Company's Charterour charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of his service in that capacity. The MGCLMaryland law permits a II-1 corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (1) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (2) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under the MGCL,Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In addition, the MGCLMaryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation's receipt of (1) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (2) a written undertaking by him or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was not met. In addition, the Registrant has entered into an Indemnity Agreement (Exhibit 10.4 of its Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 33-96670) and Amendments No. 1, 2 and 3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 7, 1995, October 23, 1995, October 30, 1995 and November 8, 1995, respectively) with its officers and Directors. ITEMdirectors. Item 16. EXHIBITS. 4. --Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (included in the Prospectus) 5.1+ --Opinion of Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein 5.2+ --Opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP 23.1 --Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP regarding the Registrant 23.2 --Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP regarding Impac Funding Corporation 23.3+ --Consent of Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein (included in Exhibit 5.1) 23.4+ --Consent of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2) 24.1+ --Power of Attorney of Certain Officers and Directors (includedExhibits 3.1 Charter of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Signature Page) 99.1+ --Form of Letter to Stockholders with respect to Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan 99.2 --Authorization Form and Broker and Nominee Form
S-11, as amended (File No. 33-96670), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 7, 1995) 3.1(a) Certificate of correction of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1(a) of the Registrant's 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998) 3.1(b) Articles of Amendment of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1(b) of the Registrant's 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998) 3.1(c) Articles of Amendment for change of name to charter of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to exhibit number 3.1(a) of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 11, 1998) II-2 3.1(d) Articles Supplementary and Certificate of Correction for Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1(d) of the Registrant's 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998) 3.1(e) Articles Supplementary for Series B 10.5% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1(b) of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 23, 1998) 3.1(f) Articles Supplementary for Series C 10.5% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2000) 3.1(g) Certificate of Correction for Series C Preferred Stock of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2000) 3.2 Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 1998) 4 Form of Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Registrant's Registration Statement of Form S-11 as amended (File No. 33-96670), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 7, 1995) 5.1* Opinion of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP as to the validity of the securities being registered 5.2* Opinion of McKee Nelson LLP as to the validity of the securities being registered 8* Opinion of McKee Nelson LLP as to tax matters 23.1* Consent of KPMG LLP regarding Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. 23.2* Consent of KPMG LLP regarding Impac Funding Corporation 23.3* Consent of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1) 23.4* Consent of McKee Nelson LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.2) 23.5* Consent of McKee Nelson LLP (contained in Exhibit 8) 24* Power of Attorney (contained on Signature page) - -------- +------------ * Previously filed ITEMItem 17. UNDERTAKINGS.Undertakings. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) To(a) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) ToAct; (b) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of thethis Registration Statement (or the most recent post- effectivepost-effective amendment thereof)hereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in thethis Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high andend of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission II-2 pursuant to Rule 424(b), if in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percenta 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; (iii) Toregistration statement. II-3 (c) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in thethis Registration Statement or any material change to such information in thethis Registration Statement;Statement. provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i)the undertakings set forth in paragraph (a) and (1)(ii) do(b) above shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement;Statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statementregistration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; andthereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's Annual Report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. II-3The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective. For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. II-4 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant Certifiesregistrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the Undersigned,undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Santa Ana Heights,Newport Beach, State of California, on September 4, 1998.the 31/st/ day of July, 2001. IMPAC MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC. By: /s/ RICHARD J. JOHNSON ----------------------------- Richard J. Johnson ------------------------------------ Richard J. JohnsonChief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer, TreasurerPursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and Secretary PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE ---------Names Title Date - ---- ----- ---- /S/ * Chairman of the Board and September 4, 1998 ____________________________________ Chief Executive Officer ----------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) July 31, 2001 Joseph R. Tomkinson /S/ Richard J. JOHNSON Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President ------------------------- (Principal ExecutiveAccounting and Financial Officer) /s/July 31, 2001 Richard J. Johnson Chief Financial Officer September 4, 1998 ____________________________________ (Principal Financial and Richard J. Johnson Accounting Officer)/S/ * ------------------------- William S. Ashmore Director September 4, 1998 ____________________________________ H. Wayne SnavelyJuly 31, 2001 /S/ * Director September 4, 1998 ____________________________________------------------------- James Walsh Director July 31, 2001 /S/ * ----------------------- Frank P. Filipps Director September 4, 1998 ____________________________________ Frank FilippsJuly 31, 2001 /S/ * Director September 4, 1998 ____________________________________---------------------- Stephan R. Peers Director July 31, 2001 /S/ * --------------------- William E. Rose Director September 4, 1998 ____________________________________ William S. AshmoreJuly 31, 2001 /S/ * --------------------- Leigh J. Abrams Director July 31, 2001
*By:* By: /s/ Richard J. Johnson ------------------------------------------------- Richard J. Johnson Attorney-in-fact II-4 EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NUMBER EXHIBIT ------- ------- 4. --Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (included in the Prospectus) 5.1+ --Opinion of Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein 5.2+ --Opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP 23.1 --Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP regarding the Registrant 23.2 --Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP regarding Impac Funding Corporation 23.3+ --Consent of Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein (included in Exhibit 5.1) 23.4+ --Consent of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2) 24.1+ --Power of Attorney of Certain Officers and Directors (included on Signature Page) 99.1+ --Form of Letter to Stockholders with respect to Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan 99.2 --Authorization Form and Broker and Nominee Form
- -------- + Previously filed.II-5