Prospectus Supplement dated May 30, 2006 (to Prospectus dated April 18, 2006)
$352,607,000 (APPROXIMATE)
ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-GP1
ASSET BACKED NOTES
ACE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-GP1
Issuing Entity
DB STRUCTURED PRODUCTS, INC.
Sponsor
ACE SECURITIES CORP.
Depositor
GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING, INC.
Servicer
LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Master Servicer
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE S-9 IN THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
This prospectus supplement may be used to offer and sell the Offered Notes only
if accompanied by the prospectus. The Offered Notes represent an interest solely
in the Issuing Entity and do not represent interests in or obligations of the
Sponsor, the Depositor, or any of their affiliates.
Payments on the Offered Notes will be made on the 25th day of each month, or, if
such day is not a business day, on the next succeeding business day, beginning
in June 2006.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFERED NOTES The table below sets forth the initial note balance and note
rate of the notes offered hereby. The trust estate securing
payments on the Series 2006-GP1 notes will hold a pool of first
and second lien adjustable-rate home equity lines of credit.
Credit enhancement for the Offered Notes will be provided in the
form of excess interest, overcollateralization and a financial
guaranty insurance policy issued by Financial Security Assurance
Inc.
[FSA(R) LOGO]
INITIAL NOTE ASSUMED FINAL
CLASS PRINCIPAL BALANCE(1) NOTE RATE PAYMENT DATE
- ----- -------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------
A.... $352,607,000 One-Month LIBOR + 0.13% (2)(3) February 25, 2031
- ----------
(1) Approximate.
(2) The note rate for the Class A Notes will be subject to the applicable Net
WAC Rate as described in this prospectus supplement under "Description of
the Securities-Note Rate."
(3) After the optional redemption date, the margins applicable to the Class A
Notes will increase by 100%.
The notes offered by this prospectus supplement will be purchased by Deutsche
Bank Securities Inc. from the Depositor, and are being offered by Deutsche Bank
Securities Inc. from time to time for sale to the public in negotiated
transactions or otherwise at varying prices to be determined at the time of
sale. Proceeds to the Depositor from the sale of the Offered Notes will be
approximately 100% of their initial Note Principal Balance before deducting
expenses.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE OFFERED NOTES OR DETERMINED THAT
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR ENDORSED THE
MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT. WE HAVE NOT
AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT INFORMATION.
We provide information to you about the Offered Notes in two separate documents
that progressively provide more detail:
o the accompanying prospectus, which provides general information, some
of which may not apply to this series of notes; and
o this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this
series of notes.
ACE Securities Corp.'s principal offices are located at 6525 Morrison Blvd.,
Suite 318, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211, and its telephone number is
704-365-0569.
ii
Table of Contents
Prospectus Supplement
SUMMARY OF FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS...................................... S-1
RISK FACTORS............................................................ S-9
USE OF PROCEEDS......................................................... S-18
THE HELOC POOL.......................................................... S-18
UNDERWRITING STANDARDS.................................................. S-33
YIELD ON THE NOTES...................................................... S-37
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES........................................... S-43
THE NOTE INSURER........................................................ S-65
THE POLICY.............................................................. S-67
THE ORIGINATOR.......................................................... S-70
STATIC POOL INFORMATION................................................. S-70
ISSUING ENTITY.......................................................... S-71
THE DEPOSITOR........................................................... S-71
THE SPONSOR............................................................. S-71
SERVICING OF THE HELOCS................................................. S-72
THE MASTER SERVICER, THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR AND THE CUSTODIAN..... S-80
THE INDENTURE........................................................... S-85
THE OWNER TRUSTEE....................................................... S-88
THE CREDIT RISK MANAGER................................................. S-89
SALE AND SERVICING AGREEMENT............................................ S-90
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES......................................... S-94
SECONDARY MARKET........................................................ S-98
EXPERTS................................................................. S-98
LEGAL MATTERS........................................................... S-98
RATINGS................................................................. S-98
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS....................................................... S-99
AFFILIATIONS, RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.................... S-99
LEGAL INVESTMENT........................................................ S-100
CONSIDERATIONS FOR BENEFIT PLAN INVESTORS............................... S-101
AVAILABLE INFORMATION................................................... S-103
REPORTS TO NOTEHOLDERS.................................................. S-104
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE............................... S-104
ANNEX I................................................................. I-1
iii
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has
implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a "RELEVANT MEMBER STATE"), the
Underwriter has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the
date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member
State (the "RELEVANT IMPLEMENTATION DATE") it has not made and will not make an
offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the
publication of a prospectus in relation to the notes which has been approved by
the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate,
approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent
authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus
Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant
Implementation Date, make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant
Member State at any time:
(a) to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the
financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose
is solely to invest in securities;
(b) to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250
employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than
(euro)43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than (euro)50,000,000,
as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; or
(c) in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by the
Issuing Entity of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus
Directive.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer of notes to the
public" in relation to any notes in any Relevant Member State means the
communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the
terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to
decide to purchase or subscribe the notes, as the same may be varied in that
Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member
State and the expression "PROSPECTUS DIRECTIVE" means Directive 2003/71/EC and
includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.
UNITED KINGDOM
The Underwriter has represented and agreed that:
(a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only
communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in
investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services
and Markets Act) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the
notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the Financial Services and
Markets Act does not apply to the Issuing Entity; and
(b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the
Financial Services and Markets Act with respect to anything done by it in
relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
iv
SUMMARY OF FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS
The following summary is a brief description of the important features of
the notes offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus
but does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making
your investment decision. To understand the terms of the Offered Notes,
carefully read this entire prospectus supplement and the entire accompanying
prospectus.
Issuing Entity................ ACE Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2006-GP1, a
Delaware statutory trust. The issuing entity is
sometimes referred to as the "Issuer" or the
"trust".
Title of Series............... ACE Securities Corp. Home Equity Loan Trust,
Series 2006-GP1 Asset Backed Securities.
Cut-off Date.................. May 15, 2006.
Statistical Cut-off Date...... May 1, 2006.
Closing Date.................. On or about May 31, 2006.
Depositor..................... ACE Securities Corp., a Delaware corporation.
See "The Depositor" in this prospectus
supplement.
Originator.................... GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc., a New York
corporation. See "The Originator" in this
prospectus supplement.
Sponsor....................... DB Structured Products, Inc., a Delaware
corporation. See "The Sponsor" in this
prospectus supplement.
Master Servicer............... LaSalle Bank National Association, a national
banking association. See "The Master Servicer,
the Securities Administrator and the Custodian"
in this prospectus supplement.
Servicer...................... GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc. See
"Servicing of the HELOCs" in this prospectus
supplement.
Indenture Trustee............. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, a
national banking association, will be the
indenture trustee of the trust. See "The
Indenture Trustee" in this prospectus
supplement.
Owner Trustee................. Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware
corporation. See "The Owner Trustee" in this
prospectus supplement.
Securities Administrator...... LaSalle Bank National Association, a national
banking association. See "The Master Servicer,
the Securities Administrator and the Custodian"
in this prospectus supplement.
S-1
Custodian..................... Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. See
"The Master Servicer, The Securities
Administrator and The Custodian" in this
prospectus supplement.
Note Insurer.................. Financial Security Assurance Inc., a New York
corporation. See "The Note Insurer" in this
prospectus supplement.
Credit Risk Manager........... Clayton Fixed Income Services Inc. (formerly
known as The Murrayhill Company). See "The
Credit Risk Manager" in this prospectus
supplement.
Payment Dates................. Payments on the Offered Notes will be made on
the 25th day of each month, or, if that day is
not a business day, on the next succeeding
business day, beginning in June 2006. The final
maturity date for the Offered Notes will be the
Payment Date in February 2031.
Offered Notes................. Only the notes listed on the cover of this
prospectus supplement are being offered by this
prospectus supplement. The Offered Notes will
have the initial note principal balance and
note rate set forth or described in the table
appearing on the cover of this prospectus
supplement.
HOME EQUITY LINES OF CREDIT
The Issuer will pledge to the Indenture Trustee the assets included in the trust
estate to secure payments on the Offered Notes. The trust estate will contain
first and second lien home equity lines of credit on residential real properties
(the "HELOCS"). The aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs expected to be
included in the trust estate is expected to be approximately $352,607,316, which
is the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs as of the Cut-off Date, plus
additional draws funded after the Cut-off Date and prior to the Closing Date,
minus the sum of any principal prepayments collected after the Cut-off Date and
prior to the Closing Date.
References to percentages of the HELOCs in this section are calculated based on
the pool of HELOCs expected to be pledged to the Indenture Trustee on the
closing date and the aggregate principal balance of such HELOCs as of May 1,
2006 (the "STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE"). It is possible that HELOCs will be added
to, and certain HELOCs may be removed from, the pool between the date of this
prospectus supplement and the closing date. Notwithstanding any such additions
or removals, the characteristics of the HELOCs actually included in the trust
estate on the closing date are not expected to differ materially from the
characteristics described in this prospectus supplement.
All percentages and amounts with respect to the characteristics of the HELOCs
shown in this prospectus supplement are subject to a permitted variance of plus
or minus 5%.
The HELOCs have an aggregate principal balance of approximately $356,814,957 as
of the Statistical Cut-off Date and have the following characteristics as of the
Statistical Cut-off Date:
Number of HELOCs: 6,276
Aggregate principal balance: $356,814,957
Average drawn balance: $ 56,854
Average credit limit: $ 69,523
Weighted average credit limit
utilization rate: (1) 81.78%
Current weighted average coupon: 9.319%
S-2
Weighted average margin: 1.820%
Weighted average seasoning (months): 5
Weighted average remaining term
to stated maturity (months): 196
Weighted average remaining draw
term to stated maturity (months): 76
Weighted average combined current
loan-to-value ratio: 87.14%
Weighted average credit score: 713
Lien position (%first/% junior): 0.47%/99.53%
- ----------
(1) Weighted by credit limit amount.
The mortgage rate on each HELOC will adjust as described under "The HELOC Pool"
in this prospectus supplement. See also "The HELOC Pool-The Index" in this
prospectus supplement.
For additional information regarding the HELOCs, see "The HELOC Pool" in this
prospectus supplement.
REMOVAL AND SUBSTITUTION OF A HELOC
The Indenture Trustee will acknowledge the receipt of the trust estate on the
Closing Date. If the Indenture Trustee has actual knowledge that any HELOC is
defective due to a breach of the representations and warranties with respect to
that HELOC made in the transaction agreements, the Indenture Trustee will
promptly notify the Sponsor and the Note Insurer of such defect. The Sponsor
must then correct or cure any such defect within 90 days from the date of (i)
notice from the Indenture Trustee of the defect or (ii) actual knowledge of such
defect and if the Sponsor fails to correct or cure such defect within such
period and such defect materially and adversely affects the interests of the
Noteholders or the Note Insurer in the related HELOC, the Sponsor will, in
accordance with the terms of the sale and servicing agreement, within 90 days of
the date of notice, either (i) repurchase such defective HELOC or (ii) provide
the Indenture Trustee with a substitute HELOC (if within two years of the
Closing Date); provided that, if such defect would cause the HELOC to be other
than a "qualified mortgage" as defined in Section 860G(a)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code, any such cure or substitution must occur within 90 days from the
date such breach was discovered.
THE NOTES AND CERTIFICATES
Offered Notes. The Class A Notes are the only classes of notes offered by this
prospectus supplement. The Class A Notes are referred to herein as the "CLASS A
NOTES" or the "OFFERED NOTES". The Class A Notes will have the characteristics
shown in the table on the cover of this prospectus supplement and as described
in this prospectus supplement.
The Note Rate on the Class A Notes is variable and will be calculated for each
Payment Date as described below and under "Description of the Securities-Note
Rate" in this prospectus supplement. The note rate on the Class A Notes is a
rate per annum based on one-month LIBOR plus a spread, subject to a rate cap
calculated based on the weighted average mortgage rate of the HELOCs, less the
fee rates payable to the Servicer, the Master Servicer and the Credit Risk
Manager (collectively, the "ADMINISTRATION COSTS") and the premium payable to
the Note Insurer for providing the Policy and, commencing with the Payment Date
in June 2007, one-twelfth of 0.50% of the aggregate principal balance of the
HELOCs as of the first day of the related Collection Period. The initial spread
relating to the Class A Notes is 0.13% per annum. The spread applicable to the
Class A Notes is subject to increase as more fully described under "Description
of the Securities-Note Rates" in this prospectus supplement.
The Class A Notes will be sold by the Depositor to Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
(the "UNDERWRITER") on the Closing Date.
The Class A Notes will be represented initially by one or more global notes
registered in the name of a nominee of the Depository Trust Company in the
United States, or of Clearstream and the Euroclear System (each,
S-3
as defined herein), in Europe and will be issued in minimum dollar denominations
of $25,000 and integral multiples of $1.00 in excess thereof. See "Description
of the Securities-Book-Entry Notes" in this prospectus supplement.
Certificates. In addition to the Class A Notes, the trust will also issue the
Class G, Class CE, and Class R Certificates, referred to in this prospectus
supplement as the "CERTIFICATES". None of the Certificates are being offered
hereby. Information provided herein with respect to the Certificates is provided
for informational purposes only to facilitate an understanding of the Offered
Notes.
Class G Certificates. The Class G Certificates will have an initial certificate
principal balance of $0, but such balance will increase from time to time by the
amount of additional draws made by mortgagors on the HELOCs, to the extent such
draws are not funded by receipts of principal on the HELOCs during the Managed
Amortization Period (as defined herein). At such times that the certificate
principal balance of the Class G Certificates exceeds $0, such balance will
decrease by amounts distributed to the Class G Certificates on any Payment Date
in reduction of the certificate principal balance thereof. A portion of the
interest collections on the HELOCs will be distributed to the Class G
Certificates concurrently with, and at the same priority as, interest on the
Offered Notes. During the Managed Amortization Period, principal collections on
the HELOCs will be distributed to the Class G Certificates either prior to the
payment of principal to the Offered Notes or, if the balance of the Class G
Certificates has reached a specified amount, concurrently with, and at the same
priority as, principal on the Offered Notes. During the Rapid Amortization
Period (as defined herein), principal collections on the HELOCs will be
distributed to the Class G Certificates on a subordinate basis following
payments of principal to the Offered Notes.
Class CE Certificates. The Class CE Certificates are not offered by this
prospectus supplement. The Class CE Certificates will have an initial
certificate principal balance of $316.
Residual Certificates. The Class R Certificates or Residual Certificates, which
are not offered by this prospectus supplement, represent the residual interests
in the trust.
The Class G Certificates will be delivered by the Depositor to the Sponsor or an
affiliate on the Closing Date. The Class CE and Class R Certificates will be
sold by the Depositor to the Underwriter on the Closing Date. The Class CE
Certificates and Class R Certificates will not receive any payments on any
Payment Date unless all required payments on the Class A Notes and Class G
Certificates have been made and all required payments or reimbursements to the
Note Insurer have been made.
RAPID AMORTIZATION EVENTS; TRIGGER EVENTS
The occurrence of a Rapid Amortization Event (as defined under "Description of
the Securities-Glossary" herein) will have the effect of accelerating the
amortization of the Offered Notes and affecting the weighted average lives of
such notes. Following the occurrence of a Rapid Amortization Event, the Managed
Amortization Period will end, additional draws will not be funded with principal
collections on the HELOCs and all principal collected on the HELOCs, will be
used first to make payments of principal on the Offered Notes.
The occurrence of a Trigger Event (as defined under "Description of the
Securities-Glossary" herein) following the Stepdown Date will have the effect of
accelerating the amortization of the Class A Notes and affecting the weighted
average lives of such notes. The "STEPDOWN DATE" will be the later of (x) the
Payment Date occurring in December 2008 and (y) the first Payment Date on which
the Credit Enhancement Percentage (as defined herein) is greater than or equal
to approximately 5.10%. See "Description of the Securities" herein.
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
The credit enhancement provided for the benefit of the holders of the Class A
Notes consists of excess interest,
S-4
overcollateralization and a financial guaranty insurance policy each as
described in this section and under "Description of the Securities-Credit
Enhancement", "--The Policy" and "-Overcollateralization Provisions" in this
prospectus supplement.
EXCESS INTEREST. The HELOCs bear interest each month in an amount that in the
aggregate is expected to exceed the amount needed to pay the premium due the
Note Insurer, to distribute monthly interest on the Offered Notes, to pay
reimbursement amounts to the Note Insurer and to pay certain fees and expenses
of the trust. Any excess interest from the HELOCs each month will be available
to absorb realized losses on the HELOCs and to build, maintain or restore
overcollateralization at required levels.
OVERCOLLATERALIZATION. Initially, the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs
as of the Cut-off Date is expected to exceed the aggregate note balance of the
Class A Notes and the certificate principal balance of the Class G Certificates
on the Closing Date by $316. On each payment date on and after the payment date
in October 2006, any excess interest on the HELOCs not used to cover current
losses or previously unpaid losses, or reimburse the Note Insurer (with
interest) for draws on the Policy will be paid as principal on the Class A Notes
and Class G Certificates to reduce the aggregate note principal balance of the
Class A Notes and the certificate principal balance of the Class G Certificates
until the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs exceeds the note principal
balance of the Class A Notes and the certificate principal balance of the Class
G Certificates by a specified amount, as described in this prospectus
supplement. See "Description of the Securities-Overcollateralization Provisions"
in this prospectus supplement.
THE POLICY. The Note Insurer will issue a financial guaranty insurance policy
for the benefit of the holders of the Offered Notes, which we refer to in this
prospectus supplement as the "POLICY".
The Policy will irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee on each Payment Date
to the Securities Administrator on behalf of the Indenture Trustee for the
benefit of the holders of the Offered Notes the full and complete payment of the
guaranteed payments consisting of (i) the receipt of interest on the Offered
Notes at the note rate (without regard to any increase in the spread following
the optional redemption date), (ii) the receipt of principal on the Offered
Notes sufficient to eliminate any undercollateralization of the Offered Notes by
their allocable share of the aggregate principal balance of the loans (in the
event that excess interest and overcollateralization are insufficient to absorb
realized losses on the loans) and (iii) on the final maturity date, the receipt
of any outstanding note principal balance of the Offered Notes remaining unpaid
after taking into account all other payments on such Payment Date.
The effect of the Policy is to guarantee the timely payment of interest on, and
the ultimate payment of the principal amount of, the Class A Notes. The Policy
will not cover payment of net wac rate carryover amounts, prepayment interest
shortfalls, or shortfalls resulting from the application of the Servicemembers
Civil Relief Act.
The Policy will guarantee the payment of the outstanding note principal balance
of the Class A Notes on the scheduled final maturity date (after giving effect
to all other amounts payable and allocable to principal on such Payment Date).
In the absence of payments under the Policy, noteholders will directly bear the
credit and other risks associated with their notes. See "The Policy" in this
prospectus supplement.
ALLOCATION OF LOSSES. If, on any Payment Date, there is not sufficient excess
interest or overcollateralization (represented by the Class CE Certificates) to
absorb realized losses on the HELOCs as described under "Description of the
Securities--Overcollateralization Provisions" in this prospectus supplement,
then realized losses on the HELOCs will be allocated to the Class A Notes and
Class G Certificates on a pro rata basis, until the note principal balance or
certificate principal balance thereof, as applicable, has been
S-5
reduced to zero. However, on each Payment Date, the Note Insurer, in accordance
with the terms of the Policy, will be required to make a payment in respect of
principal to the holders of the Class A Notes in an amount equal to such
realized losses allocated to the Class A Notes on such Payment Date. See
"Description of the Securities --Allocation of Losses" in this prospectus
supplement.
SERVICING FEE
The amount of the annual servicing fee that will be paid to the Servicer will
be, with respect to each HELOC and for a period of one full month, equal to
one-twelfth of the product of (a) 0.50% and (b) the outstanding principal
balance of such HELOC. Such fee will be payable monthly, computed on the basis
of the same principal amount and period respecting which any related interest
payment on such HELOC is computed. The obligation to pay the servicing fee will
be limited to, and the servicing fee will be payable from the interest portion
of such monthly payments collected; provided, however, that accrued and unpaid
servicing fees applicable to liquidated HELOCs may be payable out of amounts on
deposit in the collection account as further described in the sale and servicing
agreement.
MASTER SERVICING FEE
The amount of the annual master servicing fee that will be paid to the Master
Servicer will be, with respect to each HELOC, and for a period of one full
month, equal to one-twelfth of the product of (a) 0.0225% and (b) the
outstanding principal balance of such HELOC. Such fee will be payable monthly,
computed on the basis of the same principal amount and period respecting which
any related interest payment on such HELOC is computed. The obligation to pay
the master servicing fee will be limited to, and the master servicing fee will
be payable from, the interest portion of such monthly payments collected. The
Securities Administrator and the Indenture Trustee will be paid by the Master
Servicer pursuant to a separate agreement with the Master Servicer.
CREDIT RISK MANAGER FEE
The amount of the annual fee payable to the Credit Risk Manager will be, with
respect to each HELOC and for a period of one full month, equal to one-twelfth
of the product of (a) 0.009% and (b) the outstanding principal balance of such
HELOC. Such fee will be payable monthly, computed on the basis of the same
principal amount and period respecting which any related interest payment on
such HELOC is computed. The obligation to pay the credit risk manager fee will
be limited to, and the credit risk manager fee will be payable from, the
interest portion of such monthly payments collected.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
At its option and subject to certain conditions (including the consent of the
Note Insurer if the exercise of such option would cause a claim under the Policy
or amounts would remain unreimbursed after such optional redemption), the Master
Servicer may purchase all of the HELOCs in the trust estate, together with any
properties in respect of the HELOCs acquired on behalf of the trust, and thereby
effect termination and early retirement of the Class A Notes and the
Certificates, after the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs and properties
acquired in respect of the HELOCs, remaining in the trust estate as of the last
day of the related collection period has been reduced to less than or equal to
10% of the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs as of the Cut-off Date. If
the Master Servicer fails to exercise such option the Note Insurer may do so.
See "Sale and Servicing Agreement--Optional Redemption" in this prospectus
supplement and "Description of the Securities--Termination" in the prospectus.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Multiple elections will be made to treat designated portions of the trust
(exclusive of the Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve Account) as real estate
mortgage investment conduits (each a "REMIC") for federal income tax purposes.
See "Material Federal Income Tax Considerations--REMICs --Characterization of
S-6
Investments in REMIC Securities" in the prospectus.
For further information regarding the federal income tax consequences of
investing in the Offered Notes, see "Federal Income Tax Consequences" in this
prospectus supplement and "Material Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the
prospectus.
RATINGS
It is a condition to the issuance of the notes that the Offered Notes receive at
least the following ratings from Standard & Poor's, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P") and Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("MOODY'S"):
Offered
Notes S&P Moody's
- ------- --- -------
Class A AAA Aaa
A security rating does not address the frequency of prepayments on the HELOCs or
the corresponding effect on yield to investors. In addition, the rating does not
address the likelihood of receipt of any net WAC rate carryover amounts.
The ratings of the Offered Notes assigned by the rating agencies depend
primarily upon the creditworthiness of the Note Insurer. See "Yield on the
Notes" and "Ratings" in this prospectus supplement and "Yield Considerations" in
the prospectus.
LEGAL INVESTMENT
The Offered Notes will not constitute "mortgage related securities" for purposes
of the Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement Act of 1984 ("SMMEA"). See "Legal
Investment" in this prospectus supplement and in the prospectus.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR BENEFIT PLAN INVESTORS
The Offered Notes may be eligible for purchase by persons investing assets of
employee benefit plans or individual retirement accounts, subject to important
considerations. Plans should consult with their legal advisors before investing
in the Offered Notes. See "Considerations for Benefit Plan Investors" in this
prospectus supplement and "ERISA Considerations" in the prospectus.
S-7
TRANSACTION STRUCTURE
---------------------
originate --- Mortgagors -- HELOC
HELOCs | -> | payments
---------------- | --------------------- |
| ---------------| amount --------
| | financed |
\|/ \|/
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------
GreenPoint Mortgage Funding,
Originator Inc. -----------
Servicer |
- ------------------------------- Collect payments on HELOCs |
|/|\ |
| | ---------------------------- |
purchase | | purchase |
HELOCs | | price |
\|/| |
- ------------------------------- policy |
DB Structured Products, Inc. payments |
Sponsor |
Purchases HELOCs -------------- |
Forms pool Insurance ----------------------- |
Policy <-------------------- | |
- ------------------------------- | | |
|/|\ -------------- | | |
| | premiums | | |
| | and | | |
asset | | net offering reimbursements | | |
pool | | proceeds | | |
\|/| | | |
- ------------------------------- net offering ----------------------------- | | |
ACE Securities Corp. proceeds Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.<--------- | | |
Depositor <------------------------- Underwriter -------- | | | |
Creates issuing entity -------------------------> Sells notes to investors | | | | |
notes | | | | |
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------- | | | | |
|/|\ offering | | | | |
asset | | notes and proceeds | | | | |
pool | | certificates | | | | |
\|/| | | | | |
- ---------------------------------- ------------------------------ | | | | |
ACE Home Equity Loan Trust, Series LaSalle Bank National | | | | |
2006-GP1 Association | | | | |
Issuing Entity <------------- Master Servicer and Securities --------------|-|- | |
Holds pool Administrator <-------------|-|--- |
Issues notes and certificates -- Aggregates collections <-------------|-|-----
| Calculates cashflows | |
- ---------------------------------- | Remits to investors | |
/|\ | | |
| | ------------------------------ | |
| | | | | monthly
| | | | | distributions
- ------------------------------- | | | |
Wilmington Trust Company Monthly | | Monthly distributions and certain | |
Owner Trustee report | | proceeds payable under the Policy | |
| | | |
- ------------------------------- | | | |
| | | |
--------------------------------- | | |
| | | |
\|/ \|/
- ------------------------------- --------- | |
Deutsche Bank National Trust ----------> Investors <---------------------------------------- |
Company notes |
Indenture Trustee --------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------- ---------
/|\
|
Represents investors
S-8
RISK FACTORS
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION, WHICH YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY, IDENTIFIES
SIGNIFICANT RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES.
THE UNDERWRITING STANDARDS FOR HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT LOANS ARE MORE
SENSITIVE TO RISKS RELATING TO MORTGAGOR CREDIT-WORTHINESS AND LESS SENSITIVE TO
RISKS RELATING TO COLLATERAL VALUE COMPARED TO OTHER HOME LOANS.
The underwriting standards under which the HELOCs were underwritten are
analogous to credit lending, rather than mortgage lending, since underwriting
decisions were based primarily on the mortgagor's credit history and capacity to
repay rather than on the value of the collateral. See "The Originator;
Underwriting Guidelines" in this prospectus supplement. Because of the
relatively high combined loan-to-value ratios of the majority of the HELOCs,
which increases the likelihood that the value of the mortgaged property would
not be sufficient to satisfy the HELOC upon foreclosure unless the value of the
mortgaged property increases, and the fact that the HELOCs are primarily secured
by junior liens, losses on the HELOCs will likely be higher than on similar home
equity line of credit loans secured by first liens.
HELOCS WITH HIGH COMBINED LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIOS LEAVE THE RELATED MORTGAGOR WITH
LITTLE OR NO EQUITY IN THE RELATED MORTGAGED PROPERTY.
Approximately 80.82% of the HELOCs, by aggregate principal balance as of
the Statistical Cut-off Date, had a combined current loan-to-value ratio at
origination in excess of 80%.
An overall decline in the residential real estate market, a rise in
interest rates over a period of time and the condition of a mortgaged property,
as well as other factors, may have the effect of reducing the value of the
mortgaged property from the appraised value at the time the HELOC was
originated. If there is a reduction in the value of the mortgaged property, the
combined current loan-to-value ratio may increase over what it was at the time
the HELOC was originated. Such an increase may reduce the likelihood of
liquidation or other proceeds being sufficient to satisfy the HELOC, and any
losses to the extent not covered by the credit enhancement may adversely affect
the yield to maturity of your notes. There can be no assurance that the value of
a mortgaged property estimated in any appraisal or review is equal to the actual
value of that mortgaged property at the time of that appraisal or review.
Investors should note that the values of the mortgaged properties may be
insufficient to cover the outstanding principal balance of the HELOCs. There can
be no assurance that the combined current loan-to-value ratio of any HELOC
determined at any time after origination will be less than or equal to its
combined loan-to-value ratio at origination.
DEVELOPMENTS IN SPECIFIED STATES COULD HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE EFFECT ON THE
HELOCS DUE TO THE GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION OF THE MORTGAGED PROPERTIES.
Approximately 57.10%, 6.10% and 4.56% of the HELOCs by aggregate principal
balance as of the Statistical Cut-off Date, are secured by mortgaged properties
located in the State of California, New York and Florida, respectively.
Approximately 0.46% of the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs as of the
Statistical Cut-off Date, are located in a single California zip code, which is
the largest concentration of HELOCs in a single zip code. If the residential
real estate market in those states should experience an overall decline in
property values after the dates of origination of the HELOCs, the rates of
delinquencies, foreclosures, bankruptcies and losses on the HELOCs may increase
over historical levels of comparable type loans, and may increase substantially.
In addition, properties located in California and Florida may be more
susceptible
S-9
than homes located in other parts of the country to certain types of uninsured
hazards, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, as well as floods, mudslides and other
natural disasters.
SECOND LIEN HELOC RISK.
Approximately 99.53% of the HELOCs are secured by second liens on the
related mortgaged properties. The proceeds from any liquidation, insurance or
condemnation proceedings will be available to satisfy the outstanding balance of
these HELOCs only to the extent that the claims of the related senior mortgages
have been satisfied in full, including any related foreclosure costs. In
circumstances when it has been determined to be uneconomical to foreclose on the
mortgaged property, the Servicer may write off the entire balance of such HELOC
as a bad debt. The foregoing considerations will be particularly applicable to
HELOCs secured by second liens that have high combined loan-to-value ratios
because it is comparatively more likely that the Servicer would determine
foreclosure to be uneconomical in the case of such HELOCs. The rate of default
of second lien HELOCs may be greater than that of home equity lines of credit
secured by first liens on comparable properties.
SOME OF THE HELOCS ARE DELINQUENT.
Approximately 0.45% of the HELOCs, by aggregate principal balance of the
HELOCs as of the Statistical Cut-off Date), were 30 days or more but less than
60 days delinquent in their monthly payments as of the Statistical Cut-off Date.
None of the HELOCs as of the Statistical Cut-off Date were 60 or more days
delinquent. As a result, the loan pool may bear more risk than a pool of home
equity lines of credit without any delinquencies but with otherwise comparable
characteristics. It is possible that a delinquent HELOC will not ever become
current or, if it does become current, that the borrower may become delinquent
again.
For historical delinquency data concerning the HELOCs see "The HELOC Pool
- --Historical Delinquency and Loss Information" herein.
SHORTER AMORTIZATION PERIOD FOR HELOCS.
Substantially all of the HELOCs require no principal payments during the
first five or fifteen years following origination, and all of the HELOCs require
repayment of the principal amount outstanding at the commencement of the
repayment period over the remaining term in equal monthly installments. Home
equity lines of credit with terms like these pose a special payment risk because
the mortgagor must start making substantially higher monthly payments at the
start of the repayment period. If the mortgagor is unable to make such increased
payments, the mortgagor may default. You may suffer a loss if the collateral for
such HELOC, and the other forms of credit enhancement, are insufficient or
unavailable to cover the loss.
THE SERVICER MAY CHANGE THE TERMS OF THE HELOCS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF
THE SALE AND SERVICING AGREEMENT.
The Servicer may waive, modify or vary any term of any HELOC or consent to
the postponement of strict compliance with any such term or in any manner grant
indulgence to any mortgagor if in the Servicer's reasonable and prudent
determination such waiver, modification, postponement or indulgence is in
accordance with the servicing standard set forth in the sale and servicing
agreement and would not cause any REMIC elected with respect to any portion of
the trust to fail to qualify as a REMIC; provided, however, that the Servicer
will not permit any modification with respect to any HELOC that would change the
mortgage rate except as provided in the related loan documents, defer or forgive
the payment thereof or of any principal or interest payments, reduce the
outstanding principal balance or the credit limit (except with the
S-10
mortgagor's consent or in connection with the Servicer's permitted allowance of
certain loans having a senior lien priority to the related HELOC and except for
actual payments of principal), increase the credit limit or extend the draw
period or final maturity date on such HELOC.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BETWEEN THE SERVICER AND THE TRUST.
The Servicer or an affiliate will initially own the Class G Certificates,
and GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc. will be required to fund Additional
Balance Advance Amounts (as defined in this prospectus supplement). The timing
and nature of default management activities with respect to the HELOCs will be
under the control of the Servicer, subject to the terms of the sale and
servicing agreement, and may affect the weighted average lives and yields of the
Offered Notes. You should consider that the timing and nature of default
management activities may not be in the best interests of all classes of
securities backed by the HELOCs and that no formal policies or guidelines have
been established to resolve or minimize such a conflict of interest.
THE OFFERED NOTES WILL BE LIMITED OBLIGATIONS SOLELY OF THE ISSUING ENTITY AND
NOT OF ANY OTHER PARTY.
The Offered Notes will not represent an interest in or obligation of the
Depositor, the Servicer, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the
Originator, the Indenture Trustee, the Owner Trustee or any of their respective
affiliates. Neither the Offered Notes nor the underlying HELOCs will be
guaranteed or insured by any governmental agency or instrumentality, or by the
Depositor, the Servicer, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the
Originator, the Indenture Trustee, the Owner Trustee or any of their respective
affiliates. Proceeds of the assets included in the trust and payments made under
the Policy will be the sole source of payments on the Offered Notes, and there
will be no recourse to the Depositor, the Servicer, the Originator, the Master
Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the Indenture Trustee, the Owner Trustee
or any other entity in the event that these proceeds are insufficient or
otherwise unavailable to make all payments provided for under the Offered Notes.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NOTE RATE ON THE CLASS A NOTES AND THE MORTGAGE RATES
ON THE HELOCS MAY RESULT IN INTEREST SHORTFALLS ON THE NOTES.
The yield to maturity on the Class A Notes may be affected by the resetting
of the mortgage rates of the HELOCs included in the HELOC pool on their related
adjustment dates. In addition, because the mortgage rates for the HELOCs adjust
based on the prime rate plus a fixed percentage amount, such rates could be
higher than prevailing market interest rates, and this may result in an increase
in the rate of prepayments on such HELOCs after their adjustments. Finally, the
mortgage rates on the HELOCs are based on the prime rate while the note rate on
the Class A Notes is based on one-month LIBOR. Consequently, the application to
such notes of the rate cap, which is generally equal to the weighted average
coupon on the HELOCs, net of certain fees of the trust, including amounts
payable to the Note Insurer, could adversely affect the yield to maturity on
such notes. In addition, the rate cap will decrease if HELOCs with relatively
high mortgage rates prepay at a faster rate than HELOCs with relatively low
mortgage rates.
If the note rate on the Class A Notes is limited for any Payment Date, the
resulting interest shortfalls may be recovered by the holders of these notes on
the same Payment Date or on future Payment Dates to the extent that on such
Payment Date or future Payment Dates there are available funds remaining after
certain other payments on the Offered Notes and the payment of certain fees and
expenses of the trust, including amounts payable to the Note Insurer. The Policy
will not cover any such interest shortfalls resulting from the application of
such rate cap. The ratings on the Offered Notes will not address the likelihood
of any recovery of interest shortfalls by
S-11
holders of the Offered Notes from amounts collected on the HELOCs. See "Yield on
the Notes--Special Yield Considerations" in this prospectus supplement.
DELAYS IN PAYMENT ON YOUR NOTES MAY RESULT FROM DELINQUENT HELOCS BECAUSE THE
SERVICER IS NOT REQUIRED TO ADVANCE DELINQUENT PRINCIPAL OR INTEREST ON THE
HELOCS.
The Servicer is not obligated to advance scheduled monthly payments of
principal and interest on HELOCs that are delinquent or in default. As a result,
a regular stream of payments from the HELOCs that become delinquent or go into
default will not be available to the trust with which to make payments to
securityholders. Delinquencies and defaults on HELOCs are generally expected to
occur with greater frequency in their early years.
The rate of delinquency and default of home equity line of credit loans may
be greater than that of other types of mortgage loans and the rate of
delinquency and default of junior lien loans may be greater than that of loans
secured by first liens on comparable properties.
FUNDING OF ADDITIONAL BALANCES AND DISTRIBUTIONS ON THE CLASS G CERTIFICATES.
Any Additional Balances of the HELOCs will be funded by principal
collections on the HELOCs during each collection period that falls within the
Managed Amortization Period, and such principal collections will not be
available to the trust to make distributions and payments to securityholders. In
the event that draws on the HELOCs during a particular collection period during
the Managed Amortization Period are greater than principal collections on the
HELOCs for such collection period, GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc. will fund
the difference, and the amount funded will be added to the certificate principal
balance of the Class G Certificates. As a result, a high rate of draws on the
HELOCs during any collection period during the Managed Amortization Period could
result in no funds or substantially reduced funds available to make principal
payments to the holders of the Offered Notes. A portion of the interest
collections on the HELOCs will be distributed to the Class G Certificates
concurrently with, and at the same priority as, interest on the Offered Notes.
During the Managed Amortization Period, principal collections on the HELOCs will
be distributed to the Class G Certificates either prior to the payment of
principal to the Offered Notes or, if the balance of the Class G Certificates
has reached a specified amount, concurrently with, and at the same priority as,
principal on the Offered Notes. During the Rapid Amortization Period (as defined
herein), principal collections on the HELOCs will be distributed to the Class G
Certificates on a subordinate basis following payments of principal to the
Offered Notes. Therefore, a high rate of draws on the HELOCs during any
collection period during the Managed Amortization Period could dilute any
overcollateralization created to protect the holders of the Offered Notes.
After the Managed Amortization Period, the entire amount of any draws on
the HELOCs will be funded by GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc.
THE RATE AND TIMING OF PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS ON THE CLASS A NOTES WILL BE AFFECTED
BY PREPAYMENT SPEEDS AND BY THE PRIORITY OF PAYMENT ON SUCH NOTES.
The rate and timing of payments allocable to principal on the Class A Notes
will depend, in general, on the rate and timing of principal payments (including
prepayments and collections upon defaults, liquidations and repurchases) on the
HELOCs and the allocation thereof to pay principal on such notes as described in
"Description of the Securities--Principal Payments on the Offered Securities" in
this prospectus supplement. As is the case with mortgage backed securities
generally, the Offered Notes are subject to substantial inherent cash-flow
uncertainties because the HELOCs may be prepaid at any time. See "The HELOC
Pool" in this prospectus supplement.
S-12
Generally, when prevailing interest rates are increasing, prepayment rates
on home equity lines of credit tend to decrease; a decrease in the prepayment
rates on the HELOCs will result in a reduced rate of return of principal to
investors in the Class A Notes at a time when reinvestment at such higher
prevailing rates would be desirable. Conversely, when prevailing interest rates
are declining, prepayment rates on mortgage loans tend to increase; an increase
in the prepayment rates on the HELOCs will result in a greater rate of return of
principal to investors in the Class A Notes at a time when reinvestment at
comparable yields may not be possible.
Payments of principal will be made to the holders of the Class A Notes as
described in this prospectus supplement. The timing of commencement of principal
payments and the weighted average life of the Class A Notes will be affected by
the rates of prepayment on the HELOCs. For further information regarding the
effect of principal prepayments on the weighted average lives of the Class A
Notes, see "Yield on the Notes" in this prospectus supplement, including the
table entitled "Percent of Initial Note Principal Balance Outstanding at the
Specified Percentages of the Prepayment Assumption."
THE YIELD TO MATURITY ON THE OFFERED NOTES WILL DEPEND ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS.
The yield to maturity on the Offered Notes will depend on:
o the applicable note rate thereon;
o the applicable purchase price;
o the rate and timing of principal payments (including prepayments
and collections upon defaults, liquidations and repurchases) and
the allocation thereof to reduce the note principal balance of
the Offered Notes;
o the rate, timing and severity of realized losses on the HELOCs,
adjustments to the mortgage rates on the HELOCs included in the
HELOC pool, the amount of excess interest generated by the HELOCs
and the allocation to the Offered Notes of certain interest
shortfalls;
o Each HELOC has a draw period that generally lasts for the first
five or fifteen years, and substantially all have a repayment
term for the remaining years of the term (as more fully described
in this prospectus supplement). No principal is due during the
draw period although a mortgagor may voluntarily make a principal
payment. Monthly principal payments during the repayment period
are required in amounts that will evenly amortize the amount
outstanding at the commencement of the repayment period over the
remaining term of the HELOC. Collections on the HELOCs may also
vary due to seasonal purchasing and payment habits of mortgagors.
As a result there may be limited collections available to make
payments and holders of the Offered Notes may receive payments of
principal more slowly than anticipated;
o Approximately 70.22% of the HELOCs, by aggregate principal
balance as of the Statistical Cut-off Date, require the mortgagor
to pay a termination fee in connection with certain terminations
of the HELOC for three years after the HELOC was originated. A
termination fee may or may not discourage a mortgagor from
prepaying outstanding borrowings under the HELOC during the
applicable period;
o The rate of draws by mortgagors of Additional Balances (defined
in this prospectus supplement) on the HELOCs will have an effect
on the degree to which
S-13
prepayments on the HELOCs will be allocated to payments in
reduction of the note principal balances of the Offered Notes.
During the Managed Amortization Period (defined in this
prospectus supplement), principal payments, including prepayments
and other unscheduled collections on the HELOCs, will be
allocated first to the funding of Additional Balances before
being allocated to principal payments on the securities. With
respect to any given collection period during the Managed
Amortization Period, a high rate of draws by mortgagors of
Additional Balances on the HELOCs may reduce or eliminate the
portion of principal payments on the HELOCs that is allocated to
payments in reduction of the note principal balances of the
Offered Notes;
o In general, if the Offered Notes are purchased at a premium and
principal payments thereon occur at a rate faster than
anticipated at the time of purchase, the investor's actual yield
to maturity will be lower than that assumed at the time of
purchase. Conversely, if the Offered Notes are purchased at a
discount and principal payments thereon occur at a rate slower
than that anticipated at the time of purchase, the investor's
actual yield to maturity will be lower than that originally
assumed; and
o The proceeds to the Depositor from the sale of the Offered Notes
were determined based on a number of assumptions including a
prepayment assumption of 40% CPR and an annualized draw rate of
15% as described in this prospectus supplement under "Yield on
the Notes" and weighted average lives corresponding thereto. No
representation is made that the HELOCs will prepay at such rate
or at any other rate. The yield assumptions for the Offered Notes
will vary as determined at the time of sale.
VIOLATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS MAY RESULT IN LOSSES ON THE HELOCS AND
YOUR NOTES.
Applicable state laws generally regulate interest rates and other charges,
require certain disclosure, and require licensing of the Originator. In
addition, other state laws, public policy and general principles of equity
relating to the protection of consumers, unfair and deceptive practices and debt
collection practices may apply to the origination, servicing and collection of
the HELOCs.
The HELOCs are also subject to federal laws, including:
o the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act and Regulation Z promulgated
thereunder, which require certain disclosures to the mortgagors
regarding the terms of the HELOCs;
o the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B promulgated
thereunder, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of age,
race, color, sex, religion, marital status, national origin,
receipt of public assistance or the exercise of any right under
the Consumer Credit Protection Act, in the extension of credit;
o the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which regulates the use and
reporting of information related to the mortgagor's credit
experience; and
o the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act
of 1980 which preempts certain state usury laws.
Violations of certain provisions of these federal and state laws may limit
the ability of the Servicer to collect all or part of the principal of or
interest on the related HELOCs and in addition
S-14
could subject the trust to damages and administrative enforcement. In
particular, the failure of the Originator to comply with certain requirements of
the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act, as implemented by Regulation Z, could subject
the trust to monetary penalties, and result in the mortgagors' rescinding the
HELOCs against the trust. In addition to federal law, some states have enacted,
or may enact, laws or regulations that prohibit inclusion of some provisions in
HELOCs that have interest rates or origination costs in excess of prescribed
levels, and require that mortgagors be given certain disclosures prior to the
consummation of the HELOCs and restrict the Servicer's ability to foreclose in
response to mortgagor defaults. The failure of the Originator to comply with
these laws could subject the trust to significant monetary penalties, could
result in the mortgagors rescinding the HELOCs against the trust and/or limit
the Servicer's ability to foreclose upon the related mortgaged properties in the
event of mortgagor defaults.
Under the anti-predatory lending laws of some states, the mortgagor is
required to meet a net tangible benefits test in connection with the origination
of the related home equity loan. This test may be highly subjective and open to
interpretation. As a result, a court may determine that a home equity loan does
not meet the test even if the originator reasonably believed that the test was
satisfied. Any determination by a court that a HELOC included in the trust
estate does not meet the test will result in a violation of the state
anti-predatory lending law, in which case the Sponsor or the Originator will be
required to purchase that HELOC from the trust estate.
The Sponsor and the Originator will represent that, as of the Closing Date,
each HELOC is in compliance with applicable federal and state laws and
regulations. In the event of a breach of such representation, the Sponsor or the
Originator will be obligated to cure such breach or repurchase or replace the
affected HELOC in the manner described in the prospectus. If the Sponsor or the
Originator is unable or otherwise fails to satisfy such obligations, the yield
on the Offered Notes may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, the
Sponsor and the Originator will represent that, as of the Closing Date, no HELOC
will be a "high cost" loan under the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of
1994 or "high cost," "threshold," "covered" or "predatory" loans under any other
applicable federal, state or local law.
YOUR PAYMENTS COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE BANKRUPTCY OR INSOLVENCY OF
CERTAIN PARTIES.
The Sponsor will treat the transfer of the HELOCs to the Depositor as a
sale of the HELOCs. However, if the Sponsor becomes bankrupt, the trustee in
bankruptcy may argue that the HELOCs were not sold but were only pledged to
secure a loan to the Sponsor. If that argument is made, you could experience
delays or reductions in payments on the notes. If that argument is successful,
the bankruptcy trustee could elect to sell the HELOCs and pay down the Offered
Notes early. Thus, you could lose the right to future payments of interest, and
might suffer reinvestment loss in a lower interest rate environment.
In addition, if the Servicer or the Master Servicer becomes bankrupt, a
bankruptcy trustee or receiver may have the power to prevent the appointment of
a successor servicer or a successor master servicer, as applicable. Any related
delays in servicing or master servicing could result in increased delinquencies
or losses on the HELOCs.
INTEREST GENERATED BY THE HELOCS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO BUILD, MAINTAIN OR
RESTORE OVERCOLLATERALIZATION.
The HELOCs are expected to generate more interest than is needed to pay
interest owed on the Offered Notes, to make a distribution to the Class G
Certificates and to pay certain fees and expenses of the trust, including
amounts payable to the Note Insurer. Any remaining interest generated by the
HELOCs will then be used to absorb losses that occur on the HELOCs. After
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these financial obligations of the trust are covered, available excess interest
generated by the HELOCs will be used to build, maintain or restore the
overcollateralization. We cannot assure you, however, that enough excess
interest will be generated to build, maintain or restore the required level of
overcollateralization. The factors described below will affect the amount of
excess interest that the HELOCs will generate:
o Every time a HELOC is prepaid in full, excess interest may be
reduced because such HELOC will no longer be outstanding and
generating interest or, in the case of a partial prepayment, will
be generating less interest.
o Every time a HELOC is liquidated, charged off or written off,
excess interest may be reduced because such HELOC will no longer
be outstanding and generating interest.
o If the rates of delinquencies, defaults or losses on the HELOCs
are higher than expected, excess interest will be reduced by the
amount necessary to compensate for any shortfalls in cash
available to make required payments on the Offered Notes.
o The HELOCs have mortgage rates that adjust on the basis of an
index that is different from, the index used to determine the
note rate on the Offered Notes. As a result, the note rate on the
Offered Notes may increase relative to mortgage rates on the
HELOCs, requiring that a greater portion of the interest
generated by the HELOCs be applied to cover interest on the
Offered Notes.
INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THE HELOCS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PAY INTEREST ON YOUR
NOTES.
When a HELOC is prepaid in full, the mortgagor is charged interest only up
to the date on which payment is made, rather than for an entire month. This may
result in a shortfall in interest collections available for payment on the next
Payment Date. The Servicer will not be required to cover shortfalls in interest
collections due to prepayments. If the credit enhancement is insufficient to
cover this shortfall, you may incur a loss. In addition, the Servicer will not
be required to cover shortfalls in interest collections due to bankruptcy
proceedings or the application of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (the
"RELIEF ACT") or similar state or local laws.
On any Payment Date, any shortfalls resulting from the application of the
Relief Act or similar state or local laws and any prepayment interest shortfalls
will be allocated, first, to the Class CE Certificates and second to the Class A
Notes and Class G Certificates based on each class' allocable shares of the
interest collection amount for such Payment Date before such reduction. The
holders of the Offered Notes will be entitled to reimbursement for any such
interest shortfalls but only to the extent of available funds and in the order
of priority set forth under "Description of the
Securities--Overcollateralization Provisions" in this prospectus supplement. If
these shortfalls are allocated to the Offered Notes the amount of interest paid
to the Offered Notes will be reduced, adversely affecting the yield on your
investment. The Policy issued in connection with the Class A Notes will not
cover such prepayment interest shortfalls or shortfalls resulting from the
application of the Relief Act.
THE LIQUIDITY OF YOUR NOTES MAY BE LIMITED.
The Underwriter has no obligation to make a secondary market in the classes
of Offered Notes. There is therefore no assurance that a secondary market will
develop or, if it develops, that it will continue. Consequently, you may not be
able to sell your Offered Notes readily or at prices
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that will enable you to realize your desired yield. The market values of the
Offered Notes are likely to fluctuate; these fluctuations may be significant and
could result in significant losses to you.
The secondary markets for asset-backed securities have experienced periods
of illiquidity and can be expected to do so in the future. Illiquidity can have
a severely adverse effect on the prices of securities that are especially
sensitive to prepayment, credit or interest rate risk, or that have been
structured to meet the investment requirements of limited categories of
investors.
THE RETURN ON YOUR NOTES COULD BE REDUCED BY SHORTFALLS DUE TO THE APPLICATION
OF THE RELIEF ACT.
The Relief Act and similar state or local laws provide relief to mortgagors
who enter active military service and to mortgagors in reserve status who are
called to active military service after the origination of their mortgage loans.
The ongoing military operations of the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan
have caused an increase in the number of citizens in active military duty,
including those citizens previously in reserve status. Under the Relief Act the
interest rate applicable to a mortgage loan for which the related mortgagor is
called to active military service will be reduced from the percentage stated in
the related mortgage note to 6.00%. This interest rate reduction and any
reduction provided under similar state or local laws could result in an interest
shortfall because neither the Master Servicer nor the Servicer will be able to
collect the amount of interest which otherwise would be payable with respect to
such HELOC if the Relief Act or similar state or local law was not applicable
thereto. This shortfall will not be paid by the mortgagor on future due dates or
advanced by the Master Servicer or the Servicer and, therefore, will reduce the
amount available to pay interest to the noteholders on subsequent Payment Dates.
We do not know how many HELOCs in the mortgage pool have been or may be affected
by the application of the Relief Act or similar state or local law. The Policy
issued in connection with the Class A Notes will not cover such shortfalls.
POSSIBLE REDUCTION OR WITHDRAWAL OF RATINGS ON THE OFFERED NOTES.
Each rating agency rating the Offered Notes may change or withdraw its
initial ratings at any time in the future if, in its judgment, circumstances
warrant a change. No person is obligated to maintain the ratings at their
initial levels. If a rating agency reduces or withdraws its rating on one or
more classes of the Offered Notes, the liquidity and market value of the
affected notes is likely to be reduced.
SUITABILITY OF THE OFFERED NOTES AS INVESTMENTS.
The Offered Notes are not suitable investments for any investor that
requires a regular or predictable schedule of monthly payments or payment on any
specific date. The Offered Notes are complex investments that should be
considered only by investors who, either alone or with their financial, tax and
legal advisors, have the expertise to analyze the prepayment, reinvestment,
default and market risk, the tax consequences of an investment and the
interaction of these factors.
FICO SCORES ARE NOT AN INDICATOR OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF MORTGAGORS.
Investors are encouraged to be aware that FICO scores are based on past
payment history of the mortgagor. Investors are encouraged not to rely on FICO
scores as an indicator of future borrower performance. See "The HELOC
Pool--Underwriting Standards" in this prospectus supplement.
S-17
ALL CAPITALIZED TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT WILL HAVE THE
MEANINGS ASSIGNED TO THEM UNDER "DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES--GLOSSARY" OR IN
THE PROSPECTUS UNDER "INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS."
USE OF PROCEEDS
DB Structured Products, Inc. (the "SPONSOR"), will sell the HELOCs to ACE
Securities Corp. (the "DEPOSITOR"), the Depositor will sell the HELOCs to ACE
Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2006-GP1 (the "ISSUER") in exchange for and
concurrently with the delivery of the Offered Notes and the Certificates, and
the Issuer will pledge the HELOCs to the Indenture Trustee in exchange for and
concurrently with the delivery of the Offered Notes. Net proceeds from the sale
of the Offered Notes will be applied by the Depositor to the purchase of the
HELOCs from the Sponsor. Such net proceeds together with the Certificates (which
are not offered by this prospectus supplement) will represent the purchase price
to be paid by the Depositor to the Sponsor for the HELOCs. The HELOCs were
previously purchased by the Sponsor directly from the Originator.
THE HELOC POOL
GENERAL
All percentages and amounts with respect to the characteristics of the
HELOCS shown in this prospectus supplement are subject to a permitted variance
of plus or minus 5%.
Each home equity line of credit loan in the pool ("HELOC POOL") will have
been originated under loan agreements and disclosure statements (the "CREDIT
LINE AGREEMENTS") and will be secured by one- to four-family, first lien and
second lien, adjustable-rate home equity lines of credit ("HELOCS") on
residential real properties (the "MORTGAGED PROPERTIES"). The aggregate
principal balance of the HELOCs expected to be included in the trust estate is
expected to be approximately $352,607,316, which is the aggregate principal
balance of the HELOCs as of the Cut-off Date, plus additional draws funded after
the Cut-off Date and prior to the Closing Date, minus the sum of any principal
prepayments collected after the Cut-off Date and prior to the Closing Date.
References to percentages of the HELOCs in this section are calculated
based on the pool of HELOCs expected to be pledged to the Indenture Trustee on
the closing date and the aggregate principal balance of such HELOCs as of May 1,
2006 (the "STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE"). It is possible that HELOCs will be added
to, and certain HELOCs may be removed from, the pool between the date of this
prospectus supplement and the closing date. Notwithstanding any such additions
or removals, the characteristics of the HELOCs actually included in the trust
estate on the closing date are not expected to differ materially from the
characteristics described in this prospectus supplement.
Approximately 0.47% of the HELOCs, by aggregate principal balance as of the
Statistical Cut-off Date, are secured by first mortgages or deeds of trust or
other similar security instruments creating first liens on residential
properties ("FIRST LIENS"). Approximately 99.53% of the HELOCs, by aggregate
principal balance as of the Statistical Cut-off Date, are secured by second
mortgages or deeds of trust or other similar security instruments creating
second liens on residential properties ("SECOND LIENS"). The Mortgaged
Properties generally consist of attached, detached or semi detached, one-to-four
family dwelling units, individual condominium units and individual units in
planned unit developments. References to percentages of the HELOCs, unless
otherwise noted, are calculated based on the aggregate principal balance of the
HELOCs as of the Statistical Cut-off Date.
S-18
Each HELOC will accrue interest at the adjustable-rate calculated as
specified under the terms of the related mortgage note, as reduced by
application of the Relief Act or similar state or local laws and bankruptcy
adjustments, referred to herein as a "MORTGAGE RATE", based on an index plus a
gross margin, subject to a lifetime maximum and minimum mortgage rate. Interest
on each HELOC is calculated based on the average daily principal balance of such
HELOC outstanding during the billing cycle. The billing cycle for each HELOC is
the calendar month preceding the Due Date. The Mortgage Rate on each HELOC is
the per annum rate of interest specified in the related mortgage note as reduced
by application of the Relief Act or similar state or local laws and bankruptcy
adjustments. In connection with each Mortgage Rate adjustment, the HELOCs have
corresponding adjustments to their monthly payment amount, in each case on each
applicable adjustment date (each such date, an "ADJUSTMENT DATE"). The "INDEX"
on the HELOCs is a variable per annum rate based on the Prime Rate published in
the Money Rates table of the Wall Street Journal. As to each HELOC, the Servicer
will be responsible for calculating and implementing Mortgage Rate adjustments.
On each Adjustment Date, the Mortgage Rate on each HELOC will be adjusted
generally to equal the sum of the Index and a fixed percentage amount (the
"GROSS MARGIN") for that HELOC specified in the related mortgage note or the
applicable Credit Line Agreement. The Mortgage Rate on each HELOC, however, will
not exceed a specified maximum mortgage rate (the "MAXIMUM MORTGAGE RATE") over
the life of the HELOC or be less than a specified minimum mortgage rate (the
"MINIMUM MORTGAGE RATE") over the life of the HELOC. Effective with the first
monthly payment due on each HELOC after each related Adjustment Date, the
monthly payment amount will be adjusted to an amount that will fully amortize
the outstanding principal balance of the related HELOC over its remaining term
and pay interest at the Mortgage Rate as so adjusted. Due to the application of
the Maximum Mortgage Rates, the Mortgage Rate on each HELOC, as adjusted on any
related Adjustment Date, may be less than the sum of the Index, calculated as
described in this prospectus supplement, and the related Gross Margin. See
"--The Index" in this prospectus supplement. None of the HELOCs permit the
related mortgagor to convert the adjustable Mortgage Rate thereon to a fixed
Mortgage Rate.
The HELOCs will consist of loans having terms to maturity of 15 to 25 years
from origination. The HELOCs will have an initial five or fifteen-year period
(each a "DRAW PERIOD"), during which the related mortgagor may make cash
withdrawals against the related home equity line. The HELOCs will have a
repayment period from the end of the related Draw Period to the maturity date
thereof, during which the balance of the HELOC as of the end of the Draw Period
is repaid. With respect to approximately 70.22% of the HELOCs, the related
mortgagor is subject to a termination fee in connection with certain loan
terminations within three years of origination. A mortgagor may access a credit
line at any time during the draw period by writing a check or using a credit
card, subject to applicable law.
Substantially all of the HELOCs have scheduled monthly payments due on the
fifteenth day of the month (with respect to each HELOC, the "DUE DATE").
A mortgagor's right to make draws during the draw period may be suspended,
or the credit limit of the related HELOC may be reduced, for cause under a
number of circumstances, including, but not limited to, (i) a material and
adverse change in such mortgagor's financial circumstances; (ii) a decline in
the value of the related mortgaged property significantly below the appraised
value thereof at origination of such HELOC; or (iii) a payment default by such
mortgagor. However, such suspension or reduction generally will not affect the
payment terms for previously drawn amounts. The Servicer will not have any
obligation to investigate whether any such circumstances have transpired, and
may have no knowledge thereof. As such, there can be no assurance that any
mortgagor's ability to make draws will be suspended or reduced in the event that
any of the foregoing circumstances occur. In the event of a default under a
HELOC, the HELOC may be suspended, or the credit limit of the HELOC may be
reduced, or the HELOC may be
S-19
terminated and declared immediately due and payable in full. For such purpose, a
default includes, but is not limited to, (i) the related mortgagor's failure to
make any payment as required; (ii) any action or inaction by such mortgagor that
adversely affects the related mortgaged property or the mortgagee's rights
therein; or (iii) fraud or material misrepresentation by such mortgagor in
connection with such HELOC.
With respect to each HELOC, (i) the "finance charge" for any Collection
Period will be an amount equal to the aggregate of, as calculated for each day
in such Collection Period, the then applicable mortgage interest rate divided by
365, and multiplied by the average daily Principal Balance of such HELOC
(provided that with respect to certain HELOCs, the "finance charge" is
calculated pursuant to a daily simple interest method or some other method) and
(ii) the "ACCOUNT BALANCE" on any day generally will be the aggregate unpaid
principal balance outstanding at the beginning of such day, plus the sum of any
unpaid fees, insurance premiums and other charges, if any, and any unpaid
finance charges due, plus the aggregate of all draws funded on such day, minus
the aggregate of all payments and credits applied to the repayment of any such
draws on such day. Generally, payments made by or on behalf of the mortgagor
will be applied to any unpaid finance charges, fees and late charges, if any,
due thereon, prior to application to any unpaid Principal Balance outstanding.
No proceeds from any mortgage loans were used by the related mortgagors to
finance single-premium credit insurance policies.
The proceeds of the HELOCs generally were used by the related mortgagors
for:
o debt consolidation;
o home improvement;
o the partial refinancing of the related mortgaged property;
o provision of a limited amount of cash to the mortgagor; or
o a combination of any of the above.
The HELOCs were underwritten as described under "--Underwriting Standards."
HISTORICAL DELINQUENCY AND LOSS INFORMATION
As of the Statistical Cut-off Date none of the HELOCs are more than 60 days
delinquent and The following table sets forth the historical delinquency
experience of the HELOCs. The historical delinquency information is based on the
delinquency of each HELOC either (i) during the period from the date the first
monthly payment was due on such HELOC to the Statistical Cut-off Date or (ii)
during the twelve month period prior to the Statistical Cut-off Date, which ever
is less. With respect to item (ii) above, the Sponsor and the Depositor are
unable to provide the delinquency information as of origination of such HELOCs
without unreasonable effort or expense because neither the Sponsor nor the
Depositor was the owner of the HELOCs prior to the date such HELOCs were
purchased by the Sponsor, the prior owner of such HELOCs is not affiliated with
the Sponsor or the Depositor and the owner was not the servicer of such HELOCs
and therefore, was not in a position to track or monitor the delinquency status
of such HELOCs.
S-20
HISTORICAL DELINQUENCY
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
REMAINING REMAINING
NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL
HISTORICAL DELINQUENCY HELOCS BALANCE BALANCE
- ------------------------------ --------- ------------ --------------
Never Delinquent ............. 6,034 $343,114,628 96.16%
30 Days Delinquent ........... 240 13,631,413 3.82
60+ Days Delinquent .......... 2 68,916 0.02
----- ------------ ------
Total: ....................... 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
A HELOC will be "DELINQUENT" if any monthly payment due on a Due Date is
not made by the close of business on the next scheduled Due Date for such HELOC.
A HELOC is "30 DAYS DELINQUENT" if such monthly payment has not been received by
the close of business on the corresponding day of the month immediately
succeeding the month in which such monthly payment was due or, if there was no
such corresponding day (e.g., as when a 30-day month follows a 31-day month in
which a payment was due on the 31st day of such month), then on the last day of
such immediately succeeding month; and similarly for "60 DAYS DELINQUENT."
For a further description of the underwriting or selection criteria used to
purchase the mortgage pool assets, please see "The HELOC Pool--Underwriting
Standards" and "The Sponsor" in this prospectus supplement.
HELOC CHARACTERISTICS
The average principal balance of the HELOCs at origination was
approximately $57,811. No HELOC had a principal balance at origination greater
than approximately $476,000 or less than approximately $0. The average principal
balance of the HELOCs as of the Statistical Cut-off Date was approximately
$56,854. No HELOC had a principal balance as of the Statistical Cut-off Date
greater than approximately $473,152 or less than approximately $0.
The HELOCs had Mortgage Rates as of the Statistical Cut-off Date ranging
from approximately 4.750% per annum to approximately 12.750% per annum, and the
weighted average Mortgage Rate was approximately 9.319% per annum.
The weighted average combined current loan-to-value ratio of the HELOCs was
approximately 87.14%. No HELOC had a combined current loan-to-value ratio
greater than approximately 100.00% or less than approximately 5.86%.
The weighted average remaining term to stated maturity of the HELOCs was
approximately 196 months as of the Statistical Cut-off Date. None of the HELOCs
will have a first due date prior to March 15, 2004 or after February 25, 2006 or
will have a remaining term to stated maturity of less than 153 months or greater
than 296 months as of the Statistical Cut-off Date. The latest maturity date of
any HELOC is January 25, 2031.
As of the Statistical Cut-off Date, the weighted average FICO Score for the
HELOCs that were scored is approximately 713. No HELOC which was scored had a
FICO Score as of the Statistical Cut-off Date greater than 817 or less than 606.
As of the Statistical Cut-off Date, the HELOCs had gross margins ranging
from approximately 0.000% per annum to approximately 5.250% per annum, Maximum
Loan Rates ranging from approximately 12.000% per annum to approximately 18.000%
per annum and Minimum Loan Rates ranging from 3.000% per annum to approximately
12.250% per annum. As of the Statistical Cut-off Date, the weighted average
gross margin was approximately 1.820% per
S-21
annum, the weighted average Maximum Loan Rate was approximately 17.972% per
annum and the weighted average Minimum Loan Rate was approximately 7.727% per
annum.
As of the Statistical Cut-off Date, the HELOCs had Credit Limit Utilization
Rates ranging from approximately 0.00% to 100.00% and the weighted average
Credit Limit Utilization Rate (weighted based on the Credit Limit of the HELOCs)
of the HELOCs was approximately 81.78%. The "CREDIT LIMIT UTILIZATION RATE" is
determined by dividing the principal balance of a HELOC as of the Statistical
Cut-off Date by the Credit Limit of the related HELOC. The "CREDIT LIMIT" with
respect to a HELOC is the maximum dollar amount of draws permitted to be made
thereunder at any one time by the related mortgagor.
As of the Statistical Cut-off Date, the HELOCs had remaining Draw Periods
ranging from approximately 33 months to approximately 176 months and the
weighted average remaining Draw Period was approximately 76 months.
The weighted average Combined Limit LTV for the HELOCs was approximately
88.11%. With respect to each HELOC, the "COMBINED LIMIT LTV" is the Credit Limit
of such HELOC divided by the lesser of (i) the appraised value and (ii) the sale
price, in each case, with respect to any loan senior to such HELOC.
The HELOCs had the following additional characteristics as of the
Statistical Cut-off Date (the sum in any column may not equal the total
indicated due to rounding):
S-22
COLLATERAL TYPE OF THE HELOCS
% OF AGGREGATE
AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING AS OF THE THE STATISTICAL
COLLATERAL TYPE HELOCS STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ------------------------ -----------------
ARM-1 Month IO/5 Year
Draw/10 Year Repay......... 5,315 $294,832,081 82.63%
ARM-1 Month IO/15 Year
Draw/10 Year Repay......... 961 61,982,876 17.37
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
LIMIT PRINCIPAL BALANCES OF THE HELOCS
% OF AGGREGATE
AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING AS OF THE THE STATISTICAL
LIMIT PRINCIPAL BALANCE ($) HELOCS STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ------------------------ -----------------
0.01 - 20,000.00....... 567 $ 7,767,596 2.18%
20,000.01 - 40,000.00....... 1,587 43,794,448 12.27
40,000.01 - 60,000.00....... 1,432 62,223,893 17.44
60,000.01 - 80,000.00....... 845 50,861,642 14.25
80,000.01 - 100,000.00....... 737 54,890,060 15.38
100,000.01 - 120,000.00....... 268 24,440,760 6.85
120,000.01 - 140,000.00....... 215 23,627,666 6.62
140,000.01 - 160,000.00....... 187 22,815,904 6.39
160,000.01 - 180,000.00....... 75 10,142,891 2.84
180,000.01 - 200,000.00....... 255 33,224,041 9.31
200,000.01 - 220,000.00....... 11 1,937,272 0.54
220,000.01 - 240,000.00....... 6 908,631 0.25
240,000.01 - 260,000.00....... 31 5,337,592 1.50
260,000.01 - 280,000.00....... 10 2,390,493 0.67
280,000.01 - 300,000.00....... 28 6,445,566 1.81
300,000.01 - 320,000.00....... 3 894,004 0.25
320,000.01 - 340,000.00....... 1 323,000 0.09
340,000.01 - 360,000.00....... 6 1,444,001 0.40
360,000.01 - 380,000.00....... 1 377,200 0.11
380,000.01 - 400,000.00....... 4 1,105,853 0.31
400,000.01 - 420,000.00....... 1 409,406 0.11
460,000.01 - 480,000.00....... 1 456,362 0.13
480,000.01 - 500,000.00....... 5 996,676 0.28
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
S-23
PRINCIPAL BALANCES OF THE HELOCS
AS OF THE STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE
% OF AGGREGATE
AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE OUTSTANDING AS OF
PRINCIPAL BALANCE AS OF THE NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING AS OF THE THE STATISTICAL
STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE ($) HELOCS STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ------------------------ -----------------
0.00 ................... 408 $ 0 0.00%
0.01 - 50,000.00....... 3,094 90,382,595 25.33
50,000.01 - 100,000.00....... 1,944 138,564,547 38.83
100,000.01 - 150,000.00....... 512 63,254,586 17.73
150,000.01 - 200,000.00....... 244 43,920,367 12.31
200,000.01 - 250,000.00....... 31 7,214,333 2.02
250,000.01 - 300,000.00....... 28 7,930,763 2.22
300,000.01 - 350,000.00....... 7 2,265,435 0.63
350,000.01 - 400,000.00....... 4 1,531,059 0.43
400,000.01 - 450,000.00....... 2 821,759 0.23
450,000.01 - 500,000.00....... 2 929,513 0.26
------ ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
====== ============ ======
UTILIZATION RATE OF THE HELOCS
AS OF THE STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE
% OF AGGREGATE
AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING AS OF THE THE STATISTICAL
UTILIZATION RATE (%) HELOCS STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ------------------------ -----------------
0.00......................... 413 $ 6 0.00%
0.01 - 5.00................ 85 123,320 0.03
5.01 - 10.00................ 30 253,195 0.07
10.01 - 15.00................ 22 305,905 0.09
15.01 - 20.00................ 32 641,337 0.18
20.01 - 25.00................ 39 950,002 0.27
25.01 - 30.00................ 45 1,162,870 0.33
30.01 - 35.00................ 36 974,604 0.27
35.01 - 40.00................ 42 1,498,733 0.42
40.01 - 45.00................ 34 1,647,223 0.46
45.01 - 50.00................ 32 1,432,764 0.40
50.01 - 55.00................ 50 2,553,603 0.72
55.01 - 60.00................ 54 3,070,766 0.86
60.01 - 65.00................ 55 3,746,895 1.05
65.01 - 70.00................ 62 4,117,816 1.15
70.01 - 75.00................ 62 4,093,109 1.15
75.01 - 80.00................ 59 5,062,766 1.42
80.01 - 85.00................ 63 5,345,136 1.50
85.01 - 90.00................ 83 7,712,372 2.16
90.01 - 95.00................ 119 8,736,674 2.45
95.01 - 100.00................ 4,859 303,385,861 85.03
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
S-24
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE MORTGAGED PROPERTIES OF THE HELOCS
% OF AGGREGATE
AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING AS OF THE THE STATISTICAL
LOCATION HELOCS STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ------------------------ -----------------
California.................... 2,875 $203,731,782 57.10%
New York...................... 324 21,772,302 6.10
Florida....................... 423 16,280,837 4.56
Arizona....................... 317 13,701,978 3.84
Virginia...................... 237 13,420,732 3.76
Washington.................... 256 11,650,874 3.27
Maryland...................... 181 10,164,509 2.85
Nevada........................ 219 9,566,239 2.68
Illinois...................... 160 7,261,793 2.04
Colorado...................... 161 7,087,068 1.99
Massachusetts................. 94 5,581,625 1.56
New Jersey.................... 96 5,143,461 1.44
Oregon........................ 105 4,614,515 1.29
Minnesota..................... 128 3,842,050 1.08
Georgia....................... 97 3,068,273 0.86
Utah.......................... 78 2,762,121 0.77
Michigan...................... 85 2,590,567 0.73
Pennsylvania.................. 73 2,526,201 0.71
Idaho......................... 57 1,860,670 0.52
Ohio.......................... 69 1,726,565 0.48
Connecticut................... 32 1,642,179 0.46
North Carolina................ 47 1,201,924 0.34
South Carolina................ 14 722,612 0.20
Rhode Island.................. 16 715,884 0.20
District of Columbia.......... 14 679,401 0.19
Missouri...................... 18 513,950 0.14
Tennessee..................... 24 509,485 0.14
Montana....................... 9 394,531 0.11
New Mexico.................... 12 373,860 0.10
Alabama....................... 5 324,234 0.09
Delaware...................... 6 303,448 0.09
Indiana....................... 14 295,249 0.08
Kansas........................ 7 244,845 0.07
West Virginia................. 4 216,734 0.06
Oklahoma...................... 5 102,852 0.03
Iowa.......................... 3 64,800 0.02
Maine......................... 3 43,600 0.01
Wisconsin..................... 2 42,045 0.01
North Dakota.................. 2 34,200 0.01
Mississippi................... 2 23,789 0.01
New Hampshire................. 2 11,172 0.00
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
S-25
MORTGAGE RATES OF THE HELOCS AS OF THE STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL CUT-OFF THE STATISTICAL CUT-
MORTGAGE RATE (%) HELOCS DATE OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ----------------------- --------------------
4.500 - 4.999............... 1 $ 29,500 0.01%
6.000 - 6.499............... 1 40,035 0.01
7.500 - 7.999............... 360 26,568,018 7.45
8.000 - 8.499............... 999 60,316,448 16.90
8.500 - 8.999............... 768 55,225,647 15.48
9.000 - 9.499............... 725 44,728,383 12.54
9.500 - 9.999............... 825 46,353,389 12.99
10.000 - 10.499 .............. 978 55,364,436 15.52
10.500 - 10.999............... 1,010 44,813,644 12.56
11.000 - 11.499............... 413 17,148,919 4.81
11.500 - 11.999............... 156 4,965,315 1.39
12.000 - 12.499............... 26 863,238 0.24
12.500 - 12.999............... 14 397,984 0.11
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
ORIGINAL TERM OF THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL CUT-OFF THE STATISTICAL CUT-
ORIGINAL TERM (MONTHS) HELOCS DATE OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ----------------------- --------------------
121 - 180..................... 5,315 $294,832,081 82.63%
241 - 300..................... 961 61,982,876 17.37
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
REMAINING TERM TO STATED MATURITY OF
THE HELOCS AS OF THE STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
REMAINING TERM TO STATED NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL CUT-OFF THE STATISTICAL CUT-
MATURITY (MONTHS) HELOCS DATE OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ----------------------- --------------------
121 - 180..................... 5,315 $294,832,081 82.63%
241 - 300..................... 961 61,982,876 17.37
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
S-26
PROPERTY TYPES OF THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL CUT-OFF THE STATISTICAL CUT-
PROPERTY TYPE HELOCS DATE OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ----------------------- --------------------
Single Family Residence....... 3,676 $220,471,653 61.79%
PUD........................... 1,250 71,643,069 20.08
Condominium................... 847 38,254,771 10.72
2-4 Family.................... 503 26,445,463 7.41
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
COMBINED LIMIT LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIOS OF THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
COMBINED LIMIT NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL CUT-OFF THE STATISTICAL CUT-
LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIO (%) HELOCS DATE OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ----------------------- --------------------
0.01 - 50.00................ 57 $ 3,434,397 0.96%
50.01 - 55.00................ 35 2,284,272 0.64
55.01 - 60.00................ 40 2,439,487 0.68
60.01 - 65.00................ 76 5,074,208 1.42
65.01 - 70.00................ 102 8,941,702 2.51
70.01 - 75.00................ 145 11,165,739 3.13
75.01 - 80.00................ 356 28,404,343 7.96
80.01 - 85.00................ 319 20,950,400 5.87
85.01 - 90.00................ 3,723 179,575,137 50.33
90.01 - 95.00................ 736 43,217,999 12.11
95.01 - 100.00................ 687 51,327,273 14.38
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
S-27
COMBINED CURRENT LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIOS OF THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
COMBINED CURRENT NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL CUT-OFF THE STATISTICAL CUT-
LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIO (%) HELOCS DATE OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ----------------------- --------------------
0.01 - 50.00................ 164 $ 6,034,486 1.69%
50.01 - 55.00................ 52 3,105,603 0.87
55.01 - 60.00................ 74 3,776,209 1.06
60.01 - 65.00................ 121 5,887,030 1.65
65.01 - 70.00................ 144 10,273,227 2.88
70.01 - 75.00................ 185 13,700,703 3.84
75.01 - 80.00................ 526 25,655,615 7.19
80.01 - 85.00................ 416 23,416,581 6.56
85.01 - 90.00................ 3,270 172,319,809 48.29
90.01 - 95.00................ 676 41,805,247 11.72
95.01 - 100.00................ 648 50,840,445 14.25
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
DOCUMENTATION TYPE OF THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL CUT-OFF THE STATISTICAL CUT-
DOCUMENTATION TYPE HELOCS DATE OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ----------------------- --------------------
Stated Documentation.......... 5,351 $313,688,533 87.91%
Full Documentation............ 917 42,420,189 11.89
No Documentation.............. 8 706,234 0.20
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
FICO SCORE FOR THE HELOCS AT ORIGINATION
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL CUT-OFF THE STATISTICAL CUT-
FICO SCORE HELOCS DATE OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ----------------------- --------------------
600 - 624..................... 7 $ 395,482 0.11%
625 - 649..................... 180 9,474,362 2.66
650 - 674..................... 790 46,681,894 13.08
675 - 699..................... 1,539 90,378,461 25.33
700 - 724..................... 1,464 85,247,706 23.89
725 - 749..................... 984 56,259,960 15.77
750 - 774..................... 790 42,002,810 11.77
775 - 799..................... 420 20,785,107 5.83
800 - 824..................... 102 5,589,174 1.57
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
S-28
LOAN PURPOSE OF THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL THE STATISTICAL
LOAN PURPOSE HELOCS CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ----------------------- --------- ----------------- -----------------
Refinance - Cashout.... 3,028 $190,345,304 53.35%
Purchase............... 2,978 153,654,574 43.06
Refinance - Rate Term.. 270 12,815,078 3.59
----- ------------ ------
Total:................. 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
OCCUPANCY STATUS OF THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL THE STATISTICAL
OCCUPANCY STATUS HELOCS CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ----------------------- --------- ----------------- -----------------
Primary................ 4,409 $288,876,057 80.96%
Investment............. 1,703 61,333,074 17.19
Second Home............ 164 6,605,826 1.85
----- ------------ ------
Total:................. 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
The occupancy status of a Mortgaged Property is as represented by the mortgagor
in its loan application.
NEXT ADJUSTMENT DATES FOR THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL THE STATISTICAL
NEXT ADJUSTMENT DATE HELOCS CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ----------------------- --------- ----------------- -----------------
May 2006............... 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
----- ------------ ------
Total:................. 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
S-29
GROSS MARGINS OF THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL THE STATISTICAL
GROSS MARGIN (%) HELOCS CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ----------------------- --------- ----------------- -----------------
0.000 - 0.499.......... 358 $ 26,568,018 7.45%
0.500 - 0.999.......... 1,002 60,345,948 16.91
1.000 - 1.499.......... 763 55,225,647 15.48
1.500 - 1.999.......... 729 44,728,383 12.54
2.000 - 2.499.......... 824 46,549,224 13.05
2.500 - 2.999.......... 980 55,118,071 15.45
3.000 - 3.499.......... 1,009 44,904,209 12.58
3.500 - 3.999.......... 415 17,148,919 4.81
4.000 - 4.499.......... 155 4,965,315 1.39
4.500 - 4.999.......... 26 863,238 0.24
5.000 - 5.499.......... 15 397,984 0.11
----- ------------ ------
Total:................. 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
MAXIMUM MORTGAGE RATES OF THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
MAXIMUM MORTGAGE RATE NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL THE STATISTICAL
(%) HELOCS CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ----------------------- --------- ----------------- -----------------
12.000................. 8 $ 1,683,856 0.47%
18.000................. 6,268 355,131,100 99.53
----- ------------ ------
Total:................. 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
S-30
MINIMUM MORTGAGE RATES OF THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
MINIMUM MORTGAGE NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL THE STATISTICAL
RATE (%) HELOCS CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ----------------------- --------- ----------------- -----------------
3.000 - 3.499........ 1 $ 15,766 0.00%
4.000 - 4.499........ 3 167,785 0.05
4.500 - 4.999........ 333 26,538,812 7.44
5.000 - 5.499........ 930 77,164,763 21.63
5.500 - 5.999........ 6 470,698 0.13
6.000 - 6.499........ 6 307,469 0.09
6.500 - 6.999........ 49 4,204,167 1.18
7.000 - 7.499........ 338 23,488,889 6.58
7.500 - 7.999........ 739 38,748,325 10.86
8.000 - 8.499........ 460 27,187,932 7.62
8.500 - 8.999........ 540 27,975,133 7.84
9.000 - 9.499........ 635 27,828,659 7.80
9.500 - 9.999........ 845 46,861,948 13.13
10.000 - 10.499........ 845 36,005,270 10.09
10.500 - 10.999........ 369 14,655,956 4.11
11.000 - 11.499........ 134 3,951,067 1.11
11.500 - 11.999........ 31 900,334 0.25
12.000 - 12.499........ 12 341,984 0.10
----- ------------ ------
Total:................. 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
INITIAL PERIODIC RATE CAPS OF THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
INITIAL PERIODIC RATE NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL THE STATISTICAL
CAP (%) HELOCS CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ----------------------- --------- ----------------- -----------------
No Limit............... 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
----- ------------ ------
Total:................. 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
SUBSEQUENT PERIODIC RATE CAPS OF THE HELOCS
AGGREGATE % OF AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
OUTSTANDING AS OF OUTSTANDING AS OF
SUBSEQUENT PERIODIC NUMBER OF THE STATISTICAL THE STATISTICAL
RATE CAP (%) HELOCS CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ----------------------- --------- ----------------- -----------------
No Limit............... 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
----- ------------ ------
Total:................. 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
S-31
LIFETIME RATE CAPS OF THE HELOCS
% OF AGGREGATE
AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING AS OF THE THE STATISTICAL
LIFETIME RATE CAP (%) HELOCS STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ------------------------ -----------------
2.000 - 2.499............... 1 $ 412,353 0.12%
3.500 - 3.999............... 2 342,967 0.10
4.000 - 4.499............... 1 286,000 0.08
4.500 - 4.999............... 1 267,000 0.07
5.000 - 5.499............... 3 375,536 0.11
5.500 - 5.999............... 6 78,613 0.02
6.000 - 6.499............... 20 628,814 0.18
6.500 - 6.999............... 73 2,059,162 0.58
7.000 - 7.499............... 215 7,637,270 2.14
7.500 - 7.999............... 689 26,375,817 7.39
8.000 - 8.499............... 801 47,247,259 13.24
8.500 - 8.999............... 861 37,075,627 10.39
9.000 - 9.499............... 490 22,794,921 6.39
9.500 - 9.999............... 539 30,306,843 8.49
10.000 - 10.499............... 530 27,805,824 7.79
10.500 - 10.999............... 627 39,008,154 10.93
11.000 - 11.499............... 128 8,602,313 2.41
11.500 - 11.999............... 13 1,085,206 0.30
12.000 - 12.499............... 9 538,152 0.15
13.000 - 13.499............... 1,262 103,659,281 29.05
13.500 - 13.999............... 2 59,305 0.02
14.000 - 14.499............... 2 152,774 0.04
15.000 - 15.499............... 1 15,766 0.00
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
INITIAL DRAW PERIOD OF THE HELOCS AT ORIGINATION
% OF AGGREGATE
AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE OUTSTANDING AS OF
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING AS OF THE THE STATISTICAL
IO DRAW TERMS HELOCS STATISTICAL CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
- ------------------------------ --------- ------------------------ -----------------
60........................... 5,315 $294,832,081 82.63%
180........................... 961 61,982,876 17.37
----- ------------ ------
Total:........................ 6,276 $356,814,957 100.00%
===== ============ ======
S-32
UNDERWRITING STANDARDS
GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING, INC. The information set forth in this
section (other than the immediately following paragraph) with regard to the
underwriting standards of GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc. ("GREENPOINT" or,
the "ORIGINATOR") has been provided to the Depositor by GreenPoint.
All of the HELOCs, which will be acquired on the Closing Date by the
Depositor from the Sponsor, were acquired by the Sponsor from GreenPoint prior
to the Closing Date. All of the HELOCs were originated or acquired by GreenPoint
in accordance with the underwriting criteria described in this section.
The following is a summary of the underwriting guidelines employed,
with some variation, by GreenPoint. This summary does not purport to be a
complete description of the underwriting guidelines of GreenPoint.
GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc., a New York corporation
("GREENPOINT"), is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of North Fork
Bancorporation, Inc., a Delaware corporation and bank holding company ("NORTH
FORK"). North Fork's other subsidiaries include North Fork Bank, a New York
commercial bank. North Fork is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "NFB". GreenPoint was formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of GreenPoint
Financial Corp., which was acquired by North Fork in October 2004. On March 12,
2006, North Fork and Capital One Financial Corporation ("CAPITAL ONE") announced
that they signed a definitive agreement in which Capital One will acquire North
Fork. The transaction is subject to all required regulatory approvals, approval
by the shareholders of both companies and other customary conditions.
GreenPoint is engaged in the mortgage banking business, and as part of
that business, originates, acquires, sells and services mortgage loans.
GreenPoint originates loans primarily through its wholesale division, which
works with a nationwide network of independent mortgage brokers, each of which
must be approved by GreenPoint. GreenPoint also originates loans through its
retail and correspondent lending divisions. Mortgage loans originated by
GreenPoint are secured primarily by one-to-four family residences. GreenPoint's
executive offices are located at 100 Wood Hollow Drive, Novato, California,
94945.
GreenPoint has originated residential mortgage loans of substantially
the same type as the HELOCs since its formation in October 1999, when it
acquired the assets and liabilities of Headlands Mortgage Company.
S-33
The following table sets forth, by number and dollar amount of
mortgage loans, GreenPoint's residential mortgage loan production for the
periods indicated.
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN PRODUCTION TABLE
LOAN TYPE 2003 2004 2005 2006 Q1
- ------------------------------ --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
ALT A AND SPECIALTY
Number of Loans 56,702 65,284 67,707 13,752
Dollar Volume $11,505,997,786 $14,579,659,658 $19,148,814,451 $4,034,288,749
Percent Adjustable 19% 67% 84% 78%
Percent of Total Dollar Volume 30% 37% 45% 52%
AGENCY
Number of Loans 28,460 10,975 12,408 2,108
Dollar Volume $ 5,378,009,580 $ 2,188,737,211 $ 2,746,779,129 $ 480,214,325
Percent Adjustable 0% 3% 1% 2%
Percent of Total Dollar Volume 14% 6% 7% 6%
JUMBO
Number of Loans 53,106 53,522 41,614 5,860
Dollar Volume $19,426,400,804 $17,667,106,136 $14,899,732,857 $2,254,652,746
Percent Adjustable 69% 84% 74% 77%
Percent of Total Dollar Volume 50% 44% 35% 29%
HELOC AND SECONDS
Number of Loans 44,346 83,902 82,258 14,847
Dollar Volume $ 2,556,735,253 $ 5,374,039,738 $ 5,450,355,355 $1,002,614,650
Percent Adjustable 96% 97% 95% 91%
Percent of Total Dollar Volume 7% 14% 13% 13%
Number of Loans 182,614 213,683 203,987 36,567
Dollar Volume $38,867,143,423 $39,809,542,743 $42,245,681,792 $7,771,770,470
Average Loan Amount $ 212,838 $ 186,302 $ 207,100 212,535
Non-Purchase Transactions 66% 52% 52% 58%
Adjustable Rate Loans* 47% 75% 76% 75%
- ----------
* % of total loan production based on dollar volume (percent may not add to
100% due to rounding)
UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES
Generally, the GreenPoint underwriting guidelines are applied to
evaluate the prospective borrower's credit standing and repayment ability and
the value and adequacy of the mortgaged property as collateral. Exceptions to
the guidelines are permitted where compensating factors are present. The
GreenPoint underwriting guidelines are generally not as strict as Fannie Mae or
Freddie Mac guidelines. GreenPoint's underwriting guidelines are applied in
accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
In assessing a prospective borrower's creditworthiness, GreenPoint may
use FICO(R) credit scores. FICO credit scores are statistical credit scores
designed to assess a borrower's creditworthiness and likelihood to default on a
consumer obligation over a two-year period based on a borrower's credit history.
FICO credit scores were not developed to predict the likelihood of
S-34
default on mortgage loans and, accordingly, may not be indicative of the ability
of a borrower to repay its mortgage loan. FICO credit scores range from
approximately 300 to approximately 850, with higher scores indicating an
individual with a more favorable credit history compared to an individual with a
lower score.
In determining whether a prospective borrower has sufficient monthly income
available to meet the borrower's monthly obligation on the proposed mortgage
loan and monthly housing expenses and other financial obligations, GreenPoint
generally considers the ratio of those amounts to the proposed borrower's
monthly gross income. These ratios vary depending on a number of underwriting
criteria, including loan-to-value ratios ("LTV"), and are determined on a
loan-by-loan basis. The ratios generally are limited to 40% but may be extended
to 50% with adequate compensating factors, such as disposable income, reserves,
higher FICO credit score, or lower LTV's. Each mortgage loan has a required
amount of reserves, with the minimum being three months of principal, interest,
taxes and insurance for full documentation loans. Depending on the LTV and
occupancy types, these reserve requirements may be increased to compensate for
the additional risk.
As part of its evaluation of potential borrowers, GreenPoint generally
requires a description of the borrower's income. If required by its underwriting
guidelines, GreenPoint obtains employment verification providing current and
historical income information and/or a telephonic employment confirmation.
Employment verification may be obtained through analysis of the prospective
borrower's recent pay stubs and/or W-2 forms for the most recent two years or
relevant portions of the borrower's most recent two years' tax returns, or from
the prospective borrower's employer, wherein the employer reports the borrower's
length of employment and current salary with that organization. Self-employed
prospective borrowers generally are required to submit relevant portions of
their federal tax returns for the past two years.
GreenPoint acquires or originates many mortgage loans under "limited
documentation" or "no documentation" programs. Under limited documentation
programs, more emphasis is placed on the value and adequacy of the mortgaged
property as collateral, credit history and other assets of the borrower, than on
verified income of the borrower. Mortgage loans underwritten under this type of
program are generally limited to borrowers with credit histories that
demonstrate an established ability to repay indebtedness in a timely fashion,
and certain credit underwriting documentation concerning income or income
verification and/or employment verification is waived. Mortgage loans originated
and acquired with limited documentation programs include cash-out refinance
loans, super-jumbo mortgage loans and mortgage loans secured by investor-owned
properties. Permitted maximum loan-to-value ratios (including secondary
financing) under limited documentation programs are generally more restrictive
than mortgage loans originated with full documentation requirements. Under no
documentation programs, income ratios for the prospective borrower are not
calculated. Emphasis is placed on the value and adequacy of the mortgaged
property as collateral and the credit history of the prospective borrower,
rather than on verified income and assets of the borrower. Documentation
concerning income, employment verification and asset verification is not
required and income ratios are not calculated. Mortgage loans underwritten under
no documentation programs are generally limited to borrowers with favorable
credit histories and who satisfy other standards for limited documentation
programs.
Periodically, the data used by GreenPoint to underwrite mortgage loans may
be obtained by an approved loan correspondent. In those instances, the initial
determination as to whether a mortgage loan complies with GreenPoint's
underwriting guidelines may be made by such loan correspondent. In addition,
GreenPoint may acquire mortgage loans from approved correspondent lenders under
a program pursuant to which GreenPoint delegates to the correspondent the
obligation to underwrite the mortgage loans to GreenPoint's standards. Under
these circumstances, the underwriting of a mortgage loan may not have been
reviewed by GreenPoint before acquisition of the mortgage loan, and the
correspondent represents to GreenPoint that its
S-35
underwriting standards have been met. After purchasing mortgage loans under
those circumstances, GreenPoint conducts a quality control review of a sample of
the mortgage loans. The number of loans reviewed in the quality control process
varies based on a variety of factors, including GreenPoint's prior experience
with the correspondent lender and the results of the quality control review
process itself.
In determining the adequacy of the property as collateral, an independent
appraisal is generally made of each property considered for financing. All
appraisals are required to conform the Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice adopted by the Appraisal Standard Board of the Appraisal
Foundation. Each appraisal must meet the requirements of Fannie Mae and Freddie
Mac. The requirements of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac require, among other things,
that the appraiser, or its agent on its behalf, personally inspect the property
inside and out, verify whether the property is in a good condition and verify
that construction, if new, has been substantially completed. The appraisal
generally will have been based on prices obtained on recent sales of comparable
properties determined in accordance with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines.
In certain cases, an analysis based on income generated by the property or a
replacement cost analysis based on the current cost of constructing or
purchasing a similar property may be used. GreenPoint's Underwriting Guidelines
require that the underwriters be satisfied that the value of the property being
financed supports, and will continue to support, the outstanding loan balance,
and provides sufficient value to mitigate the effects of adverse shifts in real
estate values.
GreenPoint may provide secondary financing to a borrower contemporaneously
with the origination of a mortgage loan, subject to the limitation that the
combined Loan-to-Value Ratio may not exceed 100%. GreenPoint's underwriting
guidelines do not prohibit or otherwise restrict a borrower from obtaining
secondary financing from lenders other than GreenPoint, whether at origination
of the mortgage loan or thereafter.
Generally, each mortgage with an LTV at origination of greater than 80% is
covered by a primary mortgage insurance policy issued by a mortgage insurance
company acceptable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The policy provides coverage in
the amount equal to a specified percentage multiplied by the sum of the
remaining principal balance of the related mortgage loan, the accrued interest
on it and the related foreclosure expenses. The specified coverage percentage
is, generally, 12% for LTV's between 80.01% and 85.00%, 25% for LTV's between
85.01% and 90% and 30% for LTV's between 90.01% and 95%. However, under certain
circumstances, the specified coverage levels for these mortgage loans may vary
from the foregoing. No primary mortgage insurance policy will be required with
respect to any mortgage loan if maintaining the policy is prohibited by
applicable law, after the date on which the related LTV is 80% or less, or
where, based on a new appraisal, the principal balance of the mortgage loan
represents 80% or less of the new appraised value.
GreenPoint requires title insurance on all of its mortgage loans secured by
first liens on real property. In addition, GreenPoint requires that fire and
extended coverage casualty insurance be maintained on the mortgaged property in
an amount at least equal to the principal balance of the related single-family
mortgage loan or the replacement cost of the mortgaged property, whichever is
less. GreenPoint also requires flood insurance to be maintained on the mortgaged
property if and to the extent such insurance is required by applicable law or
regulation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE HELOCS
The description in this prospectus supplement of the HELOC Pool and the
Mortgaged Properties is based upon the HELOC Pool as constituted as of the close
of business on the Statistical Cut-off Date, as adjusted for the principal
payments received on or before such date. Prior to the issuance of the Offered
Notes and the Certificates, HELOCs may be removed from the
S-36
HELOC Pool as a result of incomplete documentation or otherwise if the Depositor
deems the removal necessary or desirable, and may be prepaid at any time. A
limited number of other home equity line of credit loans may be included in the
HELOC Pool prior to the issuance of the Offered Notes and the Certificates
unless including these loans would materially alter the characteristics of the
HELOC Pool as described in this prospectus supplement. The Depositor believes
that the information set forth in this prospectus supplement will be
representative of the characteristics of the HELOC Pool as it will be
constituted at the time the Offered Notes and the Certificates are issued,
although the range of Mortgage Rates and maturities and other characteristics of
the HELOCs may vary.
YIELD ON THE NOTES
GENERAL PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The rate of principal payments on the Offered Notes, the aggregate amount
of payments on, and the yield to maturity of, Offered Notes will be related to
the rate and timing of payments of principal on the HELOCs. The rate of
principal payments on the HELOCs will in turn be affected by the rate of
principal prepayments thereon (including for this purpose, payments resulting
from refinancings, liquidations of the HELOCs due to defaults, casualties,
condemnations and repurchases, whether optional or required, by the Depositor,
the Originator or the Sponsor). The HELOCs may be prepaid by the mortgagors at
any time. No prepayment of a HELOC will subject the related mortgagor to a
termination payment.
Prepayments, liquidations and repurchases of the HELOCs will result in
payments in respect of principal to the holders of the Offered Notes that
otherwise would be distributed over the remaining terms of the HELOCs. Since the
rates of payment of principal on the HELOCs will depend on future events and a
variety of factors, no assurance can be given as to that rate or the rate of
principal prepayments. The extent to which the yield to maturity of the Offered
Notes may vary from the anticipated yield will depend upon the degree to which
the Offered Notes are purchased at a discount or premium and the degree to which
the timing of payments thereon is sensitive to prepayments on the HELOCs.
Further, an investor should consider, in the case of any Offered Note purchased
at a discount, the risk that a slower than anticipated rate of principal
payments on the HELOCs could result in an actual yield to the investor that is
lower than the anticipated yield. In the case of any Offered Note purchased at a
premium, there is a risk that a faster than anticipated rate of principal
payments could result in an actual yield to the investor that is lower than the
anticipated yield. In general, the earlier prepayments of principal are made on
the HELOCs, the greater the effect on the yield to maturity of the Offered
Notes. As a result, the effect on an investors' yield of principal payments
occurring at a rate higher (or lower) than the rate anticipated by the investor
during the period immediately following the issuance of the Offered Notes would
not be fully offset by a subsequent like reduction (or increase) in the rate of
principal payments.
It is highly unlikely that the HELOCs will prepay at any constant rate
until maturity or that all of the HELOCs will prepay at the same rate. Moreover,
the timing of prepayments on the HELOCs may significantly affect the yield to
maturity on the Offered Notes, even if the average rate of principal payments
experienced over time is consistent with an investor's expectation.
The rate of payments (including prepayments), on pools of home equity loans
is influenced by a variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors. In
general, if prevailing interest rates were to fall significantly below the
Mortgage Rates on the HELOCs, such HELOCs could be subject to higher prepayment
rates than if prevailing interest rates were to remain at or above the Mortgage
Rates on such HELOCs. Conversely, if prevailing interest rates were to rise
significantly, the rate of prepayments on such HELOCs would generally be
expected to decrease. Other factors affecting prepayment of home equity loans
include changes in mortgagors' housing needs, job
S-37
transfers, unemployment, mortgagors' net equity in the mortgaged properties and
servicing decisions. There can be no certainty as to the rate of prepayments on
the HELOCs during any period or over the life of the certificates. See "Yield
Considerations" in the prospectus.
The rate of prepayment on the HELOCs cannot be predicted. The depositor is
not aware of any relevant studies or statistics on the rate of prepayment of
such HELOCs, on the rate at which mortgagors will make additional draws on their
HELOCs or on the rate at which mortgagors will elect to convert the Mortgage
Rates on their HELOCs. Generally, home equity lines of credit are not viewed by
mortgagors as permanent financing. Accordingly, the HELOCs may experience a
higher rate of prepayment than traditional first lien or second lien mortgages.
Conversely, because the HELOCs amortize as described herein, rates of principal
payment on the HELOCs will generally be slower than those of traditional
fully-amortizing first lien mortgages with the same loan terms in the absence of
prepayments on such HELOCs. The trust's experience with respect to prepayments
of the HELOCs may be affected by a wide variety of factors, including general
economic conditions, prevailing interest rate levels, the availability of
alternative financing, homeowner mobility, the frequency and amount of any
future draws and changes affecting the deductibility for federal income tax
purposes of interest payments on home equity loans. All of the HELOCs contain
"due-on-sale" provisions and the Servicer intends to enforce such provisions,
unless such enforcement is not permitted by applicable law. The enforcement of a
"due-on-sale" provision will have the same effect as a prepayment of the related
HELOC.
SPECIAL YIELD CONSIDERATIONS
The Mortgage Rates on all of the HELOCs adjust monthly based upon the Prime
Rate subject to minimum and maximum rates and lifetime limitations. The Note
Rate on the Offered Notes adjusts monthly based upon One-Month LIBOR, subject to
the applicable Net WAC Rate, with the result that increases in the Note Rate on
the Offered Notes may be limited for extended periods in a rising interest rate
environment. The interest due on the HELOCs during any Collection Period, net of
the expenses of the trust, may not equal the amount of interest that would
accrue at One-Month LIBOR plus the applicable spread on the Offered Notes during
the related Interest Accrual Period; however, any shortfall of this kind will be
payable to the holders of such notes, but only to the extent and in the priority
described under "Description of the Securities--Overcollateralization
Provisions" in this prospectus supplement. In addition, the Prime Rate and
One-Month LIBOR may respond differently to economic and market factors. Thus, it
is possible, for example, that if both One-Month LIBOR and the Prime Rate rise
during the same period, one-month LIBOR may rise more rapidly than the Prime
Rate, potentially resulting in the application of the applicable Net WAC Rate on
the Offered Notes, which would adversely affect the yield to maturity on such
notes.
If the Note Rate on the Offered Notes is limited by the applicable Net WAC
Rate for any Payment Date, the resulting interest shortfalls, which are referred
to herein as "NET WAC RATE CARRYOVER AMOUNTS", may be recovered by the holders
of such notes on such Payment Date or on future Payment Dates, to the extent
that on such Payment Date or future Payment Dates there are any available funds
remaining after certain other payments on the Offered Notes and the payment of
certain fees and expenses of the trust, including amounts due to the Note
Insurer. The Policy will not cover such Net WAC Rate Carryover Amounts. The
ratings on the Offered Notes will not address the likelihood of any such
recovery of such interest shortfalls by holders of the Offered Notes from
amounts received on the HELOCs.
As described under "Description of the Securities--Allocation of Losses"
amounts otherwise distributable to holders of the Class CE Certificates may be
made available to protect the holders of the Offered Notes against interruptions
in payments due to certain mortgagor delinquencies.
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WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIVES
Weighted average life refers to the average amount of time that will elapse
from the date of issuance of a security until each dollar of principal of that
security will be repaid to the investor. The weighted average life of the
Offered Notes will be influenced by the rate at which principal on the HELOCs is
paid, which may be in the form of scheduled payments or prepayments (including
repurchases and prepayments of principal by the mortgagor as well as amounts
received by virtue of condemnation, insurance or foreclosure with respect to the
HELOCs), and the timing of these payments. The "ASSUMED FINAL PAYMENT DATE" for
each class of the Offered Notes is the Payment Date occurring in February, 2031.
The Assumed Final Payment Date is the Payment Date in the month following the
latest scheduled maturity date of all of the HELOCs. Since the rate of payment
(including prepayments) of principal on the HELOCs can be expected to exceed the
scheduled rate of payments, and could exceed the scheduled rate by a substantial
amount, the disposition of the last remaining HELOC may be earlier, and could be
substantially earlier, than the Assumed Final Payment Date.
Prepayments on mortgage loans are commonly measured relative to a
prepayment standard or model. The prepayment assumption used in this prospectus
supplement assumes a constant prepayment rate ("CPR") for the HELOCs. To assume
40% CPR or any other CPR percentage is to assume that the stated percentage of
the outstanding principal balance of the pool is prepaid over the course of a
year. No representation is made that the HELOCs will prepay in accordance with
the prepayment model or any other rate. We refer to the prepayment model herein
as a "PREPAYMENT ASSUMPTION".
The table entitled "Percent of Initial Note Principal Balance Outstanding
at the Specified Percentages of the Prepayment Assumption" indicate the
percentage of the initial Note Principal Balance of the Offered Notes that would
be outstanding after each of the dates shown at various percentages of CPR, and
the corresponding weighted average lives of these certificates. The table is
based on the following assumptions (the "MODELING ASSUMPTIONS"): (i) the HELOC
Pool consists of 15 home equity loans with the characteristics set forth below
as of the Cut-off Date, (ii) payments on the Offered Notes is received, in cash,
on the 25th day of each month, commencing in June 2006; (iii) the HELOCs prepay
at the percentages of CPR indicated; (iv) no defaults or delinquencies occur in
the payment by mortgagors of principal and interest on the HELOCs and no
shortfalls due to the application of the Relief Act or similar state or local
laws are incurred; (v) none of the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the
Originator, Servicer or any other person purchases from the trust any HELOC
under any obligation or option under the sale and servicing agreement, except as
indicated in footnote two in the table; (vi) scheduled monthly payments on the
HELOCs are received on the first day of each month commencing in June 2006, and
are computed prior to giving effect to any prepayments received in the prior
month; (vii) prepayments representing payment in full of individual HELOCs are
received on the last day of each month commencing in May 2006, and include 30
days' interest thereon; (viii) the scheduled monthly payment for each HELOC is
calculated based on the assumed home equity loan characteristics stated below;
(ix) the notes are purchased on May 31, 2006; (x) One-Month LIBOR remains
constant at 5.08063% per annum; (xi) the Prime Rate remains constant at 8.00000%
per annum; and (xii) the Administration Fee Rate is assumed to be 0.5315% per
annum and the premium payable to the Note Insurer in connection with the Class A
Notes is assumed to be 0.15% per annum.
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ASSUMED HELOC CHARACTERISTICS
Remaining Remaining Remaining Maximum
Principal Term to Amortization Draw Mortgage Gross Mortgage
Balance Maturity Term Period Age Rate Index Margin Rate
($) (Months) (Months) (Months) (Months) (%) Type (%) (%)
- -------------- --------- ------------ --------- -------- -------- ----- ------ --------
267,000.00 176 176 56 4 7.750 Prime 0.000 12.000
771,015.99 175 175 55 5 9.973 Prime 2.223 12.000
94,840.50 174 174 54 6 9.250 Prime 1.500 12.000
286,000.00 173 173 53 7 9.250 Prime 1.500 12.000
30,993,188.48 192 192 72 4 9.733 Prime 1.991 18.000
212,900,880.53 195 195 75 5 9.585 Prime 1.839 18.000
92,061,579.71 199 199 79 6 9.479 Prime 1.737 18.000
8,261,738.98 189 189 69 7 9.506 Prime 1.760 18.000
6,149,983.70 192 192 72 8 9.371 Prime 1.623 18.000
320,692.02 171 171 51 9 9.005 Prime 1.255 18.000
106,415.31 170 170 50 10 10.607 Prime 2.857 18.000
144,861.16 219 219 99 11 9.420 Prime 1.670 18.000
15,500.00 168 168 48 12 11.750 Prime 4.000 18.000
93,620.49 164 164 44 16 9.742 Prime 1.992 18.000
139,999.06 153 153 33 27 8.500 Prime 0.750 18.000
Initial
Minimum Periodic Subsequent Rate Maximum
Principal Mortgage Rate Periodic Months to Adjustment Utilization Utilization
Balance Rate Cap Rate Cap Next Rate Frequency Rate Rate
($) (%) (%) (%) Adjustment (Months) (%) (%)
- -------------- -------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
267,000.00 7.250 No Limit No Limit 1 1 92.71 100.00
771,015.99 9.223 No Limit No Limit 1 1 63.72 100.00
94,840.50 8.250 No Limit No Limit 1 1 43.85 100.00
286,000.00 8.000 No Limit No Limit 1 1 97.28 100.00
30,993,188.48 8.245 No Limit No Limit 1 1 89.09 100.00
212,900,880.53 7.835 No Limit No Limit 1 1 81.34 100.00
92,061,579.71 7.428 No Limit No Limit 1 1 78.39 100.00
8,261,738.98 7.161 No Limit No Limit 1 1 78.83 100.00
6,149,983.70 7.100 No Limit No Limit 1 1 70.93 100.00
320,692.02 5.923 No Limit No Limit 1 1 72.72 100.00
106,415.31 8.169 No Limit No Limit 1 1 63.93 100.00
144,861.16 6.296 No Limit No Limit 1 1 47.34 100.00
15,500.00 9.750 No Limit No Limit 1 1 100.00 100.00
93,620.49 6.147 No Limit No Limit 1 1 66.08 100.00
139,999.06 4.000 No Limit No Limit 1 1 50.91 100.00
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There will be discrepancies between the characteristics of the actual
HELOCs and the characteristics assumed in preparing the table entitled "Percent
of Initial Note Principal Balance Outstanding at the Specified Percentages of
the Prepayment Assumption". Any discrepancy may have an effect upon the
percentages of the initial Note Principal Balance outstanding, and the weighted
average lives, of the Offered Notes set forth in the table. In addition, since
the actual HELOCs will have characteristics that differ from those assumed in
preparing the table and since it is not likely the Prime Rate or the level
One-Month LIBOR will remain constant as assumed, the Offered Notes may mature
earlier or later than indicated by the table. In addition, as described under
"Description of the Securities-Principal Payments on the Offered Notes" in this
prospectus supplement, the occurrence of the Stepdown Date or a Trigger Event
will have the effect of accelerating or decelerating the amortization of the
Offered Notes, affecting the weighted average lives of such notes. Based on the
foregoing assumptions, the table indicates the weighted average lives of the
Offered Notes and sets forth the percentages of the initial Note Balance that
would be outstanding after each of the Payment Dates shown, at various
percentages of the Prepayment Assumption. Neither the prepayment model used in
this prospectus supplement nor any other prepayment model or assumption purports
to be a historical description of prepayment experience or a prediction of the
anticipated rate of prepayment of any pool of loans, including the HELOCs.
Variations in the prepayment experience and the balance of the HELOCs that
prepay may increase or decrease the percentages of initial Note Principal
Balances, and weighted average lives, shown in the following tables. These
variations may occur even if the average prepayment experience of all the HELOCs
equals any of the specified percentages of the Prepayment Assumption.
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PERCENT OF INITIAL NOTE PRINCIPAL BALANCE OUTSTANDING
AT THE SPECIFIED PERCENTAGES OF THE PREPAYMENT ASSUMPTION
CLASS A
---------------------------------
0% 55% 100% 125% 160%
PAYMENT DATE PPA PPA PPA PPA PPA
- ------------ ----- ---- ---- ---- ----
Initial Percentage................... 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
May 25, 2007......................... 97 83 69 60 47
May 25, 2008......................... 97 70 48 36 21
May 25, 2009......................... 97 59 34 23 11
May 25, 2010......................... 97 50 24 14 5
May 25, 2011......................... 97 42 17 9 2
May 25, 2012......................... 97 36 12 5 1
May 25, 2013......................... 90 27 7 2 0
May 25, 2014......................... 80 19 3 1 0
May 25, 2015......................... 70 13 2 * 0
May 25, 2016......................... 60 9 1 0 0
May 25, 2017......................... 50 5 * 0 0
May 25, 2018......................... 41 3 0 0 0
May 25, 2019......................... 31 2 0 0 0
May 25, 2020......................... 22 1 0 0 0
May 25, 2021......................... 12 * 0 0 0
May 25, 2022......................... 3 0 0 0 0
May 25, 2023......................... 0 0 0 0 0
Weighted Average Life in Years (1) 10.98 4.70 2.66 1.99 1.32
Weighted Average Life in Years (1)(2) 10.93 4.53 2.54 1.85 1.21
- ----------
* If applicable, indicates a number that is greater than zero but less than
0.5%.
(1) The weighted average life of a certificate is determined by (a) multiplying
the amount of each payment of principal by the number of years from the
date of issuance of the note to the related Payment Date, (b) adding the
results and (c) dividing the sum by the aggregate amount of the payment of
principal described in clause (a) above.
(2) Assumes that the Master Servicer exercises its option to purchase the
HELOCs on the earliest possible Payment Date on which it is permitted to
exercise this option. See "Sale and Servicing Agreement--Optional
Redemption" in this prospectus supplement.
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There is no assurance that prepayments of the HELOCs included in the HELOC
Pool will conform to any of the levels of the Prepayment Assumption indicated in
the immediately preceding table, or to any other level, or that the actual
weighted average lives of the Class A Notes will conform to any of the weighted
average lives set forth in the immediately preceding table. Furthermore, the
information contained in the table with respect to the weighted average lives of
the Class A Notes is not necessarily indicative of the weighted average lives
that might be calculated or projected under different or varying prepayment
assumptions.
The characteristics of the HELOCs will differ from those assumed in
preparing the immediately preceding tables. In addition, it is unlikely that any
HELOC will prepay at any constant percentage until maturity or that all of the
HELOCs will prepay at the same rate. The timing of changes in the rate of
prepayments may significantly affect the actual yield to maturity to investors,
even if the average rate of principal prepayments is consistent with the
expectations of investors.
YIELD SENSITIVITY OF THE NOTES
If the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class CE Certificates has been
reduced to zero, the yield to maturity on the Class G Certificates and Class A
Notes will become extremely sensitive to losses on the HELOCs (and the timing
thereof) because the entire amount of any Realized Losses (to the extent not
covered by Net Monthly Excess Cashflow) will be allocated to the Class G
Certificates and the Class A Notes on a pro rata basis based on the note
principal balance of the Class A Notes and the certificate principal balance of
the Class G Certificates. The initial undivided interests in the trust estate
evidenced by the Class A Notes, Class G Certificates and Class CE Certificates
are approximately 100%, approximately 0% and approximately 0%, respectively.
Investors in the Class A Notes should fully consider the risk that if the Note
Insurer defaults in its obligations under the policy, Realized Losses on the
HELOCs could result in the failure of investors to fully recover their
investments. In addition, except as otherwise provided in this prospectus
supplement under "Description of the Securities--Allocation of Losses", once
Realized Losses have been allocated to the Class A Notes and not covered by a
payment under the Policy, the note principal balance of the Class A Notes will
be permanently reduced by the amounts so allocated. Therefore, the amounts of
Realized Losses allocated to the Class A Notes will no longer accrue interest
nor will these amounts be reinstated (except in the case of subsequent
recoveries as described in this prospectus supplement). However, Allocated
Realized Loss Amounts may be paid to the holders of the Class A Notes from Net
Monthly Excess Cashflow as set forth under "Description of the
Securities--Overcollateralization Provisions" in this prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES
GENERAL
The ACE Securities Corp. Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2006-GP1, Asset
Backed Securities will consist of one class of notes designated as the Class A
Notes, and three classes of certificates designated as the Class G, Class CE and
Class R Certificates (collectively, the "CERTIFICATES"). The Class R
Certificates are also referred to herein as the "RESIDUAL CERTIFICATES". Only
the Class A Notes (the "OFFERED NOTES") are offered by this prospectus
supplement.
Payments on the Offered Notes will be made on the 25th day of each month,
or, if that day is not a business day, on the next succeeding business day,
beginning in June 2006 to the persons in whose names such notes are registered
at the close of business on the Record Date. The "RECORD DATE" for the Offered
Notes and any Payment Date is the business day immediately
S-43
preceding such Payment Date, for so long as the Offered Notes are held in
book-entry form and the last business day of the month immediately preceding the
month in which such Payment Date occurs if the Offered Notes are held in
physical form.
The Offered Notes will be secured by a pledge of the trust estate
consisting primarily of the HELOC Pool of one- to four-family, first and second
lien adjustable-rate home equity lines of credit having original terms to
maturity of not greater than approximately 30 years. See "The HELOCs" in this
prospectus supplement.
The Class A Notes will have the initial Note Principal Balance set forth in
the table appearing on the cover of this prospectus supplement. The Note Rate on
the Offered Notes will be calculated for each Payment Date as described under
"--Note Rate" below. The Class A Notes evidence an initial undivided interest of
approximately 100% in the trust estate, and the Class G Certificates and Class
CE Certificates evidence initial undivided interests of approximately 0% and
approximately 0% respectively, in the trust estate.
BOOK-ENTRY NOTES
The Offered Notes will be book-entry Notes (for so long as they are
registered in the name of the applicable depository or its nominee, the
"BOOK-ENTRY NOTES"). Persons acquiring beneficial ownership interests in the
Book-Entry Notes ("NOTE OWNERS") will hold such notes through The Depository
Trust Company ("DTC") in the United States, or Clearstream Banking Luxembourg,
formerly known as Cedelbank SA ("CLEARSTREAM"), or the Euroclear System
("EUROCLEAR") in Europe, if they are participants of such systems ("CLEARSTREAM
PARTICIPANTS" or "EUROCLEAR PARTICIPANTS", respectively), or indirectly through
organizations which are Clearstream or Euroclear Participants. The Book-Entry
Notes will be issued in one or more notes which equal the aggregate Note
Principal Balance of such Notes and will initially be registered in the name of
Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold omnibus
positions on behalf of their participants through customers' securities accounts
in Clearstreams' and Euroclear's names on the books of their respective
depositories which in turn will hold such positions in customers' securities
accounts in the depositories, names on the books of DTC. Citibank, N.A. will act
as depository for Clearstream, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. will act as
depository for Euroclear (in such capacities, individually the "RELEVANT
DEPOSITORY" and collectively the "EUROPEAN DEPOSITORIES"). Investors may hold
such beneficial interests in the Book-Entry Notes in minimum dollar
denominations of $25,000 and integral multiples of $1.00 in excess thereof;
provided that such notes must be purchased in minimum total investments of
$100,000 per class. Except as described below, no Note Owner acquiring a
Book-Entry Note (each, a "beneficial owner") will be entitled to receive a
physical note representing such Note (a "DEFINITIVE NOTE"). Unless and until
Definitive Notes are issued, it is anticipated that the only "NOTEHOLDER" of the
Offered Notes will be Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Note Owners will not be
Noteholders as that term is used in the Sale and Servicing Agreement. Note
Owners are only permitted to exercise their rights indirectly through DTC and
participants of DTC ("DTC PARTICIPANTS").
The Note Owner's ownership of a Book-Entry Note will be recorded on the
records of the brokerage firm, bank, thrift institution or other financial
intermediary (each, a "FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY") that maintains the Note Owner's
account for such purpose. In turn, the Financial Intermediary's ownership of
such Book-Entry Note will be recorded on the records of DTC (or of a
participating firm that acts as agent for the Financial Intermediary, whose
interest will in turn be recorded on the records of DTC, if the beneficial
owner's Financial Intermediary is not a DTC Participant and on the records of
Clearstream or Euroclear, as appropriate).
S-44
Note Owners will receive all payments of principal of and interest on the
Book-Entry Notes from the Securities Administrator through DTC and DTC
Participants. While the Book-Entry Notes are outstanding (except under the
circumstances described below), under the rules, regulations and procedures
creating and affecting DTC and its operations (the "RULES"), DTC is required to
make book-entry transfers among DTC Participants on whose behalf it acts with
respect to the Book-Entry Notes and is required to receive and transmit payments
of principal of, and interest on, the Book-Entry Notes. DTC Participants and
indirect participants with whom Note Owners have accounts with respect to
Book-Entry Notes are similarly required to make book-entry transfers and receive
and transmit such payments on behalf of their respective Note Owners.
Accordingly, although Note Owners will not possess notes representing their
respective interests in the Book-Entry Notes, the Rules provide a mechanism by
which Note Owners will receive payments and will be able to transfer their
interest.
Note Owners will not receive or be entitled to receive notes representing
their respective interests in the Book-Entry Notes, except under the limited
circumstances described below. Unless and until Definitive Notes are issued,
Note Owners who are not DTC Participants may transfer ownership of Book-Entry
Notes only through DTC Participants and indirect participants by instructing
such DTC Participants and indirect participants to transfer Book-Entry Notes, by
book-entry transfer, through DTC for the account of the purchasers of such
Book-Entry Notes, which account is maintained with their respective DTC
Participants. Under the Rules and in accordance with DTC's normal procedures,
transfers of ownership of Book-Entry Notes will be executed through DTC and the
accounts of the respective DTC Participants at DTC will be debited and credited.
Similarly, the DTC Participants and indirect participants will make debits or
credits, as the case may be, on their records on behalf of the selling and
purchasing Note Owners.
Because of time zone differences, credits of securities received in
Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC Participant
will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the
business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions
in such securities settled during such processing will be reported to the
relevant Euroclear Participants or Clearstream Participants (each as defined
below) on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a
result of sales of securities by or through a Clearstream Participant or
Euroclear Participant to a DTC Participant will be received with value on the
DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or
Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following the DTC settlement
date. For information with respect to tax documentation procedures relating to
the Notes, see "Global Clearance and Settlement and Documentation
Procedures-Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Documentation Requirements" in Annex
I hereto.
Transfers between DTC Participants will occur in accordance with DTC rules.
Transfers between Clearstream Participants and Euroclear Participants will occur
in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly
through DTC, on the one hand, and, directly or indirectly through Clearstream
Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in
accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international
clearing system by the Relevant Depository; however, such cross market
transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European
international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance
with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European
time). The relevant European international clearing system, if the transaction
meets its settlement requirements, will deliver instructions to the Relevant
Depository to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering
or receiving securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance
with normal procedures for same day funds settlement applicable to DTC.
Clearstream Participants and Euroclear Participants may not deliver instructions
directly to the European Depositories.
S-45
DTC which is a New York-chartered limited purpose trust company, performs
services for its DTC Participants, some of which (and/or their representatives)
own DTC. In accordance with its normal procedures, DTC is expected to record the
positions held by each DTC Participant in the Book-Entry Notes, whether held for
its own account or as a nominee for another person. In general, beneficial
ownership of Book-Entry Notes will be subject to the rules of DTC, as in effect
from time to time.
Clearstream, 67 Bd Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, L-1331 Luxembourg, was
incorporated in 1970 as a limited company under Luxembourg law. Clearstream is
owned by banks, securities dealers and financial institutions, and currently has
about 100 shareholders, including U.S. financial institutions or their
subsidiaries. No single entity may own more than five percent of Clearstream's
stock.
Clearstream is registered as a bank in Luxembourg, and as such is subject
to regulation by the Institute Monetaire Luxembourgeois, the Luxembourg Monetary
Authority, which supervises Luxembourg banks.
Clearstream holds securities for its customers and facilitates the
clearance and settlement of securities transactions by electronic book-entry
transfers between their accounts. Clearstream provides various services,
including safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of
internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing.
Clearstream also deals with domestic securities markets in several countries
through established depository and custodial relationships. Clearstream has
established an electronic bridge with the Euroclear Operator (as defined below)
in Brussels to facilitate settlement of trades between systems. Clearstream
currently accepts over 70,000 securities issues on its books.
Clearstream's customers are world-wide financial institutions including
underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and
clearing corporations. Clearstream's United States customers are limited to
securities brokers and dealers and banks. Currently, Clearstream has
approximately 3,000 customers located in over 60 countries, including all major
European countries, Canada, and the United States. Indirect access to
Clearstream is available to other institutions which clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with an account holder of Clearstream.
Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for its participants and
to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through
simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating
the need for physical movement of notes and any risk from lack of simultaneous
transfers of securities and cash. Transactions may be settled in any of 29
currencies, including United States dollars. Euroclear includes various other
services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with
domestic markets in several countries generally similar to the arrangements for
cross-market transfers with DTC described above. Euroclear is operated by the
Euroclear Bank S.A/N.V. (the "EUROCLEAR OPERATOR"), under contract with
Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the
"COOPERATIVE"). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all
Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts
with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes
policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants
include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and
other professional financial intermediaries. Indirect access to Euroclear is
also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator
are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the
related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and applicable Belgian law
(collectively, the "TERMS AND CONDITIONS"). The
S-46
Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear,
withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with
respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a
fungible basis without attribution of specific notes to specific securities
clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions
only on behalf of Euroclear Participants, and has no record of or relationship
with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.
Payments on the Book-Entry Notes will be made on each Payment Date by the
Securities Administrator to Cede & Co. DTC will be responsible for crediting the
amount of such payments to the accounts of the applicable DTC Participants in
accordance with DTC's normal procedures. Each DTC Participant will be
responsible for disbursing such payments to the Note Owners of the Book-Entry
Notes that it represents and to each Financial Intermediary for which it acts as
agent. Each such Financial Intermediary will be responsible for disbursing funds
to the Note Owners of the Book-Entry Notes that it represents.
Under a book-entry format, Note Owners of the Book-Entry Notes may
experience some delay in their receipt of payments, since such payments will be
forwarded by the Securities Administrator to Cede & Co. Payments with respect to
Notes held through Clearstream or Euroclear will be credited to the cash
accounts of Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants in accordance
with the relevant system's rules and procedures, to the extent received by the
Relevant Depository. Such payments will be subject to tax reporting in
accordance with relevant United States tax laws and regulations. See "Material
Federal Income Tax Considerations REMICS-Taxation of Certain Foreign Investors"
in the prospectus. Because DTC can only act on behalf of Financial
Intermediaries, the ability of a Note Owner to pledge Book-Entry Notes to
persons or entities that do not participate in the Depository system, or
otherwise take actions in respect of such Book-Entry Notes, may be limited due
to the lack of physical notes for such Book-Entry Notes. In addition, issuance
of the Book-Entry Notes in book-entry form may reduce the liquidity of such
Notes in the secondary market since certain potential investors may be unwilling
to purchase Notes for which they cannot obtain physical notes.
DTC has advised the Securities Administrator that, unless and until
Definitive Notes are issued, DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by
the holders of the Book-Entry Notes under the Sale and Servicing Agreement only
at the direction of one or more Financial Intermediaries to whose DTC accounts
the Book-Entry Notes are credited, to the extent that such actions are taken on
behalf of Financial Intermediaries whose holdings include such Book-Entry Notes.
Clearstream or the Euroclear Operator, as the case may be, will take any other
action permitted to be taken by a Noteholder under the Sale and Servicing
Agreement on behalf of a Clearstream Participant or Euroclear Participant only
in accordance with its relevant rules and procedures and subject to the ability
of the Relevant Depository to effect such actions on its behalf through DTC. DTC
may take actions, at the direction of the related DTC Participants, with respect
to some Book-Entry Notes which conflict with actions taken with respect to other
Book-Entry Notes.
Definitive Notes will be issued to Note Owners of the Book-Entry Notes, or
their nominees, rather than to DTC or its nominee, only if (a) DTC or the
Depositor advises the Securities Administrator in writing that DTC is no longer
willing, qualified or able to discharge properly its responsibilities as nominee
and depository with respect to the Book-Entry Notes and the Depositor is unable
to locate a qualified successor, (b) the Depositor, at its sole option, with the
consent of the Securities Administrator, elects to terminate a book-entry system
through DTC or (c) after the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in
the Sale and Servicing Agreement), Note Owners having percentage interests
aggregating not less than 51% of the Book-Entry Notes advise the Securities
Administrator and DTC through the Financial Intermediaries and the DTC
Participants in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through DTC
(or a successor thereto) is no longer in the best interests of Note Owners.
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Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in the immediately
preceding paragraph, the Securities Administrator will be required to cause DTC
to notify all Note Owners of the occurrence of such event and the availability
through DTC of Definitive Notes. Upon surrender by DTC of the global note or
notes representing the Book-Entry Notes and instructions for re-registration,
the Securities Administrator will issue Definitive Notes, and thereafter the
Securities Administrator will recognize the holders of such Definitive Notes as
Noteholders under the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
In the event any Definitive Notes are issued, surrender of such Definitive
Notes will occur at the office designated from time to time for such purposes by
the note registrar. As of the Closing Date, the note registrar designates its
offices located at 135 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1625, Chicago, Illinois 60603
Attention: Global Securities and Trust Services Group- ACE 2006-GP1 for this
purpose.
Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing
procedures in order to facilitate transfers of Book-Entry Notes among DTC
Participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to
perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be
discontinued at any time.
None of the Depositor, the Servicer, the Master Servicer, the Securities
Administrator or the Indenture Trustee will have any responsibility for any
aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests of the Book-Entry Notes held by Cede & Co., as nominee for
DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial ownership interests or any transfers thereof.
NOTE RATE
The note rate (the "NOTE RATE") will be a rate per annum equal to the
lesser of (i) One-Month LIBOR plus 0.13% in the case of each Payment Date
through and including the Payment Date on which the aggregate principal balance
of the HELOCs and properties acquired in respect thereof remaining in the trust
estate is reduced to less than or equal to 10% of the aggregate principal
balance of the HELOCs as of the Cut-off Date (the "OPTIONAL REDEMPTION DATE"),
or One-Month LIBOR plus 0.26%, in the case of any Payment Date thereafter and
(ii) the applicable Net WAC Rate for such Payment Date.
GLOSSARY
"ADDITIONAL BALANCES": All draws made by a mortgagor pursuant to the
related Credit Line Agreement that occur following the Cut-Off Date.
"ADDITIONAL BALANCE ADVANCE AMOUNTS": With respect to any Payment Date (i)
during the Managed Amortization Period, an amount equal the amount by which
draws made in the related Collection Period are greater than the Principal
Collection Amount for such Payment Date or (ii) during the Rapid Amortization
Period, an amount equal to any draws made during the related Collection Period.
Any Additional Balance Advance Amounts for a Payment Date will be added to the
Certificate Principal Balance of the Class G Certificates on such Payment Date.
"ADMINISTRATION FEE RATE": With respect to each HELOC, the Administration
Fee Rate is equal to the sum of (i) the Servicing Fee Rate, (ii) the Master
Servicing Fee Rate and (iii) the rate at which the fee payable to the Credit
Risk Manager is calculated.
"ALLOCATED REALIZED LOSS AMOUNT": With respect to the Class A Notes and the
Class G Certificates and any Payment Date, is an amount equal to the sum of any
Realized Loss allocated
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to that class on the immediately preceding Payment Date as described under
"-Overcollateralization Provisions" herein and, in the case of the Offered
Notes, not covered by amounts paid in respect of principal by the Note Insurer
plus the Allocated Realized Loss Amount for such class remaining unpaid from
such immediately preceding Payment Date.
"AVAILABLE PAYMENT AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date, an amount
equal to the sum of the Interest Collection Amount for such Payment Date and the
Principal Collection Amount for such Payment Date.
"AVAILABLE PRINCIPAL PAYMENT AMOUNT": With respect to the Offered Notes and
any Payment Date, an amount equal to the sum of (i) (1) with respect to any
Payment Date during the Managed Amortization Period and if the Class G
Certificate Pro Rata Test is not met, the excess, if any, of the Principal
Collection Amount for such Payment Date over the sum of (a) the Additional
Balances for such Payment Date and (b) the Certificate Principal Balance of the
Class G Certificates immediately prior to such Payment Date; (2) with respect to
any Payment Date during the Managed Amortization Period and if the Class G
Certificate Pro Rata Test is met, the Trust Allocation Percentage of the excess
of the Principal Collection Amount over the Additional Balances for the related
Payment Date and (3) with respect to any Payment Date during the Rapid
Amortization Period, the Principal Collection Amount; and (ii) the Trust
Allocation Percentage of the Overcollateralization Increase Amount for that
Payment Date minus (iii) the Trust Allocation Percentage of the
Overcollateralization Reduction Amount for that Payment Date.
"CERTIFICATE PRINCIPAL BALANCE": With respect to the Class G Certificates
and any date of determination, the sum of all Additional Balance Advance Amounts
with respect to each Payment Date on or prior to such date of determination
reduced by the aggregate of (i) all principal amounts previously distributed
with respect to the Class G Certificates and (ii) any reductions in the
Certificate Principal Balance of the Class G Certificate in connection with
allocations of Realized Losses in the manner described in this prospectus
supplement and increased by any Subsequent Recoveries allocated to the Class G
Certificates. The Certificate Principal Balance of the Class CE Certificates as
of any date of determination is equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the then
aggregate principal balance of the HELOCS over (ii) the Note Principal Balance
of the Class A Notes and the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the
Class G Certificates.
"CHARGED OFF HELOC": A Charged Off HELOC is a defaulted HELOC that the
Servicer is required to charge off once such HELOC becomes 180 days delinquent,
provided that such HELOC is not a Liquidated HELOC.
"CLASS G ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE": With respect to any Payment Date, 100%
minus the Trust Allocation Percentage.
"CLASS G CERTIFICATE PRO RATA TEST": The Class G Certificate Pro Rata Test
is met with respect to any Payment Date during the Managed Amortization Period
if the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class G Certificates is greater than
3.00% of the principal balance of the HELOCs.
"CLASS G EXCESS SPREAD AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date, an amount
equal to the sum of (i) that amount by which the Class G Allocation Percentage
of the Interest Collection Amount for such Payment Date exceeds the Class G
Interest Payment Amount for such Payment Date and (ii) the Class G Allocation
Percentage of the Overcollateralization Reduction Amount for such Payment Date.
"CLASS G INTEREST PAYMENT AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date, an
amount equal to interest accrued during the related Interest Accrual Period on
the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class G Certificates immediately prior
to that Payment Date at the Note Rate
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reduced (to an amount not less than zero) by any Prepayment Interest Shortfalls
and shortfalls resulting from the application of the Relief Act or similar state
or local laws, in each case allocated to the Class G Certificates as described
in this prospectus supplement
"CLASS G PRINCIPAL PAYMENT AMOUNT": With respect to the Class G
Certificates and any Payment Date the lesser of (x) the Certificate Principal
Balance of the Class G Certificates immediately prior to such Payment Date; and
(y) the sum of (1) during (A) the Managed Amortization Period, (i) if the Class
G Certificate Pro Rata Test is not met, the Principal Collection Amount less the
Additional Balances for the related Payment Date and (ii) if the Class G
Certificate Pro Rata Test is met, the Class G Allocation Percentage of the
excess, if any, of the Principal Collection Amount for that Payment Date over
the Additional Balances for the related Payment Date or (B) during the Rapid
Amortization Period, the remaining Principal Collection Amount after payments of
principal to the Class A Notes, (2) the Class G Allocation Percentage of the
Overcollateralization Increase Amount for that Payment Date minus (3) the Class
G Allocation Percentage of the Overcollateralization Reduction Amount for such
Payment Date.
"COLLECTION PERIOD": For any Payment Date, the period from and including
the 16th day of the month preceding the month in which the related Payment Date
occurs to and including the 15th day of the month in which the Payment Date
occurs.
"CREDIT ENHANCEMENT PERCENTAGE": With respect to any Payment Date, the
percentage obtained by dividing (x) the Overcollateralization Amount calculated
after taking into account payment of the Available Principal Payment Amount to
the holders of the Class A Notes and the Glass G Principal Payment Amount to the
holders of the Class G Certificates by (y) the aggregate principal balance of
the HELOCs, calculated after taking into account payments of scheduled and
unscheduled principal received on the HELOCs during the related Collection
Period.
"DETERMINATION DATE": With respect to any Payment Date, the 15th day of the
calendar month in which such Payment Date occurs or, if such 15th day is not a
business day, the business day immediately preceding such 15th day.
"FINAL STATED MATURITY DATE": February 25, 2031.
"INTEREST ACCRUAL PERIOD": With respect to any Payment Date, the period
commencing on the Payment Date of the month immediately preceding the month in
which such Payment Date occurs (or, in the case of the first period, commencing
on the Closing Date), and ending on the day preceding such Payment Date. All
payments of interest on the Class A Notes will be based on a 360-day year and
the actual number of days in the applicable Interest Accrual Period.
"INTEREST CARRY FORWARD AMOUNT": With respect to the Class A Notes and any
Payment Date, an amount equal to the amount, if any, by which the Interest
Payment Amount for the immediately preceding Payment Date exceeded the actual
amount distributed on the Class A Notes in respect of interest (including
amounts paid by the Note Insurer pursuant clause (i) of the definition of
Scheduled Payments) on the immediately preceding Payment Date, together with any
Interest Carry Forward Amount with respect to the Class A Notes remaining unpaid
from the previous Payment Date, plus interest accrued thereon at the related
Note Rate on the Class A Notes for the most recently ended Interest Accrual
Period.
"INTEREST COLLECTION AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date, an amount
equal to the sum of (i) all interest received by or on behalf of the Servicer
with respect to the HELOCs by the related Determination Date for such Payment
Date and not previously distributed; (ii) the interest portions of the total
amount deposited in the payment account in connection with the repurchase of any
HELOC by the Depositor, the Originator or the Sponsor; and (iii) the interest
portions of the
S-50
total amount deposited in the payment account in connection with the optional
redemption of the Notes; minus (v) any fees and amounts payable or reimbursable
to the Servicer, the Owner Trustee, the Custodian, the Master Servicer, the
Indenture Trustee, the Credit Risk Manager or the Securities Administrator for
the related Collection Period.
"INTEREST PAYMENT AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date and the Class A
Notes, an amount equal to interest accrued during the related Interest Accrual
Period on the Note Principal Balance of the Class A Notes immediately prior to
that Payment Date at the Note Rate reduced (to an amount not less than zero) by
any Prepayment Interest Shortfalls and shortfalls resulting from the application
of the Relief Act or similar state or local laws, in each case allocated to the
Class A Notes as described in this prospectus supplement.
"LIQUIDATED HELOC": A HELOC that was liquidated and for which the Servicer
has determined that it has received all amounts it expects to receive in
connection with such liquidation, including payments under any related private
mortgage insurance policy, hazard insurance policy or any condemnation proceeds
and amounts received in connection with the final disposition of the related REO
property.
"MANAGED AMORTIZATION PERIOD": The period beginning on the Cut-Off Date and
ending on the occurrence of a Rapid Amortization Event.
"NET MONTHLY EXCESS CASHFLOW": With respect to any Payment Date, an amount
equal to the sum of (i) the Trust Allocation Percentage of the
Overcollateralization Reduction Amount for that Payment Date and (ii) the excess
of (x) the Interest Collection Amount for that Payment Date over (y) sum of the
Senior Interest Distribution Amount for such Payment Date and the Class G
Allocation Percentage of the Interest Collection Amount for that Payment Date.
"NET WAC RATE": With respect to any Payment Date, a rate per annum
(adjusted for the actual number of days elapsed in the related Interest Accrual
Period) equal to the product of (i) 12 and (ii) a fraction, expressed as a
percentage, the numerator of which is the amount of interest which accrued on
the HELOCs in the prior calendar month minus the sum of (x) the fees payable to
the Servicer, the Master Servicer and the Credit Risk Manager, (y) the Premium
payable to the Note Insurer, in each case for such Payment Date, and (z)
commencing with the Payment Date in June 2007, one-twelfth of 0.50% of the
aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs as of the first day of the related
Collection Period and the denominator of which is the aggregate principal
balance of the HELOCs as of the first day of the related Collection Period, (or
as of the Cut-off Date with respect to the first Payment Date), after giving
effect to principal prepayments received during the related Collection Period.
"NET WAC RATE CARRYOVER AMOUNT": With respect to the Offered Notes and any
Payment Date on which the Note Rate is limited to the applicable Net WAC Rate,
an amount equal to the sum of (i) the excess of (x) the amount of interest the
Offered Notes would have been entitled to receive on such Payment Date had the
applicable Net WAC Rate not been applicable to the Offered Notes on such Payment
Date over (y) the amount of interest paid on such Payment Date at the applicable
Net WAC Rate plus (ii) the related Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount for the
previous Payment Date not previously distributed together with interest thereon
at a rate equal to the Note Rate for the most recently ended Interest Accrual
Period determined without taking into account the applicable Net WAC Rate.
"NOTE PRINCIPAL BALANCE": With respect to the Class A Notes as of any
Payment Date, initial Note Principal Balance on the closing date, as reduced by
(without duplication) (1) all amounts allocable to principal previously paid
with respect to the Class A Notes (including any Guaranteed Principal Payment
Amounts made by the Note Insurer) and (2) any Realized Loss
S-51
previously allocated to the Class A Notes as described under
"-Overcollateralization Provisions" herein and not covered by amounts paid in
respect of principal by the Note Insurer and increased by any Subsequent
Recoveries allocated to the Class A Notes.
"OVERCOLLATERALIZATION AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date, an amount
equal to the amount by which the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal
balance of the HELOCs as of the last day of the related Collection Period
exceeds the sum of the Note Principal Balance of the Offered Notes and the
Certificate Principal Balance of the Class G Certificates after taking into
account payment of the Available Principal Payment Amount and the Class G
Principal Payment Amount on the related Payment Date.
"OVERCOLLATERALIZATION FLOOR": With respect to any Payment Date, an amount
equal to the product (i) 0.50% and (ii) the aggregate principal balance of the
HELOCs as of the Cut-off Date.
"OVERCOLLATERALIZATION INCREASE AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date,
an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Net Monthly Excess Cashflow and Class G
Excess Spread Amount for that Payment Date remaining after distributions of such
amount pursuant to clauses (A)(i) and (ii) and clauses (B)(i) and (ii) under
"-Overcollateralization Provisions" in this prospectus supplement and (ii) the
amount by which the Required Overcollateralization Amount exceeds the current
Overcollateralization Amount.
"OVERCOLLATERALIZATION REDUCTION AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date,
an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the amount by which the
Overcollateralization Amount exceeds the Required Overcollateralization Amount
and (ii) the excess, if any, of the Principal Collection Amount for that Payment
Date over, if such Payment Date is during the Managed Amortization Period,
Additional Balances funded during the related Collection Period. The
Overcollateralization Reduction Amount will be equal to zero when a Trigger
Event is in effect.
"POLICY": The financial guaranty insurance policy provided by the Note
Insurer with respect to the Class A Notes.
"PRINCIPAL COLLECTION AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date, an amount
equal to the sum of (1) the total amount of all principal received by or on
behalf of the Servicer with respect to the HELOCs by the Determination Date for
such Payment Date and not previously distributed (including liquidation
proceeds, condemnation proceeds and insurance proceeds), (2) the principal
portions of the total amount deposited in the payment account in connection with
the repurchase of any HELOC by the Depositor, the Originator or the Sponsor; and
(3) the principal portions of the total amount deposited in the payment account
in connection with the optional redemption of the Offered Notes minus (4) any
amounts payable or reimbursable to the Servicer, the Owner Trustee, the
Custodian, the Master Servicer, the Credit Risk Manager, the Indenture Trustee
or the Securities Administrator on such Payment Date in excess of the Interest
Collection Amount for that Payment Date.
"RAPID AMORTIZATION EVENT": With respect to any Payment Date, any of the
following events: (i) failure of the Issuing Entity, Depositor or Servicer to
make a timely payment or deposit required under the Indenture, (ii) a material
breach of any representation or warranty made by the Issuing Entity, Depositor,
Originator or Servicer has occurred and is continuing, (iii) occurrence of
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership relating to the
Depositor or the Servicer, (iv) the Issuing Entity becomes subject to regulation
by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, (v) aggregate draws (regardless of whether such draws have
been reimbursed) exceeding 1% of the initial Class A Note Principal Balance have
been made under the Policy, (vi) a Servicer Event of Default has occurred, or
(vi) the occurrence of a Rapid Amortization Trigger Event.
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"RAPID AMORTIZATION PERIOD": The Rapid Amortization Period with respect to
the Offered Notes will be the period beginning on the first Payment Date
following the occurrence of a Rapid Amortization Event and ending on the Final
Stated Maturity Date.
"RAPID AMORTIZATION TRIGGER EVENT": A Rapid Amortization Trigger Event is
in effect with respect to the Offered Notes on any Payment Date that (i) the
rolling six month average of the principal balance of the HELOCs delinquent 60
days or more, in foreclosure, bankruptcy and REO divided by (y) the aggregate
principal balance of the HELOCs, in each case, as of the last day of the prior
Collection Period, exceeds 4.50% of the aggregate principal balance of the
HELOCs or (ii) the aggregate amount of Realized Losses incurred since the
Cut-off Date through the last day of the related Collection Period divided by
the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs as of the Cut-off Date exceeds the
applicable percentages set forth below with respect to such Payment Date:
PAYMENT DATE PERCENTAGES
- ------------------------ --------------------------------------------------
Prior to June 2007 1.00% plus 1/12 of 0.75% for each month thereafter
June 2007 to May 2008 1.75% plus 1/12 of 0.50% for each month thereafter
June 2008 to May 2009 2.25% plus 1/12 of 0.25% for each month thereafter
June 2009 to May 2010 2.50% plus 1/12 of 0.50% for each month thereafter
June 2010 to May 2011 3.00% plus 1/12 of 0.50% for each month thereafter
June 2011 and thereafter 3.50% for each month thereafter
"REALIZED LOSS": A Realized Loss is equal to (i) with respect to a
Liquidated HELOC, the unpaid principal balance of such Liquidated HELOC, plus
interest thereon from the date on which interest was last paid by the related
mortgagor through the last day of the month in which the related HELOC was
finally liquidated, less any liquidation proceeds received on such Liquidated
HELOC (net of amounts reimbursable to the Servicer or the Master Servicer for
Servicing Advances and other related expenses, including attorneys' fees) and
(ii) with respect to a Charged Off HELOC, the unpaid principal balance of such
Charged Off HELOC, plus interest thereon from the date on which interest was
last paid by the related mortgagor through the last day of the month in which
the related HELOC was charged off, plus amounts reimbursable to the Servicer or
the Master Servicer for Servicing Advances and other related expenses, including
attorneys' fees.
"REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date, an amount equal
to the aggregate of any payments made with respect to the Class A Notes by the
Note Insurer under the Policy to the extent not previously reimbursed, plus
interest on that amount at the per annum rate of interest, publicly announced
from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A at its principal office in the
City of New York as its prime or base lending rate (any change in such rate of
interest to be effective on the date such change is announced by JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A.) plus 3%, plus any other amounts owing to the Insurer under the
Indenture or the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
"REQUIRED OVERCOLLATERALIZATION AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date
(i) prior to the Payment Date in October 2006, 0.00% and (ii) on and after the
Payment Date in October 2006 and prior to the Stepdown Date, the product of (A)
2.55% and (B) the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs as of the Cut-off
Date, (iii) on and after the Payment Date in October 2006 and on or after the
Stepdown Date provided a Trigger Event is not in effect, the greater of (x)
5.10% of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the HELOCs as of the last day
of the related Collection Period and (y) the Overcollateralization Floor, and
(iv) on and after the Payment Date in October 2006 and on or after the Stepdown
Date and if a Trigger Event is in effect, the Required Overcollateralization
Amount for the immediately preceding Payment Date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, on and after any Payment Date following the reduction of the
aggregate Note Principal Balance of the Class A Notes and the Certificate
Principal Balance of the Class G Certificates to zero, the Required
Overcollateralization Amount shall be zero.
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"SENIOR INTEREST DISTRIBUTION AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date, an
amount equal to the sum of (i) the Interest Payment Amount due to the Class A
Notes on such Payment Date plus (ii) the Interest Carry Forward Amount, if any,
for such Payment Date for the Class A Notes.
"STEPDOWN DATE": The Stepdown Date is the later to occur of (x) the Payment
Date occurring in December 2008 and (y) the first Payment Date on which the
Credit Enhancement Percentage (calculated for this purpose only after taking
into account collections of principal on the HELOCs, and excluding any payment
of the Overcollateralization Increase Amount to the Offered Notes and the Class
G Certificates), is greater than or equal to approximately 5.10%.
"SUBSEQUENT RECOVERIES": With respect to any Payment Date, an amount equal
to, amounts received during the related Collection Period by the Servicer
specifically related to a defaulted HELOC or disposition of an REO Property
prior to the related Collection Period that resulted in a Realized Loss (i)
prior to the liquidation or disposition of such defaulted HELOC, with respect to
a Charged-Off HELOC or (ii) after the liquidation or disposition of such
defaulted HELOC, with respect to a Liquidated HELOC, net of any amounts
reimbursable to the Servicer related to obtaining such Subsequent Recovery.
"TRIGGER EVENT": With respect to any Payment Date, a Trigger Event is in
effect if (x) the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the rolling six month
average of the principal amount of HELOCs delinquent 60 days or more, in
foreclosure, bankruptcy and REO by (ii) the aggregate principal balance of the
HELOCs, in each case, as of the last day of the related Collection Period
exceeds 4.00% of the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs as of the last
day of the related Collection Period or (y) the aggregate amount of Realized
Losses incurred since the Cut-off Date through the last day of the related
Collection Period divided by the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs as of
the Cut-off Date exceeds the applicable percentages set forth below with respect
to such Payment Date:
PAYMENT DATE PERCENTAGES
- ------------------------- --------------------------------------------------
December 2008 to May 2010 2.00% plus 1/12 of 0.50% for each month thereafter
June 2010 to May 2011 2.50% plus 1/12 of 0.50% for each month thereafter
June 2011 and thereafter 3.00%
"TRUST ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE": With respect to any Payment Date, the
percentage equivalent of a fraction with a numerator equal to the Trust
Principal Amount for such Payment Date (or, in the case of the first Payment
Date, the Trust Principal Amount as of the Closing Date) and a denominator equal
to the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs at the end of the previous
Collection Period (or, in the case of the first Payment Date, the Closing Date),
provided such percentage shall not be greater than 100%.
"TRUST PRINCIPAL AMOUNT": With respect to any Payment Date, an amount equal
to the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs as of the last day of the
related Collection Period reduced by the sum of (i) Certificate Principal
Balance of the Class G Certificates immediately prior to such Payment Date (for
the purpose of this calculation, not reduced by any Class G Excess Spread
Amount) and (ii) any Additional Balance Advance Amounts funded during the
related Collection Period, if any.
INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THE SECURITIES
Holders of the Offered Notes will be entitled to receive on each Payment
Date, interest payments in an aggregate amount equal to interest accrued during
the related Interest Accrual Period on the Note Principal Balance thereof at the
then-applicable Note Rate thereon, as set forth
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below. In addition, the Class G Certificates will be entitled to certain
payments from the Interest Collection Amount.
On each Payment Date, the Class G Allocation Percentage of the Interest
Collection Amount for such Payment Date will be distributed to the Class G
Certificates first, to pay as interest an amount equal to the Class G Interest
Payment Amount for such Payment Date and then, to the extent remaining as
described below and in accordance with the priorities set forth under
"--Overcollateralization Provisions", as principal to be paid as part of the
Class G Principal Payment Amount.
On each Payment Date, the Trust Allocation Percentage of the Interest
Collection Amount for such Payment Date will be distributed in the following
order of priority:
(i) first, to the Note Insurer, the premium due on such Payment Date
in connection with the Policy; and
(ii) second, to the Class A Notes, the Senior Interest Distribution
Amount.
With respect to any Payment Date, to the extent that the aggregate Interest
Payment Amount exceeds the Interest Collection Amount, a shortfall in interest
payments on the Class A Notes, to the extent the Note Insurer fails to cover
such amount, will result and payments of Interest Carry Forward Amounts to the
Class A Notes will be due on the following Payment Date. The Interest Carry
Forward Amount with respect to the Class A Notes, if any, will be distributed as
part of the Senior Interest Distribution Amount on each Payment Date.
On any Payment Date, any Prepayment Interest Shortfalls (as defined under
"Servicing of the HELOCS-Prepayment Interest Shortfalls") and any shortfalls
resulting from the application of the Relief Act or similar state laws will
first, reduce the amount payable to the Class CE Certificates on such Payment
Date, and if such amount is not sufficient to absorb such shortfalls, will be
allocated to reduce the Interest Payment Amount due to the Class A Notes and the
Class G Interest Payment Amount for such Payment Date due to the Class G
Certificates, on a pro rata basis based on such entitlements if determined
without regard to such allocated shortfalls. If these shortfalls are allocated
to the Class A Notes, the amount of interest paid to those notes will be
reduced, adversely affecting the yield on your investment.
CALCULATION OF ONE-MONTH LIBOR
With respect to each Interest Accrual Period (other than the initial
Interest Accrual Period) and the Class A Notes, on the second business day
preceding such Interest Accrual Period, (each such date, an "INTEREST
DETERMINATION DATE"), the Securities Administrator will determine One-Month
LIBOR for such Interest Accrual Period. With respect to the initial Interest
Accrual Period, on the Closing Date, the Securities Administrator will determine
One-Month LIBOR for such Interest Accrual Period based on information available
on the second business day preceding the Closing Date (the related "INTEREST
DETERMINATION DATE"). "ONE-MONTH LIBOR" means, as of any Interest Determination
Date, the London interbank offered rate for one-month U.S. dollar deposits which
appears on Telerate Page 3750 (as defined herein) as of 11:00 a.m. (London time)
on such date. If such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750, the rate for
that day will be determined on the basis of the offered rates of the Reference
Banks (as defined herein) for one-month U.S. dollar deposits, as of 11:00 a.m.
(London time) on such Interest Determination Date. The Securities Administrator
will request the principal London office of each of the Reference Banks to
provide a quotation of its rate. If on such Interest Determination Date two or
more Reference Banks provide such offered quotations, One-Month LIBOR for the
related Interest Accrual Period will be the arithmetic mean of such offered
quotations (rounded upwards if necessary to the nearest whole multiple of
0.0625%). If on such Interest Determination Date fewer
S-55
than two Reference Banks provide such offered quotations, One-Month LIBOR for
the related Interest Accrual Period will be the higher of (x) One-Month LIBOR as
determined on the previous Interest Determination Date and (y) the Reserve
Interest Rate (as defined herein).
As used in this section, "business day" means a day on which banks are open
for dealing in foreign currency and exchange in London and New York; "Telerate
Page 3750" means the display page currently so designated on the Dow Jones
Telerate Capital Markets Report (or such other page as may replace that page on
that service for the purpose of displaying comparable rates or prices);
"REFERENCE BANKS" means leading banks selected by the Securities Administrator
and engaged in transactions in Eurodollar deposits in the international
Eurocurrency market (i) with an established place of business in London, (ii)
which have been designated as such by the Securities Administrator and (iii) not
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, the Depositor or the
Securities Administrator, and "RESERVE INTEREST RATE" will be the rate per annum
that the Securities Administrator determines to be either (i) the arithmetic
mean (rounded upwards if necessary to the nearest whole multiple of 0.0625%) of
the one-month U.S. dollar lending rates which New York City banks selected by
the Securities Administrator are quoting on the relevant Interest Determination
Date to the principal London offices of leading banks in the London interbank
market or (ii) in the event that the Securities Administrator can determine no
such arithmetic mean, the lowest one-month U.S. dollar lending rate which New
York City banks selected by the Securities Administrator are quoting on such
Interest Determination Date to leading European banks.
The establishment of One-Month LIBOR on each Interest Determination Date by
the Securities Administrator and the Securities Administrator's calculation of
the rate of interest applicable to the Class A Notes for the related Interest
Accrual Period will (in the absence of manifest error) be final and binding.
PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS ON THE SECURITIES
On each Payment Date, the Available Principal Payment Amount and the Class
G Principal Payment Amount will be distributed to the holders of the Offered
Notes, the Note Insurer and the holders of the Certificates then entitled to
principal payments in the following order:
(A) To the Class G Certificates, the Class G Principal Payment Amount
for such Payment Date, if such Payment Date is during the Managed
Amortization Period and the Class G Certificate Pro Rata Test is not met,
until the Certificate Principal Balance thereof has been reduced to zero;
(B) To the Class A Notes, the Available Principal Payment Amount for
such Payment Date and, if such Payment Date is during the Managed
Amortization Period and the Class G Certificate Pro Rata Test is met,
concurrently to the Class G Certificates, the Class G Principal Payment
Amount for such Payment Date, pro rata, until the Note Principal Balance
and Certificate Principal Balance thereof, respectively has been reduced to
zero;
(C) If such Payment Date is during the Rapid Amortization Period, to
the Class G Certificates, the Class G Principal Payment Amount for such
Payment Date in reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance thereof,
until the Certificate Principal Balance thereof has been reduced to zero;
(D) To the Note Insurer, any Reimbursement Amounts to the extent not
covered by the Interest Collection Amount; and
(E) To the Note Insurer, any other amounts owed to the Note Insurer
pursuant to the Insurance Agreement.
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On the Closing Date, the Securities Administrator will establish an account
(the "NET WAC RATE CARRYOVER RESERVE ACCOUNT") from which payments in respect of
Net WAC Rate Carryover Amounts on the Class A Notes will be made. The Net WAC
Rate Carryover Reserve Account will be an asset of the trust estate but not of
any REMIC. On each Payment Date, to the extent required following the payment of
all Available Payment Amounts as described above, the Securities Administrator
will withdraw amounts in the Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve Account, to the
extent of the aggregate amount of Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount for such Payment
Date, and pay the amounts withdrawn to holders of the Class A Notes.
TABLE OF FEES AND EXPENSES
The following table indicates the fees and expenses to be paid from the
cash flows from the HELOCs and other assets of the trust estate, while the
Offered Notes are outstanding.
All fees are expressed in basis points, at an annualized rate, applied to
the outstanding aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs.
Item Fee or Expense Paid To Paid From Frequency
- --------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------- --------------------------- ------------
Servicing Fee(1) 0.500% per annum of the Servicer Interest collections on the Monthly
principal balance of each HELOCs
HELOC
Master Servicing 0.0225% per annum of the Master Servicer Interest collections on the Monthly
Fee(1) principal balance of each HELOCs
HELOC
Credit Risk Manager 0.009% per annum of the Credit Risk Manager Interest collections on the Monthly
Fee(1) principal balance of each HELOCs
HELOC
Note Insurer 0.15% per annum of the Note Insurer All collections on the Monthly
Premium(2) Note Principal Balance of HELOCs
the Class A Notes
Servicing Advances To the extent of funds Servicer or Master With respect to each HELOC, Time to Time
available, the amount of Servicer, as late recoveries of the
any Servicing Advances applicable payments of the costs and
expenses, liquidation
proceeds, Subsequent
Recoveries, purchase
proceeds or repurchase
proceeds for that HELOC
Nonrecoverable The amount of any Servicer or Master All collections on the Time to Time
Servicing Advances Servicing Advances deemed Servicer, as HELOCs
non-recoverable applicable
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Item Fee or Expense Paid To Paid From Frequency
- --------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------- --------------------------- ------------
Reimbursement for certain The amount of the Servicer, Master All collections on the Time to Time
expenses, costs and expenses, costs and Servicer, Securities HELOCs
liabilities incurred by the liabilities incurred Administrator,
Servicer, the Master Indenture Trustee,
Servicer, the Securities Note Insurer Sponsor
Administrator, the or Depositor, as
Indenture Trustee, the Note applicable
Insurer, the Sponsor or the
Depositor in connection
with any legal action
(including threatened legal
actions) relating to the
operative agreements, the
notes or the certificates
(3)
Reimbursement for amounts The aggregate of any Note Insurer Available Payment Amount Time to Time
paid by the Note Insurer payments made with
under the Policy, respect to the Class A
indemnification amounts and Notes by the Note Insurer
other reimbursement under the Policy to the
amounts. extent not previously
reimbursed, plus interest
on that amount at a rate
equal to the prime rate
plus 3 percentage points,
plus any other amounts
owing to the Note Insurer
under the sale and
servicing agreement, the
insurance and indemnity
agreement or the
Indenture plus interest
thereon.
Indemnification expenses Amounts for which the Servicer, Master All collections on the Time to Time
Sponsor, the Servicer, Servicer, Securities HELOCs
the Master Servicer, the Administrator, the
Securities Administrator, Indenture Trustee
the Indenture Trustee and Sponsor or
the Depositor are Depositor, as
entitled to applicable
indemnification(4)
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Item Fee or Expense Paid To Paid From Frequency
- --------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------- --------------------------- ------------
Indemnification expenses Amounts for which the Indenture Trustee, All collections on the Time to Time
Indenture Trustee, Owner Owner Trustee or HELOCs
Trustee or the Custodian Custodian, as
is entitled to applicable
indemnification(5)
Reimbursement for any The amounts paid by the Indenture Trustee or All collections on the Time to Time
amounts payable by the Indenture Trustee or Securities HELOCs
Indenture Trustee or Securities Administrator Administrator
Securities Administrator
for recording of
assignments of mortgages to
the extent not paid by the
Sponsor
Reimbursement for costs The amount of costs Indenture Trustee or All collections on the Time to Time
associated with the incurred by the Master Master Servicer, as HELOCs
transfer of servicing or Servicer or the Indenture applicable
master servicing in the Trustee in connection
event of termination of the with the transfer of
Servicer or the Master servicing to the Master
Servicer Servicer or a successor
servicer or by the
Indenture Trustee in the
event of termination the
Master Servicer, to the
extent not paid by the
terminated Servicer or
Master Servicer
Reimbursement for any The amount incurred by Indenture Trustee All collections on the Time to Time
expenses incurred by the the Indenture Trustee or and Securities HELOCs
Indenture Trustee or Securities Administrator Administrator
Securities Administrator in in connection with a tax
connection with a tax audit audit of the trust
of the trust
- ----------
(1) The servicing fee, master servicing fee and credit risk manager fee is paid
on a first priority basis from collections allocable to interest on the
HELOCs, prior to payments to the Noteholders.
(2) The premium payable to the Note Insurer is paid on a first priority basis
from interest collections on the HELOCs, prior to payments to the
Noteholders.
(3) The Master Servicer pays securities administrator fees, indenture trustee
fees and ongoing custodial and safekeeping fees out of its compensation.
(4) See "The Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Custodian"
herein.
(5) See "The Indenture" and "The Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator
and the Custodian" herein.
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
The credit enhancement provided for the benefit of the holders of the
Class A Notes consists of overcollateralization and a financial guaranty
insurance policy issued by the Note
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Insurer as described under "--Overcollateralization Provisions" and "--The
Policy" in this prospectus supplement.
OVERCOLLATERALIZATION PROVISIONS
The weighted average Mortgage Rate for the HELOCs, less the Administration
Fee Rate and the premium payable to the Note Insurer is expected to be higher
than the Note Rate on the Offered Notes, thus generating excess interest
collections which, in the absence of Realized Losses, will not be necessary to
fund interest payments on the Offered Notes or make distribution to the Class G
Certificates. Additional excess interest will be generated by the portion of the
HELOC Pool represented by the Overcollateralization Amount.
With respect to any Payment Date, any Class G Excess Spread Amount will be
paid as follows:
(A)(i) first, to reimburse the Class A Notes for Allocated Realized Loss
Amounts allocated to the Class A Notes and not covered by payments
made by the Note Insurer under the Policy or previously reimbursed;
(ii) second, to the Note Insurer, any Reimbursement Amounts, to the
extent not previously reimbursed;
(iii) third, beginning on the Payment Date in October 2006, to the Class G
Certificates (to be paid as part of the Class G Principal Payment
Amount) in order to reduce its Certificate Principal Balance to the
extent necessary to reach or maintain the Required
Overcollateralization Amount;
(iv) fourth, to pay the Note Insurer any other amount owed to the Note
Insurer pursuant to the Insurance Agreement;
(v) fifth, concurrently to the holders of the Class A Notes and Class G
Certificates, in an amount equal to such note's or certificate's
allocated share of any Prepayment Interest Shortfalls on the related
HELOCs and any shortfalls resulting from the application of the
Relief Act or similar state or local law or the bankruptcy code with
respect to the related HELOCs; and
(vi) sixth, to pay any remaining amount to the Issuer for distribution to
the Class G Certificates.
(B) With respect to any Payment Date, any Net Monthly Excess Cashflow will
be paid as follows:
(i) first, to reimburse the Class A Notes for Allocated Realized Loss
Amounts allocated to the Class A Notes and not covered by payments
made by the Note Insurer under the Policy or previously reimbursed
and to the extent not covered by (A)(i) above;
(ii) second, to the Note Insurer, any Reimbursement Amounts, to the
extent not previously reimbursed and to the extent not covered by
(A)(ii) above;
(iii) third, beginning on the Payment Date in October 2006, to the Class A
Notes (to be paid as part of the Available Principal Payment Amount)
in order to reduce its Note Principal Balance to the extent
necessary to reach or maintain the Required Overcollateralization
Amount;
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(iv) fourth, to pay the Note Insurer any other amount owed to the Note
Insurer pursuant to the Insurance Agreement to the extent not
covered by (A)(iv) above;
(v) fifth, to deposit into the Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve Account,
any Net WAC Rate Carryover Amounts on the Class A Notes;
(vi) sixth, concurrently to the holders of the Class A Notes and Class G
Certificates, in an amount equal to such note's or certificate's
allocated share of any Prepayment Interest Shortfalls on the related
HELOCs and any shortfalls resulting from the application of the
Relief Act or similar state or local law or the bankruptcy code with
respect to the related HELOCs to the extent not paid pursuant to
(A)(v) above; and
(vii) seventh, to pay any remaining amount to the Issuer for distribution
to the Class CE Certificates and Class R Certificates.
As of the Closing Date, the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs as of
the Cut-off Date will exceed the Note Principal Balance of the Offered Notes and
the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class G Certificates by $316. The
Indenture will require that, on each Payment Date, the Net Monthly Excess
Cashflow, to the extent available after payment of the amounts in clauses (B)(i)
and (ii) above, be applied on that Payment Date as an accelerated payment of
principal on the Class A Notes in order to reach the Required
Overcollateralization Amount. Once the Required Overcollateralization Amount is
reached the Indenture will require that, on each Payment Date, the Net Monthly
Excess Cashflow, to the extent available after payment of the amounts in clauses
(B)(i) and (ii) above, be applied on that Payment Date as an accelerated payment
of principal on the Class A Notes to the extent necessary in order to maintain
such Required Overcollateralization Amount. In the event that Realized Losses
are incurred on the HELOCs, such Realized Losses may result in an
overcollateralization deficiency since the Realized Losses will reduce the
principal balance of the HELOCs without a corresponding reduction to the
aggregate Certificate Principal Balances of the Offered Notes and the Class G
Certificates. Such payments from the Net Monthly Excess Cashflow will have the
effect of accelerating the amortization of the Offered Notes relative to the
amortization of the HELOCs, and of increasing the Overcollateralization Amount.
On and after the Stepdown Date and provided that a Trigger Event is not in
effect, the Required Overcollateralization Amount may be permitted to decrease
("step down"), to a level equal to 5.10% of the then current aggregate
outstanding principal balance of the HELOCs (after giving effect to principal
payments to be distributed on the related Payment Date), subject to the
Overcollateralization Floor. In the event that the Required
Overcollateralization Amount is permitted to step down on any Payment Date, the
Indenture will provide that a portion of the principal which would otherwise be
distributed to the holders of the Offered Notes on the related Payment Date will
be distributed to the holders of the Class CE Certificates pursuant to the
priorities set forth above.
With respect to each Payment Date, the Overcollateralization Reduction
Amount, after taking into account all other payments to be made on the related
Payment Date, will be distributed as Net Monthly Excess Cashflow pursuant to the
priorities set forth above. This has the effect of decelerating the amortization
of the Offered Notes relative to the amortization of the HELOCs, and of reducing
the Overcollateralization Amount. However, if on any Payment Date a Trigger
Event is in effect, the Required Overcollateralization Amount will not be
permitted to step down on the related Payment Date.
ALLOCATION OF LOSSES
With respect to any defaulted HELOC that is finally liquidated through
foreclosure sale or disposition of the related Mortgaged Property (if acquired
on behalf of the noteholders by deed in
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lieu of foreclosure or otherwise), the amount of loss realized, if any, will
equal the portion of the unpaid principal balance remaining, if any, plus
interest thereon through the last day of the month in which the related HELOC
was finally liquidated, after application of all amounts recovered (net of
amounts reimbursable to the Servicer or the Master Servicer for Servicing
Advances and other related expenses, including attorneys' fees) towards interest
and principal owing on the HELOC. With respect to any defaulted HELOC that is
charged off, the amount of loss realized, if any, will equal the portion of the
unpaid principal balance remaining, plus interest thereon from the date on which
interest was last paid through the last day of the month in which the related
HELOC was charged off, plus amounts reimbursable to the Servicer or the Master
Servicer for Servicing Advances and other related expenses, including attorneys'
fees. The amount of loss realized and any Bankruptcy Losses are referred to in
this prospectus supplement as "REALIZED LOSSES." In the event that amounts
recovered in connection with the final liquidation of a defaulted HELOC are
insufficient to reimburse the Servicer or the Master Servicer for Servicing
Advances and unpaid servicing fees, these amounts may be reimbursed to the
Servicer or the Master Servicer out of any funds in the collection account prior
to any remittance to the Securities Administrator of funds for payment on the
Class A Notes or the Certificates. In addition, to the extent the Servicer
receives Subsequent Recoveries with respect to any defaulted HELOC, the amount
of the Realized Loss with respect to that defaulted HELOC will be reduced to the
extent such recoveries are applied to reduce the Note Principal Balance of the
Notes and Certificate Principal Balance of the Class G Certificates on any
Payment Date.
Any Realized Losses on the HELOCs will have the effect of: first, reducing
Net Monthly Excess Cashflow and the Class G Excess Spread Amount, second,
reducing amounts payable to the Class CE Certificates. If on any Payment Date
after all payments of principal and interest (other than distributions of
payments made under the Policy) the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs as
of the last day of the related Collection Period is less than the aggregate Note
Principal Balance of the Class A Notes and the Certificate Principal Balance of
the Class G Certificates, that shortfall will be allocated to the Class A Notes
and Class G Certificates on a pro rata basis based on the Note Principal Balance
of the Class A Notes and the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class G
Certificates until the Note Principal Balance and Certificate Principal Balance
thereof, as applicable are reduced to zero; provided, however, that any such
Realized Losses allocated to the Class A Notes will be covered by the Policy and
will not reduce the Note Principal Balance of the Class A Notes unless the Note
Insurer fails to pay such amount.
Except as described below, once Realized Losses have been allocated to the
Class A Notes and the Class G Certificates, such amounts will no longer accrue
interest, and such amounts will not be reinstated thereafter. However, Allocated
Realized Loss Amounts may be paid to the holders of the Class A Notes (to the
extent not reimbursed pursuant to the Policy) from Net Monthly Excess Cashflow
and the Class G Excess Spread Amount according to the priorities set forth under
"--Overcollateralization Provisions" above.
Any allocation of a Realized Loss to the Class A Notes and Class G
Certificates will be made by reducing the Note Principal Balance of the Class A
Notes, to the extent not covered by the Note Insurer, or the Certificate
Principal Balance of the Class G Certificates, as applicable, by the amount so
allocated as of the Payment Date in the month following the calendar month in
which the Realized Loss was incurred. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
described in this prospectus supplement, in no event will the Note Principal
Balance of the Class A Notes or Certificate Principal Balance of the Class G
Certificates be reduced more than once in respect of any particular amount both
(i) allocable to such certificate in respect of Realized Losses and (ii) payable
as principal to the holder of such certificate from Net Monthly Excess Cashflow.
A "BANKRUPTCY LOSS" is a Deficient Valuation or a Debt Service Reduction.
With respect to any HELOC, a "DEFICIENT VALUATION" is a valuation by a court of
competent jurisdiction of the Mortgaged Property in an amount less than the then
outstanding indebtedness under the HELOC,
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which valuation results from a proceeding initiated under the United States
Bankruptcy Code. A "DEBT SERVICE REDUCTION" is any reduction in the amount which
a mortgagor is obligated to pay on a monthly basis with respect to a HELOC as a
result of any proceeding initiated under the United States Bankruptcy Code,
other than a reduction attributable to a Deficient Valuation.
In the event that the Servicer receives any Subsequent Recoveries, such
Subsequent Recoveries will be distributed as part of the Available Payment
Amount in accordance with the priorities described under "Description of the
Securities" in this prospectus supplement and the Note Principal Balance of the
Class A Notes and the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class G Certificates,
to the extent reduced by the allocation of a Realized Loss, will be increased on
a pro rata basis based on the amount of such Realized Loss, but only to the
extent that such note or certificate has not been reimbursed for the amount of
such Realized Loss (or any portion thereof) from Net Monthly Excess Cashflow as
described under "Description of the Securities--Overcollateralization
Provisions" in this prospectus supplement. Holders of Class A Notes and Class G
Certificates will not be entitled to any payment in respect of current interest
on the amount of such increases for any Interest Accrual Period preceding the
Payment Date on which such increase occurs.
REPORTS TO NOTEHOLDERS
On each Payment Date, the Securities Administrator will make available to
each noteholder, the Note Insurer and the Depositor a statement generally
setting forth, among other information:
1. the applicable Interest Accrual Periods and general Payment Dates;
2. the total cash flows received and the general sources thereof (including
Principal Collection Amount and the Interest Collection Amount);
3. the amount, if any, of fees or expenses accrued and paid, with an
identification of the payee and the general purpose of such fees;
4. the amount of the related payment to holders of the Offered Notes and
Class G Certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying (A) the
aggregate amount of any principal prepayments included therein, (B) the
aggregate of all payments of principal included therein and (C) any
Overcollateralization Increase Amount included therein;
5. the amount of such payment to holders of the Offered Notes and Class G
Certificates allocable to interest;
6. the Interest Carry Forward Amounts and any Net WAC Rate Carryover
Amounts for the Offered Notes (if any);
7. the Note Principal Balance of the Class A Notes and Certificate
Principal Balance of the Class G Certificates before and after giving effect to
the payment of principal and allocation of Allocated Realized Loss Amounts on
such Payment Date;
8. the number and principal balance of all the HELOCs for the following
Payment Date;
9. the Note Rate for the Class A Notes for such Payment Date;
10. the aggregate amount of Servicing Advances included in the payments on
the Payment Date (including the general purpose of such Servicing Advances);
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11. the number and aggregate principal balance of any HELOCs that were (A)
delinquent (exclusive of HELOCs in foreclosure) using the "OTS" method (1) One
scheduled payment is delinquent, (2) two scheduled payments are delinquent, (3)
three scheduled payments are delinquent and (4) foreclosure proceedings have
been commenced, and loss information for the period; the number and aggregate
principal balance of any HELOCs in respect of which (A) one scheduled payment is
delinquent, (B) two scheduled payments are delinquent, (C) three or more
scheduled payments are delinquent and (D) foreclosure proceedings have been
commenced, and loss information for the period;
12. the amount of, if any, of excess cashflow or excess spread and the
application of such excess cashflow;
13. with respect to any HELOC that was liquidated during the preceding
calendar month, the loan number and principal balance of, and Realized Loss on,
such HELOC as of the end of the related Collection Period;
14. whether the Stepdown Date or a Rapid Amortization Event has occurred
and whether a Trigger Event is in effect;
15. the total number and principal balance of any real estate owned, or
REO, properties as of the end of the related Collection Period;
16. the cumulative Realized Losses through the end of the preceding month;
17. the six-month rolling average of the percent equivalent of a fraction,
the numerator of which is the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs that are
60 days or more delinquent or are in bankruptcy or foreclosure or are REO
properties, and the denominator of which is the principal balances of all of the
HELOCs;
18. with respect to the Class A Notes, the amount of payments, if any, to
holders of such Notes provided by the Policy;
19. the amount of draws on the HELOC.
On each Payment Date, the Securities Administrator will make the monthly
statement (and, at its option, any additional files containing the same
information in an alternative format) available each month via the Securities
Administrator's internet website. Assistance in using the website can be
obtained by calling the Securities Administrator's customer service desk at
312-904-4373. Parties that are unable to use the above distribution options are
entitled to have a paper copy mailed to them via first class mail by calling the
Securities Administrator's customer service desk and indicating such. The
Securities Administrator will have the right to change the way such statements
are distributed in order to make such distribution more convenient and/or more
accessible to the above parties and the Securities Administrator will provide
timely and adequate notification to all above parties regarding any such
changes.
The annual reports on Form 10-K, the distribution reports on Form 10-D, the
current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports in each case,
prepared and filed by the Securities Administrator with respect to the trust
pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act will be made available on
the website of the Securities Administrator as soon as reasonably practicable
after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
In addition, within a reasonable period of time after the end of each
calendar year, the Securities Administrator will, upon written request, prepare
and deliver to each holder of a Note of
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record during the previous calendar year a statement containing information
necessary to enable noteholders to prepare their tax returns. Such statements
will not have been examined and reported upon by an independent public
accountant.
THE NOTE INSURER
The following information has been obtained from Financial Security
Assurance Inc. (hereinafter in this section, "FINANCIAL SECURITY" or "FSA").
Financial Security accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or
completeness of this prospectus supplement, or any other information or
disclosure contained herein or therein, or omitted herefrom, other than with
respect to the accuracy of the information regarding the Note Insurer and its
affiliates set forth under this heading or incorporated by reference herein. In
addition, Financial Security makes no representation regarding the notes or the
advisability of investing in the Offered Notes.
GENERAL
FSA, which is referred to in this prospectus supplement as the "NOTE
INSURER" is a financial guaranty insurance company incorporated in 1984 under
the laws of the State of New York. FSA is licensed to engage in the financial
guaranty insurance business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto
Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.
FSA and its subsidiaries are engaged in the business of writing financial
guaranty insurance, principally in respect of securities offered in domestic and
foreign markets and obligations under credit default swaps. Financial guaranty
insurance provides a guaranty of scheduled payments on an Issuer's
obligations--thereby enhancing the credit rating of those obligations--in
consideration for the payment of a premium to the insurer. FSA and its
subsidiaries principally insure asset-backed, collateralized and municipal
obligations. Asset-backed obligations are typically supported by residential
mortgage loans, consumer or trade receivables, securities or other assets having
an ascertainable cash flow or market value. Collateralized obligations include
public utility first mortgage bonds and sale/leaseback obligation bonds.
Municipal obligations include general obligation bonds, special revenue bonds
and other special obligations of state and local governments. Obligations may be
insured on a funded basis through insurance of bonds or other securities or on
an unfunded basis through insurance of credit default swaps referencing one or
more bonds or other obligations (with or without a deductible or other provision
for loss reduction). FSA insures both newly issued securities sold in the
primary market and outstanding securities sold in the secondary market that
satisfy FSA's underwriting criteria.
FSA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Financial Security Assurance Holdings
Ltd., which is referred to in this prospectus supplement as "HOLDINGS". Holdings
is an indirect subsidiary of Dexia S.A., a publicly held Belgian corporation.
Dexia S.A., through its bank subsidiaries, is primarily engaged in the business
of public finance, banking and asset management in France, Belgium and other
European countries. No shareholder of Holdings or FSA is obligated to pay any
debt of FSA or any claim under any insurance policy issued by FSA or to make any
additional contribution to the capital of FSA.
The principal executive offices of FSA are located at 31 West 52nd Street,
New York, New York, 10019, and its telephone number at that location is (212)
826-0100.
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REINSURANCE
Under an intercompany agreement, liabilities on financial guaranty
insurance written or reinsured from third parties by FSA or its domestic or
Bermuda operating insurance company subsidiaries are generally reinsured among
such companies on an agreed-upon percentage substantially proportional to their
respective capital, surplus and reserves, subject to applicable statutory risk
limitations. In addition, FSA reinsures a portion of its liabilities under
certain of its financial guaranty insurance policies with other reinsurers under
various treaties and on a transaction-by-transaction basis. This reinsurance is
used by FSA as a risk management device and to comply with statutory and rating
agency requirements; it does not alter or limit FSA's obligations under any
financial guaranty insurance policy.
RATINGS
FSA's financial strength is rated "triple-A" by Fitch Ratings, Moody's
Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, and Rating and
Investment Information, Inc. These ratings reflect only the views of the
respective rating agencies, are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold
securities and are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by those rating
agencies. See "Ratings" in this prospectus supplement.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the capitalization of FSA and its
subsidiaries as of March 31, 2006 (unaudited) on the basis of accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America:
March 31, 2006
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
--------------
Deferred Premium Revenue (net of prepaid reinsurance premiums).................... $1,509,575
Surplus Notes..................................................................... 108,850
----------
Shareholder's Equity:
Common Stock................................................................... 15,000
Additional Paid-In Capital..................................................... 844,626
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (net of deferred income taxes).......... 76,730
Accumulated Earnings........................................................... 2,004,405
----------
Total Shareholder's Equity........................................................ 2,940,761
----------
Total Deferred Premium Revenue (net), Surplus Notes Shareholder's Equity.......... $4,559,186
==========
For further information concerning FSA, see the Consolidated Financial
Statements of FSA and its subsidiaries, and the notes thereto, incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement. FSA's financial statements are included
as exhibits to reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by
Holdings pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT") and may be reviewed at the
EDGAR web site maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of
the statutory quarterly and annual statements filed with the State of New York
Insurance Department by FSA are available upon request to the State of New York
Insurance Department.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
In addition to the documents of the trust filed with the SEC, the financial
statements of Financial Security Assurance Inc. included in, or as exhibits to,
the following documents filed by Holdings with the SEC are hereby incorporated
by reference:
(a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005
(audited) and
(b) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2006
(unaudited).
All financial statements of Financial Security Assurance Inc. included in,
or as exhibits to, documents filed by Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd.
pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 after the filing of this prospectus supplement and before the termination
of the offering of the notes will be deemed incorporated by reference into this
prospectus supplement. The Depositor hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
trust's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each filing of the financial statements of
Financial Security Assurance Inc. included in or as an exhibit to the annual
report of Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. filed pursuant to section
13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement will be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
INSURANCE REGULATION
FSA is licensed and subject to regulation as a financial guaranty insurance
corporation under the laws of the State of New York, its state of domicile. In
addition, FSA and its insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulation by
insurance laws of the various other jurisdictions in which they are licensed to
do business. As a financial guaranty insurance corporation licensed to do
business in the State of New York, FSA is subject to Article 69 of the New York
Insurance Law which, among other things, limits the business of a financial
guaranty insurer to writing financial guaranty insurance and related business
lines, requires each financial guaranty insurer to maintain a minimum surplus to
policyholders, establishes contingency, loss and unearned premium reserve
requirements for each financial guaranty insurer, and limits the size of
individual transactions and the volume of transactions that may be underwritten
by each financial guaranty insurer. Other provisions of the New York Insurance
Law, applicable to non-life insurance companies such as FSA, regulate, among
other things, permitted investments, payment of dividends, transactions with
affiliates, mergers, consolidations, acquisitions or sales of assets and
incurrence of liability for borrowings.
THE POLICY
The Policy will be issued by the Note Insurer by the Closing Date pursuant
to the Insurance and Indemnity Agreement (the "INSURANCE AGREEMENT" ) to be
dated as of the Closing Date, among the Sponsor, the Issuing Entity, the
Depositor, the Securities Administrator the Indenture Trustee and the Note
Insurer.
Simultaneously with the issuance of the Offered Notes, the Note Insurer
will deliver the Policy to the Securities Administrator on behalf of the
Indenture Trustee for the benefit of each Noteholder. Under the Policy, the Note
Insurer unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the Indenture Trustee for
the benefit of each Noteholder the full and complete payment of (i) accrued and
unpaid interest for payment each date due on the Offered Notes calculated in
accordance with the original terms of the Offered Notes (without regard to any
increase in the margin following the
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Optional Redemption Date) and the Indenture after giving effect to amendments or
modifications to which the Note Insurer has given its written consent, and (ii)
the Guaranteed Principal Payment Amount (clauses (i) and (ii) collectively, the
"SCHEDULED PAYMENTS") and (iii) the amount of any distribution of principal or
interest to any Noteholder which distribution subsequently is avoided in whole
or in part as a preference payment under applicable law.
"Scheduled Payments" will not include, nor shall coverage be provided under
the Policy in respect of, any taxes, withholding or other charge imposed by any
governmental authority due in connection with the payment of any Scheduled
Payment to a holder, any Relief Act shortfalls, Prepayment Interest Shortfalls
or any Net WAC Rate Carryover Amounts that may be incurred or that may be
distributable to the Offered Notes. Scheduled Payments shall not include
payments that become due on an accelerated basis as a result of a default by the
issuing entity, an election by the issuing entity to pay principal on an
accelerated basis, the occurrence of an event of default under the Indenture or
any other cause, unless the Note Insurer elects, in its sole discretion, to pay
in whole or in part such principal due upon acceleration, together with any
accrued interest to the date of acceleration. In the event the Note Insurer does
not so elect, the Policy will continue to guarantee payment on the Offered Notes
in accordance with their original terms. Scheduled Payments shall not include
any amounts due in respect of the Offered Notes attributable to any increase in
interest rate, penalty or other sum payable by the issuing entity by reason of
any default or event of default in respect of the Offered Notes, or by reason of
any deterioration of the creditworthiness of the issuing entity, nor shall
Scheduled Payments include, nor shall coverage be provided under the Policy in
respect of, any taxes, withholding or other charge imposed by any governmental
authority due in connection with the payment of any Scheduled Payment to a
Noteholder.
The "GUARANTEED PRINCIPAL PAYMENT AMOUNT" means: (a) on the Payment Date in
February 2031, the amount needed to pay the outstanding Note Principal Balance
of the Offered Notes following the distribution of the Available Payment Amount
on that Payment Date and (b) for any other Payment Date, the Trust Allocation
Percentage of the aggregate amount, if any, by which the aggregate Note
Principal Balance of Class A Notes and the Certificate Principal Balance of the
Class G Certificates, in each case following the distribution of the Available
Payment Amount and Class G Principal Payment Amount on that Payment Date,
exceeds the aggregate Principal Balance of the HELOCs as of the close of
business on the last day of the related Collection Period.
Payment of claims on the Policy made in respect of Scheduled Payments will
be made by the Note Insurer following receipt by the Note Insurer of the
appropriate notice for payment on the later to occur of (1) 12:00 noon New York
City time, on the second Business Day following receipt of such notice for
payment and (2) 12:00 noon New York City time, on the date on which such payment
was due on the Offered Notes.
If payment of any amount avoided as a preference under applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law is required to be made under
the Policy, the Note Insurer shall cause that payment to be made on the later of
(a) the date when due to be paid pursuant to the order described below and (b)
the first to occur of (1) the fourth Business Day following receipt by the Note
Insurer from the Securities Administrator of:
(A) a certified copy of the order (the "ORDER") of the court or other
governmental body which exercised jurisdiction to the effect that the
related Noteholder is required to return principal or interest paid on such
certificate during the term of the related Policy because those
distributions were avoidable as preference payments under applicable
bankruptcy law,
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(B) a certificate of the related Noteholder that the Order has been
entered and is not subject to any stay, and
(C) an assignment duly executed and delivered by the related
Noteholder in the form as is reasonably required by the Policy and provided
to the related Noteholder by the Note Insurer, irrevocably assigning to the
Note Insurer all rights and claims of the related holder, as applicable,
relating to or arising under the Offered Notes against the trust or
otherwise with respect to the preference payment,
and (2) the date of receipt by the Note Insurer from the Securities
Administrator of the items referred to in clauses (A), (B) and (C) above if, at
least four Business Days prior to the date of receipt, the Note Insurer shall
have received written notice from the Securities Administrator that the items
referred to in clauses (A), (B) and (C) above were to be delivered on that date
and that date was specified in the notice. Payment shall be disbursed to the
receiver, conservator, debtor-in-possession or trustee in bankruptcy named in
the Order and not to the Securities Administrator or any holder of a note
directly, unless such holder has previously paid that amount to the receiver,
conservator, debtor-in-possession or trustee in bankruptcy named in the Order in
which case the payment shall be disbursed to the Securities Administrator for
distribution to the Noteholder upon proof of payment reasonably satisfactory to
the Note Insurer. In connection with the foregoing, the Note Insurer shall have
the rights provided pursuant to the Indenture of the holders of the Offered
Notes, including, without limitation, the right to direct all matters relating
to any preference claim and subrogation to the rights of the Indenture Trustee
and each holder of a note in the conduct of any proceeding with respect to a
preference claim.
The terms "receipt" and "received," with respect to the Policy, shall mean
actual delivery to the Note Insurer and to its fiscal agent, if any, prior to
12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Business Day; delivery either on a day that
is not a Business Day or after 12:00 noon., New York City time, shall be deemed
to be receipt on the next succeeding Business Day. If any notice or certificate
given under the Policy by the Securities Administrator is not in proper form or
is not properly completed, executed or delivered or contains a misstatement, it
shall be deemed not to have been received, and the Note Insurer or the fiscal
agent shall promptly so advise the Securities Administrator and the Securities
Administrator may submit an amended notice.
Under the Policy, "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday, legal holiday or other day on which banking institutions in New York,
New York, Chicago, Illinois or any other location of any successor Servicer,
successor Securities Administrator or successor Indenture Trustee are authorized
or obligated by law, executive order or governmental decree to be closed.
"TERM OF THE POLICY" means the period from and including the date of
issuance of the Policy to and including the date on which (i) the principal
balance of the Class A1 Notes is reduced to zero after giving effect to all
payments, (ii) any period during which any payment on the Offered Notes could
have been avoided in whole or in part as a preference payment under applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law has expired, and (iii) if
any proceedings requisite to avoidance as a preference payment have been
commenced prior to the occurrence of (i) and (ii), a final and nonappealable
order in resolution of each such proceeding has been entered.
The Note Insurer's obligations under the Policy in respect of Scheduled
Payments will be discharged to the extent funds are transferred to the
Securities Administrator as provided in the Policy whether or not such funds are
properly applied by the Securities Administrator.
The Note Insurer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Noteholders to
receive payments of principal and interest to the extent of any payment by the
Note Insurer under the Policy.
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The Note Insurer shall not be required to make any payment to the extent
that any force majeure event or governmental act prevents the insurer from
performing its obligations under the Policy or such performance is otherwise
rendered impossible, in which event the Note Insurer agrees to (i) use
commercially reasonable efforts to perform its obligations under the Policy
notwithstanding such force majeure event, governmental act or impossibility of
performance and (ii) perform its obligations under the Policy promptly following
cessation of such force majeure event, governmental act or impossibility of
performance.
Claims under the Policy constitute direct, unsecured and unsubordinated
obligations of the Note Insurer ranking not less than pari passu with other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Note Insurer for borrowed
money. Claims against the Note Insurer under the Policy and claims against the
Note Insurer under each other financial guaranty insurance policy issued thereby
constitute pari passu claims against the general assets of the Note Insurer. The
terms of the Policy cannot be modified or altered by any other agreement or
instrument, or by the merger, consolidation or dissolution of the issuing
entity. The Policy may not be canceled or revoked prior to payment in full of
all Scheduled Payments with respect to the Offered Notes. The Policy is not
covered by the property/casualty insurance security fund specified in Article 76
of the New York Insurance Law. The Policy is governed by the laws of the State
of New York.
RIGHTS OF THE NOTE INSURER
Under the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Sale and Servicing Agreement
and the Indenture, unless a note insurer default exists, the Note Insurer will
be entitled to exercise the voting rights of the holders of the Class A Notes.
In addition, unless a note insurer default exists, the Note Insurer will have
the right to direct all matters relating to, among other things, (i) the
termination of the Servicer and Master Servicer under the terms of the Sale and
Servicing Agreement and the appointment of any successor; (ii) the waiver or
non-waiver of defaults by the Servicer or Master Servicer under the Sale and
Servicing Agreement or with respect to the Offered Notes under the Indenture;
and (iii) the removal of the Securities Administrator or the Indenture Trustee
under the terms of the applicable agreements and the appointment of any
successor. The Note Insurer will have the right to consent to any amendment of
the Trust Agreement, the Sale and Servicing Agreement or the Indenture.
THE ORIGINATOR
GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING, INC.
For a description of the underwriting guidelines applicable to the HELOCs
purchased from GreenPoint and certain other information with respect to
GreenPoint, see "Underwriting Standards--GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc."
herein.
STATIC POOL INFORMATION
Static pool information material to this offering may be found at
http://regab.db.com.
Information provided through the Internet address above will not be deemed
to be a part of this prospectus or the registration statement for the securities
offered hereby if it relates to any prior securities pool or vintage formed
before January 1, 2006, or with respect to the mortgage pool (if applicable),
any period before January 1, 2006.
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ISSUING ENTITY
ACE Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2006-GP1 is a statutory trust to be
formed under the laws of the State of Delaware under the trust agreement for the
purposes described in this prospectus supplement. The trust agreement will
constitute the governing instrument under the laws of the State of Delaware
relating to statutory trusts. After its formation, the issuing entity will not
engage in any activity other than:
o acquiring and holding the loans and the other assets of the issuing
entity and related proceeds;
o issuing the Offered Notes and the Certificates;
o making payments on the Offered Notes and the Certificates;
o making payments to the Note Insurer in respect of the premium and
Reimbursement Amounts; and
o engaging in other activities that are necessary, suitable or
convenient to accomplish the foregoing.
The Issuing Entity's principal offices are in Wilmington, Delaware, in care
of Wilmington Trust Company, as owner trustee, at 1100 N. Market Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001.
THE DEPOSITOR
ACE Securities Corp., the Depositor, is a special purpose corporation
incorporated in the State of Delaware on June 3, 1998. The principal executive
offices of the Depositor are located at 6525 Morrison Boulevard, Suite 318,
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211. Its telephone number is (704) 365-0569. The
Depositor does not have, nor is it expected in the future to have, any
significant assets.
The limited purposes of the Depositor are, in general, to acquire, own and
sell home equity loans and other types of mortgage loans and financial assets;
to issue, acquire, own, hold and sell securities and notes secured by or
representing ownership interests in mortgage loans and other financial assets,
collections on the mortgage loans and related assets; and to engage in any acts
that are incidental to, or necessary, suitable or convenient to accomplish,
these purposes.
The Depositor has been serving as a private secondary mortgage market
conduit for residential mortgage loans since 1999. Since that time it has been
involved in the issuance of securities backed by residential mortgage loans in
excess of $30 billion.
After issuance and registration of the securities contemplated in this
prospectus supplement, the Depositor will have no duties or responsibilities
with respect to the pool assets or securities.
All of the shares of capital stock of the Depositor are held by Altamont
Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation.
THE SPONSOR
DB Structured Products, Inc. is the Sponsor. The Sponsor was incorporated
in the State of Delaware on February 4, 1970 under the name "Sharps Pixley
Incorporated". The name of the
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Sponsor was changed on January 3, 1994 to Deutsche Bank Sharps Pixley Inc., and
subsequently changed on January 2, 2002 to DB Structured Products, Inc. The
Sponsor maintains its principal office at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York
10005. Its telephone number is (212) 250-2500.
Through December 31, 2005, the Sponsor has purchased over $26 billion in
residential mortgage loans. This includes the purchase of newly originated
non-agency loans, as well as seasoned, program exception, sub-performing and
non-performing loans.
The Sponsor has been securitizing residential mortgage loans since 2004.
The following table describes size, composition and growth of the Sponsor's
total portfolio of assets it has securitized as of the dates indicated.
DECEMBER 31, 2004 DECEMBER 31, 2005
------------------------ -------------------------
TOTAL PORTFOLIO TOTAL PORTFOLIO
OF LOANS OF LOANS
LOAN TYPE NUMBER ($) NUMBER ($)
- ------------------------------ ------ --------------- ------- ---------------
Alt-A ARM..................... -- -- 3,466 1,088,327,305
Alt-A Fixed................... -- -- 17,892 3,361,707,721
Prime ARM..................... 3,612 1,096,433,033 -- --
Prime Fixed................... 5,275 986,186,740 -- --
Scratch & Dent/Reperf......... 1,376 135,671,795 4,913 500,710,103
Seconds....................... -- -- 5,227 258,281,341
SubPrime...................... 31,174 5,481,240,453 71,747 13,066,859,416
Seasoned...................... -- -- 1,827 165,210,069
TOTAL:........................ 41,437 7,699,532,021 105,072 18,441,095,955
SERVICING OF THE HELOCS
GENERAL
Primary servicing of the HELOCs will be provided by GreenPoint. GreenPoint
will service the HELOCs in accordance with the Sale and Servicing Agreement. The
Master Servicer will be required to supervise, oversee and monitor GreenPoint's
performance under the Sale and Servicing Agreement. In the event of a default by
GreenPoint under the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Master Servicer will
enforce any remedies against GreenPoint.
The information set forth in the following paragraphs has been provided by
GreenPoint.
GreenPoint, a New York corporation, is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary
of North Fork Bancorporation, Inc., a Delaware corporation and bank holding
company ("NORTH FORK"). North Fork's other subsidiaries include North Fork Bank,
a New York commercial bank. North Fork is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol "NFB". GreenPoint was formerly an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of GreenPoint Financial Corp., which was acquired by North Fork in
October 2004. On March 12, 2006, North Fork and Capital One Financial
Corporation ("Capital One") announced that they signed a definitive agreement in
which Capital One will acquire North Fork. The transaction is subject to all
required regulatory approvals, approval by the shareholders of both companies
and other customary conditions.
GreenPoint is engaged in the mortgage banking business, and as part of that
business, originates, acquires, sells and services mortgage loans. GreenPoint
originates loans primarily through its wholesale division, which works with a
nationwide network of independent mortgage brokers, each of which must be
approved by GreenPoint. GreenPoint also originates loans through its retail and
correspondent lending divisions. Mortgage loans originated by GreenPoint
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are secured primarily by one-to-four family residences. GreenPoint's executive
offices are located at 100 Wood Hollow Drive, Novato, California, 94945.
GreenPoint has been servicing residential mortgage loans, including home
equity lines of credit (referred to in this section as "MORTGAGE LOANS"), since
its formation in October 1999 when it acquired the assets and liabilities of
Headlands Mortgage Company. GreenPoint is an approved mortgage loan servicer for
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and is licensed to service mortgage loans in each
state where a license is required based on the conduct of its servicing
business. In its capacity as servicer, GreenPoint will be responsible for
servicing the mortgage loans in accordance with the terms set forth in the
applicable servicing agreement.
GreenPoint sells substantially all of the mortgage loans it originates or
acquires. In connection with such sales, GreenPoint sometimes continues to
service the loans it sells, and sometimes transfers the servicing to loan
purchasers. The relative proportions in which GreenPoint sells and transfers
servicing for loans vary to a significant degree depending on a number of
factors, including market conditions. As of December 31, 2005, December 31, 2004
and December 31, 2003, GreenPoint provided servicing for mortgage loans with an
aggregate principal balance of approximately $50 billion, $42.6 billion and
$31.9 billion, respectively, of which approximately 66.6%, 65.6% and 62.1%,
respectively, are being serviced for unaffiliated persons.
GreenPoint has established standard policies for the servicing of
mortgages. Servicing includes, but is not limited to: (i) collecting,
aggregating and remitting mortgage loan payments; (ii) accounting for principal
and interest; (iii) holding escrow funds for future payment of taxes and
insurance; (iv) making inspections as required of the mortgaged properties; (v)
preparation of tax related information in connection with mortgage loans; (vi)
management of delinquent mortgage loans (including mortgage loans of borrowers
who have declared bankruptcy); (vii) loss mitigation efforts; (viii) foreclosure
proceedings and, if applicable, the disposition of mortgaged properties; and
(ix) generally administering mortgage loans, for which it receives servicing
fees.
GreenPoint mails billing statements monthly with respect to mortgage loans.
The statement includes payment details and payment application information and
specifies the next payment due. GreenPoint monitors adjustable rate mortgage
loans to capture changes to the applicable index. GreenPoint processes all rate
changes and sends written notification to affected borrowers prior to the
effective payment date.
When a borrower fails to make a payment on a mortgage loan, GreenPoint
attempts to cure the default by contacting the borrower by phone. In most cases,
defaults are cured promptly. Pursuant to GreenPoint's servicing procedures,
GreenPoint generally mails to the borrower a notice of intent to foreclose after
the loan becomes 35 days past due (two payments due but not received) and, may
within 45 days thereafter, if the loan remains delinquent, institute appropriate
legal action to foreclose on the mortgaged property. GreenPoint may or may not
initiate a foreclosure depending on a number of factors, including, but not
limited to, the value of the underlying property and whether the borrower's
first lien mortgage is also in default. Foreclosure proceedings are terminated
if the delinquency is cured. Mortgage loans to borrowers who declare bankruptcy
may be restructured by bankruptcy courts in accordance with law and with a view
to maximizing recovery of the loans.
If foreclosure is initiated by GreenPoint, a foreclosure tracking system is
used to monitor the progress of the proceedings. The system includes state
specific parameters to monitor whether proceedings are progressing within the
time frame typical for the state in which the mortgaged property is located.
During the foreclosure proceeding, GreenPoint determines the amount of the
foreclosure bid and whether to liquidate the mortgage loan.
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If foreclosed, the mortgaged property is sold at a public sale and may be
purchased by GreenPoint. After foreclosure, GreenPoint may liquidate the
mortgaged property and charge-off any balance which was not recovered through
liquidation proceeds.
Servicing administration, collection practices and charge-off policies with
respect to mortgage loans are generally consistent with industry practices, but
may change over time in accordance with, among other things, GreenPoint's
business judgment, servicing requirements, changes in the servicing portfolio
and applicable laws and regulations.
FORECLOSURE AND DELINQUENCY EXPERIENCE
Historically, a variety of factors, including the appreciation of real
estate values, have limited GreenPoint's foreclosure and delinquency experience
on its portfolio of serviced mortgage loans. There can be no assurance that
factors beyond the control of GreenPoint, such as national or local economic
conditions or downturns in the real estate markets of its lending areas, will
not result in increased rates of delinquencies and foreclosure losses in the
future.
A general deterioration of the real estate market in regions where the
mortgaged properties are located may result in increases in delinquencies of
loans secured by real estate, slower absorption rates of real estate into the
market and lower sales prices for real estate. A general weakening of the
economy may result in decreases in the financial strength of borrowers and
decreases in the value of collateral serving as security for loans. If the real
estate market and economy were to decline, GreenPoint may experience an increase
in delinquencies on the loans it services and higher net losses on liquidated
loans.
The following table summarizes the delinquency experience for all the
mortgage loans originated and serviced by GreenPoint. The data presented in the
following table is for illustrative purposes only, and there is no assurance
that the delinquency experience of the mortgage loans included in the trust will
be similar to that set forth below.
GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING, INC.
OVERALL MORTGAGE PORTFOLIO DELINQUENCY AND FORECLOSURE EXPERIENCE
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
AT DECEMBER 31, AT MARCH 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
2003 2004 2005 2006
------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
PERCENT PERCENT PERCENT PERCENT
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF NUMBER OF NUMBER OF
OF SERVICING OF SERVICING OF SERVICING OF SERVICING
LOANS PORTFOLIO LOANS PORTFOLIO LOANS PORTFOLIO LOANS PORTFOLIO
------- --------- ------- --------- ------- --------- ------- ---------
Total Portfolio*................. 212,711 6.20% 286,698 3.41% 289,304 3.74% 281,407 3.00%
Period of Delinquency
30-59 days.................... 6,381 3.00% 4,931 1.72% 6,065 2.10% 4,400 1.56%
60-89 days.................... 2,056 0.97% 1,333 0.46% 1,626 0.56% 1,138 0.40%
90 days or more............... 1,922 0.90% 1,799 0.63% 2,138 0.74% 1,742 0.62%
Total Delinquencies..............
(excluding Foreclosures)**.... 10,359 4.87% 8,063 2.81% 9,829 3.40% 7,280 2.59%
Foreclosures Pending............. 2,831 1.33% 1,709 0.60% 988 0.34% 1,156 0.41%
* The total number of loans in the portfolio has been reduced by the number
of loans for which a servicing released sale is pending or loans which have
been foreclosed.
** Percentages may not total properly due to rounding.
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SERVICING AND OTHER COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES; AMENDMENTS TO CREDIT
LINE AGREEMENTS
The Servicer will provide customary servicing functions with respect to the
HELOCs. the Servicer is not obligated under any circumstances to make advances
of delinquent principal and interest payments on the HELOCs. In managing the
liquidation of defaulted HELOCs, the Servicer will have sole discretion to take
such action in maximizing recoveries to the noteholders and the Note Insurer
including, without limitation, selling defaulted HELOCs and REO properties as
described in the sale and servicing agreement dated as of the Cut-off Date among
the Depositor, the Issuing Entity, the Indenture Trustee, the Master Servicer,
the Securities Administrator, the Sponsor and the Originator (the "SALE AND
SERVICING AGREEMENT").
The Servicer may waive, modify or vary any term of any HELOC or consent to
the postponement of strict compliance with any such term or in any manner grant
indulgence to any mortgagor if in the Servicer's reasonable and prudent
determination such waiver, modification, postponement or indulgence is in
accordance with the servicing standard set forth in the sale and Servicing
Agreement; provided, however, that the Servicer will not permit any modification
with respect to any HELOC that would change the mortgage interest rate except as
provided in the related loan documents, defer or forgive the payment thereof or
of any principal or interest payments, reduce the outstanding principal balance
(except in connection with the Servicer's permitted allowance of certain loans
having a senior lien priority to the related loan and except for actual payments
of principal) or that would both (A) effect an exchange or reissuance of such
HELOC under Section 1001 of the Code (or final, temporary or proposed Treasury
regulations promulgated thereunder) and (B) cause any Trust REMIC created under
the Sale and Servicing Agreement to fail to qualify as a REMIC under the Code or
the imposition of any tax on "prohibited transactions" or "contributions after
the startup date" under the REMIC Provisions.
In the course of performing its servicing obligations, the Servicer will
pay all customary, reasonable and necessary "out of pocket" costs and expenses
incurred in the performance of its servicing obligations, including, but not
limited to, the cost of (i) the preservation, restoration, and repair of a
mortgaged property, (ii) any enforcement or judicial proceedings with respect to
a HELOC, including foreclosure actions and(iii) the management and liquidation
of REO Property. Each such expenditure will constitute a "SERVICING ADVANCE."
Servicing Advances are required to be made on each HELOC only to the extent they
are deemed by the Servicer to be recoverable. The Servicer's right to
reimbursement for Servicing Advances is limited to late collections on the
related HELOC, including liquidation proceeds, condemnation proceeds, insurance
proceeds and such other amounts as may be collected by the Servicer from the
related mortgagor or otherwise relating to the HELOC.
The principal compensation to be paid to the Servicer in respect of the
servicing activities performed by the Servicer will be a servicing fee (the
"SERVICING FEE"), as set forth under "Description of the Securities--Table of
Fees and Expenses", calculated using a per annum rate multiplied by the
principal balance of each HELOC, in this prospectus supplement. Amounts
collected in respect of interest on the HELOCs each month will be remitted by
the Servicer to the Master Servicer net of the Servicing Fee payable to the
Servicer for such month.
As additional servicing compensation, the Servicer is entitled to retain
all servicing-related fees, including assumption fees, modification fees,
extension fees, non-sufficient funds fees, late payment charges and other
ancillary fees and charges in respect of the HELOCs, to the extent collected
from mortgagors, together with any interest or other income earned on funds held
in the collection account and any related escrow account.
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The Servicer will be obligated to pay insurance premiums and other ongoing
expenses associated with the HELOCs in connection with their responsibilities
under the Sale and Servicing Agreement, and are entitled to reimbursement for
these expenses as provided in the Sale and Servicing Agreement. See "Description
of the Agreement-Material Terms of the Sale and Servicing Agreements and
Underlying Servicing Agreements-Retained Interest, Servicing Compensation and
Payment of Expenses" in the prospectus for information regarding expenses
payable by the Servicer.
PAYMENTS ON HELOCS; DEPOSITS TO COLLECTION ACCOUNT
The Servicer will establish and maintain or cause to be maintained a
separate trust account or accounts (the "COLLECTION ACCOUNT") for the benefit of
the noteholders and the Note Insurer. The Collection Account will be an Eligible
Account (as defined in the Sale and Servicing Agreement). Upon receipt by the
Servicer of amounts in respect of the HELOCs (excluding amounts representing the
Servicing Fees or other servicing compensation, reimbursement for Servicing
Advances and insurance proceeds to be applied to the restoration or repair of a
Mortgaged Property or similar items), the Servicer will deposit such amounts in
the Collection Account. Amounts so deposited may be invested in Permitted
Investments maturing no later than one Business Day prior to the date on which
the amount on deposit therein is required to be remitted to the Securities
Administrator. All investment income on funds in the Collection Account will be
for the benefit of the Servicer.
Any one or more of the following obligations or securities held in the name
of the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the noteholders and the Note Insurer
will be considered a Permitted Investment:
(i) obligations of the United States or any agency thereof, provided such
obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States;
(ii) general obligations of or obligations guaranteed by any state of the
United States or the District of Columbia receiving the highest long-term debt
rating of each rating agency, or such lower rating as will not result in the
downgrading or withdrawal of the ratings then assigned to the notes by each
rating agency, as evidenced in writing;
(iii) commercial or finance company paper which is then receiving the
highest commercial or finance company paper rating of each rating agency rating
such paper, or such lower rating as will not result in the downgrading or
withdrawal of the ratings then assigned to the notes by each rating agency, as
evidenced in writing;
(iv) certificates of deposit, demand or time deposits, or bankers'
acceptances issued by any depository institution or trust company incorporated
under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof and subject to
supervision and examination by federal and/or state banking authorities
(including the Indenture Trustee or the Securities Administrator in its
commercial banking capacity), provided that the commercial paper and/or long
term unsecured debt obligations of such depository institution or trust company
are then rated one of the two highest long-term and the highest short-term
ratings of each such rating agency for such securities, or such lower ratings as
will not result in the downgrading or withdrawal of the rating then assigned to
the notes by any rating agency, as evidenced in writing;
(v) guaranteed reinvestment agreements issued by any bank, insurance
company or other corporation containing, at the time of the issuance of such
agreements, such terms and conditions as will not result in the downgrading or
withdrawal of the rating then assigned to the notes by each rating agency, as
evidenced in writing;
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(vi) repurchase obligations with respect to any security described in
clauses (i) and (ii) above, in either case entered into with a depository
institution or trust company (acting as principal) described in clause (v)
above;
(vii) securities (other than stripped bonds, stripped coupons or
instruments sold at a purchase price in excess of 115% of the face amount
thereof) bearing interest or sold at a discount issued by any corporation
incorporated under the laws of the United States or any state thereof which, at
the time of such investment, have one of the two highest short term ratings of
each rating agency (except if the rating agency is Moody's, such rating will be
the highest commercial paper rating of Moody's for any such securities), or such
lower rating as will not result in the downgrading or withdrawal of the rating
then assigned to the notes by each rating agency, as evidenced by a signed
writing delivered by each rating agency;
(viii) interests in any money market fund (including any such fund managed
or advised by the Indenture Trustee, the Securities Administrator or any
affiliate thereof) which at the date of acquisition of the interests in such
fund and throughout the time such interests are held in such fund has the
highest applicable short term rating by each rating agency or such lower rating
as will not result in the downgrading or withdrawal of the ratings then assigned
to the notes by each rating agency, as evidenced in writing;
(ix) short term investment funds sponsored by any trust company or banking
association incorporated under the laws of the United States or any state
thereof (including any such fund managed or advised by the Securities
Administrator, the Indenture Trustee or the Master Servicer or any affiliate
thereof) which on the date of acquisition has been rated by each rating agency
in their respective highest applicable rating category or such lower rating as
will not result in the downgrading or withdrawal of the ratings then assigned to
the notes by each rating agency, as evidenced in writing; and
(x) such other investments having a specified stated maturity and bearing
interest or sold at a discount acceptable to each rating agency and as will not
result in the downgrading or withdrawal of the rating then assigned to the notes
by any rating agency, as evidenced by a signed writing delivered by each rating
agency.
PREPAYMENT INTEREST SHORTFALLS
When a principal prepayment in full is made on a HELOC, the mortgagor is
charged interest only for the period from the Due Date of the preceding monthly
payment up to the date of the prepayment, instead of for a full month. When a
partial principal prepayment is made on a HELOC, the mortgagor is not charged
interest on the amount of the prepayment for the month in which the prepayment
is made. In addition, the application of the Relief Act and similar state or
local laws to any HELOC could adversely affect, for an indeterminate period of
time, the ability of the Servicer to collect full amounts of interest on such
HELOCs. The Servicer will not remit any shortfalls in interest attributable to
prepayments or the application of the Relief Act or any similar state or local
laws. Accordingly, the effect of interest shortfalls resulting from principal
prepayments in part and in full on the HELOCs received during the related
Collection Period (a "PREPAYMENT INTEREST SHORTFALL") or any shortfalls
resulting from the application of the Relief Act or similar state or local laws,
will be to reduce the aggregate amount of interest collected that is available
for payment to noteholders. Any such shortfalls will be allocated among the
notes and certificates as provided under "Description of the Securities-Interest
Payments on the Offered Notes" and "-Overcollateralization Provisions" in this
prospectus supplement. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the HELOCs-Servicemembers
Civil Relief Act" in the prospectus. The Policy issued in connection with the
Class A Notes will not cover such Prepayment Interest Shortfalls or shortfalls
resulting from the application of the Relief Act.
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EVIDENCE AS TO COMPLIANCE
The Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that each year on or before
the date set forth in the Sale and Servicing Agreement, beginning with the first
year after the year in which the Cut-off Date occurs, each party responsible for
the servicing function will provide to the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the
Note Insurer and the Securities Administrator a report on an assessment of
compliance with the minimum servicing criteria established in Item 1122(a) of
Regulation AB (the "AB SERVICING CRITERIA"). The AB Servicing Criteria include
specific criteria relating to the following areas: general servicing
considerations, cash collection and administration, investor remittances and
reporting, and pool asset administration. Such report will indicate that the AB
Servicing Criteria were used to test compliance on a platform level basis and
will set out any material instances of noncompliance.
The Sale and Servicing Agreement will also provide that the each party
responsible for the servicing function will deliver along with its report on
assessment of compliance, an attestation report from a firm of independent
public accountants on the assessment of compliance with the AB Servicing
Criteria.
The Sale and Servicing Agreement will also provide for delivery to the
Master Servicer, the Note Insurer and the Securities Administrator, each year on
or before the date set forth in the Sale and Servicing Agreement, of a separate
annual statement of compliance from each entity responsible for the servicing
function to the effect that, to the best knowledge of the signing officer, the
Servicer has fulfilled in all material respects its obligations under the Sale
and Servicing Agreement throughout the preceding year or, if there has been a
material failure in the fulfillment of any obligation, the statement will
specify such failure and the nature and status thereof.
Copies of the annual reports of assessment of compliance, attestation
reports, and statements of compliance may be obtained by securityholders without
charge upon written request to the Securities Administrator at the address of
the Securities Administrator set forth under "The Master Servicer, the
Securities Administrator and the Custodian" in this prospectus supplement. These
items will be filed with the Issuing Entity's annual report on Form 10-K, to the
extent required under Regulation AB.
REMOVAL OR RESIGNATION OF THE SERVICER
"SERVICER EVENTS OF DEFAULT" under the Sale and Servicing Agreement will
include: (1) any failure by the Servicer to remit any payment required to be
made under the Sale and Servicing Agreement, which failure continues unremedied
for a period of one business day following the earlier of the Servicer's actual
knowledge or the date upon which written notice of such failure, requiring the
same to be remedied, shall have been given to the Servicer by the Securities
Administrator, the Master Servicer or the Note Insurer; (2) any failure on the
part of the Servicer duly to observe or perform in any material respect any
other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Servicer set forth in
the Sale and Servicing Agreement which continues unremedied for a period of
thirty days (except that such number of days will be fifteen in the case of a
failure to pay any premium for any insurance policy required to be maintained
under the servicing agreement) following the earlier of the Servicer's actual
knowledge or the date upon which written notice of such failure, requiring the
same to be remedied, shall have been given to the Servicer by the Master
Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the Indenture Trustee or the Note
Insurer; (3) events of insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshalling of assets
and liabilities or similar proceedings relating to the Servicer and certain
actions by the Servicer indicating insolvency, reorganization or inability to
pay its obligations (each, an "INSOLVENCY EVENT"); or (4) the Servicer fails to
duly perform, within the required time period, its obligations relating to its
delivery
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requirements in connection with the statement of compliance, the assessment of
compliance and attestation report or its obligations to afford access to certain
documentation, which failure continues unremedied for a period of three days
following the earlier of the Servicer's actual knowledge or the date upon which
written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have
been given to the Servicer by the Securities Administrator, the Master Servicer,
the Sponsor, the Note Insurer or the Depositor.
So long as a Servicer Event of Default remains unremedied, the Note Insurer
if there exists no note insurer default (or otherwise either the Master Servicer
or noteholders holding notes evidencing at least 51% of the percentage interests
in the trust), may terminate all of the rights and certain obligations of the
Servicer under the Sale and Servicing Agreement and in and to the HELOCs,
whereupon the collection and servicing responsibilities of the Servicer shall be
transferred to the Master Servicer or another successor as provided in the Sale
and Servicing Agreement. Effective on the date of such notice of termination, as
compensation therefor, the Master Servicer will be entitled to all compensation,
reimbursement of expenses and indemnification that the Servicer would have been
entitled to if it had continued to act hereunder, provided, however, that the
Master Servicer will not be (i) liable for any acts or omissions of the
Servicer, (ii) responsible for expenses of the Servicer or (iii) obligated to
deposit losses on any permitted investment directed by the Servicer and there
will be a period of transition, not to exceed 90 days, before the servicing
functions can be transferred to the Master Servicer. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the Master Servicer is unwilling to so act, or if it is prohibited
by applicable law from making Servicing Advances or if it is otherwise unable to
so act, the Note Insurer may appoint a successor Master Servicer and if the Note
Insurer fails to do so, the Master Servicer may appoint or petition a court of
competent jurisdiction to appoint, any established mortgage loan servicing
institution, the appointment of which does not adversely affect the then current
rating of the Notes by each rating agency (without regard to the Policy) as the
successor to the Servicer pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement in the
assumption of all or any part of the responsibilities, duties or liabilities of
the Servicer pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
Any successor Servicer will be required to be a servicer that is acceptable
to the Note Insurer, that has all licenses and permits required to perform its
obligations under the servicing agreement, that has a net worth of at least
$25,000,00., and will have executed and delivered to the Depositor, the Note
Insurer and the Master Servicer an agreement accepting such delegation and
assignment, that contains an assumption by such person of the rights, powers,
duties, responsibilities, obligations and liabilities of the Servicer (other
than any liabilities of the Servicer hereof incurred prior to termination of the
Servicer as set forth in the Sale and Servicing Agreement), with like effect as
if originally named as a party to the Sale and Servicing Agreement, provided
that each rating agency will have acknowledged in writing that its rating of the
Offered Notes in effect immediately prior to such assignment and delegation
(without regard to the Policy) will not be qualified or reduced as a result of
such assignment and delegation.
Pending appointment of a successor to the Servicer hereunder, the Master
Servicer, unless the Master Servicer is prohibited by law from so acting, will
act in such capacity as provided in the Sale and Servicing Agreement. In
connection with such appointment and assumption, the Master Servicer may make
such arrangements for the compensation of such successor out of payments on
HELOCs or otherwise as it and such successor shall agree; provided that no such
compensation unless agreed to by the Controlling Party will be in excess of that
permitted the Master Servicer hereunder. The Master Servicer and such successor
will take such action, consistent with the Sale and Servicing Agreement, as
shall be necessary to effectuate any such succession. Neither the Master
Servicer nor any other successor servicer will be deemed to be in default
hereunder by reason of any failure to make, or any delay in making, any payment
hereunder or any portion thereof or any failure to perform, or any delay in
performing, any duties or responsibilities
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hereunder, in either case caused by the failure of the Servicer to deliver or
provide, or any delay in delivering or providing, any cash, information,
documents or records to it.
The costs and expenses of the Master Servicer in connection with the
termination of the Servicer, appointment of a successor servicer and, if
applicable, any transfer of servicing, including, without limitation, all costs
and expenses associated with the complete transfer of all servicing data and the
completion, correction or manipulation of such servicing data as may be required
by the Master Servicer to correct any errors or insufficiencies in the servicing
data or otherwise to enable the Master Servicer or the successor servicer to
master service the HELOCs properly and effectively, to the extent not paid by
the terminated servicer, will be payable to the Master Servicer pursuant to the
Sale and Servicing Agreement.
Upon any termination or appointment of a successor to the Servicer, the
Securities Administrator will give prompt written notice thereof to Noteholders
and Certificateholders of record pursuant to the Indenture and the Sale and
Servicing Agreement, to the Note Insurer and to the rating agencies.
The Sale and Servicing Agreement will provide that the Servicer may not
resign from its obligations and duties under the Sale and Servicing Agreement,
except in connection with a permitted transfer of servicing, unless (1) these
duties and obligations are no longer permissible under applicable law as
evidenced by an opinion of counsel delivered to the Depositor, the Sponsor, the
Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the Note Insurer and the
Indenture Trustee or (2) upon the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) the Servicer has proposed a successor servicer to the Note Insurer, the
Depositor, the Sponsor and the Master Servicer in writing and the proposed
successor servicer is reasonably acceptable to each of them;
(b) the proposed successor servicer services HELOCs in the jurisdictions in
which the related Mortgaged Properties are located;
(c) the Rating Agencies have confirmed to the Securities Administrator that
the appointment of the proposed successor servicer as the servicer under the
Sale and Servicing Agreement will not result in the reduction or withdrawal of
the then current ratings of the Offered Notes (without regard to the Policy);
and
(d) the proposed successor servicer has a net worth of at least
$25,000,000.
A servicer that satisfies each of these conditions is referred to in this
prospectus supplement as an "approved servicer."
THE MASTER SERVICER, THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR AND THE CUSTODIAN
GENERAL
The information set forth in the following five paragraphs has been
provided by LaSalle Bank National Association.
LaSalle Bank National Association ("LASALLE") will act as master servicer
and Securities Administrator pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
LaSalle is a national banking association formed under the federal laws of the
United States of America. Its parent company, LaSalle Bank Corporation, is a
subsidiary of ABN AMRO Bank N.V., a Netherlands banking corporation. The
long-term unsecured debt of LaSalle is rated "A+" by S&P, "Aa3" by Moody's and
"AA-" by Fitch Ratings.
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Master Servicer. LaSalle launched its master servicing business in June
2005. As of April 30, 2006, LaSalle had a master servicing portfolio of 14
residential mortgage-backed securitization transactions with an outstanding
principal balance of approximately $8.5 billion and involving mortgage loans and
HELOCs. Though it is a new initiative, LaSalle's master servicing business is
managed and administered by a team of employees with collectively over 15 years
of experience in the residential mortgage master servicing industry. As further
described in the Sale and Servicing Agreement, LaSalle, as Master Servicer, will
(i) supervise, oversee and monitor the performance by the Servicer of its
obligations under the Sale and Servicing Agreement, (ii) review certain reports,
information and data provided to it by the Servicer, (iii) enforce the
obligations, covenants and conditions of the Servicer as set forth in the Sale
and Servicing Agreement, (iv) monitor the Servicer's servicing activities with
respect to each HELOC, (v) reconcile the results of such monitoring with the
information and data provided to the Master Servicer by the Servicer on a
monthly basis, (vi) coordinate necessary corrective adjustments to the
Servicer's and Master Servicer's records, (vii) based on such reconciled and
corrected information, provide such information to the Securities Administrator
as will be necessary in order for it to perform calculations in respect of the
Notes and prepare the monthly statement to Noteholders, and (viii) enforce any
remedies available to the trust against the Servicer for the Servicer's failure
to perform its obligations under the Sale and Servicing Agreement, including
terminating the Servicer and appointing a successor servicer (which could be the
Master Servicer).
The Depositor, the Sponsor, the Owner Trustee, the Indenture Trustee, the
Note Insurer and the Servicer may maintain other banking relationships in the
ordinary course of business with LaSalle. LaSalle's corporate trust office for
master servicing purposes is located at 135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1625,
Chicago, Illinois, 60603. Attention: Global Securities and Trust Services - ACE
Home Equity Loan Trust 2006-GP1 or at such other address as LaSalle may
designate from time to time.
The Master Servicer will pay the Securities Administrator's and Indenture
Trustee's fees in respect of their obligations under the Sale and Servicing
Agreement, Indenture or Trust Agreement, as applicable, pursuant to a separate
fee agreement.
Securities Administrator. LaSalle will be the Securities Administrator
under the Sale and Servicing Agreement and the Indenture. LaSalle has extensive
experience performing securities administration duties on securitizations of
residential mortgage loans. Since 1994, LaSalle has performed securities
administration duties on approximately 400 residential mortgage-backed
securitization transactions involving mortgage loans and home equity lines of
credit. As of April 30, 2006, LaSalle's portfolio of residential mortgage-backed
security transactions for which it performs securities administration services
numbered approximately 323 with an outstanding balance of approximately $110.5
billion. Using information set forth in the prospectus supplement, the
Securities Administrator will develop the cashflow model for the trust. Based on
the monthly information provided by the Servicer and the Master Servicer on the
HELOCs, the Securities Administrator will calculate the amount of principal and
interest to be paid to the Notes and the Certificates on each Payment Date. In
accordance with the cashflow model and based on the monthly loan information
provided by the Servicer and the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator
will perform payment calculations, remit payments on the Payment Date and
prepare a monthly statement detailing the payments received and the activity on
the HELOCs during the Collection Period. In performing these obligations, the
Securities Administrator will be able to conclusively rely on the information
provided to it by the Servicer and the Master Servicer, and the Securities
Administrator will not be required to recompute, recalculate or verify the
information provided to it by the Servicers or the Master Servicer.
The Securities Administrator may resign or be removed upon the resignation
or removal of the Master Servicer. The Indenture Trustee may also remove the
Securities Administrator if the Securities Administrator ceases to be eligible
to continue as such under the Sale and Servicing
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Agreement or if the Securities Administrator becomes incapable of acting,
bankrupt, insolvent or if a receiver or public officer takes charge of the
Securities Administrator or its property. Upon such resignation or removal of
the Securities Administrator, the Depositor will be entitled to appoint a
successor securities administrator. The Securities Administrator may also be
removed at any time by the Controlling Party. In the event that the Controlling
Party removes the Securities Administrator, the compensation of any successor
securities administrator will be paid by the Controlling Party to the extent
that such compensation exceeds the amount agreed to by the Depositor and the
Securities Administrator. Any resignation or removal of the Securities
Administrator and appointment of a successor securities administrator will not
become effective until acceptance of the appointment by the successor securities
administrator.
Custodian. The information set forth in the following two paragraphs has
been provided by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
Wells Fargo Bank is acting as the custodian of the mortgage loan files
pursuant to a custodial agreement. In that capacity, Wells Fargo Bank is
responsible to hold and safeguard the mortgage notes and other contents of the
related mortgage files on behalf of the Indenture Trustee, the Noteholders and
the Note Insurer. Wells Fargo Bank maintains each mortgage loan file is a
separate file folder marked with a unique bar code to assure loan-level file
integrity and to assist in inventory management. Files are segregated by
transaction or investor. Wells Fargo Bank has been engaged in the mortgage
document custody business for more than 25 years. Wells Fargo Bank maintains
document custody facilities in its Minneapolis, Minnesota headquarters and in
three regional offices located in Richfield, Minnesota, Irvine, California, and
Salt Lake City, Utah. As of March 31, 2006, Wells Fargo Bank maintains mortgage
custody vaults in each of those locations with an aggregate capacity of over
eleven million files.
Wells Fargo serves or has served within the past two years as loan file
custodian for various mortgage loans owned by the Sponsor or an affiliate of the
Sponsor and anticipates that one or more of those mortgage loans may be included
in the Trust. The terms of the custodial agreement under which those services
are provided by Wells Fargo are customary for the mortgage-backed securitization
industry and provide for the delivery, receipt, review and safekeeping of
mortgage loan files.
MASTER SERVICING AND OTHER COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
The principal compensation to be paid to the Master Servicer in respect of
its master servicing activities for the Notes will be a master servicing fee
payable for each Payment Date commencing in June 2006, equal to one-twelfth of
the product of 0.0225% multiplied by the principal balance of the HELOCs as of
the Due Date in the preceding calendar month. In addition, the Master Servicer
will be entitled to any interest or other income earned on funds held in the
Payment Account from and after the Closing Date.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMOVAL OF MASTER SERVICER
"MASTER SERVICER EVENTS OF DEFAULT" under the Sale and Servicing Agreement
will include: (1) any failure by the Master Servicer to remit any payment
required to be made under the Sale and Servicing Agreement, which failure
continues unremedied for a period of one business day following the earlier of
the Master Servicer's actual knowledge or the date upon which written notice of
such failure, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to the
Master Servicer by the Securities Administrator or the Note Insurer; (2) any
failure on the part of the Master Servicer duly to observe or perform in any
material respect any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the
Master Servicer set forth in the Sale and Servicing Agreement which continues
unremedied for a period of thirty days (except that such number of days will be
fifteen in the case of a failure to pay any premium for any insurance policy
required to be maintained under
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the Sale and Servicing Agreement) following the earlier of the Master Servicer's
actual knowledge or the date upon which written notice of such failure,
requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to the Master Servicer
by the Securities Administrator, the Indenture Trustee or the Note Insurer; (3)
an Insolvency Event shall have occurred; or (4) the Master Servicer fails to
duly perform, within the required time period, its obligations relating to its
delivery requirements in connection with the statement of compliance, the
independent public accountants' servicing report or its obligations to afford
access to certain documentation, which failure continues unremedied for a period
of three days following the earlier of the Master Servicer's actual knowledge or
the date upon which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be
remedied, shall have been given to the Master Servicer by the Securities
Administrator, the Sponsor, the Note Insurer or the Depositor.
On and after the time the Master Servicer receives a notice of termination
pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Indenture Trustee (unless the
Note Insurer appoints another Master Servicer) will automatically become the
successor to the Master Servicer with respect to the transactions set forth or
provided for in the Sale and Servicing Agreement and after a transition period
(not to exceed 90 days), will be subject to all the responsibilities, duties and
liabilities relating thereto placed on the Master Servicer by the terms and
provisions in the Sale and Servicing Agreement. Effective on the date of such
notice of termination, as compensation therefor, the Indenture Trustee, as
successor Master Servicer, will be entitled to all compensation, reimbursement
of expenses and indemnification that the Master Servicer would have been
entitled to if it had continued to act hereunder, provided, however, that the
Indenture Trustee will not be liable for any acts or omissions of the Master
Servicer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Indenture Trustee is unwilling
to so act or if it is otherwise unable to so act, the Note Insurer may appoint a
successor Master Servicer and if the Note Insurer fails to do so, the Indenture
Trustee may appoint or petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint,
any established mortgage loan servicing institution the appointment of which
does not adversely affect the then current rating of the Notes by each rating
agency (without regard to the Policy) as the successor to the Master Servicer
pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement in the assumption of all or any
part of the responsibilities, duties or liabilities of the Master Servicer
pursuant to the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
If the Indenture Trustee will succeed to any duties of the Master Servicer
respecting the HELOCs as provided herein, it will do so in a separate capacity
and not in its capacity as Indenture Trustee and, accordingly, the provisions of
the Indenture and the Sale and Servicing Agreement concerning the Indenture
Trustee's duties will be inapplicable to the Indenture Trustee in its duties as
the successor to the Master Servicer in the servicing of the HELOCs (although
such provisions will continue to apply to the Indenture Trustee in its capacity
as indenture trustee); the provisions of the Sale and Servicing Agreement
relating to the Master Servicer, however, will apply to it in its capacity as
successor master servicer.
Upon any termination or appointment of a successor to the Master Servicer,
the Indenture Trustee will give prompt written notice thereof to Noteholders of
record pursuant to the Indenture and the Sale and Servicing Agreement and to the
Note Insurer and to the rating agencies.
THE PAYMENT ACCOUNT
The Securities Administrator will establish an account (the "PAYMENT
ACCOUNT") into which will be deposited amounts remitted to it by the Servicer
for payment to noteholders on a Payment Date and payment of certain fees and
expenses of the trust. The Payment Account will be an Eligible Account (as
defined in the Sale and Servicing Agreement). Amounts on deposit therein may be
invested in Permitted Investments (as defined under "--Payments on HELOCs;
Deposits to Collection Account" in this prospectus supplement) maturing on or
before the Business Day prior to the related Payment Date unless such Permitted
Investments are invested in investments
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managed or advised by the Securities Administrator or an affiliate thereof, in
which case such Permitted investments may mature on the related Payment Date.
TRANSFER OF MASTER SERVICING
The Master Servicer, with the consent of the Note Insurer, may sell and
assign its rights and delegate its duties and obligations in its entirety as
Master Servicer under the Sale and Servicing Agreement; provided, however, that:
(i) the purchaser or transferee accept in writing such assignment and delegation
and assume the obligations of the Master Servicer under the Sale and Servicing
Agreement (a) shall have a net worth of not less than $25,000,000 (unless
otherwise approved by each Rating Agency pursuant to clause (ii) below); (b)
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee (as evidenced by the
Indenture Trustee's receipt of the written confirmation from the Rating Agencies
described below); and (c) shall execute and deliver to the Indenture Trustee an
agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indenture
Trustee, which contains an assumption by such Person of the due and punctual
performance and observance of each covenant and condition to be performed or
observed by it as Master Servicer under the Sale and Servicing Agreement; (ii)
each Rating Agency shall be given prior written notice of the identity of the
proposed successor to the Master Servicer and each Rating Agency's rating of the
Certificates in effect immediately prior to such assignment, sale and delegation
will not be downgraded, qualified or withdrawn as a result of such assignment,
sale and delegation, as evidenced by a letter to such effect delivered to the
Master Servicer and the Indenture Trustee; and (iii) the Master Servicer
assigning and selling the master servicing will deliver to the Indenture Trustee
an officer's certificate and an opinion of independent counsel, each stating
that all conditions precedent to such action under the Sale and Servicing
Agreement have been completed and such action is permitted by and complies with
the terms of the Sale and Servicing Agreement. No such assignment or delegation
will affect any liability of the Master Servicer arising out of acts or
omissions prior to the effective date thereof.
INDEMNIFICATION
The Servicer and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Servicer
will be indemnified and held harmless by the trust estate against any loss,
liability or expense as set forth in the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
The Master Servicer and any director, officer, employee or agent of the
Master Servicer will be indemnified and held harmless by the trust estate
against any loss, liability or expense as set forth in the Sale and Servicing
Agreement.
The Securities Administrator and any director, officer, employee or agent
of the Securities Administrator will be indemnified and held harmless by the
trust estate against any loss, liability or expense as set forth in the Sale and
Servicing Agreement.
The Custodian and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Custodian
will be indemnified and held harmless by the trust estate against any loss,
liability or expense as set forth in the custodial agreement, dated as of the
Cut-off Date, among the Indenture Trustee, the Custodian and the Servicer (the
"CUSTODIAL AGREEMENT").
The Owner Trustee and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Owner
Trustee will be indemnified and held harmless by the trust estate against any
loss, liability or expense as set forth in the amended and restated trust
agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between the Depositor and the Owner
Trustee (the "TRUST AGREEMENT").
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The Indenture Trustee and any director, officer, employee or agent of the
Indenture Trustee will be indemnified and held harmless by the trust estate
against any loss, liability or expense as set forth in the indenture, dated as
of the Closing Date, between the Issuing Entity and the Indenture Trustee (the
"INDENTURE").
The Note Insurer and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Note
Insurer will be indemnified and held harmless by the trust estate against any
loss, liability or expense as set forth in the Insurance Agreement.
THE INDENTURE
Deutsche Bank National Trust Company ("DBNTC") will be the Indenture
Trustee under the Indenture. The Depositor, the Securities Administrator and the
Master Servicer may maintain other banking relationships in the ordinary course
of business with the Indenture Trustee. The Indenture Trustee's corporate trust
office is located at 1761 East St. Andrew Place, Santa Ana, California 92705,
Attention: Trust Administration-DB06GC or at such other address as the Indenture
Trustee may designate from time to time.
DBNTC is a national banking association which has an office in Santa Ana,
California. DBNTC has previously been appointed to the role of indenture trustee
for numerous mortgage-backed transactions in which residential mortgages
comprised the asset pool and has significant experience in this area. DBNTC may
perform certain of its obligations through one or more third party vendors.
However, DBNTC shall remain liable for the duties and obligations required of it
under the Indenture. DBNTC has no pending legal proceedings that would
materially affect its ability to perform its duties as Indenture Trustee on
behalf of the holders of the Offered Notes.
DBNTC is providing the information in the foregoing paragraph at the
depositor's request in order to assist the Depositor with the preparation of its
disclosure documents to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation AB.
Otherwise, DBNTC has not participated in the preparation of such disclosure
documents and assumes no responsibility or liability for their contents.
The Notes will be issued pursuant to the Indenture, a form of which is
filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. A Current Report on Form 8-K
relating to the Notes containing a copy of the Indenture, the Trust Agreement
and the Sale and Servicing Agreement as executed will be filed by the Depositor
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
DBNTC may resign at any time, in which event the Depositor will be
obligated to appoint a successor Indenture Trustee. The Depositor may also
remove DBNTC if it ceases to be eligible to continue as such under the Indenture
or the Sale and Servicing Agreement, if it becomes incapable of acting, if it
becomes insolvent, or if a receiver or public officer takes charge of DBNTC or
its property, or if the credit rating of DBNTC falls below certain levels. Upon
such resignation or removal of DBNTC, the Depositor will be entitled to appoint
a successor indenture trustee with the consent of the Note Insurer. DBNTC may
also be removed at any time by the Controlling Party. Any such resignation or
removal of DBNTC and appointment of a successor indenture trustee will not
become effective until acceptance of the appointment by the successor indenture
trustee.
In addition to having express duties under the Indenture and the Sale and
Servicing Agreement, the Indenture Trustee, as a fiduciary, also has certain
duties unique to fiduciaries under applicable law. In general, the Indenture
Trustee will be subject to certain federal laws including the Trust Indenture
Act f 1939 and, because the Indenture and the Sale and Servicing Agreement are
governed by New York law, certain New York state laws. As a national bank acting
in a fiduciary capacity, the Indenture Trustee will, in the administration of
its duties under the Indenture and the Sale and Servicing Agreement, be subject
to certain regulations promulgated by the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency, specifically those set forth in Chapter 12, Part 9 of the
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Code of Federal Regulations. The Indenture provides that the Indenture Trustee
is subject to the prudent person standard only for so long as an event of
default has occurred and remains uncured.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Notwithstanding the prospectus, an "EVENT OF DEFAULT" under the Indenture
with respect to the notes is as follows: (a) the failure of the Issuing Entity
to pay the principal of any Offered Note in full by the Final Stated Maturity
Date; (b) a default by the Issuing Entity in the observance of certain negative
covenants in the Indenture; (c) a default by the Issuing Entity in the
observance of any other covenant in the Indenture, and the continuation of any
such default for a period of thirty days after notice to the Issuing Entity by
the Indenture Trustee, the Note Insurer (so long as any Class A Notes are
outstanding or any amounts are due and owing to the Note Insurer and a Note
Insurer default has not occurred and is continuing) or by the holders of at
least 25% of the Note Principal Balance of the Offered Notes and Certificate
Principal Balance of the Certificates, as applicable; (d) any representation or
warranty made by the Issuing Entity in the Indenture or in the Offered Note or
other writing delivered pursuant thereto having been incorrect in a material
respect as of the time made, and the circumstance in respect of which such
representation or warranty is incorrect not having been cured within thirty days
after notice thereof is given to the Issuing Entity by the Indenture Trustee,
the Note Insurer (so long as any Class A Notes are outstanding or any amounts
are due and owing to the Note Insurer and a Note Insurer default has not
occurred and in continuing) or by the holders of at least 25% of the Note
Principal Balance of the Notes and Certificate Principal Balance of the
Certificates, as applicable, with the consent of the Note Insurer (so long as
any Class A Notes are outstanding or any amounts are due and owing to the Note
Insurer and a Note Insurer default has not occurred and is continuing); (e)
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or reorganization of the
Issuing Entity; (f) the Issuing Entity becomes subject to regulation by the SEC
as an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended or (g) the Issuing Entity is characterized as an association or
partnership taxable as a corporation.
In no event will the Indenture Trustee be liable for special, indirect or
consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited
to lost profits), even if the Indenture Trustee has been advised of the
likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
Furthermore, the Indenture Trustee will not be responsible for the acts or
omissions of the other transaction parties, it being understood that the
Indenture and the Sale and Servicing Agreement will not be construed to render
them partners, joint venturers or agents of one another. None of the foregoing
will be construed, however, to relieve the Indenture Trustee from liability for
its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful
misconduct. The Indenture Trustee will be entitled to reimbursement and
indemnification by the trust for any loss, liability or expense arising out of
or in connection with the Indenture and Sale and Servicing Agreement as set
forth thereof except any such loss, liability or expense as may arise from its
negligence or intentional misconduct.
RIGHTS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT
In case an Event of Default should occur and be continuing with respect to
the notes, then (in every such case) the Indenture Trustee, at the written
direction of the Controlling Party may declare the principal of the notes,
together with accrued and unpaid Interest Payment Amounts thereon through the
date of acceleration, to be due and payable. Such declarations in respect of the
notes may under certain circumstances be rescinded by the Controlling Party.
If, following an Event of Default, the Offered Notes have been declared due
and payable, the Indenture Trustee may, and at the direction of the Controlling
Party shall, in connection with a qualified liquidation in accordance with the
REMIC provisions of the Code, sell the assets of the
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trust estate if the proceeds of such sale are at least equal to the greater of
(i) the Principal Balance of the HELOCs and the appraised value of any REO
Properties and (ii) the fair market value of the HELOCs and the REO Properties,
in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest plus unreimbursed servicing
advances, any unpaid servicing fees allocable to such HELOCs and REO Properties
and any accrued and unpaid Net WAC Rate Carryover Amounts. If, following an
Event of Default, any notes have been declared to be due and payable, the
Indenture Trustee may refrain from selling the assets of the trust and continue
to apply all amounts received on such assets to payments due on the notes in
accordance with their terms, notwithstanding the acceleration of the maturity of
the notes.
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Indenture Trustee, in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
the Indenture Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights
and powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the
noteholders, unless such noteholders have offered to the Indenture Trustee
security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or
direction. Subject to such provisions for indemnification and certain
limitations contained in the Indenture, the Controlling Party will have the
right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding or any
remedy available to the Indenture Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Indenture Trustee with respect to the notes; and the
Controlling Party may, in certain cases, waive any default with respect thereto.
LIMITATION ON SUITS
No noteholder will have any right to institute any proceedings with respect
to the Indenture unless (1) an insurer default shall have occurred and is
continuing, (2) such noteholder has previously given written notice to the
Indenture Trustee of a continuing Event of Default; (3) the noteholders
representing not less than 50% of the aggregate note principal balance of the
notes have made written request to the Indenture Trustee to institute
proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Indenture
Trustee; (4) such noteholders have offered to the Indenture Trustee indemnity
satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in
compliance with such request; (5) for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
request and offer of indemnity the Indenture Trustee has failed to institute any
such proceedings; (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has
been given to the Indenture Trustee during such 60-day period by the noteholders
representing more than 50% of the aggregate note principal balance of all the
notes then outstanding and (7) such Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing.
The Indenture Trustee (as such or in its individual capacity) may not,
prior to the date which is one year and one day (or, if longer, the then
applicable preference period) after the payment in full of all the notes,
institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, the Issuer
any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or
liquidation proceedings, or other proceedings under any insolvency law or
similar laws. Nothing shall preclude, or be deemed to stop, the Indenture
Trustee (with the consent of the Note Insurer if any Insured Securities are
outstanding or any amounts are due and owing to the Note Insurer and a note
insurer default has not occurred and is continuing) (i) from taking any action
(other than joining in the institution of any involuntary insolvency proceeding
described below) prior to the expiration of the aforementioned preference period
in (A) any case or proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by the Issuer or
(B) any involuntary insolvency proceeding filed or commenced by a person other
than the Indenture Trustee, or (ii) from commencing against the Issuer or any of
the loans any legal action which is not a bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceeding or other
proceeding under any insolvency law or similar laws.
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SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Without the consent of the holders of the Offered Notes but with the
consent of the Note Insurer, the Issuer, the Securities Administrator and the
Indenture Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more
supplemental indentures for any of the following purposes: (a) to correct or
amplify the description of any property at any time subject to the lien of the
Indenture, (b) to add to the covenants of the Issuer; (c) to convey, transfer,
assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Indenture Trustee; (d) to
cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in the Indenture; (e)
to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under
the Indenture; (f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of the appointment
of a successor Indenture Trustee or Securities Administrator; or (g) to modify,
eliminate or add to the provisions of the Indenture; provided, that such action
(as evidenced by either (i) an opinion of counsel delivered to the depositor,
the Issuer, the seller, the Securities Administrator, the Note Insurer and the
Indenture Trustee or (ii) confirmation from the rating agencies that such
amendment will not result in the reduction or withdrawal of the rating of the
Offered Notes will not materially and adversely affect the interests of the
holders of the Offered Notes.
The Issuer and the Indenture Trustee also may, with the consent of the Note
Insurer and the holders of not less than a majority of the note principal
balance or certificate principal balance of each class of securities affected
thereby, enter into a supplemental indenture for the purpose of adding any
provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions
of, the Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the
securities under the Indenture; provided that no such supplemental indenture
will, without the consent of the holder of each security affected thereby: (a)
change the date of payment of any installment of principal of or interest on any
security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest rate thereon,
change the provisions of the Indenture relating to the application of
collections on, or the proceeds of the sale of, the trust to payment of
principal of or interest on the securities, or change any place of payment
where, or the coin or currency in which, any security or the interest thereon is
payable; (b) reduce the percentage of the note principal balance or certificate
principal balance, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such
supplemental indenture; (c) reduce the percentage of the note principal balance
of the notes or certificate principal balance of Class G Certificates required
to direct the Indenture Trustee to direct the Issuer to sell or liquidate the
trust; (d) modify any of the provisions of the Indenture in such manner as to
affect the calculation of the amount of any payment of interest or principal due
on any security; or (e) permit the creation of any lien ranking prior to or on a
parity with the lien of the Indenture with respect to any part of the trust or
terminate the lien of the Indenture.
THE OWNER TRUSTEE
The information set forth in the following three paragraphs has been
provided by Wilmington Trust Company.
Wilmington Trust Company is a Delaware banking corporation with trust
powers incorporated in 1903. Wilmington Trust Company's principal place of
business is located at 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 19890.
Wilmington Trust Company has served as owner trustee in numerous asset-backed
securities transactions involving mortgage and mortgage-related receivables.
Wilmington Trust Company is subject to various legal proceedings that arise
from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Wilmington Trust Company
does not believe that the ultimate resolution of any of these proceedings will
have a materially adverse effect on its services as owner trustee.
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Wilmington Trust Company has provided the above information for purposes of
complying with Reg AB. Other than the above two paragraphs, Wilmington Trust
Company has not participated in the preparation of, and is not responsible for,
any other information contained in this Prospectus.
As compensation for its duties under the Trust Agreement, the Owner Trustee
will be paid a fee and any other fees and charges as agreed upon by the Owner
Trustee and the Sponsor pursuant to a separate fee agreement. The Indenture will
provide that the Owner Trustee is entitled to recover from funds on deposit in
the trust's accounts any amounts due or expenses, costs and liabilities incurred
by or reimbursable to the Owner Trustee to the extent such amounts have not
previously been paid (but the Owner Trustee may not recover from the trust's
accounts any expenses or disbursements incurred or made by the Owner Trustee,
including the compensation and the expenses and disbursements of such party's
agents and counsel, in the ordinary course of such party's performance in
accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement, except to the extent that
the Sponsor was required to pay such expenses or disbursements pursuant to a
separate fee agreement and defaulted in its obligation to do so).
Without limiting any of the foregoing, the Trust Agreement will provide
that the Owner Trustee and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Owner
Trustee will be entitled to recover from the assets of the trust all reasonable
out-of pocket expenses, disbursements and advances and expenses of the Owner
Trustee, in connection with any event of default, any breach of the Trust
Agreement or any claim or legal action (including any pending or threatened
claim or legal action) incurred or made by the Owner Trustee (including the
reasonable compensation and disbursements of its counsel), other than any such
expense or disbursement as may arise from its gross negligence or intentional
misconduct or which is the responsibility of the Sponsor. The Indenture will
provide that amounts owing from the trust to the Owner Trustee in respect of the
foregoing indemnification may be withdrawn and paid to the Owner Trustee prior
to the making of payments on the notes or certificates.
Neither the Owner Trustee nor any director, officer or employee of the
Owner Trustee will be under any liability to the Issuer or the noteholders or
certificateholders under the Trust Agreement under any circumstances, except to
the Issuer and Certificateholders for the Owner Trustee's own misconduct, gross
negligence, bad faith or gross negligent failure to act or in the case of the
inaccuracy of certain representations made by the Owner Trustee in the Trust
Agreement. All persons into which the Owner Trustee may be merged or with which
it may be consolidated or any person resulting from such merger or consolidation
will be the successor of the Owner Trustee under the Trust Agreement.
THE CREDIT RISK MANAGER
Clayton Fixed Income Services Inc. (formerly known as The Murrayhill
Company), as credit risk manager for the trust (the "CREDIT RISK MANAGER") will
monitor the performance of the Servicer, and make recommendations to the
Servicer and/or Master Servicer regarding certain delinquent and defaulted
HELOCs and will report to the Depositor on the performance of such HELOCs,
pursuant to a Credit Risk Management Agreement to be entered into by the Credit
Risk Manager and the Servicer and/or Master Servicer on or prior to the Closing
Date. The Credit Risk Manager will rely upon loan data that is provided to it by
the Servicer and/or Master Servicer in performing its advisory and monitoring
functions. The Credit Risk Manager will be entitled to receive a "CREDIT RISK
MANAGER'S FEE" until the termination of the trust or until its removal by a vote
of at least 66 2/3% of the noteholders. Such fee will be paid by the trust and
will be equal to one-twelfth of the product of 0.009% multiplied by the then
current aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs.
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SALE AND SERVICING AGREEMENT
GENERAL
The Offered Notes will be issued under the Indenture, a form of which is
filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. A Current Report on Form 8-K
relating to the certificates containing a copy of the Sale and Servicing
Agreement as executed will be filed by the Depositor with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") following the initial issuance of the certificates.
The trust created under the Trust Agreement will consist of (i) all of the
Depositor's right, title and interest in the HELOCs, the related mortgage notes,
Credit Line Agreements, mortgages and other related documents; (ii) all payments
on or collections in respect of the HELOCs received after the Cut-off Date,
together with any proceeds of the HELOCs; (iii) any Mortgaged Properties
acquired on behalf of noteholders by foreclosure or by deed in lieu of
foreclosure, and any revenues received on these Mortgaged Properties; (iv) the
rights of the Indenture Trustee under all insurance policies required to be
maintained under the Sale and Servicing Agreement; (v) the rights of the
Depositor under the HELOC purchase agreement and (vi) the Net WAC Rate Carryover
Reserve Account and any amounts on deposit in the Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve
Account from time to time and any proceeds thereof. Reference is made to the
prospectus for important information in addition to that set forth in this
prospectus supplement regarding the trust, the terms and conditions of the Sale
and Servicing Agreement and the Offered Notes. The Depositor will provide to a
prospective or actual security holder without charge, on written request, a
copy, without exhibits, of the Sale and Servicing Agreement. Requests should be
addressed to 6525 Morrison Blvd., Suite 318, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211.
ASSIGNMENT OF THE HELOCS
On the Closing Date, the Sponsor will transfer to the Depositor and the
Depositor will transfer to the trust all of its right, title and interest in and
to each HELOC (including any Additional Balances arising during the Managed
Amortization Period) and the related Credit Line Agreement, mortgage note,
mortgage, assignment of mortgage (in recordable form in blank or to the
Indenture Trustee) and other related documents (collectively, the "RELATED
DOCUMENTS"), including all collections with respect to each such HELOC received
after the Cut-off Date (other than collections in respect of Additional Balances
created after the Managed Amortization Period and interest thereon). The trust
will in turn pledge to the Indenture Trustee under the Indenture all of its
right, title and interest in the foregoing property as collateral for the Notes.
Neither the Indenture Trustee nor the trust will have any obligation to make
additional funding under the Credit Line Agreements. Concurrently with the
trust's pledge to the Indenture Trustee, the Indenture Trustee or the Securities
Administrator on its behalf will deliver or cause to be delivered the Notes on
behalf of the Issuing Entity to the Depositor or its designee. Each HELOC
transferred to the trust will be identified on a loan schedule delivered to the
Indenture Trustee and the Custodian pursuant to the Sale and Servicing
Agreement. Such schedule will include information as to the Principal Balance of
each HELOC of the Cut-off Date, as well as information with respect to the loan
rate and other characteristics of the HELOC.
The Sale and Servicing Agreement will require that, prior to the Closing
Date, the Depositor will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Indenture
Trustee (or the Custodian, as the Indenture Trustee's agent for such purpose)
the mortgage notes endorsed in blank, and the Related Documents. In lieu of
delivery of original mortgages or mortgage notes, if such original is not
available or lost, the Depositor may deliver or cause to be delivered true and
correct copies thereof, or, with respect to a lost mortgage note, a lost note
affidavit. The assignments of mortgage are generally required to be recorded by
or on behalf of the Depositor in the appropriate offices for real property
records, except (i) in states as to which an opinion of counsel is delivered to
the effect that such recording is not required to protect the Indenture
Trustee's interest in the
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HELOC against the claim of any subsequent transferee or any successor to or
creditor of the Depositor or the Sponsor, or (ii) with respect to any HELOC
electronically registered through the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems,
Inc.
On or prior to the Closing Date, the Indenture Trustee or the Custodian on
its behalf will review the HELOCs and the Related Documents pursuant to the
Custodial Agreement and, if any HELOC or Related Document is found to be
defective in any material respect and such defect is not cured within 90 days
following knowledge or notification thereof to the Sponsor by the Indenture
Trustee, the Note Insurer or the Custodian, the Sponsor will be obligated either
to (i) substitute for such HELOC a Qualified Substitute HELOC; however, such
substitution is permitted only within two years of the Closing Date and may not
be made unless an opinion of counsel is provided to the effect that such
substitution will not disqualify any of the REMICs (as defined in the Sale and
Servicing Agreement) as a REMIC or result in a prohibited transaction tax under
the Code; or (ii) purchase such HELOC at a price (the "PURCHASE PRICE") equal to
the outstanding principal balance of such HELOC as of the date of purchase, plus
all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, computed at the Mortgage Rate through
the end of the calendar month in which the purchase is effected, plus the amount
of any unpaid Servicing Fees or unreimbursed Servicing Advances made by the
Servicer or the Master Servicer plus all unreimbursed costs and damages incurred
by the trust and the Indenture Trustee in connection with any violation by any
such HELOC of any predatory or abusive lending law. The Purchase Price will be
required to be remitted to the Servicer for deposit in the Collection Account
(as defined herein) for remittance to the Securities Administrator prior to the
next succeeding Payment Date after such obligation arises. The obligation of the
Sponsor to repurchase or substitute for a Deleted HELOC (as defined herein) is
the sole remedy regarding any defects in the HELOC and Related Documents
available to the noteholders.
In connection with the substitution of a Qualified Substitute HELOC, the
Sponsor will be required to remit to the Servicer for deposit in the Collection
Account for remittance to the Securities Administrator prior to the next
succeeding Payment Date after such obligation arises an amount (the
"SUBSTITUTION SHORTFALL AMOUNT") equal to the excess of the principal balance of
the related Deleted HELOC over the principal balance of such Qualified
Substitute HELOC.
A "QUALIFIED SUBSTITUTE HELOC" is a loan substituted for a Deleted HELOC
which must, on the date of such substitution, (i) have an outstanding principal
balance (or in the case of a substitution of more than one HELOC for a Deleted
HELOC, an aggregate principal balance), not in excess of the principal balance
of the Deleted HELOC; (ii) have a Mortgage Rate not less than the Mortgage Rate
of the Deleted HELOC and not more than 1% in excess of the Mortgage Rate of such
Deleted HELOC; (iii) have a Maximum Mortgage Rate and Minimum Mortgage Rate not
less than the respective rate for the Deleted HELOC and have a Gross Margin
equal to or greater than the Deleted HELOC; (iv) have the same Due Date as the
Deleted HELOC; (v) have a remaining term to maturity not more than one year
earlier and not later than the remaining term to maturity of the Deleted HELOC;
(vi) comply with each representation and warranty as to the HELOCs set forth in
the HELOC Purchase Agreement (deemed to be made as of the date of substitution);
(vii) be of the same or better credit quality as the HELOC being replaced;
(viii) have the same lien priority on the related mortgaged property as the
HELOC being replaced and (ix) satisfy certain other conditions specified in the
Sale and Servicing Agreement.
The Sponsor will make certain representations and warranties as to the
accuracy in all material respects of certain information furnished to the
Indenture Trustee with respect to each HELOC. In addition, the Sponsor will
represent and warrant, as of the Closing Date, that, among other things: (i) at
the time of transfer to the Depositor, the Sponsor has transferred or assigned
all of its right, title and interest in each HELOC and the Related Documents,
free of any lien; (ii) each HELOC complied, at the time of origination, in all
material respects with applicable state and federal laws including, but not
limited to, predatory lending laws; (iii) the HELOCs are not subject
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to the requirements of the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 and
no HELOC is classified and/or defined as a "high cost", "covered" or "predatory"
loan under any other federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation
including, but not limited to, the States of Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky, New
Jersey, New Mexico or Illinois; and (iv) no proceeds from any HELOC were used to
purchase single premium credit insurance policies as part of the origination of,
or as a condition to closing, such HELOC. Upon discovery of a breach of any such
representation and warranty which materially and adversely affects the interests
of the noteholders or the Note Insurer in the related HELOC and Related
Documents, the Sponsor will have a period of 90 days after the earlier of
discovery or receipt of written notice of the breach to effect a cure. If the
breach cannot be cured within the 90-day period, the Sponsor will be obligated
to (i) substitute for such Deleted HELOC a Qualified Substitute HELOC or (ii)
purchase such Deleted HELOC from the trust. The same procedure and limitations
that are set forth above for the substitution or purchase of Deleted HELOCs as a
result of deficient documentation relating thereto will apply to the
substitution or purchase of a Deleted HELOC as a result of a breach of a
representation or warranty in the HELOC Purchase Agreement that materially and
adversely affects the interests of the noteholders or the Note Insurer. The
Depositor will file the HELOC Purchase Agreement as an exhibit to the Sale and
Servicing Agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in a Current
Report on Form 8-K.
HELOCs required to be transferred to the Sponsor as described in the
preceding paragraphs are referred to as "DELETED HELOCS."
VOTING RIGHTS AND CONTROLLING PARTY
At all times, the Class A Notes, the Class G Certificates and the Class CE
Certificates will have 99% of the Voting Rights (allocated among the Holders of
the Notes, the Class G Certificates and the Class CE Certificates in proportion
to the then outstanding Note Principal Balance or Certificate Principal Balance
of their respective Notes or Certificates, as applicable, in relation to the
aggregate of the Note Principal Balances and Certificate Principal Balances of
all Notes and Certificates then outstanding ), and the Class R Certificates
shall have 1% of the Voting Rights. The "CONTROLLING PARTY" at any time will be
the Note Insurer, so long as any Class A Note is outstanding or any amounts are
due and owing to the Note Insurer and a note insurer default has not occurred
and in continuing, or if the Class A Notes are no longer outstanding and all
amounts due to the Note Insurer have been paid to it or if a note insurer
default has occurred and is continuing, the holder or holders of in excess of
50% of the voting rights.
The Note Insurer will be subrogated to the rights of the holder of the
Class A Notes to the extent of any payment by the Note Insurer under the Policy.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The Master Servicer or if the Mater Servicer fails to do so the Note
Insurer, the party exercising such option referred to in this section as the
"TERMINATOR", will have the right to purchase all remaining HELOCs and any
properties acquired in respect thereof and thereby effect early retirement of
the notes and certificates on any Payment Date following the Collection Period
during which the aggregate principal balance of the HELOCs and properties
acquired in respect thereof remaining in the trust estate at the time of
purchase is reduced to less than or equal to 10% of the aggregate principal
balance of the HELOCs as of the Cut-off Date; provided that the Master Servicer
will be required to obtain the consent of the Note Insurer if the exercise of
such right would cause a claim under the Policy. In the event the Terminator
exercises the option, the purchase price (the "OPTIONAL REDEMPTION PRICE")
payable in connection with the option will be equal to par with respect to the
HELOCs and the fair market value of all properties acquired by the trust in
respect of any HELOCs, plus accrued interest for each HELOC at the related
Mortgage Rate
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to but not including the first day of the month in which the repurchase price is
distributed, together with (to the extent not covered by the foregoing) all
amounts due and owing to the Indenture Trustee, the Owner Trustee, the Servicer,
the Master Servicer, the Note Insurer and the Securities Administrator as of the
Optional Redemption Date. In the event the Terminator exercises this option, the
portion of the purchase price allocable to the Offered Notes and the
Certificates will be, to the extent of available funds, (i) 100% of the then
outstanding Note Principal Balance of the Notes and Certificate Principal
Balance of the Certificates, plus (ii) one month's interest on the then
outstanding Note Principal Balance of the Notes at the then applicable
Pass-Through Rate, plus (iii) any previously accrued but unpaid interest thereon
to which the holders of the Offered Notes are entitled, together with the amount
of any Net WAC Rate Carryover Amounts. The holders of the Residual Certificates
will pledge any amount received in a termination in excess of par to the holders
of the Class CE Certificates.
The Securities Administrator will be required to give notice of any
termination to the Noteholders and the Note Insurer, upon which the Noteholders
shall surrender their Notes to the Securities Administrator for final payment
and cancellation. Such notice will be given by letter, mailed not earlier than
the 15th day and not later than the 25th day of the month next preceding the
month of such final payment, and will specify (i) the Payment Date upon which
final payment of the Notes will be made upon presentation and surrender of the
Notes at the office of the Securities Administrator therein designated, (ii) the
amount of any such final payment and (iii) that the Record Date otherwise
applicable to such Payment Date is not applicable, payments being made only upon
presentation and surrender of the Notes at the office of the Securities
Administrator therein specified.
In the event such notice is given in connection with the purchase of all of
the HELOCs by the Terminator, the Terminator will be required to deliver to the
Securities Administrator for deposit in the Payment Account not later than the
Business Day prior to the Payment Date on which the final payment on the Offered
Notes and Certificates an amount in immediately available funds equal to the
above-described Optional Redemption Price. The Securities Administrator will
remit to the Servicer, the Master Servicer, the Indenture Trustee, the Owner
Trustee, the Note Insurer and the Custodian from such funds deposited in the
Payment Account (i) any amounts which the Servicer would be permitted to
withdraw and retain from the Collection Account as if such funds had been
deposited therein (including all unpaid Servicing Fees, Master Servicing Fees
and all outstanding Servicing Advances) and (ii) any other amounts otherwise
payable by the Securities Administrator to the Master Servicer, the Indenture
Trustee, the Custodian, the Servicer, the Note Insurer and the Owner Trustee
from amounts on deposit in the Payment Account pursuant to the terms of the Sale
and Servicing Agreement prior to making any final payments. Upon certification
to the Indenture Trustee and the Custodian by the Securities Administrator of
the making of such final deposit, the Indenture Trustee or the Custodian on its
behalf will promptly release to the Terminator the HELOC Files for the remaining
HELOCs, and Indenture Trustee will execute all assignments, endorsements and
other instruments delivered to it and necessary to effectuate such transfer.
Upon presentation of the Notes by the Noteholders on the final Payment
Date, the Securities Administrator will distribute to each Noteholder so
presenting and surrendering its Notes the amount otherwise distributable on such
Payment Date in respect of the Notes so presented and surrendered. Any funds not
distributed to any Holder or Holders of Notes being retired on such Payment Date
because of the failure of such Holder or Holders to tender their Notes will, on
such date, be set aside and held in trust and credited to the account of the
appropriate non-tendering Holder or Holders. If any Offered Notes as to which
notice has been given will not have been surrendered for cancellation within six
months after the time specified in such notice, the Securities Administrator
will mail a second notice to the remaining non-tendering Noteholders to
surrender their notes for cancellation in order to receive the final payment
with respect thereto. If within one year after the second notice all such notes
will not have been
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surrendered for cancellation, the Securities Administrator will, directly or
through an agent, mail a final notice to the remaining non-tendering noteholders
concerning surrender of their notes. The costs and expenses of maintaining the
funds in trust and of contacting such noteholders will be paid out of the assets
remaining in the trust estate. If within one (1) year after the final notice any
such notes will not have been surrendered for cancellation, the Securities
Administrator will pay to the Depositor all such amounts, and all rights of
non-tendering noteholders in or to such amounts will thereupon cease. No
interest will accrue or be payable to any noteholder on any amount held in trust
by the Securities Administrator as a result of such noteholder's failure to
surrender its notes(s) on the final Payment Date for final payment thereof. Any
such amounts held in trust by the Securities Administrator will be held
uninvested in an Eligible Account.
In the event that the Terminator purchases all the HELOCs or the final
payment on or other liquidation of the last HELOC, the Notes will be redeemed
and the REMIC trusts will be terminated in accordance with the following
additional requirements:
(i) The Securities Administrator shall specify the first day in the 90-day
liquidation period in a statement attached to each Trust REMIC's final Tax
Return pursuant to Treasury regulation Section 1.860F-1 and shall satisfy all
requirements of a qualified liquidation under Section 860F of the Code and any
regulations thereunder, as evidenced by an opinion of counsel obtained by and at
the expense of the Terminator;
(ii) During such 90-day liquidation period and, at or prior to the time of
making of the final payment on the Certificates, the Indenture Trustee as
directed shall sell all of the assets of REMIC I to the Terminator for cash; and
(iii) At the time of the making of the final payment on the Offered Notes,
the Securities Administrator shall distribute or credit, or cause to be
distributed or credited, to the Holders of the Residual Certificates all cash on
hand in the trust estate (other than cash retained to meet claims), and the
REMIC trusts shall terminate at that time.
At the expense of the Terminator (or, if the REMIC trusts are being
terminated as a result of the Last Scheduled Payment Date, at the expense of the
trust estate), the Terminator will prepare or cause to be prepared the
documentation required in connection with the adoption of a plan of liquidation
of each Trust REMIC.
By their acceptance of Offered Notes, the Holders thereof hereby agree to
authorize the Securities Administrator to specify the 90-day liquidation period
for each Trust REMIC, which authorization will be binding upon all successor
Noteholders.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
In the opinion of Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP, counsel to the Depositor,
assuming compliance with the provisions of the Sale and Servicing Agreement, for
federal income tax purposes, each of the REMICs established under the Sale and
Servicing Agreement will qualify as a REMIC under the Code.
For federal income tax purposes (i) the Residual Certificates will
represent the "residual interests" in each REMIC elected by the trust and (ii)
the Offered Notes (exclusive of any right of the holder of such Offered Note to
receive payments from the Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve Account in respect of
Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount) and the Class CE Certificates will represent the
"regular interests" in, and will be treated as debt instruments of, a REMIC. See
"Material Federal Income Tax Considerations-REMICs" in the prospectus.
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For federal income tax purposes, the Offered Notes will not be treated as
having been issued with original issue discount. The prepayment assumption that
will be used in determining the rate of accrual of original issue discount,
market discount and premium, if any, for federal income tax purposes will be
based on the assumption that, subsequent to the date of any determination the
HELOCs will prepay at a rate equal to 40% CPR (calculated based on the assumed
prepayment rates set forth under "Yield on the Notes--Weighted Average Lives" in
this prospectus supplement). No representation is made that the HELOCs will
prepay at that rate or at any other rate. See "Material Federal Income Tax
Consideration-General" and "-REMICs-Taxation of Owners of Regular Securities" in
the prospectus.
The holders of the Offered Notes will be required to include in income
interest on their notes in accordance with the accrual method of accounting.
The Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") has issued original issue discount
regulations (the "OID REGULATIONS") under sections 1271 to 1275 of the Code that
address the treatment of debt instruments issued with original issue discount,
Purchasers of the Offered Notes should be aware that the OID Regulations do not
adequately address certain issues relevant to, or are not applicable to,
prepayable securities such as the Offered Notes. In addition, there is
considerable uncertainty concerning the application of the OID Regulations to
REMIC regular interests that provide for payments based on an adjustable rate
such as the Offered Notes. Because of the uncertainty concerning the application
of Section 1272(a)(6) of the Code to such notes and because the rules of the OID
Regulations relating to debt instruments having an adjustable rate of interest
are limited in their application in ways that could preclude their application
to such notes even in the absence of Section 1272(a)(6) of the Code, the IRS
could assert that the Offered Notes should be treated as issued with original
issue discount or should be governed by the rules applicable to debt instruments
having contingent payments or by some other method not yet set forth in
regulations. Prospective purchasers of the Offered Notes are advised to consult
their tax advisors concerning the tax treatment of such notes.
In certain circumstances the OID Regulations permit the holder of a debt
instrument to recognize original issue discount under a method that differs from
that used by the Issuing Entity. Accordingly, the holder of an Offered Note may
be able to select a method for recognizing original issue discount that differs
from that used by the Trust in preparing reports to the noteholders and the IRS.
If the method for computing original issue discount described above results
in a negative amount for any period with respect to a Noteholder, the amount of
original issue discount allocable to that period would be zero and the
Noteholder will be permitted to offset that negative amount only against future
original issue discount, if any, attributable to those Notes.
Certain of the notes may be treated for federal income tax purposes as
having been issued at a premium. Whether any holder of a note will be treated as
holding such note with amortizable bond premium will depend on such noteholders
purchase price and the distributions remaining to be made on such note at the
time of its acquisition by such noteholder. Holders of such notes should consult
their own tax advisors regarding the possibility of making an election to
amortize such premium. See "Material Federal Income Tax Considerations-
REMICs--Taxation of Owners of Regular Securities" in the Prospectus.
Each holder of an Offered Note is deemed to own an undivided beneficial
ownership interest in a REMIC regular interest and the right to receive payments
from either the Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve Account in respect of any Net WAC
Rate Carryover Amount. The Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve Account is not an
asset of any REMIC. The REMIC regular interest corresponding to an Offered Note
will be entitled to receive interest and principal payments at the times and in
the amounts equal to those made on the note to which it corresponds, except that
the
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maximum interest rate of that REMIC regular interest will equal the Net WAC
Rate. As a result of the foregoing, the amount of distributions on the REMIC
regular interest corresponding to an Offered Note may exceed the actual amount
of distributions on the Offered Note.
The treatment of amounts received by a holder of an Offered Note under such
holder's right to receive any Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount, will depend on the
portion, if any, of such holder's purchase price allocable thereto. Under the
REMIC Regulations, each holder of an Offered Note must allocate its purchase
price for the Offered Note among its undivided interest in the regular interest
of the related REMIC and its undivided interest in the right to receive payments
from the Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve Account in respect of any Net WAC Rate
Carryover Amount in accordance with the relative fair market values of each
property right. The Securities Administrator will, as required, treat payments
made to the holders of the Offered Notes with respect to any Net WAC Rate
Carryover Amount, as includible in income based on the regulations relating to
notional principal contracts (the "NOTIONAL PRINCIPAL CONTRACT REGULATIONS").
The OID Regulations provide that the Trust's allocation of the issue price is
binding on all holders unless the holder explicitly discloses on its tax return
that its allocation is different from the Trust's allocation. For tax reporting
purposes, the right to receive payments from the Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve
Account in respect of Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount with respect to the Offered
Notes may be treated as having more than a de minimis value as provided in the
Sale and Servicing Agreement. Upon request, the Securities Administrator will
make available information regarding such amounts as has been provided to it.
Under the REMIC Regulations, the Securities Administrator is required to account
for the REMIC regular interest, the right to receive payments from the Net WAC
Rate Carryover Reserve Account in respect of any Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount
as discrete property rights. Holders of the Offered Notes are advised to consult
their own tax advisors regarding the allocation of issue price, timing,
character and source of income and deductions resulting from the ownership of
such Notes. Treasury regulations have been promulgated under Section 1275 of the
Code generally providing for the integration of a "qualifying debt instrument"
with a hedge if the combined cash flows of the components are substantially
equivalent to the cash flows on a variable rate debt instrument. However, such
regulations specifically disallow integration of debt instruments subject to
Section 1272(a)(6) of the Code. Therefore, holders of the Offered Notes will be
unable to use the integration method provided for under such regulations with
respect to those Notes. If the Securities Administrator's treatment of payments
of any Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount is respected, ownership of the right to any
Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount will entitle the owner to amortize the price paid
for the right to any Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount under the Notional Principal
Contract Regulations.
Upon the sale of an Offered Note, the amount of the sale allocated to the
selling noteholder's right to receive payments from the Net WAC Rate Carryover
Reserve Account in respect of any Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount would be
considered a "termination payment" under the Notional Principal Contract
Regulations allocable to the related Offered Note, as the case may be. A holder
of an Offered Note will have gain or loss from such a termination of the right
to receive payments from the Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve Account in respect
of any Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount equal to (i) any termination payment it
received or is deemed to have received minus (ii) the unamortized portion of any
amount paid (or deemed paid) by the noteholder upon entering into or acquiring
its interest in the right to receive payments from the Net WAC Rate Carryover
Reserve Account in respect of any Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount.
Gain or loss realized upon the termination of the right to receive payments
from the Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve Account in respect of any Net WAC Rate
Carryover Amount will generally be treated as capital gain or loss. Moreover, in
the case of a bank or thrift institution, Code Section 582(c) would likely not
apply to treat such gain or loss as ordinary.
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It is possible that the right to receive payments in respect of any Net WAC
Rate Carryover Amount could be treated as a partnership among the holders of all
of the Notes, in which case holders of such Notes potentially would be subject
to different timing of income and foreign holders of such Notes could be subject
to withholding in respect of any related Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount. Holders
of the Offered Notes are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the
allocation of issue price, timing, character and source of income and deductions
resulting from the ownership of their Notes.
The REMIC regular interest component of each Offered Note will be treated
as assets described in Section 7701(a)(19)(C) of the Code, and as "real estate
assets" under Section 856(c)(5)(B) of the Code, generally, in the same
proportion that the assets of the Trust, exclusive of the assets not included in
any REMIC, would be so treated. In addition, the interest derived from the REMIC
regular interest component of each Offered Note will be interest on obligations
secured by interests in real property for purposes of section 856(c)(3) of the
Code, subject to the same limitation in the preceding sentence. The Notional
Principal Contract component of each Regular Note will not qualify, however, as
an asset described in Section 7701(a)(19)(C) of the Code, as a real estate asset
under Section 856(c)(5)(B) of the Code or as a "qualified mortgage" within the
meaning of Section 860G(a)(3) of the Code. As a result, the Offered Notes
generally may not be a suitable investment for a real estate investment trust or
an entity intending to qualify under Section 7701(a)(19)(C) of the Code.
Because any Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount is treated as separate rights of
the Offered Notes not payable by any REMIC elected by the Trust, such rights
will not be treated as qualifying assets for any noteholder that is a mutual
savings bank, domestic building and loan association, real estate investment
trust, or REMIC. In addition, any amounts received from the Net WAC Rate
Carryover Reserve Account will not be qualifying real estate income for real
estate investment trusts or qualifying income for REMICs.
For further information regarding federal income tax consequences of
investing in the Offered Notes, see "Material Federal Income Tax
Considerations--REMICs" in the prospectus.
METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the second amended and
restated underwriting agreement, dated as of June 24, 1999, as amended and
restated to and including, January 25, 2006 and a terms agreement dated as of
May 30, 2006 (collectively, the "UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT"), between the
Underwriter and the Depositor, the Depositor has agreed to sell to the
Underwriter, and the Underwriter has agreed to purchase from the Depositor, the
Offered Notes.
Distribution of the Offered Notes will be made from time to time in
negotiated transactions or otherwise at varying prices to be determined at the
time of sale. Proceeds to the Depositor from the sale of the Offered Notes,
before deducting expenses payable by the Depositor, will be 100.00% of the
aggregate initial Note Principal Balance of the Offered Notes. In connection
with the purchase and sale of the Offered Notes, the Underwriter may be deemed
to have received compensation from the Depositor in the form of underwriting
discounts.
The Offered Notes are offered subject to receipt and acceptance by the
Underwriter, to prior sale and to the Underwriter's right to reject any order in
whole or in part and to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer without notice. It
is expected that delivery of the Offered Notes will be made through the
facilities of DTC, Clearstream and the Euroclear System on or about the Closing
Date. The Offered Notes will be offered in Europe and the United States of
America.
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The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Depositor will indemnify the
Underwriter against those civil liabilities set forth in the Underwriting
Agreement, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or will contribute to payments the Underwriter may be required to make in
respect of these liabilities.
SECONDARY MARKET
There is currently no secondary market for the Offered Notes and there can
be no assurance that a secondary market for the Offered Notes will develop or,
if it does develop, that it will continue. The Underwriter intends to establish
a market in the Offered Notes but they are not obligated to do so. There can be
no assurance that any additional information regarding the Offered Notes will be
available through any other source. In addition, the Depositor is not aware of
any source through which price information about the Offered Notes will be
available on an ongoing basis. The limited nature of the information regarding
the Offered Notes may adversely affect the liquidity of the Offered Notes, even
if a secondary market for the Offered Notes becomes available. The primary
source of information available to investors concerning the Offered Notes will
be the monthly statements discussed herein under "Description of the
Securities-Reports to Noteholders" which will include information as to the
outstanding principal balance of the Offered Notes and the status of the
applicable form of credit enhancement.
EXPERTS
The consolidated balance sheets of Financial Security Assurance Inc. and
its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated
statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in shareholder's
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 2005, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, have been
incorporated in this prospectus supplement in reliance upon the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, given
on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
LEGAL MATTERS
Legal matters relating to the Offered Notes will be passed upon for the
Depositor and the Underwriter by Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP, New York, New
York.
RATINGS
It is a condition to the issuance of the notes that the Offered Notes
receive at least the following ratings from Standard & Poor's, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P") and Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("MOODY'S"):
Offered Notes S&P Moody's
------------- --- -------
Class A AAA Aaa
The ratings assigned to mortgage backed notes address the likelihood of the
receipt by noteholders of all payments to which the noteholders are entitled.
The rating process addresses structural and legal aspects associated with the
notes, including the nature of the underlying loan. The ratings assigned to
mortgage backed notes do not represent any assessment of the likelihood that
principal prepayments will be made by the mortgagors or the degree to which such
prepayments will differ from that originally anticipated. The ratings do not
address the possibility that noteholders might suffer a lower than anticipated
yield due to non-credit events. In addition,
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the ratings on the Offered Notes do not address the likelihood of receipt by the
holders of such notes of any amounts in respect of Net WAC Rate Carryover
Amounts.
The ratings of the Class A Notes assigned by the rating agencies depend
primarily upon the creditworthiness of the Note Insurer.
A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities
and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating
organization. Each security rating should be evaluated independently of any
other security rating. In the event that the ratings initially assigned to the
Offered Notes are subsequently lowered for any reason, no person or entity is
obligated to provide any additional credit support or credit enhancement with
respect to the Offered Notes.
The Depositor has not requested that any rating agency rate the Offered
Notes other than as stated above. However, there can be no assurance as to
whether any other rating agency will rate the Offered Notes, or, if it does,
what rating would be assigned by any other rating agency. A rating on the
Offered Notes by another rating agency, if assigned at all, may be lower than
the ratings assigned to the Offered Notes as stated in this section.
The rating agencies have stated that it is their standard policy to monitor
ratings on publicly offered securities for which a rating has been provided, as
to each rating agency rating each class of Offered Notes in accordance with the
rating agencies' particular surveillance policies, unless the Issuer requests a
rating without surveillance. A rating agency will monitor the rating it issues
on an ongoing basis and may update the rating after conducting its regular
review of the Issuer's creditworthiness or after conducting a review of the
status of the rating upon becoming aware of any information that might
reasonably be expected to result in a change of rating. The Depositor has not
requested that any rating agency not monitor their ratings of the Offered Notes,
and the Depositor has not requested that any rating agency use any monitoring
procedures other than their standard monitoring procedures.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no material legal proceedings pending against the Sponsor, the
Depositor, the Indenture Trustee, the Owner Trustee, ACE Home Equity Loan Trust,
Series 2006-GP1, the Master Servicer, the Servicer, the Originator, the
Securities Administrator, the Note Insurer or the Custodian, or with respect to
which the property of any of the foregoing transaction parties is subject, that
are material to the Noteholders. No legal proceedings against any of the
foregoing transaction parties is known to be contemplated by governmental
authorities, that are material to the Noteholders.
AFFILIATIONS, RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
There are no affiliations between the Sponsor, the Depositor, the Indenture
Trustee or the Issuing Entity and any of the Master Servicer, the Securities
Administrator, the Custodian and the Owner Trustee. There are no affiliations
among the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator or the Custodian and the
Servicer or the Owner Trustee. There are no affiliations between the Servicer
and the Owner Trustee. The Indenture Trustee and the Sponsor are affiliates.
There are currently no business relationships, agreements, arrangements,
transactions or understandings between (a) the Sponsor, the Depositor, the
Indenture Trustee or the Issuing Entity and (b) any of the parties referred to
in the second sentence hereof, or any of their respective affiliates, that were
entered into outside the normal course of business or that contain terms other
than would be obtained in an arm's length transaction with an unrelated third
party and that are material to the investor's understanding of the Notes, or
that relate to the Notes or the pooled assets. No such
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business relationship, agreement, arrangement, transaction or understanding has
existed during the past two years.
LEGAL INVESTMENT
The Offered Notes will not constitute "mortgage related securities" for
purposes of the Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement Act of 1984.
Institutions whose investment activities are subject to review by certain
regulatory authorities hereafter may be or may become subject to restrictions on
investment in the notes, and such restrictions may be retroactively imposed. The
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of Thrift Supervision, or
OTS, and the National Credit Union Administration, or NCUA, have adopted
guidelines, and have proposed policies, regarding the suitability of investments
in various types of derivative mortgage-backed securities, including securities
such as the notes.
For example, on April 23, 1998, the Federal Financial Institutions
Examination Council issued a revised supervisory policy statement, referred to
as the 1998 Policy Statement, applicable to all depository institutions, setting
forth guidelines for investments in "high-risk mortgage securities." The 1998
Policy Statement has been adopted by the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of
the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the
NCUA and the OTS. The 1998 Policy Statement rescinds a 1992 policy statement
that had required, prior to purchase, a depository institution to determine
whether a mortgage derivative product that it is considering acquiring is
high-risk, and, if so, that the proposed acquisition would reduce the
institution's overall interest rate risk. In addition, The 1998 Policy Statement
eliminates former constraints on investing in certain "high-risk" mortgage
derivative products and substitutes broader guidelines for evaluating and
monitoring investment risk. In addition, the NCUA has issued regulations
governing federal credit union investments which prohibit investment in certain
specified types of securities, which may include the notes. The NCUA has
indicated that its regulations will take precedence over the 1998 Policy
Statement. Similar policy statements and regulations have been issued by other
regulators having jurisdiction over other types of depository institutions.
The OTS has issued Thrift Bulletin 73a, or TB 73a, entitled "Investing in
Complex Securities", effective December 18, 2001 which applies to savings
associations regulated by the OTS, and Thrift Bulletin 13a, or TB 13a, entitled
"Management of Interest Rate Risk, Investment Securities, and Derivatives
Activities", effective December 1, 1998, which is applicable to thrift
institutions regulated by the OTS.
TB 73a requires savings associations, prior to taking any investment
position, to determine that the investment position meets applicable regulatory
and policy requirements and internal guidelines, is suitable for the
institution, and is safe and sound. The OTS recommends, with respect to
purchases of specific securities, additional analysis, including, among others,
analysis of repayment terms, legal structure, expected performance of the
issuing entity and any underlying assets as well as analysis of the effects of
payment priority, with respect to a security which is divided into separate
tranches with unequal payments, and collateral investment parameters, with
respect to a security that is prefunded or involves a revolving period. TB 73a
reiterates the OTS's due diligence requirements for investing in all securities
and warns that if a savings association makes an investment that does not meet
the applicable regulatory requirements, the savings association's investment
practices will be subject to criticism, and the OTS may require divestiture of
such securities. The OTS also recommends, with respect to an investment in any
"complex securities," that savings associations should take into account quality
and suitability, interest rate risk, and classification factors. For the
purposes of each of TB 73a and TB 13a, "complex security"
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includes, among other things, any collateralized mortgage obligation or real
estate mortgage investment conduit security, other than any "plain vanilla"
mortgage pass-through security (that is, securities that are part of a single
class of securities in the related pool that are non-callable and do not have
any special features). Accordingly, the Offered Notes would likely be viewed as
"complex securities." With respect to quality and suitability factors, TB 73a
warns (i) that a savings association's sole reliance on outside ratings for
material purchases of complex securities is an unsafe and unsound practice, (ii)
that a savings association should only use ratings and analyses from nationally
recognized rating agencies in conjunction with, and in validation of, its own
underwriting processes, and (iii) that it should not use ratings as a substitute
for its own thorough underwriting analyses. With respect the interest rate risk
factor, TB 73a recommends that savings associations should follow the guidance
set forth in TB 13a.
TB 13a requires thrift institutions, prior to taking any investment
position, to (i) conduct a pre-purchase portfolio sensitivity analysis for any
"significant transaction" involving securities or financial derivatives, and
(ii) conduct a pre-purchase price sensitivity analysis of any "complex security"
or financial derivative. The OTS recommends that while a thrift institution
should conduct its own in-house pre-acquisition analysis, it may rely on an
analysis conducted by an independent third-party as long as management
understands the analysis and its key assumptions. Further, TB 13a recommends
that the use of "complex securities with high price sensitivity" be limited to
transactions and strategies that lower a thrift institution's portfolio interest
rate risk. TB 13a warns that investment in complex securities by thrift
institutions that do not have adequate risk measurement, monitoring and control
systems may be viewed by OTS examiners as an unsafe and unsound practice.
There may be other restrictions on the ability of some investors either to
purchase some classes of securities or to purchase any class of securities
representing more than a specified percentage of the investors' assets. The
depositor will make no representations as to the proper characterization of any
class of securities for legal investment or other purposes, or as to the ability
of particular investors to purchase any class of securities under applicable
legal investment restrictions. These uncertainties may adversely affect the
liquidity of any class of securities. Accordingly, all investors whose
investment activities are subject to legal investment laws and regulations,
regulatory capital requirements or review by regulatory authorities are
encouraged to consult with their own legal advisors in determining whether and
to what extent the securities of any class constitute legal investments or are
subject to investment, capital or other restrictions.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR BENEFIT PLAN INVESTORS
Sections 404 and 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended ("ERISA") and Section 4975 of the Code impose fiduciary and
prohibited transaction restrictions on the activities of employee benefit plans
(as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) and certain other retirement plans and
arrangements discussed in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code and on various other
retirement plans and arrangements, including bank collective investment funds
and insurance company general and separate accounts in which such plans are
invested (together referred to as "plans").
Some employee benefit plans, including governmental plans (as defined in
Section 3(32) of ERISA), and, if no election has been made under Section 410(d)
of the Code, church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) are not subject
to the ERISA requirements. Accordingly, assets of these plans may be invested in
the securities without regard to the ERISA considerations described below,
subject to the provisions of other applicable federal, state and local law. Any
such plan which is qualified and exempt from taxation under Sections 401(a) and
501(a) of the Code, however, is subject to the prohibited transaction rules set
forth in Section 503 of the Code.
S-101
ERISA generally imposes on plan fiduciaries general fiduciary requirements,
including the duties of investment prudence and diversification and the
requirement that a plan's investments be made in accordance with the documents
governing the plan. Any person who has discretionary authority or control with
respect to the management or disposition of a plan's assets, (referred to as
"plan assets") and any person who provides investment advice with respect to
plan assets for a fee is a fiduciary of the investing plan. If the mortgage
loans and other assets included in the trust were to constitute plan assets,
then any party exercising management or discretionary control with respect to
those plan assets may be deemed to be a plan "fiduciary," and subject to the
fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA and the prohibited transaction
provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code with respect to any investing
plan. In addition, the acquisition or holding of securities by or on behalf of a
plan or with plan assets, as well as the operation of the trust, may constitute
or involve a prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code unless a statutory
or administrative exemption is available. Further, ERISA prohibits plans to
which it applies from engaging in "prohibited transactions" under Section 406 of
ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code imposes excise taxes with respect to
transactions described in Section 4975 of the Code. These transactions described
in ERISA and the Code prohibit a broad range of transactions involving plan
assets and persons, called parties in interest, unless a statutory or
administrative exemption is available.
Some transactions involving the trust might be deemed to constitute
prohibited transactions under ERISA and the Code with respect to a plan that
purchases the securities if the mortgage loans and other assets included in the
Trust are deemed to be assets of the plan. The U.S. Department of Labor has
promulgated the DOL regulations (29 C.F.R. 2510.3-10) concerning whether or not
a plan's assets would be deemed to include an interest in the underlying assets
of an entity, including a trust fund, for purposes of applying the general
fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA and the prohibited transaction
provisions of ERISA and the Code. Under the DOL regulations, generally, when a
plan acquires an "equity interest" in another entity (such as the trust fund),
the underlying assets of that entity may be considered to be plan assets unless
an exception applies. Exceptions contained in the DOL regulations provide that
plan assets will not include an undivided interest in each asset of an entity in
which the plan makes an equity investment if: (1) the entity is an operating
company; (2) the equity investment made by the plan is either a
"publicly-offered security" that is "widely held," both as defined in the DOL
regulations, or a security issued by an investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; or (3) benefit plan investors do not
own 25% or more in value of any class of equity securities issued by the entity.
Under the DOL regulations, plan assets will be deemed to include an interest in
the instrument evidencing the equity interest of a plan as well as an interest
in the underlying assets of the entity in which a plan acquires an interest
(such as the mortgage loans and other assets included in the Trust). In
addition, the purchase, sale and holding of the offered notes by or on behalf of
a plan could be considered to give rise to a prohibited transaction if the
Depositor, the Sponsor, the Indenture Trustee or any of their respective
affiliates is or becomes a party in interest with respect to the plan.
Although there is no authority directly on point, the Issuer believes that,
at the date of this Prospectus Supplement, the Offered Notes should be treated
as indebtedness without substantial equity features for purposes of the Plan
Assets Regulation. The Issuer also believes that, so long as the Offered Notes
retain a rating of at least investment grade, the Offered Notes should continue
to be treated as indebtedness without substantial equity features for the
purposes of the Plan Assets Regulation. There is, however, increased uncertainty
regarding the characterization of debt instruments that do not carry an
investment grade rating. Consequently, in the event of a withdrawal or downgrade
to below investment grade of the rating of the Offered Note, the subsequent
transfer of such notes or any interest therein to a Plan trustee or other person
acting on behalf of a Plan, or using Plan assets to effect such transfer, is
restricted. A prospective transferee of the Offered Notes or any interest
therein who is a Plan trustee or is acting on behalf of a Plan, or using Plan
assets to effect such transfer, is required to provide written confirmation
S-102
(or in the case of any note transferred in book-entry form, will be deemed to
have confirmed) that at the time of such transfer such Notes are rated at least
investment grade, and that such transferee believes that such Notes are properly
treated as indebtedness without substantial equity features for purposes of the
regulations, and agrees to so treat such Notes and that the acquisition and
holding of such notes will not give rise to a non-exempt prohibited transaction
under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. Regardless of the rating
of the offered notes, a prospective purchaser or transferee may instead provide
the Securities Administrator with an opinion of counsel, which opinion of
counsel will not be at the expense of the Indenture Trustee, the Issuer, the
Servicer or the underwriter which opines that the purchase, holding and transfer
of such Note or interest therein is permissible under applicable law, will not
constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code and will not subject the trustee, the Issuer, the
Servicer or the underwriter to any obligation in addition to those undertaken in
the Indenture.
Any fiduciary or other investor of plan assets that proposes to acquire or
hold the Offered Notes on behalf of or with plan assets of any plan should
consult with its counsel with respect to the application of the fiduciary
responsibility provisions of ERISA and the prohibited transaction provisions of
ERISA and the Code (and in the case of non-ERISA plans and arrangements, any
additional federal, state or local law considerations) before making the
proposed investment.
The sale of any class of Offered Notes to a Plan is in no respect a
representation by the Depositor, the Indenture Trustee, the Owner Trustee, the
Securities Administrator, the Master Servicer, the Servicer or the Underwriter
that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to
investments by Plans generally or any particular Plan, or that such an
investment is appropriate for Plans generally or any particular Plan.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Depositor is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the
Commission. Reports and other information filed by the Depositor can be
inspected and copied at the Public Reference Room maintained by the Commission
at 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, and its Regional Offices located as
follows: Chicago Regional Office, 500 West Madison, 14th Floor, Chicago,
Illinois 60661; New York Regional Office, 233 Broadway, New York, New York
10279. Copies of the material can also be obtained from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, at prescribed
rates and electronically through the Commission's Electronic Data Gathering,
Analysis and Retrieval system at the Commission's Website (http://www.sec.gov).
Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by
calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at (800) SEC-0330. Exchange Act
reports as to any series filed with the Commission will be filed under the
issuing entity's name. The Depositor does not intend to send any financial
reports to security holders.
The Issuing Entity's annual reports on Form 10-K (including reports of
assessment of compliance with the AB Servicing Criteria, attestation reports,
and statements of compliance, discussed in "Description of the Securities --
Reports to Noteholders" and "Servicing of the HELOCs -- Evidence as to
Compliance", required to be filed under Regulation AB), periodic distribution
reports on Form 10-D, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those
reports, together with such other reports to security holders or information
about the securities as will have been filed with the Commission will be posted
on the Securities Administrator's internet web site as soon as reasonably
practicable after it has been electronically filed with, or furnished to, the
Commission. The address of the website is: www.etrustee.net
S-103
REPORTS TO NOTEHOLDERS
So long as the Issuing Entity is required to file reports under the
Exchange Act, those reports will be made available as described above under
"Available Information".
If the Issuing Entity is no longer required to file reports under the
Exchange Act, periodic distribution reports will be posted on the Securities
Administrator's website referenced above under "Available Information" as soon
as practicable. Annual reports of assessment of compliance with the AB Servicing
Criteria, attestation reports, and statements of compliance will be provided to
registered holders of the related securities upon request free of charge. See
"Servicing of the HELOCs -- Evidence as to Compliance" and "Description of the
Securities -- Reports to Noteholders."
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
There are incorporated into this prospectus supplement by reference all
documents, including but not limited to the financial statements and reports
filed or caused to be filed or incorporated by reference by the Depositor with
respect to the trust fund pursuant to the requirements of Sections 13(a) or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of the offering of the
Offered Notes. All documents subsequently filed by the Depositor pursuant to
Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act in respect of the offering prior to
the termination of the offering of the Offered Notes will also be deemed
incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.
The Depositor will provide or cause to be provided without charge to each
person to whom this prospectus supplement is delivered in connection with the
offering of one or more classes of Offered Notes, upon written or oral request
of the person, a copy of any or all the reports incorporated in this prospectus
supplement by reference, in each case to the extent the reports relate to one or
more of such classes of the Offered Notes, other than the exhibits to the
documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in the
documents. Requests should be directed in writing to ACE Securities Corp., 6525
Morrison Blvd., Suite 318, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211, or by telephone at
(704) 365-0569. The Depositor has determined that its financial statements will
not be material to the offering of any Offered Notes.
S-104
ANNEX I
GLOBAL CLEARANCE AND SETTLEMENT AND DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES
Except in certain limited circumstances, the Offered Notes will be offered
globally (the "GLOBAL SECURITIES") and will be available only in book-entry
form. Investors in the Global Securities may hold such Global Securities through
any of DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear. The Global Securities will be tradable as
home market instruments in both the European and U.S. domestic markets. Initial
settlement and all secondary trades will settle in same-day funds.
Secondary market trading between investors holding Global Securities
through Clearstream and Euroclear will be conducted in the ordinary way in
accordance with their normal rules and operating procedures and in accordance
with conventional eurobond practice (i.e., seven calendar day settlement).
Secondary market trading between investors holding Global Securities
through DTC will be conducted according to the rules and procedures applicable
to U.S. corporate debt obligations.
Secondary cross-market trading between Clearstream or Euroclear and DTC
Participants holding Notes will be effected on a delivery-against-payment basis
through the respective Depositories of Clearstream and Euroclear (in such
capacity) and as DTC Participants.
Non-U.S. holders (as described below) of Global Securities will be subject
to U.S. withholding taxes unless such holders meet certain requirements and
deliver appropriate U.S. tax documents to the securities clearing organizations
or their participants.
INITIAL SETTLEMENT
All Global Securities will be held in book-entry form by DTC in the name of
Cede & Co. as nominee of DTC. Investors' interests in the Global Securities will
be represented through financial institutions acting on their behalf as direct
and indirect Participants in DTC. As a result, Clearstream and Euroclear will
hold positions on behalf of their participants through their respective
Depositaries, which in turn will hold such positions in accounts as DTC
Participants.
Investors electing to hold their Global Securities through DTC will follow
the settlement practices applicable to conventional eurobonds, except that there
will be no temporary global security and no "lock-up" or restricted period.
Investor securities custody accounts will be credited with their holdings
against payment in same-day funds on the settlement date.
Investors electing to hold their Global Securities through Clearstream or
Euroclear accounts will follow the settlement procedures applicable to
conventional eurobonds, except that there will be no temporary global security
and no "lock-up" or restricted period. Global Securities will be credited to the
securities custody accounts on the settlement date against payment in same-day
funds.
SECONDARY MARKET TRADING
Since the purchaser determines the place of delivery, it is important to
establish at the time of the trade where both the purchaser's and sellers
accounts are located to ensure that settlement can be made on the desired value
date.
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Trading between DTC Participants. Secondary market trading between DTC
Participants will be settled using the procedures applicable to prior mortgage
loan asset-backed securities issues in same-day funds.
Trading between Clearstream and/or Euroclear Participants. Secondary market
trading between Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants will be
settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in same-day
funds.
Trading between DTC seller and Clearstream or Euroclear purchaser. When
Global Securities are to be transferred from the account of a DTC Participant to
the account of a Clearstream Participant or a Euroclear Participant, the
purchaser will send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear through a
Clearstream Participant or Euroclear Participant at least one business day prior
to settlement. Clearstream or Euroclear will instruct the respective Depository,
as the case may be, to receive the Global Securities against payment. Payment
will include interest accrued on the Global Securities from and including the
last coupon Payment Date to and excluding the settlement date, on the basis of
the actual number of days in such accrual period and a year assumed to consist
of 360 days. For transactions settling on the 31st of the month, payment will
include interest accrued to and excluding the first day of the following month.
Payment will then be made by the respective Depository of the DTC Participant's
account against delivery of the Global Securities. After settlement has been
completed, the Global Securities will be credited to the respective clearing
system and by the clearing system, in accordance with its usual procedures, to
the Clearstream Participant's or Euroclear Participant's account. The securities
credit will appear the next day (European time) and the cash debt will be
back-valued to, and the interest on the Global Securities will accrue from, the
value date (which would be the preceding day when settlement occurred in New
York). If settlement is not completed on the intended value date (i.e., the
trade fails), the Clearstream or Euroclear cash debt will be valued instead as
of the actual settlement date.
Clearstream Participants and Euroclear Participants will need to make
available to the respective clearing systems the funds necessary to process
same-day funds settlement. The most direct means of doing so is to preposition
funds for settlement, either from cash on hand or existing lines of credit, as
they would for any settlement occurring within Clearstream or Euroclear. Under
this approach, they may take on credit exposure to Clearstream or Euroclear
until the Global Securities are credited to their accounts one day later.
As an alternative, if Clearstream or Euroclear has extended a line of
credit to them, Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants can elect not
to preposition funds and allow that credit line to be drawn upon the finance
settlement. Under this procedure, Clearstream Participants or Euroclear
Participants purchasing Global Securities would incur overdraft charges for one
day, assuming they cleared the overdraft when the Global Securities were
credited to their accounts. However, interest on the Global Securities would
accrue from the value date. Therefore, in many cases the investment income on
the Global Securities earned during that one-day period may substantially reduce
or offset the amount of such overdraft charges, although this result will depend
on each Clearstream Participant's or Euroclear Participant's particular cost of
funds.
Since the settlement is taking place during New York business hours, DTC
Participants can employ their usual procedures for sending Global Securities to
the respective European Depository for the benefit of Clearstream Participants
or Euroclear Participants. The sale proceeds will be available to the DTC seller
on the settlement date. Thus, to the DTC Participants a cross-market transaction
will settle no differently than a trade between two DTC Participants.
Trading between Clearstream or Euroclear Seller and DTC Purchaser. Due to
time zone differences in their favor, Clearstream Participants and Euroclear
Participants may employ their customary procedures for transactions in which
Global Securities are to be transferred by the
I-2
respective clearing system, through the respective Depository, to a DTC
Participant. The seller will send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear
through a Clearstream Participant or Euroclear Participant at least one business
day prior to settlement. In these cases Clearstream or Euroclear will instruct
the respective Depository, as appropriate, to deliver the Global Securities to
the DTC Participant's account against payment. Payment will include interest
accrued on the Global Securities from and including the last coupon payment to
and excluding the settlement date on the basis of the actual number of days in
such accrual period and a year assumed to consist of 360 days. For transactions
settling on the 31st of the month, payment will include interest accrued to and
excluding the first day of the following month. The payment will then be
reflected in the account of the Clearstream Participant or Euroclear Participant
the following day, and receipt of the cash proceeds in the Clearstream
Participant's or Euroclear Participant's account would be back-valued to the
value date (which would be the preceding day, when settlement occurred in New
York). Should the Clearstream Participant or Euroclear Participant have a line
of credit with its respective clearing system and elect to be in debt in
anticipation of receipt of the sale proceeds in its account, the back-valuation
will extinguish any overdraft incurred over that one-day period. If settlement
is not completed on the intended value date (i.e., the trade fails), receipt of
the cash proceeds in the Clearstream Participant's or Euroclear Participant's
account would instead be valued as of the actual settlement date.
Finally, day traders that use Clearstream or Euroclear and that purchase
Global Securities from DTC Participants For deliver to Clearstream Participants
or Euroclear Participants should note that these trades would automatically fail
on the sale side unless affirmative action were taken. At least three techniques
should be readily available to eliminate this potential problem:
(a) borrowing through Clearstream or Euroclear for one day (until the
purchase side of the day trade is reflected in their Clearstream or Euroclear
accounts) in accordance with the clearing system's customary procedures;
(b) borrowing the Global Securities in the U.S. from a DTC Participant no
later than one day prior to settlement, which would give the Global Securities
sufficient time to be reflected in their Clearstream or Euroclear account in
order to settle the sale side of the trade; or
(c) staggering the value dates for the buy and sell sides of the trade so
that the value date for the purchase from the DTC Participant is at least one
day prior to the value date for the sale to the Clearstream Participant or
Euroclear Participant.
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
A beneficial owner of Global Securities holding securities through
Clearstream or Euroclear (or through DTC if the holder has an address outside
the U.S.) will be subject to the 30% U.S. withholding tax that generally applies
to payments of interest (including original issue discount) on registered debt
issued by U.S. Persons, unless (i) each clearing system, bank or other financial
institution that holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of its trade
or business in the chain of intermediaries between such beneficial owner and the
U.S. entity required to withhold tax complies with applicable certification
requirements and (ii) such beneficial owner takes one of the following steps to
obtain an exemption or reduced tax rate:
Exemption for non-U.S. Persons (Form W-8BEN). Beneficial owners of Global
Securities that are non-U.S. Persons can obtain a complete exemption from the
withholding tax by filing a signed Form W-8BEN (Certificate of Foreign Status of
Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding). If the information shown on
Form W-8BEN changes, a new Form W-8BEN must be filed within 30 days of such
change.
I-3
Exemption for non-U.S. Persons with effectively connected income (Form
W-8ECI). A non-U.S. Person, including a non-U.S. corporation or bank with a U.S.
branch, for which the interest income ineffectively connected with its conduct
of a trade or business in the United States, can obtain an exemption from the
withholding tax by filing Form W-8ECI (Certificate of Foreign Person's Claim for
Exemption from Withholding on Income Effectively Connected with the Conduct of a
Trade or Business in the United States).
Exemption or reduced rate for non-U.S. Persons resident in treaty countries
(Form W-8BEN). Non-U.S. Persons that are Certificate Owners residing in a
country that has a tax treaty with the United States can obtain an exemption or
reduced tax rate (depending on the treaty terms) by filing Form W-8BEN
(Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax
Withholding). Form W-8BEN may be filed by the Note Owners or his agent.
Exemption or reduced rate for non-U.S. Persons subject to special U.S.
federal income tax rules (Form W-8EXP). A non-U.S. Person that is a foreign
government, international organization, foreign central bank of issue, foreign
tax-exempt organization, foreign private foundation or government of a U.S.
possession may obtain an exemption or reduced tax rate on certain income by
filing Form W-8EXP (Certificate of Foreign Government or Other Foreign
Organization for United States Tax Withholding).
Exemption for U.S. Persons (Form W-9). U.S. Persons can obtain a complete
exemption from the withholding tax by filing Form W-9 (Payers Request for
Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification).
U.S. Federal Income Tax Reporting Procedure. The Note Owner of a Global
Security files by submitting the appropriate form to the person through whom it
holds (the clearing agency, in the case of persons holding directly on the books
of the clearing agency). Form W-8BEN and Form W-8ECI are effective until the
third succeeding calendar year from the date such form is signed.
The term "U.S. PERSON" means (i) a citizen or resident of the United
States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity treated as a corporation
or partnership for United States federal income tax purposes organized in or
under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of
Columbia (unless, in the case of a partnership, Treasury regulations provide
otherwise), (iii) an estate the income of which is includible in gross income
for United States tax purposes, regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust if a
court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have authority
to control all substantial decisions of the trust. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, to the extent provided in Treasury regulations, certain trusts in
existence on August 20,1996, and treated as United States persons prior to such
date, that elect to continue to be treated as United States persons will also be
a U.S. Person. This summary does not deal with all aspects of U.S. Federal
income tax withholding that may be relevant to foreign holders of the Global
Securities. Investors are advised to consult their own tax advisors for specific
tax advice concerning their holding and disposing of the Global Securities.
I-4
PROSPECTUS
ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES
ASSET BACKED NOTES
(ISSUABLE IN SERIES)
ACE SECURITIES CORP.,
DEPOSITOR
THE ISSUING ENTITIES:
Each issuing entity will be established to hold assets transferred to it by
ACE Securities Corp. The assets in each issuing entity will generally consist of
one or more of the following:
o mortgage loans, which may include closed-end and/or revolving home
equity loans or balances thereof, secured by one- to four-family
residential properties, commercial properties, multifamily properties,
mixed-use residential and commercial properties or unimproved land;
o unsecured home improvement loans;
o manufactured housing installment sale contracts;
o mortgage pass-through notes or certificates issued or guaranteed by
Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac; or
o previously issued asset-backed or mortgage-backed notes or
certificates backed by mortgage loans secured by residential
properties or participations in those types of loans.
The assets in your issuing entity are specified in the prospectus
supplement for that particular issuing entity, while the types of assets that
may be included in an issuing entity, whether or not in your issuing entity, are
described in greater detail in this prospectus.
THE SECURITIES:
ACE Securities Corp. will sell the notes or certificates, as applicable,
pursuant to a prospectus supplement. The notes or certificates, as applicable,
will be grouped into one or more series, each having is own distinct
designation. Each series will be issued in one or more classes and will evidence
beneficial ownership of, or be secured by, the assets in the issuing entity's
trust fund that the series relates to. A prospectus supplement for a series will
specify all of the terms of the series and of each of the classes in the series.
CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE 1 OF THIS PROSPECTUS:
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is April 18, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Risk Factors.............................................................. 1
Description of the Issuing Entities' Trust Funds.......................... 4
Use of Proceeds........................................................... 24
Yield Considerations...................................................... 24
Static Pool Information................................................... 31
The Sponsor............................................................... 31
The Depositor............................................................. 31
Description of the Securities............................................. 32
Description of the Agreements............................................. 49
Description of Credit Support............................................. 75
Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage Loans................................... 79
Certain Legal Aspects of the Contracts.................................... 95
Material Federal Income Tax Considerations................................ 99
Penalty Avoidance......................................................... 139
State and Other Tax Considerations........................................ 139
ERISA Considerations...................................................... 140
Legal Investment.......................................................... 147
Methods of Distribution................................................... 149
Additional Information.................................................... 150
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference........................... 151
Legal Matters............................................................. 151
Financial Information..................................................... 152
Rating.................................................................... 152
Index of Defined Terms.................................................... 153
RISK FACTORS
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION, WHICH YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER, IDENTIFIES
CERTAIN SIGNIFICANT SOURCES OF RISK ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE
CERTIFICATES AND THE NOTES. YOU SHOULD ALSO CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION
SET FORTH UNDER "RISK FACTORS" IN THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
THE MORTGAGE LOANS WERE The underwriting standards of the originators are
UNDERWRITTEN TO intended to assess the ability and willingness of the
STANDARDS WHICH DO NOT mortgagor to repay the debt and to evaluate the
CONFORM TO THE adequacy of the property as collateral for the
STANDARDS OF FANNIE MAE mortgage loan. The originators consider, among other
OR FREDDIE MAC. things, a mortgagor's credit history, repayment
ability and debt service-to-income ratio, as well as
the value, type and use of the mortgaged property. As
further described in this prospectus, the underwriting
standards of the originators do not conform to Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines.
In addition, mortgage loans originated by the
originators generally bear higher rates of interest
than mortgage loans originated in accordance with
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines and may
experience rates of delinquency, foreclosure and
bankruptcy that are higher, and that may be
substantially higher, than those experienced by
mortgage loans underwritten in accordance with Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines.
Furthermore, changes in the values of mortgaged
properties may have a greater effect on the
delinquency, foreclosure, bankruptcy and loss
experience of the mortgage loans than on mortgage
loans originated in accordance with Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac guidelines. No assurance can be given that
the values of the related mortgaged properties have
remained or will remain at the levels in effect on the
dates of origination of the related Mortgage Loans
THE OFFERED SECURITIES The Offered Securities will not represent an interest
WILL BE LIMITED in or obligation of the depositor, the servicer, the
OBLIGATIONS SOLELY OF master servicer, the securities administrator, the
THE ISSUING ENTITY AND originators, the trustee or any of their respective
NOT OF ANY OTHER PARTY. affiliates. Neither the Offered Securities nor the
underlying mortgage loans or contracts will be
guaranteed or insured by any governmental agency or
instrumentality, or by the depositor, the servicer,
the master servicer, the securities administrator, the
originators, the trustee or any of their respective
affiliates. Proceeds of the assets included in the
issuing entity will be the sole source of payments on
the Offered Securities, and there will be no recourse
to the depositor, the servicer, the originators, the
master servicer, the securities administrator, the
trustee or any other entity in the event that these
proceeds are insufficient or otherwise unavailable to
make all payments provided for under the Offered
Securities.
1
VIOLATION OF CONSUMER Applicable state laws generally regulate interest
PROTECTION LAWS MAY rates and other charges, require certain disclosure,
RESULT IN LOSSES ON THE and require licensing of the originators. In addition,
MORTGAGE LOANS, THE other state laws, public policy and general principles
CONTRACTS AND YOUR of equity relating to the protection of consumers,
SECURITIES. unfair and deceptive practices and debt collection
practices may apply to the origination, servicing and
collection of the mortgage loans and contracts.
The mortgage loans are also subject to federal laws,
including:
o the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act and
Regulation Z promulgated thereunder, which
require certain disclosures to the
mortgagors regarding the terms of the
mortgage loans or contracts;
o the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and
Regulation B promulgated thereunder, which
prohibit discrimination on the basis of age,
race, color, sex, religion, marital status,
national origin, receipt of public
assistance or the exercise of any right
under the Consumer Credit Protection Act, in
the extension of credit;
o the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which
regulates the use and reporting of
information related to the mortgagor's
credit experience; and
o the Depository Institutions Deregulation and
Monetary Control Act of 1980, which preempts
certain state usury laws.
Violations of certain provisions of these federal and
state laws may limit the ability of the servicer to
collect all or part of the principal of or interest on
the related mortgage loans or contracts and in
addition could subject the trust to damages and
administrative enforcement. In particular, the failure
of the originators to comply with certain requirements
of the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act, as implemented by
Regulation Z, could subject the trust to monetary
penalties, and result in the mortgagors' rescinding
the mortgage loans or contracts against the issuing
entity. In addition to federal law, some states have
enacted, or may enact, laws or regulations that
prohibit inclusion of some provisions in mortgage
loans or contracts that have interest rates or
origination costs in excess of prescribed levels, and
require that mortgagors be given certain disclosures
prior to the consummation of the mortgage loans or
contracts and restrict the servicer's ability to
foreclose in response to mortgagor defaults. The
failure of the originators to comply with these laws
could subject the trust to significant monetary
penalties, could result in the mortgagors rescinding
the mortgage loans or contracts against the trust
and/or limit the servicer's ability to foreclose upon
the related mortgaged properties in the event of
mortgagor defaults.
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The sponsor will represent that each mortgage loan is
in compliance with applicable federal and state laws
and regulations. In the event of a breach of such
representation, the sponsor will be obligated to cure
such breach or repurchase or replace the affected
mortgage loan in the manner described in the
prospectus. If the sponsor is unable or otherwise
fails to satisfy such obligations, the yield on the
may be materially and adversely affected.
THE LIQUIDITY OF YOUR The underwriter has no obligation to make a secondary
SECURITIES MAY BE market in the classes of Offered Securities. There is
LIMITED. therefore no assurance that a secondary market will
develop or, if it develops, that it will continue.
Consequently, you may not be able to sell your
security readily or at prices that will enable you to
realize your desired yield. The market values of the
securities are likely to fluctuate; these fluctuations
may be significant and could result in significant
losses to you.
The secondary markets for asset-backed securities have
experienced periods of illiquidity and can be expected
to do so in the future. Illiquidity can have a
severely adverse effect on the prices of securities
that are especially sensitive to prepayment, credit or
interest rate risk, or that have been structured to
meet the investment requirements of limited categories
of investors.
THE RETURN ON YOUR The Relief Act and similar state or local laws provide
SECURITIES COULD BE relief to mortgagors who enter active military service
REDUCED BY SHORTFALLS and to mortgagors in reserve status who are called to
DUE TO THE APPLICATION active military service after the origination of their
OF THE RELIEF ACT. mortgage loans or contracts. The ongoing military
operations of the United States in Iraq and
Afghanistan have caused an increase in the number of
citizens in active military duty, including those
citizens previously in reserve status. Under the
Relief Act the interest rate applicable to a mortgage
loan for which the related mortgagor is called to
active military service will be reduced from the
percentage stated in the related mortgage note to
6.00%. This interest rate reduction and any reduction
provided under similar state or local laws could
result in an interest shortfall because the master
servicer, the servicer will not be able to collect the
amount of interest which otherwise would be payable
with respect to such mortgage loan if the Relief Act
or similar state or local law was not applicable
thereto. This shortfall will not be paid by the
mortgagor on future due dates or advanced by the
master servicer, the servicer and, therefore, will
reduce the amount available to pay interest to the
securityholders on subsequent Distribution Dates.
POSSIBLE REDUCTION OR Each rating agency rating the Offered Securities may
WITHDRAWAL OF RATINGS change or withdraw its initial ratings at any time in
ON THE OFFERED the future if, in its judgment, circumstances warrant
SECURITIES. a change. No person is obligated to maintain the
ratings at their initial levels. If a rating agency
reduces or withdraws its rating on one or more
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classes of the Offered Securities, the liquidity and
market value of the affected securities is likely to
be reduced.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUING ENTITIES' TRUST FUNDS
ASSETS
The primary assets of each issuing entity's trust fund (the "Assets") will
include some or all of the following types of assets:
o mortgage loans on single family and multifamily residential
properties, which may include Home Equity Loans, home improvement
contracts and Land Sale Contracts (each as defined in this
prospectus), commercial properties, unimproved land and mixed-use
residential and commercial properties;
o home improvement installment sales contracts or installment loans that
are unsecured called unsecured home improvement Loans;
o manufactured housing installment sale contracts or installment loan
agreements referred to as contracts;
o any combination of "fully modified pass-through" mortgage-backed
certificates guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage
Association ("Ginnie Mae"), guaranteed mortgage pass-through
securities issued by Fannie Mae ("Fannie Mae") and mortgage
participation certificates issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("Freddie Mac") (collectively, "Agency Securities");
o previously issued asset-backed certificates, collateralized mortgage
obligations or participation certificates (each, and collectively,
"Mortgage Securities") evidencing interests in, or collateralized by,
mortgage loans or Agency Securities; or
o a combination of mortgage loans, unsecured home improvement loans,
contracts, Agency Securities and/or Mortgage Securities.
The mortgage loans will not be guaranteed or insured by ACE Securities
Corp. or any of its affiliates. The mortgage loans will be guaranteed or insured
by a governmental agency or instrumentality or other person only if and to the
extent expressly provided in the prospectus supplement. The depositor will
select each Asset to include in an issuing entity's trust fund from among those
it has purchased, either directly or indirectly, from a prior holder (an "Asset
Seller"), which may be an affiliate of the depositor and which prior holder may
or may not be the originator of that mortgage loan. As to each series of
securities, the mortgage loans will be selected for inclusion in the mortgage
pool based on rating agency criteria, compliance with representations and
warranties, and conformity to criteria relating to the characterization of
securities for tax, ERISA, SMMEA, Form S-3 eligibility and other legal purposes.
The Assets included in the issuing entity's trust fund for your series may
be subject to various types of payment provisions:
o "Level Payment Assets," which may provide for the payment of interest,
and full repayment of principal, in level monthly payments with a
fixed rate of interest computed on their declining principal balances;
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o "Adjustable Rate Assets," which may provide for periodic adjustments
to their rates of interest to equal the sum of a fixed margin and an
index;
o "Buy Down Assets," which are Assets for which funds have been provided
by someone other than the related borrowers to reduce the borrowers'
monthly payments during the early period after origination of those
Assets;
o "Increasing Payment Assets," as described below;
o "Interest Reduction Assets," which provide for the one-time reduction
of the interest rate payable on these Assets;
o "GEM Assets" which provide for (1) monthly payments during the first
year after origination that are at least sufficient to pay interest
due on these Assets, and (2) an increase in those monthly payments in
later years at a predetermined rate resulting in full repayment over a
shorter term than the initial amortization terms of those Assets;
o "GPM Assets" which allow for payments during a portion of their terms
which are or may be less than the amount of interest due on their
unpaid principal balances, and this unpaid interest will be added to
the principal balances of those Assets and will be paid, together with
interest on the unpaid interest, in later years;
o "Step-up Rate Assets" which provide for interest rates that increase
over time;
o "Balloon Payment Assets;"
o "Convertible Assets" which are Adjustable Rate Assets subject to
provisions pursuant to which, subject to limitations, the related
borrowers may exercise an option to convert the adjustable interest
rate to a fixed interest rate; and
o "Bi-weekly Assets," which provide for payments to be made by borrowers
on a bi-weekly basis.
An "Increasing Payment Asset" is an Asset that provides for monthly
payments that are fixed for an initial period to be specified in the prospectus
supplement and which increase thereafter (at a predetermined rate expressed as a
percentage of the monthly payment during the preceding payment period, subject
to any caps on the amount of any single monthly payment increase) for a period
to be specified in the prospectus supplement from the date of origination, after
which the monthly payment is fixed at a level-payment amount so as to fully
amortize the Asset over its remaining term to maturity. The scheduled monthly
payment for an Increasing Payment Asset is the total amount required to be paid
each month in accordance with its terms and equals the sum of (1) the borrower's
monthly payments referred to in the preceding sentence and (2) payments made by
the respective servicers pursuant to buy-down or subsidy agreements. The
borrower's initial monthly payments for each Increasing Payment Asset are set at
the level-payment amount that would apply to an otherwise identical Level
Payment Asset having an interest rate some number of percentage points below the
Asset Rate of that Increasing Payment Asset. The borrower's monthly payments on
each Increasing Payment Asset, together with any payments made on the Increasing
Payment Asset by the related servicers pursuant to buy-down or subsidy
agreements, will in all cases be sufficient to allow payment of accrued interest
on the Increasing Payment Asset at the related interest rate, without negative
amortization. A borrower's monthly payments on an Increasing Payment Asset may,
however, not be sufficient to result in
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any reduction of the principal balance of that Asset until after the period when
those payments may be increased.
The Notes or Certificates, as applicable (as defined in this prospectus),
will be entitled to payment only from the assets of the related issuing entity
and will not be entitled to payments from the assets of any other issuing entity
established by the depositor. The assets of an issuing entity may consist of
certificates representing beneficial ownership interests in, or indebtedness of,
another issuing entity that contains the Assets, if specified in the prospectus
supplement.
MORTGAGE LOANS
General
Each mortgage loan will generally be secured by a lien on (1) a one- to
four-family residential property (including a manufactured home) or a security
interest in shares issued by a cooperative housing corporation (a "Single Family
Property), (2) a primarily residential rental property that consists of five or
more residential dwelling units ("Multifamily Property"), (3) a retail, office,
agricultural or other commercial property, including but not limited to
partially improved or unimproved ("Commercial Property"), (4) a mixed
residential/commercial property ("Mixed-Use Property" and together with Single
Family Property, Multifamily Property and Commercial Property, the "Mortgaged
Properties"). The mortgage loans will be secured by first and/or junior
mortgages or deeds of trust or other similar security instruments creating a
first or junior lien on Mortgaged Property.
The Mortgaged Properties may also include:
o Apartment buildings owned by cooperative housing corporations
("Cooperatives"); and
o Leasehold interests in properties, the title to which is held by third
party lessors. The term of these leaseholds will exceed the term of
the related mortgage note by at least five years or some other time
period specified in the prospectus supplement.
The mortgage loans may include:
o Closed-end and/or revolving home equity loans or balances of these
home equity loans ("Home Equity Loans");
o Secured home improvement installment sales contracts and secured
installment loan agreements, known as home improvement contracts; and
o Mortgage loans evidenced by contracts ("Land Sale Contracts") for the
sale of properties pursuant to which the borrower promises to pay the
amount due on the mortgage loans to the holder of the Land Sale
Contract with fee title to the related property held by that holder
until the borrower has made all of the payments required pursuant to
that Land Sale Contract, at which time fee title is conveyed to the
borrower.
The originator of each mortgage loan will have been a person other than the
depositor. The prospectus supplement will indicate if any originator is an
affiliate of the depositor. The mortgage loans will be evidenced by mortgage
notes secured by mortgages, deeds of trust or other security instruments (the
"Mortgages") creating a lien on the Mortgaged Properties. The
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Mortgaged Properties will be located in any one of the fifty states, the
District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico or any other territory of the United
States. If provided in the prospectus supplement, the mortgage loans may include
loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (the "FHA") or partially
guaranteed by the Veteran's Administration (the "VA"). See "--FHA Loans and VA
Loans" below.
FICO Scores
The FICO Score is a statistical ranking of likely future credit performance
developed by Fair, Isaac & Company ("Fair, Isaac") and the three national credit
repositories-Equifax, Trans Union and First American (formerly Experian which
was formerly TRW). The FICO Scores available from the three national credit
repositories are calculated by the assignment of weightings to the most
predictive data collected by the credit repositories and range from the 300's to
the 900's. Although the FICO Scores are based solely on the information at the
particular credit repository, such FICO Scores have been calibrated to indicate
the same level of credit risk regardless of which credit repository is used. The
FICO Scores is used along with, but not limited to, mortgage payment history,
seasoning on bankruptcy and/or foreclosure, and is not a substitute for the
underwriter's judgment.
Loan-to-Value Ratio
The "Loan-to-Value Ratio" of a mortgage loan at any particular time is the
ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the then outstanding principal balance of
the mortgage loan to the Value of the related Mortgaged Property. The "Value" of
a Mortgaged Property, other than for Refinance Loans, is generally the lesser of
(a) the appraised value determined in an appraisal obtained by the originator at
origination of that loan and (b) the sales price for that property. "Refinance
Loans" are loans made to refinance existing loans. Unless otherwise specified in
the prospectus supplement, the Value of the Mortgaged Property securing a
Refinance Loan is the appraised value of the Mortgaged Property determined in an
appraisal obtained at the time of origination of the Refinance Loan. The value
of a Mortgaged Property as of the date of initial issuance of the related series
may be less than the Value at origination and will fluctuate from time to time
based upon changes in economic conditions and the real estate market.
Primary Mortgage Insurance
Except in the case of high loan-to-value loans and as otherwise specified
in the related prospectus supplement, each mortgage loan having a loan-to-value
ratio at origination in excess of 80%, is required to be covered by a primary
mortgage guaranty insurance policy insuring against default on such mortgage
loan as to at least the principal amount thereof exceeding 75% of the value of
the mortgaged property at origination of the mortgage loan. This insurance must
remain in force at least until the mortgage loan amortizes to a level that would
produce a loan-to-value ratio lower than 80%. See "Primary Mortgage Insurance
Policies".
Mortgage Loan Information in the Prospectus Supplements
Your prospectus supplement will contain information, as of the dates
specified in that prospectus supplement and to the extent then applicable and
specifically known to the depositor, with respect to the mortgage loans,
including:
o the total outstanding principal balance and the largest, smallest and
average outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loans as of,
unless otherwise specified in that prospectus supplement, the close of
business on the first day of the month of formation of the related
issuing entity (the "Cut-off Date");
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o the type of property securing the mortgage loans;
o the weighted average (by principal balance) of the original and
remaining terms to maturity of the mortgage loans;
o the range of maturity dates of the mortgage loans;
o the range of the Loan-to-Value Ratios at origination of the mortgage
loans;
o the mortgage rates or range of mortgage rates and the weighted average
mortgage rate borne by the mortgage loans;
o the state or states in which most of the Mortgaged Properties are
located;
o information regarding the prepayment provisions, if any, of the
mortgage loans;
o for mortgage loans with adjustable mortgage rates ("ARM Loans"), the
index, the frequency of the adjustment dates, the range of margins
added to the index, and the maximum mortgage rate or monthly payment
variation at the time of any adjustment of and over the life of the
ARM Loan;
o information regarding the payment characteristics of the mortgage
loans, including balloon payment and other amortization provisions;
o the number of mortgage loans that are delinquent and the number of
days or ranges of the number of days those mortgage loans are
delinquent; and
o the material underwriting standards used for the mortgage loans.
If specific information respecting the mortgage loans is unknown to the
depositor at the time the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, are initially
offered, more general information of the nature described above will be provided
in the prospectus supplement, and specific information will be set forth in a
report that will be available to purchasers of the related Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, at or before the initial issuance of that Security
and will be filed as part of a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") within fifteen days after that
initial issuance. In the event that mortgage loans are added to or deleted from
the issuing entity after the date of the related prospectus supplement but on or
before the date of issuance of the securities if any material pool
characteristic differs by 5% or more from the description in the prospectus
supplement, revised disclosure will be provided either in a supplement or in a
Current Report on Form 8-K.
The prospectus supplement will specify whether the mortgage loans include
(1) Home Equity Loans, which may be secured by Mortgages that are junior to
other liens on the related Mortgaged Property and/or (2) home improvement
contracts originated by a home improvement contractor and secured by a mortgage
on the related mortgaged property that is junior to other liens on the mortgaged
property. The home improvements purchased with the home improvement contracts
typically include replacement windows, house siding, roofs, swimming pools,
satellite dishes, kitchen and bathroom remodeling goods, solar heating panels,
patios, decks, room additions and garages. The prospectus supplement will
specify whether the home improvement contracts are FHA loans and, if so, the
limitations on any FHA insurance. In addition, the prospectus supplement will
specify whether the mortgage loans contain some mortgage loans evidenced by Land
Sale Contracts.
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Payment Provisions of the Mortgage Loans
All of the mortgage loans will provide for payments of principal, interest
or both, on due dates that occur monthly, quarterly or semi-annually or at some
other interval as is specified in the prospectus supplement or for payments in
another manner described in the prospectus supplement. Each mortgage loan may
provide for no accrual of interest or for accrual of interest on the mortgage
loan at a mortgage rate that is fixed over its term or that adjusts from time to
time, or that may be converted from an adjustable to a fixed mortgage rate or a
different adjustable mortgage rate, or from a fixed to an adjustable mortgage
rate, from time to time pursuant to an election or as otherwise specified in the
related mortgage note, in each case as described in the prospectus supplement.
Each mortgage loan may provide for scheduled payments to maturity or payments
that adjust from time to time to accommodate changes in the mortgage rate or to
reflect the occurrence of particular events or that adjust on the basis of other
methodologies, and may provide for negative amortization or accelerated
amortization, in each case as described in the prospectus supplement. Each
mortgage loan may be fully amortizing or require a balloon payment due on its
stated maturity date, in each case as described in the prospectus supplement.
Each mortgage loan may contain prohibitions on prepayment (a "Lock-out Period"
and, the date of expiration thereof, a "Lock-out Date") or require payment of a
premium or a yield maintenance penalty (a "Prepayment Premium") in connection
with a prepayment, in each case as described in the prospectus supplement. If
the holders of any class or classes of Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as
applicable, are entitled to all or a portion of any Prepayment Premiums
collected from the mortgage loans, the prospectus supplement will specify the
method or methods by which any of these amounts will be allocated. See
"--Assets" above.
HELOCs
As more fully described in the prospectus supplement, the mortgage loans
may consist, in whole or in part, of revolving Home Equity Loans or balances of
these Home Equity Loans ("HELOCs"). Interest on each HELOC, excluding
introductory rates offered from time to time during promotional periods, may be
computed and payable monthly on the average daily outstanding principal balance
of that loan. From time to time before the expiration of the related draw period
specified in a HELOC, principal amounts on that HELOC may be drawn down (up to a
maximum amount as set forth in the prospectus supplement) or repaid. If
specified in the prospectus supplement, new draws by borrowers under the HELOCs
will automatically become part of the issuing entity described in the prospectus
supplement. As a result, the total balance of the HELOCs will fluctuate from day
to day as new draws by borrowers are added to the issuing entity and principal
payments are applied to those balances and those amounts will usually differ
each day, as more specifically described in the prospectus supplement. Under
some circumstances, under a HELOC, a borrower may, during the related draw
period, choose an interest only payment option, during which the borrower is
obligated to pay only the amount of interest that accrues on the loan during the
billing cycle, and may also elect to pay all or a portion of the principal. An
interest only payment option may terminate at the end of the related draw
period, after which the borrower must begin paying at least a minimum monthly
portion of the average outstanding principal balance of the loan.
Unsecured Home Improvement Loans
The unsecured home improvement loans may consist of conventional unsecured
home improvement loans, unsecured installment loans and unsecured home
improvement loans that are FHA loans. Except as otherwise described in the
prospectus supplement, the unsecured home improvement loans will be fully
amortizing and will bear interest at a fixed or variable annual percentage rate.
9
Unsecured Home Improvement Loan Information in Prospectus Supplements
Each prospectus supplement will contain information, as of the dates
specified in the prospectus supplement and to the extent then applicable and
specifically known to the depositor, with respect to any unsecured home
improvement loans, including:
o the total outstanding principal balance and the largest, smallest and
average outstanding principal balance of the unsecured home
improvement loans as of the applicable cut-off date;
o the weighted average, by principal balance, of the original and
remaining terms to maturity of the unsecured home improvement loans;
o the earliest and latest origination date and maturity date of the
unsecured home improvements loans;
o the interest rates or range of interest rates and the weighted average
interest rates borne by the unsecured home improvement loans;
o the state or states in which most of the unsecured home improvement
loans were originated.
o information regarding the prepayment provisions, if any, of the
unsecured home improvement loans;
o with respect to the unsecured home improvement loans with adjustable
interest rates, called ARM unsecured home improvement loans, the
index, the frequency of the adjustment dates, the range of margins
added to the index, and the maximum interest rate or monthly payment
variation at the time of any adjustment thereof and over the life of
the ARM unsecured home improvement loan;
o information regarding the payment characteristics of the unsecured
home improvement loans;
o the number of unsecured home improvement loans that are delinquent and
the number of days or ranges of the number of days that unsecured home
improvement loans are delinquent; and
o the material underwriting standards used for the unsecured home
improvement loans.
If specific information respecting the unsecured home improvement loans is
unknown to the depositor at the time Notes or Certificates, as applicable, are
initially offered, more general information of the nature described above will
be provided in the prospectus supplement, and specific information will be set
forth in a report that will be available to purchasers of the related Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, at or before the initial issuance thereof and will
be filed as part of a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Commission within
fifteen days after the related initial issuance.
Commercial, Multifamily and Mixed-Use Mortgage Loans
The mortgage loans may include mortgage loans secured by first or junior
mortgages, deeds of trust or similar security instruments on, or installment
contracts for the sale of, fee simple
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or leasehold interests in commercial real property ("Commercial Mortgage
Loans"), multifamily residential property ("Multifamily Mortgage Loans"), and/or
mixed residential and commercial property ("Mixed-Use Mortgage Loans" ), and
related property and interests.
Certain of the Commercial, Multifamily and Mixed-Use Mortgage Loans may be
simple interest loans, and other mortgage loans may provide for payment of
interest in advance rather than in arrears.
Commercial, Multifamily and Mixed-Use Mortgage Loans also may be secured by
one or more assignments of leases and rents, management agreements or operating
agreements relating to the Mortgaged Property and in some cases by certain
letters of credit, personal guarantees or both, and/or other collateral.
Pursuant to an assignment of leases and rents, the related borrower assigns its
right, title and interest as landlord under each related lease and the income
derived therefrom to the related lender, while retaining a license to collect
the rents for so long as there is no default. If the borrower defaults, the
license terminates and the related lender is entitled to collect the rents from
tenants to be applied to the monetary obligations of the borrower. State law may
limit the enforcement of the assignment of leases and rents by a lender until
the lender takes possession of the related mortgaged property and a receiver is
appointed. See "Certain Legal Aspects of the Mortgage Loans -- Leases and
Rents."
Certain of the Commercial, Multifamily and Mixed-Use Mortgage Loans may
require the borrower to make an initial escrow deposit and/or an ongoing monthly
deposit to fund a reserve for any of a variety of purposes, including repairs to
the Mortgaged Property or replacement of fixtures or equipment, tenant
improvements, and payment in the event of certain lease contingencies. In some
cases, the initial deposit amount may have been funded with a letter of credit
in lieu of a cash deposit. These amounts may be held in a custodial account by
the applicable servicer or an agent. The loan documents will generally provide
for release of the reserve amounts to the borrowers from time to time upon the
satisfaction of certain conditions.
Such amounts may not continue to be escrowed in the future. In some
instances, the borrower may be released from its obligation to fund a monthly
reserve upon specified conditions being met, such as a maximum escrow balance
being attained, a certain date being reached, or a certain tenant signing or
extending its lease. Likewise, there may be cases where, although there is
currently no monthly escrow amount, one may be required to be funded in the
future, upon certain trigger events. In the event of default by a borrower,
amounts in a related reserve account may generally be applied to pay amounts
owed on the mortgage loan.
Originators of Commercial, Multifamily and Mixed-Use Mortgage Loans may
include, among others, commercial banks, savings and loan associations, other
financial institutions, insurance companies or real estate developers, which may
apply varying underwriting criteria in connection with originating mortgage
loans.
Commercial, multifamily and mixed-use real estate lending is generally
viewed as exposing the lender to a greater risk of loss than one- to four-family
residential lending. Commercial, multifamily and mixed-use real estate lending
typically involves larger loans to single borrowers or groups of related
borrowers than residential one- to four-family mortgage loans. Furthermore, the
repayment of loans secured by income producing properties is typically dependent
upon the successful operation of the related real estate project. If the cash
flow from the project is reduced, for example, if leases are not obtained or
renewed, the borrower's ability to repay the loan may be impaired. Commercial,
multifamily and mixed-use real estate can be affected significantly by supply
and demand in the market for the type of property securing the loan and,
therefore, may be subject to adverse economic conditions. Market values may vary
as a result of economic events or governmental regulations outside the control
of the borrower or lender, such as rent control laws, that affect the future
cash flow of the property. Corresponding to
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the greater lending risk is a generally higher interest rate applicable to
commercial, multifamily and mixed-use real estate lending.
A borrower (or the borrowers) under a Commercial, Multifamily or Mixed-Use
Mortgage Loan may be one or more individuals or may be a corporation or other
registered organization. In some cases a borrower, such as a special purpose
entity, will have no material assets other than the mortgaged property. In
addition, in some cases the loans will have been made on a non-recourse basis --
in the event of default by the borrower, the only source of repayment will be
the proceeds of liquidation of the related property.
There are various risks associated with different types of commercial,
multifamily and mixed-use loans. For example, the performance of a multifamily
loan and the value of the related mortgaged property may be affected by many
factors, including:
o local and regional economic conditions;
o the physical condition of the property;
o the types of services and amenities provided;
o the tenant population -- i.e., predominantly students or elderly
persons, or workers in a particular industry;
o availability of alternative rental properties;
o changes in the surrounding neighborhood;
o management;
o the level of mortgage interest rates;
o dependence upon government rent subsidies;
o any applicable rent control laws; and
o state and local regulations.
The performance of a commercial loan secured by one or more retail properties
and the value of the related mortgaged property may be affected by many factors,
including:
o the quality and success of a retail property's tenants;
o closing of a major store in the shopping center where the related
property is located;
o changes in consumer preferences;
o declines in consumer spending;
o competition from local merchants and from catalog and internet
retailers; and
o product obsolescence.
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The performance of a commercial loan secured by one or more office properties
and the value of the related mortgaged property may be affected by many factors,
including:
o quality and nature of tenants;
o tenant concentration -- i.e., predominantly high tech firms, law
firms, government agencies, etc.;
o the physical condition of the property;
o the types of services and amenities provided;
o changes in the surrounding neighborhood; and
o availability of alternative office space.
The performance of a commercial loan secured by one or more industrial
properties and the value of the related mortgaged property may be affected by
many factors, including:
o the design and adaptability of the building;
o success or failure of the business of the tenant, which is frequently
the sole tenant of the property;
o availability of alternative space; and
o quality of the local and regional transportation system.
The value of a commercial, multifamily or mixed-use property may also be
affected by a variety of other factors. In general, such factors as location,
changing demographics or traffic patterns, increases in operating expenses,
competitive factors and economic conditions generally, among others, may affect
the value of a commercial property.
Hospitals, nursing homes and other health care properties may receive a
substantial portion of their revenues from government programs, which are
subject to statutory and regulatory changes and funding limitations. With
respect to commercial, multifamily and mixed-use loans generally, such factors
as the management skill, experience and financial resources of the operator
(which may be other than the borrower), national and regional economic
conditions and other factors may affect the ability of borrowers to make
payments when due.
Unimproved land generates no current income to support payment of the
related mortgage loan and other expenses, may prove to be unsuitable for its
intended purpose and may be difficult to sell for an amount at least equal to
the unpaid principal balance of the related loan.
Leasehold mortgages are subject to risks not associated with mortgage loans
secured by a lien on the fee estate of a borrower. If the borrower's leasehold
were to be terminated upon a lease default, the leasehold mortgagee would lose
its security. However, such leases generally require the lessor to give the
leasehold mortgagee notice of lessee defaults and an opportunity to cure them,
and permit the leasehold estate to be assigned to and by the leasehold
mortgagee.
The risk that a mortgaged property may be, or become, contaminated with
hazardous materials is greater with respect to commercial and mixed-use loans
than with respect to residential mortgage loans. Under the laws of certain
states, contamination of a property may
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give rise to a lien on the property to assure the costs of cleanup. In several
states, such a lien has priority over the lien of an existing mortgage against
such property. In addition, under the laws of some states and under the federal
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980
("CERCLA"), a lender may be liable, as an "owner" or "operator," for costs of
addressing releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that require
remedy at a property, if agents or employees of the lender have become
sufficiently involved in the operations of the borrower, regardless of whether
or not the environmental damage or threat was caused by a prior owner. See
"Certain Legal Aspects of the Mortgage Loans -- Environmental Considerations." A
lender also risks such liability on foreclosure of the mortgage. Any such lien
arising with respect to a mortgaged property would adversely affect the value of
that mortgaged property and could make impracticable the foreclosure on that
mortgaged property in the event of a default by the related borrower. In
addition, certain environmental laws impose liability for releases of asbestos
into the air. Third parties may seek recovery from owners or operators of real
property for personal injury associated with exposure to asbestos, lead paint,
radon or other hazardous substances. Property owners in some areas have been
subject to liability claims associated with mold.
CONTRACTS
General
To the extent provided in the prospectus supplement, each contract will be
secured by a security interest in a new or used manufactured home, called a
Manufactured Home. The contracts may include contracts that are FHA loans. The
method of computing the Loan-to-Value Ratio of a contract will be described in
the prospectus supplement.
Contract Information in Prospectus Supplements
Each prospectus supplement relating to an issuing entity whose assets
include a substantial proportion of contracts will contain certain information,
as of the dates specified in that prospectus supplement and to the extent then
applicable and specifically known to the depositor, with respect to any
contracts, including:
o the total outstanding principal balance and the largest, smallest and
average outstanding principal balance of the contracts as of the
applicable cut-off date;
o whether the manufactured homes were new or used as of the origination
of the related contracts;
o the weighted average, by principal balance, of the original and
remaining terms to maturity of the contracts;
o the range of maturity dates of the contracts;
o the range of the Loan-to-Value Ratios at origination of the contracts;
o the annual percentage rate on each contract, called a contract rate,
or range of contract rates and the weighted average contract rate
borne by the contracts;
o the state or states in which most of the manufactured homes are
located at origination;
o information regarding the prepayment provisions, if any, of the
contracts;
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o for contracts with adjustable contract rates, referred to as ARM
contracts, the index, the frequency of the adjustment dates, and the
maximum contract rate or monthly payment variation at the time of any
adjustment thereof and over the life of the ARM contract;
o the number of contracts that are delinquent and the number of days or
ranges of the number of days those contracts are delinquent;
o information regarding the payment characteristics of the contracts;
and
o the material underwriting standards used for the contracts.
If specific information respecting the contracts is unknown to the
depositor at the time the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, are initially
offered, more general information of the nature described above will be provided
in the prospectus supplement, and specific information will be set forth in a
report that will be available to purchasers of the related Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, at or before the initial issuance thereof and will
be filed as part of a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Commission within
fifteen days after the related initial issuance. The characteristics of the
contracts included in an issuing entity will not vary by more than five percent
(by total principal balance as of the cut-off date) from the characteristics
thereof that are described in the prospectus supplement.
The information described above regarding the contracts in an issuing
entity may be presented in the prospectus supplement in combination with similar
information regarding the mortgage loans in the issuing entity.
Payment Provisions of the Contracts
All of the contracts will provide for payments of principal, interest or
both, on due dates that occur monthly or at some other interval as is specified
in the prospectus supplement or for payments in another manner described in the
prospectus supplement. Each contract may provide for no accrual of interest or
for accrual of interest thereon at a contract rate that is fixed over its term
or that adjusts from time to time, or as otherwise specified in the prospectus
supplement. Each contract may provide for scheduled payments to maturity or
payments that adjust from time to time to accommodate changes in the contract
rate as otherwise described in the prospectus supplement.
AGENCY SECURITIES
The Agency Securities will consist of any combination of Ginnie Mae
certificates, Fannie Mae certificates and Freddie Mac certificates, which may
include Stripped Agency Securities, as described below.
Ginnie Mae
Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned corporate instrumentality of the United States
within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Section 306(g) of Title
III of the Housing Act authorizes Ginnie Mae to guarantee the timely payment of
the principal of and interest on certificates that are based on and backed by a
pool of FHA loans, VA loans or by pools of other eligible residential loans.
Section 306(g) of the Housing Act provides that "the full faith and credit
of the United States is pledged to the payment of all amounts that may be
required to be paid under any
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guaranty under this subsection." To meet its obligations under that guaranty,
Ginnie Mae is authorized, under Section 306(d) of the National Housing Act of
1934 (the "Housing Act"), to borrow from the United States Treasury with no
limitations as to amount, to perform its obligations under its guarantee.
Ginnie Mae Certificates
Each Ginnie Mae certificate will be a "fully modified pass-through"
mortgage-backed certificate issued and serviced by an issuer approved by Ginnie
Mae or Fannie Mae as a seller-servicer of FHA loans or VA loans, except as
described below regarding Stripped Agency Securities (as defined below). The
loans underlying Ginnie Mae certificates may consist of FHA loans, VA loans and
other loans eligible for inclusion in loan pools underlying Ginnie Mae
certificates. The mortgage loans may be secured by Manufactured Homes, Single
Family Property or Multifamily Property. Ginnie Mae certificates may be issued
under either or both of the Ginnie Mae I program and the Ginnie Mae II program,
as described in the prospectus supplement. If the issuing entity includes Ginnie
Mae certificates, your prospectus supplement will include any material
additional information regarding the Ginnie Mae guaranty program, the
characteristics of the pool underlying those Ginnie Mae certificates, the
servicing of the related pool, the payment of principal and interest on Ginnie
Mae certificates and other relevant matters regarding the Ginnie Mae
certificates.
Except as otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement or as described
below with respect to Stripped Agency Securities, each Ginnie Mae certificate
will provide for the payment, by or on behalf of the issuer, to the registered
holder of that Ginnie Mae certificate of monthly payments of principal and
interest equal to the holder's proportionate interest in the total amount of the
monthly principal and interest payments on each related FHA loan or VA loan,
minus servicing and guaranty fees totaling the excess of the interest on that
FHA loan or VA loan over the Ginnie Mae certificates' interest rate. In
addition, each payment to a holder of a Ginnie Mae certificate will include
proportionate pass-through payments to that holder of any prepayments of
principal of the FHA loans or VA loans underlying the Ginnie Mae certificate and
the holder's proportionate interest in the remaining principal balance in the
event of a foreclosure or other disposition of any related FHA loan or VA loan.
The Ginnie Mae certificates do not constitute a liability of, or evidence
any recourse against, the issuer of the Ginnie Mae certificates, the depositor
or any affiliates of the depositor, and the only recourse of a registered holder
(for example, the trustee) is to enforce the guaranty of Ginnie Mae.
Ginnie Mae will have approved the issuance of each of the Ginnie Mae
certificates included in an issuing entity in accordance with a guaranty
agreement or contract between Ginnie Mae and the issuer of the Ginnie Mae
certificates. Pursuant to that agreement, that issuer, in its capacity as
servicer, is required to perform customary functions of a servicer of FHA loans
and VA loans, including collecting payments from borrowers and remitting those
collections to the registered holder, maintaining escrow and impoundment
accounts of borrowers for payments of taxes, insurance and other items required
to be paid by the borrower, maintaining primary hazard insurance, and advancing
from its own funds to make timely payments of all amounts due on the Ginnie Mae
certificate, even if the payments received by that issuer on the loans backing
the Ginnie Mae certificate are less than the amounts due. If the issuer is
unable to make payments on a Ginnie Mae certificate as they become due, it must
promptly notify Ginnie Mae and request Ginnie Mae to make that payment. Upon
that notification and request, Ginnie Mae will make those payments directly to
the registered holder of the Ginnie Mae certificate. In the event no payment is
made by the issuer and the issuer fails to notify and request Ginnie Mae to make
that payment, the registered holder of the Ginnie Mae certificate has recourse
against only Ginnie Mae to obtain that payment. The trustee or its nominee, as
registered holder of the Ginnie Mae certificates
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included in an issuing entity, is entitled to proceed directly against Ginnie
Mae under the terms of the guaranty agreement or contract relating to the Ginnie
Mae certificates for any amounts that are unpaid when due under each Ginnie Mae
certificate.
The Ginnie Mae certificates included in an issuing entity may have other
characteristics and terms, different from those described above so long as the
Ginnie Mae certificates and underlying residential loans meet the criteria of
the rating agency or agencies. The Ginnie Mae certificates and underlying
residential loans will be described in the prospectus supplement.
Fannie Mae
Fannie Mae is a federally chartered and stockholder-owned corporation
organized and existing under the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter
Act, as amended (the "Charter Act"). Fannie Mae was originally established in
1938 as a United States government agency to provide supplemental liquidity to
the mortgage market and was transformed into a stockholder-owned and privately
managed corporation by legislation enacted in 1968.
Fannie Mae provides funds to the mortgage market by purchasing mortgage
loans from lenders. Fannie Mae acquires funds to purchase loans from many
capital market investors, thus expanding the total amount of funds available for
housing. Operating nationwide, Fannie Mae helps to redistribute mortgage funds
from capital-surplus to capital-short areas. In addition, Fannie Mae issues
mortgage-backed securities primarily in exchange for pools of mortgage loans
from lenders. Fannie Mae receives fees for its guaranty of timely payment of
principal and interest on its mortgage-backed securities.
Fannie Mae Certificates
Fannie Mae certificates are Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates
typically issued pursuant to a prospectus that is periodically revised by Fannie
Mae. Fannie Mae certificates represent fractional undivided interests in a pool
of mortgage loans formed by Fannie Mae. Each mortgage loan must meet the
applicable standards of the Fannie Mae purchase program. Mortgage loans
comprising a pool are either provided by Fannie Mae from its own portfolio or
purchased pursuant to the criteria of the Fannie Mae purchase program. Mortgage
loans underlying Fannie Mae certificates included in an issuing entity will
consist of conventional mortgage loans secured by Single Family Property or
Multifamily Property, FHA loans, or VA loans. If the issuing entity includes
Fannie Mae certificates, your prospectus supplement will include any material
additional information regarding the Fannie Mae program, the characteristics of
the pool underlying the Fannie Mae certificates, the servicing of the related
pool, payment of principal and interest on the Fannie Mae certificates and other
relevant matters about the Fannie Mae certificates.
Except as described below with respect to Stripped Agency Securities,
Fannie Mae guarantees to each registered holder of a Fannie Mae certificate that
it will distribute amounts representing that holder's proportionate share of
scheduled principal and interest at the applicable interest rate provided for by
that Fannie Mae certificate on the underlying mortgage loans, whether or not
received, and that holder's proportionate share of the full principal amount of
any prepayment or foreclosed or other finally liquidated mortgage loan, whether
or not the related principal amount is actually recovered.
The obligations of Fannie Mae under its guarantees are obligations solely
of Fannie Mae and are not backed by, nor entitled to, the full faith and credit
of the United States. If Fannie Mae were unable to satisfy those obligations,
distributions to the holders of Fannie Mae certificates would consist solely of
payments and other recoveries on the underlying loans and, accordingly,
17
monthly distributions to the holders of Fannie Mae certificates would be
affected by delinquent payments and defaults on those loans.
Fannie Mae certificates evidencing interests in pools of mortgage loans
formed on or after May 1, 1985 (other than Fannie Mae certificates backed by
pools containing graduated payment mortgage loans or multifamily loans) are
available in book-entry form only. For a Fannie Mae certificate issued in
book-entry form, distributions on the Fannie Mae certificate will be made by
wire, and for a fully registered Fannie Mae certificate, distributions will be
made by check.
The Fannie Mae certificates included in an issuing entity may have other
characteristics and terms, different from those described above, as long as the
Fannie Mae certificates and underlying mortgage loans meet the criteria of the
rating agency or agencies rating the Certificates. The Fannie Mae certificates
and underlying mortgage loans will be described in the prospectus supplement.
Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac is a corporate instrumentality of the United States created
pursuant to Title III of the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970, as amended (the
"Freddie Mac Act"). Freddie Mac was established primarily for the purpose of
increasing the availability of mortgage credit for the financing of needed
housing. It seeks to provide an enhanced degree of liquidity for residential
mortgage investments primarily by assisting in the development of secondary
markets for conventional mortgages. The principal activity of Freddie Mac
currently consists of the purchase of first lien, conventional residential
mortgage loans or participation interests in those mortgage loans and the resale
of the mortgage loans so purchased in the form of mortgage securities, primarily
Freddie Mac certificates. Freddie Mac is confined to purchasing, so far as
practicable, mortgage loans and participation interests in mortgage loans which
it deems to be of the quality, type and class as to meet generally the purchase
standards imposed by private institutional mortgage investors.
Freddie Mac Certificates
Each Freddie Mac certificate represents an undivided interest in a pool of
residential loans that may consist of first lien conventional residential loans,
FHA loans or VA loans (the "Freddie Mac Certificate Group"). Each of these
mortgage loans must meet the applicable standards set forth in the Freddie Mac
Act. A Freddie Mac Certificate Group may include whole loans, participation
interests in whole loans and undivided interests in whole loans and/or
participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate Group. If the issuing
entity includes Freddie Mac certificates, your prospectus supplement will
include any material additional information regarding the Freddie Mac guaranty
program, the characteristics of the pool underlying that Freddie Mac
certificate, the servicing of the related pool, payment of principal and
interest on the Freddie Mac certificate and any other relevant matters about the
Freddie Mac certificates.
Except as described below with respect to Stripped Agency Securities,
Freddie Mac guarantees to each registered holder of a Freddie Mac certificate
the timely payment of interest on the underlying mortgage loans to the extent of
the applicable interest rate on the registered holder's pro rata share of the
unpaid principal balance outstanding on the underlying mortgage loans in the
Freddie Mac Certificate Group represented by that Freddie Mac certificate,
whether or not received. Freddie Mac also guarantees to each registered holder
of a Freddie Mac certificate collection by that holder of all principal on the
underlying mortgage loans, without any offset or deduction, to the extent of
that holder's pro rata share of the principal, but does not, except if and to
the extent specified in the prospectus supplement, guarantee the timely payment
of scheduled principal. Pursuant to its guarantees, Freddie Mac also guarantees
ultimate collection of scheduled principal payments, prepayments of principal
and the remaining principal balance in the
18
event of a foreclosure or other disposition of a mortgage loan. Freddie Mac may
remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of collection of principal at
any time after default on an underlying mortgage loan, but not later than 30
days following the latest of
(1) foreclosure sale;
(2) payment of the claim by any mortgage insurer; and
(3) the expiration of any right of redemption, but in any event no
later than one year after demand has been made upon the borrower
for accelerated payment of principal.
In taking actions regarding the collection of principal after default on
the mortgage loans underlying Freddie Mac certificates, including the timing of
demand for acceleration, Freddie Mac reserves the right to exercise its
servicing judgment for the mortgage loans in the same manner as for mortgage
loans that it has purchased but not sold. The length of time necessary for
Freddie Mac to determine that a mortgage loan should be accelerated varies with
the particular circumstances of each borrower, and Freddie Mac has not adopted
servicing standards that require that the demand be made within any specified
period.
Freddie Mac certificates are not guaranteed by the United States or by any
Federal Home Loan Bank and do not constitute debts or obligations of the United
States or any Federal Home Loan Bank. The obligations of Freddie Mac under its
guarantee are obligations solely of Freddie Mac and are not backed by, nor
entitled to, the full faith and credit of the United States. If Freddie Mac were
unable to satisfy those obligations, distributions to holders of Freddie Mac
certificates would consist solely of payments and other recoveries on the
underlying mortgage loans and, accordingly, monthly distributions to holders of
Freddie Mac certificates would be affected by delinquent payments and defaults
on those mortgage loans.
The Freddie Mac certificates included in an issuing entity may have other
characteristics and terms, different from those described above, so long as the
Freddie Mac certificates and underlying mortgage loans meet the criteria of the
rating agency or agencies rating the Notes or Certificates, as applicable. The
Freddie Mac certificates and underlying mortgage loans will be described in the
prospectus supplement.
Stripped Agency Securities
The Ginnie Mae certificates, Fannie Mae certificates or Freddie Mac
certificates may be issued in the form of certificates ("Stripped Agency
Securities") that represent an undivided interest in all or part of either the
principal distributions (but not the interest distributions) or the interest
distributions (but not the principal distributions), or in some specified
portion of the principal or interest distributions (but not all of those
distributions), on an underlying pool of mortgage loans or other Ginnie Mae
certificates, Fannie Mae certificates or Freddie Mac certificates. Ginnie Mae,
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, as applicable, will guarantee each Stripped Agency
Security to the same extent as that entity guarantees the underlying securities
backing the Stripped Agency Securities or to the extent described above for a
Stripped Agency Security backed by a pool of mortgage loans, unless otherwise
specified in the prospectus supplement. If the issuing entity includes Stripped
Agency Securities, your prospectus supplement will include any material
additional information regarding the characteristics of the assets underlying
the Stripped Agency Securities, the payments of principal and interest on the
Stripped Agency Securities and other relevant matters about the Stripped Agency
Securities.
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MORTGAGE SECURITIES
The Mortgage Securities will represent beneficial interests in loans of the
type that would otherwise be eligible to be mortgage loans, unsecured home
improvement loans, contract or Agency Securities, or collateralized obligations
secured by mortgage loans, unsecured home improvement loans, contract or Agency
Securities. Although individual Underlying Loans may be insured or guaranteed by
the United States or an agency or instrumentality of the United States, they
need not be, and Mortgage Securities themselves will not be so insured or
guaranteed. Except as otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, Mortgage
Securities will generally be similar to Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
offered under this prospectus.
The depositor will register the offering of the relevant Mortgage
Securities as a primary offering of such securities, unless the Mortgage
Securities are themselves exempt from registration under the Securities Act. The
offering of Mortgage Securities included in a trust fund will not be separately
registered if all of the following are true:
(1) neither the issuer of the Mortgage Securities nor any of its
affiliates has a direct or indirect agreement, arrangement, relationship or
understanding, written or otherwise, relating to the Mortgage Securities
and the related trust fund;
(2) neither the issuer of the Mortgage Securities nor any of its
affiliates is an affiliate of the depositor, sponsor, issuing entity or any
underwriter relating to such trust fund and series of securities; and
(3) the depositor would be free to publicly resell the Mortgage
Securities without registration under the Securities Act.
If all the conditions for the Mortgage Securities described above are not
met, the offering of the relevant Mortgage Securities itself will be registered
as a primary offering of such securities under the Securities Act.
The prospectus supplement for the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of
each series evidencing interests in an issuing entity including Mortgage
Securities will include a description of the Mortgage Securities and any related
credit enhancement, and the related mortgage loans, unsecured home improvement
loans, contracts, or Agency Securities will be described together with any other
mortgage loans or Agency Securities included in the issuing entity of that
series. As used in this prospectus, the terms "mortgage loans," unsecured home
improvement loans, contracts, include the mortgage loans, unsecured home
improvement loans, contracts, as applicable, underlying the Mortgage Securities
in your issuing entity. References in this prospectus to advances to be made and
other actions to be taken by the master servicer in connection with the Assets
may include any advances made and other actions taken pursuant to the terms of
the applicable Mortgage Securities.
FHA LOANS AND VA LOANS
FHA loans will be insured by the FHA as authorized under the Housing Act,
and the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended. One- to four-family FHA
loans will be insured under various FHA programs including the standard FHA
203-b programs to finance the acquisition of one- to four-family housing units
and the FHA 245 graduated payment mortgage program. The FHA loans generally
require a minimum down payment of approximately 5% of the original principal
amount of the FHA loan. No FHA loan may have an interest rate or original
principal balance exceeding the applicable FHA limits at the time of origination
of that FHA loan.
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Mortgage loans, unsecured home improvement loans, contracts, that are FHA
loans are insured by the FHA (as described in the prospectus supplement, up to
an amount equal to 90% of the sum of the unpaid principal of the FHA loan, a
portion of the unpaid interest and other liquidation costs) pursuant to Title I
of the Housing Act.
There are two primary FHA insurance programs that are available for
multifamily loans. Sections 221(d)(3) and (d)(4) of the Housing Act allow HUD to
insure multifamily loans that are secured by newly constructed and substantially
rehabilitated multifamily rental projects. Section 244 of the Housing Act
provides for co-insurance of those loans made under Sections 221(d)(3) and
(d)(4) by HUD/FHA and a HUD-approved co-insurer. Generally the term of this type
of multifamily loan may be up to 40 years and the ratio of the loan amount to
property replacement cost can be up to 90%.
Section 223(f) of the Housing Act allows HUD to insure multifamily loans
made for the purchase or refinancing of existing apartment projects that are at
least three years old. Section 244 also provides for co-insurance of mortgage
loans made under Section 223(f). Under Section 223(f), the loan proceeds cannot
be used for substantial rehabilitation work, but repairs may be made for up to,
in general, the greater of 15% of the value of the project and a dollar amount
per apartment unit established from time to time by HUD. In general the loan
term may not exceed 35 years and a loan-to-value ratio refinancing of a project.
VA loans will be partially guaranteed by the VA under the Servicemen's
Readjustment Act of 1944, as amended (the "Servicemen's Readjustment Act"). The
Servicemen's Readjustment Act permits a veteran (or in some instances the spouse
of a veteran) to obtain a mortgage loan guarantee by the VA covering mortgage
financing of the purchase of a one- to four-family dwelling unit at interest
rates permitted by the VA. The program has no mortgage loan limits, requires no
down payment from the purchasers and permits the guarantee of mortgage loans of
up to 30 years' duration. However, no VA loan will have an original principal
amount greater than five times the partial VA guarantee for that VA loan. The
maximum guarantee that may be issued by the VA under this program will be set
forth in the prospectus supplement.
PRE-FUNDING ACCOUNTS
To the extent provided in a prospectus supplement, a portion of the
proceeds of the issuance of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, may be
deposited into an account maintained with the trustee (a "Pre-Funding Account").
In that case, the depositor will be obligated to sell at a predetermined price -
and the issuing entity for the related series of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, will be obligated to purchase - additional Assets (the "Subsequent
Assets") from time to time, and as frequently as daily, within the period (not
to exceed three months) specified in the prospectus supplement (the "Pre-Funding
Period") after the issuance of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, having
a total principal balance approximately equal to the amount on deposit in the
Pre-Funding Account (the "Pre-Funded Amount") for that series on the date of its
issuance. The Pre-Funded Amount for a series will be specified in the prospectus
supplement, and will not in any case exceed 50% of the proceeds of the offering
of the related Notes or Certificates, as applicable. Any Subsequent Assets will
be required to satisfy specific eligibility criteria more fully set forth in the
prospectus supplement, which criteria will be consistent with the eligibility
criteria of the Assets initially included in the issuing entity, subject to
those exceptions that are expressly stated in the prospectus supplement. In
addition, specific conditions must be satisfied before the Subsequent Assets are
transferred into the issuing entity, for example, the delivery to the rating
agencies and to the trustee of any required opinions of counsel. See "ERISA
Considerations--Pre-Funding Accounts" for additional information regarding
Pre-Funding Accounts.
Except as set forth in the following sentence, the Pre-Funded Amount will
be used only to purchase Subsequent Assets. The related pooling and servicing
agreement or other agreement
21
providing for the transfer of Subsequent Assets will generally provide that the
transfers must be made within up to three months (with respect to any series of
Notes or Certificates) or up to, but not in excess of, one year (with respect to
any series of Notes or Certificates) after the Closing Date, and that any
portion of the Pre-Funded Amount remaining in the Pre-Funding Account at the end
of the Pre-Funding Period will be used to prepay one or more classes of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, in the amounts and in the manner specified in the
prospectus supplement. In addition, if specified in the prospectus supplement,
the depositor may be required to deposit cash into an account maintained by the
trustee (the "Capitalized Interest Account") for the purpose of assuring the
availability of funds to pay interest on the Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, during the Pre-Funding Period. Any amount remaining in the
Capitalized Interest Account at the end of the Pre-Funding Period will be
remitted as specified in the prospectus supplement.
Amounts deposited in the Pre-Funding and Capitalized Interest Accounts will
be permitted to be invested, pending application, only in eligible investments
authorized by each applicable rating agency.
ACCOUNTS
Each issuing entity will include one or more accounts, established and
maintained on behalf of the securityholders into which the person or persons
designated in the prospectus supplement will, to the extent described in this
prospectus and in the prospectus supplement deposit all payments and collections
received or advanced with respect to the Assets and other assets in the issuing
entity. This type of account may be maintained as an interest bearing or a
non-interest bearing account, and funds held in that account may be held as cash
or invested in some short-term, investment grade obligations, in each case as
described in the prospectus supplement. See "Description of the
Agreements--Material Terms of the Pooling and Servicing Agreements and
Underlying Servicing Agreements--Collection Account and Related Accounts." Such
accounts will be established so as to comply with the standards of each Rating
Agency that has rated any one or more classes of securities of the related
series. Such accounts shall be maintained as Eligible Accounts, and the funds
held therein may be held as cash or invested in Permitted Investments. The
person designated in the prospectus supplement will have sole discretion to
determine the particular investments made so long as it complies with the
investment terms of the related pooling and servicing agreement or the related
servicing agreement and indenture. Any Permitted Investments shall not cause the
depositor to register under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Any interest or
other income earned on funds in such accounts will be paid to the related master
servicer or trustee as additional compensation or will be available for payments
on the securities as provided in the prospectus supplement. If permitted by the
Rating Agency or Agencies and so specified in the related prospectus supplement,
such accounts may contain funds relating to more than one series of Certificates
and may contain other funds representing payments on mortgages owned by the
related master servicer or serviced by it on behalf of others.
CREDIT SUPPORT
If so provided in the prospectus supplement, partial or full protection
against some defaults and losses on the Assets in the related issuing entity may
only be provided to one or more classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
in the related series in the form of subordination of one or more other classes
of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, in that series or by one or more of
only the following types of credit support: a letter of credit, insurance
policy, guarantee, reserve fund, or a combination of these (any of these types
of coverage for the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of any series, is
referred to generally as "credit support"). The amount and types of coverage,
the identification of the entity providing the coverage (if applicable) and
related information for each type of credit support, if any, will be described
in the prospectus supplement for a series of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable. See "Description of Credit Support."
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CASH FLOW AGREEMENTS
The trust fund may include one or more derivative instruments, (each a
"Cash Flow Agreement"), as described in this section. All Cash Flow Agreements
included in any trust fund will be used only in a manner that reduces or alters
risk resulting from the mortgage loans or other assets in the pool, and only in
a manner such that the return on the offered securities will be based primarily
on the performance of the mortgage loans or other assets in the pool. Cash Flow
Agreements may include only 1) interest rate swaps (or caps, floors and collars)
and yield supplement agreements as described below, 2) currency swaps, and 3)
market value swaps that are referenced to the value of one or more of the
mortgage loans or other assets included in the trust fund or to a class of
offered securities.
An interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange a
stream of interest payments on an agreed hypothetical or "notional" principal
amount. No principal amount is exchanged between the counterparties to an
interest rate swap. In a typical swap, one party agrees to pay a fixed rate on a
notional principal amount, while the counterparty pays a floating rate based on
one or more reference interest rates including the London Interbank Offered
Rate, or LIBOR, a specified bank's prime rate or U.S. Treasury Bill rates.
Interest rate swaps also permit counterparties to exchange a floating rate
obligation based upon one reference interest rate, such as LIBOR, for a floating
rate obligation based upon another referenced interest rate, such as U.S.
Treasury Bill rates. An interest rate cap, collar or floor is an agreement where
the counterparty agrees to make payments representing interest on a notional
principal amount when a specified reference interest rate is above a strike
rate, outside of a range of strike rates, or below a strike rate as specified in
the agreement, generally in exchange for a fixed amount paid to the counterparty
at the time the agreement is entered into. A yield supplement agreement is a
type of cap agreement, and is substantially similar to a cap agreement as
described above.
The trustee on behalf of a trust fund may enter into interest rate swaps,
caps, floors and collars, or yield supplement agreements, to minimize the risk
to securityholders from adverse changes in interest rates or to provide
supplemental credit support. Cap agreements and yield supplement agreements may
be entered into to supplement the interest rate or other rates available to make
interest payments on one or more classes of the securities of any series.
A market value swap might be used in a structure where the pooled assets
are hybrid ARMs, or mortgage loans that provide for a fixed rate period and then
convert by their terms to adjustable rate loans. Such a structure might provide
that at a specified date near the end of the fixed rate period, the investors
must tender their securities to the trustee who will then transfer the
securities to other investors in a mandatory auction procedure. The market value
swap would ensure that the original investors would receive at least par at the
time of tender, by covering any shortfall between par and the then current
market value of their securities.
Any Cash Flow Agreements will be documented based upon the standard forms
provided by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, or ISDA. These
forms generally consist of an ISDA master agreement, a schedule to the master
agreement, and a confirmation, although in some cases the schedule and
confirmation will be combined in a single document and the standard ISDA master
agreement will be incorporated therein by reference. Standard ISDA definitions
also will be incorporated by reference. Each confirmation will provide for
payments to be made by the Cash Flow Agreement counterparty to the trust, and in
some cases by the trust to the Cash Flow Agreement counterparty, generally based
upon specified notional amounts and upon differences between specified interest
rates or values. For example, the confirmation for an interest rate cap
agreement will contain a schedule of fixed interest rates, generally referred to
as strike rates, and a schedule of notional amounts, for each distribution date
during the term of the interest rate cap agreement. The confirmation also will
specify a reference rate, generally a floating or adjustable interest rate, and
will provide that payments will be made by the Cash Flow
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Agreement counterparty to the trust on each distribution date, based on the
notional amount for that distribution date and the excess, if any, of the
specified reference rate over the strike rate for that distribution date.
In the event of the withdrawal of the credit rating of a Cash Flow
Agreement counterparty or the downgrade of such credit rating below levels
specified in the Cash Flow Agreement (where the Cash Flow Agreement is relevant
to the ratings of the offered securities, such levels generally are set by the
rating agencies rating the offered securities), the Cash Flow Agreement
counterparty may be required to post collateral for the performance of its
obligations under the Cash Flow Agreement, or to take certain other measures
intended to assure performance of those obligations. Posting of collateral will
be documented using the ISDA Credit Support Annex.
There can be no assurance that the trustee will be able to enter into Cash
Flow Agreements at any specific time or at prices or on other terms that are
advantageous. In addition, although the terms of the Cash Flow Agreements may
provide for termination under various circumstances, there can be no assurance
that the trustee will be able to terminate a Cash Flow Agreement when it would
be economically advantageous to the trust fund to do so.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to be received from the sale of the Notes or Certificates,
as applicable, will be applied by the depositor to the purchase of Assets, or
the repayment of the financing incurred in that purchase, and to pay for some of
the expenses incurred in connection with that purchase of Assets and sale of
Notes or Certificates, as applicable. The depositor expects to sell the Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, from time to time, but the timing and amount of
offerings of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, will depend on a number of
factors, including the volume of Assets acquired by the depositor, prevailing
interest rates, availability of funds and general market conditions.
YIELD CONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL
The yield on any Offered Security will depend on the price paid by the
securityholder, the Interest Rate of the Security, the receipt and timing of
receipt of distributions on the Security and the weighted average life of the
Assets in the related issuing entity (which may be affected by prepayments,
defaults, liquidations or repurchases).
INTEREST RATE
Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of any class within a series may have
fixed, variable or adjustable Interest Rates, which may or may not be based upon
the interest rates borne by the Assets in the related issuing entity. The
prospectus supplement for any series will specify the Interest Rate for each
class of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, or, in the case of a variable or
adjustable Interest Rate, the method of determining the Interest Rate; the
effect, if any, of the prepayment of any Asset on the Interest Rate of one or
more classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable; and whether the
distributions of interest on the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of any
class will be dependent, in whole or in part, on the performance of any borrower
under a Cash Flow Agreement.
If specified in the prospectus supplement, the effective yield to maturity
to each holder of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, entitled to payments of
interest will be below that otherwise produced by the applicable Interest Rate
and purchase price of that Security because, while
24
interest may accrue on each Asset during a period (each, an "Accrual Period"),
the distribution of that interest will be made on a day that may be several
days, weeks or months following the period of accrual.
TIMING OF PAYMENT OF INTEREST
Each payment of interest on the Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
entitled to distributions of interest (or addition to the Security Balance of a
class of Accrual Securities) will be made by or on behalf of the trustee each
month on the date specified in the related prospectus supplement (each date, a
"Distribution Date"), and will include interest accrued during the Accrual
Period for that Distribution Date. As indicated above under "--Interest Rate,"
if the Accrual Period ends on a date other than the day before a Distribution
Date for the related series, the yield realized by the holders of those Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, may be lower than the yield that would result if
the Accrual Period ended on the day before the Distribution Date.
PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL; PREPAYMENTS
The yield to maturity on the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, will be
affected by the rate of principal payments on the Assets (or, in the case of
Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities, the underlying assets related to the
Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities), including principal prepayments
resulting from both voluntary prepayments by the borrowers and involuntary
liquidations. The rate at which principal prepayments occur will be affected by
a variety of factors, including the terms of the Assets (or, in the case of
Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities, the underlying assets related to the
Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities), the level of prevailing interest
rates, the availability of mortgage credit and economic, demographic,
geographic, tax, legal and other factors.
In general, however, if prevailing interest rates fall significantly below
the interest rates on the Assets in a particular issuing entity (or, in the case
of Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities, the underlying assets related to
the Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities), those assets are likely to be
the subject of higher principal prepayments than if prevailing rates remain at
or above the rates borne by those assets. However, you should note that some
Assets (or, in the case of Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities, the
underlying assets related to the Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities) may
consist of loans with different interest rates. The rate of principal payment on
Mortgage Securities will also be affected by the allocation of principal
payments on the underlying assets among the Mortgage Securities or Agency
Securities and other Mortgage Securities or Agency Securities of the same
series. The rate of principal payments on the Assets in the related issuing
entity (or, in the case of Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities, the
underlying assets related to the Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities) is
likely to be affected by the existence of any Lock-out Periods and Prepayment
Premium provisions of the mortgage loans underlying or comprising those Assets,
and by the extent to which the servicer of any of these mortgage loans is able
to enforce these provisions. Mortgage loans with a Lock-out Period or a
Prepayment Premium provision, to the extent enforceable, generally would be
expected to experience a lower rate of principal prepayments than otherwise
identical mortgage loans without those provisions, with shorter Lock-out Periods
or with lower Prepayment Premiums.
Because of the depreciating nature of manufactured housing, which limits
the possibilities for refinancing, and because the terms and principal amounts
of manufactured housing contracts are generally shorter and smaller than the
terms and principal amounts of mortgage loans secured by site-built homes,
changes in interest rates have a correspondingly small effect on the amount of
the monthly payments on mortgage loans secured by site-built homes.
Consequently, changes in interest rates may play a smaller role in prepayment
behavior of manufactured housing contracts than they do in the prepayment
behavior of loans secured by mortgage on site-built homes.
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Conversely, local economic conditions and some of the other factors mentioned
above may play a larger role in the prepayment behavior of manufactured housing
contracts than they do in the prepayment behavior of loans secured by mortgages
on site-built homes.
If the purchaser of a Security offered at a discount calculates its
anticipated yield to maturity based on an assumed rate of distributions of
principal that is faster than that actually experienced on the Assets (or, in
the case of Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities, the underlying assets
related to the Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities), the actual yield to
maturity will be lower than that so calculated. Conversely, if the purchaser of
a Security offered at a premium calculates its anticipated yield to maturity
based on an assumed rate of distributions of principal that is slower than that
actually experienced on the Assets (or, in the case of Mortgage Securities and
Agency Securities, the underlying assets related to the Mortgage Securities and
Agency Securities), the actual yield to maturity will be lower than that so
calculated. In either case, if so provided in the prospectus supplement for a
series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, the effect on yield on one or
more classes of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of that series of
prepayments of the Assets in the related issuing entity may be mitigated or
exacerbated by any provisions for sequential or selective distribution of
principal to those classes.
When a full prepayment is made on a mortgage loan or a contract, the
borrower is charged interest on the principal amount of the mortgage loan or a
contract so prepaid for the number of days in the month actually elapsed up to
the date of the prepayment or some other period specified in the prospectus
supplement. Generally, the effect of prepayments in full will be to reduce the
amount of interest paid in the following month to holders of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, entitled to payments of interest because interest
on the principal amount of any mortgage loan or a contract so prepaid will be
paid only to the date of prepayment rather than for a full month. A partial
prepayment of principal is applied so as to reduce the outstanding principal
balance of the related mortgage loan or a contract as of its due date in the
month in which the partial prepayment is received or some other date as is
specified in the prospectus supplement.
The timing of changes in the rate of principal payments on the Assets (or,
in the case of Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities, the underlying assets
related to the Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities) may significantly
affect an investor's actual yield to maturity, even if the average rate of
distributions of principal is consistent with an investor's expectation. In
general, the earlier a principal payment is received on the mortgage loans and
distributed on a Security, the greater the effect on that investor's yield to
maturity. The effect on an investor's yield of principal payments occurring at a
rate higher (or lower) than the rate anticipated by the investor during a
particular period may not be offset by a similar decrease (or increase) in the
rate of principal payments at a later time.
The securityholder will bear the risk of not being able to reinvest
principal received from a Security at a yield at least equal to the yield on
that Security.
PREPAYMENTS--MATURITY AND WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE
The rates at which principal payments are received on the Assets included
in or comprising an issuing entity and the rate at which payments are made from
any credit support or Cash Flow Agreement for the related series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, may affect the ultimate maturity and the weighted
average life of each class of that series. Prepayments on the mortgage loans or
contracts comprising or underlying the Assets in a particular issuing entity
will generally accelerate the rate at which principal is paid on some or all of
the classes of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of the related series.
If so provided in the prospectus supplement for a series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, one or more classes of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, may have a final scheduled
26
Distribution Date, which is the date on or before which the Security Balance of
the class of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, is scheduled to be reduced to
zero, calculated on the basis of the assumptions applicable to that series.
Weighted average life refers to the average amount of time that will elapse from
the date of issue of a security until each dollar of principal of that security
will be repaid to the investor. The weighted average life of a class of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, of a series will be influenced by the rate at which
principal on the Assets is paid to that class, which may be in the form of
scheduled amortization or prepayments (for this purpose, the term "prepayment"
includes prepayments, in whole or in part, and liquidations due to default).
In addition, the weighted average life of the Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, may be affected by the varying maturities of the Assets in an
issuing entity. If any Assets in a particular issuing entity have actual terms
to maturity less than those assumed in calculating final scheduled Distribution
Dates for the classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of the related
series, one or more classes of these Notes or Certificates, as applicable, may
be fully paid before their respective final scheduled Distribution Dates, even
in the absence of prepayments. Accordingly, the prepayment experience of the
Assets will, to some extent, be a function of the mix of mortgage rates or
contract rates and maturities of the mortgage loans or contracts comprising or
underlying those Assets. See "Description of the Issuing Entities."
Prepayments on loans are also commonly measured relative to a prepayment
standard or model, such as the Constant Prepayment Rate ("CPR") prepayment model
or the Standard Prepayment Assumption ("SPA") prepayment model. CPR represents a
constant assumed rate of prepayment each month relative to the then outstanding
principal balance of a pool of loans for the life of those loans. SPA represents
an assumed rate of prepayment each month relative to the then outstanding
principal balance of a pool of loans. A prepayment assumption of 100% of SPA
assumes prepayment rates of 0.2% per annum of the then outstanding principal
balance of those loans in the first month of the life of the loans and an
additional 0.2% per annum in each month thereafter until the thirtieth month.
Starting in the thirtieth month and in each month thereafter during the life of
the loans, 100% of SPA assumes a constant prepayment rate of 6% per annum each
month.
Neither CPR nor SPA nor any other prepayment model or assumption purports
to be a historical description of prepayment experience or a prediction of the
anticipated rate of prepayment of any pool of loans, including the mortgage
loans or contracts underlying or comprising the Assets.
The prospectus supplement for each series of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, may contain tables, if applicable, setting forth the projected
weighted average life of each class of Offered Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, of that series and the percentage of the initial Security Balance of
each class that would be outstanding on specified Distribution Dates based on
the assumptions stated in the prospectus supplement, including assumptions that
prepayments on the mortgage loans comprising or underlying the related Assets
are made at rates corresponding to various percentages of CPR, SPA or some other
standard specified in the prospectus supplement. These tables and assumptions
are intended to illustrate the sensitivity of the weighted average life of the
Notes or Certificates, as applicable, to various prepayment rates and will not
be intended to predict or to provide information that will enable investors to
predict the actual weighted average life of the Notes or Certificates, as
applicable. It is unlikely that prepayment of any mortgage loans or contracts
comprising or underlying the Assets for any series will conform to any
particular level of CPR, SPA or any other rate specified in the prospectus
supplement.
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OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE
Type of Loan
Mortgage Loans secured by Multifamily Properties may have provisions that
prevent prepayment for a number of years and may provide for payments of
interest only during a certain period followed by amortization of principal on
the basis of a schedule extending beyond the maturity of the related mortgage
loan. There can be no assurance as to the respective rates of prepayment of
these mortgage loans in either stable or changing interest rate environments.
Type of Asset
If specified in the prospectus supplement, a number of mortgage loans may
have balloon payments due at maturity (which, based on the amortization schedule
of those mortgage loans, may be a substantial amount), and because the ability
of a borrower to make a balloon payment typically will depend on its ability
either to refinance the loan or to sell the related Mortgaged Property, there is
a risk that a number of Balloon Payment Assets may default at maturity. The
ability to obtain refinancing will depend on a number of factors prevailing at
the time refinancing or sale is required, including real estate values, the
borrower's financial situation, prevailing mortgage loan interest rates, the
borrower's equity in the related Mortgaged Property, tax laws and prevailing
general economic conditions. Neither the depositor, the servicer, the master
servicer, nor any of their affiliates will be obligated to refinance or
repurchase any mortgage loan or to sell the Mortgaged Property except to the
extent provided in the prospectus supplement. In the case of defaults, recovery
of proceeds may be delayed by, among other things, bankruptcy of the borrower or
adverse conditions in the market where the property is located. To minimize
losses on defaulted mortgage loans, the servicer may modify mortgage loans that
are in default or as to which a payment default is reasonably foreseeable. Any
defaulted balloon payment or modification that extends the maturity of a
mortgage loan will tend to extend the weighted average life of the Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, and may thus lengthen the period of time elapsed
from the date of issuance of a Security until it is retired.
For some mortgage loans, including ARM Loans, the mortgage rate at
origination may be below the rate that would result if the index and margin
relating to the mortgage loan were applied at origination. For some contracts,
the contract rate may be stepped up during its terms or may otherwise vary or be
adjusted. Under the applicable underwriting standards, the borrower under each
mortgage loan or contract generally will be qualified on the basis of the
mortgage rate or contract rate in effect at origination. The repayment of any of
these mortgage loans or contracts may therefore be dependent on the ability of
the borrower to make larger level monthly payments following the adjustment of
the mortgage rate or contract rate. In addition, some mortgage loans may be
subject to temporary buydown plans ("Buydown Mortgage Loans") pursuant to which
the monthly payments made by the borrower during the early years of the mortgage
loan will be less than the scheduled monthly payments on the mortgage loan (the
"Buydown Period"). The periodic increase in the amount paid by the borrower of a
Buydown Mortgage Loan during or at the end of the applicable Buydown Period may
create a greater financial burden for the borrower, who might not have otherwise
qualified for a mortgage, and may accordingly increase the risk of default for
the related mortgage loan.
The mortgage rates on some ARM Loans subject to negative amortization
generally adjust monthly and their amortization schedules adjust less
frequently. During a period of rising interest rates as well as immediately
after origination (initial mortgage rates are generally lower than the sum of
the applicable index at origination and the related margin over that index at
which interest accrues), the amount of interest accruing on the principal
balance of those mortgage loans may exceed the amount of the minimum scheduled
monthly payment on the mortgage loans. As a result, a portion of the accrued
interest on negatively amortizing mortgage loans may be added to
28
the principal balance of those mortgage loans and will bear interest at the
applicable mortgage rate. The addition of any deferred interest to the principal
balance of any related class or classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
will lengthen the weighted average life of those Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, and may adversely affect yield to holders of those Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, depending on the price at which those Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, were purchased. In addition, for some ARM Loans
subject to negative amortization, during a period of declining interest rates,
it might be expected that each minimum scheduled monthly payment on this type of
mortgage loan would exceed the amount of scheduled principal and accrued
interest on the principal balance of that mortgage loan, and since that excess
will be applied to reduce the principal balance of the related class or classes
of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, the weighted average life of those
Notes or Certificates, as applicable, will be reduced and may adversely affect
yield to holders of those Notes or Certificates, as applicable, depending on the
price at which those Notes or Certificates, as applicable, were purchased.
As may be described in the prospectus supplement, the related Agreement may
provide that all or a portion of the principal collected on or with respect to
the related mortgage loans may be applied by the related trustee to the
acquisition of additional HELOCs during a specified period (rather than used to
fund payments of principal to securityholders during that period) with the
result that the related Notes or Certificates, as applicable, possess an
interest-only period, also commonly referred to as a revolving period, which
will be followed by an amortization period. Any of these interest-only or
revolving periods may, upon the occurrence of particular events to be described
in the prospectus supplement, terminate before the end of the specified period
and result in the earlier than expected amortization of the related Notes or
Certificates, as applicable.
In addition, and as may be described in the prospectus supplement, the
related Agreement may provide that all or some of this collected principal may
be retained by the trustee (and held in specific temporary investments,
including mortgage loans) for a specified period before being used to fund
payments of principal to securityholders.
The result of the retention and temporary investment by the trustee of this
principal would be to slow the amortization rate of the related Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, relative to the amortization rate of the related
mortgage loans, or to attempt to match the amortization rate of the related
Notes or Certificates, as applicable, to an amortization schedule established at
the time the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, are issued. Any similar
feature applicable to any Notes or Certificates, as applicable, may end on the
occurrence of events to be described in the prospectus supplement, resulting in
the current funding of principal payments to the related securityholders and an
acceleration of the amortization of these Notes or Certificates, as applicable.
Termination
If specified in the prospectus supplement, a series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, may be subject to optional early termination
through the repurchase of the Assets in the related issuing entity by the party
specified in the prospectus supplement, on any date on which the total Security
Balance of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of that series declines to
a percentage specified in the prospectus supplement (generally not to exceed
10%) of the Initial Security Balance, under the circumstances and in the manner
set forth therein. In addition, if so provided in the prospectus supplement,
some classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, may be purchased or
redeemed in the manner set forth therein. See "Description of the
Securities--Termination."
Defaults
The rate of defaults on the Assets will also affect the rate, timing and
amount of principal payments on the Assets and thus the yield on the Notes or
Certificates, as applicable. In general,
29
defaults on mortgage loans or contracts are expected to occur with greater
frequency in their early years. The rate of default on mortgage loans that are
refinance or limited documentation mortgage loans, and on mortgage loans with
high Loan-to-Value Ratios, may be higher than for other types of mortgage loans.
Furthermore, the rate and timing of prepayments, defaults and liquidations on
the mortgage loans or contracts will be affected by the general economic
condition of the region of the country in which the related Mortgaged Properties
or manufactured homes are located. The risk of delinquencies and loss is greater
and prepayments are less likely in regions where a weak or deteriorating economy
exists, as may be evidenced by, among other factors, increasing unemployment or
falling property values.
Foreclosures
The number of foreclosures or repossessions and the principal amount of the
mortgage loans or contracts comprising or underlying the Assets that are
foreclosed or repossessed in relation to the number and principal amount of
mortgage loans or contracts that are repaid in accordance with their terms will
affect the weighted average life of the mortgage loans or contracts comprising
or underlying the Assets and that of the related series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable.
Refinancing
At the request of a borrower, the servicer may allow the refinancing of a
mortgage loan or contract in any issuing entity by accepting prepayments on the
mortgage loan and permitting a new loan secured by a mortgage on the same
property. In the event of that refinancing, the new loan would not be included
in the related issuing entity and, therefore, that refinancing would have the
same effect as a prepayment in full of the related mortgage loan or contract. A
servicer may, from time to time, implement programs designed to encourage
refinancing. These programs may include modifications of existing loans, general
or targeted solicitations, the offering of pre-approved applications, reduced
origination fees or closing costs, or other financial incentives. In addition,
servicers may encourage the refinancing of mortgage loans or contracts,
including defaulted mortgage loans or contracts, that would permit creditworthy
borrowers to assume the outstanding indebtedness of those mortgage loans or
contracts.
Due-on-Sale Clauses
Acceleration of mortgage payments as a result of transfers of underlying
Mortgaged Property is another factor affecting prepayment rates that may not be
reflected in the prepayment standards or models used in the relevant prospectus
supplement. A number of the mortgage loans comprising or underlying the Assets,
other than FHA loans and VA loans, may include "due-on-sale clauses" that allow
the holder of the mortgage loans to demand payment in full of the remaining
principal balance of the mortgage loans upon sale, transfer or conveyance of the
related Mortgaged Property.
For any mortgage loans, except as set forth in the prospectus supplement,
the servicer will generally enforce any due-on-sale clause to the extent it has
knowledge of the conveyance or proposed conveyance of the underlying Mortgaged
Property and it is entitled to do so under applicable law; provided, however,
that the servicer will not take any action in relation to the enforcement of any
due-on-sale provision that would adversely affect or jeopardize coverage under
any applicable insurance policy. See "Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage
Loans--Due-on-Sale Clauses" and "Description of the Agreements--Material Terms
of the Pooling and Servicing Agreements and Underlying Servicing
Agreements--Due-on-Sale Provisions."
The contracts, in general, prohibit the sale or transfer of the related
manufactured homes without the consent of the servicer and permit the
acceleration of the maturity of the contracts by
30
the servicer upon any sale or transfer that is not consented to. It is expected
that the servicer will permit most transfers of manufactured homes and not
accelerate the maturity of the related contracts. In some cases, the transfer
may be made by a delinquent borrower to avoid a repossession of the manufactured
home. In the case of a transfer of a manufactured home after which the servicer
desires to accelerate the maturity of related contract, the servicer's ability
to do so will depend on the enforceability under state law of the due-on-sale
clause.
STATIC POOL INFORMATION
For each mortgage pool, the issuing entity will provide static pool
information with respect to the experience of the sponsor, or other appropriate
entity, in securitizing asset pools of the same type to the extent material.
With respect to each series of securities, the information referred to in
this section will be provided through an internet web site at the address
disclosed in the related prospectus supplement.
THE SPONSOR
The sponsor will be DB Structured Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
referred to herein as the Sponsor, for each series of securities unless
otherwise indicated in the related prospectus supplement. The Sponsor maintains
its principal office at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005. Its telephone
number is (212) 250-2500.
During fiscal year 2005, the Sponsor and its affiliates securitized
approximately $18.4 billion of residential mortgages.
With respect to any series of securities, if so specified in the related
prospectus supplement, the Sponsor will also act as servicer or master servicer
for the mortgage pool. If so, the Sponsor will service the Designated Mortgage
Assets in accordance with the description of the applicable servicing procedures
contained in this prospectus under "Description of the Securities."
THE DEPOSITOR
ACE Securities Corp., the depositor, is a special purpose corporation
incorporated in the State of Delaware on June 3, 1998. The principal executive
offices of the depositor are located at 6525 Morrison Boulevard, Suite 318,
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211. Its telephone number is (704) 365-0569. The
depositor does not have, nor is it expected in the future to have, any
significant assets.
The limited purposes of the depositor are, in general, to acquire, own and
sell mortgage loans and financial assets; to issue, acquire, own, hold and sell
securities and notes secured by or representing ownership interests in mortgage
loans and other financial assets, collections on the mortgage loans and related
assets; and to engage in any acts that are incidental to, or necessary, suitable
or convenient to accomplish, these purposes.
All of the shares of capital stock of the depositor are held by Altamont
Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES
GENERAL
The Securities issued in each series will include either asset-backed
certificates (the "Certificates") or asset-backed notes (the "Notes", and
together with the Certificates, the "Securities"). The Certificates of each
series (including any class of Certificates not offered by this prospectus) will
represent the entire beneficial ownership interest in the issuing entity created
pursuant to the related Agreement. The "Notes" of each series will represent
indebtedness of the related issuing entity and will be issued and secured
pursuant to an indenture. Each series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
will consist of one or more of the following classes of Notes or Certificates:
ACCRETION DIRECTED A class of securities designated to receive
principal payments primarily from the interest
that accrues on specified Accrual Classes.
ACCRUAL A class of securities where the accrued
interest otherwise payable to such certificates
or notes is allocated to specified classes of
certificates as principal payments in reduction
of their certificate principal balance or note
principal balance. The certificate principal
balance or note principal balance of the
Accrual Class will be increased to the extent
such accrued interest is so allocated.
COMPANION A class that receives principal payments on any
distribution date only if scheduled payments
have been made on specified planned principal
classes, targeted principal classes or
scheduled principal classes.
COMPONENT A class consisting of "components." The
components of a class of component securities
may have different principal and/or interest
payment characteristics but together constitute
a single class. Each component of a class of
component securities may be identified as
falling into one or more of the categories in
this list.
FIXED RATE A class with an interest rate that is fixed
throughout the life of the class.
FLOATING RATE A class that receives interest payments based
on an interest rate that fluctuates each
payment period based on a designated index plus
a specified margin.
INTEREST ONLY OR IO A class of securities with no principal balance
and which is not entitled to principal
payments. Interest usually accrues based on a
specified notional amount.
INVERSE FLOATING RATE A class of securities where the pass-through
rate adjusts based on the excess between a
specified rate and LIBOR or another index.
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LOCK OUT A class of securities which is "locked out" of
certain payments, usually principal, for a
specified period of time.
PARTIAL ACCRUAL A class that accretes a portion of the amount
of accrued interest thereon, which amount will
be added to the principal balance of such class
on each applicable distribution date, with the
remainder of such accrued interest to be
distributed currently as interest on such
class. Such accretion may continue until a
specified event has occurred or until such
Partial Accrual class is retired.
PRINCIPAL ONLY A class of securities which is not entitled to
interest payments.
PLANNED AMORTIZATION CLASS A class of securities with a principal balance
that is reduced based on a schedule of
principal balances, assuming a certain range of
prepayment rates on the underlying assets.
SCHEDULED PRINCIPAL A class that is designed to receive principal
payments using a predetermined principal
balance schedule but is not designated as a
Planned Principal Class or Targeted Principal
Class. In many cases, the schedule is derived
by assuming two constant prepayment rates for
the underlying assets. These two rates are the
endpoints for the "structuring range" for the
scheduled principal class.
SENIOR SUPPORT A class that absorbs the realized losses other
than excess losses that would otherwise be
allocated to a Super Senior Class after the
related classes of subordinated securities are
no longer outstanding.
SEQUENTIAL PAY Classes that receive principal payments in a
prescribed sequence, that do not have
predetermined principal balance schedules and
that under all circumstances receive payments
of principal continuously from the first
distribution date on which they receive
principal until they are retired. A single
class that receives principal payments before
or after all other classes in the same series
of securities may be identified as a sequential
pay class.
SUPER SENIOR A class that will not bear its proportionate
share of realized losses (other than excess
losses) as its share is directed to another
class, referred to as the "support class" until
the class principal balance of the support
class is reduced to zero.
TARGET AMORTIZATION A class of securities with a principal balance
that is reduced based on a scheduled of
principal balances,
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assuming a certain targeted rate of prepayments
on the related collateral.
VARIABLE RATE A class with an interest rate that resets
periodically and is calculated by reference to
the rate or rates of interest applicable to
specified assets or instruments (e.g., the Loan
Rates borne by the underlying loans).
If specified in the prospectus supplement, distributions on one or more
classes of a series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, may be limited to
collections from a designated portion of the Assets in the related issuing
entity (each portion of the Assets, an "Asset Group"). Any of these classes may
include classes of Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable.
Each class of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, offered by this
prospectus and the related prospectus supplement (the "Offered Notes" and the
"Offered Certificates," respectively, and together, the "Offered Securities")
will be issued in minimum denominations corresponding to the Security Balances
or, in the case of some classes of Strip Securities, notional amounts or
percentage interests specified in the prospectus supplement. The transfer of any
Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable, may be registered and
those Notes or Certificates, as applicable, may be exchanged without the payment
of any service charge payable in connection with that registration of transfer
or exchange, but the depositor or the trustee or any agent of the depositor or
the trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge. One or more classes of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, of a series may be issued in fully registered, certificated form
("Definitive Notes" or "Definitive Certificates," and collectively, "Definitive
Securities") or in book-entry form ("Book-Entry Notes" or "Book-Entry
Certificates," and collectively, "Book-Entry Securities"), as provided in the
prospectus supplement. See "Description of the Securities--Book-Entry
Registration and Definitive Securities." Definitive Notes or Definitive
Certificates, as applicable, will be exchangeable for other Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, of the same class and series of a similar total
Security Balance, notional amount or percentage interest but of different
authorized denominations.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions on the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of each series
will be made by or on behalf of the trustee on each Distribution Date as
specified in the prospectus supplement from the Available Distribution Amount
for that series and that Distribution Date. Distributions (other than the final
distribution) will be made to the persons in whose names the Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, are registered at the close of business on, unless
a different date is specified in the prospectus supplement, the last business
day of the month preceding the month in which the Distribution Date occurs (the
"Record Date"), and the amount of each distribution will be determined as of the
close of business on the date specified in the prospectus supplement (the
"Determination Date"). All distributions for each class of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, on each Distribution Date will be allocated pro
rata among the outstanding securityholders in that class or by random selection
or as described in the prospectus supplement. Payments will be made either by
wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account of a securityholder
at a bank or other entity having appropriate facilities for these payments, if
that securityholder has so notified the trustee or other person required to make
those payments no later than the date specified in the prospectus supplement
(and, if so provided in the prospectus supplement, holds Notes or Certificates,
as applicable, in the requisite amount specified in the prospectus supplement),
or by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment as it
appears on the Security Register; provided, however, that the final distribution
in retirement of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, will be made only
upon presentation and surrender of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, at
the location specified in the notice to securityholders of that final
distribution.
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AVAILABLE DISTRIBUTION AMOUNT
All distributions on the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of each
series on each Distribution Date will be made from the Available Distribution
Amount described below, subject to the terms described in the prospectus
supplement. Generally, the "Available Distribution Amount" for each Distribution
Date equals the sum of the following amounts:
(1) the total amount of all cash on deposit in the related Collection
Account as of the corresponding Determination Date, exclusive, unless
otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, of:
(a) all scheduled payments of principal and interest collected
but due on a date after the related Due Period (unless a different
period is specified in the prospectus supplement, a "Due Period " for
any Distribution Date will begin on the second day of the month in
which the immediately preceding Distribution Date occurs, or the
Cut-off Date in the case of the first Due Period, and will end on the
first day of the month of the related Distribution Date),
(b) all prepayments, together with related payments of the
interest thereon and related Prepayment Premiums, all proceeds of any
FHA insurance, VA Guaranty Policy or insurance policies to be
maintained for each Asset (to the extent that proceeds are not applied
to the restoration of the Asset or released in accordance with the
normal servicing procedures of a servicer, subject to the terms and
conditions applicable to the related Asset) (collectively, "Insurance
Proceeds"), all other amounts received and retained in connection with
the liquidation of Assets in default in the issuing entity
("Liquidation Proceeds"), and other unscheduled recoveries received
after the related Due Period, or other period specified in the
prospectus supplement,
(c) all amounts in the Collection Account that are due or
reimbursable to the depositor, the trustee, an Asset Seller, a
servicer, the master servicer or any other entity as specified in the
prospectus supplement or that are payable in respect of particular
expenses of the related issuing entity, and
(d) all amounts received for a repurchase of an Asset from the
issuing entity for defective documentation or a breach of
representation or warranty received after the related Due Period, or
other period specified in the prospectus supplement;
(2) if the prospectus supplement so provides, interest or investment
income on amounts on deposit in the Collection Account, including any net
amounts paid under any Cash Flow Agreements;
(3) all advances made by a servicer or the master servicer or any
other entity as specified in the prospectus supplement for that
Distribution Date;
(4) if and to the extent the prospectus supplement so provides,
amounts paid by a servicer or any other entity as specified in the
prospectus supplement with respect to interest shortfalls resulting from
prepayments during the related Prepayment Period; and
(5) to the extent not on deposit in the related Collection Account as
of the corresponding Determination Date, any amounts collected under, from
or in respect of any credit support for that Distribution Date.
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As described below, unless otherwise specified in the prospectus
supplement, the entire Available Distribution Amount will be distributed among
the related Notes or Certificates, as applicable (including any Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, not offered by this prospectus) on each
Distribution Date, and accordingly will be released from the issuing entity and
will not be available for any future distributions.
The prospectus supplement for a series of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, will describe any variation in the calculation or distribution of
the Available Distribution Amount for that series.
DISTRIBUTIONS OF INTEREST ON THE SECURITIES
Each class of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, (other than classes of
Strip Securities which have no Interest Rate), may have a different Interest
Rate, which will be a fixed, variable or adjustable rate at which interest will
accrue on that class or a component of that class (the "Interest Rate" in the
case of Certificates). The indices applicable to variable rate and adjustable
rate classes will only be of a type that are customarily used in the debt and
fixed income markets to measure the cost of borrowed funds and will not be
indices linked to stocks or commodities. The prospectus supplement will specify
the Interest Rate for each class or component or, in the case of a variable or
adjustable Interest Rate, the method for determining the Interest Rate. Interest
on the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, will be calculated on the basis of
a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months unless the prospectus
supplement specifies a different basis.
Distributions of interest on the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of
any class will be made on each Distribution Date (other than any class of
Accrual Securities, which will be entitled to distributions of accrued interest
starting only on the Distribution Date, or under the circumstances, specified in
the prospectus supplement, and any class of Strip Securities that are not
entitled to any distributions of interest) based on the Accrued Security
Interest for that class and that Distribution Date, subject to the sufficiency
of the portion of the Available Distribution Amount allocable to that class on
that Distribution Date. Before any interest is distributed on any class of
Accrual Securities, the amount of Accrued Security Interest otherwise
distributable on that class will instead be added to the Security Balance of
that class on each Distribution Date.
For each class of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, and each
Distribution Date (other than some classes of Strip Securities), "Accrued
Security Interest" will be equal to interest accrued during the related Accrual
Period on the outstanding Security Balance of the class of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, immediately before the Distribution Date, at the
applicable Interest Rate, reduced as described below. Accrued Security Interest
on some classes of Strip Securities will be equal to interest accrued during the
related Accrual Period on the outstanding notional amount of the Strip Security
immediately before each Distribution Date, at the applicable Interest Rate,
reduced as described below, or interest accrual in the manner described in the
prospectus supplement. The method of determining the notional amount for a
particular class of Strip Securities will be described in the prospectus
supplement. Reference to notional amount is solely for convenience in some of
the calculations and does not represent the right to receive any distributions
of principal. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, the
Accrued Security Interest on a series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
will be reduced in the event of prepayment interest shortfalls, which are
shortfalls in collections of interest for a full accrual period resulting from
prepayments before the due date in that accrual period on the mortgage loans or
contracts comprising or underlying the Assets in the issuing entity for that
series. The particular manner in which these shortfalls are to be allocated
among some or all of the classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of
that series will be specified in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus
supplement will also describe the extent to which the amount of Accrued Security
Interest that is otherwise distributable on (or, in the case of Accrual
Securities, that may otherwise be added to the Security Balance of) a class of
Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable,
36
may be reduced as a result of any other contingencies, including delinquencies,
losses and deferred interest on the mortgage loans or contracts comprising or
underlying the Assets in the related issuing entity. Unless otherwise provided
in the prospectus supplement, any reduction in the amount of Accrued Security
Interest otherwise distributable on a class of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, by reason of the allocation to that class of a portion of any
deferred interest on the mortgage loans or contracts comprising or underlying
the Assets in the related issuing entity will result in a corresponding increase
in the Security Balance of that class. See "Yield Considerations."
DISTRIBUTIONS OF PRINCIPAL OF THE SECURITIES
The Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of each series, other than some
classes of Strip Securities, will have a "Security Balance" which, at any time,
will equal the then maximum amount that the holder will be entitled to receive
on principal out of the future cash flow on the Assets and other assets included
in the related issuing entity. The outstanding Security Balance of a Security
will be reduced:
o to the extent of distributions of principal on that Security from time
to time and
o if and to the extent provided in the prospectus supplement, by the
amount of losses incurred on the related Assets.
The outstanding Security Balance of a Security:
o may be increased in respect of deferred interest on the related
mortgage loans, to the extent provided in the prospectus supplement
and
o in the case of Accrual Securities, will be increased by any related
Accrued Security Interest up until the Distribution Date on which
distributions of interest are required to begin.
If specified in the prospectus supplement, the initial total Security
Balance of all classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of a series will
be greater than the outstanding total principal balance of the related Assets as
of the applicable Cut-off Date. The initial total Security Balance of a series
and each class of the series will be specified in the prospectus supplement.
Distributions of principal will be made on each Distribution Date to the class
or classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, in the amounts and in
accordance with the priorities specified in the prospectus supplement. Some
classes of Strip Securities with no Security Balance are not entitled to any
distributions of principal.
If specified in the related prospectus supplement, the issuing entity may
issue notes or certificates, as applicable, from time to time and use the
proceeds of this issuance to make principal payments with respect to a series.
REVOLVING PERIOD
The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that all or a portion of
the principal collections may be applied by the trustee to the acquisition of
subsequent HELOCs or asset-backed or mortgage backed securities during a
specified period rather than used to distribute payments of principal to
noteholders or certificateholders, as applicable, during that period. These
notes or certificates, as applicable, would then possess an interest only
period, also commonly referred to as a "Revolving Period", which will be
followed by an "Amortization Period", during which principal will be paid. Any
interest only or revolving period may terminate prior to the end of the
37
specified period and result in the earlier than expected principal repayment of
the notes or certificates, as applicable.
COMPONENTS
To the extent specified in the prospectus supplement, distribution on a
class of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, may be based on a combination of
two or more different components as described under "--General" above. To that
extent, the descriptions set forth under "--Distributions of Interest on the
Securities" and "--Distributions of Principal of the Securities" above also
relate to components of the component class of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable. References in those sections to Security Balance may refer to the
principal balance, if any, of these components and reference to the Interest
Rate may refer to the Interest Rate, if any, on these components.
DISTRIBUTIONS ON THE SECURITIES OF PREPAYMENT PREMIUMS
If so provided in the prospectus supplement, Prepayment Premiums that are
collected on the mortgage loans in the related issuing entity will be
distributed on each Distribution Date to the class or classes of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, entitled to the distribution as described in the
prospectus supplement.
ALLOCATION OF LOSSES AND SHORTFALLS
If so provided in the prospectus supplement for a series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, consisting of one or more classes of Subordinate
Notes or Subordinate Certificates, as applicable, on any Distribution Date in
respect of which losses or shortfalls in collections on the Assets have been
incurred, the amount of those losses or shortfalls will be borne first by a
class of Subordinate Notes or Subordinate Certificates, as applicable, in the
priority and manner and subject to the limitations specified in the prospectus
supplement. See "Description of Credit Support" for a description of the types
of protection that may be included in an issuing entity against losses and
shortfalls on Assets comprising that issuing entity. The prospectus supplement
for a series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, will describe the
entitlement, if any, of a class of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, whose
Security Balance has been reduced to zero as a result of distributions or the
allocation of losses on the related Assets to recover any losses previously
allocated to that class from amounts received on the Assets. However, if the
Security Balance of a class of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, has been
reduced to zero as the result of principal distributions, the allocation of
losses on the Assets, an optional termination or an optional purchase or
redemption, that class will no longer be entitled to receive principal
distributions from amounts received on the assets of the related issuing entity,
including distributions in respect of principal losses previously allocated to
that class.
ADVANCES IN RESPECT OF DELINQUENCIES
If so provided in the prospectus supplement, the servicer or another entity
described in the prospectus supplement will be required as part of its servicing
responsibilities to advance on or before each Distribution Date its own funds or
funds held in the related Collection Account that are not included in the
Available Distribution Amount for that Distribution Date, in an amount equal to
the total of payments of (1) principal (other than any balloon payments) and (2)
interest (net of related servicing fees and Retained Interest) that were due on
the Assets in that issuing entity during the related Due Period and were
delinquent on the related Determination Date, subject to a good faith
determination that the advances will be reimbursable from Related Proceeds (as
defined below). In the case of a series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
that includes one or more classes of Subordinate Notes or Subordinate
Certificates, as applicable, and if so provided in
38
the prospectus supplement, the servicer's (or another entity's) advance
obligation may be limited only to the portion of those delinquencies necessary
to make the required distributions on one or more classes of Senior Notes or
Senior Certificates, as applicable, and/or may be subject to a good faith
determination that advances will be reimbursable not only from Related Proceeds
but also from collections on other Assets otherwise distributable on one or more
classes of those Subordinate Notes or Subordinate Certificates, as applicable.
See "Description of Credit Support."
Advances are intended to maintain a regular flow of scheduled interest and
principal payments to holders of the class or classes of Notes or Certificates,
as applicable, entitled to the payments, rather than to guarantee or insure
against losses. Advances of the servicer's (or another entity's) funds will be
reimbursable only out of related recoveries on the Assets (including amounts
received under any form of credit support) respecting which those advances were
made (as to any Assets, "Related Proceeds") and from any other amounts specified
in the prospectus supplement, including out of any amounts otherwise
distributable on one or more classes of Subordinate Notes or Subordinate
Certificates, as applicable, of that series; provided, however, that any advance
will be reimbursable from any amounts in the related Collection Account before
any distributions being made on the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, to the
extent that the servicer (or some other entity) determines in good faith that
that advance (a "Nonrecoverable Advance") is not ultimately recoverable from
Related Proceeds or, if applicable, from collections on other Assets otherwise
distributable on the Subordinate Notes or Subordinate Certificates, as
applicable. If advances have been made by the servicer from excess funds in the
related Collection Account, the servicer is required to replace these funds in
that Collection Account on any future Distribution Date to the extent that funds
in that Collection Account on that Distribution Date are less than payments
required to be made to securityholders on that date. If specified in the
prospectus supplement, the obligations of the servicer (or another entity) to
make advances may be secured by a cash advance reserve fund, a surety bond, a
letter of credit or another form of limited guaranty. If applicable, information
regarding the characteristics of and the identity of any borrower on any surety
bond will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.
If and to the extent so provided in the prospectus supplement, the servicer
(or another entity) will be entitled to receive interest at the rate specified
in the prospectus supplement on its outstanding advances and will be entitled to
pay itself this interest periodically from general collections on the Assets
before any payment to securityholders or as otherwise provided in the related
Agreement and described in the prospectus supplement.
If specified in the prospectus supplement, the master servicer or the
trustee will be required to make advances, subject to specific conditions
described in the prospectus supplement, in the event of a servicer default.
REPORTS TO SECURITYHOLDERS
With each distribution to holders of any class of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, of a series, the servicer, the master servicer or the trustee, as
provided in the prospectus supplement, will forward or cause to be forwarded to
each holder, to the depositor and to any other parties as may be specified in
the related Agreement, a statement containing the information specified in the
prospectus supplement, or if no information is specified in the prospectus
supplement, generally setting forth, in each case to the extent applicable and
available:
(1) the amount of that distribution to holders of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, of that class applied to reduce the Security
Balance of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable,;
(2) the amount of that distribution to holders of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, of that class allocable to Accrued Security
Interest;
39
(3) the amount of that distribution allocable to Prepayment Premiums;
(4) the amount of related servicing compensation and any other
customary information as is required to enable securityholders to prepare
their tax returns;
(5) the total amount of advances included in that distribution, and
the total amount of unreimbursed advances at the close of business on that
Distribution Date;
(6) the total principal balance of the Assets at the close of business
on that Distribution Date;
(7) the number and total principal balance of mortgage loans in
respect of which
(a) one scheduled payment is delinquent,
(b) two scheduled payments are delinquent,
(c) three or more scheduled payments are delinquent and
(d) foreclosure proceedings have begun;
(8) for any mortgage loan or contract liquidated during the related
Due Period, (a) the portion of the related liquidation proceeds payable or
reimbursable to a servicer (or any other entity) in respect of that
mortgage loan and (b) the amount of any loss to securityholders;
(9) with respect to collateral acquired by the issuing entity through
foreclosure or otherwise (an "REO Property") relating to a mortgage loan or
contract and included in the issuing entity as of the end of the related
Due Period, the date of acquisition;
(10) for each REO Property relating to a mortgage loan or contract and
included in the issuing entity as of the end of the related Due Period,
(a) the book value,
(b) the principal balance of the related mortgage loan or
contract immediately following that Distribution Date
(calculated as if that mortgage loan or contract were still
outstanding taking into account limited modifications to the
terms of the mortgage loan specified in the Agreement),
(c) the total amount of unreimbursed servicing expenses and
unreimbursed advances in respect of the REO Property and
(d) if applicable, the total amount of interest accrued and
payable on related servicing expenses and related advances;
(11) for any REO Property sold during the related Due Period
(a) the total amount of sale proceeds,
40
(b) the portion of those sales proceeds payable or reimbursable
to the master servicer in respect of that REO Property or
the related mortgage loan or contract and
(c) the amount of any loss to securityholders in respect of the
related mortgage loan;
(12) the total Security Balance or notional amount, as the case may
be, of each class of Notes or Certificates, as applicable (including any
class of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, not offered by this
prospectus) at the close of business on that Distribution Date, separately
identifying any reduction in that Security Balance due to the allocation of
any loss and increase in the Security Balance of a class of Accrual
Securities if any Accrued Security Interest has been added to that balance;
(13) the total amount of principal prepayments made during the related
Due Period;
(14) the amount deposited in the reserve fund, if any, on that
Distribution Date;
(15) the amount remaining in the reserve fund, if any, as of the close
of business on that Distribution Date;
(16) the total unpaid Accrued Security Interest, if any, on each class
of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, at the close of business on that
Distribution Date;
(17) in the case of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, with a
variable Interest Rate, the Interest Rate applicable to that Distribution
Date, and, if available, the immediately succeeding Distribution Date, as
calculated in accordance with the method specified in the prospectus
supplement;
(18) in the case of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, with an
adjustable Interest Rate, for statements to be distributed in any month in
which an adjustment date occurs, the adjustable Interest Rate applicable to
that Distribution Date, if available, and the immediately succeeding
Distribution Date as calculated in accordance with the method specified in
the prospectus supplement;
(19) as to any series that includes credit support, the amount of
coverage of each instrument of credit support included as of the close of
business on that Distribution Date;
(20) during the Pre-Funding Period, the remaining Pre-Funded Amount
and the portion of the Pre-Funding Amount used to acquire Subsequent Assets
since the preceding Distribution Date;
(21) during the Pre-Funding Period, the amount remaining in the
Capitalized Interest Account; and
(22) the total amount of payments by the borrowers of
(a) default interest,
(b) late charges and
41
(c) assumption and modification fees collected during the
related Due Period.
Reports, whether monthly or annual, will be transmitted in paper format to
the holder of record of the class of securities contemporaneously with the
distribution on that particular class. In addition, the monthly reports will be
posted on a website as described below under "Available Information."
Within a reasonable period of time after the end of each calendar year, the
servicer, the master servicer or the trustee, as provided in the prospectus
supplement, will furnish to each securityholder of record at any time during the
calendar year the information required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code") and applicable regulations under the Code to enable
securityholders to prepare their tax returns. See "Description of the
Securities--Book-Entry Registration and Definitive Securities."
TERMINATION
The obligations created by the related Agreement for each series of Notes
or Certificates, as applicable, will terminate upon the payment to
securityholders of that series of all amounts held in the Collection Accounts or
by a servicer, the master servicer, if any, or the trustee and required to be
paid to them pursuant to that Agreement following the earlier of (1) the final
payment or other liquidation of the last Asset subject to the related Agreement
or the disposition of all property acquired upon foreclosure of any mortgage
loan or contract subject to the Agreement and (2) the purchase of all of the
assets of the issuing entity by the party entitled to effect that termination,
under the circumstances and in the manner set forth in the prospectus
supplement. In no event, however, will the issuing entity continue beyond the
date specified in the prospectus supplement. Written notice of termination of
the Agreement will be given to each securityholder, and the final distribution
will be made only upon presentation and surrender of the Notes or Certificates,
as applicable, at the location to be specified in the notice of termination.
If specified in the prospectus supplement, a series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, may be subject to optional early termination
through the purchase of the Assets in the related issuing entity by the party
specified in the prospectus supplement, under the circumstances and in the
manner set forth in the prospectus supplement. If so provided in the prospectus
supplement, upon the reduction of the Security Balance of a specified class or
classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, by a specified percentage, the
party specified in the prospectus supplement will solicit bids for the purchase
of all assets of the issuing entity, or of a sufficient portion of those assets
to retire that class or classes or purchase that class or classes at a price set
forth in the prospectus supplement, in each case, under the circumstances and in
the manner set forth in the prospectus supplement. That price will at least
equal the outstanding Security Balances and any accrued and unpaid interest on
the Security Balances (including any unpaid interest shortfalls for prior
Distribution Dates). Any sale of the Assets of the issuing entity will be
without recourse to the issuing entity or the securityholders. Any purchase or
solicitation of bids may be made only when the total Security Balance of that
class or classes declines to a percentage of the Initial Security Balance of
those Notes or Certificates, as applicable (not to exceed 10%) specified in the
prospectus supplement. In addition, if so provided in the prospectus supplement,
some classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, may be purchased or
redeemed in the manner set forth in the prospectus supplement at a price at
least equal to the outstanding Security Balance of each class so purchased or
redeemed and any accrued and unpaid interest on the Security Balance (including
any unpaid interest shortfalls for prior Distribution Dates). In the event that
any series of certificates or notes which provides for such a purchase, the
certificates or notes will use the word "Callable" in their title.
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OPTIONAL PURCHASES
Subject to the provisions of the applicable Agreement, the depositor, the
servicer or any other party specified in the prospectus supplement may, at that
party's option, repurchase any mortgage loan that is in default or as to which
default is reasonably foreseeable if, in the depositor's, the servicer's or any
other party's judgment, the related default is not likely to be cured by the
borrower or default is not likely to be averted, at a price equal to the unpaid
principal balance of the mortgage loan plus accrued interest on the mortgage
loan and under the conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement.
BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION AND DEFINITIVE SECURITIES
General
If provided for in the prospectus supplement, one or more classes of the
Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable, of any series will be
issued as Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, and each
of these classes will be represented by one or more single Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, registered in the name of a nominee for the
depository, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and, if provided in the
prospectus supplement, additionally through Clearstream Luxembourg, societe
anonyme ("Clearstream Luxembourg") or the Euroclear System ("Euroclear"). Each
class of Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, will be
issued in one or more certificates or notes, as the case may be, that equal the
initial principal amount of the related class of Offered Notes or Offered
Certificates, as applicable, and will initially be registered in the name of
Cede & Co.
No person acquiring an interest in a Book-Entry Security (each, a
"Beneficial Owner") will be entitled to receive a Definitive Security, except as
set forth below under "--Definitive Securities." Unless and until Definitive
Notes or Definitive Certificates, as applicable, are issued for the Book-Entry
Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, under the limited circumstances
described in the applicable prospectus supplement or this prospectus, all
references to actions by securityholders with respect to the Book-Entry Notes or
Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, will refer to actions taken by DTC,
Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear upon instructions from their Participants
(as defined below), and all references in this prospectus to distributions,
notices, reports and statements to securityholders with respect to the
Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, will refer to
distributions, notices, reports and statements to DTC, Clearstream Luxembourg or
Euroclear, as applicable, for distribution to Beneficial Owners by DTC in
accordance with the procedures of DTC and if applicable, Clearstream Luxembourg
and Euroclear.
Beneficial Owners will hold their Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry
Certificates, as applicable, through DTC in the United States, or, if the
Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable, are offered for sale
globally, through Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear in Europe if they are
participating organizations ("Participants") of those systems. Participants
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing
corporations and may include some other organizations. Indirect access to the
DTC, Clearstream Luxembourg and Euroclear systems also is available to others,
such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or
indirectly ("Indirect Participants").
DTC
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the
State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing
corporation" within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC") and a
"clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions
43
of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"). DTC was created to hold securities for its Participants, some of which
(and/or their representatives) own DTC, and facilitate the clearance and
settlement of securities transactions between its Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in their accounts, thus eliminating the need for
physical movement of securities. In accordance with its normal procedures, DTC
is expected to record the positions held by each of its Participants in the
Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, whether held for its
own account or as a nominee for another person. In general, beneficial ownership
of Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, will be subject
to the rules, regulations and procedures governing DTC and its Participants as
in effect from time to time.
Clearstream Luxembourg
Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme, 67 Bd Grande-Duchesse Charlotte,
L-2967 Luxembourg ("Clearstream, Luxembourg"), was incorporated in 1970 as
"Cedel S.A.", a company with limited liability under Luxembourg law (a societe
anonyme). Cedel S.A. subsequently changed its name to Cedelbank. On January 10,
2000, Cedelbank's parent company, Cedel International, societe anonyme ("CI")
merged its clearing, settlement and custody business with that of Deutsche Borse
Clearing AG ("DBC"). The merger involved the transfer by CI of substantially all
of its assets and liabilities (including its shares in CB) to a new Luxembourg
company, New Cedel International, societe anonyme ("New CI"), which is 50% owned
by CI and 50% owned by DBC's parent company Deutsche Borse AG. The shareholders
of these two entities are banks, securities dealers and financial institutions.
Cedel International currently has 92 shareholders, including U.S. financial
institutions or their subsidiaries. No single entity may own more than 5 percent
of Cedel International's stock.
Further to the merger, the Board of Directors of New Cedel International
decided to rename the companies in the group in order to give them a cohesive
brand name. The new brand name that was chosen is "Clearstream". With effect
from January 14, 2000 New CI has been renamed "Clearstream International,
societe anonyme". On January 18, 2000, Cedelbank was renamed "Clearstream
Banking, societe anonyme", and Cedel Global Services was renamed "Clearstream
Services, societe anonyme".
On January 17, 2000 DBC was renamed "Clearstream Banking AG". This means
that there are now two entities in the corporate group headed by Clearstream
International which share the name "Clearstream Banking", the entity previously
named "Cedelbank" and the entity previously named "Deutsche Borse Clearing AG".
Clearstream, Luxembourg holds securities for its customers ("Clearstream,
Luxembourg Participants") and facilitates the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions between Clearstream, Luxembourg customers through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream, Luxembourg customers,
thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Transactions
may be settled by Clearstream, Luxembourg in any of 36 currencies, including
United States Dollars. Clearstream, Luxembourg provides to its customers, among
other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement
of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing.
Clearstream, Luxembourg also deals with domestic securities markets in over 30
countries through established depository and custodial relationships.
Clearstream, Luxembourg is registered as a bank in Luxembourg, and as such is
subject to regulation by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier,
"CSSF", which supervises Luxembourg banks. Clearstream, Luxembourg's customers
are world-wide financial institutions including underwriters, securities brokers
and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations. Clearstream,
Luxembourg's U.S. customers are limited to securities brokers and dealers, and
banks. Currently, Clearstream, Luxembourg has approximately 2,000 customers
located in over 80 countries, including all major European countries, Canada,
and the United
44
States. Indirect access to Clearstream, Luxembourg is available to other
institutions that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with an
account holder of Clearstream, Luxembourg. Clearstream, Luxembourg has
established an electronic bridge with Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York
as the Operator of the Euroclear System (MGT/EOC) in Brussels to facilitate
settlement of trades between Clearstream, Luxembourg and MGT/EOC.
Euroclear
Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for its Participants and
to clear and settle transactions between its Participants through simultaneous
electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thus eliminating the need for
physical movement of securities and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers
of securities and cash. Transactions may be settled in any of 32 currencies,
including United States dollars. Euroclear includes various other services,
including securities lending and borrowing, and interfaces with domestic markets
in several countries generally similar to the arrangements for cross-market
transfers with DTC described above. Euroclear is operated by the Brussels,
Belgium office of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York (the "Euroclear
Operator"), under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian
cooperative corporation (the "Cooperative Corporation"). All operations are
conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance
accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator,
not the Cooperative Corporation. The Cooperative Corporation establishes policy
for Euroclear on behalf of its Participants. Euroclear Participants include
banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other
professional financial intermediaries. Indirect access to Euroclear is also
available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship
with a Participant of Euroclear, either directly or indirectly.
The Euroclear Operator is the Belgian branch of a New York banking
corporation that is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, and is
regulated and examined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
and the New York State Banking Department, as well as the Belgian Banking
Commission.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator
are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the
related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and applicable Belgian law
(collectively, the "Terms and Conditions"). The Terms and Conditions govern
transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and
cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in
Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without
attribution of specific securities to specific securities clearance accounts.
The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of its
Participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through
Participants of Euroclear.
Clearstream Luxembourg and Euroclear will hold omnibus positions on behalf
of their Participants through customers' securities accounts in Clearstream
Luxembourg's and Euroclear's names on the books of their respective depositaries
which in turn will hold positions in customers' securities accounts in the
depositaries names on the books of DTC. Citibank will act as depositary for
Clearstream Luxembourg and JPMorgan Chase Bank will act as depositary for
Euroclear (individually the "Relevant Depositary" and collectively, the
"European Depositaries").
Beneficial Ownership of Book-Entry Securities
Except as described below, no Beneficial Owner will be entitled to receive
a physical certificate representing a Certificate, or note representing a Note.
Unless and until Definitive Notes or Definitive Certificates, as applicable, are
issued, it is anticipated that the only "securityholder" of the Offered Notes or
Offered Certificates, as applicable, will be Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.
45
Beneficial Owners will not be "Certificateholders" as that term is used in any
Agreement, nor "Noteholders" as that term is used in any indenture. Beneficial
Owners are only permitted to exercise their rights indirectly through
Participants, DTC, Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear, as applicable.
The Beneficial Owner's ownership of a Book-Entry Security will be recorded
on the records of the brokerage firm, bank, thrift institution or other
financial intermediary (each, a "Financial Intermediary") that maintains the
Beneficial Owner's account for that purpose. In turn, the Financial
Intermediary's ownership of a Book-Entry Security will be recorded on the
records of DTC (or of a Participant that acts as agent for the Financial
Intermediary, whose interest will in turn be recorded on the records of DTC, if
the Beneficial Owner's Financial Intermediary is not a Participant of DTC and on
the records of Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear, as appropriate).
Beneficial Owners will receive all distributions of principal of, and
interest on, the Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable, from the
trustee through DTC and its Participants. While the Offered Notes or Offered
Certificates, as applicable, are outstanding (except under the circumstances
described below), under the rules, regulations and procedures creating and
affecting DTC and its operations (the "Rules"), DTC is required to make
book-entry transfers among Participants on whose behalf it acts with respect to
the Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable, and is required to
receive and transmit distributions of principal of, and interest on, the Offered
Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable. Participants and Indirect
Participants with whom Beneficial Owners have accounts with respect to Offered
Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable, are similarly required to make
book-entry transfers and receive and transmit distributions on behalf of their
respective Beneficial Owners. Accordingly, although Beneficial Owners will not
possess certificates or notes, the Rules provide a mechanism by which Beneficial
Owners will receive distributions and will be able to transfer their interest.
Beneficial Owners will not receive or be entitled to receive certificates
or notes representing their respective interests in the Offered Notes or Offered
Certificates, as applicable, except under the limited circumstances described
below. Unless and until Definitive Notes or Definitive Certificates, as
applicable, are issued, Beneficial Owners who are not Participants may transfer
ownership of Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable, only through
Participants and Indirect Participants by instructing the Participants and
Indirect Participants to transfer Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as
applicable, by book-entry transfer, through DTC for the account of the
purchasers of the Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable, which
account is maintained with their respective Participants. Under the Rules and in
accordance with DTC's normal procedures, transfer of ownership of Book-Entry
Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, will be executed through DTC
and the accounts of the respective Participants at DTC will be debited and
credited. Similarly, the Participants and Indirect Participants will make debits
or credits, as the case may be, on their records on behalf of the selling and
purchasing Beneficial Owners.
Because of time zone differences, any credits of securities received in
Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a
Participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and
dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. These credits or any
transactions in securities settled during this processing will be reported to
the relevant Participants of Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear on that
business day. Cash received in Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear as a result
of sales of securities by or through a Participant of Clearstream Luxembourg or
Euroclear to a Participant of DTC will be received with value on the DTC
settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream Luxembourg or
Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.
For information with respect to tax documentation procedures relating to the
Notes or Certificates, as applicable, see "Material Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- Tax Treatment of Foreign Investors" in this prospectus and, if
the Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable,
46
are globally offered and the prospectus supplement so provides, see "Global
Clearance, Settlement and Tax Documentation Procedures -- Certain U.S. Federal
Income Tax Documentation Requirements" in Annex I to the prospectus supplement.
Transfers between Participants of DTC will occur in accordance with DTC
Rules. Transfers between Participants of Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear
will occur in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly
through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Participants of
Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear, on the other, will be effected in DTC in
accordance with the DTC Rules on behalf of the relevant European international
clearing system by the Relevant Depositary; however, cross-market transactions
will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international
clearing system by the counterparty in that system in accordance with its rules
and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The
relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets
its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the Relevant Depositary to
take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving
securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal
procedures for same day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Participants of
Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear may not deliver instructions directly to the
European Depositaries.
Distributions on the Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as
applicable, will be made on each Distribution Date by the Trustee to DTC. DTC
will be responsible for crediting the amount of each distribution to the
accounts of the applicable Participants of DTC in accordance with DTC's normal
procedures. Each Participant of DTC will be responsible for disbursing the
distribution to the Beneficial Owners of the Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry
Certificates, as applicable, that it represents and to each Financial
Intermediary for which it acts as agent. Each Financial Intermediary will be
responsible for disbursing funds to the Beneficial Owners of the Book-Entry
Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, that it represents.
Under a book-entry format, Beneficial Owners of the Book-Entry Notes or
Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, may experience some delay in their
receipt of payments, because the distributions will be forwarded by the Trustee
to Cede & Co. Any distributions on Notes or Certificates, as applicable, held
through Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear will be credited to the cash
accounts of Participants of Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear in accordance
with the relevant system's rules and procedures, to the extent received by the
Relevant Depositary. These distributions will be subject to tax reporting in
accordance with relevant United States tax laws and regulations. See "Material
Federal Income Tax Considerations -- REMICs -- Taxation of Certain Foreign
Investors" in this prospectus. Because DTC can only act on behalf of Financial
Intermediaries, the ability of a Beneficial Owner to pledge Book-Entry Notes or
Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, to persons or entities that do not
participate in the depository system, or otherwise take actions in respect of
Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, may be limited due
to the lack of physical securities for the Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry
Certificates, as applicable. In addition, issuance of the Book-Entry Notes or
Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, in book-entry form may reduce the
liquidity of the securities in the secondary market since potential investors
may be unwilling to purchase Notes or Certificates, as applicable, for which
they cannot obtain physical securities.
Monthly and annual reports will be provided to Cede & Co., as nominee of
DTC, and may be made available by Cede & Co. to Beneficial Owners upon request,
in accordance with the rules, regulations and procedures creating and affecting
the depository, and to the Financial Intermediaries to whose DTC accounts the
Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, of Beneficial Owners
are credited.
47
Generally, DTC will advise the applicable trustee that unless and until
Definitive Notes or Definitive Certificates, as applicable, are issued, DTC will
take any action permitted to be taken by the holders of the Book-Entry Notes or
Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, under the Agreement or indenture, as
applicable, only at the direction of one or more Financial Intermediaries to
whose DTC accounts the Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as
applicable, are credited, to the extent that actions are taken on behalf of
Financial Intermediaries whose holdings include the Book-Entry Notes or
Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable. If the Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry
Certificates, as applicable, are globally offered, Clearstream Luxembourg or the
Euroclear Operator, as the case may be, will take any other action permitted to
be taken by a securityholder under the Agreement or indenture, as applicable, on
behalf of a Participant of Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear only in
accordance with its relevant rules and procedures and subject to the ability of
the Relevant Depositary to effect those actions on its behalf through DTC. DTC
may take actions, at the direction of the related Participants, with respect to
some Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable, that conflict with
actions taken with respect to other Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as
applicable.
Although DTC, Clearstream Luxembourg and Euroclear have agreed to the
foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of Book-Entry Notes or
Book-Entry Certificates, as applicable, among Participants of DTC, Clearstream
Luxembourg and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to
perform these procedures and the procedures may be discontinued at any time.
None of the depositor, any master servicer, any servicer, the trustee, any
securities registrar or paying agent or any of their affiliates will have any
responsibility for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on
account of beneficial ownership interests of the Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry
Certificates, as applicable, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
Definitive Securities
Notes or Certificates, as applicable, initially issued in book-entry form
will be issued as Definitive Notes or Definitive Certificates, as applicable, to
Beneficial Owners or their nominees, rather than to DTC or its nominee only
(1) if the depositor advises the trustee in writing that DTC is no
longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities as
depository for the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, and the depositor
is unable to locate a qualified successor,
(2) if the depositor, at its option, in writing, with the consent of
the applicable Participants, elects to end the book-entry system through
DTC or
(3) in accordance with any other provisions described in the
prospectus supplement.
Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in the immediately
preceding paragraph, DTC is required to notify all Participants of the
availability through DTC of Definitive Notes or Definitive Certificates, as
applicable, for the Beneficial Owners. Upon surrender by DTC of the security or
securities representing the Book-Entry Notes or Book-Entry Certificates, as
applicable, together with instructions for registration, the trustee will issue
(or cause to be issued) to the Beneficial Owners identified in those
instructions the Definitive Notes or Definitive Certificates, as applicable, to
which they are entitled, and thereafter the trustee will recognize the holders
of those Definitive Notes or Definitive Certificates, as applicable, as
securityholders under the Agreement.
48
DESCRIPTION OF THE AGREEMENTS
AGREEMENTS APPLICABLE TO A SERIES
REMIC Securities and Grantor Trust Securities
Notes or Certificates, as applicable, representing interests in an issuing
entity, or a portion of an issuing entity, that the trustee will elect to have
treated as a real estate mortgage investment conduit ("REMIC") under Sections
860A through 860G of the Code ("REMIC Securities"), or Grantor Trust Securities
(as defined in this prospectus), will be issued, and the related issuing entity
will be created, pursuant to a pooling and servicing agreement or trust
agreement (in either case, generally referred to in this prospectus as the
"pooling and servicing agreement") among the depositor, the trustee and the sole
servicer or master servicer, as applicable. The Assets of that issuing entity
will be transferred to the issuing entity and thereafter serviced in accordance
with the terms of the pooling and servicing agreement. In the event there are
multiple servicers of the Assets of that issuing entity, or in the event the
Securities consist of Notes, each servicer will perform its servicing functions
pursuant to a related underlying servicing agreement. Forms of the agreements
have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part. However, the provisions of each agreement will vary
depending upon the nature of the related securities and the nature of the
related issuing entity. The summaries included herein describe provisions that
may appear in a pooling and servicing agreement with respect to a series of
Certificates or in either the servicing agreement or indenture with respect to a
series of Notes. The prospectus supplement for a series of securities will
describe material provisions of the related agreements that differ from and
supplement the description thereof set forth below. The depositor will provide a
copy of each agreement (without exhibits) that relates to any series of
securities without charge upon written request of a holder of an offered
security of the series addressed to it at its principal executive offices
specified in this prospectus under "The Depositor". As to each series of
securities, the related agreements will be filed with the Commission in a
current report on Form 8-K following the issuance of the securities to the
extent required to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and Regulation AB.
Securities That Are Partnership Interests for Tax Purposes and Notes
Certificates, as applicable, that are intended to be treated as partnership
interests for tax purposes will be issued, and the related issuing entity will
be created, pursuant to the pooling and servicing agreement or trust agreement.
A series of Notes issued by an issuing entity that is intended to be
treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for tax purposes will be issued
pursuant to an indenture between the related issuing entity and an indenture
trustee named in the prospectus supplement. The issuing entity will be
established either as a statutory business trust under the law of the State of
Delaware or as a common law trust under the law of the State of New York
pursuant to a trust agreement between the depositor and an owner trustee
specified in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of Notes. The
Assets securing payment on the Notes will be serviced in accordance with a sale
and servicing agreement or servicing agreement.
MATERIAL TERMS OF THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENTS AND UNDERLYING SERVICING
AGREEMENTS
General
The following summaries describe the material provisions that may appear in
each pooling and servicing agreement, sale and servicing agreement or servicing
agreement (each an
49
"Agreement"). The prospectus supplement for a series of Notes or Certificates,
as applicable, will describe any provision of the Agreement relating to that
series that materially differs from the description of those provisions
contained in this prospectus. The summaries do not purport to be complete and
are subject to, and are qualified by reference to, all of the provisions of the
Agreement for each issuing entity and the description of those provisions in the
prospectus supplement. The provisions of each Agreement will vary depending on
the nature of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, to be issued under the
Agreement and the nature of the related issuing entity. As used in this
prospectus for any series, the term "Security" refers to all of the Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, of that series, whether or not offered by this
prospectus and by the prospectus supplement, unless the context otherwise
requires. A form of a pooling and servicing agreement has been filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part. The
depositor will provide a copy of the pooling and servicing agreement (without
exhibits) relating to any series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
without charge upon written request of a securityholder of that series addressed
to ACE Securities Corp., 6525 Morrison Boulevard, Suite 318, Charlotte, North
Carolina 28211, Attention: Evelyn Echevarria.
The servicer or master servicer and the trustee for any series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, will be named in the prospectus supplement. In the
event there are multiple servicers for the Assets in an issuing entity, a master
servicer will perform some of the administration, calculation and reporting
functions for that issuing entity and will supervise the related servicers
pursuant to a pooling and servicing agreement. For a series involving a master
servicer, references in this prospectus to the servicer will apply to the master
servicer where non-servicing obligations are described. If specified in the
prospectus supplement, a manager or administrator may be appointed pursuant to
the pooling and servicing agreement for any issuing entity to administer that
issuing entity.
Assignment of Assets; Repurchases
At the time of issuance of any series of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, the depositor will assign (or cause to be assigned) to the
designated trustee the Assets to be included in the related issuing entity,
together with all principal and interest to be received on or with respect to
those Assets after the Cut-off Date, other than principal and interest due on or
before the Cut-off Date and other than any Retained Interest. The trustee will,
concurrently with that assignment, deliver the Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, to the depositor in exchange for the Assets and the other assets
comprising the issuing entity for that series. Each Asset will be identified in
a schedule appearing as an exhibit to the related Agreement. That schedule will
include detailed information to the extent available and relevant
(1) in respect of each mortgage loan included in the related issuing
entity, including the city and state of the related Mortgaged Property and
type of that property, the mortgage rate and, if applicable, the applicable
index, margin, adjustment date and any rate cap information, the original
and remaining term to maturity, the original and outstanding principal
balance and balloon payment, if any, the Loan-to-Value Ratio as of the date
indicated and payment and prepayment provisions, if applicable;
(2) in respect of each contract included in the related issuing
entity, including the outstanding principal amount and the contract rate;
and
(3) in respect of each Mortgage Security and Agency Security, the
original and outstanding principal amount, if any, and the interest rate on
the Mortgage Security or Agency Security.
For each mortgage loan, except as otherwise specified in the prospectus
supplement, the depositor will deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee
(or to the custodian hereinafter
50
referred to) particular loan documents, which will generally include the
original mortgage note endorsed, without recourse, in blank or to the order of
the trustee, the original Mortgage (or a certified copy of the original
Mortgage) with evidence of recording indicated on the original Mortgage and an
assignment of the Mortgage to the trustee in recordable form. However, an
issuing entity may include mortgage loans where the original mortgage note is
not delivered to the trustee if the depositor delivers to the trustee or the
custodian a copy or a duplicate original of the mortgage note, together with an
affidavit certifying that the original of the mortgage note has been lost or
destroyed. For those mortgage loans, the trustee (or its nominee) may not be
able to enforce the mortgage note against the related borrower. The Asset Seller
or other entity specified in the prospectus supplement will be required to agree
to repurchase, or substitute for, each of these mortgage loans that is
subsequently in default if the enforcement thereof or of the related Mortgage is
materially adversely affected by the absence of the original mortgage note. The
related Agreement will generally require the depositor or another party
specified in the prospectus supplement to promptly cause each of these
assignments of Mortgage to be recorded in the appropriate public office for real
property records, except in the State of California or in other states where, in
the opinion of counsel acceptable to the trustee, recording is not required to
protect the trustee's interest in the related mortgage loan against the claim of
any subsequent transferee or any successor to or creditor of the depositor, the
servicer, the relevant Asset Seller or any other prior holder of the mortgage
loan.
The trustee (or a custodian) will review the mortgage loan documents within
a specified period of days after receipt of the mortgage loan documents, and the
trustee (or a custodian) will hold those documents in trust for the benefit of
the securityholders. If any of these documents are found to be missing or
defective in any material respect, the trustee (or that custodian) will
immediately notify the servicer and the depositor, and the servicer will
immediately notify the relevant Asset Seller or other entity specified in the
prospectus supplement. If the Asset Seller cannot cure the omission or defect
within a specified number of days after receipt of that notice, then the Asset
Seller or other entity specified in the prospectus supplement will be obligated,
within a specified number of days of receipt of that notice, to either (1)
repurchase the related mortgage loan from the trustee at a price equal to the
sum of the unpaid principal balance of the mortgage loan, plus unpaid accrued
interest at the interest rate for that Asset from the date as to which interest
was last paid to the due date in the Due Period in which the relevant purchase
is to occur, plus servicing expenses that are payable to the servicer, or
another price as specified in the prospectus supplement (the "Purchase Price")
or (2) substitute a new mortgage loan. There can be no assurance that an Asset
Seller or other named entity will fulfill this repurchase or substitution
obligation, and neither the servicer nor the depositor will be obligated to
repurchase or substitute for that mortgage loan if the Asset Seller or other
named entity defaults on its obligation.
This repurchase or substitution obligation constitutes the sole remedy
available to the securityholders or the trustee for omission of, or a material
defect in, a constituent document. To the extent specified in the prospectus
supplement, in lieu of curing any omission or defect in the Asset or
repurchasing or substituting for that Asset, the Asset Seller or other named
entity may agree to cover any losses suffered by the issuing entity as a result
of that breach or defect.
Notwithstanding the preceding three paragraphs, the documents for Home
Equity Loans, home improvement contracts and unsecured home improvements loans
will be delivered to the trustee (or a custodian) only to the extent specified
in the prospectus supplement. Generally these documents will be retained by the
servicer, which may also be the Asset Seller. In addition, assignments of the
related Mortgages to the trustee will be recorded only to the extent specified
in the prospectus supplement.
For each contract, the servicer, which may also be the asset seller,
generally will maintain custody of the original contract and copies of documents
and instruments related to each contract
51
and the security interest in the manufactured home securing each contract. To
give notice of the right, title and interest of the trustee in the contracts,
the depositor will cause UCC-1 financing statements to be executed by the
related asset seller identifying the depositor as secured party and by the
depositor identifying the trustee as the secured party and, in each case,
identifying all contracts as collateral. The contracts will be stamped or
otherwise marked to reflect their assignment from the depositor to the issuing
entity only to the extent specified in the prospectus supplement. Therefore, if,
through negligence, fraud or otherwise, a subsequent purchaser were able to take
physical possession of the contracts without notice of that assignment, the
interest of the trustee in the contracts could be defeated.
While the contract documents will not be reviewed by the trustee or the
servicer, if the servicer finds that any document is missing or defective in any
material respect, the servicer will be required to immediately notify the
depositor and the relevant asset seller or other entity specified in the
prospectus supplement. If the asset seller or some other entity cannot cure the
omission or defect within a specified number of days after receipt of this
notice, then the asset seller or that other entity will be obligated, within a
specified number of days of receipt of this notice, to repurchase the related
contract from the trustee at the purchase price or substitute for that contract.
There can be no assurance that an asset seller or any other entity will fulfill
this repurchase or substitution obligation, and neither the servicer nor the
depositor will be obligated to repurchase or substitute for that contract if the
asset seller or any other entity defaults on its obligation. This repurchase or
substitution obligation constitutes the sole remedy available to the
securityholders or the trustee for omission of, or a material defect in, a
constituent document. To the extent specified in the prospectus supplement, in
lieu of curing any omission or defect in the asset or repurchasing or
substituting for that asset, the asset seller may agree to cover any losses
suffered by the issuing entity as a result of that breach or defect.
Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities will be registered in the name of
the trustee or its nominee on the books of the issuer or guarantor or its agent
or, in the case of Mortgage Securities and Agency Securities issued only in
book-entry form, through the depository with respect to the Mortgage Securities
and Agency Securities, in accordance with the procedures established by the
issuer or guarantor for registration of those certificates, and distributions on
those securities to which the issuing entity is entitled will be made directly
to the trustee.
Representations and Warranties; Repurchases
To the extent provided in the prospectus supplement the depositor will, for
each Asset, assign representations and warranties, as of a specified date (the
person making those representations and warranties, the "Warranting Party")
covering, by way of example, the following types of matters:
o the accuracy of the information set forth for that Asset on the
schedule of Assets appearing as an exhibit to the related Agreement;
o in the case of a mortgage loan, the existence of title insurance
insuring the lien priority of the mortgage loan and, in the case of a
contract, that the contract creates a valid first security interest in
or lien on the related manufactured home;
o the authority of the Warranting Party to sell the Asset;
o the payment status of the Asset;
52
o in the case of a mortgage loan, the existence of customary provisions
in the related mortgage note and Mortgage to permit realization
against the Mortgaged Property of the benefit of the security of the
Mortgage; and
o the existence of hazard and extended perils insurance coverage on the
Mortgaged Property or manufactured home.
Any Warranting Party shall be an Asset Seller or an affiliate of the Asset
Seller or any other person acceptable to the depositor and will be identified in
the prospectus supplement.
Representations and warranties made in respect of an Asset may have been
made as of a date before the applicable Cut-off Date. A substantial period of
time may have elapsed between that date and the date of initial issuance of the
related series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, evidencing an interest
in that Asset. In the event of a breach of any of these representations or
warranties, the Warranting Party will be obligated to reimburse the issuing
entity for losses caused by that breach or either cure that breach or repurchase
or replace the affected Asset as described below. Since the representations and
warranties may not address events that may occur following the date as of which
they were made, the Warranting Party will have a reimbursement, cure, repurchase
or substitution obligation in connection with a breach of that representation
and warranty only if the relevant event that causes that breach occurs before
that date. That party would have no obligations if the relevant event that
causes that breach occurs after that date.
Each Agreement will provide that the servicer and/or trustee or another
entity identified in the prospectus supplement will be required to notify
promptly the relevant Warranting Party of any breach of any representation or
warranty made by it in respect of an Asset that materially and adversely affects
the value of that Asset or the interests in the prospectus supplement of the
securityholders. If the Warranting Party cannot cure that breach within a
specified period following the date on which that party was notified of that
breach, then the Warranting Party will be obligated to repurchase that Asset
from the trustee within a specified period from the date on which the Warranting
Party was notified of that breach, at the Purchase Price therefor. If so
provided in the prospectus supplement for a series, a Warranting Party, rather
than repurchase an Asset as to which a breach has occurred, will have the
option, within a specified period after initial issuance of that series of Notes
or Certificates, as applicable, to cause the removal of that Asset from the
issuing entity and substitute in its place one or more other Assets, as
applicable, in accordance with the standards described in the prospectus
supplement. If so provided in the prospectus supplement for a series, a
Warranting Party, rather than repurchase or substitute an Asset as to which a
breach has occurred, will have the option to reimburse the issuing entity or the
securityholders for any losses caused by that breach. This reimbursement,
repurchase or substitution obligation will constitute the sole remedy available
to securityholders or the trustee for a breach of representation by a Warranting
Party.
Neither the depositor (except to the extent that it is the Warranting
Party) nor the servicer will be obligated to purchase or substitute for an Asset
if a Warranting Party defaults on its obligation to do so, and no assurance can
be given that the Warranting Parties will carry out those obligations with
respect to the Assets.
A servicer will make representations and warranties regarding its authority
to enter into, and its ability to perform its obligations under, the related
Agreement. A breach of any representation of the servicer that materially and
adversely affects the interests of the securityholders and which continues
unremedied for the number of days specified in the Agreement after the discovery
of the breach by the servicer or the receipt of written notice of that breach by
the servicer from the trustee, the depositor or the holders of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, evidencing not less than 25% of the voting rights
or other percentage specified in the
53
related Agreement, will constitute an Event of Default under that Agreement. See
"Events of Default under the Agreement" and "Rights Upon Event of Default under
the Agreements."
Collection Account and Related Accounts
General. The servicer and/or the trustee will, as to each issuing entity,
establish and maintain or cause to be established and maintained one or more
separate accounts for the collection of payments on the related Assets
(collectively, the "Collection Account"), which must be an account or accounts
that either:
o are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association
Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC")
(to the limits established by the FDIC) and the uninsured deposits in
which are otherwise secured so that the securityholders have a claim
with respect to the funds in the Collection Account or a perfected
first priority security interest against any collateral securing those
funds that is superior to the claims of any other depositors or
general creditors of the institution with which the Collection Account
is maintained, or
o are maintained with a bank or trust company, and in a manner
satisfactory to the rating agency or agencies rating any class of
Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of that series.
Investment of amounts in the Collection Account is limited to United States
government securities and other investment grade obligations specified in the
Agreement ("Permitted Investments"). A Collection Account may be maintained as
an interest bearing or a non-interest bearing account and the funds held in the
Collection Account may be invested pending each succeeding Distribution Date in
short-term Permitted Investments. The master servicer will have sole discretion
to determine the particular investments made so long as it complies with the
investment terms of the related pooling and servicing agreement or the related
servicing agreement and indenture. Any interest or other income earned on funds
in the Collection Account will, unless otherwise specified in the prospectus
supplement, be paid to the servicer or its designee as additional servicing
compensation. The Collection Account may be maintained with an institution that
is an affiliate of the servicer, if applicable, provided that that institution
meets the standards imposed by the rating agency or agencies. If permitted by
the rating agency or agencies, a Collection Account may contain funds relating
to more than one series of mortgage pass-through certificates and may contain
other funds respecting payments on mortgage loans belonging to the servicer or
serviced or master serviced by it on behalf of others.
Deposits. A servicer or the trustee will deposit or cause to be deposited
in the Collection Account for one or more issuing entities on a daily basis, or
any other period provided in the related Agreement, the following payments and
collections received, or advances made, by the servicer or the trustee or on its
behalf after the Cut-off Date (other than payments due on or before the Cut-off
Date, and exclusive of any amounts representing a Retained Interest), except as
otherwise provided in the Agreement:
(1) all payments on account of principal, including principal
prepayments, on the Assets;
(2) all payments on account of interest on the Assets, including any
default interest collected, in each case net of any portion retained by a
servicer as its servicing compensation and net of any Retained Interest;
54
(3) Liquidation Proceeds and Insurance Proceeds, together with the net
proceeds on a monthly basis with respect to any Assets acquired for the
benefit of securityholders;
(4) any amounts paid under any instrument or drawn from any fund that
constitutes credit support for the related series of Notes or Certificates,
as applicable, as described under "Description of Credit Support;"
(5) any advances made as described under "Description of the
Securities--Advances in Respect of Delinquencies;"
(6) any amounts paid under any Cash Flow Agreement, as described under
"Description of the Issuing Entities--Cash Flow Agreements;"
(7) all proceeds of any Asset or, with respect to a mortgage loan,
property acquired in respect of the mortgage loan purchased by the
depositor, any Asset Seller or any other specified person as described
above under "--Assignment of Assets; Repurchases" and "--Representations
and Warranties; Repurchases," all proceeds of any defaulted mortgage loan
purchased as described below under "--Realization Upon Defaulted Assets,"
and all proceeds of any Asset purchased as described under "Description of
the Securities--Termination;"
(8) any amounts paid by a servicer to cover interest shortfalls
arising out of the prepayment of Assets in the issuing entity as described
below under "--Retained Interest; Servicing Compensation and Payment of
Expenses;"
(9) to the extent that any of these items do not constitute additional
servicing compensation to a servicer, any payments on account of
modification or assumption fees, late payment charges or Prepayment
Premiums on the Assets;
(10) all payments required to be deposited in the Collection Account
with respect to any deductible clause in any blanket insurance policy
described below under "--Hazard Insurance Policies;"
(11) any amount required to be deposited by a servicer or the trustee
in connection with losses realized on investments for the benefit of the
servicer or the trustee, as the case may be, of funds held in the
Collection Account; and
(12) any other amounts required to be deposited in the Collection
Account as provided in the related Agreement and described in the
prospectus supplement.
Withdrawals. A servicer or the trustee may, from time to time as provided
in the related Agreement, make withdrawals from the Collection Account for each
issuing entity for any of the following purposes, except as otherwise provided
in the Agreement:
(1) to make distributions to the securityholders on each Distribution
Date;
(2) to reimburse a servicer for unreimbursed amounts advanced as
described under "Description of the Securities--Advances in Respect of
Delinquencies," which reimbursement is to be made out of amounts received
that were identified and applied by the servicer as late collections of
interest (net of related servicing fees and Retained Interest) on and
principal of the particular Assets for which the advances were made or out
of amounts drawn under any form of credit support with respect to those
Assets;
55
(3) to reimburse a servicer for unpaid servicing fees earned and
unreimbursed servicing expenses incurred with respect to Assets and
properties acquired in respect of the Assets, which reimbursement is to be
made out of amounts that represent Liquidation Proceeds and Insurance
Proceeds collected on the particular Assets and properties, and net income
collected on the particular properties, which fees were earned or expenses
were incurred or out of amounts drawn under any form of credit support for
those Assets and properties;
(4) to reimburse a servicer for any advances described in clause (2)
above and any servicing expenses described in clause (3) above which, in
the servicer's good faith judgment, will not be recoverable from the
amounts described in those clauses, which reimbursement is to be made from
amounts collected on other Assets or, if and to the extent so provided by
the related Agreement and described in the prospectus supplement, just from
that portion of amounts collected on other Assets that is otherwise
distributable on one or more classes of Subordinate Notes or Subordinate
Certificates, as applicable, if any, remain outstanding, and otherwise any
outstanding class of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of the related
series;
(5) if and to the extent described in the prospectus supplement, to
pay a servicer interest accrued on the advances described in clause (2)
above and the servicing expenses described in clause (3) above while those
advances and servicing expenses remain outstanding and unreimbursed;
(6) to reimburse a servicer, the depositor, or any of their respective
directors, officers, employees and agents, as the case may be, for
expenses, costs and liabilities incurred by these parties, as and to the
extent described below under "--Certain Matters Regarding Servicers, the
Master Servicer and the Depositor;"
(7) if and to the extent described in the prospectus supplement, to
pay (or to transfer to a separate account for purposes of escrowing for the
payment of) the trustee's fees;
(8) to reimburse the trustee or any of its directors, officers,
employees and agents, as the case may be, for expenses, costs and
liabilities incurred by these parties, as and to the extent described below
under "--Certain Matters Regarding the Trustee;"
(9) to pay a servicer, as additional servicing compensation, interest
and investment income earned in respect of amounts held in the Collection
Account;
(10) to pay the person so entitled any amounts deposited in the
Collection Account that were identified and applied by the servicer as
recoveries of Retained Interest;
(11) to pay for costs reasonably incurred in connection with the
proper management and maintenance of any Mortgaged Property acquired for
the benefit of securityholders by foreclosure or by deed in lieu of
foreclosure or otherwise, which payments are to be made out of income
received on that property;
(12) if one or more elections have been made to treat the issuing
entity or designated portions of the issuing entity as a REMIC, to pay any
federal, state or local taxes imposed on the issuing entity or its assets
or transactions, as and to the extent described under "Material Federal
Income Tax Considerations--REMICs--Taxes That May Be Imposed on the REMIC
Pool" or in the prospectus supplement, respectively;
56
(13) to pay for the cost of an independent appraiser or other expert
in real estate matters retained to determine a fair sale price for a
defaulted mortgage loan or a property acquired in respect of a mortgage
loan in connection with the liquidation of that mortgage loan or property;
(14) to pay for the cost of various opinions of counsel obtained
pursuant to the related Agreement for the benefit of securityholders;
(15) to pay for the costs of recording the related Agreement if that
recordation materially and beneficially affects the interests of
securityholders, provided that the payment shall not constitute a waiver
with respect to the obligation of the Warranting Party to remedy any breach
of representation or warranty under the Agreement;
(16) to pay the person so entitled any amounts deposited in the
Collection Account in error, including amounts received on any Asset after
its removal from the issuing entity whether by reason of purchase or
substitution as contemplated above under "--Assignment of Assets;
Repurchase" and "--Representations and Warranties; Repurchases" or
otherwise;
(17) to make any other withdrawals permitted by the related Agreement;
and
(18) to clear and terminate the Collection Account at the termination
of the issuing entity.
Other Collection Accounts. If specified in the prospectus supplement, the
Agreement for any series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, may provide
for the establishment and maintenance of a separate collection account into
which the servicer will deposit on a daily basis, or any other period as
provided in the related Agreement, the amounts described under "--Deposits"
above for one or more series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable. Any
amounts on deposit in any of these collection accounts will be withdrawn from
these collection accounts and deposited into the appropriate Collection Account
by a time specified in the prospectus supplement. To the extent specified in the
prospectus supplement, any amounts that could be withdrawn from the Collection
Account as described under "--Withdrawals" above may also be withdrawn from any
of these collection accounts. The prospectus supplement will set forth any
restrictions for any of these collection accounts, including investment
restrictions and any restrictions for financial institutions with which any of
these collection accounts may be maintained.
The servicer will establish and maintain with the indenture trustee an
account, in the name of the indenture trustee on behalf of the holders of Notes,
into which amounts released from the Collection Account for distribution to the
holders of Notes will be deposited and from which all distributions to the
holders of Notes will be made.
Collection and Other Servicing Procedures. The servicer is required to make
reasonable efforts to collect all scheduled payments under the Assets and will
follow or cause to be followed those collection procedures that it would follow
with respect to assets that are comparable to the Assets and held for its own
account, provided that those procedures are consistent with
(1) the terms of the related Agreement and any related hazard
insurance policy or instrument of credit support, if any, included in the
related issuing entity described in this prospectus or under "Description
of Credit Support,"
(2) applicable law and
57
(3) the general servicing standard specified in the prospectus
supplement or, if no standard is so specified, its normal servicing
practices (in either case, the "Servicing Standard").
In connection, the servicer will be permitted in its discretion to waive any
late payment charge or penalty interest in respect of a late payment on an
Asset.
Each servicer will also be required to perform other customary functions of
a servicer of comparable assets, including maintaining hazard insurance policies
as described in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, and filing and
settling claims under these policies; maintaining, to the extent required by the
Agreement, escrow or impoundment accounts of borrowers for payment of taxes,
insurance and other items required to be paid by any borrower pursuant to the
terms of the Assets; processing assumptions or substitutions in those cases
where the servicer has determined not to enforce any applicable due-on-sale
clause; attempting to cure delinquencies; supervising foreclosures or
repossessions; inspecting and managing Mortgaged Properties or manufactured
homes under some circumstances; and maintaining accounting records relating to
the Assets. The servicer or any other entity specified in the prospectus
supplement will be responsible for filing and settling claims in respect of
particular Assets under any applicable instrument of credit support. See
"Description of Credit Support."
The servicer may agree to modify, waive or amend any term of any Asset in a
manner consistent with the Servicing Standard so long as the modification,
waiver or amendment will not (1) affect the amount or timing of any scheduled
payments of principal or interest on the Asset or (2) in its judgment,
materially impair the security for the Asset or reduce the likelihood of timely
payment of amounts due on the Asset. The servicer also may agree to any
modification, waiver or amendment that would so affect or impair the payments
on, or the security for, an Asset if (1) in its judgment, a material default on
the Asset has occurred or a payment default is reasonably foreseeable and (2) in
its judgment, that modification, waiver or amendment is reasonably likely to
produce a greater recovery with respect to the Asset on a present value basis
than would liquidation. In the event of any modification, waiver or amendment of
any Asset, the servicer will furnish a copy of that modification, waiver or
amendment to the trustee (or its custodian).
In the case of Multifamily, Commercial or Mixed-Use Mortgage Loans, a
borrower's failure to make required mortgage loan payments may mean that
operating income is insufficient to service the mortgage loan debt, or may
reflect the diversion of that income from the servicing of the mortgage loan
debt. In addition, a borrower under a Multifamily, Commercial or Mixed-Use
Mortgage Loan that is unable to make mortgage loan payments may also be unable
to make timely payment of all required taxes and otherwise to maintain and
insure the related Mortgaged Property. In general, the servicer will be required
to monitor any Multifamily, Commercial or Mixed-Use Mortgage Loan that is in
default, evaluate whether the causes of the default can be corrected over a
reasonable period without significant impairment of the value of related
Mortgaged Property, initiate corrective action in cooperation with the borrower
if cure is likely, inspect the related Mortgaged Property and take those other
actions as are consistent with the related Agreement. A significant period of
time may elapse before the servicer is able to assess the success of servicer,
can make the initial determination of appropriate action, evaluate the success
of corrective action, develop additional initiatives, institute foreclosure
proceedings and actually foreclose may vary considerably depending on the
particular Multifamily, Commercial or Mixed-Use Mortgage Loan, the related
Mortgaged Property, the borrower, the presence of an acceptable party to assume
the mortgage loan and the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Mortgaged
Property is located.
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Realization Upon Defaulted Assets
Generally, the servicer is required to monitor any Asset that is in
default, initiate corrective action in cooperation with the borrower if cure is
likely, inspect the Asset and take any other actions as are consistent with the
Servicing Standard. A significant period of time may elapse before the servicer
is able to assess the success of that corrective action or the need for
additional initiatives.
Any Agreement relating to an issuing entity that includes mortgage loans or
contracts may grant to the servicer and/or the holder or holders of some classes
of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, a right of first refusal to purchase
from the issuing entity at a predetermined purchase price any mortgage loan or
contract as to which a specified number of scheduled payments under the
Agreement are delinquent. Any right of first refusal granted to the holder of an
Offered Security will be described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus
supplement will also describe any similar right granted to any person if the
predetermined purchase price is less than the Purchase Price described above
under "--Representations and Warranties; Repurchases."
If specified in the prospectus supplement, the servicer may offer to sell
any defaulted mortgage loan or contract described in the preceding paragraph and
not otherwise purchased by any person having a right of first refusal with
respect to that defaulted mortgage loan or contract, if and when the servicer
determines, consistent with the Servicing Standard, so that a sale would produce
a greater recovery on a present value basis than would liquidation through
foreclosure, repossession or similar proceedings. The related Agreement will
provide that any offering be made in a commercially reasonable manner for a
specified period and that the servicer accept the highest cash bid received from
any person (including itself, an affiliate of the servicer or any
securityholder) that constitutes a fair price for that defaulted mortgage loan
or contract. If there is no bid that is determined to be fair, the servicer will
proceed with respect to that defaulted mortgage loan or contract as described
below. Any bid in an amount at least equal to the Purchase Price described above
under "--Representations and Warranties; Repurchases" will in all cases be
deemed fair.
The servicer, on behalf of the trustee, may at any time institute
foreclosure proceedings, exercise any power of sale contained in any mortgage,
obtain a deed in lieu of foreclosure, or otherwise acquire title to a Mortgaged
Property securing a mortgage loan by operation of law or otherwise and may at
any time repossess and realize upon any manufactured home, if that action is
consistent with the Servicing Standard and a default on that mortgage loan or
contract has occurred or, in the servicer's judgment, is imminent.
If title to any Mortgaged Property is acquired by an issuing entity as to
which a REMIC election has been made, the servicer, on behalf of the issuing
entity, will be required to sell the Mortgaged Property within three years from
the close of the calendar year of acquisition, unless (1) the Internal Revenue
Service grants an extension of time to sell that property or (2) the trustee
receives an opinion of independent counsel to the effect that the holding of the
property by the issuing entity longer than three years after the close of the
calendar year of its acquisition will not result in the imposition of a tax on
the issuing entity or cause the issuing entity to fail to qualify as a REMIC
under the Code at any time that any Notes or Certificates, as applicable, are
outstanding. Subject to the foregoing, the servicer will be required to (A)
solicit bids for any Mortgaged Property so acquired in that manner as will be
reasonably likely to realize a fair price for that property and (B) accept the
first (and, if multiple bids are contemporaneously received, the highest) cash
bid received from any person that constitutes a fair price.
The limitations imposed by the related Agreement and the REMIC provisions
of the Code (if a REMIC election has been made for the related issuing entity)
on the ownership and
59
management of any Mortgaged Property acquired on behalf of the issuing entity
may result in the recovery of an amount less than the amount that would
otherwise be recovered.
If recovery on a defaulted Asset under any related instrument of credit
support is not available, the servicer nevertheless will be obligated to follow
or cause to be followed those normal practices and procedures as it deems
necessary or advisable to realize upon the defaulted Asset. If the proceeds of
any liquidation of the property securing the defaulted Asset are less than the
outstanding principal balance of the defaulted Asset plus interest accrued on
the defaulted Asset at the applicable interest rate, plus the total amount of
expenses incurred by the servicer in connection with those proceedings and which
are reimbursable under the Agreement, the issuing entity will realize a loss in
the amount of that difference. The servicer will be entitled to withdraw or
cause to be withdrawn from the Collection Account out of the Liquidation
Proceeds recovered on any defaulted Asset, before the distribution of those
Liquidation Proceeds to securityholders, amounts representing its normal
servicing compensation on the Security, unreimbursed servicing expenses incurred
with respect to the Asset and any unreimbursed advances of delinquent payments
made with respect to the Asset.
With respect to a Multifamily Mortgage Loan, the market value of any
property obtained in foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure will be based
substantially on the operating income obtained by renting the dwelling units. As
a default on a Multifamily Mortgage Loan is likely to have occurred because
operating income, net of expenses, is insufficient to make debt service payments
on the mortgage loan, it can be anticipated that the market value of the
property will be less than anticipated when the mortgage loan was originated. To
the extent that equity does not cushion the loss in market value and the loss is
not covered by other credit support, a loss may be experienced by the related
issuing entity.
If any property securing a defaulted Asset is damaged the servicer is not
required to expend its own funds to restore the damaged property unless it
determines (1) that restoration will increase the proceeds to securityholders on
liquidation of the Asset after reimbursement of the servicer for its expenses
and (2) that its expenses will be recoverable by it from related Insurance
Proceeds or Liquidation Proceeds.
The pooling and servicing agreement will require the trustee, if it has not
received a distribution for any Mortgage Security or Agency Security by the
fifth business day after the date on which that distribution was due and payable
pursuant to the terms of that Agency Security, to request the issuer or
guarantor, if any, of that Mortgage Security or Agency Security to make that
payment as promptly as possible and legally permitted to take legal action
against that issuer or guarantor as the trustee deems appropriate under the
circumstances, including the prosecution of any claims in connection therewith.
The reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by the trustee in connection
with the prosecution of this legal action will be reimbursable to the trustee
out of the proceeds of that action and will be retained by the trustee before
the deposit of any remaining proceeds in the Collection Account pending
distribution of the Collection Account to securityholders of the related series.
If the proceeds of any legal action are insufficient to reimburse the trustee
for its legal fees and expenses, the trustee will be entitled to withdraw from
the Collection Account an amount equal to its expenses, and the issuing entity
may realize a loss in that amount.
As servicer of the Assets, a servicer, on behalf of itself, the trustee and
the securityholders, will present claims to the borrower under each instrument
of credit support, and will take those reasonable steps as are necessary to
receive payment or to permit recovery under these instruments for defaulted
Assets.
If a servicer or its designee recovers payments under any instrument of
credit support for any defaulted Assets, the servicer will be entitled to
withdraw or cause to be withdrawn from the
60
Collection Account out of those proceeds, before distribution of the Collection
Account to securityholders, amounts representing its normal servicing
compensation on that Asset, unreimbursed servicing expenses incurred for the
Asset and any unreimbursed advances of delinquent payments made with respect to
the Asset. See "Hazard Insurance Policies" and "Description of Credit Support."
Hazard Insurance Policies
Mortgage Loans. Generally, each Agreement for an issuing entity composed of
mortgage loans will require the servicer to cause the borrower on each mortgage
loan to maintain a hazard insurance policy (including flood insurance coverage,
if obtainable, to the extent the property is located in a federally designated
flood area, in an amount as is required under applicable guidelines) providing
for the level of coverage that is required under the related Mortgage or, if any
Mortgage permits its holder to dictate to the borrower the insurance coverage to
be maintained on the related Mortgaged Property, then the level of coverage that
is consistent with the Servicing Standard. That coverage will be in general in
an amount equal to the lesser of the principal balance owing on that mortgage
loan (but not less than the amount necessary to avoid the application of any
co-insurance clause contained in the hazard insurance policy) and the amount
necessary to fully compensate for any damage or loss to the improvements on the
Mortgaged Property on a replacement cost basis or any other amount specified in
the prospectus supplement. The ability of the servicer to assure that hazard
insurance proceeds are appropriately applied may be dependent upon its being
named as an additional insured under any hazard insurance policy and under any
other insurance policy referred to below, or upon the extent to which
information in this regard is furnished by borrowers. All amounts collected by
the servicer under any of these policies (except for amounts to be applied to
the restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property or released to the borrower
in accordance with the servicer's normal servicing procedures, subject to the
terms and conditions of the related Mortgage and mortgage note) will be
deposited in the Collection Account in accordance with the related Agreement.
The Agreement may provide that the servicer may satisfy its obligation to
cause each borrower to maintain a hazard insurance policy by the servicer's
maintaining a blanket policy insuring against hazard losses on the mortgage
loans. If the blanket policy contains a deductible clause, the servicer will be
required to deposit in the Collection Account from its own funds all sums that
would have been deposited in the Collection Account but for that clause.
In general, the standard form of fire and extended coverage policy covers
physical damage to or destruction of the improvements of the property by fire,
lightning, explosion, smoke, windstorm and hail, and riot, strike and civil
commotion, subject to the conditions and exclusions specified in each policy.
Although the policies relating to the mortgage loans will be underwritten by
different insurers under different state laws in accordance with different
applicable state forms, and therefore will not contain identical terms and
conditions, the basic terms of the policies are dictated by respective state
laws, and most of these policies typically do not cover any physical damage
resulting from war, revolution, governmental actions, floods and other
water-related causes, earth movement (including earthquakes, landslides and
mudflows), wet or dry rot, vermin, domestic animals and other kinds of uninsured
risks.
The hazard insurance policies covering the Mortgaged Properties securing
the mortgage loans will typically contain a coinsurance clause that in effect
requires the insured at all times to carry insurance of a specified percentage
(generally 80% to 90%) of the full replacement value of the improvements on the
property to recover the full amount of any partial loss. If the insured's
coverage falls below this specified percentage, the coinsurance clause generally
provides that the insurer's liability in the event of partial loss does not
exceed the lesser of (1) the replacement cost of the improvements less physical
depreciation and (2) that proportion of the loss as the amount of
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insurance carried bears to the specified percentage of the full replacement cost
of those improvements.
Each Agreement for an issuing entity composed of mortgage loans will
require the servicer to cause the borrower on each mortgage loan to maintain all
other insurance coverage for the related Mortgaged Property as is consistent
with the terms of the related Mortgage and the Servicing Standard, which
insurance may typically include flood insurance (if the related Mortgaged
Property was located at the time of origination in a federally designated flood
area).
Any cost incurred by the servicer in maintaining any insurance policy will
be added to the amount owing under the mortgage loan where the terms of the
mortgage loan so permit; provided, however, that the addition of that cost will
not be taken into account for purposes of calculating the distribution to be
made to securityholders. Those costs may be recovered by the servicer from the
Collection Account, with interest, as provided by the Agreement.
Under the terms of the mortgage loans, borrowers will generally be required
to present claims to insurers under hazard insurance policies maintained on the
related Mortgaged Properties. The servicer, on behalf of the trustee and
securityholders, is obligated to present or cause to be presented claims under
any blanket insurance policy insuring against hazard losses on Mortgaged
Properties securing the mortgage loans. However, the ability of the servicer to
present or cause to be presented those claims is dependent upon the extent to
which information in this regard is furnished to the servicer by borrowers.
Other Hazard-Related Insurance; Liability Insurance
With respect to Multifamily Loans, certain additional insurance policies
may be required with respect to the related Multifamily Property; for example,
general liability insurance for bodily injury or death and property damage
occurring on the property or the adjoining streets and sidewalks, steam boiler
coverage where a steam boiler or other pressure vessel is in operation, interest
coverage insurance, and rent loss insurance to cover operating income losses
following damage or destruction of the mortgaged property. With respect to a
series for which Multifamily Loans are included in the issuing entity, the
prospectus supplement will specify the required types and amounts of additional
insurance and describe the general terms of the insurance and conditions to
payment thereunder.
Contracts. Generally, the terms of the agreement for an issuing entity
composed of contracts will require the servicer to maintain for each contract
one or more hazard insurance policies that provide, at a minimum, the same
coverage as a standard form fire and extended coverage insurance policy that is
customary for manufactured housing, issued by a company authorized to issue
those policies in the state in which the manufactured home is located, and in an
amount that is not less than the maximum insurable value of that manufactured
home or the principal balance due from the borrower on the related contract,
whichever is less; provided, however, that the amount of coverage provided by
each hazard insurance policy must be sufficient to avoid the application of any
co-insurance clause contained therein. When a manufactured home's location was,
at the time of origination of the related contract, within a federally
designated special flood hazard area, the servicer must cause flood insurance to
be maintained, which coverage must be at least equal to the minimum amount
specified in the preceding sentence or any lesser amount as may be available
under the federal flood insurance program. Each hazard insurance policy caused
to be maintained by the servicer must contain a standard loss payee clause in
favor of the servicer and its successors and assigns. If any borrower is in
default in the payment of premiums on its hazard insurance policy or policies,
the servicer must pay those premiums out of its own funds, and may add
separately the premiums to the borrower's obligation as provided by the
contract, but may not add the premiums to the remaining principal balance of the
contract.
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The servicer may maintain, in lieu of causing individual hazard insurance
policies to be maintained for each manufactured home, and must maintain, to the
extent that the related contract does not require the borrower to maintain a
hazard insurance policy for the related manufactured home, one or more blanket
insurance policies covering losses on the borrower's interest in the contracts
resulting from the absence or insufficiency of individual hazard insurance
policies. The servicer must pay the premium for that blanket policy on the basis
described therein and must pay any deductible amount for claims under that
policy relating to the contracts.
FHA Insurance and VA Guarantees
FHA loans will be insured by the FHA as authorized under the Housing Act.
Some FHA loans will be insured under various FHA programs including the standard
FHA 203(b) program to finance the acquisition of one- to four-family housing
units, the FHA 245 graduated payment mortgage program and the FHA Title I
Program. These programs generally limit the principal amount and interest rates
of the mortgage loans insured. The prospectus supplement for Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, of each series evidencing interests in an issuing
entity including FHA loans will set forth additional information regarding the
regulations governing the applicable FHA insurance programs. Except as otherwise
specified in the prospectus supplement, the following describes FHA insurance
programs and regulations as generally in effect for FHA loans.
The insurance premiums for FHA loans are collected by lenders approved by
the Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") or by the servicer and
are paid to the FHA. The regulations governing FHA single-family mortgage
insurance programs provide that insurance benefits are payable either upon
foreclosure (or other acquisition of possession) and conveyance of the mortgaged
premises to the United States of America or upon assignment of the defaulted
loan to the United States of America. For a defaulted FHA loan, the servicer is
limited in its ability to initiate foreclosure proceedings. When it is
determined, either by the servicer or HUD, that default was caused by
circumstances beyond the borrower's control, the servicer is expected to make an
effort to avoid foreclosure by entering, if feasible, into one of a number of
available forms of forbearance plans with the borrower. Those plans may involve
the reduction or suspension of regular mortgage payments for a specified period,
with those payments to be made on or before the maturity date of the mortgage,
or the recasting of payments due under the mortgage up to or, other than FHA
loans originated under the FHA Title I Program, beyond the maturity date. In
addition, when a default caused by those circumstances is accompanied by other
criteria, HUD may provide relief by making payments to the servicer in partial
or full satisfaction of amounts due under the FHA loan (which payments are to be
repaid by the borrower to HUD) or by accepting assignment of the loan from the
servicer. With some exceptions, at least three full monthly installments must be
due and unpaid under the FHA loan, and HUD must have rejected any request for
relief from the borrower before the servicer may initiate foreclosure
proceedings.
HUD has the option, in most cases, to pay insurance claims in cash or in
debentures issued by HUD. Currently, claims are being paid in cash, and claims
have not been paid in debentures since 1965. HUD debentures issued in
satisfaction of FHA insurance claims bear interest at the applicable HUD
debentures interest rate. To the extent specified in the prospectus supplement,
the servicer of each single family FHA loan will be obligated to purchase any
debenture issued in satisfaction of that FHA loan upon default for an amount
equal to the principal amount of that debenture.
Other than in relation to the FHA Title I Program, the amount of insurance
benefits generally paid by the FHA is equal to the entire unpaid principal
amount of the defaulted FHA loan adjusted to reimburse the servicer for some of
its costs and expenses and to deduct amounts received or retained by the
servicer after default. When entitlement to insurance benefits results from
foreclosure (or other acquisition of possession) and conveyance to HUD, the
servicer is compensated for no more than two-thirds of its foreclosure costs,
and is compensated for interest
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accrued and unpaid before that date but in general only to the extent it was
allowed pursuant to a forbearance plan approved by HUD. When entitlement to
insurance benefits results from assignment of the FHA loan to HUD, the insurance
payment includes full compensation for interest accrued and unpaid to the
assignment date. The insurance payment itself, upon foreclosure of an FHA loan,
bears interest from a date 30 days after the borrower's first uncorrected
failure to perform any obligation to make any payment due under the mortgage
and, upon assignment, from the date of assignment to the date of payment of the
claim, in each case at the same interest rate as the applicable HUD debenture
interest rate as described above.
VA loans will be partially guaranteed by the VA under the Serviceman's
Readjustment Act (a "VA Guaranty Policy"). For a defaulted VA loan, the servicer
is, absent exceptional circumstances, authorized to announce its intention to
foreclose only when the default has continued for three months. Generally, a
claim for the guarantee is submitted after liquidation of the Mortgaged
Property.
The amount payable under the guarantee will be the percentage of the VA
loan originally guaranteed applied to indebtedness outstanding as of the
applicable date of computation specified in the VA regulations. Payments under
the guarantee will be equal to the unpaid principal amount of that VA loan,
interest accrued on the unpaid balance of that VA loan to the appropriate date
of computation and limited expenses of the mortgagee, but in each case only to
the extent that those amounts have not been recovered through liquidation of the
Mortgaged Property. The amount payable under the guarantee may in no event
exceed the amount of the original guarantee.
Environmental Insurance
If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trust or trustee
will be the beneficiary, for the benefit of the securityholders, of insurance
policies ("Environmental Policies") providing limited coverage against certain
environmental risks with respect to the mortgaged properties securing certain
Commercial, Multifamily and Mixed-Use Mortgage Loans. Subject to various
exceptions and exclusions (including asbestos and lead paint), Environmental
Policies will generally cover losses, clean-up costs, third-party claims and
legal expenses up to pre-determined limits. Subject to the terms of the
applicable policy, if a Mortgaged Property securing a covered loan is subject to
environmental contamination, in the event of default by the borrower the
outstanding principal balance of the loan, plus accrued interest, will be
payable under the applicable Environmental Policy.
Fidelity Bonds and Errors and Omissions Insurance
Each Agreement will require that the servicer obtain and maintain in effect
a fidelity bond or similar form of insurance coverage (which may provide blanket
coverage) or any combination of these insuring against loss occasioned by fraud,
theft or other intentional misconduct of the officers, employees and agents of
the servicer. The related Agreement will allow the servicer to self-insure
against loss occasioned by the errors and omissions of the officers, employees
and agents of the servicer so long as the criteria set forth in the Agreement
are met.
Due-on-Sale Clauses
The mortgage loans may contain clauses requiring the consent of the
mortgagee to any sale or other transfer of the related Mortgaged Property, or
due-on-sale clauses entitling the mortgagee to accelerate payment of the
mortgage loan upon any sale, transfer or conveyance of the related Mortgaged
Property. The servicer will generally enforce any due-on-sale clause to the
extent it has knowledge of the conveyance or proposed conveyance of the
underlying Mortgaged Property and it is entitled to do so under applicable law;
provided, however, that the servicer will not take any action in relation to the
enforcement of any due-on-sale clause that would:
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o adversely affect or jeopardize coverage under any applicable insurance
policy or
o materially increase the risk of default or delinquency on, or
materially impair the security for, that mortgage loan.
Any fee collected by or on behalf of the servicer for entering into an
assumption agreement will be retained by or on behalf of the servicer as
additional servicing compensation. See "Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage
Loans--Due-on-Sale Clauses."
The contracts may also contain clauses requiring the consent of the
mortgagee to any sale or other transfer of the related mortgaged property, or
due-on-sale clauses. The servicer will generally permit that transfer so long as
the transferee satisfies the servicer's then applicable underwriting standards.
The purpose of those transfers is often to avoid a default by the transferring
borrower.
Retained Interest; Servicing Compensation and Payment of Expenses
The prospectus supplement for a series of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, will specify whether there will be any Retained Interest in the
Assets, and, if so, the initial owner of this Retained Interest. If so, the
Retained Interest will be established on a loan-by-loan basis and will be
specified on an exhibit to the related Agreement. A "Retained Interest" in an
Asset represents a specified portion of the interest payable on the Asset. The
Retained Interest will be deducted from borrower payments as received and will
not be part of the related issuing entity.
The servicer's primary servicing compensation for a series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, will come from the periodic payment to it of a
portion of the interest payment on each Asset or any other amount specified in
the prospectus supplement. Since any Retained Interest and a servicer's primary
compensation are percentages of the principal balance of each Asset, those
amounts will decrease in accordance with the amortization of the Assets. The
prospectus supplement for a series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
evidencing interests in an issuing entity that includes mortgage loans or
contracts may provide that, as additional compensation, the servicer may retain
all or a portion of assumption fees, modification fees, late payment charges or
Prepayment Premiums collected from borrowers and any interest or other income
that may be earned on funds held in the Collection Account or any account
established by a servicer pursuant to the Agreement.
The servicer may, to the extent provided in the prospectus supplement, pay
from its servicing compensation expenses incurred in connection with its
servicing and managing of the Assets, including payment of the fees and
disbursements of the trustee and independent accountants, payment of expenses
incurred in connection with distributions and reports to securityholders, and
payment of any other expenses described in the prospectus supplement. Some other
expenses, including expenses relating to defaults and liquidations on the Assets
and, to the extent so provided in the prospectus supplement, interest on these
expenses at the rate specified in the prospectus supplement may be borne by the
issuing entity.
If and to the extent provided in the prospectus supplement, the servicer
may be required to apply a portion of the servicing compensation otherwise
payable to it in respect of any Due Period to interest shortfalls resulting from
the voluntary prepayment of any Assets in the related issuing entity during that
period before their due dates.
Evidence as to Compliance
Each pooling and servicing agreement and servicing agreement will provide
that on or before a specified date in March of each year, beginning with the
first year after the year in which
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the cut-off date occurs, each party responsible for the servicing function will
provide to the depositor and the trustee a report on an assessment of compliance
with the minimum servicing criteria established in Item 1122(a) of Regulation AB
(the "AB Servicing Criteria"). The AB Servicing Criteria include specific
criteria relating to the following areas: general servicing considerations, cash
collection and administration, investor remittances and reporting, and pool
asset administration. Such report will indicate that the AB Servicing Criteria
were used to test compliance on a platform level basis and will set out any
material instances of noncompliance.
Each pooling and servicing agreement and servicing agreement will also
provide that the each party responsible for the servicing function will deliver
along with its report on assessment of compliance, an attestation report from a
firm of independent public accountants on the assessment of compliance with the
AB Servicing Criteria.
Each pooling and servicing agreement and servicing agreement will also
provide for delivery to the trustee, on or before a specified date in March of
each year, of a separate annual statement of compliance from each entity
responsible for the servicing function to the effect that, to the best knowledge
of the signing officer, the servicer has fulfilled in all material respects its
obligations under the pooling and servicing agreement or servicing agreement
throughout the preceding year or, if there has been a material failure in the
fulfillment of any obligation, the statement shall specify such failure and the
nature and status thereof. This statement may be provided as a single form
making the required statements as to more than one pooling and servicing
agreement or servicing agreement.
Copies of the annual reports of assessment of compliance, attestation
reports, and statements of compliance may be obtained by securityholders without
charge upon written request to the master servicer or trustee. These items will
be filed with the issuing entity's annual report on Form 10-K, to the extent
required under Regulation AB.
Certain Matters Regarding Servicers, the Master Servicer and the Depositor
The servicer or master servicer under each Agreement will be named in the
prospectus supplement. The entities serving as servicer or master servicer may
be affiliates of the depositor and may have other normal business relationships
with the depositor or the depositor's affiliates. If applicable, reference in
this prospectus to the servicer will also be deemed to be to the master
servicer. Each Agreement will provide, in general, that:
o The servicer may resign from its obligations and duties under the
Agreement only upon a determination that its duties under the
Agreement are no longer permissible under applicable law or are in
material conflict by reason of applicable law with any other
activities carried on by it, the other activities of the servicer so
causing that conflict being of a type and nature carried on by the
servicer at the date of the Agreement. No resignation will become
effective until the trustee or a successor servicer has assumed the
servicer's obligations and duties under the Agreement.
o Neither any servicer, the depositor nor any director, officer,
employee, or agent of a servicer or the depositor will be under any
liability to the related issuing entity or securityholders for any
action taken, or for refraining from the taking of any action, in good
faith pursuant to the Agreement; provided, however, that neither a
servicer, the depositor nor any other person will be protected against
any breach of a representation, warranty or covenant made in the
related Agreement, or against any liability specifically imposed by
the Agreement, or against any liability that would otherwise be
imposed by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
66
negligence in the performance of obligations or duties under the
Agreement or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties
under the Agreement.
o Any servicer, the depositor and any director, officer, employee or
agent of a servicer or the depositor will be entitled to
indemnification by the related issuing entity and will be held
harmless against any loss, liability or expense incurred in connection
with any legal action relating to the Agreement or the Notes or
Certificates, as applicable; provided, however, that that
indemnification will not extend to any loss, liability or expense
(1) specifically imposed by that Agreement or otherwise incidental to
the performance of obligations and duties under the Agreement,
including, in the case of a servicer, the prosecution of an
enforcement action in respect of any specific mortgage loan or
mortgage loans or contract or contracts (except as any loss,
liability or expense will be otherwise reimbursable pursuant to
that Agreement);
(2) incurred in connection with any breach of a representation,
warranty or covenant made in that Agreement;
(3) incurred by reason of misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence
in the performance of obligations or duties under the Agreement,
or by reason of reckless disregard of those obligations or
duties;
(4) incurred in connection with any violation of any state or federal
securities law; or
(5) imposed by any taxing authority if that loss, liability or
expense is not specifically reimbursable pursuant to the terms of
the related Agreement.
o Neither any servicer nor the depositor will be under any obligation to
appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action that is not incidental
to its respective responsibilities under the Agreement and which in
its opinion may involve it in any expense or liability. Any servicer
or the depositor may, however, in its discretion undertake any action
which it may deem necessary or desirable with respect to the Agreement
and the rights and duties of the parties to the Agreement and the
interests of the securityholders under the Agreement. In that event,
the legal expenses and costs of that action and any liability
resulting will be expenses, costs and liabilities of the
securityholders, and the servicer or the depositor, as the case may
be, will be entitled to be reimbursed therefor and to charge the
Collection Account.
Any person into which the servicer or the depositor may be merged or
consolidated, or any person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which
the servicer or the depositor is a party, or any person succeeding to the
business of the servicer or the depositor, may be the successor of the servicer
or the depositor, as the case may be, under the terms of the related Agreement.
Special Servicers
If and to the extent specified in the prospectus supplement, a special
servicer (a "Special Servicer") may be a party to the related Agreement or may
be appointed by the servicer or another specified party to perform specified
duties in respect of servicing the related mortgage loans that would otherwise
be performed by the servicer (for example, the workout and/or foreclosure of
defaulted mortgage loans). The rights and obligations of any Special servicer
will be specified in
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the prospectus supplement, and the servicer will be liable for the performance
of a Special servicer only if, and to the extent, set forth in the prospectus
supplement.
Events of Default under the Agreement
Events of default under the related Agreement will generally include:
o any failure by the servicer to distribute or cause to be distributed
to securityholders, or to remit to the trustee for distribution to
securityholders, any required payment that continues after a grace
period, if any;
o any failure by the servicer duly to observe or perform in any material
respect any of its other covenants or obligations under the Agreement
that continues unremedied for 30 days after written notice of that
failure has been given to the servicer by the trustee or the
depositor, or to the servicer, the depositor and the trustee by
securityholders evidencing not less than 25% of the voting rights for
that series;
o any breach of a representation or warranty made by the servicer under
the Agreement that materially and adversely affects the interests of
securityholders and which continues unremedied for 30 days after
written notice of that breach has been given to the servicer by the
trustee or the depositor, or to the servicer, the depositor and the
trustee by the holders of Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
evidencing not less than 25% of the voting rights for that series; and
o some events of insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets
and liabilities or similar proceedings and actions by or on behalf of
the servicer indicating its insolvency or inability to pay its
obligations.
Material variations to the foregoing events of default (other than to
shorten cure periods or eliminate notice requirements) will be specified in the
prospectus supplement. The trustee will, not later than the later of 60 days or
any other period specified in the prospectus supplement after the occurrence of
any event that constitutes or, with notice or lapse of time or both, would
constitute an event of default and five days after specific officers of the
trustee become aware of the occurrence of that event, transmit by mail to the
depositor and all securityholders of the applicable series notice of that
occurrence, unless that default has been cured or waived.
Rights Upon Event of Default under the Agreements
So long as an event of default under an Agreement remains unremedied, the
depositor or the trustee may, and at the direction of holders of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, evidencing not less than 51% (or any other
percentage specified in the Agreement) of the voting rights for that series, the
trustee will terminate all of the rights and obligations of the servicer under
the Agreement and in and to the mortgage loans (other than as a securityholder
or as the owner of any Retained Interest), whereupon the trustee will succeed to
all of the responsibilities, duties and liabilities of the servicer under the
Agreement (except that if the trustee is prohibited by law from obligating
itself to make advances regarding delinquent Assets, or if the prospectus
supplement so specifies, then the trustee will not be obligated to make those
advances) and will be entitled to similar compensation arrangements. If the
trustee is unwilling or unable so to act, it may or, at the written request of
the holders of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, entitled to at least 51%
(or any other percentage specified in the Agreement) of the voting rights for
that series, it must appoint, or petition a court of competent jurisdiction for
the appointment of, a loan servicing institution acceptable to the rating agency
with a net worth at the time of that appointment of at least $15,000,000 (or any
other amount specified in the Agreement) to act as successor to the servicer
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under the Agreement. Pending that appointment, the trustee is obligated to act
in that capacity. The trustee and any successor servicer may agree upon the
servicing compensation to be paid, which in no event may be greater than the
compensation payable to the servicer under the Agreement.
The holders of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, representing at least
66 2/3% (or any other percentage specified in the Agreement) of the voting
rights allocated to the respective classes of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, affected by any event of default will be entitled to waive that
event of default; provided, however, that an Event of Default involving a
failure to distribute a required payment to securityholders described in clause
(1) under "Events of Default under the Agreements" may be waived only by all of
the securityholders. Upon any waiver of an event of default, that event of
default will cease to exist and will be deemed to have been remedied for every
purpose under the Agreement.
No securityholders will have the right under any Agreement to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Agreement unless that holder previously has given
to the trustee written notice of default and unless the holders of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, evidencing not less than 25% (or any other
percentage specified in the Agreement) of the voting rights have made written
request upon the trustee to institute that proceeding in its own name as trustee
under the Agreement and have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity, and
the trustee for 60 days (or any other number of days specified in the Agreement)
has neglected or refused to institute any proceeding. The trustee, however, is
under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by any
Agreement or to make any investigation of matters arising under the Agreement or
to institute, conduct or defend any litigation under the Agreement or in
relation to the Agreement at the request, order or direction of any of the
securityholders covered by that Agreement, unless those securityholders have
offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities that may be incurred.
The manner of determining the voting rights of a Security or class or
classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, will be specified in the
Agreement.
Amendment
In general, each Agreement may be amended by the parties to it, without the
consent of any securityholders covered by the Agreement, to cure any ambiguity
or mistake;
(1) correct, modify or supplement any provision in the Agreement that
may be inconsistent with any other provision in the Agreement or with the
prospectus supplement;
(2) make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under the Agreement that are not materially inconsistent with the
provisions of the Agreement; or
(3) comply with any requirements imposed by the Code; provided that,
in the case of clause (3), that amendment will not adversely affect in any
material respect the interests of any securityholders covered by the
Agreement as evidenced either by an opinion of counsel to that effect or
the delivery to the trustee of written notification from each rating agency
that provides, at the request of the depositor, a rating for the Offered
Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable, of the related series to the
effect that that amendment or supplement will not cause that rating agency
to lower or withdraw the then current rating assigned to those Notes or
Certificates, as applicable.
In general, each Agreement may also be amended by the depositor, the
servicer, if any, and the trustee, with the consent of the securityholders
affected by the amendment evidencing not
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less than 51% (or any other percentage specified in the Agreement) of the voting
rights, for any purpose; provided, however, no amendment may (1) reduce in any
manner the amount of, or delay the timing of, payments received or advanced on
Assets that are required to be distributed on any Security without the consent
of the securityholder or (2) reduce the consent percentages described in this
paragraph without the consent of all the securityholders covered by the
Agreement then outstanding. However, for any series of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, as to which a REMIC election is to be made, the trustee will not
consent to any amendment of the Agreement unless it has first have received an
opinion of independent counsel to the effect that that amendment will not result
in the imposition of a tax on the related issuing entity or, if applicable,
cause the related issuing entity to fail to qualify as a REMIC, at any time that
the related Notes or Certificates, as applicable, are outstanding.
The Trustee
The trustee under each Agreement will be named in the prospectus
supplement. The commercial bank, national banking association, banking
corporation or trust company serving as trustee may have a banking relationship
with the depositor and its affiliates, with any servicer and its affiliates and
with any master servicer and its affiliates. To the extent consistent with its
fiduciary obligations as trustee, the trustee may delegate its duties to one or
more agents as provided in the Agreement.
Duties of the Trustee
The trustee will make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency
of any Agreement, the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, or any Asset or
related document and is not accountable for the use or application by or on
behalf of any servicer of any funds paid to the master servicer or its designee
in respect of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, or the Assets, or
deposited into or withdrawn from the Collection Account or any other account by
or on behalf of the servicer. If no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the trustee is required to perform only those duties specifically
required under the related Agreement, as applicable. However, upon receipt of
the various certificates, reports or other instruments required to be furnished
to it, the trustee is required to examine those documents and to determine
whether they conform to the requirements of the Agreement.
If an Event of Default shall occur, the trustee shall, at the direction of
51% of the holders of the Certificates, by notice in writing to the master
servicer and to the Depositor, with a copy to each Rating Agency, terminate all
of the rights and obligations of the master servicer in its capacity as Master
Servicer under the related pooling and servicing agreement, to the extent
permitted by law, and in and to the mortgage loans and the proceeds thereof. On
or after the receipt by the master servicer of such written notice, all
authority and power of the master servicer with respect to the Certificates
(other than as a holder of any Certificate) or the mortgage loans or otherwise
including, without limitation, the compensation payable to the master servicer
under the related pooling and servicing agreement, shall pass to and be vested
in the trustee, and, without limitation, the trustee shall be authorized and
empowered, as attorney-in-fact or otherwise, to execute and deliver, on behalf
of and at the expense of the master servicer, any and all documents and other
instruments and to do or accomplish all other acts or things necessary or
appropriate to effect the purposes of such notice of termination, whether to
complete the transfer and endorsement or assignment of the mortgage loans and
related documents, or otherwise.
To the extent that the costs and expenses of the trustee related to the
termination of the master servicer, appointment of a successor master servicer
or the transfer and assumption of the master servicing by the trustee
(including, without limitation, (i) all legal costs and expenses and all due
diligence costs and expenses associated with an evaluation of the potential
termination of the master servicer as a result of an event of default and (ii)
all costs and expenses associated with
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the complete transfer of the master servicing, including all servicing files and
all servicing data and the completion, correction or manipulation of such
servicing data as may be required by the successor master servicer to correct
any errors or insufficiencies in the servicing data or otherwise to enable the
successor master servicer to master service the mortgage loans in accordance
with the related pooling and servicing agreement) are not fully and timely
reimbursed by the terminated master servicer, the trustee shall be entitled to
reimbursement of such costs and expenses from the Distribution Account.
Certain Matters Regarding the Trustee
The trustee and any director, officer, employee or agent of the trustee
will be entitled to indemnification out of the Collection Account for any loss,
liability or expense (including costs and expenses of litigation, and of
investigation, counsel fees, damages, judgments and amounts paid in settlement)
incurred in connection with the trustee's
(1) enforcing its rights and remedies and protecting the interests of
the securityholders during the continuance of an Event of Default,
(2) defending or prosecuting any legal action in respect of the
related Agreement or series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
(3) being the mortgagee of record for the mortgage loans in an issuing
entity and the owner of record for any Mortgaged Property acquired in
respect thereof for the benefit of securityholders, or
(4) acting or refraining from acting in good faith at the direction of
the holders of the related series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
entitled to not less than 25% (or any other percentage as is specified in
the related Agreement for any particular matter) of the voting rights for
that series;
provided, however, that this indemnification will not extend to any loss,
liability or expense that constitutes a specific liability of the trustee
pursuant to the related Agreement, or to any loss, liability or expense incurred
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence on the part of the
trustee in the performance of its obligations and duties under the Agreement, or
by reason of its reckless disregard of those obligations or duties, or as may
arise from a breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of the trustee
made in the Agreement.
Resignation and Removal of the Trustee
The trustee may resign at any time, in which event the depositor will be
obligated to appoint a successor trustee. The depositor may also remove the
trustee if the trustee ceases to be eligible to continue under the pooling and
servicing agreement or if the trustee becomes insolvent. Upon becoming aware of
the circumstances, the depositor will be obligated to appoint a successor
trustee. The trustee may also be removed at any time by the holders of
securities evidencing not less a majority of the aggregate undivided interests
(or, if applicable, voting rights) in the related issuing entity. Any
resignation or removal of the trustee and appointment of a successor trustee
will not become effective until acceptance of the appointment by the successor
trustee. If the trustee resigns or is removed by the depositor, the expenses
associated with the change of trustees will be paid by the former trustee and
reimbursed from the Distribution Account. If the trustee is removed by holders
of securities, such holders shall be responsible for paying any compensation
payable to a successor trustee, in excess of the amount paid to the predecessor
trustee.
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MATERIAL TERMS OF THE INDENTURE
General
The following summary describes the material provisions that may appear in
each indenture. The prospectus supplement for a series of Notes will describe
any provision of the indenture relating to that series that materially differs
from the description of that provision contained in this prospectus. The
summaries do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified by
reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture for a series of Notes. A
form of an indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
of which this prospectus is a part. The depositor will provide a copy of the
indenture (without exhibits) relating to any series of Notes without charge upon
written request of a securityholder of that series addressed to ACE Securities
Corp., 6525 Morrison Boulevard, Suite 318, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211,
Attention: Evelyn Echevarria.
Events of Default
Events of default under the indenture for each series of Notes will
generally include:
o a default for thirty days (or any other number of days specified in
the prospectus supplement) or more in the payment of any principal of
or interest on a Note of that series, to the extent specified in the
prospectus supplement;
o failure to perform any other covenant of the depositor or the issuing
entity in the indenture that continues for a period of sixty days (or
any other number of days specified in the prospectus supplement or the
indenture) after notice of the failure is given in accordance with the
procedures described in the prospectus supplement;
o any representation or warranty made by the depositor or the issuing
entity in the indenture or in any certificate or other writing
delivered pursuant to the indenture or in connection with the
indenture with respect to or affecting that series having been
incorrect in a material respect as of the time made, and that breach
is not cured within sixty days (or any other number of days specified
in the prospectus supplement) after notice of the breach is given in
accordance with the procedures described in the prospectus supplement;
o specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
liquidation of the issuing entity; or
o any other event of default provided with respect to Notes of that
series.
If an event of default with respect to the Notes of any series at the time
outstanding occurs and is continuing, subject to and in accordance with the
terms of the indenture, either the indenture trustee or the holders of a
majority of the then total outstanding amount of the Notes of that series may
declare the principal amount (or, if the Notes of that series are Accrual
Securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the
terms of that series, as provided in the indenture) of all the Notes of that
series to be due and payable immediately. That declaration may, under some
circumstances, be rescinded and annulled by the securityholders of a majority in
total outstanding amount of the Notes of that series.
If, following an event of default with respect to any series of Notes, the
Notes of that series have been declared to be due and payable, the indenture
trustee may, in its discretion,
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notwithstanding that acceleration, elect to maintain possession of the
collateral securing the Notes of that series and to continue to apply
distributions on that collateral as if there had been no declaration of
acceleration if that collateral continues to provide sufficient funds for the
payment of principal of and interest on the Notes of that series as they would
have become due if there had not been that declaration. In addition, the
indenture trustee may not sell or otherwise liquidate the collateral securing
the Notes of a series following an event of default, other than a default in the
payment of any principal or interest on any Note of that series for thirty days
or more, unless
(1) the holders of 100% (or any other percentage specified in the
indenture) of the then total outstanding amount of the Notes of that series
consent to that sale;
(2) the proceeds of that sale or liquidation are sufficient to pay in
full the principal of and accrued interest, due and unpaid, on the
outstanding Notes of that series at the date of that sale; or
(3) the indenture trustee determines that that collateral would not be
sufficient on an ongoing basis to make all payments on the Notes as those
payments would have become due if the Notes had not been declared due and
payable, and the indenture trustee obtains the consent of the holders of 66
2/3% (or any other percentage specified in the indenture) of the then total
outstanding amount of the Notes of that series.
If so specified in the prospectus supplement, only holders of particular
classes of Notes will have the right to declare the Notes of that series to be
immediately due and payable in the event of a payment default, as described
above, and to exercise the remedies described above.
If the indenture trustee liquidates the collateral in connection with an
event of default involving a default for thirty days (or any other number of
days specified in the indenture) or more in the payment of principal of or
interest on the Notes of a series, the indenture provides that the indenture
trustee will have a prior lien on the proceeds of any liquidation for unpaid
fees and expenses. As a result, upon the occurrence of that event of default,
the amount available for distribution to the securityholders would be less than
would otherwise be the case. However, the indenture trustee may not institute a
proceeding for the enforcement of its lien except in connection with a
proceeding for the enforcement of the lien of the indenture for the benefit of
the securityholders after the occurrence of that event of default.
To the extent provided in the prospectus supplement, in the event the
principal of the Notes of a series is declared due and payable, as described
above, the holders of any Notes issued at a discount from par may be entitled to
receive no more than an amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the Notes
less the amount of the discount that is unamortized.
Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the
indenture trustee, in case an event of default occurs and continues for a series
of Notes, the indenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of
the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of
the securityholders of that series, unless those holders offer to the indenture
trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and
liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with that request or
direction. Subject to those provisions for indemnification and some limitations
contained in the indenture, the holders of a majority of the then total
outstanding amount of the Notes of that series will have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the indenture trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
indenture trustee with respect to the Notes of that series, and the holders of a
majority of the then total outstanding amount of the Notes of that series may,
in some cases, waive any default with respect to the Notes, except a default in
the payment of principal or interest or a default in respect of a covenant or
provision of the indenture
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that cannot be modified without the waiver or consent of all the holders of the
outstanding Notes of that series affected.
Discharge of Indenture
The indenture will be discharged, subject to the provisions of the
indenture, for a series of Notes (except for continuing rights specified in the
indenture) upon the delivery to the indenture trustee for cancellation of all
the Notes of that series or, with some limitations, upon deposit with the
indenture trustee of funds sufficient for the payment in full of all of the
Notes of that series.
With some limitations, the indenture will provide that, if specified for
the Notes of any series, the related issuing entity will be discharged from any
and all obligations in respect of the Notes of that series (except for
obligations specified in the indenture including obligations relating to
temporary Notes and exchange of Notes, to register the transfer of or exchange
Notes of that series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Notes of that series,
to maintain paying agencies and to hold monies for payment in trust) upon the
deposit with the indenture trustee, in trust, of money and/or direct obligations
of or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America which through the
payment of interest and principal in respect of the Notes in accordance with
their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of
and each installment of interest on the Notes of that series on the maturity
date for those Notes and any installment of interest on those Notes in
accordance with the terms of the indenture and the Notes of that series. In the
event of any defeasance and discharge of Notes of that series, holders of Notes
of that series would be able to look only to that money and/or those direct
obligations for payment of principal and interest, if any, on their Notes until
maturity.
Indenture Trustee's Annual Report
The indenture trustee for each series of Notes will be required to mail
each year to all related securityholders a brief report, as provided in the
indenture, relating to its eligibility and qualification to continue as
indenture trustee under the related indenture, any amounts advanced by it under
the indenture, the amount, interest rate and maturity date of indebtedness owing
by that Trust to the applicable indenture trustee in its individual capacity,
the property and funds physically held by the indenture trustee in its capacity
as indenture trustee and any action taken by it that materially affects the
Notes and that has not been previously reported.
The Indenture Trustee
The indenture trustee for a series of Notes will be specified in the
prospectus supplement. The indenture trustee for any series may resign at any
time in accordance with the terms of the indenture, in which event the depositor
or the appropriate party designated in the indenture will be obligated to
appoint a successor trustee for that series. The depositor or the appropriate
party designated in the indenture may also remove any indenture trustee if that
indenture trustee ceases to be eligible to continue as the indenture trustee
under the related indenture, if that indenture trustee becomes insolvent or for
any other grounds specified in the indenture. In those circumstances the
depositor or the appropriate party designated in the indenture will be obligated
to appoint a successor trustee for the applicable series of Notes. Any
resignation or removal of the indenture trustee and appointment of a successor
trustee for any series of Notes does not become effective until acceptance of
the appointment by the successor trustee for that series.
The bank or trust company serving as indenture trustee may have a banking
relationship with the depositor or any of its affiliates, a servicer or any of
its affiliates or the master servicer or any of its affiliates. To the extent
consistent with its fiduciary obligations as indenture trustee, the indenture
trustee may delegate its duties to one or more agents as provided in the
indenture and the Agreement.
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DESCRIPTION OF CREDIT SUPPORT
GENERAL
For any series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, credit support may
be provided for one or more classes of the series or the related Assets. Credit
support only may be in the form of one or more of the following features:
o letters of credit;
o Pool Insurance Policies;
o special hazard insurance policies;
o Bankruptcy Bonds;
o guarantees; or
o the establishment of one or more reserve funds.
Alternatively, the prospectus supplement relating to a series of securities
will specify if credit support may be provided by subordination of one or more
classes of securities or by overcollateralization, in combination with or in
lieu of any one or more of the instruments set forth above.
Any form of credit support may be structured so as to be drawn upon by more
than one series to the extent described in the prospectus supplement.
The coverage provided by any credit support will be described in the
prospectus supplement. Generally, that coverage will not provide protection
against all risks of loss and will not guarantee repayment of the entire
Security Balance of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, and interest on
the Security Balance. If losses or shortfalls occur that exceed the amount
covered by credit support or that are not covered by credit support,
securityholders will bear their allocable share of deficiencies. Moreover, if a
form of credit support covers more than one series of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable (each, a "Covered Trust"), securityholders evidencing interests in
any of those Covered Trusts will be subject to the risk that the credit support
will be exhausted by the claims of other Covered Trusts before that Covered
Trust receiving any of its intended share of that coverage.
If credit support is provided for one or more classes of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, of a series, or the related Assets, the prospectus
supplement will include a description of
(a) the nature and amount of coverage under that credit support,
(b) any conditions to payment under the prospectus supplement not
otherwise described in this prospectus,
(c) the conditions (if any) under which the amount of coverage under that
credit support may be reduced and under which that credit support may
be terminated or replaced and
(d) the material provisions relating to that credit support.
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Additionally, the prospectus supplement will set forth information with
respect to the obligor under any financial guaranty insurance policy, letter of
credit, guarantee or similar instrument of credit support, including
(1) a brief description of its principal business activities,
(2) its principal place of business, place of incorporation and the
jurisdiction under which it is chartered or licensed to do business,
(3) if applicable, the identity of regulatory agencies that exercise
primary jurisdiction over the conduct of its business and
(4) its total assets, and its stockholders' or policyholders' surplus, if
applicable, as of the date specified in the prospectus supplement.
SUBORDINATE SECURITIES
One or more classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of a series
may be Subordinate Notes or Subordinate Certificates, as applicable, if
specified in the prospectus supplement. The rights of the holders of Subordinate
Notes or Subordinate Certificates, as applicable, to receive distributions of
principal and interest from the Collection Account on any Distribution Date will
be subordinated to those rights of the holders of Senior Notes or Senior
Certificates, as applicable. The subordination of a class may apply only in the
event of (or may be limited to) particular types of losses or shortfalls. The
prospectus supplement will set forth information concerning the amount of
subordination of a class or classes of Subordinate Notes or Subordinate
Certificates, as applicable, in a series, the circumstances in which that
subordination will be applicable and the manner, if any, in which the amount of
subordination will be effected.
CROSS-SUPPORT PROVISIONS
If the Assets for a series are divided into separate groups, each
supporting a separate class or classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
of a series, credit support may be provided by cross-support provisions
requiring that distributions be made on Senior Notes or Senior Certificates, as
applicable, evidencing interests in one group of mortgage loans before
distributions on Subordinate Notes or Subordinate Certificates, as applicable,
evidencing interests in a different group of mortgage loans within the issuing
entity. The prospectus supplement for a series that includes a cross-support
provision will describe the manner and conditions for applying those provisions.
LIMITED GUARANTEE
If specified in the prospectus supplement for a series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, credit enhancement may be provided in the form of a
limited guarantee issued by a guarantor named in the prospectus supplement. Any
guarantee specified in the prospectus supplement, if any, will be exempt from
registration under the Securities Act.
FINANCIAL GUARANTY INSURANCE POLICY OR SURETY BOND
Credit enhancement may be provided in the form of a financial guaranty
insurance policy or a surety bond issued by an insurer named in the policy or
surety bond, if specified in the prospectus supplement.
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LETTER OF CREDIT
Alternative credit support for a series of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, may be provided by the issuance of a letter of credit by the bank or
financial institution specified in the prospectus supplement. The coverage,
amount and frequency of any reduction in coverage provided by a letter of credit
issued for a series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, will be set forth
in the prospectus supplement relating to that series.
POOL INSURANCE POLICIES
If specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, a pool insurance policy for the mortgage loans in
the related issuing entity will be obtained. The pool insurance policy will
cover any loss (subject to the limitations described in the prospectus
supplement) by reason of default to the extent a related mortgage loan is not
covered by any primary mortgage insurance policy. The amount and principal terms
of any pool insurance coverage will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.
SPECIAL HAZARD INSURANCE POLICIES
A special hazard insurance policy may also be obtained for the related
issuing entity, if specified in the prospectus supplement, in the amount set
forth in the prospectus supplement. The special hazard insurance policy will,
subject to the limitations described in the prospectus supplement, protect
against loss by reason of damage to Mortgaged Properties caused by hazards not
insured against under the standard form of hazard insurance policy for the
respective states, in which the Mortgaged Properties are located. The amount and
principal terms of any special hazard insurance coverage will be set forth in
the prospectus supplement.
BORROWER BANKRUPTCY BOND
Losses resulting from a bankruptcy proceeding relating to a borrower
affecting the mortgage loans in an issuing entity for a series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, will, if specified in the prospectus supplement, be
covered under a borrower bankruptcy bond (or any other instrument that will not
result in a downgrading of the rating of the Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, of a series by the rating agency or agencies that rate that series).
Any borrower bankruptcy bond or any other instrument will provide for coverage
in an amount meeting the criteria of the rating agency or agencies rating the
Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of the related series, which amount will
be set forth in the prospectus supplement. The amount and principal terms of any
borrower bankruptcy coverage will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.
RESERVE FUNDS
If so provided in the prospectus supplement for a series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, deficiencies in amounts otherwise payable on those
Notes or Certificates, as applicable, or specific classes of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, will be covered by one or more reserve funds in
which cash, a letter of credit, Permitted Investments, a demand note or a
combination of these will be deposited, in the amounts so specified in the
prospectus supplement. The reserve funds for a series may also be funded over
time by depositing a specified amount of the distributions received on the
related Assets as specified in the prospectus supplement.
Amounts on deposit in any reserve fund for a series, together with the
reinvestment income on these amounts, if any, will be applied for the purposes,
in the manner, and to the extent specified in the prospectus supplement. A
reserve fund may be provided to increase the likelihood
77
of timely distributions of principal of and interest on the Notes or
Certificates, as applicable. If specified in the prospectus supplement, reserve
funds may be established to provide limited protection against only some types
of losses and shortfalls. Following each Distribution Date amounts in a reserve
fund in excess of any amount required to be maintained in the reserve fund may
be released from the reserve fund under the conditions and to the extent
specified in the prospectus supplement and will not be available for further
application to the Notes or Certificates, as applicable.
Money deposited in any reserve funds will be invested in Permitted
Investments, to the extent specified in the prospectus supplement. To the extent
specified in the prospectus supplement, any reinvestment income or other gain
from those investments will be credited to the related reserve fund for that
series, and any loss resulting from those investments will be charged to the
reserve fund. However, that income may be payable to any related servicer or
another service provider or other entity. To the extent specified in the
prospectus supplement, the reserve fund, if any, for a series will not be a part
of the issuing entity.
Additional information concerning any reserve fund will be set forth in the
prospectus supplement, including the initial balance of the reserve fund, the
balance required to be maintained in the reserve fund, the manner in which the
required balance will decrease over time, the manner of funding the reserve
fund, the purposes for which funds in the reserve fund may be applied to make
distributions to securityholders and use of investment earnings from the reserve
fund, if any.
OVERCOLLATERALIZATION
If specified in the prospectus supplement, subordination provisions of an
issuing entity may be used to accelerate to a limited extent the amortization of
one or more classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, relative to the
amortization of the related Assets. The accelerated amortization is achieved by
the application of excess interest to the payment of principal of one or more
classes of Notes or Certificates, as applicable. This acceleration feature
creates, for the Assets or groups of Assets, overcollateralization, which is the
excess of the total principal balance of the related Assets, or a group of
related Assets, over the principal balance of the related class or classes of
Notes or Certificates, as applicable. This acceleration may continue for the
life of the related Security, or may be limited. In the case of limited
acceleration, once the required level of overcollateralization is reached, and
subject to the provisions specified in the prospectus supplement, the limited
acceleration feature may cease, unless necessary to maintain the required level
of overcollateralization.
PRIMARY MORTGAGE INSURANCE POLICIES
The servicer will maintain or cause to be maintained with respect to each
mortgage loan, a primary mortgage insurance policy in accordance with the
underwriting standards described in the related prospectus supplement. Although
the terms and conditions of primary mortgage insurance policies differ, each
primary mortgage insurance policy will generally cover losses up to an amount
equal to the excess of the unpaid principal amount of a defaulted mortgage loan,
plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and approved expenses, over a specified
percentage of the value of the related mortgaged property.
As conditions to the filing or payment of a claim under a primary mortgage
insurance policy, the insured will typically be required, in the event of
default by the borrower, to:
o advance or discharge (a) hazard insurance premiums and (b) as
necessary and approved in advance by the insurer, real estate taxes,
property protection and preservation expenses and foreclosure and
related costs,
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o in the event of any physical loss or damage to the mortgaged property,
have the mortgaged property restored to at least its condition at the
effective date of the primary mortgage insurance policy, ordinary wear
and tear excepted, and
o tender to the insurer good and merchantable title to, and possession
of, the mortgaged property.
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF MORTGAGE LOANS
The following discussion contains summaries, which are general in nature,
of legal aspects of loans secured by single-family or multi-family residential
properties. Because these legal aspects are governed primarily by applicable
state law (which laws may differ substantially), the summaries do not purport to
be complete nor to reflect the laws of any particular state, nor to encompass
the laws of all states in which the security for the mortgage loans is situated.
The summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable
federal and state laws governing the mortgage loans. In this regard, the
following discussion does not fully reflect federal regulations for FHA loans
and VA loans. See "Description of The Issuing Entities--FHA Loans and VA Loans,"
"Description of the Agreements--Material Terms of the Pooling and Servicing
Agreements and Underlying Servicing Agreements--FHA Insurance and VA Guarantees"
and "Description of the Issuing Entities--Assets."
GENERAL
All of the mortgage loans are evidenced by a note or bond and secured by
instruments granting a security interest in real property which may be
mortgages, deeds of trust, security deeds or deeds to secure debt, depending on
the prevailing practice and law in the state in which the Mortgaged Property is
located. Mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt are in this
prospectus collectively referred to as "mortgages." Any of the foregoing types
of mortgages will create a lien upon, or grant a title interest in, the subject
property, the priority of which will depend on the terms of the particular
security instrument, as well as separate, recorded, contractual arrangements
with others holding interests in the mortgaged property, the knowledge of the
parties to that instrument as well as the order of recordation of the instrument
in the appropriate public recording office. However, recording does not
generally establish priority over governmental claims for real estate taxes and
assessments and other charges imposed under governmental police powers.
TYPES OF MORTGAGE INSTRUMENTS
A mortgage either creates a lien against or constitutes a conveyance of
real property between two parties--a borrower (usually the owner of the subject
property) and a mortgagee (the lender). In contrast, a deed of trust is a
three-party instrument, among a trustor (the equivalent of a borrower), a
trustee to whom the mortgaged property is conveyed, and a beneficiary (the
lender) for whose benefit the conveyance is made. As used in this prospectus,
unless the context otherwise requires, "borrower" includes the trustor under a
deed of trust and a grantor under a security deed or a deed to secure debt.
Under a deed of trust, the borrower grants the property, irrevocably until
the debt is paid, in trust, generally with a power of sale as security for the
indebtedness evidenced by the related note. A deed to secure debt typically has
two parties. By executing a deed to secure debt, the grantor conveys title to,
as opposed to merely creating a lien upon, the subject property to the grantee
until the underlying debt is repaid, generally with a power of sale as security
for the indebtedness evidenced by the related mortgage note.
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In case the borrower under a mortgage is a land trust, there would be an
additional party because legal title to the property is held by a land trustee
under a land trust agreement for the benefit of the borrower. At origination of
a mortgage loan involving a land trust, the borrower executes a separate
undertaking to make payments on the mortgage note. The mortgagee's authority
under a mortgage, the trustee's authority under a deed of trust and the
grantee's authority under a deed to secure debt are governed by the express
provisions of the mortgage, the law of the state in which the real property is
located, some federal laws (including the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act) and,
in some cases, in deed of trust transactions, the directions of the beneficiary.
The mortgages that encumber multifamily properties may contain an
assignment of rents and leases, pursuant to which the borrower assigns to the
lender the borrower's right, title and interest as landlord under each lease and
the income derived therefrom, while retaining a revocable license to collect the
rents for so long as there is no default. If the borrower defaults, the license
terminates and the lender is entitled to collect the rents. Local law may
require that the lender take possession of the property and/or obtain a
court-appointed receiver before becoming entitled to collect the rents.
INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY
The real property covered by a mortgage, deed of trust, security deed or
deed to secure debt is most often the fee estate in land and improvements.
However, that instrument may encumber other interests in real property such as a
tenant's interest in a lease of land or improvements, or both, and the leasehold
estate created by that lease. An instrument covering an interest in real
property other than the fee estate requires special provisions in the instrument
creating that interest or in the mortgage, deed of trust, security deed or deed
to secure debt, to protect the mortgagee against termination of that interest
before the mortgage, deed of trust, security deed or deed to secure debt is
paid. The depositor, the Asset Seller or other entity specified in the
prospectus supplement will make representations and warranties in the Agreement
or representations and warranties will be assigned to the trustee for any
mortgage loans secured by an interest in a leasehold estate. Those
representation and warranties, if applicable, will be set forth in the
prospectus supplement.
COOPERATIVE LOANS
If specified in the prospectus supplement, the mortgage loans may also
consist of cooperative apartment loans ("Cooperative Loans") secured by security
interests in shares issued by a cooperative housing corporation (a
"Cooperative") and in the related proprietary leases or occupancy agreements
granting exclusive rights to occupy specific dwelling units in the cooperatives'
buildings. The security agreement will create a lien upon, or grant a title
interest in, the property that it covers, the priority of which will depend on
the terms of the particular security agreement as well as the order of
recordation of the agreement in the appropriate recording office. That lien or
title interest is not prior to the lien for real estate taxes and assessments
and other charges imposed under governmental police powers.
Each Cooperative owns in fee or has a leasehold interest in all the real
property and owns in fee or leases the building and all separate dwelling units
in the building. The Cooperative is directly responsible for property management
and, in most cases, payment of real estate taxes, other governmental impositions
and hazard and liability insurance. If there is a blanket mortgage or mortgages
on the cooperative apartment building or underlying land, as is generally the
case, or an underlying lease of the land, as is the case in some instances, the
Cooperative, as property borrower, or lessee, as the case may be, is also
responsible for meeting these mortgage or rental obligations. A blanket mortgage
is ordinarily incurred by the cooperative in connection with either the
construction or purchase of the Cooperative's apartment building or obtaining of
capital by the
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Cooperative. The interest of the occupant under proprietary leases or occupancy
agreements as to which that Cooperative is the landlord are generally
subordinate to the interest of the holder of a blanket mortgage and to the
interest of the holder of a land lease.
If the Cooperative is unable to meet the payment obligations (1) arising
under a blanket mortgage, the mortgagee holding a blanket mortgage could
foreclose on that mortgage and terminate all subordinate proprietary leases and
occupancy agreements or (2) arising under its land lease, the holder of the
landlord's interest under the land lease could terminate it and all subordinate
proprietary leases and occupancy agreements. Also, a blanket mortgage on a
cooperative may provide financing in the form of a mortgage that does not fully
amortize, with a significant portion of principal being due in one final payment
at maturity. The inability of the Cooperative to refinance a mortgage and its
consequent inability to make that final payment could lead to foreclosure by the
mortgagee. Similarly, a land lease has an expiration date and the inability of
the Cooperative to extend its term or, in the alternative, to purchase the land
could lead to termination of the Cooperative's interest in the property and
termination of all proprietary leases and occupancy agreement. In either event,
a foreclosure by the holder of a blanket mortgage or the termination of the
underlying lease could eliminate or significantly diminish the value of any
collateral held by the lender that financed the purchase by an individual tenant
stockholder of cooperative shares or, in the case of the mortgage loans, the
collateral securing the Cooperative Loans.
The Cooperative is owned by tenant-stockholders who, through ownership of
stock or shares in the corporation, receive proprietary lease or occupancy
agreements that confer exclusive rights to occupy specific units. Generally, a
tenant-stockholder of a Cooperative must make a monthly payment to the
Cooperative representing that tenant-stockholder's pro rata share of the
Cooperative's payments for its blanket mortgage, real property taxes,
maintenance expenses and other capital or ordinary expenses. An ownership
interest in a Cooperative and accompanying occupancy rights are financed through
a Cooperative Loan evidenced by a promissory note and secured by an assignment
of and a security interest in the occupancy agreement or proprietary lease and a
security interest in the related Cooperative shares. The lender generally takes
possession of the share certificate and a counterpart of the proprietary lease
or occupancy agreement and a financing statement covering the proprietary lease
or occupancy agreement and the cooperative shares is filed in the appropriate
state and local offices to perfect the lender's interest in its collateral.
Subject to the limitations discussed below, upon default of the
tenant-stockholder, the lender may sue for judgment on the promissory note,
dispose of the collateral at a public or private sale or otherwise proceed
against the collateral or tenant-stockholder as an individual as provided in the
security agreement covering the assignment of the proprietary lease or occupancy
agreement and the pledge of Cooperative shares. See "--Foreclosure--Cooperative
Loans" below.
LAND SALE CONTRACTS
Under an installment land sale contract for the sale of real estate (a
"land sale contract") the contract seller (hereinafter referred to as the
"contract lender") retains legal title to the property and enters into an
agreement with the contract purchaser (hereinafter referred to as the "contract
borrower") for the payment of the purchase price, plus interest, over the term
of the land sale contract. Only after full performance by the borrower of the
contract is the contract lender obligated to convey title to the real estate to
the purchaser. As with mortgage or deed of trust financing, during the effective
period of the land sale contract, the contract borrower is responsible for
maintaining the property in good condition and for paying real estate taxes,
assessments and hazard insurance premiums associated with the property.
The method of enforcing the rights of the contract lender under an
installment contract varies on a state-by-state basis depending on the extent to
which state courts are willing, or able
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pursuant to state statute, to enforce the contract strictly according to its
terms. The terms of land sale contracts generally provide that upon default by
the contract borrower, the borrower loses his or her right to occupy the
property, the entire indebtedness is accelerated, and the buyer's equitable
interest in the property is forfeited. The contract lender in that situation
does not have to foreclose to obtain title to the property, although in some
cases a quiet title action is in order if the contract borrower has filed the
land sale contract in local land records and an ejectment action may be
necessary to recover possession.
In a few states, particularly in cases of contract borrower default during
the early years of a land sale contract, the courts will permit ejectment of the
buyer and a forfeiture of his or her interest in the property. However, most
state legislatures have enacted provisions by analogy to mortgage law protecting
borrowers under land sale contracts from the harsh consequences of forfeiture.
Under those statues, a judicial contract may be reinstated upon full payment of
the default amount and the borrower may have a post-foreclosure statutory
redemption right. In other states, courts in equity may permit a contract
borrower with significant investment in the property under a land sale contract
for the sale of real estate to share the proceeds of sale of the property after
the indebtedness is repaid or may otherwise refuse to enforce the forfeiture
clause. Nevertheless, generally speaking, the contract lender's procedures for
obtaining possession and clear title under a land sale contract for the sale of
real estate in a particular state are simpler and less time consuming and costly
than are the procedures for foreclosing and obtaining clear title to a mortgaged
property.
FORECLOSURE
General
Foreclosure is a legal procedure that allows the mortgagee to recover its
mortgage debt by enforcing its rights and available legal remedies under the
mortgage. If the mortgagor defaults in payment or performance of its obligations
under the note or mortgage, the mortgagee has the right to institute foreclosure
proceedings to sell the mortgaged property at public auction to satisfy the
indebtedness.
Foreclosure procedures for the enforcement of a mortgage vary from state to
state. Two primary methods of foreclosing a mortgage are judicial foreclosure
and non-judicial foreclosure pursuant to a power of sale granted in the mortgage
instrument. There are several other foreclosure procedures available in some
states that are either infrequently used or available only in some limited
circumstances, such as strict foreclosure.
Judicial Foreclosure
A judicial foreclosure proceeding is conducted in a court having
jurisdiction over the mortgaged property. Generally, the action is initiated by
the service of legal pleadings upon all parties having an interest of record in
the real property. Delays in completion of the foreclosure may occasionally
result from difficulties in locating defendants. When the lender's right to
foreclose is contested, the legal proceedings can be time-consuming. Upon
successful completion of a judicial foreclosure proceeding, the court generally
issues a judgment of foreclosure and appoints a referee or other officer to
conduct a public sale of the mortgaged property, the proceeds of which are used
to satisfy the judgment. Those sales are made in accordance with procedures that
vary from state to state.
Equitable Limitations on Enforceability of Certain Provisions
United States courts have traditionally imposed general equitable
principles to limit the remedies available to a mortgagee in connection with
foreclosure. These equitable principles are
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generally designed to relieve the borrower from the legal effect of mortgage
defaults, to the extent that the effect is perceived as harsh or unfair. Relying
on those principles, a court may alter the specific terms of a loan to the
extent it considers necessary to prevent or remedy an injustice, undue
oppression or overreaching, or may require the lender to undertake affirmative
and expensive actions to determine the cause of the borrower's default and the
likelihood that the borrower will be able to reinstate the loan.
In some cases, courts have substituted their judgment for the lender's and
have required that lenders reinstate loans or recast payment schedules to
accommodate borrowers who are suffering from a temporary financial disability.
In other cases, courts have limited the right of the lender to foreclose if the
default under the mortgage is not monetary, e.g., the borrower failed to
maintain the mortgaged property adequately or the borrower executed a junior
mortgage on the mortgaged property. The exercise by the court of its equity
powers will depend on the individual circumstances of each case presented to it.
Finally, some courts have been faced with the issue of whether federal or state
constitutional provisions reflecting due process concerns for adequate notice
require that a borrower receive notice in addition to statutorily-prescribed
minimum notice. For the most part, these cases have upheld the reasonableness of
the notice provisions or have found that a public sale under a mortgage
providing for a power of sale does not involve sufficient state action to afford
constitutional protections to the borrower.
Non-Judicial Foreclosure/Power of Sale
Foreclosure of a deed of trust is generally accomplished by a non-judicial
trustee's sale pursuant to the power of sale granted in the deed of trust. A
power of sale is typically granted in a deed of trust. It may also be contained
in any other type of mortgage instrument. A power of sale allows a non-judicial
public sale to be conducted generally following a request from the
beneficiary/lender to the trustee to sell the property upon any default by the
borrower under the terms of the mortgage note or the mortgage instrument and
after notice of sale is given in accordance with the terms of the mortgage
instrument, as well as applicable state law.
In some states, before the sale, the trustee under a deed of trust must
record a notice of default and notice of sale and send a copy to the borrower
and to any other party who has recorded a request for a copy of a notice of
default and notice of sale. In addition, in some states the trustee must provide
notice to any other party having an interest of record in the real property,
including junior lienholders. A notice of sale must be posted in a public place
and, in most states, published for a specified period of time in one or more
newspapers. The borrower or junior lienholder may then have the right, during a
reinstatement period required in some states, to cure the default by paying the
entire actual amount in arrears (without acceleration) plus the expenses
incurred in enforcing the obligation. In other states, the borrower or the
junior lienholder is not provided a period to reinstate the loan, but has only
the right to pay off the entire debt to prevent the foreclosure sale. Generally,
the procedure for public sale, the parties entitled to notice, the method of
giving notice and the applicable time periods are governed by state law and vary
among the states. Foreclosure of a deed to secure debt is also generally
accomplished by a non-judicial sale similar to that required by a deed of trust,
except that the lender or its agent, rather than a trustee, is typically
empowered to perform the sale in accordance with the terms of the deed to secure
debt and applicable law.
Public Sale
A third party may be unwilling to purchase a mortgaged property at a public
sale because of the difficulty in determining the value of that property at the
time of sale, due to, among other things, redemption rights that may exist and
the possibility of physical deterioration of the property during the foreclosure
proceedings. For these reasons, it is common for the lender to purchase the
mortgaged property for an amount equal to or less than the underlying debt and
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accrued and unpaid interest plus the expenses of foreclosure. Generally, state
law controls the amount of foreclosure costs and expenses that may be recovered
by a lender. Thereafter, subject to the borrower's right in some states to
remain in possession during a redemption period, if applicable, the lender will
become the owner of the property and have both the benefits and burdens of
ownership of the mortgaged property. For example, the lender will become
obligated to pay taxes, obtain casualty insurance and to make those repairs at
its own expense as are necessary to render the property suitable for sale. The
lender will commonly obtain the services of a real estate broker and pay the
broker's commission in connection with the sale of the property. Depending on
market conditions, the ultimate proceeds of the sale of the property may not
equal the lender's investment in the property. Moreover, a lender commonly
incurs substantial legal fees and court costs in acquiring a mortgaged property
through contested foreclosure and/or bankruptcy proceedings. Generally, state
law controls the amount of foreclosure expenses and costs, including attorneys'
fees, that may be recovered by a lender.
A junior mortgagee may not foreclose on the property securing the junior
mortgage unless it forecloses subject to senior mortgages and any other prior
liens, in which case it may be obliged to make payments on the senior mortgages
to avoid their foreclosure. In addition, if the foreclosure of a junior mortgage
triggers the enforcement of a "due-on-sale" clause contained in a senior
mortgage, the junior mortgagee may be required to pay the full amount of the
senior mortgage to avoid its foreclosure. Accordingly, for those mortgage loans,
if any, that are junior mortgage loans, if the lender purchases the property the
lender's title will be subject to all senior mortgages, prior liens and specific
governmental liens.
The proceeds received by the referee or trustee from the sale are applied
first to the costs, fees and expenses of sale and then in satisfaction of the
indebtedness secured by the mortgage under which the sale was conducted. Any
proceeds remaining after satisfaction of senior mortgage debt are generally
payable to the holders of junior mortgages and other liens and claims in order
of their priority, whether or not the borrower is in default. Any additional
proceeds are generally payable to the borrower. The payment of the proceeds to
the holders of junior mortgages may occur in the foreclosure action of the
senior mortgage or a subsequent ancillary proceeding or may require the
institution of separate legal proceedings by those holders.
Rights of Redemption
The purposes of a foreclosure action are to enable the mortgagee to realize
upon its security and to bar the borrower, and all persons who have an interest
in the property that is subordinate to the mortgage being foreclosed, from
exercise of their "equity of redemption." The doctrine of equity of redemption
provides that, until the property covered by a mortgage has been sold in
accordance with a properly conducted foreclosure and foreclosure sale, those
having an interest that is subordinate to that of the foreclosing mortgagee have
an equity of redemption and may redeem the property by paying the entire debt
with interest. In addition, in some states, when a foreclosure action has begun,
the redeeming party must pay some of the costs of that action. Those having an
equity of redemption must generally be made parties and joined in the
foreclosure proceeding in order for their equity of redemption to be cut off and
terminated.
The equity of redemption is a common-law (non-statutory) right that exists
before completion of the foreclosure, is not waivable by the borrower, must be
exercised before foreclosure sale and should be distinguished from the post-sale
statutory rights of redemption. In some states, after sale pursuant to a deed of
trust or foreclosure of a mortgage, the borrower and foreclosed junior lienors
are given a statutory period in which to redeem the property from the
foreclosure sale. In some states, statutory redemption may occur only upon
payment of the foreclosure sale price. In other states, redemption may be
authorized if the former borrower pays only a portion of the sums due. The
effect of a statutory right of redemption is to diminish the ability of the
lender to sell the foreclosed property. The exercise of a right of redemption
would
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defeat the title of any purchaser from a foreclosure sale or sale under a deed
of trust. Consequently, the practical effect of the redemption right is to force
the lender to maintain the property and pay the expenses of ownership until the
redemption period has expired. In some states, a post-sale statutory right of
redemption may exist following a judicial foreclosure, but not following a
trustee's sale under a deed of trust.
Under the REMIC Provisions currently in effect, property acquired by
foreclosure generally must not be held for more than three years from the close
of the calendar year of its acquisition. For a series of Notes or Certificates,
as applicable, for which an election is made to qualify the issuing entity or a
part of the issuing entity as a REMIC, the Agreement will permit foreclosed
property to be held for more than such three year period if the Internal Revenue
Service grants an extension of time within which to sell the property or
independent counsel renders an opinion to the effect that holding the property
for that additional period is permissible under the REMIC Provisions.
Cooperative Loans
The Cooperative shares owned by the tenant-stockholder and pledged to the
lender are, in almost all cases, subject to restrictions on transfer as set
forth in the Cooperative's certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as
the proprietary lease or occupancy agreement, and may be canceled by the
Cooperative for failure by the tenant-stockholder to pay rent or other
obligations or charges owed by that tenant-stockholder, including mechanics'
liens against the cooperative apartment building incurred by that
tenant-stockholder. The proprietary lease or occupancy agreement generally
permit the Cooperative to terminate the lease or agreement in the event a
borrower fails to make payments or defaults in the performance of covenants
required under the proprietary lease or occupancy agreement. Typically, the
lender and the Cooperative enter into a recognition agreement that establishes
the rights and obligations of both parties in the event of a default by the
tenant-stockholder under the proprietary lease or occupancy agreement will
usually constitute a default under the security agreement between the lender and
the tenant-stockholder.
The recognition agreement generally provides that, if the
tenant-stockholder has defaulted under the proprietary lease or occupancy
agreement, the Cooperative will take no action to terminate that lease or
agreement until the lender has been provided with an opportunity to cure the
default. The recognition agreement typically provides that if the proprietary
lease or occupancy agreement is terminated, the Cooperative will recognize the
lender's lien against proceeds from the sale of the Cooperative apartment,
subject, however, to the Cooperative's right to sums due under that proprietary
lease or occupancy agreement. The total amount owed to the Cooperative by the
tenant-stockholder, which the lender generally cannot restrict and does not
monitor, could reduce the value of the collateral below the outstanding
principal balance of the Cooperative Loan and accrued and unpaid interest on the
Cooperative Loan.
Recognition agreements also provide that in the event of a foreclosure on a
Cooperative Loan, the lender must obtain the approval or consent of the
Cooperative as required by the proprietary lease before transferring the
Cooperative shares or assigning the proprietary lease. Generally, the lender is
not limited in any rights it may have to dispossess the tenant-stockholders.
In some states, foreclosure on the Cooperative shares is accomplished by a
sale in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 of the UCC and the security
agreement relating to those shares. Article 9 of the UCC requires that a sale be
conducted in a "commercially reasonable" manner. Whether a foreclosure sale has
been conducted in a "commercially reasonable" manner will depend on the facts in
each case. In determining commercial reasonableness, a court will look to the
notice given the debtor and the method, manner, time, place and terms of the
foreclosure. Generally, a sale conducted according to the usual practice of
banks selling similar collateral will be considered reasonably conducted.
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Article 9 of the UCC provides that the proceeds of the sale will be applied
first to pay the costs and expenses of the sale and then to satisfy the
indebtedness secured by the lender's security interest. The recognition
agreement, however, generally provides that the lender's right to reimbursement
is subject to the right of the Cooperatives to receive sums due under the
proprietary lease or occupancy agreement. If there are proceeds remaining, the
lender must account to the tenant-stockholder for the surplus. Conversely, if a
portion of the indebtedness remains unpaid, the tenant-stockholder is generally
responsible for the deficiency.
In the case of foreclosure on a building that was converted from a rental
building to a building owned by a Cooperative under a non-eviction plan, some
states require that a purchaser at a foreclosure sale take the property subject
to rent control and rent stabilization laws that apply to tenants who elected to
remain in a building so converted.
JUNIOR MORTGAGES
Some of the mortgage loans may be secured by junior mortgages or deeds of
trust, that are subordinate to first or other senior mortgages or deeds of trust
held by other lenders. The rights of the issuing entity as the holder of a
junior deed of trust or a junior mortgage are subordinate in lien and in payment
to those of the holder of the senior mortgage or deed of trust, including the
prior rights of the senior mortgagee or beneficiary to receive and apply hazard
insurance and condemnation proceeds and, upon default of the borrower, to cause
a foreclosure on the property. Upon completion of the foreclosure proceedings by
the holder of the senior mortgage or the sale pursuant to the deed of trust, the
junior mortgagee's or junior beneficiary's lien will be extinguished unless the
junior lienholder satisfies the defaulted senior loan or asserts its subordinate
interest in a property in foreclosure proceedings. See "--Foreclosure" above.
Furthermore, because the terms of the junior mortgage or deed of trust are
subordinate to the terms of the first mortgage or deed of trust, in the event of
a conflict between the terms of the first mortgage or deed of trust and the
junior mortgage or deed of trust, the terms of the first mortgage or deed of
trust will generally govern. Upon a failure of the borrower or trustor to
perform any of its obligations, the senior mortgagee or beneficiary, subject to
the terms of the senior mortgage or deed of trust, may have the right to perform
the obligation itself. Generally, all sums so expended by the mortgagee or
beneficiary become part of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage or deed of
trust. To the extent a first mortgagee expends these sums, these sums will
generally have priority over all sums due under the junior mortgage.
ANTI-DEFICIENCY LEGISLATION AND OTHER LIMITATIONS ON LENDERS
Statutes in some states limit the right of a beneficiary under a deed of
trust or a mortgagee under a mortgage to obtain a deficiency judgment against
the borrower following foreclosure or sale under a deed of trust. A deficiency
judgment would be a personal judgment against the former borrower equal to the
difference between the net amount realized upon the public sale of the real
property and the amount due to the lender.
Some states require the lender to exhaust the security afforded under a
mortgage by foreclosure in an attempt to satisfy the full debt before bringing a
personal action against the borrower. In some other states, the lender has the
option of bringing a personal action against the borrower on the debt without
first exhausting that security; however, in some of these states, the lender,
following judgment on the personal action, may be deemed to have elected a
remedy and may be precluded from exercising remedies with respect to the
security. In some cases, a lender will be precluded from exercising any
additional rights under the note or mortgage if it has taken any prior
enforcement action. Consequently, the practical effect of the election
requirement, in those states permitting that election, is that lenders will
usually proceed against the security first rather than bringing a personal
action against the borrower. Finally, other statutory provisions
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limit any deficiency judgment against the former borrower following a judicial
sale to the excess of the outstanding debt over the fair market value of the
property at the time of the public sale. The purpose of these statutes is
generally to prevent a lender from obtaining a large deficiency judgment against
the former borrower as a result of low or no bids at the judicial sale.
In addition to anti-deficiency and related legislation, numerous other
federal and state statutory provisions, including the federal bankruptcy laws
and state laws affording relief to debtors, may interfere with or affect the
ability of a secured mortgage lender to realize upon its security. For example,
numerous statutory provisions under the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C.
Sections 101 et seq. (the "Bankruptcy Code"), may interfere with or affect the
ability of the secured mortgage lender to obtain payment of a mortgage loan, to
realize upon collateral and/or enforce a deficiency judgment. Under federal
bankruptcy law, virtually all actions (including foreclosure actions and
deficiency judgment proceedings) are automatically stayed upon the filing of a
bankruptcy petition, and often no interest or principal payments are made during
the course of the bankruptcy proceeding. In a case under the Bankruptcy Code,
the secured party is precluded from foreclosing without authorization from the
bankruptcy court. In addition, a court with federal bankruptcy jurisdiction may
permit a debtor through his or her Chapter 11 or Chapter 13 plan to cure a
monetary default in respect of a mortgage loan by paying arrearages within a
reasonable time period and reinstating the original mortgage loan payment
schedule even though the lender accelerated the mortgage loan and final judgment
of foreclosure had been entered in state court (provided no foreclosure sale had
yet occurred) before the filing of the debtor's petition. Some courts with
federal bankruptcy jurisdiction have approved plans, based on the particular
facts of the case, that affected the curing of a mortgage loan default by paying
arrearages over a number of years.
If a mortgage loan is secured by property not consisting solely of the
debtor's principal residence, the Bankruptcy Code also permits that mortgage
loan to be modified. These modifications may include reducing the amount of each
monthly payment, changing the rate of interest, altering the repayment schedule,
and reducing the lender's security interest to the value of the property, thus
leaving the lender in the position of a general unsecured creditor for the
difference between the value of the property and the outstanding balance of the
mortgage loan. Some courts have permitted these modifications when the mortgage
loan is secured both by the debtor's principal residence and by personal
property.
Some tax liens arising under the Code may in some circumstances provide
priority over the lien of a mortgage or deed of trust. In addition, substantive
requirements are imposed upon mortgage lenders in connection with the
origination and the servicing of mortgage loans by numerous federal and some
state consumer protection laws. These laws include the federal Truth-in-Lending
Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair
Credit Billing Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act and related statutes. These
federal laws impose specific statutory liabilities upon lenders who originate
mortgage loans and who fail to comply with the provisions of the law. In some
cases this liability may affect assignees of the mortgage loans.
Generally, Article 9 of the UCC governs foreclosure on Cooperative shares
and the related proprietary lease or occupancy agreement. Some courts have
interpreted Section 9-504 of the UCC to prohibit a deficiency award unless the
creditor establishes that the sale of the collateral (which, in the case of a
Cooperative Loan, would be the shares of the Cooperative and the related
proprietary lease or occupancy agreement) was conducted in a commercially
reasonable manner.
Federal Bankruptcy Laws Relating to Mortgage Loans Secured by Multifamily
Property
Section 365(a) of the Bankruptcy Code generally provides that a trustee or
a debtor-in-possession in a bankruptcy or reorganization case under the
Bankruptcy Code has the power to assume or to reject an executory contract or an
unexpired lease of the debtor, in each case subject
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to the approval of the bankruptcy court administering the case. If the trustee
or debtor-in- possession rejects an executory contract or an unexpired lease,
rejection generally constitutes a breach of the executory contract or unexpired
lease immediately before the date of the filing of the petition. As a
consequence, if the mortgagor is the other party or parties to the executory
contract or unexpired lease, such as a lessor under a lease, the mortgagor would
have only an unsecured claim against the debtor for damages resulting from the
breach, which could adversely affect the security for the related mortgage loan.
Moreover, under Section 502(b)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code, the claim of a lessor
for damages from the termination of a lease of real property will be limited to
the sum of (1) the rent reserved by the lease, without acceleration, for the
greater of one year or 15 percent, not to exceed three years, of the remaining
term of the lease, following the earlier of the date of the filing of the
petition and the date on which the lender repossessed, or the lessee
surrendered, the leased property, and (2) any unpaid rent due under the lease,
without acceleration, on the earlier of these dates.
Under Section 365(h) of the Bankruptcy Code, if a trustee for a lessor, or
a lessor as a debtor-in-possession, rejects an unexpired lease of real property,
the lessee may treat the lease as terminated by rejection or, in the
alternative, may remain in possession of the leasehold for the balance of the
term and for any renewal or extension of the term that is enforceable by the
lessee under applicable nonbankruptcy law. The Bankruptcy Code provides that if
a lessee elects to remain in possession after rejection of a lease, the lessee
may offset against rents reserved under the lease for the balance of the term
after the date of rejection of the lease, and any renewal or extension thereof,
any damages occurring after that date caused by the nonperformance of any
obligation of the lessor under the lease after that date.
Under Section 365(f) of the Bankruptcy Code, if a trustee assumes an
executory contract or an unexpired lease of the debtor, the trustee or
debtor-in-possession generally may assign the executory contract or unexpired
lease, notwithstanding any provision therein or in applicable law that
prohibits, restricts or conditions the assignment, provided that the trustee or
debtor-in-possession provides adequate assurance of future performance by the
assignee. In addition, no party to an executory contract or an unexpired lease
may terminate or modify any rights or obligations under an executory contract or
an unexpired lease at any time after the commencement of a case under the
Bankruptcy Code solely because of a provision in the executory contract or
unexpired lease or in applicable law conditioned upon the assignment of the
executory contract or unexpired lease. Thus, an undetermined third party may
assume the obligations of the lessee or a mortgagor under a lease in the event
of commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to the
lessee or a mortgagor, as applicable.
Under Sections 363(b) and (f) of the Bankruptcy Code, a trustee for a
lessor, or a lessor as debtor-in-possession, may, despite the provisions of the
related mortgage loan to the contrary, sell the Mortgaged Property free and
clear of all liens, which liens would then attach to the proceeds of the sale.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
A lender may be subject to unforeseen environmental risks when taking a
security interest in real or personal property. Property subject to a security
interest may be subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations
relating to environmental protection. These laws may regulate, among other
things: emissions of air pollutants; discharges of wastewater or storm water;
generation, transport, storage or disposal of hazardous waste or hazardous
substances; operation, closure and removal of underground storage tanks; removal
and disposal of asbestos-containing materials; and/or management of electrical
or other equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs"). Failure to
comply with these laws and regulations may result in significant penalties,
including civil and criminal fines. Under the laws of some states, environmental
contamination on a property may give rise to a lien on the property to ensure
the availability
88
and/or reimbursement of cleanup costs. Generally all subsequent liens on that
property are subordinated to the environmentally-related lien and, in some
states, even prior recorded liens are subordinated to these liens
("Superliens"). In the latter states, the security interest of the trustee in a
property that is subject to a Superlien could be adversely affected.
Under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act, as amended ("CERCLA"), and under state law in some states, a
secured party that takes a deed in lieu of foreclosure, purchases a mortgaged
property at a foreclosure sale, operates a mortgaged property or undertakes
particular types of activities that may constitute management of the mortgaged
property may become liable in some circumstances for the cleanup costs of
remedial action if hazardous wastes or hazardous substances have been released
or disposed of on the property. These cleanup costs may be substantial. CERCLA
imposes strict, as well as joint and several, liability for environmental
remediation and/or damage costs on several classes of "potentially responsible
parties," including current "owners and/or operators" of property, irrespective
of whether those owners or operators caused or contributed to the contamination
on the property. In addition, owners and operators of properties that generate
hazardous substances that are disposed of at other "off-site" locations may be
held strictly, jointly and severally liable for environmental remediation and/or
damages at those off-site locations. Many states also have laws that are similar
to CERCLA. Liability under CERCLA or under similar state law could exceed the
value of the property itself as well as the total assets of the property owner.
Although some provisions of the Asset Conservation Act (as defined in this
prospectus) apply to trusts and fiduciaries, the law is somewhat unclear as to
whether and under what precise circumstances cleanup costs, or the obligation to
take remedial actions, could be imposed on a secured lender, such as the issuing
entity. Under the laws of some states and under CERCLA, a lender may be liable
as an "owner or operator" for costs of addressing releases or threatened
releases of hazardous substances on a mortgaged property if that lender or its
agents or employees have "participated in the management" of the operations of
the borrower, even though the environmental damage or threat was caused by a
prior owner or current owner or operator or other third party. Excluded from
CERCLA's definition of "owner or operator" is a person "who without
participating in the management of . . . [the] facility, holds indicia of
ownership primarily to protect his security interest" (the "secured-creditor
exemption"). This exemption for holders of a security interest such as a secured
lender applies only to the extent that a lender seeks to protect its security
interest in the contaminated facility or property. Thus, if a lender's
activities begin to encroach on the actual management of that facility or
property, the lender faces potential liability as an "owner or operator" under
CERCLA. Similarly, when a lender forecloses and takes title to a contaminated
facility or property, the lender may incur potential CERCLA liability in various
circumstances, including among others, when it holds the facility or property as
an investment (including leasing the facility or property to a third party),
fails to market the property in a timely fashion or fails to properly address
environmental conditions at the property or facility.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended ("RCRA"), contains a
similar secured-creditor exemption for those lenders who hold a security
interest in a petroleum underground storage tank ("UST") or in real estate
containing a UST, or that acquire title to a petroleum UST or facility or
property on which a UST is located. As under CERCLA, a lender may lose its
secured-creditor exemption and be held liable under RCRA as a UST owner or
operator if that lender or its employees or agents participate in the management
of the UST. In addition, if the lender takes title to or possession of the UST
or the real estate containing the UST, under some circumstances the
secured-creditor exemption may be deemed to be unavailable.
A decision in May 1990 of the United States Court of Appeals for the
Eleventh Circuit in United States v. Fleet Factors Corp. very narrowly construed
CERCLA's secured-creditor exemption. The court's opinion suggested that a lender
need not have involved itself in the day-to-day operations of the facility or
participated in decisions relating to hazardous waste to be liable
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under CERCLA; rather, liability could attach to a lender if its involvement with
the management of the facility were broad enough to support the inference that
the lender had the capacity to influence the borrower's treatment of hazardous
waste. The court added that a lender's capacity to influence these decisions
could be inferred from the extent of its involvement in the facility's financial
management. A subsequent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the
Ninth Circuit in re Bergsoe Metal Corp., apparently disagreeing with, but not
expressly contradicting, the Fleet Factors court, held that a secured lender had
no liability absent "some actual management of the facility" on the part of the
lender.
Court decisions have taken varying views of the scope of the
secured-creditor exemption, leading to administrative and legislative efforts to
provide guidance to lenders on the scope of activities that would trigger CERCLA
and/or RCRA liability. Until recently, these efforts have failed to provide
substantial guidance.
On September 28, 1996, however, Congress enacted, and on September 30,
1996, the President signed into law the Asset Conservation Lender Liability and
Deposit Insurance Protection Act of 1996 (the "Asset Conservation Act"). The
Asset Conservation Act was intended to clarify the scope of the secured creditor
exemption under both CERCLA and RCRA. The Asset Conservation Act more explicitly
defined the kinds of "participation in management" that would trigger liability
under CERCLA and specified activities that would not constitute "participation
in management" or otherwise result in a forfeiture of the secured-creditor
exemption before foreclosure or during a workout period. The Asset Conservation
Act also clarified the extent of protection against liability under CERCLA in
the event of foreclosure and authorized specific regulatory clarifications of
the scope of the secured-creditor exemption for purposes of RCRA, similar to the
statutory protections under CERCLA. However, since the courts have not yet had
the opportunity to interpret the new statutory provisions, the scope of the
additional protections offered by the Asset Conservation Act is not fully
defined. It also is important to note that the Asset Conservation Act does not
offer complete protection to lenders and that the risk of liability remains.
If a secured lender does become liable, it may be entitled to bring an
action for contribution against the owner or operator who created the
environmental contamination or against some other liable party, but that person
or entity may be bankrupt or otherwise judgment-proof. It is therefore possible
that cleanup or other environmental liability costs could become a liability of
the issuing entity and occasion a loss to the issuing entity and to
securityholders in some circumstances. The new secured creditor amendments to
CERCLA, also, would not necessarily affect the potential for liability in
actions by either a state or a private party under other federal or state laws
that may impose liability on "owners or operators" but do not incorporate the
secured-creditor exemption.
Traditionally, residential mortgage lenders have not taken steps to
evaluate whether hazardous wastes or hazardous substances are present with
respect to any mortgaged property before the origination of the mortgage loan or
before foreclosure or accepting a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. Neither the
depositor nor any servicer makes any representations or warranties or assumes
any liability with respect to: environmental conditions of the Mortgaged
Property; the absence, presence or effect of hazardous wastes or hazardous
substances on, near or emanating from the Mortgaged Property; the impact on
securityholders of any environmental condition or presence of any substance on
or near the Mortgaged Property; or the compliance of any Mortgaged Property with
any environmental laws. In addition, no agent, person or entity otherwise
affiliated with the depositor is authorized or able to make any representation,
warranty or assumption of liability relative to any Mortgaged Property.
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DUE-ON-SALE CLAUSES
The mortgage loans may contain due-on-sale clauses. These clauses generally
provide that the lender may accelerate the maturity of the loan if the borrower
sells, transfers or conveys the related Mortgaged Property. The enforceability
of due-on-sale clauses has been the subject of legislation or litigation in many
states and, in some cases, the enforceability of these clauses was limited or
denied. However, for some loans the Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act
of 1982 (the "Garn-St. Germain Act") preempts state constitutional, statutory
and case law that prohibits the enforcement of due-on-sale clauses and permits
lenders to enforce these clauses in accordance with their terms, subject to
limited exceptions. Due-on-sale clauses contained in mortgage loans originated
by federal savings and loan associations of federal savings banks are fully
enforceable pursuant to regulations of the United States Federal Home Loan Bank
Board, as succeeded by the Office of Thrift Supervision, which preempt state law
restrictions on the enforcement of those clauses. Similarly, "due-on-sale"
clauses in mortgage loans made by national banks and federal credit unions are
now fully enforceable pursuant to preemptive regulations of the Comptroller of
the Currency and the National Credit Union Administration, respectively.
The Garn-St. Germain Act also sets forth nine specific instances in which a
mortgage lender covered by the act (including federal savings and loan
associations and federal savings banks) may not exercise a "due-on-sale" clause,
notwithstanding the fact that a transfer of the property may have occurred.
These include intra-family transfers, some transfers by operation of law, leases
of fewer than three years and the creation of a junior encumbrance. Regulations
promulgated under the Garn-St. Germain Act also prohibit the imposition of a
prepayment penalty upon the acceleration of a loan pursuant to a due-on-sale
clause. The inability to enforce a "due-on-sale" clause may result in a mortgage
that bears an interest rate below the current market rate being assumed by a new
home buyer rather than being paid off, which may affect the average life of the
mortgage loans and the number of mortgage loans which may extend to maturity.
PREPAYMENT CHARGES AND LATE FEES; DEBT-ACCELERATION CLAUSES
Some state laws restrict the imposition of prepayment charges and late fees
even when the loans expressly provide for the collection of those charges.
Although the Alternative Mortgage Transaction Parity Act of 1982 (the "Parity
Act"), permits the collection of prepayment charges and late fees in connection
with some types of eligible loans preempting any contrary state law
prohibitions, some states may not recognize the preemptive authority of the
Parity Act or have formally opted out of the Parity Act. As a result, it is
possible that prepayment charges and late fees may not be collected even on
loans that provide for the payment of those charges unless otherwise specified
in the accompanying prospectus supplement. The related servicer or another
entity identified in the accompanying prospectus supplement will be entitled to
all prepayment charges and late payment charges received on the loans and those
amounts will not be available for payment on the certificates. The Office of
Thrift Supervision ("OTS"), the agency that administers the Parity Act for
unregulated housing creditors, withdrew its favorable Parity Act regulations and
Chief Counsel Opinions that previously authorized lenders to charge prepayment
charges and late fees in certain circumstances notwithstanding contrary state
law, effective with respect to loans originated on or after July 1, 2003.
However, the OTS's ruling does not retroactively affect loans originated before
July 1, 2003.
Some of the Commercial, Multifamily and Mixed-Use Mortgage Loans included
in a trust will include a "debt-acceleration " clause, which permits the lender
to accelerate the full debt upon a monetary or nonmonetary default of the
borrower. The courts of all states will enforce clauses providing for
acceleration in the event of a material payment default after giving effect to
any appropriate notices. The courts of any state, however, may refuse to permit
foreclosure of a mortgage or deed of trust when an acceleration of the
indebtedness would be inequitable or
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unjust or the circumstances would render the acceleration unconscionable.
Furthermore, in some states, the borrower may avoid foreclosure and reinstate an
accelerated loan by paying only the defaulted amounts and the costs and
attorneys' fees incurred by the lender in collecting such defaulted payments.
SUBORDINATE FINANCING
Where a borrower encumbers mortgaged property with one or more junior
liens, the senior lender is subjected to additional risks, such as:
o The borrower may have difficulty repaying multiple loans. In addition,
if the junior loan permits recourse to the borrower (as junior loans
often do) and the senior loan does not, a borrower may be more likely
to repay sums due on the junior loan than those on the senior loan.
o Acts of the senior lender that prejudice the junior lender or impair
the junior lender's security may create a superior equity in favor of
the junior lender. For example, if the borrower and the senior lender
agree to an increase in the principal amount of or the interest rate
payable on the senior loan, the senior lender may lose its priority to
the extent any existing junior lender is harmed or the borrower is
additionally burdened.
o If the borrower defaults on the senior loan and/or any junior loan or
loans, the existence of junior loans and actions taken by junior
lenders can impair the security available to the senior lender and can
interfere with or delay the taking of action by the senior lender.
Moreover, the bankruptcy of a junior lender may operate to stay
foreclosure or similar proceedings by the senior lender.
APPLICABILITY OF USURY LAWS
Title V of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control
Act of 1980, enacted in March 1980 ("Title V"), provides that state usury
limitations will not apply to some types of residential first mortgage loans
originated by lenders after March 31, 1980. A similar federal statute was in
effect for mortgage loans made during the first three months of 1980. The Office
of Thrift Supervision is authorized to issue rules and regulations and to
publish interpretations governing implementation of Title V. The statute
authorized any state to reimpose interest rate limits by adopting, before April
1, 1983, a law or constitutional provision that expressly rejects application of
the federal law. In addition, even where Title V is not so rejected, any state
is authorized by the law to adopt a provision limiting discount points or other
charges on mortgage loans covered by Title V. Some states have taken action to
reimpose interest rate limits and/or to limit discount points or other charges.
The depositor believes that a court interpreting Title V would hold that
residential first mortgage loans that are originated on or after January 1,
1980, are subject to federal preemption. Therefore, in a state that has not
taken the requisite action to reject application of Title V or to adopt a
provision limiting discount points or other charges before origination of those
mortgage loans, any limitation under that state's usury law would not apply to
those mortgage loans.
In any state in which application of Title V has been expressly rejected or
a provision limiting discount points or other charges is adopted, no mortgage
loan originated after the date of that state action will be eligible for
inclusion in an issuing entity unless (1) the mortgage loan provides for the
interest rate, discount points and charges as are permitted in that state or (2)
the mortgage loan provides that its terms will be construed in accordance with
the laws of another
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state under which the interest rate, discount points and charges would not be
usurious and the borrower's counsel has rendered an opinion that the choice of
law provision would be given effect.
Statutes differ in their provisions as to the consequences of a usurious
loan. One group of statutes requires the lender to forfeit the interest due
above the applicable limit or impose a specified penalty. Under this statutory
scheme, the borrower may cancel the recorded mortgage or deed of trust upon
paying its debt with lawful interest, and the lender may foreclose, but only for
the debt plus lawful interest. A second group of statutes is more severe. A
violation of this type of usury law results in the invalidation of the
transaction, thus permitting the borrower to cancel the recorded mortgage or
deed of trust without any payment or prohibiting the lender from foreclosing.
ALTERNATIVE MORTGAGE INSTRUMENTS
Alternative mortgage instruments, including adjustable rate mortgage loans
and early ownership mortgage loans, originated by non-federally chartered
lenders have historically been subject to a variety of restrictions. Those
restrictions differed from state to state, resulting in difficulties in
determining whether a particular alternative mortgage instrument originated by a
state-chartered lender was in compliance with applicable law. These difficulties
were alleviated substantially as a result of the enactment of Title VIII of the
Garn-St. Germain Act ("Title VIII"). Title VIII provides that, notwithstanding
any state law to the contrary, state-chartered banks may originate alternative
mortgage instruments in accordance with regulations promulgated by the
Comptroller of the Currency with respect to origination of alternative mortgage
instruments by national banks; state-chartered credit unions may originate
alternative mortgage instruments in accordance with regulations promulgated by
the National Credit Union Administration with respect to origination of
alternative mortgage instruments by federal credit unions; and all other
non-federally chartered housing creditors, including state-chartered savings and
loan associations, state-chartered savings banks and mutual savings banks and
mortgage banking companies, may originate alternative mortgage instruments in
accordance with the regulations promulgated by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board,
predecessor to the Office of Thrift Supervision, with respect to origination of
alternative mortgage instruments by federal savings and loan associations. Title
VIII provides that any state may reject applicability of the provisions of Title
VIII by adopting, before October 15, 1985, a law or constitutional provision
expressly rejecting the applicability of those provisions. Some states have
taken that action.
SERVICEMEMBERS' CIVIL RELIEF ACT
Under the terms of the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act and similar state
and local laws (the "Relief Act"), a borrower who enters military service after
the origination of the borrower's mortgage loan (including a borrower who was in
reserve status and is called to active duty after origination of the mortgage
loan) may not be charged interest (including fees and charges) above an annual
rate of 6% during the period of the borrower's active duty status, unless a
court orders otherwise upon application of the lender. The Relief Act applies to
borrowers who are members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard,
Reserves, Coast Guard and officers of the U.S. Public Health Service assigned to
duty with the military. Because the Relief Act applies to borrowers who enter
military service (including reservists who are called to active duty) after
origination of the related mortgage loan, no information can be provided as to
the number of loans that may be affected by the Relief Act.
Application of the Relief Act would adversely affect, for an indeterminate
period of time, the ability of the servicer to collect full amounts of interest
on some of the mortgage loans. Any shortfalls in interest collections resulting
from the application of the Relief Act would result in a reduction of the
amounts distributable to the holders of the related series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, and would not be covered by advances. These
shortfalls will be covered by the
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credit support provided in connection with the Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, only to the extent provided in the prospectus supplement. In
addition, the Relief Act imposes limitations that would impair the ability of
the servicer to foreclose on an affected mortgage loan during the borrower's
period of active duty status, and, under some circumstances, during an
additional three month period thereafter. Thus, if an affected mortgage loan
goes into default, there may be delays and losses occasioned thereby.
FORFEITURES IN DRUG AND RICO PROCEEDINGS
Federal law provides that property owned by persons convicted of
drug-related crimes or of criminal violations of the Racketeer Influenced and
Corrupt Organizations ("RICO") statute can be seized by the government if the
property was used in, or purchased with the proceeds of, those crimes. Under
procedures contained in the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 (the "Crime
Control Act"), the government may seize the property even before conviction. The
government must publish notice of the forfeiture proceeding and may give notice
to all parties "known to have an alleged interest in the property," including
the holders of mortgage loans.
A lender may avoid forfeiture of its interest in the property if it
establishes that: (1) its mortgage was executed and recorded before commission
of the crime upon which the forfeiture is based, or (2) the lender was, at the
time of execution of the mortgage, "reasonably without cause to believe" that
the property was used in, or purchased with the proceeds of, illegal drug or
RICO activities.
COMMERCIAL, MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED USE LOANS
The market value of any Commercial, Multifamily or Mixed-Use Mortgaged
Property obtained in foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure will be based
substantially on the operating income obtained from renting the commercial or
dwelling units, the sale price, the value of any alternative uses, or such other
factors as are considered by the originator. Because a default on a Commercial,
Multifamily or Mixed-Use Mortgage Loan is likely to have occurred because
operating income, net of expenses, is insufficient to make debt service payments
on such mortgage loan, it can be anticipated that the market value of such
property will be less than was anticipated when such mortgage loan was
originated. To the extent that the equity in the property does not absorb the
loss in market value and such loss is not covered by other credit enhancement, a
loss may be experienced. With respect to any Multifamily Mortgaged Property
consisting of an apartment building owned by a cooperative, the cooperative's
ability to meet debt service obligations on the mortgage loan, as well as all
other operating expenses, will be dependent in large part on the receipt of
maintenance payments from the tenant-stockholders. Unanticipated expenditures
may in some cases have to be paid by special assessments of the
tenant-stockholders. The cooperative's ability to pay the principal balance of
the mortgage loan at maturity may depend on its ability to refinance the
mortgage loan. The depositor, the seller and the master servicer will have no
obligation to provide refinancing for any such mortgage.
In most states, hotel and motel room rates are considered accounts
receivable under the UCC. Room rates are generally pledged by the borrower as
additional security for the loan when a mortgage loan is secured by a hotel or
motel. In general, the lender must file financing statements in order to perfect
its security interest in the room rates and must file continuation statements,
generally every five years, to maintain that perfection. Mortgage loans secured
by hotels or motels may be included in the trust even if the security interest
in the room rates was not perfected or the requisite UCC filings were allowed to
lapse. A lender will generally be required to commence a foreclosure action or
otherwise take possession of the property in order to enforce its rights to
collect the room rates following a default, even if the lender's security
interest in room rates is perfected under applicable nonbankruptcy law.
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In the bankruptcy setting, the lender will be stayed from enforcing its
rights to collect hotel and motel room rates. However, the room rates will
constitute cash collateral and cannot be used by the bankrupt borrower without a
hearing or the lender's consent, or unless the lender's interest in the room
rates is given adequate protection.
For purposes of the foregoing, the adequate protection may include a cash
payment for otherwise encumbered funds or a replacement lien on unencumbered
property, in either case equal in value to the amount of room rates that the
bankrupt borrower proposes to use.
LEASES AND RENTS
Some of the Commercial, Multifamily and Mixed-Use Mortgage Loans are
secured by an assignment of leases (each, a "lease") and rents of one or more
lessees (each, a "lessee"), either through a separate document of assignment or
as incorporated in the mortgage. Under such assignments, the borrower under the
mortgage loan typically assigns its right, title and interest as landlord under
each lease and the income derived therefrom to the lender, while retaining a
license to collect the rents for so long as there is no default under the
mortgage loan documentation. The manner of perfecting the lender's interest in
rents may depend on whether the borrower's assignment was absolute or one
granted as security for the loan. Failure to properly perfect the lender's
interest in rents may result in the loss of a substantial pool of funds that
otherwise could serve as a source of repayment for the loan. In the event the
borrower defaults, the license terminates and the lender may be entitled to
collect rents. Some state laws may require that to perfect its interest in
rents, the lender must take possession of the property and/or obtain judicial
appointment of a receiver before becoming entitled to collect the rents. Lenders
that actually take possession of the property, however, may incur potentially
substantial risks attendant to being a mortgagee in possession. Such risks
include liability for environmental clean-up costs and other risks inherent to
property ownership. In addition, if bankruptcy or similar proceedings are
commenced by or in respect of the borrower, the lender's ability to collect the
rents may be adversely affected. In the event of borrower default, the amount of
rent the lender is able to collect from the tenants can significantly affect the
value of the lender's security interest.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and rules
promulgated thereunder (collectively, the "ADA"), owners of public
accommodations (such as hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, hospitals,
schools and social service center establishments) must remove architectural and
communication barriers that are structural in nature from existing places of
public accommodation to the extent "readily achievable." In addition, under the
ADA, alterations to a place of public accommodation or a commercial facility are
to be made so that, to the maximum extent feasible, such altered portions are
readily accessible to and useable by disabled individuals. The "readily
achievable" standard takes into account, among other factors, the financial
resources of the affected site, owner, landlord or other applicable person. In
addition to imposing a possible financial burden on the borrower in its capacity
as owner or landlord, the ADA may also impose such requirements on a foreclosing
lender who succeeds to the interest of the borrower as owner or landlord.
Furthermore, because the "readily achievable" standard may vary depending on the
financial condition of the owner or landlord, a foreclosing secured party who is
financially more capable than the borrower of complying with the requirements of
the ADA may be subject to more stringent requirements than those to which the
borrower is subject.
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE CONTRACTS
The following discussion contains summaries, which are general in nature,
of certain legal matters relating to the contracts. Because these legal aspects
are governed primarily by applicable state law, which laws may differ
substantially, the summaries do not purport to be complete nor to
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reflect the laws of any particular state, nor to encompass the laws of all
states in which the security for the contracts is situated. The summaries are
qualified in their entirety by reference to the appropriate laws of the states
in which contracts may be originated.
GENERAL
As a result of the assignment of the contracts to the trustee, the trustee
will succeed collectively to all of the rights including the right to receive
payment on the contracts, of the obligee under the contracts. Each contract
evidences both
(a) the obligation of the borrower to repay the loan evidenced
thereby, and
(b) the grant of a security interest in the manufactured home to
secure repayment of the loan. Aspects of both features of the contracts are
described more fully below.
The contracts generally are "chattel paper" as defined in the UCC in effect
in the states in which the manufactured homes initially were registered.
Pursuant to the UCC, the sale of chattel paper is treated in a manner similar to
perfection of a security interest in chattel paper. Under the agreement, the
servicer will transfer physical possession of the contracts to the trustee. In
addition, the servicer will make an appropriate filing of a UCC-1 financing
statement in the appropriate states to give notice of the trustee's ownership of
the contracts. The contracts will be stamped or marked otherwise to reflect
their assignment from the depositor to the trustee only if provided in the
prospectus supplement. Therefore, if, through negligence, fraud or otherwise, a
subsequent purchaser were able to take physical possession of the contracts
without notice of the assignment, the trustee's interest in contracts could be
defeated.
SECURITY INTERESTS IN THE MANUFACTURED HOMES
The manufactured homes securing the contracts may be located in all 50
states, Security interests in manufactured homes may be perfected either by
notation of the secured party's lien on the certificate of title or by delivery
of the required documents and payment of a fee to the state motor vehicle
authority, depending on state law. In some nontitle states, perfection pursuant
to the provisions of the UCC is required. The asset seller may effect that
notation or delivery of the required documents and fees, and obtain possession
of the certificate of title, as appropriate under the laws of the state in which
any manufactured home securing a manufactured housing conditional sales contract
is registered. In the event the asset seller fails, due to clerical error, to
effect that notation or delivery, or files the security interest under the wrong
law, the asset seller may not have a first priority security interest in the
manufactured home securing a contract. As manufactured homes have become larger
and often have been attached to their sites without any apparent intention to
move them, courts in many states have held that manufactured homes, under some
circumstances, may become subject to real estate title and recording laws. As a
result, a security interest in a manufactured home could be rendered subordinate
to the interests of other parties claiming an interest in the home under
applicable state real estate law.
To perfect a security interest in a manufactured home under real estate
laws, the holder of the security interest must file either a fixture filing
under the provisions of the UCC or a real estate mortgage under the real estate
laws of the state where the home is located. These filings must be made in the
real estate records office of the county where the home is located.
Substantially all of the contracts contain provisions prohibiting the borrower
from permanently attaching the manufactured home to its site. So long as the
borrower does not violate this agreement, a security interest in the
manufactured home will be governed by the certificate of title laws or the UCC,
and the notation of the security interest on the certificate of title or the
filing of a UCC financing statement will be effective to maintain the priority
of the security interest in the manufactured
96
home. If, however, a manufactured home is permanently attached to its site,
other parties could obtain an interest in the manufactured home that is prior to
the security interest originally retained by the asset seller and transferred to
the depositor. For a series of securities and if so described in the prospectus
supplement, the servicer may be required to perfect a security interest in the
manufactured home under applicable real estate laws. The warranting party will
represent that as of the date of the sale to the depositor it has obtained a
perfected first priority security interest by proper notation or delivery of the
required documents and fees for substantially all of the manufactured homes
securing the contracts.
The depositor will cause the security interests in the manufactured homes
to be assigned to the trustee on behalf of the securityholders. The depositor or
the trustee will amend the certificates of title, or file UCC-3 statements, to
identify the trustee as the new secured party, and will deliver the certificates
of title to the trustee or note thereon the interest of the trustee only if
specified in the prospectus supplement. Accordingly, the asset seller, or other
originator of the contracts, will continue to be named as the secured party on
the certificates of title relating to the manufactured homes. In some states,
that assignment is an effective conveyance of the security interest without
amendment of any lien noted on the related certificate of title and the new
secured party succeeds to servicer's rights as the secured party. However, in
some states, in the absence of an amendment to the certificate of title and the
new secured party succeeds to servicer's rights as the secured party. However,
in some states, in the absence of an amendment to the certificate of title, or
the filing of a UCC-3 statement, the assignment of the security interest in the
manufactured home may not be held effective or the security interest in the
manufactured home may not be held effective or the security interests may not be
perfected and in the absence of that notation or delivery to the trustee, the
assignment of the security interest in the manufactured home may not be
effective against creditors of the asset seller, or any other originator of the
contracts, or a trustee in bankruptcy of the asset seller, or any other
originator.
In the absence of fraud, forgery or permanent affixation of the
manufactured home to its site by the manufactured home owner, or administrative
error by state recording officials, the notation of the lien of the asset
seller, or other originator of the Contracts, on the certificate of title or
delivery of the required documents and fees will be sufficient to protect the
securityholders against the rights or subsequent purchasers of a manufactured
home or subsequent lenders who take a security interest in the manufactured
home. If there are any manufactured homes as to which the security interest
assigned to the trustee is not perfected, that security interest would be
subordinate to, among others, subsequent purchasers for value of manufactured
homes and holders of perfected security interests. There also exists a risk in
not identifying the trustee as the new secured party on the certificate of title
that, through fraud or negligence, the security interest of the trustee could be
released.
If the owner of a manufactured home moves it to a state other than the
state in which the manufactured home initially is registered, under the laws of
most states the perfected security interest in the manufactured home would
continue for four months after the relocation and thereafter only if and after
the owner re-registers the manufactured home in that state. If the owner were to
relocate a manufactured home to another state and not re-register the
manufactured home in that state, and if steps are not taken to re-perfect the
trustee's security interest in that state, the security interest in the
manufactured home would cease to be perfected. A majority of states generally
require surrender of a certificate of title to re-register a manufactured home;
accordingly, the servicer must surrender possession if it holds the certificate
of title to the manufactured home or, in the case of manufactured homes
registered in states that provide for notation of lien, the asset seller, or
other originator, would receive notice of surrender if the security interest in
the manufactured home is noted on the certificate of title. Accordingly, the
trustee would have the opportunity to re-perfect its security interest in the
manufactured home in the state of relocation. In states that do not require a
certificate of title for registration of a manufactured home, re-registration
could defeat perfection. In the ordinary course of servicing
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the manufactured housing contracts, the servicer takes steps to effect
re-perfection upon receipt of notice of re-registration or information from the
borrower as to relocation.
Similarly, when a borrower under a manufactured housing contract sells a
manufactured home, the servicer must surrender possession of the certificate of
title or, if it is noted as lienholder on the certificate of title, will receive
notice as a result of its lien noted thereon and accordingly will have an
opportunity to require satisfaction of the related manufactured housing
conditional sales contract before release of the lien. Under the Agreement, the
servicer is obligated to take those steps, at the servicer's expense, as are
necessary to maintain perfection of security interests in the manufactured
homes.
Under the laws of most states, liens for repairs performed on a
manufactured home and liens for personal property taxes take priority even over
a perfected security interest. The warranting party will represent in the
agreement that it has no knowledge of any of these liens for any manufactured
home securing payment on any contract. However, these liens could arise at any
time during the term of a contract. No notice will be given to the trustee or
securityholders if a lien arises.
ENFORCEMENT OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN THE MANUFACTURED HOMES
The servicer on behalf of the trustee, to the extent required by the
related agreement, may take action to enforce the trustee's security interest
with respect to contracts in default by repossession and resale of the
manufactured homes securing those defaulted contracts. So long as the
manufactured home has not become subject to the real estate law, a creditor can
repossess a manufactured home securing a contract by voluntary surrender, by
"self-help" repossession that is "peaceful" or, in the absence of voluntary
surrender and the ability to repossess without breach of the peace, by judicial
process. The holder of a contract must give the debtor a number of days' notice,
which varies from 10 to 30 days depending on that state, before beginning any
repossession. The UCC and consumer protection laws in most states place
restrictions on repossession sales, including requiring prior notice to the
debtor and commercial reasonableness in effecting that sale. The law in most
states also requires that the debtor be given notice of any sale before resale
of the unit so that the debtor may redeem at or before that resale. In the event
of repossession and resale of a manufactured home, the trustee would be entitled
to be paid out of the sale proceeds before the proceeds could be applied to the
payment of the claims of unsecured creditors or the holders of subsequently
perfected security interests or, thereafter, to the debtor.
Under the laws applicable in most states, a creditor is entitled to obtain
a deficiency judgment from a debtor for any deficiency on repossession and
resale of the manufactured home securing the debtor's loan. However, some states
impose prohibitions or limitations on deficiency judgments, and in many cases
the defaulting borrower would have no assets with which to pay a judgment.
Other statutory provisions, including federal and state bankruptcy and
insolvency laws and general equitable principles, may limit or delay the ability
of a lender to repossess and resell collateral or enforce a deficiency judgment.
SERVICEMEMBERS' CIVIL RELIEF ACT
The terms of the Relief Act apply to a borrower on a Contract as described
for a borrower on a mortgage loan under "Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage
Loans-Civil Act."
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CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS
The so-called Holder-in-Due-Course rule of the Federal Trade Commission is
intended to defeat the ability of the transferor of a consumer credit contract
that is the seller of goods which gave rise to the transaction, and some related
lenders and assignees, to transfer the contract free of notice of claims by the
debtor thereunder. The effect of this rule is to subject the assignee of the
contract to all claims and defenses that the debtor could assert against the
seller of goods. Liability under this rule is limited to amounts paid under a
contract; however, the borrower also may be able to assert the rule to set off
remaining amounts due as a defense against a claim brought by the trustee
against the borrower. Numerous other federal and state consumer protection laws
impose requirements applicable to the origination and lending pursuant to the
contracts, including the Truth in Lending Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act,
the Fair Credit Billing Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Uniform Consumer
Credit Code. In the case of some of these laws, the failure to comply with their
provisions may affect the enforceability of the related contract.
TRANSFERS OF MANUFACTURED HOMES; ENFORCEABILITY OF "DUE-ON-SALE" CLAUSES
The contracts, in general, prohibit the sale or transfer of the related
manufactured homes without the consent of the servicer and permit the
acceleration of the maturity of the contracts by the servicer upon any sale or
transfer that is not consented to. Generally, it is expected that the servicer
will permit most transfers of manufactured homes and not accelerate the maturity
of the related contracts. In some cases, the transfer may be made by a
delinquent borrower to avoid a repossession proceeding for a manufactured home.
In the case of a transfer of a manufactured home after which the servicer
desires to accelerate the maturity of the related contract, the servicer's
ability to do so will depend on the enforceability under state law of the
due-on-sale clauses applicable to the manufactured homes. Consequently, in some
states the servicer may be prohibited from enforcing a due-on-sale clause in
respect of some manufactured homes.
APPLICABILITY OF USURY LAWS
Title V of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control
Act of 1980, as amended (Title V), provides that, subject to the following
conditions, state usury limitations will not apply to any loan that is secured
by a first lien on certain kinds of manufactured housing. The contracts would be
covered if they satisfy certain conditions, among other things, governing the
terms of any prepayments, late charges and deferral fees and requiring a 30-day
notice period before instituting any action leading to repossession of or
foreclosure on the related unit.
Title V authorized any state to re-impose limitations on interest rates and
finance charges by adopting before April 1, 1983, a law or constitutional
provision that expressly rejects application of the federal law. Fifteen states
adopted a similar law before the April 1, 1983 deadline. In addition, even where
Title V was not so rejected, any state is authorized by the law to adopt a
provision limiting discount points or other charges on loans covered by Title V.
The related asset seller will represent that all of the contracts comply with
applicable usury law.
MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL
The following discussion represents the opinions of McKee Nelson LLP and
Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP as to the material federal income tax consequences
of the purchase, ownership and
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disposition of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, offered under this
prospectus. These opinions assume compliance with all provisions of the
Agreements pursuant to which the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, are
issued. This discussion is directed solely to securityholders that hold the
Notes or Certificates, as applicable, as capital assets within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and
does not purport to discuss all federal income tax consequences that may be
applicable to particular categories of investors, some of which (such as banks,
insurance companies, investors that do not buy in the original offering and
foreign investors) may be subject to special rules. Further, the authorities on
which this discussion, and the opinions referred to below, are based are subject
to change or differing interpretations, which could apply retroactively.
In addition to the federal income tax consequences described in this
prospectus, potential investors are encouraged to consider the state, local and
other tax consequences, if any, of the purchase, ownership and disposition of
the Notes or Certificates, as applicable. See "State and Other Tax
Considerations." The depositor recommends that securityholders consult their own
tax advisors concerning the federal, state, local or other tax consequences to
them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, offered under this prospectus.
The following discussion addresses securities of four general types:
o securities ("REMIC Securities") representing interests in an issuing
entity, or a portion of an issuing entity, that the trustee will elect
to have treated as a real estate mortgage investment conduit ("REMIC")
under Sections 860A through 860G (the "REMIC Provisions") of the Code;
o securities ("Grantor Trust Securities") representing interests in a
trust fund (a "Grantor Trust Fund") as to which no election will be
made;
o securities ("Partnership Certificates") representing equity interests
in a trust fund (a "Partnership Trust Fund") which is treated as a
partnership for federal income tax purposes; and
o securities ("Debt Securities") representing indebtedness of a
Partnership Trust Fund or a trust fund which is disregarded as a
separate entity from the owner of its equity for federal income tax
purposes.
The prospectus supplement for each series of Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, will indicate which of the foregoing treatments will apply to
that series and, if a REMIC election (or elections) will be made for the
related issuing entity, will identify all "regular interests" and "residual
interests" in the REMIC. For purposes of this tax discussion,
1. references to a "securityholder" or a "holder" are to the
beneficial owner of a Security,
2. references to "REMIC Pool" are to an entity or portion thereof as
to which a REMIC election will be made and
3. to the extent specified in the prospectus supplement, references to
"mortgage loans" include Contracts.
The following discussion is based in part upon the rules governing original
issue discount that are set forth in Sections 1271 through 1275 of the Code and
in the Treasury regulations
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promulgated thereunder (the "OID Regulations"), and in part upon the REMIC
Provisions and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (the "REMIC
Regulations"). In addition, the OID Regulations do not adequately address some
issues relevant to, and in some instances provide that they are not applicable
to, prepayable securities such as the Notes or Certificates, as applicable.
Taxable Mortgage Pools
Corporate income tax can be imposed on the net income of some entities
issuing non-REMIC debt obligations secured by real estate mortgages ("Taxable
Mortgage Pools"). Any entity other than a REMIC will be considered a Taxable
Mortgage Pool if
(1) substantially all of the assets of the entity consist of debt
obligations and more than 50% of those obligations (determined by
adjusted tax basis) consist of "real estate mortgages,"
(2) that entity is the borrower under debt obligations with two or
more maturities, and
(3) under the terms of the debt obligations on which the entity is the
borrower, payments on those obligations bear a relationship to
payments on the obligations held by the entity.
Furthermore, a group of assets held by an entity can be treated as a separate
Taxable Mortgage Pool if the assets are expected to produce significant cash
flow that will support one or more of the entity's issues of debt obligations.
The depositor generally will structure offerings of non-REMIC Securities to
avoid the application of the Taxable Mortgage Pool rules.
REMICS
Classification of REMICs
For each series of REMIC Securities, McKee Nelson LLP or Thacher Proffitt &
Wood LLP (as applicable, "Federal Tax Counsel") will deliver an opinion that,
assuming compliance with all provisions of the related pooling and servicing
agreement, the related issuing entity (or each applicable portion of the issuing
entity) will qualify as a REMIC and the REMIC Securities offered with respect
thereto will be considered to evidence ownership of "regular interests"
("Regular Securities") or "residual interests" ("Residual Securities") in the
REMIC within the meaning of the REMIC Provisions.
In order for the REMIC Pool to qualify as a REMIC, there must be ongoing
compliance on the part of the REMIC Pool with the requirements set forth in the
Code. The REMIC Pool must fulfill an asset test, which requires that no more
than a de minimis portion of the assets of the REMIC Pool, as of the close of
the third calendar month beginning after the "Startup Day" (which for purposes
of this discussion is the date of issuance of the REMIC Securities) and at all
times thereafter, consist of assets other than "qualified mortgages" and
"permitted investments." The REMIC Regulations provide a safe harbor pursuant to
which the de minimis requirement will be met if at all times the total adjusted
basis of the nonqualified assets is less than 1% of the total adjusted basis of
all the REMIC Pool's assets. An entity that fails to meet the safe harbor may
nevertheless demonstrate that it holds no more than a de minimis amount of
nonqualified assets. A REMIC Pool also must provide "reasonable arrangements" to
prevent its residual interests from being held by "disqualified organizations"
or agents of "disqualified organizations" and must furnish applicable tax
information to transferors or agents that violate this requirement. The pooling
and servicing agreement for each series of REMIC Securities will contain
provisions
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meeting these requirements. See "--Taxation of Owners of Residual
Securities--Tax-Related Restrictions on Transfer of Residual
Securities--Disqualified Organizations" below.
A qualified mortgage is any obligation that is principally secured by an
interest in real property and that is transferred to the REMIC Pool on the
Startup Day, is purchased by the REMIC Pool within a three-month period
thereafter pursuant to a fixed price contract in effect on the Startup Day or is
attributable to an advance made to the mortgagor pursuant to the original terms
of the obligation and is purchased by the REMIC pursuant to a fixed price
contract in effect on the Startup Day. Qualified mortgages include whole
mortgage loans and, certain certificates of beneficial interest in a grantor
trust that holds mortgage loans and regular interests in another REMIC, such as
lower-tier regular interests in a tiered REMIC. The REMIC Regulations specify
that loans secured by timeshare interests, shares held by a tenant stockholder
in a cooperative housing corporation, and manufactured housing that qualifies as
a "single family residence" under Code Section 25(e)(10) can be qualified
mortgages. A qualified mortgage includes a qualified replacement mortgage, which
is any property that would have been treated as a qualified mortgage if it were
transferred to the REMIC Pool on the Startup Day and that is received either:
(1) in exchange for any qualified mortgage within a three-month period
from the Startup Day; or
(2) in exchange for a "defective obligation" within a two-year period
from the Startup Day.
A "defective obligation" includes:
(1) a mortgage in default or as to which default is reasonably
foreseeable;
(2) a mortgage as to which a customary representation or warranty made
at the time of transfer to the REMIC Pool has been breached;
(3) a mortgage that was fraudulently procured by the borrower; and
(4) a mortgage that was not in fact principally secured by real
property (but only if the sponsor had a reasonable belief the mortgage loan
was principally secured by real estate at the time the mortgage was
acquired by the REMIC and the mortgage is disposed of within 90 days of
discovery of this defect).
A mortgage loan that is "defective" as described in clause (4) above that is not
sold or, if within two years of the Startup Day, sold or exchanged, within 90
days of discovery, ceases to be a qualified mortgage after that 90-day period.
Permitted investments include cash flow investments, qualified reserve
assets, and foreclosure property. A cash flow investment is an investment,
earning a return in the nature of interest, of amounts received on or with
respect to qualified mortgages for a temporary period, not exceeding 13 months,
until the next scheduled distribution to holders of interests in the REMIC Pool.
A qualified reserve asset is any intangible property held for investment that is
part of any reasonably required reserve maintained by the REMIC Pool to provide
for payments of expenses of the REMIC Pool or amounts due on the regular or
residual interests in the event of defaults (including delinquencies) on the
qualified mortgages, lower than expected reinvestment returns, prepayment
interest shortfalls and other contingencies. The reserve fund will be
disqualified if more than 30% of the gross income from the assets in that fund
for the year is derived from the sale or other disposition of property held for
less than three months, unless required to prevent a default on the regular
interests caused by a default on one or more qualified mortgages. A reserve fund
must be reduced "promptly and appropriately" to the extent no longer reasonably
required.
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Foreclosure property is real property acquired by the REMIC Pool in connection
with the default or imminent default of a qualified mortgage and generally may
not be held for more than three taxable years after the taxable year of
acquisition unless an extension of up to three additional years is granted by
the Secretary of the Treasury.
In addition to the foregoing requirements, the various interests in a REMIC
Pool also must meet specific requirements. All of the interests in a REMIC Pool
must be either of the following: (1) one or more classes of regular interests or
(2) a single class of residual interests on which distributions, if any, are
made pro rata.
o A regular interest is an interest in a REMIC Pool that is issued on
the Startup Day with fixed terms, is designated as a regular interest,
and unconditionally entitles the holder to receive a specified
principal amount (or other similar amount), and provides that interest
payments (or other similar amounts), if any, at or before maturity
either are payable based on a fixed rate or a qualified variable rate,
or consist of a specified, nonvarying portion of the interest payments
on qualified mortgages. That specified portion may consist of a fixed
number of basis points, a fixed percentage of the total interest, or a
qualified variable rate, inverse variable rate or difference between
two fixed or qualified variable rates on some or all of the qualified
mortgages. The specified principal amount of a regular interest that
provides for interest payments consisting of a specified, nonvarying
portion of interest payments on qualified mortgages may be zero.
o A residual interest is an interest in a REMIC Pool other than a
regular interest that is issued on the Startup Day and that is
designated as a residual interest.
An interest in a REMIC Pool may be treated as a regular interest even if
payments of principal for that interest are subordinated to payments on other
regular interests or the residual interest in the REMIC Pool, and are dependent
on the absence of defaults or delinquencies on qualified mortgages or permitted
investments, lower than reasonably expected returns on permitted investments,
unanticipated expenses incurred by the REMIC Pool or prepayment interest
shortfalls. Accordingly, except as disclosed in a related prospectus supplement,
in the opinion of Federal Tax Counsel, the Regular Securities of a series will
constitute one or more classes of regular interests, and the Residual Securities
for that series will constitute a single class of residual interests for each
REMIC Pool.
If an entity electing to be treated as a REMIC fails to comply with one or
more of the ongoing requirements of the Code for that status during any taxable
year, the Code provides that the entity will not be treated as a REMIC for that
year and thereafter. In that event, that entity may be taxable as a corporation
under Treasury regulations, and the related REMIC Securities may not be accorded
the status or given the tax treatment described below. Although the Code
authorizes the Treasury Department to issue regulations providing relief in the
event of an inadvertent termination of REMIC status, none of these regulations
have been issued. Any relief provided, moreover, may be accompanied by
sanctions, such as the imposition of a corporate tax on all or a portion of the
issuing entity's income for the period in which the requirements for that status
are not satisfied. The pooling and servicing agreement for each REMIC Pool will
include provisions designed to maintain the issuing entity's status as a REMIC
under the REMIC Provisions. It is not anticipated that the status of any issuing
entity as a REMIC will be terminated.
Characterization of Investments in REMIC Securities
The REMIC Securities will be treated as "real estate assets" within the
meaning of Section 856(c)(4)(A) of the Code and assets described in Section
7701(a)(19)(C) of the Code in the same proportion that the assets of the REMIC
Pool underlying these Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
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would be so treated. Moreover, if 95% or more of the assets of the REMIC Pool
qualify for either of the foregoing treatments at all times during a calendar
year, the REMIC Securities will qualify for the corresponding status in their
entirety for that calendar year.
Interest (including original issue discount) on the Regular Securities and
income allocated to the class of Residual Securities will be interest described
in Section 856(c)(3)(B) of the Code to the extent that the Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, are treated as "real estate assets" within the
meaning of Section 856(c)(4)(A) of the Code. In addition, the Regular Securities
generally will be "qualified mortgages" within the meaning of Section 860G(a)(3)
of the Code if transferred to another REMIC on its Startup Day in exchange for
regular or residual interests in the REMIC.
The assets of the REMIC Pool will include, in addition to mortgage loans,
payments on mortgage loans held pending distribution on the REMIC Securities and
property acquired by foreclosure held pending sale, and may include amounts in
reserve accounts. It is unclear whether property acquired by foreclosure held
pending sale and amounts in reserve accounts would be considered to be part of
the mortgage loans, or whether those assets (to the extent not invested in
assets described in the foregoing sections) otherwise would receive the same
treatment as the mortgage loans for purposes of all of the foregoing sections.
The REMIC Regulations do provide, however, that payments on mortgage loans held
pending distribution are considered part of the mortgage loans for purposes of
Section 856(c)(4)(A) of the Code. Furthermore, foreclosure property generally
will qualify as "real estate assets" under Section 856(c)(4)(A) of the Code.
Tiered REMIC Structures
For some series of REMIC Securities, two or more separate elections may be
made to treat designated portions of the related issuing entity as REMICs
("Tiered REMICs") for federal income tax purposes. Upon the issuance of any of
these series of REMIC Securities, Federal Tax Counsel will deliver its opinion
that, assuming compliance with all provisions of the related pooling and
servicing agreement, the Tiered REMICs will each qualify as a REMIC and the
respective interests issued by each Tiered REMIC will be considered to evidence
ownership of regular interests or residual interests in the related REMIC within
the meaning of the REMIC Provisions.
Solely for purposes of determining whether the REMIC Securities will be
"real estate assets" within the meaning of Section 856(c)(4)(A) of the Code and
"loans secured by an interest in real property" under Section 7701(a)(19)(C) of
the Code, and whether the income on those Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
is interest described in Section 856(c)(3)(B) of the Code, the Tiered REMICs
will be treated as one REMIC.
Taxation of Owners of Regular Securities
(1) General
Except as otherwise indicated herein, the Regular Securities will be
treated for federal income tax purposes as debt instruments that are issued by
the REMIC and not as beneficial interests in the REMIC or the REMIC's assets.
Interest, original issue discount, and market discount (other than de minimis
original issue discount market discount the holder does not elect to include
currently) on a Regular Security will be treated as ordinary income to a holder
of the Regular Security (the "Regular Securityholder"), and principal payments
(other than payments treated as payments of accrued market discount not
previously included in income) on a Regular Security will be treated as a return
of capital to the extent of the Regular Securityholder's basis in the Regular
Security allocable thereto. Regular Securityholders must use the accrual method
of accounting with regard to Regular Securities, regardless of the method of
accounting otherwise used by that Regular Securityholder.
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Payments of interest on Regular Securities may be based on a fixed rate, a
variable rate as permitted by the REMIC Regulations, or may consist of a
specified portion of the interest payments on qualified mortgages where such
portion does not vary during the period the Regular Security is outstanding. The
definition of a variable rate for purposes of the REMIC Regulations is based on
the definition of a qualified floating rate for purposes of the rules governing
original issue discount set forth in the OID Regulations, with certain
modifications and permissible variations. See "--Variable Rate Regular
Securities" below for a discussion of the definition of a qualified floating
rate for purposes of the OID Regulations. A qualified floating rate, as defined
above for purposes of the REMIC Regulations (a "REMIC qualified floating rate"),
qualifies as a variable rate for purposes of the REMIC Regulations if such REMIC
qualified floating rate is set at a "current rate" as defined in the OID
Regulations. In addition, a rate equal to the highest, lowest or an average of
two or more REMIC qualified floating rates qualifies as a variable rate for
REMIC purposes. A Regular Security may also have a variable rate based on a
weighted average of the interest rates on some or all of the qualified mortgages
held by the REMIC where each qualified mortgage taken into account has a fixed
rate or a variable rate that is permissible under the REMIC Regulations.
Further, a Regular Security may have a rate that is the product of a REMIC
qualified floating rate or a weighted average rate and a fixed multiplier, is a
constant number of basis points more or less than a REMIC qualified floating
rate or a weighted average rate, or is the product, plus or minus a constant
number of basis points, of a REMIC qualified floating rate or a weighted average
rate and a fixed multiplier. An otherwise permissible variable rate for a
Regular Security, described above, will not lose its character as such because
it is subject to a floor or a cap, including a "funds available cap" as that
term is defined in the REMIC Regulations. Lastly, a Regular Security will be
considered as having a permissible variable rate if it has a fixed or otherwise
permissible variable rate during one or more payment or accrual periods and
different fixed or otherwise permissible variable rates during other payment or
accrual periods.
(2) Original Issue Discount
Accrual Securities will be, and other classes of Regular Securities may be,
issued with "original issue discount" within the meaning of Code Section
1273(a). Holders of any Class or Subclass of Regular Securities having original
issue discount generally must include original issue discount in ordinary income
for federal income tax purposes as it accrues, in accordance with a constant
yield method that takes into account the compounding of interest, in advance of
the receipt of the cash attributable to that income. The following discussion is
based in part on the OID Regulations and in part on the provisions of the Tax
Reform Act of 1986 (the "1986 Act"). Regular Securityholders should be aware,
however, that the OID Regulations do not adequately address some of the issues
relevant to, and in some instances provide that they are not applicable to,
securities, such as the Regular Securities. To the extent that those issues are
not addressed in the regulations, the Seller intends to apply the methodology
described in the Conference Committee Report to the 1986 Act. No assurance can
be provided that the Internal Revenue Service will not take a different position
as to those matters not currently addressed by the OID Regulations. Moreover,
the OID Regulations include an anti-abuse rule allowing the Internal Revenue
Service to apply or depart from the OID Regulations where necessary or
appropriate to ensure a reasonable tax result because of the applicable
statutory provisions. A tax result will not be considered unreasonable under the
anti-abuse rule in the absence of an expected substantial effect on the present
value of a taxpayer's tax liability. Investors are advised to consult their own
tax advisors as to the discussion in the OID Regulations and the appropriate
method for reporting interest and original issue discount for the Regular
Securities.
In limited circumstances multiple Regular Securities can be aggregated and
treated as a single debt instrument for purposes of applying the original issue
discount rules. Otherwise each Regular Security will be treated as a single
installment obligation for purposes of determining the original issue discount
includible in a Regular Securityholder's income. The total amount of original
issue discount on a Regular Security is the excess of the "stated redemption
price at
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maturity" of the Regular Security over its "issue price." The issue price of a
Class of Regular Securities offered pursuant to this prospectus generally is the
first price at which a substantial amount of that Class is sold to the public
(excluding bond houses, brokers and underwriters). Although unclear under the
OID Regulations, it is anticipated that the trustee will treat the issue price
of a Class as to which there is no substantial sale as of the issue date or that
is retained by the depositor as the fair market value of the Class as of the
issue date. The issue price of a Regular Security also includes any amount paid
by an initial Regular Securityholder for accrued interest that relates to a
period before the issue date of the Regular Security, unless the Regular
Securityholder elects on its federal income tax return to exclude that amount
from the issue price and to recover it on the first Distribution Date.
The stated redemption price at maturity of a Regular Security always
includes the original principal amount of the Regular Security, but generally
will not include distributions of interest if those distributions constitute
"qualified stated interest." Under the OID Regulations, qualified stated
interest generally means interest payable at a single fixed rate or a qualified
variable rate (as described below), provided that the interest payments are
unconditionally payable at intervals of one year or less during the entire term
of the Regular Security. Interest is unconditionally payable only if reasonable
legal remedies exist to compel timely payment or the terms of the debt
instrument otherwise make the likelihood of late payment (beyond a grace period)
or non-payment sufficiently remote. Because there is no penalty or default
remedy in the case of nonpayment of interest for a Regular Security, it is
possible that no interest on any Class of Regular Securities will be treated as
qualified stated interest. However, except as provided in the following three
sentences or in the prospectus supplement, although there is no guidance
directly addressing the issue, because the underlying mortgage loans provide for
remedies in the event of default it is anticipated that the trustee will treat
interest for the Regular Securities as qualified stated interest. Distributions
of interest on an Accrual Security, or on other Regular Securities for which
deferred interest will accrue, will not constitute qualified stated interest, in
which case the stated redemption price at maturity of those Regular Securities
includes all distributions of interest as well as principal on the Regular
Securities. Likewise, although there is no guidance directly addressing the
issue, it is anticipated that the trustee will treat an interest-only Class or a
Class on which interest is substantially disproportionate to its principal
amount (a so-called "super-premium" Class) as having no qualified stated
interest. Where the interval between the issue date and the first Distribution
Date on a Regular Security is shorter than the interval between subsequent
Distribution Dates, the interest attributable to the additional days will be
included in the stated redemption price at maturity.
Under a de minimis rule, original issue discount on a Regular Security will
be considered to be zero if the original issue discount is less than 0.25% of
the stated redemption price at maturity of the Regular Security multiplied by
the weighted average maturity of the Regular Security. For this purpose, the
weighted average maturity of the Regular Security is computed as the sum of the
amounts determined by multiplying the number of full years (i.e., rounding down
partial years) from the issue date until each distribution in reduction of
stated redemption price at maturity is scheduled to be made by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the amount of each distribution included in the stated
redemption price at maturity of the Regular Security and the denominator of
which is the stated redemption price at maturity of the Regular Security. The
Conference Committee Report to the 1986 Act provides that the schedule of those
distributions should be determined in accordance with the assumed rate of
prepayment of the mortgage loans (the "Prepayment Assumption") and the
anticipated reinvestment rate, if any, relating to the Regular Securities. The
Prepayment Assumption for a series of Regular Securities will be set forth in
the prospectus supplement. Holders generally must report de minimis original
issue discount pro rata as principal payments are received, and that income will
generally be capital gain if the Regular Security is held as a capital asset.
Under the OID Regulations, however, Regular Securityholders may elect to accrue
all de minimis original issue discount as well as market
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discount and market premium, under the constant yield method. See "-Election to
Treat All Interest Under the Constant Yield Method" below.
A Regular Securityholder generally must include in gross income for any
taxable year the sum of the "daily portions," as defined below, of the original
issue discount on the Regular Security accrued during an accrual period for each
day on which it holds the Regular Security, including the date of purchase but
excluding the date of disposition. The trustee will treat the monthly period
ending on the day before each Distribution Date as the accrual period. For each
Regular Security, a calculation will be made of the original issue discount that
accrues during each successive full accrual period (or shorter period from the
date of original issue) that ends on the day before the related Distribution
Date on the Regular Security. The Conference Committee Report to the 1986 Act
states that the rate of accrual of original issue discount is intended to be
based on the Prepayment Assumption. The original issue discount accruing in a
full accrual period would be the excess, if any, of:
(1) the sum of:
(a) the present value of all of the remaining distributions to be
made on the Regular Security as of the end of that accrual period
and
(b) the distributions made on the Regular Security during the
accrual period that are included in the Regular Security's stated
redemption price at maturity, over
(2) the adjusted issue price of the Regular Security at the beginning
of the accrual period.
The present value of the remaining distributions referred to in the preceding
sentence is calculated based on:
(1) the yield to maturity of the Regular Security at the issue
date; and
(2) the Prepayment Assumption.
For these purposes, the adjusted issue price of a Regular Security at the
beginning of any accrual period equals the issue price of the Regular Security,
increased by the total amount of original issue discount for the Regular
Security that accrued in all prior accrual periods and reduced by the amount of
distributions included in the Regular Security's stated redemption price at
maturity that were made on the Regular Security in those prior periods. The
original issue discount accruing during any accrual period (as determined in
this paragraph) will then be divided by the number of days in the period to
determine the daily portion of original issue discount for each day in the
period. For an initial accrual period shorter than a full accrual period, the
daily portions of original issue discount must be determined according to an
appropriate allocation under any reasonable method.
Under the method described above, the daily portions of original issue
discount required to be included in income by a Regular Securityholder generally
will increase to take into account prepayments on the Regular Securities as a
result of prepayments on the mortgage loans that exceed the Prepayment
Assumption, and generally will decrease (but not below zero for any period) if
the prepayments are slower than the Prepayment Assumption. An increase in
prepayments on the mortgage loans for a series of Regular Securities can result
in both a change in the priority of principal payments for some Classes of
Regular Securities and either an increase or decrease in the daily portions of
original issue discount for those Regular Securities.
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(3) Acquisition Premium
A purchaser of a Regular Security having original issue discount at a price
greater than its adjusted issue price but less than its stated redemption price
at maturity will be required to include in gross income the daily portions of
the original issue discount on the Regular Security reduced pro rata by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the excess of its purchase price over the
adjusted issue price and the denominator of which is the excess of the remaining
stated redemption price at maturity over the adjusted issue price.
Alternatively, a purchaser may elect to treat all that acquisition premium under
the constant yield method, as described below under the heading "--Election to
Treat All Interest Under the Constant Yield Method" below.
(4) Variable Rate Regular Securities
Regular Securities may provide for interest based on a variable rate. Under
the OID Regulations, interest is treated as payable at a qualified variable rate
if, generally, (1) the issue price does not exceed the original principal
balance by more than a specified amount, (2) it does not provide for any
principal payments that are contingent, within the meaning of the OID
Regulations, except as provided in (1), and (3) the interest compounds or is
payable at least annually at current values of
(a) one or more "qualified floating rates,"
(b) a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating rates,
(c) a single "objective rate," or
(d) single fixed rate and a single objective rate that is a "qualified
inverse floating rate."
A floating rate is a qualified floating rate if variations can reasonably be
expected to measure contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly borrowed
funds. A multiple of a qualified floating rate is considered a qualified
floating rate only if the rate is equal to either (a) the product of a qualified
floating rate and a fixed multiple that is greater than 0.65 but not more than
1.35 or (b) the product of a qualified floating rate and a fixed multiple that
is greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35, increased or decreased by a fixed
rate. That rate may also be subject to a fixed cap or floor, or a cap or floor
that is not reasonably expected as of the issue date to affect the yield of the
instrument significantly. An objective rate is any rate (other than a qualified
floating rate) that is determined using a single fixed formula and that is based
on objective financial or economic information, provided that the information is
not (1) within the control of the issuer or a related party or (2) unique to the
circumstances of the issuer or a related party. However, an objective rate does
not include a rate if it is reasonably expected that the average value of such
rate during the first half of the Regular Security's term will be either
significantly less than or significantly greater than the average value of the
rate during the final half of the Regular Security's term. A qualified inverse
floating rate is a rate equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate
that inversely reflects contemporaneous variations in the qualified floating
rate; an inverse floating rate that is not a qualified inverse floating rate may
nevertheless be an objective rate. A Class of Regular Securities may be issued
under this prospectus that does not have a qualified variable rate under the
foregoing rules, for example, a Class that bears different rates at different
times during the period it is outstanding that it is considered significantly
"front-loaded" or "back-loaded" within the meaning of the OID Regulations. It is
possible that a Class may be considered to bear "contingent interest" within the
meaning of the OID Regulations. The OID Regulations, as they relate to the
treatment of contingent interest, are by their terms not applicable to Regular
Securities. However, if final regulations dealing with contingent interest for
Regular Securities apply the same principles as the OID Regulations, those
regulations may lead to
108
different timing of income inclusion than would be the case under the OID
Regulations. Furthermore, application of those principles could lead to the
characterization of gain on the sale of contingent interest Regular Securities
as ordinary income. Investors are encouraged to consult their tax advisors
regarding the appropriate treatment of any Regular Security that does not pay
interest at a fixed rate or qualified variable rate as described in this
paragraph.
The amount of original issue discount for a Regular Security bearing a
qualified variable rate of interest will accrue in the manner described above
under "--Original Issue Discount," with the yield to maturity and future
payments on that Regular Security generally to be determined by assuming that
interest will be payable for the life of the Regular Security based on the
initial rate (or, if different, the value of the applicable variable rate as of
the pricing date) for the relevant Class, if the Class bears interest at a
qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, or based on a fixed
rate which reflects the reasonably expected yield for the relevant Class, if the
Class bears interest at an objective rate (other than a qualified inverse
floating rate). However, the qualified stated interest allocable to an accrual
period will be increased (or decreased) if the interest actually paid during the
accrual period exceed (or is less than) the interest assumed to be paid under
the rate just described. Unless required otherwise by applicable final
regulations, although there is no guidance directly addressing the issue, it is
anticipated that the trustee will treat interest, other than variable interest
on an interest-only or super-premium Class, as qualified stated interest at the
qualified variable rate.
(5) Market Discount
A subsequent purchaser of a Regular Security also may be subject to the
market discount rules of Code Sections 1276 through 1278. Under these sections
and the principles applied by the OID Regulations in the context of original
issue discount, "market discount" is the amount by which the purchaser's
original basis in the Regular Security (1) is exceeded by the remaining
outstanding principal payments and interest payments other than qualified stated
interest payments due on a Regular Security, or (2) in the case of a Regular
Security having original issue discount, is exceeded by the adjusted issue price
of that Regular Security at the time of purchase. The purchaser generally will
be required to recognize ordinary income to the extent of accrued market
discount on that Regular Security as distributions includible in the stated
redemption price at maturity of the Regular Security are received, in an amount
not exceeding that distribution. The market discount would accrue in a manner to
be provided in Treasury regulations and should take into account the Prepayment
Assumption. The Conference Committee Report to the 1986 Act provides that until
these regulations are issued, the market discount would accrue either (1) on the
basis of a constant interest rate, or (2) in the ratio of stated interest
allocable to the relevant period to the sum of the interest for that period plus
the remaining interest as of the end of that period, or in the case of a Regular
Security issued with original issue discount, in the ratio of original issue
discount accrued for the relevant period to the sum of the original issue
discount accrued for that period plus the remaining original issue discount as
of the end of that period. The purchaser also generally will be required to
treat a portion of any gain on a sale or exchange of the Regular Security as
ordinary income to the extent of the market discount accrued to the date of
disposition under one of the foregoing methods, less any accrued market discount
previously reported as ordinary income as partial distributions in reduction of
the stated redemption price at maturity were received. The purchaser will be
required to defer deduction of a portion of the excess of the interest paid or
accrued on indebtedness incurred to purchase or carry a Regular Security over
the interest distributable on the Regular Security. The deferred portion of the
interest expense in any taxable year generally will not exceed the accrued
market discount on the Regular Security for that year. Any deferred interest
expense is, in general, allowed as a deduction not later than the year in which
the related market discount income is recognized or the Regular Security is
disposed of.
As an alternative to the inclusion of market discount in income on the
foregoing basis, the Regular Securityholder may elect to include market discount
in income currently as it accrues on
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all market discount instruments acquired by the Regular Securityholder in that
taxable year or thereafter, in which case the interest deferral rule will not
apply. See "--Election to Treat All Interest Under the Constant Yield Method"
below regarding an alternative manner in which that election may be deemed to be
made. A person who purchases a Regular Security at a price lower than the
remaining amounts includible in the stated redemption price at maturity of the
security, but higher than its adjusted issue price, does not acquire the Regular
Security with market discount, but will be required to report original issue
discount, appropriately adjusted to reflect the excess of the price paid over
the adjusted issue price.
Market discount for a Regular Security will be considered to be zero if the
market discount is less than 0.25% of the remaining stated redemption price at
maturity of the Regular Security (or, in the case of a Regular Security having
original issue discount, the adjusted issue price of that Regular Security)
multiplied by the weighted average maturity of the Regular Security (presumably
determined as described above in the third paragraph under "--Original Issue
Discount" above) remaining after the date of purchase. It appears that de
minimis market discount would be reported in a manner similar to de minimis
original issue discount. See "--Original Issue Discount" above.
Treasury regulations implementing the market discount rules have not yet
been issued, and uncertainty exists with respect to many aspects of those rules.
Due to the substantial lack of regulatory guidance with respect to the market
discount rules, it is unclear how those rules will affect any secondary market
that develops for a particular Class of Regular Securities. Prospective
investors in Regular Securities are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors
regarding the application of the market discount rules to the Regular Securities
and the elections to include market discount in income currently and to accrue
market discount on the basis of the constant yield method.
(6) Amortizable Premium
A Regular Security purchased at a cost greater than its remaining stated
redemption price at maturity generally is considered to be purchased at a
premium. If the Regular Securityholder holds that Regular Security as a "capital
asset" within the meaning of Code Section 1221, the Regular Securityholder may
elect under Code Section 171 to amortize the premium under a constant yield
method that reflects compounding based on the interval between payments on the
Regular Security. The election will apply to all taxable debt obligations
(including REMIC regular interests) acquired by the Regular Securityholder at a
premium held in that taxable year or thereafter, unless revoked with the
permission of the Internal Revenue Service. The Conference Committee Report to
the 1986 Act indicates a Congressional intent that the same rules that apply to
the accrual of market discount on installment obligations will also apply to
amortizing bond premium under Code Section 171 on installment obligations as the
Regular Securities, although it is unclear whether the alternatives to the
constant interest method described above under "Market Discount" are available.
Amortizable bond premium generally will be treated as an offset to interest
income on a Regular Security, rather than as a separate deductible item. See
"--Election to Treat All Interest Under the Constant Yield Method" below
regarding an alternative manner in which the Code Section 171 election may be
deemed to be made.
(7) Election to Treat All Interest Under the Constant Yield Method
A holder of a debt instrument such as a Regular Security may elect to treat
all interest that accrues on the instrument using the constant yield method,
with none of the interest being treated as qualified stated interest. For
purposes of applying the constant yield method to a debt instrument subject to
this election, (1) "interest" includes stated interest, original issue discount,
de minimis original issue discount, market discount and de minimis market
discount, as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium or acquisition premium and
(2) the debt instrument is treated
110
as if the instrument were issued on the holder's acquisition date in the amount
of the holder's adjusted basis immediately after acquisition. It is unclear
whether, for this purpose, the initial Prepayment Assumption would continue to
apply or if a new prepayment assumption as of the date of the holder's
acquisition would apply. A holder generally may make this election on an
instrument by instrument basis or for a class or group of debt instruments.
However, if the holder makes this election for a debt instrument with
amortizable bond premium, the holder is deemed to have made elections to
amortize bond premium currently as it accrues under the constant yield method
for all premium bonds held by the holder in the same taxable year or thereafter.
Alternatively, if the holder makes this election for a debt instrument with
market discount, the holder is deemed to have made elections to report market
discount income currently as it accrues under the constant yield method for all
market discount bonds acquired by the holder in the same taxable year or
thereafter. The election is made on the holder's federal income tax return for
the year in which the debt instrument is acquired and is irrevocable except with
the approval of the Internal Revenue Service. Investors are encouraged to
consult their own tax advisors regarding the advisability of making this
election.
(8) Treatment of Losses
Regular Securityholders will be required to report income for Regular
Securities on the accrual method of accounting, without giving effect to delays
or reductions in distributions attributable to defaults or delinquencies on the
mortgage loans, except to the extent it can be established that the losses are
uncollectible. Accordingly, the holder of a Regular Security, particularly a
Subordinate Security, may have income, or may incur a diminution in cash flow as
a result of a default or delinquency, but may not be able to take a deduction
(subject to the discussion below) for the corresponding loss until a subsequent
taxable year. In this regard, investors are cautioned that while they may
generally cease to accrue interest income if it reasonably appears that the
interest will be uncollectible, the Internal Revenue Service may take the
position that original issue discount must continue to be accrued in spite of
its uncollectibility until the debt instrument is disposed of in a taxable
transaction or becomes worthless in accordance with the rules of Code Section
166.
To the extent the rules of Code Section 166 regarding bad debts are
applicable, it appears that Regular Securityholders that are corporations or
that otherwise hold the Regular Securities in connection with a trade or
business should in general be allowed to deduct as an ordinary loss that loss
with respect to principal sustained during the taxable year on account of any
Regular Securities becoming wholly or partially worthless, and that, in general,
Regular Securityholders that are not corporations and do not hold the Regular
Securities in connection with a trade or business should be allowed to deduct as
a short-term capital loss any loss sustained during the taxable year on account
of a portion of any Regular Securities becoming wholly worthless. Although the
matter is not free from doubt, non-corporate Regular Securityholders should be
allowed a bad debt deduction at the time the principal balance of the Regular
Securities is reduced to reflect losses resulting from any liquidated mortgage
loans. The Internal Revenue Service, however, could take the position that
non-corporate holders will be allowed a bad debt deduction to reflect those
losses only after all the mortgage loans remaining in the issuing entity have
been liquidated or the applicable Class of Regular Securities has been otherwise
retired. The Internal Revenue Service could also assert that losses on the
Regular Securities are deductible based on some other method that may defer
those deductions for all holders, such as reducing future cashflow for purposes
of computing original issue discount. This may have the effect of creating
"negative" original issue discount that may be deductible only against future
positive original issue discount or otherwise upon termination of the Class.
Regular Securityholders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors
regarding the appropriate timing, amount and character of any loss sustained for
their Regular Securities. While losses attributable to interest previously
reported as income should be deductible as ordinary
111
losses by both corporate and non-corporate holders, the Internal Revenue Service
may take the position that losses attributable to accrued original issue
discount may only be deducted as capital losses in the case of non-corporate
holders who do not hold the Regular Securities in connection with a trade or
business. Special loss rules may be applicable to banks and thrift institutions.
These taxpayers are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the
treatment of losses on Regular Securities.
(9) Sale or Exchange of Regular Securities
If a Regular Securityholder sells or exchanges a Regular Security, the
Regular Securityholder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if
any, between the amount received and its adjusted basis in the Regular Security.
The adjusted basis of a Regular Security generally will equal the original cost
of the Regular Security to the seller, increased by any original issue discount
or market discount previously included in the seller's gross income for the
Regular Security and reduced by amounts included in the stated redemption price
at maturity of the Regular Security that were previously received by the seller,
by any amortized premium, and by any recognized losses.
Except as described above regarding market discount, and except as provided
in this paragraph, any gain or loss on the sale or exchange of a Regular
Security realized by an investor who holds the Regular Security as a capital
asset will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term or short-term depending
on whether the Regular Security has been held for the long-term capital gain
holding period (currently, more than one year). That gain will be treated as
ordinary income
(1) if a Regular Security is held as part of a "conversion
transaction" as defined in Code Section 1258(c), up to the amount of
interest that would have accrued on the Regular Securityholder's net
investment in the conversion transaction at 120% of the appropriate
applicable federal rate in effect at the time the taxpayer entered into the
transaction minus any amount previously treated as ordinary income for any
prior disposition of property that was held as part of that transaction;
(2) in the case of a non-corporate taxpayer, to the extent that the
taxpayer has made an election under Code Section 163(d)(4) to have net
capital gains taxed as investment income at ordinary income rates; or
(3) to the extent that the gain does not exceed the excess, if any, of
(a) the amount that would have been includible in the gross income of the
holder if its yield on that Regular Security were 110% of the applicable
federal rate as of the date of purchase, over (b) the amount of income
actually includible in the gross income of the holder for that Regular
Security (the "110% yield rule").
In addition, gain or loss recognized from the sale of a Regular Security by
some banks or thrift institutions will be treated as ordinary income or loss
pursuant to Code Section 582(c). Long-term capital gains of noncorporate
taxpayers generally are subject to a lower maximum tax rate than ordinary income
of those taxpayers for property held for more than one year, with further rate
reductions for property held for more than five years. Currently, the maximum
tax rate for corporations is the same for both ordinary income and capital
gains.
Taxation of Owners of Residual Securities
(1) Taxation of REMIC Income
Generally, the "daily portions" of REMIC taxable income or net loss will be
includible as ordinary income or loss in determining the federal taxable income
of holders of Residual
112
Securities ("Residual Holders"), and will not be taxed separately to the REMIC
Pool. The daily portions of REMIC taxable income or net loss of a Residual
Holder are determined by allocating the REMIC Pool's taxable income or net loss
for each calendar quarter ratably to each day in that quarter and by allocating
that daily portion among the Residual Holders in proportion to their respective
holdings of Residual Securities in the REMIC Pool on that day. REMIC taxable
income is generally determined in the same manner as the taxable income of an
individual using the accrual method of accounting, except that
(1) the limitations on deductibility of investment interest expense
and expenses for the production of income do not apply;
(2) all bad loans will be deductible as business bad debts; and
(3) the limitation on the deductibility of interest and expenses
related to tax-exempt income will apply.
The REMIC Pool's gross income includes interest, original issue discount income
and market discount income, if any, on the mortgage loans, reduced by
amortization of any premium on the mortgage loans, plus income from amortization
of issue premium, if any, on the Regular Securities, plus income on reinvestment
of cash flows and reserve assets, plus any cancellation of indebtedness income
upon allocation of realized losses to the Regular Securities or as a result of a
Certificateholder, particularly an interest only Regular Security, not
recovering its adjusted issue price. The REMIC Pool's deductions include
interest and original issue discount expense on the Regular Securities,
servicing fees on the mortgage loans, other administrative expenses of the REMIC
Pool and realized losses on the mortgage loans. The requirement that Residual
Holders report their pro rata share of taxable income or net loss of the REMIC
Pool will continue until there are no Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of
any class of the related series outstanding.
The taxable income recognized by a Residual Holder in any taxable year will
be affected by, among other factors, the relationship between the timing of
recognition of interest, original issue discount or market discount income or
amortization of premium for the mortgage loans, on the one hand, and the timing
of deductions for interest (including original issue discount) or income from
amortization of issue premium on the Regular Securities, on the other hand. If
an interest in the mortgage loans is acquired by the REMIC Pool at a discount,
and one or more of these mortgage loans is prepaid, the prepayment may be used
in whole or in part to make distributions in reduction of principal on the
Regular Securities, and the discount on the mortgage loans that is includible in
income may exceed the original issue discount deductions allowed with respect to
the Regular Securities. When there is more than one Class of Regular Securities
that distribute principal sequentially, this mismatching of income and
deductions is particularly likely to occur in the early years following issuance
of the Regular Securities when distributions in reduction of principal are being
made in respect of earlier Classes of Regular Securities to the extent that
those Classes are not issued with substantial discount or are issued at a
premium. If taxable income attributable to that mismatching is realized, in
general, losses would be allowed in later years as distributions on the later
maturing Classes of Regular Securities are made.
Taxable income may also be greater in earlier years than in later years as
a result of the fact that interest expense deductions, expressed as a percentage
of the outstanding principal amount of that series of Regular Securities, may
increase over time as distributions in reduction of principal are made on the
lower yielding Classes of Regular Securities, whereas, to the extent the REMIC
Pool consists of fixed rate mortgage loans, interest income for any particular
mortgage loan will remain constant over time as a percentage of the outstanding
principal amount of that loan. Consequently, Residual Holders must have
sufficient other sources of cash to pay any federal, state, or local income
taxes due as a result of that mismatching or unrelated deductions against which
to offset that income, subject to the discussion of "excess inclusions" below
under
113
"--Limitations on Offset or Exemption of REMIC Income." The timing of
mismatching of income and deductions described in this paragraph, if present for
a series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, may have a significant adverse
effect upon a Residual Holder's after-tax rate of return.
A portion of the income of a Residual Holder may be treated unfavorably in
three contexts:
(1) it may not be offset by current or net operating loss deductions;
(2) it will be considered unrelated business taxable income to
tax-exempt entities; and
(3) it is ineligible for any statutory or treaty reduction in the 30%
withholding tax otherwise available to a foreign Residual Holder.
See "--Limitations on Offset or Exemption of REMIC Income" below. In addition, a
Residual Holder's taxable income during some periods may exceed the income
reflected by those Residual Holders for those periods in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. Investors are encouraged to consult
their own accountants concerning the accounting treatment of their investment in
Residual Securities.
(2) Basis and Losses
The amount of any net loss of the REMIC Pool that may be taken into account
by the Residual Holder is limited to the adjusted basis of the Residual Security
as of the close of the quarter (or time of disposition of the Residual Security
if earlier), determined without taking into account the net loss for the
quarter. The initial adjusted basis of a purchaser of a Residual Security is the
amount paid for that Residual Security. The adjusted basis will be increased by
the amount of taxable income of the REMIC Pool reportable by the Residual Holder
and will be decreased (but not below zero), first, by a cash distribution from
the REMIC Pool and, second, by the amount of loss of the REMIC Pool reportable
by the Residual Holder. Any loss that is disallowed on account of this
limitation may be carried over indefinitely with respect to the Residual Holder
as to whom the loss was disallowed and may be used by the Residual Holder only
to offset any income generated by the same REMIC Pool, but is not available to a
subsequent Residual Holder.
A Residual Holder will not be permitted to amortize directly the cost of
its Residual Security as an offset to its share of the taxable income of the
related REMIC Pool. However, if, in any year, cash distributions to a Residual
Holder exceed its share of the REMIC's taxable income, the excess will
constitute a return of capital to the extent of the holder's basis in its
Residual Security. A return of capital is not treated as income for federal
income tax purposes, but will reduce the tax basis of the Residual Holder (but
not below zero). If a Residual Security's basis is reduced to zero, any cash
distributions with respect to that Residual Security in any taxable year in
excess of its share of the REMIC's income would be taxable to the holder as gain
on the sale or exchange of its interest in the REMIC.
A Residual Security may have a negative value if the net present value of
anticipated tax liabilities exceeds the present value of anticipated cash flows.
The REMIC Regulations appear to treat the issue price of the residual interest
as zero rather than the negative amount for purposes of determining the REMIC
Pool's basis in its assets. The preamble to the REMIC Regulations states that
the Internal Revenue Service may provide future guidance on the proper tax
treatment of payments made by a transferor of the residual interest to induce
the transferee to acquire the interest, and Residual Holders are encouraged to
consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
Further, to the extent that the initial adjusted basis of a Residual Holder
(other than an original holder) in the Residual Security is greater than the
corresponding portion of the REMIC
114
Pool's basis in the mortgage loans, the Residual Holder will not recover a
portion of the basis until termination of the REMIC Pool unless future Treasury
regulations provide for periodic adjustments to the REMIC income otherwise
reportable by the holder. The REMIC Regulations currently in effect do not so
provide. See "--Treatment of Certain Items of REMIC Income and Expense--Market
Discount" below regarding the basis of mortgage loans to the REMIC Pool and
"--Sale or Exchange of a Residual Security" below regarding possible treatment
of a loss upon termination of the REMIC Pool as a capital loss.
(3) Treatment of Certain Items of REMIC Income and Expense
Although it is anticipated that the trustee will compute REMIC income and
expense in accordance with the Code and applicable regulations, the authorities
regarding the determination of specific items of income and expense are subject
to differing interpretations. The depositor makes no representation as to the
specific method that will be used for reporting income with respect to the
mortgage loans and expenses for the Regular Securities, and different methods
could result in different timing or reporting of taxable income or net loss to
Residual Holders or differences in capital gain versus ordinary income.
Original Issue Discount and Premium. Generally, the REMIC Pool's deductions
for original issue discount and income from amortization of premium will be
determined in the same manner as original issue discount income on Regular
Securities as described above under "--Taxation of Owners of Regular
Securities--Original Issue Discount" and "--Variable Rate Regular Securities,"
without regard to the de minimis rule described therein, and "--Amortizable
Premium."
Market Discount. The REMIC Pool will have market discount income in respect
of mortgage loans if, in general, the basis of the REMIC Pool in those mortgage
loans is exceeded by their unpaid principal balances. The REMIC Pool's basis in
those mortgage loans is generally the fair market value of the mortgage loans
immediately after the transfer of the mortgage loans to the REMIC Pool. The
REMIC Regulations provide that the basis is equal to the total of the issue
prices of all regular and residual interests in the REMIC Pool. The market
discount must be recognized currently as an item of ordinary income as it
accrues, rather than being included in income upon the sale of mortgage loans or
as principal on the mortgage loans is paid. Market discount income generally
should accrue in the manner described above under "--Taxation of Owners of
Regular Securities--Market Discount."
Premium. Generally, if the basis of the REMIC Pool in the mortgage loans
exceeds the unpaid principal balances of the mortgage loans, the REMIC Pool will
be considered to have acquired those mortgage loans at a premium equal to the
amount of that excess. As stated above, the REMIC Pool's basis in mortgage loans
is generally the fair market value of the mortgage loans and is based on the
total of the issue prices of the regular and residual interests in the REMIC
Pool immediately after the transfer of the mortgage loans to the REMIC Pool. In
a manner analogous to the discussion above under "--Taxation of Owners of
Regular Securities--Amortizable Premium," a person that holds a mortgage loan as
a capital asset under Code Section 1221 may elect under Code Section 171 to
amortize premium on mortgage loans originated after September 27, 1985, under
the constant yield method. Amortizable bond premium will be treated as an offset
to interest income on the mortgage loans, rather than as a separate deduction
item. Because substantially all of the borrowers on the mortgage loans are
expected to be individuals, Code Section 171 will not be available for premium
on mortgage loans originated on or before September 27, 1985. Premium for those
mortgage loans may be deductible in accordance with a reasonable method
regularly employed by the holder of those mortgage loans. The allocation of that
premium pro rata among principal payments should be considered a reasonable
method; however, the Internal Revenue Service may argue that the premium should
be allocated in a different manner, such as allocating the premium entirely to
the final payment of principal.
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(4) Limitations on Offset or Exemption of REMIC Income
A portion (or all) of the REMIC taxable income includible in determining
the federal income tax liability of a Residual Holder will be subject to special
treatment. That portion, referred to as the "excess inclusion," is equal to the
excess of REMIC taxable income for the calendar quarter allocable to a Residual
Security over the daily accruals for that quarterly period of (1) 120% of the
long-term applicable federal rate that would have applied to the Residual
Security (if it were a debt instrument) on the Startup Day under Code Section
1274(d), multiplied by (2) the adjusted issue price of the Residual Security at
the beginning of the quarterly period. For this purpose, the adjusted issue
price of a Residual Security at the beginning of a quarter is the issue price of
the Residual Security, plus the amount of those daily accruals of REMIC income
described in this paragraph for all prior quarters, decreased by any
distributions made with respect to the Residual Security before the beginning of
that quarterly period.
The portion of a Residual Holder's REMIC taxable income consisting of the
excess inclusions generally may not be offset by other deductions, including net
operating loss carryforwards, on the Residual Holder's return. However, net
operating loss carryovers are determined without regard to excess inclusion
income. Further, if the Residual Holder is an organization subject to the tax on
unrelated business income imposed by Code Section 511, the Residual Holder's
excess inclusions will be treated as unrelated business taxable income of the
Residual Holder for purposes of Code Section 511. In addition, REMIC taxable
income is subject to 30% withholding tax for persons who are not U.S. Persons
(as defined below under "--Tax-Related Restrictions on Transfer of Residual
Securities--Foreign Investors"), and the portion thereof attributable to excess
inclusions is not eligible for any reduction in the rate of withholding tax (by
treaty or otherwise). See "--Taxation of Certain Foreign Investors--Residual
Securities" below. Finally, if a real estate investment trust or a regulated
investment company owns a Residual Security, a portion (allocated under Treasury
regulations yet to be issued) of dividends paid by the real estate investment
trust or regulated investment company could not be offset by net operating
losses of its shareholders, would constitute unrelated business taxable income
for tax-exempt shareholders, and would be ineligible for reduction of
withholding to persons who are not U.S. Persons.
Provisions governing the relationship between excess inclusions and the
alternative minimum tax provide that (i) alternative minimum taxable income for
a Residual Holder is determined without regard to the special rule, discussed
above, that taxable income cannot be less than excess inclusions, (ii) a
Residual Holder's alternative minimum taxable income for a taxable year cannot
be less than the excess inclusions for the year, and (iii) the amount of any
alternative minimum tax net operating loss deduction must be computed without
regard to any excess inclusions.
The Internal Revenue Service has authority to promulgate regulations
providing that if the aggregate value of the Residual Securities is not
considered to be "significant," then the entire share of REMIC taxable income of
a Residual Holder may be treated as excess inclusions subject to the foregoing
limitations. This authority has not been exercised to date.
(5) Tax-Related Restrictions on Transfer of Residual Securities
Disqualified Organizations. If any legal or beneficial interest in a
Residual Security is transferred to a Disqualified Organization (as defined
below), a tax would be imposed in an amount equal to the product of (1) the
present value of the total anticipated excess inclusions for that Residual
Security for periods after the transfer and (2) the highest marginal federal
income tax rate applicable to corporations. The REMIC Regulations provide that
the anticipated excess inclusions are based on actual prepayment experience to
the date of the transfer and projected payments based on the Prepayment
Assumption. The present value rate equals the applicable
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federal rate under Code Section 1274(d) as of the date of the transfer for a
term ending with the last calendar quarter in which excess inclusions are
expected to accrue. That rate is applied to the anticipated excess inclusions
from the end of the remaining calendar quarters in which they arise to the date
of the transfer. That tax generally would be imposed on the transferor of the
Residual Security, except that where the transfer is through an agent (including
a broker, nominee, or other middleman) for a Disqualified Organization, the tax
would instead be imposed on the agent. However, a transferor of a Residual
Security would in no event be liable for the tax for a transfer if the
transferee furnished to the transferor an affidavit stating that the transferee
is not a Disqualified Organization and, as of the time of the transfer, the
transferor does not have actual knowledge that the affidavit is false. Under the
REMIC Regulations, an affidavit will be sufficient if the transferee furnishes
(A) a social security number, and states under penalties of perjury that the
social security number is that of the transferee, or (B) a statement under
penalties of perjury that it is not a disqualified organization.
"Disqualified Organization" means the United States, any state (including
the District of Columbia) or political subdivision thereof, any foreign
government, any international organization, any agency or instrumentality of any
of the foregoing (provided, that the term does not include an instrumentality if
all of its activities are subject to tax and, except for the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation, a majority of its board of directors in not selected by
any governmental entity), any cooperative organization furnishing electric
energy or providing telephone service to persons in rural areas as described in
Code Section 1381(a)(2)(C), and any organization (other than a farmers'
cooperative described in Code Section 521) that is exempt from taxation under
the Code unless the organization is subject to the tax on unrelated business
income imposed by Code Section 511.
In addition, if a "Pass-Through Entity" (as defined below) has excess
inclusion income for a Residual Security during a taxable year and a
Disqualified Organization is the record holder of an equity interest in that
entity, then a tax is imposed on the entity equal to the product of (1) the
amount of excess inclusions that are allocable to the interest in the
Pass-Through Entity during the period that interest is held by the Disqualified
Organization, and (2) the highest marginal federal corporate income tax rate.
That tax would be deductible from the ordinary gross income of the Pass-Through
Entity for the taxable year. The Pass-Through Entity would not be liable for the
tax if (1) it has received an affidavit from the record holder stating, under
penalties of perjury, that it is not a Disqualified Organization, or providing
the holder's taxpayer identification number and stating, under penalties of
perjury, that the social security number is that of the record owner, and (2)
during the period that person is the record holder of the Residual Security, the
Pass-Through Entity does not have actual knowledge that the affidavit is false.
"Pass-Through Entity" means any regulated investment company, real estate
investment trust, common trust fund, partnership, trust or estate and any
organization treated as a cooperative under Code Section 1381. Except as may be
provided in Treasury regulations, any person holding an interest in a
Pass-Through Entity as a nominee for another will, with respect to that
interest, be treated as a Pass-Through Entity.
If an "electing large partnership" holds a Residual Security, all interests
in the electing large partnership are treated as held by Disqualified
Organizations for purposes of the tax imposed upon a Pass-Through Entity by
Section 860E(e) of the Code. The exception to this tax, otherwise available to a
Pass-Through Entity that is furnished particular affidavits by record holders of
interests in the entity and that does not know those affidavits are false, is
not available to an electing large partnership.
The pooling and servicing agreement for a series will provide that no legal
or beneficial interest in a Residual Security may be transferred or registered
unless (1) the proposed transferee furnished to the transferor and the trustee
an affidavit providing its taxpayer identification number
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and stating that the transferee is the beneficial owner of the Residual Security
and is not a Disqualified Organization and is not purchasing the Residual
Security on behalf of a Disqualified Organization (i.e., as a broker, nominee or
middleman) and (2) the transferor provides a statement in writing to the trustee
that it has no actual knowledge that the affidavit is false. Moreover, the
pooling and servicing agreement will provide that any attempted or purported
transfer in violation of these transfer restrictions will be null and void and
will vest no rights in any purported transferee. Each Residual Security for a
series will bear a legend referring to those restrictions on transfer, and each
Residual Holder will be deemed to have agreed, as a condition of ownership of
the Residual Security, to any amendments to the related pooling and servicing
agreement required under the Code or applicable Treasury regulations to
effectuate the foregoing restrictions. Information necessary to compute an
applicable excise tax must be furnished to the Internal Revenue Service and to
the requesting party within 60 days of the request, and the Seller or the
trustee may charge a fee for computing and providing that information.
Noneconomic Residual Interests. The REMIC Regulations disregard transfers
of Residual Securities under certain circumstances, in which case the transferor
would continue to be treated as the owner of the Residual Securities and thus
would continue to be subject to tax on its allocable portion of the net income
of the REMIC Pool. Under the REMIC Regulations, a transfer of a "noneconomic
residual interest" (as defined below) to a Residual Holder (other than a
Residual Holder who is not a U.S. Person as defined below under "--Foreign
Investors") is disregarded to all federal income tax purposes if a significant
purpose of the transfer is to impede the assessment or collection of tax. A
residual interest in a REMIC (including a residual interest with a positive
value at issuance) is a "noneconomic residual interest" unless, at the time of
the transfer, (1) the present value of the expected future distributions on the
residual interest at least equals the product of the present value of the
anticipated excess inclusions and the highest corporate income tax rate in
effect for the year in which the transfer occurs, and (2) the transferor
reasonably expects that the transferee will receive distributions from the REMIC
at or after the time at which taxes accrue on the anticipated excess inclusions
in an amount sufficient to satisfy the accrued taxes on each excess inclusion.
The anticipated excess inclusions and the present value rate are determined in
the same manner as set forth above under "--Disqualified Organizations." The
REMIC Regulations explain that a significant purpose to impede the assessment or
collection of tax exists if the transferor, at the time of the transfer, either
knew or should have known that the transferee would be unwilling or unable to
pay taxes due on its share of the taxable income of the REMIC. A safe harbor is
provided if (1) the transferor conducted, at the time of the transfer, a
reasonable investigation of the financial condition of the transferee and found
that the transferee historically had paid its debts as they came due and found
no significant evidence to indicate that the transferee would not continue to
pay its debts as they came due in the future, (2) the transferee represents to
the transferor that it understands that, as the holder of the non-economic
residual interest, the transferee may incur liabilities in excess of any cash
flows generated by the interest and that the transferee intends to pay taxes
associated with holding the residual interest as they become due, and (3) either
the formula test or the asset test (each as described below) is satisfied.
The formula test is satisfied if the present value of the anticipated tax
liabilities associated with holding the Residual Security does not exceed the
sum of the present values of (1) any consideration given to the transferee to
the acquire the Residual Security, (2) the expected future distributions on the
Residual Security, and (3) the anticipated tax savings associated with holding
the Residual Security as the REMIC generates losses. For purposes of this
calculation, the present values generally are calculated using a discount rate
equal to the applicable federal rate, and the transferee is assumed to pay tax
at the highest corporate rate of tax.
The asset test is satisfied if
1. at the time of the transfer of the Residual Security, and at the close
of each of the transferee's two fiscal years preceding the year of
transfer, the transferee's gross
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assets for financial reporting purposes exceed $100 million and its
net assets for financial reporting purposes exceed $10 million,
2. the transferee is a taxable domestic C corporation, other than a RIC,
REIT, REMIC or a cooperative corporation to which subchapter T of
Chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Code applies (an "Eligible
Corporation"), that makes a written agreement that any subsequent
transfer of the Residual Security will be to another Eligible
Corporation in a transaction that satisfies the safe harbor described
above, and the transferor does not know, or have reason to know, that
the transferee will not honor such agreement, and
3. the facts and circumstances known to the transferor on or before the
date of transfer do not reasonably indicate that the taxes associated
with the Residual Security will not be paid.
For purposes of requirement (1), the gross and net assets of a transferee do not
include any obligations of a person related to the transferee or any other asset
if a principal purpose for holding or acquiring the asset is to permit the
transferee to satisfy the asset test. Further, the formula test will not be
treated as satisfied in the case of any transfer or assignment of the Residual
Security to a foreign branch of an Eligible Corporation or any other arrangement
by which the Residual Security is at any time subject to net tax by a foreign
country or possession of the United States.
Foreign Investors. The REMIC Regulations provide that the transfer of a
Residual Security that has "tax avoidance potential" to a "foreign person" will
be disregarded for all federal tax purposes. This rule applies to a transferee
who is not a "U.S. Person" (as defined below), unless the transferee's income is
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United
States. A Residual Security is deemed to have tax avoidance potential unless, at
the time of the transfer, the transferor reasonably expects that (1) the future
distributions on the Residual Security will equal at least 30% of the
anticipated excess inclusions after the transfer, and (2) such amounts will be
distributed at or after the time at which the excess inclusions accrue and
before the end of the calendar taxable year following the calendar year of
accrual. A safe harbor in the REMIC Regulations provides that the reasonable
expectation requirement will be satisfied if the above test would be met at all
assumed prepayment rates for the mortgage loans from 50 percent to 200 percent
of the Prepayment Assumption. If the non-U.S. Person transfers the Residual
Security back to a U.S. Person, the transfer will be disregarded and the foreign
transferor will continue to be treated as the owner unless arrangements are made
so that the transfer does not have the effect of allowing the transferor to
avoid tax on accrued excess inclusions.
The prospectus supplement relating to the Certificates of a series may
provide that a Residual Security may not be purchased by or transferred to any
person that is not a U.S. Person or may describe the circumstances and
restrictions pursuant to which the transfer may be made. The term "U.S. Person"
means a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation or partnership
(or other entity properly treated as a partnership or as a corporation for
federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States or of any state (including, for this purpose, the District of
Columbia), an estate that is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of
the source of its income, or a trust if a court within the United States is able
to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or
more U.S. Persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust (or, to the extent provided in applicable Treasury regulations, trusts in
existence on August 20, 1996, which are eligible to elect and do elect to be
treated as U.S. Persons). In addition, a REMIC Residual Interest held by an
entity treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes may be treated as held
by its equity owners.
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(6) Sale or Exchange of a Residual Security
Upon the sale or exchange of a Residual Security, the Residual Holder will
recognize gain or loss equal to the excess, if any, of the amount realized over
the adjusted basis (as described above under "--Taxation of Owners of Residual
Securities--Basis and Losses") of the Residual Holder in the Residual Security
at the time of the sale or exchange.
Further, as described above under "--Taxation of Owners of Residual
Securities--Basis and Losses", if a Residual Security's basis is reduced to
zero, any cash distributions with respect to that Residual Security in any
taxable year in excess of its share of the REMIC's income for that year would be
taxable to the holder as gain on the sale or exchange of its interest in the
REMIC. If a Residual Holder has an adjusted basis in its Residual Security when
its interest in the REMIC Pool terminates, then it will recognize a loss at that
time in an amount equal to the remaining adjusted basis.
Any gain on the sale of a Residual Security will be treated as ordinary
income (1) if a Residual Security is held as part of a "conversion transaction"
as defined in Code Section 1258(c), up to the amount of interest that would have
accrued on the Residual Holder's net investment in the conversion transaction at
120% of the appropriate applicable federal rate in effect at the time the
taxpayer entered into the transaction minus any amount previously treated as
ordinary income for any prior disposition of property that was held as a part of
that transaction or (2) in the case of a non-corporate taxpayer, to the extent
that the taxpayer has made an election under Code Section 163(d)(4) to have net
capital gains taxed as investment income at ordinary income rates. In addition,
gain or loss recognized from the sale of a Residual Security by some banks or
thrift institutions will be treated as ordinary income or loss pursuant to Code
Section 582(c).
Except as provided in Treasury regulations yet to be issued, the wash sale
rules of Code Section 1091 will apply to dispositions of Residual Securities
where the seller of the Residual Security, during the period beginning six
months before the sale or disposition of the Residual Security and ending six
months after the sale or disposition, acquires (or enters into any other
transaction that results in the application of Code Section 1091) any residual
interest in any REMIC or any interest in a "taxable mortgage pool" (such as a
non-REMIC owner trust) that is economically comparable to a Residual Security.
(7) Mark to Market Regulations
Treasury regulations provide that a Residual Security acquired on or after
January 4, 1995 is not treated as a security and thus may not be marked to
market pursuant to Section 475 of the Code.
(8) Inducement Fees
Regulations have been adopted regarding the federal income tax treatment of
"inducement fees" received by transferees of non-economic REMIC residual
interests. The regulations (i) provide tax accounting rules for the treatment of
such fees as income over an appropriate period and (ii) specify that inducement
fees constitute income from sources within the United States. Prospective
purchasers of the Residual Certificates are encouraged to consult their tax
advisors regarding the effect of these regulations and the tax consequences of
receiving any inducement fee.
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Taxes That May Be Imposed on the REMIC Pool
(1) Prohibited Transactions
Income from transactions by the REMIC Pool, called prohibited transactions,
will not be part of the calculation of income or loss includible in the federal
income tax returns of Residual Holders, but rather will be taxed directly to the
REMIC Pool at a 100% rate. Prohibited transactions generally include:
(1) the disposition of a qualified mortgages other than for:
(a) substitution for a defective (including a defaulted)
obligation within two years of the Startup Day (or
repurchase in lieu of substitution of a defective (including
a defaulted) obligation at any time) or for any qualified
mortgage within three months of the Startup Day;
(b) foreclosure, default, or imminent default of a qualified
mortgage;
(c) bankruptcy or insolvency of the REMIC Pool; or
(d) a qualified (complete) liquidation;
(2) the receipt of income from assets that are not qualified
mortgages or investments that the REMIC Pool is permitted to
hold;
(3) the receipt of compensation for services; or
(4) the receipt of gain from disposition of cash flow investments
other than pursuant to a qualified liquidation.
Notwithstanding (1) and (4) above, it is not a prohibited transaction to
sell a qualified mortgage or cash flow investment held by a REMIC Pool to
prevent a default on Regular Securities as a result of a default on qualified
mortgages or to facilitate a clean-up call of a class of REMIC regular interest
to save administrative costs when no more than a small percentage of the Notes
or Certificates, as applicable, is outstanding. The REMIC Regulations indicate
that the modification of a mortgage loan generally will not be treated as a
disposition for this purpose if it is occasioned by a default or reasonably
foreseeable default, an assumption of the mortgage loan, the waiver of a
due-on-sale or due-on-encumbrance clause, or the conversion of an interest rate
by a borrower pursuant to the terms of a convertible adjustable rate mortgage
loan.
(2) Contributions to the REMIC Pool After the Startup Day
In general, the REMIC Pool will be subject to a tax at a 100% rate on the
value of any property contributed to the REMIC Pool after the Startup Day.
Exceptions are provided for cash contributions to the REMIC Pool
(1) during the three months following the Startup Day,
(2) made to a qualified reserve fund by a Residual Holder,
(3) in the nature of a guarantee,
(4) made to facilitate a qualified liquidation or clean-up call, and
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(5) as otherwise permitted in Treasury regulations yet to be issued.
It is not anticipated that there will be any contributions to the REMIC Pool
after the Startup Day that do not qualify for an exception from the 100% penalty
tax.
(3) Net Income from Foreclosure Property
The REMIC Pool will be subject of federal income tax at the highest
corporate rate on "net income from foreclosure property," determined by
reference to the rules applicable to real estate investment trusts. Generally,
property acquired by foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure would be
treated as "foreclosure property" until the close of the third calendar year
after the year in which the REMIC Pool acquired that property, unless an
extension of up to three additional years is granted. Net income from
foreclosure property generally means gain from the sale of a foreclosure
property that is inventory property and gross income from foreclosure property
other than income that would be qualifying rents and other qualifying income for
a real estate investment trust. It is not anticipated that the REMIC Pool will
have any taxable net income from foreclosure property.
(4) Liquidation of the REMIC Pool
If a REMIC Pool adopts a plan of complete liquidation, within the meaning
of Code Section 860F(a)(4)(A)(i), which may be accomplished by designating in
the REMIC Pool's final tax return a date on which that adoption is deemed to
occur, and sells all of its assets (other than cash) within a 90-day period
beginning on that date, the REMIC Pool will not be subject to the prohibited
transaction rules on the sale of its assets, provided that the REMIC Pool
credits or distributes in liquidation all of the sale proceeds plus its cash
(other than amounts retained to meet claims) to holders of Regular Securities
and Residual Holders within the 90-day period.
(5) Administrative Matters
The REMIC Pool will be required to maintain its books on a calendar year
basis and to file federal income tax returns for federal income tax purposes in
a manner similar to a partnership. The form for the income tax return is Form
1066, U.S. Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit Income Tax Return. The
trustee will be required to sign the REMIC Pool's returns. Treasury regulations
provide that, except where there is a single Residual Holder for an entire
taxable year, the REMIC Pool will be subject to the procedural and
administrative rules of the Code applicable to partnerships, including the
determination by the Internal Revenue Service of any adjustments to, among other
things, items of REMIC income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit in a unified
administrative proceeding. The master servicer will be obligated to act as "tax
matters person," as defined in applicable Treasury regulations, for the REMIC
Pool as agent of the Residual Holders holding the largest percentage interest in
the Residual Securities. If the Code or applicable Treasury regulations do not
permit the master servicer to act as tax matters person in its capacity as agent
of the Residual Holder, the Residual Holder or any other person specified
pursuant to Treasury regulations will be required to act as tax matters person.
The tax matters person generally has responsibility for overseeing and providing
notice to the other Residual Holders of administrative and judicial proceedings
regarding the REMIC Pool's tax affairs, although other holders of the Residual
Securities of the same series would be able to participate in those proceedings
in appropriate circumstances.
(6) Limitations on Deduction of Certain Expenses
An investor who is an individual, estate, or trust will be subject to
limitation with respect to some itemized deductions described in Code Section
67, to the extent that those itemized deductions, in total, do not exceed 2% of
the investor's adjusted gross income. In the case of a
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partnership that has 100 or more partners and elects to be treated as an
"electing large partnership," 70% of that partnership's miscellaneous itemized
deductions will be disallowed, although the remaining deductions will generally
be allowed at the partnership level and will not be subject to the 2% floor that
would otherwise be applicable to individual partners. In addition, Code Section
68, provides that itemized deductions otherwise allowable for a taxable year of
an individual taxpayer will be reduced by the lesser or (1) 3% of the excess of
adjusted gross income in excess of a specified threshold amount (which is
adjusted annually for inflation), or (2) 80% of the amount of itemized
deductions otherwise allowable for that year. The reduction under Code Section
68 is itself reduced by one-third for taxable years beginning in 2006 and 2007,
two-thirds for taxable years beginning in 2008 and 2009, and fully reduced for
taxable years beginning in 2010 with no reduction thereafter. In the case of a
REMIC Pool, those deductions may include deductions under Code Section 212 for
the Servicing Fee and all administrative and other expenses relating to the
REMIC Pool, or any similar expenses allocated to the REMIC Pool for a regular
interest it holds in another REMIC. Those investors who hold REMIC Securities
either directly or indirectly through pass-through entities may have their pro
rata share of those expenses allocated to them as additional gross income, but
may be subject to that limitation on deductions. In addition, those expenses are
not deductible at all for purposes of computing the alternative minimum tax, and
may cause those investors to be subject to significant additional tax liability.
Temporary Treasury regulations provide that the additional gross income and
corresponding amount of expenses generally are to be allocated entirely to the
holders of Residual Securities in the case of a REMIC Pool that would not
qualify as a fixed investment trust in the absence of a REMIC election. For a
REMIC Pool that would be classified as an investment trust in the absence of a
REMIC election or that is substantially similar to an investment trust, any
holder of a Regular Security that is an individual, trust, estate, or
pass-through entity also will be allocated its pro rata share of those expenses
and a corresponding amount of income and will be subject to the limitations or
deductions imposed by Code Sections 67 and 68, as described above. The
prospectus supplement will indicate if all those expenses will not be allocable
to the Residual Securities.
Taxation of Certain Foreign Investors
(1) Regular Securities
Interest, including original issue discount, distributable to Regular
Securityholders who are non-resident aliens, foreign corporations, or other
Non-U.S. Persons (as defined below), generally will be considered "portfolio
interest" and, therefore, generally will not be subject to 30% United States
withholding tax, provided that (1) the interest is not effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States of the
securityholder, (2) the Non-U.S. Person is not a "10-percent shareholder" within
the meaning of Code Section 871(h)(3)(B) or a controlled foreign corporation
described in Code Section 881(c)(3)(C) and (3) that Non-U.S. Person complies to
the extent necessary with certain certification requirements, which generally
relate to the identity of the beneficial owner and the status of the beneficial
owner as a person that is a Non-U.S. person. Each Regular Securityholder is
encouraged to consult its tax advisors regarding the tax documentation and
certifications that must be provided to secure the exemption from United States
withholding taxes.
Any capital gain realized on the sale, redemption, retirement or other
taxable disposition of a Regular Security by a Non-U.S. Person generally will be
exempt from United States federal income and withholding tax, provided that (i)
such gain is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business
in the United States by the Non-U.S. Person and (ii) in the case of an
individual Non-U.S. Person, the Non-U.S. Person is not present in the United
States for 183 days or more in the taxable year.
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If the interest on the Regular Security is effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business within the United States by that Non-U.S. Person,
the Non-U.S. Person, although exempt from the withholding tax previously
discussed if the holder provides an appropriate statement establishing that such
income is so effectively connected, will be subject to United States federal
income tax at regular rates. Investors who are Non-U.S. Persons are encouraged
to consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific tax consequences to
them of owning a Regular Security. The term "Non-U.S. Person" means any person
who is not a U.S. Person.
(2) Residual Securities
The Conference Committee Report to the 1986 Act indicates that amounts paid
to Residual Holders who are Non-U.S. Persons generally should be treated as
interest for purposes of the 30% (or lower treaty rate) United States
withholding tax. Treasury regulations provide that amount distributed to
Residual Holders may qualify as "portfolio interest," subject to the conditions
described in "Regular Securities" above, but only to the extent that (1) the
mortgage loans were issued after July 18, 1984, and (2) the issuing entity or
segregated pool of assets in the issuing entity (as to which a separate REMIC
election will be made), to which the Residual Security relates, consists of
obligations issued in "registered form" within the meaning of Code Section 163
(f) (1). Generally, mortgage loans will not be, but regular interests in another
REMIC Pool will be, considered obligations issued in registered form.
Furthermore, Residual Holders will not be entitled to any exemption from the 30%
withholding tax (or lower treaty rate) to the extent of that portion of REMIC
taxable income that constitutes an "excess inclusion." See "--Taxation of Owners
of Residual Securities--Limitations on Offset or Exemption of REMIC Income"
above. If the amounts paid to Residual Holders who are Non-U.S. Persons are
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United
States by those Non-U.S. Persons, although exempt from the withholding tax
previously discussed if the holder provides an appropriate statement
establishing that such income is so effectively connected, the amounts paid to
those Non-U.S. Persons will be subject to United States federal income tax at
regular rates. See "--Tax-Related Restrictions on Transfer of Residual
Securities--Foreign Investors" above concerning the disregard of transfers
having "tax avoidance potential." Investors who are Non-U.S. Persons are
encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific tax
consequences to them of owning Residual Securities.
(3) Backup Withholding
Distributions made on the REMIC Securities, and proceeds from the sale of
the REMIC Securities to or through certain brokers, may be subject to a "backup"
withholding tax under Code Section 3406 on "reportable payments" (including
interest distributions, original issue discount, and, under some circumstances,
principal distributions) if the Holder fails to comply with certain
identification procedures, unless the Holder is otherwise an exempt recipient
under applicable provisions of the Code, and, if necessary, demonstrates such
status. Any amounts to be withheld from distribution on the REMIC Securities
would be refunded by the Internal Revenue Service or allowed as a credit against
the Regular Holder's federal income tax liability.
GRANTOR TRUST FUNDS
Characterization. For each series of Grantor Trust Securities, Federal Tax
Counsel will deliver its opinion that the Grantor Trust Fund will not be
classified as an association taxable as a corporation and that the Grantor Trust
Fund will be classified as a grantor trust under subpart E, Part I of subchapter
J of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Code. In this case, beneficial owners of
Grantor Trust Securities (referred to in this Prospectus as "Grantor Trust
Securityholders") will be treated for federal income tax purposes as owners of a
portion of the Grantor Trust Fund's assets as described below.
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Taxation of Grantor Trust Securityholders. Subject to the discussion below
under "Stripped Certificates" and "Subordinated Certificates," each Grantor
Trust Securityholder will be treated as the owner of a pro rata undivided
interest in the assets of the Grantor Trust Fund. Accordingly, and subject to
the discussion below of the recharacterization of the servicing fee, each
Grantor Trust Securityholder must include in income its pro rata share of the
interest and other income from the assets of the Grantor Trust Fund, including
any interest, original issue discount, market discount, prepayment fees,
assumption fees, and late payment charges with respect to the assets, and,
subject to limitations discussed below, may deduct its pro rata share of the
fees and other deductible expenses paid by the Grantor Trust Fund, at the same
time and to the same extent as these items would be included or deducted by the
Grantor Trust Securityholder if the Grantor Trust Securityholder held directly a
pro rata interest in the assets of the Grantor Trust Fund and received and paid
directly the amounts received and paid by the Grantor Trust Fund. Any amounts
received by a Grantor Trust Securityholder in lieu of amounts due with respect
to any asset of the Grantor Trust Fund because of a default or delinquency in
payment will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having the same
character as the payments they replace.
Each Grantor Trust Securityholder will be entitled to deduct its pro rata
share of servicing fees, prepayment fees, assumption fees, any loss recognized
upon an assumption and late payment charges retained by the servicer, provided
that these amounts are reasonable compensation for services rendered to the
Grantor Trust Fund. Grantor Trust Securityholders that are individuals, estates
or trusts will be entitled to deduct their share of expenses only to the extent
these expenses plus all other miscellaneous itemized deductions exceed two
percent of the Grantor Trust Securityholder's adjusted gross income, and will be
allowed no deduction for these expenses in determining their liabilities for
alternative minimum tax. In addition, Section 68 of the Code, provides that the
amount of itemized deductions otherwise allowable for the taxable year for an
individual whose adjusted gross income exceeds a prescribed threshold amount
will be reduced by the lesser of (1) 3% of the excess of adjusted gross income
over the specified threshold amount (adjusted annually for inflation) or (2) 80%
of the amount of itemized deductions otherwise allowable for the applicable
taxable year. The reduction under Code Section 68 is itself reduced by one-third
for taxable years beginning in 2006 and 2007, two-thirds for taxable years
beginning in 2008 and 2009, and fully reduced for taxable years beginning in
2010 with no reduction thereafter. In the case of a partnership that has 100 or
more partners and elects to be treated as an "electing large partnership," 70%
of the partnership's miscellaneous itemized deductions will be disallowed,
although the remaining deductions will generally be allowed at the partnership
level and will not be subject to the 2% floor that would otherwise be applicable
to individual partners.
The servicing compensation to be received by the servicer may be questioned
by the IRS as exceeding a reasonable fee for the services being performed in
exchange for the servicing compensation, and a portion of the servicing
compensation could be recharacterized as an ownership interest retained by the
servicer or other party in a portion of the interest payments to be made with
respect to the Grantor Trust Fund's assets. In this event, a certificate might
be treated as a Stripped Certificate subject to the stripped bond rules of
Section 1286 of the Code, and either the original issue discount or the market
discount rules. See the discussion below under "--Stripped Certificates". Except
as discussed below under "Stripped Certificates" or "--Subordinated
Certificates," this discussion assumes that the servicing fees paid to the
servicer do not exceed reasonable servicing compensation.
A purchaser of a Grantor Trust Security will be treated as purchasing an
interest in each asset in the Grantor Trust Fund at a price determined by
allocating the purchase price paid for the certificate among all asset of the
Grantor Trust Fund in proportion to their fair market values at the time of the
purchase of the certificate. To the extent that the portion of the purchase
price of a Grantor Trust Security allocated to an asset of the Grantor Trust
Fund is less than or greater than
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the stated redemption price at maturity of the asset, the interest in the asset
will have been acquired at a discount or premium. See "--Market Discount" and
"--Premium," below.
The treatment of any discount on an asset of the Grantor Trust Fund will
depend on whether the discount represents original issue discount or market
discount. Except as indicated otherwise in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
it is not expected that any asset of the Grantor Trust Fund (other than a
Stripped Agency Security or other instrument evidencing ownership of specific
interest and/or principal of a particular bond) will have original issue
discount (except as discussed below under "Stripped Certificates" or
"Subordinated Certificates"). For the rules governing original issue discount,
see "REMICs--Taxation of Owners of Regular Securities--Original Issue Discount"
above.
The information provided to Grantor Trust Securityholders will not include
information necessary to compute the amount of discount or premium, if any, at
which an interest in each asset of the Grantor Trust Fund is acquired.
Market Discount. A Grantor Trust Securityholder that acquires an undivided
interest in the Grantor Trust Fund's assets may be subject to the market
discount rules of Sections 1276 through 1278 to the extent an undivided interest
in an asset of the Grantor Trust Fund is considered to have been purchased at a
"market discount". For a discussion of the market discount rules under the Code,
see "REMICs--Taxation of Owners of Regular Securities--Market Discount" above.
As discussed above, to the extent an asset of the Grantor Trust Fund is a
Stripped Agency Security or other instrument evidencing ownership of specific
interest and/or principal of a particular bond, it will be subject to the rules
relating to original issue discount (in lieu of the rules relating to market
discount). See "REMICs--Taxation of Owners of Regular Securities--Original Issue
Discount" above.
Premium. To the extent a Grantor Trust Securityholder is considered to have
purchased an undivided interest in an asset of the Grantor Trust Fund for an
amount that is greater than the stated redemption price at maturity of the
interest, the Grantor Trust Securityholder will be considered to have purchased
the interest in the asset with "amortizable bond premium" equal in amount to the
excess. For a discussion of the rules applicable to amortizable bond premium,
see "REMICs--Taxation of Owners of Regular Securities--Amortizable Premium"
above.
Status of the Grantor Trust Securities. Except for that portion of a
Grantor Trust Fund consisting of unsecured home improvement loans and except as
qualified below, a Grantor Trust Security owned by a:
o "domestic building and loan association" within the meaning of Code
Section 7701(a)(19) will be considered to represent "loans . . .
secured by an interest in real property" within the meaning of Code
Section 7701(a)(19)(C)(v), to the extent assets of the Trust consist
of mortgage loans and other assets of the type described in that
section of the Code.
o real estate investment trust will be considered to represent "real
estate assets" within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(4)(A) to the
extent that the assets of the related Grantor Trust Fund consist of
qualified assets, and interest income on those assets will be
considered "interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real
property" to that extent within the meaning of Code Section
856(c)(3)(B).
o REMIC will be considered to represent an "obligation (including any
participation or certificate of beneficial ownership therein) which is
principally secured by an interest in real property" within the
meaning of Code Section 860G(a)(3)(A) to the
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extent that the assets of the related Grantor Trust Fund consist of
"qualified mortgages" within the meaning of Code Section 860G(a)(3).
It is not clear whether Grantor Trust Certificates that are Stripped
Certificates (as described below under "Stripped Certificates") should be
treated as qualifying under the Code provisions cited in the first two bullet
points above to the same extent as Grantor Trust Certificates that are not
Stripped Certificate. Grantor Trust Securityholders are encouraged to consult
their own tax advisors concerning the characterization of the securityholder's
investment for federal income tax purposes.
Stripped Certificates. Some classes of certificates may be subject to the
stripped bond rules of Section 1286 of the Code and for purposes of this
discussion will be referred to as "Stripped Certificates." In general, a
Stripped Certificate will be subject to the stripped bond rules where there has
been a separation of ownership of the right to receive some or all of the
principal payments on a mortgage loan held by the Grantor Trust Fund from
ownership of the right to receive some or all of the related interest payments.
Generally, where a separation has occurred, under the stripped bond rules of
Section 1286 of the Code, the holder of a right to receive a principal or
interest payment on the bond is required to accrue into income, on a constant
yield basis under rules governing original issue discount (see "REMICs--Taxation
of Owners of Regular Securities--Original Issue Discount"), the difference
between the holder's initial purchase price for the right to receive principal
or interest, and the principal or interest payment to be received with respect
to that right. However, a holder of a Stripped Certificate will account for any
discount on the Stripped Certificate (other than an interest treated as a
"stripped coupon") as market discount rather than original issue discount if
either (i) the amount of original issue discount with respect to the Stripped
Certificate was treated as zero under the original issue discount de minimis
rule when the Stripped Certificate was stripped or (ii) no more than 100 basis
points (including any amount of servicing in excess of reasonable servicing) is
stripped from the mortgage assets.
Certificates will constitute Stripped Certificates and will be subject to
these rules under various circumstances, including the following:
o if any servicing compensation is deemed to exceed a reasonable amount;
o if the company or any other party retains a retained yield with
respect to the assets held by the Grantor Trust Fund;
o if two or more classes of certificates are issued representing the
right to non-pro rata percentages of the interest or principal
payments on the Grantor Trust Fund's assets; or
o if certificates are issued which represent the right to interest-only
payments or principal-only payments.
The tax treatment of the Stripped Certificates with respect to the
application of the original issue discount provisions of the Code is currently
unclear. However, the trustee intends to treat each Stripped Certificate as a
single debt instrument issued on the day it is purchased for purposes of
calculating any original issue discount. Holders may be obligated to perform
such calculation based on the day they acquire their Trust Certificates rather
than based on when the Grantor Trust Fund acquires the Stripped Certificates.
Original issue discount with respect to a Stripped Certificate must be included
in ordinary gross income for federal income tax purposes as it accrues in
accordance with the constant yield method that takes into account the
compounding of interest and this accrual of income may be in advance of the
receipt of any cash attributable to that income. See "REMICs--Taxation of Owners
of Regular Securities--Original Issue Discount"
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above. For purposes of applying the original issue discount provisions of the
Code, the issue price of a Stripped Certificate will be the purchase price paid
by each holder of the Stripped Certificate and the stated redemption price at
maturity may include the aggregate amount of all payments to be made with
respect to the Stripped Certificate whether or not denominated as interest. The
amount of original issue discount with respect to a Stripped Certificate may be
treated as zero under the original issue discount de minimis rules described
above.
The precise tax treatment of Stripped Coupon Certificates is substantially
uncertain. The Code could read literally to require that OID computations be
made for each payment from each mortgage loan. However, based on IRS guidance,
it appears that all payments from a mortgage loan underlying a Stripped Coupon
Certificate should be treated as a single installment obligation subject to the
OID rules of the Code, in which case, all payments from the mortgage loan would
be included in the mortgage loan's stated redemption price at maturity for
purposes of calculating income on the Stripped Coupon Certificate under the OID
rules of the Code.
Based on current authority it is unclear under what circumstances, if any,
the prepayment of mortgage loans will give rise to a loss to the holder of a
Stripped Bond Certificate purchased at a premium or a Stripped Coupon
Certificate. The Code provides that a prepayment assumption must be used to
accrue income on any pool of debt instruments the yield on which can be affected
by prepayments. There is no guidance as to whether a Stripped Coupon Certificate
or a Stripped Bond Certificate would represent an interest in a pool of debt
instruments for purposes of this Code provision. In addition, the manner in
which to take prepayments into account is uncertain. It is possible that no loss
may be available as a result of any particular prepayment, except perhaps to the
extent that even if no further prepayments were received a Certificateholder
would be unable to recover its basis. In addition, amounts received in
redemption for debt instruments issued by natural persons purchased or issued
after June 8, 1997 are treated as received in exchange therefor (that is treated
the same as obligations issued by corporations). This change could affect the
character of any loss.
Holders of Stripped Bond Certificates and Stripped Coupon Certificates are
encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the proper treatment
of these certificates for federal income tax purposes.
Subordinated Certificates. In the event the Grantor Trust Fund issues two
classes of Grantor Trust Securities that are identical except that one class is
a subordinate class, with a relatively high certificate pass-through rate, and
the other is a senior class, with a relatively low certificate pass-through rate
(referred to in this Prospectus as the "Subordinate Certificates" and "Senior
Certificates", respectively), the Grantor Trust Securityholders in the aggregate
will be deemed to have acquired the following assets: (1) the principal portion
of each mortgage loan plus a portion of the interest due on each mortgage loan
(the "Grantor Trust Fund Stripped Bond"), and (2) a portion of the interest due
on each mortgage loan equal to the difference between the Interest Rate on the
Subordinate Certificates and the Interest Rate on the Senior Certificates, if
any, which difference is then multiplied by the Subordinate Class Percentage
(the "Grantor Trust Fund Stripped Coupon"). The "Subordinate Class Percentage"
equals the initial aggregate principal amount of the Subordinate Certificates
divided by the sum of the initial aggregate principal amount of the Subordinate
Certificates and the Senior Certificates. The "Senior Class Percentage" equals
the initial aggregate principal amount of the Senior Certificates divided by the
sum of the initial aggregate principal amount of the Subordinate Certificates
and the Senior Certificates.
The Senior Certificateholders in the aggregate will own the Senior Class
Percentage of the Grantor Trust Fund Stripped Bond and accordingly each Senior
Certificateholder will be treated as owning its pro rata share of such asset.
The Senior Certificateholders will not own any portion of the Grantor Trust Fund
Stripped Coupon. The Subordinate Certificateholders in the aggregate own both
the Subordinate Class Percentage of the Grantor Trust Fund Stripped Bond plus
100% of
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the Grantor Trust Fund Stripped Coupon, if any, and accordingly each Subordinate
Certificateholder will be treated as owning its pro rata share in both assets.
The Grantor Trust Fund Stripped Bond will be treated as a "stripped bond" and
the Grantor Trust Fund Stripped Coupon will be treated as "stripped coupons"
within the meaning of Section 1286 of the Code.
Although not entirely clear, the interest income on the Subordinate
Certificates and the portion of the servicing fee allocable to such certificates
that does not constitute excess servicing will be treated by the Grantor Trust
Fund as qualified stated interest, assuming the interest with respect to the
mortgage loans held by the Grantor Trust Fund would otherwise qualify as
qualified stated interest. Accordingly, except to the extent modified below, the
income of the Subordinate Certificates will be reported in the same manner as
described generally above for holders of Senior Certificates.
If the Subordinate Certificateholders receive distribution of less than
their share of the Grantor Trust Fund's receipts of principal or interest (the
"Shortfall Amount") because of the subordination of the Subordinate
Certificates, holders of Subordinate Certificates would probably be treated for
federal income tax purposes as if they had
o received as distributions their full share of receipts;
o paid over to the Senior Certificateholders an amount equal to the
Shortfall Amount; and
o retained the right to reimbursement of the relevant amounts to the
extent these amounts are otherwise available as a result of
collections on the mortgage loans or amounts available from a reserve
account or other form of credit enhancement, if any.
Under this analysis,
o Subordinate Certificateholders would be required to accrue as current
income any interest income, original issue discount, or (to the extent
paid on assets of the Grantor Trust Fund) accrued market discount of
the Grantor Trust Fund that was a component of the Shortfall Amount,
even though that amount was in fact paid to the Senior
Certificateholders;
o a loss would only be allowed to the Subordinate Certificateholders
when their right to receive reimbursement of the Shortfall Amount
became worthless (i.e., when it becomes clear that amount will not be
available from any source to reimburse the loss); and
o reimbursement of the Shortfall Amount prior to a claim of
worthlessness would not be taxable income to Subordinate
Certificateholders because the amount was previously included in
income.
Those results should not significantly affect the inclusion of income for
Subordinate Certificateholders on the accrual method of accounting, but could
accelerate inclusion of income to Subordinate Certificateholders on the cash
method of accounting by, in effect, placing them on the accrual method.
Moreover, the character and timing of loss deductions are unclear. Subordinate
Certificateholders are strongly encouraged to consult their own tax advisors
regarding the appropriate timing, amount and character of any losses sustained
with respect to the Subordinate Certificates including any loss resulting from
the failure to recover previously accrued interest or discount income.
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Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount. The Treasury
Regulations relating to original issue discount permit a Grantor Trust
Securityholder to elect to accrue all interest, discount, including de minimis
market or original issue discount, reduced by any premium, in income as
interest, based on a constant yield method. If an election were to be made with
respect to an interest in a mortgage loan with market discount, the Grantor
Trust Securityholder would be deemed to have made an election to include in
income currently market discount with respect to all other debt instruments
having market discount that the Grantor Trust Securityholder acquires during the
year of the election or afterward. See "--Market Discount" above. Similarly, a
Grantor Trust Securityholder that makes this election for an interest in a
mortgage loan that is acquired at a premium will be deemed to have made an
election to amortize bond premium with respect to all debt instruments having
amortizable bond premium that the Grantor Trust Securityholder owns at the
beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies or acquires
afterward. See "--Premium" above. The election to accrue interest, discount and
premium on a constant yield method with respect to a Grantor Trust Security is
irrevocable.
Prepayments. The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (the "1997 Act") contains a
provision requiring original issue discount on any pool of debt instruments the
yield on which may be affected by reason of prepayments be calculated taking
into account the Prepayment Assumption and requiring the discount to be taken
into income on the basis of a constant yield to assumed maturity taking account
of actual prepayments.
Sale or Exchange of a Grantor Trust Security. Sale or exchange of a Grantor
Trust Security prior to its maturity will result in gain or loss equal to the
difference, if any, between the amount realized, exclusive of amounts
attributable to accrued and unpaid interest (which will be treated as ordinary
income allocable to the related asset of the Grantor Trust Fund), and the
owner's adjusted basis in the Grantor Trust Security. The adjusted basis
generally will equal the seller's cost for the Grantor Trust Security, increased
by the original issue discount and any market discount included in the seller's
gross income with respect to the Grantor Trust Security, and reduced, but not
below zero, by any premium amortized by the seller and by principal payments on
the Grantor Trust Security previously received by the seller. The gain or loss
will, except as discussed below, be capital gain or loss to an owner for which
the assets of the Grantor Trust Fund represented by a Grantor Trust Security are
"capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221. A capital gain or loss will
be long-term or short-term depending on whether or not the Grantor Trust
Security has been owned for the long-term capital gain holding period, currently
more than one year.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any gain realized on the sale or exchange of
a Grantor Trust Security will be ordinary income to the extent of the seller's
interest in accrued market discount on Grantor Trust Fund assets not previously
taken into income. See "--Market Discount," above. Further, Grantor Trust
Securities will be "evidences of indebtedness" within the meaning of Section
582(c)(1) to the extent the assets of the grantor trust would be so treated.
Accordingly, gain or loss recognized from the sale of a Grantor Trust Security
by a bank or thrift institution to which such section applied will be treated as
ordinary gain or loss to the extent selling the assets of the grantor trust
directly would be so treated.
Foreign Investors in Grantor Trust Securities. A holder of a Grantor Trust
Security who is not a "U.S. person" (as defined above at "REMICs--Tax Related
Restrictions on Transfer of Residual Securities--Foreign Investors") and is not
subject to federal income tax as a result of any direct or indirect connection
to the United States other than its ownership of a Grantor Trust Security
generally will not be subject to United States income or withholding tax in
respect of payments of interest or original issue discount on its Grantor Trust
Security to the extent attributable to debt obligations held by the Grantor
Trust Fund that were originated after July 18, 1984, provided that the Grantor
Trust Securityholder complies to the extent necessary with certain certification
requirements which generally relate to the identity of the beneficial owner and
the status of the beneficial owner as a person that is not a U.S. person.
Interest or original issue
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discount on a Grantor Trust Security attributable to debt obligations held by
the Grantor Trust Fund that were originated prior to July 19, 1984 will be
subject to a 30% withholding tax (unless such tax is reduced or eliminated by an
applicable tax treaty). All holders of Grantor Trust Securities are encouraged
to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax documentation and certifications
that must be provided to secure any applicable exemptions from United States
withholding taxes.
Any capital gain realized on the sale or other taxable disposition of a
Grantor Trust Security by a Non-U.S. Person (as defined above at
"REMICs--Taxation of Certain Foreign Investors--Regular Securities") generally
will be exempt from United States federal income and withholding tax, provided
that (i) such gain is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in the United States by the Non-U.S. Person and (ii) in the case of an
individual Non-U.S. Person, the Non-U.S. Person is not present in the United
States for 183 days or more in the taxable year.
If the interest, gain or income with respect to a Grantor Trust Security
held by a Non-U.S. Person is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business in the United States by the Non-U.S. Person (although exempt from
the withholding tax previously discussed if the holder provides an appropriate
statement establishing that such income is so effectively connected), the holder
generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on the interest,
gain or income at regular federal income tax rates. In this regard, real estate
acquired by a Grantor Trust as a result of foreclosure or in lieu of foreclosure
could cause a foreign holder to have "effectively connected income" or a U.S.
tax filing obligation even in the absence of such income. In addition, if the
Non-U.S. Person is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits
tax equal to 30% of its "effectively connected earnings and profits," within the
meaning of the Code, for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items, unless
it qualifies for a lower rate under an applicable tax treaty (as modified by the
branch profits tax rules).
Backup Withholding. Distributions made on the Grantor Trust Securities and
proceeds from the sale of the Grantor Trust Securities will be subject to a
"backup" withholding tax if, in general, the Grantor Trust Securityholder fails
to comply with particular identification procedures, unless the holder is an
exempt recipient under applicable provisions of the Code and, if necessary,
demonstrates such status. Any amounts so withheld would be refunded by the IRS
or allowable as a credit against the Grantor Trust Securityholder's federal
income tax.
PARTNERSHIP TRUST FUNDS AND DISREGARDED ENTITIES
Classification of Issuing Entities
For each series of Partnership Certificates or Debt Securities, Federal Tax
Counsel will deliver its opinion that the issuing entity will not be a taxable
mortgage pool or an association (or publicly traded partnership) taxable as a
corporation for federal income tax purposes. This opinion will be based on the
assumption that the parties to the related Agreement and related documents will
comply with the terms of those documents.
Taxation of Debt Securityholders
The depositor will agree, and the securityholders will agree by their
purchase of Debt Securities, to treat the Debt Securities as debt for federal
income tax purposes. No regulations, published rulings, or judicial decisions
exist that discuss the characterization for federal income tax purposes of
securities with terms substantially the same as the Debt Securities. However,
for each series of Debt Securities, Federal Tax Counsel will deliver its opinion
that the Debt Securities will be classified as indebtedness for federal income
tax purposes. The discussion below assumes this characterization of the Debt
Securities is correct.
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If, contrary to the opinion of counsel, the Internal Revenue Service
successfully asserted that the Debt Securities were not debt for federal income
tax purposes, the Debt Securities might be treated as equity interests in a
Partnership Trust Fund. If so treated, the Partnership Trust Fund might be
treated as a publicly traded partnership that would be taxable as a corporation
unless it met particular qualifying income tests, and the resulting taxable
corporation would not be able to reduce its taxable income by deductions for
interest expense on Debt Securities recharacterized as equity. Treatment of the
Debt Securities as equity interests in a partnership could have adverse tax
consequences to some holders, even if the Partnership Trust Fund were not
treated as a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation. For example,
income allocable to foreign holders might be subject to United States tax and
United States tax return filing and withholding requirements, income allocable
to tax-exempt holders might constitute "unrelated business taxable income" (if
some, but not all, of the Debt Securities were recharacterized as equity in a
partnership), individual holders might be subject to limitations on their
ability to deduct their share of the Partnership Trust Fund's expenses, and
income from the Partnership Trust Fund's assets would be taxable to owners of
Debt Securities without regard to whether cash distributions are made to such
owners and without regard to the owners' method of tax accounting.
Except for the treatment of the allocation of Realized Losses, Debt
Securities generally will be subject to the same rules of taxation as Regular
Securities issued by a REMIC, as described above, except that (1) income
reportable on Debt Securities is not required to be reported under the accrual
method unless the holder otherwise uses the accrual method and (2) the special
110% yield rule treating a portion of the gain on sale or exchange of a Regular
Security as ordinary income is inapplicable to Debt Securities. See
"--REMICs--Taxation of Owners of Regular Securities" and "--Sale or Exchange of
Regular Securities."
Allocations of Realized Losses.
The manner in which losses are claimed on the Notes as a result of defaults
by the underlying obligors is complex and differs depending on the
characterization of the person considered the issuer of the Notes for federal
tax purposes. Whether the Notes are governed by the loss rules for bad debts
under Code Section 166 or for worthless securities under Code Section 165
depends on whether the Notes are considered issued by a corporation. If there is
a single corporate holder of the Certificates constituting all of the equity
interests in the issuing Partnership Trust Fund, then the issuing entity will be
a disregarded entity as separate from its equity owner and if such equity owner
is a corporation, the Notes will be considered issued by a corporation subject
to the loss rules of Code Section 165 (which affects both timing and character
of loss for corporate taxpayers, and character and possibly timing for other
taxpayers). If the Notes are considered issued by a grantor trust, then the
notes may be treated as issued in proportion to the nature of the
Certificateholders (e.g., if some Certificateholders are natural persons or
partnerships and some are corporations, losses on the Notes would be governed in
part by Code Section 166 and in part by Code Section 165). If the Notes are
considered issued by a partnership then they would be governed by the rules
under Code Section 166 the same as a REMIC. Investors are encouraged to consult
their tax advisors as to the character and timing of any loss that can be
claimed with respect to a Note.
Further, for federal income tax purposes, (i) Debt Securities held by a
thrift institution taxed as a domestic building and loan association will not
constitute "loans . . . secured by an interest in real property" within the
meaning of Section 7701(a)(19)(C)(v) of the Code; (ii) interest on Debt
Securities held by a real estate investment trust will not be treated as
"interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests
in real property "within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(3)(B); (iii) Debt
Securities held by a real estate investment trust will not constitute "real
estate assets" or "Government securities" within the meaning of Section
856(c)(4)(A) of the Code; (iv) Debt Securities held by a regulated investment
company will not constitute "Government securities" within the meaning of
Section 851(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Code; and
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(v) Debt Securities will not constitute "qualified mortgages" with in the
meaning of Section 860G(a)(3) of the Code for REMICs.
Taxation of Owners of Partnership Certificates
(1) Treatment as a Partnership Trust Fund
The correct characterization of an issuing entity that has issued debt and
is not otherwise taxed as a corporation is uncertain. If the issuing entity has
only a single class of equity and the Trustee does not have the authority to
accept any additional assets after the initial acquisition of receivables
(except within a certain prescribed pre-funding period not exceeding three
months) and has very limited powers of investment (for example does not hold any
reserve fund that could ultimately flow to the Certificateholders if not needed
to pay the Noteholders) the issuing entity could qualify as a grantor trust with
an interest expense. As a consequence, each Certificateholder would be treated
as owning a pro rata share of the issuing entity's assets, earning income
thereon and incurring the expenses of the issuing entity (including the interest
expense on the Notes). See "Grantor Trusts." If an issuing entity that issues
Notes intends to take the position that Certificateholders hold interests in a
grantor trust it will be disclosed in the related prospectus supplement. In
addition, it is possible that an issuing entity that issued Notes could qualify
as a partnership eligible to make an election under Section 761 to not be taxed
under the main partnership provisions of the Code (although certain ancillary
provisions, including the rules relating to audits of partnerships, would
continue to apply). Such an election would cause Certificateholders to be
treated as essentially the same as holding an interest in a grantor trust.
However, the IRS has recently taken a narrow interpretation of the type of
entities that qualify for this election, which may not include an issuing
entity. If an issuing entity that is treated as a partnership has made an
election under Section 761 to be excluded from the main partnership provisions
of the Code this will be disclosed in the related prospectus supplement along
with a description of the consequences of making such an election. If there is
only one Certificateholder in an issuing entity that represents all of the
equity of the issuing entity for federal income tax purposes, the separate
existence of the issuing entity is disregarded, and the Certificateholder is
treated as the owner of all of the assets of the issuing entity and as the
issuer of the Notes of the issuing entity for federal income tax purposes. For
all other Issuing entities that issue Notes, the Partnership Trust Fund will
agree, and the related owners of Partnership Certificates ("Partnership
Certificate Owners") will agree by their purchase of Partnership Certificates,
if there is more than one Partnership Certificate Owner, to treat the
Partnership Trust Fund as a partnership for purposes of federal and state income
tax, franchise tax and any other tax measured in whole or in part by income,
with the assets of the partnership being the assets held by the Partnership
Trust Fund, the partners of the partnership being the Partnership Certificate
Owners, including, to the extent relevant, the depositor in its capacity as
recipient of distributions from any reserve fund, and the Debt Securities, if
any, being debt of the partnership, and if there is one Partnership Certificate
Owner, to treat the Partnership Certificate Owner as the owner of the assets of
the Partnership Trust Fund and to treat the Partnership Trust Fund as a
disregarded entity. However, the proper characterization of the arrangement
involving the Partnership Trust Fund, the Partnership Certificates, the Debt
Securities and the depositor is not certain because there is no authority on
transactions closely comparable to that contemplated in this prospectus.
A variety of alternative characterizations are possible. For example,
because the Partnership Certificates have certain features characteristic of
debt, the Partnership Certificates might be considered debt of the Partnership
Trust Fund. Generally, provided such Partnership Certificates are issued at or
close to face value, any such characterization would not result in materially
adverse tax consequences to holders of Partnership Certificates as compared to
the consequences from treatment of the Partnership Certificates as equity in a
partnership, described below. The following discussion assumes that the
Partnership Certificates represent equity interests in a partnership. The
following discussion also assumes that all payments on the
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Partnership Certificates are denominated in U.S. dollars, none of the
Partnership Certificates have Interest Rates which would qualify as contingent
interest under the Treasury regulations relating to original issue discount, and
that a series of securities includes a single class of Partnership Certificates.
If these conditions are not satisfied with respect to any given series of
Partnership Certificates, additional tax considerations with respect to such
Partnership Certificates will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
(2) Partnership Taxation
As a partnership, the Partnership Trust Fund will not be subject to federal
income tax. Rather, each Partnership Certificate Owner will be required to take
into account separately the Partnership Certificate Owner's allocable share of
income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of the Partnership Trust Fund,
whether or not there is a corresponding cash distribution. The Trust will
generally be required to use an accrual method of accounting and a tax year
based on the tax year of its Certificateholders. Thus, cash basis holders will
in effect be required to report income from the Partnership Certificates on the
accrual basis and Partnership Certificate Owners may become liable for taxes on
Partnership Trust Fund income even if they have not received cash from the
Partnership Trust Fund to pay the taxes. The Partnership Trust Fund's income
will consist primarily of interest and finance charges earned on the related
mortgage loans, including appropriate adjustments for market discount, original
issue discount and bond premium, and any gain upon collection or disposition of
the mortgage loans.
The Partnership Trust Fund's deductions will consist primarily of interest
accruing with respect to the Debt Securities, servicing and other fees, and
losses or deductions upon collection or disposition of mortgage loans.
The tax items of a partnership are allocable to the partners in accordance
with the Code, Treasury regulations and the partnership agreement (i.e., the
Agreement and related documents). To the extent that there is more than one
class of equity (or potentially more than one class of equity) the related
prospectus supplement will describe the manner in which income from the assets
of the issuing entity will be allocated.
Assuming Debt Securities are also issued, all or substantially all of the
taxable income allocated to a Partnership Certificate Owner that is a pension,
profit sharing or employee benefit plan or other tax-exempt entity, including an
individual retirement account, will constitute "unrelated business taxable
income" generally taxable to the holder under the Code.
An individual taxpayer's share of expenses of the Partnership Trust Fund,
including fees to the servicer, but not interest expense, would be miscellaneous
itemized deductions and thus deductible only to the extent such expenses plus
all other miscellaneous itemized deductions exceeds two percent of the
individual's adjusted gross income. An individual taxpayer will be allowed no
deduction for his share of expenses of the Partnership Trust Fund, other than
interest, in determining his liability for alternative minimum tax. In addition,
Section 68 of the Code provides that the amount of itemized deductions otherwise
allowable for the taxable year for an individual whose adjusted gross income
exceeds a prescribed threshold amount will be reduced by the lesser of (1) 3% of
the excess of adjusted gross income over the specified threshold amount
(adjusted annually for inflation) or (2) 80% of the amount of itemized
deductions otherwise allowable for the applicable taxable year. Accordingly,
deductions might be disallowed to the individual in whole or in part and might
result in the Partnership Certificate Owner being taxed on an amount of income
that exceeds the amount of cash actually distributed to the holder over the life
of the Partnership Trust Fund. The reduction under Code Section 68 is itself
reduced by one-third for taxable years beginning in 2006 and 2007, two-thirds
for taxable years beginning in 2008 and 2009, and fully reduced for taxable
years beginning in 2010 with no reduction thereafter. In the case of a
partnership that has 100 or more partners and elects to be treated as an
"electing
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large partnership," 70% of that partnership's miscellaneous itemized deductions
will be disallowed, although the remaining deductions will generally be allowed
at the partnership level and will not be subject to the 2% floor that would
otherwise be applicable to individual partners.
The Partnership Trust Fund intends to make all tax calculations relating to
income and allocations to Partnership Certificate Owners on an aggregate basis
to the extent relevant. If the IRS were to require that the calculations be made
separately for each mortgage loan, the calculations may result in some timing
and character differences under some circumstances.
(3) Discount and Premium
The purchase price paid by the Partnership Trust Fund for the related
mortgage loans may be greater or less than the remaining principal balance of
the mortgage loans at the time of purchase. If so, the mortgage loans will have
been acquired at a premium or market discount, as the case may be. See
"REMICs--Taxation of Owners of Regular Securities--Acquisition Premium" and "--
Market Discount" above. As indicated above, the Partnership Trust Fund will make
this calculation on an aggregate basis, but it is possible that the IRS might
require that it be recomputed on a mortgage loan-by-mortgage loan basis.
Further, with respect to any asset of the Partnership Trust Fund that is a
Stripped Agency Security or other instrument evidencing ownership of specific
interest and/or principal of a particular bond, it will be subject to the rules
relating to original issue discount with respect to such security or instrument
(in lieu of the rules relating to market discount). See "REMICs--Taxation of
Owners of Regular Securities--Original Issue Discount" above.
If the Partnership Trust Fund acquires the mortgage loans at a market
discount or premium, the Partnership Trust Fund will elect to include any market
discount in income currently as it accrues over the life of the mortgage loans
or to offset any premium against interest income on the mortgage loans. As
indicated above, a portion of the market discount income or premium deduction
may be allocated to Partnership Certificate Owners.
(4) Section 708 Termination
Under Section 708 of the Code, the Partnership Trust Fund will be deemed to
terminate for federal income tax purposes if 50% or more of the capital and
profits interests in the Partnership Trust Fund are sold or exchanged within a
12-month period. If a termination occurs under Section 708 of the Code, the
Partnership Trust Fund will be considered to contribute its assets to a new
Partnership Trust Fund, which would be treated as a new partnership, in exchange
for Partnership Certificates in the new Partnership Trust Fund. The original
Partnership Trust Fund will then be deemed to distribute the Partnership
Certificates in the new Partnership Trust Fund to each of the owners of
Partnership Certificates in the original Partnership Trust Fund in liquidation
of the original Partnership Trust Fund. The Partnership Trust Fund will not
comply with particular technical requirements that might apply when a
constructive termination occurs. As a result, the Partnership Trust Fund may be
subject to some tax penalties and may incur additional expenses if it is
required to comply with those requirements. Furthermore, the Partnership Trust
Fund might not be able to comply with these requirements due to lack of data.
(5) Disposition of Partnership Certificates
Generally, capital gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of Partnership
Certificates in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized
and the seller's tax basis in the Partnership Certificates sold. Any gain or
loss would be long-term capital gain or loss if the Partnership Certificate
Owner's holding period exceeded one year. A Partnership Certificate Owner's tax
basis in a Partnership Certificate will generally equal its cost, increased by
its share of Partnership Trust Fund income allocable to the Partnership
Certificate Owner and decreased by
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any distributions received or losses allocated with respect to the Partnership
Certificate. In addition, both the tax basis in the Partnership Certificates and
the amount realized on a sale of a Partnership Certificate would include the
Partnership Certificate Owner's share, determined under Treasury Regulations, of
the Debt Securities and other liabilities of the Partnership Trust Fund. A
Partnership Certificate Owner acquiring Partnership Certificates at different
prices will generally be required to maintain a single aggregate adjusted tax
basis in the Partnership Certificates and, upon a sale or other disposition of
some of the Partnership Certificates, allocate a portion of the aggregate tax
basis to the Partnership Certificates sold, rather than maintaining a separate
tax basis in each Partnership Certificate for purposes of computing gain or loss
on a sale of that Partnership Certificate. A portion holding rule is applied,
however, if a Certificateholder has held some of its interest in the Partnership
Trust Fund for one year or less and some of its interest for more than one year
and a "by lot" identification is not permitted.
If a Partnership Certificate Owner is required to recognize an aggregate
amount of income (not including income attributable to disallowed itemized
deductions described above) over the life of the Partnership Certificates that
exceeds the aggregate cash distributions with respect to the Partnership
Certificates, the excess will generally give rise to a capital loss upon the
retirement of the Partnership Certificates.
(6) Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees
In general, the Partnership Trust Fund's taxable income and losses will be
determined each Due Period and the tax items for a particular Due Period will be
apportioned among the Partnership Certificate Owners in proportion to the
principal amount of Partnership Certificates owned by them as of the close of
the last day of that Due Period. As a result, a Partnership Certificate Owner
purchasing Partnership Certificates may be allocated tax items, which will
affect the purchaser's tax liability and tax basis, attributable to periods
before the actual transaction.
The use of a Due Period convention may not be permitted by existing
Treasury regulations. If a Due Period convention is not allowed, or only applies
to transfers of less than all of the partner's interest, taxable income or
losses of the Partnership Trust Fund might be reallocated among the Partnership
Certificate Owners. The Partnership Trust Fund's method of allocation between
transferors and transferees may be revised to conform to a method permitted by
future laws, regulations or other IRS guidance.
(7) Section 731 Distributions
In the case of any distribution to a Partnership Certificate Owner, no gain
will be recognized to that Partnership Certificate Owner to the extent that the
amount of any money distributed for that Partnership Certificate exceeds the
adjusted basis of that Partnership Certificate Owner's interest in the
Partnership Certificate. To the extent that the amount of money distributed
exceeds that Partnership Certificate Owner's adjusted basis, gain will be
currently recognized. In the case of any distribution to a Partnership
Certificate Owner, no loss will be recognized except upon a distribution in
liquidation of a Partnership Certificate Owner's interest. Any gain or loss
recognized by a Partnership Certificate Owner generally will be capital gain or
loss.
(8) Section 754 Election
In the event that a Partnership Certificate Owner sells its Partnership
Certificates at a profit (or loss), the purchasing Partnership Certificate Owner
will have a higher (or lower) basis in the Partnership Certificates than the
selling Partnership Certificate Owner had. The tax basis of the Partnership
Trust Fund's assets will not be adjusted to reflect that higher (or lower) basis
unless there is a "substantial basis reduction" within the meaning of Section
734 of the Code or unless the trust were to file an election under Section 754
of the Code. Because the trust will most likely
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qualify as a "securitization partnership" within the meaning of Section 743(f)
of the Code, there will not be a substantial basis reduction with respect to the
sale of the certificates. With respect to the election under Section 754 of the
Code, in order to avoid the administrative complexities that would be involved
in keeping accurate accounting records, as well as potentially onerous
information reporting requirements, the Partnership Trust Fund current does not
intend to make an election under Section 754 of the Code. As a result,
Partnership Certificate Owners might be allocated a greater or lesser amount of
Partnership Trust Fund income than would be appropriate based on their own
purchase price for Partnership Certificates.
(9) Administrative Matters
The trustee is required to keep or cause to be kept complete and accurate
books of the Partnership Trust Fund. Except as disclosed in the related
prospectus supplement, the trustee will file a partnership information return
(IRS Form 1065) with the IRS for each taxable year of the Partnership Trust Fund
and will report each Partnership Certificate Owner's allocable share of items of
Partnership Trust Fund income and expense to Partnership Certificate Owners and
the IRS on Schedule K-1. The Partnership Trust Fund will provide the Schedule
K-1 information to nominees that fail to provide the Partnership Trust Fund with
the information statement described below and the nominees will be required to
forward this information to the beneficial owners of the Partnership
Certificates. Generally, holders must timely file tax returns that are
consistent with the information return filed by the Partnership Trust Fund or be
subject to penalties unless the holder notifies the IRS of all the
inconsistencies.
Under Section 6031 of the Code, any person that holds Partnership
Certificates as a nominee at any time during a calendar year is required to
furnish the Partnership Trust Fund with a statement containing specific
information on the nominee, the beneficial owners and the Partnership
Certificates so held. The information includes (1) the name, address and
taxpayer identification number of the nominee and (2) as to each beneficial
owner
o the name, address and identification number of such person,
o whether such person is a United States person, a tax-exempt entity or
a foreign government, an international organization, or any wholly
owned agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing, and
o particular information on Partnership Certificates that were held,
bought or sold on behalf of the person throughout the year.
In addition, brokers and financial institutions that hold Partnership
Certificates through a nominee are required to furnish directly to the
Partnership Trust Fund information as to themselves and their ownership of
Partnership Certificates. A clearing agency registered under Section 17A of the
Exchange Act is not required to furnish any information statement to the
Partnership Trust Fund. The information referred to above for any calendar year
must be furnished to the Partnership Trust Fund on or before the following
January 31. Nominees, brokers and financial institutions that fail to provide
the Partnership Trust Fund with the information described above may be subject
to penalties.
Unless another designation is made, the depositor will be designated as the
tax matters partner for each Partnership Trust Fund in the pooling and servicing
agreement and, as the tax matters partner, will be responsible for representing
the Partnership Certificate Owners in some specific disputes with the IRS. The
Code provides for administrative examination of a partnership as if the
partnership were a separate and distinct taxpayer. Generally, the statute of
limitations for partnership items does not expire before the later of three
years after the date on which the
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partnership information return is filed or the last day for filing the return
for the applicable year, determined without regard to extensions. Any adverse
determination following an audit of the return of the Partnership Trust Fund by
the appropriate taxing authorities could result in an adjustment of the returns
of the Partnership Certificate Owners, and, under some circumstances, a
Partnership Certificate Owner may be precluded from separately litigating a
proposed adjustment to the items of the Partnership Trust Fund. An adjustment
could also result in an audit of a Partnership Certificate Owner's returns and
adjustments of items not related to the income and losses of the Partnership
Trust Fund.
A special audit system exists for qualifying large partnerships that have
elected to apply a simplified flow-through reporting system under Sections 771
through 777 of the Code. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, a Partnership Trust Fund will not elect to apply the simplified
flow-through reporting system.
(10) Taxation of Certain Foreign Partnership Certificate Owners
As used below, the term "Non-United States Owner" means a Partnership
Certificate Owner that is not a U.S. Person, as defined under "REMICs--Taxation
of Owners of Residual Securities--Tax Related Restrictions on Transfer of
Residual Securities--Foreign Investors," above.
It is not clear whether the Partnership Trust Fund would be considered to
be engaged in a trade or business in the United States for purposes of federal
withholding taxes with respect to Non-United States Owners because there is no
clear authority dealing with that issue under facts substantially similar to
those described in this Prospectus. Although it is not expected that the
Partnership Trust Fund would be engaged in a trade or business in the United
States for these purposes, the Partnership Trust Fund will withhold as if it
were so engaged in order to protect the Partnership Trust Fund from possible
adverse consequences of a failure to withhold. The Partnership Trust Fund
expects to withhold on the portion of its taxable income that is allocable to
Non-United States Owners pursuant to Section 1446 of the Code, as if the income
were effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business, at a rate of 35% for
Non-United States Owners that are taxable as corporations and 39.6% for all
other Non-United States Owners.
Subsequent adoption of Treasury regulations or the issuance of other
administrative pronouncements may require the Partnership Trust Fund to change
its withholding procedures.
Each Non-United States Owner might be required to file a U.S. individual or
corporate income tax return on its share of the income of the Partnership Trust
Fund including, in the case of a corporation, a return in respect of the branch
profits tax. Assuming the Partnership Trust Fund is not engaged in a U.S. trade
or business, a Non-United States Owner would be entitled to a refund with
respect to all or a portion of taxes withheld by the Partnership Trust Fund if,
in particular, the Owner's allocable share of interest from the Partnership
Trust Fund constituted "portfolio interest" under the Code.
The interest, however, may not constitute "portfolio interest" if, among
other reasons, the underlying obligation is not in registered form or if the
interest is determined without regard to the income of the Partnership Trust
Fund, in the later case, the interest being properly characterized as a
guaranteed payment under Section 707(c) of the Code. If this were the case,
Non-United States Owners would be subject to a United States federal income and
withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent on the Partnership Trust Fund's gross
income, without any deductions or other allowances for costs and expenses
incurred in producing the income, unless reduced or eliminated pursuant to an
applicable treaty. In this case, a Non-United States Owner would only be
entitled to a refund for that portion of the taxes, if any, in excess of the
taxes that should have been withheld with respect to the interest.
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(11) Backup Withholding
Distributions made on the Partnership Certificates and proceeds from the
sale of the Partnership Certificates will be subject to a "backup" withholding
tax if, in general, the Partnership Certificate Owner fails to comply with
particular identification procedures, unless the holder is an exempt recipient
under applicable provisions of the Code and, if necessary, demonstrates such
status. Any amounts so withheld would be refunded by the IRS or allowable as a
credit against the Non-United States Owner's federal income tax.
(12) Reportable Transactions
Pursuant to recently enacted legislation, a penalty in the amount of
$10,000 in the case of a natural person and $50,000 in any other case in imposed
on any taxpayer that fails to timely file an information return with the IRS
with respect to a "reportable transaction" (as defined in Section 6011 of the
Code). The rules defining "reportable transactions" are complex, and include,
but are not limited to, transactions that result in certain losses that exceed
threshold amounts. Prospective investors are advised to consult their own tax
advisers regarding any possible disclosure obligations in light of their
particular circumstances.
CONSEQUENCES FOR PARTICULAR INVESTORS
The federal tax discussions above may not be applicable depending on a
securityholder's particular tax situation. The depositor recommends that
prospective purchasers consult their tax advisors for the tax consequences to
them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of REMIC Securities, Grantor
Trust Securities, Partnership Certificates and Debt Securities, including the
tax consequences under state, local, foreign and other tax laws and the possible
effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.
PENALTY AVOIDANCE
The summary of tax considerations contained herein was written to support
the promotion and marketing of the securities, and was not intended or written
to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding United
States federal income tax penalties that may be imposed. Each taxpayer is
encouraged to seek advice based on the taxpayer's particular circumstances from
an independent tax advisor.
STATE AND OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS
In addition to the federal income tax consequences described in "Material
Federal Income Tax Considerations," potential investors should consider the
state and local tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition
of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, offered under this prospectus.
State and local law may differ substantially from the corresponding federal tax
law, and the discussion above does not purport to describe any aspect of the tax
laws of any state or other jurisdiction. Therefore, prospective investors are
encouraged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the various state
and other tax consequences of investments in the Notes and Certificates, as
applicable, offered under this prospectus and the prospectus supplement. In
particular, individuals should consider the deductability of the expenses
(including interest expense) of a partnership.
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ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL
A fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing, retirement or other employee
benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA should consider the fiduciary standards
under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")
in the context of the plan's particular circumstances before authorizing an
investment of a portion of such plan's assets in the Securities. Accordingly,
pursuant to Section 404 of ERISA, such fiduciary should consider among other
factors (i) whether the investment is for the exclusive benefit of plan
participants and their beneficiaries; (ii) whether the investment satisfies the
applicable diversification requirements; (iii) whether the investment is in
accordance with the documents and instruments governing the plan; and (iv)
whether the investment is prudent, considering the nature of the investment.
Fiduciaries of plans also should consider ERISA's prohibition on improper
delegation of control over, or responsibility for, plan assets.
In addition, employee benefit plans or other retirement arrangements
subject to ERISA, as well as individual retirement accounts, certain types of
Keogh plans not subject to ERISA but subject to Section 4975 of the Code, or any
entity (including insurance company separate or general accounts) whose
underlying assets include plan assets by reason of such plans, arrangements or
accounts investing in the entity (each, a "Plan") are prohibited from engaging
in a broad range of transactions involving Plan assets and persons having
certain specified relationships to a Plan ("parties in interest" and
"disqualified persons"). Such transactions are treated as "prohibited
transactions" under Sections 406 of ERISA and excise taxes and/or other
penalties are imposed upon such persons under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the
Code unless an exemption applies. The depositor, underwriter, each master
servicer or other servicer, any insurer, the trustee, the indenture trustee and
certain of their affiliates might be considered "parties in interest" or
"disqualified persons" with respect to a Plan. If so, the acquisition, holding
or disposition of Securities by or on behalf of such Plan could be considered to
give rise to a "prohibited transaction" within the meaning of ERISA and the Code
unless a statutory, regulatory or administrative exception or exemption is
available.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO CERTIFICATES
Plan Assets
In 29 C.F.R ss. 2510.3-101 (the "Plan Asset Regulations"), the U.S.
Department of Labor ("DOL") has defined what constitutes "plan assets" for
purposes of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code. The Plan Asset Regulations
provide that if a Plan makes an investment in an "equity interest" in an entity,
an undivided portion of the assets of the entity will be considered the assets
of such Plan unless certain exceptions set forth in such Regulations apply. The
Certificates will be deemed an equity interest for purposes of the Plan Asset
Regulations, and the depositor can give no assurance that the Certificates will
qualify for any of the exceptions under the Plan Asset Regulations. As a result,
(i) a Plan may be deemed to have acquired an interest in the Assets of the
issuing entity and not merely an interest in the Certificates, (ii) the
fiduciary investment standards of ERISA could apply to such Assets and (iii)
transactions occurring in the course of managing, operating and servicing the
issuing entity and its Assets might constitute prohibited transactions, unless a
statutory, regulatory or administrative exemption applies.
Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 83-1
The DOL has issued an administrative exemption, Prohibited Transaction
Class Exemption 83-1 ("PTCE 83-1"), which under certain conditions exempts from
the application of the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA and the excise tax
provisions of Section 4975 of the Code transactions
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involving a Plan in connection with the operation of a "mortgage pool" and the
purchase, sale and holding of Certificates which are "mortgage pool pass-through
certificates." A "mortgage pool" is defined as a fixed investment pool
consisting solely of interest-bearing obligations secured by first or second
mortgages or deeds of trust on single-family residential property, property
acquired in foreclosure and undistributed cash. A "mortgage pool pass-through
certificate" is defined as a Certificate which represents a beneficial undivided
interest in a mortgage pool which entitles the holder to pass through payments
of principal and interest from the mortgage loans. PTCE 83-1 requires that: (i)
the depositor and the trustee maintain a system of insurance or other protection
for the mortgage loans, the property securing such mortgage loans and for
indemnifying holders of Certificates against reductions in pass-through payments
due to defaults in loan payments or property damage in an amount at least equal
to the greater of (x) 1% of the aggregate principal balance of the mortgage
loans or (y) 1% of the principal balance of the largest covered pooled mortgage
loans; (ii) the trustee may not be an affiliate of the depositor; and (iii) the
payments made to, and retained by, the depositor in connection with the issuing
entity, together with all funds inuring to its benefit for administering the
issuing entity, represent no more than "adequate consideration" for selling the
mortgage loans, plus reasonable compensation for services provided to the
issuing entity. In addition, PTCE 83-1 exempts the initial sale of Certificates
to a Plan with respect to which the depositor, the insurer, the master servicer
or other servicer or the trustee is a party in interest if the Plan does not pay
more than fair market value for such Certificates and the rights and interests
evidenced by such Certificates are not subordinated to the rights and interests
evidenced by other Certificates of the same pool.
PTCE 83-1 also exempts from the prohibited transaction rules any
transactions in connection with the servicing and operation of the mortgage
pool, provided that any payments made to the master servicer in connection with
the servicing of the issuing entity are made in accordance with a binding
agreement, copies of which must be made available to prospective Plan investors.
In the case of any Plan with respect to which the depositor, the master
servicer, the insurer or the trustee is a fiduciary, PTCE 83-1 will only apply
if, in addition to the other requirements: (i) the initial sale, exchange or
transfer of Certificates is expressly approved by an independent fiduciary who
has authority to manage and control those Plan assets being invested in
Certificates; (ii) the Plan pays no more for the Certificates than would be paid
in an arm's-length transaction; (iii) no investment management, advisory or
underwriting fee, sales commission or similar compensation is paid to the
depositor with regard to the sale, exchange or transfer of Certificates to the
Plan; (iv) the total value of the Certificates purchased by such Plan does not
exceed 25% of the amount issued and (v) at least 50% of the aggregate amount of
Certificates is acquired by persons independent of the depositor, the trustee,
the master servicer and the insurer. Before purchasing Certificates, a fiduciary
of a Plan should confirm that the issuing entity is a "mortgage pool," that the
Certificates constitute "mortgage pool pass-through certificates" and that the
conditions set forth in PTCE 83-1 would be satisfied. In addition to making its
own determination as to the availability of the exemptive relief provided in
PTCE 83-1, the Plan fiduciary should consider the availability of any other
prohibited transaction exemptions. The Plan fiduciary should also consider its
general fiduciary obligations under ERISA in determining whether to purchase any
Certificates on behalf of a Plan pursuant to PTCE 83-1.
Underwriter Exemption
The DOL has granted to Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. an individual
exemption, Prohibited Transaction Exemption 94-84, and to Deutsche Morgan
Grenfell/C.J. Lawrence Inc., similar approval (FAN 97-03E), which were both
amended by Prohibited Transaction Exemption 97-34 ("PTE 97-34"), Prohibited
Transaction Exemption 2000-58 ("PTE 2000-58") and Prohibited Transaction
Exemption 2002-41 ("PTE 2002-41") (collectively, the "Exemption") which is
applicable to Certificates which meet its requirements whenever the underwriter
or its affiliate is the sole underwriter, manager or co-manager of an
underwriting syndicate or is the selling or placement agent. The Exemption
generally exempts certain transactions from the application of certain of the
141
prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and the Code provided that the
conditions set forth in the Exemption are satisfied. These transactions include
the servicing, managing and operation of investment trusts holding fixed
(generally non-revolving pools) of enumerated categories of assets which
include: single and multi-family residential mortgage loans, home equity loans
or receivables (including cooperative housing loans), manufactured housing
loans, guaranteed governmental mortgage pool certificates and previously issued
securities eligible under the Exemption and the purchase, sale and holding of
Certificates which represent beneficial ownership interests in the assets of
such trusts.
General Conditions of Exemption
The Exemption sets forth general conditions which must be satisfied for a
transaction involving the purchase, sale and holding of the Certificates to be
eligible for exemptive relief thereunder. First, the acquisition of Certificates
by Plans must be on terms that are at least as favorable to the Plan as they
would be in an arm's-length transaction with an unrelated party. Second, the
Assets held by the issuing entity must be fully secured (other than one-to-four
family residential mortgage loans and home equity loans or receivables backing
certain types of Certificates, as described below). (Mortgage loans, loans,
obligations and receivables will be collectively referred to herein as
"loans."). Third, unless the Certificates are backed by fully-secured loans,
they may not be subordinated. Fourth, except as described below, the
Certificates at the time of acquisition by the Plan must generally be rated in
one of the four highest generic rating categories by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., Moody's Investors
Services, Inc. or Fitch, Inc. (each, a "Rating Agency"). Fifth, the trustee and
the indenture trustee generally cannot be affiliates of any member of the
"Restricted Group" other than any underwriter as defined in the Exemption. The
"Restricted Group" consists of any (i) underwriter as defined in the Exemption,
(ii) the depositor, (iii) the master servicer, (iv) each servicer, (v) the
insurer, (vi) the counterparty of any "interest rate swap" (as described below)
held as an Asset of the issuing entity and (vii) any obligor with respect to
loans constituting more than 5% of the aggregate unamortized principal balance
of the loans held in the issuing entity as of the date of initial issuance of
the Certificates. Sixth, the sum of all payments made to, and retained by, such
underwriters must represent not more than reasonable compensation for
underwriting the Certificates; the sum of all payments made to, and retained by,
the depositor pursuant to the assignment of the loans to the related issuing
entity must represent not more than the fair market value of such loans; and the
sum of all payments made to, and retained by, the master servicer and any
servicer must represent not more than reasonable compensation for such person's
services under the Agreement and reimbursement of such person's reasonable
expenses in connection therewith. Seventh, (i) the investment pool must consist
only of assets of the type enumerated in the Exemption and which have been
included in other investment pools; (ii) Certificates evidencing interests in
such other investment pools must have been rated in one of the four highest
generic rating categories by one of the Rating Agencies for at least one year
prior to a Plan's acquisition of Certificates; and (iii) Certificates evidencing
interests in such other investment pools must have been purchased by investors
other than Plans for at least one year prior to a Plan's acquisition of
Certificates. Finally, the investing Plan must be an accredited investor as
defined in Rule 501(a)(1) of Regulation D of the Commission under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended. If Securities are being sold under the Exemptions, the
depositor assumes that only Plans which are accredited investors under the
federal securities laws will be permitted to purchase the Certificates.
Residential (one- to-four family) and home equity loans, may be less than
fully secured, provided that the rights and interests evidenced by Certificates
issued in such transactions are: (a) not subordinated to the rights and
interests evidenced by Securities of the same issuing entity; (b) such
Certificates acquired by the Plan have received a rating from a Rating Agency at
the time of such acquisition that is in one of the two highest generic rating
categories; and (c) any loan included in the corpus or Assets of the issuing
entity is secured by collateral whose fair market
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value on the closing date of the Designated Transactions is at least equal to
80% of the sum of: (i) the outstanding principal balance due under the loan
which is held by the issuing entity and (ii) the outstanding principal
balance(s) of any other loan(s) of higher priority (whether or not held by the
issuing entity) which are secured by the same collateral.
Types of Issuing Entities
The Exemption permits the issuer to be an owner-trust, a REMIC or a grantor
trust. Owner-trusts are subject to certain restrictions in their governing
documents to ensure that their Assets may not be reached by the creditors of the
depositor in the event of bankruptcy or other insolvency and must provide
certain legal opinions.
Coverage for Certificates Not Exemption Eligible
In the event that Certificates do not meet the requirements of the
Exemption solely because they are Subordinate Certificates or fail to meet a
minimum rating requirement under the Exemption, certain Plans may be eligible to
purchase Certificates pursuant to Section III of Prohibited Transaction Class
Exemption 95-60 ("PTCE 95-60") which permits insurance company general accounts
as defined in PTCE 95-60 to purchase such Certificates if they otherwise meet
all of the other requirements of the Exemption.
Permitted Assets
The Amendment permits an interest-rate swap agreement and a yield
supplement agreement to be Assets of an issuing entity which issues Certificates
acquired by Plans in an initial offering or in the secondary market. An
interest-rate swap (or if purchased by or on behalf of the issuing entity) an
interest-rate cap contract (collectively, a "Swap" or "Swap Agreement") is a
permitted issuing entity Asset if it: (a) is an "eligible Swap;" (b) is with an
"eligible counterparty;" (c) is purchased by a "qualified plan investor;" (d)
meets certain additional specific conditions which depend on whether the Swap is
a "ratings dependent Swap" or a "non-ratings dependent Swap" and (e) permits the
issuing entity to make termination payments to the Swap counterparty (other than
currently scheduled payments) solely from excess spread or amounts otherwise
payable to the servicer or depositor.
An "eligible Swap" is one which: (a) is denominated in U.S. dollars; (b)
pursuant to which the issuing entity pays or receives, on or immediately prior
to the respective payment or distribution date for the class of Certificates to
which the Swap relates, a fixed rate of interest or a floating rate of interest
based on a publicly available index (e.g., LIBOR or the U.S. Federal Reserve's
Cost of Funds Index (COFI)), with the issuing entity receiving such payments on
at least a quarterly basis and obligated to make separate payments no more
frequently than the counterparty, with all simultaneous payments being netted
("Allowable Interest Rate"); (c) has a notional amount that does not exceed
either: (i) the principal balance of the class of Certificates to which the Swap
relates, or (ii) the portion of the principal balance of such class represented
by obligations ("Allowable Notional Amount"); (d) is not leveraged (i.e.,
payments are based on the applicable notional amount, the day count fractions,
the fixed or floating rates permitted above, and the difference between the
products thereof, calculated on a one-to-one ratio and not on a multiplier of
such difference) ("Leveraged"); (e) has a final termination date that is either
the earlier of the date on which the issuer terminates or the related class of
Certificates are fully repaid and (f) does not incorporate any provision which
could cause a unilateral alteration in the interest rate requirements described
above or the prohibition against leveraging.
An "eligible counterparty" means a bank or other financial institution
which has a rating at the date of issuance of the Certificates, which is in one
of the three highest long-term credit rating categories or one of the two
highest short-term credit rating categories, utilized by at least one of
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the Rating Agencies rating the Certificates; provided that, if a counterparty is
relying on its short-term rating to establish eligibility hereunder, such
counterparty must either have a long-term rating in one of the three highest
long-term rating categories or not have a long-term rating from the applicable
Rating Agency.
A "qualified plan investor" is a Plan or Plans where the decision to buy
such class of Certificates is made on behalf of the Plan by an independent
fiduciary qualified to understand the Swap transaction and the effect the Swap
would have on the rating of the Certificates and such fiduciary is either (a) a
"qualified professional asset manager" ("QPAM") under Prohibited Transaction
Class Exemption 84-14 ("PTCE 84-14") (see below), (b) an "in-house asset
manager" under Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 96-23 ("PTCE 96-23") (see
below) or (c) has total assets (both Plan and non-Plan) under management of at
least $100 million at the time the Certificates are acquired by the Plan.
In "ratings dependent Swaps" (where the rating of a class of Certificates
is dependent on the terms and conditions of the Swap), the Swap Agreement must
provide that if the credit rating of the counterparty is withdrawn or reduced by
any Rating Agency below a level specified by the Rating Agency, the servicer
must, within the period specified under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement: (a)
obtain a replacement Swap Agreement with an eligible counterparty which is
acceptable to the Rating Agency and the terms of which are substantially the
same as the current Swap Agreement (at which time the earlier Swap Agreement
must terminate); or (b) cause the Swap counterparty to establish any
collateralization or other arrangement satisfactory to the Rating Agency such
that the then current rating by the Rating Agency of the particular class of
Certificates will not be withdrawn or reduced (and the terms of the Swap
Agreement must specifically obligate the counterparty to perform these duties
for any class of Certificates with a term of more than one year). In the event
that the servicer fails to meet these obligations, Plan certificateholders must
be notified in the immediately following periodic report which is provided to
certificateholders but in no event later than the end of the second month
beginning after the date of such failure. Sixty days after the receipt of such
report, the exemptive relief provided under the Exemption will prospectively
cease to be applicable to any class of Certificates held by a Plan which
involves such ratings dependent Swap.
"Non-ratings dependent Swaps" (those where the rating of the Certificates
does not depend on the terms and conditions of the Swap) are subject to the
following conditions. If the credit rating of the counterparty is withdrawn or
reduced below the lowest level permitted above, the servicer will, within a
specified period after such rating withdrawal or reduction: (a) obtain a
replacement Swap Agreement with an eligible counterparty, the terms of which are
substantially the same as the current Swap Agreement (at which time the earlier
Swap Agreement must terminate); (b) cause the counterparty to post collateral
with the issuing entity in an amount equal to all payments owed by the
counterparty if the Swap transaction were terminated; or (c) terminate the Swap
Agreement in accordance with its terms.
An "eligible yield supplement agreement" is any yield supplement agreement
or similar arrangement (or if purchased by or on behalf of the issuing entity)
an interest rate cap contract to supplement the interest rates otherwise payable
on obligations held by the issuing entity ("EYS Agreement"). If the EYS
Agreement has a notional principal amount and/or is written on an International
Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) form, the EYS Agreement may only
be held as an Asset of the issuing entity if it meets the following conditions:
(a) it is denominated in U.S. dollars; (b) it pays an Allowable Interest Rate;
(c) it is not Leveraged; (d) it does not allow any of these three preceding
requirements to be unilaterally altered without the consent of the trustee; (e)
it is entered into between the issuing entity and an eligible counterparty and
(f) it has an Allowable Notional Amount.
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Pre-Funding Accounts
If Certificates issued in transactions using pre-funding accounts whereby a
portion of the loans backing the Certificates are transferred to the issuing
entity within a specified period following the closing date ("DOL Pre-Funding
Period") (see below) instead of requiring that all such loans be either
identified or transferred on or before the closing date. Exemptive relief is
available provided that the following conditions are met. First, the ratio of
the amount allocated to the Pre-Funding Account to the total principal amount of
the Certificates being offered ("Pre-Funding Limit") must not exceed twenty-five
percent (25%). Second, all loans transferred after the closing date (referred to
here as "additional loans") must meet the same terms and conditions for
eligibility as the original loans used to create the issuing entity, which terms
and conditions have been approved by the Rating Agency. Third, the transfer of
such additional loans to the issuing entity during the DOL Pre-Funding Period
must not result in the Certificates receiving a lower credit rating from the
Rating Agency upon termination of the DOL Pre-Funding Period than the rating
that was obtained at the time of the initial issuance of the Certificates by the
issuing entity. Fourth, solely as a result of the use of pre-funding, the
weighted average annual percentage interest rate (the "average interest rate")
for all of the loans in the issuing entity at the end of the DOL Pre-Funding
Period must not be more than 100 basis points lower than the average interest
rate for the loans which were transferred to the issuing entity on the closing
date. Fifth, either: (i) the characteristics of the additional loans must be
monitored by an insurer or other credit support provider which is independent of
the depositor; or (ii) an independent accountant retained by the depositor must
provide the depositor with a letter (with copies provided to the Rating Agency,
the underwriter and the trustee) stating whether or not the characteristics of
the additional loans conform to the characteristics described in the Prospectus,
Prospectus Supplement, Private Placement Memorandum ("Offering Documents")
and/or the Agreement. In preparing such letter, the independent accountant must
use the same type of procedures as were applicable to the loans which were
transferred as of the closing date. Sixth, the DOL Pre-Funding Period must end
no later than three months or 90 days after the closing date or earlier, in
certain circumstances, if the amount on deposit in the Pre-Funding Account is
reduced below the minimum level specified in the Agreement or an event of
default occurs under the Agreement. Seventh, amounts transferred to any
Pre-Funding Account and/or Capitalized Interest Account used in connection with
the pre-funding may be invested only in investments which are permitted by the
Rating Agency and (i) are direct obligations of, or obligations fully guaranteed
as to timely payment of principal and interest by, the United States or any
agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that such obligations are backed by
the full faith and credit of the United States); or (ii) have been rated (or the
obligor has been rated) in one of the three highest generic rating categories by
the Rating Agency ("Acceptable Investments"). Eighth, certain disclosure
requirements must be met.
Revolving Pool Features
The Exemption only covers Certificates backed by "fixed" pools of loans
which require that all the loans must be transferred to the issuing entity or
identified at closing (or transferred within the DOL Pre-Funding Period, if
pre-funding meeting the conditions described above is used). Accordingly,
Certificates issued by issuing entities which feature revolving pools of Assets
will not be eligible for a purchase by Plans. However, Securities which are
Notes backed by revolving pools of Assets may be eligible for purchase by Plans
pursuant to certain other prohibited transaction exemptions. See discussion
below in "ERISA Considerations Relating to Notes."
Limitations on Scope of the Exemption
If the general conditions of the Exemption are satisfied, the Exemption may
provide an exemption from the restrictions imposed by ERISA and the Code in
connection with the initial acquisition, transfer or holding, and the
acquisition or disposition in the secondary market, of the Certificates by
Plans. However, no exemption is provided from the restrictions of ERISA for the
145
acquisition or holding of a Certificates on behalf of an "Excluded Plan" by any
person who is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Excluded Plan. For
those purposes, an Excluded Plan is a Plan sponsored by any member of the
Restricted Group. Exemptive relief may also be provided for the acquisition,
holding and disposition of Certificates by Plans if the fiduciary or its
affiliate is the obligor with respect to 5% or less of the fair market value of
the Loans in the issuing entity provided that: (i) the Plan is not an Excluded
Plan, (ii) each Plan's investment in each class of Certificates does not exceed
25% of the outstanding Certificates in the class, (iii) after the Plan's
acquisition of the Certificates, no more than 25% of the assets over which the
fiduciary has investment authority are invested in Certificates of a trust
containing assets which are sold or serviced by the same entity and (iv) in the
case of initial issuance (but not secondary market transactions), at least 50%
of each class of Certificates and at least 50% of the aggregate interests in the
issuing entity are acquired by persons independent of the Restricted Group.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO NOTES
Under the Plan Asset Regulations, the Assets of the issuing entity would be
treated as "plan assets" of a Plan for the purposes of ERISA and the Code only
if the Plan acquires an "equity interest" in the issuing entity and none of the
exceptions contained in the Plan Asset Regulations is applicable. An equity
interest is defined under the Plan Asset Regulations as an interest other than
an instrument which is treated as indebtedness under applicable local law and
which has no substantial equity features. Assuming that the Notes are treated as
indebtedness without substantial equity features for purposes of the Plan Asset
Regulations, then such Notes will be eligible for purchase by Plans. However,
without regard to whether the Notes are treated as an "equity interest" for such
purposes, the acquisition or holding of Notes by or on behalf of a Plan could be
considered to give rise to a prohibited transaction if the issuing entity or any
of its affiliates is or becomes a party in interest or disqualified person with
respect to such Plan, or in the event that a Note is purchased in the secondary
market and such purchase constitutes a sale or exchange between a Plan and a
party in interest or disqualified person with respect to such Plan. There can be
no assurance that the issuing entity or any of its affiliates will not be or
become a party in interest or a disqualified person with respect to a Plan that
acquires Notes.
The Amendment to the Exemption permits issuing entities which are grantor
trusts, owner-trusts or REMICs to issue Notes, as well as Certificates, provided
a legal opinion is received to the effect that the noteholders have a perfected
security interest in the issuing entity's Assets. The exemptive relief provided
under the Exemption for any prohibited transactions which could be caused as a
result of the operation, management or servicing of the issuing entity and its
Assets would not be necessary with respect to Notes with no substantial equity
features which are issued as obligations of the issuing entity. However, with
respect to the acquisition, holding or transfer of Notes between a Plan and a
party in interest, the Exemption would provide prohibited transaction exemptive
relief, provided that the same conditions of the Exemption described above
relating to Certificates are met with respect to the Notes. The same limitations
of such exemptive relief relating to acquisitions of Certificates by fiduciaries
with respect to Excluded Plans would also be applicable to the Notes as
described herein in "Limitations on Scope of the Exemption."
In the event that the Exemption is not applicable to the Notes, one or more
other prohibited transactions exemptions may be available to Plans purchasing or
transferring the Notes depending in part upon the type of Plan fiduciary making
the decision to acquire the Notes and the circumstances under which such
decision is made. These exemptions include, but are not limited to, Prohibited
Transaction Class Exemption 90-1 (regarding investments by insurance company
pooled separate accounts), Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 91-38
(regarding investments by bank collective investments funds), PTCE 84-14
(regarding transactions effected by "qualified professional asset managers"),
PTCE 95-60 (regarding investments by insurance company general accounts) and
PTCE 96-23 (regarding transactions effected by "in-house asset managers")
(collectively, the "Investor-Based Exemptions"). However, even if the conditions
specified in these
146
Investor-Based Exemptions are met, the scope of the relief provided under such
Exemptions might or might not cover all acts which might be construed as
prohibited transactions.
EACH PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING
CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO ERISA AND THE CODE THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO THE RELATED
SECURITIES. BEFORE PURCHASING SECURITIES IN RELIANCE ON PTCE 83-1, THE
EXEMPTION, THE INVESTOR-BASED EXEMPTIONS OR ANY OTHER EXEMPTION, A FIDUCIARY OF
A PLAN SHOULD ITSELF CONFIRM THAT REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN SUCH EXEMPTION WOULD
BE SATISFIED.
ANY PLAN INVESTOR WHO PROPOSES TO USE "PLAN ASSETS" OF ANY PLAN TO PURCHASE
SECURITIES OF ANY SERIES OR CLASS IS ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT WITH ITS COUNSEL WITH
RESPECT TO THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES UNDER ERISA AND SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE
OF THE ACQUISITION AND OWNERSHIP OF SUCH SECURITIES.
Governmental plans and church plans as defined in ERISA are not subject to
ERISA or Code Section 4975, although they may elect to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the
Code and would then be subject to the prohibited transaction rules set forth in
Section 503 of the Code. In addition, governmental plans may be subject to
federal, state and local laws which are to a material extent similar to the
provisions of ERISA or a Code Section 4975 ("Similar Law"). A fiduciary of a
governmental plan should make its own determination as to the propriety of an
investment in Securities under applicable fiduciary or other investment
standards and the need for the availability of any exemptive relief under any
Similar Law.
LEGAL INVESTMENT
The prospectus supplement will specify which classes of the Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, if any, will constitute "mortgage related
securities" for purposes of the Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement Act of
1984, as amended ("SMMEA"). Generally, only classes of Offered Notes or Offered
Certificates, as applicable, that (1) are rated in one of the two highest rating
categories by one or more rating agencies and (2) are part of a series
representing interests in, or secured by, an issuing entity' trust fund
consisting of loans secured by first liens on real property and originated by
particular types of originators specified in SMMEA, will be "mortgage related
securities" for purposes of SMMEA.
Those classes of Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable,
qualifying as "mortgage related securities" will constitute legal investments
for persons, trusts, corporations, partnerships, associations, business trusts
and business entities (including, but not limited to, state chartered savings
banks, commercial banks, savings and loan associations and insurance companies,
as well as trustees and state government employee retirement systems) created
pursuant to or existing under the laws of the United States or of any state
(including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) whose authorized
investments are subject to state regulation to the same extent that, under
applicable law, obligations issued by or guaranteed as to principal and interest
by the United States or any agency or instrumentality of the United States
constitute legal investments for those entities. Pursuant to SMMEA, a number of
states enacted legislation, on or before the October 3, 1991 cut-off for those
enactments, limiting to varying extents the ability of some entities (in
particular, insurance companies) to invest in mortgage related securities
secured by liens on residential, or mixed residential and commercial,
properties, in most cases by requiring the affected investors to rely solely
upon existing state law, and not SMMEA.
SMMEA also amended the legal investment authority of federally-chartered
depository institutions as follows: federal savings and loan associations and
federal savings banks may invest in, sell or otherwise deal in "mortgage related
securities" without limitation as to the percentage
147
of their assets represented thereby, federal credit unions may invest in these
securities, and national banks may purchase these securities for their own
account without regard to the limitations generally applicable to investment
securities set forth in 12 U.S.C. Section 24 (Seventh), subject in each case to
regulations that the applicable federal regulatory authority may prescribe. In
this connection, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC") has
amended 12 C.F.R. Part 1 to authorize national banks to purchase and sell for
their own account, without limitation as to a percentage of the bank's capital
and surplus (but subject to compliance with general standards concerning "safety
and soundness" and retention of credit information in 12 C.F.R. Section 1.5),
some "Type IV securities," defined in 12 C.F.R. Section 1.2(l) to include some
"residential mortgage related securities." As so defined, "residential
mortgage-related security" means, in relevant part, "mortgage related security"
within the meaning of SMMEA. The National Credit Union Administration ("NCUA")
has adopted rules, codified at 12 C.F.R. Part 703, which permit federal credit
unions to invest in "mortgage related securities" under some limited
circumstances, other than stripped mortgage related securities, residual
interests in mortgage related securities, and commercial mortgage related
securities, unless the credit union has obtained written approval from the NCUA
to participate in the "investment pilot program" described in 12 C.F.R. Section
703.140. Thrift institutions that are subject to the jurisdiction of the Office
of Thrift Supervision (the "OTS") should consider the OTS' Thrift Bulletin 13a
(December 1, 1998), "Management of Interest Rate Risk, Investment Securities,
and Derivatives Activities," before investing in any of the Offered Notes or
Offered Certificates, as applicable.
All depository institutions considering an investment in the Certificates
should review the "Supervisory Policy Statement on Investment Securities and
End-User Derivatives Activities" (the "1998 Policy Statement") of the Federal
Financial Institutions Examination Council ("FFIEC"), which has been adopted by
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the OCC and the OTS, effective May 26, 1998, and by the
NCUA, effective October 1, 1998. The 1998 Policy Statement sets forth general
guidelines which depository institutions must follow in managing risks
(including market, credit, liquidity, operational (transaction), and legal
risks) applicable to all securities (including mortgage pass-through securities
and mortgage-derivative products) used for investment purposes.
If specified in the prospectus supplement, other classes of Offered Notes
or Offered Certificates, as applicable, offered pursuant to this prospectus will
not constitute "mortgage related securities" under SMMEA. The appropriate
characterization of those classes under various legal investment restrictions,
and thus the ability of investors subject to these restrictions to purchase
these Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable, may be subject to
significant interpretive uncertainties.
Institutions whose investment activities are subject to regulation by
federal or state authorities should review rules, policies and guidelines
adopted from time to time by those authorities before purchasing any Offered
Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable, as some classes or subclasses may
be deemed unsuitable investments, or may otherwise be restricted, under those
rules, policies or guidelines (in some instances irrespective of SMMEA).
The foregoing does not take into consideration the applicability of
statutes, rules, regulations, orders, guidelines or agreements generally
governing investments made by a particular investor, including, but not limited
to, "prudent investor" provisions, percentage-of-assets limits provisions that
may restrict or prohibit investment in securities that are not "interest
bearing" or "income paying," and with regard to any Offered Notes or Offered
Certificates, as applicable, issued in book-entry form, provisions that may
restrict or prohibit investments in securities that are issued in book-entry
form.
Except as to the status of some classes of Offered Notes or Offered
Certificates, as applicable, as "mortgage related securities," no representation
is made as to the proper
148
characterization of the Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable,
for legal investment, financial institution regulatory, or other purposes, or as
to the ability of particular investors to purchase any Offered Notes or Offered
Certificates, as applicable, under applicable legal investment restrictions. The
uncertainties described above (and any unfavorable future determinations
concerning legal investment or financial institution regulatory characteristics
of the Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as applicable) may adversely
affect the liquidity of the Offered Notes or Offered Certificates, as
applicable.
Accordingly, all investors whose investment activities are subject to legal
investment laws and regulations, regulatory capital requirements or review by
regulatory authorities are encouraged to consult with their own legal advisors
in determining whether and to what extent the Offered Notes or Offered
Certificates, as applicable, of any class constitute legal investments for them
or are subject to investment, capital or other restrictions, and, if applicable,
whether SMMEA has been overridden in any jurisdiction relevant to that investor.
METHODS OF DISTRIBUTION
The Notes or Certificates, as applicable, offered by this prospectus and by
the supplements to this prospectus will be offered in series. The distribution
of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, may be effected from time to time
in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed
public offering price or at varying prices to be determined at the time of sale
or at the time of commitment therefor. If specified in the prospectus
supplement, the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, will be distributed in a
firm commitment underwriting, subject to the terms and conditions of the
underwriting agreement, by Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. ("DBS") acting as
underwriter with other underwriters, if any, named in the underwriting
agreement. In that event, the prospectus supplement may also specify that the
underwriters will not be obligated to pay for any Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, agreed to be purchased by purchasers pursuant to purchase agreements
acceptable to the depositor. In connection with the sale of the Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, underwriters may receive compensation from the
depositor or from purchasers of the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, in the
form of discounts, concessions or commissions. The prospectus supplement will
describe any compensation paid by the depositor.
As to any offering of securities, in additions to the method of
distribution as described in the prospectus supplement and this base prospectus,
the distribution of any class of the offered securities may be effected through
one or more resecuritization transactions, in accordance with Rule 190(b).
Alternatively, the prospectus supplement may specify that the Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, will be distributed by DBS acting as agent or in
some cases as principal with respect to Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
that it has previously purchased or agreed to purchase. If DBS acts as agent in
the sale of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, DBS will receive a selling
commission for each series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, depending on
market conditions, expressed as a percentage of the total principal balance of
the related mortgage loans as of the Cut-off Date. The exact percentage for each
series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, will be disclosed in the
prospectus supplement. To the extent that DBS elects to purchase Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, as principal, DBS may realize losses or profits
based upon the difference between its purchase price and the sales price. The
prospectus supplement for any series offered other than through underwriters
will contain information regarding the nature of that offering and any
agreements to be entered into between the depositor and purchasers of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, of that series.
The depositor will indemnify DBS and any underwriters against particular
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or
will contribute to payments DBS and any underwriters may be required to make in
respect of these civil liabilities.
149
In the ordinary course of business, DBS and the depositor may engage in
various securities and financing transactions, including repurchase agreements
to provide interim financing of the depositor's mortgage loans pending the sale
of those mortgage loans or interests in those mortgage loans, including the
Notes or Certificates, as applicable. DBS performs management services for the
depositor.
The depositor anticipates that the Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
will be sold primarily to institutional investors. Purchasers of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, including dealers, may, depending on the facts and
circumstances of those purchases, be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with reoffers and sales by
them of Notes or Certificates, as applicable Securityholders are encouraged to
consult with their legal advisors in this regard before any reoffer or sale of
Notes or Certificates, as applicable.
As to each series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable, only those
classes rated in one of the four highest rating categories by any rating agency
will be offered by this prospectus. Any lower rated or unrated class may be
initially retained by the depositor, and may be sold by the depositor at any
time to one or more institutional investors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Depositor has filed with the Commission a registration statement on
Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the Notes
or Certificates, as applicable (the "Registration Statement"). This prospectus,
which forms a part of the Registration Statement, omits some of the information
contained in the Registration Statement pursuant to the rules and regulations of
the Commission. The Registration Statement and the exhibits to the Registration
Statement can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
Regional Offices in the following locations:
o Chicago Regional Office, 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900,
Chicago, Illinois 60604; and
o New York Regional Office, 3 World Financial Center, Room 4300, New
York, New York 10281.
Copies of these materials can also be obtained from the Public Reference Section
of the Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
The Commission also maintains a site on the world wide web at
"http://www.sec.gov" at which users can view and download copies of reports,
proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically
through the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval ("EDGAR") system.
The Depositor has filed the Registration Statement, including all exhibits to
the Registration Statement, through the EDGAR system and therefore these
materials should be available by logging onto the Commission's web site. The
Commission maintains computer terminals providing access to the EDGAR system at
each of the offices referred to above.
Copies of the most recent Fannie Mae prospectus for Fannie Mae certificates
and Fannie Mae's annual report and quarterly financial statements as well as
other financial information are available from the Director of Investor
Relations of Fannie Mae, 3900 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016
(202-752-7115). The Depositor did not participate in the preparation of Fannie
Mae's prospectus or its annual or quarterly reports or other financial
information and,
150
accordingly, makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the
information in those documents.
Copies of the most recent Offering Circular for Freddie Mac certificates as
well as Freddie Mac's most recent Information Statement and Information
Statement supplement and any quarterly report made available by Freddie Mac may
be obtained by writing or calling the Investor Inquiry Department of Freddie Mac
at 8200 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102 (outside Washington, D.C.
metropolitan area, telephone 800-336-3672; within Washington, D.C. metropolitan
area, telephone 703-759-8160). The Depositor did not participate in the
preparation of Freddie Mac's Offering Circular, Information Statement or any
supplement to the Information Statement or any quarterly report of the
Information Statement and, accordingly, makes no representation as to the
accuracy or completeness of the information in those documents.
As to each issuing entity that is no longer required to file reports under
the Exchange Act, periodic distribution reports will be posted on the
depositor's website referenced above as soon as practicable. Annual reports of
assessment of compliance with the AB Servicing Criteria, attestation reports,
and statements of compliance will be provided to registered holders of the
related securities upon request free of charge. See "Description of the
Agreements - Material Terms of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and
Underlying Servicing Agreements -- Evidence as to Compliance" and "Description
of the Securities -- Reports to Securityholders."
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
All documents subsequently filed by or on behalf of the issuing entity
referred to in the prospectus supplement with the Commission pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus
and prior to the termination of any offering of the Notes or Certificates, as
applicable, issued by that issuing entity will be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this prospectus and to be a part of this prospectus from the date
of the filing of those documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will
be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes of this prospectus to
the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus (or in the prospectus
supplement) or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference modifies or replaces that statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. All documents subsequently
filed by the depositor pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
in respect of any offering prior to the termination of the offering of the
offered securities shall also be deemed incorporated by reference into this
prospectus and the related prospectus supplement.
The Trustee on behalf of any issuing entity will provide without charge to
each person to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon request, a copy of any or
all of the documents referred to above that have been or may be incorporated by
reference in this prospectus (not including exhibits to the information that is
incorporated by reference unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into the information that this prospectus incorporates). Requests for
information should be directed to the corporate trust office of the Trustee
specified in the prospectus supplement.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters, including the federal income tax consequences to
securityholders of an investment in the Notes or Certificates, as applicable, of
a series, will be passed upon for the depositor by McKee Nelson LLP, Washington,
D.C., Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, New York, NY and Thacher Proffitt & Wood
LLP, New York, NY.
151
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A new issuing entity will be formed for each series of Notes or
Certificates, as applicable, and no issuing entity will engage in any business
activities or have any assets or obligations before the issuance of the related
series of Notes or Certificates, as applicable. Accordingly, financial
statements for an issuing entity will generally not be included in this
prospectus or in the prospectus supplement.
RATING
As a condition to the issuance of any class of Offered Notes or Offered
Certificates, as applicable, they must not be rated lower than investment grade;
that is, they must be rated in one of the four highest rating categories, by a
rating agency.
Ratings on mortgage pass-through certificates and mortgage-backed notes
address the likelihood of receipt by securityholders of all distributions on the
underlying mortgage loans. These ratings address the structural, legal and
issuer-related aspects associated with the Notes or Certificates, as applicable,
the nature of the underlying assets and the credit quality of the guarantor, if
any. Ratings on mortgage pass-through certificates, mortgage-backed notes and
other asset backed securities do not represent any assessment of the likelihood
of principal prepayments by borrowers or of the degree by which prepayments
might differ from those originally anticipated. As a result, securityholders
might suffer a lower than anticipated yield, and, in addition, holders of
stripped interest certificates in extreme cases might fail to recoup their
initial investments.
A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities
and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating
organization. Each security rating should be evaluated independently of any
other security rating.
152
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
110% yield rule....................................................... 112
1986 Act.............................................................. 105
1997 Act.............................................................. 130
1998 Policy Statement................................................. 148
AB Servicing Criteria................................................. 66
Acceptable Investments................................................ 145
Accrual Period........................................................ 25
ADA................................................................... 95
Agency Securities..................................................... 4
Agreement............................................................. 50
Allowable Interest Rate............................................... 143
Allowable Notional Amount............................................. 143
ARM Loans............................................................. 8
Asset Conservation Act................................................ 90
Asset Group........................................................... 34
Asset Seller.......................................................... 4
Assets................................................................ 4
Bankruptcy Code....................................................... 87
Beneficial Owner...................................................... 43
Book-Entry Certificates............................................... 34
Book-Entry Notes...................................................... 34
Book-Entry Securities................................................. 34
Buydown Mortgage Loans................................................ 28
Buydown Period........................................................ 28
Capitalized Interest Account.......................................... 22
Cash Flow Agreement................................................... 23
CERCLA................................................................ 14, 89
Certificates.......................................................... 32
Charter Act........................................................... 17
CI.................................................................... 44
Clearstream Luxembourg................................................ 43
Clearstream, Luxembourg............................................... 44
Clearstream, Luxembourg Participants.................................. 44
Code.................................................................. 42, 100
Collection Account.................................................... 54
Commercial Mortgage Loans............................................. 11
Commercial Property................................................... 6
Commission............................................................ 8
contract borrower..................................................... 81
contract lender....................................................... 81
Cooperative........................................................... 80
Cooperative Corporation............................................... 45
Cooperative Loans..................................................... 80
Cooperatives.......................................................... 6
Covered Trust......................................................... 75
CPR................................................................... 27
Crime Control Act..................................................... 94
CSSF.................................................................. 44
Cut-off Date.......................................................... 7
DBC................................................................... 44
DBS................................................................... 149
Debt Securities....................................................... 100
Definitive Certificates............................................... 34
Definitive Notes...................................................... 34
Definitive Securities................................................. 34
Determination Date.................................................... 34
Disqualified Organization............................................. 117
disqualified persons.................................................. 140
Distribution Date..................................................... 25
DOL................................................................... 140
DOL Pre-Funding Period................................................ 145
DTC................................................................... 43
EDGAR................................................................. 150
Eligible Corporation.................................................. 119
Environmental Policies................................................ 64
ERISA................................................................. 140
Euroclear............................................................. 43
Euroclear Operator.................................................... 45
European Depositaries................................................. 45
Exchange Act.......................................................... 44
Exemption............................................................. 141
EYS Agreement......................................................... 144
Fair, Isaac........................................................... 7
Fannie Mae............................................................ 4
FDIC.................................................................. 54
Federal Tax Counsel................................................... 101
FFIEC................................................................. 148
FHA................................................................... 7
Financial Intermediary................................................ 46
Freddie Mac........................................................... 4
Freddie Mac Act....................................................... 18
Freddie Mac Certificate Group......................................... 18
Garn-St. Germain Act.................................................. 91
Ginnie Mae............................................................ 4
Grantor Trust Fund.................................................... 100
Grantor Trust Fund Stripped Bond...................................... 128
Grantor Trust Fund Stripped Coupon.................................... 128
Grantor Trust Securities.............................................. 100
Grantor Trust Securityholders......................................... 124
HELOCs................................................................ 9
Home Equity Loans..................................................... 6
Housing Act........................................................... 16
HUD................................................................... 63
Increasing Payment Asset.............................................. 5
Indirect Participants................................................. 43
Insurance Proceeds.................................................... 35
Interest Rate......................................................... 36
Investor-Based Exemptions............................................. 146
land sale contract.................................................... 81
Land Sale Contracts................................................... 6
lease................................................................. 95
lessee................................................................ 95
153
Leveraged............................................................. 143
Liquidation Proceeds.................................................. 35
loans................................................................. 142
Loan-to-Value Ratio................................................... 7
Lock-out Date......................................................... 9
Lock-out Period....................................................... 9
Mixed Use Mortgage Loans.............................................. 11
Mixed-Use Property.................................................... 6
Mortgage Securities................................................... 4
Mortgaged Properties.................................................. 6
Mortgages............................................................. 6
Multifamily Mortgage Loans............................................ 11
Multifamily Property.................................................. 6
NCUA.................................................................. 148
New CI................................................................ 44
noneconomic residual interest......................................... 118
Nonrecoverable Advance................................................ 39
Notes................................................................. 32
OCC................................................................... 148
Offered Certificates.................................................. 34
Offered Notes......................................................... 34
Offered Securities.................................................... 34
Offering Documents.................................................... 145
OID Regulations....................................................... 101
OTS................................................................... 91, 148
Parity Act............................................................ 91
Participants.......................................................... 43
parties in interest................................................... 140
Partnership Certificate Owners........................................ 133
Partnership Certificates.............................................. 100
Pass-Through Entity................................................... 117
PCBs.................................................................. 88
Permitted Investments................................................. 54
Plan.................................................................. 140
Plan Asset Regulations................................................ 140
Pre-Funded Amount..................................................... 21
Pre-Funding Account................................................... 21
Pre-Funding Limit..................................................... 145
Pre-Funding Period.................................................... 21
Prepayment Assumption................................................. 106
Prepayment Premium.................................................... 9
PTCE 83-1............................................................. 140
PTCE 84-14............................................................ 144
PTCE 95-60............................................................ 143
PTCE 96-23............................................................ 144
PTE 2000-58........................................................... 141
PTE 2002-41........................................................... 141
PTE 97-34............................................................. 141
Purchase Price........................................................ 51
QPAM.................................................................. 144
Rating Agency......................................................... 142
RCRA.................................................................. 89
Record Date........................................................... 34
Refinance Loans....................................................... 7
Registration Statement................................................ 150
Regular Securities.................................................... 101
Regular Securityholder................................................ 104
Related Proceeds...................................................... 39
Relevant Depositary................................................... 45
Relief Act............................................................ 93
REMIC................................................................. 49, 100
REMIC Provisions...................................................... 100
REMIC qualified floating rate......................................... 105
REMIC Regulations..................................................... 101
REMIC Securities...................................................... 49, 100
REO Property.......................................................... 40
Residual Holders...................................................... 113
Residual Securities................................................... 101
RICO.................................................................. 94
Rules................................................................. 46
Securities............................................................ 32
Servicemen's Readjustment Act......................................... 21
Servicing Standard.................................................... 58
Shortfall Amount...................................................... 129
Similar Law........................................................... 147
Single Family Property................................................ 6
SMMEA................................................................. 147
SPA................................................................... 27
Special Servicer...................................................... 67
Stripped Agency Securities............................................ 19
Subsequent Assets..................................................... 21
Superliens............................................................ 89
Swap.................................................................. 143
Swap Agreement........................................................ 143
Taxable Mortgage Pools................................................ 101
Terms and Conditions.................................................. 45
Tiered REMICs......................................................... 104
Title V............................................................... 92
Title VIII............................................................ 93
U.S. Person........................................................... 119
UCC................................................................... 43
UST................................................................... 89
VA.................................................................... 7
VA Guaranty Policy.................................................... 64
Value................................................................. 7
Warranting Party...................................................... 52
154
$352,607,000 (APPROXIMATE)
ACE SECURITIES CORP.
DEPOSITOR
ACE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST,
SERIES 2006-GP1
ISSUING ENTITY
ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN
TRUST, SERIES 2006-GP1
ASSET BACKED NOTES
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
DATED MAY 30, 2006
GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING, INC.
SERVICER
LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
MASTER SERVICER
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES
UNDERWRITER
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS. WE HAVE NOT
AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT INFORMATION.
We are not offering the certificates offered by this prospectus supplement in
any state where the offer is not permitted.
Dealers will be required to deliver a prospectus supplement and prospectus when
acting as underwriters of the certificates and with respect to their unsold
allotments or subscriptions. In addition, all dealers selling the Offered
Certificates, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to
deliver a prospectus supplement and prospectus until 90 days after the date of
this prospectus supplement.
MAY 30, 2006