PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated June 24, 2003)
$245,287,000
(Approximate)
Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities Trust 2003-AC3
Issuer
Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2003-AC3
EMC Mortgage Corporation
Seller
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association
Master Servicer
Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc.
Depositor
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The issuer is offering the following classes of certificates pursuant to this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus:
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Original Original
Certificate Certificate
Principal Pass-Through Principal Pass-Through
Class Balance Rate Class Balance Rate
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Class A-1 $210,947,000 4.000%(1)(2) Class M-2 $11,491,000 (1)(2)(5)
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Class A-IO Notional(3) 5.000%(4) Class M-3 $ 2,000,000 4.654%(1)(2)
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Class M-1 $ 15,330,000 4.403%(1)(2) Class B-1 $ 5,519,000 (1)(2)(5)
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(1) Subject to a maximum rate as described in this prospectus supplement.
(2) Subject to a step-up if the optional termination right is not exercised.
(3) The notional amount of the Class A-IO Certificates will be equal to the
lesser of (a) (i) $36,790,000 for each distribution date from and
including the distribution date in July 2003 to and including the
distribution date in December 2004, (ii) $29,432,000 for each distribution
date from and including the distribution Date in January 2005 to and
including the distribution date in June 2005, (iii) $22,074,000 for each
distribution date from and including the distribution date in July 2005 to
and including the distribution date in December 2005 and (iv) for each
distribution date thereafter, $0 and (b) the aggregate stated principal
balance of the mortgage loans.
(4) The per annum pass-through rate for the Class A-IO Certificates shall be
5.00% for the first 30 accrual periods and 0.00% for each accrual period
thereafter.
(5) The pass-through rate on these classes is a variable rate described under
"Summary--Description of the Certificates--Pass-Through Rates" herein.
The certificates represent interests in a pool of fixed rate, conventional
mortgage loans that are secured by first liens on one- to four-family
residential properties.
Credit enhancement will be provided by:
o excess spread and overcollateralization
o subordination of the Class M-1, Class M-2, Class M-3 and Class B-1
Certificates.
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved these
securities or determined that this prospectus supplement or the prospectus is
accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., as the underwriter, will offer the
certificates listed above at varying prices to be determined at the time of
sale.
The underwriter will deliver to purchasers of the offered certificates in
book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company,
Clearstream and Euroclear, in each case, on or about June 30, 2003.
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Consider carefully the risk factors beginning on page S-11 in this prospectus
supplement and on page 4 in the prospectus.
The certificates represent obligations of the trust only and do not represent an
interest in or obligation of Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc., EMC
Mortgage Corporation, Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, JPMorgan
Chase Bank, or any of their affiliates.
This prospectus supplement may be used to offer and sell the offered
certificates only if accompanied by the prospectus.
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Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
The date of the prospectus supplement is June 24, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
SUMMARY......................................................................S-4
RISK FACTORS................................................................S-11
THE MORTGAGE POOL...........................................................S-22
SERVICING OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS.............................................S-29
DESCRIPTION OF THE CERTIFICATES.............................................S-42
YIELD, PREPAYMENT AND MATURITY CONSIDERATIONS...............................S-63
USE OF PROCEEDS.............................................................S-69
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES.............................................S-70
STATE TAXES.................................................................S-73
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS........................................................S-73
METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION......................................................S-75
LEGAL MATTERS...............................................................S-76
RATINGS.....................................................................S-76
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS......................................................S-78
Schedule A...................................................................A-1
ANNEX I
GLOBAL CLEARANCE, SETTLEMENT
AND TAX DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES.......................................I-1
PROSPECTUS
RISK FACTORS...................................................................4
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES.................................................14
THE TRUST FUNDS...............................................................19
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT............................................................40
SERVICING OF LOANS............................................................44
THE AGREEMENTS................................................................53
MATERIAL LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE LOANS...........................................65
THE DEPOSITOR.................................................................78
USE OF PROCEEDS...............................................................79
MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSIDERATIONS.............................................................79
REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS......................................................108
STATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS.....................................................109
FASIT SECURITIES.............................................................109
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS.........................................................115
LEGAL MATTERS................................................................121
FINANCIAL INFORMATION........................................................122
AVAILABLE INFORMATION........................................................122
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
BY REFERENCE..............................................................122
RATINGS......................................................................122
LEGAL INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS..............................................124
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION.........................................................124
GLOSSARY OF TERMS............................................................125
S-2
Important Notice About Information Presented In This
Prospectus Supplement And The Accompanying Prospectus
We describe the certificates in two separate documents that provide
varying levels of detail: (a) the accompanying prospectus, which provides
general information, some of which may not apply to your certificates and (b)
this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of your
certificates. If there is conflicting information between this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information
in this prospectus supplement.
Cross-references are included in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus to captions in these materials where you can find
further discussions about related topics. The table of contents on page S-2
above provides the pages on which these captions are located.
You can find a listing of the pages where certain capitalized and other
terms used in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are
defined under the caption "Glossary" beginning on page S-50 of this prospectus
supplement, "Index of Defined Terms" beginning on page S-78 of this prospectus
supplement or "Glossary of Terms" beginning on page 125 of the prospectus.
S-3
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SUMMARY
o This summary highlights selected information from this document and
does not contain all of the information that you need to consider
when making your investment decision. To understand all of the terms
of an offering of the certificates, you should read this entire
document and the accompanying prospectus carefully.
o Certain statements contained in or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus consist of
forward-looking statements relating to future economic performance
or projections and other financial items. These statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may,"
"will," "should," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "estimates,"
or other comparable words. Forward-looking statements are subject to
a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ from the projected results. Those risks and uncertainties
include, among others, general economic and business conditions,
regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations,
customer preferences and various other matters, many of which are
beyond our control. Because we cannot predict the future, what
actually happens may be very different from what is contained in our
forward-looking statements.
The Certificates
Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2003-AC3, represent beneficial ownership
interests in a trust fund that consists primarily of a pool of fixed rate,
conventional mortgage loans that are secured by first liens on one- to
four-family residential properties and certain other assets described in this
prospectus supplement.
Originators
The principal originators of the mortgage loans are: Waterfield Mortgage
Company, Inc., with respect to approximately 30.56% of the mortgage loans,
GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc., with respect to approximately 14.50% of the
mortgage loans, and SunTrust Mortgage, Inc., with respect to approximately
11.28% of the mortgage loans. The remainder of the mortgage loans were
originated by various originators, none of which have originated more than 10%
of the mortgage loans.
Depositor
Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a limited
purpose finance subsidiary of The Bear Stearns Companies, Inc. and an affiliate
of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Seller
EMC Mortgage Corporation, a Delaware corporation and an affiliate of the
depositor and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., which will sell the mortgage loans to
the depositor.
Master Servicer
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, a national banking
association.
Securities Administrator
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, a national banking
association.
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S-4
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Trustee
JPMorgan Chase Bank, a New York banking corporation.
Pooling and Servicing Agreement
The pooling and servicing agreement among the seller, the master servicer, the
depositor, the securities administrator and the trustee, under which the trust
will be formed and will issue the certificates.
Cut-Off Date
The close of business on June 1, 2003.
Closing Date
On or about June 30, 2003.
The Mortgage Loans
The aggregate principal balance of the mortgage loans as of the cut-off date is
approximately $245,287,578. The mortgage loans are fixed rate mortgage loans
that are secured by first liens on one- to four-family residential properties.
The following table summarizes the approximate characteristics of all of the
mortgage loans in the trust fund as of the cut-off date:
Number of mortgage loans......1,003
Aggregate principal balance.....$245,287,578
Average principal balance. $244,554
Range of principal balances.....$27,615 to $1,938,159
Range of mortgage rates......5.50% to 10.00%
Weighted average mortgage rate.......6.7916%
Weighted average loan-to-value ratio..76.50%
Weighted average scheduled
remaining term to maturity....340 months
Range of scheduled remaining
terms to maturity........119 months to 360 months
Type of mortgaged properties
Single-family dwellings..70.61%
2-4 family dwellings.....11.98%
Planned unit developments12.42%
Condominiums.....4.41%
Manufactured housing......0.57%
Owner-occupied..82.86%
State concentrations
California....33.36%
Florida........7.22%
New Jersey.....6.66%
Conventional loans......100.00%
Balloon loans....3.12%
Description of the Certificates
General
The trust will issue senior and subordinate certificates. The Class A-1
Certificates and Class A-IO Certificates will represent senior interests in the
mortgage pool and we sometimes refer to these Certificates herein as the Senior
Certificates. The Class M-1, Class M-2, Class M-3 and Class B-1 Certificates
will each represent subordinate interests in the mortgage pool and we sometimes
refer to these certificates as the Subordinate Certificates.
The trust will also issue Class R Certificates (also referred to herein as the
residual certificates, which will represent the residual interest in the real
estate mortgage investment conduits established by the trust), Class P
Certificates and Class C Certificates, which we are not offering by this
prospectus supplement.
The last scheduled distribution date for the offered certificates, other than
the Class A-IO Certificates, is July 25, 2033. The last scheduled distribution
date for the Class A-IO Certificates is December 25, 2005.
Record Date
For each class of offered certificates (other than the Class M-2 Certificates
and Class B-1 Certificates) and for any distribution date, the
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S-5
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last business day of the month preceding the month in which such distribution
date occurs. For the Class M-2 Certificates and Class B-1 Certificates, the
business day preceding the applicable distribution date so long as the Class M-2
Certificates and Class B-1 Certificates remain in book-entry form; and otherwise
the record date shall be the same as for the other classes of offered
certificates.
Denominations
For each class of offered certificates $25,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess
thereof except that one certificate of each class will be issued in the
remainder of the class.
Registration of Offered Certificates
The trust will issue the offered certificates initially in book-entry form.
Persons acquiring interests in these offered certificates may elect to hold
their beneficial interests through The Depository Trust Company, in the United
States, or Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear, in Europe.
We refer you to "Description of the Certificates-- Book-Entry Certificates" in
this prospectus supplement.
Pass-Through Rates
The pass-through rate for each class of offered certificates (other than the
Class M-2 Certificates and Class B-1 Certificates) is the respective per annum
fixed rate set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement.
The pass-through rates for the Class M-2 Certificates and Class B-1 Certificates
may change from distribution date to distribution date. On any distribution
date, the pass-through rate per annum for the Class M-2 Certificates will be
equal to one-month LIBOR plus 2.50% and the pass-through rate for the Class B-1
Certificates will be equal to one-month LIBOR plus 3.50%.
The initial pass-through rate for the Class M-2 Certificates and Class B-1
Certificates will be approximately 3.593% and 4.593%, respectively.
On any distribution date, the pass-through rate for each class of offered
certificates (other than the Class A-IO Certificates) will be subject to an
interest rate cap which we describe below.
After the optional termination date, we will increase the pass-through rate for
the Class A-1, Class M-1 and Class M-3 Certificates, set forth on the cover of
this prospectus supplement, and the pass-through rates for the Class M-2
Certificates and Class B-1 Certificates as described above, by 0.50%. Each such
increased rate will remain subject to the interest rate cap.
The interest rate cap for the offered certificates (other than the Class A-IO
Certificates) is equal to
(a) through the applicable accrual period for each such class relating
to the distribution date in December 2005, the weighted average of
the net mortgage rates of all of the mortgage loans minus interest
payable to the Class A-IO Certificates with respect to each such
accrual period expressed as a per annum rate calculated based on the
aggregate mortgage loan balance and,
(b) thereafter, the weighted average of the net mortgage rates of the
mortgage loans.
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S-6
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If on any distribution date, the pass-through rate for a class of offered
certificates (other than the Class A-IO Certificates) is based on the interest
rate cap, the resulting interest shortfalls may be recovered by the holders of
the related certificates on the same distribution date on or future distribution
dates on a subordinated basis to the extent that on such distribution date there
are available funds remaining after certain other distributions on the offered
certificates and the payment of certain fees and expenses of the trust.
We refer you to "Description of the Certificates-- Distributions" and "-- Excess
Spread and Overcollateralization Provisions" in this prospectus supplement.
Distribution Dates
The trustee will make distributions on the certificates on the 25th day of each
calendar month beginning in July 2003 to the appropriate holders of record. If
the 25th day of the month is not a business day, then the trustee will make
distributions on the following business day.
Interest Payments
On each distribution date holders of the offered certificates will be entitled
to receive:
o the interest that has accrued on the certificate principal balance or
notional balance of such certificates at the related pass-through rate
during the related accrual period, and
o any interest due on a prior distribution date that was not paid, less
o interest shortfalls allocated to such certificates.
The accrual period for the offered certificates (other than the Class M-2
Certificates and Class B-1 Certificates) will be the calendar month immediately
preceding the calendar month in which a distribution date occurs. The accrual
period for the Class M-2 Certificates and Class B-1 Certificates will be the
period from and including the 25th day of the calendar month preceding the month
in which a distribution date occurs (or, with respect to the first accrual
period, the Closing Date) to and including the 24th day of the calendar month in
which that distribution date occurs. Calculations of interest on the offered
certificates (other than the Class M-2 Certificates and Class B-1 Certificates)
will be based on a 360-day year that consists of twelve 30-day months.
Calculations of interest on the Class M-2 Certificates and Class B-1
Certificates will be based on a 360-day year and the actual number of days
elapsed during the related accrual period.
The notional balance of the Class A-IO Certificates for purposes of calculating
accrued interest is equal to the lesser of (a)(i) $36,790,000, for each
distribution date from the distribution date in July 2003 to and including the
distribution date in December 2004, (ii) $29,432,000, for each distribution date
from the distribution date in January 2005 to and including the distribution
date in June 2005, (iii) $22,074,000, for each distribution date from the
distribution date in July 2005 to and including the distribution date in
December 2005 and (iv) $0, for each distribution date thereafter and (b) the
aggregate outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loans.
Principal Payments
On each distribution date, holders of the offered certificates (other than the
Class A-IO Certificates) will receive a distribution of
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S-7
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principal on their certificates if there is cash available on that date for the
payment of principal. Monthly principal distributions will generally include
o principal payments on the mortgage loans, and
o until a specified overcollateralization level has been reached, interest
payments on the mortgage loans not needed to pay interest on the
certificates and monthly fees and expenses.
You should review the priority of payments described under "Description of the
Certificates -- Distributions" in this prospectus supplement.
Credit Enhancement
Credit enhancements provide limited protection to holders of specified
certificates against shortfalls in payments received on the mortgage loans. This
transaction employs the following forms of credit enhancement.
Subordination. By issuing senior certificates and subordinated certificates, the
trust has increased the likelihood that senior certificateholders will receive
regular payments of interest and principal. The Class A-1 Certificates and Class
A-IO Certificates constitute the senior certificates, and the Class M-1, Class
M-2, Class M-3 and Class B-1 Certificates constitute the subordinated
certificates.
The certificates designated as senior certificates will be entitled to
distributions of interest prior to the certificates designated as subordinated
certificates. Among the classes of subordinated certificates, the Class M-1
Certificates will be entitled to distributions of interest prior to
distributions of interest to the Class M-2, Class M-3 and Class B-1 Certificates
and the Class M-2 Certificates and Class M-3 Certificates will be entitled to
distributions of interest prior to distributions of interest to the Class B-1
Certificates. The Class M-2 Certificates and Class M-3 Certificates are entitled
to interest distributions on a pro rata basis.
Subordination provides the holders of certificates having a higher payment
priority with protection against losses realized when the remaining unpaid
principal balance on a mortgage loan exceeds the amount of proceeds recovered
upon the liquidation of that mortgage loan. In general, we accomplish this loss
protection by allocating any realized losses first, to reduce the amount of
excess spread, second, to reduce the overcollateralization amount, and third,
among the certificates, beginning with the subordinated certificates with the
lowest payment priority, until the principal amount of that subordinated class
has been reduced to zero. Therefore, realized losses allocated to the
subordinated certificates will be allocated first to the Class B-1 Certificates,
then allocated to Class M-2 Certificates and Class M-3 Certificates, on a pro
rata basis, and then allocated to the Class M-1 Certificates, in each case until
the principal balance of each class of subordinated certificates is reduced to
zero.
We refer you to "Description of the Certificates -- Allocation of Losses" in
this prospectus supplement.
Excess Spread and Overcollateralization. We expect the mortgage loans to
generate more interest than is needed to pay interest on the offered
certificates because we expect the weighted average net interest rate of the
mortgage loans to be higher than the weighted average pass-through rate on the
offered
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S-8
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certificates and, as overcollateralization increases, such higher interest rate
is paid on a principal balance of mortgage loans that is larger than the
certificate principal balance of the certificates. Interest payments received in
respect of the mortgage loans in excess of the amount that is needed to pay
interest on the offered certificates and related trust expenses will be used
after the first distribution date to reduce the total certificate principal
balance of such certificates until a required level of overcollateralization has
been achieved. As of the cut-off date, the aggregate principal balance of the
mortgage loans exceeds the aggregate certificate principal balance of the
certificates (other than the Class C Certificates) by approximately $478, which
is the initial certificate principal balance of the Class C Certificates.
We refer you to "Description of the Certificates-- Excess Spread and
Overcollateralization Provisions" in this prospectus supplement.
Advances
Each servicer will make cash advances with respect to delinquent payments of
scheduled interest and principal on the related mortgage loans for which it acts
as servicer in general to the extent that such servicer reasonably believes that
such cash advances can be repaid from future payments on the related mortgage
loans. If the related servicer fails to make any required advances, the master
servicer may be obligated to do so, as described in this prospectus supplement.
These cash advances are only intended to maintain a regular flow of scheduled
interest and principal payments on the certificates and are not intended to
guarantee or insure against losses.
Optional Termination
At its option, the majority holder of the Class C Certificates may purchase all
of the offered certificates on or after the earlier of (a) the first
distribution date on which the aggregate stated principal balance of the
mortgage loans has been reduced to less than or equal to 20% of the aggregate
stated principal balance of the mortgage loans as of the cut-off date and (b)
the distribution date occurring in June 2013. If the majority holder of the
Class C Certificates does not exercise its option to purchase the offered
certificates, the pass-through rate on the offered certificates will increase as
provided in this prospectus supplement. In addition, if the majority holder of
the Class C Certificates does not exercise its purchase option as stated above,
on the following distribution date all net monthly excess cashflow will be paid
to the offered certificates (other than the Class A-IO Certificates), on a pro
rata basis, until the certificate principal balances thereof have been reduced
to zero.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
For federal income tax purposes, the trust will comprise multiple real estate
mortgage investment conduits, organized in a tiered REMIC structure. The
certificates offered by this prospectus supplement and the Class P Certificates
and Class C Certificates will represent beneficial ownership of "regular
interests" in the related REMIC identified in the pooling and servicing
agreement.
The Class R Certificates will represent the beneficial ownership of the sole
class of "residual interests" in each REMIC. Certain classes of offered
certificates may be issued with original issue discount for federal income tax
purposes.
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S-9
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We refer you to "Federal Income Tax Consequences" in this prospectus supplement
and "Material Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the prospectus for
additional information concerning the application of federal income tax laws.
Legal Investment
The Class A-1, Class A-IO and Class M-1 Certificates will be "mortgage related
securities" for purposes of the Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement Act of
1984.
We refer you to "Legal Investment Considerations" in the prospectus.
ERISA Considerations
The offered certificates may be purchased by a pension or other employee benefit
plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or Section
4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, so long as a number of conditions are
met. A fiduciary of an employee benefit plan must determine that the purchase of
a certificate is consistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law and
does not result in a nonexempt prohibited transaction under applicable law.
We refer you to "ERISA Considerations" in this prospectus supplement and in the
prospectus.
Ratings
The classes of certificates listed below will not be offered unless they receive
the respective ratings set forth below from Moody's Investors Service, Inc.,
which we refer to as "Moody's" and Standard & Poor's Rating Services, a division
of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., which we refer to as "Standard & Poor's".
Moody's Standard &
Class Rating Poor's Rating
----- ------ -------------
A-1 Aaa AAA
A-IO Aaa AAA
M-1 Aa2 AA
M-2 A2 A
M-3 A2 A
B-1 Baa2 BBB
A rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and either
rating agency can revise or withdraw such ratings at any time. In general,
ratings address credit risk and do not address the likelihood of prepayments.
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S-10
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the matters described elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and
the prospectus, you should carefully consider the following risk factors before
deciding to purchase a certificate.
The subordinated
certificates have a greater
risk of loss than the senior
certificates .................... When certain classes of certificates
provide credit enhancement for other
classes of certificates it is sometimes
referred to as "subordination." For
purposes of this prospectus supplement,
"related subordinated classes" means:
o with respect to the senior
certificates: the Class M-1, Class
M-2, Class M-3 and Class B-1
Certificates;
o with respect to the Class M-1
Certificates: the Class M-2, Class
M-3 and Class B-1 Certificates; and
o with respect to the Class M-2
Certificates and Class M-3
Certificates: the Class B-1
Certificates.
We will provide credit enhancement for the
certificates, first, by the right of the
holders of the certificates to receive
payments of interest prior to the related
subordinated classes and, second, by the
allocation of realized losses to the
related subordinated classes. This form of
credit enhancement uses collections on the
mortgage loans otherwise payable to the
holders of the related subordinated
classes to pay amounts due on the more
senior classes. Such collections are the
sole source of funds from which such
credit enhancement is provided. Realized
losses will be allocated first, to reduce
the amount of excess spread, second, to
reduce the overcollateralization amount
and third, to the subordinated
certificates, beginning with the
subordinated certificates with the lowest
payment priority, until the certificate
principal balance of that class has been
reduced to zero. This means that realized
losses on the mortgage loans which are
allocated to the subordinated certificates
would first be allocated to the Class B-1
Certificates until the certificate
principal balance thereof has been reduced
to zero, then to the Class M-2
Certificates and M-3 Certificates, on a
pro rata basis and then to the Class M-1
Certificates, in each case until the
certificate principal
S-11
balance of each class of subordinated
certificates is reduced to zero.
Accordingly, if the aggregate certificate
principal balance of a subordinated class
were to be reduced to zero, delinquencies
and defaults on the mortgage loans would
reduce the amount of funds available for
distributions to holders of the remaining
subordinated class or classes and, if the
aggregate certificate principal balance of
all the subordinated classes were to be
reduced to zero, delinquencies and
defaults on the mortgage loans would
reduce the amount of funds available for
monthly distributions to holders of the
remaining senior certificates.
You should fully consider the risks of
investing in a subordinated certificate,
including the risk that you may not fully
recover your initial investment as a
result of realized losses.
See "Description of the
Certificates" in this prospectus
supplement.
Additional risks associated
with the subordinated
certificates .................... The weighted average lives of, and the
yields to maturity on, the Subordinate
Certificates will be progressively more
sensitive to the rate and timing of
mortgagor defaults and the severity of
ensuing losses on the mortgage loans. If
the actual rate and severity of losses on
the mortgage loans is higher than those
assumed by an investor in such
certificates, the actual yield to maturity
of such certificates may be lower than the
yield anticipated by such holder based on
such assumption. The timing of losses on
the mortgage loans will also affect an
investor's actual yield to maturity, even
if the rate of defaults and severity of
losses over the life of the mortgage loans
are consistent with an investor's
expectations. In general, the earlier a
loss occurs, the greater the effect on an
investor's yield to maturity. Realized
losses on the mortgage loans will reduce
the amount of excess spread, second,
reduce the amount of
overcollateralization, third, reduce the
certificate principal balance of the Class
B-1 Certificates, fourth, reduce the
certificate principal balances of the
Class M-2 Certificates and Class M-3
Certificates, on a pro rata basis, and
fifth, reduce the certificate principal
balance of the Class M-1 Certificates. As
a result of any such reductions in the
certificate principal balances of the
subordinated certificates, less interest
will accrue on such
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classes of subordinated certificates than
would otherwise be the case. Once a
realized loss is allocated to a
subordinated certificate, no interest will
be distributable with respect to such
written down amount.
Interest only
certificates involve
additional risk ................. The Class A-IO Certificates will receive
payments in respect of interest only on
each distribution date through December
2005. Therefore, the yield to maturity of
the Class A-IO Certificates will be
extremely sensitive to the rate of
principal prepayment on the mortgage
loans, if (i) prior to the distribution
date in December 2004, the aggregate
principal balance of the mortgage loans is
reduced below $36,790,000, (ii) prior to
the distribution date in June 2005, the
aggregate principal balance of the
mortgage loans is reduced below
$29,432,000 or (iii) prior to the
distribution date in December 2005, the
aggregate principal balance of the
mortgage loans is reduced below
$22,074,000. Investors in the Class A-IO
Certificates should fully consider the
risk that an extremely rapid rate of
principal prepayment on the mortgage loans
could result in the failure of such
investors to recover their initial
investments. In addition, the pass-through
rate on the Class A-IO Certificates will
be reduced to zero on the distribution
date following the distribution date in
December 2005.
Credit enhancement may be
inadequate to cover losses
and/or to build
overcollateralization ........... The mortgage loans are expected to
generate more interest than is needed to
pay interest on the offered certificates
because we expect the weighted average
interest rate on the mortgage loans to be
higher than the weighted average
pass-through rate on the offered
certificates. If the mortgage loans
generate more interest than is needed to
pay interest on the offered certificates
and trust fund expenses, we will use such
"excess spread" after the first
distribution date to make additional
principal payments on the offered
certificates (other than the Class A-IO
Certificates), which will reduce the total
certificate principal balance of such
offered certificates below the aggregate
principal balance of the mortgage loans,
thereby creating "overcollateralization."
Overcollateralization is intended to
provide limited
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protection to certificateholders by
absorbing the certificate's share of
losses from liquidated mortgage loans.
However, we cannot assure you that enough
excess spread will be generated on the
mortgage loans to establish or maintain
the required level of
overcollateralization. The aggregate
principal balances of the mortgage loans
as of the cut-off date will exceed the
aggregate certificate principal balance of
the certificates (other than the Class C
Certificates) on the closing date by
approximately $478 and, therefore, the
initial amount of overcollateralization
will be considerably less then the
specified overcollateralization amount we
describe in this prospectus supplement.
The excess spread available on any
distribution date will be affected by the
actual amount of interest received,
advanced or recovered in respect of the
mortgage loans during the preceding month.
Such amount may be influenced by changes
in the weighted average of the mortgage
rates resulting from prepayments, defaults
and liquidations of the mortgage loans.
If the protection afforded by
overcollateralization is insufficient,
then you could experience a loss on your
investment.
The interest rate cap may
reduce the yields on the
offered certificates ............ The pass-through rates on the offered
certificates (other than the Class A-IO
Certificates) are each subject to an
interest rate cap generally equal to the
weighted average of the net mortgage rates
on the mortgage loans minus, in the case
of each distribution date from the
distribution date in July 2003 to and
including the distribution date in
December 2005, interest payable to the
Class A-IO Certificates. If the
pass_through rates on the offered
certificates (other than the Class A-IO
Certificates) are limited for any
distribution date, the resulting interest
shortfalls may be recovered by the holders
of these certificates on the same
distribution date or on future
distribution dates on a subordinated basis
to the extent that on such distribution
date or future distribution dates there
are available funds remaining after
certain other distributions on the offered
certificates and the payment of certain
fees and expenses of the trust. See
"Description of the Certificates--Excess
Spread and
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Overcollateralization Provisions" in this
prospectus supplement.
The Class M-2 Certificates and
Class B-1 Certificates may not
always receive interest based on
the related LIBOR Rate .......... The pass-through rate on the Class M-2
Certificates is equal to One-Month LIBOR
plus 2.50% and the pass-through rate on
the Class B-1 Certificates is equal to
One-Month LIBOR plus 3.50%, which are
subject to increase by 0.50% if the
majority Class C Certificateholder does
not exercise its option to purchase the
mortgage loans on the optional termination
date. Each such rate shall be referred to
in this section as the related "LIBOR
Rate". The Class M-2 Certificates and the
Class B-1 Certificates may not always
receive interest at the related LIBOR Rate
because such rate is also subject to the
interest rate cap. If the interest rate
cap is less than the related LIBOR Rate,
the interest rate on the Class M-2
Certificates or Class B-1 Certificates, as
applicable, will be reduced to the
interest rate cap. Thus, the yield to
investors in such classes will be
sensitive both to fluctuations in the
level of One-Month LIBOR and to the
adverse effects of the application of the
interest rate cap. The prepayment or
default of mortgage loans with relatively
higher net mortgage rates, particularly
during a period of increased One-Month
LIBOR rates, may result in the interest
rate cap being lower than otherwise would
be the case. If on any distribution date
the application of the interest rate cap
results in an interest payment lower than
the interest payment that would have been
due the Class M-2 Certificates or Class
B-1 Certificates, as applicable, if such
amount would have been calculated based on
the related LIBOR Rate for the related
interest accrual period, the value of the
Class M-2 Certificates or Class B-1
Certificates, as the case may be, may be
temporarily or permanently reduced.
Certain mortgage loans
were underwritten to
nonconforming underwriting
standards, which may result
in losses or shortfalls to be
incurred on the offered
certificates .................... Certain mortgage loans were underwritten
generally in accordance with underwriting
standards which are primarily intended to
provide for single family "non-conforming"
mortgage loans. A "non-
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conforming" mortgage loan means a mortgage
loan which is ineligible for purchase by
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac due to either
credit characteristics of the related
mortgagor or documentation standards in
connection with the underwriting of the
related mortgage loan that do not meet the
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac underwriting
guidelines for "A" credit mortgagors.
These documentation standards may include
mortgagors who provide limited or no
documentation in connection with the
underwriting of the related mortgage loan.
Accordingly, mortgage loans underwritten
under such non-conforming credit
underwriting standards are likely to
experience rates of delinquency,
foreclosure and loss that are higher, and
may be substantially higher, than mortgage
loans originated in accordance with the
Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac underwriting
guidelines. Any resulting losses, to the
extent not covered by credit enhancement,
may affect the yield to maturity of the
offered certificates.
Defaults could cause payment
delays and losses ............... There could be substantial delays in the
liquidation of defaulted mortgage loans
and corresponding delays in your receiving
your portion of the proceeds of
liquidation. These delays could last up to
several years. Furthermore, an action to
obtain a deficiency judgment is regulated
by statutes and rules, and the amount of a
deficiency judgment may be limited by law.
In the event of a default by a borrower,
these restrictions may impede the ability
of the related servicer to foreclose on or
to sell the mortgaged property or to
obtain a deficiency judgment. In addition,
liquidation expenses such as legal and
appraisal fees, real estate taxes and
maintenance and preservation expenses,
will reduce the amount of security for the
mortgage loans and, in turn, reduce the
proceeds payable to certificateholders.
In the event that the mortgaged properties
fail to provide adequate security for the
related mortgage loans, and the protection
provided by the subordination of certain
classes is insufficient to cover any
shortfall, you could lose all or a portion
of the money you paid for your
certificates.
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Your yield could be
adversely affected by
the unpredictability
of prepayments .................. No one can accurately predict the level of
prepayments that the trust will
experience. The trust's prepayment
experience may be affected by many
factors, including:
o general economic conditions,
o the level of prevailing interest
rates,
o the availability of alternative
financing, and
o homeowner mobility.
Substantially all of the mortgage loans
contain due-on-sale provisions, and the
servicers are required to enforce those
provisions unless doing so is not
permitted by applicable law or the related
servicer, in a manner consistent with
reasonable commercial practice, permits
the purchaser of the mortgaged property in
question to assume the related mortgage
loan. In addition, 15.92% of the mortgage
loans, by aggregate principal balance as
of the cut-off date, imposed a prepayment
charge in connection with voluntary
prepayments made within up to five years
after origination, which charges may
discourage prepayments during the
applicable period.
The weighted average lives of the
certificates will be sensitive to the rate
and timing of principal payments,
including prepayments, on the mortgage
loans, which may fluctuate significantly
from time to time.
You should note that:
o if you purchase your certificates at
a discount and principal is repaid
on the mortgage loans slower than
you anticipate, then your yield may
be lower than you anticipate;
o if you purchase your certificates at
a premium and principal is repaid on
the mortgage loans faster than you
anticipate, then your yield may be
lower than you anticipate;
o since repurchases of mortgage loans
as a result of breaches of
representations and warranties and
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liquidations of mortgage loans
following default have the same
effect as prepayments, your yield
may be lower than you expect if the
rate of such repurchases and
liquidations is higher than you
expect;
o the overcollateralization
provisions, initially and whenever
overcollateralization is at a level
below the required level, are
intended to result in an accelerated
rate of principal distributions to
the holders of the offered
certificates
(other than the Class A-IO
Certificates). An earlier return of
principal to such holders as a
result of the overcollateralization
provisions will influence the yield
on the related offered certificates
in a manner similar to the manner in
which principal prepayments on the
mortgage loans will influence the
yield on the offered certificates;
and
o you bear the reinvestment risks
resulting from a faster or slower
rate of principal payments than you
expected.
We refer you to "The Mortgage Pool" and
"Yield, Prepayment and Maturity
Considerations" in this prospectus
supplement and "Material Legal Aspects of
the Loans -- Due-on-Sale Clauses in
Mortgage Loans" in the prospectus for a
description of certain provisions of the
mortgage loans that may affect the
prepayment experience on the mortgage
loans.
A reduction in certificate
rating could have an
adverse effect on the
value of your certificates ...... The ratings of each class of offered
certificates will depend primarily on an
assessment by the rating agencies of the
related mortgage loans and the
subordination afforded by certain classes
of certificates. The ratings by each of
the rating agencies of the offered
certificates are not recommendations to
purchase, hold or sell the offered
certificates because such ratings do not
address the market prices of the
certificates or suitability for a
particular investor.
The rating agencies may suspend, reduce or
withdraw the ratings on the offered
certificates at any time. Any reduction
in, or suspension or withdrawal of, the
rating assigned to a class of offered
certificates would probably
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reduce the market value of such class of
offered certificates and may affect your
ability to sell them.
Your distributions could be
adversely affected by the
bankruptcy or insolvency
of certain parties .............. The seller will treat its transfer of the
mortgage loans to the depositor as a sale
of the mortgage loans. However, if the
seller becomes bankrupt, the trustee in
bankruptcy may argue that the mortgage
loans were not sold but were only pledged
to secure a loan to the seller. If that
argument is
made, you could experience delays or
reductions in payments on the
certificates. If that argument is
successful, the bankruptcy trustee could
elect to sell the mortgage loans and pay
down the certificates 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 master servicer
becomes bankrupt, a bankruptcy trustee or
receiver may have the power to prevent the
appointment of a successor master
servicer. Any related delays in servicing
could result in increased delinquencies or
losses on the mortgage loans.
Developments in specified
states could have a
disproportionate effect
on the mortgage loans due
to geographic concentration
of mortgaged properties ......... Approximately 33.36%, 7.22%, 6.66% and
5.64%, of the mortgage loans as of the
cut-off date are secured by mortgaged
properties that are located in the states
of California, Florida, New Jersey and New
York, respectively. Property in certain of
those states, including California, may be
more susceptible than homes located in
other parts of the country to certain
types of uninsurable hazards, such as
earthquakes, floods, mudslides and other
natural disasters. In addition,
o economic conditions in the specified
states, which may or may not affect
real property values, may affect the
ability of borrowers to repay their
loans on time;
o declines in the residential real
estate market in the specified
states may reduce the values of
properties
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located in those states, which
would result in an increase in the
loan-to-value ratios; and
o any increase in the market value of
properties located in the specified
states would reduce the
loan-to-value ratios and could,
therefore, make alternative sources
of financing available to the
borrowers at lower interest rates,
which could result in an increased
rate of prepayment of the mortgage
loans.
You may have difficulty
selling your certificates ....... The underwriter intends to make a
secondary market in the offered
certificates, but the underwriter has no
obligation to do so. We cannot assure you
that a secondary market will develop or,
if it develops, that it will continue.
Consequently, you may not be able to sell
your certificates readily or at prices
that will enable you to realize your
desired yield. The market values of the
certificates are likely to fluctuate, and
such 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
certificates 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 certificates
could be reduced by shortfalls
due to the application of the
Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil
Relief Act and similar state
laws ............................ The Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief
Act of 1940, or Relief Act and similar
state 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
S-20
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 laws will result in an
interest shortfall because neither the
master servicer nor the related servicer
will 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 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 related servicer and, therefore,
will reduce the amount available to pay
interest to the certificateholders on
subsequent distribution dates. We do not
know how many mortgage loans in the
mortgage pool have been or may be affected
by the application of the Relief Act or
similar state law.
S-21
THE MORTGAGE POOL
General
We have provided below and in Schedule A to this prospectus supplement
information with respect to the conventional mortgage loans that we expect to
include in the pool of mortgage loans in the trust fund. Prior to the closing
date of June 30, 2003, we may remove mortgage loans from the mortgage pool and
we may substitute other mortgage loans for the mortgage loans we remove. The
depositor believes that the information set forth herein with respect to the
mortgage pool as presently constituted is representative of the characteristics
of the mortgage pool as it will be constituted at the closing date, although
certain characteristics of the mortgage loans in the mortgage pool may vary.
Unless we have otherwise indicated, the information we present below and in
Schedule A is expressed as of the cut-off date of June 1, 2003.
Each mortgage loan in the trust fund will bear interest at a fixed rate
and will be secured by a first lien on the related mortgaged property. All of
the mortgage loans we will include in the trust fund will be fully amortizing or
have a balloon payment.
EMC Mortgage Corporation purchased the mortgage loans directly in
privately negotiated transactions. We refer you to "Servicing of the Mortgage
Loans" and "The Mortgage Pool-Underwriting Guidelines" for further information
regarding the mortgage loans.
Scheduled monthly payments made by the mortgagors on the mortgage loans
either earlier or later than the scheduled due dates thereof will not affect the
amortization schedule or the relative application of such payments to principal
and interest. The mortgage notes generally provide for a grace period for
monthly payments. Any mortgage loan may be prepaid in full or in part at any
time. However, approximately 15.92% of the mortgage loans, by cut-off date
principal balance, provided at origination for the payment by the borrower of a
prepayment charge on voluntary prepayments typically made up to the first five
years from the date of execution of the related mortgage note. The holders of
the Class P Certificates will be entitled to all prepayment charges received on
the mortgage loans, and these amounts will not be available for distribution on
the other classes of certificates. There can be no assurance that the prepayment
charges will have any effect on the prepayment performance of the mortgage
loans.
The cut-off date pool principal balance is approximately $245,287,578,
which is equal to the aggregate stated principal balance of the mortgage loans
as of the cut-off date. The mortgage loans to be transferred by the depositor to
the trust fund on the closing date will consist of 1,003 mortgage loans. As of
the Cut-off Date, no scheduled monthly payment on any mortgage loan is more than
31 days past due.
Loan-to-Value Ratio. The loan-to-value ratio of a mortgage loan is equal
to the principal balance of such mortgage loan at the date of origination,
divided by the collateral value of the related mortgaged property.
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The "collateral value" of a mortgaged property is the lesser of
o the appraised value based on an appraisal made by an independent fee
appraiser at the time of the origination of the related mortgage
loan, and
o the sales price of that mortgaged property at the time of
origination.
With respect to a mortgage loan the proceeds of which were used to
refinance an existing mortgage loan, the collateral value is the appraised value
of the mortgaged property based upon the appraisal obtained at the time of
refinancing. No assurance can be given that the values of the mortgaged
properties have remained or will remain at their levels as of the dates of
origination of the related mortgage loans.
Credit scores. Many lenders obtain credit scores in connection with
mortgage loan applications to help them assess a borrower's creditworthiness.
They obtain credit scores from credit reports provided by various credit
reporting organizations, each of which may employ differing computer models and
methodologies. The credit score is designed to assess a borrower's credit
history at a single point, using objective information currently on file for the
borrower at a particular credit reporting organization. Information utilized to
create a credit score may include, among other things, payment history,
delinquencies on accounts, level of outstanding indebtedness, length of credit
history, types of credit, and bankruptcy experience. Credit scores range from
approximately 350 to approximately 840, with higher scores indicating an
individual with a more favorable credit history compared to an individual with a
lower score. However, a credit score purports only to be a measurement of the
relative degree of risk a borrower represents to a lender, that is, a borrower
with a higher score is statistically expected to be less likely to default in
payment than a borrower with a lower score. In addition, it should be noted that
credit scores were developed to indicate a level of default probability over a
two-year period, which does not correspond to the life of a mortgage loan.
Furthermore, credit scores were not developed specifically for use in connection
with mortgage loans, but for consumer loans in general, and assess only the
borrower's past credit history. Therefore, a credit score does not take into
consideration the differences between mortgage loans and consumer loans
generally or the specific characteristics of the related mortgage loan
including, for example, the loan-to-value ratio, the collateral for the mortgage
loan, or the debt to income ratio. We cannot assure you that the credit scores
of the mortgagors will be an accurate predictor of the likelihood of repayment
of the related mortgage loans.
Mortgage Loan Statistical Data
Schedule A to this prospectus supplement sets forth in tabular format
certain information, as of the cut-off date, about the mortgage loans in the
aggregate. Other than with respect to rates of interest, percentages are
approximate and are stated by cut-off date principal balance of all of the
mortgage loans. The sum of the respective columns may not equal the total
indicated due to rounding.
S-23
Assignment of the Mortgage Loans; Repurchase
At the time of issuance of the certificates, the depositor will cause the
mortgage loans, together with all principal and interest due with respect to
such mortgage loans after the cut-off date to be sold to the trust. The mortgage
loans will be identified in a schedule appearing as an exhibit to the pooling
and servicing agreement. Such schedule will include information as to the
principal balance of each mortgage loan as of the cut-off date, as well as
information including, among other things, the mortgage rate, the borrower's
monthly payment and the maturity date of each mortgage note.
In addition, the depositor will deposit with Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota,
National Association, as custodian and agent for the trustee, the following
documents with respect to each mortgage loan:
(a) the original mortgage note, endorsed without recourse in the
following form: "Pay to the order of JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee for
certificateholders of Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc.,
Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2003-AC3 without recourse," with all
intervening endorsements that show a complete chain of endorsement from
the originator to the seller or, if the original mortgage note is
unavailable to the depositor, a photocopy thereof, if available, together
with a lost note affidavit;
(b) the original recorded mortgage or a photocopy thereof;
(c) a duly executed assignment of the mortgage to "JPMorgan Chase
Bank, as trustee for certificateholders of Bear Stearns Asset Backed
Securities, Inc., Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2003-AC3, without
recourse"; in recordable form or, for each mortgage loan subject to the
Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (the " MERS(R) System"),
evidence that the mortgage is held for the trustee as described in the
pooling and servicing agreement;
(d) all interim recorded assignments of such mortgage, if any and if
available to the depositor; and
(e) the original or duplicate original lender's title policy or, in
the event such original title policy has not been received from the
insurer, such original or duplicate original lender's title policy shall
be delivered within one year of the closing date or, in the event such
original lender's title policy is unavailable, a photocopy of such title
policy or, in lieu thereof, a current lien search on the related property.
With respect to each mortgage loan subject to the MERS(R)System, in
accordance with the rules of membership of Merscorp, Inc. and/or Mortgage
Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS"), the assignment of the mortgage
related to each such mortgage loan shall be registered electronically through
the MERS(R) System and MERS shall serve as mortgagee of record solely as nominee
in an administrative capacity on behalf of the trustee and shall not have any
interest in such mortgage loans.
S-24
Assignments of the mortgage loans provided to the custodian on behalf of
the trustee will be recorded in the appropriate public office 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 trustee's
interests in the mortgage loan against the claim of any subsequent transferee or
any successor to or creditor of the depositor or the seller, or (ii) with
respect to any mortgage loan electronically registered through the MERS(R)
System. The seller shall be responsible for the recordation of such assignments
and the costs incurred in connection therewith.
The custodian on behalf of the trustee will perform a limited review of
the mortgage loan documents on or prior to the closing date or in the case of
any document permitted to be delivered after the closing date, promptly after
the custodian's receipt of such documents and will hold such documents in trust
for the benefit of the holders of the certificates.
In addition, the seller will make representations and warranties in the
pooling and servicing agreement as of the cut-off date in respect of the
mortgage loans. The depositor will file the pooling and servicing agreement
containing such representations and warranties with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in a report on Form 8-K within 15 days of the closing date.
After the closing date, if any document is found to be missing or
defective in any material respect, or if a representation or warranty with
respect to any mortgage loan is breached and such breach materially and
adversely affects the interests of the holders of the certificates in such
mortgage loan, the trustee is required to notify the seller in writing. If the
seller cannot or does not cure such omission, defect or breach within 60 days of
its receipt of notice from the custodian, the seller is required to repurchase
the related mortgage loan from the trust fund at a price equal to 100% of the
stated principal balance thereof as of the date of repurchase plus accrued and
unpaid interest thereon at the Mortgage Rate to the first day of the month
following the month of repurchase. Rather than repurchase the mortgage loan as
provided above, the seller may remove such mortgage loan from the trust fund and
substitute in its place another mortgage loan of like characteristics; however,
such substitution is only permitted within two years after the closing date.
With respect to any repurchase or substitution of a mortgage loan that is
not in default or as to which a default is not imminent, the trustee must have
received a satisfactory opinion of counsel that such repurchase or substitution
will not cause the trust fund to lose the status of its REMIC elections or
otherwise subject the trust to a prohibited transaction tax. The obligation to
cure, repurchase or substitute as described above constitutes the sole remedy
available to the certificateholders, the trustee or the depositor for omission
of, or a material defect in, a mortgage loan document or for a breach of
representation or warranty by the seller with respect to a mortgage loan.
The Originators
The principal originators of the mortgage loans are: Waterfield Mortgage
Company, Inc., with respect to approximately 30.56% of the mortgage loans,
GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc., with respect to approximately 14.50% of the
mortgage loans and SunTrust Mortgage, Inc., with respect to approximately 11.28%
of the mortgage loans. The remainder of the mortgage loans were originated by
various originators, none of which have originated more than 10% of the mortgage
loans.
S-25
Waterfield Mortgage Company, Inc.
Waterfield Mortgage Company, Inc. ("Waterfield") was founded in 1928 and
is the holding company of the Waterfield Group, which is based in Fort Wayne,
Indiana. Waterfield Financial Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Union
Federal Bank of Indianapolis ("Union Federal Bank"), which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Waterfield.
Waterfield Financial Corp. is a one-to-four family residential mortgage
loan origination company with retail and wholesale operations throughout the
United States. Waterfield Financial Corp.'s retail operation comprises more than
30 branch offices and 225 loan officers located throughout Arizona, California,
Colorado, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.
Union Federal Wholesale is a division of Waterfield Financial Corp. and is
located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Union Federal Wholesale was formed in 1996 to
participate in a rapidly expanding wholesale market, specializing in Government
insured, Conforming, and Alt-A mortgage products.
All of Union Federal Wholesale's and Waterfield Financial Corp.'s loan
production is funded in the name of Union Federal Bank. Combined retail and
wholesale originations in 2002 totaled $8.3 billion, with the Union Federal
Wholesale division accounting for 42% of that total, or $3.48 billion.
Waterfield is a licensed seller/servicer approved by Fannie Mae, Freddie
Mac, and Ginnie Mae. Waterfield's servicing portfolio at the end of 2002 totaled
$14.8 billion, ranking it among the top 50 mortgage companies nationwide.
GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc.
GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc. ("GreenPoint"), a New York corporation,
is a wholly owned subsidiary of GreenPoint Financial Corp., a national specialty
housing finance company. GreenPoint is engaged in the mortgage banking business,
which consists of the origination, acquisition, sale and servicing of
residential mortgage loans secured primarily by one to four-unit family
residences, and the purchase and sale of mortgage servicing rights. GreenPoint
originates loans through a nationwide network of production branches. Loans are
originated primarily through GreenPoint's wholesale division, through a network
of independent mortgage loan brokers approved by GreenPoint, and also through
its retail lending division and correspondent lending division.
GreenPoint's present business operations were formed through the transfer
to GreenPoint effective October 1, 1999 of the assets and liabilities of
Headlands Mortgage Company. Simultaneously with the transfer, GreenPoint
Mortgage Corp., a subsidiary of GreenPoint Financial Corp. specializing in
non-conforming, no documentation loans, was merged into GreenPoint. All of the
mortgage operations of GreenPoint Financial Corp. are now conducted through
GreenPoint.
GreenPoint is headquartered in northern California, and has production
branches in California, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Virginia, Pennsylvania,
Idaho, Florida, New Jersey and Arizona. Loans are originated primarily on a
wholesale basis, through a network of independent
S-26
mortgage loan brokers approved by GreenPoint. GreenPoint's executive offices are
located at 900 Larkspur Circle Suite 105, Larkspur CA 94939.
SunTrust Mortgage, Inc.
SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. ("SunTrust") is a wholly owned subsidiary of
SunTrust Banks, Inc., one of the nation's largest commercial banking
organizations. As of March 31, 2003, SunTrust had total assets of $120.1 billion
operating in Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Georgia, Alabama,
Tennessee and Florida. SunTrust originates loans through 123 locations in
SunTrust markets and adjacent states, maintains correspondent and broker
relationships in 48 states, and services mortgage loans in 50 states and the
District of Columbia.
SunTrust is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. It's parent, SunTrust
Banks, Inc., is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. SunTrust executive offices
are located at 901 Semmes Avenue, Richmond, VA 23224.
Underwriting Guidelines
All of the mortgage loans are "conventional non-conforming mortgage loans"
(i.e., loans that are not insured by the Federal Housing Authority ("FHA") or
partially guaranteed by the Veterans Administration ("VA") or which do not
qualify for sale to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac) and are secured by first liens on
one-to four-family residential properties. These loans typically differ from
those underwritten to the guidelines established by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
primarily with respect to the original principal balances, loan-to-value ratios,
borrower income, required documentation, interest rates, borrower occupancy of
the mortgaged property, property types and/or mortgage loans with loan-to-value
ratios over 80% that do not have primary mortgage insurance. The mortgage loans
have either been originated or purchased by an originator and were generally
underwritten in accordance with the standards described herein.
Such underwriting standards are applied to evaluate the prospective
borrower's credit standing and repayment ability and the value and adequacy of
the mortgaged property as collateral. These standards are applied in accordance
with the applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Exceptions to the
underwriting standards are permitted where compensating factors are present.
Generally, each mortgagor will have been required to complete an
application designed to provide to the lender pertinent credit information
concerning the mortgagor. The mortgagor will have given information with respect
to its assets, liabilities, income (except as described below), credit history,
employment history and personal information, and will have furnished the lender
with authorization to obtain a credit report which summarizes the mortgagor's
credit history. In the case of investment properties and two- to four-unit
dwellings, income derived from the mortgaged property may have been considered
for underwriting purposes, in addition to the income of the mortgagor from other
sources. With respect to second homes or vacation properties, no income derived
from the property will have been considered for underwriting purposes.
With respect to purchase money or rate/term refinance loans secured by
single family residences, loan-to-value ratios at origination of up to 97% for
mortgage loans with original principal balances of up to $400,000, up to 95% for
mortgage loans secured by one-to-two family, primary
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residences with original principal balances of up to $400,000, up to 90% for
mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family, primary residences with original
principal balances of up to $650,000 are generally allowed. Mortgage loans with
principal balances up to $1,000,000 ("super jumbos") are allowed if the loan is
secured by the borrower's primary residence. The loan-to-value ratio for super
jumbos generally may not exceed 80%. For cash out refinance loans, the maximum
loan-to-value ratio generally is 90% and the maximum "cash out" amount permitted
is based in part on the original amount of the related mortgage loan.
With respect to mortgage loans secured by investment properties,
loan-to-value ratios at origination of up to 90% for mortgage loans with
original principal balances up to $300,000 are permitted. Mortgage loans secured
by investment properties may have higher original principal balances if they
have lower loan-to-value ratios at origination. For cash out refinance loans,
the maximum loan-to-value ratio generally is 85% and the maximum "cash out"
amount permitted is based in part on the original amount of the related mortgage
loan.
Except for approximately 1.79% of the mortgage loans included in the
mortgage pool, each mortgage loan with a loan-to-value ratio at origination
exceeding 80% has a primary mortgage insurance policy insuring a portion of the
balance of the mortgage loan at least equal to the product of the original
principal balance of the mortgage loan and a fraction, the numerator of which is
the excess of the original principal balance of such mortgage loan over 75% of
the lesser of the appraised value and the selling price of the related mortgaged
property and the denominator of which is the original principal balance of the
related mortgage loan plus accrued interest thereon and related foreclosure
expenses is generally required. No such primary mortgage insurance policy will
be required with respect to any such mortgage loan after the date on which the
related loan-to-value ratio decreases to 80% or less or, based upon new
appraisal, the principal balance of such mortgage loan represents 80% or less of
the new appraised value. All of the insurers that have issued primary mortgage
insurance policies with respect to the Mortgage Loans meet Fannie Mae's or
Freddie Mac's standard or are acceptable to the Rating Agencies.
In determining whether a prospective borrower has sufficient monthly
income available (i) to meet the borrower's monthly obligation on their proposed
mortgage loan and (ii) to meet the monthly housing expenses and other financial
obligation on the proposed mortgage loan, each lender generally considers, when
required by the applicable documentation program, the ratio of such amounts to
the proposed borrower's acceptable stable monthly gross income. Such ratios vary
depending on a number of underwriting criteria, including loan-to-value ratios,
and are determined on a loan-by-loan basis.
Each lender also examines a prospective borrower's credit report.
Generally, each credit report provides a credit score for the borrower. Credit
scores generally range from 350 to 840 and are available from three major credit
bureaus: Experian (formerly TRW Information Systems and Services), Equifax and
Trans Union. If three credit scores are obtained, the originator applies the
middle score of the primary wage earner. Credit scores are empirically derived
from historical credit bureau data and represent a numerical weighing of a
borrower's credit characteristics over a two-year period. A credit score is
generated through the statistical analysis of a number of credit-related
characteristics or variables. Common characteristics include number of credit
lines (trade lines), payment history, past delinquencies, severity of
delinquencies, current levels of indebtedness, types of credit and length of
credit history. Attributes are the specific values of each characteristic. A
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scorecard (the model) is created with weights or points assigned to each
attribute. An individual loan applicant's credit score is derived by summing
together the attribute weights for that applicant.
The mortgage loans have been underwritten under one of the following
documentation programs: full/alternative documentation, stated income
documentation, no ratio documentation, and no income/no asset documentation.
Under full/alternative documentation, the prospective borrower's
employment, income and assets are verified through written and telephonic
communications. Under a stated income documentation program, 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 a verified income of the
borrower. Although the income is not verified, the originators obtain a
telephonic verification of the borrower's employment without reference to
income. Borrower's assets are verified.
Under the no ratio documentation program the borrower's income is not
stated and no ratios are calculated. Although the income is not stated nor
verified, lenders obtain a telephonic verification of the borrower's employment
without reference to income. Borrower's assets are verified.
Under the no income/no asset documentation program, the borrower's income
and assets are stated but not verified. The underwriting of such mortgage loans
may be based entirely on the adequacy of the mortgaged property as collateral
and on the credit history of the borrower.
Each mortgaged property has been appraised by a qualified independent
appraiser who is approved by each lender. All appraisals are required to conform
to 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 was in good condition and verify that construction, if new, had 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 from the property or a replacement cost analysis based on the
current cost of constructing or purchasing a similar property may be used.
SERVICING OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS
General
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association ("Wells Fargo" or the
"Master Servicer") will act as the master servicer of the mortgage loans
pursuant to the pooling and servicing agreement, dated as of June 1, 2003 (the
"Agreement"), among the depositor, the seller, the master servicer, the
securities administrator and the trustee. Wells Fargo is a national banking
association, with its master servicing offices located at 9062 Old Annapolis
Road, Columbia, Maryland 21045. Wells Fargo is in the business of master
servicing single family residential mortgage loans secured by properties located
in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
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EMC Mortgage Corporation ("EMC"), a Delaware corporation having its
principal executive office at 909 Hidden Ridge Drive, Irving, Texas 75038, will
act as servicer with respect to approximately 62.73% of the mortgage loans
pursuant to the pooling and servicing agreement. Union Federal Bank of
Indianapolis will act as servicer with respect to approximately 36.20% of the
mortgage loans (the "Union Federal Loans") pursuant to the Forward Commitment
Flow Mortgage Loan Purchase and Servicing Agreement, as modified by the Union
Federal Assignment Agreement (as modified, the "Union Federal Servicing
Agreement"), dated as of December 27, 2001 between EMC and Union Federal. The
Union Federal Servicing Agreement will be assigned to the trust pursuant to an
Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement (the "Union Federal Assignment
Agreement"), dated as of June 30, 2003, among Union Federal, EMC and the trustee
on behalf of the certificateholders, except for the rights to enforce the
representations and warranties with respect to the related mortgage loans, which
will be retained by EMC in its capacity as seller of such mortgage loans to the
trust. National City Mortgage Co. ("NCM") will act as servicer with respect to
approximately 0.21% of the mortgage loans (the "NCM Loans") pursuant to the
Purchase, Warranties and Servicing Agreement, as modified by the NCM Assignment
Agreement (as modified, the "NCM Servicing Agreement"), dated as of October 1,
2001 between EMC and NCM which will be assigned to the trust pursuant to an
Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement (the "NCM Assignment
Agreement"), dated as of June 30, 2003, among NCM, EMC and the trustee on behalf
of the certificateholders, except for the rights to enforce the representations
and warranties with respect to the related mortgage loans, which will be
retained by EMC in its capacity as seller of such mortgage loans to the trust.
GMAC Mortgage Corporation ("GMAC") will act as servicer with respect to
approximately 0.86% of the mortgage loans (the "GMAC Loans") pursuant to the
Servicing Agreement, as modified by the GMAC Assignment Agreement (as modified,
the "GMAC Servicing Agreement"), dated as of May 1, 2001 between EMC and GMAC
which will be assigned to the
trust pursuant to an Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement (the "GMAC
Assignment Agreement"), dated as of June 30, 2003, among GMAC, EMC and the
trustee on behalf of the certificateholders, except for the rights to enforce
the representations and warranties with respect to the related mortgage loans,
which will be retained by EMC in its capacity as seller of such mortgage loans
to the trust.
Pursuant to the pooling and servicing agreement the master servicer will
be required to monitor the related servicer's performance. In the event of a
default by EMC under the pooling and servicing agreement, Union Federal under
the Union Federal Servicing Agreement, NCM under the NCM Servicing Agreement or
GMAC under the GMAC Servicing Agreement, the master servicer will be required to
enforce any remedies against the related servicer and shall either find a
successor servicer or shall assume the primary servicing obligations for the
related mortgage loans itself.
The delinquency and foreclosure experience of EMC and Union Federal has
been included in this prospectus supplement because each of EMC and Union
Federal are servicing over 10% of the mortgage loans included in the mortgage
pool.
EMC
EMC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc., was
established as a full-line mortgage banking company to facilitate the purchase
and servicing of whole loan portfolios containing various levels of quality from
"investment grade" to varying degrees of "non-investment grade" up to and
including mortgaged properties acquired through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of
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foreclosure. EMC was incorporated in the State of Delaware on September 26, 1990
and commenced operation in Texas on October 9, 1990.
The principal business of EMC has been the resolution of non-performing
residential mortgage loan portfolios acquired from Resolution Trust Corporation,
from private investors and from the Department of Housing and Urban Development
through its auctions of defaulted Federal Housing Authority mortgage loans.
EMC's servicing portfolio consists primarily of two categories:
o investment-quality loans serviced for EMC's own account or the
account of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, private mortgage conduits and
various institutional investors; and
o non-investment grade, sub-performing loans, non-performing loans and
REO properties serviced for EMC's own account and for the account of
investors in securitized performing and non-performing collateral
transactions.
EMC's operations resemble those of most mortgage banking companies, except
that significant emphasis is placed on the collection and due diligence areas,
due to the nature of the mortgage portfolios purchased. As of November 30, 2002,
EMC was servicing approximately $10.99 billion of mortgage loans and REO
property.
Delinquency and Foreclosure Experience of EMC
The following table sets forth the delinquency and foreclosure experience
of mortgage loans serviced by EMC as of the dates indicated. EMC's portfolio of
mortgage loans may differ significantly from the mortgage loans backing the
certificates in terms of underwriting standards, interest rates, principal
balances, geographic distribution, types of properties and other possibly
relevant characteristics. There can be no assurance, and no representation is
made, that the delinquency and foreclosure experience with respect to the
mortgage loans backing the certificates will be similar to that reflected in the
table below, nor is any representation made as to the rate at which losses may
be experienced on liquidation of defaulted mortgage loans. The actual
delinquency experience on the mortgage loans will depend, among other things,
upon the value of the real estate securing such mortgage loans and the ability
of borrowers to make required payments.
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Delinquency and Foreclosure Experience(1)
As of June 30, 2000 As of November 30, 2001
----------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
% by % by
No. of Principal Principal No. of Principal Principal
Loans Balance(2) Balance Loans Balance(2) Balance
------ -------------- --------- ------- -------------- ---------
Current Loans ............. 40,957 $2,773,375,021 $ 69.53% 76,892 $4,291,550,897 58.30%
Period of Delinquency(3)
30-59 Days .............. 5,116 335,858,515 8.42 14,425 795,817,499 10.81
60-89 Days .............. 1,763 124,260,172 3.12 4,935 279,727,400 3.80
90 Days or more ......... 2,490 175,071,236 4.39 10,257 530,744,768 7.21
Foreclosure/bankruptcies(4) 6,784 498,486,846 12.50 19,054 1,213,468,377 16.48
Real Estate Owned ......... 1,045 81,915,418 2.05 4,234 249,853,497 3.39
------ -------------- ------- ------- -------------- ------
Total Portfolio ........... 58,155 $3,988,967,208 $100.00% 129,795 $7,361,162,438 100.00%
====== ============== ======= ======= ============== ======
As of November 29, 2002 As of February 28, 2003
----------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
% by % by
No. of Principal Principal No. of Principal Principal
Loans Balance(2) Balance Loans Balance(2) Balance
------ -------------- --------- ------- -------------- ---------
Current Loans ............. 107,444 $ 6,863,380,896 62.44% 104,194 $ 6,856,992,551 62.07%
Period of Delinquency
30-59 Days .............. 17,455 1,044,663,778 9.50 16,419 1,032,231,093 9.34
60-89 Days .............. 6,524 401,534,696 3.65 5,642 384,781,124 3.48
90 Days or more ......... 13,797 686,521,557 6.25 14,642 757,344,087 6.86
Foreclosure/bankruptcies(4) 24,299 1,663,845,463 15.14 23,735 1,677,803,172 15.19
Real Estate Owned ......... 5,014 331,882,863 3.02 4,939 337,988,878 3.06
------- --------------- ------ ------- --------------- ------
Total Portfolio ........... 174,533 $10,991,829,253 100.00% 169,573 $11,047,140,905 100.00%
======= =============== ====== ======= =============== ======
- ----------
(1) The table shows mortgage loans which were delinquent or for which
foreclosure proceedings had been instituted as of the date indicated.
(2) For the REO properties, the principal balance is at the time of
foreclosure.
(3) No mortgage loan is included in this table as delinquent until it is 30
days past due.
(4) Exclusive of the number of loans and principal balance shown in the period
of delinquency.
Since the mortgage loans were originated by various originators at
different times, it is unlikely that the delinquency and foreclosure experience
set forth above will be representative of the actual delinquency and foreclosure
experience on the mortgage loans in the trust fund or even representative of the
mortgage loans in the trust fund being serviced by EMC. There can be no
assurance that factors beyond EMC's control, such as national or local economic
conditions or downturn in the real estate markets in which the
mortgaged properties are located, will not result in increased rates of
delinquencies and foreclosure losses in the future.
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Delinquency and Foreclosure Experience of Union Federal
The following table sets forth the delinquency and foreclosure experience
of mortgage loans serviced by Union Federal as of the dates indicated. Union
Federal's portfolio of mortgage loans may differ significantly from the mortgage
loans backing the certificates in terms of underwriting standards, interest
rates, principal balances, geographic distribution, types of properties and
other possibly relevant characteristics. There can be no assurance, and no
representation is made, that the delinquency and foreclosure experience with
respect to the mortgage loans backing the certificates will be similar to that
reflected in the table below, nor is any representation made as to the rate at
which losses may be experienced on liquidation of defaulted mortgage loans. The
actual delinquency experience on the mortgage loans will depend, among other
things, upon the value of the real estate securing such mortgage loans and the
ability of borrowers to make required payments.
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Delinquency and Foreclosure Experience*
As of December 31, 1999 As of December 31, 2000
------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
% by % by
No. of Principal No. of Principal Principal
Loans Principal Balance Balance Loans Balance Balance
------- ----------------- --------- ------- --------------- ---------
Current Loans ....... 147,094 $12,028,709,586 95.28% 137,927 $11,605,429,339 94.16%
Period of Delinquency
30 Days ........... 5,755 376,206,420 2.98% 6,771 445,164,155 3.61%
60 Days ........... 1,451 93,245,439 0.74% 1,478 89,383,137 0.73%
90 Days and more .. 991 63,146,927 0.50% 860 60,672,184 0.49%
Foreclosure ......... 968 62,463,863 0.49% 813 123,378,139 1.00%
REO ................. 4 489,033 0.00% 15 1,639,600 0.01%
------- --------------- ------ ------- --------------- ------
Total Portfolio ..... 156,263 $12,624,261,268 100.00% 147,864 $12,325,666,553 100.00%
======= =============== ====== ======= =============== ======
**Bankruptcy ........ 1,722 1.10% 1,497 1.01%
As of December 31, 2001 As of December 31, 2002
------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
% by % by
No. of Principal No. of Principal Principal
Loans Principal Balance Balance Loans Balance Balance
------- ----------------- --------- ------- --------------- ---------
Current Loans ....... 135,490 $12,495,301,063 94.07% 134,985 $13,891,312,962 93.42%
Period of Delinquency
30 Days ........... 6,331 493,244,772 3.71% 6,717 578,357,189 3.89%
60 Days ........... 1,714 130,415,392 0.98% 1,771 156,602,169 1.05%
90 Days and more .. 1,121 89,779,730 0.68% 1,413 126,807,446 0.85%
Foreclosure ......... 979 73,757,035 0.56% 1,269 111,999,561 0.75%
REO ................. 12 1,180,901 0.01% 36 4,011,951 0.03%
------- --------------- ------ ------- --------------- ------
Total Portfolio ..... 145,647 $13,283,678,893 100.00% 146,191 $14,869,091,278 100.00%
======= =============== ====== ======= =============== ======
**Bankruptcy ........ 1,505 1.03% 1,552 1.06%
- ----------
* Portfolio is comprised of FHA, VA, conforming conventional, Jumbo
Conventional, and Alt-A product.
** The actual delinquent bucket reflects active bankruptcies payment status.
Collection and Other Servicing Procedures
The servicers will use reasonable efforts to ensure that all payments
required under the terms and provisions of the mortgage loans are collected, and
shall follow collection procedures comparable to the collection procedures of
prudent mortgage lenders servicing mortgage loans for their own account, to the
extent such procedures shall be consistent with the pooling and servicing
agreement or the servicing agreements as applicable. Consistent with the
foregoing, the servicers may in their discretion waive, modify or vary or permit
to be waived, modified or varied, any term of any mortgage loan including, in
certain instances, changing the mortgage interest rate or extending the final
maturity.
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If a mortgaged property has been or is about to be conveyed by the
mortgagor and the related servicer has knowledge thereof, the related servicer
will accelerate the maturity of the mortgage loan, to the extent permitted by
the terms of the related mortgage note and applicable law. If it reasonably
believes that the due-on-sale clause cannot be enforced under applicable law, or
would otherwise potentially impair any recovery under a primary mortgage
insurance policy, if applicable, the related servicer in some cases with the
prior consent of the trustee (not to be unreasonably withheld) may enter into an
assumption agreement with the person to whom such property has been or is about
to be conveyed, pursuant to which such person becomes liable under the mortgage
note and the mortgagor, to the extent permitted by applicable law, remains
liable thereon. The related servicer will retain any fee collected for entering
into assumption agreements as additional servicing compensation. In regard to
circumstances in which the related servicer may be unable to enforce due-on-sale
clauses, we refer you to "Material Legal Aspects of the Loans -- Due-on-Sale
Clauses in Mortgage Loans" in the prospectus. In connection with any such
assumption, the interest rate borne by the related mortgage note may not be
changed.
The servicers will establish and maintain, in addition to the protected
accounts described below under "--Protected Accounts," one or more servicing
accounts in a depository institution the deposits of which are insured by the
FDIC to the maximum extent permitted by law. The servicers will deposit and
retain therein all collections from the mortgagors for the payment of taxes,
assessments, insurance premiums, or comparable items as agent of the mortgagors
as provided in the related servicing agreement or the pooling and servicing
agreement, as applicable. Each servicing account and the investment of deposits
therein shall comply with the requirements of the related servicing agreement or
the pooling and servicing agreement, as applicable and shall meet the
requirements of the rating agencies. Withdrawals of amounts from the servicing
accounts may be made only to effect timely payment of taxes, assessments,
insurance premiums, or comparable items, to reimburse the related servicer or
master servicer for any advances made with respect to such items, to refund to
any mortgagors any sums as may be determined to be overages, to pay interest, if
required, to mortgagors on balances in the servicing accounts, to pay earnings
not required to be paid to mortgagors to the master servicer or the related
servicer, or to clear and terminate the servicing accounts at or at any time
after the termination of the related servicing agreement or the pooling and
servicing agreement, as applicable.
The servicers will maintain errors and omissions insurance and fidelity
bonds in certain specified amounts to the extent required under the related
servicing agreement or the pooling and servicing agreement, as applicable.
Hazard Insurance
The servicers will maintain and keep, or cause to be maintained and kept,
with respect to each mortgage loan, in full force and effect for each mortgaged
property a hazard insurance policy with extended coverage customary in the area
where the mortgaged property is located in an amount equal to the amounts
required in the related servicing agreement or the pooling and servicing
agreement, as applicable, or in general equal to at least the lesser of the
outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loan or the maximum insurable
value of the improvements securing such mortgage loan and containing a standard
mortgagee clause; but no less than the amount necessary to prevent loss due to
the application of any co-insurance provision of the related policy. Any amounts
collected by the related servicer under any such hazard insurance policy, other
than amounts to be applied to the restoration or
S-35
repair of the mortgaged property or amounts released to the mortgagor in
accordance with normal servicing procedures, shall be deposited in a protected
account. Any cost incurred in maintaining any such hazard insurance policy shall
not be added to the amount owing under the mortgage loan for the purpose of
calculating monthly distributions to certificateholders, notwithstanding that
the terms of the mortgage loan so permit. Such costs shall be recoverable by the
related servicer out of related late payments by the mortgagor or out of
insurance proceeds or liquidation proceeds or any other amounts in the related
protected account. The right of the related servicer to reimbursement for such
costs incurred will be prior to the right of the master servicer to receive any
related insurance proceeds or liquidation proceeds or any other amounts in the
related protected account.
In general, the standard form of fire and extended coverage policy covers
physical damage to or destruction of the improvements on the property by fire,
lightning, explosion, smoke, windstorm and hail, riot, strike and civil
commotion, subject to the conditions and exclusions particularized in each
policy. Although the policies relating to the mortgage loans will be
underwritten by different insurers and therefore will not contain identical
terms and conditions, the basic terms thereof are dictated by state law. Such
policies typically do not cover any physical damage resulting from the
following: war, revolution, governmental actions, floods and other water-related
causes, earth movement (including earthquakes, landslides and mud flows),
nuclear reactions, wet or dry rot, vermin, rodents, insects or domestic animals,
theft and, in certain cases, vandalism and malicious mischief. The foregoing
list is merely indicative of certain kinds of uninsured risks and is not
intended to be all-inclusive.
Hazard insurance policies covering properties similar to the mortgaged
properties typically contain a clause which in effect requires the insured at
all times to carry insurance of a specified percentage generally at least 80% of
the full replacement value of the improvements on the property in order to
recover the full amount of any partial loss. If the insured's coverage falls
below this specified percentage, such clause provides that the insurer's
liability in the event of partial loss does not exceed the greater of (i) the
replacement cost of the improvements less physical depreciation, or (ii) such
proportion of the loss as the amount of insurance carried bears to the specified
percentage of the full replacement cost of such improvements.
Since the amount of hazard insurance to be maintained on the improvements
securing the mortgage loans may decline as the principal balances owing thereon
decrease, and since residential properties have historically appreciated in
value over time, in the event of partial loss, hazard insurance proceeds may be
insufficient to restore fully the damaged property.
Where the property securing a mortgage loan is located at the time of
origination in a federally designated flood area, the related servicer will
cause with respect to such mortgage loan flood insurance to the extent available
and in accordance with industry practices to be maintained. Such flood insurance
will generally be in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the outstanding
principal balance of the related mortgage loan, (ii) either (a) the minimum
amount required under the terms of coverage to compensate for any damage or loss
on a replacement cost basis, or (b) the maximum insurable value of the
improvements securing such mortgage loan, and (iii) the maximum amount of such
insurance available for the related mortgaged property under either the regular
or emergency programs of the National Flood Insurance Program, assuming that the
area in which such mortgaged property is located is participating in such
program.
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The servicers, on behalf of the trustee and certificateholders, will
present claims to the insurer under any applicable hazard insurance policy. As
set forth above, all collections under such policies that are not applied to the
restoration or repair of the related mortgaged property or released to the
mortgagor in accordance with normal servicing procedures are to be deposited in
a protected account. The servicers are required to deposit in a protected
account the amount of any deductible under a blanket hazard insurance policy, if
applicable.
Realization Upon Defaulted Mortgage Loans
The servicers will take such action either as such deems to be in the best
interest of the trust, or as is consistent with accepted servicing practices or
in accordance with established practices for other mortgage loans serviced by
the servicers with respect to defaulted mortgage loans and foreclose upon or
otherwise comparably convert the ownership of properties securing defaulted
mortgage loans as to which no satisfactory collection arrangements can be made.
To the extent set forth in the related servicing agreement and the pooling and
servicing agreement, the related servicer will service the property acquired by
the trust through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure in accordance with
procedures that the related servicer employs and exercises in servicing and
administering mortgage loans for its own account and which are in accordance
with accepted mortgage servicing practices of prudent lending institutions and
Fannie Mae guidelines. The related servicer will not be required to expend its
own moneys with respect to the restoration or to make servicing advances with
respect to such mortgaged properties unless such entity has determined that (i)
such amounts would be recovered, and (ii) it believes such restoration will
increase proceeds to the trust following the mortgaged property's eventual
liquidation.
Since insurance proceeds received in connection with a mortgage loan
cannot exceed deficiency claims and certain expenses incurred by the related
servicer, no insurance payments will result in a recovery to certificateholders
which exceeds the principal balance of the defaulted mortgage loan together with
accrued interest thereon at its applicable net mortgage rate.
Servicing Compensation and Payment of Expenses
Each of the master servicer and the related servicer will be entitled to
receive a fee as compensation for its activities under the pooling and servicing
agreement or the related servicing agreement, as applicable. The master servicer
shall be entitled to the master servicing fee rate multiplied by the stated
principal balance of the mortgage loans. Each servicer will be entitled to the
servicing fee rate multiplied by the stated principal balance of each mortgage
loan serviced by such entity as of the due date in the month preceding the month
in which such distribution date occurs. The master servicing fee rate will be
0.02% per annum. The servicing fee rate will be 0.25% per annum. Interest
shortfalls on the mortgage loans resulting from prepayments in full in any
calendar month will be offset by the related servicer on the distribution date
in the following calendar month to the extent of compensating interest payments
as described herein. The master servicer will be obligated to make such
compensating interest payments in the event that the related servicer fails to
do so.
In addition to the primary compensation described above, the related
servicer will retain all assumption fees, tax service fees, fees for statements
of account payoff and late payment charges, all to the extent collected from
mortgagors.
S-37
The related servicer will pay all related expenses incurred in connection
with its servicing responsibilities, subject to limited reimbursement as
described herein.
Protected Accounts
The servicers will establish and maintain one or more custodial accounts
(referred to herein as protected accounts) into which they will deposit daily or
at such other time specified in the applicable servicing agreement or the
pooling and servicing agreement, as applicable all collections of principal and
interest on any mortgage loans, including principal prepayments, insurance
proceeds, liquidation proceeds, the repurchase price for any mortgage loans
repurchased, and advances made from the servicer's own funds, less the
applicable servicing fee. All protected accounts and amounts at any time
credited thereto shall comply with the requirements of the pooling and servicing
agreement and the related servicing agreement and shall meet the requirements of
the rating agencies.
On the date specified in the pooling and servicing agreement or the
applicable servicing agreement, as the case may be, the related servicer will
withdraw from its protected account amounts on deposit therein and will remit
them to the master servicer for deposit in the Master Servicer Collection
Account.
The Master Servicer Collection Account
The master servicer shall establish and maintain in the name of the
trustee, for the benefit of the certificateholders, an account (the "Master
Servicer Collection Account") into which it will deposit amounts received from
each servicer and advances (to the extent required to make advances) made from
the master servicer's own funds (less the master servicer's expenses, as
provided in the pooling and servicing agreement). The Master Servicer Collection
Account and amounts at any time credited thereto shall comply with the
requirements of the pooling and servicing agreement and shall meet the
requirements of the rating agencies. The amount at any time credited to the
Master Servicer Collection Account may be invested in the name of the trustee in
such permitted investments selected by the master servicer as set forth in the
pooling and servicing agreement. The master servicer shall be entitled to any
amounts earned and will be liable for any losses in permitted investments in the
Master Servicer Collection Account. The master servicer will deposit in the
Master Servicer Collection Account, as received, the following amounts:
(i) Any amounts withdrawn from a protected account or other
permitted account;
(ii) Any advance and compensating interest payments;
(iii) Any Insurance Proceeds or Liquidation Proceeds received by the
master servicer which were not deposited in a protected account or other
permitted account;
(iv) The repurchase price with respect to any mortgage loans
repurchased and all proceeds of any Mortgage Loans or property acquired in
connection with the optional termination of the trust;
(v) Any amounts required to be deposited with respect to losses on
permitted investments; and
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(vi) Any other amounts received by or on behalf of the master
servicer or the trustee and required to be deposited in the Master
Servicer Collection Account pursuant to the pooling and servicing
agreement.
Distribution Account
The Trustee shall establish and maintain in the name of the Trustee, for
the benefit of the certificateholders, an account (the "Distribution Account"),
into which on the day prior to each distribution date it will deposit all
amounts transferred to it by the master servicer from the Master Servicer
Collection Account. All amounts deposited to the Distribution Account shall be
held in the name of the trustee in trust for the benefit of the
certificateholders in accordance with the terms and provisions of the pooling
and servicing agreement. The amount at any time credited to the Distribution
Account may be held as cash or invested in the name of the trustee, in such
permitted investments selected by the master servicer as set forth in the
pooling and servicing agreement. The master servicer will be entitled to any
amounts earned and will be liable for any losses on permitted investments in the
Distribution Account.
On each Distribution Date, the Trustee will withdraw available funds from
the Distribution Account and make payments to the certificateholders in
accordance with the provisions set forth under "Description of the
Certificates--Distributions" in this prospectus supplement. Each of the Trustee,
the Securities Administrator and the Custodian will be entitled to compensation
for its services under the pooling and servicing agreement and the custodial
agreement which shall be paid by the master servicer. The Trustee, the
Securities Administrator and the Custodian will also be entitled to be
reimbursed for their expenses, costs and liabilities incurred by or reimbursable
to them pursuant to the pooling and servicing agreement prior to the
distribution of the available funds.
Prepayment Interest Shortfalls and Compensating Interest
When a borrower prepays all or a portion of a mortgage loan between due
dates, the borrower pays interest on the amount prepaid only to the date of
prepayment. Accordingly, an interest shortfall will result equal to the
difference between the amount of interest collected and the amount of interest
that would have been due absent such prepayment. We refer to this interest
shortfall as a "Prepayment Interest Shortfall." In order to mitigate the effect
of any such shortfall in interest distributions to holders of the offered
certificates on any distribution date, generally, the amount of the servicing
fee otherwise payable to the servicer for such month shall, to the extent of
such shortfall, be remitted by the related servicer to the master servicer for
deposit in the Master Servicer Collection Account. We refer to such deposited
amounts as "Compensating Interest." In the event the related servicer fails to
remit such compensating interest payments, the master servicer will be required
to do so to the extent described in the pooling and servicing agreement. Any
such deposit or remittance by the master servicer or the related servicer will
be reflected in the distributions to holders of the offered certificates
entitled thereto made on the distribution date on which the principal prepayment
received would be distributed.
Advances
If the scheduled payment on a mortgage loan which was due on a related due
date is delinquent other than for certain reasons as set forth in the applicable
servicing agreement or the pooling and servicing agreement, for example as a
result of application of the Relief Act or similar state laws, the
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related servicer will remit to the master servicer for deposit in the Master
Servicer Collection Account within the number of days prior to the related
distribution date set forth in the related servicing agreement or the pooling
and servicing agreement, as applicable, an amount equal to such delinquency, net
of the related servicing fee rate except to the extent the related servicer
determines any such advance to be nonrecoverable from Liquidation Proceeds,
Insurance Proceeds or from future payments on the mortgage loan for which such
advance was made. Subject to the foregoing, such advances will be made by the
related servicer until the liquidation of the related mortgaged property.
Failure by the related servicer to remit any required advance, which failure
goes unremedied for the number of days specified in the pooling and servicing
agreement or the related servicing agreement, as applicable, would constitute an
event of default under such agreements. Such event of default by the related
servicer shall then obligate the master servicer to advance such amounts to the
Distribution Account to the extent provided in the pooling and servicing
agreement. Any failure of the master servicer to make such advances would
constitute an event of default as discussed under "Description of the
Certificates--Events of Default" in this prospectus supplement.
Evidence as to Compliance
The pooling and servicing agreement will provide that, in the event that
during the course of any fiscal year the master servicer has directly serviced
any of the mortgage loans, on or before a specified date in each year, a firm of
independent public accountants will furnish a statement to the trustee to the
effect that, on the basis of the examination by such firm conducted
substantially in compliance with the Uniform Single Attestation Program for
Mortgage Bankers or the Audit Program for Mortgages serviced for Freddie Mac,
the servicing by the master servicer of such mortgage loans or private asset
backed securities, or under pooling and servicing agreements substantially
similar to each other, including the pooling and servicing agreement, was
conducted in compliance with such agreements, the Audit Program for Mortgages
serviced for Freddie Mac, or the Uniform Single Attestation Program for Mortgage
Bankers, except for any significant exceptions or errors in records that, in the
opinion of the firm it is required to report. In rendering its statement such
firm may rely, as to matters relating to the direct servicing of mortgage loans
by the related servicer, upon comparable statements for examinations conducted
substantially in compliance with the Uniform Single Attestation Program for
Mortgage Bankers or the Audit Program for Mortgages serviced for Freddie Mac
(rendered within one year of such statement) of firms of independent public
accountants with respect to the related servicer.
The pooling and servicing agreement will also provide for delivery to the
trustee, on or before a specified date in each year, of an annual statement
signed by officers of the master servicer to the effect that the master servicer
has fulfilled its obligations under the pooling and servicing agreement
throughout the preceding year.
Copies of the annual accountants' statement and the statement of officers
of the master servicer may be obtained by certificateholders without charge upon
written request to the master servicer at the address of the master servicer set
forth above.
Certain Matters Regarding the Master Servicer and the Depositor
The pooling and servicing agreement will provide that the master servicer
may not resign from its obligations and duties under the pooling and servicing
agreement except upon a determination,
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evidenced by an opinion of counsel to such effect, that its duties thereunder
are no longer permissible under applicable law. No such resignation shall become
effective unless:
o the trustee or a successor master servicer has assumed the
obligations and duties of the master servicer and the securities
administrator (including the master servicer's obligation to pay the
compensation of the trustee and the custodian) to the extent
required in the pooling and servicing agreement;
o the proposed successor is qualified to service mortgage loans on
behalf of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac; and
o the trustee has received written confirmation from each rating
agency that the appointment of such successor will not cause that
rating agency to reduce, qualify or withdraw its then-current
ratings assigned to any class of offered certificates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the master servicer, however, has the
right, with the written consent of the trustee (which consent will not be
unreasonably withheld), to assign, sell or transfer its rights and delegate its
duties and obligations under the pooling and servicing agreement; provided that
the purchaser or transferee accepting such assignment, sale, transfer or
delegation is qualified to service mortgage loans for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac
and shall satisfy the other requirements listed in the pooling and servicing
agreement with respect to the qualifications of such purchaser or transferee.
The pooling and servicing agreement will further provide that neither the
master servicer, the depositor, the seller nor any director, officer, employee,
or agent of the master servicer, the depositor or the seller will be under any
liability to the trust fund or certificateholders for any action taken or for
refraining from the taking of any action in good faith pursuant to the pooling
and servicing agreement, or for errors in judgment; provided, however, that
neither the master servicer, the depositor, the seller nor any such person will
be protected against any breach of its representations and warranties in the
pooling and servicing agreement or any liability which would otherwise be
imposed by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of duties thereunder or by reason of reckless disregard of
obligations and duties thereunder.
In addition, the pooling and servicing agreement will provide that neither
the master servicer, the depositor nor the seller will be under any obligation
to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action which is not incidental to
its respective responsibilities under the pooling and servicing agreement and
which in its opinion may involve it in any expense or liability. The master
servicer may, however, in its discretion undertake any such action which it may
deem necessary or desirable with respect to the pooling and servicing agreement
and the rights and duties of the parties thereto and the interests of the
certificateholders thereunder. In such event, the legal expenses and costs of
such action and any liability resulting therefrom will be expenses, costs and
liabilities of the trust fund, and the master servicer will be entitled to be
reimbursed therefor out of funds otherwise distributable to certificateholders.
Any person into which either the master servicer or the seller may be
merged or consolidated, or any person resulting from any merger or consolidation
to which the master servicer or the seller is a party, or any person succeeding
to the business of the master servicer or the seller, will be the successor of
the master servicer or the seller, as applicable under the pooling and servicing
agreement, provided that such person is qualified to service mortgage loans on
behalf of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and
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further provided that such merger, consolidation or succession does not
adversely affect the then- current ratings of any class of offered certificates.
EMC will have certain rights with respect to the pooling and servicing
agreement in respect of the master servicer, including the selection of a new
master servicer in the event of a default by Wells Fargo. EMC may also terminate
the master servicer without cause, upon payment of a termination fee from EMC's
own funds, provided that a successor master servicer has been appointed pursuant
to the pooling and servicing agreement.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CERTIFICATES
General
The trust will issue the certificates pursuant to the pooling and
servicing agreement. The certificates consist of the classes of certificates
reflected on the cover of this prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the
offered certificates, the Class P, Class C and Class R Certificates, which we
are not offering by this prospectus supplement. We refer to the Class A-1
Certificates and Class A-IO Certificates, collectively, as the senior
certificates, and we refer to the Class M-1, Class M-2, Class M-3 and Class B-1
Certificates, collectively, as the subordinated certificates. We refer to the
Class R Certificates as the residual certificates.
The Class A-IO Certificates are interest-only certificates issued with
notional balances. The Class P Certificates will have an initial certificate
principal balance of $100 and will be entitled to all prepayment charges
received in respect of the mortgage loans.
The trust will issue the offered certificates in book-entry form as
described below, in minimum dollar denominations of $25,000 and integral
multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, except that one certificate of each class
may be issued in the remainder of the class.
Book-Entry Registration
The offered certificates will be issued in book-entry form. Persons
acquiring beneficial ownership interests in the book-entry securities will hold
their securities through The Depository Trust Company in the United States and
through Clearstream, Luxembourg or the Euroclear System in Europe, if they are
participants of any of such systems, or indirectly through organizations which
are participants. The Depository Trust Company is referred to as "DTC".
Clearstream, Luxembourg is referred to as "Clearstream". The Euroclear System is
referred to as "Euroclear". The book-entry securities will be issued in one or
more certificates that equal the aggregate principal balance of the applicable
class or classes of securities 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 Clearstream's and Euroclear's names on the books of their respective
depositaries that in turn will hold such positions in customers' securities
accounts in the depositaries' names on the books of DTC. Citibank N.A. will act
as the relevant depositary for Clearstream and JPMorgan Chase Bank will act as
the relevant depositary for Euroclear. Except as described below, no person
acquiring a book-entry security will be entitled to receive a physical
certificate representing such security. Unless and until physical securities are
issued, it is anticipated that the only "securityholder"
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with respect to a book-entry security will be Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.
Beneficial owners are only permitted to exercise their rights indirectly through
participants and DTC.
An 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 such purpose. In turn, the Financial Intermediary's
ownership of such book-entry security will be recorded on the records of DTC (or
of a DTC 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 DTC participant and on the records of
Clearstream or Euroclear, as appropriate).
Beneficial owners will receive all distributions allocable to principal
and interest with respect to the book-entry securities from the trustee through
DTC and DTC participants. While the book-entry securities are outstanding
(except under the circumstances described below), under the rules, regulations
and procedures creating, governing 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 securities. DTC is required to receive
and transmit distributions allocable to principal and interest with respect to
the securities. Participants and Financial Intermediaries with whom beneficial
owners have accounts with respect to securities are similarly required to make
book-entry transfers and receive and transmit such distributions on behalf of
their respective beneficial owners. Accordingly, although beneficial owners will
not possess physical certificates, the Rules provide a mechanism by which
beneficial owners will receive distributions and will be able to transfer their
beneficial ownership interests in the securities.
Beneficial owners will not receive or be entitled to receive Definitive
Securities, except under the limited circumstances described below. Unless and
until Definitive Securities are issued, beneficial owners who are not
participants may transfer ownership of securities only through participants and
Financial Intermediaries by instructing such participants and Financial
Intermediaries to transfer beneficial ownership interests in the securities by
book-entry transfer through DTC for the account of the purchasers of such
securities, which account is maintained with their respective participants or
Financial Intermediaries. Under the Rules and in accordance with DTC's normal
procedures, transfers of ownership of securities will be executed through DTC
and the accounts of the respective participants at DTC will be debited and
credited. Similarly, the participants and Financial Intermediaries 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, credits of securities received in
Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a participant will be
made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business
day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such
securities settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant
Euroclear or Clearstream participants 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 settlement in DTC.
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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 depositary; however, such cross-market
transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European
international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance
with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European
time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the
transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the
relevant 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. Clearstream participants and Euroclear participants may not deliver
instructions directly to the relevant depositaries.
DTC is a New York-chartered limited purpose trust company that performs
services for its 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 securities, whether
held for its own account or as a nominee for another person. In general,
beneficial ownership of book-entry securities will be subject to the Rules as in
effect from time to time.
Clearstream, has advised that it is incorporated under the laws of the
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg as a professional depository. Clearstream holds
securities for its participating organizations or participants. Clearstream
facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between
Clearstream participants through electronic book-entry changes in account of
Clearstream participants, eliminating the need for physical movement of
securities.
Clearstream provides to Clearstream participants, among other things,
services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of
internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing.
Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a
professional depository, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg
Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (the "CSSF"). Clearstream
participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including
underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. Indirect access to Clearstream is
also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies
that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream
participant, either directly or indirectly.
Distributions, to the extent received by the Relevant Depository for
Clearstream, with respect to the securities held beneficially through
Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream participants in
accordance with its rules and procedures.
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 movement of physical 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 provides
various other services, including
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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 Euroclear Bank S.A./NV under
contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative
corporation. Euroclear Bank S.A./NV conducts all operations. All Euroclear
securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with
Euroclear Bank S.A./NV, not Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C. Euroclear Clearance
Systems S.C. 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.
Euroclear Bank S.A./NV has advised us that it is licensed by the Belgian
Banking and Finance Commission to carry out banking activities on a global
basis. As a Belgian bank, it is regulated and examined by the Belgian Banking
Commission.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with Euroclear Bank
S.A./NV are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and
the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and applicable Belgian
law. These terms and conditions, operating procedures and laws govern transfers
of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from
Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All
securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of
specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. Euroclear Bank
S.A./NV 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.
The trustee will make distributions on the book-entry securities on each
distribution date to DTC. 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 beneficial owners that it represents and to each
Financial Intermediary for which it acts as agent. Each such Financial
Intermediary will be responsible for disbursing funds to the beneficial owners
that it represents.
Under a book-entry format, beneficial owners may experience some delay in
their receipt of payments, since the trustee will forward such payments to Cede
& Co. Distributions with respect to securities 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 depositary. Such
distributions will be subject to tax reporting in accordance with relevant
United States tax laws and regulations. Because DTC can only act on behalf of
DTC participants that in turn can only act on behalf of Financial
Intermediaries, the ability of an Owner to pledge book-entry securities to
persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take
actions in respect of such book-entry securities, may be limited due to the lack
of physical certificates for such book-entry securities. In addition, issuance
of the book-entry securities in book-entry form may reduce the liquidity of such
securities in the secondary market since certain potential investors may be
unwilling to purchase securities for which they cannot obtain physical
certificates.
Monthly and annual reports on the applicable trust fund will be provided
to Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, and Cede & Co may make such reports available
to beneficial owners upon request,
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in accordance with the Rules, and to the DTC participants to whose DTC accounts
the book-entry securities of such beneficial owners are credited directly or are
credited indirectly through Financial Intermediaries.
DTC has advised the trustee that, unless and until Definitive Securities
are issued, DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by the holders of the
book-entry securities under the pooling and servicing agreement only at the
direction of one or more DTC participants to whose DTC accounts the book-entry
securities are credited, to the extent that such actions are taken on behalf of
such participants whose holdings include such book-entry securities. Clearstream
or Euroclear Bank S.A./NV, as the case may be, will take any other action
permitted to be taken by a holder under the pooling 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 depositary to effect such actions on its behalf through DTC. DTC may
take actions, at the direction of the related participants, with respect to some
securities which conflict with actions taken with respect to other securities.
Except with respect to the residual certificates, physical certificates
representing a security will be issued to beneficial owners only upon the events
specified in the pooling and servicing agreement. Such events may include the
following:
o we advise the trustee in writing that DTC is no longer willing or
able to properly discharge its responsibilities as depository with
respect to the securities, and that we are unable to locate a
qualified successor,
o at our option, we elect to terminate the book-entry system through
DTC, or
o after the occurrence of an event of default, securityholders
representing not less than 50% of the aggregate certificate
principal balance or notional amount, as applicable, of the
applicable securities advise the trustee and DTC through
participants in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system
through DTC (or a successor thereto) is no longer in the best
interest of the securityholders.
Upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in the pooling and
servicing agreement, DTC will be required to notify all participants of the
availability through DTC of physical certificates. Upon surrender by DTC of the
certificates representing the securities and instruction for re-registration,
the trustee will issue the securities in the form of physical certificates, and
thereafter the trustee will recognize the holders of such physical certificates
as securityholders. Thereafter, payments of principal of and interest on the
securities will be made by the trustee directly to securityholders in accordance
with the procedures listed in this prospectus supplement and in the pooling and
servicing agreement. The final distribution of any security (whether physical
certificates or securities registered in the name of Cede & Co.), however, will
be made only upon presentation and surrender of such securities on the final
distribution date at such office or agency as is specified in the notice of
final payment to securityholders.
Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing
procedures to facilitate transfers of securities among 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.
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None of the trust, the securities administrator or the 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 securities held by
Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Distributions
General. On each distribution date, the trustee will make distributions on
the certificates to the persons in whose names such certificates are registered
at the related record date.
The trustee will make distributions on each distribution date by wire
transfer in immediately available funds to the account of a certificateholder at
a bank or other depository institution having appropriate wire transfer
facilities as instructed by a certificateholder in writing in accordance with
the pooling and servicing agreement. If no such instructions are given to the
trustee, then the trustee will make such distributions by check mailed to the
address of the person entitled thereto as it appears on the certificate
register; provided, however, that the final distribution in retirement of the
certificates will be made only upon presentation and surrender of such
certificates at the offices of the trustee designated for such purposes. As of
the closing date, the trustee designates its offices located at 4 New York
Plaza, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10004 for purposes of surrender, transfer
and exchange. On each distribution date, a holder of a certificate will receive
such holder's percentage interest of the amounts required to be distributed with
respect to the applicable class of certificates. The percentage interest
evidenced by a certificate will equal the percentage derived by dividing the
denomination of such certificate by the aggregate denominations of all
certificates of the applicable class.
Allocation of Payments on the Mortgage Loans. On each distribution date,
the trustee will withdraw from the Distribution Account the Available Funds for
such distribution date and to the extent of amounts on deposit in the
Distribution Account apply, based on the related monthly statement provided to
it by the Master Servicer such amount as follows:
First, to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the offered certificates, in
the following order of priority:
1. to the holders of the Class A-1 Certificates and Class A-IO
Certificates, the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for
each such class for such distribution date, on a pro rata
basis;
2. to the holders of the Class M-1 Certificates, the Monthly
Interest Distributable Amount for such class for such
distribution date;
3. to the holders of the Class M-2 Certificates and Class M-3
Certificates, the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for
each such class for such distribution date, on a pro rata
basis; and
4. to the holders of the Class B-1 Certificates, the Monthly
Interest Distributable Amount for such class for such
distribution date.
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On each distribution date, any shortfalls resulting from the application
of the Relief Act and any Prepayment Interest Shortfalls to the extent not
covered by Compensating Interest will be allocated, first, in reduction of
amounts otherwise distributable to the Class C Certificates and the Class R
Certificates, and thereafter to the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount
payable to the offered certificates on such distribution date as described in
the definition of Monthly Interest Distributable Amount under "- Glossary"
below. The holders of the certificates will be entitled to reimbursement for any
such interest shortfalls with interest thereon solely from the net monthly
excess cashflow as described under "- Excess Spread and Overcollateralization
Provisions". If these shortfalls are allocated to the certificates and are not
reimbursed on any distribution date, the amount of interest paid to those
certificates will be reduced, adversely affecting the yield on your investment.
Second, (a) on each distribution date other than the distribution date in
June 2008, to the payment of principal on the offered certificates (other than
the Class A-IO Certificates) an amount equal to the Principal Distribution
Amount for such distribution date, allocated on a pro rata basis, based on the
certificate principal balance of each such class, until the certificate
principal balances thereof have been reduced to zero and (b) on the June 2008
distribution date, an amount equal to the Principal Distribution Amount for such
distribution date, first, to the holders of the Class P Certificates, until the
certificate principal balance thereof has been reduced to zero and second, to
the holders of the offered certificates (other than the Class A-IO
Certificates), allocated on a pro rata basis, based on the certificate principal
balance of each such class, until the certificate principal balances thereof
have been reduced to zero.
On each distribution date, any Available Funds remaining after payment of
interest and principal to the offered certificates, as described above, and any
payments of Net Monthly Excess Cashflow to the certificates as described under
"- Excess Spread and Overcollateralization Provisions" herein, will be
distributed to the Class R Certificates. It is not anticipated that there will
be any significant amounts remaining for such distribution.
On each distribution date, all amounts representing prepayment charges in
respect of the mortgage loans received during the related prepayment period will
be withdrawn from the Distribution Account and distributed to the Class P
Certificates and shall not be available for distribution to the holders of any
other class of certificates. The payment of such prepayment charges shall not
reduce the certificate principal balance of the Class P Certificates.
Excess Spread and Overcollateralization Provisions
The weighted average of the Net Mortgage Rates for the mortgage loans is
generally expected to be higher than the weighted average of the Pass-Through
Rates on the offered certificates. As a result, interest collections on the
mortgage loans are generally expected to be generated in excess of the amount of
interest payable to the holders of the offered certificates and the fees and
expenses payable by the trust. We refer to this excess interest as "Excess
Spread". Excess Spread, together with any Overcollateralization Release Amount,
will generally constitute the Net Monthly Excess Cashflow on any distribution
date and will be distributed as follows:
(i) to the holders of the offered certificates (other than the Class A-IO
Certificates), in an amount equal to any Extra Principal Distribution Amount,
payable to such holders as part of the Principal Distribution Amount as
described under "- Distributions" above;
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(ii) to the holders of the Class A-1 Certificates and Class A-IO
Certificates, pro rata, then to the holders of the Class M-1 Certificates, then
to the holders of the Class M-2 Certificates and Class M- 3 Certificates, pro
rata, and then to the holders of the Class B-1 Certificates, any Unpaid Interest
Shortfall for such classes of certificates on such distribution date, to the
extent not previously reimbursed;
(iii) to the holders of the Class M-1 Certificates, in an amount equal to
the Applied Realized Loss Amount for the Class M-1 Certificates;
(iv) to the holders of the Class M-2 Certificates and Class M-3
Certificates, on a pro rata basis, in an amount equal to the Applied Realized
Loss Amount for each such class;
(v) to the holders of the Class B-1 Certificates, in an amount equal to
the Applied Realized Loss Amount for the Class B-1 Certificates;
(vi) to the Reserve Fund (the "Reserve Fund") established in accordance
with the terms of the pooling and servicing agreement an amount equal to the sum
of the Net WAC Rate Carryover Amounts, if any, with respect to the offered
certificates; and
(vii) to the holders of the Class C Certificates as provided in the
pooling and servicing agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, on the first distribution date, all Excess
Spread will be paid to the holders of the Class C Certificates.
On each distribution date, the trustee, after making the required
distributions of interest and principal to the offered certificates as described
under "Distributions - Allocation of Payments on the Mortgage Loans"and after
the distribution of the Net Monthly Excess Cashflow as described above, the
trustee will withdraw from the Reserve Fund the amounts on deposit therein and
distribute such amounts to the offered certificates (other than the Class A-IO
Certificates) in respect of any Net WAC Rate Carryover Amounts due to each such
class in the following manner and order of priority: first, to the Class A-1
Certificates, the related Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount for such distribution
date for such class; second, to the Class M-1 Certificates, the related Net WAC
Rate Carryover Amount for such distribution date for such class; third, to the
Class M-2 Certificates and Class M-3 Certificates, the related Net WAC Rate
Carryover Amount for such distribution date for each such class, on a pro rata
basis based on the entitlement of each such class; and fourth, to the Class B-1
Certificates, the related Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount for such distribution
date for such class.
Glossary
"Applied Realized Loss Amount," with respect to any class of subordinated
certificates and as to any distribution date, means the sum of the Realized
Losses with respect to the mortgage loans which have been applied in reduction
of the certificate principal balance of such class which shall, on any such
distribution date, equal with respect to the Class B-1, Class M-3, Class M-2 and
Class M-1 Certificates so long as their respective Certificate Principal
Balances have not been reduced to zero, the amount, if any, by which, (i) the
aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of all of the Certificates (after all
distributions of principal and the allocation of Realized Losses on such
distribution date) exceeds (ii)
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the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all of the mortgage loans as of the
last day of the related Due Period.
"Available Funds" shall mean the sum of Interest Funds and Principal Funds
relating to the mortgage loans less amounts reimbursable to the related
servicer, the master servicer, the securities administrator, the trustee and the
custodian as provided in the pooling and servicing agreement.
"Basic Principal Distribution Amount" with respect to any distribution
date, the lesser of (a) the excess of (i) the Available Funds for such
distribution date over (ii) the aggregate Monthly Interest Distributable Amount
for the offered certificates for such distribution date and (b) the excess of
(i) the Principal Remittance Amount for such distribution date over (ii) the
Overcollateralization Release Amount, if any, for such distribution date.
"Certificate Principal Balance" with respect to any class of offered
certificates (other than the Class A-IO Certificates) and any distribution date,
is the original certificate principal balance of such class as set forth on the
cover page of this prospectus supplement, less the sum of (i) all amounts in
respect of principal distributed to such class on previous distribution dates
and (ii) in the case of the subordinated certificates, any Applied Realized Loss
Amounts allocated to such class on previous distribution dates.
"Cross-Over Date" means the distribution date on which the aggregate
Certificate Principal Balance of the Subordinated Certificates has been reduced
to zero.
"Due Period" with respect to any distribution date, is the period
commencing on the second day of the month preceding the calendar month in which
such distribution date occurs and ending at the close of business on the first
day of the month in which such distribution date occurs.
"Extra Principal Distribution Amount," with respect to any distribution
date (a) on or prior to the earlier of (1) the 20% Clean-Up Call Date and (2)
the distribution date in June 2013, the lesser of (x) the Net Monthly Excess
Cashflow for such distribution date and (y) the Overcollateralization Increase
Amount for such distribution date; and (b) thereafter, the Net Monthly Excess
Cashflow for such distribution date.
"Insurance Proceeds" are all proceeds of any insurance policies, to the
extent such proceeds are not applied to the restoration of the property or
released to the mortgagor in accordance with the related servicer's normal
servicing procedures, other than proceeds that represent reimbursement of the
related servicer's costs and expenses incurred in connection with presenting
claims under the related insurance policies.
"Interest Rate Cap" with respect to each class of offered certificates
(other than the Class A-IO, Class M-2 and Class B-1 Certificates) shall mean (i)
through the applicable Interest Accrual Period for each such class relating to
the distribution date in December 2005, the product of (a) the weighted average
of the Net Mortgage Rates of all of the mortgage loans multiplied by (b) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the notional balance of the Class A-IO
Certificates and the denominator of which is the aggregate principal balance of
the mortgage loans and (ii) thereafter, the weighted average of the Net Mortgage
Rates of all of the mortgage loans. With respect to the Class M-2 Certificates
and Class B-1 Certificates shall mean (i) through the applicable Interest
Accrual Period for each such class
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relating to the distribution date in December 2005, the product of (a) the
weighted average of the Net Mortgage Rates of all of the mortgage loans
multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is the notional balance of
the Class A-IO Certificates and the denominator of which is the aggregate
principal balance of the mortgage loans and (ii) thereafter, the weighted
average of the Net Mortgage Rates of all of the mortgage loans, in each case,
adjusted for the actual number of days elapsed in the Interest Accrual Period.
"Interest Shortfall" with respect to any distribution date, means the
aggregate shortfall, if any, in collections of interest (adjusted to the related
net mortgage rates) on the mortgage loans resulting from (a) prepayments in full
received during the related Prepayment Period, (b) the partial prepayments
received during the related Prepayment Period to the extent applied prior to the
Due Date in the month of the distribution date and (c) interest payments on
certain of the mortgage loans being limited pursuant to the provisions of the
Relief Act or similar state laws.
"Interest Funds" with respect to a distribution date generally are equal
to the sum, without duplication, of
(i) all scheduled interest, less the related servicing fee, master
servicing fee and the lender paid mortgage insurance fee, if any,
(ii) all advances relating to interest,
(iii) all Compensating Interest,
(iv) Liquidation Proceeds, to the extent such Liquidation Proceeds relate
to interest, less all non-recoverable advances relating to interest
and certain expenses reimbursed during the related Prepayment
Period,
(v) the interest portion of proceeds of the repurchase of any mortgage
loans, and
(vi) the interest portion of the purchase price of the assets of the
trust upon exercise by the majority holder of the Class C
Certificate of its optional termination right.
"Liquidation Proceeds" are all net proceeds, other than Insurance
Proceeds, received in connection with the partial or complete liquidation of
mortgage loans, whether through trustee's sale, foreclosure sale or otherwise,
or in connection with any condemnation or partial release of a mortgaged
property, together with the net proceeds received with respect to any mortgaged
properties acquired by the related servicer by foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of
foreclosure in connection with defaulted mortgage loans, other than the amount
of such net proceeds representing any profit realized by the related servicer in
connection with the disposition of any such properties.
"Monthly Interest Distributable Amount" for any certificate for any
distribution date, means an amount equal to the interest accrued during the
related Interest Accrual Period at the applicable Pass-Through Rate on the
Certificate Principal Balance (or Notional Balance) of such certificate
immediately prior to such distribution date less (i) in the case of a Senior
Certificate, such certificate's share of any Unpaid Interest Shortfall from the
mortgage loans and, after the Cross-Over Date, the interest portion of any
Realized Losses on the mortgage loans and (ii) in the case of a Subordinated
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Certificate, such certificate's share of any Unpaid Interest Shortfall and the
interest portion of any Realized Losses on the mortgage loans. Such Unpaid
Interest Shortfalls will be allocated among the certificates in proportion to
the amount of the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount that would have been
allocated thereto in the absence of such shortfalls. The interest portion of
Realized Losses for the mortgage loans will be allocated, in the following
order, first to the Class B-1 Certificates, second to the Class M-2 Certificates
and Class M-3 Certificates, on a pro rata basis, and third to the Class M-1
Certificates, and following the Cross-Over Date, to the Senior Certificates on a
pro rata basis. The Monthly Interest Distributable Amount with respect to the
offered certificates (other than the Class M-2 Certificates and Class B-1
Certificates) is calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve
30-day months. The Monthly Interest Distributable Amount with respect to the
Class M-2 Certificates and Class B-1 Certificates is calculated on the basis of
a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed during the related Interest
Accrual Period. No Monthly Interest Distributable Amount will be payable with
respect to any class of certificates after the distribution date on which the
outstanding Certificate Principal Balance of such certificate has been reduced
to zero.
"Net Liquidation Proceeds" with respect to a mortgage loan are Liquidation
Proceeds net of unreimbursed advances by the related servicer or the master
servicer, advances and expenses incurred by the related servicer or the master
servicer in connection with the liquidation of such mortgage loan and the
related mortgaged property.
"Net Monthly Excess Cashflow," with respect to any distribution date, the
sum of (a) any Overcollateralization Release Amount and (b) the excess of (x)
the Available Funds for such distribution date over (y) the sum for such
distribution date of (A) the aggregate amount of the Monthly Interest
Distributable Amount for the offered certificates and (B) the Principal
Remittance Amount.
"Net Mortgage Rate," with respect to any mortgage loan is a rate equal to
the applicable interest rate borne by the mortgage loan less the sum of the
respective rates used to calculate the servicing fee, the master servicing fee
and the lender paid mortgage insurance fee, if any.
"Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount" with respect each class of offered
certificates (other than the Class A-IO Certificates) and any distribution date
on which the Pass-Through Rate is reduced by the Interest Rate Cap, an amount
equal to the sum of (i) the excess of (x) the amount of interest such class
would have been entitled to receive on such distribution date if the
Pass-Through Rate applicable to such class would not have been reduced by the
Interest Rate Cap on such distribution date over (y) the amount of interest paid
on such distribution date plus (ii) the related Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount
for the previous distribution date not previously distributed together with
interest thereon at a rate equal to the Pass-Through Rate for such class for the
most recently ended Interest Accrual Period.
"Notional Balance" with respect to the Class A-IO Certificates, means, the
lesser of (a)(i) for each distribution date from the distribution date in July
2003 to and including the distribution date in December 2004, $36,790,000, (ii)
for each distribution date from the distribution date in January 2005 to and
including the distribution date in June 2005, $29,432,000, (iii) for each
distribution date from the distribution date in July 2005 to and including the
distribution date in December 2005, $22,074,000 and (iv) for each distribution
date thereafter, $0 and (b) the aggregate stated principal balance of the
mortgage loans.
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"Overcollateralized Amount," with respect to any distribution date, is the
excess, if any, of (a) the aggregate Stated Principal Balances of the mortgage
loans as of the last day of the related Due Period over (b) the Certificate
Principal Balances of the offered certificates on such distribution date (after
taking into account the payment of principal other than any Extra Principal
Distribution Amount on such certificates).
"Overcollateralization Increase Amount," for any distribution date after
the distribution date in July 2003, the excess, if any, of (a) the
Overcollateralization Target Amount over (b) the Overcollateralized Amount on
such distribution date (after taking into account payments to the offered
certificates of the Basic Principal Distribution Amount on such distribution
date).
"Overcollateralization Release Amount," with respect to any distribution
date, the lesser of (x) the Principal Remittance Amount for such distribution
date and (y) the excess, if any, of (i) the Overcollateralized Amount for such
distribution date (assuming that 100% of the Principal Remittance Amount is
applied as a principal payment on such distribution date) over (ii) the
Overcollateralization Target Amount for such distribution date.
"Overcollateralization Target Amount" with respect to any distribution
date is approximately $1,226,438.
"Pass-Through Rate" means, with respect to all offered certificates (other
than the Class A-IO, Class M-2 and Class B-1 Certificates) the fixed rates set
forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement, subject to the applicable
Interest Rate Cap. The Class P, Class C and Class R Certificates are not
entitled to distributions in respect of interest and do not have Pass-Through
Rates. The Pass-Through Rate applicable to the Class A-IO Certificates is equal
to (i) 5.00% per annum for each distribution date from the distribution date in
July 2003 to and including the distribution date in December 2005 and (ii) 0.00%
for each distribution date thereafter. The Pass-Through Rate for the Class M-2
Certificates is equal to the lesser of (i) the London interbank offered rate for
one month dollar deposits, which we refer to as One-Month LIBOR, calculated as
described below under "- Calculation of One-Month LIBOR" plus 2.50% and (ii) the
applicable Interest Rate Cap. The Pass-Through Rate for the Class B-1
Certificates is equal to the lesser of (i) One-Month LIBOR plus 3.50% and (ii)
the applicable Interest Rate Cap. If the majority holder of the Class C
Certificate does not exercise its optional termination right as described under
"- Optional Termination", the Pass-Through Rate applicable to each class of
offered certificates (other than the Class A-IO Certificates) shall increase by
0.50% on the earlier of (i) the first distribution date after the 20% Clean-up
Call Date or (ii) the distribution date in July 2013.
"Prepayment Period" with respect to a distribution date is the immediately
preceding calendar month in the case of the mortgage loans for which EMC is the
servicer and such period as is provided in the related servicing agreement with
respect to the related servicer.
"Principal Distribution Amount," with respect to each distribution date,
is equal to
o the Basic Principal Distribution Amount for such distribution date,
plus
o any Extra Principal Distribution Amount for such distribution date.
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"Principal Funds" generally are equal to the sum, without duplication, of
(i) the scheduled principal collected during the related Due Period or
advanced on or before the related servicer advance date,
(ii) prepayments, exclusive of any prepayment charges, collected in the
related Prepayment Period,
(iii) the Stated Principal Balance of each mortgage loan that was
repurchased by the seller or the related servicer,
(iv) the amount, if any, by which the aggregate unpaid principal balance
of any replacement mortgage loans is less than the aggregate unpaid
principal balance of any deleted mortgage loans delivered by the
related servicer in connection with a substitution of a mortgage
loan,
(v) all Liquidation Proceeds collected during the related Prepayment
Period, to the extent such Liquidation Proceeds relate to principal,
less all non-recoverable advances relating to principal reimbursed
during the related Due Period, and
(vi) the principal portion of the purchase price of the assets of the
trust upon the exercise by the majority holder of the Class C
Certificate of its optional termination right.
"Principal Remittance Amount," with respect to each distribution date, is
equal to the sum of the amounts listed in clauses (i) through (v) of the
definition of Principal Funds.
"Realized Loss" is the excess of the Stated Principal Balance of a
defaulted mortgage loan over the Net Liquidation Proceeds with respect thereto
that are allocated to principal.
"Relief Act" means the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, as
amended or any similar state law.
"Senior Certificates" consist of the Class A-1 Certificates and Class A-IO
Certificates.
"Stated Principal Balance" of any mortgage loan means, with respect to any
distribution date, the cut-off date principal balance thereof minus the sum of
(i) the principal portion of the scheduled monthly payments due from
mortgagors with respect to such mortgage loan during the Due Period
ending prior to such distribution date (and irrespective of any
delinquency in their payment);
(ii) all prepayments of principal with respect to such mortgage loan
received prior to or during the related Prepayment Period, and all
liquidation proceeds to the extent applied by the related servicer
as recoveries of principal in accordance with the pooling and
servicing agreement or the related servicing agreement that were
received by the related servicer as of the close of business on the
last day of the Prepayment Period related to such distribution date,
and
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(iii) any Realized Loss thereon incurred during the related Prepayment
Period.
The Stated Principal Balance of any liquidated mortgage loan is zero.
"Subordinate Certificates" means, collectively, the Class M-1, Class M-2,
Class M-3 and Class B-1 Certificates.
"20% Clean-up Call Date" means the first distribution date in or after
December 2005 upon which the Stated Principal Balance of the mortgage loans as
of the end of the related due period is less than or equal to 20% of the
principal balance of the mortgage loans as of the cut-off date.
"Unpaid Interest Shortfalls" means Interest Shortfalls net of payments by
the related servicer or the master servicer in respect of Compensating Interest.
Allocation of Losses
Any Realized Losses on the mortgage loans will be applied on any
distribution date as follows: first, to Net Monthly Excess Cashflow, second, in
reduction of the Overcollateralized Amount, until reduced to zero, third, to the
Class B-1 Certificates, in reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance
thereof, until reduced to zero, fourth, to the Class M-2 Certificates and Class
M-3 Certificates, on a pro rata basis, in reduction of the Certificate Principal
Balances thereof, until reduced to zero, and fifth, to the Class M-1
Certificates, in reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance thereof, until
reduced to zero.
The pooling and servicing agreement does not permit the allocation of
Realized Losses to the Class A-1 Certificates. Investors in the Class A-1
Certificates should note that although Realized Losses cannot be allocated to
such class, under certain loss scenarios there will not be enough principal and
interest on the mortgage loans to pay the Class A-1 Certificates all interest
and principal amounts to which they are then entitled.
Once Realized Losses have been allocated to the Class M-1, Class M-2,
Class M-3 and Class B-1 Certificates, such amounts with respect to such
certificates will no longer accrue interest nor will such amounts in respect of
interest be reinstated thereafter. However, Applied Realized Loss Amounts may be
repaid to the holders of the such certificates from Net Monthly Excess Cashflow,
according to the priorities set forth under "- Excess Spread and
Overcollateralization Provisions" above.
Any allocation of a Realized Loss to a Class M-1, Class M-2, Class M-3 or
Class B-1 Certificate will be made by reducing the Certificate Principal Balance
thereof by the amount so allocated as of the distribution date in the month
following the calendar month in which such Realized Loss was incurred.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary described in this prospectus
supplement, in no event will the Certificate Principal Balance of any Class M-1,
Class M-2, Class M-3 or Class B-1 Certificate 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.
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Calculation of One-Month LIBOR
On the second LIBOR business day preceding the commencement of each
accrual period for the offered certificates bearing interest at an adjustable
rate, which date we refer to as an interest determination date, the securities
administrator will determine One-Month LIBOR for such accrual period on the
basis of such rate as it appears on Telerate Screen Page 3750, as of 11:00 a.m.
London time on such interest determination date. If such rate does not appear on
such page, or such other page as may replace that page on that service, or if
such service is no longer offered, such other service for displaying LIBOR or
comparable rates as may be reasonably selected by the securities administrator,
One-Month LIBOR for the applicable accrual period will be the Reference Bank
Rate. If no such quotations can be obtained and no Reference Bank Rate is
available, One-Month LIBOR will be the One-Month LIBOR applicable to the
preceding accrual period.
The Reference Bank Rate with respect to any accrual period, means the
arithmetic mean, rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest whole multiple of
0.03125%, of the offered rates for United States dollar deposits for one month
that are quoted by the Reference Banks, as described below, as of 11:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on the related interest determination date to prime banks in
the London interbank market for a period of one month in amounts approximately
equal to the aggregate certificate principal balance of all classes of offered
certificates bearing interest at an adjustable rate for such accrual period,
provided that at least two such Reference Banks provide such rate. If fewer than
two offered rates appear, the Reference Bank Rate will be the arithmetic mean,
rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest whole multiple of 0.03125%, of the
rates quoted by one or more major banks in New York City, selected by the
securities administrator, as of 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date for
loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a period of one month in
amounts approximately equal to the certificate principal balance of all classes
of offered certificates bearing interest at an adjustable rate for such accrual
period. As used in this section, "LIBOR business day" means a day on which banks
are open for dealing in foreign currency and exchange in London and New York
City; and "Reference Banks" means leading banks selected by the securities
administrator and engaged in transactions in Eurodollar deposits in the
international Eurocurrency market
o with an established place of business in London,
o which have been designated as such by the trustee and
o which are not controlling, controlled by, or under common control
with, the depositor, the seller or the master servicer.
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 classes of offered certificates
bearing interest at an adjustable rate for the related accrual period shall, in
the absence of manifest error, be final and binding.
Reports to Certificateholders
On each distribution date, the securities administrator will make
available to each certificateholder, the trustee, the master servicer and the
depositor a statement generally setting forth, among other information:
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1. the amount of the related distribution to holders of the
certificates allocable to principal, separately identifying
(A) the aggregate amount of any principal prepayments included
therein and (B) the aggregate of all scheduled payments of
principal included therein;
2. the amount of such distribution to holders of the certificates
allocable to interest;
3. the Certificate Principal Balance or notional balance of the
certificates before and after giving effect to the
distribution of principal and allocation of Applied Realized
Loss Amounts on such distribution date;
4. the Stated Principal Balance of all the mortgage loans in the
aggregate for the following distribution date;
5. the amount of the master servicing fee for the master servicer
and the amount of the servicing fee for the related servicer
paid to or retained by the master servicer or the related
servicer, as the case may be, for the related due period;
6. the pass-through rate for each class of offered certificates
for such distribution date;
7. the amount of advances included in the distribution on such
distribution date;
8. the number and aggregate principal amounts of the mortgage
loans (A) delinquent, exclusive of related mortgage loans in
foreclosure, (1) 31-60 days, (2) 61-90 days and (3) 91 or more
days, and (B) in foreclosure and delinquent (1) 31-60 days,
(2) 61-90 days and (3) 91 or more days, in each case as of the
close of business on the last day of the calendar month
preceding such distribution date;
9. with respect to any mortgage loan that was liquidated during
the preceding calendar month, the loan number and stated
principal balance of, and Realized Loss on, such mortgage loan
as of the end of the related prepayment period;
10. the total number and principal balance of any real estate
owned, or REO properties as of the end of the related
prepayment period;
11. the cumulative amount of Applied Realized Loss Amounts to date
and, in addition, if the certificate principal balances of the
subordinate certificates have all been reduced to zero, the
cumulative amount of any Realized Losses that have not been
allocated to any certificates;
12. the three-month rolling average of the percent equivalent of a
fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate Stated
Principal Balance of the mortgage loans that are 61 days or
more delinquent or are in bankruptcy or foreclosure or are REO
properties, and the denominator of which is the Stated
Principal Balances of all of the mortgage loans;
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13. the Realized Losses during the related prepayment period and
the cumulative Realized Losses through the end of the
preceding month; and
14. the amount of the distribution made on such distribution date
to the holders of the Class P Certificates allocable to
prepayment charges.
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 to certificateholders via the securities
administrator's internet website. Assistance in using the securities
administrator's website service can be obtained by calling the securities
administrator's customer service desk at (301) 815-6600. 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 may change the
way monthly statements are distributed in order to make such distributions more
convenient or more accessible to the above parties.
To the extent timely received from the securities administrator, the
trustee will also make monthly statements available each month to
certificateholders via the trustee's internet website. Assistance in using the
trustee's internet website can be obtained by calling the trustee's customer
service desk at (877) 722-1095.
In addition, within a reasonable period of time after the end of each
calendar year, the trustee will prepare and deliver to the master servicer and
to each certificateholder of record during the previous calendar year a
statement containing information necessary to enable certificateholders to
prepare their tax returns. Such statements will not have been examined and
reported upon by an independent public accountant.
Amendment
The pooling and servicing agreement may be amended by the depositor, the
master servicer, the seller, the securities administrator and the trustee,
without the consent of certificateholders,
o to cure any ambiguity,
o to correct or supplement any provision therein, or
o to make any other revisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under the pooling and servicing agreement which are not
inconsistent with the provisions thereof,
provided that such action will not adversely affect in any material respect the
interests of any certificateholder. An amendment will be deemed not to adversely
affect in any material respect the interests of the certificateholders if the
person requesting such amendment obtains a letter from each rating agency
stating that such amendment will not result in the downgrading or withdrawal of
the respective ratings then assigned to any class of certificates.
In addition, the pooling and servicing agreement may be amended without
the consent of certificateholders to modify, eliminate or add to any of its
provisions to such extent as may be necessary to maintain the qualification of
the trust fund's REMIC elections, provided that the trustee has received
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an opinion of counsel to the effect that such action is necessary or helpful to
maintain such qualification. In addition, the pooling and servicing agreement
may be amended by the depositor, the master servicer, the seller, the securities
administrator and the trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in
interest of each class of certificates affected thereby for the purpose of
adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of the pooling and servicing agreement or of modifying in any manner
the rights of the certificateholders; provided, however, that no such amendment
may
o reduce in any manner the amount of, or delay the timing of, payments
required to be distributed on any certificate without the consent of
the holder of such certificate;
o cause any trust fund REMIC to fail to qualify as a REMIC for federal
tax purposes;
o reduce the aforesaid percentage of aggregate outstanding principal
amounts of certificates of each class, the holders of which are
required to consent to any such amendment, without the consent of
the holders of all certificates of such class.
The trustee will not be entitled to consent to any amendment to the
pooling and servicing agreement without having first received an opinion of
counsel to the effect that such amendment is permitted under the terms of the
pooling and servicing agreement and will not cause the trust fund's REMIC
elections to fail to qualify as a REMIC for federal tax purposes.
Voting Rights
As of any date of determination,
o holders of the certificates other than the Class A-IO, Class P,
Class C and Class R Certificates will be allocated 94.50% of all
voting rights, allocated among such certificates in proportion to
their respective outstanding certificate principal balances,
o holders of the Class A-IO Certificates and Class P Certificates will
each be allocated 1% of all voting rights,
o holders of the Class C Certificates will be allocated 2% of all
voting rights until the Class A-IO Certificates have been paid in
full and then 3%, and
o holders of each class of Class R Certificates will be allocated
0.50% of all voting rights.
Voting rights will be allocated among the certificates of each such class
in accordance with their respective percentage interests.
Optional Termination
The majority holder of the Class C Certificates will have the right to
purchase all remaining mortgage loans and REO properties and thereby effect
early retirement of all of the certificates on any distribution date on or after
the earlier of (i) the 20% Clean-Up Call Date and (ii) the distribution date
occurring in June 2013. We refer to such date as the optional termination date.
In the event that the
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majority holder of the Class C Certificates exercises such option it will effect
such repurchase at a price equal to the sum of
o 100% of the stated principal balance of each mortgage loan, other
than in respect of REO Property, plus accrued interest thereon at
the applicable mortgage rate,
o the appraised value of any REO property, up to the stated principal
balance of the related mortgage loan, and
o any unreimbursed out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the trustee,
the related servicer or the master servicer and the principal
portion of any unreimbursed advances previously incurred by the
related servicer or the master servicer, as the case may be, in the
performance of their respective servicing obligations.
Proceeds from such purchase will be distributed to the certificateholders in the
priority described above in "Description of the Certificates -- Distributions."
In the event that the purchase price to be paid by the majority holder of the
Class C Certificates is based in part on the appraised value of any REO property
and such appraised value is less than the stated principal balance of the
related mortgage loan, the proceeds may not be sufficient to distribute the full
amount to which each class of certificates is entitled. In such event, the
amount of the difference between the appraised value of such REO property and
the stated principal balance of the related mortgage loan will constitute a
Realized Loss which will be allocated to the offered certificates as described
under "Description of the Certificates - Allocation of Losses". Any purchase of
the mortgage loans and REO properties will result in an early retirement of the
certificates.
Optional Purchase of Certain Loans
As to any mortgage loan which as of the first day of a calendar quarter is
delinquent in payment by 91 days or more, EMC Mortgage Corporation may, at its
option, purchase such mortgage loan at a price equal to 100% of the stated
principal balance thereof plus accrued interest thereon at the applicable
mortgage rate, from the date through which interest was last paid by the related
mortgagor or advanced to the first day of the month in which such amount is to
be distributed; provided that such mortgage loan is still delinquent in payment
by 91 days or more as of the date of such purchase and provided further, that
this limited purchase option, if not theretofore exercised, shall terminate on
the date prior to the last day of such calendar quarter. Such option, if not
exercised, shall not thereafter be reinstated as to any such mortgage loan
unless the delinquency is cured and the mortgage loan thereafter again becomes
delinquent in payment 91 days or more. In that event, the option shall again
become exercisable on the first date of the subsequent calendar quarter.
In addition, during the 90 day period following the closing date, EMC
Mortgage Corporation may, in its sole discretion, purchase any mortgage loan for
which the related originator or prior owner has breached a representation or
warranty made to EMC Mortgage Corporation regarding the characteristics of such
mortgage loan.
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Events of Default
Events of default under the pooling and servicing agreement include:
o any failure by the master servicer to remit to the trustee any
amount received or collected by it with respect to the mortgage
loans, and any advance required to be made by the master servicer
under the terms of the pooling and servicing agreement, which
continues unremedied for one business day after written notice of
such failure shall have been given to the master servicer by the
trustee or the depositor, or to the master servicer and the trustee
by the holders of certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the
voting rights evidenced by the certificates;
o any failure by the master servicer to observe or perform in any
material respect any other of its covenants or agreements, or any
breach of a representation or warranty made by the master servicer,
in the pooling and servicing agreement, which continues unremedied
for 60 days after the giving of written notice of such failure to
the master servicer by the trustee or the depositor, or to the
master servicer and the trustee by the holders of certificates
evidencing not less than 25% of the voting rights evidenced by the
certificates; or
o insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshalling of assets and
liabilities or similar proceedings, and certain actions by or on
behalf of the master servicer indicating its insolvency or inability
to pay its obligations.
Rights Upon Event of Default
So long as an event of default under the pooling and servicing agreement
remains unremedied, the trustee shall, but only upon the receipt of written
instructions from the holders of certificates having not less than 25% of the
voting rights evidenced by the certificates, terminate all of the rights and
obligations of the master servicer under the pooling and servicing agreement and
in and to the mortgage loans, whereupon the trustee shall automatically succeed,
after a transition period not exceeding 90 days, to all of the responsibilities
and duties of the master servicer under the pooling and servicing agreement;
provided, however that the trustee in its capacity of successor master servicer
shall be responsible for making any advances required to be made by the master
servicer immediately upon termination of the predecessor master servicer and any
such advance shall be made on the distribution date on which such advance was
required to be made by the predecessor master servicer; provided, further that
the trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever with respect to any liability
incurred by the master servicer at or prior to the time of receipt by the master
servicer of such notice of termination. As compensation therefor, the trustee
shall be entitled to all compensation which the master servicer would have been
entitled to retain if the master servicer had continued to act as such, except
for those amounts due the master servicer as reimbursement for advances
previously made or expenses previously incurred. Notwithstanding the above, the
trustee may, if it shall be unwilling so to act, or shall, if it is legally
unable so to act, appoint, or petition a court of competent jurisdiction to
appoint, any established housing and home finance institution which is a Fannie
Mae or Freddie Mac approved servicer as the successor to the master servicer
under the pooling and servicing agreement in the assumption of all or any part
of the responsibilities, duties or liabilities of the master servicer under the
pooling and servicing agreement. Pending appointment of a successor to the
master servicer under the pooling and
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servicing agreement, the trustee shall act in such capacity as provided under
the pooling and servicing agreement. In connection with such appointment and
assumption, the trustee may make such arrangements for the compensation of such
successor out of payments on mortgage loans as it and such successor shall
agree; provided, however, that no such compensation shall be in excess of that
permitted the master servicer as provided above. No assurance can be given that
termination of the rights and obligations of the master servicer under the
pooling and servicing agreement would not adversely affect the servicing of the
mortgage loans, including the delinquency experience of the mortgage loans. The
costs and expenses of the trustee in connection with the termination of the
master servicer, appointment of a successor master servicer and the transfer of
servicing, if applicable, to the extent not paid by the terminated master
servicer, will be paid by the trust fund.
No certificateholder, solely by virtue of such holder's status as a
certificateholder, will have any right under the pooling and servicing agreement
to institute any proceeding with respect thereto, unless such holder previously
has given to the trustee written notice of the continuation of an event of
default and unless the holders of certificates having not less than 25% of the
voting rights evidenced by the certificates have made written request to the
trustee to institute such proceeding in its own name as trustee thereunder and
have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity and the trustee for 60 days has
neglected or refused to institute any such proceeding.
The Trustee
JPMorgan Chase Bank will be the trustee under the pooling and servicing
agreement. The depositor and the master servicer and their affiliates may
maintain other banking relationships in the ordinary course of business with the
trustee. The trustee's corporate trust office is located at 4 New York Plaza,
New York, New York 10004, Attention: Institutional Trust Services/Structured
Finance Services, Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc., Series 2003-AC3 or
at such other address as the trustee may designate from time to time.
The Securities Administrator
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association will be the securities
administrator under the pooling and servicing agreement so long as it also is
the Master Servicer. The securities administrator's corporate trust office is
located at 9062 Old Annapolis Road, Columbia, Maryland 21045, Attention: Bear
Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc., Series 2003-AC3 or at such other address
as the securities administrator may designate from time to time.
The securities administrator may resign or be removed at any time,
including upon the resignation or removal of the master servicer. The trustee
may also remove the securities administrator if the securities administrator
ceases to be eligible to continue as such under the pooling and servicing
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 trustee will be entitled to appoint a
successor securities administrator. The securities administrator may also be
removed at any time by the holders of certificates evidencing ownership of not
less than 51% of the trust. In the event that the certificateholders remove the
securities administrator, the compensation of any successor securities
administrator shall be paid by the certificateholders to the extent that such
compensation exceeds the amount agreed to by the depositor and the securities
administrator. Any resignation or removal of the
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securities administrator and appointment of a successor securities administrator
will not become effective until acceptance of the appointment by the successor
securities administrator.
YIELD, PREPAYMENT AND MATURITY CONSIDERATIONS
General
The weighted average life of, and the yield to maturity on, each class of
offered certificates generally will be directly related to the rate of payment
of principal, including prepayments, of the mortgage loans. The actual rate of
principal prepayments on pools of mortgage loans is influenced by a variety of
economic, tax, geographic, demographic, social, legal and other factors and has
fluctuated considerably in recent years. In addition, the rate of principal
prepayments may differ among pools of mortgage loans at any time because of
specific factors relating to the mortgage loans in the particular pool,
including, among other things, the age of the mortgage loans, the geographic
locations of the properties securing the loans, the extent of the mortgagors'
equity in such properties, and changes in the mortgagors' housing needs, job
transfers and employment status. The rate of principal prepayments may also be
affected by whether the mortgage loans impose prepayment penalties.
Approximately 15.92% of the mortgage loans, by cut-off date principal balance,
at origination provided for the payment by the borrower of a prepayment charge
on voluntary prepayments typically made within up to five years from the date of
the execution of the related mortgage note. These penalties, if still applicable
and if enforced by the related servicer would typically discourage prepayments
on the mortgage loans. The holders of the Class P Certificates will be entitled
to all prepayment charges received on the mortgage loans. However, there can be
no assurance that the prepayment charges will have any effect on the prepayment
performance of the mortgage loans. Investors should conduct their own analysis
of the effect, if any, that the prepayment charges may have on the prepayment
performance of the mortgage loans.
The timing of changes in the rate of prepayments may significantly affect
the actual yield to investors who purchase the offered certificates at prices
other than par, even if the average rate of principal prepayments is consistent
with the expectations of investors. In general, the earlier the payment of
principal of the mortgage loans the greater the effect on an investor's yield to
maturity. As a result, the effect on an investor's yield of principal
prepayments occurring at a rate higher or lower than the rate anticipated by the
investor during the period immediately following the issuance of the offered
certificates may not be offset by a subsequent like reduction or increase in the
rate of principal prepayments.
The mortgage loans were underwritten generally in accordance with
underwriting standards which are primarily intended to provide for single family
"non-conforming" mortgage loans. A "nonconforming" mortgage loan means a
mortgage loan which is ineligible for purchase by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac due
to either credit characteristics of the related mortgagor or documentation
standards in connection with the underwriting of the related mortgage loan that
do not meet the Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac underwriting guidelines for "A" credit
mortgagors. These documentation standards may include mortgagors who provide
limited or no documentation in connection with the underwriting of the related
mortgage loan. Accordingly, mortgage loans underwritten under the seller's
non-conforming credit underwriting standards are likely to experience rates of
delinquency, foreclosure and loss that are higher, and may be substantially
higher, than mortgage loans originated in accordance with the Fannie
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Mae or Freddie Mac underwriting guidelines. Any resulting losses, to the extent
not covered by credit enhancement, may affect the yield to maturity of the
offered certificates.
The weighted average life and yield to maturity of each class of offered
certificates will also be influenced by the amount of Excess Spread generated by
the mortgage loans and applied in reduction of the certificate principal
balances of such certificates. The level of Excess Spread available on any
distribution date to be applied in reduction of the certificate principal
balances of the offered certificates will be influenced by, among other factors,
o the overcollateralization level of the assets in the mortgage pool
at such time, i.e., the extent to which interest on the mortgage
loans is accruing on a higher stated principal balance than the
certificate principal balance of the offered certificates;
o the delinquency and default experience of the mortgage loans, and
o the provisions of the pooling and servicing agreement that permit
principal collections to be distributed to the Class C Certificates
and the residual certificates in each case as provided in the
pooling and servicing agreement when required overcollateralization
levels have been met.
To the extent that greater amounts of Excess Spread are distributed in
reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance of a class of offered
certificates, the weighted average life thereof can be expected to shorten. No
assurance, however, can be given as to the amount of Excess Spread to be
distributed at any time or in the aggregate.
We refer you to "Description of the Certificates -- Distributions" and
"--Excess Spread and Overcollateralization Provisions" in this prospectus
supplement.
The yields to maturity of the offered certificates and, in particular the
subordinated certificates, in the order of payment priority, will be
progressively more sensitive to the rate, timing and severity of Realized Losses
on the mortgage loans. If an Applied Realized Loss Amount is allocated to a
Class of subordinated certificates, that class will thereafter accrue interest
on a reduced Certificate Principal Balance.
Prepayments and Yields of Offered Certificates
The extent to which the yield to maturity of an offered certificate may
vary from the anticipated yield will depend upon the degree to which it is
purchased at a discount or premium and, correspondingly, the degree to which the
timing of payments thereon is sensitive to prepayments, liquidations and
purchases of the mortgage loans. In particular, in the case of an offered
certificate purchased at a discount, an investor should consider the risk that a
slower than anticipated rate of principal payments, liquidations and purchases
of the mortgage loans could result in an actual yield to such investor that is
lower than the anticipated yield and, in the case of an offered certificate
purchased at a premium, the risk that a faster than anticipated rate of
principal payments, liquidations and purchases of such mortgage loans could
result in an actual yield to such investor that is lower than the anticipated
yield.
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The effective yield to the holders of the offered certificates (other than
the Class M-2 Certificates and Class B-1 Certificates) will be lower than the
yield otherwise produced by the applicable rate at which interest is passed
through to such holders and the purchase price of such certificates because
monthly distributions will not be payable to such holders until the 25th day or,
if such day is not a business day, the following business day, of the month
following the month in which interest accrues on the related mortgage loans,
without any additional distribution of interest or earnings thereon in respect
of such delay.
All of the mortgage loans bear fixed rates. In general, if prevailing
interest rates fall significantly below the interest rates on the mortgage
loans, the mortgage loans are likely to be subject to higher prepayment rates
than if prevailing rates remain at or above the interest rates on the mortgage
loans. Conversely, if prevailing interest rates rise appreciably above the
interest rates on the mortgage loans, the mortgage loans are likely to
experience a lower prepayment rate than if prevailing rates remain at or below
the interest rates on such mortgage loans.
The "last scheduled distribution date" for each class of the offered
certificates (other than the Class A-IO Certificates) is July 25, 2033, which is
the distribution date in the month following the latest maturing mortgage loan.
The actual final distribution date with respect to each Class of offered
certificates could occur significantly earlier than its last scheduled
distribution date because
o prepayments are likely to occur which will be applied to the payment
of the certificate principal balances thereof,
o Excess Spread to the extent available will be applied as an
accelerated payment of principal on the offered certificates to the
extent described herein and
o the majority holder of the Class C Certificate may exercise its
option to repurchase all the mortgage loans as described under
"-Optional Termination" herein.
The "last scheduled distribution date" for the Class A-IO Certificates is
the distribution date in December 2005.
Prepayments on mortgage loans are commonly measured relative to a
prepayment standard or model. The model used in this prospectus supplement,
which we refer to as the prepayment model, is a prepayment assumption which
represents an assumed rate of prepayment each month relative to the then
outstanding principal balance of a pool of mortgage loans similar to the
mortgage loans for the life of such mortgage loans. A 100% prepayment assumption
assumes that the outstanding principal balance of a pool of mortgage loans
prepays at a constant prepayment rate ("CPR") of 6% in the first month of the
life of such pool, such rate increasing by an additional approximate 1.27% CPR
(precisely 14%/11) each month thereafter through the twelfth month of the life
of such pool, and such rate thereafter remaining constant at 20% CPR for the
remainder of the life of such pool.
There is no assurance, however, that prepayments on the mortgage loans
will conform to any level of the prepayment model, and no representation is made
that the mortgage loans will prepay at the prepayment rates shown or any other
prepayment rate. The rate of principal payments on pools of mortgage loans is
influenced by a variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors,
including the level of interest rates. Other factors affecting prepayment of
mortgage loans include changes in
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obligors' housing needs, job transfers and unemployment. In the case of mortgage
loans in general, if prevailing interest rates fall significantly below the
interest rates on such mortgage loans, the mortgage loans are likely to be
subject to higher prepayment rates than if prevailing interest rates remain at
or above the rates borne by such mortgage loans. Conversely, if prevailing
interest rates rise above the interest rates on such mortgage loans, the rate of
prepayment would be expected to decrease.
The following tables have been prepared on the basis of the following
assumptions, which we refer to, collectively, as modeling assumptions:
o the mortgage loans prepay at the indicated percentages of the
prepayment assumption;
o distributions on the offered certificates are received, in cash, on
the 25th day of each month, commencing in July 2003, in accordance
with the payment priorities defined herein;
o no defaults or delinquencies in, or modifications, waivers or
amendments respecting, the payment by the mortgagors of principal
and interest on the mortgage loans occur;
o scheduled payments are assumed to be received on the first day of
each month commencing in July 2003, there are no shortfalls in the
payment of interest to certificateholders and prepayments represent
payment in full of individual mortgage loans and are assumed to be
received on the last day of each month, commencing in June 2003, and
include 30 days, interest thereon;
o the level of One-Month LIBOR remains constant at 1.093% per annum;
o the closing date for the Certificates is June 30, 2003;
o the Class P Certificates have a certificate principal balance equal
to zero;
o except as indicated with respect to the weighted average lives, the
majority holder of the Class C Certificate does not exercise its
right to purchase the assets of the trust fund on the optional
termination date; and
o the mortgage pool consists of mortgage loans having the approximate
characteristics described below:
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Weighted Average Weighted Average
Stated Weighted Average Remaining Amortization
Gross Mortgage Net Mortgage Remaining Term Stated Original Term Term
Current Balance $ Rate (%) Rate (%) (in months) (in months) (in months)
- ----------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- -------------------- ----------------------
671,156.65 6.288084084021 6.018084084021 177 180 177
14,697,867.57 6.414746609736 6.144746609736 177 180 177
674,767.89 7.936226807562 7.666226807562 178 180 358
1,020,383.65 8.011900509725 7.741900509725 178 180 358
706,291.35 7.700960865866 7.430960865866 178 180 358
5,245,866.42 7.079965869108 6.809965869108 178 180 358
7,093,092.27 7.463032143102 7.193032143102 357 360 357
818,761.79 6.977393756064 6.707393756064 356 360 356
13,238,804.90 7.237369661611 6.967369661611 358 360 358
14,201,430.06 6.889886707543 6.619886707543 358 360 358
613,684.89 7.500000000000 7.230000000000 358 360 358
186,305,470.94 6.732888178582 6.462322851622 357 359 357
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Percent of the Initial Certificate Principal Balance
at the Respective Percentages of the Prepayment Assumption
Class A-1, Class M-1, Class M-2, Class M-3 and Class B-1
------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution Date 0% 50% 100% 150% 200%
- ----------------- ----- ---- ---- ---- ----
Initial Percentage.................... 100 100 100 100 100
June 25, 2004......................... 98 91 83 75 68
June 25, 2005......................... 97 80 65 52 40
June 25, 2006......................... 95 71 51 36 23
June 25, 2007......................... 94 63 40 24 13
June 25, 2008......................... 92 56 32 16 7
June 25, 2009......................... 90 49 25 11 4
June 25, 2010......................... 89 43 19 7 2
June 25, 2011......................... 87 38 15 4 *
June 25, 2012......................... 84 33 11 2 0
June 25, 2013......................... 82 29 8 1 0
June 25, 2014......................... 78 25 6 0 0
June 25, 2015......................... 73 21 4 0 0
June 25, 2016......................... 69 17 2 0 0
June 25, 2017......................... 64 14 1 0 0
June 25, 2018......................... 57 11 0 0 0
June 25, 2019......................... 52 9 0 0 0
June 25, 2020......................... 48 6 0 0 0
June 25, 2021......................... 43 5 0 0 0
June 25, 2022......................... 38 3 0 0 0
June 25, 2023......................... 32 1 0 0 0
June 25, 2024......................... 27 0 0 0 0
June 25, 2025......................... 21 0 0 0 0
June 25, 2026......................... 15 0 0 0 0
June 25, 2027......................... 8 0 0 0 0
June 25, 2028......................... 1 0 0 0 0
June 25, 2029......................... 0 0 0 0 0
June 25, 2030......................... 0 0 0 0 0
June 25, 2031......................... 0 0 0 0 0
June 25, 2032......................... 0 0 0 0 0
June 25, 2033......................... 0 0 0 0 0
Weighted Average Life (in years)(1) 15.88 7.18 4.14 2.80 2.08
Weighted Average Life (in years)(1)(2) 9.17 5.90 3.58 2.39 1.78
- ----------
*Indicates a number that is greater than zero but less than 0.5%.
(1) The weighted average life of the offered certificates is determined by (i)
multiplying the amount of each principal payment by the number of years
from the date of issuance to the related distribution date, (ii) adding
the results, and (iii) dividing the sum by the initial respective
certificate principal balance for such class of offered certificates.
(2) To optional termination date.
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Class A-IO Certificates Yield Considerations
If, at any time the Notional Amount of the Class A-IO Certificates is
reduced to the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the mortgage loans, the
yield to investors in the Class A-IO Certificates will become extremely
sensitive to the rate and timing of principal payments on the mortgage loans,
including prepayments, defaults and liquidations, which rate may fluctuate
significantly over time. Investors in the Class A-IO Certificates should fully
consider the risk that an extremely rapid rate of prepayments on the mortgage
loans could result in the failure of such investors to fully recover their
investments.
Based upon the structuring assumptions, and further assuming (i)
prepayments occur at approximately 69.6% CPR and (ii) an assumed purchase price
of approximately $3,898,790 which includes accrued interest, the pre-tax yield
of the Class A-IO Certificates would be approximately 0%. If the actual
prepayment rate on the mortgage loans were to exceed such rate, then assuming
the mortgage loans behave in conformity with all other structuring assumptions,
initial investors in the Class A-IO Certificates would not fully recover their
initial investment. Timing of changes in the rate of prepayments may
significantly affect the actual yield to investors, even if the average rate of
principal prepayments is consistent with the expectations of investors.
Investors must make their own decisions as to the appropriate prepayment
assumption to be used in deciding whether to purchase any Class A-IO
Certificates.
The 0% pre-tax yield described above was calculated by determining the
monthly discount rates which, when applied to the assumed stream of cash flow to
be paid on the Class A-IO Certificates, would cause the discounted present value
of such assumed stream of cash flow to the closing date to equal the assumed
purchase price, which includes accrued interest, and converting such monthly
rate to a corporate bond equivalent rate. Such calculations do not take into
account the interest rates at which funds received by holders of the Class A-IO
Certificates may be reinvested and consequently does not purport to reflect the
return on any investment in the Class A-IO Certificates when such reinvestment
rates are considered.
Additional Information
The depositor intends to file certain additional yield tables and other
computational materials with respect to the certificates with the Securities and
Exchange Commission in a report on Form 8-K. Such tables and materials were
prepared by the underwriter at the request of certain prospective investors,
based on assumptions provided by, and satisfying the special requirements of,
such prospective investors. Such tables and assumptions may be based on
assumptions that differ from the modeling assumptions. Accordingly, such tables
and other materials may not be relevant to or appropriate for investors other
than those specifically requesting them.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The depositor will apply the net proceeds of the sale of the offered
certificates against the purchase price of the mortgage loans.
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FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The pooling and servicing agreement provides that multiple REMIC elections
will be made with respect to the assets in the trust fund, creating a tiered
REMIC structure.
Upon the issuance of the offered certificates, Thacher Proffitt & Wood
("Tax Counsel") will deliver its opinion concluding that for federal income tax
purposes and assuming compliance with the pooling and servicing agreement, each
REMIC comprising the trust fund will qualify as a REMIC within the meaning of
Section 860D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and
the certificates, other than the Class R Certificates, will represent regular
interests in a REMIC and the Class R Certificates will each represent the sole
class of residual interests in a REMIC.
Taxation of Regular Interests
A holder of an offered certificate (a "Regular Certificate"), will be
treated for federal income tax purposes as owning a regular interest in a REMIC.
Assuming that a Regular Certificate is held as a "capital asset" within
the meaning of section 1221 of the Code, gain or loss on its disposition should
generally, subject to the limitation described below, be capital gain or loss.
Gain will be treated as ordinary income, however, to the extent such gain does
not exceed the excess, if any, of (x) the amount that would have been includable
in the holder's gross income with respect to the Regular Certificate had income
thereon accrued at a rate equal to 125% of the applicable federal rate as
defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code determined as of the date of purchase of
the Regular Certificate over (y) the amount actually included in such holder's
income with respect to the Regular Certificate.
Interest on a Regular Certificate must be included in income by a holder
under the accrual method of accounting, regardless of the holder's regular
method of accounting. In addition, a Regular Certificate could be considered to
have been issued with original issue discount, known as OID. The Class A-IO
Certificates will, and the other Classes of Regular Certificates will not, be
issued with OID. We refer you to "Material Federal Income Tax Considerations -
Taxation of Debt Securities" in the prospectus. The prepayment assumption that
will be used in determining the accrual of OID, market discount, or bond
premium, if any, will be a rate equal to, 100% of the Prepayment Assumption as
described above. No representation is made that the mortgage loans will prepay
at such rates or at any other rate. OID must be included in income as it accrues
on a constant yield method, regardless of whether the holder receives currently
the cash attributable to such OID.
Each holder of a Regular Certificate (other than a Class A-IO Certificate)
is deemed to own an undivided beneficial ownership interest in a REMIC regular
interest and the right to receive payments from the Net WAC Rate Carryover
Reserve Account in respect of the Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount. The Net WAC
Rate Carryover Reserve Account will not be an asset of any REMIC.
The treatment of amounts received by a holder of a Regular Certificate
(other than a Class A-IO Certificate) under such holder's right to receive the
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 a Regular Certificate (other than a Class A-IO Certificate) must
allocate
S-70
its purchase price for the Regular Certificate (other than a Class A-IO
Certificate) 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 the Net WAC Rate Carryover
Amount in accordance with the relative fair market values of each property
right. The Trustee will, as required, treat payments made to the holders of the
Regular Certificates (other than a Class A-IO Certificate) with respect to the
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 Trustee will, as required, treat the right to
receive payments from the Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve Account in respect of
Net WAC Rate Carryover Amounts as having a de minimis value. Under the REMIC
Regulations, the Trustee 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 the Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount as discrete property rights.
Holders of the Regular Certificates (other than the Class A-IO Certificates) 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 Certificates. 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 Regular Certificates (other than the Class A-IO Certificates) will be
unable to use the integration method provided for under such regulations with
respect to those Certificates. If the Trustee's treatment of payments of the Net
WAC Rate Carryover Amount is respected, ownership of the right to the Net WAC
Rate Carryover Amount will entitle the owner to amortize the price paid for the
right to the Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount under the Notional Principal Contract
Regulations.
Upon the sale of a Regular Certificate (other than a Class A-IO
Certificate) the amount of the sale allocated to the selling certificateholder's
right to receive payments from the Net WAC Rate Carryover Reserve Account in
respect of the Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount would be considered a "termination
payment" under the Notional Principal Contract Regulations allocable to the
related Regular Certificate (other than a Class A-IO Certificate), as the case
may be. A holder of a Regular Certificate (other than a Class A-IO Certificate)
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 the 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 certificateholder upon entering into or acquiring its
interest in the right to receive payments from the Net WAC Rate Carryover
Reserve Account in respect of the 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 the 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.
It is possible that the right to receive payments in respect of the Net
WAC Rate Carryover Amounts could be treated as a partnership among the holders
of all of the Certificates, in which case
S-71
holders of such Certificates potentially would be subject to different timing of
income and foreign holders of such Certificates could be subject to withholding
in respect of any related Net WAC Carryover Amount. Holders of the Regular
Certificates (other than Class A-IO Certificates) 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 Certificates.
Because the Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount is treated as a separate right
of the Regular Certificates (other than the Class A-IO Certificates) not payable
by any REMIC elected by the Trust, such right will not be treated as a
qualifying asset for any certificateholder that is a mutual savings bank,
domestic building and loan association, real estate investment trust, or real
estate mortgage investment conduit and 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.
Prohibited Transactions Tax and Other Taxes
The Code imposes a tax on REMICs equal to 100% of the net income derived
from "prohibited transactions," called the "Prohibited Transactions Tax." In
general, subject to certain specified exceptions, a prohibited transaction means
the disposition of a mortgage loan, the receipt of income from a source other
than a mortgage loan or certain other permitted investments, the receipt of
compensation for services, or gain from the disposition of an asset purchased
with the payments on the mortgage loans for temporary investment pending
distribution on the certificates. It is not anticipated that any REMIC
comprising the trust fund will engage in any prohibited transactions in which it
would recognize a material amount of net income.
In addition, certain contributions to a trust fund that elects to be
treated as a REMIC made after the day on which such trust fund issues all of its
interests could result in the imposition of a tax on the trust fund equal to
100% of the value of the contributed property, called the "Contributions Tax."
None of the REMICs comprising the trust fund will accept contributions that
would subject it to such tax.
In addition, a trust fund that elects to be treated as a REMIC may also be
subject to federal income tax at the highest corporate rate on "net income from
foreclosure property," determined by reference to the rules applicable to real
estate investment trusts. "Net income from foreclosure property" generally means
gain from the sale of a foreclosure property held as inventory.
Where any Prohibited Transactions Tax, Contributions Tax, tax on net
income from foreclosure property or state or local income or franchise tax that
may be imposed on a REMIC arises out of a breach of the master servicer's or the
trustee's obligations, as the case may be, under the pooling and servicing
agreement or in respect of compliance with then applicable law, such tax will be
borne by the master servicer or trustee in either case out of its own funds. In
the event that the master servicer or the trustee, as the case may be, fails to
pay or is not required to pay any such tax as provided above, such tax will be
paid by the relevant REMIC within the trust fund with amounts otherwise
distributable to the holders of Certificates in the manner provided in the
pooling and servicing agreement.
S-72
Status of the Offered Certificates
With respect to the Regular Certificates (other than the Class A-IO
Certificates), this paragraph is relevant to such Certificates exclusive of the
rights of the holders of such Certificates to receive certain payments in
respect of the Net WAC Rate Carryover Amount. The offered certificates 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 fund would be so treated. In addition,
to the extent a regular interest represents real estate assets under Section
856(c)(5)(B) of the Code, the interest derived from that regular interest would
be interest on obligations secured by interests in real property for purposes of
section 856(c)(3) of the Code.
For further information regarding the federal income tax consequences of
investing in the offered certificates, we refer you to "Material Federal Income
Tax Considerations" in the prospectus.
STATE TAXES
None of the depositor, the master servicer, the trustee or the securities
administrator makes any representations regarding the tax consequences of
purchase, ownership or disposition of the offered certificates under the federal
tax laws or the tax laws of any state. Investors considering an investment in
the offered certificates should consult their own tax advisors regarding such
tax consequences.
All investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the federal,
state, local or foreign income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of the offered certificates.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA"), prohibits "parties in interest" with respect to an employee
benefit plan subject to ERISA from engaging in certain transactions involving
such plan and its assets unless a statutory, regulatory or administrative
exemption applies to the transaction. Section 4975 of the Code imposes certain
excise taxes on prohibited transactions involving "disqualified persons" and
employee benefit plans or other arrangements (including, but not limited to,
individual retirement accounts) described under that section (collectively with
employee benefit plans subject to ERISA, "Plans"). ERISA authorizes the
imposition of civil penalties for prohibited transactions involving Plans not
covered under Section 4975 of the Code. Any Plan fiduciary which proposes to
cause a Plan to acquire offered certificates should consult with its counsel
with respect to the potential consequences under ERISA and the Code of the
Plan's acquisition and ownership of such offered certificates. See "ERISA
Considerations" in the prospectus.
Certain employee benefit plans, including governmental plans and certain
church plans, are not subject to ERISA's requirements. Accordingly, assets of
such plans may be invested in offered certificates without regard to the ERISA
considerations described herein and in the prospectus, subject to the provisions
of other applicable federal and state law. Any such plan which is qualified
S-73
and exempt from taxation under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code may
nonetheless be subject to the prohibited transaction rules set forth in Section
503 of the Code.
Except as noted above, investments by Plans are subject to ERISA's general
fiduciary requirements, including the requirement of investment prudence and
diversification and the requirement that a Plan's investments be made in
accordance with the documents governing the Plan. A fiduciary which decides to
invest the assets of a Plan in a class of offered certificates should consider,
among other factors, the extreme sensitivity of the investments to the rate of
principal payments (including prepayments) on the mortgage loans.
The U.S. Department of Labor has granted to Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. an
administrative exemption (Prohibited Transaction Exemption ("PTE") 90-30, as
amended by PTE 97-34, PTE 2000- 58 and PTE 2002-41) (the "Exemption") from
certain of the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA and the excise tax
provisions of Section 4975 of the Code with respect to the initial purchase, the
holding and the subsequent resale by Plans of certificates in pass-through
trusts that consist of certain receivables, loans and other obligations that
meet the conditions and requirements of the Exemption as discussed in "ERISA
Considerations" in the prospectus. The Exemption applies to obligations such as
the mortgage loans in the trust fund which have loan-to-value ratios not in
excess of 100 percent, provided that the certificates issued are rated at least
"BBB-", as more fully described in "ERISA Considerations" in the prospectus.
The Exemption also provides relief from certain self-dealing/conflict of
interest prohibited transactions that may occur when a Plan fiduciary causes a
Plan to acquire certificates in a trust holding receivables as to which the
fiduciary (or its affiliate) is an obligor, provided that, among other
requirements,
(a) in the case of an acquisition in connection with the initial
issuance of certificates, at least fifty percent (50%) of each class
of certificates in which Plans have invested is acquired by persons
independent of the Restricted Group;
(b) such fiduciary (or its affiliate) is an obligor with respect to five
percent (5%) or less of the fair market value of the obligations
contained in the trust;
(c) a Plan's investment in certificates of any class does not exceed
twenty-five percent (25%) of all of the certificates of that class
outstanding at the time of the acquisition; and
(d) immediately after the acquisition, no more than twenty-five percent
(25%) of the assets of any Plan with respect to which such person is
a fiduciary are invested in certificates representing an interest in
one or more trusts containing assets sold or serviced by the same
entity.
The Exemption does not apply to Plans sponsored by the Underwriter, the
trustee, the master servicer, any servicer, any obligor with respect to mortgage
loans included in the trust fund constituting more than five percent of the
aggregate unamortized principal balance of the assets in the trust fund, any
insurer or any affiliate of such parties (the "Restricted Group"). It is
expected that the Exemption will apply to the acquisition and holding of the
offered certificates by Plans and that all conditions of the Exemption other
than those within the control of the investors will be met. In
S-74
addition, as of the date hereof, there is no single mortgagor that is the
obligor on five percent (5%) of the mortgage loans included in the trust fund by
aggregate unamortized principal balance of the assets of the trust fund.
Each beneficial owner of a Class M-1, Class M-2, Class M-3 or Class B-1
Certificate or any interest therein shall be deemed to have represented, by
virtue of its acquisition or holding of that certificate or interest therein,
that either (i) it is not a Plan or investing with assets of a Plan or (ii) it
has acquired and is holding such certificate in reliance on the Exemption, and
that it understands that there are certain conditions to the availability of the
Exemption, including that the certificate must be rated, at the time of
purchase, not lower than "BBB-" (or its equivalent) by Standard & Poor's, Fitch,
Inc. or Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and the certificate is so rated or
(iii) (1) it is an insurance company, (2) the source of funds used to acquire or
hold the certificate or interest therein is an "insurance company general
account," as such term is defined in Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption
("PTCE") 95-60, and (3) the conditions in Sections I and III of PTCE 95-60 have
been satisfied.
Because the exemptive relief afforded by the Exemption or any similar
exemption that may be available will not likely apply to the purchase, sale or
holding of the Residual Certificates, no Residual Certificate or any interest
therein may be acquired or held by any Plan, any trustee or other person acting
on behalf of any Plan, or any other person using plan assets to effect such
acquisition or holding-- a plan investor--unless the transferee provides the
trustee with an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the trustee, which opinion
will not be at the expense of the trustee, the seller or the master servicer,
that the purchase of the Residual Certificates by or on behalf of the plan
investor will not constitute or result in the assets of the Trust being deemed
to be "plan assets" subject to the prohibited transactions provisions of ERISA
or Code Section 4975 and will not subject the seller, the master servicer or the
trustee to any obligation in addition to those undertaken in the pooling and
servicing agreement. Each beneficial owner of a Residual Certificate or any
interest therein, unless it has provided the above opinion of counsel, shall be
deemed to have represented, by virtue of its acquisition or holding of that
certificate or interest therein, that it is not a plan investor.
Prospective Plan investors should consult with their legal advisors
concerning the impact of ERISA and the Exemption or any other exemption, and the
potential consequences in their specific circumstances, prior to making an
investment in the offered certificates. Moreover, each Plan fiduciary should
determine whether under the general fiduciary standards of investment prudence
and diversification, an investment in the offered certificates is appropriate
for the Plan, taking into account the overall investment policy of the Plan and
the composition of the Plan's investment portfolio.
METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting
agreement between the depositor and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., as underwriter,
the depositor has agreed to sell the offered certificates to the Underwriter,
and the Underwriter has agreed to purchase the offered certificates from the
depositor. Distribution of the offered certificates will be made by the
underwriter from time to time in negotiated transactions or otherwise at varying
prices to be determined at the time of sale. In connection with the sale of the
offered certificates, the underwriter may be deemed to have received
compensation from the depositor in the form of underwriting discounts. It is
expected that the proceeds to the depositor from the sale of the offered
certificates will be approximately
S-75
$249,500,000 plus accrued interest on the offered certificates (other than the
Class M-2 Certificates and Class B-1 Certificates), before deducting issuance
expenses payable by the depositor, estimated to be approximately $317,000.
The depositor has been advised by the underwriter that it intends to make
a market in the offered certificates, but the underwriter has no obligation to
do so. There can be no assurance that a secondary market for the offered
certificates, or any particular Class thereof, will develop or, if it does
develop, that it will continue or that such market will provide sufficient
liquidity to certificateholders.
The depositor has agreed to indemnify the underwriter against, or make
contributions to the underwriter with respect to, certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The underwriter is an
affiliate of the depositor and EMC.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the certificates, including certain federal income tax
consequences with respect hereto, will be passed upon for the depositor by
Thacher Proffitt & Wood, New York, New York. Thacher Proffitt & Wood, New York,
New York, will also pass upon certain legal matters on behalf of the depositor,
EMC and the underwriter.
RATINGS
It is a condition of the issuance of the offered certificates that each
class of offered certificates be assigned at least the ratings designated below
by Moody's and Standard & Poor's.
Rating
--------------------------------------------------
Class Moody's Standard & Poor's
----- ------- -----------------
A-1 Aaa AAA
A-IO Aaa AAA
M-1 Aa2 AA
M-2 A2 A
M-3 A2 A
B-1 Baa2 BBB
The security ratings assigned to the offered certificates should be
evaluated independently from similar ratings on other types of securities. 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 respective rating
agency. The ratings on the offered certificates do not, however, constitute
statements regarding the likelihood or frequency of prepayments on the mortgage
loans or the anticipated yields in light of prepayments.
S-76
The depositor has not requested ratings of the offered certificates by any
rating agency other than Moody's and Standard & Poor's. However, there can be no
assurance as to whether any other rating agency will rate the offered
certificates or, if it does, what ratings would be assigned by such other rating
agency. The ratings assigned by such other rating agency to the offered
certificates could be lower than the respective ratings assigned by the rating
agencies.
S-77
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
20% Clean-up Call Date......................................................S-55
Agreement...................................................................S-29
Applied Realized Loss Amount................................................S-50
Available Funds.............................................................S-50
Basic Principal Distribution Amount.........................................S-50
Certificate Principal Balance...............................................S-50
Clearstream.................................................................S-42
Code........................................................................S-70
CPR.........................................................................S-66
Cross-Over Date.............................................................S-50
CSSF........................................................................S-44
Distribution Account........................................................S-39
DTC.........................................................................S-42
Due Period..................................................................S-50
EMC.........................................................................S-30
ERISA.......................................................................S-73
Euroclear...................................................................S-42
Excess Spread...............................................................S-48
Exemption...................................................................S-74
Extra Principal Distribution Amount.........................................S-50
FHA.........................................................................S-27
Financial Intermediary......................................................S-43
Global Securities............................................................I-1
GreenPoint..................................................................S-26
Insurance Proceeds..........................................................S-50
Interest Funds..............................................................S-51
Interest Rate Cap...........................................................S-51
Interest Shortfall..........................................................S-51
Liquidation Proceeds........................................................S-51
Master Servicer.............................................................S-29
Master Servicer Collection Account..........................................S-38
MERS........................................................................S-24
MERS(R)System...............................................................S-24
Monthly Interest Distributable Amount.......................................S-52
NCM Servicing Agreement.....................................................S-30
Net Liquidation Proceeds....................................................S-52
Net Monthly Excess Cashflow.................................................S-52
Net Mortgage Rate...........................................................S-52
Notional Balance............................................................S-53
Overcollateralization Amount................................................S-53
Overcollateralization Increase Amount.......................................S-53
Overcollateralization Release Amount........................................S-53
Overcollateralization Target Amount.........................................S-53
Overcollateralized Amount...................................................S-53
Pass-Through Rate...........................................................S-53
S-78
Plans.......................................................................S-73
Prepayment Interest Shortfall...............................................S-39
Prepayment Period...........................................................S-54
Principal Distribution Amount...............................................S-54
Principal Funds.............................................................S-54
Principal Remittance Amount.................................................S-54
PTE.........................................................................S-74
Realized Loss...............................................................S-54
Relief Act............................................................S-51, S-54
Rules.......................................................................S-43
Senior Certificates.........................................................S-54
Stated Principal Balance....................................................S-54
Subordinate Certificates....................................................S-55
super jumbos................................................................S-28
Tax Counsel.................................................................S-70
Union Federal Loans.........................................................S-30
Union Federal Servicing Agreement...........................................S-30
Unpaid Interest Shortfalls..................................................S-55
VA..........................................................................S-27
Wells Fargo.................................................................S-29
S-79
Schedule A
Mortgage Loan Statistical Data
The following information sets forth in tabular format certain
information, as of the cut-off date, about the mortgage loans in the aggregate.
Other than with respect to rates of interest, percentages are approximate and
are stated by cut-off date principal balance of all of the mortgage loans. The
sum of the respective columns may not equal the total indicated due to rounding.
Mortgage Rates of the Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-Off Date
Aggregate Scheduled
Number of Balance Outstanding
Mortgage Interest Rate Mortgage Loans as of Cut-Off Date % of Mortgage Pool
- ----------------------------------------- -------------- -------------------- ------------------
5.001% - 5.500% ......................... 2 $ 445,989 0.18%
5.501% - 6.000% ......................... 59 21,603,352 8.81
6.001% - 6.500% ......................... 338 105,468,990 43.00
6.501% - 7.000% ......................... 207 48,956,033 19.96
7.001% - 7.500% ......................... 165 34,645,290 14.12
7.501% - 8.000% ......................... 126 18,128,197 7.39
8.001% - 8.500% ......................... 61 9,587,555 3.91
8.501% - 9.000% ......................... 30 4,532,515 1.85
9.001% - 9.500% ......................... 11 1,225,768 0.50
9.501% - 10.000% ........................ 4 693,889 0.28
----- ------------ ------
Total .............................. 1,003 $245,287,578 100.00%
===== ============ ======
As of the cut-off date, the weighted average mortgage rate of the mortgage
loans was approximately 6.7916% per annum.
A-1
Original Loan-to-Value Ratio of the Mortgage Loans
Aggregate Scheduled
Number of Balance Outstanding
Original Loan-to-Value Ratios (%) Mortgage Loans as of Cut-Off Date % of Mortgage Pool
- ----------------------------------------- -------------- -------------------- ------------------
20.01% - 30.00% ......................... 4 $ 1,582,661 0.65%
30.01% - 40.00% ......................... 8 2,805,538 1.14
40.01% - 50.00% ......................... 17 5,985,993 2.44
50.01% - 60.00% ......................... 43 14,785,626 6.03
60.01% - 70.00% ......................... 106 37,021,137 15.09
70.01% - 80.00% ......................... 515 128,585,091 52.42
80.01% - 90.00% ......................... 181 36,829,052 15.01
90.01% - 100.00% ........................ 129 17,692,480 7.21
----- ------------ ------
Total .............................. 1,003 $245,287,578 100.00%
===== ============ ======
As of the cut-off date, the weighted average original loan-to-value ratio
of the mortgage loans was approximately 76.50%.
A-2
Scheduled Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the
Cut-Off Date
Aggregate Scheduled
Number of Balance Outstanding
Scheduled Principal Balance Mortgage Loans as of Cut-Off Date % of Mortgage Pool
- ---------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------
$ 0 - $ 50,000 .................... 28 $ 1,171,958 0.48%
$ 50,001 - $100,000 .................... 185 14,215,187 5.80
$100,001 - $150,000 .................... 198 25,117,023 10.24
$150,001 - $200,000 .................... 133 23,103,236 9.42
$200,001 - $250,000 .................... 77 17,386,922 7.09
$250,001 - $300,000 .................... 47 12,846,374 5.24
$300,001 - $350,000 .................... 57 18,953,516 7.73
$350,001 - $400,000 .................... 115 43,346,418 17.67
$400,001 - $450,000 .................... 49 20,990,870 8.56
$450,001 - $500,000 .................... 38 18,115,140 7.39
$500,001 - $550,000 .................... 18 9,565,769 3.90
$550,001 - $600,000 .................... 20 11,461,296 4.67
$600,001 - $650,000 .................... 21 13,402,372 5.46
$650,001 or more ....................... 17 15,611,495 6.36
----- ------------ ------
Total ............................. 1,003 $245,287,578 100.00%
===== ============ ======
As of the cut-off date, the average principal balance of the mortgage
loans was approximately $244,554.
A-3
Credit Score for the Mortgage Loans
Aggregate Scheduled
Number of Balance Outstanding
Credit Score Range Mortgage Loans as of Cut-Off Date % of Mortgage Pool
- --------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------
No Credit Score Available ............. 18 $ 2,967,333 1.21%
501 - 520 ............................. 3 338,746 0.14
521 - 540 ............................. 6 520,073 0.21
541 - 560 ............................. 11 1,332,203 0.54
561 - 580 ............................. 40 5,245,461 2.14
581 - 600 ............................. 59 8,993,426 3.67
601 - 620 ............................. 62 10,717,482 4.37
621 - 640 ............................. 96 21,356,430 8.71
641 - 660 ............................. 105 26,068,730 10.63
661 - 680 ............................. 144 37,792,671 15.41
681 - 700 ............................. 149 41,742,169 17.02
701 - 720 ............................. 114 30,740,133 12.53
721 - 740 ............................. 74 18,826,661 7.68
741 - 760 ............................. 62 19,466,695 7.94
761 - 780 ............................. 29 9,087,683 3.70
781 - 800 ............................. 28 8,658,005 3.53
801 or higher ......................... 3 1,433,675 0.58
----- ------------ ------
Total ............................ 1,003 $245,287,578 100.00%
===== ============ ======
As of the cut-off date, the non-zero weighted average credit score of the
mortgage loans for which credit scores are available is approximately 684.
A-4
Geographic Distribution of the Mortgaged Properties*
Aggregate Scheduled
Number of Balance Outstanding
State Mortgage Loans as of Cut-Off Date % of Mortgage Pool
- ----------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------
Arizona ....................................... 26 $ 6,207,393 2.53%
California .................................... 246 81,817,212 33.36
Connecticut ................................... 16 5,617,464 2.29
Florida ....................................... 91 17,716,366 7.22
Georgia ....................................... 18 8,035,121 3.28
Illinois ...................................... 42 7,907,343 3.22
Massachusetts ................................. 21 6,013,512 2.45
Maryland ...................................... 27 7,499,603 3.06
New Jersey .................................... 57 16,339,143 6.66
New York ...................................... 47 13,845,988 5.64
Oregon ........................................ 21 5,187,599 2.11
Pennsylvania .................................. 31 5,833,585 2.38
Texas ......................................... 66 9,853,238 4.02
Virginia ...................................... 21 7,018,872 2.86
Washington .................................... 24 6,969,663 2.84
Other (less than 2% in any one state) ......... 249 39,425,477 16.07
----- ------------ ------
Total .................................... 1,003 $245,287,578 100.00%
===== ============ ======
*No more than approximately 0.80% of the total pool by cut-off date
principal balance will be secured by properties located in any one zip code
area.
A-5
Property Types of Mortgaged Properties
Aggregate Scheduled
Number of Balance Outstanding
Property Type Mortgage Loans as of Cut-Off Date % of Mortgage Pool
- ---------------------------------------- -------------- -------------------- ------------------
2-4 Family ............................. 143 $ 29,392,963 11.98%
Condominium ............................ 51 10,828,702 4.41
Manufactured Home ...................... 17 1,399,345 0.57
PUD .................................... 110 30,472,775 12.42
Single Family .......................... 682 173,193,794 70.61
----- ------------ ------
Total ............................. 1,003 $245,287,578 100.00%
===== ============ ======
Occupancy Status of Mortgaged Properties
Aggregate Scheduled
Number of Balance Outstanding
Occupancy Status Mortgage Loans as of Cut-Off Date % of Mortgage Pool
- ---------------------------------------- -------------- -------------------- ------------------
Investor ............................... 223 $ 33,833,912 13.79%
Owner Occupied ......................... 747 203,237,732 82.86
Second Home ............................ 33 8,215,935 3.35
----- ------------ ------
Total ............................. 1,003 $245,287,578 100.00%
===== ============ ======
Based upon representation of the related mortgagors at the time of
origination.
A-6
Original Term of the Mortgage Loans
Aggregate Scheduled
Number of Balance Outstanding
Original Term Mortgage Loans as of Cut-Off Date % of Mortgage Pool
- --------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------
120 months .................................. 1 $ 184,406 0.08%
180 months .................................. 104 22,831,928 9.31
240 months .................................. 9 1,275,238 0.52
360 months .................................. 889 220,996,007 90.10
----- ------------ ------
Total .................................. 1,003 $245,287,578 100.00%
===== ============ ======
As of the cut-off date, the weighted average stated original term to
scheduled maturity of the mortgage loans was approximately 342 months.
Remaining Term to Stated Maturity for the Mortgage Loans
Aggregate Scheduled
Number of Balance Outstanding
Remaining Term to Stated Maturity Mortgage Loans as of Cut-Off Date % of Mortgage Pool
- -------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------
61 - 120 months ............................ 1 $ 184,406 0.08%
121 - 180 months ............................ 104 22,831,928 9.31
181 - 240 months ............................ 8 1,140,440 0.46
241 - 300 months ............................ 1 134,798 0.05
301 - 360 months ............................ 889 220,996,007 90.10
----- ------------ ------
Total .................................. 1,003 $245,287,578 100.00%
===== ============ ======
As of the cut-off date, the weighted average stated remaining months to
scheduled maturity of the mortgage loans was approximately 340 months.
A-7
Loan Purpose for the Mortgage Loans
Aggregate Scheduled
Number of Balance Outstanding
Loan Purpose Mortgage Loans as of Cut-Off Date % of Mortgage Pool
- ----------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------
Cash-Out Refinance ............................ 374 $ 92,326,891 37.64%
Purchase ...................................... 469 99,145,017 40.42
Rate/Term Refinance ........................... 160 53,815,670 21.94
----- ------------ ------
Total .................................... 1,003 $245,287,578 100.00%
===== ============ ======
Documentation Type of the Mortgage Loans
Aggregate Scheduled
Number of Balance Outstanding
Documentation Type Mortgage Loans as of Cut-Off Date % of Mortgage Pool
- ----------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------
Full/Alternative .............................. 312 $ 65,715,080 26.79%
No Income/No Asset ............................ 150 38,419,140 15.66
No Ratio ...................................... 99 26,472,606 10.79
Stated Income ................................. 370 102,553,490 41.81
Stated/Stated ................................. 72 12,127,262 4.94
----- ------------ ------
Total .................................... 1,003 $245,287,578 100.00%
===== ============ ======
A-8
ANNEX I
GLOBAL CLEARANCE, SETTLEMENT AND TAX DOCUMENTATION
PROCEDURES
Except under limited circumstances, the globally offered Bear Stearns
Asset Backed Securities, Inc. Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2003-AC3 (the
"Global Securities") will be available only in book- entry form. Investors in
the Global Securities may hold the Global Securities through any of DTC,
Euroclear or Clearstream. 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 Euroclear and Clearstream 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 and prior Asset-Backed Certificates issues.
Secondary cross-market trading between Euroclear or Clearstream and DTC
participants holding Certificates will be effected on a delivery-against-payment
basis through the respective depositaries of Euroclear and Clearstream and as
DTC participants.
Non-U.S. holders (as described below) of Global Securities will be subject
to U.S. withholding taxes unless the holders meet established 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, Euroclear and Clearstream
will hold positions on behalf of their participants through their respective
depositaries, which in turn will hold the positions in accounts as DTC
participants.
Investors electing to hold their Global Securities through DTC will follow
the settlement practices applicable to prior Asset-Backed Certificates issues.
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 Euroclear or
Clearstream 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.
I-1
Secondary Market Trading
Since the purchaser determines the place of delivery, it is important to
establish at the time of the trade where both the purchaser's and seller's
accounts are located to ensure that settlement can be made on the desired value
date.
Trading between DTC Participants. Secondary market trading between DTC
participants will be settled using the procedures applicable to prior
Asset-Backed Certificates issues in sameday funds.
Trading between Euroclear and/or Clearstream Participants. Secondary
market trading between Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants will
be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in same-day
funds.
Trading between DTC seller and Euroclear or Clearstream Purchaser. When
Global Securities are to be transferred from the account of a DTC participant to
the account of a Euroclear participant or a Clearstream participant, the
purchaser will send instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream through a Euroclear
participant or Clearstream participant at least one business day prior to
settlement. Euroclear or Clearstream will instruct the respective depositary, 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 either
the actual number of days in the accrual period and a year assumed to consist of
360 days or a 360-day year of 12 30-day months as applicable to the related
class of Global Securities. For transactions settling on the 31st of the month,
payment will include interest accrued to and excluding the first day of the
following month. Payment will then be made by the respective depositary 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 Euroclear participant's or Clearstream 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 Euroclear or Clearstream cash debt will be valued
instead as of the actual settlement date.
Euroclear participants and Clearstream 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 Euroclear or Clearstream. Under
this approach, they may take on credit exposure to Euroclear or Clearstream
until the Global Securities are credited to their accounts one day later.
As an alternative, if Euroclear or Clearstream has extended a line of
credit to them, Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants can elect not
to preposition funds and allow that credit line to be drawn upon the finance
settlement. Under this procedure, Euroclear participants or Clearstream
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
I-2
of the overdraft charges, although this result will depend on each Euroclear
participant's or Clearstream 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 depositary for the benefit of Euroclear participants or
Clearstream participants. The sale proceeds will be available to the DTC seller
on the settlement date. Thus, to the DTC participants a crossmarket transaction
will settle no differently than a trade between two DTC participants.
Trading between Euroclear or Clearstream seller and DTC Purchaser. Due to
time zone differences in their favor, Euroclear participants and Clearstream
participants may employ their customary procedures for transactions in which
Global Securities are to be transferred by the respective clearing system,
through the respective depositary, to a DTC participant. The seller will send
instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream through a Euroclear participant or
Clearstream participant at least one business day prior to settlement. In these
cases Euroclear or Clearstream will instruct the respective depositary, 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 either the actual number of days in the accrual period and a
year assumed to consist of 360 days or a 360-day year of 12 30-day months as
applicable to the related class of Global Securities. For transactions settling
on the 31st of the month, payment will include interest accrued to and excluding
the first day of the following month. The payment will then be reflected in the
account of the Euroclear participant or Clearstream participant the following
day, and receipt of the cash proceeds in the Euroclear participant's or
Clearstream 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
Euroclear participant or Clearstream 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 Euroclear participant's or Clearstream participant's account would instead
be valued as of the actual settlement date.
Finally, day traders that use Euroclear or Clearstream and that purchase
Global Securities from DTC participants for delivery to Euroclear participants
or Clearstream 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 Euroclear or Clearstream for one day (until the
purchase side of the day trade is reflected in their Euroclear or Clearstream
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 Euroclear or Clearstream 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 Euroclear participant or
Clearstream participant.
I-3
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% (or in some cases 31%) U.S.
withholding tax that generally applies to payments of interest on registered
debt issued by U.S. persons, unless (1) 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 the beneficial
owner and the U.S. entity required to withhold tax complies with applicable
certification requirements and (2) the beneficial owner takes one of the
following steps to obtain an exemption or reduced tax rate:
Exemption for non-U.S. persons (Form W-8 BEN). 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-8 BEN. If the information shown on
Form W-8 BEN changes, a new Form W-8 BEN must be filed within 30 days of the
change.
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 is effectively connected with its
conduct of a trade or business in the United States, can obtain an exemption
from the withholding tax by filing Form W-8ECI.
Exemption or reduced rate for non-U.S. persons resident in treaty
countries (Form W-8 BEN). Non-U.S. persons that are beneficial 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-8
BEN.
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.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Reporting Procedure. The Global Securities holder
files by submitting the appropriate form to the person through whom he holds
(e.g., the clearing agency, in the case of persons holding directly on the books
of the clearing agency). Forms W-8 BEN and W-8ECI are generally effective for
three calendar years.
(a) U.S. Person. As used in this prospectus supplement the term
"U.S. person" means a beneficial owner of a Certificate that
is for United States federal income tax purposes
(b) a citizen or resident of the United States,
(c) a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under
the laws of the United States or of any State thereof or the
District of Columbia,
(d) an estate the income of which is subject to United States
federal income taxation regardless of its source, or
(e) a trust if a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision of the administration of the
trust and one or more United States persons have the authority
to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
I-4
As used in this prospectus supplement, the term "non-U.S. person" means a
beneficial owner of a Certificate that is not a U.S. person.
This summary does not deal with all aspects of U.S. Federal income tax
withholding that may be relevant to foreign holders of the Global Securities or
with the application of the extensive withholding regulations that are generally
effective with respect to payments made after December 31, 2000 which have
detailed rules regarding the determination of beneficial ownership. Investors
are advised to consult their own tax advisors for specific tax advice concerning
their holding and disposing of the Global Securities.
I-5
PROSPECTUS
Mortgage-Backed/Asset-Backed Securities (Issuable in Series)
Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc.
Depositor
The Securities
Each issue of securities will have its own series designation and will evidence
either the ownership of assets in the related trust fund or debt obligations
secured by assets of the related trust fund.
o Each series of securities will consist of one or more classes of
mortgage-backed or asset-backed certificates or notes.
o Each class of securities will represent the entitlement to a
specified portion of interest payments and a specified portion of
principal payments on the trust assets.
o A series may include classes of securities that are senior in right
of payment to other classes. Classes of securities may be entitled
to receive distributions of principal, interest or both prior to
other classes or before or after specified events.
o No market will exist for the securities of any series before they
are issued. In addition, even after the securities of a series have
been issued and sold, there can be no assurance that a resale market
for them will develop.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consider carefully the risk factors beginning on page 4 of this prospectus.
The securities represent obligations of the trust only and do not represent an
interest in or obligation of the depositor, the seller, the master servicer or
any of their affiliates.
This prospectus may be used to offer and sell the securities only if accompanied
by a prospectus supplement.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offers of the securities will be made through Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and the
other underwriters listed in the related prospectus supplement.
The Trust Fund and Its Assets
As specified in the related prospectus supplement, each trust fund will consist
primarily of assets from one of the following categories:
o mortgage loans secured by senior or junior liens on one- to
four-family residential properties;
o closed-end and/or revolving home equity loans secured by senior or
junior liens on one- to four-family residential or mixed-use
properties;
o home improvement installment sales contracts and loan agreements
that are either unsecured or secured by senior or junior liens on
one- to four-family residential or mixed-use properties or by
purchase money security interests in the related home improvements;
o installment sales contracts and installment loan agreements secured
by senior or junior liens on manufactured homes or by mortgages on
the related real estate;
o mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae,
Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae; and
o private label mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved these securities or determined that this prospectus is
accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
June 24, 2003
Important Notice About Information in This Prospectus
and Each Accompanying Prospectus Supplement
Information about each series of securities is contained in two separate
documents:
o this prospectus, which provides general information, some of which
may not apply to a particular series; and
o the accompanying prospectus supplement for a particular series,
which describes the specific terms of the securities of that series.
Although the accompanying prospectus supplement cannot contradict the
information contained in this prospectus, insofar as the prospectus supplement
contains specific information about a particular series of securities that
differs from the more general information contained in this prospectus, you
should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the
accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you
with information that is different from that contained in this prospectus and
the accompanying prospectus supplement.
Each prospectus supplement generally will include the following information with
respect to the related series of securities:
o the principal amount, interest rate and authorized denominations of
each class of securities;
o information concerning the mortgage loans, home equity loans, home
improvement contracts, manufactured housing contracts, mortgage
backed securities and/or private securities in the related trust
fund;
o information concerning the seller or sellers of the mortgage loans,
home equity loans, home improvement contracts, manufactured housing
contracts, mortgage backed securities and/or private securities and
information concerning any servicer;
o the terms of any credit enhancement with respect to particular
classes of the securities;
o information concerning other trust fund assets, including any
reserve fund;
o the final scheduled distribution date for each class of securities;
o the method for calculating the amount of principal to be paid to
each class of securities, and the timing and order of priority of
principal payments;
2
o information about any REMIC or FASIT tax elections for some or all
of the trust fund assets; and
o particulars of the plan of distribution for the securities.
We include cross-references in this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement to captions in these materials where you can find further
related discussions. The Table of Contents included in the accompanying
prospectus supplement lists the pages on which these captions are located.
There is also a Glossary of Terms beginning on page 125 where you will
find definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this prospectus.
If you require additional information, the mailing address of our
principal executive offices is Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc., 383
Madison Avenue, New York, New York, 10179 and our telephone number is (212)
272-2000. For other means of acquiring additional information about us or a
series of securities, see "Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference"
beginning on page 122 of this prospectus.
3
Risk Factors
You should consider carefully the following information, together with the
information set forth under "Risk Factors" in the accompanying prospectus
supplement, since it identifies the principal risk factors associated with an
investment in the securities.
You may have difficulty
selling your securities or
obtaining your desired price ....... No market will exist for the
securities before they are issued. In
addition, we cannot give you any
assurance that a resale market will
develop following the issuance and
sale of any series of the securities.
Even if a resale market does develop,
you may not be able to sell your
securities when you wish or at the
price you want.
Only the assets of the related
trust fund are available to pay
your securities .................... The securities of each series will be
payable solely from the assets of the
related trust fund, including any
applicable credit enhancement, and
will not have a claim against the
assets of any other trust. In the
case of securities that are in the
form of notes, the related indenture
will require that noteholders proceed
only against the assets of the
related trust fund. We cannot give
you any assurance that the market
value of the assets in any trust fund
will be equal to or greater than the
total principal amount of the related
securities then outstanding, plus
accrued interest. Moreover, if the
assets of a trust fund are ever sold,
the sale proceeds will be applied
first to reimburse any related
trustee, servicer and credit
enhancement provider for their unpaid
fees and expenses before any
remaining amounts are distributed to
securityholders.
In addition, at the times specified
in the related prospectus supplement,
assets of the trust fund and the
related security accounts may be
released to the depositor, the
servicer, the credit enhancement
provider or other persons, if
o all payments then due on the
related securities have been
made, and
o any other payments specified
in the related prospectus
supplement have been made.
Once released, such assets will no
longer be available to make payments
to securityholders.
4
You will have no recourse against the
depositor or any other person if any
required distribution on the
securities is not made or for any
other default. The only obligations
of the depositor with respect to a
trust fund or the related securities
would result from a breach of the
representations and warranties that
the depositor may make concerning the
trust assets. However, because of the
depositor's very limited assets, even
if the depositor should be required
to repurchase a loan from a
particular trust fund because of the
breach of a representation or
warranty, its sole source of funds
for the repurchase would be:
o funds obtained from enforcing
any similar obligation of the
originator of the loan, or
o monies from any reserve fund
established to pay for loan
repurchases.
Credit enhancement may be
insufficient to provide against
particular risks ................... Although credit enhancement is
intended to reduce the effect of
delinquent payments or loan losses on
particular classes of securities, the
amount of any credit enhancement is
subject to the limits described in
the related prospectus supplement. In
addition, the amount of credit
enhancement may decline or be
depleted before the related
securities are paid in full. As a
result, securityholders may suffer
losses.
Principal payments on the
loans may adversely affect the
average life of, and rate of
return on, your securities ......... You may be unable to reinvest the
principal payments on your securities
at a rate of return equal to the rate
on your securities. The timing of
principal payments on the securities
of a series will be affected by a
number of factors, including the
following:
o the extent of prepayments on
the underlying loans in the
trust fund or, if the trust
fund contains underlying
securities, on the loans
backing the underlying
securities;
o how payments of principal are
allocated among the classes of
securities of that series as
specified in the related
prospectus supplement;
o if any party has an option to
terminate the related trust
early, the effect of the
exercise of the option;
5
o the rate and timing of
defaults and losses on the
assets in the related trust
fund;
o repurchases of assets in the
related trust fund as a result
of material breaches of
representations and warranties
made by the depositor or a
seller; and
o in the case of a trust fund
that contains revolving credit
line loans, any provisions for
non-amortization, early
amortization or scheduled
amortization periods described
in the related prospectus
supplement.
All the above factors may affect the
yield to maturity of the securities.
The interest accrual period
may reduce the effective yield
on your securities ................. Interest payable on the securities on
any given distribution date will
include all interest accrued during
the related interest accrual period.
Each prospectus supplement will
specify the interest accrual period
for the related securities. If
interest accrues during the calendar
month before the related distribution
date, your effective yield will be
less than it would be if the interest
accrual period ended the day before
the distribution date. As a result,
your effective yield at par may be
less than the indicated coupon rate.
Loans with balloon payments
may increase your risk of loss ..... Certain underlying loans may not be
fully amortizing over their terms to
maturity and may require a
substantial principal payment (a
"balloon" payment) at their stated
maturity. Loans of this type involve
greater risk than fully amortizing
loans since the borrower generally
must be able to refinance the loan or
sell the related property prior to
the loan's maturity date. The
borrower's ability to do so will
depend on such factors as the level
of available mortgage rates at the
time of sale or refinancing, the
relative strength of the local
housing market, the borrower's equity
in the property, the borrower's
general financial condition and tax
laws.
6
Adjustable rate loans may be
underwritten to less stringent
standards than fixed rate
loans .............................. A trust fund may include adjustable
rate loans that were underwritten on
the assumption that the borrowers
would be able to make higher monthly
payments in a relatively short period
of time. In fact, however, the
borrowers' income may not be
sufficient to meet their loan
payments as payment amounts increase,
thus increasing the risk of default.
Junior lien loans generally are
riskier than senior lien loans ..... If the mortgage or home equity loans
in a trust fund are primarily in a
junior lien position, any proceeds
from liquidations, insurance
recoveries or condemnations must be
used first to satisfy the claims of
the related senior lien loans (and
related foreclosure expenses) before
being available to satisfy the junior
lien loans. In addition, a junior
mortgage lender may only foreclose
subject to the related senior
mortgage. As a result, the junior
mortgage lender must either pay the
related senior mortgage lender in
full, at or before the foreclosure
sale, or agree to make the regular
payments on the senior mortgage. The
trust will not have a source of funds
to satisfy any senior mortgages or to
continue making payments on them. As
a result, the trust's ability, as a
practical matter, to foreclose on any
junior mortgage loan will be quite
limited.
A decline in property values
could reduce the amount and
delay the timing of recoveries
on defaulted mortgage loans ........ The following factors, among others,
could adversely affect property
values in such a way that the
outstanding balance of the related
loans, together with any senior
financing on the same properties,
would equal or exceed those values:
o an overall decline in the
residential real estate
markets where the properties
are located;
o failure of borrowers to
maintain their properties
adequately; and
o natural disasters that may not
be covered by hazard
insurance, such as earthquakes
and floods.
If property values decline, actual
rates of delinquencies, foreclosures
and losses on the underlying loans
could be higher than those currently
experienced by the mortgage lending
industry in general.
7
Some mortgaged properties
may not be owner occupied .......... The mortgaged properties in the trust
fund may not be owner occupied. Rates
of delinquencies, foreclosures and
losses on mortgage loans secured by
non-owner occupied properties may be
higher than those on mortgage loans
secured by the borrower's primary
residence.
Home improvement contracts
and other loans may not have
sufficient security ................ A trust fund may include home
improvement contracts that are not
secured by an interest in real estate
or otherwise. A trust fund may also
include mortgage or home equity loans
with original loan-to-value ratios
(or combined loan-to-value ratios in
the case of junior loans) greater
than 100%. In these cases, the trust
fund could be treated as a general
unsecured creditor for the unsecured
portion of these loans.
If a loan of this type goes into
default, the trust fund will have
recourse only against the borrower's
assets generally for the unsecured
portion of the loan, along with the
borrower's other general unsecured
creditors. In a bankruptcy
proceeding, the unsecured portion of
the loan may be discharged, even if
the value of the borrower's assets
available to the trust fund would be
insufficient to pay the remaining
amounts owing on the loan.
Home improvement contracts
will not be stamped ................ The depositor will ensure that a
UCC-1 financing statement is filed
that identifies as collateral the
home improvement contracts included
in a trust fund. However, unless the
related prospectus supplement
provides otherwise, the home
improvement contracts themselves will
not be stamped or marked to reflect
their assignment to the trust fund.
Thus, if as a result of negligence,
fraud or otherwise, a subsequent
purchaser were able to take physical
possession of the contracts without
notice of the assignment to the trust
fund, the interests of the related
securityholders in those contracts
could be defeated.
8
If amounts in any pre-funding
account are not used to
purchase trust assets, you will
receive a prepayment on the
related securities ................. The related prospectus supplement may
provide that the depositor or seller
will deposit a specified amount in a
pre-funding account on the date the
securities are issued. In this case,
the deposited funds may be used only
to acquire additional assets for the
trust during a specified period after
the initial issuance of the
securities. Any amounts remaining in
the account at the end of that period
will be distributed as a prepayment
of principal to the holders of the
related securities. The resulting
prepayment could adversely affect the
yield to maturity on those
securities.
Bankruptcy laws may result
in adverse claims against trust
fund assets ........................ The federal bankruptcy code and state
debtor relief laws may adversely
affect the ability of the trust fund,
as a secured lender, to realize upon
its security. For example, in a
federal bankruptcy proceeding, a
lender may not foreclose on mortgaged
property without the bankruptcy
court's permission. Similarly, the
debtor may propose a rehabilitation
plan, in the case of mortgaged
property that is not his principal
residence, that would reduce the
amount of the lender's secured
indebtedness to the value of the
property as of the commencement of
the bankruptcy. As a result, the
lender would be treated as a general
unsecured creditor for the reduced
amount, the amount of the monthly
payments due on the loan could be
reduced, and the interest rate and
loan payment schedule could be
changed.
Any such actions could result in
delays in receiving payments on the
loans underlying the securities and
result in the reduction of total
payments.
Environmental risks may
adversely affect trust fund
assets ............................. Federal, state and local laws and
regulations impose a wide range of
requirements on activities that may
affect the environment, health and
safety. In certain circumstances,
these laws and regulations impose
obligations on owners or operators of
residential properties such as those
that secure the loans. Failure to
comply with these laws and
regulations can result in fines and
penalties that could be assessed
against the trust fund as owner of
the related property.
9
In some states, a lien on the
property due to contamination has
priority over the lien of an existing
mortgage. Further, a mortgage lender
may be held liable as an "owner" or
"operator" for costs associated with
the release of petroleum from an
underground storage tank under
certain circumstances. If the trust
fund is considered the owner or
operator of a property, it will
suffer losses as a result of any
liability imposed for environmental
hazards on the property.
Consumer protection laws
may adversely affect trust
fund assets ........................ The loans and contracts in each trust
fund also may be subject to federal
laws relating to loan origination and
underwriting. These laws
o require certain disclosures to
the borrowers regarding the
terms of the loans;
o 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 regulate the use and reporting
of information related to the
borrower's credit experience;
and
o require additional application
disclosures, limit changes
that may be made to the loan
documents without the
borrower's consent and
restrict a lender's ability to
declare a default or to
suspend or reduce a borrower's
credit limit to certain
enumerated events.
Loans may also be subject to federal
laws that impose additional
disclosure requirements on creditors
with respect to non-purchase money
mortgage loans with high interest
rates or high up-front fees and
charges. These laws can impose
specific liabilities upon creditors
that fail to comply and may affect
the enforceability of the related
loans. In addition, the trust fund,
as assignee of the creditor, would
generally be subject to all claims
and defenses that the borrower could
assert against the creditor,
including the right to rescind the
loan.
10
Home improvement contracts may be
subject to federal laws that protect
the borrower from defective or
incomplete work by a contractor.
These laws permit the borrower to
withhold payment if the work does not
meet the quality and durability
standards agreed to between the
borrower and the contractor. These
laws have the effect of subjecting
the trust fund, as assignee of the
creditor, to all claims and defenses
which the borrower in a sale
transaction could assert against the
seller of defective goods.
If certain provisions of these
federal laws are violated, the
servicer may be unable to collect all
or part of the principal or interest
on the loans. The trust fund also
could be subject to damages and
administrative enforcement.
Subordinate securities are
subject to additional risk ......... If you invest in any class of
subordinate securities, your rights
as an investor to receive payments
otherwise due you will be subordinate
to the rights of the servicer and the
holders of the related senior
securities. As a result, before
investing in any subordinate
securities, you must be prepared to
bear the risk that payments on your
securities may be delayed and that
you might not recover all of your
initial investment.
Any credit support provided
by financial instruments may
be insufficient to protect
against particular risks ........... As described under "Credit
Enhancement--Financial Instruments"
in this prospectus, a trust fund may
include financial instruments to
protect against certain risks or to
provide certain cash flow
characteristics for particular
classes of the securities of a
series. If you invest in one of these
classes and the issuer of the
financial instruments fails to
perform its obligations, the yield to
maturity, market price and liquidity
of your securities could be
materially adversely affected. In
addition, if the issuer of the
related financial instruments
experiences a credit rating
downgrade, the market price and
liquidity of your securities could be
reduced. Finally, if the financial
instruments are intended to provide
an approximate or partial hedge for
certain risks or cashflow
characteristics, the yield to
maturity, market price and liquidity
of your securities could be adversely
affected to the extent that the
financial instrument does not provide
a perfect hedge.
11
REMIC residual securities are
subject to additional risk ......... If you invest in any class of
securities that represent the
"residual interest" in a real estate
mortgage investment conduit (REMIC),
you will be required to report as
ordinary income your pro rata share
of the REMIC's taxable income,
whether or not you actually received
any cash. Thus, as the holder of a
REMIC residual interest security, you
could have taxable income and tax
liabilities in a year that are in
excess of your ability to deduct
servicing fees and any other REMIC
expenses. In addition, because of
their special tax treatment, your
after-tax yield on a REMIC residual
interest security may be
significantly less than that of a
corporate bond with similar cash-flow
characteristics and pre-tax yield.
Transfers of REMIC residual interest
securities are also restricted.
FASIT ownership securities
are subject to additional risk ..... If you are a fully taxable domestic
corporation that invests in any class
of securities representing the
"ownership interest" in a financial
asset securitization investment trust
(FASIT), you will be required to
report as ordinary income your pro
rata share of the FASIT's taxable
income, whether or not you actually
received any cash. Thus, as the
holder of a FASIT ownership interest
security, you could have taxable
income and tax liabilities in a year
that are in excess of your ability to
deduct servicing fees and any other
FASIT expenses. In addition, because
of their special tax treatment, your
after-tax yield on a FASIT ownership
interest security may be
significantly less than that of a
corporate bond with similar cash-flow
characteristics and pre-tax yield.
Transfers of FASIT ownership interest
securities are also restricted.
Book-entry registration may
limit your ability to sell
securities and delay your
receipt of payments ................ Limit on Liquidity of Securities.
Securities issued in book-entry form
may have only limited liquidity in
the resale market, since investors
may be unwilling to purchase
securities for which they cannot
obtain physical instruments.
Limit on Ability to Transfer or
Pledge. Transactions in book-entry
securities can be effected only
through The Depository Trust Company,
its participating organizations, its
indirect participants and certain
banks. As a result, your ability to
transfer or pledge securities issued
in book-entry form may be limited.
12
Delays in Distributions. You may
experience some delay in the receipt
of distributions on book-entry
securities since the distributions
will be forwarded by the trustee to
DTC for DTC to credit to the accounts
of its participants. In turn, these
participants will credit the
distributions to your account either
directly or indirectly through
indirect participants.
Ratings of the securities do
not address all investment
risks and must be viewed with
caution ............................ Any class of securities issued under
this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement will be rated
in one of the four highest rating
categories of a nationally recognized
rating agency. A rating is based on
the adequacy of the value of the
trust fund assets and any credit
enhancement for that class and
reflects the rating agency's
assessment of the likelihood that
holders of the class of securities
will receive the payments to which
they are entitled. A rating is not an
assessment of the likelihood that
principal prepayments on the
underlying loans will be made, the
degree to which the rate of
prepayments might differ from that
originally anticipated or the
likelihood of an early termination of
the securities. You should not view a
rating as a recommendation to
purchase, hold or sell securities
because it does not address the
market price or suitability of the
securities for any particular
investor.
There is no assurance that any rating
will remain in effect for any given
period or that the rating agency will
not lower or withdraw the rating in
the future. The rating agency could
lower or withdraw its rating due to:
o any decrease in the adequacy
of the value of the trust fund
assets or any related credit
enhancement, or
o an adverse change in the
financial or other condition
of a credit enhancement
provider.
13
Description of the Securities
General
Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc., as depositor, will establish a
trust fund for each series of its securities. A particular series of
certificates will consist of mortgage-backed or asset-backed certificates or
notes or both certificates and notes.
Each series of certificates will be issued under a pooling and servicing
agreement or a trust agreement among the depositor, the trustee and, if the
trust fund includes loans, the related servicer. A form of pooling and servicing
agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which
this prospectus forms a part.
Each series of notes will be issued under an indenture between the related
trust fund and the trustee named in the prospectus supplement for that series. A
form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of
which this prospectus forms a part. If the trust fund includes loans, the trust
fund and the servicer of the loans will also enter into a servicing agreement.
Each seller named in the related prospectus supplement, from which the
depositor will have purchased assets to be included in the trust fund, may agree
to reimburse the depositor for certain fees and expenses that the depositor
incurs in connection with the offering of the securities.
The following summaries describe the material provisions which may appear
in each pooling and servicing agreement or trust agreement, in the case of a
series of certificates, and in each indenture and servicing agreement, in the
case of a series of notes. The prospectus supplement for each series of
securities will describe any provision of the pooling and servicing agreement or
trust agreement, in the case of a series of certificates, and of the indenture
and servicing agreement, in the case of a series of notes, which materially
differs from the description contained in this prospectus. The summaries do not
purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to, all of the provisions of the prospectus supplement and the
governing agreements for that series.
Each series of securities will consist of one or more classes which may be
compound interest securities, variable interest securities, planned balance
(PAC) securities, zero coupon securities, principal only securities, interest
only securities or participating securities. A series may also include one or
more classes of subordinated securities. The securities of each series will be
issued only in fully registered form, without coupons, in the authorized
denominations for each class specified in the related prospectus supplement.
Upon satisfaction of any conditions applicable to a particular class as
described in the related prospectus supplement, the transfer of the securities
may be registered, and the securities may be exchanged, at the office of the
trustee without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or
governmental charge payable in connection with the registration of transfer or
exchange. If specified in the related prospectus supplement, one or more classes
of a series may be available in book-entry form only.
14
Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, payments
of principal of and interest on a series of securities will be made on each
distribution date specified in the prospectus supplement by check mailed to
holders of that series, registered as such at the close of business on the
record date specified in the prospectus supplement that is applicable to that
distribution date, at their addresses appearing on the security register.
However, payments may be made by wire transfer (at the expense of the holder
requesting payment by wire transfer) in circumstances described in the
prospectus supplement. However, final payments of principal in retirement of
each security will be made only upon presentation and surrender of the security
at the office of the related trustee. Notice of the final payment on a security
will be mailed to each holder before the distribution date on which the final
principal payment is expected to be made.
Payments of principal of and interest on the securities will be made by
the trustee, or a paying agent on behalf of the trustee, as specified in the
related prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the related
prospectus supplement, the following amounts will be deposited directly into the
collection account established for a particular series of securities with the
trustee (or with the servicer in the name of the trustee):
o all payments with respect to the primary assets for that series
(see, "--The Primary Assets and Their Valuation" below), together
with reinvestment income thereon;
o amounts withdrawn from any cash, letters of credit, short-term
investments or other instruments acceptable to the rating agencies
identified in the prospectus supplement as rating that series and
deposited in each reserve fund for the series established in the
name of the trustee; and
o amounts available pursuant to any other credit enhancement for the
series.
If provided in the related prospectus supplement, the deposits may be net
of certain amounts payable to the servicer and any other person specified in the
prospectus supplement. These amounts thereafter will be deposited into the
separate distribution account established for the series and will be available
to make payments on the related securities on the next distribution date. See
"The Trust Funds--Collection and Distribution Accounts" in this prospectus.
The Primary Assets and Their Valuation
The primary assets of each trust fund may include one or more pools of the
following:
o Residential Loans,
o Home Equity Loans,
o Home Improvement Contracts,
o Manufactured Housing Contracts,
15
o Agency Securities, and
o Private Label Securities.
When we use the term "loans" in this prospectus, we include Residential
Loans, Home Equity Loans, Home Improvement Contracts and Manufactured Housing
Contracts. The residential or mixed-use properties that secure the loans are
collectively referred to in this prospectus as the "mortgaged properties."
If specified in the related prospectus supplement for a series of notes,
each primary asset included in the related trust fund will be assigned an
initial Asset Value. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus
supplement, the initial Asset Value of the primary assets of the trust fund will
be at least equal to the principal amount of the related notes on the date of
issuance.
Payments of Interest
The securities of each class that by their terms are entitled to receive
interest will bear interest (calculated, unless otherwise specified in the
related prospectus supplement, on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months) from the date and at the rate specified in the prospectus supplement, or
will be entitled to receive interest payment amounts calculated in the method
described in the prospectus supplement. Interest on the interest-bearing
securities of a series will be payable on the distribution date specified in the
related prospectus supplement. The rate of interest on securities of a series
may be variable or may change with changes in the annual interest rates of the
loans (or underlying loans) included in the related trust fund and/or as
prepayments occur with respect to the loans (or underlying loans). Principal
only securities may not be entitled to receive any interest distributions or may
be entitled to receive only nominal interest distributions. Any interest on zero
coupon securities that is not paid on the related distribution date will accrue
and be added to principal on that date.
Interest payable on the securities on a distribution date will include all
interest accrued during the period specified in the related prospectus
supplement. In the event interest accrues during the calendar month preceding a
distribution date, the effective yield to holders will be reduced from the yield
that would otherwise be obtainable if interest payable on the securities were to
accrue through the day immediately preceding that distribution date.
Payments of Principal
On each distribution date for a series, principal payments will be made to
the holders of the securities on which principal is then payable, to the extent
set forth in the prospectus supplement. The payments will be made in a total
amount determined as specified in the prospectus supplement and will be
allocated among the respective classes of the series in the manner, at the times
and in the priority (which may include allocation by random lot) set forth in
the prospectus supplement.
16
Final Scheduled Distribution Date
The final scheduled distribution date with respect to each class of a
series of notes is the date no later than which the total principal balance of
the class will be fully paid, and the final scheduled distribution date with
respect to each class of a series of certificates is the date on which the
principal balance of the class is expected to be reduced to zero, in each case
calculated on the basis of the assumptions applicable to that series described
in the related prospectus supplement. The final scheduled distribution date for
each class of a series will be specified in the related prospectus supplement.
Since payments on the primary assets of each trust fund will be used to
make distributions that reduce the outstanding principal amount of the related
securities, it is likely that the actual final distribution date of any class
will occur earlier, and may occur substantially earlier, than its final
scheduled distribution date. Furthermore, with respect to a series of
certificates, unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement,
the actual final distribution date of any certificate may occur later than its
final scheduled distribution date as a result of delinquencies, defaults and
liquidations of the primary assets of the related trust fund. No assurance can
be given as to the actual prepayment experience with respect to any series. See
"--Weighted Average Lives of the Securities" below.
Special Redemption
If so specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of
securities having other than monthly distribution dates, one or more classes of
the securities may be subject to special redemption, in whole or in part, on the
special redemption date specified in the related prospectus supplement if, as a
consequence of prepayments on the loans (or underlying loans) or low yields then
available for reinvestment, the entity specified in the prospectus supplement
determines, based on assumptions set forth in the applicable agreement, that the
available interest amount that will have accrued on the securities through the
designated interest accrual date specified in the related prospectus supplement
is less than the amount of interest that will have accrued on the securities to
that date. In this event and as further described in the related prospectus
supplement, the trustee will redeem a principal amount of outstanding securities
of the series sufficient to cause the available interest amount to equal the
amount of interest that will have accrued through the designated interest
accrual date for the securities outstanding immediately after the redemption.
Optional Redemption, Purchase or Termination
The depositor or the servicer or any other entity that may be designated
in the related prospectus supplement will have the option, on any distribution
date, to purchase one or more classes of certificates of any series or redeem,
in whole or in part, one or more classes of notes of any series under the
circumstances, if any, specified in the related prospectus supplement.
Alternatively, if the prospectus supplement for a series of certificates so
provides, the depositor, the servicer or another entity designated in the
prospectus supplement will have the option to cause an early termination of the
related trust fund by repurchasing all of the primary assets from the trust fund
on or after a date specified in the prospectus supplement, or on or after such
time as the total outstanding principal amount of the certificates or primary
assets (as specified in the
17
prospectus supplement) is equal to or less than the amount or percentage
specified in the prospectus supplement. Notice of the redemption, purchase or
termination must be given by the depositor or the trustee prior to the related
date. The redemption, purchase or repurchase price will be set forth in the
prospectus supplement. If specified in the prospectus supplement, in the event
that a REMIC election has been made, the trustee shall receive a satisfactory
opinion of counsel that the optional redemption, purchase or termination will be
conducted so as to constitute a "qualified liquidation" under Section 860F of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
In addition, the prospectus supplement may provide other circumstances
under which holders of securities of a series could be fully paid significantly
earlier than would otherwise be the case if payments or distributions were
solely based on the activity of the related primary assets.
Weighted Average Lives of the Securities
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
the security will be repaid to the investor. Unless otherwise specified in the
related prospectus supplement, the weighted average life of the securities of a
class will be influenced by the rate at which the amount financed under the
loans (or underlying loans relating to the Agency Securities or Private Label
Securities, as applicable), included in the trust fund for a series is paid,
whether in the form of scheduled amortization or prepayments.
Prepayments on loans and other receivables can be measured relative to a
prepayment standard or model. The prospectus supplement for each series of
securities will describe the prepayment standard or model, if any, that is used
and may contain tables setting forth the projected weighted average life of each
class of securities of the series and the percentage of the original principal
amount of each class of securities of the series that would be outstanding on
specified distribution dates based on the assumptions stated in the prospectus
supplement, including assumptions that prepayments on the loans (or underlying
loans relating to the Agency Securities or Private Label Securities, as
applicable) included in the related trust fund are made at rates corresponding
to various percentages of the prepayment standard or model specified in the
prospectus supplement.
There is, however, no assurance that prepayment of the loans (or
underlying loans relating to the Agency Securities or Private Label Securities,
as applicable) included in the related trust fund will conform to any level of
any prepayment standard or model specified in the related prospectus supplement.
The rate of principal prepayments on pools of loans may be influenced by a
variety of factors, including job-related factors such as transfers, layoffs or
promotions and personal factors such as divorce, disability or prolonged
illness. Economic conditions, either generally or within a particular geographic
area or industry, also may affect the rate of principal prepayments. Demographic
and social factors may influence the rate of principal prepayments in that some
borrowers have greater financial flexibility to move or refinance than do
others. The deductibility of mortgage interest payments, servicing decisions and
other factors also can affect the rate of principal prepayments. As a result,
there can be no
18
assurance as to the rate or timing of principal prepayments of the loans (or
underlying loans) either from time to time or over the lives of the loans (or
underlying loans).
The rate of prepayments of conventional housing loans and other
receivables has fluctuated significantly in recent years. In general, however,
if prevailing interest rates fall significantly below the interest rates on the
loans (or underlying loans) for a series, the loans are likely to prepay at
rates higher than if prevailing interest rates remain at or above the interest
rates borne by the loans. In this regard, it should be noted that the loans (or
underlying loans) for a series may have different interest rates. In addition,
the weighted average life of a class of securities may be affected by the
varying maturities of the loans (or underlying loans). If any loans (or
underlying loans) for a series have actual terms to stated maturity that are
less than those that were assumed in calculating the final scheduled
distribution date of the related securities, one or more classes of the series
may be fully paid prior to their respective final scheduled distribution date,
even in the absence of prepayments and a reinvestment return higher than the
Assumed Reinvestment Rate established by the rating agencies named in the
related prospectus supplement.
The Trust Funds
General
The notes of each series will be secured by the pledge of the assets of
the related trust fund, and the certificates of each series will represent
interests in the assets of the related trust fund. Unless otherwise specified in
the related prospectus supplement, the trust fund of each series will include
assets purchased by the depositor from the seller composed of:
o the primary assets of the trust fund;
o amounts available from the reinvestment of payments on the primary
assets at any Assumed Reinvestment Rate that may be established by
the rating agencies specified in the related prospectus supplement;
o any credit enhancement in the form of an irrevocable letter of
credit, surety bond, insurance policy or other form of credit
support;
o REO property consisting of any mortgaged property or home
improvement that secured a loan but which is acquired by foreclosure
or deed in lieu of foreclosure or repossession; and
o the amount, if any, initially deposited into the collection account
or distribution account(s) for the series as specified in the
related prospectus supplement.
The securities will be non-recourse obligations of the related trust fund.
Unless the prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the assets of the trust
fund specified in the related prospectus supplement will serve as collateral
only for that series of securities. Holders of a series of notes may only
proceed against the collateral securing that series in the case of a default
19
with respect to the notes and may not proceed against any assets of the
depositor or the related trust fund not pledged to secure the notes.
The primary assets for a series will be sold by the seller to the
depositor or purchased by the depositor in the open market or in privately
negotiated transactions (which may include transactions with affiliates) and
will be transferred by the depositor to the related trust fund. Loans relating
to a series will be serviced by the servicer (which may be the seller) that is
specified in the related prospectus supplement. The servicer will service the
loans pursuant to a pooling and servicing agreement with respect to a series of
certificates, or a servicing agreement between the trust fund and servicer with
respect to a series of notes.
If the prospectus supplement so provides, a trust fund relating to a
series of securities may be a business trust formed under the laws of the state
specified in the prospectus supplement pursuant to a trust agreement between the
depositor and the trustee.
Each trust fund, prior to the initial offering of the related series of
securities, will have no assets or liabilities. No trust fund is expected to
engage in any activities other than:
o to acquire, manage and hold the related primary assets and other
assets contemplated in this prospectus and in the related prospectus
supplement, and the proceeds thereof,
o to issue the related securities,
o to make payments and distributions on the securities, and
o to perform certain related activities.
No trust fund is expected to have any source of capital other than its assets
and any related credit enhancement.
Primary assets included in the trust fund for a series may consist of any
combination of loans, Agency Securities and Private Label Securities, as and to
the extent the related prospectus supplement specifies.
The Loans
General. Loans in each trust fund may consist of Residential Loans, Home
Equity Loans, Home Improvement Contracts or Manufactured Housing Contracts. If
specified in the related prospectus supplement, the loans in the related trust
fund may include cooperative apartment loans secured by security interests in
shares issued by private, non-profit, cooperative housing corporations and in
the related proprietary leases or occupancy agreements granting exclusive rights
to occupy specific dwelling units in the cooperatives' buildings. As more fully
described in the related prospectus supplement, the loans may be either
"conventional" loans or loans that are insured or guaranteed by a governmental
agency like the FHA or VA. The loans will have been originated in accordance
with the underwriting criteria specified in the related prospectus supplement.
20
In general, the loans in a pool will have monthly payments due on the
first day of each month. However, as described in the related prospectus
supplement, the loans in a pool may have payments due more or less frequently
than monthly. In addition, payments may be due on any day during a month. The
payment terms of the loans to be included in a trust fund will be described in
the related prospectus supplement and may include any of the following features,
all as described in this prospectus or in the related prospectus supplement:
o Interest may be payable at
- a fixed rate,
- a rate that adjusts from time to time in relation to an
index that will be specified in the related prospectus
supplement,
- a rate that is fixed for a period of time or under
certain circumstances and is followed by an adjustable
rate,
- a rate that otherwise varies from time to time, or
- a rate that is convertible from an adjustable rate to a
fixed rate.
Changes to an adjustable rate may be subject to periodic limitations,
maximum rates, minimum rates or a combination of these limitations. As
specified in the related prospectus supplement, the loans may provide for
payments in level monthly installments, for balloon payments, or for
payments that are allocated to principal and interest according to the
"sum of the digits" or "Rule of 78s" methods. Accrued interest may be
deferred and added to the principal of a loan for the periods and under
the circumstances as may be specified in the related prospectus
supplement. Loans may provide for the payment of interest at a rate lower
than the specified loan rate for a period of time or for the life of the
loan, and the amount of any difference may be contributed from funds
supplied by the seller of the property or another source.
o Principal may be
- payable on a level debt service basis to fully amortize
the loan over its term,
- calculated on the basis of an assumed amortization
schedule that is significantly longer than the original
term to maturity or on an interest rate that is
different from the loan rate, or
- nonamortizing during all or a portion of the original
term.
Payment of all or a substantial portion of the principal may be due on
maturity in the form of a balloon payment. Principal may include interest
that has been deferred and added to the principal balance of the loan.
21
o Monthly payments of principal and interest may
- be fixed for the life of the loan,
- increase over a specified period of time or
- change from period to period.
Loans may include limits on periodic increases or decreases in the amount
of monthly payments and may include maximum or minimum amounts of monthly
payments.
Prepayments of principal may be conditioned on payment of a prepayment
fee, which may be fixed for the life of the loan or may decline over time, and
may be prohibited for the life of the loan or for particular lockout periods.
Some loans may permit prepayments after expiration of the applicable lockout
period and may require the payment of a prepayment fee in connection with any
subsequent prepayment. Other loans may permit prepayments without payment of a
fee unless the prepayment occurs during specified time periods. The loans may
include "due on sale" clauses which permit the mortgagee to demand payment of
the entire loan in connection with the sale or transfers of the related
property. Other loans may be assumable by persons meeting the then applicable
underwriting standards of the related seller.
A trust fund may contain buydown loans that include provisions for a third
party to subsidize partially the monthly payments of the borrowers on those
loans during the early years of those loans, the difference to be made up from a
buydown fund contributed by that third party at the time of origination of the
loan. A buydown fund will be in an amount equal either to the discounted value
or full aggregate amount of future payment subsidies. The underlying assumption
of buydown plans is that the income of the borrower will increase during the
buydown period as a result of normal increases in compensation and inflation, so
that the borrower will be able to meet the full loan payments at the end of the
buydown period. If assumption of increased income is not fulfilled, the
possibility of defaults on buydown loans is increased. The related prospectus
supplement will contain information with respect to any buydown loan concerning
limitations on the interest rate paid by the borrower initially, on annual
increases in the interest rate and on the length of the buydown period.
When we use the term "mortgaged property" in this prospectus, we mean the
real property which secures repayment of the related loan. Home Improvement
Contracts and Manufactured Housing Contracts may, and the other loans will, be
secured by mortgages or deeds of trust or other similar security instruments
creating a lien on a mortgaged property. In the case of Home Equity Loans, the
related liens may be subordinated to one or more senior liens on the related
mortgaged properties as described in the prospectus supplement. As specified in
the related prospectus supplement, home improvement contracts and manufactured
housing contracts may be unsecured or secured by purchase money security
interests in the financed home improvements and the financed manufactured homes.
When we use the term "properties" in this prospectus supplement, we mean the
related mortgaged properties, home improvements and manufactured homes. The
properties relating to the loans will consist primarily of single-family
properties, meaning detached or semi-detached one- to four-family dwelling
units, townhouses, rowhouses, individual condominium units, individual units in
planned unit
22
developments and other dwelling units, or mixed-use properties. Any mixed-use
property will not exceed three stories and its primary use will be for one- to
four-family residential occupancy, with the remainder of its space for retail,
professional or other commercial uses. Any non-residential use will be in
compliance with local zoning laws and regulations. Properties may include
vacation and second homes, investment properties and leasehold interests. In the
case of leasehold interests, the term of the leasehold will exceed the scheduled
maturity of the related loan by a time period specified in the related
prospectus supplement. The properties may be located in any one of the fifty
states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico or any other territory of
the United States.
Loans with specified loan-to-value ratios and/or principal balances may be
covered wholly or partially by primary mortgage guaranty insurance policies. The
existence, extent and duration of any coverage provided by primary mortgage
guaranty insurance policies will be described in the related prospectus
supplement.
Home Equity Loans. The primary assets for a series may consist, in whole
or in part, of, closed-end home equity loans, revolving credit line home equity
loans or certain balances forming a part of the revolving credit line loans,
secured by mortgages creating senior or junior liens primarily on one- to
four-family residential or mixed-use properties. The full principal amount of a
closed-end loan is advanced at origination of the loan and generally is
repayable in equal (or substantially equal) installments of an amount sufficient
to fully amortize the loan at its stated maturity. Unless otherwise described in
the related prospectus supplement, the original terms to stated maturity of
closed-end loans will not exceed 360 months. Principal amounts of a revolving
credit line loan may be drawn down (up to the maximum amount set forth in the
related prospectus supplement) or repaid from time to time, but may be subject
to a minimum periodic payment. Except to the extent provided in the related
prospectus supplement, the trust fund will not include any amounts borrowed
under a revolving credit line loan after the cut-off date designated in the
prospectus supplement. As more fully described in the related prospectus
supplement, interest on each revolving credit line loan, excluding introductory
rates offered from time to time during promotional periods, is computed and
payable monthly on the average daily principal balance of that loan. Under
certain circumstances, a borrower under either a revolving credit line loan or a
closed-end loan may choose an interest-only payment option. In this case only
the amount of interest that accrues on the loan during the billing cycle must be
paid. An interest-only payment option may be available for a specified period
before the borrower must begin making at least the minimum monthly payment of a
specified percentage of the average outstanding balance of the loan.
The rate of prepayment on Home Equity Loans cannot be predicted. Home
Equity Loans have been originated in significant volume only during the past few
years and the depositor is not aware of any publicly available studies or
statistics on the rate of their prepayment. The prepayment experience of the
related trust fund may be affected by a wide variety of factors, including
general economic conditions, prevailing interest rate levels, the availability
of alternative financing and homeowner mobility and the frequency and amount of
any future draws on any revolving credit line loans. Other factors that might be
expected to affect the prepayment rate of a pool of Home Equity Loans include
the amounts of, and interest rates on, the underlying first mortgage loans, and
the use of first mortgage loans as long-term financing for home purchase and
junior mortgage loans as shorter-term financing for a variety of purposes,
including
23
home improvement, education expenses and purchases of consumer durables such as
automobiles. Accordingly, Home Equity Loans may experience a higher rate of
prepayment than traditional fixed-rate first mortgage loans. On the other hand,
because Home Equity Loans such as the revolving credit line loans generally are
not fully amortizing, the absence of voluntary borrower prepayments could cause
rates of principal payments to be lower than, or similar to, those of
traditional fully-amortizing first mortgage loans. Any future limitations on the
right of borrowers to deduct interest payments on Home Equity Loans for federal
income tax purposes may further increase the rate of prepayments of the Home
Equity Loans. Moreover, the enforcement of a "due-on-sale" provision (as
described below) will have the same effect as a prepayment of the related Home
Equity Loans. See "Material Legal Aspects of the Loans--Due-on-Sale Clauses in
Mortgage Loans" in this prospectus.
Collections on revolving credit line loans may vary for a number of
reasons, including those listed below.
o A borrower may make a payment during a month in an amount that is as
little as the minimum monthly payment for that month or, during the
interest-only period for certain revolving credit line loans (and,
in more limited circumstances, closed-end loans with respect to
which an interest-only payment option has been selected), the
interest, fees and charges for that month.
o A borrower may make a payment that is as much as the entire
principal balance plus accrued interest and related fees and charges
during a month.
o A borrower may fail to make the required periodic payment.
o Collections on the mortgage loans may vary due to seasonal
purchasing and the payment habits of borrowers.
Each single family property will be located on land owned in fee simple by
the borrower or on land leased by the borrower for a term at least ten years
(unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement) greater than
the term of the related loan. Attached dwellings may include owner-occupied
structures where each borrower owns the land upon which the unit is built, with
the remaining adjacent land owned in common or dwelling units subject to a
proprietary lease or occupancy agreement in a cooperatively owned apartment
building. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement,
mortgages on cooperative dwelling units consist of a lien on the shares issued
by the cooperative dwelling corporation and the proprietary lease or occupancy
agreement relating to the cooperative dwelling.
The aggregate principal balance of loans secured by single family
properties that are owner-occupied will be disclosed in the related prospectus
supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the sole
basis for a representation that a given percentage of the loans are secured by
single family property that is owner-occupied will be either
o a representation by the borrower at origination of the loan either
that the underlying mortgaged property will be used by the borrower
for a period of at least six months
24
every year or that the borrower intends to use the mortgaged
property as a primary residence, or
o a finding that the address of the underlying mortgaged property is
the borrower's mailing address as reflected in the servicer's
records.
To the extent specified in the related prospectus supplement, single family
properties may include non-owner occupied investment properties and vacation and
second homes.
Home Improvement Contracts. The primary assets for a series may consist,
in whole or in part, of home improvement installment sales contracts and
installment loan agreements originated by home improvement contractors in the
ordinary course of business. As specified in the related prospectus supplement,
the Home Improvement Contracts will be either unsecured or secured by senior or
junior mortgages primarily on single family properties, or by purchase money
security interests in the related home improvements. Unless otherwise specified
in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Home Improvement Contracts will be
fully amortizing and may have fixed interest rates or adjustable interest rates
and may provide for other payment characteristics as described below and in the
related prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the home
improvements securing the Home Improvement Contracts include, but are not
limited to, replacement windows, house siding, new roofs, swimming pools,
satellite dishes, kitchen and bathroom remodeling goods and solar heating
panels.
Manufactured Housing Contracts. The trust fund assets for a series may
consist, in whole or part, of conventional manufactured housing installment
sales contracts and installment loan agreements originated by a manufactured
housing dealer in the ordinary course of business. As specified in the related
prospectus supplement, the Manufactured Housing Contracts will be secured by
manufactured homes, located in any of the fifty states or the District of
Columbia or by mortgages on the real estate on which the manufactured homes are
located.
The manufactured homes securing the Manufactured Housing Contracts will
consist of manufactured homes within the meaning of 42 United States Code,
Section 5402(6), or manufactured homes meeting those other standards as shall be
described in the related prospectus supplement. Section 5402(6) defines a
"manufactured home" as "a structure, transportable in one or more sections,
which, in the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width or forty body
feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is three hundred twenty or
more square feet, and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be
used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the
required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning and
electrical systems contained therein; except that the term shall include any
structure which meets all the requirements of [this] paragraph except the size
requirements and with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily files a
certification required by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and
complies with the standards established under [this] chapter."
Manufactured homes, unlike mortgaged properties, generally depreciate in
value. Consequently, at any time after origination it is possible, especially in
the case of contracts with
25
high loan-to-value ratios at origination, that the market value of a
manufactured home or home improvement may be lower than the principal amount
outstanding under the related contract.
Additional Information. The selection criteria applicable to the loans
will be specified in the related prospectus supplement. These include, but are
not limited to, the combined loan-to-value ratios or loan-to-value ratios, as
applicable, original terms to maturity and delinquency information.
The loans for a series of securities may include loans that do not
amortize their entire principal balance by their stated maturity in accordance
with their terms but require a balloon payment of the remaining principal
balance at maturity, as specified in the related prospectus supplement. As
further described in the related prospectus supplement, the loans for a series
of securities may include loans that do not have a specified stated maturity.
The loans will be either conventional contracts or contracts insured by
the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or partially guaranteed by the Veterans
Administration (VA). Loans designated in the related prospectus supplement as
insured by the FHA will be insured under various FHA programs as authorized
under the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended.. These programs
generally limit the principal amount and interest rates of the mortgage loans
insured. Loans insured by the FHA generally require a minimum down payment of
approximately 5% of the original principal amount of the loan. No FHA-insured
loans relating to a series of securities may have an interest rate or original
principal amount exceeding the applicable FHA limits at the time or origination
of such loan.
The insurance premiums for loans insured by the FHA are collected by
lenders approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 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 HUD or upon assignment of the defaulted loan to HUD. With respect to
a defaulted FHA-insured 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. Such plans may involve the reduction or suspension of regular mortgage
payments for a specified period, with such payments to be made upon or before
the maturity date of the mortgage, or the recasting of payments due under the
mortgage up to or beyond the maturity date. In addition, when a default caused
by such circumstances is accompanied by certain other criteria, HUD may provide
relief by making payments to the servicer in partial or full satisfaction of
amounts due under the loan (which payments are to be repaid by the borrower to
HUD) or by accepting assignment of the loan from the servicer. With certain
exceptions, at least three full monthly installments must be due and unpaid
under the 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
26
interest at the applicable HUD debenture interest rate. The servicer of each
FHA-insured loan will be obligated to purchase any such debenture issued in
satisfaction of a loan upon default for an amount equal to the principal amount
of the debenture.
The amount of insurance benefits generally paid by the FHA is equal to the
entire unpaid principal amount of the defaulted loan adjusted to reimburse the
servicer for certain costs and expenses and to deduct certain 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 accrued and unpaid prior
to the date of foreclosure 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 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-insured 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 loan 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.
Loans designated in the related prospectus supplement as guaranteed by the
VA will be partially guaranteed by the VA under the Serviceman's Readjustment
Act of 1944, as amended. The Serviceman's Readjustment Act permits a veteran (or
in certain instances, the spouse of a veteran) to obtain a mortgage loan
guaranty 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 purchaser and permits
the guarantee of mortgage loans of up to 30 years' duration.
The maximum guaranty that may be issued by the VA under a VA-guaranteed
mortgage loan depends upon the original principal amount of the mortgage loan,
as further described in 38 United States Code Section 1803(a), as amended. The
liability on the guaranty is reduced or increased pro rata with any reduction or
increase in the amount of indebtedness, but in no event will the amount payable
on the guaranty exceed the amount of the original guaranty. The VA may, at its
option and without regard to its guaranty, make full payment to a mortgage
holder of unsatisfied indebtedness on a mortgage upon its assignment to the VA.
With respect to a defaulted VA-guaranteed 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
guaranteed amount is submitted to the VA after liquidation of the related
mortgaged property.
The amount payable under a VA guaranty will be the percentage of the
VA-insured loan originally guaranteed by the VA applied to the indebtedness
outstanding as of the applicable date of computation specified in the VA
regulations. Payments under the guaranty will be equal to the unpaid principal
amount of the loan, interest accrued on the unpaid balance of the loan to the
appropriate date of computation and limited expenses of the mortgagee, but in
each case only to the extent that such amounts have not been recovered through
liquidation of the mortgaged
27
property. The amount payable under the guaranty may in no event exceed the
amount of the original guaranty.
The prospectus supplement for each series will provide information with
respect to the loans that are primary assets of the related trust fund as of the
cut-off date, including, among other things, and to the extent relevant:
o the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the loans;
o the range and weighted average interest rates on the loans and, in
the case of adjustable rate loans, the range and weighted average of
the current interest rates and the lifetime interest rate caps, if
any;
o the range and average principal balance of the loans;
o the weighted average original and remaining terms to stated maturity
of the loans and the range of original and remaining terms to stated
maturity, if applicable;
o the range and weighted average of combined loan-to-value ratios or
loan-to-value ratios for the loans, as applicable;
o the percentage (by principal balance as of the cut-off date) of
loans that accrue interest at adjustable or fixed interest rates;
o any special hazard insurance policy or bankruptcy bond or other
enhancement relating to the loans;
o the percentage (by principal balance as of the cut-off date) of
loans that are secured by mortgaged properties or home improvements
or that are unsecured;
o the geographic distribution of any mortgaged properties securing the
loans;
o for loans that are secured by single family properties, the
percentage (by principal balance as of the cut-off date) secured by
shares relating to cooperative dwelling units, condominium units,
investment property and vacation or second homes;
o the lien priority of the loans;
o the delinquency status and year of origination of the loans;
o whether the loans are closed-end loans and/or revolving credit line
loans; and
o in the case of revolving credit line loans, the general payments and
credit line terms of those loans and other pertinent features.
The prospectus supplement will also specify any other limitations on the
types or characteristics of the loans in the trust fund for the related series
of securities.
28
If information of the nature described above respecting the loans is not
known to the depositor at the time the securities are initially offered, more
general or approximate information of the nature described above will be
provided in the prospectus supplement and additional information will be set
forth in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be available to investors on the date
of issuance of the related series of securities and to be filed with the SEC
within 15 days after the initial issuance of the securities.
Private Label Securities
General. Primary assets for a series may consist, in whole or in part, of
Private Label Securities or PLS (i.e., private mortgage-backed asset-backed
securities) that include:
o pass-through certificates representing beneficial interests in
underlying loans of a type that would otherwise be eligible to be
loans held directly by the trust fund, or
o collateralized obligations secured by underlying loans of a type
that would otherwise be eligible to be loans held directly by the
trust fund.
The Private Label Securities will previously have been
o offered and distributed to the public pursuant to an effective
registration statement, or
o purchased in a transaction not involving any public offering from a
person that is not an affiliate of the Private Label Securities at
the time of sale (nor its affiliate at any time during the three
preceding months) and a period of two years has elapsed since the
date the Private Label Securities were acquired from the issuer or
its affiliate, whichever is later.
Although individual underlying loans may be insured or guaranteed by the
United States or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, they need not be, and
the Private Label Securities themselves may be, but need not be, insured or
guaranteed.
The Private Label Securities will have been issued pursuant to a pooling
and servicing agreement, a trust agreement or similar agreement. The
seller/servicer of the underlying loans will have entered into a PLS agreement
with the PLS trustee. The PLS trustee, its agent or a custodian will take
possession of the underlying loans. The underlying loans will be serviced by the
PLS servicer directly or by one or more sub-servicers subject to the supervision
of the PLS servicer.
The issuer Private Label Securities will be
o a financial institution or other entity engaged generally in the
business of lending,
o a public agency or instrumentality of a state, local or federal
government, or
o a limited purpose corporation organized for the purpose of, among
other things, establishing trusts and acquiring and selling loans to
such trusts, and selling beneficial interests in trusts.
29
If specified in the prospectus supplement, the PLS issuer may be an affiliate of
the depositor. The obligations of the PLS issuer generally will be limited to
certain representations and warranties that it makes with respect to the assets
it conveys to the related trust. Unless otherwise specified in the related
prospectus supplement, the PLS issuer will not have guaranteed any of the assets
conveyed to the related trust or any of the Private Label Securities issued
under the PLS agreement.
Distributions of principal and interest will be made on the Private Label
Securities on the dates specified in the related prospectus supplement. The
Private Label Securities may be entitled to receive nominal or no principal
distributions or nominal or no interest distributions. Principal and interest
distributions will be made on the Private Label Securities by the PLS trustee or
the PLS servicer. The PLS issuer or the PLS servicer may have the right to
repurchase the underlying loans after a certain date or under other
circumstances specified in the related prospectus supplement.
The loans underlying the Private Label Securities may be fixed rate, level
payment, fully amortizing loans or adjustable rate loans or loans having balloon
or other irregular payment features. The underlying loans will be secured by
mortgages on mortgaged properties.
Credit Support Relating to Private Label Securities. Credit support in the
form of reserve funds, subordination of other private securities issued under
the PLS agreement, guarantees, cash collateral accounts, security policies or
other types of credit support may be provided with respect to the underlying
loans or with respect to the Private Label Securities themselves. The type,
characteristics and amount of credit support will be a function of the
characteristics of the underlying loans and other factors and will be based on
the requirements of the nationally recognized statistical rating organization
that rated the Private Label Securities.
Additional Information. If the primary assets of a trust fund include
Private Label Securities, the related prospectus supplement will specify the
items listed below, to the extent relevant and to the extent information is
reasonably available to the depositor and the depositor reasonably believes the
information to be reliable:
o the total approximate principal amount and type of the Private Label
Securities to be included in the trust fund,
o the maximum original term to stated maturity of the Private Label
Securities,
o the weighted average term to stated maturity of the Private Label
Securities,
o the pass-through or certificate rate or range of rates of the
Private Label Securities,
o the PLS issuer, the PLS servicer (if other than the PLS issuer) and
the PLS trustee,
o certain characteristics of any credit support such as reserve funds,
security policies or guarantees relating to the underlying loans or
to the Private Label Securities themselves;
30
o the terms on which underlying loans may, or are required to, be
purchased prior to their stated maturity or the stated maturity of
the Private Label Securities, and
o the terms on which underlying loans may be substituted for those
originally underlying the Private Label Securities.
In addition, the related prospectus supplement will provide information about
the loans underlying the Private Label Securities, including
o the payment features of the underlying loans (i.e., whether
closed-end loans or revolving credit line loans, whether fixed rate
or adjustable rate, whether level payment or balloon payment loans),
o the approximate aggregate principal balance, if known, of the
underlying loans insured guaranteed by a governmental entity,
o the servicing fee or range of servicing fees with respect to the
underlying loans,
o the minimum and maximum stated maturities of the underlying loans at
origination,
o the lien priority of the underlying loans, and
o the delinquency status and year of origination of the underlying
loans.
The above disclosure may be on an approximate basis and will be as of the
date specified in the related prospectus supplement. If information of the
nature described above for the Private Label Securities is not known to the
depositor at the time the securities are initially offered, more general or
approximate information of a similar nature will be provided in the prospectus
supplement and the additional information, if available, will be set forth in a
Current Report on Form 8-K to be available to investors on the date of issuance
of the related series of securities and to be filed with the SEC within 15 days
of the initial issuance of the securities.
Agency Securities
Ginnie Mae. The Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) is a
wholly-owned corporate instrumentality of HUD. Section 306(g) of Title II of the
National Housing Act of 1934, as amended, authorizes Ginnie Mae to, among other
things, guarantee the timely payment of principal of and interest on
certificates which represent an interest in a pool of mortgage loans insured by
the FHA under the National Housing Act of 1934 or Title V of the National
Housing Act of 1949, or partially guaranteed by the VA under the Servicemen's
Readjustment Act of 1944, as amended, or Chapter 37 of Title 38 of the United
States Code.
Section 306 (g) of the National Housing Act of 1934 provides that "the
full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the payment of all
amounts which may be required to be paid under any guarantee under this
subsection." In order to meet its obligations under any guarantee under Section
306 (g) of the National Housing Act, Ginnie Mae may, under Section 306(d) of the
National Housing Act, borrow from the United States Treasury in an amount which
31
is at any time sufficient to enable Ginnie Mae, with no limitations as to
amount, to perform its obligations under its guarantee.
Ginnie Mae Certificates. Each Ginnie Mae certificate held in a trust fund
for a series of securities will be a "fully modified pass-through"
mortgaged-backed certificate issued and serviced by a mortgage banking company
or other financial concern approved by Ginnie Mae or approved by Fannie Mae as a
seller-servicer of FHA loans and/or VA loans. Each Ginnie Mae certificate may be
a GNMA I certificate or a GNMA II certificate. The mortgage loans underlying the
Ginnie Mae certificates will consist of FHA loans and/or VA loans. Each mortgage
loan of this type is secured by a one- to four-family residential property or a
manufactured home. Ginnie Mae will approve the issuance of each Ginnie Mae
certificate in accordance with a guaranty agreement between Ginnie Mae and the
issuer and servicer of the Ginnie Mae certificate. Pursuant to its guaranty
agreement, a Ginnie Mae servicer will be required to advance its own funds in
order to make timely payments of all amounts due on each of the related Ginnie
Mae certificates, even if the payments received by the Ginnie Mae servicer on
the FHA loans or VA loans underlying each of those Ginnie Mae certificates are
less than the amounts due on those Ginnie Mae certificates.
The full and timely payment of principal of and interest on each Ginnie
Mae certificate will be guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, which obligation is backed by
the full faith and credit of the United States. Each Ginnie Mae certificate will
have an original maturity of not more than 40 years (but may have original
maturities of substantially less than 40 years). Each Ginnie Mae certificate
will provide for the payment by or on behalf of the Ginnie Mae servicer to the
registered holder of the Ginnie Mae certificate of scheduled monthly payments of
principal and interest equal to the registered holder's proportionate interest
in the aggregate amount of the monthly principal and interest payment on each
FHA loan or VA loan underlying the Ginnie Mae certificate, less the applicable
servicing and guarantee fee which together equal the difference between the
interest on the FHA loans or VA loans and the pass-through rate on the Ginnie
Mae certificate. In addition, each payment will include proportionate
pass-through payments of any prepayments of principal on the FHA loans or VA
loans underlying the Ginnie Mae certificate and liquidation proceeds in the
event of a foreclosure or other disposition of any the related FHA loans or VA
loans.
If a Ginnie Mae servicer is unable to make the payments on a Ginnie Mae
certificate as it becomes due, it must promptly notify Ginnie Mae and request
Ginnie Mae to make the payment. Upon notification and request, Ginnie Mae will
make payments directly to the registered holder of a Ginnie Mae certificate. In
the event no payment is made by a Ginnie Mae servicer and the Ginnie Mae
servicer fails to notify and request Ginnie Mae to make the payment, the holder
of the related Ginnie Mae certificate will have recourse only against Ginnie Mae
to obtain the payment. The trustee or its nominee, as registered holder of the
Ginnie Mae certificates held in a trust fund, will have the right to proceed
directly against Ginnie Mae under the terms of the guaranty agreements relating
to the Ginnie Mae certificates for any amounts that are not paid when due.
Except for pools of mortgage loans secured by manufactured homes, all
mortgage loans underlying a particular Ginnie Mae certificate must have the same
interest rate over the term of the loan. The interest rate on a GNMA I
certificate will equal the interest rate on the mortgage
32
loans included in the pool of mortgage loans underlying the GNMA I certificate,
less one-half percentage point per year of the unpaid principal balance of the
mortgage loans.
Mortgage loans underlying a particular GNMA II certificate may have annual
interest rates that vary from each other by up to one percentage point. The
interest rate on each GNMA II certificate will be between one-half percentage
point and one and one-half percentage points lower than the highest interest
rate on the mortgage loans included in the pool of mortgage loans underlying the
GNMA II certificate (except for pools of mortgage loans secured by manufactured
homes).
Regular monthly installment payments on each Ginnie Mae certificate will
be comprised of interest due as specified on a Ginnie Mae certificate plus the
scheduled principal payments on the FHA loans or VA loans underlying the Ginnie
Mae certificate due on the first day of the month in which the scheduled monthly
installments on the Ginnie Mae certificate is due. Regular monthly installments
on each Ginnie Mae certificate, are required to be paid to the trustee
identified in the related prospectus supplement as registered holder by the 15th
day of each month in the case of a GNMA I certificate, and are required to be
mailed to the trustee by the 20th day of each month in the case of a GNMA II
certificate. Any principal prepayments on any FHA loans or VA loans underlying a
Ginnie Mae certificate held in a trust fund or any other early recovery of
principal on a loan will be passed through to the trustee identified in the
related prospectus supplement as the registered holder of the Ginnie Mae
certificate.
Ginnie Mae certificates may be backed by graduated payment mortgage loans
or by "buydown" mortgage loans for which funds will have been provided, and
deposited into escrow accounts, for application to the payment of a portion of
the borrowers' monthly payments during the early years of those mortgage loans.
Payments due the registered holders of Ginnie Mae certificates backed by pools
containing "buydown" mortgage loans will be computed in the same manner as
payments derived from other Ginnie Mae certificates and will include amounts to
be collected from both the borrower and the related escrow account. The
graduated payment mortgage loans will provide for graduated interest payments
that, during the early years of the mortgage loans, will be less than the amount
of stated interest on the mortgage loans. The interest not so paid will be added
to the principal of the graduated payment mortgage loans and, together with
interest on that interest, will be paid in subsequent years. The obligations of
Ginnie Mae and of a Ginnie Mae issuer/servicer will be the same irrespective of
whether the Ginnie Mae certificates are backed by graduated payment mortgage
loans or "buydown" mortgage loans. No statistics comparable to the FHA's
prepayment experience on level payment, non-buydown loans are available in
inspect of graduated payment or buydown mortgages. Ginnie Mae certificates
related to a series of certificates may be held in book-entry form.
Fannie Mae. The Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) is a
federally chartered and privately owned corporation organized and existing under
the Federal National Mortgage Association 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.
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Fannie Mae provides funds to the mortgage market primarily by purchasing
mortgage loans from lenders. Fannie Mae acquires funds to purchase mortgage
loans from many capital market investors that may not ordinarily invest in
mortgages. In so doing, it expands the total amount of funds available for
housing. Operating nationwide, Fannie Mae helps to redistribute mortgage funds
from capital-surplus to capital-short areas.
Fannie Mae Certificates. Fannie Mae certificates are either guaranteed
mortgage pass-through certificates or stripped mortgage-backed securities. The
following discussion of Fannie Mae certificates applies equally to both types of
Fannie Mae certificates, except as otherwise indicated. Each Fannie Mae
certificate to be included in the trust fund for a series of securities will
represent a fractional undivided interest in a pool of mortgage loans formed by
Fannie Mae. Each pool formed by Fannie Mae will consist of mortgage loans of one
of the following types:
o fixed-rate level installment conventional mortgage loans,
o fixed-rate level installment mortgage loans that are insured by FHA
or partially guaranteed by the VA,
o adjustable rate conventional mortgage loans, or
o adjustable rate mortgage loans that are insured by the FHA or
partially guaranteed by the VA.
Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth under the Fannie
Mae purchase program and will be secured by a first lien on a one- to
four-family residential property.
Each Fannie Mae certificate will be issued pursuant to a trust indenture.
Original maturities of substantially all of the conventional, level payment
mortgage loans underlying a Fannie Mae certificate are expected to be between
either eight to 15 years or 20 to 40 years. The original maturities of
substantially all of the fixed rate level payment FHA loans or VA loans are
expected to be 30 years.
Mortgage loans underlying a Fannie Mae certificate may have annual
interest rates that vary by as much as two percentage points from one another.
The rate of interest payable on a Fannie Mae guaranteed mortgage-backed
certificate and the series pass-through rate payable with respect to a Fannie
Mae stripped mortgage-backed security is equal to the lowest interest rate of
any mortgage loan in the related pool, less a specified minimum annual
percentage representing servicing compensation and Fannie Mae's guaranty fee.
Under a regular servicing option pursuant to which the mortgagee or other
servicer assumes the entire risk of foreclosure losses, the annual interest
rates on the mortgage loans underlying a Fannie Mae certificate will be between
50 basis points and 250 basis points greater than the annual pass-through rate,
in the case of a Fannie Mae guaranteed mortgage-backed certificate, or the
series pass-through rate in the case of a Fannie Mae stripped mortgage-backed
security. Under a special servicing option pursuant to which Fannie Mae assumes
the entire risk for foreclosure losses, the annual interest rates on the
mortgage loans underlying a Fannie Mae certificate will generally be between 55
basis points and 255 basis points greater than the annual pass-through rate, in
the case of a
34
Fannie Mae guaranteed mortgage-backed certificate, or the series pass-through
rate in the case of a Fannie Mae stripped mortgage-backed security.
Fannie Mae guarantees to each registered holder of a Fannie Mae
certificate that it will distribute on a timely basis amounts representing the
holder's proportionate share of scheduled principal and interest payments at the
applicable pass-through rate provided for by the Fannie Mae certificate on the
underlying mortgage loans, whether or not received, and the holder's
proportionate share of the full principal amount of any foreclosed or other
finally liquidated mortgage loan, whether or not the principal amount is
actually recovered. The obligations of Fannie Mae under its guarantees are
obligations solely of Fannie Mae and are not backed by, or entitled to, the full
faith and credit of the United States. If Fannie Mae were unable to satisfy its
obligations, distributions to holders of Fannie Mae certificates would consist
solely of payments and other recoveries on the underlying mortgage loans and,
accordingly, monthly distributions to holders of Fannie Mae certificates would
be affected by delinquent payments and defaults on those mortgage loans.
Fannie Mae stripped mortgage-backed securities are issued in series of two
or more classes, with each class representing a specified undivided fractional
interest in principal distributions and interest distributions, adjusted to the
series pass-through rate, on the underlying pool of mortgage loans. The
fractional interests of each class in principal and interest distributions are
not identical, but the classes in the aggregate represent 100% of the principal
distributions and interest distributions, adjusted to the series pass-through
rate, on the respective pool. Because of the difference between the fractional
interests in principal and interest of each class, the effective rate of
interest on the principal of each class of Fannie Mae stripped mortgage-backed
securities may be significantly higher or lower than the series pass-through
rate and/or the weighted average interest rate of the underlying mortgage loans.
Unless otherwise specified by Fannie Mae, Fannie Mae certificates
evidencing interests in pools of mortgages formed on or after May 1, 1985 will
be available in book-entry form only. Distributions of principal and interest on
each Fannie Mae certificate will be made by Fannie Mae on the 25th day of each
month to the persons in whose name the Fannie Mae certificate is entered in the
books of the Federal Reserve Banks, or registered on the Fannie Mae certificate
register in the case of fully registered Fannie Mae certificates as of the close
of business on the last day of the preceding month. With respect to Fannie Mae
certificates issued in book-entry form, distributions on the Fannie Mae
certificates will be made by wire, and with respect to fully registered Fannie
Mae certificates, distributions on the Fannie Mae certificates will be made by
check.
Freddie Mac. The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) is a
shareholder-owned, United States government-sponsored enterprise created
pursuant to the Federal Home loan Mortgage Corporation Act, Title III of the
Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970, as amended. The common stock of Freddie Mac
is owned by the Federal Home loan Banks. Freddie Mac was established primarily
for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for the
financing of urgently 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 mortgage loans FHA loans, VA
35
loans or participation interests in those mortgage loans and the sale of the
loans or participations so purchased in the form of mortgage securities,
primarily Freddie Mac certificates. Freddie Mac is confined to purchasing, so
far as practicable, mortgage loans that it deems to be of the quality, type and
class which meet generally the purchase standards imposed by private
institutional mortgage investors.
Freddie Mac Certificates. Each Freddie Mac certificate included in a trust
fund for a series will represent an undivided interest in a pool of mortgage
loans that may consist of first lien conventional loans, FHA loans or VA loans.
Freddie Mac certificates are sold under the terms of a mortgage participation
certificate agreement. A Freddie Mac certificate may be issued under either
Freddie Mac's Cash Program or Guarantor Program. Typically, mortgage loans
underlying the Freddie Mac certificates held by a trust fund will consist of
mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of from ten to 40 years. Each of
those mortgage loans must meet the applicable standards set forth in the law
governing Freddie Mac. 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. Under
the guarantor program, any Freddie Mac certificate group may include only whole
loans or participation interests in whole loans.
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 certificate 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 a Freddie Mac
certificate, whether or not received. Freddie Mac also guarantees to each
registered holder of a Freddie Mac certificate ultimate receipt by a holder of
all principal on the underlying mortgage loans, without any offset or deduction,
to the extent of that holder's pro rata share. However, Freddie Mac does not
guarantee, except if and to the extent specified in the prospectus supplement
for a series, the timely payment of scheduled principal. Under Freddie Mac's
Gold PC Program, Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of principal based on
the difference between the pool factor published in the month preceding the
month of distribution and the pool factor published in the related month of
distribution. Pursuant to its guarantees, Freddie Mac indemnifies holders of
Freddie Mac certificates against any diminution in principal by reason of
charges for property repairs, maintenance and foreclosure. 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 (x) 30
days following foreclosure sale, (y) 30 days following payment of the claim by
any mortgage insurer, or (z) 30 days following the expiration of any right of
redemption, whichever occurs later, but in any event no later than one year
after demand has been made upon the mortgagor 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
judgment with respect to the mortgage loans in the same manner as for mortgage
loans which 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
standards which require that the demand be made within any specified period.
36
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 its 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.
Registered holders of Freddie Mac certificates are entitled to receive
their monthly pro rata share of all principal payments on the underlying
mortgage loans received by Freddie Mac, including any scheduled principal
payments, full and partial prepayments of principal and principal received by
Freddie Mac by virtue of condemnation, insurance, liquidation or foreclosure,
and repurchases of the mortgage loans by Freddie Mac or by the party that sold
the related mortgage loans to Freddie Mac. Freddie Mac is required to remit each
registered Freddie Mac certificateholder's pro rata share of principal payments
on the underlying mortgage loans, interest at the Freddie Mac pass-through rate
and any other sums like prepayment fees, within 60 days of the date on which
those payments are deemed to have been received by Freddie Mac.
Under Freddie Mac's Cash Program, with respect to pools formed prior to
June 1, 1987, there is no limitation on be amount by which interest rates on the
mortgage loans underlying a Freddie Mac certificate may exceed the pass-through
rate on the Freddie Mac certificate. With respect to Freddie Mac certificates
issued on or after June 1, 1987, the maximum interest rate on the mortgage loans
underlying the Freddie Mac certificates may exceed the pass-through rate of the
Freddie Mac certificates by 50 to 100 basis points. Under that program, Freddie
Mac purchases group of whole mortgage loans from sellers at specified
percentages of their unpaid principal balances, adjusted for accrued or prepaid
interest, which when applied to the interest rate of the mortgage loans and
participations purchased, results in the yield expressed as a percentage
required by Freddie Mac. The required yield, which includes a minimum servicing
fee retained by the servicer, is calculated using the outstanding principal
balance. The range of interest rates on the mortgage loans and participations in
a Freddie Mac certificate group under the Cash Program will vary since mortgage
loans and participations are purchased and assigned to a Freddie Mac certificate
group based upon their yield to Freddie Mac rather than on the interest rate on
the underlying mortgage loans.
Under Freddie Mac's Guarantor Program, the pass-through rate on a Freddie
Mac certificate is established based upon the lowest interest rate on the
underlying mortgage loans, minus a minimum servicing fee and the amount of
Freddie Mac's management and guaranty income as agreed upon between the seller
and Freddie Mac. For Freddie Mac certificate group formed under the Guarantor
Program with certificate numbers beginning with 18-012, the range between the
lowest and the highest annual interest rates on the mortgage loans in a Freddie
Mac certificate group may not exceed two percentage points.
Freddie Mac certificates duly presented for registration of ownership on
or before the last business day of a month are registered effective as of the
first day of the month. The first remittance to a registered holder of a Freddie
Mac certificate will be distributed so as to be received normally by the 15th
day of the second month following the month in which the
37
purchaser became a registered holder of the Freddie Mac certificates. Subsequent
remittances will be distributed monthly to the registered holder so as to be
received normally by the 15th day of each month. The Federal Reserve Bank of New
York maintains book-entry accounts with respect to Freddie Mac certificates sold
by Freddie Mac on or after January 2, 1985, and makes payments of principal and
interest each month to the registered holders of Freddie Mac certificates in
accordance with the holders' instructions.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. Agency Securities may consist of one
or more stripped mortgage-backed securities, each as described in this
prospectus and in the related prospectus supplement. Each Agency Security of
this type will represent an undivided interest in all or part of either the
principal distributions or the interest distributions, or in some specified
portion of the principal and interest distributions, on particular Freddie Mac,
Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae or other government agency or government-sponsored agency
certificates. The underlying securities will be held under a trust agreement by
Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae or another government agency or
government-sponsored agency, each as trustee, or by another trustee named in the
related prospectus supplement. Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae or another
government agency or government-sponsored agency will guarantee each stripped
agency security to the same extent as the applicable entity guarantees the
underlying securities backing the stripped Agency Security, unless otherwise
specified in the related prospectus supplement.
Other Agency Securities. If specified in the related prospectus
supplement, a trust fund may include other mortgage pass-through certificates
issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or other government
agencies or government-sponsored agencies. The characteristics of any other
mortgage pass-through certificates issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie
Mae, Freddie Mac or other government agencies or government-sponsored agencies
will be described in that prospectus supplement. If so specified, a combination
of different types of Agency Securities may be held in a trust fund.
Collection and Distribution Accounts
A separate collection account will be established by the trustee, or by
the servicer in the name of the trustee, for each series of securities for
receipt of
o the amount of any cash specified in the related prospectus
supplement to be initially deposited by the depositor in the
collection account,
o all amounts received with respect to the primary assets of the
related trust fund, and
o unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement,
income earned on the foregoing amounts.
As provided in the related prospectus supplement, certain amounts on deposit in
the collection account and certain amounts available under any credit
enhancement for the securities of that series will be deposited into the
applicable distribution account for distribution to the holders of the related
securities. The trustee will establish a separate distribution account for each
series of securities. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus
supplement, the trustee will
38
invest the funds in the collection account and the distribution account in
eligible investments including, among other investments, obligations of the
United States and certain of its agencies, federal funds, certificates of
deposit, commercial paper, demand and time deposits and banker's acceptances,
certain repurchase agreements of United States government securities and certain
guaranteed investment contracts, in each case acceptable to the rating agencies
named in the prospectus supplement. With certain exceptions, all such eligible
investments must mature, in the case of funds in the collection account, not
later than the day preceding the date when the funds are due to be deposited
into the distribution account or otherwise distributed and, in the case of funds
in the distribution account, not later than the day preceding the next
distribution date for the related series of securities.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, amounts may be deposited and
withdrawn pursuant to any deposit agreement or minimum principal payment
agreement that may be specified in the related prospectus supplement.
If specified in the related prospectus supplement, a trust fund will
include one or more pre-funding accounts that are segregated trust accounts
established and maintained with the trustee for the related series. If specified
in the prospectus supplement, a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the
securities equal to the pre-funded amount will be deposited into the pre-funding
account on the closing date and may be used to purchase additional primary
assets during the pre-funding period specified in the prospectus supplement. In
no case will the pre-funded amount exceed 50% of the total principal amount of
the related securities, and in no case will the pre-funding period exceed one
year. The primary assets to be purchased generally will be selected on the basis
of the same criteria as those used to select the initial primary assets of the
trust fund, and the same representations and warranties will be made with
respect to them. If any pre-funded amount remains on deposit in the pre-funding
account at the end of the pre-funding period, the remaining amount will be
applied in the manner specified in the related prospectus supplement to prepay
the notes and/or the certificates of that series.
If a pre-funding account is established, one or more capitalized interest
accounts that are segregated trust accounts may be established and maintained
with the trustee for the related series. On the closing date for the series, a
portion of the proceeds of the sale of the related securities will be deposited
into the capitalized interest account and used to fund the excess, if any, of
o the sum of
o the amount of interest accrued on the securities of the
series, and
o if specified in the related prospectus supplement,
certain fees or expenses during the pre-funding period,
over
o the amount of interest available from the primary assets in the
trust fund.
39
Any amounts on deposit in the capitalized interest account at the end of
the pre-funding period that are not necessary for these purposes will be
distributed to the person specified in the related prospectus supplement.
Credit Enhancement
If so provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of
securities, simultaneously with the depositor's assignment of the primary assets
to the trustee, the depositor will obtain from an institution or by other means
acceptable to the rating agencies named in the prospectus supplement one or more
types of credit enhancement in favor of the trustee on behalf of the holders of
the related series or designated classes of the series. The credit enhancement
will support the payment of principal of and interest on the securities, and may
be applied for certain other purposes to the extent and under the conditions set
forth in the prospectus supplement. Credit enhancement for a series may include
one or more of the forms described below or any other form as may be specified
in the related prospectus supplement. If so specified in the related prospectus
supplement, the credit enhancement may be structured so as to protect against
losses relating to more than one trust fund.
Subordinated Securities
If specified in the related prospectus supplement, credit enhancement for
a series may consist of one or more classes of subordinated securities. The
rights of the holders of subordinated securities to receive distributions on any
distribution date will be subordinate in right and priority to the rights of
holders of senior securities of the same series, but only to the extent
described in the related prospectus supplement.
Insurance Policies, Surety Bonds and Guaranties
If so provided in the prospectus supplement for a series of securities,
deficiencies in amounts otherwise payable on the securities or on specified
classes will be covered by insurance policies and/or surety bonds provided by
one or more insurance companies or sureties. Those instruments may cover, with
respect to one or more classes of securities of the related series, timely
distributions of interest and/or full distributions of principal on the basis of
a schedule of principal distributions set forth in or determined in the manner
specified in the related prospectus supplement. In addition, if specified in the
related prospectus supplement, a trust fund may also include bankruptcy bonds,
special hazard insurance policies, other insurance or guaranties for the purpose
of:
o maintaining timely payments or providing additional protection
against losses on the trust fund assets;
o paying administrative expenses; or
o establishing a minimum reinvestment rate on the payments made in
respect of those assets or principal payment rate on those assets.
40
Arrangements may include agreements under which securityholders are entitled to
receive amounts deposited in various accounts held by the trustee upon the terms
specified in the related prospectus supplement. A copy of any arrangement
instrument for a series will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to a Current
Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC following issuance of the securities
of the related series.
Over-Collateralization
If so provided in the prospectus supplement for a series of securities, a
portion of the interest payment on each loan included in the trust fund may be
applied as an additional distribution in respect of principal to reduce the
principal balance of a class or classes of securities and, thus, accelerate the
rate of payment of principal on that class or those classes of securities.
Other Insurance Policies
If specified in the related prospectus supplement, credit enhancement for
a series may consist of pool insurance policies, special hazard insurance
policies, bankruptcy bonds and other types of insurance relating to the primary
assets, as described below and in the related prospectus supplement.
Pool Insurance Policy. If so specified in the related prospectus
supplement, the depositor will obtain a pool insurance policy for the loans in
the related trust fund. The pool insurance policy will cover any loss (subject
to the limitations described in the prospectus supplement) by reason of default,
but will not cover the portion of the principal balance of any loan that is
required to be covered by any primary mortgage insurance policy. The amount and
terms of any pool insurance coverage will be set forth in the related prospectus
supplement.
Special Hazard Insurance Policy. Although the terms of such policies vary
to some degree, a special hazard insurance policy typically provides that, where
there has been damage to property securing a defaulted or foreclosed loan (title
to which has been acquired by the insured) and to the extent the damage is not
covered by a standard hazard insurance policy (or any flood insurance policy, if
applicable) required to be maintained with respect to the property, or in
connection with partial loss resulting from the application of the coinsurance
clause in a standard hazard insurance policy, the special hazard insurer will
pay the lesser of
o the cost of repair or replacement of the property, and
o upon transfer of the property to the special hazard insurer, the
unpaid principal balance of the loan at the time of acquisition of
the property by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, plus
accrued interest to the date of claim settlement and certain
expenses incurred by the servicer with respect to the property.
If the unpaid principal balance of the loan plus accrued interest and
certain expenses is paid by the special hazard insurer, the amount of further
coverage under the special hazard insurance policy will be reduced by that
amount less any net proceeds from the sale of the related property. Any amount
paid as the cost of repair of the property will reduce coverage by that amount.
Special hazard insurance policies typically do not cover losses occasioned by
war, civil
41
insurrection, certain governmental actions, errors in design, faulty workmanship
or materials (except under certain circumstances), nuclear reaction, flood (if
the mortgaged property is in a federally designated flood area), chemical
contamination and certain other risks.
Restoration of the property with the proceeds described in the first
bullet of the second previous paragraph is expected to satisfy the condition
under any pool insurance policy that the property be restored before a claim
under the pool insurance policy may be validly presented with respect to the
defaulted loan secured by the property. The payment described in the second
bullet of the second previous paragraph will render unnecessary presentation of
a claim in respect of the loan under any pool insurance policy. Therefore, so
long as a pool insurance policy remains in effect, the payment by the special
hazard insurer of the cost of repair or of the unpaid principal balance of the
related loan plus accrued interest and certain expenses will not affect the
total amount in respect of insurance proceeds paid to holders of the securities,
but will affect the relative amounts of coverage remaining under the special
hazard insurance policy and pool insurance policy.
Bankruptcy Bond. In the event of a bankruptcy of a borrower, the
bankruptcy court may establish the value of the property securing the related
loan at an amount less than the then-outstanding principal balance of the loan.
The amount of the secured debt could be reduced to that value, and the holder of
the loan thus would become an unsecured creditor to the extent the principal
balance of the loan exceeds the value assigned to the property by the bankruptcy
court. In addition, certain other modifications of the terms of a loan can
result from a bankruptcy proceeding. See "Material Legal Aspects of the Loans"
in this prospectus. If the related prospectus supplement so provides, the
depositor or other entity specified in the prospectus supplement will obtain a
bankruptcy bond or similar insurance contract covering losses resulting from
proceedings with respect to borrowers under the Federal Bankruptcy Code. The
bankruptcy bond will cover certain losses resulting from a reduction by a
bankruptcy court of scheduled payments of principal of and interest on a loan or
a reduction by the court of the principal amount of a loan and will cover
certain unpaid interest on the amount of any principal reduction from the date
of the filing of a bankruptcy petition.
The bankruptcy bond will provide coverage in the aggregate amount
specified in the prospectus supplement for all loans in the trust fund for the
related series. The amount will be reduced by payments made under the bankruptcy
bond in respect of the loans, unless otherwise specified in the related
prospectus supplement, and will not be restored.
Reserve Funds
If the prospectus supplement relating to a series of securities so
specifies, the depositor will deposit into one or more reserve funds cash, a
letter or letters of credit, cash collateral accounts, eligible investments, or
other instruments meeting the criteria of the rating agencies in the amount
specified in the prospectus supplement. Each reserve fund will be established by
the trustee as part of the trust fund for that series or for the benefit of the
credit enhancement provider for that series. In the alternative or in addition
to the initial deposit by the depositor, a reserve fund for a series may be
funded over time through application of all or a portion of the excess cash flow
from the primary assets for the series, to the extent described in the related
prospectus supplement. If applicable, the initial amount of the reserve fund and
the reserve fund
42
maintenance requirements for a series of securities will be described in the
related prospectus supplement.
Amounts withdrawn from any reserve fund will be applied by the trustee to
make payments on the securities of the related series, to pay expenses, to
reimburse any credit enhancement provider for the series or for any other
purpose, in the manner and to the extent specified in the related prospectus
supplement.
Amounts deposited into a reserve fund will be invested by the trustee in
eligible investments maturing no later than the day specified in the related
prospectus supplement.
Cross-Collateralization
If specified in the related prospectus supplement, the beneficial
ownership of separate groups of assets included in a trust fund may be evidenced
by separate classes of the related series of securities. In that case, credit
support may be provided by a cross-collateralization feature which requires that
distributions be made with respect to securities evidencing a beneficial
ownership interest in, or secured by, one or more asset groups within the same
trust fund prior to distributions to subordinated securities evidencing a
beneficial ownership interest in, or secured by, one or more other asset groups
within that trust fund. Cross-collateralization may be provided by
o the allocation of a portion of excess amounts generated by one or
more asset groups within the same trust fund to one or more other
asset groups within the same trust fund, or
o the allocation of losses with respect to one or more asset groups to
one or more other asset groups within the same trust fund.
Excess amounts will be applied and/or losses will be allocated to the class or
classes of subordinated securities of the related series then outstanding having
the lowest rating assigned by any rating agency or the lowest payment priority,
in each case to the extent and in the manner more specifically described in the
related prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement for a series which
includes a cross-collateralization feature will describe the manner and
conditions for applying the cross-collateralization feature.
If specified in the related prospectus supplement, the coverage provided
by one or more forms of credit support described in this prospectus may apply
concurrently to two or more related trust funds. If applicable, the related
prospectus supplement will identify the trust funds to which credit support
relates and the manner of determining the amount of coverage the credit support
provides to the identified trust funds.
Minimum Principal Payment Agreement
If provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of
securities, the depositor will enter into a minimum principal payment agreement
with an entity meeting the criteria of the rating agencies named in the
prospectus supplement under which the entity will provide certain payments on
the securities of the series in the event that aggregate scheduled principal
payments
43
and/or prepayments on the primary assets for the series are not sufficient to
make payments on the securities of the series as provided in the prospectus
supplement.
Deposit Agreement
If specified in a prospectus supplement, the depositor and the trustee for
a series of securities will enter into a deposit agreement with the entity
specified in the prospectus supplement on or before the sale of the related
series of securities. The deposit agreement is intended to accumulate available
cash for investment so that the cash, together with income thereon, can be
applied to future distributions on one or more classes of securities. The
related prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any deposit agreement.
Financial Instruments
If provided in the related prospectus supplement, the trust fund may
include one or more financial instruments that are intended to meet the
following goals:
o to convert the payments on some or all of the loans and Private
Label Securities from fixed to floating payments, or from floating
to fixed, or from floating based on a particular index to floating
based on another index;
o to provide payments if any index rises above or falls below
specified levels; or
o to provide protection against interest rate changes, certain types
of losses or other payment shortfalls to one or more classes of the
related series.
If a trust fund includes financial instruments of this type, the instruments may
be structured to be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
The related prospectus supplement will include, or incorporate by
reference, material financial and other information about the provider of the
financial instruments.
Servicing of Loans
General
Under the pooling and servicing agreement or the servicing agreement for a
series of securities, the servicer will provide customary servicing functions
with respect to the loans comprising the primary assets of the related trust
fund.
Collection Procedures; Escrow Accounts
The servicer will make reasonable efforts to collect all payments required
to be made under the loans and will, consistent with the terms of the related
governing agreement for a series and any applicable credit enhancement, follow
such collection procedures as it follows with respect to comparable loans held
in its own portfolio. Consistent with the above, the servicer has the discretion
to
44
o waive any assumption fee, late payment charge, or other charge in
connection with a loan, and
o to the extent provided in the related agreement, arrange with a
borrower a schedule for the liquidation of delinquencies by
extending the due dates for scheduled payments on the loan.
If the related prospectus supplement so provides, the servicer, to the
extent permitted by law, will establish and maintain escrow or impound accounts
with respect to loans in which borrower payments for taxes, assessments,
mortgage and hazard insurance policy premiums and other comparable items will be
deposited. In the case of loans that do not require such payments under the
related loan documents, the servicer will not be required to establish any
escrow or impound account for those loans. The servicer will make withdrawals
from the escrow accounts to effect timely payment of taxes, assessments and
mortgage and hazard insurance, to refund to borrowers amounts determined to be
overages, to pay interest to borrowers on balances in the escrow accounts to the
extent required by law, to repair or otherwise protect the related property and
to clear and terminate the escrow accounts. The servicer will be responsible for
the administration of the escrow accounts and generally will make advances to
the escrow accounts when a deficiency exists.
Deposits to and Withdrawals from the Collection Account
Unless the related prospectus supplement specifies otherwise, the trustee
or the servicer will establish a separate collection account in the name of the
trustee. Unless the related prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the
collection account will be
o an account maintained at a depository institution, the long-term
unsecured debt obligations of which at the time of any deposit are
rated by each rating agency named in the prospectus supplement at
levels satisfactory to the rating agency; or
o an account the deposits in which are insured to the maximum extent
available by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or an account
secured in a manner meeting requirements established by each rating
agency named in the prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the funds
held in the collection account may be invested in eligible investments. If so
specified in the related prospectus supplement, the servicer will be entitled to
receive as additional compensation any interest or other income earned on funds
in the collection account.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the
servicer, the depositor, the trustee or the seller, as appropriate, will deposit
into the collection account for each series, on the business day following the
closing date, all scheduled payments of principal and interest on the primary
assets due after the related cut-off date but received by the servicer on or
before the closing date, and thereafter, within two business days after the date
of receipt thereof, the following payments and collections received or made by
the servicer (other than, unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus
supplement, in respect of principal of and interest on the related primary
assets due on or before the cut-off date):
45
o all payments in respect of principal, including prepayments, on the
primary assets;
o all payments in respect of interest on the primary assets after
deducting, at the discretion of the servicer (but only to the extent
of the amount permitted to be withdrawn or withheld from the
collection account in accordance with the related agreement),
related servicing fees payable to the servicer;
o all Liquidation Proceeds after deducting, at the discretion of the
servicer (but only to the extent of the amount permitted to be
withdrawn from the collection account in accordance with the related
agreement), the servicing fee, if any, in respect of the related
primary asset;
o all Insurance Proceeds;
o all amounts required to be deposited into the collection account
from any reserve fund for the series pursuant to the related
agreement;
o all advances of cash made by the servicer in respect of delinquent
scheduled payments on a loan and for any other purpose as required
pursuant to the related agreement; and
o all repurchase prices of any primary assets repurchased by the
depositor, the servicer or the seller pursuant to the related
agreement.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the
servicer is permitted, from time to time, to make withdrawals from the
collection account for each series for the following purposes:
o to reimburse itself for advances that it made in connection with
that series under the related agreement; provided that the
servicer's right to reimburse itself is limited to amounts received
on or in respect of particular loans (including, for this purpose,
Liquidation Proceeds and proceeds of insurance policies covering the
related loans and Mortgaged Properties ("Insurance Proceeds")) that
represent late recoveries of scheduled payments with respect to
which the Advance was made;
o to the extent provided in the related agreement, to reimburse itself
for any advances that it made in connection with the series which
the servicer determines in good faith to be nonrecoverable from
amounts representing late recoveries of scheduled payments
respecting which the advance was made or from Liquidation Proceeds
or Insurance Proceeds;
o to reimburse itself from Liquidation Proceeds for liquidation
expenses and for amounts expended by it in good faith in connection
with the restoration of damaged property and, in the event deposited
into the collection account and not previously withheld, and to the
extent that Liquidation Proceeds after such reimbursement exceed the
principal balance of the related loan, together with accrued and
unpaid interest thereon to the due date for the loan next succeeding
the date of its receipt of
46
the Liquidation Proceeds, to pay to itself out of the excess the
amount of any unpaid servicing fee and any assumption fees, late
payment charges, or other charges on the related loan;
o in the event the servicer has elected not to pay itself the
servicing fee out of the interest component of any scheduled
payment, late payment or other recovery with respect to a particular
loan prior to the deposit of the scheduled payment, late payment or
recovery into the collection account, to pay to itself the servicing
fee, as adjusted pursuant to the related agreement, from any
scheduled payment, late payment or other recovery to the extent
permitted by the related agreement;
o to reimburse itself for expenses incurred by and recoverable by or
reimbursable to it pursuant to the related agreement;
o to pay to the applicable person with respect to each primary asset
or related real property that has been repurchased or removed from
the trust fund by the depositor, the servicer or the seller pursuant
to the related agreement, all amounts received thereon and not
distributed as of the date on which the related repurchase price was
determined;
o to make payments to the trustee of the series for deposit into the
related distribution account or for remittance to the holders of the
series in the amounts and in the manner provided for in the related
agreement; and
o to clear and terminate the collection account pursuant to the
related agreement.
In addition, if the servicer deposits into the collection account for a
series any amount not required to be deposited therein, the servicer may, at any
time, withdraw the amount from the collection account.
Advances and Limitations on Advances
The related prospectus supplement will describe the circumstances, if any,
under which the servicer will make advances with respect to delinquent payments
on loans. If specified in the related prospectus supplement, the servicer will
be obligated to make advances. Its obligation to make advances may be limited in
amount, or may not be activated until a certain portion of a specified reserve
fund is depleted. Advances are intended to provide liquidity and, except to the
extent specified in the related prospectus supplement, not to guarantee or
insure against losses. Accordingly, any funds advanced are recoverable by the
servicer out of amounts received on particular loans that represent late
recoveries of scheduled payments, Insurance Proceeds or Liquidation Proceeds
respecting which an advance was made. If an advance is made and subsequently
determined to be nonrecoverable from late collections, Insurance Proceeds or
Liquidation Proceeds from the related loan, the servicer may be entitled to
reimbursement from other funds in the collection account or distribution
account(s), as the case may be, or from a specified reserve fund, as applicable,
to the extent specified in the related prospectus supplement.
47
Maintenance of Insurance Policies and Other Servicing Procedures
Standard Hazard Insurance; Flood Insurance. Except as otherwise specified
in the related prospectus supplement, the servicer will be required to maintain
(or to cause the borrower under each loan to maintain) a standard hazard
insurance policy providing the standard form of fire insurance coverage with
extended coverage for certain other hazards as is customary in the state in
which the related property is located. The standard hazard insurance policies
will provide for coverage at least equal to the applicable state standard form
of fire insurance policy with extended coverage for property of the type
securing the related loans. In general, the standard form of fire and extended
coverage policy will cover physical damage to, or destruction of, the related
property caused by fire, lightning, explosion, smoke, windstorm, hail, riot,
strike and civil commotion, subject to the conditions and exclusions in each
policy. Because the standard hazard insurance policies relating to the loans
will be underwritten by different hazard insurers and will cover properties
located in various states, the policies will not contain identical terms and
conditions. The basic terms, however, generally will be determined by state law
and generally will be similar. Most such policies typically will not cover any
physical damage resulting from war, revolution, governmental actions, floods and
other water-related causes, earth movement (including earthquakes, landslides
and mudflows), nuclear reaction, wet or dry rot, vermin, rodents, insects or
domestic animals, theft and, in certain cases, vandalism. The foregoing list is
merely indicative of certain kinds of uninsured risks and is not intended to be
all inclusive. Uninsured risks not covered by a special hazard insurance policy
or other form of credit enhancement will adversely affect distributions to
holders. When a property securing a loan is located in a flood area identified
by HUD pursuant to the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended, the
servicer will be required to cause flood insurance to be maintained with respect
to the property, to the extent available.
The standard hazard insurance policies covering properties typically will
contain a "coinsurance" clause, which in effect will require that the insured at
all times carry hazard insurance of a specified percentage (generally 80% to
90%) of the full replacement value of the property, including any improvements
on the property, in order to recover the full amount of any partial loss. If the
insured's coverage falls below this specified percentage, the coinsurance clause
will provide that the hazard insurer's liability in the event of partial loss
will not exceed the greater of
o the actual cash value (i.e., replacement cost less physical
depreciation) of the property, including the improvements, if any,
damaged or destroyed, and
o such proportion of the loss, without deduction for depreciation, as
the amount of insurance carried bears to the specified percentage of
the full replacement cost of the property and improvements.
Since the amount of hazard insurance to be maintained on the improvements
securing the loans declines as their principal balances decrease, and since the
value of the properties will fluctuate over time, the effect of this requirement
in the event of partial loss may be that hazard insurance proceeds will be
insufficient to restore fully the damage to the affected property.
48
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, coverage
will be in an amount at least equal to the greater of
o the amount necessary to avoid the enforcement of any co-insurance
clause contained in the policy, and
o the outstanding principal balance of the related loan.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the servicer
will also maintain on REO property a standard hazard insurance policy in an
amount that is at least equal to the maximum insurable value of the REO
property. No earthquake or other additional insurance will be required of any
borrower or will be maintained on REO property other than pursuant to such
applicable laws and regulations as shall at any time be in force and shall
require the additional insurance.
Any amounts collected by the servicer under insurance policies (other than
amounts to be applied to the restoration or repair of the property, released to
the borrower in accordance with normal servicing procedures or used to reimburse
the servicer for amounts to which it is entitled to reimbursement) will be
deposited into the collection account. In the event that the servicer obtains
and maintains a blanket policy insuring against hazard losses on all of the
loans, written by an insurer then acceptable to each rating agency named in the
prospectus supplement, it will conclusively be deemed to have satisfied its
obligations to cause to be maintained a standard hazard insurance policy for
each loan or related REO property. This blanket policy may contain a deductible
clause, in which case the servicer will be required, in the event that there has
been a loss that would have been covered by the policy absent the deductible
clause, to deposit into the collection account the amount not otherwise payable
under the blanket policy because of the application of the deductible clause.
Realization upon Defaulted Loans
The servicer will use its reasonable best efforts to foreclose upon,
repossess or otherwise comparably convert the ownership of the properties
securing the related loans that come into and continue in default and as to
which no satisfactory arrangements can be made for collection of delinquent
payments. In this connection, the servicer will follow such practices and
procedures as it deems necessary or advisable and as are normal and usual in its
servicing activities with respect to comparable loans that it services. However,
the servicer will not be required to expend its own funds in connection with any
foreclosure or towards the restoration of the property unless it determines that
o the restoration or foreclosure will increase the Liquidation
Proceeds of the related loan available to the holders after
reimbursement to itself for its expenses, and
o its expenses will be recoverable either through Liquidation Proceeds
or Insurance Proceeds.
However, in the case of a trust fund for which a REMIC election has been made,
the servicer will be required to liquidate any REO property by the end of the
third calendar year after the trust
49
fund acquires beneficial ownership of the REO property. While the holder of an
REO property can often maximize its recovery by providing financing to a new
purchaser, the trust fund will have no ability to do so and neither the servicer
nor the depositor will be required to do so.
The servicer may arrange with the borrower on a defaulted loan a change in
the terms of the loan to the extent provided in the related prospectus
supplement. This type of modification may only be entered into if it meets the
underwriting policies and procedures employed by the servicer in servicing
receivables for its own account and meets the other conditions set forth in the
related prospectus supplement.
Enforcement of Due-on-Sale Clauses
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement for a
series, when any property is about to be conveyed by the borrower, the servicer
will, to the extent it has knowledge of the prospective conveyance and prior to
the time of the consummation of the conveyance, exercise its rights to
accelerate the maturity of the related loan under any applicable "due-on-sale"
clause, unless it reasonably believes that the clause is not enforceable under
applicable law or if enforcement of the clause would result in loss of coverage
under any primary mortgage insurance policy. In that event, the servicer is
authorized to accept from or enter into an assumption agreement with the person
to whom the property has been or is about to be conveyed. Under the assumption,
the transferee of the property becomes liable under the loan and the original
borrower is released from liability and the transferee is substituted as the
borrower and becomes liable under the loan. Any fee collected in connection with
an assumption will be retained by the servicer as additional servicing
compensation. The terms of a loan may not be changed in connection with an
assumption.
Servicing Compensation and Payment of Expenses
Except as otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the
servicer will be entitled to a periodic servicing fee in an amount to be
determined as specified in the related prospectus supplement. The servicing fee
may be fixed or variable, as specified in the related prospectus supplement. In
addition, unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the
servicer will be entitled to additional servicing compensation in the form of
assumption fees, late payment charges and similar items, and excess proceeds
following disposition of property in connection with defaulted loans.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the
servicer will pay certain expenses incurred in connection with the servicing of
the loans, including, without limitation, the payment of the fees and expenses
of each trustee and independent accountants, payment of security policy and
insurance policy premiums, if applicable, and the cost of any credit
enhancement, and payment of expenses incurred in preparation of reports to
holders.
When a borrower makes a principal prepayment in full between due dates on
the related loan, the borrower generally will be required to pay interest on the
amount prepaid only to the date of prepayment. If and to the extent provided in
the related prospectus supplement, in order that one or more classes of the
securities of a series will not be adversely affected by any resulting shortfall
in interest, the amount of the servicing fee may be reduced to the extent
50
necessary to include in the servicer's remittance to the applicable trustee for
deposit into the related distribution account an amount equal to one month's
interest on the related loan (less the servicing fee). If the total amount of
these shortfalls in a month exceeds the servicing fee for that month, a
shortfall to holders may occur.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the
servicer will be entitled to reimbursement for certain expenses that it incurs
in connection with the liquidation of defaulted loans. The related holders will
suffer no loss by reason of the servicer's expenses to the extent the expenses
are covered under related insurance policies or from excess Liquidation
Proceeds. If claims are either not made or paid under the applicable insurance
policies or if coverage under the policies has been exhausted, the related
holders will suffer a loss to the extent that Liquidation Proceeds, after
reimbursement of the servicer's expenses, are less than the principal balance of
and unpaid interest on the related loan that would be distributable to holders.
In addition, the servicer will be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses in
connection with the restoration of REO property This right of reimbursement is
prior to the rights of the holders to receive any related Insurance Proceeds,
Liquidation Proceeds or amounts derived from other credit enhancement. The
servicer generally is also entitled to reimbursement from the collection account
for advances.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the
rights of the servicer to receive funds from the collection account for a
series, whether as the servicing fee or other compensation, or for the
reimbursement of advances, expenses or otherwise, are not subordinate to the
rights of holders of securities of the series.
Evidence as to Compliance
If so specified in the related prospectus supplement, the applicable
governing agreement will provide that, each year, a firm of independent public
accountants will furnish a statement to the trustee to the effect that the firm
has examined certain documents and records relating to the servicing of the
loans by the servicer and that, on the basis of the examination, the firm is of
the opinion that the servicing has been conducted in compliance with the
agreement, except for such exceptions as the firm believes to be immaterial and
any other exceptions set forth in the statement.
If so specified in the related prospectus supplement, the applicable
agreement will also provide for delivery to the trustee of an annual statement
signed by an officer of the servicer to the effect that the servicer has
fulfilled its obligations under the agreement throughout the preceding calendar
year.
Certain Matters Regarding the Servicer
The servicer for each series will be identified in the related prospectus
supplement. The servicer may be an affiliate of the depositor and may have other
business relationships with the depositor and its affiliates.
If an event of default occurs under either a servicing agreement or a
pooling and servicing agreement, the servicer may be replaced by the trustee or
a successor servicer. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus
supplement, the events of default and the rights of a
51
trustee upon a default under the agreement for the related series will be
substantially similar to those described under "The Agreements--Events of
Default; Rights upon Event of Default--Pooling and Servicing Agreement;
Servicing Agreement" in this prospectus.
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the servicer does
not have the right to assign its rights and delegate its duties and obligations
under the related agreement unless the successor servicer accepting such
assignment or delegation
o services similar loans in the ordinary course of its business;
o is reasonably satisfactory to the trustee;
o has a net worth of not less than the amount specified in the
prospectus supplement;
o would not cause the rating of the related securities by a rating
agency named in the prospectus supplement, as such rating is in
effect immediately prior to the assignment, sale or transfer, to be
qualified, downgraded or withdrawn as a result of the assignment,
sale or transfer; and
o executes and delivers to the trustee an agreement, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, that contains an
assumption by the successor servicer of the due and punctual
performance and observance of each covenant and condition required
to be performed or observed by the servicer under the agreement from
and after the date of the agreement.
No assignment will become effective until the trustee or a successor
servicer has assumed the servicer's obligations and duties under the related
agreement. To the extent that the servicer transfers its obligations to a
wholly-owned subsidiary or affiliate, the subsidiary or affiliate need not
satisfy the criteria set forth above. In this instance, however, the assigning
servicer will remain liable for the servicing obligations under the agreement.
Any entity into which the servicer is merged or consolidated or any successor
corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation will succeed
to the servicer's obligations under the agreement provided that the successor or
surviving entity meets the requirements for a successor servicer set forth
above.
Except to the extent otherwise provided, each agreement will provide that
neither the servicer nor any director, officer, employee or agent of the
servicer will be under any liability to the related trust fund, the depositor or
the holders for any action taken or for failing to take any action in good faith
pursuant to the related agreement, or for errors in judgment. However, neither
the servicer nor any such person will be protected against any breach of
warranty or representations made under the agreement, or the failure to perform
its obligations in compliance with any standard of care set forth in the
agreement, or liability that would otherwise be imposed by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of their duties or by
reason of reckless disregard of their obligations and duties under the
agreement. Each agreement will further provide that the servicer and any
director, officer, employee or agent of the servicer is entitled to
indemnification from the related trust fund and will be held harmless against
any loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with any legal action
relating to the agreement or
52
the securities, other than any loss, liability or expense incurred by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of duties under
the agreement or by reason of reckless disregard of those obligations and
duties. In addition, the agreement will provide that the servicer is not under
any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action that is not
incidental to its servicing responsibilities under the agreement that, in its
opinion, may involve it in any expense or liability. The servicer may, in its
discretion, undertake any such action that it may deem necessary or desirable
with respect to the agreement and the rights and duties of the parties thereto
and the interests of the holders thereunder. In that event, the legal expenses
and costs of the action and any resulting liability may be expenses, costs, and
liabilities of the trust fund and the servicer may be entitled to be reimbursed
therefor out of the collection account.
The Agreements
The following summaries describe the material provisions of the pooling
and servicing agreement or trust agreement, in the case of a series of
certificates, and the indenture and servicing agreement, in the case of a series
of notes. The summaries do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and
qualified in their entirety by reference to, the provisions of the agreements
applicable to the particular series of securities. Where particular provisions
or terms used in the agreements are referred to, the provisions or terms are as
specified in the agreements.
Assignment of Primary Assets
General. At the time of issuance of the securities of a series, the
depositor will transfer, convey and assign to the related trust fund all right,
title and interest of the depositor in the primary assets and other property to
be transferred to the trust fund. This assignment will include all principal and
interest due on or with respect to the primary assets after the cut-off date
(except for any retained interests). The trustee will, concurrently with the
assignment, execute and deliver the securities.
Assignment of Mortgage Loans. Unless otherwise specified in the related
prospectus supplement, the depositor will deliver to the trustee (or, if
specified in the prospectus supplement, a custodian on behalf of the trustee),
as to each Residential Loan and Home Equity Loan, the related note endorsed
without recourse to the order of the trustee or in blank, the original mortgage,
deed of trust or other security instrument with evidence of recording indicated
thereon (except for any mortgage not returned from the public recording office,
in which case a copy of the mortgage will be delivered, together with a
certificate that the original of the mortgage was delivered to such recording
office), and an assignment of the mortgage in recordable form. The trustee or,
if so specified in the related prospectus supplement, the custodian will hold
these documents in trust for the benefit of the holders.
If so specified in the related prospectus supplement, at the time of
issuance of the securities, the depositor will cause assignments to the trustee
of the mortgages relating to the loans to be recorded in the appropriate public
office for real property records, except in states where, in the opinion of
counsel acceptable to the trustee, recording is not required to protect the
trustee's interest in the related loans. If specified in the prospectus
supplement, the depositor will cause the assignments to be recorded within the
time after issuance of the securities as is specified in the related prospectus
supplement. In this event, the prospectus supplement will
53
specify whether the agreement requires the depositor to repurchase from the
trustee any loan the related mortgage of which is not recorded within that time,
at the price described below with respect to repurchases by reason of defective
documentation. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, the
enforcement of the repurchase obligation would constitute the sole remedy
available to the holders or the trustee for the failure of a mortgage to be
recorded.
Assignment of Home Improvement Contracts. Unless otherwise specified in
the related prospectus supplement, the depositor will deliver to the trustee or
the custodian each original Home Improvement Contract and copies of related
documents and instruments and, except in the case of unsecured Home Improvement
Contracts, the security interest in the related home improvements. In order to
give notice of the right, title and interest of holders to the Home Improvement
Contracts, the depositor will cause a UCC-1 financing statement to be executed
by the depositor or the seller identifying the trustee as the secured party and
identifying all Home Improvement Contracts as collateral. Unless otherwise
specified in the related prospectus supplement, the Home Improvement Contracts
will not be stamped or otherwise marked to reflect their assignment to the trust
fund. Therefore, if, through negligence, fraud or otherwise, a subsequent
purchaser were able to take physical possession of the Home Improvement
Contracts without notice of the assignment, the interest of holders in the Home
Improvement Contracts could be defeated. See "Material Legal Aspects of the
Loans--The Home Improvement Contracts and the Manufactured Housing Contracts" in
this prospectus.
Assignment of Manufactured Housing Contracts. If specified in the related
prospectus supplement, the depositor or the seller will deliver to the trustee
the original contract as to each Manufactured Housing Contract and copies of
documents and instruments related to each contract and, other than in the case
of unsecured contracts, the security interest in the property securing that
contract. In order to give notice of the right, title and interest of
securityholders to the contracts, if specified in the related prospectus
supplement, the depositor or the seller will cause a UCC-1 financing statement
to be executed by the depositor or the seller identifying the trustee as the
secured party and identifying all contracts as collateral. If so specified in
the related prospectus supplement, the contracts will not be stamped or
otherwise marked to reflect their assignment to the trustee. 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
interest of securityholders in the contracts could be defeated. See "Material
Legal Aspects of the Loans -- The Home Improvement Contracts and the
Manufactured Housing Contracts."
Loan Schedule. Each loan will be identified in a schedule appearing as an
exhibit to the related agreement and will specify with respect to each loan:
o the original principal amount,
o its unpaid principal balance as of the cut-off date,
o the current interest rate,
o the current scheduled payment of principal and interest,
54
o the maturity date, if any, of the related note, and
o if the loan is an adjustable rate loan, the lifetime rate cap, if
any, and the current index.
Assignment of Agency and Private Label Securities. The depositor will
cause the Agency and Private Label Securities to be registered in the name of
the trustee (or its nominee or correspondent). The trustee (or its nominee or
correspondent) will take possession of any certificated Agency or Private Label
Securities. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the
trustee will not be in possession of, or be assignee of record of, any loans
underlying the Agency or Private Label Securities. See "The Trust Funds--Private
Label Securities" in this prospectus. Each Agency and Private Label Security
will be identified in a schedule appearing as an exhibit to the related
agreement, which will specify the original principal amount, principal balance
as of the cut-off date, annual pass-through rate or interest rate and maturity
date for each Agency and Private Label Security conveyed to the related trust
fund. In the agreement, the depositor will represent and warrant to the trustee
that:
o the information contained in the Agency or Private Label Securities
schedule is true and correct in all material respects,
o immediately prior to the conveyance of the Agency or Private Label
Securities, the depositor had good title and was the sole owner of
the Agency or Private Label Securities (subject to any retained
interest),
o there has been no other sale of the Agency or Private Label
Securities, and
o there is no existing lien, charge, security interest or other
encumbrance on the Agency or Private Label Securities (other than
any retained interest).
Repurchase and Substitution of Non-Conforming Primary Assets. Unless
otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, if any document in the
file relating to the primary assets delivered by the depositor to the trustee
(or custodian) is found by the trustee, within 90 days of the execution of the
related agreement (or promptly after the trustee's receipt of any document
permitted to be delivered after the closing date), to be defective in any
material respect and the depositor or seller does not cure such defect within 90
days (or within any other period specified in the related prospectus supplement)
the depositor or seller will, not later than 90 days (or within such any period
specified in the related prospectus supplement), after the trustee's notice to
the depositor or the seller, as the case may be, of the defect, repurchase from
the trustee the related primary asset or any property acquired in respect of the
asset. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the
repurchase shall be effected at a price equal to the sum of:
55
o the lesser of
o the principal balance of the primary asset, and
o the trust fund's federal income tax basis in the primary
asset;
plus
o accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the next scheduled
payment on the primary asset at the rate set forth in the related
agreement.
However, the purchase price shall not be limited to the trust fund's federal
income tax basis in the asset, if the repurchase at a price equal to the
principal balance of the repurchased primary asset will not result in any
prohibited transaction tax under Section 860F(a) of the Code.
If provided in the related prospectus supplement, the depositor or seller,
as the case may be, may, rather than repurchase the primary asset as described
above, remove the non-conforming primary asset from the trust fund and
substitute in its place one or more other qualifying substitute primary assets.
If no REMIC election is made with respect to the trust fund, the substitution
must be effected within 120 days of the date of initial issuance of the
securities. If a REMIC election is made with respect to the trust fund the
trustee must have received after a specified time period a satisfactory opinion
of counsel that the substitution will not cause the trust fund to lose its
status as a REMIC or otherwise subject the trust fund to a prohibited
transaction tax.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, any
qualifying substitute primary asset will, on the date of substitution, meet the
following criteria:
o it has a principal balance, after deduction of all scheduled
payments due in the month of substitution, not in excess of the
principal balance of the deleted primary asset (the amount of any
shortfall to be deposited to the collection account in the month of
substitution for distribution to holders),
o it has an interest rate not less than (and not more than 2% greater
than) the interest rate of the deleted primary asset,
o it has a remaining term-to-stated maturity not greater than (and not
more than two years less than) that of the deleted primary asset;
and
o it complies with all of the representations and warranties set forth
in the applicable agreement as of the date of substitution.
Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, the
above-described cure, repurchase or substitution obligations constitute the sole
remedies available to the holders or the trustee for a material defect in the
documentation for a primary asset.
The depositor or another entity will make representations and warranties
with respect to primary assets for each series. If the depositor or the other
entity cannot cure a breach of any
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such representations and warranties in all material respects within the time
period specified in the related prospectus supplement after notification by the
trustee of such breach, and if the breach is of a nature that materially and
adversely affects the value of the primary asset, the depositor or the other
entity will be obligated to repurchase the affected primary asset or, if
provided in the prospectus supplement, provide a qualifying substitute primary
asset, subject to the same conditions and limitations on purchases and
substitutions as described above.
The depositor's only source of funds to effect any cure, repurchase or
substitution will be through the enforcement of the corresponding obligations,
if any, of the responsible originator or seller of the non-conforming primary
assets. See "Risk Factors--Only the assets of the related trust fund are
available to pay your certificates" in this prospectus.
No holder of securities of a series, solely by virtue of the holder's
status as a holder, will have any right under the applicable agreement to
institute any proceeding with respect to agreement, unless holder previously has
given to the trustee for the series written notice of default and unless the
holders of securities evidencing not less than 51% of the aggregate voting
rights of the securities of the series have made written request upon the
trustee to institute the proceeding in its own name as trustee thereunder and
have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity, and the trustee for 60 days
has neglected or refused to institute the proceeding.
Reports to Holders
The applicable trustee or other entity specified in the related prospectus
supplement will prepare and forward to each holder on each distribution date, or
as soon thereafter as is practicable, a statement setting forth, to the extent
applicable to any series, among other things:
o the amount of principal distributed to holders of the related
securities and the outstanding principal balance of the securities
following the distribution;
o the amount of interest distributed to holders of the related
securities and the current interest on the securities;
o the amount of any overdue accrued interest included in such
distribution, any remaining overdue accrued interest with respect to
the securities, or any current shortfall in amounts to be
distributed as accrued interest to holders of the securities;
o the amount of any overdue payments of scheduled principal included
in the distribution, any remaining overdue principal amounts with
respect to the securities, any current shortfall in receipt of
scheduled principal payments on the related primary assets, or any
realized losses or Liquidation Proceeds to be allocated as
reductions in the outstanding principal balances of the securities;
o the amount received under any related credit enhancement, and the
remaining amount available under the credit enhancement;
o the amount of any delinquencies with respect to payments on the
related primary assets;
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o the book value of any REO property acquired by the related trust
fund; and
o other information specified in the related agreement.
In addition, within a reasonable period of time after the end of each
calendar year, the applicable trustee, unless otherwise specified in the related
prospectus supplement, will furnish to each holder of record at any time during
the calendar year:
o the total of the amounts reported pursuant to clauses under the
first and second bullets above and under the last clause of the
fourth bullet above for the calendar year, and
o the information specified in the related agreement to enable holders
to prepare their tax returns including, without limitation, the
amount of any original issue discount accrued on the securities.
Information in the distribution date statements and annual statements
provided to the holders will not have been examined and reported upon by an
independent public accountant. However, the servicer will provide to the trustee
a report by independent public accountants with respect to its servicing of the
loans. See "Servicing of Loans--Evidence as to Compliance" in this prospectus.
If so specified in the prospectus supplement, the related series of
securities (or one or more classes of the series) will be issued in book-entry
form. In that event, owners of beneficial interests in those securities will not
be considered holders and will not receive such reports directly from the
trustee. The trustee will forward reports only to the entity or its nominee that
is the registered holder of the global certificate that evidences the book-entry
securities. Beneficial owners will receive reports from the participants and
indirect participants of the applicable book-entry system in accordance with the
policies and procedures of the participants and indirect participants.
Events of Default; Rights upon Event of Default
Pooling and Servicing Agreement; Servicing Agreement. Unless otherwise
specified in the related prospectus supplement, "events of default under the
pooling and servicing agreement for each series of certificates include:
o any failure by the servicer to deposit amounts in the collection
account and distribution account(s) to enable the trustee to
distribute to holders of securities of the series any required
payment, provided that this failure continues unremedied for the
number of days specified in the related prospectus supplement after
the giving of written notice to the servicer by the trustee, or to
the servicer and the trustee by holders having not less than 25% of
the total voting rights of the series;
o any failure by the servicer duly to observe or perform in any
material respect any other of its covenants or agreements in the
agreement provided that this failure continues unremedied for the
number of days specified in the related prospectus supplement after
the giving of written to the servicer by the trustee, or to the
servicer
58
and the trustee by the holders having not less than 25% of the total
voting rights of the of the series; and
o certain events of insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshalling of
assets and liabilities or similar proceedings and certain actions by
the servicer indicating its insolvency, reorganization or inability
to pay its obligations.
So long as an event of default remains unremedied under the applicable
agreement for a series of securities relating to the servicing of loans, unless
otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the trustee or holders
of securities of the series having not less than 51% of the total voting rights
of the series may terminate all of the rights and obligations of the servicer as
servicer under the applicable agreement (other than its right to recovery of
other expenses and amounts advanced pursuant to the terms of the agreement,
which rights the servicer will retain under all circumstances), whereupon the
trustee will succeed to all the responsibilities, duties and liabilities of the
servicer under the agreement and will be entitled to reasonable servicing
compensation not to exceed the applicable servicing fee, together with other
servicing compensation in the form of assumption fees, late payment charges or
otherwise as provided in the agreement.
In the event that the trustee is unwilling or unable so to act, it may
select (or petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint) a finance
institution, bank or loan servicing institution with a net worth specified in
the related prospectus supplement to act as successor servicer under the
provisions of the agreement. The successor servicer would be entitled to
reasonable servicing compensation in an amount not to exceed the servicing fee
as set forth in the related prospectus supplement, together with other servicing
compensation in the form of assumption fees, late payment charges or otherwise,
as provided in the agreement.
During the continuance of any event of default of a servicer under an
agreement for a series of securities, the trustee will have the right to take
action to enforce its rights and remedies and to protect and enforce the rights
and remedies of the holders of securities of the series, and, unless otherwise
specified in the related prospectus supplement, holders of securities having not
less than 51% of the total voting rights of the series may direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee. However,
the trustee will not be under any obligation to pursue any such remedy or to
exercise any of such trusts or powers unless the holders have offered the
trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the cost, expenses and
liabilities that may be incurred by the trustee as a result. The trustee may
decline to follow any such direction if it determines that the action or
proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or would involve it in personal
liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the non-assenting holders.
Indenture. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus
supplement, "events of default" under the indenture for each series of notes
include:
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o a default for thirty (30) days or more in the payment of any
principal of or interest on any note of the series;
o failure to perform any other covenant of the depositor or the trust
fund in the indenture, provided that the failure continues for a
period of sixty (60) days after notice is given in accordance with
the procedures described in the related prospectus supplement;
o any representation or warranty made by the depositor or the trust
fund in the indenture or in any certificate or other writing
delivered pursuant to it or in connection with it with respect to or
affecting such series having been incorrect in a material respect as
of the time made, provided that the breach is not cured within sixty
(60) days after notice is given in accordance with the procedures
described in the related prospectus supplement;
o certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
liquidation of the depositor or the trust fund; and
o any other event of default specified with respect to notes of that
series.
If an event of default with respect to the then-outstanding notes of any
series occurs and is continuing, either the indenture trustee or the holders of
a majority of the total amount of those notes may declare the principal amount
of all the notes of the series (or, if the notes of that series are zero coupon
securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the
related prospectus supplement) to be due and payable immediately. Under certain
circumstances of this type the declaration may be rescinded and annulled by the
holders of a majority of the total amount of those notes.
If, following an event of default with respect to any series of notes, the
related notes have been declared to be due and payable, the indenture trustee
may, in its discretion, and notwithstanding such acceleration, elect to maintain
possession of the collateral securing the notes and to continue to apply
distributions on the collateral as if there had been no declaration of
acceleration, provided that the collateral continues to provide sufficient funds
for the payment of principal of and interest on the notes as they would have
become due if there had not been a 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 of or interest on any note of the series for thirty (30) days or
more), unless:
o the holders of 100% of the total amount of the then-outstanding
notes of the series consent to the sale; or
o the proceeds of the sale or liquidation are sufficient to pay in
full the principal of and accrued interest due and unpaid on the
outstanding notes of the series at the date of sale; or
o the indenture trustee determines that the collateral would not be
sufficient on an ongoing basis to make all payments on the notes as
such payments would have
60
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%
of the total amount of the then-outstanding notes of the series.
In the event that the indenture trustee liquidates the collateral in
connection with an event of default involving a default for thirty (30) days 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 its unpaid fees and expenses. As a result, upon
the occurrence of an event of default of this type, the amount available for
distribution to the noteholders may 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 noteholders
after the occurrence of the event of default.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, in the
event that the principal of the notes of a series is declared due and payable as
described above, holders of the notes issued at a discount from par may be
entitled to receive no more than an amount equal to the unpaid principal amount
of those notes less the amount of the discount that remains unamortized.
Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the
indenture trustee, in case an event of default shall occur and be continuing
with respect to a series of notes, the indenture trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the
request or direction of any of the holders of notes of the series, unless the
holders offer security or indemnity satisfactory to the indenture trustee
against the costs, expenses and liabilities it might incur in complying with
their request or direction. Subject to the provisions for indemnification and
certain limitations contained in the indenture, the holders of a majority of
amount of the then-outstanding notes of the series shall 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 those notes, and the holders of a majority
of the amount of the amount of the then- outstanding notes of the series may, in
certain 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 that cannot be modified without the waiver or consent
of all affected holders of the outstanding notes.
The Trustees
The identity of the commercial bank, savings and loan association or trust
company named as the trustee or indenture trustee, as the case may be, for each
series of securities will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement.
Entities serving as trustee may have normal banking relationships with the
depositor or the servicer. In addition, for the purpose of meeting the legal
requirements of certain local jurisdictions, each trustee will have the power to
appoint co-trustees or separate trustees. In the event of an appointment, all
rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the trustee by
the related agreement will be conferred or imposed upon that trustee and each
separate trustee or co-trustee jointly, or, in any jurisdiction in which the
trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform certain acts, singly upon
the
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separate trustee or co-trustee who will exercise and perform such rights,
powers, duties and obligations solely at the direction of the trustee. The
trustee may also appoint agents to perform any of its responsibilities, which
agents will have any or all of the rights, powers, duties and obligations of the
trustee conferred on them by their appointment; provided, however, that the
trustee will continue to be responsible for its duties and obligations under the
agreement.
Duties of Trustees
No trustee will make any representations as to the validity or sufficiency
of the related agreement, the securities or of any primary asset or related
documents. If no event of default (as defined in the related agreement) has
occurred, the applicable trustee will be required to perform only those duties
specifically required of it under the agreement. Upon receipt of the various
certificates, statements, reports or other instruments required to be furnished
to it, the trustee will be required to examine them to determine whether they
are in the form required by the related agreement. However, the trustee will not
be responsible for the accuracy or content of any documents furnished to it by
the holders or the servicer under the agreement.
Each trustee may be held liable for its own negligent action or failure to
act, or for its own misconduct; provided, however, that no trustee will be
personally liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be
taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the related
holders in an event of default. No trustee will be required to expend or risk
its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of
any of its duties under the related agreement, or in the exercise of any of its
rights or powers, if it has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of
such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.
Resignation of Trustees
Each trustee may, upon written notice to the depositor, resign at any
time, in which event the depositor will be obligated to use its best efforts to
appoint a successor trustee. If no successor trustee has been appointed and has
accepted such appointment within 30 days after the giving of such notice of
resignation, the resigning trustee may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for appointment of a successor trustee. Each trustee may also be
removed at any time
o if the trustee ceases to be eligible to continue as such under the
related agreement, or
o if the trustee becomes insolvent, or
o the holders of securities having more than over 50% of the total
voting rights of the securities in the trust fund give written
notice to the trustee and to the depositor.
Any resignation or removal of a trustee and appointment of a successor trustee
will not become effective until the successor trustee accepts its appointment.
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Amendment of Agreement
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the Agreement for
each series of securities may be amended by the depositor, the servicer (with
respect to a series relating to loans), and the trustee, without notice to or
consent of the holders, for the following purposes:
o to cure any ambiguity,
o to correct any defective provisions or to correct or supplement any
provision in the agreement,
o to add to the duties of the depositor, the applicable trustee or the
servicer,
o to add any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under the agreement or related credit enhancement,
o to add or amend any provisions of the agreement as required by any
rating agency named in the prospectus supplement in order to
maintain or improve the rating of the securities (it being
understood that none of the depositor, the seller, the servicer or
any trustee is obligated to maintain or improve the rating), or
o to comply with any requirements imposed by the Code.
In no event, however, shall any amendment (other than an amendment to comply
with Code requirements) adversely affect in any material respect the interests
of any holders of the series, as evidenced by an opinion of counsel delivered to
the trustee. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, an
amendment shall be deemed not to adversely affect in any material respect the
interests of any holder if the trustee receives written confirmation from each
rating agency named in the prospectus supplement that the amendment will not
cause the rating agency to reduce its then-current rating.
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each agreement
for a series may also be amended by the applicable trustee, the servicer, if
applicable, and the depositor with the consent of the holders possessing not
less than 66 2/3% of the total outstanding principal amount of the securities of
the series (or, if only certain classes are affected by the amendment, 66 2/3%
of the total outstanding principal amount of each affected class), for the
purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any
of the provisions of the agreement, or modifying in any manner the rights of
holders of the series. In no event, however, shall any amendment
o reduce the amount or delay the timing of payments on any security
without the consent of the holder of the security, or
o reduce the percentage of the total outstanding principal amount of
securities of each class, the holders of which are required to
consent to any such amendment, without the consent of the holders of
100% of the total outstanding principal amount of each affected
class.
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Voting Rights
The prospectus supplement will set forth the method of determining
allocation of voting rights with respect to the related series of securities.
List of Holders
Upon written request of three or more holders of record of a series for
purposes of communicating with other holders with respect to their rights under
the agreement (which request is accompanied by a copy of the communication such
holders propose to transmit), the trustee will afford them access during
business hours to the most recent list of holders of that series held by the
trustee.
No agreement will provide for the holding of any annual or other meeting
of holders.
Book-Entry Securities
If specified in the related prospectus supplement for a series of
securities, the securities (or one or more of the securities) may be issued in
book-entry form. In that event, beneficial owners of those securities will not
be considered "Holders" under the agreements and may exercise the rights of
holders only indirectly through the participants in the applicable book-entry
system.
REMIC Administrator
For any series with respect to which a REMIC election is made, preparation
of certain reports and certain other administrative duties with respect to the
trust fund may be performed by a REMIC administrator, which may be an affiliate
of the depositor.
Termination
Pooling and Servicing Agreement; Trust Agreement. The obligations created
by the pooling and servicing agreement or trust agreement for a series will
terminate upon the distribution to holders of all amounts distributable to them
under the agreement in the circumstances described in the related prospectus
supplement. See "Description of the Securities--Optional Redemption, Purchase or
Termination" in this prospectus.
Indenture. The indenture will be discharged with respect to a series of
notes (except with respect to certain continuing rights specified in the
indenture) upon the delivery to the indenture trustee for cancellation of all
the notes of that series or, with certain limitations, upon deposit with the
indenture trustee of funds sufficient for the payment in full of all of the
notes of the series.
In addition to such discharge with certain limitations, if so specified
with respect to the notes of any series, the indenture will provide that the
related trust fund will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of
the notes of that series (except for certain obligations relating to temporary
notes and exchange of notes, registration of the transfer or exchange of those
notes, replacing stolen, lost or mutilated notes, maintaining paying agencies
and holding
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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 that, through the payment of interest and principal 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 on the final
scheduled distribution date for the notes and any installment of interest on the
notes in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the notes. In the event
of any such defeasance and discharge of notes of a series, holders of notes of
that series would be able to look only to such money and/or direct obligations
for payment of principal of and interest on, if any, their notes until maturity.
Material Legal Aspects of the Loans
The following discussion contains general summaries of material legal
matters mortgage loans, home improvement installment sales contracts and home
improvement installment loan agreements that are general in nature. Because the
legal matters are determined primarily by applicable state law and because state
laws may differ substantially, the summaries do not purport to be complete, to
reflect the laws of any particular state, or to encompass the laws of all states
in which the properties securing the loans may be situated.
Mortgages
The Residential Loans and Home Equity Loans for a series will, and the
Home Improvement Contracts for a series may, be secured by mortgages or deeds of
trust or deeds to secure debt, depending upon the prevailing practice in the
state in which the property subject to a mortgage loan is located. We refer to
Residential Loans, Home Equity Loans and Home Improvement Contracts that are
secured by mortgages as "mortgage loans." The filing of a mortgage, deed of
trust or deed to secure debt creates a lien or title interest upon the real
property covered by that instrument and represents the security for the
repayment of an obligation that is customarily evidenced by a promissory note.
It is not prior to the lien for real estate taxes and assessments or other
charges imposed under governmental police powers and may also be subject to
other liens pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction in which the mortgaged
property is located. Priority with respect to the instruments depends on their
terms, the knowledge of the parties to the mortgage and generally on the order
of recording with the applicable state, county or municipal office. There are
two parties to a mortgage: the mortgagor, who is the borrower/property owner or
the land trustee (as described below), and the mortgagee, who is the lender.
Under the mortgage instrument, the mortgagor delivers to the mortgagee a note or
bond and the mortgage. In the case of a land trust, there are three parties
because title to the property is held by a land trustee under a land trust
agreement of which the borrower/property owner is the beneficiary; at
origination of a mortgage loan, the borrower executes a separate undertaking to
make payments on the mortgage note. A deed of trust transaction normally has
three parties: the trustor, who is the borrower/property owner; the beneficiary,
who is the lender; and the trustee, a third-party grantee. Under a deed of
trust, the trustor grants the property, irrevocably until the debt is paid, in
trust, generally with a power of sale, to the trustee to secure payment of the
obligation. The mortgagee's authority under a mortgage and the trustee's
authority under a deed of trust are governed by the law of the state in which
the real property is located, the express provisions of the mortgage or deed of
trust, and, in some cases, in deed of trust transactions, the directions of the
beneficiary.
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Foreclosure on Mortgages
Foreclosure of a mortgage is generally accomplished by judicial action.
Generally, the action is initiated by the service of legal pleadings upon all
parties having an interest of record in the real property. Delays in completion
of the foreclosure occasionally may result from difficulties in locating
necessary parties defendant. When the mortgagee's right to foreclosure is
contested, the legal proceedings necessary to resolve the issue can be
time-consuming and expensive. After the completion of a judicial foreclosure
proceeding, the court may issue a judgment of foreclosure and appoint a receiver
or other officer to conduct the sale of the property. In some states, mortgages
may also be foreclosed by advertisement, pursuant to a power of sale provided in
the mortgage. Foreclosure of a mortgage by advertisement is essentially similar
to foreclosure of a deed of trust by nonjudicial power of sale.
Foreclosure of a deed of trust generally is accomplished by a nonjudicial
trustee's sale under a specific provision in the deed of trust that authorizes
the trustee to sell the property upon any default by the borrower under the
terms of the note or deed of trust. In certain states, foreclosure also may be
accomplished by judicial action in the manner provided for foreclosure of
mortgages. In some states, the trustee must record a notice of default and send
a copy to the borrower-trustor and to any person who has recorded a request for
a copy of a notice of default and notice of sale. In addition, the trustee in
some states must provide notice to any other individual having an interest in
the real property, including any junior lienholders. If the deed of trust is not
reinstated within any applicable cure period, 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. In addition, some state laws require that a copy of the
notice of sale be posted on the property and sent to all parties having an
interest of record in the property. The trustor, borrower or any person having a
junior encumbrance on the real estate may, during a reinstatement period, cure
the default by paying the entire amount in arrears plus the costs and expenses
incurred in enforcing the obligation. Generally, state law controls the amount
of foreclosure expenses and costs, including attorney's fees, which may be
recovered by a lender.
An action to foreclose a mortgage is an action to recover the mortgage
debt by enforcing the mortgagee's rights under the mortgage. It is regulated by
statutes and rules and subject throughout to the court's equitable powers.
Generally, a mortgagor is bound by the terms of the related mortgage note and
the mortgage as made and cannot be relieved from his default if the mortgagee
has exercised its rights in a commercially reasonable manner. However, since a
foreclosure action historically was equitable in nature, the court may exercise
equitable powers to relieve a mortgagor of a default and deny the mortgagee
foreclosure on proof that either the mortgagor's default was neither willful nor
in bad faith or the mortgagee's action established a waiver, fraud, bad faith,
or oppressive or unconscionable conduct such as to warrant a court of equity to
refuse affirmative relief to the mortgagee. Under certain circumstances, a court
of equity may relieve the mortgagor from an entirely technical default where the
default was not willful.
A foreclosure action is subject to most of the delays and expenses of
other lawsuits if defenses or counterclaims are interposed, and sometimes
requires up to several years to complete. Moreover, a non-collusive, regularly
conducted foreclosure sale may be challenged as a fraudulent conveyance,
regardless of the parties' intent, if a court determines that the sale was
66
for less than fair consideration and the sale occurred while the mortgagor was
insolvent and within one year (or within the state statute of limitations if the
trustee in bankruptcy elects to proceed under state fraudulent conveyance law)
of the filing of bankruptcy. Similarly, a suit against the debtor on the related
mortgage note may take several years and, generally, is a remedy alternative to
foreclosure, the mortgagee being precluded from pursuing both at the same time.
In the case of foreclosure under either a mortgage or a deed of trust, a
public sale is conducted by the referee or other designated officer or by the
trustee. However, because of the difficulty potential third party purchasers at
the sale have in determining the exact status of title and because the physical
condition of the property may have deteriorated during the foreclosure
proceedings, it is uncommon for a third party to purchase the property at a
foreclosure sale. Rather, it is common for the lender to purchase the property
from the trustee or referee for an amount that may be equal to the unpaid
principal amount of the mortgage note secured by the mortgage or deed of trust
plus accrued and unpaid interest and the expenses of foreclosure, in which event
the mortgagor's debt will be extinguished. The lender may purchase the property
for a lesser amount in order to preserve its right against the borrower to seek
a deficiency judgment in states where such a judgment is available. Thereafter,
subject to the right of the borrower in some states to remain in possession
during the redemption period, the lender will assume the burdens of ownership,
including obtaining hazard insurance, paying taxes and making such repairs at
its own expense as are necessary to render the property suitable for sale. The
lender will commonly obtain the services of a real estate broker and pay the
broker's commission in connection with the sale of the property. Depending upon
market conditions, the ultimate proceeds of the sale of the property may not
equal the lender's investment in the property. Any loss may be reduced by the
receipt of any mortgage guaranty insurance proceeds.
Environmental Risks
Federal, state and local laws and regulations impose a wide range of
requirements on activities that may affect the environment, health and safety.
These include laws and regulations governing air pollutant emissions, hazardous
and toxic substances, impacts to wetlands, leaks from underground storage tanks
and the management, removal and disposal of lead- and asbestos-containing
materials. In certain circumstances, these laws and regulations impose
obligations on the owners or operators of residential properties such as those
subject to the loans. The failure to comply with these laws and regulations may
result in fines and penalties.
Moreover, under various federal, state and local laws and regulations, an
owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the costs of addressing
hazardous substances on, in or beneath such property and related costs.
Liability may be imposed without regard to whether the owner or operator knew
of, or was responsible for, the presence of hazardous substances, and could
exceed the value of the property and the aggregate assets of the owner or
operator. In addition, persons who transport or dispose of hazardous substances,
or arrange for the transportation, disposal or treatment of hazardous
substances, at off-site locations may also be held liable if there are releases
or threatened releases of hazardous substances at such off-site locations.
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In addition, under the laws of some states and under the Federal
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA),
contamination of property may give rise to a lien on the property to assure the
payment of the costs of clean-up. In several states, such a lien has priority
over the lien of an existing mortgage against the property. Under CERCLA, the
clean-up lien is subordinate to pre-existing, perfected security interests.
Under the laws of some states, and under CERCLA, there is a possibility
that a lender may be held liable as an "owner or operator" for costs of
addressing releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances at a
property, regardless of whether or not the environmental damage or threat was
caused by the current or prior owner or operator. CERCLA and some state laws
provide an exemption from the definition of "owner or operator" for a secured
creditor who, without "participating in the management" of a facility, holds
indicia of ownership primarily to protect its security interest in the facility.
The Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) provides similar protection to secured
creditors in connection with liability for releases of petroleum from certain
underground storage tanks. However, if a lender "participates in the management"
of the facility in question or is found not to have held its interest primarily
to protect a security interest, the lender may forfeit its secured creditor
exemption status.
A regulation promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
in April 1992 attempted to clarify the activities in which lenders could engage
both prior to and subsequent to foreclosure of a security interest without
forfeiting the secured creditor exemption under CERCLA. The rule was struck down
in 1994 by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit in Kelley ex rel State of Michigan v. Environmental Protection Agency,
15 F.3d 1100 (D.C. Cir. 1994), reh'g denied, 25 F.3d 1088, cert. denied sub nom.
Am. Bankers Ass'n v. Kelley, 115 S.Ct. 900 (1995). Another EPA regulation
promulgated in 1995 clarifies the activities in which lenders may engage without
forfeiting the secured creditor exemption under the underground storage tank
provisions of SWDA. That regulation has not been struck down.
On September 30, 1996, Congress enacted the Asset Conservation, Limited
Liability and Deposit Insurance Protection Act (ACA) which amended both CERCLA
and SWDA to provide additional clarification regarding the scope of the lender
liability exemptions under the two statutes. Among other things, ACA specifies
the circumstances under which a lender will be protected by the CERCLA and SWDA
exemptions, both while the borrower is still in possession of the secured
property and following foreclosure on the secured property.
Generally, ACA states that a lender who holds indicia of ownership
primarily to protect a security interest in a facility will be considered to
participate in management only if, while the borrower is still in possession of
the facility encumbered by the security interest, the lender
o exercises decision-making control over environmental compliance
related to the facility such that the lender has undertaken
responsibility for hazardous substance handling or disposal
practices related to the facility or
o exercises control at a level comparable to that of a manager of the
facility such that the lender has assumed or manifested
responsibility for (a) overall management of the facility
encompassing daily decision-making with respect to environmental
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compliance or (b) overall or substantially all of the operational
functions (as distinguished from financial or administrative
functions) of the facility other than the function of environmental
compliance.
ACA also specifies certain activities that are not considered to be
"participation in management," including monitoring or enforcing the terms of
the extension of credit or security interest, inspecting the facility, and
requiring a lawful means of addressing the release or threatened release of a
hazardous substance.
ACA also specifies that a lender who did not participate in management of
a facility prior to foreclosure will not be considered an "owner or operator,"
even if the lender forecloses on the facility and after foreclosure sells or
liquidates the facility, maintains business activities, winds up operations,
undertakes an appropriate response action, or takes any other measure to
preserve, protect, or prepare the facility prior to sale or disposition, if the
lender seeks to sell or otherwise divest the facility at the earliest
practicable, commercially reasonable time, on commercially reasonable terms,
taking into account market conditions and legal and regulatory requirements.
ACA specifically addresses the potential liability of lenders who hold
mortgages or similar conventional security interests in real property, such as
the trust fund does in connection with the mortgage loans and the Home
Improvement Contracts.
If a lender is or becomes liable under CERCLA, it may be authorized to
bring a statutory action for contribution against any other "responsible
parties," including a previous owner or operator. However, these persons or
entities may be bankrupt or otherwise judgment proof, and the costs associated
with environmental cleanup and related actions may be substantial. Moreover,
some state laws imposing liability for addressing hazardous substances do not
contain exemptions from liability for lenders. Whether the costs of addressing a
release or threatened release at a property pledged as collateral for one of the
loans would be imposed on the related trust fund, and thus occasion a loss to
the holders, therefore depends on the specific factual and legal circumstances
at issue.
Rights of Redemption
In some states, after sale pursuant to a deed of trust or foreclosure of a
mortgage, the trustor or mortgagor and foreclosed junior lienors are given a
statutory period in which to redeem the property from the foreclosure sale. The
right of redemption should be distinguished from the equity of redemption, which
is a non-statutory right that must be exercised prior to the foreclosure sale.
In some states, redemption may occur only upon payment of the entire principal
balance of the loan, accrued interest and expenses of foreclosure. In other
states, redemption may be authorized if the former borrower pays only a portion
of the sums due. The effect of a statutory right of redemption is to diminish
the ability of the lender to sell the foreclosed property. The exercise of a
right of redemption would defeat the title of any purchaser at a foreclosure
sale, or of any purchaser from the lender subsequent to foreclosure or sale
under a deed of trust. Consequently, the practical effect of a right of
redemption is to force the lender to retain the property and pay the expenses of
ownership until the redemption period has run. In some states, there is no right
to redeem property after a trustee's sale under a deed of trust.
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Junior Mortgages; Rights of Senior Mortgages
The mortgage loans comprising or underlying the primary assets included in
the trust fund for a series will be secured by mortgages or deeds of trust,
which may be second or more junior mortgages to other mortgages held by other
lenders or institutional investors. The rights of the related trust fund (and
therefore of the security holders), as mortgagee under a junior mortgage, are
subordinate to those of the mortgagee under the senior mortgage, including the
prior rights of the senior mortgagee to receive hazard insurance and
condemnation proceeds and to cause the property securing the mortgage loan to be
sold upon default of the mortgagor, thereby extinguishing the junior mortgagee's
lien unless the junior mortgagee asserts its subordinate interest in the
property in foreclosure litigation and, possibly, satisfies the defaulted senior
mortgage. A junior mortgagee may satisfy a defaulted senior loan in full and, in
some states, may cure the default and bring the senior loan current, in either
event adding the amounts expended to the balance due on the junior loan. In most
states, absent a provision in the mortgage or deed of trust, no notice of
default is required to be given to a junior mortgagee.
The standard form of the mortgage used by most institutional lenders
confers on the mortgagee the right both to receive all proceeds collected under
any hazard insurance policy and all awards made in connection with condemnation
proceedings, and to apply the proceeds and awards to any indebtedness secured by
the mortgage, in such order as the mortgagee may determine. Thus, in the event
improvements on the property are damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty,
or in the event the property is taken by condemnation, the mortgagee or
beneficiary under underlying senior mortgages will have the prior right to
collect any insurance proceeds payable under a hazard insurance policy and any
award of damages in connection with the condemnation and to apply the same to
the indebtedness secured by the senior mortgages. Proceeds in excess of the
amount of senior mortgage indebtedness, in most cases, may be applied to the
indebtedness of a junior mortgage.
Another provision sometimes found in the form of the mortgage or deed of
trust used by institutional lenders obligates the mortgagor to pay before
delinquency all taxes and assessments on the property and, when due, all
encumbrances, charges and liens on the property that appear prior to the
mortgage or deed of trust, to provide and maintain fire insurance on the
property, to maintain and repair the property and not to commit or permit any
waste thereof, and to appear in and defend any action or proceeding purporting
to affect the property or the rights of the mortgagee under the mortgage. Upon a
failure of the mortgagor to perform any of these obligations, the mortgagee is
given the right under certain mortgages to perform the obligation itself, at its
election, with the mortgagor agreeing to reimburse the mortgagee for any sums
expended by the mortgagee on behalf of the mortgagor. All sums so expended by
the mortgagee become part of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage.
Anti-Deficiency Legislation and Other Limitations on Lenders
Certain states have imposed statutory prohibitions that limit the remedies
of a beneficiary under a deed of trust or a mortgagee under a mortgage. In some
states, statutes limit the right of the beneficiary or mortgagee to obtain a
deficiency judgment against the borrower following foreclosure or sale under a
deed of trust. A deficiency judgment is a personal judgment against the former
borrower equal in most cases to the difference between the net amount realized
upon
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the public sale of the real property and the amount due to the lender. Other
statutes require the beneficiary or mortgagee to exhaust the security afforded
under a deed of trust or mortgage by foreclosure in an attempt to satisfy the
full debt before bringing a personal action against the borrower. In other
states, the lender has the option of bringing a personal action against the
borrower on the debt without first exhausting the 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. Consequently, the practical effect of the election
requirement, when applicable, is that lenders will usually proceed first against
the security rather than bringing a personal action against the borrower.
Finally, other statutory provisions limit any deficiency judgment against the
former borrower following a foreclosure sale to the excess of the outstanding
debt over the fair market value of the property at the time of the public sale.
The purpose of these statutes is generally to prevent a beneficiary or a
mortgagee from obtaining a large deficiency judgment against the former borrower
as a result of low or no bids at the foreclosure sale.
In addition to laws limiting or prohibiting deficiency judgments, numerous
other statutory provisions, including the Federal Bankruptcy Code, the Soldiers'
and Sailors' Relief Act of 1940 and state laws affording relief to debtors, may
interfere with or affect the ability of the secured lender to realize upon
collateral and/or enforce a deficiency judgment. For example, with respect to
Federal Bankruptcy Code, the filing of a petition acts as a stay against the
enforcement of remedies for collection of a debt. Moreover, a court with federal
bankruptcy jurisdiction may permit a debtor through a rehabilitation plan under
chapter 13 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code to cure a monetary default with
respect to a loan on his residence by paying arrearages within a reasonable time
period and reinstating the original loan payment schedule even though the lender
accelerated the loan and the lender has taken all steps to realize upon its
security (provided no sale of the property has yet occurred) prior to the filing
of the debtor's chapter 13 petition. Some courts with federal bankruptcy
jurisdiction have approved plans, based on the particular facts of the
reorganization case, that effected the curing of a loan default by permitting
the obligor to pay arrearages over a number of years.
Courts with federal bankruptcy jurisdiction have also indicated that the
terms of a mortgage loan may be modified if the borrower has filed a petition
under chapter 13. These courts have suggested that such 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 residence, thus leaving the lender a general
unsecured creditor for the difference between the value of the residence and the
outstanding balance of the loan. Federal bankruptcy law and limited case law
indicate that the foregoing modifications could not be applied to the terms of a
loan secured by property that is the principal residence of the debtor. In all
cases, the secured creditor is entitled to the value of its security plus
post-petition interest, attorney's fees and costs to the extent the value of the
security exceeds the debt.
In a chapter 11 case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, the lender is
precluded from foreclosing without authorization from the bankruptcy court. The
lender's lien may be transferred to other collateral and/or be limited in amount
to the value of the lender's interest in the collateral as of the date of the
bankruptcy. The loan term may be extended, the interest rate may be adjusted to
market rates and the priority of the loan may be subordinated to bankruptcy
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court-approved financing. The bankruptcy court can, in effect, invalidate
due-on-sale clauses through confirmed Chapter 11 plans of reorganization.
The Federal Bankruptcy Code provides priority to certain tax liens over
the lender's security. This may delay or interfere with the enforcement of
rights in respect of a defaulted mortgage loan. In addition, substantive
requirements are imposed upon lenders in connection with the origination and the
servicing of mortgage loans by numerous federal and some state consumer
protection laws. The laws include the federal Truth in Lending Act, Real Estate
Settlement Procedures Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Billing
Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act and related statutes and regulations. These
federal laws impose specific statutory liabilities upon lenders that originate
loans and that fail to comply with the provisions of the law. In some cases,
this liability may affect assignees of the loans.
Due-on-Sale Clauses in Mortgage Loans
Due-on-sale clauses permit the lender to accelerate the maturity of the
loan if the borrower sells or transfers, whether voluntarily or involuntarily,
all or part of the real property securing the loan without the lender's prior
written consent. The enforceability of these clauses has been the subject of
legislation or litigation in many states, and in some cases, typically involving
single family residential mortgage transactions, their enforceability has been
limited or denied. In any event, the Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions
Act of 1982 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 certain exceptions. As a
result, due-on-sale clauses have become generally enforceable except in those
states whose legislatures exercised their authority to regulate the
enforceability of such clauses with respect to mortgage loans that were (i)
originated or assumed during the "window period" under the Garn-St. Germain Act,
which ended in all cases not later than October 15, 1982, and (ii) originated by
lenders other than national banks, federal savings institutions and federal
credit unions. Freddie Mac has taken the position in its published mortgage
servicing standards that, out of a total of eleven "window period states," five
states (Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Utah) have enacted statutes
extending, on various terms and for varying periods, the prohibition on
enforcement of due-on-sale clauses with respect to certain categories of window
period loans. Also, the Garn-St. Germain Act does "encourage" lenders to permit
assumption of loans at the original rate of interest or at some other rate less
than the average of the original rate and the market rate.
In addition, under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, due-on-sale clauses may
not be enforceable in bankruptcy proceedings and may, under certain
circumstances, be eliminated in any modified mortgage resulting from bankruptcy
proceedings.
Enforceability of Prepayment and Late Payment Fees
Forms of notes, mortgages and deeds of trust used by lenders may contain
provisions obligating the borrower to pay a late charge if payments are not
timely made, and in some circumstances may provide for prepayment fees or
penalties if the obligation is paid prior to maturity. In certain states, there
are or may be specific limitations upon the late charges a lender may collect
from a borrower for delinquent payments. Certain states also limit the amounts
that
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a lender may collect from a borrower as an additional charge if the loan is
prepaid. Late charges and prepayment fees are typically retained by servicers as
additional servicing compensation.
Equitable Limitations on Remedies
In connection with lenders' attempts to realize upon their security,
courts have invoked general equitable principles. The equitable principles are
generally designed to relieve the borrower from the legal effect of his default
under the loan documents. Examples of judicial remedies that have been fashioned
include judicial requirements that the lender undertake affirmative and
expensive actions to determine the causes 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 judgment and have
required that lenders reinstate loans or recast payment schedules in order to
accommodate borrowers who are suffering from temporary financial disability. In
other cases, courts have limited the right of a lender to realize upon its
security if the default under the security agreement is not monetary, such as
the borrower's failure to adequately maintain the property or the borrower's
execution of secondary financing affecting the property. Finally, some courts
have been faced with the issue of whether or not federal or state constitutional
provisions reflecting due process concerns for adequate notice require that
borrowers under security agreements receive notices in addition to the
statutorily-prescribed minimums. For the most part, these cases have upheld the
notice provisions as being reasonable or have found that, in cases involving the
sale by a trustee under a deed of trust or by a mortgagee under a mortgage
having a power of sale, there is insufficient state action to afford
constitutional protections to the borrower.
Most conventional single-family mortgage loans may be prepaid in full or
in part without penalty. The regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision
prohibit the imposition of a prepayment penalty or equivalent fee for or in
connection with the acceleration of a loan by exercise of a due-on-sale clause.
A mortgagee to whom a prepayment in full has been tendered may be compelled to
give either a release of the mortgage or an instrument assigning the existing
mortgage. The absence of a restraint on prepayment, particularly with respect to
mortgage loans having higher mortgage rates, may increase the likelihood of
refinancing or other early retirements of such mortgage loans.
Applicability of Usury Laws
Title V of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control
Act of 1980 provides that state usury limitations shall not apply to certain
types of residential first mortgage loans originated by certain lenders after
March 31, 1980. Similar federal statutes were in effect with respect to mortgage
loans made during the first three months of 1980. The Office of Thrift
Supervision, as successor to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, is authorized to
issue rules and regulations and to publish interpretations governing
implementation of Title V.
Title V authorizes any state to reimpose interest rate limits by adopting
a state law before April 1, 1983 or by certifying that the voters of such state
have voted in favor of any provision, constitutional or otherwise, which
expressly rejects an application of the federal law. Fifteen states adopted such
a law prior to the April 1, 1983 deadline. In addition, even where Title V is
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not 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.
The Home Improvement Contracts and the Manufactured Housing Contracts
General
The Home Improvement Contracts and Manufactured Housing Contracts, other
than those that are unsecured or secured by mortgages on real estate, generally
are "chattel paper" or constitute "purchase money security interests," each as
defined in the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) in effect in the applicable
jurisdiction. 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
related agreement, the depositor will transfer physical possession of the
contracts to the trustee or a custodian or may retain possession of the
contracts as custodian for the trustee. In addition, the depositor 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. Unless otherwise
specified in the related prospectus supplement, the contracts will not be
stamped or otherwise marked to reflect their assignment from the depositor to
the trustee. Therefore, if through negligence, fraud or otherwise, a subsequent
purchaser were able to take physical possession of the contracts without notice
of such assignment, the trustee's interest in the contracts could be defeated.
Security Interests in Home Improvements
A Home Improvement Contract that is secured by the related home
improvements grants to the originator of the contract a purchase money security
interest in the related home improvements to secure all or part of the purchase
price of the home improvements and related services. A financing statement
generally is not required to be filed to perfect a purchase money security
interest in consumer goods. Purchase money security interests of this type are
assignable. In general, a purchase money security interest grants to the holder
a security interest that has priority over a conflicting security interest in
the same collateral and the proceeds of the collateral. However, to the extent
that the collateral subject to a purchase money security interest becomes a
fixture, in order for the related purchase money security interest to take
priority over a conflicting interest in the fixture, the holder's interest in
the home improvement must generally be perfected by a timely fixture filing. In
general, under the UCC, a security interest does not exist under the UCC in
ordinary building material incorporated into an improvement on land. Home
Improvement Contracts that finance lumber, bricks, other types of ordinary
building material or other goods that are deemed to lose their characterization,
upon incorporation of the materials into the related property, will not be
secured by a purchase money security interest in the home improvement being
financed.
Enforcement of Security Interest in Home Improvements
So long as the home improvement has not become subject to real estate law,
a creditor can repossess a home improvement securing a Home Improvement Contract
by voluntary surrender, by "self-help" repossession that is "peaceful" (i.e.,
without breach of the peace) or, in the absence of voluntary surrender and the
ability to repossess without breach of the peace, by judicial process. The
holder of a Home Improvement Contract must give the debtor a number of
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days' notice, which varies from ten to 30 days depending on the state, prior to
commencement of 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 the sale. The
law in most states also requires that the debtor be given notice of any sale
prior to resale of the unit that the debtor may redeem it at or before resale.
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 property securing the debtor's loan. However, some states impose
prohibitions or limitations on deficiency judgments, and in many cases the
defaulting borrower will have no assets from which to pay a judgment.
Certain 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.
Security Interests in the Manufactured Homes
The manufactured homes securing the Manufactured Housing Contracts may be
located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 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.
The security interests of the trustee in the manufactured homes will not be
noted on the certificates of title or by delivery of the required documents and
payment of fees to the applicable state motor vehicle authorities unless the
related prospectus supplement so requires. With respect to each transaction, a
decision will be made as to whether or not the security interests of the trustee
in the manufactured homes will be noted on the certificates of title and the
required documents and fees will be delivered to the applicable state motor
vehicle authorities based upon, among other things, the practices and procedures
of the related originator and servicer and after consultation with the
applicable rating agency or rating agencies. In some nontitle states, perfection
pursuant to the provisions of the UCC is required. As manufactured homes have
become large 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 particular circumstances, may become governed by 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 manufactured home under applicable state real estate law. In order to
perfect a security interest in a manufactured home under real estate laws, the
secured party 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 manufactured home is located. If so specified in the
related prospectus supplement, the Manufactured Housing Contracts may 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
home. If, however,
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a manufactured home is permanently attached to its site, the related lender may
be required to perfect a security interest in the manufactured home under
applicable real estate laws.
In the event that 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 relocation and, after
expiration of the four months, only if and after the owner re-registers the
manufactured home in the new state. If the owner were to relocate a manufactured
home to another state and not re-register a 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 secured party must surrender
possession if it holds the certificate of title to the manufactured home or, in
the case of manufactured homes registered in states which provide for notation
of lien on the certificate of title, notice of surrender would be given to the
secured party noted on the certificate of title. In states which do not require
a certificate of title for registration of a manufactured home, re-registration
could defeat perfection.
Under the laws of most states, liens for repairs performed on a
manufactured home and liens for personal property taxes take priority over a
perfected security interest in the manufactured home.
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 that gave rise to the transaction (and
certain related lenders and assignees) to transfer the contract free of notice
of claims by the related debtor. The effect of this rule is to subject the
assignee of the contract to all claims and defenses the debtor could assert
against the seller of goods. Liability under this rule is limited to amounts
paid under a contract; however, the obligor 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 such obligor. 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.
Applicability of Usury Laws
Title V of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control
Act of 1980 provides that, subject to the following conditions, state usury
limitations shall not apply to any contract that is secured by a first lien on
certain kinds of consumer goods. The Home Improvement Contracts or Manufactured
Housing 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 prior to instituting any action
leading to repossession of the related unit.
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Title V authorized any state to reimpose 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 such a law prior to the April 1, 1983 deadline. In addition, even where
Title V was not rejected, any state is authorized by the law to adopt a
provision limiting discount points or other charges on loans covered by Title V.
Installment Sales Contracts
The loans may also consist of installment sales contracts. Under an
installment sales contract the seller/lender retains legal title to the property
and enters into an agreement with the purchaser/borrower for the payment of the
purchase price, plus interest, over the term of the contract. Only after full
performance by the purchaser/borrower of the contract is the seller/lender
obligated to convey title to the property to the borrower. As with mortgage or
deed of trust financing, during the effective period of the installment sales
contract, the borrower is generally responsible for maintaining the property in
good condition and for paying real estate taxes, assessments and hazard
insurance policy premiums associated with the property.
The method of enforcing the rights of the seller/lender under an
installment sales contract varies on a state-by-state basis depending upon the
extent to which state courts are willing, or able pursuant to state statute, to
enforce the contract strictly according to the terms. The terms of installment
sales contracts generally provide that upon a default by the borrower, the
borrower loses his right to occupy the property, the entire indebtedness is
accelerated, and the borrower's equitable interest in the property is forfeited.
The seller/lender in such a situation does not have to foreclose in order to
obtain title to the property, although in some cases a quiet title action is in
order if the borrower has filed the installment sales contract in local land
records and an ejectment action may be necessary to recover possession. In a few
states, particularly in cases of borrower default during the early years of an
installment sales contract, the courts will permit ejectment of the buyer and a
forfeiture of his interest in the property. However, most state legislatures
have enacted provisions by analogy to mortgage law protecting borrowers under
installment sales contracts from the harsh consequences of forfeiture. Under
these statutes, a judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure may be required, the
lender may be required to give notice of default and the borrower may be granted
some grace period during which the installment sales 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 borrower with significant investment in the property under an
installment sales contract for the sale of real estate to share in 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 lender's
procedures for obtaining possession and clear title under an installment sales
contract in a given state are simpler and less time-consuming and costly than
are the procedures for foreclosing and obtaining clear title to a property
subject to one or more liens.
Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940
Under the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, members of all
branches of the military on active duty, including draftees and reservists in
military service,
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o are entitled to have their interest rates reduced and capped at 6%
per year, on obligations (including loans) incurred prior to the
commencement of military service for the duration of military
service, and
o may be entitled to a stay of proceedings on any kind of foreclosure
or repossession action in the case of defaults on such obligations
entered into prior to military service for the duration of military
service, and
o may have the maturity of their obligations incurred prior to
military service extended, the payments lowered and the payment
schedule readjusted for a period of time after the completion of
military service.
However, these benefits are subject to challenge by creditors and if, in the
opinion of the court, the ability of a person to comply with his obligations is
not materially impaired by military service, the court may apply equitable
principles accordingly.
If a borrower's obligation to repay amounts otherwise due on a loan included in
a trust fund for a series is relieved pursuant to the Relief Act, none of the
trust fund, the servicer, the depositor or the trustee will be required to
advance such amounts, and any related loss may reduce the amounts available to
be paid to the holders of the related securities. Unless otherwise specified in
the related prospectus supplement, any shortfalls in interest collections on
loans (or underlying loans), included in a trust fund for a series resulting
from application of the Relief Act will be allocated to each class of securities
of the series that is entitled to receive interest in respect of the loans (or
underlying loans) in proportion to the interest that each class of securities
would have otherwise been entitled to receive in respect of the loans (or
underlying loans) had the interest shortfall not occurred.
The Depositor
The depositor, Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc., was
incorporated in the state of Delaware in June 1995, and is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. The depositor's principal
executive offices are located at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179.
Its telephone number is (212) 272-2000.
The depositor will not engage in any activities other than to authorize,
issue, sell, deliver, purchase and invest in (and enter into agreements in
connection with), and/or to engage in the establishment of one or more trusts,
which will issue and sell, bonds, notes, debt or equity securities, obligations
and other securities and instruments. The depositor securities must be
collateralized or otherwise secured or backed by, or otherwise represent an
interest in, among other things, receivables or pass-through certificates or
participations or certificates of participation or beneficial ownership in one
or more pools of receivables, and the proceeds of the foregoing, that arise in
connection with loans secured by senior or junior mortgages on real estate or
manufactured housing and any and all other commercial transactions and
commercial, sovereign, student or consumer loans or indebtedness. The depositor
may purchase, acquire, own, hold, transfer, convey, service, sell, pledge,
assign, finance and otherwise deal with such receivables, pass-through
certificates, or participations or certificates of participation or beneficial
ownership. Article Third of the depositor's Certificate of Incorporation limits
the
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depositor's activities to the above activities and certain related activities,
such as credit enhancement with respect to depositor securities, and to any
activities incidental to and necessary or convenient for the accomplishment of
those purposes.
Use of Proceeds
The depositor will apply all or substantially all of the net proceeds from
the sale of each of the related trust fund series of securities for one or more
of the following purposes:
o to purchase the primary assets of the related trust fund,
o to repay indebtedness incurred to obtain funds to acquire the
primary assets of the related trust fund,
o to establish any reserve funds described in the related prospectus
supplement, and
o to pay costs of structuring and issuing the securities, including
the costs of obtaining any credit enhancement.
If specified in the related prospectus supplement, the purchase of the
primary assets for a series may be effected by delivering the securities to the
seller in exchange for the primary assets.
Material Federal Income Tax Considerations
General
The following summary of the material federal income tax consequences of
the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the securities is based on the
opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP,
Thacher Proffitt & Wood or other tax counsel designated in the prospectus
supplement, as special counsel to the depositor. This summary is based upon the
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder,
including, where applicable, proposed regulations, and the judicial and
administrative rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to
change or possible differing interpretations. The statutory provisions,
regulations, and interpretations on which this interpretation is based are
subject to change either prospectively or retroactively.
The summary does not purport to deal with all aspects of federal income
taxation that may affect particular investors in light of their individual
circumstances. This summary focuses primarily upon investors who will hold
securities as "capital assets" (generally, property held for investment) within
the meaning of section 1221 of the Code. Prospective investors may wish to
consult their own tax advisers concerning the federal, state, local and any
other tax consequences as relates specifically to such investors in connection
with the purchase, ownership and disposition of the securities.
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The federal income tax consequences to security holders will vary
depending on whether
o the securities of a series are classified as indebtedness;
o an election is made to treat the trust fund relating to a particular
series of securities as a real estate mortgage investment conduit or
REMIC under the Code;
o the securities represent an ownership interest in some or all of the
assets included in the trust fund for a series;
o an election is made to treat the trust fund relating to a particular
series of certificates as a partnership; or
o an election is made to treat the trust fund relating to a particular
series of securities as a financial asset securitization investment
trust or FASIT under the Code.
The prospectus supplement for each series of securities will specify how
the securities will be treated for federal income tax purposes and will discuss
whether a REMIC election, if any, will be made with respect to the series.
Taxation of Debt Securities
Status as Real Property Loans. Except to the extent otherwise provided in
the related prospectus supplement, if the securities are regular interests in a
REMIC or represent interests in a grantor trust, in the opinion of tax counsel:
o securities held by a domestic building and loan association will
constitute "loans... secured by an interest in real property" within
the meaning of section 7701(a)(19)(C)(v) of the Code; and
o securities held by a real estate investment trust will constitute
"real estate assets" within the meaning of section 856(c)(4)(A) of
the Code and interest on securities will be considered "interest on
obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in
real property" within the meaning of section 856(c)(3)(B) of the
Code.
Interest and Acquisition Discount. In the opinion of tax counsel,
securities that are REMIC regular interests are generally taxable to holders in
the same manner as evidences of indebtedness issued by the REMIC. Stated
interest on the securities that are REMIC regular interests will be taxable as
ordinary income and taken into account using the accrual method of accounting,
regardless of the holder's normal accounting method. Interest (other than
original issue discount) on securities (other than securities that are REMIC
regular interests) which are characterized as indebtedness for federal income
tax purposes will be includible in income by holders thereof in accordance with
their usual methods of accounting. When we refer to "debt securities" in this
section, we mean securities characterized as debt for federal income tax
purposes and securities that are REMIC regular interests.
In the opinion of tax counsel, "compound interest securities" (i.e., debt
securities that permit all interest to accrue for more than one year before
payments of interest are scheduled to
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begin) will, and certain of the other debt securities issued at a discount may,
be issued with "original issue discount" or OID. The following discussion is
based in part on the OID Regulations. A holder should be aware, however, that
the OID Regulations do not adequately address certain issues relevant to
prepayable securities, such as the debt securities.
In general, OID, if any, will equal the difference between the stated
redemption price at maturity of a debt security and its issue price. In the
opinion of tax counsel, a holder of a debt security must include OID in gross
income as ordinary interest income as it accrues under a method taking into
account an economic accrual of the discount. In general, OID must be included in
income in advance of the receipt of the cash representing that income. The
amount of OID on a debt security will be considered to be zero if it is less
than a de minimis amount determined under the Code.
The issue price of a debt security is the first price at which a
substantial amount of debt securities of that class are sold to the public
(excluding bond houses, brokers, underwriters or wholesalers). If less than a
substantial amount of a particular class of debt securities is sold for cash on
or prior to the closing date, the issue price for that class will be treated as
the fair market value of that class on the closing date. The issue price of a
debt security also includes the amount paid by an initial debt security holder
for accrued interest that relates to a period prior to the issue date of the
debt security. The stated redemption price at maturity of a debt security
includes the original principal amount of the debt security, but generally will
not include distributions of interest if the distributions constitute "qualified
stated interest."
Under the OID Regulations, qualified stated interest generally means
interest payable at a single fixed rate or 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 debt security. The
OID Regulations state that interest payments are unconditionally payable only if
a late payment or nonpayment is expected to be penalized or reasonable remedies
exist to compel payment. Debt securities may provide for default remedies in the
event of late payment or nonpayment of interest. Although the matter is not free
from doubt, the trustee intends to treat interest on such debt securities as
unconditionally payable and as constituting qualified stated interest, not OID.
However, absent clarification of the OID Regulations, where debt securities do
not provide for default remedies, the interest payments will be included in the
debt security's stated redemption price at maturity and taxed as OID. Interest
is payable at a single fixed rate only if the rate appropriately takes into
account the length of the interval between payments. Distributions of interest
on debt securities with respect to which deferred interest will accrue, will not
constitute qualified stated interest payments, in which case the stated
redemption price at maturity of such debt securities includes all distributions
of interest as well as principal thereon. Where the interval between the issue
date and the first distribution date on a debt security is longer than the
interval between subsequent distribution dates, the greater of (i) the interest
foregone and (ii) the excess of the stated principal amount over the issue price
will be included in the stated redemption price at maturity and tested under the
de minimis rule described below. Where the interval between the issue date and
the first distribution date on a debt security is shorter than the interval
between subsequent distribution dates, all of the additional interest will be
included in the stated redemption price at maturity and tested under the de
minimis rule described below. In the case of a debt security with a long first
period that has non-de minimis OID, all stated interest in excess of interest
payable at the effective interest rate for the long first
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period will be included in the stated redemption price at maturity and the debt
security will generally have OID. Holders of debt securities should consult
their own tax advisors to determine the issue price and stated redemption price
at maturity of a debt security.
Under the de minimis rule, OID on a debt security will be considered to be
zero if the OID is less than 0.25% of the stated redemption price at maturity of
the debt security multiplied by the weighted average maturity of the debt
security. For this purpose, the weighted average maturity of the debt 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 debt security and the
denominator of which is the stated redemption price at maturity of the debt
security. Holders generally must report de minimis OID pro rata as principal
payments are received, and such income will be capital gain if the debt security
is held as a capital asset. However, holders may elect to accrue all de minimis
OID as well as market discount under a constant yield method. See "--Election to
Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount" below.
Debt securities may provide for interest based on a qualified variable
rate. Under the OID Regulations, interest is generally treated as payable at a
qualified variable rate and not as contingent interest if
o the interest is unconditionally payable at least annually,
o the issue price of the debt instrument does not exceed the total
noncontingent principal payments, and
o interest is based on a "qualified floating rate," an "objective
rate," or a combination of "qualified floating rates" that do not
operate in a manner that significantly accelerates or defers
interest payments on the debt security.
In the case of compound interest securities, certain interest weighted
securities, and certain of the other debt securities, none of the payments under
the instrument will be considered qualified stated interest, and thus the
aggregate amount of all payments will be included in the stated redemption price
at maturity.
The Internal Revenue Service issued contingent payment regulations
governing the calculation of OID on instruments having contingent interest
payments. These contingent payment regulations represent the only guidance
regarding the views of the IRS with respect to contingent interest instruments
and specifically do not apply for purposes of calculating OID on debt
instruments subject to section 1272(a)(6) of the Code, such as the debt
securities. Additionally, the OID Regulations do not contain provisions
specifically interpreting section 1272(a)(6) of the Code. Until the Treasury
issues guidance to the contrary, trustee intends to base its computation on
section 1272(a)(6) of the Code and the OID Regulations as described in this
prospectus. However, because no regulatory guidance currently exists under
section 1272(a)(6) of the Code, there can be no assurance that such methodology
represents the correct manner of calculating OID.
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The holder of a debt security issued with OID must include in gross
income, for all days during its taxable year on which it holds the debt
security, the sum of the "daily portions" of OID. The amount of OID includible
in income by a holder will be computed by allocating to each day during an
accrual period a pro rata portion of the original issue discount that accrued
during the accrual period. In the case of a debt security that is not a REMIC
regular interest security and the principal payments on which are not subject to
acceleration resulting from prepayments on the loans, the amount of OID
includible in income of a holder for an accrual period (generally the period
over which interest accrues on the debt instrument) will equal the product of
the yield to maturity of the debt security and the adjusted issue price of the
debt security, reduced by any payments of qualified stated interest. The
adjusted issue price is the sum of the debt security's issue price plus prior
accruals of OID, reduced by the total payments made with respect to the debt
security in all prior periods, other than qualified stated interest payments.
Certain classes of the debt securities may be "pay-through securities,"
which are debt instruments that are subject to acceleration due to prepayments
on other debt obligations securing those instruments. The amount of OID to be
included in the income of a holder of a pay-through security is computed by
taking into account the prepayment rate assumed in pricing the debt instrument.
The amount of OID that will accrue during an accrual period on a pay-through
security is the excess, if any, of the
o sum of
(a) the present value of all payments remaining to be made
on the pay-through security as of the close of the
accrual period and
(b) the payments during the accrual period of amounts
included in the stated redemption price of the
pay-through security,
over
o the adjusted issue price of the pay-through security at the
beginning of the accrual period.
The present value of the remaining payments is to be determined on the basis of
three factors:
o the original yield to maturity of the pay-through security
(determined on the basis of compounding at the end of each accrual
period and properly adjusted for the length of the accrual period),
o events that have occurred before the end of the accrual period and
o the assumption that the remaining payments will be made in
accordance with the original prepayment assumption.
The effect of this method is to increase the portions of OID required to be
included in income by a holder of a pay-through security to take into account
prepayments with respect to the loans at a rate that exceeds the prepayment
assumption, and to decrease (but not below zero for any period)
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the portions of OID required to be included in income by a holder of a
pay-through security to take into account prepayments with respect to the loans
at a rate that is slower than the prepayment assumption. Although OID will be
reported to holders of pay-through securities based on the prepayment
assumption, no representation is made to holders that loans will be prepaid at
that rate or at any other rate.
The depositor may adjust the accrual of OID on a class of securities that
are REMIC regular interests in a manner that it believes to be appropriate, to
take account of realized losses on the loans, although the OID Regulations do
not provide for such adjustments. If the IRS were to require that OID be accrued
without such adjustments, the rate of accrual of OID for a class of securities
that are REMIC regular interests could increase.
Certain classes of securities may represent more than one class of REMIC
regular interests. Unless otherwise provided in the related prospectus
supplement, the applicable trustee intends, based on the OID Regulations, to
calculate OID on such securities as if, solely for the purposes of computing
OID, the separate regular interests were a single debt instrument.
A subsequent holder of a debt security will also be required to include
OID in gross income, but a holder who purchases the debt security for an amount
that exceeds its adjusted issue price will be entitled (as will an initial
holder who pays more than a debt security's issue price) to offset such OID by
comparable economic accruals of portions of the excess.
Effects of Defaults and Delinquencies. In the opinion of tax counsel,
holders will be required to report income with respect to the related securities
under an accrual method without giving effect to delays and reductions in
distributions attributable to a default or delinquency on the loans, except
possibly to the extent that it can be established that such amounts are
uncollectible. As a result, the amount of income (including OID) reported by a
holder of a security in any period could significantly exceed the amount of cash
distributed to the holder in that period. The holder will eventually be allowed
a loss (or will be allowed to report a lesser amount of income) to the extent
that the aggregate amount of distributions on the securities is reduced as a
result of a loan default. However, the timing and character of losses or
reductions in income are uncertain and, accordingly, holders of securities
should consult their own tax advisors on this point.
Interest Weighted Securities. An "interest weighted security" is a
security that is a REMIC regular interest or a "stripped" security (as discussed
under "--Tax Status as a Grantor Trust; General" below) the payments on which
consist solely or primarily of a specified portion of the interest payments on
qualified mortgages held by the REMIC or on loans underlying pass-through
securities. It is not clear how income should be accrued with respect to
interest weighted securities. The trustee intends to take the position that all
of the income derived from an interest weighted security should be treated as
OID and that the amount and rate of accrual of such OID should be calculated by
treating the interest weighted security as a compound interest security.
However, in the case of interest weighted securities that are entitled to some
payments of principal and are REMIC regular interests, the IRS could assert that
income derived from the interest weighted security should be calculated as if
the security were a security purchased at a premium equal to the excess of the
price paid by the holder for the security over its stated principal amount, if
any. Under this approach, a holder would be entitled to amortize such
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premium only if it has in effect an election under section 171 of the Code with
respect to all taxable debt instruments held by such holder, as described below.
Alternatively, the IRS could assert that an interest weighted security should be
taxable under the rules governing bonds issued with contingent payments. This
treatment may be more likely in the case of interest weighted securities that
are stripped securities as described below. See "--Tax Status as a Grantor
Trust--Discount or Premium on Pass-Through Securities" below.
Variable Rate Debt Securities. In the opinion of tax counsel, in the case
of debt securities bearing interest at a rate that varies directly, according to
a fixed formula, with an objective index, it appears that the yield to maturity
of the debt securities and, in the case of pay-through securities, the present
value of all payments remaining to be made on the debt securities, should be
calculated as if the interest index remained at its value as of the issue date
of the securities. Because the proper method of adjusting accruals of OID on a
variable rate debt security is uncertain, holders of variable rate debt
securities should consult their own tax advisers regarding the appropriate
treatment of such securities for federal income tax purposes.
Market Discount. In the opinion of tax counsel, a purchaser of a security
may be subject to the market discount rules of sections 1276 through 1278 of the
Code. A holder that acquires a debt security with more than a prescribed de
minimis amount of "market discount" (generally, the excess of the principal
amount of the debt security over the purchaser's purchase price) will be
required to include accrued market discount in income as ordinary income in each
month, but limited to an amount not exceeding the principal payments on the debt
security received in that month and, if the securities are sold, the gain
realized. This market discount would accrue in a manner to be provided in
Treasury regulations but, until such regulations are issued, market discount
would in general accrue either
o on the basis of a constant yield (in the case of a pay-through
security, taking into account a prepayment assumption) or
o in the ratio of (a) in the case of securities (or, in the case of a
pass-through security, as set forth below, the loans underlying the
security) not originally issued with OID, stated interest payable in
the relevant period to total stated interest remaining to be paid at
the beginning of the period or (b) in the case of securities (or, in
the case of a pass-through security, as described below, the loans
underlying the security) originally issued at a discount, OID in the
relevant period to total OID remaining to be paid.
Section 1277 of the Code provides that, regardless of the origination date
of the debt security (or, in the case of a pass-through security, the loans),
the excess of interest paid or accrued to purchase or carry the security (or, in
the case of a pass-through security, as described below, the underlying loans)
with market discount over interest received on the security is allowed as a
current deduction only to the extent such excess is greater than the market
discount that accrued during the taxable year in which such interest expense was
incurred. In general, the deferred portion of any interest expense will be
deductible when such market discount is included in income, including upon the
sale, disposition, or repayment of the security (or, in the case of a
pass-through security, an underlying loan). A holder may elect to include market
discount in income currently as it accrues, on all market discount obligations
acquired by such
85
holder during the taxable year such election is made and thereafter, in which
case the interest deferral rule will not apply.
Premium. In the opinion of tax counsel, a holder who purchases a debt
security (other than an interest weighted security to the extent described
above) at a cost greater than its stated redemption price at maturity, generally
will be considered to have purchased the security at a premium, which it may
elect to amortize as an offset to interest income on the security (and not as a
separate deduction item) on a constant yield method. Although no regulations
addressing the computation of premium accrual on comparable securities have been
issued, the legislative history of The Tax Reform Act of 1986 indicates that
premium is to be accrued in the same manner as market discount. Accordingly, it
appears that the accrual of premium on a class of pay-through securities will be
calculated using the prepayment assumption used in pricing the class. If a
holder makes an election to amortize premium on a debt security, the election
will apply to all taxable debt instruments (including all REMIC regular
interests and all pass-through certificates representing ownership interests in
a trust holding debt obligations) held by the holder at the beginning of the
taxable year in which the election is made, and to all taxable debt instruments
acquired thereafter by the holder, and will be irrevocable without the consent
of the IRS. Purchasers who pay a premium for the securities should consult their
tax advisers regarding the election to amortize premium and the method to be
employed.
On December 30, 1997, the IRS issued final amortizable bond premium
regulations dealing with amortizable bond premium. The regulations specifically
do not apply to prepayable debt instruments subject to section 1272(a)(6) of the
Code. Absent further guidance from the IRS, the trustee intends to account for
amortizable bond premium in the manner described above. Prospective purchasers
of the debt securities should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible
application of the amortizable bond premium regulations.
Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount. The OID
Regulations permit the holder of a debt security to elect to accrue all
interest, discount (including de minimis market discount or OID) and premium as
interest, based on a constant yield method for debt securities acquired on or
after April 4, 1994. If such an election were to be made with respect to a debt
security with market discount, the holder of the debt security would be deemed
to have made an election to include in income currently market discount with
respect to all other debt instruments having market discount that such holder of
the debt security acquires during the year of the election or thereafter.
Similarly, the holder of a debt security that makes this election for a debt
security 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 holder owns or acquires. The election to accrue interest,
discount and premium on a constant yield method with respect to a debt security
is irrevocable.
Taxation of the REMIC and its Holders
General. In the opinion of tax counsel, if a REMIC election is made with
respect to a series of securities, then the arrangement by which the securities
of that series are issued will be treated as a REMIC as long as all of the
provisions of the applicable governing agreement are complied with and the
statutory and regulatory requirements are satisfied. Securities will be
86
designated as "regular interests" or "residual interests" in a REMIC, as
specified in the related prospectus supplement.
Except to the extent specified otherwise in a prospectus supplement, if a
REMIC election is made with respect to a series of securities, in the opinion of
tax counsel:
o securities held by a domestic building and loan association will
constitute "a regular or a residual interest in a REMIC" within the
meaning of Section 7701(a)(19)(C)(xi) of the Code (assuming that at
least 95% of the REMIC's assets consist of cash, government
securities, "loans secured by an interest in real property," and
other types of assets described in Code Section 7701(a)(19)(C)); and
o securities held by a real estate investment trust will constitute
"real estate assets" within the meaning of Section 856(c)(4)(A) of
the Code, and income with respect to the securities will be
considered "interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real
property or on interests in real property" within the meaning of
Section 856(c)(3)(B) of the Code (assuming, for both purposes, that
at least 95% of the REMIC's assets are qualifying assets).
If less than 95% of the REMIC's assets consist of assets described in the
immediately preceding bullets, then a security will qualify for the tax
treatment described in the previous sentence in the proportion that such REMIC's
assets are qualifying assets.
REMIC Expenses; Single Class REMICs
As a general rule, in the opinion of tax counsel, all of the expenses of a
REMIC will be taken into account by holders of the residual interest securities.
In the case of a "single class REMIC," however, the expenses will be allocated
under Treasury regulations among the holders of the REMIC regular interest
securities and the holders of the REMIC residual interest securities on a daily
basis in proportion to the relative amounts of income accruing to each holder on
that day. In the case of a holder of a REMIC regular interest security who is an
individual or a "pass-through interest holder" (including certain pass-through
entities but not including real estate investment trusts), the expenses will be
deductible only to the extent that the expenses, plus other "miscellaneous
itemized deductions" of the holder, exceed 2% of the holder's adjusted gross
income. In addition, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1990, the
amount of itemized deductions otherwise allowable for the taxable year for an
individual whose adjusted gross income exceeds the applicable amount (which
amount will be adjusted for inflation for taxable years beginning after 1990)
will be reduced by the lesser of
o 3% of the excess of adjusted gross income over the applicable
amount, or
o 80% of the amount of itemized deductions otherwise allowable for the
taxable year.
This reduction is scheduled to be phased-out over a five-year period beginning
in 2006. The reduction or disallowance of this deduction may have a significant
impact on the yield of the REMIC regular interest security to the holder. In
general terms, a single class REMIC is one that either
87
o would qualify, under existing Treasury regulations, as a grantor
trust if it were not a REMIC (treating all interests as ownership
interests, even if they would be classified as debt for federal
income tax purposes), or
o is similar to such a trust and is structured with the principal
purpose of avoiding the single class REMIC rules.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the expenses of
the REMIC will be allocated to holders of the related REMIC residual interest
securities.
Taxation of the REMIC
General. Although a REMIC is a separate entity for federal income tax
purposes, in the opinion of tax counsel, a REMIC is not generally subject to
entity-level tax. Rather, the taxable income or net loss of a REMIC is taken
into account by the holders of the REMIC residual interests. As described above,
the REMIC regular interests are generally taxable as debt of the REMIC.
Qualification as a REMIC requires ongoing compliance with certain conditions.
Although a REMIC is not generally subject to federal income tax, the Code
provides that failure to comply with one or more of the ongoing requirements of
the Code for REMIC status during any taxable year, including the implementation
of restrictions on the purchase and transfer of the residual interests in a
REMIC as described below under "--Taxation of Owners of Residual Interest
Securities", would cause the trust not to be treated as a REMIC for that year
and thereafter. In this event, the entity may be taxable as a separate
corporation and the related certificates may not be accorded the status or given
the tax treatment described below.
Calculation of REMIC Income. In the opinion of tax counsel, the taxable
income or net loss of a REMIC is determined under an accrual method of
accounting and in the same manner as in the case of an individual, with certain
adjustments. In general, the taxable income or net loss will be the difference
between
o the gross income produced by the REMIC's assets, including stated
interest and any OID or market discount on loans and other assets,
and
o deductions, including stated interest and original issue discount
accrued on the REMIC regular interest securities, amortization of
any premium with respect to loans, and servicing fees and other
expenses of the REMIC.
A holder of a REMIC residual interest security that is an individual or a
"pass-through interest holder" (including certain pass-through entities, but not
including real estate investment trusts) will be unable to deduct servicing fees
payable on the loans or other administrative expenses of the REMIC for a given
taxable year, to the extent that these expenses, when aggregated with the
holder's other miscellaneous itemized deductions for that year, do not exceed 2%
of the holder's adjusted gross income.
For purposes of computing its taxable income or net loss, the REMIC should
have an initial aggregate tax basis in its assets equal to the aggregate fair
market value of the regular interests and the residual interests on the startup
day (generally, the day that the interests are
88
issued). That aggregate basis will be allocated among the assets of the REMIC in
proportion to their respective fair market values.
The OID provisions of the Code apply to loans of individuals originated on
or after March 2, 1984, and the market discount provisions apply to loans
originated after July 18, 1984. Subject to possible application of the de
minimis rules, the method of accrual by the REMIC of OID income on such loans
will be equivalent to the method under which holders of pay-through securities
accrue OID (i.e., under the constant yield method taking into account the
prepayment assumption). The REMIC will deduct OID on the regular interest
securities in the same manner that the holders of the regular interest
securities include such discount in income, but without regard to the de minimis
rules. See "--Taxation of Debt Securities" above. However, a REMIC that acquires
loans at a market discount must include such market discount in income
currently, as it accrues, on a constant interest basis.
To the extent that the REMIC's basis allocable to loans that it holds
exceeds their principal amounts, the resulting premium, if attributable to
mortgages originated after September 27, 1985, will be amortized over the life
of the loans (taking into account the prepayment assumption) on a constant yield
method. Although the law is somewhat unclear regarding recovery of premium
attributable to loans originated on or before that date, it is possible that the
premium may be recovered in proportion to payments of loan principal.
Prohibited Transactions and Contributions Tax. The REMIC will be subject
to a 100% tax on any net income derived from a "prohibited transaction." For
this purpose, net income will be calculated without taking into account any
losses from prohibited transactions or any deductions attributable to any
prohibited transaction that resulted in a loss. In general, prohibited
transactions include:
o subject to limited exceptions, the sale or other disposition of any
qualified mortgage transferred to the REMIC;
o subject to a limited exception, the sale or other disposition of a
cash flow investment;
o the receipt of any income from assets not permitted to be held by
the REMIC pursuant to the Code; or
o the receipt of any fees or other compensation for services rendered
by the REMIC.
It is anticipated that a REMIC will not engage in any prohibited transactions in
which it would recognize a material amount of net income. In addition, subject
to a number of exceptions, a tax is imposed at the rate of 100% on amounts
contributed to a REMIC after the close of the three-month period beginning on
the startup day. The holders of REMIC residual interest securities will
generally be responsible for the payment of any taxes imposed on the REMIC.
However, to the extent not paid by the holders of the REMIC residual interest
securities or otherwise, taxes will be paid out of the trust fund and will be
allocated pro rata to all outstanding classes of securities of the REMIC.
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Taxation of Holders of Residual Interest Securities
In the opinion of tax counsel, the holder of a certificate representing a
REMIC residual interest will take into account the "daily portion" of the
taxable income or net loss of the REMIC for each day during the taxable year on
which the holder held the residual interest security. The daily portion is
determined by allocating to each day in any calendar quarter its ratable portion
of the taxable income or net loss of the REMIC for that quarter, and by
allocating that amount among the holders (on that day) of the residual interest
securities in proportion to their respective holdings on that day.
In the opinion of tax counsel, the holder of a residual interest security
must report its proportionate share of the taxable income of the REMIC whether
or not it receives cash distributions from the REMIC attributable to income or
loss. The reporting of taxable income without corresponding distributions could
occur, for example, if the loans held by the REMIC were issued or acquired at a
discount, since mortgage prepayments cause recognition of discount income, while
the corresponding portion of the prepayment could be used in whole or in part to
make principal payments on REMIC regular interests securities issued without any
discount or at an insubstantial discount. (If this occurs, it is likely that
cash distributions will exceed taxable income in later years.) The taxable
income of a REMIC may also be greater in earlier years as a result of the fact
that interest expense deductions, as a percentage of outstanding principal on
the REMIC regular interest securities, will typically increase over time as
lower yielding securities are paid, whereas interest income with respect to
loans will generally remain constant over time as a percentage of loan
principal.
In any event, because the holder of a REMIC residual interest security is
taxed on the net income of the REMIC, the taxable income derived from the
residual interest security in a given taxable year will not be equal to the
taxable income associated with investment in a corporate bond or stripped
instrument having similar cash flow characteristics and pretax yield. Therefore,
the after-tax yield on a residual interest security may be less than that of a
corporate bond or stripped instrument.
Limitation on Losses. In the opinion of tax counsel, the amount of the
REMIC's net loss that a holder may take into account currently is limited to the
holder's adjusted basis at the end of the calendar quarter in which the loss
arises. A holder's basis in a REMIC residual interest security will initially
equal the holder's purchase price, and will subsequently be increased by the
amount of the REMIC's taxable income allocated to the holder, and decreased (but
not below zero) by the amount of distributions made and the amount of the
REMIC's net loss allocated to the holder. Any disallowed loss may be carried
forward indefinitely, but may be used only to offset income generated by the
same REMIC. The ability of holders of residual interest securities to deduct net
losses may be subject to additional limitations under the Code. Holders should
consult their tax advisers with respect to such additional limitations.
Distributions. In the opinion of tax counsel, distributions on a REMIC
residual interest security (whether at their scheduled times or as a result of
prepayments) will generally not result in any additional taxable income or loss
to a holder of the residual interest security. If the amount of the payment
exceeds the holder's adjusted basis in the residual interest security,
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however, the holder will recognize gain (treated as gain from the sale of the
residual interest security) to the extent of the excess.
Sale or Exchange. In the opinion of tax counsel, the holder of a residual
interest security will recognize gain or loss on the sale or exchange of the
residual interest security equal to the difference, if any, between the amount
realized and the holder's adjusted basis in the residual interest security at
the time of sale or exchange. A holder's adjusted basis in a residual interest
security generally equals the cost of the residual interest security increased
by the taxable income of the REMIC that was included in the income of the holder
and decreased by distributions received thereon by the holder and amounts of the
REMIC net loss allocated to the holder. Except to the extent provided in
regulations which have not yet been issued, any loss upon disposition of a
residual interest security will be disallowed if the selling holder acquires any
residual interest in a REMIC or similar mortgage pool within six months before
or after disposition. In that event, the loss will be used to increase the
residual interest security holder's adjusted basis in the newly acquired asset.
Excess Inclusions. In the opinion of tax counsel, the portion of the REMIC
taxable income of a holder of a residual interest security consisting of "excess
inclusion" income may not be offset by other deductions or losses, including net
operating losses, on the holder's federal income tax return. Further, if the
holder of a residual interest security is an organization subject to the tax on
unrelated business income imposed by Section 511 of the Code, the holder's
excess inclusion income will be treated as unrelated business taxable income of
the holder. In addition, under Treasury regulations yet to be issued, if a real
estate investment trust, a regulated investment company, a common trust fund, or
certain cooperatives were to own a residual interest security, a portion of
dividends (or other distributions) paid by the real estate investment trust (or
other entity) would be treated as excess inclusion income. If a residual
interest security is owned by a foreign person, excess inclusion income is
subject to tax at a rate of 30%, which may not be reduced by treaty, is not
eligible for treatment as "portfolio interest" and is subject to certain
additional limitations. See "--Tax Treatment of Foreign Investors" below. The
Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 has eliminated the special rule
permitting Section 593 thrift institutions to use net operating losses and other
allowable deductions to offset their excess inclusion income from residual
interest securities that have "significant value" within the meaning of the
REMIC Regulations, effective for taxable years beginning after December 31,
1995, except with respect to residual interest securities continuously held by a
thrift institution since November 1, 1995.
In addition, the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 provides three
rules for determining the effect of excess inclusions on the alternative minimum
taxable income of a residual holder.
o First, alternative minimum taxable income for the residual holder is
determined without regard to the special rule that taxable income
cannot be less than excess inclusions.
o Second, the residual holder's alternative minimum taxable income for
a tax year cannot be less than excess inclusions for the year.
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o Third, the amount of any alternative minimum tax net operating loss
deductions must be computed without regard to any excess inclusions.
These rules are effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 1986,
unless a residual holder elects to have such rules apply only to tax years
beginning after August 20, 1996.
The excess inclusion portion of a REMIC's income is generally equal to the
excess, if any, of
o REMIC taxable income for the quarterly period allocable to a
residual interest security,
over
o the daily accruals for such quarterly period of (i) 120% of the long
term applicable federal rate on the startup day multiplied by (ii)
the adjusted issue price of the residual interest security at the
beginning of the quarterly period.
The adjusted issue price of a residual interest security at the beginning of
each calendar quarter will equal its issue price (calculated in a manner
analogous to the determination of the issue price of a regular interest
security), increased by the aggregate of the daily accruals for prior calendar
quarters, and decreased (but not below zero) by the amount of loss allocated to
a holder and the amount of distributions made on the residual interest security
before the beginning of the quarter. The long-term federal rate, which is
announced monthly by the Treasury Department, is an interest rate that is based
on the average market yield of outstanding marketable obligations of the United
States government having remaining maturities in excess of nine years.
Under the REMIC Regulations, transfers of residual interest securities may
be disregarded in certain circumstances. See "--Restrictions on Ownership and
Transfer of Residual Interest Securities" and "--Tax Treatment of Foreign
Investors" below.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Residual Interest Securities. As
a condition to qualification as a REMIC, reasonable arrangements must be made to
prevent the ownership of a REMIC residual interest by any "disqualified
organization" including the United States, any State or political subdivision
thereof, any foreign government, any international organization, or any agency
or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, a rural electric or telephone
cooperative described in Section 1381(a)(2)(C) of the Code, or any entity exempt
from the tax imposed by sections 1 through 1399 of the Code, if the entity is
not subject to tax on its unrelated business income. Accordingly, the applicable
pooling and servicing agreement will prohibit disqualified organizations from
owning a residual interest security. In addition, no transfer of a residual
interest security will be permitted unless the proposed transferee shall have
furnished to the trustee an affidavit representing and warranting that it is
neither a disqualified organization nor an agent or nominee acting on behalf of
a disqualified organization.
If a residual interest security is transferred to a disqualified
organization after March 31, 1988 (in violation of the restrictions set forth
above), a substantial tax will be imposed on the transferor of the residual
interest security at the time of the transfer. In addition, if a disqualified
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organization holds an interest in a pass-through entity after March 31, 1988
(including, among others, a partnership, trust, real estate investment trust,
regulated investment company, or any person holding as nominee an interest in a
pass-through entity), that owns a residual interest security, the pass-through
entity will be required to pay an annual tax on its allocable share of the
excess inclusion income of the REMIC.
The REMIC Regulations disregard certain transfers of Residual
Certificates, in which case the transferor continues to be treated as the owner
of the Residual Certificates and thus continues 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 in "Tax Treatment of Foreign Investors") is disregarded for all federal
income tax purposes if a significant purpose of the transferor 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, (i) 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 (ii) 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 present value of the anticipated
excess inclusions and the present value of the expected futures distributions
are determined in the manner set forth in Regulation 1.860E-2(a)(4). 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 (i) 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, (ii) the transferee represents to
the transferor that it understands that, as the holder of the non-economic
residual interest, the transferee may incur tax 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, (iii)
the transferee represents to the transferor that it will not cause income from
the Residual Certificate to be attributable to a foreign permanent establishment
or fixed base (within the meaning of an applicable income tax treaty) of the
transferee or any other person, and (iv) one of the two following tests is
satisfied: either
(a) the present value of the anticipated tax liabilities associated with
the holding the noneconomic residual interest will not exceed the sum of:
(1) the present value of any consideration given to the transferee
to acquire the residual interest;
(2) the present value of the expected future distributions on the
residual; and
(3) the present value of the anticipated tax savings associated
with holding the residual interest as the REMIC generates
losses; or
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(b) (1) the transferee must be a domestic "C" corporation (other than
a corporation exempt from taxation or a regulated investment
company or real estate investment trust);
(2) the transferee must agree in writing that any subsequent
transfer of the residual interest would be to an eligible "C"
corporation and would meet the requirements for a safe harbor
transfer; and
(3) the facts and circumstances known to the transferor on or
before the date of the transfer must not reasonably indicate
that the taxes associated with ownership of the residual
interest will not be paid by the transferee.
For purposes of the computation in clause (a), the transferee is assumed
to pay tax at the highest corporate rate of tax specified in the Code or, in
certain circumstances, the alternative minimum tax rate. Further, present values
generally are computed using a discount rate equal to the short-term Federal
rate set forth in Section 1274(d) of the Code for the month of the transfer and
the compounding period used by the transferee.
Mark-to-Market Rules. A REMIC residual interest security acquired after
January 3, 1995 cannot be marked-to-market.
Administrative Matters
The REMIC's books must be maintained on a calendar year basis and the
REMIC must file an annual federal income tax return. The REMIC will also be
subject to the procedural and administrative rules of the Code applicable to
partnerships, including the determination of any adjustments to, among other
things, items of REMIC income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit, by the IRS in a
unified administrative proceeding.
Tax Status as a Grantor Trust
General. As further specified in the related prospectus supplement, if a
REMIC election is not made and the trust fund is not structured as a
partnership, then, in the opinion of tax counsel, the trust fund relating to a
series of securities will be classified for federal income tax purposes as a
grantor trust under Subpart E, Part 1 of Subchapter J of the Code and not as an
association taxable as a corporation. We refer to the securities of a series of
this type as "pass-through securities". In some series there will be no
separation of the principal and interest payments on the loans. In these
circumstances, a holder will be considered to have purchased a pro rata
undivided interest in each of the loans. In the case of "stripped securities",
sale of the securities will produce a separation in the ownership of all or a
portion of the principal payments from all or a portion of the interest payments
on the loans.
In the opinion of tax counsel, each holder must report on its federal
income tax return its share of the gross income derived from the loans (not
reduced by the amount payable as trust expense fees to the applicable trustee
and the servicer and similar fees), at the same time and in the same manner as
the items would have been reported under the holder's tax accounting method had
it held its interest in the loans directly, received directly its share of the
amounts received with respect to the loans, and paid directly its share of the
trust expense fees. In the
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case of pass-through securities other than stripped securities, income will
consist of a pro rata share of all of the income derived from all of the loans
and, in the case of stripped securities, income will consist of a pro rata share
of the income derived from each stripped bond or stripped coupon in which the
holder owns an interest. The holder of a security will generally be entitled to
deduct trust expense fees under section 162 or section 212 of the Code to the
extent that such fees represent "reasonable" compensation for the services
rendered by the applicable trustee and the servicer (or third parties that are
compensated for the performance of services). In the case of a noncorporate
holder, however, trust expense fees (to the extent not otherwise disallowed,
e.g., because they exceed reasonable compensation) will be deductible in
computing the holder's regular tax liability only to the extent that the fees,
when added to other miscellaneous itemized deductions, exceed 2% of adjusted
gross income and may not be deductible to any extent in computing the holder's
alternative minimum tax liability. In addition, for taxable years beginning
after December 31, 1990, the amount of itemized deductions otherwise allowable
for the taxable year for an individual whose adjusted gross income exceeds the
applicable amount (which amount will be adjusted for inflation in taxable years
beginning after 1990) will be reduced by the lesser of:
o 3% of the excess of adjusted gross income over the applicable
amount, or
o 80% of the amount of itemized deductions otherwise allowable for
that taxable year.
This reduction is scheduled to be phased-out over a five-year period
beginning in 2006.
Discount or Premium on Pass-Through Securities. In the opinion of tax
counsel, the holder's purchase price of a pass-through security is to be
allocated among the loans in proportion to their fair market values, determined
as of the time of purchase of the securities. In the typical case, the trustee
(to the extent necessary to fulfill its reporting obligations) will treat each
loan as having a fair market value proportional to the share of the aggregate
principal balances of all of the loans that it represents, since the securities,
unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, will have a
relatively uniform interest rate and other common characteristics. To the extent
that the portion of the purchase price of a pass-through security allocated to a
loan (other than to a right to receive any accrued interest thereon and any
undistributed principal payments) is less than or greater than the portion of
the principal balance of the loan allocable to the security, the interest in the
loan allocable to the pass-through security will be deemed to have been acquired
at a discount or premium, respectively.
The treatment of any discount will depend on whether the discount
represents OID or market discount. In the case of a loan with OID in excess of a
prescribed de minimis amount or a stripped security, a holder of the security
will be required to report as interest income in each taxable year its share of
the amount of OID that accrues during that year in the manner described above.
OID with respect to a loan could arise, for example, by virtue of the financing
of points by the originator of the loan, or by virtue of the charging of points
by the originator of the loan in an amount greater than a statutory de minimis
exception, in circumstances under which the points are not currently deductible
pursuant to applicable Code provisions. Any market discount or premium on a loan
will be includible in income, generally in the manner described above, except
that in the case of pass-through securities, market discount is calculated with
respect to the loans underlying the security, rather than with respect to the
security itself. A holder that acquires an
95
interest in a loan originated after July 18, 1984 with more than a de minimis
amount of market discount (generally, the excess of the principal amount of the
loan over the purchaser's allocable purchase price) will be required to include
accrued market discount in income in the manner set forth above. See "--Taxation
of Debt Securities --Market Discount" and "--Premium" above.
In the case of market discount on a pass-through security attributable to
loans originated on or before July 18, 1984, the holder generally will be
required to allocate the portion of the discount that is allocable to a loan
among the principal payments on the loan and to include the discount allocable
to each principal payment in ordinary income at the time the principal payment
is made. This treatment would generally result in discount being included in
income at a slower rate than discount would be required to be included in income
using the method described in the preceding paragraph.
Stripped Securities. A stripped security may represent a right to receive
only a portion of the interest payments on the loans, a right to receive only
principal payments on the loans, or a right to receive certain payments of both
interest and principal. Ratio stripped securities may represent a right to
receive differing percentages of both the interest and principal on each loan.
Pursuant to section 1286 of the Code, the separation of ownership of the right
to receive some or all of the interest payments on an obligation from ownership
of the right to receive some or all of the principal payments results in the
creation of "stripped bonds" with respect to principal payments and "stripped
coupons" with respect to interest payments. Section 1286 of the Code applies the
OID rules to stripped bonds and stripped coupons. For purposes of computing OID,
a stripped bond or a stripped coupon is treated as a debt instrument issued on
the date that such stripped interest is purchased with an issue price equal to
its purchase price or, if more than one stripped interest is purchased, the
ratable share of the purchase price allocable to the stripped interest.
Servicing fees in excess of reasonable servicing fees will be treated
under the stripped bond rules. If the excess servicing fee is less than 100
basis points (i.e., 1% interest on the loan's principal balance) or the
securities are initially sold with a de minimis discount (assuming no prepayment
assumption is required), any non-de minimis discount arising from a subsequent
transfer of the securities should be treated as market discount. The IRS appears
to require that reasonable servicing fees be calculated on a loan by loan basis,
which could result in some loans being treated as having more than 100 basis
points of interest stripped off.
The Code, OID Regulations and judicial decisions provide no direct
guidance as to how the interest and OID rules are to apply to stripped
securities and other pass-through securities. Under the cash flow bond method
described above for pay-through securities, a prepayment assumption is used and
periodic recalculations are made that take into account with respect to each
accrual period the effect of prepayments during such period. However, the Tax
Reform Act of 1986 does not, absent Treasury regulations, appear specifically to
cover instruments such as stripped securities, which technically represent
ownership interests in the underlying loans, rather than being debt instruments
"secured by" those loans. Nevertheless, it is believed that the cash flow bond
method is a reasonable method of reporting income for such securities, and it is
expected that OID will be reported on that basis unless otherwise specified in
the related prospectus supplement. In applying the calculation to pass-through
securities, the trustee will treat all payments to be received by a holder with
respect to the underlying loans as payments on
96
a single installment obligation. The IRS could, however, assert that OID must be
calculated separately for each loan underlying a security.
Under certain circumstances, if the loans prepay at a rate faster than the
prepayment assumption, the use of the cash flow bond method may accelerate the
holder's recognition of income. If, however, the loans prepay at a rate slower
than the Prepayment Assumption, in some circumstances the use of this method may
decelerate the holder's recognition of income.
In the case of a stripped security that is an interest weighted security,
the applicable trustee intends, absent contrary authority, to report income to
holders as OID, in the manner described above for interest weighted securities.
Possible Alternative Characterizations. The characterizations of the
stripped securities described above are not the only possible interpretations of
the applicable Code provisions. Among other possibilities, the IRS could contend
that:
o in certain series, each non-interest weighted security is composed
of an unstripped undivided ownership interest in loans and an
installment obligation consisting of stripped principal payments;
o the non-interest weighted securities are subject to the contingent
payment provisions of the regulations; or
o each interest weighted stripped security is composed of an
unstripped undivided ownership interest in loans and an installment
obligation consisting of stripped interest payments.
Given the variety of alternatives for treatment of the stripped securities
and the different federal income tax consequences that result from each
alternative, potential purchasers are urged to consult their own tax advisers
regarding the proper treatment of the securities for federal income tax
purposes.
Character as Qualifying Loans. In the case of stripped securities, there
is no specific legal authority existing regarding whether the character of the
securities, for federal income tax purposes, will be the same as the loans. The
IRS could take the position that the loans' character is not carried over to the
securities in such circumstances. Pass-through securities will be, and, although
the matter is not free from doubt, stripped securities should be considered to
represent:
o "real estate assets" within the meaning of section 856(c)(4)(A) of
the Code; and
o "loans secured by an interest in real property" within the meaning
of section 7701(a)(19)(C)(v) of the Code.
Interest income attributable to pass-through securities and stripped securities
should be considered to represent "interest on obligations secured by mortgages
on real property or on interests in real property" within the meaning of section
856(c)(3)(B) of the Code. Reserves or funds underlying the securities may cause
a proportionate reduction in the above-described qualifying status categories of
securities.
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Sale or Exchange
Subject to the discussion below with respect to any trust fund as to which
a partnership election is made, in the opinion of tax counsel, a holder's tax
basis in a security is the price the holder pays for the security, increased by
amounts of OID or market discount included in income, and reduced by any
payments received (other than qualified stated interest payments) and any
amortized premium. Gain or loss recognized on a sale, exchange, or redemption of
a security, measured by the difference between the amount realized and the
security's basis as so adjusted, will generally be capital gain or loss,
assuming that the security is held as a capital asset and will generally be
long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period of the security is more
than one year and short-term capital gain or loss if the holding period of the
Security is one year or less. Non-corporate taxpayers are subject to reduced
maximum rates on long-term capital gains and are generally subject to tax at
ordinary income rates on short-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital
losses is subject to certain limitations. Prospective investors should consult
their own tax advisors concerning these tax law provisions.
In the case of a security held by a bank, thrift, or similar institution
described in section 582 of the Code, however, gain or loss realized on the sale
or exchange of a REMIC regular interest security will be taxable as ordinary
income or loss. In addition, gain from the disposition of a regular interest
security that might otherwise be capital gain will be treated as ordinary income
to the extent of the excess, if any, of:
o the amount that would have been includible in the holder's income if
the yield on the regular interest security had equaled 110% of the
applicable federal rate as of the beginning of such holder's holding
period,
over
o the amount of ordinary income actually recognized by the holder with
respect to the regular interest security.
Miscellaneous Tax Aspects
Backup Withholding. Subject to the discussion below with respect to any
trust fund as to which a partnership election is made, a holder, other than a
holder of a REMIC residual interest security, may, under certain circumstances,
be subject to "backup withholding" with respect to distributions or the proceeds
of a sale of certificates to or through brokers that represent interest or
original issue discount on the securities. The current backup withholding rate
is 30%. This rate is scheduled to adjust in future periods. This withholding
generally applies if the holder of a security:
o fails to furnish the applicable trustee with its taxpayer
identification number;
o furnishes the applicable trustee an incorrect taxpayer
identification number;
o fails to report properly interest, dividends or other "reportable
payments" as defined in the Code; or
98
o under certain circumstances, fails to provide the applicable trustee
or such holder's securities broker with a certified statement,
signed under penalty of perjury, that the taxpayer identification
number provided is its correct number and that the holder is not
subject to backup withholding.
Backup withholding will not apply, however, with respect to certain
payments made to holders, including payments to certain exempt recipients (such
as exempt organizations) and to certain nonresident alien individuals, foreign
partnerships or foreign corporations. Holders should consult their tax advisers
as to their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the
procedure for obtaining the exemption.
The applicable trustee will report to the holders and to the servicer for
each calendar year the amount of any "reportable payments" during such year and
the amount of tax withheld, if any, with respect to payments on the securities.
Tax Treatment of Foreign Investors
Subject to the discussion below with respect to any trust fund as to which
a partnership election is made, under the Code, unless interest (including OID)
paid on a security (other than a residual interest security) is considered to be
"effectively connected" with a trade or business conducted in the United States
by a nonresident alien individual, foreign partnership or foreign corporation,
in the opinion of tax counsel, interest will normally qualify as portfolio
interest, and will be exempt from federal income tax. However, interest will not
qualify as portfolio interest where:
o the recipient is a holder, directly or by attribution, of 10% or
more of the capital or profits interest in the issuer, or
o the recipient is a controlled foreign corporation to which the
issuer is a related person.
For interest to qualify for the portfolio interest exemption from U.S.
withholding tax, the holder must generally complete a Form W-8BEN indicating
that the holder is a non-U.S. Person. The Form W-8BEN, or in certain
circumstances other documentation, must be provided to the person otherwise
required to withhold U.S. tax. If a foreign holder is a partnership or other
type of pass-through entity that is not treated for U.S. withholding tax
purposes as the beneficial owner of the income with respect to the security, the
holder generally must receive the Form W-8BEN as described in the previous
sentence from the holder's partners or other beneficial owners of the income
with respect to the security and may be required to provide the forms, and
certain additional information, to the person through whom the holder holds the
security. The forms provided by the holder or its interestholders regarding
status as a non-U.S. Person must generally be passed through the ownership chain
to the person otherwise required to withhold tax in order for the exemption to
apply. These provisions supersede the generally applicable provisions of United
States law that would otherwise require the issuer to withhold at a 30% rate
(unless such rate were reduced or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty) on,
among other things, interest and other fixed or determinable, annual or periodic
income paid to nonresident alien individuals, foreign partnerships or foreign
corporations. Holders of pass-through securities and
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stripped securities, including ratio strip securities, however, may be subject
to withholding to the extent that the loans were originated on or before July
18, 1984.
Interest and OID of holders who are foreign persons are not subject to
withholding if they are effectively connected with a United States business
conducted by the holder and appropriate documentation is provided to the person
otherwise required to withhold. They will, however, generally be subject to the
regular United States income tax.
Payments to holders of REMIC residual interest securities who are foreign
persons will generally be treated as interest for purposes of the 30% (or lower
treaty rate) United States withholding tax. Holders should assume that such
income does not qualify for exemption from United States withholding tax as
"portfolio interest." It is clear that, to the extent that a payment represents
a portion of REMIC taxable income that constitutes excess inclusion income, the
holder of a residual interest security will not be entitled to an exemption from
or reduction of the 30% (or lower treaty rate) withholding tax rule. If the
payments are subject to United States withholding tax, they generally will be
taken into account for withholding tax purposes only when paid or distributed
(or when the residual interest security is disposed of). The Treasury has
statutory authority, however, to promulgate regulations that would require such
amounts to be taken into account at an earlier time in order to prevent the
avoidance of tax. Regulations could, for example, require withholding prior to
the distribution of cash in the case of residual interest securities that do not
have significant value. Under the REMIC Regulations, if a residual interest
security has tax avoidance potential, a transfer of a residual interest security
to a nonresident alien individual, foreign partnership or foreign corporation
will be disregarded for all federal tax purposes. A residual interest security
has tax avoidance potential unless, at the time of the transfer the transferor
reasonably expects that the REMIC will distribute to the transferee residual
interest holder amounts that will equal at least 30% of each excess inclusion,
and that such amounts will be distributed at or after the time at which the
excess inclusions accrue and not later than the calendar year following the
calendar year of accrual. If a nonresident alien individual, foreign partnership
or foreign corporation transfers a residual interest security to a U.S. Person,
and if the transfer has the effect of allowing the transferor to avoid tax on
accrued excess inclusions, then the transfer is disregarded and the transferor
continues to be treated as the owner of the residual interest security for
purposes of the withholding tax provisions of the Code. See "--Excess
Inclusions" above.
Tax Characterization of the Trust Fund as a Partnership
Tax counsel is of the opinion that a trust fund structured as a
partnership will not be an association (or publicly traded partnership) taxable
as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. This opinion is based on the
assumption that the terms of the trust agreement and related documents will be
complied with, and on counsel's conclusions that the nature of the income of the
trust fund will exempt it from the rule that certain publicly traded
partnerships are taxable as corporations or the issuance of the certificates has
been structured as a private placement under an IRS safe harbor, so that the
trust fund will not be characterized as a publicly traded partnership taxable as
a corporation.
If the trust fund were taxable as a corporation for federal income tax
purposes, in the opinion of tax counsel, the trust fund would be subject to
corporate income tax on its taxable
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income. The trust fund's taxable income would include all its income, possibly
reduced by its interest expense on the notes. Any such corporate income tax
could materially reduce cash available to make payments on the notes and
distributions on the certificates, and holders of certificates could be liable
for any such tax that is unpaid by the trust fund.
Tax Consequences to Holders of the Notes
Treatment of the Notes as Indebtedness. The trust fund will agree, and the
noteholders will agree by their purchase of notes, to treat the notes as debt
for federal income tax purposes. As a result, tax counsel is, (except as
otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement,) of the opinion that
the notes will be classified as debt for federal income tax purposes. The
discussion below assumes this characterization of the notes is correct.
OID, Indexed Securities, etc. The discussion below assumes that all
payments on the notes are denominated in U.S. dollars, and that the notes are
not "indexed securities" or "strip notes." Moreover, the discussion assumes that
the interest formula for the notes meets the requirements for "qualified stated
interest" under the OID Regulations, and that any OID on the notes (i.e., any
excess of the principal amount of the notes over their issue price) does not
exceed a de minimis amount (i.e., 0.25% of their principal amount multiplied by
the number of full years included in their term), all within the meaning of the
OID Regulations. If these conditions are not satisfied with respect to any given
series of notes, additional tax considerations with respect to the notes will be
disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Interest Income on the Notes. Based on the above assumptions, except as
discussed in the following paragraph, in the opinion of tax counsel, the notes
will not be considered issued with OID. The stated interest on the notes will be
taxable to a noteholder as ordinary interest income when received or accrued in
accordance with the noteholder's method of tax accounting. Under the OID
Regulations, a holder of a note issued with a de minimis amount of OID must
include the OID in income, on a pro rata basis, as principal payments are made
on the note. It is believed that any prepayment premium paid as a result of a
mandatory redemption will be taxable as contingent interest when it becomes
fixed and unconditionally payable. A purchaser who buys a note for more or less
than its principal amount will generally be subject, respectively, to the
premium amortization or market discount rules of the Code.
A holder of a note that is a "short-term note" (i.e., it has a fixed
maturity date of not more than one year from the issue date) may be subject to
special rules. An accrual basis holder of a short-term note (and certain cash
method holders, including regulated investment companies, as set forth in
section 1281 of the Code) generally would be required to report interest income
as interest accrues on a straight-line basis over the term of each interest
period. Other cash basis holders of a short-term note would, in general, be
required to report interest income as interest is paid (or, if earlier, upon the
taxable disposition of the short-term note). However, a cash basis holder of a
short-term note reporting interest income as it is paid may be required to defer
a portion of any interest expense otherwise deductible on indebtedness incurred
to purchase or carry the short-term note until the taxable disposition of the
short-term note. A cash basis taxpayer may elect under section 1281 of the Code
to accrue interest income on all nongovernment debt obligations with a term of
one year or less, in which case the taxpayer would include interest on the
short-term note in income as it accrues, but would not be subject to
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the interest expense deferral rule referred to in the preceding sentence.
Certain special rules apply if a short-term note is purchased for more or less
than its principal amount.
Sale or Other Disposition. In the opinion of tax counsel, if a noteholder
sells a note, the holder will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the
difference between the amount realized on the sale and the holder's adjusted tax
basis in the note. The adjusted tax basis of a note to a particular noteholder
will equal the holder's cost for the note, increased by any market discount,
acquisition discount, OID and gain previously included by the noteholder in
income with respect to the note and decreased by the amount of bond premium (if
any) previously amortized and by the amount of principal payments previously
received by the noteholder with respect to the note. Any such gain or loss will
be capital gain or loss if the note was held as a capital asset, except for gain
representing accrued interest and accrued market discount not previously
included in income. Capital losses generally may be used only to offset capital
gains.
Foreign Holders. In the opinion of tax counsel, interest payments made (or
accrued) to a noteholder who is a "foreign person" (i.e., nonresident alien,
foreign corporation or other non-U.S. Person) generally will be considered
"portfolio interest," and generally will not be subject to United States federal
income tax and withholding tax, if the interest is not effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the foreign
person and the foreign person:
o is not actually or constructively a "10 percent shareholder" of the
trust fund or the seller (including a holder of 10% of the
outstanding certificates) or a "controlled foreign corporation" with
respect to which the trust fund or the seller is a "related person"
within the meaning of the Code; and
o provides the trustee or other person who is otherwise required to
withhold U.S. tax with respect to the notes with an appropriate
statement (on Form W-8BEN), signed under penalties of perjury,
certifying that the beneficial owner of the note is a foreign person
and providing the foreign person's name and address.
If a foreign holder is a partnership or other type of pass-through entity that
is not treated for U.S. withholding tax purposes as the beneficial owner of the
income with respect to the certificate, the holder generally must receive the
Form W-8BEN as described in the previous sentence from the holder's partners or
other beneficial owners of the income with respect to the certificate and may be
required to provide the forms, and certain additional information, to the person
through whom the holder holds the certificates. The forms provided by the holder
or its interestholders regarding status as a non-U.S. Person must generally be
passed through the ownership chain to the person otherwise required to withhold
tax in order for the exemption to apply. If a note is held through a securities
clearing organization or certain other financial institutions, the foreign
person that owns the note should furnish such organization or institution with a
Form W-8BEN or a similar form. The organization or institution may then be
required to forward the Form W-8BEN to the withholding agent. If interest is not
portfolio interest and is not effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S.
trade or business, then it will be subject to United States federal income and
withholding tax at a rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated pursuant to an
applicable tax treaty.
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Any capital gain realized on the sale, redemption, retirement or other
taxable disposition of a Note by a foreign person will be exempt from United
States federal income and withholding tax; provided, that (i) such gain is not
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States by the foreign person and (ii) in the case of an individual foreign
person, the foreign person is not present in the United States for 183 days or
more in the taxable year.
Backup Withholding. Each holder of a note (other than an exempt holder
such as a corporation, tax-exempt organization, qualified pension and
profit-sharing trust, individual retirement account or nonresident alien who
provides certification as to status as a nonresident) will be required to
provide, under penalties of perjury, a certificate containing the holder's name,
address, correct federal taxpayer identification number and a statement that the
holder is not subject to backup withholding. Should a nonexempt noteholder fail
to provide the required certification, the trust fund will be required to backup
withhold from the amount otherwise payable to the holder, and remit the withheld
amount to the IRS as a credit against the holder's federal income tax liability.
The current backup withholding rate is 30%. This rate is scheduled to adjust in
future periods.
Possible Alternative Treatments of the Notes. If, contrary to the opinion
of tax counsel, the IRS successfully asserted that one or more of the notes did
not represent debt for federal income tax purposes, the notes might be treated
as equity interests in the trust fund. If so treated, the trust fund might be
taxable as a corporation with the adverse consequences described above (and the
taxable corporation would not be able to reduce its taxable income by deductions
for interest expense on notes recharacterized as equity). Alternatively, and
most likely in the view of tax counsel, the trust fund might be treated as a
publicly traded partnership that would not be taxable as a corporation because
it would meet certain qualifying income tests. Nonetheless, treatment of the
notes as equity interests in such a publicly traded partnership could have
adverse tax consequences to certain holders. For example, income to certain
tax-exempt entities (including pension funds) may be "unrelated business taxable
income," income to foreign holders generally would be subject to U.S. tax and
U.S. tax return filing and withholding requirements, and individual holders
might be subject to certain limitations on their ability to deduct their share
of the trust fund's expenses.
Tax Consequences to Holders of the Certificates
Treatment of the Trust Fund as a Partnership. The trust fund and the
servicer will agree, and the certificateholders will agree by their purchase of
certificates, to treat the 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
trust fund, the partners of the partnership being the certificateholders, and
the notes being debt of the partnership. However, the proper characterization of
the arrangement involving the trust fund, the certificates, the notes, the trust
fund and the servicer is not clear because there is no authority on transactions
closely comparable to that contemplated herein.
A variety of alternative characterizations are possible. For example,
because the certificates have certain features characteristic of debt, the
certificates might be considered debt of the trust fund. Any such
characterization would not result in materially adverse tax
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consequences to certificateholders as compared to the consequences from
treatment of the certificates as equity in a partnership, described below. The
following discussion assumes that the certificates represent equity interests in
a partnership.
Indexed Securities, etc. The following discussion assumes that all
payments on the certificates are denominated in U.S. dollars, none of the
certificates is an indexed security or a stripped certificate, and that a series
of securities includes a single class of certificates. If these conditions are
not satisfied with respect to any given series of certificates, additional tax
considerations with respect to such certificates will be disclosed in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
Partnership Taxation. If the trust fund is a partnership, in the opinion
of tax counsel, the trust fund will not be subject to federal income tax.
Rather, in the opinion of tax counsel, each certificateholder will be required
to separately take into account the holder's allocated share of income, gains,
losses, deductions and credits of the trust fund. The trust fund's income will
consist primarily of interest and finance charges earned on the loans (including
appropriate adjustments for market discount, OID and bond premium) and any gain
upon collection or disposition of loans. The trust fund's deductions will
consist primarily of interest accruing with respect to the notes, servicing and
other fees, and losses or deductions upon collection or disposition of loans.
In the opinion of tax counsel, the tax items of a partnership are
allocable to the partners in accordance with the Code, Treasury regulations and
the partnership agreement (here, the trust agreement and related documents). The
trust agreement will provide, in general, that the certificateholders will be
allocated taxable income of the trust fund for each month equal to the sum of:
o the interest that accrues on the certificates in accordance with
their terms for such month, including interest accruing at the
pass-through rate for that month and interest on amounts previously
due on the certificates but not yet distributed;
o any trust fund income attributable to discount on the loans that
corresponds to any excess of the principal amount of the
certificates over their initial issue price;
o prepayment premium payable to the certificateholders for that month;
and
o any other amounts of income payable to the certificateholders for
that month.
This allocation will be reduced by any amortization by the trust fund of
premium on loans that corresponds to any excess of the issue price of
certificates over their principal amount. All remaining taxable income of the
trust fund will be allocated to the depositor. Based on the economic arrangement
of the parties, in the opinion of tax counsel, this approach for allocating
trust fund income should be permissible under applicable Treasury regulations,
although no assurance can be given that the IRS would not require a greater
amount of income to be allocated to certificateholders. Moreover, in the opinion
of tax counsel, even under the foregoing method of allocation,
certificateholders may be allocated income equal to the entire pass-through rate
plus the other items described above even though the trust fund might not have
sufficient cash to
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make current cash distributions of that amount. Thus, cash basis holders will in
effect be required to report income from the certificates on the accrual basis
and certificateholders may become liable for taxes on trust fund income even if
they have not received cash from the trust fund to pay taxes. In addition,
because tax allocations and tax reporting will be done on a uniform basis for
all certificateholders but certificateholders may be purchasing certificates at
different times and at different prices, certificateholders may be required to
report on their tax returns taxable income that is greater or less than the
amount reported to them by the trust fund.
In the opinion of tax counsel, all of the taxable income allocated to a
certificateholder that is a pension, profit sharing or employee benefit plan or
other tax-exempt entity (including an individual retirement account) may
constitute "unrelated business taxable income" generally taxable to the holder
under the Code.
In the opinion of tax counsel, an individual taxpayer's share of expenses
of the trust fund (including fees to the servicer but not interest expense)
would be miscellaneous itemized deductions. Such deductions might be disallowed
to the individual in whole or in part and might result in such holder being
taxed on an amount of income that exceeds the amount of cash actually
distributed to the holder over the life of the trust fund.
The trust fund intends to make all tax calculations relating to income and
allocations to certificateholders on an aggregate basis. If the IRS were to
require that such calculations be made separately for each loan, the trust fund
might be required to incur additional expense but it is believed that there
would not be a material adverse effect on certificateholders.
Discount and Premium. It is believed that the loans were not issued with
OID, and, therefore, the trust fund should not have OID income. However, the
purchase price paid by the trust fund for the loans may be greater or less than
the remaining principal balance of the loans at the time of purchase. If so, in
the opinion of tax counsel, the loan will have been acquired at a premium or
discount, as the case may be. (As indicated above, the trust fund will make this
calculation on an aggregate basis, but might be required to recompute it on a
loan-by-loan basis.)
If the trust fund acquires the loans at a market discount or premium, the
trust fund will elect to include any discount in income currently as it accrues
over the life of the loans or to offset any premium against interest income on
the loans. As indicated above, a portion of market discount income or premium
deduction may be allocated to certificateholders.
Section 708 Termination. In the opinion of tax counsel, under section 708
of the Code, the trust fund will be deemed to terminate for federal income tax
purposes if 50% or more of the capital and profits interests in the trust fund
are sold or exchanged within a 12-month period. Pursuant to final Treasury
regulations issued May 9, 1997 under section 708 of the Code, if such a
termination occurs, the trust fund would be deemed to contribute its assets to a
new partnership in exchange for interests in the new partnership. Such interests
would be deemed distributed to the partners of the original trust fund in
liquidation thereof, which would not constitute a sale or exchange.
Disposition of Certificates. Generally, in the opinion of tax counsel,
capital gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of certificates in an amount
equal to the difference between the
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amount realized and the seller's tax basis in the certificates sold. A
certificateholder's tax basis in a certificate will generally equal the holder's
cost increased by the holder's share of trust fund income (includible in income)
and decreased by any distributions received with respect to the certificate. In
addition, both the tax basis in the certificates and the amount realized on a
sale of a certificate would include the holder's share of the notes and other
liabilities of the trust fund. A holder acquiring certificates at different
prices may be required to maintain a single aggregate adjusted tax basis in the
certificates, and, upon sale or other disposition of some of the certificates,
allocate a portion of the aggregate tax basis to the certificates sold (rather
than maintaining a separate tax basis in each certificate for purposes of
computing gain or loss on a sale of that certificate).
Any gain on the sale of a certificate attributable to the holder's share
of unrecognized accrued market discount on the loans would generally be treated
as ordinary income to the holder and would give rise to special tax reporting
requirements. The trust fund does not expect to have any other assets that would
give rise to such special reporting requirements. Thus, to avoid those special
reporting requirements, the trust fund will elect to include market discount in
income as it accrues.
If a certificateholder is required to recognize an aggregate amount of
income (not including income attributable to disallowed itemized deductions
described above) over the life of the certificates that exceeds the aggregate
cash distributions with respect thereto, this excess will generally give rise to
a capital loss upon the retirement of the certificates.
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees. In general, the trust
fund's taxable income and losses will be determined monthly and the tax items
for a particular calendar month will be apportioned among the certificateholders
in proportion to the principal amount of certificates owned by them as of the
close of the last day of such month. As a result, a holder purchasing
certificates may be allocated tax items (which will affect its tax liability and
tax basis) attributable to periods before the actual transaction.
The use of such a monthly convention may not be permitted by existing
regulations. If a monthly convention is not allowed (or only applies to
transfers of less than all of the partner's interest), taxable income or losses
of the trust fund might be reallocated among the certificateholders. The trust
fund's method of allocation between transferors and transferees may be revised
to conform to a method permitted by future regulations.
Section 754 Election. In the event that a certificateholder sells its
certificates at a profit (loss), the purchasing certificateholder will have a
higher (lower) basis in the certificates than the selling certificateholder had.
The tax basis of the trust fund's assets will not be adjusted to reflect that
higher (or lower) basis unless the trust fund were to file an 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 trust fund will not make such
election. As a result, certificateholders might be allocated a greater or lesser
amount of trust fund income than would be appropriate based on their own
purchase price for certificates.
106
Administrative Matters. The trustee is required to keep or have kept
complete and accurate books of the trust fund. Books will be maintained for
financial reporting and tax purposes on an accrual basis and the fiscal year of
the trust fund will be the calendar year. The trustee will file a partnership
information return (IRS Form 1065) with the IRS for each taxable year of the
trust fund and will report each certificateholder's allocable share of items of
trust fund income and expense to holders and the IRS on Schedule K-1. The trust
fund will provide the Schedule K-l information to nominees that fail to provide
the trust fund with the information statement described below and such nominees
will be required to forward such information to the beneficial owners of the
certificates. Generally, holders must file tax returns that are consistent with
the information return filed by the trust fund or be subject to penalties unless
the holder notifies the IRS of all such inconsistencies.
Under section 6031 of the Code, any person that holds certificates as a
nominee at any time during a calendar year is required to furnish the trust fund
with a statement containing certain information on the nominee, the beneficial
owners and the certificates so held. Such information includes:
o the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the nominee;
and
o as to each beneficial owner (a) the name, address and identification
number of such person, (b) whether such person is a U.S. 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 (c) certain information on certificates that
were held, bought or sold on behalf of such person throughout the
year.
In addition, brokers and financial institutions that hold certificates
through a nominee are required to furnish directly to the trust fund information
as to themselves and their ownership of certificates. A clearing agency
registered under section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is not
required to furnish any such information statement to the trust fund. The
information referred to above for any calendar year must be furnished to the
trust fund on or before the following January 31. Nominees, brokers and
financial institutions that fail to provide the trust fund with the information
described above may be subject to penalties.
The depositor will be designated as the tax matters partner in the related
trust agreement and, as such, will be responsible for representing the
certificateholders in any dispute with the IRS. The Code provides for
administrative examination of a partnership as if the partnership were a
separate and distinct taxpayer. Generally, the statute of limitations for
partnership items does not expire before three years after the date on which the
partnership information return is filed. Any adverse determination following an
audit of the return of the trust fund by the appropriate taxing authorities
could result in an adjustment of the returns of the certificateholders, and,
under certain circumstances, a certificateholder may be precluded from
separately litigating a proposed adjustment to the items of the trust fund. An
adjustment could also result in an audit of a certificateholder's returns and
adjustments of items not related to the income and losses of the trust fund.
Tax Consequences to Foreign Certificateholders. It is not clear whether
the trust fund would be considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the
United States for purposes of
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federal withholding taxes with respect to non-U.S. Persons because there is no
clear authority dealing with that issue under facts substantially similar to
those described herein. Although it is not expected that the trust fund would be
engaged in a trade or business in the United States for such purposes, the trust
fund will withhold as if it were so engaged in order to protect the trust fund
from possible adverse consequences of a failure to withhold. The trust fund
expects to withhold on the portion of its taxable income that is allocable to
foreign certificateholders pursuant to section 1446 of the Code, as if such
income were effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business, at a rate of 35%
for foreign holders that are taxable as corporations and 38.6% (subject to
adjustment in future periods) for all other foreign holders. Subsequent adoption
of Treasury regulations or the issuance of other administrative pronouncements
may require the trust fund to change its withholding procedures. In determining
a holder's withholding status, the trust fund may rely on IRS Form W-8BEN or a
similar form, IRS Form W-9 or the holder's certification of nonforeign status
signed under penalties of perjury.
Each foreign holder might be required to file a U.S. individual or
corporate income tax return (including, in the case of a corporation, the branch
profits tax) on its share of the trust fund's income. Each foreign holder must
obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to
the trust fund on Form W-8BEN in order to assure appropriate crediting of the
taxes withheld. A foreign holder generally would be entitled to file with the
IRS a claim for refund with respect to taxes withheld by the trust fund taking
the position that no taxes were due because the trust fund was not engaged in a
U.S. trade or business. However, interest payments made (or accrued) to a
certificateholder who is a foreign person generally will be considered
guaranteed payments to the extent such payments are determined without regard to
the income of the trust fund. If these interest payments are properly
characterized as guaranteed payments, then the interest will not be considered
"portfolio interest." As a result, certificateholders will be subject to United
States federal income tax and withholding tax at a rate of 30%, unless reduced
or eliminated pursuant to an applicable treaty. In such case, a foreign holder
would only be entitled to claim a refund for that portion of the taxes in excess
of the taxes that should be withheld with respect to the guaranteed payments.
Backup Withholding. Distributions made on the certificates and proceeds
from the sale of the certificates will be subject to "backup" withholding tax
if, in general, the certificateholder fails to comply with certain
identification procedures, unless the holder is an exempt recipient under
applicable provisions of the Code. The current backup withholding rate is 30%.
This rate is scheduled to adjust in future periods.
Reportable Transactions
As currently written, recent Temporary and Proposed Treasury Regulations
(the "New Regulations") meant to require the reporting of abusive tax shelters
("Reportable Transactions") could be read to cover transactions generally not
regarded as tax shelters, including certain securitizations of financial assets.
Under the New Regulations, transactions may be characterized as Reportable
Transactions for a variety of reasons, one or more of which may apply to an
investment in the Securities. You should be aware that Bear Stearns and others
may be required to disclose information with respect to your securities.
Investors should consult their own tax advisers to determine their tax return
disclosure obligations, if any, with respect to their investment in the
Securities, including any requirement to file IRS Form 8886 (Reportable
108
Transaction Disclosure Statement). The New Regulations regarding tax return
disclosure generally are effective for transactions occurring on or after
January 1, 2003.
State Tax Considerations
In addition to the federal income tax considerations described in this
prospectus under "Material Federal Income Tax Considerations," potential
investors should consider the state and local income tax consequences of the
acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the securities. State and local
income tax law may differ substantially from the corresponding federal law, and
this discussion does not purport to describe any aspect of the income tax laws
of any state or locality. Therefore, potential investors should consult their
own tax advisors with respect to the various state and local tax consequences of
an investment in the securities.
FASIT Securities
General. The FASIT provisions of the Code were enacted by the Small
Business Job Protection Act of 1996 and create a new elective statutory vehicle
for the issuance of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities effective on
September 1, 1997. On February 4, 2000, the IRS and Treasury issued proposed
Treasury regulations for FASITs. The regulations generally would not be
effective until final regulations are filed with the federal register. However,
it appears that certain anti-abuse rules would apply as of February 4, 2000.
Investors also should note that the FASIT discussions contained herein
constitutes only a summary of the federal income tax consequences to holders of
FASIT securities. With respect to each series of FASIT securities, the related
prospectus supplement will provide a detailed discussion regarding the federal
income tax consequences associated with the particular transaction.
FASIT securities will be classified as either FASIT "regular securities,"
which generally will be treated as debt for federal income tax purposes, or
FASIT "ownership securities," which generally are not treated as debt for such
purposes, but rather as representing rights and responsibilities with respect to
the taxable income or loss of the related series. The prospectus supplement for
each series of securities will indicate whether one or more FASIT elections will
be made for the series, and which securities of the series will be designated as
regular securities, and which, if any, will be designated as ownership
securities.
Qualification as a FASIT. The trust fund underlying a series (or one or
more designated pools of assets held in the trust fund) will qualify under the
Code as a FASIT in which the FASIT regular securities and the FASIT ownership
securities will constitute the "regular interests" and the "ownership
interests," respectively, if
o a FASIT election is in effect,
o certain tests concerning the composition of the FASIT's assets and
the nature of the holders' interests in the FASIT are met on a
continuing basis, and
o the trust fund is not a regulated investment company or RIC as
defined in section 851(a) of the Code.
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However, the qualification as a FASIT of any trust fund for which a FASIT
election is made depends on the trust's ability to satisfy the requirements of
the FASIT provisions on an ongoing basis, including, without limitation, the
requirements of any final Treasury regulations that may be promulgated in the
future under the FASIT provisions or as a result of any change in applicable
law. Thus, no assurances can be made regarding the qualification as a FASIT of
any trust for which a FASIT election is made at any particular time after the
issuance of securities by the trust.
Asset Composition. In order for a trust fund (on one or more designated
pools of assets held by a trust fund) to be eligible for FASIT status,
substantially all of the assets of the trust fund (or the designated pool) must
consist of "permitted assets" as of the close of the third month beginning after
the closing date and at all times thereafter. Permitted assets include
o cash or cash equivalents,
o debt instruments with fixed terms that would qualify as REMIC
regular interests if issued by a REMIC (generally, instruments that
provide for interest at a fixed rate, a qualifying variable rate, or
a qualifying interest-only type rate,
o foreclosure property,
o certain hedging instruments (generally, interest and currency rate
swaps and credit enhancement contracts) that are reasonably required
to guarantee or hedge against the FASIT's risks associated with
being the obligor on FASIT interests,
o contract rights to acquire qualifying debt instruments or qualifying
hedging instruments,
o FASIT regular interests, and
o REMIC regular interests.
o Permitted assets do not include any debt instruments issued by the
holder of the FASIT's ownership interest or by any person related to
the holder.
Interests in a FASIT. In addition to the foregoing asset qualification
requirements, the interests in a FASIT must meet certain requirements. All of
the interests in a FASIT must belong to either
o one or more classes of regular interests or
o a single class of ownership interest that is held by a fully taxable
domestic corporation. In the case of series that include FASIT
ownership securities, the ownership interest will be represented by
the FASIT ownership securities.
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A FASIT interest generally qualifies as a regular interest if
o it is designated as a regular interest,
o it has a stated maturity no greater than thirty years,
o it entitles its holder to a specified principal amount,
o the issue price of the interest does not exceed 125% of its stated
principal amount,
o the yield to maturity of the interest is less than the applicable
Treasury rate published by the IRS plus 5%, and
o if it pays interest, such interest is payable either at a fixed rate
with respect to the principal amount of the regular interest or at a
permissible variable rate with respect to the principal amount.
Permissible variable rates for FASIT regular interests are the same as those for
REMIC regular interest (i.e., certain qualified floating rates and weighted
average rates). See "Material Federal Income Tax Considerations--Taxation of
Debt Securities--Variable Rate Debt Securities" in this prospectus.
If a FASIT security fails to meet one or more of the requirements set out
in the third, fourth or fifth bullet in the preceding paragraph, but otherwise
meets the above requirements, it may still qualify as a type of regular interest
known as a "high-yield interest." In addition, if a FASIT security fails to meet
the requirements of the final bullet in the preceding paragraph, but the
interest payable on the security consists of a specified portion of the interest
payments on permitted assets and that portion does not vary over the life of the
security, the security also will qualify as a high-yield interest. A high-yield
interest may be held only by domestic corporations that are fully subject to
corporate income tax, other FASITs and dealers in securities who acquire such
interests as inventory, rather than for investment. In addition, holders of
high-yield interests are subject to limitations on offset of income derived from
such interest. See "--Tax Treatment of FASIT Regular Securities" and
"--Treatment of High-Yield Interests" below.
Anti-Abuse Rule. Under proposed Treasury regulations, the IRS Commissioner
may make appropriate adjustments with regard to the FASIT and any arrangement or
transaction involving the FASIT if a principal purpose of forming or using the
FASIT is to achieve results inconsistent with the intent of the FASIT provisions
and the FASIT regulations. This determination would be based on all of the facts
and circumstances, including a comparison of the purported business purpose for
a transaction and the claimed tax benefits resulting from the transaction.
Consequences of the Failure of the FASIT Trust to Qualify as a FASIT. If a
FASIT trust fails to comply with one or more of the Code's ongoing requirements
for FASIT status during any taxable year, proposed Treasury regulations provide
that its FASIT status would be lost for that year and the FASIT trust would be
unable to elect FASIT status without the Commissioner's approval. If FASIT
status is lost, under proposed Treasury regulations the entity classification of
the former FASIT would be determined under general federal income tax
principles. The holder
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of the FASIT ownership security would be treated as exchanging the assets of the
former FASIT for an amount equal to their value and gain recognized would be
treated as gain from a prohibited transaction that is subject to the 100% tax,
without exception. Loss, if any, would be disallowed. In addition, the holder of
the FASIT ownership security must recognize cancellation of indebtedness income,
on a regular interest by regular interest basis, in an amount equal to the
adjusted issue price of each FASIT regular security outstanding immediately
before the loss of FASIT status over its fair market value. If the holder of the
FASIT ownership security has a continuing economic interest in the former FASIT,
the characterization of this interest is determined under general federal income
tax principles. Holders of FASIT regular securities are treated as exchanging
their securities for interests in the new entity classification of the former
FASIT, which classification is determined under general federal income tax
principles. Gain is recognized to the extent the new interest either does not
qualify as debt or differs either in kind or extent. The basis of the interest
in the new entity classification of the former FASIT equals the basis in the
FASIT regular security increased by any gain recognized on the exchange.
Tax Treatment of FASIT Regular Securities. Payments received by holders of
FASIT regular securities generally should be accorded the same tax treatment
under the Code as payments received on other taxable corporate debt instruments
and on REMIC regular securities. As in the case of holders of REMIC regular
securities, holders of FASIT regular securities must report income from such
securities under an accrual method of accounting, even if they otherwise would
have used the cash receipts and disbursements method. Except in the case of
FASIT regular securities issued with original issue discount or acquired with
market discount or premium, interest paid or accrued on a FASIT regular security
generally will be treated as ordinary income to the holder and a principal
payment on the security will be treated as a return of capital to the extent
that the holder's basis is allocable to that payment. Holders of FASIT regular
securities issued with original issue discount or acquired with market discount
or premium generally will be required to treat interest and principal payments
on the securities in the same manner described for REMIC regular securities. See
"Material Federal Income Tax Considerations--Taxation of Debt Securities,"
"--Market Discount," and "--Premium" in this prospectus. High-yield interests
may be held only by fully taxable domestic corporations, other FASITs, and
certain securities dealers. Holders of high-yield interests are subject to
limitations on their ability to use current losses or net operating loss
carryforwards or carrybacks to offset any income derived from those securities.
If a FASIT regular security is sold or exchanged, the holder generally
will recognize gain or loss upon the sale in the manner described above for
securities other than REMIC regular interest securities. See "Material Federal
Income Tax Considerations--Sale or Exchange" in this prospectus. In addition, if
a FASIT regular security becomes wholly or partially worthless as a result of
default and delinquencies of the underlying assets, the holder of the security
should be allowed to deduct the loss sustained (or alternatively be able to
report a lesser amount of income). See "Material Federal Income Tax
Considerations--Taxation of Debt Securities--Effects of Default and
Delinquencies" in this prospectus.
FASIT regular securities held by a real estate investment trust or REIT
will qualify as "real estate assets" within the meaning of section 856(c) (4)(A)
of the Code, and interest on such securities will be considered "interest on
obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real
property" within the meaning of section 856(c)(3)(B) of the Code to the same
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extent that REMIC securities would be so considered. FASIT regular securities
held by a thrift institution taxed as a "domestic building and loan association"
will represent qualifying assets for purposes of the qualification requirements
set forth in section 7701(a)(19) of the Code to the same extent that REMIC
securities would be so considered. See "Material Federal Income Tax
Considerations--Taxation of Debt Securities--Status as Real Property Loans" in
this prospectus. In addition, FASIT regular securities held by a financial
institution to which section 585 of the Code applies will be treated as
evidences of indebtedness for purposes of section 582(c)(1) of the Code. FASIT
securities will not qualify as "government securities" for either REIT - or RIC
- - qualification purposes.
Treatment of High-Yield Interests. High-yield interests are subject to
special rules regarding the eligibility of holders of such interests, and the
ability of such holders to offset income derived from their FASIT security with
losses. High-yield interests may be held only by eligible corporations other
FASITs, and dealers in securities who acquire such interests as inventory. If a
securities dealer (other than an eligible corporation) initially acquires a
high-yield interest as inventory, but later begins to hold it for investment,
the dealer will be subject to an excise tax equal to the income from the
high-yield interest multiplied by the highest corporate income tax rate. In
addition, transfers of high-yield interests to disqualified holders will be
disregarded for federal income tax purposes, and the transferor still will be
treated as the holder of the high-yield interest.
The holder of a high-yield interest may not use non-FASIT current losses
or net operating loss carryforwards or carrybacks to offset any income derived
from the high-yield interest, for either regular federal income tax purposes or
for alternative minimum tax purposes. In addition, the FASIT provisions contain
an anti-abuse rule that imposes corporate income tax on income derived from a
FASIT regular security that is held by a pass-through entity (other than another
FASIT) that issues debt or equity securities backed by the FASIT regular
security and that have the same features as high-yield interests.
Tax Treatment of FASIT Ownership Securities. A FASIT ownership security
represents the residual equity interest in a FASIT. As such, the holder of a
FASIT ownership security determines its taxable income by taking into account
all assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, deduction, loss and credit of
a FASIT. In general, the character of the income to the holder of a FASIT
ownership interest will be the same as the character of such income of the
FASIT, except that any tax-exempt interest income taken into account by the
holder of a FASIT ownership interest is treated as ordinary income. In
determining that taxable income, the holder of a FASIT ownership security must
determine the amount of interest, original issue discount, market discount and
premium recognized with respect to the FASIT's assets and the FASIT regular
securities issued by the FASIT according to a constant yield methodology and
under an accrual method of accounting. In addition, holders of FASIT ownership
securities are subject to the same limitations on their ability to use losses to
offset income from their FASIT security as are the holders of high-yield
interests. See "FASIT Securities--Treatment of High-Yield Interests."
Rules similar to the wash sale rules applicable to REMIC residual
securities also will apply to FASIT ownership securities. Accordingly, losses on
dispositions of a FASIT ownership security generally will be disallowed where,
within six months before or after the disposition, the
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seller of such security acquires any other FASIT ownership security or, in the
case of a FASIT holding mortgage assets, any interest in a taxable mortgage pool
described in section 7701 of the Code that is economically comparable to a FASIT
Ownership Security. In addition, if any security that is sold or contributed to
a FASIT by the holder of the related FASIT ownership security was required to be
marked-to-market under section 475 of the Code by such holder, then section 475
will continue to apply to such securities, except that the amount realized under
the mark-to-market rules will be a greater of the securities' value under
present law or the securities' value after applying special valuation rules
contained in the FASIT provisions. Those special valuation rules generally
require that the value of debt instruments that are not traded on an established
securities market be determined by calculating the present value of the
reasonably expected payments under the instrument using a discount rate of 120%
of the applicable federal rate, compounded semiannually.
The holder of a FASIT ownership security will be subject to a tax equal to
100% of the net income derived by the FASIT from any "prohibited transactions."
Prohibited transactions include (i) the receipt of income derived from assets
that are not permitted assets, (ii) certain dispositions of permitted assets,
(iii) the receipt of any income derived from any loan originated by a FASIT and
(iv) in certain cases, the receipt of income representing a servicing fee or
other compensation. Any series for which a FASIT election is made generally will
be structured in order to avoid application of the prohibited transaction tax.
Backup Withholding, Reporting and Tax Administration. Holders of FASIT
securities will be subject to backup withholding to the same extent holders of
REMIC securities would be subject. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations--Miscellaneous Tax Aspects--Backup Withholding." For purposes of
reporting and tax administration, holders of record of FASIT securities
generally will be treated in the same manner as holders of REMIC securities.
Under proposed Treasury regulations, if a non-U.S. Person holds (either
directly or through a vehicle which itself is not subject to U.S. federal income
tax, such as a partnership or a trust) a FASIT regular security and a "conduit
debtor" pays or accrues interest on a debt instrument held by such FASIT, any
interest received or accrued by the non-U.S. Person FASIT regular security
holder is treated as received or accrued from the conduit debtor. The proposed
Treasury regulations state that a debtor is a conduit debtor if the debtor is a
U.S. Person or the United States branch of a non-U.S. Person and the non-U.S.
Person FASIT regular security holder is (1) a "10 percent shareholder" of the
debtor, (2) a "controlled foreign corporation" and the debtor is a related
person with respect to the controlled foreign corporation or (3) related to the
debtor. As set forth above, the proposed Treasury regulations would not be
effective until final regulations are filed with the federal register.
Due to the complexity of the federal income tax rules applicable to
holders and the considerable uncertainty that exists with respect to many
aspects of those rules, potential investors should consult their own tax
advisors regarding the tax treatment of the acquisition, ownership, and
disposition of the securities.
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ERISA Considerations
The following describes certain considerations under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended and the Code, which apply
only to securities of a series that are not divided into subclasses. If
securities are divided into subclasses, the related prospectus supplement will
contain information concerning considerations relating to ERISA and the Code
that are applicable to the related subclasses.
ERISA and section 4975 of the Code impose requirements on employee benefit
plans - and on certain other retirement plans and arrangements, including
individual retirement accounts and annuities, Keogh plans and collective
investment funds and separate accounts in which plans, accounts or arrangements
are invested - and on persons who are fiduciaries with respect to these types of
plans and arrangements. In this prospectus we refer to these types of plans and
arrangements as "Plans." Generally, ERISA applies to investments made by Plans.
Among other things, ERISA requires that the assets of Plans be held in trust and
that the trustee, or other duly authorized fiduciary, have exclusive authority
and discretion to manage and control the assets of such Plans. ERISA also
imposes certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of Plans, such as the duty
to invest prudently, to diversify investments unless it is prudent not to do so,
and to invest in accordance with the documents governing the Plan. Under ERISA,
any person who exercises any authority or control respecting the management or
disposition of the assets of a Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee,
is considered to be a fiduciary of such Plan (subject to certain exceptions not
here relevant). Certain employee benefit plans, such as 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 ERISA's requirements. Accordingly, assets of such plans may
be invested in securities without regard to the ERISA considerations described
above and below, subject to the provisions of applicable federal or state law.
Any such plan that 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.
The United States Department of Labor (DOL) has issued final regulations
under section 401(c) of ERISA describing a safe harbor for insurers that issued
certain nonguaranteed policies supported by their general accounts to Plans, and
under which an insurer would not be considered an ERISA fiduciary with respect
to its general account by virtue of a Plan's investment in such a policy. In
general, to meet the safe harbor, an insurer must
o disclose certain specified information to investing Plan fiduciaries
initially and on an annual basis;
o allow Plans to terminate or discontinue a policy on 90 days' notice
to the insurer, and to elect, without penalty, either a lump-sum
payment or annual installment payments over a ten-year period, with
interest; and
o give Plans written notice of "insurer-initiated amendments" 60 days
before the amendments take effect.
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In addition to the imposition of general fiduciary standards of investment
prudence and diversification, ERISA and section 4975 of the Code prohibit a
broad range of transactions involving Plan assets and persons having certain
specified relationships to a Plan ("parties in interest"), and impose additional
prohibitions where parties in interest are fiduciaries with respect to a Plan.
Certain parties in interest that participate in a prohibited transaction may be
subject to excise taxes imposed pursuant to section 4975 of the Code, or
penalties imposed pursuant to section 502(i) of ERISA, unless a statutory,
regulatory or administrative exemption is available.
The DOL has issued plan asset regulations defining what constitutes the
assets of a Plan (Department of Labor Reg. Section 2510.3-101). Under these
regulations, the underlying assets and properties of corporations, partnerships,
trusts and certain other entities in which a Plan makes an "equity" investment
could be deemed for purposes of ERISA to be assets of the investing Plan in
certain circumstances.
Under the plan asset regulations, the term "equity" interest is defined as
any interest in an entity other than an instrument that is treated as
indebtedness under "applicable local law" and which has no "substantial equity
features." If the trust fund issues notes that are not treated as equity
interests in the trust fund for purposes of the plan asset regulations, a Plan's
investment in such notes would not cause the assets of the trust to be deemed
Plan assets. However, the seller, the servicer, the backup servicer, the
indenture trustee, the owner trustee, the underwriter and the depositor may be
the sponsor of or investment advisor with respect to one or more Plans. Because
such parties may receive certain benefits in connection with the sale of the
notes, the purchase of notes using Plan assets over which any of these parties
(or their affiliates) has investment authority might be deemed to be a violation
of the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA and the Code for which no exemption
may be available. Accordingly, a prospective purchaser should consult with
counsel before purchasing a note using the assets of any Plan if the seller, the
servicer, the backup servicer, the indenture trustee, the owner trustee, the
underwriter, the depositor or any of their affiliates
o has investment or administrative discretion with respect to such
Plan assets;
o has authority or responsibility to give, or regularly gives,
investment advice with respect to such Plan assets for a fee and
pursuant to an agreement or understanding that the advice will serve
as a primary basis for investment decisions with respect to the Plan
assets and will be based on the particular investment needs for the
Plan; or
o is an employer maintaining or contributing to such Plan.
In addition, the trust fund, any underwriter, the trustee or their
affiliates might be considered or might become "parties in interest" with
respect to a Plan. Also, any holder of certificates of the trust fund, because
of its activities or the activities of its respective affiliates, may be deemed
to be a "party in interest" with respect to certain Plans, including but not
limited to Plans sponsored by the holder. In either case, whether nor not the
assets of the trust are considered to be Plan assets, the acquisition or holding
of notes by or on behalf of a Plan could give rise to a prohibited transaction
within the meaning of ERISA and the Code, unless it is subject to one or more
exemptions such as:
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o Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption (PTCE) 84-14, which exempts
certain transactions effected on behalf of a Plan by a "qualified
professional asset manager;"
o PTCE 90-1, which exempts certain transactions involving insurance
company pooled separate accounts;
o PTCE 91-38, which exempts certain transactions involving bank
collective investment funds;
o PTCE 95-60, which exempts certain transactions involving insurance
company general accounts; or
o PTCE 96-23, which exempts certain transactions effected on behalf of
a Plan by certain "in-house asset managers."
There can be no assurance that any of these class exemptions will apply with
respect to any particular Plan's investment in notes, or, even if it did apply,
that any exemption would apply to all prohibited transactions that may occur in
connection with such an investment. Unless a different requirement is imposed in
the prospectus supplement, each prospective purchaser or transferee of a note
that is a Plan or a person acting on behalf or investing the assets of a Plan
shall be required to represent (or, with respect to any transfer of a beneficial
interest in a global note, shall be deemed to represent) to the indenture
trustee and the note registrar that the relevant conditions for exemptive relief
under at least one of the foregoing exemptions have been satisfied.
The plan asset regulations provide that, generally, the assets of an
entity in which a Plan invests will not be deemed to be assets of the Plan for
purposes of ERISA if the equity interest acquired by the investing Plan is a
publicly-offered security, or if equity participation by benefit plan investors
is not significant. In general, a publicly-offered security, as defined in the
plan asset regulations, is a security that is widely held, freely transferable
and registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Equity
participation in an entity by benefit plan investors is not significant if,
after the most recent acquisition of an equity interest in the entity, less than
25% of the value of each class of equity interest in the entity is held by
"benefit plan investors," which include benefit plans described in ERISA or
under section 4975 of the Code, whether or not they are subject to Title I of
ERISA, as well as entities whose underlying assets include assets of a Plan by
reason of a Plan's investment in the entity.
If no exception under the plan asset regulations applies and if a Plan (or
a person investing Plan assets, such as an insurance company general account)
acquires an equity interest in the trust, then the assets of the trust would be
considered to be assets of the Plan. Because the loans held by the trust may be
deemed assets of each Plan that purchases an equity interest, an investment by a
Plan in an equity interest issued by the trust might be a prohibited transaction
under ERISA and subject to an excise tax under section 4975 of the Code, and may
cause transactions undertaken in the course of operating the trust to constitute
prohibited transactions, unless a statutory, regulatory or administrative
exemption applies.
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The DOL issued to Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., an individual underwriter
exemption (Prohibited Transaction Exemption 90-30, 55 Fed. Reg. 21461 (1990)),
which, as amended, exempts from the application of certain of the prohibited
transaction rules transactions relating to the acquisition, sale and holding by
Plans of certain securities, including both certificates and notes, representing
an interest in asset-backed pass-through entities, including trusts, that hold
certain types of receivables or obligations and with respect to which Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc., or certain of its affiliates, is the underwriter, or the
manager or co-manager of an underwriting syndicate.
The underwriter exemption sets forth the following general conditions
which must be satisfied before a transaction involving the acquisition, sale and
holding of the securities or a transaction in connection with the servicing,
operation and management of the trust fund may be eligible for exemptive relief
thereunder:
o The acquisition of the securities by a Plan is on terms (including
the price for the securities) that are at least as favorable to the
investing Plan as they would be in an arm's-length transaction with
an unrelated party.
o The rights and interests evidenced by the securities acquired by the
Plan are not subordinated to the rights and interests evidenced by
other securities of the same trust fund, other than in the case of a
"designated transaction" (as defined below).
o The securities acquired by the Plan have received a rating at the
time of such acquisition that is in one of the three (or in the case
of a designated transaction, four) highest generic rating categories
from any of Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and
Standard & Poor's, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
o The trustee is not an affiliate of the depositor, the servicer, any
borrower whose obligations under one or more mortgage loans
constitute more than 5% of the aggregate unamortized principal
balance of the assets in the trust, the counterparty in a permitted
notional principal transaction, or any of their respective
affiliates (together with the trustee and the underwriters, the
"restricted group").
o The sum of all payments made to and retained by the underwriters in
connection with the distribution of the securities represents not
more than reasonable compensation for underwriting or placing such
securities; the sum of all payments made to and retained by the
depositor pursuant to the sale of the mortgage loans to the trust
represents not more than the fair market value of such mortgage
loans; and the sum of all payments made to and retained by the
servicers represent not more than reasonable compensation for the
servicers' services under the pooling and servicing agreements and
reimbursement of the servicers' reasonable expenses in connection
therewith.
o The Plan investing in the securities is an "accredited investor" as
defined in Rule 501(a)(1) of Regulation D of the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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For purposes of the underwriter exemption, a "designated transaction"
means a transaction in which the assets underlying the securities consist of
single-family residential, multi-family residential, home equity, manufactured
housing and/or commercial mortgage obligations that are fully secured by
single-family residential, multi-family residential or commercial real property
or leasehold interests in the foregoing.
Moreover, the underwriter exemption provides relief from certain
self-dealing/conflict of interest prohibited transactions that may occur when a
fiduciary causes a Plan to acquire securities in a trust containing receivables
on which such person (or its affiliate) is an obligor; provided, that among
other requirements:
o the person (or its affiliate) is not an obligor with respect to more
than 5% of the fair market value of the obligations or receivables
contained in the trust;
o the Plan is not a plan with respect to which any member of the
restricted group is the "plan sponsor" (as defined in section
3(16)(B) of ERISA);
o in the case of an acquisition in connection with the initial
issuance of securities, at least 50% of each class of securities in
which Plans have invested is acquired by persons independent of the
restricted group and at least 50% of the aggregate interest in the
trust fund is acquired by persons independent of the restricted
group;
o a Plan's investment in securities of any class does not exceed 25%
of all of the securities of that class outstanding at the time of
the acquisition; and
o immediately after the acquisition, no more than 25% of the assets of
any Plan with respect to which such person has discretionary
authority or renders investment advice are invested in securities
representing an interest in one or more trusts containing assets
sold or serviced by the same entity.
The underwriter exemption also provides exemptive relief to certain
mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities transactions that utilize
pre-funding accounts and that otherwise satisfy the requirements of the
underwriter exemption. Mortgage loans or other secured receivables supporting
payments to securityholders, and having a value equal to no more than 25% of the
total principal amount of the securities being offered by the trust, may be
transferred to the trust within a 90-day or three-month funding period following
the closing date instead of being required to be either identified or
transferred on or before the closing date. The relief is available when the
following conditions are met:
o The funding limit (i.e., the ratio of the amount allocated to the
pre-funding account to the total principal amount of the securities
being offered) must not exceed 25%.
o All the additional obligations transferred after the closing date
must meet the same terms and conditions for eligibility as the
original obligations used to create the trust, which terms and
conditions have been approved by a rating agency; provided, that the
terms and conditions for determining the eligibility of an
obligation may be changed if such
119
changes receive prior approval either by a majority vote of the
outstanding securityholders or by a rating agency.
o The transfer of additional obligations to the trust during the
funding period must not result in the securities to be covered by
the underwriter exemption receiving a lower credit rating from a
rating agency upon termination of the funding period than the rating
that was obtained at the time of the initial issuance of the
securities by the trust.
o Solely as a result of the use of pre-funding, the weighted average
annual percentage interest rate for all of the obligations in the
trust at the end of the funding period must not be more than 100
basis points lower than the average interest rate for the
obligations transferred to the trust on the closing date.
o In order to insure that the characteristics of the additional
obligations are substantially similar to the original obligations
which were transferred to the trust fund:
1. the characteristics of the additional obligations must be monitored
by an insurer or other credit support provider that is independent
of the depositor; or
2. an independent accountant retained by the depositor must provide the
depositor with a letter (with copies provided to each rating agency
rating the securities, the related underwriter and the related
trustee) stating whether or not the characteristics of the
additional obligations conform to the characteristics described in
the related prospectus or prospectus supplement and/or pooling and
servicing agreement. In preparing the letter, the independent
accountant must use the same type of procedures as were applicable
to the obligations transferred to the trust as of the closing date.
o The period of pre-funding must end no later than three months or 90
days after the closing date or earlier in certain circumstances if
the pre-funding account falls below the minimum level specified in
the pooling and servicing agreement or an event of default occurs.
o Amounts transferred to any pre-funding account and/or capitalized
interest account used in connection with the pre-funding may be
invested only in certain permitted investments.
o The related prospectus or prospectus supplement must describe:
1. any pre-funding account and/or capitalized interest account used in
connection with a pre-funding account;
2. the duration of the period of pre-funding;
3. the percentage and/or dollar amount of the funding limit for the
trust; and
4. that the amounts remaining in the pre-funding account at the end of
the funding period will be remitted to securityholders as repayments
of principal.
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o The related pooling and servicing agreement must describe the
permitted investments for the pre-funding account and/or capitalized
interest account and, if not disclosed in the related prospectus or
prospectus supplement, the terms and conditions for eligibility of
additional obligations.
The underwriter exemption also permit Plans to purchase securities,
including subordinated securities, rated in any of the four highest ratings
categories (provided that all other requirements of the underwriter exemption
are met).
In general, neither PTCE 83-1, which exempts certain transactions
involving Plan investments in mortgage trusts, nor the underwriter exemption
applies to a trust which contains unsecured obligations. However, under the
underwriter exemption, residential and home equity loan receivables issued in
designated transactions may be less than fully secured if:
o the rights and interests evidenced by the securities issued in the
designated transaction are not subordinated to the rights and
interests evidenced by other securities of the same trust fund,
o the securities have received a rating at the time of acquisition
that is in one of the two highest generic rating categories from a
rating agency, and
o the receivables are secured by collateral whose fair market value on
the closing date of the designated transaction is at least 80% of
the sum of the outstanding principal balance due under the
receivable and the outstanding principal balance of any other
receivable of higher priority which is secured by the same
collateral.
Any Plan fiduciary that proposes to cause a Plan to purchase securities should
consult with counsel concerning the impact of ERISA and the Code, the
applicability of PTCE 83-1, the underwriter exemption, or any other exemption
and the potential consequences in their specific circumstances, prior to making
an investment. Moreover, each Plan fiduciary should determine whether, under the
general fiduciary standards of investment prudence and diversification, an
investment in the securities is appropriate for the Plan, taking into account
the overall investment policy of the Plan and the composition of the Plan's
investment portfolio.
Legal Matters
The legality of the securities of each series, including the material
federal income tax consequences with respect to the securities, will be passed
upon for the depositor by Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York,
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, New York, New York, Thacher Proffitt & Wood, New
York, New York or other counsel designated in the prospectus supplement.
Financial Information
A new trust fund will be formed for each series of securities. No trust
fund will engage in any business activities or have any assets or obligations
prior to the issuance of the related
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series of securities. Accordingly, no financial statements with respect to any
trust fund will be included in this prospectus or in the related prospectus
supplement.
Available Information
The depositor has filed with the SEC a registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the securities. This
prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement, and the prospectus
supplement relating to each series of securities contain summaries of the
material terms of the documents referred to herein and therein, but do not
contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement pursuant
to the Rules and Regulations of the SEC. For further information, reference is
made to the registration statement and its exhibits. The registration statement
and exhibits can be inspected and copied at prescribed rates at the public
reference facilities maintained by the SEC at its Public Reference Section, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at its Regional Offices located
as follows: Midwest Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511; and Northeast Regional Office, 7 World Trade
Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. In addition, the SEC maintains a
Web site at http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants, including the depositor,
that file electronically with the SEC.
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference
This prospectus incorporates by reference all documents and reports filed
by the depositor, Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc., with respect to a
trust fund pursuant to Section 13(a), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, prior to the termination of the offering of the related
securities. Upon request by any person to whom this prospectus is delivered in
connection with the offering of one or more classes securities, the depositor
will provide or cause to be provided without charge a copy of any of the
documents and/or reports incorporated herein by reference, in each case to the
extent the documents or reports relate to those classes of securities, other
than the exhibits to the documents (unless the exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference in such documents). Requests to the depositor should
be directed in writing to: Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc., 383
Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179, telephone number (212) 272-2000. The
depositor has determined that its financial statements are not material to the
offering of any securities.
Investors may read and copy the documents and/or reports incorporated
herein by reference at the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Investors may
obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the
SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains a website at
http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding issuers, including each trust fund, that file
electronically with the SEC.
Ratings
It is a condition to the issuance of the securities of each series offered
by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement that they shall
have been rated in one of the four
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highest rating categories by the nationally recognized statistical rating agency
or agencies specified in the prospectus supplement.
Each such rating will be based on, among other things, the adequacy of the
value of the trust fund assets and any credit enhancement with respect to the
related class and will reflect the rating agency's assessment solely of the
likelihood that the related holders will receive payments to which they are
entitled. No rating will constitute an assessment of the likelihood that
principal prepayments on the related loans will be made, the degree to which the
rate of prepayments might differ from that originally anticipated or the
likelihood of early optional termination of the securities. A rating should not
be deemed a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell securities, inasmuch as it
does not address market price or suitability for a particular investor. A rating
will not address the possibility that prepayment at higher or lower rates than
anticipated by an investor may cause such investor to experience a lower than
anticipated yield or that an investor purchasing a security at a significant
premium might fail to recoup its initial investment under certain prepayment
scenarios.
There is also no assurance that any rating will remain in effect for any
given period of time or that it may not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by the
applicable rating agency in the future if in its judgment circumstances so
warrant. In addition to being lowered or withdrawn due to any erosion in the
adequacy of the value of trust fund assets or any credit enhancement with
respect to a series, a rating might also be lowered or withdrawn because of,
among other reasons, an adverse change in the financial or other condition of a
credit enhancement provider or a change in the rating of the credit enhancement
provider's long-term debt.
The amount, type and nature of any credit enhancement established with
respect to a series of securities will be determined on the basis of criteria
established by each rating agency named in the related prospectus supplement.
These criteria are sometimes based upon an actuarial analysis of the behavior of
mortgage loans in a larger group. Such analysis is often the basis upon which
each rating agency determines the amount of credit enhancement required with
respect to each class of securities. There can be no assurance that the
historical data supporting any such actuarial analysis will accurately reflect
future experience nor any assurance that the data derived from a large pool of
mortgage loans will accurately predict the delinquency, foreclosure or loss
experience of any particular pool of loans. No assurance can be given that
values of any properties have remained or will remain at their levels on the
respective dates of origination of the related loans. If residential real estate
markets should experience an overall decline in property values such that the
principal balances of the loans in a particular trust fund and any secondary
financing on the related properties become equal to or greater than the value of
those properties, the rates of delinquencies, foreclosures and losses could be
higher than those now generally experienced in the mortgage lending industry. In
additional, adverse economic conditions (which may or may not affect real
property values) may affect the timely payment by borrowers of scheduled
payments of principal of and interest on the loans and, accordingly, the rates
of delinquencies, foreclosures and losses with respect to any trust fund. To the
extent that losses are not covered by credit enhancement, losses will be borne,
at least in part, by the holders of one or more classes of the securities of the
related series.
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Legal Investment Considerations
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the
securities will not constitute "mortgage-related securities" within the meaning
of the Secondary Market Mortgage Credit Enhancement Act of 1984, as amended.
Accordingly, investors whose investment authority is subject to legal
restrictions should consult their own legal advisors to determine whether and to
what extent the securities constitute legal investments for them.
Plan of Distribution
The depositor may offer each series of securities through Bear, Stearns &
Co. Inc. (BS&Co.) or one or more other firms that may be designated at the time
of the related offering. The participation of BS&Co. in any offering will comply
with Schedule E to the By-Laws of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. The prospectus supplement relating to each series of securities
will set forth the specific terms of the offering of the series and of each
class within the series, the names of the underwriters, the purchase price of
the securities, the proceeds to the depositor from the sale, any securities
exchange on which the securities may be listed, and, if applicable, the initial
public offering prices, the discounts and commissions to the underwriters and
any discounts and concessions allowed or reallowed to dealers. The place and
time of delivery of each series of securities will also be set forth in the
related prospectus supplement. BS&Co. is an affiliate of the depositor.
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Glossary of Terms
Agency Securities. Mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by
Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
Asset Value. Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus
supplement with respect to the primary assets in the trust fund, the product of
the Asset Value percentage set forth in the related indenture multiplied by the
lesser of
o the stream of remaining regularly scheduled payments in the primary
assets net of certain amounts payable as expenses, together with
income earned on each regularly scheduled payment received through
the day preceding the next distribution date at the Assumed
Reinvestment Rate, if any, discounted to present value at the
highest interest rate on the notes of the series over periods equal
to the interval between payments on the notes and
o the then outstanding principal balance of the primary assets.
Assumed Reinvestment Rate. With respect to a series of securities, the
highest rate permitted by the rating agencies named in the related prospectus
supplement or a rate insured by means of a surety bond, guaranteed investment
contract, reinvestment agreement or other arrangement satisfactory to the rating
agencies.
Home Equity Loans. Closed-end loans and/or revolving credit line loans
secured by mortgages, deeds of trust or other similar security instruments
creating senior or junior liens on one- to four-family residential properties or
mixed-use properties.
Home Improvement Contracts. Home Improvement installment sales contracts
and installment loan agreements which are either unsecured or secured by
mortgages, deeds of trust or similar security instruments creating generally
junior liens on one- to four-family residential properties or mixed-use
properties or secured by purchase money security interests in the related home
improvements.
Insurance Proceeds. Amounts received by the related servicer under any
title insurance policy, hazard insurance policy or other insurance policy
covering any primary asset in a trust fund, other than amounts to be applied to
the restoration or repair of the related property or released to the borrower
under the related agreement.
Liquidation Proceeds. Amounts received by the related servicer in
connection with the liquidation of the primary assets or related real property
in a trust fund, whether through foreclosure sale, repossession or otherwise,
including payments in connection with the primary assets received from the
borrower, other than amounts required to be paid or refunded to the borrower
under the applicable loan documents or pursuant to law, net of the related
liquidation expenses.
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OID Regulations. Sections 1271 through 1275 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury regulations issued thereunder on February
2, 1994 and amended on June 11, 1996.
Manufactured Housing Contracts. Manufactured housing installment sales
contracts and installment loan agreements secured by senior or junior liens on
the related manufactured homes or secured by mortgages, deeds of trust or other
similar security instruments creating senior or junior liens on the real estate
on which the related manufactured homes are located.
Private Label Securities. Private mortgage-backed securities, other than
Agency Securities, backed or secured by underlying loans that may be Residential
Loans, Home Equity Loans, Home Improvement Contracts and/or Manufactured Housing
Contracts.
Residential Loans. Loans secured by mortgages, deeds of trust or other
similar security instruments creating senior or junior liens on one- to
four-family residential properties.
U.S. Person: Any of the following:
o a citizen or resident of the United States;
o a corporation or a partnership (including an entity treated as a
corporation or partnership for U.S. 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 are adopted that provide
otherwise);
o an estate whose income from sources outside the United States is
includible in gross income for federal income tax purposes
regardless of its connection with the conduct of a trade or business
within the United States; or
o a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise
primary supervision of the administration of the trust and one or
more U.S. Persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust.
In addition, certain trusts which would not qualify as U.S. Persons under the
above definition but which are eligible to and make an election to be treated as
U.S. Persons will also be treated as U.S. Persons.
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$245,287,000
(Approximate)
Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities Trust 2003-AC3
Issuer
Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2003-AC3
EMC Mortgage Corporation
Seller
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association
Master Servicer
Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities, Inc.
Depositor
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
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 Series 2003-AC3 Asset-Backed Certificates in any
state where the offer is not permitted.
Dealers will deliver a prospectus supplement and prospectus when acting as
underwriters of the Series 2003-AC3 Asset-Backed Certificates and with respect
to their unsold allotments or subscriptions. In addition, all dealers selling
the Series 2003-AC3 Asset-Backed Certificates will be required to deliver a
prospectus supplement and prospectus until September 22, 2003.
June 24, 2003