POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT

Exhibit 4.9

Form NovaStar Pooling and Servicing Agreement

 

[NOVASTAR CERTIFICATES FINANCING CORPORATION]

[NOVASTAR MORTGAGE FUNDING CORPORATION,]

as Depositor

NOVASTAR MORTGAGE, INC.,

as Servicer and as Seller

[                                                                           ]

as Custodian

and

[                                                                           ]

as Trustee

POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT

Dated as of                          ,      200[  ]

 

NovaStar Mortgage Funding Trust, Series 200[  ]-[  ]

NovaStar Home Equity Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 200[  ]-[  ]

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

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This Pooling and Servicing Agreement is dated as of                          ,      20[    ] (the “Agreement”), among [NOVASTAR CERTIFICATES FINANCING CORPORATION] [NOVASTAR MORTGAGE FUNDING CORPORATION,] as depositor (the “ Depositor ”), NOVASTAR MORTGAGE, INC., as servicer (the “ Servicer ”) and as seller (the “ Seller ”), [                      ], as custodian (the “ Custodian ”), [                      ], as trustee (the “Trustee”) and [                      ] as co-trustee (the “ Co-Trustee ”).

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Defined Terms.

Whenever used in this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms and phrases used herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms and phrases in the definitions attached hereto as Appendix A, which is incorporated herein by reference. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time;

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) “including” means including without limitation;

(e) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

(f) any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any instrument or certificate delivered in connection herewith means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented and includes (in the case of agreements or instruments) references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein; and

(g) references to a Person are also to such Person’s permitted successors and assigns.

Section 1.02 Accounting.

Unless otherwise specified herein, for the purpose of any definition or calculation, whenever amounts are required to be netted, subtracted or added or any distributions are taken into account such definition or calculation and any related definitions or calculations shall be determined without duplication of such functions.

Section 1.03 Allocation of Certain Interest Shortfalls.

For purposes of calculating the amount of the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the Class A Certificates, the Mezzanine Certificates and the Class B Certificates, for any

Distribution Date, (1) the aggregate amount of any Net Prepayment Interest Shortfalls and any Relief Act Shortfalls incurred in respect of the Mortgage Loans for any Distribution Date shall be allocated first to the Excess Cashflow, and second, on a pro rata basis based on, and to the extent of, the gross Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for each such Class, among the Class A Certificates, the Mezzanine Certificates and the Class B Certificates and (2) the aggregate amount of any Available Funds Cap Carryforward Amounts incurred for any Distribution Date shall be allocated to the Class X Certificates to the extent of the gross Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for that Class, after deduction of any Net Prepayment Interest Shortfalls and any Relief Act Shortfalls.

All Net Prepayment Interest Shortfalls and Relief Act Shortfalls shall be allocated on each Distribution Date among the classes of each of REMIC I, REMIC II, REMIC III and REMIC IV in the proportion that Net Prepayment Interest Shortfalls and Relief Act Shortfalls are allocated to the related Master REMIC Regular Interests.

Section 1.04 Calculation of Interest on Certificates.

Unless otherwise specified, all calculations in respect of interest on the Class A Certificates, the Class B Certificates and the Mezzanine Certificates shall be made on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in the related Accrual Period on the basis of a 360-day year and all other calculations of interest described herein shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The Class O Certificates and the Class P Certificates are not entitled to distributions in respect of interest and, accordingly, will not accrue interest.

ARTICLE II

CONVEYANCE OF MORTGAGE LOANS;

ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES

Section 2.01 Conveyance of Mortgage Loans and Other Trust Assets.

The Depositor, concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof, does hereby transfer, assign, set over and otherwise convey in trust to the Trustee without recourse for the benefit of the Certificateholders all the right, title and interest of the Depositor, including any security interest therein for the benefit of the Depositor, in and to (i) each Initial Mortgage Loan identified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule, including the related Cut-off Date Principal Balance, all interest accruing thereon on and after the Cut-off Date and all collections in respect of interest and principal due after the Cut-off Date; (ii) property which secured each such Mortgage Loan and which has been acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure; (iii) its interest in any insurance policies in respect of the Mortgage Loans; (iv) its interest in the MI Policies; (v) the rights of the Depositor under the Purchase Agreement; (vi) its interest in the Swap Agreements and the Cap Agreements; (vii) all other assets included or to be included in the Trust Fund; and (viii) all proceeds of any of the foregoing. Such assignment includes all interest and principal due to the Depositor or the Servicer after the related Cut-off Date with respect to the Mortgage Loans.

In connection with such transfer and assignment, the Seller, on behalf of the Depositor, does hereby deliver to, and deposit with the Custodian, as the Trustee’s designated agent, the following

 

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documents or instruments with respect to each Initial Mortgage Loan so transferred and assigned and the Seller, on behalf of the Depositor, shall, in accordance with Section 2.08, deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian, as the Trustee’s designated agent, with respect to each Subsequent Mortgage Loan, the following documents or instruments (with respect to each Mortgage Loan, a “Mortgage File”):

(i) the original Mortgage Note endorsed to “[                               ], as Trustee for the NovaStar Home Equity Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 20[    ]-[    ]”;

(ii) the original Mortgage with evidence of recording thereon, or, if the original Mortgage has not yet been returned from the public recording office, a copy of the original Mortgage certified by the Seller or the public recording office in which such original Mortgage has been recorded, and if the Mortgage Loan is registered on the MERS System, such Mortgage shall include thereon a statement that it is a MOM Loan and shall include the MIN for such Mortgage Loan;

(iii) unless the Mortgage Loan is registered on the MERS System, an original assignment (which may be included in one or more blanket assignments if permitted by applicable law) of the Mortgage endorsed to “[                           ], as Trustee for the NovaStar Home Equity Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 20[    ]-[    ]”, and otherwise in recordable form;

(iv) originals of any intervening assignments of the Mortgage showing an unbroken chain of title from the originator thereof to the Person assigning it to the Trustee (or to MERS, if the Mortgage Loan is registered on the MERS System), and noting the presence of a MIN (if the Mortgage Loan is registered on the MERS System), with evidence of recording thereon, or, if the original of any such intervening assignment has not yet been returned from the public recording office, a copy of such original intervening assignment certified by the Seller or the public recording office in which such original intervening assignment has been recorded;

(v) the original policy of title insurance (or a commitment for title insurance, if the policy is being held by the title insurance company pending recordation of the Mortgage); and

(vi) a true and correct copy of each assumption, modification, consolidation or substitution agreement, if any, relating to the Mortgage Loan.

If a material defect in any Mortgage File is discovered which may materially and adversely affect the value of the related Mortgage Loan, or the interests of the Trustee or the Certificateholders in such Mortgage Loan, including if any document required to be delivered to the Custodian has not been delivered (provided that a Mortgage File will not be deemed to contain a defect for an unrecorded assignment under clause (iii) above for 180 days following submission of the assignment if the Seller has submitted such assignment for recording pursuant to the terms of the following paragraph), the Seller shall cure such defect or repurchase the related Mortgage Loan at the Repurchase Price or substitute an Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan for the related Mortgage Loan upon the same terms and conditions set forth in Section 3.01 of the Purchase Agreement as to

 

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the Initial Mortgage Loans and the Subsequent Mortgage Loans and Section 2.02(c) of the Purchase Agreement as to the Subsequent Mortgage Loans for breaches of representations and warranties.

Promptly after the Closing Date in the case of a Initial Mortgage Loan or, in the case of a Subsequent Mortgage Loan, promptly after the Subsequent Transfer Date (or after the date of transfer of any Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan), the Seller at its own expense shall complete and submit for recording in the appropriate public office for real property records each of the assignments referred to in clause (iii) above, with such assignment completed in favor of the Trustee, excluding any Mortgage Loan that is registered on the MERS System, if MERS is identified on the Mortgage, or on a properly recorded assignment of Mortgage as the mortgagee of record. While such assignment to be recorded is being recorded, the Custodian shall retain a photocopy of such assignment. If any assignment is lost or returned unrecorded to the Custodian because of any defect therein, the Seller is required to prepare a substitute assignment or cure such defect, as the case may be, and the Seller shall cause such substitute assignment to be recorded in accordance with this paragraph.

In instances where an original Mortgage or any original intervening assignment of Mortgage is not, in accordance with clause (ii) or (iv) above, delivered by the Seller to the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, prior to or on the Closing Date in the case of a Initial Mortgage Loan or, in the case of a Subsequent Mortgage Loan, promptly after the Subsequent Transfer Date, the Seller will deliver or cause to be delivered the originals of such documents to the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, promptly upon receipt thereof.

In connection with the assignment of any Mortgage Loan registered on the MERS System, promptly after the Closing Date in the case of a Initial Mortgage Loan or, in the case of a Subsequent Mortgage Loan, promptly after the Subsequent Transfer Date (or after the date of transfer of any Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan), the Seller further agrees that it will cause, at the Seller’s own expense, the MERS System to indicate that such Mortgage Loan has been assigned by the Seller to the Trustee in accordance with this Agreement for the benefit of the Certificateholders by including (or deleting, in the case of Mortgage Loans which are repurchased in accordance with this Agreement) in its computer files (a) the applicable Trustee code in the field “Trustee” which identifies the Trustee and (b) the code “NovaStar 20[ ]-[ ]” (or its equivalent) in the field “Pool” which identifies the series of the Certificates issued in connection with such Mortgage Loans. The Custodian will certify in its final certification whether the MERS System shows the Trustee on behalf of the Certificateholders as the beneficial owner of the Mortgage Loans registered on the MERS System. If the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, finds that the MERS System does not show the Trustee, on behalf of the Certificateholders, as the beneficial owner of the Mortgage Loans registered on the MERS System, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, shall promptly notify the Seller, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Trustee of such finding and the Seller’s obligation to cure such defect or repurchase or substitute for the related Mortgage Loan. The Seller further agrees that it will not, and will not permit the Servicer to, and the Servicer agrees that it will not, alter the codes referenced in this paragraph with respect to any such Mortgage Loan during the term of this Agreement unless and until such Mortgage Loan is repurchased in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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Effective on the Closing Date, the Trustee, on behalf of the Certificateholders, hereby acknowledges its acceptance of all right, title and interest to the Initial Mortgage Loans and other property, existing on the Closing Date and thereafter created and conveyed to it pursuant to this Section 2.01.

The Trustee, as assignee or transferee of the Depositor, shall be entitled to all scheduled principal payments due after the Cut-off Date, all other payments of principal due and collected after the Cut-off Date, and all payments of interest on the Initial Mortgage Loans. No scheduled payments of principal due on or before the Cut-off Date and collected after the Cut-off Date shall belong to the Depositor pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement. Any late payment charges collected in connection with a Mortgage Loan shall be paid to the Servicer as provided in Section 3.15(b) hereof.

The parties hereto intend that the transactions set forth herein constitute a sale by the Depositor to the Trust on the Closing Date of all the Depositor’s right, title and interest in and to the Initial Mortgage Loans and other property as and to the extent described above. In the event the transactions set forth herein shall be deemed not to be a sale, the Depositor hereby grants to the Trustee, on behalf of the Certificateholders, as of the Closing Date a security interest in all of the Depositor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Initial Mortgage Loans and such other property, to secure all of the Depositor’s obligations hereunder and this Agreement shall constitute a security agreement under applicable law and in such event, the parties hereto acknowledge that the Custodian, in addition to holding the Initial Mortgage Loans on behalf of the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders, holds the Initial Mortgage Loans as designee of the Depositor. The Seller agrees to take or cause to be taken such actions and to execute such documents, including without limitation the filing of all necessary UCC-1 financing statements in the State of Virginia (which shall have been submitted for filing as of the Closing Date and each Subsequent Transfer Date, as applicable), any continuation statements with respect thereto and any amendments thereto required to reflect a change in the name or corporate structure of the Seller or the filing of any additional UCC-1 financing statements due to the change in the state of incorporation of the Seller, as are necessary to perfect and protect the interests of the Trust and its assignees in each Initial Mortgage Loan and the proceeds thereof and the interests of the Trust and its assignees in each Subsequent Mortgage Loan and the proceeds thereof.

Section 2.02 Acceptance of Mortgage Loans by Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee.

(a) The Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, acknowledges receipt of, subject to the review described below and any exceptions it notes pursuant to the procedures described below, the documents (or certified copies thereof) referred to in Section 2.01 hereof and declares that it holds and will continue to hold those documents and any amendments, replacements or supplements thereto and all other assets of the Trust Fund in trust for the use and benefit of all present and future Certificateholders and the Class A-1 Insurer. No later than 45 days after the Closing Date and each Subsequent Transfer Date (or, with respect to any Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan, within 5 Business Days after the receipt by the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, thereof and, with respect to any documents received beyond 45 days after the Closing Date, promptly thereafter), the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, agrees, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, to review each Mortgage File delivered to it and to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Seller and the Class A-1 Insurer an initial certification in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit F- 1.

 

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In conducting such review, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, will ascertain whether all required documents described in Section 2.01 hereof have been executed and received and whether those documents relate, determined on the basis of the Mortgagor name, original principal balance and loan number, to the Mortgage Loans it has received, as identified in Exhibit B to this Agreement, as supplemented (provided, however, that with respect to those documents described in subclause (vii) of such section, the Custodian’s obligations shall extend only to documents actually delivered pursuant to such subclause). In performing any such review, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, may conclusively rely on the purported due execution and genuineness of any such document and on the purported genuineness of any signature thereon. If the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, finds that any document constituting part of the Mortgage File not to have been executed or received, or to be unrelated to the Mortgage Loans identified in Exhibit B or Attachment B to Exhibit 2 of the Purchase Agreement or to appear to be defective on its face, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, shall promptly notify the Seller (with a copy to the Class A-1 Insurer) of such finding and the Seller’s obligation to cure such defect or repurchase or substitute for the related Mortgage Loan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on the Closing Date and on each Subsequent Transfer Date, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, shall execute and deliver to the Seller and the Class A-1 Insurer, a preliminary certification in the form of Exhibit F-3.

(b) No later than 180 days after the Closing Date, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, will review, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, the Mortgage Files and will execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered to the Seller and the Class A-1 Insurer, a final certification in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit F-2. In conducting such review, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, will ascertain whether an original of each document described in subclauses (ii)-(iv) of Section 2.01 hereof required to be recorded has been returned from the recording office with evidence of recording thereon or a certified copy has been obtained from the recording office. If the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, finds any document constituting part of the Mortgage File has not been received, or to be unrelated, determined on the basis of the Mortgagor name, original principal balance and loan number, to the Mortgage Loans identified in Exhibit B or Attachment B to Exhibit 2 of the Purchase Agreement or to appear defective on its face, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, shall promptly notify the Seller, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Trustee of such finding and the Seller’s obligation to cure such defect or repurchase or substitute for the related Mortgage Loan.

(c) Upon deposit of the Repurchase Price in the Collection Account and notification of the Trustee, by a certification signed by a Servicing Officer (which certification shall include a statement to the effect that the Repurchase Price has been deposited in the Collection Account), the Trustee shall cause the Custodian to release to the Seller the related Mortgage File and shall cause to be executed and delivered all instruments of transfer or assignment, without recourse, furnished to it by the Seller as are necessary to vest in the Seller title to and rights under the related Mortgage Loan. Such purchase shall be deemed to have occurred on the date on which certification of the deposit of the Repurchase Price in the Distribution Account was received by the Trustee. The Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, shall amend the applicable Mortgage Loan Schedule to reflect such repurchase and shall promptly notify the Servicer, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Rating Agencies of such amendment.

 

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Section 2.03 Repurchase or Substitution of Mortgage Loans by the Seller.

(a) Upon discovery or receipt of written notice of any materially defective document in, or that a document is missing from, a Mortgage File or of the breach by the Seller of any representation, warranty or covenant under the Purchase Agreement in respect of any Mortgage Loan which materially adversely affects the value of such Mortgage Loan or the interest therein of the Certificateholders, the Custodian shall promptly notify the Seller, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Servicer of such defect, missing document or breach and request that the Seller deliver such missing document or cure such defect or breach no later than 90 days from the date of the discovery or receipt of written notice of such missing document, defect or breach, and if the Seller does not deliver such missing document or cure such defect or breach in all material respects during such period, the Custodian shall notify the Trustee and the Trustee shall enforce the Seller’s obligation under the Purchase Agreement and cause the Seller to repurchase such Mortgage Loan from the Trust Fund at the Repurchase Price on or prior to the Determination Date following the expiration of such 90 day period.

(b) The Repurchase Price for the repurchased Mortgage Loan shall be deposited in the Collection Account, and the Trustee, upon receipt of written certification from the Servicer of such deposit, shall cause the Custodian to release to the Seller the related Mortgage File and the Trustee shall execute and deliver such instruments of transfer or assignment, in each case without recourse, as the Seller shall furnish to it and as shall be necessary to vest in the Seller any Mortgage Loan released pursuant hereto and the Trustee and the Custodian shall have no further responsibility with regard to such Mortgage File (it being understood that the Custodian shall have no responsibility for determining the sufficiency of such assignment for its intended purpose). In lieu of repurchasing any such Mortgage Loan as provided above, the Seller may cause such Mortgage Loan to be removed from the Trust Fund (in which case it shall become a Deleted Mortgage Loan) and substitute one or more Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loans in the manner and subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2.03(d). It is understood and agreed that the obligation of the Seller to cure or to repurchase (or to substitute for) any Mortgage Loan as to which a document is missing, a material defect in a constituent document exists or as to which such a breach has occurred and is continuing shall constitute the sole remedy against the Seller respecting such omission, defect or breach available to the Class A-1 Insurer and the Trustee on behalf of the Certificateholders.

(c) Within 90 days of the earlier of discovery by the Servicer or receipt of notice by the Servicer of the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of the Servicer set forth in Section 2.05 which materially and adversely affects the interests of the Certificateholders in any Mortgage Loan or the Class A-1 Insurer, the Servicer shall cure such breach in all material respects.

(d) Any substitution of Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loans for Deleted Mortgage Loans made pursuant to Section 2.03(a) must be effected prior to the last Business Day that is within two years after the Closing Date. As to any Deleted Mortgage Loan for which the Seller substitutes an Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans, such substitution shall be effected by the Seller delivering to the Custodian, for such Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans, the Mortgage Note, the Mortgage, the Assignment to the Trustee, and such other documents and agreements, with all necessary endorsements thereon, as are required by Section 2.01, together with an Officers’ Certificate providing that each such Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan satisfies the definition

 

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thereof and specifying the Substitution Adjustment Amount (as described below), if any, in connection with such substitution. The Custodian shall acknowledge receipt for such Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans and, within ten Business Days thereafter, shall review such documents as specified in Section 2.02 and deliver to the Servicer, with respect to such Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans, a certification substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F-1, with any applicable exceptions noted thereon. Within one year of the date of substitution, the Custodian shall deliver to the Servicer a certification substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 hereto with respect to such Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans, with any applicable exceptions noted thereon. Monthly Payments due with respect to Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loans in the month of substitution are not part of the Trust Fund and will be retained by the Seller. For the month of substitution, distributions to Certificateholders will reflect the collections and recoveries in respect of such Deleted Mortgage Loan in the Due Period preceding the month of substitution and the Seller shall thereafter be entitled to retain all amounts subsequently received in respect of such Deleted Mortgage Loan. The Seller shall give or cause to be given written notice to the Certificateholders that such substitution has taken place, shall amend the Mortgage Loan Schedule to reflect the removal of such Deleted Mortgage Loan from the terms of this Agreement and the substitution of the Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans and shall deliver a copy of such amended Mortgage Loan Schedule to the Custodian. Upon such substitution by the Seller, such Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans shall constitute part of the Mortgage Pool and shall be subject in all respects to the terms of this Agreement and the Purchase Agreement, including all applicable representations and warranties thereof included in the Purchase Agreement as of the date of substitution.

For any month in which the Seller substitutes one or more Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loans for one or more Deleted Mortgage Loans, the Servicer will determine the amount (the “ Substitution Adjustment Amount ”), if any, by which the aggregate Repurchase Price of all such Deleted Mortgage Loans exceeds the aggregate, as to each such Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan, of the principal balance thereof as of the date of substitution, together with one month’s interest on such principal balance at the applicable Net Mortgage Rate. On the date of such substitution, the Seller will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Servicer for deposit in the Collection Account an amount equal to the Substitution Adjustment Amount, if any, and the Custodian, upon receipt of the related Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans and certification by the Servicer of such deposit, shall release to the Seller the related Mortgage File or Files and the Custodian or the Trustee, as applicable, shall execute and deliver such instruments of transfer or assignment, in each case without recourse, as the Seller shall deliver to it and as shall be necessary to vest therein any Deleted Mortgage Loan released pursuant hereto.

In addition, the Seller shall obtain at its own expense and deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such substitution will not cause (a) any federal tax to be imposed on the Trust Fund, including without limitation, any federal tax imposed on “prohibited transactions” under Section 860F(a)(l) of the Code or on “contributions after the startup date” under Section 860G(d)(l) of the Code, or (b) any REMIC to fail to qualify as a REMIC at any time that any Certificate is outstanding. If such Opinion of Counsel can not be delivered, then such substitution may only be effected at such time as the required Opinion of Counsel can be given.

(e) Upon discovery by the Seller, the Servicer, the Custodian, the Class A-1 Insurer or the Trustee that any Mortgage Loan does not constitute a “qualified mortgage” within the meaning

 

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of Section 860G(a)(3) of the Code, the party discovering such fact shall within two Business Days give written notice thereof to the other parties. In connection therewith, the Seller or the Depositor, as the case may be, shall repurchase or, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2.03(d), substitute one or more Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loans for the affected Mortgage Loan within 90 days of the earlier of discovery or receipt of such notice with respect to such affected Mortgage Loan. Such repurchase or substitution shall be made by the Seller. Any such repurchase or substitution shall be made in the same manner as set forth in Section 2.03(a). The Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, shall reconvey to the Seller, the Mortgage Loan to be released pursuant hereto in the same manner, and on the same terms and conditions, as it would a Mortgage Loan repurchased for breach of a representation or warranty.

Section 2.04 Acknowledgement of Trustee.

The Trustee acknowledges that in the event that any of (i) the transfer of the Initial Mortgage Loans and the MI Policies from the Seller to the Depositor, or from the Depositor to the Trustee on behalf of the Certificateholders, is determined to constitute a financing, or (ii) the transfer of the Subsequent Mortgage Loans from the Seller to the Depositor or from the Depositor to the Trustee on behalf of the Certificateholders, is determined to constitute a financing, then in each case the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, and the Trustee hold the Initial Mortgage Loans, the MI Policies and the Subsequent Mortgage Loans as the designee and bailee of the Depositor subject, however, in each case, to a prior lien in favor of the Certificateholders pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

Section 2.05 Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Servicer.

The Servicer hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Trustee, for the benefit of each of the Trustee, the Certificateholders, the Class A-1 Insurer and to the Depositor that as of the Closing Date or as of such date specifically provided herein:

(i) The Servicer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Virginia and has the corporate power to own its assets and to transact the business in which it is currently engaged. The Servicer is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of the business transacted by it or properties owned or leased by it requires such qualification and in which the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, or condition (financial or other) of the Servicer or the validity or enforceability of the Mortgage Loans;

(ii) The Servicer has the corporate power and authority to make, execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and all of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. When executed and delivered, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Servicer enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement of such terms may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by the availability of equitable remedies;

 

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(iii) The Servicer is not required to obtain the consent of any other Person or any consent, license, approval or authorization from, or registration or declaration with, any governmental authority, bureau or agency in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, except for such consent, license, approval or authorization, or registration or declaration, as shall have been obtained or filed, as the case may be;

(iv) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Servicer will not violate any provision of any existing law or regulation or any order or decree of any court applicable to the Servicer or any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Servicer, or constitute a material breach of any mortgage, indenture, contract or other agreement to which the Servicer is a party or by which the Servicer may be bound;

(v) No litigation or administrative proceeding of or before any court, tribunal or governmental body is currently pending, or to the knowledge of the Servicer threatened, against the Servicer or any of its properties or with respect to this Agreement or the Certificates which, to the knowledge of the Servicer, has a reasonable likelihood of resulting in a material adverse effect on the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(vi) The Servicer is a member of MERS in good standing, and will comply in all material respects with the rules and procedures of MERS in connection with the servicing of the Mortgage Loans that are registered with MERS; and

(vii) With respect to the Group I Mortgage Loans, the Servicer will accurately and fully report its borrower credit files to the three largest credit repositories in a timely manner.

(viii) The foregoing representations and warranties shall survive any termination of the Servicer hereunder.

Section 2.06 Representations and Warranties of the Depositor.

The Depositor represents and warrants to the Trust and the Trustee on behalf of the Certificateholders and the Class A-1 Insurer as follows:

(a) The Depositor is duly organized and validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted.

(b) The Depositor is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in all jurisdictions in which the ownership or lease of its property or the conduct of its business shall require such qualifications and in which the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets or condition (financial or other) of the Depositor and the ability of the Depositor to perform hereunder.

 

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(c) The Depositor has the power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to carry out its terms; the Depositor has full power and authority to purchase the property to be purchased from the Seller and the Depositor has duly authorized such purchase by all necessary corporate action; and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by the Depositor by all necessary corporate action. When executed and delivered, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Depositor enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement of such terms may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by the availability of equitable remedies.

(d) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the fulfillment of the terms hereof do not conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time) a default under, the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Depositor, or any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Depositor is a party or by which it is bound; nor result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of its properties pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, agreement or other instrument (other than pursuant to the Basic Documents); nor violate any law or, to the best of the Depositor’s knowledge, any order, rule or regulation applicable to the Depositor of any court or of any federal or state regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental instrumentality having jurisdiction over the Depositor or its properties.

Section 2.07 Issuance of Certificates.

The Trustee acknowledges the assignment to the Trustee of the Mortgage Loans and the MI Policy and the delivery to the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee of the Mortgage Files, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.01 and 2.02, together with the assignment to it of all other assets included in the Trust Fund, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. Concurrently with such assignment and delivery and in exchange therefor, the Trustee, pursuant to the written request of the Depositor executed by an officer of the Depositor, has executed, and authenticated and delivered to or upon the order of the Depositor, the Certificates in authorized denominations. The interests evidenced by the Certificates, constitute the entire beneficial ownership interest in the Trust Fund.

Section 2.08 Conveyance of the Subsequent Mortgage Loans.

The Trustee, or the Custodian on behalf of the Trustee, shall purchase the Subsequent Mortgage Loans as set forth in Section 2.02 of the Purchase Agreement. The Seller shall deliver a Mortgage File (as described in Section 2.01) with respect to such Subsequent Mortgage Loans.

Section 2.09 Designation Under REMIC Provisions.

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions set forth in Exhibit K.

 

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ARTICLE III

ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING

OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS

Section 3.01 Servicer to Assure Servicing.

(a) The Servicer shall service and administer, or take such actions as are necessary to ensure, the servicing and administration of, the Mortgage Loans and any REO Property in accordance with this Agreement and its normal servicing practices, which generally shall conform to the standards of an institution prudently servicing mortgage loans for its own account and shall have full authority to do anything it reasonably deems appropriate or desirable in connection with such servicing and administration. The Servicer may perform its responsibilities relating to servicing through other agents or independent contractors, but shall not thereby be released from any of its responsibilities as hereinafter set forth. Subject to Section 3.06(b), the authority of the Servicer, in its capacity as Servicer, and any Subservicer acting on its behalf, shall include, without limitation, the power to (i) consult with and advise any Subservicer regarding administration of a related Mortgage Loan, (ii) approve any recommendation by a Subservicer to foreclose on a related Mortgage Loan, (iii) supervise the filing and collection of insurance claims and take or cause to be taken such actions on behalf of the insured Person thereunder as shall be reasonably necessary to prevent the denial of coverage thereunder, and (iv) effectuate foreclosure or other conversion of the ownership of the Mortgaged Property securing a related Mortgage Loan, including the employment of attorneys, the institution of legal proceedings, the collection of deficiency judgments, the acceptance of compromise proposals and any other matter pertaining to a delinquent Mortgage Loan. The authority of the Servicer shall include, in addition, the power on behalf of the Certificateholders, the Trustee, the Class A-1 Insurer or any of them to (i) execute and deliver customary consents or waivers and other instruments and documents, (ii) consent to transfer of any related Mortgaged Property and assumptions of the related Mortgage Notes and Mortgages (in the manner provided in this Agreement) and (iii) collect any Insurance Proceeds and Liquidation Proceeds. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Servicer and any Subservicer acting on its behalf may, and is hereby authorized, and empowered by the Trustee when the Servicer believes it is reasonably necessary in its best judgment in order to comply with its servicing duties hereunder, to execute and deliver, on behalf of itself, the Certificateholders, the Trustee, the Class A-1 Insurer or any of them, any instruments of satisfaction, cancellation, partial or full release, discharge and all other comparable instruments, with respect to the related Mortgage Loans, the insurance policies and the accounts related thereto, and the Mortgaged Properties. The Servicer may exercise this power in its own name or in the name of a Subservicer.

The Servicer, in such capacity, may not consent to the placing of a lien senior to that of the Mortgage on the related Mortgaged Property.

The relationship of the Servicer (and of any successor to the Servicer as servicer under this Agreement) to the Trust and the Trustee under this Agreement is intended by the parties to be that of an independent contractor and not that of a joint venturer, partner or agent.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection 3.01(a), the Servicer shall not take any action inconsistent with the interests of the Trustee, the Class A-1 Insurer or the Certificateholders or with the rights and interests of the Trustee, the Class A-1 Insurer or the Certificateholders under this Agreement.

 

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(c) The Trustee shall furnish the Servicer with any powers of attorney and other documents in form as provided to it necessary or appropriate to enable the Servicer to service and administer the related Mortgage Loans and REO Property and the Trustee shall not be liable for the actions of the Servicer or any Subservicers under such powers of attorney.

(d) The Servicer further is authorized and empowered by the Trustee, on behalf of the Certificateholders, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Trustee, when the Servicer believes it is appropriate in its best judgment to register any Mortgage Loan on the MERS System, or cause the removal from the registration of any Mortgage Loan on the MERS System, to execute and deliver, on behalf of the Trustee, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Certificateholders or any of them, any and all instruments of assignment and other comparable instruments with respect to such assignment or re-recording of a Mortgage in the name of MERS, solely as nominee for the Trustee and its successors and assigns. Any expenses incurred in connection with the actions described in the preceding sentence shall be borne by the Servicer with no right of reimbursement; provided, that if, as a result of MERS discontinuing or becoming unable to continue operations in connection with the MERS System, it becomes necessary to remove any Mortgage Loan from registration on the MERS System and to arrange for the assignment of the related Mortgages to the Trustee, then any related expenses shall be reimbursable to the Servicer by the Trust.

Section 3.02 Subservicing Agreements Between Servicer and Subservicers.

(a) With the prior consent of the Class A-1 Insurer, the Servicer may enter into Subservicing Agreements with Subservicers for the servicing and administration of the Mortgage Loans and for the performance of any and all other activities of the Servicer hereunder. Each Subservicer shall be either (i) an institution the accounts of which are insured by the FDIC or (ii) another entity that engages in the business of originating or servicing mortgage loans comparable to the Mortgage Loans, and in either case shall be authorized to transact business in the state or states in which the related Mortgaged Properties it is to service are situated, if and to the extent required by applicable law to enable the Subservicer to perform its obligations hereunder and under the Subservicing Agreement. Any Subservicing Agreement entered into by the Servicer shall include the provision that such Agreement may be immediately terminated (i) (x) with cause and without any termination fee by the Servicer hereunder and/or (y) without cause, in which case the Servicer shall be solely responsible for any termination fee or penalty resulting therefrom and (ii) at the option of the Trustee upon the termination or resignation of the Servicer hereunder, in which case the Servicer shall be solely responsible for any termination fee or penalty resulting therefrom. In addition, each Subservicing Agreement shall provide for servicing of the Mortgage Loans consistent with the terms of this Agreement. The Servicer shall promptly upon execution thereof deliver copies of each Subservicing Agreement and any amendments thereto to the Trustee and the Class A-1 Insurer. The Servicer and the Subservicers may enter into Subservicing Agreements and make amendments to the Subservicing Agreements or enter into different forms of Subservicing Agreements providing for, among other things, the delegation by the Servicer to a Subservicer of additional duties regarding the administration of the Mortgage Loans; provided, however, that any such amendments or different forms shall be consistent with and not violate the provisions of this Agreement, and that no such amendment or different form shall be made or entered into which

 

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could be reasonably expected to be materially adverse to the interests of the Certificateholders, without the consent of the Certificateholders holding at least 51% of the aggregate Voting Rights and without the consent of the Class A-1 Insurer (so long as no Class A-1 Insurer Default has occurred and is continuing).

(b) As part of its servicing activities hereunder, the Servicer, for the benefit of the Trustee, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Certificateholders, shall enforce the obligations of each Subservicer under the related Subservicing Agreement. Such enforcement, including, without limitation, the legal prosecution of claims, termination of Subservicing Agreements and the pursuit of other appropriate remedies, shall be in such form and carried out to such an extent and at such time as the Servicer, in its good faith business judgment, would require were it the owner of the related Mortgage Loans. The Servicer shall pay the costs of such enforcement at its own expense, but shall be reimbursed therefor only (i) from a general recovery resulting from such enforcement only to the extent, if any, that such recovery exceeds all amounts due in respect of the related Mortgage Loan or (ii) from a specific recovery of costs, expenses or attorneys’ fees against the party against whom such enforcement is directed.

Section 3.03 Successor Subservicers.

(a) The Servicer shall be entitled to terminate any Subservicing Agreement that may exist in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Subservicing Agreement and without any limitation by virtue of this Agreement; provided, however, that upon termination, the Servicer may enter into an appropriate contract with a successor Subservicer reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and the Class A-1 Insurer (so long as no Class A-1 Insurer Default has occurred and is continuing), pursuant to which such successor Subservicer will be bound by all relevant terms of the related Subservicing Agreement pertaining to the servicing of such Mortgage Loans.

Section 3.04 Liability of the Servicer.

(a) Notwithstanding any Subservicing Agreement, any of the provisions of this Agreement relating to agreements or arrangements between the Servicer and a Subservicer or reference to actions taken through a Subservicer or otherwise, the Servicer shall under all circumstances remain obligated and primarily liable to the Trustee, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Certificateholders for the servicing and administering of the Mortgage Loans and any REO Property in accordance with this Agreement. The obligations and liability of the Servicer shall not be diminished by virtue of Subservicing Agreements or by virtue of indemnification of the Servicer by any Subservicer, or any other Person. The obligations and liability of the Servicer shall remain of the same nature and under the same terms and conditions as if the Servicer alone were servicing and administering the related Mortgage Loans. The Servicer shall, however, be entitled to enter into indemnification agreements with any Subservicer or other Person and nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit or modify such indemnification. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Servicer shall be deemed to have received any payment on a Mortgage Loan on the date the Subservicer received such payment.

(b) Any Subservicing Agreement that may be entered into and any transactions or services relating to the Mortgage Loans involving a Subservicer in its capacity as such and not as an originator shall be deemed to be between the Subservicer and the Servicer alone, and the

 

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Custodian, the Trustee, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Certificateholders shall not be deemed parties thereto and shall have no claims, rights, obligations, duties or liabilities with respect to the Subservicer, except as set forth in Section 3.05.

Section 3.05 Assumption or Termination of Subservicing Agreements by the Trustee.

(a) If the Trustee or its designee as the successor Servicer, shall assume the servicing obligations of the Servicer in accordance with Section 7.02 below, the Trustee or its designee as the successor Servicer, to the extent necessary to carry out the provisions of Section 7.02 with respect to the Mortgage Loans, shall (if it so elects) succeed to all of the rights and obligations of the Servicer under each of the Subservicing Agreements. In such event, the Trustee or its designee as the successor Servicer shall be deemed to have assumed all of the Servicer’s rights and obligations therein and to have replaced the Servicer as a party to such Subservicing Agreements to the same extent as if such Subservicing Agreements had been assigned to the Trustee or its designee as a successor Servicer, except that the Trustee or its designee as a successor Servicer shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligations or liabilities of the Servicer arising prior to such assumption or as a result of the Trustee’s or its designee’s terminating any Subservicer upon the Trustee or its designee becoming successor Servicer and the Servicer shall not thereby be relieved of any liability or obligations under such Subservicing Agreements arising prior to such assumption or as a result of the Trustee’s or its designee’s terminating any Subservicer upon the Trustee or its designee becoming successor Servicer.

(b) The Trustee or its designee as the successor Servicer may terminate any Subservicer upon becoming successor Servicer. Any termination fees will be paid by the terminated Servicer.

(c) In the event that the Trustee or its designee as successor Servicer assumes the servicing obligations of the Servicer under Section 7.02, upon the request of the Trustee or such designee as successor Servicer, the Servicer shall at its own expense deliver to the Trustee, or at its written request to such designee, originals or, if originals are not available, photocopies of all documents, files and records, electronic or otherwise, relating to the Subservicing Agreements and the related Mortgage Loans or REO Property then being serviced and an accounting of amounts collected and held by it, if any, and will otherwise cooperate and use its reasonable efforts to effect the orderly and efficient transfer of the Subservicing Agreements, or responsibilities hereunder to the Trustee, or at its written request to such designee as successor Servicer.

Section 3.06 Collection of Mortgage Loan Payments.

(a) The Servicer will coordinate and monitor remittances by Subservicers to it with respect to the Mortgage Loans in accordance with this Agreement.

(b) The Servicer shall make its best reasonable efforts to collect or cause to be collected all payments required under the terms and provisions of the Mortgage Loans and shall follow, and use its best reasonable efforts to cause Subservicers to 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 this Agreement. Consistent with the foregoing, the Servicer or the related Subservicer may in its discretion (i) waive or permit to be waived any late payment charge, prepayment charge, assumption fee, or any penalty interest in

 

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connection with the prepayment of a Mortgage Loan and (ii) suspend or reduce or permit to be suspended or reduced regular monthly payments for a period of up to six months, or arrange or permit an arrangement with a Mortgagor for a scheduled liquidation of delinquencies; provided, however, that the Servicer or the related Subservicer may permit the foregoing only if it believes, in good faith, that recoveries of Monthly Payments will be maximized; provided further, however, with respect to Mortgage Loans insured by an MI Policy, that the Servicer may not without the prior written consent of the MI Insurer permit any waiver, modification or variance which would (a) reduce or eliminate the coverage provided under the MI Policy, (b) change the loan rate, (c) forgive any payment of principal or interest, (d) lessen the lien priority or (e) extend the final maturity date of a Mortgage Loan past 12 months after the original maturity date on such Mortgage Loan. In the event the Servicer or related Subservicer shall consent to the deferment of the due dates for payments due on a Mortgage Note, the Servicer shall nonetheless make an Advance or shall cause the related Subservicer to make an advance to the same extent as if such installment were due, owing and delinquent and had not been deferred through liquidation of the Mortgaged Property; provided, however, that the obligation of the Servicer or the related Subservicer to make an Advance shall apply only to the extent that the Servicer believes, in good faith, that such advances are not Nonrecoverable Advances.

(c) Within five Business Days after the Servicer has determined that all amounts which it expects to recover from or on account of a Liquidated Mortgage Loan have been recovered and that no further Liquidation Proceeds will be received in connection therewith, the Servicer shall provide to the Trustee a certificate of a Servicing Officer that such Mortgage Loan became a Liquidated Mortgage Loan as of the date of such determination.

(d) The Servicer shall establish a segregated account (the “ Collection Account ”), which shall be an Eligible Account, which shall be titled “Collection Account, [                          ], as Trustee for the registered holders of NovaStar Mortgage Funding Trust 20[ ]-[ ], Home Equity Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 20[ ]-[ ]”, in which the Servicer shall deposit or cause to be deposited any amounts representing payments on and any collections in respect of the Mortgage Loans received by it after the Cut-Off Date or, with respect to the Subsequent Mortgage Loans, the Subsequent Cut-Off Date (other than in respect of the payments referred to in the following paragraph) within two Business Days following receipt thereof, including the following payments and collections received or made by it (without duplication):

(i) all payments of principal or interest on the Mortgage Loans received by the Servicer from Mortgagors;

(ii) the aggregate Repurchase Price of the Mortgage Loans purchased by the Servicer pursuant to Section 3.18 or by the Converted Loan Purchaser, pursuant to Section 3.20;

(iii) Net Liquidation Proceeds;

(iv) all proceeds of any Mortgage Loans repurchased by the Seller pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and all Substitution Adjustment Amounts required to be deposited in connection with the substitution of an Eligible Substitute Mortgage Loan pursuant to the Purchase Agreement;

 

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(v) Insurance Proceeds, other than Net Liquidation Proceeds, and MI Insurance Proceeds resulting from any insurance policy maintained on a Mortgaged Property;

(vi) any Advance and any Compensating Interest payments; and

(vii) any other amounts received by the Servicer, including all Foreclosure Profits, assumption fees, prepayment penalties and any other fees that are required to be deposited in the Collection Account pursuant to this Agreement;

provided, however, that with respect to each Due Period, the Servicer shall be permitted to retain from payments actually collected in respect of interest on the Mortgage Loans, the Servicing Fee for such Due Period. The foregoing requirements respecting deposits to the Collection Account are exclusive, it being understood that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Servicer need not deposit in the Collection Account late payment charges payable by Mortgagors, as further described in Section 3.15, or amounts received by the Subservicer for the accounts of Mortgagors for application towards the payment of taxes, insurance premiums, assessments and similar items. In the event any amount not required to be deposited in the Collection Account is so deposited, the Servicer may at any time (prior to being terminated under this Agreement) withdraw such amount from the Collection Account, any provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding. The Servicer shall keep records that accurately reflect the funds on deposit in the Collection Account that have been identified by it as being attributable to the Mortgage Loans and shall hold all collections in the Collection Account for the benefit of the Trustee, and the Certificateholders, as their interests may appear.

Funds in the Collection Account may be invested in Eligible Investments with a maturity date no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the Servicer Remittance Date, but shall not be commingled with the Servicer’s own funds or general assets or with funds respecting payments on mortgage loans or with any other funds not related to the Certificates. All such investments shall be made in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders, provided, however, that income earned on such Eligible Investments shall be for the account of the Servicer. The Servicer shall be obligated to cover losses on such Eligible Investments immediately upon realization.

(e) The Servicer will require each Subservicer to hold all funds constituting collections on the Mortgage Loans, pending remittance thereof to the Servicer, in one or more accounts in the name of the Trustee meeting the requirements of an Eligible Account, and such funds shall not be invested. The Subservicer shall segregate and hold all funds collected and received pursuant to each Mortgage Loan separate and apart from any of its own funds and general assets and any other funds. Each Subservicer shall make remittances to the Servicer no later than one Business Day following receipt thereof and the Servicer shall deposit into the Collection Account any such remittances received from any Subservicer within one Business Day following receipt by the Servicer.

 

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Section 3.07 Withdrawals from the Collection Account.

(a) The Servicer shall, from time to time as provided herein, make withdrawals from the Collection Account of amounts on deposit therein pursuant to Section 3.06 that are attributable to the Mortgage Loans for the following purposes (without duplication):

(i) to deposit in the Distribution Account, by the Servicer Remittance Date prior to each Distribution Date, all collections on the Mortgage Loans required to be distributed from the Distribution Account on a Distribution Date;

(ii) to the extent deposited to the Collection Account, to reimburse itself or the related Subservicer for previously unreimbursed expenses incurred in maintaining individual insurance policies pursuant to Section 3.11, or Liquidation Expenses, paid pursuant to Section 3.13, such withdrawal right being limited to amounts received on particular Mortgage Loans (other than any Repurchase Price in respect thereof) which represent late recoveries of the payments for which such expenses were paid, or from related Liquidation Proceeds on such Mortgage Loans;

(iii) to pay to itself out of each payment received on account of interest on a Mortgage Loan as contemplated by Section 3.15, an amount equal to the related Servicing Fee (to the extent not retained pursuant to Section 3.06);

(iv) to pay to itself or the Seller, with respect to any Mortgage Loan or property acquired in respect thereof that has been purchased by the Seller, the Servicer or other entity, all amounts received thereon and not required to be distributed to Certificateholders as of the date on which the related Repurchase Price is determined;

(v) to reimburse the Servicer or any Subservicer for any unreimbursed Advance of its own funds or any unreimbursed advance of such Subservicer’s own funds, the right of the Servicer or a Subservicer to reimbursement pursuant to this subclause (v) being limited to amounts received on a particular Mortgage Loan (including, for this purpose, the Repurchase Price therefor, Insurance Proceeds and Liquidation Proceeds) which represent late payments or recoveries of the principal of or interest on such Mortgage Loan respecting which such Advance or advance was made;

(vi) to reimburse the Servicer or any Subservicer from Insurance Proceeds or Liquidation Proceeds relating to a particular Mortgage Loan for amounts expended by the Servicer or such Subservicer pursuant to Section 3.13 in good faith in connection with the restoration of the related Mortgaged Property or in connection with the liquidation of such Mortgage Loan;

(vii) to reimburse the Servicer or any Subservicer for any unreimbursed Nonrecoverable Advance previously made, and otherwise not reimbursed pursuant to this Subsection 3.07(a);

(viii) to withdraw any other amount deposited in the Collection Account that was not required to be deposited therein pursuant to Section 3.06;

 

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(ix) to reimburse the Servicer for costs associated with handling the presence of any toxic or hazardous substance on a Mortgaged Property as set forth in Section 3.13(c);

(x) to clear and terminate the Collection Account upon a termination pursuant to Section 7.08;

(xi) to pay to the Servicer income earned on Eligible Investments in the Collection Account;

(xii) to pay to the MI Insurer the monthly MI Premiums due under each MI Policy from payments received (or Advances made) on account of interest due on the related Mortgage Loan; and

(xiii) to make an Advance with respect to a delinquent Mortgage Loan from funds held in the Collection Account as contemplated by Section 3.24, provided that the amount withdrawn for such an Advance is immediately deposited into the Distribution Account.

Withdrawals made pursuant to clause (xii) shall be made on a first priority basis. In connection with withdrawals pursuant to clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi), the Servicer’s entitlement thereto is limited to collections or other recoveries on the related Mortgage Loan, and the Servicer shall keep and maintain separate accounting, on a Mortgage Loan by Mortgage Loan basis, for the purpose of justifying any withdrawal from the Collection Account pursuant to such clauses.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.07, the Servicer may, but is not required to, allow the Subservicers to deduct from amounts received by them or from the related account maintained by a Subservicer, prior to deposit in the Collection Account, any portion to which such Subservicers are entitled as reimbursement of any reimbursable Advances made by such Subservicers.

Section 3.08 Collection of Taxes, Assessments and Similar Items; Servicing Accounts.

(a) The Servicer shall establish and maintain or cause the related Subservicer to establish and maintain, one or more Servicing Accounts. The Servicer or a Subservicer 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.

(b) The deposits in the Servicing Accounts shall be held in trust by the Servicer or a Subservicer (and its successors and assigns) in the name of the Trustee. Such Servicing Accounts shall be Eligible Accounts and, if permitted by applicable law, invested in Eligible Investments held in trust by the Servicer or a Subservicer as described above and maturing, or be subject to redemption or withdrawal, no later than the date on which such funds are required to be withdrawn, and in no event later than 45 days after the date of investment; 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 Servicer or a Subservicer 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 or to clear and terminate the Servicing Accounts at or any time after the termination of this Agreement. Amounts received from Mortgagors for deposit into the Servicing Accounts shall be deposited in

 

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the Servicing Accounts by the Servicer within two days of receipt. The Servicer shall advance from its own funds amounts needed to pay items payable from the Servicing Accounts if the Servicer reasonably believes that such amounts are recoverable from the related Mortgagor. The Servicer shall comply with all laws relating to the Servicing Accounts, including laws relating to payment of interest on the Servicing Accounts. If interest earned by the Servicer on the Servicing Accounts is not sufficient to pay required interest on the Servicing Accounts, the Servicer shall pay the difference from its own funds. The Servicing Accounts shall not be the property of the Trust.

Section 3.09 Access to Certain Documentation and Information Regarding the Mortgage Loans.

The Servicer shall provide, and shall cause any Subservicer to provide, to the Trustee, access to the documentation regarding the related Mortgage Loans and REO Property and to the Certificateholders, the Class A-1 Insurer, the FDIC, and the supervisory agents and examiners of the FDIC (to which the Custodian and Trustee shall also provide) access to the documentation regarding the related Mortgage Loans required by applicable regulations, such access being afforded without charge but only upon reasonable request and during normal business hours at the offices of the Servicer or the Subservicers that are designated by these entities; provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by law, the Servicer and any Subservicer shall not be required to provide access to such documentation if the provision thereof would violate the legal right to privacy of any Mortgagor; provided, further, however, that the Trustee shall coordinate its request for such access so as not to impose an unreasonable burden on, or cause an unreasonable interruption of, the business of the Servicer or any Subservicer. The Servicer, the Subservicers, the Trustee and the Custodian shall allow representatives of the above entities to photocopy any of the documentation and shall provide equipment for that purpose at a charge that covers their own actual out-of-pocket costs.

Section 3.10 [Reserved ].

Section 3.11 Maintenance of Hazard Insurance and Fidelity Coverage.

(a) The Servicer shall maintain and keep, or cause each Subservicer to maintain and keep, with respect to each Mortgage Loan and each REO Property, in full force and effect hazard insurance (fire insurance with extended coverage) equal to at least the lesser of the Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loan or the current replacement cost of the Mortgaged Property, and containing a standard mortgagee clause, provided, however, that the amount of hazard insurance may not be less than the amount necessary to prevent loss due to the application of any co-insurance provision of the related policy. Unless applicable state law requires a higher deductible, the deductible on such hazard insurance policy may be no more than $1,500 or 1% of the applicable amount of coverage, whichever is less. In the case of a condominium unit or a unit in a planned unit development, the required hazard insurance shall take the form of a multi-peril policy covering the entire condominium project or planned unit development, in an amount equal to at least 100% of the insurable value based on replacement cost. If the Servicer shall obtain and maintain a blanket policy consistent with its general mortgage servicing activities insuring against hazard losses on all of the Mortgage Loans, it shall conclusively be deemed to have satisfied its obligations as set forth in this Section 3.11(a), it being understood and agreed that such policy may contain a deductible clause, in which case the Servicer shall, in the event that there shall not have been maintained on

 

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the related Mortgaged Property a policy complying with this Section 3.11(a) and there shall have been a loss which would have been covered by such policy, deposit in the Collection Account the amount not otherwise payable under the blanket policy because of such deductible clause without any right of reimbursement. Any such deposit by the Servicer shall be made on the last Business Day of the Due Period in the month in which payments under any such policy would have been deposited in the Collection Account. In connection with its activities as servicer of the Mortgage Loans, the Servicer agrees to present, on behalf of itself, the Trust, and the Trustee, claims under any such blanket policy.

(b) Any amounts collected by the Servicer or a Subservicer under any such hazard insurance policy (other than amounts to be applied to the restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property or amounts released to the Mortgagor in accordance with the Servicer’s or a Subservicer’s normal servicing procedures, the Mortgage Note, the Mortgage or applicable law) shall be deposited in the Collection Account.

(c) Any cost incurred by a Servicer or a Subservicer in maintaining any such individual hazard insurance policies 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 of maintaining individual hazard insurance policies shall be recoverable by the Servicer or a Subservicer out of related late payments by the Mortgagor or out of Insurance Proceeds or Liquidation Proceeds or by the Servicer from the Repurchase Price, to the extent permitted by Section 3.07.

(d) No earthquake or other additional insurance is to be required of any Mortgagor or maintained on property acquired with respect to a Mortgage other than pursuant to such applicable laws and regulations as shall at any time be in force and shall require such additional insurance. When, at the time of origination of the Mortgage Loan or at any subsequent time, the Mortgaged Property is located in a federally designated special flood hazard area, the Servicer shall ensure that, with respect to such Mortgage Loan or such REO Property, flood insurance is acquired (to the extent available and in accordance with mortgage servicing industry practice). Such flood insurance shall cover the Mortgaged Property, including all items taken into account in arriving at the Appraised Value on which the Mortgage Loan was based, and shall be in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Principal Balance of the related Mortgage Loan and (ii) the minimum amount required under the terms of coverage to compensate for any damage or loss on a replacement cost basis, but not more than 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). Unless applicable state law requires a higher deductible, the deductible on such flood insurance may not exceed $1,500 or 1% of the applicable amount of coverage, whichever is less.

(e) If insurance complying with Subsections 3.11 (a) and (d) has not been maintained and there shall have been a loss which would have been covered by such insurance had it been maintained, the Servicer shall pay, or cause the related Subservicer to pay, for any necessary repairs or loss without any right of reimbursement.

 

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(f) The Servicer shall present, or cause the related Subservicer to present, claims under any related hazard insurance or flood insurance policy.

(g) The Servicer shall obtain and maintain at its own expense, and shall cause each Subservicer to obtain and maintain at its own expense, and for the duration of this Agreement, a blanket fidelity bond and an errors and omissions insurance policy covering the Servicer’s and such Subservicer’s officers, employees and other persons acting on its behalf in connection with its activities under this Agreement. The amount of coverage shall correspond with the FNMA levels presently maintained by the Servicer. The Servicer shall promptly notify the Trustee of any material change in the terms of such bond or policy. The Servicer shall provide annually to the Trustee a certificate of insurance that such bond and policy are in effect. If any such bond or policy ceases to be in effect, the Servicer shall, to the extent possible, give the Trustee ten days’ notice prior to any such cessation and shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain a comparable replacement bond or policy, as the case may be. Any amounts relating to the Mortgage Loans collected under such bond or policy shall be deposited in the Collection Account.

Section 3.12 Due-on-Sale Clauses; Assumption Agreements.

(a) In any case in which the Servicer is notified by any Mortgagor or Subservicer that a Mortgaged Property relating to a Mortgage Loan has been or is about to be conveyed by the Mortgagor, the Servicer shall enforce, or shall instruct such Subservicer to enforce, any due-on-sale clause contained in the related Mortgage to the extent permitted under the terms of the related Mortgage Note and by applicable law. If the Servicer reasonably believes that such due-on-sale clause cannot be enforced under applicable law or if the Mortgage Loan does not contain a due-on-sale clause, the Servicer is authorized, and may authorize any Subservicer, to consent to a conveyance subject to the lien of the Mortgage, and, with the consent of the MI Insurer, if applicable, to take or enter into an assumption agreement from or with the Person to whom such property has been or is about to be conveyed, pursuant to which such Person becomes liable under the related Mortgage Note and unless prohibited by applicable state law, on condition, however, that the related Mortgage Loan shall continue to be covered by a hazard policy. In connection with any such assumption, no material term of the related Mortgage Note may be changed and the Servicer shall not consent to any assumption unless the Party assuming such Mortgage Loan meets audit requirements similar to the previous mortgage. The Servicer shall notify the Custodian and Trustee, whenever possible, before the completion of such assumption agreement, and shall forward to the Custodian the original copy of such assumption agreement, which copy shall be added by the Custodian to the related Mortgage File and which shall, for all purposes, be considered a part of such Mortgage File to the same extent as all other documents and instruments constituting a part thereof.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph or any other provision of this Agreement, the Servicer shall not be deemed to be in default, breach or any other violation of its obligations hereunder by reason of any assumption of a Mortgage Loan by operation of law or any conveyance by the Mortgagor of the related Mortgaged Property or assumption of a Mortgage Loan which the Servicer reasonably believes it may be restricted by law from preventing, for any reason whatsoever or if the exercise of such right would impair or threaten to impair any recovery under any applicable insurance policy.

 

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Section 3.13 Realization Upon Defaulted Mortgage Loans.

(a) The Servicer shall, or shall direct the related Subservicer to, foreclose upon or otherwise comparably convert the ownership of properties securing any Mortgage Loans that come into and continue in default and as to which no satisfactory arrangements can be made for collection of delinquent payments pursuant to Section 3.06, except that the Servicer shall not, and shall not direct the related Subservicer to, foreclose upon or otherwise comparably convert a Mortgaged Property if there is evidence of toxic waste or other environmental hazards thereon unless the Servicer follows the procedures in Subsection (c) below. In connection with such foreclosure or other conversion, the Servicer in conjunction with the related Subservicer, if any, shall use its best reasonable efforts to preserve REO Property and to realize upon defaulted Mortgage Loans in such manner as to maximize the receipt of principal and interest by the Certificateholders, taking into account, among other things, the timing of foreclosure and the considerations set forth in Subsection 3.13(b). The foregoing is subject to the proviso that the Servicer shall not be required to expend its own funds in connection with any foreclosure or towards the restoration of any property unless it determines in good faith (i) that such restoration or foreclosure will increase the proceeds of liquidation of the Mortgage Loan to Certificateholders after reimbursement to itself for such expenses and (ii) that such expenses will be recoverable to it either through Liquidation Proceeds (respecting which it shall have priority for purposes of reimbursements from the Collection Account pursuant to Section 3.07) or through Insurance Proceeds (respecting which it shall have similar priority). The Servicer shall be responsible for all costs and expenses constituting Liquidation Expenses incurred by it in any such proceedings; provided, however, that it shall be entitled to reimbursement thereof (as well as its normal servicing compensation) as set forth in Section 3.07. Any income from or other funds (net of any income taxes) generated by REO Property shall be deemed for purposes of this Agreement to be Liquidation Proceeds.

Any subsequent collections with respect to any Liquidated Mortgage Loan shall be deposited to the Collection Account. For purposes of determining the amount of any Liquidation Proceeds or Insurance Proceeds, or other unscheduled collections, the Servicer may take into account any estimated additional Liquidation Expenses expected to be incurred in connection with the related defaulted Mortgage Loan.

In the event that title to any Mortgaged Property is acquired in foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, the deed or certificate of sale shall be issued to the Trustee and held by the Custodian, who shall hold the same on behalf of Trustee and the Trust in accordance with the Agreement. Notwithstanding any such acquisition of title and cancellation of the related Mortgage Loan, such Mortgaged Property shall (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) be considered to be an outstanding Mortgage Loan held as an asset of the Trust until such time as such property shall be sold.

(b) The Servicer shall not acquire any real property (or any personal property incident to such real property) on behalf of the Trust Fund except in connection with a default or reasonably foreseeable default of a Mortgage Loan. In the event that the Servicer acquires any real property (or personal property incident to such real property) on behalf of the Trust Fund in connection with a default or imminent default of a Mortgage Loan, such property shall be disposed of by the Servicer on behalf of the Trust Fund as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than three years after its acquisition on behalf of the Trust Fund.

 

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(c) With respect to any Mortgage Loan as to which the Servicer or a Subservicer has received notice of, or has actual knowledge of, the presence of any toxic or hazardous substance on the Mortgaged Property, the Servicer shall promptly notify the Trustee, and shall act in accordance with any such directions and instructions provided by the Trustee. If the Trustee has not provided directions and instructions to the Servicer in connection with any such Mortgage Loan within 5 days of a request by the Servicer for such directions and instructions, then the Servicer shall take such action as it deems to be in the best economic interest of the Trust Fund (other than proceeding against the Mortgaged Property) and is hereby authorized at such time as it deems appropriate to release such Mortgaged Property from the lien of the related Mortgage. The parties hereto acknowledge that the Servicer shall not obtain on behalf of the Trust a deed as a result or in lieu of foreclosure, and shall not otherwise acquire possession of or title to, or commence any proceedings to acquire possession of or title to, or take any other action with respect to, any Mortgaged Property, if the Trust could reasonably be considered to be a responsible party for any liability arising from the presence of any toxic or hazardous substance on the Mortgaged Property.

Section 3.14 Custodian to Cooperate; Release of Mortgage Files.

(a) Upon payment in full of any Mortgage Loan, the Servicer will immediately notify the Custodian and the Trustee by a certification signed by a Servicing Officer (which certification shall include a statement to the effect that all amounts received in connection with such payment which are required to be deposited in the Collection Account have been so deposited) and shall request delivery to the Servicer or Subservicer, as the case may be, of the Mortgage File. Upon receipt of such certification and request, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, shall promptly cause to be released the related Mortgage File to the Servicer or Subservicer and the Trustee shall execute and deliver to the Servicer, without recourse, the request for reconveyance, deed of reconveyance or release or satisfaction of mortgage or such instrument releasing the lien of the Mortgage (furnished by the Servicer), together with the Mortgage Note with written evidence of cancellation thereon.

(b) From time to time as is appropriate, for the servicing or foreclosure of any Mortgage Loan or collection under an insurance policy, the Servicer may deliver to the Trustee and the Custodian a Request for Release signed by a Servicing Officer on behalf of the Servicer in substantially the form attached as Exhibit E hereto. Upon receipt of the Request for Release, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, shall deliver the Mortgage File or any document therein to the Servicer or Subservicer, as the case may be, as bailee for the Trustee.

(c) The Servicer shall cause each Mortgage File or any document therein released pursuant to Subsection 3.14(b) to be returned to the Custodian when the need therefor no longer exists, and in any event within 21 days of the Servicer’s receipt thereof, unless the Mortgage Loan has become a Liquidated Mortgage Loan and the Liquidation Proceeds relating to the Mortgage Loan have been deposited in the Collection Account or such Mortgage File is being used to pursue foreclosure or other legal proceedings. Prior to return of a Mortgage File or any document to the Custodian, the Servicer, the related insurer or Subservicer to whom such file or document was delivered shall retain such file or document in its respective control as bailee for the Custodian, on

 

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behalf of the Trustee, unless the Mortgage File or such document has been delivered to an attorney, or to a public trustee or other public official as required by law, to initiate or pursue legal action or other proceedings for the foreclosure of the Mortgaged Property either judicially or non-judicially, and the Servicer has delivered to the Custodian and the Trustee, a certificate of a Servicing Officer certifying as to the name and address of the Person to which such Mortgage File or such document was delivered and the purpose or purposes of such delivery. If a Mortgage Loan becomes a Liquidated Mortgage Loan, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, shall deliver the Request for Release with respect thereto to the Servicer upon deposit of the related Liquidation Proceeds in the Collection Account.

(d) The Trustee shall execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered to the Servicer any court pleadings, requests for trustee’s sale or other documents necessary (i) for the foreclosure or trustee’s sale with respect to a Mortgaged Property; (ii) for any legal action brought to obtain judgment against any Mortgagor on the Mortgage Note or Mortgage; (iii) to obtain a deficiency judgment against the Mortgagor; or (iv) to enforce any other rights or remedies provided by the Mortgage Note or Mortgage or otherwise available at law or equity. Together with such documents or pleadings the Servicer shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate of a Servicing Officer in which it requests the Trustee to execute or cause to be executed the pleadings or documents. The certificate shall certify and explain the reasons for which the pleadings or documents are required. It shall further certify that the Trustee’s execution and delivery of the pleadings or documents will not invalidate any insurance coverage under the insurance policies or invalidate or otherwise affect the lien of the Mortgage, except for the termination of such a lien upon completion of the foreclosure or trustee’s sale.

Section 3.15 Servicing Compensation.

(a) As compensation for its activities hereunder, the Servicer shall be entitled to receive the Servicing Fee from full payments of accrued interest on each Mortgage Loan. The Servicer shall be solely responsible for paying any and all fees with respect to a Subservicer, and the Trustee and the Trust Fund shall not bear any fees, expenses or other costs directly associated with any Subservicer.

(b) The Servicer may retain additional servicing compensation in the form of late payment charges, to the extent such charges are collected from the related Mortgagors and investment earnings on the Collection Account. The Servicer shall be required to pay all expenses it incurs in connection with servicing activities under this Agreement and shall not be entitled in connection with servicing activities under this Agreement to reimbursement except as provided in this Agreement. Expenses to be paid by the Servicer without reimbursement under this Subsection 3.15(b) shall include payment of the expenses of the accountants retained pursuant to Section 3.17.

Section 3.16 Annual Statements of Compliance.

(a) Within 90 days after December 31 of each year, the Servicer at its own expense shall deliver to the Trustee, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Rating Agencies, an Officers’ Certificate stating, as to the signer thereof, that (i) a review of the activities of the Servicer during the preceding calendar year and of performance under this Agreement has been made under such officer’s supervision, (ii) to the best of such officer’s knowledge, based on such review, the

 

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Servicer has fulfilled its obligations under this Agreement in all material respects for such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default known to such officer and the nature and status thereof including the steps being taken by the Servicer to remedy such default; (iii) a review of the activities of each Subservicer during the Subservicer’s most recently ended calendar year and its performance under its Subservicing Agreement has been made under such officer’s supervision; and (iv) to the best of the Servicing Officer’s knowledge, based on his review and the certification of an officer of the Subservicer (unless the Servicing Officer has reason to believe that reliance on such certification is not justified), either each Subservicer has performed and fulfilled its duties, responsibilities and obligations under this Agreement and its Subservicing Agreement in all material respects throughout the year, or, if there has been a default in performance or fulfillment of any such duties, responsibilities or obligations, specifying the nature and status of each such default known to the Servicing Officer. Copies of such statements shall be provided by the Servicer to the Certificateholders upon request or by the Trustee at the expense of the Servicer should the Servicer fail to provide such copies.

(b) The Servicer and the Trustee will deliver to the Issuing Entity, the Rating Agencies and the Sponsor on or before March 1st of each year, beginning March 1st, 20[      ], an Officer’s Certificate (an “ Annual Statement of Compliance ”) stating, as to each signatory thereof, that (a) a review of the activities of each such party, during the preceding calendar year and of its performance under this Agreement has been made under such officer’s supervision and (b) to the best of such officers’ knowledge, based on such review, each such party has fulfilled all of its material obligations under this Agreement in all material respects throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default known to such officer and the nature and status thereof. Such Annual Statement of Compliance shall contain no restrictions or limitations on its use. In the event that the Trustee or the Servicer has delegated any servicing responsibilities with respect to the Mortgage Loans to a subservicer or subcontractor that meets the criteria in Item 1108(a)(2)(i) through (iii) of Regulation AB, the Servicer, the Trustee or the related servicer (as the case may be) shall deliver a similar Annual Statement of Compliance by that subservicer or subcontractor to the Trustee as described above as and when required with respect to the servicer.

(c) The Servicer shall service and administer the Mortgage Loans in accordance with all applicable requirements of the Servicing Criteria. Pursuant to Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 of the Exchange Act and Item 1122 of Regulation AB, [the Trustee] (the “Attesting Party”) shall deliver to the Servicer on or before March 10th (with a 5 calendar day cure period) of each calendar year beginning in 2007, a report regarding such Attesting Party’s assessment of compliance (an “Assessment of Compliance”) with the Servicing Criteria during the preceding calendar year. The Assessment of Compliance, as set forth in Regulation AB, must contain the following:

(i) A statement by such officer of its responsibility for assessing compliance with the Servicing Criteria applicable to the related Attesting Party;

(ii) A statement by such officer that such Attesting Party used the Servicing Criteria attached as Exhibit [      ] hereto, and which will also be attached to the Assessment of Compliance, to assess compliance with the Servicing Criteria applicable to the related Attesting Party;

 

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(iii) An assessment by such officer of the related Attesting Party’s compliance with the applicable Servicing Criteria for the period consisting of the preceding calendar year, including disclosure of any material instance of noncompliance with respect thereto during such period, which assessment shall be based on the activities such Attesting Party performs with respect to asset-backed securities transactions taken as a whole involving the Servicer, that are backed by the same asset type as the Mortgage Loans;

(iv) A statement that a registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the related Attesting Party’s Assessment of Compliance for the period consisting of the preceding calendar year; and

(v) A statement as to which of the Servicing Criteria, if any, are not applicable to such Attesting Party, which statement shall be based on the activities such Attesting Party performs with respect to asset-backed securities transactions taken as a whole involving such Attesting Party, that are backed by the same asset type as the Mortgage Loans.

Such report at a minimum shall address each of the Servicing Criteria specified on Exhibit [      ] hereto which are indicated as applicable to the related Attesting Party.

On or before March 1st of each calendar year beginning in 20[      ], each Attesting Party specified in this Section shall furnish to the Trustee and the Depositor a report (an “Attestation Report”) by a registered public accounting firm that attests to, and reports on, the Assessment of Compliance made by the Servicer, as required by Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 of the Exchange Act and Item 1122(b) of Regulation AB, which Attestation Report must be made in accordance with standards for attestation reports issued or adopted by the Public Depositor Accounting Oversight Board.

The Servicer [or the Trustee, as the case may be] shall cause any subservicer, and each subcontractor determined by the it to be “participating in the servicing function” within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB, to deliver to the Trustee and the Depositor an Assessment of Compliance and Attestation Report as and when provided above along with an indication of what Servicing Criteria are addressed in such assessment.

Such Assessment of Compliance, as to any subservicer, shall at a minimum address each of the Servicing Criteria specified on Exhibit [      ] hereto which are indicated as applicable to any “primary servicer.” The Trustee shall confirm that the assessments, taken as a whole, address all of the Servicing Criteria and taken individually address the Servicing Criteria for each party as set forth on Exhibit [      ] and notify the Depositor of any exceptions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as to any subcontractor (as defined in the related servicing agreement), an Assessment of Compliance is not required to be delivered unless it is required as part of a Form 10-K with respect to the Issuing Entity.

[The Trustee shall also provide an Assessment of Compliance and Attestation Report, as and when provided above, which shall at a minimum address each of the Servicing Criteria specified on Exhibit [      ] hereto which are indicated as applicable to the “Trustee.” In addition, the Trustee shall deliver to the Sponsor and the Depositor an Assessment of Compliance and Attestation Report, as and when provided above, which shall at a minimum address each of the Servicing Criteria specified on Exhibit [      ] hereto which are indicated as applicable to a “custodian.”]

 

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Section 3.17 Annual Independent Public Accountants’ Servicing Report.

(a) Within 90 days after December 31 of each year, the Servicer, at its expense, shall cause a firm of independent public accountants who are members of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to furnish a statement to the Servicer, which will be provided to the Trustee, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Rating Agencies, to the effect that, in connection with the firm’s examination of the Servicer’s financial statements as of the end of such calendar year, nothing came to their attention that indicated that the Servicer was not in compliance with Sections 3.06, 3.07 and 3.08 except for (i) such exceptions as such firm believes to be immaterial and (ii) such other exceptions as are set forth in such statement.

(b) Within 90 days after December 31 of each year, the Servicer, at its expense, shall, and shall cause each Subservicer to cause, a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants to furnish to the Servicer or such Subservicer, as the case may be, a report stating that (i) it has obtained a letter of representation regarding certain matters from the management of the Servicer or such Subservicer, as the case may be, which includes an assertion that the Servicer or such Subservicer, as the case may be, has complied with certain minimum mortgage loan servicing standards identified in the Uniform Single Attestation Program for Mortgage Bankers established by the Mortgage Bankers Association of America with respect to the servicing of residential mortgage loans during the most recently completed calendar year and (ii) on the basis of an examination conducted by such firm in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, such representation is fairly stated in all material respects, subject to such exceptions and other qualifications that may be appropriate. Immediately upon receipt of such report, the Servicer shall or shall cause each Subservicer to furnish a copy of such report to the Trustee, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Rating Agencies.

Section 3.18 Optional Purchase of Defaulted Mortgage Loans.

Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 10.02 hereof, the Servicer shall have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase any Mortgage Loan which becomes 90 days or more delinquent (or, if earlier, the date on which the Servicer delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the Servicer has determined that the Mortgage Loan is unlikely to become current or that any other default thereunder (other than a payment default) is unlikely to become cured) at a purchase price equal to the Repurchase Price (a) within 29 days after the date the Mortgage Loan becomes 90 days delinquent (or such Officers’ Certificate is delivered) or (b) on the date the Servicer liquidates the related Mortgaged Property. The procedure for such purchase shall be the same as for a repurchase made by the Seller under the Purchase Agreement. With respect to any Mortgage Loans being repurchased due to delinquency or otherwise, the Servicer shall purchase the most delinquent Mortgage Loans before purchasing other less delinquent Mortgage Loans. The Servicer or the related Subservicer may repurchase a Mortgage Loan at the Repurchase Price when the Servicer requires acceleration of the Mortgage Loan, but only if the Servicer is satisfied, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, that such Mortgage Loan is in default or default is reasonably foreseeable.

 

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Section 3.19 Information Required by the Internal Revenue Service Generally and Reports of Foreclosures and Abandonments of Mortgaged Property.

The Servicer shall prepare and deliver all federal and state information reports when and as required by all applicable state and federal income tax laws. In particular, with respect to the requirement under Section 6050J of the Code to the effect that the Servicer or Subservicer shall make reports of foreclosures and abandonments of any mortgaged property, the Servicer or Subservicer shall file reports relating to each instance occurring during the previous calendar year in which the Servicer (i) acquires an interest in any Mortgaged Property through foreclosure or other comparable conversion in full or partial satisfaction of a Mortgage Loan, or (ii) knows or has reason to know that any Mortgaged Property has been abandoned. The reports from the Servicer or Subservicer shall be in form and substance sufficient to meet the reporting requirements imposed by Section 6050J, Section 6050H (reports relating to mortgage interest received) and Section 6050P of the Code (reports relating to cancellation of indebtedness).

Section 3.20 Purchase of Converted Mortgage Loans.

Pursuant to the Converted Loan Purchase Agreement, the Converted Loan Purchaser shall be obligated to purchase from the Trust any Converted Mortgage Loans at the Repurchase Price. The Servicer shall promptly notify the Trustee and the Converted Loan Purchaser of each Mortgage Loan which becomes a Converted Mortgage Loan. If the Converted Loan Purchaser fails to purchase any Converted Loan, the Servicer shall be terminated (subject to the prior written consent of the Class A-1 Insurer) and the Trustee shall be the Servicer and is obligated to make such purchase under the Converted Loan Purchase Agreement.

Section 3.21 [Reserved].

Section 3.22 Servicing and Administration of the MI Policies.

(a) The Servicer shall take all such actions on behalf of the Trustee as are necessary to service, maintain and administer the MI Policies and to perform the Trustee’s obligations and enforce the Trustee’s rights under the MI Policies, which actions shall conform to the standards of an institution prudently administering MI Policies for its own account. Except as expressly set forth herein, the Servicer shall have full authority on behalf of the Trust to do anything it reasonably deems appropriate or desirable in connection with the servicing, maintenance and administration of the MI Policies. The Servicer shall timely file all insured claims under the MI Policies and collect from the MI Insurer all Insurance Proceeds due to the Trustee under the MI Policies. The Servicer shall not take or omit to take, or permit any subservicer to take or omit to take, any action which would result in non-coverage under any applicable MI Policy of any loss which, but for the actions of the Servicer or Subservicer, would have been covered thereunder. To the extent coverage is available, the Servicer shall keep or cause to be kept in full force and effect each such MI Policy for the life of the Mortgage Loan; provided, however, that if a MI Insurer Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, the Servicer may terminate the MI Policy on any Mortgage Loan that is not then past due. The Servicer shall cooperate with the MI Insurer and shall use its best efforts to furnish all reasonable aid, evidence and information in the possession of the Servicer or to which the Servicer has access with respect to any Mortgage Loan.

 

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(b) The Servicer shall deposit into the Collection Account pursuant to Section 3.06(d)(v) hereof all MI Insurance Proceeds received from the MI Insurer under the terms of the MI Policies. The Servicer shall withdraw from the Collection Account and pay to the MI Insurer pursuant to Section 3.07(a)(xii) hereof, the monthly MI Premiums due to the MI Insurer in accordance with the terms of the MI Insurance Agreements. In the event that the Trustee has actual knowledge that any MI Premiums have in fact not been paid, the Trustee shall pay such amounts (in such amounts as specified by the MI Insurer) to the MI Insurer from the Interest Remittance Amount for the related Mortgage Loans, at the same level of priority as the Trustee Fee.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection 3.22(a) and (b), the Servicer shall not take any action in regard to the MI Policies inconsistent with the interests of the Trustee or the Certificateholders or with the rights and interests of the Trustee or the Certificateholders under this Agreement; provided, however, that payments of the monthly MI Premiums to the MI Insurer pursuant to Subsection 3.22(b) above and Section 3.07(a)(xii) hereof shall be deemed not to be inconsistent with such interests.

(d) The Trustee shall furnish the Servicer with any powers of attorney and other documents in form as provided to it necessary or appropriate to enable the Servicer to service and administer the MI Policies; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be liable for the actions of the Servicer under such powers of attorney.

(e) Following any MI Insurer Insolvency Event (excluding any such event that results solely under subparagraph (C) of the definition thereof), the Class A-1 Insurer shall consult with the Servicer regarding whether or not to terminate the MI Policy with respect to any Mortgage Loan that is not then past due. Additionally, the Servicer, subject to the prior written consent of the Class A-1 Insurer, may replace the MI Insurer with an insurer approved by the Class A-1 Insurer.

(f) The Servicer shall comply with all other terms, conditions and obligations set forth in the MI Policies.

Section 3.23 Determination Date Reports.

On the second Business Day following each Determination Date, the Servicer shall deliver to the Trustee a report, prepared as of the close of business on the Determination Date (the “ Determination Date Report ”), and shall forward to the Trustee in the form of computer readable electromagnetic tape or disk a copy of such report in a format acceptable to the Trustee. The Determination Date Report and any written information supplemental thereto shall include such information with respect to the Mortgage Loans that is reasonably available to the Servicer and that is required by the Trustee for purposes of making the calculations and providing the reports referred to in this Agreement, as set forth in written specifications or guidelines issued by the Trustee from time to time. Such information shall include the aggregate amounts required to be withdrawn from the Collection Account and deposited into the Distribution Account pursuant to Section 3.07. Such information shall also include (a) the number of Mortgage Loans that prepaid in the previous month; (b) the loan balance of each such Mortgage Loan; (c) whether a prepayment penalty was applied to such Mortgage Loan; and (d) the amount of prepayment penalty with respect to each such Mortgage Loan. The Servicer agrees to cooperate with the Trustee in providing all information as is reasonably requested by the Trustee to prepare the reports required under the Agreement.

 

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The determination by the Servicer of such amounts shall, in the absence of obvious error, be presumptively deemed to be correct for all purposes hereunder and the Trustee shall be fully protected in relying upon the same without any independent check or verification.

Section 3.24 Advances.

If any Monthly Payment (together with any advances from the Subservicers) on a Mortgage Loan that was due on the immediately preceding Due Date and delinquent on the Determination Date is delinquent other than as a result of application of the Relief Act, the Servicer will deposit in the Collection Account not later than the Servicer Remittance Date immediately preceding the related Distribution Date an amount equal to such deficiency net of the related Servicing Fee for such Mortgage Loan, except to the extent the Servicer determines any such advance to be nonrecoverable from Liquidation Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds or future payments on such Mortgage Loan. Subject to the foregoing and in the absence of such a determination, the Servicer shall continue to make such advances through the date that the related Mortgaged Property has, in the judgment of the Servicer, been completely liquidated.

The Servicer may fund an Advance from its own corporate funds, advances made by any subservicer or funds held in the Collection Account for future payment or withdrawal.

Advances made from funds held in the Collection Account may be made by the Servicer from subsequent collections of principal and interest received on other Mortgage Loans and deposited into the Collection Account. Advances made from the Collection Account are not limited to subsequent collections of principal and interest received on the delinquent Mortgage Loan with respect to which an Advance is made. If on the Servicer Remittance Date prior to any Distribution Date funds in the Collection Account are less than the amount that would have been paid to the Certificateholders had the Servicer not withdrawn such funds on such Distribution Date, then the Servicer shall deposit its own funds into the Distribution Account in the amount of the lesser of (i) any unreimbursed Advances previously made by the Servicer with funds held in the Collection Account or (ii) the shortfall in the Collection Account, provided, however, that in no event shall the Servicer deposit into the Collection Account an amount that is less than any shortfall in the Collection Account attributable to delinquent payments on Mortgage Loans which the Servicer deems to be recoverable and which has not been covered by an Advance from the Servicer’s own corporate funds or any subservicer’s funds. The Servicer is not entitled to reimbursement of any Advance unless such Advance was paid from corporate funds or was advanced to it by any Advance Facility. If applicable, on the Servicer Remittance Date preceding each Distribution Date, the Servicer shall present an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee and the Class A-1 Insurer (i) stating that the Servicer elects not to make an Advance in a stated amount and (ii) detailing the reason it deems the advance to be nonrecoverable.

Section 3.25 Compensating Interest Payments.

The Servicer shall deposit in the Collection Account not later than the Servicer Remittance Date preceding the Distribution Date an amount equal to the Compensating Interest related to the related Determination Date. The Servicer shall not be entitled to any reimbursement of any Compensating Interest payment.

 

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Section 3.26 Advance Facility.

(a) The Servicer on behalf of the Trust Fund, with the prior written consent of the Class A-1 Insurer is hereby authorized to enter into a facility (such an arrangement, an “ Advance Facility ”) with any Person which provides that such Person (an “ Advancing Person ”) may fund Advances and/or Servicing Advances under this Agreement, although no such facility shall reduce or otherwise affect the Servicer’s obligation to fund such Advances and/or Servicing Advances. No consent of the Trustee, Certificateholders or any other party (other than the Class A-1 Insurer) shall be required before the Servicer may enter into an Advance Facility nor shall the Trustee or the Certificateholders be a third party beneficiary of any obligation of an Advancing Person to the Servicer. If the Servicer enters into an Advance Facility, the Servicer and the related Advancing Person shall deliver to the Trustee at the address set forth in Section 12.05 hereof a written notice (an “ Advance Facility Notice ”), stating (a) the identity of the Advancing Person and (b) the identity of the Person (the “ Servicer’s Assignee ”) that will, subject to Section 3.26(b) hereof, have the right to make withdrawals from the Collection Account pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof to reimburse previously unreimbursed Advances and/or Servicing Advances (“ Advance Reimbursement Amounts ”). If the Servicer enters into such an Advance Facility pursuant to this Section 3.26, upon reasonable request of the Advancing Person, the Trustee shall execute a letter of acknowledgment, as prepared by the Servicer confirming its receipt of written notice of the existence of such Advance Facility. To the extent that an Advancing Person purchases or funds any Advance or any Servicing Advance and provides the Trustee with written notice acknowledged by the Servicer that such Advancing Person is entitled to reimbursement directly from the Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Advance Facility, such Advancing Person shall be entitled to receive reimbursement pursuant to this Agreement for such amount to the extent provided in Section 3.26(b). Such notice from the Advancing Person must specify the amount of the reimbursement, the Section of this Agreement that permits the applicable Advance or Servicing Advance to be reimbursed and the section(s) of the Advance Facility that entitle the Advancing Person to request reimbursement from the Trustee, rather than the Servicer, and include the Servicer’s acknowledgment thereto or proof of an Event of Default under the Advance Facility. The Trustee shall have no duty or liability with respect to any calculation of any reimbursement to be paid to an Advancing Person and shall be entitled to rely without independent investigation on the Advancing Person’s notice provided pursuant to this Section 3.26. An Advancing Person whose obligations hereunder are limited to the funding of Advances and/or Servicing Advances shall not be required to meet the qualifications of a Sub-Servicer pursuant to Section 6.06 hereof.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, (i) the Servicer and/or the Servicer’s Assignee shall only be entitled to reimbursement of Advance reimbursement amounts hereunder from withdrawals from the Collection Account pursuant to Section 3.07 of this Agreement and shall not otherwise be entitled to make withdrawals or receive amounts that shall be deposited in the Distribution Account, and (ii) none of the Trustee or the Certificateholders shall have any right to, or otherwise be entitled to, receive any Advance reimbursement amounts to which the Servicer or Servicer’s Assignee, as applicable, shall be entitled pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof. An Advance Facility may be terminated by the joint written direction of the Servicer and the related Advancing Person. Written notice of such termination shall be delivered to the Trustee

 

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in the manner set forth in Section 12.05 hereof. None of the Depositor or the Trustee shall, as a result of the existence of any Advance Facility, have any additional duty or liability with respect to the calculation or payment of any Advance reimbursement amount, nor, as a result of the existence of any Advance Facility, shall the Depositor or the Trustee have any additional responsibility to track or monitor the administration of the Advance Facility or the payment of Advance reimbursement amounts to the Servicer’s Assignee. The Servicer shall indemnify the Depositor, the Trustee, any successor Servicer and the Trust Fund for any claim, loss, liability or damage resulting from any claim by the related Advancing Person, except to the extent that such claim, loss, liability or damage resulted from or arose out of negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct on the part of the Depositor, the Trustee or any successor Servicer, as the case may be, or failure by the successor Servicer or the Trustee, as the case may be, to remit funds as required by this Agreement or the commission of an act or omission to act by the successor Servicer or the Trustee, as the case may be, and the passage of any applicable cure or grace period, such that an Event of Default under this Agreement occurs or such entity is subject to termination for cause under this Agreement. The Servicer shall maintain and provide to any successor Servicer and, upon request, the Trustee a detailed accounting on a loan-by-loan basis as to amounts advanced by, pledged or assigned to, and reimbursed to any Advancing Person. The successor Servicer shall be entitled to rely on any such information provided by the predecessor Servicer, and the successor Servicer shall not be liable for any errors in such information.

(c) If an Advancing Person is entitled to reimbursement for any particular Advance or Servicing Advance as set forth in Section 3.26(a), then the Servicer shall not be permitted to reimburse itself therefor under Section 3.07, but instead the Servicer shall include such amounts in the applicable remittance to the Trustee made pursuant to Section 3.06(d) to the extent of amounts on deposit in the Collection Account on the related Servicer Remittance Date. The Trustee is hereby authorized to pay to an Advancing Person reimbursements for Advances and Servicing Advances from the Distribution Account to the same extent the Servicer would have been permitted to reimburse itself for such Advances and/or Servicing Advances in accordance with Section 3.07, had the Servicer made such Advance or Servicing Advance.

(d) All Advances and Servicing Advances made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be deemed made and shall be reimbursed on a “first in first out” (FIFO) basis. In the event the Servicer’s Assignee shall have received some or all of an Advance reimbursement amount related to Advances and/or Servicing Advances that were made by a Person other than such predecessor Servicer or its related Advancing Person in error, then such Servicer’s Assignee shall be required to remit any portion of such Advance reimbursement amount to each Person entitled to such portion of such Advance reimbursement amount. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Servicer shall remain entitled to be reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.07 for all Advances and/or Servicing Advances funded by the Servicer to the extent the related Advance reimbursement amounts have not been assigned, sold or pledged to such Advancing Person or Servicer’s Assignee.

(e) In the event the Servicer is terminated pursuant to Section 7.01, the Advancing Person shall succeed to the terminated Servicer’s right of reimbursement set forth in Section 7.02 to the extent of such Advancing Person’s financing of Advances or Servicing Advances hereunder then remaining unreimbursed.

 

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(f) Any amendment to this Section 3.26 or to any other provision of this Agreement that may be necessary or appropriate to effect the terms of an Advance Facility as described generally in this Section 3.26, including amendments to add provisions relating to a successor Servicer, may be entered into by the Trustee, the Depositor and the Servicer without the consent of any Certificateholder but with the consent of the Class A-1 Insurer, provided such amendment complies with Section 12.01 hereof. All reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of each party hereto of any such amendment shall be borne solely by the Servicer. The parties hereto hereby acknowledge and agree that: (a) the Advances and/or Servicing Advances financed by, sold and/or pledged to an Advancing Person under any Advance Facility are obligations owed to the Servicer payable only from the cash flows and proceeds received under this Agreement for reimbursement of Advances and/or Servicing Advances only to the extent provided herein, and the Trustee and the Trust Fund are not, as a result of the existence of any Advance Facility, obligated or liable to repay any Advances and/or Servicing Advances financed by the Advancing Person; (b) the Servicer will be responsible for remitting to the Advancing Person the applicable amounts collected by it as reimbursement for Advances and/or Servicing Advances purchased or funded by the Advancing Person, subject to the provisions of this Agreement; and (c) the Trustee shall not have any responsibility to track or monitor the administration of the financing arrangement between the Servicer and any Advancing Person.

ARTICLE IV

FLOW OF FUNDS

Section 4.01 Distributions.

(a) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee, will first distribute the Prepayment Charges collected on the Group I Mortgage Loans and on the Group II Mortgage Loans during the prior Prepayment Period to the Holders of the Class P Certificates. After making that distribution, the Trustee shall (based solely on the information provided to the Trustee by the Servicer pursuant to Section 3.23 hereof) withdraw from the Distribution Account that portion of Available Funds for such Distribution Date consisting of the Interest Remittance Amount for such Distribution Date, and make the following disbursements and transfers in the order of priority described below, in each case to the extent of the Interest Remittance Amount remaining for such Distribution Date:

(i) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee, will distribute, pro rata from the Group I Interest Remittance Amount, the Group II Interest Remittance Amount, the Trustee Fee and the Custodian Fee which is due on that Distribution Date to the Trustee and Custodian respectively. After making that distribution, the Trustee will then apply the remaining Interest Remittance Amount to the payment of interest then due on the certificates in the following order of priority:

(A) first , on each Distribution Date on or prior to the Class I Termination Date, payable from the Group I Interest Remittance Amount and the Group II Interest Remittance Amount, to the Holders of the Class I Certificates, the Class I Monthly Interest Distributable Amount;

(B) second , concurrently, with equal priority of payment:

 

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(I) payable solely from the remaining Group I Interest Remittance Amount for that Distribution Date and, to the extent that such remaining Group I Interest Remittance Amount is less than the sum of the amounts listed in this Section 4.01(a)(i)(B)(I), also from the Group II Interest Cross Collateralization Amount, the following amounts in the following order of priority:

first , to pay any current or previously unpaid insurer premiums due to the Class A-1 Insurer;

second , to pay the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the Class A-1 Certificates; and

third , to pay any unreimbursed draws on the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy in respect of interest and other amounts (other than unreimbursed principal policy draws) due under the Insurance Agreement to the Class A-1 Insurer; and

(II) payable solely from the remaining Group II Interest Remittance Amount for that Distribution Date and, to the extent that such remaining Group II Interest Remittance Amount is less than the related Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the Group II Class A Certificates, also from the Group I Interest Cross Collateralization Amount, to the Holders of each class of the Group II Class A Certificates, the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the Group II Class A Certificates, pro rata based on the amount of interest each such class is otherwise entitled to on that date; and

(C) third , payable from the remaining Group I Interest Remittance Amount and the remaining Group II Interest Remittance Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-1 Certificates, the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the Class M-1 Certificates;

(D) fourth , payable from the remaining Group I Interest Remittance Amount and the remaining Group II Interest Remittance Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-2 Certificates, the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the Class M-2 Certificates;

(E) fifth , payable from the remaining Group I Interest Remittance Amount and the remaining Group II Interest Remittance Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-3 Certificates, the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the Class M-3 Certificates;

(F) sixth , payable from the remaining Group I Interest Remittance Amount and the remaining Group II Interest Remittance Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-4 Certificates, the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the Class M-4 Certificates;

(G) seventh , payable from the remaining Group I Interest Remittance Amount and the remaining Group II Interest Remittance Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-5 Certificates, the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the Class M-5 Certificates;

 

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(H) eighth , payable from the remaining Group I Interest Remittance Amount and the remaining Group II Interest Remittance Amount, to the Holders of the Class B-1 Certificates, the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the Class B-1 Certificates;

(I) ninth , payable from the remaining Group I Interest Remittance Amount and the remaining Group II Interest Remittance Amount, to the Holders of the Class B-2 Certificates, the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the Class B-2 Certificates;

(J) tenth , payable from the remaining Group I Interest Remittance Amount and the remaining Group II Interest Remittance Amount, to the Holders of the Class B-3 Certificates, the Monthly Interest Distributable Amount for the Class B-3 Certificates;

(K) eleventh , payable from the remaining Group I Interest Remittance Amount and the remaining Group II Interest Remittance Amount, to the Holders of the Class X Certificates for the benefit of Supplemental Interest Trust I, the Mortgage Excess Cashflow (net of any amounts distributed pursuant to Section 4.04(d)(i)), to be distributed pursuant to Section 4.04(d)(ii); and

(L) twelfth , payable from the remaining Group I Interest Remittance Amount and the remaining Group II Interest Remittance Amount, to the Holders of the Class R Certificates, any remainder.

(ii) On each Distribution Date (a) prior to the Crossover Date or (b) on which a Trigger Event is in effect, the Trustee, shall (based solely on the information provided to the Trustee by the Servicer pursuant to Section 3.23 hereof) withdraw from the Distribution Account that portion of the Available Funds for such Distribution Date consisting of the Group I Principal Distribution Amount and Group II Principal Distribution Amount and make the following disbursements and transfers in the order of priority described below:

(A) first , concurrently, with equal priority of payment:

(I) payable solely from the Group I Principal Distribution Amount, plus, to the extent that such amounts are insufficient, the applicable Group II Principal Cross Collateralization Amount, the following amounts and order of priority:

first , to the Holders of the Class A-1 Certificates, until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-1 Certificates has been reduced to zero; and

second , to the Class A-1 Insurer, to pay any unreimbursed draws on the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy in respect of interest or principal, and other amounts due to it under the Insurance Agreement;

 

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(II) payable solely from the Group II Principal Distribution Amount, plus, to the extent that such amounts are insufficient, the applicable Group I Principal Cross Collateralization Amount, if any, to the Holders of the Group II Class A Certificates, until the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Group II Class A Certificates has been reduced to zero (except that on the Class P Principal Distribution Date, the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class P Certificates shall first be paid from the Group II Principal Distribution Amount to the Holders of the Class P Certificates);

(B) second , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-1 Certificates, the entire remaining amount of the Principal Distribution Amount until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-1 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(C) third , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-2 Certificates, the entire remaining amount of the Principal Distribution Amount until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-2 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(D) fourth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-3 Certificates, the entire remaining amount of the Principal Distribution Amount until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-3 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(E) fifth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-4 Certificates, the entire remaining amount of the Principal Distribution Amount until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-4 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(F) sixth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-5 Certificates, the entire remaining amount of the Principal Distribution Amount until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-5 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(G) seventh , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class B-1 Certificates, the entire remaining amount of the Principal Distribution Amount until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class B-1 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(H) eighth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class B-2 Certificates, the entire remaining amount of the Principal Distribution Amount until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class B-2 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

 

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(I) ninth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class B-3 Certificates, the entire remaining amount of the Principal Distribution Amount until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class B-3 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(J) tenth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Trustee and the Custodian, pro rata, any amounts owed to them under the Basic Documents remaining unpaid;

(K) eleventh , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Servicer, the amount of any reimbursement of indemnification owed to it by the Trust pursuant to Section 6.03 hereof;

(L) twelfth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, and any remaining Available Funds relating to principal, to the Holders of the Class O Certificates, for the benefit of Supplemental Interest Trust I, the entire remaining Principal Distribution Amount plus any remaining Overcollateralization Release Amount until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class O Certificates has been paid; and

(M) thirteenth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, and any remaining Available Funds relating to principal, to the Holders of the Class X Certificates, for the benefit of Supplemental Interest Trust I, any remaining Overcollateralization Release Amount; and

(N) fourteenth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class R Certificates, for the benefit of Supplemental Interest Trust I, any remainder.

(iii) On each Distribution Date (a) on or after the Crossover Date and (b) on which a Trigger Event is not in effect, the Trustee, shall (based solely on the information provided to the Trustee by the Servicer pursuant to Section 3.23 hereof) withdraw from the Distribution Account that portion of the Available Funds for such Distribution Date consisting of the Group I Principal Distribution Amount and Group II Principal Distribution Amount and make the following disbursements and transfers in the order of priority described below:

(A) first , concurrently, with equal priority of payment:

 

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(I) payable solely from the Group I Principal Distribution Amount, plus, to the extent that such amounts are insufficient, the applicable Group II Principal Cross Collateralization Amount, the following amounts and order of priority:

first , to the Holders of the Class A-1 Certificates, the Class A-1 Principal Distribution Amount until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-1 Certificates has been reduced to zero; and

second , to the Class A-1 Insurer, to pay any unreimbursed draws on the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy in respect of interest or principal, and other amounts due to it under the Insurance Agreement;

(II) payable solely from the Group II Principal Distribution Amount, plus, to the extent that such amounts are insufficient, the applicable Group I Principal Cross Collateralization Amount, if any, to the Holders of the Group II Class A Certificates, the Group II Certificate Principal Distribution Amount, until the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Group II Class A Certificates has been reduced to zero (except that on the Class P Principal Distribution Date, the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class P Certificates shall first be paid from the Group II Principal Distribution Amount to the Holders of the Class P Certificates);

(B) second , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-1 Certificates, the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount, until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-1 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(C) third , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-2 Certificates, the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount, until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-2 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(D) fourth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-3 Certificates, the Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount, until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-3 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(E) fifth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-4 Certificates, the Class M-4 Principal Distribution Amount, until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-4 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(F) sixth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class M-5 Certificates, the Class M-5 Principal Distribution Amount, until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-5 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(G) seventh , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class B-1 Certificates, the Class B-1 Principal Distribution Amount, until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class B-1 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

 

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(H) eighth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class B-2 Certificates, the Class B-2 Principal Distribution Amount, until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class B-2 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(I) ninth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class B-3 Certificates, the Class B-3 Principal Distribution Amount, until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class B-3 Certificates has been reduced to zero;

(J) tenth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Trustee and the Custodian, pro rata, any amounts owed to them under the Basic Documents remaining unpaid;

(K) eleventh , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Servicer, the amount of any reimbursement of indemnification owed to it by the Trust pursuant to Section 6.03 hereof;

(L) twelfth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, and any remaining Available Funds relating to principal, to the Holders of the Class O Certificates, for the benefit of Supplemental Interest Trust I, the entire remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and Group II Principal Distribution Amount plus any remaining Overcollateralization Release Amount until the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class O Certificates has been paid;

(M) thirteenth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, and any remaining Available Funds relating to principal, to the Holders of the Class X Certificates, for the benefit of Supplemental Interest Trust I, any remaining Overcollateralization Release Amount; and

(N) fourteenth , payable from the remaining Group I Principal Distribution Amount and the remaining Group II Principal Distribution Amount, to the Holders of the Class R Certificates, for the benefit of Supplemental Interest Trust I, any remainder.

(b) Method of Distribution . The Trustee shall make distributions in respect of a Distribution Date to each Certificateholder of record on the related Record Date (other than as provided in Section 11.01 respecting the final distribution), in the case of Certificateholders of the Regular Certificates, by wire transfer, or upon written request at least five Business Days prior to the related Distribution Date by check or money order mailed to such Certificateholder at the address appearing in the Certificate Register. Distributions among Certificateholders shall be made in proportion to the Percentage Interests evidenced by the Certificates held by such Certificateholders.

 

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(c) Distributions on Book-Entry Certificates . Each distribution with respect to a Book-Entry Certificate shall be paid to the Depository, which shall credit the amount of such distribution to the accounts of its Depository Participants in accordance with its normal procedures. Each Depository Participant shall be responsible for disbursing such distribution to the Certificate Owners that it represents and to each indirect participating brokerage firm (a “brokerage firm” or “indirect participating firm”) for which it acts as agent. Each brokerage firm shall be responsible for disbursing funds to the Certificate Owners that it represents. All such credits and disbursements with respect to a Book-Entry Certificate are to be made by the Depository and the Depository Participants in accordance with the provisions of the Certificates. None of the Custodian, the Trustee, the Depositor, the Servicer or the Seller shall have any responsibility therefor except as otherwise provided by applicable law.

(d) All principal amounts distributed to the Group II Class A Certificates shall be distributed pro rata to (a) the Class A-2 Certificates on the one hand and (b) the Class A-3, Class A-4 and Class A-5 Certificates in the aggregate, on the other hand, such pro rata distribution to be based on (x) the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-2 Certificates and (y) the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-3, Class A-4 and Class A-5 Certificates, respectively. The principal amounts distributed to the Class A-3, Class A-4 and Class A-5 Certificates shall be distributed as follows:

(i) first , to the Class A-3 Certificates, until its Certificate Principal Balance has been reduced to zero;

(ii) second , after the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-3 Certificates has been reduced to zero, any remaining amounts to the Class A-4 Certificates until its Certificate Principal Balance has been reduced to zero; and

(iii) third , after the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-4 Certificates has been reduced to zero, any remaining amounts to the Class A-5 Certificates until its Certificate Principal Balance has been reduced to zero.

Section 4.02 Distribution Account.

(a) No later than the Closing Date, the Trustee, shall establish and maintain a segregated trust account that is an Eligible Account, which shall be titled “Distribution Account, [                      ], as Trustee for the registered holders of NovaStar Mortgage Funding Trust 20[      ]-[      ], Home Equity Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 20[      ] -[      ]” (the “ Distribution Account ”). The Trustee shall, promptly upon receipt, deposit in the Distribution Account and retain therein the Interest Remittance Amount and the Principal Remittance Amount remitted on each Servicer Remittance Date to the Trustee by the Servicer. Funds deposited in the Distribution Account shall be held in trust by the Trustee for the Certificateholders for the uses and purposes set forth herein.

(b) The Trustee may invest funds deposited in the Distribution Account in Eligible Investments in accordance with the written direction of the Servicer with a maturity date no later

 

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than the Business Day immediately proceeding the date on which such funds are required to be withdrawn from such account pursuant to this Agreement. All income or other gain from such investments may be released from the Distribution Account and paid to the Servicer. The Servicer shall be obligated to cover losses on such Eligible Investments immediately upon realization. If the Trustee does not receive such written investment direction it shall retain the funds uninvested.

(c) Amounts on deposit in the Distribution Account shall be withdrawn by the Trustee as follows:

(i) To fund the distributions described in Section 4.01 hereof;

(ii) To withdraw any amount not required to be deposited in the Distribution Account or deposited therein in error;

(iii) To clear and terminate the Distribution Account upon the termination of this Agreement, with any amounts remaining on deposit therein being paid to the Holders of the Class R Certificates; and

(iv) To distribute any amounts of investment income to the Servicer.

(d) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall distribute all amounts on deposit in the Distribution Account (other than investment income) established by it to Certificateholders in respect of the Certificates and to such other persons in the order of priority set forth in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 4.03 Statements.

(a) On each Distribution Date, based solely on information provided to it by the Servicer in its Determination Date Report, the Trustee shall prepare and make available to each Holder of the Regular Certificates, the Swap Counterparties, the Servicer, the Class A-1 Insurer and the Rating Agencies, a statement as to the distributions made on such Distribution Date:

(i) the amount of the distribution made on such Distribution Date to the Holders of each Class of Regular Certificates, separately identified, allocable to principal and the amount of the distribution made to the Holders of the Class P Certificates allocable to Prepayment Charges;

(ii) the amount of the distribution made on such Distribution Date to the Holders of each Class of Regular Certificates (other than the Class P Certificates) allocable to interest, separately identified;

(iii) the Pool Balance of the Group I Mortgage Loans and the Group II Mortgage Loans at the Close of Business at the end of the related Due Period;

(iv) the number, aggregate principal balance, and weighted average Mortgage Rate of the Mortgage Loans (identified by Group) as of the related Determination Date and the number and aggregate principal balance of all Subsequent Mortgage Loans added (identified by Group) during the preceding Prepayment Period;

 

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(v) the number and aggregate unpaid principal balance of Mortgage Loans (identified by Group) that (A) were Delinquent (exclusive of Mortgage Loans in bankruptcy or foreclosure and REO Properties) (1) 30 to 59 days, (2) 60 to 89 days and (3) 90 or more days, (B) as to which foreclosure proceedings have been commenced and that (i) are not Delinquent, and (ii) are Delinquent (1) 30 to 59 days, (2) 60 to 89 days and (3) 90 or more days, (C) related to a REO Property that (i) is not Delinquent and (ii) is Delinquent (1) 30 to 59 days, (2) 60 to 89 days and (3) 90 or more days and (D) related to a Mortgagor that was subject to a bankruptcy proceeding and that (i) is not Delinquent and (ii) is Delinquent (1) 30 to 59 days, (2) 60 to 89 days and (3) 90 or more days, in each case on a contractual and bankruptcy legal basis;

(vi) the aggregate amount of Principal Prepayments made during the related Prepayment Period;

(vii) the aggregate amount of Realized Losses incurred during the related Prepayment Period and the cumulative amount of Realized Losses;

(viii) the Certificate Principal Balance of each class of the Class A Certificates, each class of the Mezzanine Certificates, each class of the Class B Certificates and the Class O Certificates, after giving effect to the distributions made on such Distribution Date;

(ix) the Unpaid Interest Shortfall Amount, if any, with respect to each class of the Class A Certificates, each class of the Mezzanine Certificates and each class of Class B Certificates for such Distribution Date;

(x) the aggregate amount of any Prepayment Interest Shortfalls for such Distribution Date, to the extent not covered by payments by the Servicer pursuant to Section 3.25;

(xi) the Credit Enhancement Percentage for such Distribution Date;

(xii) the Available Funds Cap Carryforward Amount for each class of the Class A Certificates, each class of the Mezzanine Certificates and each class of the Class B Certificates if any, for such Distribution Date and the amount remaining unpaid after reimbursements therefor on such Distribution Date;

(xiii) the respective Pass-Through Rates applicable to each class of the Class A Certificates, each class of the Mezzanine Certificates and the Class B Certificates for such Distribution Date and the Pass-Through Rate applicable to each class of the Class A Certificates, each class of the Mezzanine Certificates and each class of the Class B Certificates for the immediately succeeding Distribution Date;

(xiv) the Supplemental Interest Payment for each Class on such Distribution Date;

(xv) (x) the aggregate notional amount of the Swap Agreements and Cap Agreements, (y) the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Underwritten Certificates on such Distribution Date and (z) the difference between (x) and (y);

 

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(xvi) the Required Overcollateralization Amount for such Distribution Date;

(xvii) the Excess Cashflow (separately detailing the Mortgage Excess Cashflow and Swap Excess Cashflow, respectively) for such Distribution Date;

(xviii) the aggregate amount of Scheduled Principal Payments made during the related Due Period;

(xix) the aggregate amount of Principal Prepayments made during the related Due Period in which the related Mortgagor paid the related Mortgage Loan in full;

(xx) the aggregate amount of Principal Prepayments in part made during the related Prepayment Period;

(xxi) the number and the aggregate principal balance of all Liquidated Mortgage Loans for the related Prepayment Period;

(xxii) the aggregate amount of Net Liquidation Proceeds received during the related Prepayment Period;

(xxiii) the Group I Class I Monthly Interest Distributable Amount and the Group II Class I Monthly Interest Distributable Amount; and

(xxiv) the dollar amount of claims made, amounts paid by the MI Insurer in respect of claims made, and premiums due and paid under the MI Policy.

In the case of information furnished pursuant to subclauses (i) and (ii) above, the amounts shall be expressed in a separate section of the report as a dollar amount for each Class for each $1,000 original dollar amount as of the Closing Date.

The Trustee may, in the absence of manifest error, conclusively rely upon the Determination Date Report of the Servicer in its preparation of the statement to Certificateholders pursuant to this Section 4.03.

(b) Within a reasonable period of time after the end of each calendar year, the Trustee shall, upon written request, furnish to each Person who at any time during the calendar year was a Certificateholder of a Regular Certificate, if requested in writing by such Person, such information as is reasonably necessary to provide to such Person a statement containing the information set forth in subclauses (i) and (ii) above, aggregated for such calendar year or applicable portion thereof during which such Person was a Certificateholder. Such obligation of the Trustee shall be deemed to have been satisfied to the extent that substantially comparable information shall be prepared and furnished by the Trustee to Certificateholders pursuant to any requirements of the Code as are in force from time to time.

(c) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall forward to the Residual Certificateholders a copy of the reports forwarded to the Regular Certificateholders in respect of such Distribution Date with such other information as the Trustee deems necessary or appropriate.

 

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(d) Within a reasonable period of time after the end of each calendar year, the Trustee shall deliver to each Person who at any time during the calendar year was a Residual Certificateholder, if requested in writing by such Person, such information as is reasonably necessary to provide to such Person a statement containing the information provided pursuant to the previous paragraph aggregated for such calendar year or applicable portion thereof during which such Person was a Residual Certificateholder. Such obligation of the Trustee shall be deemed to have been satisfied to the extent that substantially comparable information shall be prepared and furnished to Certificateholders by the Trustee pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to time in force.

(e) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall post on its website at [                          ], which posting shall be accessible to each Certificateholder and the Swap Counterparties, the statement prepared pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4.03, except that the Trustee shall email a copy of such statement to the Class A-1 Insurer on each Distribution Date to mbsreports@fsa.com. Assistance in using the website can be obtained by calling the Trustee’s customer service desk at 1-877-722-1095. Such parties that are unable to use the website are entitled to have a paper copy mailed to them via first class mail by providing a written request of such to the Trustee at is Corporate Trust office. The Trustee shall have the right to change the way such statements are distributed in order to make such distribution more convenient and/or accessible to the above parties and the Trustee shall provide timely and adequate notification to all above parties regarding any such changes. The Trustee shall not have any responsibility to (i) verify information provided by the Servicer to be included in such statement or (ii) include any information required to be included in such statement if the Servicer has failed to timely produce such information to the Trustee, as required pursuant hereto.

(f) No later than noon on the second Business Day prior to each Distribution Date, the Trustee will verify that no Notional Amount Test Event is scheduled to occur on the related Distribution Date. In the event a Notional Amount Test Event would otherwise occur on the related Distribution Date, the Trustee will immediately provide notice in the form of Exhibit J to the appropriate NovaStar entity and assign in $10,000,000 increments a portion of the related notional amount from the affected Swap Agreement or Cap Agreement on the day immediately preceding that Distribution Date until no Notional Amount Test Event will occur on the related Distribution Date. The Trustee shall assign the applicable notional amount from the Swap Agreement or Cap Agreement, as applicable, in the priority set forth below. Once such Swap Agreement notional amounts have been assigned back to the appropriate NovaStar entity, the related Swap Counterparty will have no obligation to, nor interest in, any Supplemental Interest Trust with respect to such notional amounts. Once such Cap Agreement notional amounts have been assigned back to the appropriate NovaStar entity, the Cap Counterparty will have no obligation to any applicable Supplemental Interest Trust with respect to such notional amounts. Furthermore, no distributions will be made from Supplemental Interest Trust I to the related Swap Counterparty in respect of notional amounts assigned under this Section 4.03 (f).

The Trustee will assign portions of the affected Swap Agreements or Cap Agreements as applicable in the following order of priority:

(i) from the Swap Agreement with the earliest maturity (until no Notional Amount Test Event would have occurred);

 

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(ii) in the event that two or more Swap Agreements have the same maturity, from the Swap Agreement with the lowest fixed rate (until no Notional Amount Test Event would have occurred); and

(iii) in the event that no Swap Agreements are outstanding, from the then outstanding Cap Agreements on a pro rata basis based on the notional amounts of such Cap Agreements (until no Notional Amount Test Event would have occurred).

In no event shall the Trustee allow a Notional Amount Test Event to occur on any Distribution Date.

Section 4.04 Supplemental Interest Trusts; Excess Cashflow.

(a) (i) The parties do hereby create and establish four sub-trusts of the Trust Fund, each of which shall hold an account, which, no later than the Closing Date, the Trustee shall, at the direction of the Servicer, establish and maintain, as segregated trust accounts that are Eligible Accounts, which shall be titled “Supplemental Interest Trust [I] [II] [III] [IV], [as applicable], [                          ], as Trustee for the registered holders of NovaStar Mortgage Funding Trust 20[ ]-[ ], Home Equity Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 20[      ]-[      ].” On the Closing Date, the Trustee shall deposit an amount equal to the Initial Swap Amount (as identified on the settlement statement provided by the Seller) to Supplemental Interest Trust I. The Trustee shall, promptly upon receipt, deposit in Supplemental Interest Trust I amounts of Mortgage Excess Cashflow, if any, pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(i)(K), each distribution of the Class I Monthly Interest Distributable Amount pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(i)(A) and any amounts received under any Swap Agreement pursuant to Section 4.04(h). Funds deposited in the Supplemental Interest Trusts shall be held in trust by the Trustee for the Certificateholders and the applicable Swap Counterparty for the uses and purposes set forth herein. None of the Supplemental Interest Trusts nor the related Supplemental Interest Accounts shall be an asset of any of the REMICs created hereunder.

(ii) (a) On each Distribution Date on or prior to the Class I Termination Date, the funds in Supplemental Interest Trust I (as reduced from time to time in accordance with this Section 4.04) will equal the sum of (a) any amounts received under any Swap Agreement pursuant to Section 4.04(h), (b) the Class I Monthly Interest Distributable Amount and (c) any amounts of Mortgage Excess Cashflow (net of any amounts distributed pursuant to Section 4.04(d)(i)).

On each Distribution Date after the Class I Termination Date, the funds in Supplemental Interest Trust I (as reduced from time to time in accordance with this Section 4.04) will equal any amounts of Mortgage Excess Cashflow (net of any amounts distributed pursuant to Section 4.04(d)(i)).

(b) The Trustee will invest funds deposited in the Supplemental Interest Trusts as directed in writing by the Servicer in Eligible Investments with a maturity date (i) no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the date on which such funds are required to be withdrawn from such account pursuant to this Agreement, if a Person other than the Trustee or an Affiliate manages or advises such investment, and (ii) no later than the date on which such funds are required to be withdrawn from such account pursuant to this Agreement, if the Trustee or an

 

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Affiliate manages or advises such investment. All income and gain realized from investment of funds deposited in the applicable Supplemental Interest Trust shall be credited to such Account, provided, however, that any income and gain realized during the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on July 25, 2004 will be paid to the Servicer. The Trustee will not be liable for investment losses on investments selected by the Servicer pursuant to this Section 4.04(b). None of the Supplemental Interest Trusts will be an asset of any of the REMICs created hereunder.

(c) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall distribute the funds held in Supplemental Interest Trust I as follows:

(i) first , on June 25, 2004, to each Swap Counterparty, its related portion of the Initial Swap Amount, and on each Distribution Date up to and including the Class I Termination Date, to each Swap Counterparty, its related Swap Amount for such Distribution Date;

(ii) second , (a) to pay Monthly Interest Distributable Amounts to the Underwritten Certificates to the extent not already fully funded from collections on the Mortgage Loans to be paid according to the same order of priority as in Section 4.01 and (b) to pay principal in the amount of the Overcollateralization Deficiency Amount, if any, remaining after the application of Mortgage Excess Cashflow, such principal to be included in the Extra Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date; A

(iii) third , any remaining amounts to pay, pro rata based on Certificate Principal Balance of each class of Underwritten Certificates, the Supplemental Interest Payment for each class of Underwritten Certificates;

(iv) fourth , to pay each Swap Counterparty its related Swap Termination Payment, if any; and

(v) fifth , any remaining amounts, pro rata to the Holders of the Class O and Class X Certificates based on the amounts paid to Supplemental Interest Trust I on behalf of the Holders of the Class O and Class X Certificates pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(i)(K), Section 4.01(a)(ii)(L), Section 4.01(a)(ii)(M), Section 4.01(a)(iii)(L) and Section 4.01(a)(iii)(M).

(d) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall distribute the funds relating to Mortgage Excess Cashflow as follows:

(i) prior to any deposit to Supplemental Interest Trust I, to the Holders of the Class or Classes of Certificates then entitled to receive distributions in respect of principal and to the Class A-1 Insurer, in an amount equal to any Extra Principal Distribution Amount, distributable to such holders and the Class A-1 Insurer in the same order of priority as the Group I Principal Distribution Amount and/or the Group II Principal Distribution Amount as described in Section 4.01;

(ii) to Supplemental Interest Trust I to distribute in accordance with Section 4.04(c);

 

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(e) On each Distribution Date, funds, if any, deposited in Supplemental Interest Trust II will equal any Cap Agreement I Payments received on such Distribution Date. On each Distribution Date, from the aggregate amounts on deposit in Supplemental Interest Trust II, the Trustee will make the following distributions in the following order of priority:

(i) first , to pay the Supplemental Interest Payment to the Class A-1 Certificates, to the extent not already paid out of Supplemental Interest Trust I;

(ii) second , to pay, pro rata based on Certificate Principal Balance, the Supplemental Interest Payment for each Class of Underwritten Certificates (other than the Class A-1 Certificates), to the extent not already paid out of Supplemental Interest Trust I; and

(iii) third , any remaining amounts, to the Holders of the Class X Certificates.

(f) On each Distribution Date, funds, if any, deposited in Supplemental Interest Trust III will equal any Cap Agreement II Payments received on such Distribution Date. On each Distribution Date, from the aggregate amounts on deposit in Supplemental Interest Trust III, the Trustee will make the following distributions in the following order of priority:

(i) first , to pay, pro rata based on Certificate Principal Balance, the Supplemental Interest Payment to the Group II Class A Certificates, to the extent not already paid out of Supplemental Interest Trust I and Supplemental Interest Trust II;

(ii) second , to pay, pro rata based on Certificate Principal Balance, the Supplemental Interest Payment for each Class of Underwritten Certificates (other than the Group II Class A Certificates) to the extent not already paid out of Supplemental Interest Trust I and Supplemental Interest Trust II; and

(iii) third , any remaining amounts, to the Holders of the Class X Certificates.

(g) On each Distribution Date, funds, if any, deposited in Supplemental Interest Trust IV will equal any Cap Agreement III Payments received on such Distribution Date. On each Distribution Date, from the aggregate amounts on deposit in Supplemental Interest Trust IV, the Trustee will make the following distributions in the following order of priority:

(i) first , to pay the Supplemental Interest Payment, pro rata (based on Certificate Principal Balance) to the Class M and Class B Certificates, to the extent not already paid out of Supplemental Interest Trust I, Supplemental Interest Trust II and Supplemental Interest Trust III;

(ii) second , to pay, pro rata based on Certificate Principal Balance, the Supplemental Interest Payment for each Class of Underwritten Certificates (other than the Class M and B Certificates), to the extent not already paid out of Supplemental Interest Trust I, Supplemental Interest Trust II and Supplemental Interest Trust III; and

(iii) third , any remaining amounts, to the Holders of the Class X Certificates.

 

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(h) On any Distribution Date on which the Swap Amount for any Swap Agreement is a negative number, the absolute value of such negative number shall be paid by each related Swap Counterparty to Supplemental Interest Trust I.

(i) In the event that a Swap Counterparty elects to post collateral as provided in the related Swap Agreement, the Trustee shall establish and maintain an Eligible Account with respect to the related Swap Agreement (each, a “ Swap Collateral Account ”) for the benefit of such Swap Counterparty and the Certificateholders, as their interests may appear, into which such collateral shall be deposited. The Trustee may or shall (as indicated) make withdrawals from the related Swap Collateral Account for the purposes of (i) entering into a substitute swap agreement, (ii) funding the amount of any payment due to be made by such Swap Counterparty under the related Swap Agreement following the failure by such Swap Counterparty to make that payment or (iii) as permitted pursuant to the related Swap Agreement or this Agreement. The Trustee shall make withdrawals from the related Swap Collateral Account and transfer the collateral (i) as required of the Trustee pursuant to the related Swap Agreement or (ii) if the circumstances which required the posting of collateral no longer exist; and the Trustee is permitted to liquidate any investments held in such Swap Collateral Account for any such purpose. In the event that additional collateral is required to be posted by a Swap Counterparty under the related Swap Agreement, the Trustee shall promptly make a demand on such Swap Counterparty to post such additional collateral. To the extent cash makes up all or any portion of the collateral in a Swap Collateral Account, such cash shall be invested in Eligible Investments in accordance with the related Swap Agreement. Any and all interest generated by such investment shall be transferred to the related Swap Counterparty as provided in the related Swap Agreement, or where unspecified, on each Distribution Date. In connection with the maintenance and administration of a Swap Collateral Account, the Trustee may request and rely on written instructions from the Servicer, which the Servicer hereby agrees to provide, with respect to the maintenance and administration of such account. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall not have any right to apply any amounts or assets in any Swap Collateral Account except in accordance with the enforcement and realization of its security interest pursuant to the related Swap Agreement or otherwise in accordance with the related Swap Agreement.

The Trustee may designate an agent to maintain any Swap Collateral Account, provided that the following conditions are satisfied: (i) the agent’s long-term unsubordinated debt is rated at least “BBB+” by S&P and at least “Baa1” by Moody’s and (ii) the total assets of the agent shall exceed $25,000,000. Under such circumstances, all references to the Trustee in this subsection (h) shall be to the Trustee’s agent appointed pursuant to this paragraph.

Section 4.05 Pre-Funding Account.

(a) No later than the Closing Date, the Trustee, at the direction of the Servicer, shall establish and maintain, a segregated trust account that is an Eligible Account, which shall be titled “Pre-Funding Account, [                                           ], as Trustee for the registered holders of NovaStar Mortgage Funding Trust 20[    ]-[    ], Home Equity Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 20[    ]-[    ]” (the “Pre-Funding Account”). The Trustee shall, promptly upon receipt, deposit in the Pre-Funding Account and retain therein the Original Pre-Funded Amount remitted on the Closing Date to the Trustee by the Depositor. Funds deposited in the Pre-Funding Account shall be held in trust by the Trustee for the Certificateholders for the uses and purposes set forth herein.

 

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(b) The Trustee will invest funds deposited in the Pre-Funding Account as directed by the Servicer in Permitted Investments with a maturity date (i) no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the date on which such funds are required to be withdrawn from such account pursuant to this Agreement, if a Person other than the Trustee or an Affiliate manages or advises such investment, and (ii) no later than the date on which such funds are required to be withdrawn from such account pursuant to this Agreement, if the Trustee or an Affiliate manages or advises such investment. For federal income tax purposes, the Servicer shall be the owner of the Pre-Funding Account and shall report all items of income, deduction, gain or loss arising therefrom. All income and gain realized from investment of funds deposited in the Pre-Funding Account shall be withdrawn and deposited in the Distribution Account. The Trustee shall treat the Pre-Funding Account as an outside reserve fund within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.860G-2(h). At no time will the Pre-Funding Account be an asset of any REMIC created hereunder. The Trustee shall not be liable for investment losses on investments selected by the Servicer pursuant to this Section 4.05(b).

(c) Amounts on deposit in the Pre-Funding Account shall be withdrawn by the Trustee as follows:

(i) On any Subsequent Transfer Date, the Trustee shall withdraw from the Pre-Funding Account an amount equal to 100% of the Principal Balances of the Subsequent Mortgage Loans transferred and assigned to the Trustee for deposit in the Mortgage Pool on such Subsequent Transfer Date and pay such amount to or upon the order of the Depositor upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.08 with respect to such transfer and assignment; if such Subsequent Mortgage Loan is designated for inclusion in Group I, such amount shall reduce (but not below zero) the remaining Original Pre-Funded Amount allocated to Group I, and, if such Subsequent Mortgage Loan is designated for inclusion in Group II, such amount shall reduce (but not below zero) the remaining Original Pre-Funded Amount allocated to Group II;

(ii) If the amount on deposit in the Pre-Funding Account has not been reduced to zero on the day of the termination of the Pre-Funding Period, the Trustee shall deposit into the Distribution Account on such day any amounts remaining in the Pre-Funding Account relating to Group I for inclusion in the Group I Principal Remittance Amount and relating to Group II for inclusion in the Group II Principal Remittance Amount for distribution in accordance with the terms hereof;

(iii) To withdraw any amount not required to be deposited in the Pre-Funding Account or deposited therein in error; and

(iv) To clear and terminate the Pre-Funding Account upon the earlier to occur of (A) the Distribution Date immediately following the end of the Pre-Funding Period but not later than September 10, 2004 and (B) the termination of this Agreement, with any amounts remaining on deposit therein being paid to the Holders of the Certificates then entitled to distributions in respect of principal.

Withdrawals from the Pre-Funding Account pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and (iv) shall be treated as contributions of cash to REMIC I on the date of withdrawal.

 

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Section 4.06 [Reserved]

Section 4.07 The Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy.

(a) No later than 12:00 noon New York City time on the second Business Day preceding each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall determine based solely upon the information provided by the Servicer to the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.23 hereof with respect to the immediately following Distribution Date, the amount to be on deposit in the Distribution Account on such Distribution Date as a result of the (i) Servicer’s remittance of the Interest Remittance Amount and the Principal Remittance Amount on the related Servicer Remittance Date, and (ii) any transfers to the Distribution Account made from the Collection Account and/or the Pre-Funding Accounts relating to such Distribution Date pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof, excluding the amount of any Insured Payment.

(b) If on any Distribution Date there is a Class A-1 Deficiency, the Trustee shall complete a Notice in the form of Exhibit A to the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy and submit such notice to the Class A-1 Insurer no later than 12:00 noon New York City time on the second Business Day preceding such Distribution Date as a claim for an Insured Payment in an amount equal to such Class A-1 Deficiency.

(c) The Trustee shall establish a separate Eligible Account for the benefit of Holders of the Class A-1 Certificates and the Class A-1 Insurer, referred to herein as the “Insurance Payment Account,” over which the Trustee shall have exclusive control and sole right of withdrawal. The Trustee shall deposit upon receipt any amount paid under the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy in the Insurance Payment Account and distribute such amount only for purposes of payment to the Class A-1 Certificateholders of the Insured Amount and such amount may not be applied to satisfy any costs, expenses or liabilities of the Servicer, the Trustee or the Trust Fund. Amounts paid under the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy, to the extent needed to pay the Insured Amount, shall be transferred to the Distribution Account on the related Distribution Date and disbursed by the Trustee to the Class A-1 Certificateholders in accordance with Section 4.02. It shall not be necessary for such payments to be made by checks or wire transfers separate from the checks or wire transfers used to pay other distributions to the Class A-1 Certificateholders with other funds available to make such payment. However, the amount of any payment of principal or of interest on the Class A-1 Certificates to be paid from funds transferred from the Insurance Payment Account shall be noted as provided in paragraph (d) below in the Certificate Register and in the statement to be furnished to Holders of such Certificates pursuant to Section 4.03(a). Funds held in the Insurance Payment Account shall not be invested. Any funds remaining in the Insurance Payment Account on the first Business Day following a Distribution Date shall be returned to the Class A-1 Insurer pursuant to the written instructions of the Class A-1 Insurer by 12 noon (New York City time) of such Business Day. If no such written instructions is received by the Trustee from the Class A-1 Insurer, the Trustee shall continue to retain such funds uninvested.

(d) The Trustee shall keep a complete and accurate record of the amount of interest and principal paid in respect of any Class A-1 Certificate from moneys received under the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy. The Class A-1 Insurer shall have the right to inspect such records at reasonable times during normal business hours upon one Business Day’s prior notice to the Trustee.

 

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(e) In the event that the Trustee has received a certified copy of an order of the appropriate court that any Insured Payment has been voided in whole or in part as a preference payment under applicable bankruptcy law, the Trustee shall so notify the Class A-1 Insurer, shall comply with the provisions of the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy to obtain payment by the Class A-1 Insurer of such voided Insured Payment, and shall, at the time it provides notice to the Class A-1 Insurer, notify, by mail to the Class A-1 Certificateholders of the affected Certificates that, in the event any Class A-1 Certificateholder’s Insured Payment is so recovered, such Class A-1 Certificateholder will be entitled to payment pursuant to the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy, a copy of which shall be made available through the Trustee, the Class A-1 Insurer or the Class A-1 Insurer’s fiscal agent, if any, and the Trustee shall furnish to the Class A-1 Insurer or its fiscal agent, if any, its records evidencing the payments which have been made by the Trustee and subsequently recovered from the Class A-1 Certificateholders, and dates on which such payments were made.

(f) The Trustee shall promptly notify the Class A-1 Insurer of any proceeding or the institution of any action, of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge, seeking the avoidance as a preferential transfer under applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law (a “Preference Claim”) of any distribution made with respect to the Class A-1 Certificates. Each Class A-1 Certificateholder, by its purchase of Class A-1 Certificates, the Servicer and the Trustee agree that the Class A-1 Insurer (so long as no Class A-1 Insurer Default exists) may at any time during the continuation of any proceeding relating to a Preference Claim direct all matters relating to such Preference Claim, including, without limitation, (i) the direction of any appeal of any order relating to such Preference Claim and (ii) the posting of any surety, supersedes or performance bond pending any such appeal. In addition and without limitation of the foregoing, the Class A-1 Insurer shall be subrogated to, and each Class A-1 Certificateholder, the Servicer and the Trustee hereby delegate and assign to the Class A-1 Insurer, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the rights of the Trustee, the Servicer and each Class A-1 Certificateholder in the conduct of any such Preference Claim, including, without limitation, all rights of any party to any adversary proceeding or action with respect to any court order issued in connection with any such Preference Claim.

(g) The Trustee shall, once the Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-1 Certificates has been reduced to zero (after giving effect to all payments including any payments made under the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy), furnish to the Class A-1 Insurer a notice of such retirement, and, upon retirement of the Class A-1 Certificates and the expiration of the term of the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy, surrender the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy to the Class A-1 Insurer for cancellation. Such cancellation shall in not way reduce the rights of the Class A-1 Insurer to amounts subrogated to the Class A-1 Insurer or to be reimbursed for any Reimbursement Amounts.

Section 4.08 Effect of Payments by the Class A-1 Insurer; Subrogation.

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any payment with respect to principal of or interest on the Class A-1 Certificates which is made with moneys received pursuant to the terms of the Class A-1 Certificate Insurance Policy shall not be considered payment of the Class A-1 Certificates from the Trust Fund. The Custodian, the Servicer and the Trustee acknowledge, and each Holder by its acceptance of a Class A-1 Certificate agrees, that without the need for any

 

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further action on the part of the Class A-1 Insurer, the Custodian, the Servicer, the Trustee or the Certificate Registrar (a) to the extent the Class A-1 Insurer makes payments, directly or indirectly, on account of principal of or interest on the Class A-1 Certificates to the Holders of such Class A-1 Certificates, the Class A-1 Insurer will be fully subrogated to, and each Class A-1 Certificateholder, the Servicer and the Trustee hereby delegate and assign to the Class A-1 Insurer, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the rights of such Holders to receive such principal and interest from the Trust Fund, including, without limitation, any amounts due to the Class A-1 Certificateholders in respect of securities law violations arising from the offer and sale of the Class A-1 Certificates, and (b) the Class A-1 Insurer shall be paid such amounts from the sources and in the manner provided herein for the payment of such amounts and as provided in the Insurance and Indemnity Agreement. The Trustee and the Servicer shall cooperate in all respects with any reasonable request by the Class A-1 Insurer for action to preserve or enforce the Class A-1 Insurer’s rights or interests under this Agreement without limiting the rights or affecting the interests of the Holders as otherwise set forth herein.

Section 4.09 Allocation of Realized Losses .

All Realized Losses on the Mortgage Loans shall be allocated by the Trustee on each Distribution Date as follows: first , to amounts of Excess Cashflow, second , to the Class O Certificates, until the Certificate Principal Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; third , to the Class B-3 Certificates, until the Certificate Principal Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; fourth , to the Class B-2 Certificates, until the Certificate Principal Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; fifth , to the Class B-1 Certificates, until the Certificate Principal Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; sixth , to the Class M-5 Certificates, until the Certificate Principal Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; seventh , to the Class M-4 Certificates, until the Certificate Principal Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; eighth , to the Class M-3 Certificates, until the Certificate Principal Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; ninth , to the Class M-2 Certificates, until the Certificate Principal Balance thereof has been reduced to zero and tenth , to the Class M-1 Certificates, until the Certificate Principal Balance thereof has been reduced to zero. All Realized Losses to be allocated to the Certificate Principal Balances of all Classes on any Distribution Date shall be so allocated after the actual distributions to be made on such date as provided above. All references above to the Certificate Principal Balance of any Class of Certificates shall be to the Certificate Principal Balance of such Class immediately prior to the relevant Distribution Date, before reduction thereof by any Realized Losses, in each case to be allocated to such Class of Certificates, on such Distribution Date. In no event shall Realized Losses be allocated to the Class A Certificates.

Any allocation of Realized Losses to a Class O Certificate, a Class B Certificate, or the Mezzanine Certificate on any Distribution Date shall be made by reducing the Certificate Principal Balance thereof by the amount so allocated. Any Subsequent Recoveries will be allocated to the Class O Certificates, Class B Certificates, and Mezzanine Certificates in the reverse order of the Realized Loss allocation set forth in the preceding paragraph, to the extent of the Realized Loss allocated to each related Certificate.

 

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ARTICLE V

THE CERTIFICATES

Section 5.01 The Certificates.

Each of the Class A Certificates, the Mezzanine Certificates, the Class B Certificates, the Class X Certificates, the Class I Certificates, the Class P Certificates, the Class O Certificates and the Residual Certificates shall be substantially in the forms annexed hereto as exhibits, and shall, on original issue, be executed, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to or upon the order of the Depositor concurrently with the sale and assignment to the Trust of the Trust Fund. The Underwritten Certificates shall be initially evidenced by one or more Certificates representing a Percentage Interest with a minimum dollar denomination of $25,000 and integral dollar multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, except that one Certificate of each such Class of Certificates may be in a different denomination so that the sum of the denominations of all outstanding Certificates of such Class shall equal the Certificate Principal Balance of such Class on the Closing Date. The Class X Certificates, the Class I Certificates, the Class P Certificates, the Class O Certificates and the Residual Certificates are issuable in any Percentage Interests; provided, however, that the sum of all such percentages for each such Class totals 100% and no more than ten Certificates of each Class may be issued.

The Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Trust by manual or facsimile signature on behalf of the Trustee by a Responsible Officer. Certificates bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were, at the time when such signatures were affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of the Trustee shall bind the Trust, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to be so authorized prior to the authentication and delivery of such Certificates or did not hold such offices at the date of such Certificate. No Certificate shall be entitled to any benefit under this Agreement or be valid for any purpose, unless such Certificate shall have been manually authenticated by the Trustee substantially in the form provided for herein, and such authentication upon any Certificate shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Certificate has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Certificates shall be dated the date of their authentication. Subject to Section 5.02(c), the Underwritten Certificates and the Class P Certificates shall be Book-Entry Certificates. The other Classes of Certificates shall be Definitive Certificates.

Section 5.02 Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Certificates.

(a) The Certificate Registrar shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office a Certificate Register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Certificate Registrar shall provide for the registration of Certificates and of transfers and exchanges of Certificates as herein provided. The Trustee shall initially serve as Certificate Registrar for the purpose of registering Certificates and transfers and exchanges of Certificates as herein provided.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Certificate at any office or agency of the Certificate Registrar maintained for such purpose pursuant to the foregoing paragraph and, in the case of a Residual Certificate, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth below, the Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall execute, authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Certificates of the same aggregate Percentage Interest.

 

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At the option of the Certificateholders, Certificates may be exchanged for other Certificates in authorized denominations and the same aggregate Percentage Interests, upon surrender of the Certificates to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any Certificates are so surrendered for exchange, the Trustee shall execute on behalf of the Trust and authenticate and deliver the Certificates which the Certificateholder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Every Certificate presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall (if so required by the Trustee or the Certificate Registrar) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer satisfactory to the Trustee and the Certificate Registrar duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) below, the Book-Entry Certificates shall at all times remain registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee and at all times: (i) registration of such Certificates may not be transferred by the Trustee except to another Depository; (ii) the Depository shall maintain book-entry records with respect to the Certificate Owners and with respect to ownership and transfers of such Certificates; (iii) ownership and transfers of registration of such Certificates on the books of the Depositor shall be governed by applicable rules established by the Depository; (iv) the Depository may collect its usual and customary fees, charges and expenses from its Depository Participants; (v) the Trustee shall for all purposes deal with the Depository as representative of the Certificate Owners of the Certificates for purposes of exercising the rights of Holders under this Agreement, and requests and directions for and votes of such representative shall not be deemed to be inconsistent if they are made with respect to different Certificate Owners; (vi) the Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its Depository Participants and furnished by the Depository Participants with respect to indirect participating firms and Persons shown on the books of such indirect participating firms as direct or indirect Certificate Owners; and (vii) the direct participants of the Depository shall have no rights under this Agreement under or with respect to any of the Certificates held on their behalf by the Depository, and the Depository may be treated by the Trustee, the Trustee and its agents, employees, officers and directors as the absolute owner of the Certificates for all purposes whatsoever.

All transfers by Certificate Owners of Book-Entry Certificates shall be made in accordance with the procedures established by the Depository Participant or brokerage firm representing such Certificate Owners. Each Depository Participant shall only transfer Book-Entry Certificates of Certificate Owners that it represents or of brokerage firms for which it acts as agent in accordance with the Depository’s normal procedures. The parties hereto are hereby authorized to execute a Letter of Representations with the Depository or take such other action as may be necessary or desirable to register a Book-Entry Certificate to the Depository. In the event of any conflict between the terms of any such Letter of Representation and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

(c) If (i)(x) the Depository or the Depository advises the Trustee in writing that the Depository is no longer willing or able to discharge properly its responsibilities as Depository and (y) the Trustee or the Depository is unable to locate a qualified successor or (ii) after the occurrence of a Servicing Default, the Certificate Owners of the Book-Entry Certificates representing not less

 

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than 51% of the Voting Rights advise the Trustee and Depository through the Financial Intermediaries and the Depository Participants in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through the Depository to the exclusion of definitive, fully registered certificates (“ Definitive Certificates ”) to Certificate Owners is no longer in the best interests of the Certificate Owners. Upon surrender to the Certificate Registrar of the Book-Entry Certificates by the Depository, accompanied by registration instructions from the Depository for registration, the Trustee shall, at the Depositor’s expense, in the case of (ii) above, or the Seller’s expense, in the case of (i) and (iii) above, execute on behalf of the Trust and authenticate the Definitive Certificates. Neither the Depositor nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, such instructions. Upon the issuance of Definitive Certificates, the Trustee, the Certificate Registrar, the Servicer, any Paying Agent and the Depositor shall recognize the Holders of the Definitive Certificates as Certificateholders hereunder.

(d) No transfer, sale, pledge or other disposition of any Class I Certificate, Class O Certificate, Class X Certificate or Residual Certificate shall be made unless such disposition is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ 1933 Act ”), and any applicable state securities laws or is made in accordance with the 1933 Act and laws. In the event of any such transfer, except with respect to the initial transfers of any Class I Certificate, Class O Certificate, Class X Certificate or Residual Certificates by the Depositor to NCFC, unless (i) such transfer is made in reliance upon Rule 144A under the 1933 Act and an investment letter, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G, is delivered by the Transferee to the Trustee) or (ii) a written Opinion of Counsel (which may be in-house counsel) acceptable to and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the Depositor is delivered to them stating that such transfer may be made pursuant to (x) the 1933 Act, or an exemption thereto, describing the applicable provision or exemption and the basis therefore, and (y) the Investment Company Act of 1940, or an exemption thereto, describing the applicable provision or exemption and the basis therefore, which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Trustee or the Depositor. The Holder of a Class I Certificate, Class O Certificate, Class X Certificate or Residual Certificate desiring to effect such transfer shall, and the Trustee and the Depositor against any liability that may result if the transfer is not so exempt or is not made in accordance with such federal and state laws.

No transfer of a Class I Certificate, Class O Certificate, Class P Certificate, Class X Certificate or Residual Certificate or any interest therein shall be made to any Plan or to any Person acting, directly or indirectly, on behalf of any such Plan or acquiring such Certificates with “plan assets” of a Plan within the meaning of the Department of Labor regulation promulgated at 29 C.F.R. § 2510.3-101 or otherwise (“ Plan Assets ”). Each Person who acquires any Ownership Interest in such classes of Certificates shall be deemed, by the acceptance or acquisition of such Ownership Interest, to represent that it is not a Plan and is not acting, directly or indirectly, on behalf of a Plan or acquiring such Ownership Interest with Plan Assets.

Prior to the expiration of the Pre-Funding Period, no transfer of Class A Certificates, Class B Certificates or Mezzanine Certificates or any interest therein shall be made to any Person acquiring such Certificates with Plan Assets. Each Person who acquires any Ownership Interest in such class of Certificates prior to the expiration of such Pre-Funding Period shall be deemed, by the acceptance or acquisition of such Ownership Interest, to represent that it is not acquiring such Ownership Interest with Plan Assets.

 

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Each Person who has or who acquires any Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate shall be deemed by the acceptance or acquisition of such Ownership Interest to have agreed to be bound by the following provisions and to have irrevocably appointed the Depositor or its designee as its attorney-in-fact to negotiate the terms of any mandatory sale under clause (v) below and to execute all instruments of transfer and to do all other things necessary in connection with any such sale, and the rights of each Person acquiring any Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate are expressly subject to the following provisions:

(i) Each Person holding or acquiring any Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate shall be a Permitted Transferee and shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change or impending change in its status as a Permitted Transferee.

(ii) No Person shall acquire an Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate unless such Ownership Interest is a pro rata undivided interest.

(iii) In connection with any proposed transfer of any Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate, the Trustee shall as a condition to registration of the transfer, require delivery to it, in form and substance satisfactory to it, of each of the following:

(A) an affidavit in the form of Exhibit H hereto from the proposed transferee to the effect that such transferee is a Permitted Transferee and that it is not acquiring its Ownership Interest in the Residual Certificate that is the subject of the proposed transfer as a nominee, Trustee or agent for any Person who is not a Permitted Transferee; and

(B) an affidavit in the form of Exhibit I hereto from the proposed transferor to the effect that no purpose of the transfer is to impede the assessment or collection of any tax.

(iv) Any attempted or purported transfer of any Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate in violation of the provisions of this Section shall be absolutely null and void and shall vest no rights in the purported transferee. If any purported transferee shall, in violation of the provisions of this Section, become a Holder of a Residual Certificate, then the prior Holder of such Residual Certificate that is a Permitted Transferee shall, upon discovery that the registration of transfer of such Residual Certificate was not in fact permitted by this Section, be restored to all rights as Holder thereof retroactive to the date of registration of transfer of such Re