Novation Agreement



 Exhibit 10.4 
  
 Execution Copy 
  
 ISDA® 
  
 International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. 
  
 NOVATION AGREEMENT 
  
 dated as of December 15, 2005 among: 
  
 WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (the “Remaining Party”), 
 NOVASTAR MORTGAGE, INC. (the
“Transferor”) 
  
 AND 
  
 NOVASTAR MORTGAGE SUPPLEMENTAL INTEREST TRUST, SERIES 2005-4 (the
“Transferee”). 
  
 The Transferor and the Remaining Party have
entered into one or more Transactions (each an “Old Transaction”), each evidenced by a Confirmation (an “Old Confirmation”) attached hereto as Exhibit I and subject to a 1992 ISDA Master Agreement dated as of
September 15, 2003 (the “Old Agreement”). 
  
 The Remaining
Party and the Transferee are simultaneously entering into a 1992 ISDA Master Agreement dated as of the date hereof in the form attached hereto as Exhibit II (the “New Agreement”) relative to the New Transactions (defined below).

  
 With effect from and including December 15, 2005 (the “Novation
Date”) the Transferor wishes to transfer by novation to the Transferee, and the Transferee wishes to accept the transfer by novation of, all the rights, liabilities, duties and obligations of the Transferor under and in respect of each Old
Transaction, with the exception of the Excluded Rights and Obligations referred to below with the effect that the Remaining Party and the Transferee will enter into a new transaction (each a “New Transaction” and, collectively, the
“New Transactions”) between them having terms identical to those of each applicable Old Transaction, subject to the same exceptions and as more particularly described below. 
  
 The Remaining Party wishes to accept the Transferee as its sole counterparty with respect to
each of the New Transactions. 
  
 The Transferor and the Remaining Party wish to
have released and discharged, as a result and to the extent of the transfer described above, their respective obligations under and in respect of the Old Transactions. 
  
 Accordingly, the parties agree as follows: — 
  

	1.	Definitions. 

  
 Terms defined in the ISDA Master Agreement (Multicurrency-Cross Border) as published in 1992 by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (the “1992 ISDA Master Agreement”) are used
herein as so defined, unless otherwise provided herein. For purposes of this Novation Agreement, “Excluded Rights and Obligations” means all obligations of each of the Transferor and the Remaining Party to Transfer (as defined in
the Credit Support Annex to the Old Agreement) Eligible Collateral (as so defined) in respect of the Old Transactions and all related rights of the Remaining Party and the Transferor under the Old Agreement. 








	2.	Transfer, Release, Discharge and Undertakings. 

  
 Subject to the execution and delivery of the New Agreement by each of the parties thereto to the other, with effect from and including the Novation Date and in
consideration of the mutual representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Novation Agreement and other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by each of the parties): 

 

	 	(a)	on the Novation Date, subject to Section 2(d) of this Novation Agreement, the Transferor hereby transfers all of its rights, liabilities, duties and obligations, with the
exception of the Excluded Rights and Obligations, relative to, and in connection with the Old Transaction to NovaStar Mortgage Supplemental Interest Trust, Series 2005-4; 

  

	 	(b)	subject to Section 2(d) of this Novation Agreement, the Remaining Party and the Transferor are each hereby released and discharged from further obligations to each other with
respect to each Old Transaction and their respective rights against each other thereunder are cancelled, provided that such release and discharge shall not affect any rights, liabilities or obligations of the Remaining Party or the Transferor with
respect to payments or other obligations due and payable or due to be performed prior to the Novation Date, and all such payments and obligations shall be paid or performed by the Remaining Party or the Transferor in accordance with the terms of the
Old Transaction; 

  

	 	(c)	in respect of each New Transaction, the Remaining Party and the Transferee each hereby undertake liabilities and obligations towards the other and acquire rights against each other
identical in their terms to each corresponding Old Transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, as if the Transferee were the Transferor and with the Remaining Party remaining the Remaining Party, save for the Excluded Rights and Obligations and
any other rights, liabilities or obligations of the Remaining Party or the Transferor with respect to payments or other obligations due and payable or due to be performed prior to the Novation Date); 

  

	 	(d)	each New Transaction shall be governed by, form part of, and be subject to the New Agreement and the relevant Old Confirmation (which, in conjunction and as deemed modified to be
consistent with this Novation Agreement, shall be deemed to be a Confirmation between the Remaining Party and the Transferee), and the offices of the Remaining Party and the Transferee for purposes of each New Transaction shall be their offices at
their addresses for notices provided for in the New Agreement; and 

  

	 	(e)	on the Novation Date, the Remaining Party shall transfer any and all of the Posted Collateral (as defined in the Credit Support Annex to the Old Agreement) held by it in respect of
the Old Transactions to the account or accounts of the Transferor identified by it by notice given to the Remaining Party as provided in the Old Agreement, and the Transferor shall transfer all Posted Collateral held by it in respect of the Old
Transactions to the account or accounts of the Remaining Party identified by it by notice given to the Transferor as provided in the Old Agreement, in each case together with all Interest Amount and Distributions thereon (as so defined). The
Remaining Party’s or the Transferor’s failure to effect these transfers will continue to constitute Potential Events of Default and may constitute Events of Default under the Old Agreement notwithstanding the transfer by novation
contemplated herein. 

  

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	3.	Representations and Warranties. 

  

	 	(a)	On the date of this Novation Agreement: 

  

	 	(i)	Each of the parties makes to each of the other parties those representations and warranties set forth in Section 3(a) of the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement with references in such
Section to “this Agreement” or “any Credit Support Document” being deemed references to this Novation Agreement alone. 

  

	 	(ii)	The Remaining Party and the Transferor each makes to the other, and the Remaining Party and the Transferee each makes to the other, the representation set forth in Section 3(b)
of the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement, in each case with respect to the Old Agreement or the New Agreement, as the case may be, and taking into account the parties entering into and performing their obligations under this Novation Agreement.


  

	 	(iii)	Each of the Transferor and the Remaining Party represents and warrants to each other and to the Transferee that: 

  

	 	(A)	it has made no prior transfer (whether by way of security or otherwise) of the Old Agreement or any interest or obligation in or under the Old Agreement or in respect of any Old
Transaction; and 

  

	 	(B)	without prejudice to the obligations of the Remaining Party and the Transferor referred to in Section 2(d) of this Novation Agreement, as of the Novation Date, all obligations
of the Transferor and the Remaining Party under each Old Transaction required to be performed before the Novation Date have been fulfilled. 

  

	 	(iv)	Each party represents to each of the other parties: — 

  

	 	(A)	Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into this Novation Agreement and as to whether this Novation Agreement is
appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other parties as investment advice or as a recommendation to
enter into this Novation Agreement; it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of this Novation Agreement shall not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into this Novation
Agreement. No communication (written or oral) received from any of the other parties shall be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of this Novation Agreement; 

  

	 	(B)	Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts,
the terms, conditions and risks of this Novation Agreement. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of this Novation Agreement; and 

  

	 	(C)	Status of Parties. None of the other parties is acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to it in respect of this Novation Agreement. 

  

	 	(b)	The Transferor makes no representation or warranty and does not assume any responsibility with respect to the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any
New Transaction or the New Agreement or any documents relating thereto and assumes no responsibility for the condition, financial or otherwise, of the Remaining Party, the Transferee or any other person or for the performance and observance by the
Remaining Party, the Transferee or any other person of any of its obligations under any New Transaction or the New Agreement or any document relating thereto and 

  

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 any and all such conditions and warranties, whether express or implied by law or otherwise, are hereby
excluded; provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing shall be construed to relieve the Transferor from any liability it may have for any of its representations, warranties or obligations as the servicer or otherwise under the
Pooling and Servicing Agreement among NovaStar Mortgage Funding Corporation, NovaStar Mortgage, Inc., Wachovia Bank, National Association, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association dated as of December 1, 2005 (the “Pooling and
Servicing Agreement”). 
  

	4.	Counterparts. 

  
 This Novation Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by
facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original. 
  

	5.	Costs and Expenses. 

  
 The parties will each pay their own costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred in connection with this Novation Agreement and as a result of the
negotiation, preparation and execution of this Novation Agreement. 
  

	6.	Amendments. 

  
 No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Novation Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a
facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system. 
  
 7.      (a)    Governing Law. 
  
 This Novation Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without
reference to the conflict of laws provisions thereof (other than Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law). 
  

	 	(b)	Jurisdiction. 

  
 The terms of Section 13(b) of the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement shall apply to this Novation Agreement with references in such Section to “this
Agreement” being deemed references to this Novation Agreement alone. 
  

	 	(c)	Not Acting in Individual Capacity. 

  
 JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association is signing this Novation Agreement solely in its capacity as Trustee under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement
and not in its individual capacity, and all persons having any claim against the Trustee by reason of the Transactions contemplated by this Novation Agreement shall look only to the assets of NovaStar Mortgage Supplemental Interest Trust, Series
2005-4 (subject to the availability of funds therefor in accordance with the Flow of Funds as set forth in Article IV of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement) for payment or satisfaction thereof unless due to the Trustee’s own negligent action,
negligent failure to act, or willful misconduct, provided that: 
  

	 	(i)	this Section 7(c) does not limit the effect of paragraph (a) of Section 8.01 of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, 

  

	 	(ii)	the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by its Responsible Officer (as defined in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement) unless it is proved that
the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts, and 

  

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	 	(iii)	the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it take or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it from the Majority Certificateholders
(as defined in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement). 

  
 The foregoing may not be construed to give to Majority Certificateholders any rights under this Novation Agreement. 
  

	 	(d)	Account Details 

  
 Remaining Party: 
  
 Wachovia Bank, N.A. 
 CIB Group, ABA 053000219

 Ref: Derivative Desk (Trade No: [            ]) 
 Account#: 04659360006116 
  
 Transferee: 
  
 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 
 ABA # 021000021

 Acct # 507947541 
 Acct Name
SFS-NY Incoming Wire Account 
 Attn Ariella Kaminer 
 Ref Novastar 2005-4, Cap/Swap confirm # [            ] 
  

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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Novation Agreement on the respective dates specified
below with effect from and including the Novation Date. 
  

							
	WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION	 	NOVASTAR MORTGAGE, INC.
				
	By:	 	  

	 	By:	 	  


	Name:	 	 	 	Name:	 	David L. Farris
	Title:	 	 	 	Title:	 	Vice President
	Date:	 	 	 	Date:	 	 

  

			
	 NOVASTAR MORTGAGE SUPPLEMENTAL
 INTEREST
TRUST, SERIES 2005-4

	
	 By: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association,
 as Trustee under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, acting not in its individual capacity, but solely in its capacity as Trustee to NovaStar Mortgage Supplemental Interest Trust, Series 2005-4

		
	By:	 	  


	Name:	 	 
	Title:	 	 
	Date:	 	 

  

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 Exhibit I 
  

[Old Swap Confirmations attached behind this page] 
  

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 Exhibit II 
  

[Form of New Agreement attached behind this page] 
  

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