Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                    FREMONT MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORPORATION,

                                  as Purchaser

                                       and

                           FREMONT INVESTMENT & LOAN,

                                  as Originator

                        MORTGAGE LOAN PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                          Dated as of February 1, 2005

                  Fixed-Rate and Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Loans

                         Fremont Home Loan Trust 2005-A,
                   Mortgage-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-A

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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<S>                                                                                                          <C>
                                       ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND SCHEDULES

Section 1.01.  Definitions.................................................................................    1

                          ARTICLE II SALE OF MORTGAGE LOANS; PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE

Section 2.01.  Sale of Mortgage Loans......................................................................    1
Section 2.02.  Obligations of the Originator Upon Sale.....................................................    2
Section 2.03.  Payment of Purchase Price for the Mortgage Loans............................................    3

                         ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; REMEDIES FOR BREACH

Section 3.01.  Originator's Representations and Warranties Relating to the Mortgage Loans..................    3
Section 3.02.  Additional Originator's Representations and Warranties......................................    3
Section 3.03.  Remedies for Breach of Representations and Warranties.......................................    6

                                        ARTICLE IV ORIGINATOR'S COVENANTS

Section 4.01.  Covenants of the Originator.................................................................    9

                          ARTICLE V INDEMNIFICATION WITH RESPECT TO THE MORTGAGE LOANS

Section 5.01.  Indemnification.............................................................................    9

                                              ARTICLE VI TERMINATION

Section 6.01.  Termination.................................................................................   10

                                       ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 7.01.  Amendment...................................................................................   10
Section 7.02.  Governing Law...............................................................................   10
Section 7.03.  Notices.....................................................................................   10
Section 7.02.  Severability of Provisions..................................................................   11
Section 7.05.  Counterparts................................................................................   11
Section 7.06.  Further Agreements..........................................................................   11
Section 7.07.  Intention of the Parties....................................................................   12
Section 7.08.  Successors and Assigns:  Assignment of Purchase Agreement...................................   13
Section 7.09.  Survival....................................................................................   13
Section 7.10.  Third Party Beneficiaries...................................................................   13
Section 7.11.  Confidentiality.............................................................................   13
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Fremont 2005-A
Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement

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Exhibit A:  Representations and Warranties Relating to the Mortgage Loans

Exhibit B:  Appendix E of the Standard & Poor's Glossary for File Format for
            LEVELS(R) Version 5.6 Revised

Schedule A:  Mortgage Loan Schedule

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      THIS MORTGAGE LOAN PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of February 1, 2005 (the
"Agreement"), is made and entered into between Fremont Investment & Loan (the
"Originator" or "Fremont") and Fremont Mortgage Securities Corporation (the
"Purchaser").

                                   WITNESSETH

      WHEREAS, the Originator is the owner of the notes or other evidence of
indebtedness (collectively, the "Mortgage Notes") so indicated on Schedule A
attached hereto and the other documents or instruments constituting the Mortgage
File (collectively, the "Mortgage Loans"); and

      WHEREAS, the Originator, as of the date hereof, owns the mortgages
(collectively, the "Mortgages") on the properties (collectively, the "Mortgaged
Properties") securing the Mortgage Loans, including rights to (a) any property
acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise and (b) the
proceeds of any insurance policies covering such Mortgage Loans or the related
Mortgaged Properties or the obligors on such Mortgage Loans; and

      WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire that the Originator sell the Mortgage
Loans to the Purchaser pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and

      WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of that certain Pooling and Servicing
Agreement dated as of February 1, 2005 (the "Pooling and Servicing Agreement")
among the Purchaser, as depositor, Fremont, as originator and servicer, HSBC
Bank USA, National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"), Wells Fargo Bank,
N.A., as master servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer") and trust
administrator (in such capacity, the "Trust Administrator"), the Purchaser will
convey the Mortgage Loans to Fremont Home Loan Trust 2005-A (the "Trust").

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                            DEFINITIONS AND SCHEDULES

      Section 1.01. Definitions.

      Any capitalized term used but not defined herein and below shall have the
meaning assigned thereto in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE II

                SALE OF MORTGAGE LOANS; PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE

      Section 2.01. Sale of Mortgage Loans.

      The Originator, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, does hereby sell, transfer, assign, set over, and otherwise convey to
the Purchaser, without recourse,

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(i) all of its right, title and interest in and to each of the Mortgage Loans,
including the related principal balance of such Mortgage Loan as of the Cut-off
Date (the "Cut-off Date Principal Balance") and interest and principal received
on or with respect thereto after the Cut-off Date, other than such amounts which
were due on the Mortgage Loans on or before the Cut-off Date; (ii) property
which secured such Mortgage Loan and which has been acquired by foreclosure,
deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise; (iii) its interest in any insurance
policies in respect of the Mortgage Loans; and (iv) all proceeds of the
conversion, voluntary or involuntary, of any of the foregoing into cash or other
liquid property.

      Section 2.02. Obligations of the Originator Upon Sale.

      In connection with the transfer pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof, the
Originator further agrees, at its own expense, on or prior to the Closing Date
or as otherwise indicated in this Section 2.02, (a) to indicate in its books,
records and computer systems that the Mortgage Loans have been sold to the
Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, (b) to deliver to the Purchaser and the
Trustee a computer file containing a true and complete list of all such Mortgage
Loans specifying for each Mortgage Loan, as of the Cut-off Date, (i) its account
number and (ii) the Cut-off Date Principal Balance and such file, which forms a
part of Schedule I to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, shall also be marked
as Schedule A to this Agreement and is hereby incorporated into and made a part
of this Agreement and (c) for each Mortgage Loan that is not a MERS Mortgage
Loan, to execute an Assignment of Mortgage in blank for each Mortgage Loan.

      In connection with such conveyance by the Originator, the Originator shall
on behalf of the Purchaser deliver to, and deposit with the Trust Administrator,
as custodian on behalf of the Trustee, as assignee of the Purchaser, the
Mortgage Files relating to the Mortgage Loans on or before the Closing Date in
the manner set forth in Section 2.01 of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

      The Purchaser hereby acknowledges its acceptance of all right, title and
interest to the Mortgage Loans and other property, now existing or hereafter
created, conveyed to it pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.

      The parties hereto intend that the transaction set forth herein be a
non-recourse sale by the Originator to the Purchaser of all of the Originator's
right, title and interest in and to the Mortgage Loans and other property
described above. Nonetheless, in the event the transaction set forth herein is
deemed not to be a sale, the Originator hereby grants to the Purchaser a
security interest in all of the Originator's right, title and interest in, to
and under the Mortgage Loans and other property described above, whether now
existing or hereafter created, to secure all of the Originator's obligations
hereunder, and this Agreement shall constitute a security agreement under
applicable law. The Originator and the Purchaser shall, to the extent consistent
with this Agreement, take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that, if
this Agreement were deemed to create a security interest in the Mortgage Loans,
such security interest would be deemed to be a perfected security interest of
first priority under applicable law and will be maintained as such throughout
the term of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

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      Section 2.03. Payment of Purchase Price for the Mortgage Loans.

      In consideration of the sale of the Mortgage Loans from the Originator to
the Purchaser on the Closing Date, the Purchaser agrees to pay to the Originator
on the Closing Date by transfer of immediately available funds, an amount equal
to the gross proceeds received from the sale of the Offered Certificates and the
Class M10 Certificates and to transfer to the Originator or its designee on the
Closing Date the Class C, P and R Certificates (collectively, the "Purchase
Price"). The Originator shall pay, and be billed directly for, all reasonable
expenses incurred by the Purchaser in connection with the issuance of the
Certificates, including, without limitation, printing fees incurred in
connection with the offering documents relating to the Certificates, fees and
expenses of Purchaser's counsel, fees of the rating agencies requested to rate
the Certificates, accountant's fees and expenses and the fees and expenses of
the Trustee and the Trust Administrator and other out-of-pocket costs, if any.

                                  ARTICLE III

               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; REMEDIES FOR BREACH

      Section 3.01. Originator's Representations and Warranties Relating to the
Mortgage Loans.

      The Originator represents and warrants to the Purchaser the
representations and warranties set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto with
respect to each Mortgage Loan as of the Closing Date (or as of such date
specifically provided therein).

      Section 3.02. Additional Originator's Representations and Warranties.

      The Originator represents, warrants and covenants to the Purchaser as of
the Closing Date (or as of such other date specifically provided herein) that:

      (a) The Originator is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or
formation and has all licenses necessary to carry on its business as now being
conducted and is licensed, qualified and in good standing in each state wherein
it owns or leases any material properties or where a Mortgaged Property is
located, if the laws of such state require licensing or qualification in order
to conduct business of the type conducted by the Originator, and in any event
the Originator is in compliance with the laws of any such state to the extent
necessary to ensure the enforceability of the related Mortgage Loan in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement; the Originator has the full
corporate power, authority and legal right to hold, transfer and convey the
Mortgage Loans and to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder; the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
(including all instruments of transfer to be delivered pursuant to this
Agreement) by the Originator and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized; this Agreement and
all agreements contemplated hereby have been duly executed and delivered and
constitute the valid, legal, binding and enforceable obligations of the
Originator, regardless of whether such enforcement is sought in a proceeding in
equity or at law; and all requisite corporate action has

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been taken by the Originator to make this Agreement and all agreements
contemplated hereby valid and binding upon the Originator in accordance with
their terms;

      (b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the acquisition
or origination of the Mortgage Loans by the Originator, the sale of the Mortgage
Loans to the Purchaser, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
and by the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, nor the fulfillment of or compliance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, will conflict with or result in
a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the Originator's
charter, by-laws or other organizational documents or any legal restriction or
any agreement or instrument to which the Originator is now a party or by which
it is bound, or constitute a default or result in an acceleration under any of
the foregoing, or result in the violation of any law, rule, regulation, order,
judgment or decree to which the Originator or its property is subject, or result
in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance that would have
material adverse effect upon any of its properties pursuant to the terms of any
mortgage, contract, deed of trust or other instrument, or impair the ability of
the Purchaser to realize on the Mortgage Loans, impair the value of the Mortgage
Loans, or impair the ability of the Purchaser to realize the full amount of any
insurance benefits accruing pursuant to this Agreement;

      (c) The Originator does not believe, nor does it have any reason or cause
to believe, that it cannot perform each and every covenant contained in this
Agreement. The Originator is solvent and the sale of the Mortgage Loans will not
cause the Originator to become insolvent. The sale of the Mortgage Loans is not
undertaken with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud any of Originator's
creditors;

      (d) Immediately prior to the delivery of each Mortgage Loan, the
Originator was the owner of the related Mortgage and the indebtedness evidenced
by the related Mortgage Note. In the event that the Originator retains record
title, it shall retain such record title to each Mortgage, each related Mortgage
Note and the related Mortgage Files with respect thereto in trust for the
Purchaser or its assignee as the owner thereof and only for the purpose of
servicing and supervising the servicing of each such Mortgage Loan;

      (e) There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to
the best of the Originator's knowledge, threatened against the Originator,
before any court, administrative agency or other tribunal (i) asserting the
invalidity of this Agreement, (ii) seeking to prevent the consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) which, either in any one
instance or in the aggregate, is likely to result in any material adverse change
in the business, operations, financial condition, properties or assets of the
Originator, or in any material impairment of the right or ability of the
Originator to carry on its business substantially as now conducted, or in any
material liability on the part of the Originator, or which would draw into
question the validity of this Agreement or the Mortgage Loans or of any action
taken or to be taken in connection with the obligations of the Originator
contemplated herein, or which would be likely to impair materially the ability
of the Originator to perform under the terms of this Agreement, (iv) relating to
fraud, or (v) relating to predatory lending, or the Originator's origination,
servicing or closing practices which is likely to result in any material adverse
change in the business, operations, financial condition, properties or assets of
the Originator.

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      (f) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or registration or
filing with, or notice to any court or governmental agency is required for the
execution, delivery and performance by the Originator of or compliance by the
Originator with this Agreement or the Mortgage Loans, the delivery of a portion
of the Mortgage Files to the Trustee or the sale of the Mortgage Loans or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or if required,
such approval has been obtained prior to the Closing Date;

      (g) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
are in the ordinary course of business of the Originator, and the transfer,
assignment and conveyance of the Mortgage Notes and the Mortgages by the
Originator pursuant to this Agreement are not subject to the bulk transfer or
any similar statutory provisions in effect in any applicable jurisdiction;

      (h) Neither this Agreement nor any information, statement, tape, diskette,
report, form, or other document furnished or to be furnished by the Originator
pursuant to this Agreement or any Transaction Agreement or in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby contains or will contain any material
untrue statement of fact;

      (i) The Originator, as Servicer, has the facilities, procedures, and
experienced personnel necessary for the sound servicing of mortgage loans of the
same type as the Mortgage Loans. The Originator is duly qualified, licensed,
registered and otherwise authorized under all applicable federal, state and
local laws, and regulations, and is in good standing to enforce, originate, sell
mortgage loans, and service mortgage loans in each jurisdiction wherein the
Mortgaged Properties are located;

      (j) The Originator 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 MERS Mortgage Loans for as long as such Mortgage Loans
are registered with MERS.

      (k) The Mortgage Loans were not intentionally selected from among the
outstanding one- to four-family mortgage loans in the Originator's portfolio at
the Closing Date as to which the representations and warranties set forth in
Exhibit A could not be made;

      (l) The Originator has delivered to the Purchaser financial statements as
to its last three complete fiscal years and any later quarter ended more than 60
days prior to the execution of this Agreement. All such financial statements
fairly present the pertinent results of operations and changes in financial
position for each of such periods and the financial position at the end of each
such period of the Originator and its subsidiaries and have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied
throughout the periods involved, except as set forth in the notes thereto or as
required by the Originator's regulator. There has been no change in the
business, operations, financial condition, properties or assets of the
Originator since the date of the Originator's financial statements that would
have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform its obligations under
this Agreement;

      (m) The Originator has been advised by its independent certified public
accountants that under generally accepted accounting principles the transfer of
the Mortgage Loans may be treated as a sale on the books and records of the
Originator and the Originator has determined

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that the disposition of the Mortgage Loans pursuant to this Agreement will be
afforded sale treatment for tax and accounting purposes;

      (n) The consideration received by the Originator upon the sale of the
Mortgage Loans under this Agreement constitutes fair consideration and
reasonably equivalent value for the Mortgage Loans;

      (o) The Originator's decision to purchase or originate any mortgage loan
or to deny any mortgage loan application is an independent decision based upon
Originator's underwriting guidelines, and is in no way made as a result of
Purchaser's decision to purchase, or not to purchase, or the price Purchaser may
offer to pay for, any such mortgage loan, if originated;

      (p) The Originator makes the following additional representations and
warranties:

            (i) This Agreement conforms to all statutory and regulatory
      requirements applicable to the Originator. This Agreement is (a) executed
      contemporaneously with the agreement reached by the Originator and the
      Purchaser, (b) approved by a specific corporate or banking association
      resolution by the board of directors of the Originator, which approval
      shall be reflected in the minutes of said board, and (c) continuously,
      from the time of its execution, an official record of the Originator;

            (ii) This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized by a
      specific corporate or banking association resolution by the board of
      directors of the Originator. A copy of such resolution, certified by the
      corporate secretary of the Originator or attested to by a vice president
      or higher officer of the Originator has been provided to the Purchaser;
      and

            (iii) The Originator will maintain a copy of this Agreement in its
      official books and records.

      Section 3.03. Remedies for Breach of Representations and Warranties.

      It is understood and agreed that the representations and warranties set
forth in Sections 3.01 and 3.02 shall survive the sale of the Mortgage Loans to
the Purchaser and shall inure to the benefit of the Purchaser and the Trustee,
notwithstanding any restrictive or qualified endorsement on any Mortgage Note or
Assignment or the examination or lack of examination of any Mortgage File. With
respect to the representations and warranties contained herein that are made to
the knowledge or the best knowledge of the Originator or as to which the
Originator has no knowledge, if it is discovered that the substance of any such
representation and warranty is inaccurate and the inaccuracy materially and
adversely affects the value of the Mortgage Loan or Loans, or the interest
therein of the Purchaser or the Purchaser's assignee, designee or transferee,
then notwithstanding such lack of knowledge with respect to the substance of
such representation and warranty being inaccurate at the time the representation
and warranty was made, such inaccuracy shall be deemed a breach of the
applicable representation and warranty. Upon discovery by the Originator, the
Servicer, the Master Servicer, the Trust Administrator, the Trustee or the
Purchaser of a breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties
that

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materially and adversely affects the value of any Mortgage Loan or the interest
of the Purchaser or the Trustee (or which materially and adversely affects the
value of a Mortgage Loan or the interests of the Purchaser or the Trustee in
such Mortgage Loan in the case of a representation and warranty relating to a
particular Mortgage Loan) (it being understood that a breach of the
representations and warranties set forth in clauses I(ss), I(tt), I(uu), I(ww),
I(bbb), I(jjj), I(lll) and II of Exhibit A attached hereto will be deemed to
materially and adversely affect the value of any Mortgage Loan or the interest
of the Purchaser or the Trustee), the party discovering such breach shall give
prompt written notice to the other parties.

      Within 60 days of the earlier of either discovery by or notice to the
Originator of any breach of a representation or warranty that materially and
adversely affects the value of a Mortgage Loan or the interest of the Purchaser
or the Trustee in such Mortgage Loan, the Originator shall use its best efforts
promptly to cure such breach in all material respects. If such breach is not so
cured, the Originator shall, (i) if such 60-day period expires prior to the
second anniversary of the Closing Date, remove such Mortgage Loan (a "Deleted
Mortgage Loan") from the Trust Fund and substitute in its place a Qualified
Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans, in the manner and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Section and the Pooling and Servicing Agreement; or (ii)
repurchase the affected Mortgage Loan or Mortgage Loans from the Trustee at the
Purchase Price in the manner set forth in this Section and in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement; provided, however, that any such substitution pursuant to
(i) above shall not be effected prior to the delivery to the Trustee and the
Trust Administrator of an Opinion of Counsel required by Section 2.04 of the
Pooling and Servicing Agreement, if any. The Originator shall promptly reimburse
the Trustee, the Master Servicer and the Trust Administrator for any actual
out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Trustee, the Master Servicer
and the Trust Administrator in respect of enforcing the remedies for such
breach.

      At the time of substitution or repurchase of any deficient Mortgage Loan,
the Purchaser and Originator shall arrange for the reassignment of the deficient
or repurchased Mortgage Loan to the Originator, including delivery to the
Trustee of a Request for Release substantially relating to the Deleted Mortgage
Loan, and the delivery to the Originator of any documents held by the Trustee
relating to the deficient or repurchased Mortgage Loan. In the event the
Purchase Price is deposited in the Collection Account, the Originator shall,
simultaneously with such deposit, give written notice to the Purchaser that such
deposit has taken place. Upon such repurchase, the Mortgage Loan Schedule shall
be amended to reflect the withdrawal of the repurchased Mortgage Loan from this
Agreement and, if applicable, the substitution of the applicable Qualified
Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans.

      If pursuant to this Section 3.03 the Originator repurchases or substitutes
a Mortgage Loan that is a MERS Mortgage Loan, the Originator shall, at the
Originator's expense, either (i) cause MERS to execute and deliver an Assignment
of Mortgage in recordable form to transfer the Mortgage from MERS to the
Originator and shall cause such Mortgage to be removed from registration on the
MERS(R) System in accordance with MERS' rules and regulations or (ii) cause MERS
to designate on the MERS(R) System the Originator as the beneficial holder of
such Mortgage Loan.

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      As to any Deleted Mortgage Loan for which the Originator substitutes a
Qualified Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans, the Originator shall effect such
substitution by delivering to the Purchaser or its designee for such Qualified
Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans the Mortgage File and such other documents and
agreements as are required by the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, with the
Mortgage Note endorsed as required therein. No substitution is permitted to be
made in any calendar month after the Determination Date for such month.

      The amount, if any, by which (x) the aggregate principal balance of all
such Qualified Substitute Mortgage Loans as of the date of substitution is less
than (y) the sum of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all such Deleted
Mortgage Loans (after application of the scheduled principal portion of the
monthly payments due in the month of substitution) (the "Substitution Adjustment
Amount") plus an amount equal to the aggregate of any unreimbursed Advances with
respect to such Deleted Mortgage Loans shall be deposited in the Collection
Account by the Originator on or before the Business Day immediately preceding
the Distribution Date in the month succeeding the calendar month during which
the Originator became obligated hereunder to repurchase or replace the related
Mortgage Loan. Upon any such substitution and the deposit to the Collection
Account of any required Substitution Adjustment Amount, the Trustee or the
custodian, as applicable, shall release the Mortgage File held for the benefit
of the Certificateholders relating to such Deleted Mortgage Loan and shall
execute and deliver at the Originator's direction such instruments of transfer
or assignment prepared by the Originator, in each case without recourse, as
shall be necessary to transfer title to the Originator, or its designee, of the
Trustee's interest in any Deleted Mortgage Loan substituted pursuant to this
Section 3.03. Upon such substitution, the Qualified Substitute Mortgage Loans
shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement in all respects, and the
Originator shall be deemed to have made with respect to such Qualified
Substitute Mortgage Loan or Loans, as of the date of substitution, the
covenants, representations and warranties set forth in Subsections 3.01 and 3.02
hereof.

      One or more mortgage loans may be substituted for one or more Deleted
Mortgage Loans. The determination of whether a mortgage loan is a Qualified
Substitute Mortgage Loan may be satisfied on an individual basis. Alternatively,
if more than one mortgage loan is to be substituted for one or more Deleted
Mortgage Loans, the characteristics of such mortgage loans and Deleted Mortgage
Loans shall be aggregated or calculated on a weighted average basis, as
applicable, in determining whether such mortgage loans are Qualified Substitute
Mortgage Loans.

      In the event that the Originator shall have repurchased a Mortgage Loan,
the Purchase Price therefor shall be deposited in the Collection Account on or
before the Business Day immediately preceding the Distribution Date in the month
following the month during which the Originator became obligated hereunder to
repurchase or replace such Mortgage Loan and upon such deposit of the Purchase
Price and receipt of a Request for Release in the form of Exhibit J to the
Pooling and Servicing Agreement, the Trustee or the custodian, as applicable,
shall release the related Mortgage File held for the benefit of the
Certificateholders to the Originator or its designee, and the Trustee shall
execute and deliver at such Person's direction such instruments of transfer or
assignment prepared by such Person, in each case without recourse, as shall be
necessary to transfer title to the Originator or its designee of the Trustee's
interest in such Mortgage Loan.

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      It is understood and agreed that the representations and warranties set
forth in Section 3.01 shall survive delivery of the respective Mortgage Files to
the Trustee on behalf of the Purchaser.

      It is understood and agreed that the obligations of the Originator set
forth in this Section 3.03 to cure, repurchase or substitute for a defective
Mortgage Loan and to indemnify the Purchaser as provided in Section 5.01
constitute the sole remedies of the Purchaser respecting a missing or defective
document or a breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section
3.01.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                             ORIGINATOR'S COVENANTS

      Section 4.01. Covenants of the Originator.

      The Originator hereby covenants that except for the transfer hereunder, it
will not sell, pledge, assign or transfer to any other Person, or grant, create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any Mortgage Loan, or any interest
therein; it will notify the Trustee, as assignee of the Purchaser, of the
existence of any Lien on any Mortgage Loan immediately upon discovery thereof;
and it will defend the right, title and interest of the Trustee, as assignee of
the Purchaser, in, to and under the Mortgage Loans, against all claims of third
parties claiming through or under the Originator; provided, however, that
nothing in this Section 4.01 shall prevent or be deemed to prohibit the
Originator from suffering to exist upon any of the Mortgage Loans any Liens for
municipal or other local taxes and other governmental charges if such taxes or
governmental charges shall not at the time be due and payable or if the
Originator shall currently be contesting the validity thereof in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves
with respect thereto.

                                   ARTICLE V

               INDEMNIFICATION WITH RESPECT TO THE MORTGAGE LOANS

      Section 5.01. Indemnification.

      (a) The Originator agrees to indemnify and to hold the Purchaser, each of
its officers and directors and each person or entity who controls the Purchaser
or such person, the Trustee and each Certificateholder harmless against any and
all claims, losses, penalties, fines, forfeitures, legal fees and related costs,
judgments, and any other costs, fees and expenses that the Purchaser or any such
person or entity and any Certificateholder may sustain in any way (i) related to
the failure of the Originator to perform its duties in compliance with the terms
of this Agreement, (ii) arising from a breach by the Originator of its
representations and warranties in Section 3.01 or (iii) related to the
origination or prior servicing of the Mortgage Loans by reason of any acts,
omissions, or alleged acts or omissions of the Originator or any servicer. The
Originator shall promptly notify the Purchaser and the Trustee if a claim is
made by a third party with respect to this Agreement. The Originator shall
assume the defense of any such claim and

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pay all expenses in connection therewith, including reasonable counsel fees, and
promptly pay, discharge and satisfy any judgment or decree which may be entered
against the Purchaser or any such person or entity and/or the Trustee or any
Certificateholder in respect of such claim.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                   TERMINATION

      Section 6.01. Termination.

      The respective obligations and responsibilities of the Originator and the
Purchaser created hereby shall terminate, except for the Originator's indemnity
obligations as provided herein, upon the termination of the Trust as provided in
Article IX of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

      Section 7.01. Amendment.

      This Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Originator and the
Purchaser by written agreement signed by the parties hereto.

      Section 7.02. Governing Law.

      This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York, without regard to its material conflict of laws
rules (except for Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law which shall
apply hereto), and the obligations, rights and remedies of the parties hereunder
shall be determined in accordance with such laws.

      Section 7.03. Notices.

      All demands, notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered at or mailed by
registered mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

          if to the Originator:

          Fremont Investment & Loan
          2727 East Imperial Highway
          Brea, California 92821
          Attention:  Senior Vice President - Finance

          with a copy to:

          Fremont General Corporation
          2425 Olympic Boulevard

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<PAGE>

          Santa Monica, California 90404
          Attention: General Counsel

or such other address as may hereafter be furnished to the Purchaser in writing
by the Originator.

          if to the Purchaser:

          Fremont Mortgage Securities Corporation
          2727 East Imperial Highway
          Brea, California 92821
          Attention:  Senior Vice President - Treasurer

          with a copy to:

          Fremont General Corporation
          2425 Olympic Boulevard
          Santa Monica, California 90404
          Attention: General Counsel

or such other address as may hereafter be furnished to Fremont in writing by the
Purchaser.

      Section 7.04. Severability of Provisions.

      If any one or more of the covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of
this Agreement shall be held invalid for any reason whatsoever, then such
covenants, agreements, provisions or terms shall be deemed severable from the
remaining covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement and shall
in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this
Agreement.

      Section 7.05. Counterparts.

      This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by the
different parties hereto on separate counterparts, which may be transmitted by
telecopier each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed to be an original
and such counterparts, together, shall constitute one and the same agreement.

      Section 7.06. Further Agreements.

      The parties hereto each agree to execute and deliver to the other such
additional documents, instruments or agreements as may be necessary or
reasonable and appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement or in
connection with the issuance of any Series of Certificates representing
interests in the Mortgage Loans.

      Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, as a further inducement
for the Purchaser to purchase the Mortgage Loans from the Originator, the
Originator will cooperate with the Purchaser in connection with the sale of any
of the securities representing interests in the Mortgage Loans. In that
connection, the Originator will provide to the Purchaser any and all

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<PAGE>

information and appropriate verification of information, whether through letters
of its auditors and counsel or otherwise, as the Purchaser shall reasonably
request and will provide to the Purchaser such additional representations and
warranties, covenants, opinions of counsel, letters from auditors, and
certificates of public officials or officers of the Originator as are reasonably
required in connection with such transactions and the offering of investment
grade securities rated by the Rating Agencies.

      Without limiting the foregoing, the Originator agrees to deliver to the
Purchaser the following documents and opinions in connection with the issuance
of the Fremont Home Loan Trust 2005-A, Mortgage-Backed Certificates, Series
2005-A (the "Certificates") on or before the Closing Date:

            1. one or more opinions of counsel addressed to the Purchaser, and
      to any Person designated by the Purchaser, in a form reasonably acceptable
      to the Purchaser, from counsel to the Originator as to due incorporation
      and good standing, due authorization, execution and delivery by Fremont of
      related agreements for which Fremont is a signatory; the enforceability of
      such documents by Fremont; and other corporate matters;

            2. an opinion of counsel to the Originator, addressed to the
      Purchaser, and to any Person designated by the Purchaser, in a form
      acceptable to the Purchaser, addressing the characterization of the
      transfer of the Mortgage Loans from the Originator to the Purchaser;

            3. an indemnification agreement executed by and among Fremont,
      Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Greenwich Capital
      Markets, Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc. for losses as a result of material
      misstatements and omissions in the information provided by or on behalf of
      the parties thereto and their affiliates for inclusion in the prospectus
      supplement or any other offering document relating to the Certificates;
      and

            4. a statement rendered by counsel for Fremont to the Purchaser and
      the Underwriters as to the lack of material misstatements and omissions in
      the information provided by Fremont for inclusion in the prospectus
      supplement or any other offering document relating to the Certificates.

      In addition, the Originator shall sign the certification for the benefit
of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., relating to the Form 10-K relating to the Trust to be
filed on or before March 31, 2006. The Originator shall execute the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement in its capacity as originator and servicer and will make the
representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.01 and 3.02 herein to the
Trustee in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

      Section 7.07. Intention of the Parties.

      It is the intention of the parties that the Purchaser is purchasing, and
the Originator is selling, the Mortgage Loans rather than pledging such Mortgage
Loans to secure a loan by the

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<PAGE>

Purchaser to the Originator. Accordingly, the parties hereto each intend to
treat the transaction as a sale by the Originator, and a purchase by the
Purchaser, of the Mortgage Loans. The Purchaser will have the right to review
the Mortgage Loans and the related Mortgage Files to determine the
characteristics of the Mortgage Loans which will affect the federal income tax
consequences of owning the Mortgage Loans and the Originator will cooperate with
all reasonable requests made by the Purchaser in the course of such review.

      Section 7.08. Successors and Assigns: Assignment of Purchase Agreement.

      This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the Originator, the Purchaser and the Trustee. The obligations of the
Originator under this Agreement cannot be assigned or delegated to a third party
without the consent of the Purchaser which consent shall be at the Purchaser's
sole discretion, except that the Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the
Originator may assign its obligations hereunder to any Person into which the
Originator is merged or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which the Originator is a party or any Person succeeding to the
business of the Originator. The parties hereto acknowledge that the Purchaser is
acquiring the Mortgage Loans for the purpose of contributing them to a trust
that will issue a Series of Certificates representing undivided interests in
such Mortgage Loans. As an inducement to the Purchaser to purchase the Mortgage
Loans, the Originator acknowledges and consents to the assignment by the
Purchaser directly or indirectly through an affiliate to the Trustee of all of
the Purchaser's rights against the Originator pursuant to this Agreement insofar
as such rights relate to Mortgage Loans transferred to the Trustee and to the
enforcement or exercise of any right or remedy against the Originator pursuant
to this Agreement by the Trustee. Such enforcement of a right or remedy by the
Trustee shall have the same force and effect as if the right or remedy had been
enforced or exercised by the Purchaser directly.

      Section 7.09. Survival.

      The representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.01 and 3.02 and
the provisions of Article V hereof shall survive the purchase of the Mortgage
Loans hereunder.

      Section 7.10. Third Party Beneficiaries.

      The Trustee and the Trust Administrator are the intended third-party
beneficiaries of this Agreement.

      Section 7.11. Confidentiality.

      The parties hereto understand and agree that personal information relating
to the borrowers under the Mortgage Loans subject of this Agreement, including,
names, addresses, social security numbers and/or other identifying information
(collectively, the "Borrower Information") is confidential, and the Purchaser,
and each person that acquires an interest in the Mortgage Loans through the
Purchaser, agrees to hold such Borrower Information confidential and not to
divulge such information to anyone except (a) to the extent required by law or
judicial order or to enforce its rights or remedies under any agreements
executed in connection with the

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<PAGE>

sale contemplated hereunder or any agreements executed in connection with the
securitization of the Mortgage Loans, (b) to the extent such information enters
into the public domain other than through the wrongful act of the Purchaser or
any person that acquires an interest in the Mortgage Loans through the Purchaser
or (c) as is necessary in working with legal counsel, auditors, agents, rating
agencies, taxing authorities or other governmental agencies.

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<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Originator and the Purchaser have caused
their names to be signed to this Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first above
written.

                                      FREMONT MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORPORATION,
                                        as Purchaser

                                      By:  /s/ Jeff Crusinberry
                                           ---------------------------------
                                           Name:  Jeff Crusinberry
                                           Title:  Vice President

                                      FREMONT INVESTMENT & LOAN,
                                           as Originator

                                      By:  /s/ Jeff Crusinberry
                                           ---------------------------------
                                           Name:  Jeff Crusinberry
                                           Title:  Senior Vice President

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<PAGE>

STATE OF CALIFORNIA      )
                         ) ss.:
COUNTY OF ORANGE         )

      On the 22 day of February, 2005 before me, a Notary Public in and for said
State, personally appeared Jeff Crusinberry, known to me to be an officer of
FREMONT MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORPORATION, the corporation that executed the
within instrument, and also known to me to be the person who executed it on
behalf of said corporation, and acknowledged to me that such corporation
executed the within instrument.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written.

/s/ Annie Yin-Fan Cheung
-----------------------------
Notary Public

Fremont 2005-A
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<PAGE>

STATE OF CALIFORNIA       )
                          ) ss.:
COUNTY OF ORANGE          )

      On the 22 day of February, 2005 before me, a Notary Public in and for said
State, personally appeared Jeff Crusinberry, known to me to be an officer of
FREMONT INVESTMENT & LOAN, the corporation that executed the within instrument,
and also known to me to be the person who executed it on behalf of said
corporation, and acknowledged to me that such corporation executed the within
instrument.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written.

/s/ Annie Yin-Fan Cheung
-------------------------------
Notary Public

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<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

          Representations and Warranties Relating to the Mortgage Loans

      I. The Originator hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser, with
respect to each Mortgage Loan that is a Mortgage Loan as of the Closing Date (or
in the case of certain specified representations and warranties, as of the
Cut-off Date) or as of such other date specifically provided herein (except that
with respect to any Qualified Substitute Mortgage Loan such representations and
warranties shall be as of the date of substitution and made by the Originator),
that:

      (a) Mortgage Loans as Described. The information set forth in the Mortgage
Loan Schedule is complete, true and correct in all material respects as of the
Cut-off Date;

      (b) Payments Current. As of the Cut-off Date, other than with respect to
not more than 1.88% of the Mortgage Loans, all payments required to be made up
to the Closing Date for the Mortgage Loan under the terms of the Mortgage Note,
other than payments not yet one month delinquent, have been made and credited.
Other than with respect to not more than 1.88% of the Mortgage Loans, no payment
required under the Mortgage Loan is one month or more delinquent nor has any
payment under the Mortgage Loan been delinquent for more than one month at any
time since the origination of the Mortgage Loan, with the exception of one
Mortgage Loan which was one month or more delinquent since the origination of
such Mortgage Loan;

      (c) No Outstanding Charges. As of the Cut-off Date, other than with
respect to not more than 1.88% of the Mortgage Loans, and except for payment
defaults of less than one month, there are no defaults in complying with the
terms of the Mortgage, and all taxes, governmental assessments, insurance
premiums, water, sewer and municipal charges, leasehold payments or ground rents
which previously became due and owing have been paid, or an escrow of funds has
been established in an amount sufficient to pay for every such item which
remains unpaid and which has been assessed but is not yet due and payable. The
Originator has not advanced funds, or induced, solicited or knowingly received
any advance of funds by a party other than the Mortgagor, directly or
indirectly, for the payment of any amount required under the Mortgage Loan,
except for interest accruing from the date of the Mortgage Note or date of
disbursement of the Mortgage Loan proceeds, whichever is earlier, to the date
which precedes by one month the Due Date of the first installment of principal
and interest;

      (d) Original Terms Unmodified. The terms of the Mortgage Note and Mortgage
have not been impaired, waived, altered or modified in any respect, from the
date of origination except by a written instrument which has been recorded, if
necessary to protect the interests of the Purchaser, and which has been
delivered to the Custodian or to such other Person as the Purchaser shall
designate in writing, and the terms of which are reflected in the Mortgage Loan
Schedule. No Mortgage Loan has been modified so as to restructure the payment
obligations or re-age the Mortgage Loan. The substance of any such waiver,
alteration or modification has been approved by the title insurer, if any, to
the extent required by the policy, and its terms are reflected on the Mortgage
Loan Schedule, if applicable. No Mortgagor has been released, in whole or in
part, except in connection with an assumption agreement, approved by the title

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<PAGE>

insurer, to the extent required by the policy, and which assumption agreement is
part of the Mortgage Loan File delivered to the Custodian or to such other
Person as the Purchaser shall designate in writing and the terms of which are
reflected in the Mortgage Loan Schedule;

      (e) No Defenses. The Mortgage Loan is not subject to any right of
rescission, set-off, counterclaim or defense, including without limitation the
defense of usury, nor will the operation of any of the terms of the Mortgage
Note or the Mortgage, or the exercise of any right thereunder, render either the
Mortgage Note or the Mortgage unenforceable, in whole or in part, or subject to
any right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim or defense, including without
limitation the defense of usury, and no such right of rescission, set-off,
counterclaim or defense has been asserted with respect thereto, and no Mortgagor
was a debtor in any state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding at, or
subsequent to, the time the Mortgage Loan was originated;

      (f) Hazard Insurance. Pursuant to the terms of the Mortgage, all buildings
or other improvements upon the Mortgaged Property are insured by a generally
acceptable insurer against loss by fire, hazards of extended coverage and such
other hazards as are customary in the area where the Mortgaged Property is
located. If required by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended,
each Mortgage Loan is covered by a flood insurance policy meeting the
requirements of the current guidelines of the Federal Insurance Administration
as in effect. All individual insurance policies contain a standard mortgagee
clause naming the Originator and its successors and assigns as mortgagee, and
all premiums thereon have been paid and such policies may not be reduced,
terminated or cancelled without 30 days' prior written notice to the mortgagee.
The Mortgage obligates the Mortgagor thereunder to maintain the hazard insurance
policy at the Mortgagor's cost and expense, and on the Mortgagor's failure to do
so, authorizes the holder of the Mortgage to obtain and maintain such insurance
at such Mortgagor's cost and expense, and to seek reimbursement therefor from
the Mortgagor. Where required by state law or regulation, the Mortgagor has been
given an opportunity to choose the carrier of the required hazard insurance,
provided the policy is not a "master" or "blanket" hazard insurance policy
covering a condominium, or any hazard insurance policy covering the common
facilities of a planned unit development. The hazard insurance policy is the
valid and binding obligation of the insurer, is in full force and effect, and
will be in full force and effect and inure to the benefit of the Purchaser upon
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
Originator has not engaged in, and has no knowledge of the Mortgagor's or any
servicer's having engaged in, any act or omission which would impair the
coverage of any such policy, the benefits of the endorsement provided for
herein, or the validity and binding effect of such policy, including, without
limitation, no unlawful fee, commission, kickback or other unlawful compensation
or value of any kind has been or will be received, retained or realized by any
attorney, firm or other person or entity, and no such unlawful items have been
received, retained or realized by the Originator;

      (g) Compliance with Applicable Laws. Any and all requirements of any
federal, state or local law including, without limitation, usury,
truth-in-lending, real estate settlement procedures, consumer credit protection,
equal credit opportunity and disclosure laws, all predatory and abusive lending
laws or unfair and deceptive practices laws applicable to the Mortgage Loan,
including, without limitation, any provisions relating to Prepayment Penalties,
have been complied with; the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will not involve the violation of any such laws or regulations.
Originator shall maintain in its possession,

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<PAGE>

available for the Purchaser's inspection, and shall deliver to the Purchaser
upon demand, evidence of compliance with all such requirements;

      (h) No Satisfaction of Mortgage. The Mortgage has not been satisfied,
canceled, subordinated or rescinded, in whole or in part, and the Mortgaged
Property has not been released from the lien of the Mortgage, in whole or in
part, nor has any instrument been executed that would effect any such release,
cancellation, subordination or rescission. The Originator has not waived the
performance by the Mortgagor of any action, if the Mortgagor's failure to
perform such action would cause the Mortgage Loan to be in default, nor has the
Originator waived any default resulting from any action or inaction by the
Mortgagor;

      (i) Location and Type of Mortgaged Property. The Mortgaged Property is a
fee simple property located in the state identified in the Mortgage Loan
Schedule except that with respect to real property located in jurisdictions in
which the use of leasehold estates for residential properties is a
widely-accepted practice, the Mortgaged Property may be a leasehold estate and
consists of a single parcel of real property with a detached single family
residence erected thereon, or a two- to four-family dwelling, or an individual
residential condominium unit in a low-rise condominium project, or an individual
unit in a planned unit development and that no residence or dwelling is (i) a
mobile home or (ii) a manufactured home. As of the date of origination, no
portion of the Mortgaged Property was used for commercial purposes, and since
the date of origination, no portion of the Mortgaged Property has been used for
commercial purposes; provided, that Mortgaged Properties which contain a home
office shall not be considered as being used for commercial purposes as long as
the Mortgaged Property has not been altered for commercial purposes and is not
storing any chemicals or raw materials other than those commonly used for
homeowner repair, maintenance and/or household purposes;

      (j) Valid First or Second Lien. Each Mortgage is a valid and subsisting
first or second lien of record on a single parcel of real estate constituting
the Mortgaged Property, including all buildings and improvements on the
Mortgaged Property and all installations and mechanical, electrical, plumbing,
heating and air conditioning systems located in or annexed to such buildings,
and all additions, alterations and replacements made at any time, with respect
to the related Mortgage Loan, which exceptions are generally acceptable to
prudent mortgage lending companies, and such other exceptions to which similar
properties are commonly subject and which do not individually, or in the
aggregate, materially and adversely affect the benefits of the security intended
to be provided by such Mortgage. The lien of the Mortgage is subject only to:

            (i) the lien of current real property taxes and assessments not yet
      due and payable;

            (ii) covenants, conditions and restrictions, rights of way,
      easements and other matters of the public record as of the date of
      recording acceptable to prudent mortgage lending institutions generally
      and specifically referred to in the lender's title insurance policy
      delivered to the originator of the Mortgage Loan and (A) specifically
      referred to or otherwise considered in the appraisal made for the
      originator of the Mortgage Loan or (B) which do not adversely affect the
      Appraised Value of the Mortgaged Property set forth in such appraisal;

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<PAGE>

            (iii) with respect to each second lien Mortgage, the first or senior
      lien on the related Mortgaged Property; and

            (iv) other matters to which like properties are commonly subject
      which do not materially interfere with the benefits of the security
      intended to be provided by the Mortgage or the use, enjoyment, value or
      marketability of the related Mortgaged Property.

Any security agreement, chattel mortgage or equivalent document related to and
delivered in connection with the Mortgage Loan establishes and creates a valid,
subsisting, enforceable and perfected first lien and first priority security
interest on the property described therein and the Originator has full right to
sell and assign the same to Purchaser;

      (k) Validity of Mortgage Documents. The Mortgage Note and the Mortgage and
any other agreement executed and delivered by a Mortgagor in connection with a
Mortgage Loan are genuine, and each is the legal, valid and binding obligation
of the maker thereof enforceable in accordance with its terms (including,
without limitation, any provisions therein relating to Prepayment Penalties),
except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or
affecting the rights of creditors generally, and by general equity principles
(regardless of whether such enforcement is considered a proceeding in equity or
a law). All parties to the Mortgage Note, the Mortgage and any other such
related agreement had legal capacity to enter into the Mortgage Loan and to
execute and deliver the Mortgage Note, the Mortgage and any such agreement, and
the Mortgage Note, the Mortgage and any other such related agreement have been
duly and properly executed by other such related parties. The documents,
instruments and agreements submitted for loan underwriting were not falsified
and contain no untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the information and
statements therein not misleading. No fraud, error, omission, misrepresentation,
gross negligence or similar occurrence with respect to a Mortgage Loan has taken
place on the part of any Person, including without limitation, the Mortgagor,
any appraiser, any builder or developer, or any other party involved in the
origination or servicing of the Mortgage Loan. The Originator has reviewed all
of the documents constituting the Servicing File;

      (l) Full Disbursement of Proceeds. The Mortgage Loan has been closed and
the proceeds of the Mortgage Loan have been fully disbursed and there is no
requirement for future advances thereunder, and any and all requirements as to
completion of any on-site or off-site improvement and as to disbursements of any
escrow funds therefor have been complied with. All costs, fees and expenses
incurred in making or closing the Mortgage Loan and the recording of the
Mortgage were paid, and the Mortgagor is not entitled to any refund of any
amounts paid or due under the Mortgage Note or Mortgage;

      (m) Ownership. Immediately prior to the sale of the Mortgage Loan
hereunder on the Closing Date, the Originator is the sole owner of record and
holder of the Mortgage Loan and the indebtedness evidenced by each Mortgage Note
and upon the sale of the Mortgage Loans to the Purchaser, the Originator will
retain the Mortgage Files or any part thereof not delivered to the Custodian,
the Purchaser or the Purchaser's designee, in trust only for the purpose of
servicing and supervising the servicing of each Mortgage Loan. The Mortgage Loan
is not assigned or

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<PAGE>

pledged, and the Originator has good, indefeasible and marketable title thereto,
and has full right to transfer and sell the Mortgage Loan to the Purchaser free
and clear of any encumbrance, equity, participation interest, lien, pledge,
charge, claim or security interest, and has full right and authority subject to
no interest or participation of, or agreement with, any other party, to sell and
assign each Mortgage Loan pursuant to this Agreement and following the sale of
each Mortgage Loan, the Purchaser will own such Mortgage Loan free and clear of
any encumbrance, equity, participation interest, lien, pledge, charge, claim or
security interest. The Originator intends to relinquish all rights to possess,
control and monitor the Mortgage Loan. After the Closing Date, the Originator
will have no right to modify or alter the terms of the sale of the Mortgage Loan
and the Originator will have no obligation or right to repurchase the Mortgage
Loan or substitute another Mortgage Loan, except as provided in this Agreement;

      (n) Doing Business. All parties which have had any interest in the
Mortgage Loan, whether as mortgagee, assignee, pledgee or otherwise, are (or,
during the period in which they held and disposed of such interest, were) (i) in
compliance with any and all applicable licensing requirements of the laws of the
state wherein the Mortgaged Property is located, and (ii) either (A) organized
under the laws of such state, or (B) qualified to do business in such state, or
(C) a federal savings and loan association, a savings bank or a national bank
having a principal office in such state, or (iii) not doing business in such
state;

      (o) LTV. No Mortgage Loan was originated with an LTV greater than 100%;

      (p) Title Insurance. The Mortgage Loan is covered by an ALTA lender's
title insurance policy, or with respect to any Mortgage Loan for which the
related Mortgaged Property is located in California a CLTA lender's title
insurance policy, and each such title insurance policy is issued by a title
insurer and qualified to do business in the jurisdiction where the Mortgaged
Property is located, insuring the Originator, its successors and assigns, as to
the first or second priority lien of the Mortgage in the original principal
amount of the Mortgage Loan, subject only to the exceptions contained in clauses
(i), (ii) and (iv) of paragraph (j) above and in the case of second liens, the
exception contained in clause (iii) of paragraph (j) above, and in the case of
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans, against any loss by reason of the invalidity or
unenforceability of the lien resulting from the provisions of the Mortgage
providing for adjustment to the Mortgage Interest Rate and Monthly Payment.
Where required by state law or regulation, the Mortgagor has been given the
opportunity to choose the carrier of the required mortgage title insurance.
Additionally, such lender's title insurance policy affirmatively insures ingress
and egress, and against encroachments by or upon the Mortgaged Property or any
interest therein. The title policy does not contain any special exceptions
(other than the standard exclusions) for zoning and uses and has been marked to
delete the standard survey exception or to replace the standard survey exception
with a specific survey reading. The Originator, its successor and assigns, are
the sole insureds of such lender's title insurance policy, and such lender's
title insurance policy is valid and remains in full force and effect and will be
in force and effect upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. No claims are pending under such lender's title insurance
policy, and no prior holder of the related Mortgage, including the Originator,
has done, by act or omission, anything which would impair the coverage of such
lender's title insurance policy, including without limitation, no unlawful fee,
commission, kickback or other unlawful compensation or value of any kind has
been or will

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<PAGE>

be received, retained or realized by any attorney, firm or other
person or entity, and no such unlawful items have been received, retained or
realized by the Originator;

      (q) No Defaults. As of the Cut-off Date, other than with respect to not
more than 1.72% of the Group 1 Mortgage Loans and 2.02% of the Group 2 Mortgage
Loans that are 30-59 days delinquent, and other than 0.03% of the Mortgage Loans
that are 60-89 days delinquent, and other than payment delinquencies of less
than one month, there is no default, breach, violation or event which would
permit acceleration existing under the Mortgage or the Mortgage Note and no
event which, with the passage of time or with notice and the expiration of any
grace or cure period, would constitute a default, breach, violation or event
which would permit acceleration, and as of the Closing Date neither the
Originator nor any of its affiliates nor any of their respective predecessors,
have waived any default, breach, violation or event which would permit
acceleration; in addition, as of the Closing Date, no Mortgage Loan was in
foreclosure, nor are foreclosure proceedings imminent with respect to any
Mortgage Loan;

      (r) No Mechanics' Liens. As of the date of origination and to the best of
the Originator's knowledge as of the Closing Date, there are no mechanics' or
similar liens or claims which have been filed for work, labor or material (and
no rights are outstanding that under law could give rise to such liens)
affecting the related Mortgaged Property which are or may be liens prior to, or
equal or coordinate with, the lien of the related Mortgage;

      (s) Location of Improvements; No Encroachments. All improvements which
were considered in determining the Appraised Value of the Mortgaged Property lay
wholly within the boundaries and building restriction lines of the Mortgaged
Property, and no improvements on adjoining properties encroach upon the
Mortgaged Property. No improvement located on or being part of the Mortgaged
Property is in violation of any applicable zoning law or regulation;

      (t) Origination; Payment Terms. The Mortgage Loan was originated by a
mortgagee approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to
Sections 203 and 211 of the National Housing Act, savings and loan association,
a savings bank, a commercial bank, credit union, insurance company or other
similar institution which is supervised and examined by a federal or state
authority. The documents, instruments and agreements submitted for loan
underwriting were not falsified and contain no untrue statement of material fact
or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the information and statements therein not misleading. No Mortgage Loan
contains terms or provisions which would result in negative amortization.
Principal payments on the Mortgage Loan (other than a Mortgage Loan that does
not provide for payment of principal for a period of twenty-four to thirty-six
months after the date of origination (such Mortgage Loan, an "Interest Only
Mortgage Loan")) commenced no more than sixty days after funds were disbursed in
connection with the Mortgage Loan. The Mortgage Interest Rate as well as the
Lifetime Rate Cap and the Periodic Mortgage Interest Rate Cap are as set forth
on the Mortgage Loan Schedule. With respect to any Mortgage Loan other than an
Interest Only Mortgage Loan, the Mortgage Note is payable in equal monthly
installments of principal and interest, which installments of interest, with
respect to Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans, are subject to change due to the
adjustments to the Mortgage Interest Rate on each Mortgage Interest Rate
Adjustment Date, with interest calculated and payable in arrears, sufficient to
amortize the Mortgage Loan fully by the stated maturity date, over an original
term of not more than thirty years from commencement of amortization. None of
the Mortgage Loans

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                                      A-6
<PAGE>

allows for conversion of the interest rate thereon from an adjustable rate to a
fixed rate. No Mortgage Loan is a simple interest mortgage loan;

      (u) Customary Provisions. The Mortgage contains customary and enforceable
provisions such as to render the rights and remedies of the holder thereof
adequate for the realization against the Mortgaged Property of the benefits of
the security provided thereby, including, (i) in the case of a Mortgage
designated as a deed of trust, by trustee's sale, and (ii) otherwise by judicial
foreclosure. Upon default by a Mortgagor on a Mortgage Loan and foreclosure on,
or trustee's sale of, the Mortgaged Property pursuant to the proper procedures,
the holder of the Mortgage Loan will be able to deliver good and merchantable
title to the Mortgaged Property. There is no homestead or other exemption
available to a Mortgagor which would interfere with the right to sell the
Mortgaged Property at a trustee's sale or the right to foreclose the Mortgage,
subject to applicable federal and state laws and judicial precedent with respect
to bankruptcy and right of redemption or similar law;

      (v) Conformance with Underwriting Guidelines. The Mortgage Loan was
underwritten in accordance with the Underwriting Guidelines in effect as of the
date of origination of such Mortgage Loan (as described in the Prospectus
Supplement). The Mortgage Note and Mortgage are on forms generally acceptable to
Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae and the Originator has not made any representations to
a Mortgagor that are inconsistent with the mortgage instruments used;

      (w) Occupancy of the Mortgaged Property. As of the Closing Date the
Mortgaged Property is lawfully occupied under applicable law. All inspections,
licenses and certificates required to be made or issued with respect to all
occupied portions of the Mortgaged Property and, with respect to the use and
occupancy of the same, including but not limited to certificates of occupancy
and fire underwriting certificates, have been made or obtained from the
appropriate authorities;

      (x) No Additional Collateral. The Mortgage Note is not and has not been
secured by any collateral except the lien of the corresponding Mortgage and the
security interest of any applicable security agreement or chattel mortgage
referred to in clause (j) above;

      (y) Deeds of Trust. In the event the Mortgage constitutes a deed of trust,
a trustee, authorized and duly qualified under applicable law to serve as such,
has been properly designated and currently so serves and is named in the
Mortgage, and no fees or expenses are or will become payable by the Purchaser to
the trustee under the deed of trust, except in connection with a reconveyance of
the deed of trust or a trustee's sale after default by the Mortgagor;

      (z) Condominiums/Planned Unit Developments. If the Mortgaged Property is a
condominium unit or a planned unit development (other than a de minimis planned
unit development) such condominium or planned unit development project is
acceptable to Originator and underwritten in accordance with the Underwriting
Guidelines;

      (aa) Transfer of Mortgage Loans. The Assignment of Mortgage with respect
to each Mortgage Loan is in recordable form and is acceptable for recording
under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Mortgaged Property is located.
The transfer, assignment and

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<PAGE>

conveyance of the Mortgage Notes and the Mortgages by the Originator is not
subject to the bulk transfer or similar statutory provisions in effect in any
applicable jurisdiction;

      (bb) Due-On-Sale. The Mortgage contains an enforceable provision (except
as such enforcement may be effected by bankruptcy and insolvency laws or by
general principals of equity) for the acceleration of the payment of the unpaid
principal balance of the Mortgage Loan in the event that the Mortgaged Property
is sold or transferred without the prior written consent of the mortgagee
thereunder, and to the best of the Originator's knowledge, such provision is
enforceable;

      (cc) Assumability. None of the Mortgage Loans are, by their terms,
assumable;

      (dd) No Buydown Provisions; No Graduated Payments or Contingent Interests.
The Mortgage Loan does not contain provisions pursuant to which Monthly Payments
are paid or partially paid with funds deposited in any separate account
established by the Originator, the Mortgagor, or anyone on behalf of the
Mortgagor, or paid by any source other than the Mortgagor nor does it contain
any other similar provisions which may constitute a "buydown" provision. The
Mortgage Loan is not a graduated payment mortgage loan and the Mortgage Loan
does not have a shared appreciation or other contingent interest feature;

      (ee) Consolidation of Future Advances. Any future advances made to the
Mortgagor prior to the Cut-off Date have been consolidated with the outstanding
principal amount secured by the Mortgage, and the secured principal amount, as
consolidated, bears a single interest rate and single repayment term. The lien
of the Mortgage securing the consolidated principal amount is expressly insured
as having first or second lien priority, as applicable, by a title insurance
policy, an endorsement to the policy insuring the mortgagee's consolidated
interest or by other title evidence. The consolidated principal amount does not
exceed the original principal amount of the Mortgage Loan;

      (ff) Mortgaged Property Undamaged; No Condemnation Proceedings. There is
no proceeding pending or, to the best of the Originator's knowledge, threatened
for the total or partial condemnation of the Mortgaged Property. As of the
Closing Date, the Mortgaged Property is undamaged by waste, fire, earthquake or
earth movement, windstorm, flood, tornado or other casualty so as to affect
adversely the value of the Mortgaged Property as security for the Mortgage Loan
or the use for which the premises were intended and each Mortgaged Property is
inhabitable under applicable state and local laws;

      (gg) Collection Practices; Escrow Deposits; Interest Rate Adjustments. The
origination, servicing and collection practices used by the Originator with
respect to the Mortgage Loan have been in all respects in compliance with
Accepted Servicing Practices, applicable laws and regulations, and have been in
all respects legal and proper and prudent in the mortgage origination and
servicing business. With respect to escrow deposits and Escrow Payments, all
such payments are in the possession of, or under the control of, the Originator
and there exist no deficiencies in connection therewith for which customary
arrangements for repayment thereof have not been made. All Escrow Payments have
been collected in full compliance with state and federal law and the provisions
of the related Mortgage Note and Mortgage. An escrow of funds is not prohibited
by applicable law and has been established in an

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<PAGE>

amount sufficient to pay for every item that remains unpaid and has been
assessed but is not yet due and payable. No escrow deposits or Escrow Payments
or other charges or payments due the Originator have been capitalized under the
Mortgage or the Mortgage Note. All Mortgage Interest Rate adjustments have been
made in strict compliance with state and federal law and the terms of the
related Mortgage and Mortgage Note on the related Interest Rate Adjustment Date.
If, pursuant to the terms of the Mortgage Note, another index was selected for
determining the Mortgage Interest Rate, the same index was used with respect to
each Mortgage Note which required a new index to be selected, and such selection
did not conflict with the terms of the related Mortgage Note. The Originator
executed and delivered any and all notices required under applicable law and the
terms of the related Mortgage Note and Mortgage regarding the Mortgage Interest
Rate and the Monthly Payment adjustments. Any interest required to be paid
pursuant to state, federal and local law has been properly paid and credited;

      (hh) Conversion to Fixed Interest Rate. With respect to Adjustable Rate
Mortgage Loans, the Mortgage Loan is not a Convertible Mortgage Loan;

      (ii) No Violation of Environmental Laws. To the best of the Originator's
knowledge, the Mortgaged Property is free from any and all toxic or hazardous
substances and there exists no violation of any local, state or federal
environmental law, rule or regulation. To the best of the Originator's
knowledge, there is no pending action or proceeding directly involving the
Mortgaged Property in which compliance with any environmental law, rule or
regulation is an issue; there is no violation of any environmental law, rule or
regulation with respect to the Mortgage Property; and nothing further remains to
be done to satisfy in full all requirements of each such law, rule or regulation
constituting a prerequisite to use and enjoyment of said property;

      (jj) Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The Mortgagor has not notified the
Originator, and the Originator has no knowledge of any relief requested or
allowed to the Mortgagor under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act;

      (kk) Appraisal. The Mortgage File contains an appraisal of the related
Mortgaged Property signed prior to the approval of the Mortgage Loan application
by a qualified appraiser, duly appointed by the related originator, who had no
interest, direct or indirect in the Mortgaged Property or in any loan made on
the security thereof, and whose compensation is not affected by the approval or
disapproval of the Mortgage Loan, and the appraisal and appraiser both satisfy
the requirements of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement
Act of 1989 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, all as in effect on the
date the Mortgage Loan was originated;

      (ll) Disclosure Materials. The Mortgagor has received all disclosure
materials required by, and the Originator has complied with, all applicable law
with respect to the making of the Mortgage Loans;

      (mm) Construction or Rehabilitation of Mortgaged Property. No Mortgage
Loan was made in connection with the construction or rehabilitation of a
Mortgaged Property or facilitating the trade-in or exchange of a Mortgaged
Property;

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      (nn) Value of Mortgaged Property. The Originator has no knowledge of any
circumstances existing that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the
value or the marketability of any Mortgaged Property or Mortgage Loan or to
cause the Mortgage Loans to prepay during any period materially faster or slower
than similar mortgage loans originated to the same Underwriting Guidelines held
by the Originator generally secured by properties in the same geographic area as
the related Mortgaged Property;

      (oo) No Defense to Insurance Coverage. The Originator has caused or will
cause to be performed any and all acts required to preserve the rights and
remedies of the Purchaser in any insurance policies applicable to the Mortgage
Loans including, without limitation, any necessary notifications of insurers,
assignments of policies or interests therein, and establishments of coinsured,
joint loss payee and mortgagee rights in favor of the Purchaser. No action has
been taken or failed to be taken, no event has occurred and no state of facts
exists or has existed on or prior to the Closing Date (whether or not known to
the Originator on or prior to such date) which has resulted or will result in an
exclusion from, denial of, or defense to coverage under any applicable, special
hazard insurance policy, or bankruptcy bond (including, without limitation, any
exclusions, denials or defenses which would limit or reduce the availability of
the timely payment of the full amount of the loss otherwise due thereunder to
the insured) whether arising out of actions, representations, errors, omissions,
negligence, or fraud of the Originator, the related Mortgagor or any party
involved in the application for such coverage, including the appraisal, plans
and specifications and other exhibits or documents submitted therewith to the
insurer under such insurance policy, or for any other reason under such
coverage, but not including the failure of such insurer to pay by reason of such
insurer's breach of such insurance policy or such insurer's financial inability
to pay;

      (pp) Escrow Analysis. With respect to each Mortgage with an Escrow
Account, the Originator has within the last twelve months (unless such Mortgage
was originated within such twelve month period) analyzed the required Escrow
Payments for each Mortgage and adjusted the amount of such payments so that,
assuming all required payments are timely made, any deficiency will be
eliminated on or before the first anniversary of such analysis, or any overage
will be refunded to the Mortgagor, in accordance with RESPA and any other
applicable law;

      (qq) Prior Servicing. Each Mortgage Loan has been serviced in all material
respects in compliance with Accepted Servicing Practices and the Originator has
reported or caused to be reported, the Mortgagor credit files to each of the
three primary credit repositories monthly in a timely manner;

      (rr) Leaseholds. If the Mortgage Loan is secured by a long-term
residential lease, (i) the lessor under the lease holds a fee simple interest in
the land; (ii) the terms of such lease expressly permit the mortgaging of the
leasehold estate, the assignment of the lease without the lessor's consent and
the acquisition by the holder of the Mortgage of the rights of the lessee upon
foreclosure or assignment in lieu of foreclosure or provide the holder of the
Mortgage with substantially similar protections; (iii) the terms of such lease
do not (A) allow the termination thereof upon the lessee's default without the
holder of the Mortgage being entitled to receive written notice of, and
opportunity to cure, such default, (B) allow the termination of the lease in the
event of damage or destruction as long as the Mortgage is in existence, (C)
prohibit the holder of the Mortgage from being insured (or receiving proceeds of
insurance) under the hazard

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<PAGE>

insurance policy or policies relating to the Mortgaged Property or (D) permit
any increase in rent other than pre-established increases set forth in the
lease; (iv) the original term of such lease is not less than 15 years; (v) the
term of such lease does not terminate earlier than five years after the maturity
date of the Mortgage Note; and (vi) the Mortgaged Property is located in a
jurisdiction in which the use of leasehold estates in transferring ownership in
residential properties is a widely accepted practice;

      (ss) Prepayment Penalty. The Mortgage Loan is subject to a prepayment
penalty as provided in the related Mortgage Note except as set forth on the
Mortgage Loan Schedule. With respect to each Mortgage Loan that has a prepayment
penalty feature, each such prepayment penalty is enforceable and will be
enforced by the Originator, as servicer of the Mortgage Loan, for the benefit of
the Purchaser, and each prepayment penalty is permitted pursuant to federal,
state and local law. Each such prepayment penalty is in an amount equal to the
maximum amount permitted under applicable law and no such prepayment penalty may
be imposed for a term in excess of three (3) years. With respect to any Mortgage
Loan that contains a provision permitting imposition of a prepayment penalty
upon a prepayment prior to maturity: (i) prior to the loan's origination, the
borrower agreed to such prepayment penalty in exchange for a monetary benefit,
including but not limited to a rate or fee reduction, (ii) originator has
available programs that offered the option of obtaining a mortgage loan that did
not require payment of such a prepayment penalty and prior to the Mortgage
Loan's origination, the Mortgage Loan was available to the Mortgagor with and
without the prepayment penalty, (iii) the prepayment penalty was disclosed to
the borrower in the loan documents pursuant to applicable state and federal law,
and (iv) notwithstanding any state or federal law to the contrary, the Servicer
shall not impose such prepayment penalty in any instance when the mortgage debt
is accelerated as the result of the borrower's default in making the loan
payments;

      (tt) Predatory Lending Regulations. None of the Mortgage Loans are (i)
covered by the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 as amended or
(ii) in violation of, or classified as "high cost", "threshold", "covered",
"high risk" or "predatory" loans under, any other applicable state, federal or
local law (or a similarly classified loan using different terminology under a
law imposing heightened regulatory scrutiny or additional legal liability for
residential mortgage loans having high interest rates, points and/or fees);

      (uu) Single-Premium Credit Life Insurance Policy. In connection with the
origination of any Mortgage Loan, no proceeds from any Mortgage Loan were used
to finance or acquire single-premium credit insurance policies; No Mortgagor was
required to purchase any credit life, disability, accident or health insurance
product as a condition of obtaining the extension of credit. No Mortgagor
obtained a prepaid single-premium credit life, disability, accident or health
insurance policy in connection with the origination of the Mortgage Loan;

      (vv) Tax Service Contract; Flood Certification Contract. Each Mortgage
Loan is covered by a paid in full, life of loan, tax service contract and a paid
in full, life of loan, flood certification contract and each of these contracts
is assignable to the Purchaser;

      (ww) Qualified Mortgage. Each Mortgage Loan is a "qualified mortgage"
within the meaning of Section 860G(a)(3) of the Code;

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<PAGE>

      (xx) Regarding the Mortgagor. The Mortgagor is one or more natural persons
and/or trustees for an Illinois land trust;

      (yy) Recordation. Each original Mortgage was recorded and, except for
those Mortgage Loans subject to the MERS identification system, all subsequent
assignments of the original Mortgage (other than the assignment to the
Purchaser) have been recorded in the appropriate jurisdictions wherein such
recordation is necessary to perfect the lien thereof as against creditors of the
Originator, or is in the process of being recorded;

      (zz) Credit Scores. Except as permitted by the Underwriting Guidelines,
each Mortgagor has a non-zero credit score;

      (aaa) Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The Originator has
complied with all applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations,
including without limitation the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (collectively, the
"Anti-Money Laundering Laws"); to the extent required to comply with the
Anti-Money Laundering Laws, as of the Closing Date, the Originator has
established an anti-money laundering compliance program as required by the
Anti-Money Laundering Laws, has conducted the requisite due diligence in
connection with the origination of each Mortgage Loan for purposes of the
Anti-Money Laundering Laws, including with respect to the legitimacy of the
applicable Mortgagor and the origin of the assets used by the said Mortgagor to
purchase the property in question, and maintains, and will maintain, sufficient
information to identify the applicable Mortgagor for purposes of the Anti-Money
Laundering Laws;

      (bbb) Georgia Fair Lending Act. There is no Mortgage Loan that was
originated on or after October 1, 2002 and on or prior to March 7, 2003, which
is secured by property located in the State of Georgia. There is no Mortgage
Loan that was originated on or after March 7, 2003 that is a "high cost home
loan" as defined under the Georgia Fair Lending Act;

      (ccc) New York State Banking Law. There is no Mortgage Loan that (a) is
secured by property located in the State of New York; (b) had an original
principal balance of $300,000 or less, and (c) has an application date on or
after April 1, 2003, the terms of which loan equal or exceed either the annual
percentage rate or the points and fees threshold for "high-cost home loans," as
defined in Section 6-L of the New York State Banking Law;

      (ddd) New Jersey Mortgage Loans. All Mortgage Loans originated in New
Jersey on or after November 27, 2003 are ratable by Standard & Poor's and
Moody's;

      (eee) New Mexico Mortgage Loans. There is no Mortgage Loan that was
originated on or after January 1, 2004, and is a "high-cost" loan subject to the
New Mexico Home Loan Protection Act.

      (fff) MERS Designations. With respect to each MERS Designated Mortgage
Loan, the Originator has designated the Custodian as the Investor and no Person
is listed as Interim Funder on the MERS(R) System;

      (ggg) Delivery to the Custodian. The Mortgage Note, the Mortgage, the
Assignment of Mortgage and any other documents required to be delivered with
respect to each Mortgage Loan

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<PAGE>

pursuant to this Agreement and the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, have been
delivered to the Trust Administrator in its capacity as Custodian all in
compliance with the specific requirements of this Agreement and the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement;

      (hhh) Reports. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Originator has
provided the Custodian and the Purchaser with a MERS Report listing the
Custodian as the Investor with respect to each MERS Designated Mortgage Loan;

      (iii) Payoffs. No Mortgage Loans prepaid in full prior to the Closing
Date;

      (jjj) Credit Information. As to each consumer report (as defined in the
Fair Credit Reporting Act, Public Law 91-508) or other credit information
furnished by the Originator to the Purchaser, the Originator has full right and
authority and is not precluded by law or contract from furnishing such
information to the Purchaser and the Purchaser is not precluded by the terms of
the Mortgage Loan Documents from furnishing the same to any subsequent or
prospective purchaser of such Mortgage. The Originator shall hold the Purchaser
harmless from any and all damages, losses, costs and expenses (including
attorney's fees) arising from disclosure of credit information in connection
with the Purchaser's secondary marketing operations and the purchase and sale of
mortgages. The Originator has or has caused the related servicer to, for each
Mortgage Loan, fully furnish, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act
and its implementing regulations, accurate and complete information (e.g.,
favorable and unfavorable) on its borrower credit files to Equifax, Experian and
Trans Union Credit Information Company (three of the credit repositories), on a
monthly basis;

      (kkk) Origination Practices. Each Mortgagor was assigned the highest
credit grade available with respect to a mortgage loan product offered by such
Mortgage Loan's originator, taking into account the credit history, debt to
income ratio and loan requirement of such Mortgagor;

      (lll) No Arbitration Provision. No mortgage loan originated on or after
August 1, 2004 requires the borrower to submit to arbitration to resolve any
dispute arising out of or relating in any way to the mortgage loan transaction;
and

      (mmm) S&P Glossary. No Mortgage Loan is a High Cost Loan or Covered Loan,
as applicable (as such terms are defined in Appendix E of the Standard & Poor's
Glossary For File Format For LEVELS(R) Version 5.6 Revised, attached hereto as
Exhibit B).

      II. The Originator hereby further represents and warrants to the
Purchaser, with respect to each Group I Mortgage Loan as of the Closing Date or
as of such other date specifically provided herein (except that with respect to
any Qualified Substitute Mortgage Loan such representations and warranties shall
be as of the date of substitution and made by the Originator), that each
Mortgage Loan is a first lien on a single parcel of real property.

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<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                APPENDIX E OF THE STANDARD & POOR'S GLOSSARY FOR
                  FILE FORMAT FOR LEVELS(R) VERSION 5.6 REVISED

                              REVISED July 7, 2004

APPENDIX E - STANDARD & POOR'S ANTI-PREDATORY LENDING CATEGORIZATION

Standard & Poor's has categorized loans governed by anti-predatory lending laws
in the Jurisdictions listed below into three categories based upon a combination
of factors that include (a) the risk exposure associated with the assignee
liability and (b) the tests and thresholds set forth in those laws. Note that
certain loans classified by the relevant statute as Covered are included in
Standard & Poor's High Cost Loan Category because they included thresholds and
tests that are typical of what is generally considered High Cost by the
industry.

STANDARD & POOR'S HIGH COST LOAN CATEGORIZATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Name of Anti-Predatory Lending Law/Effective        Category under Applicable
 State/Jurisdiction                          Date                              Anti-Predatory Lending Law
---------------------     -----------------------------------------------      --------------------------
<S>                       <C>                                                  <C>
Arkansas                  Arkansas Home Loan Protection Act, Ark. Code         High Cost Home Loan
                          Ann. Sections 23-53-101 et seq.

                          Effective July 16, 2003

Cleveland Heights, OH     Ordinance No. 72-2003 (PSH), Mun. Code Sections      Covered Loan
                          757.01 et seq.

                          Effective June 2, 2003

Colorado                  Consumer Equity Protection, Colo. Stat. Ann.         Covered Loan
                          Sections 5-3.5-101 et seq.

                          Effective for covered loans offered or
                          entered into on or after January 1, 2003.
                          Other provisions of the Act took effect on
                          June 7, 2002

Connecticut               Connecticut Abusive Home Loan Lending Practices      High Cost Home Loan
                          Act, Conn. Gen. Stat. Sections 36a-746 et seq.

                          Effective October 1, 2001
</TABLE>

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<PAGE>

STANDARD & POOR'S HIGH COST LOAN CATEGORIZATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Name of Anti-Predatory Lending Law/Effective     Category under Applicable
      State/Jurisdiction                               Date                             Anti-Predatory Lending Law
--------------------------------   ---------------------------------------------------  --------------------------
<S>                                <C>                                                  <C>

District of Columbia               Home Loan Protection Act, D.C. Code Sections         Covered Loan
                                   26-1151.01 et seq.

                                   Effective for loans closed on or after January
                                   28, 2003

Florida                            Fair Lending Act, Fla. Stat. Ann. Sections 494.0078  High Cost Home Loan
                                   et seq.

                                   Effective October 2, 2002

Georgia (Oct. 1, 2002 - Mar. 6,    Georgia Fair Lending Act, Ga. Code Ann. Sections     High Cost Home Loan
2003)                              7-6A-1 et seq.

                                   Effective October 1, 2002 - March 6, 2003

Georgia as amended (Mar. 7, 2003   Georgia Fair Lending Act, Ga. Code Ann. Sections     High Cost Home Loan
- current)                         7-6A-1 et seq.

                                   Effective for loans closed on or after March 7,
                                   2003

HOEPA Section 32                   Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of          High Cost Loan
                                   1994, 15 U.S.C. Section 1639, 12 C.F.R. Sections
                                   226.32 and 226.34

                                   Effective October 1, 1995, amendments October
                                   1, 2002

Illinois                           High Risk Home Loan Act, Ill. Comp. Stat. tit.       High Risk Home Loan
                                   815, Sections 137/5 et seq.

                                   Effective January 1, 2004 (prior to this
                                   date, regulations under Residential Mortgage
                                   License Act effective from May 14, 2001)

Kansas                             Consumer Credit Code, Kan. Stat. Ann. Sections       High Loan to Value Consumer
                                   16a-1-101 et seq.                                    Loan (id. Section 16a-3-207) and;

                                   Sections 16a-1-301 and 16a-3-207 became
                                   effective April 14, 1999; Section 16a-3-308a         High APR Consumer Loan (id. Section
                                   became effective July 1, 1999                        16a-3-308a)
</TABLE>

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<PAGE>

STANDARD & POOR'S HIGH COST LOAN CATEGORIZATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Name of Anti-Predatory Lending Law/Effective      Category under Applicable
State/Jurisdiction                      Date                              Anti-Predatory Lending Law
------------------   ---------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------
<S>                  <C>                                                  <C>
Kentucky             2003 KY H.B. 287 - High Cost Home Loan Act, Ky.      High Cost Home Loan
                     Rev. Stat. Sections 360.100 et seq.

                     Effective June 24, 2003

Maine                Truth in Lending, Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 9-A, Sections  High Rate High Fee Mortgage
                     8-101 et seq.

                     Effective September 29, 1995 and as amended
                     from time to time

Massachusetts        Part 40 and Part 32, 209 C.M.R. Sections 32.00 et    High Cost Home Loan
                     seq. and 209 C.M.R. Sections 40.01 et seq.

                     Effective March 22, 2001 and amended from time
                     to time

Nevada               Assembly Bill No. 284, Nev. Rev. Stat. Sections      Home Loan
                     598D.010 et seq.

                     Effective October 1, 2003

New Jersey           New Jersey Home Ownership Security Act of 2002,      High Cost Home Loan
                     N.J. Rev. Stat. Sections 46:10B-22 et seq.

                     Effective for loans closed on or after November
                     27, 2003

New Mexico           Home Loan Protection Act, N.M. Rev. Stat. Sections   High Cost Home Loan
                     58-21A-1 et seq.

                     Effective as of January 1, 2004; Revised as of
                     February 26, 2004

New York             N.Y. Banking Law Article 6-l                         High Cost Home Loan

                     Effective for applications made on or after
                     April 1, 2003

North Carolina       Restrictions and Limitations on High Cost Home       High Cost Home Loan
                     Loans, N.C. Gen. Stat. Sections 24-1.1E et seq.

                     Effective July 1, 2000; amended October 1,
                     2003 (adding open-end lines of credit)
</TABLE>

Fremont 2005-A
Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement

                                      B-3

<PAGE>

STANDARD & POOR'S HIGH COST LOAN CATEGORIZATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Name of Anti-Predatory Lending Law/Effective     Category under Applicable
State/Jurisdiction                       Date                             Anti-Predatory Lending Law
------------------   ---------------------------------------------------  --------------------------
<S>                  <C>                                                  <C>
Ohio                 H.B. 386 (codified in various sections of the        Covered Loan
                     Ohio Code), Ohio Rev. Code Ann. Sections 1349.25
                     et seq.

                     Effective May 24, 2002

Oklahoma             Consumer Credit Code (codified in various            Subsection 10 Mortgage
                     sections of Title 14A)

                     Effective July 1, 2000; amended effective
                     January 1, 2004

South Carolina       South Carolina High Cost and Consumer Home           High Cost Home Loan
                     Loans Act, S.C. Code Ann. Sections 37-23-10 et seq.

                     Effective for loans taken on or after January
                     1, 2004

West Virginia        West Virginia Residential Mortgage Lender,           West Virginia Mortgage Loan
                     Broker and Servicer Act, W. Va. Code Ann. Sections   Act Loan
                     31-17-1 et seq.

                     Effective June 5, 2002
</TABLE>

STANDARD & POOR'S COVERED LOAN CATEGORIZATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Name of Anti-Predatory Lending Law/Effective       Category under Applicable
      State/Jurisdiction                              Date                              Anti-Predatory Lending Law
-------------------------------    ------------------------------------------------     --------------------------
<S>                                <C>                                                  <C>
Georgia (Oct. 1, 2002 - Mar. 6,    Georgia Fair Lending Act, Ga. Code Ann. Sections     Covered Loan
2003)                              7-6A-1 et seq.

                                   Effective October 1, 2002 - March 6, 2003

New Jersey                         New Jersey Home Ownership Security Act of 2002,      Covered Home Loan
                                   N.J. Rev. Stat. Sections 46:10B-22 et seq.

                                   Effective November 27, 2003 - July 5, 2004
</TABLE>

Fremont 2005-A
Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement

                                      B-4

<PAGE>

STANDARD & POOR'S COVERED LOAN CATEGORIZATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Name of Anti-Predatory Lending Law/Effective     Category under Applicable
      State/Jurisdiction                               Date                             Anti-Predatory Lending Law
-------------------------------    ---------------------------------------------------  --------------------------
<S>                                <C>                                                  <C>
Georgia (Oct. 1, 2002 - Mar. 6,    Georgia Fair Lending Act, Ga. Code Ann. Sections     Home Loan
2003)                              7-6A-1 et seq.

                                   Effective October 1, 2002 - March 6, 2003

New Jersey                         New Jersey Home Ownership Security Act of 2002,      Home Loan
                                   N.J. Rev. Stat. Sections 46:10B-22 et seq.

                                   Effective for loans closed on or after November
                                   27, 2003

New Mexico                         Home Loan Protection Act, N.M. Rev. Stat. Sections   Home Loan
                                   58-21A-1 et seq.

                                   Effective as of January 1, 2004; Revised as of
                                   February 26, 2004

North Carolina                     Restrictions and Limitations on High Cost Home       Consumer Home Loan
                                   Loans, N.C. Gen. Stat. Sections 24-1.1E et seq.

                                   Effective July 1, 2000; amended October 1,
                                   2003 (adding open-end lines of credit)

South Carolina                     South Carolina High Cost and Consumer Home           Consumer Home Loan
                                   Loans Act, S.C. Code Ann. Sections 37-23-10 et seq.

                                   Effective for loans taken on or after January
                                   1, 2004
</TABLE>

Fremont 2005-A
Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement

                                      B-5

<PAGE>

                                                                      SCHEDULE A

                             MORTGAGE LOAN SCHEDULE

                       [On file with Trust Administrator]

Fremont 2005-A
Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreementexv10w1

 

Exhibit 10.1

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

between

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.

and

WPP LLC

Dated

January 28, 2005

 

 

	 	 	 
	 
	Table Of Contents

	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE I.

	 	DEFINITIONS AND REFERENCES
	 	 	1	 
	ARTICLE II.

	 	PROPERTY TO BE SOLD AND PURCHASED
	 	 	4	 
	ARTICLE III.

	 	PURCHASE PRICE
	 	 	6	 
	ARTICLEIV.

	 	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRENTIES OF SELLER
	 	 	7	 
	ARTICLE V.

	 	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
	 	 	13	 
	ARTICLE VI.

	 	CERTAIN COVENANTS OF BUYER AND SELLER PENDING CLOSING
	 	 	15	 
	ARTICLE VII.

	 	DUE DILIGENCE EXAMINATION
	 	 	16	 
	ARTICLE VIII.

	 	CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES TO CLOSE
	 	 	20	 
	ARTICLE IX.

	 	CLOSING OF TRANSATION
	 	 	22	 
	ARTICLE X.

	 	OTHER AGREEMENTS
	 	 	23	 
	ARTICLE XI.

	 	SURFACE DAMAGES
	 	 	23	 
	ARTICLE XII.

	 	POST CLOSING OBLIGATIONS
	 	 	24	 
	ARTICLE XIII.

	 	CASUALTY LOSS
	 	 	25	 
	ARTICLE XIV.

	 	NOTICES
	 	 	25	 
	ARTICLE XV.

	 	TERMINATION
	 	 	26	 
	ARTICLE XVI.

	 	COMMISSIONS
	 	 	28	 
	ARTICLE XVII.

	 	MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
	 	 	28	 
	ARTICLE XVIII.

	 	ARBITRATION
	 	 	32	 

	 	 	 
	 
	Table Of Exhibits

	 

	 	 	 
	Exhibit A

	 	Description of Coal Property to be Sold
	Exhibit B

	 	Description of Surface Property to be Sold
	Exhibit 2.1(c)

	 	Existing Coal Leases
	Exhibit 2.1(e)

	 	Existing Leases and Encumbrances
	Exhibit 4.6

	 	Schedule of Pending Litigation
	Exhibit 9.2(a)

	 	Deed of Conveyance
	Exhibit 9.2(d)

	 	Affidavit of Non-Foreign Status

-2-

 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

     THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT dated January 28, 2005, is made by and between PLUM CREEK
TIMBERLANDS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“SELLER”), and WPP LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company (“BUYER”).

W I T N E S E T H:

     WHEREAS, SELLER desires to sell, bargain, assign, transfer and convey to BUYER, and BUYER
desires to purchase and accept, SELLER’s interest in certain Properties as hereinafter defined; and

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein,
SELLER and BUYER do hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

Definitions and References

     Section 1.1 Certain Defined Terms. When used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1:

     “Agreement” shall mean this Agreement, as hereafter changed, amended or modified in accordance
with the terms hereof.

     “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code, of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any
successor statute thereto.

     “Escrow Agent” shall mean Marshall Miller & Associates, Inc.

     “Hazardous Material” shall mean any hazardous material, hazardous wastes, or hazardous or
toxic substances as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, as

-3-

 

amended, (42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq.) (“CERCLA”), and the Toxic Substances
Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq.).

     “Knowledge of SELLER” The phrase “to the knowledge of SELLER”, or similar words or phrases,
shall mean to the actual knowledge of Erwin Barger, Russell Hagen or James Fatony, without a duty
of inquiry.

     “Material Adverse Effect” The phrase “material adverse effect’ or similar words or phrases
shall mean an adverse condition pertaining to the Properties which either reduces the value of the
Properties by an amount exceeding five percent of the Purchase Price or requires remedial action at
an anticipated expense of greater than five percent of the Purchase Price.

     “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all rules
and regulations under such Act.

     “Tax” or “Taxes” shall mean any state or local ad valorem (including without limitation any
unmined mineral taxes required to be assessed under state law) real property or personal property
tax, including any interest, penalty or addition thereto, whether disputed or not.

     “Tax Return” shall mean any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information
return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, including any
amendment thereof and including further, without limitation, any unmined mineral taxes required to
be filed under state law.

     Section 1.2 References, Titles and Construction.

     (a) All references in this Agreement to articles, sections, subsections and other
subdivisions refer to corresponding articles, sections, subsections and other subdivisions
of this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise.

-4-

 

     (b) Titles appearing at the beginning of any of such subdivisions are for convenience
only and shall not constitute part of such subdivisions and shall be disregarded in
construing the language contained in such subdivisions.

     (c) The words “this Agreement”, “this instrument”, “herein”, “hereof”, “hereby”,
“hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular subdivision unless expressly so limited.

     (d) Words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and
vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. Pronouns in masculine,
feminine and neuter genders shall be construed to include any other gender.

     (e) Unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise provided herein, the
terms defined in this Agreement which refer to a particular agreement, instrument or
document also refer to and include all renewals, extensions, modifications, amendments or
restatements of such agreement, instrument or document, provided that nothing contained in
this subsection shall be construed to authorize such renewal, extension, modification,
amendment or restatement.

     (f) Examples shall not be construed to limit, expressly or by implication, the matter
they illustrate.

     (g) The word “or” is not intended to be exclusive and the word “includes” and its
derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative
expressions.

     (h) No consideration shall be given to the fact or presumption that one party had a
greater or lesser hand in drafting this Agreement.

     (i) All references herein to “$” or “dollars” shall refer to U.S. Dollars.

-5-

 

     (j) Each of the Exhibits listed on Table of Exhibits is attached and each such
exhibit is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes and references to this
Agreement shall also include such exhibit unless the context in which used shall otherwise
require.

ARTICLE II.

Property to be Sold and Purchased

     Section 2.1 Property to be Sold and Purchased. SELLER agrees to sell and BUYER agrees
to purchase, for the consideration hereinafter set forth, and subject to the terms and provisions
herein contained, the following described properties, rights and interests:

	 	(a)  	     All right, title and interest of SELLER in and to the coal in, on or under
the real property described on Exhibit “A”, and to the extent owned by SELLER
any and all rights appurtenant thereto or useful in connection with the enjoyment and
mining thereof or which BUYER and its successors and assigns deem necessary or
convenient for the full and free use and extraction of the coal and the exercise of
the estates to be transferred hereunder, and together with all rights of ingress and
egress for the purpose of prospecting and exploring by any means, and for the purpose
of extracting, mining, developing, producing, treating and processing coal by all
methods (including, without limitation mining by strip, auger, open pit, in-situ
combustion, solution, and underground methods), and of erecting, operating,
maintaining and working any mining, extraction, production, treatment or processing
facility by all procedures, whether such means, methods, or procedures are now known
or hereafter discovered, or taking out, storing, stockpiling, removing, transporting
and marketing said coal, together with the right to commingle coal produced from the
real property described in Exhibit A with coal, minerals or other materials produced
from any other property and to use the real property described in Exhibit A for any
of the aforesaid activities with respect to coal, minerals or other

-6-

 

	 	   	materials from
other property when related to like activities involving coal produced from the
real property described in Exhibit A; together with a perpetual easement to
construct, maintain and use surface and underground haul ways, pipelines, conduits
and passageways on, through and under the real property described in Exhibit A for
the transportation of coal, other minerals, materials, equipment, supplies and
persons and other tangible property (the “Coal Property”);
	 
	 	(b)  	     All right, title and interest of SELLER in and to the surface of the real
property described on Exhibit “B” (the “Surface Property”).

     (The Coal Property and the Surface Property are sometimes hereinafter collectively
referred to as the “Properties.”)

	 	(c)  	     All right, title and interest of SELLER in and to the Leases listed and
identified as coal leases in Exhibit 2.1(c) (the “Leases”).
	 
	 	(d)  	     All maps, files, reserve information, environmental information and other
similar materials pertaining to the Properties (the “Records”).
	 
	 	(e)  	     All rights reserved or retained by the lessor in those various leases listed
in Exhibit 2.1(e) and identified as non-coal leases which are appurtenant to,
for the benefit of, or useful in connection with the enjoyment of the Properties and
the estates and interests being sold hereunder (specifically excluding the right to
receive royalties and those items set forth in Section 2.2). SELLER agrees to
execute such additional documents as may be reasonably required by BUYER to allow
BUYER to exercise such “non-coal lease” rights.

It is the intention of the BUYER and SELLER that, subject only to (i) the rights of the lessee(s)
under existing oil and gas or other leases covering the Coal Property and (ii) the rights of
current surface owners other than SELLER with respect to the Coal Property, coal shall be the
dominant estate and the exercise
of oil and gas, surface and other rights shall not unreasonably interfere with the

-7-

 

operations
relating to the mining, production, treatment, transportation of coal or other use of the Coal
Property by the BUYER, its successors and assigns.

     Section 2.2 Excluded Assets. All assets of SELLER on the Closing Date not referred to in
Section 2.1 (the “Excluded Assets”) shall be retained by SELLER, and shall not be
transferred to or purchased by BUYER. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, BUYER
shall not purchase from SELLER:

	 	(a)  	all oil, gas, coalbed methane and other hydrocarbons, regardless of gravity
produced in liquid or gaseous form and all substances necessarily produced in
association with such oil, gas and other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons together with
the rights of ingress and egress for the purpose of prospecting and exploring by any
means and for the purpose of drilling, extracting, developing, producing, treating,
processing and transporting by all methods whether such methods are now known or
hereinafter discovered.
	 
	 	(b)  	any of the accounts receivable due, generated by or in connection with the
Properties on or prior to the Closing Date;
	 
	 	(c)  	all prepaid and deferred items or credits and deposits, rights of offset and
credits and claims for refund generated or incurred by or in connection with the
Properties prior to the Closing Date;
	 
	 	(d)  	any rights to any trademarks, service marks or trade names (including use of
the names “Plum Creek”, or any derivations thereof and associated logos), any
applications therefore, or any other intellectual property of SELLER or its affiliates
or suppliers; and
	 
	 	(e)  	any claims for refunds of taxes and other governmental charges or assessments
arising from or pertaining to periods, activities, operations or events occurring on
or prior to the Closing Date.

ARTICLE III.

Purchase Price

     Section 3.1 Purchase Price. In consideration of the sale of the Properties by SELLER
to BUYER, BUYER shall pay to SELLER at Closing cash

-8-

 

in the amount of Twenty Two Million Dollars
($22,000,000.00) (the “Purchase Price”). The Purchase Price may be adjusted as provided in Section
7.2, Section 7.4 and in Article X (the Purchase Price, as so adjusted, and as the same may be
otherwise adjusted by the mutual agreement of the parties, being called the “Adjusted Purchase
Price”).

     Section 3.2 Earnest Money. BUYER has paid to Escrow Agent, the sum of One Million One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,100,000.00) as earnest money (“Earnest Money"). Escrow Agent shall
hold and disburse the Earnest Money in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
The Earnest Money (including interest earned thereon) shall be refunded to BUYER (i) at Closing; or
(ii) if the transaction contemplated by this Agreement fails to close as a result of SELLER’s
breach.

ARTICLE IV.

Representations and Warranties of SELLER

     SELLER represents to BUYER, with respect to itself only, as of the date of this Agreement ,
that:

     Section 4.1 Organization and Existence. SELLER is duly organized, validly existing,
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. SELLER is duly qualified to transact
business and is in good standing in the State of West Virginia and the Commonwealths of Virginia
and Kentucky.

     Section 4.2 Power and Authority. SELLER has the power and authority to execute,
deliver, and perform this Agreement, and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed or
to be executed by SELLER in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The
execution, delivery, and performance by SELLER of this Agreement, and each other agreement,
instrument, or document executed or to be executed by SELLER in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will
have been duly authorized by all necessary action of SELLER.

-9-

 

     Section 4.3 Valid and Binding Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by SELLER and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of SELLER, enforceable
in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability may be limited by (a) applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally and (b) equitable principles which may limit the availability of certain equitable
remedies (such as specific performance) in certain instances. Each agreement, instrument or
document executed or to be executed in connection with this Agreement will constitute, a valid and
legally binding obligation of SELLER enforceable against it in accordance with its respective
terms, except that such enforceability may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and (b)
equitable principles which may limit the availability of certain equitable remedies (such as
specific performance) in certain instances.

     Section 4.4 Non-Contravention. Other than requirements (if any) that there be
obtained consents to assignment from third parties, neither the execution, delivery, and
performance by SELLER of this Agreement, and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed
or to be executed by SELLER in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, nor the
consummation by SELLER of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do or will (a)
conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the charter, bylaws or other governing
instruments of SELLER, (b) conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of, or
constitute (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) a default under,
or give rise (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or
both) to any right of termination, cancellation, or acceleration under, any bond, debenture,
note, mortgage or indenture, or any material lease, contract, agreement, or other instrument or
obligation to which SELLER is a party or by which SELLER or any of its properties may be bound, (c)
other than the encumbrance imposed by this Agreement, result in the creation or imposition of any
lien or other encumbrance upon the Properties; or (d) violate any applicable law, rule or
regulation binding upon SELLER.

-10-

 

     Section 4.5 Approvals. Other than the requirements (if any) that there be obtained
consents to assignment from third parties, no consent, approval, order, or authorization of, or
declaration, filing, or registration with, any court or governmental agency or of any third party
is required to be obtained or made by SELLER in connection with the execution, delivery, or
performance by SELLER of this Agreement, and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed
or to be executed by SELLER in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

     Section 4.6 Pending Litigation. Except as set forth on Exhibit 4.6, there is no (a)
action or proceeding by a governmental authority or other party, nor is there outstanding any writ,
order, decree or injunction that (i) calls into question SELLER’s authority or right to enter into
this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) would otherwise prevent or
delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (b) or to the Knowledge of SELLER; (i)
threatens, challenges, or asserts a claim against the interests of SELLER in and to the Properties
and (ii) which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     Section 4.7 No Alienation. Except surface rights that are not material and/or any
instruments listed on Exhibit 2.1(c) and Exhibit 2.1(e) , SELLER has not leased, sold, assigned,
conveyed, or transferred or contracted to sell, assign, convey or transfer any right or title
to, or interest in, the Properties.

     Section 4.8 Title. SELLER has good and marketable title to the Properties, free and
clear of any liens, claims, charges, options, or other encumbrances of any nature, of any person
claiming by, through, or under SELLER, but none other, provided, however, that this representation
is made subject to and there are hereby excepted from the further representations or warranties,
the “Permitted Encumbrances.” For purposes of this Agreement, “Permitted Encumbrances” shall mean:

-11-

 

	 	(a)  	liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges which are not yet
due and payable as of the Closing;
	 
	 	(b)  	all land use (including environmental and wetlands), building and zoning and
mining laws, regulations, codes and ordinances affecting the Properties;
	 
	 	(c)  	any rights of the United States of America, or the State or Commonwealth in
which the Properties are located or others in the use and continuous flow of any
brooks, streams or other natural water courses or water bodies within, crossing or
abutting the Properties, including, without limitation, riparian rights and
navigational servitudes;
	 
	 	(d)  	all easements, rights-of-way, licenses and other such similar encumbrances
presently existing and of record;
	 
	 	(e)  	all existing public and private roads and streets and all railroad and
utility lines, pipelines, service lines and facilities;
	 
	 	(f)  	all encroachments, overlaps, boundary line disputes, shortages in area,
parties in possession, cemeteries and burial grounds and other matters not of record
which would be disclosed by an accurate survey or inspection of the Properties;
	 
	 	(g)  	Those mineral leases (as amended) and other instruments listed on Exhibit
2.1(c)and Exhibit 2.1(e);
	 
	 	(h)  	any loss or claim due to lack of access to any portion of the Properties and
	 
	 	(i)  	any loss or claim due to any indefiniteness or uncertainty in the legal
description of the Properties.
	 
	 	(j)  	the surface damages provisions of those certain Special Warranty Deeds from Plum Creek
Timberlands L. P. to Heartwood Forestland Fund IV Limited Partnership dated March 31, 2004
and filed for record in the counties where the Properties are located.

     Section 4.9 No Adverse Claims. To the Knowledge of SELLER, there are no adverse claims
to any of the Properties except for (i) Permitted Encumbrances, (ii) those claims which would not
have Material Adverse Effect,

-12-

 

and (iii) those listed and described in Exhibit 4.9. There are no
eminent domain or condemnation proceedings pending, or to the Knowledge of SELLER, threatened
against any of the Properties, except such proceedings that would not have a Material Adverse
Effect.

     Section 4.10  Tax Matters. Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect:

     (a) There is no dispute or claim concerning any Tax liability with respect to the Properties
claimed or raised by any authority.

     (b) There are no outstanding agreements or waivers extending the statutory period of
limitations applicable to any Tax Returns required to be filed by SELLER or with respect to the
Properties, or for which BUYER may be responsible.

     (c) Seller has filed all Tax Returns with respect to the Properties that were required to be
filed and such Tax Returns (with respect to the Properties) are accurate in all respects. All Taxes
shown as due with respect to the Properties on any such Tax Returns have been paid.

     (d) No special assessments for improvements are outstanding or have been completed as of the
date of this Agreement with respect to the Properties.

Section 4.11 Environmental Matters.

     (a) Except as to the extent that it would not have a Material Adverse Effect, there are no
pending or, to the Knowledge of SELLER, threatened claims, demands, actions, actions,
administrative proceeding or lawsuits against the SELLER with respect to the Properties under any
environmental laws and to the Knowledge of SELLER there are no facts which would give rise to the
same and none of the Properties is subject to any outstanding injunction, judgment, order, decree
or ruling, under any environmental laws.

-13-

 

     (b) SELLER has not received notice that SELLER, with respect to the Properties, is or may be a
potentially responsible party under CERCLA or any analogous state law in connection with any site
actually containing or used for the treatment, storage or disposal of Hazardous Substances.

     Section 4.12 Leases. The Leases are in full force and effect and each party thereto
has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it under such Leases, and is not
in default under any obligation of such Leases, except when such default would not have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     Section 4.13 Disclaimer of Warranties.

     (a) Any documents, reserve studies, compilations, surveys, plans, specifications, reports
and/or other studies made available to BUYER by SELLER are provided as information only. BUYER
expressly acknowledges that except as contained in this Agreement, SELLER has not made any
representations or warranties whatsoever concerning the Properties or any matters pertaining to the
Properties. SELLER HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS AND NEGATES ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHICH ARE NOT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT,
WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATING TO THE CONDITION, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE OF THE COAL OR THE PROPERTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTY RELATING TO THE
CONDITION OF THE COAL OR THE PROPERTIES OR THEIR SUITABILITY FOR BUYER’S PURPOSES.

     (b) Subject to the representations and warranties of SELLER contained in this Agreement and
unless BUYER terminates this Agreement by reason of any right to do so under this Agreement, BUYER
is willing to and BUYER shall purchase the Properties and SELLER shall sell the Properties “AS IS,
WHERE IS”, with all faults including but not limited to acidic mine water and/or acid mine
drainage” at the Closing.

-14-

 

     (c) BUYER, for itself and its successors and assigns, hereby waives and releases, indemnifies,
defends and holds harmless SELLER from any and all contractual, statutory, common law, and/or other
liabilities, obligations, claims or causes of action, known or unknown, that BUYER or its
successors and assigns may be entitled to assert against SELLER arising in whole or in part of, or
relating or connected in any way to, the condition of the Properties and/or the coal including, but
not limited to acidic mine water and/or acid mine drainage, any such liabilities, obligations,
claims or causes of action based in whole or in part upon any applicable federal, state or local
environmental law, rule or regulation or the environmental condition of the Properties, provided
that nothing in this Section shall in any manner release or discharge SELLER from liability for a
breach of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or from any liability
arising out of any flooding occurring prior to March 1, 2005 alleged to be the result of mineral
operations on the Properties.

ARTICLE V.

Representations and Warranties of BUYER

     BUYER represents to SELLER, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the date of the
Closing, that:

     Section 5.1 Organization and Existence. BUYER is duly organized, legally existing and
in good standing under the laws of its State of Delaware, and is qualified to do business in the
State of West Virginia and the Commonwealths of Virginia and Kentucky.

     Section 5.2  Power and Authority. BUYER has power and authority to
execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and each other agreement, instrument, or document
executed or to be executed by BUYER in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to
which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The
execution, delivery, and performance by BUYER of this Agreement and each other agreement,
instrument, or document executed or to be executed by BUYER in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby to which it is a party, and

-15-

 

the consummation by it of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary action(s) of BUYER.

     Section 5.3 Valid and Binding Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by BUYER and constitutes, and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed or
to be executed by BUYER in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to which it is a
party has been, or when executed will be, duly executed and delivered by BUYER and constitutes, or
when executed and delivered will constitute, a valid and legally binding obligation of BUYER,
enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except that such enforceability
may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and similar
laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and (b) equitable principles which may limit the
availability of certain equitable remedies (such as specific performance) in certain instances.

     Section 5.4 Non-Contravention. The execution, delivery, and performance by BUYER of
this Agreement and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed or to be executed by
BUYER in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to which it is a party and the
consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (a)
conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the governing instruments of BUYER, (b)
conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of, or constitute (with or without the
giving of notice or the passage of time or both) a default under, or give rise (with or without the
giving of notice or the passage of time or both) to any right of termination, cancellation, or
acceleration under, any bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture, lease, contract, agreement, or
other instrument or obligation to which BUYER is a party or by which BUYER or any of its properties
may be bound, (c) result in the creation or imposition of any lien or other encumbrance upon the
properties of BUYER, or (d) violate any applicable law, rule or regulation binding upon BUYER.

     Section 5.5 Approvals. No consent, approval, order, or authorization of, or
declaration, filing, or registration with, any court or governmental agency or of

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any third party is required to be obtained or made by BUYER in connection with
the execution, delivery, or performance by BUYER of this Agreement and each other
agreement, instrument, or document executed or to be executed by BUYER in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby to which it is a party or the consummation by it of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

     Section 5.6 Pending Litigation. To the knowledge of BUYER, there is no action or
proceeding by a governmental authority or other party, nor is there outstanding any writ, order,
decree or injunction that (i) calls into question BUYER’s authority or right to enter into this
Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, or (ii) would otherwise prevent or
delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

ARTICLE VI.

Certain Covenants of BUYER and SELLER Pending Closing

     Section 6.1 Access to Files; Delivery and Retention of Records. SELLER will give
BUYER, its attorneys, and other representatives (the “Representatives”), access at all reasonable
times during normal business hours, and upon reasonable advance notice, to the Records. On or
before 60 days after the Closing Date Seller will deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer at its
office in Huntington, West Virginia or such other mutually agreeable location, the Records. The
Seller (and its successors and assigns) may retain a copy of the Records to the extent that they
relate to the operation of its business. Buyer agrees to (a) hold the Records and not to destroy or
dispose of any portion thereof for a period of six years from the Closing Date or such longer time
as may be required by law and (b) following the Closing Date to afford (i) the Seller, (ii) the
Seller’s successors and assigns and (iii) any of their accountants, and counsel, during normal
business hours, upon reasonable request, at any time, full access to the Records and to Buyer’s
employees at no cost to Seller (other than for reasonable out-of pocket expenses); provided that
such access will not be construed to require the disclosure of Records that would cause the waiver
of any attorney-client, work product or like privilege, provided, further, that in the event of any
litigation nothing herein shall limit any Party’s rights of discovery under

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applicable law.
Nothing herein shall impose any liability upon Buyer in the event of destruction or loss of any
Records as a result of casualty. Buyer agrees to provide Seller and its successors and assigns
reasonable access to the Records after the Closing Date in order for Seller to comply with its
obligations under this Agreement (including without limitation the preparation of any required Tax
Returns and to comply with any indemnity obligations), to conduct any historical audit of the
financial statements of Seller in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

     Section 6.2 Operations Prior to Closing
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and except as otherwise
contemplated hereby, from the date hereof through the Closing Date, SELLER shall use reasonable
efforts to preserve the Properties and shall continue to conduct its business in connection with
the Properties in the ordinary and usual course as heretofore conducted, subject to the provisions
of this Agreement and to the requirement that SELLER shall not, from the date hereof through the
Closing Date, enter into agreements or instruments of any nature whatsoever that affects the
Properties without first obtaining the consent by BUYER.

     Section 6.3 Liens to be Released. SELLER shall cause any lien created by SELLER,
which constitutes a Defect to be released before or at Closing.

ARTICLE VII.

Due Diligence Examination

     Section 7.1 Inspection and Assertion of Title Defects.

     (a) SELLER shall make available to BUYER and its representatives, all title opinions,
supplemental title opinions and other title information in the possession of SELLER and
relating to the Properties. BUYER may, to the extent it deems appropriate, conduct, at its
sole cost, such title examination or investigation as it may choose to conduct with respect
to the Properties. Should, as a result of such examination and investigation, or
otherwise, matters come to BUYER’s attention which would constitute “Defects” (as below
defined), and should there be one or

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more of such Defects which BUYER determines it is
unwilling to waive and unwilling to close the transaction contemplated hereby
notwithstanding the fact that such Defects exist, BUYER shall, or cause its Representatives
to, notify SELLER in writing of such Defects on of before February 25, 2005. Such Defects
of which BUYER so provides notice are herein called “Asserted Defects” (including the
furnishing of additional information). All Defects with respect to which BUYER fails to so
give SELLER notice will
be deemed waived for all purposes. In the event that BUYER notifies SELLER of Asserted
Defects, SELLER shall have the right (but not the obligation) to attempt to cure such
Asserted Defects to the reasonable satisfaction of BUYER, and for the purpose of curing
such Asserted Defects, SELLER may, on written notice to BUYER, elect to delay Closing for a
period not to exceed 30 days. As to any Properties affected by an Asserted Defect and
withheld from Closing pursuant to Section 7.4, SELLER shall have 120 days to cure such
Defect to BUYER’s reasonable satisfaction. Upon acceptance of the cure, Closing shall
occur as to such Property. If the Asserted Defects are not so cured within such 120 days,
then SELLER shall retain the Properties that were withheld.

     (b) The term “Defect” as used in this Section shall mean any lien, claim or other
encumbrance of any nature against SELLER’s interest in the Properties other than the
“Permitted Encumbrances”, by persons claiming by, through, or under SELLER, but none other.

     Section 7.2 Production Price Adjustment BUYER shall have the right to contact two
of SELLER’S lessees (Resource Fuels LLC and Bluestone Coal Company) on or before February 18, 2005
for the sole purpose of confirming BUYER’s projections of future mining on the Properties. The
contacts shall be made through a representative of SELLER. If following the contacts, BUYER in
its good faith analysis determines that the combined projected production of the two leases does
not equal or exceed the combined projections for the two leases as set forth in the Projected
Production by Area and Lease 12-14-04, provided by Marshall Miller and Associates, BUYER and SELLER
agree to negotiate in good

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faith to adjust the Purchase Price by a mutually agreed amount not to
exceed five percent (5%) of the Purchase Price. If the parties are unable to agree on the amount
of the adjustment, the adjustment shall be submitted to binding arbitration provided that any
arbitration award shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the Purchase Price. If the amount has not
been so determined by arbitration before the Closing Date, then the Closing shall be delayed until
the 2nd business day after such amount has been so determined.

Section 7.3 Environmental Evaluation

     (a) BUYER shall have until 5:00 p.m. EST on February 25, 2005 to perform an
environmental evaluation of the Properties and verify compliance with applicable
environmental laws, ordinances and regulations. SELLER herewith grants permission to
BUYER, its agents and representatives and any independent contractor selected by Buyer to
conduct an environmental evaluation of the Properties. Seller hereby authorizes all
governmental agencies and authorities to release to Buyer’s employees or representatives
all information in their files regarding the Properties. All such work and studies shall
be at the sole cost and expense of Buyer and shall be nondestructive. Buyer shall notify
Seller and the current surface owner at least five (5) business days in advance of any
proposed soil or groundwater testing, and shall conduct only such soil or groundwater
testing as approved by SELLER, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. BUYER
shall leave the Properties in good condition and repair upon completion of any tests,
studies and entry pursuant to this paragraph and upon any request by SELLER, BUYER shall
restore the Properties to their condition immediately preceding any such tests, studies or
entry. BUYER shall keep the Properties free from liens relating to or arising out of any
tests, studies or entry by Buyer pursuant to this paragraph. BUYER covenants and agrees to
indemnify and hold SELLER and the surface owner harmless from any loss, liability, costs,
claims, damages, demands, actions, causes of action and suits caused by the exercise of the
rights and privileges granted to BUYER or

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the breach of BUYER’S covenants to restore the
Properties set forth in this paragraph. The indemnity contained in this paragraph shall
expressly survive the termination for any reason of this Agreement.

     (b) In the event the BUYER’S Environmental Evaluation reveals an adverse environmental
condition upon the Properties, BUYER shall either (i) obtain a survey of the areas affected
(at BUYER’s expense) and delete the affected acreage from Closing (without adjustment to
the
Purchase Price) or (ii) accept the conveyance of the portion of the Properties with
the adverse environmental condition and waive SELLER’S representations and warranties
contained in Section 4.11 (along with the corresponding Closing condition) only as to such
portion of the Properties.

     Section 7.4 Certain Price Adjustments.

     (a) In the event that, as a part of the due diligence review provided for in Section
7.1 , Asserted Defects are presented to SELLER and SELLER is unable (or unwilling) to cure
such Asserted Defects prior to the Closing, then:

     (i) BUYER and SELLER shall, with respect to each Property affected by one or
more Asserted Defects, attempt to agree upon an appropriate adjustment to the
Purchase Price to account for such Asserted Defects; and

     (ii) with respect to each Property as to which BUYER and SELLER are unable to
agree upon an appropriate adjustment with respect to all Asserted Defects affecting
such Property, such Property will be excluded from the transaction contemplated
hereby, and the Purchase Price will be reduced by an amount determined by
arbitration in accordance with Article XVIII and, if the amount has not been so
determined by arbitration before the Closing Date, then

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the Closing shall be
delayed until the 2nd business day after such amount has been so determined.

     (b) If the Asserted Defect is a monetary lien that can be discharged with the payment
of a determinable sum of money SELLER shall discharge such lien on or prior to Closing.

     Section 7.5 Waiver
Without limiting Section 7.1 and notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, all
Defects not raised by BUYER within the time period specified in Section 7.1(a) shall be waived by
BUYER as a Defect.

ARTICLE VIII.

Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of the Parties to Close

     Section 8.1 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of BUYER to Close. The
obligations of BUYER to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to
each of the following conditions being met:

     (a) Except for representations qualified by “material” or “materiality” in which case
such representations must be true and accurate in all respects when made and at Closing
when serving as a condition to Close, each and every representation of SELLER under this
Agreement shall be true and accurate in all material respects as of the date when made and,
for the purposes of serving as a condition to Close, shall be true and accurate in all
material respects at and as of the time of Closing, as if it had been made again at and as
of the time of Closing.

     (b) Except for covenants, agreements and conditions qualified by “material” or
“materiality” in which case compliance must be performed and complied with in all respects
by SELLER prior to or at the Closing, SELLER shall have performed and complied in all
material respects with (or

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compliance therewith shall have been waived by BUYER) each and
every covenant, agreement and condition required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by SELLER prior to or at the Closing.

     (c) SELLER shall have delivered a certificate executed by an authorized officer of
SELLER dated the Closing Date, representing and
certifying in such detail as BUYER may reasonably request that the conditions set
forth in subsections (a) and (b) above have been fulfilled.

     (d) No suit, action or other proceeding by any governmental authority shall, on the
date of Closing, be pending before any court or governmental agency seeking to restrain,
prohibit, or obtain damages or other relief in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     Section 8.2 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of SELLER to Close. The
obligations of SELLER to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to
each of the following conditions being met:

     (a) Except for representations qualified by “material” or “materiality” in which case
such representations must be true and accurate in all respects when made and at Closing
when serving as a condition to Close, each and every representation of BUYER under this
Agreement shall be true and accurate in all material respects as of the date when made and,
for the purposes of serving as a condition to Close, shall be true and accurate in all
material respects at and as of the time of Closing, as if it had been made again at and as
of the time of Closing.

     (b) Except for covenants, agreements and conditions qualified by “material” or
“materiality” in which case compliance must be performed and complied with in all respects
by BUYER prior to or at the Closing, BUYER shall have performed and complied in all
material respects with (or compliance therewith shall have been waived by SELLER) each and
every covenant, agreement and condition required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by BUYER prior to or at the Closing.

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     (c) No suit, action or other proceeding by any governmental authority shall, on the
date of Closing, be pending before any court or governmental agency seeking to restrain,
prohibit, or obtain damages or
other relief in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.

ARTICLE IX.

Closing of Transaction

     Section 9.1 The Closing. The closing (herein called the “Closing”) of the transaction
contemplated hereby will be held 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on or before March 8, 2005 at
the offices of SELLER located at One Concourse Parkway, Suite 755, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, or at
such other date time and place as may be required by this Agreement or as BUYER and SELLER may
mutually agree upon (such date and time being herein called the “Closing Date”). It is specifically
understood and agreed by the parties, that for purposes of this Agreement, the Closing shall be
effective as of March 1, 2005.

     Section 9.2 SELLER’s Closing Obligations At the Closing, SELLER shall:

          (a) execute, acknowledge and deliver to BUYER one or more Deeds for the conveyance and
assignment of the Properties (one for each applicable county) (the “Deeds of Conveyance”), in
substantially the same form attached hereto as Exhibit 9.2(a), (along with a sale listing form or a
declaration of consideration for each deed so that the total consideration stated for the Deeds of
Conveyance equals the Adjusted Purchase Price as either allocated as agreed by the parties or, in
the absence of such agreement, as directed by BUYER) together with checks for the payment of any
transfer taxes required by an governmental body in order to record each of said Deeds of
Conveyances.

          (b) deliver a copy of the resolutions adopted by the board of directors of SELLER authorizing
SELLER to execute and deliver this Agreement and all related documents and instruments and to
perform its obligations

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hereunder and thereunder, which copy shall be certified by the secretary or assistant
secretary of SELLER;

          (c) deliver to BUYER a certificate of existence and good standing issued by the Secretary of
State of Delaware and dated no earlier than thirty business days prior to the Closing Date along
with the certificate specified in Section 8.1(c);

          (d) to the extent requested by BUYER, execute and deliver to BUYER an affidavit or other
certification (as permitted by such code) in the form of Exhibit 9.2(d) attached hereto that SELLER
is not a “foreign person” within the meaning of Section 1445 (or similar provisions) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (i.e., SELLER is not a non-resident alien, foreign
corporation, foreign partnership, foreign trust or foreign estate as those terms are defined in
such code and regulations promulgated thereunder); and

          (e) SELLER shall cause Escrow Agent to deliver the Earnest Money to BUYER

     Section 9.3 BUYER’s Closing Obligations. At the Closing, BUYER shall deliver to
SELLER, by wire transfer to an account designated by SELLER in a bank located in the United States,
an amount equal to the Adjusted Purchase Price.

ARTICLE X.

 Other Agreements 

     Section 10.1 Prorations and Expenses. All real estate ad valorem taxes shall
be prorated as of March 1, 2005 in a manner mutually agreeable to BUYER and SELLER. SELLER shall
pay for any state property transfer taxes and will prepare the Deed of Conveyance. BUYER shall pay
all costs of recording.

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ARTICLE XI.

Surface Damages

     Section 11.1 Surface Damages. Any conveyance made pursuant to this Agreement shall be
made subject to the surface damages provisions contained in those certain Special Warranty Deeds
from Plum Creek Timberlands L. P. to Heartwood Forestland Fund IV Limited Partnership dated March
31, 2004 and BUYER agrees to compensate SELLER in the same manner for operations on surface
property owned by SELLER and not to be conveyed hereunder.

ARTICLE XII.

Post Closing Obligations

     Section 12.1 Survival of Provisions. All representations and warranties of SELLER or
BUYER contained in this Agreement, any exhibit or in any certificate delivered at the Closing shall
survive the Closing, for a period of one year from the Closing Date (the “Indemnification Period”).
Any claim for indemnification for a breach of representation or warranty must be made prior to the
expiration of the Indemnification Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligation of each
party hereto to indemnify any other party hereto shall continue after the expiration of the
Indemnification Period with respect to any matter of which the party seeking indemnity hereunder
shall have given the other party written notice as provided herein prior to the expiration of the
Indemnification Period. All indemnities, waivers and releases of BUYER, in favor of SELLER, shall
survive indefinitely.

     Section 12.2 SELLER’S Indemnification. SELLER shall on the date of Closing agree to
indemnify and hold BUYER harmless from and against any and all claims, obligations, actions,
liabilities, damages, expenses or losses resulting from any misrepresentation or breach of any
warranty, covenant or agreement of SELLER contained in this Agreement or any certificate delivered
by SELLER at
the Closing or from any liability arising out of any flooding occurring prior to March 1, 2005
alleged to be the result of mineral operations on the Properties.

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     Section 12.3 BUYER’S Indemnification. BUYER shall, on the date of Closing, agree, to
indemnify and hold SELLER harmless from and against any and all claims, obligations, actions,
liabilities, damages, costs, expenses, or losses resulting from any misrepresentation or breach of
any warranty, covenant or agreement of BUYER contained in this Agreement or any certificate
delivered by BUYER at the Closing.

     Section 12.4 Notice of Claim. If indemnification pursuant to Section 12.2 or 12.3 is
sought, the party seeking indemnification (the “Indemnitee”) shall give written notice to the
indemnifying party of an event giving rise to the obligation to indemnify, describing in reasonable
detail the factual basis for such claim, and shall allow the indemnifying party to assume and
conduct the defense of the claim or action with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee,
and cooperate with the indemnifying party in the defense thereof; provided, however, that the
omission to give such notice to the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party
from any liability which it may have to the Indemnitee, except to the extent that the indemnifying
party is prejudiced by the failure to give such notice. The Indemnitee shall have the right to
employ separate counsel to represent the Indemnitee if the Indemnitee is advised by counsel that an
actual conflict of interest makes it advisable for the Indemnitee to be represented by separate
counsel and the reasonable expenses and fees of such separate counsel shall be paid by the
indemnifying party.

ARTICLE XIII.

Casualty Loss

     Section 13.1 Casualty Loss. In the event of damage by fire or other casualty to the Properties prior to the Closing,
then this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and BUYER and SELLER shall proceed to
Closing without adjusting the Purchase Price and SELLER shall assign to BUYER all insurance
benefits (if any) and proceeds and also all claims against third parties that it has with respect
to such loss.

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ARTICLE XIV.

Notices

     Section 14.1 Notices. All notices and other communications required under this
Agreement shall (unless otherwise specifically provided herein) be in writing and be delivered
personally, by recognized commercial courier or delivery service via overnight mail (which provides
a receipt), or by telecopier (with receipt acknowledged) at the following addresses:

	 	 	 	 	 
	

	 	If to SELLER:
	 	Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P.
	

	 	 	 	One Concourse Parkway, Suite 755
	

	 	 	 	Atlanta, Georgia 30328
	

	 	 	 	Attention: Law Department
	

	 	 	 	Telecopier: (770) 671-0211
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	If to BUYER:
	 	WPP LLC
	

	 	 	 	1035 Third Avenue
	

	 	 	 	Post Office Box 2827
	

	 	 	 	Huntington, WV 25727-2827
	

	 	 	 	Attention: Nick Carter
	

	 	 	 	Telecopier: (304) 522-5401
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	With copy to:
	 	Natural Resource Partners L.P.
	

	 	 	 	601 Jefferson Street, Suite 3600
	

	 	 	 	Houston, Texas 77002
	

	 	 	 	Attention: Wyatt Hogan, Esq.
	

	 	 	 	Telecopier: (713) 751-7517

and shall be considered delivered on the earlier of the date of receipt or the day following the
date it was sent. Either BUYER or SELLER may specify as its proper address any other post office
address within the continental limits of the United States by giving notice to the other party, in
the manner provided in this Article, at least ten (10) days prior to the effective date of such change of address.

ARTICLE XV.

Termination

     Section 15.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to Closing
by:

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     (a) the mutual consent of BUYER and SELLER;

     (b) either BUYER or SELLER if the Closing has not occurred by the close of business on
May 1, 2005 so long as the failure to consummate the transaction on or before such date
did not result solely from the failure by the party or its affiliate seeking termination of
this Agreement to fulfill any undertaking or commitment on its part provided for herein
prior to Closing;

     (c) SELLER in the event a condition to SELLER’s obligation to close pursuant to
Section 8.2 hereunder is not timely satisfied and is not waived by SELLER; or

     (d) SELLER in the event the Purchase Price adjustments made pursuant to Section 7.4
equal or exceeds five percent of the Purchase Price.

     (e) BUYER in the event a condition to BUYER’s obligation to close pursuant to Section
8.1 hereunder is not timely satisfied and is not waived by BUYER.

     (f) BUYER in the event a that BUYER in the good faith exercise of the rights granted
in Section 7.3 (b) excludes 10% or more of the total acres to be conveyed to BUYER pursuant
to this Agreement.

     Section 15.2 Procedure and Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 15.1, written notice thereof
shall forthwith be given by the terminating party to the other parties hereto, and this Agreement
shall thereupon terminate and become void and have no effect, and the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be abandoned without further action by the parties hereto, except that the provisions
of Section 14.1, Section 15.1, Section 15.2, Article XVI, Section 17.5, Section 17.6, Section 17.8,
Section 17.9, Section 17.11, Section 17.14, Section 17.15 and Article XVIII shall survive the
termination of this Agreement, provided, however, that such

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termination shall not relieve any party
hereto of any liability for any breach of this Agreement.

ARTICLE XVI.

Commissions

     Section 16.1 Commissions.

     (a) SELLER agrees to indemnify and hold harmless BUYER from and against any and all
claims, obligations, actions, liabilities, losses, damages, costs or expenses (including
court costs and attorneys fees) of any kind or character arising out of or resulting from
any agreement, arrangement or understanding alleged to have been made by, or on behalf of,
SELLER with Marshall Miller & Associates, Inc. in connection with this Agreement or the
transaction contemplated hereby.

     (b) BUYER agrees to indemnify and hold harmless SELLER from and against any and all
claims, obligations, actions, liabilities, losses, damages, costs or expenses (including
court costs and attorneys fees) of any kind or character arising out of or resulting from
any agreement, arrangement or understanding alleged to have been made by, or on behalf of,
BUYER with any person, firm, or entity (except Marshall Miller & Associates, Inc.) in
connection with this Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby.

ARTICLE XVII.

Miscellaneous Matters

     Section 17.1 Further Assurances. In order to effectuate and provide BUYER with the
benefits of the transactions contemplated hereby, after the Closing, SELLER shall execute and
deliver, and shall otherwise cause to be executed and delivered, from time to time, such further
instruments, notices, division orders, transfer orders and other documents, and do such other and

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further acts and things, as may be reasonably necessary to more fully and effectively grant, convey
and assign the Properties to BUYER.

     Section 17.2 Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns. The Agreement shall be binding
on the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns provided that BUYER
shall not assign its rights under this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the SELLER
first having been obtained.

     Section 17.3 Entire Agreement — Time of the Essence. This Agreement contains the
entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior agreements, understandings, negotiations, and discussions among the parties with respect to
such subject matter. Time is of the essence in this Agreement.

     Section 17.4 Default. In the event of default by BUYER, BUYER shall furnish SELLER
with all reports and studies relating to the Properties conducted by or for BUYER, and BUYER agrees
that SELLER shall retain the Earnest Money as liquidated damages as SELLER’s sole remedy. BUYER
and SELLER agree that the Earnest Money is a reasonable amount for liquidated damages sustained by
SELLER upon default by BUYER because of the uncertainty in ascertaining actual damages.

     Section 17.5 Limitation of Damages. In no event shall either party be liable to the
other party for any consequential, incidental, indirect or special damages arising out of this
Agreement or any breach thereof, including but not limited to loss of use, lost profits or revenue,
whether or not such loss or damage is based on contract, warranty, negligence or otherwise.

     Section 17.6 Injunctive Relief. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly
agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of
the provisions of this

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Agreement, and shall be entitled to enforce specifically the provisions of
this Agreement, in any court of the United States or any state thereof having jurisdiction, in
addition to any other remedy to which the parties may be entitled under this Agreement or at law or
in equity. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein shall give rise to any right on
the part of BUYER or SELLER after the Closing to rescind this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby.

     Section 17.7 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented,
restated or discharged (and provisions hereof may be waived) only by an instrument in writing
signed by the party against whom enforcement of the amendment, modification, supplement,
restatement or discharge (or waiver) is sought.

     Section 17.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of West Virginia applicable to a contract executed
and performed in such State, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles requiring the
application of the law of another State.

     Section 17.9 Intermediary. The parties agree that SELLER may, in its discretion,
substitute an intermediary (an “Intermediary”) to act in its place, in whole or in part, as SELLER
of the Properties, and thereby elect to consummate all or portions of the transaction as a like
kind exchange pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. BUYER agrees to accept the
Properties, any escrow instructions and any other required performance of SELLER hereunder from an
Intermediary and to render performance of BUYER’s obligations hereunder to an Intermediary,
provided that BUYER shall not incur any additional liability as a result of its cooperation with
SELLER under this Section 17.9 and SELLER shall continue to be responsible to BUYER for all
representations, warranties and covenants contained herein. SELLER agrees to pay any and all
additional costs incurred as a result of substituting an Intermediary. SELLER further agrees to
indemnify and defend BUYER against, and hold BUYER

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harmless from, any and all actions, causes,
demands, expenses or liabilities, known or unknown, fixed or contingent (including, without
limitation, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the enforcement
of this indemnity, or otherwise) incurred by or asserted against BUYER in connection with or
arising out of the election by SELLER to consummate the subject transaction as a like kind exchange
pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. The provisions of this Section 17.9 shall
survive the Closing or any termination of this Agreement.

     Section 17.10 Multiple Counterparts; Fax. This instrument may be executed in a number
of identical counterparts, each of which for all purposes is to be deemed an original, and all of
which constitute collectively, one instrument. It is not necessary that each party hereto execute
the same counterpart so long as identical counterparts are executed by each such party hereto.
This instrument may be validly executed and delivered by facsimile or other electronic
transmission.

     Section 17.11 Confidentiality Neither party shall make any public announcement or public disclosure relating to this
Agreement, without prior consultation (consent not required) of the other party as to the content
and timing of such announcement or disclosure. The disclosing party agrees to consider, but shall
not be bound by, any comments of the other party relating to any public announcement.

     Section 17.12 Severability of Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement is
invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law, or public policy, all other
conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so
long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in
any manner adverse to any party. Upon any such determination, the parties hereto shall negotiate
in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as
closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated hereby are
fulfilled to the extent possible.

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     Section 17.13 No Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement or any
ancillary documents, whether expressed or implied, is intended or shall be construed to confer upon
or give to any person, firm, corporation or legal entity, other than the parties hereto, any
rights, remedies or other benefits under or by reason of this Agreement.

     Section 17.14 Attorneys’ Fees. If either party hereto is required to retain an
attorney to enforce any provision of this Agreement, whether or not a legal proceeding is
commenced, the substantially prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees
regardless of whether at trial, on appeal, in any bankruptcy proceeding, in an arbitration or
without resort to suit.

     Section 17.15  Waiver of Jury Trial. EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW, EACH PARTY HERETO
WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION (ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT, ANY DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO IN CONNECTION HEREWITH AND ANY OF THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

     Section 17.16 Legal Relationships. The parties to this Agreement execute the same
solely as a SELLER and a BUYER. No partnership, joint venture or joint undertaking shall be
construed from these presents, and except as herein specifically provided, neither party shall have
the right to make any representation for, act on behalf of, or be liable for the debts of the
other. All terms, covenants and conditions to be observed and performed by either of the parties
hereto shall be joint and several if entered into by more than one person on behalf of such party,
and a default by any one or more of such persons shall be deemed a default on the part of the party
with whom said person or persons are identified.

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ARTICLE XVIII.

Arbitration

     Section 18.1 Selection of Arbitrators. Except as provided in Section 17.6, any and
all disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be determined by a board of
arbitration upon notice of submission given by either party to the other, which notice shall name a
qualified, impartial, and independent arbitrator. Within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of
such notice, the other party shall name a qualified, impartial and independent arbitrator, or
failing to do so, the Senior Judge (in service) of the United States District Court for the
Southern District of West Virginia shall name the second. Within fifteen (15) days after the
appointment of the first two arbitrators, the two arbitrators so appointed shall name the third
qualified, independent arbitrator, or failing to do so, the third arbitrator may be appointed by
the Senior Judge (in service) of the United States District Court for the Southern District of West
Virginia.

     Section 18.2 Determination. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the
Federal Arbitration Act and using the rules of the American Arbitration Association or any
successor thereof when not in conflict with such act. The arbitrators selected to act hereunder
shall be qualified by education and experience to pass on the particular question in dispute. The
arbitrators shall promptly hear and determine (after due notice of hearing and giving the parties a
reasonable opportunity to be heard) the questions submitted, and shall render their decision within
forty-five (45) days after appointment of the third arbitrator. If within said period a decision
is not rendered by the board, or majority thereof, new arbitrators may be named and shall act
hereunder at the election of either BUYER or SELLER in like manner as if none had been previously
named.

     Section 18.3 Decision Binding. The decision of the arbitrators, or the majority thereof, made in writing shall be final
and binding upon the parties hereto as to the questions submitted, and BUYER and SELLER will abide
by and comply with such decision. The expenses of arbitration, including reasonable compensation
to the arbitrators, shall be borne equally by the parties hereto,

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except that each party shall bear
the compensation and expenses of its own counsel, witnesses, and employees.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed by the parties hereto on the date set forth
above.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	SELLER:
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
	

	 	By:
	 	Plum Creek Timber I, L.L.C.
	

	 	 	 	Its General Partner
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	By:	 	/s/ RICK R. HOLLEY
	

	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	Rick R. Holley

President and Chief Executive Officer
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	BUYER:
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	WPP LLC
By : NRP(Operating) LLC
Its: Sole Member
	 
	 	 	 	 
	

	 	By:	 	/s/ NICK CARTER
	

	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	Nick Carter
	

	 	 	 	President and Chief Operating Officer

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ESCROW

Marshall Miller & Associates, Inc., hereinbefore referred to as Escrow Agent, hereby accepts the
foregoing trust this 28th day of January, 2005. It being expressly understood and
agreed that its duties and responsibilities hereunder are that of delivering said earnest money to
the Purchaser upon full performance or to Seller in the event of default in accordance with the
terms hereof, and that it shall have no other duties or responsibilities. The Escrow Agent will
perform as required by any court having jurisdiction regarding the matter herein.

RECEIPT

     Receipt of Contract and One Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,100,000.00)
Earnest Money is acknowledged.

Date: January 28, 2005

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Marshall Miller & Associates, Inc. Escrow Agent
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	

	 	By:	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	

	 	Its:	 	 	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Date of Execution: _________________, 2005

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