Document:

Exhibit 10.17.1

                                 LOAN AGREEMENT

                                  By and Among:

                                 AHM SPV I, LLC

                                As the Borrower,

                       LA FAYETTE ASSET SECURITIZATION LLC

                                 As the Issuer,

                         CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH

                    As the Administrative Agent and as a Bank

                                       and

                          AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE CORP.,

                                 As the Servicer

                           Dated as of August 8, 2003

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                              TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

ARTICLE I GENERAL TERMS......................................................2
      1.1.  Certain Definitions..............................................2
      1.2.  Other Definitional Provisions...................................25

ARTICLE II AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENT...................................26
      2.1.  Maximum Facility Amount.........................................26
      2.2.  Promissory Notes................................................27
      2.3.  Notice and Manner of Obtaining Borrowings.......................27
      2.4.  Fees............................................................29
      2.5.  Prepayments.....................................................29
      2.6.  Business Days...................................................30
      2.7.  Payment Procedures..............................................30
      2.8.  The Reserve Account.............................................33
      2.9.  Interest Allocations............................................35
      2.10. Interest Rates..................................................35
      2.11. Quotation of Rates..............................................35
      2.12. Default Rate....................................................35
      2.13. Interest Recapture..............................................35
      2.14. Interest Calculations...........................................36
      2.15. Interest Period.................................................36
      2.16. Additional Costs................................................37
      2.17. Additional Interest on Advances Bearing a Eurodollar Rate.......39
      2.18. Consequential Loss..............................................39
      2.19. Taxes...........................................................39
      2.20. Replacement Banks...............................................41

ARTICLE III COLLATERAL......................................................41
      3.1.  Collateral......................................................41
      3.2.  Delivery of Collateral to Collateral Agent......................42
      3.3.  Redemption of Mortgage Collateral...............................43
      3.4.  Releases of Mortgage Notes for Servicing........................46
      3.5.  Collateral Reporting............................................46
      3.6.  Take-Out Commitment Reporting...................................47
      3.7.  Servicer Monthly Reporting......................................47
      3.8.  Servicer Annual Pipeline Reporting..............................47

ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.............................................48
      4.1.  Initial Borrowing...............................................48
      4.2.  All Borrowings..................................................50

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES....................................51
      5.1.  Representations of the Borrower and the Servicer................51
      5.2.  Additional Representations of the Borrower......................54
      5.3.  Additional Representations and Warranties of the Servicer.......56

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      5.4.  Survival of Representations.....................................57

ARTICLE VI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS............................................57
      6.1.  Financial Statements and Reports................................57
      6.2.  Taxes and Other Liens...........................................59
      6.3.  Maintenance.....................................................60
      6.4.  Further Assurances..............................................60
      6.5.  Compliance with Laws............................................60
      6.6.  Insurance.......................................................60
      6.7.  Accounts and Records............................................61
      6.8.  Right of Inspection; Audit......................................61
      6.9.  Notice of Certain Events........................................62
      6.10. Performance of Certain Obligations..............................62
      6.11. Use of Proceeds; Margin Stock...................................62
      6.12. Notice of Default...............................................63
      6.13. Compliance with Transaction Documents...........................63
      6.14. Compliance with Material Agreements.............................63
      6.15. Operations and Properties.......................................63
      6.16. Take-Out Commitments............................................63
      6.17. Collateral Proceeds.............................................64
      6.18. Environmental Compliance........................................64
      6.19. Closing Instructions............................................64
      6.20. Special Affirmative Covenants Concerning Collateral.............64
      6.21. Corporate Separateness..........................................65
      6.22. Post-Closing Conditions.........................................66

ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS..............................................66
      7.1.  Limitations on Mergers and Acquisitions.........................66
      7.2.  Fiscal Year.....................................................66
      7.3.  Business........................................................67
      7.4.  Use of Proceeds.................................................67
      7.5.  Actions with Respect to Collateral..............................67
      7.6.  Liens...........................................................68
      7.7.  Employee Benefit Plans..........................................68
      7.8.  Change of Principal Office......................................68
      7.9.  No Commercial, A&D, Etc. Loans..................................68
      7.10. Maximum Leverage................................................68
      7.11. Indebtedness....................................................68
      7.12. Deposits to Collection Account..................................68
      7.13. Transaction Documents...........................................69
      7.14. Distributions, Etc..............................................69
      7.15. Limited Liability Company Agreement.............................69
      7.16. Minimum Tangible Net Worth......................................69
      7.17. Minimum GAAP Net Worth..........................................69
      7.18. Positive Net Income of Performance Guarantor....................69

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ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT..............................................70
      8.1.  Nature of Event.................................................70
      8.2.  Default Remedies................................................74
      8.3.  Paydowns........................................................75
      8.4.  Waivers of Notice, Etc..........................................76

ARTICLE IX THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.........................................76
      9.1.  Authorization...................................................76
      9.2.  Reliance by Agent...............................................76
      9.3.  Agent and Affiliates............................................77
      9.4.  Lender Decision.................................................77
      9.5.  Rights of the Administrative Agent..............................77
      9.6.  Indemnification of Administrative Agent.........................77
      9.7.  UCC Filings.....................................................78

ARTICLE X INDEMNIFICATION...................................................78
      10.1. Indemnities by the Borrower.....................................78

ARTICLE XI ADMINISTRATION AND COLLECTION OF MORTGAGE LOANS..................79
      11.1. Designation of Servicer.........................................79
      11.2. Duties of Servicer..............................................79
      11.3. Certain Rights of the Administrative Agent......................80
      11.4. Rights and Remedies.............................................80
      11.5. Indemnities by the Servicer.....................................81

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS...................................................82
      12.1. Notices.........................................................82
      12.2. Amendments, Etc.................................................84
      12.3. Invalidity......................................................85
      12.4. Restrictions on Informal Amendments.............................85
      12.5. Cumulative Rights...............................................85
      12.6. Construction; Governing Law.....................................85
      12.7. Interest........................................................86
      12.8. Right of Offset.................................................86
      12.9. Successors and Assigns..........................................87
      12.10 Survival of Termination.........................................88
      12.11 Exhibits........................................................88
      12.12 Titles of Articles, Sections and Subsections................... 89
      12.13 Counterparts....................................................89
      12.14 No Proceedings..................................................89
      12.15 Confidentiality.................................................89
      12.16 Recourse Against Directors, Officers, Etc.......................90
      12.17 Waiver of Jury Trial............................................90
      12.18 Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities...................90
      12.19 Costs, Expenses and Taxes.......................................91
      12.20 Entire Agreement................................................91
      12.21 Excess Funds....................................................92
      12.22 Amendment Relating to Current Merger Transactions...............92

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SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

Schedule I        Bank Commitments and Percentages -ss.3.2(b)

Schedule II       Approved Investors -ss.3.2(b)

Schedule III      Litigation -ss.5.1(g)(i)

Schedule IV       Description of Current Merger Transactions

Exhibit A         Form of Assignment and Acceptance -ss.1.1

Exhibit B         Form of Subordination Agreement -ss.4.1(f)

Exhibit C         Form of Borrowing Report -ss.2.3(a)(i)

Exhibit D         Collateral Agency Agreement -ss.1.1

Exhibit D-1       Definitions - ss.1

Exhibit D-2       Form of Security Agreement -ss.3.1(a)

Exhibit D-3       Form of Collection Account Control Agreement -ss.3.1(b)

Exhibit D-4       Form of Assignment -ss.3.1(c) andss.3.2(a)

Exhibit D-5       Form of Transfer Request - ss. 3.3(a)

Exhibit D-5A      Form of Shipping Request -ss.3.3(b)

Exhibit D-6(a)    Form of Bailee and Security Agreement Letter -ss.3.4(b)(i)

Exhibit D-6(b)    Form of Bailee and Security Agreement Letter for Pool
                  Custodian ss.3.4(b)(i)

Exhibit D-7       Form of Trust Receipt and Security Agreement for Approved
                  Investors - ss.3.5

Exhibit D-8       Collateral Agent Daily Report -ss.3.5

Exhibit D-9       Borrowing Report

Exhibit D-10      UCC Financing Statements -ss.3.1(d)

Exhibit D-11      Collection Account Release Notice

Exhibit D-12      Assignment of Trade

Exhibit E         Form of Promissory Note - ss. 2.2

Exhibit F         Form of Servicer Monthly Report - ss. 3.7

Exhibit G-1       Form of Servicer Performance Guaranty

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Exhibit G-2       Form of Originator Performance Guaranty

Exhibit H-1       Servicer's Quarterly Officer's Certificate - ss. 6.1(e)

Exhibit H-2       Borrower's Quarterly Officer's Certificate - ss. 6.1(e)

Exhibit H-3       Performance Guarantor's Quarterly Officer's Certificate

Exhibit I-1       Form of Opinion of Counsel to Borrower, Originators and
                  Performance Guarantor on Corporate Matters - ss. 4.1(i)

Exhibit I-2       Form of Opinion of Counsel to Borrower and Originators on
                  Security Interest Matters - ss. 4.1(i)

Exhibit J         Form of Opinion of Counsel to Originators on Bankruptcy
                  Matters - ss. 4.1(j)

Exhibit K         Form of Hedge Report - ss. 3.6

Exhibit L         Form of Reserve Account Control Agreement

Exhibit M         Each Originator's Credit and Collection Policy

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                                 LOAN AGREEMENT
                           Dated as of August 8, 2003

      THIS LOAN AGREEMENT, among AHM SPV I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (hereinafter, together with its successors and assigns, the "Borrower"),
LA FAYETTE ASSET SECURITIZATION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(hereinafter, together with its successors and assigns, "La Fayette"), CREDIT
LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH ("CL New York"), as a Bank and the Administrative
Agent, and AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE CORP., a New York corporation, as the Servicer
(hereinafter, together with its successors and assigns, the "Servicer").

                                    RECITALS

      1. Capitalized terms used in these Recitals and not defined in the
preamble above have the meanings set forth in Article I.

      2. The Originators are engaged in the business of originating, acquiring,
investing in, marketing and selling, for their own account, mortgage loans that
are made either to finance the purchase of one- to four-family owner-occupied
homes or to refinance loans secured by such properties.

      3. The Borrower has purchased, and may continue to purchase, Eligible
Mortgage Loans from the Originators, as determined from time to time by the
Borrower and the Originators.

      4. In order to finance such purchases, the Borrower has requested that the
Lenders provide the Borrower with credit in the form of revolving loans on the
terms and conditions set forth herein.

      5. The Issuer may, in its sole discretion, and the Banks shall, in each
case subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, make
Advances to the Borrower secured by a lien on, and security interest in, the
Mortgage Loans and certain other Collateral.

      6. The Lenders have appointed the Administrative Agent as their agent to
perform certain administrative duties for the Lenders including, among other
things, the administration of the funding of the transactions hereunder and the
making of certain determinations hereunder and in connection herewith.

                                   AGREEMENTS

      In consideration of the recitals and the representations, warranties,
conditions, covenants and agreements made in this Agreement, the sufficiency of
which are acknowledged by all parties hereto, the Borrower, the Lenders, the
Servicer and the Administrative Agent, intending to be legally bound, hereby
establish a warehouse line of credit in the amount of the Maximum Facility
Amount. Accordingly, the Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the
Servicer covenant and agree as follows:

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                                   ARTICLE I

                                  GENERAL TERMS

      1.1. Certain Definitions.

      As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings
(such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of
the terms defined):

      "ABR Allocation" means all or any portion of Principal Debt if interest
thereon is calculated by reference to the Eurodollar Rate or the Alternate Base
Rate.

      "Accepted Servicing Standards" means the same manner in which the Servicer
services and administers similar mortgage loans for its own portfolio, giving
due consideration to customary and usual standards of practice of mortgage
lenders and loan servicers administering similar mortgage loans but without
regard to any relationship that the Servicer or any Affiliate of the Servicer
may have with the related Obligor, or the Servicer's right to receive
compensation for its services hereunder.

      "Administrative Agent" means CL New York, in its capacity as
administrative agent for the Lenders, or any successor administrative agent.

      "Administrative Agent Fee Letter" is defined in Section 2.4(a).

      "Advance" means any amount disbursed by the Lenders to the Borrower
pursuant to Section 2.1, whether such amount constitutes an original
disbursement of funds to the Borrower under this Agreement or a continuation of
an amount outstanding.

      "Advance Rate" means (i) with respect to a Conforming Loan or a Jumbo Loan
(other than a Super Jumbo Loan), ninety-eight percent (98%) and (ii) with
respect to a Super Jumbo Loan, ninety-five percent (95%).

      "Affected Party" means each Lender, the Administrative Agent, each bank
party to the Liquidity Agreement and any permitted assignee or participant of
any such bank, and any holding company of an Affected Party.

      "Affiliate" of any Person means (a) any other Person that, directly or
indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such
Person, or (b) any other Person who is a director, officer or employee (i) of
such Person, or (ii) of any Person described in the preceding clause (a). For
purposes of this definition, the term "control" (and the terms "controlled by"
and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean
the possession or ownership, directly or indirectly, of the power either (x) to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person,
whether by contract or otherwise, or (y) vote 10% or more of the securities
having ordinary power in the election of directors of such Person.

      "Agent's Account" means, the special account (account number
01-50576-0001-00-0001, ABA No. 026008073) of CL New York maintained at the
office of Credit Lyonnais New York Branch at 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, New York.

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      "Agreement" or the "Loan Agreement" means this Loan Agreement, as amended,
restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.

      "Alternate Base Rate" means, on any date, a fluctuating rate of interest
per annum equal to the higher of:

      (a) the rate of interest most recently announced by CL New York as its
base rate, changing when and as said base rate changes; or

      (b) the Federal Funds Rate (as defined below) most recently determined by
the Administrative Agent plus 1.0% per annum.

For purposes of this definition, "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any period, a
fluctuating interest rate per annum equal (for each day during such period) to
(i) the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions
with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as
published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the
immediately preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; or
(ii) if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the
average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the
Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing
selected by it. The Alternate Base Rate is not necessarily intended to be the
lowest rate of interest determined by CL New York in connection with extensions
of credit.

      "American Home Mortgage Corp." has the meaning set forth in the preamble
to this Agreement.

      "Annual Extension Date" shall mean (i) August 6, 2004, and (ii)
thereafter, if consented to by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent pursuant
to Section 2.1(b), the date that is specified by the Lenders and the
Administrative Agent in the applicable consent, which date shall not be more
than 364 days following the then effective Annual Extension Date.

      "Approved Investor" means:

      (a) Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae, or

      (b) any Person with short-term ratings of at least A-1, P-1 and F1 from
S&P, Moody's and Fitch, respectively, or long-term unsecured debt ratings (or in
the case of a bank without such ratings that is the principal subsidiary of a
bank holding company, the rating of the bank holding company) of at least AA,
Aa2 and AA from S&P, Moody's and Fitch, respectively, or

      (c) all other Persons as may be approved by the Administrative Agent,
which approvals may be subject to certain concentration limits;

provided that (i) except for an Approved Investor defined above in section (c),
if an Approved Investor has a short-term rating or a long-term unsecured debt
rating at the time such Person becomes an "Approved Investor" and such Person's
short-term ratings or long-term unsecured debt ratings are subsequently
downgraded or withdrawn, such Person shall cease to be an "Approved Investor";
provided, further, that with respect to any Take-Out Commitments issued

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by such Person prior to the date of such downgrade or withdrawal, such Person
shall cease to be an "Approved Investor" 60 days following such downgrade or
withdrawal; and (ii) if an Approved Investor does not have a short-term rating
or a long-term unsecured debt rating, such Person shall cease to be an "Approved
Investor" upon prior written notice from the Administrative Agent if the
Administrative Agent has good faith concerns about the future performance of
such Person; provided, further, that with respect to any Take-Out Commitments
issued by such Person prior to such notice, such Person shall cease to be an
"Approved Investor" 60 days following such notice.

As of the date of this Agreement, Schedule II hereto sets forth the Approved
Investors pursuant to the preceding clauses (b) and (c) (and any applicable
concentration limits). Schedule II shall be updated from time to time as
Approved Investors are added or deleted or concentration limits are changed
pursuant to the preceding clauses (b) and (c).

      "Assignment" is defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

      "Assignment and Acceptance" means an assignment and acceptance agreement
entered into by a Bank, an Eligible Assignee and the Administrative Agent,
pursuant to which such Eligible Assignee may become a party to this Agreement,
in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto.

      "Availability" means, at the time determined, the Maximum Facility Amount
minus the Principal Debt.

      "Available Collateral Value" means, at the time determined, the excess of
the Collateral Value of all Eligible Mortgage Collateral over the Principal
Debt.

      "Bailee and Security Agreement Letter" is defined in Section 3.4(b)(i) of
the Collateral Agency Agreement.

      "Bank" means CL New York and each Eligible Assignee that shall become a
party to this Agreement pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance.

      "Bank Commitment" means, for any Bank, (a) with respect to CL New York,
the amount set forth on Schedule I hereto, and (b) with respect to a Bank that
has entered into an Assignment and Acceptance, the amount set forth therein as
such Bank's Bank Commitment, in each case as such amount may be reduced by each
Assignment and Acceptance entered into between such Bank and an Eligible
Assignee, and as may be further reduced (or terminated) pursuant to the next
sentence. Any reduction (or termination) of the Maximum Facility Amount pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement shall (unless otherwise agreed by all the Banks)
reduce ratably (or terminate) each Bank's Bank Commitment. At no time shall the
aggregate Bank Commitments of all Banks exceed the Maximum Facility Amount.

      "Bank Commitment Percentage" means, for any Bank as of any date, the
amount obtained by dividing such Bank's Bank Commitment on such date by the
aggregate Bank Commitments of all Banks on such date. As of the date of this
Agreement, the Bank Commitment Percentage for each Bank is as set forth on
Schedule I hereto.

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      "Bank Margin" means the margin set forth in the Administrative Agent fee
letter.

      "Base Rate Advance" means an Advance that bears interest at a rate per
annum determined on the basis of the Alternate Base Rate.

      "Borrower" has the meaning specified in the preamble of this Agreement.

      "Borrowing" means Advances by the Lenders under this Agreement.

      "Borrowing Date" means the date, identified by the Borrower in the
relevant Borrowing Report, as the date on which a Borrowing is to be made.

      "Borrowing Report" means a request, in the form of Exhibit C to this
Agreement, for a Borrowing pursuant to Article II.

      "Business Day" means (a) a day on which (i) commercial banks in New York
City, New York, are not authorized or required to be closed and (ii) commercial
banks in the State in which the Collateral Agent has its principal office are
not authorized or required to be closed, and (b) if this definition of "Business
Day" is utilized in connection with a Eurodollar Advance, a day on which
dealings in United States dollars are carried out in the London interbank
market.

      "CL New York" has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement
and its successors and assigns.

      "Closing Protection Rights" means any rights of the Originators or the
Borrower to or under (i) a letter issued by a title insurance company to any of
the Originators assuming liability for certain acts or failure to act on behalf
of a named closing escrow agent, approved attorney or similar Person in
connection with the closing of a Mortgage Loan transaction, (ii) a bond,
insurance or trust fund established to protect a mortgage lender against a loss
or damage resulting from certain acts or failure to act of a closing escrow
agent, approved attorney, title insurance company or similar Person, or (iii)
any other right or claim that any of the Originators or the Borrower may have
against any Person for any loss or damage resulting from such Person's acts or
failure to act in connection with the closing of a Mortgage Loan and the
delivery of the related Mortgage Loan Collateral to the Collateral Agent, any of
the Originators or to the Borrower.

      "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.

      "Collateral" means Property that is subject to a Lien for the benefit of
the holders of the Obligations.

      "Collateral Agency Agreement" means the Collateral Agency Agreement, dated
as of the date hereof, among the Borrower, the Collateral Agent and the
Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, as amended,
supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

      "Collateral Agent" means Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, and its
successors and assigns.

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      "Collateral Agent Daily Report" is defined in Section 3.8(a) of the
Collateral Agency Agreement.

      "Collateral Deficiency" means, at any time, the amount by which the
Principal Debt exceeds the lesser of (a) the Collateral Value of all Eligible
Mortgage Collateral and (b) if the Collateral Agent holds no Eligible Mortgage
Collateral, zero.

      "Collateral Proceeds" means all amounts received by the Borrower, the
Servicer, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Collateral Agent or any
other Person, in respect of the Collateral, whether in respect of principal,
interest, fees or other amounts, including, without limitation, (i) all amounts
received pursuant to Take-Out Commitments, and (ii) with respect to any Mortgage
Loan, all funds that are received from or on behalf of the related Obligors in
payment of any amounts owed (including, without limitation, purchase prices,
finance charges, escrow payments, interest and all other charges) in respect of
such Mortgage Loan, or applied to such amounts owed by such Obligors (including,
without limitation, insurance payments that Borrower or Servicer applies in the
ordinary course of its business to amounts owed in respect of such Mortgage Loan
and net proceeds of sale or other disposition of Property of the Obligor or any
other party directly or indirectly liable for payment of such Mortgage Loan and
available to be applied thereon).

      "Collateral Value" means

      (A) with respect to each Eligible Mortgage Loan and at all times, an
amount equal to the Advance Rate for such Eligible Mortgage Loan times the least
of:

            (1) the lesser of the original principal amount of such Eligible
Mortgage Loan or the acquisition price paid by the related Originator on the
closing and funding of such Eligible Mortgage Loan;

            (2) with respect to which there is a loan-specific Take-Out
Commitment, the purchase price to be paid by the Approved Investor for such
Mortgage Loan, excluding any servicing release premium;

            (3) with respect to which there is no loan-specific Take-Out
Commitment, a ratable amount determined by multiplying (a) the weighted average
purchase price (expressed as a percentage of par) that Approved Investors are
obligated to pay, pursuant to Take-Out Commitments (other than any loan-specific
Take-Out Commitments), for all Eligible Mortgage Loans, as shown on the most
recent Collateral Agent Daily Report, times (b) the original principal amount of
such Eligible Mortgage Loan; and

            (4) while a Default or Event of Default is continuing, the Market
Value of such Eligible Mortgage Loan; and

      (B) with respect to the Collection Account, the balance of collected funds
therein that is not subject to any Lien in favor of any Person other than the
Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the
Obligations;

provided, however, that

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      (a) at any time, the portion of total Collateral Value that may be
attributable to Jumbo Loans (including any Super Jumbo Loans) shall not exceed
twenty percent (20%) of the Maximum Facility Amount;

      (b) at any time, the portion of total Collateral Value that may be
attributable to Super Jumbo Loans shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the
Maximum Facility Amount;

      (c) at any time, the portion of total Collateral Value that may be
attributable to Mortgage Loans for which the Mortgage Notes have been withdrawn
pursuant to Section 3.5 of the Collateral Agency Agreement shall not exceed
$5,000,000 as determined in accordance with said Section 3.5 of the Collateral
Agency Agreement;

      (d) at any time, the portion of the total Collateral Value that may be
attributable to any single Approved Investor listed on Schedule II pursuant to
one or more Take-Out Commitments shall not exceed the concentration limit for
such Approved Investor as set forth on Schedule II;

      (e) at any time, the portion of total Collateral Value that may be
attributable to Mortgage Loans that have been Eligible Mortgage Loans owned by
the Borrower for more than 90 days shall be zero;

      (f) a Mortgage Loan that ceases to be an Eligible Mortgage Loan shall have
a Collateral Value of zero; and

      (g) at any time, (A) except the first five and last five Business Days of
any month, the portion of total Collateral Value that may be attributable to Wet
Loans with respect to which the related Principal Mortgage Documents have not
been delivered to the Collateral Agent within nine (9) Business Days after the
date the Assignment was delivered to the Collateral Agent shall not exceed
thirty percent (30%) of the Maximum Facility Amount, and (B) during the first
five and last five Business Days of any month, the portion of total Collateral
Value that may be attributable to Wet Loans with respect to which the related
Principal Mortgage Documents have not been delivered to the Collateral Agent
within nine (9) Business Days after the date the Assignment was delivered to the
Collateral Agent shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the Maximum Facility
Amount.

      "Collection Account" means the account established pursuant to Section
2.7(b) to be used for (i) the deposit of proceeds from the sale of Mortgage
Loans; and (ii) the payment of the Obligations, it being understood that such
account is controlled by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collection
Account Control Agreement, and the Administrative Agent has the authority to
direct the transfer of all funds from the Collection Account.

      "Collection Account Bank" means, initially, Deutsche Bank National Trust
Company and, at any time, the institution then holding the Collection Account in
accordance with the terms of the Collection Account Control Agreement.

      "Collection Account Control Agreement" means the Collection Account
Control Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrower, the
Servicer, the Administrative

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<PAGE>

Agent and the Collection Account Bank, substantially in the form of Exhibit D-3
hereto, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

      "Collection Period" means, initially, the period commencing on the
Effective Date and ending on August 31, 2003, and thereafter, each calendar
month, beginning on the first day of each month and including the last day of
the month.

      "Collections" means, with respect to any Mortgage Asset, all cash
collections (other than in respect of escrows for taxes and insurance premiums
payable under the related Mortgage Loan) and other cash proceeds of such
Mortgage Asset.

      "Commercial Paper Notes" means short-term promissory notes issued or to be
issued by the Issuer to fund or maintain its Advances or investments in other
financial assets.

      "Commercial Paper Rate" for any Interest Period for the related Advance
means: (a) a rate per annum equal to the sum of (i) the rate or, if more than
one rate, the weighted average of the rates, determined by converting to an
interest-bearing equivalent rate per annum the discount rate (or rates) at which
Commercial Paper Notes having a term equal to such Interest Period and to be
issued to fund or to maintain such Advance by La Fayette (including, without
limitation, Principal Debt and accrued and unpaid interest), may be sold by any
placement agent or commercial paper dealer selected by the Administrative Agent,
as agreed between each such agent or dealer and the Administrative Agent, plus
(ii) the commissions and charges charged by such placement agent or commercial
paper dealer with respect to such Commercial Paper Notes expressed as a
percentage of such face amount and converted to an interest-bearing equivalent
rate per annum, provided the commissions and charges by the agent or dealer must
in the Administrative Agent's good faith judgment be within market range; plus
(iii) the Conduit Spread; or (b) such other rate as La Fayette and the Borrower
shall agree to in writing.

      "Conduit Spread" means the margin set forth in the Administrative Agent
Fee Letter.

      "Conforming Loan" means (i) a Mortgage Loan that complies with all
applicable requirements for purchase under a Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or similar
Governmental Authority standard form of conventional mortgage loan purchase
contract, then in effect, or (ii) an FHA Loan or a VA Loan.

      "Consequential Loss" means any loss (measured by the diminution in yield
to the Affected Party as a result of a prepayment) and/or expense (such as any
transaction costs incurred in connection with the reinvestment of a prepayment
or any cost associated with the issuance of Commercial Paper Notes in
anticipation of a Borrowing reported but not accepted by the Borrower) that any
Affected Party reasonably incurs in respect of a Borrowing as a consequence of
(a) any failure or refusal of Borrower (for any reasons whatsoever other than a
default by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Affected Party) to take
such Borrowing after Borrower shall have requested it under this Agreement, (b)
any prepayment or payment of such Borrowing that is a Eurodollar Advance or an
Advance bearing interest by reference to the Commercial Paper Rate on a day
other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing, (c)
any prepayment of any Borrowing that is not made in compliance with the
provisions of Section 2.5(a); provided, that so long as an Event of Default
shall not have

                                       8

<PAGE>

occurred, the Borrower shall not be responsible for any Consequential Loss
resulting from changes in the Settlement Date made by the Administrative Agent,
as described in the proviso contained in the definition of "Settlement Date," or
(d) Borrower's failure to make a prepayment after giving notice under Section
2.5(a) that a prepayment will be made.

      "CP Allocation" means all or any portion of Principal Debt if interest
thereon is calculated by reference to the Commercial Paper Rate.

      "CP Borrowing" means a Borrowing bearing interest by reference to the
Commercial Paper Rate.

      "Debt" means (a) all indebtedness or other obligations of a Person (and,
if applicable, that Person's subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis) that, in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied, would be included in determining
total liabilities as shown on the liabilities side of a balance sheet of that
Person on the date of determination, plus (b) all indebtedness or other
obligations of that Person (and, if applicable, that Person's subsidiaries, on a
consolidated basis) for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of
property or services. For purposes of calculating a Person's Debt, Subordinated
Debt (as defined below) not due within one year of that date may be excluded
from that Person's indebtedness. For purposes of this definition, "Subordinated
Debt" means all indebtedness of a Person for borrowed money that is effectively
subordinated in right of payment to all other present and future obligations on
terms acceptable to the Majority Banks.

      "Debtor Laws" means all applicable liquidation, conservatorship,
bankruptcy, fraudulent transfer or conveyance, moratorium, arrangement,
receivership, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws from time to time in
effect affecting the rights of creditors generally.

      "Default" means any condition or event that, with the giving of notice or
lapse of time or both and unless cured or waived, would constitute an Event of
Default.

      "Default Rate" means a per annum rate of interest equal from day to day to
the lesser of (a) the sum of the Alternate Base Rate plus two percent and (b)
the Maximum Rate.

      "Default Ratio" means as of the end of any Collection Period, the ratio of
(i) the principal amount of all Mortgage Loans that were Defaulted Mortgage
Loans at such time, to (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all Mortgage Loans
at such time.

      "Defaulted Mortgage Loan" means a Mortgage Asset under which the Obligor
is 30 or more days in payment default or has taken any action, or suffered any
event of the type described in Sections 8.1(f), 8.1(g) or 8.1(h) or is in
foreclosure.

      "Deferred Income" means the amount of income that any of the Originators
or Borrower has deferred, for accounting purposes, pending the sale of Mortgage
Loans, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 91
("SFAS 91") and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 122 ("SFAS
122"), each as currently published by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

                                       9

<PAGE>

      "Disbursement Account" means the account established by the Borrower with
the Deutsche Bank National Trust Company or another Eligible Institution
acceptable to the Administrative Agent, it being understood that such account is
controlled by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Disbursement Account
Control Agreement, and the Administrative Agent has the authority to direct the
transfer of all funds from the Disbursement Account.

      "Disbursement Account Control Agreement" means the Disbursement Account
Control Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, between the Borrower, the
Servicer, the Administrative Agent and Deutsche Bank National Trust Company,
substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D-13 to the Collateral Agency
Agreement, as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

      "Effective Date" means August 8, 2003.

      "Eligible Assignee" means (i) CL New York or any of its Affiliates, (ii)
any Person managed by CL New York or any of its Affiliates, or (iii) any
financial or other institution that is acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

      "Eligible Institution" means any depository institution, organized under
the laws of the United States or any state, having capital and surplus in excess
of $200,000,000, the deposits of which are insured to the full extent permitted
by law by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and that is subject to
supervision and examination by federal or state banking authorities; provided
that such institution also must have a rating of A or higher with respect to
long-term deposit obligations from Moody's, A2 or higher with respect to
long-term deposit obligations from S&P and A or higher with respect to long-term
deposit obligations from Fitch. If such depository institution publishes reports
of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the
aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then the combined capital and
surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

      "Eligible Mortgage Collateral" means Eligible Mortgage Loans and the
Collection Account.

      "Eligible Mortgage Loan" means a Mortgage Loan:

      (a) that (i) is a closed and funded Mortgage Loan, (ii) has a maximum term
to maturity of 30 years and the proceeds of which were used either to finance a
portion of the purchase price of a Property encumbered by the related Mortgage
or to refinance a loan secured by such Property, (iii) is secured by a perfected
first-priority Lien on residential real Property consisting of land and a
one-to-four family dwelling thereon which is completed and ready for owner
occupancy, including townhouses and condominiums, and (iv) was underwritten
according to the applicable Originator's Credit and Collection Policy;

      (b) that is a Conforming Loan or a Jumbo Loan;

      (c) in which the Administrative Agent has been granted and continues to
hold a perfected, first-priority, security interest for the benefit of the
holders of the Obligations;

                                       10

<PAGE>

      (d) for which the Mortgage Note is payable to or endorsed (without
recourse) in blank and each of such Mortgage Loan and the related Mortgage Note
is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Obligor thereof;

      (e) for which, other than in respect of Wet Loans, the Principal Mortgage
Documents have been received by the Collateral Agent and are in form and
substance acceptable to the Collateral Agent;

      (f) that is either (i) eligible (in the case of Conforming Loans) for
delivery, or (ii) designated (in the case of Non-Conforming Loans), for delivery
under a Take-Out Commitment from an Approved Investor; provided that no more
than 45 days have lapsed since the date on which any documentation was shipped
to the related Approved Investor;

      (g) that, upon pledge thereof under this Agreement and application of any
related Advance to pay off any prior lienholder as required by the Collateral
Agency Agreement and hereunder, together with the related Mortgage Loan
Collateral, is owned beneficially by Borrower free and clear of any Lien of any
other Person other than the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders
of the Obligations;

      (h) that, together with the related Mortgage Loan Collateral, does not
contravene any Governmental Requirements applicable thereto (including, without
limitation, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974, as amended, and
all laws, rules and regulations relating to usury, truth-in-lending, fair credit
billing, fair credit reporting, equal credit opportunity, fair debt collection
practices, privacy and other applicable federal, state and local consumer
protection laws) and with respect to which no party to the related Mortgage Loan
Collateral is in violation of any Governmental Requirements (or procedure
prescribed thereby) if such violation would impair the collectability of such
Mortgage Loan or the saleability of such Mortgage Loan under the applicable
Take-Out Commitment;

      (i) that, (i) is not an Uncovered Mortgage Loan; (ii) is not a Defaulted
Mortgage Loan at the time it is transferred to the Borrower pursuant to the
Repurchase Agreement; (iii) has not previously been sold to an Approved Investor
or any of the Originators and repurchased by Borrower; (iv) if, it was a Wet
Loan when it was assigned to the Borrower and the time periods set forth in
Section 2.3(c) have occurred, the Principal Mortgage Documents relating to such
Wet Loan were delivered to the Collateral Agent; provided, however, that upon
delivery of such Principal Mortgage Documents to the Collateral Agent, such
Mortgage Loans may subsequently qualify as Eligible Mortgage Loans to support
Borrowings subsequent to such delivery; (v) has not been rejected by the
Collateral Agent under Section 3.2(c) of the Collateral Agency Agreement; or
(vi) has an original principal balance not in excess of $1,000,000.00;

      (j) that if the Mortgage Loan Collateral has been withdrawn for correction
pursuant to Section 3.4 such Mortgage Loan Collateral has been returned to the
Collateral Agent within 14 calendar days after withdrawal as required by Section
3.4;

      (k) that is denominated and payable in U.S. dollars in the United States
and the Obligor of which is a natural person who is a U.S. citizen or resident
alien or a corporation or an

                                       11

<PAGE>

inter vivos revocable trust or other legal entity organized under the laws of
the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

      (l) that is not subject to any right of rescission, setoff, counterclaim
or other dispute whatsoever;

      (m) that was acquired by the Borrower from any of the Originators within
60 days after its Mortgage Origination Date;

      (n) that is covered by the types and amounts of insurance required by
Section 6.6(b);

      (o) that is not underwritten on a "no-income - no asset" verification
basis or in a manner such that the Obligor credit information contained in the
related Mortgage Loan application was not corroborated by credit underwriting
standards generally acceptable within the mortgage underwriting business;

      (p) with respect to which all representations and warranties made by the
related Originator in the Repurchase Agreement are true and correct in all
material respects and with respect to which all loan level covenants made in the
Repurchase Agreement have been complied with; and

      (q) that is subjected to the following "Quality Control" measures by
personnel of any of the Originators before the Mortgage Note is funded by such
Originator:

            (i) for those Mortgage Loans not originated by any of the
      Originators, is underwritten by any of the Originators prior to funding
      thereof and after performance of all underwriting procedures, is submitted
      to any of the Originators for closing where it is reviewed for
      thoroughness and compliance (including truth-in-lending, good faith
      estimates and other disclosures) and a verbal verification of employment
      and in-file credit report are obtained; and

            (ii) with respect to which, all Mortgage Loan Collateral is prepared
      by any of the Originators and submitted to the closing agent at the time
      of funding the related Mortgage Loans;

      For the purpose of this definition of "Eligible Mortgage Loan":

      (x) A Conforming Loan is "eligible for delivery" under a Take-Out
Commitment if (i) the underwriting criteria utilized and the Mortgage Loan
Collateral either match, or are in respect of interest rates (which rates must
bear a reasonable relationship to prevailing current market rates of interest
for loans with similar maturities), term, product type and delivery period
representative of the terms for purchase that are specified in a Take-Out
Commitment, and (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal of all Conforming Loans
is not more than the aggregate Take-Out Commitments' unutilized amount (i.e.
taking in account all Conforming Loans already allocated to the aggregate
Take-Out Commitments for purposes of determining Eligible Mortgage Loans whether
or not already delivered by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent).

                                       12

<PAGE>

      (y) A Non-Conforming Loan is "designated for delivery" under a Take-Out
Commitment if the underwriting criteria utilized in approving such Mortgage Loan
conform to the underwriting criteria, and the terms of repayment (including
interest rate and "term to maturity") and other terms and conditions of the
Mortgage Loan Collateral match the specifications of that specific Take-Out
Commitment that designates that particular Non-Conforming Loan for purchase.

      "Employee Plan" means an employee pension benefit plan covered by Title IV
of ERISA and established or maintained by any of the Originators or any ERISA
Affiliate.

      "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time.

      "ERISA Affiliate" means any corporation, trade or business that is, along
with the Performance Guarantor, a member of a controlled group of corporations
or a controlled group of trades or businesses, as described in Sections 414(b),
(c), (m) and (o) of the Code, or Section 4001 of ERISA.

      "Eurocurrency Liabilities" has the meaning assigned to that term in
Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time.

      "Eurodollar Advance" means an Advance that bears interest at a rate per
annum determined on the basis of the Eurodollar Rate.

      "Eurodollar Rate" means, for any Interest Period for any Eurodollar
Advance, for each Lender, an interest rate per annum (expressed as a decimal and
rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest one hundredth of a percentage
point) equal to the offered rate per annum for deposits in U.S. Dollars in a
principal amount of not less than $10,000,000 for such Interest Period as of
11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days before (and for value on) the first
day of such Interest Period, that appears on the display designated as "Page
3750" on the Telerate Service (or such other page as may replace "Page 3750" on
that service for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates of
major banks); provided, that if such rate is not available on any date when the
Eurodollar Rate is to be determined, then an interest rate per annum determined
by the Administrative Agent equal to the rate at which it would offer deposits
in United States dollars to prime banks in the London interbank market for a
period equal to such Interest Period and in a principal amount of not less than
$10,000,000 at or about 11:00 A.M. (London time) on the second Business Day
before (and for value on) the first day of such Interest Period.

      "Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means, with respect to any Bank and for
any Interest Period for such Bank's Eurodollar Advance, the reserve percentage
applicable during such Interest Period (or, if more than one such percentage
shall be so applicable, the daily average of such percentages for those days in
such Interest Period during which any such percentage shall be so applicable)
under regulations issued from time to time by the Federal Reserve Board (or any
successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without
limitation, any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement)
for such Bank with respect

                                       13

<PAGE>

to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities
having a term equal to such Interest Period.

      "Event of Default" is defined in Section 8.1.

      "Excess Spread" means, as of the last day of each Collection Period, an
amount equal to the Portfolio Yield for such Collection Period minus the
Eurodollar Rate minus the Conduit Spread (to the extent not included in the
interest rate for Advances) and/or Bank Spread (to the extent not included in
the interest rate for Advances), as applicable, minus the Servicer Fee for such
Collection Period determined in accordance with clause (a) of the definition of
definition of Portfolio Yield.

      "Fannie Mae" means the government sponsored enterprise formerly known as
the Federal National Mortgage Association, or any successor thereto.

      "Federal Reserve Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, or any successor thereto.

      "FHA" means the Federal Housing Administration, or any successor thereto.

      "FHA Loan" means a Mortgage Loan, the ultimate payment of which is
partially or completely insured by the FHA or with respect to which there is a
current, binding and enforceable commitment for such insurance issued by the
FHA.

      "Financial Officer" means (i) with respect to the Servicer, any of the
Originators or the Borrower, the chief financial officer, treasurer or a vice
president having the knowledge and authority necessary to prepare and deliver
the financial statements and reports required pursuant to Sections 6.1(b) and
Section 3.8 and (ii) with respect to the Performance Guarantor, the chief
financial officer, the vice president - assistant comptroller, vice president -
assistant treasurer or senior vice president-comptroller.

      "Fitch" means Fitch, Inc., and any successor thereto.

      "Freddie Mac" means the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or any
successor thereto.

      "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the
United States from time to time.

      "GAAP Net Worth" means with respect to any Person at any date, the excess
of total assets over total liabilities of such Person on such date, each to be
determined in accordance with GAAP consistent with those applied in the
preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.1 of this
Agreement.

      "Ginnie Mae" means the Government National Mortgage Association, or any
successor thereto.

                                       14

<PAGE>

      "Governmental Authority" means any applicable nation or government, any
agency, department, state or other political subdivision thereof, or any
instrumentality thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative,
judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
Governmental Authority shall include, without limitation, each of Freddie Mac,
Fannie Mae, FHA, HUD, VA and Ginnie Mae.

      "Governmental Requirement" means any law, statute, code, ordinance, order,
rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate,
license, authorization or other requirement (including, without limitation, any
of the foregoing that relate to energy regulations and occupational, safety and
health standards or controls and any hazardous materials laws) of any
Governmental Authority that has jurisdiction over the Originators, the Servicer,
the Collateral Agent or the Borrower or any of their respective Properties.

      "Hedge Report" means, with respect to any Conforming Loans included in the
Eligible Mortgage Collateral with respect to which there is no loan-specific
Take-Out Commitment, a report prepared by the Servicer prepared pursuant to
Section 3.6 hereof, showing, as of the close of business on the previous
Business Day, all Take-Out Commitments (either in the form of loan-specific
Take-Out Commitments or forward purchase commitments obtained to hedge Mortgage
Loans) that have been assigned to the Administrative Agent, and certain
information with respect to such trades including information as the
Administrative Agent may request, in the form of Exhibit K hereto.

      "HUD" means the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or any
successor thereto.

      "Indebtedness" means, for any Person, without duplication, and at any
time, (a) all obligations required by GAAP to be classified on such Person's
balance sheet as liabilities, (b) obligations secured (or for which the holder
of the obligations has an existing contingent or other right to be so secured)
by any Lien existing on property owned or acquired by such Person, (c)
obligations that have been (or under GAAP should be) capitalized for financial
reporting purposes, and (d) all guaranties, endorsements, and other contingent
obligations with respect to obligations of others.

      "Indemnified Amounts" is defined in Section 10.1.

      "Indemnified Party" is defined in Section 10.1.

      "Interest Period" is defined in Section 2.15.

      "Issuer" means La Fayette and its successors and assigns.

      "Jumbo Loan" means a Mortgage Loan (other than a Conforming Loan) that (1)
is underwritten by an Approved Investor (other than Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or
Ginnie Mae), (2) matches all applicable requirements for purchase under the
requirements of a Take-Out Commitment issued for the purchase of such Mortgage
Loan, and (3) differs from a Conforming Loan solely because the principal amount
of such Mortgage Loan exceeds the limit set for Conforming Loans by Fannie Mae
or Freddie Mac from time to time. The term Jumbo Loan includes Super Jumbo
Loans.

                                       15

<PAGE>

      "La Fayette" has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

      "La Fayette Program Agent" means CL New York, in its capacity as the
collateral agent pursuant to a security agreement made by La Fayette for the
benefit of certain creditors of La Fayette, and any successor to CL New York in
such capacity.

      "Lenders" means, collectively, the Issuer and the Banks.

      "Leverage Ratio" means the ratio of a Person's (and, if applicable, the
Person's subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis) Debt to Tangible Net Worth. For
purposes of calculating a Person's Leverage Ratio, Debt arising under Hedging
Arrangements (as defined below) relating to such Person's servicing portfolio,
to the extent of assets arising under those Hedging Arrangements, Debt arising
under Gestation Agreements (as defined below) covering a mortgage-backed
security issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae or
Eligible Mortgage Pools (as defined below) and Debt Arising under Investment
Line Agreements (as defined below), to the extent of the investments securing
the same, may be excluded from a Person's Debt. For purposes of this definition,
(i) "Hedging Arrangements" means, with respect to any Person, any agreements or
other arrangements (including interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap
agreements and forward sale agreements) entered into to protect that Person
against changes in the interest rates or the market value of assets; (ii)
"Gestation Agreements" means an agreement under any of the Originators agree to
sell or finance (a) a mortgage loan prior to prior to the date of purchase by an
investor or (b) a mortgage pool prior to the date a mortgage-backed security
backed by the mortgage pool is issued; (iii) Eligible Mortgage Pools means a
mortgage pool for which (a) an approved pool custodian has issued its initial
certification and (b) there exists a purchase commitment, in favor of any of the
Originators by an investor covering a mortgage-backed security issued or
guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae, to be issued on the basis
of that certification, and (iv) Investment Line Agreements means an agreement
under which the Originators agree (a) to borrow funds from any lender or other
Person (b) to invest such funds in certain permitted investments and to pledge
such investments to that lender or that other Person to secure such loans.

      "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
arrangement, encumbrance, lien (whether statutory, consensual or otherwise), or
other security arrangement of any kind (including, without limitation, any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and the filing
of any financing statement under the uniform commercial code or comparable law
of any jurisdiction in respect of any of the foregoing).

      "Limited Liability Company Agreement" means the Borrower's limited
liability company agreement, for which a certificate of formation was filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, as amended through the date of
this Agreement.

      "Liquidity Agreement" means a liquidity loan agreement, liquidity asset
purchase agreement or similar agreement entered into by a Bank and providing for
the making of loans to the Issuer, or the purchase of Advances (or interests
therein) from the Issuer, to support the Issuer's payment obligations under its
Commercial Paper Notes.

                                       16

<PAGE>

      "Majority Banks" means, at any time, Banks, including Banks that have
become party to this Agreement pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, having
outstanding Advances equal to more than 67% of the aggregate outstanding
Advances held by Banks or, if no Advance is then outstanding from any Bank,
Banks having more than 67% of the Bank Commitments.

      "Market Value" means at the time determined, for any (a) Mortgage Loan
(other than a Non-Conforming Loan), the market value of such Mortgage Loan based
upon the then most recent posted net yield for 30-day mandatory future delivery
furnished by Fannie Mae and published and distributed by Telerate Mortgage
Services, or, if such posted net yield is not available from Telerate Mortgage
Services, such posted net yield obtained by the Administrative Agent from Fannie
Mae, or (b) Non-Conforming Loan, or any other Mortgage Loan while the posted
rate is not available from Fannie Mae, the value determined by the
Administrative Agent in good faith.

      "Material Adverse Effect" means, with respect to any Person, any material
adverse effect on (i) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the
Notes or any other Transaction Document, (ii) the business, operations, total
Property or financial condition of such Person, (iii) the Collateral taken as a
whole, (iv) the enforceability or priority of the Lien in favor of the
Administrative Agent on any material portion of the Collateral, or (v) the
ability of such Person to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, the
Notes or any other Transaction Document.

      "Maximum Facility Amount" means $200,000,000, as such amount may be
reduced pursuant to Section 2.1(c) of this Agreement.

      "Maximum Rate" means the maximum non-usurious rate of interest that, under
applicable law, each of the Lenders is permitted to contract for, charge, take,
reserve, or receive on the Obligations.

      "MERS" means Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.

      "MERS Designated Mortgage Loan" means a Mortgage Loan registered to or by
the related Originator on the MERS electronic mortgage registration system.

      "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and any successor
thereto.

      "Mortgage" means a mortgage or deed of trust or other security instrument
creating a Lien on real property, on a standard form as approved by Fannie Mae,
Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae or such other form as any of the Originators
determines is satisfactory for any Approved Investor unless otherwise directed
by the Administrative Agent and communicated to the Collateral Agent.

      "Mortgage Assets" means, collectively:

      (a) any and all Mortgage Loans in which the Administrative Agent, as
secured party, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, is granted a
security interest pursuant to any Assignment or other document (whether or not
the Principal Mortgage Documents related thereto are delivered) heretofore or
hereafter from time to time executed by the Borrower;

                                       17

<PAGE>

      (b) any and all instruments, documents and other property of every kind or
description, of or in the name of the Borrower, now or hereafter for any reason
or purpose whatsoever, in the possession or control of, or in transit to, the
Collateral Agent;

      (c) any and all general intangibles and Mortgage Loan Collateral that
relate in any way to the Mortgage Assets;

      (d) any and all Take-Out Commitments identified on Hedge Reports from time
to time prepared by the Servicer on behalf of any of the Originators and the
Borrower;

      (e) any and all contract rights, chattel paper, certificated securities,
uncertificated securities, financial assets, securities accounts or investment
property which constitute proceeds of the Mortgage Assets;

      (f) this Agreement, the Performance Guaranties and the Subordination
Agreement, including all moneys due or to become due thereunder, claims of the
Borrower arising out of or for breach or default thereunder, and the right of
the Borrower to compel performance and otherwise exercise all remedies
thereunder; and

      (g) any and all proceeds of any of the foregoing.

      "Mortgage Loan" means a loan evidenced by a Mortgage Note and secured by a
Mortgage, the beneficial interest of which has been acquired by the Borrower
from any of the Originators by purchase pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement
(with the record owner thereof being such Originator or, in the case of a MERS
Designated Mortgage Loan, MERS as nominee for such Originator, and its
successors and assigns).

      "Mortgage Loan Collateral" means all Mortgage Notes and related Principal
Mortgage Documents, Other Mortgage Documents, and other Collateral.

      "Mortgage Note" means a promissory note, on a standard form approved by
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae or such other form as the Originators
determine is satisfactory for any Approved Investor unless otherwise directed by
the Administrative Agent and communicated to the Collateral Agent.

      "Mortgage Origination Date" means, with respect to each Mortgage Loan, the
date (transmitted to the Collateral Agent) that is the later of (1) the date of
the Mortgage Note or (2) the date such Mortgage Loan was funded and disbursed to
or at the direction of the Obligor.

      "Multiemployer Plan" means a multiemployer plan defined in Sections 3(37)
or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or Section 414(f) of the Code to which Borrower or any
ERISA Affiliate is required to make contributions.

      "Non-Conforming Loan" means a Jumbo Loan.

      "Note" means each or any of the promissory notes executed by the Borrower,
substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto, together with all renewals,
extensions, and replacements for any such note.

                                       18

<PAGE>

      "Obligations" means any and all present and future indebtedness,
obligations, and liabilities of the Borrower to any of the Lenders, the
Collateral Agent, each Affected Party, each Indemnified Party and the
Administrative Agent, and all renewals, rearrangements and extensions thereof,
or any part thereof, arising pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction
Document, and all interest accrued thereon, and attorneys' fees and other costs
incurred in the drafting, negotiation, enforcement or collection thereof,
regardless of whether such indebtedness, obligations, and liabilities are
direct, indirect, fixed, contingent, joint, several or joint and several.

      "Obligor" means (i) with respect to each Mortgage Note included in the
Collateral, the obligor on such Mortgage Note and (ii) with respect to any other
agreement included in the Collateral, any person from whom any of the
Originators or the Borrower is entitled to performance.

      "Originator Performance Guaranty" means the Originator Performance
Guaranty, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G-2, made by the Performance
Guarantor in favor of the Originators, and assigned to the Administrative Agent
for the benefit of the Lenders.

      "Originators" means together, American Home Mortgage Corp., a New York
corporation and Columbia National Incorporated, a Maryland corporation, and
their successors and assigns.

      "Originator's Credit and Collection Policy" means with respect to each
Originator, the Originator's Credit and Collection Policy, attached hereto as
Exhibit M.

      "Other Company" means the Performance Guarantor and all of its
Subsidiaries except the Borrower.

      "Other Mortgage Documents" is defined in Section 3.2(c).

      "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor
thereto.

      "Performance Guarantor" means American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, and its successors and assigns.

      "Performance Guarantor Quarterly Certificate" means the form of
certificate attached hereto as Exhibit H-3.

      "Performance Guaranty" means, collectively, the Servicer Performance
Guaranty, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G-1, made by the Performance
Guarantor in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders,
and the Originator Performance Guaranty, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
G-2, made by the Performance Guarantor in favor of the Borrower and assigned to
the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.

      "Permitted Investments" means book-entry securities, negotiable
instruments or securities represented by instruments in bearer or registered
form that evidence any of the following:

                                       19

<PAGE>

      (a) direct obligations of, and obligations fully guaranteed by, the United
States of America or any agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America, the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States of America;

      (b) (i) demand and time deposits in, certificates of deposits of, bankers'
acceptances issued by, or federal funds sold by, any depository institution or
trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States of America, any
State thereof or the District of Columbia or any foreign depository institution
with a branch or agency licensed under the laws of the United States of America
or any State, subject to supervision and examination by Federal and/or State
banking authorities and having a rating of P-1 by Moody's, a rating of at least
A-1 by S&P and a rating of at least F1 by Fitch at the time of such investment
or contractual commitment providing for such investment or otherwise approved in
writing by each Rating Agency or (ii) any other demand or time deposit or
certificate of deposit that is fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation;

      (c) repurchase obligations with respect to (i) any security described in
clause (a) above or (ii) any other security issued or guaranteed by an agency or
instrumentality of the United States of America, in either case entered into
with a depository institution or trust company (acting as principal) described
in clause (b)(i) above;

      (d) short-term securities bearing interest or sold at a discount issued by
any corporation incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or
any State, the short-term unsecured obligations of which have a rating of P-1 by
Moody's, a rating of at least A-1 by S&P and a rating of F1 by Fitch at the time
of such investment; provided, however, that securities issued by any particular
corporation will not be Permitted Investments to the extent that investment
therein will cause the then outstanding principal amount of securities issued by
such corporation and held in the Reserve Account to exceed 10% of amounts held
in the Reserve Account;

      (e) commercial paper having a rating of P-1 by Moody's, a rating of at
least A-1 by S&P and a rating of at least F1 by Fitch at the time of such
investment or pledge as security;

      (f) money market funds whose investments consist solely of one of the
foregoing; or

      (g) any other investments approved in writing by each Rating Agency.

      "Permitted Transferee" is defined in Section 3.3(c).

      "Person" means any individual, corporation (including a business trust),
limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority, or any
other form of entity.

      "Portfolio Yield" means, with respect to any Collection Period, the
percentage equivalent to the amount computed as of the last day of such
Collection Period by multiplying (i) 12 by (ii) (a) the aggregate amount of
interest accrued (whether or not paid) with respect to all Eligible Mortgage
Loans included in the Collateral during such Collection Period divided by (b)
the daily average outstanding principal amount of all Eligible Mortgage Loans
included in the Collateral during such Collection Period.

                                       20

<PAGE>

      "Primary Obligations" means, at the time determined, the sum of Principal
Debt plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the end of the then
current Interest Period, plus accrued and unpaid fees under Section 2.4(b).

      "Principal Debt" means, at the time determined, the unpaid principal
balance of all Advances under this Agreement.

      "Principal Mortgage Documents" is defined in Section 3.2(b).

      "Program Documents" means, in the case of the Issuer, the Liquidity
Agreement relating to this Agreement and the other documents executed and
delivered in connection therewith, as each may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.

      "Property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether
real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

      "Rating Agency" means S&P, Moody's and Fitch.

      "Regulation T, U, X and Z," respectively, mean Regulation T, U, X and Z
promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board as in effect from time to time, or any
successor regulations thereto.

      "Regulatory Change" is defined in Section 2.16.

      "Repurchase Agreement" means the Master Repurchase Agreement and the
Addendum to the Master Repurchase Agreement incorporated therein, each dated as
of the date of this Agreement between the Originators, as sellers, and the
Borrower, as purchaser, as the same may be amended, modified or restated from
time to time.

      "Required Reserve Account Amount" means on any date 0.50% of the Maximum
Facility Amount on such date.

      "Requirement of Law" as to any Person means the articles of incorporation,
by-laws, certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement or
other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law,
statute, code, ordinance, order, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction,
franchise, permit, certificate, license, authorization or other determination,
direction or requirement (including, without limitation, any of the foregoing
that relate to energy regulations and occupational, safety and health standards
or controls and any hazardous materials laws) of any Governmental Authority, in
each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its Property or to
which such Person or any of its Property is subject.

      "Reserve Account" is defined in Section 2.8, it being understood that such
account is assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Reserve Account
Control Agreement and the Administrative Agent has the authority to direct the
transfer of funds from the Reserve Account.

      "Reserve Account Bank" means the institution then holding the Reserve
Account pursuant to Section 2.8.

                                       21

<PAGE>

      "Reserve Account Control Agreement", dated of even date herewith, between
the Borrower, the Servicer, the Administrative Agent and the Reserve Account
Bank, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit L, as may be amended,
modified, supplemented or replaced.

      "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Rating Services, a Division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto.

      "Security Agreement" is defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

      "Security Instruments" means (a) the Collateral Agency Agreement, (b) the
Security Agreement, (c) the Collection Account Control Agreement, (d) the
Reserve Account Control Agreement, and (e) such other executed documents as are
or may be necessary to grant to the Administrative Agent a perfected first,
prior and continuing security interest in and to the Collateral and any and all
other agreements or instruments now or hereafter executed and delivered by or on
behalf of the Borrower in connection with, or as security for the payment or
performance of, all or any of the Obligations, as amended, modified or
supplemented.

      "Servicer" means at any time the Person then authorized pursuant to
Section 11.1 to administer and collect Mortgage Loans on behalf of the Lenders.
The initial Servicer shall be American Home Mortgage Corp.

      "Servicer Default" means (a) any Event of Default, to the extent relating
to the Servicer, arising under Sections 8.1(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g),
(h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (u), (v), (w), (x) or (cc) in each case,
without giving effect to any provisions in such sections that make such sections
applicable only so long as the Servicer is one of the Originators, (b) if the
Servicer is one of the Originators, the Performance Guarantor shall cease to own
directly 100% of all of the stock of the Servicer, or (c) if the Servicer is one
of the Originators, the Servicer's Tangible Net Worth, combined with the
Tangible Net Worth of Columbia National, Incorporated shall be less than
$85,000,000.

      "Servicer Fee" is defined in Section 2.4(b).

      "Servicer Monthly Report" is defined in Section 3.7.

      "Servicer Performance Guaranty" means the Servicer Performance Guaranty,
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G-1, made by the Performance Guarantor in
favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.

      "Settlement Date" means the 10th day of each calendar month, commencing
September 10, 2003 or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding
Business Day, provided, however, that on and after the Termination Date, the
Administrative Agent may, by notice to the Borrower and the Servicer, select
other days to be Settlement Dates (including days occurring more frequently than
once per month).

      "Shipping Request" means the shipping request presented by the Borrower or
the Servicer to the Collateral Agent substantially on the form attached as
Exhibit D-5A (as amended,

                                       22

<PAGE>

modified or supplemented from time to time as agreed to by the Administrative
Agent, the Borrower and the Collateral Agent).

      "Shortfall Amount" means, with respect to the last day of any Interest
Period or any Settlement Date, the excess, if any, of (a) all amounts due
pursuant to (i) Section 2.7(c)(iii)(B) or Section 2.7(c)(iv)(C) on the last day
of such Interest Period occurring prior to, on or after the Termination Date, as
applicable, (ii) Section 2.7(c)(iii)(A), (C), (D), or (F) on any such Settlement
Date occurring prior to the Termination Date or (iii) Section 2.7(c)(iv)(A),
(B), (E), (C), or (G) on any such Settlement Date occurring on or after the
Termination Date, over (b) the sum of the collections then held by the Servicer
for the Lenders and the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.7(c)(ii) plus
collected funds then on deposit in the Collection Account.

      "Special Indemnified Amounts" is defined in Section 11.5.

      "Special Indemnified Party" is defined in Section 11.5.

      "Subordination Agreement" means the agreement, substantially in the form
attached as Exhibit B hereto, executed by the Performance Guarantor and certain
of its Affiliates, if applicable, in favor of the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations.

      "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other
entity of which securities having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of
the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the
time directly or indirectly owned by such Person, or one or more of its
Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

      "Super Jumbo Loan" means a Jumbo Loan having an original principal balance
equal to or in excess of $650,000 but not more than $1,000,000.

      "Take-Out Commitment" means (A) with respect to Mortgage Loans that are
included in the Eligible Mortgage Collateral, a current, valid, binding,
enforceable, written commitment, issued by an Approved Investor, to purchase one
or more Mortgage Loans from one of the Originators prior to the date that is 90
days from the date that such Mortgage Loan first becomes Eligible Mortgage
Collateral and at a specified price and in amounts, form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which commitment is not subject to any
term or condition (i) that is not customary in commitments of like nature or
(ii) that, in the reasonably anticipated course of events, cannot be fully
complied with prior to the expiration thereof, which commitment has been
assigned to the Borrower (partial assignments being permitted so long as the
amount assigned (together with all other Take-Out Commitments) fully covers the
amount of the Eligible Mortgage Collateral) and in which a perfected and
first-priority security interest has been granted by the Borrower to the
Administrative Agent; provided, that promptly upon receipt of the actual written
confirmation (each, a "Trade Confirmation") of such trade duly executed by one
of the Originators and the trade counterparty (such Trade Confirmation being
held in trust for the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 3.2(c), such
Originator must provide such Trade Confirmation upon such receipt to the
Administrative Agent, immediately upon its request, and the Administrative
Agent, on behalf of the Lenders shall have the right, without notice, to review
such Trade Confirmation at the office of, and with the officers of, such
Originator, or (B) with

                                       23

<PAGE>

respect to the Non-Conforming Loans included in the Eligible Mortgage
Collateral, a current, valid, binding, enforceable, written commitment, issued
by an Approved Investor, to purchase loans with characteristics of Jumbo Loans
from one of the Originators from time to time at a specified price (or a
specified spread to an agreed-upon index) and in amounts, and upon terms,
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which commitment is not subject to any
term or condition (i) that is not customary in commitments of like nature or
(ii) that, in the reasonably anticipated course of events, cannot be fully
complied with prior to the expiration thereof, the rights but not the
obligations under which commitment have been assigned to the Borrower (partial
assignments being permitted so long as the aggregate amount assigned fully
covers the amount of the Eligible Mortgage Collateral) and in which a perfected
and first-priority security interest has been granted by the Borrower to the
Administrative Agent.

      "Take-Out Commitment Documents" means (1) with respect to any Mortgage
Loan, with respect to which there is no loan-specific Take-Out Commitment, an
executed original assignment of trade as described in the definition of
"Take-Out Commitment"; and (2) with respect to any Mortgage Loan, with respect
to which there is a loan-specific Take-Out Commitment, copies of all Take-Out
Commitments.

      "Take-Out Commitment Master Agreement" means with respect to which there
is a loan-specific Take-Out Commitment, the master flow sale agreement, investor
bulk sales agreement, or similar agreement setting forth the basic terms of
sales to the related Approved Investor.

      "Tangible Net Worth" means the excess of a Person's (and, if applicable,
that Person's subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis) total assets over total
liabilities as of the date of determination, each determined in accordance with
GAAP applied in a manner consistent with such Person's most recent audited
financial statements plus that portion of Subordinated Debt (as defined below)
not due within one year of the date of such audited financial statements. For
purposes of calculating any Person's Tangible Net Worth, advances or loans to
shareholders, directors, officers, employees or Affiliates, investments in
Affiliates, assets pledged to secure any liabilities not including in the Debt
of that Person, intangible assets, those other assets that would be deemed by
HUD to be non-acceptable in calculating adjusted net worth in accordance with
its requirements in effect as of that date, as those requirements appear
"Consolidated Audit Guide for Audits of HUD Programs", and other assets the
Administrative Agent deems unacceptable in its sole discretion shall be excluded
from that Person's total assets. For purposes of this definition, "Subordinated
Debt" means all indebtedness of a Person for borrowed money that is effectively
subordinated in right of payment to all other present and future obligations on
terms acceptable to the Majority Banks.

      "Termination Date" means the earliest to occur of (a) August 6, 2004,
unless such date shall be extended pursuant to Section 2.1(b) then the date
specified in such Extension Request, (b) the date on which the Maximum Facility
Amount is terminated by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1(d), and (c) the
date, on or after the occurrence of an Event of Default, determined pursuant to
Section 8.2.

      "Transaction Document" means any of this Agreement, the Notes, the
Security Instruments, the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Repurchase Agreement,
the Administrative Agent Fee Letter, the Subordination Agreement, the Servicer
Performance Guaranty, the

                                       24

<PAGE>

Originator Performance Guaranty and any and all other agreements or instruments
now or hereafter executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower in
connection with, or as security for the payment or performance of any or all of
the Obligations, as any of such documents may be renewed, amended, restated or
supplemented from time to time.

      "Transfer Request" is defined in Section 3.3(a).

      "UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the applicable
state, as the same may hereafter be amended.

      "Uncovered Mortgage Loan" means a Mortgage Loan that would be an Eligible
Mortgage Loan but for the expiration, forfeiture, termination, or cancellation
of, or default under, the relevant Take-Out Commitment.

      "VA" means the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any successor thereto.

      "VA Loan" means a Mortgage Loan, the payment of which is partially or
completely guaranteed by the VA under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944,
as amended, or Chapter 37 of Title 38 of the United States Code or with respect
to which there is a current binding and enforceable commitment for such a
guaranty issued by the VA.

      "Wet Borrowing" is defined in Section 2.3(c).

      "Wet Loans" is defined in Section 2.3(c).

      1.2.  Other Definitional Provisions.

            (a) Unless otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this
Agreement have the above-defined meanings when used in the Notes or any other
Transaction Document, certificate, report or other document made or delivered
pursuant hereto.

            (b) The words "hereof," "herein," "hereunder" and similar terms when
used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular provision of this Agreement, and article, section, subsection,
schedule and exhibit references herein are references to articles, sections,
subsections, schedules and exhibits to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.

            (c) As used herein, in the Notes or in any other Transaction
Document, certificate, report or other document made or delivered pursuant
hereto, accounting terms relating to any Person and not specifically defined in
this Agreement or therein shall have the respective meanings given to them under
GAAP.

            (d) All accounting and financial terms used -- and compliance with
each financial covenant -- in the Transaction Documents shall be determined
under GAAP; however, unless the Administrative Agent has agreed (in writing) to
the contrary, the determinations concerning the financial covenants found in
Sections 7.1 and 7.10 and the Tangible Net Worth of the Servicer (so long as the
Servicer is one of the Originators), including determinations of Deferred Income
under SFAS 91 and SFAS 122, shall be made under GAAP, and SFAS 91 and

                                       25

<PAGE>

SFAS 122, as in effect on the date of this Agreement. All accounting principles
shall be applied on a consistent basis so that the accounting principles in a
current period are comparable in all material respects to those applied during
the preceding comparable period.

                                   ARTICLE II

                         AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENT

            2.1.  Maximum Facility Amount.

            (a) Subject to the terms of this Agreement and so long as (i) the
total Principal Debt never exceeds the Maximum Facility Amount, (ii) the
Principal Debt never exceeds the total Collateral Value of all Eligible Mortgage
Collateral, (iii) no Borrowing ever exceeds the Availability, and (iv)
Borrowings are only made on Business Days before the Termination Date, the
Issuer may, in its sole discretion, and if an Issuer does not make such Advance,
the Banks shall, ratably in accordance with their Bank Commitments, make
Advances to the Borrower from time to time in such amounts as may be requested
by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.3, so long as each Borrowing is the least
of (x) the Availability, (y) the Available Collateral Value, and (z) $5,000,000
or integral multiples of $10,000 in excess thereof. Within the limits of the
Maximum Facility Amount, the Borrower may borrow, prepay (whether pursuant to
Section 2.5 or Section 3.3(a) of this Agreement or otherwise), and reborrow
under this Section 2.1.

            (b) The Borrower may, from time to time by written request to the
Lenders and the Administrative Agent (each such notice being an "Extension
Request") given not later than 60 days and not sooner than 90 days prior to each
Annual Extension Date, request an extension of the then applicable Annual
Extension Date. If the Lenders and the Administrative Agent consent, in their
sole discretion, to such Extension Request, then (x) the Termination Date shall
not occur as of the then applicable Annual Extension Date, and (y) the Annual
Extension Date shall be extended as described in the definition of "Annual
Extension Date." Any such extension may be accompanied by such additional fees
as the parties shall mutually agree. Notwithstanding anything else to the
contrary herein, the Termination Date shall occur automatically without further
action on the part of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, on each Annual
Extension Date unless an Extension Request has been granted pursuant to this
paragraph.

            (c) The Borrower may, upon at least thirty (30) days prior
irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, but no more than once every
three months, reduce the Maximum Facility Amount; provided, however, that each
partial reduction shall be in the aggregate amount of $10,000,000 and in
integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided further, however
that no such reduction shall reduce the Maximum Facility Amount below the
greater of (i) the total Principal Debt or (ii) $50,000,000.

            (d) The Borrower may, upon at least thirty (30) days prior
irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Maximum Facility
Amount in its entirety upon payment in full of all Obligations.

                                       26

<PAGE>

      2.2.  Promissory Notes.

      The Advances made by each of the Lenders pursuant to this Article II shall
be evidenced by separate Notes each substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit E hereto, each in the maximum principal amount of its Bank Commitment.
The Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders shall record in its records
the date and amount of each Advance to the Borrower and each repayment thereof.
The information so recorded shall be rebuttable presumptive evidence of the
accuracy thereof. The failure to so record, in the absence of manifest error,
any such information or any error in so recording any such information shall
not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower
hereunder or under the Notes to pay the principal of all Advances, together with
interest accruing thereon.

      2.3.  Notice and Manner of Obtaining Borrowings.

            (a) Borrowings.

                  (i) The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent and the
Collateral Agent notice of each request for a Borrowing, pursuant to a Borrowing
Report, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2 hereof. On the
Borrowing Date specified in the Borrowing Report and subject to all other terms
and conditions of this Agreement, the Issuer may, in its discretion, make
available to the Administrative Agent at the office of the Administrative Agent
set forth in Section 12.1, in immediately available funds, the Borrowing.

                  (ii) In the event that the Issuer shall elect not to fund a
Borrowing requested by the Borrower, each Bank agrees that it shall, on the
Borrowing Date specified in the Borrowing Report and subject to all other terms
and conditions of this Agreement, make available to the Administrative Agent at
the office of the Administrative Agent set forth in Section 12.1, in immediately
available funds, an amount equal to the product of (x) such Bank's Bank
Commitment Percentage, multiplied by (y) the portion of such Borrowing that the
Issuer has elected not to fund.

                  (iii) After the Administrative Agent's receipt of funds
pursuant to the preceding paragraph (i) or (ii) and upon fulfillment of the
applicable conditions set forth in Article IV, the Administrative Agent will
make such funds available to the Borrower a like amount of immediately available
funds. So long as the Borrower is otherwise entitled to make a specific
Borrowing, Borrowing Reports that are received by the Administrative Agent and
the Collateral Agent by 10:30 a.m. (eastern time) on a Business Day will be
funded on the next Business Day following receipt of the Borrowing Report.

                  (iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Bank shall not be
obligated to make Advances under this Section 2.3 at any time to the extent that
the principal amount of all Advances made by such Bank would exceed such Bank's
Bank Commitment less the outstanding and unpaid principal amount of any loans or
purchases made by such Bank under a Liquidity Agreement. Each Bank's obligation
shall be several, such that the failure of any Bank to make available to the
Borrower any funds in connection with any Borrowing shall not relieve any other
Bank of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make funds available on the date of
such

                                       27

<PAGE>

Borrowing, but no Bank shall be responsible for the failure of any other Bank to
make funds available in connection with any Borrowing.

            (b) Type of Loan.

                  (i) Each Advance by the Issuer shall initially be funded by
the issuance of commercial paper by the Issuer.

                  (ii) Each Advance by a Bank shall be either a Base Rate
Advance or a Eurodollar Advance, as determined pursuant to Section 2.15(b).

            (c) Wet Borrowings. The Borrower may from time to time request that
certain Borrowings be funded prior to the delivery to the Collateral Agent of
the corresponding Principal Mortgage Documents (individually, a "Wet Borrowing";
collectively, "Wet Borrowings"). Advances in respect of Wet Borrowings shall be
made in accordance with Section 2.3(a), subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, including, without limitation, the following additional terms
and conditions:

                  (i) Pursuant to an Assignment, the Borrower shall grant to the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, from the
Borrowing Date of each Wet Borrowing, a perfected, first-priority security
interest in the Mortgage Loans identified in Schedule III to said Assignment
(such Mortgage Loans being sometimes called "Wet Loans";

                  (ii) The Assignment in connection with the Borrowing Report
delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent,
pursuant to which the Borrower requests a Wet Borrowing, shall describe the
Mortgage Note or Mortgage Notes to be delivered to the Collateral Agent in
connection therewith by the loan number assigned by one of the Originators,
original principal amount, the amount funded (minus discount points paid to such
Originator) by one of the Originators, Obligor's name and interest rate;

                  (iii) Within nine (9) Business Days after the date that each
Assignment is delivered (and inclusion of the related Wet Loan within the
computation of Collateral Value as reported on the Collateral Agent Daily
Report), to Collateral Agent, the Borrower shall deliver to the Collateral Agent
the Principal Mortgage Documents pertaining to any Wet Loan identified on
Schedule III of such Assignment;

                  (iv) At any time, (A) except the first five and last five
Business Days of any month, the portion of total Collateral Value that may be
attributable to Wet Loans with respect to which the related Principal Mortgage
Documents have not been delivered to the Collateral Agent within nine (9)
Business Days after the date the Assignment was delivered to the Collateral
Agent shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Maximum Facility Amount and
(B) during the first five and last five Business Days of any month, the portion
of total Collateral Value that may be attributable to Wet Loans with respect to
which the related Principal Mortgage Documents have not been delivered to the
Collateral Agent within nine (9) Business Days after the date the Assignment was
delivered to the Collateral Agent shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the
Maximum Facility Amount;

                                       28

<PAGE>

                  (v) The Borrower shall not request any Wet Borrowing, and no
Wet Borrowing shall be made, in respect of any Mortgage Loan that is closed with
an escrow agent other than the relevant title insurance company, unless at the
time of such request, the Borrower is entitled to the benefit of Closing
Protection Rights with provisions substantially similar to one of the prescribed
sets of rights set forth in Exhibit L to this Agreement or as otherwise required
by the Administrative Agent (it being understood that pursuant to the Security
Agreement, the Administrative Agent has a security interest in all Closing
Protection Rights).

Each request by the Borrower for a Wet Borrowing shall be automatically deemed
to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower to the effect that
immediately before and after giving effect to such Borrowing, the terms and
conditions specified in the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) and specified in
Section 4.2 are and shall be satisfied in full as of the related Borrowing Date.

            (d) Failure to Deliver Principal Mortgage Documents. The failure to
deliver Principal Mortgage Documents by the ninth Business Day, as required by
subparagraph (iii) of Section 2.3(c) and elsewhere in this Agreement, shall not
be treated as a Default or an Event of Default so long as the Administrative
Agent is satisfied that each such failure, when considered in the light of past
and other contemporaneous failures, does not have a Material Adverse Effect;
however, (i) if any such Principal Mortgage Documents related to such Wet Loans
are not so delivered on a timely basis, the Borrower shall make a mandatory
prepayment so that after giving effect thereto, the Collateral Value of Eligible
Mortgage Collateral (excluding such Wet Loans) shall equal or exceed the
Principal Debt, and (ii) the Wet Loan shall not be an Eligible Mortgage Loan and
shall have a Collateral Value of zero until such Principal Mortgage Documents
shall have been delivered to the Collateral Agent in connection with a
subsequent Borrowing.

      The Borrower diligently shall pursue delivery to the Collateral Agent of
all Principal Mortgage Documents pertaining to any Wet Borrowings.

      2.4. Fees.

            (a) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent the fees set
forth in a letter agreement dated the date hereof (the "Administrative Agent Fee
Letter"), between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, such fees to be
payable at such times and in such amounts as shall be specified thereunder.

            (b) The Borrower shall pay to the Servicer a fee (the "Servicer
Fee") of 0.5% per annum on the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the
Eligible Mortgage Loans from the date hereof until the Principal Debt is
indefeasibly paid in full, payable monthly in arrears on each Settlement Date.
The Servicer Fee shall be payable only from Collections pursuant to, and subject
to the priority of payments set forth in, Section 2.7(c).

      2.5. Prepayments.

            (a) Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may, at any time and from
time to time with five (5) Business Days' notice to the Administrative Agent,
prepay the Advances in whole or in part, in the aggregate amount of $1,000,000
or integral multiples of $100,000 in

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<PAGE>

excess thereof, without premium or penalty other than Consequential Loss, if
any. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any prepayment made hereunder shall be
accompanied by accrued interest on the principal amount being prepaid. After
giving notice that a prepayment will be made, the Borrower shall be liable to
each Affected Party for any Consequential Loss resulting from such prepayment
(including prepayments of Advances bearing interest at the Commercial Paper Rate
or Eurodollar Rate on a day other than the last day of the related Interest
Period) or the failure to make a prepayment designated in any such notice.

            (b) Mandatory Prepayments. The Borrower shall immediately on demand
by the Administrative Agent make a mandatory prepayment if at any time, and to
the extent that, (i) the Principal Debt exceeds the Maximum Facility Amount or
(ii) the Principal Debt exceeds the total Collateral Value of all Eligible
Mortgage Collateral. The Borrower shall be liable for any Consequential Loss
resulting from any such prepayment.

      2.6. Business Days.

      If the date for any payment under this Agreement falls on a day that is
not a Business Day, then for all purposes of the Notes and this Agreement the
same shall be deemed to have fallen on either (a) the next following Business
Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the
computation of payments of interest and fees or (b) if the next following
Business Day is in another calendar month and payment is being made with respect
to a Eurodollar Advance, then on the immediately previous Business Day.

      2.7. Payment Procedures.

            (a) In General. Subject to the provisions of this Section 2.7, all
payments on the Principal Debt and interest and fees under the Notes and this
Agreement shall be made by the Borrower (or the Collateral Agent or the Servicer
on behalf of the Borrower) to the Administrative Agent for the account of the
Lenders represented by the Administrative Agent. All such payments shall be made
before 11:00 a.m. (eastern time) on the respective due dates in federal or other
funds immediately available by that time of day and at the Agent's Account.
Funds received after 11:00 a.m. (eastern time) shall be treated for all purposes
as having been received by the Administrative Agent on the Business Day next
following the date of receipt of such funds from the Borrower. All payments made
by the Borrower under this Agreement and the Notes shall be without set off,
deduction or counterclaim and the Borrower agrees to pay on demand any present
or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other taxes, levies, imposts,
duties, charges or fees which arise from payment made hereunder or under the
Notes or from the execution or delivery or otherwise with respect to this
Agreement or the Notes.

            (b) The Borrower shall establish and maintain an account (the
"Collection Account") with the Collection Account Bank. The Collection Account
shall be a fully segregated trust account, unless the Collection Account Bank
shall be an Eligible Institution having short-term debt ratings from S&P,
Moody's and Fitch no lower than A-1/P-1/F1 respectively, in which case the
account need not be a trust account. The Collection Account shall be under the
control of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collection Account Control
Agreement, and the Borrower shall have no right to withdraw any amount from the

                                       30

<PAGE>

Collection Account until the Obligations are indefeasibly paid in full. The
Servicer shall have no right to access the Collection Account except as
otherwise contemplated in Section 2.7(c).

            (c) Collections.

                  (i) The Servicer shall administer Collections in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 2.7. Approved Investors shall be instructed
to pay proceeds from the sale of Mortgage Loans into the Collection Account, and
such amounts may be released only in accordance with the procedures set forth in
Section 3.3 hereof.

                  (ii) The Servicer shall hold, on behalf of the Lenders and the
Administrative Agent, from Collections received by it with respect to any
Mortgage Asset, amounts necessary to make payments on the following Settlement
Date (or end of the related Interest Period) pursuant to Section 2.7(c)(iii) or
(iv), as applicable. Such amounts shall be deposited into the Collection Account
no later than such Settlement Date or at the end of such Interest Period, or, on
or after the Termination Date or upon the occurrence and during the continuation
of an Event of Default, within one Business Day after receipt before 11:00 a.m.
(eastern time) by the Servicer.

                  (iii) Prior to the Termination Date, the Servicer shall
withdraw funds from the Collection Account (to the extent of collected funds
therein) and shall make payments from the Collection Account at the following
times and in the following order of priority:

                        (A) To the extent not previously paid, on each
            Settlement Date, the Servicer shall deposit an amount equal to the
            costs, fees and expenses then due and payable to the Collateral
            Agent to an account designated by the Collateral Agent.

                        (B) On the last day of each Interest Period for any
            Advance made by La Fayette that bears interest at the Commercial
            Paper Rate and on the last day of each Interest Period for any
            Eurodollar Advance made by any Lender, the Servicer shall deposit an
            amount equal to accrued interest on such Advance to the Agent's
            Account. On each Settlement Date, the Servicer shall deposit an
            amount equal to accrued interest on each Advance that bears interest
            at the Alternate Base Rate to the Agent's Account.

                        (C) To the extent not previously paid, on each
            Settlement Date, the Servicer shall deposit an amount equal to the
            fees, costs and expenses then due and payable to the Administrative
            Agent under the Administrative Agent Fee Letter to the Agent's
            Account.

                        (D) On each Settlement Date on which the Required
            Reserve Account Amount exceeds the amount then on deposit in the
            Reserve Account, the Servicer shall deposit an amount equal to such
            excess to the Reserve Account.

                        (E) To the extent not previously paid, on each
            Settlement Date, the Servicer shall deposit any amounts, other than
            those listed in clauses (A), (B) and (C) above and other than
            principal on the Advances, that are then due and

                                       31

<PAGE>

      payable and of which the Servicer has received prior written notice,
      including without limitation additional costs under Section 2.16, any
      additional interest under Section 2.17, Consequential Losses under Section
      2.18, indemnities under Section 10.1 and costs, expenses and taxes under
      Section 12.19, to the Agent's Account.

                  (F) If requested by the Borrower, the Servicer (1) shall remit
      the amount of any principal prepayment to be made hereunder to the Agent's
      Account, and (2) to the extent not required to make payments pursuant to
      clauses (A) through (E) on any Settlement Date or at the end of any
      Interest Period occurring within 30 days after the Borrower's request, to
      an account designated by the Borrower to pay for the purchase of Mortgage
      Assets by the Borrower.

                  (G) On each Settlement Date, the Servicer shall retain for its
      own account an amount equal to accrued Servicer Fee then due and payable.

                  (iv) On the Termination Date and thereafter, the
Administrative Agent shall make payments from the Collection Account (to the
extent of collected funds therein) at the following times and in the following
order of priority:

                        (A) On each Settlement Date, if the Servicer is not one
            of the Originators or an Affiliate of one of the Originators, an
            amount equal to accrued Servicer Fee then due and payable shall be
            paid to the Servicer.

                        (B) On the last day of each Interest Period for any
            Advance made by La Fayette that bears interest at the Commercial
            Paper Rate and on the last day of each Interest Period for any
            Eurodollar Advance made by any Lender, an amount equal to accrued
            interest on each such Advance shall be paid to the Agent's Account.
            On each Settlement Date, an amount equal to accrued interest on
            Advances that bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate shall be paid
            to the Agent's Account.

                        (C) To the extent not previously paid, on each
            Settlement Date, an amount equal to the fees, costs and expenses
            then due and payable to the Administrative Agent under the
            Administrative Agent Fee Letter shall be paid to the Agent's
            Account.

                        (D) To the extent not previously paid, on each
            Settlement Date, an amount equal to the costs, fees and expenses
            then due and payable to the Collateral Agent shall be paid to an
            account designated by the Collateral Agent.

                        (E) On each Settlement Date, an amount equal to the
            unpaid principal balance of all Advances made by Lenders, or such
            lesser amount as is available from Collections, shall be paid to the
            Agent's Account.

                        (F) To the extent not previously paid, on each
            Settlement Date, any amounts of the type described in Section
            2.7(c)(iii)(E) are then due and payable and any other unpaid
            Obligations shall be paid to the Agent's Account.

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<PAGE>

                        (G) On the Settlement Date on which all Obligations are
            paid in full, if the Servicer is one of the Originators or an
            Affiliate of one of the Originators, an amount equal to accrued
            Servicer Fee then due and payable shall be paid to the Servicer.

                  (v) Upon receipt of funds deposited into the Agent's Account,
the Administrative Agent shall distribute such funds to the Lenders or to itself
for application to the Obligations in accordance with the order of priority set
forth in Section 2.7(c)(iii) or (iv), as applicable.

                  (vi) On the Termination Date and thereafter, Issuer shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to coordinate Interest Periods for advances so
that Consequential Losses and other expenses charged to Borrower are mitigated.

            (d) Interest Payments. Interest on each Advance made by La Fayette
that bears interest at the Commercial Paper Rate and interest on each Eurodollar
Advance shall be due and payable on the last day of the Interest Period
applicable to such Advance. Interest on each Advance that bears interest at a
rate based on the Alternate Base Rate shall be due and payable in arrears on
each Settlement Date, on the Termination Date, and, thereafter, on demand.

            (e) Payments from Collection Account. To effect payments (including
prepayments) hereunder, the Borrower may use the collected funds (if any) then
held on deposit in the Collection Account.

      2.8. The Reserve Account.

            (a) Establishment. An account (the "Reserve Account") shall be
established with the Reserve Account Bank. The Borrower, the Servicer, the
Administrative Agent and the Reserve Account Bank have entered into the Reserve
Account Control Agreement. The Reserve Account is and shall be under the control
of the Administrative Agent, and the Borrower has and shall have no right to
withdraw any amount from the Reserve Account until the Obligations are
indefeasibly paid in full.

            (b) Taxation. The taxpayer identification number associated with the
Reserve Account shall be that of the Borrower, and the Borrower will report for
federal, state and local income tax purposes the income, if any, earned on funds
in the Reserve Account.

            (c) New Reserve Account. The Reserve Account Bank shall be an
Eligible Institution. In the event the Reserve Account Bank ceases to be an
Eligible Institution, the Borrower shall, within ten days after learning
thereof, establish a new Reserve Account (and transfer any balance and
investments then in the Reserve Account to such new Reserve Account) at another
Eligible Institution, which new Reserve Account shall be subject to a
replacement Reserve Account Control Agreement.

            (d) Statements for Reserve Account. On a monthly basis, the Servicer
shall cause the Reserve Account Bank to provide the Servicer, the Borrower and
the Administrative Agent with a written statement with respect to the preceding
calendar month regarding the Reserve Account in a form customary for statements
provided by the Reserve Account Bank for

                                       33

<PAGE>

other accounts held by it, which statement shall include, at a minimum, the
amount on deposit in the Reserve Account, and the dates and amounts of all
deposits, withdrawals and investment earnings with respect to the Reserve
Account.

            (e) Payments from Reserve Account.

                  (i) On the Business Day preceding the last day of each
Interest Period and each Settlement Date, the Servicer will determine whether
any Shortfall Amount will arise with respect to such Interest Period or
Settlement Date and will give the Administrative Agent notice of the amount
thereof by noon New York City time. By 2:00 p.m. New York City time on the
Business Day prior to the last day of each Interest Period and each Settlement
Date on which the amount of the Shortfall Amount is greater than zero, the
Servicer shall notify the Reserve Account Bank requesting payment thereof. To
the extent funds are available in the Reserve Account, the Servicer shall cause
the Reserve Account Bank to pay the amount requested to the Agent's Accounts, as
specified by the Administrative Agent, by 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the
last day of such Interest Period or on such Settlement Date.

                  (ii) On each Settlement Date prior to the Termination Date on
which the funds on deposit in the Reserve Account exceed the Required Reserve
Account Amount (after giving effect to any payments pursuant to Section
2.8(e)(i)), the Servicer may withdraw and pay to the Borrower such excess from
the Reserve Account.

            (f) Payments to Reserve Account. On the date hereof, the Borrower
shall remit to the Reserve Account immediately available funds so that the
amount on deposit in the Reserve Account equals the Required Reserve Account
Amount. Additional payments shall be deposited to the Reserve Account from time
to time pursuant to Section 2.7(c)(iii)(D).

            (g) Pledge. To secure the payment and performance of the
Obligations, the Borrower hereby pledges and assigns to the Administrative Agent
for the benefit of the Lenders, and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent
for the benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in, all of the Borrower's
right, title and interest in and to the Reserve Account, including, without
limitation, all funds on deposit therein, all investments arising out of such
funds, all interest and any other income arising therefrom, all claims
thereunder or in connection therewith, and all cash, instruments, securities,
rights and other property at any time and from time to time received, receivable
or otherwise distributed in respect of such account, such funds or such
investments, and all money at any time in the possession or under the control
of, or in transit to such account, or any bailee, nominee, agent or custodian of
the Reserve Account Bank, and all proceeds and products of any of the foregoing.
Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Borrower may not assign,
transfer or otherwise convey its rights under this Agreement to receive any
amounts from the Reserve Account.

            (h) Termination of Reserve Account. On the date following the
Termination Date on which all Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full,
all funds then on deposit in the Reserve Account shall be paid to the Borrower
and the Reserve Account shall be closed.

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<PAGE>

      2.9.  Interest Allocations.

      The Administrative Agent shall, from time to time and in its sole
discretion, determine whether an Advance shall be part of the "CP Allocation" or
the "ABR Allocation"; provided, however, that each Advance made by a Bank
hereunder shall be allocated to the ABR Allocation. The Administrative Agent
shall provide the Borrower with reasonably prompt notice of the allocations made
by it pursuant to this Section 2.9. Following designation by the Administrative
Agent of any Advance, or any portion thereof, as being a CP Allocation, the
Borrower may, at all times that such designation remains in effect, consult with
the Administrative Agent as to the number and length of Interest Periods
relating to such CP Allocation. In addition, in any Borrowing Report, the
Borrower may request that an Advance be part of the CP Allocation and may
request the length of any related Interest Period. In selecting the Interest
Periods for a CP Allocation, the Administrative Agent shall use reasonable
efforts, taking into account market conditions, to accommodate the Borrower's
preferences; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall have the
ultimate authority to make all such selections.

      2.10. Interest Rates.

      Except where specifically otherwise provided, Borrowings in respect of any
CP Allocation shall bear interest with respect to each Interest Period
comprising such CP Allocation at a rate per annum equal to the Commercial Paper
Rate applicable to such Interest Period, and Borrowings in respect of any ABR
Allocation shall bear interest at either the Eurodollar Rate plus the Bank
Spread, or the Alternate Base Rate; provided, however, that in no event shall
the rate of interest with respect to any Borrowings or portion thereof exceed
the Maximum Rate. Each change in the Alternate Base Rate and Maximum Rate,
subject to the terms of this Agreement, will become effective, without notice to
the Borrower or any other Person, upon the effective date of such change.

      2.11. Quotation of Rates.

      It is hereby acknowledged that an officer or other individual
appropriately designated by an officer previously identified to the
Administrative Agent in a certificate of incumbency or other appropriately
designated officer of the Borrower may call the Administrative Agent from time
to time in order to receive an indication of the rates then in effect, but such
indicated rates shall neither be binding upon the Administrative Agent nor the
Lenders nor affect the rate of interest which thereafter is actually in effect.

      2.12. Default Rate.

      So long as any Event of Default exists, all Obligations shall bear
interest at the Default Rate until paid, regardless of whether such payment is
made before or after entry of a judgment.

      2.13. Interest Recapture.

      If the designated rate applicable to any Borrowing exceeds the Maximum
Rate, the rate of interest on such Borrowing shall be limited to the Maximum
Rate, but any subsequent reductions in such designated rate shall not reduce the
rate of interest thereon below the

                                       35

<PAGE>

Maximum Rate until the total amount of interest accrued thereon equals the
amount of interest that would have accrued thereon if such designated rate had
at all times been in effect. If at maturity (stated or by acceleration), or at
final payment of the Notes, the total amount of interest paid or accrued is less
than the amount of interest that would have accrued if such designated rates had
at all times been in effect, then, at such time and to the extent permitted by
applicable Governmental Requirements, the Borrower shall pay an amount equal to
the difference between (a) the lesser of the amount of interest that would have
accrued if such designated rates had at all times been in effect and the amount
of interest that would have accrued if the Maximum Rate had at all times been in
effect, and (b) the amount of interest actually paid or accrued on the Notes.

      2.14. Interest Calculations.

      All computations of interest and any other fees hereunder shall be made on
the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days (including the
first day but excluding the last day) elapsed; provided, however, that any
calculations of interest based on the rate set forth in clause (a) of the
definition of Alternate Base Rate shall be made on the basis of a year of
365/366 days for the actual number of days (including the first day but
excluding the last day) elapsed. All such determinations and calculations by the
Administrative Agent shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error.

      2.15. Interest Period.

            (a) "Interest Period" means with respect to any Advance included in
the CP Allocation, each period (i) commencing on, and including, the date that
such Advance was initially designated by the Administrative Agent as comprising
a part of the CP Allocation hereunder, or the last day of the immediately
preceding Interest Period for such Advance (whichever is latest); and (ii)
ending on, but excluding, the date that falls such number of days (not to exceed
30 days) thereafter as the Administrative Agent shall select; provided, however,
that no more than ten Interest Periods shall be in effect at any one time with
respect to Advances included in the CP Allocation.

            (b) "Interest Period" means with respect to any Advance included in
the ABR Allocation, a period of one month (provided that if such Interest Period
begins on a date for which there is no corresponding date in the month in which
such Interest Period is scheduled to end, the last day of such Interest Period
shall be the last Business Day of the month in which such Interest Period is
scheduled to end), which Advance shall be a Eurodollar Advance, unless:

                  (i) on or prior to the first day of such Interest Period the
Lender with respect to such Advance shall have notified the Administrative Agent
that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or
regulation makes it unlawful, or any central bank or other governmental
authority asserts that it is unlawful, for such Lender to fund such Advance at
the Eurodollar Rate (and such Lender shall not have subsequently notified the
Administrative Agent that such circumstances no longer exist), or

                  (ii) the Borrower shall have requested a Base Rate Advance or
an Interest Period shorter than one month, or

                                       36

<PAGE>

                  (iii) the Administrative Agent does not receive notice, by
12:00 noon (New York City time) on the third Business Day preceding the first
day of such Interest Period, that the related Advance will not be funded by
issuance of commercial paper, or

                  (iv) the principal amount of such Advance is less than
$500,000, or

                  (v) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
or

                  (vi) the Eurodollar Rate determined pursuant hereto does not
accurately reflect the cost of funds to the Issuer or the Banks (as conclusively
determined by the Agent) during such Interest Period, or

                  (vii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for
ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for the relevant Interest Period,

in which case (if any of the foregoing events occurs) such Advance shall be a
Base Rate Advance.

            (c) Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary,
(x) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business
Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (provided, however, if
interest in respect of such Interest Period is computed by reference to the
Eurodollar Rate, and such Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is
not a Business Day, and there is no subsequent Business Day in the same calendar
month as such day, such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding
Business Day); (y) any Interest Period that commences before the Termination
Date and would otherwise end after the Termination Date shall end on the
Termination Date; and (z) the duration of each Interest Period that commences on
or after the Termination Date shall be of such duration as shall be selected by
the Administrative Agent and communicated by notice to the Borrower.

      2.16. Additional Costs.

            (a) If any Affected Party determines in its reasonable discretion
that compliance with any law or regulation or any guideline or request, or any
change in such law, regulation, guideline or request, or any change in the
interpretation, administration or application thereof, from any central bank,
any governmental authority or any accounting board or authority (whether or not
having the force of law), which is responsible for the establishment or
interpretation of national or international accounting principles, in each case
whether foreign or domestic (whether or not having the force of law):

                  (i) affects or would affect the amount of capital required or
expected to be maintained by such Affected Party and such Affected Party
determines that the amount of such capital is increased by or based upon the
existence of any commitment to lend or maintain a loan against Mortgage
Collateral hereunder or under any commitments to an Investor related to this
Agreement or to the funding thereof or any related liquidity facility or credit
enhancement facility (or any participation therein) and other commitments of the
same type related to this Agreement, or

                                       37

<PAGE>

                  (ii) increases the cost to or imposes a cost on (A) an
Affected Party funding or making or maintaining any Advances or any liquidity
loan to an Issuer or any commitment of such Affected Party with respect to any
of the foregoing, or (B) the Administrative Agent for continuing its, or the
Borrower's, relationship with the Lenders;

      then, upon demand by such Affected Party (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent) delivered no later than 180 days after such circumstances
first arise, the Borrower shall pay to the Affected Party within 30 days of the
delivery of such demand, from time to time as specified by such Affected Party,
additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Affected Party in the light of
such circumstances, to the extent that such Affected Party reasonably determines
such increase in capital or increased costs to be allocable to the existence of
any of such commitments. A certificate as to such amounts submitted to the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent by such Affected Party setting forth, in
reasonable detail, the basis for and the calculation thereof shall be conclusive
and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

            (b) In the event that any change in any requirement of law or in the
interpretation by any governmental authority or application to an Affected Party
of a requirement of law or change thereto by the relevant governmental authority
after the date hereof or compliance by an Affected Party with any request or
directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or
other governmental authority after the date of this Agreement does or shall
impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan
or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits or other liabilities
in or for the account of, purchases, advances or loans by, or other credit
extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Affected
Party which are not otherwise included in the determination of the Alternate
Base Rate or Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted) hereunder and the result of any
of the foregoing is to increase the cost to or impose a cost on such Affected
Party or to reduce any amount sum received or receivable by any Affected Party
under this Agreement, any Note, the Liquidity Agreement with respect thereto, or
under the Administrative Agent Fee Letter then, upon demand by the Agent
delivered no later than 180 days after such circumstances first arise, the
Seller shall pay to the Agent within 30 days of the delivery of such demand, any
additional amounts (without duplication of amounts referred to in Section
2.16(a)) necessary to compensate such Affected Party for such additional cost or
reduced amount receivable. A certificate as to such additional cost or reduced
amount receivable submitted to the Borrower by the Affected Party setting forth,
in reasonable detail, the basis for and the calculation thereof shall be
conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

            (c) For the avoidance of doubt, any interpretation of Accounting
Research Bulletin No. 51 by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any
other change in national or international generally accepted principles of
accounting (whether foreign or domestic) that would require the consolidation of
some or all of the assets and liabilities of any Lender, including the assets
and liabilities which are the subject of this Agreement and/or other Transaction
Documents, with those of any Affected Party (other than such Lender), shall
constitute a change in the interpretation, administration or application of a
law, regulation, guideline or request subject to Section 2.16(a) and (b).

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<PAGE>

      2.17. Additional Interest on Advances Bearing a Eurodollar Rate.

      The Borrower shall pay to any Affected Party, so long as such Affected
Party shall be required under regulations of the Federal Reserve Board to
maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or
including Eurocurrency Liabilities, additional interest on the unpaid principal
of each Advance or portion thereof made or funded (including fundings to an
Issuer for the purpose of maintaining an Advance) by such Affected Party during
each Interest Period in respect of which interest is computed by reference to
the Eurodollar Rate, for such Interest Period, at a rate per annum equal at all
times during such Interest Period to the remainder obtained by subtracting (i)
the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period from (ii) the rate obtained by
dividing such Eurodollar Rate referred to in clause (i) above by that percentage
equal to 100% minus the Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage of such Affected
Party for such Interest Period, payable on each date on which interest is
payable on such Advance. Such additional interest shall be determined by such
Affected Party and notice thereof given to the Borrower (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent) within 30 days after any interest payment is made with
respect to which such additional interest is requested. A certificate as to such
additional interest submitted to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent by
such Affected Party shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent
manifest error.

      2.18. Consequential Loss.

      The Borrower shall indemnify each Affected Party against, and shall pay to
the Administrative Agent for such Affected Party within ten days after request
therefor, any Consequential Loss of any Affected Party. When any Affected Party
requests that the Borrower pay any Consequential Loss, it shall deliver to the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent a certificate setting forth the basis for
imposing such Consequential Loss and the calculation of such amount thereof,
which calculation shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error.

      2.19. Taxes.

            (a) All payments made by the Borrower under this Agreement and the
Notes shall be without setoff, deduction or counterclaim, and the Borrower
agrees to pay on demand any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any
other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees or withholdings which arise
from payment made hereunder or under the Notes or from the execution or delivery
or otherwise with respect to this Agreement or the Notes but excluding franchise
taxes and taxes imposed on or measured by all or part of the gross or net income
(but not including any such tax in the nature of a withholding tax) of such
Affected Party by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Affected Party
is organized or has its applicable lending office or any political subdivision
of any thereof (all such excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, changes,
withholding and liabilities collectively or individually referred to herein as
"Excluded Taxes" and all such nonexcluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions,
charges, withholdings, and liabilities collectively or individually referred to
herein as "Taxes"). If the Borrower shall be required to deduct any Taxes from
or in respect of any sum payable hereunder to any Affected Party: (i) the sum
payable shall be increased by the amount (an "additional amount") necessary so
that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section 2.19) such Affected Party shall
receive an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions
been made, (ii) any Borrower

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<PAGE>

shall make such deductions and (iii) any Borrower shall pay the full amount
deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable
law.

            (b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the relevant Governmental
Authority in accordance with applicable law all taxes, levies, imposts,
deductions, charges, assessments or fees of any kind (including but not limited
to any current or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or
property taxes, charges, or similar levies, but excluding any Excluded Taxes)
imposed upon any Affected Party as a result of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or that arise from any payment made hereunder or from the
execution, delivery, or registration of or otherwise similarly with respect to,
this Agreement ("Other Taxes").

            (c) Each Lender that is not a U.S. Person (each a "Non-U.S. Lender")
shall deliver to the Borrower: (i) two copies of either (A) United States
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (including any successor forms thereto) or
(B) United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (including any successor
forms thereto), or (ii) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming an exemption
from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code
with respect to payments of "portfolio interest," a Form W-8BEN (or any
subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto) and a certificate
representing that such Non-U.S. Lender is not a bank for purposes of Section
881(c) of the Code, in either case properly completed and duly executed by such
Non-U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax on
payments by each Borrower under this Agreement. Such forms shall be delivered by
each Non-U.S. Lender before the date it receives its first payment under this
Agreement, and before the date it receives its first payment under this
Agreement occurring after the date, if any, that such Non-U.S. Lender changes
its applicable lending office by designating a different lending office (a "New
Lending Office"). In addition, each Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver such forms
promptly after (or, if reasonably practicable, prior to) the obsolescence or
invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Non-U.S. Lender.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.19(c), a Non-U.S. Lender
shall not be required to deliver any form pursuant to this Section 2.19(c) that
such Non-U.S. Lender is not legally able to deliver.

            (d) Within 30 days after the Borrower pays any amount to any
Affected Party from which it is required by law to make any deduction or
withholding, and within 30 days after it is required by law to remit such
deduction or withholding to any relevant taxing or other authority, any such
Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent for delivery to such Affected
Party evidence satisfactory to such Person of such deduction, withholding or
payment (as the case may be).

            (e) If an Issuer or Agent receives the benefit of a tax refund,
credit or other benefit which is attributable to any Taxes as to which the
Issuer or Agent has been reimbursed by the Borrower, or with respect to which
the Borrower have paid an additional amount hereunder, the Issuer or Agent shall
within 30 days after the date of such receipt pay over the amount of such refund
or credit (to the extent so attributable) to the Borrower, net of all reasonable
out-of-pocket third party expenses of such Issuer or Agent related to claiming
such refund or credit; provided, however, that (i) the Issuer or Agent, as the
case may be, acting in good faith will be the sole judge of the amount of any
such refund, credit or reduction and of the date on which such refund, credit or
reduction is received, (ii) the Issuer or Agent, as the case may be, acting in
good faith shall have absolute discretion as to the order and manner in which it
employs or

                                       40

<PAGE>

claims tax refunds, credits, reductions and allowances available to it, (iii)
the Borrower agrees to repay the Issuer or Agent, as the case may be, upon
written request from the Issuer or Agent, as the case may be, the amount of such
refund, credit or reduction received by the Borrower, in the event and to the
extent, the Issuer or Agent is required to repay such refund, credit or
reduction to any relevant Governmental Authority, and (iv) neither the Issuer
nor the Agent shall be required to make available its tax returns or any other
information relating to its taxes and the computation thereof.

            (f) Nothing contained in this Section 2.19 shall require an Affected
Party to make available any of its tax returns (or any other information that it
deems to be confidential or proprietary).

      2.20. Replacement Banks.

      Upon the election of any Affected Party to request reimbursement by the
Borrower for increased costs under Sections 2.16 or 2.17 or for compensation in
respect of withholding taxes under Section 2.19, the Borrower may, upon prior
written notice to the Administrative Agent and such Affected Party, seek a
replacement Bank to whom such additional costs or taxes shall not apply and
which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (a "Replacement Bank");
provided, however, that the Borrower may not seek a replacement for a Bank
unless the related Issuer is also terminated as a party to this Agreement and
all of its outstanding Advances are indefeasibly repaid in full. Each Affected
Party agrees that, should it be identified for replacement pursuant to this
Section 2.20, upon payment in full of all amounts due and owing to such Affected
Party hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents, it will promptly
execute and deliver all documents and instruments reasonably required by the
Borrower to assign such Affected Party's portion of the Borrowings to the
applicable Replacement Bank. Any such replacement shall not relieve the Borrower
of its obligation to reimburse the Affected Party for any such increased costs
or taxes incurred through the date of such replacement.

                                  ARTICLE III

                                   COLLATERAL

      3.1.  Collateral.

      To secure the payment of the Obligations, the Borrower has executed and
delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, as applicable:

            (a) the Security Agreement,

            (b) the Collection Account Control Agreement,

            (c) the Reserve Account Control Agreement, and

            (d) the UCC Financing Statements;

all as more fully provided for in the Collateral Agency Agreement. The Borrower
further agrees to execute all documents and instruments, and perform all other
acts deemed necessary by the

                                       41

<PAGE>

Administrative Agent to create and perfect, and maintain the security interests
and collateral assignments in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit
of the holders of the Obligations, as perfected first priority security
interests. Any security interest or collateral assignments granted to the
Administrative Agent under any Transaction Document is for the benefit of the
holders of the Obligations, whether or not reference is made to such holders.

      3.2.  Delivery of Collateral to Collateral Agent.

            (a) Periodically, the Borrower may deliver Mortgage Loan Collateral
to the Collateral Agent to hold as bailee for the Administrative Agent. Each
delivery shall be made in association with an Assignment to the Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, in all Mortgage Loans,
Take-Out Commitments and related Collateral delivered with or described in such
Assignment or any schedules thereto. The Borrower shall use the form of
Assignment provided for in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

            (b) Each Assignment delivered to the Collateral Agent shall be
accompanied by a completed Schedule I, Schedule II and Schedule III using the
forms of such schedules as prescribed in the Collateral Agency Agreement and,
with respect to each Mortgage Loan described in Schedule II to each Assignment,
shall deliver or cause to be delivered the following items (collectively, the
"Principal Mortgage Documents"):

                  (i) the original of each Mortgage Note, endorsed in blank
(without recourse) and all intervening endorsements thereto;

                  (ii) an original executed assignment in blank for each
Mortgage securing such Mortgage Loan, in recordable form, executed by the
Originator, in the case of each Mortgage Loan that is not a MERS Designated
Mortgage Loan, or by an authorized signatory of MERS, in the case of each MERS
Designated Mortgage Loan; and

                  (iii) a certified copy of the executed Mortgage related to
such Mortgage Note;

            (c) The Servicer shall hold in trust for the Administrative Agent
for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, with respect to each Mortgage
Loan included in the Collateral,

                  (i) the original filed Mortgage relating to such Mortgage
Loan, provided, however, that, until an original Mortgage is received from the
public official charged with its filing and recordation, a copy, certified by
the closing agent to be a true and correct copy of the original sent to be filed
and recorded, may be used by the Borrower to satisfy this requirement; however,
the Borrower shall thereafter pursue, with reasonable diligence, receipt of the
filed and recorded original Mortgage and, if received, shall deliver such
original to the Servicer;

                  (ii) other than with respect to a HUD repossessed Property
that is sold to a consumer, a mortgagee's policy of title insurance (or binding
unexpired commitment to issue such insurance if the policy has not yet been
delivered to the Servicer) insuring the Borrower's perfected, first-priority
Lien created by the Mortgage securing such Mortgage Loan

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<PAGE>

(subject to such title exceptions that conform to the related Take-Out
Commitments) in a policy amount not less than the principal amount of such
Mortgage Loan;

                  (iii) the original hazard insurance policy, appropriately
endorsed to provide that all insurance proceeds will be paid to any of the
Originators or any of the assigns of such Originator, referred to in Section
6.6(b) hereof which relate to such Mortgage Loan, or other evidence of insurance
acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

                  (iv) the form of current appraisal of the Property described
in the Mortgage, prepared by a state licensed appraiser, that complies with all
applicable Governmental Requirements, including all Governmental Requirements
that are applicable to the Lenders or any other Affected Party; provided,
however, that no appraisal shall be required for Mortgage Loans (x) financing
HUD repossessed Property that is sold to a consumer, financed with an FHA loan,
fully insurable and in accordance with FHA guidelines, but for which an
appraisal is not required, and (y) representing so called VA Rate Reduction or
FHA streamline refinances, insurable in accordance with VA and FHA guidelines,
but for which an appraisal is not required ; and

                  (v) all other original documents (collectively, the "Other
Mortgage Documents").

Upon request of the Administrative Agent, and three Business Days' prior notice
by the Administrative Agent to the Collateral Agent, the Servicer shall
immediately deliver, or shall cause to be delivered, all such items, held in
trust, to the Collateral Agent as bailee for the Administrative Agent or such
other party as may be designated in such notice. Upon instructions from the
Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent shall reject as unsatisfactory any
items so delivered, noting the rejection on the Schedule of Exceptions,
whereupon the Mortgage Loan shall not be an Eligible Mortgage Loan.

            (d) In connection with each Assignment delivered to the Collateral
Agent, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent copies of the
related Take-Out Commitment Master Agreements with the related Approved
Investor, with any confidential economic terms redacted (unless a copy of such
agreement or commitment has been delivered previously).

            (e) The Servicer shall provide the Collateral Agent and the
Administrative Agent with full access to all Other Mortgage Documents held in
trust for the Administrative Agent at all times.

            (f) With respect to each Assignment that is received by the
Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent shall review such Assignment and make a
written report to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, all as more fully
provided in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

      3.3.  Redemption of Mortgage Collateral.

            (a) Generally. Subject to the limitations contained in this Section
3.3, in connection with a sale or other transfer contemplated by clause (a) or
(b), and so long as no Default or Event of Default is continuing, the Borrower
or the Servicer (on behalf of the Borrower) may request releases of the
Administrative Agent's security interest in all or any part

                                       43

<PAGE>

of the Collateral (including releases from the Collection Account and release of
funds owned by the Borrower and held in the Cash and Collateral Account) at any
time, and from time to time; provided that no such request shall be granted
unless, in addition to the satisfaction of the other conditions contained in
this Section 3.3,

                  (i) (immediately after giving effect to any requested release)
the total Collateral Value of all Eligible Mortgage Collateral shall equal or
exceed the Principal Debt, or

                  (ii) (A) the Borrower makes a principal payment on account of
the Principal Debt in an amount, or (B) the Borrower delivers to the Collateral
Agent as bailee for the Administrative Agent substitute Eligible Mortgage
Collateral with a Collateral Value, such that after giving effect to such
payment or delivery, the total Collateral Value of all Eligible Mortgage
Collateral will equal or exceed the Principal Debt.

So long as no Default or Event of Default is continuing, the Servicer (on behalf
of the Borrower) may transfer funds from the Collection Account to the
Disbursement Account; provided, that the Servicer shall not request and the
Collateral Agent shall not permit funds to be released from the Disbursement
Account unless the total Collateral Value of all Eligible Mortgage Collateral
(immediately after giving effect to the requested release) equals or exceeds the
Principal Debt, as shown on the most recent Borrowing Report. Each request for a
partial release of Collateral (a "Transfer Request") shall be addressed to the
Collateral Agent and (i) shall be substantially in the form illustrated in
Exhibit D-5 to the Collateral Agency Agreement (or such other form as may be
reasonably acceptable to or required by the Administrative Agent, from time to
time) or (ii) shall be in the form of an electronic transmission which shall
include a schedule substantially in the form illustrated on Schedule I to
Exhibit D-5 to the Collateral Agency Agreement (or such other form as may be
reasonably acceptable to or required by the Administrative Agent, from time to
time).

            (b) Redemption Pursuant to Sale. So long as no Default or Event of
Default is continuing, the Borrower or the Servicer (on behalf of the Borrower)
may from time to time submit a Shipping Request that would permit a sale of
Mortgage Loan Collateral to, or the pooling of Mortgage Loan Collateral for, an
Approved Investor, pursuant to a Take-Out Commitment. Upon the receipt by the
Collateral Agent of a Shipping Request from the Borrower identifying Collateral
to be delivered to an Approved Investor, and so long as no Default or Event of
Default shall be in existence or would be caused thereby:

                  (i) The Collateral Agent shall deliver to the Approved
Investor, or its loan servicing provider or custodian, under the Collateral
Agent's "Bailee and Security Agreement Letter" substantially in the form
provided for in the Collateral Agency Agreement, as appropriate, the items of
Mortgage Loan Collateral being sold that are held by the Collateral Agent as
bailee for the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof, with the
release of the security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent for the
benefit of the holders of the Obligations in such items being conditioned upon
timely payment to the Collection Account of the amount described in Section
3.3(b)(iii) or delivery of additional Eligible Mortgage Collateral;

                  (ii) The Servicer shall, as agent for the Administrative
Agent, deliver to such Approved Investor, or such Approved Investor's loan
servicing provider or custodian,

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<PAGE>

pursuant to procedures provided for in the Collateral Agency Agreement, the
items held by the Servicer pursuant to Section 3.2(c) that are related to the
Mortgage Loan Collateral to be transferred on the condition that such Approved
Investor or its loan servicing provider or custodian shall hold or control such
Other Mortgage Documents as bailee for the Administrative Agent (for the benefit
of the holders of the Obligations) until the Approved Investor has either paid
the full purchase price for such Mortgage Loan Collateral to the Collection
Account, as required by the relevant Take-Out Commitment;

                  (iii) Within forty-five (45) days after the delivery by the
Collateral Agent to such Approved Investor or its loan servicing provider or
custodian of the items of Mortgage Loan Collateral described in Section
3.3(b)(i) or (ii), the Borrower shall make a payment, or shall cause a payment
to be made, to the Collection Account, for distribution to the Administrative
Agent for the account of the Lenders in an amount equal to at least the full
purchase price for such Mortgage Loan Collateral or shall substitute Eligible
Mortgage Collateral as permitted by this Section 3.3; and

                  (iv) With respect to each Shipping Request that is received by
the Collateral Agent by 11:30 a.m. (eastern time) on a Business Day, the
Collateral Agent shall use due diligence and efforts to review such Shipping
Request and prepare the Mortgage Loan files identified in each Shipping Request,
for shipment prior to the close of business on such day.

            (c) Transfers. So long as no Default or Event of Default is
continuing, the Borrower shall, at any time, be permitted to transfer Mortgage
Loans to any Permitted Transferees (as defined below) by means of its daily
electronic transmissions to the Collateral Agent, together with delivery of a
Transfer Request delivered to the Collateral Agent, identifying each Mortgage
Loan being transferred. The Collateral Agent's sole responsibility with respect
to any such transfers shall be to correctly reflect such transfers on its
computer system and books and records and to indicate, on its Collateral Agent's
Daily Report on the next Business Day, that such transfers have been effected.
"Permitted Transferees" means (i) the related Originator, in connection with any
sale and transfer thereto effected pursuant to the terms of the Repurchase
Agreement and (ii) any Approved Investor approved by the Administrative Agent as
a Permitted Transferee. However, requested transfers will not be made if (A) as
reflected on the most recent Borrowing Report, total Principal Debt will equal
or exceed the total Collateral Value of Eligible Mortgage Collateral immediately
after giving effect to a requested transfer and any accompanying substitution of
Mortgage Collateral, or (B) the Collateral Agent shall have received written
notice from the Administrative Agent that a Default or Event of Default has
occurred.

            (d) Continuation of Lien. Unless released in writing by the
Administrative Agent as herein provided, the security interest in favor of the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, in all
Mortgage Loan Collateral transmitted pursuant to Section 3.3(b) shall continue
in effect until such time as payment in full of the amount described in Section
3.3(b)(iii) shall have been received.

            (e) Application of Proceeds; No Duty. Neither the Administrative
Agent nor the Lenders shall be under any duty at any time to credit Borrower for
any amount due from any Approved Investor in respect of any purchase of any
Mortgage Collateral contemplated under

                                       45

<PAGE>

Section 3.3(b) above, until such amount has actually been received in
immediately available funds and deposited to the Collection Account. Neither the
Collateral Agent, nor the Lenders, nor the Administrative Agent shall be under
any duty at any time to collect any amounts or otherwise enforce any obligations
due from any Approved Investor in respect of any such purchase.

            (f) Mandatory Redemption of Mortgage Collateral. Notwithstanding any
provision herein to the contrary, if at any time a Collateral Deficiency exists,
the Borrower shall, as promptly as possible and in any event within one (1)
Business Day, make a payment to the Collection Account (or make payment directly
to the Administrative Agent) or pledge, assign and deliver additional or
substitute Eligible Mortgage Collateral to the Administrative Agent for the
benefit of the holders of the Obligations, so that, immediately after giving
effect to such payment or pledge and assignment, total Collateral Value of
Eligible Mortgage Collateral shall be equal or greater than the Principal Debt.

            (g) Representation in Connection with Releases, Sales and Transfers.
The Borrower represents and warrants that each request for any release or
transfer pursuant to Section 3.3(a) or Section 3.3(b) shall automatically
constitute a representation and warranty to the effect that immediately before
and after giving effect to such release or Transfer Request, the Collateral
Value of Eligible Mortgage Collateral shall equal or exceed the Principal Debt.

            (h) Limitation on Releases. Notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary, the Collateral Agent shall not release any Collateral unless payment
of the purchase price by the Approved Investor shall have been made in
immediately available funds to the Collection Account; provided, however, that
the foregoing shall not apply if immediately before and after giving effect
thereto, the total Collateral Value of Eligible Mortgage Collateral shall equal
or exceed the Principal Debt.

      3.4.  Releases of Mortgage Notes for Servicing.

      The Servicer may from time to time request, in writing, that the
Collateral Agent deliver Mortgage Notes for correction or servicing actions
under the Collateral Agent's "Trust Receipt and Security Agreement Letter", in
the form provided for in the Collateral Agency Agreement, as and to the extent
permitted pursuant to Section 3.5 of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

      3.5.  Collateral Reporting.

      Pursuant to the Collateral Agency Agreement, at the commencement of each
Business Day, and in no event later than 1:00 p.m. (eastern time), the
Collateral Agent shall furnish to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent by
facsimile (a hard copy of which shall not subsequently be mailed, sent or
delivered to the Administrative Agent, unless so requested by the Administrative
Agent) a duly completed Collateral Agent Daily Report in the form of Exhibit D-8
to the Collateral Agency Agreement.

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<PAGE>

      3.6.  Take-Out Commitment Reporting.

            (a) Each Assignment delivered to the Collateral Agent shall indicate
(x) the Approved Investor with respect to the Take-Out Commitment, or (y) that
there is no loan level Take-Out Commitment but that the Mortgage Loan is hedged.

      For each Mortgage Loan that, as of the fourth Business Day after delivery
of the Assignment relating to such Mortgage Loan, is covered by a Take-Out
Commitment in the form of a hedge by forward sale commitment but is not covered
by a loan-specific Take-Out Commitment, the Servicer shall furnish to the
Borrower and the Collateral Agent a duly completed Hedge Report in the form of
Exhibit K, no later than 10:00 a.m. (eastern time) (i) on the tenth Business Day
after delivery of such Assignment relating to such Mortgage Loan, and (ii) if
any changes would be reflected since the last Hedge Report, on each subsequent
Business Day. In addition, no later than 10:00 a.m. on the tenth Business Day
following the delivery of any Assignment that reflected one or more Mortgage
Loans that were covered by a Take-Out Commitment in the form of a forward sale
commitment hedge, but not a loan-specific Take-Out Commitment, the Servicer
shall furnish the Borrower and the Collateral Agent with a list of Mortgage
Loans that subsequently were committed pursuant to the loan-specific Take-Out
Commitment, with an code indicating the Investor related to the Take-Out
Commitment and an indication of the price associated with the Take-Out
Commitment.

            (b) The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent with
up-to-date copies of the Take-Out Commitment Master Agreements for each Approved
Investor.

            (c) Upon request of the Administrative Agent at any time, the
Servicer shall furnish to the Administrative Agent (x) if there are any Mortgage
Loans not subject to a loan level Take-Out Commitment, a duly completed Hedge
Report in the form of Exhibit K, and (y) a list of loan-specific Take-Out
Commitments, together with copies of any such loan-specific Take-Out Commitments
to the extent not previously delivered to the Administrative Agent.

      3.7.  Servicer Monthly Reporting.

      No later than 10:00 a.m. (eastern time) on the 15th day of each month (or,
if such day is not a Business Day, the next Business Day) and within twenty (20)
days after request by the Administrative Agent, the Servicer shall furnish the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent (by facsimile or electronic transmission
(a hard copy of which shall not subsequently be mailed, sent or delivered to the
Administrative Agent, unless so requested by the Administrative Agent) a report
executed by a Financial Officer of the Servicer or the Originator, in the form
of Exhibit F hereto ("Servicer Monthly Report") which shall provide as of the
last day of the previous month (or of the date of such request) (i) a
computation of the Default Ratio, (ii) delinquency of Mortgage Loans owned by
the Borrower that are financed by the Lenders and constitute Collateral
hereunder, and (iii) the other information provided for therein.

3.8. Servicer Annual Pipeline Reporting.

      No later than 10:00 a.m. (eastern time) promptly after becoming available,
and in any event within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of the
Originator, a report, in form and content acceptable to the Administrative
Agent, on the Originator's "open and pipeline

                                       47

<PAGE>

positions" for Conforming Loans as of the last day of such fiscal year, and the
Originator's Mortgage Loan production for such fiscal year for all Mortgage
Loans.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

      4.1.  Initial Borrowing.

      The effectiveness of this Agreement and the making of the initial Advance
hereunder shall not occur until the later of August 8, 2003, or satisfaction of
the conditions precedent specified in Section 4.2 hereof and delivery to the
Administrative Agent of the following (each of the following documents being
duly executed and delivered and in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, and, with the exception of the Notes and the UCC
statement(s), each in a sufficient number of originals that the Administrative
Agent may have an executed original of each document):

            (a) an executed counterpart of this Agreement;

            (b) the Notes;

            (c) the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Security Agreement, the
Collection Account Control Agreement, the Reserve Account Control Agreement, the
Disbursement Account Control Agreement and such other Security Instruments as
may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent;

            (d) the Servicer Performance Guaranty and the Originator Performance
Guaranty;

            (e) the Repurchase Agreement;

            (f) the Subordination Agreement in the form of Exhibit B;

            (g) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of
the Borrower, each Originator and the Performance Guarantor certifying as to (i)
resolutions of each Borrower's, each Originator's and the Performance
Guarantor's board of directors authorizing the execution, delivery, and
performance by each of them of the Transaction Documents to which they are a
party and identifying the officers of the Borrower, the Originators and the
Performance Guarantor who are authorized to sign such Transaction Documents,
(ii) specimen signatures of the officers so authorized, (iii) the certificate of
incorporation and (iv) bylaws;

            (h) a favorable written opinion from counsel to the Borrower, the
Originators and the Performance Guarantor on entity matters in a form acceptable
to the Administrative Agent;

            (i) a favorable written opinion from counsel to the Borrower, the
Originators on security interest matters in a form acceptable to Administrative
Agent;

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<PAGE>

            (j) a favorable written opinion from counsel to the Originators as
to true sale and non-consolidation matters, in a form acceptable to the
Administrative Agent;

            (k) a certificate from each of (i) the Secretary of State of the
State of New York, (ii) the Secretary of State of the State of Maryland, (iii)
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and (iii) an officer of the
Borrower, the Performance Guarantor and each of the Originators with respect to
every state in which the Borrower, the Performance Guarantor and each Originator
is incorporated or conducts business, as to the good standing of the Borrower,
the Performance Guarantor and/or each of the Originators, as applicable, in each
state or states for which each certificate is made;

            (l) the Administrative Agent Fee Letter;

            (m) evidence of the payment of fees due at closing, as provided in
the Administrative Agent Fee Letter;

            (n) a letter agreement between the Borrower and the Collateral Agent
establishing fees for collateral agency, custodial and administrative services,
and a mutually agreeable schedule for payment of such fees shall have been
executed by the Borrower and the Collateral Agent and shall have been approved
by the Administrative Agent;

            (o) acknowledgment copies of proper Financing Statements (Form
UCC-1), filed on or prior to the date of the initial Advance, naming (i) each
Originator as the Seller, the Borrower as the secured party/purchaser and the
Administrative Agent as the assignee, and (ii) the Borrower as the debtor and
the Administrative Agent on behalf of the holders of the Obligations as the
secured party, or other, similar instruments or documents, as may be necessary
or, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, desirable under the UCC or any
comparable law of all appropriate jurisdictions to perfect the ownership and
security interests in the Collateral contemplated by the Repurchase Agreement
and this Agreement;

            (p) a search report provided in writing to the Administrative Agent
by CT Corporation, listing all effective financing statements that name the
Borrower or any of the Originators as debtor and that are filed in the
jurisdictions in which filings were made pursuant to subsection (k) above and in
such other jurisdictions as the Administrative Agent shall request, together
with copies of such financing statements (none of which shall cover any Mortgage
Loans or interests therein or proceeds thereof);

            (q) evidence of the initial deposit to the Reserve Account in the
amount of 0.5% of the Maximum Facility Amount;

            (r) such other documents as the Administrative Agent may request at
any time at or prior to the Borrowing Date of the initial Borrowing hereunder;

            (s) copies of all Take-Out Commitment Master Agreements with
Approved Investors; and

            (t) the Performance Guarantor Quarterly Certificate, substantially
in the form of Exhibit H-3.

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<PAGE>

      4.2.  All Borrowings.

      Each Advance (including, without limitation, the initial Advance) pursuant
to this Agreement is subject to the following further conditions precedent:

            (a) (i) prior to 10:30 a.m. (eastern time) on the Business Day
before the designated Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent and the
Collateral Agent shall have received a Borrowing Report, verifying that after
giving effect to the requested Advance, the Collateral Value of all Eligible
Mortgage Collateral shall exceed the Principal Debt (together with any related
Assignment) duly executed and delivered by the Borrower; and (ii) the
Administrative Agent shall have received, no later than 1:00 p.m. (eastern
time), on the proposed date of funding, a Collateral Agent Daily Report,
pursuant to Section 3.8 of the Collateral Agency Agreement;

            (b) all Collateral in which the Borrower has granted a security
interest to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the
Obligations, with the exception of Wet Loans pursuant to Section 2.3(c), shall
have been physically delivered to the possession of the Collateral Agent in
accordance with Section 3.2;

            (c) the representations and warranties of the Borrower, the
Originators and (so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators is the same
entity) the Servicer contained in this Agreement, any Assignment or Borrowing
Report, or any Security Instrument or other Transaction Document (other than
those representations and warranties that, by their express terms, are limited
to the effective date of the document or agreement in which they are initially
made) shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the date of such
Advance;

            (d) no Default or Event of Default or Servicer Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, or would result from such Advance, and no change or
event that constitutes a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred and be
continuing as of the date of such Advance;

            (e) the Collection Account shall be established and in existence and
free from any Lien other than pursuant to the Collection Account Control
Agreement;

            (f) delivery of a sufficient number of originals such that the
Administrative Agent may have an executed original thereof, of such other
documents and opinions of counsel, including such other documents as may be
necessary or desirable to perfect or maintain the priority of any Lien granted
or intended to be granted hereunder or otherwise and including favorable written
opinions of counsel with respect thereto, as the Administrative Agent may
request;

            (g) the Termination Date shall not have occurred; and

            (h) the most recently due Performance Guarantor Quarterly
Certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit H-3, shall have been delivered
previously to the Administrative Agent.

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Each Borrowing Report shall be automatically deemed to constitute a
representation and warranty by the Borrower on the Borrowing Date set forth
therein to the effect that all of the conditions of this Section 4.2 are
satisfied as of such Borrowing Date.

                                   ARTICLE V

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

      5.1.  Representations of the Borrower and the Servicer.

      The Borrower and the Servicer each represents and warrants, as to itself,
to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as follows:

            (a) Organization and Good Standing. It (i) in the case of the
Borrower, is a limited liability company, and, in the case of the Servicer, is a
corporation, in each case duly organized and existing in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) is duly qualified to do
business and in good standing in all jurisdictions in which its failure to be so
qualified could have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) has the requisite entity
power and authority to own its properties and assets and to transact the
business in which it is engaged and is or will be qualified in those states
wherein it proposes to transact business in the future and (iv) is in compliance
with all Requirements of Law. American Home Mortgage Corp. is incorporated in
New York and in no other jurisdiction, and Columbia National Incorporated is
incorporated in Maryland and in no other jurisdiction. The Borrower is organized
in Delaware and no other jurisdiction.

            (b) Authorization and Power. It has the requisite entity power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents to which it is a party; it is duly authorized to and has
taken all requisite entity action necessary to authorize it to, execute, deliver
and perform this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a
party and is and will continue to be duly authorized to perform this Agreement
and such other Transaction Documents.

            (c) No Conflicts or Consents. Neither the execution and delivery by
it of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party,
nor the consummation of any of the transactions herein or therein contemplated,
nor compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or with the terms and
provisions thereof, will (i) contravene or conflict with any Requirement of Law
to which it is subject, or any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or other
agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it may be bound, or
to which its Property may be subject, or (ii) result in the creation or
imposition of any Lien, other than the Liens of the Security Instruments, on the
Property of the Borrower.

            (d) Enforceable Obligations. This Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been duly and validly executed
by it and are its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms, except as limited by Debtor Laws.

            (e) Full Disclosure. There is no fact known to it that it has not
disclosed to the Administrative Agent that could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect.

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Neither its financial statements nor any Borrowing Report, officer's certificate
or statement delivered by it to the Administrative Agent in connection with this
Agreement, contains or will contain any untrue or inaccurate statement of
material fact or omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary to make
such information not misleading.

            (f) No Default. It is not in default under any loan agreement,
mortgage, security agreement or other agreement or obligation to which it is a
party or by which any of its Property is bound, if such default would also be a
Default or an Event of Default (or, with notice or passage of time would become
a Default or Event of Default) under either of subparagraphs (e) or(i) of
Section 8.1 of this Agreement.

            (g) Litigation.

                  (i) Except as set forth on Schedule III, there are no actions,
suits or proceedings, including arbitrations and administrative actions, at law
or in equity, either by or before any Governmental Authority, now pending or, to
its knowledge, threatened by or against it or any of its Subsidiaries, and
pertaining to any Governmental Requirement affecting its Property or rights or
any of its Subsidiaries.

                  (ii) Neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default with
respect to any Governmental Requirements.

                  (iii) The Servicer is not liable on any judgment, order or
decree (or any series of judgments, orders, or decrees) that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and that has not been paid, stayed or
dismissed within 30 days and the Borrower is not liable on any judgment, order
or decree (or any series of judgments, orders or decrees).

            (h) Taxes. All tax returns required to be filed by it in any
jurisdiction have been filed, except where extensions of time to make those
filings have been granted by the appropriate taxing authorities and the
extensions have not expired, and all taxes, assessments, fees and other
governmental charges upon it or upon any of its properties, income or franchises
have been paid prior to the time that such taxes could give rise to a Lien
thereon, unless protested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with
respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been established on its
books. There is no proposed tax assessment against it that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

            (i) Indebtedness. If the Servicer is one of the Originators, the
Servicer is in compliance with the maximum leverage test set forth in Section
7.10.

            (j) Permits, Patents, Trademarks, Etc.

                  (i) It has all permits and licenses necessary for the
operation of its business.

                  (ii) It owns or possesses (or is licensed or otherwise has the
necessary right to use) all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names and
copyrights, technology, know-how and processes, and all rights with respect to
the foregoing, which are necessary for the

                                       52

<PAGE>

operation of its business, without any conflict with the rights of others. The
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not alter or impair
any of such rights of it.

            (k) Status Under Certain Federal Statutes. It is not (i) a "holding
company", or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company" or an "affiliate" of
a "holding company," or of a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company," as
such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as
amended, (ii) a "public utility," as such term is defined in the Federal Power
Act, as amended, (iii) an "investment company," or a company "controlled" by an
"investment company," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, or (iv) a "rail carrier," or a "person controlled by or affiliated
with a rail carrier," within the meaning of Title 49, U.S.C., and it is not a
"carrier" to which 49 U.S.C. ss. 11301(b)(1) is applicable.

            (l) Securities Acts. It has not issued any unregistered securities
in violation of the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or of any other Requirement of Law, and is not violating any rule,
regulation, or requirement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Borrower is not required to
qualify an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, in
connection with its execution and delivery of the Notes.

            (m) No Approvals Required. Other than consents and approvals
previously obtained and actions previously taken, neither the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a
party, nor the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby requires the consent or approval of, the giving of notice to, or the
registration, recording or filing by it of any document with, or the taking of
any other action in respect of, any Governmental Authority that has jurisdiction
over it or any of its Property.

            (n) Environmental Matters. There have been no past, and there are no
pending or threatened, claims, complaints, notices, or governmental inquiries
against it regarding any alleged violation of, or potential liability under, any
environmental laws that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. It and its properties are in substantial compliance in all respects with
all environmental laws and related licenses and permits, unless the failure to
comply strictly in all respects with all environmental laws and related licenses
and permits could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No
conditions exist at, on or under any Property now or previously owned or leased
by it that could give rise to liability under any environmental law that could
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

            (o) Eligibility. The Servicer and each Originator are approved and
qualified and in good standing as a lender or seller/servicer, as follows:

                  (i) The Servicer and each Originator is a Fannie Mae approved
seller/servicer and the Borrower is a Fannie Mae approved seller (in good
standing) of Mortgage Loans, eligible to originate, purchase, hold, sell and,
with respect to each Originator and the Servicer, service Mortgage Loans to be
sold to Fannie Mae.

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<PAGE>

                  (ii) The Servicer and each Originator is a Freddie Mac
approved seller/servicer (in good standing) of Mortgage Loans, eligible to
originate, purchase, hold, sell and service Mortgage Loans to be sold to Freddie
Mac.

                  (iii) The Servicer and each Originator is an approved FHA
servicer, VA servicer and Ginnie Mae issuer (in good standing) of mortgage
loans, eligible to originate, purchase, hold, sell and service mortgage loans to
be pooled into Ginnie Mae MBS Pools and to issue Ginnie Mae MBS.

      5.2.  Additional Representations of the Borrower.

      The Borrower further represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders as follows:

            (a) Activities. The Borrower was formed on July 30, 2003, and the
Borrower did not engage in any business activities prior to the date of this
Agreement. The Borrower will limit its activities to those specified in the
Limited Liability Company Agreement and has no Subsidiaries.

            (b) Solvency. Both prior to and after giving effect to each
Borrowing, (i) the fair value of the property of the Borrower is greater than
the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of the
Borrower, (ii) the present fair salable value of the assets of the Borrower is
not less than the amount that will be required to pay all probable liabilities
of the Borrower on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (iii) the
Borrower does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or
liabilities beyond the Borrower's abilities to pay such debts and liabilities as
they mature and (iv) the Borrower is not engaged in a business or a transaction,
and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which the
Borrower's property would constitute unreasonably small capital.

            (c) Purchase of Mortgage Loans. With respect to each Mortgage Loan,
the Borrower shall have purchased such Mortgage Loan from one of the Originators
in exchange for payment (made by the Borrower to the Originator in accordance
with the provisions of the Repurchase Agreement) of cash, the Deferred Purchase
Price (as such term is defined in the Repurchase Agreement), or a combination
thereof in an amount that constitutes fair consideration and reasonably
equivalent value. Each such sale referred to in the preceding sentence shall not
have been made for or on account of an antecedent debt owed by one of the
Originators to the Borrower and no such sale is or may be voidable or subject to
avoidance under any section of the Federal Bankruptcy Code.

            (d) Priority of Debts and Liens. The Borrower has incurred no
Indebtedness except as expressly incurred hereunder and under the other
Transaction Documents. Upon delivery of an Assignment to the Collateral Agent,
the Administrative Agent will have a valid, enforceable, perfected and
first-priority Lien, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, in all
Mortgage Loan Collateral described in or delivered with such Assignment. Upon
delivery of funds for deposit in the Collection Account to the Collateral Agent,
the Administrative Agent will have a valid, enforceable, perfected and
first-priority Lien for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, on the
Collection Account and related Collateral.

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<PAGE>

            (e) No Liens. The Borrower has (or, as to all Mortgage Loan
Collateral delivered to the Collateral Agent after the date of this Agreement,
will have) good and indefeasible title to all Collateral, and the Mortgage Loan
Collateral and all proceeds thereof are (or, as to all Mortgage Loan Collateral
delivered to the Collateral Agent after the date of this Agreement, will be)
free and clear of all Liens and other adverse claims of any nature, other than
(i) the right of the related Originator to repurchase such Mortgage Loan
Collateral pursuant to the terms of the Repurchase Agreement and/or (ii) Liens
in the Mortgage Loan Collateral or proceeds in favor of the Administrative Agent
for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations.

            (f) Financial Condition. The opening pro forma balance sheet of the
Borrower as at August 7, 2003, giving effect to the initial capitalization of
the Borrower and the initial Borrowing to be made under this Agreement, a copy
of which has been furnished to the Administrative Agent, fairly presents the
financial condition of the Borrower as at such date, in accordance with GAAP,
and since August 7, 2003, there has been no material adverse change in the
business, operations, property or financial or other condition of the Borrower.

            (g) Principal Office, Etc. The principal office, chief executive
office and principal place of business of

                  (i) American Home Mortgage Corp. is at c/o American Home
Mortgage Holdings, Inc., 520 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York 11747,

                  (ii) Columbia National, Incorporated is at c/o American Home
Mortgage Holdings, Inc., 520 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York 11747, and

                  (iii) The Borrower is at c/o American Home Mortgage Holdings,
Inc., 520 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York 11747.

            (h) Ownership. American Home Mortgage Corp. is the owner of all of
the membership interests of the Borrower.

            (i) UCC Financing Statements. No effective financing statement or
other instrument similar in effect covering any Mortgage Loan, any interest
therein, or the related Collateral with respect thereto is on file in any
recording office except such as may be filed (x) in favor of the Originators or
the Borrower in accordance with the Mortgage Loans, (y) in favor of the Borrower
in connection with the Repurchase Agreement, or (z) in favor of the
Administrative Agent or the holders of the Obligations in accordance with this
Agreement or in connection with a Lien arising solely as the result of any
action taken by the Lenders (or any assignee thereof) or by the Administrative
Agent.

            (j) Trade Names. The Borrower is not known by and does not use any
trade name or doing-business-as name.

            (k) Origination of Mortgage Loans.

                  (i) Each Mortgage Loan was originated in compliance with
local, state and federal law applicable thereto at the time of origination,
including without limitation, required disclosures of points, charges and fees.

                                       55
<PAGE>

                  (ii) Each Mortgage Loan was originated using credit policies
in effect at the time such origination, which were designated to provide
guidelines in underwriting the creditworthiness of the Obligors and to determine
the Obligors' ability to repay the debt. In accordance with such policies, each
of the Originators considered, among other things, the credit history of the
Obligor and other credit indicators such as income verification and/or
debt-to-income ratios of the Obligor. No Mortgage Loan was originated based
solely on an estimation of the value of the mortgaged property without any
consideration of the potential ability of the Obligor to repay the amount owed
under the Mortgage Loan.

                  (iii) No Mortgage Loan violates any of the provisions of the
Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (14 U.S.C. ss. 1602(aa)) or
Regulation Z (12 C.F.R. 226.32).

                  (iv) No Obligor was required to purchase any credit life,
disability, accident or health insurance product as a condition of obtaining the
Mortgage Loan. No Obligor obtained a prepaid single-premium credit life,
disability, accident or health policy in connection with the origination of the
Mortgage Loan.

      5.3.  Additional Representations and Warranties of the Servicer.

      The Servicer represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders as follows:

            (a) Financial Condition.

                  (i) The Servicer has delivered to the Administrative Agent (x)
copies of the Performance Guarantor's balance sheet, as of March 31, 2003, and
the related statements of income, stockholder's equity and cash flows for the
year ended on such date, audited by independent certified public accountants of
recognized national standing and (y) copies of the Performance Guarantor's
balance sheet, as of March 31, 2003, and the related statements of income,
stockholder's equity and cash flows for the nine months ended on such date,
audited by independent certified public accountants of recognized national
standing ("Interim Statements"); and all such financial statements fairly
present the financial condition of the Servicer as of their respective dates,
subject, in the case of the Interim Statements, to normal year end adjustments
and the results of operations of the Servicer for the periods ended on such
dates and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP.

                  (ii) As of the date thereof, there are no obligations,
liabilities or Indebtedness (including contingent and indirect liabilities and
obligations or unusual forward or long-term commitments) of the Servicer
required to be recorded under GAAP that are not reflected therein.

                  (iii) No change that constitutes a Material Adverse Effect has
occurred in the financial condition or business of the Servicer since March 31,
2003.

            (b) Employee Benefit Plans. (i) No Employee Plan of the Servicer or
any ERISA Affiliate has incurred an "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined
in Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code), (ii) neither the Servicer
nor any ERISA Affiliate has

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<PAGE>

incurred liability under ERISA to the PBGC, (iii) neither the Servicer nor any
ERISA Affiliate has partially or fully withdrawn from participation in a
Multiemployer Plan, (iv) no Employee Plan of the Servicer or any ERISA Affiliate
has been the subject of involuntary termination proceedings, (v) neither the
Servicer nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in any "prohibited transaction" (as
defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code), and (vi) no
"reportable event" (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) has occurred in
connection with any Employee Plan of the Servicer or any ERISA Affiliate other
than events for which the notice requirement is waived under applicable PBGC
regulations.

            (c) Ownership. On the date of this Agreement, the Performance
Guarantor has beneficial ownership of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares
of each class of the stock of the Servicer and each Originator.

      5.4.  Survival of Representations.

      All representations and warranties by the Borrower and the Servicer herein
shall survive delivery of the Notes and the making of the Advances, and any
investigation at any time made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent or
the Lenders shall not diminish the right of the Administrative Agent or the
Lenders to rely thereon.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

      The Borrower and the Servicer shall each at all times comply with the
covenants applicable to it contained in this Article VI, from the date hereof
until the later of the Termination Date and the date all of the Obligations are
indefeasibly paid in full.

      6.1.  Financial Statements and Reports.

      The Servicer, for so long as the Servicer is one of the Originators, and
thereafter the Borrower, shall furnish to the Administrative Agent the
following, all in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

            (a) promptly after becoming available, and in any event within 120
days after the close of each fiscal year of the Performance Guarantor, such
Person's audited consolidated and consolidating balance sheet as of the end of
such fiscal year, and the related statements of income, stockholder's equity and
cash flows of such Person for such year showing within such consolidating
balance sheets and statements of income the balance sheet and statements of
income for the Originators accompanied by (i) the related report of independent
certified public accountants acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which
report shall be to the effect that such statements have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior periods except for
such changes in such principles with which the independent certified public
accountants shall have concurred and (ii) if issued, the auditor's letter or
report to management customarily given in connection with such audit;

            (b) promptly after becoming available, and in any event within 60
days after the end of each fiscal quarter, excluding the fourth fiscal quarter,
of each fiscal year of the

                                       57

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Performance Guarantor, the unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance
sheet of the Performance Guarantor as of the end of such fiscal quarter and the
related statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of the
Performance Guarantor for such fiscal quarter and the period from the first day
of the then current fiscal year of the Performance Guarantor through the end of
such fiscal quarter, showing within such consolidating balance sheets and
statements of income the balance sheet and statements of income for the
Originators certified by a Financial Officer of the Servicer, to have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior
periods, subject to normal year-end adjustments;

            (c) promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of each other report
submitted to each of the Servicer, the Originators and the Performance Guarantor
by independent certified public accountants in connection with any annual,
interim or special audit of the books of such Person;

            (d) promptly and in any event within twenty (20) days after the
request of the Administrative Agent at any time and from time to time, a
certificate, executed by the president or chief financial officer of the
Servicer and the Originators, setting forth all of such Person's warehouse
borrowings and a description of the collateral related thereto;

            (e) promptly and in any event within 60 days after the end of each
of the first three (3) quarters in each fiscal year of the Borrower, and within
120 days after the close of the Borrower's fiscal year, completed officer's
certificates in the form of H-1 and H-2 hereto, executed by the president or
chief financial officer of each of the Servicer and the Borrower, respectively;

            (f) promptly and in any event within 60 days after the end of each
quarter (120 days in the case of the fourth quarter), a management report
regarding the Originators' Mortgage Loan production for the prior quarter and
year-to-date, in form and detail as required by the Administrative Agent;

            (g) promptly furnish copies of all reports and notices with respect
to any "reportable event" defined in Title IV of ERISA that the Borrower, any of
the Originators or the Servicer files or that the Borrower, any of the
Originators or the Servicer is required to file under ERISA with the Internal
Revenue Service, the PBGC or the U.S. Department of Labor or that the Borrower,
any of the Originators or the Servicer receives from the PBGC;

            (h) immediately after becoming aware of the expiration, forfeiture,
termination, or cancellation of, or default under, any Take-Out Commitment
relating to any Collateral, telephone notice thereof confirmed in writing within
one Business Day, together with a statement as to what action the Borrower
proposes to take with respect thereto; provided that no such notice need be
given if such Take-Out Commitment is replaced by another Take-Out Commitment;

            (i) promptly after becoming available, and in any event within 120
days after the close of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the Borrower's audited
balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year, and the related statements of
income, stockholder's equity and cash flows of the Borrower for such year
accompanied by (i) the related report of independent certified public

                                       58

<PAGE>

accountants acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which report shall be to the
effect that such balance sheets have been prepared in accordance with GAAP
applied on a basis consistent with prior periods except for such changes in such
principles with which the independent public accountants shall have concurred
and (ii) if issued, the auditor's letter to report to management customarily
given in connection with such audit;

            (j) promptly after becoming available, and in any event within 60
days after the end of each fiscal quarter, excluding the fourth fiscal quarter,
of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the unaudited balance sheet of the Borrower
as of the end of such fiscal quarter and the related statements of income,
stockholders' equity and cash flows of the Borrower for such fiscal quarter and
the period from the first day of such fiscal year through the end of such fiscal
quarter, certified by the chief financial officer of the Borrower, to have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior
periods, subject to normal year-end adjustments;

            (k) promptly after the Borrower obtains knowledge thereof, notice of
any "Event of Default" or "Termination Date" under the Repurchase Agreement;

            (l) promptly after receipt thereof, copies of all notices received
by the Borrower from any of the Originators under the Repurchase Agreement;

            (m) promptly after the Servicer obtains knowledge thereof, notice of
any Servicer Default or of any condition or event that, with the giving of
notice or lapse of time or both and unless cured or waived, would constitute a
Servicer Default;

            (n) such other information concerning the business, properties or
financial condition of the Borrower or any of the Originators as the
Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and

            (o) (i) promptly upon entering into any Take-Out Commitment Master
Agreement, a copy of such agreement and (ii) upon request by the Administrative
Agent, or if there is an Event of Default, copies of all Take-Out Commitment
Documents with respect to Non-Conforming Loans (if the Take-Out Commitment is
made on a confirmation or supplement to a master agreement and the master
agreement has been previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, only the
confirmation or supplement is required to be delivered pursuant to this clause).

      6.2.  Taxes and Other Liens.

      The Borrower shall pay and discharge promptly all taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or upon any of
its Property as well as all claims of any kind (including claims for labor,
materials, supplies and rent) that, if unpaid, might become a Lien upon any or
all of its Property; provided, however, the Borrower shall not be required to
pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim if the amount, applicability
or validity thereof shall currently be contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings diligently conducted by it or on its behalf and if it shall have set
up reserves therefor adequate under GAAP.

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<PAGE>

      6.3.  Maintenance.

      The Borrower shall (i) maintain its entity existence, rights and
franchises and (ii) observe and comply with all Governmental Requirements. The
Servicer shall maintain its corporate existence. The Borrower shall maintain its
Properties (and any Properties leased by or consigned to it or held under title
retention or conditional sales contracts) in good and workable condition at all
times and make all repairs, replacements, additions, betterments and
improvements to its Properties as are needful and proper so that the business
carried on in connection therewith may be conducted properly and efficiently at
all times.

      6.4.  Further Assurances.

      The Borrower and the Servicer shall, each within three (3) Business Days
(or, in the case of Mortgage Notes, such longer period as provided under Section
3.4 of this Agreement) after the request of the Administrative Agent, cure any
defects in the execution and delivery of the Notes, this Agreement or any other
Transaction Document. The Borrower and the Servicer shall, each at its expense,
promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, upon the
Administrative Agent's request, all such other and further documents, agreements
and instruments in compliance with or accomplishment of the covenants and
agreements of the Borrower and the Servicer, respectively, in this Agreement and
in the other Transaction Documents or to further evidence and more fully
describe the collateral intended as security for the Notes, or to correct any
omissions in this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, or more fully to
state the security for the obligations set out herein or in any of the other
Transaction Documents, or to perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created (or
intended to be created) pursuant to any of the other Transaction Documents, or
to make any recordings, to file any notices, or obtain any consents.

      6.5.  Compliance with Laws.

      The Servicer shall comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and
orders in connection with servicing the Mortgage Assets.

      6.6.  Insurance.

            (a) The Borrower and the Servicer shall each maintain with
financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance with respect to its
Properties and business against such liabilities, casualties, risks and
contingencies and in such types and amounts as is customary in the case of
Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses and similarly situated,
including, without limitation, a fidelity bond or bonds in form and with
coverage and with a company satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and with
respect to such individuals or groups of individuals as the Administrative Agent
may designate. Upon request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the
Servicer shall each furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent
from time to time a summary of the insurance coverage of the Borrower and the
Servicer, respectively, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent and if requested shall furnish the Administrative Agent with copies of the
applicable policies.

            (b) With respect to Mortgages comprising the Collateral (i) the
Servicer, for as long as the Servicer is one of the Originators, and thereafter
the Borrower, shall cause the

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improvements on the land covered by each Mortgage to be kept continuously
insured at all times by responsible insurance companies against fire and
extended coverage hazards under policies, binders, letters, or certificates of
insurance, with a standard mortgagee clause in favor of the original mortgagee
and its successors and assigns or, in the case of a MERS Designated Mortgage
Loan, the beneficial owner of such mortgage loan, and (ii) the Servicer, for so
long as the Servicer is one of the Originators, and thereafter the Borrower,
shall cause each such policy to be in an amount equal to the lesser of the
maximum insurable value of the improvements or the original principal amount of
the Mortgage, without reduction by reason of any co-insurance, reduced rate
contribution, or similar clause of the policies or binders.

      6.7.  Accounts and Records.

      The Borrower and, so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are
the same entity, the Servicer shall each keep books of record and account in
which full, true and correct entries will be made of all dealings or
transactions in relation to its business and activities, in accordance with
GAAP. The Borrower and the Servicer shall each maintain and implement
administrative and operating procedures (including, without limitation, an
ability to recreate all records pertaining to the performance of the Borrower's
obligations under the Take-Out Commitments and other agreements made with
reference to any Mortgage Loans in the event of the destruction of the originals
of such records) and keep and maintain all documents, books, records, computer
tapes and other information necessary or advisable for the performance by the
Borrower of its Obligations. The Borrower shall not enter the "loan servicing"
business.

      6.8.  Right of Inspection; Audit. The Borrower, the Originators and, so
long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are the same entity, the
Servicer shall:

            (a) permit any officer, employee or agent of the Administrative
Agent (including an independent certified public accountant) to visit and
inspect any of its Properties, examine its books of record and accounts,
documents (including, without limitation, computer tapes and disks), telecopies
and extracts from the foregoing, and discuss its affairs, finances and accounts
with its officers, accountants, and auditors, all and as often as the
Administrative Agent may desire; and

            (b) cause to be conducted, at its sole cost and expense, by its
independent certified public accountant, an audit, on an annual basis, of (i)
the Originators' businesses of originating Mortgage Loans and its collections
systems, (ii) the Borrower's business of purchases of Mortgage Loans its
collections systems, and (iii) the Servicer's business of servicing of Mortgage
Loans its collections systems, such independent certified public accountant
shall prepare and deliver to the Administrative Agent a written report with
respect to such audit on a scope and in a form reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent.

The Borrower agrees to pay the reasonable costs of reviews and inspections
performed pursuant to this Section 6.8.

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      6.9.  Notice of Certain Events.

      The Borrower and, so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are
the same entity (other than with respect to clause (g) hereof), the Servicer
shall each promptly notify the Administrative Agent upon (a) the receipt of any
notice from, or the taking of any other action by, the holder of any of its
promissory notes, debentures or other evidences of Indebtedness with respect to
a claimed default, together with a detailed statement by a responsible officer
of the Borrower or the Servicer, as the case may be, specifying the notice given
or other action taken by such holder and the nature of the claimed default and
what action the Borrower or the Servicer is taking or proposes to take with
respect thereto, but only if such alleged default or event of default (if it
were true) would also be a Default or Event of Default under this Agreement; (b)
the commencement of, or any determination in, any legal, judicial or regulatory
proceedings that, if adversely determined, could also be a Default or Event of
Default under this Agreement; (c) any dispute between the Borrower or the
Servicer, as the case may be, and any Governmental Authority or any other Person
that, if adversely determined, could have a Material Adverse Effect; (d) any
change in the business, operations prospects or financial conditions of the
Servicer, including, without limitation, the Servicer's insolvency, that could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or any adverse change
in the business, operations prospects or financial condition of the Borrower,
including, without limitation, the Borrower's insolvency; (e) any event or
condition known to it that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (f) the receipt of any notice from,
or the taking of any other action by any Approved Investor indicating an intent
not to honor, or claiming a default under a Take-Out Commitment, together with a
detailed statement by a responsible officer of the Borrower specifying the
notice given or other action taken by such Approved Investor and the nature of
the claimed default and what action the Borrower is taking or proposes to take
with respect thereto; (g) the receipt of any notice from, and or the taking of
any action by any Governmental Authority indicating an intent to cancel the
Borrower's or the Servicer's right to be either a seller or servicer of such
Governmental Authority's insured or guaranteed Mortgage Loans; and (h) the
receipt of any notice of any final judgment or order for payment of money
applicable to the Servicer that could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, or the receipt of any notice of any final judgment or order for
payment of money applicable to the Borrower.

      6.10. Performance of Certain Obligations.

      The Borrower and, so long as the Servicer and any of the Originators are
the same entity, the Servicer shall each perform and observe each of the
provisions of each Mortgage Loan and Take-Out Commitment on its part to be
performed or observed and will cause all things to be done that are necessary to
have each Mortgage Loan covered by a Take-Out Commitment comply with the
requirements of such Take-Out Commitment.

      6.11. Use of Proceeds; Margin Stock.

      The proceeds of the Advances shall be used by the Borrower solely for the
acquisition of Mortgage Loans under the Repurchase Agreement. None of such
proceeds shall be used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin
stock" as defined in Regulation U, or for the purpose of reducing or retiring
any Indebtedness that was originally incurred to purchase or carry

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margin stock or for any other purpose that might constitute this transaction a
"purpose credit" within the meaning of such Regulation U. Neither the Borrower
nor any Person acting on behalf of the Borrower shall take any action in
violation of Regulations U or X or shall violate Section 7 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any rule or regulation thereunder, in each
case as now in effect or as the same may hereafter be in effect.

      6.12. Notice of Default.

      The Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent immediately upon
becoming aware of the existence of any Default or Event of Default, a written
notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and the action that
the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

      6.13. Compliance with Transaction Documents.

      The Borrower and, so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are
the same entity, the Servicer shall each promptly comply with any and all
covenants and provisions of this Agreement applicable to it, the Notes, in the
case of the Borrower, and the other Transaction Documents.

      6.14. Compliance with Material Agreements.

      The Borrower and, so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are
the same entity, the Servicer shall each comply in all respects with all
agreements, indentures, Mortgages or documents (including, with respect to the
Borrower, the Articles of Organization) binding on it or affecting its Property
or business in all cases where the failure to so comply could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

      6.15. Operations and Properties.

      The Borrower and, so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are
the same entity, the Servicer shall each act prudently and in accordance with
customary industry standards in managing and operating its Property and shall
continue to underwrite, hedge and sell Mortgage Loans in the same diligent
manner it has applied in the past and take no greater credit or market risks
than are currently being borne by it.

      6.16. Take-Out Commitments.

      The Borrower shall cause the Originators to obtain, and maintain in full
force and effect, Take-Out Commitments reflecting total Approved Investor
obligations, as of each date of determination, with an aggregate purchase price
at least equal to the total of the original principal balances of the Borrower's
entire portfolio of Mortgage Loans issued as proceeds thereof. Each of such
Take-Out Commitments shall reflect only those terms and conditions as are
permitted hereunder or are acceptable to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower
shall obtain, and maintain in full force and effect, forward purchase
commitments (which may include options to sell Mortgage Loans to Approved
Investors, so long as the Approved Investor is bound thereby) issued by Approved
Investors and obligating such Approved Investors to purchase a portion of the
Borrower's subsequently acquired Mortgage Loans.

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      6.17. Collateral Proceeds.

      The Borrower and the Servicer shall instruct all Approved Investors to
cause all payments in respect of Take-Out Commitments on Mortgage Loans to be
deposited directly in the Collection Account.

      6.18. Environmental Compliance.

      The Borrower and, so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are
the same entity, the Servicer shall each use and operate all of its facilities
and properties in compliance with all environmental laws, keep all necessary
permits, approvals, certificates, licenses and other authorizations relating to
environmental matters in effect and remain in compliance therewith, and handle
all hazardous materials in compliance with all applicable environmental laws.

      6.19. Closing Instructions.

      The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold the Lenders and the
Administrative Agent harmless from and against any loss, including attorneys'
fees and costs, attributable to the failure of a title insurance company, agent
or approved attorney to comply with the disbursement or instruction letter or
letters of the Borrower or of the Administrative Agent relating to any Mortgage
Loan. The Administrative Agent shall have the right to pre-approve the closing
instructions of the Originator to the title insurance company, agent or attorney
in any case where the Mortgage Loan to be created at settlement is intended to
be warehoused by the Lenders pursuant hereto.

      6.20. Special Affirmative Covenants Concerning Collateral.

            (a) The Borrower shall at all times warrant and defend the right,
title and interest of the Lenders, the Collateral Agent and the Administrative
Agent in and to the Collateral against the claims and demands of all Persons
whomsoever.

            (b) The Borrower and the Servicer shall each service or cause to be
serviced all Mortgage Loans in the best interests of and for the benefit of the
Lenders, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the
Principal Mortgage Documents, the standard requirements of the issuers of
Take-Out Commitments covering the same and to the extent consistent with such
terms, in accordance with Accepted Servicing Standards, including without
limitation taking all actions necessary to enforce the obligations of the
Obligors under such Eligible Mortgage Loans. The Borrower and the Servicer each
shall hold all escrow funds collected in respect of Eligible Mortgage Loans in
trust, without commingling the same with any other funds, and apply the same for
the purposes for which such funds were collected.

            (c) The Servicer shall, no less than on an annual basis, review
financial statements, compliance with financial parameters, Fannie Mae/Freddie
Mac approvals (if applicable), and state licenses of all Persons from whom the
Originators acquire Mortgage Loans.

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      6.21. Corporate Separateness.

            (a) The Borrower covenants to take the following actions, and the
Servicer covenants to cause the Borrower to take the following actions: The
Borrower shall at all times maintain at least one Independent Manager (as such
term is defined in the Limited Liability Company Agreement).

            (b) The Borrower shall not direct or participate in the management
of any of the operations of the Other Companies.

            (c) The Borrower shall allocate fairly and reasonably any overhead
for shared office space. The Borrower shall have stationery and other business
forms separate from that of the Other Companies.

            (d) The Borrower shall at all times be adequately capitalized in
light of its contemplated business.

            (e) The Borrower shall at all times provide for its own operating
expenses and liabilities from its own funds.

            (f) The Borrower shall maintain its assets and transactions
separately from those of the Other Companies and reflect such assets and
transactions in financial statements separate and distinct from those of the
Other Companies and evidence such assets and transactions by appropriate entries
in books and records separate and distinct from those of the Other Companies.
The Borrower shall hold itself out to the public under the Borrower's own name
as a legal entity separate and distinct from the Other Companies. The Borrower
shall not hold itself out as having agreed to pay, or as being liable, primarily
or secondarily, for, any obligations of the Other Companies.

            (g) The Borrower shall not maintain any joint account with any Other
Company or become liable as a guarantor or otherwise with respect to any
Indebtedness or contractual obligation of any Other Company.

            (h) The Borrower shall not grant a Lien on any of its assets to
secure any obligation of any Other Company.

            (i) The Borrower shall not make loans, advances or otherwise extend
credit to any of the Other Companies.

            (j) The Borrower shall conduct its business in its own name and
strictly comply with all organizational formalities to maintain its separate
existence.

            (k) The Borrower shall have bills of sale (or similar instruments of
assignment) and, if appropriate, UCC-1 financing statements, with respect to all
assets purchased from any of the Other Companies.

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            (l) The Borrower shall not engage in any transaction with any of the
Other Companies, except as permitted by this Agreement or the Articles of
Organization and as contemplated by the Repurchase Agreement.

      6.22. Post-Closing Conditions.

      Within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this Agreement, the
Borrower shall cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent (a) a bring
down opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP that all prior liens on the
Mortgage Assets have either been terminated or partially released, such opinion
to be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and (b) a non-consolidation and
true sale opinion of Hunton & Williams satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

      The Borrower and the Servicer shall each at all times comply with the
covenants applicable to it contained in this Article VII, from the date hereof
until the later of the Termination Date and the date all of the Obligations are
indefeasibly paid in full:

      7.1.  Limitations on Mergers and Acquisitions.

            (a) Except as set forth on Schedule IV attached hereto, the Servicer
(so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are the same entity) shall
not (i) merge or consolidate with or into any corporation or other entity unless
the Servicer is the surviving entity of any such merger or consolidation or (ii)
liquidate or dissolve.

            (b) Except as set forth on Schedule IV attached hereto, the Borrower
will not merge with or into or consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer,
lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of
transactions), all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or
hereafter acquired) to, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets or
capital stock or other ownership interest of, or enter into any joint venture or
partnership agreement with, any Person, other than as contemplated by this
Agreement and the Repurchase Agreement.

      7.2.  Fiscal Year.

      Neither the Borrower nor, so long as the Servicer and one of the
Originators are the same entity, the Servicer shall change its fiscal year other
than to conform with changes that may be made to the Performance Guarantor's
fiscal year and then only after notice to the Administrative Agent and after
whatever amendments are made to this Agreement as may be required by the
Administrative Agent, in order that the reporting criteria for the financial
covenants contained in Articles VI and VII remain substantially unchanged.

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      7.3.  Business.

      The Borrower will not engage in any business other than as set forth in
Section 1.06 of the Limited Liability Company Agreement.

      7.4.  Use of Proceeds.

      The Borrower shall not permit the proceeds of the Advances to be used for
any purpose other than those permitted by Section 6.11 hereof. The Borrower
shall not, directly or indirectly, use any of the proceeds of the Advances for
the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying any "margin
stock" or of maintaining, reducing or retiring any Indebtedness originally
incurred to purchase a stock that is currently any "margin stock," or for any
other purpose that might constitute this transaction a "purpose credit," in each
case within the meaning of Regulation U, or otherwise take or permit to be taken
any action that would involve a violation of such Regulation U or of Regulation
T or Regulation Z (12 C.F.R. 224, as amended) or any other regulation
promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board.

      7.5.  Actions with Respect to Collateral.

      Neither the Borrower nor the Servicer shall:

            (a) Compromise, extend, release, or adjust payments on any Mortgage
Collateral, accept a conveyance of mortgaged Property in full or partial
satisfaction of any Mortgage debt or release any Mortgage securing or underlying
any Mortgage Collateral, except as permitted by the related Approved Investor or
as contemplated in the servicing guidelines distributed thereby;

            (b) Agree to the amendment or termination of any Take-Out Commitment
in which the Administrative Agent has a security interest or to substitution of
a Take-Out Commitment for a Take-Out Commitment in which the Administrative
Agent has a security interest hereunder, if such amendment, termination or
substitution may be expected (as determined by the Collateral Agent or the
Administrative Agent in either of their sole discretion) to have a Material
Adverse Effect or to result in a Default or Event of Default;

            (c) Transfer, sell, assign or deliver any Mortgage Loan Collateral
pledged to the Administrative Agent to any Person other than the Administrative
Agent, except pursuant to a Take-Out Commitment or pursuant to either Section
3.3 or Section 3.4;

            (d) Grant, create, incur, permit or suffer to exist any Lien upon
any Mortgage Loan Collateral except for (i) Liens granted to the Administrative
Agent to secure the Notes and Obligations and (ii) any rights created by the
Repurchase Agreement; or

            (e) With respect to any Mortgage Loans constituting Collateral,
permit the payment instructions relating to a Take-Out Commitment to provide for
payment to any Person except directly to the Collection Account.

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      7.6.  Liens.

      The Borrower will not sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or
otherwise dispose of, or create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect
to, any Mortgage Asset, or upon or with respect to any account to which any
Collections of any Mortgage Asset are sent, or assign any right to receive
income in respect thereof except as contemplated hereby.

      7.7.  Employee Benefit Plans.

      Neither the Borrower nor, so long as the Servicer and one of the
Originators are the same entity, the Servicer may permit any of the events or
circumstances described in Section 5.3(b) to exist or occur.

      7.8.  Change of Principal Office.

      The Borrower shall not move its principal office, executive office or
principal place of business from the address set forth in Section 5.2(g) without
30-days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower shall
not change its place of organization or add a new jurisdiction of organization
without 30 days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent.

      7.9.  No Commercial, A&D, Etc. Loans.

      The Borrower shall not make or acquire any direct outright ownership
interest, participation interest or other creditor's interest in any commercial
real estate loan, acquisition and/or development loan, unimproved real estate
loan, personal property loan, oil and gas loan, commercial loan, wrap-around
real estate loan, unsecured loan, acquisition, development or construction loan.

      7.10. Maximum Leverage.

      The Servicer, so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are the
same entity, and the Originators shall not permit the Leverage Ratio, on a
combined basis, at any time to exceed 12 to 1.

      7.11. Indebtedness.

      The Borrower will not incur any Indebtedness, other than any Indebtedness
incurred pursuant to this Agreement or the Repurchase Agreement or permitted to
be incurred pursuant to the Limited Liability Company Agreement.

      7.12. Deposits to Collection Account.

      Neither the Borrower nor the Servicer shall deposit or otherwise credit,
or cause or permit to be so deposited or credited, to the Collection Account,
cash or cash proceeds other than Collateral Proceeds.

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      7.13. Transaction Documents.

      The Borrower will not amend, waive, terminate or modify any provision of
any Transaction Document to which it is a party (provided that the Borrower may
extend the "Termination Date" or waive the occurrence of any "Event of Default"
under the Repurchase Agreement) without, in each case, the prior written consent
of the Administrative Agent. The Borrower will perform all of its obligations
under each Transaction Document to which it is a party and will enforce each
Transaction Document to which it is a party in accordance with its terms in all
respects.

      7.14. Distributions, Etc.

      The Borrower will not declare or make any dividend payment or other
distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on
account of any equity ownership interests of the Borrower, or return any capital
to its members as such, or purchase, retire, defease, redeem or otherwise
acquire for value or make any payment in respect of any equity ownership
interests of the Borrower or any warrants, rights or options to acquire any such
interests, now or hereafter outstanding; provided, however, that the Borrower
may declare and pay cash distributions on its equity ownership interests to its
members so long as (a) no Event of Default shall then exist or would occur as a
result thereof, (b) such distributions are in compliance with all applicable law
including the limited liability company law of the state of Borrower's
organization, and (c) such distributions have been approved by all necessary and
appropriate action of the Borrower.

      7.15. Limited Liability Company Agreement.

      The Borrower will not amend or delete (a) Sections 1.06, 4.01, 4.02, 4.08,
9.01-9.11, 10.02 and 11.01 or (b) the definition of "Independent Manager" set
forth in the Limited Liability Company Agreement. The Borrower will perform all
of its obligations under the Limited Liability Company Agreement.

      7.16. Minimum Tangible Net Worth.

      The Servicer, so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are the
same entity, and the Originators shall not permit their Tangible Net Worth, on a
combined basis, at any time to be less than $85,000,000.

      7.17. Minimum GAAP Net Worth.

      The Servicer, so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are the
same entity, and the Originators shall not permit their GAAP Net Worth, on a
combined basis, at any time to be less than $130,000,000.

      7.18. Positive Net Income of Performance Guarantor.

      The Performance Guarantor shall not permit its net income and the net
income of its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, to be less than zero for
any period of six (6) consecutive months.

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                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

      8.1. Nature of Event.

      An "Event of Default" shall exist if any one or more of the following
occurs:

            (a) the Borrower fails (i) to make any payment of principal of or
interest on any of the Notes when due, or (ii) to make any payment when due, of
any fee, expense or other amount due hereunder, under the Notes or under any
other Transaction Document or, so long as the Servicer is one of the
Originators, the Servicer fails to make any payment or deposit to be made by it
under this Agreement when due; or

            (b) the Borrower, any one of the Originators or, so long as the
Servicer and one of the Originators are the same entity, the Servicer fails to
keep or perform any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement (other
than as referred to in Section 8.1(a)) and such failure continues unremedied
beyond the expiration of any applicable grace or notice period that may be
expressly provided for in such covenant or agreement; or

            (c) the Borrower, any one of the Originators, the Servicer (so long
as the Servicer and one of the Originators are the same entity) or the
Performance Guarantor defaults in the due observance or performance of any of
the covenants or agreements contained in any Transaction Document other than
this Agreement, and (unless such default otherwise constitutes a Default or an
Event of Default pursuant to other provisions of this Section 8.1) such default
continues unremedied beyond the expiration of any applicable grace or notice
period that may be expressly provided for in such Transaction Document; or

            (d) any statement, warranty or representation by or on behalf of the
Borrower, any one of the Originators, the Servicer (so long as the Servicer and
one of the Originators are the same entity) or the Performance Guarantor
contained in this Agreement, the Notes or any other Transaction Document or any
Borrowing Report, officer's certificate or other writing furnished in connection
with this Agreement, proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any respect
as of the date made or deemed made; or

            (e) (i) in the case of the Borrower, the Borrower fails to make when
due or within any applicable grace period any payment on any other Indebtedness
with an unpaid principal balance or, in the case of the Originators, the
Servicer, any one of the Originators, the Servicer (so long as the Servicer and
one of the Originators are the same entity) fails to make when due or within any
applicable grace period any payment on any other Indebtedness with an unpaid
principal balance of over $1,000,000.00 with respect to each Originator and the
Servicer ($10,000,000.00 in the case of the Performance Guarantor); or (ii) any
event or condition occurs under any provision contained in any such obligation
or any agreement securing or relating to such obligation (or any other breach or
default under such obligation or agreement occurs) if the effect thereof is to
cause or permit with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both the holder or
trustee of such obligation to cause such obligation to become due prior to its
stated maturity; or (iii) any such obligation becomes due (other than by
regularly scheduled payments) prior to its

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stated maturity; or (iv) in the case of the Borrower, any of the foregoing
occurs with respect to any one or more items of Indebtedness with an unpaid
principal balance, or, in the case of each of the Originators or the Servicer
(so long as the Servicer and one of the Originator are the same entity) any of
the foregoing occurs with respect to any one or more items of Indebtedness with
unpaid principal balances exceeding, in the aggregate, $1,000,000.00 with
respect to each Originator and the Servicer ($10,000,000.00 in the case of the
Performance Guarantor); or

            (f) the Borrower, any one of the Originators, the Servicer (so long
as the Servicer and one of the Originators are the same entity) or the
Performance Guarantor generally shall not pay its debts as they become due or
shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts, or shall make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

            (g) the Borrower, any of the Originators, the Servicer (so long as
the Servicer and one of the Originators are the same entity) or the Performance
Guarantor shall (i) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver,
trustee, custodian, intervenor or liquidator of it or of all or a substantial
part of its assets, (ii) file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, (iii) file a
petition or answer seeking reorganization or an arrangement with creditors or to
take advantage of any Debtor Laws, (iv) file an answer admitting the allegations
of, or consent to, or default in answering, a petition filed against it in any
bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency proceeding, or (v) take action for the
purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

            (h) an involuntary petition or complaint shall be filed against the
Borrower, any of the Originators, the Servicer (so long as the Servicer and one
of the Originators are the same entity)or the Performance Guarantor seeking
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, any of the Originators, the
Servicer, or the Performance Guarantor or the appointment of a receiver,
custodian, trustee, intervenor or liquidator of the Borrower, any of the
Originators, the Servicer or the Performance Guarantor, all or substantially all
of the assets of either the Borrower, any of the Originators, the Servicer, or
the Performance Guarantor and such petition or complaint shall not have been
dismissed within 60 days of the filing thereof; or an order, order for relief,
judgment or, decree shall be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction or
other competent authority approving a petition or complaint seeking
reorganization of the Borrower, any of the Originators, the Servicer (so long as
the Servicer and one of the Originators are the same entity) or the Performance
Guarantor or appointing a receiver, custodian, trustee, intervenor or liquidator
of the Borrower, any of the Originators, the Servicer or the Performance
Guarantor, or of all or substantially all of assets of the Borrower, any of the
Originators, the Servicer or the Performance Guarantor; or

            (i) in the case of the Borrower, the Borrower shall fail within 30
days to pay, bond or otherwise discharge any final judgment or order for payment
of money, or, in the case of the Originators, the Servicer and the Performance
Guarantor, any of the Originators, the Servicer (so long as the Servicer and one
of the Originators are the same entity) or the Performance Guarantor shall fail
within 30 days to pay, bond or otherwise discharge any final judgment or order
for payment of money in excess of $500,000.00; or any of the Originators, the
Servicer (so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are the same
entity) or the Performance Guarantor shall fail within 30 days to pay, bond or
otherwise discharge final judgments or orders for payment of money which exceed
in the aggregate $500,000.00; or in the case of the Borrower, the Borrower shall
fail within 30 days to timely appeal or pay, bond or otherwise discharge any

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judgments or order for payment which the Borrower may appeal, or in the case of
the Originators, the Servicer and the Performance Guarantor, any of the
Originators, the Servicer (so long as the Servicer and one of the Originators
are the same entity) or the Performance Guarantor shall fail within 30 days to
timely appeal or pay, bond or otherwise discharge any judgments or orders for
payment of money which exceed, in the aggregate, $500,000.00 and which any of
the Originators, the Servicer or the Performance Guarantor may appeal;

            (j) any Person shall levy on, seize or attach all or any material
portion of the assets of the Borrower, any of the Originators, the Servicer (so
long as the Servicer and one of the Originators are the same entity) or the
Performance Guarantor and within thirty (30) days thereafter the Borrower, the
related Originators, the Servicer or the Performance Guarantor shall not have
dissolved such levy or attachment, as the case may be, and, if applicable,
regained possession of such seized assets; or

            (k) if an event or condition specified in Section 5.3(b) shall occur
or exist; or

            (l) any of the Originators or the Servicer (so long as the Servicer
and one of the Originators are the same entity) becomes ineligible to originate,
sell or service Mortgage Loans to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae, or
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae shall impose any sanctions upon or
terminate or revoke any rights of the Servicer (so long as the Servicer and one
of the Originators are the same entity) or any of the Originators; or

            (m) if (x) any Governmental Authority cancels an Originator's right
to be either a seller or servicer of such Governmental Authority's insured or
guaranteed Mortgage Loans or mortgage-backed securities, (y) any Approved
Investor cancels for cause any servicing or underwriting agreement between any
of the Originators and such Approved Investor or (z) any of the Originators
receives notice from a Governmental Authority that such Governmental Authority
intends to revoke such Originator's right to be a seller or servicer of such
Governmental Authority's insured or guaranteed Mortgage Loans or
mortgaged-backed securities and such notice is not withdrawn within (10) ten
days of the receipt thereof; or

            (n) failure of the Borrower or any of the Originators to correct an
imbalance in any escrow account established with the Borrower or the related
Originator as either an originator, purchaser or servicer of Mortgage Loans,
which imbalance may have a Material Adverse Effect, within two (2) Business Days
after demand by any beneficiary of such account or by the Administrative Agent;
or

            (o) failure of any of the Originators or the Servicer to meet, at
all times, the minimum net worth requirements of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or
Ginnie Mae as an originator, seller or servicer, as applicable; or

            (p) any provision of this Agreement, the Notes or any other
Transaction Document shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect,
or be declared null and void or unenforceable in whole or in part; or the
validity or enforceability of any such document shall be challenged or denied;
or

            (q) a "change in control," with respect to the ownership of the
Performance Guarantor shall have occurred (and as used in this subparagraph, the
term "change in control"

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shall mean an acquisition by any Person, partnership or group, as defined under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of a direct or indirect
beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the then-outstanding voting stock of the
Performance Guarantor ); or the Performance Guarantor shall cease at any time to
own directly 100% of the stock of each Originator; or

            (r) the total Collateral Value of all Eligible Mortgage Collateral
shall be less than the Primary Obligations, at any time, and the Borrower shall
fail either to provide additional Eligible Mortgage Collateral with a sufficient
Collateral Value, or to pay Principal Debt, in an amount sufficient to correct
the deficiency within the time period set forth in Section 2.5(b); or

            (s) if, as a result of the Borrower's failure to obtain and deliver
to the Collateral Agent, Principal Mortgage Documents as required by Section
2.3(c), the Administrative Agent shall determine that the continuation of such
condition may have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower or the Lenders; or

            (t) there shall have occurred any event that adversely affects the
enforceability or collectability of any significant portion of the Mortgage
Loans or the Take-Out Commitments (provided that to the extent such event gives
rise to an obligation by any of the Originators to repurchase such Mortgage
Loans pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement and such Originator does so
repurchase in accordance with the provisions of the Repurchase Agreement, no
Event of Default shall occur under this Section 8.1(t) or there shall have
occurred any other event that adversely affects the ability of the Borrower, the
Servicer or the Collateral Agent to collect a significant portion of Mortgage
Loans or Take-Out Commitments or the ability of the Borrower or, so long as the
Servicer and any of the Originators are the same entity, the Servicer to perform
hereunder or a Material Adverse Effect has occurred in the financial condition
or business of the Borrower since inception or, so long as the Servicer and any
one of the Originators are the same entity, the Servicer since March 31, 2003;
or

            (u) (i) any litigation (including, without limitation, derivative
actions), arbitration proceedings or governmental proceedings not disclosed in
writing by the Borrower to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent prior to the
date of execution and delivery of this Agreement is pending against the Borrower
or any Affiliate thereof, or (ii) any development not so disclosed has occurred
in any litigation (including, without limitation, derivative actions),
arbitration proceedings or governmental proceedings so disclosed, which, in the
case of either clause (i) and/or (ii), in the opinion of the Administrative
Agent, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or impair
the ability of the Borrower, any of the Originators, the Servicer or the
Performance Guarantor to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any
other Transaction Document; or

            (v) the Internal Revenue Service shall file notice of a lien
pursuant to Section 6323 of the Code with regard to any of the assets of the
Borrower, any of the Originators or the Servicer (so long as the Servicer and
one of the Originators are the same entity) and such lien shall not have been
released within 30 days, or the PBGC shall, or shall indicate its intention to,
file notice of a lien pursuant to Section 4068 of ERISA with regard to any of
the assets of the Borrower, any of the Originators or the Servicer (so long as
the Servicer and one of the Originators are the same entity) and as to each of
the Originators; or

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            (w) as at the end of any Collection Period, the Default Ratio shall
exceed 1%; or

            (x) a successor Collateral Agent shall not have been appointed and
accepted such appointment within 180 days after the retiring Collateral Agent
shall have given notice of resignation pursuant to Section 4.4 of the Collateral
Agreement; or

            (y) a "Default," or an "Event of Default" shall occur under the
Repurchase Agreement, or the Repurchase Agreement shall cease to be in full
force and effect; or

            (z) all of the outstanding equity ownership interests of the
Borrower shall cease to be owned, directly or indirectly, by the Performance
Guarantor; or

            (aa) the Borrower shall cease or otherwise fail to have a good and
valid title to (or, to the extent that Article 9 of the UCC is applicable to the
Borrower's acquisition thereof, a valid perfected security interest in) a
significant portion of the Collateral (other than Collateral released in
accordance with Section 3.3) or the Security Instruments shall for any reason
(other than pursuant to the terms hereof) fail or cease to create a valid and
perfected first priority security interest in the Mortgage Loans and the other
Collateral for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, which in the
opinion of the Administrative Agent could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect; or

            (bb) the Tangible Net Worth of the Originators, on a combined basis,
shall be less than $85,000,000; or

            (cc) as at the end of any Collection Period the amount of the Excess
Spread is less than fifty (50) basis points; or

            (dd) as of the Settlement Date following any withdrawal from the
Reserve Account pursuant to Section 2.8(e)(i) (after giving effect to any
deposit to the Reserve Account pursuant to Section 2.7(c)(iii)(D) on such
Settlement Date) the amount on deposit in the Reserve Account shall be less than
the Required Reserve Account Amount; or

            (ee) if, on or prior to the effective date of both of the
transactions (or, if such effective dates are different dates, on or prior to
the effective date of the last transaction to close of those transactions)
described on Schedule IV attached hereto, the failure of the parties hereto to
enter into an amendment as described in Section 12.22 of this Agreement.

            (ff) if the covenants set forth in Section 6.22 are not satisfied on
a date that is within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date.

      8.2.  Default Remedies.

            (a) Upon the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default
under Sections 8.1(f), (g), (h), (j), (v) or (ee) of this Agreement, the entire
unpaid balance of the Obligations shall automatically become due and payable,
the Termination Date shall immediately occur and the Maximum Facility Amount
shall immediately terminate, all without any notice or action of any kind
whatsoever.

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            (b) Upon the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default
under any provision of Section 8.1 other than those set forth in Section 8.2(a),
the Administrative Agent may do any one or both of the following: (i) declare
the entire unpaid balance of the Obligations immediately due and payable,
whereupon it shall be due and payable; and (ii) declare the Termination Date to
have occurred and terminate the Maximum Facility Amount.

            (c) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under any provision
of Section 8.1 and the acceleration of the unpaid balance of the Obligations
pursuant to Section 8.2(a) or (b), the Administrative Agent may do any one or
more of the following: (i) reduce any claim to judgment; (ii) exercise the
rights of offset or banker's Lien against the interest of the Borrower in and to
every account and other Property of the Borrower that are in the possession of
the Lenders, the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent to the extent of
the full amount of the Obligations (the Borrower being deemed directly obligated
to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent in the full amount of the
Obligations for such purposes); (iii) foreclose or direct the Collateral Agent
to foreclose any or all Liens or otherwise realize upon any and all of the
rights the Administrative Agent may have in and to the Collateral, or any part
thereof; and (iv) exercise any and all other legal or equitable rights afforded
by the Transaction Documents, applicable Governmental Requirements, or
otherwise, including, but not limited to, the right to bring suit or other
proceedings before any Governmental Authority either for specific performance of
any covenant or condition contained in any of the Transaction Documents or in
aid of the exercise of any right granted to the Lenders or the Administrative
Agent in any of the Transaction Documents.

            (d) Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Default hereunder or
under any Transaction Document, the Administrative Agent may, in addition to any
and all other legal or equitable rights afforded by the Transaction Documents,
deliver an Activation Notice under the Collection Account Control Agreement
and/or the Reserve Account Control Agreement.

      8.3.  Paydowns.

      Immediately upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and without any
requirement for notice or demand (including, without limitation, any notice or
demand otherwise required under Section 8.1), the Borrower shall (a) make a
payment to the Administrative Agent equal to the Collateral Deficiency and (b)
deliver to the Collateral Agent additional Take-Out Commitment Documents
relating to Take-Out Commitments in an amount equal to unrepaid Advances that
have been made against any Uncovered Mortgage Loans. Take-Out Commitment
Documents for Conforming Loans that are delivered pursuant to clause (b), above,
in addition to conforming with all other criteria of this Agreement, shall also
substantially conform to the interest rates and "terms to maturity" for all
Uncovered Mortgage Loans. This is a special, and not an exclusive, right or
remedy and any demand for performance under this Section 8.3 shall not waive or
affect the Lenders' or the Administrative Agent's rights to enforce any security
interest in the Collateral, collect a deficiency or to pursue damages or any
other remedy, as herein provided or as permitted at law or in equity, until all
Obligations have been fully paid and performed.

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      8.4.  Waivers of Notice, Etc.

      Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Borrower and each
surety, endorser, guarantor and other party liable for payment of any sum or
sums of money that may become due and payable, or the performance or any
undertaking that may be owed, to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent
pursuant to this Agreement, the Notes, or the other Transaction Documents,
including the Obligations, jointly and severally waive demand for payment,
presentment, protest, notice of protest and nonpayment or other notice of
default, notice of acceleration and notice of intention to accelerate, and agree
that its or their liability under this Agreement, the Notes or other Transaction
Documents shall not be affected by any renewal or extension of the time or place
of payment or performance hereof, or any indulgences by the Lenders or the
Administrative Agent, or by any release or change in any security for the
payment of the Obligations, and hereby consent to any and all renewals,
extensions, indulgences, releases or changes, regardless of the number of such
renewals, extensions, indulgences, releases or changes.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                           THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

      9.1.  Authorization.

      Each Lender has appointed the Administrative Agent as its agent to take
such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this
Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof,
together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. As to any
matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement (including, without
limitation, enforcement of this Agreement), the Administrative Agent shall not
be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required
to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or
refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Majority Banks, and such
instructions shall be binding upon all Lenders; provided, however, that the
Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that exposes the
Administrative Agent to personal liability or that is contrary to this Agreement
or applicable law.

      9.2.  Reliance by Agent.

      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other
Transaction Document, neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors,
officers, agents, representatives, employees, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates
shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them (in
their capacity as or on behalf of the Administrative Agent) under or in
connection with this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, except for
its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of
the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent: (a) may treat the
payee of the Notes as the holder thereof; (b) may consult with legal counsel
(including counsel for the Borrower), independent certified public accountants
and other experts selected by it or the Borrower and shall not be liable for any
action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the
advice of such counsel, accountants or experts; (c) makes no warranty or
representation to any Lender or the

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Administrative Agent and shall not be responsible to any Lender or the
Administrative Agent for any statements, warranties or representations made in
or in connection with this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents; (d)
shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or
observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement on the
part of the Borrower or to inspect the Property (including the books and
records) of the Borrower; (e) shall not be responsible to any Lender or the
Administrative Agent for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability,
genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other instrument or
document furnished pursuant hereto or the enforceability or perfection or
priority of any Collateral; and (f) shall incur no liability under or in respect
of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document by acting upon any notice,
consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by telegram,
cable or telex) believed by the Administrative Agent to be genuine and signed or
sent by the proper Person or party.

      9.3.  Agent and Affiliates.

      With respect to any Advance made by CL New York, CL New York shall have
the same rights and powers under this Agreement as would any Lender and may
exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent. CL New York
and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as trustee under
indentures of, and generally engage in any kind of business with, the Borrower,
any of the Borrower's Affiliates and any Person who may do business with or own
securities of the Borrower or any such Affiliate, all as if CL New York were not
the Administrative Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the
Lenders. If CL New York is removed as Administrative Agent, such removal will
not affect CL New York's rights and interests as a Lender.

      9.4.  Lender Decision.

      Each Lender (including each Lender that becomes a party hereto by
assignment) acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance on the
Administrative Agent, any of its Affiliates or any other Lender and based on
such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own
evaluation and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also
acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance on the
Administrative Agent, any of its Affiliates or any other Lender and based on
such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under this
Agreement.

      9.5.  Rights of the Administrative Agent.

      Each right and remedy expressly provided by this Agreement as being
available to the Administrative Agent shall be exercised by the Administrative
Agent only at the direction of the Majority Banks.

      9.6. Indemnification of Administrative Agent.

      Each Bank agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent not
reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower), ratably according to the respective
principal amounts held by it (or if no Advances are then outstanding, each Bank
shall indemnify the Administrative Agent ratably according to the amount of its
Bank Commitment), from and against any and all

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liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be
imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Administrative Agent in any way
relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents
or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement
or the other Transaction Documents, provided that no Bank shall be liable for
any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the
Administrative Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

      9.7. UCC Filings.

      The Lenders and the Borrower expressly recognize and agree that the
Administrative Agent may be listed as the assignee or secured party of record on
the various UCC filings required to be made hereunder in order to perfect the
security interest in the Collateral granted by the Borrower for the benefit of
the holders of the Obligations and that such listing shall be for administrative
convenience only in creating a record-holder or nominee to take certain actions
hereunder on behalf of the holders of the Obligations.

                                   ARTICLE X

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

      10.1. Indemnities by the Borrower.

            (a) General Indemnity. Without limiting any other rights that any
such Person may have hereunder or under applicable law, each of the Borrower and
the Servicer, as applicable, hereby agrees to indemnify each of the Lenders, the
Administrative Agent, any Affected Party, their respective successors,
transferees, participants and assigns and all affiliates, officers, directors,
shareholders, controlling persons, employees and agents of any of the foregoing
(each an "Indemnified Party"), forthwith on demand, from and against any and all
damages, losses, claims, liabilities and related costs and expenses, including
attorneys' fees and disbursements (all of the foregoing being collectively
referred to as "Indemnified Amounts") awarded against or incurred by any of them
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the exercise or performance of
any of its or their powers or duties, in respect of any Mortgage Loan or
Take-Out Commitment, or related in any way to its or their possession of, or
dealings with, the Collateral, excluding, however, Indemnified Amounts to the
extent resulting from gross negligence, willful misconduct, or unlawful
collection activity directed against a borrower under a mortgage loan included
in the Collateral on the part of such Indemnified Party.

            (b) Contribution. If for any reason the indemnification provided
above in this Section 10.1 is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or is
insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless, then each of the Borrower or
the Servicer, as applicable, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
received by such Indemnified Party on the one hand and Borrower on the other
hand but also the relative fault of such Indemnified Party as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations.

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                                   ARTICLE XI

                 ADMINISTRATION AND COLLECTION OF MORTGAGE LOANS

      11.1. Designation of Servicer.

      The servicing, administration and collection of the Mortgage Assets shall
be conducted by the Servicer so designated hereunder from time to time. Until
the Administrative Agent gives notice to the Borrower and the Originators of the
designation of a new Servicer after the occurrence of a Default or an Event of
Default, American Home Mortgage Corp. is hereby designated as, and hereby agrees
to perform the duties and obligations of, the Servicer pursuant to the terms
hereof. The Administrative Agent may at any time following the occurrence of a
Servicer Default designate as Servicer any Person (including itself) to succeed
the Originators or any successor Servicer, if such Person shall consent and
agree to the terms hereof. The Servicer may, with the prior consent of the
Administrative Agent, subcontract with any other Person for the servicing,
administration or collection of the Mortgage Assets. Any such subcontract shall
not affect the Servicer's liability for performance of its duties and
obligations pursuant to the terms hereof.

      11.2. Duties of Servicer.

            (a) The Servicer shall take or cause to be taken all such actions as
may be necessary or advisable to collect each Mortgage Asset from time to time,
all in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, with care and
diligence, and in accordance with the servicing guide issued by the Governmental
Authority applicable to such Mortgage Asset or, in the case of Non-Conforming
Loans, the servicing criteria specified by the Approved Investor that has issued
a Take-Out Commitment with respect thereto. The Borrower and the Administrative
Agent hereby appoint the Servicer, from time to time designated pursuant to
Section 11.1, as agent for themselves and for the Lenders to enforce their
respective rights and interests in the Mortgage Assets and the Collections
thereof. In performing its duties as Servicer, the Servicer shall exercise the
same care and apply the same policies as it would exercise and apply if it owned
such Mortgage Loans and shall act in the best interests of the Borrower and the
Lenders.

            (b) The Servicer shall administer the Collections in accordance with
the procedures described in Section 2.7 and shall service the Collateral in
accordance with Section 6.20 and Section 7.5.

            (c) The Servicer shall hold in trust for the Borrower and the
Lenders, in accordance with their respective interests, all books and records
(including, without limitation, computer tapes or disks) that relate to the
Mortgage Assets.

            (d) The Servicer shall, as soon as practicable following receipt,
turn over to the Borrower or the Originators, as appropriate, any cash
collections or other cash proceeds received with respect to Property not
constituting Mortgage Assets.

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            (e) The Servicer shall, from time to time at the request of the
Administrative Agent, furnish to the Administrative Agent (promptly after any
such request) a calculation of the amounts set aside for the Lenders pursuant to
Section 2.7(c).

            (f) The Servicer shall perform the duties and obligations of the
Servicer set forth in the Collateral Agency Agreement and the other Security
Instruments.

      11.3. Certain Rights of the Administrative Agent.

      At any time following the designation of a Servicer other than the
Originators pursuant to Section 11.1 or following an Event of Default:

            (a) The Administrative Agent may direct the Obligors that all
payments thereunder be made directly to the Administrative Agent or its
designee.

            (b) At the Administrative Agent's request and at the Borrower's
expense, the Borrower shall notify each Obligor of the Lien on the Mortgage
Assets and direct that payments be made directly to the Administrative Agent or
its designee.

            (c) At the Administrative Agent's request and at the Borrower's
expense, the Borrower and the Servicer shall (i) assemble all of the documents,
instruments and other records (including, without limitation, computer tapes and
disks) that evidence or relate to the Mortgage Assets and Collections and
Collateral, or that are otherwise necessary or desirable to collect the Mortgage
Assets, and shall make the same available to the Administrative Agent at a place
selected by the Administrative Agent or its designee, and (ii) segregate all
cash, checks and other instruments received by it from time to time constituting
Collections in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent and, promptly
upon receipt, remit all such cash, checks and instruments, duly endorsed or with
duly executed instruments of transfer, to the Administrative Agent or its
designee.

            (d) The Borrower authorizes the Administrative Agent to take any and
all steps in the Borrower's name and on behalf of the Borrower that are
necessary or desirable, in the determination of the Administrative Agent, to
collect amounts due under the Mortgage Assets, including, without limitation,
endorsing the Borrower's name on checks and other instruments representing
Collections and enforcing the Mortgage Assets and the other Collateral.

      11.4. Rights and Remedies.

            (a) If the Servicer fails to perform any of its obligations under
this Agreement, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be required to)
itself perform, or cause performance of, such obligation; and the Administrative
Agent's costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by
the Servicer.

            (b) With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the Servicer shall follow
procedures (including collection procedures) that the Servicer customarily
employs and exercises in servicing and administering mortgage loans for its own
account and that are in accordance with accepted mortgage servicing practices of
prudent lending institutions servicing mortgage loans of the same type as the
Mortgage Loans in the jurisdictions in which the related Mortgaged

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Properties are located. The exercise by the Administrative Agent on behalf of
the Lenders of their rights under this Agreement shall not release the Servicer
from any of their duties or obligations with respect to any Mortgage Loans.
Neither the Administrative Agent, nor the Lenders shall have any obligation or
liability with respect to any Mortgage Loans, nor shall any of them be obligated
to perform the obligations of the Borrower thereunder.

            (c) In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this
Article XI of this Agreement and Article VI of the Repurchase Agreement, the
provisions of this Agreement shall control.

      11.5. Indemnities by the Servicer.

      Without limiting any other rights that the Administrative Agent, any
Lender or any of their respective Affiliates (each, a "Special Indemnified
Party") may have hereunder or under applicable law, and in consideration of its
appointment as Servicer, the Servicer hereby agrees to indemnify each Special
Indemnified Party from and against any and all claims, losses and liabilities
(including attorneys' fees) (all of the foregoing being collectively referred to
as "Special Indemnified Amounts") arising out of or resulting from any of the
following excluding, however, (x) Special Indemnified Amounts to the extent
resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such
Special Indemnified Party, (y) recourse for Mortgage Assets that are not
collected, not paid or uncollectible on account of the insolvency, bankruptcy or
financial inability to pay of the applicable Obligor or (z) any income taxes or
any other tax or fee measured by income incurred by such Special Indemnified
Party arising out of or as a result of this Agreement or the Borrowings
hereunder):

            (a) any representation or warranty or statement made or deemed made
by the Servicer under or in connection with this Agreement that shall have been
incorrect in any respect when made;

            (b) the failure by the Servicer to comply in any material respect
with any applicable law, rule or regulation with respect to any Mortgage Asset
or the failure of any Mortgage Loan to conform to any such applicable law, rule
or regulation;

            (c) the failure to have filed, or any delay in filing, financing
statements, Mortgages or assignments of Mortgages under the applicable laws of
any applicable jurisdiction with respect to any Mortgage Assets and the other
Collateral and Collections in respect thereof, whether at the time of any
purchase under the Repurchase Agreement or at any subsequent time;

            (d) any failure of the Servicer to perform its duties or obligations
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;

            (e) the commingling of Collections at any time by the Servicer with
other funds;

            (f) any action or omission by the Servicer reducing or impairing the
rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders with respect to any Mortgage
Asset or the value of any Mortgage Asset;

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            (g) any Servicer Fees or other costs and expenses payable to any
replacement Servicer, to the extent in excess of the Servicer Fees payable to
the Servicer hereunder; or

            (h) any claim brought by any Person other than a Special Indemnified
Party arising from any activity by the Servicer or its Affiliates in servicing,
administering or collecting any Mortgage Asset.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      12.1. Notices.

      Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given under or
in connection with this Agreement, the Notes or the other Transaction Documents
(except as may otherwise be expressly required therein) shall be in writing and
shall be mailed by first class or express mail, postage prepaid, or sent by
telex, telegram, telecopy or other similar form of rapid transmission, confirmed
by mailing (by first class or express mail, postage prepaid) written
confirmation at substantially the same time as such rapid transmission, or
personally delivered to an officer of the receiving party. With the exception of
certain administrative and collateral reports that may be directed to specific
departments of the Administrative Agent, all such communications shall be
mailed, sent or delivered to the parties hereto at their respective addresses as
follows:

The Borrower:                 AHM SPV I, LLC
                              c/o American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.
                              520 Broadhollow Road
                              Melville, New York  11747

                              Facsimile:  (800) 209-7276
                              Telephone: (516) 396-7703
                              Attention:  General Counsel

The Issuer:                   LA FAYETTE ASSET SECURITIZATION LLC
                              c/o  Credit Lyonnais Building
                              1301 Avenue of the Americas
                              New York, New York 10019
                              Facsimile:  (212) 459-3258
                              Attention:  Conduit Securitization

                              With a copy to the Administrative Agent (except in
                              the case of notice from the Administrative Agent).

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<PAGE>

The Bank:                     CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH
                              Credit Lyonnais Building
                              1301 Avenue of the Americas
                              New York, New York 10019
                              Facsimile:  (212) 459-3258
                              Attention:  Conduit Securitization

The Administrative Agent:     CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH
                              Credit Lyonnais Building
                              1301 Avenue of the Americas
                              New York, New York 10019
                              Telephone No.:  (212) 261-7819
                              Telex No.:  62410
                              (Answerback:  CRED A 62410 UW)
                              Facsimile:  (212) 459-3258
                              Attention:  Conduit Securitization

The Servicer:                 AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE CORP.
                              c/o American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.
                              520 Broadhollow Road
                              Melville, New York  11747
                              Facsimile:  (800) 209-7276
                              Telephone: (516) 396-7703
                              Attention:  General Counsel

The Originators:              AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE CORP.
                              c/o American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.
                              520 Broadhollow Road
                              Melville, New York  11747
                              Facsimile:  (800) 209-7276
                              Telephone: (516) 396-7703
                              Attention:  General Counsel

                              COLUMBIA NATIONAL, INCORPORATED
                              c/o American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc.
                              520 Broadhollow Road
                              Melville, New York  11747
                              Facsimile:  (800) 209-7276
                              Telephone: (516) 396-7703
                              Attention:  General Counsel

The Performance Guarantor:    AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
                              520 Broadhollow Road
                              Melville, New York  11747
                              Facsimile:  (800) 209-7276
                              Telephone: (516) 396-7703
                              Attention:  General Counsel

                                       83

<PAGE>

or at such other addresses or to such officer's, individual's or department's
attention as any party may have furnished the other parties in writing. Any
communication so addressed and mailed shall be deemed to be given when so
mailed, except with respect to notices and requests given pursuant to Sections
2.3 and 3.3. Borrowing Reports and communications related thereto shall not be
effective until actually received by the Collateral Agent, the Administrative
Agent, the Issuer or the Borrower, as the case may be; and any notice so sent by
rapid transmission shall be deemed to be given when receipt of such transmission
is acknowledged, and any communication so delivered in person shall be deemed to
be given when receipted for by, or actually received by, an authorized officer
of the Borrower, the Collateral Agent, or the Administrative Agent.

      12.2. Amendments, Etc.

      No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to
any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall be effective unless in a writing
signed by the Majority Banks, the Administrative Agent (as agent for the Issuer)
and the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of any amendment, also signed by
the Borrower), and then such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective
only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless an amendment, waiver or consent shall be
made in writing and signed by each of the Banks and the Administrative Agent,
and each of the Rating Agencies shall confirm that any amendment will not result
in a downgrade or withdrawal of the ratings assigned to any Commercial Paper
Notes, no amendment, waiver or consent shall do any of the following:

            (a) amend the definitions of Eligible Mortgage Loan, Collateral
Value, Advance Rate or Majority Banks or

            (b) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Agreement in any
way that would:

                  (i) reduce the amount of principal or interest that is payable
on account of any Advance or delay any scheduled date for payment thereof, or

                  (ii) impair any rights expressly granted to an assignee or
participant under this Agreement, or

                  (iii) reduce the fees payable by the Borrower, to the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders, or

                  (iv) delay the dates on which such fees are payable, or

            (c) amend or waive the Event of Default set forth in Sections
8.1(f), (g) or (h) relating to the bankruptcy of Performance Guarantor, the
Originators or the Borrower, or

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<PAGE>

            (d) amend or waive the Event of Default set forth in Section 8.1(i),
(j), (v) or (w), or

            (e) amend clause (a) of the definition of Termination Date, or

            (f) amend this Section 12.2;

and provided, further, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing and signed by the Servicer in addition to the other parties required
above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Servicer under
this Agreement. No failure on the part of the Lenders or the Administrative
Agent to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right thereunder shall
operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right.

      12.3. Invalidity.

      In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in the
Notes, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall, for any reason,
be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of such
document.

      12.4. Restrictions on Informal Amendments.

      No course of dealing or waiver on the part of the Administrative Agent,
the Collateral Agent, any Lender or any Affected Party, or any of their
officers, employees, consultants or agents, or any failure or delay by any such
Person with respect to exercising any right, power or privilege under the Notes,
this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall operate as an amendment
to the express written terms of the Notes, this Agreement or any other
Transaction Document or shall act as a waiver of any right, power or privilege
of any such Person.

      12.5. Cumulative Rights.

      The rights, powers, privileges and remedies of each of the Lenders, the
Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent under the Notes, this Agreement,
and any other Transaction Document shall be cumulative, and the exercise or
partial exercise of any such right, power, privilege or remedy shall not
preclude the exercise of any other right or remedy.

      12.6. Construction; Governing Law.

      THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES THEREOF, OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW WHICH SHALL APPLY HERETO).

                                       85

<PAGE>

      12.7. Interest.

      Any provisions herein, in the Notes, or in any other Transaction Document,
or any other document executed or delivered in connection herewith, or in any
other agreement or commitment, whether written or oral, expressed or implied, to
the contrary notwithstanding, the Lenders shall in no event be entitled to
receive or collect, nor shall or may amounts received hereunder be credited, so
that the Lenders shall be paid, as interest, a sum greater than the maximum
amount permitted by applicable law to be charged to the Person primarily
obligated to pay such Note at the time in question. If any construction of this
Agreement, any Note or any other Transaction Document, or any and all other
papers, agreements or commitments indicate a different right given to a Lender
to ask for, demand or receive any larger sum as interest, such is a mistake in
calculation or wording that this clause shall override and control, it being the
intention of the parties that this Agreement, each Note, and all other
Transaction Documents or other documents executed or delivered in connection
herewith shall in all things comply with applicable law and proper adjustments
shall automatically be made accordingly. In the event that any of the Lenders
shall ever receive, collect or apply as interest, any sum in excess of the
maximum nonusurious rate permitted by applicable law (the "Maximum Rate"), if
any, such excess amount shall be applied to the reduction of the unpaid
principal balance of the Note held by such Lender, and if such Note is paid in
full, any remaining excess shall be paid to the Borrower. In determining whether
or not the interest paid or payable, under any specific contingency, exceeds the
Maximum Rate, if any, the Borrower and each of the Lenders shall, to the maximum
extent permitted under applicable law: (a) characterize any nonprincipal payment
as an expense or fee rather than as interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments
and the effects thereof, and (c) "spread" the total amount of interest
throughout the entire term of the respective Note; provided that if any Note is
paid and performed in full prior to the end of the full contemplated term
hereof, and if the interest received for the actual period of existence thereof
exceeds the Maximum Rate, if any, the respective Lender shall refund to the
Borrower the amount of such excess, or credit the amount of such excess against
the aggregate unpaid principal balance of all Advances made by such Lender
hereunder at the time in question.

      12.8. Right of Offset.

      The Borrower hereby grants to each of the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent and to any assignee or participant a right of offset, to secure the
repayment of the Obligations, upon any and all monies, securities or other
Property of the Borrower, and the proceeds therefrom now or hereafter held or
received by or in transit to such Person, from or for the account of the
Borrower, whether for safekeeping, custody, pledge, transmission, collection or
otherwise, and also upon any and all deposits (general or special, time or
demand, provisional or final) and credits of the Borrower, and any and all
claims of the Borrower against such Person at any time existing. Upon the
occurrence of any Event of Default, such Person is hereby authorized at any time
and from time to time, without notice to the Borrower, to offset, appropriate,
and apply any and all items hereinabove referred to against the Obligations.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 12.8 or elsewhere in this Agreement to
the contrary, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and any assignee or
participant shall not have any right to offset, appropriate or apply any
accounts of the Borrower that consist of escrowed funds (except and to the
extent of any beneficial interest of the Borrower in such escrowed funds) that
have been so identified by the Borrower in writing at the time of deposit
thereof.

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<PAGE>

      12.9. Successors and Assigns.

            (a) This Agreement and the Lenders' rights and obligations herein
(including ownership of each Advance) shall be assignable by the Lenders and
their successors and assigns to any Eligible Assignee. Each assignor of an
Advance or any interest therein shall notify the Administrative Agent and the
Borrower of any such assignment.

            (b) Each Bank may assign to any Eligible Assignee or to any other
Bank all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
(including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Bank Commitment and any
Advances or interests therein owned by it), provided however, that:

                  (i) each such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a
varying, percentage of all rights and obligations under this Agreement,

                  (ii) the amount being assigned pursuant to each such
assignment (determined as of the date of the Assignment and Acceptance Agreement
with respect to such assignment) shall in no event be less than the lesser of
(x) $20,000,000 and (y) all of the assigning Bank's Bank Commitment,

                  (iii) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and
deliver to the Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the
Register, an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, together with a processing and
recordation fee of $2,500, and

                  (iv) concurrently with such assignment, such assignor Bank
shall assign to such assignee Bank an equal percentage of its rights and
obligations under the related Liquidity Agreement.

      Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after
the effective date specified in such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, (x)
the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent
that rights and obligations hereunder or under this Agreement have been assigned
to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, have the rights and
obligations of a Bank hereunder and thereunder and (y) the assigning Bank shall,
to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it
pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, relinquish such rights and
be released from such obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an
Assignment and Acceptance Agreement covering all or the remaining portion of an
assigning Bank's rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Bank shall
cease to be a party thereto).

            (c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain at its address referred
to in Section 12.1 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance Agreement delivered
to and accepted by it and a register for the recordation of the names and
addresses of the Banks and the Bank Commitment of, and aggregate outstanding
principal of Advances or interests therein owned by, each Bank from time to time
(the "Register"). The entries in the Register shall

                                       87

<PAGE>

be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and the
Borrower, the Servicer, the Administrative Agent and the Banks may treat each
person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Bank under this Agreement for
all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection
by the Borrower, the Servicer, the Administrative Agent or any Bank at any time
and from time to time upon prior notice.

            (d) Each Bank may sell participations, to one or more banks or other
entities that are Eligible Assignees, in or to all or a portion of its rights
and obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a
portion of its Bank Commitment and the Advances or interests therein owned by
it); provided, however, that:

                  (i) such Bank's obligations under this Agreement (including,
without limitation, its Bank Commitment to the Borrower thereunder) shall remain
unchanged,

                  (ii) such Bank shall remain solely responsible to the other
parties to this Agreement for the performance of such obligations, and

                  (iii) concurrently with such participation, the selling Bank
shall sell to such bank or other entity a participation in an equal percentage
of its rights and obligations under the related Liquidity Agreement.

The Administrative Agent, the other Banks, the Servicer and the Borrower shall
have the right to continue to deal solely and directly with such Bank in
connection with such Bank's rights and obligations under this Agreement.

            (e) The Borrower may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder
or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Administrative
Agent and each Lender and any attempted assignment shall be null and void.

            (f) The parties hereto acknowledge that La Fayette has granted to
the La Fayette Program Agent for the benefit of holders of its Commercial Paper
Notes, its liquidity banks, and certain other creditors of La Fayette, a
security interest in its right, title and interest in and to the Advances, the
Transaction Documents and the Collateral. Each reference herein or in any of the
other Transaction Documents to the Liens in the Collateral granted to La Fayette
under the Transaction Documents shall be deemed to include a reference to such
security interest of the La Fayette Program Agent.

      12.10. Survival of Termination.

      The provisions of Article X and Sections 2.12, 11.4, 12.14, 12.15, 12.19,
12.20 and 12.21 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

      12.11. Exhibits.

      The exhibits attached to this Agreement are incorporated herein and shall
be considered a part of this Agreement for the purposes stated herein, except
that in the event of any conflict between any of the provisions of such exhibits
and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall
prevail.

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<PAGE>

      12.12. Titles of Articles, Sections and Subsections.

      All titles or headings to articles, sections, subsections or other
divisions of this Agreement or the exhibits hereto are only for the convenience
of the parties and shall not be construed to have any effect or meaning with
respect to the other content of such articles, sections, subsections or other
divisions, such other content being controlling as to the agreement between the
parties hereto.

      12.13. Counterparts.

      This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, and it shall
not be necessary that the signatures of each of the parties hereto be contained
on any one counterpart hereof; each counterpart shall be deemed an original, but
all counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

      12.14. No Proceedings.

      The Borrower, the Servicer, the Administrative Agent and each Bank hereby
agrees that it will not institute against the Issuer, or join any other Person
in instituting against the Issuer, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
insolvency, or liquidation proceeding, or other proceeding under any federal or
state bankruptcy or similar law so long as any Commercial Paper Notes issued by
the Issuer shall be outstanding or there shall not have elapsed one year plus
one day since the last day on which any such Commercial Paper Notes shall have
been outstanding. The foregoing shall not limit the rights of the Borrower, the
Servicer, the Administrative Agent or any Bank to file any claim in or otherwise
take any action with respect to any insolvency proceeding that was instituted by
any other Person.

      12.15. Confidentiality.

      Except as required by any Governmental Authority or subject to any
Governmental Requirement, with respect to either of them or any of their
Affiliates, the Borrower and the Servicer each hereby agrees that it will
maintain and cause its respective employees to maintain the confidentiality of
this Agreement, and the other Transaction Documents (and all drafts thereof),
and each Lender and the Administrative Agent agrees that it will maintain and
cause its respective employees to maintain the confidentiality of the Collateral
and all other non-public information with respect to the Borrower and the
Servicer, and their respective businesses obtained by such party in connection
with the structuring, negotiating and execution of the transactions contemplated
herein, in each case except (a) as may be required or appropriate in
communications with its respective independent certified public accountants,
legal advisors, or with independent financial rating agencies, (b) as may be
required or appropriate in any report, statement or testimony submitted to any
municipal, state or Federal regulatory body having or claiming to have
jurisdiction over it, (c) as may be required or appropriate in response to any
summons or subpoena or in connection with any litigation, (d) as may be required
by or in order to comply with any law, order, regulation or ruling, (e) as may
be required or appropriate in connection with disclosures to any and all
persons, without limitation of any kind, of information relating in the tax
treatment and tax structure of the transaction and all materials of any kind
(including opinions and other tax analyses) that are provided to the Borrower or
any of the

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<PAGE>

Originators relating to such tax treatment and tax structure, (f) in the case of
any Bank, any Issuer or the Administrative Agent, to any Liquidity Bank or
provider of credit support to an Issuer, any dealer or placement agent for the
Issuer's commercial paper, and any actual or potential assignee of, or
participant in, any of the rights or obligations of such Lender, or (g) in the
case of any Issuer or the Administrative Agent, to any Person whom any dealer or
placement agent for the Issuer shall have identified as an actual or potential
investor in Commercial Paper Notes; provided that any proposed recipient under
clause (e) or (f) shall, as a condition to the receipt of any such information,
agree to maintain the confidentiality thereof.

      12.16. Recourse Against Directors, Officers, Etc.

      The Obligations are solely the entity obligations of the Borrower. No
recourse for the Obligations shall be had hereunder against any director,
officer, employee (in its capacity as such, and not as Servicer), trustee, agent
or any Person owning, directly or indirectly, any legal or beneficial interest
in the Borrower (in its capacity as such owner, and not as Servicer or otherwise
as a party to any Transaction Document). This Section 12.16 shall not, however,
(a) constitute a waiver, release or impairment of the Obligations, or (b) affect
the validity or enforceability of any other Transaction Document to which the
Originators, the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor or any of their Affiliates
are a party.

      12.17. Waiver of Jury Trial.

      EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY
JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR UNDER ANY AMENDMENT,
INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT DELIVERED OR THAT MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN
CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING FROM ANY BANKING OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP EXISTING
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT
AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND
NOT BEFORE A JURY.

      12.18. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities.

      EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT:

            (a) IT IRREVOCABLY (i) SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION, FIRST, OF ANY
UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT, AND, SECOND, IF FEDERAL JURISDICTION IS NOT
AVAILABLE, OF ANY NEW YORK STATE COURT, IN EITHER CASE SITTING IN NEW YORK CITY,
IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, (ii)
AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND
DETERMINED ONLY IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL COURT AND NOT IN ANY OTHER
COURT, AND (iii) WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO, THE
DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

                                       90

<PAGE>

            (b) TO THE EXTENT THAT IT HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY
FROM THE JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OR FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH
SERVICE OR NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID TO EXECUTION,
EXECUTION OR OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY, IT HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

      12.19. Costs, Expenses and Taxes.

      In addition to its obligations under Articles II and X, the Borrower
agrees to pay on demand:

            (a) (i) all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, in connection with the negotiation,
preparation, execution and delivery or the administration (including periodic
auditing) of this Agreement, the Notes, the other Transaction Documents, and, to
the extent related to this Agreement, the Program Documents (including any
amendments or modifications of or supplements to the Program Documents entered
into in connection herewith), and any amendments, consents or waivers executed
in connection therewith, including, without limitation, (A) the fees and
expenses of counsel to any of such Persons incurred in connection with any of
the foregoing or in advising such Persons as to their respective rights and
remedies under any of the Transaction Documents or (to the extent related to
this Agreement) the Program Documents, and (B) all out-of-pocket expenses
(including fees and expenses of independent accountants) incurred in connection
with any review of the books and records of the Borrower or the Servicer either
prior to the execution and delivery hereof or pursuant to Section 6.8, and (ii)
all costs and expenses actually incurred by the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders, in connection with the enforcement of, or any breach of, this
Agreement, the Notes, the other Transaction Documents and, to the extent related
to this Agreement, the Program Documents (including any amendments or
modifications of or supplements to the Program Documents entered into in
connection herewith), including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of
counsel to any of such Persons incurred in connection therewith, including
without limitation, with respect to the Issuer, the cost of rating the
Commercial Paper Notes by the Rating Agencies and the reasonable fees and
out-of-pocket expenses of counsel to the Issuer; and

            (b) all stamp and other taxes and fees payable or determined to be
payable in connection with the execution, delivery, filing and recording of this
Agreement, the Notes, the other Transaction Documents or (to the extent related
to this Agreement) the Program Documents, and agrees to indemnify each
Indemnified Party against any liabilities with respect to or resulting from any
delay in paying or omission to pay such taxes and fees.

      12.20. Entire Agreement.

      THE NOTES, THIS AGREEMENT, AND THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS EXECUTED
AND DELIVERED AS OF EVEN DATE HEREWITH REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO ANY MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR,

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CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO
UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES. TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY PROVISIONS
OF THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT,
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL CONTROL.

      12.21. Excess Funds.

      The Issuer shall not be obligated to pay any amount pursuant to this
Agreement unless the Issuer has excess cash flow from operations or has received
funds with respect to such obligation which may be used to make such payment and
which funds or excess cash flow are not required to repay when due its
Commercial Paper Note or other short term funding backing its Commercial Paper
Notes. Any amount which the Issuer does not pay pursuant to the operation of the
preceding sentence shall not constitute a claim, as defined in Section 101(5) of
the United States Bankruptcy Code, against the Issuer for any such insufficiency
unless and until the Issuer does have excess cash flow or excess funds.

      12.22. Amendment Relating to Current Merger Transactions. The parties
acknowledge that American Home Mortgage Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries and
affiliates are involved in two transactions as described on Schedule IV attached
hereto. Subject to the Lenders' being able to analyze the effect of those two
transactions on this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and to
conclude, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Lenders, that there will be
Material Adverse Effect, on or prior to the effective date of both of the
transactions (or, if such effective dates are different dates, on or prior to
the effective date of the last transaction to close of those transactions)
described on Schedule IV attached hereto, the parties agree to use good faith
efforts to enter into a mutually acceptable amendment to this Agreement and any
other applicable Transaction Documents to amend, modify, supplement or restate
the representations, warranties, and covenants of the Originators, the Servicer,
the Borrower and the Performance Guarantor, as applicable, under this Agreement
and any other applicable Transaction Document.

                   [Signatures appear on the following page.]

                                       92

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.

BORROWER                             AHM SPV I, LLC

                                     By: /s/ Stephen A. Hozie
                                         --------------------------
                                     Name: Stephen A. Hozie
                                     Title: Chief Financial Officer

<PAGE>

ISSUER                               LA FAYETTE ASSET SECURITIZATION LLC

                                       By: Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as
                                           Attorney-in-Fact

                                     By: /s/ Conrad Meyer
                                         --------------------------
                                     Title: Director

<PAGE>

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT                 CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH

                                     By: /s/ Conrad Meyer
                                         --------------------------
                                     Title: Director

BANK

                                     CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH

                                     By: /s/ Conrad Meyer
                                         --------------------------
                                     Title: Director

<PAGE>

SERVICER                              AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE CORP.

                                      By: /s/ Stephen A. Hozie
                                          -------------------------
                                      Name: Stephen A. Hozie
                                      Title: Chief Financial OfficerExhibit 10.17.2

                           COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT

                                  By and Among:

                                 AHM SPV I, LLC,
                                  As Borrower,

                                       and

                          AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE CORP.,
                                 As the Servicer

                                       and

                        CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,
                            As Administrative Agent,

                                       and

                      DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY,
                               As Collateral Agent

                           Dated as of August 8, 2003

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

ARTICLE I GENERAL TERMS........................................................1

      1.1.  Certain Definitions................................................1

ARTICLE II APPOINTMENT OF COLLATERAL AGENT.....................................1

      2.1.  Appointment........................................................1
      2.2.  Collateral Agency Fees.............................................2

ARTICLE III COLLATERAL PROCEDURES..............................................2

      3.1.  Collateral.........................................................2
      3.2.  Delivery of Collateral to the Collateral Agent.....................3
      3.3.  Power of Attorney..................................................5
      3.4.  Redemption of Mortgage Collateral..................................6
      3.5.  Releases of Mortgage Notes for Servicing...........................9
      3.6.  [RESERVED]........................................................10
      3.7.  Wet Borrowings....................................................10
      3.8.  Collateral Reporting..............................................10
      3.9.  Further Obligations of the Collateral Agent.......................11
      3.10. Segregation of Collateral.........................................11
      3.11. Delivery of Required Documents to the Administrative Agent........12
      3.12. Take-Out Commitment Reporting.....................................12

ARTICLE IV THE COLLATERAL AGENT...............................................13

      4.1. Instructions to the Collateral Agent...............................13
      4.2. Reliance by the Collateral Agent; Responsibility of the
               Collateral Agent...............................................13
      4.3.  Agents and Affiliates.............................................16
      4.4.  Successor Collateral Agent........................................16
      4.5.  Right of Inspection...............................................17
      4.6.  Accounting in Certain Circumstances...............................17

ARTICLE V INDEMNIFICATION.....................................................18

      5.1.  Indemnities by the Servicer.......................................18

ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS......................................................18

      6.1.  Notices...........................................................18
      6.2.  Amendments, Etc...................................................19
      6.3.  Invalidity........................................................19
      6.4.  Survival of Agreements............................................19
      6.5.  Cumulative Rights.................................................19

                                       (i)
<PAGE>

      6.6.  Construction; Governing Law.......................................19
      6.7.  Successors and Assigns............................................20
      6.8.  The Collateral Agent Representations and Warranties...............20
      6.9.  Rights of La Fayette Program Agent................................20
      6.10. Counterparts......................................................20
      6.11. No Proceedings....................................................20
      6.12. Electronic Counterparts...........................................21
      6.13. Waiver of Jury Trial..............................................21
      6.14. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities.....................21
      6.15. References to Loan Agreement......................................22

                             SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

Schedule I      Collateral Review Functions - ss.3.2(e)
Schedule II     Addresses and Notices - ss.6.1
Schedule III    Approved Investors

Exhibit D-1     Definitions - ss.1
Exhibit D-2     Security Agreement - ss.3.1(a)
Exhibit D-3     Form of Collection Account Control Agreement - ss.3.1(b)
Exhibit D-4     Form of Assignment - ss.3.1(c) and ss.3.2(a)
Exhibit D-5     Form of Transfer Request
Exhibit D-5A    Form of Shipping Request
Exhibit D-6(a)  Form of Bailee and Security Agreement Letter for Approved
                Investors - ss.3.4(b)(i)
Exhibit D-6(b)  Form of Bailee and Security Agreement Letter for Pool
                Custodian ss.3.4(b)(i)
Exhibit D-7     Form of Trustee Receipt and Security Agreement for Approved
                Investors - ss.3.5
Exhibit D-8     Form of Collateral Agent Daily Report - ss.3.8(a)
Exhibit D-9     Borrowing Report
Exhibit D-10    UCC Financing Statements - ss.3.1(d)
Exhibit D-11    Collection Account Release Notice - ss. 3.4(a)
Exhibit D-12    Assignment of Trade
Exhibit D-13    Disbursement Account Control Agreement

                                       ii

<PAGE>

                           COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT

                           Dated as of August 8, 2003

      THIS COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), among AHM SPV I, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company (the "Borrower"), AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE
CORP., a New York corporation, CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH ("CL New York"),
in its capacity as the administrative agent for the "Lenders" under and as
defined in the Loan Agreement referred to below (the "Administrative Agent"),
and DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, in its capacity as collateral agent
hereunder (the "Collateral Agent").

      WHEREAS, the Borrower has entered into a Loan Agreement dated as of August
8, 2003 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or modified from
time to time, the "Loan Agreement"), among the Borrower, the Issuer, CL New
York, as the Administrative Agent, the Banks, and American Home Mortgage Corp.
(the "Servicer"), in its capacity as servicer thereunder, pursuant to which the
Lenders may make secured Advances to the Borrower on a revolving basis;

      WHEREAS, the parties now desire to enter into this Agreement to provide
for the holding and monitoring of Collateral to be furnished pursuant to the
Loan Agreement;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  GENERAL TERMS

      1.1. Certain Definitions.

      Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Loan Agreement, terms are used
herein as defined in Exhibit D-1 hereto.

                                   ARTICLE II

                         APPOINTMENT OF COLLATERAL AGENT

      2.1. Appointment.

            (a) The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the holders of the
Obligations, hereby appoints Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as
"Collateral Agent" under this Agreement and authorizes the Collateral Agent to
take such action on the Administrative Agent's behalf and to exercise such
powers and perform such duties as are hereby expressly delegated to the
Collateral Agent by the terms of this Agreement, together with such powers as
are reasonably incidental thereto.

<PAGE>

            (b) The Collateral Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees
to hold, maintain, and administer for the exclusive benefit of the holders of
the Obligations all Collateral at any time delivered to it by or on behalf of
the Borrower as herein provided. The Collateral Agent acknowledges and agrees
that it is acting and will act with respect to the Collateral for the exclusive
benefit of the holders of the Obligations and shall not be subject with respect
to the Collateral in any manner or to any extent to the direction or control of
the Borrower except as expressly permitted hereunder. The Collateral Agent (or
its designee) for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the holders of the
Obligations, agrees to act in accordance with this Agreement and in accordance
with any written instructions of the Administrative Agent as provided in this
Agreement. Under no circumstances shall the Collateral Agent deliver possession
of Collateral to the Borrower except in accordance with the express terms of
this Agreement or otherwise upon the written instruction of the Administrative
Agent as provided in this Agreement. Upon a written request by the Servicer (who
shall not request substitution of Eligible Mortgage Loans if, as reflected in
the most recent Borrowing Report, total Collateral Value of Eligible Mortgage
Collateral, immediately after giving effect to a requested transfer and any
accompanying substitution of Mortgage Loan Collateral, is less than total
Principal Debt) and approval by the Borrower, Collateral Agent is authorized to
permit substitution of Eligible Mortgage Loans (as certified by the Servicer to
be Eligible Mortgage Loans) unless the Collateral Agent shall have received
written notice from the Administrative Agent that a Default or Event of Default
has occurred.

      2.2. Collateral Agency Fees.

      The Servicer agrees to pay such fees and expenses of the Collateral Agent
as shall be agreed to in writing between the Collateral Agent and Servicer. The
obligation of the Servicer to pay the Collateral Agent's fees and expenses for
its services under this Agreement shall survive the termination of this
Agreement and the earlier resignation or removal of the Collateral Agent.

                                   ARTICLE III

                              COLLATERAL PROCEDURES

      3.1. Collateral.

      The Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent:

            (a) a Security Agreement in favor of the Administrative Agent for
the benefit of the holders of the Obligations in substantially the form of
Exhibit D-2 hereto;

            (b) a Collection Account Control Agreement in favor of the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations
substantially in the form of Exhibit D-3 hereto;

            (c) the Assignments provided for in Section 3.2 hereof in the form
of Exhibit D-4 hereto; and

            (d) UCC financing statements in the form of Exhibit D-10 hereto.

<PAGE>

      3.2. Delivery of Collateral to the Collateral Agent.

            (a) Periodically, the Borrower may deliver Mortgage Loan Collateral
to the Collateral Agent to hold as bailee for the Administrative Agent. The
Borrower may deliver from time to time such other documents as shall be
specified in a notice by the Administrative Agent to the Collateral Agent as
documents that are required to be delivered to the Collateral Agent pursuant to
this Agreement in order to meet requirements of the Loan Agreements or
agreements required by the Loan Agreement. Each delivery shall be made in
association with an assignment of a security interest (the "Assignment") to the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, in all
Mortgage Loans, Take-Out Commitments and related Collateral delivered with or
described in such Assignment or any schedules thereto. The Borrower shall use
substantially the form illustrated in Exhibit D-4 hereto for each Assignment, or
such other form as may be acceptable to, or required by, the Administrative
Agent, from time to time.

            (b) Each Assignment delivered to the Collateral Agent shall be
accompanied by a completed Schedule II and Schedule III, using the forms of such
schedules as prescribed in Exhibit D-4 hereto, together with a current Borrowing
Report, and with respect to each Mortgage Loan described in Schedule II to each
Assignment the following items (collectively, the "Principal Mortgage
Documents"):

                  (i) the original of each Mortgage Note, endorsed by the
            Servicer in blank (without recourse) and all intervening
            endorsements thereto;

                  (ii) an original executed assignment in blank for each
            Mortgage securing such Mortgage Loan, in recordable form, executed
            by the Originator, in the case of each Mortgage Loan that is not a
            MERS Designated Mortgage Loan; and

                  (iii) a certified copy of the executed Mortgage related to
            such Mortgage Note, certified by the Servicer, escrow agent, title
            company, closing attorney or an Affiliate of the Servicer as a true
            and correct copy.

            (c) The Servicer shall hold in trust for the Administrative Agent
for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, with respect to each Mortgage
Loan included in the Collateral (the following being referred to, collectively,
as the "Other Mortgage Documents"):

                  (i) the original filed Mortgage relating to such Mortgage
            Loan; provided, however, that until an original Mortgage is received
            from the public official charged with its filing and recordation, a
            copy, certified by the closing agent to be a true and correct copy
            of the filed and recorded original, may be used by the Borrower to
            satisfy this requirement;

                  (ii) other than with respect to a HUD Repossessed Property
            that is sold to a consumer, a mortgagee's policy of title insurance
            (or binding unexpired commitment to issue such insurance if the
            policy has not yet been delivered to the Servicer) insuring that the
            original mortgagee and its successors and assigns have a perfected,
            first-priority Lien created by the Mortgage securing such Mortgage
            Loan (subject to title exceptions that conform to the related
            Take-Out

<PAGE>

            Commitment) in a policy amount not less than the principal amount of
            such Mortgage Loan;

                  (iii) the original hazard insurance policy, appropriately
            indicating that all insurance proceeds will be paid to the original
            mortgagee and its successors and assigns, referred to in Section
            6.6(b) of the Loan Agreement which relate to such Mortgage Loan, or
            other evidence of insurance acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

                  (iv) the form of current appraisal of the Property described
            in the Mortgage, prepared by a state licensed appraiser, that
            complies with all applicable Governmental Requirements, provided,
            however, that no appraisal shall be required for Mortgage Loans (x)
            financing HUD repossessed Property that is sold to a consumer,
            financed with an FHA loan, fully insurable and in accordance with
            FHA guidelines, but for which an appraisal is not required, or (y)
            representing so called VA Rate Reduction or FHA streamline
            refinances, insurable in accordance with VA and FHA guidelines, but
            for which an appraisal is not required; and

                  (v) all other original documents.

Upon three Business Days' prior written notice by the Administrative Agent to
the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent will receive from the Servicer all
such items, held in trust. The Collateral Agent shall hold such items as bailee
for the Administrative Agent or such other party as may be designated in such
notice.

            (d) The Servicer shall provide the Collateral Agent and the
Administrative Agent with full access to all Other Mortgage Documents held in
trust for the Administrative Agent at all times.

            (e) With respect to each Assignment, together with the related
electronic transmission, that is received by the Collateral Agent by 11:30 a.m.
(eastern time) on a Business Day, the Collateral Agent shall include the
Mortgage Loans identified thereon on the Collateral Agent Daily Report to be
delivered on such Business Day, even if the Collateral Agent has not completed
its review of the related Principal Mortgage Documents. The Collateral Agent
shall prepare by 1:00 p.m. (eastern time) on such Business Day, the Collateral
Agent Daily Report provided for in Section 3.8 hereof, and furnish it to the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower. The Collateral Agent shall review the
Principal Mortgage Documents for up to 500 Mortgage Loans delivered with any
such Assignment no later than the opening of business of the Collateral Agent on
the Business Day following delivery of such Collateral Agent Daily Report. The
Collateral Agent shall have one (1) additional Business Day to review each
additional set of 500 Mortgage Loans in excess of the initial set of 500
Mortgage Loans; provided, that, if the Collateral Agent does not complete its
review of any such Principal Mortgage Documents within one (1) Business Day
after receiving such Principal Mortgage Documents and including the related
Mortgage Loan on a Collateral Agent Daily Report, the Collateral Agent shall
report the Collateral Value for any and all such Mortgage Loans as zero on the
Collateral Agent Daily Report for the next Business Day. The Collateral Agent's
responsibility to review such Collateral is limited to the review steps
described on Schedule I hereto.

<PAGE>

            (f) The Collateral Agent shall, acting on behalf of the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, and as
agent and bailee of, and as custodian for, the Administrative Agent for the
benefit of the holders of the Obligations, retain possession and custody of the
documents delivered to the Collateral Agent pursuant hereto, which documents
shall, subject to Section 4.2(k) and 4.4, remain in the state of California for
all purposes (including but not limited to the perfection of the security
interest of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the
Obligations, in such Collateral) until the Collateral is to be released pursuant
to Section 3.4 hereof.

            (g) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 3.2, the
Servicer on behalf of Borrower may ship Other Mortgage Documents to Approved
Investors under bailment for review by the Approved Investor prior to purchase
of a Mortgage Note under a Take-Out Commitment.

            (h) The Servicer shall deliver to the Collateral Agent within the
first five (5) Business Day of each calendar month a report (the "Monthly
Payment Status Report"), on a form mutually acceptable to the Servicer and the
Collateral Agent, describing the delinquency status of each Mortgage Loan as of
the last day of the preceding calendar month.

      3.3. Power of Attorney.

            (a) Subject to subsection (b) below, the Borrower hereby irrevocably
appoints the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the
Obligations, its attorney in fact, with full power of substitution, for and on
behalf and in the name of the Borrower, to: (i) endorse and deliver to any
Person any check, instrument or other paper coming into the Collateral Agent's,
the Administrative Agent's or any Lender's possession and representing payment
made in respect of any Mortgage Note or Take-Out Commitment Document delivered
hereunder or in respect of any other Collateral; (ii) prepare, complete,
execute, deliver and record any Assignment to be delivered to the Collateral
Agent, the Administrative Agent or to any other Person of any Mortgage relating
to any Mortgage Note delivered hereunder as Mortgage Loan Collateral; (iii)
endorse and deliver any Mortgage Note as Mortgage Loan Collateral arising as
proceeds thereof, and do every other thing necessary or desirable to effect
transfer of all or any part of the Mortgage Loan Collateral to the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, or to
any other Person; (iv) take all necessary and appropriate action with respect to
all Obligations and the Mortgage Loan Collateral to be delivered to the
Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent or held by the Borrower in trust
for the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations;
(v) commence, prosecute, settle, discontinue, defend, or otherwise dispose of
any claim relating to any Take-Out Commitment or any other part of the Mortgage
Loan Collateral; and (vi) sign the Borrower's name wherever appropriate to
effect the performance of this Agreement.

            (b) This Section 3.3 shall be liberally, not restrictively,
construed so as to give the greatest latitude to the Administrative Agent's
powers, as the Borrower's attorney-in-fact, to collect, sell, and deliver any of
the Mortgage Loan Collateral and all other documents relating thereto. The
powers and authorities herein conferred on the Administrative Agent may be
exercised by the Administrative Agent through any Person who, at the time of the
execution of a particular instrument, is an authorized officer or agent of the
Administrative Agent. The power

<PAGE>

of attorney conferred by this Section 3.3 shall become effective upon the
occurrence, and remain effective during the continuance, of a Default or an
Event of Default and is granted for a valuable consideration and is coupled with
an interest and irrevocable so long as the Obligations, or any part thereof,
shall remain unpaid or any Bank Commitment is outstanding. All Persons dealing
with the Administrative Agent, any officer thereof, or any substitute attorney,
acting pursuant hereto shall be fully protected in treating the powers and
authorities conferred by this Section 3.3 as existing and continuing in full
force and effect until advised by the Administrative Agent that the Obligations
have been fully and finally paid and satisfied and all Bank Commitments have
been terminated.

      3.4. Redemption of Mortgage Collateral.

            (a) Generally. So long as no Default or Event of Default is
continuing, the Servicer (on behalf of the Borrower) may obtain releases of the
Administrative Agent's security interest in all or any part of the Collateral
(including releases from the Collection Account) at any time, and from time to
time, (i) to the extent that total Collateral Value of all Eligible Mortgage
Collateral (immediately after giving effect to the requested release) equals or
exceeds the Principal Debt, as shown on the most recent Borrowing Report, or
(ii) that either (A) the Borrower has made a principal payment on account of the
Principal Debt in an amount, or (B) the Borrower has delivered to the Collateral
Agent (and the Collateral Agent has received) as bailee for the Administrative
Agent substitute Eligible Mortgage Collateral with a Collateral Value, such that
after giving effect to such payment or delivery, the total Collateral Value of
all Eligible Mortgage Collateral will equal or exceed the Principal Debt. Each
request for a partial release of Collateral from the Collection Account shall be
addressed to the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent and shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit D-11 attached hereto (a "Collection Account
Release Notice"). So long as no Default or Event of Default is continuing, the
Servicer (on behalf of the Borrower) may by written direction to the Collateral
Agent effect a transfer of funds from the Collection Account to the Disbursement
Account; provided, that the Servicer shall not request and the Collateral Agent
shall not permit funds to be released from the Disbursement Account unless the
total Collateral Value of all Eligible Mortgage Collateral (immediately after
giving effect to the requested release) equals or exceeds the Principal Debt, as
shown on the most recent Borrowing Report. Each request for a partial release of
Collateral (excluding releases from either the Collection Account or the
Disbursement Account) shall be addressed to the Collateral Agent and shall be
substantially in the form illustrated in Exhibit D-5 attached hereto (the
"Transfer Request").

            (b) Redemption Pursuant to Sale. So long as no Default or Event of
Default is continuing, any one of the following may occur: (x) the Borrower, or
the Servicer acting for the Borrower, from time to time may sell or pool
Mortgage Loans either to an Approved Investor pursuant to a Take-Out Commitment
or to one of the Originators under the Repurchase Agreement; (y) the Borrower
may provide Mortgage Loans to one of the Originators for sale to an Approved
Investor pursuant to a Take-Out Commitment, provided that payment is directed to
the Collection Account and the security interest in the Mortgage Loan will not
be released and the Borrower will not be deemed to have sold the Mortgage Loans
to any of the Originators until the Purchase Price is received in the Collection
Account; and (z) the Borrower, or the Servicer acting for the Borrower, may
request the Administrative Agent to permit the Borrower to sell Mortgage Loans,
or to pool Mortgage Loans, under such other circumstances as may be

<PAGE>

described in the request. Upon the receipt by the Collateral Agent of a Shipping
Request preliminary to a transaction permitted by this Section 3.4, identifying
Collateral to be delivered to an Approved Investor or through any of the
Originators, and so long as no Default or Event of Default of which a
Responsible Officer of the Collateral Agent shall have received written notice
shall be in existence:

                  (i) The Collateral Agent shall deliver to the Approved
            Investor, or its loan servicing provider or custodian, under the
            Collateral Agent's "Bailee and Security Agreement Letter,"
            substantially in the form of Exhibit D-6(a), or D-6(b) hereto or
            such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent as
            appropriate, the items of Mortgage Loan Collateral being sold which
            are held by the Collateral Agent as bailee for the Administrative
            Agent pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof, with the release of the
            security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent for the
            benefit of the holders of the Obligations in such items being
            conditioned upon timely payment to the Collection Account of the
            amount described in Section 3.4(b)(iii);

                  (ii) The Servicer shall, as agent for the Administrative
            Agent, deliver to such Approved Investor, or such Approved
            Investor's loan servicing provider or custodian, under a letter
            agreement or other arrangement approved by the Administrative Agent
            the items held by the Servicer pursuant to Section 3.2(c) that are
            related to the Mortgage Loan Collateral to be transferred on the
            condition that such Approved Investor or its loan servicing provider
            or custodian shall hold or control such Other Mortgage Documents as
            bailee for the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders
            of the Obligations until the Approved Investor has paid the full
            purchase price for such Mortgage Loan Collateral to the Collection
            Account pursuant to the terms of the related Take-Out Commitment;

                  (iii) Within forty-five (45) days after the delivery by the
            Collateral Agent to such Approved Investor or its loan servicing
            provider or custodian of the items of Mortgage Loan Collateral
            described in Section 3.4(b) or (ii), the Borrower shall make a
            payment, or shall cause a payment to be made, to the Collection
            Account, for distribution to the Administrative Agent for the
            account of the Lenders in an amount at least equal to the full
            purchase price for such Mortgage Loan Collateral or shall substitute
            Eligible Mortgage Collateral as permitted by this Section 3.4 it
            being understood that the Collateral Agent shall have no
            responsibility to verify the purchase price; and

                  (iv) With respect to each Shipping Request that is received by
            the Collateral Agent by 11:30 a.m. (eastern time) on a Business Day,
            the Collateral Agent shall use due diligence and best efforts to
            review such Shipping Request and prepare the Mortgage Loan files
            identified in each Shipping Request, for shipment prior to the close
            of business on the day the Shipping Request is received by the
            Collateral Agent, and, in any event shall review such Shipping
            Request and prepare the Mortgage Loan files identified in such
            Shipping Request no later than 24 hours after such Shipping Request
            is received by the Collateral Agent.

<PAGE>

            (c) Transfers. So long as no Default or Event of Default is
continuing of which a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Agent has received
written notice, subject to Section 3.4(a) and (b), the Borrower or Servicer on
behalf of the Borrower shall, at any time, be permitted to cause the Collateral
Agent to reflect the transfer of Mortgage Loans to any Permitted Transferees (as
defined below) by means of its daily electronic transmissions to the Collateral
Agent, together with delivery of a Transfer Request delivered to the Collateral
Agent, on or before 11:30 a.m. (eastern time), identifying each Mortgage Loan
being transferred. The Collateral Agent's sole responsibility with respect to
any such transfers shall be to correctly reflect such transfers on its computer
system and books and records and to indicate, on its Collateral Agent's Daily
Report to be delivered on such Business Day, that such transfers have been
effected. "Permitted Transferees" means any of the Originators, in connection
with any sale and transfer thereto effected pursuant to the terms of the
Repurchase Agreement and any Approved Investor approved by the Administrative
Agent as a Permitted Transferee. However, requested transfers will not be made
if (A) as reflected in the most recent Borrowing Report, total Principal Debt
will equal or exceed the total Collateral Value of Eligible Mortgage Collateral
immediately after giving effect to a requested transfer and any accompanying
substitution of Mortgage Collateral, or (B) the Collateral Agent shall have
received written notice from the Administrative Agent that a Default or Event of
Default has occurred.

            (d) Continuation of Lien. Unless released in writing by the
Administrative Agent as herein provided, the security interest in favor of the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, in all
Mortgage Loan Collateral transmitted pursuant to Section 3.4(b) shall continue
in effect until such time as the Administrative Agent shall have received
payment in full of the amount described in Section 3.4(b)(iii).

            (e) Application of Proceeds; No Duty. Neither the Administrative
Agent, nor the Collateral Agent, nor any Lender shall be under any duty at any
time to credit the Borrower for any amounts due from any Approved Investor in
respect of any purchase of any Mortgage Collateral contemplated under Section
3.4(b) above, until the Administrative Agent has actually received such amount
in the form of immediately available funds, for deposit to the Collection
Account. Neither the Administrative Agent, nor the Collateral Agent, nor any
Lender shall be under any duty at any time to collect any amounts or otherwise
enforce any obligations due from any Approved Investor in respect of any such
purchase.

            (f) Mandatory Redemption of Mortgage Collateral. Notwithstanding any
provision hereof to the contrary, if at any time a Collateral Deficiency exists,
the Borrower shall, immediately upon receipt of notice (which may be by
telephone, promptly confirmed in writing) from the Administrative Agent or the
Collateral Agent, make a deposit to the Collection Account or pledge, assign and
deliver additional or substitute Eligible Mortgage Collateral to the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, so that,
immediately after giving effect to such payment or pledge and assignment, the
total Collateral Value of Eligible Mortgage Collateral shall be equal to or
greater than the Principal Debt.

            (g) Representation in Connection with Releases, Sales and Transfers.
The Borrower and the Servicer each represents and warrants that each request for
any release or transfer pursuant to Section 3.4(a), Section 3.4(b) or Section
3.4(c) shall automatically constitute a representation and warranty to the
Lenders, the Administrative Agent, and the Collateral Agent

<PAGE>

to the effect that immediately before and after giving effect to such release or
Transfer Request, the Collateral Value of Eligible Mortgage Collateral shall
equal or exceed the Principal Debt. In connection with any request for a release
or a Transfer Request, the Collateral Agent may assume, in the absence of
written notice to the contrary received from the Administrative Agent, that
immediately before and after giving effect to such release of Collateral or
Transfer Request, no Default or Event of Default exists.

            (h) Limitation on Releases. Notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary, the Collateral Agent shall not release any Collateral unless (i)
payment of what purports to be the purchase price by the Approved Investor has
been made in immediately available funds to the Collection Account; or (ii)
immediately before and after giving effect thereto, the total Collateral Value
of Eligible Mortgage Collateral (including any Eligible Mortgage Loans
substituted for those Eligible Mortgage Loans being released) shall equal or
exceed aggregate Principal Debt, as reflected in the most recent Borrowing
Report.

      3.5. Releases of Mortgage Notes for Servicing.

      The Servicer may from time to time request, in writing in the form of
Exhibit D-7 hereto, that the Collateral Agent deliver a Mortgage Note that
constitutes Mortgage Loan Collateral so that (a) such Mortgage Note may be
replaced by a corrected Mortgage Note, or (b) any servicing action may take
place with respect to such Mortgage Note. Upon receipt by the Collateral Agent
of such a request from the Servicer, and so long as the Collateral Agent has not
received written notice that a Default or Event of Default shall be in
existence, the Collateral Agent shall deliver to the Servicer, under the "Trust
Receipt and Security Agreement Letter," substantially in the form of Exhibit
D-7, hereto, or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent,
the Mortgage Note to be corrected or serviced, such delivery to be conditioned
upon the receipt by the Collateral Agent within fourteen (14) calendar days of
either a corrected Mortgage Note, in the case of Mortgage Notes delivered for
correction, or the Mortgage Note originally delivered to the Servicer by the
Collateral Agent, in the case of a Mortgage Note delivered for a servicing
action; provided, that (as certified to the Collateral Agent by the Servicer):

                  (i) at no time shall Mortgage Notes having an aggregate
            Collateral Value in excess of $5,000,000 be so delivered to the
            Servicer pursuant to this Section 3.5 (the Collateral Value assigned
            to each such Mortgage Notes delivered for correction shall be
            determined utilizing as the principal amount of such Mortgage Note
            the lesser of the uncorrected face value of such Mortgage Note and
            the correct face value of such Mortgage Note known to the Borrower
            or the Servicer; provided, however, that if the correct face value
            of such Mortgage Note is not known to the Collateral Agent, the
            Collateral Agent may use the uncorrected face value of such Mortgage
            Note in determining the Collateral Value);

                  (ii) with respect to Mortgage Notes delivered for correction,
            until such time as a corrected Mortgage Note shall have been
            delivered to the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Value attributed
            to each Mortgage Note delivered to the Servicer to be corrected in
            accordance with this Section 3.5 shall be the lesser of the
            uncorrected face value of

<PAGE>

            such Mortgage Note and the corrected face value of such Mortgage
            Note known to the Borrower and communicated in writing by the
            Borrower to the Collateral Agent; provided, however, that if the
            correct face value of such Mortgage Note is not known to the
            Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent may use the uncorrected face
            value of such Mortgage Note in determining the Collateral Value; and

                  (iii) notwithstanding the preceding clause (ii), unless, (A)
            in the case of Mortgage Notes delivered for correction, the
            corrected Mortgage Note is endorsed in blank (without recourse) and
            re-delivered to the Collateral Agent within 14 calendar days of the
            date of delivery by the Collateral Agent of the Mortgage Note to be
            corrected, or (B) in the case of Mortgage Notes delivered for
            servicing actions, the original Mortgage Note is re-delivered to the
            Collateral Agent within 14 calendar days of the date of delivery by
            the Collateral Agent of the Mortgage Note to be serviced, the
            Collateral Value attributed to either the Mortgage Note to be
            delivered and the corrected Mortgage Note, or the Mortgage Note
            delivered for servicing, shall be zero beginning on the 15th
            calendar day; provided, however, that the Collateral Value
            attributable to the corrected Mortgage Note or the Mortgage Note
            delivered for correction or servicing will be reinstated promptly
            upon the subsequent delivery thereof to the Collateral Agent.

      3.6. [RESERVED].

      3.7. Wet Borrowings.

            (a) Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the Borrower may from time to
time request that certain Borrowings be funded after delivery to the Collateral
Agent of the related Assignment, but prior to the delivery to the Collateral
Agent of the corresponding Principal Mortgage Documents (individually a "Wet
Borrowing"; collectively "Wet Borrowings"). The Borrower and the Administrative
Agent acknowledge that Advances in respect of Wet Borrowings are subject to
various terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement, including those set forth in
Section 2.3(c) to the Loan Agreement.

            (b) Delivery of Principal Mortgage Documents. Within nine (9)
Business Days after the date that each Assignment is delivered (and inclusion of
the related Wet Loans within the computation of Collateral Value as reported on
the Collateral Agent Daily Report) to the Collateral Agent, the Borrower shall
deliver to the Collateral Agent all of the Principal Mortgage Documents
pertaining to such Wet Loans, or make a mandatory prepayment so that after
giving effect thereto, the Collateral Value of Eligible Mortgage Collateral
(excluding such Wet Loans) shall equal or exceed the Principal Debt.

      3.8. Collateral Reporting.

            (a) At the commencement of each Business Day, and in no event later
than 1:00 p.m. (eastern time), the Collateral Agent shall furnish to the
Borrower, Servicer and the Administrative Agent by facsimile (a hard copy of
which shall not subsequently be mailed, sent or delivered to any such party,
unless so requested in writing by such party) a duly completed report in the
form of Exhibit D-8 hereto, (the "Collateral Agent Daily Report") specifying and

<PAGE>

certifying the then total Collateral Value of the Eligible Mortgage Collateral
and other information, all as more fully provided for therein and as set forth
on Schedule I hereto, noting, except for any Wet Loans and other Mortgage Loans
with respect to which the Collateral Agent has not completed its review of the
Principal Mortgage Documents, any applicable Exceptions on Schedule I thereto.

                  (i) The Collateral Agent may assume the accuracy of all
            information supplied by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent in any
            Assignment, or related electronic transmission, received by the
            Collateral Agent, including but not limited to the acquisition price
            paid for any Mortgage Loan, the unpaid principal balance of any
            Mortgage Loan as of its closing and funding date and the weighted
            average purchase price under Take-Out Commitments used in the
            related Collateral Value calculation and whether the Mortgage Loan
            is a Conforming Loan or a Jumbo Loan; and

                  (ii) The Collateral Agent may assume the accuracy of the
            information supplied by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent,
            whether written or in any other form acceptable to the Collateral
            Agent, with respect to a determination as to whether amounts
            received in the Collection Account represent the purchase price paid
            for a specific Mortgage Loan and, consequently, whether the
            Collateral Value of such Mortgage Loan should be removed from such
            calculation.

            (b) Two Business Days prior to the date on which the Maximum
Facility Amount has changed, the Servicer shall notify the Collateral Agent and
the Borrower (by facsimile) of the new Maximum Facility Amount under the Loan
Agreement. For purposes of paragraph 4 of the Collateral Agent Daily Report, the
Collateral Agent shall assume that the Maximum Facility Amount is $200,000,000
unless it receives written notice to the contrary from the Administrative Agent.

            (c) The Collateral Agent shall monitor and report on the Collateral
Agent Daily Report the amount of Wet Loans and the portion thereof for which the
related Principal Mortgage Documents have been delivered to the Collateral Agent
within the time period permitted under Section 3.7.

      3.9. Further Obligations of the Collateral Agent.

      The Collateral Agent shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent if the
Collateral Agent receives written notice (i) that any Lien (other than for the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations) has been
placed, or attempted to be placed, on any Collateral for the Obligations or that
the Administrative Agent's security interest shall have been challenged or (ii)
that any Approved Investor has rejected any Collateral that is related to a
Mortgage Loan that has been delivered to the Collateral Agent as Collateral for
the Obligations.

      3.10. Segregation of Collateral.

      The Collateral Agent shall keep and maintain the Collateral on its
documents, books and records separate and apart from its other Property and from
any Property securing any liabilities of the Borrower to any other Person.
Without limitation of the foregoing, the Collateral Agent

<PAGE>

shall keep and maintain the Collateral on its documents, books and records
separate and apart from any collateral provided by the Borrower in favor of any
other lender providing financing to the Borrower. This provision does not
require physical separation of the Principal Mortgage Documents or Other
Mortgage Documents from collateral held for other loans, but each Mortgage Loan
must be maintained in a separate file folder from the documents related to any
other mortgage loan.

      3.11. Delivery of Required Documents to the Administrative Agent.

      Upon written request of the Administrative Agent, after the occurrence of
and during the continuation of an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement of
which a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Agent has received written notice,
the Collateral Agent shall deliver within two (2) Business Days (or in
contemplation of removing the Collateral Agent as collateral agent hereunder,
the Collateral Agent shall deliver within five (5) Business Days,) to the
Administrative Agent or its designee any or all documents and other items of
Collateral which are then in the possession or control of the Collateral Agent.
The Administrative Agent shall provide the Borrower with a copy of any such
notice delivered to the Collateral Agent. All special handling and delivery
costs shall be paid by the Borrower. The Administrative Agent shall hold the
interest of La Fayette in the Collateral as agent of the La Fayette Program
Agent and subject to the security interest granted by La Fayette to the La
Fayette Program Agent.

      3.12. Take-Out Commitment Reporting.

            (a) Each Assignment delivered to the Collateral Agent shall indicate
(x) the Approved Investor with respect to the Take-Out Commitment, or (y) that
there is no loan level Take-Out Commitment but that the Mortgage Loan is hedged.

      For each Mortgage Loan that, as of the fourth Business Day after delivery
of the Assignment relating to such Mortgage Loan, is covered by a Take-Out
Commitment in the form of a hedge by forward sale commitment but is not covered
by a loan-specific Take-Out Commitment, the Servicer shall furnish to the
Borrower and the Collateral Agent a duly completed Hedge Report in the form of
Exhibit K to the Loan Agreement, no later than 10:00 a.m. (eastern time) on the
first Business Day of each week. In addition, no later than 10:00 a.m. on the
first Business Day following the delivery of any Assignment that reflected one
or more Mortgage Loans that were covered by a Take-Out Commitment in the form of
a forward sale commitment hedge, but not a loan-specific Take-Out Commitment,
the Servicer shall furnish the Borrower and the Collateral Agent with a list of
Mortgage Loans that subsequently were committed pursuant to the loan-specific
Take-Out Commitment, with an code indicating the Investor related to the
Take-Out Commitment and an indication of the price associated with the Take-Out
Commitment.

            (b) The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent with
up-to-date copies of the Take-Out Commitment Master Agreements for each Approved
Investor.

            (c)   Upon request of the Administrative Agent at any time, the
Servicer shall furnish to the Administrative Agent (x) if there are any Mortgage
Loans not subject to a loan level Take-Out Commitment, a duly completed Hedge
Report in the form of Exhibit K, and (y) a

<PAGE>

list of loan-specific Take-Out Commitments, together with copies of any such
loan-specific Take-Out Commitments to the extent not previously delivered to the
Administrative Agent.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              THE COLLATERAL AGENT

      4.1. Instructions to the Collateral Agent.

      As to any matter not expressly provided for by this Agreement, the
Collateral Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any
action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be
fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of
the Administrative Agent acting on behalf of the holders of the Obligations;
provided, however, that the Collateral Agent shall not be required to take any
action which may expose the Collateral Agent to any liability that such
Collateral Agent determines to be unreasonable in light of the circumstances or
that is contrary to this Agreement or any Governmental Requirement.

      4.2. Reliance by the Collateral Agent; Responsibility of the Collateral
Agent.

            (a) The Collateral Agent shall perform its duties hereunder in
accordance with the standards followed by the Collateral Agent in dealing with
similar property for its own account. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, neither the Collateral
Agent nor any of its respective directors, officers, agents, representatives,
employees, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates shall be liable for any action taken
or omitted to be taken by it or them (in their capacity as or on behalf of the
Collateral Agent) under or in connection with this Agreement or the other
Transaction Documents, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful
misconduct, for which the Collateral Agent shall be liable. In no event shall
the Collateral Agent, its directors, officers, agents or employees be liable,
directly or indirectly, for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential
damages.

            (b) All Collateral at any time delivered to the Collateral Agent
hereunder shall be held by the Collateral Agent in a fire resistant vault,
drawer or other suitable depositary maintained and controlled solely by the
Collateral Agent, conspicuously marked to show the interest therein of the
Collateral Agent as bailee for the Administrative Agent on behalf of the holders
of the Obligations and not commingled with any other assets or property of, or
held by, the Collateral Agent for any person other than the Borrower or any of
the Originators. The Collateral Agent shall have responsibility only for
documents which have been actually delivered to the Collateral Agent in
connection herewith and which have not been released to the Administrative
Agent, the Borrower, the Servicer, a transferee or their respective agent or
designee in accordance with this Agreement. In the event that a Mortgage Note
has been delivered to the Collateral Agent and, subsequently, the Collateral
Agent cannot locate such Mortgage Note, then the Collateral Agent shall prepare
and execute a lost note affidavit with appropriate indemnification and shall
deliver such lost note affidavit to the party that otherwise would have been
entitled to delivery of the related Mortgage Note in accordance with this
Agreement at the time such Mortgage Note would have been delivered.

<PAGE>

            (c) Under no circumstances shall the Collateral Agent be obligated
to verify the authenticity of any signature on any of the documents received or
examined by it in connection with this Agreement or the authority or capacity of
any person to execute or issue any such document nor shall the Collateral Agent
be responsible for the value, form, substance, validity, perfection (other than
by taking and continuing possession of the Collateral), priority, effectiveness
or enforceability of any of such documents nor shall the Collateral Agent be
under a duty to inspect, review or examine the documents to determine whether
they are appropriate for the represented purpose or that they have been actually
recorded or that they are other than what they purport to be on their face.

            (d) The Collateral Agent may accept but shall not be responsible for
examining, determining the meaning or effect of, or notifying or advising the
Borrower or the Administrative Agent in any way concerning, any item or document
in any file regarding a Mortgage Loan that is not one of the items or documents
listed in Section 3.2(b). The Borrower shall be solely responsible for providing
to the Collateral Agent each and every document listed in Section 3.2(b) and for
completing or correcting any omission, or incomplete or inconsistent document.

            (e) With respect to the calculations in connection with Collateral
Agent Daily Reports, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon the
information contained in any Assignment. The Collateral Agent shall (i) except
for Wet Loans for which it has not yet received the Principal Mortgage
Documents, hold all Principal Mortgage Documents relating to each Mortgage Loan
exclusively for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations under the terms of
this Agreement (i.e., is not held by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of any
other Person), and (ii) in the case of Wet Loans, monitor and report the amount
of such Wet Loans and the portion thereof for which the related Principal
Mortgage Documents have been delivered to the Collateral Agent within the time
period permitted under Section 3.7. Except as otherwise expressly provided in
this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to investigate or
conduct any due diligence with respect to such information.

            (f) With respect to the determination of whether a Mortgage Loan
constitutes an Eligible Mortgage Loan, the Collateral Agent shall be responsible
for determining that: (i) such Mortgage Loan meets the requirements of clauses
(a(ii)), (d) (with respect to (d), it being understood and agreed that the
Collateral Agent is not responsible to determine whether the related Mortgage
Note is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Obligor), (e), (i(iv-vi)),
(j) and (m) of the definition of Eligible Mortgage Loan, (ii) that no more than
45 days have lapsed since the date on which the original Mortgage Note
evidencing such Mortgage was shipped to the related Approved Investor, and (iii)
pursuant to Sections 3.9(i), 3.10 and 4.2(e), to the Collateral Agent's best
knowledge such Mortgage Loan is subject to a perfected first-priority Lien in
favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the
Obligations, and, to the Collateral Agent's best knowledge, is not subject to
any other Lien; but the Collateral Agent may assume that all of the other
requirements of the definition of Eligible Mortgage Loan have been satisfied.

            (g) The Collateral Agent is an agent and bailee only and is not
intended to be, nor shall it be construed to be a trustee or fiduciary under
this Agreement of or for either or both of the Borrower or the Administrative
Agent.

<PAGE>

            (h) The Collateral Agent shall retain possession and custody of the
Principal Mortgage Documents received from the Borrower and pertaining to each
Mortgage Loan file as agent and bailee of, and as custodian for, the
Administrative Agent for all purposes (including but not limited to the
perfection of the security interest of the Administrative Agent for the benefit
of the holders of the Obligations) until the Collateral is released pursuant to
Section 3.4 or 3.5 hereof.

            (i) Without limitation of the generality of the foregoing, the
Collateral Agent: (i) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the
Borrower), independent public accountants and other experts selected by the
Collateral Agent or the Borrower and shall not be liable for any action taken or
omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such
counsel, accountants or experts; (ii) except as provided in this Agreement,
makes no warranty or representation to the Administrative Agent or the holders
of any Obligations and shall not be responsible to the Administrative Agent or
the holders of any Obligations for any statements, warranties or representations
made in or in connection with this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents;
(iii) except as provided in Sections 3.2(e), 3.4(a), (b), (c), (h), 3.8, 3.9 and
this Section 4.2, shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this
Agreement on the part of the Borrower or to inspect the property (including the
books and records) of the Borrower; (iv) shall not be responsible to the
Administrative Agent or the holders of any Obligations for the due execution,
legality, validity, enforceability of this Agreement or any other instrument or
document furnished pursuant hereto as it relates to any party other than the
Collateral Agent, or for the genuineness, effectiveness, sufficiency, value,
perfection or priority of any Collateral; (v) shall incur no liability under or
in respect of this Agreement by acting upon any notice, consent, certificate or
other instrument or writing (which may be by telegram, telecopy, cable or telex)
believed in good faith by the Collateral Agent, to be genuine and signed or sent
by the proper Person; (vi) shall be entitled to rely on the terms of this
Agreement and shall be under no obligation to review the terms of the other
Transaction Documents, and in the event of any conflict between this Agreement
and the Transaction Documents, the terms of this Agreement shall control with
respect to the rights and obligations of the Collateral Agent; and (vii) in the
event of any amendment, revision, restatement, waiver or other change to the
Transaction Documents which could have the effect of increasing the level of
effort or changing the scope of work of the Collateral Agent under this
Agreement and which was not consented to in writing by the Collateral Agent,
shall not be given effect so as to modify in quantity or otherwise the
obligations of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement; (as an example only of
the foregoing, and to avoid doubt in interpretation of this subsection (vii), an
increase in the aggregate commitments of the Lenders of the Loan Agreement shall
not, unless the Collateral Agent receives two weeks' advance written notice of
any such amendment, revision, restatement, waiver or other change to the
Transaction Documents, require the Collateral Agent to review Mortgage Loan
Collateral that would relate to such increased commitment).

            (j) The Collateral Agent may execute any of its duties under this
Agreement by or through agents, attorneys, custodians, nominees or
attorneys-in-fact (which agents, attorneys, custodians, nominees or
attorneys-in-fact shall be accorded the same rights and obligations applicable
to the Collateral Agent) and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning
all matters pertaining to such duties. The Collateral Agent shall be responsible
for the actions or non-actions of any agent, attorneys, custodians, nominees or
attorneys-in-fact

<PAGE>

selected by it to the extent it would have been liable had it taken such action
itself; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall affect in any
manner or any extent the rights of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent
against such agents or attorneys-in-fact.

            (k) Merger of Collateral Agent. Any entity into which the Collateral
Agent may be merged or converted or with which may be consolidated, or any
entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the
Collateral Agent shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to the business of
the Collateral Agent, shall be the successor of the Collateral Agent hereunder,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.

            (l) None of the provisions of this Agreement shall require the
Collateral Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any
liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties
hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have
reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity
satisfaction to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

            (m) The Collateral Agent may conclusively rely and shall be fully
protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order,
approval or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have
been signed or presented to the proper party or parites.

      4.3. Agents and Affiliates.

      The Collateral Agent and its respective Affiliates may accept deposits
from, lend money to, act as trustee under indentures of, and generally engage in
any kind of business with, the Borrower, any of the Originators, any of the
Originators' Affiliates and any Person who may do business with or own
securities of the Borrower or any such Affiliate, all as if the Collateral Agent
were not the Collateral Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the
Administrative Agent or the holders of any Obligations.

      4.4. Successor Collateral Agent.

      The Collateral Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. The Collateral Agent may
be removed at any time with cause, and upon thirty (30) days written notice
without cause, by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the holders of the
Obligations. Upon request of the Borrower, so long as no Default or Event of
Default exists, the Collateral Agent shall be removed by the Administrative
Agent, provided that any removal without cause shall be preceded by thirty (30)
days written notice to the Collateral Agent and the Borrower shall pay
immediately upon demand all costs and expenses incurred by any Lender, the
Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in connection therewith. Upon any
such resignation or removal, the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the
Majority Banks, shall have the right to appoint a successor Collateral Agent.
Any successor Collateral Agent appointed by the Administrative Agent, provided
that no Default or Event of Default exists, shall be satisfactory to the
Borrower at the time of appointment. In the case of a retirement or resignation,
if no successor Collateral Agent shall have been so appointed by the
Administrative Agent (and approved by the Borrower, if applicable), and shall
have accepted

<PAGE>

such appointment, within 60 days after the retiring Collateral Agent's giving of
notice of resignation, then the retiring Collateral Agent shall deliver all
Mortgage Loan Collateral in its possession to the Administrative Agent and the
Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this
Agreement. After a notice of retirement or resignation has been given by the
Collateral Agent and until a successor Collateral Agent shall have been
appointed, the Administrative Agent shall pay all reasonable fees and out of
pocket expenses owed to the Collateral Agent by the Servicer pursuant to any
written agreement between the Collateral Agent and the Servicer, provided,
however, that the Borrower shall reimburse the Administrative Agent for all such
payments. No such resignation or removal shall be effective until the earlier of
(1) the date on which a successor Collateral Agent shall have been appointed,
and accepted such appointment, in accordance with this Section 4.4 or (2) the
day upon which a period of 60 days has passed after notice of such resignation
or removal. Upon the acceptance of any appointment of the Collateral Agent
hereunder by a successor Collateral Agent, such successor Collateral Agent shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges
and duties of the retiring Collateral Agent, and the retiring Collateral Agent
shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement. The
retiring or removed Collateral Agent shall take all steps reasonably necessary
to provide for an orderly transfer of the Collateral and all related
documentation to the successor Collateral Agent at the Servicer's expense. After
any retiring Collateral Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as the
Collateral Agent, the provisions of this Article IV shall inure to its benefit
as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was a Collateral
Agent under this Agreement.

      4.5. Right of Inspection.

      The Collateral Agent shall permit any officer, employee or agent of the
Borrower, the Servicer or the Administrative Agent that may so request to visit
and inspect the premises on which the custodial duties of the Collateral Agent
hereunder are performed, examine the books and records of the Collateral Agent
which pertain to such custodial duties, take copies and extracts therefrom, and
discuss the performance of such custodial duties with the officers of the
Collateral Agent that are responsible therefor, at such time, after reasonable
prior written notice to the Collateral Agent, as may be mutually acceptable to
the Collateral Agent and such Borrower, Servicer or Administrative Agent during
the Collateral Agent's normal business hours.

      4.6. Accounting in Certain Circumstances.

      Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2 hereof, in the event that the
Collateral Agent, acting in its capacity as custodian for the Administrative
Agent, shall receive any money in respect of Mortgage Loan Collateral, whether
pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof or Section 5 of the Security Agreement, or
otherwise, the Collateral Agent shall provide an accounting therefor to the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower by the end of the Business Day following
receipt thereof, such accounting to include the amount received and shall
promptly (but in no event later than the next Business Day) deposit such amounts
into the Collection Account and prior to such deposit to be held as Collateral
under the Security Instruments in favor of the Administrative Agent as provided
in Section 3.1; provided, however, that all expenses of the Collateral Agent
reasonably allocable to such accounting shall be added to the Obligations as
expenses of the Collateral Agent. All such funds received after 4:00 p.m.
(eastern time) shall be considered to

<PAGE>

have been received on the following Business Day. All such funds received shall
be held uninvested (and the Collateral Agent shall not be liable for interest
thereon), unless permitted by the applicable Transaction Document and otherwise
instructed by the Servicer, and in such case, funds shall be invested in
Eligible Investments specified by the Servicer in such instructions; provided,
however, that if the Servicer directs that funds be invested in Eligible
Investments, the Servicer shall be required to ensure that all investments must
mature on each Settlement Date (as defined in the Loan Agreement). The
Collateral Agent shall provide such other information in such detail and at such
time or times as the Borrower or the Administrative Agent may reasonably
request.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

      5.1. Indemnities by the Servicer. General Indemnity. Without limiting any
other rights that any such Person may have hereunder or under applicable law,
the Servicer hereby agrees to indemnify the Collateral Agent, its successors,
transferees, participants and assigns and all affiliates, officers, directors,
shareholders, controlling persons, employees and agents of any of the foregoing
(each an "Indemnified Party"), forthwith on demand, from and against any and all
actual damages, losses, claims, liabilities and related costs and expenses,
including attorneys' fees, expenses and disbursements (all of the foregoing
being collectively referred to as "Indemnified Amounts") awarded against or
incurred by any of them arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the
Security Agreement, the Collection Account Control Agreement, the Reserve
Account Control Agreement or the Loan Agreement or the exercise or performance
of any of its or their powers or duties hereunder or thereunder, or in respect
of any Mortgage Loans or Take-Out Commitment, or related in any way to their
possession of, or dealings with, the Collateral, excluding, however, Indemnified
Amounts to the extent resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct on
the part of such Indemnified Party. This Section 5.1 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the earlier resignation or removal of the
Collateral Agent.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      6.1. Notices.

      Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given under or
in connection with this Agreement, the Notes or the other Transaction Documents
(except as may otherwise be expressly required therein) shall be in writing and
shall be mailed by first class or express mail, postage prepaid, or sent by
telex, telegram, telecopy or other similar form of rapid transmission, confirmed
by mailing (by first class or express mail, postage prepaid) written
confirmation at substantially the same time as such rapid transmission, or
personally delivered to an officer of the receiving party. With the exception of
certain administrative and collateral reports that may be directed to specific
departments of the Administrative Agent, all such communications shall be
mailed, sent or delivered to the parties hereto at their respective addresses as
set forth in Schedule II hereto, or at such other addresses or to such
officer's, individual's or department's

<PAGE>

attention as any party may have furnished the other parties in writing. Any
communication so addressed and mailed shall be deemed to be given when so
mailed, except with respect to notices and requests given pursuant to Sections
2.3 and 3.3 of the Loan Agreement. Communications related thereto shall not be
effective until actually received by the Collateral Agent, the Administrative
Agent, the Issuer or the Borrower, as the case may be; and any notice so sent by
rapid transmission shall be deemed to be given when receipt of such transmission
is acknowledged, and any communication so delivered in person shall be deemed to
be given when receipted for by, or actually received by, an authorized officer
of the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, as the case
may be.

      6.2. Amendments, Etc.

      This Agreement may not be amended, supplemented or modified without the
written consent of the Borrower, the Collateral Agent and the Administrative
Agent. Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall
be binding upon the Borrower the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent and
all holders of the Obligations.

      6.3. Invalidity.

      In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this
Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall, for any reason, be held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of such document.

      6.4. Survival of Agreements.

      All covenants and agreements herein shall survive until payment in full of
the Obligations and termination of the Bank Commitments under the Loan
Agreement.

      6.5. Cumulative Rights.

      The rights, powers, privileges and remedies of the Collateral Agent and
the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, and any other Transaction
Document shall be cumulative, and the exercise or partial exercise of any such
right, power, privilege or remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any other
right or remedy. The exercise of any right, power, privilege or remedy of the
Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any
Transaction Document, shall not exhaust any such right, power, privilege or
remedy of the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent.

      6.6. Construction; Governing Law.

      THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES THEREOF, OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW WHICH SHALL APPLY HERETO).

<PAGE>

      6.7. Successors and Assigns.

      This Agreement is binding upon and inures to the parties to this Agreement
and their respective successors and permitted assigns and shall remain in full
force and effect until such time, after the Termination Date, as all Obligations
shall have been paid in full and all other obligations to be performed hereunder
shall have been performed. The Borrower's obligations in respect of
indemnification and payment provisions shall be continuing and shall survive any
termination of this Agreement, subject to any applicable statute of limitations.
The Collateral Agent may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder, except
pursuant to Section 4.2(k) or 4.4, and any such attempted assignment shall be
null and void.

      6.8. The Collateral Agent Representations and Warranties.

      The Collateral Agent represents and warrants that it: (a) is a national
banking association; (b) has the power and authority to own its properties and
assets and to transact the business in which it is engaged; and (c) has the
power and requisite authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement,
and is duly authorized to, and has taken all action necessary to authorize it
to, execute, deliver and perform this Agreement.

      6.9. Rights of La Fayette Program Agent.

      The parties hereto acknowledge that La Fayette has granted to the La
Fayette Program Agent, for the benefit of the holders of certain obligations of
La Fayette from time to time, a security interest in La Fayette's right, title
and interest in and to the Advances, the Transaction Documents and the
Collateral. Each reference herein or in any of the other Transaction Documents
to the Liens in the Collateral granted to Administrative Agent with respect to
the interest of La Fayette under the Transaction Documents shall be deemed to
include a reference to such security interest of the La Fayette Program Agent
and the La Fayette Program Agent shall be deemed to be a holder of Obligations.
By its execution hereof, the La Fayette Program Agent hereby appoints the
Collateral Agent as its agent to hold the Collateral in which it has a security
interest for the purpose of perfecting the La Fayette Program Agent's security
interest in the Collateral, and the Collateral Agent hereby accepts such
appointment.

      6.10. Counterparts.

      This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, and it shall
not be necessary that the signatures of each of the parties hereto be contained
on any one counterpart hereof; each counterpart shall be deemed an original, but
all counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

      6.11. No Proceedings.

      The Collateral Agent hereby agrees that it will not institute against the
Issuer, or join any other Person in instituting against the Issuer, any
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding,
or other proceeding under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar law, for
one year and one day after the latest Commercial Paper Note issued by the Issuer
is paid.

<PAGE>

      6.12. Electronic Counterparts.

      Any form or report contemplated by this Agreement may be furnished to the
Collateral Agent electronically and may be formatted in a manner convenient for
electronic transmission so long as the required information is provided in an
equally useable form to the format, if any, provided in this Agreement. It being
understood and agreed that the Collateral Agent shall not be responsible to
verify the identity of the sender of any electronic transmissions received by
it.

      6.13. Waiver of Jury Trial.

      EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY
JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR UNDER ANY AMENDMENT,
INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT DELIVERED OR THAT MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN
CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING FROM ANY BANKING OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP EXISTING
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT
AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND
NOT BEFORE A JURY.

      6.14. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities.

      EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT:

            (a) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND BY
EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO CONSENTS,
FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF
THOSE COURTS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY
OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON
CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER
TRANSACTION DOCUMENT.

            (b) TO THE EXTENT THAT IT HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY
FROM THE JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OR FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH
SERVICE OR NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID TO EXECUTION,
EXECUTION OR OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY, IT HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

<PAGE>

      6.15. References to Loan Agreement. Notwithstanding any references herein
to the Loan Agreement, the parties hereto acknowledge that the Collateral Agent
is not a party to the Loan Agreement and has no obligations or rights thereunder
and shall not be obligated to read the Loan Agreement, know the terms and
conditions contained therein or to be on notice of any of its provisions.

                                  * * * * *

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this agreement to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.

                                        AHM SPV I, LLC,
                                        as Borrower

                                        By:   /s/  Stephen A. Hozie
                                        Name:  Stephen A. Hozie
                                        Title:  Chief Financial Officer

                                        AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE CORP.,
                                        as Servicer

                                        By:   /s/  Stephen A. Hozie
                                        Name:  Stephen A. Hozie
                                        Title:  Chief Financial Officer

                                        CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,
                                        as Administrative Agent

                                        By:  /s/  Conrad Meyer
                                        Name:  Conrad Meyer
                                        Title:  Director

                                        DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY,
                                        as Collateral Agent

                                        By:  /s/  Jerome W. Harney
                                        Name:  Jerome W. Harney
                                        Title:  Vice President

<PAGE>

      The following entity executes this Agreement for the sole purpose of
acknowledging its rights under Section 6.9 hereof.

                                        CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,
                                        as La Fayette Program Agent

                                        By:  /s/  Conrad Meyer
                                        Name:  Conrad Meyer
                                        Title:  Director

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