Document:

EX-10.1:

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

SENIOR SUBORDINATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of June 15, 2005

among

LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.,

as Borrower,

THE LENDERS REFERRED TO HEREIN,

CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC.,

as Administrative Agent,

and

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

as Sole Lead Arranger, Sole Bookrunner and Sole Syndication Agent

 

 

Cahill Gordon & Reindel llp

80 Pine Street

New York, New York 10005

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	Page
	 

	 	ARTICLE I	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	DEFINITIONS	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	SECTION 1.01.

	 	Defined Terms
	 	 	1	 
	SECTION 1.02.

	 	Classification of Loans and Borrowings
	 	 	20	 
	SECTION 1.03.

	 	Terms Generally
	 	 	20	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	ARTICLE II	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	THE CREDITS	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	SECTION 2.01.

	 	Credit Commitments
	 	 	21	 
	SECTION 2.02.

	 	Procedure for Borrowing
	 	 	21	 
	SECTION 2.03.

	 	Conversion and Continuation Options for Loans
	 	 	21	 
	SECTION 2.04.

	 	[Reserved.]
	 	 	22	 
	SECTION 2.05.

	 	Optional Prepayments of Loans; Repayments of Loans
	 	 	22	 
	SECTION 2.06.

	 	[Reserved.]
	 	 	22	 
	SECTION 2.07.

	 	Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt
	 	 	22	 
	SECTION 2.08.

	 	Interest Rates and Payment Dates
	 	 	23	 
	SECTION 2.09.

	 	Computation of Interest
	 	 	24	 
	SECTION 2.10.

	 	Fees
	 	 	24	 
	SECTION 2.11.

	 	Termination, Reduction or Adjustment of Commitments
	 	 	24	 
	SECTION 2.12.

	 	Inability to Determine Interest Rate; Unavailability of
Deposits; Inadequacy of Interest Rate
	 	 	24	 
	SECTION 2.13.

	 	Pro Rata Treatment and Payments
	 	 	25	 
	SECTION 2.14.

	 	Illegality
	 	 	25	 
	SECTION 2.15.

	 	Requirements of Law
	 	 	25	 
	SECTION 2.16.

	 	Taxes
	 	 	26	 
	SECTION 2.17.

	 	Indemnity
	 	 	29	 
	SECTION 2.18.

	 	Change of Lending Office
	 	 	29	 
	SECTION 2.19.

	 	Sharing of Setoffs
	 	 	30	 
	SECTION 2.20.

	 	Assignment of Commitments Under Certain Circumstances
	 	 	30	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	ARTICLE III	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	SECTION 3.01.

	 	Organization, etc.
	 	 	30	 
	SECTION 3.02.

	 	Due Authorization, Non-Contravention, etc.
	 	 	31	 
	SECTION 3.03.

	 	Government Approval, Regulation, etc.
	 	 	31	 
	SECTION 3.04.

	 	Validity, etc.
	 	 	31	 
	SECTION 3.05.

	 	Financial Information
	 	 	32	 
	SECTION 3.06.

	 	No Material Adverse Effect
	 	 	32	 
	SECTION 3.07.

	 	Litigation
	 	 	32	 
	SECTION 3.08.

	 	Compliance with Laws and Agreements
	 	 	32	 
	SECTION 3.09.

	 	Subsidiaries
	 	 	33	 

-i- 

 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	Page
	SECTION 3.10.

	 	Ownership of Properties
	 	 	33	 
	SECTION 3.11.

	 	Taxes
	 	 	33	 
	SECTION 3.12.

	 	Pension and Welfare Plans
	 	 	33	 
	SECTION 3.13.

	 	Environmental Warranties
	 	 	34	 
	SECTION 3.14.

	 	Regulations U and X
	 	 	35	 
	SECTION 3.15.

	 	Disclosure; Accuracy of Information
	 	 	35	 
	SECTION 3.16.

	 	Insurance
	 	 	35	 
	SECTION 3.17.

	 	Labor Matters
	 	 	35	 
	SECTION 3.18.

	 	Solvency
	 	 	36	 
	SECTION 3.19.

	 	Securities
	 	 	36	 
	SECTION 3.20.

	 	Indebtedness To Remain Outstanding
	 	 	36	 
	SECTION 3.21.

	 	[Reserved.]
	 	 	36	 
	SECTION 3.22.

	 	Licenses; Accreditations
	 	 	36	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 ARTICLE IV	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 CONDITIONS	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	SECTION 4.01.

	 	Effective Date
	 	 	37	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 ARTICLE V	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	SECTION 5.01.

	 	Financial Information, Reports, Notices, etc.
	 	 	39	 
	SECTION 5.02.

	 	Compliance with Laws, etc.
	 	 	40	 
	SECTION 5.03.

	 	Maintenance of Properties
	 	 	40	 
	SECTION 5.04.

	 	Insurance
	 	 	41	 
	SECTION 5.05.

	 	Books and Records; Visitation Rights
	 	 	41	 
	SECTION 5.06.

	 	Environmental Covenant
	 	 	41	 
	SECTION 5.07.

	 	[Reserved.]
	 	 	42	 
	SECTION 5.08.

	 	Existence; Conduct of Business
	 	 	42	 
	SECTION 5.09.

	 	Performance of Obligations
	 	 	42	 
	SECTION 5.10.

	 	Casualty and Condemnation
	 	 	42	 
	SECTION 5.11.

	 	[Reserved.]
	 	 	42	 
	SECTION 5.12.

	 	Further Assurances
	 	 	42	 
	SECTION 5.13.

	 	Use of Proceeds
	 	 	42	 
	SECTION 5.14.

	 	Payment of Taxes
	 	 	42	 
	SECTION 5.15.

	 	Guarantees
	 	 	43	 
	SECTION 5.16.

	 	Subordination of Intercompany Loans.
	 	 	43	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 ARTICLE VI	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 NEGATIVE COVENANTS	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	SECTION 6.01.

	 	Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities
	 	 	43	 
	SECTION 6.02.

	 	Liens
	 	 	45	 
	SECTION 6.03.

	 	Fundamental Changes; Line of Business
	 	 	46	 
	SECTION 6.04.

	 	Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions
	 	 	47	 
	SECTION 6.05.

	 	Asset Sales
	 	 	48	 

-ii- 

 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	Page
	SECTION 6.06.

	 	Sale and Leaseback Transactions
	 	 	49	 
	SECTION 6.07.

	 	Restricted Payments
	 	 	50	 
	SECTION 6.08.

	 	Transactions with Affiliates
	 	 	51	 
	SECTION 6.09.

	 	Restrictive Agreements
	 	 	51	 
	SECTION 6.10.

	 	Amendments or Waivers of Certain Documents; Prepayments of Certain Indebtedness
	 	 	52	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	ARTICLE VII	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 EVENTS OF DEFAULT	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	SECTION 7.01.

	 	Listing of Events of Default
	 	 	53	 
	SECTION 7.02.

	 	Action if Bankruptcy
	 	 	55	 
	SECTION 7.03.

	 	Action if Other Event of Default
	 	 	55	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 ARTICLE VIII	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	SECTION 8.01.

	 	The Administrative Agent
	 	 	55	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 ARTICLE IX	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 MISCELLANEOUS	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	SECTION 9.01.

	 	Notices
	 	 	57	 
	SECTION 9.02.

	 	Survival of Agreement
	 	 	57	 
	SECTION 9.03.

	 	Binding Effect
	 	 	58	 
	SECTION 9.04.

	 	Successors and Assigns
	 	 	58	 
	SECTION 9.05.

	 	Expenses; Indemnity
	 	 	61	 
	SECTION 9.06.

	 	Right of Setoff
	 	 	62	 
	SECTION 9.07.

	 	Applicable Law
	 	 	62	 
	SECTION 9.08.

	 	Waivers; Amendment
	 	 	63	 
	SECTION 9.09.

	 	Interest Rate Limitation
	 	 	64	 
	SECTION 9.10.

	 	Entire Agreement
	 	 	64	 
	SECTION 9.11.

	 	WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
	 	 	65	 
	SECTION 9.12.

	 	Severability
	 	 	65	 
	SECTION 9.13.

	 	Counterparts
	 	 	65	 
	SECTION 9.14.

	 	Headings
	 	 	65	 
	SECTION 9.15.

	 	Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process
	 	 	65	 
	SECTION 9.16.

	 	Confidentiality
	 	 	66	 
	SECTION 9.17.

	 	Citigroup Direct Website Communications
	 	 	66	 
	SECTION 9.18.

	 	Administrative Agent as Joint Creditor
	 	 	67	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	ARTICLE X	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	SUBORDINATION	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	SECTION 10.01.

	 	Obligations Subordinated to Indebtedness Under the Senior Credit Agreement
	 	 	68	 
	SECTION 10.02.

	 	No Payment on Obligations in Certain Circumstances; Payment Held in Trust
	 	 	68	 

-iii- 

 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	Page
	SECTION 10.03.

	 	Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc.
	 	 	69	 
	SECTION 10.04.

	 	Subrogation
	 	 	70	 
	SECTION 10.05.

	 	Obligations of the Loan Parties Unconditional
	 	 	70	 
	SECTION 10.06.

	 	Notice to Administrative Agent
	 	 	70	 
	SECTION 10.07.

	 	Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent
	 	 	71	 
	SECTION 10.08.

	 	Administrative Agent’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness
	 	 	71	 
	SECTION 10.09.

	 	Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Loan Parties or Senior Lenders
	 	 	71	 
	SECTION 10.10.

	 	Lenders Authorize Administrative Agent To Effectuate Subordination of Obligations
	 	 	72	 
	SECTION 10.11.

	 	This Section Not To Prevent Events of Default
	 	 	72	 
	SECTION 10.12.

	 	Administrative Agent’s Compensation Not Prejudiced
	 	 	72	 
	SECTION 10.13.

	 	No Waiver of Subordination Provisions
	 	 	72	 
	SECTION 10.14.

	 	Administrative Agent Successors
	 	 	72	 

	 	 	 
	EXHIBIT A

	 	Form of Administrative Questionnaire
	EXHIBIT B

	 	Form of Borrowing Request
	EXHIBIT C

	 	Form of Assignment and Acceptance
	EXHIBIT D

	 	Form of Compliance Certificate
	EXHIBIT E

	 	Form of Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement
	EXHIBIT F

	 	Form of Note
	EXHIBIT G

	 	Form of Closing Certificate
	EXHIBIT H

	 	Form of Guarantee Agreement
	EXHIBIT J

	 	Form of Opinion of Dewey Ballantine LLP
	EXHIBIT K

	 	Form of Solvency Certificate
	 
	 	 
	SCHEDULE 2.01

	 	Lenders and Commitments
	SCHEDULE 3.10

	 	Subsidiaries
	SCHEDULE 3.17

	 	Insurance
	SCHEDULE 3.21(a)

	 	Indebtedness to Remain Outstanding

-iv- 

 

          SENIOR SUBORDINATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of June 15, 2005,
among LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”); the financial
institutions listed on Schedule 2.01, as such Schedule may from time to time be supplemented and
amended (the “Lenders”); CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC. (“CNAI”), as administrative
agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the lenders; and CITIGROUP GLOBAL
MARKETS INC. (“CGMI”), as sole lead arranger, sole bookrunner and sole syndication agent
(in such capacity, the “Lead Arranger”).

          WHEREAS, Historic LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (“Historic LifePoint”), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Borrower, has called for redemption on June 15, 2005 all of its $221,000,000
aggregate principal amount of outstanding LifePoint Notes (as defined herein) (the
“Redemption”);

          WHEREAS, Borrower has requested the Lenders to extend to Borrower credit in the form of term
loans on the Effective Date (as defined herein) in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of
$230,000,000, which amount Borrower will loan or advance to Historic LifePoint to fund the
redemption payment on June 15, 2005 to be made by Historic LifePoint in connection with the
Redemption; and

          WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to make such credit facility available upon and subject to
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the agreements hereinafter set forth, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

          SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the meanings specified below:

          “ABR Borrowing” means a Borrowing comprised of ABR Loans.

          “ABR Loan” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the
Alternate Base Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

          “Accreditation Body” means all Persons having jurisdiction over the accreditation,
certification, evaluation or operation of any of the Hospitals, including, without limitation, the
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and applicable state licensing bodies
having jurisdiction over the licensing of acute care Hospitals as such.

          “Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest
Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next
1/100 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory
Reserve Rate.

          “Administrative Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this
Agreement.

          “Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in the form of
Exhibit A.

 

 

          “Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person which, directly or indirectly,
controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person (excluding any trustee
under, or any committee with responsibility for administering, any Plan). A Person shall be deemed
to be “controlled by” any other Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly,
power

     (a) to vote 10% or more of the securities (on a fully diluted basis) having ordinary
voting power for the election of directors or managing general partners; or

     (b) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person
whether by contract or otherwise.

          “Agent Fees” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(a).

          “Agent Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(c).

          “Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or
restated from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof.

          “Alternate Base Rate” means for any day, a rate per annum equal to the
highest of (a) the Administrative Agent’s Base Rate in effect on such day, (b) 0.5% per
annum above the latest three-week moving average of secondary market morning offering rates
in the United States for three-month certificates of deposit of major United States money market
banks, such three-week moving average being determined weekly on each Monday (or, if any such day
is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day) for the three-week period ending on the
next previous Friday by the Administrative Agent on the basis of such rates reported by certificate
of deposit dealers to and published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, if such publication
shall be suspended or terminated, on the basis of quotations for such rates received by the
Administrative Agent from three New York certificate of deposit dealers of recognized standing
selected by the Administrative Agent, in either case adjusted to the nearest 0.25% or, if there is
no nearest 0.25%, to the next higher 0.25% (the “Certificate of Deposit Rate”), and (c) the
Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due
to a change in the Base Rate, the Certificate of Deposit Rate or the Federal Funds Rate shall be
effective as of the opening of business, New York time, on the effective day of such change in the
Base Rate, the Certificate of Deposit Rate or the Federal Funds Rate, respectively.

          “Applicable Rate” means, for the period from the Effective Date until September 14,
2005, (A) 2.50% per annum, in the case of ABR Loans, and (B) 3.50% per
annum, in the case of Eurodollar Loans; provided that each such rate shall increase
by an additional .50% on each September 15, December 15, March 15 and June 15 thereafter.

          “Approved Like-Kind Exchange” means any exchange intended to comply with Section 1031
of the Code (or any successor provision) of one or more healthcare facilities and related Property
owned by any Loan Party for one or more healthcare facilities and related Property owned by one or
more Persons other than a Loan Party; provided that the aggregate book value of all assets
disposed of by the Loan Parties pursuant to these exchanges subsequent to the Effective Date
(determined as of the date of any such exchange, net of any liabilities of the Loan Parties assumed
by the Person to which the relevant assets were transferred) shall not exceed 25% of Consolidated
Total Assets; provided, further, that if any transaction involves both an exchange
and payment of consideration or fails to comply with the provisions of Section 1031 of the Code,
such transaction shall be deemed to be an Approved Like-Kind Exchange only to the extent that it
involves such an exchange and has met all the requirements of Section 1031.

-2-

 

          “Assignment and Acceptance” means an assignment and acceptance entered into by a
Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section
9.04(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent substantially in the form of Exhibit C
or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.

          “Authorized Officer” means, with respect to Borrower, those of its officers whose
signature and incumbency has been certified to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders by the
Secretary of Borrower in a certificate dated the Effective Date or any successor thereto.

          “Base Rate” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced
from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its base rate in effect at its principal office in
New York City (the Base Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by the
Administrative Agent in connection with extensions of credit to debtors). Any change in such rate
announced by the Administrative Agent shall take effect at the opening of business, New York time,
on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

          “Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United
States.

          “Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

          “Borrowing” means a Loan to Borrower of the same Type made (including through a
conversion or continuation) by the applicable Lenders on a single date and as to which a single
Interest Period is in effect.

          “Borrowing Request” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02(a).

          “Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

          “Capital Lease Obligations” means all monetary or financial obligations of Borrower
and its Subsidiaries under any leasing or similar arrangement conveying the right to use real or
personal property, or a combination thereof, which, in accordance with GAAP, would or should be
classified and accounted for as capital leases, and the amount of such obligations shall be the
capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP and the stated maturity thereof shall
be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first
date on which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty. For
avoidance of doubt, prepaid leases shall not be deemed “Capital Lease Obligations” except to the
extent required under GAAP.

          “CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980, as amended.

          “CERCLIS” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Information System List.

          “CGMI” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

          “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

     (i) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under

-3-

 

the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of voting stock representing 35% or more of the
voting power of the voting Equity Interests of Borrower;

     (ii) at any time Borrower shall fail to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity
Interests of both Historic LifePoint and Province;

     (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of
such period constituted the board of directors of Borrower (together with any new directors
whose election to such board of directors or whose nomination for election was approved by a
vote of 66-2/3% of the directors of Borrower then still in office who were either directors
at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously
so approved) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the board of
directors of Borrower; or

     (iv) any “change of control”, “fundamental change” or any other substantially
equivalent event shall occur in respect of any Subordinated Debt in excess of $25,000,000
that results in holders of such Subordinated Debt having the right to require the repurchase
or redemption thereof prior to a stated maturity thereof.

          “Charges” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09.

          “Closing Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit
G.

          “CNAI” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

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

          “Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such
Lender to make a Loan hereunder on the Effective Date, expressed as an amount representing the
maximum principal amount of the Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder. The amount of each
Lender’s Commitment shall be set forth on Schedule 2.01. The aggregate amount of the
Lenders’ Commitments as of the Effective Date is $230,000,000.

          “Communications” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(a).

          “Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01(a).

          “Consolidated Total Assets” means the total assets of Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP.

          “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of
voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “controlling” and “controlled”
have meanings correlative thereto.

          “Copy” or “copy” means, with respect to the submission of any data, either
requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or required by this Agreement, (a) a hard copy
thereof, (b) an electronic transmission thereof or (c) written or electronic notification
referencing an SEC filing containing such data and posted on the SEC’s website.

          “Default” means any Event of Default and any event or condition which upon notice,
lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

-4-

 

          “Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, (a) any Lender with respect to which a Lender
Default is in effect, (b) any Lender that is the subject (as a debtor) of any action or proceeding
(i) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief
entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other
relief with respect to it or its debts, or (ii) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee,
custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its
assets, (c) any Lender that shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or (d)
any Lender that shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability
to, pay its debts as they become due.

          “Dollars” or “$” means lawful money of the United States of America.

          “Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are
satisfied (or waived in writing).

          “Employee Benefit Plan” means an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of
ERISA) that is maintained or contributed to by a Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate or with respect to
which a Loan Party could incur liability.

          “Environment” means ambient and indoor air, surface water and groundwater (including
potable water, navigable water and wetlands), the land surface or subsurface strata, natural
resources such as flora and fauna, or as otherwise defined in any applicable Environmental Law.

          “Environmental Claim” means any written accusation, allegation, notice of violation,
claim, demand, order, directive, cost recovery action or other cause of action by, or on behalf of,
any Governmental Authority or any other Person for damages, injunctive or equitable relief,
personal injury (including sickness, disease or death), Remedial Action costs, tangible or
intangible property damage, natural resource damages, nuisance, pollution, any adverse effect on
the Environment caused by any Hazardous Material, or for fines, penalties or restrictions,
resulting from or based upon: (a) the existence, or the continuation of the existence, of a
Release (including sudden or non-sudden, accidental or non-accidental Releases); (b) exposure to
any Hazardous Material; (c) the presence, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or
disposal of any Hazardous Material; or (d) the violation or alleged violation of any Environmental
Law or Environmental Permit.

          “Environmental Laws” means any and all applicable treaties, laws (including common
law), rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions or binding
agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way
to the Environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, Release or
threatened Release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.

          “Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including, but
not limited to, any liability for damages, natural resource damage, costs of Remedial Action,
administrative oversight costs, fines, penalties or indemnities), of Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental
Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any
Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials or (d) the Release or threatened
Release of any Hazardous Materials into the Environment.

-5-

 

          “Environmental Permit” means any permit, approval, authorization, certificate,
license, variance, filing or permission required by or from any Governmental Authority pursuant to
any Environmental Law.

          “Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership
interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership
interests in a Person.

          “Equity Rights” means all securities convertible or exchangeable for Equity Interests
and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase or subscribe for any Equity Interests,
whether or not presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable.

          “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be
amended from time to time.

          “ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that,
together with any Loan Party, is treated as a single employer under Sections 414(b) or (c) of the
Code, and for the purpose of Section 302 of ERISA and/or Section 412, 4971, 4977, 4980D, 4980E
and/or each “applicable section” under Section 414(t)(2) of the Code, within the meaning of Section
414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

          “ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event,” as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA
or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Pension Plan (other than an event for which
the 30-day notice period is waived by regulation); (b) the existence with respect to any Pension
Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code), whether or not
waived, the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 412(m) of the Code
with respect to any Pension Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a
Multiemployer Plan; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code of an application for a
waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Pension Plan; (d) the incurrence by any
Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension
Plan; (e) the receipt by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of
any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Pension Plan, to appoint a trustee to
administer any Pension Plan, or to take any other action with respect to a Pension Plan that could
result in material liability to a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, or the occurrence of any event or
condition which could reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination
of or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (f) the incurrence by any Loan
Party or ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from
any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (g) the receipt by a Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate of any
notice concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer
Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of
ERISA; (h) the making of any amendment to any Pension Plan which could result in the imposition of
a lien or the posting of a bond or other security; or (i) the occurrence of a nonexempt prohibited
transaction (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) which could
result in liability to a Loan Party or any of the Subsidiaries.

          “ESOP” means the LifePoint Employee Stock Ownership Trust or any successor plan
thereto, as the same may be amended from time to time.

          “ESOP Loans” means loans or other extensions of credit to the ESOP by Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries or guarantees by such Persons of loans or other extensions of credit to the
ESOP by a third party lender, in either case in connection with the purchase of the Equity
Interests of Borrower.

-6-

 

          “Eurodollar Borrowing” means a Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Loans.

          “Eurodollar Loan” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to
the Adjusted LIBO Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

          “Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.

          “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

          “Excluded Taxes” means, taxes imposed on or measured by the recipient’s net income (or
any franchise taxes and other similar taxes computed by reference to net income imposed in lieu
thereof) and any branch profit taxes imposed on the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any
Transferee as a result of a present or former connection between the Administrative Agent, such
Lender or such Transferee and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing such tax or
any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (other than any such connection
arising solely from the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Transferee having executed,
delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced this Agreement or
any other Loan Document or having engaged in any transaction provided for in this Agreement.

          “Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average of the rates (rounded
upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) on overnight federal funds transactions with
members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the next
succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; provided that (a) if the
day for which such rate is to be determined is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such
day shall be such rate for such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on
the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if such rate is not so published for any day which is a
Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average of the quotations for the
day of such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of
recognized standing selected by it.

          “Fee Letter” means the Fee Letter dated June 15, 2005 among Citicorp North America,
Inc., CGMI and Borrower.

          “Fees” means the Agent Fees.

          “Finance Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary, the primary purpose of which is to finance
the business operations of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and which has no material assets or
operations other than those permitted by Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act, as amended
from time to time.

          “Financial Officer” of any corporation, partnership or other entity means the chief
financial officer, the principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such corporation,
partnership or other entity.

          “Financing Transaction” means, collectively, the execution and delivery by each Loan
Party of each of the Loan Documents and the Borrowing of the Loans hereunder on the Effective Date.

          “Fiscal Quarter” means any quarter of a Fiscal Year.

          “Fiscal Year” means any period of twelve consecutive calendar months ending on
December 31; references to a Fiscal Year with a number corresponding to any calendar year
(e.g., the “2004 Fiscal Year”) refer to the Fiscal Year ending on December 31 occurring
during such calendar year.

-7-

 

          “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States in effect
from time to time applied on a consistent basis.

          “Governmental Authority” means any Federal, state, local or foreign court or
governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body, including any central bank.

          “Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation,
contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of
guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary
obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the
guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase
or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds
for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property,
securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other
obligation of the payment thereof (including pursuant to a “synthetic lease”), (c) to maintain
working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the
primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or
(d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support
such Indebtedness or obligation; provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include
endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The amount of the
obligation under any Guarantee shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated
or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee is made
(including principal, interest and fees) and (b) the maximum amount for which such guarantor may be
liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee, unless such primary
obligation and the maximum amount for which such guarantor may be liable are not stated or
determinable, in which case the amount of the obligation under such Guarantee shall be such
guarantor’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the
guarantor in good faith; irrespective, in any such case, of any amount thereof that would, in
accordance with GAAP, be required to be reflected on a balance sheet of such Person.

          “Guarantee Agreement” means the Guarantee Agreement, substantially in the form of
Exhibit H, made by certain Subsidiaries of Borrower in favor of the Administrative Agent
for the benefit of the Lenders.

          “Hazardous Materials” means all pollutants, contaminants, wastes, substances,
chemicals, materials and constituents, including, without limitation, crude oil, petroleum or
petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls
(“PCBs”) or PCB-containing materials or equipment of any nature, which can give rise to
Environmental Liability under, or are regulated pursuant to, any Environmental Law.

          “Hedging Agreement” means any interest rate protection agreement, foreign currency
exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange
rate or commodity price hedging arrangement and all other similar agreements or arrangements
designed to alter the risks of any Person arising from fluctuations in interest rate, currency
values or commodity prices.

          “Historic Lifepoint” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this
Agreement.

          “Hospital” means any acute care hospital owned or operated by any Loan Party or any
Subsidiary from time to time.

-8-

 

          “Impermissible Qualification” means, relative to the opinion or certification of any
independent public accountant as to any financial statement of Borrower, any qualification or
exception to such opinion or certification:

     (a) which is of a “going concern” or similar nature;

     (b) which relates to the limited scope of examination of matters relevant to such
financial statements (other than an exception that relates solely to the exclusion from
managements’ assessment required by Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley of an acquired business to
the extent and on the terms permitted by rule or published interpretations of the SEC); or

     (c) which is any other material qualification or exception (other than an exception
that relates solely to the exclusion from managements’ assessment required by Section 404 of
Sarbanes-Oxley of an acquired business to the extent and on the terms permitted by rule or
published interpretations of the SEC).

          “Indebtedness” of any Person means the sum of all indebtedness of such Person on a
consolidated basis (without duplication) with respect to (i) borrowed money or represented by
bonds, debentures, notes and the like; (ii) the aggregate amount of Capital Lease Obligations;
(iii) all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any Property; (iv) all indebtedness representing the
deferred purchase price of Property or services, excluding trade payables (including, without
limitation, equipment purchase payables not constituting Capital Lease Obligations, payables to
construction contractors, operating lease obligations and physician guarantee payments) in the
ordinary course of business; (v) letters of credit; and (vi) direct Guaranties and indemnities in
respect of, and to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in
respect of, or to assure an obligee against failure to make payment in respect of, liabilities,
obligations or indebtedness of the kind described in clauses (i) through (v). For the avoidance of
doubt, the term “Indebtedness” shall not include any indebtedness to the extent such indebtedness
has been defeased in accordance with the terms of such indebtedness (or otherwise economically
defeased) and is no longer required to be shown as a liability on such Person’s balance sheet in
accordance with GAAP, in each case in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

          “Indebtedness to Remain Outstanding” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
3.21(a).

          “Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(b).

          “Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement” means the Indemnity, Subrogation
and Contribution Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

          “Insurance Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of Borrower established for the purpose of
insuring the healthcare businesses or facilities owned or operated by Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, any joint venture or any physician or other personnel employed by or on the medical
staff of any such business or facility.

          “Interest Payment Date” means, with respect to any Loan, the last day of the Interest
Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar
Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, (a) each day that would have
been an Interest Payment Date had successive Interest Periods of three months’ duration been
applicable to such Borrowing and, in addition, (b) the date of any refinancing of such Borrowing
with a Borrowing of a different Type.

-9-

 

     “Interest Period” means

     (a) as to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing
(including any date on which such Borrowing shall have been converted from a Borrowing of a
different Type) or on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period applicable
to such Borrowing, as the case may be, and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or,
if there is no numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is
1, 2, 3 or 6 months (or with the consent of all Lenders, 9 or 12 months) thereafter, as
Borrower may elect, and

     (b) as to any ABR Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing
(including any date on which such Borrowing shall have been converted from a Borrowing of a
different Type) or on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period applicable
to such Borrowing, as the case may be, and ending on the earliest of (i) the next succeeding
March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31, (ii) the Maturity Date, as the case may be,
and (iii) the date such Borrowing is prepaid in accordance with Section 2.05 or converted in
accordance with Section 2.03;

provided, however, that if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a
Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless, in
the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing only, such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next
calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day.
Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the
last day of such Interest Period.

          “Investment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

          “JCAHO” means the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, or
any similar successor organization thereto.

          “Lead Arranger” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this
Agreement.

          “Lender” means a Lender with an outstanding Loan, in its capacity as such.

          “Lender Affiliate” means (a) with respect to any Lender, (i) an Affiliate of such
Lender or (ii) any entity (whether a corporation, partnership, trust or otherwise) that is engaged
in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in bank loans and similar extensions of
credit in the ordinary course and is administered or managed by a Lender or an Affiliate of such
Lender and (b) with respect to any Lender that is a fund which invests in bank loans and similar
extensions of credit, any other fund that invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit
and is managed by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment
advisor.

          “Lender Default” means the failure or refusal (which has not been retracted in
writing) in violation of this Agreement of a Lender to make available (a) its portion of any Loan
required to be made by such Lender hereunder (including, without limitation, under Section
2.04(b)), (b) its portion of any unreimbursed payment required to be made by such Lender under
Section 2.06(e), (c) its portion of any participating interest required to be purchased by such
Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(d) or (d) any amount required to be paid and/or reimbursed by such
Lender to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document
(whether pursuant to Section 2.13(b) or otherwise), in each case at or prior to such time that the
same is required to be so made, reimbursed or purchased by such Lender.

-10-

 

          “Lenders” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

          “LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period
the rate appearing on Page 3750 of the Telerate Service (or on any successor or substitute page of
such Service, or any successor to or substitute for such Service, providing rate quotations
comparable to those currently provided on such page of such Service, as determined by the
Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates
applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London
time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for Dollar
deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not
available at such time for any reason, then the “LIBO Rate” with respect to such Eurodollar
Borrowing for such Interest Period shall be the rate supplied to the Administrative Agent at its
request quoted by the Reference Banks in the London interbank market as of the day two Business
Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period as the rate for Dollar deposits with a
maturity comparable to such Interest Period.

          “Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, deed to
secure debt, lien, pledge, encumbrance, charge, assignment, hypothecation or security interest in
or on such asset or any filing authorized per the UCC of any financing statement under the UCC as
in effect in the applicable state or jurisdiction or any other similar notice or lien under any
similar notice or recording statute of any Governmental Authority, in each of the foregoing cases
whether voluntary or imposed by law, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional
sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement relating to such asset, (c) in the case
of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such
securities, (d) in the case of any investment property or deposit account, any contact or other
agreement, express or implied, under which any Person has the right to control such investment
property or deposit account and (e) any other agreement intended to create any of the foregoing.

          “LifePoint Notes” means Historic LifePoint’s 4-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes due
2009.

          “Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution
Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement, and, if requested by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.07(e), each
Note and, solely for purposes of Sections 4.01(n), 5.13, 7.01(a) and 9.10, the Fee Letter.

          “Loan Parties” means Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

          “Loan Party Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.16.

          “Loans” means the Loans made pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

          “Managed Care Plans” means all health maintenance organizations, preferred provider
organizations, individual practice associations, competitive medical plans and similar
arrangements.

          “Material Adverse Effect” means a materially adverse effect on (a) the business,
assets, results of operations or financial condition of the Loan Parties and their consolidated
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform
their obligations under the Loan Documents or (c) the rights of or benefits available to the
Lenders, taken as a whole, under any Loan Document.

          “Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans) or obligations in
respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, of any one or more of Borrower and its Subsidiaries,

-11-

 

individually or in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $25,000,000. For purposes of
determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of Borrower or any
Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount
(giving effect to any netting agreements) that Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay
if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time.

          “Maturity Date” means the eighth anniversary of the Effective Date.

          “Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09.

          “Medical Facility” means any Hospital, outpatient clinic and long term care facility
together with related medical office building or other facility owned or leased by any of the Loan
Parties in its business.

          “Merger Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Credit
Agreement.

          “Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

          “Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA (i) to which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate is then making or accruing an
obligation to make contributions, (ii) to which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has within the
preceding six plan years made contributions, including any Person which ceased to be an ERISA
Affiliate during such six year period, or (iii) with respect to which Loan Party or any Subsidiary
could incur liability.

          “Non-Loan Party” means any Subsidiary of Borrower that is not a Loan Party.

          “Note” means a note substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

          “Obligations” means the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest
accruing after the maturity of the Loans made to Borrower and interest accruing after the filing of
any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like
proceeding, relating to Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest
is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans made to Borrower and all other obligations and liabilities
of Borrower to the Administrative Agent, or to any Lender, whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out
of, or in connection with, this Agreement or any other document made, delivered or given in
connection herewith, whether on account of principal, interest, fees, indemnities, costs or
expenses (including, without limitation, all reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of
counsel), or otherwise.

          “Organic Document” means (i) relative to each Person that is a corporation, its
charter, its by-laws and all shareholder agreements, voting trusts and similar arrangements
applicable to any of its authorized shares of capital stock, (ii) relative to each Person that is a
partnership, its partnership agreement and any other similar arrangements applicable to any
partnership or other equity interests in the Person and (iii) relative to any Person that is any
other type of legal entity, such documents as shall be comparable to the foregoing.

          “Pari Passu Debt” means Indebtedness which is subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness
and not subordinated to the Obligations.

          “Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(f).

-12-

 

          “Payment Blockage Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.02.

          “Payment Blockage Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.02.

          “PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in
ERISA.

          “Pension Plan” means a “pension plan,” as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of
ERISA, which is subject to Title IV of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) and to which any
Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate may have liability, including any liability by reason of having
been a substantial employer within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA at any time during the
preceding five years, or by reason of being deemed to be a contributing sponsor under Section 4069
of ERISA.

          “Permitted Acquisition” means any acquisition, whether by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise, by Borrower or any Loan Party of not less than 80% of the assets of, or
all the Equity Interests in, a Person or a division, line of business or other business unit of a
Person (it being understood that the acquisition of an existing medical office building or of a
Person whose sole asset is an existing medical office building shall constitute an acquisition and
not a capital expenditure for purposes of this Agreement) so long as

     (a) such acquisition shall not have been preceded by a tender offer that has not been
approved or otherwise recommended by the board of directors of such Person,

     (b) such assets are to be used in, or such Person so acquired is engaged in, as the
case may be, a business of the type conducted by Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the
Effective Date or in a business reasonably related thereto, and

     (c) immediately after giving effect thereto, (i) no Default has occurred and is
continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) all transactions related thereto are consummated
in all material respects in accordance with applicable laws, (iii) in the case of an
acquisition of Equity Interests, the Person acquired shall immediately thereafter become a
Subsidiary Loan Party or be merged into a Loan Party (except that any Subsidiary of Borrower
need not become a Subsidiary Loan Party so long as after giving effect to such acquisition
Subsidiaries that do not constitute Loan Parties, taken as a whole, do not comprise more
than 25% of the Consolidated Total Assets and all actions required to be taken under
Sections 5.12 and 5.16 shall have been taken, (iv) any Indebtedness or any preferred stock
that is incurred, acquired or assumed in connection with such acquisition shall be in
compliance with Section 6.01, (v) after giving effect to such acquisition and any Revolving
Credit Borrowings under and as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement made in connection
therewith, the Total Revolving Credit Commitment under and as defined in the Senior Credit
Agreement less the Revolving Credit Exposure under and as defined in the Senior Credit
Agreement of all Revolving Lenders under and as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement plus
unrestricted cash on hand and cash equivalents of the Loan Parties shall not be less than
$50,000,000 and (vi) for any acquisition in excess of $50,000,000, Borrower has delivered to
the Administrative Agent an officers’ certificate to the effect set forth in clauses (a),
(b) and (c)(i) through (c)(v) above, together with all relevant financial information for
the Person or assets to be acquired.

          “Permitted Convertible Debt” means any unsecured senior subordinated or subordinated
Indebtedness of Borrower that provides for conversion into, or exchange or exercise for, Equity
Interests or Equity Rights under certain circumstances and the terms of which provide that

-13-

 

     (1) no Non-Loan Party (other than any Finance Subsidiary) shall be an obligor
thereunder and any guarantee by a Loan Party shall be subordinated to the extent set forth
in clause (6) below;

     (2) any payment of cash upon or in lieu of any conversion, exchange or exercise or
redemption is subject to the limitations set forth in the Senior Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents;

     (3) no payment of cash upon or in lieu of any conversion or exchange or exercise (other
than in lieu of the issuance of a fractional share on a customary basis) may be made so long
as any Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall result
therefrom;

     (4) the first date on which the holders thereof may require a repurchase or redemption
thereof in cash by Borrower shall be no earlier than the date that is six months after the
Term B Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement); provided that
such Indebtedness may include a provision permitting a holder thereof to effect a repurchase
or redemption upon a “fundamental change” (as such term is customarily used in a convertible
debt security issued in a public or Rule 144A offering) so long as such repurchase or
redemption is not effected until the consummation of the fundamental change and is subject
to the limitations set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

     (5) the “events of default” and covenants thereunder shall be reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent as being customary for similar issues of convertible debt
securities;

     (6) the subordination provisions thereof shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent as being customary for similar issues of convertible debt securities;
and

     (7) such Indebtedness shall be unsecured.

          “Permitted Investments” means:

     (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the
United States Government or any member state of the European Union (as it exists on the
Effective Date) or issued by any agency or instrumentality thereof and backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States of America or such member state of the European Union,
in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

     (b) marketable direct obligations issued by any State of the United States of America
or any political subdivision of any such State or any public instrumentality thereof
maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of
acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s;

     (c) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof
and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1
from Moody’s (other than commercial paper issued by Borrower or any Affiliate or Subsidiary
of Borrower);

     (d) time deposits, demand deposits, certificates of deposit, Eurodollar time deposits
or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof or
overnight bank deposits, in each case, issued by any bank organized under the laws of any
member

-14-

 

state of the European Union (as it exists on the Effective Date), the United States of

America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia or any U.S. branch of a foreign
bank having at the date of acquisition thereof combined capital and surplus of not less than
$500,000,000;

     (e) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 90 days for underlying
securities of the types described in clause (a) above entered into with any bank meeting the
qualifications specified in clause (d) above;

     (f) investments in money market funds which invest substantially all their assets in
securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (e) above;

     (g) investments in any Insurance Subsidiary in an amount which does not exceed
$6,000,000 and investments in a self-insurance trust in an amount which does not exceed 125%
of the aggregate amount of the risk retained by the Insurance Subsidiary, Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries on an annual basis; and

     (h) in the case of investments made by any Insurance Subsidiary or by a self-insurance
trust, investments in (i) securities of the type specified in clauses (a) through (f) above
without regard to any maturity or time period requirements set forth therein and (ii) other
securities meeting the regulatory requirements applicable to such Insurance Subsidiary or
self-insurance trust.

          “Permitted Junior Debt” shall mean any Indebtedness of Borrower that are (i) equity
securities without special covenants or (ii) subordinated in right of payment to all Senior
Indebtedness that may at the time be outstanding, to substantially the same extent as, or to a
greater extent than, the Loans are subordinated as provided in this Agreement, in any event and as
to which (a) the rate of interest on such Indebtedness shall not exceed the effective rate of
interest on the Loans on the date of this Agreement, (b) such Indebtedness shall not be entitled to
the benefits of covenants or defaults materially more beneficial to the holders of such securities
than those in effect with respect to the Loans on the date of this Agreement, (c) such Indebtedness
shall not provide for amortization (including sinking fund and mandatory prepayment provisions)
commencing prior to the date six months following the final scheduled maturity date of the Senior
Indebtedness and (d) no Non-Loan Party shall be an obligor thereunder and any guarantee by a Loan
Party shall be subordinated to the Obligations to the same extent as Borrower’s obligation as
described above.

          “Permitted Lien” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02.

          “Permitted Refinancing” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, any refinancing
thereof; provided, however, that

     (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would arise therefrom,

     (ii) any such refinancing Indebtedness shall (a) not be on financial and other terms
that are more onerous in the aggregate than the Indebtedness being refinanced and shall not
have defaults, rights or remedies more burdensome in the aggregate to the applicable
obligors and guarantors than the Indebtedness being refinanced (other than (x) refinancings
of Loans or the Province 2008 Notes (A) with the proceeds of Permitted Convertible Debt or
(B) consummated on then current market terms for which the primary obligor is Borrower in
accordance with the proviso to clause (iii) below, which may be on then current market
financial terms and other then current market terms, including defaults, rights and
remedies, that are usual and customary for subordinated debt financings of similar type by
similar entities and (y) refinancings of any other

-15-

 

Indebtedness the original maturity of which is prior to the Maturity Date, which may be on
then current market financial terms), (b) not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory
redemption or sinking fund obligation prior to the final maturity of the Indebtedness being
refinanced or a Weighted Average Life to Maturity that is shorter than that of the
Indebtedness being refinanced, (c) if the Indebtedness being refinanced is Subordinated
Debt, be subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable
as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being refinanced (it
being understood that if a primary obligor under such refinancing Indebtedness was a
guarantor under the Indebtedness being refinanced, such refinancing Indebtedness shall be
subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable as those
contained in the documentation governing the obligations of the primary obligor under the
Indebtedness being refinanced), (d) if the Indebtedness being refinanced is Pari Passu Debt,
be subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Indebtedness on terms at least as
favorable as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being
refinanced (it being understood that if a primary obligor under such refinancing
Indebtedness was a guarantor under the Indebtedness being refinanced, such refinancing
Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Indebtedness on terms
at least as favorable as those contained in the documentation governing the obligations of
the primary obligor under the Indebtedness being refinanced), (e) be secured by a Lien on no
collateral other than that securing the Indebtedness being refinanced (and be unsecured if
the Indebtedness being refinanced is unsecured) and (f) be in aggregate principal amount
that does not exceed the sum of the principal amount so refinanced, plus all accrued
and unpaid interest thereon, plus the stated amount of any premium and other
payments required to be paid in connection with such refinancing pursuant to the terms of
the Indebtedness being refinanced, plus in any case the amount of reasonable
expenses of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries incurred in connection with such refinancing
(it being understood that the incurrence of Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount in
excess of such limitations on principal may still constitute a “Permitted Refinancing” up to
such limited aggregate principal amount with any excess principal amount thereof being
Indebtedness which must otherwise be permitted pursuant to Section 6.01), and

     (iii) the sole obligors and/or guarantors on such refinancing Indebtedness shall be the
obligors and/or guarantors on such Indebtedness being refinanced; provided that, in
the case of a Permitted Refinancing of the Province 2008 Notes, the primary obligor may be
Borrower, and such primary obligation of Borrower may be guaranteed by any Subsidiary Loan
Party, in each case so long as such obligations and/or guarantees are subordinated to the
extent required in clause (ii) above.

          Notwithstanding the preceding clause (ii) (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) Permitted Convertible Debt
otherwise qualifying as a “Permitted Refinancing” shall constitute a “Permitted Refinancing” and
Indebtedness otherwise qualifying as “Permitted Refinancing” meeting the requirements of Section
6.07(x) shall constitute a “Permitted Refinancing.”

          “Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness” means subordinated notes issued by Borrower, the
terms of which notes (a) do not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or
sinking fund obligation prior to the final maturity date prior to the date that is six months after
the Term B Loan Maturity Date, (b) provide for subordination to the Senior Indebtedness, (c) do not
provide for any Lien on any Property of Borrower for the benefit of the lender, (d) contain
covenants, events of default and subsidiary guaranties (which shall be subordinated on usual and
customary terms) and shall contain other terms (other than interest rate and redemption premiums)
that are usual and customary for similar offerings by issuers with credit ratings comparable to
that of Borrower, and (e) are otherwise customary

-16-

 

for similar offerings by issuers with credit ratings comparable to that of Borrower.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Permitted Convertible Debt shall qualify as a “Permitted
Subordinated Indebtedness.”

          “Person” means any natural person, corporation, trust, joint venture, association,
company, partnership, limited liability company or government, or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.

          “Platform” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).

          “Preferred Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all preferred or
preference Equity Interests (however designated) of such Person whether or not outstanding or
issued on the Effective Date.

          “Property” means any right, title or interest in or to property or assets of any kind
whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible and including any
ownership interests of any Person.

          “Province” means Province Healthcare Company, a Subsidiary of Borrower.

          “Province 2008 Notes” means Province’s 4 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2008.

          “Province 2013 Notes” means Province’s 7 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013.

          “Province Notes” means collectively the Province 2008 Notes and Province 2013 Notes.

          “Real Property” means all right, title and interest of any Loan Party or any of its
Subsidiaries in and to a parcel of real property owned, leased or operated (including, without
limitation, any leasehold estate) by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries together with, in
each case, all improvements and appurtenant fixtures, equipment, personal property, easements and
other property and rights incidental to the ownership, lease or operation thereof.

          “Redemption” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement.

          “Reference Banks” means:

     (a) prior to completion of the initial syndication of the Loans and Commitments, in
respect of the LIBO Rate, the principal London office of Citibank, N.A.; and

     (b) otherwise in respect of the LIBO Rate, the principal London office of Citibank,
N.A. and such two other banks as may be appointed by the Administrative Agent in
consultation with Borrower.

          “Register” has the meaning given such term in Section 9.04(d).

          “Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all
official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

          “Regulation X” means Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all
official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

-17-

 

          “Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s
Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, trustees, agents and advisors of such
Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

          “Release” means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying,
discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, dispersing, emanating
or migrating of any Hazardous Material in, into, onto or through the Environment.

          “Remedial Action” means (a) “remedial action” as such term is defined in CERCLA, 42
USC Section 9601(24), and (b) all other actions required by any Governmental Authority or
voluntarily undertaken to: (i) clean up, remove, treat, abate or otherwise take corrective action
to address any Hazardous Material in the Environment; (ii) prevent the Release or threat of
Release, or minimize the further Release of any Hazardous Material so it does not migrate or
endanger or threaten to endanger public health, welfare or the Environment; or (iii) perform
studies and investigations in connection with, or as a precondition to, (i) or (ii) above.

          “Representative” shall mean the administrative agent for the Senior Indebtedness.

          “Requirement of Law” means, as to any Person, any law, treaty, rule or regulation or
determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable
to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or assets or to which such Person or any of
its property or assets is subject.

          “Requisite Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%)
of the aggregate outstanding amount of all Loans; provided that the Loans of any Defaulting
Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Requisite Lenders.

          “Restricted Payment” means any direct or indirect dividend or other distribution
(whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests or Equity
Rights in Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other
property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption,
retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests or Equity Rights in
Borrower or any Subsidiary.

          “S&P” means Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

          “Sarbanes-Oxley” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

          “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

          “Senior Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement dated April 15, 2005 by and among
Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto, CNAI, as administrative agent, Bank of
America, N.A., CIBC World Markets Corp., SunTrust Bank and UBS Securities LLC, as co-syndication
agents, Citigroup and CGMI, as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner, as amended, amended and
restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time and including any
incremental term loans and incremental revolving loans thereunder.

          “Senior Indebtedness” means, at any date, all Obligations (as defined in the Senior
Credit Agreement) and Permitted Refinancings thereof so long as such Permitted Refinancings are
senior secured unsubordinated Indebtedness.

          “Senior Lenders” means the Secured Parties (as defined in the Senior Credit
Agreement).

-18-

 

          “Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal) the numerator of
which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate
(expressed as a decimal) of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special,
emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by any Governmental
Authority of the United States or of the jurisdiction of such currency or any jurisdiction to which
banks in such jurisdiction are subject for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used
to fund loans. Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D under
the Securities Act. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the
effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

          “Subordinated Debt” means Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness and any Permitted
Refinancing of any thereof.

          “Subordinated Debt Documents” means each document governing or pursuant to which is
issued any Subordinated Debt, as the same may be in effect from time to time in accordance with the
terms hereof and thereof.

          “Subordination Provisions” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01(l).

          “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation of which more than
50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board
of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time capital stock of any other
class or classes of such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any
contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person, by such Person and one or
more other Subsidiaries of such Person, or by one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person; (ii)
any partnership of which more than 50% of the outstanding partnership interests having the power to
act as a general partner of such partnership (irrespective of whether at the time any partnership
interests other than general partnership interests of such partnership shall or might have voting
power upon the occurrence of any contingency) are at the time directly or indirectly owned by such
Person, by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, or by one or more other
Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) any other legal entity the accounts of which would or should
be consolidated with those of such Person on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person prepared
in accordance with GAAP. Unless otherwise indicated, when used in this Agreement, the term
“Subsidiary” shall refer to a Subsidiary of Borrower; provided that that no employee
benefit plan, including the ESOP, shall be considered a Subsidiary of Borrower.

          “Subsidiary Loan Party” means each of Borrower’s Subsidiaries that guarantees the
Obligations pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement.

          “Taxes” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16.

          “Terminated Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

          “Third-Party Payor Programs” means all third-party payor programs in which Borrower
and its Subsidiaries currently or in the future may participate, including, without limitation,
Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield, Managed Care Plans, other private insurance
programs and employee assistance programs.

          “Transactions” means the Financing Transaction and the Redemption.

          “Transferee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16.

-19-

 

          “Type,” when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, refers to the Rate by reference
to which interest on such Loan or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing is determined. For
purposes hereof, “Rate” means the Adjusted LIBO Rate and the Alternate Base Rate.

          “Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any
date, the number of years obtained by dividing (a) the original aggregate principal amount of such
Indebtedness into (b) the sum of the total of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount
of each scheduled installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of principal
including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to
the nearest one-twelfth) which will elapse between such date and the making of such payment.

          “Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a
complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part 1 of
Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

          SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement,
Loans may and Borrowings be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan”).

          SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally. (a) The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply
equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may
require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The
words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without
limitation”. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed
references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the
context shall otherwise require. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any reference in
this Agreement to any Loan Document means such document as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.

          (b) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein (including as provided below), all terms of
an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from
time to time. In the event that any “Accounting Change” (as defined below) shall occur and such
change would result in a change in the method of calculation of standards or terms in this
Agreement, then Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to enter into negotiations
in good faith in order to promptly amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to reflect
equitably such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating
Borrower’s financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such
Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been
executed and delivered by Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders, (i) all
standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such
Accounting Changes had not occurred and (ii) Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably
requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or
requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. “Accounting Changes”
refers to changes after the date hereof in accounting principles required by the promulgation of
any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC.

          (c) If any payment under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be due on any day
that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business
Day, and in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be paid for the
period of such extension.

-20-

 

ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

          SECTION 2.01. Credit Commitments. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
each Lender severally agrees to make a Loan in Dollars to Borrower on the Effective Date in an
amount equal to the portion of such Lender’s Commitment as requested by Borrower to be made on such
date and in accordance with the limitations described in this subsection (a). Loans made on the
Effective Date shall not exceed for any Lender the Commitment of such Lender, and shall not exceed
in the aggregate $230,000,000. Amounts prepaid or repaid in respect of Loans may not be
reborrowed. Any remaining unutilized portion of the commitment shall cease to be available after
the Effective Date.

          (b) The Loans may from time to time be (i) Eurodollar Loans, (ii) ABR Loans or (iii) a
combination thereof, as determined by Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in
accordance with Sections 2.02 and 2.03.

          (c) Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Type made
by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender
to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations
hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be
responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

          SECTION 2.02. Procedure for Borrowing. (a) Borrower may borrow under the Commitments
(in each case subject to the limitations in Section 2.01 (a)) on the Effective Date by Borrower
giving the Administrative Agent notice substantially in the form of Exhibit B (each, a
“Borrowing Request”), which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to
(a) 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the third, Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing, in
the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, or (b) 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Effective Date,
in the case of an ABR Borrowing on the Effective Date, or 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the
Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing on any other date. Each Borrowing Request shall
specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, (ii) the requested Borrowing date (which must be a Business
Day and which must be the Effective Date), (iii) whether the Borrowing is to be of Eurodollar Loans
or ABR Loans, (iv) if the Borrowing is to be of Eurodollar Loans, the length of the initial
Interest Period therefor, and (v) the location and number of Borrower’s account to which funds are
to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of this Agreement. If no election as to
the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no
Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then Borrower
shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

          (b) Upon timely receipt of a Borrowing Request, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify
each Lender of the aggregate amount of such Borrowing and of the amount of such Lender’s
pro rata portion thereof, which shall be based on their respective Commitments.
Each Lender shall make the amount of its pro rata portion of such Borrowing
available to the Administrative Agent for the account of Borrower at the New York office of the
Administrative Agent specified in Section 9.01 prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the
Effective Date, in Dollars immediately available to the Administrative Agent. Amounts so received
by the Administrative Agent shall promptly be made available to Borrower by the Administrative
Agent crediting the account of Borrower on the books of such office with the aggregate of the
amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as received by
the Administrative Agent.

          SECTION 2.03. Conversion and Continuation Options for Loans. (a) Borrower may elect
from time to time to convert (i) Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans by Borrower giving the Adminis-

-21-

 

trative Agent prior written notice of such election not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City
time, on the Business Day prior to a requested conversion or (ii) ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans by
Borrower giving the Administrative Agent prior written notice of such election not later than 11:00
a.m., New York City time, three Business Days prior to a requested conversion; provided
that if any such conversion of Eurodollar Loans is made other than on the last day of an Interest
Period with respect thereto, Borrower shall pay any amounts due to the Lenders pursuant to Section
2.17 as a result of such conversion. Any such notice of conversion to Eurodollar Loans shall
specify the length of the initial Interest Period or Interest Periods therefor. Upon receipt of
any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender. All or any part of the
outstanding Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans may be converted as provided herein; provided
that (i) no Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan when any Default has occurred and is
continuing, and (ii) no Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan after the date that is one
month prior to Maturity Date.

          (b) Any Eurodollar Loans may be continued as such upon the expiration of the then current
Interest Period with respect thereto by Borrower giving prior notice to the Administrative Agent,
not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days prior to a requested
continuation setting forth the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans;
provided that no Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such (i) when any Default has occurred
and is continuing or (ii) after the date that is one month prior to the Maturity Date; and
provided, further, that if Borrower shall fail to give any required notice as
described above in this Section 2.03 or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the
preceding proviso, then such Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans on the last day of
such then expiring Interest Period (in which case the Administrative Agent shall notify Borrower of
such conversion).

          (c) In connection with any Eurodollar Loans, there shall be no more than one Interest Period
outstanding at any time.

          SECTION 2.04. [Reserved.]

          SECTION 2.05. Optional Prepayments of Loans; Repayments of Loans. (a) Borrower
may at any time and from time to time prepay the Loans (subject to compliance with the terms of
Section 2.17), in whole or in part, upon Borrower giving irrevocable written notice to the
Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, two Business Days prior to the
date of such prepayment, specifying (i) the date and amount of prepayment and (ii) whether the
prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans, ABR Loans or a combination thereof (including in the case of
Eurodollar Loans, the Borrowing to which such prepayment is to be applied and, if of a combination
thereof, the amount allocable to each). Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent
shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the amount
specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with
accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. Partial prepayments of Loans shall be in an
aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or,
if less, the remaining outstanding principal amount thereof). Except as otherwise may be directed
by Borrower, any prepayment of Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05 shall be applied, first,
to any ABR Loans then outstanding and the balance of such prepayment, if any, to the Eurodollar
Loans then outstanding.

SECTION 2.06. [Reserved.]

          SECTION 2.07. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) Borrower hereby
unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Lenders
on the Maturity Date (or such earlier date as, and to the extent that, such Loan becomes due and
payable pursuant to Article VII), the unpaid principal amount of each Loan held by each such
Lender. Borrower hereby

-22-

 

further agrees to pay interest in immediately available funds at the applicable office of the
Administrative Agent (as specified in Section 2.13(a)) on the unpaid principal amount of the Loans
made to them from time to time from the date hereof until payment in full thereof at the rates
per annum, and on the dates, set forth in Section 2.08. All payments required
hereunder shall be made in Dollars.

          (b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts
evidencing the indebtedness of Borrower to the appropriate lending office of such Lender resulting
from each Loan made by such lending office of such Lender from time to time, including the amounts
of principal and interest payable and paid to such lending office of such Lender from time to time
under this Agreement.

          (c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 9.04(d), and a
subaccount for each Lender, in which Register and subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded
(i) the amount of each such Loan, the Type of each such Loan and the Interest Period applicable
thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable
from Borrower to each Lender hereunder in respect of each such Loan and (iii) the amount of any sum
received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from Borrower in respect of each such Loan and each
Lender’s share thereof.

          (d) The entries made in the Register and accounts maintained pursuant to paragraphs (b) and
(c) of this Section 2.07 and the Notes maintained pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 2.07
shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and
amounts of the obligations of Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that
the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such account, such Register or
such subaccount, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation
of Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to Borrower by such Lender in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

          (e) The Loans made by each Lender to Borrower shall, if requested by the applicable Lender
(which request shall be made to the Administrative Agent), be evidenced by a single Note duly
executed on behalf of Borrower, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F,
with the blanks appropriately filled, payable to the order of such Lender.

          SECTION 2.08. Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each Eurodollar Loan shall bear
interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) for
each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal
to the Adjusted LIBO Rate determined for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate.

          (b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days
elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, or over a year of 360 days when the
Alternate Base Rate is determined by reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Alternate
Base Rate”) at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the
Applicable Rate.

          (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), but subject to clause (d) below, the
interest rate on the Loans shall not exceed 9.00% per annum, in the case of ABR
Loans and 10.00% per annum, in the case of Eurodollar Loans.

          (d) If all or a portion of (i) the principal amount of any Loan, (ii) any interest payable
thereon or (iii) any other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the
stated maturity thereof or by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest
at a rate per annum which is the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto
pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this

-23-

 

Section 2.08 plus 2.00% per annum from the date of such nonpayment to
(but excluding) the date on which such amount is paid in full (after as well as before judgment).

          (e) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date and on the Maturity
Date; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section 2.08
shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan, accrued
interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment
or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of
the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the
effective date of such conversion. Interest in respect of each Loan shall accrue from and
including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest
Period.

          SECTION 2.09. Computation of Interest. Each determination of an interest rate by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on
Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error.

          SECTION 2.10. Fees.

          (a) Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the administrative fee set forth in the
Fee Letter (the “Agent Fees”).

          (b) All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the
Administrative Agent for distribution. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable.

          (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any of the foregoing fees accrued with respect to any
Defaulting Lender during the period prior to the time such Lender became a Defaulting Lender and
unpaid at such time shall not be payable by Borrower so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting
Lender, except to the extent that such fee shall otherwise have been due and payable by Borrower
prior to such time. Further, none of the foregoing fees shall accrue for the benefit of a
Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.

          SECTION 2.11. Termination, Reduction or Adjustment of Commitments. Unless previously
terminated, the Commitments shall terminate at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Effective
Date.

          SECTION 2.12. Inability to Determine Interest Rate; Unavailability of Deposits; Inadequacy
of Interest Rate. If prior to 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days before the first day
of any Interest Period, including an initial Interest Period, for a requested Eurodollar Borrowing:

     (i) the Administrative Agent shall have determined in good faith (which determination
shall be conclusive and binding upon Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting
the relevant market generally, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining
the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Eurodollar Borrowing for such Interest Period, or

     (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a majority in interest of
the Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate determined or to be determined for such Interest
Period for such Eurodollar Borrowing will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such
Lenders (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining their affected
Loans during such Interest Period,

-24-

 

then the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to Borrower and the
Lenders by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the same day. The Administrative Agent shall give
telecopy or telephonic notice to Borrower and the Lenders as soon as practicable after the
circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, and until such notice has been given, any
affected Eurodollar Loans shall not be (x) converted or continued pursuant to Section 2.03 or (y)
made pursuant to a Borrowing Request, and shall be continued or made as an ABR Loans, as the case
may be.

          SECTION 2.13. Pro Rata Treatment and Payments. Each payment (including each
prepayment) by Borrower on account of principal of and interest on Loans which are ABR Loans shall
be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of such
ABR Loans then held by the Lenders. Each payment (including each prepayment) by Borrower on
account of principal of and interest on Loans which are Eurodollar Loans designated by Borrower to
be applied to a particular Eurodollar Borrowing shall be made pro rata according to
the respective outstanding principal amounts of such Loans then held by the Lenders. Except as
otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments (including prepayments) to be made by Borrower
hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without
setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the due date
thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, at the Administrative Agent’s
New York office specified in Section 9.01 in the currency in which the applicable obligation is
denominated and in immediately available funds. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such
payments to the Lenders entitled thereto in the same currency as received and promptly upon receipt
in like funds as received. If any payment hereunder (other than payments on Eurodollar Loans)
becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the
next succeeding Business Day, and, with respect to payments of principal, interest thereon shall be
payable at the then applicable rate during such extension. If any payment on a Eurodollar Loan
becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended
to the next succeeding Business Day (and, with respect to payments of principal, interest thereon
shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension) unless the result of such

extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment
shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.

          SECTION 2.14. Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the adoption
of or any change in any Requirement of Law, or in the interpretation or application thereof, after
the date hereof, shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans as
contemplated by this Agreement, (a) the commitment of such Lender hereunder to make Eurodollar
Loans, continue Eurodollar Loans as such and convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans shall forthwith
be suspended until such time as the making or maintaining of Eurodollar Loans shall no longer be
unlawful, and (b) such Lender’s Loans then outstanding as Eurodollar Loans, if any, shall be
converted automatically to ABR Loans on the respective last days of the then current Interest
Periods with respect to such Loans or within such earlier period as required by law.

          SECTION 2.15. Requirements of Law. (a) If at any time after the date hereof the
introduction of, or any change in or in the interpretation of, any law, treaty or governmental
rule, regulation or order (other than any change by way of imposition or increase of reserve
requirements included in determining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or any change relating to taxes
indemnified pursuant to Section 2.16 or Excluded Taxes) or the compliance by any Lender with any
guideline, request or directive from any central bank or other Governmental Authority (whether or
not having the force of law), shall have the effect of increasing the cost to such Lender for
maintaining any Eurodollar Loans, then Borrower shall from time to time, pay to the Administrative
Agent for the account of such Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for
such increased cost. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the applicable change in law
and the calculation of the amount of such increased cost, submitted to

-25-

 

Borrower and the Administrative Agent by such Lender, shall be conclusive and binding for all
purposes, absent manifest error. Such Lender, as applicable, shall promptly notify the
Administrative Agent and Borrower in writing of the occurrence of any such event, such notice to
state, in reasonable detail, the reasons therefor and the additional amount required fully to
compensate such Lender, for such increased cost or reduced amount. Such additional amounts shall
be payable directly to such Lender, as applicable, within ten (10) Business Days of the receipt by
Borrower of such notice, and such notice shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and
binding on Borrower.

          (b) If any change in, or the introduction, adoption, effectiveness, interpretation,
reinterpretation or phase-in of, any law or regulation, directive, guideline, decision or request
(whether or not having the force of law) of any court, central bank, regulator or other
Governmental Authority after the date hereof affects or would affect the amount of capital required
or expected to be maintained by any Lender (or a holding company controlling such Lender) and such
Lender determines (in its sole and absolute discretion) that the rate of return on its capital (or
the capital of its holding company, as the case may be) as a consequence of the Loans made by it is
reduced to a level below that which such Lender (or its holding company) could have achieved but
for the occurrence of any such circumstance, then, in any such case upon notice from time to time
by such Lender to Borrower, Borrower shall, within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of the
statement referred to below, pay directly to such Lender additional amounts sufficient to
compensate such Lender (or its holding company) for such reduction in rate of return. A statement
of such Lender as to any such additional amount or amounts (including calculations thereof in
reasonable detail) shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on Borrower.
In determining such amount, such Lender may use any method of averaging and attribution that it (in
its sole and absolute discretion) shall deem applicable.

          (c) In the event that any Lender determines that any event or circumstance that will lead to a
claim under this Section 2.15 has occurred or will occur, such Lender will use its commercially
reasonable efforts to so notify Borrower; provided that any failure to provide such notice
shall in no way impair the rights of such Lender to demand and receive compensation under this
Section 2.15, but without prejudice to any claims of Borrower for compensation for actual damages
sustained as a result of any failure to observe this undertaking.

          (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.15, Borrower shall not be
required to compensate any entity pursuant to this Section 2.15 for any amounts incurred more than
six months prior to the date that such entity notifies Borrower of such entity’s intention to claim
compensation therefor; provided that, if the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a
retroactive effect, then such six-month period shall be extended to include the period of such
retroactive effect.

          SECTION 2.16. Taxes. (a) All payments by any Loan Party of principal of, and
interest on, the Loans and all other amounts payable under any Loan Document shall, unless required
by applicable law, rule or regulation, be made free and clear of and without deduction for any
present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, duties, withholding or
other charges of any nature whatsoever imposed by any taxing authority on the Administrative Agent,
any Lender (or any assignee of such Lender, as the case may be, or a Participant or a change in
designation of the lending office of a Lender (a “Transferee”)), other than Excluded Taxes
(such non-excluded items being called “Taxes”). In the event that any withholding or
deduction from any payment to be made by the Loan Parties hereunder is required in respect of any
Taxes pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation, then, except as otherwise provided in
this Section 2.16 or in Section 9.04(f)(iii), Borrower shall:

     (i) pay directly to the relevant authority the full amount required to be so withheld
or deducted;

-26-

 

     (ii) as promptly as practicable forward to the Administrative Agent the original or a
certified copy of an official receipt, or other documentation reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent evidencing such payment to such authority; and

     (iii) pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, as the case may
be, such additional amount or amounts as are necessary to ensure that after making all
required withholdings or deductions (including withholdings or deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section) the net amount actually received by each Lender
will equal the full amount such Lender would have received had no such withholding or
deduction been required.

          (b) Borrower shall timely pay any all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any
other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder
or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise
with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document (“Other Taxes”) to the relevant
Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law.

          (c) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.16 or in Section 9.04(f)(iii), if any Taxes
are directly asserted against the Administrative Agent or any Lender or Transferee with respect to
any payment received by the Administrative Agent or such Lender or Transferee hereunder, the
Administrative Agent or such Lender or Transferee may pay such Taxes whether or not correctly or
legally asserted, and such party shall promptly notify Borrower; provided that any failure
to provide such notice shall in no way impair the rights of any Lender or Transferee to demand and
receive compensation under this Section 2.16, but without prejudice to any claims of Borrower for
failure to observe this undertaking and Borrower shall pay such additional amounts (including any
penalties (to the extent not imposed as a result of the Administrative Agent’s, Lender’s or
Transferee’s, as the case may be, gross negligence or willful misconduct), interest or expenses) as
shall be necessary in order that the net amount received by such Person after the payment of such
Taxes (including any Taxes on such additional amount) shall equal the amount such Person would have
received had such Taxes not been asserted. In addition, Borrower shall reimburse each Lender or
Transferee for all Excluded Taxes imposed in respect of amounts payable to such Person pursuant to
this Section 2.16, subject to Section 9.04(f)(iii), taking into account the amount of Taxes that
are (x) allowed as a deduction or credit in determining Excluded Taxes and (y) payable to such
Person pursuant to this Section 2.16.

          If Borrower fails to pay any Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority
pursuant to this Section 2.16, or fails to remit to the Administrative Agent, for the account of
the respective Lenders or Transferees, any payment required by Section 2.16(c) or any required
receipts or other required documentary evidence, Borrower shall indemnify the Lenders and
Transferees for any incremental Taxes, interest, penalties (to the extent not imposed as a result
of a Lender’s or Transferee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct) or other costs (including
reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) that may become payable by any Lender or Transferee as a
result of any such failure. For purposes of this Section 2.16, a distribution hereunder of funds
received from Borrower by the Administrative Agent to or for the account of any Lender or
Transferee shall be deemed a payment by Borrower.

          Payments required by this Section 2.16(c) shall be made within 20 days after the date the
Administrative Agent, Lender or Transferee, as the case may be, makes written demand to Borrower,
which written demand shall set forth, in reasonable detail, the manner in which such payment shall
have been determined and which, absent manifest error, shall be final, binding and conclusive for
all purposes.

          (d) Each Lender, the Administrative Agent and Transferee that is not a United States person as
defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code shall, on or prior to the Effective Date (in the case of
each Lender that is a party hereto on the Effective Date) or on or prior to the date of any
assignment,

-27-

 

participation or change in the designated lending office hereunder (in the case of a
Transferee) and thereafter as reasonably requested from time to time by Borrower or the
Administrative Agent, deliver, if legally able to do so, to each of Borrower and the Administrative
Agent two (or more, as Borrower or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request) United States
Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8BEN or W-8ECI or such other forms or documents (or successor
forms or documents), properly completed and duly executed, as may be required to establish the
extent, if any, to which a payment to such Lender, the Administrative Agent or Transferee is exempt
from or entitled to a reduced rate of withholding or deduction of Taxes. Each Lender, the
Administrative Agent and Transferee that is a United States person under Section 7701(a)(30) of the
Code shall, at the reasonable request of Borrower or the Administrative Agent, deliver, if legally
able to do so, to each of Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (or more, as Borrower or
Administrative Agent may reasonably request) United States Internal Revenue Service Forms W-9 (or
substitute or successor form), properly completed and duly executed, certifying that such Lender,
the Administrative Agent or Transferee is exempt from United States backup withholding. Any Person
supplying forms or other documentation pursuant to this Section 2.16(d), if legally able to do so,
shall deliver to each of Borrower and the Administrative Agent two additional copies of the
applicable United States Internal Revenue Service form (or successor form) on or before the date
that such form expires (generally three successive calendar years for Form W-8BEN and Form W-8ECI),
and shall, as promptly as practicable, notify Borrower or the Administrative Agent if any form or
other documentation previously submitted becomes incorrect.

          (e) Borrower shall not be required to indemnify or to pay any additional amounts to the
Administrative Agent, any Lender or Transferee with respect to any Taxes or other amounts pursuant
to this Section 2.16 to the extent that (i) in the case of any U.S. federal withholding Taxes, any
obligation to withhold, deduct or pay amounts with respect to such Tax was in effect and would
apply to amounts payable on the date such Lender or Transferee became a party to this Agreement, or
otherwise becomes a Transferee with respect to the interest or participation in the Loan or other
obligation in question, except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was
entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional
amounts from any Loan Party with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.16(a) (and,
in such case, Borrower may deduct and withhold such Tax from payments to the Administrative Agent,
such Lender or Transferee); provided that this subclause (i) shall not apply to any Tax
imposed on a Lender in connection with an interest or participation in any Loan or other obligation
that such Lender was required to acquire pursuant to Section 2.19, or (ii) any Lender or Transferee
fails to comply in full with the provisions of Section 2.16(d) (and, in such case, Borrower may
deduct and withhold all Taxes required by law as a result of such noncompliance from payments to
such Lender or Transferee).

          (f) In the event that any Lender or Transferee determines that a change in the factual
circumstances of such Lender or Transferee or in such party’s entitlement to benefits under an
applicable tax treaty that will lead to a claim by it under this Section 2.16 has occurred or will
occur, such Lender or Transferee will use its commercially reasonable efforts to notify Borrower as
promptly as practicable; provided that any failure to provide such notice shall in no way
impair the rights of any Lender or Transferee to demand and receive compensation under this Section
2.16, but without prejudice to any claims of Borrower for failure to observe this undertaking.

          (g) If Borrower determines that a reasonable basis exists for contesting a Tax, the Lender or
Transferee, as the case may be, shall use reasonable efforts to cooperate with Borrower as Borrower
may reasonably request in challenging such Tax. Each Lender and Transferee agrees to use
reasonable efforts to cooperate with Borrower as Borrower may reasonably request to minimize any
amount payable by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.16. Borrower shall indemnify and hold each
Lender and Transferee harmless against any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Person in
connection with any

-28-

 

request made by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.16(g). Nothing in this Section 2.16(g)
shall obligate any Lender or Transferee to take any action that such Person, in its sole judgment,
determines may result in a material detriment to such Person.

          (h) If any Lender, Transferee or Administrative Agent determines in its sole discretion that
it has received a refund of, reduction of, or the benefit of a credit against its tax or otherwise
recovers an amount in connection with any payment by Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.16 (a
“Tax Benefit”), such Person shall reimburse Borrower for the amount determined by such
Person to be the Tax Benefit (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional
amounts paid, by any Loan Party under this Section 2.16 with respect to the Taxes or the Other
Taxes giving rise to such Tax Benefit), after reduction for any out-of-pocket expenses and without
interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such
Tax Benefit), obtained by such Person as a consequence of such Tax Benefit; provided, however, that
the Loan Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the
amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties (to the extent not imposed as a result of
the Administrative Agent’s, Lender’s or Transferee’s, as the case may be, gross negligence or
willful misconduct), interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to
the Administrative Agent or such Lender within a reasonable time (not to exceed 20 days) after
receipt of written notice that the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such
Tax Benefit to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event
will any Lender be required to pay any amount to any Loan Party the payment of which would place
such Lender in a less favorable net after-tax position than such Lender would have been in if the
additional amounts or indemnification payments giving rise to such Tax Benefit had never been paid.

          (i) Nothing contained in this Section 2.16 shall obligate any Person to make available its tax
returns or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems to be confidential.

          SECTION 2.17. Indemnity. In the event any Lender shall incur any loss or expense
(including any loss (other than lost profit) or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or
reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to make, continue or maintain any
portion of the principal amount of any Loan as, or to convert any portion of the principal amount
of any Loan into, a Eurodollar Loan) as a result of any conversion of a Eurodollar Loan to an ABR
Loan or repayment or prepayment of the principal amount of any Eurodollar Loan on a date other than
the scheduled last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, whether pursuant to Section 2.03,
2.05, 2.07, 2.14, 2.15 or 2.20 or otherwise, or any failure to borrow or convert any Eurodollar
Loan after notice thereof shall have been given hereunder, whether by reason of any failure to
satisfy a condition to such Borrowing or otherwise, then, upon the written notice of such Lender to
Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), Borrower shall, within ten (10) Business Days
of the receipt by Borrower thereof, pay directly to such Lender such amount as shall (in the
reasonable determination of such Lender) reimburse such Lender for such loss or expense. Such
written notice (which shall include calculations in reasonable detail) shall, in the absence of
manifest error, be conclusive and binding on Borrower.

          SECTION 2.18. Change of Lending Office. Each Lender (or Transferee) agrees that, upon
the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16 with respect
to such Lender (or Transferee), it shall, if requested by Borrower, use its commercially reasonable
efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender (or Transferee)) to designate
another lending office for any Loans affected by such event with the object of avoiding the
consequences of such event; provided that such designation is made on terms that, in the
sole judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its respective lending offices to suffer no
economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage; and provided, further, that nothing in
this Section 2.18 shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of Borrower or the rights of any
Lender (or Transferee) pursuant to Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16.

-29-

 

          SECTION 2.19. Sharing of Setoffs. Each Lender agrees that if it shall, through the
exercise of a right of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim against Borrower or, or pursuant to a
secured claim under Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security or interest
arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim received by such Lender under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or otherwise, or by any other means, obtain payment
(voluntary or involuntary) in respect of any Loans which at the time shall be due and payable as a
result of which the unpaid principal portion of its Loans which at the time shall be due and
payable shall be proportionately less than the unpaid principal portion of such Loans of any other
Lender, it shall be deemed simultaneously to have purchased from such other Lender at face value,
and shall promptly pay to such other Lender the purchase price for, a participation in such Loans
of such other Lender, so that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Loans held by each
Lender shall be in the same proportion to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all such Loans
as prior to such exercise of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event;
provided, however, that if any such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be
made pursuant to this Section 2.19 and the payment giving rise thereto shall thereafter be
recovered, such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be rescinded to the extent of such
recovery and the purchase price or prices or adjustments restored without interest. Borrower
expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements and agree that any Lender holding a participation
in a Loan deemed to have been so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, setoff
or counterclaim with respect to any and all moneys owing by Borrower to such Lender by reason
thereof as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor directly to Borrower in the amount of
such participation.

          SECTION 2.20. Assignment of Commitments Under Certain Circumstances. If (a) any
Lender shall have delivered a notice or certificate pursuant to Section 2.14 or 2.15, or Borrower
shall be required to make additional payments to any Lender under Section 2.16, or (b) any Lender
shall become a Defaulting Lender, then, with respect to each such Lender (a “Terminated
Lender”), Borrower shall have the right, but not the obligation, at its own expense, upon
notice from Borrower to such Terminated Lender and the Administrative Agent, to replace such
Terminated Lender with an assignee (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in
Section 9.04) approved by the Administrative Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed), and such Terminated Lender hereby agrees to transfer and assign without
recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04) all its
interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to such assignee; provided,
however, that no Terminated Lender shall be obligated to make any such assignment unless
(i) such assignment shall not conflict with any law or any rule, regulation or order of any
Governmental Authority and (ii) such assignee or Borrower shall pay to the affected Terminated
Lender in immediately available funds on the date of such assignment the principal of and interest
accrued to the date of payment on the Loans made by such Terminated Lender and all fees owed to
such Terminated Lender hereunder and all other amounts accrued for such Terminated Lender’s account
or owed to it hereunder.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

          In order to induce the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter into this Agreement and
to extend credit hereunder and under the other Loan Documents on the Effective Date, the Loan
Parties, jointly and severally, make the representations and warranties set forth in this Article
III (after giving effect to the Transactions):

          SECTION 3.01. Organization, etc. Each Loan Party (a) is a corporation or other form
of legal entity, and each of its Subsidiaries is a corporation, partnership or other form of legal
entity, validly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
its incorporation or

-30-

 

organization, as the case may be, (b) has all requisite corporate or other power and authority
to carry on its business as now conducted, (c) is duly qualified to do business and is in good
standing as a foreign corporation or foreign partnership (or comparable foreign qualification, if
applicable, in the case of any other form of legal entity), as the case may be, in each
jurisdiction where the nature of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure
to so qualify will not have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) has full power and authority and
holds all requisite material governmental licenses, permits and other approvals to enter into and
perform its obligations under this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party
and to own or hold under lease its Property and to conduct its business substantially as currently
conducted by it.

          SECTION 3.02. Due Authorization, Non-Contravention, etc. The execution, delivery and
performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a
party, the borrowing of the Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof, and consummation of the
Transactions are within each Loan Party’s corporate, partnership or comparable powers, as the case
may be, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership or comparable and, if
required, stockholder action, as the case may be, and do not

     (a) contravene the Organic Documents of any Loan Party or any of its respective
Subsidiaries;

     (b) contravene any law, statute, rule or regulation binding on or affecting any Loan
Party or any of its respective Subsidiaries that would have or could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (c) violate or result in a default or event of default or an acceleration of any rights
or benefits under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Loan Party
or any of its respective Subsidiaries that would have or could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect; or

     (d) result in, or require the creation or imposition of, any Lien on any assets of any
Loan Party or any of its respective Subsidiaries that would have or could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 3.03. Government Approval, Regulation, etc. No consent, authorization or
approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or
regulatory body or other Person is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by
Borrower or any other Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the borrowing of the
Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof, nor for the consummation of the Transactions, except (a)
such as have in all material respects been obtained or made (or waived) and are in full force and
effect and (b) such where the failure to obtain or make would not and could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Loan Party or any of its respective Subsidiaries is
an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or 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,” within the meaning of the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

          SECTION 3.04. Validity, etc. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
each Loan Party and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is to be a
party will, on the due execution and delivery thereof and assuming the due execution and delivery
of this Agreement by each of the other parties hereto, constitute, the legal, valid and binding
obligation of such Loan Party enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, subject to the
effect of bankruptcy,

-31-

 

insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors’
rights generally and to general principles of equity.

          SECTION 3.05. [Reserved]

          SECTION 3.06. Financial Information. (a) The consolidated balance sheets of Historic
LifePoint and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 and the related statements of
income, retained earnings and cash flows of Historic LifePoint and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal
years then ended, reported on by Ernst & Young LLP, independent public accountants, copies of which
have been furnished to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, have been prepared in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied, and present fairly in all material respects the consolidated
financial condition of Historic LifePoint and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the
results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended.

          (b) The consolidated balance sheets of Province and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003
and 2004 and the related statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of Province and its
Subsidiaries for the fiscal years then ended, reported on by Ernst & Young LLP, independent public
accountants, copies of which have been furnished to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, have
been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and present fairly in all material
respects the consolidated financial condition of Province and its Subsidiaries as of the dates
thereof and the results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended.

          (c) Except as provided for or disclosed in the financial statements described in paragraphs
(a) and (b) and the Indebtedness incurred under this Agreement, and as of the Effective Date
neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any third party Indebtedness, contingent
liabilities, long-term commitments or unrealized losses (excluding, in each case, current
obligations or losses incurred in the ordinary course of business) which, individually or in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 3.07. No Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2004, no event or
circumstance has occurred that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse
Effect.

          SECTION 3.08. Litigation. There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Loan
Parties, threatened litigation, action or proceeding (including, without limitation, any existing
or new litigation relating to the Transactions) affecting Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or
any of their respective businesses, assets, results of operations or financial condition, or the
ability of the parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, which, in the case of
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, would have a Material Adverse Effect or which purports to affect the
legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

          SECTION 3.09. Compliance with Laws and Agreements. None of the Loan Parties has
violated, is in violation of or has been given written notice of any violation of any laws (other
than Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 3.14), regulations and orders of any
Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property (including any laws relating to terrorism,
money laundering or embargoed persons, including Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing,
effective September 24, 2001, and the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate
Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56)) or any
indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except for any
violations which do not have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing.

-32-

 

          SECTION 3.10. Subsidiaries. Schedule 3.10 hereto sets forth the name of, and
the direct or indirect ownership interest of Borrower in, each Subsidiary or other investment of
Borrower and identifies each Subsidiary that is a Loan Party, in each case as of the Effective
Date.

          SECTION 3.11. Ownership of Properties. (a) Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries has
good and marketable title to (or other similar title in jurisdictions outside the United States of
America), or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property interests in, or
is licensed to use, all its material properties and assets, except for minor defects in title that
do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such
properties and assets for their intended purposes and except where the failure to have such title
in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All of
Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ interests in such material properties and assets are free and
clear of Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

          (b) Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries has complied with all obligations under all leases
to which it is a party, except where the failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse
Effect, and all such leases are in full force and effect, except leases in respect of which the
failure to be in full force and effect could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all
such leases, other than leases in respect of which the failure to enjoy peaceful and undisturbed
possession could not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect.

          (c) Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns, possesses, is licensed or otherwise has the
right to use, or could obtain ownership or possession of, on terms not materially adverse to it,
all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses and rights with respect
thereto necessary for the present conduct of its business, without any known conflict with the
rights of others, except where such conflicts could not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 3.12. Taxes. Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries has timely filed all
federal, foreign and all other material income tax returns and reports required by law to have been
filed by it and has timely paid all material taxes and governmental charges due whether or not
shown on any return, except any such taxes or charges which are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves shall have been set aside on its books to
the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP. Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries has made
adequate provision for all taxes not yet due and payable to the extent required by and in
accordance with GAAP. Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries is unaware of any proposed or pending
tax assessments, deficiencies or audits that could be reasonably expected to, individually or in
the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries
has ever been a party to any understanding or arrangement constituting a “tax shelter” within the
meaning of Section 6662(d)(2)(C)(iii) of the Code or within the meaning of Section 6111(c) or
Section 6111(d) of the Code as in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the American Jobs
Creation of 2004, or has ever “participated” in a “reportable transaction” within the meaning of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4, except as could not be reasonably expected to, individually
or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 3.13. Pension and Welfare Plans. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably
expected to occur which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower
and its Subsidiaries and their ERISA Affiliates are in compliance in all respects with the
presently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan
except for failures to so comply which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Pension Plans
(based on the

-33-

 

assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of
the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market
value of the assets of all such underfunded Pension Plans by an amount that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 3.14. Environmental Warranties. (a) Except as set forth on Schedule
3.14(a) to the Senior Credit Agreement, all facilities and Property owned, leased or operated
by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and all operations conducted thereon, are in compliance
with all Environmental Laws, except for such noncompliance that, individually or in the aggregate,
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14(b) to the Senior Credit Agreement, there are
no pending or threatened (in writing):

     (i) Environmental Claims received by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or

     (ii) claims, complaints, notices or inquiries received by Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries regarding Environmental Liability,

in each case which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

          (c) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14(c) to the Senior Credit Agreement, there have
been no Releases of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or from any property now or, to any Loan
Party’s knowledge, previously owned, leased or operated by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
that, individually or in the aggregate, have had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

          (d) Borrower and its Subsidiaries have been issued and are in compliance with all
Environmental Permits necessary for their operations, facilities and businesses and each is in full
force and effect, except for such Environmental Permits which, if not so obtained or as to which
Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not in compliance, or are not in effect, individually or in the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (e) No property now or, to any Loan Party’s knowledge, previously owned, leased or operated by
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is listed or proposed (with respect to owned property only) for
listing on the CERCLIS, on the National Priorities List pursuant to CERCLA, or on any similar state
list of sites requiring investigation or clean-up.

          (f) There are no underground storage tanks, active or abandoned, including petroleum storage
tanks, surface impoundments or disposal areas, on or under any property now or, to any Loan Party’s
knowledge, previously owned, leased or operated by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from which
there has been a Release of any Hazardous Material or which has not been maintained in compliance
with applicable Environmental Law, in either case which, individually or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (g) Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has arranged for disposal or treatment, or
arranged for transport for disposal or treatment, of any Hazardous Material to any location which
is listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List pursuant to CERCLA, on the
CERCLIS or on any similar state list or which is the subject of federal, state or local enforcement
actions or other investigations which would reasonably be expected to lead to any Environmental
Claim against Borrower

-34-

 

or such Subsidiary, which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (h) No Liens have been recorded pursuant to any Environmental Law with respect to any property
or other assets currently owned or leased by Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

          (i) Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is currently conducting any Remedial Action
pursuant to any Environmental Law, nor has any of the Loan Parties or any of their respective
Subsidiaries assumed by contract, agreement or operation of law any obligation under Environmental
Law, the cost of which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 3.15. Regulations U and X. The Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof, this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in a violation of or be
inconsistent with any provision of Regulation U or Regulation X.

          SECTION 3.16. Disclosure; Accuracy of Information. (a) Neither this Agreement nor any
other document, certificate or statement in writing furnished to the Administrative Agent or any
Lender by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection herewith (including, without limitation, all
filings of Historic LifePoint or Borrower filed with the SEC’s via EDGAR and any marketing
materials furnished or to be furnished hereafter) as of the date thereof and taken as a whole
contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements contained herein and therein not materially misleading, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made; provided that to the extent this or any such
document, certificate or statement (including, without limitation, all filings of Historic
LifePoint or Borrower filed with the SEC’s via EDGAR and any marketing materials furnished or to be
furnished hereafter) was based upon or constitutes a forecast, projection, other forward-looking
information or pro formas, the Loan Parties represent only that they acted in good faith and
utilized reasonable assumptions and due care in the preparation of such document, certificate or
statement.

          (b) It is understood and agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that the foregoing
documents, certificates, to the extent based upon or constituting forecasts, projections,
estimates, other forward looking information, pro formas, or otherwise relating to future or
hypothetical events, are not to be viewed as fact, that no assurance is given that the results
forecasted in such documents, certificates and statements will be achieved and that actual results
during the period or periods covered by such documents, certificates and statements are subject to
significant uncertainties and contingencies (many of which are out of the control of Borrower) and
may differ from the projected results set forth therein and that the difference may be material.

          SECTION 3.17. Insurance. Set forth on Schedule 3.17 hereto is a summary of
all policies of insurance and/or programs of self-insurance maintained by Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date with respect to its properties material to the business of
Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Such policies of insurance and/or programs of self-insurance
satisfy the requirements of Section 5.04.

          SECTION 3.18. Labor Matters. Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (for purposes of this representation being
made on the Effective Date only, with references to the Loan Parties in such definition being
deemed to be references to Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole), (a) there are no
strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against Borrower or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of
any Loan Party, threatened; (b) the hours worked by and payments made to employees of Borrower and
its Subsidiaries have not been in violation

-35-

 

of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or
foreign law dealing with such matters; and (c) all payments due from Borrower or any Subsidiary, or
for which any claim may be made against Borrower or any Subsidiary, on account of wages and
employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability
on the books of Borrower or such Subsidiary.

          SECTION 3.19. Solvency. Immediately following the making of each Loan and after
giving effect to the application of the proceeds of such Loans, (a) the fair value of the assets of
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, at a fair valuation, will exceed its
debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value
of the property of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be greater
than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other
liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become
absolute and matured; (c) Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be
able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and
liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it
is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted.

          SECTION 3.20. Securities. Subject to payment of the consideration provided in the
Merger Documents in connection with the Mergers and any Restricted Payment referred to in Section
6.07(vi), (a) upon the issuance thereof, the Equity Interests of Borrower’s Subsidiaries will have
been duly authorized, issued and delivered and will be fully paid, nonassessable and free of
preemptive rights that have not been waived, (b) the Equity Interests of each Subsidiary held,
directly or indirectly, by Borrower, are owned, directly or indirectly, by Borrower free and clear
of all Liens (other than Liens permitted under clauses (i), (iv) or (x) of Section 6.02) and (c)
there are not, as of the Effective Date, any existing options, warrants, calls, subscriptions,
convertible or exchangeable securities, rights, agreements, commitments or arrangements for any
Person to acquire any Equity Interests of Borrower’s Subsidiaries or any other securities
convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right to subscribe for any such Equity
Interests, except as disclosed in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 5.01(a)
and (b) or in the Merger Documents.

          SECTION
3.21. Indebtedness To Remain Outstanding. (a) Set forth on Schedule
3.21(a) hereto is a list and description of all Indebtedness of the Loan Parties and their
Subsidiaries (other than the Loans and Indebtedness permitted pursuant to clauses (vi), (viii),
(ix), (x) and (xi) of Section 6.01) that will be outstanding immediately after the Effective Date
(collectively, the “Indebtedness to Remain Outstanding”).

          (b) Set forth on Schedule 3.21(d) to the Senior Credit Agreement is a list and
description of all Liens of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (other than to secure Senior
Indebtedness), to the extent such Liens are evidenced by a UCC, financing statement that will be
outstanding immediately after the Effective Date.

          SECTION 3.22. [Reserved.]

          SECTION 3.23. Licenses; Accreditations. As of the Effective Date, all the Hospitals
are listed on Schedule 3.23 to the Senior Credit Agreement, as amended by Schedule
3.23 hereto. Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries has all necessary
licenses, permits, franchises, certificates of need, rights to participate in, or the benefit of
valid agreements to participate in Medicare, Medicaid and other material Third-Party Payor Programs
and other rights necessary for the conduct of its business and for the intended use of its
properties and assets to the extent necessary to ensure no material interruption

-36-

 

in cash flow. No less than 75% of the Hospitals are accredited by JCAHO. Each Hospital is
licensed as an acute care hospital by such other Accreditation Bodies having jurisdiction over it.
Except as in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to affect 25% or more of all Hospitals
and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, there are no
deficiencies in any services provided at any Hospital that would prevent the extension of any
accreditation by JCAHO or other applicable Accreditation Body as an acute care hospital. With
respect to such Hospitals eligible for accreditation by JCAHO, the Loan Parties are taking all
reasonable steps necessary or advisable to obtain such accreditation promptly and, in any event,
within twelve months after the loss or failure to obtain such accreditation. Except as in the
aggregate could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) there are no
rate appeals currently pending before any Governmental Authority with respect to any Hospital; (b)
there are no recoupment claims made or contests pending or threatened as a result of any audits by
any Third-Party Payor Programs and no open or unsettled cost reports for which any Loan Party is
financially responsible or has not been indemnified with respect to any Hospital; and (c) there are
no material claims or assertions made in any utilization review that any of the practices or
procedures used at any Hospital are improper or inappropriate.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS

          SECTION 4.01. Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans, in each
case, on the Effective Date are subject, at the time of the making of such Loans, to satisfaction
of the following conditions on or prior to the Effective Date:

     (a) The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party hereto either (i) a
counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of an
executed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this
Agreement.

     (b) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) counterparts of the Guarantee
Agreement signed on behalf of each Subsidiary party thereto and (ii) counterparts of the
Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement signed on behalf of each Loan Party.

     (c) The Administrative Agent shall have received from Borrower a Closing Certificate,
dated the Effective Date and signed on behalf of Borrower by a Financial Officer of
Borrower.

     (d) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the
Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization,
existence and good standing of each Loan Party, the authorization of the Transactions and
any other legal matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the
Transactions, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

     (e) The Administrative Agent shall have received from Dewey Ballantine LLP, counsel to
Borrower, an opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the
Effective Date substantially in the form of Exhibit J.

     (f) All documents executed or submitted in connection with this Agreement, the
borrowings hereunder and the other Loan Documents shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
Lenders.

-37-

 

     (g) All corporate and legal proceedings and all instruments and agreements in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
to occur on or prior to the Effective Date shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall have received
all information and copies of all documents and papers, including records of corporate
proceedings, governmental approvals, good standing certificates and bring down telegrams or
facsimiles, if any, which the Administrative Agent reasonably may have requested in
connection therewith, such documents and papers where appropriate to be certified by proper
corporate or governmental authorities.

     (h) The representations and warranties set forth in Article III and in the other Loan
Documents that are made as of the Effective Date shall be true and correct with the same
effect as if then made.

     (i) At the time of and immediately after the Borrowings to be made on the Effective
Date and the consummation of the Transactions, no Default shall have occurred and be
continuing.

     (j) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the chief Financial
Officer of Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit K confirming the solvency
of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the
Transactions.

     (k) Immediately after giving effect to the Transactions, neither Borrower nor any of
its Subsidiaries shall have outstanding any Indebtedness other than (i) the Loans and other
extensions of credit under this Agreement, (ii) Indebtedness permitted pursuant to clauses
(v), (vii), (viii), (ix) and (x) of Section 6.01(a) and (iii) the Indebtedness to Remain
Outstanding.

     (l) All requisite material governmental authorities and third parties shall have
approved or consented to the Transactions to the extent required, all applicable appeal
periods shall have expired and there shall be no judicial or regulatory action by a
governmental agency, actual or threatened, that could reasonably be expected to restrain,
prevent or impose materially burdensome conditions on the Transactions or the other
transactions contemplated hereby.

     (m) There shall be no litigation, administrative or regulatory proceeding that could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or on the ability of the parties to
consummate the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated hereby.

     (n) The Administrative Agent shall have received all Fees payable to the Administrative
Agent or any Lender on or prior to the Effective Date under the Fee Letter and all other
amounts due and payable pursuant to the Loan Documents on or prior to the Effective Date,
including reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including
reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel llp) required
to be reimbursed or paid by Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

     (o) The Administrative Agent shall have received a notice of Borrowing as required by
Section 2.02.

-38-

 

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

          Each Loan Party hereby covenants and agrees with the Lenders that on and after the Effective
Date and until the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other amounts payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document have been paid in full:

          SECTION 5.01. Financial Information, Reports, Notices, etc. Borrower shall furnish,
or shall cause to be furnished, to each Lender and the Administrative Agent copies of the following
financial statements, reports, notices and information:

     (a) within the earlier of (i) five Business Days following the date such information is
required to be filed with the SEC and (ii) 45 days after the end of each of the first three
Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower
and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and consolidated statements of
earnings and cash flow of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter and for the
same period in the prior Fiscal Year and for the period commencing at the end of the prior
Fiscal Year and ending with the end of such Fiscal Quarter, certified by a Financial Officer
of Borrower (it being understood and agreed that the delivery of Borrower’s Form 10-Q for
such Fiscal Quarter as filed with the SEC, if certified as required in this clause (a),
shall satisfy such requirements), together with a certificate from a Financial Officer of
Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit D (a “Compliance Certificate”)
to the effect that, in making the examination necessary for the signing of such certificate
or otherwise, such Financial Officer has not become aware of any Default that has occurred
and is continuing, or, if such Financial Officer has become aware of such Default,
describing in reasonable detail such Default and the steps, if any, being taken to cure it;

     (b) within the earlier of (i) five Business Days following the date such information is
required to be filed with the SEC and (ii) 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of
Borrower, a copy of the annual audit report for such Fiscal Year for Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, including therein a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year and consolidated statements of earnings and
cash flow of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, in each case certified
(without any Impermissible Qualification) in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent
by one of the “big four” independent accounting firms or any other independent public
accountants reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (it being understood and
agreed that the delivery of Borrower’s Form 10-K for such Fiscal Year as filed with the SEC,
if certified as required in this clause (b), shall satisfy such requirements), together with
a Compliance Certificate to the effect that, in making the examination necessary for the
signing of such certificate or otherwise, such Financial Officer has not become aware of any
Default that has occurred and is continuing, or, if such Financial Officer has become aware
of such Default, describing in reasonable detail such Default and the steps, if any, being
taken to cure it;

     (c) no later than January 31 of each Fiscal Year, a detailed consolidated budget for
Borrower and its Subsidiaries by Fiscal Quarter for such Fiscal Year (including a projected
consolidated balance sheet and related statements of projected operations and cash flow as
of the end of and for each Fiscal Quarter during such Fiscal Year) and, promptly when
available, any significant revisions of such budget;

     (d) promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of any “management letter” submitted to
Borrower by its independent certified public accountants;

-39-

 

     (e) as promptly as possible and in any event within three Business Days after becoming
aware of the occurrence of any Default, a statement of a Financial Officer of Borrower
describing in reasonable detail such Default and the action which Borrower has taken and
proposes to take with respect thereto;

     (f) promptly and in any event within five Business Days after (i) becoming aware of any
adverse development with respect to any litigation, action or proceeding that could,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
or (ii) the commencement of any litigation, action or proceeding that could, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or that purports
to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, notice thereof and copies of
all documentation relating thereto;

     (g) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of all reports which Borrower
sends to any of its security holders, and all reports, registration statements (other than
on Form S-8 or any successor form) or other materials (including affidavits with respect to
reports) which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their officers files with the
SEC or any securities exchange or quotation system;

     (h) promptly, after becoming aware of any ERISA Event that could, alone or together
with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, a written notice specifying the nature thereof, what action the Loan Party
or other ERISA Affiliate have taken, are taking or propose to take with respect thereto,
and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the Internal Revenue Service, Department
of Labor, PBGC or Multiemployer Plan sponsor with respect thereto;

     (i) promptly after becoming aware thereof, notice of any other development that could,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
and

     (j) such other information respecting the condition or operations, financial or
otherwise, of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as any Lender through the Administrative
Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

          SECTION 5.02. Compliance with Laws, etc. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, comply in all respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and
orders, except where such noncompliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, such compliance to include, subject to the foregoing
(without limitation):

     (a) the maintenance and preservation of such Loan Party’s and its Subsidiaries’
existence and their qualification as a foreign corporation or partnership (or comparable
foreign qualification, if applicable, in the case of any other form of legal entity), and

     (b) the payment, before the same become delinquent, of all material taxes, assessments
and governmental charges imposed upon them or upon their property except as permitted under
Section 5.14.

          SECTION 5.03. Maintenance of Properties. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, maintain, preserve, protect and keep its material properties and assets in
good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and make necessary and
proper repairs, renewals and replacements so that its business carried on in connection therewith
may be properly

-40-

 

conducted at all times; provided that nothing in this Section 5.03 shall prevent any
Loan Party from discontinuing the operation and maintenance of any of its properties or any of
those of its Subsidiaries if such discontinuance is, in the good faith and reasonable commercial
judgment of such Loan Party, desirable in the conduct of its or their business and does not in the
aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 5.04. Insurance. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, maintain or cause to be maintained insurance or self-insurance, which shall
include coverage provided by a financially sound and responsible insurance company or an Insurance
Subsidiary with respect to their properties material to the business of the Loan Parties and their
Subsidiaries against such casualties and contingencies and of such types and in such amounts with
such deductibles (which may include self-insurance trusts) as is customary in the case of similar
businesses of comparable size operating in the same or similar locations (including, without
limitation, (i) physical hazard insurance on an “all risk” basis, (ii) commercial general liability
against claims for bodily injury, death or property damage covering any and all claims, medical
professional liability, contractual liability and druggists’ liability, (iii) business
interruption insurance and (iv) workers’ compensation insurance as may be required by any
Requirement of Law), and shall, upon request of the Administrative Agent, furnish to each Lender at
reasonable intervals a certificate of an Authorized Officer of Borrower setting forth the nature
and extent of all insurance or self-insurance maintained by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries
in accordance with this Section 5.04.

          SECTION 5.05. Books and Records; Visitation Rights. Each Loan Party shall, and shall
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep books and records which accurately reflect its business
affairs in all material respects and material transactions and permit the Administrative Agent or
its representatives, at reasonable times and intervals, to visit all of its offices, to discuss its
financial matters with its officers and, in the presence of an Authorized Officer (or his or her
designee) independent public accountant, and, upon the reasonable request of the Administrative
Agent or a Lender, to examine (and, at the expense of Borrower, photocopy extracts from) any of its
books or other corporate or partnership records (in each case excluding patient medical records and
other material to the extent confidential under applicable laws).

          SECTION 5.06. Environmental Covenant. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of
its Subsidiaries to:

     (a) use and operate all of its facilities and properties in compliance with all
Environmental Laws except for such noncompliance which, individually or in the aggregate,
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, keep all Environmental
Permits in effect and remain in compliance therewith and handle all Hazardous Materials in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, except for any noncompliance that would
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (b) promptly notify the Administrative Agent and provide copies of all written
inquiries, claims, complaints or notices from any Person relating to the environmental
condition of its facilities and properties or compliance with or liability under any
Environmental Law which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, and promptly cure and have dismissed with prejudice or
contest in good faith any actions and proceedings relating thereto;

     (c) in the event of the presence of any Hazardous Material on, at, under or emanating
from any Property owned, leased or operated by any Loan Party which is in violation of any
Environmental Law or which could reasonably be expected to have Environmental Liability
which violation or Environmental Liability, individually or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected

-41-

 

to have a Material Adverse Effect, each applicable Loan Party and its
Subsidiaries, upon discovery thereof, shall take all necessary steps to initiate and
expeditiously complete all response, corrective and other action to mitigate and eliminate
any such adverse effect in accordance with and to the extent required by applicable
Environmental Laws, and shall keep the Administrative Agent informed of their actions; and

     (d) provide such information and certifications that the Administrative Agent may
reasonably request from time to time to evidence compliance with this Section 5.06.

          SECTION 5.07. [Reserved.]

          SECTION 5.08. Existence; Conduct of Business. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and
keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges,
franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of the business
of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided that the foregoing shall not
prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.

          SECTION 5.09. Performance of Obligations. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause its
Subsidiaries to, perform all of its obligations under the terms of each mortgage, indenture,
security agreement, other debt instrument and material contract by which it is bound or to which it
is a party except for such noncompliance as, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect.

          SECTION 5.10. Casualty and Condemnation. Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders prompt written notice of any casualty or other insured damage to any property
in an amount in excess of $10,000,000 under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar
proceeding.

          SECTION 5.11. [Reserved.]

          SECTION 5.12. Further Assurances. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause its
Subsidiaries to, execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and
instruments, and take all such further actions, which may be required under any applicable law, or
which the Administrative Agent or the Requisite Lenders may reasonably request, to effectuate the
transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

          SECTION 5.13. Use of Proceeds. Borrower covenants and agrees that the proceeds of the
Borrowings made on the Effective Date shall be used by Borrower (i) to advance an intercompany loan
to Historic Lifepoint, the proceeds to which shall be applied by Historic Lifepoint to pay the
principal, premium and accrued unpaid interest on the LifePoint Notes and pay fees and expenses in
connection with the Redemption and (ii) to pay fees and expenses payable hereunder and under the
other Loan Documents.

          SECTION 5.14. Payment of Taxes. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause its
Subsidiaries to, timely pay and discharge all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges
or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits, or upon any Properties belonging to it,
prior to the date on which material penalties attach thereto, and all lawful claims which, if
unpaid, might become a Lien or charge upon any Properties of such Loan Party or Subsidiary or cause
a failure or forfeiture of title thereto; provided that neither such Loan Party nor any of
its Subsidiaries shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim that is
being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings,

-42-

 

which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the Property or
asset that may become subject to such Lien, if it has maintained adequate reserves with respect
thereto in accordance with and to the extent required under GAAP. Each Loan Party shall, and shall
cause its Subsidiaries to, timely file all material tax returns required to be filed by it.

          SECTION 5.15. Guarantees. If any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party guarantees any
obligations under the Senior Credit Agreement, then Borrower shall cause such Subsidiary to,
concurrently with such guarantee, execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a counterpart of
the Guarantee Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing (or anything in any other Loan Document to
the contrary), Borrower may request from time to time that a Subsidiary Loan Party be released from
its obligations under the Guarantee Agreement (and the Agent shall promptly execute such
documentation evidencing such release as may be reasonably requested by Borrower), so long as (i)
such Subsidiary Loan Party is concurrently (or prior thereto) released from its guarantee under the
Senior Credit Agreement and (ii) such release does not occur in connection with the repayment in
full of the obligations under the Senior Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 5.16. Subordination of Intercompany Loans. Each Loan Party covenants and
agrees that any future debt obligation of any Loan Party to any Non-Loan Party (other than any
Insurance Subsidiary) shall be subordinated to the Loans to at least the same extent as the
intercompany notes delivered pursuant to Section 4.01(r) of the Senior Credit Agreement are
subordinated to the Loans under the Senior Credit Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

          Each Loan Party hereby covenants and agrees with the Lenders that on and after the Effective
Date and until the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other amounts payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document have been paid in full:

          SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities. (a) The Loan Parties shall
not, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist
(including by way of Guarantee) any Indebtedness or enter into any Hedging Agreement, except:

     (i) (A) Indebtedness incurred and outstanding under the Loan Documents and any
Permitted Refinancing thereof and (B) Indebtedness incurred under the Senior Credit
Agreement not to exceed the sum of (i) term loans outstanding on the date hereof, (ii)
additional term loans thereunder in an amount not to exceed $400.0 million and (iii)
revolving loans thereunder in an amount not to exceed $400.0 million and any Permitted
Refinancing thereof.

     (ii) Indebtedness to Remain Outstanding and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

     (iii) (x) Indebtedness of any Loan Party owed to any other Loan Party or to any
Non-Loan Party, (y) Indebtedness of any Non-Loan Party owed to any other Non-Loan Party, and
(z) Indebtedness of any Non-Loan Party owed to any Loan Party in an aggregate principal
amount outstanding at any time not to exceed, when taken together with investments then
outstanding pursuant to Section 6.04(xiv) and (xv) and Guarantees then outstanding pursuant
to clause (iv)(z) below, 25% of Consolidated Total Assets;

     (iv) (x) Guarantees by any Loan Party of Indebtedness of any other Loan Party, (y)
Guarantees by any Non-Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Loan Party or any other Non-Loan

-43-

 

Party, and (z) Guarantees by any Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Non-Loan Party in an
aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time not to exceed, when taken together with
investments then outstanding pursuant to Section 6.04(xiv) and (xv) and Indebtedness then
outstanding pursuant to clause (iii)(z) above, 25% of Consolidated Total Assets, in each
case under this clause (iv) to the extent such Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred
hereunder, and if such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations
under the Loan Documents, such Guarantee is at least as subordinated in right of payment to
the Obligations;

     (v) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of
a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course
of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within two Business
Days of its incurrence;

     (vi) Indebtedness of Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition,
construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease
Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such
assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof, and
extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the
outstanding principal amount thereof or result in an earlier maturity date or decreased
Weighted Average Life to Maturity thereof; provided that (A) such Indebtedness is
incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such
construction or improvement and (B) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted
by this clause (vi) shall not exceed $75,000,000 at any time outstanding;

     (vii) Hedging Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for
speculative purposes;

     (viii) Indebtedness owed to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit for
the benefit of) any Person, including any Insurance Subsidiary, providing workers’
compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or
liability insurance (including medical malpractice, other professional and general liability
insurance) to Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification
obligations to such Person;

     (ix) Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety
bonds and similar obligations and trade-related letters of credit, in each case provided in
the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and
environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business;

     (x) Indebtedness arising from agreements of Borrower or any Subsidiary providing for
indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred
or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Subsidiary, other
than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such
business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

     (xi) Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness; provided that no Default shall have
occurred or be continuing or would result therefrom; and provided, further,
that the net proceeds of any such Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause is used
concurrently with or within two Business Days after such incurrence to optionally prepay the
Loans pursuant to Section 2.05;

     (xii) Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of
Borrower in connection with a Permitted Acquisition in an aggregate principal amount not to
exceed $100,000,000, but only if such Indebtedness was not created or incurred in
contemplation of

-44-

 

such Person becoming a Subsidiary; provided that no Default shall have occurred
or be continuing or would result therefrom;

     (xiii) other Indebtedness of Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal
amount not to exceed $125,000,000 at any time outstanding; and

     (xiv) Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to
exceed $250,000,000 incurred within 90 days prior to or after the closing of the acquisition
of Danville Regional Medical Center and related assets located in Danville, VA
(“Danville”) to finance the acquisition of Danville, or, in the case of any such
Indebtedness incurred within such period after the closing of the acquisition of Danville,
to refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred to finance the acquisition of Danville
(including, without limitation, to replenish any revolving credit borrowings used to finance
the acquisition of Danville).

          (b) The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue any
Preferred Stock or other preferred Equity Interest which (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable
pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (ii) is or may become redeemable or
repurchaseable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or (iii) is convertible or
exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof for Indebtedness or Preferred Stock or any other
preferred Equity Interest described in this paragraph.

          SECTION 6.02. Liens. The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of their
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any
Property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by them, or assign or sell any income or revenues
(including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except the following (herein
collectively referred to as “Permitted Liens”):

     (i) Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties under the
Senior Credit Agreement (each as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement);

     (ii) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds
or performance bonds, landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, suppliers’,
materialmen’s, attorney’s or other like liens, in any case incurred in the ordinary course
of business and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent beyond 90 days or being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that a reserve or other
appropriate provision shall have been made therefor to the extent required under GAAP;

     (iii) Liens existing on the Effective Date and identified on Schedule 3.21(d)
to the Senior Credit Agreement;

     (iv) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims or other like
statutory Liens, in any case incurred in the ordinary course of business, that do not secure
Indebtedness for borrowed money and (A) that are not yet delinquent or (B) that are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that a reserve or other
appropriate provision shall have been made therefor to the extent required under GAAP;

     (v) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) of the type
described in Section 6.01(a)(vi) covering only the assets acquired or improved with such
Indebtedness;

-45-

 

     (vi) Liens which secure obligations under Indebtedness owed to a Loan Party and
incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(iii) or Guarantees owed to a Loan Party and incurred
pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(iv);

     (vii) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred to refinance Indebtedness secured by the
Liens of the type described in clauses (iii) and (v) of this Section 6.02; provided
that any such Lien shall not extend to or cover any assets not securing the Indebtedness so
refinanced;

     (viii) (A) Liens in the form of zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, reservations,
covenants, conditions or other restrictions on the use of real property or other minor
irregularities in title (including leasehold title) that do not (1) secure Indebtedness or
(2) individually or in the aggregate materially impair the value of the real property
affected thereby or the occupation, use and enjoyment in the ordinary course of business of
Borrower and any Subsidiary at such real property and (B) with respect to leasehold
interests in real property, mortgages, obligations, liens and other encumbrances incurred,
created, assumed or permitted to exist and arising by, through or under a landlord or owner
of such leased property encumbering the landlord’s or owner’s interest in such leased
property;

     (ix) Liens in the form of pledges or deposits securing bids, tenders, contracts (other
than contracts for the payment of money) or leases to which Borrower or any Subsidiary is a
party, in each case, made in the ordinary course of business for amounts (A) not yet due and
payable or (B) being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided
that a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as is required by GAAP shall have
been made therefor;

     (x) Liens resulting from operation of law with respect to any judgments, awards or
orders to the extent that such judgments, awards or orders do not cause or constitute a
Default under this Agreement;

     (xi) Liens in the form of licenses, leases or subleases granted or created by Borrower
or any Subsidiary, which licenses, leases or subleases do not interfere, individually or in
the aggregate, in any material respect with the business of Borrower or such Subsidiary or
individually or in the aggregate materially impair the use (for its intended purpose) or the
value of the property subject thereto; provided that any such Lien shall not extend
to or cover any assets of Borrower or any Subsidiary that is not the subject of any such
license, lease or sublease;

     (xii) Liens on fixtures or personal property held by or granted to landlords pursuant
to leases to the extent that such Liens are not yet due and payable;

     (xiii) pledges or deposits in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment
insurance or other social security legislation or in connection with self-retention or
self-insurance including with respect to general liability, medical malpractice,
professional liability, or property liability; and

     (xiv) Liens that secure Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
$50,000,000.

          SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes; Line of Business. (a) The Loan Parties shall not,
and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person,
or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with them, or liquidate or dissolve, except
that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, (i) any wholly-owned Subsidiary may merge into Borrower in a
transaction in which Borrower is

-46-

 

the surviving corporation, (ii) any wholly-owned Subsidiary may merge with or consolidate into
any wholly-owned Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Subsidiary and (if
any party to such merger is a Subsidiary Loan Party) is a Subsidiary Loan Party (if it would be
required to be so pursuant to Section 5.16), (iii) any Permitted Acquisition may be consummated so
long as the surviving person is Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party (if it would be required to be
so pursuant to Section 5.16), and (iv) any Non-Loan Party may merge with or consolidate into any
other Non-Loan Party.

          (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (a), any Loan Party may dispose of any or all of
its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to any other Loan Party, and any Non-Loan
Party may dispose of assets to any other Non-Loan Party.

          (c) The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, engage in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Loan Parties
and their Subsidiaries on the Effective Date and businesses reasonably related thereto.

          (d) Borrower shall not engage in any business activities or have any properties or liabilities
other than (i) its direct ownership of the Equity Interests of its Subsidiaries, (ii) obligations

under the Loan Documents and the Merger Documents and (iii) activities and properties incidental to
the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii).

          SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions. The Loan
Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, purchase, hold or acquire
(including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a wholly-owned Subsidiary prior to
such merger) any Equity Interests in or evidences of Indebtedness or other securities (including
any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any
loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or
any other interest in, any other Person, or provide other credit support for any Person or purchase
or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any other
Person constituting a business unit (each of the foregoing, an “Investment”), except:

     (i) cash and Permitted Investments;

     (ii) Investments existing on the Effective Date (or in respect of which a binding
commitment to make such investment exists on the Effective Date) and set forth on
Schedule 6.04 to the Senior Credit Agreement;

     (iii) Investments by or among any Loan Parties in any Loan Party;

     (iv) Investments by Non-Loan Parties in Non-Loan Parties and Investments by Non-Loan
Parties in Loan Parties;

     (v) Investments constituting Indebtedness permitted by clauses (x) and (y) of Section
6.01(a)(iii) (subject in each case to the provisions of Section 5.17);

     (vi) Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by clauses of (x) and (y) Section
6.01(a)(iv);

     (vii) Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or
settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case
in the ordinary course of business;

-47-

 

     (viii) loans and advances to employees of Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary
course of business (including, without limitation, for travel, entertainment and relocation
expenses) not prohibited by Sarbanes-Oxley;

     (ix) Permitted Acquisitions;

     (x) extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

     (xi) Investments directly or indirectly constituting or resulting from guaranties of
physician income, provided that any cash payment by Borrower or any Subsidiary with respect
to such Investment is treated as an expense for accounting purposes;

     (xii) Investments consisting of the purchase of any of the minority Equity Interests of
any third party investor in a Subsidiary of Borrower which becomes a guarantor pursuant to
the Guarantee Agreement within five Business Days thereafter, unless on the date of any such
proposed Investment or after giving effect thereto, a Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing;

     (xiii) deposits made by Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with self-retention or
self-insurance (including with respect to general liabilities, medical malpractice,
professional liabilities, property or workers’ compensation liabilities);

     (xiv) other Investments by Borrower or its Subsidiaries not to exceed 5% of
Consolidated Total Assets at any time; provided that Investments made in reliance on
clauses (xiv) and (xv) may not in the aggregate exceed 25% of Consolidated Total Assets;

     (xv) Investments consisting of Equity Interests in Subsidiaries of Borrower that are
not Loan Parties not to exceed, when taken together with Indebtedness then outstanding
pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(iii)(z) and Guarantees then outstanding pursuant to Section
6.01(a)(iv)(z), 25% of Consolidated Total Assets less the amount of investments
outstanding under clause (xiv) above; provided that Investments made in reliance on
clauses (xiv) and (xv) may not in the aggregate exceed 25% of Consolidated Total Assets;

     (xvi) Investments consisting of cash deposits in trust to the extent part of Approved
Like-Kind Exchanges permitted by Section 6.05(x); and

     (xvii) Investments consisting of ESOP Loans not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time
outstanding.

          SECTION 6.05. Asset Sales. The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of
their Subsidiaries to sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset (including any income
or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect thereof), including any Equity
Interest owned by them, nor will any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue any
additional Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, except:

     (i) sales of inventory or sales, transfers and dispositions of used, surplus, obsolete,
outdated, inefficient or worn out equipment and other property in the ordinary course of
business;

     (ii) sales, transfers and dispositions to any Loan Party;

-48-

 

     (iii) the lease or sublease of Real Property in the ordinary course of business and not
constituting a sale and leaseback transaction;

     (iv) sales of Permitted Investments on ordinary business terms;

     (v) Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and Investments permitted under Section 6.04;

     (vi) sales, transfers and dispositions by any Non-Loan Party to any Non-Loan Party;

     (vii) sales, transfers and dispositions by any Loan Party to any Non-Loan Party
provided that after giving effect thereto Non-Loan Parties taken as a whole do not comprise
more than 25% of Consolidated Total Assets;

     (viii) sales, transfers and dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the
compromise or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business;

     (ix) leases in the ordinary course of business of equipment and machinery deemed in
good faith to be temporarily surplus;

     (x) Approved Like-Kind Exchanges;

     (xi) sales, transfers and dispositions of Equity Interests of Borrower in connection
with the exercise or conversion of Permitted Convertible Debt, LifePoint Notes and Province
Notes;

     (xii) issuances of Equity Interests by any Non-Loan Party or sales, transfers or
dispositions of Equity Interests in any Non-Loan Party;

     (xiii) sales, transfers, dispositions and issuances of Equity Interests in any
Subsidiary Loan Party; provided that after giving effect to any such sale, transfer,
disposition or issuance (x) Borrower shall beneficially own not less than 75% of all Equity
Interests of such Loan Party and (y) Non-Loan Parties together with all other non-wholly
owned Subsidiaries of Borrower shall not comprise in the aggregate more than 35% of the
Consolidated Total Assets; and

     (xiv) sales, transfers and dispositions of assets (other than Equity Interests of a
Subsidiary unless constituting a disposition of substantially all such Equity Interests) not
otherwise permitted under this Section 6.05; provided that the aggregate fair market
value of all assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in reliance upon this clause
(xiv) shall not, in the aggregate, exceed $300,000,000 in the aggregate since the Effective
Date; provided, further, that all such sales, transfers and other
dispositions permitted by this clause shall be made for fair value and for at least 80% cash
consideration.

          SECTION 6.06. Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Loan Parties shall not, and shall
not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly,
whereby they shall sell or transfer any Property, real or personal, used or useful in their
business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such Property or
other Property that they intend to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the
Property sold or transferred unless (i) the sale of such Property is permitted by Section 6.05,
(ii) any Lien arising in connection with the use of such Property by any Loan Party or a Subsidiary
is permitted by Section 6.02, and (iii) such arrangement is entered into on a temporary basis to
the extent part of a proposed Approved Like-Kind Exchange Transaction permitted by Section 6.05(x).

-49-

 

          SECTION 6.07. Restricted Payments. The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit
any Subsidiary to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted
Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except:

     (i) Subsidiaries of Borrower may declare and pay (x) dividends ratably with respect to
their Equity Interests or, if not ratably, then in accordance with the priorities set forth
in the respective organizational documents for, or agreements among holders of the Equity
Interests in, such Subsidiaries or (y) additional shares of the same class of shares as the
dividend being paid to the extent such payment complies with Section 6.01(b);

     (ii) Borrower may pay dividends consisting solely of shares of its common stock or
additional shares of the same class of shares as the dividend being paid;

     (iii) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrower may
purchase, redeem or acquire any of its Equity Interests or Equity Rights from any of its or
its Subsidiaries’ present or former officers or employees upon the death, disability or
termination of employment of such officer or employee, so long as the aggregate amount of
payments under this clause (iii) shall not exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate since the
Effective Date;

     (iv) Borrower may net shares under employee benefit plans to settle option price
payments owed by employees and directors with respect thereto and to settle employers’ and
directors’ federal, state and income tax liabilities (if any) related thereto;

     (v) Restricted Payments consisting of Permitted Refinancings permitted pursuant to
Section 6.01(a)(ii);

     (vi) Restricted Payments to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 6.10(b);

     (vii) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Restricted Payments
or repurchases, redemptions or repayments of Subordinated Debt not to exceed $25,000,000 in
the aggregate in any Fiscal Year; provided that such amount may be increased by any
amounts available (without giving effect to any increase) under this clause (vii) for the
prior Fiscal Year and not so used (with any Restricted Payments or such repurchases,
redemptions or repayments of Subordinated Debt made in reliance on this clause (vii) in any
Fiscal Year to be deemed first made from the original $25,000,000 basket applicable to such
Fiscal Year);

     (viii) the redemption, repurchase, acquisition or retirement of Equity Interest of any
Subsidiary to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 6.04(iii), (iv), (xii) or (xv);

     (ix) Province may make any Restricted Payment required by the exercise of appraisal
rights by Province’s shareholders under Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
in connection with the Mergers; and

     (x) Restricted Payments consisting of the purchase of common stock of Borrower in an
amount not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of LifePoint Notes and Province Notes
converted into common stock of Borrower; provided that such Restricted Payments are made
within one year of such conversion and are funded solely with the proceeds of Permitted
Subordinated Indebtedness or Indebtedness which would qualify as Permitted Refinancing if
such funding occurred substantially concurrently with each such conversion.

-50-

 

          SECTION 6.08. Transactions with Affiliates. The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not
permit any of their Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to,
or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any
other transactions with, any of their Affiliates, unless such transactions are in the ordinary
course of such Person’s business and are at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable
to the Loan Party or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated
third parties, except:

     (i) transactions between or among the Loan Parties not involving any other Affiliate,
and transactions among Subsidiaries not involving any Loan Party;

     (ii) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.07;

     (iii) fees and compensation, benefits and incentive arrangements paid or provided to,
and any indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors or employees of Borrower or any
Subsidiary as determined in good faith by the board of directors of Borrower; and

     (iv) loans and advances to employees of any Loan Party permitted by Section 6.04(viii).

          SECTION 6.09. Restrictive Agreements. The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not
permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any
agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the
ability of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any
of its Property or assets or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other
distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to
Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of Borrower or any other Subsidiary
or to transfer property to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that the foregoing
shall not apply to:

     (i) conditions imposed by law or by any Loan Document or by the Senior Credit Agreement
or any Loan Documents as defined therein;

     (ii) clause (a) shall not apply to assets encumbered by Permitted Liens as long as such
restriction applies only to the asset encumbered by such Permitted Lien;

     (iii) restrictions and conditions existing on the Effective Date not otherwise excepted
from this Section 6.09 and identified on Schedule 6.09 to the Senior Credit
Agreement (but shall apply to any amendment or modification expanding the scope of any such
restriction or condition);

     (iv) restrictions contained in any Subordinated Debt Document so long as not more
restrictive than such restrictions in the LifePoint Notes or permitted pursuant to the
definition of “Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness”;

     (v) any agreement in effect at the time any Person becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower;
provided that such agreement was not entered into in connection with, or in
contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary;

     (vi) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale
of a Subsidiary (or the assets of a Subsidiary) pending such sale so long as such
restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold or whose assets
are to be sold and such sale is otherwise permitted hereunder;

-51-

 

     (vii) clause (a) shall not apply to Indebtedness of Non-Loan Parties permitted by
Section 6.01(a)(iii) so long as such Indebtedness does not restrict any Lien securing any of
the Obligations hereunder or under the Loan Documents;

     (viii) clause (b) shall not apply to Indebtedness of Non-Loan Parties permitted by
Section 6.01(a)(iii) which restrictions only apply to such Non-Loan Parties and such
encumbrances or restrictions will not materially affect Borrower’s ability to make any
principal or interest payment on the Loans;

     (ix) clause (a) shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and service contracts
in the ordinary course of business between Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one
hand, and their customers, on the other hand, and other contracts restricting the assignment
thereof;

     (x) clause (b) shall not apply to provisions with respect to the payment of dividends
or other distributions by Non-Loan Parties set forth in the respective organizational
documents for, or agreements among holders of the Equity Interests in, such Non-Loan
Parties; and

     (xi) restrictions with respect to Insurance Subsidiaries or with respect to the shares
thereof, in each case in connection with the operation of any Insurance Subsidiary.

          SECTION 6.10. Amendments or Waivers of Certain Documents; Prepayments of Certain
Indebtedness. (a) The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to amend or
otherwise change or waive (i) any subordination provision (or any definition related to any
subordination provision) of any Subordinated Debt Document in any manner or (ii) the terms of any
Organic Document, any Merger Document, any document governing any Indebtedness outstanding as of
the Effective Date or any Subordinated Debt Document in a manner adverse to the Lenders.

          (b) The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, make (or give any
notice or offer in respect of) any voluntary or optional payment or mandatory prepayment or
redemption or acquisition for value of (including, without limitation, by way of depositing with
any trustee with respect thereto money or securities before such Indebtedness is due for the
purpose of paying such Indebtedness when due) or exchange of principal of any Subordinated Debt, in
each case other than pursuant to any customary registered exchange offer therefor after a private
placement thereof, any Permitted Refinancing or any exchange of Equity Interests of Borrower for
any such Indebtedness; provided that (i) the Loan Parties may make prepayments, repurchases
or redemptions of any Subordinated Debt with the portion of net proceeds from any equity issuance
not required to be applied to prepay Loans in accordance with Section 2.05(c)(i) of the Senior
Credit Agreement so long as, after giving effect to such prepayments, repurchases or redemptions,
the Senior Leverage Ratio (each term in this clause (i) not otherwise defined herein shall be as
defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) is less than 3.5:1.0 and (ii) the Loan Parties may make
prepayments, repurchases, redemptions or conversions for cash of Province Notes at any time.

          (c) The Loan Parties shall not make any amendment, change or modification to the Senior Credit
Agreement that would reduce the amount of permitted Indebtedness that Borrower and its Subsidiaries
may incur, or otherwise hinder the refinancing of the Loans under this Agreement. In addition, the
Loan Parties will reserve an amount of available Indebtedness that may be incurred under Section
6.01 of the Senior Credit Agreement that is at least equal to the amount of the Obligations
hereunder.

-52-

 

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

          SECTION 7.01. Listing of Events of Default. Each of the following events or
occurrences described in this Section 7.01 shall constitute (i) an “Event of Default”:

     (a) Borrower shall default

     (i) in the payment when due of any principal of any Loan,

     (ii) in the payment when due of any interest on any Loan and such default shall
continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days, or

     (iii) in the payment when due of any Fee described in Section 2.10 or of any
other previously invoiced amount (other than an amount described in clauses (i) and
(ii)) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and such default shall
continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days;

     (b) Any representation or warranty of any Loan Party made or deemed to be made
hereunder or in any other Loan Document or any other writing or certificate furnished by or
on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the purposes of or
in connection with this Agreement or any such other Loan Document is or shall be incorrect
in any material respect when made or deemed made;

     (c) Borrower shall default in the due performance and observance of any of its
obligations under clause (a) of Section 5.02 (with respect to the maintenance and
preservation of Borrower’s corporate existence) or Article VI;

     (d) Any Loan Party shall default in the due performance and observance of any agreement
(other than those specified in paragraphs (a) through (c) above) contained herein or in any
other Loan Document and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after
the date when Borrower obtains actual knowledge or notice of such default;

     (e) A default shall occur

     (i) in the payment when due (subject to any applicable grace period), whether
by acceleration or otherwise, of any Material Indebtedness, or

     (ii) the maturity of any principal outstanding under any Material Indebtedness
shall have been accelerated;

     (f) Any judgment or order (or combination of judgments and orders) for the payment of
money equal to or in excess of $25,000,000 individually or in the aggregate (net of any
amount (x) covered by insurance by a reputable independent third-party insurer which has not
denied liability or (y) covered by a third-party indemnity from a solvent third party
financially capable of making such payments which has not denied liability) shall be
rendered against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and

     (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such
judgment or order and not stayed, or

-53-

 

     (ii) such judgment shall not have been stayed, vacated or discharged within 60
days of entry;

     (g) An ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA
Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect;

     (h) Any Change in Control shall occur;

     (i) Any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries shall

     (i) become insolvent or generally fail to pay debts as they become due,

     (ii) apply for, consent to, or acquiesce in the appointment of a trustee,
receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for any Loan Party or any of such
Subsidiaries or substantially all of the property of any thereof, or make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors,

     (iii) in the absence of such application, consent or acquiescence, permit or
suffer to exist the appointment of a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other
custodian for any Loan Party or any of such Subsidiaries or for a substantial part
of the property of any thereof, and such trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other
custodian shall not be discharged or stayed within 60 days; provided that
any Loan Party and each such Subsidiary hereby expressly authorizes the
Administrative Agent and each Lender to appear in any court conducting any relevant
proceeding during such 60-day period to preserve, protect and defend their rights
under the Loan Documents,

     (iv) permit or suffer to exist the commencement of any bankruptcy,
reorganization, debt arrangement or other case or proceeding under any bankruptcy or
insolvency law, or any dissolution, winding up or liquidation proceeding, in respect
of any Loan Party or any such Subsidiary and, if any such case or proceeding is not
commenced by any Loan Party or such Subsidiary, such case or proceeding shall be
consented to or acquiesced in by any Loan Party such Subsidiary or shall result in
the entry of an order for relief or shall remain for 60 days undismissed and
unstayed; provided that any Loan Party and each such Subsidiary hereby
expressly authorizes the Administrative Agent and each Lender to appear in any court
conducting any such case or proceeding during such 60-day period to preserve,
protect and defend their rights under the Loan Documents, or

     (v) take any corporate or partnership action (or comparable action, in the case
of any other form of legal entity) authorizing, or in furtherance of, any of the
foregoing;

     (j) The obligations of any Loan Party under its Guarantee Agreement shall cease to be
in full force and effect or any Loan Party shall repudiate in writing its obligations
thereunder; or

     (k) The subordination provisions relating to any Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness or
Permitted Refinancing thereof (the “Subordination Provisions”) shall fail in any
material respect to be enforceable by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders (which have
not effectively waived the benefits thereof) in accordance with the terms thereof or
Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party shall disavow or contest in writing any of the
Subordination Provisions.

-54-

 

          SECTION 7.02. Action if Bankruptcy. If any Event of Default described in Section
7.01(i) shall occur, the outstanding principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all other
Obligations shall automatically be and become immediately due and payable, without notice or
demand, all of which are hereby waived by Borrower.

          SECTION 7.03. Action if Other Event of Default. If any Event of Default (other than
any Event of Default described in Section 7.01(i)) shall occur for any reason, whether voluntary or
involuntary, and be continuing, the Administrative Agent, upon the direction of the Requisite
Lenders, shall by written notice to Borrower and each Lender declare all or any portion of the
outstanding principal amount of the Loans and other Obligations to be due and payable, whereupon
the full unpaid amount of such Loans and other Obligations which shall be so declared due and
payable shall be and become immediately due and payable, without further notice, demand or
presentment; provided, however, that so long as any Senior Indebtedness remains
outstanding, no such acceleration shall be effective until the earlier of (1) five Business Days
after the giving of written notice to Borrower and the Representative under the Senior Credit
Agreement and (2) the day on which any Senior Indebtedness is accelerated.

ARTICLE VIII

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

          SECTION 8.01. The Administrative Agent. Citicorp North America, Inc. is hereby
appointed to act as Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders and Citicorp North America, Inc.
accepts such appointment. Each of the Lenders and each assignee of any such Lender hereby
irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on behalf of such Lender or
assignee and to exercise such powers as are specifically delegated to the Administrative Agent by
the terms and provisions hereof and of the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and
powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Administrative Agent is hereby expressly
authorized by the Lenders, without hereby limiting any implied authority, (a) to receive on behalf
of the Lenders all payments of principal of and interest on the Loans, all payments and all other
amounts due to the Lenders hereunder, and to promptly distribute to each Lender its proper share of
each payment so received; (b) to give notice on behalf of each of the Lenders to Borrower of any
Default specified in this Agreement of which it has actual knowledge acquired in connection with
its agency hereunder; and (c) to distribute to each Lender copies of all notices, financial
statements and other materials delivered by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement as received by it.

          None of the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be liable to the Lenders
as such for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them except to the extent finally
judicially determined to have resulted from its or his or her own gross negligence or willful
misconduct, or be responsible for any statement, warranty or representation herein or the contents
of any document delivered in connection herewith, or be required to ascertain or to make any
inquiry concerning the performance or observance by any Loan Party of any of the terms, conditions,
covenants or agreements contained in any Loan Document. The Administrative Agent shall not be
responsible to the Lenders for the due execution, genuineness, validity, enforceability or
effectiveness of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or other instruments or agreements.
The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or refraining from
acting, in accordance with written instructions signed by the Requisite Lenders (or, when expressly
required hereby, all the Lenders) and, except as otherwise specifically provided herein, such
instructions and any action or inaction pursuant thereto shall be binding on all the Lenders. The
Administrative Agent shall, in the absence of actual knowledge to the contrary, be entitled to rely
on any instrument or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and correct and to have
been signed or sent by the proper person or persons. Neither the Administrative Agent nor its
Related

-55-

 

Parties shall have any responsibility to the Loan Parties on account of the failure of or
delay in performance or breach by any Lender of any of its obligations hereunder or to any Lender
on account of the failure of or delay in performance or breach by any other Lender or the Loan
Parties of any of their respective obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document or in
connection herewith or therewith. The Administrative Agent may execute any and all duties
hereunder by or through any of its Related Parties or any sub-agent appointed by it and shall be
entitled to rely upon the advice of legal counsel selected by it with respect to all matters
arising hereunder and shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it in
accordance with the advice of such counsel.

          The Lenders hereby acknowledge that the Administrative Agent shall not be under any duty to
take any discretionary action permitted to be taken by it pursuant to the provisions of any Loan
Document unless it shall be requested in writing to do so by the Requisite Lenders.

          Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided
below, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and Borrower. Upon
any such resignation, the Requisite Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor. If no
successor shall have been so appointed by the Requisite Lenders and shall have accepted such
appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation,
then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor
Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, having a combined
capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000 or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance
of any appointment as an Administrative Agent hereunder by such a successor bank, such successor
shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the
retiring Administrative Agent and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its
duties and obligations hereunder. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the
provisions of this Article and Section 9.05 shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of
any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as an Administrative Agent.

          With respect to the Loans made by it hereunder, the Administrative Agent in its individual
capacity and not as the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers as any other
Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the
Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally
engage in any kind of business with Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it
were not the Administrative Agent.

          Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has
deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each
Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative
Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time
deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based
upon this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any related agreement or any document furnished
hereunder or thereunder.

          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement CGMI, as Lead Arranger, in such
capacity, shall not have any obligations, duties or responsibilities, and shall not incur any
liabilities, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

-56-

 

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

          SECTION 9.01. Notices. (a) Except as set forth in Section 9.17, notices and other
communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight
courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail, sent by telecopy or electronic mail, as
follows:

     (i) if to any Loan Party, to Borrower at LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., 103 Powell Court,
Suite 200, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027, attention: Michael J. Culotta, Chief Financial
Officer (telecopy: (615) 372-8575) (email: michael.culotta@lpnt.net) with a copy to
LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., 103 Powell Court, Suite 200, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027,
attention: William F. Carpenter III, Executive Vice President (telecopy: (615) 372-8572),
(email: bill.carpenter@lpnt.net);

     (ii) if to the Administrative Agent, to it at Citicorp North America, Inc., Global
Loans Support Services, 2 Penns Way, Suite 110, New Castle, Delaware 19720, attention:
Elizabeth J. Wier (telecopy: (212) 994-0961) (email: elizabeth.j.wier@citigroup.com), with
a copy to Citigroup Global Markets Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013,
attention: James M. Buchanan (telecopy: (212) 816-7736) (email:
james.m.buchanan@citigroup.com), and a copy to Cahill Gordon & Reindel llp, 80 Pine
Street, New York, New York 10005; and

     (iii) if to a Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its
Administrative Questionnaire or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such
Lender shall have become a party hereto.

All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of
this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt if delivered by hand or
overnight courier service or sent by telecopy or electronic mail or on the date five Business Days
after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed
(properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 9.01 or in accordance with the
latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 9.01. Each Loan
Party and Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent in writing promptly of any change to the
notice information provided above or in Schedule 2.01 hereto.

          (b) Borrower shall forthwith on demand indemnify each Lender against any loss or liability
which that Lender incurs (and that Lender shall not be liable to Borrower in any respect) as a
consequence of:

     (i) any Person to whom any notice or communication under or in connection with this
Agreement is sent by Borrower by telecopy failing to receive that notice or communication
(unless caused by that Person’s gross negligence or willful default); or

     (ii) any telecopy communication which reasonably appears to that Lender to have been
sent by Borrower having in fact been sent by a Person other than Borrower.

          SECTION 9.02. Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and
warranties made by the Loan Parties herein and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or
delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be
considered to have been relied upon by Lenders hereto and shall survive the making by the Lenders
of the Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and
notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any
Default or incorrect

-57-

 

representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall
continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan
or any Fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is
outstanding and unpaid. The provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 9.05 and 9.16 and Article
VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans or the termination of this Agreement
or any provision hereof.

          SECTION 9.03. Binding Effect. Subject to Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become
effective when it shall have been executed by Borrower and the Administrative Agent and when the
Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the
signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

          SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns. (a) Whenever in this Agreement any of the
parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors
and assigns of such party. All covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of Borrower, the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to
the benefit of their respective successors and assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, express or
implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their
respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in clause
(f) below and, solely to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by
reason of this Agreement.

          (b) Each Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its interests, rights
and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at
the time owing to it); provided, however, that

     (i) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or a Lender Affiliate, the
Administrative Agent must give its prior written consent to such assignment (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed),

     (ii) [Reserved],

     (iii) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or a Lender Affiliate, the amount
of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment
(determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is
delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $1,000,000 and increments of
$1,000,000 in excess thereof (or (A) if the aggregate amount of Loans of the assigning
Lender is a lesser amount, the entire amount of such Loans, or (B) in any other case, such
lesser amount as Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise agree) (for purposes of the
minimum assignment provisions set forth in this clause (iii), multiple concurrent
assignments to a lender and its Affiliates shall be aggregated),

     (iv) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of
all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement,

     (v) except in the case of the assignment to an Affiliate of such Lender or an
assignment required to be made pursuant to Section 2.20 or Section 9.08(e), the parties to
each such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and
Acceptance, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, and

-58-

 

     (vi) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative
Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

Subject to acceptance and recording pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 9.04, from and after
the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, which effective date shall be at
least five Business Days after the execution thereof (unless otherwise determined by the
Administrative Agent), (A) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of
the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a
Lender under this Agreement, and (B) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the
interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this
Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion
of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be
a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and
9.05 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such
assignment, as well as to any Fees accrued for its account and not yet paid). Any assignment or
transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this
paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a
participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (f) of this Section 9.04.

          (c) By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the assigning Lender thereunder
and the assignee thereunder shall be deemed to confirm to and agree with each other and the other
parties hereto as follows:

     (i) such assigning Lender warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the
interest being assigned thereby free and clear of any adverse claim and that its outstanding
balances of its Loans without giving effect to assignments thereof which have not become
effective, are as set forth in such Assignment and Acceptance,

     (ii) except as set forth in (i) above, such assigning Lender makes no representation or
warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or
representations made in or in connection with this Agreement, or the execution, legality,
validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement, any other
Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto, or the
financial condition of Borrower or any Subsidiary or the performance or observance by
Borrower or any Subsidiary of any of its obligations under this Agreement, any other Loan
Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto,

     (iii) such assignee represents and warrants that it is legally authorized to enter into
such Assignment and Acceptance,

     (iv) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together
with copies of the most recent financial statements, if any, delivered pursuant to Section
5.01 and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own
credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance,

     (v) such assignee shall independently and without reliance upon either Agent, such
assigning Lender or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall
deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not
taking action under this Agreement,

     (vi) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action
as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to
the

-59-

 

Administrative Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto,

     (vii) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all the
obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a
Lender, and

     (viii) Schedule 2.01 shall be deemed to be amended to reflect the assigning
Lender thereunder and the assignee thereunder after giving effect thereto.

          (d) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of Borrower, shall maintain
at one of its offices in The City of New York a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to
it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment
of, and principal amount of the Loans, owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time
to time (the “Register”). Except to the extent inconsistent with Section 2.07(d), the
entries in the Register shall be conclusive and Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a
Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The
Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower and any Lender at any reasonable time and
from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

          (e) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning
Lender and an assignee, an Administrative Questionnaire completed in respect of the assignee
(unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee
referred to in paragraph (b) above and, if required, the written consent of Borrower and the
Administrative Agent to such assignment, the Administrative Agent shall (i) accept such Assignment
and Acceptance, (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register and (iii) give
reasonably prompt notice thereof to the Lenders. No assignment shall be effective unless it has
been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph (e).

          (f) Each Lender may, without the consent of Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell
participations to any Person (other than a natural person or Borrower or any of Borrower’s
Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of the Loans owing to it);
provided, however, that

     (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged,

     (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the
performance of such obligations,

     (iii) each Participant shall be entitled to the benefit of the cost protection
provisions contained in Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16 and the provisions of Section 5.01 to
the same extent as if they were Lenders and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant
to paragraph (b) of this Section 9.04 (provided that no participant shall be
entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to such Sections than the Lender would have
been entitled to receive in respect of the interest transferred unless such transfer to such
Participant is made with Borrower’s prior written consent, and

     (iv) Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely
and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under
this Agreement, and such Lender shall retain the sole right (which each Lender agrees will
not be limited

-60-

 

by the terms of any participation agreement or other agreement with a participant)
to enforce the Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any
provision of the Loan Documents (other than, without the consent of the Participant,
amendments, modifications or waivers described in Section 9.08(b) that affect such
Participant).

To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section
9.06 as though it were a Lender; provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section
2.20 as though it were a Lender.

          (g) Any Lender or Participant may, in connection with any assignment or participation or
proposed assignment or participation pursuant to this Section 9.04, disclose to the assignee or
Participant or proposed assignee or Participant any information relating to Borrower and its
Subsidiaries furnished to such Lender by or on behalf of any of the Loan Parties; provided
that, prior to any such disclosure of information designated by Borrower as confidential, each such
assignee or Participant or proposed assignee or Participant shall execute a confidentiality
agreement in form and substance substantially the same as the provisions of Section 9.16.

          (h) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of
its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or
assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section 9.04 shall not apply
to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that (x) no such pledge
or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder
or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto and (y) any
foreclosure or similar action shall be subject to the provisions of Section 9.04(b) concerning
assignments and shall not be effective to transfer any rights under this Agreement or in any Loan,
Note or other instrument evidencing the rights of a Lender under this Agreement until the
requirements of Section 9.04(b) concerning assignments are fully satisfied. In order to facilitate
such a pledge or assignment, Borrower shall, at the request of the assigning Lender, duly execute
and deliver to the assigning Lender a promissory note or notes evidencing the Loans made to
Borrower by the assigning Lender hereunder.

          (i) No Loan Party may assign or delegate any of its rights or duties hereunder or under any of
the other Loan Documents without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each
Lender, and any attempted assignment without such consent shall be null and void.

          SECTION 9.05. Expenses; Indemnity. (a) The Loan Parties jointly and severally agree
to (promptly after receipt of a reasonably detailed invoice therefor) pay (i) all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and CGMI and its Affiliates, including
the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel llp, counsel for
the Administrative Agent, to the extent set forth in the Fee Letter, and (ii) all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent or any Lender in
connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement
(including its rights under this Section 9.05), the other Loan Documents or the Loans made,
including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or
negotiations in respect of such Loans, and, in connection with any such enforcement or protection,
the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any other counsel for the Lead Arranger, the
Administrative Agent or any Lender; provided, however, that the Loan Parties shall
not be obligated to pay for expenses incurred by a Lender in connection with the assignment of
Loans to an assignee Lender (except pursuant to Section 2.20) or the sale of Loans to a Participant
pursuant to Section 9.04.

          (b) The Loan Parties jointly and severally agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent, the
Lead Arranger, each Lender, each Affiliate of any of the foregoing Persons and each of their

-61-

 

respective Related Parties (each such Person, an “Indemnitee”) against, and to hold
each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related
reasonable expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements, incurred by or
asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i)
the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or
instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto or thereto of their
respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions and the other
transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) the use of the proceeds of the Loans, (iii) any claim,
litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not any
Indemnitee is a party thereto, or (iv) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous
Materials on, at, under or from any property owned, leased or operated by Borrower or any of the
Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability or Environmental Claim related in any way to Borrower
or the Subsidiaries; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be
available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related reasonable
expenses are finally judicially determined to have arisen by reason of the Indemnitee’s gross
negligence or willful misconduct.

          (c) [Reserved.]

          (d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Loan Parties shall not assert, and hereby
waive, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect,
consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in
connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated
hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof.

          (e) The provisions of this Section 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect
regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Loans, the expiration of the Commitments, the
invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent or any Lender. All
amounts due under this Section 9.05 shall be payable on written demand therefor.

          SECTION 9.06. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or
demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such
Lender to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any of and all the obligations
of the Loan Parties now or hereafter existing under this Agreement and other Loan Documents held by
such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this
Agreement or such other Loan Document and although such obligations may be unmatured. In
connection with exercising its rights pursuant to the previous sentence, a Lender may at any time
use any Loan Party’s credit balances with the Lender to purchase at the Lender’s applicable spot
rate of exchange any other currency or currencies which the Lender considers necessary to reduce or
discharge any amount due by any Loan Party to the Lender, and may apply that currency or those
currencies in or towards payment of those amounts. The rights of each Lender under this Section
9.06 are in addition to any other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such
Lender may have. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify Borrower and the Administrative Agent after
making any setoff pursuant to this Section 9.06.

          SECTION 9.07. Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN
AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED
BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

-62-

 

          SECTION 9.08. Waivers; Amendment. (a) No failure or delay of the Administrative
Agent or any Lender in exercising any power or right hereunder or under any Loan Document shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power,
or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies
of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are
cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have. No
waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by
Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph
(b) below, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a
Loan or shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default regardless of whether the Administrative
Agent, any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. No notice or
demand on Borrower or any other Loan Party in any case shall entitle the Loan Parties to any other
or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

          (b) Subject to Sections 9.08(c), 9.08(d) and 9.08(e), no amendment, modification, termination
or waiver of any provision of any Loan Document, or consent to any departure by any Loan Party
therefrom, shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of the Requisite Lenders
and Borrower.

          (c) Subject to Section 9.08(e), without the written consent of each Lender that would be
directly affected thereby (whose consent shall be sufficient therefor without the consent of the
Requisite Lenders), no amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent shall be effective
if the effect thereof would:

     (i) extend the scheduled final maturity of any Loan or Note;

     (ii) waive, forgive, reduce or postpone any scheduled repayment (but not prepayment);

     (iii) [Reserved];

     (iv) reduce the rate of interest on any Loan (other than any waiver of any increase in
the interest rate applicable to any Loan pursuant to Section 2.08) or any other fee payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, it being understood that any amendment or
modification to the financial definitions in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction
in the rate of interest for purposes of this clause (iv);

     (v) extend the time for payment of any such interest or fees;

     (vi) reduce the principal amount of any Loan;

     (vii) amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of Section 2.13, 9.08(b), this
Section 9.08(c), Section 9.08(d) or Section 9.08(e);

     (viii) amend the definition of “Requisite Lenders”;

     (ix) release all or substantially all of the guarantors from the Guarantee of the
Obligations except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents; or

     (x) consent to the assignment or transfer by any Loan Party of any of its rights or
obligations under any Loan Document.

-63-

 

          (d) Subject to Section 9.08(e), no amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent
with respect to any provision of the Loan Documents, or consent to any departure by any Loan Party
therefrom, shall:

     (i) amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of Article VIII as the same applies
to the Administrative Agent, or any other provision hereof as the same applies to the rights
or obligations of the Administrative Agent, in each case without the written consent of the
Administrative Agent;

     (ii) amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of any Loan Document specifying
the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder
or make any determination to grant any consent thereunder without the written consent of
each Lender;

     (iii) amend, modify, terminate or waive the manner of application of any optional or
mandatory prepayments of Loans to the remaining amortization payments of the Loans without
the written consent of Lenders holding more than 50% of the outstanding Loans; or

     (iv) increase the maximum duration of Interest Periods hereunder without the written
consent of all Lenders.

          (e) If, in connection with any proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination of or to any
of the provisions of this Agreement (other than as contemplated by Section 9.08(d)(i), (ii), (v)
and (vi) above), the consent of the Requisite Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more of
such other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained, then Borrower shall have the right,
so long as all Non-Consenting Lenders whose individual consent is required are treated as described
in either clause (i) or (ii) below, to either (i) replace each such Non-Consenting Lender or
Lenders with one or more assignees pursuant to, and with the effect of an assignment under, Section
2.20 so long as at the time of such replacement, each such assignee consents to the proposed
change, waiver, discharge or termination or (ii) repay all outstanding Loans of such Lender that
gave rise to the need to obtain such Lender’s consent; provided that, unless the Loans that
are repaid pursuant to the preceding clause (ii) are immediately replaced in full at such time
through the addition of new Lenders or the increase of the outstanding Loans of existing Lenders
(who in each case must specifically consent thereto), then in the case of any action pursuant to
the preceding clause (ii), the Requisite Lenders (determined after giving effect to the proposed
action) shall specifically consent thereto.

          SECTION 9.09. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges
and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively,
the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may
be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan or
participation in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such
Loan or participation hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be
limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have
been payable in respect of such Loan or participation but were not payable as a result of the
operation of this Section 9.09 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such
Lender in respect of other Loans or participations or periods shall be increased (but not above the
Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal
Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

          SECTION 9.10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents
constitute the entire contract between the parties relative to the subject matter hereof. Any
previous

-64-

 

agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that any letter agreement relating to the
subject matter hereof between Borrower and a Lender shall remain effective in accordance with its
terms. Nothing in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended
to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto and thereto any rights, remedies,
obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

          SECTION 9.11. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY
LITIGATION ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER
PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF
LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES
HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE,
BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.

          SECTION 9.12. Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained
in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein
and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in
good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid
provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal
or unenforceable provisions.

          SECTION 9.13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by
different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but
all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract, and shall become effective as
provided in Section 9.03. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile
transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

          SECTION 9.14. Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used
herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect
the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

          SECTION 9.15. Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) The Loan Parties
hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit, for themselves and their property, to the
nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or Federal court of the United States of
America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or for
recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and
determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each
of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be
conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other
manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative
Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement
or the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or their properties in the courts of any
jurisdiction.

-65-

 

          (b) The Loan Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive, to the fullest extent they
may legally and effectively do so, any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the laying
of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
other Loan Documents in any New York State or Federal court referred to in paragraph (a) of this
Section 9.15. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or
proceeding in any such court.

          (c) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner
provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will
affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by
law.

          SECTION 9.16. Confidentiality. No Agent or Lender may disclose to any Person any
confidential, proprietary or non-public information of the Loan Parties furnished to the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders by the Loan Parties (such information being referred to
collectively herein as the “Loan Party Information”), except that the Administrative Agent
and each Lender may disclose Loan Party Information (i) to its and its affiliates’ employees,
officers, directors, trustees, agents, accountants, attorneys and other advisors (it being
understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential
nature of such Loan Party Information and instructed to keep such Loan Party Information
confidential as provided herein), (ii) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (iii)
to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal
process (with notice thereof to Borrower to the extent permitted by such laws or regulations), (iv)
to any other party to this Agreement, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder
or under any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or
any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an
agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 9.16, to any
pledgee referred to in Section 9.04(h) or any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective
assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, (vii) to the
extent such Loan Party Information (A) is or becomes generally available to the public on a
nonconfidential basis other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.16 by the Administrative
Agent or such Lender, or (B) is or becomes available to the Administrative Agent or such Lender on
a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Loan Parties and (viii) with the consent of
the Loan Parties. Nothing in this provision shall imply that any party has waived any privilege it
may have with respect to advice it has received.

          SECTION 9.17. Citigroup Direct Website Communications. (a) Each Loan Party hereby
agrees that it will provide to the Administrative Agent all information, documents and other
materials that it is obligated to furnish to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Loan
Documents, including, without limitation, all notices, requests, financial statements, financial
and other reports, certificates and other information material, but excluding any such
communication that (i) relates to a request for a new, or a conversion of an existing, Borrowing or
other extension of credit (including any election of an interest rate or interest period relating
thereto), (ii) relates to the payment of any principal or other amount due under this Agreement
prior to the scheduled date thereof, (iii) provides notice of any Default under this Agreement or
(iv) is required to be delivered to satisfy any condition precedent to the effectiveness of this
Agreement and/or any borrowing or other extension of credit hereunder (all such non-excluded
communications being referred to herein collectively as the “Communications”), by
transmitting the Communications in an electronic/soft medium in a format acceptable to the
Administrative Agent to oploanswebadmin@citigroup.com. In addition, each Loan Party agrees
to continue to provide the Communications to the Administrative Agent in the manner specified in
the Loan Documents but only to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent.

-66-

 

          (b) Each Loan Party further agrees that the Administrative Agent may make the Communications
available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on Intralinks, Fixed Income Direct or a
substantially similar electronic transmission systems (the “Platform”). Each Loan Party
acknowledges that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily
secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution.

          (c) THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW)
DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM
AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS OR
FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE AGENT PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE
COMMUNICATIONS OR THE PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OF ITS
AFFILIATES OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, ADVISORS OR
REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY, THE “AGENT PARTIES”) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO THE LOAN PARTIES,
ANY LENDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN
TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF THE LOAN PARTIES’ OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S
TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE LIABILITY OF ANY
AGENT PARTY IS FOUND IN A FINAL, NON-APPEALABLE JUDGMENT BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO
HAVE RESULTED PRIMARILY FROM SUCH AGENT PARTY’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

          The Administrative Agent agrees that the receipt of the Communications by the Agent at its
e-mail address set forth above shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to the
Administrative Agent for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender agrees that notice to it (as
provided in the next sentence) specifying that the Communications have been posted to the Platform
shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan
Documents. Each Lender agrees (i) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (including by
electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s e-mail address to which the foregoing
notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (ii) that the foregoing notice may be sent to
such e-mail address.

          Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to give any
notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such
Loan Document.

          SECTION 9.18. Administrative Agent as Joint Creditor. Each of the Loan Parties and each of
the Lenders agree that the Administrative Agent shall be a joint creditor (together with the
relevant Lender) of each and every obligation of the Loan Parties towards each of the Lenders under
or in connection with the Loan Documents, and that accordingly each of the Administrative Agent
shall have its own independent right to demand performance by the Loan Parties of those
obligations. However, any discharge of any such obligation to the Administrative Agent or the
relevant Lender shall, to the same extent, discharge the corresponding obligation owing to the
other.

-67-

 

ARTICLE X

SUBORDINATION

          SECTION 10.01. Obligations Subordinated to Indebtedness Under the Senior Credit
Agreement. The Loan Parties covenant and agree, and the Administrative Agent and each Lender
by its acceptance hereof likewise covenant and agree, that all Obligations shall be issued subject
to the provisions of this Article X; and each person holding any Obligations, whether upon original
issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees that all payments of the
principal of and interest on the Obligations by the Loan Parties shall, to the extent and in the
manner set forth in this Article X be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior
payment in full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness and that the subordination is for the benefit of
and enforceable by the Senior Lenders or their Representative.

          SECTION 10.02. No Payment on Obligations in Certain Circumstances; Payment Held in
Trust.

          (a) No Payments in Certain Circumstances. No direct or indirect payment (excluding
any payment or distribution of Permitted Junior Debt) by or on behalf of the Loan Parties of
principal of or interest on the Loans, whether pursuant to the terms of the Obligations, upon
acceleration, or otherwise, shall be made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default
in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations under the Senior Credit Agreement, whether
at maturity, on account of mandatory redemption or prepayment, acceleration or otherwise, and such
default shall not have been cured or waived or the benefits of this sentence waived by or on behalf
of the Senior Lenders. In addition, during the continuance of any non-payment event of default
with respect to Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be immediately
accelerated, and upon receipt by Administrative Agent of written notice (a “Payment Blockage
Notice”) from the Senior Lenders, then, unless and until such event of default has been cured
or waived or has ceased to exist or the obligations under the Senior Credit Agreement have been
discharged or repaid in full in cash or the benefits of these provisions have been waived by Senior
Lenders, no direct or indirect payment (excluding any payment or distribution of Permitted Junior
Debt) shall be made by or on behalf of the Loan Parties of principal of or interest on the
Obligations to such Lenders, during a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing on
the date of receipt of such notice by Administrative Agent and ending 179 days thereafter.

          Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) in no event shall a Payment Blockage
Period extend beyond 179 days from the date the Payment Blockage Notice in respect thereof was
given, (y) there shall be a period of at least 181 consecutive days in each 360-day period when no
Payment Blockage Period is in effect and (z) not more than one Payment Blockage Period may be
commenced with respect to the Obligations during any period of 360 consecutive days. No event of
default that existed or was continuing on the date of commencement of any Payment Blockage Period
with respect to the Senior Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage Period (to the extent the
Senior Lenders, or their Representative, giving notice commencing such Payment Blockage Period had
knowledge of such existing or continuing event of default) may be, or be made, the basis for the
commencement of any other Payment Blockage Period by the Senior Lenders or their Representative,
whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such event of default has been cured
or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

          (b) Payments Held in Trust. In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any
payment shall be received by the Administrative Agent or any Lender when such payment is prohibited
by Section 10.02(a), such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over
or delivered

-68-

 

to, the Senior Lenders or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees
under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as
their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that, upon notice from Administrative
Agent to the Senior Lenders that such prohibited payment has been made, the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify Administrative Agent
in writing of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness, if any, and only the
amounts specified in such notice to Administrative Agent shall be paid to the Senior Lenders.

          SECTION 10.03. Payment Over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc.

          (a) Payment Over. Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the
Loan Parties of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (excluding any
payment or distribution of Permitted Junior Debt), upon any dissolution or winding-up or
liquidation or reorganization of the Loan Parties, whether voluntary or involuntary or in
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all Senior Indebtedness shall first be
paid in full in cash before the Lenders or the Administrative Agent on behalf of such Lenders shall
be entitled to receive any payment by the Loan Parties of the principal of or interest on the
Obligations, or any payment by the Loan Parties to acquire any of the Obligations for cash,
property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the Obligations of any cash, property
or securities (excluding any payment or distribution of Permitted Junior Debt). Before any payment
may be made by, or on behalf of, the Loan Parties of the principal of or interest on the
Obligations upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment
or distribution of assets or securities of the Loan Parties of any kind or character, whether in
cash, property or securities (excluding any payment or distribution of Permitted Junior Debt), to
which the Lenders or Administrative Agent on their behalf would be entitled, but for the
subordination provisions of this Agreement, shall be made by the Loan Parties or by any receiver,
trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or
distribution, directly to the Senior Lenders (pro rata to each such Senior Lenders on the basis of
the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such Senior Lender) or their Representative,
to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Indebtedness in full in cash after giving effect to
any prior or concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness.

          (b) Payments Held in Trust. In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing
provision prohibiting such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets or
securities of Borrower of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (excluding
any payment or distribution of Permitted Junior Debt), shall be received by Administrative Agent or
any Lender at a time when such payment or distribution is prohibited by Section 10.03(a) and before
all obligations in respect of Senior Indebtedness are paid in full in cash, or payment provided
for, such payment or distribution shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of, and shall
be paid over or delivered to, the Senior Lenders (pro rata to each such Senior Lender on the basis
of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such Senior Lender) or their
Representative, for application to the payment of Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all
such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash after giving effect to any prior or
concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness.

          The consolidation of the Loan Parties with, or the merger of the Loan Parties with or into,
another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Loan Parties following the conveyance
or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation
upon the terms and conditions provided in Section 6.03 shall not be deemed a dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 10.03(b) if such other
corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the
conditions stated in Section 6.03.

-69-

 

          SECTION 10.04. Subrogation. Upon the payment in full in cash of all Senior
Indebtedness, or provision for payment, the Lenders shall be subrogated to the rights of the Senior
Lenders to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Loan Parties
made on such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of and interest on the Obligations shall be
paid in full in cash; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to
the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Lenders or
Administrative Agent on their behalf would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article X,
and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article X to the Senior Lenders by Lenders
or Administrative Agent on their behalf shall, as between the Loan Parties, its creditors other
than the Senior Lenders, and the Lenders, be deemed to be a payment by the Loan Parties to or on
account of the Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article X are and
are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Lenders, on the one
hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

          (a) If any payment or distribution to which the Lenders would otherwise have been entitled but
for the provisions of this Article X shall have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this
Article X, to the payment of all amounts payable under Senior Indebtedness, then and in such case,
the Lenders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Senior Indebtedness any payments
or distributions received by such Senior Lenders in excess of the amount required to make payment
in full, or provision for payment, of such Senior Indebtedness.

          SECTION 10.05. Obligations of the Loan Parties Unconditional. Nothing contained in
this Article X or elsewhere in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair, as among the Loan
Parties and the Lenders, the obligation of the Loan Parties, which is absolute and unconditional,
to pay to the Lenders the principal of and interest on the Obligations as and when the same shall
become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the
relative rights of the Lenders and creditors of the Loan Parties other than the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Lenders or Administrative
Agent on their behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon
default under this Agreement, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article X of the holders of
the Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Loan Parties received
upon the exercise of any such remedy.

          Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article X shall
restrict the right of Administrative Agent or the Lenders to take any action to declare the
Obligations to be due and payable prior to their Maturity Date pursuant to Section 7.01 or to
pursue any rights or remedies hereunder; provided, however, that all Senior
Indebtedness then due and payable shall first be paid in full before the Lenders or Administrative
Agent is entitled to receive any direct or indirect payment from the Loan Parties of principal of
or interest on the Obligations.

          SECTION 10.06. Notice to Administrative Agent. The Loan Parties shall give prompt
written notice to Administrative Agent of any fact known to the Loan Parties which would prohibit
the making of any payment to or by Administrative Agent in respect of the Obligations pursuant to
the provisions of this Article X. Administrative Agent shall not be charged with knowledge of the
existence of any event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness or of any other facts
which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by Administrative Agent unless and until
Administrative Agent shall have received notice in writing to that effect signed by an Officer of
the Loan Parties, or by a Senior Lender or their Representative; and prior to the receipt of any
such written notice, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to assume that no such facts exist;
provided, however, that if Administrative Agent shall not have received the notice provided for in
this Section 10.06 at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms of this
Agreement any moneys shall become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the
payment of the principal of or interest on any Obligations), then, regardless of any-

-70-

 

thing herein to the contrary, Administrative Agent shall have full power and authority to
receive any moneys from the Loan Parties and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were
received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or
after such prior date. Nothing contained in this Section 10.06 shall limit the right of the Senior
Lenders to recover payments as contemplated by Section 10.03. Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself or
itself to be a holder of any Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of, or other
representative of, such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such
Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder.

          In the event that Administrative Agent determines in good faith that any evidence is required
with respect to the right of any Person as a Senior Lender to participate in any payment or
distribution pursuant to this Article X, Administrative Agent may request such Person to furnish
evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of Administrative Agent as to the amount of Senior
Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in
such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this
Article X, and if such evidence is not furnished, Administrative Agent may defer any payment to
such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

          SECTION 10.07. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent. Upon
any payment or distribution of assets or securities referred to in this Article X, Administrative
Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of
competent jurisdiction in which bankruptcy, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization
proceedings are pending, or upon a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating
trustee, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to Administrative
Agent or to the Lenders for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such
distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Loan Parties,
the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all
other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article X.

          SECTION 10.08. Administrative Agent’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness. The
Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article
X with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it in its individual or
any other capacity to the same extent as any other Senior Lender, and nothing in this Agreement
shall deprive Administrative Agent or any Lender of any of its rights as a Senior Lender.

          With respect to the Senior Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders undertake to
perform or to observe only such of their respective covenants and obligations as are specifically
set forth in this Article X, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the Senior
Lenders shall be read into this Agreement against the Administrative Agent or the Lenders. The
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, as applicable, shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty
to the Senior Lenders (except to the extent provided in Section 10.03(b)). The Administrative
Agent and the Lenders, as applicable, shall not be liable to any such holders if the Administrative
Agent or any Lender, as applicable, shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to the
Lenders or to the Loan Parties or to any other person cash, property or securities to which any
Senior Lenders shall be entitled by virtue of this Article X or otherwise.

          SECTION 10.09. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Loan Parties
or Senior Lenders. No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Indebtedness to
enforce subordination as provided herein shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by
any act or failure to act on the part of the Loan Parties or by any act or failure to act, in good
faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Loan Parties with the terms of this
Agreement, regardless of any

-71-

 

knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. The provisions
of this Article X are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable directly by, the
Senior Lenders.

          SECTION 10.10. Lenders Authorize Administrative Agent To Effectuate Subordination of
Obligations. Each Lender by his acceptance of Obligations authorizes and expressly directs
Administrative Agent on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to
effectuate the subordination provided in this Article X, and appoints Administrative Agent his
attorney-in-fact for such purposes, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding-up,
liquidation or reorganization of the Loan Parties (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership,
reorganization or similar proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or
otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the business and assets of the Loan Parties, the filing
of a claim for the unpaid balance of its Obligations in the form required in those proceedings.

          SECTION 10.11. This Section Not To Prevent Events of Default. The failure to make a
payment on account of principal of or interest on the Obligations by reason of any provision of
this Article X shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default specified
in Section 7.01.

          SECTION 10.12. Administrative Agent’s Compensation Not Prejudiced. Nothing in this
Article X shall apply to amounts due to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.10 or Section
9.05 of this Agreement.

          SECTION 10.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions. Without in any way limiting the
generality of Section 10.09, the Senior Lenders may, at any time and from time to time, without the
consent of or notice to Administrative Agent or the Lenders, without incurring responsibility to
the Lenders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article X or the
obligations hereunder of the Lenders to the Senior Lenders, do any one or more of the following:
(a) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or
alter, Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which
Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or secured; (b) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with
any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Indebtedness; (c) release any Person
liable in any manner for the collection of Senior Indebtedness; and (d) exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights against the Loan Parties and any other Person.

          SECTION 10.14. Administrative Agent Successors. In case at any time any successor
Administrative Agent other than the Administrative Agent shall have been appointed by Borrower
pursuant to Article VIII and be then acting hereunder, the term “Administrative Agent” as used in
this Article X shall in such case (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending
to and including such Administrative Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes
as if such Administrative Agent were named in this Section 10.14 in addition to or in place of the
Administrative Agent; provided, however, that Section 10.14 shall not apply to
Borrower or any Affiliate of Borrower if it or such Affiliate acts as Administrative Agent.

[Signature Pages Follow]

-72-

 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their
respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC.,

  as Borrower

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	 	Title:  	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC.,

  as Administrative Agent and Lender

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	 	Title:  	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

  as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	 	Title:  	 	 
	 

[LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. Credit Agreement]<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                     MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS, INC.
                                    Depositor

                             WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
                                     Trustee

                                       and

                          WILSHIRE CREDIT CORPORATION,
                                    Servicer

                     --------------------------------------

                         POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT
                             Dated as of May 1, 2005

                     --------------------------------------

                       FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST,
            MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-FFH1

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                                                                 PAGE

<S>                                                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE I         DEFINITIONS..................................................................................     1

ARTICLE II        CONVEYANCE OF MORTGAGE LOANS; REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.................................    49
                  SECTION 2.01.         Conveyance of Mortgage Loans...........................................    49
                  SECTION 2.02.         Acceptance by the Trustee of the Mortgage Loans........................    52
                  SECTION 2.03.         Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Depositor.............    53
                  SECTION 2.04.         Representations and Warranties of the Servicer.........................    57
                  SECTION 2.05.         Substitutions and Repurchases of Mortgage Loans which are not
                                        "Qualified Mortgages.".................................................    58
                  SECTION 2.06.         Authentication and Delivery of Certificates............................    58
                  SECTION 2.07.         REMIC Elections........................................................    59
                  SECTION 2.08.         [RESERVED].............................................................    62
                  SECTION 2.09.         Covenants of the Servicer..............................................    62
                  SECTION 2.10.         [RESERVED].............................................................    63
                  SECTION 2.11.         Permitted Activities of the Trust......................................    63
                  SECTION 2.12.         Qualifying Special Purpose Entity......................................    63

ARTICLE III       ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING OF MORTGAGE LOANS...............................................    63
                  SECTION 3.01.         Servicer to Service Mortgage Loans.....................................    63
                  SECTION 3.02.         Servicing and Subservicing; Enforcement of the Obligations of
                                        Servicer...............................................................    65
                  SECTION 3.03.         Rights of the Depositor and the Trustee in Respect of the
                                        Servicer...............................................................    65
                  SECTION 3.04.         Trustee to Act as Servicer.............................................    66
                  SECTION 3.05.         Collection of Mortgage Loan Payments; Collection Account;
                                        Certificate Account....................................................    66
                  SECTION 3.06.         Collection of Taxes, Assessments and Similar Items; Escrow
                                        Accounts...............................................................    70
                  SECTION 3.07.         Access to Certain Documentation and Information Regarding the
                                        Mortgage Loans.........................................................    70
                  SECTION 3.08.         Permitted Withdrawals from the Collection Account and
                                        Certificate Account....................................................    70
                  SECTION 3.09.         [RESERVED].............................................................    73
                  SECTION 3.10.         Maintenance of Hazard Insurance........................................    73
                  SECTION 3.11.         Enforcement of Due-On-Sale Clauses; Assumption Agreements..............    74
                  SECTION 3.12.         Realization Upon Defaulted Mortgage Loans; Determination of
                                        Excess Proceeds........................................................    75
                  SECTION 3.13.         Trustee to Cooperate; Release of Mortgage Files........................    77
                  SECTION 3.14.         Documents, Records and Funds in Possession of Servicer to be
                                        Held for the Trustee...................................................    79
                  SECTION 3.15.         Servicing Compensation.................................................    79
                  SECTION 3.16.         Access to Certain Documentation........................................    80
                  SECTION 3.17.         Annual Statement as to Compliance......................................    80
                  SECTION 3.18.         Annual Independent Public Accountants' Servicing Statement;
                                        Financial Statements...................................................    80
</Table>

                                       i
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (continued)

<Table>
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
                  SECTION 3.19.         Rights of the NIMs Insurer.............................................    80
                  SECTION 3.20.         Periodic Filings.......................................................    80
                  SECTION 3.21.         Annual Certificate by Trustee..........................................    81
                  SECTION 3.22.         Annual Certificate by Servicer.........................................    82
                  SECTION 3.23.         Prepayment Charge Reporting Requirements...............................    83
                  SECTION 3.24.         Statements to Trustee..................................................    83
                  SECTION 3.25.         Indemnification........................................................    83
                  SECTION 3.26.         Nonsolicitation........................................................    84
                  SECTION 3.27.         [RESERVED].............................................................    84
                  SECTION 3.28.         High Cost Mortgage Loans...............................................    84
                  SECTION 3.29.         Interim Servicing Period Responsibilities..............................    84

ARTICLE IV        DISTRIBUTIONS................................................................................    85
                  SECTION 4.01.         Advances...............................................................    85
                  SECTION 4.02.         Reduction of Servicing Compensation in Connection with
                                        Prepayment Interest Shortfalls.........................................    86
                  SECTION 4.03.         Distributions on the REMIC Interests...................................    86
                  SECTION 4.04.         Distributions..........................................................    86
                  SECTION 4.05.         Monthly Statements to Certificateholders...............................    92

ARTICLE V         THE CERTIFICATES.............................................................................    96
                  SECTION 5.01.         The Certificates.......................................................    96
                  SECTION 5.02.         Certificate Register; Registration of Transfer and Exchange of
                                        Certificates...........................................................    97
                  SECTION 5.03.         Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates......................   100
                  SECTION 5.04.         Persons Deemed Owners..................................................   100
                  SECTION 5.05.         Access to List of Certificateholders' Names and Addresses..............   101
                  SECTION 5.06.         Book-Entry Certificates................................................   101
                  SECTION 5.07.         Notices to Depository..................................................   102
                  SECTION 5.08.         Definitive Certificates................................................   102
                  SECTION 5.09.         Maintenance of Office or Agency........................................   102

ARTICLE VI        THE DEPOSITOR AND THE SERVICER...............................................................   103
                  SECTION 6.01.         Respective Liabilities of the Depositor and the Servicer...............   103
                  SECTION 6.02.         Merger or Consolidation of the Depositor or the Servicer...............   103
                  SECTION 6.03.         Limitation on Liability of the Depositor, the Servicer and Others......   103
                  SECTION 6.04.         Limitation on Resignation of Servicer..................................   104
                  SECTION 6.05.         Errors and Omissions Insurance; Fidelity Bonds.........................   104

ARTICLE VII       DEFAULT; TERMINATION OF SERVICER.............................................................   104
                  SECTION 7.01.         Events of Default......................................................   104
                  SECTION 7.02.         Trustee to Act; Appointment of Successor...............................   106
                  SECTION 7.03.         Notification to Certificateholders.....................................   106

ARTICLE VIII      CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE ......................................................................   107
                  SECTION 8.01.         Duties of the Trustee..................................................   107
                  SECTION 8.02.         Certain Matters Affecting the Trustee..................................   108
                  SECTION 8.03.         Trustee Not Liable for Mortgage Loans..................................   109
</Table>

                                       ii
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (continued)

<Table>
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
                  SECTION 8.04.         Trustee May Own Certificates...........................................   109
                  SECTION 8.05.         Trustee's Fees and Expenses............................................   110
                  SECTION 8.06.         Indemnification of Trustee.............................................   110
                  SECTION 8.07.         Eligibility Requirements for Trustee...................................   111
                  SECTION 8.08.         Resignation and Removal of Trustee.....................................   111
                  SECTION 8.09.         Successor Trustee......................................................   112
                  SECTION 8.10.         Merger or Consolidation of Trustee.....................................   112
                  SECTION 8.11.         Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee..........................   112
                  SECTION 8.12.         Tax Matters............................................................   113

ARTICLE IX        TERMINATION..................................................................................   116
                  SECTION 9.01.         Termination upon Liquidation or Repurchase of all Mortgage Loans.......   116
                  SECTION 9.02.         Final Distribution on the Certificates.................................   117
                  SECTION 9.03.         Additional Termination Requirements....................................   118

ARTICLE X         MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.....................................................................   119
                  SECTION 10.01.        Amendment..............................................................   119
                  SECTION 10.02.        Counterparts...........................................................   121
                  SECTION 10.03.        Governing Law..........................................................   121
                  SECTION 10.04.        Intention of Parties...................................................   121
                  SECTION 10.05.        Notices................................................................   121
                  SECTION 10.06.        Severability of Provisions.............................................   122
                  SECTION 10.07.        Assignment; Advance Facility...........................................   122
                  SECTION 10.08.        Limitation on Rights of Certificateholders.............................   123
                  SECTION 10.09.        Inspection and Audit Rights............................................   124
                  SECTION 10.10.        Certificates Nonassessable and Fully Paid..............................   124
                  SECTION 10.11.        Third Party Rights.....................................................   125
                  SECTION 10.12.        Additional Rights of the NIMs Insurer..................................   125
</Table>

                                      iii
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (continued)

<Table>
<S>                        <C>
EXHIBIT A                  FORMS OF CERTIFICATES
EXHIBIT B-1                MORTGAGE LOAN SCHEDULE - MORTGAGE POOL
EXHIBIT B-2                MORTGAGE LOAN SCHEDULE - GROUP ONE MORTGAGE LOANS
EXHIBIT B-3                MORTGAGE LOAN SCHEDULE - GROUP TWO MORTGAGE LOANS
EXHIBIT C                  [RESERVED]
EXHIBIT D                  FORM OF TRUSTEE CERTIFICATION
EXHIBIT E-1                FORM OF TRANSFEREE'S LETTER AND AFFIDAVIT
EXHIBIT E-2                FORM OF TRANSFEROR'S AFFIDAVIT
EXHIBIT F                  FORM OF TRANSFEROR CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT G                  FORM OF INVESTMENT LETTER (ACCREDITED INVESTOR)
EXHIBIT H                  FORM OF RULE 144A INVESTMENT LETTER (QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER)
EXHIBIT I                  FORM OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE
EXHIBIT J                  [RESERVED]
EXHIBIT K                  FORM OF OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE OF TRUSTEE
EXHIBIT L                  FORM OF OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE OF SERVICER
EXHIBIT M                  [RESERVED]
EXHIBIT N-1                FORM OF CLASS A-1 CAP CONTRACT
EXHIBIT N-2                FORM OF CLASS A-2 CAP CONTRACT
EXHIBIT N-3                FORM OF SUBORDINATED CERTIFICATE CAP CONTRACT
EXHIBIT O-1                ONE-MONTH LIBOR CAP TABLE - CLASS A-1 CAP CONTRACT
EXHIBIT O-2                ONE MONTH LIBOR CAP TABLE - CLASS A-2 CAP CONTRACT
EXHIBIT O-3                ONE MONTH LIBOR CAP TABLE - SUBORDINATED CERTIFICATE CAP CONTRACT
EXHIBIT P                  SCHEDULE OF INTERIM SERVICED LOANS
</Table>

                                       iv
<PAGE>

         POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of May 1,
2005, among MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation, as
depositor (the "Depositor"), WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A, a national banking
association, as trustee (the "Trustee") and WILSHIRE CREDIT CORPORATION, a
Nevada corporation, as servicer (the "Servicer").

         The Depositor is the owner of the Trust Fund that is hereby conveyed to
the Trustee in return for the Certificates. The Trust Fund for federal income
tax purposes will consist of (i) two real estate mortgage investment conduits in
a tiered structure, (ii) the right to receive payments distributable to the
Class P Certificates pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(i) hereof, (iii) each Cap
Contract and the Cap Contract Account and (iv) the grantor trusts described in
Section 2.07 hereof. The Lower Tier REMIC will consist of all of the assets
constituting the Trust Fund (other than the assets described in clauses (ii),
(iii) and (iv) above and the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests) and will be
evidenced by the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests (which will be
uncertificated and will represent the "regular interests" in the Lower Tier
REMIC) and the Class LTR Interest as the single "residual interest" in the Lower
Tier REMIC. The Trustee will hold the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests. The
Upper Tier REMIC will consist of the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests and will
be evidenced by the REMIC Regular Interests (which will represent the "regular
interests" in the Upper Tier REMIC) and the Residual Interest as the single
"residual interest" in the Upper Tier REMIC. The Class R Certificate will
represent beneficial ownership of the Class LTR Interest and the Residual
Interest. The "latest possible maturity date" for federal income tax purposes of
all interests created hereby will be the Latest Possible Maturity Date.

         All covenants and agreements made by the Seller in the Sale Agreement
and by the Depositor and the Trustee herein with respect to the Mortgage Loans
and the other property constituting the Trust Fund are for the benefit of the
Holders from time to time of the Certificates and, to the extent provided
herein, the NIMs Insurer.

         In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the
Depositor, the Servicer and the Trustee hereby agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

         Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases,
unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:

         Accepted Servicing Practices: The Servicer's normal servicing
practices, which will conform to the mortgage servicing practices of prudent
mortgage lending institutions that service for their own account mortgage loans
of the same type as the Mortgages Loans in the jurisdictions in which the
related Mortgaged Properties (or Underlying Mortgaged Properties in the case of
Co-op Loans) are located.

         Accrual Period: With respect to each Class of Certificates and the
Lower Tier REMIC Interests and any Distribution Date, the period commencing on
the immediately preceding Distribution Date (or, in the case of the first
Distribution Date, the Closing Date) and ending on the day immediately preceding
such Distribution Date. All calculations of interest on each Class of
Certificates and the Lower Tier REMIC Interests will be made on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed in the related Accrual Period and a 360 day year.

         Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan: A Mortgage Loan identified in the
Mortgage Loan Schedule as having a Mortgage Rate which is adjustable.

<PAGE>

         Adjustment Date: As to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, each date on
which the related Mortgage Rate is subject to adjustment, as provided in the
related Mortgage Note.

         Advance: The aggregate of the advances required to be made by the
Servicer with respect to any Distribution Date pursuant to Section 4.01, the
amount of any such advances being equal to the sum of the aggregate amount of
all payments of principal and interest (net of the Servicing Fee) on the
Mortgage Loans that were due during the applicable Due Period and not received
as of the close of business on the related Determination Date (other than the
principal portion of any Balloon Amount), less the aggregate amount of any such
Delinquent payments that the Servicer has determined would constitute a
Non-Recoverable Advance were an advance to be made with respect thereto;
provided, however, that with respect to any Mortgage Loan which is not a first
lien Mortgage Loan that is 150 days delinquent or more (whether or not the
Mortgage Loan has been converted to an REO Property), there will be no
obligation to make advances and, provided further, however, that with respect to
any Mortgage Loan that has been converted to an REO Property which is less than
150 days delinquent, the obligation to make Advances shall only be to payments
of interest.

         Advance Facility: A financing or other facility as described in Section
10.07.

         Advancing Person: The Person to whom the Servicer's rights under this
Agreement to be reimbursed for any Advances or Servicing Advances have been
assigned pursuant to Section 10.07.

         Affiliate: With respect to any specified Person, any other Person
controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person. For the
purposes of this definition, "control" means the power to direct the management
and policies of a Person, directly or indirectly, whether through ownership of
voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

         Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance: For any date of determination,
the sum of the Class A-1A Certificate Principal Balance, the Class A-1B
Certificate Principal Balance, the Class A-2A Certificate Principal Balance, the
Class A-2B Certificate Principal Balance, the Class A-2C Certificate Principal
Balance, the Class R Certificate Principal Balance, the Class M-1 Certificate
Principal Balance, the Class M-2 Certificate Principal Balance, the Class M-3
Certificate Principal Balance, the Class M-4 Certificate Principal Balance, the
Class M-5 Certificate Principal Balance, the Class M-6 Certificate Principal
Balance, the Class B-1 Certificate Principal Balance, the Class B-2 Certificate
Principal Balance, the Class B-3 Certificate Principal Balance and the Class B-4
Certificate Principal Balance, in each case as of such date of determination.

         Agreement: This Pooling and Servicing Agreement and any and all
amendments or supplements hereto made in accordance with the terms herein.

         Applied Realized Loss Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date,
the amount, if any, by which, the sum of (i) the Aggregate Certificate Principal
Balance and (ii) the Class C Certificate Principal Balance after distributions
of principal on such Distribution Date exceeds the aggregate Stated Principal
Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of such Distribution Date.

         Appraised Value: With respect to a Mortgage Loan the proceeds of which
were used to purchase the related Mortgaged Property (or the related residential
dwelling unit in the Underlying Mortgaged Property in the case of a Co-op Loan),
the "Appraised Value" of a Mortgaged Property (or the related residential
dwelling unit in the Underlying Mortgaged Property in the case of a Co-op Loan)
is the lesser of (1) the appraised value based on an appraisal made for the
Seller by an independent fee appraiser at the time of the origination of the
related Mortgage Loan, and (2) the sales price of such Mortgaged Property

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

(or the related residential dwelling unit in the Underlying Mortgaged Property
in the case of a Co-op Loan) at such time of origination. With respect to a
Mortgage Loan the proceeds of which were used to refinance an existing mortgage
loan, the "Appraised Value" is the appraised value of the Mortgaged Property (or
the related residential dwelling unit in the Underlying Mortgaged Property in
the case of a Co-op Loan) based upon the appraisal obtained at the time of
refinancing.

         Assignment of Mortgage: An assignment of the Mortgage, notice of
transfer (or UCC-3 assignment (or equivalent instrument) with respect to each
Co-op Loan) or equivalent instrument, in recordable form (except in the case of
a Co-op Loan) (except for the name of the assignee if such Mortgage Loan is
endorsed in blank), sufficient under the laws of the jurisdiction where the
related Mortgaged Property (or Underlying Mortgaged Property, in the case of a
Co-op Loan) is located to reflect of record the sale and assignment of the
Mortgage Loan to the Trustee, which assignment, notice of transfer or equivalent
instrument may, if permitted by law, be in the form of one or more blanket
assignments covering Mortgages secured by Mortgaged Properties located in the
same county.

         Auction: The one-time auction conducted by the Trustee, as described in
Section 9.01(b) hereof.

         Auction Date: The date on which the Auction occurs.

         Available Funds Cap: Any of the Class A-1 Available Funds Cap, the
Class A-2 Available Funds Cap or the Subordinated Certificate Available Funds
Cap.

         Balloon Loan: A Mortgage Loan having an original term to stated
maturity of approximately 15 years which provides for level monthly payments of
principal and interest based on a 30-year amortization schedule, with a balloon
payment of the remaining outstanding principal balance due on such Mortgage Loan
at its stated maturity.

         Book-Entry Certificates: Any of the Certificates that shall be
registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, the ownership of which
is reflected on the books of the Depository or on the books of a Person
maintaining an account with the Depository (directly, as a "Depository
Participant," or indirectly, as an indirect participant in accordance with the
rules of the Depository and as described in Section 5.06). As of the Closing
Date, each of the Class A (other than the Class R Certificate), Class M and
Class B Certificates constitutes a Class of Book-Entry Certificates.

         Business Day: Any day other than (1) a Saturday or a Sunday, or (2) a
day on which banking institutions in the State of California, State of Maryland,
State of Minnesota, State of Oregon and in the City of New York, New York are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to be closed.

         Cap Contract: Any of the Class A-1 Cap Contract, the Class A-2 Cap
Contract or the Subordinated Certificate Cap Contract.

         Cap Contract Account: The separate Eligible Account created and
maintained by the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.04(k)(i) in the name of the
Trustee for the benefit of the Trust Fund and designated "Wells Fargo Bank,
N.A., as Trustee, as trustee, in trust for registered holders of First Franklin
Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1."
Funds in the Cap Contract Account shall be held in trust for the Trust Fund for
the uses and purposes set forth in this Agreement.

         Cap Contract Counterparty: The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.

         Cap Contract Notional Balance: Any of the Class A-1 Cap Contract
Notional Balance, the Class A-2 Cap Contract Notional Balance or the
Subordinated Certificate Cap Contract Notional Balance.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

         Cap Contract Termination Date: Any of the Class A-1 Cap Contract
Termination Date, the Class A-2 Cap Contract Termination Date or the
Subordinated Certificate Cap Contract Termination Date.

         Certificate: Any one of the certificates of any Class executed by the
Trustee and authenticated by the Trustee in substantially the forms attached
hereto as Exhibits A.

         Certificate Account: The separate Eligible Account created and
maintained by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.05(e) in the name of the Trustee
for the benefit of the Certificateholders and designated "Wells Fargo Bank,
N.A., as trustee, in trust for registered holders of First Franklin Mortgage
Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1." Funds in
the Certificate Account shall be held in trust for the Certificateholders for
the uses and purposes set forth in this Agreement.

         Certificate Group: Either of Certificate Group One or Certificate Group
Two.

         Certificate Group One: The Class A-1A, Class A-1B and Class R
Certificates. For purposes of Section 2.07 hereof, Certificate Group One shall
be related to Group One.

         Certificate Group Two: The Class A-2A, Class A-2B and Class A-2C
Certificates. For purposes of Section 2.07 hereof, Certificate Group Two shall
be related to Group Two.

         Certificate Owner: With respect to a Book-Entry Certificate, the Person
that is the beneficial owner of such Book-Entry Certificate.

         Certificate Principal Balance: As to any Certificate and as of any
Distribution Date, the Initial Certificate Principal Balance of such Certificate
less the sum of (1) all amounts distributed with respect to such Certificate in
reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance thereof on previous Distribution
Dates pursuant to Section 4.04, and (2) any Applied Realized Loss Amounts
allocated to such Certificate on previous Distribution Dates pursuant to Section
4.04(i). On each Distribution Date, after all distributions of principal on such
Distribution Date, a portion of the Class C Interest Carry Forward Amount in an
amount equal to the excess of the Overcollateralization Amount on such
Distribution Date over the Overcollateralization Amount as of the preceding
Distribution Date (or, in the case of the first Distribution Date, the initial
Overcollateralization Amount (based on the Stated Principal Balance of the
Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date)) will be added to the aggregate
Certificate Principal Balance of the Class C Certificates (on a pro rata basis).
Notwithstanding the foregoing on any Distribution Date relating to a Due Period
in which a Subsequent Recovery has been received by the Servicer, the
Certificate Principal Balance of any Class of Certificates then outstanding for
which any Applied Realized Loss Amount has been allocated will be increased, in
order of seniority, by an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Unpaid Realized
Loss Amount for such Class of Certificates and (ii) the total of any Subsequent
Recovery distributed on such date to the Certificateholders (reduced by the
amount of the increase in the Certificate Principal Balance of any more senior
Class of Certificates pursuant to this sentence on such Distribution Date).

         Certificate Register: The register maintained pursuant to Section 5.02
hereof.

         Certificateholder or Holder: The Person in whose name a Certificate is
registered in the Certificate Register (initially, Cede & Co., as nominee for
the Depository) in the case of any Class of Regular Certificates or the Class R
Certificate, except that solely for the purpose of giving any consent pursuant
to this Agreement, any Certificate registered in the name of the Depositor or
any Affiliate of the Depositor shall be deemed not to be Outstanding and the
Percentage Interest evidenced thereby shall not be taken into account in
determining whether the requisite amount of Percentage Interests necessary to

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

effect such consent has been obtained; provided, however, that if any such
Person (including the Depositor) owns 100% of the Percentage Interests evidenced
by a Class of Certificates, such Certificates shall be deemed to be Outstanding
for purposes of any provision hereof that requires the consent of the Holders of
Certificates of a particular Class as a condition to the taking of any action
hereunder. The NIMs Insurer and the Trustee are entitled to rely conclusively on
a certification of the Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor in
determining which Certificates are registered in the name of an Affiliate of the
Depositor.

         Class: All Certificates bearing the same Class designation as set forth
in Section 5.01 hereof.

         Class A Certificate Principal Balance: For any date of determination,
the sum of the Class A-1A Certificate Principal Balance, the Class A-1B
Certificate Principal Balance, the Class A-2A Certificate Principal Balance, the
Class A-2B Certificate Principal Balance, the Class A-2C Certificate Principal
Balance and the Class R Certificate Principal Balance.

         Class A Certificates: Any of the Class A-1 Certificates, the Class A-2
Certificates and the Class R Certificates.

         Class A Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution
Date (1) prior to the Stepdown Date or any Distribution Date on which a Stepdown
Trigger Event exists, 100% of the Principal Distribution Amount for such
Distribution Date and (2) on or after the Stepdown Date where a Stepdown Trigger
Event does not exist, the excess of (A) the Class A Certificate Principal
Balance immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (B) the lesser of (i)
51.00% of the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of
the immediately preceding Due Period and (ii) the excess of the Stated Principal
Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the immediately preceding Due
Period over the Minimum Required Overcollateralization Amount; provided,
however, that in no event will the Class A Principal Distribution Amount with
respect to any Distribution Date exceed the aggregate Certificate Principal
Balance of the Class A Certificates.

         Class A-1 Available Funds Cap: With respect to a Distribution Date, the
per annum rate equal to the product of (i) 12, (ii) the quotient of (x) the
total scheduled interest on the Mortgage Loans in Group One based on the Net
Mortgage Rates in effect on the related Due Date divided by (y) the aggregate
Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans in Group One as of the first day
of the related Accrual Period (or, in the case of the first Distribution Date,
as of the Cut-off Date) and (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is 30, and
the denominator of which is the actual number of days in the related Accrual
Period.

         Class A-1 Cap Contract: The confirmation and agreement dated as of May
26, 2005, as amended from time to time, with a reference number of
IRG6756975.2A.2B and any related confirmation thereto, between the Trustee
solely on behalf of the Trust Fund and the Cap Contract Counterparty
(substantially in the form of Exhibit N-1 hereto).

         Class A-1 Cap Contract Notional Balance: With respect to any
Distribution Date, the lesser of (a) the notional balance set forth for such
Distribution Date in the Class A-1 One-Month LIBOR Cap Table attached hereto as
Exhibit O-1 and (b) the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-1
Certificates immediately prior to the related "Floating Rate Payer Payment Date"
(as defined in the Class A-1 Cap Contract).

         Class A-1 Cap Contract Termination Date: The Distribution Date in April
2008.

         Class A-1 Certificates: Any of the Class A-1A and Class A-1B
Certificates.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

         Class A-1 Maximum Rate Cap: With respect to a Distribution Date, the
per annum rate, adjusted to reflect the length of the related Accrual Period,
equal to the weighted average of the maximum lifetime Net Mortgage Rates on the
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans in Group One and the Net Mortgage Rates on the
Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans in Group One. The Class A-1 Maximum Rate Cap shall
relate to the Class A-1 and Class R Certificates.

         Class A-1 Trigger Event: The situation that exists if (a) with respect
to any Distribution Date, a Stepdown Trigger Event exists or (b) on any
Distribution Date prior to the Distribution Date in June 2008, the quotient
(expressed as a percentage) of (1) the aggregate Realized Losses incurred from
the Cut-off Date through the last day of the calendar month preceding such
Distribution Date and (2) the aggregate principal balance of the Mortgage Loans
as of the Cut-off Date exceeds 2.75%.

         Class A-1 Upper Collar: With respect to each Distribution Date with
respect to which payments are received on the Class A-1 Cap Contract, a rate
equal to the lesser of One-Month LIBOR and 9.750% per annum.

         Class A-1A Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class A-1A
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class A-1A Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-1A
Certificates.

         Class A-1A Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class A-1A Pass-Through Rate on
the Class A-1A Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class A-1A
Current Interest or a Class A-1A Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class A-1A
Certificates.

         Class A-1A Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class A-1A Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
A-1A Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class A-1A Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class A-1A Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date, 0.240% per annum and, as of any Distribution
Date after the Optional Termination Date, 0.480% per annum.

         Class A-1A Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 3.34063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class A-1A Margin and (2) the Class A-1 Available Funds Cap for
such Distribution Date.

         Class A-1B Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class A-1B
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class A-1B Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-1B
Certificates.

         Class A-1B Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class A-1B Pass-Through Rate on
the Class A-1B Certificate Principal Balance as

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

of such Distribution Date plus the portion of any previous distributions on such
Class in respect of Class A-1B Current Interest or a Class A-1B Interest Carry
Forward Amount that is recovered as a voidable preference by a trustee in
bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported Interest Shortfall allocated on such
Distribution Date to the Class A-1B Certificates.

         Class A-1B Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class A-1B Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
A-1B Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class A-1B Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class A-1B Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 0.290% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Optional Termination Date, 0.580% per annum.

         Class A-1B Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 3.39063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class A-1B Margin and (2) the Class A-1 Available Funds Cap for
such Distribution Date.

         Class A-2 Available Funds Cap: With respect to a Distribution Date, the
per annum rate equal to the product of (i) 12, (ii) the quotient of (x) the
total scheduled interest on the Mortgage Loans in Group Two based on the Net
Mortgage Rates in effect on the related Due Date divided by (y) the aggregate
Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans in Group Two as of the first day
of the related Accrual Period (or, in the case of the first Distribution Date,
as of the Cut-off Date) and (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is 30, and
the denominator of which is the actual number of days in the related Accrual
Period.

         Class A-2 Cap Contract: The confirmation and agreement dated as of May
26, 2005, as amended from time to time, with a reference number of
IRG6756977.2A.2B and any related confirmation thereto, between the Trustee
solely on behalf of the Trust Fund and the Cap Contract Counterparty
(substantially in the form of Exhibit N-2 hereto).

         Class A-2 Cap Contract Notional Balance: With respect to any
Distribution Date, the lesser of (a) the notional balance set forth for such
Distribution Date in the Class A-2 One-Month LIBOR Cap Table attached hereto as
Exhibit O-2 and (b) the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-2
Certificates immediately prior to the related "Floating Rate Payer Payment Date"
(as defined in the Class A-2 Cap Contract).

         Class A-2 Cap Contract Termination Date: The Distribution Date in
October 2007.

         Class A-2 Certificates: Any of the Class A-2A, Class A-2B and Class
A-2C Certificates.

         Class A-2 Maximum Rate Cap: With respect to a Distribution Date, the
per annum rate, adjusted to reflect the length of the related Accrual Period,
equal to the weighted average of the maximum lifetime Net Mortgage Rates on the
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans in Group Two and the Net Mortgage Rates on the
Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans in Group Two. The Class A-2 Maximum Rate Cap shall
relate to the Class A-2 Certificates.

         Class A-2 Upper Collar: With respect to each Distribution Date with
respect to which payments are received on the Class A-2 Cap Contract, a rate
equal to the lesser of One-Month LIBOR and 9.250% per annum.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

         Class A-2A Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class A-2A
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class A-2A Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-2A
Certificates.

         Class A-2A Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class A-2A Pass-Through Rate on
the Class A-2A Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class A-2A
Current Interest or a Class A-2A Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class A-2A
Certificates.

         Class A-2A Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class A-2A Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
A-2A Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class A-2A Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class A-2A Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 0.100% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 0.200% per
annum.

         Class A-2A Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 3.20063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class A-2A Margin and (2) the Class A-2 Available Funds Cap for
such Distribution Date.

         Class A-2B Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class A-2B
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class A-2B Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-2B
Certificates.

         Class A-2B Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class A-2B Pass-Through Rate on
the Class A-2B Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class A-2B
Current Interest or a Class A-2B Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class A-2B
Certificates.

         Class A-2B Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class A-2B Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
A-2B Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class A-2B Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class A-2B Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 0.250% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 0.500% per
annum.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

         Class A-2B Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 3.35063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class A-2B Margin and (2) the Class A-2 Available Funds Cap for
such Distribution Date.

         Class A-2C Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class A-2C
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class A-2C Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-2C
Certificates.

         Class A-2C Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class A-2C Pass-Through Rate on
the Class A-2C Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class A-2C
Current Interest or a Class A-2C Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class A-2C
Certificates.

         Class A-2C Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class A-2C Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
A-2C Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class A-2C Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class A-2C Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 0.400% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 0.800% per
annum.

         Class A-2C Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 3.50063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class A-2C Margin and (2) the Class A-2 Available Funds Cap for
such Distribution Date.

         Class B Certificates: Any of the Class B-1, Class B-2, Class B-3 or
Class B-4 Certificates.

         Class B-1 Applied Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of all Applied Realized Loss Amounts with respect to the Mortgage Loans
which have been applied to the reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance of
the Class B-1 Certificates.

         Class B-1 Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class B-1
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class B-1 Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class B-1
Certificates.

         Class B-1 Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class B-1 Pass-Through Rate on
the Class B-1 Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class B-1
Current Interest or a Class B-1 Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class B-1
Certificates.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

         Class B-1 Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class B-1 Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
B-1 Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class B-1 Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class B-1 Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 1.350% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 2.025% per
annum.

         Class B-1 Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 4.45063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class B-1 Margin and (2) the Subordinated Certificate Available
Funds Cap for such Distribution Date.

         Class B-1 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any
Distribution Date on or after the Stepdown Date, 100% of the Principal
Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date if the Class A Certificate
Principal Balance and the Class M Certificate Principal Balance have been
reduced to zero and a Stepdown Trigger Event exists, or as long as a Stepdown
Trigger Event does not exist, the excess of (1) the sum of (A) the Class A
Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions of the
Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the Class
M-1 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions of
the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (C) the
Class M-2 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions
of the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (D)
the Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account
distributions of the Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount on such
Distribution Date), (E) the Class M-4 Certificate Principal Balance (after
taking into account distributions of the Class M-4 Principal Distribution Amount
on such Distribution Date), (F) the Class M-5 Certificate Principal Balance
(after taking into account distributions of the Class M-5 Principal Distribution
Amount on such Distribution Date), (G) the Class M-6 Certificate Principal
Balance (after taking into account distributions of the Class M-6 Principal
Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date) and (H) the Class B-1 Certificate
Principal Balance immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (2) the
lesser of (A) 88.90% of the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans as
of the end of the immediately preceding Due Period and (B) the excess of the
Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the immediately
preceding Due Period over the Minimum Required Overcollateralization Amount.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (I) on any Distribution Date prior to the
Stepdown Date on which the Certificate Principal Balance of each Class of Class
A Certificates and Class M Certificates has been reduced to zero, the Class B-1
Principal Distribution Amount will equal the lesser of (x) the outstanding
Certificate Principal Balance of the Class B-1 Certificates and (y) 100% of the
Principal Distribution Amount remaining after any distributions on such Class A
Certificates and Class M Certificates and (II) in no event will the Class B-1
Principal Distribution Amount with respect to any Distribution Date exceed the
Class B-1 Certificate Principal Balance.

         Class B-1 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
excess of (1) the Class B-1 Applied Realized Loss Amount over (2) the sum of (x)
all distributions in reduction of the Class B-1 Unpaid Realized Loss Amounts on
all previous Distribution Dates and (y) all increases in the Certificate
Principal Balance of such Class B-1 Certificates pursuant to the last sentence
of the definition of "Certificate Principal Balance."

         Class B-2 Applied Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of all Applied Realized Loss Amounts with respect to the Mortgage Loans
which have been applied to the reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance of
the Class B-2 Certificates.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

         Class B-2 Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class B-2
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class B-2 Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class B-2
Certificates.

         Class B-2 Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class B-2 Pass-Through Rate on
the Class B-2 Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class B-2
Current Interest or a Class B-2 Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class B-2
Certificates.

         Class B-2 Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class B-2 Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
B-2 Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class B-2 Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class B-2 Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 1.550% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 2.325% per
annum.

         Class B-2 Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 4.65063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class B-2 Margin and (2) the Subordinated Certificate Available
Funds Cap for such Distribution Date.

         Class B-2 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any
Distribution Date on or after the Stepdown Date, 100% of the Principal
Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date if the Class A Certificate
Principal Balance, the Class M Certificate Principal Balance and the Class B-1
Certificate Principal Balance have been reduced to zero and a Stepdown Trigger
Event exists, or as long as a Stepdown Trigger Event does not exist, the excess
of (1) the sum of (A) the Class A Certificate Principal Balance (after taking
into account distributions of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such
Distribution Date), (B) the Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance (after
taking into account distributions of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount
on such Distribution Date), (C) the Class M-2 Certificate Principal Balance
(after taking into account distributions of the Class M-2 Principal Distribution
Amount on such Distribution Date), (D) the Class M-3 Certificate Principal
Balance (after taking into account distributions of the Class M-3 Principal
Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (E) the Class M-4 Certificate
Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions of the Class M-4
Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (F) the Class M-5
Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions of the
Class M-5 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (G) the
Class M-6 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions
of the Class M-6 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (H)
the Class B-1 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account
distributions of the Class B-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such
Distribution Date) and (I) the Class B-2 Certificate Principal Balance
immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (2) the lesser of (A) 92.50% of
the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the
immediately preceding Due Period and (B) the excess of the Stated Principal
Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the immediately preceding Due
Period over the Minimum Required Overcollateralization Amount. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (I) on any Distribution Date prior to the Stepdown Date on which
the Certificate Principal Balance of each Class of Class A, Class M and Class
B-1 Certificates has been reduced to zero, the Class B-2 Principal

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

Distribution Amount will equal the lesser of (x) the outstanding Certificate
Principal Balance of the Class B-2 Certificates and (y) 100% of the Principal
Distribution Amount remaining after any distributions on such Class A, Class M
and Class B-1 Certificates and (II) in no event will the Class B-2 Principal
Distribution Amount with respect to any Distribution Date exceed the Class B-2
Certificate Principal Balance.

         Class B-2 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
excess of (1) the Class B-2 Applied Realized Loss Amount over (2) the sum of (x)
all distributions in reduction of the Class B-2 Unpaid Realized Loss Amounts on
all previous Distribution Dates and (y) all increases in the Certificate
Principal Balance of such Class B-2 Certificates pursuant to the last sentence
of the definition of "Certificate Principal Balance."

         Class B-3 Applied Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of all Applied Realized Loss Amounts with respect to the Mortgage Loans
which have been applied to the reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance of
the Class B-3 Certificates.

         Class B-3 Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class B-3
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class B-3 Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class B-3
Certificates.

         Class B-3 Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class B-3 Pass-Through Rate on
the Class B-3 Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class B-3
Current Interest or a Class B-3 Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class B-3
Certificates.

         Class B-3 Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class B-3 Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
B-3 Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class B-3 Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class B-3 Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 2.250% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 3.375% per
annum.

         Class B-3 Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 5.35063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class B-3 Margin and (2) the Subordinated Certificate Available
Funds Cap for such Distribution Date.

         Class B-3 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any
Distribution Date on or after the Stepdown Date, 100% of the Principal
Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date if the Class A Certificate
Principal Balance, the Class M Certificate Principal Balance, the Class B-1
Certificate Principal Balance and the Class B-2 Certificate Principal Balance
have been reduced to zero and a Stepdown Trigger Event exists, or as long as a
Stepdown Trigger Event does not exist, the excess of (1) the sum of (A) the
Class A Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions
of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the
Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions
of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

Distribution Date), (C) the Class M-2 Certificate Principal Balance (after
taking into account distributions of the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount
on such Distribution Date), (D) the Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance
(after taking into account distributions of the Class M-3 Principal Distribution
Amount on such Distribution Date), (E) the Class M-4 Certificate Principal
Balance (after taking into account distributions of the Class M-4 Principal
Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (F) the Class M-5 Certificate
Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions of the Class M-5
Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (G) the Class M-6
Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions of the
Class M-6 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (H) the
Class B-1 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions
of the Class B-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (I)
the Class B-2 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account
distributions of the Class B-2 Principal Distribution Amount on such
Distribution Date) and (J) the Class B-3 Certificate Principal Balance
immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (2) the lesser of (A) 94.20% of
the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the
immediately preceding Due Period and (B) the excess of the Stated Principal
Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the immediately preceding Due
Period over the Minimum Required Overcollateralization Amount. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (I) on any Distribution Date prior to the Stepdown Date on which
the Certificate Principal Balance of each Class of Class A, Class M, Class B-1
and Class B-2 Certificates has been reduced to zero, the Class B-3 Principal
Distribution Amount will equal the lesser of (x) the outstanding Certificate
Principal Balance of the Class B-3 Certificates and (y) 100% of the Principal
Distribution Amount remaining after any distributions on such Class A, Class M,
Class B-1 and Class B-2 Certificates and (II) in no event will the Class B-3
Principal Distribution Amount with respect to any Distribution Date exceed the
Class B-3 Certificate Principal Balance.

         Class B-3 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
excess of (1) the Class B-3 Applied Realized Loss Amount over (2) the sum of (x)
all distributions in reduction of the Class B-3 Unpaid Realized Loss Amounts on
all previous Distribution Dates and (y) all increases in the Certificate
Principal Balance of such Class B-3 Certificates pursuant to the last sentence
of the definition of "Certificate Principal Balance"

         Class B-4 Applied Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of all Applied Realized Loss Amounts with respect to the Mortgage Loans
which have been applied to the reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance of
the Class B-4 Certificates.

         Class B-4 Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class B-4
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class B-4 Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class B-4
Certificates.

         Class B-4 Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class B-4 Pass-Through Rate on
the Class B-4 Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class B-4
Current Interest or a Class B-4 Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class B-4
Certificates.

         Class B-4 Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class B-4 Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
B-4 Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class B-4 Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class B-4 Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 3.250% per annum, and, as of any
Distribution Date after the Optional Termination Date, 4.875% per annum.

         Class B-4 Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 6.35063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class B-4 Margin and (2) the Subordinated Certificate Available
Funds Cap for such Distribution Date.

         Class B-4 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any
Distribution Date on or after the Stepdown Date, 100% of the Principal
Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date if the Class A Certificate
Principal Balance, the Class M Certificate Principal Balance, the Class B-1
Certificate Principal Balance, the Class B-2 Certificate Principal Balance and
the Class B-3 Certificate Principal Balance have been reduced to zero and a
Stepdown Trigger Event exists, or as long as a Stepdown Trigger Event does not
exist, the excess of (1) the sum of (A) the Class A Certificate Principal
Balance (after taking into account distributions of the Class A Principal
Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the Class M-1 Certificate
Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions of the Class M-1
Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (C) the Class M-2
Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions of the
Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (D) the
Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions
of the Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (E)
the Class M-4 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account
distributions of the Class M-4 Principal Distribution Amount on such
Distribution Date), (F) the Class M-5 Certificate Principal Balance (after
taking into account distributions of the Class M-5 Principal Distribution Amount
on such Distribution Date), (G) the Class M-6 Certificate Principal Balance
(after taking into account distributions of the Class M-6 Principal Distribution
Amount on such Distribution Date), (H) the Class B-1 Certificate Principal
Balance (after taking into account distributions of the Class B-1 Principal
Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (I) the Class B-2 Certificate
Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions of the Class B-2
Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (J) the Class B-3
Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions of the
Class B-3 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date) and (K) the
Class B-4 Certificate Principal Balance immediately prior to such Distribution
Date over (2) the lesser of (A) 95.60% of the Stated Principal Balances of the
Mortgage Loans as of the end of the immediately preceding Due Period and (B) the
excess of the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of
the immediately preceding Due Period over the Minimum Required
Overcollateralization Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (I) on any
Distribution Date prior to the Stepdown Date on which the Certificate Principal
Balance of each Class of Class A, Class M, Class B-1, Class B-2 and Class B-3
Certificates has been reduced to zero, the Class B-4 Principal Distribution
Amount will equal the lesser of (x) the outstanding Certificate Principal
Balance of the Class B-4 Certificates and (y) 100% of the Principal Distribution
Amount remaining after any distributions on such Class A, Class M, Class B-1,
Class B-2 and Class B-3 Certificates and (II) in no event will the Class B-4
Principal Distribution Amount with respect to any Distribution Date exceed the
Class B-4 Certificate Principal Balance.

         Class B-4 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
excess of (1) the Class B-4 Applied Realized Loss Amount over (2) the sum of (x)
all distributions in reduction of the Class B-4 Unpaid Realized Loss Amounts on
all previous Distribution Dates and (y) all increases in the Certificate
Principal Balance of such Class B-4 Certificates pursuant to the last sentence
of the definition of "Certificate Principal Balance."

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

         Class C Applied Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
sum of all Applied Realized Loss Amounts with respect to the Mortgage Loans
which have been applied to the reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance of
the Class C Certificates.

         Class C Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class C
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class C Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of determination,
the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class C Certificates.

         Class C Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class C Distributable Interest
Rate on a notional amount equal to 99.95% of the aggregate principal balance of
the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests immediately prior to such Distribution
Date (such amount of interest representing a "specified portion" (within the
meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.860G-1(a)(2)(i)(C)) of interest
payments on the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests (other than the Class LTII1B
Interest and the Class LTII2B Interest)), plus the interest portion of any
previous distributions on such Class that is recovered as a voidable preference
by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported Interest Shortfall allocated
on such Distribution Date to the Class C Certificates.

         Class C Distributable Interest Rate: The excess, if any, of (a) the
weighted average of the interest rates on the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests
over (b) two times the weighted average of the interest rates on the Lower Tier
REMIC I Marker Interests and the Class LTIX Interest (treating for purposes of
this clause (b) the interest rate on each of the Lower Tier REMIC I Marker
Interests as being subject to a cap and a floor equal to the interest rate of
the Corresponding Certificates and treating the Class LTIX Interest as being
capped at zero). The averages described in the preceding sentence shall be
weighted on the basis of the respective principal balances of the Lower Tier
REMIC Regular Interests immediately prior to any date of determination.

         Class C Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
excess of (A) the Class C Current Interest with respect to prior Distribution
Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class C Certificates with
respect to interest on such prior Distribution Dates or added to the aggregate
Certificate Principal Balance of the Class C Certificates.

         Class C Unpaid Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
excess of (1) the Class C Applied Realized Loss Amount over (2) the sum of (x)
all distributions in reduction of the Class C Unpaid Realized Loss Amounts on
all previous Distribution Dates and (y) all increases in the Certificate
Principal Balance of such Class C Certificates pursuant to the last sentence of
the definition of "Certificate Principal Balance."

         Class LTA-1A Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificates and an interest rate equal
to the Net Rate.

         Class LTA-1B Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTA-2A Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

         Class LTA-2B Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTA-2C Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTB-1 Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTB-2 Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTB-3 Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTB-4 Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTIX Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to the excess of (i) 50% of
the aggregate Cut-off Date Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans over (ii) the
initial principal balance of the Lower Tier REMIC I Marker Interests, and with
an interest rate equal to the Net Rate.

         Class LTIIX Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to the excess of (i) 50% of
the aggregate Cut-off Date Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans over (ii) the
initial principal balance of the Lower Tier REMIC II Marker Interests, and with
an interest rate equal to the Net Rate.

         Class LTII1A Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 0.05% of the excess of (i)
the aggregate Cut-off Date Principal Balance of the Group One Mortgage Loans
over (ii) the aggregate of the initial Certificate Principal Balances of
Certificate Group One, and with an interest rate equal to the Net Rate.

         Class LTII1B Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 0.05% of the aggregate
Cut-off Date Principal Balance of the Group One Mortgage Loans, and with an
interest rate equal to the Class A-1 Available Funds Cap.

         Class LTII2A Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 0.05% of the excess of (i)
the aggregate Cut-off Date Principal Balance of the Group Two Mortgage Loans
over (ii) the aggregate of the initial Certificate Principal Balances of
Certificate Group Two, and with an interest rate equal to the Net Rate.

         Class LTII2B Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 0.05% of the aggregate
Cut-off Date Principal Balance of the Group Two Mortgage Loans, and with an
interest rate equal to the Class A-2 Available Funds Cap.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

         Class LTM-1 Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTM-2 Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTM-3 Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTM-4 Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTM-5 Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTM-6 Interest: An uncertificated regular interest in the Lower
Tier REMIC with an initial principal balance equal to 1/4 of the initial
principal balance of its Corresponding Certificate and an interest rate equal to
the Net Rate.

         Class LTR Interest: The sole class of "residual interest" in the Lower
Tier REMIC.

         Class M Certificates: Any of the Class M-1, Class M-2, Class M-3, Class
M-4, Class M-5 or Class M-6 Certificates.

         Class M Certificate Principal Balance: For any date of determination,
the sum of the Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance, Class M-2 Certificate
Principal Balance, Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance, Class M-4
Certificate Principal Balance, Class M-5 Certificate Principal Balance and Class
M-6 Certificate Principal Balance.

         Class M-1 Applied Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of all Applied Realized Loss Amounts with respect to the Mortgage Loans
which have been applied to the reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance of
the Class M-1 Certificates.

         Class M-1 Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class M-1
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-1
Certificates.

         Class M-1 Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class M-1 Pass-Through Rate on
the Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class M-1
Current Interest or a Class M-1 Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class M-1
Certificates.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

         Class M-1 Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class M-1 Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
M-1 Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class M-1 Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class M-1 Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 0.450% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 0.675% per
annum.

         Class M-1 Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 3.55063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class M-1 Margin and (2) the Subordinated Certificate Available
Funds Cap for such Distribution Date.

         Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any
Distribution Date on or after the Stepdown Date, 100% of the Principal
Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date if the Class A Certificate
Principal Balance has been reduced to zero and a Stepdown Trigger Event exists,
or as long as a Stepdown Trigger Event does not exist, the excess of (1) the sum
of (A) the Class A Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account
distributions of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution
Date) and (B) the Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance immediately prior to
such Distribution Date over (2) the lesser of (A) 63.30% of the Stated Principal
Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the immediately preceding Due
Period and (B) the excess of the Stated Principal Balances for the Mortgage
Loans as of the end of the immediately preceding Due Period over the Minimum
Required Overcollateralization Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (I) on any
Distribution Date prior to the Stepdown Date on which the Certificate Principal
Balance of each Class of Class A Certificates has been reduced to zero, the
Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount will equal the lesser of (x) the
outstanding Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-1 Certificates and (y)
100% of the Principal Distribution Amount remaining after any distributions on
such Class A Certificates and (II) in no event will the Class M-1 Principal
Distribution Amount with respect to any Distribution Date exceed the Class M-1
Certificate Principal Balance.

         Class M-1 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
excess of (1) the Class M-1 Applied Realized Loss Amount over (2) the sum of (x)
all distributions in reduction of the Class M-1 Unpaid Realized Loss Amounts on
all previous Distribution Dates and (y) all increases in the Certificate
Principal Balance of such Class M-1 Certificates pursuant to the last sentence
of the definition of "Certificate Principal Balance."

         Class M-2 Applied Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of all Applied Realized Loss Amounts with respect to the Mortgage Loans
which have been applied to the reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance of
the Class M-2 Certificates.

         Class M-2 Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class M-2
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class M-2 Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-2
Certificates.

         Class M-2 Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class M-2 Pass-Through Rate on
the Class M-2 Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class M-2
Current Interest or a Class M-2 Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported Interest Shortfall
allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class M-2 Certificates.

         Class M-2 Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class M-2 Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
M-2 Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class M-2 Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class M-2 Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 0.520% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 0.780% per
annum.

         Class M-2 Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 3.62063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class M-2 Margin and (2) the Subordinated Certificate Available
Funds Cap for such Distribution Date.

         Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any
Distribution Date on or after the Stepdown Date, 100% of the Principal
Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date if the Class A Certificate
Principal Balance and the Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance have been
reduced to zero and a Stepdown Trigger Event exists, or as long as a Stepdown
Trigger Event does not exist, the excess of (1) the sum of (A) the Class A
Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions of the
Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the Class
M-1 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions of
the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date) and (C)
the Class M-2 Certificate Principal Balance immediately prior to such
Distribution Date over (2) the lesser of (A) 69.40% of the Stated Principal
Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the immediately preceding Due
Period and (B) the excess of the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans
as of the end of the immediately preceding Due Period over the Minimum Required
Overcollateralization Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (I) on any
Distribution Date prior to the Stepdown Date on which the Certificate Principal
Balance of each Class of Class A Certificates and Class M-1 Certificates has
been reduced to zero, the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount will equal the
lesser of (x) the outstanding Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-2
Certificates and (y) 100% of the Principal Distribution Amount remaining after
any distributions on such Class A Certificates and Class M-1 Certificates and
(II) in no event will the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount with respect
to any Distribution Date exceed the Class M-2 Certificate Principal Balance.

         Class M-2 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
excess of (1) the Class M-2 Applied Realized Loss Amount over (2) the sum of (x)
all distributions in reduction of the Class M-2 Unpaid Realized Loss Amounts on
all previous Distribution Dates and (y) all increases in the Certificate
Principal Balance of such Class M-2 Certificates pursuant to the last sentence
of the definition of "Certificate Principal Balance."

         Class M-3 Applied Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of all Applied Realized Loss Amounts with respect to the Mortgage Loans
which have been applied to the reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance of
the Class M-3 Certificates.

         Class M-3 Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class M-3
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

         Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-3
Certificates.

         Class M-3 Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class M-3 Pass-Through Rate on
the Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class M-3
Current Interest or a Class M-3 Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class M-3
Certificates.

         Class M-3 Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class M-3 Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
M-3 Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class M-3 Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class M-3 Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 0.580% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 0.870% per
annum.

         Class M-3 Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 3.68063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class M-3 Margin and (2) the Subordinated Certificate Available
Funds Cap for such Distribution Date.

         Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any
Distribution Date on or after the Stepdown Date, 100% of the Principal
Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date if the Class A Certificate
Principal Balance, Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance and Class M-2
Certificate Principal Balance have been reduced to zero and a Stepdown Trigger
Event exists, or as long as a Stepdown Trigger Event does not exist, the excess
of (1) the sum of (A) the Class A Certificate Principal Balance (after taking
into account distributions of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such
Distribution Date), (B) the Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance (after
taking into account distributions of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount
on such Distribution Date), (C) the Class M-2 Certificate Principal Balance
(after taking into account distributions of the Class M-2 Principal Distribution
Amount on such Distribution Date) and (D) the Class M-3 Certificate Principal
Balance immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (2) the lesser of (A)
73.50% of the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of
the immediately preceding Due Period and (B) the excess of the Stated Principal
Balances for the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the immediately preceding Due
Period over the Minimum Required Overcollateralization Amount. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (I) on any Distribution Date prior to the Stepdown Date on which
the Certificate Principal Balance of each Class of Class A Certificates, Class
M-1 Certificates and Class M-2 Certificates has been reduced to zero, the Class
M-3 Principal Distribution Amount will equal the lesser of (x) the outstanding
Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-3 Certificates and (y) 100% of the
Principal Distribution Amount remaining after any distributions on such Class A,
Class M-1 and Class M-2 Certificates and (II) in no event will the Class M-3
Principal Distribution Amount with respect to any Distribution Date exceed the
Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance.

         Class M-3 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
excess of (1) the Class M-3 Applied Realized Loss Amount over (2) the sum of (x)
all distributions in reduction of the Class M-3 Unpaid Realized Loss Amounts on
all previous Distribution Dates and (y) all increases in the Certificate
Principal Balance of such Class M-3 Certificates pursuant to the last sentence
of the definition of "Certificate Principal Balance."

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

         Class M-4 Applied Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of all Applied Realized Loss Amounts with respect to the Mortgage Loans
which have been applied to the reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance of
the Class M-4 Certificates.

         Class M-4 Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class M-4
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class M-4 Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-4
Certificates.

         Class M-4 Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class M-4 Pass-Through Rate on
the Class M-4 Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class M-4
Current Interest or a Class M-4 Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class M-4
Certificates.

         Class M-4 Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class M-4 Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
M-4 Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class M-4 Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class M-4 Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 0.720% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 1.080% per
annum.

         Class M-4 Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 3.82063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class M-4 Margin and (2) the Subordinated Certificate Available
Funds Cap for such Distribution Date.

         Class M-4 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any
Distribution Date on or after the Stepdown Date, 100% of the Principal
Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date if the Class A Certificate
Principal Balance, Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance, Class M-2
Certificate Principal Balance and Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance have
been reduced to zero and a Stepdown Trigger Event exists, or as long as a
Stepdown Trigger Event does not exist, the excess of (1) the sum of (A) the
Class A Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions
of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the
Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions
of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (C)
the Class M-2 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account
distributions of the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount on such
Distribution Date), (D) the Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance (after
taking into account distributions of the Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount
on such Distribution Date) and (E) the Class M-4 Certificate Principal Balance
immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (2) the lesser of (A) 77.50% of
the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the
immediately preceding Due Period and (B) the excess of the Stated Principal
Balances for the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the immediately preceding Due
Period over the Minimum Required Overcollateralization Amount. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (I) on any Distribution Date prior to the Stepdown Date on which
the Certificate Principal Balance of each Class of Class A Certificates, Class
M-1 Certificates, Class M-2 Certificates and Class M-3 Certificates has been
reduced to zero, the Class M-4 Principal Distribution Amount will equal the
lesser of (x) the outstanding Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-4
Certificates and (y) 100% of the Principal Distribution

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

Amount remaining after any distributions on such Class A, Class M-1, Class M-2
and Class M-3 Certificates and (II) in no event will the Class M-4 Principal
Distribution Amount with respect to any Distribution Date exceed the Class M-4
Certificate Principal Balance.

         Class M-4 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
excess of (1) the Class M-4 Applied Realized Loss Amount over (2) the sum of (x)
all distributions in reduction of the Class M-4 Unpaid Realized Loss Amounts on
all previous Distribution Dates and (y) all increases in the Certificate
Principal Balance of such Class M-4 Certificates pursuant to the last sentence
of the definition of "Certificate Principal Balance."

         Class M-5 Applied Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of all Applied Realized Loss Amounts with respect to the Mortgage Loans
which have been applied to the reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance of
the Class M-5 Certificates.

         Class M-5 Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class M-5
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class M-5 Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-5
Certificates.

         Class M-5 Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class M-5 Pass-Through Rate on
the Class M-5 Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class M-5
Current Interest or a Class M-5 Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class M-5
Certificates.

         Class M-5 Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class M-5 Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
M-5 Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class M-5 Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class M-5 Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 0.770% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 1.155% per
annum.

         Class M-5 Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 3.87063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class M-5 Margin and (2) the Subordinated Certificate Available
Funds Cap for such Distribution Date.

         Class M-5 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any
Distribution Date on or after the Stepdown Date, 100% of the Principal
Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date if the Class A Certificate
Principal Balance, Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance, Class M-2
Certificate Principal Balance, Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance and Class
M-4 Certificate Principal Balance have been reduced to zero and a Stepdown
Trigger Event exists, or as long as a Stepdown Trigger Event does not exist, the
excess of (1) the sum of (A) the Class A Certificate Principal Balance (after
taking into account distributions of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount
on such Distribution Date), (B) the Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance
(after taking into account distributions of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution
Amount on such Distribution Date), (C) the Class M-2 Certificate Principal
Balance (after taking into account distributions of the Class M-2 Principal
Distribution Amount on such Distribution

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

Date), (D) the Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into
account distributions of the Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount on such
Distribution Date), (E) the Class M-4 Certificate Principal Balance (after
taking into account distributions of the Class M-4 Principal Distribution Amount
on such Distribution Date) and (F) the Class M-5 Certificate Principal Balance
immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (2) the lesser of (A) 81.60% of
the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the
immediately preceding Due Period and (B) the excess of the Stated Principal
Balances for the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the immediately preceding Due
Period over the Minimum Required Overcollateralization Amount. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (I) on any Distribution Date prior to the Stepdown Date on which
the Certificate Principal Balance of each Class of Class A Certificates, Class
M-1 Certificates, Class M-2 Certificates, Class M-3 Certificates and Class M-4
Certificates has been reduced to zero, the Class M-5 Principal Distribution
Amount will equal the lesser of (x) the outstanding Certificate Principal
Balance of the Class M-5 Certificates and (y) 100% of the Principal Distribution
Amount remaining after any distributions on such Class A, Class M-1, Class M-2,
Class M-3 and Class M-4 Certificates and (II) in no event will the Class M-5
Principal Distribution Amount with respect to any Distribution Date exceed the
Class M-5 Certificate Principal Balance.

         Class M-5 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
excess of (1) the Class M-5 Applied Realized Loss Amount over (2) the sum of (x)
all distributions in reduction of the Class M-5 Unpaid Realized Loss Amounts on
all previous Distribution Dates and (y) all increases in the Certificate
Principal Balance of such Class M-5 Certificates pursuant to the last sentence
of the definition of "Certificate Principal Balance."

         Class M-6 Applied Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of all Applied Realized Loss Amounts with respect to the Mortgage Loans
which have been applied to the reduction of the Certificate Principal Balance of
the Class M-6 Certificates.

         Class M-6 Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class M-6
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class M-6 Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of
determination, the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-6
Certificates.

         Class M-6 Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class M-6 Pass-Through Rate on
the Class M-6 Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus
the portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class M-6
Current Interest or a Class M-6 Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered
as a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class M-6
Certificates.

         Class M-6 Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class M-6 Current Interest with respect to
prior Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class
M-6 Certificates with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward
Amounts on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) at the Class M-6 Pass-Through Rate for the
related Accrual Period.

         Class M-6 Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 0.920% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 1.380% per
annum.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

         Class M-6 Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 4.02063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class M-6 Margin and (2) the Subordinated Certificate Available
Funds Cap for such Distribution Date.

         Class M-6 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any
Distribution Date on or after the Stepdown Date, 100% of the Principal
Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date if the Class A Certificate
Principal Balance, Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance, Class M-2
Certificate Principal Balance, Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance, Class
M-4 Certificate Principal Balance and Class M-5 Certificate Principal Balance
have been reduced to zero and a Stepdown Trigger Event exists, or as long as a
Stepdown Trigger Event does not exist, the excess of (1) the sum of (A) the
Class A Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions
of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the
Class M-1 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account distributions
of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (C)
the Class M-2 Certificate Principal Balance (after taking into account
distributions of the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount on such
Distribution Date), (D) the Class M-3 Certificate Principal Balance (after
taking into account distributions of the Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount
on such Distribution Date), (E) the Class M-4 Certificate Principal Balance
(after taking into account distributions of the Class M-4 Principal Distribution
Amount on such Distribution Date), (F) the Class M-5 Certificate Principal
Balance (after taking into account distributions of the Class M-5 Principal
Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date) and (G) the Class M-6 Certificate
Principal Balance immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (2) the
lesser of (A) 85.20% of the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans as
of the end of the immediately preceding Due Period and (B) the excess of the
Stated Principal Balances for the Mortgage Loans as of the end of the
immediately preceding Due Period over the Minimum Required Overcollateralization
Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (I) on any Distribution Date prior to the
Stepdown Date on which the Certificate Principal Balance of each Class of Class
A Certificates, Class M-1 Certificates, Class M-2 Certificates, Class M-3
Certificates, Class M-4 Certificates and Class M-5 Certificates has been reduced
to zero, the Class M-6 Principal Distribution Amount will equal the lesser of
(x) the outstanding Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M-6 Certificates
and (y) 100% of the Principal Distribution Amount remaining after any
distributions on such Class A, Class M-1, Class M-2, Class M-3, Class M-4 and
Class M-5 Certificates and (II) in no event will the Class M-6 Principal
Distribution Amount with respect to any Distribution Date exceed the Class M-6
Certificate Principal Balance.

         Class M-6 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
excess of (1) the Class M-6 Applied Realized Loss Amount over (2) the sum of (x)
all distributions in reduction of the Class M-6 Unpaid Realized Loss Amounts on
all previous Distribution Dates and (y) all increases in the Certificate
Principal Balance of such Class M-6 Certificates pursuant to the last sentence
of the definition of "Certificate Principal Balance."

         Class P Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class P
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class R Certificate: Any Certificate designated as a "Class R
Certificate" on the face thereof, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, representing
the right to distributions as set forth herein.

         Class R Certificate Principal Balance: As of any date of determination,
the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class R Certificate.

         Class R Current Interest: As of any Distribution Date, the interest
accrued during the related Accrual Period at the Class R Pass-Through Rate on
the Class R Certificate Principal Balance as of such Distribution Date plus the
portion of any previous distributions on such Class in respect of Class R

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

Current Interest or a Class R Interest Carry Forward Amount that is recovered as
a voidable preference by a trustee in bankruptcy, less any Non-Supported
Interest Shortfall allocated on such Distribution Date to the Class R
Certificate.

         Class R Interest Carry Forward Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the
sum of (1) the excess of (A) the Class R Current Interest with respect to prior
Distribution Dates over (B) the amount actually distributed to the Class R
Certificate with respect to Current Interest or Interest Carry Forward Amounts
on such prior Distribution Dates and (2) interest on such excess (to the extent
permitted by applicable law) at the Class R Pass-Through Rate for the related
Accrual Period.

         Class R Margin: As of any Distribution Date up to and including the
Initial Optional Termination Date for the Certificates, 0.240% per annum and, as
of any Distribution Date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, 0.480% per
annum.

         Class R Pass-Through Rate: For the first Distribution Date, 3.34063%
per annum. As of any Distribution Date thereafter, the lesser of (1) One-Month
LIBOR plus the Class R Margin and (2) the Class A-1 Available Funds Cap for such
Distribution Date.

         Closing Date: May 31, 2005.

         Code: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including any successor or
amendatory provisions.

         Collection Account: The separate Eligible Account created and initially
maintained by the Servicer pursuant to Section 3.05(d) in the name of the
Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders and designated "Wilshire
Credit Corporation, as servicer for Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee, in trust
for registered holders of First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan
Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1." Funds in the Collection Account
shall be held in trust for the Certificateholders for the uses and purposes set
forth in this Agreement.

         Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio: For any Mortgage Loan in a second lien
position, the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the
sum of (1) the original principal balance of the related Mortgage Loan and (2)
any outstanding principal balances of Mortgage Loans the liens on which are
senior to the lien on such related Mortgage Loan (such sum calculated at the
date of origination of such related Mortgage Loan) and the denominator of which
is the lesser of (A) the Appraised Value of the related Mortgaged Property (or
applicable dwelling unit, in the case of a Co-op Loan) and (B) the sales price
of the related Mortgaged Property (or applicable dwelling unit, in the case of a
Co-op Loan) at time of origination.

         Compensating Interest: With respect to any Mortgage Loan and any
Distribution Date, an amount equal to the portion of any Prepayment Interest
Shortfalls required to be deposited in the Collection Account by the Servicer
pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof.

         Condemnation Proceeds: All awards or settlements in respect of a
Mortgaged Property (or Underlying Mortgaged Property, in the case of a Co-op
Loan), whether permanent or temporary, partial or entire, by exercise of the
power of eminent domain or condemnation, to the extent not required to be
released either to a Mortgagor in accordance with the terms of the related
mortgage loan documents or to the holder of a senior lien on the Mortgaged
Property (or Underlying Mortgaged Property, in the case of a Co-op Loan).

         Co-op Lease: With respect to a Co-op Loan, the lease with respect to a
dwelling unit occupied by the Mortgagor and relating to the stock allocated to
the related dwelling unit.

                                      -25-
<PAGE>

         Co-op Loan: A Mortgage Loan secured by the pledge of stock allocated to
a dwelling unit in a residential cooperative housing corporation and a
collateral assignment of the related Co-op Lease.

         Corresponding Certificates: With respect to the Class LTA-1A Interest,
the Class A-1A and Class R Certificates. With respect to the Class LTA-1B
Interest, the Class A-1B Certificates. With respect to the Class LTA-2A
Interest, the Class A-2A Certificates. With respect to the Class LTA-2B
Interest, the Class A-2B Certificates. With respect to the Class LTA-2C
Interest, the Class A-2C Certificates. With respect to the Class LTM-1 Interest,
the Class M-1 Certificates. With respect to the Class LTM-2 Interest, the Class
M-2 Certificates. With respect to the Class LTM-3 Interest, the Class M-3
Certificates. With respect to the Class LTM-4 Interest, the Class M-4
Certificates. With respect to the Class LTM-5 Interest, the Class M-5
Certificates. With respect to the Class LTM-6 Interest, the Class M-6
Certificates. With respect to the Class LTB-1 Interest, the Class B-1
Certificates. With respect to the Class LTB-2 Interest, the Class B-2
Certificates. With respect to the Class LTB-3 Interest, the Class B-3
Certificates. With respect to the Class LTB-4 Interest, the Class B-4
Certificates.

         Current Interest: Any of the Class A-1A Current Interest, the Class
A-1B Current Interest, the Class A-2A Current Interest, the Class A-2B Current
Interest, the Class A-2C Current Interest, the Class R Current Interest, the
Class M-1 Current Interest, the Class M-2 Current Interest, the Class M-3
Current Interest, the Class M-4 Current Interest, the Class M-5 Current
Interest, the Class M-6 Current Interest, the Class B-1 Current Interest, the
Class B-2 Current Interest, the Class B-3 Current Interest, the Class B-4
Current Interest and the Class C Current Interest.

         Cut-off Date: May 1, 2005.

         Cut-off Date Principal Balance: As to any Mortgage Loan, the unpaid
principal balance thereof as of the close of business on the calendar day
immediately preceding the Cut-off Date after application of all payments of
principal due on or prior to the Cut-off Date, whether or not received, and all
Principal Prepayments received prior to the Cut-off Date, but without giving
effect to any installments of principal received in respect of Due Dates after
the Cut-off Date.

         Definitive Certificates: As defined in Section 5.06.

         Deleted Mortgage Loan: A Mortgage Loan replaced or to be replaced by a
Replacement Mortgage Loan.

         Delinquent: A Mortgage Loan is "delinquent" if any payment due thereon
is not made pursuant to the terms of such Mortgage Loan by the close of business
on the day such payment is scheduled to be due. A Mortgage Loan is "30 days
delinquent" if such payment has not been received by the close of business on
the corresponding day of the month immediately succeeding the month in which
such payment was due, or, if there is no such corresponding day (e.g., as when a
30-day month follows a 31-day month in which a payment was due on the 31st day
of such month), then on the last day of such immediately succeeding month.
Similarly for "60 days delinquent," "90 days delinquent" and so on.

         Denomination: With respect to each Certificate, the amount set forth on
the face thereof as the "Initial Principal Balance of this Certificate."

         Depositor: Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, or any successor in interest.

         Depository: The initial Depository shall be The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC"), the nominee of which is Cede & Co., or any other organization
registered as a "clearing agency" pursuant to

                                      -26-
<PAGE>

Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Depository
shall initially be the registered Holder of the Book-Entry Certificates. The
Depository shall at all times be a "clearing corporation" as defined in Section
8-102(3) of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York.

         Depository Agreement: With respect to Classes of Book-Entry
Certificates, the agreement between the Trustee and the initial Depository.

         Depository Participant: A broker, dealer, bank or other financial
institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Depository effects
book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Depository.

         Designated Transaction: A transaction in which the assets underlying
the Certificates consist of single-family residential, multi-family residential,
home equity, manufactured housing and/or commercial mortgage obligations that
are secured by single-family residential, multi-family residential, commercial
real property or leasehold interests therein.

         Determination Date: With respect to any Distribution Date, the 15th day
of the month of such Distribution Date or, if such 15th day is not a Business
Day, the immediately preceding Business Day.

         Disqualified Organization: (1) the United States, any state or
political subdivision thereof, any foreign government, any international
organization, or any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, (2) any
organization (other than a cooperative described in Section 521 of the Code)
which is exempt from tax under Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Code unless such
organization is subject to the tax imposed by Section 511 of the Code and (3)
any organization described in Section 1381(a)(2)(C) of the Code.

         Distribution Date: The 25th day of each calendar month, or if such 25th
day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, commencing in June
2005.

         Due Date: With respect to any Distribution Date and any Mortgage Loan,
the day during the related Due Period on which a Scheduled Payment is due.

         Due Period: With respect to any Distribution Date, the period beginning
on the second day of the calendar month preceding the calendar month in which
such Distribution Date occurs and ending on the first day of the month in which
such Distribution Date occurs.

         Eligible Account: An account that is (i) maintained with a depository
institution the long-term unsecured debt obligations of which are rated by each
Rating Agency in one of its two highest rating categories, or (ii) maintained
with the corporate trust department of a bank which (A) has a rating of at least
Baa3 or P-3 by Moody's and (B) is either the Depositor or the corporate trust
department of a national bank or banking corporation which has a rating of at
least A-1 by S&P or F1 by Fitch, or (iii) an account or accounts the deposits in
which are fully insured by the FDIC, or (iv) an account or accounts, acceptable
to each Rating Agency without reduction or withdrawal of the rating of any Class
of Certificates, as evidenced in writing, by a depository institution in which
such accounts are insured by the FDIC (to the limit established by the FDIC),
the uninsured deposits in which accounts are otherwise secured such that, as
evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel delivered to and acceptable to the Trustee,
the NIMs Insurer and each Rating Agency, the Certificateholders have a claim
with respect to the funds in such account and a perfected first security
interest against any collateral (which shall be limited to Permitted
Investments) securing such funds that is superior to claims of any other
depositors or creditors of the depository institution with which such account is
maintained, or (v) maintained at an eligible institution whose commercial paper,
short-term debt or other short-term deposits are rated at least A-1+

                                      -27-
<PAGE>

by S&P and F-1+ by Fitch, or (vi) maintained with a federal or state chartered
depository institution the deposits in which are insured by the FDIC to the
applicable limits and the short-term unsecured debt obligations of which (or, in
the case of a depository institution that is a subsidiary of a holding company,
the short-term unsecured debt obligations of such holding company) are rated A-1
by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody's at the time any deposits are held on deposit
therein, (vii) a segregated trust account or accounts maintained with a federal
or state chartered depository institution or trust company acting in its
fiduciary capacity, that is acceptable to the Rating Agencies or (viii)
otherwise acceptable to each Rating Agency, as evidenced by a letter from each
Rating Agency to the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer.

         ERISA: The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, including
any successor or amendatory provisions.

         ERISA-Qualifying Underwriting: A best efforts or firm commitment
underwriting or private placement that would satisfy the requirements of
Prohibited Transaction Exemption 90-29, Exemption Application No. D.8012, 55
Fed. Reg. 21459 (1990), as amended, granted to the Underwriter by the United
States Department of Labor (or any other applicable underwriter's exemption
granted by the United States Department of Labor), except for the conditions
that the rights and interests evidenced by the certificates are not subordinated
to the rights and interests evidenced by other certificates of the same trust
and the certificates have received a rating at the time of such acquisition that
is in one of the three (or four, in the case of a "designated transaction")
highest generic rating categories by at least one of the Rating Agencies.

         ERISA Restricted Certificates: The Class A-1B Certificates, the
Subordinated Certificates, the Class C Certificates, the Class P Certificates
and the Class R Certificate and any other Certificate, unless the acquisition
and holding of such other Certificate is covered by and exempt under the
Underwriter's exemption.

         Event of Default: As defined in Section 7.01 hereof.

         Excess Interest: On any Distribution Date, for each Class of the Class
A, Class M and Class B Certificates, the excess, if any, of (1) the amount of
interest such Class of Certificates is entitled to receive on such Distribution
Date at its Pass-Through Rate over (2) the amount of interest such Class of
Certificates would have been entitled to receive on such Distribution Date had
the Pass-Through Rate for such Class been the REMIC Pass-Through Rate.

         Excess Proceeds: With respect to any Liquidated Loan, any Liquidation
Proceeds that are in excess of the sum of (1) the unpaid principal balance of
such Liquidated Loan as of the date of such liquidation plus (2) interest at the
Mortgage Rate from the Due Date as to which interest was last paid or advanced
to Certificateholders (and not reimbursed to the Servicer) up to the Due Date in
the month in which such Liquidation Proceeds are required to be distributed on
the unpaid principal balance of such Liquidated Loan outstanding during each Due
Period as to which such interest was not paid or advanced.

         Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         Extra Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution
Date, (1) prior to the Stepdown Date, the excess of (A) the sum of (i) the
Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance immediately preceding such Distribution
Date reduced by the Principal Funds with respect to such Distribution Date and
(ii) $12,100,002 over (B) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage
Loans as of such Distribution Date and (2) on and after the Stepdown Date, (A)
the sum of (x) the Aggregate Certificate Principal Balance immediately preceding
such Distribution Date, reduced by the Principal Funds with

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

respect to such Distribution Date and (y) the greater of (a) 4.40% of the
aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans and (b) the Minimum
Required Overcollateralization Amount less (B) the aggregate Stated Principal
Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of such Distribution Date; provided, however,
that if on any Distribution Date a Stepdown Trigger Event is in effect, the
Extra Principal Distribution Amount will not be reduced to the applicable
percentage of the then-current aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the
Mortgage Loans (and will remain fixed at the applicable percentage of the
aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of the Due Date
immediately prior to the Stepdown Trigger Event) until the next Distribution
Date on which the Stepdown Trigger Event is not in effect.

         Fannie Mae: A federally chartered and privately owned corporation
organized and existing under the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter
Act, or any successor thereto.

         FDIC: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or any successor
thereto.

         First Franklin Servicing Agreement: The Master Mortgage Loan Purchase
and Interim Servicing Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2003, amended August 1,
2003, October 1, 2003, April 1, 2004 and March 1, 2005 between Merrill Lynch
Mortgage Capital, Inc., as purchaser, and First Franklin Financial Corporation,
as seller and servicer, as amended.

         Fitch: Fitch, Inc., or any successor in interest.

         Fixed Rate Mortgage Loan: A Mortgage Loan identified in the Mortgage
Loan Schedule as having a Mortgage Rate which is fixed.

         Floating Rate Certificate Carryover: With respect to a Distribution
Date, in the event that the Pass-Through Rate for a class of Class A, Class M or
Class B Certificates is based upon the related Available Funds Cap, the excess
of (1) the amount of interest that such Class would have been entitled to
receive on such Distribution Date had the Pass-Through Rate for that Class not
been calculated based on the related Available Funds Cap, up to but not
exceeding the amount of interest such class would be entitled to, based on the
greater of (x) the related Maximum Rate Cap or (y) the sum of (i) the related
Available Funds Cap and (ii) the product of (A) a fraction, the numerator of
which is 360 and the denominator of which is the actual number of days in the
related Accrual Period and (B) the quotient obtained by dividing (I) an amount
equal to the proceeds, if any, payable under the related Cap Contract with
respect to such Distribution Date by (II) the aggregate Certificate Principal
Balance of each of the Classes of Certificates to which such Cap Contract
relates for such Distribution Date over (2) the amount of interest such class
was entitled to receive on such Distribution Date based on the related Available
Funds Cap, together with (i) the unpaid portion of any such excess from prior
Distribution Dates (and interest accrued thereon at the then applicable
Pass-Through Rate, without giving effect to the applicable Available Funds Cap)
and (ii) any amount previously distributed with respect to Floating Rate
Certificate Carryover for such class that is recovered as a voidable preference
by a trustee in bankruptcy.

         Freddie Mac: A corporate instrumentality of the United States created
and existing under Title III of the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970, as
amended, or any successor thereto.

         Grantor Trusts: The grantor trusts described in Section 2.07 hereof.

         Gross Margin: The percentage set forth in the related Mortgage Note for
each of the Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans which is to be added to the
applicable index for use in determining the Mortgage Rate on each Adjustment
Date, and which is set forth in the Mortgage Loan Schedule for each Adjustable
Rate Mortgage Loan.

                                      -29-
<PAGE>

         Group One: The portion of the Mortgage Pool identified as "Group One"
in the Prospectus Supplement.

         Group One Mortgage Loan: Any Mortgage Loan at any time identified in
the Group One Mortgage Loan Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B-2.

         Group One Principal Distribution Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the amount equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate Certificate Principal
Balance of the Class A-1 and Class R Certificates and (ii) the product of (x)
the Group One Principal Distribution Percentage and (y) the Class A Principal
Distribution Amount; provided, however, that with respect to any Distribution
Date on which the Class A-1 and Class R Certificates are outstanding and the
Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-2 Certificates has been reduced to
zero, the Group One Principal Distribution Amount will equal the Class A
Principal Distribution Amount.

         Group One Principal Distribution Percentage: With respect to any
Distribution Date, a fraction expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which
is the amount of Principal Funds received with respect to Mortgage Loans in
Group One and the denominator of which is the amount of Principal Funds received
from all of the Mortgage Loans in the mortgage pool.

         Group Two: The portion of the Mortgage Pool identified as "Group Two"
in the Prospectus Supplement.

         Group Two Mortgage Loan: Any Mortgage Loan at any time identified in
the Group Two Mortgage Loan Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B-3.

         Group Two Principal Distribution Amount: As of any Distribution Date,
the amount equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate Certificate Principal
Balance of the Class A-2 Certificates and (ii) the product of (x) the Group Two
Principal Distribution Percentage and (y) the Class A Principal Distribution
Amount; provided, however, that with respect to any Distribution Date on which
the Class A-2 Certificates are outstanding and the Certificate Principal
Balances of the Class A-1 and Class R Certificates have been reduced to zero,
the Group Two Principal Distribution Amount will equal the Class A Principal
Distribution Amount.

         Group Two Principal Distribution Percentage: With respect to any
Distribution Date, a fraction expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which
is the amount of Principal Funds received with respect to Mortgage Loans in
Group Two and the denominator of which is the amount of Principal Funds received
from all of the Mortgage Loans in the mortgage pool.

         Indenture: An indenture relating to the issuance of notes guaranteed by
the NIMs Insurer.

         Initial Adjustment Date: As to any Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the
first Adjustment Date following the origination of such Mortgage Loan.

         Initial Certificate Principal Balance: With respect to any Certificate,
the Certificate Principal Balance of such Certificate or any predecessor
Certificate on the Closing Date as set forth in Section 5.01 hereof.

         Initial Mortgage Rate: As to each Mortgage Loan, the Mortgage Rate in
effect prior to the Initial Adjustment Date.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

         Initial Optional Termination Date: The first Distribution Date on which
the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans is equal to or less
than 10% of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of
the Cut-off Date.

         Insurance Policy: With respect to any Mortgage Loan or the related
Mortgaged Property (or the related Underlying Mortgaged Property, in the case of
a Co-op Loan) included in the Trust Fund, any insurance policy, including all
riders and endorsements thereto in effect with respect to such Mortgage Loan or
Mortgaged Property (or related Underlying Mortgage Property, in the case of a
Co-op Loan), including any replacement policy or policies for any insurance
policies.

         Insurance Proceeds: Proceeds paid in respect of a Mortgage Loan or the
related Mortgaged Property (or the related Underlying Mortgaged Property, in the
case of a Co-op Loan) pursuant to any Insurance Policy or any other insurance
policy covering such Mortgage Loan or Mortgaged Property (or Underlying
Mortgaged Property, in the case of a Co-op Loan), to the extent such proceeds
are payable to the mortgagee under the Mortgage, the Servicer or the trustee
under the deed of trust and are not applied to the restoration of the related
Mortgaged Property (or the related Underlying Mortgaged Property, in the case of
a Co-op Loan) or released either to the Mortgagor or to the holder of a senior
lien on the related Mortgaged Property (or the related Underlying Mortgaged
Property in the case of a Co-op Loan) in accordance with the procedures that the
Servicer would follow in servicing mortgage loans held for its own account, in
each case other than any amount included in such Insurance Proceeds in respect
of Insured Expenses.

         Insured Expenses: Expenses covered by an Insurance Policy or any other
insurance policy with respect to a Mortgage Loan or the related Mortgaged
Property (or the related Underlying Mortgaged Property, in the case of a Co-op
Loan).

         Interim Serviced Loans: Those loans identified on Exhibit P hereto
which shall be serviced from the Closing Date to the Servicing Transfer Date by
the Interim Servicer.

         Interim Servicer: First Franklin Financial Corporation.

         Interim Servicing Period: The period from the Closing Date until the
Servicing Transfer Date.

         Interest Carry Forward Amount: Any of the Class A-1A Interest Carry
Forward Amount, the Class A-1B Interest Carry Forward Amount, the Class A-2A
Interest Carry Forward Amount, the Class A-2B Interest Carry Forward Amount, the
Class A-2C Interest Carry Forward Amount, the Class R Interest Carry Forward
Amount, the Class M-1 Interest Carry Forward Amount, the Class M-2 Interest
Carry Forward Amount, the Class M-3 Interest Carry Forward Amount, the Class M-4
Interest Carry Forward Amount, the Class M-5 Interest Carry Forward Amount, the
Class M-6 Interest Carry Forward Amount, the Class B-1 Interest Carry Forward
Amount, the Class B-2 Interest Carry Forward Amount, the Class B-3 Interest
Carry Forward Amount, the Class B-4 Interest Carry Forward Amount or the Class C
Interest Carry Forward Amount, as the case may be.

         Interest Determination Date: With respect to the Certificates, (i) for
any Accrual Period other than the first Accrual Period, the second LIBOR
Business Day preceding the commencement of such Accrual Period and (ii) for the
first Accrual Period, May 26, 2005.

         Interest Funds: With respect to any Distribution Date, the sum, without
duplication, of (1) all scheduled interest due during the related Due Period and
received before the related Servicer Remittance Date or advanced on or before
the related Servicer Remittance Date less the Servicing Fee, (2) all Advances
relating to interest with respect to the Mortgage Loans and such Distribution
Date, (3) all

                                      -31-
<PAGE>

Compensating Interest with respect to the Mortgage Loans and such Distribution
Date, (4) Liquidation Proceeds with respect to the Mortgage Loans (to the extent
such Liquidation Proceeds relate to interest) collected during the related
Prepayment Period, (5) all proceeds of any purchase pursuant to Section 2.02 or
2.03 during the related Prepayment Period or pursuant to Section 9.01 not later
than the related Determination Date (to the extent that such proceeds relate to
interest) less the Servicing Fee and (6) all Prepayment Charges received with
respect to the Mortgage Loans during the related Prepayment Period and, less (A)
all Non-Recoverable Advances relating to interest and (B) other amounts
reimbursable to the Servicer and the Trustee pursuant to this Agreement.

         Latest Possible Maturity Date: The latest maturity date for any
Mortgage Loan in the Trust Fund plus one year.

         LIBOR Business Day: Any day on which banks in the City of London,
England and New York City, U.S.A. are open and conducting transactions in
foreign currency and exchange.

         Liquidated Loan: With respect to any Distribution Date, a defaulted
Mortgage Loan that either (a) pursuant to Section 3.12 has been realized upon or
liquidated through deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, foreclosure sale, trustee's sale
or other realization as provided by applicable law governing the real property
subject to the related Mortgage and any security agreements and as to which the
Servicer has certified (in accordance with Section 3.12) in the related
Prepayment Period that it has received all amounts it expects to receive in
connection with such liquidation or (b) as to which is not a first lien Mortgage
Loan and is delinquent 180 days or longer, the Servicer has certified in a
certificate of an officer of the Servicer delivered to the Depositor and the
Trustee that it does not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that any
further net proceeds will be received or recovered with respect to such Mortgage
Loan.

         Liquidation Proceeds: Amounts, including Condemnation Proceeds,
Insurance Proceeds, received in connection with the partial or complete
liquidation of a Mortgage Loan, whether through trustee's sale, foreclosure
sale, sale by the Servicer pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise or amounts
received in connection with any condemnation or partial release of a Mortgaged
Property and any other proceeds received in connection with the final sale of a
related REO Property, less the sum of related unreimbursed Advances, Servicing
Fees, Servicing Advances and any other expenses related to such Mortgage Loan.

         Loan-to-Value Ratio: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, the fraction,
expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the original principal
balance of the related Mortgage Loan and the denominator of which is the lesser
of (X) the Appraised Value of the related Mortgaged Property (or applicable
dwelling unit, in the case of a Co-op Loan) and (Y) the sales price of the
related Mortgaged Property (or applicable dwelling unit, in the case of a Co-op
Loan) at the time of origination.

         Losses: Any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
collectively.

         Lower Tier REMIC: As described in the Preliminary Statement and Section
2.07.

         Lower Tier REMIC Interests: Each of the Class LTA-1A Interest, the
Class LTA-1B Interest, the Class LTA-2A Interest, the Class LTA-2B Interest, the
Class LTA-2C Interest, the Class LTM-1 Interest, the Class LTM-2 Interest, the
Class LTM-3 Interest, the Class LTM-4 Interest, the Class LTM-5 Interest, the
Class LTM-6 Interest, the Class LTB-1 Interest, the Class LTB-2 Interest, the
Class LTB-3 Interest, the Class LTB-4 Interest, the Class LTIX Interest, the
Class LTIIX Interest, the Class LTII1A Interest, the Class LTII1B Interest, the
Class LTII2A Interest, the Class LTII2B Interest and the Class LTR Interest.

                                      -32-
<PAGE>

         Lower Tier REMIC I Marker Interests: Each of the classes of Lower Tier
REMIC Regular Interests other than the Class LTIX Interest, the Class LTIIX
Interest, the Class LTII1A Interest, the Class LTII1B Interest, the Class LTII2A
Interest, the Class LTII2B Interest.

         Lower Tier REMIC II Marker Interests: Each of the Class LTII1A
Interest, the Class LTII1B Interest, the Class LTII2A Interest and the Class
LTII2B Interest.

         Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests: Each of the Lower Tier REMIC
Interests other than the Class LTR Interest.

         Lower Tier REMIC Subordinated Balance Ratio: The ratio of (i) the
principal balance of the Class LTII1A Interest to (ii) the principal balance of
the Class LTII2A Interest that is equal to the ratio of (i) the excess of (A)
the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of Group One over (B) the current
Certificate Principal Balances of the Class A-1 and Class R Certificates to (ii)
the excess of (A) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of Group Two over (B)
the current Certificate Principal Balance of the Class A-2 Certificates.

         Maximum Mortgage Rate: With respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage
Loan, the maximum rate of interest set forth as such in the related Mortgage
Note and with respect to each Fixed Rate Mortgage Loan, the rate of interest set
forth in the related Mortgage Note.

         Maximum Rate Cap: Any of the Class A-1 Maximum Rate Cap, the Class A-2
Maximum Rate Cap or the Subordinated Certificate Maximum Rate Cap.

         MERS: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, or any successor
thereto.

         MERS Loan: Any Mortgage Loan registered with MERS on the MERS System.

         MERS System: The system of recording transfers of mortgage
electronically maintained by MERS.

         MIN:  The loan number for any MERS Loan.

         Minimum Mortgage Rate: With respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage
Loan, the minimum rate of interest set forth as such in the related Mortgage
Note.

         Minimum Required Overcollateralization Amount: An amount equal to the
product of (x) 0.50% and (y) the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans
as of the Cut-off Date.

         MOM Loan: Any Mortgage Loan as to which MERS is acting as mortgagee,
solely as nominee for the originator of such Mortgage Loan and its successors
and assigns.

         Monthly Excess Interest Amount: With respect to each Distribution Date,
the amount, if any, by which the Interest Funds for such Distribution Date
exceeds the aggregate amount distributed on such Distribution Date pursuant to
Section 4.04(b) (other than the last clause thereof).

         Monthly Statement: The statement delivered to the Certificateholders
pursuant to Section 4.05.

         Moody's: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or any successor in interest.

                                      -33-
<PAGE>

         Mortgage: With respect to a Mortgage Loan that is not a Co-op Loan, the
mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument with all riders attached thereto
creating a first or second lien or a first or second priority ownership interest
in an estate in fee simple in real property securing a Mortgage Note. With
respect to a Co-op Loan, the security agreement with all riders attached thereto
creating a security interest in the stock allocated to a dwelling unit in a
residential cooperative housing corporation and pledged to secure such Co-op
Loan and the related Co-op Lease.

         Mortgage File: The mortgage documents listed in Section 2.01 hereof
pertaining to a particular Mortgage Loan and any additional documents delivered
to the Trustee to be added to the Mortgage File pursuant to this Agreement.

         Mortgage Group: Either of Group One or Group Two.

         Mortgage Loans: Such of the mortgage loans transferred and assigned to
the Trustee pursuant to the provisions hereof as from time to time are held as a
part of the Trust Fund (including any REO Properties), the mortgage loans so
held being identified in the Mortgage Loan Schedule, notwithstanding foreclosure
or other acquisition of title of the related Mortgaged Property. Any mortgage
loan that was intended by the parties hereto to be transferred to the Trust Fund
as indicated by such Mortgage Loan Schedule which is in fact not so transferred
for any reason shall continue to be a Mortgage Loan hereunder until the Purchase
Price with respect thereto has been paid to the Trust Fund.

         Mortgage Loan Schedule: The lists of Mortgage Loans (as from time to
time amended by the Trustee to reflect the deletion of Deleted Mortgage Loans
and the addition of Replacement Mortgage Loans pursuant to the provisions of
this Agreement) transferred to the Trustee as part of the Trust Fund and from
time to time subject to this Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibits B-1, B-2 and
B-3, setting forth the following information with respect to each Mortgage Loan:

         (i)      the loan number;

         (ii)     the borrower name and address;

         (iii)    the unpaid principal balance of the Mortgage Loans;

         (iv)     the Initial Mortgage Rate;

         (v)      the original maturity date and the months remaining before
                  maturity date;

         (vi)     the original principal balance;

         (vii)    the Cut-off Date Principal Balance;

         (viii)   the first payment due date of the Mortgage Loan;

         (ix)     the Loan-to-Value Ratio at origination with respect to a first
                  lien Mortgage Loan, or the Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio with
                  respect to a second lien Mortgage Loan;

         (x)      a code indicating whether the residential dwelling at the time
                  of origination was represented to be owner-occupied;

         (xi)     a code indicating the property type;

                                      -34-
<PAGE>

         (xii)    with respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan;

                  (A)      the frequency of each Adjustment Date;

                  (B)      the next Adjustment Date;

                  (C)      the Maximum Mortgage Rate;

                  (D)      the Minimum Mortgage Rate;

                  (E)      the Mortgage Rate as of the Cut-off Date;

                  (F)      the related Periodic Rate Cap;

                  (G)      the Gross Margin;

                  (H)      the lifetime rate cap;

         (xiii) location of the related Mortgaged Property (or Underlying
Mortgaged Property, in the case of a Co-op Loan);

         (xiv) a code indicating whether a Prepayment Charge is applicable and,
if so the term of such Prepayment Charge;

         (xv) the Credit Score and date obtained; and

         (xvi) the MIN.

         Mortgage Note: The original executed note or other evidence of
indebtedness evidencing the indebtedness of a Mortgagor under a Mortgage Loan
and all amendments, modifications and attachments thereto with all riders
attached thereto.

         Mortgage Pool: The aggregate of the Mortgage Loans identified in the
Mortgage Loan Schedule.

         Mortgaged Property: The underlying property securing a Mortgage Loan.

         Mortgage Rate: The annual rate of interest borne by a Mortgage Note
from time to time.

         Mortgagor: The obligor on a Mortgage Note.

         Net Mortgage Rate: As to each Mortgage Loan, and at any time, the per
annum rate equal to the then current Mortgage Rate less the Servicing Fee Rate.

         Net Rate: With respect to any Distribution Date, the product of (x) the
weighted average Net Mortgage Rate for the Mortgage Loans calculated based on
the respective Net Mortgage Rates and the Stated Principal Balances of such
Mortgage Loans as of the preceding Distribution Date (or, in the case of the
first Distribution Date, as of the Cut-off Date) and (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is 30 and the denominator of which is the actual number of
days in the related Accrual Period.

         Net WAC: With respect to any Distribution Date and any Mortgage Group,
a per annum rate equal to 12 times the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the
total scheduled interest on the Mortgage Loans in such Mortgage Group based on
the Net Mortgage Rates in effect on the related Due Date by (y) the

                                      -35-
<PAGE>

aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans in such Mortgage Group
as of the preceding Distribution Date (or, in the case of the first Distribution
Date, as of the Cut-off Date).

         NIM Notes: The notes to be issued pursuant to the Indenture.

         NIMs Insurer: Any of the one or more insurers, if any, that is
guaranteeing certain payments under any NIM Notes; provided, that upon the
payment in full of the NIM Notes, all rights of the NIMs Insurer hereunder shall
terminate.

         NIMs Insurer Default: As defined in Section 10.12.

         Non-Recoverable Advance: Any portion of an Advance previously made or
proposed to be made by the Servicer that, in the good faith judgment of the
Servicer, will not or, in the case of a current delinquency, would not, be
ultimately recoverable by the Servicer from the related Mortgagor, related
Liquidation Proceeds or otherwise with respect to the related Mortgage Loan.

         Non-Recoverable Servicing Advance: Any portion of a Servicing Advance
previously made or proposed to be made by the Servicer that, in the good faith
judgment of the Servicer, will not or, in the case of a current Servicing
Advance, would not, be ultimately recoverable by the Servicer from the related
Mortgagor, related Liquidation Proceeds or otherwise with respect to the related
Mortgage Loan.

         Non-Supported Interest Shortfall: As defined in Section 4.02.

         Offered Certificates: The Class A, Class M, Class B-1, Class B-2 and
Class B-3 Certificates.

         Officer's Certificate: A certificate (1) signed by the Chairman of the
Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the President, a vice president (however
denominated), an Assistant Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, or one
of the assistant treasurers or assistant secretaries of the Depositor or the
Servicer (or any other officer customarily performing functions similar to those
performed by any of the above designated officers and also to whom, with respect
to a particular matter, such matter is referred because of such officer's
knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject) or (2), if provided for
in this Agreement, signed by a Servicing Officer, as the case may be, and
delivered to the Depositor, the Servicer or the Trustee, as the case may be, as
required by this Agreement.

         One-Month LIBOR: With respect to any Accrual Period, the rate
determined by the Trustee on the related Interest Determination Date on the
basis of (a) the offered rates for one-month United States dollar deposits, as
such rates appear on Telerate page 3750, as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such
Interest Determination Date or (b) if such rate does not appear on Telerate Page
3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time), the offered rates of the Reference Banks
for one-month United States dollar deposits, as such rates appear on the Reuters
Screen LIBO Page, as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Interest Determination
Date. If One-Month LIBOR is determined pursuant to clause (b) above, on each
Interest Determination Date, One-Month LIBOR for the related Accrual Period will
be established by the Trustee as follows:

         (i)      If on such Interest Determination Date two or more Reference
                  Banks provide such offered quotations, One-Month LIBOR for the
                  related Accrual Period shall be the arithmetic mean of such
                  offered quotations (rounded upwards if necessary to the
                  nearest whole multiple of 0.03125%).

         (ii)     If on such Interest Determination Date fewer than two
                  Reference Banks provide such offered quotations, One-Month
                  LIBOR for the related Accrual Period shall

                                      -36-
<PAGE>

                  be the higher of (i) One-Month LIBOR as determined on the
                  previous Interest Determination Date and (ii) the Reserve
                  Interest Rate.

         Opinion of Counsel: A written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel
for the Depositor or the Servicer, reasonably acceptable to each addressee of
such opinion; provided, however, that with respect to Section 6.04 or 10.01, or
the interpretation or application of the REMIC Provisions, such counsel must (1)
in fact be independent of the Depositor and the Servicer, (2) not have any
direct financial interest in the Depositor or the Servicer or in any affiliate
of any such party and (3) not be connected with the Depositor or the Servicer as
an officer, employee, promoter, underwriter, trustee, partner, director or
person performing similar functions.

         Optional Termination: The termination of the Trust Fund hereunder
pursuant to Section 9.01(a) hereof.

         Optional Termination Amount: The amount received by the Trustee in
connection with any purchase of all of the Mortgage Loans and REO Properties
pursuant to Section 9.01(b) hereof.

         Optional Termination Price: On any date after the Initial Optional
Termination Date, an amount equal to the sum of (A) the aggregate Stated
Principal Balance of each Mortgage Loan (other than any Mortgage Loan that has
become an REO Property) as of the Distribution Date on which the proceeds of the
Optional Termination are distributed to the Certificateholders, plus accrued
interest thereon at the applicable Mortgage Rate as of the Due Date preceding
the Distribution Date on which the proceeds of the Optional Termination are
distributed to Certificateholders and the fair market value of any REO Property,
plus accrued interest thereon as of the Distribution Date on which the proceeds
of the Optional Termination are distributed to Certificateholders, (B) any
unreimbursed out-of-pocket costs and expenses owed to the Trustee (including any
reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Trustee in connection with
conducting the Auction) or the Servicer and any unpaid or unreimbursed Servicing
Fees, Advances and Servicing Advances and (C) any unreimbursed costs, penalties
and/or damages incurred by the Trust Fund in connection with any violation
relating to any of the Mortgage Loans of any predatory or abusive lending law.

         OTS: The Office of Thrift Supervision.

         Outstanding: With respect to the Certificates as of any date of
determination, all Certificates theretofore executed and authenticated under
this Agreement except: (1) Certificates theretofore canceled by the Trustee or
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; and (2) Certificates in exchange for
which or in lieu of which other Certificates have been executed by the Trustee
and delivered by the Trustee pursuant to this Agreement.

         Outstanding Mortgage Loan: As of any Distribution Date, a Mortgage Loan
with a Stated Principal Balance greater than zero that was not the subject of a
Principal Prepayment in full, and that did not become a Liquidated Loan, prior
to the end of the related Due Period.

         Overcollateralization Amount: As of any date of determination, the
excess of (1) the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans over (2) the
Certificate Principal Balance of the Certificates (other than the Class P
Certificates and the Class C Certificates).

         Ownership Interest: As to any Certificate, any ownership interest in
such Certificate including any interest in such Certificate as the Holder
thereof and any other interest therein, whether direct or indirect, legal or
beneficial.

                                      -37-
<PAGE>

         Pass-Through Rate: With respect to the Class A-1A Certificates, the
Class A-1A Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class A-1B Certificates, the
Class A-1B Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class A-2A Certificates, the
Class A-2A Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class A-2B Certificates, the
Class A-2B Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class A-2C Certificates, the
Class A-2C Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class M-1 Certificates, the
Class M-1 Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class M-2 Certificates, the
Class M-2 Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class M-3 Certificates, the
Class M-3 Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class M-4 Certificates, the
Class M-4 Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class M-5 Certificates, the
Class M-5 Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class M-6 Certificates, the
Class M-6 Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class B-1 Certificates, the
Class B-1 Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class B-2 Certificates, the
Class B-2 Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class B-3 Certificates, the
Class B-3 Pass-Through Rate; with respect to the Class B-4 Certificates, the
Class B-4 Pass-Through Rate; and, with respect to the Class R Certificate, the
Class R Pass-Through Rate.

         Percentage Interest: With respect to:

         (i)      any Class, the percentage interest in the undivided beneficial
                  ownership interest evidenced by such Class which shall be
                  equal to the Certificate Principal Balance of such Class
                  divided by the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of all
                  Classes; and

         (ii)     any Certificate, the Percentage Interest evidenced thereby of
                  the related Class shall equal the percentage obtained by
                  dividing the Denomination of such Certificate by the aggregate
                  of the Denominations of all Certificates of such Class; except
                  that in the case of any Class P Certificates, the Percentage
                  Interest with respect to such Certificate shown on the face of
                  such Certificate.

         Periodic Rate Cap: As to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan and the
related Mortgage Note, the provision therein that limits permissible increases
and decreases in the Mortgage Rate on any Adjustment Date.

         Permitted Activities: The primary activities of the Trust Fund created
pursuant to this Agreement which shall be:

         (i)      holding Mortgage Loans transferred from the Depositor and
                  other assets of the Trust Fund, including the Cap Contracts
                  and any credit enhancement and passive derivative financial
                  instruments that pertain to beneficial interests issued or
                  sold to parties other than the Depositor, its Affiliates, or
                  its agents;

         (ii)     issuing Certificates and other interests in the assets of the
                  Trust Fund;

         (iii)    receiving collections on the Mortgage Loans and the Cap
                  Contracts and making payments on such Certificates and
                  interests in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

         (iv)     engaging in other activities that are necessary or incidental
                  to accomplish these limited purposes, which activities cannot
                  be contrary to the status of the Trust Fund as a qualified
                  special purpose entity under existing accounting literature.

         Permitted Investments: At any time, any one or more of the following
obligations and securities:

                                      -38-
<PAGE>

         (i)      obligations of the United States or any agency thereof,
                  provided such obligations are backed by the full faith and
                  credit of the United States;

         (ii)     general obligations of or obligations guaranteed by any state
                  of the United States or the District of Columbia receiving the
                  highest long-term debt rating of each Rating Agency rating the
                  Certificates;

         (iii)    commercial or finance company paper, other than commercial or
                  finance company paper issued by the Depositor, the Trustee or
                  any of its Affiliates, which is then receiving the highest
                  commercial or finance company paper rating of each such Rating
                  Agency;

         (iv)     certificates of deposit, demand or time deposits, or bankers'
                  acceptances (other than bankers' acceptances issued by the
                  Trustee or any of its Affiliates) issued by any depository
                  institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of
                  the United States or of any state thereof and subject to
                  supervision and examination by federal and/or state banking
                  authorities, provided that the commercial paper and/or long
                  term unsecured debt obligations of such depository institution
                  or trust company are then rated one of the two highest
                  long-term and the highest short-term ratings of each such
                  Rating Agency for such securities;

         (v)      demand or time deposits or certificates of deposit issued by
                  any bank or trust company or savings institution to the extent
                  that such deposits are fully insured by the FDIC;

         (vi)     guaranteed reinvestment agreements issued by any bank,
                  insurance company or other corporation rated in the two
                  highest long-term or the highest short-term ratings of each
                  Rating Agency containing, at the time of the issuance of such
                  agreements, such terms and conditions as will not result in
                  the downgrading or withdrawal of the rating then assigned to
                  the Certificates by any such Rating Agency as evidenced by a
                  letter from each Rating Agency;

         (vii)    repurchase obligations with respect to any security described
                  in clauses (i) and (ii) above, in either case entered into
                  with a depository institution or trust company (acting as
                  principal) described in clause (v) above;

         (viii)   securities (other than stripped bonds, stripped coupons or
                  instruments sold at a purchase price in excess of 115% of the
                  face amount thereof) bearing interest or sold at a discount
                  issued by any corporation, other than the Trustee or any of
                  its Affiliates, incorporated under the laws of the United
                  States or any state thereof which, at the time of such
                  investment, have one of the two highest long term ratings of
                  each Rating Agency;

         (ix)     interests in any money market fund (including those managed or
                  advised by the Trustee or its affiliates) which at the date of
                  acquisition of the interests in such fund and throughout the
                  time such interests are held in such fund has the highest
                  applicable long term rating by each Rating Agency rating such
                  fund; and

         (x)      short term investment funds sponsored by any trust company or
                  national banking association incorporated under the laws of
                  the United States or any state thereof, other than the Trustee
                  or any of its Affiliates, which on the date of acquisition has

                                      -39-
<PAGE>

                  been rated by each such Rating Agency in their respective
                  highest applicable rating category;

provided, that no such instrument shall be a Permitted Investment if such
instrument (i) evidences the right to receive interest only payments with
respect to the obligations underlying such instrument, (ii) is purchased at a
premium or above par or (iii) is purchased at a deep discount; provided,
further, that no such instrument shall be a Permitted Investment (A) if such
instrument evidences principal and interest payments derived from obligations
underlying such instrument and the interest payments with respect to such
instrument provide a yield to maturity of greater than 120% of the yield to
maturity at par of such underlying obligations, or (B) if it may be redeemed at
a price below the purchase price (the foregoing clause (B) not to apply to
investments in units of money market funds pursuant to clause (ix) above); and
provided, further, (I) that no amount beneficially owned by any REMIC
(including, without limitation, any amounts collected by the Servicer but not
yet deposited in the Collection Account) may be invested in investments (other
than money market funds) treated as equity interests for Federal income tax
purposes, unless the Servicer and/or the Trustee shall receive an Opinion of
Counsel acceptable to the Servicer and/or the Trustee, at the expense of the
party requesting that such investment be made, to the effect that such
investment will not adversely affect the status of the any REMIC provided for
herein as a REMIC under the Code or result in imposition of a tax on the Trust
Fund or any REMIC provided for herein and (II) each such investment must be a
"permitted investment" within the meaning of Section 860G(a)(5) of the Code.
Permitted Investments that are subject to prepayment or call may not be
purchased at a price in excess of par.

         Permitted Transferee: Any Person other than (i) the United States, any
State or political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of any
of the foregoing, (ii) a foreign government, International Organization or any
agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing, (iii) an organization
(except certain farmers' cooperatives described in Section 521 of the Code) that
is exempt from tax imposed by Chapter 1 of the Code (including the tax imposed
by Section 511 of the Code on unrelated business taxable income) on any excess
inclusions (as defined in Section 860E(c)(1) of the Code) with respect to the
Class R Certificate, (iv) rural electric and telephone cooperatives described in
Section 1381(a)(2)(C) of the Code, and (v) a Person that is not a citizen or
resident of the United States, a corporation or partnership (or other entity
treated as a corporation or partnership for United States federal income tax
purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any
State thereof or the District of Columbia or an estate whose income from sources
without the United States is includable in gross income for United States
federal income tax purposes regardless of its connection with the conduct of a
trade or business within the United States, or a trust if a court within the
United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of
the trust and one or more United States persons have authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust, unless, in the case of this clause (v), such
Person has furnished the transferor and the Trustee with a duly completed
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or applicable successor form. The terms
"United States," "State" and "International Organization" shall have the
meanings set forth in Section 7701 of the Code. A corporation will not be
treated as an instrumentality of the United States or of any State thereof for
these purposes if all of its activities are subject to tax and, with the
exception of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, a majority of its board
of directors is not selected by such government unit.

         Person: Any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization or government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

         Pool Stated Principal Balance: As to any Distribution Date, the
aggregate of the Stated Principal Balances, as of such Distribution Date, of the
Mortgage Loans that were Outstanding Mortgage Loans as of such date.

                                      -40-
<PAGE>

         Preference Claim: The meaning set forth in Section 4.04(j) hereof.

         Prepayment Assumption: A rate or rates of prepayment, as described in
the Prospectus Supplement in the definition of "Modeling Assumptions," relating
to the Offered Certificates or as described in the Private Placement Memorandum
relating to the Class B-4 Certificates.

         Prepayment Charges: Any prepayment premium, fee or charge payable by a
Mortgagor in connection with any Principal Prepayment on a Mortgage Loan
pursuant to the terms of the related Mortgage Note or Mortgage, as applicable,
as identified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule.

         Prepayment Interest Excess: With respect to any Servicer Remittance
Date, for each Mortgage Loan that was the subject of a partial Principal
Prepayment or a Principal Prepayment in full during the portion of the related
Prepayment Period occurring between the first day of the calendar month in which
such Servicer Remittance Date occurs and the last day of the related Prepayment
Period, an amount equal to interest (to the extent received) at the applicable
Net Mortgage Rate on the amount of such Principal Prepayment for the number of
days commencing on the first day of the calendar month in which such Servicer
Remittance Date occurs and ending on the date on which such Principal Prepayment
is so applied.

         Prepayment Interest Shortfall: With respect to any Distribution Date,
for each Mortgage Loan that was the subject of a Principal Prepayment in full
(other than a Principal Prepayment in full resulting from the purchase of a
Mortgage Loan pursuant to Section 2.02, 2.03 or 9.01 hereof), the amount, if
any, by which (i) one month's interest at the applicable Net Mortgage Rate on
the Stated Principal Balance of such Mortgage Loan as of the preceding
Distribution Date or in the case of a partial Principal Prepayment, on the
amount of such prepayment, exceeds (ii) the amount of interest paid or collected
in connection with such Principal Prepayment.

         Prepayment Period: As to any Distribution Date, the period beginning
with the opening of business on the 15th day of the calendar month preceding the
month in which such Distribution Date occurs (or in the case of the first
Distribution Date, beginning with the opening of business on the Cut-off Date)
and ending on the close of business on the 14th day of the month in which such
Distribution Date occurs.

         Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to each Distribution Date,
the sum of (i) the Principal Funds for such Distribution Date and (ii) any Extra
Principal Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date.

         Principal Funds: With respect to the Mortgage Loans and any
Distribution Date, the sum, without duplication, of (1) all scheduled principal
due during the related Due Period and received before the related Servicer
Remittance Date or advanced on or before the related Servicer Remittance Date,
(2) all Principal Prepayments collected in the related Prepayment Period, (3)
the Stated Principal Balance of each Mortgage Loan that was purchased by the
Depositor or the Servicer during the related Prepayment Period or, in the case
of a purchase pursuant to Section 9.01, on any Business Day prior to such
Distribution Date, (4) the amount, if any, by which the aggregate unpaid
principal balance of any Replacement Mortgage Loan is less than the aggregate
unpaid principal of the related Deleted Mortgage Loans delivered by the Seller
in connection with a substitution of a Mortgage Loan pursuant to Section
2.03(c), (5) all Liquidation Proceeds collected during the related Prepayment
Period (to the extent such Liquidation Proceeds related to principal), (6) all
Subsequent Recoveries received during the related Due Period and (7) all other
collections and recoveries in respect of principal during the related Prepayment
Period less (A) all Non-Recoverable Advances relating to principal with respect
to the Mortgage Loans

                                      -41-
<PAGE>

and (B) all other amounts reimbursable to the Servicer and the Trustee pursuant
to this Agreement and allocable to principal.

         Principal Prepayment: Any Mortgagor payment or other recovery of (or
proceeds with respect to) principal on a Mortgage Loan (including Mortgage Loans
purchased or repurchased under Sections 2.02, 2.03 and 9.01 hereof) that is
received or recovered in advance of its scheduled Due Date and is not
accompanied by an amount as to interest representing scheduled interest due on
any date or dates in any month or months subsequent to the month of prepayment.
Partial Principal Prepayments shall be applied by the Servicer in accordance
with the terms of the related Mortgage Note.

         Private Placement Memorandum: The Private Placement Memorandum dated
May 31, 2005 relating to the private placement of the Class B-4 Certificates.

         Prospectus Supplement: The Prospectus Supplement dated May 26, 2005
relating to the public offering of the Offered Certificates.

         PUD: A Planned Unit Development.

         Purchase Price: With respect to any Mortgage Loan required to be
repurchased by the Seller pursuant to Section 2.02 or 2.03 hereof, an amount
equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the unpaid principal balance of the Mortgage
Loan as of the date of such purchase together with any related unreimbursed
Servicing Advances, (ii) accrued interest thereon at the applicable Mortgage
Rate from (a) the date through which interest was last paid by the Mortgagor to
(b) the Due Date in the month in which the Purchase Price is to be distributed
to Certificateholders and (iii) any unreimbursed costs, penalties and/or damages
incurred by the Trust Fund (or the Trustee on behalf of the Trust Fund) in
connection with any violation relating to such Mortgage Loan of any predatory or
abusive lending law.

         Rating Agency: Any of Fitch, S&P or Moody's. If any such organization
or its successor is no longer in existence, "Rating Agency" shall be a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or other comparable
Person, designated by the Depositor, notice of which designation shall be given
to the Trustee. References herein to a given rating category of a Rating Agency
shall mean such rating category without giving effect to any modifiers.

         Realized Loss: With respect to (1) a Liquidated Loan, the amount, if
any, by which the Stated Principal Balance and accrued interest thereon at the
Net Mortgage Rate exceeds the amount actually recovered by the Servicer with
respect thereto (net of reimbursement of Advances and Servicing Advances) at the
time such Mortgage Loan became a Liquidated Loan or (2) a Mortgage Loan which is
not a Liquidated Loan, any amount of principal that the Mortgagor is no longer
legally required to pay (except for the extinguishment of debt that results from
the exercise of remedies due to default by the Mortgagor).

         Record Date: With respect to any Distribution Date, the close of
business on the last Business Day of the month preceding the month in which the
applicable Distribution Date occurs.

         Reference Banks: Barclays Bank PLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
Citibank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and NatWest, N.A.; provided that if any
of the foregoing banks are not suitable to serve as a Reference Bank, then any
leading banks selected by the Trustee with the consent of the NIMs Insurer which
are engaged in transactions in Eurodollar deposits in the international
Eurocurrency market (i) with an established place of business in London, England
and (ii) whose quotations appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page on the relevant
Interest Determination Date and (iii) which have been designated as such by the
Servicer.

                                      -42-
<PAGE>

         Regular Certificate: Any one of the Class A, Class M, and Class B
Certificates.

         Relief Act: The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act or any similar state or
local law.

         Relief Act Shortfall: With respect to any Distribution Date and any
Mortgage Loan, any reduction in the amount of interest or principal collectible
on such Mortgage Loan for the most recently ended calendar month as a result of
the application of the Relief Act.

         REMIC: A "real estate mortgage investment conduit" within the meaning
of section 860D of the Code. References herein to "the REMICs" or "a REMIC"
shall mean any of (or, as the context requires, all of) the Lower Tier REMIC and
the Upper Tier REMIC.

         REMIC Pass-Through Rate: The Class A-1 Available Funds Cap (in the case
of a Class included in Certificate Group One), the Class A-2 Available Funds Cap
(in the case of a Class included in Certificate Group Two) or the Subordinated
Certificate Available Funds Cap (in the case of the Subordinated Certificates).

         REMIC Provisions: Provisions of the federal income tax law relating to
real estate mortgage investment conduits, which appear at sections 860A through
860G of Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code, and related provisions, and
proposed, temporary and final regulations and published rulings, notices and
announcements promulgated thereunder, as the foregoing may be in effect from
time to time as well as provisions of applicable state laws.

         REMIC Regular Interests: (i) any of the rights under any of the
Certificates (other than the Class P Certificates, the Class R Certificate and
the Class C Certificates) other than the rights in interest rate cap contracts
described in Section 2.07 and (ii) the Uncertificated Class C Interest.

         Remittance Report: As defined in Section 4.04(j) hereof.

         REO Property: A Mortgaged Property acquired by the Servicer, on behalf
of the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders, through foreclosure or
deed-in-lieu of foreclosure in connection with a defaulted Mortgage Loan.

         Replacement Mortgage Loan: A Mortgage Loan substituted by the Seller
for a Deleted Mortgage Loan, which must, on the date of such substitution, as
confirmed in a Request for Release, substantially in the form of Exhibit I (1)
have a Stated Principal Balance, after deduction of the principal portion of the
Scheduled Payment due in the month of substitution, not in excess of, and not
less than 90% of the Stated Principal Balance of the Deleted Mortgage Loan; (2)
with respect to any Fixed Rate Mortgage Loan, have a Mortgage Rate not less than
or no more than 1% per annum higher than the Mortgage Rate of the Deleted
Mortgage Loan and, with respect to any Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan: (A) have a
Maximum Mortgage Rate no more than 1% per annum higher or lower than the Maximum
Mortgage Rate of the Deleted Mortgage Loan; (B) have a Minimum Mortgage Rate no
more than 1% per annum higher or lower than the Minimum Mortgage Rate of the
Deleted Mortgage Loan; (C) have the same index and Periodic Rate Cap as that of
the Deleted Mortgage Loan and a Gross Margin not more than 1% per annum higher
or lower than that of the Deleted Mortgage Loan; (D) not permit conversion of
the related Mortgage Rate to a fixed Mortgage Rate and (F) currently be accruing
interest at a rate not more than 1% per annum higher or lower than that of the
Deleted Mortgage Loan; (3) have a similar or higher FICO score or credit grade
than that of the Deleted Mortgage Loan; (4) have a Loan-to-Value Ratio (or
Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio, in the case of the Mortgage Loans in a second lien
position) no higher than that of the Deleted Mortgage Loan; (5) have a remaining
term to maturity no greater than (and not more than one year less than) that of
the Deleted Mortgage Loan; (6) provide for a Prepayment Charge on

                                      -43-
<PAGE>

terms substantially similar to those of the Prepayment Charge, if any, of the
Deleted Mortgage Loan; (7) have the same lien priority as the Deleted Mortgage
Loan; (8) constitute the same occupancy type as the Deleted Mortgage Loan; and
(9) comply with each representation and warranty set forth in Section 2.03
hereof.

         Request for Release: The Request for Release of Documents submitted by
the Servicer to the Trustee, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto.

         Required Insurance Policy: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, any
insurance policy that is required to be maintained from time to time under this
Agreement.

         Required Percentage: As of any Distribution Date, the quotient of (1)
the excess of (A) the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of such
Distribution Date, over (B) the Certificate Principal Balance of the most senior
Class of Certificates outstanding as of such Distribution Date, prior to giving
effect to distributions to be made on such Distribution Date and (2) the Stated
Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of such Distribution Date. As used
herein, on any Distribution Date when any of the Class A Certificates are
outstanding, the Certificate Principal Balance of the most senior Class of
Certificates will equal the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class
A Certificates as of such date of calculation.

         Reserve Interest Rate: With respect to any Interest Determination Date,
the rate per annum that the Trustee determines to be (1) the arithmetic mean
(rounded upwards if necessary to the nearest whole multiple of 0.03125%) of the
one-month United States dollar lending rates which New York City banks selected
by the Trustee are quoting on the relevant Interest Determination Date to the
principal London offices of leading banks in the London interbank market or (2)
in the event that the Trustee can determine no such arithmetic mean, the lowest
one-month United States dollar lending rate which New York City banks selected
by the Trustee are quoting on such Interest Determination Date to leading
European banks.

         Residual Excess Interest Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date,
the excess of (x) 0.05% of the Monthly Excess Interest Amount for such
Distribution Date and all prior Distribution Dates over (y) all payments
previously made to the Class R Certificate in respect of the Residual Excess
Interest Amount.

         Residual Interest: An interest in the Upper Tier REMIC that is entitled
to all distributions of principal and interest on the Class R Certificate other
than distributions in respect of the Class LTR Interest and distributions on the
Class R Certificate in respect of Excess Interest.

         Responsible Officer: When used with respect to the Trustee or the
Servicer, any officer of the Trustee or the Servicer with direct responsibility
for the administration of this Agreement and also means any other officer to
whom, with respect to a particular matter, such matter is referred because of
such officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

         Reuters Screen LIBO Page: The display designated as page "LIBO" on the
Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace such LIBO
page on that service for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered
rates of major banks.

         S&P: Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,
or any successor in interest.

         Sale Agreement: The Mortgage Loan Sale and Assignment Agreement dated
as of May 1, 2005 between the Depositor and the Seller.

                                      -44-
<PAGE>

         Scheduled Payment: The scheduled monthly payment on a Mortgage Loan due
on any Due Date allocable to principal and/or interest on such Mortgage Loan.

         Section 302 Requirements: Any rules or regulations promulgated pursuant
to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (as such may be amended from time to time).

         Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         Seller: Merrill Lynch Mortgage Capital, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
or its successors in interest.

         Servicer: Wilshire Credit Corporation, a Nevada corporation, or its
successor in interest.

         Servicer Advance Date: As to any Distribution Date, the related
Servicer Remittance Date.

         Servicer Remittance Date: With respect to any Distribution Date, the
later of two Business Days after the 15th day of the month in which such
Distribution Date occurs and the 18th day (or if such day is not a Business Day,
the next succeeding Business Day) of the month in which such Distribution Date
occurs.

         Servicing Advances: All customary, reasonable and necessary "out of
pocket" costs and expenses incurred in the performance of the Servicer's
servicing obligations hereunder, including, but not limited to, the cost of (1)
the preservation, inspection, restoration and protection of a Mortgaged Property
(or Underlying Mortgaged Property, in the case of a Co-op Loan), including
without limitation advances in respect of real estate taxes and assessments, (2)
any collection, enforcement or judicial proceedings, including without
limitation foreclosures, collections and liquidations, (3) the conservation,
management, sale and liquidation of any REO Property, (4) executing and
recording instruments of satisfaction, deeds of reconveyance or Assignments of
Mortgage to the extent not otherwise recovered from the related Mortgages or
payable under this Agreement, (5) correcting errors of prior servicers; costs
and expenses charged to the Servicer by the Trustee; tax tracking; title
research; flood certifications; lender paid mortgage insurance, (6) obtaining or
correcting any legal documentation required to be included in the Mortgage Files
and reasonably necessary for the Servicer to perform its obligations under this
Agreement and (7) compliance with the obligations under Sections 3.01 and 3.10;
provided that such amounts are required to be advanced only to the extent such
advances constitute "unanticipated expenses" within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.860G-1(b)(3)(ii).

         Servicing Fee: As to each Mortgage Loan and any Distribution Date, an
amount equal to the product of (x) the Servicing Fee Rate and (y) the Stated
Principal Balance of such Mortgage Loan as of the preceding Distribution Date
or, in the event of any payment of interest that accompanies a Principal
Prepayment in full made by the Mortgagor, interest at the Servicing Fee Rate on
the Stated Principal Balance of such Mortgage Loan as of the preceding
Distribution Date for the period covered by such payment of interest.

         Servicing Fee Rate: 0.50% per annum.

         Servicing Officer: Any officer of the Servicer involved in, or
responsible for, the administration and servicing of the Mortgage Loans whose
name and facsimile signature appear on a list of servicing officers furnished to
the Trustee by the Servicer on the Closing Date pursuant to this Agreement, as
such lists may from time to time be amended.

                                      -45-
<PAGE>

         Servicing Transfer Costs: All costs associated with the transfer of
servicing from the predecessor Servicer, including, without limitation, any
costs or expenses associated with the termination of the predecessor Servicer,
the appointment of a successor servicer, the complete transfer of all servicing
data and the completion, correction or manipulation of such servicing data as
may be required by the Trustee or any successor servicer to correct any errors
or insufficiencies in the servicing data or otherwise to enable the Trustee or
successor servicer to service the Mortgage Loans properly and effectively.

         Servicing Transfer Date: The date on which the servicing of the Interim
Serviced Loans will be transferred to the Servicer, which is expected to be June
20, 2005.

         SFAS 140: Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 140,
Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments
of Liabilities dated September 2000, published by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board of the Financial Accounting Foundation.

         Startup Day: As defined in Section 2.07 hereof.

         Stated Principal Balance: With respect to any Mortgage Loan or related
REO Property (1) as of the Cut-off Date, the Cut-off Date Principal Balance
thereof, and (2) as of any Distribution Date, such Cut-off Date Principal
Balance, minus the sum of (A) the principal portion of the Scheduled Payments
(x) due with respect to such Mortgage Loan during each Due Period ending prior
to such Distribution Date and (y) that were received by the Servicer as of the
close of business on the Determination Date related to such Distribution Date or
with respect to which Advances were made on the Servicer Advance Date prior to
such Distribution Date and (B) all Principal Prepayments with respect to such
Mortgage Loan received on or prior to the last day of the related Prepayment
Period, and all Liquidation Proceeds to the extent applied by the Servicer as
recoveries of principal in accordance with Section 3.12 with respect to such
Mortgage Loan, that were received by the Servicer as of the close of business on
the last day of the related Due Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Stated Principal Balance of a Liquidated Loan shall be deemed to be zero.

         Stepdown Date: The later to occur of (1) the Distribution Date in June
2008 or (2) the first Distribution Date on which (A) the Class A Certificate
Principal Balance (reduced by the Principal Funds with respect to such
Distribution Date) is less than or equal to (B) 51.00% of the Stated Principal
Balances of the Mortgage Loans as of such Distribution Date.

         Stepdown Required Loss Percentage: For any Distribution Date, the
applicable percentage for such Distribution Date set forth in the following
table:

<Table>
<Caption>
DISTRIBUTION DATE OCCURRING IN      STEPDOWN REQUIRED LOSS PERCENTAGE
------------------------------      ---------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>
June 2008 - May 2009                3.00% with respect to June 2008, plus
                                    an additional 1/12th of 1.75% for each
                                    month thereafter
June 2009 - May 2010                4.75% with respect to June 2009, plus
                                    an additional 1/12th of 1.50% for each
                                    month thereafter
June 2010 - May 2011                6.25% with respect to June 2010, plus
                                    an additional 1/12th of 0.75% for each
                                    month thereafter
June 2011 and thereafter            7.00%
</Table>

                                      -46-
<PAGE>

         Stepdown Trigger Event: With respect to the Certificates on or after
the Stepdown Date, a Distribution Date on which (1) the quotient of (A) the
aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all Mortgage Loans which are 60 or more
days Delinquent measured on a rolling three month basis (including, for the
purposes of this calculation, Mortgage Loans in foreclosure and REO Properties
and Mortgage Loans with respect to which the applicable Mortgagor is in
bankruptcy) and (B) the Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of the
preceding Servicer Remittance Date, equals or exceeds the product of (i) 32.00%
and (ii) the Required Percentage or (2) the quotient (expressed as a percentage)
of (A) the aggregate Realized Losses incurred from the Cut-off Date through the
last day of the calendar month preceding such Distribution Date and (B) the
aggregate principal balance of the Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date exceeds
the Stepdown Required Loss Percentage.

         Subordinated Certificate Available Funds Cap: With respect to a
Distribution Date, the per annum rate equal to the weighted average (weighted in
proportion to the results of subtracting the current Certificate Principal
Balance of the related Class A Certificates from the aggregate Stated Principal
Balance of the Mortgage Loans in each Mortgage Group as of the immediately
preceding Distribution Date (or, in the case of the first Distribution Date, as
of the Cut-off Date) of the Class A-1 Available Funds Cap and the Class A-2
Available Funds Cap.

         Subordinated Certificate Cap Contract: The confirmation and agreement
dated as of May 26, 2005, as amended from time to time, with a reference number
of IRG6756979.2A.2B and any related confirmation thereto, between the Trustee
solely on behalf of the Trust Fund and the Cap Contract Counterparty
(substantially in the form of Exhibit N-3 hereto).

         Subordinated Certificate Cap Contract Notional Balance: With respect to
any Distribution Date, the lesser of (a) the notional balance set forth for such
Distribution Date in the Subordinated Certificate One-Month LIBOR Cap Table
attached hereto as Exhibit O-3 and (b) the aggregate Certificate Principal
Balance of the Subordinated Certificates immediately prior to the "Floating Rate
Payer Payment Date" (as defined in the Subordinated Certificates Cap Contract).

         Subordinated Certificate Cap Contract Termination Date: The
Distribution Date in November 2007.

         Subordinated Certificate Maximum Rate Cap: With respect to a
Distribution Date, the per annum rate equal to the weighted average (weighted in
proportion to the results of subtracting from the aggregate Stated Principal
Balance of the Mortgage Loans in each Mortgage Group as of the immediately
preceding Distribution Date (or, in the case of the first Distribution Date, as
of the Cut-off Date) the current Certificate Principal Balance of the related
Class A Certificates) of the Class A-1 Maximum Rate Cap and the Class A-2
Maximum Rate Cap.

         Subordinated Certificate Upper Collar: With respect to each
Distribution Date with respect to which payments are received on the
Subordinated Certificate Cap Contract, a rate equal to the lesser of One-Month
LIBOR and 8.800% per annum.

         Subordinated Certificates: Each Class of the Class M and Class B
Certificates.

         Subsequent Recovery: Any amount received on a Mortgage Loan (net of
amounts reimbursed to the Servicer related to such Mortgage Loan) subsequent to
such Mortgage Loan being determined to be a Liquidated Mortgage Loan.

         Subservicing Agreement: As defined in Section 3.02(a).

                                      -47-
<PAGE>

         Substitution Adjustment Amount: The meaning ascribed to such term
pursuant to Section 2.03(c).

         Tax Matters Person: The Person designated as "tax matters person" in
the manner provided under Treasury regulation Section 1.860F-4(d) and Treasury
regulation Section 301.6231(a)(7)-1.

         Transfer: Any direct or indirect transfer or sale of any Ownership
Interest in a Certificate.

         Trust Fund: The corpus of the trust (the "First Franklin Mortgage Loan
Trust, Series 2005-FFH1") created hereunder consisting of (i) the Mortgage Loans
and all interest and principal received on or with respect thereto on and after
the Cut-off Date to the extent not applied in computing the Cut-off Date
Principal Balance thereof, exclusive of interest not required to be deposited in
the Collection Account; (ii) the Collection Account and the Certificate Account
and all amounts deposited therein pursuant to the applicable provisions of this
Agreement; (iii) property that secured a Mortgage Loan and has been acquired by
foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise; (iv) the mortgagee's
rights under the Insurance Policies with respect to the Mortgage Loans; (v) all
proceeds of the conversion, voluntary or involuntary, of any of the foregoing
into cash or other liquid property; and (vi) the Cap Contracts and Cap Contract
Account.

         Trustee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association, not in
its individual capacity, but solely in its capacity as trustee for the benefit
of the Certificateholders under this Agreement, and any successor thereto, and
any corporation or national banking association resulting from or surviving any
consolidation or merger to which it or its successors may be a party and any
successor trustee as may from time to time be serving as successor trustee
hereunder.

         Uncertificated Class C Interest: An uncertificated interest having (i)
the same rights to payments as the Class C Certificates, other than the rights
to payments of amounts with respect to the Cap Contracts, and (ii) the rights to
the payments treated as distributed to the Class C Certificates under Section
2.07(d), provided, however, that such interest shall have no obligation to make
any payments treated as paid by the Class C Certificates pursuant to interest
rate cap agreements under Section 2.07(d).

         Underlying Mortgaged Property: With respect to each Co-op Loan, the
underlying real property owned by the related residential cooperative housing
corporation.

         Unpaid Realized Loss Amount: The Class M-1 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount,
Class M-2 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount, Class M-3 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount,
Class M-4 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount, Class M-5 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount,
Class M-6 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount, Class B-1 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount,
Class B-2 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount, Class B-3 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount,
Class B-4 Unpaid Realized Loss Amount and Class C Unpaid Realized Loss Amount,
collectively.

         Upper Collar: Any of the Class A-1 Upper Collar, the Class A-2 Upper
Collar or the Subordinated Certificate Upper Collar.

         Upper Tier REMIC: As described in the Preliminary Statement and Section
2.07.

         USAP Report: A report in compliance with the Uniform Single Attestation
Program for Mortgage Bankers delivered in accordance with Section 3.18.

         Voting Rights: The portion of the voting rights of all the Certificates
that is allocated to any of the Certificates for purposes of the voting
provisions hereunder. Voting Rights allocated to each Class of

                                      -48-
<PAGE>

Certificates shall be allocated as follows: (1) 98% to the Class A, Class M and
Class B Certificates, with the allocation among such Certificates to be in
proportion to the Certificate Principal Balance of each Class relative to the
Certificate Principal Balance of all other Classes and (2) each Class of the
Class C and Class P will be allocated 2% of the Voting Rights. Voting Rights
will be allocated among the Certificates of each such Class in accordance with
their respective Percentage Interests.

                                   ARTICLE II

                          CONVEYANCE OF MORTGAGE LOANS;
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         SECTION 2.01. Conveyance of Mortgage Loans.

         The Depositor, concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof,
does hereby sell, transfer, assign, set over and convey to the Trustee without
recourse all the right, title and interest of the Depositor in and to the assets
of the Trust Fund. Such assignment includes all interest and principal received
on or with respect to the Mortgage Loans on or after the Cut-off Date (other
than Scheduled Payments due on the Mortgage Loans on or before the Cut-off
Date).

         It is agreed and understood by the Depositor, the Servicer and the
Trustee that it is not intended that any Mortgage Loan be included in the Trust
that is, without limitation, a "High-Cost Home Loan" as defined by the Home
Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 or any other applicable
anti-predatory lending laws, including but not limited to (i) a "High-Cost Home
Loan" as defined in the New Jersey Home Ownership Act effective November 27,
2003; (ii) a "High-Cost Home Loan" as defined in the New Mexico Home Loan
Protection Act effective January 1, 2004; or (iii) a "High-Cost Home Loan" as
defined in the Massachusetts Predatory Home Loan Practices Act effective
November 7, 2004 or (iv) a "High-Cost Home Loan" as defined by the Indiana High
Cost Home Loan Law effective January 1, 2005.

         (i) In connection with such assignment, the Depositor does hereby
deliver to, and deposit with, the Trustee, the following documents or
instruments with respect to each Mortgage Loan:

                  (A) The original Mortgage Note endorsed in blank or, "Pay to
         the order of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, without recourse"
         together with all riders thereto. The Mortgage Note shall include all
         intervening endorsements showing a complete chain of the title from the
         Transferor to [____________________];

                  (B) Except as provided below and for each Mortgage Loan that
         is not a MERS Loan, the original recorded Mortgage together with all
         riders thereto, with evidence of recording thereon, or, if the original
         Mortgage has not yet been returned from the recording office, a copy of
         the original Mortgage together with all riders thereto certified by the
         Transferor to be true copy of the original of the Mortgage that has
         been delivered for recording in the appropriate recording office of the
         jurisdiction in which the Mortgaged Property is located and in the case
         of each MERS Loan, the original Mortgage together with all riders
         thereto, noting the presence of the MIN of the Loan and either language
         indicating that the Mortgage Loan is a MOM Loan or if the Mortgage Loan
         was not a MOM Loan at origination, the original Mortgage and the
         assignment thereof to MERS, with evidence of recording indicated
         thereon, or a copy of the Mortgage certified by the public recording
         office in which such Mortgage has been recorded;

                  (C) In the case of each Mortgage Loan that is not a MERS Loan,
         the original Assignment of each Mortgage endorsed either in blank or,
         to "Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee;"

                                      -49-
<PAGE>

                  (D) The original policy of title insurance (or a preliminary
         title report, commitment or binder if the original title insurance
         policy has not been received from the title insurance company);

                  (E) Originals of any intervening assignments of the Mortgage,
         with evidence of recording thereon or, if the original intervening
         assignment has not yet been returned from the recording office, a copy
         of such assignment certified to be a true copy of the original of the
         assignment which has been sent for recording in the appropriate
         jurisdiction in which the Mortgaged Property is located; and

                  (F) Originals of all assumption and modification agreements,
         if any.

         (ii) In connection with such assignment, the Depositor does hereby
deliver to, and deposit with, the Trustee the following documents or instruments
with respect to each Mortgage Loan so assigned that is a Co-op Loan:

                  (A) (i) The original Mortgage Note (or a lost note affidavit
         (including a copy of the original Mortgage Note)) or (ii) the original
         consolidation, extension and modification agreement (or a lost note
         affidavit (including a copy of the original consolidation, extension
         and modification agreement)), in either case endorsed either in blank
         or, "Pay to the order of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, without
         recourse";

                  (B) The original Mortgage entered into by the Mortgagor with
         respect to such Co-Op Loan;

                  (C) The original Assignment of Mortgage endorsed either in
         blank or to "Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee";

                  (D) The original assignments of Mortgage showing a complete
         chain of assignment from the originator of the related Co-Op Loan to
         the last endorsee on the Mortgage Note;

                  (E) The original Form UCC-1 and any continuation statements
         with evidence of filing thereon entered into by the Mortgagor with
         respect to such Co-Op Loan (or a recorded copy thereof);

                  (F) Form UCC-3 (or copy thereof) by the Transferor or its
         agent assigning the security interest covered by such Form UCC-1 to
         "Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee," together with all Forms UCC-3 (or
         copies thereof) showing a complete chain of assignment from the
         originator of the related Co-op Loan to the Transferor, with evidence
         of recording thereon;

                  (G) The original stock certificate representing the stock
         allocated to the related dwelling unit in the related residential
         cooperative housing corporation and pledged by the related Mortgagor to
         the originator of such Co-op Loan with a stock power in blank attached;

                  (H) The original proprietary lease;

                  (I) The original assignment of proprietary lease or a copy
         thereof, to the Trustee or in blank, and all intervening assignments
         thereof;

                                      -50-
<PAGE>

                  (J) The original recognition agreement or a copy thereof of
         the interests of the mortgagee with respect to the Co-op Loan by the
         residential cooperative housing corporation, the stock of which was
         pledged by the related Mortgagor to the originator of such Co-op Loan;
         and

                  (K) Originals of any assumption, consolidation or modification
         agreements relating to any of the items specified in (A) through (F)
         above with respect to such Co-op Loan.

         If in connection with any Mortgage Loan that is not a Co-op Loan, the
Depositor cannot deliver the Mortgage, Assignments of Mortgage or assumption,
consolidation or modification, as the case may be, with evidence of recording
thereon, if applicable, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement solely because of a delay caused by the public recording office where
such Mortgage, Assignments of Mortgage or assumption, consolidation or
modification, as the case may be, has been delivered for recordation, the
Depositor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee written notice
stating that such Mortgage or assumption, consolidation or modification, as the
case may be, has been delivered to the appropriate public recording office for
recordation. Thereafter, the Depositor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to
the Trustee such Mortgage, Assignments of Mortgage or assumption, consolidation
or modification, as the case may be, with evidence of recording indicated
thereon, if applicable, upon receipt thereof from the public recording office.
To the extent any required endorsement is not contained on a Mortgage Note or an
Assignment of Mortgage, the Depositor shall make or cause such endorsement to be
made.

         With respect to any Mortgage Loan that is not a Co-op Loan, none of the
Depositor, the Servicer or the Trustee shall be obligated to cause to be
recorded the Assignment of Mortgage referred to in this Section 2.01. With
respect to any Co-op Loan, none of the Depositor, the Servicer or the Trustee
shall be obligated to cause to be filed the Form UCC-3 referred to in this
Section 2.01. In the event that any Assignment of Mortgage referred to in this
Section 2.01 is not recorded or is improperly recorded, the Servicer and the
Trustee shall have no liability for any failure to receive or act on notices
related to such Assignment of Mortgage.

         The ownership of each Mortgage Note, the Mortgage and the contents of
the related Mortgage File is vested in the Trustee on behalf of the
Certificateholders. Neither the Depositor nor the Servicer shall take any action
inconsistent with such ownership and shall not claim any ownership interest
therein. The Depositor and the Servicer shall respond to any third party
inquiries with respect to ownership of the Mortgage Loans by stating that such
ownership is held by the Trustee on behalf of the Certificateholders. Mortgage
documents relating to the Mortgage Loans not delivered to the Trustee are and
shall be held in trust by the Servicer, for the benefit of the Trustee as the
owner thereof, and the Servicer's possession of the contents of each Mortgage
File so retained is for the sole purpose of servicing the related Mortgage Loan,
and such retention and possession by the Servicer is in a custodial capacity
only. The Depositor agrees to take no action inconsistent with the Trustee's
ownership of the Mortgage Loans, to promptly indicate to all inquiring parties
that the Mortgage Loans have been sold and to claim no ownership interest in the
Mortgage Loans.

         It is the intention of this Agreement that the conveyance of the
Depositor's right, title and interest in and to the Trust Fund pursuant to this
Agreement shall constitute a purchase and sale and not a loan. If a conveyance
of Mortgage Loans from the Seller to the Depositor is characterized as a pledge
and not a sale, then the Depositor shall be deemed to have transferred to the
Trustee all of the Depositor's right, title and interest in, to and under the
obligations of the Seller deemed to be secured by said pledge; and it is the
intention of this Agreement that the Depositor shall also be deemed to have
granted to the Trustee a first priority security interest in all of the
Depositor's right, title, and interest in, to and under the obligations of the
Seller to the Depositor deemed to be secured by said pledge and that the Trustee
shall be deemed to be an independent custodian for purposes of perfection of the
security interest granted to the Depositor. If

                                      -51-
<PAGE>

the conveyance of the Mortgage Loans from the Depositor to the Trustee is
characterized as a pledge, it is the intention of this Agreement that this
Agreement shall constitute a security agreement under applicable law, and that
the Depositor shall be deemed to have granted to the Trustee a first priority
security interest in all of the Depositor's right, title and interest in, to and
under the Mortgage Loans, all payments of principal of or interest on such
Mortgage Loans, all other rights relating to and payments made in respect of the
Trust Fund, and all proceeds of any thereof. If the trust created by this
Agreement terminates prior to the satisfaction of the claims of any Person in
any Certificates, the security interest created hereby shall continue in full
force and effect and the Trustee shall be deemed to be the collateral agent for
the benefit of such Person.

         In addition to the conveyance made in the first paragraph of this
Section 2.01, the Depositor does hereby convey, assign and set over to the
Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders its rights and interests under
the Sale Agreement, including the Depositor's right, title and interest in the
representations and warranties contained in the Sale Agreement and the benefit
of the repurchase obligations and the obligation of the Seller contained in the
Sale Agreement to take, at the request of the Depositor or the Trustee, all
action on its part which is reasonably necessary to ensure the enforceability of
a Mortgage Loan. The Trustee hereby accepts such assignment, and shall be
entitled to exercise all rights of the Depositor under the Sale Agreement as if,
for such purpose, it were the Depositor. The foregoing sale, transfer,
assignment, set-over, deposit and conveyance does not and is not intended to
result in creation or assumption by the Trustee of any obligation of the
Depositor, the Seller, or any other Person in connection with the Mortgage Loans
or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto except as specifically set
forth herein.

         SECTION 2.02. Acceptance by the Trustee of the Mortgage Loans.

         Except as set forth in the Exception Report delivered contemporaneously
herewith (the "Exception Report"), the Trustee acknowledges receipt of the
Mortgage Note for each Mortgage Loan and delivery of a Mortgage File (but does
not acknowledge receipt of all documents required to be included in such
Mortgage File) with respect to each Mortgage Loan and declares that it holds and
will hold such documents and any other documents constituting a part of the
Mortgage Files delivered to it in trust for the use and benefit of all present
and future Certificateholders. The Depositor will cause the Seller to repurchase
any Mortgage Loan to which a material exception was taken in the Exception
Report unless such exception is cured to the satisfaction of the Trustee within
45 Business Days of the Closing Date.

         The Trustee acknowledges receipt of the three Cap Contracts (forms of
which are attached hereto as Exhibits N-1, N-2 and N-3) and the Sale Agreement.

         The Trustee agrees, for the benefit of Certificateholders and the NIMs
Insurer, to review each Mortgage File delivered to it within 60 days after the
Closing Date to ascertain and to certify, within 70 days of the Closing Date, to
the NIMs Insurer, the Depositor and the Servicer that all documents required by
Section 2.01 have been executed and received, and that such documents relate to
the Mortgage Loans identified in Exhibit B that have been conveyed to it. If the
Trustee finds any document or documents constituting a part of a Mortgage File
to be missing or defective (that is, mutilated, damaged, defaced or unexecuted)
in any material respect, the Trustee shall promptly (and in any event within no
more than five Business Days) after such finding so notify the NIMs Insurer, the
Servicer, the Seller and the Depositor. In addition, the Trustee shall also
notify the NIMs Insurer, the Servicer, the Seller and the Depositor if the
original Mortgage with evidence of recording thereon with respect to a Mortgage
Loan is not received within 60 days of the Closing Date; if it has not been
received because of a delay caused by the public recording office where such
Mortgage has been delivered for recordation, the Depositor shall deliver or
cause to be delivered to the Trustee written notice stating that such Mortgage
has been delivered to the

                                      -52-
<PAGE>

appropriate public recording office for recordation and thereafter the Depositor
shall deliver or cause to be delivered such Mortgage with evidence of recording
thereon upon receipt thereof from the public recording office. The Trustee shall
request that the Seller correct or cure such omission, defect or other
irregularity, or substitute a Mortgage Loan pursuant to the provisions of
Section 2.03, within 90 days from the date the Seller was notified of such
omission or defect and, if the Seller does not correct or cure such omission or
defect within such period, that the Seller purchase such Mortgage Loan from the
Trust Fund within 90 days from the date the Trustee notified the Seller of such
omission, defect or other irregularity at the Purchase Price of such Mortgage
Loan. The Purchase Price for any Mortgage Loan purchased pursuant to this
Section 2.02 shall be paid to the Servicer and deposited by the Servicer in the
Certificate Account or Collection Account, as appropriate, promptly upon
receipt, and, upon receipt by the Trustee of written notification of such
deposit signed by a Servicing Officer, the Trustee, upon receipt of a Request
for Release, shall promptly release to the Seller the related Mortgage File and
the Trustee shall execute and deliver such instruments of transfer or
assignment, without recourse, as shall be requested by the Seller and necessary
to vest in the Seller or its designee, as the case may be, any Mortgage Loan
released pursuant hereto, and the Trustee shall have no further responsibility
with regard to such Mortgage Loan. It is understood and agreed that the
obligation of the Seller to purchase, cure or substitute any Mortgage Loan as to
which a material defect in or omission of a constituent document exists shall
constitute the sole remedy respecting such defect or omission available to the
Trustee on behalf of Certificateholders and the NIMs Insurer. The preceding
sentence shall not, however, limit any remedies available to the
Certificateholders, the NIMs Insurer, the Depositor or the Trustee pursuant to
the Sale Agreement. The Trustee shall be under no duty or obligation to inspect,
review and examine such documents, instruments, certificates or other papers to
determine that they are genuine, enforceable, recordable or appropriate to the
represented purpose, or that they have actually been recorded, or that they are
other than what they purport to be on their face. The Servicer and the Trustee
shall keep confidential the name of each Mortgagor except as required for the
performance of this Agreement and the Servicer and the Trustee shall not solicit
any such Mortgagor for the purpose of refinancing the related Mortgage Loan;
notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the foregoing shall not be
construed to prohibit (i) disclosure of any and all information that is or
becomes publicly known, or information obtained by the Trustee or the Servicer
from sources other than the other parties hereto, (ii) disclosure of any and all
information (A) if required to do so by any applicable law, rule or regulation,
(B) to any government agency or regulatory body having or claiming authority to
regulate or oversee any aspects of the Trustee's business or that of its
affiliates, (C) pursuant to any subpoena, civil investigation demand or similar
demand or request of any court, regulatory authority, arbitrator or pursuant to
any arbitration to which Trustee or any affiliate or an officer, director,
employer or shareholder thereof is a party or (D) to any affiliate, independent
or internal auditor, agent, employee or attorney of the Trustee having a need to
know the same, provided that the Trustee advises such recipient of the
confidential nature of the information being disclosed, or (iii) any other
disclosure authorized by the Depositor. The Servicer shall provide to the
Depositor any information related to the Mortgage Loans requested by the
Depositor. It is understood and agreed that all rights and benefits relating to
the solicitation of any Mortgagors and the attendant rights, title and interest
in and to the list of Mortgagors and data relating to their Mortgages shall be
retained by the Servicer.

         Within 70 days of the Closing Date, the Trustee shall deliver to the
NIMs Insurer, the Depositor and the Servicer the Trustee's Certification,
substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto, evidencing the
completeness of the Mortgage Files, with any exceptions noted thereto.

         SECTION 2.03. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the
Depositor.

                  (a) The Depositor hereby represents and warrants to the
Servicer, the NIMs Insurer and the Trustee as follows, as of the date hereof:

                                      -53-
<PAGE>

                  (i) The Depositor is duly organized and is validly existing as
         a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware
         and has full power and authority (corporate and other) necessary to own
         or hold its properties and to conduct its business as now conducted by
         it and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement
         and the Sale Agreement.

                  (ii) The Depositor has the full corporate power and authority
         to execute, deliver and perform, and to enter into and consummate the
         transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the Sale Agreement and
         has duly authorized, by all necessary corporate action on its part, the
         execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Sale
         Agreement; and this Agreement and the Sale Agreement, assuming the due
         authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the other parties
         hereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the
         Depositor, enforceable against the Depositor in accordance with its
         terms, subject, as to enforceability, to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
         reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors'
         rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity, regardless of
         whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law.

                  (iii) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
         Sale Agreement by the Depositor, the consummation of the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement and the Sale Agreement, and the
         fulfillment of or compliance with the terms hereof are in the ordinary
         course of business of the Depositor and will not (A) result in a
         material breach of any term or provision of the charter or by-laws of
         the Depositor or (B) materially conflict with, result in a violation or
         acceleration of, or result in a material default under, the terms of
         any other material agreement or instrument to which the Depositor is a
         party or by which it may be bound or (C) constitute a material
         violation of any statute, order or regulation applicable to the
         Depositor of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or
         governmental body having jurisdiction over the Depositor; and the
         Depositor is not in breach or violation of any material indenture or
         other material agreement or instrument, or in violation of any statute,
         order or regulation of any court, regulatory body, administrative
         agency or governmental body having jurisdiction over it which breach or
         violation may materially impair the Depositor's ability to perform or
         meet any of its obligations under this Agreement.

                  (iv) No litigation is pending, or, to the best of the
         Depositor's knowledge, threatened, against the Depositor that would
         materially and adversely affect the execution, delivery or
         enforceability of this Agreement and the Sale Agreement or the ability
         of the Depositor to perform its obligations under this Agreement and
         the Sale Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  (v) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court
         or governmental agency or body is required for the execution, delivery
         and performance by the Depositor of, or compliance by the Depositor
         with, this Agreement and the Sale Agreement or the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated hereby, or if any such consent, approval,
         authorization or order is required, the Depositor has obtained the
         same. The Depositor hereby represents and warrants to the Trustee with
         respect to each Mortgage Loan as of the Closing Date, and following the
         transfer of the Mortgage Loans to it by the Seller, the Depositor had
         good title to the Mortgage Loans and the Mortgage Notes were subject to
         no offsets, claims, liens, mortgage, pledge, charge, security interest,
         defenses or counterclaims.

                  (b) The representations and warranties of the Seller with
respect to the Mortgage Loans contained in the Sale Agreement were made as of
the Closing Date. To the extent that any fact, condition or event with respect
to a Mortgage Loan constitutes a breach of a representation or warranty of the
Seller under the Sale Agreement, the only right or remedy of the Trustee, the
NIMs Insurer or of

                                      -54-
<PAGE>

any Certificateholder shall be the Trustee's right to enforce the obligations of
the Seller under any applicable representation or warranty made by it. The
Trustee acknowledges that the Depositor shall have no obligation or liability
with respect to any breach of any representation or warranty with respect to the
Mortgage Loans (except as set forth in Section 2.03(a)(v)) under any
circumstances.

                  (c) Upon discovery by any of the Depositor, the Servicer, the
NIMs Insurer or the Trustee of a breach of any of such representations and
warranties that adversely and materially affects the value of the related
Mortgage Loan, Prepayment Charges or the interests of the Certificateholders,
the party discovering such breach shall give prompt written notice to the other
parties. Within 90 days of the discovery of such breach of any representation or
warranty, the Seller shall either (a) cure such breach in all material respects,
(b) repurchase such Mortgage Loan or any property acquired in respect thereof
from the Trustee at the Purchase Price or (c) within the two year period
following the Closing Date, substitute a Replacement Mortgage Loan for the
affected Mortgage Loan. In the event of discovery of a breach of any
representation and warranty of the Seller, the Trustee shall enforce its rights
under the Sale Agreement for the benefit of Certificateholders and the NIMs
Insurer. If a breach of the representations and warranties set forth in the Sale
Agreement exists solely due to the unenforceability of a Prepayment Charge, the
Trustee shall notify the NIMs Insurer thereof and not seek to enforce the
repurchase remedy provided for herein unless directed in writing to do so by the
NIMs Insurer. In the event of a breach of the representations and warranties
with respect to the Mortgage Loans set forth in the Sale Agreement, the Trustee
shall, at the request of the NIMs Insurer, enforce the right of the Trust Fund
and the NIMs Insurer to be indemnified for such breach of representation and
warranty. In the event that such breach relates solely to the unenforceability
of a Prepayment Charge, amounts received in respect of such indemnity up to the
amount of such Prepayment Charge shall be distributed pursuant to Section
4.04(b)(i). As provided in the Sale Agreement, if the Seller substitutes for a
Mortgage Loan for which there is a breach of any representations and warranties
in the Sale Agreement which adversely and materially affects the value of such
Mortgage Loan and such substitute mortgage loan is not a Replacement Mortgage
Loan, under the terms of the Sale Agreement, the Seller will, in exchange for
such substitute Mortgage Loan, (i) provide the applicable Purchase Price for the
affected Mortgage Loan or (ii) within two years of the Closing Date, substitute
such affected Mortgage Loan with a Replacement Mortgage Loan. Any such
substitution shall not be effected prior to the additional delivery to the
Trustee of a Request for Release substantially in the form of Exhibit I and
shall not be effected unless it is within two years of the Startup Day. As
provided in the Sale Agreement, the Seller indemnifies and holds the Trust Fund,
the Trustee, the Depositor, the NIMs Insurer, the Servicer and each
Certificateholder harmless against any and all taxes, claims, losses, penalties,
fines, forfeitures, reasonable legal fees and related costs, judgments, and any
other costs, fees and expenses that the Trust Fund, the Trustee, the Depositor,
the NIMs Insurer, the Servicer and any Certificateholder may sustain in
connection with any actions of the Seller relating to a repurchase of a Mortgage
Loan other than in compliance with the terms of this Section 2.03 and the Sale
Agreement, to the extent that any such action causes (i) any federal or state
tax to be imposed on the Trust Fund or any REMIC provided for herein, including
without limitation, any federal tax imposed on "prohibited transactions" under
Section 860F(a)(1) of the Code or on "contributions after the startup day" under
Section 860G(d)(1) of the Code, or (ii) any REMIC created hereunder to fail to
qualify as a REMIC at any time that any Certificate is outstanding. In
furtherance of the foregoing, if the Seller is not a member of MERS and
repurchases a Mortgage Loan which is registered on the MERS System, the Seller,
at its own expense and without any right of reimbursement, shall cause MERS to
execute and deliver an assignment of the Mortgage in recordable form to transfer
the Mortgage from MERS to the Seller and shall cause such Mortgage to be removed
from registration on the MERS System in accordance with MERS' rules and
regulations.

         With respect to any Mortgage Loan repurchased by the Depositor pursuant
to this Agreement or by the Seller pursuant to the Sale Agreement, the principal
portion of the funds received by the Servicer in respect of such repurchase of a
Mortgage Loan will be considered a Principal Prepayment and shall be

                                      -55-
<PAGE>

deposited by the Servicer in the Collection Account pursuant to Section 3.05 and
the Servicer shall notify the Trustee of its receipt of the same. The Trustee,
upon receipt of the full amount of the Purchase Price for a Deleted Mortgage
Loan, or upon receipt of the Mortgage File for a Replacement Mortgage Loan
substituted for a Deleted Mortgage Loan, shall release or cause to be released
and reassign to the Depositor or the Seller, as applicable, the related Mortgage
File for the Deleted Mortgage Loan and shall execute and deliver such
instruments of transfer or assignment, in each case without recourse,
representation or warranty, as shall be necessary to vest in such party or its
designee or assignee title to any Deleted Mortgage Loan released pursuant
hereto, free and clear of all security interests, liens and other encumbrances
created by this Agreement, which instruments shall be prepared by the Trustee,
and the Trustee shall not have any further responsibility with respect to the
Mortgage File relating to such Deleted Mortgage Loan.

         With respect to each Replacement Mortgage Loan to be delivered to the
Trustee pursuant to the terms of this Article II in exchange for a Deleted
Mortgage Loan: (i) the Depositor or the Seller, as applicable, must deliver to
the Trustee (or its custodian) the Mortgage File for the Replacement Mortgage
Loan containing the documents set forth in Section 2.01 along with a written
certification certifying as to the satisfaction by such Mortgage Loan of all
requirements under the definition of Replacement Mortgage Loan and the delivery
of such Mortgage File and containing the granting language set forth in Section
2.01; and (ii) the Depositor will be deemed to have made, with respect to such
Replacement Mortgage Loan, each of the representations and warranties made by it
with respect to the related Deleted Mortgage Loan. The Trustee (or its
custodian) shall review the Mortgage File with respect to each Replacement
Mortgage Loan and certify to the NIMs Insurer and the Depositor that all
documents required by Section 2.01 have been executed and received.

         For any month in which the Seller substitutes one or more Replacement
Mortgage Loans for one or more Deleted Mortgage Loans, the Seller will determine
the amount (if any) by which the aggregate principal balance of all such
Replacement Mortgage Loans as of the date of substitution and the aggregate
Prepayment Charges with respect to such Replacement Mortgage Loans is less than
the aggregate Stated Principal Balance (after application of the principal
portion of the Scheduled Payment due in the month of substitution) and aggregate
Prepayment Charges of all such Deleted Mortgage Loans. An amount equal to the
aggregate of the deficiencies described in the preceding sentence (such amount,
the "Substitution Adjustment Amount") plus an amount equal to any unreimbursed
costs, penalties and/or damages incurred by the Trust Fund in connection with
any violation relating to such Deleted Mortgage Loan of any predatory or abusive
lending law shall be remitted by the Seller to the Servicer for deposit into the
Collection Account on the Determination Date for the Distribution Date relating
to the Prepayment Period during which the related Mortgage Loan became required
to be purchased or replaced hereunder.

         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the right to
substitute Mortgage Loans pursuant to this Article II shall be subject to the
additional limitations that no substitution of a Replacement Mortgage Loan for a
Deleted Mortgage Loan shall be made unless the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer
shall have received an Opinion of Counsel (at the expense of the party seeking
to make the substitution) that, under current law, such substitution will not
(A) affect adversely the status of any REMIC established hereunder as a REMIC,
or of the related "regular interests" as "regular interests" in any such REMIC,
or (B) cause any such REMIC to engage in a "prohibited transaction" or
prohibited contribution pursuant to the REMIC Provisions.

         The Trustee shall cause the Mortgage Loan Schedule to be amended in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

         The Seller shall give or cause to be given written notice to the
Certificateholders and the NIMs Insurer that such substitution has taken place,
shall amend the Mortgage Loan Schedule to reflect the

                                      -56-
<PAGE>

removal of such Deleted Mortgage Loan from the terms of this Agreement and the
substitution of the Replacement Mortgage Loan or Replacement Mortgage Loans and
shall deliver a copy of such amended Mortgage Loan Schedule to the NIMs Insurer,
the Servicer and the Trustee. Upon such substitution by the Seller, such
Replacement Mortgage Loan or Replacement Mortgage Loans shall constitute part of
the Mortgage Pool and shall be subject in all respects to the terms of this
Agreement and the Sale Agreement, including all applicable representations and
warranties thereof included in the Sale Agreement as of the date of
substitution.

                  (d) It is understood and agreed that the representations,
warranties and indemnification (i) set forth in this Section 2.03 and (ii) of
the Seller and the Depositor set forth in the Sale Agreement and assigned to the
Trustee by the Depositor hereunder shall each survive delivery of the Mortgage
Files and the Assignment of Mortgage of each Mortgage Loan to the Trustee and
shall continue throughout the term of this Agreement.

                  (e) The Depositor shall deliver a copy of the Mortgage Loan
Schedule to the Servicer on the Closing Date.

         SECTION 2.04. Representations and Warranties of the Servicer.

                  (i) The Servicer hereby represents and warrants to the
         Depositor and the Trustee as follows, as of the date hereof:

                  (ii) The Servicer is duly organized and is validly existing as
         a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Nevada
         and is duly authorized and qualified to transact any and all business
         contemplated by this Agreement to be conducted by the Servicer in any
         state in which a Mortgaged Property (or Underlying Mortgaged Property,
         in the case of a Co-op Loan) is located or is otherwise not required
         under applicable law to effect such qualification and, in any event, is
         in compliance with the doing business laws of any such state, to the
         extent necessary to ensure its ability to enforce each Mortgage Loan,
         to service the Mortgage Loans in accordance with the terms of this
         Agreement and to perform any of its other obligations under this
         Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  (iii) The Servicer has the corporate power and authority to
         service each Mortgage Loan, and to execute, deliver and perform, and to
         enter into and consummate the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement and has duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
         the part of the Servicer the execution, delivery and performance of
         this Agreement; and this Agreement, assuming the due authorization,
         execution and delivery hereof by the other parties hereto, constitutes
         a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Servicer, enforceable
         against the Servicer in accordance with its terms, except that (a) the
         enforceability hereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
         moratorium, receivership and other similar laws relating to creditors'
         rights generally and (b) the remedy of specific performance and
         injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to
         equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any
         proceeding therefor may be brought.

                  (iv) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
         Servicer, the servicing of the Mortgage Loans under this Agreement, the
         consummation of any other of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement, and the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms hereof
         are in the ordinary course of business of the Servicer and will not (A)
         result in a material breach of any term or provision of the charter or
         by-laws of the Servicer or (B) materially conflict with, result in a
         material breach, violation or acceleration of, or result in a material
         default under, the terms of any other material agreement or instrument
         to which the Servicer is a party or by which it may be

                                      -57-
<PAGE>

         bound, or (C) constitute a material violation of any statute, order or
         regulation applicable to the Servicer of any court, regulatory body,
         administrative agency or governmental body having jurisdiction over the
         Servicer; and the Servicer is not in breach or violation of any
         material indenture or other material agreement or instrument, or in
         violation of any statute, order or regulation of any court, regulatory
         body, administrative agency or governmental body having jurisdiction
         over it which breach or violation may materially impair the Servicer's
         ability to perform or meet any of its obligations under this Agreement.

                  (v) The Servicer is an approved servicer of mortgage loans for
         Fannie Mae and is an approved servicer of mortgage loans for Freddie
         Mac.

                  (vi) No litigation is pending or, to the best of the
         Servicer's knowledge, threatened, against the Servicer that would
         materially and adversely affect the execution, delivery or
         enforceability of this Agreement or the ability of the Servicer to
         service the Mortgage Loans or to perform any of its other obligations
         under this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  (vii) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any
         court or governmental agency or body is required for the execution,
         delivery and performance by the Servicer of, or compliance by the
         Servicer with, this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
         contemplated hereby, or if any such consent, approval, authorization or
         order is required, the Servicer has obtained the same.

                  (viii) The Servicer has fully furnished and will fully furnish
         (for the period it serviced the Mortgage Loans), in accordance with the
         Fair Credit Reporting Act and its implementing regulations, accurate
         and complete information (e.g., favorable and unfavorable) on its
         borrower credit files to Equifax, Experian and Trans Union Credit
         Information Company on a monthly basis.

         SECTION 2.05. Substitutions and Repurchases of Mortgage Loans which are
not "Qualified Mortgages."

         Upon discovery by the Depositor, the Servicer or the Trustee that any
Mortgage Loan does not constitute a "qualified mortgage" within the meaning of
section 860G(a)(3) of the Code, the party discovering such fact shall promptly
(and in any event within 5 Business Days of discovery) give written notice
thereof to the other parties. In connection therewith, the Depositor shall, at
the Depositor's option, either (i) substitute, if the conditions in Section
2.03(c) with respect to substitutions are satisfied, a Replacement Mortgage Loan
for the affected Mortgage Loan, or (ii) repurchase the affected Mortgage Loan
within 90 days of such discovery in the same manner as it would a Mortgage Loan
for a breach of representation or warranty contained in Section 2.03. The
Trustee shall reconvey to the Depositor the Mortgage Loan to be released
pursuant hereto in the same manner, and on the same terms and conditions, as it
would a Mortgage Loan repurchased for breach of a representation or warranty
contained in Section 2.03.

         SECTION 2.06. Authentication and Delivery of Certificates.

         The Trustee acknowledges the transfer and assignment to it of the Trust
Fund and, concurrently with such transfer and assignment, the Trustee has caused
to be authenticated and delivered to or upon the order of the Depositor, in
exchange for the Mortgage Loans, Certificates duly authenticated by the Trustee
in authorized denominations evidencing ownership of the entire Trust Fund. The
Trustee agrees to hold the Trust Fund and exercise the rights referred to above
for the benefit of all present and future Holders of the Certificates and to
perform its duties set forth in this Agreement in accordance with the

                                      -58-
<PAGE>

provisions hereof to the best of its abilities, to the end that the interests of
the Holders may be adequately and effectively protected.

         SECTION 2.07. REMIC Elections.

                  (a) The Depositor hereby instructs and authorizes the Trustee
to make an appropriate election to treat each of the Upper Tier REMIC and the
Lower Tier REMIC as a REMIC. The Trustee shall sign the returns providing for
such elections and such other tax or information returns which are required to
be signed by the Trustee under applicable law. This Agreement shall be construed
so as to carry out the intention of the parties that each of the Upper Tier
REMIC and the Lower Tier REMIC be treated as a REMIC at all times prior to the
date on which the Trust Fund is terminated.

                  (b) The Preliminary Statement sets forth the designations and
"latest possible maturity date" for federal income tax purposes of all interests
created hereby. The "Startup Day" for purposes of the REMIC Provisions shall be
the Closing Date. Each REMIC's fiscal year shall be the calendar year.

         The Lower Tier REMIC shall consist of all of the assets of the Trust
Fund, other than (i) amounts distributable to the Class P Certificates pursuant
to Section 4.04(b)(i) hereof, (ii) the interests issued by the Lower Tier REMIC,
(iii) the grantor trusts described in Section 2.07 hereof and (iv) each Cap
Contract and the Cap Contract Account. The Lower Tier REMIC shall issue the
Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests which shall be designated as regular
interests of such REMIC and shall issue the Class LTR Interest that shall be
designated as the sole class of residual interest in the Lower Tier REMIC. Each
of the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests shall have the characteristics set
forth in its definition.

         The assets of the Upper Tier REMIC shall be the Lower Tier REMIC
Regular Interests. The REMIC Regular Interests shall be designated as the
regular interests in the Upper Tier REMIC and the Residual Interest shall be
designated as the sole class of residual interest in the Upper Tier REMIC. For
federal income tax purposes, the pass-through rate on each REMIC Regular
Interest (other than the Uncertificated Class C Interest) and on the sole class
of residual interest in the Upper Tier REMIC shall be subject to a cap equal to
the Net Rate.

         The beneficial ownership of the Class LTR Interest and the Residual
Interest shall be represented by the Class R Certificate. The Class LTR Interest
shall not have a principal balance or bear interest.

                  (c) The "tax matters person" with respect to each REMIC for
purposes of the REMIC Provisions shall be the beneficial owner of the Class R
Certificate; provided, however, that the Holder of the Class R Certificate, by
its acceptance thereof, irrevocably appoints the Trustee as its agent and
attorney-in-fact to act as "tax matters person" with respect to each REMIC for
purposes of the REMIC Provisions. If there is more than one beneficial owner of
the Class R Certificate, the "tax matters person" shall be the Person with the
greatest percentage interest in the Class R Certificate and, if there is more
than one such Person, shall be determined under Treasury regulation Section
1.860F-4(d) and Treasury regulation Section 301.6231(a)(7)-1.

                  (d) It is intended that the rights of each Class of the Class
A, Class M and Class B Certificates to receive payments in respect of Excess
Interest shall be treated as a right in interest rate cap contracts written by
the Class C Certificateholders in favor of the holders of each Class of the
Class A, Class M and Class B Certificates and such shall be accounted for as
property held separate and apart from the regular interests in the Upper Tier
REMIC held by the holders of the Class A (other than the Class R Certificate),
Class M and Class B Certificates and the residual interest in the Upper Tier
REMIC held by the holder of the Class R Certificate. For information reporting
requirements, the rights of the

                                      -59-
<PAGE>

Class A, Class M and Class B Certificates to receive payments in respect of
Excess Interest shall be assumed to have zero or a de minimis value. This
provision is intended to satisfy the requirements of Treasury Regulations
Section 1.860G-2(i) for the treatment of property rights coupled with REMIC
interests to be separately respected and shall be interpreted consistently with
such regulation. On each Distribution Date, to the extent that any of the Class
A, Class M and Class B Certificates receive payments in respect of Excess
Interest, such amounts, to the extent not derived from payments on the Cap
Contracts, will be treated as distributed by the Upper Tier REMIC to the Class C
Certificates pro rata in payment of the amounts specified in Section 4.04(g) and
then paid to the relevant Class of Certificates pursuant to the related interest
rate cap agreement.

                  (e) The parties intend that the portion of the Trust Fund
consisting of the Uncertificated Class C Interest, the Cap Contracts, the Cap
Contract Account, and the obligation of the holders of the Class C Certificates
to pay amounts in respect of Excess Interest to the holders of the Class A,
Class M and Class B Certificates shall be treated as a "grantor trust" under the
Code, for the benefit of the holders of the Class C Certificates, and the
provisions hereof shall be interpreted consistently with this intention. In
furtherance of such intention, the Trustee shall (i) furnish or cause to be
furnished to the holders of the Class C Certificates information regarding their
allocable share, if any, of the income with respect to such grantor trust, (ii)
file or cause to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service Form 1041 (together
with any necessary attachments) and such other forms as may be applicable and
(iii) comply with such information reporting obligations with respect to
payments from such grantor trust to the holders of Class A, Class M, Class B and
Class C Certificates as may be applicable under the Code.

                  (f) The parties intend that the portion of the Trust Fund
consisting of the right to receive amounts distributable to the Class P
Certificates pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(i) hereof shall be treated as a
"grantor trust" under the Code, for the benefit of the holders of the Class P
Certificates, and the provisions hereof shall be interpreted consistently with
this intention. In furtherance of such intention, the Trustee shall (i) furnish
or cause to be furnished to the holders of the Class P Certificates information
regarding their allocable share of the income with respect to such grantor trust
and (ii) file or cause to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service Form 1041
(together with any necessary attachments) and such other forms as may be
applicable.

                  (g) [RESERVED]

                  (h) All payments of principal and interest at the Net Mortgage
Rate on each of the Mortgage Loans (other than amounts distributable to the
Class P Certificates pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(i) hereof) received from the
Mortgage Loans shall be paid to the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests until the
principal balance of all such interests have been reduced to zero and any losses
allocated to such interests have been reimbursed. Any excess amounts shall be
distributed to the Class LTR Interest. On each Distribution Date, payments and
losses shall be allocated among the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests so that
(i) each of the Lower Tier REMIC I Marker Interests shall have a principal
balance equal to 25% of the principal balance of the Corresponding Certificates,
(ii) the Class LTIX Interest has a principal balance equal to the excess of (x)
50% of the remaining principal balance of the Mortgage Loans over (y) the
aggregate principal balance of the Lower Tier REMIC I Marker Interests (if
necessary to reflect an increase in overcollateralization, accrued and unpaid
interest on the Class LTIX interest may be added to its principal amount to
achieve this result) and (iii) the aggregate principal amount of the Class
LTII1A Interest, Class LTII1B Interest, Class LTII2A Interest, Class LTII2B
Interest and the Class LTIIX Interest shall equal 50% of the remaining principal
balance of the Mortgage Loans. Distributions and losses allocated to the Lower
Tier REMIC Regular Interests described in clause (iii) of the preceding sentence
will be allocated among such Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests in the following
manner: (x) such distributions shall be deemed made to such Lower

                                      -60-
<PAGE>

Tier REMIC Regular Interests first, so as to keep the principal balance of the
each such Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interest with "B" at the end of its
designation equal to 0.05% of the aggregate scheduled principal balance of the
Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Group; second, to such Lower Tier REMIC
Regular Interests with "A" at the end of its designation so that the
uncertificated principal balance of each such Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interest
is equal to 0.05% of the excess of (I) the aggregate scheduled principal balance
of the Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Group over (II) the aggregate
principal balance of Certificate Group One, in the case of the Class LTII1A
Interest, or Certificate Group Two, in the case of the Class LTII2A Interest
(except that if 0.05% of any such excess is greater than the principal amount of
the related Lower Tier REMIC II Marker Interest with "A" at the end of its
designation, the least amount of principal shall be distributed to each Lower
Tier REMIC II Marker Interest with "A" at the end of its designation such that
the Lower Tier REMIC Subordinated Balance Ratio is maintained) and finally, any
remaining distributions of principal to the Class LTIIX Interest and (y) such
losses shall be allocated among the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests described
in clause (iii) of the preceding sentence first, so as to keep the principal
balance of the each such Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interest with "B" at the end
of its designation equal to 0.05% of the aggregate scheduled principal balance
of the Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Group; second, to such Lower Tier
REMIC Regular Interests with "A" at the end of its designation so that the
uncertificated principal balance of each such Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interest
is equal to 0.05% of the excess of (I) the aggregate scheduled principal balance
of the Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Group over (II) the aggregate
principal balance of Certificate Group One, in the case of the Class LTII1A
Interest, or Certificate Group Two, in the case of the Class LTII2A Interest
(except that if 0.05% of any such excess is greater than the principal amount of
the related Lower Tier REMIC II Marker Interest with "A" at the end of its
designation, the least amount of losses shall be allocated to each Lower REMIC
II Marker Interest with "A" at the end of its designation such that the Lower
Tier REMIC Subordinated Balance Ratio is maintained) and finally, any remaining
losses to the Class LTIIX Interest. Notwithstanding the preceding two sentences,
however, losses not allocated to any Class of Certificates will not be allocated
to any Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests. All computations with respect to the
Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests shall be taken out to ten decimal places.

         Any available funds remaining in the Lower Tier REMIC on a Distribution
Date after distributions to the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests shall be
distributed to the Class R Certificates in respect of the Class LTR Interest.

         If on any Distribution Date the Certificate Principal Balance of any
Class of Certificates is increased pursuant to the last sentence of the
definition of "Certificate Principal Balance", then there shall be an equivalent
increase in the principal amounts of the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests,
with such increase allocated (before the making of distributions and the
allocation of losses on the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests on such
Distribution Date) among the Lower Tier REMIC Regular Interests so that, to the
greatest extent possible, (i) each of the Lower Tier REMIC I Marker Interests
has a principal balance equal to 25% of the principal balance of the
Corresponding Certificates, (ii) the Class LTIX Interest has a principal balance
equal to the excess of (x) 50% of the remaining principal balance of the
Mortgage Loans over (y) the aggregate principal balance of the Lower Tier REMIC
I Marker Interests and (iii) the aggregate principal amount of the Lower Tier
REMIC II Marker Interests and the Class LTIIX Interest shall equal 50% of the
remaining principal balance of the Mortgage Loans. Allocations in connection
with clause (iii) shall be made so that, to the greatest extent possible, (a)
the principal balance of each Lower Tier REMIC II Marker Interest with "B" at
the end of its designation equals 0.05% of the aggregate scheduled principal
balance of the Mortgage Loans in related Mortgage Group, (b) the principal
balance of each Lower Tier REMIC II Marker Interest with "A" at the end of its
designation equals 0.05% of the excess of (x) the aggregate scheduled principal
balance of the Mortgage Loans in related Mortgage Group over (y) the aggregate
principal balance of Certificate Group One in the case of the

                                      -61-
<PAGE>

Class LTII1A Interest, or Certificate Group Two in the case of the Class LTII2A
Interest and (c) any remaining allocations are made to the Class LTIIX Interest.

         For purposes of this Section 2.07, (i) the Class LTII1A Interest and
Class LTII1B Interest shall be related to Group One, and (ii) the Class LTII2A
Interest and Class LTII2B Interest shall be related to Group Two.

                  (i) In the event that any REMIC provided for herein fails to
qualify as a REMIC, loses its status as a REMIC or incurs federal, state or
local taxes as a result of a prohibited transaction or prohibited contribution
under the REMIC Provisions due to the negligent performance by the Servicer of
its duties and obligations set forth herein, the Servicer shall indemnify the
NIMs Insurer, the Trustee and the Trust Fund against any and all Losses
resulting from such negligence; provided, however, that the Servicer shall not
be liable for any such Losses attributable to the action or inaction of the
Trustee, the Depositor or the Holder of the residual interest in such REMIC, as
applicable, nor for any such Losses resulting from misinformation provided by
the Holder of the residual interest in such REMIC on which the Servicer has
relied. The foregoing shall not be deemed to limit or restrict the rights and
remedies of the Holder of the residual interest in such REMIC now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in no
event shall the Servicer have any liability (1) for any action or omission that
is taken in accordance with and in compliance with the express terms of, or
which is expressly permitted by the terms of, this Agreement, (2) for any Losses
other than those arising out of a negligent performance by the Servicer of its
duties and obligations set forth herein, and (3) for any special or
consequential damages to Certificateholders (in addition to payment of principal
and interest on the Certificates).

                  (j) In the event that any REMIC provided for herein fails to
qualify as a REMIC, loses its status as a REMIC, or incurs federal, state or
local taxes as a result of a prohibited transaction or prohibited contribution
under the REMIC Provisions due to the negligent performance by the Trustee of
its duties and obligations set forth herein, the Trustee shall indemnify the
NIMs Insurer and the Trust Fund against any and all Losses resulting from such
negligence; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be liable for any such
Losses attributable to the action or inaction of the Servicer, the Depositor,
the Trustee or the Holder of the residual interest in such REMIC, as applicable,
nor for any such Losses resulting from misinformation provided by the Holder of
the residual interest in such REMIC on which the Trustee has relied. The
foregoing shall not be deemed to limit or restrict the rights and remedies of
the Holder of the residual interest in such REMIC now or hereafter existing at
law or in equity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in no event shall the
Trustee have any liability (1) for any action or omission that is taken in
accordance with and in compliance with the express terms of, or which is
expressly permitted by the terms of, this Agreement, (2) for any Losses other
than those arising out of a negligent performance by the Trustee of its duties
and obligations set forth herein, and (3) for any special or consequential
damages to Certificateholders (in addition to payment of principal and interest
on the Certificates).

         SECTION 2.08. [RESERVED]

         SECTION 2.09. Covenants of the Servicer.

         The Servicer hereby covenants to each of the other parties to this
Agreement as follows:

                  (a) the Servicer shall comply in the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement with all reasonable rules and requirements of
the insurer under each Required Insurance Policy;

                                      -62-
<PAGE>

                  (b) no written information, certificate of an officer,
statement furnished in writing or written report delivered to the Depositor, the
NIMs Insurer or the Trustee, any affiliate of the Depositor, the NIMs Insurer or
the Trustee and prepared by the Servicer pursuant to this Agreement is
inaccurate in any material respect, provided, however, that the Servicer shall
not be responsible for inaccurate information provided to it by third parties.

         SECTION 2.10. [RESERVED].

         SECTION 2.11. Permitted Activities of the Trust. The Trust is created
for the object and purpose of engaging in the Permitted Activities. In
furtherance of the foregoing, the Trustee is hereby authorized and directed to
execute and deliver on behalf of the Trust, and to perform the duties and
obligations of the Trustee under, the Cap Contracts, an insurance and indemnity
agreement with a NIMs Insurer and any other agreement or instrument related
thereto, in each case in such form as the Depositor shall direct or shall
approve, the execution and delivery of any such agreement by the Depositor to be
conclusive evidence of its approval thereof.

         SECTION 2.12. Qualifying Special Purpose Entity. For purposes of SFAS
140, the parties hereto intend that the Trust Fund shall be treated as a
"qualifying special purpose entity" as such term is used in SFAS 140 and any
successor rule thereto and its power and authority as stated in Section 2.11 of
this Agreement shall be limited in accordance with paragraph 35 thereof.

                                  ARTICLE III

                          ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING
                                OF MORTGAGE LOANS

         SECTION 3.01. Servicer to Service Mortgage Loans.

         For and on behalf of the Certificateholders, the Servicer shall service
and administer the Mortgage Loans, including without limitation, any powers of
attorney, in accordance with Accepted Servicing Practices. In connection with
such servicing and administration, the Servicer shall have full power and
authority, acting alone and/or through subservicers as provided in Section 3.02
hereof, to do or cause to be done any and all things that it may deem necessary
or desirable in connection with such servicing and administration, including but
not limited to, the power and authority, subject to the terms hereof (i) to
execute and deliver, on behalf of the Certificateholders and the Trustee,
customary consents or waivers and other instruments and documents, (ii) to
consent to transfers of any Mortgaged Property (or the stock allocated to a
dwelling unit related to a Co-op Loan) and assumptions of the Mortgage Notes and
related Mortgages (but only in the manner provided in this Agreement), (iii) to
collect any Insurance Proceeds and other Liquidation Proceeds and (iv) subject
to Section 3.12(a), to effectuate foreclosure or other conversion of the
ownership of the Mortgaged Property (or the stock allocated to a dwelling unit
related to a Co-op Loan) securing any Mortgage Loan; provided that, subject to
Section 6.03, the Servicer shall not take any action that is inconsistent with
or prejudices the interests of the Trust Fund or the Certificateholders in any
Mortgage Loan serviced by it under this Agreement or the rights and interests of
the other parties to this Agreement except as otherwise required by this
Agreement or by law. The Servicer shall not make or permit any modification,
waiver or amendment of any term of any Mortgage Loan which would cause any of
the REMICs provided for herein to fail to qualify as a REMIC or result in the
imposition of any tax under Section 860G(a) or 860G(d) of the Code. The Servicer
shall represent and protect the interest of the Trust Fund in the same manner as
it currently protects its own interest in mortgage loans in its own portfolio in
any claim, proceeding or litigation regarding a Mortgage Loan, but in any case
not in any manner that is a lesser standard than that provided in the first
sentence of this Section 3.01. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Servicer, in its own name or in the

                                      -63-
<PAGE>

name of the Depositor and the Trustee, is hereby authorized and empowered by the
Depositor and the Trustee, when the Servicer believes it appropriate in its
reasonable judgment, to execute and deliver, on behalf of the Trustee, the
Depositor, the Certificateholders or any of them, any and all instruments of
satisfaction or cancellation, or of partial or full release or discharge,
subordinations and all other comparable instruments, with respect to the
Mortgage Loans, and with respect to the Mortgaged Properties held for the
benefit of the Certificateholders. The Servicer shall prepare and deliver to the
Depositor and/or the Trustee such documents requiring execution and delivery by
any or all of them as are necessary or appropriate to enable the Servicer to
service and administer the Mortgage Loans, to the extent that the Servicer is
not permitted to execute and deliver such documents pursuant to the preceding
sentence. Upon receipt of such documents, the Depositor and/or the Trustee shall
execute such documents and deliver them to the Servicer. For purposes of this
Section 3.01, the Trustee hereby grants to the Servicer a limited power of
attorney to execute and file any and all documents necessary to fulfill the
obligations of the Servicer under this Section 3.01.

         The Trustee shall execute any powers of attorney provided by the
Servicer in a form reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, promptly after request
therefor by the Servicer.

         In accordance with the standards of the preceding paragraph, the
Servicer shall advance or cause to be advanced funds as necessary for the
purpose of effecting the payment of taxes and assessments on any first lien
Mortgaged Properties, which advances shall be reimbursable in the first instance
from related collections from the Mortgagors pursuant to Section 3.06, and
further as provided in Section 3.08.

         All costs incurred by the Servicer, if any, in effecting the timely
payments of taxes and assessments on the Mortgaged Properties and related
insurance premiums shall not, for the purpose of calculating monthly
distributions to the Certificateholders, be added to the Stated Principal
Balance under the related Mortgage Loans, notwithstanding that the terms of such
Mortgage Loans so permit.

         In the event that the Mortgage Loan Documents relating to any Mortgage
Loan contain provisions requiring the related Mortgagor to submit to binding
arbitration any disputes arising in connection with such Mortgage Loan, the
Servicer shall be entitled to waive any such provisions on behalf of the Trust
and to send written notice of such waiver to the related Mortgagor, although the
Mortgagor may still require arbitration of such disputes at its option.

         The Servicer shall not be required to make any Servicing Advance with
respect to a Mortgage Loan that is 150 days or more delinquent.

         The Servicer shall deliver a list of Servicing Officers to the Trustee
by the Closing Date.

         The Servicer will transmit full-file credit reporting data for each
Mortgage Loan pursuant to Fannie Mae Guide Announcement 97-02 and that for each
Mortgage Loan, the Servicer agrees that it shall report one of the following
statuses each month as follows: current, delinquent (30-, 60-, 90-days, etc.),
foreclosed or charged-off.

         The Servicer further is authorized and empowered by the Trustee, on
behalf of the Certificateholders and the Trustee, in its own name or in the name
of the Sub-Servicer, when the Servicer or the Sub-Servicer, as the case may be,
believes it is appropriate in its best judgment to register any Mortgage Loan on
the MERS System, or cause the removal from the registration of any Mortgage Loan
on the MERS System, to execute and deliver, on behalf of the Trustee and the
Certificateholders or any of them, any and all instruments of assignment,
release and other comparable instruments with respect to such assignment,
release or re-recording of a Mortgage in the name of MERS, solely as nominee for
the Trustee and its successors and assigns. Any reasonable expenses incurred in
connection with the actions

                                      -64-
<PAGE>

described in the preceding sentence or as a result of MERS discontinuing or
becoming unable to continue operations in connection with the MERS System, shall
be subject to withdrawal by the Servicer from the Collection Account (provided
that such expenses constitute "unanticipated expenses" within the meaning of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.860G-1(b)(3)(ii)).

         With respect to any Mortgage Loan, the Servicer may consent to the
refinancing of the prior senior lien relating to such Mortgage Loan, provided
that the following requirements are met:

                  (a) the resulting Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio of such
Mortgage Loan is no higher than the Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio prior to such
refinancing; and

                  (b) the interest rate for the loan evidencing the refinanced
senior lien is no more than 2.0% higher than the interest rate on the loan
evidencing the existing senior lien immediately prior to the date of such
refinancing; and

                  (c) the loan evidencing the refinanced senior lien is not
subject to negative amortization.

         SECTION 3.02. Servicing and Subservicing; Enforcement of the
Obligations of Servicer.

                  (a) The Servicer may arrange for the subservicing of any
Mortgage Loan by a subservicer, which may be an affiliate (each, a
"subservicer") pursuant to a subservicing agreement (each, a "Subservicing
Agreement"); provided, however, that (i) such subservicing arrangement and the
terms of the related Subservicing Agreement must provide for the servicing of
such Mortgage Loans in a manner consistent with the servicing arrangements
contemplated hereunder, (ii) that such agreement would not result in a
withdrawal or downgrading by any Rating Agency of the ratings of any
Certificates or any of the NIM Notes evidenced by a letter to that effect
delivered by each such Rating Agency to the Depositor and the NIMs Insurer and
(iii) the NIMs Insurer shall have consented to such Subservicing Agreement,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the provisions
of any Subservicing Agreement, any of the provisions of this Agreement relating
to agreements or arrangements between the Servicer and a subservicer or
reference to actions taken through a subservicer or otherwise, the Servicer
shall remain obligated and liable to the Depositor, the Trustee and the
Certificateholders for the servicing and administration of the Mortgage Loans in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement without diminution of such
obligation or liability by virtue of such Subservicing Agreements or
arrangements or by virtue of indemnification from the subservicer and to the
same extent and under the same terms and conditions as if the Servicer alone
were servicing and administering the Mortgage Loans. Every Subservicing
Agreement entered into by the Servicer shall contain a provision giving any
successor servicer the option to terminate such agreement, with the consent of
the NIMs Insurer (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), in the
event a successor servicer is appointed. All actions of the each subservicer
performed pursuant to the related Subservicing Agreement shall be performed as
an agent of the Servicer with the same force and effect as if performed directly
by the Servicer. The Servicer shall deliver to the NIMs Insurer and the Trustee
copies of all Subservicing Agreements.

                  (b) For purposes of this Agreement, the Servicer shall be
deemed to have received any collections, recoveries or payments with respect to
the Mortgage Loans that are received by a subservicer regardless of whether such
payments are remitted by the subservicer to the Servicer.

         SECTION 3.03. Rights of the Depositor and the Trustee in Respect of the
Servicer.

                                      -65-
<PAGE>

         Neither the Trustee nor the Depositor shall have any responsibility or
liability for any action or failure to act by the Servicer, and neither of them
is obligated to supervise the performance of the Servicer hereunder or
otherwise.

         SECTION 3.04. Trustee to Act as Servicer.

         In the event that the Servicer shall, for any reason, no longer be the
servicer hereunder (including by reason of an Event of Default), the Trustee or
its designee shall, within a period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days from
the date of notice of termination or resignation, thereupon assume all of the
rights and obligations of the Servicer hereunder arising thereafter (except that
the Trustee shall not be (i) liable for losses of the Servicer pursuant to
Section 3.10 hereof or any acts or omissions of any predecessor servicer
hereunder, (ii) obligated to make Advances if it is prohibited from doing so by
applicable law, (iii) obligated to effectuate repurchases or substitutions of
Mortgage Loans hereunder, including pursuant to Section 2.02 or 2.03 hereof,
(iv) responsible for any expenses of the Servicer pursuant to Section 2.03 or
(v) deemed to have made any representations and warranties hereunder, including
pursuant to Section 2.04 or the first paragraph of Section 6.02 hereof;
provided, however that the Trustee or its designee, in its capacity as the
successor servicer, shall immediately assume the Servicer's obligation to make
Advances and Servicing Advances). No such termination or resignation shall
affect any obligation of the Servicer to pay amounts owed under this Agreement
and to perform its duties under this Agreement until its successor assumes all
of its rights and obligations hereunder. If the Servicer shall for any reason no
longer be the servicer (including by reason of any Event of Default), the
Trustee (or any other successor servicer) may, at its option, succeed to any
rights and obligations of the Servicer under any subservicing agreement in
accordance with the terms thereof; provided, however, that the Trustee (or any
other successor servicer) shall not incur any liability or have any obligations
in its capacity as servicer under a subservicing agreement arising prior to the
date of such succession unless it expressly elects to succeed to the rights and
obligations of the Servicer thereunder; and the Servicer shall not thereby be
relieved of any liability or obligations under the subservicing agreement
arising prior to the date of such succession. To the extent any Servicing
Transfer Costs or expenses are not paid by the Servicer pursuant to this
Agreement, such amounts shall be payable out of the Certificate Account;
provided that the terminated servicer shall reimburse the Trust Fund for any
such expense incurred by the Trust Fund upon receipt of a reasonably detailed
invoice evidencing such expenses. If the Trustee is unwilling or unable to act
as servicer, or if the NIMs Insurer so directs the Trustee, the Trustee shall
seek to appoint a successor servicer that is eligible in accordance with the
criteria specified in this Agreement and reasonably acceptable to the NIMs
Insurer.

         The Servicer shall, upon request of the Trustee, but at the expense of
the Servicer, deliver to the assuming party all documents and records relating
to each subservicing agreement and the Mortgage Loans then being serviced and
otherwise use its best efforts to effect the orderly and efficient transfer of
the subservicing agreement to the assuming party.

         SECTION 3.05. Collection of Mortgage Loan Payments; Collection Account;
Certificate Account.

                  (a) The Servicer shall make reasonable efforts in accordance
with Accepted Servicing Practices to collect all payments called for under the
terms and provisions of the Mortgage Loans to the extent such procedures shall
be consistent with this Agreement and the terms and provisions of any related
Required Insurance Policy. Consistent with the foregoing and subject to Section
3.01, the Servicer may in its discretion (i) waive any late payment charge or,
if applicable, any default interest charge, or (ii) extend the due dates for
payments due on a Mortgage Note for a period not greater than 180 days;
provided, however, that any extension pursuant to clause (ii) above shall not
affect the amortization schedule of any Mortgage Loan for purposes of any
computation hereunder,

                                      -66-
<PAGE>

except as provided below; provided, further, that the NIMs Insurer's prior
written consent shall be required for any modification, waiver or amendment
after the Cut-off Date if the aggregate number of outstanding Mortgage Loans
which have been modified, waived or amended exceeds 5% of the number of Mortgage
Loans as of the Cut-off Date. In the event of any such arrangement pursuant to
clause (ii) above, subject to Section 4.01, the Servicer shall make any Advances
on the related Mortgage Loan during the scheduled period in accordance with the
amortization schedule of such Mortgage Loan without modification thereof by
reason of such arrangements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that
any Mortgage Loan is in default or, in the judgment of the Servicer, such
default is reasonably foreseeable, the Servicer, consistent with the standards
set forth in Section 3.01, may also waive, modify or vary any term of such
Mortgage Loan (including modifications that would change the Mortgage Rate,
forgive the payment of principal or interest or extend the final maturity date
of such Mortgage Loan), accept payment from the related Mortgagor of an amount
less than the Stated Principal Balance in final satisfaction of such Mortgage
Loan, or consent to the postponement of strict compliance with any such term or
otherwise grant indulgence to any Mortgagor (any and all such waivers,
modifications, variances, forgiveness of principal or interest, postponements,
or indulgences collectively referred to herein as "forbearance"), provided,
however, that in no event shall the Servicer grant any such forbearance (other
than as permitted by the second sentence of this Section) with respect to any
one Mortgage Loan more than once in any 12 month period or more than three times
over the life of such Mortgage Loan, and provided, further, that in determining
which course of action permitted by this sentence it shall pursue, the Servicer
shall adhere to the standards of Section 3.01.

                  (b) The Servicer will not waive any Prepayment Charge or
portion thereof unless, (i) the enforceability thereof shall have been limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, receivership and other similar laws
relating to creditors' rights generally or is otherwise prohibited by law, or
(ii) the collectability thereof shall have been limited due to acceleration in
connection with a foreclosure or other involuntary payment or (iii) in the
Servicer's reasonable judgment as described in Section 3.01 hereof, (x) such
waiver relates to a default or a reasonably foreseeable default, (y) such waiver
would maximize recovery of total proceeds taking into account the value of such
Prepayment Charge and related Mortgage Loan and (z) doing so is standard and
customary in servicing similar Mortgage Loans (including any waiver of a
Prepayment Charge in connection with a refinancing of a Mortgage Loan that is
related to a default or a reasonably foreseeable default), or (iv) sufficient
information is not made available to enable it to collect the Prepayment Charge,
or (v) the collection of the Prepayment Charge or of a similar type of
prepayment premium would be considered "predatory" or "illegal" pursuant to
written guidance published by any applicable federal, state or local regulatory
authority having jurisdiction over such matters or has been challenged by any
such authority, or (vi) there is a certified class action in which a similar
type of prepayment premium is being challenged. Except as provided in the
preceding sentence, in no event will the Servicer waive a Prepayment Charge in
connection with a refinancing of a Mortgage Loan that is not related to a
default or a reasonably foreseeable default. If the Servicer waives or does not
collect all or a portion of a Prepayment Charge relating to a Principal
Prepayment in full or in part due to any action or omission of the Servicer,
other than as provided above, the Servicer shall deposit the amount of such
Prepayment Charge (or such portion thereof as had been waived for deposit) into
the Collection Account for distribution in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.

                  (c) The Servicer shall not be required to institute or join in
litigation with respect to collection of any payment (whether under a Mortgage,
Mortgage Note or otherwise or against any public or governmental authority with
respect to a taking or condemnation) if it reasonably believes that enforcing
the provision of the Mortgage or other instrument pursuant to which such payment
is required is prohibited by applicable law.

                                      -67-
<PAGE>

                  (d) The Servicer shall establish and initially maintain, on
behalf of the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders, the Collection
Account. The Servicer shall deposit into the Collection Account daily, within
two Business Days of receipt thereof, in immediately available funds, the
following payments and collections received or made by it on and after the
Cut-off Date with respect to the Mortgage Loans:

                           (i) all payments on account of principal, including
Principal Prepayments, on the Mortgage Loans, other than principal due on the
Mortgage Loans on or prior to the Cut-off Date;

                           (ii) all payments on account of interest on the
Mortgage Loans net of the related Servicing Fee permitted under Section 3.15,
other than (x) interest due on the Mortgage Loans on or prior to the Cut-off
Date and (y) Prepayment Interest Excess;

                           (iii) all Liquidation Proceeds, other than proceeds
to be applied to the restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property (or
Underlying Mortgaged Property, in the case of a Co-op Loan) or released to
either the Mortgagor or the holder of a senior lien on the Mortgaged Property
(or Underlying Mortgaged Property, in the case of a Co-op Loan) in accordance
with the Servicer's normal servicing procedures;

                           (iv) all Subsequent Recoveries;

                           (v) all Compensating Interest;

                           (vi) any amount required to be deposited by the
Servicer pursuant to Section 3.05(f) in connection with any losses on Permitted
Investments;

                           (vii) any amounts required to be deposited by the
Servicer pursuant to Section 3.10 hereof;

                           (viii) all Purchase Prices and Substitution
Adjustment Amounts;

                           (ix) all Advances made by the Servicer pursuant to
Section 4.01;

                           (x) all Prepayment Charges;

                           (xi) all net monthly rental income from REO
Properties required to be deposited by the Servicer pursuant to Section 3.12;

                           (xii) any amounts required to be deposited by the
Servicer pursuant to Section 3.27 hereof; and

                           (xiii) any other amounts required to be deposited
hereunder.

         The foregoing requirements for remittance by the Servicer into the
Collection Account shall be exclusive, it being understood and agreed that,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all servicing-related fees,
including all late payment charges, insufficient funds charges and payments in
the nature of assumption fees (i.e. fees related to the assumption of a Mortgage
Loan upon the purchase of the related Mortgaged Property or stock allocated to a
dwelling unit in the case of a Co-op Loan), modification fees, extension fees
and other similar ancillary fees and charges (other than Prepayment Charges) if
collected, and any Excess Proceeds or Prepayment Interest Excess need not be
remitted by the Servicer. Rather, such fees and charges and similar amounts may
be retained by the Servicer as

                                      -68-
<PAGE>

additional servicing compensation. In the event that the Servicer shall remit
any amount not required to be remitted and not otherwise subject to withdrawal
pursuant to Section 3.08 hereof, it may at any time withdraw or direct the
Trustee, or such other institution maintaining the Collection Account, to
withdraw such amount from the Collection Account, any provision herein to the
contrary notwithstanding. The Servicer shall maintain adequate records with
respect to all withdrawals made pursuant to this Section. All funds deposited in
the Collection Account shall be held in trust for the Certificateholders until
withdrawn in accordance with Section 3.08. In no event shall the Trustee incur
liability for withdrawals from the Collection Account at the direction of the
Servicer.

         The Servicer shall give notice to the NIMs Insurer and the Trustee of
the location of the Collection Account maintained by it when established and
prior to any change thereof. Not later than twenty days after each Distribution
Date, the Servicer shall forward to the NIMs Insurer, and upon request, to the
Trustee and the Depositor the most current available bank statement for the
Collection Account. Copies of such statement shall be provided by the Trustee to
any Certificateholder and to any Person identified to the Trustee as a
prospective transferee of a Certificate, upon request at the expense of the
requesting party, provided such statement is delivered by the Servicer to the
Trustee.

                  (e) The Trustee shall establish and maintain, on behalf of the
Certificateholders, the Certificate Account. The Trustee shall, promptly upon
receipt, deposit or cause to be deposited in the Certificate Account and retain
therein the following:

                           (i) the aggregate amount withdrawn by the Servicer
from the Collection Account and required to be deposited in the Certificate
Account;

                           (ii) any amount required to be deposited by the
Trustee pursuant to Section 3.05(g) in connection with any losses on Permitted
Investments; and

                           (iii) the Optional Termination Amount paid by the
winning bidder at the Auction or by the NIMs Insurer or the Servicer pursuant to
Section 9.01.

         Any amounts received by the Trustee prior to 3:00 p.m. New York City
time (or such earlier deadline for investment in the Permitted Investments
designated by the Trustee) which are required to be deposited in the Certificate
Account by the Servicer shall be invested in Permitted Investments on the
Business Day on which they were received. The foregoing requirements for
remittance by the Servicer and deposit by the Servicer into the Certificate
Account shall be exclusive. In the event that the Servicer shall remit any
amount not required to be remitted and not otherwise subject to withdrawal
pursuant to Section 3.08 hereof, it may at any time withdraw such amount from
the Certificate Account, any provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding.
All funds deposited in the Certificate Account shall be held by the Trustee in
trust for the Certificateholders until disbursed in accordance with this
Agreement or withdrawn in accordance with Section 3.08. In no event shall the
Trustee incur liability for withdrawals from the Certificate Account at the
direction of the Servicer. The Trustee shall give notice to the NIMs Insurer and
the Servicer of the location of the Certificate Account maintained by it when
established and prior to any change thereof.

                  (f) Each institution that maintains the Collection Account or
the Certificate Account shall invest the funds in each such account as directed
by the Servicer or the Trustee, as applicable, in writing, in Permitted
Investments, which shall mature not later than (i) in the case of the Collection
Account the Business Day preceding the related Servicer Remittance Date (except
that if such Permitted Investment is an obligation of the institution that
maintains such Collection Account or is otherwise immediately available, then
such Permitted Investment shall mature not later than the Servicer Remittance
Date) and (ii) in the case of the Certificate Account, the Business Day
immediately

                                      -69-
<PAGE>

preceding the first Distribution Date that follows the date of such investment
(except that if such Permitted Investment is an obligation of the institution
that maintains such Certificate Account or is otherwise immediately available,
then such Permitted Investment shall mature not later than such Distribution
Date) and, in each case, shall not be sold or disposed of prior to its maturity.
All such Permitted Investments shall be made in the name of the Servicer or the
Trustee, as applicable, for the benefit of the Certificateholders. All income
and gain net of any losses realized from amounts on deposit in the Collection
Account shall be for the benefit of the Servicer as servicing compensation and
shall be remitted to it or withdrawn by it monthly as provided herein. The
amount of any losses incurred in the Collection Account in respect of any such
investments shall be deposited by the Servicer in the Collection Account out of
the Servicer's own funds immediately as realized.

                  (g) All income and gain net of any losses realized from
amounts on deposit in the Certificate Account shall be for the benefit of the
Trustee and shall be remitted to or withdrawn by it monthly as provided herein.
The amount of any losses incurred in the Certificate Account in respect of any
such investments shall be deposited by the Trustee, in the Certificate Account
out of the Trustee's own funds immediately as realized.

         SECTION 3.06. Collection of Taxes, Assessments and Similar Items;
Escrow Accounts.

         To the extent required by the related first lien Mortgage Note, the
Servicer shall establish and maintain one or more accounts (each, an "Escrow
Account") and deposit and retain therein all collections from the Mortgagors (or
advances by the Servicer) for the payment of taxes, assessments, hazard
insurance premiums or comparable items for the account of the Mortgagors.
Nothing herein shall require the Servicer to compel a Mortgagor to establish an
Escrow Account in violation of applicable law.

         Withdrawals of amounts so collected from the Escrow Accounts may be
made only to effect timely payment of taxes, assessments, hazard insurance
premiums, condominium or PUD association dues, or comparable items, to reimburse
the Servicer out of related collections for any payments made pursuant to
Sections 3.01 hereof (with respect to taxes, assessments, dues or comparable
items and insurance premiums) and 3.10 hereof (with respect to hazard
insurance), to refund to any Mortgagors any sums as may be determined to be
overages, to pay interest, if required by law or the terms of the related
Mortgage or Mortgage Note, to Mortgagors on balances in the Escrow Account to
withdraw funds deposited in error or amounts previously deposited but returned
as unpaid due to a "not sufficient funds" or other denial by the related
Mortgagor's banking institution or to clear and terminate the Escrow Account at
the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.01 hereof. The
Escrow Accounts shall not be a part of the Trust Fund.

         SECTION 3.07. Access to Certain Documentation and Information Regarding
the Mortgage Loans.

         Upon reasonable advance notice in writing if required by federal
regulation, the Servicer will provide to each Certificateholder that is a
savings and loan association, bank or insurance company certain reports and
reasonable access to information and documentation regarding the Mortgage Loans
sufficient to permit such Certificateholder to comply with applicable
regulations of the OTS or other regulatory authorities with respect to
investment in the Certificates; provided, that the Servicer shall be entitled to
be reimbursed by each such Certificateholder for actual expenses incurred by the
Servicer in providing such reports and access.

         SECTION 3.08. Permitted Withdrawals from the Collection Account and
Certificate Account.

                                      -70-
<PAGE>

                  (a) The Servicer may from time to time, make withdrawals from
the Collection Account for the following purposes (the order below not
constituting an order of priority):

                           (i) to pay to the Servicer (to the extent not
previously paid to or withheld by the Servicer), as servicing compensation in
accordance with Section 3.15, that portion of any payment or recovery of
interest on a Mortgage Loan that equals the Servicing Fee for the period with
respect to which such interest payment or recovery was made or allocated, and,
as additional servicing compensation, those other amounts set forth in Section
3.15;

                           (ii) to reimburse the Servicer for Advances made by
it (or to reimburse the Advancing Person for Advances made by it) with respect
to the Mortgage Loans, such right of reimbursement pursuant to this subclause
(ii) being limited to amounts received on particular Mortgage Loan(s)
(including, for this purpose, Condemnation Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds,
Liquidation Proceeds) that represent late recoveries of payments of principal
and/or interest on such particular Mortgage Loan(s) in respect of which any such
Advance was made;

                           (iii) to reimburse the Servicer for any
Non-Recoverable Advance previously made and any Non-Recoverable Servicing
Advances previously made to the extent that, in the case of Non-Recoverable
Servicing Advances, reimbursement therefor constitutes "unanticipated expenses"
within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.860G-1(b)(3)(ii);

                           (iv) to pay to the Servicer earnings on or investment
income with respect to funds in or credited to the Collection Account;

                           (v) to reimburse the Servicer from Insurance Proceeds
for Insured Expenses covered by the related Insurance Policy;

                           (vi) to pay the Servicer any unpaid Servicing Fees
and to reimburse it for any unreimbursed Servicing Advances (to the extent that
reimbursement for Servicing Advances would constitute an "unanticipated expense"
within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.860G-1(b)(3)(ii)), the
Servicer's right to reimbursement of Servicing Advances pursuant to this
subclause (vi) with respect to any Mortgage Loan being limited to amounts
received on particular Mortgage Loan(s)(including, for this purpose, Liquidation
Proceeds and purchase and repurchase proceeds) that represent late recoveries of
the payments for which such advances were made pursuant to Section 3.01 or
Section 3.06;

                           (vii) to pay to the Depositor, with respect to each
Mortgage Loan or property acquired in respect thereof that has been purchased
pursuant to Section 2.02 or 2.03, all amounts received thereon and not taken
into account in determining the related Stated Principal Balance of such
repurchased Mortgage Loan;

                           (viii) to reimburse the Servicer or the Depositor for
expenses incurred by any of them in connection with the Mortgage Loans or the
Certificates and reimbursable pursuant to Section 3.25 or Section 6.03 hereof;

                           (ix) to reimburse the Trustee for enforcement
expenses reasonably incurred in respect of a breach or defect giving rise to the
purchase obligation in Section 2.03 including any expenses arising out of the
enforcement of the purchase obligation; provided that any such expenses will be
reimbursable under this subclause (ix) only to the extent that such expenses
would constitute "unanticipated expenses" within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.860G-1(b)(3)(ii) if paid by one of the REMICs provided for
herein;

                                      -71-
<PAGE>

                           (x) to withdraw any amount deposited in the
Collection Account and not required to be deposited therein;

                           (xi) to withdraw funds deposited in error or amounts
previously deposited but returned as unpaid due to a "not sufficient funds" or
other denial by the related Mortgagor's banking institution;

                           (xii) to pay to the Servicer any unpaid Servicing
Fees for any Mortgage Loan upon such Mortgage Loan being charged off and upon
termination of the obligations of the Servicer;

                           (xiii) to clear and terminate the Collection Account
upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.01 hereof;

                           (xiv) to reimburse itself for Advances or Servicing
Advances from amounts in the Collection Account held for future distributions
that were not included in Available Funds for the preceding Distribution Date.
An amount equal to the amount withdrawn from the Collection Account pursuant to
this subclause (xiv) shall be deposited in the Collection Account by the
Servicer on the next succeeding Distribution Date on which funds are to be
distributed to Certificateholders; and

                           (xv) to reimburse itself from any amounts in the
Collection Account for any prior Advances which have not otherwise been
reimbursed at the time a Mortgage Loan is modified.

         In addition, no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the Servicer
Remittance Date, the Servicer shall cause to be withdrawn from the Collection
Account the Interest Funds and the Principal Funds to the extent on deposit, and
such amount shall be deposited in the Certificate Account; provided, however, if
the Trustee does not receive such Interest Funds and Principal Funds by 4:00
p.m. Eastern Time, such Interest Funds and Principal Funds shall be deposited in
the Certificate Account on the next Business Day.

         With respect to any Mortgage Loan-specific withdrawal, the Servicer
shall keep and maintain separate accounting, on a Mortgage Loan by Mortgage Loan
basis, for the purpose of justifying any withdrawal from the Collection Account.

         The Servicer shall provide written notification to the Trustee and the
NIMs Insurer on or prior to the next succeeding Servicer Remittance Date upon
making any withdrawals from the Collection Account pursuant to subclauses (iii)
and (viii) above.

         In the event of any failure by the Servicer to remit to the Trustee for
deposit into the Certificate Account any amounts (including any Advance)
required to be so remitted by the Servicer on the Servicer Remittance Date, the
Servicer shall pay to the Trustee, for its own account, interest on such amounts
at the "prime rate" (as specified in the New York edition of The Wall Street
Journal) until such failure is remedied.

         Unless otherwise specified, any amounts reimbursable to the Servicer or
the Trustee from amounts on deposit in the Collection Account or the Certificate
Accounts shall be deemed to come from first, Interest Funds, and thereafter,
Principal Funds for the related Distribution Date.

                  (b) The Trustee shall withdraw funds from the Certificate
Account for distribution to the Certificateholders in the manner specified in
this Agreement (and shall withhold from the amounts so withdrawn, the amount of
any taxes that it is authorized to retain pursuant to this Agreement). In

                                      -72-
<PAGE>

addition, the Trustee shall from time to time make withdrawals from the
Certificate Account for the following purposes (the order below not constituting
an order of priority):

                           (i) to withdraw any amount deposited in the
Certificate Account and not required to be deposited therein;

                           (ii) to clear and terminate the Certificate Account
upon termination of the Agreement pursuant to Section 9.01 hereof (after paying
all amounts necessary to the Trustee or the Servicer in connection with any such
termination);

                           (iii) to reimburse the Trustee for expenses incurred
by the Trustee reimbursable pursuant to Section 8.06 hereof;

                           (iv) [RESERVED]; and

                           (v) to pay to the Trustee earnings on or investment
income with respect to funds in or credited to the Certificate Account.

         SECTION 3.09. [RESERVED]

         SECTION 3.10. Maintenance of Hazard Insurance.

         The Servicer shall cause to be maintained, for each first lien Mortgage
Loan (other than a Co-op Loan), fire and hazard insurance with extended coverage
in an amount, to the extent permitted by law, that is at least equal to the
lesser of (i) the replacement value of the improvements that are part of such
Mortgaged Property, or (ii) the greater of (a) the outstanding principal balance
of the Mortgage Loan and (b) an amount such that the proceeds of such policy
shall be sufficient to prevent the related Mortgagor and/or mortgagee from
becoming a co-insurer or (iii) the amount required under applicable HUD/FHA
regulations. Each policy of standard hazard insurance shall contain, or have an
accompanying endorsement that contains, a standard mortgagee clause. The
Servicer shall also cause flood insurance to be maintained on property acquired
upon foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure of any Mortgage Loan, to the
extent described below. Pursuant to Section 3.05 hereof, any amounts collected
by the Servicer under any such policies (other than the amounts to be applied to
the restoration or repair of the related Mortgaged Property or property thus
acquired or amounts released to the Mortgagor in accordance with the Servicer's
normal servicing procedures) shall be deposited in the Collection Account. Any
cost incurred by the Servicer in maintaining any such insurance shall not, for
the purpose of calculating monthly distributions to the Certificateholders or
remittances to the Trustee for their benefit, be added to the principal balance
of the Mortgage Loan, notwithstanding that the terms of the Mortgage Loan so
permit. Such costs shall be recoverable by the Servicer out of late payments by
the related Mortgagor or out of Liquidation Proceeds to the extent and as
otherwise permitted by Section 3.08 hereof. It is understood and agreed that no
earthquake or other additional insurance is to be required of any Mortgagor or
maintained on property acquired in respect of a Mortgage other than pursuant to
such applicable laws and regulations as shall at any time be in force and as
shall require such additional insurance. If a first lien Mortgaged Property is
located at the time of origination of the Mortgage Loan in a federally
designated special flood hazard area and such area is participating in the
national flood insurance program, the Servicer shall cause flood insurance to be
maintained with respect to such first lien Mortgage Loan. Such flood insurance
shall be in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the original principal balance
of the related Mortgage Loan, (ii) the replacement value of the improvements
that are part of such Mortgaged Property, or (iii) the maximum amount of such
insurance available for the related Mortgaged Property under the Flood Disaster
Protection Act of 1973, as amended.

                                      -73-
<PAGE>

         In the event that the Servicer shall obtain and maintain a blanket
policy insuring against hazard losses on all of the Mortgage Loans, it shall
conclusively be deemed to have satisfied its obligations as set forth in the
first sentence of this Section 3.10, it being understood and agreed that such
policy may contain a deductible clause on terms substantially equivalent to
those commercially available and maintained by comparable servicers. If such
policy contains a deductible clause, the Servicer shall, in the event that there
shall not have been maintained on the related Mortgaged Property a policy
complying with the first sentence of this Section 3.10, and there shall have
been a loss that would have been covered by such policy, deposit in the
Collection Account the amount not otherwise payable under the blanket policy
because of such deductible clause which amount shall be deemed to be that in
excess of $1500 not payable under the blanket policy (i.e. the amount deemed
deductible under an individual policy). In connection with its activities as
servicer of the Mortgage Loans, the Servicer agrees to present, on behalf of
itself, the Depositor and the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders,
claims under any such blanket policy.

         SECTION 3.11. Enforcement of Due-On-Sale Clauses; Assumption
Agreements.

          When a Mortgaged Property has been or is about to be conveyed by the
Mortgagor, the Servicer shall, except as set forth below, to the extent it has
knowledge of such conveyance or prospective conveyance, exercise its rights to
accelerate the maturity of the related Mortgage Loan under any "due-on-sale"
clause contained in the related Mortgage or Mortgage Note; provided, however,
that the Servicer shall not exercise any such right if the "due-on-sale" clause,
in the reasonable belief of the Servicer, is not enforceable under applicable
law; provided, further, that the Servicer shall not take any action in relation
to the enforcement of any "due-on-sale" clause which would adversely affect or
jeopardize coverage under any Required Insurance Policy. An Opinion of Counsel
at the expense of the Servicer (which expense shall constitute a Servicing
Advance) delivered to the Trustee and the Depositor shall conclusively establish
the reasonableness of the Servicer's belief that any "due-on-sale" clause is not
enforceable under applicable law, but such Opinion of Counsel shall not be
required. In such event, the Servicer shall make reasonable efforts to enter
into an assumption and modification agreement with the Person to whom such
property has been or is about to be conveyed, pursuant to which such Person
becomes liable under the Mortgage Note and, unless prohibited by applicable law
or the Mortgage, the Mortgagor remains liable thereon. If the foregoing is not
permitted under applicable law, the Servicer is authorized to enter into a
substitution of liability agreement with such Person, pursuant to which the
original Mortgagor is released from liability and such Person is substituted as
Mortgagor and becomes liable under the Note. In addition to the foregoing, the
Servicer shall not be required to enforce any "due-on-sale" clause if in the
reasonable judgment of the Servicer, entering into an assumption and
modification agreement with a Person to whom such property shall be conveyed and
releasing the original Mortgagor from liability would be in the best interests
of the Certificateholders. The Mortgage Loan, as assumed, shall conform in all
respects to the requirements, representations and warranties of this Agreement.
The Servicer shall notify the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer that any such
assumption or substitution agreement has been completed by forwarding to the
Trustee (with a copy to the NIMs Insurer) the original copy of such assumption
or substitution agreement (indicating the Mortgage File to which it relates)
which copy shall be added by the Trustee to the related Mortgage File and which
shall, for all purposes, be considered a part of such Mortgage File to the same
extent as all other documents and instruments constituting a part thereof. The
Servicer shall be responsible for recording any such assumption or substitution
agreements. In connection with any such assumption or substitution agreement, no
material term of the Mortgage Note (including, but not limited to, the Mortgage
Rate, the amount of Scheduled Payment, the Maximum Rate, the Minimum Rate, the
Gross Margin, the Periodic Rate Cap, the Adjustment Date, a Prepayment Charge or
any other term affecting the amount or timing of payment) shall be changed nor
shall any required monthly payments of principal or interest be deferred or
forgiven. Any fee collected by the Servicer for consenting to any such
conveyance or entering into an

                                      -74-
<PAGE>
assumption or substitution agreement shall be retained by or paid to the
Servicer as additional servicing compensation.

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph or any other provision
  of this Agreement, the Servicer shall not be deemed to be in default, breach
  or any other violation of its obligations hereunder by reason of any
  assumption of a Mortgage Loan by operation of law or any assumption which the
  Servicer may be restricted by law from preventing.

         SECTION 3.12. Realization Upon Defaulted Mortgage Loans; Determination
of Excess Proceeds.

                  (a) The Servicer shall use reasonable efforts consistent with
the servicing standard set forth in Section 3.01 to foreclose upon or otherwise
comparably convert the ownership of properties securing such of the Mortgage
Loans as come into and continue in default and as to which no satisfactory
arrangements can be made for collection of Delinquent payments. In connection
with such foreclosure or other conversion, the Servicer shall follow such
practices and procedures as it shall deem necessary or advisable and as shall be
normal and usual in its general mortgage servicing activities and the
requirements of the insurer under any Required Insurance Policy; provided,
however, that the Servicer shall not be required to expend its own funds in
connection with the restoration of any property that shall have suffered damage
due to an uninsured cause unless it shall determine (i) that such restoration
will increase the proceeds of liquidation of the Mortgage Loan after
reimbursement to itself of such expenses and (ii) that such expenses will be
recoverable to it through Liquidation Proceeds (respecting which it shall have
priority for purposes of withdrawals from the Collection Account pursuant to
Section 3.08 hereof). The Servicer shall be responsible for all other costs and
expenses incurred by it in any such proceedings; provided, however, that it
shall be entitled to reimbursement thereof from the proceeds of liquidation of
the related Mortgaged Property (or stock allocated to a dwelling unit, in the
case of a Co-op Loan) and if applicable, as a Non-Recoverable Servicing Advance,
as contemplated in Section 3.08 hereof. Any Mortgage Loan that is charged off
may be sold to the majority Certificateholder of the Class C Certificates, at
its option, at its fair market value after the time period specified in (e)
below. If the Servicer has knowledge that a Mortgaged Property (or Underlying
Mortgaged Property, in the case of a Co-op Loan) that the Servicer is
contemplating acquiring in foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure is
located within a one-mile radius of any site with environmental or hazardous
waste risks known to the Servicer, the Servicer will, prior to acquiring the
Mortgaged Property (or stock allocated to a dwelling unit, in the case of a
Co-op Loan), consider such risks and only take action in accordance with
Accepted Servicing Practices.

         With respect to any REO Property, the deed or certificate of sale shall
be taken in the name of the Trustee or its nominee. Pursuant to its efforts to
sell such REO Property, the Servicer shall either itself or through an agent
selected by the Servicer protect and conserve such REO Property in the same
manner and to such extent as is customary in the locality where such REO
Property is located and may, incident to its conservation and protection of the
interests of the Certificateholders, rent the same, or any part thereof, as the
Servicer deems to be in the best interest of the Servicer and the
Certificateholders for the period prior to the sale of such REO Property. The
Servicer shall prepare a statement with respect to each REO Property that has
been rented showing the aggregate rental income received and all expenses
incurred in connection with the management and maintenance of such REO Property
at such times as is necessary to enable the Servicer to comply with the
reporting requirements of the REMIC Provisions. The net monthly rental income,
if any, from such REO Property shall be deposited in the Collection Account no
later than the close of business on the Determination Date immediately following
the month concerned. The Servicer shall perform the tax reporting and
withholding related to foreclosures, abandonments and cancellation of
indebtedness income as specified by Sections 1445, 6050J and 6050P of the Code
by preparing and filing such tax and information returns, as may be required.

                                      -75-
<PAGE>

         In the event that the Trust Fund acquires any Mortgaged Property (or
stock allocated to a dwelling unit, in the case of a Co-op Loan) as aforesaid or
otherwise in connection with a default or imminent default on a Mortgage Loan,
the Servicer shall dispose of such Mortgaged Property (or stock allocated to a
dwelling unit, in the case of a Co-op Loan) prior to the expiration of three
years from the end of the year of its acquisition by the Trust Fund or, at the
expense of the Trust Fund, obtain, in accordance with applicable procedures for
obtaining an automatic extension of the grace period, more than 60 days prior to
the day on which such three-year period would otherwise expire, an extension of
the three-year grace period, in which case such property must be disposed of
prior to the end of such extension, unless the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer
shall have been supplied with an Opinion of Counsel (such Opinion of Counsel not
to be an expense of the Trustee or the NIMs Insurer), to the effect that the
holding by the Trust Fund of such Mortgaged Property (or stock allocated to a
dwelling unit, in the case of a Co-op Loan) subsequent to such three-year period
or extension will not result in the imposition of taxes on "prohibited
transactions" of the Trust Fund or any of the REMICs provided for herein as
defined in section 860F of the Code or cause any of the REMICs provided for
herein to fail to qualify as a REMIC at any time that any Certificates are
outstanding, in which case the Trust Fund may continue to hold such Mortgaged
Property (or stock allocated to a dwelling unit, in the case of a Co-op Loan)
(subject to any conditions contained in such Opinion of Counsel).
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Mortgaged Property (or
stock allocated to a dwelling unit, in the case of a Co-op Loan) acquired by the
Trust Fund shall be held, rented (or allowed to continue to be rented) or
otherwise used for the production of income by or on behalf of the Trust Fund in
such a manner or pursuant to any terms that would (i) cause such Mortgaged
Property (or stock allocated to a dwelling unit, in the case of a Co-op Loan) to
fail to qualify as "foreclosure property" within the meaning of section
860G(a)(8) of the Code or (ii) subject the Trust Fund or any REMIC provided for
herein to the imposition of any federal, state or local income taxes on the
income earned from such Mortgaged Property (or stock allocated to a dwelling
unit, in the case of a Co-op Loan) under section 860G(c) of the Code or
otherwise, unless the Servicer or the Depositor has agreed to indemnify and hold
harmless the Trust Fund with respect to the imposition of any such taxes. The
Servicer shall have no liability for any losses resulting from a foreclosure on
a second lien Mortgage Loan in connection with the foreclosure of the related
first lien mortgage loan that is not a Mortgage Loan if the Servicer does not
receive notice of such foreclosure action.

         The decision of the Servicer to foreclose on a defaulted Mortgage Loan
shall be subject to a determination by the Servicer that the proceeds of such
foreclosure would exceed the costs and expenses of bringing such a proceeding.
The income earned from the management of any Mortgaged Properties acquired
through foreclosure or other judicial proceeding, net of reimbursement to the
Servicer for expenses incurred (including any property or other taxes) in
connection with such management and net of unreimbursed Servicing Fees,
Advances, Servicing Advances and any management fee paid or to be paid with
respect to the management of such Mortgaged Property (or stock allocated to a
dwelling unit, in the case of Co-op Loan), shall be applied for the purpose of
the Trust Fund to the payment of principal of, and interest on, the related
defaulted Mortgage Loans (with interest accruing as though such Mortgage Loans
were still current) and all such net income shall be deemed, for all purposes
and as between the parties to this Agreement, to be payments on account of
principal and interest on the related Mortgage Notes and shall be deposited into
the Collection Account. To the extent that any such net income received during a
Prepayment Period is in excess of the amount attributable to amortizing
principal and accrued interest at the related Mortgage Rate on the related
Mortgage Loan, such excess shall be considered to be a partial Principal
Prepayment for all purposes hereof.

         The Liquidation Proceeds from any liquidation of a Mortgage Loan, net
of any payment to the Servicer as provided above, shall be deposited in the
Collection Account on the next succeeding Determination Date following receipt
thereof for distribution on the related Distribution Date.

                                      -76-
<PAGE>
         The proceeds of any Liquidated Loan, as well as any recovery resulting
from a partial collection of Liquidation Proceeds, will be applied as between
the parties in the following order of priority: first, to reimburse the Servicer
for any related unreimbursed Servicing Advances and unpaid Servicing Fees,
pursuant to Section 3.08(a)(vi) or this Section 3.12; second, to reimburse the
Servicer for any unreimbursed Advances, pursuant to Section 3.08(a)(ii) or this
Section 3.12; third, to accrued and unpaid interest (to the extent no Advance
has been made for such amount) on the Mortgage Loan, at the applicable Net
Mortgage Rate to the Due Date occurring in the month in which such amounts are
required to be distributed; and fourth, as a recovery of principal of the
Mortgage Loan, and fifth to any Prepayment Charges.

         The proceeds of any net income from an REO Property will be applied as
between the parties in the following order of priority: first, to reimburse the
Servicer for any related unreimbursed Servicing Advances and unpaid Servicing
Fees, pursuant to Section 3.08(a)(vi) or this Section 3.12; second, to reimburse
the Servicer for any unreimbursed Advances, pursuant to Section 3.08(a)(ii) or
this Section 3.12; third, as a recovery of principal; fourth, to accrued and
unpaid interest (to the extent no Advance has been made for such amount) on the
related REO Property, at the applicable Net Mortgage Rate to the Due Date
occurring in the month in which such amounts are required to be distributed.

                  (b) On each Determination Date, the Servicer shall determine
the respective aggregate amounts of Excess Proceeds, if any, that occurred in
the related Prepayment Period.

                  (c) [Reserved]

                  (d) With respect to such of the Mortgage Loans as come into
and continue in default, the Servicer will decide, in its reasonable business
judgment, whether to (i) foreclose upon the Mortgaged Properties securing those
Mortgage Loans pursuant to Section 3.12(a), (ii) write off the unpaid principal
balance of the Mortgage Loans as bad debt (unless the Servicer, after making a
reasonable estimate of the expected recovery, determines that foreclosure
proceedings or other liquidation of the related Mortgaged Property would yield a
net recovery), (iii) take a deed in lieu of foreclosure, (iv) accept a short
sale or short refinance; (v) arrange for a repayment plan, or (vi) agree to a
modification of such Mortgage Loan. As to any Mortgage Loan that becomes 120
days delinquent, the Servicer shall obtain a broker's price opinion, the cost of
which will be reimbursable as a Servicing Advance. After obtaining the broker's
price opinion, the Servicer will determine, in its reasonable business judgment,
whether foreclosure proceedings or other liquidation of the related Mortgage
Property would yield a net recovery. The Servicer may charge off the related
Mortgage Loan at the time it becomes 180 days delinquent (unless the Servicer,
after making a reasonable estimate of the expected recovery, determines that
foreclosure proceedings or other liquidation of the related Mortgaged Property
would yield a net recovery). Once a Mortgage Loan has been charged off, the
Servicer will discontinue making Advances, the Servicer will not be entitled to
Servicing Fees with respect to such Mortgage Loan, and the Mortgage Loan will be
treated as a Liquidated Loan. If the Servicer determines that foreclosure
proceedings or other liquidation of the related Mortgaged Property would yield a
net recovery on a Mortgage Loan that becomes 180 days delinquent, the Servicer
may continue making Advances, and the Servicer will be required to notify the
Trustee of such decision.

         SECTION 3.13. Trustee to Cooperate; Release of Mortgage Files.

         Upon the payment in full of any Mortgage Loan, or the receipt by the
Servicer of a notification that payment in full will be escrowed in a manner
customary for such purposes, the Servicer will promptly notify the Trustee or
its designee by delivering a Request for Release substantially in the form of
Exhibit I. Upon receipt of two copies of such request, the Trustee or its
designee shall promptly release the related Mortgage File to the Servicer, and
the Servicer is authorized to cause the removal from

                                      -77-
<PAGE>

registration on the MERS System of any such Mortgage if applicable, and the
Servicer, on behalf of the Trustee shall execute and deliver the request for
reconveyance, deed of reconveyance or release or satisfaction of mortgage or
such instrument releasing the lien of the Mortgage together with the Mortgage
Note with written evidence of cancellation thereon. Expenses incurred in
connection with any instrument of satisfaction or deed of reconveyance shall be
chargeable to the Mortgagor to the extent permitted by law, and otherwise to the
Trust Fund to the extent such expenses constitute "unanticipated expenses"
within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.860G-(1)(b)(3)(ii). From
time to time and as shall be appropriate for the servicing or foreclosure of any
Mortgage Loan, including for such purpose, collection under any policy of flood
insurance, any fidelity bond or errors or omissions policy, or for the purposes
of effecting a partial release of any Mortgaged Property from the lien of the
Mortgage or the making of any corrections to the Mortgage Note or the Mortgage
or any of the other documents included in the Mortgage File, the Trustee or its
designee shall, upon delivery to the Trustee or its designee of a Request for
Release in the form of Exhibit I signed by a Servicing Officer, release the
Mortgage File to the Servicer. Subject to the further limitations set forth
below, the Servicer shall cause the Mortgage File or documents so released to be
returned to the Trustee or its designee when the need therefor by the Servicer
no longer exists, unless the Mortgage Loan is liquidated and the proceeds
thereof are deposited in the Collection Account.

         Each Request for Release may be delivered to the Trustee or its
designee (i) via mail or courier, (ii) via facsimile or (iii) by such other
means, including, without limitation, electronic or computer readable medium, as
the Servicer and the Trustee or its designee shall mutually agree. The Trustee
or its designee shall promptly release the related Mortgage File(s) within five
(5) Business Days of receipt of a properly completed Request for Release
pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above. Receipt of a properly completed
Request for Release shall be authorization to the Trustee or its designee to
release such Mortgage Files, provided the Trustee or its designee has determined
that such Request for Release has been executed, with respect to clauses (i) or
(ii) above, or approved, with respect to clause (iii) above, by an authorized
Servicing Officer of the Servicer, and so long as the Trustee or its designee
complies with its duties and obligations under the agreement. If the Trustee or
its designee is unable to release the Mortgage Files within the period
previously specified, the Trustee or its designee shall immediately notify the
Servicer indicating the reason for such delay. If the Servicer is required to
pay penalties or damages due to the Trustee or its designee's negligent failure
to release the related Mortgage File or the Trustee or its designee's negligent
failure to execute and release documents in a timely manner, the Trustee or its
designee, shall be liable for such penalties or damages respectively caused by
it.

         On each day that the Servicer remits to the Trustee or its designee
Requests for Releases pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iii) above, the Servicer
shall also submit to the Trustee or its designee a summary of the total number
of such Requests for Releases requested on such day by the same method as
described in such clauses (ii) and (iii) above.

         If the Servicer at any time seeks to initiate a foreclosure proceeding
in respect of any Mortgaged Property (or stock allocated to a dwelling unit, in
the case of a Co-op Loan) as authorized by this Agreement, the Servicer may
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee or its designee, for signature,
as appropriate or on behalf of the Trustee, execute any court pleadings,
requests for trustee's sale or other documents necessary to effectuate such
foreclosure or any legal action brought to obtain judgment against the Mortgagor
on the Mortgage Note or the Mortgage or to obtain a deficiency judgment or to
enforce any other remedies or rights provided by the Mortgage Note or the
Mortgage or otherwise available at law or in equity. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Servicer shall cause possession of any Mortgage File or of the
documents therein that shall have been released by the Trustee or its designee
to be returned to the Trustee promptly after possession thereof shall have been
released by the Trustee or its designee unless (i) the Mortgage Loan has been
liquidated and the Liquidation Proceeds relating to the Mortgage Loan have been
deposited in the Collection Account, and the Servicer shall have delivered to
the Trustee or its

                                      -78-
<PAGE>
designee a Request for Release in the form of Exhibit I or (ii) the Mortgage
File or document shall have been delivered to an attorney or to a public trustee
or other public official as required by law for purposes of initiating or
pursuing legal action or other proceedings for the foreclosure of the Mortgaged
Property (or stock allocated to a dwelling unit, in the case of a Co-op Loan)
and the Servicer shall have delivered to the Trustee or its designee an
Officer's Certificate of a Servicing Officer certifying as to the name and
address of the Person to which the Mortgage File or the documents therein were
delivered and the purpose or purposes of such delivery.

         SECTION 3.14. Documents, Records and Funds in Possession of Servicer to
be Held for the Trustee.

         All Mortgage Files and funds collected or held by, or under the control
of, the Servicer in respect of any Mortgage Loans, whether from the collection
of principal and interest payments or from Liquidation Proceeds, including but
not limited to, any funds on deposit in the Collection Account, shall be held by
the Servicer for and on behalf of the Trustee and shall be and remain the sole
and exclusive property of the Trust Fund, subject to the applicable provisions
of this Agreement. The Servicer also agrees that it shall not create, incur or
subject any Mortgage File or any funds that are deposited in the Collection
Account or Certificate Account or in any Escrow Account, or any funds that
otherwise are or may become due or payable to the Trustee for the benefit of the
Certificateholders, to any claim, lien, security interest, judgment, levy, writ
of attachment or other encumbrance, or assert by legal action or otherwise any
claim or right of set off against any Mortgage File or any funds collected on,
or in connection with, a Mortgage Loan, except, however, that the Servicer shall
be entitled to set off against and deduct from any such funds any amounts that
are properly due and payable to the Servicer under this Agreement.

         The Servicer may from time to time provide the Depositor, and any
Person designated by the Depositor, with certain reports and reasonable access
to information and documentation regarding the Mortgage Loans.

         SECTION 3.15. Servicing Compensation.

         As compensation for its activities hereunder, the Servicer shall be
entitled to retain or withdraw from the Collection Account out of each payment
or recovery of interest on a Mortgage Loan included in the Trust Fund an amount
equal to interest at the applicable Servicing Fee Rate on the Stated Principal
Balance of the related Mortgage Loan as of the immediately preceding
Distribution Date.

         Additional servicing compensation in the form of any Excess Proceeds,
late payment fees, assumption fees (i.e. fees related to the assumption of a
Mortgage Loan upon the purchase of the related Mortgaged Property (or stock
allocated to a dwelling unit, in the case of Co-op Loan)), modification fees,
extension fees and similar fees payable by the Mortgagor, Prepayment Interest
Excess, and all income and gain net of any losses realized from Permitted
Investments in the Collection Account shall be retained by the Servicer to the
extent not required to be deposited in the Collection Account pursuant to
Sections 3.05 or 3.12(a) hereof. The Servicer shall be required to pay all
expenses incurred by it in connection with its servicing activities hereunder
(including payment of any premiums for hazard insurance, as required by Section
3.10 hereof and maintenance of the other forms of insurance coverage required by
Section 3.10 hereof) and shall not be entitled to reimbursement therefor except
as specifically provided in this Agreement.

                                      -79-
<PAGE>
         SECTION 3.16. Access to Certain Documentation.

         The Servicer shall provide to the OTS and the FDIC and to comparable
regulatory authorities supervising Holders of the Certificates and the examiners
and supervisory agents of the OTS, the FDIC and such other authorities, access
to the documentation regarding the Mortgage Loans required by applicable
regulations of the OTS and the FDIC. Such access shall be afforded without
charge, but only upon reasonable and prior written request and during normal
business hours at the offices of the Servicer designated by it provided, that
the Servicer shall be entitled to be reimbursed by each such Certificateholder
for actual expenses incurred by the Servicer in providing such reports and
access. Nothing in this Section shall limit the obligation of the Servicer to
observe any applicable law prohibiting disclosure of information regarding the
Mortgagors and the failure of the Servicer to provide access as provided in this
Section as a result of such obligation shall not constitute a breach of this
Section.

         SECTION 3.17. Annual Statement as to Compliance.

         Pursuant to this Agreement, the Servicer shall deliver to the
Depositor, the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer on or before March 15 of each year
beginning in 2006, or such other date in order to remain in compliance with the
Section 302 Requirements, an Officer's Certificate stating, as to each signatory
thereof, that (i) a review of the activities of the Servicer during the
preceding calendar year and of performance under this Agreement has been made
under such officer's supervision, and (ii) to the best of such officers'
knowledge, based on such review, the Servicer has fulfilled all of its
obligations under this Agreement throughout such year, or, if there has been a
default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default
known to such officers and the nature and status thereof. The Trustee shall
forward a copy of each such statement to each Rating Agency rating the
Certificates. Copies of such statement shall be provided by the Trustee to any
Certificateholder upon written request at the Certificateholder's expense,
provided such statement has been delivered by the Servicer to the Trustee.

         SECTION 3.18. Annual Independent Public Accountants' Servicing
Statement; Financial Statements.

         On or before March 15 of each year, beginning in 2006 or such other
date in order to remain in compliance with the Section 302 Requirements, the
Servicer at its expense shall cause a nationally recognized firm of independent
public accountants (who may also render other services to the Servicer or any
Affiliate thereof) that is a member of the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants to furnish a USAP Report to the Trustee and the Depositor.
Copies of the USAP Report shall be provided by the Trustee to any
Certificateholder upon request at the Certificateholder's expense, provided such
report has been delivered by the Servicer to the Trustee. The Trustee shall
deliver to the NIMs Insurer upon written request: (i) a copy of such USAP
Report, and (ii) the Servicer's annual officer's certificate as to compliance
with this Agreement provided by the Servicer to the Trustee pursuant to Section
3.17. In addition, at the NIMs Insurer's written request, the Servicer shall
deliver copies of evidence of the Servicer's fidelity bond or errors and
omissions insurance coverage to the NIMs Insurer.

         SECTION 3.19. Rights of the NIMs Insurer.

         Each of the rights of the NIMs Insurer set forth in this Agreement
shall exist so long as the NIM Notes issued pursuant to the Indenture remain
outstanding or the NIMs Insurer is owed amounts in respect of its guarantee of
payment on such NIM Notes.

         SECTION 3.20. Periodic Filings.

                                      -80-
<PAGE>
                  (a) As part of the Form 10-K required to be filed pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement, the Trustee shall include the independent public
accountants report required pursuant to Section 3.18 as well as the Officer's
Certificate delivered by the Servicer pursuant to Section 3.17 relating to the
Servicer's performance of its obligations under this Agreement and any
significant deficiencies relating to the Servicer's compliance set forth in the
report of the Servicer's certified independent accountants described above.

                  (b) The Depositor shall prepare and file the initial report on
Form 8-K. The Trustee shall prepare for filing, and execute (other than the Form
10-Ks and the Certification), on behalf of the Trust Fund, and file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, (i) within 15 days after each Distribution
Date in each month, each Monthly Statement on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act
executed by the Trustee, (ii) on or before March 31 of each year beginning in
2006 or such other date in order to remain in compliance with the Section 302
Requirements, a Form 10-K under the Exchange Act executed by the Servicer,
including any certification (the "Certification") required by the Section 302
Requirements, and (iii) any and all reports, statements and information
respecting the Trust Fund and/or the Certificates required to be filed on behalf
of the Trust Fund under the Exchange Act executed by the Trustee. The
Certification shall be executed by a senior officer of the Servicer. Upon such
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Trustee shall promptly
deliver to the Depositor a copy of any such executed report, statement or
information. Prior to making any such filings and certifications, the Trustee
shall comply with the provisions set forth in this Section. On or prior to
January 31st of the first year in which it is able to do so under applicable
law, the Trustee shall file a Form 15 under the Exchange Act unless instructed
otherwise by the Depositor. The Depositor hereby grants to the Trustee a limited
power of attorney to execute (other than the Form 10-Ks and the Certification)
and file each such document on behalf of the Depositor. Such power of attorney
shall continue until either the earlier of (i) receipt by the Trustee from the
Depositor of written termination of such power of attorney and (ii) the
termination of the Trust Fund. The Depositor agrees to promptly furnish to the
Trustee, from time to time upon request, such further information, reports, and
financial statements within its control related to this Agreement and the
Mortgage Loans as the Trustee reasonably deems appropriate to prepare and file
all necessary reports with the Commission. The Trustee shall have no
responsibility to file any items other than those specified in this Section.

                  (c) [RESERVED].

                  (d) The obligations set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of
this Section shall only apply with respect to periods for which the Trustee is
obligated to file Form 8-Ks and 10-Ks pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section.
In the event a Form 15 is properly filed pursuant to paragraph (b) of this
Section, there shall be no further obligations under paragraphs (a) and (b) of
this Section commencing with the fiscal year in which the Form 15 is filed
(other than the obligations in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section to be
performed in such fiscal year that relate back to the prior fiscal year).

         SECTION 3.21. Annual Certificate by Trustee.

                  (a) (a) Within 15 days prior to the date on which a Form 10-K
is to be filed with a Certification by the Depositor, an officer of the Trustee
shall execute and deliver an Officer's Certificate, signed by the senior officer
in charge of the Trustee or any officer to whom that officer reports, to the
Depositor for the benefit of such Depositor and its officers, directors and
affiliates, certifying as to the matters described in the Officer's Certificate
attached hereto as Exhibit K.

                  (b) The Trustee shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Depositor and its officers, directors, agents and affiliates from and against
any losses, damages, penalties, fines, forfeitures, reasonable legal fees and
related costs, judgments and other costs and expenses arising out of or based

                                      -81-
<PAGE>
upon a breach by the Trustee or any of its officers, directors, agents or
affiliates of its obligations under this Section 3.21 any material misstatement
or omission in the Officer's Certificate required under this Section or the
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Trustee in connection
therewith. If the indemnification provided for herein is unavailable or
insufficient to hold harmless the Depositor, then the Trustee agrees that it
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Depositor as a result of
the losses, claims, damages or liabilities of the Depositor in such proportion
as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Trustee on the one hand
and the Depositor on the other in connection with a breach of the Trustee's
obligations under this Section 3.21, any material misstatement or omission in
the Officer's Certificate required under this Section or the Trustee's
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in connection therewith.

         SECTION 3.22. Annual Certificate by Servicer.

                  (a) Within 15 days prior to the date on which a Form 10-K is
required to be filed with a Certification by the Depositor, the Servicer shall
execute and deliver an Officer's Certificate in the form of Exhibit L attached
hereto, signed by the senior officer in charge of servicing of the Servicer or
any officer to whom that officer reports, to the Trustee and Depositor for the
benefit of the Trustee and Depositor and their respective officers, directors
and affiliates, certifying as to the following matters:

                  (i) I have reviewed the information required to be delivered
         to the Trustee pursuant to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement (the
         "Servicing Information");

                  (ii) Based on my knowledge, the information in the Annual
         Statement of Compliance, and all servicing reports, officer's
         certificates and other information relating to the servicing of the
         Mortgage Loans submitted to the Trustee by the Servicer taken as a
         whole, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
         to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in
         light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
         misleading as of the last day of the period covered by the Annual
         Statement of Compliance;

                  (iii) Based on my knowledge, the Servicing Information
         required to be provided to the Trustee by the Servicer under this
         Agreement has been provided to the Trustee; and

                  (iv) I am responsible for reviewing the activities performed
         by the Servicer under this Agreement and based upon the review required
         hereunder, and except as disclosed in the Annual Statement of
         Compliance, the Annual Independent Certified Public Accountant's
         Servicing Report and all servicing reports, officer's certificates and
         other information relating to the servicing of the Mortgage Loans
         submitted to the Trustee by the Servicer, the Servicer has, as of the
         last day of the period covered by the Annual Statement of Compliance
         fulfilled its obligations under this Agreement.

                  (b) The Servicer shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Depositor and its officers, directors, agents and affiliates from and against
any losses, damages, penalties, fines, forfeitures, reasonable legal fees and
related costs, judgments and other costs and expenses arising out of or based
upon a breach by the Servicer or any of its officers, directors, agents or
affiliates of its obligations under this Section 3.22, any material misstatement
or omission in the Officer's Certificate required under this Section or the
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Servicer in connection
therewith. If the indemnification provided for herein is unavailable or
insufficient to hold harmless the Depositor, then the Servicer agrees that it
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Trustee and the Depositor
as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities of the Depositor in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Depositor
on the one hand and the Servicer on the other in

                                      -82-
<PAGE>
connection with a breach of the Servicer's obligations under this Section 3.22,
any material misstatement or omission in the Officer's Certificate required
under this Section or the Servicer's negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct
in connection therewith.

         SECTION 3.23. Prepayment Charge Reporting Requirements.

         Promptly after each Distribution Date, the Servicer shall provide to
the Depositor, the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer the following information with
regard to each Mortgage Loan that has prepaid during the related Prepayment
Period:

         (i)      loan number;

         (ii)     current Mortgage Rate;

         (iii)    current principal balance;

         (iv)     original principal balance;

         (v)      Prepayment Charge amount due;

         (vi)     Prepayment Charge amount collected; and

         (vii)    reason why full Prepayment Charge amount was not collected, if
                  applicable.

         SECTION 3.24. Statements to Trustee.

         Not later than the later of (a) two Business Days after the 15th day of
each month and (b) the 18th day of the month (or if the 18th is not a Business
Day, the next succeeding Business Day) , the Servicer shall furnish to the
Trustee and the NIMs Insurer an electronic file providing loan level accounting
data as of the Determination Date for the period ending on the last Business Day
of the preceding month and for the applicable Prepayment Period with respect to
prepayments in the format mutually agreed upon between the Servicer and the
Trustee, including but not limited to information sufficient to allow the
Trustee to prepare the Monthly Statement described in Section 4.05(a).

         SECTION 3.25. Indemnification.

         The Servicer shall indemnify the Seller, the Trust Fund, the Trustee,
the Depositor, the NIMs Insurer and their officers, directors, employees and
agents and hold each of them harmless against any and all claims, losses,
damages, penalties, fines, forfeitures, reasonable and necessary legal fees and
related costs, judgments, and any other costs, fees and expenses that any of
such parties may sustain in any way related to the negligence, willful
misfeasance or bad faith in the performance of its duties or by reason of
reckless disregard of obligations and duties hereunder. The Servicer promptly
shall notify the Seller, the Trustee, the Depositor and the NIMs Insurer or any
other relevant party if a claim is made by a third party with respect to this
Agreement or the Mortgage Loans as applicable if such claim is made against the
Seller, Trustee, Depositor or NIMs Insurer and, if subject to this
indemnification obligation, assume (with the prior written consent of the
indemnified party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed)
the defense of any such claim and pay all expenses in connection therewith,
including counsel fees, and promptly pay, discharge and satisfy any judgment or
decree which may be entered against it or any of such parties in respect of such
claim. The Servicer shall follow any reasonable written instructions received
from the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer in connection with such claim and the
Servicer will not have liability for following such instructions. The Servicer
shall provide

                                      -83-
<PAGE>

the Depositor, the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer with a written report of all
expenses and advances incurred by the Servicer pursuant to this Section 3.25,
and the Servicer shall promptly reimburse itself from the assets of the Trust
Fund in the Collection Account for all amounts advanced by it pursuant to the
preceding sentence except when the claim in any way relates to the failure of
the Servicer to service and administer the Mortgage Loans through the
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Servicer. The provisions of
this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment
of the outstanding Certificates.

         SECTION 3.26. Nonsolicitation.

         For as long as the Servicer services the Mortgage Loans, the Servicer
covenants that it will not, and that it will ensure that its affiliates and
agents will not, directly solicit or provide information for any other party to
solicit for prepayment or refinancing of any of the Mortgage Loans by the
related Mortgagors. It is understood that the promotions undertaken by the
Servicer which are directed to the general public at large, or certain segments
thereof, shall not constitute solicitation as that term is used in this Section
3.26.

         SECTION 3.27. [RESERVED].

         SECTION 3.28. High Cost Mortgage Loans.

                  In the event that the Servicer reasonably determines that a
Mortgage Loan may be a "high cost mortgage loan", "high cost home", "covered",
"high cost", "high risk home", "predatory" or similarly classified loan under
any applicable state, federal or local law, the Servicer may notify the
Depositor and the Trustee thereof; the Servicer may terminate its servicing
thereof; and such determination shall be deemed to materially and adversely
affect the interests of the Certificateholders in such Mortgage Loan and the
Seller will repurchase the Mortgage Loan within a 30 day period from the date of
such notice in the manner described in Section 2.02.

         SECTION 3.29. Interim Servicing Period Responsibilities.

                  The Interim Serviced Loans will initially be serviced by the
Interim Servicer for the benefit of the trust. The Depositor assigns all of its
rights under the First Franklin Servicing Agreement with respect to the Interim
Serviced Loans to the trust, including all amounts due to the Depositor with
respect to such Interim Serviced Loans and obligations owed to the Depositor by
the Interim Servicer to service the Interim Serviced Loans until the servicing
of the First Franklin Serviced Loans is transferred to the Servicer on the
Servicing Transfer Date. The Servicer shall not be responsible for servicing the
Interim Serviced Loans prior to the Servicing Transfer Date.

         Not later than three Business Days prior to each Distribution Date,
based upon information provided to the Trustee by the Interim Servicer, the
Trustee shall calculate with respect to such Distribution Date and the Interim
Serviced Loans, if any, required Advances and Compensating Interest with respect
to the Interim Serviced Loans and transmit such information to the Servicer. The
Servicer shall forward amounts equal to the required Advances and Compensating
Interest in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

                                      -84-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  DISTRIBUTIONS

         SECTION 4.01. Advances.

                  (a) Subject to the conditions of this Article IV, the
Servicer, as required below, shall make an Advance and deposit such Advance in
the Collection Account. Each such Advance shall be remitted to the Collection
Account no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on the Servicer Advance Date in
immediately available funds. The Servicer shall be obligated to make any such
Advance only to the extent that such advance would not be a Non-Recoverable
Advance. If the Servicer shall have determined that it has made a
Non-Recoverable Advance or that a proposed Advance or a lesser portion of such
Advance would constitute a Non-Recoverable Advance, the Servicer shall deliver
(i) to the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders, funds constituting
the remaining portion of such Advance, if applicable, and (ii) to the Depositor,
the NIMs Insurer, each Rating Agency rating the Certificates and the Trustee an
Officer's Certificate setting forth the basis for such determination. The
Servicer may, in its sole discretion, make an Advance with respect to the
principal portion of the final Scheduled Payment on a Balloon Loan, but the
Servicer is under no obligation to do so; provided, however, that nothing in
this sentence shall affect the Servicer's obligation under this Section 4.01 to
advance the interest portion of the final Scheduled Payment with respect to a
Balloon Loan as if such Balloon Loan were a fully amortizing Mortgage Loan. If a
Mortgagor does not pay its final Scheduled Payment on a Balloon Loan when due,
the Servicer shall Advance (unless it determines in its good faith judgment that
such amounts would constitute a Non-Recoverable Advance) a full month of
interest (net of the Servicing Fee) on the Stated Principal Balance thereof each
month until its Stated Principal Balance is reduced to zero.

         In lieu of making all or a portion of such Advance from its own funds,
the Servicer may (i) cause to be made an appropriate entry in its records
relating to the Collection Account that any amount held for future distribution
has been used by the Servicer in discharge of its obligation to make any such
Advance and (ii) transfer such funds from the Collection Account to the
Certificate Account. In addition, the Servicer shall have the right to reimburse
itself for any such Advance from amounts held from time to time in the
Collection Account to the extent such amounts are not then required to be
distributed. Any funds so applied and transferred pursuant to the previous two
sentences shall be replaced by the Servicer by deposit in the Collection Account
no later than the close of business on the Servicer Advance Date on which such
funds are required to be distributed pursuant to this Agreement. The Servicer
shall be entitled to be reimbursed from the Collection Account for all Advances
of its own funds made pursuant to this Section as provided in Section 3.08. The
obligation to make Advances with respect to any Mortgage Loan shall continue
until the earlier of (i) the date such Mortgage Loan is paid in full, (ii) the
date the related Mortgaged Property (or stock allocated to a dwelling unit, in
the case of a Co-op Loan) or related REO Property has been liquidated or until
the purchase or repurchase thereof (or substitution therefor) from the Trust
Fund pursuant to any applicable provision of this Agreement, except as otherwise
provided in this Section 4.01, or (iii) the date on which such Mortgage Loan
becomes 150 days delinquent as set forth below.

                  (b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary
(including, but not limited to, Sections 3.01 and 4.01(a) hereof), no Advance or
Servicing Advance shall be required to be made hereunder by the Servicer if such
Advance or Servicing Advance would, if made, constitute a Non-Recoverable
Advance or a Non-Recoverable Servicing Advance. The determination by the
Servicer that it has made a Non-Recoverable Advance or a Non-Recoverable
Servicing Advance or that any proposed Advance or Servicing Advance, if made,
would constitute a Non-Recoverable Advance or a Non-Recoverable Servicing
Advance, respectively, shall be evidenced by an Officer's Certificate of

                                      -85-
<PAGE>

the Servicer delivered to the Depositor and the Trustee. In addition, the
Servicer shall not be required to advance any Relief Act Shortfalls.

                  (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Servicer shall not be
required to make any Advances for any Mortgage Loan after such Mortgage Loan
becomes 150 days delinquent. The Servicer shall identify such delinquent
Mortgage Loans in the Servicer Statement referenced in Section 3.24. In
addition, the Servicer shall provide the Trustee with an Officer's Certificate
listing such delinquent Mortgage Loans and certifying that such loans are 150
days or more delinquent.

         SECTION 4.02. Reduction of Servicing Compensation in Connection with
Prepayment Interest Shortfalls.

         In the event that any Mortgage Loan is the subject of a Prepayment
Interest Shortfall resulting from a Principal Prepayment in full between the
15th day of the month and the last day of such month of the applicable
Prepayment Period, the Servicer shall, from amounts in respect of the Servicing
Fee for such Distribution Date, deposit into the Collection Account, as a
reduction of the Servicing Fee for such Distribution Date, no later than the
Servicer Advance Date immediately preceding such Distribution Date, an amount up
to the Prepayment Interest Shortfall; provided that the amount so deposited with
respect to any Distribution Date shall be limited to the product of (x) 0.25%
per annum and (y) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans.
In case of such deposit, the Servicer shall not be entitled to any recovery or
reimbursement from the Depositor, the Trustee, the Trust Fund or the
Certificateholders. With respect to any Distribution Date, to the extent that
the Prepayment Interest Shortfall exceeds Compensating Interest (such excess, a
"Non-Supported Interest Shortfall"), such Non-Supported Interest Shortfall shall
reduce the Current Interest with respect to each Class of Certificates, pro
rata, based upon the amount of interest each such Class would otherwise be
entitled to receive on such Distribution Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
there shall be no reduction of the Servicing Fee in connection with Prepayment
Interest Shortfalls relating to the Relief Act and the Servicer shall not be
obligated to pay Compensating Interest with respect to Prepayment Interest
Shortfalls related to the Relief Act.

         SECTION 4.03. Distributions on the REMIC Interests.

         On each Distribution Date, amounts on deposit in the Certificate
Account shall be treated for federal income tax purposes as applied to
distributions on the interests in the Lower Tier REMIC in an amount sufficient
to make the distributions on the respective Certificates on such Distribution
Date in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.04.

         SECTION 4.04. Distributions.

                  (a) [Reserved]

                  (b) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall make the
following distributions from funds then available in the Certificate Account, of
an amount equal to the Interest Funds (less amounts distributed pursuant to
Section 4.04(a) on such Distribution Date) in the following order of priority:

                           (i) to the Class P Certificates, any Prepayment
Charges received with respect to the Mortgage Loans during the related
Prepayment Period and all amounts paid by the Servicer, or the Seller in respect
of Prepayment Charges pursuant to this Agreement or the Sale Agreement, as
applicable, and all amounts received in respect of any indemnification paid as a
result of a Prepayment Charge being unenforceable in breach of the
representations and warranties set forth in the Sale Agreement for the related
Prepayment Period;

                                      -86-
<PAGE>

                           (ii) to each class of the Class A Certificates, the
Current Interest and any Interest Carry Forward Amount with respect to such
Class; provided, however, if such amount is not sufficient to make a full
distribution of the Current Interest and any Interest Carry Forward Amount with
respect to the Class A Certificates, such amount will be distributed pro rata
among each Class of the Class A Certificates based on the ratio of (x) the
Current Interest and Interest Carry Forward Amount for each class of the Class A
Certificates to (y) the total amount of Current Interest and any Interest Carry
Forward Amount for the Class A Certificates;

                           (iii) to the Class M-1 Certificates, the Class M-1
Current Interest and any Class M-1 Interest Carry Forward Amount;

                           (iv) to the Class M-2 Certificates, the Class M-2
Current Interest and any Class M-2 Interest Carry Forward Amount;

                           (v) to the Class M-3 Certificates, the Class M-3
Current Interest and any Class M-3 Interest Carry Forward Amount;

                           (vi) to the Class M-4 Certificates, the Class M-4
Current Interest and any Class M-4 Interest Carry Forward Amount;

                           (vii) to the Class M-5 Certificates, the Class M-5
Current Interest and any Class M-5 Interest Carry Forward Amount;

                           (viii) to the Class M-6 Certificates, the Class M-6
Current Interest and any Class M-6 Interest Carry Forward Amount;

                           (ix) to the Class B-1 Certificates, the Class B-1
Current Interest and any Class B-1 Interest Carry Forward Amount;

                           (x) to the Class B-2 Certificates, the Class B-2
Current Interest and any Class B-2 Interest Carry Forward Amount;

                           (xi) to the Class B-3 Certificates, the Class B-3
Current Interest and any Class B-3 Interest Carry Forward Amount;

                           (xii) to the Class B-4 Certificates, the Class B-4
Current Interest and any Class B-4 Interest Carry Forward Amount; and

                           (xiii) any remainder pursuant to Section 4.04(f)
hereof.

         On each Distribution Date, subject to the proviso in (ii) above,
Interest Funds received on the Group One Mortgage Loans will be deemed to be
distributed to the Class R and Class A-1 Certificates and Interest Funds
received on the Group Two Mortgage Loans will be deemed to be distributed to the
Class A-2 Certificates, in each case, until the related Current Interest and
Interest Carry Forward Amount of each such class of Certificates for such
Distribution Date has been paid in full. Thereafter, Interest Funds not required
for such distributions are available to be applied to if necessary, to the class
or classes of Certificates that are not related to such group of Mortgage Loans.

                  (c) [Reserved]

                                      -87-

<PAGE>

                  (d) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall make the
following distributions from the Certificate Account of an amount equal to the
Principal Distribution Amount in the following order of priority, and each such
distribution shall be made only after all distributions pursuant to Section
4.04(b) above shall have been made until such amount shall have been fully
distributed for such Distribution Date:

                           (i) to the Class A Certificates, the Class A
Principal Distribution Amount shall be distributed as follows:

                           (a) the Group One Principal Distribution Amount shall
                  be distributed as follows: (I) if no Class A-1 Trigger Event
                  has occurred, the Group One Principal Distribution Amount will
                  be distributed as follows: first, to the Class R Certificate
                  until its Certificate Principal Balance has been reduced to
                  zero, and second, pro rata to the Class A-1A and Class A-1B
                  Certificates, based on their relative Certificate Principal
                  Balances, until the Certificate Principal Balance of each such
                  Class has been reduced to zero and (II) if a Class A-1 Trigger
                  Event has occurred, the Group One Principal Distribution
                  Amount shall be distributed sequentially to the Class R, Class
                  A-1A and Class A-1B Certificates, until the Certificate
                  Principal Balance of each such Class has been reduced to zero;

                           (b) the Group Two Principal Distribution Amount will
                  be distributed sequentially to the Class A-2A, Class A-2B and
                  Class A-2C Certificates until the Certificate Principal
                  Balance of each such Class has been reduced to zero; provided,
                  however, that on and after the Distribution Date on which the
                  aggregate Certificate Principal Balance of the Class M, Class
                  B and Class C Certificates have been reduced to zero, any
                  principal distributions allocated to the Class A-2A, Class
                  A-2B and Class A-2C Certificates are required to be allocated
                  pro rata among such Classes of Certificates, based on their
                  respective Certificate Principal Balances, until their
                  Certificate Principal Balances have been reduced to zero;

                           (ii) to the Class M-1 Certificates, the Class M-1
Principal Distribution Amount;

                           (iii) to the Class M-2 Certificates, the Class M-2
Principal Distribution Amount;

                           (iv) to the Class M-3 Certificates, the Class M-3
Principal Distribution Amount;

                           (v) to the Class M-4 Certificates, the Class M-4
Principal Distribution Amount;

                           (vi) to the Class M-5 Certificates, the Class M-5
Principal Distribution Amount;

                           (vii) to the Class M-6 Certificates, the Class M-6
Principal Distribution Amount;

                           (viii) to the Class B-1 Certificates, the Class B-1
Principal Distribution Amount;

                           (ix) to the Class B-2 Certificates, the Class B-2
Principal Distribution Amount;

                                      -88-
<PAGE>

                           (x) to the Class B-3 Certificates, the Class B-3
Principal Distribution Amount;

                           (xi) to the Class B-4 Certificates, the Class B-4
Principal Distribution Amount; and

                           (xii) any remainder pursuant to Section 4.04(f)
hereof.

                  (e) [Reserved].

                  (f) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall make the
following distributions up to the following amounts from the Certificate Account
of the remainders pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(xiii) and (d)(xii) hereof and each
such distribution shall be made only after all distributions pursuant to
Sections 4.04(b) and (d) above shall have been made until such remainders shall
have been fully distributed for such Distribution Date:

                           (i) for distribution as part of the Principal
Distribution Amount, the Extra Principal Distribution Amount;

                           (ii) to the Class M-1 Certificates, the Class M-1
Unpaid Realized Loss Amount;

                           (iii) to the Class M-2 Certificates, the Class M-2
Unpaid Realized Loss Amount;

                           (iv) to the Class M-3 Certificates, the Class M-3
Unpaid Realized Loss Amount;

                           (v) to the Class M-4 Certificates, the Class M-4
Unpaid Realized Loss Amount;

                           (vi) to the Class M-5 Certificates, the Class M-5
Unpaid Realized Loss Amount;

                           (vii) to the Class M-6 Certificates, the Class M-6
Unpaid Realized Loss Amount;

                           (viii) to the Class B-1 Certificates, the Class B-1
Unpaid Realized Loss Amount;

                           (ix) to the Class B-2 Certificates, the Class B-2
Unpaid Realized Loss Amount;

                           (x) to the Class B-3 Certificates, the Class B-3
Unpaid Realized Loss Amount;

                           (xi) to the Class B-4 Certificates, the Class B-4
Unpaid Realized Loss Amount;

                           (xii) to the Class R Certificate, the Residual Excess
Interest Amount;

                                      -89-
<PAGE>

                           (xiii) to the Class A, Class M and Class B
Certificates, on a pro rata basis, based upon outstanding Floating Rate
Certificate Carryover for each such Class, the Floating Rate Certificate
Carryover for each Class; and

                           (xiv) the remainder pursuant to Section 4.04(g)
hereof.

                  (g) on each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall allocate the
remainders pursuant to Section 4.04(f)(xiv) as follows:

                           (i) to the Class C Certificates in the following
order of priority, (I) the Class C Current Interest, (II) the Class C Interest
Carry Forward Amount, (III) as principal on the Class C Certificate until the
Certificate Principal Balance of the Class C Certificates has been reduced to
zero and (IV) the Class C Unpaid Realized Loss Amount; and

                           (ii) the remainder pursuant to Section 4.04(h)
hereof.

                  (h) On each Distribution Date, the Trustee shall allocate the
remainder pursuant to Section 4.04(g)(ii) hereof (i) to the Trustee to reimburse
amounts or pay indemnification amounts owing to the Trustee from the Trust Fund
pursuant to Section 8.06 to the extent such amounts shall have exceeded the cap
set forth in Section 8.06(c), and (ii) thereafter, to the Class R Certificate
and such distributions shall be made only after all preceding distributions
shall have been made until such remainder shall have been fully distributed.

                  (i) On each Distribution Date, after giving effect to
distributions on such Distribution Date, the Trustee shall allocate the Applied
Realized Loss Amount for the Certificates to reduce the Certificate Principal
Balances of the Class C Certificates and the Subordinated Certificates in the
following order of priority:

                           (i) to the Class C Certificates, until the Class C
Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero;

                           (ii) to the Class B-4 Certificates until the Class
B-4 Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero;

                           (iii) to the Class B-3 Certificates until the Class
B-3 Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero;

                           (iv) to the Class B-2 Certificates until the Class
B-2 Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero;

                           (v) to the Class B-1 Certificates until the Class B-1
Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero;

                           (vi) to the Class M-6 Certificates until the Class
M-6 Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero;

                           (vii) to the Class M-5 Certificates until the Class
M-5 Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero;

                           (viii) to the Class M-4 Certificates until the Class
M-4 Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero;

                                      -90-
<PAGE>

                           (ix) to the Class M-3 Certificates until the Class
M-3 Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero;

                           (x) to the Class M-2 Certificates until the Class M-2
Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero; and

                           (xi) to the Class M-1 Certificates until the Class
M-1 Certificate Principal Balance is reduced to zero.

                  (j) Subject to Section 9.02 hereof respecting the final
distribution, on each Distribution Date the Trustee shall make distributions to
each Certificateholder of record on the preceding Record Date either by wire
transfer in immediately available funds to the account of such holder at a bank
or other entity having appropriate facilities therefor, if such Holder has so
notified the Trustee at least five (5) Business Days prior to the related Record
Date or, if not, by check mailed by first class mail to such Certificateholder
at the address of such holder appearing in the Certificate Register.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Section 9.02 hereof respecting the
final distribution, distributions with respect to Certificates registered in the
name of a Depository shall be made to such Depository in immediately available
funds.

         In accordance with this Agreement, the Servicer shall prepare and
deliver a report (the "Remittance Report") to the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer
in the form of a computer readable magnetic tape (or by such other means as the
Servicer, the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer may agree from time to time)
containing such data and information such as to permit the Trustee to prepare
the Monthly Statement to Certificateholders and make the required distributions
for the related Distribution Date.

         The Trustee shall promptly notify the NIMs Insurer of any proceeding or
the institution of any action, of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has
actual knowledge, seeking the avoidance as a preferential transfer under
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law (a "Preference
Claim") of any distribution made with respect to the Class C Certificates or the
Class P Certificates. Each Holder of the Class C Certificates or the Class P
Certificates, by its purchase of such Certificates and the Trustee hereby agree
that the NIMs Insurer may at any time during the continuation of any proceeding
relating to a Preference Claim direct all matters relating to such Preference
Claim, including, without limitation, (i) the direction of any appeal of any
order relating to such Preference Claim and (ii) the posting of any surety,
supersedes or performance bond pending any such appeal. In addition and without
limitation of the foregoing, the NIMs Insurer shall be subrogated to the rights
of the Trustee and each Holder of the Class C Certificates and the Class P
Certificates in the conduct of any such Preference Claim, including, without
limitation, all rights of any party to an adversary proceeding action with
respect to any court order issued in connection with any such Preference Claim;
provided, however, that the NIMs Insurer will not have any rights with respect
to any Preference Claim set forth in this paragraph unless the indenture trustee
with respect to the NIM Notes or the holder of any NIMs Notes has been required
to relinquish a distribution made on the Class C Certificates, the Class P
Certificates or the NIM Notes, as applicable, and the NIMs Insurer made a
payment in respect of such relinquished amount.

                  (k) The Trustee is hereby directed by the Depositor to execute
the Cap Contracts on behalf of the Trust Fund in the form presented to it by the
Depositor and shall have no responsibility for the contents, adequacy or
sufficiency of such Cap Contracts, including, without limitation, the
representations and warranties contained therein. Any funds payable by the
Trustee under the Cap Contracts at closing shall be paid by the Depositor.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any Cap
Contract, the Trustee shall not be required to make any payments to the
counterparty under any Cap Contract. Any payments received under the terms of
the Class A-1 Cap Contract will be available to pay the holders of the Class A-1
and Class R Certificates up to the amount

                                      -91-
<PAGE>
of any Floating Rate Certificate Carryovers remaining after all other
distributions required under this Section 4.04 are made on such Distribution
Date, other than Floating Rate Certificate Carryovers attributable to the fact
that Applied Realized Loss Amounts are not allocated to the Class A
Certificates. Any payments received under the terms of the Class A-2 Cap
Contract will be available to pay the holders of the Class A-2 Certificates up
to the amount of any Floating Rate Certificate Carryovers remaining after all
other distributions required under this Section 4.04 are made on such
Distribution Date, other than Floating Rate Certificate Carryovers attributable
to the fact that Applied Realized Loss Amounts are not allocated to the Class A
Certificates. Any payments received under the terms of the Subordinated
Certificate Cap Contract will be available to pay the holders of the related
Subordinated Certificates up to the amount of any Floating Rate Certificate
Carryovers remaining after all other distributions required under this Section
4.04 are made on such Distribution Date. Any amounts received under the terms of
any Cap Contract on a Distribution Date that are not used to pay such Floating
Rate Certificate Carryovers will be distributed to the holders of the Class C
Certificates. Payments in respect of such Floating Rate Certificate Carryovers
from proceeds of a Cap Contract shall be paid to the related Classes of Class A,
Class M or Class B Certificates, pro rata based upon such Floating Rate
Certificate Carryovers for each such class of Class A, Class M or Class B
Certificates.

                           (i) The Trustee shall establish and maintain, for the
benefit of the Trust Fund and the Certificateholders, the Cap Contract Account.
On or prior to the related Cap Contract Termination Date, amounts, if any,
received by the Trustee for the benefit of the Trust Fund in respect of the
related Cap Contract shall be deposited by the Trustee into the Cap Contract
Account and will be used to pay Floating Rate Certificate Carryovers on the
related Class A, Class M or Class B Certificates to the extent provided in the
immediately preceding paragraph. With respect to any Distribution Date on or
prior to the related Cap Contract Termination Date, the amount, if any, payable
by the Cap Contract Counterparty under the related Cap Contract will equal the
product of (i) the excess of (x) One-Month LIBOR (as determined by the Cap
Contract Counterparty and subject to a cap equal to the rate with respect to
such Distribution Date as shown under the heading "Upper Collar" in the
One-Month LIBOR Cap Table to the related Cap Contract (set forth on Exhibits
O-1, O-2 and O-3)), over (y) the rate with respect to such Distribution Date as
shown under the heading "Lower Collar" in the One-Month LIBOR Cap Table to the
related Cap Contract (set forth on Exhibits O-1, O-2 and O-3), (ii) an amount
equal to the related Cap Contract Notional Balance and (iii) the number of days
in such Accrual Period, divided by 360. If a payment is made to the Trust Fund
under a Cap Contract and the Trustee is required to distribute excess amounts to
the holders of the Class C Certificates as described above, the Trustee shall
send a notice on the Business Day prior to the related Distribution Date,
stating the amount received on the related Cap Contract, the amounts paid with
respect to Floating Rate Certificate Carryovers and the amount due to the
holders of the Class C Certificates. Such notice shall be sent by the Trustee
via facsimile to the holders of the Class C Certificates.

                           (ii) Amounts on deposit in the Cap Contract Account
will remain uninvested pending distribution to Certificateholders.

         SECTION 4.05. Monthly Statements to Certificateholders.

                  (a) Not later than each Distribution Date based on information
provided by the Servicer, the Trustee shall prepare and make available on its
website located at www.ctslink.com to each Holder of a Class of Certificates of
the Trust Fund, the Servicer, the NIMs Insurer, the Rating Agencies and the
Depositor a statement setting forth for the Certificates:

                           (i) the amount of the related distribution to Holders
of each Class allocable to principal, separately identifying (A) the aggregate
amount of any Principal Prepayments included

                                      -92-
<PAGE>
therein, (B) the aggregate of all scheduled payments of principal included
therein, (C) the Extra Principal Distribution Amount, if any, and (D) the
aggregate amount of Prepayment Charges, if any;

                           (ii) the amount of such distribution to Holders of
each Class allocable to interest, together with any Non-Supported Interest
Shortfalls allocated to each Class;

                           (iii) the Certificate Principal Balance of each Class
after giving effect (i) to all distributions allocable to principal on such
Distribution Date and (ii) the allocation of any Applied Realized Loss Amounts
for such Distribution Date;

                           (iv) the Pool Stated Principal Balance for such
Distribution Date;

                           (v) the related amount of the Servicing Fee paid to
or retained by the Servicer;

                           (vi) the Pass-Through Rate for each Class of
Certificates for such Distribution Date;

                           (vii) the amount of Advances included in the
distribution on such Distribution Date;

                           (viii) the cumulative amount of (A) Realized Losses
and (B) Applied Realized Loss Amounts to date, in the aggregate and with respect
to the Group One Mortgage Loans and Group Two Mortgage Loans;

                           (ix) the amount of (A) Realized Losses and (B)
Applied Realized Loss Amounts with respect to such Distribution Date, in the
aggregate and with respect to the Group One Mortgage Loans and Group Two
Mortgage Loans;

                           (x) the number and aggregate principal amounts of
Mortgage Loans (A) Delinquent (exclusive of Mortgage Loans in foreclosure) (1)
31 to 60 days, (2) 61 to 90 days and (3) 91 or more days, and (B) in foreclosure
and Delinquent (1) 31 to 60 days, (2) 61 to 90 days and (3) 91 or more days, in
each case as of the close of business on the last day of the calendar month
preceding such Distribution Date, in the aggregate and with respect to the Group
One Mortgage Loans and Group Two Mortgage Loans;

                           (xi) with respect to any Mortgage Loan that became an
REO Property during the preceding calendar month, the loan number and Stated
Principal Balance of such Mortgage Loan as of the close of business on the last
day of the calendar month preceding such Distribution Date and the date of
acquisition thereof, in the aggregate and with respect to the Group One Mortgage
Loans and Group Two Mortgage Loans;

                           (xii) the total number and principal balance of any
REO Properties as of the close of business on the last day of the calendar month
preceding such Distribution Date, in the aggregate and with respect to the Group
One Mortgage Loans and Group Two Mortgage Loans;

                           (xiii) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all
Liquidated Loans as of the preceding Distribution Date, in the aggregate and
with respect to the Group One Mortgage Loans and Group Two Mortgage Loans;

                                      -93-
<PAGE>
                           (xiv) whether a Stepdown Trigger Event or a Class A-1
Trigger Event has occurred and is in effect;

                           (xv) with respect to each Class of Certificates, any
Interest Carry Forward Amount with respect to such Distribution Date for each
such Class, any Interest Carry Forward Amount paid for each such Class and any
remaining Interest Carry Forward Amount for each such Class;

                           (xvi) the number and Stated Principal Balance (as of
the preceding Distribution Date) of any Mortgage Loans which were purchased or
repurchased during the preceding Due Period and since the Cut-off Date;

                           (xvii) the number of Mortgage Loans for which
Prepayment Charges were received during the related Prepayment Period and, for
each such Mortgage Loan, the amount of Prepayment Charges received during the
related Prepayment Period and in the aggregate of such amounts for all such
Mortgage Loans since the Cut-off Date;

                           (xviii) the amount and purpose of any withdrawal from
the Collection Account pursuant to Section 3.08(a)(viii);

                           (xix) the amount of any payments to each Class of
Certificates that are treated as payments received in respect of a REMIC
"regular interest" or REMIC "residual interest" and the amount of any payments
to each Class of Certificates that are not treated as payments received in
respect of a REMIC "regular interest" or REMIC "residual interest";

                           (xx) as of each Distribution Date, the amount, if
any, to be deposited in the Cap Contract Account pursuant to the related Cap
Contract as described in Section 4.04(k) and the amount thereof to be paid to
the Class A, Class M, Class B and Class C Certificates described in Section
4.04(k) hereof; and

                           (xxi) any Floating Rate Certificate Carryover paid
and all Floating Rate Certificate Carryover remaining on each class of the Class
A, Class M and Class B Certificates on such Distribution Date.

                  (b) The Trustee will make the Monthly Statement (and, at its
option, any additional files containing the same information in an alternative
format) available each month to Certificateholders, other parties to this
Agreement and any other interested parties via the Trustee's Internet website.
The Trustee's Internet website shall initially be located at www.ctslink.com".
Assistance in using the website can be obtained by calling the Trustee's
customer service desk at (301) 815-6600. Parties that are unable to use the
website are entitled to have a paper copy mailed to them via first class mail by
calling the customer service desk and indicating such. The Trustee shall have
the right to change the way the monthly statements to Certificateholders are
distributed in order to make such distribution more convenient and/or more
accessible to the above parties and the Trustee shall provide timely and
adequate notification to all above parties regarding any such changes.

         The Trustee shall also be entitled to rely on but shall not be
responsible for the content or accuracy of any information provided by third
parties for purposes of preparing the monthly statement and may affix thereto
any disclaimer it deems appropriate in its reasonable discretion (without
suggesting liability on the part of any other party hereto).

                                      -94-
<PAGE>

         As a condition to access the Trustee's internet website, the Trustee
may require registration and the acceptance of a disclaimer. The Trustee will
not be liable for the dissemination of information in accordance with this
Agreement.

                  (c) The Servicer shall deliver to the NIMs Insurer a copy of
any report delivered by the Servicer to the Trustee.

                  (d) Within a reasonable period of time after the end of each
calendar year, the Trustee shall cause to be furnished to each Person who at any
time during the calendar year was a Certificateholder, a statement containing
the information set forth in clauses (a)(i) without regard to subclauses (A)-(D)
thereof and (a)(ii) of this Section 4.05 aggregated for such calendar year or
applicable portion thereof during which such Person was a Certificateholder.
Such obligation of the Trustee shall be deemed to have been satisfied to the
extent that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the
Trustee pursuant to any requirements of the Code as are from time to time in
effect.

                  (e) Upon filing with the Internal Revenue Service, the Trustee
shall furnish to the Holders of the Class R Certificate and the NIMs Insurer
each Form 1066 and each Form 1066Q and shall respond promptly to written
requests made not more frequently than quarterly by any Holder of a Class R
Certificate with respect to the following matters:

                           (i) The original projected principal and interest
cash flows on the Closing Date on each Class of regular and residual interests
created hereunder and on the Mortgage Loans, based on the Prepayment Assumption;

                           (ii) The projected remaining principal and interest
cash flows as of the end of any calendar quarter with respect to each Class of
regular and residual interests created hereunder and the Mortgage Loans, based
on the Prepayment Assumption;

                           (iii) The Prepayment Assumption and any interest rate
assumptions used in determining the projected principal and interest cash flows
described above;

                           (iv) The original issue discount (or, in the case of
the Mortgage Loans, market discount) or premium accrued or amortized through the
end of such calendar quarter with respect to each Class of regular or residual
interests created hereunder and to the Mortgage Loans, together with each
constant yield to maturity used in computing the same;

                           (v) The treatment of losses realized with respect to
the Mortgage Loans or the regular interests created hereunder, including the
timing and amount of any cancellation of indebtedness income of the REMICs with
respect to such regular interests or bad debt deductions claimed with respect to
the Mortgage Loans;

                           (vi) The amount and timing of any non-interest
expenses of the REMICs; and

                           (vii) Any taxes (including penalties and interest)
imposed on the REMICs, including, without limitation, taxes on "prohibited
transactions," "contributions" or "net income from foreclosure property" or
state or local income or franchise taxes.

         The information pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above
shall be provided by the Depositor pursuant to Section 8.12.

                                      -95-
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE V

                                THE CERTIFICATES

         SECTION 5.01. The Certificates.

         The Certificates shall be substantially in the forms attached hereto as
exhibits. The Certificates shall be issuable in registered form, in the minimum
dollar denominations, integral dollar multiples in excess thereof (except that
one Certificate of each Class may be issued in a different amount which must be
in excess of the applicable minimum dollar denomination) and aggregate dollar
denominations as set forth in the following table:

<Table>
<Caption>

                              Minimum              Integral Multiples in        Original Certificate
  Class                     Denomination             Excess of Minimum           Principal Balance
---------                   ------------           ---------------------        --------------------
<S>                         <C>                    <C>                          <C>
  A-1A                       $25,000.00                    $1.00                   $150,481,000.00
  A-1B                       $25,000.00                    $1.00                    $37,620,000.00
  A-2A                       $25,000.00                    $1.00                    $81,239,000.00
  A-2B                       $25,000.00                    $1.00                   $128,345,000.00
  A-2C                       $25,000.00                    $1.00                    $17,565,000.00
  M-1                        $25,000.00                    $1.00                    $33,825,000.00
  M-2                        $25,000.00                    $1.00                    $16,775,000.00
  M-3                        $25,000.00                    $1.00                    $11,275,000.00
  M-4                        $25,000.00                    $1.00                    $11,000,000.00
  M-5                        $25,000.00                    $1.00                    $11,275,000.00
  M-6                        $25,000.00                    $1.00                     $9,900,000.00
  B-1                        $25,000.00                    $1.00                    $10,175,000.00
  B-2                        $25,000.00                    $1.00                     $9,900,000.00
  B-3                        $25,000.00                    $1.00                     $4,675,000.00
  B-4                        $25,000.00                    $1.00                     $3,850,000.00
  C                              (1)                        (1)                               100%
  R                            $100.00                      N/A                            $100.00
  P                              (2)                        (2)                                (2)
</Table>

-------------------

(1)      The Class C Certificates shall not have minimum dollar denominations or
         certificate notional amounts and shall be issued in a minimum
         percentage interest of 10%. The initial Overcollateralization Amount is
         $12,100,006.17.

(2)      The Class P Certificates shall not have minimum dollar denominations or
         Certificate Principal Balances and shall be issued in a minimum
         percentage interest of 100%.

         The Certificates shall be executed by manual or facsimile signature on
behalf of the Trustee by an authorized officer. Certificates bearing the manual
or facsimile signatures of individuals who were, at the time when such
signatures were affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of the Trustee shall bind
the Trust Fund, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased
to be so authorized prior to the authentication and delivery of such
Certificates or did not hold such offices at the date of such authentication and
delivery. No Certificate shall be entitled to any benefit under this Agreement,
or be valid for any purpose, unless there appears on such Certificate a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth as attached
hereto executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate of
authentication upon any Certificate shall be conclusive evidence, and the only
evidence, that such Certificate has been duly authenticated and delivered
hereunder. All Certificates shall be dated the date of their authentication. On
the Closing Date, the Trustee shall authenticate the Certificates to be issued
at the written direction of the Depositor, or any Affiliate thereof.

                                      -96-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 5.02. Certificate Register; Registration of Transfer and
Exchange of Certificates.

                  (a) The Trustee shall maintain, or cause to be maintained in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5.09 hereof, a Certificate Register
for the Trust Fund in which, subject to the provisions of subsections (b) and
(c) below and to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Trustee
shall provide for the registration of Certificates and of Transfers and
exchanges of Certificates as herein provided. Upon surrender for registration of
Transfer of any Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the
name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Certificates
of the same Class and of like aggregate Percentage Interest.

         At the option of a Certificateholder, Certificates may be exchanged for
other Certificates of the same Class in authorized denominations and evidencing
the same aggregate Percentage Interest upon surrender of the Certificates to be
exchanged at the office or agency of the Trustee. Whenever any Certificates are
so surrendered for exchange, the Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver
the Certificates that the Certificateholder making the exchange is entitled to
receive. Every Certificate presented or surrendered for registration of Transfer
or exchange shall be accompanied by a written instrument of Transfer in form
satisfactory to the Trustee duly executed by the holder thereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing.

         No service charge to the Certificateholders shall be made for any
registration of Transfer or exchange of Certificates, but payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection with any Transfer or exchange of Certificates may be required. All
Certificates surrendered for registration of Transfer or exchange shall be
canceled and subsequently destroyed by a Trustee in accordance with such
Trustee's customary procedures.

                  (b) No Transfer of a Class C, Class P or Class B-4 Certificate
shall be made unless such Transfer is made pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws or
is exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and such
state securities laws. In the event that a Transfer is to be made in reliance
upon an exemption from the Securities Act and such laws, in order to assure
compliance with the Securities Act and such laws, the Certificateholder desiring
to effect such Transfer and such Certificateholder's prospective transferee
shall (except with respect to the initial transfer of a Class C, Class P or
Class B-4 Certificate by Merrill Lynch & Co. or, in connection with a transfer
of a Class C, Class P or Class B-4 Certificate to the indenture trustee under an
Indenture pursuant to which NIM Notes are issued, whether or not such notes are
guaranteed by the NIMs Insurer) each certify to the Trustee in writing the facts
surrounding the Transfer in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit F (the
"Transferor Certificate") and (i) deliver a letter in substantially the form of
either Exhibit G (the "Investment Letter") or Exhibit H (the "Rule 144A Letter")
or (ii) there shall be delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel that such
Transfer may be made pursuant to an exemption from the Securities Act, which
Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Depositor or the Trustee. The
Depositor shall provide to any Holder of a Class C, Class P or Class B-4
Certificate and any prospective transferee designated by any such Holder,
information regarding the related Certificates and the Mortgage Loans and such
other information as shall be necessary to satisfy the condition to eligibility
set forth in Rule 144A(d)(4) for Transfer of any such Certificate without
registration thereof under the Securities Act pursuant to the registration
exemption provided by Rule 144A. The Trustee shall cooperate with the Depositor
in providing the Rule 144A information referenced in the preceding sentence,
including providing to the Depositor such information in the possession of the
Trustee regarding the Certificates, the Mortgage Loans and other matters
regarding the Trust Fund as the Depositor shall reasonably request to meet its
obligation under the preceding sentence. Each Holder of a Class C, Class P or
Class B-4 Certificate desiring to effect such Transfer shall, and does hereby
agree to, indemnify the Depositor and the Trustee against any

                                      -97-
<PAGE>

liability that may result if the Transfer is not so exempt or is not made in
accordance with such federal and state laws.

         No transfer of an ERISA Restricted Certificate that is a Class R
Certificate may be made to any Person unless the Trustee has received a
representation from the transferee of the Class R Certificate, acceptable to and
in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that such
transferee is not an employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a plan
subject to Section 4975 of the Code or a plan subject to any state, local,
federal, non-U.S. or other law substantively similar to the foregoing provisions
of ERISA or the Code ("Similar Law") (collectively, a "Plan"), or to any Person
directly or indirectly acquiring such Certificate for, on behalf of, or with any
assets of any such Plan. Each Person to whom a Class R Certificate is to be
transferred shall be required or deemed to represent that it is not a Plan.

         No transfer of an ERISA-Restricted Certificate (other than the Class R
Certificate) shall be made to any Person unless the Trustee has received (A) a
representation that such transferee is not a Plan and is not directly or
indirectly acquiring the Certificate for, on behalf of, or with the assets of
any such Plan, (B) if the Certificate has been the subject of an
ERISA-Qualifying Underwriting, a representation that such transferee is an
insurance company that is acquiring the Certificate with assets contained in an
"insurance company general account," as defined in Section V(e) of Prohibited
Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 95-60, and the acquisition and holding of
the Certificate are covered and exempt under Sections I and III of PTCE 95-60,
or (C) solely in the case of a Definitive Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel
satisfactory to the Trustee, and upon which the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer
shall be entitled to rely, to the effect that the acquisition and holding of
such Certificate will not constitute or result in a nonexempt prohibited
transaction under Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or a violation
of Similar Law, and will not subject the Trustee, the Servicer, the NIMs Insurer
or the Depositor to any obligation in addition to those expressly undertaken in
this Agreement, which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Trustee,
the Servicer, the NIMs Insurer or the Depositor.

         For purposes of the two immediately preceding paragraphs of this
Subsection 5.02(b), other than clause (C) in the immediately preceding
paragraph, the representations as set forth therein shall be deemed to have been
made to the Trustee by the transferee's acceptance of an ERISA Restricted
Certificate (or the acceptance by a Certificate Owner of the beneficial interest
in any Class of ERISA Restricted Certificates). Notwithstanding any other
provision herein to the contrary, any purported transfer of an ERISA Restricted
Certificate to or on behalf of a Plan without the delivery to the Trustee of a
representation or an Opinion of Counsel satisfactory to the Trustee as described
above shall be void and of no effect. The Trustee shall not be under any
liability to any Person for any registration or transfer of any ERISA Restricted
Certificate that is in fact not permitted by this Section 5.02(b), nor shall the
Trustee be under any liability for making any payments due on such Certificate
to the Holder thereof or taking any other action with respect to such Holder
under the provisions of this Agreement so long as the transfer was registered by
the Trustee in accordance with the foregoing requirements. The Trustee shall be
entitled, but not obligated, to recover from any Holder of any ERISA Restricted
Certificate that was in fact a Plan and that held such Certificate in violation
of this Section 5.02(b) all payments made on such ERISA Restricted Certificate
at and after the time it commenced such holding. Any such payments so recovered
shall be paid and delivered to the last preceding Holder of such Certificate
that is not a Plan.

                  (c) Each Person who has or who acquires any Ownership Interest
in a Class R Certificate shall be deemed by the acceptance or acquisition of
such Ownership Interest to have agreed to be bound by the following provisions,
and the rights of each Person acquiring any Ownership Interest in a Class R
Certificate are expressly subject to the following provisions:

                                      -98-
<PAGE>

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

                           (ii) No Ownership Interest in a Class R Certificate
may be purchased, transferred or sold, directly or indirectly, except in
accordance with the provisions hereof. No Ownership Interest in a Class R
Certificate may be registered on the Closing Date or thereafter transferred, and
the Trustee shall not register the Transfer of any Class R Certificate unless,
in addition to the certificates required to be delivered to the Trustee under
subparagraph (b) above, the Trustee shall have been furnished with an affidavit
(a "Transfer Affidavit") of the initial owner or the proposed transferee in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit E-1 and an affidavit of the proposed transferor
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E-2. In the absence of a contrary
instruction from the transferor of a Class R Certificate, declaration (11) in
Appendix A of the Transfer Affidavit may be left blank. If the transferor
requests by written notice to the Trustee prior to the date of the proposed
transfer that one of the two other forms of declaration (11) in Appendix A of
the Transfer Affidavit be used, then the requirements of this Section
5.02(c)(ii) shall not have been satisfied unless the Transfer Affidavit includes
such other form of declaration.

                           (iii) Each Person holding or acquiring any Ownership
Interest in a Class R Certificate shall agree (A) to obtain a Transfer Affidavit
from any other Person to whom such Person attempts to Transfer its Ownership
Interest in a Class R Certificate, (B) to obtain a Transfer Affidavit from any
Person for whom such Person is acting as nominee, trustee or agent in connection
with any Transfer of a Class R Certificate and (C) not to Transfer its Ownership
Interest in a Class R Certificate or to cause the Transfer of an Ownership
Interest in a Class R Certificate to any other Person if it has actual knowledge
that such Person is not a Permitted Transferee. Further, no transfer, sale or
other disposition of any Ownership Interest in a Class R Certificate may be made
to a person who is not a U.S. Person (within the meaning of Section 7701 of the
Code) unless such person furnishes the transferor and the Trustee with a duly
completed and effective Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or any successor
thereto) and the Trustee consents to such transfer, sale or other disposition in
writing.

                           (iv) Any attempted or purported Transfer of any
Ownership Interest in a Class R Certificate in violation of the provisions of
this Section 5.02(c) shall be absolutely null and void and shall vest no rights
in the purported Transferee. If any purported transferee shall become a Holder
of a Class R Certificate in violation of the provisions of this Section 5.02(c),
then the last preceding Permitted Transferee shall be restored to all rights as
Holder thereof retroactive to the date of registration of Transfer of such Class
R Certificate. The Trustee shall be under no liability to any Person for any
registration of Transfer of a Class R Certificate that is in fact not permitted
by Section 5.02(b) and this Section 5.02(c) or for making any payments due on
such Certificate to the Holder thereof or taking any other action with respect
to such Holder under the provisions of this Agreement so long as the Transfer
was registered after receipt of the related Transfer Affidavit. The Trustee
shall be entitled but not obligated to recover from any Holder of a Class R
Certificate that was in fact not a Permitted Transferee at the time it became a
Holder or, at such subsequent time as it became other than a Permitted
Transferee, all payments made on such Class R Certificate at and after either
such time. Any such payments so recovered by the Trustee shall be paid and
delivered by the Trustee to the last preceding Permitted Transferee of such
Certificate.

                           (v) At the option of the Holder of the Class R
Certificate, the Class LTR Interest and the residual interest in the Upper Tier
REMIC may be severed and represented by separate certificates (with the
certificate that represents the Residual Interest also representing all rights
of the Class R Certificate to distributions attributable to a Pass-Through Rate
on the Class R Certificate in excess of the Net Rate); provided, however, that
such separate certification may not occur until the

                                      -99-
<PAGE>

Trustee and the NIMs Insurer receive an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that
separate certification in the form and manner proposed would not result in the
imposition of federal tax upon the Trust Fund or any of the REMICs provided for
herein or cause any of the REMICs provided for herein to fail to qualify as a
REMIC; and provided further, that the provisions of Sections 5.02(b) and (c)
will apply to each such separate certificate as if the separate certificate were
a Class R Certificate. If, as evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel, it is
necessary to preserve the REMIC status of any of the REMICs provided for herein,
the Class LTR Interest and the residual interest in the Upper Tier REMIC shall
be severed and represented by separate Certificates.

         The restrictions on Transfers of a Class R Certificate set forth in
this Section 5.02(c) shall cease to apply (and the applicable portions of the
legend on a Class R Certificate may be deleted) with respect to Transfers
occurring after delivery to the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer of an Opinion of
Counsel, which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Trustee or the
Depositor, to the effect that the elimination of such restrictions will not
cause any of the REMICs provided for herein to fail to qualify as a REMIC at any
time that the Certificates are outstanding or result in the imposition of any
tax on the Trust Fund, any REMIC provided for herein, a Certificateholder or
another Person. Each Person holding or acquiring any Ownership Interest in a
Class R Certificate hereby consents to any amendment of this Agreement that,
based on an Opinion of Counsel furnished to the Trustee, is reasonably necessary
(a) to ensure that the record ownership of, or any beneficial interest in, a
Class R Certificate is not transferred, directly or indirectly, to a Person that
is not a Permitted Transferee and (b) to provide for a means to compel the
Transfer of a Class R Certificate that is held by a Person that is not a
Permitted Transferee to a Holder that is a Permitted Transferee.

                  (d) The transferor of the Class R Certificate shall notify the
Trustee in writing upon the transfer of the Class R Certificate.

                  (e) The preparation and delivery of all certificates, opinions
and other writings referred to above in this Section 5.02 shall not be an
expense of the Trust Fund, the Depositor or the Trustee.

         SECTION 5.03. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.

         If (a) any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Trustee or the
Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft
of any Certificate and of the ownership thereof and (b) there is delivered to
the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer such security or indemnity as may be required
by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the
Trustee that such Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the
Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of
any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate of
like Class, tenor and Percentage Interest. In connection with the issuance of
any new Certificate under this Section 5.03, the Trustee may require the payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be
imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and
expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith. Any replacement Certificate issued
pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall constitute complete and indefeasible
evidence of ownership in the Trust Fund, as if originally issued, whether or not
the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time. All
Certificates surrendered to the Trustee under the terms of this Section 5.03
shall be canceled and destroyed by the Trustee in accordance with its standard
procedures without liability on its part.

         SECTION 5.04. Persons Deemed Owners.

         The NIMs Insurer, the Trustee and any agent of the NIMs Insurer or the
Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate is registered as the
owner of such Certificate for the purpose of

                                     -100-
<PAGE>

receiving distributions as provided in this Agreement and for all other purposes
whatsoever, and none of the NIMs Insurer or the Trustee, nor any agent of the
NIMs Insurer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

         SECTION 5.05. Access to List of Certificateholders' Names and
Addresses.

         If three or more Certificateholders (a) request such information in
writing from the Trustee, (b) state that such Certificateholders desire to
communicate with other Certificateholders with respect to their rights under
this Agreement or under the Certificates, and (c) provide a copy of the
communication that such Certificateholders propose to transmit or if the NIMs
Insurer or the Depositor shall request such information in writing from the
Trustee, then the Trustee shall, within ten Business Days after the receipt of
such request, provide the NIMs Insurer or the Depositor or such
Certificateholders at such recipients' expense the most recent list of the
Certificateholders of the Trust Fund held by the Trustee, if any. The Depositor
and every Certificateholder, by receiving and holding a Certificate, agree that
the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any
such information as to the list of the Certificateholders hereunder, regardless
of the source from which such information was derived.

         SECTION 5.06. Book-Entry Certificates.

         The Regular Certificates, upon original issuance, shall be issued in
the form of one or more typewritten Certificates representing the Book-Entry
Certificates, to be delivered to the Depository by or on behalf of the
Depositor. The Book-Entry Certificates shall initially be registered on the
Certificate Register in the name of the Depository or its nominee, and no
Certificate Owner of a Book-Entry Certificate will receive a definitive
certificate representing such Certificate Owner's interest in such Certificates,
except as provided in Section 5.08. Unless and until definitive, fully
registered Certificates ("Definitive Certificates") have been issued to the
Certificate Owners of the Book-Entry Certificates pursuant to Section 5.08:

                  (a) the provisions of this Section shall be in full force and
effect;

                  (b) the Depositor, the NIMs Insurer and the Trustee may deal
with the Depository and the Depository Participants for all purposes (including
the making of distributions) as the authorized representative of the respective
Certificate Owners of the Book-Entry Certificates;

                  (c) registration of the Book-Entry Certificates may not be
transferred by the Trustee except to another Depository;

                  (d) the rights of the respective Certificate Owners of the
Book-Entry Certificates shall be exercised only through the Depository and the
Depository Participants and shall be limited to those established by law and
agreements between the Owners of the Book-Entry Certificates and the Depository
and/or the Depository Participants. Pursuant to the Depository Agreement, unless
and until Definitive Certificates are issued pursuant to Section 5.08, the
Depository will make book-entry transfers among the Depository Participants and
receive and transmit distributions of principal and interest on the related
Certificates to such Depository Participants;

                  (e) the Depository may collect its usual and customary fees,
charges and expenses from its Depository Participants;

                  (f) the Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in
relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its
Depository Participants; and

                                     -101-
<PAGE>

                  (g) to the extent that the provisions of this Section conflict
with any other provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Section
shall control.

         For purposes of any provision of this Agreement requiring or permitting
actions with the consent of, or at the direction of, Certificateholders
evidencing a specified percentage of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of
any Class of Certificates, such direction or consent may be given by Certificate
Owners (acting through the Depository and the Depository Participants) owning
Book-Entry Certificates evidencing the requisite percentage of principal amount
of such Class of Certificates.

         SECTION 5.07. Notices to Depository.

         Whenever any notice or other communication is required to be given to
Certificateholders of the Class with respect to which Book-Entry Certificates
have been issued, unless and until Definitive Certificates shall have been
issued to the related Certificate Owners and the Trustee shall give all such
notices and communications to the Depository.

         SECTION 5.08. Definitive Certificates.

         If, after Book-Entry Certificates have been issued with respect to any
Certificates, (a) the Depository or the Depositor advises the Trustee that the
Depository is no longer willing, qualified or able to discharge properly its
responsibilities under the Depository Agreement with respect to such
Certificates and the Trustee or the Depositor is unable to locate a qualified
successor, (b) the Depositor notifies the Trustee and the Depository of its
intent to terminate the book-entry system through the Depository and, upon
receipt of notice of such intent from the Depository, the Certificate Owners of
the Book-Entry Certificates agree to initiate such termination or (c) after the
occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, Certificate Owners of such
Book-Entry Certificates having not less than 51% of the Voting Rights evidenced
by any Class of Book-Entry Certificates advise the Trustee and the Depository in
writing through the Depository Participants that the continuation of a
book-entry system with respect to Certificates of such Class through the
Depository (or its successor) is no longer in the best interests of the
Certificate Owners of such Class, then the Trustee shall notify all Certificate
Owners of such Book-Entry Certificates and the NIMs Insurer, through the
Depository, of the occurrence of any such event and of the availability of
Definitive Certificates to Certificate Owners of such Class requesting the same.
The Depositor shall provide the Trustee with an adequate inventory of
certificates to facilitate the issuance and transfer of Definitive Certificates.
Upon surrender to the Trustee of any such Certificates by the Depository,
accompanied by registration instructions from the Depository for registration,
the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Definitive Certificates. Neither
the Depositor nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such
instructions and each may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in
relying on, such instructions. Upon the issuance of such Definitive
Certificates, all references herein to obligations imposed upon or to be
performed by the Depository shall be deemed to be imposed upon and performed by
the Trustee, to the extent applicable with respect to such Definitive
Certificates and the Trustee shall recognize the Holders of such Definitive
Certificates as Certificateholders hereunder.

         SECTION 5.09. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

         The Trustee will maintain or cause to be maintained at its expense an
office or offices or agency or agencies where Certificates may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange. The Trustee initially designates its
offices at Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479,
Attention: Corporate Trust Services - First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Series
2005-FFH1 as offices for such purposes. The Trustee will give prompt written
notice to the Certificateholders of any change in such location of any such
office or agency.

                                     -102-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VI

                         THE DEPOSITOR AND THE SERVICER

         SECTION 6.01. Respective Liabilities of the Depositor and the Servicer.

         The Depositor and the Servicer shall each be liable in accordance
herewith only to the extent of the obligations specifically and respectively
imposed upon and undertaken by them herein.

         SECTION 6.02. Merger or Consolidation of the Depositor or the Servicer.

         Except as provided in the next paragraph, the Depositor and the
Servicer will each keep in full effect its existence, rights and franchises as a
corporation or banking association under the laws of the United States or under
the laws of one of the States thereof and will each obtain and preserve its
qualification to do business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in
which such qualification is or shall be necessary to protect the validity and
enforceability of this Agreement, or any of the Mortgage Loans and to perform
its respective duties under this Agreement.

         Any Person into which the Depositor or the Servicer may be merged or
consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which
the Depositor or the Servicer shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the
business of the Depositor, or the Servicer, shall be the successor of the
Depositor or Servicer, as the case may be, 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 (except for the execution of an
assumption agreement where such succession is not effected by operation of law);
provided, however, that the successor or surviving Person to the Servicer shall
be qualified to sell mortgage loans to, and to service mortgage loans on behalf
of, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

         SECTION 6.03. Limitation on Liability of the Depositor, the Servicer
and Others.

         None of the Depositor, the Servicer, nor any of the directors,
officers, employees or agents of the Depositor or the Servicer shall be under
any liability to the Trust Fund or the Certificateholders for any action taken
or for refraining from the taking of any action in good faith pursuant to this
Agreement, or for errors in judgment; provided, however, that this provision
shall not protect the Depositor, the Servicer or any such Person against any
breach of representations or warranties made by it herein or protect the
Depositor, the Servicer or any such Person from any liability that would
otherwise be imposed by reasons of willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence
in the performance of duties or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations
and duties hereunder. The Depositor or the Servicer and any director, officer,
employee or agent of the Depositor or the Servicer may rely in good faith on any
document of any kind prima facie properly executed and submitted by any Person
respecting any matters arising hereunder. The Depositor or the Servicer and any
director, officer, employee or agent of the Depositor, or the Servicer shall be
indemnified by the Trust Fund and held harmless against any loss, liability or
expense, incurred in connection with the performance of their duties under this
agreement or incurred in connection with any audit, controversy or judicial
proceeding relating to a governmental taxing authority or any legal action
relating to this Agreement or the Certificates, other than any loss, liability
or expense (i) incurred by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or
negligence in the performance of duties hereunder or by reason of reckless
disregard of obligations and duties hereunder or (ii) which does not constitute
an "unanticipated expense" within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section
1.860G-1(b)(3)(ii). Neither the Depositor nor the Servicer shall be under any
obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action that is not
incidental to its respective duties hereunder and that in its opinion may
involve it in any expense or liability; provided, however, that either the
Depositor or the Servicer in its discretion may undertake any such action that
it may deem necessary or desirable in respect of this Agreement and the

                                     -103-
<PAGE>

rights and duties of the parties hereto and interests of the Trustee and the
Certificateholders hereunder. In such event, the legal expenses and costs of
such action and any liability resulting therefrom shall be, expenses, costs and
liabilities of the Trust Fund, and the Depositor and the Servicer shall be
entitled to be reimbursed therefor out of the Collection Account as provided by
Section 3.08 hereof.

         SECTION 6.04. Limitation on Resignation of Servicer.

         The Servicer shall not resign from the obligations and duties hereby
imposed on it except upon determination that its duties hereunder are no longer
permissible under applicable law. Any such determination permitting the
resignation of the Servicer shall be evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel to such
effect delivered to the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer. No such resignation shall
become effective until the Trustee or a successor servicer reasonably acceptable
to the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer is appointed and has assumed the Servicer's
responsibilities, duties, liabilities and obligations hereunder. Any such
resignation shall not relieve the Servicer of any of the obligations specified
in Section 7.01 and 7.02 as obligations that survive the resignation or
termination of the Servicer.

         SECTION 6.05. Errors and Omissions Insurance; Fidelity Bonds.

         The Servicer shall, for so long as it acts as servicer under this
Agreement, obtain and maintain in force (a) a policy or policies of insurance
covering errors and omissions in the performance of its obligations as servicer
hereunder, and (b) a fidelity bond in respect of its officers, employees and
agents. Each such policy or policies and bond shall, together, comply with the
requirements from time to time of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac for Persons
performing servicing for mortgage loans purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
The Servicer shall provide the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer, upon request and
reasonable notice, with copies of such policies and fidelity bond or a
certification from the insurance provider evidencing such policies and fidelity
bond. In the event that any such policy or bond ceases to be in effect, the
Servicer shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to obtain a comparable
replacement policy or bond from an insurer or issuer meeting the requirements
set forth above as of the date of such replacement.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                        DEFAULT; TERMINATION OF SERVICER

         SECTION 7.01. Events of Default.

         "Event of Default," wherever used herein, means any one of the
following events:

                  (i) any failure by the Servicer to make any Advance, to
deposit in the Collection Account or the Certificate Account or remit to the
Trustee any payment (excluding a payment required to be made under Section 4.01
hereof) required to be made under the terms of this Agreement, which failure
shall continue unremedied for three Business Days and, with respect to a payment
required to be made under Section 4.01 hereof, for one Business Day, after the
date on which written notice of such failure shall have been given to the
Servicer by the Trustee or the Depositor, or to the Trustee and the Servicer by
the NIMs Insurer or the Holders of Certificates evidencing greater than 50% of
the Voting Rights evidenced by the Certificates; or

                  (ii) any failure by the Servicer to observe or perform in any
material respect any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the
Servicer contained in this Agreement or any representation or warranty shall
prove to be untrue, which failure or breach shall continue unremedied for a
period of 60 days after the date on which written notice of such failure shall
have been given to the

                                     -104-
<PAGE>

Servicer by the Trustee or the Depositor, or to the Trustee by the NIMs Insurer
or the Holders of Certificates evidencing greater than 50% of the Voting Rights
evidenced by the Certificates; or

                  (iii) a decree or order of a court or agency or supervisory
authority having jurisdiction for the appointment of a receiver or liquidator in
any insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets and liabilities or
similar proceedings, or for the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, shall
have been entered against the Servicer and such decree or order shall have
remained in force undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 consecutive days;
or

                  (iv) consent by the Servicer to the appointment of a receiver
or liquidator in any insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets and
liabilities or similar proceedings of or relating to the Servicer or all or
substantially all of the property of the Servicer; or

                  (v) admission by a Servicer in writing of its inability to pay
its debts generally as they become due, file a petition to take advantage of, or
commence a voluntary case under, any applicable insolvency or reorganization
statute, make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or voluntarily
suspend payment of its obligations.

         If an Event of Default shall occur with respect to the Servicer, then,
and in each and every such case, so long as such Event of Default shall not have
been remedied within the applicable grace period, or solely with respect to
clause (i) above by 5:00p.m. on the Servicer Remittance Date, the Trustee may
(with the written consent of the NIMs Insurer, except after a NIMs Insurer
Default), or at the direction of the NIMs Insurer or the Holders of Certificates
evidencing greater than 50% of the Voting Rights evidenced by the Certificates
(with the written consent of the NIMs Insurer, except after a NIMs Insurer
Default), shall, by notice in writing to the Servicer (with a copy to each
Rating Agency), terminate all of the rights and obligations of the Servicer
under this Agreement and in and to the Mortgage Loans and the proceeds thereof,
other than its rights as a Certificateholder hereunder. On or after the receipt
by the Servicer of such written notice, all authority and power of the Servicer
hereunder, whether with respect to the Mortgage Loans or otherwise, shall pass
to and be vested in the Trustee as successor servicer. To the extent the Event
of Default resulted from the failure of the Servicer to make a required Advance,
the Trustee shall thereupon make any Advance described in Section 4.01 hereof
subject to Section 3.04 hereof. The Trustee is hereby authorized and empowered
to execute and deliver, on behalf of the Servicer, as attorney-in-fact or
otherwise, any and all documents and other instruments, and to do or accomplish
all other acts or things necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of such
notice of termination, whether to complete the transfer and endorsement or
assignment of the Mortgage Loans and related documents, or otherwise. Unless
expressly provided in such written notice, no such termination shall affect any
obligation of the Servicer to pay amounts owed pursuant to Article VIII. The
Servicer agrees to cooperate with the Trustee in effecting the termination of
the Servicer's responsibilities and rights hereunder, including, without
limitation, the transfer to the Trustee of all cash amounts which shall at the
time be credited to the Collection Account, or thereafter be received with
respect to the Mortgage Loans. The Servicer and the Trustee shall promptly
notify the Rating Agencies of the occurrence of an Event of Default or an event
that, with notice, passage of time, other action or any combination of the
foregoing would be an Event of Default, such notice to be provided in any event
within two Business Days of such occurrence.

         Notwithstanding any termination of the activities of the Servicer
hereunder, the Servicer shall be entitled to receive, out of any late collection
of a Scheduled Payment on a Mortgage Loan that was due prior to the notice
terminating the Servicer's rights and obligations as Servicer hereunder and
received after such notice, that portion thereof to which the Servicer would
have been entitled pursuant to Sections 3.08(a), and any other amounts payable
to the Servicer hereunder the entitlement to which arose prior to the
termination of its activities hereunder. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, upon

                                     -105-
<PAGE>

termination of the Servicer hereunder, any liabilities of the Servicer which
accrued prior to such termination shall survive such termination.

         SECTION 7.02. Trustee to Act; Appointment of Successor.

         On and after the time the Servicer receives a notice of termination
pursuant to Section 7.01 hereof, the Trustee shall, to the extent provided in
Section 3.04, be the successor to the Servicer in its capacity as servicer under
this Agreement and the transactions set forth or provided for herein and shall
be subject to all the responsibilities, duties and liabilities relating thereto
placed on the Servicer by the terms and provisions hereof and applicable law
including the obligation to make advances pursuant to Section 4.01. As
compensation therefor, subject to the last paragraph of Section 7.01, the
Trustee shall be entitled to all fees, costs and expenses relating to the
Mortgage Loans that the Servicer would have been entitled to if the Servicer had
continued to act hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Trustee has
become the successor to the Servicer in accordance with Section 7.01 hereof, the
Trustee may, if it shall be unwilling to so act, or shall, if it is prohibited
by applicable law from making Advances pursuant to Section 4.01 hereof or if it
is otherwise unable to so act, appoint, or petition a court of competent
jurisdiction to appoint, any established mortgage loan servicing institution the
appointment of which successor shall be approved by the NIMs Insurer and which
does not adversely affect the then current rating of the Certificates by each
Rating Agency rating the Certificates as the successor to the Servicer hereunder
in the assumption of all or any part of the responsibilities, duties or
liabilities of the Servicer hereunder. Any successor Servicer shall be an
institution that is acceptable to the NIMs Insurer and is a Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac approved seller/servicer in good standing, that has a net worth of
at least $15,000,000, and that is willing to service the Mortgage Loans and
executes and delivers to the Depositor and the Trustee an agreement accepting
such delegation and assignment, that contains an assumption by such Person of
the rights, powers, duties, responsibilities, obligations and liabilities of the
Servicer (other than liabilities of the Servicer under Section 6.03 hereof
incurred prior to termination of the Servicer under Section 7.01), with like
effect as if originally named as a party to this Agreement; and provided further
that each Rating Agency rating the Certificates acknowledges that its rating of
the Certificates in effect immediately prior to such assignment and delegation
will not be qualified or reduced as a result of such assignment and delegation.
No appointment of a successor to the Servicer hereunder shall be effective until
the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer shall have consented thereto, prior written
consent of the NIMs Insurer is obtained and written notice of such proposed
appointment shall have been provided by the Trustee to each Certificateholder.
The Trustee shall not resign as servicer until a successor servicer has been
appointed and has accepted such appointment. Pending appointment of a successor
to the Servicer hereunder, the Trustee, unless the Trustee is prohibited by law
from so acting, shall, subject to Section 3.04 hereof, act in such capacity as
hereinabove provided. In connection with such appointment and assumption, the
Trustee may make such arrangements for the compensation of such successor out of
payments on Mortgage Loans as it and such successor shall agree; provided,
however, that no such compensation shall be in excess of that permitted the
Servicer hereunder. The Trustee and such successor shall take such action,
consistent with this Agreement, as shall be necessary to effectuate any such
succession. Neither the Trustee nor any other successor servicer shall be deemed
to be in default hereunder by reason of any failure to make, or any delay in
making, any distribution hereunder or any portion thereof or any failure to
perform, or any delay in performing, any duties or responsibilities hereunder,
in either case caused by the failure of the Servicer to deliver or provide, or
any delay in delivering or providing, any cash, information, documents or
records to it.

         Any successor to the Servicer as servicer shall give notice to the
Mortgagors of such change of servicer and shall, during the term of its service
as servicer maintain in force the policy or policies that the Servicer is
required to maintain pursuant to Section 6.05.

         SECTION 7.03. Notification to Certificateholders.

                                     -106-
<PAGE>

                  (a) Upon any termination of or appointment of a successor to
the Servicer, the Trustee shall give prompt written notice thereof to
Certificateholders, the NIMs Insurer and to each Rating Agency rating the
Certificates.

                  (b) Within 60 days after the occurrence of any Event of
Default, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Certificateholders and the
NIMs Insurer notice of each such Event of Default hereunder known to the
Trustee, unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                             CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

         SECTION 8.01. Duties of the Trustee.

         The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after
the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to
perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this
Agreement. In case an Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured, the
Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this
Agreement and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a
prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of
such person's own affairs. In case an Event of Default or other default by the
Servicer or the Depositor hereunder shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee
shall, at the direction of the majority of the Certificateholders or the NIMs
Insurer, or may, proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the
Certificateholders or the NIMs Insurer under this Agreement by a suit, action or
proceeding in equity or at law or otherwise, whether for the specific
performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this agreement or in aid
of the execution of any power granted in this Agreement or for the enforcement
of any other legal, equitable or other remedy, as the Trustee, being advised by
counsel and subject to the foregoing, shall deem most effectual to protect and
enforce any of the rights of the Trustee, the NIMs Insurer and the
Certificateholders.

         The Trustee, upon receipt of all resolutions, certificates, statements,
opinions, reports, documents, orders or other instruments furnished to the
Trustee that are specifically required to be furnished pursuant to any provision
of this Agreement, shall examine them to determine whether they conform to the
requirements of this Agreement. If any such instrument is found not to conform
to the requirements of this Agreement in a material manner, the Trustee shall
take such action as it deems appropriate to have the instrument corrected and if
the instrument is not corrected to its satisfaction, the Trustee will provide
notice thereof to the NIMs Insurer and the Certificateholders and take such
further action as directed by the NIMs Insurer and the Certificateholders.

         No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to relieve the
Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure
to act or its own misconduct, its negligent failure to perform its obligations
in compliance with this Agreement, or any liability that would be imposed by
reason of its willful misfeasance or bad faith; provided, however, that:

                           (i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default,
and after the curing of all such Events of Default that may have occurred, the
duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express
provisions of this Agreement, the Trustee shall not be liable, individually or
as Trustee except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are
specifically set forth in this Agreement, no implied covenants or obligations
shall be read into this Agreement against the Trustee and, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the
Trustee and conforming to

                                     -107-
<PAGE>

the requirements of this Agreement that it reasonably believed in good faith to
be genuine and to have been duly executed by the proper authorities respecting
any matters arising hereunder;

                           (ii) the Trustee shall not be liable, individually or
as Trustee, for an error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer
or Responsible Officers of the Trustee unless the Trustee was negligent or acted
in bad faith or with willful misfeasance;

                           (iii) the Trustee shall not be liable, individually
or as Trustee, with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken
by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the NIMs Insurer or the
Holders of each Class of Certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the Voting
Rights of such Class relating to the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred upon the Trustee under this Agreement; and

                           (iv) except as otherwise expressly provided in this
Agreement, if any default occurs in the making of a payment due under any
Permitted Investment, or if a default occurs in any other performance required
under any Permitted Investment, the Trustee may and, subject to Section 8.01 and
Section 8.02, upon the request of the NIMs Insurer or the Holders of the
Certificates representing more than 50% of the Voting Rights allocated to any
Class of Certificates, shall take such action as may be appropriate to enforce
such payment or performance, including the institution and prosecution of
appropriate proceedings.

         SECTION 8.02. Certain Matters Affecting the Trustee.

                  (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.01:

                           (v) the Trustee may request and rely upon and shall
be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, Officer's
Certificate, certificate of auditors or any other certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, bond or
other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or
presented by the proper party or parties;

                           (vi) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its
choice and any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder
in good faith and in accordance with such Opinion of Counsel;

                           (vii) the Trustee shall not be liable, individually
or as Trustee, for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and
believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers
conferred upon it by this Agreement;

                           (viii) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default
hereunder and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred,
the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or
matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond or other paper or
document, unless requested in writing so to do by the NIMs Insurer or the
Holders of each Class of Certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the Voting
Rights of such Class;

                           (ix) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or
powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or
through agents, accountants or attorneys;

                           (x) the Trustee shall not be required to expend its
own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any
of its duties hereunder if it shall have reasonable

                                     -108-
<PAGE>

grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against
such liability is not assured to it;

                           (xi) the Trustee shall not be liable, individually or
as Trustee, for any loss on any investment of funds pursuant to this Agreement
(other than as issuer of the investment security);

                           (xii) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have
knowledge of an Event of Default until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee
shall have received written notice thereof;

                           (xiii) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to
exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by this Agreement or to make
any investigation of matters arising hereunder or to institute, conduct or
defend any litigation hereunder or in relation hereto at the request, order or
direction of any of the NIMs Insurer or the Certificateholders, pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement, unless the NIMs Insurer or such Certificateholders
shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the
costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred therein or thereby;

                           (xiv) if requested by the Servicer, the Trustee shall
appoint the Servicer as the Trustee's attorney-in-fact in order to carry out and
perform certain activities that are necessary or appropriate for the servicing
and administration of the Mortgage Loans pursuant to this Agreement. Such
appointment shall be evidenced by powers of attorney in such form as may be
agreed to by the Trustee and the Servicer. The Trustee shall have no liability
for any action or inaction of the Servicer in connection with such powers of
attorney and the Trustee shall be indemnified by the Servicer for all
liabilities, costs and expenses incurred by the Trustee in connection with the
Servicer's use or misuse of such powers of attorney; and

                           (xv) the Trustee may rely on the sole judgment of the
Depositor in determining whether "Eligible Collateral" (as defined in the Cap
Contracts) has been delivered in an amount equal to the "Exposure" (as defined
in the Cap Contracts) as contemplated by Section 10 of each Cap Contract. The
Trustee shall not be liable, individually or as Trustee, for any action relating
to the determination of whether collateral delivered pursuant to the sentence
above constitutes "Eligible Collateral".

                  (b) All rights of action under this Agreement or under any of
the Certificates, enforceable by the Trustee, may be enforced by the Trustee
without the possession of any of the Certificates, or the production thereof at
the trial or other proceeding relating thereto, and any such suit, action or
proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its name for the
benefit of all the Holders of the Certificates, subject to the provisions of
this Agreement.

         SECTION 8.03. Trustee Not Liable for Mortgage Loans.

         The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the
Depositor or the Servicer, as the case may be, and the Trustee assumes no
responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to
the validity or sufficiency of this Agreement, of any Mortgage Loan, of any
guarantee of a NIMs Insurer or related document other than with respect to the
Trustee's execution and authentication of the Certificates. The Trustee shall
not be accountable for the use or application by the Depositor or the Servicer
of any funds paid to the Depositor or the Servicer in respect of the Mortgage
Loans or deposited in or withdrawn from the Collection Account or the
Certificate Account by the Depositor or the Servicer.

         SECTION 8.04. Trustee May Own Certificates.

                                     -109-
<PAGE>

         The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the
owner or pledgee of Certificates with the same rights as it would have if it
were not the Trustee.

         SECTION 8.05. Trustee's Fees and Expenses.

         The Trustee shall be entitled to all earnings on or investment income
with respect to funds in or credited to the Certificate Account.

         SECTION 8.06. Indemnification of Trustee.

                  (a) The Trustee and its respective directors, officers,
employees and agents shall be entitled to indemnification from the Trust Fund
for any loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with any legal
proceeding or incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on their part,
arising out of, or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the
trusts created hereunder or in connection with the performance of their duties
hereunder, including any applicable fees and expenses payable hereunder, and the
costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim in connection with
the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, provided
that:

                           (i) with respect to any such claim, the Trustee shall
have given the Depositor and the Holders written notice thereof promptly after
the Trustee shall have knowledge thereof; provided that failure to so notify
shall not relieve the Trust Fund of the obligation to indemnify the Trustee;
however, any reasonable delay by the Trustee to provide written notice to the
Depositor and the Holders promptly after the Trustee shall have obtained
knowledge of a claim shall not relieve the Trust Fund of the obligation to
indemnify the Trustee under this Section 8.06;

                           (ii) while maintaining control over its own defense,
the Trustee shall cooperate and consult fully with the Depositor in preparing
such defense;

                           (iii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Section 8.06, the Trust Fund shall not be liable for settlement of any such
claim by the Trustee entered into without the prior consent of the Depositor,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and

                           (iv) any such loss, liability or expense to be
indemnified by the Trust Fund must constitute an "unanticipated expense" of the
Trust Fund within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section
1.860G-1(b)(3)(ii).

         The provisions of this Section 8.06 shall survive any termination of
this Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Trustee and shall be
construed to include, but not be limited to any loss, liability or expense under
any environmental law.

                  (b) The Trustee shall be entitled to all reasonable expenses,
disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with
this Agreement (including fees and expenses of its counsel and all persons not
regularly in its employment), except any such expenses, disbursements and
advances that either (i) arise from its negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct or (ii) do not constitute "unanticipated expenses" within the meaning
of Treasury Regulations Section 1.860G-1(b)(3)(ii).

                  (c) The Trustee's right to indemnification and reimbursement
shall be subject to a cap of $300,000 in the aggregate in any calendar year,
excluding (i) any Servicing Transfer Costs and (ii) any costs, damages or
expenses incurred by the Trustee in connection with any "high cost" home loans
or any predatory or abusive lending laws, which amounts shall in no case be
subject to any such

                                     -110-
<PAGE>

limitation; provided, however, that such cap shall apply only if NIM Notes have
been issued and shall cease to apply after the date on which any NIM Notes are
paid in full and all amounts which the NIMs Insurer is entitled to be paid or
reimbursed shall have been paid or reimbursed. Any amounts not in excess of this
cap may be withdrawn by the Trustee from the Certificate Account at any time.

         SECTION 8.07. Eligibility Requirements for Trustee.

         The Trustee hereunder shall, at all times, be a corporation or
association organized and doing business under the laws of a state or the United
States of America, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers
having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, subject to
supervision or examination by federal or state authority and with a credit
rating that would not cause any of the Rating Agencies rating the Certificates
to reduce their respective ratings of any Class of Certificates below the
ratings issued on the Closing Date (or having provided such security from time
to time as is sufficient to avoid such reduction) and reasonably acceptable to
the NIMs Insurer. If such corporation or association publishes reports of
condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the
aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this
Section 8.07 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or association
shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most
recent report of condition so published. In case at any time the Trustee shall
cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.07, the
Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in
Section 8.08 hereof. The corporation or national banking association serving as
Trustee may have normal banking and trust relationships with the Depositor and
the NIMs Insurer and their respective Affiliates; provided, however, that such
corporation cannot be an Affiliate of the Servicer other than the Trustee in its
role as successor to the Servicer.

         SECTION 8.08. Resignation and Removal of Trustee.

         The Trustee may at any time resign and be discharged from the trusts
hereby created by (1) giving written notice of resignation to the Depositor, the
Servicer and the NIMs Insurer by mailing notice of resignation by first class
mail, postage prepaid, to the Certificateholders at their addresses appearing on
the Certificate Register and each Rating Agency rating the Certificates, not
less than 60 days before the date specified in such notice when, subject to
Section 8.09, such resignation is to take effect, and (2) acceptance of
appointment by a successor trustee acceptable to the NIMs Insurer in accordance
with Section 8.09 and meeting the qualifications set forth in Section 8.07. If
no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment
within 30 days after the giving of such notice or resignation, the resigning
Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of
a successor trustee.

         If at any time (i) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance
with the provisions of Section 8.07 hereof and shall fail to resign after
written request thereto by the Depositor or the NIMs Insurer, (ii) the Trustee
shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent,
or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any
public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or
affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, or
(iii)(A) a tax is imposed with respect to the Trust Fund by any state in which
the Trustee or the Trust Fund is located, (B) the imposition of such tax would
be avoided by the appointment of a different trustee and (C) the Trustee fails
to indemnify the Trust Fund against such tax, then the Depositor or the NIMs
Insurer may remove the Trustee and the Depositor with the consent of the NIMS
insurer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in
triplicate, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee, one
copy of which shall be delivered to the Servicer and one copy of which shall be
delivered to the successor trustee.

                                     -111-
<PAGE>

         The Holders evidencing at least 51% of the Voting Rights of all Classes
of Certificates, with the consent of the NIMs Insurer, or the NIMs Insurer upon
failure of the Trustee to perform its obligations hereunder may at any time
remove the Trustee and the Depositor shall appoint a successor trustee by
written instrument or instruments, in triplicate, signed by such Holders or
their attorneys-in-fact duly authorized (or by the NIMs Insurer), one complete
set of which instruments shall be delivered by the successor Trustee to the
Servicer, one complete set to the Trustee so removed and one complete set to the
successor so appointed. Notice of any removal of the Trustee shall be given to
the NIMs Insurer and each Rating Agency rating the Certificates by the successor
trustee.

         Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a
successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 8.08 shall
become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as
provided in Section 8.09 hereof.

         SECTION 8.09. Successor Trustee.

         Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 8.08 hereof
shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Depositor and to its predecessor
trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder and thereupon the
resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee, the NIMs Insurer and the
Servicer shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further
act, deed or conveyance, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers,
duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with the like effect as if
originally named as trustee herein.

         No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this
Section 8.09 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall
be eligible under the provisions of Section 8.07 hereof and its appointment
shall not adversely affect the then current rating of the Certificates.

         Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in
this Section 8.09, the Depositor shall mail notice of the succession of such
trustee hereunder to all Holders of Certificates. If the Depositor fails to mail
such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor
trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the
expense of the Depositor.

         SECTION 8.10. Merger or Consolidation of Trustee.

         Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder,
provided that such corporation shall be eligible under the provisions of Section
8.07 hereof without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding (except for the execution of an assumption agreement where such
succession is not effected by operation of law).

         SECTION 8.11. Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee.

         Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, at any time,
for the purpose of meeting any legal requirements of any jurisdiction in which
any part of the Trust Fund or property securing any Mortgage Note may at the
time be located, the Servicer and the Trustee acting jointly shall have the
power and shall execute and deliver all instruments to appoint one or more
Persons approved by the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer to act as co-trustee or
co-trustees jointly with the Trustee, or separate trustee or separate trustees,
of all or any part of the Trust Fund, and to vest in such Person or Persons, in
such capacity and for the benefit of the Certificateholders, such title to the
Trust Fund or any part thereof,

                                     -112-
<PAGE>

whichever is applicable, and, subject to the other provisions of this Section
8.11, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Servicer and
the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable. Any such co-trustee or separate
trustee shall be subject to the written approval of the Servicer and the NIMs
Insurer. The Trustee shall not be liable for the actions of any co-trustee;
provided the appointment of a co-trustee shall not relieve the Trustee of its
obligations hereunder. If the Servicer and the NIMs Insurer shall not have
joined in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by it of a request
to do so, or in the case an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Trustee alone shall have the power to make such appointment. No
co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of
eligibility as a successor trustee under Section 8.07 and no notice to
Certificateholders of the appointment of any co-trustee or separate trustee
shall be required under Section 8.09.

         Every separate trustee and co-trustee shall, to the extent permitted by
law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:

                           (i) All rights, powers, duties and obligations
conferred or imposed upon the Trustee except for the obligation of the Trustee
under this Agreement to advance funds on behalf of the Servicer shall be
conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee and such
separate trustee or co-trustee jointly (it being understood that such separate
trustee or co-trustee is not authorized to act separately without the Trustee
joining in such act), except to the extent that under any law of any
jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed (whether as
Trustee hereunder or as successor to the Servicer hereunder), the Trustee shall
be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such
rights, powers, duties and obligations (including the holding of title to the
Trust Fund or any portion thereof in any such jurisdiction) shall be exercised
and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but solely at the
direction of the Trustee;

                           (ii) No trustee hereunder shall be held personally
liable by reason of any act or omission of any other trustee hereunder; and

                           (iii) The Trustee, with the consent of the NIMs
Insurer, may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate
trustee or co-trustee.

         Any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be
deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and co-trustees,
as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any
separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Agreement and the conditions
of this Article VIII. Each separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance
of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified
in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately,
as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Agreement,
specifically including every provision of this Agreement relating to the conduct
of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee. Every
such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee and a copy thereof given to the
Servicer, the NIMs Insurer and the Depositor.

         Any separate trustee or co-trustee may, at any time, constitute the
Trustee its agent or attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority, to the
extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this
Agreement on its behalf and in its name. If any separate trustee or co-trustee
shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estates,
properties, rights, remedies and trusts shall vest in and be exercised by the
Trustee, to the extent permitted by law, without the appointment of a new or
successor trustee.

         SECTION 8.12. Tax Matters.

                                     -113-
<PAGE>

                  (a) It is intended that each of the REMICs provided for herein
shall constitute, and that the affairs of the Trust Fund shall be conducted so
as to allow each such REMIC to qualify as, a "real estate mortgage investment
conduit" as defined in and in accordance with the REMIC Provisions. It is also
intended that each of the grantor trusts provided for in Section 2.07 hereof
shall constitute, and that the affairs of the Trust Fund shall be conducted so
as to allow each such grantor trust to qualify as, a grantor trust under the
provisions of Subpart E, Part I of Subchapter J of the Code. In furtherance of
such intention, the Trustee covenants and agrees that it shall act as agent (and
the Trustee is hereby appointed to act as agent) on behalf of each of the REMICs
provided for herein and that in such capacity it shall: (a) prepare and file, or
cause to be prepared and filed, in a timely manner, a U.S. Real Estate Mortgage
Investment Conduit Income Tax Return (Form 1066 or any successor form adopted by
the Internal Revenue Service) and prepare and file or cause to be prepared and
filed with the Internal Revenue Service and applicable state or local tax
authorities income tax or information returns for each taxable year with respect
to each of the REMICs and grantor trusts provided for herein, containing such
information and at the times and in the manner as may be required by the Code or
state or local tax laws, regulations, or rules, and furnish or cause to be
furnished to Certificateholders the schedules, statements or information at such
times and in such manner as may be required thereby; (b) within thirty days of
the Closing Date, furnish or cause to be furnished to the Internal Revenue
Service, on Forms 8811 or as otherwise may be required by the Code, the name,
title, address, and telephone number of the person that the holders of the
Certificates may contact for tax information relating thereto, together with
such additional information as may be required by such Form, and update such
information at the time or times in the manner required by the Code for each of
the REMICs provided for herein; (c) make or cause to be made elections, on
behalf of each of the REMICs provided for herein to be treated as a REMIC on the
federal tax return of such REMICs for their first taxable years (and, if
necessary, under applicable state law); (d) prepare and forward, or cause to be
prepared and forwarded, to the Certificateholders and to the Internal Revenue
Service and, if necessary, state tax authorities, all information returns and
reports as and when required to be provided to them in accordance with the REMIC
Provisions or other applicable law, including without limitation, the
calculation of any original issue discount using the Prepayment Assumption; (e)
provide information necessary for the computation of tax imposed on the transfer
of a Class R Certificate to a Person that is not a Permitted Transferee, or an
agent (including a broker, nominee or other middleman) of a Person that is not a
Permitted Transferee, or a pass through entity in which a Person that is not a
Permitted Transferee is the record holder of an interest (the reasonable cost of
computing and furnishing such information may be charged to the Person liable
for such tax); (f) to the extent that they are under its control conduct the
affairs of each of the REMICs and grantor trusts provided for herein at all
times that any Certificates are outstanding so as to maintain the status of each
of the REMICs provided for herein as a REMIC under the REMIC Provisions and the
status of each of the grantor trusts provided for herein as a grantor trust
under Subpart E, Part I of Subchapter J of the Code; (g) not knowingly or
intentionally take any action or omit to take any action that would cause the
termination of the REMIC status of any of the REMICs provided for herein or
result in the imposition of tax upon any such REMIC; (h) not knowingly or
intentionally take any action or omit to take any action that would cause the
termination of the grantor trust status under Subpart E, Part I of Subchapter J
of the Code of any of the grantor trusts provided for herein or result in the
imposition of tax upon any such grantor trust; (i) pay, from the sources
specified in the last paragraph of this Section 8.12, the amount of any federal,
state and local taxes, including prohibited transaction taxes as described
below, imposed on each of the REMICs provided for herein prior to the
termination of the Trust Fund when and as the same shall be due and payable (but
such obligation shall not prevent the Trustee or any other appropriate Person
from contesting any such tax in appropriate proceedings and shall not prevent
the Trustee from withholding payment of such tax, if permitted by law, pending
the outcome of such proceedings); (j) sign or cause to be signed federal, state
or local income tax or information returns; (k) maintain records relating to
each of the REMICs provided for herein, including but not limited to the income,
expenses, assets and liabilities of each of the REMICs and grantor trusts
provided for herein, and the fair market value and adjusted basis of the Trust
Fund property determined at such intervals as may be required by the Code, as
may be necessary to prepare the

                                     -114-
<PAGE>

foregoing returns, schedules, statements or information, in each instance, to
the extent provided by the Servicer; and (l) as and when necessary and
appropriate, represent each of the REMICs provided for herein in any
administrative or judicial proceedings relating to an examination or audit by
any governmental taxing authority, request an administrative adjustment as to
any taxable year of any of the REMICs provided for herein, enter into settlement
agreements with any governmental taxing agency, extend any statute of
limitations relating to any tax item of any of the REMICs provided for herein,
and otherwise act on behalf of each of the REMICs provided for herein in
relation to any tax matter involving any of such REMICs or any controversy
involving the Trust Fund.

         In order to enable the Trustee to perform its duties as set forth
herein, the Depositor shall provide, or cause to be provided, to the Trustee
within 10 days after the Closing Date all information or data that the Trustee
requests in writing and determines to be relevant for tax purposes to the
valuations and offering prices of the Certificates, including, without
limitation, the price, yield, prepayment assumption and projected cash flows of
the Certificates and the Mortgage Loans. Thereafter, the Depositor shall provide
to the Trustee promptly upon written request therefor, any such additional
information or data that the Trustee may, from time to time, request in order to
enable the Trustee to perform its duties as set forth herein. The Depositor
hereby agrees to indemnify the Trustee for any losses, liabilities, damages,
claims or expenses of the Trustee arising from any errors or miscalculations of
the Trustee that result from any failure of the Depositor to provide, or to
cause to be provided, accurate information or data to the Trustee on a timely
basis.

         In the event that any tax is imposed on "prohibited transactions" of
any of the REMICs provided for herein as defined in Section 860F(a)(2) of the
Code, on the "net income from foreclosure property" of any of such REMICs as
defined in Section 860G(c) of the Code, on any contribution to the Trust Fund
after the Startup Day pursuant to Section 860G(d) of the Code, or any other tax
is imposed, if not paid as otherwise provided for herein, such tax shall be paid
by (i) the Trustee, if any such other tax arises out of or results from a breach
by the Trustee of any of its obligations under this Agreement or as a result of
the location of the Trustee, (ii) any party hereto (other than the Trustee) to
the extent any such other tax arises out of or results from a breach by such
other party of any of its obligations under this Agreement or as a result of the
location of such other party or (iii) in all other cases, or in the event that
any liable party here fails to honor its obligations under the preceding clauses
(i) or (ii), any such tax will be paid first with amounts (other than amounts
received by the Trust Fund pursuant to the Cap Contracts) otherwise to be
distributed to the Class R Certificateholders (pro rata) pursuant to Section
4.04, and second with amounts (other than amounts received by the Trust Fund
pursuant to the Cap Contracts) otherwise to be distributed to all other
Certificateholders in the following order of priority: first, to the Class C
Certificates (pro rata), second to the Class B-4 Certificates (pro rata), third
to the Class B-3 Certificates (pro rata), fourth to the Class B-2 Certificates
(pro rata), fifth, to the Class B-1 Certificates (pro rata), sixth, to the Class
M-6 Certificates (pro rata), seventh to the Class M-5 Certificates (pro rata),
eighth to the Class M-4 Certificates (pro rata), ninth to the Class M-3
Certificates (pro rata), tenth to the Class M-2 Certificates (pro rata),
eleventh to the Class M-1 Certificates (pro rata) and twelfth to the Class A
Certificates (pro rata). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, to the extent that such tax is payable by the Class R Certificate, the
Trustee is hereby authorized pursuant to such instruction to retain on any
Distribution Date, from the Holders of the Class R Certificate (and, if
necessary, from the Holders of all other Certificates in the priority specified
in the preceding sentence), funds otherwise distributable to such Holders in an
amount sufficient to pay such tax. The Trustee agrees to promptly notify in
writing the party liable for any such tax of the amount thereof and the due date
for the payment thereof.

                  (b) Each of the Depositor and the Trustee agrees not to
knowingly or intentionally take any action or omit to take any action that would
cause the termination of the REMIC status of any of the REMICs provided for
herein or result in the imposition of a tax upon any of the REMICs provided for
herein.

                                     -115-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   TERMINATION

         SECTION 9.01. Termination upon Liquidation or Repurchase of all
Mortgage Loans.

                  (a) Subject to Section 9.03, the obligations and
responsibilities of the Depositor, the Servicer and the Trustee created hereby
with respect to the Trust Fund shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) an
Optional Termination and (b) the later of (i) the maturity or other liquidation
of the last Mortgage Loan remaining in the Trust Fund (or any Advance with
respect thereto) and the disposition of all REO Property and (ii) the
distribution to Certificateholders of all amounts required to be distributed to
them pursuant to this Agreement, as applicable. In no event shall the trusts
created hereby continue beyond the earlier of (i) the expiration of 21 years
from the death of the last survivor of the descendants of Joseph P. Kennedy, the
late Ambassador of the United States to the Court of St. James's, living on the
date hereof and (ii) the Latest Possible Maturity Date.

                  (b) On or before the Determination Date following the Initial
Optional Termination Date, the Trustee shall attempt to terminate the Trust Fund
by conducting an auction of all of the Mortgage Loans and REO Properties via a
solicitation of bids from at least three (3) bidders, each of which shall be a
nationally recognized participant in mortgage finance (the "Auction"). The
Depositor and the Trustee agree to work in good faith to develop bid procedures
in advance of the Initial Optional Termination Date to govern the operation of
the Auction. The Trustee shall be entitled to retain an investment banking firm
and/or other agents in connection with the Auction, the cost of which shall be
included in the Optional Termination Price (unless an Optional Termination does
not occur in which case such costs shall be an expense of the Trust Fund). The
Trustee shall accept the highest bid received at the Auction; provided that the
amount of such bid equals or exceeds the Optional Termination Price. The Trustee
shall determine the Optional Termination Price based upon information provided
by (i) the Servicer with respect to the amounts described in clauses (A) and (B)
of the definition of "Optional Termination Price" (other than Trustee expenses)
and (ii) the Depositor with respect to the information described in clause (C)
of the definition of "Optional Termination Price." The Trustee may conclusively
rely upon the information provided to it in accordance with the immediately
preceding sentence and shall not have any liability for the failure of any party
to provide such information.

         If an Optional Termination does not occur as a result of the Auction's
failure to achieve the Optional Termination Price, the NIMs Insurer (or the
Servicer , if there is not a NIMs Insurer at such time) may, on any Distribution
Date following such Auction, at its option, terminate the Trust Fund by
purchasing all of the Mortgage Loans and REO Properties at a price equal to the
Optional Termination Price. In the event that there is a NIMs Insurer at the
time of the Auction, the Auction fails to achieve the Optional Termination Price
and the NIMs Insurer does not exercise its option to terminate the Trust Fund on
the first Distribution Date on which it is able to exercise such option, the
Servicer may, at such time, at its option, terminate the Trust Fund by
purchasing all of the Mortgage Loans and REO Properties at a price equal to the
Optional Termination Price. In connection with such termination, the Optional
Termination Price shall be delivered to the Trustee no later than the Business
Day immediately preceding the related Distribution Date. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, the Optional Termination Amount paid to the
Trustee by the winning bidder at the Auction or by the NIMs Insurer or the
Servicer shall be deposited by the Trustee directly into the Certificate Account
immediately upon receipt. Upon any termination as a result of an Auction, the
Trustee shall, out of the Optional Termination Amount deposited into the
Certificate Account, (x) retain for its own account, its costs and expenses
necessary to conduct the Auction and any other unreimbursed amounts owing to it
(without regard to the limitation contained in Section 8.06(c)) and (y) pay to
the Servicer, the aggregate amount of any unreimbursed out-

                                     -116-
<PAGE>

of-pocket costs and expenses owed to the Servicer and any unpaid or unreimbursed
Servicing Fees, Advances and Servicing Advances.

                  (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in clause (b)
above, in the event that the Trustee receives the written opinion of a
nationally recognized participant in mortgage finance acceptable to the Seller
that the Mortgage Loans and REO Properties to be included in the Auction will
not be saleable at a price sufficient to achieve the Optional Termination Price,
the Trustee need not conduct the Auction. In such event, the NIMs Insurer, if
any, and the Servicer in the event the NIMs Insurer declines to exercise its
option, shall have the option to purchase the Mortgage Loans and REO Properties
at the Optional Termination Price as of the Initial Optional Termination Date.

         SECTION 9.02. Final Distribution on the Certificates.

         If on any Determination Date, (i) the Trustee determines that there are
no Outstanding Mortgage Loans and no other funds or assets in the Trust Fund
other than the funds in the Collection Account, the Trustee shall send a final
distribution notice promptly to each Certificateholder and the NIMs Insurer or
(ii) the Trustee determines that a Class of Certificates shall be retired after
a final distribution on such Class, the Trustee shall notify the
Certificateholders within seven (7) Business Days after such Determination Date
that the final distribution in retirement of such Class of Certificates is
scheduled to be made on the immediately following Distribution Date. Any final
distribution made pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence will be made
only upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates at the office of the
Trustee.

         Notice of any termination of the Trust Fund, specifying the
Distribution Date on which Certificateholders may surrender their Certificates
for payment of the final distribution and cancellation, shall be given promptly
by the Trustee by letter to Certificateholders mailed no later than the last
calendar day of the month immediately preceding the month of such final
distribution (or with respect to an Auction, mailed no later than one Business
Day following completion of such Auction). Any such notice shall specify (a) the
Distribution Date upon which final distribution on the Certificates will be made
upon presentation and surrender of Certificates at the office therein
designated, (b) the location of the office or agency at which such presentation
and surrender must be made, and (c) that the Record Date otherwise applicable to
such Distribution Date is not applicable, distributions being made only upon
presentation and surrender of the Certificates at the office therein specified.
The Trustee will give such notice to the NIMs Insurer and each Rating Agency
rating the Certificates at the time such notice is given to Certificateholders.

         In the event such notice is given, the Servicer shall cause all funds
in the Collection Account to be deposited in the Certificate Account on the
Business Day prior to the applicable Distribution Date in an amount equal to the
final distribution in respect of the Certificates. Upon such final deposit with
respect to the Trust Fund and the receipt by the Trustee of a Request for
Release therefor, the Trustee shall promptly release to the Trustee or the NIMs
Insurer, as applicable, the Mortgage Files for the Mortgage Loans.

         Upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates, the Trustee shall
cause to be distributed to Certificateholders of each Class the amounts
allocable to such Certificates held in the Certificate Account in the order and
priority set forth in Section 4.04 hereof on the final Distribution Date and in
proportion to their respective Percentage Interests.

         In the event that any affected Certificateholders shall not surrender
Certificates for cancellation within six months after the date specified in the
above mentioned written notice, the Trustee shall give a second written notice
to the remaining Certificateholders to surrender their Certificates for
cancellation

                                     -117-
<PAGE>

and receive the final distribution with respect thereto. If within six months
after the second notice all the applicable Certificates shall not have been
surrendered for cancellation, the Trustee may take appropriate steps, or may
appoint an agent to take appropriate steps, to contact the remaining
Certificateholders concerning surrender of their Certificates, and the cost
thereof shall be paid out of the funds and other assets that remain a part of
the Trust Fund. If within one year after the second notice all Certificates
shall not have been surrendered for cancellation, the Class R Certificateholders
shall be entitled to all unclaimed funds and other assets of the Trust Fund that
remain subject hereto. Upon payment to the Class R Certificateholders of such
funds and assets, the Trustee shall have no further duties or obligations with
respect thereto.

         SECTION 9.03. Additional Termination Requirements.

                  (a) In the event the Trustee, the NIMs Insurer or the Servicer
completes an Optional Termination as provided in Section 9.01, the Trust Fund
shall be terminated in accordance with the following additional requirements,
unless the Trustee has been supplied with an Opinion of Counsel, at the expense
of the Trustee, the NIMs Insurer or the Servicer, as applicable to the effect
that the failure of the Trust Fund to comply with the requirements of this
Section 9.03 will not (i) result in the imposition of taxes on "prohibited
transactions" of any of the REMICs provided for herein as defined in Section
860F of the Code, or (ii) cause any of the REMICs provided for herein to fail to
qualify as a REMIC at any time that any Certificates are outstanding:

                           (i) The Depositor shall establish a 90-day
liquidation period and notify the Trustee thereof, which shall in turn specify
the first day of such period in a statement attached to the final tax returns of
each of the REMICs provided for herein pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section
1.860F-1. The Depositor shall satisfy all the requirements of a qualified
liquidation under Section 860F of the Code and any regulations thereunder, as
evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel obtained at the expense of the Trustee or the
NIMs Insurer, as applicable;

                           (ii) During such 90-day liquidation period, and at or
prior to the time of making the final payment on the Certificates, the Depositor
as agent of the Trustee shall sell all of the assets of the Trust Fund for cash;
and

                           (iii) At the time of the making of the final payment
on the Certificates, the Trustee shall distribute or credit, or cause to be
distributed or credited, to the Class R Certificateholders all cash on hand
(other than cash retained to meet outstanding claims known to the Trustee), and
the Trust Fund shall terminate at that time, whereupon the Trustee shall have no
further duties or obligations with respect to sums distributed or credited to
the Class R Certificateholders.

                  (b) By their acceptance of the Certificates, the Holders
thereof hereby authorize the Depositor to specify the 90-day liquidation period
for the Trust Fund, which authorization shall be binding upon all successor
Certificateholders.

                  (c) Upon the written request of the Depositor, the Trustee as
agent for each REMIC hereby agrees to adopt and sign such a plan of complete
liquidation as provided to it by the Depositor. The Trustee's obligation to
adopt and sign such plan of complete liquidation is subject to the Trustee's
receipt of the Opinion of Counsel referred to in Section 9.03(a)(i). In
addition, the Trustee shall take such other action in connection therewith as
may be reasonably requested by the Depositor.

                  (d) Notwithstanding any other terms of this Agreement, prior
to any termination of the Trust Fund, the Servicer may prepare a reconciliation
of all Advances and Servicing Advances made by it for which it has not been
reimbursed and a reasonable estimate of all additional Servicing

                                     -118-
<PAGE>

Advances and other costs for which it would be entitled to be reimbursed if the
Trust Fund were not being terminated, including without limitation, any
Servicing Advances and other costs arising under Section 6.03 (Limitation on
Liability of the Depositor, the Servicer and Others), and the Servicer may
recover these Advances, Servicing Advances and estimated Servicing Advances and
other costs from the Collection Account (to the extent that such recovery of
Servicing Advances, estimated Servicing Advances and other costs constitutes
"unanticipated expenses" within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section
1.860G-1(b)(3)(ii)).

                  (e) Notwithstanding any other terms of this Agreement, unless
the Servicer previously has notified the Trustee that it has entered into a
servicing agreement for the servicing after the termination date of the Trust
Fund assets, at least 20 days prior to any termination of the Trust Fund, the
Trustee or the Depositor shall notify the Servicer in writing to transfer the
assets of the Trust Fund as of the termination date to the person specified in
the notice, or if such person is not then known, to continue servicing the
assets until the date that is 20 days after the termination date and on the
termination date, the Trustee or the Depositor shall notify the Servicer of the
person to whom the assets should be transferred on that date. In the latter
event the Servicer shall be entitled to recover its servicing fee and any
advances made for the interim servicing period from the collections on the
assets which have been purchased from the Trust and the new owner of the assets,
and the agreements for the new owner to obtain ownership of the assets of the
Trust Fund shall so provide.

                                   ARTICLE X

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         SECTION 10.01. Amendment.

         This Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Depositor, the
Servicer and the Trustee, with the consent of the NIMs Insurer and without the
consent of any of the Certificateholders to,

                           (i) to cure any ambiguity or correct any mistake,

                           (ii) to correct, modify or supplement any provision
herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein or with the
related Prospectus Supplement,

                           (iii) to add any other provisions with respect to
matters or questions arising under this Agreement, or

                           (iv) to modify, alter, amend, add to or rescind any
of the terms or provisions contained in this Agreement, provided, however, that,
in the case of clauses (iii) and (iv), such amendment will not, as evidenced by
an Opinion of Counsel addressed to the Trustee to such effect, adversely affect
in any material respect the interests of any Holder; provided, further, however,
that such amendment will be deemed to not adversely affect in any material
respect the interest of any Holder if the Person requesting such amendment
obtains a letter from each Rating Agency rating the Certificates stating that
such amendment will not result in a reduction or withdrawal of its rating of any
Class of the Certificates, it being understood and agreed that any such letter
in and of itself will not represent a determination as to the materiality of any
such amendment and will represent a determination only as to the credit issues
affecting any such rating.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of the
Certificateholders, the Depositor, the Servicer and the Trustee may at any time
and from time to time amend this Agreement to modify, eliminate or add to any of
its provisions to such extent as shall be necessary or appropriate to maintain
the

                                     -119-
<PAGE>

qualification of any of the REMICs provided for herein as REMICs under the Code
or to avoid or minimize the risk of the imposition of any tax on the Trust Fund
or any of the REMICs provided for herein pursuant to the Code that would be a
claim against the Trust Fund at any time prior to the final redemption of the
Certificates, provided that the Trustee and the NIMs Insurer shall have been
provided an Opinion of Counsel addressed to the Trustee, which opinion shall be
an expense of the party requesting such amendment but in any case shall not be
an expense of the Trustee, to the effect that such action is necessary or
appropriate to maintain such qualification or to avoid or minimize the risk of
the imposition of such a tax.

         This Agreement may also be amended from time to time by the Depositor,
the Servicer and the Trustee and the Holders of the Certificates affected
thereby evidencing not less than 66?% of the Voting Rights, with the consent of
the NIMs Insurer, for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any
manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Agreement or of modifying in
any manner the rights of the Holders of Certificates; provided, however, that no
such amendment shall (i) reduce in any manner the amount of, or delay the timing
of, payments required to be distributed on any Certificate without the consent
of the Holder of such Certificate, (ii) adversely affect in any material respect
the interests of the Holders of any Class of Certificates in a manner other than
as described in (i), without the consent of the Holders of Certificates of such
Class evidencing 66?% or more of the Voting Rights of such Class or (iii) reduce
the aforesaid percentages of Certificates the Holders of which are required to
consent to any such amendment without the consent of the Holders of all such
Certificates then outstanding.

         Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Agreement, the Trustee
shall not consent to any amendment to this Agreement unless it shall have first
received an Opinion of Counsel addressed to the Trustee, which opinion shall be
an expense of the party requesting such amendment but in any case shall not be
an expense of the Trustee, to the effect that such amendment is permitted
hereunder and will not cause the imposition of any tax on the Trust Fund, any of
the REMICs provided for herein or the Certificateholders or cause any of the
REMICs provided for herein to fail to qualify as a REMIC at any time that any
Certificates are outstanding. A copy of such Opinion of Counsel shall be
provided to the NIMs Insurer.

         Promptly after the execution of any amendment to this Agreement
requiring the consent of Certificateholders, the Trustee or upon the written
request of the Trustee to the Servicer, the Servicer shall furnish written
notification of the substance of such amendment to each Certificateholder, the
NIMs Insurer and each Rating Agency rating the Certificates.

         It shall not be necessary for the consent of Certificateholders under
this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it
shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof. The
manner of obtaining such consents and of evidencing the authorization of the
execution thereof by Certificateholders shall be subject to such reasonable
regulations as the Trustee may prescribe.

         Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Trustee or the Servicer to
enter into an amendment without receiving an Opinion of Counsel, satisfactory to
the Trustee or the Servicer that (i) such amendment is permitted and is not
prohibited by this Agreement and that all requirements for amending this
Agreement have been complied with; and (ii) either (A) the amendment does not
adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any Certificateholder
or (B) the conclusion set forth in the immediately preceding clause (A) is not
required to be reached pursuant to this Section 10.01.

         The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any
supplement, modification or waiver which affects its rights, duties or
obligations hereunder.

                                     -120-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 10.02. Counterparts.

         This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of
counterparts, each of which counterparts shall be deemed to be an original, and
such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

         SECTION 10.03. Governing Law.

         THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY
THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND
TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND
REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS SHALL BE DETERMINED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES
THEREOF.

         SECTION 10.04. Intention of Parties.

         It is the express intent of the parties hereto that the conveyance of
the Mortgage Notes, Mortgages, assignments of Mortgages, title insurance
policies and any modifications, extensions and/or assumption agreements and
private mortgage insurance policies relating to the Mortgage Loans by the
Depositor to the Trustee be, and be construed as, an absolute sale thereof to
the Trustee. It is, further, not the intention of the parties that such
conveyance be deemed a pledge thereof by the Depositor to the Trustee. However,
in the event that, notwithstanding the intent of the parties, such assets are
held to be the property of the Depositor, or if for any other reason this
Agreement is held or deemed to create a security interest in such assets, then
(i) this Agreement shall be deemed to be a security agreement within the meaning
of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York and (ii) the conveyance
provided for in this Agreement shall be deemed to be an assignment and a grant
by the Depositor to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, of a
security interest in all of the assets that constitute the Trust Fund, whether
now owned or hereafter acquired.

         The Depositor for the benefit of the Certificateholders shall, to the
extent consistent with this Agreement, take such actions as may be necessary to
ensure that, if this Agreement were deemed to create a security interest in the
assets of the Trust Fund, such security interest would be deemed to be a
perfected security interest of first priority under applicable law and will be
maintained as such throughout the term of the Agreement. The Depositor shall
arrange for filing any Uniform Commercial Code continuation statements in
connection with any security interest granted or assigned to the Trustee for the
benefit of the Certificateholders.

         SECTION 10.05. Notices.

                  (a) The Trustee shall use its best efforts to promptly provide
notice to each Rating Agency rating the Certificates and the NIMs Insurer with
respect to each of the following of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee
has actual knowledge:

                           (i) Any material change or amendment to this
Agreement;

                           (ii) The occurrence of any Event of Default that has
not been cured;

                           (iii) The resignation or termination of the Trustee
or the Servicer and the appointment of any successor;

                                     -121-
<PAGE>

                           (iv) The repurchase or substitution of Mortgage Loans
pursuant to Sections 2.02 or 2.03;

                           (v) The final payment to Certificateholders; and

                           (vi) Any change in the location of the Certificate
Account.

                  (b) The Trustee shall promptly furnish or make available to
each Rating Agency rating the Certificates copies of the following:

                           (i) Each report to Certificateholders described in
Section 4.05;

                           (ii) Each annual statement as to compliance described
in Section 3.17; and

                           (iii) Each annual independent public accountants'
servicing report described in Section 3.18.

All directions, demands and notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered to (a) in the case of the
Depositor, Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc. 250 Vesey Street, 4 World
Financial Center, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10080, Attention: Asset-Backed
Finance; (b) in the case of the Rating Agencies rating the Certificates, (i)
Moody's Investors Service, Inc., 99 Church Street, 4th Floor, New York, New York
10007; and (ii) Fitch, Inc., One State Street Plaza, New York, New York 10041;
(c) in the case of the Servicer, Wilshire Credit Corporation, 14523 S.W.
Millikan Way, Suite 200, Beaverton, Oregon 97005; Attention: Jay Memmott (d) in
the case of the Trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., P.O. Box 98, Columbia, Maryland
21046, Attention: Client Manager -- MLMI Series 2005-FFH1, with a copy to Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A. 9062 Old Annapolis Road, Columbia, Maryland 21045, Attention:
Client Manager -- MLMI Series 2005-FFH1; (e) in the case of the NIMs Insurer, an
address to be specified; and in the case of any of the foregoing persons, such
other addresses as may hereafter be furnished by any such persons to the other
parties to this Agreement. Notices to Certificateholders shall be deemed given
when mailed, first class postage prepaid, to their respective addresses
appearing in the Certificate Register.

         SECTION 10.06. Severability of Provisions.

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

         SECTION 10.07. Assignment; Advance Facility.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except as
provided pursuant to Section 6.02, this Agreement may not be assigned by the
Servicer without the prior written consent of the Trustee and Depositor;
provided, however, the Servicer is hereby authorized to enter into an Advance
Facility under which (l) the Servicer sells, assigns or pledges to an Advancing
Person the Servicer's rights under this Agreement to be reimbursed for any
Advances or Servicing Advances and/or (2) an Advancing Person agrees to fund
some or all Advances or Servicing Advances required to be made by the Servicer
pursuant to this Agreement. No consent of the Trustee, Certificateholders, NIMs
Insurer or any other party is required before the Servicer may enter into an
Advance Facility. Notwithstanding the existence of any Advance Facility under
which an Advancing Person agrees to fund Advances and/or Servicing

                                     -122-
<PAGE>

Advances on the Servicer's behalf, the Servicer shall remain obligated pursuant
to this Agreement to make Advances and Servicing Advances pursuant to and as
required by this Agreement, and shall not be relieved of such obligations by
virtue of such Advance Facility.

         Reimbursement amounts shall consist solely of amounts in respect of
Advances and/or Servicing Advances made with respect to the Mortgage Loans for
which the Servicer would be permitted to reimburse itself in accordance with
this Agreement, assuming the Servicer had made the related Advance(s) and/or
Servicing Advance(s).

         The Servicer shall maintain and provide to any successor Servicer a
detailed accounting on a loan by loan basis as to amounts advanced by, pledged
or assigned to, and reimbursed to any Advancing Person. The successor Servicer
shall be entitled to rely on any such information provided by the predecessor
Servicer, and the successor Servicer shall not be liable for any errors in such
information.

         An Advancing Person who purchases or receives an assignment or pledge
of the rights to be reimbursed for Advances and/or Servicing Advances, and/or
whose obligations hereunder are limited to the funding of Advances and/or
Servicing Advances shall not be required to meet the criteria for qualification
of a Subservicer set forth in this Agreement.

         The documentation establishing any Advance Facility shall require that
such reimbursement amounts distributed with respect to each Mortgage Loan be
allocated to outstanding unreimbursed Advances or Servicing Advances (as the
case may be) made with respect to that Mortgage Loan on a "first in, first out"
(FIFO) basis. Such documentation shall also require the Servicer to provide to
the related Advancing Person or its designee loan by loan information with
respect to each such reimbursement amount distributed to such Advancing Person
or Advance Facility trustee on each Distribution Date, to enable the Advancing
Person or Advance Facility trustee to make the FIFO allocation of each such
reimbursement amount with respect to each Mortgage Loan. The Servicer shall
remain entitled to be reimbursed by the Advancing Person or Advance Facility
trustee for all Advances and Servicing Advances funded by the Servicer to the
extent the related rights to be reimbursed therefor have not been sold, assigned
or pledged to an Advancing Person.

         Any amendment to this Section 10.07 or to any other provision of this
Agreement that may be necessary or appropriate to effect the terms of an Advance
Facility as described generally in this Section 10.07, including amendments to
add provisions relating to a successor Servicer, may be entered into by the
Trustee and the Servicer, without the consent of any Certificateholder or the
NIMs Insurer notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, upon
receipt by the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel that such amendment has no
material adverse effect on the Certificateholders or written confirmation from
the Rating Agencies rating the Certificates that such amendment will not
adversely affect the ratings on the Certificates. Prior to entering into an
Advance Facility, the applicable Servicer shall notify the lender under such
facility in writing that: (a) the Advances financed by and/or pledged to the
lender are obligations owed to the Servicer on a non recourse basis payable only
from the cash flows and proceeds received under this Agreement for reimbursement
of Advances only to the extent provided herein, and the Trustee and the Trust
Fund are not otherwise obligated or liable to repay any Advances financed by the
lender; (b) the Servicer will be responsible for remitting to the lender the
applicable amounts collected by it as reimbursement for Advances funded by the
lender, subject to the restrictions and priorities created in this Agreement;
and (c) the Trustee shall not have any responsibility to track or monitor the
administration of the financing arrangement between the Servicer and the lender.

         SECTION 10.08. Limitation on Rights of Certificateholders.

                                     -123-
<PAGE>

         The death or incapacity of any Certificateholder shall not operate to
terminate this Agreement or the Trust Fund, nor entitle such Certificateholder's
legal representative or heirs to claim an accounting or to take any action or
commence any proceeding in any court for a petition or winding up of the Trust
Fund, or otherwise affect the rights, obligations and liabilities of the parties
hereto or any of them.

         No Certificateholder shall have any right to vote (except as provided
herein) or in any manner otherwise control the operation and management of the
Trust Fund, or the obligations of the parties hereto, nor shall anything herein
set forth or contained in the terms of the Certificates be construed so as to
constitute the Certificateholders from time to time as partners or members of an
association; nor shall any Certificateholder be under any liability to any third
party by reason of any action taken by the parties to this Agreement pursuant to
any provision hereof.

         No Certificateholder shall have any right by virtue or by availing
itself of any provisions of this Agreement to institute any suit, action or
proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Agreement,
unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee a written notice
of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided,
the Holders of Certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the Voting Rights
evidenced by the Certificates shall also have made written request to the
Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee
hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it
may require against the costs, expenses, and liabilities to be incurred therein
or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
request and offer of indemnity shall have neglected or refused to institute any
such action, suit or proceeding; it being understood and intended, and being
expressly covenanted by each Certificateholder with every other
Certificateholder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Certificates
shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing itself or
themselves of any provisions of this Agreement to affect, disturb or prejudice
the rights of the Holders of any other of the Certificates and/or the NIMs
Insurer, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other
such Holder and/or the NIMs Insurer or to enforce any right under this
Agreement, except in the manner herein provided and for the common benefit of
all Certificateholders. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of
this Section 10.08, each and every Certificateholder and the Trustee shall be
entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

         SECTION 10.09. Inspection and Audit Rights.

         The Servicer agrees that, on reasonable prior notice, it will permit
any representative of the NIMs Insurer, the Depositor or the Trustee during the
Servicer's normal business hours, to examine all the books of account, records,
reports and other papers of the Servicer relating to the Mortgage Loans, to make
copies and extracts therefrom, to cause such books to be audited by independent
certified public accountants selected by the NIMs Insurer, the Depositor or the
Trustee and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts relating to the
Mortgage Loans with its officers, employees, agents, counsel and independent
public accountants (and by this provision the Servicer hereby authorizes such
accountants to discuss with such representative such affairs, finances and
accounts), all at such reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably
requested. Any out-of-pocket expense incident to the exercise by the NIMs
Insurer, Depositor or the Trustee of any right under this Section 10.09 shall be
borne by the party requesting such inspection; all other such expenses shall be
borne by the Servicer.

         SECTION 10.10. Certificates Nonassessable and Fully Paid.

         It is the intention of the Depositor that Certificateholders shall not
be personally liable for obligations of the Trust Fund, that the interests in
the Trust Fund represented by the Certificates shall be nonassessable for any
reason whatsoever, and that the Certificates, upon due authentication thereof by
the Trustee pursuant to this Agreement, are and shall be deemed fully paid.

                                     -124-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 10.11. Third Party Rights.

         The NIMs Insurer shall be deemed a third-party beneficiary of this
Agreement to the same extent as if it were a party hereto, and shall have the
right to enforce the provisions of this Agreement.

         SECTION 10.12. Additional Rights of the NIMs Insurer.

                  (a) Each party to this Agreement, any agent thereof and any
successor thereto shall furnish to the NIMs Insurer a copy of any notice,
direction, demand, opinion, schedule, list, certificate, report, statement,
filing, information, data or other communication provided by it or on its behalf
to any other Person pursuant to this Agreement at the same time, in the same
form and in the same manner as such communication is so provided and shall
address or cause such communication to be addressed to the NIMs Insurer in
addition to any other addressee thereof. The Servicer shall cause the NIMs
Insurer to be an addressee of any report furnished pursuant to this Agreement.
With respect to the Trustee, such obligation shall be satisfied with the
provision of access to the NIMs Insurer to the Trustee's website.

                  (b) Wherever in this Agreement there shall be a requirement
that there be no downgrade, reduction, withdrawal or qualification of or other
effect on the rating of any Class of Certificates by any Rating Agency rating
the Certificates as of any date, there also shall be deemed to be a requirement
that there be no such effect on any class of notes issued pursuant to the
Indenture and guaranteed by the NIMs Insurer as of such date. In addition,
unless there exists a continuance of any failure by the NIMs Insurer to make a
required payment under the policy insuring the NIM Notes (such event, a "NIMs
Insurer Default"), wherever in this Agreement there shall be a requirement that
any Person or any communication, object or other matter be acceptable or
satisfactory to or otherwise receive the consent or other approval of any other
Person (whether as a condition to the eligibility of such Person to act in any
capacity, as a condition to any circumstance or state of affairs related to such
matter, or otherwise), there also shall be deemed to be a requirement that such
Person or matter be approved in writing by the NIMs Insurer, which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

                                     -125-
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Depositor, the Trustee and the Servicer have
caused their names to be signed hereto by their respective officers thereunto
duly authorized as of the day and year first above written.

                                         MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS, INC.,
                                             as Depositor

                                         By:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                                         WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
                                             as Trustee

                                         By:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                         Name: Sandra Whalen
                                         Title: Vice President

                                         WILSHIRE CREDIT CORPORATION,
                                             as Servicer

                                         By:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                         Name: Heidi Peterson
                                         Title: Vice President

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                              FORMS OF CERTIFICATES

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                                      A-1
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT B-1

                     MORTGAGE LOAN SCHEDULE - MORTGAGE POOL

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                                     B-1-1
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT B-2

                MORTGAGE LOAN SCHEDULE - GROUP ONE MORTGAGE LOANS

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                                     B-2-1
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT B-3

                MORTGAGE LOAN SCHEDULE - GROUP TWO MORTGAGE LOANS

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                                     B-3-1
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT C

                                    RESERVED

                                      C-1
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT D

                          FORM OF TRUSTEE CERTIFICATION

                                     [DATE]

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc.
250 Vesey Street
4 World Financial Center, 10th Floor
New York, New York 10080

Wilshire Credit Corporation
14523 S.W. Millikan Way,
Suite 200
Beaverton, Oregon 97005

Re:      Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of May 1, 2005 among Merrill
         Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., as depositor, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,
         as trustee and Wilshire Credit Corporation, as servicer, relating to
         First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed
         Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         In accordance with Section 2.02 of the above-captioned Pooling and
Servicing Agreement, the undersigned, as Trustee, hereby certifies that
[, except as set forth in Schedule A hereto,] as to each Mortgage Loan listed in
the Mortgage Loan Schedule attached hereto (other than any Mortgage Loan paid in
full or listed on the attachment hereto) it has reviewed the Mortgage File and
the Mortgage Loan Schedule and has determined that:

         (i) All documents in the Mortgage File required to be delivered to the
Trustee pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement are in
its possession;

         (ii) In connection with each Mortgage Loan or Assignment thereof as to
which documentary evidence of recording was not received on the Closing Date, it
has received evidence of such recording; and

         (iii) Such documents have been reviewed by it and appear regular on
their face and relate to such Mortgage Loan.

         The Trustee has made no independent examination of any documents
contained in each Mortgage File beyond confirming (i) that each of the Mortgage
Loan Number, the name of the Mortgagor, the street address (excluding zip code),
the Initial Mortgage Rate, the original maturity date, the original principal
balance, and the first payment due date of the Mortgage Loan conform to the
related information listed in the Mortgage Loan Schedule, (ii) with respect to
each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, that each of the related Periodic Rate Cap,
the Gross Margin and the Lifetime Rate Cap conform to the related information
listed in the Mortgage Loan Schedule and (iii) the existence in each Mortgage
File of each of the documents listed in subparagraphs (i)(A) through (F),
inclusive, or (ii)(A) through (K), inclusive, as applicable, of Section 2.01 in
the Agreement. The Trustee makes no representations or warranties as to the
validity, legality, recordability, sufficiency, enforceability or genuineness of
any of the documents

                                      D-1
<PAGE>

contained in each Mortgage Loan or the collectibility,
insurability, effectiveness or suitability of any such Mortgage Loan.

         Capitalized words and phrases used herein shall have the respective
meanings assigned to them in the above-captioned Pooling and Servicing
Agreement.

                                              WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as Trustee

                                              By:
                                                  ------------------------------
                                              Name:
                                                    ----------------------------
                                              Title:
                                                    ----------------------------

                                      D-2
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT E-1

                    FORM OF TRANSFEREE'S LETTER AND AFFIDAVIT

                                     [DATE]

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
9062 Old Annapolis Road
Columbia, Maryland 21045
Attention:  Corporate Trust Services - First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust,
            Series 2005-FFH1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We propose to purchase First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage
Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1, Class R, described in the
Prospectus Supplement, dated May 26, 2005, and Prospectus, dated January 19,
2005. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings
assigned to them in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated May 1, 2005
relating to this issuance of the First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage
Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1 (the "Pooling and Servicing
Agreement").

         1. We certify that (a) we are not a disqualified organization and (b)
we are not purchasing such Class R Certificate on behalf of a disqualified
organization; for this purpose the term "disqualified organization" means the
United States, any state or political subdivision thereof, any foreign
government, any international organization, any agency or instrumentality of any
of the foregoing (except any entity treated as other than an instrumentality of
the foregoing for purposes of Section 168(h)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code")), any organization (other than a cooperative
described in Section 521 of the Code) that is exempt from taxation under the
Code (unless such organization is subject to tax on excess inclusions) and any
organization that is described in Section 1381(a)(2)(C) of the Code. We
understand that any breach by us of this certification may cause us to be liable
for an excise tax imposed upon transfers to disqualified organizations.

         2. We certify that (a) we have historically paid our debts as they
became due, (b) we intend, and believe that we will be able, to continue to pay
our debts as they become due in the future, (c) we understand that, as
beneficial owner of the Class R Certificate, we may incur tax liabilities in
excess of any cash flows generated by the Class R Certificate, and (d) we intend
to pay any taxes associated with holding the Class R Certificate as they become
due and (e) we will not cause income from the Class R Certificate to be
attributable to a foreign permanent establishment or fixed base (within the
meaning of an applicable income tax treaty) of ours or another U.S. taxpayer.

         3. We acknowledge that we will be the beneficial owner of the Class R
Certificate and:1

                The Class R Certificate will be registered in our name.
    ------------
                The Class R Certificate will be held in the name of our nominee,
    ------------
                             , which is not a disqualified organization.
                 ------------

--------------------

1 Check appropriate box and if necessary fill in the name of the Transferee's
nominee.

                                     E-1-1
<PAGE>

         4. We certify that we are not an employee benefit plan subject to Title
I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),
a plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code or a plan subject to federal, state,
local, non-U.S. or other law substantively similar to the foregoing provisions
of ERISA or the Code (each, a "Plan"), and are not directly or indirectly
acquiring the Class R Certificate on behalf of or with any assets of a Plan.

         5. We certify that (i) we are a U.S. person or (ii) we will hold the
Class R Certificate in connection with the conduct of a trade or business within
the United States and have furnished the transferor and the Trustee with a duly
completed and effective Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or successor form
at the time and in the manner required by the Code; for this purpose the term
"U.S. person" means a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation,
or partnership (unless, in the case of a partnership, Treasury regulations are
adopted that provide otherwise) created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, including an
entity treated as a corporation or partnership for federal income tax purposes,
an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless
of the source of its income, or a trust if a court within the United States is
able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and
one or more such U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust (or, to the extent provided in applicable Treasury
regulations, certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996 which are eligible
to elect to be treated as U.S. Persons. We agree that any breach by us of this
certification shall render the transfer of any interest in the Class R
Certificate to us absolutely null and void and shall cause no rights in the
Class R Certificate to vest in us.

         6. We agree that in the event that at some future time we wish to
transfer any interest in the Class R Certificate, we will transfer such interest
in the Class R Certificate only (a) to a transferee that (i) is not a
disqualified organization and is not purchasing such interest in the Class R
Certificate on behalf of a disqualified organization, (ii) is a U.S. person or
will hold the Class R Certificate in connection with the conduct of a trade or
business within the United States and will furnish us and the Trustee with a
duly completed and effective Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or successor
form at the time and in the manner required by the Code and (iii) has delivered
to the Trustee a letter in the form of this letter (including the affidavit
appended hereto) and, we will provide the Trustee a written statement
substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2 to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

         7. We hereby designate _______________________ as our fiduciary to act
as the tax matters person for each of the REMICs provided for in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   [PURCHASER]

                                   By:
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

Accepted as of             , 200
              --------- ---     ---

MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS, INC.

By:
   -----------------------------------
   Name:

                                     E-1-2
<PAGE>

   Title:

                                     E-1-3
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A

                             Affidavit pursuant to (i) Section 860E(e)(4) of the
                             Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and (ii)
                             certain provisions of the Pooling and Servicing
                             Agreement

Under penalties of perjury, the undersigned declares that the following is true:

         1.       He or she is an officer of _________________________ (the
                  "Transferee"),

         2.       the Transferee's Employer Identification number is __________,

         3.       the Transferee is not a "disqualified organization" (as
                  defined below), has no plan or intention of becoming a
                  disqualified organization, and is not acquiring any of its
                  interest in the First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage
                  Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1, Class R
                  Certificate on behalf of a disqualified organization or any
                  other entity,

         4.       unless Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc.("MLMI") has
                  consented to the transfer to the Transferee by executing the
                  form of Consent affixed as Appendix B to the Transferee's
                  Letter to which this Certificate is affixed as Appendix A, the
                  Transferee is a "U.S. person" (as defined below),

         5.       that no purpose of the transfer is to avoid or impede the
                  assessment or collection of tax,

         6.       the Transferee has historically paid its debts as they became
                  due,

         7.       the Transferee intends, and believes that it will be able, to
                  continue to pay its debts as they become due in the future,

         8.       the Transferee understands that, as beneficial owner of the
                  Class R Certificate, it may incur tax liabilities in excess of
                  any cash flows generated by the Class R Certificate,

         9.       the Transferee intends to pay any taxes associated with
                  holding the Class R Certificate as they become due,

         10.      the Transferee consents to any amendment of the Pooling and
                  Servicing Agreement that shall be deemed necessary by MLMI
                  (upon advice of counsel) to constitute a reasonable
                  arrangement to ensure that the Class R Certificate will not be
                  owned directly or indirectly by a disqualified organization,
                  and

         11.      IF BRACKETED, THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS ARE INAPPLICABLE
                  [the transfer is not a direct or indirect transfer of the
                  Class R Certificate to a foreign permanent establishment or
                  fixed base (within the meaning of an applicable income tax
                  treaty) of the Transferee, and as to each of the residual
                  interests represented by the Class R Certificate, the present
                  value of

                                     E-1-4
<PAGE>

                  the anticipated tax liabilities associated with holding such
                  residual interest does not exceed the sum of:

                  A.       the present value of any consideration given to the
                           Transferee to acquire such residual interest;

                  B.       the present value of the expected future
                           distributions on such residual interest; and

                  C.       the present value of the anticipated tax savings
                           associated with holding such residual interest as the
                           related REMIC generates losses.

         For purposes of this declaration, (i) the Transferee is assumed to pay
         tax at a rate equal to the highest rate of tax specified in Section
         11(b)(1) of the Code, but the tax rate specified in Section 55(b)(1)(B)
         of the Code may be used in lieu of the highest rate specified in
         Section 11(b)(1) of the Code if the Transferee has been subject to the
         alternative minimum tax under Section 55 of the Code in the preceding
         two years and will compute its taxable income in the current taxable
         year using the alternative minimum tax rate, and (ii) present values
         are computed using a discount rate equal to the Federal short-term rate
         prescribed by Section 1274(d) of the Code for the month of the transfer
         and the compounding period used by the Transferee;]

 [(11)   (A)      at the time of the transfer, and at the close of each of
                  the Transferee's two fiscal years preceding the Transferee's
                  fiscal year of transfer, the Transferee's gross assets for
                  financial reporting purposes exceed $100 million and its net
                  assets for financial reporting purposes exceed $10 million;
                  and

         (B)      the Transferee is an eligible corporation as defined in
                  Treasury regulations Section 1.860E-1(c)(6)(i) and has agreed
                  in writing that any subsequent transfer of the Class R
                  Certificate will be to another eligible corporation in a
                  transaction that satisfies Treasury regulation Sections
                  1.860E-1(c)(4)(i), 1.860E-1(c)(4)(ii), 1.860E-1(c)(4)(iii) and
                  1.860E-1(c)(5) and such transfer will not be a direct or
                  indirect transfer to a foreign permanent establishment (within
                  the meaning of an applicable income tax treaty) of a domestic
                  corporation.

For purposes of this declaration, the gross and net assets of the Transferee do
not include any obligation of any related person as defined in Treasury
regulation Section 1.860E-1(c)(6)(ii) or any other asset if a principal purpose
for holding or acquiring the other asset is to permit the Transferee to make
this declaration or to satisfy the requirements of Treasury regulation Section
1.860E-1(c)(5)(i).]

(12) The Transferee will not cause income from the Class R Certificate to be
attributable to a foreign permanent establishment or fixed base (within the
meaning of an applicable income tax treaty) of the Transferee or another U.S.
taxpayer.

                                     E-1-5
<PAGE>

For purpose of this affidavit, the term "disqualified organization" means the
United States, any state or political subdivision thereof, any foreign
government, any international organization, any agency or instrumentality of any
of the foregoing (except any entity treated as other than an instrumentality of
the foregoing for purposes of Section 168(h)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code")), any organization (other than a cooperative
described in Section 521 of the Code) that is exempt from taxation under the
Code (unless such organization is subject to tax on excess inclusions) and any
organization that is described in Section 1381(a)(2)(C) of the Code and the term
"U.S. Person" means a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation or
partnership (unless, in the case of a partnership, Treasury regulations are
adopted that provide otherwise) created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, including an
entity treated as a corporation or partnership for federal income tax purposes,
an estate whose income is subject to Unites States federal income tax regardless
of its source, or a trust if a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust, and one or
more such U.S. Persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions
of such trust, (or, to the extent provided in applicable Treasury regulations,
certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996 which are eligible to elect to be
treated as U.S. Persons).

--------------------------------

By:
     ----------------------------------------------------------------
     ----------------------------------------------------------------

     Address of Investor for receipt of distribution:

     Address of Investor for receipt of tax information:

     (Corporate Seal)

     Attest:

     -------------------------------------------------

                                                      , Secretary
     -------------------------------------------------

                                     E-1-6
<PAGE>

Personally appeared before me the above-named ______________, known or proved to
me to be the same person who executed the foregoing instrument and to be the
_______ of the Investor, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same as his
free act and deed and the free act and deed of the Investor.

Subscribed and sworn before me this       day of           ,
200   .
   ---

-----------------------------------------------------
Notary Public

County of
         --------------------------------------------
State of
        ---------------------------------------------

My commission expires the          day of
                         ----------      -------------

                         By:
                                         Name:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                         Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

Dated:
      ---------------------

                                     E-1-7
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT E-2

                         FORM OF TRANSFEROR'S AFFIDAVIT

                                     [DATE]

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
9062 Old Annapolis Road
Columbia, Maryland 21045
Attention:  Corporate Trust Services - First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust,
            Series 2005-FFH1

Re:      First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed
         Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1

         _______________________ (the "Transferor") has reviewed the attached
affidavit of _____________________________ (the "Transferee"), and has no actual
knowledge that such affidavit is not true, and has no reason to believe that the
Transferee has the intention to impede the assessment or collection of any
federal, state or local taxes legally required to be paid with respect to the
Class R Certificate referred to in the attached affidavit. In addition, the
Transferor has conducted a reasonable investigation at the time of the transfer
and found that the Transferee had historically paid its debts as they came due
and found no significant evidence to indicate that the Transferee will not
continue to pay its debts as they become due.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                     E-2-1
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT F

                         FORM OF TRANSFEROR CERTIFICATE

                                     [DATE]

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
9062 Old Annapolis Road
Columbia, Maryland 21045
Attention:  Corporate Trust Services - First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust,
            Series 2005-FFH1

RE:      First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed
         Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         In connection with our disposition of the Class [____] Certificate, we
certify that (a) we understand that the Certificates have not been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and are being disposed
by us in a transaction that is exempt from the registration requirements of the
Act and (b) we have not offered or sold any Certificates to, or solicited offers
to buy any Certificates from, any person, or otherwise approached or negotiated
with any person with respect thereto, in a manner that would be deemed, or taken
any other action that would result in, a violation of Section 5 of the Act. All
capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings
assigned to them in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of May 1, 2005,
among Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., as depositor, Wells Fargo Bank,
N.A., as trustee and Wilshire Credit Corporation, as servicer.

                                      Very truly yours,

                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Name of Transferor

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                      Title

                                      F-1
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT G

                            FORM OF INVESTMENT LETTER
                              (ACCREDITED INVESTOR)

                                     [DATE]

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
9062 Old Annapolis Road
Columbia, Maryland 21045
Attention:  Corporate Trust Services - First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust,
            Series 2005-FFH1

Re:      First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed
         Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         ______________ (the "Purchaser") intends to purchase from
________________ (the "Transferor") $_______ by original principal balance (the
"Transferred Certificates") of First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan
Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1, Class [____] (the "Certificates"),
issued pursuant to a Pooling and Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2005
(the "Pooling and Servicing Agreement"), among Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors,
Inc., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as trustee (the
"Trustee") and Wilshire Credit Corporation, as servicer (the "Servicer"). [THE
PURCHASER INTENDS TO REGISTER THE TRANSFERRED CERTIFICATE IN THE NAME OF
____________________, AS NOMINEE FOR _________________.] All terms used and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement.

         For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which is hereby acknowledged, the Purchaser certifies, represents and warrants
to, and covenants with, the Depositor and the Trustee that:

         1. The Purchaser understands that (a) the Certificates have not been
registered or qualified under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state, (b) neither the
Depositor nor the Trustee is required, and neither of them intends, to so
register or qualify the Certificates, (c) the Certificates cannot be resold
unless (i) they are registered and qualified under the Securities Act and the
applicable state securities laws or (ii) an exemption from registration and
qualification is available and (d) the Pooling and Servicing Agreement contains
restrictions regarding the transfer of the Certificates.

         2. The Class C, Class P and Class B-4 Certificates will bear a legend
to the following effect:

         THIS CERTIFICATE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
         1933, AS AMENDED, (THE "1933 ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
         NEITHER THIS CERTIFICATE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY
         BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR
         OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION, UNLESS SUCH
         TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

         THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO
         OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH CERTIFICATE ONLY (A) PURSUANT

                                      G-1
<PAGE>

         TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE
         1933 ACT OR (B) TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED
         INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE 1933 ACT THAT
         PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED
         INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING
         MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, SUBJECT TO THE TRUSTEE'S RIGHT PRIOR TO
         ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF A
         CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING IN THE POOLING AND
         SERVICING AGREEMENT.

         [In the case of a Regulation S Certificate, the following legend will
         appear instead of the legend above]

         THIS CERTIFICATE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
         1933, AS AMENDED (THE "1933 ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
         NEITHER THIS CERTIFICATE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY
         BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR
         OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF WITHIN THE UNITED STATES (AS DEFINED IN RULES 901
         THROUGH 905 OF THE 1933 ACT ("REGULATION S")) OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT
         OR BENEFIT OF, A U.S. PERSON (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S), IN THE
         ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION, UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM,
         OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

         THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES (A)
         THAT, UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE APPLICABLE "DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE
         PERIOD" WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S, ANY OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR
         OTHER TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE SHALL NOT BE MADE IN THE UNITED
         STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON (EACH
         AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S) AND (B) TO OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE
         TRANSFER THIS CERTIFICATE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE
         ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, A U.S. PERSON (EACH AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S)
         ONLY (1) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED
         EFFECTIVE UNDER THE 1933 ACT OR (2) TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES
         IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE
         1933 ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A
         QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER
         IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, SUBJECT TO THE TRUSTEE'S RIGHT
         PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF A
         CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING IN THE POOLING AND
         SERVICING AGREEMENT.

         3. The ERISA Restricted Certificates (other than the Class R
Certificates) will bear a legend to the following effect:

         NO TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE SHALL BE REGISTERED UNLESS THE
         PROSPECTIVE TRANSFEREE PROVIDES THE TRUSTEE WITH (A) A REPRESENTATION
         THAT SUCH TRANSFEREE IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN SUBJECT TO TITLE I
         OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED
         ("ERISA"), A PLAN SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
         OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") OR A PLAN SUBJECT TO STATE, LOCAL,
         FEDERAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAW SUBSTANTIVELY

                                      G-2
<PAGE>

         SIMILAR TO THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE ("SIMILAR
         LAW") (COLLECTIVELY, A "PLAN"), AND IS NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY
         ACQUIRING THIS CERTIFICATE BY, ON BEHALF OF, OR WITH ANY ASSETS OF ANY
         SUCH PLAN, (B) IF THE CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF AN
         ERISA-QUALIFYING UNDERWRITING, A REPRESENTATION THAT SUCH TRANSFEREE IS
         AN INSURANCE COMPANY THAT IS ACQUIRING THE CERTIFICATE WITH ASSETS OF
         AN "INSURANCE COMPANY GENERAL ACCOUNT" AS DEFINED IN SECTION V(E) OF
         PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION ("PTCE") 95-60 AND THE
         ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THE CERTIFICATE ARE COVERED AND EXEMPT UNDER
         SECTIONS I AND III OF PTCE 95-60, OR (C) SOLELY IN THE CASE OF A
         DEFINITIVE CERTIFICATE, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE
         TRUSTEE, AND UPON WHICH THE TRUSTEE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RELY, TO THE
         EFFECT THAT THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF SUCH CERTIFICATE BY THE
         PROSPECTIVE TRANSFEREE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE OR RESULT IN A NONEXEMPT
         PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER TITLE I OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE
         CODE OR A VIOLATION OF SIMILAR LAW AND WILL NOT SUBJECT THE TRUSTEE,
         THE NIMS INSURER, THE SERVICER OR THE DEPOSITOR TO ANY OBLIGATION IN
         ADDITION TO THOSE UNDERTAKEN BY SUCH ENTITIES IN THE POOLING AND
         SERVICING AGREEMENT, WHICH OPINION OF COUNSEL SHALL NOT BE AN EXPENSE
         OF THE TRUSTEE, THE NIMS INSURER, THE SERVICER OR THE DEPOSITOR. IF THE
         CERTIFICATE IS NOT A DEFINITIVE CERTIFICATE, THE TRANSFEREE IS DEEMED
         TO HAVE MADE THE REPRESENTATION IN (A) OR (B) ABOVE.

         4. The Class R Certificate will bear a legend to the following effect:

         NO TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE SHALL BE REGISTERED UNLESS THE
         PROSPECTIVE TRANSFEREE PROVIDES THE TRUSTEE WITH A REPRESENTATION THAT
         SUCH TRANSFEREE IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF
         THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED
         ("ERISA"), A PLAN SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A PLAN SUBJECT
         TO STATE, LOCAL, FEDERAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAW SUBSTANTIVELY SIMILAR
         TO THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE ("SIMILAR LAW"), AND
         IS NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ACQUIRING THIS CERTIFICATE BY, ON BEHALF
         OF, OR WITH ANY ASSETS OF ANY SUCH PLAN.

         5. The Purchaser is acquiring the Transferred Certificates for its own
account [FOR INVESTMENT only]* and not with a view to or for sale or other
transfer in connection with any distribution of the Transferred Certificates in
any manner that would violate the Securities Act or any applicable state
securities laws, subject, nevertheless, to the understanding that disposition of
the Purchaser's property shall at all times be and remain within its control.

         6. The Purchaser (a) is a substantial, sophisticated institutional
investor having such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters,
and in particular in such matters related to securities similar to the
Certificates, such that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of
investment in the Certificates, (b) is able to bear the economic risks of such
an investment and (c) is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule
501(a) promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act.

* Not required of a broker/dealer purchaser.

                                      G-3
<PAGE>

         7. The Purchaser will not nor has it authorized nor will it authorize
any person to (a) offer, pledge, sell, dispose of or otherwise transfer any
Certificate, any interest in any Certificate or any other similar security to
any person in any manner, (b) solicit any offer to buy or to accept a pledge,
disposition or other transfer of any Certificate, any interest in any
Certificate or any other similar security from any person in any manner, (c)
otherwise approach or negotiate with respect to any Certificate, any interest in
any Certificate or any other similar security with any person in any manner, (d)
make any general solicitation by means of general advertising or in any other
manner, or (e) take any other action, that would constitute a distribution of
any Certificate under the Securities Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the "1940 Act"), that would render the disposition of any
Certificate a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act or any state
securities law, or that would require registration or qualification pursuant
thereto. Neither the Purchaser nor anyone acting on its behalf has offered the
Certificates for sale or made any general solicitation by means of general
advertising or in any other manner with respect to the Certificates. The
Purchaser will not sell or otherwise transfer any of the Certificates, except in
compliance with the provisions of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

         8. The Purchaser of an ERISA Restricted Certificate (other than the
Class R Certificate) (A) is not an employee benefit plan subject to Title I of
ERISA, a plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code, a plan subject to any state,
local, federal, non-U.S. or other law substantively similar to the foregoing
provisions of ERISA or the Code ("Similar Law") and is not directly or
indirectly acquiring such Certificates by, on behalf of, or with any assets of
any such plan, or (B) if the Certificate has been the subject of an
ERISA-Qualifying Underwriting, is an insurance company that is acquiring the
Certificate with assets of an "insurance company general account," as defined in
Section V(e) of Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 95-60, and the
acquisition and holding of the Certificate are covered and exempt under Sections
I and III of PTCE 95-60, or (C) solely in the event the Certificate is a
Definitive Certificate, herewith delivers an Opinion of Counsel satisfactory to
the Trustee, and upon which the Trustee shall be entitled to rely, to the effect
that the acquisition and holding of the Certificate will not constitute or
result in a nonexempt prohibited transaction under Title I of ERISA or Section
4975 of the Code, or a violation of Similar Law, and will not subject the
Trustee, the NIMs Insurer, the Servicer or the Depositor to any obligation in
addition to those expressly undertaken in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement,
which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Trustee, the NIMs
Insurer, the Servicer or the Depositor.

         9. The Purchaser of a Class R Certificate is not an employee benefit
plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code, a
plan subject to any state, local, federal, non-U.S. or other law substantively
similar to the foregoing provisions of ERISA or the Code ("Similar Law"), or a
Person directly or indirectly acquiring such Certificate by, on behalf of, or
with any assets of any such plan.

         10. Prior to the sale or transfer by the Purchaser of any of the
Certificates, the Purchaser will obtain from any subsequent purchaser
substantially the same certifications, representations, warranties and covenants
contained in the foregoing paragraphs and in this letter or a letter
substantially in the form of Exhibit H to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement.

         11. The Purchaser agrees to indemnify the Trustee, the Servicer and the
Depositor against any liability that may result from any misrepresentation made
herein.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   [PURCHASER]

                                      G-4
<PAGE>

                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                      G-5
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT H

                       FORM OF RULE 144A INVESTMENT LETTER
                         (QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER)

                                     [DATE]

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
9062 Old Annapolis Road
Columbia, Maryland 21045
Attention:  Corporate Trust Services - First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust,
            Series 2005-FFH1

Re:      First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed
         Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         ______________ (the "Purchaser") intends to purchase from
________________ (the "Transferor") $_______ by original principal balance (the
"Transferred Certificates") of First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan
Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1, Class [____] (the "Certificates"),
issued pursuant to a Pooling and Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2005
(the "Pooling and Servicing Agreement"), among Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors,
Inc., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as trustee (the
"Trustee") and Wilshire Credit Corporation, as servicer (the "Servicer"). [THE
PURCHASER INTENDS TO REGISTER THE TRANSFERRED CERTIFICATE IN THE NAME OF
____________________, AS NOMINEE FOR _________________.] All terms used and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement.

         For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which is hereby acknowledged, the Purchaser certifies, represents and warrants
to, and covenants with, the Depositor and the Trustee that:

         In connection with our acquisition of the above Transferred
Certificates we certify that (a) we understand that the Certificates are not
being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), or
any state securities laws and are being transferred to us in a transaction that
is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act and any such laws, (b)
we have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that we
are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of investments in the
Certificates, (c) we have had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive
answers from the Depositor concerning the purchase of the Transferred
Certificates and all matters relating thereto or any additional information
deemed necessary to our decision to purchase the Transferred Certificates,
(d)(A) solely with respect to ERISA Restricted Certificates, we are not an
employee benefit plan subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), a plan subject to Section 4975 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), a plan subject to
any state, local, federal, non-U.S. or other law substantively similar to the
foregoing provisions of ERISA or the Code ("Similar Law"), or Persons directly
or indirectly acting on behalf of or using any assets of any such plan, or (B)
solely with respect to ERISA Restricted Certificates (other than the Class R
Certificates), if the Certificate has been the subject of an ERISA-Qualifying
Underwriting, we are an insurance company that is acquiring the Certificate with
assets of an "insurance company general account," as defined in Section V(e) of
Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 95-60, and the acquisition and
holding of the Certificate are covered and exempt under Sections I and III of
PTCE 95-60, or (C) solely in the event the Certificate is an ERISA Restricted
Certificate (other than a Class R Certificate) and also a Definitive

                                      H-1
<PAGE>

Certificate, we will herewith deliver an Opinion of Counsel satisfactory to the
Trustee, and upon which the Trustee shall be entitled to rely, to the effect
that the acquisition and holding of the Certificate will not constitute or
result in a nonexempt prohibited transaction under Title I of ERISA or Section
4975 of the Code, or a violation of Similar Law, and will not subject the
Trustee, the NIMs Insurer, the Servicer or the Depositor to any obligation in
addition to those expressly undertaken in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement,
which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Trustee, the NIMs
Insurer, the Servicer or the Depositor, (e) we have not, nor has anyone acting
on our behalf offered, transferred, pledged, sold or otherwise disposed of the
Certificates, any interest in the Certificates or any other similar security to,
or solicited any offer to buy or accept a transfer, pledge or other disposition
of the Certificates, any interest in the Certificates or any other similar
security from, or otherwise approached or negotiated with respect to the
Certificates, any interest in the Certificates or any other similar security
with, any person in any manner, or made any general solicitation by means of
general advertising or in any other manner, or taken any other action, that
would constitute a distribution of the Certificates under the Securities Act or
that would render the disposition of the Certificates a violation of Section 5
of the Securities Act or require registration pursuant thereto, nor will act,
nor has authorized or will authorize any person to act, in such manner with
respect to the Certificates, (f) we are a "qualified institutional buyer" as
that term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and have completed
one of the forms of certification to that effect attached hereto as Annex 1 or
Annex 2. We are aware that the sale of the Transferred Certificates to us is
being made in reliance on Rule 144A. We are acquiring the Transferred
Certificates for our own account or for resale pursuant to Rule 144A and further
understand that such Certificates may be resold, pledged or transferred only (i)
to a person reasonably believed by us, based upon certifications of such
purchaser or information we have in our possession, to be a qualified
institutional buyer that purchases for its own account or for the account of a
qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that the resale, pledge or
transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, or (ii) pursuant to another
exemption from registration under the Securities Act.

         We agree to indemnify the Trustee, the Servicer and the Depositor
against any liability that may result from any misrepresentation made herein.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   [PURCHASER]

                                   By:
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                      H-2
<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX 1

            QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER STATUS UNDER SEC RULE 144A

          [FOR TRANSFEREES OTHER THAN REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES]

         The undersigned (the "Buyer") hereby certifies as follows to the
parties listed in the Rule 144A Transferee Certificate to which this
certification relates with respect to the Certificates described therein:

         1. As indicated below, the undersigned is the President, Chief
Financial Officer, Senior Vice President or other executive officer of the
Buyer.

         2. In connection with the purchases by the Buyer, the Buyer is a
"qualified institutional buyer" as that term is defined in Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Rule 144A") because (i) the Buyer owned
and/or invested on a discretionary basis $____________* in securities (except
for the excluded securities referred to below) as of the end of the Buyer's most
recent fiscal year (such amount being calculated in accordance with Rule 144A)
and (ii) the Buyer satisfies the criteria in the category marked below.

                           Corporation, etc. The Buyer is a corporation (other
             -----------   than a bank, savings and loan association or similar
                           institution), Massachusetts or similar business
                           trust, partnership, or charitable organization
                           described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
                           Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                           Bank. The Buyer (a) is a national bank or banking
             -----------   institution organized under the laws of any State,
                           territory or the District of Columbia, the business
                           of which is substantially confined to banking and is
                           supervised by Federal, State or territorial banking
                           commission or similar official or is a foreign bank
                           or equivalent institution, and (b) has an audited net
                           worth of at least $25,000,000 as demonstrated in its
                           latest annual financial statements, a copy of which
                           is attached hereto.

                           Savings and Loan. The Buyer (a) is a savings and loan
             -----------   association, building and loan association,
                           cooperative bank, homestead association or similar
                           institution, which is supervised and examined by a
                           State or Federal authority having supervision over
                           such institution or is a foreign savings and loan
                           association or equivalent institution and (b) has an
                           audited net worth of at least $25,000,000 as
                           demonstrated in its latest annual financial
                           statements, a copy of which is attached hereto.

                           Broker-dealer. The Buyer is a dealer registered
             -----------   pursuant to Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act
                           of 1934, as amended.

----------
* Buyer must own and/or invest on a discretionary basis at least $100,000,000 in
securities unless Buyer is a dealer, and, in that case, Buyer must own and/or
invest on a discretionary basis at least $10,000,000 in securities.

                                      H-3
<PAGE>

                           Insurance Company. The Buyer is an insurance company
             -----------   whose primary and predominant business activity is
                           the writing of insurance or the reinsuring of risks
                           underwritten by insurance companies and which is
                           subject to supervision by the insurance commissioner
                           or a similar official or agency of the State,
                           territory or the District of Columbia.

                           State or Local Plan. The Buyer is a plan established
             -----------   and maintained by a State, its political
                           subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of the
                           State or its political subdivisions, for the benefit
                           of its employees.

                           ERISA Plan. The Buyer is an employee benefit plan
             -----------   subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income
                           Security Act of 1974, as amended.

                           Investment Advisor. The Buyer is an investment
             -----------   advisor registered under the Investment Advisors Act
                           of 1940, as amended.

                           Small Business Investment Company. Buyer is a small
             -----------   business investment company licensed by the U.S.
                           Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or
                           (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as
                           amended.

                           Business Development Company. Buyer is a business
             -----------   development company as defined in Section 202(a)(22)
                           of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended.

         3. The term "securities" as used for purposes of the calculation of the
dollar amount in paragraph 2 excludes: (i) securities of issuers that are
affiliated with the Buyer, (ii) securities that are part of an unsold allotment
to or subscription by the Buyer, if the Buyer is a dealer, (iii) securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. or any instrumentality thereof, (iv) bank
deposit notes and certificates of deposit, (v) loan participations, (vi)
repurchase agreements, (vii) securities owned but subject to a repurchase
agreement and (viii) currency, interest rate and commodity swaps.

         4. For purposes of determining the aggregate amount of securities owned
and/or invested on a discretionary basis by the Buyer, the Buyer used the cost
of such securities to the Buyer and did not include any of the securities
referred to in the preceding paragraph, except (i) where the Buyer reports its
securities holdings in its financial statements on the basis of their market
value, and (ii) no current information with respect to the cost of those
securities has been published. If clause (ii) in the preceding sentence applies,
the securities may be valued at market. Further, in determining such aggregate
amount, the Buyer may have included securities owned by subsidiaries of the
Buyer, but only if such subsidiaries are consolidated with the Buyer in its
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and if the investments of such subsidiaries are managed under the
Buyer's direction. However, such securities were not included if the Buyer is a
majority-owned, consolidated subsidiary of another enterprise and the Buyer is
not itself a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

                                      H-4
<PAGE>

         5. The Buyer acknowledges that it is familiar with Rule 144A and
understands that the seller to it and other parties related to the Certificates
are relying and will continue to rely on the statements made herein because one
or more sales to the Buyer may be in reliance on Rule 144A.

         6. Until the date of purchase of the Rule 144A Securities, the Buyer
will notify each of the parties to which this certification is made of any
changes in the information and conclusions herein. Until such notice is given,
the Buyer's purchase of the Certificates will constitute a reaffirmation of this
certification as of the date of such purchase. In addition, if the Buyer is a
bank or savings and loan as provided above, the Buyer agrees that it will
furnish to such parties updated annual financial statements promptly after they
become available.

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                        Date:
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      H-5
<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX 2

            QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER STATUS UNDER SEC RULE 144A

           [FOR TRANSFEREES THAT ARE REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANIES]

         The undersigned (the "Buyer") hereby certifies as follows to the
parties listed in the Rule 144A Transferee Certificate to which this
certification relates with respect to the Certificates described therein:

         1. As indicated below, the undersigned is the President, Chief
Financial Officer or Senior Vice President of the Buyer or, if the Buyer is a
"qualified institutional buyer" as that term is defined in Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Rule 144A"), because Buyer is part of a
Family of Investment Companies (as defined below), is such an officer of the
Adviser.

         2.In connection with purchases by Buyer, the Buyer is a "qualified
institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A because (i) the Buyer is an
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended and (ii) as marked below, the Buyer alone, or the Buyer's Family of
Investment Companies, owned at least $100,000,000 in securities (other than the
excluded securities referred to below) as of the end of the Buyer's most recent
fiscal year. For purposes of determining the amount of securities owned by the
Buyer or the Buyer's Family of Investment Companies, the cost of such securities
was used, except (i) where the Buyer or the Buyer's Family of Investment
Companies reports its securities holdings in its financial statements on the
basis of their market value, and (ii) no current information with respect to the
cost of those securities has been published. If clause (ii) in the preceding
sentence applies, the securities may be valued at market.

                           The Buyer owned $___________ in securities (other
             -----------   than the excluded securities referred to below) as of
                           the end of the Buyer's most recent fiscal year (such
                           amount being calculated in accordance with Rule
                           144A).

                           The Buyer is part of a Family of Investment Companies
             -----------   which owned in the aggregate $__________ in
                           securities (other than the excluded securities
                           referred to below) as of the end of the Buyer's most
                           recent fiscal year (such amount being calculated in
                           accordance with Rule 144A).

         3. The term "Family of Investment Companies" as used herein means two
or more registered investment companies (or series thereof) that have the same
investment adviser or investment advisers that are affiliated (by virtue of
being majority owned subsidiaries of the same parent or because one investment
adviser is a majority owned subsidiary of the other).

         4. The term "securities" as used herein does not include (i) securities
of issuers that are affiliated with the Buyer or are part of the Buyer's Family
of Investment Companies, (ii) securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. or any
instrumentality thereof, (iii) bank deposit notes and certificates of deposit,
(iv) loan participations, (v) repurchase agreements, (vi) securities owned but
subject to a repurchase agreement and (vii) currency, interest rate and
commodity swaps.

         5. The Buyer is familiar with Rule 144A and understands that the
parties listed in the Rule 144A Transferee Certificate to which this
certification relates are relying and will continue to rely on the statements
made herein because one or more sales to the Buyer will be in reliance on Rule
144A. In addition, the Buyer will only purchase for the Buyer's own account.

                                      H-6
<PAGE>

         6. Until the date of purchase of the Certificates, the undersigned will
notify the parties listed in the Rule 144A Transferee Certificate to which this
certification relates of any changes in the information and conclusions herein.
Until such notice is given, the Buyer's purchase of the Certificates will
constitute a reaffirmation of this certification by the undersigned as of the
date of such purchase.

                             By:
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                Name:
                                Title:

                             IF AN ADVISER:

                             ---------------------------------------------------
                             Print Name of Buyer

                             Date:
                                  ----------------------------------------------

                                      H-7
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT I

                           FORM OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE

                                     [DATE]

To:      Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
         1015 10th Avenue Southeast
         Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414

Re:      First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed
         Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1

         In connection with the administration of the Mortgage Loans held by
you, as Trustee, pursuant to the above-captioned Pooling and Servicing
Agreement, we request the release, and hereby acknowledge receipt, of the
Mortgage File for the Mortgage Loan described below, for the reason indicated.

Mortgage Loan Number:

Mortgagor Name, Address & Zip Code:

Reason for Requesting Documents (check one):

         1.        Mortgage Paid in Full
--------
         2.        Foreclosure
--------
         3.        Substitution
--------
         4.        Other Liquidation (Repurchases, etc.)
--------
         5.        Nonliquidation
--------
         6.        Other Reason:
--------                          ----------------------------

Address to which the Trustee should deliver the Mortgage File:

                                  By:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                             (authorized signer)

                                  Address:
                                          --------------------------------------

                                  Date:
                                       -----------------------------------------

If box 1 or 2 above is checked, and if all or part of the Mortgage File was
previously released to us, please release to us our previous receipt on file
with you, as well as any additional documents in your possession relating to the
above specified Mortgage Loan.

                                      I-1
<PAGE>

If box 3, 4, 5 or 6 above is checked, upon our return of all of the above
documents to you as Trustee, please acknowledge your receipt by signing in the
space indicated below, and returning this form.

Please acknowledge the execution of the above request by your signature and date
below:

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,
as Trustee

By:
   ---------------------------------        ------------------------------------
   Signature                                Date

Documents returned to Trustee:

By:
   ---------------------------------        ------------------------------------
   Signature                                Date

                                      I-2
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT J

                                   [RESERVED]

                                      J-1
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT K

                    FORM OF OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE OF TRUSTEE

                                     [DATE]

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc.
250 Vesey Street
4 World Financial Center, 10th Floor
New York, New York 10080

Re:      Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of May 1, 2005 among Merrill
         Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., as depositor, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,
         as trustee and Wilshire Credit Corporation, as servicer (the
         "Agreement), relating to, First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage
         Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1

         I, [identify the certifying individual], a [title] of the Trustee
hereby certify to the Depositor, and its officers, directors and affiliates, and
with the knowledge and intent that they will rely upon this certification, that:

1.       I have reviewed the Monthly Statements delivered pursuant to the
         Agreement since the last Officer's Certificate executed pursuant to
         Section 3.21 of the Agreement [or in the case of the first
         certification, since the Cut-off Date] (the "Trustee Information").

2.       Based on my knowledge, the information in the Monthly Statement, taken
         as a whole, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
         omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in
         light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
         misleading as of the date hereof;

3.       Based on my knowledge, the Monthly Statements required to be prepared
         by the Trustee under the Agreement has been prepared and provided in
         accordance with the Agreement; and

4.       I am responsible for reviewing the activities performed by the Trustee
         under the Agreement and the Trustee has, as of the date hereof
         fulfilled its obligations under the Agreement and there are no
         significant deficiencies relating to the Trustee's compliance with the
         Agreement.

Date:
                                   Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,
                                   as Trustee
                                   By:
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                   Name:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                   Title:
                                         ---------------------------------------

                                      K-1
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT L

                        OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE OF SERVICER

                                     [DATE]

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc.
250 Vesey Street
4 World Financial Center, 10th Floor
New York, New York 10080

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
9062 Old Annapolis Road
Columbia, Maryland 21045
Attention:  Corporate Trust Services - First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust,
            Series 2005-FFH1

Re:      Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of May 1, 2005 among Merrill
         Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., as depositor, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,
         as trustee and Wilshire Credit Corporation, as servicer (the
         "Agreement), relating to, First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage
         Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-FFH1

         I, [identify the certifying individual], an authorized representative
of the Servicer hereby certify to the Trustee and the Depositor, and each of
their respective officers, directors and affiliates, and with the knowledge and
intent that they will rely upon this certification, that:

1.       I have reviewed the information required to be delivered to the Trustee
         pursuant to the Agreement (the "Servicing Information").

2.       Based on my knowledge, the information in the Annual Statement of
         Compliance, and all servicing reports, officer's certificates and other
         information relating to the servicing of the Mortgage Loans submitted
         to the Trustee by the Servicer taken as a whole, does not contain any
         untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
         necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances
         under which such statements were made, not misleading as of the last
         day of the period covered by the Annual Statement of Compliance;

3.       Based on my knowledge, the Servicing Information required to be
         provided to the Trustee by the Servicer under the Agreement has been
         provided to the Trustee; and

                                      L-1
<PAGE>

4.       I am responsible for reviewing the activities performed by the Servicer
         under the Agreement and based upon the review required hereunder, and
         except as disclosed in the Annual Statement of Compliance, the Annual
         Independent Certified Public Accountant's Servicing Report and all
         servicing reports, officer's certificates and other information
         relating to the servicing of the Mortgage Loans submitted to the
         Trustee by the Servicer, the Servicer has, as of the last day of the
         period covered by the Annual Statement of Compliance fulfilled its
         obligations under this Agreement.

Date:
                                        Wilshire Credit Corporation, as Servicer
                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------

                                      L-2
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT M

                                   [RESERVED]

                                      M-1
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT N-1

                         FORM OF CLASS A-1 CAP CONTRACT

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                                     N-1-1
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT N-2

                         FORM OF CLASS A-2 CAP CONTRACT

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                                     N-2-1
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT N-3

                  FORM OF SUBORDINATED CERTIFICATE CAP CONTRACT

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                                     N-3-1
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT O-1

                      ONE-MONTH LIBOR CAP TABLE - CLASS A-1

<Table>
<Caption>
                  BEGINNING        ENDING
    PERIOD         ACCRUAL        ACCRUAL      NOTIONAL BALANCE ($)    LOWER COLLAR (%)    UPPER COLLAR (%)
<S>               <C>             <C>          <C>                     <C>                 <C>
1                  05/31/05       06/25/05        188,101,000.00             8.762              9.750
2                  06/25/05       07/25/05        186,895,811.73             7.260              9.750
3                  07/25/05       08/25/05        185,390,428.10             7.018              9.750
4                  08/25/05       09/25/05        183,585,813.44             7.017              9.750
5                  09/25/05       10/25/05        181,484,013.99             7.260              9.750
6                  10/25/05       11/25/05        179,088,171.11             7.017              9.750
7                  11/25/05       12/25/05        176,402,529.48             7.260              9.750
8                  12/25/05       01/25/06        173,432,439.09             7.017              9.750
9                  01/25/06       02/25/06        170,184,350.61             7.017              9.750
10                 02/25/06       03/25/06        166,665,804.15             7.796              9.750
11                 03/25/06       04/25/06        162,885,411.13             7.017              9.750
12                 04/25/06       05/25/06        158,853,269.95             7.259              9.750
13                 05/25/06       06/25/06        154,604,279.44             7.021              9.750
14                 06/25/06       07/25/06        150,185,166.82             7.263              9.750
15                 07/25/06       08/25/06        145,605,228.56             7.021              9.750
16                 08/25/06       09/25/06        140,874,578.30             7.021              9.750
17                 09/25/06       10/25/06        136,003,973.14             7.263              9.750
18                 10/25/06       11/25/06        131,004,765.11             7.021              9.750
19                 11/25/06       12/25/06        125,888,848.46             7.266              9.750
20                 12/25/06       01/25/07        120,668,645.63             7.024              9.750
21                 01/25/07       02/25/07        115,356,916.20             7.025              9.750
22                 02/25/07       03/25/07        109,966,825.90             7.804              9.750
23                 03/25/07       04/25/07        104,511,834.83             7.025              9.750
24                 04/25/07       05/25/07         99,005,628.32             7.687              9.750
25                 05/25/07       06/25/07         93,630,558.64             8.913              9.750
26                 06/25/07       07/25/07         88,458,657.79             9.215              9.750
27                 07/25/07       08/25/07         83,462,898.53             8.906              9.750
28                 08/25/07       09/25/07         78,637,202.69             8.902              9.750
29                 09/25/07       10/25/07         73,975,703.68             9.203              9.750
30                 10/25/07       11/25/07         69,472,739.09             9.028              9.750
31                 11/25/07       12/25/07         65,124,356.38             9.750              9.750
32                 12/25/07       01/25/08         60,927,443.20             9.507              9.750
33                 01/25/08       02/25/08         56,872,891.26             9.502              9.750
34                 02/25/08       03/25/08         52,955,802.56             9.750              9.750
35                 03/25/08       04/25/08         49,171,449.20             9.491              9.750
</Table>

(1)      With respect to any Distribution Date, if One-Month LIBOR (as
         determined by the Cap Contract Counterparty and subject to a cap equal
         to 9.750%) exceeds the Lower Collar, the Trust Fund will receive
         payments pursuant to the Class A-1 Cap Contract.

                                     O-1-1
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT O-2

                      ONE-MONTH LIBOR CAP TABLE - CLASS A-2

<Table>
<Caption>
                  BEGINNING        ENDING
    PERIOD         ACCRUAL        ACCRUAL      NOTIONAL BALANCE ($)    LOWER COLLAR (%)    UPPER COLLAR (%)
<S>               <C>             <C>          <C>                     <C>                 <C>
1                  05/31/05       06/25/05        227,149,000.00             8.286              9.250
2                  06/25/05       07/25/05        225,783,859.15             6.863              9.250
3                  07/25/05       08/25/05        224,064,804.22             6.634              9.250
4                  08/25/05       09/25/05        221,992,763.82             6.634              9.250
5                  09/25/05       10/25/05        219,569,904.77             6.863              9.250
6                  10/25/05       11/25/05        216,799,647.58             6.634              9.250
7                  11/25/05       12/25/05        213,686,676.49             6.863              9.250
8                  12/25/05       01/25/06        210,236,942.56             6.634              9.250
9                  01/25/06       02/25/06        206,457,659.48             6.634              9.250
10                 02/25/06       03/25/06        202,357,292.02             7.371              9.250
11                 03/25/06       04/25/06        197,945,536.87             6.633              9.250
12                 04/25/06       05/25/06        193,233,295.83             6.863              9.250
13                 05/25/06       06/25/06        188,254,002.55             6.633              9.250
14                 06/25/06       07/25/06        183,024,484.09             6.863              9.250
15                 07/25/06       08/25/06        177,557,649.09             6.633              9.250
16                 08/25/06       09/25/06        171,867,347.94             6.633              9.250
17                 09/25/06       10/25/06        165,968,314.97             6.863              9.250
18                 10/25/06       11/25/06        159,876,104.25             6.634              9.250
19                 11/25/06       12/25/06        153,607,019.49             6.863              9.250
20                 12/25/06       01/25/07        147,178,038.41             6.634              9.250
21                 01/25/07       02/25/07        140,606,731.85             6.634              9.250
22                 02/25/07       03/25/07        133,911,178.25             7.372              9.250
23                 03/25/07       04/25/07        127,109,873.92             6.635              9.250
24                 04/25/07       05/25/07        120,222,818.26             8.427              9.250
25                 05/25/07       06/25/07        113,487,881.32             8.854              9.250
26                 06/25/07       07/25/07        106,994,769.64             9.156              9.250
27                 07/25/07       08/25/07        100,728,356.76             8.851              9.250
28                 08/25/07       09/25/07         94,680,693.93             8.849              9.250
29                 09/25/07       10/25/07         88,844,111.88             9.151              9.250
</Table>

(1)      With respect to any Distribution Date, if One-Month LIBOR (as
         determined by the Cap Contract Counterparty and subject to a cap equal
         to 9.250%) exceeds the Lower Collar, the Trust Fund will receive
         payments pursuant to the Class A-2 Cap Contract.

                                     O-2-1
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT O-3

        ONE-MONTH LIBOR CAP TABLE - SUBORDINATED CERTIFICATE CAP CONTRACT

<Table>
<Caption>
                  BEGINNING        ENDING
    PERIOD         ACCRUAL        ACCRUAL      NOTIONAL BALANCE ($)    LOWER COLLAR (%)    UPPER COLLAR (%)
<S>               <C>             <C>          <C>                     <C>                 <C>
1                  05/31/05       06/25/05        122,650,000.00             8.051              8.800
2                  06/25/05       07/25/05        122,650,000.00             6.593              8.800
3                  07/25/05       08/25/05        122,650,000.00             6.358              8.800
4                  08/25/05       09/25/05        122,650,000.00             6.357              8.800
5                  09/25/05       10/25/05        122,650,000.00             6.593              8.800
6                  10/25/05       11/25/05        122,650,000.00             6.357              8.800
7                  11/25/05       12/25/05        122,650,000.00             6.593              8.800
8                  12/25/05       01/25/06        122,650,000.00             6.357              8.800
9                  01/25/06       02/25/06        122,650,000.00             6.357              8.800
10                 02/25/06       03/25/06        122,650,000.00             7.113              8.800
11                 03/25/06       04/25/06        122,650,000.00             6.357              8.800
12                 04/25/06       05/25/06        122,650,000.00             6.592              8.800
13                 05/25/06       06/25/06        122,650,000.00             6.359              8.800
14                 06/25/06       07/25/06        122,650,000.00             6.594              8.800
15                 07/25/06       08/25/06        122,650,000.00             6.359              8.800
16                 08/25/06       09/25/06        122,650,000.00             6.359              8.800
17                 09/25/06       10/25/06        122,650,000.00             6.594              8.800
18                 10/25/06       11/25/06        122,650,000.00             6.359              8.800
19                 11/25/06       12/25/06        122,650,000.00             6.596              8.800
20                 12/25/06       01/25/07        122,650,000.00             6.361              8.800
21                 01/25/07       02/25/07        122,650,000.00             6.361              8.800
22                 02/25/07       03/25/07        122,650,000.00             7.118              8.800
23                 03/25/07       04/25/07        122,650,000.00             6.362              8.800
24                 04/25/07       05/25/07        122,650,000.00             7.642              8.800
25                 05/25/07       06/25/07        122,650,000.00             8.430              8.800
26                 06/25/07       07/25/07        122,650,000.00             8.732              8.800
27                 07/25/07       08/25/07        122,650,000.00             8.426              8.800
28                 08/25/07       09/25/07        122,650,000.00             8.423              8.800
29                 09/25/07       10/25/07        122,650,000.00             8.725              8.800
30                 10/25/07       11/25/07        122,650,000.00             8.753              8.800
</Table>

(1)      With respect to any Distribution Date, if One-Month LIBOR (as
         determined by the Cap Contract Counterparty and subject to a cap equal
         to 8.800%) exceeds the Lower Collar, the Trust Fund will receive
         payments pursuant to the Subordinated Certificate Cap Contract.

                                     O-3-1
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT P

                       SCHEDULE OF INTERIM SERVICED LOANS

                             [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                                      P-1

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00086-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00086-of-00352.parquet"}]]