Document:

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4
                                                                  Execution Copy

                                 AMENDMENT NO. 2
           TO AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

     This AMENDMENT NO. 2 is dated as of May __, 2002 (this "Amendment"), and
amends the Amended and Restated Master Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of
December 1, 2001, as amended (the "Loan and Security Agreement"), and is between
NC Capital Corporation and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mortgage Capital Inc.

                                   WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to make a certain amendment to the Loan
and Security Agreement as hereinafter set forth; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 11.4 of the Loan and Security Agreement, the
parties hereto are permitted to amend the Loan and Security Agreement:

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     SECTION 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall
                -----------
have the meanings set forth in the Loan and Security Agreement.

     SECTION 2. Amendment. The Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended as
                ---------
set forth below:

          The definition of the term "Maximum Credit" is hereby amended in its
     entirety to read as follows:

          "Maximum Credit" shall mean $500,000,000 from May 13, 2002 through and
     including May 31, 2002, and shall mean at all times thereafter,
     $400,000,000, in each case as reduced in accordance with Section 2.1
     hereof.

     SECTION 3. Survival. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Loan and
                --------
Security Agreement shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with
the provisions thereof and the Loan and Security Agreement is in all respects
hereby ratified, confirmed and preserved. This Amendment and all its provisions
shall be deemed a part of the Loan and Security Agreement in the manner and to
the extent herein provided.

     SECTION 4. Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall be binding upon and
                ----------------------
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.

     SECTION 5. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by New York law
                -------------
without reference to its choice of law doctrine.

<PAGE>

     SECTION 6. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of
                ------------
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument, and any of the parties hereto may execute this Amendment by signing
any such counterpart.

                                     * * *

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment No. 2 to
be duly executed as of this ___ day of May, 2002.

                            NC CAPITAL CORPORATION

                            By: /s/ Patrick Flanagan
                                _____________________________________
                            Name:
                            Title: Chief Executive Officer

                            MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
                            MORTGAGE CAPITAL INC.

                            By:______________________________________
                            Name:
                            Title<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.5

                             UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                               for the purchase of

                                  eConduit, LLC

                                      among

                                  Gary Busacca,

                                Marc Loewenthal,

                                Jeffrey Lemieux,

                                 David Logsdon,

                                       and

                                  eGarden, Inc.

                                   as Sellers

                                       and

                        NEW CENTURY MORTGAGE CORPORATION

                                    as Buyer

                               As of May 24, 2002

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
ARTICLE I   DEFINITIONS ..................................................... 1

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

ARTICLE II  PURCHASE AND SALE OF UNITS ...................................... 5

   2.1      Purchase and Sale of Units ...................................... 5
   2.2      Initial Purchase Price .......................................... 5
   2.3      Additional Purchase Price ....................................... 6
   2.4      Contingent Earn-Out Payments After the Closing. ................. 6
   2.5      Closing. ........................................................ 7

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS ................... 7

   3.1      Corporate Organization and Qualification. ....................... 7
   3.2      Capitalization. ................................................. 7
   3.3      Authority Relative to This Agreement ............................ 8
   3.4      Consents and Approvals; No Violations. .......................... 8
   3.5      Financial Statements ............................................ 9
   3.6      Absence of Certain Changes or Events. ........................... 9
   3.7      Litigation ...................................................... 9
   3.8      Taxes. .......................................................... 9
   3.9      Employee Benefit Plans; Labor Matters. .......................... 10
   3.10     Real Property ................................................... 10
   3.11     Compliance with Laws ............................................ 10
   3.12     Material Contracts .............................................. 11
   3.13     Insurance ....................................................... 11
   3.14     Brokers and Finders ............................................. 11
   3.15     Related Party Obligations ....................................... 11
   3.16     Intellectual Property. .......................................... 11
   3.17     Interests of Officers and Directors ............................. 18

ARTICLE IV  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER ......................... 18

   4.1      Corporate Organization and Qualification ........................ 18
   4.2      Authority Relative to This Agreement ............................ 18
   4.3      Consents and Approvals; No Violations ........................... 18
   4.4      Financial Statements ............................................ 19
   4.5      Absence of Certain Changes or Events ............................ 19

ARTICLE V   CLOSING DELIVERIES .............................................. 19

   5.1      Deliveries of Sellers and Company ............................... 19
   5.2      Deliveries of Buyer ............................................. 20
</TABLE>

                                       i

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Page
                                                                                  ----

<S>                                                                               <C>
ARTICLE VI  OBLIGATIONS AFTER CLOSING ............................................  21

   6.1      Survival of Representations and Covenants; Indemnification. ..........  21
   6.2      Capital Funding ......................................................  23
   6.3      Additional Revenue Payments. .........................................  24
   6.4      Operations of the Company ............................................  25
   6.5      Assistance and Cooperation ...........................................  25
   6.6      Non-Competition ......................................................  26
   6.7      Non-Solicitation .....................................................  26
   6.8      Confidentiality ......................................................  26
   6.9      Medical Insurance ....................................................  27
   6.10     Busacca Spousal Consent ..............................................  27

ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL ............................................  27

   7.1      Interpretation. ......................................................  27
   7.2      Payment of Expenses and Other Payments ...............................  27
   7.3      Amendment ............................................................  28
   7.4      Waiver and Extension .................................................  28
   7.5      Counterparts .........................................................  28
   7.6      Governing Law ........................................................  28
   7.7      Notices ..............................................................  28
   7.8      Entire Agreement; Assignment .........................................  29
   7.9      Parties in Interest ..................................................  29
   7.10     Validity .............................................................  30
   7.11     Captions .............................................................  30
</TABLE>

                                       ii

<PAGE>

                             UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     This UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of May 24, 2002 (the "Agreement"),
is entered into by and among Gary Busacca, Marc Loewenthal, Jeffrey Lemieux,
David Logsdon, eGarden, Inc., a Delaware corporation (collectively, the
"Sellers"), and New Century Mortgage Corporation, a California corporation
("Buyer").

                                    RECITALS

     WHEREAS, Sellers own all of the outstanding membership interests (the
"Units") of eConduit, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company (the
"Company"); and

     WHEREAS, Sellers desire to sell, and Buyer desires to purchase, the Units
for the consideration and on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in this Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements set forth herein, Sellers and Buyer hereby agree as
follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

     1.1  Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise
expressly provided or unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

     "Additional Purchase Price" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 2.3.

     "Additional Purchase Price Certificate" shall mean a certificate
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

     "Affiliate" of any Person shall mean any other Person that directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or
is under common control with, such first Person.

     "Budget" shall mean the budget of the Company for the first twelve months
following the Closing Date, prepared by Sellers and approved by Buyer in its
sole discretion. The final Budget is attached hereto as Schedule A.

     "Claim" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.1(c).

     "Closing" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.5.

     "Closing Date" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.5.

     "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     "Company Plan" shall mean each bonus, incentive, deferred compensation,
pension, retirement, profit-sharing, thrift, savings, employee ownership, bonus,
membership interest purchase, restricted membership interest, membership
interest option, employment, consulting, termination, retention, severance,
change-in-control, compensation, medical, health or other plan, agreement,

                                       1

<PAGE>

policy, program, or arrangement that covers current or former employees,
officers or directors of the Company.

     "Consent" shall mean any consent, approval, authorization, clearance,
exemption, waiver, or similar affirmation by, or filing with or notification to,
a Person pursuant to any Contract, Law, Order or Permit.

     "Contract" shall mean any written or oral agreement, arrangement,
commitment, contract, indenture, instrument, lease or other obligation of any
kind or character, or other obligation that is binding on any Person or its
capital stock, properties or business.

     "Credit Guidelines" shall mean Buyer's mortgage loan credit guidelines as
such guidelines may be modified from time to time, the current version of which
is attached hereto as Schedule B.

     "Default" shall mean (i) any breach or violation of or default under any
Contract, Order or Permit, (ii) any occurrence of any event that with the
passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a breach or
violation of or default under any Contract, Order or Permit, or (iii) any
occurrence of any event that with or without the passage of time or the giving
of notice would give rise to a right to terminate or revoke, change the current
terms of, or renegotiate, or to accelerate, increase, or impose any liability
under, or create any Lien in connection with, any Contract, Order or Permit.

     "Development and License Agreement" shall mean that certain Development,
Installation and Source Code License Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2002, by and
between Buyer and the Company.

     "Direct Claim" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.1(c).

     "Disclosure Schedule" shall mean the Disclosure Schedule prepared by the
Indemnifying Sellers and delivered to Buyer concurrently with the execution of
this Agreement, each disclosure therein corresponding to the relevant section of
this Agreement.

     "Earn-Out Payment Certificate" shall mean a certificate substantially in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

     "Earn-Out Period" shall mean the earlier to occur of (a) receipt by the
Sellers of Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000) or (b) December 31, 2005.

     "eGarden" shall mean eGarden, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

     "Financial Statements" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.5.

     "GAAP" shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles.

     "Governmental Entity" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.4(a).

     "Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
6.1.(b).

     "Indemnifying Sellers" shall mean the Sellers, excluding eGarden.

                                       2

<PAGE>

     "Initial Purchase Price" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.2.

     "Intellectual Property Rights" means all intellectual property rights
arising from or associated with the following, whether protected, created or
arising under the laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction:

          (i)   trade names, registered and unregistered trademarks and service
marks, Internet domain names, logos and trade dress rights, and all applications
(including intent to use applications) to register any of the foregoing
(collectively, "Marks");

          (ii)  patents or models, industrial designs and all applications and
applications to register any of the foregoing, including any and all
continuation, divisional, continuation-in-part, reexamination and reissue patent
applications, and any patents issuing therefrom (collectively, "Patents");

          (iii) copyrights and copyright applications, whether or not
registration for any such copyright exists or is pending, and any renewal or
extension thereof (collectively, "Copyrights");

          (iv)  know-how, inventions, discoveries, improvements, concepts,
ideas, methods, processes, designs, plans, schematics, drawings, formulae,
technical data, specifications, research and development information, data bases
and other proprietary or confidential information, including customer lists,
technology and product roadmaps, business and marketing plans and information,
financial information (collectively, "Trade Secrets"); and

          (v)   mask work rights, moral rights, publicity rights and any other
proprietary, intellectual or industrial property or similar intangible rights of
any kind or nature that do not comprise or are not protected by Marks, Patents,
Copyrights or Trade Secrets (collectively, "Other IP").

     "Law" shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign law, statute,
ordinance, rule, regulation, Order, judgment or decree, administrative or
judicial decision, and any other executive or legislative proclamation.

     "License" shall mean any license, Permit, certificate of authority or any
other instrument issued by any Governmental Entity relating to the Company's
ability to do business.

     "Lien" shall mean any conditional sale agreement, default of title,
easement, encroachment, encumbrance, hypothecation, infringement, lien,
mortgage, option, pledge, reservation, restriction, security interest, title
retention or other security arrangement, or any adverse right or interest,
charge, or claim of any nature whatsoever of, on, or with respect to any
property or property interest.

     "Litigation" shall mean any suit, action, arbitration, cause of action,
claim, complaint, criminal prosecution, investigation, demand letter or
governmental or other administrative proceeding, whether at law or at equity,
before or by any federal, state or foreign court, tribunal, or agency or before
any arbitrator.

     "Losses" shall mean any and all actual losses, liabilities, costs and
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of investigation).

                                       3

<PAGE>

     "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any adverse change in the business,
assets, liabilities, financial condition, prospects or results of operations of
the Company which, individually or together with any other such adverse change,
is material to the Company, other than any such effect attributable to or
resulting from any act or omission of the Company taken or made with the prior
written consent of the Buyer or any act or omission taken or made by the Company
at the specific written request of Buyer.

     "Material Contract" shall mean any Contract material to the Company.

     "Non-Compete Period" shall mean: (a) with respect to those Sellers entering
into an Employment Agreement concurrent herewith, the later to occur of (i) the
termination of such Seller's employment with the Company pursuant to such
Employment Agreement, and (ii) the expiration of the Earn-Out Period; and (b)
with respect to all other Sellers, the expiration of the Earn-Out Period;
provided, however, that in the event that the Earn-Out Period expires prior to
December 31, 2005, the Non-Compete Period shall continue past such early
expiration of the Earn-Out Period until the earlier to occur of twelve months
from the date of such early expiration or December 31, 2005.

     "Order" shall mean any administrative decision or award, decree,
injunction, judgment, order, quasi-judicial decision or award, ruling, or writ
of any federal, state, local or foreign or other court, arbitrator, mediator,
tribunal, administrative agency or authority.

     "Permit" shall mean any federal, state, local or foreign governmental
approval, authorization, certificate, declaration, easement, filing, franchise,
license, notice, permit, variance, clearance, exemption, closure or right to
which any Person is a party or that is or may be binding upon or inure to the
benefit of any Person or its securities, properties or business.

     "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, trust, association, organization, governmental
authority or other entity.

     "Profits" shall mean GAAP revenue received by the Company less GAAP
expenses, which shall include without limitation direct expenses of the Company,
the allocated corporate overhead expenses described on Schedule C attached
hereto and a tax allocation calculated at Buyer's then-current corporate tax
rate (currently 42%), but excluding changes to the profit and loss statement of
the Company attributable to any goodwill impairment.

     "Qualified Leads" shall mean the names and other identifying and relevant
information, identifying at least the information fields set forth in Schedule D
attached hereto, of potential borrowers from Buyer who (i) have been identified
through application of the Company's proprietary eCAT software as homeowners
qualifying under the Buyer's Credit Guidelines, (ii) have been submitted to the
Buyer by December 31, 2005 and (iii) are able to be solicited by Buyer without
violation of any privacy rights of such Person.

     "Requisite Regulatory Approvals" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in
Section 3.4(a).

     "Sellers' Accounts" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2.

     "Software" shall mean any and all (i) computer programs, including any and
all software and firmware implementations of algorithms, models and
methodologies, whether in source code or object code, (ii) databases and
compilations, including any and all data and collections of data,

                                       4

<PAGE>

whether machine readable or otherwise, (iii) descriptions, flow-charts and other
work product used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing and
(iv) all documentation, including user manuals and training software, relating
to any of the foregoing, in each case developed, used or licensed by the
Company, or necessary for the conduct of the Company's business, specifically
excluding those items prepared for customers in the operation of the Company's
business for which the customer contractually has vested title and for which the
Company has not received a license to use the same.

     "Tax" or "Taxes" means any income, gross income, gross receipts, profits,
membership interest, franchise, withholding, payroll, social security, workers
compensation, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem, stamp, excise,
occupation, service, sales, use, license, lease, transfer, import, export, value
added, alternative minimum, estimated or other similar tax (including any fee,
assessment, or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any tax) imposed by
any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof, and any interest,
penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

     "Tax Law" means the law of any governmental entity or political subdivision
thereof, other than the Code, relating to any Tax.

     "Tax Return" means any report of Taxes due, any claims for refund of Taxes
paid, any information return with respect to Taxes, or any other similar report,
statement, declaration, or document required to be filed under the Code or other
Tax Law, including any attachments, exhibits, or other materials submitted with
any of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements to any of the
foregoing.

     "Third Party" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.1(e).

     "Third Party Claim" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section
6.1(c).

     "Transaction" shall mean the sale of the Units described in Sections 2.1
and 2.2.

     "Transfer Taxes" means all Taxes (other than Taxes measured by net income)
incurred or imposed by reason of the transfer of the Units to Buyer pursuant to
this Agreement, regardless of upon whom such Taxes are levied or imposed by law,
including sales and use taxes, real property transfer taxes, excise taxes, and
stamp, documentary, filing, recording, permit, license, or authorization duties
or fees.

                                   ARTICLE II
                           PURCHASE AND SALE OF UNITS

     2.1 Purchase and Sale of Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, at the Closing the Sellers shall sell, transfer, convey, assign and
deliver to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase, acquire and accept from the Sellers,
the Units.

     2.2 Initial Purchase Price. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and in consideration of the sale, assignment, transfer and delivery
of the Units and of the goodwill of the Company, Buyer shall pay the to the
Sellers on the Closing Date, in immediately available funds, the sum of One
Million Dollars ($1,000,000) (the "Initial Purchase Price") allocated among the
Sellers as set forth in Schedule E and delivered by wire transfer to the
accounts of each Seller as set forth in

                                       5

<PAGE>

Schedule E ("Seller's Accounts"). All transfer taxes which may be imposed or
assessed as a result of Buyer's acquisition of the Units shall be borne by
Sellers.

     2.3 Additional Purchase Price. In addition to the Initial Purchase Price,
Buyer shall pay an amount (the "Additional Purchase Price") equal to Three
Million Dollars ($3,000,000) for the delivery by the Company to Buyer of 300,000
Qualified Leads. Qualified Leads shall be submitted by the Company to Buyer in
groups of at least 50,000, along with an Additional Purchase Price Certificate.
Within five (5) business days of the Company's submission of (a) each such group
of 50,000 Qualified Leads and (b) the applicable Additional Purchase Price
Certificate, Buyer shall wire transfer funds to the Sellers' Accounts in payment
of the Additional Purchase Price in such allocation set forth in Schedule E. Any
Additional Purchase Price payable to the Indemnifying Sellers shall be subject
in all cases to Buyer's right of set off under Section 6.1(f).

     2.4 Contingent Earn-Out Payments After the Closing.

         (a)  On the terms, and subject to the conditions of this Section 2.4,
Buyer shall pay to the Sellers following the Closing, if and to the extent
earned as provided in this Section 2.4, an additional amount (the "Earn-Out
Payments") equal to fifty percent (50%) of the Profits of the Company calculated
for each fiscal quarter in the years ending December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004 and
2005, up to Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000) in the aggregate. Buyer shall
deliver to the Sellers an Earn-Out Payment Certificate, with each Earn-Out
Payment, even if the amount of such Earn-Out Payment is zero. Buyer shall make
each Earn-Out Payment by wire transfer to the Sellers' Accounts, in the
allocation set forth on Schedule E, on a quarterly basis no later than
forty-five (45) days following the end of the first, second and third calendar
quarters and no later than ninety (90) days following the end of the fourth
calendar quarter in each of 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. For the
year ending December 31, 2002, only Profits from the Closing Date to December
31, 2002 shall be eligible for calculation of the Earn-Out Payments. Earn-Out
Payments due to the Indemnifying Sellers shall be subject in all cases to
Buyer's right of set off under Section 6.1(f).

         (b)  Audit. The Company shall keep full and detailed records and
accounts in accordance with its customary accounting practices as may be
necessary in order to account for all Profits generated and all Earn-Out
Payments made during the Earn-Out Period. On at least ten (10) days notice, at
reasonable times during normal business hours, and not more than one (1) time in
any twelve (12) month period, Sellers shall have the right to audit only such
records and accounts relating to the Company's Profits and the Earn-Out
Payments; provided, however, that in the event any such audit reveals an
underpayment of two percent (2%) or more from the amounts actually paid to
Sellers by or on behalf of the Company or Buyer, Sellers shall have the right to
audit such records not more than two (2) times in any twelve (12) month period.
Sellers shall maintain such information as confidential. The entire cost of such
audit shall be borne by Sellers; provided, however, that if any such audit
reveals an underpayment of five percent (5%) or more from the amounts actually
paid to Sellers by or on behalf of the Company or Buyer, then the actual cost of
such audit shall be borne by the Company.

                                       6

<PAGE>

     2.5 Closing.

         (a) The closing of the Transaction (the "Closing") shall take place at
the offices of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, 660 Newport Center Drive,
Newport Beach, California, on the date hereof (the "Closing Date").

         (b) At the Closing, the Sellers shall deliver to Buyer duly executed
assignments of membership interests and all such other documents as may be
necessary to convey to Buyer the right, title and interest of Sellers in and to
the Units, and the Buyer shall deliver to the Sellers the Initial Purchase Price
in the manner set forth in Section 2.2.

                                  ARTICLE III
                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS

     The Indemnifying Sellers, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to
Buyer that:

     3.1 Corporate Organization and Qualification.

         (a) The Company is a limited liability company duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of New Jersey, and is
qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction
where the properties owned, leased or operated, or the business conducted, by it
require such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify or be in good
standing is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company
has all requisite corporate power and authority and all necessary governmental
Consents to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business
as it is now being conducted. The Company has made available to Buyer complete
and correct copies of its Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement as in
effect as of the date hereof.

         (b) The Company holds all material Licenses necessary for the conduct
of its businesses.

     3.2 Capitalization.

         (a) The authorized and issued and outstanding membership interests of
the Company is as described in the Disclosure Schedule. Except as set forth in
the Disclosure Schedule, no membership interests or other equity or voting
securities of the Company are issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. The
Units are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were
not issued in violation of any preemptive rights. Except as set forth in the
Disclosure Schedule, there are not any securities, options, warrants, calls,
rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to
which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound obligating it to
issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional
equity or voting securities of the Company or obligating it to issue, grant,
extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call, right,
commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking. There are no outstanding
rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind
obligating the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or dispose of
any equity or voting securities of the Company.

                                       7

<PAGE>

         (b) The Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any equity
interests in any other Person.

         (c) Each Seller is the lawful and record owner of all of the Units
which are set forth opposite such Seller's name on the Disclosure Schedule,
which Units are free and clear of all Liens.

         (d) Upon consummation of the Transaction, the Buyer will acquire valid
title to the Units free and clear of all Liens. Except as set forth in the
Disclosure Schedule, there are no voting trusts, member or registration rights
agreements, proxies or other agreements or understandings in effect with respect
to the voting or transfer of the Company's membership interests.

     3.3  Authority Relative to This Agreement. Sellers have the requisite power
and authority to execute and deliver each of this Agreement, the Development and
License Agreement, the Voting Agreement, and the Right of First Negotiation
Agreement (collectively, the "Seller Transaction Documents") and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Seller Transaction
Documents have been duly and validly executed and delivered by Sellers and,
assuming the Seller Transaction Documents constitute the valid and binding
agreement of Buyer, constitute the valid and binding agreements of Sellers,
enforceable against Sellers in accordance with their respective terms, except
that the enforcement hereof and thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws now or hereafter in
effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (b) general principles of
equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law).

     3.4  Consents and Approvals; No Violations.

         (a) Except for the Consents of third parties under the Contracts listed
in the Disclosure Schedule, no notices to, Consents or approvals of, or filings
or registrations with, any court, administrative agency or commission or other
governmental authority or instrumentality (each, a "Governmental Entity") or
with any self-regulatory authority or with any third party are necessary in
connection with the execution and delivery by Sellers of this Agreement and the
consummation by Sellers of the transactions contemplated hereby. The notices,
Consents, or approvals, filings or registrations, and expirations or
terminations of waiting periods referred to above are hereinafter referred to as
the "Requisite Regulatory Approvals." As of the date hereof, the Sellers do not
know of any reason why the Requisite Regulatory Approvals should not be obtained
without the imposition of any condition, requirement or term that would impose a
burden upon the Buyer or the Company.

         (b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Sellers
nor the consummation by the Sellers of the transactions contemplated hereby,
does or will (i) subject to obtaining the Consents listed in, or otherwise as
set forth in, the Disclosure Schedule, conflict with, result in a violation or
breach of, or constitute a Default (or give rise to any right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration) under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions
of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, License, Contract, agreement or other
instrument or obligation to which the Sellers or the Company is a party or by
which either of them or any of their respective properties or assets may be
bound; (ii) conflict with, result in a violation or breach of, or constitute a
Default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration)
under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any License or Permit;
(iii) conflict with any provision in the Operating Agreement or require the
Consent of any Person as required under the Operating Agreement; or (iv) subject
to

                                       8

<PAGE>

giving the notices, making the filings or registrations or obtaining the
Consents or approvals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) in paragraph (a)
above, conflict with, violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule
or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its properties or assets.

     3.5  Financial Statements. Sellers have delivered to Buyer correct and
complete copies of the compiled balance sheets of the Company at December 31,
2001 and 2000, and the related statements of income and cash flow for the years
then ended, and the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of March 31, 2002
and the related statements of income and cash flow for the three months then
ended (the "Financial Statements"). Except as set forth in the Disclosure
Schedule, the Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP,
consistent with past accounting practices, and present fairly the financial
condition and the results of operations of the Company as of the dates and for
the periods indicated therein.

     3.6  Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

          (a)  Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule or as a
consequence of, or as expressly contemplated by, this Agreement, since March 31,
2002, (i) the Company's business has been carried on only in the ordinary and
usual course consistent with past practice, and (ii) there has not occurred any
event, development or change which has resulted or is reasonably likely to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          (b)  Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, and except for
liabilities and obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice since December 31, 2001, the Company does not have
any liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute,
contingent or otherwise) which would be required by GAAP to be recognized or
disclosed on a balance sheet of the Company dated as of the date hereof or in
the notes thereto.

     3.7  Litigation. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, there is
no Litigation pending, or to the knowledge of Sellers or the Company,
threatened, involving the Company.

     3.8  Taxes.

          (a)  All Tax Returns required to be filed by the Company have been
duly filed on a timely basis and such Tax Returns are true, complete and correct
in all respects. All Taxes shown to be payable on the Tax Returns or on
subsequent assessments with respect thereto have been paid in full on a timely
basis, and no other Taxes are payable by the Company with respect to items or
periods covered by such Tax Returns (whether or not shown on or reportable on
such Tax Returns) or with respect to any period prior to the date of this
Agreement. The Company has withheld and paid over all Taxes required to have
been withheld and paid over, and complied with all information reporting and
backup withholding requirements, including maintenance of required records with
respect thereto, in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee,
creditor, independent contractor, stockholder or other third party. There are no
liens on any of the assets of the Company with respect to Taxes, other than
liens for Taxes not yet due and payable and Taxes that the Company is contesting
in good faith through appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate reserves
have been established. As of the time of filing, the foregoing Tax Returns
correctly reflected the facts regarding the income, business, assets,
operations, activities, status or other matters of the Company or any other
information required to be shown thereon. An extension of time within which to
file any Tax Return which has not been filed has not been requested or granted.

                                       9

<PAGE>

            (b)   With respect to all amounts in respect of Taxes imposed upon
the Company, or for which the Company is or could be liable, whether to taxing
authorities (as, for example under law) or to other Persons with respect to all
taxable periods or portions of periods ending on or before the Closing Date, all
applicable Tax laws and agreements have been fully complied with, and all such
amounts required to be paid by the Company to taxing authorities or others on or
before the date hereof have been paid.

            (c)   The Company qualifies, and has since the date of its formation
qualified, and, giving effect to the terms of the Operating Agreement and its
organizational documents, will qualify immediately before the Closing Date, to
be treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes and
neither the Company, nor any owner of the Company or any taxing authority has
taken any position inconsistent with such treatment.

            (d)   The Sellers have furnished Buyer true and complete copies of
all federal and state income tax income or franchise Tax Returns for the Company
for all periods ending in 2000 and 2001. The Company has not waived any statute
of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with
respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency, nor has such waiver or extension been
requested from the Company.

            (e)   No Seller is a foreign Person within the meaning of Section
1445 of the Code, and if requested, each Seller will provide an affidavit that
satisfies the requirements of Section 1445(b)(2) of the Code.

      3.9   Employee Benefit Plans; Labor Matters.

            (a)   Other than the Indemnifying Sellers, the Company has no
employees, and has never had any employees. The Indemnifying Seller employees
are exempt employees under federal and applicable state labor law.

            (b)   The Company has no Company Plans.

      3.10  Real Property. Other than as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule,
the Company does not own or lease any real property, and has never owned or
leased any real property.

      3.11  Compliance with Laws. The Company is in compliance with all
applicable Laws, Orders, Permits and Licenses except for instances of
non-compliance which are not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not
received any written notification or written communication from any Governmental
Entity (a) asserting that it is not in compliance with any of the Laws, Orders,
Licenses or Permits of any Governmental Entity or that any such entity enforces,
except such instances of non-compliance that are not reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect, or (b) requiring it to enter into or consent to the
issuance of a cease and desist order, formal agreement, directive or commitment
which restricts materially the conduct of its businesses or assets, liabilities,
financial condition, results of operations, capital, credit or reserve policies,
its management, or the payment of dividends. There are no unresolved notices of
deficiency or non-compliance or charges of violation brought or, to the
knowledge of Sellers or the Company, threatened, against the Company which,
individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, and there are no facts or circumstances known to
Sellers or the Company that would constitute a reasonable basis on which any
such proceedings, notices or actions may be instituted, issued or brought
hereafter.

                                       10

<PAGE>

         3.12  Material Contracts. The Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of
all of the Material Contracts. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule,
each Material Contract is in full force and effect, and is a legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Company and, to the knowledge of the Sellers or the
Company, each of the other parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with its
terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws now or hereafter in
effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (b) general principles of
equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law). No condition exists or event has occurred which (whether with
or without notice or lapse of time or both, or the happening or occurrence of
any other event) would constitute a Default by the Company or, to the knowledge
of the Sellers or the Company, any other party thereto, under, or result in a
right in termination of, any Material Contract.

         3.13  Insurance. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, the
Company does not maintain policies of fire and casualty, liability and other
forms of insurance in such amounts, with such deductibles and retained amounts,
and against such risks and losses, as are reasonable for the conduct of the
business of the Company as conducted on the date hereof and for the assets of
the Company. The Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and correct list of all
such policies. Such policies are in full force and effect and such policies, or
similar policies covering substantially the same risks, have been in full force
and effect, without gaps, continuously for the past five (5) years.

         3.14  Brokers and Finders. Neither Sellers nor the Company have
employed any investment banker, broker, finder, consultant or intermediary in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement which would be
entitled to any investment banking, brokerage, finder's, financial advisory or
similar fee or commission in connection with this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby.

         3.15  Related Party Obligations. Except as set forth in the Disclosure
Schedule, the Company does not (a) have outstanding obligations to Sellers or
any Affiliate of Sellers (other than the Company) where the aggregate amount
exceeds Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) or (ii) have any other significant
commercial relationships with Sellers or any Affiliate of Sellers (other than
the Company).

         3.16  Intellectual Property.

               (a)   Identification Of Certain Company Intellectual Property
                     Rights.

                     (i)   Marks. The Disclosure Schedule sets forth an accurate
and complete list of all Marks in which the Company has an ownership interest or
which the Company uses in its business other than those licensed from another
Person on a non-exclusive basis (collectively "Company Marks"), including all
registrations and applications for registration with all Governmental Entities
that have been made by or for the Company with regard to such Marks, identifying
for each (A) its registration (as applicable) and application numbers, (B)
whether it is owned by or exclusively licensed to the Company, (C) its current
status and (D) the class(es) of goods or services to which it relates.

                     (ii) Patents. The Disclosure Schedule sets forth an
accurate and complete list of all Patents in which the Company has an ownership
interest or which have been exclusively licensed to the Company (collectively
the "Company Patents"), and specifically lists each of the Company Patents,
identifying for each (A) the patent number and issue date (if issued) or
application

                                       11

<PAGE>

number and filing date (if not issued), (B) its title, (C) the named inventors
and (D) whether it is owned by or exclusively licensed to the Company.

               (iii) Copyrights. The Disclosure Schedule sets forth an accurate
and complete list of all registered Copyrights (whether registered with the
United States Copyright Office or in or with the appropriate office or
Governmental Entity in any other jurisdiction) in which the Company has an
ownership interest or which have been exclusively licensed to the Company, and
all pending applications for registration of Copyrights filed anywhere in the
world by or for the Company, or which has been exclusively licensed to the
Company (collectively the "Company Registered Copyrights").

               (iv)  Trade Secrets. The Disclosure Schedule sets forth an
accurate and complete list of all memoranda of invention and invention
disclosures whose subject matter is not covered by any of the Company Patents,
and in which the Company has an ownership interest or which have been assigned
to the Company (collectively the "Company Invention Disclosures").

               (v)   Mask Works. The Company does not have any mask work or
similar rights, and does not use or need to use the same in conjunction with the
businesses of the Company.

         (b)   Company IP And Owned IP.

               (i)   Title And Ownership. Except as may be set forth in the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company owns all right, title and interest in and to
all of the Owned IP free and clear of any and all liens, encumbrances,
covenants, conditions and restrictions or other adverse claims or interests of
any kind or nature. The Company has not received any notice or claim (whether
written, oral or otherwise) challenging the Company's ownership of any of the
Owned IP or suggesting that any other Person has any claim of legal or
beneficial ownership or other claim or interest with respect thereto. As used
herein, "Owned IP" means all Company IP other than that which has been licensed
to it by another Person; and "Company IP" collectively means the Company Marks,
the Company Patents, the Company Registered Copyrights and all other Copyrights
in which the Company has an ownership interest or which have been exclusively
licensed to the Company and the Company Identified Other IP and all Other IP in
which the Company has an ownership interest or which has been exclusively
licensed to the Company.

               (ii)  Validity And Enforceability. Except as may be set forth in
the Disclosure Schedule, all of the Company IP is valid and enforceable, without
any qualification, limitation or restriction thereon or on the use thereof
(provided, however, that no representation or warranty is made regarding the
validity or enforceability of any Patent) and the Company has not received any
notice or claim (whether written, oral or otherwise) challenging or questioning
the validity or enforceability of any of the Company IP or indicating an
intention on the part of any Person to bring a claim that any of the Company IP
is invalid or unenforceable or has been misused nor to the knowledge of the
Sellers or the Company is there a reasonable basis for a claim that the Company
Marks, Company Patents and Company Registered Copyrights and all other
Copyrights in which the Company has an ownership interest or which have been
exclusively licensed to the Company is invalid or unenforceable or has been
misused, and, with respect to the Company Patents, there is no relevant prior
art pertaining to any issued patents thereof which the Company has become aware
that was not disclosed during the prosecution of the patent application(s)
therefor and which if such prior art had been disclosed may have affected the
prosecution thereof or the scope of the patent claims ultimately granted in
respect thereof.

                                       12

<PAGE>

                  (iii) Protection And Maintenance. Except as may be set forth
in the Disclosure Schedule, (A) the Company has not taken any action or failed
to take any action (including the manner in which it has conducted its business,
or used or enforced, or failed to use or enforce, any of the Company IP) that
would result in the abandonment, cancellation, forfeiture, relinquishment,
invalidation or unenforceability of any of the Company Patents, Company
Registered Copyrights or Company Marks (including, with respect to the Company
Patents, failing to disclose any known material prior art in connection with the
prosecution of patent applications, and with respect to the Company Registered
Copyrights, failing to disclose required information to the United States
Copyright Office), (B) the Company has taken reasonable steps (based on standard
industry practices) to protect and maintain their rights in and to the Company
IP, (C) all registered Company Marks and all Company Registered Copyrights have
been registered, and all Company Patents have been filed and obtained, in
accordance with all applicable legal requirements and are currently in effect
and, to the knowledge of the Sellers or the Company, in compliance with all
applicable legal requirements (including, in the case of registered Company
Marks, the timely post-registration filing of affidavits of use and
incontestability and renewal applications), and without limiting the generality
of any of the foregoing, the Company has timely paid all filing, examination,
issuance, post registration and maintenance fees, annuities and the like
associated with or required with respect to any of the Owned IP.

                  (iv)  Interference, Oppositions, Etc. Except as may be set
forth in the Disclosure Schedule, no Company Mark nor Company Patent has been or
is now involved in any interference, reissue, reexamination, opposition or
cancellation proceeding and, to the knowledge of the Sellers or the Company, no
such action is or has been threatened with respect to any of the Company Marks
or Company Patents.

                  (v)   Use Of Marks. Except as may be set forth the Disclosure
Schedule, (A) there has been no prior use of any of the Company Marks by any
other Person which would confer upon such Person superior rights in such Marks,
and (B) all Company Marks registered in the United States, and for which
applications to register have been filed in the United States which are being
used, have been continuously used in the form appearing in, and in connection
with, the goods and services listed in their respective registration
certificates and applications therefor, respectively.

                  (vi)  Disclosure Of Trade Secrets. Except as may be set forth
in the Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not disclosed, nor is it under any
contractual or other obligation to disclose, to another Person any Company trade
secrets, except pursuant to a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement, and,
to the knowledge of the Sellers or the Company, no Person has materially
breached any such agreement.

            (c)   Software. The Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and
accurate list of all of the Software (other than "off-the-shelf" desktop
applications available through commercial distributors or in consumer retail
stores or from the Internet pursuant to third Person "shrink wrap" or "click
through" licenses or software licensed on a trial basis or for a license fee
less than $1,000), ("COTS Software"), and specifically identifies all such
Software in which the Company has an ownership interest (the "Owned Software")
and all such Software in which the Company does not have an ownership interest
(the "Licensed Software"). Except as may be set forth in the Disclosure
Schedule:

                  (i)   the Company owns all Intellectual Property Rights in,
covering, applicable to the use of, or embodied in or by the Owned Software,
which Intellectual Property

                                       13

<PAGE>

Rights, for purposes of this Agreement, shall be considered to be Owned IP and
Company IP (such that the representations and warranties contained in Section
3.16(b) apply thereto);

               (ii)  the source code of any Owned Software and the data
associated therewith have not been licensed or otherwise provided to another
Person, have been treated as confidential (except to the extent contained in any
issued patents or published patent applications that are listed in the
Disclosure Schedule) and proprietary business information as to which the
Company has taken all reasonable steps to protect the same as Trade Secrets of
the Company (and as such, the representations and warranties contained in
Section 3.16(b) apply thereto);

               (iii) all of the Owned Software was developed in-house by Company
employees or for the Company by individuals contracted on a work for hire basis
and none of the Owned Software contains any Software that embodies, uses or is
covered by Intellectual Property Rights of another Person, except for Software
that is not material and was obtained by the Company from another Person (A) who
makes such Software generally available to all interested purchasers and
end-users on standard commercial terms, and (B) who has licensed the Company to
utilize such Software in the manner it has been and is being utilized; and

               (iv)  the Company has lawfully acquired the right(s) to use the
Licensed Software in the manner in which it has been used and is currently being
used by the Company.

         (d)   Performance of Existing Software. Except as may be set forth in
the Disclosure Schedule, all Software and products incorporating such Software
that the Company has distributed to another Person (including any alpha or beta
versions that are currently being used by a third party for evaluation or
testing purposes), that have been designed by the Company for commercial
distribution, or that have been used by the Company in connection with the
performance of data processing or other services, perform in all material
respects, free of significant bugs or programming errors, each of the functions
described in any published specifications, end-user documentation or other
information provided to distributors or customers of the Company on which such
distributors or customers relied when using, licensing or otherwise acquiring,
distributing or reselling such Software or products, except with respect to
errors that would customarily be handled under a software maintenance agreement.

         (e)   Software Documentation. The Company has taken reasonable actions
to document the Software and its operation, such that the Software, including
the source code and documentation, have been written in a clear and professional
manner so that they may be understood, modified and maintained in an efficient
manner by reasonably competent programmers.

         (f)   Licenses In Technology And Intellectual Property Rights And
Agreements. The Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all
agreements and arrangements under which the Company licenses or uses the
Licensed Software (except COTS Software) (collectively, "Licensed Software
Agreements"), and a complete and accurate list of all agreements and
arrangements pertaining to any other technology, products, processes or services
used, exercised, practiced or otherwise exploited by the Company with respect to
which a Person other than the Company owns the associated Intellectual Property
Rights (collectively, "Other Licensed Technology") or any other Intellectual
Property Rights owned by another Person (collectively, together with Licensed
Software Agreements, the "Licensed Technology Agreements"). The Company has
provided to Buyer an executed copy of each Licensed Technology Agreement. Except
as may be set forth in the Disclosure Schedule:

                                       14

<PAGE>

                     (i)   the Licensed Technology Agreements together expressly
confer on the Company valid and enforceable rights under or in respect of all of
the Intellectual Property Rights that are not owned exclusively by the Company,
and have been or are used, exercised, practiced or otherwise exploited in or by
the Company (including the development, copying, modification, manufacture, use,
practice, sale, offer for sale, marketing, licensing or sublicensing, importing,
distribution or any other exploitation of any Software or other products,
processes, services or technology), or cover, or are used or embodied in, any
Other Licensed Technology (collectively, the "Licensed Intellectual Property
Rights"), and the Company has not received any notice or claim (whether written,
oral or otherwise) challenging the Company's right to use, exercise, practice or
otherwise exploit such Licensed Intellectual Property Rights or Other Licensed
Technology, nor, to the knowledge of the Sellers or the Company, is there a
reasonable basis for any such claim;

                     (ii)  To the knowledge of the Sellers or the Company: (A)
there are no outstanding claims or any threatened disputes or disagreements with
respect to any of the Licensed Technology Agreements, and (B) the Company has
not taken any action (including exercising any rights in the Licensed Software,
Other Licensed Technology or any other Licensed Intellectual Property Rights
outside the scope of any license or rights granted to the Company) nor failed to
take any action which could lead to a claim or charge of infringement or
misappropriation, impair or cause the Company to lose its rights therein, or
constitute a material breach of or result in termination of any of the Licensed
Technology Agreements or any of the Licensed Intellectual Property Rights
granted therein;

                     (iii) the rights licensed under each Licensed Technology
Agreement shall be exercisable by the Company on and after the Closing
substantially to the same extent as by the Company and its prior to the Closing;
and

                     (iv)  The Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and
accurate list of any and all royalties, fees, honoraria or other payments that
are currently payable or that, as of the date hereof, in the future may be
payable by the Company to any Person by reason of the ownership or the
development, copying, modification, manufacture, use, practice, sale, offer for
sale, marketing, licensing or sublicensing, distribution or other exploitation
of the Software, the Other Licensed Technology or the Licensed Intellectual
Property Rights.

               (g)   Agreements Involving Distribution Or Other Rights Granted
to Others in Respect of Software, Other Company Technology or Company IP. The
Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all agreements and
arrangements providing for the grant by the Company to any Person of (A) any
right to use, prepare derivative works based on, support or maintain, distribute
or otherwise commercially exploit any Software or to develop, manufacture, sell,
offer to sell, market, use, practice, license or sublicense, import, export,
distribute or otherwise exploit any other products, processes, services or
technology of the Company (collectively, "Other Company Technology") or (B) any
other rights under the Company IP (in each case excluding any agreement or
arrangements that relate solely to internal use licenses granted to end-users or
the right of end-users to use products, other than Software, as sold), including
any value-added reseller agreements, joint development or marketing agreements
or strategic alliance agreements involving any Software, Other Company
Technology or Company IP (collectively, "Exploitation Agreements"). Except as
may be set forth in the Disclosure Schedule:

                                       15

<PAGE>

                     (i)   there are no outstanding claims or, to the knowledge
of the Sellers or the Company, any threatened dispute or disagreement with
respect to any of the Exploitation Agreements; and

                     (ii)  the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and
accurate list of any and all royalties, fees, or other payments that are payable
to the Company pursuant to each of the Exploitation Agreements.

               (h)   Sufficiency of Owned and Licensed Intellectual Property.
Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, the Company IP and the Licensed
Intellectual Property Rights: (A) constitute all of the Intellectual Property
Rights necessary for the conduct of the businesses of the Company as presently
conducted or, to the knowledge of the Sellers or the Company, contemplated to be
conducted; and (B) constitute all of the Intellectual Property Rights necessary
to operate such businesses after the Closing as contemplated by the Budget.

               (i)   Infringement, Misappropriation And Rights of Other Parties.
The Company is not, nor has it ever been, a party to any action or proceeding,
nor, has any action or proceeding been threatened, that involves or involved a
claim of infringement, misappropriation or other wrongful use or exploitation,
either (i) by the Company against any Person or (ii) by any Person against the
Company, pertaining to any Intellectual Property Rights of the Company or Owned
Software or any other Person (including any Company IP or any other Intellectual
Property Rights used, exercised, practiced or exploited by the Company), nor,
has any such claim been made (whether written oral or otherwise) or, to the
knowledge of the Sellers or the Company, threatened nor, to the knowledge of the
Sellers or the Company, is there any reasonable basis therefor. To the knowledge
of the Sellers or the Company, no Company IP or other Licensed Intellectual
Property Right (except pursuant to the terms of the Licensed Technology
Agreement granting such right to Company), is subject to any outstanding order,
judgment, decree, stipulation or agreement restricting the use, exercise,
practice or other exploitation thereof by the Company, and, in the case of any
Company IP licensed to any Person, restricting the sale, transfer, assignment or
licensing thereof by the Company to any Person. Except as may be set forth in
the Disclosure Schedule, (A) to the knowledge of the Sellers or the Company, no
Person has infringed or misappropriated, or is infringing or misappropriating
any Company IP; nor (B) does any of the products (including any Software),
processes, services, technology or other materials (collectively "Company
Products"), the Company IP or the subject matter thereof, or the Licensed
Intellectual Property Rights or the subject matter thereof, developed,
practiced, copied, modified (including the creation of derivatives), displayed,
made, sold, offered for sale, marketed, used, leased, licensed or sublicensed,
imported, exported or otherwise distributed or disposed of, or otherwise
exercised or exploited by or for the Company, nor use of the Company Products by
customers or distributors, nor the activities or operations of the Company
infringe, misappropriate or otherwise conflict with or violate, or has any of
them infringed, misappropriated, or otherwise conflicted with or violated, any
Intellectual Property Right or other right of any Person. The Company has the
exclusive right to bring actions against any Person infringing or
misappropriating any of the Company IP.

               (j)   Confidentiality Agreements. Except as set forth in of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, all current and former employees, independent
contractors and consultants of the Company have entered into confidentiality,
invention assignment and proprietary information agreements with the Company in
substantially the form provided to Buyer. To the knowledge of the Sellers or the
Company, no employee, independent contractor or consultant of the Company is
obligated under any agreement (including licenses, covenants or commitments of
any nature) or

                                       16

<PAGE>

subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative agency,
or is subject to any other restriction that would interfere with his or her
duties for the Company. The carrying on of the businesses of the Company by the
employees, independent contractors and consultants of the Company and the
conduct of the businesses of the Company as presently conducted and proposed to
be conducted, will not conflict with or result in a breach of the terms,
conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any contract,
covenant or instrument under which any of such employees, independent
contractors or consultants of the Company is now obligated. Except as set forth
in the Disclosure Schedule, the Company is not utilizing nor will it be
necessary to utilize (A) any inventions of any independent contractors or
consultants, or confidential information (including Trade Secrets) of another
Person to which any independent contractors or consultants have been exposed,
and (B) any inventions of any employees of the Company made, or any confidential
information (including Trade Secrets) of another Person to which such employees
were exposed, prior to their employment by the Company, in each case excluding
any of the foregoing inventions or confidential information that have been duly
assigned in writing to the Company or that are being utilized by the Company in
accordance with the terms of a license granted to the Company in a written
agreement. At no time during the conception of or reduction to practice of any
of the Company IP was any developer, inventor or other contributor to such
Intellectual Property Right operating under any grants from any Governmental
Entity or private source, performing research sponsored by any Governmental
Entity or private source or subject to any employment agreement or invention
assignment or nondisclosure agreement or other obligation with any other Person
that could adversely affect the rights of the Company in such Intellectual
Property Right. The Disclosure Schedule lists each present and past employee,
independent contractor, consultant or other Person who participated in a
material way in the creation or development of any material Owned Software or
any Company IP, indicating that Person's relationship with the Company at that
time, and in the case of any such employee, whether such employee is a present
or past employee and, if a past employee, the name of the current employer of
such past employee, if known. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Disclosure Schedule specifically identifies each inventor named in any
patent application filed by the Company (either individually or jointly with
others) or assigned or exclusively licensed to the Company in whole or in part,
and indicates whether such inventor is a current employee of the Company and, if
not a current employee of the Company, (i) the relationship of such inventor to
the Company at the time the respective invention was made and the present
relationship, if any, of such inventor with the Company and (ii) if known, the
employer and current position of such inventor with such employer.

         (k)   Export Restrictions. The Company has not exported or transmitted
Software, Company trade secrets or any other technical information, including
any technical data, or the direct product of such data, to any country to which
such export or transmission is restricted by any applicable U.S. regulation or
statute, without first having obtained all necessary and appropriate United
States or other Government Entity license(s) or permit(s).

         (l)   ILOG Licenses. The terms of that certain Development License
Agreement, and that certain Deployment License Agreement, each by and between
the Company and ILOG, Inc. ("ILOG") and dated as of March 29, 2002 (together,
the "ILOG Licenses"), grant the Company the right and license to install and
deploy the Deployment Software (as defined in the ILOG Licenses) and to operate
an Application (as defined in the ILOG Licenses) in conjunction with the
Company's software commonly known as "eCAT" and the Company's software commonly
known as "eMAT," on an aggregate of two (2) computer servers providing
simultaneous access and use of the Deployment Software, Application, eCAT and
eMAT over a network or by similar means (including without limitation via the
Internet or an intranet), by an aggregate of no fewer than five hundred

                                       17

<PAGE>

(500) end users, without requiring payment of any additional license and/or
maintenance fees to ILOG pursuant to the ILOG Licenses; and that the term
"Application" includes both eCAT and eMAT, which do not constitute separate
Applications for the purposes of the ILOG Licenses.

      3.17  Interests of Officers and Directors. Except as disclosed in the
Disclosure Schedule, none of the officers or directors of the Company, or any
member of their respective immediate families or any entity with respect to
which any such Person is an Affiliate, has any interest in any property, real or
personal, tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the business of the
Company or any other business relationship with the Company.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

      The Buyer represents and warrants to the Sellers that:

      4.1   Corporate Organization and Qualification. Buyer is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the
State of California.

      4.2   Authority Relative to This Agreement. Buyer has the requisite power
and authority to execute and deliver each of this Agreement, the Development and
License Agreement, the Voting Agreement, and the Right of First Negotiation
Agreement (collectively, the "Buyer Transaction Documents") and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Buyer Transaction
Documents and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by its Board of Directors and
no other corporate proceedings on the part of Buyer are necessary to authorize
the Buyer Transaction Documents or to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby. The Buyer Transaction Documents have been duly and validly
executed and delivered by Buyer and, assuming the Buyer Transaction Documents
constitute the valid and binding agreement of Sellers, constitute the valid and
binding agreements of Buyer, enforceable against it in accordance with their
respective terms, except that the enforcement hereof and thereof may be limited
by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws
now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (b)
general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered
in a proceeding at law or in equity).

      4.3   Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Neither the execution,
delivery or performance of this Agreement by Buyer nor the consummation by Buyer
of the transactions contemplated hereby nor compliance by Buyer with any of the
provisions hereof will (a) conflict with or result in any breach of any
provision of its Articles of Incorporation or By-laws; (b) require any Consent
of any Governmental Entity except for the Requisite Regulatory Approvals and
Consents which are not reasonably likely to have an adverse material effect on
Buyer or its ability to consummate the transactions hereunder; (c) result in a
Default under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to
which Buyer or its assets may be bound, except for such Defaults as to which
requisite waivers or Consents have been obtained or which are not reasonably
likely to have an adverse material effect on Buyer or its ability to consummate
the transactions hereunder; or (d) assuming the Consents referred to in this
Section are duly and timely obtained or made, violate any Order or Law
applicable to Buyer or to any of its assets, except for violations which are not
reasonably likely to have an adverse material effect on Buyer or its ability to
consummate the

                                       18

<PAGE>

transactions hereunder. As of the date hereof, Buyer knows of no reason why the
Requisite Regulatory Approvals should not be obtained.

       4.4  Financial Statements. Buyer has delivered to Sellers correct and
complete copies of the audited balance sheets of Buyer as of December 31, 2001
and the related statements of income and cash flow for the years then ended (the
"Buyer Financial Statements"). The Buyer Financial Statements were prepared in
accordance with GAAP, consistent with past accounting practices, and present
fairly the financial condition and the results of operations of Buyer as of the
dates and for the periods indicated therein.

       4.5  Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth in the
Disclosure Schedule or as a consequence of, or as expressly contemplated by,
this Agreement, since December 31, 2001, (i) Buyer's business has been carried
on only in the ordinary and usual course consistent with past practice, and (ii)
there has not occurred any event, development or change which has resulted or is
reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                                   ARTICLE V

                               CLOSING DELIVERIES

       5.1  Deliveries of Sellers and Company. Concurrently with the execution
of this Agreement, Sellers and the Company, as applicable, shall deliver:

            (a) Instruments of Transfer. Duly executed assignments of the Units
of the Company to the Buyer;

            (b) Spousal Consents. Duly executed spousal consents in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C;

            (c) Good Standing. A good standing certificate of the Company issued
by the Secretary of State for the State of New Jersey and any other state where
the Company is qualified to do business, dated within five days of the Closing
Date;

            (d) Certified Articles of Organization. A copy of the Articles of
Organization of the Company, certified by the Secretary of State for the State
of New Jersey, dated within five days of the Closing Date;

            (e) eConduit Secretary's Certificate. A certificate executed by the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, certifying as to true and
complete copies as in effect on the Closing Date of the Articles of Organization
and Operating Agreement of the Company and the incumbency of the Sellers;

            (f) eGarden Secretary's Certificate. A certificate executed by the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of eGarden, certifying as to true and complete
copies as in effect on the Closing Date of (i) the Certificate of Incorporation
and bylaws of eGarden, (ii) resolutions of the Board of Directors of eGarden
approving the Transaction, and (iii) the incumbency of the officers of eGarden
authorized to execute this Agreement;

            (g) Legal Opinion. A legal opinion of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison,
LLP, counsel to Sellers, with respect to the matters set forth in Exhibit D
hereto;

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<PAGE>

            (h) Other Agreements. Executed counterparts to the Voting Agreement,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E, the Right of First
Negotiation Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F,
and the Employment Agreements, substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit G;

            (i) Assignment of Invention Agreements. Confidentiality, invention
assignment and proprietary information agreements in a form acceptable to Buyer
between the Company and each of its employees, to the extent not covered in
their employment agreement.

            (j) Budget. The Budget;

            (k) Third Party Consents. Consents of third parties under the
Contracts identified in the Disclosure Schedule. Without limiting the foregoing:

                (i)  The Company shall deliver a form of consent and
acknowledgement reasonably acceptable to Buyer with respect to that certain
Development License Agreement by and between ILOG, Inc. and the Company, dated
as of March 29, 2002, and that certain Deployment License Agreement, by and
between ILOG, Inc. and the Company, dated as of March 29, 2002.

                (ii) The Company shall deliver a form of acknowledgement and
agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H, with respect
to that certain Contract for Services by and between VisionCore Consulting, Inc.
and the Company, dated as of dated as of December 31, 2001, and that certain
Interim Agreement, by and between VisionCore Consulting, Inc. and the Company,
dated as of July 5, 2001, which form shall provide for the clarification of
certain matters identified by Buyer relating to the creation and assignment of
intellectual property and the licenses granted therein.

            (l) Governmental Filings and Consents. To the extent necessary,
evidence that all Requisite Regulatory Approvals have been obtained and are in
effect as of the Closing Date.

       5.2  Deliveries of Buyer. Concurrently with the execution of this
Agreement, Buyer shall deliver:

            (a) Initial Purchase Price. The Initial Purchase Price, delivered in
accordance with Section 2.2.

            (b) Certified Charter. The Articles of Incorporation of the Buyer,
certified by the Secretary of State for the Secretary of California within five
days of the Closing Date;

            (c) Good Standing. A good standing certificate of Buyer issued by
the Secretary of State for the State of California, dated within five days of
the Closing Date;

            (d) Secretary's Certificate. A certificate executed by the Secretary
or Assistant Secretary of Buyer, certifying as to true and complete copies as in
effect on the Closing Date of (i) the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws of
Buyer, (ii) resolutions of the Board of Directors of Buyer approving the
Transaction, (iii) the consent of New Century Financial Corporation, a Delaware
corporation and the sole shareholder of Buyer, approving the Transaction; (iv)
resolutions of the Company adopted by Buyer, as the sole member of the Company,
electing Gary Busacca, Marc Loewenthal, Jeffrey Lemieux, Robert Cole, Brad
Morrice, Edward Gotschall and Patrick Rank,

                                       20

<PAGE>

as Managers of the Company effective upon the Closing and (v) the incumbency of
the officers of Buyer authorized to execute this Agreement;

            (e) Legal Opinion. A legal opinion of Stradling Yocca Carlson &
Rauth, counsel to Buyer, with respect to the matters set forth in Exhibit I
hereto;

            (f) Other Agreements. Executed counterparts to the Voting Agreement,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E;

            (g) Third Party Consents. Consents of third parties; and

            (h) Governmental Filings and Consents. To the extent necessary,
evidence that all Requisite Regulatory Approvals have been obtained and are in
effect as of the Closing Date.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                            OBLIGATIONS AFTER CLOSING

       6.1  Survival of Representations and Covenants; Indemnification.

            (a) Survival. Except as provided in this Section, the respective
representations and warranties of the parties made herein, and the respective
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement to be performed on or after
the Closing shall survive the Closing until the end of the Earn-Out Period.

            (b) Agreement to Indemnify. Subject to the other provisions of this
Section, the Indemnifying Sellers, jointly and severally, hereby agree to
defend, indemnify and hold harmless Buyer and the Company (individually or
collectively, the "Indemnified Party") from and against and in respect of any
and all Losses incurred by the Indemnified Party which may be imposed on,
sustained, incurred or suffered by or assessed against the Indemnified Party,
directly or indirectly, as a result of or relating to or to the extent arising
out of the following:

                (i)   any breach of the representations or warranties of the
Indemnifying Sellers or the Company contained in this Agreement, provided,
however, the ability of Buyer to recover hereunder in respect of a breach shall
not be deemed qualified by any references to materiality contained in such
representation and any breach thereof shall be determined without regard to
whether such breach constitutes a Material Adverse Effect;

                (ii)  any breach by the Company or any of the Sellers of any of
their respective covenants or obligations in this Agreement;

                (iii) the Litigation set forth in the Disclosure Schedule; and

                (iv)  all Taxes imposed on the Company or for which the Company
may otherwise by liable for any taxable year or period that ends on or before
the Closing Date and, with respect to any taxable year or period beginning
before and ending after the Closing Date, the portion of such taxable year
ending on and including the Closing Date.

            (c) Limitation. The maximum total liability of the Indemnifying
Sellers for their indemnification liabilities under this Agreement shall not
exceed the aggregate of the Initial Purchase

                                       21

<PAGE>

Price, the Additional Purchase Price and the amount of all Earn-Out Payments
actually received by Sellers.

       (d) Notice of Claim. If the Indemnified Party shall become aware of any
claim, proceeding or other matter (a "Claim") which may give rise to a Loss, the
Indemnified Party shall promptly give notice thereof to the Indemnifying
Sellers. Such notice shall specify whether the Claim arises as a result of a
Claim by a Person against the Indemnified Party (a "Third Party Claim") or
whether the Claim does not so arise (a "Direct Claim"), and shall also specify
with reasonable particularity (to the extent that the information is available)
the factual basis for the Claim and the amount of the Claim, if known. If,
through the fault of the Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Sellers do not
receive notice of any Claim in time to contest effectively the determination of
any Loss susceptible of being contested, the Indemnifying Sellers shall be
entitled to set off against the amount claimed by the Indemnified Party the
amount of any Losses incurred by the Indemnifying Sellers resulting from the
Indemnified Party's failure to give such notice on a timely basis.

       (e) Direct Claims. With respect to any Direct Claim, following receipt of
notice from the Indemnified Party of the Claim, the Indemnifying Sellers shall
have 60 days to make such investigation of the Claim as is considered necessary
or desirable. For the purpose of such investigation, the Indemnified Party shall
make available to the Indemnifying Sellers the information relied upon by the
Indemnified Party to substantiate the Claim, together with all such other
information as the Indemnifying Sellers may reasonably request. If both parties
agree at or prior to the expiration of such 60-day period (or any mutually
agreed upon extension thereof) to the validity and amount of such Claim, the
Indemnifying Sellers shall immediately pay to the Indemnified Party the full
agreed upon amount of the Claim, failing which the matter shall be referred to
binding arbitration in such manner as the parties may agree or shall be
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of California.

       (f) Third Party Claims.

           (i) With respect to any Third Party Claims, the Indemnifying Sellers
shall have the right, at their expense and at their election, to assume control
of the negotiation, settlement and defense of the Claim through counsel of their
choice. In such event, the Indemnifying Sellers shall reimburse the Indemnified
Party for all the Indemnified Party's reasonable out-of-pocket expenses as a
result of such assumption. The election of the Indemnifying Sellers to assume
such control shall be made within 60 days of receipt of notice of the Third
Party Claim, failing which the Indemnifying Sellers shall be deemed to have
elected not to do so. If the Indemnifying Sellers elects to assume such control,
the Indemnified Party shall have the right to be informed and consulted with
respect to the negotiation, settlement or defenses of such Third Party Claim and
to retain counsel to act on its behalf, but the fees and disbursements of such
counsel shall be paid by the Indemnified Party unless the Indemnifying Sellers
consent to the retention of such counsel or unless the named parties to any
action or proceeding include both the Indemnifying Sellers and the Indemnified
Party and a representation of both the Indemnifying Sellers and the Indemnified
Party by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to the actual or potential
differing interests between them (such as the availability of different
defenses). If the Indemnifying Sellers, having elected to assume such control,
thereafter fail to defend the Third Party Claim within a reasonable time, the
Indemnified Party shall be entitled to assume such control, and the Indemnifying
Sellers shall be bound by the results obtained by the Indemnified Party with
respect to the Third Party Claim. If any Third Party Claim is of a nature such
that the Indemnified party is required by applicable Law to make a payment to
any Person (a "Third Party") with respect to the Third Party Claim before the
completion of

                                       22

<PAGE>

settlement negotiations or related legal proceedings, the Indemnified Party may
make such payment and the Indemnifying Sellers shall forthwith, after demand by
the Indemnified Party, reimburse the Indemnified Party for such payment. If the
amount of any liability of the Indemnified Party under the Third Party Claim in
respect of which such payment was made, as finally determined, is less than the
amount which was paid by the Indemnifying Sellers to the Indemnified Party, the
Indemnified party shall, promptly after receipt of the difference from the Third
Party, pay the amount of such difference to the Indemnifying Sellers.

                 (ii)  If the Indemnifying Sellers fail to assume control of the
defense of any Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall have the exclusive
right to consent, settle or pay the amount claimed. Whether or not the
Indemnifying Sellers assume control of the negotiation, settlement or defenses
of any Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Sellers shall not settle any Third
Party Claim without the written consent of the Indemnified Party, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

                 (iii) The Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Sellers shall
cooperate fully with each other with respect to Third Party Claims, and,
regardless of which party has control thereof as provided for herein, shall keep
each other fully advised with respect thereto (including supplying copies of all
relevant documentation promptly as it becomes available).

            (g)  Set Off to Earn-Out Payments. Buyer may set-off against any
Additional Purchase Price, Earn-Out Payment or other obligation which may be
payable by Buyer to the Indemnifying Sellers, amounts to which it or an
Indemnified Party may, or may believe itself to be entitled to under this
Article VI. On at least ten (10) days notice, at reasonable times during normal
business hours, the Indemnifying Sellers shall have the right to audit the
Company's records and accounts relating to such set-off. The Indemnifying
Sellers shall maintain such information as confidential. The entire cost of such
audit shall be borne by the Indemnifying Sellers; provided, however, that if any
such audit reveals an excessive set-off of five percent (5%) or more from the
amount which should have been withheld, then the actual cost of such audit shall
be borne by the Company

       6.2  Capital Funding. Buyer shall provide the Company, from time to time
in the twelve (12) months following the Closing Date, cash capital contributions
(the "Capital Contributions") on an as-needed basis in accordance with the
Budget, in an aggregate amount not to exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000);
provided, however, that the Capital Contributions shall be reduced on a dollar
for dollar basis based on any license and implementation fees paid by Buyer to
the Company pursuant to the Development and License Agreement or any
indebtedness of the Company to the Buyer forgiven by the Buyer. Buyer shall fund
the Capital Contributions by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
account specified by the Company within ten (10) days of request by the Company.
The covenant of Buyer in this Section 6.2 to provide Capital Contributions have
been made and are intended to be for the benefit of the Company and Sellers and
their respective successors and permitted assigns and Buyer therefore
acknowledges and agrees that the Company and Sellers shall be entitled to
enforce the agreements contained in this Section 6.2.

                                       23

<PAGE>

       6.3  Additional Revenue Payments.

            (a)  Payment for Funded Leads and Sales of Leads. As consideration
for Qualified Leads, Buyer shall pay to the Company an amount equal to 0.75% of
the original balance of each subprime loan funded by Buyer or any Affiliate
thereof from any Qualified Leads. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, the Company may generate revenues through the sale of (i) leads that
are not Qualified Leads and (ii) fees collected from other mortgage originators
who fund loans generated by Qualified Leads and non-Qualified Leads, and (iii)
Qualified Leads that Buyer does not have the capacity to process and/or fund,
and the proceeds of such sales and funding fees shall constitute revenue used in
the calculation of "Profits" for the purposes of this Agreement; provided,
however, that the decision to sell and the sale of leads referred to in clause
(iii) above shall be made in good faith and on commercially reasonable terms
approved by a majority of the Company's Board of Directors. The decisions to
sell non-Qualified Leads shall be made by the President of the Company.

            (b)  Qualified Lead Dispute Resolution. As the Company is engaged in
a new venture, the Buyer and Sellers are uncertain how many Qualified Leads will
be generated by the Company and how many Qualified Leads Buyer and its
Affiliates will be able to process in a timely manner to convert them into
funded loans. The Earn Out Payments hereunder are based, in part, on the fees
collected by the Company for Qualified Leads that are sold to a mortgage
originator as well as the fees paid by Buyer with respect to Qualified Leads
referred by Sellers to the Company that are converted to funded loans. In order
to provide discretion to the Company's Board of Directors in determining which
Qualified Leads to sell to mortgage originators (other than the Buyer and its
Affiliates) and to protect the Sellers ability to earn the Earn Out Payments,
the parties have agreed upon the following process

                 (i)  The Company's Board of Directors shall act in good faith
and by exercising its reasonable judgement based on information presented to the
Board by its officers and the Buyer and its Affiliates and any experts or
consultants the Board deems appropriate in determining how many and by what
criteria to allocate to Buyer and its Affiliates Qualified Leads and how many
Qualified Leads to make available to other mortgage originators and on what
terms. If the Company's Board of Directors determines that the Buyer and its
Affiliates are unable to timely process and fund any portion of the Qualified
Leads generated by the Company and allocated to the Buyer or its Affiliates,
then the Company shall make such Qualified Leads as the Company determines is
appropriate available for sale to other mortgage originators, and in each such
instance, neither the Buyer nor any Affiliate shall contact, solicit or
otherwise engage in any activity that would attempt to obtain the person
identified in such lead as a customer for any purpose.

                 (ii) If, at the beginning of a calendar quarter during the Earn
Out Period, (A) the Sellers have already earned the full amount of the
Additional Purchase Price; (B) the Company received at least 100,000 Qualified
Leads in the preceding calendar quarter; (C) the Company had revenues of less
than $300,000 in the preceding calendar quarter; (D) more than 75% of all
Qualified Leads generated by the Company in the preceding calendar quarter were
allocated to the Buyer or its Affiliates; and (E) the Sellers believe that the
Company has during any month allocated a greater number of Qualified Leads to
Buyer and its Affiliates than Buyer and its Affiliates can process in a timely
fashion in order to convert the Qualified Leads into funded loans for such
month, then the Sellers representing not less than a majority of the interest in
the Earn Out Payments (as calculated by reference to Schedule E) may request
that the Company's Board of Directors increase the number of Qualified Leads
that are timely made available for sale to other mortgage

                                       24

<PAGE>

originators to up to fifty percent (50%) of all Qualified Leads and the Board of
Directors of the Company shall immediately instruct the officers of the Company
to comply with such request.

                (iii) If, at the beginning of any calendar quarter after the
calendar quarter in which the Sellers first requested the Company to re-allocate
Qualified Leads pursuant to clause (ii) above, the conditions enumerated in
items (A) through (E) above again exist (except that if the Company re-allocated
Qualified Leads at the Sellers' request in the preceding calendar quarter, the
condition described in item D shall be disregarded), the Sellers may again
request that the Board of Directors cause the Company to re-allocate Qualified
Leads in the manner described in clause (ii) above.

            (c) Exclusive Remedy. The Sellers agree that the rights under
Section 6.3(b) shall be their sole remedy for any dispute concerning whether the
Buyer or the Company has breached any obligation hereunder for failing to make
available Qualified Leads that exceeded the Buyer and its Affiliates capacity to
process them into funded loans.

       6.4  Operations of the Company. After the Closing, Buyer shall cause the
Company to conduct its business in a commercially reasonable manner as directed
by a majority of the Company's Board of Directors (including a majority of the
directors designated by Buyer or an Affiliate of Buyer), and shall prevent the
Company from taking any action intended for the sole purpose of reducing the
Earn-Out Payment or Additional Purchase Price; provided, however, that the
nothing herein shall require Buyer to cause the Company to conduct its business
in a manner that is in every case designed to maximize the Earn-Out Payment or
Additional Purchase Price. Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
assist the Company in meeting its business objectives; provided, however, that
Buyer shall not be obligated to provide any additional payments or capital
contributions to the Company other than the Capital Contributions and the
payments made pursuant to Section 6.3 above. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Buyer shall be able to, among other things, have the Company develop its eCAT
and/or eMAT software for integration and implementation into various business
units of Buyer and its Affiliates.

       6.5  Assistance and Cooperation. After the Closing Date, each of Buyer
and Sellers shall:

            (a) assist (and cause their respective Affiliates to assist) the
other party in preparing any Tax Returns or reports which such other party is
responsible for preparing and filing;

            (b) cooperate fully in preparing for any audits of, or disputes with
taxing authorities regarding, any Tax Returns of the Company;

            (c) make available to the other and to any taxing authority as
reasonably requested all information, records, and documents relating to Taxes
of the Company;

            (d) provide timely notice to the other in writing of any pending or
threatened tax audits or assessments of the Company for taxable periods for
which the other may have a liability under this Agreement; provided, however,
that failure to comply with this provision shall not affect the other party's
rights to indemnification hereunder; and

            (e) furnish the other with copies of all correspondence received
from any taxing authority in connection with any tax audit or information
request with respect to any such taxable period.

                                       25

<PAGE>

       6.6  Non-Competition. As consideration for the purchase of the Units and
of the goodwill of the Company by Buyer, each Seller hereby agrees that, during
the Non-Compete Period, such Seller will not engage or participate in (whether
as employee, employer, consultant, agent, principal, partner, owner,
stockholder, lender, corporate officer, director or other representative
capacity), or otherwise render assistance to, any business that competes with
any of the business engaged in by the Company in any city or county within the
United States or in any foreign country. The Sellers acknowledge that for
purposes of this Section 6.6, the Company's business and the activities from
which the Sellers shall be precluded from engaging are (a) providing software
allowing holders or servicers of consumer accounts to screen those accounts
against the lending criteria of mortgage lenders; or (b) arranging or
facilitating the transfer of consumer records using the eCAT software (or any
variation thereof) from the holders or servicers of consumer accounts to
mortgage lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that Gary Busacca
and Marc Loewenthal have a fiduciary duty to maximize the value of Phoenix
Funding Group LLC, in their capacity as operating partners thereof, by, among
other things, buying distressed assets, then such individuals shall not have the
obligation to make consumer records available exclusively to Buyer but they
shall have the right to also transfer consumer records to third parties;
provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any consumer records
generated by Messrs. Busacca and Loewenthal using the eCAT software (or any
variation thereof) shall be transferred exclusively to Buyer pursuant to the
terms hereof. Also, notwithstanding the foregoing, Sellers may own up to 5% of
the shares of any class of capital stock of any corporation that engages in any
business that is competitive with the Company, provided that such class of
capital stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American
Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or the Nasdaq SmallCap Stock Market and
such shares are held for investment only. In the event any court shall refuse to
enforce any portion of the covenant in this Section, the parties hereby
authorize such court to reform this covenant to the extent necessary to permit
the remaining portions of the covenant to be enforced.

       6.7  Non-Solicitation. Each Seller hereby agrees that, during the
Non-Compete Period, such Seller will not encourage or solicit any employee or
consultant of the Company, Buyer or any Affiliate of Buyer to leave the Company,
Buyer or any Affiliate of Buyer for any reason.

       6.8  Confidentiality. Each Seller hereby agrees that he will hold in
strict confidence and not disclose or use any confidential information of the
Company or its affiliates, including, without limitations, financial,
manufacturing or marketing data (including, without limitation, financial
statements of the Company), technique, process, formula, developmental or
experimental work, work in progress, business methods, trade secrets (including,
without limitation, any customer list or lists of customer sources), marketing
techniques or plans, or any other secret or confidential information relating to
the products, services, customers, sales or business affairs of the Company or
its Affiliates, except for the benefit of the Company. Each Seller agrees that
he will not make use of any of the above at any time after termination of his
employment, to the extent the Company derives independent economic value, actual
or potential, from such information not being generally known to the parties, or
other Persons who could obtain economic value from its disclosure or use, and
such information is the subject of reasonable efforts by the Company to maintain
its confidentiality. The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to (i)
information which is or becomes, other than as a result of a breach of this
Agreement, generally available to the public or (ii) the disclosure of
information required pursuant to a subpoena or other legal process; provided
that such Seller shall notify the Company, in writing, of the receipt of any
such subpoena or other legal process requiring such disclosure immediately after
receipt thereof and the Company shall have a reasonable opportunity to quash
such subpoena or other legal process prior to any disclosure by such Seller.

                                       26

<PAGE>

       6.9  Medical Insurance. Until the earlier to occur of the expiration of
the Earn Out Period and the employment of the applicable Seller by another
company or business offering comparable medical insurance, the Company shall
either include Mr. Busacca and Mr. Loewenthal on the Company's medical insurance
plan or reimburse them for their actual cost of comparable medical insurance up
to a maximum of $1,000 each per month.

       6.10 Busacca Spousal Consent. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Agreement to the contrary, no payment of Additional Purchase Price nor Earn Out
Payments shall be made to the Indemnifying Sellers unless and until the current
spouse of Mr. Busacca has executed and delivered to the Buyer a spousal consent
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C or, in the alternative, an instrument
reasonably satisfactory to Buyer with substantially the same legal effect.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                            MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL

       7.1  Interpretation.

            (a) When a reference is made in this Agreement to a section or
article, such reference shall be to a section or article of this Agreement
unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary.

            (b) Whenever the words "include," "includes" or "including" are used
in this Agreement they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation."

            (c) The words "hereof," "hereby," "herein" and "herewith" and words
of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and
article, section, paragraph, exhibit and schedule references are to the
articles, sections, paragraphs, exhibits and schedules of this Agreement unless
otherwise specified.

            (d) The plural of any defined term shall have a meaning correlative
to such defined term, and words denoting any gender shall include all genders.
Where a word or phrase is defined herein, each of its other grammatical forms
shall have a corresponding meaning.

            (e) A reference to any party to this Agreement or any other
agreement or document shall include such party's permitted successors and
permitted assigns.

            (f) A reference to any legislation or to any provision of any
legislation shall include any modification or re-enactment thereof, any
legislative provision substituted therefor and all regulations and statutory
instruments issued thereunder or pursuant thereto.

            (g) The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and
drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or
interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly
by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or
disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this
Agreement.

       7.2  Payment of Expenses and Other Payments. Whether or not the
Transaction shall be consummated and except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, the Sellers and Buyer hereto shall

                                       27

<PAGE>

pay their own expenses incident to preparing for, entering into and carrying out
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
Legal expenses incurred in the course of preparing the Company for the
Transaction and allocated to the Company shall not exceed $10,000 in the
aggregate.

       7.3 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement
signed by all parties to this Agreement.

       7.4 Waiver and Extension. At any time prior to the Closing Date, the
parties may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts of the other parties hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties contained herein or in any document delivered
pursuant hereto, or (c) except to the extent prohibited by Law, waive compliance
with any of the agreements or conditions contained herein. Any agreement on the
part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if
set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. The
failure of any party at any time or times to require performance of any
provision hereof shall in no manner affect the right of such party at a later
time to enforce the same or any other provision of this Agreement. No waiver of
any condition or of the breach of any term contained in this Agreement in one or
more instances shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing
waiver or such condition or breach or a waiver of any condition or of the breach
of any other term of this Agreement.

       7.5 Counterparts. For the convenience of the parties hereto, this
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each such counterpart
being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts shall
together constitute the same agreement.

       7.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the Laws of the State of California, without giving effect to
the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

       7.7 Notices. Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be
given hereunder by any party to another party shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given when delivered personally, upon receipt of a transmission
confirmation (with a confirming copy sent by overnight courier) if sent by
facsimile or like transmission, and on the next business day when sent by
Federal Express, United Parcel Service, Express Mail, or other reputable
overnight courier, as follows:

       (a) If to the Sellers, to the addresses set forth on the signature pages
attached hereto.

           with a copy to:

                     Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, LLP
                     38 Technology Drive
                     Irvine, California 92618
                     Fax No.: 949) 790-6301
                     Attn:  Roger M. Cohen, Esq.

       (b) If to Buyer, to

                                       28

<PAGE>

                           New Century Mortgage Corporation
                           18400 Von Karman, Suite 1000
                           Irvine, California  92612
                           Fax no. (949) 440-7033
                           Attn:   President

            with a copy to:

                           Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
                           660 Newport Center Drive
                           Newport Beach, California  92660
                           Fax no. (949) 725-4100
                           Attn:   Lawrence B. Cohn, Esq.

       (c)  If to eGarden, copy to:

                           Blank Rome Tenzer Greenblatt LLP.
                           The Chrysler Building
                           405 Lexington Avenue
                           New York, New York  10174
                           Attn:   Peter Schnur
                           Telephone: 212-885-5000
                           Fax no. (212) 885-5001

or to such other Persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the
party to receive such notice. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to
constitute consent to the manner and address for service of process in
connection with any legal proceeding (including litigation arising out of or in
connection with this Agreement), which service shall be effected as required by
applicable Law.

       7.8  Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement (a) constitutes the
entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
among the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof, and
(b) shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise without the prior
written consent of the other party hereto; provided, however, that the Buyer may
assign its rights, in whole or in part, to one or more of its Affiliates and
such Affiliate or Affiliates may assume Buyer's obligations hereunder, provided
that Buyer shall remain jointly and severally liable with such Affiliate; and
provided, further, that no such assignment may be made if the effect thereof
would be to (x) result in an economic cost to Sellers or its Affiliates, (y)
create any additional financial risk to the Sellers under any document relating
to indebtedness for money borrowed or (z) delay or adversely affect the
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article V.

       7.9  Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
solely to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and
assigns and to the benefit of any Person or entity which is indemnified under
this Agreement. Except as expressly set forth in Section 6.2, nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other
Person any rights, benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by
reason of this Agreement.

                                       29

<PAGE>

       7.10 Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provisions of this Agreement, each of which shall remain in full force and
effect.

       7.11 Captions. The article, section and paragraph captions herein are
for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and
shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.

                           [signature page to follow]

                                       30

<PAGE>

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

                                           NEW CENTURY MORTGAGE CORPORATION

                                           By: /s/ Kevin Cloyd
                                              ---------------------------------
                                           Name: Senior Vice President
                                                -------------------------------
                                           Its:________________________________

                                           "SELLERS"

                                                /s/ Gary Busacca
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Gary Busacca

                                                /s/ Marc Loewenthal
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Marc Loewenthal

                                                /s/ Jeff Lemieux
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Jeffrey Lemieux

                                                /s/ David Logsdon
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           David Logsdon

                                           eGarden, Inc.

                                           By:      /s/ Robert Kassez
                                              ---------------------------------
                                           Name: President and CEO
                                                 ------------------------------
                                           Its:________________________________

                   [Signature page to Unit Purchase Agreement]

                                      S-1

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