EXECUTION COPY
INDENTURE
between
EMPIRE FUNDING HOME LOAN OWNER TRUST 1997-1,
as Issuer
and
FIRST BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Indenture Trustee
Dated as of March 1, 1997
and
Amended and Restated as of April 1, 1997
EMPIRE FUNDING HOME LOAN OWNER TRUST 1997-1
Asset Backed Securities, Series 1997-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I
Definitions
Section 1.01. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Section 1.02. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act . . 9
Section 1.03. Rules of Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
ARTICLE II
THE NOTES
Section 2.01. Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Section 2.02. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating . . . 11
Section 2.03. Registration; Registration of Transfer and
Exchange. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Section 2.04. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. . . . . . 13
Section 2.05. Persons Deemed Owner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Section 2.06. Payment of Principal and Interest; Defaulted
Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Section 2.07. Cancellation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Section 2.08. Conditions Precedent to the Authentication of the
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Section 2.09. Release of Collateral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Section 2.10. Book-Entry Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Section 2.11. Notices to Clearing Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Section 2.12. Definitive Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Section 2.13. Tax Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
ARTICLE III
COVENANTS
Section 3.01. Payment of Principal and Interest . . . . . . . . . . 20
Section 3.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Section 3.03. Money for Payments To Be Held in Trust . . . . . . . 20
Section 3.04. Existence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Section 3.05. Protection of Collateral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Section 3.06. Annual Opinions as to Collateral . . . . . . . . . . 23
Section 3.07. Performance of Obligations; Servicing of Home Loans . 23
Section 3.08. Negative Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Section 3.09. Annual Statement as to Compliance . . . . . . . . . . 26
Section 3.10. Covenants of the Issuer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Section 3.11. Servicer's Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Section 3.12. Restricted Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Section 3.13. Treatment of Notes as Debt for Tax Purposes . . . . . 27
Section 3.14. Notice of Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Section 3.15. Further Instruments and Acts . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
ARTICLE IV
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . . . . . . . 28
Section 4.02. Application of Trust Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Section 4.03. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent . . . . . . 29
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES
Section 5.01. Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Section 5.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment . 31
Section 5.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement
by Indenture Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Section 5.04. Remedies; Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Section 5.05. Optional Preservation of the Collateral . . . . . . . 35
Section 5.06. Limitation of Suits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Section 5.07. Unconditional Rights of Noteholders To Receive
Principal and Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Section 5.08. Restoration of Rights and Remedies . . . . . . . . . 36
Section 5.09. Rights and Remedies Cumulative . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Section 5.10. Delay or Omission Not a Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Section 5.11. Control by Noteholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Section 5.12. Waiver of Past Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Section 5.13. Undertaking for Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Section 5.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws . . . . . . . . . . 38
Section 5.15. Action on Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Section 5.16. Performance and Enforcement of Certain Obligations . 38
ARTICLE VI
THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE
Section 6.01. Duties of Indenture Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Section 6.02. Rights of Indenture Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Section 6.03. Individual Rights of Indenture Trustee . . . . . . . 41
Section 6.04. Indenture Trustee's Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Section 6.05. Notice of Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Section 6.06. Reports by Indenture Trustee to Holders . . . . . . . 42
Section 6.07. Compensation and Indemnity . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Section 6.08. Replacement of Indenture Trustee . . . . . . . . . . 42
Section 6.09. Successor Indenture Trustee by Merger . . . . . . . . 43
Section 6.10. Appointment of Co-Indenture Trustee or Separate
Indenture Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Section 6.11. Eligibility; Disqualification . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Section 6.12. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer . . 45
ARTICLE VII
NOTEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS
Section 7.01. Issuer To Furnish Indenture Trustee Names and
Addresses of Noteholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Section 7.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to
Noteholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Section 7.03. Reports by Issuer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Section 7.04. Reports by Indenture Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
ARTICLE VIII
ACCOUNTS, DISBURSEMENTS AND RELEASES
Section 8.01. Collection of Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Section 8.02. Trust Accounts; Distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Section 8.03. General Provisions Regarding Accounts . . . . . . . . 49
Section 8.04. Servicer's Monthly Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Section 8.05. Release of Collateral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Section 8.06. Opinion of Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of
Noteholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Section 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Noteholders . 52
Section 9.03. Execution of Supplemental Indentures . . . . . . . . 53
Section 9.04. Effect of Supplemental Indentures . . . . . . . . . . 53
Section 9.05. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . 53
Section 9.06. Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures . . . . 54
Section 9.07. Amendments to Trust Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . 54
ARTICLE X
REDEMPTION OF NOTES
Section 10.01. Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Section 10.02. Form of Redemption Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Section 10.03. Notes Payable on Redemption Date . . . . . . . . . . 56
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.01. Compliance Certificates and Opinions, etc. . . . . . 57
Section 11.02. Form of Documents Delivered to Indenture Trustee . . 58
Section 11.03. Acts of Noteholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Section 11.04. Notices, etc., to Indenture Trustee, Issuer and
Rating Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Section 11.05. Notices to Noteholders; Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Section 11.06. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . 60
Section 11.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents . . . . . . 61
Section 11.08. Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Section 11.09. Separability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Section 11.10. Benefits of Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Section 11.11. Legal Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Section 11.12. GOVERNING LAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Section 11.13. Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Section 11.14. Recording of Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Section 11.15. Trust Obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Section 11.16. No Petition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Section 11.17. Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
EXHIBITS
SCHEDULE A - Schedule of Home Loans
EXHIBIT A - Form of Notes
This Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1997, and amended and restated as
of April 1, 1997, with effect from and as of March 1, 1997 between EMPIRE
FUNDING HOME LOAN OWNER TRUST 1997-1, a Delaware business trust, as Issuer
(the "Issuer"), and FIRST BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Indenture Trustee
(the "Indenture Trustee"),
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee have heretofore executed
and delivered an Indenture dated as of March 1, 1997 (the "Original
Indenture"); and
WHEREAS, Section 9.02 of the Original Indenture provides that the Issuer
and the Indenture Trustee, when authorized by an Issuer Order, may, with
prior consent of the Rating Agencies, and with the consent of the Holders of
not less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the Notes, enter into
an indenture or indentures supplemental thereto for the purpose of adding any
provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions
thereof, or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes
thereunder; and
WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee deem it advisable to amend
and restate the Original Indenture; and
WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee have duly authorized the
execution and delivery of this amendment and restatement of the Original
Indenture and have done all things necessary to make this amended and
restated Indenture a valid agreement of the parties hereto, in accordance
with its terms.
NOW THEREFORE, each party hereto agrees as follows for the benefit of
the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the
Issuer's Class A-1 7.00% Home Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class A-1
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Notes"), Class A-2 7.06% Home Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class A-2
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Notes"), Class A-3 7.17% Home Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class A-3
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Notes"), Class A-4 7.77% Home Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class A-4
----- ---------
Notes"), Class A-5 7.51% Home Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class A-5
----- ----------
Notes"), Class M-1 7.89% Home Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class M-1 Notes")
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and Class M-2 8.08% Home Loan Asset Backed Notes (the "Class M-2 Notes" and,-
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together with the Class A-1, Class A-2, Class A-3, Class A-4, Class A-5 and
Class M-1 Notes, the "Notes"):
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GRANTING CLAUSE
Subject to the terms of this Indenture, the Issuer hereby Grants to the
Indenture Trustee at the Closing Date, as Indenture Trustee for the benefit
of the holders of the Notes, all of the Issuer's right, title and interest in
and to: (i) the Trust Estate (as defined in the Sale and Servicing
Agreement); (ii) all right, title and interest of the Issuer in the Sale and
Servicing Agreement (including the Issuer's right to cause the Transferor to
repurchase Home Loans from the Issuer under certain circumstances described
therein); (iii) all present and future claims, demands, causes of action and
choses in action in respect of any or all of the foregoing and all payments
on or under and all proceeds of every kind and nature whatsoever in respect
of any or all of the foregoing, including all proceeds of the conversion
thereof, voluntary or involuntary, into cash or other liquid property, all
cash proceeds, accounts, accounts receivable, notes, drafts,
acceptances, chattel paper, checks, deposit accounts, insurance proceeds,
condemnation awards, rights to payment of any and every kind and other forms
of obligations and receivables, instruments and other property which at any
time constitute all or part of or are included in the proceeds of any of the
foregoing; (iv) all funds on deposit from time to time in the Trust Accounts
(including the Certificate Distribution Account); and (v) all other property
of the Trust from time to time (collectively, the "Collateral").
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The foregoing Grant is made in trust to secure the payment of principal
of and interest on, and any other amounts owing in respect of, the Notes, and
to secure compliance with the provisions of this Indenture, all as provided
in this Indenture.
The Indenture Trustee, as Indenture Trustee on behalf of the holders of
the Notes, acknowledges such Grant, accepts the trusts hereunder and agrees
to perform its duties required in this Indenture to the best of its ability
to the end that the interests of the holders of the Notes may be adequately
and effectively protected. The Indenture Trustee agrees and acknowledges
that the Indenture Trustee's Home Loan Files will be held by the Custodian
for the benefit of the Indenture Trustee in St. Xxxx, Minnesota. The
Indenture Trustee further agrees and acknowledges that each other item of
Collateral that is physically delivered to the Indenture Trustee will be held
by the Indenture Trustee in St. Xxxx, Minnesota.
ARTICLE I
Definitions
Section 1.01. Definitions. (a) Except as otherwise specified herein
-----------
or as the context may otherwise require, the following terms have the
respective meanings set forth below for all purposes of this Indenture.
"Act" has the meaning specified in Section 11.03(a).
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"Administration Agreement" means the Administration Agreement dated as
------------------------
of March 1, 1997, among the Administrator, the Issuer and the Indenture
Trustee.
"Administrator" means First Bank National Association, a national
-------------
banking association, or any successor Administrator under the Administration
Agreement.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified Person, any other
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Person controlling or controlled by or under common control with such
specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used
with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and
policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Authorized Officer" means, with respect to the Issuer, any officer of
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the Owner Trustee who is authorized to act for the Owner Trustee in matters
relating to the Issuer and who is identified on the list of Authorized
Officers delivered by the Owner Trustee to the Indenture Trustee on the
Closing Date (as such list may be modified or supplemented from time to time
thereafter) and, so long as the Administration Agreement is in effect, any
Vice President or more senior officer of the Administrator who is authorized
to act for the Administrator in matters relating to the Issuer and to be
acted upon by the Administrator pursuant to the Administration Agreement and
who is identified on the list of Authorized Officers delivered by the
Administrator to the Indenture Trustee on the Closing Date (as such list may
be modified or supplemented from time to time thereafter).
"Basic Documents" means the Certificate of Trust, the Trust Agreement,
---------------
this Indenture, the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Administration
Agreement, the Custodial Agreement, the Note Depository Agreement, the
Certificate Depository Agreement and other documents and certificates
delivered in connection therewith.
"Book-Entry Notes" means a beneficial interest in the Class A-1, Class
----------------
A-2, Class A-3, Class X-0, Xxxxx X-0, Class M-1 or Class M-2 Notes, ownership
and transfers of which shall be made through book entries by a Clearing
Agency as described in Section 2.10.
------------
"Business Day" means any day other than (i) a Saturday or a Sunday, or
------------
(ii) a day on which banking institutions in New York City or the city in
which the corporate trust office of the Indenture Trustee is located are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to be closed.
"Certificate Depository Agreement" has the meaning specified in Section
--------------------------------
1.01 of the Trust Agreement.
"Certificate of Trust" means the certificate of trust of the Issuer
--------------------
substantially in the form of Exhibit B to the Trust Agreement.
---------
"Class A-1 Notes", "Class A-2 Notes", "Class A-3 Notes", "Class A-4
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------
Notes", "Class A-5 Notes", "Class M-1 Notes" and "Class M-2 Notes" shall each
_____ _______________ --------------- ---------------
have the meaning assigned thereto in the "WITNESSETH THAT" Clause of this
Indenture.
"Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "clearing
---------------
agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
"Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other
---------------------------
financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Clearing
Agency effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with
the Clearing Agency.
"Closing Date" means March 31, 1997.
------------
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
----
time, and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Collateral" has the meaning specified in the Granting Clause of this
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Indenture.
"Company" means Empire Funding Corp., an Oklahoma corporation or any
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successor in interest thereto.
"Contract of Insurance Holder" shall mean EFC Securitized Assets, L.C..
----------------------------
in its capacity as contract of insurance holder under the Sale and Servicing
Agreement.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Indenture
----------------------
Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be
administered, which office at date of execution of this Agreement is located
at 000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xx. Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000; Attention: Corporate
Trust Department, or at such other address as the Indenture Trustee may
designate from time to time by notice to the Noteholders and the Issuer, or
the principal corporate trust office of any successor Indenture Trustee at
the address designated by such successor Indenture Trustee by notice to the
Noteholders and the Issuer.
"DCR" means, Duff & Xxxxxx Credit Rating Co., or any successor thereto.
---
"Default" means any occurrence that is, or with notice or the lapse of
-------
time or both would become, an Event of Default.
"Definitive Notes" has the meaning specified in Section 2.12.
---------------- ------------
"Depositor" shall mean Financial Asset Securities Corp., a Delaware
---------
corporation, in its capacity as depositor under the Sale and Servicing
Agreement, and its successor in interest.
"Depository Institution" means any depository institution or trust
----------------------
company, including the Indenture Trustee, that (a) is incorporated under the
laws of the United States of America or any State thereof, (b) is subject to
supervision and examination by federal or state banking authorities and
(c) has outstanding unsecured commercial paper or other short-term unsecured
debt obligations that are rated A-1 by Standard & Poor's, Fitch and DCR (or
comparable ratings if S&P, Fitch and DCR are not the Rating Agencies).
"Distribution Date" means the 25th day of any month or if such 25th day
-----------------
is not a Business Day, the first Business Day immediately following such day,
commencing in April 1997.
"Due Period" means, with respect to any Distribution Date and any Class
----------
of Notes, the calendar month immediately preceding the month of such
Distribution Date.
"Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.
---------------- ------------
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
------------
"Executive Officer" means, with respect to any corporation, the Chief
-----------------
Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer,
President, Executive Vice President, any Vice President, the Secretary or the
Treasurer of such corporation; and with respect to any partnership, any
general partner thereof.
"Final Scheduled Distribution Date" means with respect to any Class of
---------------------------------
Notes, the Distribution Date in March 2023.
"Grant" means mortgage, pledge, bargain, sell, warrant, alienate,
-----
remise, release, convey, assign, transfer, create, and xxxxx x xxxx upon and
a security interest in and right of set-off against, deposit, set over and
confirm pursuant to this Indenture. A Grant of the Collateral or of any
other agreement or instrument shall include all rights, powers and options
(but none of the obligations) of the granting party thereunder, including the
immediate and continuing right to claim for, collect, receive and give
receipt for principal and interest payments in respect of the Collateral and
all other moneys payable thereunder, to give and receive notices and other
communications, to make waivers or other agreements, to exercise all rights
and options, to bring Proceedings in the name of the granting party or
otherwise, and generally to do and receive anything that the granting party
is or may be entitled to do or receive thereunder or with respect thereto.
"Holder" or "Noteholder" means the Person in whose name a Note is
------ ----------
registered on the Note Register.
"Indenture Trustee" means First Bank National Association, a national
-----------------
banking corporation, as Indenture Trustee under this Indenture, or any
successor Indenture Trustee under this Indenture.
"Independent" means, when used with respect to any specified Person,
-----------
that the Person (a) is in fact independent of the Issuer, any other obligor
on the Notes, the Transferor and any Affiliate of any of the foregoing
Persons, (b) does not have any direct financial interest or any material
indirect financial interest in the Issuer, any such other obligor, the
Transferor or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing Persons and (c)
is not connected with the Issuer, any such other obligor, the Transferor
or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing Persons as an officer, employee,
promoter, underwriter, trustee, partner, director or person performing
similar functions.
"Independent Certificate" means a certificate or opinion to be delivered
-----------------------
to the Indenture Trustee under the circumstances described in, and otherwise
complying with, the applicable requirements of Section 11.01, made by an
-------------
Independent appraiser or other expert appointed by an Issuer Order and
approved by the Indenture Trustee in the exercise of reasonable care, and
such opinion or certificate shall state that the signer has read the
definition of "Independent" in this Indenture and that the signer is
Independent within the meaning thereof.
"Issuer" means Empire Funding Home Loan Owner Trust 1997-1 until a
------
successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor and, for purposes
of any provision contained herein and required by the TIA, each other obligor
on the Notes.
"Issuer Order" and "Issuer Request" mean a written order or request
------------ --------------
signed in the name of the Issuer by any one of its Authorized Officers and
delivered to the Indenture Trustee.
"Note" means a Class A-1 Note, Class A-2 Note, Class A-3 Note, Class A-4
----
Note, Class A-5 Note, Class M-1 Note or Class M-2 Note, as applicable.
"Note Depository Agreement" means the agreement to be entered into among
-------------------------
the Issuer, the Administrator, the Indenture Trustee and The Depository Trust
Company, as the initial Clearing Agency relating to the Book Entry Notes.
"Note Interest Rate" means, with respect to any Class of Notes, the
------------------
applicable per annum rate specified below (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year assumed to consist of twelve 30-day months):
Class A-1: 7.00%
Class A-2: 7.06%
Class A-3: 7.17%
Class A-4: 7.77%
Class A-5: 7.51%
Class M-1: 7.89%
Class M-2: 8.08%
"Note Owner" means, with respect to a Book-Entry Note, the Person who
----------
is the beneficial owner of such Book-Entry Note, as reflected on the books of
the Clearing Agency or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with
such Clearing Agency (directly as a Clearing Agency Participant or as an
indirect participant, in each case in accordance with the rules of such
Clearing Agency).
"Note Register" and "Note Registrar" have the respective meanings
------------- --------------
specified in Section 2.03.
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"Officer's Certificate" means a certificate signed by any Authorized
---------------------
Officer of the Issuer or the Administrator, under the circumstances described
in, and otherwise complying with, the applicable requirements of Section
-------
11.01, and delivered to the Indenture Trustee. Unless otherwise specified,
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any reference in this Indenture to an Officer's Certificate shall be to an
Officer's Certificate of any Authorized Officer of the Issuer or the
Administrator.
"Opinion of Counsel" means one or more written opinions of counsel who
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may, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, be employees
of or counsel to the Issuer and who shall be satisfactory to the Indenture
Trustee, and which opinion or opinions shall be addressed to the Indenture
Trustee, as Indenture Trustee, and shall comply with any applicable
requirements of Section 11.01 and shall be in form and substance satisfactory
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to the Indenture Trustee.
"Outstanding" means, with respect to any Note and as of the date of
-----------
determination, any Note theretofore authenticated and delivered under this
Indenture except:
(i) Notes theretofore canceled by the Note Registrar or delivered
to the Note Registrar for cancellation;
(ii) Notes or portions thereof the payment for which money in the
necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Indenture
Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust for the Holders of such Notes
(provided, however, that if such Notes are to be redeemed, notice of
such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or
provision for such notice has been made, satisfactory to the Indenture
Trustee);
(iii) Notes in exchange for or in lieu of which other Notes
have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture unless
proof satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee is presented that any such
Notes are held by a bona fide purchaser; provided, that in determining
whether the Holders of the requisite Outstanding Amount of the Notes
have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, or waiver hereunder or under any Basic Document, Notes owned by
the Issuer, any other obligor upon the Notes, the Transferor or any
Affiliate of any of the foregoing Persons shall be disregarded and
deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the
Indenture Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, or waiver, only Notes
that the Indenture Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.
Notes so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as
Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Indenture Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such
Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer, any other obligor upon the
Notes, the Transferor or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing Persons;
and
(iv) Notes for which the related Final Scheduled Distribution Date
has occurred.
"Outstanding Amount" means the aggregate principal amount of all Notes,
------------------
or Class of Notes, as applicable, Outstanding at the date of determination.
"Owner Trustee" means Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual
-------------
capacity but solely as Owner Trustee under the Trust Agreement, or any
successor Owner Trustee under the Trust Agreement.
"Paying Agent" means the Indenture Trustee or any other Person that
------------
meets the eligibility standards for the Indenture Trustee specified in
Section 6.11 and is authorized by the Issuer to make payments to and
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distributions from the Note Distribution Account, including payment of
principal of or interest on the Notes on behalf of the Issuer.
"Payment Date" means any Distribution Date.
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"Person" means any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint
------
venture, association, joint stock company, trust (including any beneficiary
thereof), unincorporated organization, limited liability company, limited
liability partnership, or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.
"Predecessor Note" means, with respect to any particular Note, every
----------------
previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced
by such particular Note; and, for the purpose of this definition, any Note
authenticated and delivered under Section 2.04 in lieu of a mutilated, lost,
------------
destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the
mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note.
"Proceeding" means any suit in equity, action at law or other judicial
----------
or administrative proceeding.
"Rating Agency Condition" means, with respect to any applicable action,
-----------------------
that each Rating Agency shall have been given 10 days (or such shorter period
as is acceptable to each Rating Agency) prior notice thereof and that each of
the Rating Agencies shall have notified the Depositor, the Servicer and the
Issuer in writing that such action will not result in a reduction or
withdrawal of the then current rating of the Notes.
"Rating Agency" means any or all of (i) Standard & Poor's or (ii) DCR.
-------------
If no such organization or successor is any longer in existence, "Rating
Agency" shall be a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or
other comparable Person rating the Notes.
"Record Date" means, as to each Distribution Date, the last Business Day
-----------
of the month immediately preceding the month in which such Distribution Date
occurs.
"Redemption Date" means in the case of a redemption of the Notes
---------------
pursuant to Section 10.01, the Distribution Date specified by the Servicer
-------------
or the Issuer pursuant to Section 10.01.
-------------
"Registered Holder" means the Person in whose name a Note is registered
-----------------
on the Note Register on the applicable Record Date.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Indenture Trustee, any
-------------------
officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Indenture Trustee, including
any Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer, Assistant
Secretary or any other officer of the Indenture Trustee customarily performing
functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers
and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to whom
such matter is referred because of such officer's knowledge of and
familiarity with the particular subject.
"Sale and Servicing Agreement" means the Sale and Servicing Agreement
----------------------------
dated as of March 1, 1997, and amended and restated as of April 1, 1997,
among the Issuer, Financial Asset Securities Corp., as Depositor, and Empire
Funding Corp., as Transferor, Servicer and Claims Administrator, EFC
Securitized Assets, L.C., as Contract of Insurance Holder, and First Bank
National Association, as Indenture Trustee and Co-Owner Trustee.
"Schedule of Home Loans" means the listing of the Home Loans set forth
----------------------
in Schedule A, as supplemented as of any date on which a Deleted Home Loan
----------
has been repurchased from the Trust or substituted with a Qualified Home Loan
pursuant to Section 3.06 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
------------
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
--------------
"Servicer" shall mean Empire Funding Corp. in its capacity as servicer
--------
under the Sale and Servicing Agreement, and any Successor Servicer
thereunder.
"Standard & Poor's means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of
-----------------
The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies, Inc or any successor thereto.
"State" means any one of the States of the United States of America or
-----
the District of Columbia.
"Successor Servicer" has the meaning specified in Section 3.07(e).
------------------ ---------------
"Termination Price" means in the case of a redemption of the Notes
-----------------
pursuant to Section 10.01, an amount equal to the aggregate of the Class
-------------
Principal Balances of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon at
the respective Interest Rates thereof to but excluding the Redemption Date,
plus any unpaid Trust Fees and Expenses.
"Trust Indenture Act" or "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as
------------------- ---
in force on the date hereof, unless otherwise specifically provided.
"UCC" means, unless the context otherwise requires, the Uniform
---
Commercial Code, as in effect in the relevant jurisdiction, as amended from
time to time.
(b) Except as otherwise specified herein or as the context may
otherwise require, capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein
have the respective meanings set forth in the Sale and Servicing Agreement
for all purposes of this Indenture.
Section 1.02. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. (a)
-------------------------------------------------
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following
TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
"indenture securities" means the Notes.
--------------------
"indenture security holder" means a Noteholder.
-------------------------
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.
-------------------------
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Indenture
----------------- ---------------------
Trustee.
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Issuer and any other
-------
obligor on the indenture securities.
(b) All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the
TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by Commission
rule have the meaning assigned to them by such definitions.
Section 1.03. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise
---------------------
requires:
(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned
to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as in
effect from time to time;
(iii) "or" is not exclusive;
(iv) "including" means including without limitation;
(v) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural
include the singular; and
(vi) any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein
or in any instrument or certificate delivered in connection herewith means
such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified
or supplemented (as provided in such agreements) and includes (in the case of
agreements or instruments) references to all attachments thereto and
instruments incorporated therein; references to a Person are also to its
permitted successors and assigns.
ARTICLE II
THE NOTES
Section 2.01. Form. The Notes shall be designated as the "Empire
----
Funding Home Loan Owner Trust 1997-1 Asset Backed Notes, Series 1997-1".
Each Class of Notes shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit
-------
A hereto, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and
-
other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have
such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or
endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by
the officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution thereof.
Any portion of the text of any Note may be set forth on the reverse thereof,
with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Note.
The Definitive Notes shall be typewritten, printed, lithographed or
engraved or produced by any combination of these methods, all as determined
by the officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such
Notes.
Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of
the Notes are set forth in Exhibit A. The terms of each Class of Notes are
---------
part of the terms of this Indenture.
Section 2.02. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. The
----------------------------------------------
Notes shall be executed on behalf of the Issuer by an Authorized Officer of
the Owner Trustee or the Administrator. The signature of any such Authorized
Officer on the Notes may be manual or facsimile.
Notes bearing the manual or facsimile signature of individuals who were
at any time Authorized Officers of the Owner Trustee or the Administrator
shall bind the Issuer, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them
have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of
such Notes or did not hold such offices at the date of such Notes.
Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.08,
------------
the Indenture Trustee shall upon Issuer Order authenticate and deliver the
seven Classes of Notes for original issue in the following principal amounts:
Class A-1, $21,750,000; Class A-2, $7,400,000; Class A-3, $8,500,000; Class
A-4, $11,791,000; Class A-5, $4,250,000; Class M-1, $8,978,000; Class M-2,
$7,721,000. The aggregate principal amounts of such Classes of Notes
outstanding at any time may not exceed such respective amounts.
The Notes that are authenticated and delivered by the Indenture Trustee
to or upon the order of the Issuer on the Closing Date shall be dated March
31, 1997. All other Notes that are authenticated after the Closing Date for
any other purpose under the Indenture shall be dated the date of their
authentication. The Notes shall be issuable as registered Notes in the
minimum denomination of $25,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess
thereof.
No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Note a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Indenture Trustee by the manual signature of one of
its authorized signatories, and such certificate upon any Note shall be
conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly
authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 2.03. Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange. The
---------------------------------------------------
Issuer shall cause to be kept a register (the "Note Register") in which,
-------------
subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuer shall
provide for the registration of Notes and the registration of transfers of
Notes. The Indenture Trustee initially shall be the "Note Registrar" for the
purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein provided. Upon
any resignation of any Note Registrar, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a
successor or, if it elects not to make such an appointment, assume the duties
of Note Registrar.
If a Person other than the Indenture Trustee is appointed by the Issuer
as Note Registrar, the Issuer will give the Indenture Trustee prompt written
notice of the appointment of such Note Registrar and of the location, and any
change in the location, of the Note Register, and the Indenture Trustee shall
have the right to inspect the Note Register at all reasonable times and to
obtain copies thereof, and the Indenture Trustee shall have the right to rely
upon a certificate executed on behalf of the Note Registrar by an Executive
Officer thereof as to the names and addresses of the Holders of the Notes and
the principal amounts and number of such Notes.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or
agency of the Issuer to be maintained as provided in Section 3.02, the
------------
Issuer shall execute, and the Indenture Trustee shall authenticate and the
Noteholder shall obtain from the Indenture Trustee, in the name of the
designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes of the same Class
in any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount.
At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of
the same Class in any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal
amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency.
Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute,
and the Indenture Trustee shall authenticate and the Noteholder shall obtain
from the Indenture Trustee, the Notes which the Noteholder making the
exchange is entitled to receive.
All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes
shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and
entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Notes surrendered
upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or
exchange shall be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument
of transfer in form satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee duly executed by,
the Holder thereof or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, with
such signature guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" meeting the
requirements of the Note Registrar, which requirements include membership or
participation in the Securities Transfer Agent's Medallion Program ("STAMP")
or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Note
Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance
with the Exchange Act.
No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of
transfer or exchange of Notes, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed
in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, other
than exchanges pursuant to Section 9.06 not involving any transfer.
------------
The preceding provisions of this Section notwithstanding, the Issuer
shall not be required to make and the Note Registrar need not register
transfers or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption or of any Note for a
period of 15 days preceding the due date for any payment with respect to such
Note.
Section 2.04. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. If (i) any
------------------------------------------
mutilated Note is surrendered to the Indenture Trustee, or the Indenture
Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or
theft of any Note, and (ii) there is delivered to the Indenture Trustee such
security or indemnity as may be reasonably required by it to hold the Issuer
and the Indenture Trustee harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the
Issuer, the Note Registrar or the Indenture Trustee that such Note has been
acquired by a bona fide purchaser, an Authorized Officer of the Owner Trustee
or the Administrator on behalf of the Issuer shall execute, and upon its
request the Indenture Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for
or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note, a
replacement Note of the same Class; provided, however, that if any such
destroyed, lost or stolen Note, but not a mutilated Note, shall have become
or within seven days shall be due and payable, or shall have been called for
redemption, instead of issuing a replacement Note, the Issuer may pay such
destroyed, lost or stolen Note when so due or payable or upon the Redemption
Date without surrender thereof. If, after the delivery of such replacement
Note or payment of a destroyed, lost or stolen Note pursuant to the proviso
to the preceding sentence, a bona fide purchaser of the original Note in lieu
of which such replacement Note was issued presents for payment such original
Note, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee shall be entitled to recover such
replacement Note (or such payment) from the Person to whom it was delivered
or any Person taking such replacement Note from such Person to whom such
replacement Note was delivered or any assignee of such Person, except a bona
fide purchaser, and shall be entitled to recover upon the security or
indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage, cost or
expense incurred by the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee in connection
therewith.
Upon the issuance of any replacement Note under this Section, the Issuer
may require the payment by the Holder of such Note of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation
thereto and any other reasonable expenses (including the fees and expenses of
the Indenture Trustee) connected therewith.
Every replacement Note issued pursuant to this Section in replacement of
any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall constitute an original
additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be at any time enforceable by
anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally
and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement
or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.
Section 2.05. Persons Deemed Owner. Prior to due presentment for
--------------------
registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and
any agent of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee may treat the Person in
whose name any Note is registered (as of the day of determination) as the
owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of and
interest, if any, on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether
or not such Note be overdue, and none of the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee or
any agent of the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee shall be affected by notice
to the contrary.
Section 2.06. Payment of Principal and Interest; Defaulted Interest.
-----------------------------------------------------
(a) Each Class of Notes shall accrue interest at the related Note Interest
Rate, and such interest shall be payable on each Distribution Date as
specified in Exhibit A hereto, subject to Section 3.01. Any installment of
------------
interest or principal, if any, payable on any Note that is punctually paid or
duly provided for by the Issuer on the applicable Distribution Date shall be
paid to the Person in whose name such Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes)
is registered on the Record Date by check mailed first-class postage prepaid
to such Person's address as it appears on the Note Register on such Record
Date, except that, unless Definitive Notes have been issued pursuant to
Section 2.12, with respect to Notes registered on the Record Date in the
------------
name of the nominee of the Clearing Agency (initially, such nominee to be
Cede & Co.), payment will be made by wire transfer in immediately available
funds to the account designated by such nominee and except for the final
installment of principal payable with respect to such Note on a Distribution
Date or on the applicable Final Scheduled Distribution Date for such Class of
Notes (and except for the Termination Price for any Note called for
redemption pursuant to Section 10.01), which shall be payable as provided in
-------------
Section 2.06(b) below. The funds represented by any such checks returned
---------------
undelivered shall be held in accordance with Section 3.03.
------------
(b) The principal of each Note shall be payable in installments on each
Distribution Date as provided in the forms of the Notes set forth in Exhibit
-------
A hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the entire unpaid principal amount
-
of the Notes of a Class of Notes shall be due and payable, if not previously
paid, on the earlier of (i) the applicable Final Scheduled Distribution Date
of such Class, (ii) the Redemption Date or (iii) the date on which an Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, if the Indenture Trustee or
the Holders of Notes representing not less than a majority of the Outstanding
Amount of the Notes have declared the Notes to be immediately due and payable
in the manner provided in Section 5.02. All principal payments
------------
on each Class of Notes shall be made pro rata to the Noteholders of such
Class entitled thereto. The Indenture Trustee shall notify the Person in
whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on the Record Date
preceding the Distribution Date on which the Issuer expects that the final
installment of principal of and interest on such Note will be paid. Such
notice shall be mailed or transmitted by facsimile prior to such final
Distribution Date and shall specify that such final installment will be
payable only upon presentation and surrender of such Note and shall specify
the place where such Note may be presented and surrendered for payment of
such installment. Notices in connection with redemptions of Notes shall be
mailed to Noteholders as provided in Section 10.02.
-------------
Section 2.07. Cancellation. All Notes surrendered for payment,
------------
registration of transfer, exchange or redemption shall, if surrendered to any
Person other than the Indenture Trustee, be delivered to the Indenture
Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by the Indenture Trustee. The Issuer
may at any time deliver to the Indenture Trustee for cancellation any Notes
previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Issuer may have
acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Notes so delivered shall be
promptly canceled by the Indenture Trustee. No Notes shall be authenticated
in lieu of or in exchange for any Notes canceled as provided in this
Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled
Notes may be held or disposed of by the Indenture Trustee in accordance
with its standard retention or disposal policy as in effect at the time
unless the Issuer shall direct by an Issuer Order that they be destroyed or
returned to it; provided, that such Issuer Order is timely and the Notes
have not been previously disposed of by the Indenture Trustee.
Section 2.08. Conditions Precedent to the Authentication of the Notes.
-------------------------------------------------------
The Notes may be authenticated by the Indenture Trustee, upon Issuer
Request and upon receipt by the Indenture Trustee of the following:
(a) An Issuer Order authorizing the execution and authentication of
such Notes by the Issuer.
(b) All of the items of Collateral which shall be delivered to the
Indenture Trustee or its designee.
(c) An executed counterpart of the Trust Agreement.
(d) An Opinion of Counsel addressed to the Indenture Trustee to the
effect that:
(i) all instruments furnished to the Indenture Trustee as
conditions precedent to the authentication of the Notes by the Indenture
Trustee pursuant to the Indenture conform to the requirements of this
Indenture and constitute all the documents required to be delivered
hereunder for the Indenture Trustee to authenticate the Notes;
(ii) all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture
relating to the authentication of the Notes have been complied with;
(iii) the Owner Trustee and Co-Owner Trustee have power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform their obligations under the
Trust Agreement;
(iv) the Issuer has been duly formed, is validly existing as a
business trust under the laws of the State of Delaware, 12 Del. C.
Section 3801, et seq., and has power, authority and legal right to
execute and deliver this Indenture, the Administration Agreement and the
Sale and Servicing Agreement;
(v) assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by
the Indenture Trustee, the Indenture is the valid, legal and binding
obligation of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement,
moratorium, fraudulent or preferential conveyance and other similar laws
of general application affecting the rights of creditors generally and
to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement
is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);
(vi) the Notes, when executed and authenticated as provided herein
and delivered against payment therefor, will be the valid, legal and
binding obligations of the Issuer pursuant to the terms of this
Indenture, entitled to the benefits of this Indenture, and will be
enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium, fraudulent or
preferential conveyance and other similar laws of general application
affecting the rights of creditors generally and to general principles of
equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law);
(vii) the Trust Agreement authorizes the Issuer to Grant the
Collateral to the Indenture Trustee as security for the Notes and the
Owner Trustee has taken all necessary action under the Trust Agreement
to Grant the Collateral to the Indenture Trustee;
(viii) this Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939;
(ix) this Indenture, together with the Grant of the Collateral to
the Indenture Trustee, creates a valid security interest in the
Collateral in favor of the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the
Noteholders;
(x) such action has been taken with respect to delivery of
possession of the Collateral, and with respect to the execution and
filing of this Indenture and any financing statements as are necessary
to make effective and to perfect a first priority security interest
created by this Indenture in the Collateral in favor of the Indenture
Trustee, except that with respect to the Debt Instruments, possession of
such Debt Instruments must be maintained by the Indenture Trustee or an
agent of the Indenture Trustee (other than the Issuer), an Affiliate of
the Issuer, or a "securities intermediary," as defined in Section 8.102
of the UCC, an agent of the Indenture Trustee; and
(xi) no authorization, approval or consent of any governmental body
having jurisdiction in the premises which has not been obtained by the
Issuer is required to be obtained by the Issuer for the valid issuance
and delivery of the Notes, except that no opinion need be expressed with
respect to any such authorizations, approvals or consents as may be
required under any state securities "blue sky" laws.
(e) An Officer's Certificate complying with the requirements of
Section 11.01 and stating that:
-------------
(i) the Issuer is not in Default under this Indenture and the
issuance of the Notes applied for will not result in any breach of any
of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default
under, the Trust Agreement, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or
other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which
it is bound, or any order of any court or administrative agency entered
in any proceeding to which the Issuer is a party or by which it may be
bound or to which it may be subject, and that all conditions precedent
provided in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery
of the Notes applied for have been complied with;
(ii) the Issuer is the owner of all of the Home Loans, has not
assigned any interest or participation in the Home Loans (or, if any
such interest or participation has been assigned, it has been released)
and has the right to Grant all of the Home Loans to the Indenture
Trustee;
(iii) the Issuer has Granted to the Indenture Trustee all of
its right, title, and interest in the Collateral, and has delivered or
caused the same to be delivered to the Indenture Trustee;
(iv) attached thereto are true and correct copies of letters signed
by Standard & Poor's and DCR confirming that the Class A-1, Class A-2,
Class A-3, Class A-4 and Class A-5 Notes have been rated "AAA" and
letters signed by Standard & Poor's and DCR confirming that the Class M-
1 Notes have been rated "AA", the Class M-2 Notes have been rated "A"
and the Certificates have been rated "BBB+"; and
(v) all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture
relating to the authentication of the Notes have been complied with.
Section 2.09. Release of Collateral. (a) Except as otherwise provided
---------------------
in subsections (b) and (c) hereof and Section 11.01 and the terms of the
--------------
Basic Documents, the Indenture Trustee shall release property from the lien
of this Indenture only upon receipt of an Issuer Request accompanied by an
Officer's Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel and Independent Certificates in
accordance with TIA Sections 314(c) and 314(d)(l) or an Opinion of Counsel in
lieu of such Independent Certificates to the effect that the TIA does not
require any such Independent Certificates.
(b) The Servicer, on behalf of the Issuer, shall be entitled to obtain
a release from the lien of this Indenture for any Home Loan and the related
Mortgaged Property at any time (i) after a payment by the Transferor or the
Issuer of the Purchase Price of the Home Loan, (ii) after a Qualified
Substitute Home Loan is substituted for such Home Loan and payment of the
Substitution Adjustment, if any, (iii) after liquidation of the Home Loan in
accordance with Section 4.13 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement and the
deposit of all Recoveries thereon in the Collection Account, or (iv) upon the
termination of a Home Loan (due to, among other causes, a prepayment in full
of the Home Loan and sale or other disposition of the related Mortgaged
Property), if the Issuer delivers to the Indenture Trustee an Issuer Request
(A) identifying the Home Loan and the related Mortgaged Property to be
released, (B) requesting the release thereof, (C) setting forth the amount
deposited in the Collection Account with respect thereto, and (D) certifying
that the amount deposited in the Collection Account (x) equals the Purchase
Price of the Home Loan, in the event a Home Loan and the related Mortgaged
Property are being released from the lien of this Indenture pursuant to item
(i) above, (y) equals the Substitution Adjustment related to the Qualified
Substitute Home Loan and the Deleted Home Loan released from the lien of the
Indenture pursuant to item (ii) above, or (z) equals the entire amount of
Recoveries received with respect to such Home Loan and the related Mortgaged
Property in the event of a release from the lien of this Indenture pursuant
to items (iii) or (iv) above.
(c) The Indenture Trustee shall, if requested by the Servicer,
temporarily release or cause the Custodian to temporarily release to the
Servicer the Indenture Trustee's Home Loan File pursuant to the provisions of
Section 7.02 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement upon compliance by the
Servicer of the provisions thereof provided that the Indenture Trustee's Home
Loan File shall have been stamped to signify the Issuer's pledge to the
Indenture Trustee under the Indenture.
Section 2.10. Book-Entry Notes. The Notes, when authorized by an
----------------
Issuer Order, will be issued in the form of typewritten Notes representing
the Book-Entry Notes, to be delivered to The Depository Trust Company, the
initial Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Issuer. The Book-Entry
Notes shall be registered initially on the Note Register in the name of Cede
& Co., the nominee of the initial Clearing Agency, and no Owner thereof will
receive a definitive Note representing such Note Owner's interest in such
Note, except as provided in Section 2.12. Unless and until definitive, fully
------------
registered Notes (the "Definitive Notes") have been issued to such Note
Owners pursuant to Section 2.12:
------------
(i) the provisions of this Section shall be in full force and
effect;
(ii) the Note Registrar and the Indenture Trustee shall be entitled
to deal with the Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Indenture
(including the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes and the
giving of instructions or directions hereunder) as the sole holder of
the Notes, and shall have no obligation to the Note Owners;
(iii) to the extent that the provisions of this Section
conflict with any other provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of
this Section shall control;
(iv) the rights of Note Owners shall be exercised only through the
Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those established by law and
agreements between such Note Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the
Clearing Agency Participants pursuant to the Note Depository Agreement.
Unless and until Definitive Notes are issued pursuant to Section 2.12,
------------
the initial Clearing Agency will make book-entry transfers among the
Clearing Agency Participants and receive and transmit payments of
principal of and interest on the Notes to such Clearing Agency
Participants; and
(v) whenever this Indenture requires or permits actions to be
taken based upon instructions or directions of Holders of Notes
evidencing a specified percentage of the Outstanding Amount of the
Notes, the Clearing Agency shall be deemed to represent such percentage
only to the extent that it has received instructions to such effect from
Note Owners and/or Clearing Agency Participants owning or representing,
respectively, such required percentage of the beneficial interest in the
Notes and has delivered such instructions to the Indenture Trustee.
Section 2.11. Notices to Clearing Agency. Whenever a notice or other
--------------------------
communication to the Noteholders is required under this Indenture, unless and
until Definitive Notes shall have been issued to such Note Owners pursuant to
Section 2.12, the Indenture Trustee shall give all such notices and
------------
communications specified herein to be given to Holders of the Notes to the
Clearing Agency, and shall have no obligation to such Note Owners.
Section 2.12. Definitive Notes. If (i) the Administrator advises the
----------------
Indenture Trustee in writing that the Clearing Agency is no longer willing or
able to properly discharge its responsibilities with respect to the
Book-Entry Notes and the Administrator is unable to locate a qualified
successor, (ii) the Administrator at its option advises the Indenture Trustee
in writing that it elects to terminate the book-entry system through the
Clearing Agency or (iii) after the occurrence of an Event of Default, Owners
of the Book-Entry Notes representing beneficial interests aggregating at
least a majority of the Outstanding Amount of such Notes advise the Clearing
Agency in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through the
Clearing Agency is no longer in the best interests of such Note Owners, then
the Clearing Agency shall notify all Note Owners and the Indenture Trustee of
the occurrence of such event and of the availability of Definitive Notes to
Note Owners requesting the same. Upon surrender to the Indenture Trustee of
the typewritten Notes representing the Book-Entry Notes by the Clearing
Agency, accompanied by registration instructions, the Issuer shall execute
and the Indenture Trustee shall authenticate the Definitive Notes in
accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. None of the Issuer,
the Note Registrar or the Indenture Trustee shall be liable for any delay in
delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be
protected in relying on, such instructions. Upon the issuance of Definitive
Notes, the Indenture Trustee shall recognize the Holders of the Definitive
Notes as Noteholders.
Section 2.13. Tax Treatment. The Issuer has entered into this
-------------
Indenture, and the Notes will be issued, with the intention that for all
purposes, including federal, state and local income, single business and
franchise tax purposes, the Notes will qualify as indebtedness of the Issuer
secured by the Collateral. The Issuer, by entering into this Indenture, and
each Noteholder, by its acceptance of a Note (and each Note Owner by its
acceptance of an interest in the applicable Book-Entry Note), agree to treat
the Notes for all purposes, including federal, state and local income, single
business and franchise tax purposes, as indebtedness of the Issuer.
ARTICLE III
COVENANTS
Section 3.01. Payment of Principal and Interest. The Issuer will duly
---------------------------------
and punctually pay (or will cause to be duly and punctually paid) the
principal of and interest, if any, on the Notes in accordance with the terms
of the Notes and this Indenture. Without limiting the foregoing, subject to
and in accordance with Section 8.02(c), the Issuer will cause to be
---------------
distributed all amounts on deposit in the Note Distribution Account on each
Distribution Date deposited therein pursuant to the Sale and Servicing
Agreement (i) for the benefit of the Class A-1 Notes, to the Class A-1
Noteholders, (ii) for the benefit of the Class A-2 Notes, to the Class A-2
Noteholders, (iii) for the benefit of the Class A-3 Notes, to the Class A-3
Noteholders, (iv) for the benefit of the Class A-4 Notes, to the Class A-4
Noteholders, (v) for the benefit of the Class A-5 Notes, to the Class A-5
Noteholders, (vi) for the benefit of the Class M-1 Notes, to the Class M-1
Noteholders, and (vii) for the benefit of the Class M-2 Notes, to the Class
M-2 Noteholders. Amounts properly withheld under the Code by any Person from
a payment to any Noteholder of interest and/or principal shall be considered
as having been paid by the Issuer to such Noteholder for all purposes of this
Indenture.
The Notes shall be non-recourse obligations of the Issuer and shall be
limited in right of payment to amounts available from the Collateral, as
provided in this Indenture. The Issuer shall not otherwise be liable for
payments on the Notes. If any other provision of this Indenture shall be
deemed to conflict with the provisions of this Section 3.01, the provisions
------------
of this Section 3.01 shall control.
------------
Section 3.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer will or will
-------------------------------
cause the Administrator to maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, an office or agency where Notes may be surrendered for registration
of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer
in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer hereby
initially appoints the Administrator to serve as its agent for the foregoing
purposes and to serve as Paying Agent with respect to the Notes and the
Certificates. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Indenture
Trustee of the location, and of any change in the location, of any such
office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such
office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Indenture Trustee with the
address thereof, such surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served
at the Corporate Trust Office, and the Issuer hereby appoints the Indenture
Trustee as its agent to receive all such surrenders, notices and demands.
Section 3.03. Money for Payments To Be Held in Trust. As provided in
--------------------------------------
Section 8.02(a) and (b), all payments of amounts due and payable with respect
---------------
to any Notes that are to be made from amounts withdrawn from the Collection
Account and the Note Distribution Account pursuant to Section 8.02(c) shall
---------------
be made on behalf of the Issuer by the Indenture Trustee or by the Paying
Agent, and no amounts so withdrawn from the Collection Account and the Note
Distribution Account for payments of Notes shall be paid over to the Issuer
except as provided in this Section.
On or before the Business Day preceding each Distribution Date and
Redemption Date, the Paying Agent shall deposit or cause to be deposited in
the Note Distribution Account an aggregate sum sufficient to pay the amounts
due on such Distribution Date or Redemption Date under the Notes, such sum to
be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless
the Paying Agent is the Indenture Trustee) shall promptly notify the
Indenture Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Any Paying Agent shall be appointed by Issuer Order with written notice
thereof to the Indenture Trustee. Any Paying Agent appointed by the Issuer
shall be a Person who would be eligible to be Indenture Trustee hereunder as
provided in Section 6.11. The Issuer shall not appoint any Paying Agent
------------
(other than the Indenture Trustee) which is not, at the time of such
appointment, a Depository Institution.
The Issuer will cause each Paying Agent other than the Administrator to
execute and deliver to the Indenture Trustee an instrument in which such
Paying Agent shall agree with the Indenture Trustee (and if the Indenture
Trustee acts as Paying Agent, it hereby so agrees), subject to the provisions
of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:
(i) hold all sums held by it for the payment of amounts due with
respect to the Notes in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled
thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise
disposed of as herein provided and pay such sums to such Persons as
herein provided;
(ii) give the Indenture Trustee notice of any default by the Issuer
(or any other obligor upon the Notes) of which it has actual knowledge
in the making of any payment required to be made with respect to the
Notes;
(iii) at any time during the continuance of any such default,
upon the written request of the Indenture Trustee, forthwith pay to the
Indenture Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent;
(iv) immediately resign as a Paying Agent and forthwith pay to the
Indenture Trustee all sums held by it in trust for the payment of Notes
if at any time it ceases to meet the standards required to be met by a
Paying Agent at the time of its appointment; and
(v) comply with all requirements of the Code with respect to the
withholding from any payments made by it on any Notes of any applicable
withholding taxes imposed thereon and with respect to any applicable
reporting requirements in connection therewith; provided, however, that
with respect to withholding and reporting requirements applicable to
original issue discount (if any) on the Notes, the Issuer shall have
first provided the calculations pertaining thereto to the Indenture
Trustee.
The Issuer may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, by
Issuer Order direct any Paying Agent to pay to the Indenture Trustee all sums
held in trust by such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Indenture
Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which the sums were held by such
Paying Agent; and upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Indenture
Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability
with respect to such money.
Subject to applicable laws with respect to escheat of funds or abandoned
property, any money held by the Indenture Trustee or any Paying Agent in
trust for the payment of any amount due with respect to any Note and
remaining unclaimed for two years after such amount has become due and
payable shall be discharged from such trust and be paid to the Issuer on
Issuer Request; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured
general creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof (but only to
the extent of the amounts so paid to the Issuer), and all liability of the
Indenture Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall
thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Indenture Trustee or such Paying
Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense
and direction of the Issuer cause to be published once, in a newspaper
published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day
and of general circulation in The City of New York, notice that such money
remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not
be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance
of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer. The Indenture
Trustee shall also adopt and employ, at the expense and direction of the
Issuer, any other reasonable means of notification of such repayment
(including, but not limited to, mailing notice of such repayment to Holders
whose Notes have been called but have not been surrendered for redemption or
whose right to or interest in moneys due and payable but not claimed is
determinable from the records of the Indenture Trustee or of any Paying
Agent, at the last address of record for each such Holder).
Section 3.04. Existence. (a) Subject to Section 3.04(b), the Issuer
--------- ---------------
will keep in full effect its existence, rights and franchises as a business
trust under the laws of the State of Delaware (unless it becomes, or any
successor Issuer hereunder is or becomes, organized under the laws of any
other State or of the United States of America, in which case the Issuer will
keep in full effect its existence, rights and franchises under the laws of
such other jurisdiction) and will obtain and preserve its qualification to do
business in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is or shall be
necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the
Notes and the Collateral.
(b) Any successor to the Owner Trustee or Co-Owner Trustee appointed
pursuant to Section 10.2 of the Trust Agreement shall be the successor Owner
Trustee or Co-Owner Trustee, respectively, under this Indenture without the
execution or filing of any paper, instrument or further act to be done on the
part of the parties hereto.
(c) Upon any consolidation or merger of or other succession to the
Owner Trustee, the Person succeeding to the Owner Trustee under the Trust
Agreement may exercise every right and power of the Owner Trustee under this
Indenture with the same effect as if such Person had been named as the Owner
Trustee herein.
Section 3.05. Protection of Collateral. The Issuer will from time to
------------------------
time execute and deliver all such reasonable supplements and amendments
hereto and all such financing statements, continuation statements,
instruments of further assurance and other instruments, and will take such
other action necessary or advisable to:
(i) provide further assurance with respect to the Grant of all or
any portion of the Collateral;
(ii) maintain or preserve the lien and security interest (and the
priority thereof) of this Indenture or carry out more effectively the
purposes hereof;
(iii) perfect, publish notice of or protect the validity of any
Grant made or to be made by this Indenture;
(iv) enforce any rights with respect to the Collateral; or
(v) preserve and defend title to the Collateral and the rights of
the Indenture Trustee and the Noteholders in such Collateral against the
claims of all persons and parties.
The Issuer hereby designates the Administrator its agent and
attorney-in-fact to execute any financing statement, continuation statement
or other instrument required to be executed pursuant to this Section 3.05.
------------
Section 3.06. Annual Opinions as to Collateral.
--------------------------------
On or before March 15 in each calendar year, beginning in 1998, the
Issuer shall furnish to the Indenture Trustee an Opinion of Counsel either
stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, such action has been taken with
respect to the recording, filing, re-recording and refiling of this
Indenture, any indentures supplemental hereto and any other requisite
documents and with respect to the execution and filing of any financing
statements and continuation statements as is necessary to maintain the lien
and security interest created by this Indenture and reciting the details of
such action or stating that in the opinion of such counsel no such action is
necessary to maintain such lien and security interest. Such Opinion of
Counsel shall also describe the recording, filing, re-recording and refiling
of this Indenture, any indentures supplemental hereto and any other requisite
documents and the execution and filing of any financing statements and
continuation statements that will, in the opinion of such counsel, be
required to maintain the lien and security interest of this Indenture until
March 15th of the following calendar year.
Section 3.07. Performance of Obligations; Servicing of Home Loans. (a)
---------------------------------------------------
The Issuer will not take any action and will use its best efforts not to
permit any action to be taken by others that would release any Person from
any of such Person's material covenants or obligations under any instrument
or agreement included in the Collateral or that would result in the
amendment, hypothecation, subordination, termination or discharge of, or
impair the validity or effectiveness of, any such instrument or agreement,
except as expressly provided in this Indenture, the Sale and Servicing
Agreement or such other instrument or agreement.
(b) The Issuer may contract with or otherwise obtain the assistance of
other Persons (including, without limitation, the Administrator under the
Administration Agreement) to assist it in performing its duties under this
Indenture, and any performance of such duties by a Person identified to the
Indenture Trustee in an Officer's Certificate of the Issuer shall be deemed
to be action taken by the Issuer. Initially, the Issuer has contracted with
the Servicer and the Administrator to assist the Issuer in performing its
duties under this Indenture. The Administrator must at all times be the
same person as the Indenture Trustee.
(c) The Issuer will punctually perform and observe all of its
obligations and agreements contained in this Indenture, the Basic Documents
and in the instruments and agreements included in the Collateral, including
but not limited to (i) filing or causing to be filed all UCC financing
statements and continuation statements required to be filed by the terms of
this Indenture and the Sale and Servicing Agreement and (ii) recording or
causing to be recorded all Mortgages, Assignments of Mortgage, all
intervening Assignments of Mortgage and all assumption and modification
agreements required to be recorded by the terms of the Sale and Servicing
Agreement, in accordance with and within the time periods provided for in
this Indenture and/or the Sale and Servicing Agreement, as applicable.
Except as otherwise expressly provided therein, the Issuer shall not waive,
amend, modify, supplement or terminate any Basic Document or any provision
thereof without the consent of the Indenture Trustee and the Holders of at
least a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the Notes.
(d) If the Issuer shall have knowledge of the occurrence of an Event of
Default under the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Issuer shall promptly
notify the Indenture Trustee and the Rating Agencies thereof, and shall
specify in such notice the action, if any, the Issuer is taking with respect
of such default. If such an Event of Default shall arise from the failure of
the Servicer to perform any of its duties or obligations under the Sale and
Servicing Agreement with respect to the Home Loans, the Issuer shall take all
reasonable steps available to it to remedy such failure.
(e) As promptly as possible after the giving of notice of termination
to the Servicer of the Servicer's rights and powers pursuant to Section 10.01
of the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Issuer shall appoint a successor
servicer (the "Successor Servicer"), and such Successor Servicer shall accept
------------------
its appointment by a written assumption in a form acceptable to the Indenture
Trustee. In the event that a Successor Servicer has not been appointed and
accepted its appointment at the time when the Servicer ceases to act as
Servicer, the Indenture Trustee without further action shall automatically be
appointed the Successor Servicer. The Indenture Trustee may resign as the
Servicer by giving written notice of such resignation to the Issuer and in
such event will be released from such duties and obligations, such release
not to be effective until the date a new servicer enters into a servicing
agreement with the Issuer as provided below. Upon delivery of any such
notice to the Issuer, the Issuer shall obtain a new servicer as the Successor
Servicer under the Sale and Servicing Agreement. Any Successor Servicer
other than the Indenture Trustee shall (i) satisfy the criteria specified in
Section 4.08 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement and (ii) enter into a
servicing agreement with the Issuer having substantially the same provisions
as the provisions of the Sale and Servicing Agreement applicable to the
Servicer. If within 30 days after the delivery of the notice referred to
above, the Issuer shall not have obtained such a new servicer, the Indenture
Trustee may appoint, or may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to
appoint, a Successor Servicer. In connection with any such appointment, the
Indenture Trustee may make such arrangements for the compensation of such
successor as it and such successor shall agree, subject to the limitations
set forth below and in the Sale and Servicing Agreement, and in accordance
with Section 10.02 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Issuer shall
-------------
enter into an agreement with such successor for the servicing of the Home
Loans (such agreement to be in form and substance satisfactory to the
Indenture Trustee). The servicing fee paid to any Successor Servicer shall
not be in excess of the Servicing Fee being paid to the initial Servicer. If
the Indenture Trustee shall succeed to the Servicer's duties as servicer of
the Home Loans as provided herein, it shall do so in its individual capacity
and not in its capacity as Indenture Trustee and, accordingly, the provisions
of Article VI hereof shall be inapplicable to the Indenture
----------
Trustee in its duties as successor Servicer and the servicing of the Home
Loans. In case the Indenture Trustee shall become successor Servicer under
the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Indenture Trustee shall be entitled to
appoint as Servicer any one of its Affiliates, provided that it shall be
fully liable for the actions and omissions of such Affiliate in such capacity
as Successor Servicer.
(f) Upon any termination of the Servicer's rights and powers pursuant
to the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Issuer shall promptly notify the
Indenture Trustee. As soon as a successor Servicer is appointed, the Issuer
shall notify the Indenture Trustee of such appointment, specifying in such
notice the name and address of such successor Servicer.
(g) Without derogating from the absolute nature of the assignment
granted to the Indenture Trustee under this Indenture or the rights of the
Indenture Trustee hereunder, the Issuer agrees (i) that it will not, without
the prior written consent of the Indenture Trustee, amend, modify, waive,
supplement, terminate or surrender, or agree to any amendment, modification,
supplement, termination, waiver or surrender of, the terms of any Collateral
(except to the extent otherwise provided in the Sale and Servicing Agreement)
or the Basic Documents, or waive timely performance or observance by the
Servicer or the Depositor under the Sale and Servicing Agreement; and (ii)
that any such amendment shall not (A) increase or reduce in any manner the
amount of, or accelerate or delay the timing of, distributions that are
required to be made for the benefit of the Noteholders or (B) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of the Notes that is required to consent to any such
amendment, without the consent of the Holders of all the Outstanding Notes.
If any such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver shall be so
consented to by the Indenture Trustee, the Issuer agrees, promptly following
a request by the Indenture Trustee to do so, to execute and deliver, in its
own name and at its own expense, such agreements, instruments, consents and
other documents as the Indenture Trustee may deem necessary or appropriate in
the circumstances.
Section 3.08. Negative Covenants. So long as any Notes are
------------------
Outstanding, the Issuer shall not:
(i) except as expressly permitted by this Indenture or the Sale
and Servicing Agreement, sell, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose
of any of the properties or assets of the Issuer, including those
included in the Collateral, unless directed to do so by the Indenture
Trustee;
(ii) claim any credit on, or make any deduction from the principal
or interest payable in respect of, the Notes (other than amounts
properly withheld from such payments under the Code) or assert any claim
against any present or former Noteholder by reason of the payment of the
taxes levied or assessed upon any part of the Collateral;
(iii) engage in any business or activity other than as
permitted by the Trust Agreement or other than in connection with, or
relating to, the issuance of Notes pursuant to this Indenture, or amend
the Trust Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date other than in
accordance with Section 11.1 thereof,
------------
(iv) issue debt obligations under any other indenture;
(v) incur or assume any indebtedness or guaranty any indebtedness
of any Person, except for such indebtedness as may be incurred by the
Issuer in connection with the issuance of the Notes pursuant to this
Indenture;
(vi) dissolve or liquidate in whole or in part or merge or
consolidate with any other Person;
(vii) (A) permit the validity or effectiveness of this
Indenture to be impaired, or permit the lien of this Indenture to be
amended, hypothecated, subordinated, terminated or discharged, or permit
any Person to be released from any covenants or obligations with respect
to the Notes under this Indenture except as may be expressly permitted
hereby, (B) permit any lien, charge, excise, claim, security interest,
mortgage or other encumbrance (other than the lien of this Indenture)
to be created on or extend to or otherwise arise upon or burden the
Collateral or any part thereof or any interest therein or the proceeds
thereof (other than tax liens, mechanics' liens and other liens that
arise by operation of law, in each case on any of the Mortgaged
Properties and arising solely as a result of an action or omission of
the related Obligor) or (C) permit the lien of this Indenture not to
constitute a valid first priority (other than with respect to any such
tax, mechanics' or other lien) security interest in the Collateral;
(viii) remove the Administrator without cause unless the Rating
Agency Condition shall have been satisfied in connection with such
removal; or
(ix) take any other action or fail to take any action which may
cause the Issuer to be taxable as (a) an association pursuant to Section
7701 of the Code and the corresponding regulations or (b) as a taxable
mortgage pool pursuant to Section 7701(i) of the Code and the
corresponding regulations.
Section 3.09. Annual Statement as to Compliance. The Issuer will
---------------------------------
deliver to the Indenture Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each
fiscal year of the Issuer (commencing in the fiscal year 1998), an Officer's
Certificate stating, as to the Authorized Officer signing such Officer's
Certificate, that:
(i) a review of the activities of the Issuer during such year and
of its performance under this Indenture has been made under such
Authorized Officer's supervision; and
(ii) to the best of such Authorized Officer's knowledge, based on
such review, the Issuer has complied with all conditions and covenants
under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a
default in its compliance with any such condition or
covenant, specifying each such default known to such Authorized Officer
and the nature and status thereof.
Section 3.10. Covenants of the Issuer. All covenants of the Issuer in
-----------------------
this Indenture are covenants of the Issuer and are not covenants of the Owner
Trustee. The Owner Trustee is, and any successor Owner Trustee under the
Trust Agreement will be, entering into this Indenture solely as Owner Trustee
under the Trust Agreement and not in its respective individual capacity, and
in no case whatsoever shall the Owner Trustee or any such successor Owner
Trustee be personally liable on, or for any loss in respect of, any of the
statements, representations, warranties or obligations of the Issuer
hereunder, as to all of which the parties hereto agree to look solely to the
property of the Issuer.
Section 3.11. Servicer's Obligations. The Issuer shall cause the
----------------------
Servicer to comply with the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
Section 3.12. Restricted Payments. The Issuer shall not, directly or
-------------------
indirectly, (i) pay any dividend or make any distribution (by reduction of
capital or otherwise), whether in cash, property, securities or a combination
thereof, to the Owner Trustee or any owner of a beneficial interest in the
Issuer or otherwise with respect to any ownership or equity interest or
security in or of the Issuer or to the Servicer, (ii) redeem, purchase,
retire or otherwise acquire for value any such ownership or equity interest
or security or (iii) set aside or otherwise segregate any amounts for any
such purpose; provided, however, that the Issuer may make, or cause to be
made, (x) distributions to the Servicer, the Indenture Trustee, the Owner
Trustee, the Securityholders and the holders of the Residual Interest as
contemplated by, and to the extent funds are available for such purpose
under, the Sale and Servicing Agreement or the Trust Agreement and (y)
payments to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to Section 1(a)(ii) of the
Administration Agreement. The Issuer will not, directly or indirectly, make
or cause to be made payments to or distributions from the Collection Account
except in accordance with this Indenture and the Basic Documents.
Section 3.13. Treatment of Notes as Debt for Tax Purposes. The Issuer
-------------------------------------------
shall, and shall cause the Administrator to, treat the Notes as indebtedness
for all purposes.
Section 3.14. Notice of Events of Default. The Issuer shall give the
---------------------------
Indenture Trustee and the Rating Agencies prompt written notice of each Event
of Default hereunder, each default on the part of the Servicer or the
Transferor of its obligations under the Sale and Servicing Agreement and each
default on the part of the Transferor of its obligations under the Loan
Purchase Agreement.
Section 3.15. Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the
----------------------------
Indenture Trustee, the Issuer will execute and deliver such further
instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper
to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
ARTICLE IV
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture
---------------------------------------
shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the Notes (except as to
(i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange, (ii) substitution of
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes, (iii) rights of Noteholders to
receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, (iv) Sections
--------
3.03, 3.04, 3.05, 3.08 and 3.10 hereof, (v) the rights, obligations and
-------------------------------
immunities of the Indenture Trustee hereunder (including the rights of the
Indenture Trustee under Section 6.07 and the obligations of the Indenture
------------
Trustee under Section 4.02) and (vi) the rights of Noteholders as
------------
beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the
Indenture Trustee payable to all or any of them), and the Indenture Trustee,
on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with
respect to the Notes, when all of the following have occurred:
(A) either
(1) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes
that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or
paid as provided in Section 2.04 and (ii) Notes for whose payment money
------------
has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in
trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged
from such trust, as provided in Section 3.03) have been delivered to the
------------
Indenture Trustee for cancellation; or
(2) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Indenture Trustee for
cancellation
a. have become due and payable,
b. will become due and payable within one year following the Final
Scheduled Distribution Date applicable to the Class M-2 Notes, or
c. are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements
satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee for the giving of notice of
redemption by the Indenture Trustee in the name, and at the
expense, of the Issuer,
d. and the Issuer, in the case of a. or b. above, has irrevocably
deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Indenture
Trustee cash or direct obligations of or obligations guaranteed by
the United States of America (which will mature prior to the date
such amounts are payable), in trust for such purpose, in an amount
sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such
Notes not theretofore delivered to the Indenture Trustee for
cancellation when due to the applicable Final Scheduled
Distribution Date of such Class of Notes or Redemption Date (if
Notes shall have been called for redemption pursuant to Section
-------
10.01), as the case may be; and
-----
(B) the later of (a) eighteen months after payment in full of all
outstanding obligations under the Securities, (b) the payment in full of all
unpaid Trust Fees and Expenses and (c) the date on which the Issuer has paid
or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer; and
(C) the Issuer has delivered to the Indenture Trustee an Officer's
Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel and (if required by the TIA or the
Indenture Trustee) an Independent Certificate from a firm of certified public
accountants, each meeting the applicable requirements of Section 11.01(a)
----------------
and, subject to Section 11.02, each stating that all conditions precedent
-------------
herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture with respect to the Notes have been complied with.
Section 4.02. Application of Trust Money. All moneys deposited with
--------------------------
the Indenture Trustee pursuant to Sections 3.03 and 4.01 hereof shall be
-----------------------
held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the
Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any
Paying Agent, as the Indenture Trustee may determine, to the Holders of the
particular Notes for the payment or redemption of which such moneys have been
deposited with the Indenture Trustee, of all sums due and to become due
thereon for principal and interest; but such moneys need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required herein or in the Sale and
Servicing Agreement or required by law.
Section 4.03. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent. In connection
----------------------------------------
with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the
Notes, all moneys then held by any Paying Agent other than the Indenture
Trustee under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such Notes
shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be paid to the Indenture Trustee to be held
and applied according to Section 3.03 and thereupon such Paying Agent shall
------------
be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES
Section 5.01. Events of Default. "Event of Default," wherever used
-----------------
herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such
Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be
effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of
any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or
governmental body):
(a) default in the payment of any interest on any Note when the
same becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of
five (5) days; or
(b) default in the payment of the principal of or any installment
of the principal of any Note when the same becomes due and payable; or
(c) default in the observance or performance of any covenant or
agreement of the Issuer made in this Indenture (other than a covenant or
agreement, a default in the observance or performance of which is elsewhere
in this Section specifically dealt with), or any representation or warranty
of the Issuer made in this Indenture, the Sale and Servicing Agreement or in
any certificate or other writing delivered pursuant hereto or in connection
herewith proving to have been incorrect in any material respect as of the
time when the same shall have been made, and such default shall continue or
not be cured, or the circumstance or condition in respect of which such
misrepresentation or warranty was incorrect shall not have been eliminated or
otherwise cured, for a period of 30 days after there shall have been given,
by registered or certified mail, to the Issuer by the Indenture Trustee or to
the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% of the
Outstanding Amount of the Notes, a written notice specifying such default or
incorrect representation or warranty and requiring it to be remedied and
stating that such notice is a notice of Default hereunder; or
(d) default in the observance or performance of any covenant or
agreement of the Company made in the Trust Agreement or any representation or
warranty of the Company made in the Trust Agreement, proving to have been
incorrect in any material respect as of the time when the same shall have
been made, and such default shall continue or not be cured, or the
circumstance or condition in respect of which such misrepresentation or
warranty was incorrect shall not have been eliminated or otherwise cured, for
a period of 30 days after there shall have been given, by registered or
certified mail, to the Issuer by the Indenture Trustee or to the Issuer and
the Indenture Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% of the Outstanding
Amount of the Notes, a written notice specifying such default or incorrect
representation or warranty and requiring it to be remedied and stating that
such notice is a notice of Default hereunder;
(e) the filing of a decree or order for relief by a court having
jurisdiction in the premises in respect of the Issuer or any substantial part
of the Collateral in an involuntary case under any applicable federal or
state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect,
or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator or similar official of the Issuer or for any substantial part of
the Collateral, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer's
affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a
period of 60 consecutive days; or
(f) the commencement by the Issuer of a voluntary case under any
applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now
or hereafter in effect, or the consent by the Issuer to the entry of an order
for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by the
Issuer to the appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator,
assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Issuer
or for any substantial part of the Collateral, or the making by the Issuer of
any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure by the
Issuer generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the taking of
any action by the Issuer in furtherance of any of the foregoing.
The Issuer shall deliver to the Indenture Trustee, within five days
after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officer's
Certificate of any event which with the giving of notice and the lapse of
time would become an Event of Default under clauses (c) and (d) above, its
-------------------
status and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect
thereto.
Section 5.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If
--------------------------------------------------
an Event of Default should occur and be continuing, then and in every such
case the Indenture Trustee, at the direction or upon the prior written
consent of the Holders of Notes representing not less than a majority of the
Outstanding Amount of the Notes may declare all the Notes to be immediately
due and payable, by a notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Indenture
Trustee if given by Noteholders), and upon any such declaration the unpaid
principal amount of such Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest
thereon through the date of acceleration, shall become immediately due and
payable.
At any time after such declaration of acceleration of maturity has been
made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been
obtained by the Indenture Trustee as hereinafter in this Article V provided,
---------
the Holders of Notes representing a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the
Notes, by written notice to the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, may rescind
and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(a) the Issuer has paid or deposited with the Indenture Trustee a sum
sufficient to pay:
1. all payments of principal of and interest on all Notes and all
other amounts that would then be due hereunder or upon such
Notes if the Event of Default giving rise to such acceleration
had not occurred; and
2. all sums paid or advanced by the Indenture Trustee hereunder
and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Indenture Trustee and its agents and counsel;
and
(b) all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal
of the Notes that has become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured
or waived as provided in Section 5.12.
------------
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any
right consequent thereto.
Section 5.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by
-------------------------------------------------------
Indenture Trustee.
-----------------
(a) The Issuer covenants that if (i) default is made in the
payment of any interest on any Note when the same becomes due and
payable, and such default continues for a period of five days, or (ii)
default is made in the payment of the principal of or any installment of
the principal of any Note when the same becomes due and payable, the
Issuer will, upon demand of the Indenture Trustee, pay to the Indenture
Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the whole amount
then due and payable on such Notes for principal and interest, with
interest upon the overdue principal and, to the extent payment at such
rate of interest shall be legally enforceable, upon overdue installments
of interest at the rate borne by the Notes and in addition thereto such
further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of
collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Indenture Trustee and its agents and
counsel.
(b) In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts
upon such demand, the Indenture Trustee may and shall at the direction
of the majority of the Holders of the Notes, institute a Proceeding for
the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such
Proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against
the Issuer or other obligor upon such Notes and collect in the manner
provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or other obligor upon
such Notes, wherever situated, the moneys adjudged or decreed to be
payable.
(c) If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Indenture
Trustee may and shall at the direction of the majority of the Holders of
the Notes, as more particularly provided in Section 5.04, in its
------------
discretion, proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of
the Noteholders, by such appropriate Proceedings as the Indenture
Trustee shall deem most effective to protect and enforce any such
rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement
in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein,
or to enforce any other proper remedy or legal or equitable right
vested in the Indenture Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
(d) In case there shall be pending, relative to the Issuer or any
other obligor upon the Notes or any Person having or claiming an
ownership interest in the Collateral, Proceedings under Title 11 of the
United States Code or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar law, or in case a receiver, assignee or
trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or
similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of
the Issuer or its property or such other obligor or Person, or in case
of any other comparable judicial Proceedings relative to the Issuer or
other obligor upon the Notes, or to the creditors or property of the
Issuer or such other obligor, the Indenture Trustee, irrespective of
whether the principal of any Notes shall then be due and payable as
therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of
whether the Indenture Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the
provisions of this Section, shall be entitled and empowered by
intervention in such Proceedings or otherwise:
(i) to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of
principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Notes and to file
such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to
have the claims of the Indenture Trustee (including any claim for reasonable
compensation to the Indenture Trustee, each predecessor Indenture Trustee,
and its agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses
and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Indenture Trustee and
each predecessor Indenture Trustee, except as a result of negligence or bad
faith) and of the Noteholders allowed in such Proceedings;
(ii) unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on
behalf of the Holders of Notes in any election of a trustee, a standby
trustee or Person performing similar functions in any such Proceedings;
(iii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute all amounts received with
respect to the claims of the Noteholders and the Indenture Trustee on their
behalf; and
(iv) to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may
be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Indenture
Trustee or the Holders of Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative
to the Issuer, its creditors and its property; and any trustee, receiver,
liquidator, custodian or other similar official in any such Proceeding is
hereby authorized by each of such Noteholders to make payments to the
Indenture Trustee and, in the event that the Indenture Trustee shall consent
to the making of payments directly to such Noteholders, to pay to the
Indenture Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable
compensation to the Indenture Trustee, each predecessor Indenture Trustee and
their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and
liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Indenture Trustee and
each predecessor Indenture Trustee except as a result of negligence or bad
faith.
(e) Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the
Indenture Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or
adopt on behalf of any Noteholder any plan of reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights
of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Indenture Trustee to vote in
respect of the claim of any Noteholder in any such proceeding except, as
aforesaid, to vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or
similar Person.
(f) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this
Indenture, or under any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Indenture
Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes or the production
thereof in any trial or other Proceedings relative thereto, and any such
action or Proceedings instituted by the Indenture Trustee shall be
brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery
of judgment, subject to the payment of the expenses, disbursements and
compensation of the Indenture Trustee, each predecessor Indenture
Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys, shall be for the
ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.
(g) In any Proceedings brought by the Indenture Trustee (and also
any Proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this
Indenture to which the Indenture Trustee shall be a party), the
Indenture Trustee shall be held to represent all the Noteholders, and it
shall not be necessary to make any Noteholder a party to any such
Proceedings.
Section 5.04. Remedies; Priorities.
--------------------
(a) If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
the Indenture Trustee may and at the direction of a majority of the
Holders of the Notes shall do one or more of the following (subject to
Section 5.05):
------------
(i) institute Proceedings in its own name and as trustee of an express
trust for the collection of all amounts then payable on the Notes or under
this Indenture with respect thereto, whether by declaration or otherwise,
enforce any judgment obtained, and collect from the Issuer and any other
obligor upon such Notes moneys adjudged due;
(ii) institute Proceedings from time to time for the complete or partial
foreclosure of this Indenture with respect to the Collateral;
(iii) exercise any remedies of a secured party under the UCC and
take any other appropriate action to protect and enforce the rights and
remedies of the Indenture Trustee or the Noteholders; and
(iv) sell the Collateral or any portion thereof or rights or interest
therein in a commercially reasonable manner, at one or more public or private
sales called and conducted in any manner permitted by law; provided,
however, that the Indenture Trustee may not sell or otherwise liquidate the
Collateral following an Event of Default, unless (A) the Holders of 100% of
the Outstanding Amount of the Notes consent thereto, (B) the proceeds of such
sale or liquidation distributable to the Noteholders are sufficient to
discharge in full all amounts then due and unpaid upon such Notes for
principal and interest or (C) the Indenture Trustee determines that the
Collateral will not continue to provide sufficient funds for the payment of
principal of and interest on the Notes as they would have become due if the
Notes had not been declared due and payable, and the Indenture Trustee
obtains the consent of Holders of 66-2/3% of the Outstanding Amount of the
Notes. In determining such sufficiency or insufficiency with respect to
clause (B) and (C), the Indenture Trustee may, but need not, obtain and rely
upon an opinion of an Independent investment banking or accounting firm of
national reputation as to the feasibility of such proposed action and as to
the sufficiency of the Collateral for such purpose.
(b) If the Indenture Trustee collects any money or property
pursuant to this Article V, it shall pay out the money or property in
---------
the following order:
FIRST: to the Indenture Trustee for the Indenture Trustee Fee then
due and any costs or expenses incurred by it in connection with the
enforcement of the remedies provided for in this Article V and to the
Owner Trustee for the Owner Trustee Fee then due;
SECOND: to the Servicer for the Servicing Fee then due and unpaid;
THIRD: to the Custodian for the Custodian Fee then due and unpaid;
FOURTH: to the Servicer for any amounts then due and payable as
the Servicing Advances and the Reimbursement Amount under the Sale and
Servicing Agreement;
FIFTH: to Noteholders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for
interest, pro rata, according to the amounts due and payable on the
Notes for interest;
SIXTH: to Noteholders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for
principal, pro rata among the Holders of each Class of Notes, according
to the amounts due and payable and in the order and priorities set forth
in Sections 5.01(d) and (e) of the Sale and Servicing Agreement, until
the Class Principal Balance of each such Class is reduced to zero;
SEVENTH: to the Owner Trustee or Co-Owner Trustee, as applicable,
for amounts required to be distributed to the Certificateholders
pursuant to the Trust Agreement; and
EIGHTH: to the Owner Trustee or Co-Owner Trustee, as applicable,
for any amounts to be distributed, pro rata, to the holders of the
Residual Interest.
The Indenture Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any
payment to be made to the Noteholders pursuant to this Section. At least 15
days before such record date, the Indenture Trustee shall mail to each
Noteholder and the Issuer a notice that states the record date, the payment
date and the amount to be paid.
Section 5.05. Optional Preservation of the Collateral. If the Notes
---------------------------------------
have been declared to be due and payable under Section 5.02 following an
------------
Event of Default and such declaration and its consequences have not been
rescinded and annulled, the Indenture Trustee may, but need not, elect to
maintain possession of the Collateral. It is the desire of the parties
hereto and the Noteholders that there be at all times sufficient funds for
the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes, and the Indenture
Trustee shall take such desire into account when determining whether or not
to maintain possession of the Collateral. In determining whether to maintain
possession of the Collateral, the Indenture Trustee may, but need not, obtain
and rely upon an opinion of an Independent investment banking or accounting
firm of national reputation as to the feasibility of such proposed action and
as to the sufficiency of the Collateral for such purpose.
Section 5.06. Limitation of Suits. No Holder of any Note shall have
-------------------
any right to institute any Proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to
this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any
other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the
Indenture Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of not less than 25% of the Outstanding Amount of
the Notes have made written request to the Indenture Trustee to
institute such Proceeding in respect of such Event of Default in its own
name as Indenture Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Indenture Trustee
reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be
incurred in complying with such request;
(d) the Indenture Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such
notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute such
Proceedings; and
(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
given to the Indenture Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders
of a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the Notes.
It is understood and intended that no one or more Holders of Notes shall
have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any
provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any
other Holders of Notes or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or
preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this
Indenture, except in the manner herein provided.
In the event the Indenture Trustee shall receive conflicting or
inconsistent requests and indemnity from two or more groups of Holders of
Notes, each representing less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount of
the Notes, the Indenture Trustee in its sole discretion may determine what
action, if any, shall be taken, notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Indenture.
Section 5.07. Unconditional Rights of Noteholders To Receive Principal
--------------------------------------------------------
and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, the
------------
Holder of any Note shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional,
to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Note on
or after the applicable Final Scheduled Distribution Date thereof expressed
in such Note or in this Indenture (or, in the case of redemption, on or after
the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such
Holder.
Section 5.08. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Indenture
----------------------------------
Trustee or any Noteholder has instituted any Proceeding to enforce any right
or remedy under this Indenture and such Proceeding has been discontinued or
abandoned for any reason or has been determined adversely to the Indenture
Trustee or to such Noteholder, then and in every such case the Issuer, the
Indenture Trustee and the Noteholders shall, subject to any determination in
such Proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former
positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Indenture
Trustee and the Noteholders shall continue as though no such Proceeding had
been instituted.
Section 5.09. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. No right or remedy
------------------------------
herein conferred upon or reserved to the Indenture Trustee or to the
Noteholders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and
every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be
cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or
now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or
employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent
the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or
remedy.
Section 5.10. Delay or Omission Not a Waiver. No delay or omission of
------------------------------
the Indenture Trustee or any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or
remedy accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such
right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Default or Event of
Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this
Article V or by law to the Indenture Trustee or to the Noteholders may be
exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the
Indenture Trustee or by the Noteholders, as the case may be.
Section 5.11. Control by Noteholders. The Holders of a majority of the
----------------------
Outstanding Amount of the Notes shall have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any Proceeding for any remedy available to the
Indenture Trustee with respect to the Notes or exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Indenture Trustee; provided that:
(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law
or with this Indenture;
(b) subject to the express terms of Section 5.04, any direction
------------
to the Indenture Trustee to sell or liquidate the Collateral shall be by
Holders of Notes representing not less than 100% of the Outstanding Amount of
the Notes;
(c) if the conditions set forth in Section 5.05 have been
------------
satisfied and the Indenture Trustee elects to retain the Collateral pursuant
to such Section, then any direction to the Indenture Trustee by Holders of
Notes representing less than 100% of the Outstanding Amount of the Notes to
sell or liquidate the Collateral shall be of no force and effect; and
(d) the Indenture Trustee may take any other action deemed proper
by the Indenture Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction.
Notwithstanding the rights of the Noteholders set forth in this Section,
subject to Section 6.01, the Indenture Trustee need not take any action that
------------
it determines might involve it in liability or might materially adversely
affect the rights of any Noteholders not consenting to such action.
Section 5.12. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of Notes
-----------------------
representing not less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the Notes
may waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences, except a
Default (a) in the payment of principal of or interest on any of the Notes or
(b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof that cannot be modified or
amended without the consent of the Holder of each Note. In the case of any
such waiver, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Holders of the Notes
shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder,
respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist and be deemed to
have been cured and not to have occurred, and any Event of Default arising
therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred, for
every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right
consequent thereto.
Section 5.13. Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture
---------------------
agree, and each Holder of any Note by such Holder's acceptance thereof shall
be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in
any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or
in any suit against the Indenture Trustee for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it as Indenture Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such
suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may
in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys'
fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the
merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant;
but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to (a) any suit instituted
by the Indenture Trustee, (b) any suit instituted by any Noteholder, or group
of Noteholders, in each case holding in the aggregate more than 10% of the
Outstanding Amount of the Notes or (c) any suit instituted by any Noteholder
for the enforcement of the payment of principal of or interest on any Note on
or after the respective due dates expressed in such Note and in this
Indenture (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).
Section 5.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Issuer covenants
--------------------------------
(to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time
insist upon, or plead or in any manner whatsoever, claim or take the benefit
or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any
time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of
this Indenture; and the Issuer (to the extent that it may lawfully do so)
hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and
covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power
herein granted to the Indenture Trustee, but will suffer and permit the
execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
Section 5.15. Action on Notes. The Indenture Trustee's right to seek
---------------
and recover judgment on the Notes or under this Indenture shall not be
affected by the seeking, obtaining or application of any other relief under
or with respect to this Indenture. Neither the lien of this Indenture nor
any rights or remedies of the Indenture Trustee or the Noteholders shall be
impaired by the recovery of any judgment by the Indenture Trustee against the
Issuer or by the levy of any execution under such judgment upon any portion
of the Collateral or upon any of the assets of the Issuer. Any money or
property collected by the Indenture Trustee shall be applied in accordance
with Section 5.04(b).
---------------
Section 5.16. Performance and Enforcement of Certain Obligations.
--------------------------------------------------
(a) Promptly following a request from the Indenture Trustee to do so
and at the Administrator's expense, the Issuer shall take all such lawful
action as the Indenture Trustee may request to compel or secure the
performance and observance by the Transferor and the Servicer, as applicable,
of each of their obligations to the Issuer under or in connection with the
Sale and Servicing Agreement, and to exercise any and all rights, remedies,
powers and privileges lawfully available to the Issuer under or in connection
with the Sale and Servicing Agreement to the extent and in the manner
directed by the Indenture Trustee, including the transmission of
notices of default on the part of the Transferor or the
Servicer thereunder and the institution of legal or administrative actions or
proceedings to compel or secure performance by the Transferor or the Servicer
of each of their obligations under the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
(b) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Indenture Trustee may, and at the direction (which direction shall be in
writing or by telephone, confirmed in writing promptly thereafter) of the
Holders of 66-2/3% of the Outstanding Amount of the Notes shall, exercise all
rights, remedies, powers, privileges and claims of the Issuer against the
Transferor or the Servicer under or in connection with the Sale and Servicing
Agreement, including the right or power to take any action to compel or
secure performance or observance by the Transferor or the Servicer, as the
case may be, of each of their obligations to the Issuer thereunder and to
give any consent, request, notice, direction, approval, extension, or waiver
under the Sale and Servicing Agreement, and any right of the Issuer to take
such action shall be suspended.
ARTICLE VI
THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE
Section 6.01. Duties of Indenture Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default
---------------------------
has occurred and is continuing, the Indenture Trustee shall exercise the
rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of
care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use
under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the Indenture Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only
such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied
covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the
Indenture Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Indenture Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to
the Indenture Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture;
however, the Indenture Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to
determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Indenture Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its
own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful
misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this
Section;
(ii) the Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Responsible Officer unless it is proved that the
Indenture Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Indenture Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
received by it pursuant to Section 5.11.
------------
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the
Indenture Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (g) of this
--------------------------------
Section.
(e) The Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Indenture Trustee may agree in writing with the
Issuer.
(f) Money held in trust by the Indenture Trustee shall be segregated
from other funds except to the extent permitted by law or the terms of this
Indenture or the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Indenture Trustee
to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its
rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that
repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability
is not reasonably assured to it; provided, however, that the Indenture Trustee
-------- -------
shall not refuse or fail to perform any of its duties hereunder solely as a
result of nonpayment of its normal fees and expenses and further provided
that nothing in this Section 6.01(g) shall be construed to limit the exercise
---------------
by the Indenture Trustee of any right or remedy permitted under this
Indenture or otherwise in the event of the Issuer's failure to pay the
Indenture Trustee's fees and expenses pursuant to Section 6.07. In
------------
determining that such repayment or indemnity is not reasonably assured to
it, the Indenture Trustee must consider not only the likelihood of repayment
or indemnity by or on behalf of the Issuer but also the likelihood of
repayment or indemnity from amounts payable to it from the Collateral
pursuant to Section 6.07.
------------
(h) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or
affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Indenture Trustee
shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the provisions of
the TIA.
Section 6.02. Rights of Indenture Trustee.
---------------------------
(a) The Indenture Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to
be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The
Indenture Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the
document.
(b) Before the Indenture Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may
require an Officer's Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Indenture
Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good
faith in reliance on an Officer's Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The Indenture Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
agents or attorneys or a custodian or nominee.
(d) The Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for (i) any action it
takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or
within its rights or powers; provided, however, that such action or omission
by the Indenture Trustee does not constitute willful misconduct, negligence
or bad faith; or (ii) any willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part
of the Custodian.
(e) The Indenture Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or
opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture
and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from
liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder
in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
Section 6.03. Individual Rights of Indenture Trustee. The Indenture
--------------------------------------
Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or
pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates
with the same rights it would have if it were not Indenture Trustee. Any
Paying Agent, Note Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same
with like rights. However, the Indenture Trustee must comply with Sections
--------
6.11 and 6.12.
-------------
Section 6.04. Indenture Trustee's Disclaimer. The Indenture Trustee
------------------------------
shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity
or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, shall not be accountable for the
Issuer's use of the proceeds from the Notes, or responsible for any statement
of the Issuer in the Indenture or in any document issued in connection with
the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Indenture Trustee's
certificate of authentication.
Section 6.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is
------------------
continuing and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Indenture
Trustee, the Indenture Trustee shall mail to each Noteholder notice of the
Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in
payment of principal of or interest on any Note (including payments pursuant
to the mandatory redemption provisions of such Note), the Indenture Trustee
may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible
Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the
interests of Noteholders.
Section 6.06. Reports by Indenture Trustee to Holders. The Indenture
---------------------------------------
Trustee shall deliver to each Noteholder such information as may be required
to enable such holder to prepare its federal and state income tax returns.
Section 6.07. Compensation and Indemnity. As compensation for its
--------------------------
services hereunder, the Indenture Trustee shall be entitled to receive, on
each Distribution Date, the Indenture Trustee's Fee pursuant to Section
-------
8.02(c) hereof (which compensation shall not be limited by any law on
-------
compensation of a trustee of an express trust) and shall be entitled to
reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by
it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its
services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Indenture Trustee's agents,
counsel, accountants and experts. The Issuer agrees to cause the Transferor
to indemnify the Indenture Trustee against any and all loss, liability or
expense (including attorneys' fees) incurred by it in connection with the
administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder.
The Indenture Trustee shall notify the Issuer and the Servicer promptly of
any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Indenture Trustee
to so notify the Issuer and the Servicer shall not relieve the Issuer of its
obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall or shall cause the Servicer to
defend any such claim, and the Indenture Trustee may have separate counsel
reasonably acceptable to the Servicer and the Issuer shall or shall cause the
Servicer to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither
the Issuer nor the Servicer need reimburse any expense or indemnify against
any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Indenture Trustee through the
Indenture Trustee's own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.
The Issuer's payment obligations to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to
this Section shall survive the discharge of this Indenture. When the
Indenture Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified
in Section 5.01(e) or (f) with respect to the Issuer, the expenses are
----------------------
intended to constitute expenses of administration under Title 11 of the
United States Code or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar law.
Section 6.08. Replacement of Indenture Trustee. No resignation or
--------------------------------
removal of the Indenture Trustee and no appointment of a successor Indenture
Trustee shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the
successor Indenture Trustee pursuant to this Section.
The Indenture Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Issuer. The
Holders of a majority in Outstanding Amount of the Notes may remove the
Indenture Trustee by so notifying the Indenture Trustee and may appoint a
successor Indenture Trustee. The Issuer shall remove the Indenture Trustee
if:
(a) the Indenture Trustee fails to comply with Section 6.11;
------------
(b) the Indenture Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent;
(c) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the
Indenture Trustee or its property; or
(d) the Indenture Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
If the Indenture Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in
the office of Indenture Trustee for any reason (the Indenture Trustee in such
event being referred to herein as the retiring Indenture Trustee), the Issuer
shall promptly appoint a successor Indenture Trustee.
A successor Indenture Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Indenture Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon
the resignation or removal of the retiring Indenture Trustee shall become
effective, and the successor Indenture Trustee shall have all the rights,
powers and duties of the Indenture Trustee under this Indenture. The
successor Indenture Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to
Noteholders. The retiring Indenture Trustee shall promptly transfer all
property held by it as Indenture Trustee to the successor Indenture Trustee.
If a successor Indenture Trustee does not take office within 60 days
after the retiring Indenture Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring
Indenture Trustee, the Issuer or the Holders of a majority in Outstanding
Amount of the Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Indenture Trustee.
If the Indenture Trustee fails to comply with Section 6.11, any
------------
Noteholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal
of the Indenture Trustee and the appointment of a successor Indenture
Trustee.
Notwithstanding the replacement of the Indenture Trustee pursuant to
this Section, the Issuer's and the Administrator's obligations under Section
-------
6.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Indenture Trustee.
----
Section 6.09. Successor Indenture Trustee by Merger. If the Indenture
-------------------------------------
Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or
substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another
corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee
corporation without any further act shall be the successor Indenture Trustee;
provided, that such corporation or banking association shall be otherwise
qualified and eligible under Section 6.11. The Indenture Trustee shall
------------
provide the Rating Agencies prior written notice of any such transaction.
In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion
or consolidation to the Indenture Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created
by this Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not
delivered, any such successor to the Indenture Trustee may adopt the
certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such
Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not
have been authenticated, any successor to the Indenture Trustee may
authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in
the name of the successor to the Indenture Trustee; and in all such cases
such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes
or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Indenture Trustee
shall have.
Section 6.10. Appointment of Co-Indenture Trustee or Separate Indenture
---------------------------------------------------------
Trustee.
-------
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, at any
time, for the purpose of meeting any legal requirement of any jurisdiction in
which any part of the Collateral may at the time be located, the Indenture
Trustee shall have the power and may execute and deliver all instruments to
appoint one or more Persons to act as a co-trustee or co-trustees, or
separate trustee or separate trustees, of all or any part of the Trust, and
to vest in such Person or Persons, in such capacity and for the benefit of
the Noteholders, such title to the Collateral, or any part hereof, and,
subject to the other provisions of this Section, such powers, duties,
obligations, rights and trusts as the Indenture Trustee may consider
necessary or desirable. No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be
required to meet the terms of eligibility as a successor trustee under
Section 6.11 and no notice to Noteholders of the appointment of any
------------
co-trustee or separate trustee shall be required under Section 6.08 hereof.
------------
(b) Every separate trustee and co-trustee shall, to the extent
permitted by law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions
and conditions:
(i) all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed
upon the Indenture Trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised
or performed by the Indenture Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee
jointly (it being understood that such separate trustee or co-trustee is not
authorized to act separately without the Indenture Trustee joining in such
act), except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which
any particular act or acts are to be performed the Indenture Trustee shall be
incompetent or unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such
rights, powers, duties and obligations (including the holding of title to the
Collateral or any portion thereof in any such jurisdiction) shall be
exercised and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but
solely at the direction of the Indenture Trustee;
(ii) no trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any
act or omission of any other trustee hereunder; and
(iii) the Indenture Trustee may at any time accept the resignation
of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee.
(c) Any notice, request or other writing given to the Indenture Trustee
shall be deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and
co-trustees, as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument
appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Agreement
and the conditions of this Article VI. Each separate trustee and co-trustee,
----------
upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the
estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, jointly
with the Indenture Trustee, subject to all the provisions of this
Indenture, specifically including every provision of this Indenture
relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording
protection to, the Indenture Trustee. Every such instrument shall be
filed with the Indenture Trustee.
(d) Any separate trustee or co-trustee may at any time constitute the
Indenture Trustee its agent or attorney-in-fact with full power and
authority, to the extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or
in respect of this Agreement on its behalf and in its name. If any separate
trustee or co-trustee shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be
removed, all of its estates, properties, rights, remedies and trusts shall
vest in and be exercised by the Indenture Trustee, to the extent permitted by
law, without the appointment of a new or successor trustee.
Section 6.11. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Indenture Trustee
-----------------------------
shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a). The
Indenture Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of
condition. The Indenture Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b),
including the optional provision permitted by the second sentence of TIA
Section 310(b)(9); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the
operation of TIA Section 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which
other securities of the Issuer are outstanding if the requirements for such
exclusion set forth in TIA Section 310(b)(1) are met.
Section 6.12. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer. The
------------------------------------------------
Indenture Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any
creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). An Indenture Trustee who
has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the
extent indicated.
ARTICLE VII
NOTEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS
Section 7.01. Issuer To Furnish Indenture Trustee Names and Addresses
-------------------------------------------------------
of Noteholders. The Issuer will furnish or cause to be furnished to the
--------------
Indenture Trustee (a) not more than five days after the earlier of (i) each
Record Date and (ii) three months after the last Record Date, a list, in such
form as the Indenture Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and
addresses of the Holders of Notes as of such Record Date, (b) at such other
times as the Indenture Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after
receipt by the Issuer of any such request, a list of similar form and content
as of a date not more than 10 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that so long as the Indenture Trustee is the Note
Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.
Section 7.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to
----------------------------------------------
Noteholders.
-----------
(a) The Indenture Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes
contained in the most recent list furnished to the Indenture Trustee as
provided in Section 7.01 and the names and addresses of Holders of Notes
------------
received by the Indenture Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar. The
Indenture Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in such
Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
------------
(b) Noteholders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with
other Noteholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under
the Notes.
(c) The Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Note Registrar shall have
the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
Section 7.03. Reports by Issuer.
-----------------
(a) The Issuer shall:
(i) file with the Indenture Trustee, within 15 days after the Issuer is
required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports
and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such
portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by
rules and regulations prescribe) that the Issuer may be required to file with
the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
(ii) file with the Indenture Trustee and the Commission in accordance
with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission
such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance
by the Issuer with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be
required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and
(iii) supply to the Indenture Trustee (and the Indenture Trustee
shall transmit by mail to all Noteholders described in TIA Section 313(c))
such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed
by the Issuer pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 7.03(a) and
---------------
by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.
(b) Unless the Issuer otherwise determines, the fiscal year of the
Issuer shall end on December 31 of each year.
Section 7.04. Reports by Indenture Trustee. If required by TIA Section
----------------------------
313(a), within 60 days after each March 1, beginning with March 1, 1998, the
Indenture Trustee shall mail to each Noteholder as required by TIA Section
313(c) a brief report dated as of such date that complies with TIA Section
313(a). The Indenture Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Noteholders shall be
filed by the Indenture Trustee with the Commission and each securities
exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed. The Issuer shall notify the
Indenture Trustee if and when the Notes are listed on any securities
exchange.
ARTICLE VIII
ACCOUNTS, DISBURSEMENTS AND RELEASES
Section 8.01. Collection of Money.
-------------------
General. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Indenture
-------
Trustee may demand payment or delivery of, and shall receive and collect,
directly and without intervention or assistance of any fiscal agent or other
intermediary, all money and other property payable to or receivable by the
Indenture Trustee pursuant to this Indenture. The Indenture Trustee shall
apply all such money received by it as provided in this Indenture. Except as
otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, if any default occurs in the
making of any payment or performance under any agreement or instrument that
is part of the Collateral, the Indenture Trustee may take such action as may
be appropriate to enforce such payment or performance, including the
institution and prosecution of appropriate Proceedings. Any such action
shall be without prejudice to any right to claim a Default or Event of
Default under this Indenture and any right to proceed thereafter as provided
in Article V.
---------
Section 8.02. Trust Accounts; Distributions.
-----------------------------
(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Issuer shall cause the
Servicer to establish and maintain, in the name of the Indenture Trustee for
the benefit of the Noteholders, or the Co-Owner Trustee for the benefit of
the Certificateholders, the Trust Accounts as provided in Article V of the
---------
Sale and Servicing Agreement. The Indenture Trustee or Co-Owner Trustee
shall deposit amounts into each of the Trust Accounts in accordance with the
terms hereof, the Sale and Servicing Agreement and the Servicer's Monthly
Remittance Report.
(b) On the Business Day prior to each Distribution Date, the Indenture
Trustee shall withdraw from the Collection Account, the Available Collection
Amount pursuant to Section 5.01(b)(2) of the Sale and Servicing Agreement and
shall deposit such amount into the Note Distribution Account. No later than
the second Business Day prior to each Distribution Date, to the extent funds
are available in the Note Distribution Account, the Indenture Trustee shall
either retain funds in the Note Distribution Account or make the withdrawals
from the Note Distribution Account and deposits into the other Trust Accounts
for distribution on such Distribution Date as required pursuant to Section
5.01(c) of the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
(c) On each Distribution Date and Redemption Date, to the extent funds
are available in the Note Distribution Account, the Indenture Trustee shall
make the following distributions from the amounts on deposit in the Note
Distribution Account in the following order of priority (except as otherwise
provided in Section 5.04(c)):
---------------
(i) (A) to the Servicer, an amount equal to the Servicing
Compensation (net of any amounts retained prior to deposit into the
Collection Account pursuant to Section 5.01(b)(1) of the Sale and
Servicing Agreement) and all unpaid Servicing Compensation from prior
due periods, (B) to the Indenture Trustee, an amount equal to the
Indenture Trustee Fee and all unpaid Indenture Trustee Fees from prior
Due Periods, (C) to the Owner Trustee, an amount equal to the Owner
Trustee Fee and all unpaid Owner Trustee Fees from prior Due Periods,
and (D) to the Custodian, an amount equal to the Custodian Fee and all
unpaid Custodian Fees from prior Due Periods; and
(ii) to the Noteholders, the amounts set forth in Sections 5.01(d)
and (e) of the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
(d) On each Distribution Date and each Redemption Date, to the extent
of the interest of the Indenture Trustee in the Certificate Distribution
Account (as described in Section 5.03(a) of the Sale and Servicing
Agreement), the Indenture Trustee hereby authorizes the Owner Trustee, the
Co-Owner Trustee or the Paying Agent, as applicable, to make the
distributions from the Certificate Distribution Account as required pursuant
to Sections 5.01(d) and (e) of the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
Section 8.03. General Provisions Regarding Accounts.
-------------------------------------
(a) So long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, all or a portion of the funds in the Trust Accounts shall be
invested in Permitted Investments and reinvested by the Indenture Trustee at
the direction of the Servicer in accordance with the provisions of Article V
---------
of the Sale and Servicing Agreement. All income or other gain from
investments of moneys deposited in the Trust Accounts shall be deposited by
the Indenture Trustee into the Note Distribution Account, and any loss
resulting from such investments shall be charged to such account. The Issuer
will not direct the Indenture Trustee to make any investment of any funds or
to sell any investment held in any of the Trust Accounts unless the security
interest Granted and perfected in such account will continue to be perfected
in such investment or the proceeds of such sale, in either case without any
further action by any Person, and, in connection with any direction to the
Indenture Trustee to make any such investment or sale, if requested by the
Indenture Trustee, the Issuer shall deliver to the Indenture Trustee an
Opinion of Counsel, acceptable to the Indenture Trustee, to such effect.
(b) Subject to Section 6.01(c), the Indenture Trustee shall not in any
---------------
way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency in any of the Trust
Accounts resulting from any loss on any Eligible Investment included therein
except for losses attributable to the Indenture Trustee's failure to make
payments on such Eligible Investments issued by the Indenture Trustee, in its
commercial capacity as principal obligor and not as trustee, in accordance
with their terms.
(c) If (i) the Issuer shall have failed to give investment directions
for any funds on deposit in the Trust Accounts to the Indenture Trustee by
11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (or such other time as may be agreed by the Issuer
and Indenture Trustee) on any Business Day or (ii) a Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the Notes but
the Notes shall not have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section
-------
5.02 or (iii) if such Notes shall have been declared due and payable
----
following an Event of Default, amounts collected or receivable from the
Collateral are being applied in accordance with Section 5.05 as if there had
------------
not been such a declaration, then the Indenture Trustee shall, to the fullest
extent practicable, invest and reinvest funds in the Trust Accounts in one or
more Eligible Investments.
Section 8.04. Servicer's Monthly Statements.
-----------------------------
On each Distribution Date, the Indenture Trustee shall deliver the
Servicer's Monthly Remittance Report (as defined in the Sale and Servicing
Agreement) with respect to such Distribution Date to DTC and the Rating
Agencies.
Section 8.05. Release of Collateral.
---------------------
(a) Subject to the payment of its fees and expenses pursuant to Section
-------
6.07, the Indenture Trustee may, and when required by the provisions of this
----
Indenture shall, execute instruments to release property from the lien of
this Indenture, or convey the Indenture Trustee's interest in the same, in a
manner and under circumstances that are not inconsistent with the provisions
of this Indenture. No party relying upon an instrument executed by the
Indenture Trustee as provided in this Article VIII shall be bound to
------------
ascertain the Indenture Trustee's authority, inquire into the satisfaction of
any conditions precedent or see to the application of any moneys.
(b) The Indenture Trustee shall, at such time as there are no Notes
Outstanding and all sums due to the Certificateholders pursuant to Section
5.02(c) of the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the Servicer pursuant to Section
-------
8.02(c)(i)(A) hereof, the Indenture Trustee pursuant to Section 8.02(c)(i)(B)
------------- ---------------------
hereof, the Owner Trustee pursuant to Section 8.02(c)(i)(C) hereof and the
---------------------
Custodian pursuant to Section 8.02(c)(i)(D) hereof have been paid, release
---------------------
any remaining portion of the Collateral that secured the Notes from the lien
of this Indenture and release to the Issuer or any other Person entitled
thereto any funds then on deposit in the Trust Accounts. The Indenture
Trustee shall release property from the lien of this Indenture pursuant to
this Subsection (b) only upon receipt of an Issuer Request accompanied by an
--------------
Officer's Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel and (if required by the TIA)
Independent Certificates in accordance with TIA Sections 314(c) and 314(d)(1)
meeting the applicable requirements of Section 11.01.
-------------
Section 8.06. Opinion of Counsel. The Indenture Trustee shall receive
------------------
at least seven days notice when requested by the Issuer to take any action
pursuant to Section 8.05(a), accompanied by copies of any instruments
---------------
involved, and the Indenture Trustee shall also require, as a condition to
such action, an Opinion of Counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Indenture Trustee, stating the legal effect of any such action, outlining the
steps required to complete the same, and concluding that all conditions
precedent to the taking of such action have been complied with and such
action will not materially and adversely impair the security for the Notes or
the rights of the Noteholders in contravention of the provisions of this
Indenture; provided, however, that such Opinion of Counsel shall not be
required to express an opinion as to the fair value of the Collateral.
Counsel rendering any such opinion may rely, without independent
investigation, on the accuracy and validity of any certificate or other
instrument delivered to the Indenture Trustee in connection with any such
action.
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Noteholders.
------------------------------------------------------
(a) Without the consent of the Holders of any Notes but with prior
notice to the Rating Agencies, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, when
authorized by an Issuer Order, at any time and from time to time, may enter
into one or more indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as in force at the date of the
execution thereof), in form satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee, for any of
the following purposes:
(i) to correct or amplify the description of any property at any time
subject to the lien of this Indenture, or better to assure, convey and
confirm unto the Indenture Trustee any property subject or required to be
subjected to the lien of this Indenture, or to subject to the lien of this
Indenture additional property;
(ii) to evidence the succession, in compliance with the applicable
provisions hereof, of another person to the Issuer, and the assumption by any
such successor of the covenants of the Issuer herein and in the Notes
contained;
(iii) to add to the covenants of the Issuer, for the benefit of the
Holders of the Notes, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred
upon the Issuer;
(iv) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or
with the Indenture Trustee;
(v) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision
herein or in any supplemental indenture that may be inconsistent with any
other provision herein or in any supplemental indenture or to make any other
provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture
or in any supplemental indenture; provided, that such action shall not
adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Notes;
(vi) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of the appointment
hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Notes and to add to or
change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to
facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one
trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Article VI; or
----------
(vii) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this
Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of
this Indenture under the TIA or under any similar federal statute hereafter
enacted and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be
expressly required by the TIA.
The Indenture Trustee is hereby authorized to join in the execution of
any such supplemental indenture and to make any further appropriate
agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.
(b) The Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, when authorized by an Issuer
Order, may, also without the consent of any of the Holders of the Notes but
with prior consent of the Rating Agencies, enter into an indenture or
indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to,
or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, this
Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the
Notes under this Indenture; provided, however, that such action shall not, as
evidenced by (i) an Opinion of Counsel or (ii) satisfaction of the Rating
Agency Condition, adversely affect in any material respect the interests of
any Noteholder.
Section 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Noteholders. The
---------------------------------------------------
Issuer and the Indenture Trustee, when authorized by an Issuer Order, also
may, with prior consent of the Rating Agencies, and with the consent of the
Holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Amount of the Notes,
by Act of such Holders delivered to the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee,
enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of
adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of, this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the
Holders of the Notes under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such
supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Note affected thereby:
(a) change the date of payment of any installment of principal of or
interest on any Note, or reduce the principal amount thereof, the interest
rate thereon or the Termination Price with respect thereto, change the
provisions of this Indenture relating to the application of collections on,
or the proceeds of the sale of, the Collateral to payment of principal of or
interest on the Notes, or change any place of payment where, or the coin or
currency in which, any Note or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the
right to institute suit for the enforcement of the provisions of this
Indenture requiring the application of funds available therefor, as provided
in Article V, to the payment of any such amount due on the Notes on or after
the respective due dates thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after
the Redemption Date);
(b) reduce the percentage of the Outstanding Amount of the Notes, the
consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental
indenture, or the consent of the Holders of which is required for any waiver
of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults
hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture;
(c) modify or alter the provisions of the proviso to the definition of
the term "Outstanding";
(d) reduce the percentage of the Outstanding Amount of the Notes
required to direct the Indenture Trustee to direct the Issuer to sell or
liquidate the Collateral pursuant to Section 5.04;
------------
(e) modify any provision of this Section except to increase any
percentage specified herein or to provide that certain additional provisions
of this Indenture or the Basic Documents cannot be modified or waived without
the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note affected thereby;
(f) modify any of the provisions of this Indenture in such manner as to
affect the calculation of the amount of any payment of interest or principal
due on any Note on any Distribution Date (including the calculation of any of
the individual components of such calculation) or to affect the rights of the
Holders of Notes to the benefit of any provisions for the mandatory
redemption of the Notes contained herein; or
(g) permit the creation of any lien ranking prior to or on a parity
with the lien of this Indenture with respect to any part of the Collateral
or, except as otherwise permitted or contemplated herein, terminate the lien
of this Indenture on any property at any time subject hereto or deprive the
Holder of any Note of the security provided by the lien of this Indenture.
The Indenture Trustee may in its discretion determine whether or not any
Notes would be affected by any supplemental indenture and any such
determination shall be conclusive upon the Holders of all Notes, whether
theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder. The
Indenture Trustee shall not be liable for any such determination made in good
faith.
In connection with requesting the consent of the Noteholders pursuant to
this Section, the Indenture Trustee shall mail to the Holders of the Notes to
which such amendment or supplemental indenture relates a notice setting forth
in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture. It shall not
be necessary for any Act of Noteholders under this Section to approve the
particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be
sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.03. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or
------------------------------------
permitting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture
permitted by this Article IX or the modification thereby of the trusts
created by this Indenture, the Indenture Trustee shall be entitled to
receive, and subject to Sections 6.01 and 6.02, shall be fully protected in
----------------------
relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such
supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The
Indenture Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such
supplemental indenture that affects the Indenture Trustee's own rights,
duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.04. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution
---------------------------------
of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this
Indenture shall be and shall be deemed to be modified and amended in
accordance therewith with respect to the Notes affected thereby, and the
respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties, liabilities
and immunities under this Indenture of the Indenture Trustee, the Issuer and
the Holders of the Notes shall thereafter be determined, exercised and
enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and
amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental
indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of
this Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 9.05. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment of
-----------------------------------
this Indenture and every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this
Article IX shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as
----------
then in effect so long as this Indenture shall then be qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.06. Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures. Notes
---------------------------------------------
authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture
pursuant to this Article IX may, and if required by the Indenture Trustee
----------
shall, bear a notation in form approved by the Indenture Trustee as to any
matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Issuer or the
Indenture Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in
the opinion of the Indenture Trustee and the Issuer, to any such supplemental
indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuer and authenticated and
delivered by the Indenture Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Notes.
Section 9.07. Amendments to Trust Agreement.
-----------------------------
Subject to Section 11.1 of the Trust Agreement, the Indenture Trustee
shall, upon Issuer Order, consent to any proposed amendment to the Trust
Agreement or an amendment to or waiver of any provision of any other document
relating to the Trust Agreement, such consent to be given without the
necessity of obtaining the consent of the Holders of any Notes upon
satisfaction of the requirements under Section 11.1 of the Trust Agreement.
Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require that any Person
obtain the consent of the Indenture Trustee to any amendment or waiver or any
provision of any document where the making of such amendment or the giving of
such waiver without obtaining the consent of the Indenture Trustee is not
prohibited by this Indenture or by the terms of the document that is the
subject of the proposed amendment or waiver.
ARTICLE X
REDEMPTION OF NOTES
Section 10.01. Redemption.
----------
The Majority Residual Interest Holders (as defined in the Trust
Agreement) may, at their option, effect an early redemption of the Notes on
or after any Distribution Date on which the Pool Principal Balance declines
to 10% or less of the Original Pool Principal Balance. The Majority Residual
Interest Holders shall effect such early redemption by directing the
Indenture Trustee to sell all of the Home Loans to a person that is not an
Affiliate of any of the Majority Residual Interest Holders, the Transferor or
the Servicer at a price not less than the Termination Price. In connection
with any such optional termination, to the extent that sufficient proceeds
are not available from the sale of the Home Loans or the termination of the
Trust, the Majority Residual Interest Holders will pay the outstanding fees
and expenses, if any, of the Indenture Trustee, the Owner Trustee, the Co-
Owner Trustee, the Issuer, the Custodian and the Servicer.
Any such redemption by the Majority Residual Interest Holders shall be
accomplished by the Majority Residual Interest Holders' depositing or causing
to be deposited into the Collection Account by 10:00 A.M. New York City time
on the third Business Day prior to the Redemption Date the amount of the
Termination Price. On the same day that the Termination Price is deposited
into the Collection Account, the Termination Price and any amounts then on
deposit in the Collection Account (other than any amounts not required to
have been deposited therein pursuant to Section 5.01(b)(1) of the Sale and
Servicing Agreement) shall be transferred to the Note Distribution Account
for distribution to the Noteholders on the Redemption Date; and any amounts
received with respect to the Home Loans and Foreclosure Properties subsequent
to such transfer shall belong to the Servicer. For purposes of calculating
the Regular Distribution Amount for the Redemption Date, amounts transferred
to the Note Distribution Account pursuant to the immediately preceding
sentence on the Determination Date immediately preceding such final
Distribution Date shall in all cases be deemed to have been received during
the related Due Period, and such transfer shall be applied pursuant to
Sections 5.01(d) and 5.01(e) of the Sale and Servicing Agreement.
The Servicer or the Issuer shall furnish the Rating Agencies notice of
any such redemption in accordance with Section 10.02.
-------------
Section 10.02. Form of Redemption Notice.
-------------------------
(a) Notice of redemption under Section 10.01 shall be given by the
-------------
Indenture Trustee by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile
mailed or transmitted not later than 10 days prior to the applicable
Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes, as of the close of business on the
Record Date preceding the applicable Redemption Date, at such Holder's
address or facsimile number appearing in the Note Register.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Termination Price; and
(iii) the place where such Notes are to be surrendered for payment
of the Termination Price (which shall be the office or agency of the Issuer
to be maintained as provided in Section 3.02).
------------
Notice of redemption of the Notes shall be given by the Indenture
Trustee in the name of the Issuer and at the expense of the Servicer.
Failure to give notice of redemption, or any defect therein, to any Holder of
any Note shall not impair or affect the validity of the redemption of any
other Note.
Section 10.03. Notes Payable on Redemption Date; Provision for Payment
-------------------------------------------------------
of Indenture Trustee. The Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed shall,
--------------------
following notice of redemption as required by Section 10.02 (in the case of
-------------
redemption pursuant to Section 10.01), on the Redemption Date become due and
-------------
payable at the Termination Price and (unless the Issuer shall default in the
payment of the Termination Price) no interest shall accrue on the Termination
Price for any period after the date to which accrued interest is calculated
for purposes of calculating the Termination Price. The Issuer may not redeem
the Notes unless, (i) all outstanding obligations under the Notes have been
paid in full and (ii) the Indenture Trustee has been paid all amounts to
which it is entitled hereunder.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.01. Compliance Certificates and Opinions, etc.
------------------------------------------
(a) Upon any application or request by the Issuer to the Indenture
Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture (except with
respect to the Servicer's servicing activity in the ordinary course of its
business), the Issuer shall furnish to the Indenture Trustee (i) an Officer's
Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in
this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with, (ii)
an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such
conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with and (iii) (if required
by the TIA) an Independent Certificate from a firm of certified public
accountants meeting the applicable requirements of this Section, except that,
in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of
such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture,
no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition
or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(1) a statement that each signatory of such certificate or opinion has
read or has caused to be read such covenant or condition and the
definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in
such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such signatory, such
signatory has made such examination or investigation as is
necessary to enable such signatory to express an informed opinion
as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied
with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such signatory,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.
(i) Prior to the deposit of any Collateral or other property or
securities with the Indenture Trustee that is to be made the basis for the
release of any property or securities subject to the lien of this Indenture,
the Issuer shall, in addition to any obligation imposed in Section 11.01(a)
----------------
or elsewhere in this Indenture, furnish to the Indenture Trustee an Officer's
Certificate certifying or stating the opinion of each person signing such
certificate as to the fair value (within 90 days of such deposit) to the
Issuer of the Collateral or other property or securities to be so deposited.
(ii) Whenever the Issuer is required to furnish to the Indenture Trustee
an Officer's Certificate certifying or stating the opinion of any signer
thereof as to the matters described in clause (i) above, the Issuer shall
also deliver to the Indenture Trustee an Independent Certificate as to the
same matters, if the fair value to the Issuer of the securities to be so
deposited and of all other such securities made the basis of any such
withdrawal or release since the commencement of the then-current fiscal
year of the Issuer, as set forth in the certificates delivered pursuant to
clause (i) above and this clause (ii), is 10% or more of the Outstanding
Amount of the Notes, but such a certificate need not be furnished with
respect to any securities so deposited, if the fair value thereof to the
Issuer as set forth in the related Officer's Certificate is less than
$25,000 or less than one percent of the Outstanding Amount of the Notes.
(iii) Whenever any property or securities are to be released from
the lien of this Indenture, the Issuer shall also furnish to the Indenture
Trustee an Officer's Certificate certifying or stating the opinion of each
person signing such certificate as to the fair value (within 90 days of such
release) of the property or securities proposed to be released and stating
that in the opinion of such person the proposed release will not impair the
security under this Indenture in contravention of the provisions hereof.
(iv) Whenever the Issuer is required to furnish to the Indenture Trustee
an Officer's Certificate certifying or stating the opinion of any signer
thereof as to the matters described in clause (iii) above, the Issuer shall
also furnish to the Indenture Trustee an Independent Certificate as to the
same matters if the fair value of the property or securities and of all other
property, other than securities released from the lien of this Indenture
since the commencement of the then-current calendar year, as set forth in the
certificates required by clause (iii) above and this clause (iv), equals 10%
or more of the Outstanding Amount of the Notes, but such certificate need not
be furnished in the case of any release of property or securities if the fair
value thereof as set forth in the related Officer's Certificate is less than
$25,000 or less than one percent of the then Outstanding Amount of the Notes.
Section 11.02. Form of Documents Delivered to Indenture Trustee. In
------------------------------------------------
any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by
an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such
matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person,
or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such
Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or
more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an Authorized Officer of the Issuer may be
based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion
of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the
exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or
representations with respect to the matters upon which such officer's
certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate of an
Authorized Officer or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates
to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by,
an officer or officers of the Servicer, the Transferor, the Issuer or the
Administrator, stating that the information with respect to such factual
matters is in the possession of the Servicer, the Transferor, the Issuer or
the Administrator, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or
representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.
Whenever in this Indenture, in connection with any application or
certificate or report to the Indenture Trustee, it is provided that the
Issuer shall deliver any document as a condition of the granting of such
application, or as evidence of the Issuer's compliance with any term hereof,
it is intended that the truth and accuracy, at the time of the granting of
such application or at the effective date of such certificate or report (as
the case may be), of the facts and opinions stated in such document shall in
such case be conditions precedent to the right of the Issuer to have such
application granted or to the sufficiency of such certificate or report. The
foregoing shall not, however, be construed to affect the Indenture Trustee's
right to rely upon the truth and accuracy of any statement or opinion
contained in any such document as provided in Article VI.
----------
Section 11.03. Acts of Noteholders. (a) Any request, demand,
-------------------
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by
this Indenture to be given or taken by Noteholders may be embodied in and
evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by
such Noteholders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing; and except
as herein otherwise expressly provided such action shall become effective
when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Indenture Trustee,
and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Such instrument
or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are
herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Noteholders signing such
instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a
writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this
Indenture and (subject to Section 6.01) conclusive in
------------
favor of the Indenture Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided
in this Section.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved in any manner that the Indenture Trustee
deems sufficient.
(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.
(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action by the Holder of any Notes shall bind the Holder of
every Note issued upon the registration thereof or in exchange therefor or in
lieu thereof, in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by
the Indenture Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not
notation of such action is made upon such Note.
Section 11.04. Notices, etc., to Indenture Trustee, Issuer and Rating
------------------------------------------------------
Agencies. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
--------
waiver or Act of Noteholders or other documents provided or permitted by this
Indenture shall be in writing and if such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or act of Noteholders is to be made upon,
given or furnished to or filed with:
(a) the Indenture Trustee by any Noteholder or by the Issuer shall be
sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in
writing to or with the Indenture Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or
(b) the Issuer by the Indenture Trustee or by any Noteholder shall be
sufficient for every purpose hereunder if in writing and made, given,
furnished or filed with the Issuer addressed to: Empire Funding Home Loan
Owner Trust 1997-1, in care of Wilmington Trust Company, Xxxxxx Square North,
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention: Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the
Indenture Trustee by the Issuer or the Administrator. The Issuer shall
promptly transmit any notice received by it from the Noteholders to the
Indenture Trustee.
Notices required to be given to the Rating Agencies by the Issuer, the
Indenture Trustee or the Owner Trustee shall be in writing, personally
delivered or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, to (i) in
the case of DCR, at the following address: Duff & Xxxxxx Credit Rating, 00
Xxxxx Xxxxxx (00xx Xxxxx), Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, and (ii) in the case of
Standard & Poor's, at the following address: Standard & Poor's Ratings Group,
00 Xxxxxxxx (00xx Xxxxx), Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention of Asset Backed
Surveillance Department; or as to each of the foregoing, at such other
address as shall be designated by written notice to the other parties.
Section 11.05. Notices to Noteholders; Waiver. Where this Indenture
------------------------------
provides for notice to Noteholders of any event, such notice shall be
sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing
and mailed, first-class, postage prepaid to each Noteholder affected by such
event, at his address as it appears on the Note Register, not later than the
latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the
giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Noteholders is given by
mail, neither the failure to mail such notice nor any defect in any notice so
mailed to any particular Noteholder shall affect the sufficiency of such
notice with respect to other Noteholders, and any notice that is mailed in
the manner herein provided shall conclusively be presumed to have been duly
given.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may
be waived in writing by any Person entitled to receive such notice, either
before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such
notice. Waivers of notice by Noteholders shall be filed with the Indenture
Trustee but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of
any action taken in reliance upon such a waiver.
In case, by reason of the suspension of regular mail service as a result
of a strike, work stoppage or similar activity, it shall be impractical to
mail notice of any event to Noteholders when such notice is required to be
given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving
such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Indenture Trustee shall be deemed
to be a sufficient giving of such notice.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to the Rating Agencies, failure
to give such notice shall not affect any other rights or obligations created
hereunder, and shall not under any circumstance constitute a Default or Event
of Default.
Section 11.06. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision
---------------------------------
hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof that is
required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.
The provisions of TIA Sections 310 through 317 that impose duties on any
person (including the provisions automatically deemed included herein unless
expressly excluded by this Indenture) are a part of and govern this
Indenture, whether or not physically contained herein.
Section 11.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article
----------------------------------------
and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience
only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 11.08. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements
----------------------
in this Indenture and the Notes by the Issuer shall bind its successors and
assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of the Indenture
Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors, co-trustees and agents.
Section 11.09. Separability. In case any provision in this Indenture
------------
or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity,
legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way
be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 11.10. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in
---------------------
the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the
parties hereto and their successors hereunder, and the Noteholders, and any
other party secured hereunder, and any other Person with an ownership
interest in any part of the Collateral, any benefit or any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 11.11. Legal Holidays. In any case where the date on which any
--------------
payment is due shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other
provision of the Notes or this Indenture) payment need not be made on such
date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force
and effect as if made on the date on which nominally due, and no interest
shall accrue for the period from and after any such nominal date.
Section 11.12. GOVERNING LAW. THIS INDENTURE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN
-------------
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ITS
CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS, AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE
PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS.
Section 11.13. Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any
------------
number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an
original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the
same instrument.
Section 11.14. Recording of Indenture. If this Indenture is subject
----------------------
to recording in any appropriate public recording offices, such recording is
to be effected by the Issuer and at its expense accompanied by an Opinion of
Counsel (which may be counsel to the Indenture Trustee or any other counsel
reasonably acceptable to the Indenture Trustee) to the effect that such
recording is necessary either for the protection of the Noteholders or any
other Person secured hereunder or for the enforcement of any right or remedy
granted to the Indenture Trustee under this Indenture.
Section 11.15. Trust Obligation. No recourse may be taken, directly
----------------
or indirectly, with respect to the obligations of the Issuer, the Owner
Trustee or the Indenture Trustee on the Notes or, except as expressly
provided for in Article VI, under this Indenture or any certificate or other
----------
writing delivered in connection herewith or therewith, against (i) the
Indenture Trustee or the Owner Trustee in its individual capacity, (ii) any
owner of a beneficial interest in the Issuer or (iii) any partner, owner,
beneficiary, agent, officer, director, employee or agent of the Indenture
Trustee or the Owner Trustee in its individual capacity, any holder of a
beneficial interest in the Issuer, the Owner Trustee or the Indenture Trustee
or of any successor or assign of the Indenture Trustee or the Owner Trustee
in its individual capacity, except as any such Person may have expressly
agreed (it being understood that the Indenture Trustee and the Owner Trustee
have no such obligations in their individual capacity) and except that any
such partner, owner or beneficiary shall be fully liable, to the extent
provided by applicable law, for any unpaid consideration for stock, unpaid
capital contribution or failure to pay any installment or call owing to such
entity. For all purposes of this Indenture, in the performance of any duties
or obligations of the Issuer hereunder, the Owner Trustee shall be subject
to, and entitled to the benefits of, the terms and provisions of Article VI,
VII and VIII of the Trust Agreement.
Section 11.16. No Petition. The Indenture Trustee, by entering into
-----------
this Indenture, and each Noteholder, by accepting a Note, hereby covenant and
agree that they will not at any time institute against the Transferor, the
Servicer, or the Issuer, or join in any institution against the Transferor,
the Servicer, or the Issuer of, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
insolvency or liquidation proceedings, or other proceedings under any United
States federal or state bankruptcy or similar law in connection with any
obligations relating to the Notes, this Indenture or any of the Basic
Documents.
Section 11.17. Inspection. The Issuer agrees that, on reasonable prior
----------
notice, it will permit any representative of the Indenture Trustee, during
the Issuer's normal business hours, to examine all the books of account,
records, reports and other papers of the Issuer, to make copies and extracts
therefrom, to cause such books to be audited by Independent certified public
accountants, and to discuss the Issuer's affairs, finances and accounts with
the Issuer's officers, employees, and Independent certified public
accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably
requested. The Indenture Trustee shall and shall cause its representatives
to hold in confidence all such information except to the extent disclosure
may be required by law (and all reasonable applications for confidential
treatment are unavailing) and except to the extent that the Indenture Trustee
may reasonably determine that such disclosure is consistent with its
obligations hereunder.
* * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee have caused
this amended and restated Indenture to be duly executed by their respective
officers, thereunto duly authorized and duly attested, all as of the day and
year first above written.
EMPIRE FUNDING HOME LOAN
OWNER TRUST 1997-1
By: Wilmington Trust Company
not in its individual capacity but
solely as Owner Trustee
By:
----------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
FIRST BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Indenture Trustee
By:
----------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF NEW YORK
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, a Notary Public in and for said
county and state, on this day personally appeared
___________________________, known to me to be the person and officer whose
name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that
the same was the act of the said WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, not in its
individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee on behalf of EMPIRE FUNDING
HOME LOAN OWNER TRUST 1997-1, a Delaware business trust, and that such person
executed the same as the act of said business trust for the purpose and
consideration therein expressed, and in the capacities therein stated.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE, this ____ day of April, 1997.
--------------------------------------------
Notary Public in and for the State of New York
(Seal)
My commission expires:
--------------------
STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF NEW YORK
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, a Notary Public in and for said
county and state, on this day personally appeared __________________________,
known to me to be the person and officer whose name is subscribed to the
foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that the same was the act of
FIRST BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, and that
such person executed the same as the act of said corporation for the purpose
and consideration therein stated.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE, this ____ day of April, 1997.
--------------------------------------------
Notary Public in and for the State of New York
(Seal)
My commission expires:
--------------------
SCHEDULE A
(To be Provided at the Closing)
