EX-4.2 3 x35161k2exv4w2.txt STACK II POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT EXHIBIT 4.2 MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS, INC., Depositor WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Master Servicer and Securities Administrator and HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Trustee STACK II POOLING AND SERVICING TERMS, Constituting, Along with the Stack I Pooling and Servicing Terms, the POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT Dated as of May 1, 2007 ---------- Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, MANA Series 2007-AF1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page ---- ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS.................................................... 7 Section 1.02 Accounting.............................................. 51 ARTICLE II CONVEYANCE OF MORTGAGE LOANS; ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES.................................................. 52 Section 2.01 Conveyance of Mortgage Loans to Trustee................. 52 Section 2.02 Acceptance of Mortgage Loans by Trustee................. 55 Section 2.03 Assignment of Interest in the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement............................................... 58 Section 2.04 Substitution of Mortgage Loans.......................... 59 Section 2.05 Issuance of Certificates................................ 61 Section 2.06 Representations and Warranties Concerning the Depositor............................................... 61 Section 2.07 Representations and Warranties Concerning the Master Servicer and Securities Administrator................... 62 ARTICLE III ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING OF MORTGAGE LOANS............... 64 Section 3.01 Master Servicer......................................... 64 Section 3.02 REMIC-Related Covenants................................. 65 Section 3.03 Monitoring of Servicers................................. 65 Section 3.04 Fidelity Bond........................................... 66 Section 3.05 Power to Act; Procedures................................ 66 Section 3.06 Due-on-Sale Clauses; Assumption Agreements.............. 67 Section 3.07 Release of Mortgage Files............................... 67 Section 3.08 Documents, Records and Funds in Possession of Master Servicer To Be Held for Trustee......................... 68 Section 3.09 Standard Hazard Insurance and Flood Insurance Policies.. 69 Section 3.10 Presentment of Claims and Collection of Proceeds........ 69 Section 3.11 Maintenance of the Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies.. 70 Section 3.12 Trustee to Retain Possession of Certain Insurance Policies and Documents.................................. 70 Section 3.13 Realization Upon Defaulted Mortgage Loans............... 71 Section 3.14 Compensation for the Master Servicer.................... 71 Section 3.15 REO Property............................................ 71 Section 3.16 Annual Statement as to Compliance....................... 72 Section 3.17 Reports on Assessment of Compliance and Attestation..... 73 Section 3.18 Periodic Filings........................................ 75 Section 3.19 Compliance with Regulation AB........................... 82 ARTICLE IV ACCOUNTS...................................................... 83 Section 4.01 Protected Accounts...................................... 83 Section 4.02 Master Servicer Collection Account...................... 84
Section 4.03 Permitted Withdrawals and Transfers from the Master Servicer Collection Account............................. 85 Section 4.04 Distribution Account.................................... 86 Section 4.05 Permitted Withdrawals and Transfers from the Distribution Account.................................... 86 Section 4.06 [Reserved.]............................................. 88 ARTICLE V CERTIFICATES................................................... 90 Section 5.01 The Certificates........................................ 90 Section 5.02 Certificate Register; Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Certificates................................ 90 Section 5.03 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates....... 94 Section 5.04 Persons Deemed Owners................................... 95 Section 5.05 Access to List of Certificateholders' Names and Addresses............................................... 95 Section 5.06 Book-Entry Certificates................................. 95 Section 5.07 Notices to Depository................................... 96 Section 5.08 Definitive Certificates................................. 96 Section 5.09 Maintenance of Office or Agency......................... 97 ARTICLE VI PAYMENTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS................................ 98 Section 6.01 Distributions on the Certificates....................... 98 Section 6.02 Allocation of Losses.................................... 103 Section 6.03 Payments................................................ 104 Section 6.04 Statements to Certificateholders........................ 104 Section 6.05 Monthly Advances........................................ 107 Section 6.06 Compensating Interest Payments.......................... 107 ARTICLE VII THE MASTER SERVICER AND THE DEPOSITOR........................ 108 Section 7.01 Liabilities of the Master Servicer...................... 108 Section 7.02 Merger or Consolidation of the Master Servicer.......... 108 Section 7.03 Indemnification from the Master Servicer and the Depositor............................................... 108 Section 7.04 Limitations on Liability of the Master Servicer and Others.................................................. 109 Section 7.05 Master Servicer Not to Resign........................... 110 Section 7.06 Successor Master Servicer............................... 110 Section 7.07 Sale and Assignment of Master Servicing................. 110 ARTICLE VIII DEFAULT..................................................... 112 Section 8.01 Events of Default....................................... 112 Section 8.02 Trustee to Act; Appointment of Successor................ 113 Section 8.03 Notification to Certificateholders...................... 114 Section 8.04 Waiver of Defaults...................................... 114 Section 8.05 List of Certificateholders.............................. 115 ARTICLE IX CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE AND THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR....... 116
iii Section 9.01 Duties of Trustee....................................... 116 Section 9.02 Certain Matters Affecting the Trustee and the Securities Administrator........................................... 118 Section 9.03 Trustee and Securities Administrator Not Liable for Certificates or Mortgage Loans.......................... 120 Section 9.04 Trustee and Securities Administrator May Own Certificates............................................ 120 Section 9.05 Trustee's and Securities Administrator's Fees and Expenses................................................ 120 Section 9.06 Eligibility Requirements for Trustee and Securities Administrator........................................... 121 Section 9.07 Insurance............................................... 122 Section 9.08 Resignation and Removal of the Trustee and Securities Administrator........................................... 122 Section 9.09 Successor Trustee and Successor Securities Administrator........................................... 123 Section 9.10 Merger or Consolidation of Trustee or Securities Administrator........................................... 123 Section 9.11 Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee........... 124 Section 9.12 Federal Information Returns and Reports to Certificateholders; REMIC Administration................ 125 ARTICLE X TERMINATION.................................................... 130 Section 10.01 Termination upon Liquidation or Repurchase of all Mortgage Loans.......................................... 130 Section 10.02 Final Distribution on the Certificates.................. 131 Section 10.03 Additional Termination Requirements..................... 132 ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS...................................... 134 Section 11.01 Intent of Parties....................................... 134 Section 11.02 Amendment............................................... 134 Section 11.03 Recordation of Agreement................................ 136 Section 11.04 Limitation on Rights of Certificateholders.............. 136 Section 11.05 Acts of Certificateholders.............................. 136 Section 11.06 Governing Law........................................... 138 Section 11.07 Notices................................................. 138 Section 11.08 Severability of Provisions.............................. 139 Section 11.09 Successors and Assigns.................................. 139 Section 11.10 Article and Section Headings............................ 139 Section 11.11 Counterparts............................................ 139 Section 11.12 Notice to Rating Agencies............................... 139 ARTICLE XII REMIC ADMINISTRATION......................................... 140 Section 12.01 REMIC Administration.................................... 140 Section 12.02 Prohibited Transactions and Activities.................. 140 Section 12.03 Indemnification with Respect to Prohibited Transactions or Loss of REMIC Status................................. 140 Section 12.04 REO Property............................................ 141
iv EXHIBITS Exhibit A-1 - Form of Class AV and Class MV Certificates Exhibit A-2 - Form of Class BV Certificates Exhibit A-3 - Form of Class A-R Certificate Exhibit A-4 - Form of Class P Certificate Exhibit B-1 - Stack I Mortgage Loan Schedule Exhibit B-2 - Stack II Mortgage Loan Schedule Exhibit C - [Reserved] Exhibit D - Request for Release of Documents Exhibit E-1 - Form of Transferee's Letter and Affidavit Exhibit E-2 - Form of Transferor Certificate Exhibit F-1 - Form of Transferor Representation Letter Exhibit F-2 - Form of Investor Representation Letter Exhibit F-3 - Form of Rule 144A Letter Exhibit G - Form of Custodial Agreement Exhibit H - [Reserved] Exhibit I-1 to I-6 - Assignment Agreements Exhibit J-1 - Stack I Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement Exhibit J-2 - Stack II Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement Exhibit K - Servicing Criteria To Be Addressed in Assessment of Compliance Exhibit L - Form of Sarbanes-Oxley Certification Exhibit M - Form of Back-up Sarbanes-Oxley Certification Exhibit N - [Reserved] Exhibit O - Additional Disclosure Notification Exhibit P - Form of Item 1123 Certification of Servicer Exhibit Q-1 - Additional Form 10-D Disclosure Exhibit Q-2 - Additional Form 10-K Disclosure Exhibit Q-3 - Form 8-K Disclosure Information v STACK II POOLING AND SERVICING TERMS These Stack II Pooling and Servicing Terms are dated as of May 1, 2007 (the "Agreement," and, together with the Stack I Pooling and Servicing Terms (the "Stack I Agreement") dated as of May 1, 2007, the "Pooling and Servicing Agreement"), among MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS, INC., as depositor (the "Depositor"), WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as master servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer") and as securities administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator") and HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (the "Trustee"). PRELIMINARY STATEMENT The Depositor has acquired the Mortgage Loans from the Seller and at the Closing Date is the owner of the Mortgage Loans and the other related property being conveyed by the Depositor to the Trustee hereunder on behalf of the Issuing Entity for inclusion in the Trust Fund. On the Closing Date, the Depositor will acquire the Certificates from the Securities Administrator as consideration for the Depositor's transfer to the Issuing Entity of the Mortgage Loans and the other related property constituting that portion of the Trust Fund relating to the Certificates. The Depositor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement to provide for the conveyance to the Issuing Entity of the Mortgage Loans and the other related property constituting that portion of the Trust Fund relating to the Certificates. All covenants and agreements made by the Seller in the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement and in this Agreement and all covenants and agreements made by the Depositor, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator and the Master Servicer herein with respect to the Mortgage Loans and the other related property constituting that portion of the Trust Fund relating to the Certificates are for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Certificates. The Depositor, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator and the Master Servicer are entering into this Agreement, and the Trustee on behalf of the Issuing Entity is accepting the Trust Fund created hereby, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged. In conjunction herewith, the Depositor has acquired the Stack I Mortgage Loans from the Seller and at the Closing Date is the owner of the Stack I Mortgage Loans and the other related property being conveyed by the Depositor to the Trustee under the Stack I Agreement on behalf of the Issuing Entity for inclusion in the Trust Fund. On the Closing Date, the Depositor will acquire the Stack I Certificates from the Securities Administrator as consideration for the Depositor's transfer to the Issuing Entity of the Stack I Mortgage Loans and the other related property constituting that portion of the Trust Fund relating to the Stack I Certificates. The Depositor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of the Stack I Agreement to provide for the conveyance to the Issuing Entity of the Stack I Mortgage Loans and the other related property constituting that portion of the Trust Fund relating to the Stack I Certificates. The terms and conditions relating to the issuance of the Stack I Certificates are set forth in the Stack I Agreement. As provided herein, the Securities Administrator shall elect that the portion of the Trust Fund relating to Loan Group 3 be treated for federal income tax purposes as comprising two real estate mortgage investment conduits (each a "REMIC" or, in the alternative, "REMIC 1" and the "Upper Tier REMIC," respectively) in a tiered structure. The Certificates created under this Agreement, other than the Class A-R Certificate and the Class P Certificate, shall represent ownership of regular interests in the Upper Tier REMIC. The Class A-R Certificate represents the sole class of residual interest in each of REMIC 1 and the Upper Tier REMIC and any REMIC created under the Stack I Agreement. The Upper Tier REMIC shall hold as its assets the several classes of uncertificated REMIC 1 Regular Interests. REMIC 1 shall hold as its assets the property of the Trust Fund relating to Loan Group 3 other than (i) the REMIC 1 Interests and (ii) the amounts payable to the Class P Certificates. Each Upper Tier REMIC Regular Interest is hereby designated as a regular interest in the Upper Tier REMIC for purposes of the REMIC Provisions. Each REMIC 1 Regular Interest is hereby designated as a regular interest in REMIC 1 for purposes of the REMIC Provisions. The Class LT1-R Interest is hereby designated as the sole class of residual interest in REMIC 1 for purposes of the REMIC Provisions. The Class A-R Certificate, other than the portion thereof representing the right to receive payments in respect of the Class LT1-R Interest or the residual interest in any REMIC created under the Stack I Agreement, is hereby designated as the sole class of residual interest in the Upper Tier REMIC for purposes of the REMIC provisions. The Class A-R Certificate will also represent the Class LT1-R Interest and the residual interest in any REMIC created under the Stack I Agreement. THE REMIC 1 INTERESTS The following table specifies the class designation, interest rate, initial principal amount and Corresponding Class or Classes of Certificates for each class of REMIC 1 Interest:
Pass- Corresponding REMIC 1 Initial Through Class(es) of Interest Balance Rate Certificates -------- ------- ------- ------------- LT1-R (1) (1) N/A LT1-AV12 (2) (3) Class AV-1, Class AV-2, Class AV-IO LT1-MV1 (2) (3) Class MV-1 LT1-MV2 (2) (3) Class MV-2 LT1-MV3 (2) (3) Class MV-3 LT1-BV1 (2) (3) Class BV-1 LT1-BV2 (2) (3) Class BV-2 LT1-BV3 (2) (3) Class BV-3
---------- (1) The Class LT1-R Interest shall represent the sole class of residual interest in REMIC 1. The Class LT1-R Interest will not have a principal amount or an interest rate. The Class LT1-R Interest shall be represented by the Class A-R Certificate. (2) The initial principal amount of each of these interests shall be equal to the initial Class Certificate Balance the Corresponding Class or Classes of Certificates (disregarding the -2- notional amount of any class of "interest-only" certificates). (3) For any Distribution Date, the interest rate for each of these interests shall be a per annum rate equal to the Loan Group 3 Net WAC. Principal and interest shall be payable to, and shortfalls, losses, prepayments and increases in principal amount are allocable to, the REMIC 1 Regular Interests as such amounts are payable and allocable to the Corresponding Classes of Certificates under this Agreement. Any remaining amounts shall be distributable in respect of the Class LT1-R Interest. THE CERTIFICATES The following table sets forth (or describes) the Class designation, Pass-Through Rate, initial Class Certificate Balance or initial notional amount, and minimum denomination for each Class of Certificates comprising interests in the Trust Fund created hereunder.
Initial Class Certificate Balance Minimum Pass- or Initial Denominations Class Through Notional or Percentage Designation Rate Amount Interest ----------- ------- ------------- ------------- Class AV-1 (1) $221,603,000 $25,000.00 Class AV-2 (1) $ 24,622,000 $25,000.00 Class AV-IO (2) (2) $25,000.00 Class MV-1 (3) $ 6,917,000 $25,000.00 Class MV-2 (3) $ 4,522,000 $25,000.00 Class MV-3 (3) $ 2,793,000 $25,000.00 Class BV-1 (3) $ 2,394,000 $25,000.00 Class BV-2 (3) $ 1,729,000 $25,000.00 Class BV-3 (3) $ 1,465,993 $25,000.00 Class P N/A N/A (4) 100%
(1) The Pass-Through Rate with respect to any Distribution Date (and the related Interest Accrual Period) for the Class AV-1 and Class AV-2 Certificates will be the difference of (i) the weighted average of the net mortgage rates of the Group 3 Mortgage Loans and (ii) the interest rate on the Class AV-IO Certificates. (2) The Class AV-IO Certificates are interest-only Certificates. The Class AV-IO certificates will accrue interest on their class notional amount at a rate of (i) for all Distribution Dates on or prior to the Distribution Date in February 2012, the lesser of (x) 0.5762% per annum and (y) the weighted average of the net mortgage rates of the Group 3 Mortgage Loans and (ii) for all Distribution Dates thereafter, 0.00%. The notional amount of the Class AV-IO Certificates is approximately $246,225,000. (3) The Pass-Through Rates with respect to any Distribution Date (and the related Interest Accrual Period) for the Class MV-1, Class MV-2, Class MV-3, Class BV-1, Class BV-2 and Class BV-3 Certificates will be equal to the weighted average of the Net Mortgage Rates of the Group 3 Mortgage Loans. (4) The Class P Certificates will be entitled to receive Prepayment Charges on the Prepayment Charge Mortgage Loans. As of the Cut-off Date, the Mortgage Loans had an aggregate Stated Principal Balance of $266,045,993.70. -3- In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the Depositor, the Trustee, Securities Administrator and the Master Servicer hereby agree as follows: -4- ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the meanings specified in this Article. 10-K Filing Deadline: As defined in Section 3.18(h). Accepted Master Servicing Practices: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, as applicable, either (x) those customary mortgage master servicing practices of prudent mortgage servicing institutions that master service mortgage loans of the same type and quality as such Mortgage Loan in the jurisdiction where the related Mortgaged Property is located, to the extent applicable to the Trustee or the Master Servicer (except in its capacity as successor to a Servicer), or (y) as provided in the applicable Servicing Agreement, to the extent applicable to any Servicer, but in no event below the standard set forth in clause (x). Account: The Master Servicer Collection Account, Distribution Account and any Protected Account as the context may require. Accountant's Attestation: As defined in Section 3.17. Accrued Certificate Interest: With respect to each Class of Certificates, an amount equal to the interest accrued during the related Interest Accrual Period on the Class Certificate Balance thereof at the then-applicable Pass-Through Rate. Accrued Certificate Interest on any Class of Certificates will be reduced by the amount of (i) Prepayment Interest Shortfalls (to the extent not offset by the related Servicer or Master Servicer with a Compensating Interest Payment as provided in Section 6.06), (ii) the interest portion of Realized Losses allocated to such Class of Certificates pursuant to Section 6.02 and (iii) any other interest shortfalls not covered by the subordination provided by the Class MV Certificates and Class BV Certificates, including shortfalls as a result of the Relief Act or similar legislation or regulations, with all such reductions allocated among all of the Certificates in proportion to their respective amounts of Accrued Certificate Interest payable on such Distribution Date which would have resulted absent such reductions. Additional Disclosure Notification: As defined in Section 3.18(b). Additional Form 10-D Disclosure: As defined in Section 3.18(e). Additional Form 10-K Disclosure: As defined in Section 3.18(h). Adverse REMIC Event: As defined in Section 9.12(g). Affiliate: As to any Person, any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person. "Control" means the power to direct the management and policies of a Person, directly or indirectly, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. "Controlled" and "Controlling" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. The -5- Master Servicer may conclusively presume that a Person is not an Affiliate of another Person unless a Responsible Officer of the Master Servicer has actual knowledge to the contrary. Agreement: This Stack II Pooling and Servicing Agreement, including the exhibits hereto, and all amendments hereof and supplements hereto. Applicable Credit Rating: For any long-term deposit or security, a credit rating of AAA in the case of S&P or Aaa in the case of Moody's. For any short-term deposit or security, a rating of A-l+ in the case of S&P or P-1 in the case of Moody's. Appraised Value: For any Mortgaged Property related to a Mortgage Loan, the amount set forth as the appraised value of such Mortgaged Property in an appraisal made for the mortgage originator in connection with its origination of the related Mortgage Loan. Assessment of Compliance: As defined in Section 3.17. Assignment: An assignment of the Mortgage, notice of transfer or equivalent instrument, in recordable form, sufficient under the laws of the jurisdiction wherein the related Mortgaged Property is located to reflect of record the sale of the Mortgage Loan to the Trustee for the benefit of Certificateholders, which assignment, notice of transfer or equivalent instrument may be in the form of one or more blanket assignments covering Mortgages secured by Mortgaged Properties located in the same county, if permitted by law and accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel to that effect. Assignment Agreements: The GreenPoint Assignment Agreement, the PHH Assignment Agreement, the Wilshire Servicing Agreement, the Countrywide Assignment Agreement, the RFC Assignment Agreement and the Wells Fargo Bank Assignment Agreement, which are attached hereto as Exhibits I-1 through and I-6, respectively. Available Funds: For any Distribution Date, the sum of the Group 3 Available Funds. Back-Up Certification: As defined in Section 3.18(k). Bankruptcy Code: The United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended as codified in 11 U.S.C. Sections 101-1330. Book-Entry Certificates: Any of the Certificates that shall be registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, the ownership of which is reflected on the books of the Depository or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with the Depository (directly, as a Depository Participant, or indirectly, as an indirect participant in accordance with the rules of the Depository and as described in Section 5.02 hereof). On the Closing Date, the Certificates (other than the Class A-R Certificate and the Private Certificates) shall be Book-Entry Certificates. Business Day: Any day other than (i) a Saturday or Sunday, (ii) with respect to Wilshire only, a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed or (iii) a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or Federal Reserve is closed or on which banking institutions in the -6- jurisdiction in which the Trustee, the Master Servicer, any Servicer or the Securities Administrator are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to be closed. Certificate: Any mortgage pass-through certificate issued pursuant to this Agreement evidencing a beneficial ownership interest in that portion of the Trust Fund related to the Mortgage Loans, signed and countersigned by the Securities Administrator. For the avoidance of doubt, as defined below, the term "Stack I Certificate" shall be used to refer to any mortgage pass-through certificate issued pursuant to the Stack I Agreement, evidencing a beneficial ownership interest in that portion of the Trust Fund related to the Stack I Mortgage Loans, signed and countersigned by the Securities Administrator. Certificate Group: Each of the Group 3 Certificates. Certificate Owner: With respect to each Book-Entry Certificate, any beneficial owner thereof. Certificate Register: The register maintained pursuant to Section 5.02 hereof. Certificateholder or Holder: The Person in whose name a Regular Certificate is registered in the Certificate Register, except that a Disqualified Organization or non-U.S. Person shall not be a Holder of the Class A-R Certificate for any purpose hereof. Certification Parties: As defined in Section 3.18(k). Certifying Person: As defined in Section 3.18(k). Class: Collectively, Certificates which have the same priority of payment and bear the same class designation and the form of which is identical except for variation in the Percentage Interest evidenced thereby. Class AV Certificate: Any of the Class AV-1, Class AV-2, or Class AV-IO Certificates as designated on the face thereof substantially in the form annexed (other than the Class A-R Certificate) hereto as Exhibit A-1, executed by the Securities Administrator and authenticated and delivered by the Securities Administrator, representing the right to distributions as set forth herein and therein. Class AV Certificateholder: Any Holder of a Class AV Certificate. Class A-R Certificate: The Class A-R Certificate created under the Stack I Agreement. Class BV Certificate: Any one of the Class BV-1, Class BV-2 or Class BV-3 Certificates as designated on the face thereof substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A-2, executed by the Securities Administrator and authenticated and delivered by the Securities Administrator, representing the right to distributions as set forth herein and therein. Class BV Certificateholder: Any Holder of a Class BV Certificate. -7- Class BV Percentage: The Class BV-1 Percentage, Class BV-2 Percentage or Class BV-3 Percentage. Class BV-1 Percentage: With respect to any Distribution Date, the lesser of 100% and a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class BV-1 Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date and the denominator of which is the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all of the Mortgage Loans (or related REO Properties) immediately prior to such Distribution Date. Class BV-2 Percentage: With respect to any Distribution Date, the lesser of 100% and a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class BV-2 Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date and the denominator of which is the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all of the Mortgage Loans (or related REO Properties) immediately prior to such Distribution Date. Class BV-3 Percentage: With respect to any Distribution Date, the lesser of 100% and a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class BV-3 Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date and the denominator of which is the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all of the Mortgage Loans (or related REO Properties) immediately prior to such Distribution Date. Class Certificate Balance: With respect to any Certificate as of any date of determination, the Class Certificate Balance of such Certificate on the Distribution Date immediately prior to such date of determination, plus any Subsequent Recoveries added to the Class Certificate Balance of such Certificate pursuant to Section 6.01, and reduced by the aggregate of (a) all distributions of principal made thereon on such immediately prior Distribution Date and (b) without duplication of amounts described in clause (a) above, reductions in the Class Certificate Balance thereof in connection with allocations thereto of Realized Losses on the Mortgage Loans and Extraordinary Trust Fund Expenses on such immediately prior Distribution Date (or, in the case of any date of determination up to and including the initial Distribution Date, the initial Class Certificate Balance of such Certificate, as stated on the face thereof); provided, however, that the Class Certificate Balance of each Subordinate Certificate of the Class of Subordinate Certificates outstanding with the highest numerical designation at any given time shall be calculated to equal the Percentage Interest evidenced by such Certificate multiplied by the excess, if any, of (A) the then aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans over (B) the then aggregate Class Certificate Balance of all other Classes of Certificates then outstanding. For purposes of this defined term, the Class BV Certificates shall be considered as having higher numerical Class designations than the Class MV Certificates. Class MV Certificate: Any one of the Class MV-1, Class MV-2 or Class MV-3 Certificates as designated on the face thereof substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A-1, executed by the Securities Administrator and authenticated and delivered by the Securities Administrator, representing the right to distributions as set forth herein and therein. Class MV Certificateholder: Any Holder of a Class MV Certificate. -8- Class MV Percentage: The Class MV-1 Percentage, Class MV-2 Percentage or Class MV-3 Percentage. Class MV-1 Percentage: With respect to any Distribution Date, the lesser of 100% and a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class MV-1 Certificates immediately prior to such date and the denominator of which is the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all of the Mortgage Loans (or related REO Properties) immediately prior to such Distribution Date. Class MV-2 Percentage: With respect to any Distribution Date, the lesser of 100% and a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class MV-2 Certificates immediately prior to such date and the denominator of which is the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all of the Mortgage Loans (or related REO Properties) immediately prior to such Distribution Date. Class MV-3 Percentage: With respect to any Distribution Date, the lesser of 100% and a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class MV-3 Certificates immediately prior to such date and the denominator of which is the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all of the Mortgage Loans (or related REO Properties) immediately prior to such Distribution Date. Class P Certificate: Any one of the Class P Certificates as designated on the face thereof substantially in the forum of annexed hereto as Exhibit A-4, executed by the Securities Administrator and authenticated and delivered by the Securities Administrator representing the right to distributions of Prepayment Charges received on the Prepayment Charge Mortgage Loans as set forth herein and in the Stack I Agreement. Class Subordination Percentage: With respect to any Distribution Date and each Class of Subordinate Certificates, the fraction (expressed as a percentage) the numerator of which is the Class Certificate Balance of such Class of Subordinate Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date and the denominator of which is the aggregate of the Class Certificate Balances of all Classes of Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date. Closing Date: May 30, 2007. Code: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission. Compensating Interest Payment: As defined in Section 6.06. Cooperative: A corporation that has been formed for the purpose of cooperative apartment ownership. Cooperative Assets: Shares issued by Cooperatives, the related Cooperative Lease and any other collateral securing the Cooperative Loans. -9- Cooperative Lease: With respect to a Cooperative Loan, the proprietary lease or occupancy agreement with respect to the cooperative apartment occupied by the Mortgagor and relating to the related Cooperative Assets, which lease or agreement confers an exclusive right to the holder of such Cooperative Assets to occupy such apartment. Cooperative Loan: The indebtedness of a Mortgagor evidenced by a Mortgage Note which is secured by Cooperative Assets and which is being sold to the Depositor pursuant to this Agreement, the Mortgage Loans so sold being identified in the Mortgage Loan Schedule. Cooperative Stock: With respect to a Cooperative Loan, the single outstanding class of stock, partnership interest or other ownership instrument in the related Cooperative. Corporate Trust Office: With respect to the Trustee, the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business in connection with this Agreement shall be administered, which office at the date of the execution of this instrument is located at HSBC Bank USA, National Association, 452 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, Attention: Issuer Services - Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., MANA Series 2007-AF1, or at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Certificateholders, the Depositor and the Master Servicer and with respect to the Securities Administrator, for Certificate transfer purposes, Wells Fargo Center, Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479, Attn: Corporate Trust Services - MANA 2007-AF1, and for all other purposes, 9062 Old Annapolis Road, Columbia, Maryland, 21045, Attn: Client Manager - MANA 2007-AF1. Corresponding Class or Classes of Certificates: With respect to each REMIC 1 Regular Interest, the Class or Classes of Certificates appearing opposite such REMIC 1 Regular Interest as described in the Preliminary Statement hereto. Countrywide: Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP, or any successor thereto. Countrywide Assignment Agreement: The Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2007, among Countrywide, the Depositor and the Seller pursuant to which the Countrywide Servicing Agreement and the rights of the Seller thereunder (other than the rights to enforce the representations and warranties with respect to the Countrywide Loans) were assigned to the Depositor for the benefit of the Certificateholders. Countrywide Loans: The Mortgage Loans serviced by Countrywide pursuant to the Countrywide Servicing Agreement. Countrywide Servicing Agreement: The Master Mortgage Loan Purchase and Servicing Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2007, between MLML and Countrywide. Credit Support Depletion Date: The first Distribution Date on which the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Subordinate Certificates is reduced to zero. Curtailment: Any Principal Prepayment made by a Mortgagor which is not a Principal Prepayment in Full. -10- Custodial Agreement: An agreement, dated as of the Closing Date among the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the Trustee and the Custodian in substantially the form of Exhibit G hereto. Custodian: Each of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as applicable, including any successors in interest, or any successor custodian appointed pursuant to the provisions hereof and of the applicable Custodial Agreement. Cut-off Date: May 1, 2007. Debt Service Reduction: Any reduction of the Monthly Payments which a Mortgagor is obligated to pay with respect to a Mortgage Loan as a result of any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other similar state law or other proceeding. Defective Mortgage Loan: A Mortgage Loan replaced or to be replaced by one or more Substitute Mortgage Loans. Deficient Valuation: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, a valuation of the related Mortgaged Property by a court of competent jurisdiction in an amount less than the then outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loan, which valuation results from a proceeding initiated under the Bankruptcy Code or any other similar state law or other proceeding. Definitive Certificates: As defined in Section 5.06. Depositor: Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor in interest. Depository: The Depository Trust Company, the nominee of which is Cede & Co., or any successor thereto. Depository Participant: A broker, dealer, bank or other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Depository effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Depository. Designated Depository Institution: A depository institution (commercial bank, federal savings bank, mutual savings bank or savings and loan association) or trust company (which may include the Trustee), the deposits of which are fully insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by law. Determination Date: With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the Determination Date as defined in the related Servicing Agreement. Disqualified Organization: A "disqualified organization" as defined in Section 860 E(e)(5) of the Code. Distribution Account: The trust account or accounts created and maintained pursuant to Section 4.04, which shall be denominated "Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Securities Administrator for HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee f/b/o holders of -11- Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, MANA Series 2007-AF1 - Distribution Account (Stack II)." The Distribution Account shall be an Eligible Account. Distribution Account Deposit Date: The Business Day prior to each Distribution Date. Distribution Date: The 25th day of any month, beginning in June 2007, or, if such 25th day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately following. Due Date: With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the date in each month on which its Monthly Payment is due if such due date is the first day of a month and otherwise is deemed to be the first day of the following month or such other date specified in the related Servicing Agreement. Due Period: With respect to any Distribution Date and each Mortgage Loan, the period commencing on the second day of the month preceding the month in which the Distribution Date occurs and ending at the close of business on the first day of the month in which the Distribution Date occurs. Eligible Account: Any of (i) a segregated account maintained with a federal or state chartered depository institution (A) the short-term obligations of which are rated A-1 or better by S&P and P-1 by Moody's at the time of any deposit therein or (B) insured by the FDIC (to the limits established by such Corporation), the uninsured deposits (as evidenced in writing by the Rating Agencies that use of any such account as the Distribution Account will not have an adverse effect on the then-current ratings assigned to the Classes of Certificates then rated by the Rating Agencies) in which account are otherwise secured such that, as evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel (obtained by the Person requesting that the account be held pursuant to this clause (i)) delivered to the Securities Administrator prior to the establishment of such account, the Certificateholders will have a claim with respect to the funds in such account and a perfected first priority security interest against any collateral (which shall be limited to Permitted Investments, each of which shall mature not later than the Business Day immediately preceding the Distribution Date next following the date of investment in such collateral or the Distribution Date if such Permitted Investment is an obligation of the institution that maintains the Distribution Account) securing such funds that is superior to claims of any other depositors or general creditors of the depository institution with which such account is maintained, (ii) a segregated trust account or accounts maintained with a federal or state chartered depository institution or trust company with trust powers acting in its fiduciary capacity or (iii) a segregated account or accounts of a depository institution acceptable to the Rating Agencies (as evidenced in writing by the Rating Agencies that use of any such account as the Distribution Account will not have an adverse effect on the then-current ratings assigned to the Classes of the Certificates then rated by the Rating Agencies). Eligible Accounts may bear interest. ERISA: The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. ERISA-Qualifying Underwriting: A best efforts or firm commitment underwriting or private placement that would satisfy the requirements of Prohibited Transaction Exemption 90-29, Exemption Application No. D-8012, 55 Fed. Reg. 21459 (1990), as amended, granted to the -12- underwriter by the United States Department of Labor (or any other applicable underwriter's exemption granted by the United States Department of Labor), except, in relevant part, for the requirement that the certificates have received a rating at the time of acquisition that is in one of the three (or four, in the case of a "designated transaction") highest generic rating categories by at least one of the Rating Agencies. ERISA Restricted Certificates: Any of the Class BV-1, Class BV-2, Class BV-3 or Class P Certificates, and any other Certificate, as long as the acquisition and holding of such Certificate is not covered by and exempt under an underwriter's exemption. Event of Default: An event of default described in Section 8.01. Excess Liquidation Proceeds: To the extent that such amount is not required by law to be paid to the related Mortgagor, the amount, if any, by which Liquidation Proceeds with respect to a Liquidated Mortgage Loan exceed the sum of (i) the Outstanding Principal Balance of such Mortgage Loan and accrued but unpaid interest at the related Mortgage Interest Rate through the last day of the month in which the related Liquidation Date occurs, plus (ii) related Liquidation Expenses. Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Extraordinary Loss: Any Realized Loss or portion thereof caused by or resulting from: (i) nuclear or chemical reaction or nuclear radiation or radioactive or chemical contamination, all whether controlled or uncontrolled and whether such loss be direct or indirect, proximate or remote; (ii) hostile or warlike action in time of peace or war, including action in hindering, combating or defending against an actual, impending or expected attack by any government or sovereign power, de jure or de facto, or by any authority maintaining or using military, naval or air forces, or by military, naval or air forces, or by an agent of any such government, power, authority or forces; (iii) any weapon of war employing atomic fission or radioactive forces whether in time of peace or war, and (iv) insurrection, rebellion, revolution, civil war, usurped power or action taken by governmental authority in hindering, combating or defending against such an occurrence, seizure or destruction under quarantine or customs regulations, confiscation by order of any government or public authority, or risks of contraband or illegal transactions or trade. Extraordinary Trust Fund Expenses: Any amounts reimbursable to the Master Servicer, either Custodian or the Depositor pursuant to this Agreement, including but not limited to Sections 4.03, 4.05 and 7.04, any amounts reimbursable to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator from the Trust Fund pursuant to this Agreement, including but not limited to Section 9.05, and any other costs, expenses, liabilities and losses borne by the Trust Fund (exclusive of any cost, expense, liability or loss that is specific to a particular Mortgage Loan or -13- REO Property and is taken into account in calculating a Realized Loss in respect thereof) for which the Trust Fund has not and, in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Securities Administrator, shall not, obtain reimbursement or indemnification from any other Person. Fannie Mae: Federal National Mortgage Association or any successor thereto. FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any successor thereto. Final Certification: The certification substantially in the form of Exhibit Two to the Custodial Agreement. Final Scheduled Maturity Date: With respect to the Certificates, the Distribution Date in June 2037. Fitch: Fitch Inc. or its successor in interest. Form 8-K Disclosure Information: As defined in Section 3.18(a). Freddie Mac: Freddie Mac, formerly the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or any successor thereto. GreenPoint: GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc., or any successor thereto. GreenPoint Assignment Agreement: The Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2007, among GreenPoint, the Depositor and the Seller pursuant to which the GreenPoint Servicing Agreement and the rights of the Seller thereunder (other than the rights to enforce the representations and warranties with respect to the GreenPoint Loans) were assigned to the Depositor for the benefit of the Certificateholders. GreenPoint Loans: The Mortgage Loans serviced by GreenPoint pursuant to the GreenPoint Servicing Agreement. GreenPoint Servicing Agreement: The Master Mortgage Loan Purchase and Servicing Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2006, between the Depositor and GreenPoint (as amended and in effect at any time). Gross Margin: As to each Mortgage Loan, the fixed percentage set forth in the related Mortgage Note and indicated on the Mortgage Loan Schedule which percentage is added to the related Index on each Interest Adjustment Date to determine (subject to rounding, the minimum and maximum Mortgage Interest Rate and the Periodic Rate Cap) the Mortgage Interest Rate until the next Interest Adjustment Date. Group 3 Available Funds: With respect to any Distribution Date and the Group 3 Mortgage Loans, an amount equal to the excess of (i) the sum of (a) the aggregate of the related Monthly Payments received on or prior to the related Determination Date, (b) Liquidation Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds, Principal Prepayments, Subsequent Recoveries and other unscheduled recoveries of principal and interest in respect of the Group 3 Mortgage Loans during the related Prepayment Period, (c) the aggregate of any amounts received in respect of a related REO Property withdrawn from any Protected Account and deposited in the Master Servicer Collection Account for such Distribution Date, (d) the aggregate of any amounts deposited in the Master Servicer Collection Account by the related Servicer or the Master -14- Servicer in respect of related Prepayment Interest Shortfalls for such Distribution Date and (e) the aggregate of any related Monthly Advances made by the related Servicer or the Master Servicer for such Distribution Date, over (ii) the sum of (a) related amounts reimbursable or payable to the related Servicer or the Master Servicer pursuant to Sections 4.03 and 4.05, (b) related amounts deposited in the Master Servicer Collection Account or the Distribution Account, as the case may be, in error and (c) any Extraordinary Trust Fund Expenses. Group 3 Certificates: The Class AV-1, Class AV-2 and Class AV-IO Certificates. Group 3 Mortgage Loans: The Mortgage Loans identified as such on the Mortgage Loan Schedule. Group 3 Senior Accelerated Distribution Percentage: With respect to any Distribution Date, the percentage indicated below:
Group 3 Senior Accelerated Distribution Date Distribution Percentage -------------------------- ------------------------------------------ June 2007 through May 2014 100% June 2014 through May 2015 Group 3 Senior Percentage, plus 70% of the Group 3 Subordinate Percentage June 2015 through May 2016 Group 3 Senior Percentage, plus 60% of the Group 3 Subordinate Percentage June 2016 through May 2017 Group 3 Senior Percentage, plus 40% of the Group 3 Subordinate Percentage June 2017 through May 2018 Group 3 Senior Percentage, plus 20% of the Group 3 Subordinate Percentage June 2018 and thereafter Group 3 Senior Percentage
provided, however, (i) that any scheduled reduction to the Group 3 Senior Accelerated Distribution Percentage described above shall not occur as of any Distribution Date unless either (a)(1)(x) the outstanding principal balance of Mortgage Loans delinquent 60 days or more (including foreclosure and REO Property) averaged over the last six months as a percentage of the aggregate outstanding Class Certificate Balance of the Class MV Certificates and the Class BV Certificates, is less than 50%, or (y) the outstanding principal balance of Mortgage Loans delinquent 60 days or more (including foreclosure and REO Property) averaged over the last six months, as a percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all Mortgage Loans averaged over the last six months, does not exceed 2% and (2) Realized Losses on the Mortgage Loans to date for such Distribution Date if occurring during the eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth year (or any year thereafter) after the Closing Date are less than 30%, 35%, 40%, 45% or 50%, respectively, of the sum of the Initial Class Certificate Balances of the Class MV Certificates and Class BV Certificates or (b) (1) the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loans delinquent 60 days or more (including foreclosure and REO Property) averaged over the last six months, as a percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all Mortgage Loans averaged over the last six months, does not exceed 4% and (2) Realized -15- Losses on the Mortgage Loans on or prior to such Distribution Date if occurring during the eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth year (or any year thereafter) after the Closing Date are less than 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% or 30%, respectively, of the sum of the Initial Class Certificate Balances of the Class MV Certificates and Class BV Certificates and (ii) that for any Distribution Date on which the Group 3 Senior Percentage is greater than the Original Group 3 Senior Percentage, the Group 3 Senior Accelerated Distribution Percentage for such Distribution Date shall be 100%. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the reduction of the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Group 3 Certificates to zero, the Group 3 Senior Accelerated Distribution Percentage will equal 0%. In addition, on any Distribution Date on or after the Distribution Date occurring in June 2010, if the current weighted average of the Subordinate Percentages for the Certificates is equal to or greater than two times the initial weighted average of the Subordinate Percentages for the Certificates, and (a) the outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loans delinquent 60 days or more (including for this purpose any such Mortgage Loans in foreclosure or bankruptcy and such Mortgage Loans with respect to which the related Mortgaged Property has been acquired by the Issuing Entity), averaged over the last six months, as a percentage of the Subordinate Percentage for that Distribution Date times the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans, does not exceed 50% and (b) cumulative Realized Losses on the Mortgage Loans do not exceed 20% of the initial Subordinate Percentage times the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date, then, in each case, the Group 3 Senior Accelerated Distribution Percentage for such Distribution Date will be equal to, prior to the Distribution Date occurring in May 2010, the Group 3 Senior Percentage plus 50% of the Subordinate Percentage and, on or after the Distribution Date occurring in May 2010, the Group 3 Senior Percentage. Group 3 Senior Percentage: As of any Distribution Date, the lesser of 100% and a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Group 3 Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date and the denominator of which is the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all of the Group 3 Mortgage Loans or related REO Properties immediately prior to such Distribution Date. Group 3 Senior Principal Distribution Amount: As to any Distribution Date, the lesser of (a) the balance of the Group 3 Available Funds remaining after the distribution of all amounts required to be distributed pursuant to subclause first and second of Section 6.01(A) and (b) the sum of the following: (A) the Group 3 Senior Percentage for such Distribution Date times the sum of the following: (1) the principal portion of each Monthly Payment due during the related Due Period on each Outstanding Mortgage Loan in Loan Group 3, whether or not received on or prior to the related Determination Date, minus the principal portion of any Debt Service Reduction; (2) the Stated Principal Balance of any Group 3 Mortgage Loan repurchased during the related Prepayment Period pursuant to Section 2.02 -16- or 2.03 hereof or pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement; and (3) the principal portion of all other unscheduled collections, including Subsequent Recoveries (other than Principal Prepayments in Full and Curtailments and amounts received in connection with the liquidation or disposition of a Group 3 Mortgage Loan, including without limitation Insurance Proceeds, Liquidation Proceeds and REO Proceeds) received during the related Prepayment Period to the extent applied by the related Servicer as recoveries of principal of the related Mortgage Loan pursuant to related Servicing Agreement; (B) with respect to the liquidation or other disposition of a Group 3 Mortgage Loan which occurred during the related Prepayment Period and did not result in any Extraordinary Losses, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Group 3 Senior Percentage for such Distribution Date times the Stated Principal Balance of such Group 3 Mortgage Loan and (b) the Group 3 Senior Accelerated Distribution Percentage for such Distribution Date times the related unscheduled collections (including without limitation Insurance Proceeds, Liquidation Proceeds and REO Proceeds) to the extent applied by the related Servicer or the Master Servicer as recoveries of principal of the related Mortgage Loan pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement or this Agreement; (C) the Group 3 Senior Accelerated Distribution Percentage for such Distribution Date times the aggregate of all Principal Prepayments in Full and Curtailments received in the related Prepayment Period with respect to the Group 3 Mortgage Loans; and (D) any amounts described in clauses (A), (B) or (C) of this definition, as determined for any previous Distribution Date, which remain unpaid after application of amounts previously distributed pursuant to this clause (D) to the extent that such amounts are not attributable to Realized Losses which have been allocated to the Class MV Certificates or Class BV Certificates. Group 3 Subordinate Amount: On any date of determination, the excess of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Group 3 Mortgage Loans as of such date over the aggregate Class Certificate Balances of the Group 3 Certificates then outstanding. Highest Priority: As of any date of determination, the Class of Subordinate Certificates then outstanding with the earliest priority for payments pursuant to Section 6.01, in the following order: Class MV-1, Class MV-2, Class MV-3, Class BV-1, Class BV-2 and Class BV-3 Certificates. Indemnified Persons: The Trustee, the Master Servicer, the Depositor and the Securities Administrator and their officers, directors, agents and employees and, with respect to the Trustee, any separate co-trustee and its officers, directors, agents and employees. Independent: When used with respect to any specified Person, any such Person who (a) is in fact independent of the Depositor, the Master Servicer and their respective Affiliates, (b) does not have any direct financial interest in or any material indirect financial interest in the Depositor or the Master Servicer or any Affiliate thereof, and (c) is not connected with the -17- Depositor or the Master Servicer or any Affiliate thereof as an officer, employee, promoter, underwriter, trustee, partner, director or Person performing similar functions; provided, however, that a Person shall not fail to be Independent of the Depositor or the Master Servicer or any Affiliate thereof merely because such Person is the beneficial owner of 1% or less of any class of securities issued by the Depositor or the Master Servicer or any Affiliate thereof, as the case may be. Index: The index, if any, specified in a Mortgage Note by reference to which the related Mortgage Interest Rate will be adjusted from time to time. Initial Certification: The certification substantially in the form of Exhibit One to the Custodial Agreement. Initial Class Certificate Balance: With respect to any Regular Certificate, the amount designated "Initial Class Certificate Balance" on the face thereof. Initial Optional Termination Date: The first Distribution Date following the date on which the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans is less than 10% of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date. Initial Subordinate Class Percentage: With respect to each Class of Subordinate Certificates, an amount which is equal to the initial aggregate Class Certificate Balance of such Class of Subordinate Certificates divided by the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all the Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date as follows: Class MV-1: 4.85% Class BV-1: 1.20% Class MV-2: 3.15% Class BV-2: 0.55% Class MV-3: 2.10% Class BV-3: 0% Insurance Policy: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, any standard hazard insurance policy, flood insurance policy or title insurance policy. Insurance Proceeds: Amounts paid by the insurer under any Insurance Policy covering any Mortgage Loan or Mortgaged Property other than amounts required to be paid over to the Mortgagor pursuant to law or the related Mortgage Note or Security Instrument and other than amounts used to repair or restore the Mortgaged Property or to reimburse insured expenses. Interest Accrual Period: With respect to each Distribution Date, for each Class of Certificates, the calendar month preceding the month in which such Distribution Date occurs. Interest Adjustment Date: With respect to a Mortgage Loan, the date, if any, specified in the related Mortgage Note on which the Mortgage Interest Rate is subject to adjustment. Investor Representation Letter: As defined in Section 5.02(b). Issuing Entity: Merrill Lynch Alternative Note Asset Trust, Series 2007-AF1. -18- Latest Possible Maturity Date: The latest maturity date for any Mortgage Loan in the Trust Fund plus one month. Liquidated Mortgage Loan: Any defaulted Mortgage Loan (including any REO Property) as to which the related Servicer has determined that all amounts it expects to recover from or on account of such Mortgage Loan have been recovered. Liquidation Date: With respect to any Liquidated Mortgage Loan, the date on which the related Servicer has certified that such Mortgage Loan has become a Liquidated Mortgage Loan. Liquidation Expenses: With respect to a Mortgage Loan in liquidation, unreimbursed expenses paid or incurred by or for the account of the Master Servicer or the related Servicer in connection with the liquidation of such Mortgage Loan and the related Mortgaged Property, such expenses including (a) property protection expenses, (b) property sales expenses, (c) foreclosure and sale costs, including court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, and (d) similar expenses reasonably paid or incurred in connection with liquidation. Liquidation Proceeds: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, cash received in connection with the liquidation of a defaulted Mortgage Loan, whether through trustee's sale, foreclosure sale or otherwise, and amounts received through Insurance Proceeds and condemnation proceeds. Loan Group 3: The group of Mortgage Loans designated as belonging to Loan Group 3 on the Mortgage Loan Schedule. Loan Group 3 Net WAC: The weighted average of the Net Mortgage Rates on the Group 3 Mortgage Loans weighted on the basis of the respective Stated Principal Balance of each such Mortgage Loan as of the beginning of the Due Period immediately preceding such Distribution Date. Loan-to-Value Ratio: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the original principal balance of the related Mortgage Loan and the denominator of which is the Original Value of the related Mortgaged Property. Lower Priority: As of any date of determination and with respect to any Class of Subordinate Certificates, any other Class of Subordinate Certificates then outstanding with a later priority for payments pursuant to Section 6.01. Master Servicer: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. including any successors in interest who meet the qualifications of the Servicing Agreements and this Agreement, and any successor master servicer appointed hereunder. Master Servicer Collection Account: The trust account or accounts created and maintained pursuant to Section 4.02, which shall be denominated "Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Master Servicer for HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee f/b/o holders of Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, MANA Series 2007-AF1 - Master Servicer Collection Account (Stack II)." The Master Servicer Collection Account shall be an Eligible Account. -19- Master Servicing Compensation: The meaning specified in Section 3.14. Maximum Lifetime Mortgage Rate: The maximum level to which a Mortgage Interest Rate can adjust in accordance with its terms, regardless of changes in the applicable Index. MERS: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, or any successor thereto. MERS Loan: Any Mortgage Loan registered with MERS on the MERS System. MERS System: The system of recording transfers of mortgage electronically maintained by MERS. Minimum Lifetime Mortgage Rate: The minimum level to which a Mortgage Interest Rate can adjust in accordance with its terms, regardless of changes in the applicable Index. MLML: Merrill Lynch Mortgage Lending, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor in interest. Monthly Advance: An advance of principal or interest required to be made by the applicable Servicer pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement or the Master Servicer pursuant to Section 6.05. Monthly Payment: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, the scheduled monthly payment of principal and interest on such Mortgage Loan which is payable by the related Mortgagor from time to time under the related Mortgage Note, determined: (a) after giving effect to (i) any Deficient Valuation and/or Debt Service Reduction with respect to such Mortgage Loan and (ii) any reduction in the amount of interest collectible from the related Mortgagor pursuant to the Relief Act; (b) without giving effect to any extension granted or agreed to by the related Servicer pursuant to related Servicing Agreement; and (c) on the assumption that all other amounts, if any, due under such Mortgage Loan are paid when due. Monthly Statement: The statement distributed to Certificateholders pursuant to Section 6.04. Moody's: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or its successor in interest. Mortgage: The mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument creating a first lien on, or first priority security interest in, a Mortgaged Property securing a Mortgage Note. Mortgage File: The mortgage documents listed in Section 2.01(b) pertaining to a particular Mortgage Loan and any additional documents required to be added to the Mortgage File pursuant to this Agreement. Mortgage Interest Rate: The annual rate at which interest accrues from time to time on any Mortgage Loan pursuant to the related Mortgage Note, which rate is equal to the "Mortgage Interest Rate" set forth with respect thereto on the Mortgage Loan Schedule. -20- Mortgage Loan: A mortgage loan transferred and assigned to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.01 or Section 2.04 and held as a part of the Trust Fund, as identified in the Mortgage Loan Schedule, including a mortgage loan the property securing which has become an REO Property. For the avoidance of doubt, as defined below, the term "Stack I Mortgage Loan" shall be used within this Agreement to refer to a mortgage loan transferred and assigned to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.01 or Section 2.04 of the Stack I Agreement, including a mortgage loan the property securing which has become a REO Property. Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement: The Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement dated as of May 30, 2007, between the Seller and the Depositor, as purchaser, and all amendments thereof and supplements thereto, attached hereto as Exhibit J. Mortgage Loan Schedule: The schedule, attached hereto as Exhibit B-2 with respect to the Mortgage Loans and as amended from time to time to reflect the repurchase or substitution of Mortgage Loans pursuant to this Agreement. Mortgage Note: The originally executed note or other evidence of the indebtedness of a Mortgagor under the related Mortgage Loan. Mortgage Pool: The pool of Mortgage Loans, identified on Exhibit B-2 from time to time, and any REO Properties acquired in respect thereof. Mortgaged Property: Land and improvements securing the indebtedness of a Mortgagor under the related Mortgage Loan or, in the case of REO Property, such REO Property. Mortgagor: The obligor on a Mortgage Note. Net Liquidation Proceeds: As to any Liquidated Mortgage Loan, Liquidation Proceeds net of (i) Liquidation Expenses which are payable therefrom by the related Servicer or the Master Servicer in accordance with the related Servicing Agreement or this Agreement and (ii) unreimbursed advances by the related Servicer or the Master Servicer and Monthly Advances. Net Mortgage Rate: With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the Mortgage Interest Rate in effect from time to time less the Servicing Fee Rate (expressed as a per annum rate). Net WAC: The weighted average of the Net Mortgage Rates on the Mortgage Loans weighted on the basis of the respective Stated Principal Balance of each such Mortgage Loan as of the beginning of the Due Period immediately preceding such Distribution Date. Nonrecoverable Advance: With respect to any Mortgage Loan any advance or Monthly Advance (i) which was previously made or is proposed to be made by the applicable Servicer, or the Master Servicer as successor Servicer, or the Trustee as successor Master Servicer and (ii) which, in the good faith judgment of the applicable Servicer, the Master Servicer or the Trustee, will not or, in the case of a proposed advance or Monthly Advance, would not, be ultimately recoverable by the applicable Servicer, the Master Servicer or the Trustee (as successor Master Servicer) from Liquidation Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds or future payments on the Mortgage Loan for which such advance or Monthly Advance was made. -21- Offered Certificate: Any Senior Certificate or Offered Subordinate Certificate issued hereunder, along with the Class AF-1, Class AF-2, Class AF-3, Class AF-4, Class AF-5, Class AF-6, Class AF-7, Class AF-8, Class AF-9, Class AF-10, Class AF-11, Class AF-12, Class 2AF-1, Class 2AF-2, Class F-PO, Class F-IO, Class MF-1, Class MF-2 or Class MF-3 defined and issued pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Stack I Agreement. Offered Subordinate Certificates: The Class MV-l, Class MV-2 and Class MV-3 Certificates. Officer's Certificate: A certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President or Assistant Vice President or other authorized officer of the Master Servicer or the Depositor, as applicable, and delivered to the Trustee, as required by this Agreement. Opinion of Counsel: A written opinion of counsel who is or are acceptable to the Trustee and who, unless required to be Independent (an "Opinion of Independent Counsel"), may be internal counsel for the Master Servicer or the Depositor. Optional Termination: The termination hereunder of that portion of the Trust Fund related to the Certificates pursuant to Section 10.01(a) hereof. Optional Termination Amount: The amount received by the Securities Administrator in connection with any purchase of all of the Mortgage Loans and REO Properties pursuant to Section 10.01(b) hereof. Optional Termination Price: On any date after the Initial Optional Termination Date, an amount equal to the sum of (A) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of each Mortgage Loan (other than any Mortgage Loan that has become an REO Property) as of the Distribution Date on which the proceeds of the Optional Termination are distributed to the Certificateholders, plus accrued interest thereon at the applicable Mortgage Rate as of the Due Date preceding the Distribution Date on which the proceeds of the Optional Termination are distributed to Certificateholders and the fair market value of any REO Property, plus accrued interest thereon as of the Distribution Date on which the proceeds of the Optional Termination are distributed to Certificateholders, (B) any unreimbursed out-of-pocket costs, expenses and indemnity amounts (including any indemnity amounts) owed to the Master Servicer, the Custodians, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator or a Servicer and any unpaid or unreimbursed Servicing Fees, Monthly Advances and Servicing Advances and (C) any unreimbursed costs, penalties and/or damages incurred by the Trust Fund in connection with any violation relating to any of the Mortgage Loans of any predatory or abusive lending law. Original Value: The lesser of (i) the Appraised Value or (ii) the sales price of a Mortgaged Property at the time of origination of a Mortgage Loan, except in instances where either clauses (i) or (ii) is unavailable, the other may be used to determine the Original Value, or if both clauses (i) and (ii) are unavailable, Original Value may be determined from other sources reasonably acceptable to the Depositor. -22- Outstanding Mortgage Loan: With respect to any Due Date, a Mortgage Loan which, prior to such Due Date, was not the subject of a Principal Prepayment in Full, did not become a Liquidated Mortgage Loan and was not purchased or replaced. Outstanding Principal Balance: As of the time of any determination, the principal balance of a Mortgage Loan remaining to be paid by the Mortgagor, or, in the case of an REO Property, the principal balance of the related Mortgage Loan remaining to be paid by the Mortgagor at the time such property was acquired by the Trust Fund less any Net Liquidation Proceeds with respect thereto to the extent applied to principal. Ownership Interest: As to any Certificate, any ownership or security interest in such Certificate, including any interest in such Certificate as the Holder thereof and any other interest therein, whether direct or indirect, legal or beneficial, as owner or as pledgee. Pass-Through Rate: With respect to the Certificates and any Distribution Date, the following: (i) For the Class AV-1 and Class AV-2 Certificates on each Distribution Date, a per annum rate equal to the difference of (x) the Loan Group 3 Net WAC for such Distribution Date and (y) the Pass-Through Rate for the Class AV-IO Certificates for such Distribution Date. (ii) For the Class AV-IO Certificates (i) on each Distribution Date on or prior to the Distribution Date in February 2012, a per annum rate equal to the lesser of (x) 0.5762% per annum and (y) the Loan Group 3 Net WAC and (ii) on any Distribution Date thereafter, 0.00%. (iii) For each class of Class MV Certificates and Class BV Certificates on each Distribution Date a per annum rate equal to the Loan Group 3 Net WAC. (iv) The Class P Certificates do not have a Pass-Through Rate. Paying Agent: The Securities Administrator or any successor Paying Agent appointed by the Securities Administrator. Percentage Interest: With respect to any Certificate (other than the Class A-R and Class P Certificates), a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the Initial Class Certificate Balance represented by such Certificate and the denominator of which is the Initial Class Certificate Balance of the related Class. With respect to the Class A-R and Class P Certificates, the Percentage Interest evidenced thereby shall be as specified on the face thereof, or otherwise, be equal to 100%. Periodic Rate Cap: With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the maximum adjustment that can be made to the Mortgage Interest Rate on each Interest Adjustment Date in accordance with its terms, regardless of changes in the applicable Index. Permitted Investments: Any one or more of the following obligations or securities held in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders (provided that such obligation -23- or security must be a "permitted investment" within the meaning of such term as provided for in Section 860G(a)(5) of the Code): (i) direct obligations of, and obligations the timely payment of which are fully guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America; (ii) (a) demand or time deposits, federal funds or bankers' acceptances issued by any depository institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof (including the Trustee or the Master Servicer or its Affiliates acting in its commercial banking capacity) and subject to supervision and examination by federal and/or state banking authorities, provided that the commercial paper and/or the short-term debt rating and/or the long-term unsecured debt obligations of such depository institution or trust company at the time of such investment or contractual commitment providing for such investment have the Applicable Credit Rating or better from each Rating Agency and (b) any other demand or time deposit or certificate of deposit that is fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; (iii) repurchase obligations with respect to (a) any security described in clause (i) above or (b) any other security issued or guaranteed by an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America, in either case entered into with a depository institution or trust company (acting as principal) described in clause (ii)(a) above where the Trustee holds the security therefor; (iv) securities bearing interest or sold at a discount issued by any corporation (including the Trustee or the Master Servicer or its Affiliates) incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof that have the Applicable Credit Rating or better from each Rating Agency at the time of such investment or contractual commitment providing for such investment; provided, however, that securities issued by any particular corporation will not be Permitted Investments to the extent that investments therein will cause the then outstanding principal amount of securities issued by such corporation and held as part of the Issuing Entity to exceed 10% of the aggregate Outstanding Principal Balances of all the Mortgage Loans and Permitted Investments held as part of the Issuing Entity; (v) commercial paper (including both non-interest-bearing discount obligations and interest-bearing obligations payable on demand or on a specified date not more than one year after the date of issuance thereof) having the Applicable Credit Rating or better from each Rating Agency at the time of such investment; (vi) a Reinvestment Agreement issued by any bank, insurance company or other corporation or entity; -24- (vii) any other demand, money market or time deposit, obligation, security or investment as may be acceptable to either Rating Agency as evidenced in writing by each Rating Agency to the Trustee or Master Servicer; (viii) any money market or common trust fund having the Applicable Credit Rating or better from each Rating Agency (if such fund is rated by each Rating Agency), including any such fund for which the Trustee or Master Servicer or any affiliate of the Trustee or Master Servicer acts as a manager or an advisor; provided, however, that no instrument or security shall be a Permitted Investment if such instrument or security evidences a right to receive only interest payments with respect to the obligations underlying such instrument or if such security provides for payment of both principal and interest with a yield to maturity in excess of 120% of the yield to maturity at par or if such instrument or security is purchased at a price greater than par; and (ix) units of a taxable money-market portfolio having the highest rating assigned by each Rating Agency (except if S&P is a Rating Agency, "AAAm" or "AAAM-G" by S&P) and restricted to obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States of America or entities whose obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America and repurchase agreements collateralized by such obligations. Permitted Transferee: Any Person other than a Disqualified Organization or an "electing large partnership" (as defined by Section 775 of the Code). Person: Any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof. PHH: PHH Mortgage Corporation, or any successor thereto. PHH Assignment Agreement: The Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2007, among PHH, the Depositor and the Seller pursuant to which the PHH Servicing Agreement and the rights of the Seller thereunder (other than the rights to enforce the representations and warranties with respect to the PHH Loans) were assigned to the Depositor for the benefit of the Certificateholders. PHH Loans: The Mortgage Loans serviced by PHH pursuant to the PHH Servicing Agreement. PHH Servicing Agreement: The Mortgage Loan Flow Purchase, Sale and Servicing Agreement dated as of March 27, 2001 between Merrill Lynch Mortgage Capital Inc., Bishop's Gate Residential Mortgage Trust (formerly known as Cendant Residential Mortgage Trust) and Cendant Mortgage Corporation (as amended and in effect at any time). Physical Certificate: Either of the Residual Certificate or the Class P Certificate. -25- Pooling and Servicing Agreement: The Pooling and Servicing Agreement relating to the Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, MANA Series 2007-AF1, jointly comprised of the Stack I Agreement and this Agreement. Prepayment Distribution Trigger: With respect to any Distribution Date and any Class of Subordinate Certificates (other than the Class MV-1 Certificates), a test that shall be satisfied if the fraction (expressed as a percentage) equal to the sum of the Class Certificate Balances of such Class and each Class of Subordinate Certificates with a Lower Priority than such Class immediately prior to such Distribution Date divided by the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all of the Mortgage Loans (or related REO Properties) immediately prior to such Distribution Date is greater than or equal to the sum of the related Initial Subordinate Class Percentages of such Classes of Subordinate Certificates. Prepayment Interest Shortfall: As to any Distribution Date and any Mortgage Loan (other than a Mortgage Loan relating to an REO Property) that was the subject of (a) a Principal Prepayment in Full during the related Prepayment Period, an amount equal to the excess of one month's interest at the Net Mortgage Rate on the Stated Principal Balance of such Mortgage Loan over the amount of interest (adjusted to the Net Mortgage Rate) paid by the Mortgagor for such Prepayment Period to the date of such Principal Prepayment in Full or (b) a Curtailment during the prior calendar month, an amount equal to one month's interest at the Net Mortgage Rate on the amount of such Curtailment. The obligations of the Master Servicer in respect of any Prepayment Interest Shortfall are set forth in Section 6.06. Prepayment Charge: With respect to any Prepayment Period, any prepayment premium, charge or penalty payable by a Mortgagor in connection with any Principal Prepayment on the Prepayment Charge Mortgage Loans. Prepayment Charge Mortgage Loans: Any of the Mortgage Loans that are subject to existing prepayment premiums. Prepayment Period: With respect to any Mortgage Loan and any Distribution Date, the calendar month preceding the month in which such Distribution Date occurs. Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy: Any primary mortgage guaranty insurance policy issued in connection with a Mortgage Loan which provides compensation to a Mortgage Note holder in the event of default by the obligor under such Mortgage Note or the related Security Instrument, if any or any replacement policy therefor through the related Interest Accrual Period for such Class relating to a Distribution Date. Principal Prepayment: Any Principal Prepayment in full or Curtailment or other recovery of principal on a Mortgage Loan which is received in advance of its scheduled Due Date to the extent that it is not accompanied by an amount as to interest representing scheduled interest due on any date or dates in any month or months subsequent to the month of prepayment, including Insurance Proceeds and Repurchase Proceeds, but excluding the principal portion of Net Liquidation Proceeds. -26- Principal Prepayment in Full: Any Principal Prepayment made by a Mortgagor of the entire unpaid principal balance of the Mortgage Loan. Private Certificates: Any of the Class BV-1, Class BV-2, Class BV-3 and Class P Certificates. Prospectus Supplement: The Prospectus Supplement dated May 29, 2007, relating to the public offering of the Offered Certificates. Protected Account: An account established and maintained for the benefit of Certificateholders by each Servicer with respect to the related Mortgage Loans and with respect to REO Property pursuant to the respective Servicing Agreement. The Protected Account shall be an Eligible Account. Purchase Price: With respect to any Mortgage Loan or REO Property to be purchased pursuant to or as contemplated by Section 2.03 or 10.01, and as confirmed by an Officers' Certificate from the Master Servicer to the Trustee, an amount equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the Stated Principal Balance thereof as of the date of purchase (or such other price as provided in Section 10.01), (ii) accrued interest on such Stated Principal Balance at the applicable Mortgage Interest Rate in effect from time to time from the Due Date as to which interest was last covered by a payment by the Mortgagor or an advance by the related Servicer or Master Servicer, which payment or advance had as of the date of purchase been distributed to Certificateholders, through the end of the calendar month in which the purchase is to be effected less any unreimbursed Monthly Advances and any unpaid Servicing Fees payable to the purchaser of the Mortgage Loan and (iii) any costs and damages incurred by the Issuing Entity in connection with any violation by such Mortgage Loan or REO Property of any predatory or abusive-lending law. Qualified Servicer: Either (i) any servicer with a servicer rating by each of the Rating Agencies equal to or better than the servicer rating of (x) with respect to a successor servicer of the Wilshire Loans, Wilshire at the time of any such servicing transfer or (y) with respect to a successor servicer of the PHH Loans, PHH at the time of any such servicing transfer or (ii) any other servicer that is acceptable to the Rating Agencies. Rating Agencies: Moody's and S&P. Realized Loss: With respect to a Liquidated Mortgage Loan, the amount by which the remaining unpaid principal balance of the Mortgage Loan exceeds the amount of Liquidation Proceeds applied to the principal balance of the related Mortgage Loan. To the extent the Master Servicer receives Subsequent Recoveries with respect to any Mortgage Loan, the amount of the Realized Loss with respect to that Mortgage Loan will be reduced to the extent such recoveries are applied to reduce the Class Certificate Balance of any Class of Certificates on any Distribution Date. Record Date: With respect to each Distribution Date and each class of Offered Certificates, the close of business on the last Business Day of the month immediately preceding the month in which the related Distribution Date occurs. -27- Refinanced Mortgage Loan: Any Mortgage Loan the proceeds of which were not used to purchase the related Mortgaged Property. Regular Certificates: Any of the Class AV-1, Class AV-2, Class MV-1, Class MV-2, Class MV-3, Class BV-1, Class BV-2 or Class BV-3 Certificates. Regulation AB: Subpart 22.1100 - Asset Backed Securities (Regulation AB), 17 C.F.R. Sections 229.1100-229.1123, as such may be amended from time to time, and subject to such clarification and interpretation as have been provided by the Commission in the adopting release (Asset-Backed Securities, Securities Act Release No. 33-8518, 70 Fed Reg. 1,506, 1,531 (Jan. 7, 2005) or by the staff of the Commission, or as may be provided by the Commission or its staff from time to time. Reinvestment Agreements: One or more reinvestment agreements, acceptable to each of the Rating Agencies, from a bank, insurance company or other corporation or entity (including the Trustee). Relevant Servicing Criteria: The Servicing Criteria applicable to the various parties, as set forth on Exhibit K hereto. For clarification purposes, multiple parties can have responsibility for the same Relevant Servicing Criteria. With respect to a Servicing Function Participant engaged by the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the Trustee, the Custodian or a Servicer, the term "Relevant Servicing Criteria" may refer to one or more discrete functions specified in the Relevant Servicing Criteria applicable to such parties. Relief Act: The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, as amended. Relief Act Mortgage Loan: Any Mortgage Loan as to which the Monthly Payment thereof has been reduced due to the application of the Relief Act. REMIC: Each pool of assets in the Trust Fund designated as a REMIC as described in the Preliminary Statement. REMIC 1: As described in the Preliminary Statement. REMIC 1 Interest: Each class of interest in REMIC 1 as described in the Preliminary Statement. REMIC 1 Regular Interest: Each of the REMIC 1 Interests other than the Class LT1-R Interest. REMIC 1 Subordinate Balance Ratio: Not applicable. REMIC 2: Not applicable. REMIC 2 Interest: Not applicable. REMIC 2 Regular Interest: Not applicable. -28- REMIC Opinion: An Opinion of Counsel to the effect that a contemplated action will neither adversely affect the status as a REMIC of any REMIC created hereunder nor subject any such REMIC to any tax under the REMIC Provisions. REMIC Provisions: The provisions of the federal income tax law relating to real estate mortgage investment conduits, which appear at Sections 860A through 860G of Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code, and related provisions, and regulations, including proposed regulations and rulings, and administrative pronouncements promulgated thereunder, as the foregoing may be in effect from time to time. REO Property: A Mortgaged Property acquired by the Servicer or Master Servicer on behalf of the Trust Fund through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, as described in Section 3.15 in connection with a defaulted Mortgage Loan. Reportable Event: As defined in Section 3.18(a). Reporting Servicer: As defined in Section 3.18(h). Repurchase Proceeds: The repurchase price in connection with any repurchase of a Mortgage Loan by the Seller and any cash deposit in connection with the substitution of a Mortgage Loan. Request for Release: A request for release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D. Required Insurance Policy: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, any insurance policy which is required to be maintained from time to time under this Agreement with respect to such Mortgage Loan. Residual Certificate: The Class A-R Certificate. Residual Interest: The Residual Certificate, other than the portion thereof representing the right to payments in respect of (i) the Class LT1-R Interest and (ii) the residual interest in any REMIC created under the Stack I Agreement. Responsible Officer: Any officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Office (or any successor thereto), including any Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Trust Officer, any Assistant Secretary, any trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee or Securities Administrator customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and having direct responsibility for the administration of this Agreement, and any other officer of the Trustee or Securities Administrator to whom a matter arising hereunder may be referred because of such officers familiarity with the subject matter thereof. RFC: Residential Funding Company, LLC, or any successor thereto. RFC Assignment Agreement: The Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2007, among RFC, the Depositor and the Seller pursuant to which the RFC Servicing Agreement and the rights of the Seller thereunder (other than the rights -29- to enforce the representations and warranties with respect to the RFC Loans) were assigned to the Depositor for the benefit of the Certificateholders. RFC Loans: The Mortgage Loans serviced by RFC pursuant to the RFC Servicing Agreement. RFC Servicing Agreement: The Sale and Servicing Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2007, between MLML and RFC. Rule 144A Letter: The certificate to be furnished by each purchaser of a Private Certificate (which is also a Physical Certificate) which is a Qualified Institutional Buyer as defined under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit F-3 hereto. S&P: Standard and Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. or its successor in interest. Sarbanes-Oxley Act: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder (including any interpretations thereof by the Commission's staff). Sarbanes-Oxley Certification: A written certification signed by an officer of the Master Servicer that complies with (i) the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and (ii) Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(d) and 15d-14(d), as in effect from time to time; provided that if, after the Closing Date (a) the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is amended, (b) the Rules referred to in clause (ii) are modified or superseded by any subsequent statement, rule or regulation of the Commission or any statement of a division thereof, or (c) any future releases, rules and regulations are published by the Commission from time to time pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which in any such case affects the form or substance of the required certification and results in the required certification being, in the reasonable judgment of the Master Servicer, materially more onerous that then form of the required certification as of the Closing Date, the Sarbanes-Oxley Certification shall be as agreed to by the Master Servicer and the Depositor following a negotiation in good faith to determine how to comply with any such new requirements. Scheduled Payment: With respect to any Mortgage Loan and any month, the scheduled payment or payments of principal and interest due during such month on such Mortgage Loan which either is payable by a Mortgagor in such month under the related Mortgage Note or, in the case of REO Property, would otherwise have been payable under the related Mortgage Note. Scheduled Principal: The principal portion of any Scheduled Payment. Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Securities Administrator: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or any successor in interest, or any successor securities administrator appointed as herein provided. Security Agreement: With respect to a Cooperative Loan, the agreement creating a security interest in favor of the originator in the related Cooperative Stock. -30- Security Instrument: A written instrument creating a valid first lien on a Mortgaged Property securing a Mortgage Note, which may be any applicable form of mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt or security deed, including any riders or addenda thereto. Seller: Merrill Lynch Mortgage Lending, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor in interest. Senior Accelerated Distribution Percentage: The Group 3 Senior Accelerated Distribution Percentage, as applicable. Senior Certificates: The Class AV-1 Certificates, Class AV-2 Certificates and the Class AV-IO Certificates. Senior Percentage: The Group 3 Senior Percentage. Senior Principal Distribution Amount: The Group 3 Senior Principal Distribution Amount. Servicer: With respect to each Mortgage Loan, Countrywide, Wilshire, PHH, GreenPoint, Wells Fargo or RFC, as applicable and as specified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule. Servicer Remittance Date: With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the date set forth in the related Servicing Agreement. Servicing Advances: All customary, reasonable and necessary "out of pocket" costs and expenses incurred in the performance by a Servicer of its servicing obligations, including, but not limited to, the cost of (1) the preservation, inspection, restoration and protection of a Mortgaged Property, including without limitation advances in respect of prior liens, real estate taxes and assessments, (2) any collection, enforcement or judicial proceedings, including without limitation foreclosures, collections and liquidations, (3) the conservation, management, sale and liquidation of any REO Property, (4) executing and recording instruments of satisfaction, deeds of reconveyance, substitutions of trustees on deeds of trust or Assignments of Mortgage to the extent not otherwise recovered from the related Mortgagors or payable under the related Servicing Agreement, (5) correcting errors of prior servicers; costs and expenses charged to such Servicer by the Trustee; tax tracking; title research; flood certifications; and lender paid mortgage insurance and (6) obtaining or correcting any legal documentation required to be included in the Mortgage Files and reasonably necessary for a Servicer to perform its obligations under the related Servicing Agreement. Servicing Agreements: The Countrywide Servicing Agreement, Wilshire Servicing Agreement, PHH Servicing Agreement, GreenPoint Servicing Agreement, Wells Fargo Servicing Agreement and RFC Servicing Agreement. Servicing Criteria: The "servicing criteria" set forth in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB, as such may be amended from time to time. Servicing Fee: As to any Mortgage Loan and Distribution Date, an amount equal to the product of (i) the Stated Principal Balance of such Mortgage Loan as of the Due Date in the -31- preceding calendar month and (ii) the applicable Servicing Fee Rate. Such fee shall be payable monthly, computed on the basis of the same principal amount and period respectively which any related interest payment on a Mortgage Loan is computed. If the Index and/or Gross Margin are adjusted as provided in the related Mortgage Note, the Servicing Fee shall be the rate per annum in effect immediately prior to such adjustment. Servicing Fee Rate: As to any Mortgage Loan, a per annum rate as set forth in the Mortgage Loan Schedule. Servicing Function Participant: Any Sub-Servicer, Subcontractor or any other Person engaged by a Servicer, the Custodian, the Master Servicer, the Paying Agent, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee. Servicing Officer: Any officer of the Master Servicer involved in, or responsible for, the administration and servicing of the Mortgage Loans whose names and specimen signatures appear on a list of servicing officers furnished to the Trustee by the Master Servicer, as such list may be amended from time to time. Servicing Rights Owner: With respect to the PHH Loans and the Wilshire Loans, MLML, or its transferee or assignee, in its capacity as owner of the servicing rights. Stack I Agreement: The Stack I Pooling and Servicing Terms dated as of May 1, 2007. Stack I Certificate: Any mortgage pass-through certificate issued pursuant to the Stack I Agreement, evidencing a beneficial ownership interest in that portion of the Trust Fund related to the Stack I Mortgage Loans set forth on the Stack I Mortgage Loan Schedule, signed and countersigned by the Securities Administrator. Stack I Mortgage Loan: A mortgage loan transferred and assigned to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.01 or Section 2.04 of the Stack I Agreement and held as a part of the Trust Fund, as identified in the Stack I Mortgage Loan Schedule, including a mortgage loan the property securing which has become an REO Property. Stack I Mortgage Loan Schedule: The schedule, attached to the Stack I Agreement as Exhibit B-1 with respect to the Stack I Mortgage Loans and as amended from time to time to reflect the repurchase or substitution of Stack I Mortgage Loans pursuant to the Stack I Agreement. Startup Day: The Closing Date. Stated Principal Balance: With respect to any Mortgage Loan and Due Date, the unpaid principal balance of such Mortgage Loan as of such Due Date, as specified in the amortization schedule at the time relating thereto (before any adjustment to such amortization schedule by reason of any moratorium or similar waiver or grace period), after giving effect to any previous partial prepayments and Liquidation Proceeds received and to the payment of principal due on such Due date and irrespective of any delinquency in payment by the related Mortgagor. -32- Sub-Servicer: Any Person that services Mortgage Loans on behalf of a Servicer, and is responsible for the performance (whether directly or through sub-servicers or Subcontractors) of servicing functions required to be performed under this Agreement, any related Servicing Agreement or any sub-servicing agreement that are identified in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB. Subcontractor: Any vendor, subcontractor or other Person that is not responsible for the overall servicing of Mortgage Loans but performs one or more discrete functions identified in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB with respect to Mortgage Loans under the direction or authority of any Servicer (or a Sub-Servicer of any Servicer), the Master Servicer, the Trustee, the Custodian or the Securities Administrator. Subordinate Certificates: The Class MV-1, Class MV-2, Class MV-3, Class BV-1, Class BV-2 and Class BV-3 Certificates. Subordinate Percentage: For any Distribution Date, the difference between 100% and the Senior Percentage for such date. Subordinate Prepayment Percentage: With respect to any Distribution Date and each Class of Subordinate Certificates, under the applicable circumstances set forth below, the respective percentages set forth below: (i) For any Distribution Date prior to the Distribution Date in May 2014 (unless the Class Certificate Balances of the Senior Certificates have been reduced to zero), 0%. (ii) For any Distribution Date for which clause (i) does not apply, and on which any Class of Subordinate Certificates are outstanding: (a) in the case of the Class of Subordinate Certificates then outstanding with the Highest Priority and each other Class of Subordinate Certificates for which the related Prepayment Distribution Trigger has been satisfied, a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the Class Certificate Balance of such Class immediately prior to such date and the denominator of which is the sum of the Class Certificate Balances immediately prior to such date of (1) the Class of Subordinate Certificates then outstanding with the Highest Priority and (2) all other Classes of Subordinate Certificates for which the respective Prepayment Distribution Triggers have been satisfied; and (b) in the case of each other Class of Subordinate Certificates for which the Prepayment Distribution Triggers have not been satisfied, 0%; and (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the application of the foregoing percentages on any Distribution Date as provided in Section 6.01 of this Agreement (determined without regard to the proviso in the definition of "Subordinate Principal Distribution Amount") would result in a distribution in respect of principal of any Class or Classes of Subordinate Certificates in an amount greater than the remaining Class Certificate Balance thereof (any such class, a "Maturing Class"), then: (a) the Subordinate Prepayment Percentage of each Maturing Class shall be reduced to a level -33- that, when applied as described above, would exactly reduce the Class Certificate Balance of such Class to zero; (b) the Subordinate Prepayment Percentage of each other Class of Subordinate Certificates (any such Class, a "Non-Maturing Class") shall be recalculated in accordance with the provisions in paragraph (ii) above, as if the Class Certificate Balance of each Maturing Class had been reduced to zero (such percentage as recalculated, the "Recalculated Percentage"); (c) the total amount of the reductions in the Subordinate Prepayment Percentages of the Maturing Class or Classes pursuant to clause (a) of this sentence, expressed as an aggregate percentage, shall be allocated among the Non-Maturing Classes in proportion to their respective Recalculated Percentages (the portion of such aggregate reduction so allocated to any Non-Maturing Class, the "Adjustment Percentage"); and (d) for purposes of such Distribution Date, the Subordinate Prepayment Percentage of each Non-Maturing Class shall be equal to the sum of (1) the Subordinate Prepayment Percentage thereof, calculated in accordance with the provisions in paragraph (ii) above as if the Class Certificate Balance of each Maturing Class had not been reduced to zero, plus (2) the related Adjustment Percentage. Subordinate Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date and each Class of Class MV Certificates and Class BV Certificates, the sum of the following: (i) the product of (x) the related Class MV Percentage or Class BV Percentage for such Class and (y) the aggregate of the following amounts: (1) the principal portion of each Monthly Payment due during the related Due Period on each Outstanding Mortgage Loan, whether or not received on or prior to the related Determination Date, minus the principal portion of any Debt Service Reduction; (2) the Stated Principal Balance of any Mortgage Loan repurchased during the related Prepayment Period pursuant to Section 2.02 or 2.03; and (3) the principal portion of all other unscheduled collections (other than Principal Prepayments in Full and Curtailments and amounts received in connection with the liquidation or other disposition of a Mortgage Loan, including without limitation Insurance Proceeds, Liquidation Proceeds and REO Proceeds) received during the related Prepayment Period to the extent applied by the related Servicer as recoveries of principal of the related Mortgage Loan pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement; (ii) such Class's pro rata share, based on the Class Certificate Balance of each Class of Class MV Certificates and Class BV Certificates then outstanding, of, with respect to each Mortgage Loan for which a liquidation or other disposition occurred during the related Prepayment Period and did not result in any Extraordinary Losses, an amount equal to the related unscheduled collections (including without limitation Insurance Proceeds, Liquidation Proceeds and REO Proceeds) to the extent applied by the related Servicer as recoveries of principal of the related Mortgage Loan pursuant to -34- the related Servicing Agreement, to the extent such collections are not otherwise distributed to the Senior Certificates; (iii) the product of (x) the related Subordinate Prepayment Percentage for such Distribution Date and (y) the aggregate of all Principal Prepayments in Full and Curtailments of the Mortgage Loans received in the related Prepayment Period, to the extent not payable to the Senior Certificates; and (iv) any amounts described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) as determined for any previous Distribution Date, that remain undistributed to the extent that such amounts are not attributable to Realized Losses which have been allocated to a Class of Subordinate Certificates; provided, however, that such amount shall in no event exceed the outstanding Class Certificate Balance of such Class of Certificates immediately prior to such date. Subsequent Recoveries: Any amount recovered by a Servicer or the Master Servicer (net of reimbursable expenses) with respect to a Liquidated Mortgage Loan with respect to which a Realized Loss was incurred after the liquidation or disposition of such Mortgage Loan. Substitute Mortgage Loan: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, which is tendered to the Trustee pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement, the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement or Section 2.04 of this Agreement, as applicable, in each case, (i) which has an Outstanding Principal Balance not greater nor materially less than the Mortgage Loan for which it is to be substituted; (ii) which has a Mortgage Interest Rate and Net Rate not less than, and not materially greater than, such Mortgage Loan; (iii) which has a maturity date not materially earlier or later than such Mortgage Loan and not later than the latest maturity date of any Mortgage Loan; (iv) which is of the same property type and occupancy type as such Mortgage Loan; (v) which has a Loan-to-Value Ratio not greater than the Loan-to-Value Ratio of such Mortgage Loan; (vi) which is current in payment of principal and interest as of the date of substitution; (vii) as to which the payment terms do not vary in any material respect from the payment terms of the Mortgage Loan for which it is to be substituted and (viii) which has a Gross Margin, Periodic Rate Cap and Maximum Lifetime Mortgage Rate no less than those of such Mortgage Loan, has the same Index and interval between Interest Adjustment Dates as such Mortgage Loan, and a Minimum Lifetime Mortgage Rate no lower than that of such Mortgage Loan. Tax Matters Person: The Securities Administrator or any successor thereto or assignee thereof shall serve as tax administrator hereunder and as agent for the Tax Matters Person. The Holder of the Residual Certificates shall be the Tax Matters Person for the related REMIC, as more particularly set forth in Section 9.12 hereof. Transfer: Any direct or indirect transfer or sale of any Ownership Interest in a certificate. Transferor Representation Letter: As defined in Section 5.02(b). Trust Fund: The corpus of the Issuing Entity created pursuant to Article II of this Agreement and Article II of the Stack I Agreement. -35- Trustee: HSBC Bank USA, National Association, or its successor in interest, or any successor trustee appointed as herein provided. Uninsured Cause: Any cause of damage to a Mortgaged Property or related REO Property such that the complete restoration of such Mortgaged Property or related REO Property is not fully reimbursable by the hazard insurance policies required to be maintained pursuant the related Servicing Agreement, without regard to whether or not such policy is maintained. United States Person: A citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation or partnership (including an entity treated as a corporation or partnership for federal income tax purposes) created or organized in, or under the laws of, the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia (except, in the case of a partnership, to the extent provided in regulations), provided that, for purposes solely of the Class A-R Certificate, no partnership or other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes shall be treated as a United States Person unless all persons that own an interest in such partnership either directly or through any entity that is not a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes are United States Persons, or an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source, or a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more such United States Persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. To the extent prescribed in regulations by the Secretary of the Treasury, which have not yet been issued, a trust which was in existence on August 20, 1996 (other than a trust treated as owned by the grantor under subpart E of part I of subchapter J of chapter 1 of the Code), and which was treated as a United States person on August 20, 1996 may elect to continue to be treated as a United States person notwithstanding the previous sentence. Upper Tier REMIC: As described in the Preliminary Statement. Upper Tier REMIC Regular Interest: Each of the Class AV-1 Certificates, Class AV-2 Certificates, the Class AV-IO Certificates, the Class MV-1 Certificates, the Class MV-2 Certificates, the Class MV-3 Certificates, the Class BV-1 Certificates, the Class BV-2 Certificates and the Class BV-3 Certificates. Voting Rights: The portion of the voting rights of all of the Certificates which is allocated to any Certificate. The Voting Rights allocated among Holders of such Certificates outstanding shall be the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of all the Certificates of such Class then outstanding and the denominator of which is the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of all the Certificates then outstanding (other than the Class A-R Certificate). 99.00% of all Voting Rights will be allocated among all holders of the Certificates (other than the Class A-R Certificate) in proportion to their then outstanding Class Certificate Balances, and 1.00% of the Voting Rights shall be allocated to the Class A-R Certificate; provided, however, that any Certificate registered in the name of the Master Servicer, the Depositor or the Securities Administrator or any of their respective affiliates shall not be included in the calculation of Voting Rights. The Class P Certificates shall have no voting rights. Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or any successor thereto. -36- Wells Fargo Assignment Agreement: The Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2007, among Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the Depositor and the Seller pursuant to which the Wells Fargo Servicing Agreement and the rights of the Seller thereunder (other than the rights to enforce the representations and warranties with respect to the Wells Fargo Mortgage Loans) were assigned to the Depositor for the benefit of the Certificateholders. Wells Fargo Mortgage Loans: The Mortgage Loans serviced by Wells Fargo pursuant to the Wells Fargo Servicing Agreement. Wells Fargo Servicing Agreement: The Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2006, between Merrill Lynch Bank, USA and Wells Fargo. Wilshire: Wilshire Credit Corporation, or any successor thereto. Wilshire Mortgage Loans: The Mortgage Loans serviced by Wilshire pursuant to the Wilshire Servicing Agreement. Wilshire Servicing Agreement: The Servicing Agreement dated as of May 1, 2007, between Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc. and Wilshire Credit Corporation. Section 1.02 Accounting. Unless otherwise specified herein, for the purpose of any definition or calculation, whenever amounts are required to be netted, subtracted or added or any distributions are taken into account such definition or calculation and any related definitions or calculations shall be determined without duplication of such functions. ARTICLE II CONVEYANCE OF MORTGAGE LOANS; ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES Section 2.01 Conveyance of Mortgage Loans to Trustee. (a) The Depositor concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, sells, transfers and assigns to the Issuing Entity without recourse all its right, title and interest in and to (i) the Mortgage Loans identified in the Mortgage Loan Schedule, including all interest and principal due with respect to the Mortgage Loans after the Cut-off Date, but excluding any payments of principal and interest due on or prior to the Cut-off Date; (ii) such assets as shall from time to time be credited or are required by the terms of this Agreement to be credited to the Master Servicer Collection Account, (iii) such assets relating to the Mortgage Loans as from time to time may be held by the Servicers in Protected Accounts, the Master Servicer in the Master Servicer Collection Account and the Securities Administrator in the Distribution Account for the benefit of the Trustee on behalf of the Certificateholders, (iv) any REO Property, (v) the Required Insurance Policies and any amounts paid or payable by the insurer under any Insurance Policy (to the extent the mortgagee has a claim thereto), (vi) the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement to the extent provided in Subsection 2.03(a), (vii) the rights with respect to the Servicing Agreements as assigned to the Depositor on behalf of the Certificateholders by the -37- Assignment Agreements and (viii) any proceeds of the foregoing. Although it is the intent of the parties to this Agreement that the conveyance of the Depositor's right, title and interest in and to the Mortgage Loans and other assets in the Trust Fund pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute a purchase and sale and not a loan, in the event that such conveyance is deemed to be a loan, it is the intent of the parties to this Agreement that the Depositor shall be deemed to have granted to the Trustee a first priority perfected security interest in all of the Depositor's right, title and interest in, to and under the Mortgage Loans and other assets in the Trust Fund, and that this Agreement shall constitute a security agreement under applicable law. (b) In connection with the above transfer and assignment, the Depositor hereby deposits with the Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent, the following documents or instruments (I) with respect to each Mortgage Loan, other than a Cooperative Loan: (i) the original Mortgage Note, endorsed in the following form: "Pay to the order of HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for the registered holders of the Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-AF1, without recourse," or in blank, with all prior and intervening endorsements showing a complete chain of endorsement from the originator to the Person so endorsing to the Trustee; (ii) the original recorded Mortgage or a copy of the Mortgage certified by the public recording office in which such Mortgage has been recorded; (iii) except with respect to each MERS Loan, an original Assignment of the Mortgage executed in the following form: "HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for the registered holders of the Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-AF1. (iv) the original recorded Assignment or Assignments of the Mortgage showing a complete chain of assignment from the originator (or MERS with respect to each MERS Loan) to the Person assigning the Mortgage to the Trustee as contemplated by the immediately preceding clause (iii), if applicable and only to the extent available to the Depositor with evidence of recording thereon; (v) the originals of all assumption, modification, consolidation or extension agreements (if provided), with evidence of recording thereon, if any; (vi) the original of any guarantee (if provided) executed in connection with the Mortgage Note; (vii) the original mortgagee title insurance policy; (viii) the original of any security agreement, chattel mortgage or equivalent document (if provided) executed in connection with the Mortgage; and (ix) the original power of attorney, if applicable. -38- and (II) with respect to each Mortgage Loan that is a Cooperative Loan: (x) the original Mortgage Note, endorsed in the following form: "Pay to the order of HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for the registered holders of the Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-AF1, without recourse," or in blank, with all prior and intervening endorsements showing a complete chain of endorsement from the originator to the Person so endorsing to the Trustee; (xi) the original duly executed assignment of Security Agreement to the Trustee; (xii) the acknowledgment copy of the original executed Form UCC-1 (or certified copy thereof) with respect to the Security Agreement, and any required continuation statements; (xiii) the acknowledgment copy of the original executed Form UCC-3 with respect to the Security Agreement, indicating the Trustee as the assignee of the secured party; (xiv) the stock certificate representing the Cooperative Assets allocated to the cooperative unit, with a stock power in blank attached; (xv) the original collateral assignment of the proprietary lease by Mortgagor to the originator; (xvi) a copy of the recognition agreement; (xvii) if applicable and to the extent available, the original intervening assignments, including warehousing assignments, if any, showing, to the extent available, an unbroken chain of the related Mortgage Loan to the Trustee, together with a copy of the related Form UCC-3 with evidence of filing thereon; and (xviii) the originals of each assumption, modification or substitution agreement, if any, relating to the Mortgage Loan; provided, however, that in lieu of the foregoing, the Depositor may deliver the following documents, under the circumstances set forth below: (w) the Depositor may deliver a Mortgage Note pursuant to (a)(i) and (b)(i) endorsed in blank, provided that the endorsement is completed within 60 days of the Closing Date; (x) in lieu of the original Mortgage, assignments to the Trustee or its Custodian, as applicable, or intervening assignments thereof which have been delivered, are being delivered or will, upon receipt of recording information relating to the Mortgage required to be included thereon, be delivered to recording offices for recording and have not been returned to the Depositor in time to permit their delivery as specified above, the Depositor may deliver a true copy thereof with a certification by the Depositor on the face of such copy, substantially as follows: "Certified to be a true and correct copy of the original, which has been transmitted for recording"; and (y) in lieu of the Mortgage, assignment to the Trustee or intervening assignments thereof, if the applicable jurisdiction retains the originals of such -39- documents (as evidenced by a certification from the Depositor or the Master Servicer, to such effect) the Depositor may deliver photocopies of such documents containing an original certification by the judicial or other governmental authority of the jurisdiction where such documents were recorded; and provided, further, however, that in the case of Mortgage Loans which have been prepaid in full after the Cut-off Date and prior to the Closing Date, the Depositor, in lieu of delivering the above documents, may deliver to the Trustee or its Custodian, as applicable, a certification to such effect and shall deposit all amounts paid in respect of such Mortgage Loans in the Distribution Account on the Closing Date. The Depositor shall deliver such original documents (including any original documents as to which certified copies had previously been delivered) to the Trustee or its Custodian, as applicable, promptly after they are received. As of the date hereof, recordation of the assignment of the Mortgage Loans to the Trustee or the Custodian, as applicable, is not required in any state by either Rating Agency to obtain the initial rating on the Certificates (upon which statement the Master Servicer, the Trustee and the Custodian may each conclusively rely). If any original Mortgage Note referred to in Section 2.01(b)(I)(i) or 2.01(b)(II)(i) above cannot be located, the obligations of the Depositor to deliver such documents shall be deemed to be satisfied upon delivery to the Trustee or its Custodian, as applicable, of a photocopy of such Mortgage Note, if available, with a lost note affidavit. If any of the original Mortgage Notes for which a lost note affidavit was delivered to the Trustee or its Custodian, as applicable, is subsequently located, such original Mortgage Note shall be delivered to the Trustee or its Custodian, as applicable, within three Business Days. (c) The parties hereto agree that it is not intended that any mortgage loan be included in the Trust Fund that is, without limitation, a "High Cost Loan" as defined by the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 or any other applicable anti-predatory lending laws, including but not limited to (i) a "High-Cost Home Loan" as defined in the New Jersey Home Ownership Act effective November 27, 2003, (ii) a "High-Cost Home Loan" as defined in the New Mexico Home Loan Protection Act effective January 1, 2004, (iii) a "High Cost Home Mortgage Loan" as defined in the Massachusetts Predatory Home Loan Practices Act effective November 7, 2004 or (iv) a "High-Cost Home Loan" as defined by the Indiana High Cost Home Loan Law effective January 1, 2005. (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties hereto acknowledge that the functions of the Trustee with respect to the custody, acceptance, inspection and release of Mortgage Files, including but not limited to certain insurance policies and documents contemplated by Section 3.12 of this Agreement, and preparation and delivery of the certifications shall be performed by the Custodian(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Custodial Agreement(s). Section 2.02 Acceptance of Mortgage Loans by Trustee. (a) The Trustee acknowledges the sale, transfer and assignment of the Trust Fund to it by the Depositor and its receipt thereof, subject to further review and the exceptions which may be noted pursuant to the procedures described below, and declares that it, or the Custodian on its behalf, holds the documents (or certified copies thereof) delivered to it pursuant to Section 2.01, and declares that it will continue to hold those documents and any amendments, -40- replacements or supplements thereto and all other assets of the Trust Fund delivered to it as Trustee in trust for the use and benefit of all present and future Holders of the Certificates. On or before the Closing Date (or, with respect to any Substitute Mortgage Loan, within five Business Days after the receipt by the Trustee or Custodian thereof), the Trustee agrees, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, to review or cause to be reviewed by the Custodian on its behalf (under the Custodial Agreement), each Mortgage File delivered to it and to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Depositor on the Closing Date an Initial Certification. In conducting such review, the Trustee or Custodian will certify as to each Mortgage Loan listed in the Mortgage Loan Schedule (other than any Mortgage Loan paid in full or any Mortgage Loan specifically identified in the exception report annexed thereto as not being covered by such certification), (i) all documents constituting part of such Mortgage File (other than such documents described in Section 2.01(b)(I)(iii)) required to be delivered to it pursuant to this Agreement are in its possession, provided that with respect to the documents described in Section 2.01(b)(I)(v), (vi), (viii) and (ix) and 2.01(b)(II)(viii) and (ix) to the extent the Trustee or the Custodian on its behalf has actual knowledge that such documents exist, (ii) such documents have been reviewed by it and are not torn, mutilated, defaced or otherwise altered (except if initialed by the obligor) and appear to relate on their face to such Mortgage Loan, (iii) based on its examination and only as to the foregoing, the information set forth in the Mortgage Loan Schedule corresponding to the loan number for the Mortgage Loan, the Mortgagor's name, including the street address but excluding the zip code, the Mortgage Interest Rate and the original principal balance of the Mortgage Loan accurately reflects information set forth in the Mortgage File and (iv) with respect to Mortgage Loans with a Mortgage Interest Rate subject to adjustment, the Gross Margin, the lifetime cap and the periodic cap for such Mortgage Loan. In performing any such review, the Trustee, or the Custodian, as its agent, may conclusively rely on the purported due execution and genuineness of any such document and on the purported genuineness of any signature thereon. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, it is herein acknowledged that, in conducting such review, the Trustee or the Custodian on its behalf is under no duty or obligation to inspect, review or examine any such documents, instruments, certificates or other papers to determine whether they are genuine, enforceable, or appropriate for the represented purpose or whether they have actually been recorded or that they are other than what they purport to be on their face, or to determine whether any Person executing any documents is authorized to do so or whether any signature is genuine. If the Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent, finds any document constituting part of the Mortgage File not to have been executed or received, or to be unrelated to the Mortgage Loans identified in Exhibit B-2 or to appear to be defective on its face, the Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent, shall promptly notify the Seller. In accordance with the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement, the Seller shall correct or cure any such defect within ninety (90) days from the date of notice from the Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent, of the defect and if the Seller fails to correct or cure the defect within such period, and such defect materially and adversely affects the interests of the Certificateholders in the related Mortgage Loan, the Trustee, shall enforce the Seller's obligation pursuant to the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement, within 90 days from the Trustee's or the Custodian's notification, to purchase such Mortgage Loan at the Purchase Price; provided that, if such defect would cause the Mortgage Loan to be other than a "qualified mortgage" as defined in Section 860G(a)(3) of the Code, any such cure or repurchase must occur within 90 days from the date such breach was discovered; provided, however, that if such defect relates solely to the inability of the Seller to deliver the original Security Instrument or -41- intervening assignments thereof, or a certified copy because the originals of such documents, or a certified copy have not been returned by the applicable jurisdiction, the Seller shall not be required to purchase such Mortgage Loan if the Seller delivers such original documents or certified copy promptly upon receipt, but in no event later than 360 days after the Closing Date. The foregoing repurchase obligation shall not apply in the event that the Seller cannot deliver such original or copy of any document submitted for recording to the appropriate recording office in the applicable jurisdiction because such document has not been returned by such office; provided that the Seller shall instead deliver a recording receipt of such recording office or, if such receipt is not available, a certificate confirming that such documents have been accepted for recording, and delivery to the Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent, shall be effected by the Seller within thirty days of its receipt of the original recorded document. (b) No later than 180 days after the Closing Date, the Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent, will review, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, the Mortgage Files delivered to it and will execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered to the Depositor a Final Certification. In conducting such review, the Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent, will certify as to each Mortgage Loan listed in the Mortgage Loan Schedule (other than any Mortgage Loan paid in full or any Mortgage Loan specifically identified in the exception report annexed thereto as not being covered by such certification), that (i) all documents constituting part of such Mortgage File (other than such documents described in Section 2.01(b)(I)(v) and (ix)) required to be delivered to it pursuant to this Agreement are in its possession, provided that with respect to the documents described in Section 2.01(b)(I)(v), (vi), (viii) and (ix) and 2.01(b)(II)(viii) and (ix) to the extent the Trustee or the Custodian on its behalf has actual knowledge that such documents exist, (ii) such documents have been reviewed by it and are not torn, mutilated, defaced or otherwise altered (except if initialed by the obligor) and appear regular on their face and relate to such Mortgage Loan, (iii) based on its examination and only as to the foregoing, the information set forth in the Mortgage Loan Schedule corresponding to the loan number for the Mortgage Loan, the Mortgagor's name, including the street address but excluding the zip code, the Mortgage Interest Rate and the original principal balance of the Mortgage Loan accurately reflects information set forth in the Mortgage File. In performing any such review, the Trustee, or the Custodian, as its agent, may conclusively rely on the purported due execution and genuineness of any such document and on the purported genuineness of any signature thereon. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, it is herein acknowledged that, in conducting such review, the Trustee or the Custodian on its behalf is under no duty or obligation (i) to inspect, review or examine any such documents, instruments, certificates or other papers to determine whether they are genuine, enforceable, or appropriate for the represented purpose or whether they have actually been recorded or that they are other than what they purport to be on their face, or to determine whether any Person executing any documents is authorized to do so or whether any signature is genuine. If the Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent, finds any document constituting part of the Mortgage File not to have been executed or received, or to be unrelated to the Mortgage Loans identified in Exhibit B-2 or to appear to be defective on its face, the Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent, shall promptly notify the Seller. In accordance with the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement, the Seller shall correct or cure any such defect within 90 days from the date of notice from the Trustee of the defect and if the Seller is unable to cure such defect within such period, and if such defect materially and adversely affects the interests of the Certificateholders in the related Mortgage Loan, the Trustee shall enforce the Seller's obligation under the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement to purchase such Mortgage Loan at the -42- Purchase Price, provided, however, that if such defect relates solely to the inability of the Seller to deliver the original Security Instrument or intervening assignments thereof, or a certified copy, because the originals of such documents, or a certified copy, have not been returned by the applicable jurisdiction, the Seller shall not be required to purchase such Mortgage Loan, if the Seller delivers such original documents or certified copy promptly upon receipt, but in no event later than 360 days after the Closing Date. (c) In the event that a Mortgage Loan is purchased by the Seller in accordance with Subsections 2.02(a) or (b) above, the Seller shall remit to the Master Servicer the Purchase Price for deposit in the Master Servicer Collection Account and the Seller shall provide to the Trustee written notification detailing the components of the Purchase Price. Upon deposit of the Purchase Price in the Master Servicer Collection Account, the Depositor shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Custodian and the Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent (upon receipt of a Request for Release in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto with respect to such Mortgage Loan), shall release to the Seller the related Mortgage File and the Trustee shall execute and deliver all instruments of transfer or assignment, without recourse, furnished to it by the Seller as are necessary to vest in the Seller title to and rights under the Mortgage Loan. Such purchase shall be deemed to have occurred on the date on which the Purchase Price in available funds is received by the Securities Administrator on behalf of the Trustee. The Depositor or Master Servicer shall amend the Mortgage Loan Schedule, to reflect such repurchase and shall promptly notify the Rating Agencies and the Master Servicer of such amendment. The obligation of the Seller to repurchase any Mortgage Loan as to which such a defect in a constituent document exists shall be the sole remedy respecting such defect available to the Certificateholders or to the Trustee on their behalf. Section 2.03 Assignment of Interest in the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement. (a) The Depositor hereby assigns to the Trustee, on behalf of the Certificateholders, all of its right, title and interest in the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement, including but not limited to Depositor's rights pursuant to the Servicing Agreements (noting that the Seller has retained the right in the event of breach of the representations, warranties and covenants, if any, with respect to the related Mortgage Loans of the related Servicer under the related Servicing Agreement to enforce the provisions thereof and to seek all or any available remedies). The obligations of the Seller to substitute or repurchase, as applicable, a Mortgage Loan shall be the Trustee's and the Certificateholders' sole remedy for any breach thereof. At the request of the Trustee, the Depositor shall take such actions as may be necessary to enforce the above right, title and interest on behalf of the Trustee and the Certificateholders or shall execute such further documents as the Trustee may reasonably require in order to enable the Trustee to carry out such enforcement. With respect to the representations and warranties described in the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement that are made to the best of the Seller's knowledge, if it is discovered by any of the Depositor, the Seller, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator or the Trustee that the substance of such representation and warranty is inaccurate and such inaccuracy materially and adversely affects the value of the related Mortgage Loan, then notwithstanding the Seller's lack of knowledge with respect to the substance of such representation and warranty, such inaccuracy shall be deemed a breach of the applicable representation or warranty. -43- (b) If the Depositor, the Master Servicer, Securities Administrator or the Trustee discovers a breach of any of the representations and warranties set forth in the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement, which breach materially and adversely affects the value of the interests of Certificateholders or the Trustee in the related Mortgage Loan, the party discovering the breach shall give prompt written notice of the breach to the other parties. The Seller, within 90 days of its discovery or receipt of notice that such breach has occurred (whichever occurs earlier), shall cure the breach in all material respects or, subject to the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement or Section 2.04 of this Agreement, as applicable, shall purchase the Mortgage Loan or any property acquired with respect thereto from the Trustee; provided, however, that if there is a breach of any representation set forth in the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement or Section 2.04 of this Agreement, as applicable, and the Mortgage Loan or the related property acquired with respect thereto has been sold, then the Seller shall pay, in lieu of the Purchase Price, any excess of the Purchase Price over the Net Liquidation Proceeds received upon such sale. (If the Net Liquidation Proceeds exceed the Purchase Price, any excess shall be paid to the Seller to the extent not required by law to be paid to the borrower.) Any such purchase by the Seller shall be made by providing an amount equal to the Purchase Price to the Master Servicer for deposit in the Master Servicer Collection Account and written notification detailing the components of such Purchase Price. The Depositor shall notify the Trustee in writing of the deposit of the Purchase Price and submit to the Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent, a Request for Release, and the Trustee shall release, or the Trustee shall cause the Custodian to release, to the Seller the related Mortgage File and the Trustee shall execute and deliver all instruments of transfer or assignment furnished to it by the Seller, without recourse, as are necessary to vest in the Seller title to and rights under the Mortgage Loan or any property acquired with respect thereto. Such purchase shall be deemed to have occurred on the date on which the Purchase Price in available funds is received by the Master Servicer. The Depositor or the Master Servicer shall amend the Mortgage Loan Schedule to reflect such repurchase and shall promptly notify the Master Servicer and the Rating Agencies of such amendment. Enforcement of the obligation of the Seller to purchase (or substitute a Substitute Mortgage Loan for) any Mortgage Loan or any property acquired with respect thereto (or pay the Purchase Price as set forth in the above proviso) as to which a breach has occurred and is continuing shall constitute the sole remedy respecting such breach available to the Certificateholders or the Trustee on their behalf. Section 2.04 Substitution of Mortgage Loans. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in lieu of purchasing a Mortgage Loan pursuant to the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement or Sections 2.02 or 2.03 of this Agreement, the Seller may, no later than the date by which such purchase by the Seller would otherwise be required, tender to the Trustee a Substitute Mortgage Loan accompanied by a certificate of an authorized officer of the Seller that such Substitute Mortgage Loan conforms to the requirements set forth in the definition of "Substitute Mortgage Loan" in the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement or this Agreement, as applicable; provided, however, that substitution pursuant to the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement or Section 2.04 of this Agreement, as applicable, in lieu of purchase shall not be permitted after the termination of the two-year period beginning on the Startup Day; provided, further, that if the breach would cause the Mortgage Loan to be other than a "qualified mortgage" as defined in Section 860G(a)(3) of the Code, any such cure or substitution must occur within 90 days from the date the breach was discovered. The Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent, shall examine the Mortgage File for any Substitute Mortgage Loan in the manner set forth in Section 2.02(a) and the Trustee or the Custodian, as its agent, shall notify the Seller, in -44- writing, within five Business Days after receipt, whether or not the documents relating to the Substitute Mortgage Loan satisfy the requirements of the fourth sentence of Subsection 2.02(a). Within two Business Days after such notification, the Seller shall provide to the Securities Administrator for deposit in the Distribution Account the amount, if any, by which the Outstanding Principal Balance as of the next preceding Due Date of the Mortgage Loan for which substitution is being made, after giving effect to Scheduled Principal due on such date, exceeds the Outstanding Principal Balance as of such date of the Substitute Mortgage Loan, after giving effect to Scheduled Principal due on such date, which amount shall be treated for the purposes of this Agreement as if it were the payment by the Seller of the Purchase Price for the purchase of a Mortgage Loan by the Seller. After such notification to the Seller and, if any such excess exists, upon written notification of the receipt of such deposit, the Trustee shall accept such Substitute Mortgage Loan which shall thereafter be deemed to be a Mortgage Loan hereunder. In the event of such a substitution, accrued interest on the Substitute Mortgage Loan for the month in which the substitution occurs and any Principal Prepayments made thereon during such month shall be the property of the Issuing Entity and accrued interest for such month on the Mortgage Loan for which the substitution is made and any Principal Prepayments made thereon during such month shall be the property of the Seller. The Scheduled Principal on a Substitute Mortgage Loan due on the Due Date in the month of substitution shall be the property of the Seller and the Scheduled Principal on the Mortgage Loan for which the substitution is made due on such Due Date shall be the property of the Issuing Entity. Upon acceptance of the Substitute Mortgage Loan (and delivery to the Trustee or Custodian of a Request for Release for such Mortgage Loan), the Trustee shall release to the Seller the related Mortgage File related to any Mortgage Loan released pursuant to the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement or Section 2.04 of this Agreement, as applicable, and shall execute and deliver all instruments of transfer or assignment, without recourse, in form as provided to it as are necessary to vest in the Seller title to and rights under any Mortgage Loan released pursuant to the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement or Section 2.04 of this Agreement, as applicable. The Seller shall deliver the documents related to the Substitute Mortgage Loan in accordance with the provisions of the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement or Subsections 2.01(b) and 2.02(b) of this Agreement, as applicable, with the date of acceptance of the Substitute Mortgage Loan deemed to be the Closing Date for purposes of the time periods set forth in those Subsections. The representations and warranties set forth in the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement shall be deemed to have been made by the Seller with respect to each Substitute Mortgage Loan as of the date of acceptance of such Mortgage Loan by the Trustee. The Master Servicer shall amend the Mortgage Loan Schedule to reflect such substitution and shall provide a copy of such amended Mortgage Loan Schedule to the Trustee and the Rating Agencies. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the right to substitute Mortgage Loans pursuant to this Article II shall be subject to the additional limitations that no substitution of a Mortgage Loan shall be made unless the Securities Administrator and the Trustee shall have received an Opinion of Counsel (at the expense of the party seeking to make the substitution) that, under current law, such substitution will not (A) affect adversely the status of any REMIC established hereunder as a REMIC, or of the related "regular interests" as "regular interests" in any such REMIC, or (B) cause any such REMIC to engage in a "prohibited transaction" or prohibited contribution pursuant to the REMIC provisions. -45- Section 2.05 Issuance of Certificates. The Trustee acknowledges the assignment to it on behalf of the Issuing Entity of the Mortgage Loans and the other assets comprising the Trust Fund and, concurrently therewith, the Securities Administrator has signed, and countersigned and delivered to the Depositor, in exchange therefor, Certificates in such authorized denominations representing such Percentage Interests as the Depositor has requested. The Trustee agrees that it will hold the Mortgage Loans and such other assets as may from time to time be delivered to it segregated on the books of the Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders. Section 2.06 Representations and Warranties Concerning the Depositor. The Depositor hereby represents and warrants to the Trustee, the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator as follows: (i) the Depositor (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and (b) is qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except where the failure so to qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Depositor's business as presently conducted or on the Depositor's ability to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) the Depositor has full corporate power to own its property, to carry on its business as presently conducted and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; (iii) the execution and delivery by the Depositor of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Depositor; and neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated, nor compliance with the provisions hereof, will conflict with or result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, any of the provisions of any law, governmental rule, regulation, judgment, decree or order binding on the Depositor or its properties or the articles of incorporation or by-laws of the Depositor, except those conflicts, breaches or defaults which would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Depositor's ability to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (iv) the execution, delivery and performance by the Depositor of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not require the consent or approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration with, or the taking of any other action in respect of, any state, federal or other governmental authority or agency, except those consents, approvals, notices, registrations or other actions as have already been obtained, given or made; (v) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Depositor and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties hereto, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Depositor enforceable against it in -46- accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy and insolvency laws and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of the rights of creditors generally); (vi) there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Depositor, threatened against the Depositor, before or by any court, administrative agency, arbitrator or governmental body (i) with respect to any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) with respect to any other matter which in the judgment of the Depositor will be determined adversely to the Depositor and will if determined adversely to the Depositor materially and adversely affect the Depositor's ability to enter into this Agreement or perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Depositor is not in default with respect to any order of any court, administrative agency, arbitrator or governmental body so as to materially and adversely affect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (vii) immediately prior to the transfer and assignment to the Trustee, each Mortgage Note and each Mortgage were not subject to an assignment or pledge, and the Depositor had good and marketable title to and was the sole owner thereof and had full right to transfer and sell such Mortgage Loan to the Trustee free and clear of any encumbrance, equity, lien, pledge, charge, claim or security interest. Section 2.07 Representations and Warranties Concerning the Master Servicer and Securities Administrator. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Master Servicer and Securities Administrator hereby represents and warrants to the Seller, the Depositor and the Trustee as follows, as of the Closing Date: (i) It is a national banking association duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America and is duly authorized and qualified to transact any and all business contemplated by this Agreement to be conducted by the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator, to the extent necessary to ensure its ability to master service the Mortgage Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and to perform any of its other obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof; (ii) It has the full corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform, and to enter into and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on its part the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and this Agreement, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the other parties hereto, constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except that (a) the enforceability hereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, receivership and other similar laws relating to creditors' rights generally and (b) the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. (iii) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by it, the consummation of any other of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the fulfillment of or -47- compliance with the terms hereof are in its ordinary course of business and will not (A) result in a material breach of any term or provision of its charter or by-laws or (B) materially conflict with, result in a material breach, violation or acceleration of, or result in a material default under, the terms of any other material agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it may be bound, or (C) constitute a material violation of any statute, order or regulation applicable to it of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or governmental body having jurisdiction over it; and it is not in breach or violation of any material indenture or other material agreement or instrument, or in violation of any statute, order or regulation of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or governmental body having jurisdiction over it which breach or violation may materially impair its ability to perform or meet any of its obligations under this Agreement. (iv) No litigation is pending or, to the best of its knowledge, threatened, against it that would materially and adversely affect the execution, delivery or enforceability of this Agreement or its ability to perform any of its other obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof. (v) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required for its execution, delivery and performance of, or compliance with, this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or if any such consent, approval, authorization or order is required, it has obtained the same. ARTICLE III ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING OF MORTGAGE LOANS Section 3.01 Master Servicer. The Master Servicer shall supervise, monitor and oversee the obligation of the Servicers to service and administer their respective Mortgage Loans in accordance with the terms of the applicable Servicing Agreement and shall have full power and authority to do any and all things which it may deem necessary or desirable in connection with such master servicing and administration. In performing its obligations hereunder, the Master Servicer shall act in a manner consistent with Accepted Master Servicing Practices. Furthermore, the Master Servicer shall oversee and consult with each Servicer as necessary from time-to-time to carry out the Master Servicer's obligations hereunder, shall receive, review and evaluate all reports, information and other data provided to the Master Servicer by each Servicer and shall cause each Servicer to perform and observe the covenants, obligations and conditions to be performed or observed by such Servicer under the applicable Servicing Agreement. The Master Servicer shall independently and separately monitor each Servicer's servicing activities with respect to each related Mortgage Loan, reconcile the results of such monitoring with such information provided in the previous sentence on a monthly basis and coordinate corrective adjustments to the Servicers' and Master Servicer's records, and based on such reconciled and corrected information, the Master Servicer shall provide such information to the Securities Administrator as shall be necessary in order for it to prepare the statements specified in Section 6.04, and prepare any other information and statements required to be forwarded by the Master Servicer hereunder. The Master Servicer shall reconcile the results of its monitoring with the actual remittances of the Servicers to the Master Servicer Collection Account pursuant to the applicable Servicing Agreements. -48- If the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator are the same entity, then at any time the Master Servicer is terminated as Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator shall likewise be removed as securities administrator. The Trustee shall furnish the Servicers and the Master Servicer with any limited powers of attorney and other documents in form acceptable to it necessary or appropriate to enable the Servicers and the Master Servicer to service and administer the related Mortgage Loans and REO Property. The Trustee shall have no liability with respect to the use of any such limited power of attorney. The Trustee or the Custodian shall provide access to the records and documentation in possession of the Trustee or the Custodian regarding the related Mortgage Loans and REO Property and the servicing thereof to the Certificateholders, the FDIC, and the supervisory agents and examiners of the FDIC, such access being afforded only upon reasonable prior written request and during normal business hours at the office of the Trustee or the Custodian; provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by law, the Trustee or the Custodian shall not be required to provide access to such records and documentation if the provision thereof would violate the legal right to privacy of any Mortgagor. The Trustee or the Custodian shall allow representatives of the above entities to photocopy any of the records and documentation and shall provide equipment for that purpose at a charge that covers the Trustee's or the Custodian's actual costs. The Trustee shall execute and deliver to the related Servicer and the Master Servicer upon request any court pleadings, requests for trustee's sale or other documents necessary or desirable to (i) the foreclosure or trustee's sale with respect to a Mortgaged Property; (ii) any legal action brought to obtain judgment against any Mortgagor on the Mortgage Note or Security Instrument; (iii) obtain a deficiency judgment against the Mortgagor; or (iv) enforce any other rights or remedies provided by the Mortgage Note or Security Instrument or otherwise available at law or equity. Section 3.02 REMIC-Related Covenants. For as long as each REMIC shall exist, the Trustee and the Securities Administrator shall act in accordance herewith to assure continuing treatment of such REMIC as a REMIC, and the Trustee and the Securities Administrator shall comply with any directions of the Depositor, the related Servicer or the Master Servicer to assure such continuing treatment. In particular, the Trustee shall not (a) sell or permit the sale of all or any portion of the Mortgage Loans or of any investment of deposits in an Account unless such sale is as a result of a repurchase of the Mortgage Loans pursuant to this Agreement or the Trustee has received a REMIC Opinion prepared at the expense of the Issuing Entity; and (b) other than with respect to a substitution pursuant to the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement or Section 2.04 of this Agreement, as applicable, accept any contribution to any REMIC after the Startup Day without receipt of a REMIC Opinion. Section 3.03 Monitoring of Servicers. (a) The Master Servicer shall be responsible for reporting to the Trustee and the Depositor the compliance by each Servicer with its duties under the related Servicing Agreement. In the review of each Servicer's activities, the Master Servicer may rely upon an -49- officer's certificate of the Servicer with regard to such Servicer's compliance with the terms of its Servicing Agreement. In the event that the Master Servicer, in its judgment, determines that a Servicer should be terminated in accordance with its Servicing Agreement, or that a notice should be sent pursuant to such Servicing Agreement with respect to the occurrence of an event that, unless cured, would constitute grounds for such termination, the Master Servicer shall notify the Depositor and the Trustee thereof and the Master Servicer shall issue such notice or take such other action as it deems appropriate. (b) The Master Servicer, for the benefit of the Trustee and the Certificateholders, shall enforce the obligations of each Servicer under the related Servicing Agreement, and shall, in the event that a Servicer fails to perform its obligations in accordance with the related Servicing Agreement, subject to the preceding paragraph, terminate the rights and obligations of such Servicer thereunder and act as servicer of the related Mortgage Loans or, if the Master Servicer is unwilling or unable to act as a Servicer, the Master Servicer shall cause the Trustee to enter in to a new Servicing Agreement with a successor Servicer selected by the Master Servicer that is eligible in accordance with the criteria specified in this Agreement; provided, however, it is understood and acknowledged by the parties hereto that there will be a period of transition (not to exceed 90 days) before the actual servicing functions can be fully transferred to such successor servicer. In either event, such enforcement, including, without limitation, the legal prosecution of claims, termination of the Servicing Agreements and the pursuit of other appropriate remedies, shall be in such form and carried out to such an extent and at such time as the Master Servicer, in its good faith business judgment, would require were it the owner of the related Mortgage Loans. The Master Servicer shall pay the costs of such enforcement at its own expense subject to Section 3.03(c), provided that the Master Servicer shall not be required to prosecute or defend any legal action except to the extent that the Master Servicer shall have received reasonable indemnity for its costs and expenses in pursuing such action. (c) To the extent that the costs and expenses of the Master Servicer related to any termination of a Servicer, appointment of a successor Servicer or the transfer and assumption of servicing by the Master Servicer with respect to any Servicing Agreement (including, without limitation, (i) all legal costs and expenses and all due diligence costs and expenses associated with an evaluation of the potential termination of a Servicer as a result of an event of default by such Servicer and (ii) all costs and expenses associated with the complete transfer of servicing, including all servicing files and all servicing data and the completion, correction or manipulation of such servicing data as may be required by the successor servicer to correct any errors or insufficiencies in the servicing data or otherwise to enable the successor service to service the Mortgage Loans in accordance with the related Servicing Agreement) are not fully and timely reimbursed by the terminated Servicer, the Master Servicer shall be entitled to reimbursement of such costs and expenses from the Master Servicer Collection Account pursuant to Section 4.03(b). (d) The Master Servicer shall require each Servicer to comply with the remittance requirements and other obligations set forth in the related Servicing Agreement. (e) If the Master Servicer acts as Servicer, it will not assume liability for the representations and warranties of such Servicer, if any, that it replaces. -50- Section 3.04 Fidelity Bond. The Master Servicer, at its expense, shall maintain in effect a blanket fidelity bond and an errors and omissions insurance policy, affording coverage with respect to all directors, officers, employees and other Persons acting on such Master Servicer's behalf, and covering errors and omissions in the performance of the Master Servicer's obligations hereunder. The errors and omissions insurance policy and the fidelity bond shall be in such form and amount generally acceptable for entities serving as master servicers or trustees. Section 3.05 Power to Act; Procedures. The Master Servicer shall master service the Mortgage Loans and shall have full power and authority, subject to the REMIC Provisions and the provisions of Article X hereof, to do any and all things that it may deem necessary or desirable in connection with the master servicing and administration of the Mortgage Loans, including but not limited to the power and authority (i) to execute and deliver, on behalf of the Certificateholders and the Trustee, customary consents or waivers and other instruments and documents, (ii) to consent to transfers of any Mortgaged Property and assumptions of the Mortgage Notes and related Mortgages, (iii) to collect any Insurance Proceeds and Liquidation Proceeds, and (iv) to effectuate foreclosure or other conversion of the ownership of the Mortgaged Property securing any Mortgage Loan, in each case, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the related Servicing Agreement, as applicable; provided, however, that the Master Servicer shall not (and, consistent with its responsibilities under Section 3.03, shall not permit any Servicer to) knowingly or intentionally take any action, or fail to take (or fail to cause to be taken) any action reasonably within its control and the scope of duties more specifically set forth herein, that, under the REMIC Provisions, if taken or not taken, as the case may be, would cause any REMIC created hereunder to fail to qualify as a REMIC or result in the imposition of a tax upon the Issuing Entity (including but not limited to the tax on prohibited transactions as defined in Section 860F(a)(2) of the Code and the tax on contributions to a REMIC set forth in Section 860G(d) of the Code) unless the Master Servicer has received an Opinion of Counsel (but not at the expense of the Master Servicer) to the effect that the contemplated action will not would cause any REMIC created hereunder to fail to qualify as a REMIC or result in the imposition of a tax upon any REMIC created hereunder. The Trustee shall furnish the Master Servicer, upon written request from a Servicing Officer, with any limited powers of attorney (in form acceptable to the Trustee) empowering the Master Servicer or any Servicer to execute and deliver instruments of satisfaction or cancellation, or of partial or full release or discharge, and to foreclose upon or otherwise liquidate Mortgaged Property, and to appeal, prosecute or defend in any court action relating to the Mortgage Loans or the Mortgaged Property, in accordance with the applicable Servicing Agreement and this Agreement, and the Trustee shall execute and deliver such other documents, as the Master Servicer may request, to enable the Master Servicer to master service and administer the Mortgage Loans and carry out its duties hereunder, in each case in accordance with Accepted Master Servicing Practices (and the Trustee shall have no liability for misuse of any such powers of attorney by the Master Servicer or any Servicer). If the Master Servicer or the Trustee has been advised that it is likely that the laws of the state in which action is to be taken prohibit such action if taken in the name of the Trustee or that the Trustee would be adversely affected under the "doing business" or tax laws of such state if such action is taken in its name, the Master Servicer shall join with the Trustee in the appointment of a co-trustee pursuant to Section 9.11 hereof. In the performance of its duties hereunder, the Master Servicer shall be an independent contractor and shall not, except in those instances where it is taking action in the name of the Trustee, be deemed to be the agent of the Trustee. -51- Section 3.06 Due-on-Sale Clauses; Assumption Agreements. To the extent provided in the applicable Servicing Agreement, to the extent Mortgage Loans contain enforceable due-on-sale clauses, the Master Servicer shall cause the Servicers to enforce such clauses in accordance with the applicable Servicing Agreement. If applicable law prohibits the enforcement of a due-on-sale clause or such clause is otherwise not enforced in accordance with the applicable Servicing Agreement, and, as a consequence, a Mortgage Loan is assumed, the original Mortgagor may be released from liability in accordance with the applicable Servicing Agreement. Section 3.07 Release of Mortgage Files. (a) Upon becoming aware of the payment in full of any Mortgage Loan, or the receipt by any Servicer of a notification that payment in full has been escrowed in a manner customary for such purposes for payment to Certificateholders on the next Distribution Date, the Servicers or the Master Servicer will, if required under the applicable Servicing Agreement, promptly furnish to the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, two copies of a certification substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto signed by a Servicing Officer or in a mutually agreeable electronic format which will, in lieu of a signature on its face, originate from a Servicing Officer (which certification shall include a statement to the effect that all amounts received in connection with such payment that are required to be deposited in the Protected Account maintained by the applicable Servicer pursuant to its Servicing Agreement have been or will be so deposited) and shall request that the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, deliver to the applicable Servicer the related Mortgage File. Upon receipt of such certification and request, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, shall no later than five Business Days (or, to the extent that the applicable Servicer notifies the Seller that a document is not in the Servicer's possession as part of the servicing file which is needed for purposes of the Servicer complying with any applicable law, within such shorter period as may be necessary to enable the Servicer to comply with such law), release the related Mortgage File to the applicable Servicer and the Trustee and Custodian shall have no further responsibility with regard to such Mortgage File. Upon any such payment in full, each Servicer is authorized, to give, as agent for the Trustee, as the mortgagee under the Mortgage that secured the Mortgage Loan, an instrument of satisfaction (or assignment of mortgage without recourse) regarding the Mortgaged Property subject to the Mortgage, which instrument of satisfaction or assignment, as the case may be, shall be delivered to the Person or Persons entitled thereto against receipt therefor of such payment, it being understood and agreed that no expenses incurred in connection with such instrument of satisfaction or assignment, as the case may be, shall be chargeable to the Protected Account. (b) From time to time and as appropriate for the servicing or foreclosure of any Mortgage Loan and in accordance with the applicable Servicing Agreement, the Trustee shall execute such documents as requested and as shall be prepared and furnished to the Trustee by a Servicer or the Master Servicer and as are necessary to the prosecution of any such proceedings. In connection with the foregoing, the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, shall, upon the request of a Servicer or the Master Servicer, and delivery to the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, of two copies of a Request for Release signed by a Servicing Officer substantially in the form of Exhibit D (or in a mutually agreeable electronic format which will, in lieu of a signature on its face, originate from a Servicing Officer), release the related Mortgage File held in its possession or control to the related Servicer or the Master Servicer, as applicable. Such trust receipt shall -52- obligate the related Servicer or the Master Servicer to return the Mortgage File to the Custodian on behalf of the Trustee, when the need therefor by the Servicer or the Master Servicer no longer exists unless the Mortgage Loan shall be liquidated, in which case, upon receipt of a certificate of a Servicing Officer similar to that hereinabove specified, the Mortgage File shall be released by the Custodian, on behalf of the Trustee, to the related Servicer or the Master Servicer. (c) The Servicers shall have no liability for, and shall be excused from, any non-performance hereunder to the extent such non-performance is solely and directly caused by (i) the failure of the Custodian to release (and not caused by any failure or non-performance by the Servicers), in a manner consistent with the terms of the Custodial Agreement, any Mortgage File requested by the Servicers pursuant to a Request for Release and (ii) the unreasonable failure of the Trustee to execute a timely request for the execution of documents. Section 3.08 Documents, Records and Funds in Possession of Master Servicer To Be Held for Trustee. (a) The Master Servicer shall transmit and each Servicer (to the extent required by the related Servicing Agreement) shall transmit to the Trustee or Custodian such documents and instruments coming into the possession of the Master Servicer or such Servicer from time to time as are required by the terms hereof, or in the case of the Servicers, the applicable Servicing Agreement, to be delivered to the Trustee or Custodian. Any funds received by the Master Servicer or by a Servicer in respect of any Mortgage Loan or which otherwise are collected by the Master Servicer or by a Servicer as Liquidation Proceeds or Insurance Proceeds in respect of any Mortgage Loan shall be held for the benefit of the Trustee and the Certificateholders subject to the Master Servicer's right to retain or withdraw from the Master Servicer Collection Account the Master Servicing Compensation and other amounts provided in this Agreement, and to the right of each Servicer to retain its Servicing Fee and other amounts as provided in the applicable Servicing Agreement. The Master Servicer shall, and (to the extent provided in the applicable Servicing Agreement) shall cause each Servicer to, provide access to information and documentation regarding the Mortgage Loans to the Trustee, its agents and accountants at any time upon reasonable request and during normal business hours, and to Certificateholders that are savings and loan associations, banks or insurance companies, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the FDIC and the supervisory agents and examiners of such Office and Corporation or examiners of any other federal or state banking or insurance regulatory authority if so required by applicable regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision or other regulatory authority, such access to be afforded without charge but only upon reasonable request in writing and during normal business hours at the offices of the Master Servicer designated by it. In fulfilling such a request, the Master Servicer shall not be responsible for determining the sufficiency of such information. (b) All Mortgage Files and funds collected or held by, or under the control of, the Master Servicer, in respect of any Mortgage Loans, whether from the collection of principal and interest payments or from Liquidation Proceeds or Insurance Proceeds, shall be held by the Master Servicer for and on behalf of the Trustee and the Certificateholders and shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Trustee; provided, however, that the Master Servicer and each Servicer shall be entitled to setoff against, and deduct from, any such funds -53- any amounts that are properly due and payable to the Master Servicer or such Servicer under this Agreement or the applicable Servicing Agreement. Section 3.09 Standard Hazard Insurance and Flood Insurance Policies. (a) For each Mortgage Loan, the Master Servicer shall enforce any obligation of the Servicers under the related Servicing Agreements to maintain or cause to be maintained standard fire and casualty insurance and, where applicable, flood insurance, all in accordance with the provisions of the related Servicing Agreements. It is understood and agreed that such insurance shall be with insurers meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in the applicable Servicing Agreement and that no earthquake or other additional insurance is to be required of any Mortgagor or to be maintained on property acquired in respect of a defaulted loan, other than pursuant to such applicable laws and regulations as shall at any time be in force and as shall require such additional insurance. (b) Pursuant to Sections 4.01 and 4.02, any amounts collected by the Servicers or the Master Servicer, under any insurance policies (other than amounts to be applied to the restoration or repair of the property subject to the related Mortgage or released to the Mortgagor in accordance with the applicable Servicing Agreement) shall be deposited into the Master Servicer Collection Account, subject to withdrawal pursuant to Sections 4.02 and 4.03 in accordance with the terms and conditions of the related Servicing Agreement. Any cost incurred by the Master Servicer or any Servicer in maintaining any such insurance if the Mortgagor defaults in its obligation to do so shall be added to the amount owing under the Mortgage Loan where the terms of the Mortgage Loan so permit; provided, however, that the addition of any such cost shall not be taken into account for purposes of calculating the distributions to be made to Certificateholders and shall be recoverable by the Master Servicer or such Servicer pursuant to Sections 4.02 and 4.03. Section 3.10 Presentment of Claims and Collection of Proceeds. The Master Servicer shall (to the extent provided in the applicable Servicing Agreement) cause the related Servicer to, prepare and present on behalf of the Trustee and the Certificateholders all claims under the Insurance Policies and take such actions (including the negotiation, settlement, compromise or enforcement of the insured's claim) as shall be necessary to realize recovery under such policies. Any proceeds disbursed to the Master Servicer (or disbursed to a Servicer and remitted to the Master Servicer) in respect of such policies, bonds or contracts shall be promptly deposited in the Master Servicer Collection Account upon receipt, except that any amounts realized that are to be applied to the repair or restoration of the related Mortgaged Property as a condition precedent to the presentation of claims on the related Mortgage Loan to the insurer under any applicable Insurance Policy need not be so deposited (or remitted). Section 3.11 Maintenance of the Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies. (a) The Master Servicer shall not take, or permit any Servicer (to the extent such action is prohibited under the applicable Servicing Agreement) to take, any action that would result in noncoverage under any applicable Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy of any loss which, but for the actions of such Master Servicer or Servicer, would have been covered thereunder. The Master Servicer shall use its best reasonable efforts to cause each Servicer (to -54- the extent required under the related Servicing Agreement) to keep in force and effect (to the extent that the Mortgage Loan requires the Mortgagor to maintain such insurance), primary mortgage insurance applicable to each Mortgage Loan in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the related Servicing Agreement, as applicable. The Master Servicer shall not, and shall not permit any Servicer (to the extent required under the related Servicing Agreement) to, cancel or refuse to renew any such Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy that is in effect at the date of the initial issuance of the Mortgage Note and is required to be kept in force hereunder except in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the related Servicing Agreement, as applicable. (b) The Master Servicer agrees to present, or to cause each Servicer (to the extent required under the related Servicing Agreement) to present, on behalf of the Trustee and the Certificateholders, claims to the insurer under any Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies and, in this regard, to take such reasonable action as shall be necessary to permit recovery under any Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies respecting defaulted Mortgage Loans. Pursuant to Section 4.01 and 4.02, any amounts collected by the Master Servicer or any Servicer under any Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies shall be deposited in the Master Servicer Collection Account, subject to withdrawal pursuant to Section 4.03. Section 3.12 Trustee to Retain Possession of Certain Insurance Policies and Documents. The Trustee or the Custodian shall retain possession and custody of the originals (to the extent available) of any Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies, or certificate of insurance if applicable, and any certificates of renewal as to the foregoing as may be issued from time to time as contemplated by this Agreement. Until all amounts distributable in respect of the Certificates have been distributed in full and the Master Servicer otherwise has fulfilled its obligations under this Agreement, the Trustee or its Custodian shall also retain possession and custody of each Mortgage File in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Master Servicer shall promptly deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee or the Custodian upon the execution or receipt thereof the originals of any Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies, any certificates of renewal, and such other documents or instruments that constitute portions of the Mortgage File that come into the possession of the Master Servicer from time to time. Section 3.13 Realization Upon Defaulted Mortgage Loans. The Master Servicer shall cause each Servicer (to the extent required under the related Servicing Agreement) to foreclose upon, repossess or otherwise comparably convert the ownership of Mortgaged Properties securing such of the Mortgage Loans as come into and continue in default and as to which no satisfactory arrangements can be made for collection of delinquent payments, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Servicing Agreement. Section 3.14 Compensation for the Master Servicer. The Master Servicer will be entitled to all income and gain realized from any investment of funds in the Master Servicer Collection Account, pursuant to Article IV, for the performance of its activities hereunder. Servicing compensation in the form of assumption fees, if any, late payment charges, as collected, if any, or otherwise (but not including any prepayment premium or penalty) shall be retained by the applicable Servicer and shall not be deposited in the Protected Account. The Master Servicer shall be required to pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its -55- activities hereunder and shall not be entitled to reimbursement therefor except as provided in this Agreement. Section 3.15 REO Property. (a) In the event the Issuing Entity acquires ownership of any REO Property in respect of any related Mortgage Loan, the deed or certificate of sale shall be issued to the Trustee, or to its nominee, on behalf of the related Certificateholders. The Master Servicer shall, to the extent provided in the applicable Servicing Agreement, cause the applicable Servicer to sell, any REO Property as expeditiously as possible and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the related Servicing Agreement, as applicable. Pursuant to its efforts to sell such REO Property, the Master Servicer shall cause the applicable Servicer to protect and conserve, such REO Property in the manner and to the extent required by the applicable Servicing Agreement, in accordance with the REMIC Provisions and in a manner that does not result in a tax on "net income from foreclosure property" or cause such REO Property to fail to qualify as "foreclosure property" within the meaning of Section 860G(a)(8) of the Code. (b) The Master Servicer shall, to the extent required by the related Servicing Agreement, cause the applicable Servicer to deposit all funds collected and received in connection with the operation of any REO Property in the Protected Account. (c) The Master Servicer and the applicable Servicer, upon the final disposition of any REO Property, shall be entitled to reimbursement for any related unreimbursed Monthly Advances and other unreimbursed advances as well as any unpaid Servicing Fees from Liquidation Proceeds received in connection with the final disposition of such REO Property; provided, that any such unreimbursed Monthly Advances as well as any unpaid Servicing Fees may be reimbursed or paid, as the case may be, prior to final disposition, out of any net rental income or other net amounts derived from such REO Property. (d) To the extent provided in the related Servicing Agreement, the Liquidation Proceeds from the final disposition of the REO Property, net of any payment to the Master Servicer and the applicable Servicer as provided above shall be deposited in the Protected Account on or prior to the Determination Date in the month following receipt thereof and be remitted by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the Master Servicer for deposit into the related Master Servicer Collection Account on the next succeeding Servicer Remittance Date. Section 3.16 Annual Statement as to Compliance. Not later than March 1 of each calendar year (other than the calendar year during which the Closing Date occurs), each Servicer shall deliver (or otherwise make available) and each Servicer shall cause any Servicing Function Participant engaged by it to deliver to the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Depositor, an Officer's Certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit P stating, as to each signatory thereof, that (i) a review of the activities of such signatory during the preceding calendar year, or portion thereof, and of the performance of such signatory under the related Servicing Agreement or such other applicable agreement in the case of a Servicing Function Participant has been made under such officer's supervision, and -56- (ii) to the best of such officer's knowledge, based on such review, such signatory has fulfilled all its obligations under this Agreement, the related Servicing Agreement or such other applicable agreement in all material respects throughout such year or a portion thereof, or, if there has been a failure to fulfill any such obligation in any material respect, specifying each such failure known to such officer and the nature and status thereof. The Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator shall deliver (or otherwise make available) (and the Trustee, the Master Servicer and Securities Administrator shall cause any Servicing Function Participant engaged by it to deliver) to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator on or before March 1 (with a ten-calendar day cure period) of each year, commencing in March 2008, an Officer's Certificate stating, as to the signer thereof, that (A) a review of such party's activities during the preceding calendar year or portion thereof and of such party's performance under this Agreement, or such other applicable agreement in the case of a Servicing Function Participant, has been made under such officer's supervision and (B) to the best of such officer's knowledge, based on such review, such party has fulfilled all its obligations under this Agreement, or such other applicable agreement in the case of a Servicing Function Participant, in all material respects throughout such year or portion thereof, or, if there has been a failure to fulfill any such obligation in any material respect, specifying each such failure known to such officer and the nature and status thereof. The Master Servicer shall include all annual statements of compliance received by it from each Servicer with its own annual statement of compliance to be submitted to the Securities Administrator pursuant to this Section. For the avoidance of doubt, the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator may satisfy the requirements of this Section 3.16 and Section 3.16 of the Stack I Agreement by each delivering a single annual statement of compliance containing all of the information required pursuant to this Section 3.16 and Section 3.16 of the Stack I Agreement. In the event the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator or any Servicing Function Participant engaged by any such party or the Trustee is terminated, assigns its rights and obligations under or resigns pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or such other applicable agreement in the case of a Servicing Function Participant, as the case may be, such party shall provide, an annual statement of compliance pursuant to this Section 3.16 or to such applicable agreement, as the case may be, notwithstanding any such termination, assignment or resignation. Section 3.17 Reports on Assessment of Compliance and Attestation. (a) Not later than March 1 of each calendar year (other than the calendar year during which the Closing Date occurs) each Servicer at its own expense, shall furnish, and shall cause any Servicing Function Participant engaged by it to furnish (unless in the case of a Subcontractor, such Servicer has notified the Depositor and the Master Servicer in writing that such compliance statement is not required for the Subcontractor) to the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Depositor an officer's assessment of its compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria during the preceding calendar year as required by Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 of the Exchange Act and Item 1122 of Regulation AB (the "Assessment of Compliance"), which assessment shall contain (A) a statement by such party of its responsibility for assessing compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria, (B) a statement that such party -57- used the Relevant Servicing Criteria to assess compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria, (C) such party's assessment of compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria as of and for the fiscal year covered by the Form 10-K required to be filed pursuant to Section 3.18, including, if there has been any material instance of noncompliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria, a discussion of each such failure and the nature and status thereof, which assessment shall be based on the activities it performs with respect to asset-backed securities transactions taken as a whole involving such party that are backed by the same asset type as the Mortgage Loans, and (D) a statement that a registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on such party's assessment of compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria as of and for such period. By March 1 (with a ten-calendar day cure period) of each year, commencing in March 2008, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Custodian each at its own expense, shall furnish or otherwise make available, and each such party and the Trustee shall cause any Servicing Function Participant engaged by it to furnish, each at its own expense, to the Securities Administrator and the Depositor, a report on an assessment of compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria that contains (A) a statement by such party of its responsibility for assessing compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria, (B) a statement that such party used the Relevant Servicing Criteria to assess compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria, (C) such party's assessment of compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria as of and for the fiscal year covered by the Form 10-K required to be filed pursuant to Sections 3.18(h), (i), (j) and (k), including, if there has been any material instance of noncompliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria, a discussion of each such failure and the nature and status thereof, and (D) a statement that a registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on such party's assessment of compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria as of and for such period. No later than the end of each fiscal year for the Issuing Entity for which a 10-K is required to be filed, the Master Servicer, the Custodian and the Trustee shall each forward to the Securities Administrator and the Depositor the name of each Servicing Function Participant engaged by it and what Relevant Servicing Criteria will be addressed in the report on assessment of compliance prepared by such Servicing Function Participant (provided, however, that the Master Servicer need not provide such information to the Securities Administrator so long as the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator are the same Person). When the Master Servicer, and the Securities Administrator (or any Servicing Function Participant engaged by them or the Trustee) submit their assessments to the Securities Administrator, such parties will also at such time include the assessment and attestation pursuant to this Section 3.17 of each Servicing Function Participant engaged by it. Promptly after receipt of each report on assessment of compliance, (i) the Depositor shall review each such report and, if applicable, consult with such Servicer, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and any Servicing Function Participant engaged by any such party as to the nature of any material instance of noncompliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria by such Servicer by each such party, and (ii) the Securities Administrator shall confirm that the assessments individually address the Relevant Servicing Criteria for each party as set forth on Exhibit K or any similar exhibit set forth in each Servicing Agreement in respect of each Servicer and notify the Depositor of any exceptions. -58- The Master Servicer shall include all annual reports on assessment of compliance received by it from the Servicers with its own assessment of compliance to be submitted to the Securities Administrator pursuant to this Section. For the avoidance of doubt, the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator may satisfy the requirements of this Section 3.17 and Section 3.17 of the Stack I Agreement relating to reports on assessment of compliance by each delivering a single annual report on assessment of compliance containing all of the information required pursuant to Section 3.17 of the Stack I Agreement relating to reports on assessment of compliance. In the event the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator or any Servicing Function Participant engaged by any such party or the Trustee is terminated, assigns its rights and obligations under or resigns pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or any other applicable agreement, as the case may be, such party shall provide, an assessment of compliance pursuant to this Section 3.17, coupled with an attestation as required in this Section 3.17, or such applicable agreement notwithstanding any such termination, assignment or resignation. (b) Not later than March 1 of each calendar year (other than the calendar year during which the Closing Date occurs) each Servicer at its own expense, shall cause, and shall cause any Servicing Function Participant engaged by it to cause (unless in the case of a Subcontractor, such Servicer has notified the Depositor and the Master Servicer in writing that such report is not required for the Subcontractor) a nationally or regionally recognized firm of independent registered public accountants (who may also render other services to such Servicer, the Master Servicer or any affiliate thereof) which is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to furnish a report (the "Accountant's Attestation") to the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Depositor to the effect that (i) it has obtained a representation regarding certain matters from the management of such party, which includes an assertion that such party has complied with the Relevant Servicing Criteria, and (ii) on the basis of an examination conducted by such firm in accordance with standards for attestation engagements issued or adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, it is expressing an opinion as to whether such party's compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria was fairly stated in all material respects, or it cannot express an overall opinion regarding such party's assessment of compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria. In the event that an overall opinion cannot be expressed, such registered public accounting firm shall state in such report why it was unable to express such an opinion. Such report must be available for general use and not contain restricted use language. Such Accountant's Attestation shall be in accordance with Rules 1-02(a)(3) and 2-02(g) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. By March 1 (with a ten-calendar day cure period) of each year, commencing in March 2008, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Custodian, each at its own expense, shall cause, and each such party and the Trustee shall cause any Servicing Function Participant engaged by it to cause, each at its own expense, a registered public accounting firm (which may also render other services to the Master Servicer, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, or such other Servicing Function Participants, as the case may be) and that is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to furnish an attestation report to the Securities Administrator and the Depositor, to the effect that (i) it has obtained a representation regarding certain matters from the management of such party, which includes an assertion that such party has complied with the Relevant Servicing Criteria, and (ii) on the basis -59- of an examination conducted by such firm in accordance with standards for attestation engagements issued or adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, it is expressing an opinion as to whether such party's compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria was fairly stated in all material respects, or it cannot express an overall opinion regarding such party's assessment of compliance with the Relevant Servicing Criteria. In the event that an overall opinion cannot be expressed, such registered public accounting firm shall state in such report why it was unable to express such an opinion. Such report must be available for general use and not contain restricted use language. (c) Promptly after receipt of each assessment of compliance and attestation report, the Securities Administrator shall confirm that each assessment submitted pursuant to Section 3.17(a) is coupled with an attestation meeting the requirements of Section 3.17(b) and notify the Depositor of any exceptions. The Master Servicer shall include each such attestation furnished to it by the Servicers with its own attestation to be submitted to the Securities Administrator pursuant to this Section. For the avoidance of doubt, the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator may satisfy the requirements of this Section 3.17 and Section 3.17 of the Stack I Agreement relating to attestations by each delivering a single attestation containing all of the information required pursuant to this Section 3.17 and Section 3.17 of the Stack I Agreement relating to attestations. In the event the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the Custodian, any Servicer or any Servicing Function Participant engaged by any such party, is terminated, assigns its rights and duties under, or resigns pursuant to the terms of, this Agreement, or any applicable Custodial Agreement, Servicing Agreement or sub-servicing agreement, as the case may be, such party shall cause a registered public accounting firm to provide an attestation pursuant to this Section 3.17, or such other applicable agreement, notwithstanding any such termination, assignment or resignation. Section 3.18 Periodic Filings. (a) Within four (4) Business Days after the occurrence of an event requiring disclosure on Form 8-K (each such event, a "Reportable Event"), and if requested by the Depositor, the Securities Administrator shall prepare and file on behalf of the Issuing Entity a Form 8-K, as required by the Exchange Act, provided that the Depositor shall file the initial Form 8-K in connection with the issuance of the Certificates. Any disclosure or information related to a Reportable Event or that is otherwise required to be included on Form 8-K (other than the initial Form 8-K) ("Form 8-K Disclosure Information") shall be reported by the parties set forth on Exhibit Q-3 to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator and directed and approved by the Depositor, and the Securities Administrator will have no duty or liability for any failure hereunder to determine or prepare any Form 8-K Disclosure Information or any Form 8-K except as set forth in the next paragraph. (b) For so long as the Issuing Entity is subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, following the occurrence of a Reportable Event (A) each party listed on Exhibit Q-3 hereto shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to provide immediate notice to the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Depositor, by fax and by phone or by e- -60- mail and by phone, (B) each such party shall be required to provide to the Securities Administrator and the Depositor, to the extent known, in EDGAR-compatible format or in such other format as agreed upon by the Securities Administrator and such party, the form and substance of any Form 8-K Disclosure Information if applicable, together with the form set forth on Exhibit O (the "Additional Disclosure Notification") by the close of business New York City time on the 2nd Business Day following the occurrence of such Reportable Event and (C) the Depositor, shall approve, as to form and substance, or disapprove, as the case may be, the inclusion of the Form 8-K Disclosure Information on Form 8-K. The Securities Administrator has no duty under this Agreement to monitor or enforce the performance by the parties listed on Exhibit Q-3 of their duties under this paragraph or proactively solicit or procure from such parties any Form 8-K Disclosure Information. The Depositor will be responsible for any reasonable fees and expenses assessed or incurred by the Securities Administrator in connection with including any Form 8-K Disclosure Information on Form 8-K pursuant to this paragraph. (c) After preparing the Form 8-K, the Securities Administrator shall, upon request, forward electronically a copy of the Form 8-K to the Depositor. Promptly, but no later than the close of business on the third Business Day after the Reportable Event, the Depositor shall notify the Securities Administrator in writing (which may be furnished electronically) of any changes to or approval of such Form 8-K. In the absence of receipt of any written changes or approval, or if the Depositor does not request a copy of a Form 8-K, the Securities Administrator shall be entitled to assume that such Form 8-K is in final form and the Securities Administrator may proceed with the process for execution and filing of the Form 8-K. A duly authorized representative of the Master Servicer shall sign each Form 8-K. If a Form 8-K cannot be filed on time or if a previously filed Form 8-K needs to be amended, the Securities Administrator will follow the procedures set forth in Section 3.18(n). (d) Promptly (but no later than one Business Day) after filing with the Commission, the Securities Administrator will make available on its internet website a final executed copy of each Form 8-K prepared and filed by the Securities Administrator. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the performance by the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator of its duties under this Section 3.18 related to the timely preparation, execution and filing of Form 8-K is contingent upon the other parties hereto strictly observing all applicable deadlines in the performance of their duties under this Section 3.18. The Depositor acknowledges that the performance by the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator of its duties under this Section 3.18 related to the timely preparation, execution and filing of Form 8-K is also contingent upon the Servicers, the Custodian and any Servicing Function Participant strictly observing deadlines no later than those set forth in this paragraph that are applicable to the parties to this Agreement in the delivery to the Securities Administrator of any necessary Form 8-K Disclosure Information pursuant to the related Servicing Agreements, the Custodial Agreement or any other applicable agreement. Neither the Master Servicer nor the Securities Administrator shall have any liability for any loss, expense, damage or claim arising out of or with respect to any failure to properly prepare, execute and/or timely file such Form 8-K, where such failure results from the Securities Administrator's inability or failure to obtain or receive, on a timely basis, any information from any other party hereto or any Servicer, Custodian or Servicing Function Participant needed to prepare, arrange for execution or file such Form 8-K. -61- (e) Within fifteen (15) days after each Distribution Date (subject to permitted extensions under the Exchange Act), the Securities Administrator shall, on behalf of the Issuing Entity and in accordance with industry standards, prepare and file with the Commission via the Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval System (EDGAR), a Form 10-D with a copy of the Monthly Statement for such Distribution Date as an exhibit thereto. Any disclosure in addition to the Monthly Statement that is required to be included on Form 10-D ("Additional Form 10-D Disclosure") shall be reported by the parties set forth on Exhibit Q-1 to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator and directed and approved by the Depositor pursuant to the following paragraph, and the Securities Administrator will have no duty or liability for any failure hereunder to determine or prepare any Additional Form 10-D Disclosure except as set forth in the next paragraph. (f) As set forth in Exhibit Q-1 hereto, for so long as the Issuing Entity is subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, within five (5) calendar days after the related Distribution Date (i) each party listed on Exhibit Q-1 hereto shall be required to provide to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator, to the extent known, in EDGAR-compatible format or in such other format as agreed upon by the Securities Administrator and such party, the form and substance of any Additional Form 10-D Disclosure if applicable together with an Additional Disclosure Notification, and (ii) the Depositor will approve, as to form and substance, or disapprove, as the case may be, the inclusion of the Additional Form 10-D Disclosure on Form 10-D. The Securities Administrator has no duty under this Agreement to monitor or enforce the performance by the parties listed on Exhibit Q-1 of their duties under this paragraph or proactively solicit or procure from such parties any Additional Form 10-D Disclosure Information. The Depositor will be responsible for any reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Securities Administrator in connection with including any Additional Form 10-D Disclosure on Form 10-D pursuant to this paragraph. (g) After preparing the Form 10-D, the Securities Administrator shall, upon request, forward electronically a copy of the Form 10-D to the Depositor (provided that such Form 10-D includes any Additional Form 10-D Disclosure). Within two Business Days after receipt of such copy, but no later than the 12th calendar day after the Distribution Date, the Depositor shall notify the Securities Administrator in writing (which may be furnished electronically) of any changes to or approval of such Form 10-D. In the absence of receipt of any written changes or approval, or if the Depositor does not request a copy of a Form 10-D, the Securities Administrator shall be entitled to assume that such Form 10-D is in final form and the Securities Administrator may proceed with the process for execution and filing of the Form 10-D. A duly authorized representative of the Master Servicer shall sign each Form 10-D. If a Form 10-D cannot be filed on time or if a previously filed Form 10-D needs to be amended, the Securities Administrator will follow the procedures set forth in Section 3.18(n). Promptly (but not later than one Business Day) after filing with the Commission, the Securities Administrator will make available on its internet website a final executed copy of each Form 10-D prepared and filed by the Securities Administrator. Form 10-D requires the registrant to indicate (by checking "yes" or "no") that it "(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days." The Depositor hereby represents to the Securities Administrator that the Depositor has filed all such required reports during the preceding 12 months and that it has been subject to such filing -62- requirement for the past 90 days. The Depositor shall notify the Securities Administrator in writing, no later than the fifth calendar day after the related Distribution Date with respect to the filing of a report on Form 10-D, if the answer to the questions should be "no." The Securities Administrator shall be entitled to rely on such representations in preparing, executing and/or filing any such Form 10-D. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the performance by the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator of its respective duties under this Section 3.18 related to the timely preparation, execution and filing of Form 10-D is contingent upon the other parties hereto strictly observing all applicable deadlines in the performance of their duties under this Section 3.18. The Depositor acknowledges that the performance by the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator of its duties under this Section 3.18 related to the timely preparation, execution and filing of Form 10-D is also contingent upon the Servicers, the Custodian and any Servicing Function Participant strictly observing deadlines no later than those set forth in this paragraph that are applicable to the parties to this Agreement in the delivery to the Securities Administrator of any necessary Additional Form 10-D Disclosure pursuant to the related Servicing Agreements, the Custodial Agreement or any other applicable agreement. Neither the Master Servicer nor the Securities Administrator will have any liability for any loss, expense, damage or claim arising out of or with respect to any failure to properly prepare, execute and/or timely file such Form 10-D resulting from the Securities Administrator's inability or failure to obtain or receive any information needed to prepare, arrange for execution or file such Form 10-D on a timely basis. (h) On or prior to the 90th calendar day after the end of the fiscal year for the Issuing Entity or such earlier date as may be required by the Exchange Act (the "10-K Filing Deadline") (it being understood that the fiscal year for the Issuing Entity ends on December 31st of each year) commencing in March 2008, the Securities Administrator shall, on behalf of the Issuing Entity and in accordance with industry standards, prepare and file with the Commission via EDGAR a Form 10-K with respect to the Issuing Entity. Such Form 10-K shall include the following items, in each case, as applicable, to the extent they have been delivered to the Securities Administrator within the applicable time frames set forth in this Agreement, the related Servicing Agreements and Custodial Agreement: (i) an annual compliance statement for the Master Servicer, each Servicer, the Securities Administrator and any Servicing Function Participant engaged by any such party or the Trustee (together with the Custodian, each a "Reporting Servicer"), as described in Section 3.16 of this Agreement, the related Servicing Agreement and the Custodial Agreement; provided, however, that the Securities Administrator, at its discretion, may omit from the Form 10-K any annual compliance statement that is not required to be filed with such Form 10-K pursuant to Regulation AB; (ii)(A) the annual reports on assessment of compliance with Servicing Criteria for each Reporting Servicer (unless the Depositor has determined that such compliance statement is not required by Regulation AB), as described in Section 3.17 of this Agreement, the related Servicing Agreement and the Custodial Agreement, and (B) if any Reporting Servicer's report on assessment of compliance with Servicing Criteria described in Section 3.17 identifies any material instance of noncompliance, disclosure identifying such instance of noncompliance, or if any Reporting Servicer's report on assessment of compliance with Servicing Criteria described in Section 3.17 of this Agreement is not included as an exhibit to such Form 10-K, disclosure that such report is not included and an explanation why such report is not included; provided, however, that the Securities Administrator, at its discretion, may omit from the Form 10-K any assessment of compliance or attestation report described in clause (iii) below that is not required to be filed with such Form -63- 10-K pursuant to Regulation AB; (iii)(A) the registered public accounting firm attestation report for each Reporting Servicer, as described in Section 3.17 of this Agreement, the related Servicing Agreement and the Custodial Agreement, and (B) if any registered public accounting firm attestation report described under Section 3.17 of this Agreement identifies any material instance of noncompliance, disclosure identifying such instance of noncompliance, or if any such registered public accounting firm attestation report is not included as an exhibit to such Form 10-K, disclosure that such report is not included and an explanation why such report is not included, and (iv) a Sarbanes-Oxley Certification in the form attached hereto as Exhibit L, executed by the senior officer in charge of securitizations of the Master Servicer. Any disclosure or information in addition to (i) through (iv) above that is required to be included on Form 10-K ("Additional Form 10-K Disclosure") shall be reported by the parties as set forth in Exhibit Q-2 to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator and directed and approved by the Depositor pursuant to the following paragraph and the Securities Administrator will have no duty or liability for any failure hereunder to determine or prepare any Additional Form 10-K Disclosure except or set forth in the next paragraph. (i) As set forth in Exhibit Q-2 hereto, no later than March 1 (with a ten calendar day cure period) of each year that the Issuing Entity is subject to the Exchange Act reporting requirements, commencing in March 2008, (i) the parties listed on Exhibit Q-2 hereto shall be required to provide to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator, to the extent known, in EDGAR-compatible format or in such other format as agreed upon by the Securities Administrator and such party, the form and substance of any Additional Form 10-K Disclosure, if applicable together with an Additional Disclosure Notification, and (ii) the Depositor will approve, as to form and substance, or disapprove, as the case may be, the inclusion of the Additional Form 10-K Disclosure and shall forward such Additional Form 10-K Disclosure. The Securities Administrator has no duty under this Agreement to monitor or enforce the performance by the parties listed on Exhibit Q-2 of their duties under this paragraph or proactively solicit or procure from such parties any Additional Form 10-K Disclosure Information. The Depositor will be responsible for any reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Securities Administrator in connection with including any Additional Form 10-K Disclosure on Form 10-K pursuant to this paragraph. (j) After preparing the Form 10-K, the Securities Administrator shall, upon request, forward electronically a copy of the Form 10-K to the Depositor. Within three Business Days after receipt of such copy, but no later than March 25th, the Depositor shall notify the Securities Administrator in writing (which may be furnished electronically) of any changes to or approval of such Form 10-K. In the absence of receipt of any written changes or approval, or if the Depositor does not request a copy of a Form 10-K, the Securities Administrator shall be entitled to assume that such Form 10-K is in final form and the Securities Administrator may proceed with the process for execution and filing of the Form 10-K. A senior officer of the Master Servicer in charge of the master servicing function shall sign the Form 10-K. If a Form 10-K cannot be filed on time or if a previously filed Form 10-K needs to be amended, the Securities Administrator will follow the procedures set forth in Section 3.18(n). Promptly (but no later than one Business Day) after filing with the Commission, the Securities Administrator will make available on its internet website a final executed copy of each Form 10-K prepared and filed by the Securities Administrator. Form 10-K requires the registrant to indicate (by checking "yes" or "no") that it "(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange -64- Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days." The Depositor hereby represents to the Securities Administrator that the Depositor has filed all such required reports during the preceding 12 months and that it has been subject to such filing requirement for the past 90 days. The Depositor shall notify the Securities Administrator in writing, no later than the 15th calendar day of March in any year in which the Trust is subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, if the answer to the questions should be "no." The Securities Administrator shall be entitled to rely on such representations in preparing, executing and/or filing any such Form 10-D. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the performance by the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator of its duties under this Section 3.18 related to the timely preparation, execution and filing of Form 10-K is contingent upon such parties (and any Servicing Function Participant) strictly observing all applicable deadlines in the performance of their duties under this Section 3.18, Section 3.16 and Section 3.17. The Depositor acknowledges that the performance by the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator of its duties under this Section 3.18 related to the timely preparation, execution and filing of Form 10-K is also contingent upon the Servicers, the Custodian and any Servicing Function Participant strictly observing deadlines no later than those set forth in this paragraph that are applicable to the parties to this Agreement in the delivery to the Securities Administrator of any necessary Additional Form 10-K Disclosure, any annual statement of compliance and any assessment of compliance and attestation pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement, the Custodial Agreement or any other applicable agreement. Neither the Master Servicer nor the Securities Administrator shall have any liability for any loss, expense, damage or claim arising out of or with respect to any failure to properly prepare, execute and/or timely file such Form 10-K resulting from the Securities Administrator's inability or failure to obtain or receive any information from any other party hereto or any Servicer, Custodian or Servicing Function Participant needed to prepare, execute or file such Form 10-K. (k) Each Form 10-K shall include a Sarbanes-Oxley Certification, which shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit L. Each Servicer shall sign and provide, and each of the Servicers, the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator shall cause any Servicing Function Participant engaged by it to sign and provide, to the person who signs the Sarbanes-Oxley Certification (the "Certifying Person") by March 1 (with a ten day cure period) of each year in which the Issuing Entity is subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and otherwise within a reasonable period of time upon request, a certification (a "Back-Up Certification") (in the form attached hereto as Exhibit M) upon which the Certifying Person, the entity for which the Certifying Person acts as an officer and such entity's officers, directors and affiliates (collectively, with the Certifying Person, the "Certification Parties") can reasonably rely. The senior officer of the Master Servicer in charge of the master servicing function shall serve as the Certifying Person on behalf of the Issuing Entity. Such officer of the Certifying Person can be contacted by e-mail at cts.sec.notifications@wellsfargo.com or by facsimile at 410-715-2380. In the event any such party or Servicing Function Participant engaged by any such party is terminated or resigns pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or any other applicable agreement, as the case may be, such party shall provide a Back-Up Certification to the Master Servicer pursuant to this Section 3.18 with respect to the period of time it was subject to this Agreement or any other applicable agreement, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator shall not be required to deliver a Back-Up Certification to each other if both are the same Person and the Master Servicer -65- is the Certifying Person and (ii) the Master Servicer shall not be obligated to sign the Sarbanes-Oxley Certification in the event that it does not receive any Back-Up Certification required to be furnished to it pursuant to this section or any Servicing Agreement or Custodial Agreement. (l) The Securities Administrator shall have no responsibility to file any items with the Commission other than those specified in this section and the Master Servicer shall execute any and all Form 10-Ds, 8-Ks and 10-Ks required hereunder. (m) On or prior to January 30 of the first year in which the Securities Administrator is able to do so under applicable law, the Securities Administrator shall prepare and file a Form 15 Suspension Notification relating to the automatic suspension of reporting in respect of the Issuing Entity under the Exchange Act. (n) In the event that the Securities Administrator is unable to timely file with the Commission all or any required portion of any Form 8-K, 10-D or 10-K required to be filed by this Agreement because required disclosure information was either not delivered to it or delivered to it after the delivery deadlines set forth in this Agreement or for any other reason, the Securities Administrator will promptly notify electronically the Depositor of such inability to make a timely filing with the Commission. In the case of Form 10-D and 10-K, the parties to this Agreement will cooperate to prepare and file a Form 12b-25 and a 10-D/A and 10K/A, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 12b-25 of the Exchange Act. In the case of Form 8-K, the Securities Administrator will, upon receipt of all required Form 8-K Disclosure Information and upon the approval and direction of the Depositor, include such disclosure information on the next succeeding Form 10-D to be filed for the Issuing Entity. In the event that any previously filed Form 8-K, 10-D or 10-K needs to be amended, in connection with any Additional Form 10-D Disclosure (other than, in the case of Form 10-D, for the purpose of restating any Monthly Statement), Additional Form 10-K Disclosure or Form 8-K Disclosure Information, the Securities Administrator will electronically notify the Depositor and such other parties to the transaction as are affected by such amendment, and such parties will cooperate to prepare any necessary 8-K/A, 10-D/A or 10-K/A. Any Form 15, Form 12b-25 or any amendment to Form 8-K, 10-D or 10-K shall be signed by duly authorized representative or a senior officer in charge of master servicing, as applicable, of the Master Servicer. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the performance by the Master Servicer of its duties under this Section 3.18 related to the timely preparation, execution and filing of Form 15, a Form 12b-25 or any amendment to Form 8-K, 10-D or 10-K is contingent upon each such party performing its duties under this Section. Neither the Master Servicer nor the Securities Administrator shall have any liability for any loss, expense, damage or claim arising out of or with respect to any failure to properly prepare, execute and/or timely file any such Form 15, Form 12b-25 or any amendments to Forms 8-K, 10-D or 10-K, where such failure results from the Securities Administrator's inability or failure to receive, on a timely basis, any information from any other party hereto or any Servicer, any Custodian or any Servicing Function Participant needed to prepare, arrange for execution or file such Form 15, Form 12b-25 or any amendments to Forms 8-K, 10-D or 10-K. (o) The Depositor and the Securities Administrator agree to use their good faith efforts to cooperate in complying with the requirements of this Section 3.18. -66- (p) Each of the parties agrees to provide to the Securities Administrator such additional information related to such party as the Securities Administrator may reasonably request, including evidence of the authorization of the person signing any certificate or statement, financial information and reports, and such other information related to such party or its performance hereunder. (q) Any notice or notification required to be delivered by the Securities Administrator or Master Servicer to the Depositor pursuant to this Section 3.18, may be delivered via facsimile to (212) 449-2700, via email to paul_park@ml.com or telephonically by calling Paul Park at (212) 449-6380. (r) For the avoidance of doubt, any filing or deliverables required under this Section 3.18 and Section 3.18 of the Stack I Agreement may be prepared, delivered and filed in a consolidated manner. The Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Depositor may satisfy the requirements of this Section 3.18 and Section 3.18 of the Stack I Agreement with a single set of filings and deliverables addressing the requirements of both this Section 3.18 and Section 3.18 of the Stack I Agreement. Section 3.19 Compliance with Regulation AB. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that the purpose of Sections 3.16, 3.17 and 3.18 is to facilitate compliance by the Depositor with the provisions of Regulation AB, as such may be amended or clarified from time to time. Therefore, each of the parties agrees that the parties' obligations hereunder will be supplemented and modified as necessary to be consistent with any such amendments, interpretive advice or guidance, convention or consensus among active participants in the asset-backed securities markets, advice of counsel, or otherwise in respect of the requirements of Regulation AB and the parties shall comply with requests made by the Depositor for delivery of additional or different information as the Depositor may determine in good faith is necessary to comply with the provisions of Regulation AB. Any such supplementation or modification shall be made in accordance with Section 11.02 without the consent of the Certificateholders, and may result in a change in the reports filed by the Securities Administrator on behalf of the Issuing Entity under the Exchange Act. Section 3.20 Servicing Rights Owner. At the Servicing Rights Owner's request, PHH or Wilshire shall resign as Servicer of the PHH Loans or the Wilshire Loans, as applicable, upon the selection and appointment of a successor servicer by the Servicing Rights Owner; provided that the Servicing Rights Owner delivers to the Master Servicer, the Trustee and the Securities Administrator a letter indicating that such successor servicer designated by the Servicing Rights Owner meets the eligibility requirements for a successor servicer, including that such successor servicer is a Qualified Servicer. No appointment of a successor servicer hereunder shall be effective until the Master Servicer shall have consented thereto. Upon such appointment, at the date specified in such letter such successor servicer will become a servicer pursuant to the terms of a servicing agreement between such successor servicer and the Depositor. -67- ARTICLE IV ACCOUNTS Section 4.01 Protected Accounts. (a) The Master Servicer shall enforce the obligation of each Servicer to establish and maintain a Protected Account in accordance with the applicable Servicing Agreement, with records to be kept with respect thereto on a Mortgage Loan by Mortgage Loan basis, into which accounts shall be deposited within two Business Days (or as of such other time specified in the related Servicing Agreement) of receipt all collections of principal and interest on any Mortgage Loan and with respect to any REO Property received by a Servicer, including Principal Prepayments, Insurance Proceeds, Liquidation Proceeds, Subsequent Recoveries and advances made from the Servicer's own funds (less servicing compensation as permitted by the applicable Servicing Agreement in the case of the Servicer) and all other amounts to be deposited in the Protected Account. The Servicer is hereby authorized to make withdrawals from and deposits to the related Protected Account for purposes required or permitted by this Agreement. To the extent provided in the related Servicing Agreement, the Protected Account shall be held in a Designated Depository Institution and segregated on the books of such institution in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of Certificateholders. (b) To the extent provided in the related Servicing Agreement, amounts on deposit in a Protected Account may be invested in Permitted Investments in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of Certificateholders and, except as provided in the preceding paragraph, not commingled with any other funds, such Permitted Investments to mature, or to be subject to redemption or withdrawal, no later than the date on which such funds are required to be withdrawn for deposit in the Master Servicer Collection Account, and shall be held until required for such deposit. The income earned from Permitted Investments made pursuant to this Section 4.01 shall be paid to the related Servicer under the applicable Servicing Agreement, and the risk of loss of moneys required to be distributed to the Certificateholders resulting from such investments shall be borne by and be the risk of the related Servicer, as set forth in the applicable Servicing Agreement. The related Servicer (to the extent provided in the related Servicing Agreement) shall deposit the amount of any such loss in the Protected Account within two Business Days of receipt of notification of such loss but not later than the second Business Day prior to the Distribution Date on which the moneys so invested are required to be distributed to the Certificateholders. (c) To the extent provided in the related Servicing Agreement and subject to this Article IV, on or before each Servicer Remittance Date, the related Servicer shall withdraw or shall cause to be withdrawn from the Protected Accounts and shall immediately deposit or cause to be deposited in the Master Servicer Collection Account amounts representing the following collections and payments (other than with respect to principal of or interest on the Mortgage Loans due on or before the Cut-off Date) with respect to Loan Group 3: (i) Monthly Payments on the Mortgage Loans received or any related portion thereof advanced by such Servicer pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement which were due on or before the related Due Date, net of the amount thereof comprising the Servicing Fees; -68- (ii) Principal Prepayments in Full and any Liquidation Proceeds received by such Servicer with respect to such Mortgage Loans in the related Prepayment Period, with interest to the date of prepayment or liquidation, net of the amount thereof comprising the Servicing Fees; (iii) Curtailments received by such Servicer for such Mortgage Loans in the related Prepayment Period; and (iv) Any amount to be used as a Monthly Advance. (d) Withdrawals by the Master Servicer may be made from an Account only to make remittances as provided in Section 4.01(c), 4.02 and 4.03; to reimburse the Master Servicer or a Servicer for Monthly Advances which have been recovered by subsequent collection from the related Mortgagor; to remove amounts deposited in error; to remove fees, charges or other such amounts deposited on a temporary basis; or to clear and terminate the account at the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.01. As provided in Sections 4.01(c) and 4.02(b) certain amounts otherwise due to the Servicers may be retained by them as set forth in the related Servicing Agreements and need not be deposited in the Master Servicer Collection Account. Section 4.02 Master Servicer Collection Account. (a) The Master Servicer shall establish and maintain in the name of the Trustee, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, the Master Servicer Collection Account as a segregated trust account or accounts. The Master Servicer Collection Account may be a sub-account of the Distribution Account. The Master Servicer will deposit in the Master Servicer Collection Account as identified by the Master Servicer and as received by the Master Servicer, the following amounts: (i) Any amounts withdrawn from a Protected Account or other permitted account; (ii) Any Monthly Advance and any Compensating Interest Payments; (iii) Any Insurance Proceeds, Liquidation Proceeds or Subsequent Recoveries received by or on behalf of the Master Servicer or which were not deposited in a Protected Account or other permitted account; (iv) The repurchase price with respect to any Mortgage Loans repurchased and all proceeds of any Mortgage Loans or property acquired in connection with the optional termination of the trust; (v) Any amounts required to be deposited with respect to losses on investments of deposits in an Account; and (vi) Any other amounts received by or on behalf of the Master Servicer and required to be deposited in the Master Servicer Collection Account pursuant to this Agreement. -69- (b) All amounts deposited to the Master Servicer Collection Account shall be held by the Master Servicer in the name of the Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The requirements for crediting the Master Servicer Collection Account or the Distribution Account shall be exclusive, it being understood and agreed that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, payments in the nature of (i) prepayment or late payment charges or assumption, tax service, statement account or payoff, substitution, satisfaction, release and other like fees and charges and (ii) the items enumerated in Subsections 4.05(a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (xi) and (xii) with respect to the Securities Administrator, need not be credited by the Master Servicer or the related Servicer to the Distribution Account or the Master Servicer Collection Account, as applicable. In the event that the Master Servicer shall deposit or cause to be deposited to the Distribution Account any amount not required to be credited thereto, the Securities Administrator, upon receipt of a written request therefor signed by a Servicing Officer of the Master Servicer, shall promptly transfer such amount to the Master Servicer from the Distribution Account, any provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding. (c) The amount at any time credited to the Master Servicer Collection Account shall be invested, in the name of the Trustee, or its nominee, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, in Permitted Investments as directed by Master Servicer. All Permitted Investments shall mature or be subject to redemption or withdrawal on or before, and shall be held until, the next succeeding Distribution Account Deposit Date. Any and all investment earnings on amounts on deposit in the Master Servicer Collection Account from time to time shall be for the account of the Master Servicer. The Master Servicer from time to time shall be permitted to withdraw or receive distribution of any and all investment earnings from the Master Servicer Collection Account. The risk of loss of moneys required to be distributed to the Certificateholders resulting from such investments shall be borne by and be the risk of the Master Servicer. The Master Servicer shall deposit the amount of any such loss in the Master Servicer Collection Account within two Business Days of receipt of notification of such loss but not later than the second Business Day prior to the Distribution Date on which the moneys so invested are required to be distributed to the Certificateholders. (d) For the avoidance of doubt, it is agreed that the Master Servicer shall establish and maintain in the name of the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Stack I Certificates, a separate segregated trust account or accounts pursuant to Section 4.02 of the Stack I Agreement. -70- Section 4.03 Permitted Withdrawals and Transfers from the Master Servicer Collection Account. (a) The Master Servicer will, from time to time on demand of the Master Servicer, the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, make or cause to be made such withdrawals or transfers from the Master Servicer Collection Account as the Master Servicer has designated for such transfer or withdrawal pursuant to the Servicing Agreements. The Master Servicer may clear and terminate the Master Servicer Collection Account pursuant to Section 10.01 and remove amounts from time to time deposited in error. (b) On an ongoing basis, the Master Servicer shall withdraw from the Master Servicer Collection Account (i) any expenses recoverable by the Trustee, the Master Servicer or the Securities Administrator pursuant to this Agreement, including but not limited to Sections 2.01(b), 3.03, 7.04 and 9.05 and (ii) any amounts payable to the Master Servicer as set forth in Section 3.14. (c) In addition, on or before each Distribution Account Deposit Date, the Master Servicer shall deposit in the Distribution Account (or remit to the Securities Administrator for deposit therein) any Monthly Advances required to be made by the Master Servicer with respect to the Mortgage Loans. (d) No later than 3:00 p.m. New York time on each Distribution Account Deposit Date, the Master Servicer will transfer all Available Funds on deposit in the Master Servicer Collection Account with respect to the related Distribution Date to the Securities Administrator for deposit in the Distribution Account. Section 4.04 Distribution Account. (a) The Securities Administrator shall establish and maintain in the name of the Trustee, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, the Distribution Account as a segregated trust account or accounts. (b) All amounts deposited to the Distribution Account shall be held by the Securities Administrator in the name of the Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Certificateholders in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. (c) The Distribution Account shall constitute a trust account of the Trust Fund segregated on the books of the Securities Administrator and held by the Securities Administrator in trust in its Corporate Trust Office, and the Distribution Account and the funds deposited therein shall not be subject to, and shall be protected to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law from, all claims, liens, and encumbrances of any creditors or depositors of the Securities Administrator, the Trustee or the Master Servicer (whether made directly, or indirectly through a liquidator or receiver of the Securities Administrator, the Trustee or the Master Servicer). The Distribution Account shall be an Eligible Account. The amount at any time credited to the Distribution Account shall be (i) fully insured by the FDIC to the maximum coverage provided thereby or (ii) invested in the name of the Trustee, in such Permitted Investments selected by the Master Servicer or deposited in demand deposits with such depository institutions as selected by the Master Servicer, provided that time deposits of such -71- depository institutions would be a Permitted Investment. All Permitted Investments shall mature or be subject to redemption or withdrawal on or before, and shall be held until, the next succeeding Distribution Date if the obligor for such Permitted Investment is the Master Servicer or, if such obligor is any other Person, the Business Day preceding such Distribution Date. All investment earnings on amounts on deposit in the Distribution Account or benefit from funds uninvested therein from time to time shall be for the account of the Securities Administrator. The Securities Administrator shall be permitted to withdraw or receive distribution of any and all investment earnings from the Distribution Account on each Distribution Date. If there is any loss on a Permitted Investment or demand deposit, the Securities Administrator shall deposit such amount in the Distribution Account. With respect to the Distribution Account and the funds deposited therein, the Securities Administrator shall take such action as may be necessary to ensure that the Certificateholders shall be entitled to the priorities afforded to such a trust account (in addition to a claim against the estate of the Trust) as provided by 12 U.S.C. Section 92a(e), and applicable regulations pursuant thereto, if applicable, or any applicable comparable state statute applicable to state chartered banking corporations. (d) For the avoidance of doubt, the Securities Administrator shall establish and maintain in the name of the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Stack I Certificates, a separate segregated trust account or accounts pursuant to Section 4.04 of the Stack I Agreement. Section 4.05 Permitted Withdrawals and Transfers from the Distribution Account. (a) The Securities Administrator will, from time to time on demand of the Master Servicer, make or cause to be made such withdrawals or transfers from the Distribution Account as the Master Servicer has designated for such transfer or withdrawal pursuant to the Servicing Agreements for the following purposes (limited in the case of amounts due the Master Servicer to those not withdrawn from the Master Servicer Collection Account in accordance with the terms of this Agreement): (i) to reimburse the Master Servicer or any Servicer for any Monthly Advance of its own funds or any advance of such Servicer's own funds, the right of the Master Servicer or a Servicer to reimbursement pursuant to this subclause (i) being limited to amounts received on a particular Mortgage Loan (including, for this purpose, the Purchase Price therefor, Insurance Proceeds and Liquidation Proceeds) which represent late payments or recoveries of the principal of or interest on such Mortgage Loan respecting which such Monthly Advance or advance was made; (ii) to reimburse the Master Servicer or any Servicer from Insurance Proceeds or Liquidation Proceeds relating to a particular Mortgage Loan for amounts expended by the Master Servicer or such Servicer in good faith as a Servicing Advance in connection with the restoration of the related Mortgaged Property which was damaged by an Uninsured Cause or in connection with the liquidation of such Mortgage Loan; (iii) to reimburse the Master Servicer or any Servicer from Insurance Proceeds relating to a particular Mortgage Loan for insured expenses incurred with respect to such Mortgage Loan and to reimburse the Master Servicer or such Servicer from Liquidation Proceeds from a particular Mortgage Loan for Liquidation Expenses incurred with -72- respect to such Mortgage Loan; provided that the Master Servicer shall not be entitled to reimbursement for Liquidation Expenses with respect to a Mortgage Loan to the extent that (i) any amounts with respect to such Mortgage Loan were paid as Excess Liquidation Proceeds pursuant to clause (xi) of this Subsection 4.03 (a) to the Master Servicer; and (ii) such Liquidation Expenses were not included in the computation of such Excess Liquidation Proceeds; (iv) to pay the Master Servicer or any Servicer, as appropriate, from Liquidation Proceeds or Insurance Proceeds received in connection with the liquidation of any Mortgage Loan, the amount which it or such Servicer would have been entitled to receive under subclause (ix) of this Subsection 4.03(a) as servicing compensation on account of each defaulted scheduled payment on such Mortgage Loan if paid in a timely manner by the related Mortgagor; (v) to pay the Master Servicer or any Servicer from the Purchase Price for any Mortgage Loan, the amount which it or such Servicer would have been entitled to receive under subclause (ix) of this Subsection 4.03 (a) as servicing compensation; (vi) to reimburse the Master Servicer or any Servicer for advances of funds pursuant to Sections, and the right to reimbursement pursuant to this subclause being limited to amounts received on the related Mortgage Loan (including, for this purpose, the Purchase Price therefor, Insurance Proceeds and Liquidation Proceeds) which represent late recoveries of the payments for which such advances were made; (vii) to reimburse the Master Servicer or any Servicer for any Monthly Advance or advance, after a Realized Loss has been allocated with respect to the related Mortgage Loan if the Monthly Advance or advance has not been reimbursed pursuant to clauses (i) and (vi); (viii) to pay the Master Servicer as set forth in Section 3.14; (ix) to reimburse the Master Servicer for expenses, costs and liabilities incurred by and reimbursable to it pursuant to this Agreement, including but not limited to Sections 3.03, 7.04(c) and (d); (x) to pay to the Master Servicer, as additional servicing compensation, any Excess Liquidation Proceeds to the extent not retained by the related Servicer; (xi) to reimburse or pay any Servicer any such amounts as are due thereto under the applicable Servicing Agreement and have not been retained by or paid to the Servicer, to the extent provided in the related Servicing Agreement; (xii) to reimburse the Trustee or the Securities Administrator for expenses, costs and liabilities incurred by or reimbursable to it pursuant to this Agreement; (xiii) to remove amounts deposited in error; and (xiv) to clear and terminate the Distribution Account pursuant to Section 9.01. -73- (b) The Master Servicer shall keep and maintain separate accounting, on a Mortgage Loan by Mortgage Loan basis, for the purpose of accounting for any reimbursement from the Distribution Account pursuant to subclauses (i) through (vi), inclusive, and (viii) or with respect to any such amounts which would have been covered by such subclauses had the amounts not been retained by the Master Servicer without being deposited in the Distribution Account under Section 4.02(b). (c) On each Distribution Date, the Securities Administrator shall distribute the Available Funds for Loan Group 3 to the Holders of the Certificates in accordance with Section 6.01. ARTICLE V CERTIFICATES Section 5.01 The Certificates. The Certificates shall be executed by manual or facsimile signature on behalf of the Securities Administrator by an authorized officer. Certificates bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were, at the time when such signatures were affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of the Securities Administrator shall bind the Issuing Entity, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to be so authorized prior to the authentication and delivery of such Certificates or did not hold such offices at the date of such authentication and delivery. No Certificate shall be entitled to any benefit under this Agreement, or be valid for any purpose, unless there appears on such Certificate a certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth as attached hereto executed by the Securities Administrator by manual signature, and such certificate of authentication upon any Certificate shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Certificate has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Certificates shall be dated the date of their authentication. On the Closing Date, the Securities Administrator shall authenticate the Certificates to be issued at the written direction of the Depositor, or any Affiliate thereof. Section 5.02 Certificate Register; Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Certificates. (a) The Securities Administrator shall maintain, or cause to be maintained in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.09 hereof, a Certificate Register for the Trust Fund in which, subject to the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) below and to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Securities Administrator shall provide for the registration of Certificates and of Transfers and exchanges of Certificates as herein provided. Upon surrender for registration of Transfer of any Certificate, the Securities Administrator shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Certificates of the same Class and of like aggregate Percentage Interest. At the option of a Certificateholder, Certificates may be exchanged for other Certificates of the same Class in authorized denominations and evidencing the same aggregate Percentage Interest upon surrender of the Certificates to be exchanged at the office or agency of the Securities Administrator. Whenever any Certificates are so surrendered for exchange, the Securities Administrator shall execute, authenticate and deliver the Certificates that the Certificateholder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Every Certificate presented or surrendered for registration of Transfer or exchange shall be accompanied by a written -74- instrument of Transfer in form satisfactory to the Securities Administrator duly executed by the holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing. No service charge to the Certificateholders shall be made for any registration of Transfer or exchange of Certificates, but payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any Transfer or exchange of Certificates may be required. All Certificates surrendered for registration of Transfer or exchange shall be canceled and subsequently destroyed by the Securities Administrator in accordance with such Securities Administrator's customary procedures. (b) No Transfer of a Class BV, Class P or Class A-R Certificate shall be made unless such Transfer is made pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws or is exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and such state securities laws. In the event that a Transfer is to be made in reliance upon an exemption from the Securities Act and such laws, in order to assure compliance with the Securities Act and such laws, the Certificateholder desiring to effect such Transfer and such Certificateholder's prospective transferee shall (except with respect to the initial transfer of a Class BV, Class P or Class A-R Certificate by Merrill Lynch & Co.) each certify to each Securities Administrator in writing the facts surrounding the Transfer in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit F-1 (the "Transferor Representation Letter") and (i) deliver a letter in substantially the form of either Exhibit F-2 (the "Investor Representation Letter") or Exhibit F-3 (the "Rule 144A Letter") or (ii) there shall be delivered to the Securities Administrator an Opinion of Counsel that such Transfer may be made pursuant to an exemption from the Securities Act, which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Depositor or the Securities Administrator. The Depositor shall provide to any Holder of a Class BV, Class P or Class A-R Certificate and any prospective transferee designated by any such Holder, information regarding the related Certificates and the Mortgage Loans and such other information as shall be necessary to satisfy the condition to eligibility set forth in Rule 144A(d)(4) for Transfer of any such Certificate without registration thereof under the Securities Act pursuant to the registration exemption provided by Rule 144A. The Securities Administrator shall cooperate with the Depositor in providing the Rule 144A information referenced in the preceding sentence, including providing to the Depositor such information in the possession of the Securities Administrator regarding the Certificates, the Mortgage Loans and other matters regarding the Trust Fund as the Depositor shall reasonably request to meet its obligation under the preceding sentence. Each Holder of a Class BV, Class P or Class A-R Certificate desiring to effect such Transfer shall, and does hereby agree to, indemnify the Depositor and the Securities Administrator against any liability that may result if the Transfer is not so exempt or is not made in accordance with such federal and state laws. No transfer of an ERISA Restricted Certificate or a Class A-R Certificate will be registered unless the Securities Administrator has received (A) a representation to the effect that such transferee is not an employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code or a plan subject to any state, local, federal, non-U.S. or other law substantively similar to the foregoing provisions of ERISA or the Code ("Similar Law") (collectively, a "Plan"), and is not directly or indirectly acquiring such Certificate for, on behalf of, or with any assets of any such Plan, or (B) solely in the case of an ERISA Restricted Certificate (I) if the Certificate has been the subject of an ERISA-Qualifying Underwriting, a -75- representation to the effect that such transferee is an insurance company that is acquiring the Certificate with assets contained in an "insurance company general account," as defined in Section V(e) of Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 95-60, and the acquisition and holding of the Certificate are covered and exempt under Sections I and III of PTCE 95-60, or (II) solely in the case of a Definitive Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel satisfactory to the Securities Administrator, and upon which the Securities Administrator shall be entitled to rely, to the effect that the acquisition and holding of such Certificate will not constitute or result in a nonexempt prohibited transaction under Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or a violation of Similar Law, and will not subject the Securities Administrator, the Master Servicer, the Trustee or the Depositor to any obligation in addition to those expressly undertaken in this Agreement, which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Securities Administrator, the Master Servicer, the Trustee or the Depositor. Except in the case of a Definitive Certificate, the representations set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph of this Subsection 5.02(b), other than clause (B)(II) in the immediately preceding paragraph, shall be deemed to have been made to the Securities Administrator by the transferee's acceptance of an ERISA Restricted Certificate or a Class A-R Certificate (or the acceptance by a Certificate Owner of the beneficial interest in any Class of ERISA Restricted Certificates or a Class A-R Certificate). Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, any purported transfer of an ERISA Restricted Certificate or a Class A-R Certificate to or on behalf of a Plan without the delivery to the Securities Administrator of a representation or an Opinion of Counsel satisfactory to the Securities Administrator as described above shall be void and of no effect. The Securities Administrator shall not be under any liability to any Person for any registration or transfer of any ERISA Restricted Certificate or Class A-R Certificate that is in fact not permitted by this Section 5.02(b), nor shall the Trustee or the Securities Administrator be under any liability for making any payments due on such Certificate to the Holder thereof or taking any other action with respect to such Holder under the provisions of this Agreement so long as the transfer was registered by the Securities Administrator in accordance with the foregoing requirements. The Trustee or the Securities Administrator shall be entitled, but not obligated, to recover from any Holder of any ERISA Restricted Certificate or Class A-R Certificate that was in fact a Plan and that held such Certificate in violation of this Section 5.02(b) all payments made on such ERISA Restricted Certificate or a Class A-R Certificate at and after the time it commenced such holding. Any such payments so recovered shall be paid and delivered to the last preceding Holder of such Certificate that is not a Plan. (c) Each Person who has or who acquires any Ownership Interest in a Class A-R Certificate shall be deemed by the acceptance or acquisition of such Ownership Interest to have agreed to be bound by the following provisions, and the rights of each Person acquiring any Ownership Interest in a Class A-R Certificate are expressly subject to the following provisions: (i) Each Person holding or acquiring any Ownership Interest in a Class A-R Certificate shall be a Permitted Transferee and shall promptly notify the Securities Administrator of any change or impending change in its status as a Permitted Transferee. -76- (ii) No Ownership Interest in a Class A-R Certificate may be purchased, transferred or sold, directly or indirectly, except in accordance with the provisions hereof. No Ownership Interest in a Class A-R Certificate may be registered on the Closing Date or thereafter transferred, and the Securities Administrator shall not register the Transfer of any Class A-R Certificate unless, in addition to the certificates required to be delivered to the Securities Administrator under subparagraph (b) above, the Securities Administrator shall have been furnished with an affidavit (a "Transferee's Letter") of the initial owner or the proposed transferee in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E-1 and an affidavit (a "Transferor Certificate") of the proposed transferor in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E-2. In the absence of a contrary instruction from the transferor of a Class A-R Certificate, declaration (11) in Appendix A of the Transferee's Letter may be left blank. If the transferor requests by written notice to the Securities Administrator prior to the date of the proposed transfer that one of the two other forms of declaration (11) in Appendix A of the Transferee's Letter be used, then the requirements of this Section 5.02(c)(ii) shall not have been satisfied unless the Transferee's Letter includes such other form of declaration. (iii) Each Person holding or acquiring any Ownership Interest in a Class A-R Certificate shall agree (A) to obtain a Transferee's Letter from any other Person to whom such Person attempts to Transfer its Ownership Interest in a Class A-R Certificate, (B) to obtain a Transferee's Letter from any Person for whom such Person is acting as nominee, trustee or agent in connection with any Transfer of a Class A-R Certificate and (C) not to Transfer its Ownership Interest in a Class A-R Certificate or to cause the Transfer of an Ownership Interest in a Class A-R Certificate to any other Person if it has actual knowledge that such Person is not a Permitted Transferee. Further, no transfer, sale or other disposition of any Ownership Interest in a Class A-R Certificate may be made to a person who is not a U.S. Person (within the meaning of Section 7701 of the Code) unless such person furnishes the transferor and the Securities Administrator with a duly completed and effective Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or any successor thereto) and the Securities Administrator consents to such transfer, sale or other disposition in writing. (iv) Any attempted or purported Transfer of any Ownership Interest in a Class A-R Certificate in violation of the provisions of this Section 5.02(c) shall be absolutely null and void and shall vest no rights in the purported Transferee. If any purported transferee shall become a Holder of a Class A-R Certificate in violation of the provisions of this Section 5.02(c), then the last preceding Permitted Transferee shall be restored to all rights as Holder thereof retroactive to the date of registration of Transfer of such Class A-R Certificate. The Securities Administrator shall be under no liability to any Person for any registration of Transfer of a Class A-R Certificate that is in fact not permitted by Section 5.02(b) and this Section 5.02(c) or for making any payments due on such Certificate to the Holder thereof or taking any other action with respect to such Holder under the provisions of this Agreement so long as the Transfer was registered after receipt of the related Transferee's Letter. The Securities Administrator shall be entitled but not obligated to recover from any Holder of a Class A-R Certificate that was in fact not a Permitted Transferee at the time it became a Holder or, at such subsequent time as it became other than a Permitted Transferee, all payments made on such Class A-R -77- Certificate at and after either such time. Any such payments so recovered by the Securities Administrator shall be paid and delivered by the Securities Administrator to the last preceding Permitted Transferee of such Certificate. (v) At the option of the Holder of the Class A-R Certificate, the Class LT1-R Interest, the Residual Interest and the residual interest in any REMIC created under the Stack I Agreement may be severed and represented by separate certificates; provided, however, that such separate certification may not occur until the Securities Administrator receives a REMIC Opinion to the effect that separate certification in the form and manner proposed would not result in the imposition of federal tax upon the Issuing Entity or any of the REMICs provided for herein or provided for under the Stack I Agreement or cause any of the REMICs provided for herein or provided for under the Stack I Agreement to fail to qualify as a REMIC; and provided further, that the provisions of Sections 5.02(b) and (c) will apply to each such separate certificate as if the separate certificate were a Class A-R Certificate. If, as evidenced by a REMIC Opinion, it is necessary to preserve the REMIC status of any of the REMICs provided for herein or provided for under the Stack I Agreement, the Class LT1-R Interest, the Residual Interest and the residual interest in any REMIC created under the Stack I Agreement shall be severed and represented by separate Certificates. The restrictions on Transfers of a Class A-R Certificate set forth in this Section 5.02(c) shall cease to apply (and the applicable portions of the legend on a Class A-R Certificate may be deleted) with respect to Transfers occurring after delivery to the Securities Administrator of an Opinion of Counsel, which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Securities Administrator or the Depositor, to the effect that the elimination of such restrictions will not cause any of the REMICs provided for herein to fail to qualify as a REMIC at any time that the Certificates are outstanding or result in the imposition of any tax on the Issuing Entity, any REMIC provided for herein, a Certificateholder or another Person. Each Person holding or acquiring any Ownership Interest in a Class A-R Certificate hereby consents to any amendment of this Agreement that, based on an Opinion of Counsel furnished to the Securities Administrator, is reasonably necessary (a) to ensure that the record ownership of, or any beneficial interest in, a Class A-R Certificate is not transferred, directly or indirectly, to a Person that is not a Permitted Transferee and (b) to provide for a means to compel the Transfer of a Class A-R Certificate that is held by a Person that is not a Permitted Transferee to a Holder that is a Permitted Transferee. (d) The transferor of the Class A-R Certificate shall notify the Securities Administrator in writing upon the transfer of the Class A-R Certificate. (e) The preparation and delivery of all certificates, opinions and other writings referred to above in this Section 5.02 shall not be an expense of the Issuing Entity, the Depositor or the Securities Administrator. Section 5.03 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. If (a) any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Securities Administrator or the Securities Administrator receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate and of the ownership thereof and (b) there is delivered to the Securities Administrator such security or indemnity as -78- may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Securities Administrator that such Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Securities Administrator shall execute, authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate of like Class, tenor and Percentage Interest. In connection with the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 5.03, the Securities Administrator may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Securities Administrator) connected therewith. Any replacement Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall constitute complete and indefeasible evidence of ownership in the Trust Fund, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time. All Certificates surrendered to the Securities Administrator under the terms of this Section 5.03 shall be canceled and destroyed by the Securities Administrator in accordance with its standard procedures without liability on its part. Section 5.04 Persons Deemed Owners. The Securities Administrator and any agent of the Securities Administrator may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate is registered as the owner of such Certificate for the purpose of receiving distributions as provided in this Agreement and for all other purposes whatsoever, and neither the Securities Administrator, nor any agent of the Securities Administrator shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Section 5.05 Access to List of Certificateholders' Names and Addresses. If three or more Certificateholders (a) request such information in writing from the Securities Administrator, (b) state that such Certificateholders desire to communicate with other Certificateholders with respect to their rights under this Agreement or under the Certificates, and (c) provide a copy of the communication that such Certificateholders propose to transmit or if the Depositor shall request such information in writing from the Securities Administrator, then the Securities Administrator shall, within ten Business Days after the receipt of such request, provide the Depositor or such Certificateholders at such recipients' expense the most recent list of the Certificateholders of the Trust Fund held by the Securities Administrator, if any. The Depositor and every Certificateholder, by receiving and holding a Certificate, agree that the Securities Administrator shall not be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the list of the Certificateholders hereunder, regardless of the source from which such information was derived. Section 5.06 Book-Entry Certificates. The Regular Certificates, upon original issuance, shall be issued in the form of one or more typewritten Certificates representing the Book-Entry Certificates, to be delivered to the Depository by or on behalf of the Depositor. The Book-Entry Certificates shall initially be registered on the Certificate Register in the name of the Depository or its nominee, and no Certificate Owner of a Book-Entry Certificate will receive a definitive certificate representing such Certificate Owner's interest in such Certificates, except as provided in Section 5.08. Unless and until definitive, fully registered Certificates ("Definitive Certificates") have been issued to the Certificate Owners of the Book-Entry Certificates pursuant to Section 5.08: (a) the provisions of this Section shall be in full force and effect; -79- (b) the Depositor and the Securities Administrator may deal with the Depository and the Depository Participants for all purposes (including the making of distributions) as the authorized representative of the respective Certificate Owners of the Book-Entry Certificates; (c) registration of the Book-Entry Certificates may not be transferred by the Securities Administrator except to another Depository; (d) the rights of the respective Certificate Owners of the Book-Entry Certificates shall be exercised only through the Depository and the Depository Participants and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between the Owners of the Book-Entry Certificates and the Depository and/or the Depository Participants. Pursuant to the Depository Agreement, unless and until Definitive Certificates are issued pursuant to Section 5.08, the Depository will make book-entry transfers among the Depository Participants and receive and transmit distributions of principal and interest on the related Certificates to such Depository Participants; (e) the Depository may collect its usual and customary fees, charges and expenses from its Depository Participants; (f) the Securities Administrator may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its Depository Participants; and (g) to the extent that the provisions of this Section conflict with any other provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Section shall control. For purposes of any provision of this Agreement requiring or permitting actions with the consent of, or at the direction of, Certificateholders evidencing a specified percentage of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of any Class of Certificates, such direction or consent may be given by Certificate Owners (acting through the Depository and the Depository Participants) owning Book-Entry Certificates evidencing the requisite percentage of principal amount of such Class of Certificates. Section 5.07 Notices to Depository. Whenever any notice or other communication is required to be given to Certificateholders of the Class with respect to which Book-Entry Certificates have been issued, unless and until Definitive Certificates shall have been issued to the related Certificate Owners, the Securities Administrator shall give all such notices and communications to the Depository. Section 5.08 Definitive Certificates. If, after Book-Entry Certificates have been issued with respect to any Certificates, (a) the Depository or the Depositor advises the Securities Administrator that the Depository is no longer willing, qualified or able to discharge properly its responsibilities under the Depository Agreement with respect to such Certificates and the Securities Administrator or the Depositor is unable to locate a qualified successor, (b) the Depositor notifies the Securities Administrator and the Depository of its intent to terminate the book-entry system through the Depository and, upon receipt of notice of such intent from the Depository, the Certificate Owners of the Book-Entry Certificates agree to initiate such termination or (c) after the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, Certificate Owners of such Book-Entry Certificates having not less than 51% of the Voting Rights evidenced by any Class of Book-Entry Certificates advise the Securities Administrator and the -80- Depository in writing through the Depository Participants that the continuation of a book-entry system with respect to Certificates of such Class through the Depository (or its successor) is no longer in the best interests of the Certificate Owners of such Class, then the Securities Administrator shall notify all Certificate Owners of such Book-Entry Certificates, through the Depository, of the occurrence of any such event and of the availability of Definitive Certificates to Certificate Owners of such Class requesting the same. The Depositor shall provide the Securities Administrator with an adequate inventory of certificates to facilitate the issuance and transfer of Definitive Certificates. Upon surrender to the Securities Administrator of any such Certificates by the Depository, accompanied by registration instructions from the Depository for registration, the Securities Administrator shall authenticate and deliver such Definitive Certificates. Neither the Depositor nor the Securities Administrator shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and each may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, such instructions. Upon the issuance of such Definitive Certificates, all references herein to obligations imposed upon or to be performed by the Depository shall be deemed to be imposed upon and performed by the Securities Administrator, to the extent applicable with respect to such Definitive Certificates and the Securities Administrator shall recognize the Holders of such Definitive Certificates as Certificateholders hereunder. Section 5.09 Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Securities Administrator will maintain or cause to be maintained at its expense an office or offices or agency or agencies where Certificates may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange. The Securities Administrator initially designates its offices at Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479, Attention: Corporate Trust Services - Merrill Lynch Alternative Note Asset Trust, Series 2007-AF1 as offices for such purposes. The Securities Administrator will give prompt written notice to the Certificateholders of any change in such location of any such office or agency. For the avoidance of doubt, the Securities Administrator may satisfy the requirements of both this Section 5.09 and Section 5.09 of the Stack I Agreement by maintaining a single office or agency. ARTICLE VI PAYMENTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS Section 6.01 Distributions on the Certificates. (a) Interest and principal on the Certificates will be distributed by the Securities Administrator monthly on each Distribution Date, commencing in June 2007, as instructed by the Master Servicer, in an aggregate amount equal to the sum of the Available Funds for such Distribution Date. On each Distribution Date, the Available Funds shall be distributed as follows: (A) On each Distribution Date, the Group 3 Available Funds will be distributed in the following order of priority among the Group 3 Certificates except as otherwise noted: first, to the Class AV-1, Class AV-2 and Class AV-IO Certificates, pro rata, the Accrued Certificate Interest on each class of Group 3 Certificates for such Distribution Date; -81- second, to the Class AV-1, Class AV-2 and Class AV-IO Certificates, pro rata, any Accrued Certificate Interest thereon remaining undistributed from previous Distribution Dates, to the extent of remaining Group 3 Available Funds, any shortfall in available amounts being allocated to the Group 3 Certificates in proportion to the amount of such Accrued Certificate Interest remaining undistributed for each class of Group 3 Certificates for such Distribution Date; and third, to the Class AV-1 and Class AV-2 Certificates, pro rata, in reduction of the Class Certificate Balances thereof, the Group 3 Senior Principal Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date to the extent of remaining Group 3 Available Funds, until the Class Certificate Balances of such Classes have been reduced to zero. (B) On each Distribution Date on or prior to the Credit Support Depletion Date, an amount equal to the sum of the remaining Group 3 Available Funds after the distributions in clause (A) above will be distributed sequentially, in the following order, to the Class MV-1, Class MV-2, Class MV-3, Class BV-1, Class BV-2 and Class BV-3 Certificates, in each case up to an amount equal to and in the following order: (a) the Accrued Certificate Interest thereon for such Distribution Date, (b) any Accrued Certificate Interest thereon remaining undistributed from previous Distribution Dates and (c) such Class's Subordinate Principal Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date, in each case to the extent of the remaining Available Funds. (C) On each Distribution Date, any Available Funds remaining after payment of interest and principal to the Classes of Certificates entitled thereto, as described above, will be distributed to the Class A-R Certificates. (D) In addition to the foregoing distributions, with respect to any Subsequent Recoveries, the Master Servicer shall deposit such amounts into the Master Servicer Collection Account pursuant to Section 4.01(a). If, after taking into account such Subsequent Recoveries, the amount of a Realized Loss is reduced, the amount of such Subsequent Recoveries will be applied to increase the Class Certificate Balance of the Class of Subordinate Certificates with the highest payment priority to which Realized Losses have been allocated, including any Class of Subordinate Certificates to which a Realized Loss was previously allocated and whose Class Certificate Balance has been reduced to zero, but not by more than the amount of Realized Losses previously allocated to that Class of Certificates pursuant to Section 6.02. The amount of any remaining Subsequent Recoveries will be applied to increase the Class Certificate Balance of the Class of Certificates with the next highest payment priority, up to the amount of such Realized Losses previously allocated to that Class of Certificates pursuant to Section 6.02, and so on. Holders of such Certificates will not be entitled to any payment in respect of Accrued Certificate Interest on the amount of such increases for any Interest Accrual Period preceding the Distribution Date on which such increase occurs. Any such increases shall be applied to the Class -82- Certificate Balance of each Certificate of such Class in accordance with its respective Percentage Interest. (E) Any Prepayment Charges shall be distributed to the Class P Certificates. Section 6.02 Allocation of Losses. (a) On or prior to each Determination Date, the Securities Administrator shall determine the amount of any Realized Loss in respect of each Mortgage Loan that occurred during the immediately preceding calendar month. (b) With respect to any Certificates on any Distribution Date, the principal portion of each Realized Loss on a Mortgage Loan shall be allocated as follows: first, to the Class BV-3 Certificates until the Class Certificate Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; second, to the Class BV-2 Certificates until the Class Certificate Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; third, to the Class BV-1 Certificates until the Class Certificate Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; fourth, to the Class MV-3 Certificates until the Class Certificate Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; fifth, to the Class MV-2 Certificates until the Class Certificate Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; sixth, to the Class MV-1 Certificates until the Class Certificate Balance thereof has been reduced to zero; and seventh, to the Senior Certificates pro rata until the Class Certificate Balances thereof have been reduced to zero; and (c) Notwithstanding the other provisions of Section 6.02, the first $0.70 of Realized Losses shall not be allocated to any Class of Certificates. Section 6.03 Payments. (a) On each Distribution Date, other than the final Distribution Date, the Securities Administrator shall distribute to each Certificateholder of record on the directly preceding Record Date the Certificateholder's pro rata share of its Class (based on the aggregate Percentage Interest represented by such Holder's Certificates) of all amounts required to be distributed on such Distribution Date to such Class, based solely on information provided to the Securities Administrator by the Master Servicer. The Securities Administrator shall calculate the amount to be distributed to each Class and, based on such amounts, the Securities Administrator shall determine the amount to be distributed to each Certificateholder. All of the Securities -83- Administrator's calculations of payments shall be based solely on information provided to the Securities Administrator by the Master Servicer or the applicable Servicer. The Securities Administrator shall not be required to confirm, verify or recompute any such information but shall be entitled to rely conclusively on such information. (b) Payment of the above amounts to each Certificateholder shall be made (i) by check mailed to each Certificateholder entitled thereto at the address appearing in the Certificate Register or (ii) upon receipt by the Securities Administrator on or before the fifth Business Day preceding the Record Date of written instructions from a Certificateholder by wire transfer to a United States dollar account maintained by the payee at any United States depository institution with appropriate facilities for receiving such a wire transfer; provided, however, that the final payment in respect of each Class of Certificates will be made only upon presentation and surrender of such respective Certificates at the office or agency of the Securities Administrator specified in the notice to Certificateholders of such final payment. Section 6.04 Statements to Certificateholders. (a) Concurrently with each distribution to Certificateholders, the Securities Administrator shall make available to the parties hereto and each Certificateholder via the Securities Administrator's internet website as set forth below, the following information (such information the "Monthly Statement"): (i) the amount of the distribution made on such Distribution Date to the Holders of each Class of Certificates, separately identified, allocable to principal; (ii) the amount of the distribution made on such Distribution Date to the Holders of each Class of Certificates allocable to interest, separately identified; (iii) the aggregate amount the Servicing Fee during the related Due Period and such other customary information as the Trustee deems necessary or desirable, or which a Certificateholder reasonably requests, to enable Certificateholders to prepare their tax returns; (iv) the aggregate amount of Monthly Advances for the related Due Period; (v) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Group 3 Mortgage Loans at the close of business at the end of the related Due Period; (vi) the number, weighted average remaining term to maturity and weighted average Mortgage Interest Rate of the Group 3 Mortgage Loans as of the related Due Date; (vii) the number and aggregate unpaid principal balance of Group 3 Mortgage Loans (a) one month, two months or three months delinquent on a contractual basis, (b) as to which foreclosure proceedings have been commenced and (c) in bankruptcy as of the close of business on the last day of the calendar month preceding such Distribution Date determined in accordance with the MBA method; -84- (viii) with respect to any Group 3 Mortgage Loan that became an REO Property during the preceding calendar month, the Stated Principal Balance of such Group 3 Mortgage Loan as of the date it became an REO Property; (ix) the book value of any REO Property as of the close of business on the last Business Day of the calendar month preceding the Distribution Date, and, cumulatively, the total number and cumulative principal balance of all REO Properties as of the close of business of the last day of the preceding due period; (x) the aggregate amount of Principal Prepayments made during the related Prepayment Period; (xi) the aggregate amount of Realized Losses incurred during the related Due Period and the cumulative amount of Realized Losses; (xii) the aggregate amount of Extraordinary Trust Fund Expenses withdrawn from the Master Servicer Collection Account for such Distribution Date; (xiii) the Class Certificate Balance of each Class of Certificates, after giving effect to the distributions made on such Distribution Date; (xiv) the aggregate amount of interest accrued at the related Pass-Through Rate with respect to each Class during the related Interest Accrual Period and the respective portions thereof, if any, remaining unpaid following the distributions made in respect of such Certificates on such Distribution Date; (xv) the aggregate amount of any Prepayment Interest Shortfalls for such Distribution Date as determined separately for each Mortgage Group, to the extent not covered by Compensating Interest Payments by the related Servicer or the Master Servicer pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement or Section 6.06; (xvi) the Group 3 Available Funds; (xvii) [Reserved.] (xviii) the Pass-Through Rate for each Class of Certificates for such Distribution Date; and (xix) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of Group 3 Mortgage Loans purchased by the Seller during the related Due Period and indicating the Section of this Agreement requiring or allowing the purchase of each such Group 3 Mortgage Loan. The information set forth above shall be calculated or reported, as the case may be, by the Securities Administrator, based solely on, and to the extent of, information provided to the Securities Administrator by the Master Servicer. The Securities Administrator may conclusively rely on such information and shall not be required to confirm, verify or recalculate any such information. -85- The Securities Administrator may make available each month, to any interested party, the Monthly Statement to Certificateholders via the Securities Administrator's website initially located at "www.ctslink.com." Assistance in using the website can be obtained by calling the Securities Administrator's customer service desk at (866) 846-4526. Parties that are unable to use the above distribution option are entitled to have a paper copy mailed to them via first class mail by calling the customer service desk and indicating such. The Securities Administrator shall have the right to change the way such reports are distributed in order to make such distribution more convenient and/or more accessible to the parties, and the Securities Administrator shall provide timely and adequate notification to all parties regarding any such change. (b) By January 30 of each year beginning in 2008, if so requested in writing, the Securities Administrator will furnish such report to each Holder of the Certificates of record at any time during the prior calendar year as to the aggregate of amounts reported pursuant to subclauses (a)(ii) and (a)(v) above with respect to the Certificates, plus information with respect to the amount of servicing compensation and such other customary information as the Securities Administrator may determine to be necessary and/or to be required by the Internal Revenue Service or by a federal or state law or rules or regulations to enable such Holders to prepare their tax returns for such calendar year. Such obligations shall be deemed to have been satisfied to the extent that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the Securities Administrator pursuant to the requirements of the Code. (c) The Securities Administrator may satisfy the requirements of this Section 6.04 and Section 6.04 of the Stack I Agreement via a single Monthly Statement, provided that such Monthly Statement adequately addresses all of the content and delivery requirements contained in both this Section 6.04 and Section 6.04 of the Stack I Agreement. -86- Section 6.05 Monthly Advances. If the Monthly Payment on a Mortgage Loan that was due on a related Due Date and is delinquent other than as a result of application of the Relief Act and for which the related Servicer was required to make an advance pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement exceeds the amount deposited in the Master Servicer Collection Account that will be used for a Monthly Advance with respect to such Mortgage Loan, the Master Servicer will deposit in the Master Servicer Collection Account not later than the Distribution Account Deposit Date immediately preceding the related Distribution Date an amount equal to such deficiency, net of the Servicing Fee for such Mortgage Loan, except to the extent the Master Servicer determines any such Monthly Advance to be nonrecoverable from Liquidation Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds or future payments on the Mortgage Loan for which such Monthly Advance was made. If the Master Servicer has not deposited the amount described above as of the related Distribution Account Deposit Date, the Trustee will, subject to applicable law and its determination of recoverability, deposit in the Master Servicer Collection Account not later than the related Distribution Date, an amount equal to the remaining deficiency as of the Distribution Account Deposit Date. Subject to the foregoing, the Master Servicer shall continue to make such Monthly Advances through the date that the related Servicer is required to do so under its Servicing Agreement. If applicable, on the Distribution Account Deposit Date, the Master Servicer shall present an Officer's Certificate to the Securities Administrator (i) stating that the Master Servicer elects not to make a Monthly Advance in a stated amount and (ii) detailing the reason it deems the advance to be nonrecoverable. Section 6.06 Compensating Interest Payments. The Master Servicer shall deposit in the Master Servicer Collection Account not later than each Distribution Account Deposit Date an amount equal to the aggregate amounts required to be paid by the Servicers under the Servicing Agreements with respect to subclause (a) of the definition of Prepayment Interest Shortfall with respect to the Mortgage Loans for the related Distribution Date, and not so paid by the related Servicers (such amount, the "Compensating Interest Payment"). The Master Servicer shall not be entitled to any reimbursement of any Compensating Interest Payment; provided, however, the aggregate compensating interest payments made by the Master Servicer shall not exceed the Master Servicing Compensation. -87- ARTICLE VII THE MASTER SERVICER AND THE DEPOSITOR Section 7.01 Liabilities of the Master Servicer. The Master Servicer shall be liable in accordance herewith only to the extent of the obligations specifically imposed upon and undertaken by the Master Servicer, as the case may be, herein. The Depositor shall be liable in accordance herewith only to the extent of the obligations specifically imposed upon and undertaken by the Depositor. Section 7.02 Merger or Consolidation of the Master Servicer. (a) Each of the Master Servicer and the Depositor will keep in full force and effect its existence, rights and franchises as a corporation under the laws of the state of its incorporation, and will obtain and preserve its qualification to do business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is or shall be necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of this Agreement, the Certificates or any of the Mortgage Loans and to perform its duties under this Agreement. (b) Any Person into which the Master Servicer or the Depositor may be merged or consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Master Servicer shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the business of the Master Servicer, shall be the successor of the Master Servicer hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. Section 7.03 Indemnification from the Master Servicer and the Depositor. (a) The Master Servicer agrees to indemnify the Indemnified Persons for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred on their part that may be sustained in connection with, arising out of, or relating to, any claim or legal action (including any pending or threatened claim or legal action) relating to this Agreement or the Certificates (i) related to the Master Servicer's failure to perform its duties in compliance with this Agreement (except as any such loss, liability or expense shall be otherwise reimbursable pursuant to this Agreement) or (ii) incurred by reason of the Master Servicer's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of duties hereunder or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties hereunder, provided, in each case, that with respect to any such claim or legal action (or pending or threatened claim or legal action), the Trustee or the Securities Administrator shall have given the Master Servicer and the Depositor written notice of such claim or legal action promptly after the Trustee or the Securities Administrator shall have received knowledge thereof. This indemnity shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, Master Servicer or the Securities Administrator and the termination of this Agreement. (b) The Depositor will indemnify any Indemnified Person for any loss, liability or expense of any Indemnified Person not otherwise referred to in Subsection (a) above. (c) None of the Depositor, any Servicer nor any of the directors, officers, employees or agents of the Depositor or any Servicer shall be under any liability to the Issuing Entity or the Certificateholders for any action taken or for refraining from the taking of any action in good faith pursuant to this Agreement or the Servicing Agreements, or for errors in judgment; provided, however, that this provision shall not protect the Depositor, any Servicer or any such Person against any breach of representations or warranties made by it or protect the Depositor, any Servicer or any such Person from any liability that would otherwise be imposed by reasons of willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of duties or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties. The Depositor or any Servicer and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Depositor or any Servicer may rely in good faith on any document of any kind prima facie properly executed and submitted by any Person respecting any matters arising hereunder. The Depositor or any Servicer and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Depositor or any Servicer shall be indemnified by the Issuing Entity and held harmless against any loss, liability or expense, incurred in connection with the performance of their duties under this Agreement or the Servicing Agreements or incurred in connection with any audit, controversy or judicial proceeding relating to a governmental taxing authority or any legal action relating to this Agreement or the Certificates, other than any loss, liability or expense (i) incurred by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of duties or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties or (ii) which does not constitute an "unanticipated expense" within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.860G-1(b)(3)(ii). Neither the Depositor nor any Servicer shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action that is not incidental to its respective duties hereunder and that in its opinion may involve it in any expense or liability; provided, however, that either of the Depositor or any Servicer in its discretion may undertake any such action that it may deem necessary or desirable in respect of this Agreement or the Servicing Agreements and the rights and duties of the parties thereto and the interests of the Trustee and the Certificateholders thereunder. In such event, the legal expenses and costs of such action and any liability resulting therefrom shall be, expenses, costs and liabilities of the Issuing Entity, and the Depositor and any Servicer shall be entitled to be reimbursed therefor out of the related Collection Account. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in preparing or furnishing any reports or certifications pursuant to this Agreement or the Servicing Agreements, the Servicers shall be entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the information or data provided to it by any other party to the Agreement and shall have no liability for any errors therein. -88- Section 7.04 Limitations on Liability of the Master Servicer and Others. Subject to the obligation of the Master Servicer to indemnify the Indemnified Persons pursuant to Section 7.03: (a) Neither the Master Servicer nor any of the directors, officers, employees or agents of the Master Servicer shall be under any liability to the Indemnified Persons, the Depositor, the Issuing Entity or the Certificateholders for taking any action or for refraining from taking any action in good faith pursuant to this Agreement, or for errors in judgment; provided, however, that this provision shall not protect the Master Servicer or any such Person against any breach of warranties or representations made herein or any liability which would otherwise be imposed by reason of such Person's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of duties or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties hereunder. (b) The Master Servicer and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Master Servicer may rely in good faith on any document of any kind prima facie properly executed and submitted by any Person respecting any matters arising hereunder. (c) The Master Servicer, the Custodian and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Master Servicer or the Custodian shall be indemnified by the Issuing Entity and held harmless thereby against any loss, liability or expense (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred on their part that may be sustained in connection with, arising out of, or related to, any claim or legal action (including any pending or threatened claim or legal action) relating to this Agreement, the Certificates or any Servicing Agreement (except to the extent that the Master Servicer or the Custodian, as the case may be, is indemnified by a Servicer thereunder), other than (i) any such loss, liability or expense related to the Master Servicer's failure to perform its duties in compliance with this Agreement (except as any such loss, liability or expense shall be otherwise reimbursable pursuant to this Agreement), or to the Custodian's failure to perform its duties under the Custodial Agreement, respectively, or (ii) any such loss, liability or expense incurred by reason of the Master Servicer's or the Custodian's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of duties hereunder or under the Custodial Agreement, as applicable, or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties hereunder or under the Custodial Agreement, as applicable. (d) The Master Servicer shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action that is not incidental to its duties under this Agreement and that in its opinion may involve it in any expense or liability; provided, however, the Master Servicer may in its discretion, undertake any such action which it may deem necessary or desirable with respect to this Agreement and the rights and duties of the parties hereto and the interests of the Certificateholders hereunder. In such event, the legal expenses and costs of such action and any liability resulting therefrom shall be expenses, costs and liabilities of the Issuing Entity, and the Master Servicer shall be entitled to be reimbursed therefor out of the Master Servicer Collection Account as provided by Section 4.03. Nothing in this Subsection 7.04(d) shall affect the Master Servicer's obligation to supervise, or to take such actions as are necessary to ensure, the servicing and administration of the Mortgage Loans pursuant to Subsection 3.01(a). (e) In taking or recommending any course of action pursuant to this Agreement, unless specifically required to do so pursuant to this Agreement, the Master Servicer shall not be required to investigate or make recommendations concerning potential liabilities which the -89- Issuing Entity might incur as a result of such course of action by reason of the condition of the Mortgaged Properties. (f) The Master Servicer shall not be liable for any acts or omissions of any Servicer, except as otherwise expressly provided herein. Section 7.05 Master Servicer Not to Resign. Except as provided in Section 7.07, the Master Servicer shall not resign from the obligations and duties hereby imposed on it except upon a determination that any such duties hereunder are no longer permissible under applicable law and such impermissibility cannot be cured. Any such determination permitting the resignation of the Master Servicer shall be evidenced by an Opinion of Independent Counsel to such effect delivered to the Trustee. No such resignation by the Master Servicer shall become effective until MLML or the Trustee or a successor to the Master Servicer reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee shall have assumed the responsibilities and obligations of the Master Servicer in accordance with Section 8.02 hereof. The Trustee shall notify the Rating Agencies of the resignation of the Master Servicer. If the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator are the same entity, then at any time the Master Servicer is terminated as master servicer, the Securities Administrator shall likewise be removed as securities administrator. Section 7.06 Successor Master Servicer. In connection with the appointment of any successor Master Servicer or the assumption of the duties of the Master Servicer, MLML or the Trustee may make such arrangements for the compensation of such successor master servicer out of payments on the Mortgage Loans as MLML or the Trustee and such successor master servicer shall agree. If the successor master servicer does not agree that such market value is a fair price, such successor master servicer shall obtain two quotations of market value from third parties actively engaged in the servicing of single-family mortgage loans. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for any Servicing Fee or master servicing fee or for any differential in the amount of the Servicing Fee or the master servicing fee paid hereunder and the amount necessary to induce any successor servicer or successor master servicer to act as successor servicer or successor master servicer, as applicable, under this Agreement and the transactions set forth or provided herein. Section 7.07 Sale and Assignment of Master Servicing. The Master Servicer may sell and assign its rights and delegate its duties and obligations in its entirety as Master Servicer under this Agreement; provided, however, that: (i) the purchaser or transferee accepting such assignment and delegation (a) shall be a Person which shall be qualified to service mortgage loans for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac; (b) shall have a net worth of not less than $10,000,000 (unless otherwise approved by each Rating Agency pursuant to clause (ii) below); (c) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (as evidenced in a writing signed by the Trustee); and (d) shall execute and deliver to the Trustee an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, which contains an assumption by such Person of the due and punctual performance and observance of each covenant and condition to be performed or observed by it as master servicer under this Agreement, any custodial agreement from and after the effective date of such agreement; (ii) each Rating Agency shall be given prior written notice of the identity of the proposed successor to the Master Servicer and each Rating Agency's rating of the Certificates in effect immediately prior to such assignment, sale and delegation will not be downgraded, qualified or withdrawn as a result of such assignment, sale and delegation, as evidenced by a -90- letter to such effect delivered to the Master Servicer and the Trustee; and (iii) the Master Servicer assigning and selling the master servicing shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Independent Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to such action under this Agreement have been completed and such action is permitted by and complies with the terms of this Agreement. No such assignment or delegation shall affect any liability of the Master Servicer arising prior to the effective date thereof. ARTICLE VIII DEFAULT Section 8.01 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) and only with respect to the defaulting Master Servicer: (i) The Master Servicer fails to cause to be deposited in the Distribution Account any amount so required to be deposited pursuant to this Agreement, and such failure continues unremedied for a period of three Business Days after the date upon which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to the Master Servicer; or (ii) The Master Servicer fails to observe or perform in any material respect any other material covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement to be performed by it, which covenants and agreements materially affect the rights of Certificateholders, and such failure continues unremedied for a period of 60 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, properly requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to the Master Servicer by the Trustee or to the Master Servicer and the Trustee by the Holders of Certificates evidencing Percentage Interests aggregating not less than 25% of the Trust Fund; or (iii) There is entered against the Master Servicer a decree or order by a court or agency or supervisory authority having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a conservator, receiver or liquidator in any insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings, or for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order is unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days, or an involuntary case is commenced against the Master Servicer under any applicable insolvency or reorganization statute and the petition is not dismissed within 60 days after the commencement of the case; or (iv) The Master Servicer consents to the appointment of a conservator or receiver or liquidator in any insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings of or relating to the Master Servicer or substantially all of its property; or the Master Servicer admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, files a petition to take advantage of any applicable insolvency or reorganization statute, makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or voluntarily suspends payment of its obligations; or -91- (v) The Master Servicer assigns or delegates its duties or rights under this Agreement in contravention of the provisions permitting such assignment or delegation under Sections 7.05 or 7.07; or (vi) Any failure by the Master Servicer to deliver any Annual Statement of Compliance, Assessment of Compliance or Accountant's Attestation when and as required under Section 3.16 or Section 3.17. In each and every such case, so long as such Event of Default with respect to the Master Servicer shall not have been remedied, either the Trustee or the Holders of Certificates evidencing Percentage Interests aggregating not less than 51% of the Class Certificate Balance of the Certificates, by notice in writing to the Master Servicer (and to the Trustee if given by such Certificateholders), with a copy to the Rating Agencies, and with the consent of the Seller, may terminate all of the rights and obligations (but not the liabilities) of the Master Servicer under this Agreement and in and to the Mortgage Loans and/or the REO Property serviced by the Master Servicer and the proceeds thereof. Upon the receipt by the Master Servicer of the written notice, all authority and power of the Master Servicer under this Agreement, whether with respect to the Certificates, the Mortgage Loans, REO Property or under any other related agreements (but only to the extent that such other agreements relate to the Mortgage Loans or related REO Property) shall, subject to Section 8.02, automatically and without further action pass to and be vested in the Trustee pursuant to this Section 8.01; and, without limitation, the Trustee is hereby authorized and empowered to execute and deliver, on behalf of the Master Servicer as attorney-in-fact or otherwise, any and all documents and other instruments and to do or accomplish all other acts or things necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of such notice of termination, whether to complete the transfer and endorsement or assignment of the Mortgage Loans and related documents, or otherwise. The Master Servicer agrees to cooperate with the Trustee in effecting the termination of the Master Servicer's rights and obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, the transfer to the Trustee of (i) the property and amounts which are then or should be part of the Issuing Entity or which thereafter become part of the Issuing Entity; and (ii) originals or copies of all documents of the Master Servicer reasonably requested by the Trustee to enable it to assume the Master Servicer's duties thereunder. In addition to any other amounts which are then, or, notwithstanding the termination of its activities under this Agreement, may become payable to the Master Servicer under this Agreement, the Master Servicer shall be entitled to receive, out of any amount received on account of a Mortgage Loan or related REO Property, that portion of such payments which it would have received as reimbursement under this Agreement if notice of termination had not been given. The termination of the rights and obligations of the Master Servicer shall not affect any obligations incurred by the Master Servicer prior to such termination. Section 8.02 Trustee to Act; Appointment of Successor. (a) Upon the receipt by the Master Servicer of a notice of termination pursuant to Section 8.01 or an Opinion of Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 7.05 to the effect that the Master Servicer is legally unable to act or to delegate its duties to a Person which is legally able to act, the Trustee shall automatically become the successor in all respects to the Master Servicer in its capacity under this Agreement and the transactions set forth or provided for herein and shall thereafter be subject to all the responsibilities, duties, liabilities and limitations on liabilities -92- relating thereto placed on the Master Servicer by the terms and provisions hereof; provided, however, that MLML shall have the right to either (a) immediately assume the duties of the Master Servicer or (b) select a successor master servicer; provided further, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever with respect to any liability (other than advances deemed recoverable and not previously made) incurred by the Master Servicer at or prior to the time of termination. As compensation therefor, the Trustee shall be entitled to all funds relating to the Mortgage Loans which the Master Servicer would have been entitled to retain if the Master Servicer had continued to act hereunder, except for those amounts due the Master Servicer as reimbursement permitted under this Agreement for advances previously made or expenses previously incurred. Notwithstanding the above, or anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee, if it becomes Master Servicer, shall have no responsibility or obligation (i) to repurchase or substitute any Mortgage Loan, (ii) for any representation or warranty of the Master Servicer hereunder, and (iii) for any act or omission of either a predecessor or successor Master Servicer other than the Trustee. The Trustee may conduct any activity required of it as Master Servicer hereunder through an Affiliate or through an agent. Neither the Trustee (as successor Master Servicer) nor any other successor Master Servicer shall be deemed to be in default hereunder due to any act or omission of a predecessor Master Servicer, including but not limited to failure to timely deliver to the Trustee distribution instructions, any funds required to be deposited to the Trust Fund, or any breach of its duty to cooperate with a transfer of master servicing. Neither the Trustee nor any other successor Master Servicer shall be deemed to be in default hereunder by reason of any failure to make, or any delay in making, any distribution hereunder or any portion thereof or any failure to perform, or any delay in performing, any duties or responsibilities hereunder, in either case caused solely by the failure of the Master Servicer to deliver or provide, or any delay in delivering or providing, any cash, information, documents or records required to be provided to it by the Master Servicer. Notwithstanding the above, the Trustee may, if it shall be unwilling so to act, or shall, if it is legally unable so to act, appoint or petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint, any established housing and home finance institution which is a Fannie Mae- or Freddie Mac-approved servicer, and with respect to a successor to the Master Servicer only, having a net worth of not less than $10,000,000 and meeting such other standards for a successor Master Servicer as are set forth in this Agreement, as the successor to the Master Servicer hereunder in the assumption of all or any part of the responsibilities, duties or liabilities of the Master Servicer hereunder. Pending appointment of a successor to the Master Servicer hereunder, the Trustee shall act in such capacity as hereinabove provided. In connection with such appointment and assumption, the Trustee may make such arrangements for the compensation of such successor out of payments on the Mortgage Loans as it and such successor shall agree; provided, however, in the event that the provisions of Section 7.06 shall apply, no such compensation shall be in excess of that permitted the Trustee under this Subsection 8.02(a), and that such successor shall undertake and assume the obligations of the Trustee to pay compensation to any third Person acting as an agent or independent contractor in the performance of master servicing responsibilities hereunder. The Trustee and such successor shall take such action, consistent with this Agreement, as shall be necessary to effectuate any such succession. (b) If the Trustee shall succeed to any duties of the Master Servicer respecting the Mortgage Loans as provided herein, it shall do so in a separate capacity and not in its capacity as Trustee and, accordingly, the provisions of Article IX shall be inapplicable to the Trustee in its duties as the successor to the Master Servicer in the servicing of the Mortgage Loans (although -93- such provisions shall continue to apply to the Trustee in its capacity as Trustee); the provisions of Article VII, however, shall apply to it in its capacity as successor master servicer. Section 8.03 Notification to Certificateholders. Upon any termination or appointment of a successor to the Master Servicer, the Trustee shall give prompt written notice thereof to Certificateholders at their respective addresses appearing in the Certificate Register and to the Rating Agencies. Section 8.04 Waiver of Defaults. The Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Certificateholders, within 60 days after the occurrence of any Event of Default known to the Trustee, unless such Event of Default shall have been cured, notice of each such Event of Default hereunder known to the Trustee. The Holders of Certificates evidencing Percentage Interests aggregating not less than 51% of the Class Certificate Balance of the Certificates may, on behalf of all Certificateholders, waive any default by the Master Servicer in the performance of its obligations hereunder and the consequences thereof, except a default in the making of or the causing to be made any required distribution on the Certificates. Upon any such waiver of a past default, such default shall be deemed to cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been timely remedied for every purpose of this Agreement. No such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon except to the extent expressly so waived. The Trustee shall give notice of any such waiver to the Rating Agencies. Section 8.05 List of Certificateholders. Upon reasonable, prior written request of three or more Certificateholders of record, for purposes of communicating with other Certificateholders with respect to their rights under this Agreement, the Trustee will afford such Certificateholders access during business hours to the most recent list of Certificateholders held by the Trustee. ARTICLE IX CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE AND THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR Section 9.01 Duties of Trustee. (a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default which may have occurred, and the Securities Administrator each undertake to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement as duties of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, respectively. If an Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured or waived, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Agreement, and subject to Section 8.02(b) use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. (b) Upon receipt of all resolutions, certificates, statements, opinions, reports, documents, orders or other instruments which are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, the -94- Trustee and the Securities Administrator, respectively, shall examine them to determine whether they are in the form required by this Agreement; provided, however, that neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be responsible for the accuracy or content of any resolution, certificate, statement, opinion, report, document, order or other instrument furnished by the Master Servicer; provided, further, that neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be responsible for the accuracy or verification of any calculation provided to it pursuant to this Agreement. If any such instrument is found not to conform to the requirements of this Agreement in a material manner, the Trustee shall take such action as it deems appropriate to have the instrument corrected and if the instrument is not corrected to its satisfaction, the Trustee will provide notice thereof to the Certificateholders and take such further action as directed by the Certificateholders. (c) On each Distribution Date, the Securities Administrator shall make monthly distributions and the final distribution to the Certificateholders from funds in the Distribution Account as provided in Sections 6.01 and 10.01 herein based solely on the report of the Master Servicer or the Servicers. (d) No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to relieve the Trustee or the Securities Administrator from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct; provided, however, that: (i) Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, and after the curing or waiver of all such Events of Default which may have occurred, the duties and obligations of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Agreement, neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be liable except for the performance of their respective duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Trustee or the Securities Administrator and, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, respectively, the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, respectively, may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, respectively, and conforming to the requirements of this Agreement; (ii) Neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be liable in its individual capacity for an error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee or an officer of the Securities Administrator, respectively, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, respectively, was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; (iii) Neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the directions of the Holders of Certificates evidencing Percentage Interests aggregating not less than 25% of the Class Certificate Balance of the Certificates, if such action or non-action relates to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or the Securities -95- Administrator, respectively, or exercising any trust or other power conferred upon the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, respectively, under this Agreement; (iv) The Trustee shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee's Corporate Trust Office shall have actual knowledge thereof. In the absence of such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume there is no such default or Event of Default; (v) The Trustee shall not in any way be liable by reason of any insufficiency in any Account held by or in the name of Trustee unless it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee's gross negligence or willful misconduct was the primary cause of such insufficiency (except to the extent that the Trustee is obligor and has defaulted thereon); (vi) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee or the Securities Administrator be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, respectively, has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action; and (vii) None of the Securities Administrator, the Depositor, the Master Servicer, any Servicer or the Trustee shall be responsible for the acts or omissions of the other, it being understood that this Agreement shall not be construed to render them partners, joint venturers or agents of one another. Neither the Trustee (regardless of the capacity in which it is acting) nor the Securities Administrator shall be required 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 there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it, and none of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall in any event require the Trustee or the Securities Administrator to perform, or be responsible for the manner of performance of, any of the obligations of the Master Servicer hereunder or under the Servicing Agreements, except during such time, if any, as the Trustee shall be the successor to, and be vested with the rights, duties, powers and privileges of, the Master Servicer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. (e) All funds received by the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator and required to be deposited in the Master Servicer Collection Account or Distribution Account pursuant to this Agreement will be promptly so deposited by the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator. (f) Except for those actions that the Trustee or the Securities Administrator is required to take hereunder, neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall have any obligation or liability to take any action or to refrain from taking any action hereunder in the absence of written direction as provided hereunder. -96- Section 9.02 Certain Matters Affecting the Trustee and the Securities Administrator. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.01: (i) The Trustee and the Securities Administrator may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting in reliance on any resolution, certificate of a Depositor, Master Servicer or Servicer, certificate of auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, bond or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties; (ii) The Trustee and the Securities Administrator may consult with counsel and any advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection with respect to any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel; (iii) Neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be under any obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by this Agreement, other than its obligation to give notices pursuant to this Agreement, or to institute, conduct or defend any litigation hereunder or in relation hereto at the request, order or direction of any of the Certificateholders pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, unless such Certificateholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby. Nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee's Corporate Trust Office has actual knowledge (which has not been cured or waived), subject to Section 8.02(b), to exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Agreement, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs; (iv) Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default which may have occurred, neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be liable in its individual capacity for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Agreement; (v) Neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by Holders of Certificates evidencing Percentage Interests aggregating not less than 25% of the Class Certificate Balance of the Certificates and provided that the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, reasonably assured to the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Agreement. The Trustee or the Securities Administrator may require reasonable indemnity against such expense or liability as a condition to taking any such action. The -97- reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid by the Certificateholders requesting the investigation; (vi) The Trustee and the Securities Administrator may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or through Affiliates, agents or attorneys; provided, however, that the Trustee may not appoint any agent to perform its custodial functions with respect to the Mortgage Files or paying agent functions under this Agreement without the express written consent of the Securities Administrator, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. Neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be liable or responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any of the Trustee's or the Securities Administrator's agents or attorneys or a custodian or paying agent appointed hereunder by the Trustee or the Securities Administrator with due care and, when required, with the consent of the Securities Administrator; (vii) Should the Trustee or the Securities Administrator deem the nature of any action required on its part, other than a payment or transfer under Subsection 4.01(b) or Section 4.02, to be unclear, the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, respectively, may require prior to such action that it be provided by the Depositor with reasonable further instructions; (viii) The right of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator to perform any discretionary act enumerated in this Agreement shall not be construed as a duty, and neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be accountable for other than its negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of any such act; (ix) Neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be required to give any bond or surety with respect to the execution of the trust created hereby or the powers granted hereunder, except as provided in Subsection 9.07; and (x) Neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall have any duty to conduct any affirmative investigation as to the occurrence of any condition requiring the repurchase of any Mortgage Loan by the Seller pursuant to this Agreement or the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement, as applicable, or the eligibility of any Mortgage Loan for purposes of this Agreement. (xi) Any permissive right of the Trustee hereunder shall not be construed as a duty. Section 9.03 Trustee and Securities Administrator Not Liable for Certificates or Mortgage Loans. The recitals contained herein and in the Certificates (other than the signature and countersignature of the Securities Administrator on the Certificates) shall be taken as the statements of the Depositor, and neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall have any responsibility for their correctness. Neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator makes any representation as to the validity or sufficiency of the Certificates (other than, as to the Securities Administrator, the signature and countersignature of the Securities Administrator on the Certificates) or of any Mortgage Loan except as expressly provided in Sections 2.02 and 2.05 -98- hereof; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not relieve the Trustee or the Custodian of the obligation to review the Mortgage Files pursuant to Sections 2.02 and 2.04. The Securities Administrator's signature and countersignature (or countersignature of its agent) on the Certificates shall be solely in its capacity as Securities Administrator of the Trust Fund and shall not constitute the Certificates an obligation of the Securities Administrator in any other capacity. Neither the Trustee or the Securities Administrator shall be accountable for the use or application by the Depositor of any of the Certificates or of the proceeds of such Certificates, or for the use or application of any funds paid to the Depositor with respect to the Mortgage Loans. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.05, neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be responsible for the legality or validity of this Agreement or any document or instrument relating to this Agreement, the validity of the execution of this Agreement or of any supplement hereto or instrument of further assurance, or the validity, priority, perfection or sufficiency of the security for the Certificates issued hereunder or intended to be issued hereunder. Neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall at any time have any responsibility or liability for or with respect to the legality, validity and enforceability of any Mortgage or any Mortgage Loan, or the perfection and priority of any Mortgage or the maintenance of any such perfection and priority, or for or with respect to the sufficiency of the Trust Fund or its ability to generate the payments to be distributed to Certificateholders, under this Agreement. Neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall have any responsibility for filing any financing or continuation statement in any public office at any time or to otherwise perfect or maintain the perfection of any security interest or lien granted to it hereunder or to record this Agreement. Section 9.04 Trustee and Securities Administrator May Own Certificates. The Trustee and the Securities Administrator in its individual capacity or in any capacity other than as Trustee hereunder may become the owner or pledgee of any Certificates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, and may otherwise deal with the parties hereto. Section 9.05 Trustee's and Securities Administrator's Fees and Expenses. The fees and expenses of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator shall be paid by the Master Servicer in accordance with a side letter agreement. In addition, the Trustee and the Securities Administrator will be entitled to recover from the Master Servicer Collection Account pursuant to Section 4.03(b) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances and the expenses of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, respectively, in connection with any Event of Default, any breach of this Agreement or any claim or legal action (including any pending or threatened claim or legal action) incurred or made by the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, respectively, in the administration of the trusts hereunder (including the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of its counsel) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or intentional misconduct or which is the responsibility of the Certificateholders or the Trust Fund hereunder. If funds in the Master Servicer Collection Account are insufficient therefor, the Trustee and the Securities Administrator shall recover such expenses from the Depositor. Such compensation and reimbursement obligation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust. Section 9.06 Eligibility Requirements for Trustee and Securities Administrator. -99- (a) The Trustee and any successor Trustee and the Securities Administrator and any successor Securities Administrator shall during the entire duration of this Agreement be a state bank or trust company or a national banking association organized and doing business under the laws of such state or the United States of America, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of at least $40,000,000 or, in the case of a successor Trustee, $50,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and, in the case of the Trustee, rated "BBB" or higher by S&P and "Aaa1" or higher by Moody's with respect to their long-term rating and rated "BBB" or higher by S&P and "Baa1" or higher by Moody's with respect to any outstanding long-term unsecured unsubordinated debt, and, in the case of a successor Trustee or successor Securities Administrator other than pursuant to Section 9.10, rated in one of the two highest long-term debt categories of, or otherwise acceptable to, each of the Rating Agencies. If the Trustee publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 9.06 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its total equity capital (combined capital and surplus) as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time the Trustee or the Securities Administrator shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.06, the Trustee or the Securities Administrator shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 9.08. (b) In addition, the Securities Administrator (i) may not be an originator, Master Servicer, Servicer, the Depositor or an affiliate of the Depositor unless the Securities Administrator is in an institutional trust department of the relevant entity, (ii) must be authorized to exercise corporate trust powers under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, and (iii) must be rated at least "A" by S&P or "A" Moody's. If no successor Securities Administrator shall have been appointed and shall have accepted appointment within 60 days after the Securities Administrator ceases to be the Securities Administrator pursuant to Section 9.08, then the Trustee shall either (i) perform the duties of the Securities Administrator pursuant to this Agreement until such time as a new Securities Administrator is appointed or (ii) petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor securities administrator. The Trustee shall notify the Rating Agencies of any change of Securities Administrator. Section 9.07 Insurance. The Securities Administrator, at its own expense, shall at all times maintain and keep in full force and effect: (i) fidelity insurance, (ii) theft of documents insurance and (iii) forgery insurance (which may be collectively satisfied by a "Financial Institution Bond" and/or a "Bankers' Blanket Bond"). All such insurance shall be in amounts, with standard coverage and subject to deductibles, as are customary for insurance typically maintained by banks or their affiliates which act as custodians for investor-owned mortgage pools. A certificate of an officer of the Securities Administrator as to the Securities Administrator's compliance with this Section 9.07 shall be furnished to any Certificateholder upon reasonable written request. Section 9.08 Resignation and Removal of the Trustee and Securities Administrator. (a) The Trustee and the Securities Administrator may at any time resign and be discharged from the trust hereby created by giving written notice thereof to the Depositor and the Master Servicer, with a copy to the Rating Agencies. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, -100- the Depositor shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or successor Securities Administrator, as applicable, by written instrument, in triplicate, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to each of the resigning Trustee or Securities Administrator, as applicable, the successor Trustee or Securities Administrator, as applicable. If no successor Trustee or Securities Administrator shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee or Securities Administrator may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee or Securities Administrator. If the Securities Administrator and the Master Servicer are the same entity, then at any time the Securities Administrator resigns or is removed as Securities Administrator, the Master Servicer shall likewise be terminated as Master Servicer. (b) If at any time the Trustee or the Securities Administrator shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.06 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Depositor or if at any time the Trustee or the Securities Administrator shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then the Depositor shall promptly remove the Trustee, or shall be entitled to remove the Securities Administrator, as applicable, and appoint a successor Trustee or Securities Administrator, as applicable, by written instrument, in triplicate, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to each of the Trustee or Securities Administrator, as applicable, so removed, the successor Trustee or Securities Administrator, as applicable. (c) The Holders of Certificates evidencing Percentage Interests aggregating not less than 51% of the Trust Fund may at any time remove the Trustee or the Securities Administrator and appoint a successor Trustee or Securities Administrator by written instrument or instruments, in quadruplicate, signed by such Holders or their attorneys-in-fact duly authorized, one complete set of which instruments shall be delivered to the Depositor, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator (if the Trustee is removed), the Trustee (if the Securities Administrator is removed), and the Trustee or Securities Administrator so removed and the successor so appointed. (d) No resignation or removal of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator and appointment of a successor Trustee or Securities Administrator pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 9.08 shall become effective except upon appointment of and acceptance of such appointment by the successor Trustee or Securities Administrator as provided in Section 9.09. Section 9.09 Successor Trustee and Successor Securities Administrator. (a) Any successor Trustee or Securities Administrator appointed as provided in Section 9.08 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Depositor, the Master Servicer and its predecessor Trustee or Securities Administrator an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder. The resignation or removal of the predecessor Trustee or Securities Administrator shall then become effective and such successor Trustee or Securities Administrator, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee or -101- Securities Administrator herein. The predecessor Trustee or Securities Administrator shall after payment of its outstanding fees and expenses promptly deliver to the successor Trustee or Securities Administrator, as applicable, all assets and records of the Trust held by it hereunder, and the Depositor and the predecessor Trustee or Securities Administrator, as applicable, shall execute and deliver such instruments and do such other things as may reasonably be required for more fully and certainly vesting and confirming in the successor Trustee or Securities Administrator, as applicable, all such rights, powers, duties and obligations. (b) No successor Trustee or Securities Administrator shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 9.09 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee or Securities Administrator shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 9.06. (c) Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee or Securities Administrator as provided in this Section 9.09, the successor Trustee or Securities Administrator shall mail notice of the succession of such Trustee or Securities Administrator hereunder to all Certificateholders at their addresses as shown in the Certificate Register and to the Rating Agencies. The Depositor shall pay the cost of any mailing by the successor Trustee or Securities Administrator. Section 9.10 Merger or Consolidation of Trustee or Securities Administrator. Any state bank or trust company or national banking association into which the Trustee or the Securities Administrator may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated or any state bank or trust company or national banking association resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, respectively, shall be a party, or any state bank or trust company or national banking association succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, respectively, shall be the successor of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, respectively, hereunder, provided such state bank or trust company or national banking association shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 9.06. Such succession shall be valid without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. Section 9.11 Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee. (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, at any time, for the purpose of meeting any legal requirements of any jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust or property constituting the same may at the time be located, the Depositor and the Trustee acting jointly shall have the power and shall execute and deliver all instruments to appoint one or more Persons approved by the Trustee and the Depositor to act as co-trustee or co-trustees, jointly with the Trustee, or separate trustee or separate trustees, of all or any part of the Trust, and to vest in such Person or Persons, in such capacity, such title to the Trust, or any part thereof, and, subject to the other provisions of this Section 9.11, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Depositor and the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable. (b) If the Depositor shall not have joined in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by it of a written request so to do, the Trustee shall have the power to make such appointment without the Depositor. -102- (c) No co-Master Servicer or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a successor trustee under Section 9.06 hereunder and no notice to Certificateholders of the appointment of co-trustee(s) or separate trustee(s) shall be required under Section 9.08 hereof. (d) In the case of any appointment of a co-trustee or separate trustee pursuant to this Section 9.11, all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Trustee and required to be conferred on such co-trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly, except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed (whether as Trustee hereunder or as successor to the Master Servicer hereunder), the Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations (including the holding of title to the Trust or any portion thereof in any such jurisdiction) shall be exercised and performed by such separate trustee or co-trustee at the direction of the Trustee. (e) Any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and co-trustees, as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Agreement and the conditions of this Article IX. Each separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Agreement, specifically including every provision of this Agreement relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee. Every such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee. (f) To the extent not prohibited by law, any separate trustee or co-trustee may, at any time, request the Trustee, its agent or attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority, to do any lawful act under or with respect to this Agreement on its behalf and in its name. If any separate trustee or co-trustee shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estates, properties rights, remedies and trusts shall vest in and be exercised by the Trustee, to the extent permitted by law, without the appointment of a new or successor Trustee. (g) No Trustee under this Agreement shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of another Trustee under this Agreement. The Depositor and the Trustee acting jointly may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee. -103- Section 9.12 Federal Information Returns and Reports to Certificateholders; REMIC Administration. (a) REMIC elections as set forth in the Preliminary Statement shall be made on Forms 1066 or other appropriate federal tax or information return for the taxable year ending on the last day of the calendar year in which the Certificates are issued. The regular interests and residual interest in each REMIC shall be as designated in the Preliminary Statement. (b) The Closing Date is hereby designated as the "Startup Day" of each REMIC within the meaning of section 860G(a)(9) of the Code. The latest possible maturity date for purposes of Treasury Regulation 1.860G-1(a)(4) will be the Latest Possible Maturity Date. (c) The Securities Administrator shall, for federal income tax purposes, maintain books and records with respect to each REMIC on a calendar year and on an accrual basis. (d) The Securities Administrator shall represent the Trust Fund in any administrative or judicial proceeding relating to an examination or audit by any governmental taxing authority with respect thereto. The Securities Administrator shall pay any and all tax-related expenses (not including taxes) of each REMIC, including but not limited to any professional fees or expenses related to audits or any administrative or judicial proceedings with respect to such REMIC that involve the Internal Revenue Service or state tax authorities, but only to the extent that (i) such expenses are ordinary or routine expenses, including expenses of a routine audit but not expenses of litigation (except as described in (ii)); or (ii) such expenses or liabilities (including taxes and penalties) are attributable to the negligence or willful misconduct of the Securities Administrator in fulfilling its duties hereunder (including its duties as tax return preparer). The Securities Administrator shall be entitled to reimbursement of expenses to the extent provided in clause (i) above from the Distribution Account, provided, however, the Securities Administrator shall not be entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of tax returns and other reports as required by this Section. (e) The Securities Administrator shall prepare and file, and the Trustee shall sign, all of each REMIC's and the Trust Fund's federal and appropriate state tax and information returns as such REMIC's direct representative. The expenses of preparing and filing such returns shall be borne by the Securities Administrator. (f) The Securities Administrator or its designee shall perform on behalf of each REMIC all reporting and other tax compliance duties that are the responsibility of such REMIC under the Code, the REMIC Provisions, or other compliance guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service or any state or local taxing authority. Among its other duties, if required by the Code, the REMIC Provisions, or other such guidance, the Securities Administrator shall provide, upon receipt of additional reasonable compensation, to the Treasury or other governmental authority such information as is necessary for the application of any tax relating to the transfer of a Residual Certificate to any disqualified person or organization pursuant to Treasury Regulation 1.860E-2(a)(5) and any person designated in Section 860E(e)(3) of the Code. (g) The Securities Administrator and the Holders of Certificates shall take any action or cause any REMIC to take any action necessary to create or maintain the status of any REMIC -104- as a REMIC under the REMIC Provisions and shall assist each other as necessary to create or maintain such status. Neither the Securities Administrator nor the Holder of any Residual Certificate shall knowingly take any action, cause any REMIC to take any action or fail to take (or fail to cause to be taken) any action that, under the REMIC Provisions, if taken or not taken, as the case may be, could (i) endanger the status of any REMIC as a REMIC or (ii) result in the imposition of a tax upon any REMIC (including but not limited to the tax on prohibited transactions as defined in Code Section 860F(a)(2) and the tax on prohibited contributions set forth on Section 860G(d) of the Code) (either such event, an "Adverse REMIC Event") unless the Securities Administrator has received a REMIC Opinion (at the expense of the party seeking to take such action) to the effect that the contemplated action will not endanger such status or result in the imposition of such a tax. In addition, prior to taking any action with respect to any REMIC or the assets therein, or causing any REMIC to take any action, which is not expressly permitted under the terms of this Agreement, any Holder of a Residual Certificate will consult with the Securities Administrator, in writing, with respect to whether such action could cause an Adverse REMIC Event to occur with respect to any REMIC, and no such Person shall take any such action or cause any REMIC to take any such action as to which the Securities Administrator has advised it in writing that an Adverse REMIC Event could occur; provided, however, that if no Adverse REMIC Event would occur but such action could result in the imposition of additional taxes on the Residual Certificateholders, no such Person shall take any such action, or cause any REMIC to take any such action without the written consent of the Residual Certificateholders. (h) Each Holder of a Residual Certificate shall pay when due any and all taxes imposed on the related REMIC by federal or state governmental authorities. To the extent that such taxes are not paid by a Residual Certificateholder, the Securities Administrator shall pay any remaining REMIC taxes out of current or future amounts otherwise distributable to the Holder of the Residual Certificate in any such REMIC or, if no such amounts are available, out of other amounts held in the Distribution Account, and shall reduce amounts otherwise payable to holders of regular interests in any such REMIC, as the case may be. (i) The Securities Administrator shall prepare and file with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), on behalf of each of REMIC 1 and the Upper Tier REMIC, an application for an employer identification number on IRS Form SS-4 or by any other acceptable method. The Securities Administrator shall also file a Form 8811 as required. The Securities Administrator, upon receipt from the IRS of the Notice of Taxpayer Identification Number Assigned, shall upon request promptly forward a copy of such notice to the Depositor. The Securities Administrator shall furnish any other information that is required by the Code and regulations thereunder to be made available to Certificateholders. The Depositor shall cause each Servicer to provide the Securities Administrator with such information as is necessary for the Securities Administrator to prepare such reports. (j) No additional contributions of assets shall be made to any REMIC, except as expressly provided in this Agreement. (k) The Securities Administrator shall not enter into any arrangement by which any REMIC will receive a fee or other compensation for services. -105- (l) The Class A-R Holder shall act as "tax matters person" with respect to each REMIC and irrevocably appoints the Securities Administrator to act as its agent in such roles. (m) The Securities Administrator shall prepare or cause to be prepared on behalf of the Trust Fund, based upon information calculated in accordance with this Agreement pursuant to instructions given by the Depositor, the Trustee shall sign, and the Securities Administrator shall file federal tax returns, all in accordance with Section 9.12 hereof. The Securities Administrator shall prepare and file, and the Trustee shall sign, such state income tax returns and such other returns as may be required by applicable law relating to the Trust Fund, and, if required by state law, and shall file any other documents to the extent required by applicable state tax law (to the extent such documents are in the Securities Administrator's possession). The Securities Administrator shall forward copies to the Depositor of all such returns and Form 1099 supplemental tax information and such other information within the control of the Securities Administrator as the Depositor may reasonably request in writing, and shall distribute to each Certificateholder such forms and furnish such information within the control of the Securities Administrator as are required by the Code and the REMIC Provisions to be furnished to them, and will prepare and distribute to Certificateholders Form 1099 (supplemental tax information) (or otherwise furnish information within the control of the Securities Administrator) to the extent required by applicable law. (n) None of the Securities Administrator, the Trustee or the Depositor, as assignees under this Agreement, shall provide any consent pursuant to this Agreement or knowingly take any action under this Agreement that would conflict with or violate the provisions of this Section 9.12. (o) The parties intend that the portion of the Trust Fund consisting of the right to receive the payments distributable to the Class P Certificates shall be treated as a "grantor trust" under the Code, for the benefit of the holders of the Class P Certificates, and the provisions hereof shall be interpreted consistently with this intention. In furtherance of such intention, the Securities Administrator shall (i) furnish or cause to be furnished to the holders of the Class P Certificates information regarding their allocable share of the income with respect to such grantor trust and (ii) file or cause to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service, and the Trustee shall sign, Form 1041 (together with any necessary attachments) and such other forms as may be applicable. (p) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Securities Administrator shall comply with all federal withholding requirements respecting payments to Certificateholders of interest or original issue discount on the Mortgage Loans, that the Securities Administrator reasonably believes are applicable under the Code. The consent of Certificateholders shall not be required for such withholding. In the event the Securities Administrator withholds any amount from interest or original issue discount payments or advances thereof to any Certificateholder pursuant to federal withholding requirements, the Securities Administrator shall, together with its monthly report to such Certificateholders, indicate such amount withheld. (q) The Trustee and the Securities Administrator agree to indemnify the Trust Fund and the Depositor for any taxes and costs including, without limitation, any reasonable attorneys -106- fees imposed on or incurred by the Trust Fund, the Depositor or the Trustee, as a result of a breach of the Trustee's covenants and the Securities Administrator's covenants, respectively, set forth in this Section 9.12; provided, however, such liability and obligation to indemnify in this paragraph shall not be joint and several and neither the Trustee nor the Securities Administrator shall be liable or be obligated to indemnify the Trust Fund for the failure by the other to perform any duty under this Agreement or the breach by the other of any covenant in this Agreement. (r) The Securities Administrator covenants and agrees that it shall act as agent (and the Securities Administrator is hereby appointed to act as agent) of the Tax Matters Person on behalf of each of the REMICs provided for herein and that in such capacity it shall: (a) to the extent that they are under its control conduct the affairs of each of the REMICs provided for herein at all times that any Certificates are outstanding so as to maintain the status of each of the REMICs provided for herein as a REMIC under the REMIC Provisions; (b) not knowingly or intentionally take any action or omit to take any action that would cause the termination of the REMIC status of any of the REMICs provided for herein or result in the imposition of tax upon any such REMIC; (c) not knowingly or intentionally take any action or omit to take any action that would cause the termination of the grantor trust status under Subpart E, Part I of Subchapter J of the Code of any of the grantor trusts provided for herein or result in the imposition of tax upon any such grantor trust; and (d) as and when necessary and appropriate, represent each of the REMICs provided for herein in any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to an examination or audit by any governmental taxing authority, request an administrative adjustment as to any taxable year of any of the REMICs provided for herein, enter into settlement agreements with any governmental taxing agency, extend any statute of limitations relating to any tax item of any of the REMICs provided for herein, and otherwise act on behalf of each of the REMICs provided for herein in relation to any tax matter involving any of such REMICs or any controversy involving the Trust Fund. (s) Each of the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee agrees not to take or omit to take knowingly or intentionally, any action or omit to take any action that would cause the termination of the REMIC status of any of the REMICs provided for herein or result in the imposition of a tax upon any of the REMICs provided for herein. (t) For the avoidance of doubt, any returns, records, reports or filings required under this Section 9.12 and Section 9.12 of the Stack I Agreement, may be prepared, maintained and filed in a consolidated manner that addresses the requirements of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement taken as a whole. -107- ARTICLE X TERMINATION Section 10.01 Termination upon Liquidation or Repurchase of all Mortgage Loans. (a) Subject to Section 10.03, the obligations and responsibilities of the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee created hereby with respect to that portion of the Trust Fund relating to the Certificates shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) an Optional Termination and (b) the later of (i) the maturity or other liquidation of the last Mortgage Loan remaining in the Trust Fund (or any Monthly Advance with respect thereto) and the disposition of all REO Property and (ii) the distribution to Certificateholders of all amounts required to be distributed to them pursuant to this Agreement, as applicable. In no event shall the trusts created hereby continue beyond the earlier of (i) the expiration of 21 years from the death of the last survivor of the descendants of Joseph P. Kennedy, the late Ambassador of the United States to the Court of St. James's, living on the date hereof and (ii) the Latest Possible Maturity Date. On or before the Determination Date following the Initial Optional Termination Date, the Master Servicer may, at its option, terminate that portion of the Trust Fund relating to the Certificates by purchasing all of the Mortgage Loans and REO Properties at a price equal to the Optional Termination Price. In connection with such termination, the Optional Termination Price shall be delivered to the Securities Administrator no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the related Distribution Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Optional Termination Amount paid to the Securities Administrator by the Master Servicer shall be deposited by the Securities Administrator directly into the Distribution Account immediately upon receipt. (b) For the avoidance of doubt, the obligations and responsibilities of the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee created pursuant to the Stack I Agreement shall survive any termination pursuant to this Section 10.01. Section 10.02 Final Distribution on the Certificates. If on any Determination Date, (i) the Securities Administrator determines that there are no Outstanding Mortgage Loans and no other funds or assets in the Trust Fund relating to the Mortgage Loans other than the funds in the Master Servicer Collection Account, the Securities Administrator shall send a final distribution notice promptly to each Certificateholder or (ii) the Securities Administrator determines that a Class of Certificates shall be retired after a final distribution on such Class, the Securities Administrator shall notify the Certificateholders within seven (7) Business Days after such Determination Date that the final distribution in retirement of such Class of Certificates is scheduled to be made on the immediately following Distribution Date. Any final distribution made pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence will be made only upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates at the office of the Securities Administrator. Notice of any partial termination of the Issuing Entity, specifying the Distribution Date on which Certificateholders may surrender their Certificates for payment of the final distribution -108- and cancellation, shall be given promptly by the Securities Administrator by letter to Certificateholders mailed no later than the last calendar day of the month immediately preceding the month of such final distribution. Any such notice shall specify (a) the Distribution Date upon which final distribution on the Certificates will be made upon presentation and surrender of Certificates at the office therein designated, (b) the location of the office or agency at which such presentation and surrender must be made, and (c) that the Record Date otherwise applicable to such Distribution Date is not applicable, distributions being made only upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates at the office therein specified. The Securities Administrator will give such notice to each Rating Agency at the time such notice is given to Certificateholders. In the event such notice is given, the Master Servicer shall cause all funds in the Master Servicer Collection Account to be deposited in the Distribution Account on the Business Day prior to the applicable Distribution Date in an amount equal to the final distribution in respect of the Certificates. Upon receipt of written notice of such final deposit with respect to the Issuing Entity and the receipt by the Trustee, or its Custodian, of a Request for Release therefor, the Trustee, or its Custodian, shall promptly release to the Securities Administrator or the Master Servicer, as applicable, the Mortgage Files for the Mortgage Loans. Upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates, the Securities Administrator shall cause to be distributed to Certificateholders of each Class the amounts allocable to such Certificates held in the Distribution Account in the order and priority set forth in Section 6.01 hereof on the final Distribution Date and in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests. In the event that any affected Certificateholders shall not surrender Certificates for cancellation within six months after the date specified in the above-mentioned written notice, the Securities Administrator shall give a second written notice to the remaining Certificateholders to surrender their Certificates for cancellation and receive the final distribution with respect thereto. If within six months after the second notice all the applicable Certificates shall not have been surrendered for cancellation, the Securities Administrator may take appropriate steps, or may appoint an agent to take appropriate steps, to contact the remaining Certificateholders concerning surrender of their Certificates, and the cost thereof shall be paid out of the funds and other assets that remain a part of the Issuing Entity. If within one year after the second notice all Certificates shall not have been surrendered for cancellation, the Class A-R Certificateholders shall be entitled to all unclaimed funds and other assets of the Issuing Entity that remain subject hereto. Upon payment to the Class A-R Certificateholders of such funds and assets, the Securities Administrator shall have no further duties or obligations with respect thereto. Section 10.03 Additional Termination Requirements. (a) In the event the Securities Administrator or the Master Servicer exercises its purchase option as provided in Section 10.01, that portion of the Trust Fund relating to the Mortgage Loans shall be terminated in accordance with the following additional requirements, unless the Securities Administrator shall have been furnished with an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the failure of the Issuing Entity to comply with the requirements of this Section will not (i) result in the imposition of taxes on "prohibited transactions" of the Issuing Entity as defined in Section 860F of the Code or (ii) cause any REMIC constituting part of the Issuing Entity to fail to qualify as a REMIC at any time that any Certificates are outstanding: -109- (i) Within 90 days prior to the final Distribution Date, the Securities Administrator shall adopt and sign a plan of complete liquidation of the Issuing Entity as provided to it by the terminating purchaser, meeting the requirements of a "qualified liquidation" under Section 860F of the Code and any regulations thereunder; and (ii) At or after the time of adoption of such a plan of complete liquidation and at or prior to the final Distribution Date, the Securities Administrator shall sell all of the assets of the Issuing Entity for cash pursuant to the terms of the plan of complete liquidation. (b) By their acceptance of Certificates, the Holders thereof hereby agree to appoint the Securities Administrator as their attorney in fact to: (i) adopt such a plan of complete liquidation (and the Certificateholders hereby appoint the Securities Administrator as their attorney in fact to sign such plan) as appropriate and (ii) to take such other action in connection therewith as may be reasonably required to carry out such plan of complete liquidation all in accordance with the terms hereof. ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Section 11.01 Intent of Parties. The parties intend that each REMIC shall be treated as a REMIC for federal income tax purposes and that the provisions of this Agreement should be construed in furtherance of this intent. Section 11.02 Amendment. (a) This Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee, and without the consent of any of the Certificateholders to: (i) to cure any ambiguity or correct any mistake, (ii) to correct, modify or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, (iii) to add any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement, or (iv) to modify, alter, amend, add to or rescind any of the terms or provisions contained in this Agreement; provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (iii) and (iv), such amendment will not, as evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel addressed to the Securities Administrator to such effect, adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any Certificateholder; provided, further, however, that such amendment will be deemed to not adversely affect in any material respect the interest of any Holder if the Person requesting such amendment obtains a letter from each Rating Agency stating that such amendment will not result in a reduction or withdrawal of its rating of any Class of -110- the Certificates, it being understood and agreed that any such letter in and of itself will not represent a determination as to the materiality of any such amendment and will represent a determination only as to the credit issues affecting any such rating. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of the Certificateholders, the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee may at any time and from time to time amend this Agreement to modify, eliminate or add to any of its provisions to such extent as shall be necessary or appropriate to maintain the qualification of any of the REMICs provided for herein as REMICs under the Code or to avoid or minimize the risk of the imposition of any tax on the Issuing Entity or any of the REMICs provided for herein pursuant to the Code that would be a claim against the Issuing Entity at any time prior to the final redemption of the Certificates, provided that the Trustee and the Securities Administrator shall have been provided an Opinion of Counsel addressed to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, which opinion shall be an expense of the party requesting such amendment but in any case shall not be an expense of the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, to the effect that such action is necessary or appropriate to maintain such qualification or to avoid or minimize the risk of the imposition of such a tax. (b) This Agreement may also be amended from time to time by the Master Servicer, the Depositor, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee, and the Assignment Agreements may also be amended from time to time by the Master Servicer and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of Certificates evidencing Percentage Interests aggregating not less than 51% of the Class Certificate Balance of the Certificates or of the applicable Class or Classes, if such amendment affects only such Class or Classes, for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Agreement or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Certificateholders; provided, however, that no such amendment shall (i) reduce in any manner the amount of, or delay the timing of, payments received on Mortgage Loans which are required to be distributed on any Regular Certificate without the consent of the Holder of such Regular Certificate, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Certificates the Holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment, without the consent of the Holders of all Certificates then outstanding. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Agreement, the Trustee shall not consent to any amendment to this Agreement unless it shall have first received an Opinion of Counsel addressed to the Trustee, which opinion shall be an expense of the party requesting such amendment but in any case shall not be an expense of the Trustee, to the effect that such amendment is permitted hereunder and will not cause the imposition of any tax on the Issuing Entity, any of the REMICs provided for herein or the Certificateholders or cause any of the REMICs provided for herein to fail to qualify as a REMIC at any time that any Certificates are outstanding. (c) Promptly after the execution of any such amendment, the Securities Administrator shall furnish a copy of such amendment or written notification of the substance of such amendment to each Certificateholder, with a copy to the Rating Agencies. (d) In the case of an amendment under Subsection 11.02(b) above, it shall not be necessary for the Certificateholders to approve the particular form of such an amendment. Rather, it shall be sufficient if the Certificateholders approve the substance of the amendment. The manner of obtaining such consents and of evidencing the authorization of the execution -111- thereof by Certificateholders shall be subject to such reasonable regulations as the Trustee may prescribe. (e) Prior to the execution of any amendment to this Agreement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and rely upon an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Agreement and will not adversely affect the status of any REMIC created hereunder. The Trustee and the Securities Administrator may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such amendment which affects the Trustee's or the Securities Administrator's own respective rights, duties or immunities under this Agreement. (f) Notwithstanding the above, this Agreement may not be amended in any manner that would adversely affect any Servicer without the written consent of such Servicer. Section 11.03 Recordation of Agreement. To the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement is subject to recordation in all appropriate public offices for real property records in all the counties or other comparable jurisdictions in which any or all of the Mortgaged Properties are situated, and in any other appropriate public recording office or elsewhere. The Depositor shall effect such recordation, at the expense of the Issuing Entity upon the request in writing of a Certificateholder, but only if such direction is accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel (provided at the expense of the Certificateholder requesting recordation) to the effect that such recordation would materially and beneficially affect the interests of the Certificateholders or is required by law. Section 11.04 Limitation on Rights of Certificateholders. (a) The death or incapacity of any Certificateholder shall not terminate this Agreement or the Issuing Entity, nor entitle such Certificateholder's legal representatives or heirs to claim an accounting or to take any action or proceeding in any court for a partition or winding up of the Issuing Entity, nor otherwise affect the rights, obligations and liabilities of the parties hereto or any of them. (b) Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, no Certificateholders shall have any right to vote or in any manner otherwise control the operation and management of the Issuing Entity, or the obligations of the parties hereto, nor shall anything herein set forth, or contained in the terms of the Certificates, be construed so as to establish the Certificateholders from time to time as partners or members of an association; nor shall any Certificateholders be under any liability to any third Person by reason of any action taken by the parties to this Agreement pursuant to any provision hereof. (c) No Certificateholder shall have any right by virtue of any provision of this Agreement to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon, under or with respect to this Agreement against the Depositor, the Securities Administrator, the Master Servicer or any successor to any such parties unless (i) such Certificateholder previously shall have given to the Trustee a written notice of a continuing default, as herein provided, (ii) the Holders of Certificates evidencing Percentage Interests aggregating not less than 51% of the Trust Fund shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs and expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and (iii) the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, -112- request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding. (d) No one or more Certificateholders shall have any right by virtue of any provision of this Agreement to affect the rights of any other Certificateholders or to obtain or seek to obtain priority or preference over any other such Certificateholder, or to enforce any right under this Agreement, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Certificateholders. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 11.04, each and every Certificateholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity. Section 11.05 Acts of Certificateholders. (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Agreement to be given or taken by Certificateholders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Certificateholders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is expressly required, to the Depositor. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Agreement and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Depositor, if made in the manner provided in this Section 11.05. (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his or her individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his or her authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the individual executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient. (c) The ownership of Certificates (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing on such Certificates, except an endorsement in accordance with Section 5.02 made on a Regular Certificate presented in accordance with Section 5.04) shall be proved by the Certificate Register, and neither the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Depositor, the Master Servicer nor any successor to any such parties shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. (d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action of the holder of any Regular Certificate shall bind every future holder of the same Regular Certificate and the holder of every Regular Certificate issued upon the registration of transfer or exchange thereof, if applicable, or in lieu thereof with respect to anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Depositor, the Master Servicer or any successor to any such party in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Certificates. -113- (e) In determining whether the Holders of the requisite percentage of Certificates evidencing Percentage Interests have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Certificates owned by the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Depositor, the Master Servicer or any Affiliate thereof shall be disregarded, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.02(b) and except that, in determining whether the Securities Administrator or the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Certificates which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Certificates which have been pledged in good faith to the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Depositor, the Master Servicer or any Affiliate thereof may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgor establishes to the satisfaction of the Securities Administrator the pledgor's right to act with respect to such Certificates and that the pledgor is not an Affiliate of the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Depositor, or the Master Servicer, as the case may be. Section 11.06 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE CERTIFICATES SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS. Section 11.07 Notices. All demands and notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered at (including delivery by facsimile) or mailed by registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by recognized overnight courier, to (i) in the case of the Depositor, 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281, Attention: Vice President-Servicing, telecopier number: (212) 449-1000, or to such other address as may hereafter be furnished to the other parties hereto in writing; (ii) in the case of the Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, or such other address as may hereafter be furnished to the other parties hereto in writing; (iii) in the case of the Master Servicer or Securities Administrator, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., P.O. Box 98, Columbia, Maryland 21046, Attention: Client Manager MANA Series 2007-AF1, or, in the case of overnight deliveries, 9062 Old Annapolis Road, Columbia, Maryland 21045-1951, Attention: Client Manager MANA Series 2007-AF1, facsimile no.: (410) 715-2380, or such other address as may hereafter be furnished to the other parties hereto in writing; (iv) in the case of the Custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 1015 10th Avenue Southeast, MS 0031, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, Attention: MANA Series 2007-AF1; or such other address as may hereafter be furnished to the other parties hereto in writing; or (v) in the case of the Rating Agencies, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., 99 Church Street, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10007 and Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041. Any notice delivered to the Depositor, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator or the Master Servicer under this Agreement shall be effective only upon receipt. Any notice required or permitted to be mailed to a Certificateholder, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at the address of such Certificateholder as shown in the Certificate Register. Any notice so mailed within the time prescribed in this Agreement shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given when mailed, whether or not the Certificateholder receives such notice. Section 11.08 Severability of Provisions. If any one or more of the covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement shall be for any reason whatsoever held -114- invalid, then such covenants, agreements, provisions or terms shall be deemed severed from the remaining covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement and shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement or of the Certificates or the rights of the holders thereof. Section 11.09 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto. Section 11.10 Article and Section Headings. The article and section headings herein are for convenience of reference only, and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. Section 11.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Section 11.12 Notice to Rating Agencies. The article and section headings herein are for convenience of reference only, and shall not limited or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. The Trustee shall promptly provide notice to each Rating Agency with respect to each of the following of which it has actual knowledge: 1. Any material change or amendment to this Agreement or the Servicing Agreements; 2. The occurrence of any Event of Default that has not been cured; 3. The resignation or termination of the Trustee, the Master Servicer or the Securities Administrator; 4. The repurchase or substitution of Mortgage Loans; 5. The final payment to Certificateholders; and 6. Any change in the location of the Master Servicer Collection Account or the Distribution Account. Section 11.13 Third Party Rights. The Custodian shall be deemed a third party beneficiary of this Agreement regarding provisions related to indemnifying the Custodian so long as the Custodian remains custodian under the Custodial Agreement. ARTICLE XII REMIC ADMINISTRATION Section 12.01 [Reserved]. Section 12.02 Prohibited Transactions and Activities. Neither the Depositor nor the Securities Administrator shall sell, dispose of, or substitute for any of the Mortgage Loans, except in a disposition pursuant to (i) the foreclosure of a Mortgage Loan, (ii) the bankruptcy of -115- the Trust Fund, (iii) the termination of each REMIC pursuant to Article X of this Agreement, (iv) a substitution pursuant to Article II of this Agreement or (v) a repurchase of Mortgage Loans pursuant to Article II of this Agreement, nor acquire any assets for any REMIC, nor sell or dispose of any investments in the Distribution Account for gain, nor accept any contributions to any REMIC after the Closing Date, unless it has received an Opinion of Counsel (at the expense of the party causing such sale, disposition, or substitution) that such disposition, acquisition, substitution, or acceptance will not (a) affect adversely the status of any such REMIC as a REMIC or of the interests therein other than the Residual Certificate as the regular interests therein, (b) affect the distribution of interest or principal on the Certificates, (c) result in the encumbrance of the assets transferred or assigned to the Trust Fund (except pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement) or (d) cause any such REMIC to be subject to any tax including a tax on prohibited transactions or prohibited contributions pursuant to the REMIC Provisions. Section 12.03 Indemnification with Respect to Prohibited Transactions or Loss of REMIC Status. In the event that a REMIC fails to qualify as a REMIC, loses its status as a REMIC, or incurs federal, state or local taxes as a result of a prohibited transaction or prohibited contribution under the REMIC Provisions due to the negligent performance by the Securities Administrator of its duties and obligations set forth herein, the Securities Administrator shall indemnify the Certificateholders of the related Residual Certificate against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses ("Losses") resulting from such negligence; provided, however, that the Securities Administrator shall not be liable for any such Losses attributable to the action or inaction of the Depositor or the Holder of the Residual Certificate, nor for any such Losses resulting from misinformation provided by any of the foregoing parties on which the Securities Administrator has relied. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in no event shall the Trustee or the Securities Administrator have any liability (1) for any action or omission that is taken in accordance with and in compliance with the express terms of, or which is expressly permitted by the terms of, this Agreement or the Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement, (2) for any Losses other than arising out of malfeasance, willful misconduct or negligent performance by the Securities Administrator with respect to its duties and obligations set forth herein, and (3) for any special or consequential damages to Certificateholders of the related Residual Certificate (in addition to payment of principal and interest on the Certificates). Section 12.04 REO Property. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Securities Administrator shall not, except to the extent provided in this Agreement for which the Securities Administrator is obligated to perform, knowingly permit any Servicer to rent, lease, otherwise earn income or take any other action on behalf of any REMIC with respect to any REO Property which might cause such REO Property to fail to qualify as "foreclosure property" within the meaning of section 860G(a)(8) of the Code or result in the receipt by any REMIC of any "income from non-permitted assets" within the meaning of section 860F(a)(2) of the Code or any "net income from foreclosure property" which is subject to tax under the REMIC Provisions unless the Servicer has provided to the Securities Administrator an Opinion of Counsel concluding that, under the REMIC Provisions, such action would not adversely affect the status of any REMIC as a REMIC and any income generated for any REMIC by the REO Property would not result in the imposition of a tax upon such REMIC. -116- (b) The Depositor shall cause each Servicer (to the extent provided in the applicable Servicing Agreement) to make reasonable efforts to sell any REO Property for its fair market value. In any event, however, the Depositor shall, or shall cause the Servicer (to the extent provided in this Agreement) to, dispose of any REO Property within three years of its acquisition by the Issuing Entity unless the Depositor or such Servicer (on behalf of the Issuing Entity) has received a grant of extension from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that, under the REMIC Provisions and any relevant proposed legislation and under applicable state law, the REMIC may hold REO Property for a longer period without adversely affecting the REMIC status of such REMIC or causing the imposition of a Federal or state tax upon such REMIC. If such an extension has been received, then the Depositor, acting on behalf of the Trustee hereunder, shall, or shall cause the Servicer to, continue to attempt to sell the REO Property for its fair market value for such period longer than three years as such extension permits (the "Extended Period"). If such an extension has not been received and the Depositor or the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Issuing Entity hereunder, is unable to sell the REO Property within 33 months after its acquisition by the Issuing Entity or if such an extension, has been received and the Depositor or the Servicer is unable to sell the REO Property within the period ending three months before the close of the Extended Period, the Depositor shall cause the Servicer, before the end of the three year period or the Extended Period, as applicable, to (i) purchase such REO Property at a price equal to the REO Property's fair market value or (ii) auction the REO Property to the highest bidder (which may be the Servicer) in an auction reasonably designed to produce a fair price prior to the expiration of the three-year period or the Extended Period, as the case may be. -117- IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Depositor, the Trustee, the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator have caused their names to be signed hereto by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first above written. MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS, INC., as Depositor By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee By: ------------------------------------ Name: ---------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as Master Servicer By: ------------------------------------ Name: Michael Pinzon Title: Vice President WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as Securities Administrator By: ------------------------------------ Name: Michael Pinzon Title: Vice President